Death from non-AI technology. To avoid targeting your cell phones, buy everyone a pager with built in explosives? Did they (whoever they are) have to call 2,800 phone numbers simultaneously?

https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2024/09/remotely-exploding-pagers.html

Remotely Exploding Pagers

Wow.

It seems they all exploded simultaneously, which means they were triggered.

Were they each tampered with physically, or did someone figure out how to trigger a thermal runaway remotely? Supply chain attack? Malicious code update, or natural vulnerability?

I have no idea, but I expect we will all learn over the next few days.

EDITED TO ADD: I’m reading nine killed and 2,800 injured. That’s a lot of collateral damage. (I haven’t seen a good number as to the number of pagers yet.)

EDITED TO ADD: Reuters writes: “The pagers that detonated were the latest model brought in by Hezbollah in recent months, three security sources said.” That implies supply chain attack. And it seems to be a large detonation for an overloaded battery.

This reminds me of the 1996 assassination of Yahya Ayyash using a booby trapped cellphone.

EDITED TO ADD: I am deleting political comments. On this blog, let’s stick to the tech and the security ramifications of the threat.

Has too much falsehood resulted in a “boy who cried wolf” reaction?

https://www.bespacific.com/technology-election-ai-qanon-disinformation-html/

How A.I., QAnon and Falsehoods Are Reshaping the Presidential Race

The New York Times [unpaywalled]: “This year’s presidential election has been polluted with rumors, conspiracy theories and a wave of artificial intelligence imagery. Former President Donald J. Trump has continued to sow doubts about election integrity as his allies across the country have taken steps to make election denial a fixture of the balloting process. How worried should voters be? To better understand the role that misinformation and conspiracy theories are playing this year, The New York Times asked three authors of new books about disinformation and social media to share their views and predictions. The risk that violence could spring from election denialism seems as pressing as in the weeks after the 2020 election, when Trump supporters — incensed by false claims of voter fraud — stormed the Capitol building, they argue. But the day-to-day churn of falsehoods and rumors that spread online may be getting largely drowned out by the billions spent on political advertising. In a series of emails with The Times, the authors laid out their predictions for the year. These interviews have been edited for length and clarity…”

Imagine this app on Vladimir Putin’s phone.

https://www.makeuseof.com/advertising-pitch-proves-phone-listening-to-conversations/

I’ve Always Suspected My Phone Was Listening to Me—This Advertising Pitch Proves It

… In December 2023, 404 Media unearthed something on the Cox Media Group’s (CMG) website that might turn your stomach. They found that the company listed “Active Listening,” a supposed advertising capability that can apparently target ads to potential customers based on what they say out loud near their devices’ microphones. 404 Media reports that CMG subsequently took down that information.

Many smart devices have cameras and microphones that are forever on, listening in the background for trigger words and phrases to spark to life—phrases such as “Hey Siri” and “OK Google.”

Related. (Welcome to the panopticon!)

https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2024/09/omnipresent-ai-cameras-will-ensure-good-behavior-says-larry-ellison/

Omnipresent AI cameras will ensure good behavior, says Larry Ellison

On Thursday, Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison shared his vision for an AI-powered surveillance future during a company financial meeting, reports Business Insider. During an investor Q&A, Ellison described a world where artificial intelligence systems would constantly monitor citizens through an extensive network of cameras and drones, stating this would ensure both police and citizens don't break the law. [Unlikely. Bob]

A concern: If you cut multiple pieces of wood using a ruler each time you end with uniform pieces. If you cut multiple pieces of wood using the piece you just cut as the template for the next cut, you don’t wind up with uniform pieces.

https://towardsdatascience.com/teaching-your-model-to-learn-from-itself-8b5ef13eb173

Teaching Your Model to Learn from Itself

… The idea of a model learning from its own predictions might raise some eyebrows. After all, aren’t we trying to create something from nothing, relying on an “echo chamber” where the model simply reinforces its own initial biases and errors?

Tools & Techniques. (I only knew of two of these. This is me trying to keep up...)

https://www.tomsguide.com/ai/improve-your-writing-with-my-5-favorite-ai-writing-apps

Improve your writing with my 5 favorite AI writing apps

… To develop your writing skills and get your ideas off the ground, I encourage you to give my favorite AI writing apps a try. You may be surprised how AI may improve your writing, while also opening up new ways to spark creativity.

