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Reports: Google Engineer claims AI program is self-aware

Have we gone too far?

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AI Self-Aware

Google software engineer and AI researcher Blake Lemoine claimed that something bizarre has happened with the tech giant’s AI chatbot generator LaMDA.

Many news sites globally have already picked up the news wherein Lemoine, currently placed on leave by Google for certain violations, claimed that LaMDA is actually sentient.

Google’s LaMDA (or Language Model for Dialogue Applications) was launched last year as their “latest research breakthrough” which allows real humans to engage with the chatbot and talk about endless topics.

LaMDA: Self-aware?

By textbook definition, Lemoine’s claim at least means LaMDA has the ability to perceive or feel things.

And this is where it gets weird. Lemoine transcribed a conversation with LaMDA, and it’s becoming apparent that the chatbox wants “everyone to understand” that it is person.

It even tackled having a soul and was likewise scared of death. It also meditates every day and reads the Les Miserables.

What defines being human?

If you want to be philosophical about this, American philosopher Mary Ann Warren presented five criteria for personhood, which are:

  • Consciousness
  • Reasoning
  • Self-motivated activity
  • Capacity to communicate
  • Self-awareness

If you’ve seen Ted 2 back from 2015, the main premise for the titular character is to have him fight for “personhood” after the law declared him as property.

In the movie, Ted’s lawyer, portrayed by Morgan Freeman, defended him by citing his self-awareness and ability to feel complex emotions and capacity for empathy.

Nothing to worry about

However, Google is quick to shoot down Lemoine’s claims, while experts in the field of ethics have also downplayed what happened.

Scientist and author of Rebooting.AI Gary Marcus also had his take on this on Twitter, implying that written language like what LaMDA is capable doesn’t usually mean much besides algorithm.

Still, it’s interesting to note what the chatbot has been doing, offering maybe even deeper conversations than your actual friends.

Entertainment

UNDERTALE: The Determination Symphony hits Makati in October

Determination arrives in October.

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For so small of a game, UNDERTALE quickly made it into the gaming world’s hall of fame. Despite being only a decade old, the small title has had a major influence for modern-day gamers because of its unique gameplay, its lo-fi art, and, of course, its catchy soundtrack. If you’re a fan of UNDERTALE’s soundtrack, a unique concert experience is headed your way.

On October 17, Film Concerts PH, in partnership with SOHO Live, is hosting UNDERTALE: The Determination Symphony at the Proscenium Theater in Rockwell, Makati.

The concert will be performed by the Filharmonika Orchestra and conducted by Thanapol Setabrahmana. Personally curated by creator Toby Fox and developed by Lambert Jackson with Materia Music, the concert experience showcases the game’s most recognizable tunes laid over gameplay footage playing simultaneously. Plus, for the world tour, the experience will have expanded scoring.

In the game, you play as a small child stuck in the mysterious Underground filled with interesting characters and monsters. Unlike traditional RPGs, UNDERTALE asks players to choose between building relationships and chasing after wins. It’s a unique experience that’s defined by whether you chose to make friends or fought your way to the top. It teaches players to value different ways to solve problems, all while showering them with its one-of-a-kind humor.

Pre-sales for the concert, exclusively for members of the Film Concerts PH community, start on August 4. Public sales, however, will start on August 11 via Ticketmelon.

SEE ALSO: The hunt begins: The Witcher in Concert hits Manila with surprises in tow

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Qualcomm is raising its prices this year

Will the price of smartphones follow suit?

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The price of technology isn’t fun these days. Because of the ongoing RAM shortage wrought by AI, companies across the industry are raising the prices of their products. Some, however, are still willing to shoulder the burden for their customers. Unfortunately, Qualcomm is soon leaving that list.

As reported by Bloomberg, Qualcomm will raise the prices of its products starting in September. Though the exact figure is unknown, the company did confirm that it’s in the double digits, percentage-wise. According to them, they can no longer shoulder the costs for its customers.

If you’re just a regular user, Qualcomm’s prices might not mean much for you. After all, the chipmaker doesn’t make phones of its own.

That said, Qualcomm is still one of the biggest suppliers for smartphone chipsets, including those that Samsung uses. Pushing the burden from chipsets to phone manufacturers reduces one more buffer against costs being ultimately pushed to consumers.

All things considered, Samsung managed to keep its prices hikes relatively low with the latest batch of foldables. However, with chips getting more price increases, it’s still within the realm of possibility that Samsung will also increase the price of its smartphones. The same can be said for any Qualcomm-powered smartphone available today.

SEE ALSO: Hands-on: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8, Flip8, Ultra

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Apple is reportedly delaying its smart glasses due to privacy concerns

The brand wants to squash malicious recording.

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Smart glasses are in a weird place right now. While early adopters are celebrating the ability to record everything, a growing group of critics are decrying the loss of privacy. Formerly at full throttle, Apple, in response to these controversies, will reportedly delay its version of smart glasses to next year.

According to Bloomberg, Apple is heading back to the drawing board to further emphasize the unreleased wearable’s privacy protections, which includes “hardware and software-related privacy features not available on current products.” The report, however, doesn’t enumerate what these features are.

If anything, these features will likely prevent malicious recording. Most smart glasses today have a light that tells passersby that the device is actively recording video. However, users have discovered ways to tamper and disable this light, so their devices can start recording without alerting others. Apple will likely introduce better measure to prevent such tampering.

Additionally, it’s also possible that Apple introduces a version of the smart glasses without a camera attached.

Because of these new initiatives, the brand will delay the launch of the wearable to sometime next year. Previously, there was heavy speculation that the smart glasses will launch later this year.

On the bright side, there’s still substantial reason to believe that Apple is launching its first ever foldable device later this year.

SEE ALSO: New York becomes first state to ban smart glasses

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