What are deepfakes? Deepfakes are generally faked video and/or audio that are extraordinarily persuasive to the average viewer. They are generated using a combination of models including generative AI (GenAI) tools and competing models of Large Language Models (LLMs). AI has been good with images for a lot longer
Our research team was fascinated with the Grok incident of last week. Between May 14th and May 16th Grok was disseminating information on X about the alleged "white genocide" in South Africa. It was working the information (which some might call "agitational propaganda" or agitprop for
In February of this particular year, you can be excused if you missed the announcement regarding Chat GPT's offering "deep research." As an addendum to it's 03 "reasoning" model, according to the announcement on their website, deep research is a new capability,
The news cycle sometimes appears to be speeding up and not just around the beltway. This week made for a tough choice on topics to write about. This week a story broke about Space X and their rocket explosions. According to Ars Technica, in 2016, Musk and Space X went
AI and Cross-Functional Data Management: Ambivalence and Ambiguity This past week highlighted the ambivalence and ambiguity surrounding "AI" and its use in cross-functional data management. On the one hand, Verizon and Amazon are both proclaiming the impacts AI will have for CX (customer experience). On the other, problems
š” Higher education has never been about measurable worth in terms of advancement and salary. Higher education has always been about: š personal development šsocial responsibility šcivic engagement šbuilding a better self and from that... š a better world. An Economist piece has created quite the stir by declaring that the elite MBA
It was a good week for strikes against potentially monopolistic giants, despite the weakening economy under the Trump tariff war. Trump tariffs trigger tech stock sell-off The trade war is heating up as tech stocks endured a massive sell off this week. The uncertainty introduced by the trade war escalations
Greetings readers! Since the beginning, SXQ has aimed to lead on quantum technology research. In particular, we are focused on quantum blockchain. Why? Quantum is poised to make significant impacts and disruptions, and therefore is a key point in our mission to educate the public; if the public is in
Space X's latest explosion and the sharp decline in Tesla's stock had our team curious about Neuralink. Initially, after some advances in the human in vivo experiments, Neuralink hit an obstacle: the threads were retracting from the brain, slowing down the data speeds and effectiveness of
āIt is obvious that there are some things of which the outcome is not uniform or determined, and it is in such cases that chance or spontaneity finds its sphere.ā-Aristotle I mentioned that things have been quiet over here due to my health leave of absence, during which an
If we review case studies like Theranos, WeWork, the latest Optimus Prime exposure, the 1,000 offshore cashiers required to run Amazon's "Just Walk Out" cashier-less grocery, the remote-driver fleets used to drive robo-taxis, the Gemini fake out, Self-Service BIādid Silicon Valley become the business
"The future is dark, with a darkness as much of the womb as the grave."-Rebecca Solnit "The future is so bright, I gotta wear shades." -Timbuk 3 Gentle Readers, Long time, no newsletter. I had a planned short leave that "unexpectedly" turned into
Coffee with JP returns with JP discussing current and historic events in light of the Hachette vs. Internet Archive decision. In it JP covers: 1) Singular XQ and the need for disinterested (read not financially vested) research. Help us stay independent! 2) Aaron Swartz and Open Access 3) Fair Use
It's the Beer O'Clock Newsletter from Knowledge Capital on Linked In. This next bid at AI hype prize made a splash recently: lab grown brains running first living computer in Switzerland. 16 lab-grown brains run worldās first āliving computerā in SwitzerlandThe bioprocessor platform consists of
Carol Burnett
Someone in a formal interview asked me today about my biggest achievement, and I thought of some things on my LinkedIn page. But the ones that I believe to be the most significantāprofessionally, not personallyāare not on there. There are small, tiny, networked one-on-one interactions. There are individuals
crypto
The one where Harris stays zipped about crypto, the new decentralized AI platform seems too good to be true, Gamergate haunts us making everyone seem sus, the tech layoffs approach 150k, and Crowdstrike turns the $20bn economic loss into a big joke. What's the Harris-Walz platform for crypto?
Gen AI
Ending on an optimistic high note, JP talks Gen AI and higher education arts training. Listen as Jason Merai reminds us not to count this generation of students out to lead and change in this field and they discuss the best uses of the tool and the possibilities for the
Singular XQ Podcast
On Opium and Digital Media JP chats with everyone about some notes she has about the intersection of the history of opium and its negative impacts on society and digital technology which has both literally been an economic vehicle for delivering opiates and is it self a kind of "
Singular XQ Podcast
JP and Celi Arias talk about Grown Ass Business, Celi's creative and inspiring business strategy and growth consulting business. Celi shares her approach and JP offers her observations on why Celi's background in modern dance feeds directly into her skills in helping people building and optimizing
research futures
Startups
JP interviews Founding Core Advisory Board member, Dr. Guissoo Nabavian. Dr. Nabavian is a psychologist with over 25 years in public mental health and wellness in NYC. JP and she talk about the transition from a for-profit consultancy to a non-profit social startup, and the importance of accessibility and education
research futures