YouTube's algorithmic captions go haywire
Numerous videos geared towards children on the platform have accidentally and incorrectly had adult language added to their algorithmic captions
Happy Sunday everyone!
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Awesome, not awesome.
#Awesome
“What if a fitness tracker could predict that the wearer was Covid-positive hours or even days before they start noticing symptoms?
To answer the question, the Pentagon has spent the past two years experimenting with “predictive bio-wearables” technology — in this case, a wristwatch and a ring on the user’s finger. The idea is to wear the combo daily just like a fitness tracker, and once users notice a change, they get tested for Covid-19.” - Lee Hudson, Defense Reporter Learn More from POLITICO >
#Not Awesome
“A new study of YouTube’s algorithmic captions on videos aimed at kids documents how the text sometimes veers into very adult language. In a sample of more than 7,000 videos from 24 top-ranked kids’ channels, 40 percent displayed words in their captions found on a list of 1,300 “taboo” terms, drawn in part from a study on cursing. In about 1 percent of videos, the captions included words from a list of 16 “highly inappropriate” terms, with YouTube’s algorithms most likely to add the words “bitch,” “bastard,” or “penis.”” - Tom Simonite, Senior Writer Learn More from WIRED >
What we're reading.
1/ Following backlash over requiring taxpayers to verify their identify using facial recognition, the IRS is now allowing a live virtual interview as well. Learn More from NPR >
2/ The US Copyright Office has officially declared that AI cannot copyright its own works of art. This ruling comes in response to a 2019 case where Steven Thaler hoped to copyright an original artwork on behalf of an algorithm he created. Learn More from The Verge >
3/ Law firms are increasingly leaning on AI to help with hiring despite growing bias concerns. Learn More from Bloomberg Law >
4/ A new AI software is helping farmers better see and understand their fields when under cloudy conditions. These conditions often make it difficult for farmers to know where to seed or fertilize. Learn More from BBC >
5/ Mercedes-Benz is hoping to bring Level 3 conditional automation to the US sometime this year. This automation will help a vehicle to accelerate, steer and stop by itself at speeds up to 37 mph. Learn More from CNET >
6/ Massachusetts plans to stop the use of facial recognition technology for unemployment claims. Learn More from Boston Herald >
7/ Kraft-Heinz and NotCo have partnered to create AI-powered plant-based food products. Learn More from The Spoon >
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Hey everyone!
If you're curious in trying out a machine learning enabled product, I'd love to hear your feedback on, Heyday, a new app that I've been working on. Heyday is a browser extension that uses machine learning to boost your memory when you're browsing the web and doing research.
Here’s a piece that Fast Company wrote about Heyday this week.
-Sam