Everything you ever wanted to know…

https://www.bespacific.com/u-s-state-ai-legislation-a-look-at-how-u-s-state-policymakers-are-approaching-artificial-intelligence-regulation/

U.S. State AI Legislation: A Look at How U.S. State Policymakers Are Approaching Artificial Intelligence Regulation

Future of Privacy Forum: “Today, the Future of Privacy Forum (FPF) launched a new report—U.S. State AI Legislation: A Look at How U.S. State Policymakers Are Approaching Artificial Intelligence Regulation— analyzing recent proposed and enacted legislation in U.S. states. As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly embedded in daily life and critical sectors like healthcare and employment, state lawmakers have begun crafting regulatory strategies to promote its opportunities while addressing its heightened risks. This report by FPF delves into the trends of these legislative efforts, examines core questions and issues, and offers key considerations for policymakers as they navigate the complexities of AI policy. The report primarily focuses on ‘Governance of AI in Consequential Decisions,’ a legislative framework most frequently adopted by lawmakers, which applies to a broad range of entities and industries, and offers the most comprehensive approach to mitigating specific AI risks across various proposals and laws. The report also discusses alternative approaches focused on particular technologies, such as generative artificial intelligence and frontier or foundation models.”

• Read the Full State AI Report Here

• Read the Report Supplementary

Sources and outputs.

https://fpf.org/blog/updated-fpf-infographic-explores-data-in-connected-vehicles/

Updated FPF Infographic Explores Data in Connected Vehicles

Today, The Future of Privacy Forum is launching the Data and the Connected Vehicle Infographic 2.0, including new updates to account for the types of data associated with connected vehicles, features in and outside of the vehicle, and data handlers who receive and process data. Lawmakers, manufacturers, privacy professionals, and consumers are actively engaged in work to examine and respond to privacy and transparency practices related to personal data collected in and around vehicles. The updated infographic provides a visual representation of where the data flows within the connected vehicle ecosystem.

A tactic I don’t understand. (Unless this is an example of “double secret probation?”)

https://www.theverge.com/2024/9/14/24243794/tiktok-ban-bytedance-court-oral-arguments-lawsuit-explainer

TikTok is about to get its day in court

The Justice Department’s legal case for a forced sale includes classified evidence no one can see.

Next week, a court will hear arguments about whether the US government can ban TikTok, based on evidence it doesn’t want anyone — including the social media company — to see.

On September 16th, the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia will hear oral arguments for TikTok v. Garland, TikTok’s First Amendment challenge to legislation that it claims amounts to a ban. It’s a fight not just about free speech but whether the Department of Justice can make a case using classified material that its opponent can’t review or argue against. The government argues TikTok is a clear national security threat but says that revealing why would be a threat, too.

“I think the courts are going to tread very carefully here,” Matt Schettenhelm, a senior litigation analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence covering tech and telecom, told The Verge. “Especially in a First Amendment case like this, where it’s effectively banning one of our leading platforms for free speech in the country, the idea that you’re going to do it for secret reasons that you don’t even tell the company itself, that is going to be cause for concern for the judges.”

Perhaps the purpose of life is to create AI to replace life.

https://digitalcommons.lindenwood.edu/faculty-research-papers/673/

Contemplating Existence: AI and the Meaning of Life

This article explores the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) with existential philosophy, examining how AI technologies influence human conceptualizations of purpose and meaning. Despite rapid advancements in AI, the domain's implications for existential thought remain underexplored. By integrating interdisciplinary perspectives from psychology, philosophy, and AI ethics, this study elucidates how AI can shape, challenge, or enhance our understanding of life's purpose. It investigates theoretical frameworks and practical implementations of AI engaging in existential questions, analyzing both the capabilities and limitations of AI systems such as ChatGPT in simulating human existential thought. The ethical implications of AI's role in existential inquiries are also considered, highlighting concerns about transparency, bias, and socio-economic impacts. This research aims to bridge the gap between technology and philosophy, offering insights to guide responsible AI development and contribute to a more meaningful human experience.