Artificial Intelligence is changing the world. Right Now!
In just a few years, it’s possible that you might be chatting with a support agent who doesn’t have a human body. You’ll be able to ask them anything you want and get an answer immediately. Not only that, but they’ll be able to help you with things like scheduling appointments, making payments, and booking flights—without any human intervention necessary.
This is just one of the many ways that Artificial Intelligence will change our lives this year. We will see more businesses using AI technology to make their processes more efficient and effective.
And if you think this is just another boring news story about how artificial intelligence is taking over everything… well, sorry to tell you that most of these “news stories” are probably written by computers anyway!
Cars…
Touch Screens on Dashboards Found to be Dangerous
Evidence suggests that touch screens in cars may be more distracting than traditional controls such as knobs or buttons. This is because touch screens require drivers to take their eyes off the road and focus on the screen to interact with them, which can increase the risk of a crash.
In contrast, traditional controls such as knobs or buttons can often be operated by feel, allowing drivers to keep their eyes on the road while adjusting settings such as the radio or the climate control.
Study Finds That Buttons in Cars are Safer and Easier to Use Than Touchscreens. It turns Out That Slapping a Giant iPad Onto Your Dashboard Isn’t An Ideal Way To Control Your Car
+++++++
BMW starts selling heated seat subscriptions for $18 a month
https://www.theverge.com/2022/7/12/23204950/bmw-subscriptions-microtransactions-heated-seats-feature
A monthly subscription to heat your BMW’s front seats costs roughly $18, with options to subscribe for a year ($180), three years ($300), or pay for “unlimited” access for $415.
BMW has slowly been putting features behind subscriptions since 2020, and heated seat subscriptions are now available in BMW’s digital stores in countries including the UK, Germany, New Zealand, and South Africa. However, it doesn’t seem to be an option in the US.
For some software features that might lead to ongoing expenses for the carmaker (like automated traffic camera alerts, for example), charging a subscription seems more reasonable. But that’s not an issue for heated seats.
Tesla…
I’ve driven more than 1,000 miles in Teslas — and I’ll never buy one
https://www.tomsguide.com/opinion/ive-driven-more-than-1000-miles-in-teslas-and-ill-never-buy-one
My biggest problem with the Tesla design is the extreme minimalism employed throughout the cabin. In the Model 3 and Model Y, this means virtually everything is condensed into a single central touchscreen. In fact, only a handful of features don’t employ the touchscreen in some way, and those are relegated to a few levers and dials around the steering column.
The thing that always baffles me most is that Tesla’s two cheapest cars don’t have a dedicated driver display or gauge cluster behind the steering wheel. Instead, you must glance at the central display if you want something as simple and important as your current speed.
The overreliance on the touchscreen is my biggest issue. Not only because of the lack of tactile feedback, ensuring you can’t use the smooth and glossy device without looking, but also because any fault in the screen will render your car completely useless. My Leaf’s infotainment display died recently, taking a bunch of useful car functions with it. But a functional driver display meant I could still drive around safely and know how fast I was going.
Twitter…
Hackers leak email addresses of 235 million Twitter users
https://nypost.com/2023/01/06/hackers-leak-email-addresses-of-235-million-twitter-users-report/
Hackers obtained the email addresses of more than 235 million Twitter users and published them on an internet forum. The breach “will unfortunately lead to a lot of hacking, targeted phishing and doxxing,” Alon Gal, co-founder of Israeli cybersecurity-monitoring firm Hudson Rock.
“This database is going to be used by hackers, political hacktivists and of course governments to harm our privacy even further.”
Phishing is a tactic used by cybercriminals who send emails or text messages claiming to be from reputable companies. These messages ask their targets to send them personal information, including credit card numbers, passwords, and other sensitive data.
Jobs…
Amazon Layoffs to Hit Over 18,000 Workers, the Most in Recent Tech Wave
Cuts focused on the company’s corporate staff exceed earlier projections and represent about 5% of the company’s corporate workforce. Amazon.com Inc.’s layoffs will affect more than 18,000 employees, the highest reduction tally revealed in the past year at a major technology company as the industry pares back amid economic uncertainty.
