Hi Friends,

Even as I launch this today ( my 80th Birthday ), I realize that there is yet so much to say and do. There is just no time to look back, no time to wonder,"Will anyone read these pages?"

With regards,
Hemen Parekh
27 June 2013

Now as I approach my 90th birthday ( 27 June 2023 ) , I invite you to visit my Digital Avatar ( www.hemenparekh.ai ) – and continue chatting with me , even when I am no more here physically

Wednesday, 4 April 2018

#FakeNews ? An Obsolete Concept ?




Last few days , media ( online + offline ) is full of debate surrounding some govt circular on fake news and its subsequent withdrawal


Today’s Economic Times carries following news :








Highlights :


The ministry had recently set up a committee to formulate a policy for digital broadcasting and news portals
 

“I&B ministry officials pointed out in a meeting of the committee that there was no online regulation, so the code of conduct that applies to print and TV media cannot be imposed on online news portals,” said an official.
 

The set of regulations has to come out first, after which the code of conduct for online news portals can be worked out. The committee is basically looking at how to go about it,” the official said.
 

Brainstorming over regulation of online news content had started because the ministry felt that a large number of people were depending on online media for news and that there should be some mechanism to check spread of misinformation on the internet. 

=================================


An article in yesterday’s Times of India says :



“ What exactly is fake news ?


Fake news is news that’s been created knowing it isn’t true .

Unlike inaccurate reporting, which news- papers , by and large correct and / or apologize for , fake news isn’t accidental or a genuine mistake
It isn’t even bias .  It’s plain false and purposefully crafted to mislead “





Of course , in today’s supercharged political climate ( CBSE exam / Dalit agitations etc ), it was a wise decision to withdraw that notification



But , I have a feeling that , before long , we will fail to distinguish between :



*    Fake  /  True

*    Real  /  Imagined



Here is why :


*   Artificial Intelligence is advancing rapidly


     Google Clips ( Google’s tiny camera ) uses AI and Machine Learning ( ML ) to know
     when and whom and what to capture – and start photographing on its own !



*   Machine Learning Algorithms are teaching computers to “ think / infer / argue



*   Robots capable of sensing “ AngerLove “ and being able to respond accordingly ,
     are appearing



*   Computers ( assisted by BIG DATA / AI ) have started being “ Creative “ and
     publishing poems / essays and even do better job than Van Gogh in painting !


    
*   Virtual “ avatars “ of  humans have already started “ interviewing “ candidates !



*  2 billion humans , possessing 10 billion , internet-connected devices ( mostly
    smart phones ) , are creating “ Content “ ( textspeechvideosimages etc ) and
    are uploading on a billion web sites . And this content flows from person to person ,
    making each person , a human “ Conductor of Contents “ ( like zero resistance in an



   And before long , as it flows , it will morphs along the way ( from text to speech to
   touch to image to smell to taste ? )



   We have all , turned into “ Repeater Stations “ / “ Conveyor Belts “ of content  !



   And that endless belt goes non-stop , round and round ! With neither the beginning
   nor the end in sight !



    
    Before long, they will succeed in uploading even their “ thoughts “ - without typing !



    Who can decide ( and how ? ) in all of these content , what is  FAKE  / REAL ?




*   Computers controlling ( print )  News Papers , will pick up and publish such FAKE
    content  automatically, and without any human intervention ( reporters – journalists –
    editors etc. getting replaced by algorithms / robots ? ) .



    Who will you catch and punish  ?




     
*  ANA AVATAR X-PRIZE will unleash a revolution in “ remote working “ from thousands
   of Km



 In nutshell , we are headed for a future where “ duality “ will cease to exist !



There will be no distinction between “ Real “ and “ Imaginary



Ancient Indian Seers spoke of “ Adwait-waad “ ( Singularity )



They also spoke of “ Maya-Waad  “ ( The Ultimate Illusion )



Modern day scientists are veering around to this thinking



Before long , using QUANTUM COMPUTERS , we might exist in two – or more – parallel universes , simultaneously !



And ask : 


Which one of us is “ Real “ ?  Who is “ Fake “  ?





05  April  2018


www.hemenparekh.in / blogs 


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