#Harnessing Artificial Intelligence

[wealth--solution]

This World of AI : How Do You Use It?: A Beginner’s Guide to Understanding and Harnessing Artificial Intelligence in Everyday

Are you curious about Artificial Intelligence but feel overwhelmed by the technical jargon? Do you wonder how AI is shaping the world around you and how you can use it to simplify your life? "This World of AI: How Do You Use It?" is the ultimate beginner’s guide that demystifies AI and shows you how to harness its power in your everyday life. This eBook breaks down complex AI concepts into simple, easy-to-understand language. From smart home devices to AI in healthcare, education, and beyond, you’ll discover how AI is already transforming the world. Packed with real-life examples, practical tips, and step-by-step guidance, this book is your gateway to understanding and using AI with confidence.

Imagine being able to:

·       Use AI tools to save time and boost productivity.

·       Understand how AI impacts your favorite apps and services.

·       Stay ahead in a world increasingly driven by technology.

·       Make informed decisions about AI in your personal and professional life.

Whether you're a complete beginner or just looking to deepen your knowledge, this eBook is your roadmap to navigating the exciting world of AI.

GET THIS EBOOK

https://holisticheathsolutions.blogspot.com/2025/01/this-world-of-ai-how-do-you-use-it.html

[azidoazideazide]

Woah, what happened here?!

AI is an “act of god machine”? What on earth?? I’ve heard some wild conspiracies but that’s a new one.

Why AI was developed:

To make life easier (IE: job automation, providing help in industries that are already overworked like Healthcare), and help us learn more about the world around us.

What about when AI gets it wrong?

It’s fair to point out when AIs make mistakes, and to criticize the companies behind them for failing to properly train, develop or implement those AIs.

But it’s not just big scary companies and techbros that create and use AI. We have programmers, researchers, and scientists who work to develop the technology behind AIs, and have been for decades.

How about we quit pushing these bizarre, cultish, doomer ideas about AI, and start looking at the facts.

And this is why you switch to DuckDuckGo. :/

[firoz857]

Overcoming Challenges, Embracing AI, and Finding Authenticity in Business with Lexi Hartman

[reasonsforhope]

"An international research team has found almost a million potential sources of antibiotics in the natural world.

Research published in the journal Cell by a team including Queensland University of Technology (QUT) computational biologist Associate Professor Luis Pedro Coelho has used machine learning to identify 863,498 promising antimicrobial peptides -- small molecules that can kill or inhibit the growth of infectious microbes.

The findings of the study come with a renewed global focus on combatting antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as humanity contends with the growing number of superbugs resistant to current drugs.

"There is an urgent need for new methods for antibiotic discovery," Professor Coelho, a researcher at the QUT Centre for Microbiome Research, said. The centre studies the structure and function of microbial communities from around the globe.

"It is one of the top public health threats, killing 1.27 million people each year." ...

"Using artificial intelligence to understand and harness the power of the global microbiome will hopefully drive innovative research for better public health outcomes," he said.

The team verified the machine predictions by testing 100 laboratory-made peptides against clinically significant pathogens. They found 79 disrupted bacterial membranes and 63 specifically targeted antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.

"Moreover, some peptides helped to eliminate infections in mice; two in particular reduced bacteria by up to four orders of magnitude," Professor Coelho said.

In a preclinical model, tested on infected mice, treatment with these peptides produced results similar to the effects of polymyxin B -- a commercially available antibiotic which is used to treat meningitis, pneumonia, sepsis and urinary tract infections.

More than 60,000 metagenomes (a collection of genomes within a specific environment), which together contained the genetic makeup of over one million organisms, were analysed to get these results. They came from sources across the globe including marine and soil environments, and human and animal guts.

The resulting AMPSphere -- a comprehensive database comprising these novel peptides -- has been published as a publicly available, open-access resource for new antibiotic discovery.

[Note: !!! Love it. Open access research databases my beloved.]"

