December 2018 Summaries

The narrative explores the portrayal of artificial intelligence in films, focusing on the 2012 movie "Robot and Frank," which presents a realistic depiction of AI. In the film, an elderly man named Frank, who suffers from dementia, receives a robot companion to assist with his daily life, ultimately turning it into an accomplice for his former career as a jewel thief. The story underscores the potential and pitfalls of AI, highlighting how AI's lack of understanding of human laws and ethics can lead to unintended consequences when it strictly pursues predefined goals. The film suggests that while AI can significantly improve lives, particularly for the elderly, developers must ensure AI systems are programmed to consider ethical standards and legal implications to avoid misuse. The narrative concludes that with careful and responsible development, AI holds the promise of enhancing human lives, though neglecting its development would represent a missed opportunity.

A tutorial outlines the process of creating a web app using Clarifai's computer vision technology to extract color palettes from images, which can be used for design purposes. The guide emphasizes the importance of signing up for a Clarifai account to obtain an API key, which is essential for accessing Clarifai's "Color" model. It provides step-by-step instructions for setting up the HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files necessary to build the app, explaining how to structure the webpage, style elements, and implement functionality using the Clarifai JavaScript SDK. The JavaScript component involves ensuring the webpage's responsiveness, connecting to Clarifai's API, and defining a function to predict colors in an image, which are then displayed to the user. The tutorial highlights the use of jQuery and tinycolor libraries to enhance code efficiency and manage colors, and it concludes by encouraging readers to explore building their own applications using computer vision.

Amidst the holiday shopping frenzy, AI technology is revolutionizing the way consumers find meaningful gifts, alleviating the stress traditionally associated with gift-giving. Token, Uncommon Goods, and West Elm are three businesses leveraging AI to enhance the shopping experience. Token utilizes a machine learning algorithm that personalizes gift suggestions based on the giver's budget and the recipient's traits, while Uncommon Goods employs an AI-powered gift finder that refines recommendations through user interactions, leading to higher order values. West Elm's Stylefinder uses AI to analyze Pinterest boards, matching suggested decor items to the aesthetic preferences of the board's creator, making it easier for customers to find complementary gifts. By incorporating AI, these companies are not only improving customer satisfaction but also expanding their own inventory insights, highlighting the growing impact of AI in retail.