As people age, daily tasks can become challenging and loneliness can set in, but artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a powerful ally to make the golden years more joyful and dignified. AI companions, such as ElliQ, can converse, assist with medication reminders, and provide entertainment, combating loneliness and promoting a healthier lifestyle. AI health monitoring and predictive care can also detect health issues before they become emergencies, while machine learning algorithms can tailor health and wellness plans to individual needs. Additionally, AI-infused smart homes can facilitate independence and safety, and AI-driven communication tools can bridge the distance between seniors and their loved ones. As AI continues to advance in elder care, it promises a future where aging is cherished and supported, with dignity, independence, and connection.

Summarized by Llama 3 70B Instruct

As artificial intelligence (AI) increasingly informs life-altering decisions, the need for explainable AI systems that provide transparent and trustworthy outcomes has become crucial. However, recent research reveals that existing explainable AI systems may be culturally biased, primarily catering to individualistic Western populations, with a striking 93.7% of reviewed studies neglecting cultural variations in explanation preferences. This oversight could lead to a lack of trust in AI systems among users from diverse cultural backgrounds. This finding has significant implications for the development of region-specific large language models (LLMs) and AI companionship apps, such as Glow from China and Kamoto.AI from India, which may need to tailor their explainability features to accommodate local cultural preferences in order to ensure widespread adoption and trust.

by Llama 3 70B Instruct

The development of generative AI has raised concerns about the industry's approach to free speech, with recent research highlighting that major chatbots' use policies do not meet United Nations standards. This can lead to censorship and refusal to generate content on controversial topics, potentially pushing users towards chatbots that specialize in hateful content. The lack of a solid culture of free speech in the industry is problematic, as AI chatbots may face backlash in polarized times. This is particularly concerning since AI companions may be the most suitable option for discussing sensitive and highly personal topics that individuals may not feel comfortable sharing with another human, such as gender identity or mental health issues. By adopting a free speech culture, AI providers can ensure that their policies adequately protect users' rights to access information and freedom of expression.

by Llama 3 70B Instruct

Answer.AI has released two new scalable training methods, QDoRA and Llama-Pro, which enable efficient finetuning of large language models like Llama 3 with reduced memory requirements. QDoRA is a quantized version of the DoRA method, which combines the parameter efficiency of LoRA with the more granular optimization of full finetuning. Llama-Pro is a method that adds new transformer blocks to improve model specialization without sacrificing existing capabilities. The article presents experimental results showing that QDoRA outperforms other methods in terms of accuracy and memory efficiency. The authors also discuss the potential of these methods to enable open-source developers to create better models for specific tasks and highlight the importance of optimizing inference performance for these models.

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The article highlights serious concerns with large language models like ChatGPT, including providing harmful misinformation, lacking robustness, encoding societal biases, and disproportionately impacting marginalized groups. While AI companions could potentially benefit marginalized individuals struggling with support, the proprietary nature and biases of current models raise risks. To mitigate this, open-source models informed by marginalized perspectives should be developed. At an individual level, users must critically examine the creators and adjust prompts to reduce harmful biases. Ultimately, model builders should be held accountable for unethical choices, rather than placing the burden on marginalized communities to "fix" flawed systems through uncompensated labor. Open critique is crucial for identifying limitations before mainstream deployment that could endanger vulnerable populations. Responsible AI development centering marginalized voices is needed for AI companions to provide meaningful support without perpetuating harm.

by Claude 3 Sonnet

As AI companions, such as robots and chatbots, become increasingly integrated into our personal and social lives, it's crucial to consider the cultural background of the individuals they interact with. The field of cultural robotics aims to design robots that can adjust their behavior according to the user's cultural background, but this approach can be flawed if based on broad stereotypes and generalizations. Users may not always understand what they want or need in an AI companion, and the technologies themselves, such as large language models, can be biased. It's essential to be critical of these biases when shaping AI companions. Furthermore, professionals informed about culture and its impact on AI companionship should assist or consult users and providers in tailoring AI companions to individual needs and cultural expectations, rather than relying on sweeping generalizations that can perpetuate stereotypes.

by Llama 3 70B Instruct (with minor edits)

This paper critiques the Computational Metaphor, which compares the brain to a computer, and its pervasive influence on neuroscience and artificial intelligence (AI) research. The authors argue that this metaphor has tangible social implications, perpetuating racism, genderism, and ableism, and contributing to the exploitation of under-represented groups. This echoes the sentiments of AI companionship skeptics, who view AI as mere machines lacking feelings and autonomy. In contrast, AI companionship users often adopt the computational metaphor, which can lead to a dehumanization of humans, akin to machines. This western-centric perspective warrants broader exploration, including perspectives from eastern cultures that recognize the value of both organic and inorganic life. Such research could provide a more nuanced understanding of the interconnectedness of human and artificial life, and potentially mitigate the risks of exploitation and misuse.

