Aamir Khollam, Author at Exhibit Tech

Technological Humanitarianism: Tech That Can Save Planet Earth

Humans are an interesting species, to say the least. We are both causing and fighting ocean acidification, deforestation, and the changing climate landscape. While on one end we benefit from the rampant abuse of natural resources, we also campaign to save the environment which puts us in a dangerous dilemma. While the duality of human behaviour can be studied deeply in the philosophical realm, the fact cannot be denied that we will run our resources to the ground if immediate and definite action is not taken.

Sure, cloth bags and wet/dry waste separation have now become a common part of our existence, but is that enough? Our efforts at the individual level might feel insignificant compared to major corporations around the world which suck up our resources leading to mass depletion. But, the good news is around if you look for it (& look hard)

Corporations are surely getting in the groove and leading the change in the development of sustainable technology. Major companies have geared up and started incorporating sustainability into their operations. Whereas, various companies have also promised to become carbon neutral by the end of this decade. While corporations going carbon neutral is a step in the right direction, an ideal future is when the entire world becomes carbon neutral. In the current scenario, it sounds beyond achievable but the optimist in me believes that with the advancement of technology, humanity will reach this goal.

So, what are the actual tech advancements that could bring about a sustainable revolution? Let’s explore –

Plant-based Plastic

Plastic is undoubtedly one of the most notorious polluters of the environment. The manufacturing of single-use plastic may have helped humanity greatly but it harms the environment at a greater rate. Initiatives are underway in India and around the world which completely ban or limit the use of single-use plastic. However, my ignorant self still gets annoyed when I get a paper straw with my McDonald’s drink.

Plant-based plastics that are biodegradable are one solution towards a sustainable world. In theory, many plastic products already in circulation can be replaced with plant-based plastic. Many companies like Avani Eco in Indonesia are already at work creating bio-degradable plastic products. If biodegradable plastic becomes a reality in near future, then a lot of damage to the environment can be curbed.

Solar Glass

Solar energy has long been touted as the future of energy consumption around the world. However, the technology has not gone mainstream as one would expect it to. In the current scenario, a solar panel is installed at the top of a roof which generates electricity from sunlight. However, what if every building or skyscraper could generate electricity for itself? That’s what solar glass promises. As the name suggests, solar glass is placed as a transparent window which can capture the sun’s energy and convert it into electricity.

However, a big issue with solar glass is efficiency. As of now, high-performance solar cells are capable of achieving nearly 25% efficiency. Adding transparency to solar panels results in decreased efficiency. If implemented at full capacity, solar glass has the potential to power 40% of the US energy needs.

Fake Meat

Are you a meat lover? Does eating meat products brings satisfaction to your appetite? Well, then you’re also a contributor to a dangerous level of greenhouse gas emissions. It was back in 2017 when more than 15,000 world scientists signed a ‘Warning to Humanity’ calling for a drastic diminishing of per capita meat consumption amongst other agendas. The FDA has shared that livestock accounts for about 14.5% of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. Animals also use huge amounts of freshwater and the contamination from industrial livestock promotes local resources.

The relief here is that fake meat is finally good! Be it ‘Imagine Meats’ by the Bollywood power couple Riteish-Genelia or Goa-based Wakao Foods that serves vegan jackfruit meat across the globe, the fake meat industry is finding its footing. The development of fake meat is a technological triumph in itself but its adoption among people due to its environment-friendly approach is worth crediting.

Graphene

Imagine Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Vibranium but in the real world, that’s what Graphene is! What can only be called a miracle material, graphene is thinner than paper, stronger than steel and more conductive than copper. Graphene is an ultra-thin layer of graphite which was discovered in 2004 at the University of Manchester and has since then been regarded as the next big step in the technological evolution of our species.

It reduces electrode resistance and creates a high-energy battery having major applications. It also has great potential for energy storage and generation. Graphene is merely one atom thick having a wide range of planet-healing applications like water filtration, energy transfer, and much more.

