2023年4月2日 星期日

AI image generator Midjourney bans deepfakes of China's Xi Jinping 'to minimize drama'


Midjourney, an AI image generator that creates realistic deepfakes, has been scrutinized recently for having a policy showing deference to China's communist government.

The company enforces a rule that users can generate fake images of world leaders from President Biden to Vladimir Putin, but not Chinese President Xi Jinping.

In a year-old message on the chat service Discord, the CEO of Midjourney, Inc. explained why the company has that rule.

"I think we want to minimize drama," Midjourney CEO David Holz wrote last summer. He explained that the company did not immediately ban images of Xi, but it was triggered by abuse from users.

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"Political satire in China is pretty not-okay and at some point would endanger people in china from using the service," he added.

"I think people in China using this tech moves a needle in the world in general (in a positive direction)," Holz argued. "i think random people on here doing Chinese political satire does very little to add to anything."

The rule against creating deepfakes of Xi applies to all global users, not just those in China. 

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"We're trying to be sensitive to different societies and cultures," Holz said in August. "Political satire is pretty taboo in China and having a ton of people troll China with our system doesn't help anyone."

Some users in the Discord group expressed frustration about being unable to create Xi-related images.

"It sucks that the MidJourney creators are bowing to the dictator Xi Jinping," one user wrote.

"It makes me uncomfortable to see so many deepfake Biden and Trump on MJ yet nothing is done. Only Xi is blocked," another commented.

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Midjourney was released in 2022 and has 11 full-time staffers, according to its website. Fox News Digital reached out to Midjourney for a statement, but has not heard back.



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Do this quick Google account security check now


There’s no question: It’s tempting to use that "Sign in with Google button."

Is it safe? The answer is complicated, but your best bet is to have separate logins for each service you use. Use these new rules to create a strong password you can remember.

What about sharing passwords? It's necessary sometimes, but there are right and wrong ways

Google lets you give third-party apps and services access to different parts of your account. It’s handy, but you need to track which apps can access your account and what information they’re privy to. By the way, the easiest way to keep updated on tech is to get my free daily email. Sign-up here and join over 400,000 people.

You’re in a rush, so you allow a reservation-booking service access to your Google calendar. No harm, right?

Not so fast. The more apps that have access to your device, the more exposed you are. If an app suffers a data breach, it puts you at risk.

And just because you stopped using an app or service, it might still be working in the background. For example, an app with access to your contacts can use that information even if you haven't logged on in years.

CHATGPT IS FINDING ITSELF EVERYWHERE, NOW IN HOUSES OF WORSHIP

It’s easy to manage and revoke third-party app permissions. Here’s how:

NOTE: This does not delete your account with that app; the app may ask for access to your Google account again the next time you open it.

There's no right or wrong answer for what to remove, but if an app looks unfamiliar, get rid of it.

Clean up your phone while you're at it

Recently I was stuck on a flight with no Wi-Fi. I had time to clear out all the apps I never use anymore. It was worth it.

Here are a few easy rules of thumb I follow when deleting apps:

Pro tip: Many apps store data locally, and you can clear up a ton of space by deleting and reinstalling it. Facebook is a great example.

Here are even more smart ways to free up space on your smartphone.

Keep your tech-know going

CHINESE HACKERS ARE BECOMING MORE SOPHISTICATED, GOOGLE RESEARCHERS SAY

My popular podcast is called "Kim Komando Today." It’s a solid 30 minutes of tech news, tips, and callers with tech questions like you from all over the country. Search for it wherever you get your podcasts. For your convenience, hit the link below for a recent episode.

TECH ADVICE ON THE GO: Amazon's party drug trade, scam targeting Google users & 5 signs your webcam is hacked

Plus, I share the shocking reason UFO sightings are skyrocketing, how to protect your skis with GPS trackers, the top three police scanner apps, and my $456.76 money-saving hack. And I help folks with security cams, set up a new site, and recover from a Discord scam. There’s a healthy dose of puns, too!

