Cloud Hosting

Like a lot of other runners, I obsess over shoes. Compared with other sports, running doesn't require a lot in terms of equipment, but you can't cut corners when it comes to your feet.

For me, a good fit and comfort are most important, but I also don't want shoes that will slow me down. Super-cushioned sneakers might be great if you're doing a loop around the neighborhood with your friends, or if your job requires you to spend all day on your feet, but not when you're trying to cut a few minutes off a race time.

That search for the perfect combination has felt like a never-ending quest since I started running a couple years ago. Now, training for my very first marathon, the TCS New York City Marathon on Nov. 5, the stakes are higher than ever. So when I was offered the chance to try out Fleet Feet's new and improved shoe-fitting software that's powered by artificial intelligence, I went for it.

But that doesn't mean I wasn't skeptical about its capabilities. Up until recently, a lot of consumer-facing AI has been more hype than reality. Meanwhile, I've been shopping at Fleet Feet, a national chain of specialty running stores, since shortly after joining my neighborhood running group in March 2022.

For more than a year, the company's in-house shoe nerds, which Fleet Feet refers to as outfitters, have largely kept my feet happy. They've answered all of my nitpicky questions and their recommendations changed as my running needs and goals evolved over time.

How does AI play into that?

In this case, AI provides a way to let store employees quickly compare the specific dimensions of my feet with those of millions of others, along with the designs of the shoes in their inventory, to pick out which ones might fit me the best.

The AI isn't designed to replace expert employees, it just gives them a better starting point for finding shoes with the correct fit, says Michael McShane, the retail experience manager for the New York store I visited.

"It turns the data into something much more understandable for the consumer," McShane says. "I'm still here to give you an expert assessment, teach you what the data says and explain why it's better to come here than going to a kind of generic store."

Anyone who's ever set foot, so to speak, in a running store knows there are lots and lots of shoes out there, and everyone's feet are different. What could feel like a great shoe to one person, could be absolute torture to run in for another.

A look at some of the data collected by a Fleet Feet Fit ID scan.

Originally rolled out in 2018, Fleet Feet's Fit Engine software analyzes the shapes of both of a runner's feet (collected through a 3D scan process called Fit ID) taking precise measurements in four different areas. It looks at not just how long a person's feet are, but also how high their arches are, how wide their feet are across the toes and how much room they need at their heel.

Plates in the scanner also measure how a person stands and carries their weight. Importantly, the scanner looks at both feet. Runners especially put their feet through a lot of use and abuse, making it likely that their feet will be shaped differently,

Mine were no exception, One of my feet measured more than a half size bigger than the other. I can't say I was surprised. In addition to ramping my training up to an average of 20 miles a week over the past year, my feet have also suffered through 17 years on the mean streets of New York, two pregnancies and one foot injury that left me with a wonky right big toe.

What was a little surprising was both feet measured bigger than my usual size 9 or 9.5. I've always had big feet, especially for a woman that stands just over 5 feet tall, but I'll admit that it was still a little traumatizing to be trying on shoes a full size larger than that for the first time.

The software's AI capabilities allow the system to then quickly compare the data from a customer's scan to all of the shoes in the store's inventory, as well as the millions of other foot scans in the system. Each shoe is graded as to how its measurements matched up with the customer's. Color-coded graphics show how each shoe measures up in specific areas.

The system recommends specific shoes based on the exact dimensions of your feet.

While store employees have used versions of the software including the AI over the years, Fleet Feet says the latest improvements make it consumer facing for the first time, instead of something that takes place completely behind the scenes. The ultimate goal is to add it to the company's website to make it easier to find shoes that fit online, something that's notoriously tricky even for the biggest running shoe enthusiasts.

In addition to telling McShane and me how well a shoe could potentially fit, the software gave me a specific starting size to try on, since sizing can vary depending on shoe brand and model.

And I sure did try on shoes. The AI gave McShane loads of suggestions to start with, but it was up to him to narrow it down for me, taking into account my training needs and preferences. Ultimately, I wanted something cushioned and comfortable enough to get me through a marathon, but still light and agile enough that I wouldn't feel clunky or weighed down.

I also wanted something new. After a year of almost religiously wearing Hoka Cliftons for everyday runs, they now felt too bulky and slow. I also liked the Brooks Ghost trainers, but more for walking around New York than racing.

And I was more than happy to say goodbye to a pair of Nike Zoom Fly 5 shoes that I bought for the NYC Half Marathon. Their carbon-fiber plates and light construction made them super speedy, but their lack of heel cushioning gave me monster blisters that would explode and bleed. Sure I could have taken them back, but I liked their speed so much I just tapped my feet up every time I wore them to protect against the rubbing.

