Technology
NFTs are a way to represent ownership
NFT stands for Non-Fungible Token, a unique digital asset that represents ownership of a unique item or piece of content, such as an image, video, music or any other type of media. NFTs are stored on a blockchain, which is a decentralized and distributed ledger that provides a permanent and transparent record of ownership. Some examples of NFTs in use:
- Art: One of the most well-known uses of NFTs is in the art world. Artists can create and sell digital artworks as NFTs, with each one being a unique and indivisible piece. For example, the NFT “Everydays: The First 5000 Days” by the digital artist Beeple sold for a record $69 million in March 2021.
- Gaming: NFTs are also being used in the gaming industry, where players can own unique in-game items and assets that can be traded or sold. For example, CryptoKitties is a game where players can breed, collect and trade unique digital cats as NFTs.
- Collectibles: NFTs can also be used to represent ownership of unique physical items, such as rare collectibles. For example, the sports memorabilia company, Panini America, has created NFTs of its limited edition trading cards that can be bought, sold and traded.
- Music: In the music industry, NFTs are being used to represent ownership of unique pieces of music, such as album tracks or music videos. For example, the musician and producer, Grimes, sold an NFT of a music video in 2018.
NFTs have the potential to disrupt many industries by providing a new way to create, sell and trade unique items and content. The origin of NFTs can be traced back to the development of blockchain technology and the creation of the first cryptocurrency, Bitcoin. NFTs were created as a way to represent ownership of unique digital assets, such as art, music, and videos, on a blockchain. Here is how NFTs work in detail:
- Creation: NFTs are created using smart contracts on a blockchain, such as Ethereum. A smart contract is a self-executing program that automatically enforces the rules and regulations of a contract. In the case of NFTs, the smart contract defines the unique attributes of the asset, such as its name, image, and ownership information.
- Tokenization: When an NFT is created, a unique token is generated and stored on the blockchain. This token acts as proof of ownership of the digital asset and is stored in a digital wallet, which is similar to a bank account.
- Transfer of ownership: NFTs can be bought and sold on various online marketplaces that specialize in NFT transactions. When an NFT is sold, the ownership of the token is transferred from the current owner to the buyer, and the information about the transfer is recorded on the blockchain. This creates a permanent and transparent record of ownership that cannot be altered or deleted.
- Validation: The uniqueness and ownership of NFTs are verified through the use of cryptographic algorithms that ensure that each NFT is truly unique and cannot be duplicated. The blockchain acts as a secure and decentralized ledger that records all transactions and provides proof of ownership.
NFTs are a way to represent ownership of unique digital assets on a blockchain. They provide a secure, transparent, and permanent record of ownership that can be bought, sold, and traded on various online marketplaces. NFTs are being used to represent ownership of unique digital and physical assets. NFTs have the potential to disrupt many industries by providing a new way to create, sell, and trade unique digital assets.
747 total views, 4 views today
Design
Development of Explainable AI (XAI)
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a rapidly evolving field that has the potential to change the way we live and work. The latest research in AI is focused on developing more advanced and sophisticated AI systems that can perform a wide range of tasks with greater accuracy and efficiency.
One area of AI research that has gained a lot of attention in recent years is deep learning. This is a type of machine learning that uses neural networks to model complex patterns in data. Deep learning has been used to achieve breakthroughs in areas such as image recognition, natural language processing, and speech recognition. AI is also expected to have a significant impact on the field of robotics. Advancements in AI are making it possible to develop robots that can perform a wide range of tasks with greater autonomy and intelligence. This has the potential to revolutionize industries such as manufacturing, transportation, and healthcare.
Another area of AI research that is attracting a lot of attention is the development of generative models. These are AI systems that can generate new data, such as images or text, based on what they have learned. This has the potential to revolutionize fields such as art and design, music, and writing. Another area of research is the development of explainable AI (XAI), which aims to make AI systems more transparent and understandable. This is important for ensuring that AI systems can be trusted and used responsibly. XAI has been recognised by AI researchers as a crucial component of reliable AI, and explainability has recently attracted more attention. To address growing ethical and legal concerns Explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) is a useful tool for as well as important How? and Why? questions about AI systems. However, despite the demand for explainability across several disciplines and the growing interest in XAI research, XAI still has a number of drawbacks.
The creation of AI systems that can clearly and transparently explain their decision-making processes is known as explainable AI (XAI). This is crucial in circumstances when an AI system’s decisions could have broad repercussions, such as in the legal, financial, and healthcare systems. Here are a few instances of XAI in action:
- Healthcare: An AI system that diagnoses medical issues must be able to justify its findings by referencing the patient’s medical history, test results, and other pertinent information.
- Finance: An AI system that evaluates loan applications must be able to clearly explain the reasons a loan was authorised or denied, taking into account elements like income and credit history.
- Legal: An AI system that helps judges make sentencing decisions must be able to provide a clear explanation of how it arrived at its recommendations, taking into account factors such as the defendant’s prior criminal history, the circumstances of the crime, and relevant laws.
In each of these examples, the ability to explain the decision-making process of an AI system is critical for building trust and ensuring accountability.
It is important to be aware of the potential of this technology and actively seek ways to harness its power for the benefit of society as a whole. The latest research in AI is focused on developing more advanced and sophisticated AI systems that can perform a wide range of tasks with greater accuracy and efficiency. From deep learning, generative models, explainable AI and robotics, the potential applications of AI are vast and it is expected to play an even greater role in the coming years, leading to new and exciting opportunities for innovation and progress.
