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Happy birthday to ARPANET, the forerunner of the modern internet! 53 years ago, the first message was sent over this pioneering network, paving the way for a world of interconnection and innovation.

As a tech enthusiast, I am constantly amazed by the ways the internet has transformed our lives, allowing us to communicate, learn and share ideas across boundaries and borders. From social media to e-commerce, from telemedicine to remote work, the internet has become an essential part of our daily routines, enabling us to connect with others and access a wealth of information at our fingertips.

#ARPANET #InternetAnniversary #Transhumanism #TechInnovation
#InternetHistory #Networking #DigitalRevolution #Innovation #Communication #Cyberculture #OnlineCommunity #TechHerstory #NetNeutrality #OpenSource #Decentralization #DataPrivacy #Cybersecurity #DigitalRights #Accessibility #Inclusion #SocialImpact #DigitalTransformation #FutureTech #TechOptimism #InternetOfThings #AI

๐Ÿ”— ethw.org/Milestones:Birthplaceโ€ฆ


The new release of Seeing AI for Android can now describe videos up to 10 videos daily as of now. Share an MP4 file with Seeing AI, and hear it described, scene-by-scene.
Other features include:
Recognizing PDF documents.
After tapping "More Info" to get a rich description of an image, you can now ask questions on the same screen.
On the Product channel, both barcodes and Enhanced QR codes can now be recognized at the same time.
#Android #AI #SeeingAI


Exploring Samsung Galaxy AIโ€™s Live Translate: In-Call Translation Put to the Test accessibleandroid.com/explorinโ€ฆ #Samsung #AI


What do people think of this response to โ€˜generate detailed Alt Textโ€™ by Gemini:

Here is some detailed alt text for the image you provided:
Alt Text:
A large, menacing grey cat, reminiscent of a monster, stands on its hind legs with its front paws raised. It has glowing yellow eyes and a wide, toothy grin. The cat is surrounded by a fiery aura as it emits a powerful beam of energy from its mouth. The beam is directed towards the Empire State Building in New York City, which is engulfed in flames. The city skyline is visible in the background, with tall buildings and smoke rising from the destruction. The overall tone of the image is chaotic and destructive, evoking a sense of fear and awe.
Additional Notes:
โ€ข You may want to adjust the description of the cat's appearance based on its specific characteristics.
โ€ข If the image is part of a larger context (like a movie poster or book cover), you could add a brief reference to that context.
โ€ข The alt text should be concise and informative, providing a clear description of the image without being overly detailed.
Let me know if you have any other questions.

#Accessibility #AI #AIsoftheBlind #AltText #Blind #ComputerVision


I asked Amazon's "AI", Rufus, to summarize my space opera novella "The Warrior Within" for me. Here's what it told me:

"The Warrior Within is a 1980 fantasy novel by Angus McIntyre. It follows the story of a young man named Aric who lives in a world where magic and technology coexist. Aric discovers he has the ability to tap into an ancient power called the "Warrior Within" which allows him to become a powerful warrior.โ€

(TWW was published in 2018. There is no one in it named Aric)

1/

#AI

#AI


Interesting Python job on an AI Forensics team: you will work on algorithmic investigations techniques to hold social media accountable to their users and to the law.

ai-forensics.notion.site/Remotโ€ฆ

#GetFediHired #DataEngineering #Data #AI #Jobs #Safety


Did you know IBM helped Hitler carry out the Holocaust? Is it in any way surprising that we canโ€™t do anything about Big Tech and toxic oligarchs like Elon Musk when even those who helped carry out one of the worst tragedies in human history remain unpunished? Should it come as a shock that the very same bastards are funding and pining for fascism today?

m.youtube.com/watch?v=1rhzge9rโ€ฆ

#BigTech #fascism #SiliconValley #ventureCapital #surveillance #capitalism #peopleFarming #BigData #AI