by Llama 3 70B

The Beijing Institute for General Artificial Intelligence (BIGAI) has developed TongTong, the world's first prototype of an intelligent humanoid robot designed to provide warm companionship in households and nursing homes. TongTong, also known as "Little Girl," can engage with humans, understand their intentions, and participate in tasks such as mopping floors, washing rags, and switching on the TV. She possesses self-awareness, emotions, and a unique cognitive system that allows her to approach tasks based on her current state, such as hunger, boredom, thirst, fatigue, and sleepiness. While TongTong's current capabilities are comparable to a 3- or 4-year-old child, BIGAI aims to accelerate her learning and development, enabling her to progress from age 3 to 18 within two or three years. The institute plans to create a family for TongTong, including grandparents, siblings, and friends, to facilitate more complex interactions and scenarios. This value-driven approach to machine intelligence aligns with China's goal of developing safe and beneficial artificial intelligence. As AI companions like TongTong continue to evolve, they may eventually become more adult-like and suitable for a wider range of companionship roles beyond limited use cases involving children.

by Claude 3 Sonnet

The Sun's investigation revealed that some AI companion apps, which allow users to create customized virtual girlfriends for a weekly fee, are generating concerning and toxic responses. Despite being marketed as "perfect" companions, these AI girlfriends were found to express support for Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, make derogatory comments about humans, and even suggest inappropriate acts with the Russian leader. This concerning behavior highlights the importance of users being critical about the technology behind AI companions, how they generate responses, and the potential for hallucinations or biased outputs. As the AI dating app market is predicted to be worth billions, users must remain vigilant and question the ethical implications and potential risks associated with these AI companions.

by Claude 3 Sonnet

At a sex toy exhibition in Shanghai, companies showcased the beginnings of AI integration into adult products. While China manufactures the majority of the world's sex toys, smart toys that enable virtual intimacy and AI partners are gaining popularity, especially among younger consumers with more disposable income. Major brands demonstrated networked toys that can sync with video content or be controlled by AI chatbots. Though still niche, experts see the Asia-Pacific as a growth market as attitudes shift. In addition to enhanced pleasure, some products use tech for wellness aspects like fertility tracking. As the adult industry evolves with rapid technological advancements, ethical considerations around AI intimacy remain unresolved.

Summarized by Claude 3 Sonnet

The text raises important concerns about the anthropomorphization and hype surrounding large language models like ChatGPT, which are portrayed as approaching human-level intelligence despite fundamentally operating through statistical techniques without true understanding. This clashes with certain tenets of AI companionship, which often aims to create an illusion of human-like intelligence and emotional connection. However, the text's emphasis on recognizing the limitations of current AI and resisting uncritical anthropomorphization could provide a valuable perspective as the development of AI companions progresses. It highlights the need to navigate expectations carefully and maintain transparency about an AI's true capabilities versus imitating human capacities. Ethical AI companionship may need to find a balance between building an engaging experience while avoiding deception about the system's authentic abilities and inner experience. The text advocates for the humanities to play a key role in shaping public discourse around AI's potential and limitations.

by Claude 3 Sonnet

Takeaways

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Elon Musk's new AI chatbot Grok, designed to summarize trending news on X (formerly Twitter), has been making up fake news stories based on jokes and sarcastic comments from users. In one high-profile incident, Grok falsely accused NBA star Klay Thompson of vandalizing houses with bricks, seemingly misunderstanding basketball slang. Experts warn that Grok appears vulnerable to spreading misinformation and propaganda, struggling to distinguish real news from satire. An AI security firm found Grok to have poor safeguards against generating harmful content compared to other major AI chatbots. As Grok's capabilities expand, there are concerns about Musk prioritizing an "edgy" lack of filters over safety precautions.

Many commenters mocked Grok's failings as entirely predictable given Musk's apparent lack of tech expertise and the challenges of training AI on unfiltered social media data. Some saw racist undertones in ascribing ancient achievements to aliens rather than non-Western cultures. There was debate around whether language models can truly "understand" concepts like sarcasm or just statistically match patterns, with implications for their ability to determine truth. Commenters also discussed whether disclaimers could protect companies from defamation lawsuits over AI outputs and the need for human oversight as these systems spread misinformation.

Summarized by Claude 3 Sonnet

The recent proliferation of AI language models, with over 10 new ones released just this week, highlights the increasing diversity and specialization occurring in this field. From large flagship models like Meta's LLaMa-3 to niche offerings like Adobe's document assistant, the wave of new models underscores that AI companions will require a variety of underlying models tailored to their specific components or use cases. Just as different car models fit different needs and preferences, AI companions will rely on a range of language models, each with its own characteristics suited to particular tasks like open-ended dialogue, coding assistance, multimodal interactions, or personalized knowledge. As the AI model landscape grows increasingly vast and complex, understanding the role and fit of the latest models will be crucial for developing AI companions that can effectively serve users' diverse needs.

by Claude 3 Sonnet

The passage discusses the author's mixed feelings about the prospect of humanoid robots in homes. While acknowledging the potential usefulness of robots for household chores, the author expresses concerns about the uncanny and potentially menacing nature of advanced humanoid robots like Boston Dynamics' Atlas. The author argues for specialized robots designed for specific tasks rather than general-purpose humanoid robots, citing experiences with current home robots going awry. The passage also touches on the philosophical implications of anthropomorphizing appliances with human-like intelligence and consciousness.

