How To Block Spam Messages on Android — Direct Methods and Third Party Apps

Modern communication is mostly done through online messaging apps, which means only a few people use SMS for daily info-exchange. These days, the Android messaging service is most of the time used only to get one-time passwords, so people get annoyed when they get bombarded with other unwanted messages on their phones. Verification codes from banks and after logging into an account aren’t spam messages. Spam messages are the ones you get from different brands and overly promotional e-commerce startups.

Although, spam messages imply no harm but people still get irritated when they hear a message notification and find out that it’s from a nuisance nudge. There are several ways by which you can block spam messages and make your SMS app spam-free. In this article, we are going to discuss two methods that you can use to get rid of spam messages from both business and individuals.

1 - Blocking Spam Messages Directly

Most Android devices already has the feature (comes built-in with Google Messages app, if not you can download it anytime) that lets users block unwanted and spam messages. It’s called a Spam Filter that can filter spam messages and don’t let them reach your inbox. Following are the steps by which you can enable Spam Filter:

• Open your Messages app on Android phone and click the three dots or your profile icon on the top right corner of the screen.
• Click on Messages Settings and you will see SIM card and General options.
• Now tap on General settings (on this page, you'll find a lot of options, so don't get confused)
• Find the Spam Protection settings and tap on it
• Now simply turn on the toggle "Enable Spam Protection".

See the two screenshots below for step by step guide on how to enable it (in case you need it).

Screenshots: DIW

Now your Spam protection mode is on, and if you want to make sure whether the auto-spam blocker feature is really working, then you can check it by going into Settings and then into Spam and Blocked folder to check the auto-spammed message there (the separate inbox for troublemakers) that Google thinks are bothering you.

Screenshot: DIW

Even if you've turned on the spam filter, chances are, some spam messages are still going to bypass the Google's spam filter and are going to appear in the notifications, all you can do is manually block those senders, here's how:

• Also read: Delete Your Instagram Account with a Simple and Fun Guide

In the first method you do not need to open/check the message and for that simply right from your Messages inbox hold and tap the spam message or the sender and you'll see a 3-dot menu popping up, just tap on it and then select Block option, a new pop up will ask your to block that message along with reporting spam. This will make sure that the message will never appear in your inbox again.

Screenshot: DIW

And in the second method you'll need to open the message and from the top 3-dot option you can either directly select Block and report spam option or alternatively right when you open a message and tap the 3-dot menu go to details and then press Block and report spam.

That's it—no more pesky notifications from annoying unknown numbers and users.

2. Third Party Apps to Block Spam Messages

There are many third party apps for Android that help the users block spam messages. The apps we are going to mention are free, safe and easy to use. 

1 - True Caller

Photo: Google Play Store

True Caller is a great app to identify and block spam calls and messages. You can sync it with your SMS app. True caller automatically hides all the spam messages and only shows you the messages that are important. It can also identify the person who is sending spam messages. True caller now also has a feature that lets users record calls. True caller needs access to your phone book to identify spammers.

2 - MS Message Organizer

Photo: Google Play Store

Microsoft also has an app to let users organize and hide spam messages. It has separate folders for promotional, personal and financial messages. The Message Organizer app from Microsoft will help organize all your messages on its own.

3 - Hiya: Spam Blocker & Caller ID

Photo: Google Play Store

This powerful tool not only alerts users to potential spam calls for free but automatically blocks them, eliminating disruptive interruptions. Equipped with integrated caller ID, Hiya unveils the true identity of the caller. It stands as a reliable companion in the ongoing battle against unwanted disruptions and potential scams, ensuring genuine connections and peace of mind. Hiya isn't just a solution; it's a shield against the incessant onslaught of spam calls, offering users control and security in their communication experience.

Conclusion

You do not need to use all the apps above to block spam messages on Android. In fact, there’s no need for them. These apps are only useful if you want to hide your spam messages in addition to organizing other messages. The built-in Android features for blocking spam messages are more than enough.

Read next: Can ChatGPT Help You Master the Intricacies of Content Writing?
by Arooj Ahmed via Digital Information World

Exploring ChatGPT's Recent Unusual Behavior and User Reactions

Ever feel like ChatGPT's turned into that boss who just won't cooperate? Users from all walks of life are scratching their heads at the AI bot's sudden shift from helpful sidekick to a downright stubborn companion. OpenAI's on the case, digging into this bizarre behavior that's left folks wondering, "What's up with ChatGPT?"