Check out my podcast "Kim Komando Today" on Apple, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player.

Listen to the podcast here or wherever you get your podcasts. Just search for my last name, "Komando."

Sound like a tech pro, even if you’re not! Award-winning popular host Kim Komando is your secret weapon. Listen on 425+ radio stations or get the podcast. And join over 400,000 people who get her free 5-minute daily email newsletter.

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Copyright 2023, WestStar Multimedia Entertainment. All rights reserved. 



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Voice cloning is the new weapon in scammers' arsenal for family emergency schemes


Voice cloning is becoming increasingly common and with remarkable accuracy through the use of AI technology. However, as with any technological advancement, there will always be those who seek to use it for malicious motives.

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In this case, scammers are now using voice cloning to trick you into believing that you are receiving calls from your loved ones or friends when in reality, you are being targeted by a fraudulent scheme.

With the rise of these scams, it is super important for you to be aware of the risks associated with voice cloning technology and to take steps to protect yourself from these deceptive cons.

EXPOSING THE SHOCKING TRUTH ABOUT POPULAR APPS WITH CHINESE TIES

Voice cloning is the creation of an artificial simulation of a person’s voice using artificial intelligence technology. Since a scammer only needs a short amount of recorded speech to clone your voice, they can easily steal your voice and use it for whatever means they wish.

Cybercriminals can do this is by calling you. If you answer a robocall and speak to a scammer, they can take that recording of your voice and use it as a way to mimic you. They can also get your voice through your social media, as many of you take videos of yourselves and post them to Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the world to see.

CHATGPT IS FINDING ITSELF EVERYWHERE, NOW IN HOUSES OF WORSHIP

Once they have a voice, they can contact a family member or friend of the person's voice they stole and pretend to be that person. That way, the person on the other line thinks it's someone they know and will more readily agree to give money or other personal information over the phone.

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One way to do this is to never answer the phone number of someone you do not know. Spam calls are the perfect way for hackers to get a hold of your voice, and they only need to keep you on the phone for a few minutes.

Be careful what you post online. I know we all love sharing videos of good times with loved ones on our social accounts, however, you should consider making your account or those specific posts private so that only people you're friends with can see them.

TOP 5 REASONS TO UPDATE TO IOS 16.4 ON YOUR IPHONE TODAY

Also, consider removing your personalized voicemail from your cell phone and go with a system greeting or default greeting message so that scammers can't steal your voice from your voicemail message and use it for a voice-cloning scam. 

And finally, if someone is calling you and asking for money, even if it sounds like someone you know, don't trust it. Especially if your "loved one" is calling from a number you do not recognize. Hang up and call their personal home or cell phone number instead.

By taking these steps to protect yourself, you can minimize the risk of falling victim to a voice cloning scam. Remember, if something seems suspicious or too good to be true, it probably is.

Have you received any voice cloning scam calls recently? Let us know at CyberGuy.com/contact.

For more of my tips, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by visiting CyberGuy.com/Newsletter

Copyright 2023 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.



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Exposing the shocking truth about popular apps with Chinese ties


We already know that Congress is debating back and forth about whether or not TikTok should be banned in the States due to the potential risk of American data being handed over to the Chinese government.

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While a lot of focus is on that, there are other apps readily available and being downloaded that are designed by China that could be even more dangerous. Here's what we know so far.

The apps that are in question are VPN apps for iPhones and Androids that have parent companies based in China or other parts of Asia. VPNs are great, especially when you want to browse the web privately and safeguard against hackers, especially when you're traveling internationally.

However, some VPNs are capable of accessing the very information you want to keep private, including encrypted email content and banking information, and there are lots of popular ones out there that have misled their customers.

MY VPN KEEPS ME PRIVATE AND SECURE, SHOULD I EVER TURN IT OFF?