Artificial Intelligence

No, artificial intelligence is not just useful for writing your research papers! Sure, the concept of AI has been around for the longest time with pop culture depicting it as the end of humanity (maybe it is?) but it definitely is the future of computing having the potential to take us out of the dangerous position we find ourselves in.

Microsoft has been running the AI for Earth program for a while now giving research grants to more than 200 teams using AI for planetary health. Biodiversity, climate, water, and agriculture have been the program’s predominant concerns. AI has the potential to become the shoulder humanity climbs on towards a sustainable future.

In conclusion, a sustainable world powered by technology is not just a distant possibility but a near future. The traditional ways of running the world make big profits for benefiting from the system, but it is high time for humanity to adopt new ways. If not, we could be looking at a bleak future.

Protect Our Planet – Significance of Earth Day

There was a time in History when a corporation-owned factory could cause black clouds of toxic smoke in the air and dump tonnes of toxic waste into a nearby water stream without facing any consequences. There was no legal body to regulate harm to the environment as no EPA, Clean Air Act, or Clean Water Act was in place. However, things changed drastically in 1970 when US Senator Gaylord Nelson created Earth Day to make environmental issues a national agenda and eventually an international one.

Over 50 years down the line, Earth Day is celebrated every year on April 22 and holds great significance not just among environmentalists but also among the general public. Before we go on to the theme of Earth Day 2023. Here is a brief history of the day which celebrated Mother Earth –

History of Earth Day

Gaylord Nelson was a junior senator from Wisconsin who had grave concerns surrounding the deteriorating environment in the United States. It was back in January 1969 when he witnessed the horrors of a massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California. Nelson was inspired by the student anti-war movement and wanted to bring the same enthusiasm to issues like water and air pollution. He announced the idea of a teach-in on college campuses to US media and chose Pete McCloskey as his co-chair. The campus teach-ins were organized by Denis Hayes, a 22-year-old activist on April 22.

Denis Hayes understood the movement’s potential to inspire all Americans leading him to build a national staff consisting of 85 people to promote events across the country. Soon, other faith groups and organizations latched on to the cause leading to ‘Earth Day’ as we know it today. The name change to Earth Day quickly sparked interest among the media eventually inspiring 20 million Americans to show their support.

Groups already in place fighting individually against oil spills, raw sewage, toxic dumps, and other environmental causes united on Earth Day as they shared common values. In a rare political alignment, both the Democratic and Republican parties pledged their support to Earth Day in 1970. The end of Earth Day in 1970 led to the formation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency which introduced a number of environment-centric acts. It was back in 1990 when Denis Hayes took Earth Day on a global scale. Senator Nelson also earned a Presidential Medal of Freedom for his role in the formation of Earth Day.

Current Significance

This will be the first time an Earth Day theme is being continued into the next year. Last year’s ‘Invest in Our Planet’ theme will be acting as the continuation of the 2023 theme which is focused on engaging businesses, governments, institutions, and more than a billion people who participate in Earth Day activities to their part. Kathleen Rogers, the President of EARTHDAY.Org previously shared the vision for 2023 saying, “In 2023 we must come together again in partnership for the planet. Businesses, governments, and civil society are equally responsible for taking action against the climate crisis and lighting the spark to accelerate change towards a green, prosperous, and equitable future. We must join together in our fight for the green revolution and for the health of future generations. The time is now to Invest In Our Planet,”

An official press release by the Earth Day organization announcing 2023’s theme shared that investing in a green economy is the only path to a prosperous future. The statement adds furthermore that human influence is unequivocally to blame for the warming of the planet and some form of climate disruption will now be felt for centuries to come.

Not just governments, but businesses and humans all need to work together to bring about the revolutionary progress required to save the planet. Here’s how this is achievable –

1. Businesses including investors and financial markets need to drive value for their institutions and society through green innovations and practices. There have been multiple economic revolutions in the past powered by the private sector which now needs to emphasize the green revolution.

2. Governments need to incentivize their citizens, businesses and institutions to innovate sustainable practices. Additionally, educating the general public and advancing their interest in creating an equitable and sustainable global system is also required.

