Wednesday, July 10, 2024

Spotting A.I. Generative Material With Its Inherent Flaws

Generative A.I. has been a blessing for making tasks easier, the process of work faster and consequently making room for leisure, but in parallel, artificial intelligence also has become the biggest source of cheating and a way out for people not interested in doing research and pretending to be hard workers. This ongoing advancements in A.I. has given headaches to professionals, companies and academies round the world, unable to distinguish man-written original works and A.I. generative.

Fortunately, like all technologies, A.I. operates with hidden flaws which takes off the mask of originality from so-called-original work. A.I. has a tendency of using same words frequently in a specific context without any apparent need of using those words successively. By comparing the frequency of these words in publications of the pre-A.I.-language-model era, A.I. generative works are easily marked out. Similarly, A.I. generative videos exhibit so many peculiarities not found in man-made videos.

Frequent Words in A.I. Generative Texts

The researchers from University of Tubingen and Northwestern University analyzed 14 million research papers published between 2010 and 2014 to find out the frequency of all words over the years.

1) Delving In

The researchers realized that the word ‘delve’ has been used 25 times more than it was used in the pre-A.I. era. The same goes for the words ‘showcasing’ and ‘underscores’ whose usage surged nine times in the previous three years. Similarly, the usage of words like ‘potential’, ‘finding’, and ‘crucial’ increased by 4.1%, 2.7% and 2.6% respectively.

2) An Intricate Play

The phrase, an intricate play, as well as the words ‘comprehensive’ and ‘pivotal’, also saw a surge in their usage in the past two years, clearly pointing towards the help taken from A.I. language models.

Some might claim this to be coincidental, having nothing to do with A.I., for languages go through evolutionary process, making some words obsolete and others more demanding. But the history of language usage vividly depicts that a sudden surge in the usage of words has mostly been related to a major event, specifically an epidemic or pandemic, like coronavirus. A similar surge was observed after the outbreak of ‘zika’ and ‘ebola’ viruses, making the words, zika, ebola, pandemic, epidemic and lockdown, more common.
The sudden surge in specific words and phrases in the post-A.I. era, is contrary to the trend observed during the pandemics. Unlike during the pandemics, there is no relation between the words or phrases and their sudden surge in usage. The only reasonable argument is that those works containing the words successively are the products of A.I. that frequently used the words as per its modeling.

Clues for Specialists

After using A.I. language models, like ChatGPT, an English specialist realizes that A.I. models always utilize the same patterns, moods and words mostly. For example, the imperative mood is their favorite while answering questions, and they utilize it successively. Similarly, a highly formal language permeates an A.I.-written text, with hardly any informal or less formal word, like ‘pal’, used. Moreover, figurative language or idioms are rarely employed by A.I. models for the obvious reason that figurative language involves a degree of emotions of human beings, and that its usage requires deep linguistic and contextual comprehension lacked by A.I.

The measure to detect A.I. in works has now become a necessity due to A.I.'s frequent conjuring up inauthentic references, making false claims regarding different matters and providing inadequate summaries.
As A.I. becomes more advanced year after year, it will most likely get over this panacea as well. Moreover, with research on the flaws of A.I. gets more intense, it will also be providing A.I. users how to filter out flaws from A.I. generative works and remain undetected.

A.I. Generative Videos

A.I. generative videos are more flawed than A.I. texts because they are visual, making them easily detectable by naked eyes.

1) Gibberish Text

Artificial intelligence, even being a language model, does not have the capacity to comprehend a language as humans do. For this reason, you will find either there is no text in A.I. generative videos/images or there are absolutely indelible words written on different buildings or objects appearing in A.I. videos.

2) Slow and Fast Movement of Frames

A.I. generative videos frames move either too fast to hide flaws, or too slow for the same purpose. All flaws come to the front on pausing these videos at small intervals.

3) Weirdness

The most detectable flaw is the weirdness that one encounters in A.I. videos. No laws of science work in A.I. generative world. Sometimes the construction of buildings is weird as well as their alignment; some videos show people with no faces; in some people magically disappear; and some videos show humans mingling their bodies into one another, along with super weird hands.

4) Unnaturalness

A.I cannot depict natural human emotions as we naturally show. If you want a strange smile and a strange fluttering of hair, A.I. generative world is the perfect place for you. People depicted in A.I. videos try to imitate human emotions and gestures, but fail horribly.