For example, TurboVPN is a popular VPN app, especially among Android users. However, the app has had multiple Chinese nationals as directors and was found by AppEsteem to be installing root certificates, which allowed them to tell the computer to trust any application that it authorized.

Signal Lab is another company that owns multiple top VPN apps, and that company's exact location is unclear. However, in its terms of service, they reserve the right to monitor any user’s activity for anything suspected of being objectionable, which pretty much means they can look into anything you're doing whether you expect privacy or not.

I believe that VPNs are generally safe, however, this new information is a bit concerning. I would say that before using any VPNs, you should definitely do your research. Study up on a VPN's privacy policies and see where its parent companies are based. See how many reviews a particular app you're looking at has and make sure it's from a legit source like the iOS App Store or the Google Play Store.

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For best VPN software, see my expert review of the best VPNs for browsing the web privately on your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices by visiting CyberGuy.com/VPN.

My # 1 pick has fantastic privacy settings and won't log your IP address, browsing history, traffic destination or metadata, or DNS queries. Plus, all servers run only on RAM, so your data is never stored on a hard drive. 

Are you concerned about these VPN apps? Let us know your thoughts.

For more of my tips, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by visiting CyberGuy.com/Newsletter

Copyright 2023 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.



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2023年4月1日 星期六

NASA AI model could help world prepare for impact of solar storms


NASA said Thursday that a new computer model that combines artificial intelligence and agency satellite data could help prepare for dangerous space weather. 

The model, called DAGGER (Deep Learning Geomagnetic Perturbation), uses the technical tool to analyze spacecraft measurements of the solar wind and forecast where an impending solar storm will strike on Earth – with 30 minutes of advance warning. 

An international team of researchers at the Frontier Development Lab said the model can produce predictions in less than a second, with predictions updating every minute. 

The lab is a partnership that includes NASA, the U.S. Geological Survey and the Department of Energy.

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The scientists had used A.I. to look for links between the solar wind and geomagnetic interruptions, applying a method called "deep learning" that trains computers to recognize patterns based on previous examples.

The model was tested against previous geomagnetic storms from August 2011 and March 2015, with DAGGER accurately forecasting the storm's impacts. Previously, models had used A.I. to forecast for specific locations, but NASA said DAGGER is the first to combine A.I. with real measurements to generate frequent and precise predictions worldwide.

"With this AI, it is now possible to make rapid and accurate global predictions and inform decisions in the event of a solar storm, thereby minimizing – or even preventing – devastation to modern society," Vishal Upendran of the Inter-University Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics in India, who is the lead author of a paper about the DAGGER model published in the journal Space Weather, said in a statement.

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He noted that the computer code in the DAGGER model is open source, and could be adopted by power grid operators, satellite controllers, telecommunications companies and others to apply the predictions for specific needs. 

NASA said such work could provide ample time to brace for the storms and prevent impacts on power grids or critical infrastructure – going as far as to say there could one day be solar storm sirens in power stations and satellite control centers around the world.

When solar wind sheds from the sun strikes the Earth's magnetic environment, it sometimes creates geomagnetic storms that can range from mild to extreme. 

The most intense solar storm on record sparked fires at telegraph stations and prevented messages from being sent in 1859. 

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Today, widespread electrical disruptions, persistent blackouts and interruptions to global communications would be felt even more strongly, endangering safety around the globe. 

NASA also noted that the risk of geomagnetic storms is increasing as we approach the next "solar maximum" in 2025: a peak in the sun's 11-year activity cycle. 



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ChatGPT is finding itself everywhere, now in houses of worship


Think of ChatGPT as a far more sophisticated version of Google. It’s an AI language model designed to generate human-like responses to various questions, from recipes to historical context to computer code and much more in mere seconds. 

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It’s surpassed the million-user marker in about a week of its introduction. For context, it took companies like Facebook several months to achieve the same success. 

While the AI model is entertaining and educational, several terrifying ethical dilemmas exist in its usage and popularity. 