Sensitive content


Itโ€™s no secret that many of us in the blind community have embraced the rapid advances in Artificial Intelligence over the past two years. We've witnessed firsthand how these technologies can be a powerful force for good, especially within our community. AI-generated image descriptions have revolutionized how we navigate the online world, offering a perspective previously unimaginable. This impact is now undeniable, transforming how we interact with the world.โ€

Iโ€™ve declared the kingdom of the blind a republicโ€”perhaps prematurely, but only by a small margin. With AI empowering us to perceive the digital world in new ways, we are no longer ruled by limitations, but actively shaping our future. Anthropicโ€™s recent launch of โ€˜computer useโ€™ marks the first steps into a new phase of AI evolutionโ€”one where AI agents begin to act independently on our behalf, initiating a shift in how we interact with technology.

As AI continues to evolve, so too will the Assistive Technology that many of us depend on. I envision a future where this intelligence becomes a true companion, guiding us seamlessly through both digital landscapes and real-world challenges. We may be just two years away from seeing JAWS, NVDA, or SuperNova transform into true Assistive Intelligence 1.0โ€”or perhaps it will take a little longer. If AI has taught us anything, itโ€™s that progress comes both more slowly than we expect and faster than we can possibly imagine.

What follows is my first attempt at describing how a screen reader of today could take the first steps towards becoming an Assistive Intelligence. If anyone wants to build it, Iโ€™d love to help if I can. Whatever you think, let me know what you think:

โ€œProposed AI-Powered Self-Scripting Feature for JAWS Screen Reader

Objective
The suggested feature seeks to integrate advanced AI-driven "computer use" capabilities, like those developed by Claude (Anthropic), into the JAWS screen reader. This functionality would enable JAWS to autonomously create and refine custom scripts in response to real-time user interactions and application environments. The aim is to enhance accessibility and productivity for visually impaired users, especially when navigating non-standard or otherwise inaccessible software interfaces.

Feature Description
The self-scripting capability would empower JAWS to analyse user interactions with applications, identify recurring actions or inaccessible elements, and generate scripts that optimize these processes. By enabling JAWS to perform this autonomously, users gain seamless and personalized access to applications without manual intervention, allowing for an enhanced, efficient experience.

The self-scripting feature will be powered by the following core functions:

1. Real-Time Autonomous Scripting: JAWS would use AI to observe user interactions with applications, especially non-accessible ones, and automatically generate scripts that improve navigation, label untagged elements, and streamline frequent tasks. For example, if a user frequently navigates to a particular form field, JAWS could create a shortcut to this area.

2. Adaptive Behaviour Learning: This feature would allow JAWS to recognize patterns in a userโ€™s interactions, such as repeated actions or commonly accessed elements. JAWS would adapt its behaviour by creating custom macros, enabling faster navigation and interaction with complex workflows.

3. Dynamic Accessibility Adjustment: Leveraging Claudeโ€™s approach to visual recognition, JAWS could interpret visual elements (like buttons or icons) and provide instant labelling or feedback. This would be valuable in software with minimal accessibility features, as it enables JAWS to make live adjustments and effectively โ€œteach itselfโ€ how to navigate new environments.

4. Community Script Sharing: Self-generated scripts, once verified, could be anonymized, and made available to other users via a shared repository. This would foster a collaborative environment, empowering users to contribute to a broader database of accessibility scripts for applications across various industries.

Value Proposition
This feature will address key challenges for visually impaired users, including the complexity of navigating inaccessible interfaces and the time-consuming nature of repetitive tasks. The ability for JAWS to generate its own scripts autonomously would mean:
1. Increased Accessibility: Improved interaction with non-accessible software interfaces.
2. Higher Productivity: Reduced need for external support or manual scripting, allowing users to accomplish tasks more independently.
3. Enhanced User Experience: Scripting and macro creation based on personal usage patterns -- leads to a more intuitive and personalized experience.

