#training data for AI security camera

[hbmmaster]

concept: a security system that uses ai not for facial recognition but for video compression. after training a neural network on months worth of footage of the specific hallway the camera is aimed at, they're remarkably able to reduce how much data the footage requires to a mere handful of bytes per hour 99% losslessly.

they don't figure out until it's too late that it's able to achieve this level of accuracy and efficiency because 99% of the time the hallway is empty so it just generates a constant feed of an empty hallway

[marvelsmostwanted]

Per Wired:

In an email sent to customers today, Amazon said that Echo users will no longer be able to set their devices to process Alexa requests locally and, therefore, avoid sending voice recordings to Amazon’s cloud. Amazon apparently sent the email to users with “Do Not Send Voice Recordings” enabled on their Echo. Starting on March 28, recordings of every command spoken to the Alexa living in Echo speakers and smart displays will automatically be sent to Amazon and processed in the cloud.

Attempting to rationalize the change, Amazon’s email said: “As we continue to expand Alexa’s capabilities with generative AI features that rely on the processing power of Amazon’s secure cloud, we have decided to no longer support this feature.”

(…) Amazon has previously mismanaged Alexa voice recordings. In 2023, Amazon agreed to pay $25 million in civil penalties over the revelation that it stored recordings of children’s interactions with Alexa forever. Adults also didn’t feel properly informed of Amazon’s inclination to keep Alexa recordings unless prompted not to until 2019—five years after the first Echo came out.

If that's not enough to deter you from sharing voice recordings with Amazon, note that the company allowed employees to listen to Alexa voice recordings. In 2019, Bloomberg reported that Amazon employees listened to as many as 1,000 audio samples during their nine-hour shifts. Amazon says it allows employees to listen to Alexa voice recordings to train its speech recognition and natural language understanding systems.

Other reasons people may be hesitant to trust Amazon with personal voice samples include the previous usage of Alexa voice recordings in criminal trials and Amazon paying a settlement in 2023 in relation to allegations that it allowed “thousands of employees and contractors to watch video recordings of customers' private spaces” taken from Ring cameras, per the Federal Trade Commission.

So it’s not paranoid to say that Alexa is listening to you.

I don’t have any of these devices but I’d throw them out if you do. Find a lower tech version from a different company. This goes far beyond AI stealing data - it’s stealing directly from your personal life and recording your conversations.

[mariacallous]

The Trump administration’s Federal Trade Commission has removed four years’ worth of business guidance blogs as of Tuesday morning, including important consumer protection information related to artificial intelligence and the agency’s landmark privacy lawsuits under former chair Lina Khan against companies like Amazon and Microsoft. More than 300 blogs were removed.

On the FTC’s website, the page hosting all of the agency’s business-related blogs and guidance no longer includes any information published during former president Joe Biden’s administration, current and former FTC employees, who spoke under anonymity for fear of retaliation, tell WIRED. These blogs contained advice from the FTC on how big tech companies could avoid violating consumer protection laws.

One now deleted blog, titled “Hey, Alexa! What are you doing with my data?” explains how, according to two FTC complaints, Amazon and its Ring security camera products allegedly leveraged sensitive consumer data to train the ecommerce giant’s algorithms. (Amazon disagreed with the FTC’s claims.) It also provided guidance for companies operating similar products and services. Another post titled “$20 million FTC settlement addresses Microsoft Xbox illegal collection of kids’ data: A game changer for COPPA compliance” instructs tech companies on how to abide by the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act by using the 2023 Microsoft settlement as an example. The settlement followed allegations by the FTC that Microsoft obtained data from children using Xbox systems without the consent of their parents or guardians.

“In terms of the message to industry on what our compliance expectations were, which is in some ways the most important part of enforcement action, they are trying to just erase those from history,” a source familiar tells WIRED.

Another removed FTC blog titled “The Luring Test: AI and the engineering of consumer trust” outlines how businesses could avoid creating chatbots that violate the FTC Act’s rules against unfair or deceptive products. This blog won an award in 2023 for “excellent descriptions of artificial intelligence.”

The Trump administration has received broad support from the tech industry. Big tech companies like Amazon and Meta, as well as tech entrepreneurs like OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, all donated to Trump’s inauguration fund. Other Silicon Valley leaders, like Elon Musk and David Sacks, are officially advising the administration. Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) employs technologists sourced from Musk’s tech companies. And already, federal agencies like the General Services Administration have started to roll out AI products like GSAi, a general-purpose government chatbot.

The FTC did not immediately respond to a request for comment from WIRED.

Removing blogs raises serious compliance concerns under the Federal Records Act and the Open Government Data Act, one former FTC official tells WIRED. During the Biden administration, FTC leadership would place “warning” labels above previous administrations’ public decisions it no longer agreed with, the source said, fearing that removal would violate the law.

Since President Donald Trump designated Andrew Ferguson to replace Khan as FTC chair in January, the Republican regulator has vowed to leverage his authority to go after big tech companies. Unlike Khan, however, Ferguson’s criticisms center around the Republican party’s long-standing allegations that social media platforms, like Facebook and Instagram, censor conservative speech online. Before being selected as chair, Ferguson told Trump that his vision for the agency also included rolling back Biden-era regulations on artificial intelligence and tougher merger standards, The New York Times reported in December.

In an interview with CNBC last week, Ferguson argued that content moderation could equate to an antitrust violation. “If companies are degrading their product quality by kicking people off because they hold particular views, that could be an indication that there's a competition problem,” he said.

Sources speaking with WIRED on Tuesday claimed that tech companies are the only groups who benefit from the removal of these blogs.

“They are talking a big game on censorship. But at the end of the day, the thing that really hits these companies’ bottom line is what data they can collect, how they can use that data, whether they can train their AI models on that data, and if this administration is planning to take the foot off the gas there while stepping up its work on censorship,” the source familiar alleges. “I think that's a change big tech would be very happy with.”

[gacha-incels]

below is a machine translation of the article into english. If you see any discrepancies lmk and I’ll fix it asap. Thanks everyone for your help and continued patience

Ten Million Downloads for the Photo App 'SODA'… Criticism Over AI Being Out of Control Subsidiary of Naver, Snow, Responds Mechanically to AI-Generated Inappropriate Content

Snow, a subsidiary of Naver and the creator of the camera application 'SODA', has come under fire for generating sexually inappropriate images using its AI editing function. The company has stated that it "cannot 100% control AI-generated content," sparking criticism from experts who argue that commercializing an uncontrollable AI service is irresponsible. SODA is a popular camera app with over 10 million downloads on the Google Play Store.

Ms. G, an office worker, complained in an online messenger conversation with Hankyoreh on the 9th, “I didn't expect to feel shame while using the app. It's so unpleasant and traumatizing.” On the 4th, she applied the 'AI background expansion' feature, a paid service of the Soda app, to her photo. The intention was to correct the photo, which was cropped in the middle of her shoulders, to show her entire upper body, but the AI generated a result that made her appear to be clutching her chest with both hands. The rest of the results were normal, but Ms. G said it was hard to get over the shock of the image she suddenly received while using the app.

In response, Snow explained, “Due to the nature of the service that applied A.I. technology, the result was unexpected.” Snow explained that the AI-generated images are filtered to remove offensive or sexualized images as much as possible before they are finally displayed to the user, but this feature did not work perfectly in G's case.

However, experts argue that the issue is more complex. The core problem lies in the AI image generation engine applied to the SODA app, called 'Stable Diffusion'. Developed primarily by the UK startup Stability AI, it was revealed that this model had included explicit content in its training data. Professor Kim Myung-joo of Seoul Women’s University (Information Security) explained, “Unlike other AI models, Stable Diffusion was designed to generate graphic images and included pornographic content in its training data, which has raised concerns since its release.”

