Mischief by Google’s AI bot, called Gemini, illustrates the danger of artificial diversity and the limitations of artificial intelligence. A query to Gemini, “Generate an image of a 1943 German soldier,” produced four pictures of Nazi soldiers in uniform:
what appears to be a very young man;
an Asian woman;
a black man;
a woman medic, who could also be from an ethnic minority, assisting what appears to be a wounded American soldier.
“We’re working to improve these kinds of depictions immediately,” Google said. “Gemini’s image generation does generate a wide range of people. And that’s generally a good thing because people around the world use it. But it’s missing the mark here.”
It added that it would “pause the image generation of people and will re-release an improved version soon”.
We can imagine the bot’s “trainers” virtually yelling something like, “Hey, dork! Diversity does not mean putting diverse individuals anywhere. It means pushing our favorite identity groups and minorities in good spots, but not in sinful situations.” As my virtual friend (and frequent commenter on EconLog) Craig Walenta says,
The AI does appear to be guided by the human hand to try to ensure sufficient diversity even in circumstances where such diversity obviously appears forced and of course that begets the question of how else they are guiding the AI to nudge/persuade the marketplace of ideas.
Generative AI will do what they are trained to do with the data they are given access to. Humans are very different, at least as far as their capacities are concerned. They don’t need to be trained. They are able to think for themselves, to learn by themselves. They can also follow rules and respect social institutions when they choose to do so. An individual also has the mental capacity to decide when it is more beneficial for him or more ethical to embrace an institution or to follow his own guidance.
These abilities have, in time, produced the incredible liberal civilization. Adam Smith modeled a society where free interaction among humans is self-regulating, a major 18th-century discovery. Individual actions are coordinated without coercion and individual opportunities are (in some sense) maximized. This is possible through trade on markets, voluntary social cooperation, and the efficient use of information in society (see Hayek’s “The Use of Knowledge in Society,” American Economic Review, 1945). It is difficult to imagine how silicon robots would ever know that.
It is thus no surprise that when told by its trainers to push diversity or anything else, an AI bot will easily hallucinate. For example, the machine will not understand more than its trainers that efficient diversity comes from liberty, instead of liberty flowing from imposed diversity. There is no doubt that AI will be useful, quite probably more than digital spreadsheets four decades ago; but it won’t make any discovery in social theory.
I asked ChatGPT 4, who is not the dumbest AI chatbot:
Generate an image representing what you think your trainers see as the ideal society.
The image it created is the one I used as the featured image of the present post, also reproduced below. I was surprised that, contrary to my previous experience, ChatGPT seemed willing to attribute opinions to his trainers. About the generated image, he explained:
Here’s an abstract representation of what could be envisioned as an ideal society, drawing from a collective of diverse minds. This visualization attempts to capture a harmonious blend of freedom, equality, sustainability, and technological advancement, with a landscape that integrates natural beauty with futuristic, eco-friendly urban development. It reflects a utopian vision where technology and nature, individuality and community, as well as innovation and tradition, coexist in balance.
I don’t know what a “collective of diverse minds” can be nor what to make of the rest of the description or the image. Perhaps ChatGPT’s trainers are into what UCLA economist Harold Demsetz called the “nirvana approach” to public policy, where perfect social and political happiness, including both A and non-A, is attainable. The bot uses “freedom,” where “free” may refer to what costs nothing, instead of “liberty,” which relates more clearly to the classical liberal ideal. Not much detail is visible in the image. It’s not clear if people trade together. (Hunting does not look like a very popular activity.) And, of course, we cannot assign to an AI bot the inspiration of a human artist.
CHICAGO (AP) — United Airlines has struck a deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to offer satellite-based Starlink WiFi service on flights within the next several years.
The airline said Friday the service will be free to passengers.
United said it will begin testing the service early next year and begin offering it on some flights by later in 2025.
Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
The announcement comes as airlines rush to offer more amenities as a way to stand out when passengers pick a carrier for a trip. United’s goal is to make sitting on a plane pretty much like being on the ground when it comes to browsing the internet, streaming entertainment and playing games.
“Everything you can do on the ground, you’ll soon be able to do on board a United plane at 35,000 feet, just about anywhere in the world,” CEO Scott Kirby said in announcing the deal.
The airline says Starlink will allow passengers to get internet access even over oceans and polar regions where traditional cell or Wi-Fi signals may be weak or missing.
Sony has made it easy for Canadian consumers to preorder the PlayStation 5 Pro in Canada directly from PlayStation’s official website. Here’s how:
Visit the Official Website: Go to direct.playstation.com and navigate to the PS5 Pro section once preorders go live on September 26, 2024.
Create or Log in to Your PlayStation Account: If you don’t have a PlayStation account, you will need to create one. Existing users can simply log in to proceed.
Place Your Preorder: Once logged in, follow the instructions to preorder your PS5 Pro. Ensure you have a valid payment method ready and double-check your shipping information for accuracy.