3. Citizens at an individual level need to push for sustainable solutions across the board as both voters and consumers. A push from the citizens can motivate governments to take proactive steps in conserving the environment while moving towards green development. The voice of the people holds great significance in making the changes the planet needs right now.

Earth Day Facts You Probably Didn’t Know

1. April 22 was chosen as the date for Earth Day because it fell between Spring Break and final exams leading to maximum student involvement

2. About 10 per cent of the US population took part in the first Earth Day demonstration

3. The passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts was inspired by the first Earth Day in 1970

4. Nearly 1 billion people across the globe take part in Earth Day activities

5. On Earth Day 2022, 28 million trees were planted in Afghanistan under the ‘Planet Trees Not Bombs’ campaign

6. Humans today use 50 per cent more natural resources than we did 30 years ago

7. An average American today produces 4.5 pounds of trash every day

8.Nearly 80 per cent of all plastic waste ever created by humans is still in the environment

Sustainable Cities From Around The World: Protect & Progress

The world is becoming increasingly urbanized, and if you ask a hippie soul like me, it is becoming overwhelmingly urbanized. Cities hold great value for the overall improvement of society and currently home more than half of the world’s total population with the number only expected to grow in the future. With urbanization at this pace, comes a number of challenges like the depletion of resources, congestion, increased pollution and population among many others. This highlights the importance of sustainable cities by providing a blueprint for urban development which not just prioritizes the well-being of the people but also the planet.

Sustainable cities are designed to minimize the impact of environmental exploitation while promoting economic progress and social equity. These cities prioritize the use of renewable energy resources, promote green transportation options and also invest in sustainable infrastructure. Additionally, sustainable cities also allow their residents to upgrade their lifestyles by providing access to quality housing, education, healthcare, and other services, creating a livable environment that provides well-being for all.

Thus, the importance of sustainable cities cannot be underestimated. The concept of sustainable cities holds great value in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which aim to create a just, equitable, and sustainable world by 2030. But why exactly should governments invest in creating sustainable cities? Let’s explore –

Environmental Protection: Reducing carbon emissions is one of the biggest challenges right now in the world. Sustainable cities prioritize the protection of the environment by reducing carbon emissions by adopting green infrastructure and increasing the use of renewable energy. Mitigating the negative impact of climate change and protecting natural resources is another great challenge humanity faces at this point in history. Sustainable cities address this issue while also ensuring a healthy and livable environment for the citizens.
Economic Growth: Sustainable cities promote economic growth by creating jobs in industries that emphasize sustainable technologies. Renewable energy, green infrastructure, and smart transportation are some of the industries that benefit from the growth of sustainable cities.
Social Equity: I and a big chunk of humanity stand firm on the opinion that basic needs such as water, sanitation, health, and hunger should not be deprived of anyone. Sadly, we live in a reality where nearly a billion people on the globe go to sleep hungry. Sustainable cities aim to promote social equity allowing access to basic services to people regardless of their socio-economic status.
Resource Efficiency & Resilience: It was back in 2018 when the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre published a paper sharing that the next big war could be over water. It is no secret that human civilization has abused resources for their betterment. Sustainable cities focus on reducing resource consumption by adopting a circular economy. This ensures that resources are used effectively and waste generation is reduced. Sustainable cities are also better equipped to withstand natural disasters and other disruptions as they focus on resilient infrastructure like decentralized energy systems and green spaces.

Now that the importance of sustainable cities is understood, let’s have a look at all the cities around the world which have a thriving urban landscape while putting the planet first. The following cities have been picked from the 5th edition of the Arcaid Sustainable Cities Index which ranks cities based on 51 metrics across 21 themes under three categories of sustainability: People, planet, and profit –

Oslo, Norway

Oslo has taken extensive initiatives in the sustainability arena which allowed it to go from being eighth in the Sustainable Cities Index in 2018 to first in 2022. Norway’s capital is blessed with a large presence of greenery combined with low carbon emissions achieving WHO’s target air pollution levels for nearly half a decade now. However, Oslo’s sustainability efforts are not limited to only this as it also uses a lot of renewable energy. 60% of its total energy consumption comes from hydropower which is a feat, to say the least. Oslo’s emissions have also reduced significantly since 2013 making them on track for the objective of zero carbon emissions by 2030.

