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2023: The year we played with artificial intelligence – and weren’t sure what to do about it

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 18:51:51 GMT

Artificial intelligence went mainstream in 2023 — it was a long time coming yet has a long way to go for the technology to match people’s science fiction fantasies of human-like machines.Catalyzing a year of AI fanfare was ChatGPT. The chatbot gave the world a glimpse of recent advances in computer science even if not everyone figured out quite how it works or what to do with it.“I would call this an inflection moment,” pioneering AI scientist Fei-Fei Li said. “2023 is, in history, hopefully going to be remembered for the profound changes of the technology as well as the public awakening. It also shows how messy this technology is.”It was a year for people to figure out “what this is, how to use it, what’s the impact — all the good, the bad and the ugly,” she said.PANIC OVER AIThe first AI panic of 2023 set in soon after New Year’s Day when classrooms reopened and schools from Seattle to Paris started blocking ChatGPT. Teenagers were already asking the chatbot — re...

Father, stepmother and uncle of 10-year-old girl found dead in UK home deny murder charges

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 18:51:51 GMT

LONDON (AP) — The father, stepmother and uncle of a 10-year-old girl found dead in her U.K. home pleaded not guilty on Thursday to murder charges. Sara Sharif’s body was discovered under a blanket in a bunk bed at her home in southern England on Aug. 10. Sara’s father, Urfan Sharif, 41; his partner Beinash Batool, 29; and his brother, 28-year-old Faisal Malik, are charged with murder and causing or allowing the death of a child.The three suspects, who are remanded in a prison, appeared by video link on Thursday at London’s Central Criminal Court to deny the charges ahead of a trial scheduled for September 2024.The trio had left the U.K. for Islamabad, the Pakistani capital, a day before police discovered the girl’s body in Woking, 20 miles (32 kilometers) southwest of London. Police in Pakistan found the three defendants after an extensive search and put them on a flight to the U.K. on Sept. 13. They were arrested upon arriving at London’s Gatwick Airport.Prosecuto...

Ireland’s prime minister urges EU leaders to call for Gaza cease-fire at their summit

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 18:51:51 GMT

BRUSSELS (AP) — Ireland’s prime minister Leo Varadkar said on Thursday that the European Union is losing its credibility because of a lack of a strong position in the war between Israel and Hamas, urging his counterparts to call for a humanitarian cease-fire.Speaking at the start of a EU summit in Brussels focusing more on Ukraine, Varadkar said the EU should condemn “terrorism perpetrated by Hamas,” but also call for justice for the Palestinian people.The 27 EU countries have long been divided in their approach to Israel and the Palestinians. At their previous meeting in October, EU leaders called “for continued, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access and aid to reach those in need through all necessary measures, including humanitarian corridors and pauses for humanitarian needs.” Varadkar said he hopes they will achieve “stronger wording” this time.“I think the European Union has lost credibility because of our inability to take a stronger and more united position on Israe...

Apple to address security vulnerability with new iOS setting

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 18:51:51 GMT

(The Hill) -- A new iOS setting designed to address security vulnerabilities has been rolled out to beta testers as of Tuesday, according to Fox Business. A security issue has allowed thieves to take over customers’ iPhone accounts, access saved passwords, lock people out of their digital memories and steal money — all of which Apple said the new setting is designed to address.A nationwide series of thefts was reported by the Wall Street Journal in which thieves in New York, Chicago, New Orleans, Minneapolis and other cities watched iPhone users unlock their phones before stealing the devices using the phone passcode. Nearly half of American teens on social media ‘almost constantly’: Study Apple is planning to include Stolen Device Protection in an upcoming software update to combat the attacks. Once the setting is turned on, users will enable their phones to restrict certain settings when the person is away from a location, such as their work or home, that is not recognizabl...

Earliest version of Mickey Mouse, along with Minnie, Tigger to become public domain in 2024

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 18:51:51 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — M-I-C-K-E-Y will soon belong to you and me.With several asterisks, qualification and caveats, Mickey Mouse in his earliest form will be the leader of the band of characters, films and books that will become public domain as the year turns to 2024.In a moment many close observers thought might never come, at least one version of the quintessential piece of intellectual property and perhaps the most iconic character in American pop culture will be free from Disney's copyright as his first screen release, the 1928 short “Steamboat Willie," featuring both Mickey and Minnie Mouse, becomes available for public use.“This is it. This is Mickey Mouse. This is exciting because it’s kind of symbolic," said Jennifer Jenkins, a professor of law and director of Duke’s Center for the Study of Public Domain, who writes an annual Jan. 1 column for “Public Domain Day.” ”I kind of feel like the pipe on the steamboat, like expelling smoke. It’s so exciting."FILE - An a...

