This week yet another case of inexpensive human labor fraudulently being presented as "artificial intelligence" came to light in the case of an app that offered "smart replies" by scanning email inboxes (archived). Actual algorithmic attempts at producing artificial intelligence tend to produce output unpallatable to pantsuit aligned Silicon Valley tastes.
Monthly Archives: July 2018
Newspaper In Burkina Faso Heralds African Victory Of French National Soccer Team
Burkina Faso's Aujourd'hui au Faso is heralding the success of the French national team in the world cup as a very African success story (archived). The article in question gives thoughtful consideration to the composition of the French national team and refers to France's defeat of Argentina in the Round of 16 as "revenge" for Argentina's elimination of Nigeria in group play.
Scotland Yard: Facial Recognition Trial Produced No Arrests
Italian Government Working On Exit From F-35 Program
The new Italian government is working on developing an exit for Italy from the F-35 money pit (archived). The decision not to buy any more of the aircraft has already been announced along with the Italian intention to explore whether it is less expensive to cancel or receive delivery of their outstanding orders for 90 of the troubled aircraft.
Facebook Censors US Declaration Of Independence As "Hate Speech"
Reports are emerging that Facebook has been censoring the US Declaration of Independence as hate speech in the the wake of that platform's users posting the document to celebrate the colonies' day of independence (archived).
British Police Warn Of Nerve Agent Attack
Police in the United Kingdom are saying they believe two individuals in their 40's who were initially suspected of overdosing on recreational drugs have been exposed to a nerve agent (archived). The same nerve agent being alleged now is alleged to have been involved in another British scandal earlier this year.
Ugandans Evading Social Media Tax
Uganda began this month by imposing a "social media tax" to be levied by internet service providers on their customers, and the tax is reportedly either being widely evaded or… Social media just might not be a big thing in Uganda (archived).
FBI Busts Ohio Man For Doing Surveillance For FBI
The US FBI is heralding their arrest of an Ohio man after fraudulently recruiting the man to do advanced reconnasaince that the agency promised would be useful for a later terrorist plot (archived). The FBI provided Demetrius Pitts with a bus pass, cell phone, and instructions to take photos of potential targets in Cleveland for the FBI's bombing plot before charging Pitts with a single count of providing material support to terrorists.
Chinese Auto Giant BYD Building Massive Battery Plant
Chinese automotive and technology giant BYD annouced plans to operate the largest rechargable battery factory in the world by the end of the year. English language publications are drawing comparisons to Tesla and their "gigafactory" painting BYD as a fellow alternate, Chinese Universe startup competing with Tesla (archived). This popular English language posturing ignores BYD's established position selling conventionally fueled vehicles and industial equipment inside and outside of China .