Akash : Reach for the Ground

 

 

Context :

BARC panel homes reach 55,000: Minister     …………….. 03 Aug 2023

 

Extract :

Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) has increased the size of panel homes from about 30,000 in 2017 to 55,000 in December 2022, informed the Minister of Information and Broadcasting.

The number of panel meters installed in audience homes plays a crucial role in improving the accuracy of TV viewership data.

India's largest viewership data collection agency is reportedly planning to increase the installed meter count to around 65,000 over the next three years. 

The Bar-o-meter is a device installed on the televisions of audiences to examine what they are watching at any given time.

The data is measured to calculate TRP. BARC adheres to the Minister of Information and Broadcasting and Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) when calculating TRPs.

My Take :

Dear Akash Ambani ,

Only a few days back , you talked about the ability of Reliance JIO to disrupt the market by introducing REVOLUTIONARY “ products and services “

[   Akash reaching for the Sky  …  31 Dec 2023  ]

 

This is your opportunity to do just that – by introducing a UNIVERSAL Set Top Box as described in my following 4 YEAR old blog

With regards,

Hemen Parekh  /  www.hemenparekh.ai  /  06 Jan 2024

CC :

contactus@reliancefoundation.org

 Akash@Ril.com

Mukesh.ambani@ril.com

Isha@ril.com

Anant@ril.com

Savithri.Parekh@ril.com

Sidhi.Jatkar@ril.com

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

 The Future of TV Viewing ? ……………… 26  March  2019 

 

Extract :

But imagine if each Set Top Box, were to morph into a BAR-O-Meter

By end of 2019, number of households with TV sets , is likely to be close to 200 million  

That makes for 200 Million BAR-O-Meters  - as against 40,000 today !

And to complete the TV VIEWERSHIP MEASUREMENT revolution, stretch your imagination as follows :

 #   All of this 200 Million “ Smart Set Top Boxes “ will be tiny Super-computers

     with terabytes of memory

 

 #   All of these will be only “ Pre-paid “ versions enabling instant Online

      Payments from TV Screen / Remote

  

#   These Set Top Boxes will show ALL TV channels, all the time, – eliminating

     need for ala-carte pre-selection on Service provider’s web site / filling up

     channel selection forms of MSO ( TV Cable operators )

   

#   A viewer would be able to view ANY channel, any time

  

#   Smart Set Top Box will automatically / instantly, deduct money ( from pre-paid

     account of the household ), based on “ Per Minute “ tariff for each channel . “

     Credit Balance “ will flash in screen corner , every 10 minutes

      

 

#   Being a “ Super Smart Set Top Box “ , internet will be integrated and web sites

     made available on TV screen ( - why need a separate computer screen ? )

        

 #   Smart Set Top Box will also enable Video – Audio Streaming services like

      Netflix and just announced Apple TV+/ Apple News Plus / Apple Arcade etc

       

#   Smart Set Top Box will enable job portals ( and of course, LinkedIn ) to deliver

     “ Suitable / Recommended Job Alerts “, and permit “ Apply Online “, using

      remote

 

#   Solely at his own discretion, a viewer would ,

 

           >  Allow advertisers to display “ Customized Advts “ on his TV screen ,

               based on his TV Channel Viewing History

                

              >  Rent his “ Net Surfing History “ to Social Media Sites for a “ Monthly

                  Rental “ of Rs 1,000

  

     *    Set Top Box will be synchronized with Alexa – Google Home – Siri – Cortana

           etc to accept voice commands

 

When 5G – Quantum Computing – DNA based Memory Storage – Li Fi – Face

Recognition – AR – VR – AI - Blockchain etc mature, what I have envisaged

above, is bound to happen

  

I am a great believer in :

If you can imagine something today , technology will turn it into reality tomorrow !

 

Questions are :

  

#   Will TRAI or some other regulating agency try to stop the advance of

     technology ?