-via Science Daily, June 5, 2024

[fagstaynight]

The foolish LLMs and GPTs are a million years behind my techniques. The idea of Artificial Intelligence replacing the creative mind is utterly worthless. I have begun harnessing the power of the Ape Mind in my Typewriter Factory to produce 500 new plays from William Shakespeare. Even the least clever and capable of my Bonobos could only ever harm their mother earth by way of Partaking in Banana. Within the past 5 Months; My apes have been guiding my self driving car for me and generating Financial Advice by sheer stroke of luck. While they kill the conscious mind of the noble ape with Neuralink Chip, i have stimulated the unconscious mind of my 'Emotionlink' Chimps with little more than Old typewriter and Banana. They have taught me so much about the world

[averycutesalamander]

zombie au with Boothill.. you get bitten and turned and it's absolutely devastating. he helplessly holds you in his arms as it takes you, as the infection swallows up your mind, as you die and are reborn as a mindless, starving husk.

but you can't hurt him. his metal is obvious, but his skin is artificial - and incredibly tough, to boot. even if you managed to draw blood, it's not like his mechanical immune system is vulnerable to the virus. you thrash and bite and chomp at every piece of him you can get your teeth on, and he doesn't even fight you.

eventually, you give up. so he just... keeps you.

he gets a harness for you so he can keep you from running off and getting into trouble. he talks to you like you're still alive. he calls you by your name. he keeps you fed by letting you loose on IPC agents. you're kind of like his weird, slightly rotted, incredibly aggressive, unfathomably strong, nearly indestructible dog. he takes you with him everywhere, and when he can't take you somewhere, he sets you up in his ship and leaves you inside while he goes to take care of stuff. every time somebody asks about you, he just shrugs and says "yup, they're just a lil' hungry. you know how it goes" like you aren't actively straining at your leash, frothing at the mouth, snapping your teeth at everyone in the vicinity.

you're also... weirdly protective of him, actually. when he first started setting you loose to eat your fill of corporate bastards, you'd completely disregard him. but now? now you stay close, and you target enemies that are immediately threatening him; you growl whenever someone lands a hit on him, and he thinks you might rip them apart twice as viciously when you get your teeth on them. once, he swears that you deliberately tank a hit for him, bullying your way between him and an enemy that had him on the back foot and ripping them apart with so much viciousness that they're completely unrecognizable by the end of it.

he has to be imagining things. the virus completely destroys all semblance of intelligence in its hosts. it's just impossible.

and then one day, in a fight, you're tearing apart an agent when another slips behind you, readying their gun at your head. he shouts your name involuntarily, whipping around to aim at the bastard-

and you listen.

you whip around right in time, ripping the agent's gun away with inhuman strength. he's nearly stunned into stillness, but he has to finish the fight. when everything is said and done and the battlefield is clear, he stops and stares at you, watching as you rip into a corpse like you always do after a fight, blood pouring down your chin.

quietly, tentatively, he murmurs your name. without missing a beat, you pause and look up at him with eyes that feel just a little sharper than usual.

it feels insane to say, but perhaps...

perhaps you aren't as mindless as he thought.

[abeatrizcv]

MIGUEL OCK’HARA, CORPO-YORK &… Oh… The Conventional SpiderWoman

(small lore of my SpiderOC, my Miguel Ock’Hara, Corpo-York, and other versions of the illustration down below hehe ✨)

Welcome to Corpo-York!

A universe where New York is a black and white world. There are no in-betweens... or so it seems... the citizens are used to this strange dictatorship lead by (?) a certain Spiderman villain... Where everyone lives their life as if it were normal to be exploited at work, forced to dress the same way and follow a strict schedule day after day. However, despite this strange dictatorship, the villains do not stop interrupting what seem to be the orderly lives of the worker ants that allow the city to function. Most of the time, they work for someone, but sometimes they just want to make some chaos to have fun.

The Ordinary Spider-Woman is here to save the day!

Billie Andersen is an ordinary woman who works at Alchemax. Nice, generous, kind, and with the dream of working alongside the great geneticists of the company. However, despite being highly trained, she was forced to work as a secretary. Her life would be submerged in days of boredom and routine until she was bitten by a genetically modified spider. The rest is history.

Miguel Octavius O’Hara went from Science Nobel Prize winner to Villain to Anti-Hero?!

Miguel Octavius ​​O'Hara is a renowned geneticist and nuclear physicist, winner of the Nobel Prize in sciences, with multiple master's and doctoral degrees who uses his knowledge as a scientist at Alchemax and as a university professor. Everyone knows him. He's a sweetheart.

However, his life would change completely when one of his experiments failed. A mechanical harness with 4 appendages that resembles the tentacles of an octopus. This machine worked based on an artificial intelligence, which would later corrupt his mind and turn it into a series of diffuse memories and infinite knowledge.

No one knows if it was an accident or a plan created by Alchemax.

Now with the nickname of Doc Ock or Doctor Octopus, Miguel became a supervillain of uncertain intentions.

