The wait is over, with all X users now able to access Elon’s non-woke “Grok” AI chatbot , which had thus far only been available to X Premium subscribers. Which is fewer than 1% of the platform’s users . With Grok, users can now ask questions, generate images (which is now even better with X’s new Aurora integration ), analyze posts to get more context as to their meaning, generate sassy responses (via “Unhinged Fun” mode ), and more. Though whether AI chatbots have a real place within social media apps remains to be seen. The latest wave of generative AI tools has seen Meta jam its AI chatbot into virtually all of its apps , while LinkedIn has also been adding more and more AI elements to “assist” in your posting process. But is it really assistive to get AI tools to generate posts on your behalf, which you then, post to social media apps that are foundationally built around actual social, human-to-human interaction? I guess, an argument could be made as to what defines “social” interaction in this context. But the concept of social media, thus far, has been that it gives everyone an opportunity to share their thoughts and opinions, thereby democratizing media to some degree. In which case, posting AI generated posts and images seems to run counter to that. Right? As such, I’m not sure that I see the long-term value of the integration of gen AI into social apps. Am I saying that the potential of generative AI overall is overblown? Well, no, as there are a heap of ways in which AI can be used to streamline workflows, improve processes, etc., and it will be transformative in many sectors and applications. But generative AI, via the offerings that are currently available at least, is only really of value when you know what you want from it, and you have enough of your own expertise and insight to analyze its outputs. For example, gen AI will make it easier for lawyers to research cases, as they’ll be able to, say, ask it to come up with alternative angles for argument, which they may not have considered, and then find cases that establish precedent for those approaches. That could save a heap of time, but you still need to understand enough about legal process to know if the output it provides is correct, and how to cross-check the case examples in order for this to actually be of benefit. As such, it’s unlikely to turn an untrained person into a viable legal representative, but it could help to make an existing expert better at what they do. That’s the case in virtually all applications, with AI being assistive, not replacive. But the AI hype train is all about how AI will soon think for itself, and outsmart everybody, and come up with ever more efficient ways to put more people out of the job. But it won’t. Artificial general intelligence (i.e. computers that think for themselves) is nowhere close to reality , while the current AI models are little more than smart spreadsheets. As such, it’s not the revolution that the hype machine suggests, though it does have unique, practical value in many cases. I just don’t see social media being one of them. I get why Meta is working on AI, as a potential tool to simplify its next-level AR and VR experiences, by enabling people to build their own digital worlds without coding knowledge. I can see the future there, but I don’t see any significant value in AI chatbots, beyond novelty usage. And I don’t see why people are going to use Grok in any significant way. Sure, there are some semi-interesting use cases, like analyzing X trends, and maybe using Grok to seek out info on broader X usage trends and analytics. There will be some niche uses for it, but for the majority of people, I doubt the addition of Grok is going to truly enhance their X experience. Or their Facebook experience, or IG. Because as much as the platforms seem excited by image generators, and bots that’ll pretend to be your friend, I don’t believe that most people care about using AI to create random visuals, or talk to recreations of people that aren’t actually real. Because none of these uses are “social”. They’re not representative of your experience, they’re not connecting you with the wider world, they’re not demonstrating your perspective. They’re just bots, and bots have always been an annoyance on social apps. And even with an AI re-brand, I don’t think that makes them any more appealing.A Richmond man failed to report almost $7.5 million in income from flipping homes and has been sentenced in provincial court to a conditional sentence and fines of more than $2.1 million. Balkar Singh Bhullar pleaded guilty in August 2023 to one count of tax evasion under the Income Tax Act. A Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) investigation showed Bhullar failed to report $7,485,246 in taxable income for the years 2011, 2012 and 2014. The income was from assignment fees earned from flipping 14 properties between Jan. 1, 2011 and Dec. 31, 2014, thereby allowing him to evade $2,153,394 in federal Income taxes, according to a news release from the CRA. Bhullar, who is 67 years old, was sentenced on Dec. 19 in B.C. Provincial Court (Robson Square) to a conditional sentence of two years less a day and a fine of $2,153,397.nn777 casino login download 。