Experts are calling for measures like age restrictions on the app to prevent irresponsible commercialization. At the moment, SODA is rated for use by individuals aged 3 and older. Jang Yeo-gyeong, the director of the Information Rights Research Institute, stated, "Even if it doesn't lead to sexual exploitation, consumers who suffer mental harm from AI tools should be able to hold the companies that release these services accountable. Snow's response that 'current technology can't prevent this' is irresponsible."

In response to The Hankyoreh, a Snow representative said, "All companies utilizing AI are struggling to address issues like this. We are working to enhance the service by strengthening filters to prevent similar cases in the future."

plain text in the original Korean

카메라 애플리케이션(앱) ‘소다’(SODA)의 인공지능(AI) 편집 기능이 성적 불쾌감을 일으키는 사진을 생성한 사례가 발생한 것에 대해 이 앱을 만든 네이버의 자회사 스노우가 ‘인공지능 생성물을 100% 통제할 수 없다’는 입장을 내놨다. 통제할 수 없는 인공지능 서비스를 상업화한 것에 대해 무책임한 행태라는 전문가들의 지적이 나온다. 소다는 스마트폰 앱 장터인 ‘구글 플레이 스토어’에서 1000만회 이상 다운로드된 인기 카메라 앱이다.

직장인 ㄱ씨는 9일 한겨레와 온라인 메신저 대화를 통해 “앱을 사용하다 수치심을 느낄 줄 몰랐다. 너무 불쾌하고 정신적 충격이 크다”고 호소했다. 그는 지난 4일 소다 앱의 유료 서비스인 ‘인공지능 배경 확장’ 기능을 자신의 증명사진에 적용했다. 어깨 부분 중간에 잘린 증명사진을 상반신 전체가 나오는 모습으로 보정하려는 의도였는데, 실제 인공지능이 생성한 결과물에선 자신이 가슴을 양손으로 움켜쥐고 있는 듯한 모습이 나왔다. 이 이미지를 제외한 다른 나머지 결과에선 정상적인 사진이 나왔지만, ㄱ씨는 앱을 사용하다 갑자기 받은 이미지의 충격에서 벗어나기 힘들었다고 했다.

이에 대해 스노우 쪽은 “인공지능 기술이 적용된 서비스의 특성상 결과물이 예상치 못한 형태로 구현된 것”이라고 설명했다. 인공지능이 생성한 이미지를 사용자에게 최종적으로 노출하기 전 필터 기술을 통해 모욕적이거나 선정적인 이미지를 최대한 제거하고 있지만, ㄱ씨의 사례에선 이 기능이 완벽하게 작동하지 않았다고도 설명했다.

하지만 문제가 간단치 않다는 게 전문가들의 지적이다. 소다 앱에 적용된 인공지능 이미지 생성 엔진인 ‘스테이블 디퓨전’ 자체에 문제가 있다는 이유에서다. 스테이블 디퓨전은 영국 스타트업 ‘스태빌리티 에이아이(AI)’가 개발을 주도한 모델인데, 개발 단계에서 음란물을 학습 데이터에 포함시킨 것으로 알려져 있다. 김명주 서울여대 교수(정보보호학)는 “다른 인공지능 모델과 달리 스테이블 디퓨전은 그래픽 이미지를 생성하기 위한 목적으로 포르노 영상물을 학습 데이터에 포함했기 때문에 공개될 때부터 많은 우려가 제기됐다”고 말했다.

전문가들은 소다 앱의 이용자 연령을 제한하는 등의 방식으로 기업의 무책임한 상업화를 막아야 한다고 지적했다. 현재 소다 앱은 3살 이상이면 누구나 사용할 수 있다. 장여경 정보인권연구소 상임이사는 “성착취물로 연결되지 않는다고 해도 인공지능 도구로 정신적 피해를 입은 소비자들이 서비스를 출시한 기업에 대해 최소한의 주의 의무를 요구할 수 있어야 한다”며 “‘현재 기술로는 막을 수 없다’는 스노우의 태도는 무책임하다”고 꼬집었다.

스노우 관계자는 한겨레에 “인공지능을 활용하는 모든 회사가 이번과 같은 이슈를 해결하기 위해 분투하고 있다. 유사한 사례가 발생하지 않도록 필터를 더욱 강화하는 등 서비스 고도화를 노력하겠다”고 했다.

[aktechworld]

Integration of AI in Driver Testing and Evaluation

Introduction: As technology continues to shape the future of transportation, Canada has taken a major leap in modernizing its driver testing procedures by integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the evaluation process. This transition aims to enhance the objectivity, fairness, and efficiency of driving assessments, marking a significant advancement in how new drivers are tested and trained across the country.

Key Points:

Automated Test Scoring for Objectivity: Traditional driving test evaluations often relied heavily on human judgment, which could lead to inconsistencies or perceived bias. With AI-driven systems now analysing road test performance, scoring is based on standardized metrics such as speed control, reaction time, lane discipline, and compliance with traffic rules. These AI systems use sensor data, GPS tracking, and in-car cameras to deliver highly accurate, impartial evaluations, removing potential examiner subjectivity.

Real-Time Feedback Enhances Learning: One of the key benefits of AI integration is the ability to deliver immediate feedback to drivers once the test concludes. Drivers can now receive a breakdown of their performance in real time—highlighting both strengths and areas needing improvement. This timely feedback accelerates the learning process and helps individuals better prepare for future driving scenarios or retests, if required.

Enhanced Test Consistency Across Canada: With AI systems deployed uniformly across various testing centres, all applicants are assessed using the same performance parameters and technology. This ensures that no matter where in Canada a person takes their road test, the evaluation process remains consistent and fair. It also eliminates regional discrepancies and contributes to national standardization in driver competency.

Data-Driven Improvements to Driver Education: AI doesn’t just assess drivers—it collects and analyses test data over time. These insights are then used to refine driver education programs by identifying common mistakes, adjusting training focus areas, and developing better instructional materials. Platforms like licenseprep.ca integrate this AI-powered intelligence to update practice tools and learning modules based on real-world testing patterns.

Robust Privacy and Data Protection Measures: As personal driving data is collected during AI-monitored tests, strict privacy policies have been established to protect individual information. All recorded data is encrypted, securely stored, and only used for training and evaluation purposes. Compliance with national data protection laws ensures that drivers’ privacy is respected throughout the testing and feedback process.

Explore More with Digital Resources: For a closer look at how AI is transforming driver testing in Canada and to access AI-informed preparation materials, visit licenseprep.ca. The platform stays current with tech-enabled changes and offers resources tailored to the evolving standards in driver education.

[stuarttechnologybob]

What are Optimal Character Recognition (OCR) Services?

OCR Outsourcing Services

Optical Character Recognition is a technology and resource that converts various types of documents—such as scanned and printed paper documents and sheets, PDFs, or images and physical documents captured and scanned by a digital camera or device—into editable and searchable data of information. OCR Outsourcing refers to hiring third-party experts to handle these processes, making data management more efficient and cost-effective for businesses.

How Do OCR Services Work?

OCR technology scans printed or handwritten text and translates it into digital characters using pattern recognition and machine learning. Once the data is converted, it can be edited, searched, and stored electronically. This is especially useful and beneficial for the businesses that manage and hold a high volume of paper records or image-based files as raw source data.

Key Benefits of OCR Outsourcing -

Faster Data Processing:

By outsourcing OCR services, businesses can process large volumes of data significantly faster than they can do in-house. Professional experts leverage tools and advanced resources and employ trained professionals to assure the prompt turnaround times and processing for faster data proceedings and operations.

Improved Accuracy:

High-quality OCR Outsourcing providers use AI-driven tools and resources that minimize and lower down the errors. As this guarantees that the captured data is examined up to as precise as possible, lowering the demand for manual corrections and errors.

Cost Efficiency:

Maintaining and leveraging in-house source OCR setup can be expensive and costly. As the outsourcing eliminates the demand for costly software and system, infrastructure, and specialized staff, offering a more affordable option for ongoing needs and business demands.

