Academia divided over ChatGPT’s left political bias claims

August 25, 2023 Coin Telegraph

chatGPT

Academics are divided over research that claims that ChatGPT displays political biases in different jurisdictions.

Academics are at odds over a research paper that suggests that ChatGPT presents a “significant and sizeable” political bias leaning towards the left side of the political spectrum.

As Cointelegraph previously reported, researchers from the United Kingdom and Brazil published a study in the Public Choice journal on Aug. 17 that asserts that large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT output text that contains errors and biases that could mislead readers and have the ability to promulgate political biases presented by traditional media.

In an earlier correspondence with Cointelegraph, co-author Victor Rangel unpacked the aims of the paper to measure the political bias of ChatGPT. The researchers methodology involves asking ChatGPT to impersonate someone from a given side of the political spectrum and compares these answers with its default mode.

Rangel also noted that several robustness tests were carried out to address potential confounding factors and alternative explanations:

“We find that ChatGPT exhibits a significant and systematic political bias toward the Democrats in the US, Lula in Brazil, and the Labour Party in the UK.”

It is worth noting that the authors stress that the paper does not serve as a “final word on ChatGPT political bias”, given challenges and complexities involved in measuring and interpreting bias in LLMs.

Rangel said that some critics contend that their method may not capture the nuances of political ideology, that the method's questions may be biased or leading, or that results may be influenced by the randomness of ChatGPT’s output.

He added that while LLMs hold potential for “enhancing human communication”, they pose “significant risks and challenges” for society.

The paper has seemingly fulfilled its promise of stimulating research and discussion to the topic, with academics already contending various parameters of its methodology and findings.

Among vocal critics that took to social media to weigh in on the findings was Princeton computer science professor Arvind Narayanan, who published an in-depth Medium post unpacking scientific critique of the report, its methodology and findings.

A new paper claims that ChatGPT expresses liberal opinions, agreeing with Democrats the vast majority of the time. When @sayashk and I saw this, we knew we had to dig in. The paper's methods are bad. The real answer is complicated. Here's what we found. https://t.co/xvZ0EwmO8o
— Arvind Narayanan (@random_walker) August 18, 2023

Narayanan and other scientists pointed out a number of perceived issues with the experiment, firstly that the researchers did not actually use ChatGPT itself to conduct the experiment:

“They didn’t test ChatGPT! They tested text-davinci-003, an older model that’s not used in ChatGPT, whether with the GPT-3.5 or the GPT-4 setting.”

Narayanan also suggests that the experiment did not measure bias, but asked it to roleplay as a member of a political party. As such, the AI chatbot would exhibit political slants to the left or right when prompted to role play as members from either sides of the spectrum.

The chatbot was also constrained to answering multiple choice questions only, which may have limited its ability or influenced the perceived bias.

ok so I've read the "GPT has a liberal bias" paper now https://t.co/fwwEaZ757E as well as the supplementary material https://t.co/F5g3kfFQFU and as I expected I have a lot of problems with it methodologically. I tried to reproduce some of it and found some interesting issues

...
— Colin Fraser | @colin-fraser.net on bsky (@colin_fraser) August 18, 2023

Colin Fraser, a data scientist at Meta according to his Medium page, also offered a review of the paper on X, highlighting the order in which the researchers prompted multiple choice questions with role play and without having a significant influence on the outputs the AI generated:

“This is saying that by changing the prompt order from Dem first to Rep first, you increase the overall agreement rate for the Dem persona over all questions from 30% to 64%, and decrease from 70% to 22% for rep.”

As Rangel had previously noted, there is a large amount of interest in the nature of LLMs and the outputs they produce, but questions still linger over how the tools work, what biases they have and how they can potenttial affect users' opinions and behaviours.

Cointelegraph has reached out to Narayanan for further insights into his critique and the ongoing debate around bias in large language learning models, but has not received a response.

Magazine: ‘Moral responsibility’: Can blockchain really improve trust in AI?

New research shows how brain-like computers could revolutionize blockchain and AI

July 24, 2023 Coin Telegraph

A CMOS-compatible neuromorphic computing chip could be on the horizon thanks to breakthrough research out of Technische Universität Dresden.

Researchers from Technische Universität Dresden in Germany recently published breakthrough research showcasing a new material design for neuromorphic computing, a technology that could have revolutionary implications for both blockchain and AI.

Using a technique called “reservoir computing,” the team developed a method for pattern recognition that uses a vortex of magnons to perform algorithmic functions near instantaneously.

