The annual Consumer Electronics Show gathering boasts more than 3,500 exhibitors and is expecting some 130,000 visitors.

Companies big and small hosted previews for the press through Monday, with AI an oft repeated mantra as they pitched products promising better lives.

LG chief executive William Cho said the world is at “a historical turning point” due to AI.

His company aims to be part of that transformation, tapping into data gathered by sensors in hundreds of millions of smart devices in use around the world to detect patterns of behavior and provide insights, Cho said.

“We have a unique opportunity to leverage the real-life data gathered across devices in real-time. Of course, with your permission,” Cho said.

LG, Samsung and other TV titans also showcased AI enhancements to vastly improve images, help viewers find shows they will like, and more.

“We will watch as TVs become the command center for the home beyond just streaming entertainment,” said Jessica Boothe, a research director at the Consumer Technology Association, which organizes CES.

Televisions will advance to a “smart command hub” connecting appliances, security cameras, and even incorporating thermal scanning for health insights, she added.

– ChatGPT on wheels –

Volkswagen, meanwhile, presented what it described as the first vehicles built with a chatbot powered by OpenAI’s ChatGPT technology.

The “Cerence Chat Pro” digital assistant made in a partnership with Cerence Inc. will be standard in many Volkswagen vehicles starting in the second quarter of this year, according to the car maker. 

“We are offering our drivers added value and direct access to the AI-based research tool,” said Volkswagen management board member Kai Grunitz.

Nvidia, whose graphics chips are coveted for their ability to handle the intense computing demands of AI, took CES as an opportunity to announce new chips for gamers and creators.

Innovations being teased ahead of the CES show floor opening included tech for translating multiple languages simultaneously, and glasses for augmented reality that essentially turn the space in front of a viewer into a screen they can control with gestures.

Apple, which is not at CES, said Monday that it will release its highly anticipated Vision Pro mixed reality headset in the United States on February 2, in its first major product release since the Apple Watch in 2015.

Announced in June, the Vision Pro will cost a hefty $3,499 before tax, more than double the price of Meta’s top-of-the-range Quest Pro headset.

“The era of spatial computing has arrived,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, calling the Vision Pro “the most advanced consumer electronics device ever created.”

– Year of AI at CES –

CES exhibitor and attendee numbers have jumped each year since the Covid-19 pandemic caused it to be an online-only event in 2021.

While the show is increasingly a showcase for startups, big brands such as Amazon, Google, Intel, Netflix, Samsung, Sony and TikTok will also be there.

Analysts expect it to be the year of AI when it comes to product pitches at CES.

Models on which AI is built have improved dramatically since last year’s CES and the debut of OpenAI’s ChatGPT, and they are being applied in meaningful ways for consumers, according to Techsponential analyst Avi Greengart.

Ending Friday, CES is expected to see strong themes of AI-infused health, cars, beauty, entertainment and sustainability.

“AI will be reshaping industries beyond technology and it has the power to make life easier, more than inclusive for all,” said Jong-Hee Han, Samsung’s Device solution CEO.

More than a decade of investments in AI “are coming to life,” he added.

The post CES gadget fest a showcase for AI-infused lifestyle appeared first on Digital Journal.

Here’s a look at some selected examples shown to the media, ahead of the official opening on Tuesday.

– Mirror, mirror on the wall… –

…who’s the healthiest of them all?

Called “MagicMirror,” NuraLogix’s connected mirror scanned the face of the company’s marketing executive Lindsay Brennan determining in a matter of seconds her body mass index, blood pressure and even her “mental stress index,” calculated from heart rate.

“You can see for me I’m a bit high, I’m almost in the yellow zone,” said Brennan, pointing to the indicator displayed on the mirror.

“That’s because of the show,” she joked.

NuraLogix claims that thanks to its optical technology and artificial intelligence software, its mirror can assess risks of diseases such as type 2 diabetes.

“This actually started out of the University of Toronto when they were researching lie detection in children,” she said.