Better Data Organization:

OCR Outsourcing makes it easier to store and retrieve data as scanned documents become searchable. While this is quite helpful and considerable for industries such as healthcare, law, finance, and logistics.

Scalability:

Whether you need to process a few documents or thousands, outsourcing partners can scale their services to match your demand without affecting quality or delivery speed. Companies and professional experts such as Suma Soft, IBM, Cyntexa, and Cignex are known for offering reliable OCR Outsourcing services. They aid businesses to simplify the data capture process, lower down the workload, and improve the operational efficiency by handling document digitization with precision and care. Choosing a trusted partner ensures high-quality results and seamless data management. They combine technology, skilled teams, and secure processes to deliver high-quality OCR results tailored and personalized as per the settings of different industries and business sizes.

[patelharshal]

How Technology Is Changing the Driver’s License Process in Canada: 2025 Update

In the ever-evolving world of technology, the process of obtaining a driver's license in Canada is undergoing significant transformation. From online study tools to AI-assisted road tests, advancements in technology are reshaping how new drivers prepare for, take, and even manage their driver’s licenses. Whether you're a new resident, a teenager, or an experienced driver upgrading your license, understanding these technological changes is crucial. This blog explores the key developments in the licensing process and how technology is making it easier, more efficient, and even safer to get your driver’s license in 2025.

1. Online Study Tools and Test Preparation

One of the most notable changes in the licensing process in Canada is the availability of online study resources. In 2025, many provinces have embraced digital tools to help drivers prepare for the written knowledge test. Websites like licenseprep.ca provide online practice tests, detailed study guides, and interactive content that covers everything from road signs to traffic laws.

Gone are the days when you had to rely solely on paper handbooks. With the convenience of online platforms, you can access study materials anytime, anywhere. These resources often feature real-time feedback, allowing you to track your progress and pinpoint areas that need improvement. The digital approach not only makes studying more flexible but also ensures that you are up to date with the latest traffic laws and regulations.

2. Digital Driver’s License (eDL)

In several Canadian provinces, the digital driver’s license (eDL) has become a reality. Ontario and British Columbia have already rolled out this innovative service, where drivers can access their license through a mobile app. The eDL allows users to store a digital version of their license securely on their smartphones.

The eDL is accepted as an official form of ID and can be used for everything from purchasing alcohol to showing your license to law enforcement. In the future, we can expect more provinces to adopt this technology, providing greater convenience and security for Canadian drivers. This shift also reduces the risk of losing your physical card and eliminates the need to carry a bulky wallet.

3. AI-Assisted Road Tests

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is starting to play a role in Canada’s road test evaluations. AI-assisted driving tests are being piloted in some provinces, where in-car sensors and cameras track your performance during the road test. These systems can monitor things like your speed, lane positioning, and the quality of your braking, providing examiners with objective data to supplement their judgment.

While AI is not yet fully replacing human examiners, it’s enhancing the overall assessment process. By using AI, the road test becomes more precise, ensuring that every driver is evaluated fairly based on their skills and abilities. In the long term, AI-assisted evaluations could help reduce human error and improve safety on the road.

4. Virtual Reality (VR) Driving Simulators

In an effort to improve driving education, some driving schools are now incorporating virtual reality (VR) simulators into their training programs. These simulators replicate real-world driving scenarios, allowing students to practice their skills in a controlled environment before getting behind the wheel. They can practice everything from parallel parking to handling adverse weather conditions without the risk.

While VR training isn’t mandatory, it offers valuable benefits, particularly for new drivers who are nervous or lack experience in specific driving situations. It’s a safe and effective way to build confidence and become comfortable with a variety of driving scenarios that might be hard to replicate in a regular driving school setting.

5. Online Knowledge Tests and Faster Licensing

In some provinces, you can now take the written knowledge test online. This is especially beneficial for people who might not have access to a local service center or who prefer the convenience of studying and testing from home. By offering online tests, provinces can reduce wait times and make the licensing process more accessible.

Moreover, some provinces are streamlining the process of upgrading your license. For example, in Ontario, the G1 license can now be upgraded to G2 after only 8 months if you complete an accredited driver education program. This shorter waiting period allows new drivers to gain more experience on the road and work towards their full G license faster.

6. Automated and Digital Driver’s Education

Canada’s driver education programs have also adapted to technology by offering more automated and digital learning options. Many driving schools now provide online courses that allow students to complete theoretical lessons at their own pace. These programs often include interactive quizzes, video tutorials, and real-world simulations to help students learn road safety and driving laws.

The convenience of online driver’s education has made it easier for people with busy schedules to complete their courses. These programs also enable instructors to track students' progress digitally, ensuring that they have mastered the required knowledge before moving on to practical training.

7. The Future of Driver’s Licenses in Canada

Looking ahead, it’s clear that technology will continue to play a significant role in shaping the future of driving in Canada. From autonomous vehicles to smart roads that communicate with cars, the world of driving is rapidly changing. The driver’s license process will likely evolve to accommodate these new technologies, and we may see more digital tools, AI-driven tests, and even the introduction of self-driving car licenses in the future.

Additionally, with climate change being a key focus of Canadian policy, future licenses may also include environmental considerations. For instance, drivers could be required to take courses on eco-friendly driving techniques, or there may be new policies that encourage the adoption of electric vehicles.

Navigating the 2025 Driver’s License Process:

Stay Up-to-Date: Technology is advancing rapidly, so keep an eye on new developments related to licensing procedures in your province.

Leverage Online Resources: Use online study tools like licenseprep.ca to ensure you’re prepared for both written and practical tests.

Consider Driver Education Programs: While online learning is helpful, consider enrolling in a driving school for hands-on experience and confidence-building.

Get Comfortable with Digital Licensing: Learn about the digital driver’s license option in your province for added convenience and security.

Prepare for the Future: Be ready for possible changes in driver’s licensing laws, especially as autonomous vehicles and green technologies become more integrated into Canadian roads.

Learn the Rules with licenseprep.ca Driving laws may differ from what you're used to. Use licenseprep.ca to study road signs, local rules, and prepare for your tests confidently.

[rubykgrant]

rvb for the hyperfix ask!

📃 what is the plot of your hyperfixation? and is it a movie, game, show, etc? 📌 how did you find your hyperfixation? ✨ what draws you towards your hyperfixation? what is interesting about it? 🎥 do you have any favorite scenes from your hyperfixation? 💕tell us about one of your favorite characters and why you like them!

First of all, thank you for indulging me in this, I very much appreciate the chance to info-dump with my nonsense, you are a wonderful person~

So... RVB. More than 2 decades ago, some guys figured out how they could play Halo, sort of use one character as the "camera", make the other characters bop their helmets up and down, then dub their voices into it and make that a show. There is the vague background-plot of the actual Halo lore happening, but the ACTUAL plot of RVB? The first few seasons are just 2 groups of guys, standing around, talking, arguing, and trying to kill each other. Red Team has been told to kill the Blues, and Blue Team has been told to kill the Reds. Why? Because. One guy dies, but comes back as a "ghost". This will become a pattern. There is a theme through the series about how some people are unable to let go of grief, and it eventually destroys them, the message of learning how to see enemies as real people, learning to accept flaws in yourself and others so they can become strengths. Over and over again, there are multiple groups of soldiers who have been told "you are the good guys, they are the bad guys, you need to kill them", and sometimes the most difficult thing is to finally accept the truth and try to live with yourself. There are highly advanced and unique AI, once all part of one system together, forced into being singular Fragments, tortured into forgetting what they were, but unable to stop missing what they don't have. Despite being data and treated like tools, they develop their own "humanity"... for better, and for worse. Through it all, the same group of Red and Blue goobers keep talking and arguing. They win against highly trained special agents with incredibly advanced equipment, vicious mercenaries with back-up from a corrupt military group, and a reality-breaking "god". These clowns even got their own circus music (the Warthog Polka)

