Today's edition of The Download is the weekday newsletter that gives you a daily dose from the world of technology.
Chatbots can identify text written by AI using a watermark.
What's the deal? A new technique could help us spot AI-generated text. Watermarking hides hidden patterns in text that are not visible to the human eye. However, computers can detect that text is likely to be generated by an AI system or human.
Why it is important:ChatGPT, a large-language model that produces fluent text that looks like it was written by a human, is one of the newer breeds of large language models. These AI models are known for reciting facts confidently but they also spew falsehoods. This is why it's alarming that they're being used for everything, from essays to workout plans. It is nearly impossible for the untrained eye to tell if a passage was written by an AI model, or a human.
It works! Studies have shown that watermarks can be used to identify AI-generated texts with almost 100% accuracy. They could be embedded in large language models to help avoid some of the problems these models have caused. The full story is available here.
–Melissa Heikkila
How can I tell if egg freezing is right for me?
It is an extremely personal decision to freeze eggs. This can be difficult. Although egg freezing is commonly sold as a form of fertility insurance, we aren't sure how successful it will be for each individual or how different the success rates by age.
It is not cheap. We know this because it can cost thousands of dollars to undergo hormonal treatments, egg collection procedures and for years of cryopreservation. We also know it has risks.
The team behind the new tool hopes it will clear up any misconceptions about the procedure and give parents the information they need to make informed decisions. The full story is available here.
–Jessica Hamzelou
This story comes from The Checkup. The weekly newsletter of MIT Technology Review, The Checkup gives you all the information on health and biotech. Get it delivered to your inbox every Thursday by signing up
The must-read
I've combed the internet to find you today's most fun/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology.
1 Elon Musk surprised US politicians
All in the interest to ensure that Twitter is fair to both sides. (Insider $).
+ Kanye West's presidential campaign advisers were removed from Twitter.
Musk is Musk's greatest champion because of Twitter's safety and trust head. (Bloomberg $)
2 We're treating covid like flu now
The next step is annual covid shots. (The Atlantic $).
3 What was the worst part about Sam Bankman Fried's time in prison?
Being disconnected from the internet. (Forbes $)
+ The majority of crypto criminals only use five exchanges. (Wired $)
+ The collapsed crypto firmFTX objected to a request for a new investigation. (Reuters)
4 The tech sector in Israel is rising against its government
Its strict policies could harm startups, tech workers fear. (FT $)
5 You can power the entire world using only renewable energy
According to Mark Jacobson, a Stanford academic. (The Guardian)
+ Tech bros are in love with the current environment. (Slate $)
+ New versions of solar, wind and batteries could improve the grid. (MIT Technology Review)
6 Generative Artificial is extremely expensive to run
OpenAI is one of the most promising startups in the world. Microsoft should be their partner. (Bloomberg $)
+ Microsoft's benefits from ChatGPT hype. (Vox)
+ BuzzFeed plans to use OpenAI to power quizzes. (WSJ $)
+ Generative AI is revolutionizing everything. But what happens after all the hype? (MIT Technology Review)
7 It is hard to not blame self-driving cars for accidents.
Even if it isn't technically their fault. (WSJ $)
8 How it feels to swap Google for TikTok
It is great for hacks and food ideas, but it is not ideal for work. (Wired $)
+ The platform wants to remain operational in the US. (Vox)
+ TikTok is embroiled in an eyelash controversy. (Rolling Stone $).
9 CRISPR gene-editing kits can be purchased online
However, these experiments are not guaranteed to work. (Motherboard)
+ Next Up for CRISPR: Gene editing to the masses (MIT Technology Review)
10 Tech workers livestream their layoffs
This is a candid look at how these secretive companies treat their employees. (The Information $).
Quote for the Day
"Based on your profile, you seem very attractive. It's not clear if this is a good or bad thing.
The Wall Street Journal reports that Keys AI offers pre-written messages to users for potential love interests.
The big story
Worldcoin's first half-million test users
[TAG0]
April 2022
Residents of Gunungguruh in Indonesia were intrigued when Worldcoin, a technology company, showed up at their local school on December 20, 2021. Worldcoin is an Ethereum-based, "new, collectively-owned global currency that will distribute fairly to as many people possible," according to the company. It was offered in exchange for an iris scan or other personal data.
Gunungguruh wasn't the only one to receive a Worldcoin visit. MIT Technology Review has interviewed over 35 individuals in six countries–Indonesia, Kenya, Sudan, Ghana, Chile, and Norway–who either worked for or on behalf of Worldcoin, had been scanned, or were unsuccessfully recruited to participate.
Our investigation revealed wide gaps between Worldcoin’s public messaging which focused on privacy and the actual experience of users. The company's representatives engaged in deceptive marketing tactics and failed to get informed consent. You can read the entire investigation.
–Eileen Guo, Adi Renaldi
You can still enjoy nice things
This is a place to find comfort, joy and distraction during these crazy times. (Have any suggestions? Drop me a note or send me a tweet. )
+ Super Nintendo World sounds like a huge headache just waiting to happen.
+ This one goes to everyone who has ever thought about making their pet pay rent. (Thanks Melissa!)
+ How to write the perfect breakup song. The hook is everything.
+ While the egg price crisis is serious, memes can help to lessen the pain.
+ These real-life accounts by Americans who lived in Paris may be painful for those who loved Emily.
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By: Rhiannon Williams
Title: The Download: watermarking AI text, and freezing eggs
Sourced From: www.technologyreview.com/2023/01/27/1067344/download-watermarking-ai-text-freezing-eggs/
Published Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2023 13:10:00 +0000
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