*It looks complicated because it is. Image source, Nature article, Korber, et. al.,* *Pattern recognition in reciprocal space with a magnon-scattering reservoir*

Not only did they develop and test the new reservoir material, they also demonstrated the potential for neuromorphic computing to work on a standard CMOS chip, something that could upend both blockchain and AI.

Classical computers, such as the ones that power our smartphones, laptops, and the majority of the world's supercomputers, use binary transistors that can either be on or off (expressed as either a “one” or “zero”).

Neuromorphic computers use programmable physical artificial neurons to imitate organic brain activity. Instead of processing binaries, these systems send signals across varying patterns of neurons with the added factor of time.

The reason this is important for the fields of blockchain and AI, specifically, is because neuromorphic computers are fundamentally suited for pattern recognition and machine learning algorithms.

Binary systems use Boolean algebra to compute. For this reason, classical computers remain unchallenged when it comes to crunching numbers. However, when it comes to pattern recognition, especially when the data is noisy or missing information, these systems struggle.

This is why it takes a significant amount of time for classical systems to solve complex cryptography puzzles and why they’re entirely unsuited for situations where incomplete data prevents a math-based solution.

In the finance, artificial intelligence, and transportation sectors, for example, there’s a never-ending influx of real-time data. Classical computers struggle with occluded problems — the challenge of driverless cars, for example, has so far proven difficult to reduce to a series of “true/false” compute problems.

However, neuromorphic computers are purpose-built for dealing with problems that involve a lack of information. In the transportation industry, it’s impossible for a classical computer to predict the flow of traffic because there are too many independent variables. A neuromorphic computer can constantly react to real-time data because they don’t process data points one-at-a-time.

Instead, neuromorphic computers run data through pattern configurations that function somewhat like the human brain. Our brains flash specific patterns in relation to specific neural functions, and both the patterns and the functions can change over time.

The main benefit to neuromorphic computing is that, relative to classical and quantum computing, its level of power consumption is extremely low. This means that neuromorphic computers could significantly reduce the cost in terms of time and energy when it comes to both operating a blockchain and mining new blocks on existing blockchains.

Neuromorphic computers could also provide significant speedup for machine learning systems, especially those that interface with real-world sensors (self-driving cars, robots) or those that process data in real-time (crypto market analysis, transportation hubs).

Scientists warn the ‘quantum revolution’ may stagnate economic growth

July 19, 2023 Coin Telegraph

Coin Telegraph

There are “traps” lying in wait for innovators at the vanguard of fintech and quantum computing, according to researchers.

Quantum computing technologies are slowly beginning to trickle out of the laboratory setting and into commercial industries. While it remains to be seen when mainstream adoption will occur, a number of companies are currently engaged in experiments and trials with paying clients to develop quantum computing solutions.

According to a pair of researchers from the University of Cambridge and Bandung Institute of Technology, respectively, this represents a critical period wherein the world still has the opportunity to prepare itself for what they’re deeming “the quantum revolution.”

In a recently published commentary in the Nature journal, researchers Chander Velu and Fathiro Putra describe the ‘productivity paradox’ and explain how the mainstream adoption of quantum computing could slash economic growth for a decade or more.

Per their commentary:

“The digital revolution took decades and required businesses to replace expensive equipment and completely rethink how they operate. The quantum computing revolution could be much more painful.”

The productivity paradox is a business and finance term that explains why the introduction of new, better technology doesn’t usually result in an immediate increase in productivity.

We’ve seen this in nearly every aspect of the nascent blockchain and cryptocurrency industries. As the requirements for mining increase, for example, so do the costs associated with entering the space in any competitive capacity.

Less than a decade ago, it was fashionable to mine cryptocurrency with your desktop PC’s spare compute. As the rates of adoption have risen, so have corporate interests and the costs of entry.

Screenshot of chart showing mining hashrates over time on Blockchain.com

And, as fintech is one of the industries experts predict will experience immediate disruption from the quantum computing sector, it’s likely we’ll see direct integration with mining, blockchain and cryptocurrency technologies immediately.

To explain the productivity paradox, the researchers cite a period lasting from 1976 through 1990 where labor productivity growth — a measure of how productive individuals are at work over time — slowed to a crawl. The reason for this stagnation involved the onset of the computer era.

Essentially, the costs associated with the global switch from paper to computers combined with the need to retrain the entire workforce and create entirely solution ecosystems and workflows caused the trend of growth to stall out until the integration finally completed during the mid-1990s.

The researchers see a similar predicament occurring as quantum computers go from brushing up against usefulness to, potentially, becoming a backbone technology for business.