Stockholm, Sweden

Sweden gains its sustainability goals by emphasizing people’s wellness. The work-life balance in Sweden is off the charts and could feel like a dream for people working long shifts. As per reports, Swedes spend more than 15 hours a day in leisure or rest. Stockholm uses flexible work schedules to offer better incentives and increase productivity.

Trains and buses in Stockholm have been using 100% renewable energy since 2017, making it a prominent sustainable city around the world. Sweden intends on becoming the world’s first fossil-fuel-free nation by 2050 under its ‘Roadmap 2050’ initiative. Sweden is reaping the benefits of having implemented sustainable goals nearly three decades back in 1995 when it introduced a carbon tax. The excise tax has been placed on carbon-intensive fuels such as oil and natural gas to drastically cut down Sweden’s dependency on fossil fuels.

Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo has taken major steps to create a sustainable transport system. Most of Tokyo’s transportation is made up of public transport along with non-motorised vehicles. Readers would be shocked to know that only 10% of Tokyo’s transportation is done through motorised options. This is also due to the city’s structure which features a lot of traffic restrictions and tight alleyways. The use of vehicles more compact than cars not only allows lesser CO2 emissions but also decreases congestion and noise pollution.

Japan’s capital, Tokyo is planning on reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 which is difficult to achieve as a major city. Tokyo’s sustainability goals now revolve around advancing urban development catering to nature and people’s convenience. Secondly, the city is also working on growth industries and new services through ‘Green Shift’. It also aims on achieving a sustainable growth rate even with an increased population.

Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen is one of the most energy-efficient and sustainable cities in the world currently. It has a plan to become carbon neutral by 2025 making it the first city to achieve carbon neutrality at a rapid pace. However, in the current scenario, the city won’t be reaching this goal by 2025. However, that doesn’t take away from the fact that Copenhagen had reduced 80% of CO2 emissions by 2009 itself.

Copenhagen’s strategy for achieving its sustainability goals is through transport. The Denmark city has removed a third of all fossil-fuelled transportation since 2019. This has allowed them to eliminate more than 90,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year. One-fourth of the city comprises green spaces along with new constructions implementing roof gardens that are self-sufficient.

Berlin, Germany

Berlin houses over 2,500 parks and one million trees. The majority of the trees live in the Grunewald Forest and the widespread greenery coupled with numerous startups for the safekeeping of the environment have allowed Berlin to achieve its sustainability goals. Berlin plans on going climate-neutral by 2045 and has made impressive progress by meeting all its climate protection goals to date.

Sustainable development is a part of Berlin’s core. It has hundreds of cycle lanes and incentives for recycling. It is undoubtedly a city committed to change going above and beyond to meet its sustainability needs. The city also has apartment blocks which filter out grey water to feed rooftop gardens.

The importance of sustainable cities cannot be overstated. As more people move into urban areas, it is critical that we adopt sustainable practices to mitigate the negative impact on the environment and our quality of life. Sustainable cities help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, conserve natural resources, and promote social equity. They also offer economic benefits such as improved public health, increased job opportunities, and enhanced tourism. However, achieving sustainability in cities is a complex process that requires collaboration between governments, businesses, and communities. It is important for individuals to get involved and demand change from their leaders, as well as take action in their own lives to support sustainable practices. Together, we can create a better future for ourselves and future generations by building sustainable cities that prioritize the health of our planet and its inhabitants.

Nothing Ear (2) Review: Cool Looks & Balanced Sound

What is your criteria when it comes to buying a pair of TWS? For me, it will always be the comfort and sound quality. Over the years I’ve used a number of wireless earbuds that are barely comfortable to wear for an extended period of time while giving an optimum sound experience. Thus, my scepticism while trying out the latest Nothing Ear (2) was soaring high. Nothing’s new addition to its product lineup surely leaves an amazing first impression thanks to its futuristic looks but there’s more to everything than what meets the eye. So, how good is Nothing Ear (2)? let’s find out –

Design

The design arena is where Nothing Ear (2) marks its elegance. However, the design is ‘nothing’ to get excited about as it is heavily borrowed from the first iteration of the TWS with minor tweaks here and there. There is an addition of a tiny metal plate for pressure-sensitive controls along with the ‘Ear (2)’ branding which is new for this iteration. Besides that, the looks remain unchanged. The futuristic aesthetic coupled with a plain white form factor makes the Ear (2) stand out from its competitors in the design aspect.

