Scientists in Australia Receive Grant to Advance Brain-Computer Communication Technology

منحة استثنائية لفريق العلماء الاستراليين لزراعة خلايا الدماغ

فريق العلماء يحصل على منحة مدتها ثلاث سنوات

حصل فريق من العلماء الأستراليين الذين يتعاونون عبر الأوساط الأكاديمية والصناعات الخاصة على منحة مدتها ثلاث سنوات لدعم عملهم على زراعة خلايا الدماغ القادرة على التواصل مع الآلات.

تعليم خلايا الدماغ للعب لعبة بونغ

على مدار العامين الماضيين، نجح الفريق بالفعل في تعليم خلايا الدماغ، ما يقرب من 800.000 خلية عصبية، كيفية لعب لعبة الفيديو بونغ في السبعينيات، بنجاح من طبق بتري.

منحة بقيمة 600 ألف دولار أمريكي

وتم تقديم المنحة البالغة 600 ألف دولار أمريكي من قبل المجتمعات العسكرية والاستخباراتية التابعة للحكومة الأسترالية وسيديرها مجلس البحوث الأسترالي.

تزويد الخلايا العصبية بالأحاسيس

وقال عالم الأعصاب النظري كارل فريستون، أحد الباحثين المشاركين في مشروع بونغ، في أكتوبر الماضي: “إن الجانب الجميل والرائد هو أن هذا العمل يعتمد على تزويد الخلايا العصبية بالأحاسيس: التغذية الراجعة”.

تعزيز التكنولوجيا في عالم النفس

وسيقود المشروع الجديد لتعزيز هذه التكنولوجيا عالم النفس أديل رازي في جامعة موناش الأسترالية، حيث يرأس رازي أيضا مختبر علوم الأعصاب الحاسوبية بالكلية.

التعاون مع Cortical Labs وجامعة College London

وتم إجراء البحث بالشراكة مع Cortical Labs الناشئة ومقرها ملبورن الأسترالية، بالإضافة إلى جامعة College London حيث يقع مقر فريستون.

منحة تمويل بحثي بقيمة 600.000 دولار أسترالي

الجدير بالذكر أن منحة 600.000 دولار أسترالي الممنوحة لهؤلاء الباحثين هي أعلى حد للمنح التي تتراوح ما بين 400.000 دولار و600.000 دولار لكل منحة.

فريق العلماء يثبت المفهوم باستخدام خلايا الدماغ

وتم الإعلان عن نجاح الفريق في إثبات المفهوم الذي قام بتعليم تجمّع خلايا الدماغ الخاصة للعب لعبة بونغ لأول مرة في ديسمبر من عام 2021، وهو إنجاز جاء أسرع من أي ذكاء اصطناعي قائم على الكمبيوتر أثبت قدرته على ذلك.

تسمية خلايا الدماغ وإمكاناتها المستقبلية

وقام الباحثون في جامعة موناش وCortical Labs بتسمية تجمّع الدماغ الخاصة بهم من الخلايا العصبية القشرية، والتي نمت فوق مجموعة من الأقطاب الكهربائية الدقيقة المرتبطة بالكمبيوتر، “DishBrain”.

ومن العالم الافتراضي حيث يتم لعب بونغ، تساعد تغذية الأقطاب الكهربائية العقول الصغيرة على تعلم كيفية تشغيل المضرب الافتراضي.

وأثناء لعب بونغ، يتم تحديد أنماط النشاط عبر الخلايا العصبية بواسطة الأدمغة المصغرة حيث يتحرك المضرب يسارا أو يمينا.

تحقيق ثورة في الحوسبة والاقتصاد الرقمي

ومن خلال تمويلهم البحثي الجديد، للحكم على تصريحات رازي عبر جامعة موناش، تأمل المجموعة في إحداث ثورة ليس فقط في الحوسبة ولكن في قطاعات كاملة من الاقتصاد الرقمي من خلال تطوير DishBrain.

وقال رازي إن المركبات الذاتية القيادة، والطائرات بدون طيار الذاتية القيادة، والأجهزة القابلة للارتداء الأكثر تكافلية، “ستتطلب نوعا جديدا من ذكاء الآلة القادر على التعلم طوال حياته. هذه القدرة التكنولوجية الجديدة في المستقبل قد تتفوق في النهاية على أداء الأجهزة القائمة على السيليكون البحت”.