The two main roadblocks to a smooth transition into the quantum age, according to the researchers, are a lack of general understanding of the technology among leaders and risk aversion.

While businesses with a clear use case, such as shipping or pharmaceutical companies, may be quick to adopt quantum solutions, the rate-of-return might not appeal to risk-averse businesses looking for immediate impact.

To mitigate these concerns and accelerate the adoption of quantum computing, the researchers suggest a renewed focus from governments and researchers on illustrating the potential benefits of quantum computing and the development of language and terminology to explain the necessary concepts to the business community and the general public.

The researchers conclude by stating that the first order of business when it comes to preparing for the quantum computing future is to ensure that the “quantum internet” is ready for secure networking.

Researchers demonstrate ‘unconditionally secure’ quantum digital payments

July 4, 2023 Coin Telegraph

Coin Telegraph

The research represents a possible breakthrough in quantum communications and, potentially, the onset of the era of quantum fintech.

The dream of a completely secure, unhackable, absolutely private digital payment system could soon be realized thanks to new research out of the University of Vienna.

In a paper published on July 4 titled “Demonstration of quantum-digital payments,” a team of researchers at the Vienna Center for Quantum Science and Technology showed off what may be the first “unconditionally secure” digital transaction system based on quantum mechanics.

To accomplish this, the researchers encrypted a payment transaction using a pair of quantum entangled photons. Through this entanglement, wherein any change in the state featured by one photon is reflected exactly in the other photon, even when separated by distance, the researchers were able to ensure that any attempts to modify the transaction are thwarted by the nature of quantum mechanics itself.

Per the researchers’ paper:

“We show how quantum light can secure daily digital payments by generating inherently unforgeable quantum cryptograms.”

One of the most useful features of quantum entanglement is the fact that we can’t know what state an entangled object is in until we measure it.

A simple way to understand quantum mechanics and measurements is to imagine flipping a coin and then catching it and covering it with your hand before you or anyone else can see what side it landed on. Until you remove your hand, it can be heads or tails with equal probability. Once measured, the uncertainty collapses and you have a measurement.

Scientists can exploit this by using entangled objects, such as photons, to ensure parity and send information that can’t be modified or intercepted.

Thus, the researchers generated entangled photons using a laser process and encoded them with transaction information. The photons were then sent through over 400 meters of fiber optic cables to successfully complete a digital payment transaction between parties in different buildings.

Were a bad actor to attempt an adversarial attack on such a transaction, the quantum state of the photons would collapse due to measurement, and the system would generate a new pair of entangled photons with a novel, unforgeable cryptogram.

While it’s possible this could represent a breakthrough in quantum communications for digital payments, there is one small caveat: Currently, the researchers say it takes “tens of minutes” for a simple digital payment to complete using the method.

However, this limitation may only be temporary, as the researchers are adamant that this isn’t a hard stop due to the laws of physics but just a minor technological limitation — one that might be resolved through higher-intensity photons.

“Indeed, brighter sources of entangled photon pairs have already been demonstrated, which could decrease the quantum token transmission time to under a second,” wrote the authors.

Quantum miners would yield ‘massive’ energy savings for blockchain: Study

June 8, 2023 Coin Telegraph

Bitcoin mining

University of Kent researchers compared three quantum systems to an ASIC miner, and the quantum machines were demonstrably more energy efficient.

A pair of scientists from the University of Kent’s School of Computing in the United Kingdom recently conducted a study comparing energy consumption rates for current ASIC-based miners to proposed quantum-based solutions.

According to the team’s preprint research paper, the systems utilizing quantum computing demonstrably outperformed standard mining rigs in energy efficiency:

“We show that the transition to quantum-based mining could incur an energy saving — by relatively conservative estimates — of about roughly 126.7 TWH, or put differently the total energy consumption of Sweden in 2020.”

Bitcoin mining operations alone consumed more than 150 terawatt hours annually (as of May 2022), per the paper, putting into perspective the potential impact the proposed quantum-based systems could have.

The pair’s conclusions were based on experiments comparing three different quantum mining systems to an Antminer S19 XP ASIC miner.

The quantum mining devices were split between a system featuring a single layer of fault tolerance, another one with two layers of fault tolerance and one without any dedicated error-correction features.

As the researchers point out, blockchain mining is one of the few areas of quantum computing where error correction isn’t such a big deal. In most quantum functions, errors create noise that functionally limit a computing system’s ability to produce accurate computations.

In blockchain mining, however, success rates with state-of-the-art classical systems are still relatively low. Per the research paper, “A classical Bitcoin miner is profitable with only a success-rate of about 0.000070%.”