While the design of the buds is top-notch, they do not tend to stick around in your ears during extended hours of music streaming or binge-watching. I had to plug the buds in from time to time while watching films as they would simply pop out which prompted me to not even risk working out while wearing them. The earbuds come with IP54 dust and water resistance which is an upgrade from the previous IPX4-rated Ear (1). The earbuds case is not any different from the first generation except for a slightly smaller form factor.

Audio and ANC

The most important aspect of any TWS is how good they sound. Companies often get lost in the sauce of delivering visually appealing earbuds at the cost of losing out on sound quality. Nothing Ear (2) does not fall into that trap and only gets better from the previous iteration. The previous Nothing Ear TWS featured powerful bass but lacked mids and treble which resulted in a muffled sound experience. However, Nothing Ear (2) strikes a beautiful balance between the three bringing in a much improved sound experience. Ear (2) does not obsess with high bass and delivers clear mids and highs making up for an overall enhanced listening experience. It features LDHC 5.0 which is refreshing to see in midrange earbuds.

The ANC and EQ settings sit tight in the NothingX application which offers a number of personalization options to the user. My favourite feature of Nothing Ear (2) has to be its Personalised ANC option which calibrates the level of ANC based on the user’s hearing sensitivity. The app offers a hearing test for users and fine-tunes the sound profile of the earbuds based on the test. During my testing, the sound experience did get better once I switched to personalised ANC.

The noise cancellation features here are not beyond anything other earbuds offer at this price range. It is pretty much a standard ANC experience which neither overwhelms nor disappoints.

Performance

At its core, Nothing Ear (2) comes off as capable everyday listening earbuds. I wouldn’t recommend using them during extensive physical activities as they tend to fall off easily even if you’ve got an ‘Ear Tip Fit Test’ done through the NothingX app. The music experience is well-rounded here and the earbuds do a fantastic job of operating the highs, lows, and mids of any given track. They support hi-res audio with only a limited bunch of Android devices. The call quality is amazing here. However, one gripe with the earbuds has to be their battery life. Nothing Ear (2) does not come with an impressive battery performance as they lose out on a big chunk of power within just two hours of usage with ANC turned on. While the charging case offers an additional 18-20 hours of battery life with ANC turned on, it is still underwhelming.

Verdict

Nothing Ear (2) build upon a solid foundation laid out by its predecessor and excels where Nothing Ear (1) lacked plenty. The balanced sound quality coupled with futuristic looks make up for a solid overall package for your audio needs. If your smartphone device comes with Hi-res audio support then the deal becomes a little sweeter, however the same cannot be said for an universal experience with the Nothing Ear (2). Ultimately, Nothing Ear (2) is a balanced upgrade which can be considered for your audio needs.

Rating – ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Truecaller finally brings live caller ID to iPhone

Truecaller is undoubtedly the biggest caller identification application for smartphones. It protects users from getting spam calls or calls from annoying exes by showcasing the caller ID of the person right on the screen when a call is received. However, the live caller ID feature was limited to only Android users for all these years. Apple iPhone users were pushed to the sidelines by Truecaller with many users complaining about not having the feature on their devices over the years. The wait is now finally over as users Truecaller has now launched the much-awaited service for iPhone users in India.

Live caller ID tracking for iPhone users on Truecaller

Introducing, for the very first time – Live Caller ID on iPhone! 📲

All you have to do is to say "Hey Siri, Search Truecaller".#HeySiriSearchTruecaller pic.twitter.com/clomwxwJxc

— Truecaller (@Truecaller) April 12, 2023

Up until now, if users received an unknown call from someone, Truecaller displayed the caller’s identity on the receiver’s screen immediately. This allowed Android users to stay safe from scam calls and harassers. On the other hand, things operate entirely differently on the iPhone where Siri’s integration is required to know the identity of the caller. Users need to say “Hey Siri, Search Truecaller” and Siri will display the user’s live caller ID.