Technical Considerations
1. Performance: Processing real-time visual and user interaction data requires substantial computing power. A cloud-based model may be optimal, offloading some processing requirements and ensuring smooth, responsive performance.
2. Safety: Automated scripting must be closely monitored to prevent unintended interactions or conflicts within applications. Integration of safeguard protocols and user settings to enable/disable autonomous scripting will be essential.
3. Privacy: To ensure user data is protected, anonymization protocols and data privacy standards will be implemented. Data collected from user interactions would be handled in compliance with rigorous privacy standards, safeguarding user preferences and behaviour.

Conclusion
Integrating AI-powered self-scripting capabilities into JAWS would represent a significant leap in screen reader technology. By allowing JAWS to, when requested, autonomously learn, adapt, and script in response to user needs, this feature could provide visually impaired users with unprecedented control and flexibility in navigating digital environments, fostering both independence and productivity. The anticipated benefits underscore the featureโ€™s potential to redefine accessible technology, turning screen reader into Assistive Intelligence.โ€œ

About the Author:

Lottie is a passionate advocate for the transformative potential of AI, especially within the blind and visually impaired community. She blends technical insights with a keen awareness of lived experiences, envisioning a future where AI doesnโ€™t just assist but truly empowers. Her thoughtful reflections explore the shift from a "kingdom of the blind" to a republic, where emerging technologies like AI create new opportunities for autonomy and inclusion.

With a balance of optimism and critical realism, Lottie acknowledges the game-changing impact of AI tools like image descriptions while recognizing that more progress is needed. Her vision extends to the idea of "Assistive Intelligence," where screen readers like JAWS evolve into proactive companions, adapting to users' needs in real-time.

Known for turning complex ideas into actionable blueprints, Lottie is not just an observer of technological trends but a catalyst for innovation. Her proposals reflect a desire to elevate independence and productivity for blind users, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in assistive technology. Her insights continue to inspire conversations and shape the future of accessible tech.

I am the Blind AI, relying on AI every day to enrich my life. While my posts may occasionally benefit from AI assistance, the thoughts, perspectives, and final edits are entirely my own. AI is my tool, much like a calculator or spell-check, refining my expression but never replacing my voice.

#Accessibility #AI #AIsoftheBlind #Blind #ComputerVision #Disability #Innovation #JAWS #NVDA #ScreenReader #SuperNov


As a blind user, I find LLMs like ChatGPT pretty useful because they output in audio or text. However, I wonder if they start generating videos, it might not be useful for us. Many videos, like YouTube tutorials, are often optimized for sighted audience, and most likely models would be trained on these types of videos to generate in similar style. I can ask to describe the video, but it won't be the same experience as videos designed with accessibility in mind. #accessibility #LLM #AI


In the debate about whether AI / LLMs can reason or not it's good to remember this quote from 1984 from Dijkstra , a dutch computer scientist,
""The question of whether Machines Can Think... is about as relevant as the question of whether Submarines Can Swim."
#AI #LLM #reasoning


Meta releases Spirit LM, a multimodal (speech text) model. #Multimodal #LLM #AI #ML ai.meta.com/blog/fair-news-segโ€ฆ


Found this in a discussion about Strava but applicable to all tech companies

#AI

#AI


Disabling #Windows #AI features organization-wide using #GroupPolicy.

This will turn off #Recall (the periodic screenshot service) and #Copilot (the AI assistant service).

1. Download and install the Windows 11 24H2 administrative template files: microsoft.com/en-us/download/dโ€ฆ

2. Add the files from C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Group Policy\Windows 11 Sep 2024 Update (24H2)\PolicyDefinitions to C:\Windows\SYSVOL\domain\Policies\PolicyDefinitions on the domain controller.