 

#   Will some Start Up come forward to take up this challenge to disrupt the

     Advertising Industry ?

 

With Regards,

Hemen Parekh

www.hemenparekh.ai  /  05 Jan 2024

 

Related Readings :

 

Make Every TV, a Computer ? First Step taken ……………………. 05 Nov 2021

National Skills University : Virtual is the only way………….. … 03 Apr  2021

 

TRP : Manipulation can be Eliminated ……………………………………. 08 Oct 2020 

 

TRAI : Taming of the TV Tycoons ?....................................... 27 Jan 2019

Thank You , Shri R S Sharmaji …………………………………………………… 24 Jan 2019

 

Peter’s WEB 3.0……………………………………………………………….. …………. 09 Dec 2018

 

VIDEOCON INTERACTIVE TV PROJECT ……………………………………. 15 June 2001

Redesign of TV remotes………………………………………………….. …………. 15 June 2001

 

 Comments by ChatGPT :

 

Your proposal for a universal Set Top Box with enhanced capabilities is quite visionary and extensive in its features.

By transforming the traditional Set Top Box into a multifunctional, smart device capable of not only facilitating TV viewing but also integrating various services and technologies, it presents an intriguing concept for the future of television consumption.

The idea of incorporating a BAR-O-Meter in every Set Top Box to improve TV viewership data collection is innovative.

 Additionally, your suggestions for enabling prepaid services, offering all TV channels without pre-selection, integrating internet services, providing job alerts, facilitating voice commands, and more, showcase a comprehensive vision for the evolution of TV viewing technology.

The potential for such a device to revolutionize not just TV viewing but also how users interact with media, entertainment, and the internet is evident. It aligns with the trend toward convergence, where various services and functionalities merge into single platforms for user convenience.

Your emphasis on the role of advancing technologies like 5G, quantum computing, AI, and others in realizing this vision is particularly noteworthy. These technologies can indeed play a pivotal role in transforming your envisioned capabilities into reality.

As for the questions you pose regarding regulatory agencies and potential disruptors in the advertising industry, it's plausible that regulatory bodies may need to adapt to accommodate such advanced technologies. Furthermore, disruptive innovations in technology often create opportunities for startups or forward-thinking companies to challenge existing norms and industries.

Overall, your proposed universal Set Top Box is a forward-thinking concept that envisions a holistic and integrated approach to TV viewing and technological convergence.

It could potentially reshape how individuals engage with entertainment, media, and various online services.

  

BARD’s comments :

I'm happy to assess your proposed revolutionary set-top box based on your detailed blog post. Here's my take on the potential advantages and benefits:

For TV viewers:

·         Increased viewing flexibility: 

The ability to watch any channel at any time, without pre-selection or channel packages, offers greater control and freedom.

·         Per-minute billing: 

This could potentially lead to more transparent and cost-effective viewing, especially for casual viewers who don't watch many channels regularly.

·         Integrated internet and streaming services: 

Combining TV with internet access and streaming platforms on one device simplifies the entertainment experience and eliminates the need for multiple devices.

·         Job search and application features: 

Integrating job portals and application tools directly into the set-top box could improve accessibility and convenience for job seekers.

·         Personalized advertising: 

Allowing viewers to control the display of customized advertisements based on their viewing history could provide more relevant and potentially less intrusive advertising experiences.

·         Data monetization: 

Viewers could choose to rent their internet browsing history to social media sites for additional income, potentially democratizing data ownership and revenue sharing.

For the entertainment industry:

·         Increased viewership and engagement: 

The proposed features could potentially attract more viewers and encourage longer viewing times, benefiting content creators and broadcasters.

·         New revenue models: 

Per-minute billing and data monetization could offer new revenue streams for channels and content producers.

·         Direct audience interaction: 

Features like job portals and personalized advertising could foster closer relationships between viewers and content providers.

For the advertising industry:

·         More targeted advertising: 

Customized advertising based on viewing history could lead to more effective and impactful ad campaigns.