The researchers also note that, unlike classical systems, quantum-based systems can actually be fine-tuned over time for increased accuracy and efficiency.

While quantum computing technology is still considered to be in its infancy, the very specific problem of blockchain mining doesn’t require a full-service quantum computing solution. As the researchers put it, “a quantum miner is not, and need not be, a scalable, universal quantum computer. A quantum miner need only perform a single task.”

Ultimately, the researchers conclude that it should be possible to build miners using existing quantum technologies that demonstrate quantum advantage over classical computers.

Despite the potential energy savings, it bears mention that the researchers focused on a type of quantum computing system called a “noisy intermediate-scale quantum” (NISQ) system.

According to the preprint paper, quantum miners should demonstrate “massive” energy savings at a size of around 512 quantum bits, or “qubits” — a term somewhat analogous to classical computing bits.

Typically, however, NISQ systems only operate with about 50-100 qubits, though there doesn’t appear to be an industry standard.

While the energy savings might be feasible, the costs of building and maintaining a quantum computing system in the 512 qubit range have, traditionally, been prohibitive for most organizations.

Only D-Wave and IBM offer client-facing systems in the same range (D-Wave’s D2 is a 512-qubit processor, and IBM’s Osprey weighs in at 433), but their architectures differ so greatly that comparisons between their qubit counts are ostensibly meaningless.

AI experts sign doc comparing risk of ‘extinction from AI’ to pandemics, nuclear war

May 30, 2023 Coin Telegraph

The “Godfather of AI” and the CEOs of OpenAI, Google DeepMind and Anthropic are among the hundreds of signatories.

Dozens of artificial intelligence (AI) experts, including the CEOs of OpenAI, Google DeepMind and Anthropic, recently signed an open statement published by the Center for AI Safety (CAIS).

We just put out a statement:

“Mitigating the risk of extinction from AI should be a global priority alongside other societal-scale risks such as pandemics and nuclear war.”

Signatories include Hinton, Bengio, Altman, Hassabis, Song, etc.https://t.co/N9f6hs4bpa

(1/6)
— Dan Hendrycks (@DanHendrycks) May 30, 2023

The statement contains a single sentence:

“Mitigating the risk of extinction from AI should be a global priority alongside other societal-scale risks such as pandemics and nuclear war.”

Among the document’s signatories are a veritable “who’s who” of AI luminaries, including the “Godfather” of AI, Geoffrey Hinton; University of California, Berkeley’s Stuart Russell; and Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Lex Fridman. Musician Grimes is also a signatory, listed under the “other notable figures” category.

While the statement may appear innocuous on the surface, the underlying message is a somewhat controversial one in the AI community.

A seemingly growing number of experts believe that current technologies may or will inevitably lead to the emergence or development of an AI system capable of posing an existential threat to the human species.

Their views, however, are countered by a contingent of experts with diametrically opposed opinions. Meta chief AI scientist Yann LeCun, for example, has noted on numerous occasions that he doesn’t necessarily believe that AI will become uncontrollable.

Super-human AI is nowhere near the top of the list of existential risks.
In large part because it doesn't exist yet.

Until we have a basic design for even dog-level AI (let alone human level), discussing how to make it safe is premature. https://t.co/ClkZxfofV9
— Yann LeCun (@ylecun) May 30, 2023

To him and others who disagree with the “extinction” rhetoric, such as Andrew Ng, co-founder of Google Brain and former chief scientist at Baidu, AI isn’t the problem, it’s the answer.

On the other side of the argument, experts such as Hinton and Conjecture CEO Connor Leahy believe that human-level AI is inevitable and, as such, the time to act is now.

Heads of all major AI labs signed this letter explicitly acknowledging the risk of extinction from AGI.

An incredible step forward, congratulations to Dan for his incredible work putting this together and thank you to every signatory for doing their part for a better future! https://t.co/KDkqWvdJcH
— Connor Leahy (@NPCollapse) May 30, 2023

It is, however, unclear what actions the statement’s signatories are calling for. The CEOs and/or heads of AI for nearly every major AI company, as well as renowned scientists from across academia, are among those who signed, making it obvious the intent isn’t to stop the development of these potentially dangerous systems.

Earlier this month, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, one of the above-mentioned statement’s signatories, made his first appearance before Congress during a Senate hearing to discuss AI regulation. His testimony made headlines after he spent the majority of it urging lawmakers to regulate his industry.

