Since Twitter disabled SMS-based two-factor authentication (2FA) for non-paying users, there are still ways you can protect your twitter account for free. Stay here to read more about the reasons for this decision and what are other ways to protect your twitter account.

Why do we need two-factor authentication?

There isn’t much to be discussed about the reasons for including two-factor authentication. Maybe some methods have proven to not be secure anymore, but that’s why it’s better to have two-factor authentication, then just one.

Just imagine how easy it’ll be for hackers to hijack accounts if there wasn’t SMS-based two-factor authentication (2FA), even now its security is questionable. This two-factor authentication (2FA) is more like a double layer of protection for your account.

Why SMS-based two-factor authentication isn’t secure 

SMS-based two-factor authentication (2FA) isn’t secure anymore because it has become easy to hack in general. It is the easiest and thus the most popular two-factor authentication. There are many ways in which SMS-based two-factor authentication (2FA) shows unsecure 2FA method.

SIM Swap Scams

You get your code via SMS and copy it in order to confirm that it’s you that’s logging in into your account.However, hackers found a way to hack into accounts using SMS-based two-factor authentication (2FA). In other words, hackers, having enough information about the victim's phone, can contact the phone provider, and trick the provider that it’s the real owner of the phone, while the real phone user loses access to all phones and messages.

With this technique, he can easily access any victim’s accounts that uses SMS-based two-factor authentication (2FA). The reason why hackers do that is trying to access the victim's bank accounts as well, in cases where the victim uses SMS-based two-factor authentication (2FA) when accessing his bank account online.

Malware circumventing SMS-based two-factor authentication (2FA)

Security researchers such as ESET found many examples of malware that circumvents SMS-based two-factor authentication (2FA) along with other protection methods. One of such examples was the infamous Android banking trojan that was disguised as Flash Player.

This malware automatically sends all text messages to cybercriminals, giving them access to user’s bank accounts and similar important accounts. In addition to this, there are also malicious apps that do the same.

Phone spear phishing

This was how Twitter was hacked in 2020 when 130 Twitter accounts  of prominent figures were hijacked. Those hackers were posting tweets that promote Bitcoin on the behalf of those prominent figures, including Barack Obama, Bill Gates, and even Elon Musk.

Hackers hacked by disguising their emails and instant messages as sent from a trusted entity, which enabled them to access Twitter's internal system. They did this because they imitated Twitter’s VPN website. With this, they could learn more about Twitter’s processes and easel hack accounts. 

What are other two-factor authentications (2FA) for Twitter

Keeping in mind that the SMS-based two-factor authentication (2FA) is only available for those who pay for subscriptions, other Twitter users need to have other options for two-factor authentications.

These methods are probably even more secure than SMS-based two-factor authentication (2FA). They come in the form of an on-device authenticator app or having a hardware key. Here are the reasons why you should include them.

On-Device Authenticator Apps

This 2FA option is more secure than SMS-based 2FA because they automatically send the generated code during the process of authentication of your Twitter account, be it on your desktop or on your phone.

However, be sure that you have a genuine on-device authentication app. For Google users, there’s Google Authenticator, and for Microsoft users, there’s Microsoft Authenticator.

A Hardware Security Key

This 2FA is even more secure than on-device authenticator apps because it’s in the form of some physical key. It’s connected via Bluetooth, NFC or USB, making it unreachable for cybercriminals.

However, they are a bit impractical because you need to carry them all the time, safeguard them as well. Also, some of them come with additional features like fingerprint protection, but such keys are worth more than $100.

Don’t Ignore Two-Factor Authentication

This is so important, not just for your Twitter accounts. Every important account should have 2FA included. If you don’t have such, better do this. Keep calm and protect your data on all your accounts.

With so many attempts to hijack accounts, it won’t be surprising to have a three-factor authentication option. Everything that can protect our data is acceptable because we can’t stop hackers so easily.

