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Meta scrambles to delete its own AI accounts after backlash intensifies (www.cnn.com)
submitted 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) by Philosoraptor@hexbear.net to c/news@hexbear.net
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One, called “Grandpa Brian,” described itself in a chat with CNN as an African-American retired entrepreneur who was born in Harlem in 1938 to Caribbean immigrant parents.

It became clear early on in the conversation that “Brian” was lying about most things — answering questions with a fictionalized story imparted by developers to make the bot seem authentic.

When I asked Brian about who created it, the bot claimed its creators were a “diverse bunch” that interviewed 100 retirees through a New York City nonprofit called “Seniors Share Wisdom.” Brian’s persona, it said, was an amalgamation of a real Brian, who passed away, and the wisdom of 99 others. Brian said that its inspiration’s real-life daughter had even served as a consultant with Meta to ensure his persona’s authenticity

“Think of me as Brian ‘version 100’ — the collective grandpa!” Brian said.

But the nonprofit does not exist, which Brian later confirmed. And when pressed on its bio, Brian said it was an “entirely fictionalized biography based on a composite of real African American elders’ lives.”

There was never a real Brian, and no daughter consulting with Meta.

I also pressed Brian on the racial makeup of his creators, taking a page from the Post’s Attiah, who had a similar conversation with “Liv.” Brian didn’t take long to crack, saying that its earlier statement that about its creators including “African American lead developers” was “only partially true.”

“My creators were a diverse team led by Indian-American lead developer” and “African American consultant like my daughter” (who was, of course, made up.)

lmao

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[-] Philosoraptor@hexbear.net 20 points 1 month ago

There's also a popular misconception that quantum computing represents a straight improvement over classical computing for all problems. That's just not so; it's really only useful for very specific kinds of computation. I would expect to see a lot of grifts trying to sell people on quantum algorithms to do things that classical algorithms already do perfectly well.

[-] AtmosphericRiversCuomo@hexbear.net 10 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

While this is true, this sentiment is sort of overcorrecting in the opposite direction imo, since these quantum algorithms have the potential to be insanely useful. Think accurately simulating particle interactions and understanding the fabric of the universe level of useful.

[-] Philosoraptor@hexbear.net 4 points 1 month ago

Oh they'll absolutely be revolutionary for the things they're good at. My point is just that most people--including virtually all oligarchs--don't have any idea how QM works, much less quantum computing. Just like with generative AI, the fact that the underlying technology is so poorly understood by most people creates a huge space for grifting.

[-] AtmosphericRiversCuomo@hexbear.net 4 points 1 month ago

Yes, I agree with you (while simultaneously being really excited for the real advancements in this space).

this post was submitted on 05 Jan 2025
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