#perplexity

[ralfmaximus]

CEO Aravind Srinivas said this week on the TBPN podcast that one reason Perplexity is building its own browser is to collect data on everything users do outside of its own app. This so it can sell premium ads. “That’s kind of one of the other reasons we wanted to build a browser, is we want to get data even outside the app to better understand you,” Srinivas said. “Because some of the prompts that people do in these AIs is purely work-related. It’s not like that’s personal.”

Jesus Fucking Christ. A browser that spies on you and phones home even when you're not using it. What a nightmare.

Perplexity: another AI crapware product to avoid.

[royalteachitchat]

Directly From AI:

Yes, Netflix can potentially manipulate which shows appear in its Top 10 lists.

The rankings are based on total hours viewed, a metric that can be influenced by factors such as Netflix's promotion of specific titles, autoplay features, and the visibility of certain shows on users' homepages.

Critics argue that this system lacks transparency and could be curated to prioritize Netflix's interests, such as promoting underperforming content or new releases to boost their visibility and perceived popularity.

[rootbeermilktm]

not to be political on main but im about to get political on main. here’s my take on the tiktok ban/unban after doing some research. sources under the cut.

Info I found in my research:

-Trump is trying to get TikTok US to be 50% American instead of fully of selling it seems.

-He is vying for a 90 day extension on the ban.

-This is a complete 180 from his initial stance on TikTok, where in 2020 he was the first to enact policy trying to ban it beyond the military.

-It was TikTok, not the US gov, that removed itself from the US yesterday. They said it’s because the Biden administration refused to say what action they would take to enforce the ban.

-Trump said that any companies that tried to help save TikTok will not be reprimanded.

-TikTok has been extremely public about thanking Trump and the ceo is planning to attend his inauguration along with top billionaires Bezos, Zuckerberg, and Musk.

-Some republican senators are against Trump saving TikTok bc he technically has no power to do so. The supreme court already made its ruling so the US gov still has every ability to ban apps/vie for them to sell to the US.

-The most recent sale of TikTok people are talking about is a deal Perplexity offered. They want to merge 50% with US TikTok to form a new company while letting most of TikTok’s parent company to keep its shares.

-Perplexity is a search engine AI. Meta’s specifically. Its purpose is to basically just answer questions.

-Bezos is a significant investor of Perplexity.

My sources:

https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/perplexity-ai-bids-merge-with-tiktok-us-cnbc-reports-2025-01-18/

https://www.reuters.com/technology/tiktok-goes-dark-us-users-trump-says-save-tiktok-2025-01-19/

^the reuters ones or the “restrictions on tiktok in the us” wiki one were the most helpful/relevent if ur trying to be quick. reuters for mostly recent stuff/past few days, and wiki for longer time span overview.

the way i interpret this is that basically bc tiktok is so openly supporting trump, and bc they were the ones to deactivate the app, and this is happening mere days before inauguration right before trump is even in power… the actual deactivation of the app is a ploy to make it look like trump saved it when in reality the us gov still has every ability to ban it and negotiations to sell it are just still continuing. somebody debunk me if im way off base or if my sources are shit or anything.

(as a side note my opinion of the ban in general is that banning a social media app is a complete violation of our freedom of speech.)

[kristihines]

Can you trust AI Answers about your health?

During the summer of 2020, when the entire world was focused on the pandemic, getting treatment for other health issues became a challenge.

I started experiencing a lot of back pain, but I shrugged it off as an injury and took Advil to cope.

A week later, I thought I had food poisoning.

I tried an at-home service where they pumped me full of IV fluids.

I went to urgent care. They sent me to get scans. I paid hundreds of dollars out of pocket to get them quickly.

The imaging place never sent the scans to the urgent care.

A day later, I had the worst chills. It was July, in Phoenix. Most likely 100 F. I went outside and was still freezing.

At that point, I was taken to the ER. I ended up in the ICU in one of those rooms they zipped up in plastic.

While most of the focus was on COVID, I had something else: a large kidney stone. The kind that doesn’t pass on its own.

