Lots of interesting developments are occurring in tech at the moment. I truly believe we have arrived at a groundbreaking time in history.
In this week’s news we summarise two of the top newsworthy tech articles below. Don’t worry it’s just a quick one this week since it is holiday season. If I don’t get my daughter to the beach soon she may go crazy…
Contents
- A Window into the Mind: New Tech Reveals How We Think
- Breaking the Brain Code: Scientists Capture Thoughts on Camera
- Data Privacy Nightmare: Meta to Use Your Posts for AI Training
- How can I stop Meta using my photos for its AI?
- Meta’s Data Grab: Your Posts, Their Profit?
- Data is the New Gold
- Can You Opt Out?
A Window into the Mind: New Tech Reveals How We Think
We are experiencing a golden age of medical and technological advancement, with breakthroughs in brain-computer interfaces promising to revolutionise healthcare and human potential.
Why it’s amazing: These advancements hold the potential to cure previously incurable diseases, enhance human capabilities far beyond what we currently imagine, and improve the quality of life for millions of people.
Breaking the Brain Code: Scientists Capture Thoughts on Camera
We stand at a pivotal moment in history where rapid advancements are poised to revolutionise the diagnosis and treatment of numerous critical illnesses. Simultaneously, we are on the cusp of unlocking the human brain’s full potential. A prime example of this progress is the development of brain-computer interfaces, a technology designed to assist paralyzed individuals in controlling computers.
One company at the forefront of this innovation is Precision Neuroscience. They have engineered remarkably thin and flexible electrodes capable of being placed directly on the brain’s surface. These electrodes have the potential to capture intricate details of brain activity, even predicting a person’s intended speech.
“This is basically the brain thinking,” says Rapoport. “You’re seeing the physical manifestation of thought.”
In this video, which I’ve converted to a GIF, you can see the pattern of electrical activity in the man’s brain as he recites numbers. Each dot represents the voltage sensed by an electrode on the array on the man’s brain, over a region involved in speech. The reds and oranges represent higher voltages, while the blues and purples represent lower ones. The video has been slowed down 20-fold, because “thoughts happen faster than the eye can see,” says Rapoport.
The company is awaiting FDA approval.
Data Privacy Nightmare: Meta to Use Your Posts for AI Training
AI models are increasingly trained on vast amounts of user-generated data, raising concerns about privacy and copyright infringement as companies like Meta harvest information from social media platforms to fuel their AI development.
Information on how to opt out of this below.
How can I stop Meta using my photos for its AI?
If you post or interact with chatbots on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, or WhatsApp, Meta can use your data to train its generative AI models beginning June 26, according to its recently updated privacy policy. Even if you don’t use any of Meta’s platforms, it can still scrape data such as photos of you if someone else posts them.
Right now it looks like it’s only possible to opt out of this in Europe. European users — including myself — can go to the Settings page on the Instagram or Facebook app, then go to About > Privacy Policy where there’ll be a new box with information regarding Meta AI including a link to an opt-out form called Right to object.
Meta’s Data Grab: Your Posts, Their Profit?
Meta, the tech giant behind Facebook, Instagram, and more, is making a bold move. Starting June 26th, they’re planning to use your data – everything from your posts to your photos – to train their AI models. This means your personal information and intellectual property could become fuel for their AI empire.
Data is the New Gold
The internet is a goldmine of data for tech companies, and they’re in a race to hoard as much as possible. Meta is no exception. By scraping data from public posts, they can build bigger, better AI models without lifting a finger (or spending a dime). But is this fair? Critics argue that tech companies are overstepping their boundaries, and lawsuits are piling up.
Can You Opt Out?
If you’re uncomfortable with Meta using your data to train their AI, you might be able to opt out. However, the process isn’t straightforward. Users in Europe and the UK have stronger data protection rights and can follow specific steps to object. For those in the US and other countries without comprehensive data privacy laws, the options are limited.
To opt out if you’re in the EU or UK, follow these steps:
- Facebook + Instagram :https://web.facebook.com/help/contact/712876720715583
It’s important to note that even if you manage to opt out, there’s no guarantee Meta will honour your request. And remember, this only applies to future data. Data they’ve already collected might still be used.
As AI continues to evolve, so too will the battle for data privacy. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
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