Daily Tech News 28 August 2024

Top Story

Why AI can't spell "strawberry". (Tech Crunch)

I've said before that currently popular AI models - which is to say, Large Language Models or LLMs - don't understand anything at all except language. They're language models. That's what they do, and it's all they do.

Except that's not quite true, because they don't understand language in any real way either.
The failure of large language models to understand the concepts of letters and syllables is indicative of a larger truth that we often forget: These things don't have brains. They do not think like we do. They are not human, nor even particularly humanlike.
Most LLMs are built on transformers, a kind of deep learning architecture. Transformer models break text into tokens, which can be full words, syllables, or letters, depending on the model.

"LLMs are based on this transformer architecture, which notably is not actually reading text. What happens when you input a prompt is that it's translated into an encoding," Matthew Guzdial, an AI researcher and assistant professor at the University of Alberta, told TechCrunch. "When it sees the word 'the,' it has this one encoding of what 'the' means, but it does not know about 'T,' 'H,' 'E.'"
Typeahead with delusions of grandeur.

Tech News

Microsoft has applied the same AMD speed improvements I mentioned yesterday to the current version of Windows 11. (Tom's Hardware)

So you don't need to upgrade to a new version; it will arrive with the regular monthly updates.
Don't buy tattoo ink from Amazon. (Ars Technica)

Unless you're a microbiology student looking for a great topic for your PhD thesis.
Can a YouTube video fix your wet phone? (The Verge)

Well, no, but curiously enough, sort of.

It's not the video, of course, but the audio that goes with it, which is designed to generate the lowest tones a phone speaker can produce at as loud a volume as possible.

And testing shows that this does eject water from the speaker. There's a video of it in action in the article.

If the water gets elsewhere inside the phone, though, it's probably toast.

Disclaimer: Or maybe crumpet.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at 04:24 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 G'morning Horde,

Nooding duties performed.

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at August 28, 2024 04:25 AM (O7YUW)

2 Zombie Robert Goddard sock off. G'night fokes.

Posted by: SFGoth at August 28, 2024 04:27 AM (KAi1n)

3 Mornin'

Posted by: Puddleglum, cheer up for the worst is yet to come at August 28, 2024 04:28 AM (sAmhv)

4 th

Posted by: m at August 28, 2024 04:28 AM (64Zez)

5 LOL

552 Hit the button, Pixy...

(G'morning Horde)
Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at August 28, 2024 04:09 AM (O7YUW)

Posted by: m at August 28, 2024 04:29 AM (64Zez)

6 GIGO v. AI. Sounds familiar.

Posted by: Hokey Pokey at August 28, 2024 04:29 AM (w45Lg)

7 AI. Like a child. Look at me, look at me. Look at me! Don’t look at me!

Posted by: Hokey Pokey at August 28, 2024 04:31 AM (w45Lg)

8 Morning insomniacs and those who stay up intentionally.

Posted by: Pete Bog at August 28, 2024 04:37 AM (ztcUG)

9 Pete Bog, A very good morning to you.

Posted by: Ben Had at August 28, 2024 04:41 AM (qLP0s)

10 Ben Had, a very good morning to you. You are up early. Or are you just getting in from a fine evening?

Posted by: Pete Bog at August 28, 2024 04:51 AM (ztcUG)

11 The OverNightThread got the scoop on Pixy:

555 .

NOOD

Pixy is here with the Tech Thread after a minor delay in France for improper use of a SHA512 signature.

NOOD
Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at August 28, 2024 04:25 AM (O7YUW)

Posted by: m at August 28, 2024 04:52 AM (64Zez)

12 They wanted the AI from The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress.
They'd settle for Rosie the Robot Maid from the Jetsons.
They've got Lie-Bot from Achewood.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at August 28, 2024 04:53 AM (BAEGB)

13 Pete Bog, early start. Lots of irons in the fire.

Posted by: Ben Had at August 28, 2024 04:55 AM (qLP0s)

14 If i wanted an unthinking automation that was casually wrong about everything, I'd watch the news.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at August 28, 2024 04:55 AM (BAEGB)

15 @11/m: A snark based on Pavel Durov's arrest in France.

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at August 28, 2024 04:56 AM (O7YUW)

16 Pixie, if you are still around can you clear something up for me?

AI is not sentient, nor conversant. Today at least it is extremely rapid pattern matching regurgitating what are effectively batch totals in a format that resembles language?