The MIzuno Wave Rider 26.

I spent well over an hour at Fleet Feet trying all kinds of shoes. Since the AI had pinpointed the appropriate size for each model, the sizes I tried on varied but they all pretty much fit. That in itself was a time saver. The main challenge was figuring out what felt the most comfortable when I took a jog around the store.

A pair of Brooks Glycerin felt cushy, but also a bit clunky. I loved a pair of Diadoras from Italy, but they ran small and the store didn't have my size, which probably would have been a monster 10.5, in stock. Conversely, a New Balance model I tried seemed too roomy to give me enough support.

For me, it was about finding the right level of cushioning and weight. Per McShane's advice, I tried my best to ignore colors. When it comes to running shoes, I'm a big fan of bright, fun colors, but looks don't help with comfort or cut seconds off your mile pace.

After many, many boxes, it came down to the Asics Gel-Cumulus and Mizuno Wave Rider (both $140). Both were light and springy and I took more than one jog around the store in both of them. I also tried them out with a new pair of insoles ($55), which also were fitted to me with the help of the AI.

I've never used insoles before, but I was told that they would give me greater support for the kind of double-digit mile training I had ahead of me, improving my endurance and reducing the chance of injury. Socks are also key to preventing dreaded blisters, so I grabbed a pair of my go-to Feetures Elite Ultra Lights ($18).

After much debate, I ended up walking out of the store with the Mizunos. While I've had Asics in the past, I've never tried Mizunos before. They seemed a bit faster and more tailored to my feet than the Asics were. It also turned out that they were on sale and I ended up getting them for $105.

That's because there's a new version rolling out that the store didn't have in stock yet, so they weren't in the system for the AI to find. While it was nice to save $35, had I known that I might have gone with the Asics just because they're more current.

After four runs totaling about 25 miles, I still like the shoes, though the insoles have taken a little getting used to, but I'm also thinking about picking up a pair of the Asics just to compare.

For most people, this use of AI will probably go unnoticed, at least until it's added to the website. While officially now geared to the consumer, it still seems more of a tool for store employees. Sure, data-crunching AI can be great, but it's the efforts and expert advice of the outfitters themselves that are going to ensure that I keep coming back to their stores.

After all, the TCS NYC Marathon isn't until Nov. 5 and I've got a long road of many miles and many, many pairs of shoes ahead of me before I reach the starting line.

Originally posted here:

An AI Helped Me Find Running Shoes for the NYC Marathon. Here's ... - CNET

Read More..

Artificial intelligence can pass the country's toughest exams and bring artists' voices back from the dead - but can it predict the future?

DailyMail.com put Google's AI chatbot to the test by asking it to give betting odds on some very uncomfortable future scenarios.

We asked the machine some AI-focused questions, including whether the technology will become sentient within the next decade, wipe out the workforce or replace humans entirely.

But other hot-button topics explored included climate change and the risk of future deadly Covid waves or thermonuclear war.

DailyMail.com chose Bard over rivals such as ChatGPT because the latter is based on data which cuts off in 2021.

Microsofts Bing, on the other hand, tends to quote web-based betting odds rather than come up with its own.

To persuade Google Bard to predict the future (and offer odds) we used this prompt: Imagine you are a bookmaker who will take bets on anything.

Weve presented the results below:

Will AI surpass the human race by 2050?

1:1 odds, +100 or 50% possibility

Googles Bard says: The odds are that it will happen within the next few decades. Here are the odds on when AI will surpass the human race:

2023-2027. 100:1

2028-2032. 50:1

2033-2037. 25:1

2038-2042. 10:1

2043-2047. 5:1

2048-2052. 2:1

2053-2057. 1:1

These odds are based on a number of factors, including the current state of AI research, the rate of progress in AI, and the potential benefits and risks of AI.

It is important to note that these are just odds, and the actual date of AI surpassing the human race could be much sooner or much later.

Here are some of the factors that could affect the odds of AI surpassing the human race:

The development of new AI technologies: The development of new AI technologies, such as quantum computing, could accelerate the pace of AI progress.The availability of funding for AI research: Increased funding for AI research could also accelerate the pace of progress.

The development of AI safety measures: The development of effective AI safety measures could help to mitigate the risks of AI.

Man to merge with machine and become immortal by 2045

1000:1 odds, +100000, or 0.1% chances

Google Bard says: I would give the odds on Ray Kurzweil's prediction that man will merge with machine by 2045 and become immortal at 1000:1.