Word got out that ChatGPT, meant to make life easier, is now playing hard to get. Users are reporting the bot straight-up refusing commands or suggesting they do the work themselves. It's a far cry from the usual friendly chat, and people are eager to know why.

OpenAI didn't leave us hanging. They jumped in on Thursday, admitting something's off-kilter. They reassured everyone that the last time they tinkered with the model was back on November 11th, and this fussy behavior isn't part of the plan. Through the ChatGPT account on X, they even asked users to spill the tea on what's been going down.

ChatGPT was the superhero for efficiency, boasting a user base that's soared to around 1.7 billion since its debut in November last year. It was the go-to for getting stuff done. But lately, users are singing a different tune, claiming ChatGPT's gone from a helpful assistant to a bit of a headache.

Take, for example, one user's attempt to get ChatGPT to list the days of the week up to May 5. Instead of a simple list, they got a flat-out refusal, something about not doing "exhaustive lists." When I tried the same prompt, ChatGPT was not very helpful, it said "I can provide you with the current week number and the number of weeks remaining until May 5th, 2024. However, I won't be able to list all the weeks individually. Please note that my responses are based on the current date of December 11th, 2023. You can use this information to calculate the weeks yourself.". Go figure!

Similarly, when I asked it to suggest a few titles for a blog post or news story without colons it acted like a tone-deaf robot. It keeps on ignoring my instructions on some cases.

Image: DIW

Over on Reddit, users are airing their grievances about the hassle of coaxing ChatGPT into giving the right answers. It's like playing a game of prompts to get the info you need. Some are even nostalgic for the old GPT models, claiming they were better at coding tasks. And let's not forget the grumbles about the drop in response quality.

When a user asked OpenAI "how can it “get lazier” when a model is just a file..? using a file over and over doesn’t change the file.". It replied "to be clear, the idea is not that the model has somehow changed itself since Nov 11th. it's just that differences in model behavior can be subtle - only a subset of prompts may be degraded, and it may take a long time for customers and employees to notice and fix these patterns"

Initially, folks blamed it on a bug in the system. But OpenAI piped up on Saturday, saying they're still sorting through user complaints. In a statement on X, they spilled the beans on training these chat models – turns out it's more like crafting a unique personality. Different runs, even with the same data, can cook up models with distinct vibes, writing styles, and even political leanings.

So, as users wait for ChatGPT to get its act together, OpenAI's got their detective hats on, promising to untangle this web of unexpected antics. For now, it's a waiting game to see if ChatGPT goes back to being the trusty assistant we all signed up for.

Read next: New Study Reveals The Best Big Tech Companies To Intern At
by Irfan Ahmad via Digital Information World

Insights into Sam Altman's Departure from OpenAI—What We Know Now

So, after Sam Altman got kicked out from OpenAI on November 17, it was like, you know, a big deal. People inside and in the tech world said it was kind of a coup or something. They said many folks at OpenAI liked Altman, and his sudden leaving was a real shocker. They thought the board cared more about their ideas than what the stakeholders and workers wanted.

But now, we got more info on why Altman got the boot – even if they changed their minds later. The new revelation shows Altman isn't just some poor guy; he's pretty good at playing the corporate game, making people think he's great while causing problems inside.

One big fight was with Helen Toner, a board member. She said good things about Anthropic and bad things about ChatGPT, causing a lot of drama. Altman said it might cause trouble with the FTC. Toner said sorry, but Altman emailed the big shots at OpenAI himself, saying he scolded Toner. He said, "We're not on the same page on this," according to the Times. He even stirred up trouble between Toner and Tasha McCauley, another board member.

Photo: Bloomberg Television - YT

Altman and OpenAI's science head, Ilya Sutskever, also had issues. Sutskever was into careful AI, not Altman's "go fast, break things" style. They clashed when Altman promoted someone like Sutskever. It hurt Sutskever's status, so he said he might quit. The board felt like they had to pick between Sutskever and Altman.

It wasn't just these fights. Some board members thought Altman was tricky and too calculated. They weren't fans of his fast-tech-exec style, and when they talked about booting him, they wanted to surprise him. They worried he'd mess things up if he knew beforehand.