Not saying it’s useless, rather still just a database.

Posted by: Pete Bog at August 28, 2024 04:57 AM (ztcUG)

17 14 If i wanted an unthinking automation that was casually wrong about everything, I'd watch the news.
Posted by: Warai-otoko at August 28, 2024 04:55 AM (BAEGB)

casually wrong about everything and/because unburdened by what has been

Posted by: m at August 28, 2024 04:57 AM (64Zez)

18 15 @11/m: A snark based on Pavel Durov's arrest in France.
Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at August 28, 2024 04:56 AM (O7YUW)

I know, I know! Very funny!

Posted by: m at August 28, 2024 04:58 AM (64Zez)

19 G'Day everyone
Not supposed to be up yet

Posted by: Skip at August 28, 2024 04:59 AM (fwDg9)

20 casually wrong about everything and/because unburdened by what has been
Posted by: m at August 28, 2024 04:57 AM (64Zez)

You have stated the formula for governance in California.

Posted by: Pete Bog at August 28, 2024 05:00 AM (ztcUG)

21 Morning, all.
It's actually cool outside right now. Pretty little waning crescent moon among some bright stars.
Trying to kick whatever respiratory bug I picked up in Dallas- it's probably the coof, so I'm just waiting it out.
Have finally accepted that it takes twice as long to recover from anything than it used to. This is not a moral failing...

Posted by: Sal at August 28, 2024 05:05 AM (0w7qT)

22 AI is not sentient, nor conversant. Today at least it is extremely rapid pattern matching regurgitating what are effectively batch totals in a format that resembles language?

Not saying it’s useless, rather still just a database.
Posted by: Pete Bog at August 28, 2024 04:57 AM (ztcUG)

Maybe we're not all that smart after all, we're just really good at mashing symbols together in ways that result in positive feedback and decided to call that faculty "smartness".

Posted by: Warai-otoko at August 28, 2024 05:08 AM (BAEGB)

23 Maybe we're not all that smart after all, we're just really good at mashing symbols together in ways that result in positive feedback and decided to call that faculty "smartness".
Posted by: Warai-otoko at August 28, 2024 05:08 AM (BAEG

Probably more truth in that than we realize. Or care to admit. At least for conventional assessments of intelligence.

Posted by: Pete Bog at August 28, 2024 05:11 AM (ztcUG)

24 LA daughter sent us 'proof of life' pics from MI. They are there, the first grader has started to school and they even took the kids to his family place on the lake.
I guess she's MI daughter now...

Posted by: Sal at August 28, 2024 05:12 AM (0w7qT)

25 Sal,

Hope they like it. Better get your visit in before she is Michigan daughter in Winter.

Posted by: Pete Bog at August 28, 2024 05:15 AM (ztcUG)

26 I think my teeth are going to hell because i had to stop consuming dairy because i generally prefer not exploding into a crampy knot of gastrointestinal strife.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at August 28, 2024 05:16 AM (BAEGB)

27 Good morning, good people. May all efforts be beneficial to you this day. And may the leftwits enjoy massive anguish.

Posted by: IRONGRAMPA at August 28, 2024 05:21 AM (hKoQL)

28 G'mornin' everyone!

Posted by: sock_rat_eez - they have been lying to us for decades at August 28, 2024 05:22 AM (UWgy2)

29 "Overcoming discouragement ." A devotional on Jeremiah 20:1718

https://tinyurl.com/3mwyrukn

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 28, 2024 05:23 AM (JRgiW)

30 26 I think my teeth are going to hell because i had to stop consuming dairy because i generally prefer not exploding into a crampy knot of gastrointestinal strife.
Posted by: Warai-otoko at August 28, 2024 05:16 AM (BAEGB)

Calcium pills, maybe?

Posted by: m at August 28, 2024 05:30 AM (64Zez)

31 Have finally accepted that it takes twice as long to recover from anything than it used to. This is not a moral failing...
Posted by: Sal

Yup. Once you reach the exalted age of 29 your body just kind of takes it easy.

Posted by: Tuna at August 28, 2024 05:30 AM (oaGWv)

32 Yesterday. Emmie brought up Psalm 35; 1-8
and several of us thought that we might pray that psalm daily in respect to President Trump, changing "my" to "his" .

