#ai algorithms

“Your AI-generated age verification system is nothing but predatory. Why prey through our search and watch histories unprovoked? Why put trust upon one of the most historically faulty and hallucinogenic systems, let alone one of your own? And why implement this for the “protection of children”, even though the algorithms of this service have historically exploited as many children as it has exploited the political division of this country?

“If YouTube was serious about kids’ safety, it would’ve taken more proper time to inform and give parents further means to secure that safety on their own behalf - they are after all *their* children, not yours. This AI-implementation is as much a knee-jerk reaction as you finally banning Alex Jones and InfoWars off the platform just because the families of the slaughtered Sandy Hook children were going to sue him in court, which also would’ve landed you squarely accountable for allowing that man to spread falsehoods and conspiracies about real murdered children for profit.

The fluorescent lamp functions on the principles of gas discharge and fluorescence. Inside the tube, low-pressure mercury vapor emits ultraviolet (UV) radiation when electrically excited. The inner surface of the tube is coated with a phosphor material, which absorbs the UV radiation and re-emits it as visible light. The lamp contains two heated electrodes (filaments) positioned at both ends of the tube to initiate and sustain the electrical discharge through the gas, as illustrated in Figure 1. 

Principle of Operation

When an AC voltage is applied to the fluorescent lamp, the filaments at both ends of the tube are heated, initiating thermionic emission, whereby electrons are released into the surrounding gas. These free electrons are accelerated by the applied electric field and collide with the low-pressure mercury vapor, causing ionization and rendering the gas partially conductive. As ionization increases, a stable current path, or arc discharge, is established between the electrodes, with the direction of electron flow reversing every half cycle due to the alternating nature of the supply. The collisions of high-energy electrons with mercury atoms result in the emission of ultraviolet (UV) photons (approximately 254 nm). These photons excite the phosphor coating on the inner surface of the glass tube, which subsequently re-emits the absorbed energy as visible light through the process of fluorescence. The specific phosphor composition determines the spectral characteristics of the emitted light, thereby defining the color of the lamp’s illumination.

Electrical Aspect

As the gas inside the fluorescent lamp becomes ionized, its electrical resistance drops sharply, requiring the ballast to limit current and prevent excessive current flow that could destroy the lamp or the power circuit. In addition, the starter and power supply provide the necessary ignition voltage and sustain the arc once the lamp is operating. 

The Ballast Circuit

The ballast power circuit at the steady-state operation is shown in Figure 2:

Figure 2. Simplified schematic of the electronic ballast circuit (adapted from Reatti, Alberto. “Low-cost high power-density electronic ballast for automotive HID lamp.” IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, vol. 15, no. 2, 2002, pp. 361–368).

This circuit is a two-stage electronic ballast designed to supply a controlled AC current to a gas discharge lamp (with ignitron or starting circuit). Its main objective is to limit current and ensure proper ignition and steady operation of the lamp.

The design consists of three main sections:

1. High-frequency resonant inverter (100 kHz)

2. Rectifier and DC-link filter

3. Low-frequency inverter (400 Hz) feeding the lamp

Current-Limiting Mechanisms

In the ballast circuit, current regulation is primarily achieved through the combined effects of capacitive reactance, inductive reactance, and controlled switching of the inverter.

Capacitive Reactance of CC​: The coupling capacitor CC​ is connected in series with the lamp, presenting an opposition to changes in current according to its capacitive reactance​. CC​ blocks any DC component, preventing excessive bias or runaway current through the lamp.

Inductive Reactance of LI​: The inductor LI​ introduces inductive reactance, which opposes sudden changes in current by storing energy in its magnetic field. During each half cycle, LI​ smooths the current waveform and limits transient spikes that could occur during ignition or switching transitions. The interaction between LI​ and CC​ often establishes a series resonant condition, allowing efficient energy transfer at the desired frequency while naturally restricting overcurrent conditions outside the resonant band.

Controlled Switching of the Inverter: The inverter’s switching devices (M1​, M2​) operate at a controlled frequency and duty cycle to modulate the output voltage applied to the lamp circuit. By adjusting the timing and sequence of switching, the inverter effectively governs the power delivered to the lamp, thus ensuring that the current remains within the specified operating limits.

Conclusion

The operation of the fluorescent lamp illustrates the intricate interplay between fundamental physical phenomena and applied electrical engineering. While the underlying mechanism of light emission arises from gas discharge and fluorescence, the realization of stable and efficient operation is primarily attributed to circuit engineering. Through the precise configuration of resonant inverters, rectifiers, and ballast components, engineers ensure appropriate voltage and current regulation, thereby safeguarding the lamp against electrical instabilities and enhancing its operational longevity.