“They learned that when you get excited or your blood pressure is high, the blood flow actually changes in your face and you can actually capture these patterns using any conventional camera.”

Intended to be used in a doctor’s waiting room or pharmacies, the mirror is expected to cost about $70,000.

NuraLogix also plans to market the software separately.

– Implant to walk again –

If all goes according to plan, Wimagine, the brain implant designed by France’s Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), should enable paralyzed people to walk again.

Equipped with electrodes, this brain-to-machine interface is installed in direct contact with the motor cortex, which controls voluntary movement of a paraplegic or tetraplegic patient.

In a first case, the data collected by the implant is transferred wirelessly to a connector attached to the spinal cord, below the paralyzed lesion.

All the patient has to do is think about walking, and the information is transferred to the connector and then to the legs.

“It’s a digital bridge,” Guillaume Charvet, head of the CEA research program, told AFP.

In the second case, the implant communicates with an exoskeleton or purpose-built skeleton that performs the gestures commanded by the patient.

With a connector placed on the forearm, it can, for example, be used to grasp an object with the hand.

“A clinical trial is about to begin,” said Charvet, stressing that five to ten years of research are still needed. But patient volunteers have already been involved for several years. “The aim is for it to be in the same price range as a pacemaker,” he added.

– ‘Rock my baby’ –

“We’re the first electric stroller with all the AI features for comfort and safety,” said Gluxkind engineer Jeffrey To.

The AI-powered stroller is supposed to make parents’ complicated lives easier, like a co-pilot, he explained.

The electric assistance makes it possible to climb hills without breaking a sweat, and the brakes engage automatically “so there’s never a chance of a runaway stroller,” To said.

“It recognizes humans, pets, scooters, bikes, vehicles that might not be stopping and gives an extra warning so that sleep deprived parents essentially have driver assist on a daily basis,” added Kevin Huang, co-founder of the Canadian company.

When the parent activates the “Rock my baby” function, the stroller performs a regular back-and-forth motion to help the child fall asleep.

“There are also built-in speakers that can read stories, play music or white noise,” said To.

Gluxkind hopes to start production next spring priced at around $2,400.

The post At CES, tech knows if you’re sick and rocks babies appeared first on Digital Journal.

In the present-day virtual-first landscape, the significance of cybersecurity can not be overstated. External Attack Surface Management (EASM) has emerged as a key pillar. EASM is figuring out, cataloging, and securing all the digital assets an organization exposes to the internet, making them potential targets for cyber adversaries. Managing attack surfaces involves a comprehensive approach that no longer only considers the acknowledged assets but also uncovers and secures unknown or unmanaged digital exposures that could be exploited maliciously.

The growing importance of cybersecurity in the digital age

With the exponential increase in digital transactions, information storage, and cloud computing, the attack surface of organizations has extended drastically. The digital transformation shift and the speedy adoption of IoT gadgets have similarly complicated the cybersecurity landscape. Security leaders cannot ignore the growing number of cyberattacks and information breaches, as well as the monetary and reputational costs for corporations. It’s critical to discuss how a strong EASM strategy may be a game-changer in safeguarding digital assets.

Components of an external attack surface

Defining an organization’s external attack surface starts with mapping out all publicly available IT property, including websites, internet applications, and cloud services. These can vary from acknowledged assets, like authentic company websites, to unknown or forgotten property, including outdated marketing web pages or unmonitored cloud storage. Each asset, if no longer well controlled and secured, can serve as a gateway for cyber threats. The next step is to discover relevant vulnerabilities affecting these assets, which include misconfigurations, unpatched software, or exposed sensitive information.

Strategies for managing and securing the external attack surface

Reaching effective control of external attack surfaces requires numerous key techniques:

Comprehensive asset discovery: Employing automated capabilities to find out and catalog all external web properties, including the ones unknown to the IT team.

Vulnerability assessment: Regularly scanning for and addressing vulnerabilities affecting the assets. This involves keeping up-to-date software and applying security patches immediately.