5) Too Perfect or Too Imperfect

There are two possibilities in A.I. generative videos and images: either they depict imperfectness of human emotions, gestures and body parts, or perfectness of designs of cities and automobiles, too perfect to exist in the real world.

6) Context

Context matters and is the key to find out the authenticity of videos. Does the video in question have any other versions? What is the source of it, a news channel or a verified X account? Is any authentic source using the video as a reference?

When fulfilling a prompt given by us, A.I. does not really care about how human beings look or behave, rather it just creates its conception of humans or their behavior by mingling pixels together, resulting in a mess.

The flaws make A.I. generative content and videos detectable. No doubt, in the coming years, the rapid progress in the realm of A.I. might reduce these flaws to smithereens. But a clue will always be there for a diligent eye.

Image: DIW-Aigen

Read next: 

• AI Could Promote Rise In Distrust Of Digital Information, Google Study Warns

• The Future Of AI In Business: Microsoft Debunks Misconceptions Linked To This Groundbreaking Tech

• AI Bubble Close To Hitting Tipping Point As New Report Says Companies Need $600 Billion Each Year To Pay For Infrastructure
by Ehtasham Ahmad via Digital Information World

AV-Test Rates Top Android Security Apps: Avast, AVG, Bitdefender Lead

AV-Test evaluated 14 mobile security products for Android to find out which ones work the best. The security apps or products were used in their default settings with their latest versions. The research mostly focused on usability and malware detection of these security products on Android phones. Their performances and false positives were also evaluated.

The security products were evaluated through a scale of 1 to 6. Being awarded 6 meant outstanding, 3 was satisfactory and 0 was insufficient. Avast was awarded 6 points on protection, performance and usability. Same was the case with AVG, Bitdefender, ESET, F-secure, Google, Kaspersky, McAfee and Norton.

Avira and TotalAV were awarded 6 points on protection and performance but both got 5 points for usability. Protectstar got 5.5 points for protection, 6 for performance and 3 for usability. ShieldApps had 6 points for both performance and usability but got 5.5 points for protection. SOPHOS got 6 points for protection and performance. Its usability was given 5 points. Take a look at the chart below for more insights:


Read next: 


by Arooj Ahmed via Digital Information World

Survey Shows Good Growth in Digital Ad Demand in Second Quarter, But It’s Slightly Lower than First Quarter of 2024

According to the second quarter survey of digital advertising by Wedbush, digital ad spend is performing well but not as strongly as in the first quarter. Pinterest and Meta are doing the best among other social media apps. Analyst Scott Devitt says that this survey shows that there is still a strong demand for advertisers, though they are less incrementally positive compared to the first quarter survey.

The survey was based on 200 US advertisers and the results showed that there is high demand for CTV and video. The demand for buying ads on social media sites is still there but it is a little moderate. The survey also shows that 45% of the advertisers increased their spending by 10% year-over-year in the second quarter, compared to 48% in the first quarter. There is a chance that this growth will decrease as the year progresses.

For the full year, 57% of advertisers expect digital ad spending to increase by at least 10%, down from 61% in the first quarter. Meanwhile, 90% of advertisers plan to increase their budgets for digital ads this year, compared to 82% in the first quarter. Only 1% of advertisers want to decrease their digital ad spend. Social media and retail media saw the most decrease in the second quarter of 2024. Conversely, CTV and streaming videos are seeing an increase, with 26% of advertisers wanting to increase their budget in this medium.

Meta’s growth has also increased because of Instagram Reels, with 44% of advertisers planning to increase their budget on Meta's platforms. Pinterest continues to attract advertisers, with 88% planning to increase spending there. YouTube shows strong but decelerating growth, leading to mixed advertiser sentiment. The Trade Desk was also included in the survey, with 25% of advertisers using it currently and 79% of advertisers planning to increase their budget there.