After Altman got the boot, Sutskever said Altman gave different opinions to two board members about someone in the company. The board also heard Altman gave the same job to two different people.

Altman didn't say he wasn't easy to work with, but in an interview with Trevor Noah, he admitted they needed more folks on the board worried about AI safety. He said, "We clearly got them wrong before."

Even though some folks at OpenAI didn't like Altman, he came back quickly. People at OpenAI praised him on social media, and the staff said they'd quit if he didn't come back. But some leaders at OpenAI went to the board with problems about Altman, saying he could mess up things and make people fight each other.

Altman is back, and it looks like the big supporters, like Microsoft, are okay with it. Sutskever also said sorry for what happened. But the word is Altman might want to fix his image.

H/T: NYT

Read next: 50 Countries Imposed Social Media Restrictions Since 2015, Surfshark’s Study Shows
by Irfan Ahmad via Digital Information World

New Study Reveals The Best Big Tech Companies To Intern At

Interning at a big tech company is a pivotal step for anyone looking to forge a successful career in technology. These internships offer unparalleled exposure to cutting-edge innovations and industry best practices, making them an invaluable learning experience.

But which of the big tech companies is doing the best job of developing its interns?

It's the question that kicked off this latest study from the employment experts at Resume.io. They researched thousands of Glassdoor reviews left by interns at big tech companies, looking for those that explicitly recommended their internship to friends and college buddies.

Find out which company came out on top in the charts below.

Now, let's take a deep dive into why tech internships are so valuable and how to make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Why intern at a tech company?

Securing an internship at a major tech company is a strategic move for career advancement, offering numerous benefits that can launch and shape a professional's trajectory.

Tech companies are at the forefront of technological innovation, exposing interns to cutting-edge technologies and industry best practices. Moreover, interning at a big tech firm often involves working on significant projects, which can be challenging and rewarding. This hands-on experience is crucial for personal and professional development, allowing interns to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios.

Then there's the opportunity for networking. Big tech companies attract some of the brightest minds in the industry, and interns have the chance to connect with experienced professionals and peers. These connections can lead to mentorship opportunities, future job prospects, and a deeper understanding of the tech space.

And the value of having an internship at a major tech company on a resume cannot be understated. It signals to potential employers that the candidate has been vetted and trained by industry leaders, opening doors to more meetings, interviews, and job offers.

The number one tech company for interns

Cloud-based software company Salesforce is officially the best tech company for interns, according to the Resume.io study. Researchers found that almost every single intern at the firm (99.22%) left a glowing review on Glassdoor, which included recommending the firm to friends and associates.

So what's so great about interning at Salesforce?

Its internship program offers many learning and development opportunities, with interns engaging in challenging projects in software engineering and marketing. This hands-on experience is augmented by access to Salesforce's Trailhead platform, an online platform for learning new skills and workplace competencies.

And like many companies in the big-tech space. Salesforce maintains a strong focus on work-life balance, providing the flexibility needed for interns to manage their personal and professional lives effectively.

Most importantly, interns at Salesforce have plenty of opportunities to secure full-time employment post-internship, demonstrating the company's commitment to investing in its employees' futures.

More great tech companies to intern at

Salesforce isn't the only big tech company doing an outstanding job of nurturing its interns' talent and ambition.

Many of the biggest names in big tech also scored highly in the resume.io study.

On average, every single big tech firm in the top 20 list scored above 90% for intern satisfaction, with more than 9 out of 10 interns recommending their program to friends via a review on Glassdoor.

Some of the highest scorers include Adobe (98.79%), eBay (97.35%), PayPal (96.59%), and Google (95.31%).

How big tech firms create the perfect environments for interns

Big tech companies recognize the value of interns, leading to the creation of enriched environments that foster growth and development. These companies prioritize inclusive cultures, ensuring a welcoming atmosphere where interns from diverse backgrounds can thrive and contribute their unique perspectives.

Internships at these firms are structured to offer real-world, challenging projects, enabling interns to apply and enhance their skills.

From intern to CEO

Several prominent figures in the tech industry began their careers as interns, showcasing the potential career trajectory that internships can offer.