Continuous monitoring: Implementing 24/7 tracking answers to detect and alert on any suspicious activities or modifications within the attack surface.

Incident response planning: Developing a robust incident response plan that outlines steps to be taken in case of a security breach. This must contain communication strategies and remediation plans.

Case studies: Successful management of external attack surfaces

In-depth case research of companies correctly carrying out EASM techniques can offer precious insights. For every case, look at the details of the demanding security situations faced, the specific techniques applied, the outcomes achieved, and the lessons learned. Case studies illustrate the realistic application of EASM strategies and give readers actionable insights for their organizations.

Future trends in attack surface management

Emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are being leveraged to amplify EASM capabilities. Those technologies can help anticipate and preemptively cope with cyber threats, thereby shifting the focus from reactive to proactive cybersecurity.

Handling the external attack surface is a dynamic and ongoing process. As cyber threats evolve, so must the techniques to counter them.

The post Understanding external attack surface management appeared first on Digital Journal.

The new offerings include products that can be easily folded in and out, as well as rollable and slidable display technologies. Also on show is a microdisplay with ultra-high resolution for immersive XR experiences. There is also show new OLED technology with ultra-thin panels designed for vehicle interiors.

For entertainment, Samsung will also showcase ‘spotlights monitors’; these also include a type suitable for professional use in video production and medical applications.

OLED

The OLED offerings includes QD-OLEDs designed for monitors with the highest level of pixel density and refresh rates for self-illuminating technology.

With the foldable screens, these are termed ‘In & Out Flip’ and these are screens capable of folding in and out 360 degrees together with a Rollable Flex, offering 5 times the screen size.

The ‘In & Out Flip’ is a foldable device with a flip-phone design. The technology allows it to fold 360 degrees. Unlike traditional in-folding devices that require an additional panel on the outside for displaying information when folded, the Flip achieves a thinner design with a single display that can be folded outwards to allow use of the display even when folded.

The panels underwent folding in extreme temperatures ranging from -20 degrees Celsius to 60 degrees Celsius. Additionally, basketballs are bounced on the foldable panels, and the smartphones are subjected to rubbing with sand and immersion in water. These rigorous tests were designed to see if the products could work in even the most challenging environments.

The Rollable Flex allows the screen to expand up to five times its original size when unrolled, resembling the action of unrolling a scroll.

Vehicles

Samsung Display have new products for vehicle interiors, including the Flex Note Extendable. This product features a foldable panel that can be unfolded and extended to provide a larger screen size. The Flex Note Extendable measures 11 inches when fully folded but can be extended to 13.8 inches with a 10:9 aspect ratio by unfolding one side. By sliding out the other section, the size can be further extended to 17.3 inches with a 4:3 aspect ratio.

The screen can serve as a laptop for working in the car or as an extended display for watching movies. When not in use, it can be minimized to save space in the car.

8.6-generation glass for OLEDs for IT and ultra-thin panels

Samsung Display will also present the 8.6-generation OLED for IT by displaying a nearly 3-meter-high mother glass. This glass, measuring 2290x2620mm, is the largest in the industry and aims to attract visitors’ attention. The 8.6-generation mother glass is more than twice the size of the existing sixth-generation glass, resulting in improved production efficiency. The company will also present special content at CES to give visitors an experience of the size and capabilities of this new technology.

A notable feature are ultra-thin (UT) panel. Samsung Display’s UT OLED panels are about 0.6mm thick, similar to the thickness of a business card, which is one-third the thickness of an LCD panel. This difference is easily noticeable even to the naked eye.

Thin-film transistors (TFTs), which regulate current flow, now utilize 100 percent oxide instead of amorphous silicon (a-Si). This change allows for faster electron movement (about 10 times faster than with a-Si) and reduces current leakage. As a result, flickering, which occurs when a display is driven at a low refresh rate, can be eliminated. Samsung Display’s latest products are the first IT panels to support variable refresh rates as low as 1Hz, enabling power savings.