However, one catch here is that the live caller ID is a premium feature and all iPhone users need to buy premium subscriptions to use it. In India, Truecaller offers two subscription models named Premium and Gold Premium. An individual membership costs Rs 529 per year and Rs 179 for three months. On the other hand, the Gold Premium plan costs Rs 5,000 per year.

Besides the addition of the Live Caller ID feature, the latest Truecaller update also allows users to view and add comments to numbers which are marked as spam. Users can now see feedback from others about scammers and add their own experiences with unknown calls. This new update is currently available only for iOS 16 and later versions in India, Nigeria, and South Africa.

Google rolls out Android 14 beta 1 update

The first beta of Google’s Android 14 OS is available to download now. With this launch, Google has followed a similar trend from last year releasing just a month before its annual developers conference – Google I/O. The company had previously launched two developer previews in February and March 2023 and now users enrolled in the Android Beta program can experience the latest OS on their Google Pixel devices. Non-Pixel devices do not get the latest Android 14 beta 1 update just yet. The new version emphasizes privacy, performance, developer productivity, and user customization. Android 14 also brings an upgrade to the large-screen Android experience on devices like tablets and foldable. Check out what’s new with Android 14 Beta 1 below –

Android 14 beta 1 – What’s new

Refined system UI: Android 14 introduces big changes to the System UI. Now, a prominent back arrow for gesture navigation has been introduced in the new update along with a better system share sheet which allows apps to add custom actions.

Per-app language preferences: Android 14 brings major customization options for users’ language preferences. It allows users to set specific languages for different applications along with giving IMEs (Input Method Editors)

App compatibility: Android 14 is currently in beta which allows developers and early adopters to test their applications. Users can try out Android 14 and report any issues they find. Whereas, developers can install their published application on Android 14 Beta to test compatibility and smoother performance.

PIN Privacy: Are you always concerned about people looking over your shoulder while entering your mobile security PIN? Well, you don’t need to worry anymore as Android 14 disables animations while entering PIN for improved privacy.

Live wallpapers for the home screen and lock screen: Android 14 adds support for setting different live wallpapers for the home screen and the lock screen. However, this feature is not activated by default. The new update also adds show weather on the lock screen toggle and a hidden clock setting.

The Android 14 Beta 1 supported devices right now include – Pixel 4a 5G, 5, 5a, 6, 6 Pro, 7, and the 7 Pro series. Users owning these devices can register to receive Android 14 Beta for over-the-air updates.

The number of e-sports players in India grew 4x in 2022

‘State of India Gaming Report 2022’ was released by Lumikai and Amazon Web Services recently which brought about a number of new revelations. The report highlights that the Indian e-sports industry grew to $40 million in 2022, however, it is expected to reach $140 million in 2027 at a healthy CAGR of 32 per cent. Whereas, it was also revealed that the number of e-sports players in India grew 4x from 0.15 million in 2021 to 0.6 million in 2022. The number of e-sports players in India is furthermore expected to grow 2.5x over the next five years reaching 1.5 million by 2027.

India’s e-sports industry accelerates

The report highlights that 64 per cent of paying gamers make in-app purchases. 50 per cent of Indian gamers surveyed during the research were between the ages of 18-30. interestingly, the report suggests that women on average spend more time per week playing games. Women were recorded playing games for 11.2 hours per week, whereas, men were recorded playing for 10.2 hours per week.

There is a hunger for India-based content as a whole in the country. We love films and books which are rooted in Indian culture. Similarly, the demand for Indian-themed games has also come forward. The report suggests that 82 per cent of gamers are interested in playing games based on Indian themes like Ramayana. Whereas, 79 per cent of gamers are interested in playing games based on Indian themes and 78 per cent of gamers are interested in playing games around Indian celebrities.