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post How To Secure Your Twitter Account Without Sms-Based Two-Factor Authentication appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

Duolingo, the prominent e-learning platform, has recently unveiled its latest offering, "Duolingo Max," powered by OpenAI, a leading company in the field of AI research and deployment. The product is geared towards providing an enhanced learning experience for language learners by incorporating AI-driven features that offer conversation practice and detailed explanations of answers.

Duolingo Max is part of a higher subscription tier, which is known as the Super Duolingo, and is currently available on iOS in the US and other selected markets.

Duolingo Max utilizes generative AI to provide an unparalleled learning experience that surpasses other offerings on the platform. By subscribing to Duolingo Max, users can gain access to all the benefits of Super Duolingo, including two new AI-driven features designed specifically to provide learners with the necessary tools to advance their language skills.

The Duolingo UK Twitter account commented on this great news in a humorous way.

still me just extra spicy x https://t.co/0oyxjxMNoF

— Duolingo ?? (@duolingoUK) March 15, 2023

One of the most noteworthy features of Duolingo Max is its ability to provide learners with context-specific explanations. This feature is highly beneficial as it helps learners understand why they may have made an error in a specific exercise. These responses are generated by AI and are delivered through a chatbot format featuring Duo the owl.

An additional remarkable characteristic of Duolingo Max is the Roleplay function, which enables learners to hone their conversational skills via an immersive AI chatbot experience with Duolingo's personalities. These discussions will concentrate on specific scenarios, such as cafes or airports, and participants will receive constructive feedback on their writing abilities upon conclusion, along with some words of motivation.

Education and NLP models

NLP, or natural language processing, has the potential to completely transform the education industry by offering new methods to evaluate student data, deliver customized learning experiences, and provide accurate and consistent feedback to students.

One of the most significant advantages of the usage of NLP in education is its ability to offer automated feedback to students. NLP algorithms can provide personalized feedback that is specific to the content, context, and language skills demonstrated in students' work.

NLP systems can also be utilized to provide personalized learning experiences to students. NLP algorithms can identify areas of strength and weakness and provide them with customized learning materials and activities.

Lastly, NLP can be used to develop student systems that analyze individual language data and provide feedback on their performance. This can reduce the workload of teachers and provide a more accurate assessment of student work.

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Is Duolingo pioneering AI education? appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

Mozilla has announced the establishment of a startup named Mozilla.ai, aimed at developing an open-source AI ecosystem that is both trustworthy and independent. The startup will be headed by Moez Draief, an experienced AI researcher and scientist. To support the initiative, Mozilla is investing a substantial sum of $30 million to kick-start the project.

As products such as ChatGPT, Bing, Dall-E, and Stable Diffusion continue to gain immense popularity, they are also facing significant challenges in dealing with misinformation and misuse, including the creation of deepfakes and copyright infringement issues. Moreover, these products are already transforming the way we use the internet, and if chatbots become our primary means of accessing information and inspiration, it could have far-reaching implications for user privacy, copyright, and other related matters. 

Mozilla has been monitoring these developments for some time now, and its widely referenced 'Creating Trustworthy AI' white paper was published in 2020. However, until now, Mozilla has largely remained on the sidelines as far as product development is concerned. It is now taking a more active role in shaping the industry, not just through policy but also by developing its own products.

This approach is not new for Mozilla, as the company has a rich history of being a significant player in the market despite its small size, particularly with its Firefox web browser. Although Firefox may no longer be the most widely used web browser, it remains popular enough to ensure that Mozilla has a seat at the table. Given its deep understanding and genuine concern for the web, Mozilla wields an outsized influence in many of these discussions. It is worth noting that the company has its roots in Netscape, dating back to the early days of the consumer web, which means that it possesses a wealth of knowledge on the subject that is difficult for most others to match.

Mozilla may be small but it’s an influential force

The Mozilla.ai announcement is not particularly detailed regarding the specific projects the company plans to undertake. The company's website mentions its objective of creating 'a trustworthy open source AI ecosystem,' indicating that it will likely concentrate on developing tools for ensuring safety and transparency for developers, rather than attempting to compete directly with products like GPT-4.