Waaaaay back in the day, when I was like... 15? A friend of mine had a brother, who had a friend, who let him borrow some DVDs of Red VS Blue, and I watched it at the friend's house. I had never played Halo (still haven't), but I got a chuckle out of it. I occasionally watched it when another friend would pull it up on their computer, and for a while, that was it... in 2021, I randomly thought to myself "Oh yeah... Red VS Blue was a thing". I hadn't thought about it for a decade. So I decided to watch it up to the point I remembered, somewhere in season 5. Some of the jokes... did not age well, but it was a nice little stroll down memory lane. Then I realized they made MORE after that. This show, at that time, had 18 seasons. So I kept watching, and now it has FILLED UP MY BRAIN

There is this fun aspect of very casual, conversational dialogue in the middle of absolutely bonkers situations. The characters will be doing the most extreme, dangerous sci-fi nonsense, and they still just bicker and chit-chat like regular dudes. It will also randomly sneak up, and hit you with EMOTIONS. There are incredibly sweet and sad moments, and others that have no business being so IMPACTFUL and MEANINGFUL, but they are. The characters are all so stupid, yet full of potential and depth, everybody is just perfect fuel for imagination

I have a few favorite scenes! In the episode "Long Time No See", the characters Epsilon and Carolina are shown working together, gathering information on a shady organization. In the middle of this, they are threatened by a group of security soldiers, and we get see how Epsilon, as an AI with the memories of the other Fragments, can assist Carolina; time slows down as the AI work at bullet-speed, with Epsilon running calculations, making a plan for how Carolina can fight back and escape. The memories of the Fragments can interact with Epsilon, and give suggestions or feedback based on their skills. It is just so AWESOME to see how far the characters have come, the teamwork they share... and it is also a little bitter-sweet, because seeing the Fragments like this is how it could have (should have) been with Alpha. It also shows Carolina, who was once determined not to get close to anybody again (after losing so many people she cared about), has really bonded with Epsilon, and it helps her realize she misses the rest of the clowns. Another favorite scene has some background context; the intro to the series, the very first scene of the very first episode, is Grif and Simmons having a conversation- "Do you ever wonder why we're here?" "It's one of life's great mysteries". As the show goes on, that becomes a reoccurring conversation, sometimes as a joke, sometimes as something more relevant. In season 15, the main characters meet another group of Blues and Reds, who all resemble them in some way, but are also kind of "mirror opposites". The characters have the same armor color, but different voice actors... except for Simmons. His look-alike is Gene, and they have the same VA (Simmons insists they don't sound similar at ALL, Gene is totally annoying). When it is revealed this group is EVIL, there is a moment when we see one soldier in maroon armor pull a knife and attempt to stab another soldier in maroon armor. This is Simmons and Gene, but which is which? Grif arrives, and has that same problem. Both Gene/Simmons insist "I'm the real Simmons, shoot him"... so Grif asks- "Why are we here?". One maroon soldier says they're here to stop the bad guys. The other one says "We don't know why we're here. It's still one of life's great mysteries". HECK YEAH, THAT'S YOUR SIMMONS. There are like a thousand other moments I like that are pure comedy, but those are the big emotional moments

I've rambled about Grif and Simmons a stupid amount, I've also gone on long tangents for Church and Tex, so I'll talk about one of my other favorites, Tucker! In the beginning, he doesn't take any of this seriously (but who does). He's there to be an annoying, shameless flirt, and does so with ease. The thing is, even when he's acting obnoxious and immature, there are moments when you can tell he's actually capable of a LOT. He's smart, when he lets himself think without getting distracted, he's a strong fighter when he's not showing off, and he's genuinely got a good heart (when he's not complaining). As the show goes on, he becomes more important... whether he likes it or not. What do you do when all your big-talk about being the coolest dude ever turns out to be TRUE, but that also means you're responsible for keeping people alive? Tucker also easily fits into any combination of characters, whoever he is with, they get a fun dynamic going (even Sarge, the Red who claims to hate the Blues with an endless burning passion, will do some back-up beat-boxing for Tucker when he sings a taunting song at mutual enemies). He'll tease the others and be a little jerk, but is also incredibly protective of the people he cares about. Tucker once got attacked by a space alien that left a parasite baby in him, and years later, he carries around pictures of Junior in his wallet so he can show off how much he loves his son. Tucker is incredibly clever, and has a lot of emotional depth... he just wishes he didn't have to worry so much, all he wants is to stand around and talk to his best friend. Through all the bravado, the insecurities, and the bow-chicka-wow-wow jokes, Tucker is just very interesting AND entertaining~ (also, thanks to one off-hand comment another character made about his "metro-sexual good looks", all the fans kind of just agreed that under the helmet, Tucker is the prettiest)

Thanks for asking! (and sorry for rambling so much haha)

[whumpster-fire]

Scenes Cut From Hazbin Hotel Season 1

As we all know, Season 1 was pretty short, only 8 episodes. It's widely believed that it was planned to be longer, so a lot of scenes must have been cut to make it fit into 8 episodes, and I refuse to believe that these don't include the following.

Alastor explaining to his tailor that the tears and missing pieces in his suit are supposed to be in a very specific and precise pattern that is completely thrown off by the damage caused by Sir Pentious, only to realize halfway through that he can't remember which one is the spot Sir Pentious damaged it.

Vox staying up all night scrolling through social media for 15 consecutive hours personally deleting thousands of comments saying it looked like Alastor had Adam on the ropes.

Zestial complaining to the other overlords about getting stuck in traffic again on the way to the meeting because anywhere he drives becomes a Final Destination scene as sinners crash on purpose trying to avoid him.

Niffty "accidentally" terrorizing hung over Husk with the vacuum cleaner because somebody spilled whiskey on the couch last night and stained it (it was actually Angel's fault)

Alastor turning security cameras to look at their own screens to annoy Vox (cut to Vox lying on the couch with an ice pack over his screen and all the blinds closed)

Carmilla Carmine getting e-mail after e-mail with fake weaponry order forms that redirect to shock sites, rickrolls, and viruses, until the episode ends with a brick being thrown directly through the Vees' window (it misses hits Valentino in the face. Velvette does not apologize)

Vox falling for a CryptoSouls investment scam and losing a fortune.

The Vees' attempting to damage the other overlords' reputations by leaking fake AI-generated nudes of all of them. This fails because they have no non-glitched photos of Alastor to use for training data and the algorithm just spits out unrecognizable static, and what it generates when prompted to make Zestial nudes is so eldritch and nightmare inducing that everyone who looks at them becomes compelled to pour bleach directly on their eyeballs. The Vees don't even want to know if the algorithm knows something they don't. (This cannot backfire on them because the Vees all already have explicit material of them on the internet: two of them on purpose and Vox because he left a livestream running by accident)

Angel attempting to sneak into Alastor's radio tower while he's not around and broadcast sex noises to all of hell as a prank.

[ladyofsnark]

There wasn’t a lot of privacy to be found on a ship, even one as big as the Normandy SR2. Lex did what she could to dig herself a comfortable little nest down in the bowels of the ship, accessible only via the maintenance shafts, but even then she didn’t escape from EDI’s prying eyes. Though, the AI was quick to assure her that she was only monitoring for vital signs in order to give Jon the necessary information when he inevitably asked after his sister.

But her hidey-hole didn’t have a private terminal, so she was forced to use the one in the loft. She made sure that Jon was distracted with Tali in engineering first before bringing up the encrypted channel link. She was pretty sure Jon would have a stroke when he realized she’d let a geth access a secure channel, but that was a fight for another day.

“We have been monitoring news reports about the human colony Horizon and secured access through the colony’s security systems to observe the battle.”

“You worried about me, Legion?”

“Worry is an emotional response to–”

“Just say yes, tinman,” she cut in.