[solarpunkbusiness]

Solarpunk Innovations from Africa

Africans innovate— a lot. To a large extent, it’s because their environments are dysfunctional enough to spur improvisation. When improvisation becomes culture, innovative outliers often emerge. Those outliers, like The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, permanently move the needle in their communities and, in some cases, the world.

The world seems so busy with the AI hype train. It’s great, but it could make us miss out on the many innovations around us. In 2023, Africa was home to some of the most remarkable and inspiring innovations in various fields, from health to energy and even artificial intelligence. Some of them got recognised, while others are still underhyped. Here are seven innovations from Africa we’re excited about this year.

[our-tale]

Dakota's Bio

Firstly, Dakota is not the sans in the au they current occupy, it can be argued if they are a true sans. History: Originally they were the result of experiments by the Gaster from the au they were from. They were created under orders from the King and Queen for the royal scientist to create a way past the barrier to the surface and take on human kind. In this mission Gaster tried to explored not only making a key past the barrier but also transverse other possible AUs. Over decades of cruel and ruthless experimentation, Gaster finally managed to create an artificial soul. Unfortunately, the soul he created was a kind soul. It showed intelligence but no will to fight, even despite the doctor's effort to provoke them. Still Gaster refused to accept failure, thus they were subjected to horrors as they were experimented on, isolated, treated as a thing rather then a person as they were taken apart and put together over and over again. Gaster could only be so determined, he realized that he was not making progress. The subject was not showing no signs of advance magic nor even a will to kill. Considered a failure Gaster scheduled to terminate the subject. Only when he went to do the deed, he found the cage door had been ripped open and the subject was gone. In PR's AU no one knows where Dakota came from, they sorta popped into existence on day following PR around. Notes:

Despite Gaster's observations, Dakota has strong magic that if harness properly they could do incredible things... They are inexperienced and clumsy with their out put.

Due to their body and high magic, sugar is super effective and makes them hyperactive and harder to control their magic. But the bigger then are the harder they fall. They get very sick.

They like to go to the trash pile to find things they can tinker with. They manage to get a lot old tech to work.

They have a powerful soul that is able to retain a trait color. But they are a glass cannon sort of build- one that doesn't even know how to use their abilities. This can cause issues like teleporting in the wrong spot (Maybe another AU??)

They kinda read souls like a Judge should but they also can pick un on emotions of others, not that it is easy to decode. Emotions like color not everyone's sadness is the same shade for example. Dakota's Playlist:

[nerdyenby]

victors as tdp sources

I’ve done a post on this before but I’m so in love with this concept that I want to spread it around some more (and update it, of course)

If you’re not familiar, the dragon prince (tdp) is a series by a lot of the same people as avatar the last airbender with a fascinating magic system and setting (I highly recommend checking it out :)). In this show, there are seven types of magic: the six primal sources (moon, sun, sky, earth, sea, and stars) which beings may be born connected to, and dark magic — an artificial source developed by those without magic that harnesses the life force of magical creatures. I’ve been on this ride since Martyn won, and now that we have seven winners, I am overjoyed with how well it fits.

Grian is the Sun

The Solar arcanum is associated with heat, life, honesty, and justice. It is considered to be two-natured, as the sun’s light and heat is what makes life possible, but its fires burn and destroy anything that comes too close. Those connected to the Sun Primal are often strong willed warriors and natural leaders.

Grian often finds himself in positions of leadership and is great at drawing people in, but he also has a tendency to destroy those closest to him. He is charismatic and inviting, as well as powerful and deadly.

Scott is the Stars

The Star Primal is by far the most mysterious, as well as the most powerful. It’s magic is very rare. The Stars are associated with timelessness, intelligence, truth, reality, and destiny. The Star arcanum is often described as otherworldly and as surpassing the boundaries of time and space. Very little is known about this arcanum, but it’s power is unmatched.

Scott doesn’t get caught up in the chaos of the world around him, but plays by his own rules. Rather than fighting the other players, he often seems to be fighting against the game itself. He doesn’t bend to its will, his morals and stubbornness guiding him rather than any exterior force. He is almost always present, but he is rarely noticed, slipping under the radar unnoticed until the time comes for him to strike.

Pearl is the Moon

Those connected with the Lunar arcanum are often misunderstood and even outcast by others, frequently seen as crazy for their unusual understanding of the universe. The Moon Primal is associated with reality and the understanding that perception, secrets, and truth are all equal parts of the universe. Moon magic is often illusion-based, and those who use it tend to have a very strong sense of morality, duty, and community.

