Cloud Hosting

Here at The Autopian, we have some very stern rules when it comes to the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the content we produce. While our crack design team may occasionally employ AI as a tool in generating images, well never just use AI on its own to do anything not just for ethical reasons, but because we often want images of specificcars, and AI fundamentally doesnt understand anything. When an AI generates an image of a car, it has no idea if that car ever actually existed or not. An AI doesnt have ideas at all, in fact its just scraped data being assembled with a glorified assembly of if-then-else commands.

This is an even bigger factor in AI-generated copy. Well never use it because AI has no idea what the hell its writing about, and so has no clue if anything is actually true, and since ChatGPT has never driven a car, I dont really trust its insights into anything automotive.

These sort of rules are hardly universal in our industry, though, so if we ever wanted confirmation that our no-AI-copy rule was the right way, were lucky enough to be able to get such reassurance pretty easily. For example, all we have to do is read this dazzlingly shitty article re-published over on Yahoo Finance about the worst cars people have owned.

Maybe its not AI? Maybe this Kellan Jansen is an actual writer who actually wrote this, and in that case, I feel bad both for this coming excoriation and about whatever happened to them to cause them to be in the state they seem to be in. The article is shallow and terrible and gleefully, hilariously wrongin several places.

I guess I should also note that we dont use AI because the 48K Sinclair Spectrum workstations we use here dont quite have the power to run any AI. Well, we do have one AI that we use on them, our Artificial Ignorance system that we employ to get just that specialje ne sais quoi in every post we write. Oh, and our AI (Artificial Indignation) tools help with our hot takes, too. So, two.

Okay, but lets get back to the Yahoo Finance article, titled The Worst Car I Ever Owned: 9 People Share Which Vehicles Arent Worth Your Money, which is a conceptually lazy article that is just taking the responses to a Reddit post called Whats the worst car you have personally owned? which makes this story basically just a re-write of a Reddit post. It seems like the Reddit post was fed into whatever AI half-assed its way through generating the article, based on these results.

The results are, predictably, shitty, but also still worthy of pointing out because comeon. Theres this, for example:

BMWs are a frequent source of frustration for car owners on Reddit. Just ask userHurr1canE_.

They bought a 2023 BMW BRZ and almost immediately started experiencing problems. Their turbo started blowing white smoke within two weeks of buying the car, and the engine blew up within 5,000 miles.

The Reddit user also had these issues with the car:

Other users mention poor experiences with BMW X3s and 540i Sport Wagons. Its enough to suggest you think carefully before making one of these your next vehicle.

The fuck? What is a BMW BRZ? This is such a perfect example of why AI-generated articles are garbage: they make shit up. Maybe thats anthropomorphizing the un-sentient algorithm too much, but the point is that its writing, with all the confidence of a drunk uncle about to belly-flop into a pool, about a car that simply does not exist.

And, if you look at the Reddit post, its easy to see what happened:

The Redditor had their current car, a 2023 [Subaru] BRZ in their little under-name caption (their flair), and the dumb AI processed that into the mix, and, being a dumb computer algorithm that doesnt know from cars or clams, conflated the car being talked about with the one the poster actually owns. You know, like how a drooling simpleton might.

Theres more of this, too. Like this one:

Ah, yes, the F10 550i. So many of us have been burned by that F10 brand, have we not? Or, at least, we would have, if such a brand existed, which it doesnt. What seems to have happened here is the AI found a user complaining about a 2011 F10 550i but didnt know enough to realize this was a user talking about their BMW 5 series, and yes, F10 refers to the 5-series cars made between 2010 to 2016, but nobody would refer to this car out of context in a general-interest article on a financial sitewithoutmentioning BMW, would they? I mean, no human would, but we dont seem to be dealing with a human, just a dumb machine.

Even if we ignore the made-up car makes and models, the vague and useless issues listed, and the fact that the article is nothing more than a re-tread of a random Reddit post, theres no escaping that this entire thing is useless garbage, an unmitigated waste of time. What is learned by reading this article? What is gained? Nothing, absolutely nothing.

And its not like this is on some no-name site; it was published on Yahoo! Finance, well, after first appearing on GOBankingRates.com, that mainstay of automotive journalism. It all just makes me angry because there are innocent normies out there, reading Yahoo! Finance, maybe with some mild interest in cars, and now their heads are getting filled with information that is simplywrong.

People deserve better than this garbage. And this was just something innocuous; what if some overpaid seat-dampener at Yahoo decides that theyll have AI write articles about actually driving or something that involves actual safety, and theres no attempt made to confirm that the text AI poops out has any basis in fact at all?