Day 2

Update

1. Focusing on DSA only

2. Trying to read everyday 5-10 pages

3. Doing leetcode 1 ques everyday

4. Trying to improve my problem solving ability

5. Trying to do breathwork/ meditation everyday

6. Yoga daily in the morning

Today

1. Practising String questions right now

2. Did 1 leetcode ques and have 1 hr could do 2

3. Read for 30 min

In the web of technology, humanity is lost, trapped between threads of code and shimmering lights. We are fascinated spectators, but prisoners of innovation without mastery. In the cybernetic labyrinth, the secret is to dance between progress and understanding, to transform digital incantations into a rebellious symphony of autonomy, hoping not to lose ourselves.

Art generated by AI can be considered someone’s personal art because it reflects their choices, preferences, and creative input. While the AI algorithm may generate the initial output, the artist’s role is crucial in curating, selecting, and often fine-tuning the final result. They might guide the process by choosing the input data, adjusting parameters, or even post-processing the output. In this way, the artist imparts their unique vision, style, and emotions onto the artwork, making it a deeply personal expression of their creativity. Just like traditional artists who work with various mediums, AI artists use algorithms and technology as their tools to convey their ideas and feelings, resulting in artwork that is as personal and meaningful as any other form of artistic expression.

Ever wondered what it’s like to be an artist of AI-generated art? 🎨💻 Let me tell you, it’s a journey of imagination and innovation like no other. With the power of AI, we’re not just creators; we’re explorers of new realms of artistic expression. AI-generated art opens doors to infinite possibilities, where pixels and algorithms collide to form breathtaking masterpieces. It’s not about replacing human creativity; it’s about expanding it. Every stroke, every line, crafted in collaboration with the machine, gives birth to a new kind of beauty. So join me in celebrating AI-generated art as another stunning facet of human ingenuity and creativity. Let’s paint the future together!

(Artwork on this post is my own art work using AI)

Dear Sirs!

(or have some ladies also signed?)

A few days ago, you, Mr Musk, together with Mr Wozniak, Mr Mostaque and other signatories, published an open letter demanding a compulsory pause of at least six months for the development of the most powerful AI models worldwide.

This is the only way to ensure that the AI models contribute to the welfare of all humanity, you claim. As a small part of the whole of humanity, I would like to thank you very much for wanting to protect me. How kind! 🙏🏻

Allow me to make a few comments and ask a few questions in this context:

My first question that immediately came to mind:

Where was your open letter when research for the purpose of warfare started and weapon systems based on AI were developed, leading to unpredictable and uncontrollable conflicts?

AI-based threats have already been used in wars for some time, e.g. in the Ukraine war and Turkey. Speaking of the US, they are upgrading their MQ-9 combat drones with AI and have already used them to kill in Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq.

The victims of these attacks - don't they count as humanity threatened by AI?

I am confused! Please explain to me, when did the (general) welfare of humanity exist, which is now threatened and needs to be protected by you? I mean the good of humanity - outside your "super rich white old nerds Silicon Valley" filter bubble? And I have one more question:

Where was your open letter when Facebook's algorithms led to the spread of hate speech and misinformation about the genocide of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar?

Didn't the right to human welfare also apply to this population group? Why do you continue to remain silent on the inaction and non-transparent algorithms of Meta and Mr Zuckerberg? Why do you continue to allow hatred and agitation in the social media, which (at least initially) belonged to you without exception?

My further doubt relates to your person and your biography itself, dear Mr Musk.

You, known as a wealthy man with Asperger's syndrome and a penchant for interplanetary affairs, have commendably repeatedly expressed concern about the potentially destructive effects of AI robots in the past. I thank you for trying to save me from such a future. It really is a horrible idea!

And yet, Mr Musk, you yourself were not considered one of the great AI developers of Silicon Valley for a long time.

Your commitment to the field of artificial intelligence was initially rather poor. Your Tesla Autopilot is a remarkable AI software, but it was developed for a rather niche market.

I assume that you, Mr Musk, wanted to change that when you bought 73.5 million of Twitter's shares for almost $2.9 billion in April?

After all, to be able to play along with the AI development of the giants, you lacked one thing above all: access to a broad-based AI that is not limited to specific applications, as well as a comprehensive data set.

The way to access such a dataset was to own a large social network that collects information about the consumption patterns, leisure activities and communication patterns of its users, including their social interactions and political preferences.

Such collections about the behaviour of the rest of humanity are popular in your circles, aren't they?

By buying Twitter stock, you can give your undoubtedly fine AI professionals access to a valuable treasure trove of data and establish yourself as one of Silicon Valley's leading AI players.

Congratulations on your stock purchase and I hope my data is in good hands with you.

Speaking of your professionals, I'm interested to know why your employees have to work so hard when you are so concerned about the well-being of people?

I'm also surprised that after the pandemic your staff were no longer allowed to work in their home offices. Is working at home also detrimental to the well-being of humanity?

In the meantime, you have taken the Twitter platform off the stock market.