Pearl is both fiercely loyal and somewhat of an outcast. She often finds herself alone, not fitting in anywhere else. She dances at the edge of what is and is not accepted, certain of herself but seen as unpredictable by others.

Martyn is the Ocean

Beings connected to the Ocean arcanum tend to forge strong connections, but also have hidden depths. The Ocean Primal is associated with fluidity, transformation, awareness, and depth. Key to this arcanum is the ability to find calm amidst chaos, to not fight the flow of life, to accept that you are not in control, and to acknowledge that there is much you don’t understand, even within yourself.

Martyn is known for his (perceived) loyalty, but he tends to try to play all sides. He excels at connecting with others, but he seldom shows his full hand. He is someone who is constantly clawing at the walls of their enclosure whilst others remain unaware that they are trapped. He is in a constant state of change, and his whole conflict is knowing when to follow the current and when to break free.

Scar is the Earth

The Earth arcanum is associated with strength, endurance, energy, growth, healing, balance, history, resilience, and life. Those connected to the Earth Primal tend to be patient, deeply caring, and occasionally stubborn beings who have strong values and free spirits.

Scar’s character is all about growth and the desire to be wanted- to belong. He is a highly social being, but often finds himself left behind, abandoned. His story is about acceptance and the strength that you find when you least expect it. His character has always been about resilience, about life enduring against all odds.

Cleo is Darkness

Dark magic is not a primal source, but a man-made for of magic that harvests and utilizes the life force of magical creatures. It is not accepted by practitioners of the Primal Sources. It has many uses, but also corrupts the user over time, often leaving physical traces on its practitioners. It is highly versatile, extremely dangerous, and not naturally occurring. Those who practice Dark magic are highly ambitious and often studious individuals.

Cleo is not like the other victors, winning a special rather than a season. They are different from the others, and often excluded because of this. They are often forgotten or simply not considered, frequently underestimated despite their strength and survival skills. Also zombiecleo=death magic so yeah.

Joel is the Sky

Sky magic often draws on movement. It’s arcanum is associated with agility, speed, freedom, perspective, and light. Those connected to the Sky Primal are often quick and clever individuals who value personal freedom. Key to this source is the understanding that the sky is everywhere: you are always within it and it is always within you.

Joel is a free spirit, a force of nature. Often powerful but short-lived, he is always on the move. He has always been someone who values freedom and independence, often ending up on his own in previous seasons. In his winning season, however, he dedicates himself to forming connections with the other players. His loyalty and devotion to his allies is a key factor in his success, as he has learned the value of community.

[collapsedsquid]

An automated social media profile developed to harness the powers of artificial intelligence to promote Israel's cause online is also pushing out blatantly false information, including anti-Israel misinformation, in an ironic yet concerning example of the risks of using the new generative technologies for political ends. Among other things, the alleged pro-Israel bot denied that an entire Israeli family was murdered on October 7, blamed Israel for U.S. plans to ban TikTok, falsely claimed that Israeli hostages weren't released despite blatant evidence to the contrary and even encouraged followers to "show solidarity" with Gazans, referring them to a charity that raises money for Palestinians. In some cases, the bot criticzed pro-Israel accounts, including the official government account on X – the same accounts it was meant to promote.

If only someone had warned us against this

[spectralpixelsredone]

Analysis of Dr. Merlot’s Mutant Serum (Ooze) in RWBY: Grimm Eclipse

Dr. Merlot’s Mutant Serum, referred to as “Ooze” due to its glowing green, toxic appearance, is a pivotal creation in RWBY: Grimm Eclipse. This serum is responsible for transforming standard Grimm into enhanced, mutated versions with superior strength, size, and unique abilities. Below, I analyze its creation process, possible methods (including dust, ancient magic, or other means), and its properties based on the provided information.

Creation of the Mutant Serum

Source Material: Radioactive Ooze

The serum is derived from a mysterious radioactive substance naturally produced on Merlot’s remote island. This glowing green ooze is collected from toxic pools via pipes and processed in Merlot’s laboratory complex.

The radioactive nature suggests it could be a unique, naturally occurring element or compound not found elsewhere in Remnant, possibly tied to the island’s desert-like, hazardous environment.

No explicit mention is made of Dust (Remnant’s elemental energy source) or ancient magic being involved, but these cannot be ruled out entirely, as Merlot’s advanced scientific knowledge might incorporate such elements subtly.

Merlot’s Scientific Expertise

Dr. Merlot, a brilliant scientist and founder of Merlot Industries, specializes in genetics and artificial intelligence. His expertise in Grimm biology—unmatched by others in Remnant—allowed him to develop the serum.