Ghost boats carry piles of decomposing bodies across the AtlanticPune: The state registration department has sanctioned around Rs21 crore to digitise nearly 2.25 lakh property documents stored as photo films in the photo registry department. The decision comes after the latter department warned about possible damage to these films, currently in cold storage. The documents stored as films span over 58 years of property records. "While documents from 1985 to 2002 were scanned and are ready for digital conversion, the older photo films need special technical expertise," a senior registration official told TOI. Currently, of the total Rs200 crore budgetary allocation for the department, Rs21 crore will be allocated for this work. State govt is expected to disburse the allocation in phases after it was announced early this year. "We expect Rs10 crore in the first phase and the rest in the second. We have sent a detailed proposal for the tender to state govt for approval as technical expertise is required for this work. Once approved, we can start work," a senior registration department official told TOI on Tuesday. The tender proposal was sent recently and is expected to be cleared in Jan 2025, after which around a year will be required for the work, added the official. Technical experts will have to convert sensitive photo films into the digital format. This initiative follows the successful digitisation of property documents post-2002, stated officials. "These records are crucial and need to be preserved properly. The digitisation will make them easily accessible while ensuring their long-term preservation," the official added. Members of the department are hoping state govt clears the tender proposal early so that work can be finished by the end of next year. Officials explained that several documents could not be saved as they were written down in huge registers. These have now been stored in photo films in containers placed in AC rooms. Meanwhile, the department has completed 96% of the process of scanning documents from 1985 to 2002, the official told TOI. On the proposal of digitising all records, efforts are on to upgrade the technology. "We moved first from paper to films and then to scanning copies. Now, we aim to make the entire process digital and eventually web-based. Discussions are on with various consultants for the same," said another official. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , Location Guesser and Mini Crossword . Spread love this holiday season with these Christmas wishes , messages , and quotes .

Travis Hunter's month of December has been marred by controversy, overshadowing what should have been a celebration of his Heisman Trophy win. The Colorado football star began the month on top, achieving one of college football's highest honors. However, what followed was a storm of personal turmoil, with his private life thrust into the public eye. Leaked Videos Stir Public Attention The debate started on Monday when outdated clips of Hunter’s fiancée, Leanna Lenee, surfaced on the internet. The footage, said to be from three years ago, features Lenee in private moments with a different man. The material is not inherently surprising, but the timing has drawn attention. Hunter and Lenee have been together for five years, and the reappearance of the footage has sparked significant speculation. In a video, Lenee appears in a home, trying to conceal her face while dressed in a T-shirt and panties. In another video, she's seen in bed with the man, and a third clip shows her cooking a meal for him afterward. The online community swiftly responded, as users on social media analyzed the videos. Numerous people doubted the authenticity of Hunter's relationship with Lenee, and some even encouraged him to rethink their engagement. Although certain fans proposed that the past shouldn’t dictate the future, the timing of the videos inevitably ignited a broader discussion. The Role of Social Media The leaked video caught attention on social media. Supporters and analysts gathered on platforms to express their views. Numerous supporters of Hunter advised him to rethink his relationship, labeling it a possible distraction as he progresses in his career. Some, on the other hand, contended that an individual's past behavior should not determine their future. Regardless of these differing opinions, the videos attracted significant public attention for the athlete. Hunter’s Withdrawal from Social Media In the midst of the escalating online discussion, Hunter opted to deactivate his Instagram account. Even though he hasn't made any public remarks about the issue, his exit from social media communicates a lot regarding the personal impact the controversy has had on him. It is still uncertain if this action is permanent or if Hunter intends to discuss the matter publicly in the future. A Crucial Moment in Hunter’s Career The timing of this issue is especially delicate for Hunter. As a Heisman Trophy recipient and a leading candidate for the NFL, the athlete is under considerable pressure. His job opportunities are improving, and the next year may be crucial for solidifying his future in the NFL. Nonetheless, the personal turmoil around him may distract from his professional concentration. The examination, along with the emotional impact of the dispute, may present a difficulty in the upcoming months. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from US Buzz, World and around the world.

What to know about Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Trump’s pick for labor secretaryLopsided loss sinks the reeling Saints further into evaluation mode