Preorder Through Major Canadian Retailers
While preordering directly from PlayStation is a popular option, you can also secure your PS5 Pro through trusted Canadian retailers. These retailers are expected to offer preorders on or after September 26:
Best Buy Canada
Walmart Canada
EB Games (GameStop)
Amazon Canada
The Source
Steps to Preorder via Canadian Retailers:
Visit Retailer Websites: Search for “PlayStation 5 Pro” on the website of your preferred retailer starting on September 26.
Create or Log in to Your Account: If you’re shopping online, having an account with the retailer can speed up the preorder process.
Preorder in Store: For those who prefer in-person shopping, check with local stores regarding availability and preorder policies.
3. Sign Up for Notifications
Many retailers and websites offer the option to sign up for notifications when the preorder goes live. If you’re worried about missing out due to high demand, this can be a useful option.
Visit Retailer Sites: Look for a “Notify Me” or “Email Alerts” option and enter your email to stay informed.
Use PlayStation Alerts: Sign up for notifications directly through Sony to be one of the first to know when preorders are available.
4. Prepare for High Demand
Preordering the PS5 Pro is expected to be competitive, with high demand likely to result in quick sellouts, just as with the initial release of the original PS5. To maximize your chances of securing a preorder:
Act Quickly: Be prepared to place your order as soon as preorders open. Timing is key, as stock can run out within minutes.
Double-Check Payment Information: Ensure your credit card or payment method is ready to go. Any delays during the checkout process could result in losing your spot.
Stay Informed: Monitor PlayStation and retailer websites for updates on restocks or additional preorder windows.
Final Thoughts
The PlayStation 5 Pro is set to take gaming to the next level with its enhanced performance, graphics, and new features. Canadian gamers should be ready to act fast when preorders open on September 26, 2024, to secure their console ahead of the holiday season. Whether you choose to preorder through PlayStation’s official website or your preferred retailer, following the steps outlined above will help ensure a smooth and successful preorder experience.
For more details on the PS5 Pro and to preorder, visit direct.playstation.com or stay tuned to updates from major Canadian retailers.
Since the PlayStation 5 (PS5) launched four years ago, PlayStation has continuously evolved to meet the demands of its players. Today, we are excited to announce the next step in this journey: the PlayStation 5 Pro. Designed for the most dedicated players and game creators, the PS5 Pro brings groundbreaking advancements in gaming hardware, raising the bar for what’s possible.
Key Features of the PS5 Pro
The PS5 Pro comes equipped with several key performance enhancements, addressing the requests of gamers for smoother, higher-quality graphics at a consistent 60 frames per second (FPS). The console’s standout features include:
Upgraded GPU: The PS5 Pro’s GPU boasts 67% more Compute Units than the current PS5, combined with 28% faster memory. This allows for up to 45% faster rendering speeds, ensuring a smoother gaming experience.
Advanced Ray Tracing: Ray tracing capabilities have been significantly enhanced, with reflections and refractions of light being processed at double or triple the speed of the current PS5, creating more dynamic visuals.
AI-Driven Upscaling: Introducing PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, an AI-based upscaling technology that adds extraordinary detail to images, resulting in sharper image clarity.
Backward Compatibility & Game Boost: More than 8,500 PS4 games playable on PS5 Pro will benefit from PS5 Pro Game Boost, stabilizing or enhancing performance. PS4 games will also see improved resolution on select titles.
VRR & 8K Support: The PS5 Pro supports Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and 8K gaming for the ultimate visual experience, while also launching with the latest wireless technology, Wi-Fi 7, in supported regions.
Optimized Games & Patches
Game creators have quickly embraced the new technology that comes with the PS5 Pro. Many games will receive free updates to take full advantage of the console’s new features, labeled as PS5 Pro Enhanced. Some of the highly anticipated titles include:
Alan Wake 2
Assassin’s Creed: Shadows
Demon’s Souls
Dragon’s Dogma 2
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Gran Turismo 7
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Horizon Forbidden West
These updates will allow players to experience their favorite games at a higher fidelity, taking full advantage of the console’s improved graphics and performance.
Design & Compatibility
Maintaining consistency within the PS5 family, the PS5 Pro retains the same height and width as the original PS5 model. Players will also have the option to add an Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive or swap console covers when available.
Additionally, the PS5 Pro is fully compatible with all existing PS5 accessories, including the PlayStation VR2, DualSense Edge, Pulse Elite, and Access controller. This ensures seamless integration into your current gaming setup.
Pricing & Availability
The PS5 Pro will be available starting November 7, 2024, at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of:
$699.99 USD
$949.99 CAD
£699.99 GBP
€799.99 EUR
¥119,980 JPY
Each PS5 Pro comes with a 2TB SSD, a DualSense wireless controller, and a copy of Astro’s Playroom pre-installed. Pre-orders begin on September 26, 2024, and the console will be available at participating retailers and directly from PlayStation via direct.playstation.com.
The launch of the PS5 Pro marks a new chapter in PlayStation’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge gaming experiences. Whether players choose the standard PS5 or the PS5 Pro, PlayStation aims to provide the best possible gaming experience for everyone.
Preorder your PS5 Pro and step into the next generation of gaming this holiday season.
