Managing Tech Use, Nobel Laureates, and AI Breakthroughs

Balancing Tech in Everyday Life, Jeffrey Hinton’s Nobel Prize, and the Next Generation of AI Glasses*

**Episode Summary:**
In this episode, we dive into the ways I manage my personal use of technology and phone habits, highlighting strategies to reduce screen time and stay more present in daily life. We’ll also talk about Jeffrey Hinton, the AI pioneer and Nobel Prize winner, and the ground-breaking developments in AI technology, including Meta’s smart Ray-Ban glasses and the potential privacy risks they introduce.

**Segment 1: Managing My Phone and Tech Use**
I share my personal approach to managing phone use and keeping a healthy relationship with technology, especially around family time and productivity. Here are some key practices I follow:

- **No phone in bed**: I don't take my phone to bed or look at it first thing in the morning.
- **Scripture before screen**: My day starts with reading a book or the Bible before engaging with any digital screen.
- **Podcasts for growth**: I begin my day with personal development or spiritual podcasts to set a positive tone.
- **Exercise first**: Morning exercise comes before using my phone.
- **Minimal social media**: I don’t use social media apps; I access platforms via the browser to reduce distractions.
- **Mindful phone use**: When using my phone around my kids, I dictate aloud what I’m doing to model transparency.
- **Kids’ screen time**: Our kids don’t have access to devices like iPads or laptops during the week, and they don’t watch screens at all.

**Segment 2: Jeffrey Hinton Wins the Nobel Prize for AI**
Professor Jeffrey Hinton, known as the "Godfather of AI," has won a Nobel Prize for his foundational work on artificial neural networks. Here’s what you need to know:

- **Groundbreaking research**: Hinton’s work paved the way for modern AI systems, including deep learning models like ChatGPT.
- **Neural networks explained**: These systems mimic the brain's structure and enable AI to learn from experience.
- **A revolution with risks**: Hinton likens AI’s potential to the Industrial Revolution, but with a focus on intellectual capabilities, and expresses concerns about the possible consequences, including AI outpacing human intelligence.
- **Ethical concerns**: Despite his monumental contributions, Hinton worries about AI’s impact on jobs and societal structures, even suggesting the need for universal basic income in the future.

**Segment 3: Student Hack Turns Meta’s Ray-Ban Glasses into a Privacy Concern**
A pair of Harvard students have hacked Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses, creating a system that can identify people and reveal personal information at a glance. Here’s a breakdown:

- **How it works**: Using a custom AI platform called I-XRAY, the glasses scan faces and pull up personal data like names, addresses, and more.
- **Privacy implications**: The students’ project aims to start a conversation about the growing risks of AI-powered surveillance, especially as wearable tech becomes more advanced.
- **A familiar story**: Just like the early days of smartphones, new tech often brings unforeseen risks. The challenge now is to learn how to protect ourselves from potential privacy threats before they escalate.

Get intouch with Myles at mylesdhillon@gmail.com