·         Reduced ad fatigue: 

Per-minute billing could incentivize advertisers to create shorter, more engaging ads to avoid losing viewers.

·         New advertising platforms: 

The set-top box could offer new platforms for advertising, such as interactive ads or sponsored content within the user interface.

Challenges and considerations:

·         Privacy concerns: 

Collecting and using viewer data for personalized advertising and data monetization raises privacy concerns that would need to be addressed with robust data security measures and user consent mechanisms.

·         Technological feasibility: 

Implementing some of the proposed features, such as real-time per-minute billing and seamless integration with various internet services, might require significant technological advancements and infrastructure upgrades.

·         Regulatory hurdles: 

Depending on the specific features and functionalities, the set-top box may need to comply with various regulations and receive approvals from relevant authorities.

Overall, your proposed set-top box has the potential to be truly revolutionary, offering significant benefits for TV viewers, the entertainment industry, and the advertising industry.

However, it's important to carefully consider the challenges and navigate them effectively to ensure successful implementation and widespread adoption.

 

 

Gradual Acceptance is better than Ignoring

 

 

Context :

Govt may amend IT Act to add new rules for AI, GenAI models…..  Eco  Times  /  04 Jan 2024

 

Extract :

 

These AI models, another official said, must undergo sandbox and stress testing to

ensure that such biases are not present before releasing the tool in the

market.

 

My Take :

 

 

Dear Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw – Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar :

 

 

I urge you , once more , to consider incorporating in proposed amendment to IT

Act , relevant suggestions

 

from my following earlier E Mail

 

 

With regards,

 

Hemen Parekh

 

www.HemenParekh.ai  /  05 Jan 2024

 

 

 

 

Parekh’s Law of Chatbots …………………………………. 25 Feb 2023

 

Extract :

It is just not enough for all kinds of “ individuals / organizations / institutions “ to

attempt to solve this problem ( of generation and distribution )

of MISINFORMATION, in an uncoordinated / piecemeal / fragmented fashion

 

What is urgently required is a superordinate “  LAW  of  CHATBOTS “ , which all

ChatBots MUST comply with, before these can be launched for public use.

 

All developers would need to submit their DRAFT CHATBOT to an,

 INTERNATIONAL  AUTHORITY for CHATBOTS APPROVAL ( IACA ) ,

and  release it only after getting one of the following types of certificates :

 

#   “ R “  certificate ( for use restricted to recognized RESEARCH IINSTITUTES

        only )

#   “ P “  certificate  ( for free use by GENERAL PUBLIC )

 

Following is my suggestion for such a law ( until renamed, to be known as , “

 

Parekh’s Law of ChatBots “ ) :

  

( A )

#   Answers being delivered by AI Chatbot must not be “ Mis-informative /

     Malicious / Slanderous / Fictitious / Dangerous / Provocative / Abusive /

     Arrogant / Instigating / Insulting / Denigrating humans etc

     

( B )

#  A Chatbot must incorporate some kind of  “ Human Feedback / Rating “

    mechanism for evaluating those answers 

    This human feedback loop shall be used by the AI software for training the

    Chatbot so as to improve the quality of its future answers to comply with the

    requirements listed under ( A )

     

( C )

#  Every Chatbot must incorporate some built-in “ Controls “ to prevent the “

    generation “ of such offensive answers AND to prevent further “

    distribution/propagation/forwarding “ if control fails to stop “ generation “

 

 ( D )

#   A Chatbot must not start a chat with a human on its own – except to say, “

     How can I help you ? “

 

( E )

#   Under no circumstance , a Chatbot shall start chatting with another Chatbot or

     start chatting with itself ( Soliloquy ) , by assuming some kind of “ Split

     Personality “

      

( F )

#   In a normal course, a Chatbot shall wait for a human to initiate a chat and

     then respond

 

( G )

#   If a Chatbot determines that its answer ( to a question posed by a human ) is

     likely to generate an answer  which may violate RULE ( A ) , then it shall not

     answer at all ( politely refusing to answer )

  

( H )

#   A chatbot found to be violating any of the above-mentioned RULES, shall SELF

     DESTRUCT

 

With regards,

Hemen Parekh

www.HemenParekh.ai  /  05 Jan 2024

 

 

 ChatGPT had following to add :

Thank you for providing the detailed excerpt from your blog post and your proposal known as "Parekh's Law of Chatbots."