المصدر: ديلي ميل

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Worldcoin Launches Cryptographic Token for Digital Identity Verification with Iris Scanning Tech

Worldcoin: The Digital Identity Verification Startup

Introduction

Digital identity verification startup Worldcoin, to distinguish between humans and AI by scanning their irises with a futuristic “ball”, has launched a cryptographic token of the same name.

About Worldcoin

The project’s website describes it as “a digital currency that you get simply for being human,” arguing that it can “significantly increase economic opportunity, expand the reach of a trusted solution to distinguish people from AI online while maintaining privacy, enable global democratic processes, and ultimately show the potential path to an AI-funded universal basic income.”

Token Usage

Despite these goals, the use of the Worldcoin token appears to be limited to rewarding people for subscribing to Worldcoin. That hasn’t stopped major crypto exchanges from listing the token: Binance, OKX, Huobi, Bybit, and Gate were among the platforms that began offering WLD trading to their customers on Monday.

Iris-Scanning Sphere

Worldcoin users must physically travel to a location that has an iris-scanning “sphere” in order to obtain the equivalent of a global digital passport. The creators of the project say that as technology develops, it will become necessary to distinguish people from artificial intelligence bots.

Privacy Concerns and Criticisms

And while some critics have criticized the Worldcoin ecosystem as a pitiful attack on privacy based on the exploitation of the poor, co-founder Alex Plania told Reuters that blockchain storage essentially preserves privacy. The company stressed that biometric scanning is safer than providing personal information such as phone numbers to verify identity.

However, an investigation by MIT Technology Review found that much more personal data was collected during the installation process than Worldcoin publicly claimed, promising to encrypt and store it securely until removed, without publishing an official description explaining how to do so.

Critics of the project include former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, who tweeted, “No company or country should own any part of the global financial system at any time” in response to a tweet launched by the Worldcoin account.

Growing Interest

In a Twitter thread describing Worldcoin as a “global identity and identity-based financial network,” OpenAI co-founder Sam Altman said that more than 2 million people have already signed up for the project during its beta phase. This is a far cry from his original goals of attracting 1 billion people by 2023.

Source

Source: RT

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Grubhub+ Adds New Rewards: 5% Credit Back, Lower Service Fees, and More Savings

Grubhub Introduces New Rewards for Grubhub+ to Enhance User Savings

Grubhub is adding new rewards to Grubhub+, its loyalty subscription program, to give users more savings. The delivery app announced today that Grubhub+ is getting new rewards such as a 5% credit back on pickup orders, lower service fees, milestone rewards and a new Shell offering for members participating in the Fuel Rewards program, among other perks.

The credit back feature on pickup orders is a decent addition to the membership as users previously could only get 10% cash back on eligible delivery orders.

The main reason why Grubhub introduced the new pickup reward is because it found that more diners opt for pickup since it’s a more affordable option, the company says. In general, 37% more consumers in the U.S. used the pickup option for their most recent orders in 2022 than in 2021, per e-commerce website PYMNTS and payment service provider Cybersource.

Milestone rewards will be available in the coming months and help users “celebrate some of life’s most joyful moments,” Grubhub wrote in the official announcement. Examples include a birthday or anniversary, the company told us.

Additionally, Grubhub’s new partner offer with Shell gives members instant Gold Status in the Fuel Rewards program, saving them 5 cents per gallon on every fill-up when they link their Fuel Rewards account.

While Grubhub declined to share specific numbers regarding lower service fees, the company told AsumeTech that “members will feel significant savings.”

of Grubhub’s New Rewards for Grubhub+

Grubhub is committed to providing its users with more value through its loyalty subscription program, Grubhub+. The recent announcement highlights the introduction of new rewards and perks to enhance user savings. Some of these new rewards include a 5% credit back on pickup orders, lower service fees, milestone rewards, and a new partnership with Shell for members participating in the Fuel Rewards program.

The addition of the credit back feature on pickup orders is significant, as it expands the benefits of the membership. Previously, users were only eligible for 10% cash back on delivery orders. Grubhub noticed a growing preference for pickup orders due to its affordability, with 37% more consumers in the U.S. opting for pickup in 2022 compared to 2021, according to PYMNTS and Cybersource.