The serum’s creation likely involves genetic engineering or biochemical manipulation, altering the Grimm’s physiology at a cellular level. This could include:

Splicing or modifying Grimm DNA (if Grimm possess such a structure, which is unclear in RWBY lore).

Infusing the radioactive ooze with stabilizing agents to make it viable for injection or exposure.

Catalyzing mutations through controlled exposure to the ooze, possibly in a lab environment with specialized equipment.

Merlot’s laboratory is equipped with advanced technology, including terminals and androids, suggesting a high-tech setup for refining the ooze into a usable serum.

Possible Involvement of Dust or Ancient Magic

Dust: In RWBY, Dust is a versatile energy source used in technology and combat. While not explicitly stated, Merlot might have used Dust (e.g., Gravity or Energy Dust) to stabilize or enhance the ooze’s radioactive properties. For example:

Dust could power the machinery that processes the ooze.

Certain Dust types (like Fire or Lightning) might amplify the serum’s mutative effects.

Ancient Magic: The RWBY universe includes ancient magic (e.g., the Maidens, Ozpin’s abilities), but there’s no direct evidence Merlot used it. However:

The ooze’s unique properties and the Grimm’s supernatural nature (as soulless creatures tied to Remnant’s darker forces) could hint at an arcane connection. The ooze might be a byproduct of ancient magical phenomena on the island, which Merlot scientifically harnessed.

Merlot’s god complex and obsession with “perfecting” Grimm suggest he might have sought forbidden knowledge, potentially dabbling in magical or alchemical processes.

Other Possibilities: The ooze could be a naturally occurring alchemical substance or a remnant of some ancient cataclysm tied to the Grimm’s origins. Merlot’s success where others failed might stem from his willingness to experiment with this volatile material, combining it with his scientific prowess.

Process of Creation

Collection: Pipes extract the radioactive ooze from toxic pools on the island.

Refinement: In the laboratory, the ooze is processed into a serum, likely through filtration, chemical stabilization, or genetic engineering techniques.

Application: The serum is administered to Grimm (via injection, exposure, or other means), triggering rapid mutations. The process is precise, as different Grimm species develop distinct abilities (e.g., explosive Creeps, spike-firing Beowolves).

Properties of the Mutant Serum

The serum dramatically enhances Grimm, altering their physical and behavioral traits. Its properties, as observed in RWBY: Grimm Eclipse and RWBY: Combat Ready, include:

Physical and Visual Changes

Color Shift: Mutated Grimm exhibit green eyes, markings, and internal structures (contrasting with the red of standard Grimm). Their spikes resemble glowing green crystals, likely a result of the ooze’s radioactive influence.

Increased Size and Strength: Mutated Grimm are significantly larger and stronger than their normal counterparts, making them more formidable in combat.

Enhanced Durability: The mutations likely increase resilience, as seen with the mutant Death Stalker, which withstands prolonged battles against Team RWBY.

Species-Specific Abilities

The serum’s effects vary by Grimm species, suggesting it interacts with their unique biological or supernatural traits:

Mutant Creeps:

Gain explosive capabilities, seeking out enemies and detonating on proximity.

This suggests the serum alters their physiology to produce volatile compounds or energy within their bodies.

Mutant Beowolves:

Develop a ranged attack, firing a line of crystal-like bone spikes that erupt from the ground.

The spikes’ crystalline appearance ties to the serum’s green, crystalline aesthetic, indicating a structural change in their bone or exoskeletal material.

Mutant Death Stalker:

Gains multiple new attacks, including enhanced physical strikes and the ability to spawn smaller Grimm.

This spawning ability is unprecedented among standard Grimm, suggesting the serum unlocks or mimics a reproductive or summoning mechanism.

Grimm Hybrids (RWBY: Combat Ready):

Merlot creates hybrid Grimm, combining traits of multiple species. The serum likely enables cross-species genetic or supernatural fusion, though the exact method is unknown.

Behavioral Changes

Mutated Grimm retain their aggressive instincts but may exhibit altered tactics due to their new abilities (e.g., Creeps’ kamikaze behavior, Beowolves’ ranged attacks).

Merlot’s belief in controlling Grimm suggests the serum might include mechanisms to make them more responsive to commands, though this is not fully realized in the game.

Stability and Limitations

The serum appears stable, as mutated Grimm function effectively without immediate degradation.

