The Comunicano for Tuesday September 24th 2024
It's All Here For You
‘Ello Kiddies, welcome to the new age—no, not the Industrial Age or the Information Age, but the "Intelligence Age," as Sam Altman might say. This is where deep learning doesn’t just mean you finally read that 500-page manual, but rather AI solving problems we didn't even know we had! Altman dreams big—he’s talking personal assistants, tutors, even climate-change-solving robots. But hold on—he’s also waving a caution flag. Apparently, while AI can save the world, it might also need a power station and a few good therapists for the displaced human workforce …. California, on the other hand, isn’t waiting for the robot revolution. It’s throwing the book at AI, with nine new laws ensuring AI plays by the rules. Because, let’s face it, no one wants their job interview judged by a biased algorithm or their likeness starring in a deepfake they didn't consent to. And speaking of tech royalty, Jony Ive—the man who designed your beloved iPhone—is now teaming up with OpenAI. Rumor has it he’s designing a less socially disruptive device than the iPhone. Because who needs human interaction when your AI assistant sounds like Judi Dench?…. Now, AI’s not all-knowing. Professor Filip Ilievski reminds us that, while it can ace pattern recognition, it’s still baffled by riddles and anything requiring actual common sense. So, relax—we still have a few tricks up our human sleeves.… In the meantime, if you need cooking advice, don't ask ChatGPT—just fire up your AirFry.AI app. Because when it comes to cooking, let’s keep the robots in the kitchen where they belong….All this and more is heating up today’s “Comunicano” just for you.
Andy Abramson
Department of Free
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Happy To See Department
Just before winding down last night, I spotted my long-time best friend and client of almost 30 years, Marshall Gobuty’s home-building project, Hunters Point, in the news. Well, not just in the news. On the cover of the leading environmental home-building magazine, Green Home Builder,
Given the three-hour time difference to the east coast, I texted Marshall the link and woke up to see his reply of “Holy Sh*t.”
Nothing like making someone’s day.
AI Watch
Sam Says—Sam Altman discusses the transition to the "Intelligence Age," driven by AI advancements. He highlights how deep learning has unlocked unprecedented problem-solving capabilities and predicts AI will soon act as personal assistants, tutors, and medical coordinators. This shift could lead to a world of shared prosperity, where today’s unimaginable feats—like solving climate change—become achievable. However, Altman stresses the need for infrastructure, energy, and responsible actions to harness AI's potential while mitigating risks like labor market disruptions. The Intelligence Age, he believes, holds immense promise for future generations.
Read what “The Decoder” has to say.
It’s Not Legal—California has passed nine new laws targeting artificial intelligence (AI) regulation. These laws cover a range of areas, including restrictions on deepfakes, privacy violations, and the use of AI in hiring and law enforcement. Specific illegal activities include creating non-consensual AI-generated explicit content, bias in AI hiring algorithms, and unregulated AI surveillance. The legislation aims to ensure that AI is used ethically while protecting consumers and individuals from exploitation and bias.
Jony Says—Jony Ive, former Apple design chief, has confirmed he is working with OpenAI on a new AI-powered device. The project, still in development, aims to create a computing experience less socially disruptive than the iPhone. Ive's design firm, LoveFrom, is leading the design. The collaboration started after meetings between Ive and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, facilitated by Airbnb's Brian Chesky. The device is being developed in San Francisco, and funding efforts may raise up to $1 billion by the end of 2024.
The Stars Are Out—Meta is set to introduce celebrity-voiced AI chatbots, with stars like Judi Dench, John Cena, Kristen Bell, and Awkwafina lending their voices. This new feature will be announced during Meta's Connect conference, allowing users across platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp to interact with these AI-powered digital assistants. This move is part of Meta's broader effort to integrate generative AI into its products, competing with companies like OpenAI and Google. The celebrity voices will be available in English-speaking markets starting this week.
Riddle Me This—Filip Ilievski, assistant professor at Vrije Universiteit, is exploring the limitations and strengths of AI in solving riddles and logic problems. His research highlights the gap between human and AI reasoning, particularly in applying common sense and temporal logic, where AI still struggles. For example, while AI excels at pattern recognition, it falters with abstract thinking and nuanced problems like time-based logic. By comparing AI and human problem-solving, researchers hope to improve AI’s reasoning capabilities and gain insights into human cognition. As AI progresses, hybrid approaches combining human intuition with AI’s computational power may offer the best outcomes.
ARecipe for Disaster—A recent NPR article explores how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming cooking, with apps like Apple’s Vision Pro offering personalized recipe suggestions. AI-driven tools can help users discover new dishes, tailor recipes to dietary preferences, and even suggest ingredient substitutions. Some chefs see AI as a way to streamline kitchen processes, but others worry it might undermine creativity. The growing role of AI in food tech raises questions about the balance between convenience and culinary innovation.