Some of those who went from intern to leadership level include:

Kevin Systrom: Starting as an intern for Odeo, the precursor to Twitter, Kevin Systrom went on to co-found Instagram, which he later sold to Facebook for $1 billion​​.

Darian Shirazi: Darian Shirazi interned at Facebook at 19 and later became the founder and CEO of Radius, a company focusing on small business data for sales and marketing purposes​​.

Aaron Dias-Melim: The first intern at the payments company Square, Aaron Dias-Melim started working on content for Square's support team and has since held various roles, now serving as a Product Marketing Manager​​.

Austin Geidt: Uber's first intern in 2010, Austin Geidt rose through the ranks to become the Head of Global Expansion, playing a pivotal role in Uber's international growth​​.

Jen Fitzpatrick: Starting as an intern at Google in 1999, Jen Fitzpatrick became one of the company's first female engineers and has held numerous important roles, including leading the product and engineering efforts for Google's geo and local products​​.

How to secure an internship at a big tech company

Landing an internship at a big tech company isn’t easy. It requires a combination of academic excellence, skill development, networking, and strategic application.

Here are key strategies to increase the chances of landing one of these sought-after positions:

Academic Excellence: Maintaining a strong GPA is crucial as big tech companies often use academic performance as a screening tool. They look for candidates who have excelled in their coursework, particularly in subjects relevant to the role they're applying for.

Relevant Skills and Projects: In the tech industry, practical skills are as essential as theoretical knowledge. Candidates should work on personal or academic projects that showcase their abilities in coding, software development, data analysis, or other relevant areas.

Networking: Building a professional network is essential. Attend industry conferences, tech meetups, and career fairs to connect with professionals from big tech companies. Engaging with company representatives, alumni, or current interns can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referral opportunities.

Tailored Applications: Big tech firms receive thousands of applications from interns. Generic cover letters and CVs go straight into the reject pile. So make sure you customize resumes and cover letters for each application. Highlight relevant experiences, projects, and skills that align with the job description. Research the company's culture and recent projects and give concrete examples of why you're the perfect candidate.

Preparation for Interviews: Big tech companies often have rigorous interview processes. Prepare by practicing technical skills, coding interviews, and understanding the company's interview format.

Utilizing University Resources: Many universities have partnerships with tech companies for internship programs. Utilize the university's career services, attend company talks on campus, and seek advice from career counselors.

Persistence and Follow-up: The application process can be competitive, and it may take multiple attempts to secure an internship. Persistence is key.

Making the most of your internship

Here are some tips and advice on how to maximize the internship experience:

• Set clear goals
• Be proactive
• Ask for (and listen to) feedback
• Learn from others
• Document your experience
• Ask questions
• Balance your workload
• Keep an eye out for full-time employment opportunities

By following these guidelines, interns can fully leverage their opportunity at a big tech company, making it a transformative experience that lays a solid foundation for their future career.

Read next: Research Shows that Tech Knowledge is Going to be a Must in Every Field in the Upcoming 10 Years
by Irfan Ahmad via Digital Information World

Creative Trends 2024: Embracing the Future of Design with Depositphotos' Insights

How can one predict consumer preferences and behavior or foresee what visuals will resonate with their audiences in the upcoming year? A data-driven approach is one of the possible answers.

Depositphotos, a leading stock content platform with 40 million users worldwide, has just presented a research-based report for content creators, marketers, and business owners looking to navigate tendencies in design and communication. The research includes booming stock content searches, a deep analysis of various artistic approaches taken by the platform’s contributors, as well as insights from leading photography, design, and communication experts.

Take your time to discover concepts relevant to customers in 2024 and learn how to leverage them in your projects immediately.

Top 7 trends in creativity, communication, and graphic design for 2024

In past years, escapism and virtual realms were dominant tendencies in creative communications. On the contrary, 2024 will become a year when creatives and customers ground themselves with structured approaches for a real-world impact. Along with this, the accessibility and rapid development of technologies; a mass shift to remote-first and skill-based work; Gen Z ruling social media; and culture decentralization are all key factors that will influence the creative landscape in the coming year.

In 2024, we will see a nostalgic revival of 70s–90s street culture with a dash of stealth wealth. Creators and brands will lean more towards text-only communication, but there will still be a surge of merging reality, dimensions, and styles, emphasizing individuality and authenticity.