I was in septic shock and acute renal failure according to discharge papers.

The hospital stay itself wasn’t too long, but the treatment with specialists took three months to complete.

Surgeries during COVID were extra special because if you tested positive, your surgery was delayed.

Two years later, in 2022, I ended up in the same hospital for the same reason.

And now, I’m a few days into aggressive antibiotic treatment for my kidneys, yet again. Wondering if I make it to the next followup or have to Lyft off to the ER.

So what does this have to do with Google AI Answers?

In 2020 and 2022, I spent a lot of time perusing Google Search results on kidney stones.

Now, I get AI Answers above at the top of SERPs (search engine results pages).

This wouldn’t be a bad thing if one could trust the AI to accurately summarize its sources.

That’s the big if.

In the first screenshot, you’ll find an AI Answer from Google Search results for the phrase how to pass kidney stone.

The first mistake involved an error with paraphrasing a source with legitimate information.

Because I can assure you after four years of seeing urology specialists, no one has ever suggested drinking two quarts or liters of urine.

The basil leaves suggestion, on the other hand, is suspect. I’ve never come across that as a suggestion. It would have stood out, because I have a lot of basil growing around the garden.

I don’t even remember that website from my previous Google searches. I had to check Wikipedia and other sources to find out what the company even was.

Much like the search quality raters and AI Answer checkers do...

In the second screenshot, Microsoft Bing with Copilot offered ads for supplements and advice from five sources, two of which are the MSN Health Hub.

The hub includes a section where you can Ask a health professional questions.

In the third screenshot, ChatGPT using GPT-4 with browsing offered a concise response based on its training data, but claimed not to have access to external sources.

In the fourth screenshot, Perplexity provided the best AI Answer with 19 sources I recognized from my previous research into this health issue.

Moral of the story:

You can’t trust generative AI with your money or your life issues.

But if you do, start with the right AI Answer engine. One that cites sources you trust and doesn’t suggest drinking your own pee.

Think of Perplexity as a better starting point for more in-depth research that you can discuss during your next doctor’s visit.

Not as a definitive answer.

Follow @kristileilani on X for more on AI news, trends, and tools.

[brooklyndadshow]

Black History Study Guide 2025 customGPT

I couldn't sleep so I got up early and put the finishing touches on the first draft of the Black History Study Guide I started last night. I added a Middle School Guide version - I need to check through content to see how appropriate it all actually is for the age group I requested. Some of the best content was around guiding kids on how to prompt. I think this guide from Claude.ai plus these prompts from Perplexity could be a great starting research on Black History and learning how to responsibily use AI

Claude.ai (link to study guide)

Student Guide: AI Research Prompts for Black History

For Middle School Students (Grades 6-8)

How to Use This Guide

Before using these prompts:

Always have a parent or teacher supervise your AI research

Take notes on the responses you receive

Fact-check information using your textbooks or trusted websites

Remember that AI can make mistakes

Use critical thinking skills

Research Prompts

Learning About Historical Figures

"Can you tell me about [historical figure's name] in a way that a middle school student can understand? Please include: - Their main achievements - Why they're important in history - 3 interesting facts about their life Please avoid any disturbing details."

Understanding Time Periods

"I'm doing a school project about [time period] in African American history. Can you explain it to me like I'm 12 years old? Please include: - The most important events - Key people involved - How it changed America Please keep the explanation appropriate for middle school."

Exploring Inventions and Innovations

"What are some important inventions or discoveries by African American scientists and inventors during [specific time period]? Please tell me: - What they invented - How it helped people - Why it was important Please explain it simply, like you're talking to a middle school student."

Understanding Cultural Contributions

"Can you explain how African Americans influenced [music/art/literature/sports] in America? Please include: - Important people - Major achievements - How it affects us today Please use examples that middle school students would understand."

Learning About Historical Events

"I need to learn about [historical event] for my history class. Can you: - Explain what happened - Tell me why it was important - Share how it changed things Please keep it appropriate for someone my age and avoid disturbing details."