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Health
Smartphone addiction and screen radiation growing concern for health and wellbeing
Screen time addiction and exposure to screen radiation can have negative effects on our physical and mental health. By limiting screen time, using screens at a safe distance, taking breaks, adjusting screen settings, using eye protection, and getting physical activity, we can reduce the harm from screens and improve our overall health and well-being. Screen time addiction and exposure to screen radiation can have negative effects on our physical and mental health which can lead to depression. Some of the ways screen radiation can harm us include:
- Eye strain and fatigue: Prolonged exposure to screens can result in eye strain and fatigue, which can cause headaches and make it difficult to concentrate.
- Disruptions to sleep patterns: The blue light emitted by screens can interfere with our circadian rhythms and sleep patterns, leading to insomnia and other sleep disturbances.
- Decreased physical activity: Spending too much time in front of screens can lead to decreased physical activity, which can have negative effects on our overall health and well-being.
- Increased risk of certain health problems: Prolonged exposure to screens has been linked to an increased risk of several health problems, including obesity, heart disease, and depression.
To avoid and reduce the negative effects of screen time and screen radiation, it is important to take the following precautions:
- Limit screen time: Try to limit your screen time to no more than two hours per day.
- Use screens at a safe distance: Maintain a safe distance from screens to reduce eye strain and exposure to radiation.
- Take breaks: Take regular breaks from screens to rest your eyes and stretch your body.
- Adjust screen settings: Adjust the settings on your screens to reduce the amount of blue light emitted.
- Use eye protection: Consider using blue light blocking glasses or screen filters to reduce exposure to radiation.
- Get physical activity: Make time for physical activity every day to counteract the effects of prolonged screen time.
Smartphone and social media addiction can affect people of all ages, but the effects can vary by age group. In children and teenagers, excessive use of smartphones and social media can lead to a decreased attention span, poor sleep patterns, and decreased physical activity levels. It can also contribute to feelings of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem, as well as a decreased ability to develop face-to-face communication skills.
In adults, smartphone and social media addiction can lead to decreased productivity and interfere with personal relationships. It can also contribute to physical health problems such as neck and back pain, eye strain, disrupted sleep, and vision loss due to excessive use of smartphone. Additionally, the constant need for validation and comparison to others on social media can lead to negative body image and self-esteem issues.
In the elderly, smartphone and social media addiction can contribute to feelings of loneliness and social isolation, which can have negative effects on mental health. In terms of its impact on society as a whole, smartphone and social media addiction can lead to decreased face-to-face interaction and communication skills, which can harm personal relationships and contribute to a decrease in community building. Additionally, the constant stimulation and instant gratification provided by these devices can lead to addictive behaviors, which can negatively impact daily activities and responsibilities. Some of the symptoms of smartphone addiction include:
- Compulsive checking: A constant need to check the phone for messages, updates, and notifications.
- Difficulty disconnecting: Feeling uneasy or anxious when separated from the phone.
- Interference with daily activities: Phone use interfering with work, school, or other activities.
- Decreased face-to-face communication: Spending less time talking to others in person and more time communicating through the phone.
- Physical symptoms: Developing physical symptoms such as eye strain, neck and back pain, and disrupted sleep patterns.
- Neglecting responsibilities: Neglecting responsibilities and obligations due to excessive phone use.
Excessive use of smartphones to the point where it interferes with daily life and causes negative effects on one’s physical, mental, and social well-being. To reduce the negative effects of smartphone addiction, it is important to take the following steps:
- Limit screen time: Set limits on the amount of time spent on the phone and stick to them.
- Turn off notifications: Turn off notifications for non-essential apps to reduce distractions.
- Create phone-free zones: Designate certain times or places where the phone is not allowed, such as dinner time or bedtime.
- Engage in other activities: Spend time engaging in other activities, such as reading, exercising, or spending time with friends and family.
- Seek help: If you feel that your smartphone use has become problematic, consider seeking help from a mental health professional.
Smartphone addiction is a growing problem that can have negative effects on our physical, mental, and social well-being. By limiting screen time, turning off notifications, creating phone-free zones, engaging in other activities, and seeking help if necessary, we can reduce the harm from excessive smartphone use and improve our overall health and well-being.
It’s important for individuals of all ages to be mindful of their smartphone and social media usage and to engage in moderation to avoid the negative effects of addiction. Encouraging face-to-face interaction, physical activity, and engaging in activities that don’t involve screens can help mitigate the negative impacts of excessive smartphone and social media use.
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Design
Extended Reality (XR), an evolving technology
Extended Reality, or XR, is a catch-all phrase that refers to a variety of technologies, including Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR). These innovations enable the development of immersive and interactive experiences that converge the real and virtual worlds. In the world of entertainment and gaming, XR has several applications. Virtual worlds and games that can transport users to other locations and eras can be created using VR and MR. The fields of training and education are further applications for XR. Users can learn and hone new abilities in a secure environment by using VR and AR to create realistic simulations and scenarios.
The performance and responsiveness of XR applications have recently improved because to the utilisation of edge computing and 5G. Edge computing allows data processing to occur closer to the user, which reduces latency and increases responsiveness. The use of AI and machine learning to enhance the realism and interactivity of XR experiences is another breakthrough. For instance, MIT researchers have created a virtual reality (VR) system that uses AI to create realistic scenes and characters that react to the user’s input in real time.
A rapidly developing technology, XR has numerous potential uses across numerous industries. There will probably be more advancements and use cases in the near future since it enables the construction of immersive and interactive experiences that blur the boundaries between the real and virtual worlds.
10,344 total views, 31 views today
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