They’re Trending—The 10 biggest AI trends of 2025 include significant developments such as augmented working environments, real-time decision-making, and advancements in AI regulation. Expect AI to continue transforming industries, with trends focused on making AI more accessible, improving legislation, and pushing towards sustainability. Real-time AI applications will become crucial for businesses, while healthcare, transportation, and education sectors will see significant AI-driven innovations. Ethical AI development will be increasingly important as society grapples with privacy, bias, and transparency issues. Preparing for these changes now will be essential for staying competitive.
Election Watch
The Red Fakeout—U.S. intelligence officials have confirmed that Russia is using artificial intelligence (AI) to influence the 2024 U.S. presidential election. AI is enabling Russia to create more convincing and rapid content, such as synthetic images, videos, and text, to polarize American voters on issues like immigration. While AI accelerates these influence efforts, it is not considered a revolutionary tool but an enhancer of existing disinformation strategies. This is part of a broader Russian effort to bolster certain candidates and undermine others, including through the spread of fake news stories targeting key figures like Vice President Kamala Harris.
Cooking Watch
Time To Get Fried—AirFry.AI is a free web app designed to help air fryer users easily find the right cooking times and temperatures for any food. By simply entering the food item, users get quick instructions without the hassle of scrolling through lengthy recipe websites. The app provides simple cooking directions and complete recipes, offering detailed steps for dishes like garlic chicken wings. It's an efficient tool that saves time and eliminates guesswork for air frying enthusiasts.
School Watch
No Phones In School—California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a new law on September 23, 2024, that will require schools to limit or ban smartphone use by students during the school day. The law, part of the state's effort to address rising concerns about the mental health impact of excessive smartphone usage, mandates that school districts develop policies by July 2026. The goal is to reduce distractions and improve focus in classrooms while addressing issues like anxiety and depression linked to social media. Exceptions will be made for emergencies to ensure student safety.
Read the announcement from the Governor’s Office.
Telegram Watch
A Change In Plans—Telegram has updated its privacy policy to allow sharing user data, such as IP addresses and phone numbers, with authorities when legally required. This marks a significant shift for the platform, which previously emphasized strong privacy protections. The change has raised concerns among privacy advocates, particularly given Telegram's popularity in regions where government surveillance is prevalent. Critics fear this could compromise user security and lead to overreach by governments seeking access to private information under vague legal pretenses. The update comes amidst increasing regulatory pressure on encrypted messaging platforms globally.
Robot Watch
Growing Up—Robots are playing an increasing role in farming, showcasing how they are automating various tasks such as planting, weeding, and harvesting. This advancement aims to improve efficiency, reduce labor costs, and address workforce shortages in agriculture. The robots are equipped with precision technologies and AI to handle tasks with minimal human intervention, emphasizing the potential of robotics to transform modern farming practices.
Travel Watch
Boarding Time—Southwest Airlines is significantly changing its long-standing open seating policy, transitioning to an assigned seating model with premium options. This shift, which breaks a 50-year tradition, is driven by the airline's focus on increasing profitability and meeting customer preferences. Research shows that about 80% of Southwest's customers favor assigned seating. While this change might slow the boarding process, it aligns with broader industry trends where airlines prioritize revenue over speed. The move is part of Southwest's more comprehensive strategy to appeal to more travelers despite the potential impact on its boarding efficiency.
Security Watch
It’s Not The Same Program—Kaspersky users in the U.S. are being unexpectedly migrated to a new product called UltraAV, which has raised concerns due to its lack of clear information and transparency. Some users are frustrated with the sudden change, as they feel they were not adequately informed about the new software's transition or nature. The move comes amid ongoing scrutiny of Kaspersky’s presence in the U.S. market.
Travel Watch
You Lost The Power—Royal Caribbean has updated its prohibited items list to include extension cords and multi-plug outlets, which many cruisers commonly pack due to the limited number of power outlets in staterooms. The cruise line has not widely communicated this change, leading to concerns about enforcement and whether items like USB multi-port chargers are also banned. This decision follows safety warnings about the use of power strips on ships, as they can pose fire risks. Travelers are advised to check Royal Caribbean's list before packing.
Going The Distance—Thor Industries has introduced a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) motorhome prototype, offering up to 500 miles of range through a combination of a 140-kWh battery and a gas engine-generator. The motorhome also includes advanced features like driver assistance, steer-by-wire, and solar charging. It’s designed to offer flexibility for both road trips and home power backup during outages. The production version is expected in 2025, offering a blend of electric and gas-powered efficiency.