RGB version of OLEDoS (OLED on Silicon)

OLEDoS are high-definition displays with small pixel sizes, achieved by applying organic materials to silicon wafers. These displays will play a crucial role in XR headsets, which are growing in popularity. A new product is the highest resolution RGB OLEDoS display when compared to what is available in the industry currently.

Despite its small size of 1.03 inches, it has a pixel density of 3500 PPI, comparable to a 4K TV. RGB OLEDoS utilizes red, green and blue OLEDs on a silicon wafer to generate colors without the need for a separate light source.

CES runs in Las Vegas, U.S. from January 9–12, with an exhibition revolving around the theme ‘All-in Innovative Tech: Paving the New Journey’.

The post Displays on display: Samsung innovations add brightness to CES 2024 appeared first on Digital Journal.

Approaching this question, the company JohnsPhones analysed real-time mobile usage data to see which smartphone brands had been used the most by people in 65 different markets and created a map visualizing the findings. This helped to unpick the most popular phone brands in the world between January and December of 2023.

The past year saw dozens of new phones hitting the stores, including major releases from Apple and Samsung. Despite contradictory reports about the state of the global smartphone market (with some focusing on the continuing downward trend in shipments and others seeing a slow but steady recovery in sales), Chinese smartphones appear to be growing in popularity, especially in Africa, certain Asian countries, and most recently Russia.

However, it remains that brands such as Huawei, Xiaomi, or Oppo still cannot compete with major smartphone makers like Apple and Samsung. In 2023, Apple models were the most preferred smartphones in the world. Roughly 29 percent of all smartphones used to access web pages had been manufactured by the Cupertino-based company, while 25.2 percent were Samsung models.

Apple and Samsung were followed by:

• Xiaomi (11.5 percent),
• Oppo (6.1 percent),
• Vivo (5.2 percent),
• Huawei (4 percent),
• Realme (3.7 percent),
• Motorola (2.2 percent).

Other smartphone brands used by at least 0.5 percent of users globally were OnePlus (1.2 percent), Tecno (1.2 percent), Infinix (1.1 percent), Google (0.9 percent), and LG (0.5 percent). The once mighty Nokia, on the other hand, only had a market share of 0.4 percent.

In terms of regional variations, Apple remained the top smartphone brand in major markets including the U.S., Japan, Australia, Canada, the U.K., as well as most of Western Europe. Whereas Samsung was the top smartphone brand in South Korea, its home country, but also in Poland, Mexico, Israel, Brazil, and Argentina, among others.

In India, the most populous country in the world since April of last year, the most popular smartphone brand of 2023 was the Chinese brand Xiaomi. Spain and Greece are the only markets in Europe where Xiaomi beats Apple and Samsung for being the most popular smartphone brand.

David Lee, a smartphone market analyst at JohnsPhones explains: “Despite the rise of Chinese electronics and smartphone companies, most of the world still prefers iPhones and Galaxies, which are viewed as safer, more reliable, and ultimately, of much higher quality than Chinese tech. Market leaders such as Apple keep designing cutting-edge chips, introducing innovative features and using quality materials in manufacturing. Most of all, Chinese brands may be affordable but they lack brand recognition and trust, at least in Western markets.”.

In 2024 releases like iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, and Google Pixel 8 Pro are expected.

The post Apple retains world’s leading smartphone badge, but China is catching up appeared first on Digital Journal.

This research includes understanding inherited cancer risks and an immunotherapy dosing study.

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is focused on the application of advanced research to provide the latest cancer treatment options while accelerating discoveries that prevent, treat and cure cancer and infectious diseases worldwide. The institution is based in Seattle, and as well as cancer treatments the body has undertaken advances in bone marrow transplantation, immunotherapy, HIV/AIDS prevention and COVID-19 vaccines.

Hereditary cancers

Genetic testing for hereditary cancer risk has become more accessible and, based on the findings, more important than ever. This is because around 5-10 percent of cancers are thought to be hereditary.

It also stands that advancements in germline testing can offer accurate, affordable ways to identify these risks. Germline testing helps individuals with early cancer management and it also aids biological family members in understanding their own risk.