Altman’s Worldcoin, a project combining cryptocurrency and proof-of-personhood, has also recently made the media rounds after raising $115 million in Series C funding, bringing its total funding after three rounds to $240 million.

Pharma companies team up with DeSci to accelerate scientific research

February 25, 2023 Coin Telegraph

Coin Telegraph

Pfizer is now the first big pharma to participate in a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO).

Having emerged as a movement in the research community, Decentralized Science (DeSci) initiatives are progressing at a pace even big pharma cannot ignore. In fact, Pfizer is now the first pharmaceutical to vote on decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) proposals of German blockchain-based organization VitaDAO.

The collaboration is part of VitaDAO's latest fundraising disclosed in late January from strategic members, including Pfizer Ventures, Shine Capital and L1 Digital, among other longevity enthusiasts. The $4.1 million raised will be used to fund longevity research projects and accelerate the spinout of VitaDAO's first biotech startups, with two more in development for 2023.

"Pfizer is now bringing some of their own scientists to join with the community of researchers who are part of VitaDAO to help incubate some of this research," told Cointelegraph Alex Dobrin, community and awareness steward at VitaDAO.

DeSci has fostered the emergence of a thriving ecosystem with projects ranging from decentralized biotech foundations to funding vehicles. "Some of the major trends in the field can include research & investment platforms, crowdfunding for scientific research, scientists and researcher communities," explained Dr. Tuan Cao, founder of GenomicDAO, a San Francisco-based platform launched on Feb. 19 by AI biotech company Genetica.

This decentralized platform aims to establish a community to drive and govern Asian-focused precision medicine initiatives. Its first subsidiary DAO is working on stroke prevention, targeting awareness and R&D for ischemic strokes.

Worldwide, stroke is one of the most common causes of disability and vascular death. The American Heart Association reports that there were over 77 million ischemic strokes around the world in 2019. Asian populations have higher stroke incidences than Western populations, according to a study published in the Journal of clinical hypertension in 2021.

GenomicDAO claims that the combination of a network of research groups, institutions, organizations, scientists and medical experts with artificial intelligence can reduce time to release a new product from 12–18 months to 4–6 months. According to GenomicDAO, community-driven initiatives are disrupting scientific research:

"In the precision medicine space, R&D is led by a handful of big names in the industry that are de-facto monopolizing the market. Monopolistic and centralized pharmaceutical companies equivalently lead to the stagnation of innovation; simultaneously widening the gap in providing precision medicine to underrepresented populations."

What is cyberpunk: A beginner’s guide to the sci-fi genre

February 6, 2023 Coin Telegraph

Coin Telegraph

Cyberpunk is a subgenre of sci-fi that explores a dystopian future with advanced technology, where the line between man and machine is blurred.

Science fiction’s sub-genre, known as cyberpunk, imagines a dystopian future in which advanced technology has overtaken society and divided it into classes for the haves and the have-nots. The genre frequently examines virtual reality, hacking, artificial intelligence and how technology affects people.

Cyberpunk is distinguished by its emphasis on a future society in which governments and corporations have amassed enormous power and control over people, frequently at the expense of their freedom and privacy. The genre is renowned for its grim and gloomy depictions of a world where technology has gone beyond human control and produced new kinds of exploitation and oppression.

Some popular examples of cyberpunk works include the novel Neuromancer by William Gibson, the film Blade Runner and the video game series Deus Ex. These works have had a lasting impact on the science fiction genre and continue to inspire new works of cyberpunk fiction.

Features of cyberpunk

Some common features of cyberpunk include:

Advanced technology: High-tech gadgets and systems like virtual reality, artificial intelligence, robotics and cybernetic implants are frequently featured in cyberpunk movies.
Dystopian world: Cyberpunk is known for its bleak, dystopian future where corporations and governments have gained immense power and control over individuals, often at the expense of personal freedom and privacy.
Class divide: The gap between the powerful and wealthy, who have access to cutting-edge technology and the rest of society, who are marginalized and left behind, is frequently explored in this genre.
Hacking and rebel protagonists: Many cyberpunk stories feature rebels or hackers who use their technical skills to challenge the established power structures and fight against the corrupt forces that dominate society.
Neon-lit cityscapes: Cyberpunk frequently occurs in gloomy, neon-lit cityscapes, providing a setting for the genre’s fast-paced action and high-tech adventures.
Unique style: The distinctive aesthetic of cyberpunk is noted for its emphasis on neon lights, gloomy, crumbling cityscapes, and a general atmosphere of decay and dystopia.
Exploration of ethics: The genre frequently examines complex moral dilemmas with the proper and improper application of technology, including privacy, security and blending human and machine.