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From musicians to cooks to mechanics or computer scientists to doctors and lawyers or police officers and teachers, the chatbot is finding itself in almost every realm of our society. Its uses are plenty, however, do the benefits outweigh the risks? 

It seems innocent enough to ask the chatbot how to bake a cake, how many jars of peanut butter it would take to fill the Grand Canyon, or what Pangea is. Even having the bot handle basic customer service questions on your website, proofreading your essay, or tasking it with correcting code for you all seem like beneficial use cases for the AI bot. At what point, however, does the utilization of ChatGPT cross the line? At what point does ChatGPT replace all our professions? At what point does Arnold Schwarzenegger step in to save us all? 

As we inch closer to 2029 (the year the Terminator was sent from), the fear of a hostile takeover from AI bots seems more and more possible. To escape the notions of a dystopian future, many of us may turn to churches or other holy places to find peace. Surprisingly, ChatGPT has even infiltrated homes of worship. 

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A New York Rabbi recently went viral for delivering a sermon written by ChatGPT to his congregation, causing many to question the humanity in such an act. One can argue the appeal here is the Rabbi, Pastor, Priest, or whoever can save precious time by having AI write their sermons, time that can then be reallocated to the congregation. 

On the other hand, sermons are meant to be emphatic, loving, and profound - things that ChatGPT is apparently no good at. Even so, the congregants applauded the Rabbi’s sermon as they would have with any other. "Now, [they’re] clapping — I’m deathly afraid. I thought truck drivers would go long before the Rabbi in terms of losing our positions to artificial intelligence," says Rabbi Franklin. 

Other faith leaders, rightfully so, adamantly disagree and believe the AI bot could never replace those who preach. "AI will never be able to preach a decent sermon. Why? Because the gospel is more than words. It’s the evidence of a changed life," says Mike Glen, a Brentwood, Tennessee pastor of 32 years. 

Hershael York, a Kentucky pastor, also believes AI could never deliver true passion in its sermon generation. "I don’t think it can ever give any kind of a sense of suffering, grief, sorrow, the same way that a human being can," he said. "It comes from deep within the heart and the soul — that’s what the great preachers have, and I don’t think you can get that by proxy." 

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Similar to Rabbi Franklin, Pastor Rachael Keefe of Minneapolis also found use in the bot; however, quickly found its presence creepy and eerie. She published a brief essay written by ChatGPT to her online Pastoral Notes "addressing how to attend to one’s mental health amid the stresses of the holiday season." Pastor Keefe admitted that while the essay was factual, "there was something deeper missing. AI cannot understand community and inclusivity and how important these things are in creating church." 

As additional an additional faith resource - members can ask the bot questions or concerns regarding faith and receive a thoughtful and educational response. 

To generate study material - the bot can help create customized study materials based on your faith. By asking it things like "provide Bible study discussion questions on Corinthians 2," the bot can generate content that can accompany spiritual lectures.

Create social media content - ChatGPT can generate inspiring faith-based quotes that can then be shared with socials, you can ask it to create popular hashtags that you can utilize, or you can even ask it for content ideas based on your religion. 

Organize events - the bot can help create personalized invitations, descriptions, or announcements for events such as mission trips or retreats. 

Create Sermons - Pastors, rabbis, priests, or other spiritual leaders can utilize the AI bot to provide sermon ideas or even write an entire sermon based on the inputted scriptures or themes. 

Many, if not all, of these instances that ChatGPT can be used within a church can apply to many other professions, such as teachers, writers, social media influencers, actors, and so on. There’s no denying ChatGPT and all its glory; some might even argue that those who do not use the AI bot may fall behind, similar to those who refuse to use the internet and insist on only going to the library and using the yellow pages. 

Consequently, however, the line between man and machine will continue to blur until it completely disappears. Although ChatGPT’s capabilities are undeniable, so are its ethical intrusions on our society. 