While the process involves a simple clinic visit for a DNA sample, it differs significantly from commercial, direct-to-consumer tests as the comprehensive assessments and genetic counseling help patients make informed decisions for personalized screening, treatment and lifestyle changes.

Immunotherapy frequencies, costs and benefits

In the second core research area, the Fred Hutchinson scientists have found that reducing the frequency of immunotherapy dosing could save money and time, keep patients on therapy longer.

ICIs have transformed care for patients with aggressive skin cancers like melanoma and Merkel cell carcinoma, however, more research is needed to understand how these findings might impact long-term treatment plans.

Racism in cancer treatment

Another area of new research is with health equity, including an examination of racism in cancer care. For this line of inquiry, Fred Hutch partnered with the Cierra Sisters, a Seattle-based patient advocacy group, to produce a series of short videos to acknowledge and address the racism many women of color experience while dealing with breast cancer.

The findings indicate that some women report that racism begins when they approach their general practitioner with a concern and persists throughout diagnosis, cancer treatment and pain management.

This has led to the development of the Anti-Racism in Oncology project. The aim is to highlight the issue by capturing video-based stories of real people having conversations about racism in health care.

The post New success in identifying hereditary cancer risks appeared first on Digital Journal.

The phone was sucked out of Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 on Friday when a fuselage panel blew off, leaving a gaping hole. The passenger plane made an emergency landing shortly after, with all aboard safe.

A few items, reportedly including AirPods and a boy’s shirt, made more dramatic landings after shooting out of the suddenly depressurized cabin.

Amid a search for debris, a man named Sean Bates in the northwestern state of Washington found an iPhone on the side of the road, appearing to belong to one of the passengers.

A photo of the device posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Sunday showed the intact screen and an emailed $70 baggage receipt. The battery is shown charged to 44 percent and the smartphone remains on flight mode.

Aside from the port, where the terminal of the charger protrudes after being ripped from the rest of the cord, the phone appears untouched.

In a follow up TikTok post, Bates said he’d found the phone “pretty clean, no scratches on it, sitting under a bush.”

Bates said he contacted the National Transportation Safety Board, which told him it was the second phone from the flight to have been found.

NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy replied to his post on X thanking him and offering to meet.

In a briefing on Sunday, Homendy told reporters that “We’ll look through [the phones] and then return them,” adding that it was “very, very fortunate” that the incident had not ended in tragedy.

In response to the incident, regulatory bodies swiftly grounded some versions of Boeing’s 737 MAX 9 jet, pending inspections. Boeing shares plunged in trading on Monday.

The post iPhone survives 16,000-foot fall from Alaska Airlines flight appeared first on Digital Journal.

…But why? This is the same finance sector that destroyed the American middle class in 2008 and made the current housing and rental disasters unavoidable. It doesn’t need any help, surely?

Of course not. This is about making money. You know, that much-loved sole reason for the existence of humanity? Yeah, that one.

This AI spiel is a pitch to the big money, and it’s rather patronizing in some ways. The equation that new tech equates to big money is now a traditional mindset. Finance is now getting hit continuously with the AI hype. The big money doesn’t seem to know what it thinks.

There’s a reason for that. The pitch is very lame in many ways.

“AI can be used for managing and stock and property markets, financial analyses, predictive financial planning, and the usual market astrology,” they say.

So can an abacus and a semi-conscious person…

Interpretation of financial data can be very demanding. AI has the processing power to do all that in real-time. What’s questionable is its ability to get it right.

There are some obvious possible values. AI can run any number of scenarios for a portfolio of assets.  At the buy and sell level, these would be relatively trustworthy in normal circumstances. That’s not quite good enough for a stampede to AI.

The existing buy-and-sell stock programs are simple but efficient. “Buy at $1, sell at $2, or sell when the unit value goes down and before it hits $1.10 or whatever.” (That’s an oversimplified version of the basics.) You don’t really need AI to do that sort of trading. There’s more to markets than margin-dwelling. Including major possible risks.