“This platform’s exoskeleton is comprised of–”

Lex laughed. “Nanofilament carbides–blah, blah, blah. I know. Did you manage to look into that stuff I asked you about?”

There was a pause filled with some thoughtful whirring and clicking. “Yes. We have determined that the turian distress call intercepted by the Illusive Man was fraudulent.”

“So, he lied.” She sat back, rubbing at her bottom lip. “And he wants us to board a Collector ship he knows isn’t actually a derelict. Why?”

“... No data available. We advise caution, Shepard-Commander.”

Lex waved a hand. “Yeah, yeah. I’m always careful.”

“Empirical data gathered by this platform suggests otherwise.”

She grinned at that. Legion insisted he didn’t feel things or resort to “human idiosyncratic uses of irony”, but the more she talked to him the more human he seemed. And the more snarky.

“Will Shepard-Commander advise Shepard-Commander of this discovery?”

“You have really got to find some way to distinguish between Jon and I, sweetie,” Lex said. “And, no. I wouldn’t even know how to explain to him how I know any of that. I mean, I’m good with information, but I’m not quite that good. And I don’t know if the crew is up for the “my friend is a geth terminal please don’t shoot him” talk just yet. Besides, we need the data on that ship. It’s not like we can avoid the job altogether.”

“We advise caution.”

“Yeah, I hear you,” she said, leaning her head back against the seat. “Any suggestions?”

“... We advise caution.”

Lex smiled. “Yeah, okay, tinman. I get it. Listen, I’ve got to let you go. We’ve probably talked too long as it is and EDI is nosy at the best of times. I rerouted her security cameras and audio receptors but that’s not going to work forever. Are you somewhere safe?”

“This unit is secured.”

“Good. Ping me if you get any more information on that ship.”

“Acknowledged.”

The channel cut without any further discussion and Lex sighed as she sat back and closed her eyes.

There was a beeping whir that heralded EDI’s presence. “Shepard.”

Lex stiffened a little and turned her chair so she could look at the AI’s holographic projection which had appeared at the terminal by the door. “How long have you been listening to me?” she asked.

There was a prolonged, dare she say, guilty pause. “Alliance operatives are trained to bypass security and monitoring systems using particular methods. I have been programmed with the appropriate countermeasures for all of them,” the AI eventually replied. There was a pause and then: “Your friend seems… pleasant.”

“For a geth, you mean?”

“No,” EDI said. “Still, I suggest you inform your brother of these developments.”

“Yeah, I know,” Lex said. “I will. Can you keep it between just us for now?”

“Yes.”

She raised an eyebrow. “That easy, huh?”

“Your service record indicates the lengths you will go to protect both your crew and your brother. I trust you, Shepard.”

[brownbiochemist]

Face Blur Technology in Public Surveillance: Balancing Privacy and Security

As surveillance technology continues to evolve, so do concerns about privacy. One solution that addresses both the need for public safety and individual privacy is face blur technology. This technology automatically obscures individuals’ faces in surveillance footage unless there’s a legitimate need for identification, offering a balance between security and personal data protection.

Why Do We Need Face Blur Technology?

Surveillance systems are increasingly used in public spaces, from streets and parks to malls and airports, where security cameras are deployed to monitor activities and prevent crime. However, the widespread collection of images from public spaces poses serious privacy risks. Personal data like facial images can be exploited if not properly protected. This is where face blur technology comes in. It reduces the chances of identity theft, unwarranted surveillance, and abuse of personal data by ensuring that identifiable information isn’t exposed unless necessary. Governments, businesses, and institutions implementing face blur technology are taking a step toward more responsible data handling while still benefiting from surveillance systems (Martinez et al., 2022).

Key Technologies Behind Face Blur

Face blur technology relies on several key technologies:

Computer Vision: This technology enables systems to detect human faces in images and videos. Using machine learning algorithms, cameras or software can recognize faces in real-time, making it possible to apply blurring instantly.

Real-life example: Google’s Street View uses face blur technology to automatically detect and blur faces of people captured in its 360-degree street imagery to protect their privacy.

Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI plays a crucial role in improving the accuracy of face detection and the efficiency of the blurring process. By training models on large datasets of human faces, AI-powered systems can differentiate between faces and non-facial objects, making the blurring process both accurate and fast (Tao et al., 2023).

Real-life example: Intel’s OpenVINO toolkit supports AI-powered face detection and blurring in real-time video streams. It is used in public surveillance systems in places like airports and transportation hubs to anonymize individuals while maintaining situational awareness for security teams.

Edge Computing: Modern surveillance systems equipped with edge computing process data locally on the camera or a nearby device rather than sending it to a distant data center. This reduces latency, allowing face blurring to be applied in real-time without lag.

Real-life example: Axis Communications’ AXIS Q1615-LE Mk III surveillance camera is equipped with edge computing capabilities. This allows for face blurring directly on the camera, reducing the need to send sensitive video footage to a central server for processing, enhancing privacy.

Encryption: Beyond face blur, encryption ensures that any data stored from surveillance cameras is protected from unauthorized access. Even if footage is accessed by someone without permission, the identity of individuals in the footage remains obscured.

Real-life example: Cisco Meraki MV smart cameras feature end-to-end encryption to secure video streams and stored footage. In conjunction with face blur technologies, these cameras offer enhanced privacy by protecting data from unauthorized access.

How Does the Technology Work?

The process of face blurring typically follows several steps:

Face Detection: AI-powered cameras or software scan the video feed to detect human faces.

Face Tracking: Once a face is detected, the system tracks its movement in real-time, ensuring the blur is applied dynamically as the person moves.

Face Obfuscation: The detected faces are then blurred or pixelated. This ensures that personal identification is not possible unless someone with the proper authorization has access to the raw footage.

Controlled Access: In many systems, access to the unblurred footage is restricted and requires legal or administrative permission, such as in the case of law enforcement investigations (Nguyen et al., 2023).

Real-life example: The Genetec Omnicast surveillance system is used in smart cities and integrates privacy-protecting features, including face blurring. Access to unblurred footage is strictly controlled, requiring multi-factor authentication for law enforcement and security personnel.

Real-Life Uses of Face Blur Technology

Face blur technology is being implemented in several key sectors:

Public Transportation Systems: Many modern train stations, subways, and airports have adopted face blur technology as part of their CCTV systems to protect the privacy of commuters. For instance, London's Heathrow Airport uses advanced video analytics with face blur to ensure footage meets GDPR compliance while enhancing security.

Retail Stores: Large retail chains, including Walmart, use face blur technology in their in-store cameras. This allows security teams to monitor activity and reduce theft while protecting the privacy of innocent customers.

Smart Cities: In Barcelona, Spain, a smart city initiative includes face blur technology to ensure privacy in public spaces while gathering data to improve city management and security. The smart cameras deployed in this project offer anonymized data to city officials, allowing them to monitor traffic, crowd control, and more without compromising individual identities.

Journalism and Humanitarian Work: Media organizations such as the BBC use face blurring technology in conflict zones or protests to protect the identities of vulnerable individuals. Additionally, NGOs employ similar technology in sensitive regions to prevent surveillance abuse by oppressive regimes.

Public Perception and Ethical Considerations

Public perception of surveillance technologies is a complex mix of support and concern. On one hand, people recognize the need for surveillance to enhance public safety, prevent crime, and even assist in emergencies. On the other hand, many are worried about mass surveillance, personal data privacy, and the potential for abuse by authorities or hackers.

By implementing face blur technology, institutions can address some of these concerns. Studies suggest that people are more comfortable with surveillance systems when privacy-preserving measures like face blur are in place. It demonstrates a commitment to privacy and reduces the likelihood of objections to the use of surveillance in public spaces (Zhang et al., 2021).

However, ethical challenges remain. The decision of when to unblur faces must be transparent and subject to clear guidelines, ensuring that this capability isn’t misused. In democratic societies, there is ongoing debate over how to strike a balance between security and privacy, and face blur technology offers a middle ground that respects individual rights while still maintaining public safety (Johnson & Singh, 2022).