Exploring Local History

"Can you tell me about important African American historical sites or events in [your state/city]? Please include: - Places I could visit - People who lived here - How they made history Please focus on information that would interest middle school students."

Understanding Achievements

"Who were some African American pioneers in [field/profession]? Please tell me: - What they accomplished - Challenges they overcame - Why they're remembered today Please explain it in a way that's easy for a middle school student to understand."

Learning About Organizations

"Can you explain what [organization name] did to help African Americans? Please include: - When it was created - What it accomplished - Who led it Please keep the explanation simple and appropriate for my age."

Exploring Art and Literature

"Can you recommend some age-appropriate books or art by African American [authors/artists] that a middle school student would enjoy? Please include: - What they're about - Why they're important - Why kids my age might like them"

Understanding Modern Connections

"How did [historical event/person] help change things for people today? Please explain: - What was different then - What changed - Why it matters now Please explain it like you're talking to someone my age."

Tips for Students

Be specific in your questions

Ask for clarification if you don't understand something

Take notes on the responses

Always verify information with other sources

Share what you learn with your teacher

Safety Guidelines

Always use AI with adult supervision

Don't share personal information

Verify information with trusted sources

Tell an adult if you see inappropriate content

Use AI as one of many research tools

Remember

AI can make mistakes

Not all information may be current

Always double-check facts

Use multiple sources for research

Ask teachers or librarians for help

Perplexity

Here are 10 AI prompts that middle schoolers can use to explore African American history:

Describe the significance of the Underground Railroad during the 19th century.

Purpose: Understand the role of the Underground Railroad in helping enslaved people escape to freedom.

Explain the impact of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 on African American communities.

Purpose: Learn about the legal changes that helped reduce racial segregation.

Who was Harriet Tubman, and what were her contributions to American history?

Purpose: Explore the life and achievements of Harriet Tubman.

Discuss the role of African American soldiers in World War II.

Purpose: Understand the experiences and contributions of Black soldiers during WWII.

What were the main goals of the Black Panther Party, and how did they achieve them?

Purpose: Learn about the Black Panther Party's objectives and actions.

Describe the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

Purpose: Study Dr. King's role in the Civil Rights Movement.

How did the Harlem Renaissance influence African American culture?

Purpose: Explore the artistic and literary contributions of the Harlem Renaissance.

What were the key events and figures of the Montgomery Bus Boycott?

Purpose: Understand the significance of the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

Explain the significance of Juneteenth and its origins.

Purpose: Learn about the history and celebration of Juneteenth.

Discuss the impact of African American inventors on modern technology.

Purpose: Discover the contributions of Black inventors to science and technology.

These prompts can help middle schoolers delve into various aspects of African American history using AI tools for research and learning.

For more AI prompts and resources, you can explore platforms like Pedagog.ai and Teachers Pay Teachers for additional guidance and tools[2][6].

Citations: [1] https://www.abhmuseum.org/black-artists-say-a-i-shows-bias-with-algorithms-erasing-their-history/ [2] https://pedagog.ai/sign-up/?mepr-unauth-page=3858&redirect_to=%2Fusing-ai-to-teach-about-black-history-month%2F [3] https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/10-ai-powered-prompts-celebrating-black-history-month-dennis-hardy-wxsbe [4] https://www.etsy.com/listing/1530105989/black-history-month-midjourney-prompts [5] https://selar.co/digital-ai-art [6] https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Teachers-African-American-AI-Prompts-Made-Easy-10870776 [7] https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2023/10/06/1201840678/ai-was-asked-to-create-images-of-black-african-docs-treating-white-kids-howd-it- [8] https://www.pinterest.com/pin/pinterest--570972059022551260/

Lastly, I took the content I created yesterday and today and made a custom GPT that anyone can chat with and access sources from accross all the AI platforms. Give it a spin and let me know what you think. I'm going to continue to update throughout the month. I'm also going to use it to create content for BlackChatGPT.

[sleepyheadnat]

Mate, that's the exact opposite of what we want.

This funny.