However, its long-term effects are unclear. The destruction of Merlot’s lab and island suggests the serum’s production is unsustainable without the island’s ooze.

The serum’s reliance on a unique radioactive substance limits its scalability, as the ooze is tied to the island’s geology.

How Merlot Made the Serum: Hypothetical Methods

Based on the evidence, Merlot’s creation process likely combines advanced science with the island’s unique resources. Here’s a plausible step-by-step method:

Discovery of the Ooze:

Merlot identifies the radioactive ooze on the island, recognizing its potential to affect Grimm biology due to its supernatural or radioactive properties.

Scientific Analysis:

Using his expertise in genetics, Merlot studies the ooze’s composition, possibly identifying its mutagenic properties through experiments on captured Grimm.

Stabilization:

The raw ooze is refined into a serum using laboratory equipment. This might involve:

Filtering out impurities.

Adding stabilizing agents (potentially Dust-based compounds).

Enhancing its potency through biochemical processes.

Genetic Engineering:

Merlot designs the serum to target specific aspects of Grimm physiology, tailoring it to produce desired mutations (e.g., explosive Creeps, spike-firing Beowolves).

This could involve synthetic biology or nanotechnology to ensure precise delivery of the ooze’s effects.

Testing and Iteration:

Merlot tests the serum on various Grimm species, refining it based on results. The terminal note “Process status: 78% completed” suggests the serum was still in development.

Application:

The serum is administered to Grimm in controlled environments (e.g., cages or lab chambers), triggering rapid mutations.

Role of Dust or Magic

Dust: If used, Dust likely powers the lab’s equipment or enhances the serum’s effects. For example, Energy Dust could amplify the ooze’s radioactivity, while Gravity Dust might stabilize its volatile nature.

Ancient Magic: If magic is involved, it could be an unconscious byproduct of the ooze’s origins (e.g., tied to the God of Darkness or Grimm creation). Merlot, unaware of its magical nature, treats it as a scientific phenomenon.

Other: The ooze might be a Remnant-specific anomaly, akin to a radioactive isotope with supernatural properties. Merlot’s success lies in his ability to harness it without fully understanding its origins.

Implications and Context

Merlot’s Motivation: Merlot’s god complex and belief in “perfecting” Grimm drive his serum research. He views nature’s evolution as flawed and seeks to impose his vision of control and enhancement, as reflected in the song Lusus Naturae.

Ethical Concerns: The serum’s creation involved unethical practices, including attracting Grimm to Mountain Glenn, leading to the settlement’s destruction. Merlot’s “ends justify the means” mentality underscores the serum’s dangerous potential.

Comparison to The Island of Doctor Moreau: The serum parallels Dr. Moreau’s experiments, forcing unnatural evolution on creatures. Like Moreau, Merlot’s hubris leads to his downfall when his creations and lab are destroyed.

Impact on Remnant: The serum’s existence raises questions about Grimm biology and their potential for manipulation. Merlot’s success, though catastrophic, suggests other scientists might attempt similar experiments, posing future threats.

Conclusion

Dr. Merlot’s Mutant Serum, derived from a radioactive ooze found on his island, is a groundbreaking yet dangerous invention that transforms Grimm into powerful, mutated forms with green crystalline features and species-specific abilities (e.g., explosive Creeps, spike-firing Beowolves, spawning Death Stalkers). Its creation likely involves genetic engineering, biochemical refinement, and possibly Dust to stabilize or enhance the ooze, though ancient magic remains a speculative factor tied to the ooze’s mysterious origins. The serum’s properties include enhanced strength, size, durability, and unique combat abilities, but its reliance on a rare resource limits its scalability. Merlot’s scientific brilliance, combined with his god complex, makes the serum a testament to his ambition and a cautionary tale of unchecked experimentation in the RWBY universe.

(Think it works like the mutagen could it mutate beings.)

[welcome-to-green-hills]

CONTEXT FOR THE SONIC BOOM SHADOW PLEASE 🤩

Hi Hon!❤️✨

I’m more than happy to provide you some context to the Sonic Boom AU!

This is a (very) old AU of mine where it tells the story of Terios “Shadow,” a warrior to the Ancients. Originally, Terios was meant to be a failed experiment that Lyric made in attempt to control the power of the Chaos Crystals. Terios was created to be an artificial intelligence that could harness the power from the crystals since Lyric failed multiple times with his machinery (if I remember correctly, Lyric tried to use the crystals himself and they made him sick. Which is why he wears the metal suit??? Someone fact check me, please and thank you).