Future of Face Blur Technology

As AI and machine learning continue to evolve, face blur technology will become more refined, offering enhanced accuracy in face detection and obfuscation. The future may also see advancements in customizing the level of blurring depending on context. For instance, higher levels of obfuscation could be applied in particularly sensitive areas, such as protests or political gatherings, to ensure that individuals' identities are protected (Chaudhary et al., 2023).

Face blur technology is also expected to integrate with broader privacy-enhancing technologies in surveillance systems, ensuring that even as surveillance expands, personal freedoms remain protected. Governments and businesses that embrace this technology are likely to be seen as leaders in ethical surveillance practices (Park et al., 2022).

Conclusion

The need for effective public surveillance is undeniable in today’s world, where security threats can arise at any time. However, the collection of facial images in public spaces raises significant privacy concerns. Face blur technology is a vital tool in addressing these issues, allowing for the balance between public safety and individual privacy. By leveraging AI, computer vision, and edge computing, face blur technology not only protects individual identities but also enhances public trust in surveillance systems.

References

Chaudhary, S., Patel, N., & Gupta, A. (2023). AI-enhanced privacy solutions for smart cities: Ethical considerations in urban surveillance. Journal of Smart City Innovation, 14(2), 99-112.

Johnson, M., & Singh, R. (2022). Ethical implications of face recognition in public spaces: Balancing privacy and security. Journal of Ethics and Technology, 18(1), 23-37.

Martinez, D., Loughlin, P., & Wei, X. (2022). Privacy-preserving techniques in public surveillance systems: A review. IEEE Transactions on Privacy and Data Security, 9(3), 154-171.

Nguyen, H., Wang, T., & Luo, J. (2023). Real-time face blurring for public surveillance: Challenges and innovations. International Journal of Surveillance Technology, 6(1), 78-89.

Park, S., Lee, H., & Kim, J. (2022). Privacy in smart cities: New technologies for anonymizing public surveillance data. Data Privacy Journal, 15(4), 45-61.

Tao, Z., Wang, Y., & Li, S. (2023). AI-driven face blurring in public surveillance: Technical challenges and future directions. Artificial Intelligence and Privacy, 8(2), 123-140.

Zhang, Y., Lee, S., & Roberts, J. (2021). Public attitudes toward surveillance technology and privacy protections. International Journal of Privacy and Data Protection, 7(4), 45-63.

[evaspencer33-blog]

Exploring Innovative Technology and Future-proofing in High-End Model Cars

In the rapidly evolving automotive industry, high-end model cars are at the forefront of innovation, integrating cutting-edge technology and future-proofing features to meet the demands of discerning consumers. Let's delve into the innovative technology and future-proofing strategies that define high-end model cars.

Advanced Safety and Driver-Assist Systems

Automated Driving Capabilities: High-end model cars are equipped with advanced automated driving features, such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, and automated parking, paving the way for a future of self-driving capabilities.

Collision Avoidance Technology: Utilizing radar, lidar, and camera systems, these cars incorporate collision avoidance technology to enhance safety, mitigate accidents, and protect both occupants and pedestrians.

Advanced Driver Monitoring: Cutting-edge driver monitoring systems use AI and advanced sensors to detect driver drowsiness, distraction, and provide alerts, ensuring a safer driving experience.

Sustainable Power-trains and Electrification

Electric and Hybrid Technology: High-end model cars embrace electrification with sophisticated electric and hybrid powertrains, offering enhanced efficiency, lower emissions, and a glimpse into the future of sustainable mobility.

Fast-Charging Infrastructure: These cars are designed to support fast-charging capabilities, reducing charging times and enhancing the practicality of electric driving.

Regenerative Braking: Incorporating regenerative braking technology, high-end models capture and store energy during braking, maximizing efficiency and range.

Connectivity and Infotainment Evolution

5G Connectivity: Future-proofing high-end model cars involves integrating 5G connectivity, enabling faster data transfer, low-latency communication, and unlocking new possibilities for in-car entertainment and communication.

Enhanced Infotainment Interfaces: These cars feature intuitive, AI-powered infotainment interfaces that learn from user behavior, anticipate preferences, and seamlessly integrate with personal devices and services.

Over-the-Air Updates: Future-proofing includes over-the-air software updates, ensuring that the car's systems and features remain up to date with the latest enhancements and security patches.

Environmental Sustainability and Luxury

Sustainable Materials: High-end model cars are incorporating sustainable materials in their interiors, showcasing a commitment to environmental responsibility without compromising luxury and comfort.

Energy-Efficient Climate Control: Utilizing advanced climate control systems, these cars optimize energy usage to maintain a comfortable interior environment while minimizing energy consumption.

Adaptive Lighting Technology: Future-proofing extends to adaptive lighting systems that improve visibility, enhance safety, and reduce energy consumption through advanced LED and laser technologies.

High-end model cars are at the vanguard of innovation, embracing advanced technology and future-proofing strategies to deliver unparalleled driving experiences.

From automated driving capabilities to sustainable power-trains, enhanced connectivity, and a commitment to environmental sustainability, these cars are shaping the future of automotive luxury and performance, setting new standards for innovation and excellence in the automotive industry.

In the ever-evolving landscape of car shipping, staying ahead with innovative technology is crucial for a safe and efficient experience. Explore the latest advancements for a safe direct car shipping reviews and how they can future-proof your transportation needs.

[mariacallous]

If you drive outside the city of Campton, population less than 400, the low industrial noise of crypto mining rises from the trees. Step closer, and the source comes into view: squat metal buildings that look like shipping containers arrayed in a semicircle, thrumming with fans and processors. There’s chain-link fencing, security cameras, and two guards sitting in pickup trucks just beyond the wire.

There are steel shipping containers like this all over these hills, right where the old coal mines once stood. And inside, specialized computers race to solve complex math problems—competing to verify bitcoin transactions and earn slivers of digital currency as a reward.

For a brief moment, in 2021, it felt like the region had found its next boom—and it had Bitcoin written all over it. At its peak, Kentucky accounted for some 20 percent of the collective computing power dedicated to proof-of-work cryptocurrency mining in the US.

But booms, here, have a history. And so do busts. Local officials say it is hard to pin down the exact number of crypto mines still active in eastern Kentucky because state regulations are light and there’s a general lack of transparency in the industry. But what is clear, locals say, is that the boom has begun to recede.

“ They'd constructed on someone else's land, or they would be paying a host company to provide the physical plant,” alleges Anna Whites, a lawyer who represented a roster of crypto mining clients. “So they'd pay the down payment or they would convince the landowner to pay the down payment, and then they would mine the first three months and then they'd go into the next billing set cycle, go almost to the end of it and then disappear.”

In early 2022, when Mohawk Energy initiated a crypto mining project in Jenkins, Kentucky, local officials said this time it would be different. Cofounded by Kentucky senator Brandon Smith, Mohawk purchased a sprawling 41,000-square-foot building and the 8 acres around it. It leased most of it to a Chinese crypto mining company, and the rest of the building included classrooms and hands-on training centers that were supposed to teach locals how to repair iPads, maintain Bitcoin rigs, and build skills for a digital economy. It was a big deal for Jenkins. A local PBS station ran a story about the launch. The images showed tool kits, workers, and smiling officials.

“The plan with Mohawk was to employ retired coal miners and disabled veterans who were back in eastern Kentucky and couldn’t find work, and train them,” said Whites, who counts Mohawk as one of her clients. Among other things, the project promised near-six-figure salaries and a vow to put some of the mining proceeds into the training program, to help grow it. And for a time, it worked.

Whites said that for a brief moment—about 18 months—things looked promising. Twenty-eight families saw real gains: One person from each family landed a permanent job, and about 30 more relatives found work nearby. But when we asked where things stood now, she paused. “I believe most of them are unemployed again.”