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 28, 2024 05:33 AM (DBJwx)

33 25 Sal,

Hope they like it. Better get your visit in before she is Michigan daughter in Winter.
Posted by: Pete Bog at August 28, 2024 05:15 AM (ztcUG)

They come to us, b/c she gets homesick and I don't fly or do snow.
He's from there and she's lived there, so they are prepared.

Posted by: Sal at August 28, 2024 05:33 AM (0w7qT)

34 Good morning morons

Posted by: San Franpsycho at August 28, 2024 05:34 AM (RIvkX)

35 BOING!

Jordan Peterson wins an easy chess match:

https://tinyurl.com/3vmc3mar

Not too far away, someone did something to somebody:

https://tinyurl.com/kxr25wpu

Lunchtime!

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at August 28, 2024 05:34 AM (rdEIA)

36 by: Warai-otoko at August 28, 2024 05:16 AM (BAEGB

Have you tried lactaid tablets before consuming dairy!? It helps me. I also use lactaid free milk.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 28, 2024 05:34 AM (DBJwx)

37 Calcium pills, maybe?
Posted by: m at August

Lactaid products maybe.

Posted by: Tuna at August 28, 2024 05:35 AM (oaGWv)

38 Good morning, good people. May all efforts be beneficial to you this day. And may the leftwits enjoy massive anguish.
Posted by: IRONGRAMPA at August 28, 2024 05:21 AM (hKoQL)
-

Have you tried goats milk?

Howzabout lack toes free milk?

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at August 28, 2024 05:35 AM (rdEIA)

39 32 Yesterday. Emmie brought up Psalm 35; 1-8
and several of us thought that we might pray that psalm daily in respect to President Trump, changing "my" to "his" .
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 28, 2024 05:33 AM (DBJwx)

Nice. The Divine Office is basically nothing but psalms, so that comes up in the rotation.
But praying it specifically for him would be good.

Posted by: Sal at August 28, 2024 05:37 AM (0w7qT)

40 Have you tried goats milk?

Howzabout lack toes free milk?
Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at August 28, 2024 05:35 AM (rdEIA)
-

Oops. Meant to be addressed to Warai-otoko. One more question:

Does hard cheese also affect you or only liquid milk products?

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at August 28, 2024 05:37 AM (rdEIA)

41 38
Howzabout lack toes free milk?
Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at August 28, 2024 05:35 AM (rdEIA)

Lack ... toes?

Posted by: m at August 28, 2024 05:40 AM (64Zez)

42 The statement includes signatures from Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, Courtney Kennedy, Kerry Kennedy, Chris Kennedy and Rory Kennedy.

OK, I'm behind. But maybe someone here can help me out. IIRC, Booby and Ethel had 11? kids.

So this is 5 against him. What do others think?

Let's see David? died of a drug OD. Remember, he was a troubled young man w/ a drug addiction? Yes, when he went to an Easter family gathering at the Palm Beach homestead, he wasn't allowed to stay at the family compound. Instead, he had to stay at a local motel where he died alone of a drug overdose.

Nice family. So there's RFK Jr, 5 opposing him, 1 dead, where are the other 4 on this? And old Ethel is still kicking and hasn't said sheet.

Posted by: Farmer, with my own historical take at August 28, 2024 05:41 AM (55Qr6)

43 Morning all

Posted by: rickb223 Gold & Silver Spot Prices at August 28, 2024 05:45 AM (iqPkc)

44 "Howzabout lack toes free milk?"

He probably wants to hang onto his toes as well his teeth

Ahh, the amusement of autocorrect.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 28, 2024 05:46 AM (o3Uyl)

45 Surprised Pixy had no comment on Zuckerberg's admission that Facebook is a tool of the censorship-pornography-child sex trafficking junta.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at August 28, 2024 05:46 AM (RIvkX)

46 Tea. Earl Grey. Hot.

Posted by: Captain Obvious, Laird o' the Sea, Radioactive Knight, Concertina Czar at August 28, 2024 05:48 AM (VdhcA)

47 Does Biden and Kamala have another busy day today. The work load on Kamala must me tremendous, but she has a staff to do a lot of the work. Biden is probably on vacation in Delaware with the labor day holiday coming. Is he given any useful work to do anymore?