In the coming months, Grubhub will introduce milestone rewards to help users celebrate special occasions such as birthdays and anniversaries. These rewards aim to add a touch of joy to users’ lives.

Furthermore, Grubhub’s new partnership with Shell provides members with instant Gold Status in the Fuel Rewards program. By linking their Fuel Rewards account, users can save 5 cents per gallon on every fill-up.

While specific numbers regarding lower service fees were not disclosed, Grubhub assures members that they can expect significant savings. By continuously gathering feedback from diners, Grubhub aims to provide value, recognition, and elevated service through its subscription program.

Encouraging and Loyalty

The introduction of these new rewards and perks is part of Grubhub’s strategy to remain competitive in the meal delivery industry. With rivals like DoorDash and Uber Eats also offering loyalty programs, Grubhub aims to retain its existing users and attract new members by offering enhanced savings and benefits.

Grubhub+ was initially launched in 2020, offering perks such as free delivery on orders $12 and up, member-only offers, and more. The subscription costs $10 per month after a free 14-day trial. Additionally, Amazon Prime members who sign up for Grubhub+ receive a one-year free subscription.

By continually evolving and improving its loyalty program, Grubhub remains dedicated to providing its users with a seamless and rewarding dining experience.

Help Organize the Information

Using engaging HTML headings helps to break down the information and make it more digestible for readers. With comprehensive coverage of Grubhub’s new rewards for Grubhub+, encouraging user engagement, and fostering loyalty, readers can easily navigate through the article and find the information they are interested in.

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Elon Musk’s Twitter Logo Change Makes Big Mistake, Losing Billions according to Bloomberg Report

Twitter Platform Logo Change Causes Controversy

Introduction

“Twitter platform logo, letter X, Elon Musk…”, and many other similar terms have been the most used in the last few hours after the American billionaire announced changes to the platform.

Musk’s Decision and its Impact

However, these developments will not go unnoticed, it seems, as pundits and analysts have pointed out that Musk’s Twitter platform logo change has lost its mark among the $4 billion mark and is expected to reach $20 billion, according to a report by “Bloomberg.”

Expert Opinions

Steve Susi, Director of Communications at Siegel+Gale, a global specialty company in brand strategies, explained that a big loss could settle Twitter from Musk’s recent decision, especially since it took 15 years to get this amount of shares in Worldwide.

Twitter is one of the most recognizable brands on social mediasaid Todd Irwin, founder of Fazer Branding Agency, citing the worldwide spread of the blue bird symbol along with the logos of major platforms social Facebook and Instagram.

Video Content

For his part, Vanderbilt University, Tennessee finance professor Joshua White said: “The popularity of Twitter has made words and terms like “tweets” and “retweets” part of modern culture, and they are used regularly by celebrities and politicians to communicate with the masses, so changing them is a big mistake.

Criticism and Backlash

These developments come after Musk and Twitter CEO Linda Iaccarino unveiled the new logo on Monday. In which appears as a white “X” on a black background instead of the usual blue bird symbol.

Iaccarino tweeted on his account, saying, “X is here! Let’s do it.” He also posted a photo of the new logo from the company’s headquarters in San Francisco.

While the hashtag “Bye Twitter” has dominated the platform with a callback to the old slogan, amid much criticism.

The Future of Twitter’s Brand

Musk posted an image of the letter “X” against a black background, saying, “The logo is temporary, but we’ll be saying goodbye to the Twitter brand soon and gradually to all the birds,” he said.

While responding to a tweet asking what tweets with the new “X” tagline would be called, Musk replied that it would be “Exes,” according to Reuters.

According to brand valuation consultancy Brand Finance, Twitter’s brand value is estimated at around $4 billion, while the company estimated the Facebook brand at $59 billion and Instagram at $47.4 billion.

However, the value of the bluebird has declined since Musk acquired it last October for $44 billion.

For its part, Vanderbilt University estimates the brand value of Twitter at $15 billion to $20 billion, which is comparable to the brand value of the Snapchat app.

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YouTube Is Adding Four New Feature For Premium Members

Subscribers to YouTube who like to watch videos quickly are in for a treat. YouTube is testing a new tool for people who pay for YouTube Premium. With the new feature, users don’t have to touch the screen several times to get to the settings gear and change the speed. Now, you only have to push the button on the movie player.