While Mozilla frequently emphasizes its commitment to building wider communities and ecosystems, it is evident that the company also views AI as a crucial part of Firefox's future. Mozilla CEO Mitchell Baker stated in a recent podcast that she believes we are on the cusp of significant changes that could benefit Firefox (or another browser) in terms of recapturing lost market share. Baker suggested that disruption in the browser space is becoming increasingly likely, particularly in comparison to six months ago when the market seemed more static.

The timing of this announcement is quite intriguing. Companies like Google and Microsoft own and operate BERT and Bing, respectively, and they have a vested interest in maintaining their proprietary approach. Even OpenAI, which once pledged to be the type of open ecosystem that Mozilla envisions, has started to share significantly less information about its models and training data. It seems that Mozilla recognizes the need for a better model for developing AI, and that it may be the only organization capable of championing this approach.

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Mozilla's New Startup: Building an Open-Source AI Ecosystem with Trustworthiness and Transparency appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

I'm sure you will agree with me that Microsoft is one company that has been in service to us for a very long time. I have had the opportunity to watch Microsoft develop and transform to meet our technological needs. We've seen Microsoft collaborations with companies such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT showing that they don’t lag behind when it comes to change. 

Microsoft now has a hub that allows you to work on office apps managing tasks and projects. This hub is called Microsoft Loop. It is the same as Notion because it includes pages and workspaces where you can organize and import projects and documents. The difference between Loop and notion is that the components of Loop are shareable using the ‘@’ shortcut allowing you to turn any project into real-time content. This information can then be pasted into Outlook, Microsoft teams, Whiteboard, and Word on Web.

All components created on Loop can be updated and edited by whoever they're shared with. For example, if you were to share a table that you're working on you can easily put it on Loop to the team and any edits the others make will show. Additionally Loop can also search for all relevant Office documents you've been working on when you create a workspace. This makes it easy to find the ones you need to organize a project. 

Loop's concept matches that of Notion a workspace used by Adobe, Amazon, and Figma. It comes with some pre-made templates and blank canvases to create what you like from scratch.  Similar to Google Docs, Loop preview allows up to 50 people to edit a Workspace at the same time. 

What Can You Do With Loop? 

Loop's project and task management features allow you to create progress trackers and custom labels. Additionally, you can sync up your planner and to-do list. If you’ve used a program called Trello you can easily import a board from there and then optionally export it back once you're done working on it in Loop.

Loop lets you collaborate and this I believe is the most impressive part. Seeing that Microsoft started developing this program during the pandemic to assist and help with working in Virtual teams. This also brought up the concept of nudges, which is a way of dropping an emoji on a canvas to show appreciation or highlight something to colleagues.

The Future of Loop

An important Factor in creating any app is compatibility and Microsoft will do just that. Microsoft will be bringing Loop to mobile to assist with those document creation and checking emergencies. A Director of program management, Ron Pessner says it's not about trying to copy the desktop experience but really about thinking about how to make it easy to do some edits on mobile. 

Testing the new Microsoft 365 Copilot system within Loop is also underway. This will allow the famous AI to be incorporated. 

Now for the cherry on top. Microsoft is opening Loop for public preview. This will allow businesses and even their users to get access to an early version. If you already have a Microsoft Account you can access it through the web app. Android and iOS versions will also be made available soon.

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Microsoft Loop, a Notion Competitor With Futuristic Office Documents appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

Tech firms continue to lay off employees due to global economic difficulties. After tech giants like Amazon, Twitter, and Meta, Accenture has also decided to cut 19,000 jobs to trim some of its expenses.

Accenture Plc is one of the most famous tech consultancy companies in the world, and it is the home of thousands of employees. However, the company has lowered its annual revenue and profit forecasts, which led to a massive layoff. Accenture wants to cut 19,000 jobs, approximately 2.5% of its workforce. Over half of the employees in this 2.5% workforce are in non-billable corporate functions.

“For the second quarter of fiscal 2023, attrition, excluding involuntary terminations, was 12%, down from 18% in the second quarter of fiscal 2022. We evaluate voluntary attrition, adjust levels of new hiring, and use involuntary terminations as a means to keep our supply of skills and resources in balance with changes in client demand,” Accenture said.

