3 Questions. 3 Hints. 3 Answers. Every Tuesday.
1. Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest one of all?
Hint:
Answer: leave it to Neiman Marcus to come up with a “mirror” (better defined as a screen) that lets customers compare different “looks.” The customer controls the process in a fitting room equipped with an iPad and decides when to begin recording or take photos wearing an outfit. The user is not restricted and may compare several outfits back on the sales floor where the avant-garde mirror is actually located. The technology begs the question: what if the customer accidentally takes video or photo footage while changing? Will the x-rated footage go “live” on the main floor for all to see? Also, with a social media sharing option, could distasteful photos go viral and further, if pornographic, could Neiman’s be held responsible? Read the story here.
2. What smart technology has very smart people looking for ways to outsmart it before it is too late?
Hint:
Answer: the world’s brightest forces are joining minds to keep artificial intelligence (AI) in check so as to “reap its benefits while avoiding potential pitfalls.” Issues such as: balancing the advantages of autonomous vehicles against the possibilities of malfunctions, programming glitches or human error; “ethical” programming; and the impact on and applicability of legal rights and obligations within the current framework, are better pondered now rather than later. There is nothing artificial about Elon Musk, Stephen Hawking and thinkers at Harvard and MIT, among others, being involved in this forward-thinking project. Read the details here.
3. Are you shy? Don’t ask me because this technology will likely give you a more accurate answer…
Hint:
Answer: a recent study established that algorithms are more adept at figuring us out than our own friends. Armed with data collected through a particular Facebook app, the study showed that the pattern of people’s “likes” on Facebook predicted several individual traits including personality, gender, race, political and sexual preferences. But not so fast: participants’ spouses proved more astute than artificial intelligence when it came to character assessments. Read more here.