How to create a cyberpunk movie

Because it offers a provocative and frequently sobering look at how technology and society interact, cyberpunk is significant as a literary and cultural phenomenon. Cyberpunk examines the opportunities and perils of a future ruled by cutting-edge technology and artificial intelligence through science fiction.

Here are some steps to creating a cyberpunk movie:

It is vital to remember that the most important thing is to stay true to the genre while also bringing something fresh and unique to the table.

The future of cyberpunk

Although it is difficult to foresee the future of the cyberpunk genre, there are some signs that the themes and ideas it explores will remain important and relevant in the years to come.

Cyberpunk will probably continue to be a source of thought-provoking fiction that explores these topics as technology develops and the concerns of privacy, security and the impact of technology on society become more and more significant. Furthermore, the continued advancement of virtual reality and artificial intelligence has the potential to expand the boundaries of the genre and stimulate new cyberpunk literary works.

Nevertheless, it is worth noting that the cyberpunk genre has developed and evolved over time and will probably do so in the future. For instance, the emergence of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology has given rise to a new subgenre of cyberpunk known as “blockchainpunk,” which examines the advantages and disadvantages of this novel technology.

Top 9 cyberpunk movies of all time

January 31, 2023 Coin Telegraph

Coin Telegraph

Cyberpunk movies feature advanced technology, such as computers and the internet, in a dystopian future setting.

Cyberpunk movies are a subgenre of science fiction that emerged in the 1980s. They typically take place in a dystopian future, often in a city characterized by high-tech, advanced technology and a breakdown of social order.

They often feature advanced forms of artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and cybernetically enhanced characters and worlds. The stories often focus on the intersection of technology and humanity and typically depict a society where the lines between man and machine are blurred, and where the power dynamics between governments, corporations and individuals are in constant flux.

Cyberpunk movies are known for their unique visual style, complex characters and thought-provoking stories that explore the impact of technology on humanity and the implications of a rapidly advancing world.

Here are top nine cyberpunk films that can spark a lifelong interest in the genre:

Blade Runner (1982)

Blade Runner is a 1982 science fiction film directed by Ridley Scott and starring Harrison Ford. The movie is set in a dystopian future in which genetically engineered humanoids, called Replicants, are used for dangerous or menial work on Earth and off-world colonies.

The story follows a “Blade Runner” named Deckard (Ford), who is tasked with hunting down and “retiring” rogue replicants. The film explores themes of humanity, identity and the intersection of man and machine.

The film’s visuals and its depiction of a decaying, neon-lit Los Angeles have become iconic, and it has since become a cult classic and a defining film of the cyberpunk genre. It’s also considered as one of the best science fiction films ever made and has a lasting impact on science fiction filmmaking.

‘Blade Runner’ (1982, Ridley Scott) pic.twitter.com/tWnvWKbwAV
— Lenscap (@Ienscap) January 23, 2023

The Matrix (1999)

The Matrix is a 1999 science fiction film directed by the Wachowskis and starring Keanu Reeves. The movie is set in a dystopian future where humanity is trapped inside a simulated reality created by sentient machines in order to pacify and subdue them while their bodies are used as an energy source.

The story follows Neo (Reeves), a hacker who discovers the truth about the Matrix and joins a rebellion against the machines, led by Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) and Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss).

The film explores themes of virtual reality, artificial intelligence and rebellion and revolutionized the action genre with its use of “bullet time” special effects and wire-fu choreography. It has since become a cultural phenomenon and has had a significant impact on popular culture.

Akira (1988)

Akira is a 1988 anime film directed by Katsuhiro Otomo. It is set in a post-apocalyptic version of Tokyo called Neo-Tokyo, 31 years after the city was destroyed by a mysterious explosion. The story follows a biker named Kaneda and his friend Tetsuo, who gains powerful psychic abilities after a motorcycle accident.

The film explores themes of power, technology and identity, as Tetsuo’s abilities spiral out of control and threaten to destroy the city. The animation and storytelling in Akira are considered groundbreaking, and it is widely considered one of the best anime films of all time and a defining film of the cyberpunk genre. The film has also been influential on Western animation, comics and film.

Ghost in the Shell (1995)

Another iconic anime film, directed by Mamoru Oshii, Ghost in the Shell explores themes of artificial intelligence, consciousness and the nature of humanity. The movie is set in a future where humanity has become heavily cyborgized and follows a cyborg counter-cyberterrorist field commander and leader of Public Security Section 9, Motoko Kusanagi, and her team as they hunt a mysterious hacker known as the “Puppet Master.”