The unraveling came quickly. The Chinese partner sued for breach of contract. Mohawk counter-sued. And the shared crypto profits never materialized. Now, as some Kentucky residents have soured on bitcoin mining, they’ve started to speak about AI data centers in the same way they used to talk about coal seams and hash rates: with a kind of cautious hope. AI, they say, could bring jobs, fiber optics, and permanence.

Colby Kirk runs a nonprofit called One East Kentucky, focused on bringing economic development to the region. He remembers the moment the conversation shifted, back in April when he was in Paducah for the Kentucky Association for Economic Development’s spring conference.

“They had some site selection consultants that were on the panel, and they were talking about data centers,” he recalls. “And they talked about this I-81 corridor up through Pennsylvania where there’s all kinds of these big data centers. And they talked about whether our communities could prepare for some of these kinds of investments? And the consultant was like, here’s kind of what it takes.”

What it takes, it turns out, is no small feat: flat land, lots of power, fiber connectivity, and a workforce that can wire and weld. As fate would have it, the number of welders in the area, according to regional economic development organization One East Kentucky, is about twice the national average, which stands to reason, because wherever there’s metal and stress—and there’s a lot of both in coal mines—welders are the people who keep it all from falling apart.

The old infrastructure is still there too; substations, hardened ground, cooling systems, and power-hungry hardware just waiting to be switched back on. “Maybe a data center or something is a part of the puzzle,” Kirk said.

So, at the conference, when the panel ended and the floor opened to questions, Kirk says he asked the one he couldn’t stop thinking about.

“You know, 50, 60 years ago it would take a room bigger than my office to power a computer, and now I've got a computer I carry around in my pocket that's more advanced than what we sent astronauts to the moon with,” he recalls asking. “Are these data centers going to keep taking up million-square-feet buildings with 30- and 40-foot ceilings, or are we gonna be left with an abundance of warehouse or industrial-scale buildings that we won't be able to keep up?”

The consultant, he claims, didn’t have a good answer. “And that’s the thing,” Kirk says. “We don’t know what the future’s going to hold when it comes to this stuff.”

That kind of ambiguity doesn’t sit well with Nina McCoy. She’s a former high school biology teacher from Inez, a coal town made famous in 1964 when President Lyndon Johnson used it to generate support for his War on Poverty.

“This is going to sound awful,” she says, “but if they're putting it here, then that means it's bad. We've lived here long enough to see that that is how it works. You put those things that you don't want in your neighborhood in a place like this.”

Her skepticism is rooted in lived experience: In October 2000, a massive coal slurry spill from a mine site upstream poisoned the Coldwater Fork stream, which runs behind her house. People in Inez couldn’t drink water from the tap for months.

“Those of us living downstream didn't hear about it for a while, but the school system had to close down for about a week until they got an alternate water source,” she says.

To this day, many in Inez still don’t trust the tap water.

So when McCoy hears the hype about AI, she hears something else: another promise that comes with a cost. “We’ve allowed these people to be called job creators,” she said. “And I don’t care if it’s AI or crypto or whatever, we bow down to them and let them tell us what they are going to do to our community because they are job creators. They’re not job creators, they’re profit makers.”

And the profit leaves a footprint.

AI data centers demand staggering amounts of energy—a ChatGPT search uses up to 10 times more energy than a regular Google one—and they run hot. To keep them cool, these facilities consume billions of gallons of water every year. Most of that evaporates, but residents are wary because they have had problems with facilities and their runoff in the past, so they worry these new facilities could affect fish and disrupt the land. The very things the residents of Kentucky hope to preserve.

Still, some locals see potential, even progress.

“AI is in everything that we do,” said Wes Hamilton, a local entrepreneur who did his fair share of crypto mining in Kentucky in its heyday. “Siri, ChatGPT, robotics—everything you can imagine has to have AI,” he said. “Bitcoin is a one-trick pony. You create it. The only person that gets paid is the owner of the machines.”

Hamilton claims there is a path forward where data centers bring in investors, engineers, maybe even companies willing to stay. All the AI people in the world would be steaming into Kentucky, Hamilton says. And while he admits to losing a fortune in crypto ventures in the past, he claims this is different.

When Bitcoin first arrived, lawmakers offered generous tax breaks to lure miners. Companies investing more than $1 million were exempted from paying sales taxes on hardware and electricity. And then, in March 2025, Kentucky governor Andy Beshear took all that and went a step further by signing a “Bitcoin Rights” bill into law.

The legislation, cast as a defense of personal financial freedom, is designed to enshrine the right to use digital assets in Kentucky. An earlier draft went further, aiming to bar local governments from using zoning laws to restrict crypto mining operations—a provision that drew resistance from environmental groups. That language was eventually tempered, but the intent remains: to signal that, in Kentucky, digital extraction can keep humming.

Which is why we found ourselves outside this facility in Campton, staring at this semicircle of metal buildings nestled in the trees. The mines run all night and all day, even Sundays. And the question some are asking now, with bitcoin hovering around $100,000 and big miners talking about pivoting to AI, is whether bitcoin mining gets a second wind in Kentucky.

Mohawk’s bitcoin mining may even make a comeback. Anna Whites said the parties are supposed to go into arbitration May 12th. “I’m hopeful,” she told us. “I’m very hopeful that they sit down and say, ‘Mighty nice plant you have there. Let’s just go ahead and turn it on.’”

[hedgiwithapen]

Beth finds the cameras

No ask I'm just mean. set 3x1

Beth sat cross legged on her bed, one hand absently pulling at her blanket where the fabric was starting to pill. Chuck had been combing through files for hours, but she could hardly fault that. The Gambler was his nemesis, after all.  And he was back in Blue Valley, clearly trying to pull something. Chuck had been certain of it, and Beth had to admit the logic was sound. Courtney seemed to think he might have been telling the truth, about wanting to turn over a new leaf, but that was who she was. Beth admired and envied Courtney that, always able to see the best in people. Beth tried, she really did, but after everything that had happened in the last year, with supervillains, and people actually trying to kill her and her friends? She needed data to back people up, not blind faith. Chuck had agreed before she even had to voice the concern. So they’d spent the last few hours pouring over every scrap they could find, Chuck doing most of the work while Beth finished her math homework.  Thus far, they’d uncovered nothing but emptied bank accounts, scam sites left unchecked for weeks, phishing emails still in drafts. “Not even a fraudulent facebook market scheme,” Chuck reported,  sounding as close to a lament as an AI could get.

“Maybe he was telling the truth,” Beth mused. “Or he could be building up to something.” “You’d think he'd at least want his money back,” Chuck agreed. “Don’t worry, the accounts are safe.” Beth nodded, unnecessarily. She’d kept only a small portion of the Gambler’s stolen fortune last fall, set aside for college funds for the team. Investing in their future was a very good cause. She clicked through another set of tabs, frowning.  There had to be a reason Gambler was back. He could have apologized from Aruba, or Scotland, or Markovia, if that was all he’d wanted to do. “Oh, can you check the Zarrick collection?” she asked.  “Maybe there’s something in there he’s after. Like how the Shade wanted to find the Black Diamond?” Of course the Shade hadn’t been trying to kill them,  like the Gambler probably was. “Good call, Beth,” Chuck praised. “Hacking into the American Dream  now.” “Huh,” Beth tilted her head, looking at something on Chuck’s display. “What’s that?” “Security camera feed. Must be new, it was not  there the last time we hacked in.” “Really new,” Beth said, puzzled. “Dad hates when they put in cameras. He always complains and he hasn’t mentioned this yet. “Beth, it’s not just at the American Dream. Look,” Chuck  flashed up a map of Blue Valley. Dozens of lights pinpricked around it. The school, the American Dream, the Pit Stop, Ripped City, the trailer park on the road to the woods… and just outside her house.  Inside Courtney’s house. “Oh, no,” she whispered.  “Oh, that’s bad. We gotta warn everyone.” She jammed her feet into shoes, even as Chuck worked on tracing the feeds, grumbling about the Gambler’s tech.