Image: DIW-Aigen

Read next: X's Ad Revenue Falls 20% as Musk Touts AI Targeting; Major Advertisers Remain Unconvinced Amid Safety Issues
by Arooj Ahmed via Digital Information World

Tuesday, July 9, 2024

X's Ad Revenue Falls 20% as Musk Touts AI Targeting; Major Advertisers Remain Unconvinced Amid Safety Issues

Adweek reports that Elon Musk is trying to make his relationship better with the Cannes Lion Festival after not taking advertisers seriously on X. He said that he is going to use artificial intelligence to improve targeting on X. No advertisers want to come back on the app and Musk will have to do a lot to lure them back on the app. Mark Penn, CEO of Stagwell, was asking advertisers to not advertise brands on the app because of brand safety issues. But now it is asking marketers to advertise brands because there is a large group of consumers on the app and X has improved its safety due to AI and Community Notes.

An executive told Adweek that X cannot connect agencies to customers because it doesn’t have the manpower to do so and clients are not willing to invest their ad spend on X. According to Sensor Tower, X had 26.2 million daily users in June 2024, which is 13% less YoY. 73 out of 100 big advertisers left X as soon as the acquisition of the app happened in October 2022 because they were concerned about new rules and safety of their brands on the app.

MediaRadar reported that ad dollars have also dropped 20% YoY, from $788 million in 2023 to $628 million in 2024. Buyers are nervous because of Elon Musk’s anti semitic and anti trans comments on the app. Now as the elections are approaching, X is going to become more political and brands are nervous if they want to advertise their products there or not.

X’s AI powered ad targeting tool also cannot help that much. Google and Meta have already been using their AI powered ad targeting tools but X hasn’t tested the tool on any live campaign because there is not much ad spending on the app. X also does not have performance driven tools like its rival apps like Snapchat, Meta and TikTok. There are already several other apps for advertisers to advertise their products so why would they go to a platform which doesn’t have many tools for the advertisers?

Image: DIW-Aigen

Read next:

The Integration of Threads with Fediverse: What Are the Implications?
by Arooj Ahmed via Digital Information World

The Integration of Threads with Fediverse: What Are the Implications?

Recently, Meta Platforms has integrated Threads with Fediverse, making its ambit vast by allowing users to share content across social media platforms conveniently, without switching from one social media platform to another.

Meta has introduced the feature in more than 100 countries for now, and users above 18, running public accounts, can now share content across many social media platforms via Fediverse.

Understanding the Fediverse

Fediverse is a set of federated social media, united and running under open-source and decentralized ActivityPub protocols. The protocols, which are rules used in building up social media platforms, allow different social networks to communicate with one another: posts on one platform could be shared on another platform.

By now, Mastodon, Threads and WordPress are the biggest platforms on Fediverse. So users can share their Threads posts on any Mastodon servers or any other federated platforms.

Benefits of Joining Fediverse on Threads

Fediverse enables users to make all their posts visible on all Fediverse platforms, increasing their public reach exponentially. For example, their Thread post may receive comments from someone on Mastodon.

Switching from one social media platform to another to access data is now redundant, for Fediverse allows access to all platforms instantaneously.

A potential drawback of using this feature is that Meta is not responsible for your data on any other server, nor can it delete it on other servers at your request.

The Future of Fediverse after Meta’s Integration

Threads and Mastodon are the largest platforms using ActivityPub protocols. They are also in the race to replace X, whose alternatives are both as well as Bluesky. Threads being the main contender to win the race might also take over Fediverse altogether. The end result might be this one, factoring in the potential future of open-source and decentralized social media.

How To Use The Feature on Threads?

Meta has conditioned users to post federated Threads in phases; in its first phase, you can still share Threads on other federated social media platforms.

Follow the steps to activate the feature:

1) Open Threads and go to your profile.

2) Click on the two lines above your profile photo.

3) Go to Settings and click on Accounts.

4) Then select Fediverse sharing.

The Integration of Threads with Fediverse: What Are the Implications?

5) Click on Next and then select Turn on sharing.

As it is its initial phase, only limited access is allowed with certain conditions. You must be running a public profile to share content across social media, and no post containing pictures, polls, and restricted replies can be shared. Also, you cannot even repost from someone across social media who has not activated the feature yet.

Read next: Social Media Trends Shift: Instagram Leads as Gen-Z and Millennials Drive Engagement, AI Concerns Rise


by Ehtasham Ahmad via Digital Information World

Study Finds that Internet Addiction in Adolescents Can Lead to Changes in their Brain Connectivity

A study published in PLOS Mental Health says that use of the internet is connected with brain development in adolescents. Adolescence is an important period of development in an individual’s life where they go through different biological, social, physical and cognitive changes. The aim of this study was to find out how internet addiction can take part in functional connectivity of an adolescent brain. Meta analysis, a technique used to derive results from multiple scientific studies, was conducted for this study.

