September's Digital Life: AI Missteps, Digital Privacy, and the Future of Photos
Keep up to date on curated AI, security, tips, tricks and more with The Digital Life!
Hello and welcome to the September edition of "The Digital Life"! As we dive into fall, we're bringing you the latest on tech responsibility, AI blunders, and more.
In this issue:
The Big Think: Who’s responsible? A look at Big Tech’s role in content moderation.
Bad Checks on TikTok: Writing bad checks doesn’t get you free cash—just fraud!
SSN Breach Alert: Once again, Social Security Numbers are at risk.
AI Land: Why AI still trips up on the basics (like spelling “strawberry”).
New Tools: Discover Microsoft’s Copilot and the latest AI photo editing features.
Fall Sports: ESPN’s guide to help you catch all the action this season.
Bonus Round: A fun time-waster game and a must-watch video featuring Grace Hopper, USNR.
Don’t miss out—get ahead of the fall rush and reach out to us with any tech needs.
P.S. Look for more information about my limited enrollment, cohort-based course coming soon!
The Big Think - Who’s responsible anyway?
In this month’s "The Big Think," we’re tackling a topic that’s been simmering for years: the responsibility of tech companies when they choose to moderate content.
It's about time that these platforms, which have long benefited from the protections of Section 230, are held accountable for the content they allow to flourish. I agree with the recent judicial opinion—it’s clear that if tech companies are going to act as moderators, they should bear some responsibility for the consequences of those decisions.
Surveillance capitalism has created a digital landscape where profits are prioritized over safety, leading to a host of issues, from misinformation to harmful content spreading unchecked. While free speech is crucial, we need a balance that ensures our online spaces are safe and trustworthy without stifling genuine discourse. The ruling is a step in the right direction, aiming to curb the unchecked power of Big Tech while addressing the growing concerns around social media’s impact on society.
Matt Stoller does an excellent long-form analysis in his Substack “BIG”. We highly recommend this read!
Writing bad checks doesn’t get you free cash!
Sorry folks, writing bad checks isn’t the secret to free cash! That viral TikTok "Chase bank glitch" is just good old-fashioned check fraud. Keep it legal, and leave the stunts to the pros! 😂
Oh oh, the Social Security Numbers again
SSNs are up for grabs again! 😱 Fun fact (or not): Social Security numbers were never meant to be our primary identifier. When are we finally going to learn?
Check if your information was compromised by searching on this site. If your details are found, we recommend freezing your credit with all three bureaus for peace of mind. This won’t impact your daily finances unless you frequently apply for credit.
News from AI Land
Even with all its power, AI still manages to trip up on the basics—like spelling "strawberry" correctly. It's like asking a genius to spell "cat" and getting "khat" instead. 😂
Learn about Microsoft's Copilot, now built into Windows 11 and available in Office (with a premium subscription) for seamless AI assistance across your tasks!
As cool as the new AI photo editing features are on the new phones, they also blur the lines between what's real and what's not. With a few taps, you can change reality—exciting, but also a bit scary when it comes to truth in media.
Tips? We got ‘em!
Fall sports are back, but figuring out where to watch your favorite games has never been more confusing. Luckily, ESPN has you covered with a sports guide to help you catch all the action!
The Bonus Round: Where the Curiosities Live
Need a break? Test your gut instincts with this fun time-waster! See if you can guess what’s closer—it's trickier than you think!
Lastly, to close this issue and get your fall started, check out this recently released 1982 video from the NSA featuring one of my computing heroes, Grace Hopper, USNR. Even if you’re not in tech, it's worth the watch! Grace, who was 76 at the time and born before the car, shares her wisdom on breaking the glass ceiling, thinking outside the box, and plain old common sense. The intro alone is gold! 💯🙂👍