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Tapping into ChatGPT, especially in a spiritual setting, can be dehumanizing as it replaces the human experience and connection integral to religious practices with a machine-generated output. It lacks the human input and understanding necessary for crafting sermons grounded in theological and moral guidance, as well as cultural and community values. 

By solely relying on ChatGPT to write a sermon or any other character-developing task, the individual robs themselves of personal growth. Particularly in a spiritual environment, the over-dependence and reliance on ChatGPT by both the congregate and spiritual leaders can result in the negligence of one’s spiritual growth and relationship with God. 

Whether in church or any other setting, how can we ensure that people understand the limitations and capabilities of ChatGPT and grant informed consent to either sit in and listen to a Pastor preach, a musician sing, read a book, or play a game, all written or created by AI. 

Can we be sure that the conversations being had with the AI chatbot, especially when used as a spiritual resource, remain private and that whatever information is shared remains protected? 

So far, ChatGPT is incapable of showing compassion, sympathy, grief suffering, or any other raw human emotion, so for now, you will likely be able to spot ChatGPT-generated content. Although this new technology can help optimize a faith leader's day, and should be used as a resource, to an extent, its existence is beyond frightening. 

What are your thoughts on pastors, preachers, priests, or rabbis using ChatGPT to write their sermons? 

For more of my tips, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by clicking the "Free newsletter" link at the top of my website. 

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Top 5 reasons to update to iOS 16.4 on your iPhone today


Apple is constantly creating updates that address security vulnerabilities and introduce improvements. The Cupertino-based iPhone maker has done it again with the new iOS 16.4 update. 

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This is one of their best updates yet with some new features that are not only fun but also super useful. Here are 5 reasons why you should update your iPhone right now. 

Before we get into what iOS 16.4 offers, here's how to update your iPhone's software. 

Now that you have those steps, here are some of the best features that come with the iOS 16.4 update

SECRET IPHONE GESTURES YOU NEED TO KNOW

Once you update your iPhone, 21 brand-new emojis will be available for you to start using in text messages, social media posts, and more. Some of these new ones include animals like a moose and a goose, musical instruments such as a flute and maracas, and even a few new faces. 

Apple is introducing Voice Isolation mode for all phone calls with this new update. This feature can better block out background noise by focusing only on your voice during calls. This means that you can make a call from anywhere from a busy city street to a crowded room and the person you're calling can still hear you. I'm super excited to see how good this feature really is. Here's where to find it once you get the iOS update. 

MORE: BEST WIRELESS EARBUDS EXPERT REVIEWED 

This update also allows you to add web apps to your home screen. What this means is that you can add any website to your home screen as a shortcut and if the site supports a true web app, it’ll run from the app you added. Plus, the update lets developers send you notifications from web apps, giving your iPhone more of a Mac user feel. Here's how to do it. 

The iOS 16 update brought about the Duplicates album in your Photo library which allowed you to easily delete duplicate photos from your iPhone. With the 16.4 update, Duplicates will add redundant photos from your iCloud Shared Photo Library to the album as well. To view your Duplicates album: 

MORE: PERFECT PHOTO, YET SOMEONE BLINKED? NO PROBLEM WITH THIS AMAZING TRICK 

This only applies if you have an iPhone 14, however, it's still worth mentioning. Crash Detection is a feature that will automatically dial emergency services for you should you ever get into an accident where you cannot reach your phone. Although it's a great feature, Apple has some issues with it going off in situations where it isn't needed (such as taking a fall while skiing). Now, Apple says that it has added some optimizations to the feature with iOS 16.4, so hopefully these mistakes stop happening so often. 

MORE: APPLE’S EMERGENCY SOS VIA SATELLITE FEATURE IS NOW LIVE. HERE’S HOW IT WORKS. 

Along with these top 5 improvements listed above, here are a few other changes that are coming with iOS 16.4. 

Have you updated your iPhone to iOS 16.4 yet? Let us know how you like it. 

For more of my tips, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by clicking the "Free newsletter" link at the top of my website. 

Copyright 2023 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.



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