Chaos & Amazement 2306 Bing vs Bard, De-Aging Indiana Jones, and the Four Horsemen of the Tech Recession

Feb 11, 2023

Microsoft unveils an updated Bing search engine and Edge browser powered by a next-gen custom OpenAI LLM, calling the duo an "AI-powered co-pilot for the web"
- This is an exciting development in the field of AI and search engines, and it will be interesting to see the impact of the new technology on user experience.
- https://blogs.microsoft.com/blog/2023/02/07/reinventing-search-with-a-new-ai-powered-microsoft-bing-and-edge-your-copilot-for-the-web/
“Bard seeks to combine the breadth of the world’s knowledge with the power, intelligence and creativity of our large language models. It draws on information from the web to provide fresh, high-quality responses.”
- https://blog.google/technology/ai/bard-google-ai-search-updates/
- Google responded to Microsoft’s ChatGPT by launching Bard, its own AI chatbot. But Bard produced a factual error in an ad demo, plummeting the company’s market value by $100 billion.
- https://www.npr.org/2023/02/09/1155650909/google-chatbot--error-bard-shares
AI First" To Last: How Google Fell Behind In The AI Boom
- Google may have to change its approach to reclaim its AI leadership.
- URL: https://www.forbes.com/sites/richardnieva/2023/02/08/google-openai-chatgpt-microsoft-bing-ai/

Can BeReal build on its buzz in 2023?
- The Paris-based app became a global sensation in 2022. Still, the future looks uncertain, with downloads slowing down and no revenue model in sight.
- https://sifted.eu/articles/can-bereal-build-buzz-2023/
Mastodon reports having ~1.4M MAUs, after climbing from ~380K in October 2022 to over 2.5M in November.
- Many newcomers complain the service could be easier to use. Comment: The rapid increase in Mastodon's user base is a positive sign, but the challenge of making the service user-friendly should be addressed.
- https://www.wired.com/story/the-mastodon-bump-is-now-a-slump/
“Clubhouse was open to everyone in July 2021, no invite needed, but by this point, many people had overstayed their welcome in the club.”
- Clubhouse was once a hot topic but has since lost its popularity.
- https://beausoleil.medium.com/so-what-ever-happened-to-clubhouse-a4702d850e09
"Twitter Chaos: Every Paragraph Could Be a Negative Story for a Normal Company
- Twitter's situation is chaotic, with many negative stories being overlooked.

How studios increasingly use AI de-aging VFX on actors, including Harrison Ford in the new Indiana Jones movie, and the possible impact on Hollywood's economics.
- AI-powered de-aging is a fascinating development in the film industry, but it raises questions about the future of human actors and the economics of the film industry.
- https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/feb/06/de-ageing-on-screen-ai-artificial-intelligence-film
Voice actors are increasingly being asked to sign away rights to their voices so clients can make synthetic AI versions that may eventually replace them.
- This is a concerning trend for voice actors, as it could lead to job loss. It's important to consider the ethical implications of such practices.
- https://www.vice.com/en/article/5d37za/voice-actors-sign-away-rights-to-artificial-intelligence

A look at the four horsemen of the tech recession: a hangover from growth during COVID-19, hardware lifecycles, the end of zero interest rates, and Apple's ATT – ⁦@stratechery⁩ by Ben Thompson
- This article takes a deep dive into the factors contributing to the current tech recession, and it provides valuable insights into the state of the tech industry.
- https://stratechery.com/2023/the-four-horsemen-of-the-tech-recession/
Study on the effect of automation and digitalization on workers
- The study suggests that workers will need more specialized knowledge with the rise of automation and digitalization.
- https://cepr.org/voxeu/columns/robot-adoption-worker-firm-sorting-and-wage-inequality-evidence-administrative-panel

When do kids get their first smartphone?
- Data from Common Sense Media indicates that American parents believe kids usually get their first smartphone at 12-13.
- https://www.chartr.co/stories/2022-04-27-2-phone-age

From my blog

"Yada Yada Yada" - AI Taking Over the Comedy Scene
- AI is making its way into the comedy scene
- https://www.bnox.be/2023/02/yada-yada-yada-ai-taking-over-comedy.html
- Twitch’s AI-generated Seinfeld show was banned after a “stand-up comedy” set that included transphobic comments.
- https://www.twitch.tv/watchmeforever

2001: A Space Odyssey Re-Imagined - An Epic George Lucas and Stanley Kubrick Mashup
- A new take on the classic '2001: A Space Odyssey' with a mashup of George Lucas and Stanley Kubrick.
- https://www.bnox.be/2023/02/2001-space-odyssey-re-imagined-epic.html
Challenging the Boundaries of Creative Content: Quantum Engine and the Power of AI
- https://www.bnox.be/2023/02/challenging-boundaries-of-creative.html

Hinge feature to preview your date in AR
- Comment: "Hinge introduces a new AR feature to preview your dates."
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