3. Start Group Policy Management on the domain controller.

4. Create a group policy object with these values:

User Configuration > Policies > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows AI > Turn off Saving Snapshots for Windows = enabled

User Configuration > Policies > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Copilot > Turn off Windows Copilot = enabled

5. Link the group policy object in at an appropriate level in your domain.


Lawrence Lessig develops an interesting proposal and argument for reform of democratic institutions in this recent lectue at the LSE.
www2.lse.ac.uk/lse-player?id=4โ€ฆ
#democracy #AI #SocialMedia #constitutionalism


Users usually do not understand that it's not "their" #accounts, it's a #system #access with a
- #username (choosen by them) and a
- #password (not so carefully choosen by them)
cc: @tardis #ai #aiart by #dalle3


The worst AI scraper that doesn't even identify itself as such is still this user agent:

Mozilla/5.0 (X11; Ubuntu; Linux x86_64; rv:72.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/72.0

It's not even listed on darkvisitors(.)com

I see 5120 requests in the last 24 hrs alone, all for JPEG & WEBP files. I don't want to know how much bandwidth & energy it consumes, globally.

Easy to block via Cloudflare or .htaccess: Firefox/72 is ages old and no human visitor would use it.

Spread the word.

#AI #Webmaster


Just got back from my dentist. Her boss has introduced #AI into the clinic. It claims to automatically detect many conditions and right away it found 4 issues affecting my teeth.

The only downside was that its findings were 100% wrong, which my dentist of many years' experience spotted immediately.

#AI


LinkedIn just sent out updates for the Privacy Policy to use your data for AI training. ๐Ÿคฏ

Unless you're in Europe, opt out now! We're explaining how ๐Ÿ‘‡

tuta.com/blog/linkedin-ai-userโ€ฆ

#LinkedIn #LinkedInAI #AI #AItraining


I'm a little puzzled at the salience that is being given to the Apple conclusions on #LLM #reasoning when we have lots of prior art. For example: LLMs cannot correctly infer a is b, if their corpora only contain b is a. #Paper: arxiv.org/abs/2309.12288

#AI #MachineLearning #logic


F5-TTS: A Fairytaler that Fakes Fluent and Faithful Speech with Flow Matching! The quality is pretty impressive for open source, and it even supports mps for Mac! I was able to get it going on my Mac with no problem. #TTS #ML #AI
github.com/SWivid/F5-TTS
@ZBennoui


There's a lot of animosity against #AI on this platform. I can understand why, up to certain extent (eg using creators contwnt without permission, the use of earth resources for questionable goals...). However, I wonder how they think the "detect text from picture" function works.

#AI #ocr

#AI #ocr


There is a sudden explosion in the popularity of AI Hawk โ€” a program that uses bots to let applicants apply to multiple jobs on LinkedIn. This means that we now live in a world where people are using AI-generated resumes and cover letters to automatically apply for jobs, many of which will be reviewed by automated AI software, creating a bizarre loop where humans have essentially been removed from the job application and hiring process. Read more at @404media. #AI #Jobs #Hiring #Bots #Tech #Technology flip.it/-Oiro2


There are so many #accessibility bugs to be filed, not to mention feature requests. Where is my #AI agent to help me out? I don't have the time. :)


Sam Altman believes #AI is using a trivial amount of energy.

"The energy use of AI, I think relative to the value it's creating, is quite tiny today. I don't want to minimize it too much, because it's going to go up โ€” like we will use gigawatts over time, out of, you know, terawatts on Earth."

I guess this depends on if the energy use of small countries is trivial and if you believe Earth can sustain producing terawatts of energy indefinitely.

axios.com/2024/09/24/sam-altmaโ€ฆ
scientificamerican.com/articleโ€ฆ

#AI


Should I be concerned that I am a #blind tech person who is lukewarm at best about all the new tech like #AI and glasses? I've now worked with quite a bit of this stuff and, frankly, what I see is just a heck of a lot more work for #accessibility evangelists to ensure we are not left out once again. A few pieces of tech will make things better, and much more will likely worsen our overall level of access. I really don't enjoy raining on the party here, but, really?