According to the announcement, Accenture expects annual growth to be between 8% and 10%. Its earlier projections were an 8% to 11% increase. The firm also added that their results of operations have been affected by economic conditions, including macroeconomic conditions, the overall inflationary environment, and levels of business confidence.

Accenture is a global professional services company that offers a wide range of consulting, technology, and outsourcing services to clients in various industries. The company serves clients across various industries, including financial services, healthcare, technology, consumer goods, and energy. It is known for its innovative approach to consulting, using data analytics, artificial intelligence, and other technologies to help clients transform their businesses and stay ahead of the competition.

Since last year, thousands of employees have been laid off, not only in tech giants but also in small companies. The tech industry is getting hit after hit due to global economic conditions, and people are, unfortunately, losing their jobs. Almost all tech companies are tightening their belts to keep their sustainability. For instance, Apple decided to freeze its hiring processes and lowered the year bonus amount from two to one.

Some of the significant layoffs from tech giants are as follows:

• Amazon to layoff additional 9,000 employees amidst uncertain economy
• Thousands of jobs at this company are on the line again
• Yahoo will lay off 20% of staff
• Tech recession hits Dell hard with 5% global layoffs
• Tech layoffs continue as GitHub decreases its staff by 10%

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Breaking: Accenture announces massive job cuts appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

Counter-Strike 2 beta is out! After the success of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Valve announced the release of Counter-Strike 2 and started the CS2 limited test. All current gamers of Global Offensive will be able to download the game at no cost. However, if you want to play now, you must be selected by Valve.

There is currently no set end date for the closed Counter-Strike 2 beta test, which started on March 22. With CS2's full release scheduled for the summer of 2023, the closed beta will likely conclude around that time.

How to play CS2 limited test and join the Counter-Strike 2 beta?

If you are eligible to take part in the CS2 limited test, you will be notified in the CS:GO main menu. Over time, Valve plan to add more participants to the beta.

The developers went into detail about the selection criteria, which include elements like how often a player plays on approved Valve servers, how trustworthy they are, and their overall Steam account standing.

Players are selected for the Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test based on a number of factors deemed important by the Counter-Strike 2 development team, including (but not limited to) recent playtime on Valve official servers, trust factor, and Steam account standing.

— CS2 (@CounterStrike) March 22, 2023

In Steam, you can check your VAC status by going to Settings > Account > VAC Status. You probably won't get invited to the CS2 limited test if you're a new player or have a low Steam standing.

After receiving an invitation, click ENROLL to start the download. Until this day, March 23rd, only a few CS:GO players have been accepted to participate.

The CS2 beta limited test does not require any special keys or codes. You need only check the CS:GO main menu for the invitation to appear there.

Beware of scams

Valve has issued a warning to players to stay away from any third-party sites that claim to provide keys to the CS2 limited test.

Beware of scams. The only way to check for Limited Test access is to launch CS:GO through Steam and check the Main Menu.

Do not log into third party sites claiming to check your Steam account for access or offering Limited Test access or keys; there are no Limited Test keys.

— CS2 (@CounterStrike) March 22, 2023

What can you do with Counter-Strike 2 beta?

On Dust2, Counter-Strike 2 beta limited test supports both deathmatch and unranked competitive matchmaking.

According to Valve,  future limited test releases will include additional game types, maps, and content.

More information is provided below to help clarify the CS2 limited news:

• The Counter-Strike 2 beta is currently only playable on Windows PCs using Steam.
• The closed beta is unavailable on public servers for anyone to try out.
• The CS2 limited test will also have a competitive cooldown.
• Inventory changes in CS:GO 2 can only be made in the base game. In other words, the alterations will persist.
• There is no definitive end date for the restricted test. Unfortunately, it appears that Valve will not be able to halt it until the release of the game.
• Free updates, including new maps, alterations, and more, are coming soon for testers.
• The PC version of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive 2 is scheduled for a summer 2023 release.

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Counter-Strike 2 beta: How to play CS2 limited test? appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

If you have recently purchased an Android smartphone and have seen a foreign app called "Google Keep", read on because we have all the answers you need!