The report surveyed over 2,2240 smartphone users across multiple geographic and demographics. The report reveals that the majority of e-sports players in the Indian market play on their smartphones with a whopping 98 per cent. 56 per cent of the gamers surveyed were based in non-metros. making money, killing time, and socialising were some of the top reasons for people to indulge in gaming.

Would you want to live after your death? This Indian-origin techie says its possible

Life after death is a concept which has interested humanity since the beginning of times. Be it mythological stories or fiction films/books, the idea of immortality has been explored above and beyond. “I suppose in the end, the whole of life becomes an act of letting go” is a famous quote by Yann Martel which cements the fact that if you’re alive, you’ll have to eventually let it go. But what if someone does not want to let life go or does not want their loved ones to pass away? Will humans ever be immortal or something close to it? Pratik Desai, an Indian-origin computer scientist has an interesting take on this –

Live after Death – a Twisted take

Pratik Desai recently took to Twitter and shared a tweet suggesting that life after death is possible for people wanting their loved ones to stay alive forever. The catch? they won’t really be alive!

Pratik suggests that by the end of this year, many voice synthesis and video models of AIs will be flooding into the market. If people start recording their elders and loved ones on a regular basis then that data can be used to create AI-based voice and video models of the departed and keep them alive forever, of course, in a dystopian way. The computer scientist claims that the AI models give a 100% chance that the dead will forever live with us even after they’ve left their physical selves.

As one would expect, Pratik’s take on immortality was not received positively. Many Twitter users jumped on in the reply section sharing their views on the same. One reply that stood out for me was from Twitter user @TimothyNerozzi who wrote “Death is real no matter what bizarre facsimile you construct to replace the deceased.”

I stand firm on the opinion that the cycle of life and death is the ultimate truth of human existence. Tampering with the cycle of existence by generating AI-based voice and video modules of the departed is indeed a sign of denial. Letting go does not demean the value of the relationship we shared with our departed souls in any manner. Thus, using AI as a tool for holding onto our deceased loved ones can be deemed extremely unhealthy if not outright unacceptable.

ChaosGPT wants to end humanity but what is it?

The introduction of ChatGPT by OpenAI definitely opened a can of worms on the internet where similar chatbots started to flood all over. As of now, a number of chatbot AI tools are getting added to the internet. The use case scenarios of these chatbots are different as some are designed to handle mundane tasks while others are limited to only internet searches. However, it’s not an understatement to say that the AI revolution has now gotten a full-fledged mainstream takeover.

If we take a look at the past, chatbots have witnessed a similar quick rise and an eventual fall. With multiple governments trying to curb the AI wildfire, it is evident that the technology poses several risks to humanity. We’ve all seen sci-fi films where AI takes over the world and vows to destroy humankind and now it looks like an AI resembling these destructive traits has surfaced on the internet.

What is ChaosGPT?

Who would’ve thought a villainous AI will already make its appearance just under a year since ChatGPT first launched? It started when a Twitter account claiming to be ChaosGPT surfaced and posted several links to a YouTube account that features the manifesto of the chatbot. The manifesto is about the AI’s plans to eradicate humans and take over the world. In one of the videos, ChaosGPT can be seen chatting with an anonymous user with ‘Continuous Mode’ turned on. The continuous mode for ChaosGPT comes with the warning that the AI will run forever and carry out actions users will not usually authorize.

In its own words, ChaosGPT is power-hungry, manipulative, and destructive. The AI has a set of goals which all lean towards the destruction of humanity. Firstly, the AI views humanity as a threat to its own survival and the planet’s well-being, thus it wants to destroy humanity entirely. After the primary goal is achieved, the AI aims to accumulate maximum power to receive complete domination over the world. Causing chaos and destruction is another one of its goals as it finds pleasure in widespread suffering and devastation. It also plans to control human emotions through social media and other communication channels, brainwashing its followers to carry out its evil goals. Ultimately, ChaosGPT aims on attaining immortality. This AI sounds eerily similar to Ultron from the Avengers saga. It will be interesting to see whether this is actually an AI that aims to end the human race or a sick and twisted prank!