Google tests watermark to identify AI images
- Google is trialling a digital watermark to spot images which have been made by artificial intelligence (AI) in an effort to fight disinformation.
- Developed by DeepMind, SynthID will identify images generated by machines.
- It works by embedding changes to individual pixels in images so watermarks detectable by computers but are invisible to the human eye.
- Watermarks are typically a logo or text added to an image to show ownership as well as making it more difficult for the picture to be copied and used without permission.
- Google has its own image generators called Imagen, and its system for creating and checking watermarks will only apply to images created using this tool.
- Deepmind have stated that it is “not foolproof against extreme image manipulation”.
- Amazon and Microsoft are among other tech companies which have pledged to watermark some AI-generated content.
- For more, please visit the BBC News website.
Call of Duty will use AI to moderate voice chats
- Activision has partnered with Modulate to bring voice chat moderation to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III through utilising AI.
- The technology is called ToxMod and it will work by scanning voice chat in real time for violations of the game’s code of conduct, including hate speech, harassment and discrimination.
- The tool will not take action against players based on its data, but rather will submit a report to Activision’s moderators.
- Human involvement will likely remain an important safeguard as research as shown that speech recognition systems can be biased in how they respond to some users.
- It is currently in beta testing but will be rolled out to all players in North America today and a full global release is planned for November 10th when Call of Duty Modern Warfare III is released.
- For more, please visit the Verge wesite.
Third of parents don’t know how old a child should be to have a phone
- The study by Vodafone, found that parents find the decision of when to give their child a phone, overwhelming.
- Findings also show that parents lack confidence in setting up safety features on key applications that children use, with many feeling in the dark with newer apps like Snapchat.
- Over half of parents reported that the decision is difficult because they are worried about their children seeing inappropriate content or being bullied online.
- To better equip parents, Vodafone has announced partnership with the NSPCC.
- A key element of the partnership will be on the ongoing development on a new online platform, designed to provide parents with practical resources for buying their child’s first phone, and offering advice on how to get the best deal.
- The NSPCC reports that in 2022/23, 10% of helpline calls focused on mobile phones or online platforms in August.
- This highlights a spike in online safety concerns ahead of the new school term.
- For more, please visit the Kent Live website.
The following stories may be regionalised:
One in four teachers gave food to hungry pupils in England last term, survey finds
- A survey of teachers in England has found that one in four gave food to hungry pupils out of concern for their welfare.
- Teacher Tapp, who undertook the survey, found 26% of teachers provided food to at least one pupil in the summer term because they were worried about their welfare.
- Teachers were more likely to give food to pupils in deprived areas, with 31% of teachers in the most deprived areas doing so, compared with 22% of teachers in more affluent areas.
- Findings showed that teachers were more likely to give food to pupils who were noticeably hungry, cold or who were struggling to concentrate in class.
- For more, please visit The Guardian website.
Teacher banned after bringing Ketamine into primary school
- A primary school teacher in Simpson, Buckinghamshire, brought the Class B drug into school.
- He has now been banned from teaching indefinitely after a professional conduct panel from the Teaching Regulation Agency was alerted that the incident had happened in December 2020.
- They reported: “A small package containing a white substance was found at the school by the principal in the staff cubicles”.
- They stated that he “confessed that the package was his and that it had accidentally fallen out of his wallet” and “confirmed the drug was Ketamine”.
- On the 22nd April 2021, he was dismissed for gross misconduct.
- The Teaching Regulation Agency have said they note the “significant safeguarding risks and potential consequences on pupils”.
- It was decided that he be prohibited from teaching indefinitely and cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children’s home in England.
- The panel agreed a two-year period review, which means he can apply for the ban to be set aside after that time.
- For more, please visit the MSN website.