Now consider a higher level of AI managing a portfolio of private assets. If the AI is supposed to increase the total value of the entire portfolio, it may not buy and sell like that. The $1 stock may go down to 70c, and the AI might well wear the losses, acceptable or otherwise while increasing the net value of the portfolio.

Now try the same scenario on a real estate property portfolio, the futures market, derivatives, or anything else. See any possible hiccups? All of these scenarios need complex integrated parameters.

It’s not impossible; it’s just extremely tricky and potentially expensive. It requires a level of expertise and market knowledge. You could (and probably should) wind up with “niche” finance AI specializations.   

This is where the generalist idea of AI in finance is way too simplistic and can’t work. Can AI interpret financial news affecting assets and make the right moves? Probably not, yet.

Finance is being sold as a Golden Asset. Big on talk, with no credentials beyond the basics.

The unseen upside to financial AI is pretty interesting.

Ironically, AI does have an immediate use in finance, despite the hype. The biggest options are anti-fraud and financial crime. Worldwide, the finance sector spends billions in self-defense against money laundering, sanctions-breaking, and the world’s many other parasitic pastimes.  

A network of blockchain, AI, and forensic oversight won’t miss much in this environment. Even those mysteriously disappearing and rebirthed assets can be tracked from start to finish. You’d get a map of dubious transactions at the very least. You also have automatic transparency with the blockchain.

You can also do your compliance with much less cost and fuss. A system like that can isolate suspicious transactions and run a “financial genealogy” on their operators. Enforcement could have a long audit and evidence trail built in.

…But what happens to those dear sweet fraudulent filth, you sob into your chat show microphone?

We’ll see. Wanna buy some popcorn?  

Financial AI could be used for something other than destroying the world.  

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Disclaimer
The opinions expressed in this Op-Ed are those of the author. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the Digital Journal or its members.

The post Op-Ed: AI and finance — Colliding tyrannies or an upside nobody saw? appeared first on Digital Journal.

Boxley begins his assessment by considering Kubernetes: “In 2024, there will be four key trends. To start, the increasing complexity of IT infrastructures, especially with the widespread adoption of containerized environments like Kubernetes, will drive the need for more sophisticated downtime prevention solutions. These systems will leverage predictive analytics to identify potential issues before they cause system failures. Automation will play a key role, with features like automatic failover processes that ensure continuous operation without manual intervention. The focus will be on creating solutions that are not only reactive in addressing issues but also proactive in preventing them.”

Software-defined perimeters

The second area of consideration is with finding new ways to repel cyberattacks. Here Boxley finds: “Next, the cybersecurity landscape is rapidly evolving, with more sophisticated and frequent attacks. In response, the adoption of advanced network technologies like software-defined perimeter (SDP) and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) will become critical in 2024. These technologies offer a more dynamic and adaptive approach to network security compared to traditional VPNs. SDP provides a way to create secure, context-aware connections between users and network resources, effectively reducing the attack surface. ZTNA, on the other hand, operates on the principle of “never trust, always verify,” ensuring that access to network resources is strictly controlled and monitored. These technologies will be especially important for protecting multi-cloud environments and remote work infrastructures.”

New data storage platforms

The third area is with data expansion. Boxley’s recommendations are: “As organizations continue to diversify their IT portfolios, the need for solutions that offer cross-platform compatibility and seamless integration will grow in 2024. These solutions will need to support a variety of environments – from cloud services provided by different vendors to on-premises data centres and emerging container technologies. The key will be in providing a unified management interface that can handle various systems, offering efficient and coherent control over diverse IT assets. This trend is not just about compatibility; it’s about integration that is deep enough to allow different systems to work together harmonically, enhancing overall system efficiency and reducing operational complexities.