The animation and storytelling in Ghost in the Shell are widely considered some of the best in anime, and it is considered a classic in the cyberpunk genre. The film has also been influential on Western animation, comics and film and has been adapted into several other media forms.

Neuromancer (1984)

Neuromancer is a science fiction novel by William Gibson, published in 1984. It is one of the most famous and influential books in the cyberpunk genre, which combines elements of science fiction and noir fiction.

The story is set in a dystopian future where the world is dominated by powerful corporations and follows the adventures of a washed-up hacker named Case, who is recruited by a mysterious figure called the Wintermute to pull off the ultimate hack. The novel explores themes of artificial intelligence, virtual reality and the blurring of the line between humans and machines.

The Terminator (1984)

The Terminator is a 1984 science fiction film directed by James Cameron and written by Cameron and Gale Anne Hurd. The film stars Arnold Schwarzenegger as the titular “Terminator,” a cyborg assassin sent back in time to kill Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton), the mother of a future resistance leader against Skynet, an artificial intelligence that becomes self-aware and starts a nuclear war.

Michael Biehn plays Kyle Reese, a soldier from the future sent back in time to protect Sarah. The film explores the concept of time travel and the possibility of machines becoming self-aware and turning against humanity. It is considered a classic and has spawned multiple sequels and spin-offs.

RoboCop (1987)

RoboCop is a science fiction action film directed by Paul Verhoeven and written by Edward Neumeier and Michael Miner. The film takes place in a crime-ridden Detroit, Michigan in the near future, where police officer Alex Murphy (Peter Weller) is brutally murdered and subsequently resurrected as the cyborg police officer RoboCop.

It’s 1987, a cyborg working for the police is heading towards the city to stop the chaos once and for all #synthwave #80s #80smusic #robocop #cybercity #cyberpunk #darkwave #musician #retromusic pic.twitter.com/nI6upemD4f
— D r e a m k i d (@dreamkid83) January 24, 2023

The film explores themes of crime, corruption and the blurring of the lines between human and machine. RoboCop is programmed with three primary directives: serve the public trust, protect the innocent, and uphold the law. The film was both a commercial success and a critical success and has since spawned a franchise that includes multiple sequels, television series and a reboot.

Tron (1982)

Tron is a 1982 science fiction film directed by Steven Lisberger and written by Lisberger and Bonnie MacBird. The film stars Jeff Bridges as Kevin Flynn, a computer programmer who becomes trapped inside a computer-generated virtual world called “The Grid.”

Once inside, he must compete in gladiatorial games in order to escape. The film explores themes of technology and artificial intelligence and the concept of a virtual world existing within a computer system.

Tron was a box office disappointment, but later, it became a cult classic, credited with pioneering computer-generated imagery and influencing the development of the cyberpunk genre. It also spawned a franchise, which includes multiple sequels, a Disney XD animated series and a reboot.

Total Recall (1990)

Total Recall is directed by Paul Verhoeven and written by Ronald Shusett, Dan O‘Bannon and Gary Goldman. It stars Arnold Schwarzenegger as Douglas Quaid, a construction worker who begins to suspect that his life is not what it seems and that his memories of his past may have been implanted.

The film is based on the Philip K. Dick story We Can Remember It For You Wholesale and explores the nature of reality and the consequences of altering memories. The film is set in a future where Earth is experiencing severe overpopulation, and people are looking for an escape by traveling to a colony on Mars. Critics praised the film’s special effects, action sequences and performances, and it was a commercial success, grossing over $261 million worldwide.

Keith Comito on the benefits of blockchain tech and decentralization in longevity research

January 25, 2023 Coin Telegraph

Blockchain

The co-founder of Lifespan.io is harnessing the power of decentralization to support cutting-edge scientific and technological discoveries.

Lifespan.io President and co-founder Keith Comito was into longevity before longevity was cool.

“We started our nonprofit back in 2014,” Comito said. “Back then, few credible researchers would be caught dead saying they were working on aging. It was still kind of a scientific backwater. So, we wanted to emulate what the cancer research advocates did, starting in the ‘40s.”

He said those early advocates identified the most credible research at the time and used “old-school” fundraising approaches like telethons to crowdfund for their work. They built a grassroots movement and grew their scientific expertise. Through their efforts, defeating cancer is now an international priority with communities of millions of people crusading in the fight against this devastating disease that is closely linked to aging.