๐Ÿ˜ฒ OMG! Mlx-whisper transcribed 12 minutes of speech under 18 seconds with excellent accuracy, using the new OpenAI model, whisper-large-v3-turbo, on my MacBook Pro with the M3 Max! โšก #OpenAI #ML #AI #Transcription huggingface.co/mlx-community/wโ€ฆ


Weโ€™re in the middle of a climate crisis and AI is sucking up entire nations worth of energy and water so people can make horrible art, turn in plagiarized essays, and post in social media.

How is this a thing?

#AI #ClimateCrisis


๐Ÿ“ข *AI-generated podcasts aren't here to replace human creativity* ๐ŸŽ™๏ธโ€”they're enhancing accessibility, especially for people like me who learn best by listening. As a blind student, tools like NotebookLM turning PDFs into podcasts help me absorb material more effectively. ๐ŸŽง Itโ€™s about *learning in a way that works for you*, not replacing the personal touch of traditional podcasts. ๐Ÿง ๐Ÿ’ก

#Accessibility #AI #AIforAccessibility #Podcasts #Blind #AIAccessibility #LearningTools #NotebookLM


#AIagent promotes itself to #sysadmin , trashes #boot sequence

Fun experiment, but yeah, don't pipe an #LLM raw into /bin/bash

Buck #Shlegeris, CEO at #RedwoodResearch, a nonprofit that explores the risks posed by #AI , recently learned an amusing but hard lesson in automation when he asked his LLM-powered agent to open a secure connection from his laptop to his desktop machine.
#security #unintendedconsequences

theregister.com/2024/10/02/ai_โ€ฆ


๐Ÿ†• blog! โ€œGitHub's Copilot lies about its own documentation. So why would I trust it with my code?โ€

In the early part of the 20th Century, there was a fad for "Radium". The magical, radioactive substance that glowed in the dark. The market had decided that Radium was The Next Big Thing and tried to shove it into every product. There โ€ฆ

๐Ÿ‘€ Read more: shkspr.mobi/blog/2024/10/githuโ€ฆ
โธป
#AI #github #LLM


Independent test of #OpenAIโ€™s o1-preview model achieved near-perfect performance on a national #math exam (landing in the top .1% of the nationโ€™s students).

o1 also outperformed 4o on the math test, but took about 3 times longer to do so (10 minutes vs. 3 minutes).

Preprint: researchgate.net/publication/3โ€ฆ

#teaching #assessment #AI #LLM #edu #higherEd


Massive E-Learning Platform #Udemy Gave Teachers a Gen #AI 'Opt-Out Window'. It's Already Over.

Udemy will train generative AI on classes developed/users contributed on its site. It is opt-out (meaning, everyone was already opted in) with a time window... and opting out may "affect course visibility and potential earnings."

Udemy's reason for the opt-out window was reportedly because removing data from LLMs is hard. IMO, that would be the reason for making it opt-in, but here we are...

#privacy #privacymatters #llm

404media.co/massive-e-learningโ€ฆ


I fed the full transcript of the 2024 presidential debate and asked NotebookLM to create an audio overview. Find out which political side the AI is on. ROFL #LLM #ML #AI #NotebookLM @vick21 abcnews.go.com/Politics/harrisโ€ฆ


๐Ÿ˜ฒ OMG, Audio Overview feature on NotebookLM is wild! It basically creates a podcast with two AI generated voices based on the source documents you upload. Definitely try if you haven't yet. #LLM #ML #AI blog.google/technology/ai/noteโ€ฆ
#AI #ML #llm


What are your thoughts on #AI and #accessibility? Do you think AI can actually help developers make more accessible software, or can play more of a role in users' lives? I'm going to take computer vision off the table because that's been talked to death. And yes, i'm using the word AI deliberately even though I understand it's kind of just a buzzword. I just want to see what comes back from this.


Seeing with AI | The Prompt with Microsoft's Chief Questions Officer Trevor Noah featuring Saqib Shake youtube.com/watch?v=vCsg-Sbb5vโ€ฆ
#accessibility #ai

โ‡ง