Water Watch
Light Up The Air—Panasonic has introduced a new projection system that uses "silky fine mist" to display images on an ultra-thin layer of water vapor. This innovative technology allows for immersive visual experiences where images can seemingly float in the air. It works by generating a fine mist that acts as a screen for the projector, and the system is designed for use in museums, exhibitions, and other public spaces to create a futuristic display medium.
Dating Watch
Time To Hook Up—Users of Feeld, a kink-focused dating app, are complaining about an influx of "vanilla" men who don't share the same interests in non-traditional sexual dynamics. Some feel that the presence of these users dilutes the platform's original purpose, which was to cater to those exploring kinks and alternative lifestyles. This shift in the user base has sparked frustration among long-time users seeking more compatibility in their matches.
Music Video of The Day
App Review of The Day
Miro
Miro is a cutting-edge, collaborative platform that enhances team productivity by providing a seamless workspace for creativity, planning, and execution. Whether your team works remotely or in the office, Miro’s features make it easy to collaborate in real-time or asynchronously. It’s not just another virtual whiteboard; it's a versatile innovation hub used by more than 80 million people across companies like Nike, PepsiCo, and Ubisoft.
Key Features
1. Intelligent Canvas
At its core, Miro offers an infinite, intelligent canvas. Teams can map out ideas, build flowcharts, plan customer journeys, and create sprint plans—all in one space. Miro’s integration of AI-powered tools takes these activities to the next level by automating tasks like diagramming, brainstorming, and technical mapping. This reduces manual work, allowing teams to focus on strategic thinking and decision-making.
2. AI-Enhanced Collaboration
Miro's AI tools help turn raw ideas into structured outputs—whether you're drafting product briefs or creating diagrams from complex technical data. Its Miro Assist feature clusters and summarizes information so you can quickly identify patterns, organize sticky notes, and synthesize concepts without spending hours on manual work. This feature is perfect for busy teams looking to accelerate their decision-making processes.
3. Apps and Integrations
Miro integrates with over 130 popular tools, including Jira, Asana, Google Workspace, and Slack, so your team can work seamlessly across platforms without constantly switching apps. This connected workspace gives a single view of everything happening in your workflow, ensuring you don’t miss any critical updates.
4. Interactive Workshops and Async Collaboration
When it comes to meetings and workshops, Miro shines with tools like live reactions, anonymous voting, timers, and even a built-in presentation mode. If real-time collaboration isn't possible, the TalkTrack feature lets team members record presentations for others to view later, with the ability to add comments and reactions asynchronously.
5. Versatile Use Cases
Miro caters to multiple industries and functions, supporting use cases like:
- Product development workflows: Plan sprints, wireframes, and backlogs collaboratively.
- Technical diagramming: Visualize system designs and optimize cloud infrastructures using custom diagrams.
- Strategy and planning: Map out business strategies with clear workflows that adapt to evolving customer needs.
6. Templates and Resources
Miro offers over 300 pre-built templates for various business needs—from mind mapping and process mapping to user journey modeling. You can jumpstart any project with these customizable frameworks.
Why Use Miro?
Miro’s real value comes in how it blends ease of use with advanced tools for both creatives and technical teams. For example, while the AI-driven diagramming tools make it easier for engineers to visualize systems, the same workspace can be used by marketers to create campaign plans or by product managers to run agile sprints. This diversity in functionality has led top companies to adopt Miro for everyday collaboration, speeding up processes that normally take weeks.
It also addresses the need for **enterprise-grade security** and **customization**. Organizations can build custom apps or workflows using Miro's robust API and SDKs, ensuring the platform fits their unique processes.
Device Compatibility
Miro is accessible on all major platforms, including:
- iOS and Android for mobile and tablets.
- Windows and Mac for desktops.
- An interactive display version for enhanced collaboration on larger touch screens.
Best for:
- Remote and hybrid teams: Miro’s async and real-time collaboration features make it perfect for teams spread across time zones.
- Cross-functional teams: Whether you’re a designer, engineer, marketer, or product manager, Miro’s versatility lets you collaborate on one shared platform.
- Workshops and brainstorming sessions: The interactive features turn any brainstorming session into a dynamic, engaging experience.
Conclusion
Miro is much more than a virtual whiteboard—it's a powerful collaboration suite that empowers teams to innovate faster, iterate ideas seamlessly, and turn concepts into actionable plans. Its AI-driven tools and integrations make it indispensable for any organization looking to streamline workflows and enhance team collaboration across multiple platforms. Download it today on iOS, Android, Windows, or Mac, and join millions of users who rely on Miro to do their best work.
