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AI can predict virus outbreaks...

AI can predict virus outbreaks...

Hunter Kallay
October 16, 2023

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Good morning! Welcome to a new week of fresh and crispy AI updates—let’s dive in. 🦾

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🤯 MYSTERY AI LINK 🤯

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Today’s Menu

Appetizer: Church pastor says AI service won’t happen again ⛪️

Entrée: Disney film’s AI actors spark controversy 🤖

Dessert: AI can help predict virus outbreaks 🦠

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CHURCH PASTOR SAYS AI SERVICE WON’T HAPPEN AGAIN ⛪️

We are all gathered here today … to be led in worship by a robot? 🤖

What happened? Pastor Jay Cooper of the Violet Crown City Church in Austin, Texas recently experimented with AI technology to compose an entire church service (full video of the service above). While the endeavor was meant to explore the potential of AI in a religious context, it quickly became clear that there are limitations to what AI can bring to the spiritual experience.

What were the results of the service? Cooper's decision to let ChatGPT generate all elements of the service, including the sermon and children's message, resulted in mixed feedback. He noted that the AI's script could be offbeat, making odd jokes and metaphors that didn't resonate with the congregation. Additionally, while it acknowledged the central Christian belief that truth is found in Jesus, it lacked the human touch and the spirit empowerment that typically characterize traditional religious services.

The takeaway? While it was a valuable learning experience, Cooper and his congregation decided that it would remain a one-time experiment, as the general consensus was that the human element and the spiritual essence of worship were irreplaceable. This experiment underlines the importance of carefully discerning the use of AI to ensure that the sacred remains sacred and technology serves as a complement rather than a substitute for genuine spiritual experiences.

"This was a one-time deal. We will not be doing this again. The general take home from our people was, ‘I'm glad we did it and let's never do that again.’ You know, it was a good exercise. We learned a lot. And we'll try to discern how can this be used in ministry."

-Pastor Jay Cooper

DISNEY FILM’S AI ACTORS SPARK CONTROVERSY 🤖

A scene from the movie “Prom Pact,” featuring a row of AI extras.

AI is always looming in the background … 👀

What’s up? A recent Disney teen film, "Prom Pact," has come under the spotlight due to a brief yet unsettling moment which includes AI extras. A clip from the movie, originally released in March, has recently resurfaced on social media.

What’s the questionable scene? In the scene, a cheering crowd gathers at a high school basketball game. While most of the audience appears to be regular human actors, a closer inspection reveals a disturbing row of "digital models." These figures, added in post-production, appear unnaturally stiff and lifeless, resembling animated blow-up dolls rather than real people.

What are the concerns? The use of these digital extras has raised eyebrows, with some calling them "horrendous" and "abominations." Many of the concerns have been about how these AI extras are taking acting opportunities away from human performers, adding to the already heated conversation of AI’s role in acting and film production.

AI CAN HELP PREDICT VIRUS OUTBREAKS 🦠

Did you hear the joke about the germ? Never mind, I don’t want to spread it around. 😅

What’s up? Researchers at Harvard Medical School and the University of Oxford have developed a tool called, “EVEscape,” which combines predictive evolutionary modeling with detailed biological and structural information about viruses. By doing so, it can anticipate the emergence of new viral variants, a groundbreaking development in the field of virology.

What was the study? In a recent study published in Nature, EVEscape demonstrated its ability to predict the most frequent mutations and concerning variants for SARS-CoV-2. This tool also proved successful in forecasting variants for other viruses like HIV and influenza. With biweekly updates on SARS-CoV-2 variants and an open-source code, researchers aim to provide critical information for public health and future-proof vaccine and therapy design.

What’s next for the tool? EVEscape's potential extends beyond SARS-CoV-2, offering a versatile framework adaptable to any virus. This AI innovation offers a vital tool to combat the ever-evolving nature of viruses, aiding in the creation of more resilient vaccines and therapies.