Source: TLDR Newsletter (you can subscribe to it using my referral code if you want) // Cited article: Perplexity CEO says its browser will track everything users do online to sell ‘hyper personalized’ ads

[yey-news]

【無料あり】おすすめの生成AIツールをジャンル別に徹底比較！ | AI総合研究所 | AI総合研究所

[blackhistorychatgpt]

AI Curated Black History Month Study Guide

As it is the start of Black History Month, it felt appropriate to start with a study guide to help base the rest of the month's posts on. Honestly, I'm guessing I am going to be posting well beyond just this month. Either way, I wanted to create a resource guide curated from accross all the AI platforms. I'm also going to create the same resource with resources approrpiate for a middle schooler - for my daughter AND I'm going to create a custom chat interface which has this knowledge from accross all these AI platforms. One of the ideas I'm most curious for people to interact with is I used a trick that AI prompters often use to get the right prompts - I asked AI to give me a list of prompts that anyone can use to explore African American History on any platform. Here are the top ten prompts ChatGPT gave me. You can see the prompts I got in the full document here. Happy Black History Month!!

Absolutely! Given your focus on community education and AI, these prompts are designed to encourage independent research while also supporting your work in bridging the gap between communities, organizations, and AI:

"How did African American communities shape environmental justice movements, and what historical examples demonstrate their leadership?" (This aligns with your work in AI and environmental justice—exploring historical roots can provide a foundation for future AI-driven initiatives.)

"What were the major economic contributions of Black-owned businesses during Reconstruction, the Civil Rights era, and today?" (Could be useful when discussing MWBE businesses and their historical impact.)

"How did historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) contribute to African American political and social leadership?"

"What role did African American women play in grassroots activism, and how did their contributions shape national movements?"

"What was the impact of Black Wall Street and similar economic hubs on African American wealth-building efforts?" (Ties into modern discussions about economic justice and financial equity.)

"How did African American scientists and engineers contribute to technological advancements throughout U.S. history?" (Could be an interesting connection to AI education and Black contributions to STEM fields.)

"What is the historical significance of the Great Migration, and how did it shape the cultural and political landscapes of Northern cities?"

"What were the key policies and legal battles that shaped African Americans' fight for voting rights?" (Relevant for understanding policy-making and community advocacy today.)

"How did African American music genres, such as jazz, blues, and hip-hop, influence global culture?"

"What AI-powered tools or databases exist to help explore and analyze African American historical archives?" (Bridges AI and history—could be a way to introduce tech into historical research discussions.)

These prompts will help guide deep, independent exploration into African American history, while also connecting to your broader mission of community education and AI integration. Let me know if you'd like tailored questions for specific audiences or workshops!

[I actually forgot Gemini responses but I will add them tomorrow along with the middle school version of the whole study guide. I should have time to come up with the custom chat interface tomorrow too!!]

[seo-copywriter-daniel-beranek]

#AI.s: zhola subjektivně a děsně útržkovitě

[ralfmaximus]

AI search platform Perplexity is launching a new feature called Pages that will generate a customizable webpage based on user prompts. The new feature feels like a one-stop shop for making a school report since Perplexity does the research and writing for you. Pages taps Perplexity’s AI search models��to find information and then creates what I can loosely call a research presentation that can be published and shared with others. In a blog post, Perplexity says it designed Pages to help educators, researchers, and “hobbyists” share their knowledge.

Oh look, new plagiarism machine just dropped.

Users type a prompt into a box and the LLM generates searchable, google-optimized webpages ready to post. Now anybody can be a published expert on anything!

What could possibly go wrong?

Oh, and update: it's apparently a scam or at least very shady, in that it's scraping paywalled content without consent. Which is making paywalled sites very angry.

[geschwartz]

[macmanx]

Perplexity CEO says, “I’ll be the scab!”

[parasidic]

made on shufflez.

[maaddss]

🤔🤨🧐

[yey-news]

「AI検索」は結局どれがいい？ SearchGPTやGemini、Perplexityなどを徹底比較 連載：グーグルの生成AIトレンドガイド｜ビジネス+IT