Since Terios failed to do what Lyric wanted, he made him into a right hand man to take over the world. Terios could never please his creator—as well as obeyed him—and eventually ran off with Lyric’s plans to get help from the Ancients to rid of him. The Ancients take him in, he grows close to one in particular, a couple of wars happen, Terios loses his love, the crystals scatter (like they did in RoL), and it’s up to Terios to make sure that no one messes with the crystals and awakens Lyric from the tomb.

And all is going according to plan until the descendants of the Ancients—except one—causes Lyric to reemerge. Terios eventually helps Team Sonic find all of the crystals and stops Lyric.

Essentially, it’s a Rise of Lyric rewrite.

Oh, and OMEGA is a rock golem.😊

I should really reboot that AU…

[techploration]

The first massively successful company to harness the potential of AI will call it anything but AI

This is beyond the pedantic ‘it’s not artificial intelligence it’s a neural network’ argument of terminology. This is purely branding.

AI is rapidly becoming a toxic word to have associated with your company. It has become shorthand for lazy and cheap. Three quarters of what is marketed as AI isn’t even AI.

We are at peak ‘shove AI in it’ right now as every app and piece of software is promoting their ‘AI enhancements’ and general privacy destroying bloatware. Give it six months before the combination of customer pushback and rising server/data costs means all these companies start quietly dropping their AI features

A year from now announcing the new ‘AI enhancements’ of your product will sound as ridiculous as saying you’re launching NFTs in 2024

Tech Bros are going to effectively kill ‘AI’ within the next two years. But what they are destroying the marketability of technology branded AI, not the actual power of neural networks.

So the first massively successful use of neural networks on a consumer scale will do everything in its power to not call itself AI. It will also be something completely different than what people think of AI now.

[follow-up-news]

Russia has helped amplify and spread false and misleading internet claims about recent hurricanes in the United States and the federal government’s response, part of a wider effort by the Kremlin to manipulate America’s political discourse before the presidential election, new research shows. The content, spread by Russian state media and networks of social media accounts and websites, criticizes the federal response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton, exploiting legitimate concerns about the recovery effort in an attempt to paint American leaders as incompetent and corrupt, according to research from the Institute for Strategic Dialogue. The London-based organization tracks disinformation and online extremism. In some cases, the claims about the storms include fake images created using artificial intelligence, such as a photo depicting scenes of devastating flooding at Disney World that never happened, researchers say. The approach is consistent with the Kremlin’s long-standing practice of identifying legitimate debates and contentious issues in the U.S. and then exploiting them. Previous disinformation campaigns have harnessed debates about immigration, racism, crime and the economy in an effort to portray the U.S. as corrupt, violent and unjust.

[hayatheauthor]

Ten Websites Every Author Should Know In 2024

When I started this blog, one of the first posts I penned was "Websites Every Author Should Know in 2023." Now, as I return to breathe new life into this platform in 2024, it feels only fitting to offer an updated edition of that beloved post. 

Whether you're struggling with brainstorming ideas, organizing your plot, finding publishing opportunities, or simply seeking some writing motivation, here are 10 websites that every author should know in 2024. 

1. Artbreeder

If you're anything like me, you know the frustration of staring at a blank page, waiting for inspiration to strike. Well, say goodbye to writer's block because Artbreeder is here to rescue you from the depths of creative stagnation.

At its core, Artbreeder is a brainstorming tool that harnesses the power of artificial intelligence to help you generate ideas and explore new avenues of creativity. Whether you're crafting characters, creating scene locations, or conceptualizing entire worlds, Artbreeder's AI can help you create any image. 

But don't just take my word for it. Countless writers, from aspiring novices to seasoned pros, have sung the praises of Artbreeder for its role in fueling their creative fire.

2.  OneStopForWriters

If you've ever found yourself drowning in a sea of character arcs, struggling to untangle a convoluted plot, or simply searching for that elusive spark of inspiration, then OneStopForWriters is here to be your guiding light.

At OneStopForWriters, you'll find a treasure trove of resources designed to empower writers at every stage of their journey. One of the standout features is its unparalleled collection of writing tools and resources. From character development worksheets and plot structure guides to brainstorming prompts and writing exercises, this platform offers a wealth of resources to help you hone your craft and overcome any writing challenge that comes your way.

3.  Milanote

With Milanote, organizing your thoughts has never been easier. Whether you're plotting out your next novel, storyboarding a film, or brainstorming ideas for your next project, Milanote's intuitive interface and versatile features make it a breeze to bring your ideas to life.

