Color Perception For Marketing

"The Real Reason Why Oranges Are Sold In Those Red Net Bags"

A red or orange plastic net around the fruit helps to give the impression that the orange peel is a richer orange color, thereby making it look juicy and appealing to consumers. If the fruit is unripe, the colored net will also downplay its greenness and boost its orangeness, making it look ripe and more appetizing. 

AI Voice Enhancement For ALS

NYT: "ALS Stole His Voice. AI Retrieved It." (Via H.R.)

AI Subtitles

I love this idea of glasses with AI generated subtitles for the hearing impaired. (Via H.R.)

This is what AI is for. Just this use case alone is worth every dollar invested in it. pic.twitter.com/vaOm3dpyxK

— Andriy Burkov (@burkov) August 10, 2024

Deep Hole

"Epic Drilling Mission Sets New Record With 4,160-Foot Mantle Core". (Via H.R.)

Not A Free Lunch, Snake Edition

Unusual snake has a tail appendage shaped like a realistic spider. Which can lure an unsuspecting bird looking for a easy meal. More info. (H/T: Bruce S.)

Checking Your Data Safely

"Don't get tricked: How to check if your Social Security number was part of data breach"

Some websites are reputable and will allow people to check if their data was stolen without requiring them to submit a Social Security number.

The following are reputable websites that don't require Social Security numbers to be submitted, according to CNBC...

 

Return From Hiatus

Admin note: Regular posting will resume tomorrow! Thank you, all, for your patience.

Light Posting Notice

Admin note: Posting may be lighter than usual for a few weeks due to external obligations.

Turing Hologram

"AI Alan Turing: World-1st interactive hologram of WWII British codebreaker". (Via H.R.)

Snake Shot

"Sweden's Truls Möregårdh pulls off a snake shot in table tennis at the Olympics final"

Dragon's Teeth

"Komodo dragons have iron-coated teeth, scientists find"

Robo-Pilots For USAF

"AI pilots will soon join the Air Force"

The AI-powered, unmanned aircraft will fly alongside human-operated fighter jets. Their development is part of the Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft program, which aims to put 1,000 of the so-called robot wingmen in the sky by 2030. The recipients of the contracts for AI systems development are unknown, but the actual aircraft will be manufactured by General Atomics and Anduril. The drone-maker and military tech startup are developing prototypes.

What if the technology gets it wrong? “That’s what we’ll have to find out,” Kurt Knutsson, a.k.a The CyberGuy, said on Fox News Sunday.

Science Fiction Movie Evolution

"How Sci-Fi Movies Have Changed Since the 50s"

Hsieh Forbes Column: Treatable Causes Of Dementia May Be More Common Than Realized

My latest Forbes column is out: "Treatable Causes Of Dementia May Be More Common Than Realized". 

I cover some encouraging news in the diagnosis of dementia, and some public policy implications.

NYT On AI Dangers

NYT: "A.I. May Save Us, or May Construct Viruses to Kill Us"

I was especially interested in the fact that the NYT was invoking the "AI arms race" metaphor that I'm seeing a lot lately:

All this underscores why it is essential that the United States maintain its lead in artificial intelligence. As much as we may be leery of putting our foot on the gas, this is not a competition in which it is OK to be the runner-up to China.