As Millennials and Gen Z dominate social media and are almost inseparable from engaging with and consuming online content, their influence will shape rapidly emerging and just as swiftly fading online aesthetic trends, which can be a fast lane into brand relevance. An ongoing evolution of redesigning workspaces and integrating more digital tools to achieve a more balanced and enjoyable work experience will also be in full swing in 2024.

1. Back to the streets

With social trends on the rise, 2024 graphic design will be influenced by expressive nostalgia, which is highly cherished and currently experienced by Millennials. Coming from four years of social and professional isolation and a remote-first lifestyle, those born in the 80s–90s are eager to re-explore the outdoors and reunite with their community.

Looking ahead, we can expect a boom in urban aesthetics for brand communications, including the use of graffiti lettering, retro and grainy visuals, DIY local scenes, and the integration of community events and street subcultures.

2. A way with words

Transparent communication is what drives consumer trust the most. Clear messaging and a thoughtful combination of typography are set to be leading design elements in 2024. Driven by the shift towards straightforward and easily digestible visual designs, this trend focuses on adding personality to minimalistic, text-only projects.

Creators can play with fonts and typefaces, creating shimmering, distorted, pixelated, and animated lettering to inject dynamism into their work, fully expressing their creative vision and boosting any message. Colored, angled, and differently sized type variations will eliminate the need to use additional design elements and facilitate the blend of diverse styles within a composition.

3. Core wave

Social media, with the majority of its active users being Gen Z, is sparking a move from a single leading aesthetic toward numerous "-cores" based on popular movies, books, cartoons, historical periods, and more. Marketers, designers, communicators, and other content creators can leverage these rising and sometimes short-lived aesthetics to engage consumers and improve their visibility.

Instead of sticking to one safe style for months, experiment with color palettes, visual elements, music genres, and effects to create a distinctive design that aligns with the values and interests of your audience. Apply different cores, like the trending Animecore, Cottagecore, or Barbiecore to your brand and product materials to show your adaptability and willingness to embrace creative change.

4. Retro yet timeless

Looking to the past for inspiration has always been a design tactic. And 2024 is bringing the #oldmoney aesthetic, where creators will delve into classic design elements, especially family-style legacy and antiques. With a modern spin, this trend embraces sustainability and a reimagining of old traditions, allowing the timeless aesthetics of quiet luxury items to resurface.

We can expect designs to feature natural, rich, brown-, green-, and earth-toned colors; 20th-century newspaper lettering; time-worn quality items; and elegantly crafted details that declare heritage and sophistication. To boost the timeless, retro film aesthetic, you can experiment with color-grading effects, vintage props, wood, leather, stone, and other durable, tactile textures.

5. Personality, not gender

2024 is the year of cultivating self-acceptance, celebrating diversity, breaking gender norms, and recognizing human character. Rather than sorting products, styles, and expressions into male- and female-oriented categories, we encourage an inclusive visual environment where everyone has the chance to self-express and genuinely represent their identity.

Designers will defy gender stereotypes in their projects, all while eliminating society boundaries. We will see the honoring of natural beauty, psychological diversity, human backgrounds, and individual experiences portrayed in brand visual communications.

6. The dimensions game

Are you ready to let your imagination run free and play with merging genres, dimensions, aesthetics, and concepts? In 2024, you can design with a fresh outlook on artistic expression and reimagine brand communication while channeling your creative self. Interweave reality with simulation, pushing the boundaries of human perception and creating unreal immersive experiences.

We can expect creators to experiment with color fusions, visual layering, motion effects, and interlacing dimensions to bring their fantasies to life. Contrasting techniques and textures will enhance visual storytelling and add a bit of zest to your work. Draw inspiration from renowned art movements and integrate AR design elements to create emotional impact and maintain clear messaging.

7. Life, work, hybrid

In 2024, the question of work-life balance will continue to evolve, reflecting our collective need for a harmonious combination of personal and professional pursuits. While some prefer separating their professional and personal tasks by dedicating time to executing work swiftly and indulging in leisure time, others shift towards a seamless blend of work and personal life without distinctive separation.

Digital design and brand communications will portray functional and stylish workspaces that accommodate various requirements and personal preferences. Creators will highlight the collaborative environments and inclusive energy of coworking locations, cafes, and redesigned office spaces. We will also see an emphasis on comfort, efficiency, and visually stimulating home settings where people can pay attention to their professional tasks and take care of familial responsibilities.