Man found dead with gunshot wounds in Manor Walmart parking lot, police say

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 18:51:51 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A man was found dead with multiple gunshot wounds in the Walmart parking lot in Manor, according to police. The Manor Police Department said on social media at 5:30 a.m. they were on the scene of a shooting in the parking lot of Walmart located at 11923 Hwy 290. A man was found dead with "multiple gunshot wounds," police said. Manor PD added investigators believe this was an isolated incident and there is no risk to the public. This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

4 displaced after total loss house fire in southwest Austin

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 18:51:51 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Two children and their parents were displaced after their home was lost in a fire overnight.The Austin Fire Department said on social media crews from AFD and Westlake Fire responded to the house fire, which was in southwest Austin near Lost Creek and Loop 360. House in southwest Austin a "total loss" after overnight fire, AFD says. Four people were displaced. (Photo: Austin Fire Department) House in southwest Austin a "total loss" after overnight fire, AFD says. Four people were displaced. (Photo: Austin Fire Department) AFD said crews were called to the scene at 3:30 a.m.Fire spread from the back of the house to the attic and throughout the house, according to AFD. Everyone got out safely after smoke detectors alerted them to the fire, and no injuries were reported. The house was a total loss in the fire, AFD said.

5 things to know this Thursday, December 14

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 18:51:51 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Happy almost Friday! According to Meteorologist Kevin Appleby, we can expect some nighttime clouds after a sunny morning this Thursday. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! The holiday season is also cold and flu season. Officials in Warren County are taking precautions to fight some of the common illnesses during this period. Mask mandates have gone into effect in New York hospitals in light of this. Also, with the College of Saint Rose closing its doors in Spring 2024, Siena College is helping current students there with transferring. These stories, and more, are covered in your five things to know this Thursday morning. 1. Mask mandates going into effect at NY hospitalsIt’s that time of year again. The holiday season is also cold and flu season. Officials in Warren County are taking precautions to fight some of the common illnesses during this period.2. Siena talks next steps for Saint Rose studentsThe College of...

Ask Amy: Financial instability can wind up generational

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 18:51:51 GMT

Dear Amy: My son married a wonderful woman several years ago. They have a 1-year-old child.I genuinely like her side of the family and have a good relationship with her mother, “Marianne.”My issue is with Marianne’s financial irresponsibility, which is an apparent generational ingrained pattern.My son and his wife just purchased their first home. They both make enough to pay the bills — but just barely.Her mother has a good career and makes very good money at her job.However, she has very little to show for it, with no savings or home ownership.There are many examples of her being impulsive and wasteful.The issue is her regularly needing and asking for help with her bills or unexpected expenses.If she was less impulsive with her spending, she wouldn’t have to do this.This puts a burden on my son and his wife and creates friction.My DIL’s extended family are in no position to help.Related ArticlesAsk Amy | Ask Amy: Patience with the elderly in-laws is waning Ask...

Fisheries ministers adopt 2024 fishing opportunities for the North-East Atlantic, the Mediterranean and the Black Sea

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 18:51:51 GMT

On 12 December, the Council agreed on fishing opportunities for 2024 for the fish stocks managed by the EU in the Atlantic, Kattegat and Skagerrak, as well as the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius said: “We had intense negotiations spanning over three days. For the Commission and me personally, it was important to reach an agreement that is both balanced and responsible - preserving fishers' livelihoods in the long term, and improving the chances for stock recovery and healthier stocks. Finally, I would like to thank fishers for their tremendous efforts over recent years to fish sustainably and to live up to their key role.”In the North-East Atlantic, the Council set 14 total allowable catches (TACs) in line with maximum sustainable yield (MSY) advice as proposed by the Commission. This includes an increase for megrims, anglerfish, hake, horse mackerel in the Iberian waters, as well as undulate rays. The Council has...