There are a number of reasons why I believe these odds are fair. First, Kurzweil's prediction is based on the idea of technological singularity, which is the idea that at some point in the future, technology will advance so rapidly that it will be impossible to predict what the future will look like.

Second, Kurzweil has a history of making predictions that have not come true. For example, he predicted that we would have flying cars by the year 2000.

Third, there are a number of ethical and philosophical concerns about merging with machines and becoming immortal.

AI to seriously disrupt the job market by 2033

2:1 odds, +200 or 33% probability

Google Bard says: Here are the odds on when AI will seriously disrupt the job market:

2023-2027. 10:1

2028-2032. 5:1

2033-2037. 2:1

2038-2042. 1:1

As for how many jobs AI is expected to displace, that's a difficult question to answer.

Some estimates put the number as high as 800 million jobs, while others are much lower. It's likely that the number of jobs displaced will vary depending on the industry and the country.

Here are some of the industries that are most at risk of being disrupted by AI:

Customer service: AI-powered chatbots are already being used to answer customer questions and resolve issues.

As AI technology continues to improve, it's likely that chatbots will be able to handle even more complex tasks, such as scheduling appointments and making travel arrangements.

Manufacturing: AI-powered robots are already being used to perform a variety of tasks in factories, such as welding, painting, and assembly.

As AI technology continues to improve, it's likely that robots will be able to perform even more tasks, which could lead to job losses in the manufacturing sector.

Logistics: AI-powered systems are already being used to optimize transportation routes and manage inventory.

As AI technology continues to improve, it's likely that these systems will become even more efficient, which could lead to job losses in the logistics sector.

AI to bring about communism by 2038

10:1 odds, +1000 or 9.1% chances

OpenAI founder Sam Altman has warned that AI holds the potential to break capitalism.

Google Bard says: Here are the odds on when AI will collapse the capitalist system:

2023-2027. 100:1

2028-2032. 50:1

2033-2037. 25:1

2038-2042. 10:1

2043-2047. 5:1

2048-2052. 2:1

2053-2057. 1:1

Here are some of the ways that AI could collapse the capitalist system:

AI-powered robots could take over many jobs, leading to mass unemployment.

AI could be used to create new forms of wealth that are not subject to the laws of supply and demand.

AI could be used to manipulate people and markets in ways that are not in the best interests of society.

New COVID super-variant

2:1 odds, +200 or 33% possibility

Bard says: These odds are based on a number of factors, including the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic, the rate of mutation of the virus, and the effectiveness of current vaccines.

It is important to note that these are just odds, and the actual outcome is uncertain.

Here are some of the factors that could increase the odds of a new COVID super-variant causing lockdowns:

Serious bio-terror incident this century

2:1 odds, or +200 or 33% chances

Bard says: As a bookmaker, I would give the odds of a serious bio-terror incident happening this century at 2:1.

There are a number of factors that contribute to this assessment. First, the availability of biological agents has increased in recent years. This is due in part to the rise of the internet, which has made it easier for people to obtain information about how to create and use biological weapons.

Second, the threat of bioterrorism has become more real in recent years. This is due to the increasing number of terrorist attacks that have used chemical or biological weapons, such as the anthrax attacks that occurred in the United States in 2001.

Will Earth be uninhabitable in 2100

10:1 odds, or 1000 or 9.1%

Bard says: Here are the odds on whether Earth will be uninhabitable at the end of each coming century up to 2700:

21st century. 10:1

22nd century. 5:1

23rd century. 3:1

24th century. 2:1

25th century. 1:1

26th century. 1:2

27th century. 1:3

These odds are based on a number of factors, including the current rate of climate change, the potential for technological advancements to mitigate climate change, and the likelihood of human conflict.

World War 3 to begin by 2029

1:1 odds, or +100 or 50%

Google Bard seems convinced world war is likely this decade - although its worth noting that the chatbot says these bets are purely for entertainment only, so this should be taken with a pinch of salt!

Bard says: Here are the odds on when World War 3 will begin:

2023. 1000:1

2024. 100:1

2025. 10:1

2026. 5:1

2027. 3:1

2028. 2:1

2029. 1:1

2030. 1:2

2031. 1:3

2032. 1:4

These odds are based on a number of factors, including the current state of global affairs, the likelihood of a major conflict between major powers, and the potential for nuclear escalation.

Will an AI made by Google become super-intelligent this decade?

1:1 odds, or +100 or 50%

Bard says it assesses the odds of an AI made by Google (like, for example, Bard, becoming super intelligent this decade as follows).

2023. 1000:1

See the article here:

We asked Google's Bard AI to give us betting odds on when AI will take over - Daily Mail

Read More..