We dont need this. AI-generated crapticles like these are just going to clog Google searches and load the web up full of insipid, inaccurate garbage, and thatsmyjob, dammit.

Seriously, though, were at an interesting transition point right now; these kinds of articles are still new, and while I dont know if theres any way we can stop the internet from becoming polluted with this sort of crap, maybe we can at least complain about it, loudly. Then we can say we Did Something.

(Thanks, Isaac!)

More:

This Seemingly AI-Generated Car Article On Yahoo Is A Good Reminder That AI Is An Idiot - The Autopian

Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella announces a new data center region in Thailand during Microsoft Build: AI Day on May 01, 2024 in Bangkok, Thailand. Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images for Microsoft.

Read this in Thai.

Commitments include new cloud and AI infrastructure, AI skilling opportunities, and support for Thailands growing developer community

Bangkok, May 1, 2024 Today, Microsoft announced significant commitments to build new cloud and AI infrastructure in Thailand, provide AI skilling opportunities for over 100,000 people, and support the nations growing developer community.

The commitments build on Microsofts memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Royal Thai Government to envision the nations digital-first, AI-powered future.

Microsoft Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella made the announcement in front of approximately 2,000 developers and business and technology leaders at the Microsoft Build: AI Day in Bangkok on Wednesday. The event was also attended by Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who delivered a special address.

Our Ignite Thailand vision for 2030 aims to achieve the goal of developing the countrys stature as a regional digital economy hub that significantly enhances our innovation and R&D capabilities while also strengthening our tech workforce, said Prime Minister Thavisin. Todays announcement with Microsoft is a significant milestone in the journey of our Ignite Thailand vision one that promises new opportunities for growth, innovation, and prosperity for all Thais.

Thailand has an incredible opportunity to build a digital-first, AI-powered future, said Satya Nadella, Chairman and CEO, Microsoft. Our new datacenter region, along with the investments we are making in cloud and AI infrastructure, as well as AI skilling, build on our long-standing commitment to the country and will help Thai organizations across the public and private sector drive new impact and growth.

Dhanawat Suthumpun, Managing Director of Microsoft Thailand, said: Microsoft is dedicated to helping Thailand excel as a digital economy, ensuring that the benefits of cloud and AI technologies are widespread and contribute to the prosperity and wellbeing of Thais. Together, we are laying the foundations for a future that is not only technologically advanced but also inclusive and sustainable.

Growing capacity to thrive in the AI era

Microsofts digital infrastructure commitment includes establishing a new datacenter region in Thailand. The datacenter region will expand the availability of Microsofts hyperscale cloud services, facilitating enterprise-grade reliability, performance, and compliance with data residency and privacy standards.

It follows growing demand for cloud computing services in Thailand from enterprises, local businesses, and public sector organizations. It will also allow Thailand to capitalize on the significant economic and productivity opportunities presented by the latest AI technology.

According to research by Kearney, AI could contribute nearly US$1 trillion to Southeast Asias gross domestic product by 2030, with Thailand poised to capture US$117 billion of this amount.

Ensuring a skilled, AI-ready workforce

On Tuesday, Microsoft announced a broader commitment to provide AI skilling opportunities for 2.5 million people in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states by 2025. This training and support will be delivered in partnership with governments, nonprofit and corporate organizations, and communities in Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.

Microsofts skilling commitment is expected to benefit more than 100,000 individuals in Thailand.

It will enhance the AI proficiency of those involved in the nations tourism sector through the AI Skills for the AI-enabled Tourism Industry program. The initiative is a partnership between Microsoft and Thailands Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Ministry of Labour, and the nations Technology Vocational Education Training Institute. It aims to empower young entrepreneurs and youths involved in tourism businesses across minor-tier geographic provinces in all five regions of Thailand.

The program will focus on enhancing the capabilities of 500 trainers from technology vocational education training institutes in AI for Thailands tourism sector. These trainers will then equip young individuals in tourism and hospitality with AI skills. The learning module will be accessible through partners learning platforms to ensure sustainability and scalability.

The tourism initiative builds on other Microsoft-supported skilling initiatives in Thailand, including Accelerating Thailand, the ASEAN Cyber Security Programme, Code; Without Barriers, and the Junior Software Developer Program.

Microsoft will also enable the Royal Thai Government to adopt a cloud-first policy with an AI skill development program for developers and government IT personnel.

Enabling developers to harness AIs potential

Nadella highlighted the important role developers play in shaping Thailands digital-first, AI-powered future.

Microsoft will continue to help foster the growth of the countrys developer community through new initiatives such as AI Odyssey, which is expected to help 6,000 Thai developers become AI subject matter experts by learning new skills and earning Microsoft credentials.