For this analysis, databases from PubMed and PsycINFO were studied which involved clinical diagnosis of internet addiction between adolescents from ages 10 to 11. The study included adolescents with internet addiction, using imaging techniques like functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), peer reviewed publications and studies between January 2013 to April 2024. After going through 238 studies, the researchers selected 12 studies which were primarily from Asian countries like Indonesia, China, Korea, etc. and had an average of 12 to 31 participants.

The study found out that default mode networks (DMN) and reward networks are the reasons for altered connectivity in adolescents with internet addiction. Posterior cingulate, an important part of DMN, showed connectivity patterns with adolescents and internet addiction. The executive control network (ECN) is responsible for cognitive responses that showed reductions in functional connectivity of adolescents. The salience network which identifies and responds to important stimuli showed moderate decline in connectivity. This shows the adolescents have a hard time in managing their attention but they respond to internet cues effectively.


The study also found out that there is also a connection between internet addiction and other forms of addiction like gambling and drugs. The lead author of this study said that adolescents who are diagnosed with internet addiction can also get affected in their development and behaviors. There are many underlying reasons behind internet addiction and we need to know them first if we need to work on adolescents with internet addiction.

Read next: AI Bubble Close To Hitting Tipping Point As New Report Says Companies Need $600 Billion Each Year To Pay For Infrastructure
by Arooj Ahmed via Digital Information World

Monday, July 8, 2024

Top 10 Benefits of Implementing Process Automation Software in Your Business

Process automation software will change the way your business functions. Stop for a second and imagine a world where the execution of repetitive tasks is automatic, errors are minimized, and productivity skyrockets. It is a present-day reality and is within the grasp of Hylands Process automation software solutions. Here are the top ten process automation software benefits:

Image: Adobe Stock

1. Increased Efficiency

Automation software simplifies the workflow process by taking control of repetitive, time-intensive tasks. Think about data entry, invoicing, and schedule planning. If automated, they can be done quicker and better, which leads to employees having more time and resources to complete strategic, business-driving activities.

2. Reduced Error

    Human error is a part of human nature, but that doesn’t mean it has to be a part of your process. Automation essentially eliminates the risk of human error. Using patient data management in the healthcare industry as an example — data needs to be inputted in a patient’s file with a high degree of accuracy.

    3. Cost Savings

      Some process automation software benefits are especially appealing, like the cost-saving capabilities. Short- and long-term ROI for this practice is extremely high because it cuts down on labor costs and streamlines efficiency, so returns can be seen in months.

      4. Enhanced Productivity

      Once your employees are free from the execution of mundane tasks, they can be redeployed into value-added roles. Think about the time your sales team will have to talk to leads when no more time is wasted on data entry.

      5. Improved Compliance

        Many industries (like finance and healthcare) are heavily regulated. It is a big headache and requires a lot of manual work to comply with everything. With  the tools to automate compliance, however, you never have to worry about it again.

        6. Better Customer Experience

          Automating your processes directly leads to happier clients! It can speed up customer service functions, leading to faster response times and better customer experience. If a retailer uses an automated order processing system, they can slash delivery time substantially.

          7. Scalability

            The tool can save you time and reduce the workforce by growing your business. This scalability is crucial to keep your processes productive during growth. Now, it’s important to sustain performance!

            8. Enhanced Collaboration

              With process automation software, the only business processes your organization has to manage are the ones that no one has automated yet. It produces increased collaboration by having departments work together and sharing the same views of the process.

              9. Data-Driven Insights

                The software looks at the data and provides the insights needed to make a decision. That decision may propel a strategic initiative where you activate a new segment of the market or improve an existing activity.

                10. Competitive Advantage

                  Businesses that automate processes early will benefit from significant market advantages. When you automate a business process, you make it faster, more efficient, less costly and produce a better customer experience. You have a profound lead over competition that has yet to experience those same advantages. Market leaders, such as Amazon, are the evidence of the potential of these technologies.


                  by Asim BN via Digital Information World