AIMA Technology Group dévoilera sept nouveaux produits de mobilité électrique au salon CES 2025 et s'associera à une marque italienne pour établir de nouvelles normes industrielles.The slump in the number of people heading to the shops during Boxing Day sales signals a return to declining pre-pandemic levels, an analyst has said. Boxing Day shopper footfall was down 7.9% from last year across all UK retail destinations up until 5pm, MRI Software’s OnLocation Footfall Index found. However, this year’s data had been compared with an unusual spike in footfall as 2023 was the first “proper Christmas” period without Covid-19 pandemic restrictions, an analyst at the retail technology company said. It found £4.6 billion will be spent overall on the festive sales. Before the pandemic the number of Boxing Day shoppers on the streets had been declining year on year. The last uplift recorded by MRI was in 2015. Jenni Matthews, marketing and insights director at MRI Software, told the PA news agency: “We’ve got to bear in mind that (last year) was our first proper Christmas without any (Covid-19) restrictions or limitations. “Figures have come out that things have stabilised, we’re almost back to what we saw pre-pandemic.” There were year-on-year declines in footfall anywhere between 5% and 12% before Covid-19 restrictions, she said. MRI found 12% fewer people were out shopping on Boxing Day in 2019 than in 2018, and there were 3% fewer in 2018 than in 2017, Ms Matthews added. She said: “It’s the shift to online shopping, it’s the convenience, you’ve got the family days that take place on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.” People are also increasingly stocking-up before Christmas, Ms Matthews said, and MRI found an 18% increase in footfall at all UK retail destinations on Christmas Eve this year compared with 2023. Ms Matthews said: “We see the shops are full of people all the way up to Christmas Eve, so they’ve probably got a couple of good days of food, goodies, everything that they need, and they don’t really need to go out again until later on in that week. “We did see that big boost on Christmas Eve. It looks like shoppers may have concentrated much of their spending in that pre-Christmas rush.” Many online sales kicked off between December 23 and the night of Christmas Day and “a lot of people would have grabbed those bargains from the comfort of their own home”, she said. She added: “I feel like it’s becoming more and more common that people are grabbing the bargains pre-Christmas.” Footfall is expected to rise on December 27 as people emerge from family visits and shops re-open, including Next, Marks and Spencer and John Lewis that all shut for Boxing Day. It will also be payday for some as it is the last Friday of the month. A study by Barclays Consumer Spend had forecast that shoppers would spend £236 each on average in the Boxing Day sales this year, but that the majority of purchases would be made online. Nearly half of respondents said the cost-of-living crisis will affect their post-Christmas shopping but the forecast average spend is still £50 more per person than it was before the pandemic, with some of that figure because of inflation, Barclays said. Amid the financial pressures, many people are planning to buy practical, perishable and essential items such as food and kitchenware. A total of 65% of shoppers are expecting to spend the majority of their sales budget online. Last year, Barclays found 63.9% of Boxing Day retail purchases were made online. However, a quarter of respondents aim to spend mostly in store – an 11% rise compared with last year. Karen Johnson, head of retail at Barclays, said: “Despite the ongoing cost-of-living pressures, it is encouraging to hear that consumers will be actively participating in the post-Christmas sales. “This year, we’re likely to see a shift towards practicality and sustainability, with more shoppers looking to bag bargains on kitchen appliances and second-hand goods.” Consumers choose in-store shopping largely because they enjoy the social aspect and touching items before they buy, Barclays said, adding that high streets and shopping centres are the most popular destinations.

The immediate past Acting Vice-Chancellor of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, Prof. Asomwan Sonnie Adagbonyin, on Sunday refuted claims that his management received directives from former Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, to reinstate two staff members disengaged by the defunct Special Intervention Team (SIT) but failed to implement them. Adagbonyin spoke in Benin while reacting to an online publication titled “Reinstatement of Sacked Lecturers: Governor Okpebholo’s Stance is Unassailable” credited to one Nosa Ekhator. In the report, Nosa quoted Otunba Mike Aladenika, Principal Assistant Registrar and Head of Information, Public Relations, and Protocol of Ambrose Alli University, as stating that directives to reinstate the two lecturers, disengaged by the SIT during Obaseki’s tenure, were issued to the university management but were not implemented “due to a lack of political will.” Adagbonyin clarified that while he preferred to remain silent on many issues surrounding the SIT’s disengagement of the staff, it was essential to correct the misconception that the fate of the two disengaged staff rested with the university management. “The business of hiring, firing, and recalling workers did not (and does not) lie in the hands of the university management but in that of the Governing Council, and in this circumstance, the Special Intervention Team (SIT), which had relieved the staff of their appointments ab initio, as their letters of disengagement clearly stated,” Adagbonyin explained. The former Acting Vice-Chancellor emphasised that he was unaware of any directive issued to his management by the Governor or the SIT beyond a press release by the former Governor’s Special Adviser on Media Projects, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, which condemned the SIT’s actions at the time. “But we all heard what the Governor said when he responded to calls to rescind the disengagement of the staff during his visit to the university on March 16, 2023, days after Mr. Crusoe made the press release. I did not hear the Governor give management any specific directive to reinstate the staff. “Just as he spoke about winding up the activities of the SIT within 90 days, he categorically stated that it would not be possible to rescind the SIT’s decision on the two staff members without understanding the details of why the SIT made the decision in the first place. In his words, ‘I don’t think that is the right way to govern.’ Note that he subsequently set up a committee,” Adagbonyin noted. Adagbonyin expressed interest in seeing any memo—if it existed—directing his management to recall the sacked staff. He also challenged anyone to present evidence of sanctions imposed on his management for allegedly lacking the “political will” to implement the governor’s directives, noting that it would be impossible to flout a governor’s order without consequences. “What is political will in the face of government directives?” he asked. “It’s strange, very strange indeed! We’re no longer in office, but we’re certain we kept a record of all that transpired during our tenure. Certainly, directives to reinstate the two disengaged staff were not among them.”