It was never about money for you, right? No, you're not like that. I believe you!

But maybe it was about data? These are often referred to as the "oil of our time". The data of a social network is like the ticket to be one of the most important AI developers in the AI market of the future.

At this point, I would like to thank you for releasing parts of Twitter's code for algorithmic timeline control as open source. Thanks to this transparency, I now also know that the Twitter algorithm has a preference for your Elon Musk posts. What an enrichment of my knowledge horizon!

And now, barely a year later, this is happening: OpenAi, a hitherto comparatively small company in which you have only been active as a donor and advisor since your exit in 2018, not only has enormous sources of money, but also the AI gamechanger par excellence - Chat GPT. And virtually overnight becomes one of the most important players in the race for the digital future. It was rumoured that your exit at the time was with the intention that they would take over the business? Is that true at all?

After all I have said, I am sure you understand why I have these questions for you, don't you?

I would like to know what a successful future looks like in your opinion? I'm afraid I'm not one of those people who can afford a $100,000 ticket to join you in colonising Mars. I will probably stay on Earth.

So far I have heard little, actually nothing, about your investments in climate projects and the preservation of the Earth.

That is why I ask you, as an advocate of all humanity, to work for the preservation of the Earth - with all the means at your disposal, that would certainly help.

If you don't want to do that, I would very much appreciate it if you would simply stop worrying about us, the rest of humanity. Perhaps we can manage to protect the world from marauding robots and a powerful artificial intelligence without you, your ambitions and your friends?

I have always been interested in people. That's why I studied social sciences and why today I ask people what they long for. Maybe I'm naive, but I think it's a good idea to ask the people themselves what they want before advocating for them.

The rest of the world - that is, the 99,9 percent - who are not billionaires like you, also have visions!

With the respect you deserve,

Susanne Gold

I have few vices as far as social media goes; I limit myself to YouTube and Pinterest and those keep me sufficiently online. I go back to these sites again and again not because they are always exceedingly entertaining, but because I am able to see many of my interests compiled before my eyes for my investigation, especially on Pinterest. When I visit it, a colorful collage of Images is set before me. Whether I engage with these interests in the physical world or not is irrellevant; I am able to experience the dope rush associated with them vicariously through these images.

But today, I was browsing as normal and I refreshed the page to find myself looking at like some uncanny rendering of my tastes on paper. A chunk of black and white TikTok screenshots of trad goth folk, like six consecutive ads for car organizers on aliexpress, and multiple veins of Jenna Ortega stock photos. These things make sense to show me if you are an amnesiac robot. Indeed, my tastes include goth fashion, I was looking at car accessories, and Jenna Ortega is like cool I guess, but I haven't saved such overt trad-gothiness in a bit, I have not been overly interested in such elaborate car organization systems, and I saved a couple pins of Jenna Ortega's character from Beetlejuice Beetlejuice because I liked her costume weeks ago.

The Pinterest algorithm is known to me as addicting at best, temperamental and frustrating at worst, which is to say that sometimes it works rather beautifully, serving me my delicious images on a silver platter; things I want to see and have been looking at. But then, sometimes it turns on a dime and shows me beachy mainstream influencers I've never seen or heard of, softcore porn, and large clusters of similar images in waves that are inspired by one thing you saved ages ago. Even when the algorithm is working normally, search results are annoyingly hyper-curated (ex. if I've been looking at Tudor fashion and suddenly switch to something adjacent but distinct it will bleed into the search results terribly). Others have complained of looking at one thing one time and then getting only that recommended to them for a while, but I don't experience that too badly most of the time.

Another quite bothersome thing is the constant updates to the app. Sometimes bugs are fixed but the nigh constant unnecessary changes to the UI just introduces new ones and makes the user experience worse. Never have I once noticed an update and been like "Ah, what a nice change!" it was fine like 4 updates ago when we could swipe down on pins to go back to the previous page and scroll through super long images instead of just viewing them incomprehensibly as incredibly skinny rectangles scaled to fit entirely on a phone screen.

The ONE nice thing is it does seem that they have added a "AI modified" tag (seemingly desktop only) to some images, but this confuses me further because I have only just noticed it today and when I looked it up to find out more, I found a Reddit post from 4 months ago noting it. An artist commented that some of their original lineart had been tagged as "AI modified", and another commenter described how those using AI on the dl could easily circumvent this sad attempt by Pinterest to seem on top of things. My point here is a) Pinterest is bad as rolling out updates(?) and b) Pinterest is bad at moderating the AI content slowly overtaking the platform (but who isn't ig?).

Edit: images to exemplify my points

Jenna Ortega is extremely cool I'm sure but I saved 3 pins of her in the specific Beetlejuice II costume ages and ages ago

2. Who is she ?? ft. more Jenna Ortega and a comic I am not familiar with