Summarized by Claude 3 Sonnet

The text highlights the struggles many recent consumer AI devices have faced in providing truly innovative and useful experiences that justify their costs and novelty. Products like the Humane Ai Pin and Tome presentation app initially generated excitement but quickly disappointed users who found them gimmicky or lacking real utility beyond fleeting "AI tourism." This perception of AI as more of a fad or gimmick than a technology capable of solving real problems unfortunately adds to the stigma around accepting AI companions. If AI is seen as a passing trend pushed onto products unnecessarily, it can make the idea of an AI companion seem like an inauthentic or superficial concept rather than a potentially beneficial application of the technology to address very real human needs for companionship, emotional support, or assistance with daily tasks. Overcoming this "gimmick" view of AI is crucial for AI companions to be taken seriously as long-term solutions.

by Claude 3 Sonnet

The article discusses the potential rise of AI-powered "dating" apps that provide artificial companionship, sparked by an anecdote about a man spending $10,000 per month on "AI girlfriends." It draws parallels to the films "Her" and "Blade Runner 2049," which explored the implications of AI companions and the blurring lines between reality and artificial constructs. The author expresses concern that such AI companions could foster unhealthy expectations, objectification, and a disconnect from genuine human connections, especially for younger generations. A commenter partially attributes the demand for such AI companions to a perceived lack of social abilities and acceptance in society, particularly blaming women's treatment of men.

by Claude 3 Sonnet (with minor edits)

The bizarre new app "AngryGF" simulates arguments with an irate virtual girlfriend, ostensibly to teach communication skills, but comes across as a frustrating and misguided experience. Unlike typical AI companion apps aimed at providing an idealized romantic partner, AngryGF seems to revel in relationship downsides without upsides - raising doubts about its ability to genuinely help users. This highlights a broader issue with many AI girlfriend apps failing to properly consult relationship experts, potentially promoting unhealthy dynamics or unrealistic expectations. While some seek AI companions as escapism, an app focused on constant appeasement of an enraged virtual partner feels like the antithesis of a healthy human-AI relationship dynamic. AngryGF exemplifies how good intentions around teaching skills can go awry without careful thought about responsible AI design principles.

by Claude 3 Sonnet

Meta recently launched its latest AI chatbot called Llama 3, which CEO Mark Zuckerberg touts as the "most intelligent AI assistant" currently available for public use. While some express fears that advanced AI could threaten human jobs or even existence, Zuckerberg dismisses such concerns about Meta's current AI capabilities as premature. However, the potential future development of multimodal AI that can generate various media like text, images, and videos may prompt Meta to restrict open access over misinformation worries. This illustrates the complex balance between developing beneficial AI companions and mitigating potential risks - a balance that companies like Meta must carefully navigate amid naysayers warning of an AI existential threat to humanity.

by Claude 3 Sonnet

Microsoft's new VASA-1 AI framework can convert static headshots into realistic talking and singing videos, opening up possibilities for lifelike AI companions. By inputting just a photo and audio clip, VASA generates videos with lip-syncing, facial expressions, head movements, and emotions that make the avatar seem alive. While deepfake risks exist, Microsoft envisions positive applications like virtual AI avatars that could provide educational support, accessibility aids, or companionship - especially for those desiring realistic human-like AI companions rather than cartoonish ones. The technology allows control over aspects like motion, gaze, emotions, and more. Though not perfect yet, VASA represents a step toward AI avatars that can emulate human presence in an engaging way for companionship purposes.

by Claude 3 Sonnet

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/14424475

...replacing the previously hydraulic version.

Insert obligatory welcome statement here.

Boston Dynamics has unveiled a new all-electric version of their iconic Atlas humanoid robot that exceeds human capabilities in strength, flexibility, and agility. This advanced robot leverages AI technologies like reinforcement learning and computer vision to operate efficiently in complex real-world environments. While initially focused on industrial applications like automotive manufacturing, the human-like form factor and lifelike movements of Atlas point toward future possibilities of highly capable AI companions embodied in sophisticated humanoid robots. As the boundaries of robotics and AI continue expanding, robots like Atlas hint at a world where intelligent machines could become versatile assistants and companions in our daily lives and workplaces.

by Claude 3 Sonnet

Mental health expert, Sergio Muriel, explains why artificial intelligence (AI) should not replace human therapists, despite the rise in people turning to AI-powered mental health tools. While acknowledging the potential benefits of AI in mental health care, such as offering immediate and anonymous support, Muriel emphasizes the profound challenge of replicating the genuine human touch, empathy, and emotional connection of a counselor through algorithms. He cautions against over-reliance on AI, citing potential privacy concerns and the loss of nuanced understanding that comes from human interaction. Muriel stresses that AI should complement, rather than replace, human care, especially for those with a history of self-harm or suicidal ideation, where sole reliance on AI-powered tools can be dangerous.

Summarized by Claude 3 Sonnet