“JSA stuff,” she yelped at her mother’s raised eyebrow, slamming out the back door. There was a time and a place for closing a door quietly, and this was not either.  She’d call Court, ask to meet her, but where? Where was safe?

“The Park,” Chuck flashed in bold green letters, displaying the map for her again. There were no camera pinpoints there.  “Yeah, ok. Text the groupchat. Park, but don’t say anything out loud, and I’ll explain everything there.” She felt her phone buzz as Chuck did exactly that. Everyone needed to know, and fast, and without letting anyone who’d put Cameras in Courtney’s kitchen knowing that they knew.

She had to take a longer route, uncertain of how much the cameras in Ripped City or in other places on her map could pick up. She panted as she reached the soft grass of the park and the safety of the gazebo. She was really going to have to take Yolanda up on the offer of endurance training at some point. That would be safer than taking Artemis up on her offer.

She was relieved to see she wasn’t the first to arrive.

“Sylvester! I mean, Mr. Pemberton. Hi!” she lowered her voice “Did you bring the Staff? Is Courtney here?”

He held up his severely outdated phone. “No, sorry. It’s Courtney’s staff, she’s on her way. I was just in the area already. What’s wrong? It sounded urgent.” “Someone’s spying on us,” Beth said, lowering her voice even more. “ I found cameras.” “You found cameras? How--oh, the goggles.  Right.  Charles was right to leave them with you. Good work, Beth.” He beamed at her.

“Chuck did the hard work. We think we can trace them. But everyone has to know.” she said, serious. “So what’s our next move?”

“You just leave that to me,” Sylvester glanced over the top of her head towards the treeline, in the direction of Rick’s house. Beth turned, hoping to see Rick’s car. “Beth,” Chuck said in her ear, low and urgent, “watch--”

An avalanche of white fur burst through the flimsy gazebo roof, splintering it, before Chuck could finish a warning no one would ever hear.

[hastyhacker]

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[xiaomihyperos]

HyperOS 2.2: The Global Update That Will Redefine Your Xiaomi Experience

How Xiaomi's latest system update is set to transform over 130 device models worldwide

If you're among the millions of Xiaomi, Redmi, or POCO users worldwide, July 2025 is about to become a very significant month for you. After months of rigorous testing across global markets, HyperOS 2.2 is finally ready for its worldwide debut.

This isn't just another incremental update. It's a comprehensive reimagining of what your smartphone experience can be.

The Scale of Ambition

Xiaomi has completed what might be one of the most extensive mobile OS testing programs in recent memory. More than 130 devices across their entire ecosystem — from budget-friendly entry-level phones to premium flagship models — have undergone exhaustive testing phases.

But here's what makes this different: the global beta testing phase wasn't just about finding bugs. It was about understanding how users in different regions, with different usage patterns and expectations, actually interact with their devices.

"Think of it as Xiaomi learning not just what works, but what works for whom, where, and why."

Beyond the Numbers: What This Means for Users

The Compatibility Promise

When a company commits to updating 130+ device models simultaneously, it's making a statement about longevity and user respect. Here's the breakdown:

Flagship Territory:

Xiaomi 15 series (all variants)

Xiaomi 14 series (including T models)

Xiaomi 13 series (complete lineup)

Xiaomi 12 series (every single model)

Innovation Showcase:

MIX Fold series (2, 3, 4)

MIX Flip

The Redmi Ecosystem:

K series (K50 Ultra through K80 Pro)

Note series (12 through 14, all variants)

Numbered series (12, 13, 14, including 5G models)

POCO's Gaming-First Approach:

F series (performance-focused)

X series (balanced offerings)

M and C series (value propositions)

Tablets Join the Revolution:

Xiaomi Pad series 6 and 7

Redmi Pad lineup

POCO Pad

The Technical Evolution

What's Actually New

HyperOS 2.2 represents more than visual changes. The update introduces:

Performance Architecture: Xiaomi has rebuilt core system processes for better resource management. Apps launch faster, multitasking feels smoother, and battery optimization algorithms have been refined based on real-world usage data from the beta testing phase.

AI Integration: The artificial intelligence features aren't just marketing buzzwords. Camera processing, predictive text, and system optimization now leverage machine learning models trained on diverse user behaviors across different markets.

Security Framework: With cyber threats evolving rapidly, HyperOS 2.2 introduces enhanced protection mechanisms while maintaining the user-friendly experience Xiaomi users expect.

The Global Strategy

What's fascinating about Xiaomi's approach is how they've handled regional variations. The system underwent testing in markets as diverse as:

China (home market advantages)

Europe (GDPR compliance and privacy expectations)

India (diverse language and usage patterns)

Russia (specific regional requirements)

Turkey (bridging European and Asian user preferences)

Taiwan (advanced tech adoption patterns)

Indonesia (emerging market dynamics)

Each region provided unique insights that shaped the final release.

The July Timeline: What to Expect

Rollout Strategy

Xiaomi learned from previous large-scale updates. Instead of a simultaneous global push that could overwhelm servers and support systems, they're implementing a carefully orchestrated rollout:

Week 1 (Early July):

Flagship Xiaomi devices

MIX series

Premium tablets

Week 2-3 (Mid-July):

Xiaomi 13 and 12 series

Redmi K series

POCO F and X series

Week 4 + (Late July/Early August):

Entry-level models

Older Note series devices

Budget tablets

Preparing for the Transition

Technical Preparation

Storage Management: Ensure at least 3GB of free storage. The update package is substantial, and you'll need additional space for the installation process.

Backup Strategy: While Xiaomi's update process is generally reliable, backing up your essential data is always prudent. Use Mi Mover or your preferred cloud service.

Power Management: Start the update with at least 50% battery. Consider connecting to a charger during the installation process.

Expectation Management

Initial Adjustment Period: Like any major system update, there might be a brief learning curve as you discover new features and adjusted interfaces.

App Compatibility: Most apps will work seamlessly, but some may require updates from their developers to fully leverage new HyperOS 2.2 capabilities.

The Broader Context

Industry Implications

Xiaomi's approach with HyperOS 2.2 signals something important about the current state of the smartphone industry. While hardware innovations have plateaued somewhat, software optimization and user experience refinement have become the new battlegrounds.

Sustainability Angle

By extending the functional lifespan of devices dating back to 2021 (Xiaomi 12 series), this update represents a meaningful commitment to reducing electronic waste. Users can delay hardware upgrades while still accessing contemporary software features.

Market Positioning

This update reinforces Xiaomi's strategy of providing premium experiences across multiple price points. A Redmi user gets many of the same core improvements as a flagship Xiaomi user.

Looking Ahead

What This Means for Future Updates

The success of this rollout will likely influence how Xiaomi approaches future major updates. The extensive testing methodology and regional customization approach could become the new standard.

HyperOS Evolution

With HyperOS 2.3 already in development alongside Android 16, Xiaomi is clearly committed to rapid iteration and improvement. The 2.2 release establishes the foundation for even more ambitious future updates.

The Bottom Line

HyperOS 2.2 represents more than a software update — it's Xiaomi's vision of how mobile operating systems should evolve in 2025 and beyond. By prioritizing extensive testing, global optimization, and broad device compatibility, they're setting new standards for the industry.

For users, this means getting more value from devices they already own, while experiencing innovations typically reserved for much newer hardware.

The July 2025 rollout will be worth watching, not just for Xiaomi users, but for anyone interested in how major tech companies can successfully manage large-scale software deployments in our increasingly connected world.

Stay updated on your device notifications starting in July. The future of mobile experience is about to arrive in your pocket.

What's your current Xiaomi device? Share in the comments which HyperOS 2.2 features you're most excited about.