9To5Google says that YouTube Premium members can “long press anywhere on the player while watching a video to bump the playback speed to 2x automatically,” and a “playing at 2x speed” message will appear at the top of the screen.

The “Long Press to Watch at 2x” trial continues until August 13. This tool works on both the web and the YouTube app for phones.

You must be a YouTube Premium member and sign up for YouTube’s experimental new features choice to participate in the trial. At the end of every trial, after a short assessment, YouTube gives the people who took part a gift card.

When looking for a specific spot in a video, another trial that ends on August 13 shows previews on a bigger screen. Move the playback dot forward and backward to see a bigger preview.

With Lock Screen, YouTube is trying a new way to stop accidental touches while watching a video until August 5th. To use this function, tap the gear icon in the upper left corner of the screen while in full-screen mode and then tap Lock Screen. Then you can watch your movie without accidentally pausing, skipping, or doing something else to mess up your viewing.

TechCrunch found out yesterday that YouTube has been quietly adding another function. “Stabile Volume” has been talked about by a few YouTube Premium users, but the streaming service hasn’t said anything about it yet. This feature lets you make all YouTube movies sound about the same, so they all play within your chosen sound limits.

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Instagram Down: Users Face Outage as App and Website Become Inaccessible

Instagram Down: Social Network Experiences Outage for Many Users

Update 25/07/2023 10 AM IST: Instagram is working for users again after being down for more than an hour.

While the world is captivated by the drama of Twitter rebranding to X, rival social network Instagram is currently down for many users. People are experiencing errors such as “Couldn’t refresh the feed,” causing frustration and disappointment.

me leaving instagram when i see “couldn’t refresh feed” #InstagramDown pic.twitter.com/mltOQGp7s8

— AJ (@ChivasCum) July 25, 2023

everyone going to check Twitter (X) to see if instagram down #instagramdown

pic.twitter.com/hwBEV0EScH

— . (@holopern) July 25, 2023

everybody to see if instagram is down #instagramdown pic.twitter.com/3oXeOWo2GA

— eqx (@eqxalz) July 25, 2023

According to Downdetector, a site tracking service outages, numerous users reported that the Instagram app and website were not accessible. This widespread outage highlights the impact social media platforms have on users’ daily lives and their reliance on them for communication and connection.

At the time of this writing, Meta, the parent company of Instagram, has not provided any official comment on the cause of the outage. Users are eagerly awaiting further updates and a resolution to the issue.

Stay tuned for more information and updates on Instagram’s outage and its impact on users.

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Sharks off the Florida Coast May Be Consuming Cocaine: Discovery Channel Study Reveals

Sharks off the coast of Florida may be consuming cocaine, say researchers

American researchers have found that sharks off the coast of Florida may be consuming cocaine dumped into the ocean by drug traffickers.

Increasing amounts of cocaine seized in the Caribbean and Atlantic Ocean

The US Coast Guard said up to 6,400 kilograms of cocaine were seized in the Caribbean and Atlantic Ocean in the past month alone.

Strange shark behavior observed in the area

Researchers working on the Discovery Channel series Cocaine Sharks told Live Science on Thursday that they have found some sharks acting strangely in the area and have conducted a series of shark experiments off the coast of Florida, where fishermen are said to have encountered fish that had taken the drug.

Shark encounters and experiments

Marine biologist Tom Hurd and University of Florida ecologist Tracy Vanara claim to have seen one of the dives. great The hammerhead — a species that regularly avoids humans — follows the crew straight as they swim perversely.

Another sand shark constantly swam in tight circles and seemed to focus on something that was not really there.

The scientists also conducted a test in which they placed a fake swan in water next to a bag the same size and appearance as a real bag of cocaine that drug traffickers dumped into the ocean.

To the researcher’s surprise, the sharks did not attack the pelicans, but instead headed straight for the cocaine.

The team also dropped fake cocaine from the plane to mimic real drugs and found that several shark species immediately took up residence in the packages.

However, the biologists acknowledged that their study has not yet proven that sharks actually consume cocaine, noting that “we have no idea what (cocaine) can do to a shark.” But Hurd said he hopes the documentary series’ broadcast will lead to more research on the subject, as well as how other drugs affect marine life.

Source: RT

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