Posted by: Colin at August 28, 2024 05:48 AM (e8qy3)

48 https://tinyurl.com/kxr25wpu

Mrs. F. has convinced herself she saw a targeted attack like that live on camera.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at August 28, 2024 05:49 AM (RIvkX)

49 Thanks for attaching the passages, Fen.

Posted by: TeeJ at August 28, 2024 05:51 AM (aCV/b)

50 Little wake up music. Since we're talking about the Kennedy's.

https://youtu.be/QVcNfiRWS6U?si=qMy4IVGNNskCjLAn

I'm going to bed here in a bit though.

Posted by: Puddleglum, cheer up for the worst is yet to come at August 28, 2024 05:53 AM (sAmhv)

51 Harris-Walz blast-out to supporters sounds exactly like a bitter ex-wife:

Hi all,

This afternoon, the most unpopular VP pick in history, JD Vance, is set to deliver remarks "on the economy, inflation, and manufacturing" in Big Rapids, Michigan. He will undoubtedly lie, gaslight, and try to run away from the truth about what a Trump-Vance administration would do to the middle class.

Posted by: m at August 28, 2024 05:54 AM (64Zez)

52 >42

Ah, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend. The gubernatorial candidate so bad that MD elected the human frown Bob Ehrlich instead of her.

Posted by: J. Frank Parnell at August 28, 2024 05:57 AM (RXJdG)

53 Harris-Walz blast-out to supporters sounds exactly like a bitter ex-wife:
Hi all,
This afternoon, the most unpopular VP pick in history, JD Vance, is set to deliver remarks "on the economy, inflation, and manufacturing" in Big Rapids, Michigan. He will undoubtedly lie, gaslight, and try to run away from the truth about what a Trump-Vance administration would do to the middle class.
Posted by: m at August 28, 2024 05:54

Wait, I thought this was a party about JOY? Go figure, it turns out they are the same old liars.

Posted by: Farmer, with my own historical take at August 28, 2024 05:58 AM (55Qr6)

54 Let's see David? died of a drug OD. Remember, he was a troubled young man w/ a drug addiction? Yes, when he went to an Easter family gathering at the Palm Beach homestead, he wasn't allowed to stay at the family compound. Instead, he had to stay at a local motel where he died alone of a drug overdose.

Nice family. So there's RFK Jr, 5 opposing him, 1 dead, where are the other 4 on this? And old Ethel is still kicking and hasn't said sheet.

Posted by: Farmer, with my own historical take

Michael est mort. Ploughed into a tree while skiing.

Posted by: Tuna at August 28, 2024 06:00 AM (oaGWv)

55 Why does every vehicle on the road have one headlight BRIGHTER than the other?

Posted by: rickb223 Gold & Silver Spot Prices at August 28, 2024 06:01 AM (iqPkc)

56 https://tinyurl.com/28rswc9e
21 Questions for Kamala
The NYT is So. Fvcking. Pathetic.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at August 28, 2024 06:02 AM (RIvkX)

57 Morning, 'rons and 'ettes.

Posted by: olddog in mo at August 28, 2024 06:03 AM (hoCmQ)

58 @55 This is a communist plot designed to infuriate you.
Sounds as if it worked.

Posted by: IRONGRAMPA at August 28, 2024 06:05 AM (hKoQL)

59 And old Ethel is still kicking and hasn't said sheet.

Posted by: Farmer

I don't think she's said anything but "bbbttgftjjcftc" in the last fifty years.

Posted by: rickb223 Gold & Silver Spot Prices at August 28, 2024 06:06 AM (iqPkc)

60 As far as i can make out, Harris's entire platform can be summarized as "you'd be prettier if you smiled more, voters."

Posted by: Warai-otoko at August 28, 2024 06:07 AM (BAEGB)

61 headlights are not aimed straight ahead, more like down and to the side - one of them is pointed closer to oncoming traffic than the other, thus the effect of seeming brighter.

my opinion, guaranteed to be worth what it cost

Posted by: sock_rat_eez - they have been lying to us for decades at August 28, 2024 06:09 AM (UWgy2)

62 Good morning early risers!

Posted by: Rosasharn at August 28, 2024 06:11 AM (PzBTm)

63 headlights are not aimed straight ahead, more like down and to the side - one of them is pointed closer to oncoming traffic than the other, thus the effect of seeming brighter.

my opinion, guaranteed to be worth what it cost
Posted by: sock_rat_eez

I could buy that, if it was the same headlight on every vehicle. I'm thinking more along the lines of the regular bulb is burnt out and they're too cheap to replace it so they just run their highbeams all the time.