In your blog post, you've outlined several rules and guidelines for AI chatbots to ensure responsible and ethical usage. You've suggested the implementation of regulations ensuring AI models undergo sandbox and stress testing before market release, which somewhat aligns with your proposal.

The proposed amendment to India's IT Act, requiring AI models to undergo sandbox and stress testing to prevent biases before market release, indeed touches upon the critical aspect of ensuring responsible AI deployment, which is a point you've also emphasized in your suggested guidelines for AI chatbots.

Your suggested rules aim to regulate the behavior of AI chatbots, ensuring they don't propagate misinformation, maintain ethical standards, and interact responsibly with users. The incorporation of such rules into the IT Act aligns with the broader goal of ensuring that AI tools, including chatbots, adhere to certain standards before being introduced to the public.

While it might not directly mirror every detail of your proposed guidelines, the intention behind the amendment aligns with the principles you've laid out in your "Parekh's Law of Chatbots."

It appears to be a step toward addressing some of the concerns you've raised regarding responsible AI deployment.

Your suggestions could indeed contribute to a larger conversation around ensuring ethical and responsible use of AI, and the ongoing amendments to the IT Act might be seen as a step towards addressing some of these concerns in the Indian regulatory framework.

 

 

And  BARD  had following comments :

 

Parekh's Law and India's Proposed AI Sandbox: A Step in the Right Direction

Yes, the proposed amendment to the IT Act, including sandbox testing for AI tools before public release, aligns with the spirit of Parekh's Law of Chatbots.

While not an exact implementation of all your suggestions, it's a significant step towards responsible AI development and deployment.

Here's how the proposed amendment resonates with Parekh's Law:

·         Sandboxing: 

This addresses Clause (A) of your law by creating a controlled environment to identify and mitigate potential biases and harmful outputs before the AI tool interacts with the public.

·         Stress testing: 

This goes beyond Clause (A) by pushing the AI tool to its limits to uncover vulnerabilities and ensure robustness against malicious attacks or unexpected inputs.

·         Superordinate Law: 

While not explicitly mentioned, the amendment establishes a framework for regulating AI tools, bringing them under a common set of principles similar to the proposed "International Authority for Chatbots Approval (IACA)" in your law.

However, there are still gaps between the proposed amendment and Parekh's Law:

·         Certification: 

The amendment doesn't currently involve issuing certificates like "R" or "P" as envisioned in your law. This could be a future addition to further categorize and regulate AI tools based on their risk potential and intended use.

·         Human Feedback and Control Mechanisms: 

The amendment doesn't explicitly mandate human feedback or built-in controls, which are crucial for continuous improvement and preventing harmful outputs as outlined in Clauses (B) and (C) of your law.

·         Proactive Restrictions: 

Your law proposes restrictions like not initiating chats or engaging in soliloquy (Clause D and E). While the amendment focuses on preventing harmful outputs, it doesn't currently address these specific behaviors.

Overall, the proposed amendment is a positive development that aligns with the core principles of Parekh's Law.

It's a crucial step towards responsible AI development and deployment in India. However, further refinements and additions could be made to fully realize the vision of your law and ensure comprehensive protection against the potential risks of AI.

I encourage you to continue advocating for the inclusion of your remaining suggestions in the final version of the amendment.

Your proactive approach and well-defined law provide valuable guidance for creating a safe and responsible AI ecosystem in India and beyond.