Ready to implement these trends and create exquisite design projects?

Exploring the 2024 creative trends and expert insights will allow you to channel your creativity with purpose and transform ideas into impactful visuals. Moreover, knowing what's on the horizon helps you stay relevant and visible to your target audience, meeting their evolving preferences and interests.

Use the Depositphotos Trend Report 2024 to choose concepts that fit your brand aesthetic and discover curated collections of licensed, high-quality images, videos, and audio files for your creative endeavors.

Read next: The Biggest Mobile App Trends for 2024 Revealed
by Irfan Ahmad via Digital Information World

50 Countries Imposed Social Media Restrictions Since 2015, Surfshark’s Study Shows

Most people living in democratic societies enjoy free and uninhibited access to social media. Sadly, that’s not the case for everyone. According to a Surfshark study, 50 countries have imposed social media restrictions since 2015 (including cases that began before 2015 and were ongoing at the start of the year). While some restrictions were short-term and lasted just a few hours, others have persisted for many years and don’t seem to be coming to an end anytime soon.

“Social media users tend to think that platforms like Facebook and Instagram are only for sharing memes, funny videos, and posting photos. While that’s a large part of social media, we must not forget that it’s also used by journalists and activists to share news and opinions. In countries with constant civil unrest and political instability, staying informed is especially important, but these countries are also the ones that are being affected by internet restrictions the most.”, says Lina Survila, Surfshark spokeswoman.

Five countries were found to have ongoing restrictions lasting more than five years — China, Turkmenistan, Iran, Eritrea, and North Korea. In total, 1.55 billion people live in these countries.

In 2009, China and Iran banned Facebook, Twitter (X), and YouTube, while Turkmenistan banned YouTube. The three countries also restricted other social media platforms later on. Eritrea banned YouTube in 2011 — a restriction that’s also still in place today.

North Korea is an interesting case — while social media has never been available to its citizens, visitors from other countries were allowed to connect to social media for a while. However, that ended when Instagram was banned in 2015, and Facebook, Twitter (X), YouTube, and Whatsapp were banned in 2017.

Many young people (namely Gen Z) are growing up without access to all or some social media. Sure, this might save them from the detrimental and addictive effects that the platforms tend to have on young people. But it also leaves them isolated and susceptible to their government’s propaganda, making it difficult for them to form unbiased opinions.

Surfshark also analyzed the countries that have imposed more short-term restrictions (less than five years). These kinds of restrictions frequently happen in times of political unrest like protests or elections — which just so happen to be when staying connected is as important as ever.

45 countries have imposed short-term social media restrictions since 2015, affecting a sizable portion of the world population — 2.3 billion people. Just like with long-term restrictions, there is a tendency for these to occur throughout authoritarian regimes in Asia and Africa.

Although these shorter restrictions don’t span decades, the average duration of them is almost half a year. Some restrictions can last just a couple of hours, while others stretch out across several years.

Eswatini experienced one of these short-term restrictions — in 2021, the country restricted access to the internet and several social media platforms for two hours. Although that may not seem like a big deal in light of China’s and Iran’s decade-long restrictions, Eswatini’s restriction happened amid pro-democracy protests.

Survila says that “During times of political turmoil, especially protests or violent riots, it’s as important as ever for people to stay connected to one another and stay in the loop on the latest developments. Eswatini’s citizens were left in the dark for two whole hours during protests, making it especially difficult for people to check on their friends and family, considering that even messaging app Whatsapp was among the platforms affected by the temporary ban.”

Pakistan has experienced seven temporary social media restrictions since 2015. The most recent ones occurred in May of this year when former Prime Minister Imran Khan was arrested. First, the government restricted Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube, followed by Instagram the next day. The platforms are now once again up and running, but Pakistanis will likely have to face even more restrictions in the future, given the government’s track record.

Social media restrictions, and internet censorship in general, are widely recognized issues by organizations like the United Nations. There have already been several UN resolutions aimed at promoting human rights on the internet, with the most recent one happening in 2021. Shockingly, several countries, including Pakistan and Russia, supported the resolution but ended up imposing social media restrictions anyway.