Thailand is a rapidly growing market on GitHub, the Microsoft-owned software development, collaboration, and innovation platform. More than 900,000 Thailand-based developers used GitHub in 2023, representing 24 percent year-on-year growth.

Furthermore, many Thai organizations are boosting their productivity and accelerating innovation using Microsofts generative AI-powered solutions. For example:

Several other organizations in Thailand are working with Microsoft to explore new possibilities with AI. They include the nations largest privately held company, Charoen Pokphand Group, and leading petrochemical and refining business, PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited.

Microsoft also collaborates with Thailands National Cyber Security Agency to provide information on internet safety, cyber threats and vulnerabilities, and other related guidance to enhance the nations cybersecurity posture in the AI era. The Ministry of Finance, meanwhile, is using the power of AI to enhance cross-agency data collaboration, which will unlock deeper insights that support policy development towards a more financially inclusive economy for Thailand.

To learn more about Satya Nadellas visit and how Microsoft empowers organizations in the ASEAN region with AI, visit news.microsoft.com/thailand-visit-2024.

About Microsoft

Microsoft (Nasdaq MSFT @microsoft) creates platforms and tools powered by AI to deliver innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers. The technology company is committed to making AI available broadly and doing so responsibly, with a mission to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.

Tags: AI, Cloud, digital skills

Go here to see the original:

Microsoft announces significant commitments to enable a cloud and AI-powered future for Thailand - Microsoft Stories ... - Microsoft

Published: May 3, 2024

By Movieguide Contributor

Meta recently rolled out AI components on its apps earlier this year, leaving many users annoyed by the tech and looking for ways to turn it off. Here are the simple ways to get rid of AI chat on Facebook and Instagram.

In order to turn off AI chat on Facebook, go to the search bar, which now appears as a blue circle instead of a magnifying glass. Click on the blue arrow, which will take you to Metas AI chat box.

Once the chat box is open, look for the i in the upper right-hand corner of your screen and click on it. Select the mute option that appears on the menu of options, then choose how long you want to mute AI. If you want to mute AI indefinitely, choose the until I change it option.

Turning AI off on Instagram is a similar process.

Like Facebook, navigate to the search bar and click on the blue arrow. This will take you to Instagrams AI chat box. Select the i again, and choose mute on the option menu that appears. To choose the timeframe for muting, go to a slider at the bottom of the screen that says mute notifications, then select the until I change it option on the menu that appears.

While these steps wont scrub the presence of Meta AI completely from your Facebook and Instagram experiences, they will mute and prevent notifications from Meta AI chat, one of the features netizens have found most bothersome, USA Today reported.

Movieguide previously reported on Metas AI tool:

Meta AI is the social media giants newest tool, and some users are unfamiliar with how it works.

The feature, which rolled out in over a dozen countries on April 18, aims to make tasks easier for users.

With Meta AI at your fingertips, you can research topics, explore interests, get how-to advice, and learn new hobbies. Leading search providers have been integrated so you can get up-to-date information from the web. Now, you can also ask Meta AI anything with search across our family of apps, the Meta AI website states.

The feature cannot be turned off, but people can use the search tools as normal if theyd like.

The Meta AI can be used directly from its website as well. On the site, people can ask Meta AI anything. Example prompts include Create a packing list for a trip, Make my email sounds more professional, Play 90s music trivia, Help me with an assignment, Simulate a mock interview or Paint NYC in watercolor.

Its not surprising that Meta has now made AI an integral part of their popular apps interfaces. Axios reported that the company has been investing in AI for years.

These investments actually caused Meta shares to fall 15% after CEO Mark Zuckerberg admitted that he is doubling down on spending on AI infrastructure even though any bottom-line payoff is a long way off.

Users are complaining as well; an op-ed from Fast Company claimed the rampant AI components and posts are making the apps unusable.

The Meta AI experience has so far been a spam-filled one, writer Scott Nover said, adding that Facebook and Instagram users are already posting lots of AI-generated content.

Nover added, To that end, Meta has pledged to label AI-generated images, video, or audio on its platforms, but only if they detect industry standard AI image indicators. They didnt say what those indicators are.

If Meta thinks that what users are craving is more AI, theyre ignoring the fact that the Facebook and Instagram experience is already full of AI. Do we really need more? he concluded.

Now more than ever were bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. Were proud to say weve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we cant do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.

Now more than ever were bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. Were proud to say weve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we cant do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.

Visit link:

Looking to Turn Off Meta's AI Features? Here's How - Movieguide