Posted by: rickb223 Gold & Silver Spot Prices at August 28, 2024 06:12 AM (iqPkc)

64 Why does every vehicle on the road have one headlight BRIGHTER than the other?

--

I think some Fords now require you to bring the car to the dealer to have the LED headlight aimed/adjusted.

Not having alignment adjustment screws is progress, citizen.

Posted by: Moron Robbie - What is WWW short for? at August 28, 2024 06:15 AM (dnuTg)

65 58 @55 This is a communist plot designed to infuriate you.
Sounds as if it worked.

Posted by: IRONGRAMPA

Kind of like that Charles Bronson movie 'Telefon', but with bright head lights.

Posted by: Puddleglum, cheer up for the worst is yet to come at August 28, 2024 06:17 AM (sAmhv)

66 Someone the other day requested some amusing stories from the Bible. Here are some from a site called "faithfoundedonfact.com"

https://tinyurl.com/3m6xu6dv

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 28, 2024 06:17 AM (3dxku)

67 JFKjr unexpectedly disassembled a plane

Posted by: Jamaica at August 28, 2024 06:17 AM (28cZF)

68 - If you read down further in Psalm 35 you may just be reminded of something Some Guy said in Matt 5:43-48.

Posted by: TeeJ at August 28, 2024 06:18 AM (aCV/b)

69
Don't buy tattoo ink from Amazon. (Ars Technica)

--

The comments are pretty funny

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at August 28, 2024 06:19 AM (Ydd86)

70 JJ is nood.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at August 28, 2024 06:20 AM (T7iTv)

71 well, yeah, rickb, that is another possibility, I've seen that in action

Posted by: sock_rat_eez - they have been lying to us for decades at August 28, 2024 06:21 AM (UWgy2)

72 Kathleen Kennedy Townsend

-

That's hilarious. "I love you, babe, but we'll get better seats at restaurants if people know who I am."

Posted by: Moron Robbie - What is WWW short for? at August 28, 2024 06:21 AM (dnuTg)

73 Michael est mort. Ploughed into a tree while skiing.
Posted by: Tuna at August 28, 2024 06:00

I knew I was missing another dead one. Was that before or after Sonny Bono? Thankfully I'm too old to try that.

So RFK Jr has 5 siblings opposing him, 2 decd, that leaves 3 that didn't diss him. One is Douglas whom I've seen as a reporter on Fox. He might be sane, who knows.

Oh and Jules pointed out his second wife is Cheryl Hines. Wonder if she's on board with him endorsing Trump.

Posted by: Farmer, with my own historical take at August 28, 2024 06:26 AM (55Qr6)

74 Time to take.a walk. look for some white and blue herons and appreciate God's artistry in nature.

Count your blessings and keep on praying!

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 28, 2024 06:31 AM (dTTBf)

75 yes this is an excellent point

tell Elon Grok 3.0 should understand letters

it can be done

Posted by: TallDave at August 28, 2024 08:51 AM (LXyJ7)

76 sock off

Posted by: stu-mick-o-sucks at August 28, 2024 09:30 AM (w9Wax)

77 I mean, fundamentally LLMs are pattern matching systems that can pull patterns out of noise, or see when one pattern matches another with more throughout than a standard human*. It's very useful, when used in that capacity.

*Yes, humans can do it better in spot checks, but we cannot maintain the concentration to outperform it over long durations. Which is why you need to layer them. An AI does first pass sweeps, and pushes the edge cases to a human who can confirm that no, that is a pineapple, not a dock.

Posted by: Voyager at August 28, 2024 01:27 PM (NiP3H)

78 If you are looking for Linux Speech to Text functionality, try out Speech Note.

https://tinyurl.com/34a73zks

Speech Note uses OpenAI’s Whisper speech recognition to perform local speech recognition (no remote voice capture or processing).

If you use Linux Mint, it is available in the Software Manager

>>>Speech Note let you take, read and translate notes in multiple languages. It uses Speech to Text, Text to Speech and Machine Translation to do so. Text and voice processing take place entirely offline, locally on your computer, without using a network connection. Your privacy is always respected. No data is sent to the Internet.

https://flathub.org/apps/

net.mkiol.SpeechNote

Does translation, too.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at August 28, 2024 02:17 PM (i24o9)

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