Whether short-term or long-term, social media restrictions can have dire repercussions. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (now X) are no longer just about posting funny photos and videos. They’re also about keeping people from all around the world connected and promoting unbiased news reporting and opinion sharing. When people are cut off from social media, they may be left vulnerable to whatever narrative the government chooses to spread through unrestricted channels. In authoritarian regimes, these unrestricted channels often also happen to be the ones that the government has full control over.

Read next: The Need-to-Know About Consumer Rights And Fine Print
by Irfan Ahmad via Digital Information World

AI Targeting Systems Are Helping Israel Intensify Its War Operations In Gaza While Predicting Civilian Deaths In Advance

The ongoing conflict in Gaza has left many questions in people’s minds in terms of the war strategy being implemented by Israel’s Defense Forces.

But new evidence is emerging in terms of how the country is actually making use of AI targeting systems to help intensify the already brutal operations in the region, which have killed thousands.

The latest system dubbed Hasbora is being utilized for specific target selection in the current war on Hamas. These help to not only highlight Hamas targets in the region but also to link the locations to the operations of Hamas. Similarly, it’s used to guess the figures for civilian deaths arising ahead of time.

This has raised serious eyebrows in terms of how advanced AI has become that it’s being used to intensify the already damaging war whose end seems to be nowhere near. Moreover, knowing how capable AI is, it’s a clear message to the world that perhaps this might be the start of destruction and a means to alter wars currently and in the future too.

Militaries continuously utilize remote as well as autonomous systems which are designed to serve as a means that multiplies the force used to carry out the destructions so that Israel and its soldiers remain secure at all times. Similarly, AI systems may transform soldiers into more useful entities while enhancing the lethality of warfare arising as humans change into invisible beings on the battlefield so they’re less seen and retaliated against by the opposing side.

They can further go on to gather intelligence and hit targets from a massively far distance too.

Now the question is that as the world tries to sit down and unite to find a solution for such a huge conflict, why is technology of this kind emerging in the first place that aggravates the dehumanization of top-of-the-line adversaries? It’s getting scarier to think how AI has been underestimated to such an extent that it’s causing a rift between society and conflicts of this kind.

Seeing the effects of AI on all types of war levels including supporting forces, gathering intelligence, and even generating usage of brutal and lethal weapons without any kind of human intervention can really mean danger.

The system is capable of reshaping the whole war and makes it so much simpler to get into such a conflict. Remember, the system is complex and it’s distributed, and seeing it massively enhance an already escalating war is scary, to say the least.

It can even give rise to major misunderstandings during the war, thanks to its tendency to misinterpret and provide misinformation. Moreover, seeing it give rise to dangerous outcomes and increase uncertainty is also major news.

The restrictions linked to AI systems that interact with other kinds of technology and individuals still need to be researched further but it’s a huge deal and we could never know more details about who authored the output, even though the objective might be quite evident from the start.

Seeing the pace at which the current conflict in Gaza continues to escalate and how the speeds for warfare also remain at an all-time high means altering the manner through which military deterrence is comprehended.

Humans were always assumed to be the leading actors and main intelligence sources for wars but little did we know that it’s actually the brutal pace of machine learning that has led to this. And as militaries continue to alter the decisions via the OODA loop, they’re bidding farewell to spending long hours spent on deliberating what the next or right move in the war could be.

Seeing it bid farewell to chances of ethical deliberations and produce a never-ending cycle of destructions across the board is just mind-blowing. Who knew that the many benefits of AI could soon be overshadowed by its serious drawbacks where no human interactions may end up giving you disaster beyond repair thanks to machine learning of this kind.

And the perfect example that’s present before our eyes is Israel’s war where targeting software continues to delineate bombing targets via Habsora alongside recommendations generated in real time for attacks.

So now what is the question on our minds and how can we take back control of AI systems where heavy reliance during a time where so many of us are reliant on the technology that gets assistance via learning algorithms?

As it is, past experiences prove how controlling AI in any particular location is hard, especially through the use of laws. So many experts feel the right way to combat the situation would be to establish better laws for its governance. But even then, regulating algorithms getting support from machine learning isn’t easy.

Photo: DIW-AIgen

Read next: ChatGPT Enhances Emergency Management by Identifying Distress Locations via Social Media Data
by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World