But Milanote isn't just about organization – it's about inspiration, too. Dive into Milanote's vast collection of templates, images, and resources, curated to spark your creativity and fuel your passion for storytelling.

And let's not forget about collaboration. With Milanote, you can seamlessly collaborate with fellow writers, sharing ideas, giving feedback, and working together to bring your collective vision to life. Let me know if you'd like to collab! 

4. Inkarnate

Whether you're a fantasy author crafting intricate realms, a sci-fi writer mapping out distant galaxies, or a historical fiction enthusiast recreating the past, Inkarnate is your ultimate tool for world-building.

With Inkarnate's powerful mapping tools and customizable features, creating stunning and detailed maps has never been easier. From sprawling continents to intricate cityscapes, Inkarnate allows you to bring every aspect of your world to life with breathtaking detail and precision.

But Inkarnate isn't just about maps – it's about storytelling. Dive into Inkarnate's vast library of assets, from characters and creatures to landmarks and landscapes, and use them to enrich your world and enhance your storytelling.

5. World Anvil

With World Anvil's array of interactive tools and features, you can meticulously craft every detail of your world, from its geography and history to its cultures and languages. Whether you're creating a sprawling fantasy realm, a dystopian future, or an alternate historical timeline, World Anvil provides the tools you need to breathe life into your creations.

But World Anvil is more than just a repository for world-building information. It's a platform for storytelling, collaboration, and engagement. Share your world with readers, invite them to explore its intricacies, and immerse them in the rich tapestry of your imagination

6.  Scrivener

At its core, Scrivener is a comprehensive writing software designed to meet the unique needs of authors, screenwriters, academics, and more. With its flexible interface and robust features, Scrivener allows you to organize your thoughts, structure your writing, and bring your ideas to life with ease.

One of Scrivener's standout features is its ability to break down your writing into manageable chunks, or "scrivenings," making it easy to focus on individual scenes, chapters, or sections of your manuscript. With its intuitive corkboard and outlining tools, you can visualize your project's structure and rearrange it on the fly.

But Scrivener is more than just a writing tool – it's a creative hub where ideas flourish and projects take shape. With its built-in research capabilities, you can keep all your notes, references, and inspiration in one place, ensuring that nothing gets lost in the shuffle.

7. Dabble

One of Dabble's standout features is its seamless integration of plotting, outlining, and writing tools. Whether you're a die-hard plotter or a pantser at heart, Dabble has the flexibility to accommodate your preferred writing style, allowing you to create detailed outlines, jot down notes, and dive into writing whenever inspiration strikes.

But Dabble is more than just a writing tool – it's a community of writers united by their love of storytelling and their commitment to helping each other succeed. Here, you'll find support, encouragement, and invaluable feedback as you navigate the ups and downs of the writing process.

With Dabble's cloud-based platform, you can access your work from anywhere, on any device, ensuring that your novel is always at your fingertips, whether you're at home, at work, or on the go.

8. Literature Map 

Literature Map is a visual mapping tool that helps you discover new authors and books based on your literary preferences. Whether you're a fan of classic literature, contemporary fiction, or niche genres, Literature Map provides personalized recommendations to help you expand your reading horizons.

Using Literature Map is as easy as typing in the name of an author you love. Instantly, a constellation of related authors appears, each connected by their thematic, stylistic, or genre similarities. From there, you can explore new authors, discover hidden gems, and embark on new reading adventures with confidence.

But Literature Map is more than just a recommendation engine – it's a gateway to a world of literary exploration and discovery. Here, you'll find a community of fellow book lovers, eager to share their favorite authors, discuss their latest reads, and connect with like-minded readers from around the globe.

That concludes our exploration of the 10 essential websites every author should know in 2024. May these tools and resources empower you on your writing journey, from the spark of inspiration to the final flourish of your manuscript. Happy writing, and may your creativity know no bounds!

I hope this blog on Ten Websites Every Author Should Know In 2024 will help you in your writing journey. Be sure to comment any tips of your own to help your fellow authors prosper, and follow my blog for new blog updates every Monday and Thursday.  

Looking For More Writing Tips And Tricks? 

Are you an author looking for writing tips and tricks to better your manuscript? Or do you want to learn about how to get a literary agent, get published and properly market your book? Consider checking out the rest of Haya’s book blog where I post writing and publishing tips for authors every Monday and Thursday! And don’t forget to head over to my TikTok and Instagram profiles @hayatheauthor to learn more about my WIP and writing journey!