The final area relates to programming languages to handle data. Boxley predicts: “Now that it’s been demonstrated that SQL Server Kubernetes (K8s) clusters perform much faster on physical servers than on virtual Machines, solutions will be developed that will enable customers to deploy SQL Server Availability Groups on K8s environments in seconds with greater customization in 2024. The solutions will make it easy for customers to see reductions in OS licensing, CPU clock cycles, and memory when using K8s as opposed to VMs. These new solutions will also offer cross-platform compatibility and seamless integration with existing non-K8s environments. They will take full advantage of Zero Trust networking technology to allow multi-region/multi-cloud compatibility for true cloud independence.”

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When it comes to style, I take issue with just about everything. I hit “Dismiss” a lot. There are minor glitches in core language usage, but nothing too bothersome. It doesn’t quite get contracted usage in sentences, like “Policy is to… whatever”. It’ll say, “The policy…” which is a bit antiquated.

Grammarly isn’t entirely responsible for this. These are traditional benchmark grammar issues. The trouble is that these benchmarks are way off these days. Writing styles have become mired in old 1990s usage theory, which is turning into a form of semantic sclerosis.

There’s a wonderfully squalid history of Grammar Edicts from The Grave to explain my perspective:

About 1991-ish, early style guides started getting ultra-pedantic, and a bit illiterate. I sat through several of these droning sessions in various forms of training. They were all the same and repeatedly used the same expressions.

For example; the following are almost-verbatim quotes from back then:

“What does “best practice” mean? …We’re not experts! It’s a useless expression…”

No, it isn’t, and some of us are experts. “Best practice” refers to a virtual sea of integrated B2B and professional references to system-level best quality controls, including compliance, audit, checks and balances in business or any methodology. It’s two words to cover the basis of whatever operational practices to which you refer. It’s best practice to refer to best practice.

“(Any subject) …We’re not mind readers!…”

No, you’re just lazy. You’re supposed to be communicating using a language. Interpretation is the basis of language. To that extent, you and your readers are trying to read minds by reading meanings as two-dimensionally as possible. Good luck with that.

“You don’t need words like really, literally, actually, very, etc.”

Wrong. These words are either emphases, nuance or referring to specific cases. “They really did that” is specific to an event or incident. “They literally do not think of these things” is nuance. Either way, these expressions are qualifiers.

I don’t hold it against Grammarly or any other software for getting stuck with these anachronisms. That’s what style guides do; they embalm usage.

The oldest style guide is AP style, from memory. This was originally an innocent attempt to create a quality standard for AP media. Fair enough. It’s a series of editorial benchmarks and formatting, and it’s very reliable.

Since then, a plague of utterly useless style guides has arisen. They’re pretty much the same and based on similar principles.  They’re also highly idiosyncratic, trying to be different, and failing dismally.

For instance – They cut out commas on a routine basis. They’ve never heard of semicolons, which are actual pauses in statements. If you tried to read this “revised” stuff aloud, you’d be doing it in a monotone and auto prompt speeds.  That’s just getting lost in the pedantry.

Non-scholarly text is in theory supposed to be written like normal speech. There are variables in delivery times, emphases, terminology, and often in styles of delivery to an audience.

Another issue is clarity. This is an each-way bet. On average, I might use 1 in 4 of the clarity suggestions, simply because they are clearer or more efficient. I draw the line between simply rearranging words and losing the style of expression.

To be strictly fair to the writing software:

The general level of literacy and language usage is so low that things like Grammarly are highly effective at the de-disasterization of text. Even when I often disagree with every single issue raised, it really does work well to that extent.

That said:

• The 1990s were 30 years ago. A lot of new usage has happened since.  
• Language is and must be fluid and able to adapt to new contexts.
• AI writing is always vulnerable to new usage.
• Software must keep up with the evolution of language.
• Pedantry isn’t particularly useful in any language.
• Any degree of obsolescence reflects negatively on the software products.

Solutions:

“Ongoing learning” for large language models. They’ll need it.

Lose the style guides and focus on expression.

Abbreviations and contracted sentences should be factored in.  

Just lose the prehistoric pedants.  

_________________________________________________________________

Disclaimer
The opinions expressed in this Op-Ed are those of the author. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the Digital Journal or its members.

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