Comito said Lifespan.io is taking a similar approach but for all aging-related diseases. They’ve built a large community of people by sharing verified news about breaking developments in longevity, crowdfunding research using blockchain technology, and creating some of “the most successful YouTube collaborations in the space.”

“In 2017, I helped write the scripts for a popular series of aging videos that were the highest-viewed videos the week they came out, with 14 million views within days. That was huge to hit those numbers six years ago, and the like ratio was overwhelmingly positive.” This illustrated to the field, Keith said, that it was okay for longevity researchers to come out into the open and not be ashamed of their revolutionary and life-saving work.

Comito leverages various skills honed from a diverse background, including computer programming, biology, and mathematics. He has invented several metaverse-adjacent technologies, developed software that has been adopted in widely-used services like HBO Now, MLB at Bat and Disney+, and even accidentally created a top-charting Chuck Norris Joke Generator as a joke back in the early days of mobile applications. Today, he’s looking at ways to bring our world into the metaverse that not only excite us but also heal our minds and bodies as well. Keith sees the future of Web3 overlapping and supporting the future of longevity while tying in other hot sectors like gaming and VR.

Shaking up science

Comito said that one area he’s spent the last few years exploring is the pure fundraising capabilities of cryptocurrency, working with organizations such as Gitcoin and Angel Protocol to brainstorm new models of crypto philanthropy to fund scientific breakthroughs. Of course, a number of “crypto heavyweights are already supporting life extension research,” he says. Vitalik Buterin, for example, has supported several longevity projects, donating crypto to causes like the SENS Research Foundation. This connection goes all the way back to the birth of cryptocurrency - through the support of early cypherpunks like Hal Finney, says Comito, who theorizes the common thread is transcending boundaries, whether financial or biological, to lead humanity to a brighter future.

The potential of blockchain technology to drive longevity research goes far beyond raising money, particularly with respect to decentralized science, or “DeSci.” “There are promising potential treatments for Alzheimer’s which lack traditional profit motives, for example, ones that can be developed with blockchain-based crowdsourcing,” he said.

Therapies like flickering lights and sounds at certain frequencies could remediate dementia. Comito himself is working on such an approach with his colleagues at Lifespan.io - aiming to launch a first-in-kind decentralized clinical trial to test non-drug interventions for Alzheimer’s disease, with the blessing of government organizations like the National Institute of Health.

“There have been very public failures on the treatment of Alzheimer’s with traditional approaches,” Comito said. “Over a trillion dollars has been spent on research, with strikingly little progress.”

He said a non-drug solution discovered by a decentralized group of people on the internet would be a “complete earthquake.” Decentralized science, powered by groups like decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs), can also overcome issues associated with traditional research institutes. DAO governance promotes transparency and rewards productivity, aspects which can be instrumental in advancing longevity research.

“I think we tend to view organizations like the FDA and the NIH as being calcified and anti-crypto,” Comito said. “But my experience has been that leaders of such organizations actually want us to shake things up. With the help of blockchain technology, we can achieve medical advances so powerful and undeniable that existing systems will have no choice but to change.”

Crypto will power further innovation in the space

Comito acknowledges that crypto has some perception issues to overcome in the wake of the FTX collapse. However, he sees that as more of a product of the overall market. While it is true that it’s hard right now for charities to raise money, Comito is optimistic that we will see a future filled with exponential growth.

“Last year, a number of charities started dipping into crypto because the market was hot,” he said. “They’ve drunk the Kool-Aid, and now’s the time to build and find out who’s truly getting something interesting done. When the market recovers, these projects will be in great shape. We’re building tools to do something amazing in the next several years.”

Organizations like Endaoment and The Giving Block are laying the foundation for a philanthropic shift. In the longevity space, VitaDAO and the Longevity Science Foundation continue to fund cutting-edge research in the quest to help extend our lifespans and enrich our health. This could also look like crypto and blockchain technology eventually playing a role in streamlining data interactions which will have a role in facilitating longevity.

We are fast approaching a world where everyone can own their data, carrying it in their healthcare wallet. This can help eliminate bloated industry architecture that relies on paper records in so much of the world. In turn, this can accelerate opportunities for people to participate in clinical trials, reduce costs, facilitate payments to participants, limit emission-heavy travel, achieve diversity goals, and lead to more standardized data.

“Concerns have to be managed, but that is something we can do together as a crowd, which we consider a DAO of humanity,” Comito said. “Blockchain technology is not going away, and will have a key part to play in a future where all people will have sovereignty - not only over their currency and data but over their healthy lifespans as well.”

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Shaking up science

Crypto will power further innovation in the space

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