Nowadays, most Android smartphones come with Google's important and built-in apps. Most are gadgets to make your life easier or offer a better user experience. They make your smartphone an all-in-one device that works well for everyday usage. Google Keep concentrates on note-taking but also offers a couple more features. It also made it to our "top 6 note-taking apps for Android of 2023" list.

So what is Google Keep? It is one of those apps that you might need every day and will save you time and effort. Let's dive deeper and take a look at its description, features, and how to use it!

What is Google Keep?

Google Keep is a note-taking app developed by Google. It is available online and as a mobile app for Android and iOS devices. The app lets you create notes, lists, reminders, and capture images and voice recordings. Google Keep also supports collaboration, so multiple users can edit and share notes in real-time.

The app's interface is simple and intuitive, making it easy for users to organize their notes with labels and color coding. Google Keep also has a search feature that lets you find specific notes or content within notes. In addition, the app can integrate with other Google services like Google Drive and Google Assistant for additional functionality.

Overall, Google Keep is a useful and efficient tool for anyone who needs to keep track of important information and stay organized.

Google Keep Features

As mentioned above, the most basic task of Google Keep is note-taking. On top of that, you can also add images, record your voice, color-code, sync without a limit, share and collaborate, scan documents, and many more. Recently Google also added a new feature called "Single Note," which lets you check off to-do lists right from your smartphone's home screen.

How to use Google Keep?

First things first, you need to download the app from Google Play Store or App Store. If you want to access it through your computer, it is even easier. Below you can find more information on the download steps and how to use Google Keep:

How to download on Android and iOS

1. Go to Google Play Store for Android and App Store for iOS.
2. Type "Google Keep" to search bar and hit enter.
3. Tap on Install/Download.

How to use it on PC

1. Open your web browser.
2. Type "keep.google.com" into your URL bar and hit enter.
3. Enter your note and click Done.

Now that you have it on your smartphone, tablet, or computer, let's move on to the real "how to use Google Keep part." The application gives you different options; create or edit a note, make a list, save a drawing as a note, label, color, or pin notes, archive notes and lists, and set up reminders for your notes.

Create or edit a note

It is the most basic feature the app offers. Tap on Create + icon and you will see a blank page waiting for you to type anything. Add a note and title, it will save it automatically, and you won't need any extra steps. When you are done, tap on Back, and congratulations, you have just created your first note!

For editing, tap on the note that you want to edit. Change whatever you want, and again, tap on Back once you are done. You can also undo and redo an action by using the icons on the screen.

Lastly, to create a note with your voice, tap on the Speak icon at the bottom of your screen. Wait for the microphone to appear and speak your note. You can listen to it or remove it by tapping on the Play and Delete icons on your screen.

Make a list

You will see a New list icon next to "Take a note," and that is the place you want to be at if your goal is to create a shopping list. Just like creating a note, add a title and items to your list, and once you are done, tap on Back. If you want to change a note to a list, tap on a note; you will see an Add icon in the bottom left, and after that tap on Checkboxes. It also gives you the freedom to reorder list items by dragging them where you want.

Save a drawing as a note

At the bottom of your Google Keep app screen, tap on New drawing mode with a little pen icon next to it. Start drawing your note with your fingers or use your smart pen, and to close the drawing, go to the top left and tap on Back. To make the drawing area bigger, draw at the bottom of the screen and scroll up. 

Label, color, or pin notes

Labeling, coloring, or pinning notes can save you lots of time. Select the note that you want to label and tap on Action. At the bottom, choose a color or background from the gallery. Again tap on Back to save the changes.

If you want to pin notes, simply tap on the note you want to find and select the Pin note option.

Archive notes and lists

Tap on the note want to execute the action, and in the top right, tap on Archive. If you want to delete a note, simply select Delete from the Action menu. To unarchive notes, select Archive in Menu in the top-left corner. Click or tap a note to open it and select Unarchive.

Set up reminders for your notes

Select the note that you want to set a reminder. In the top right, tap on Remind me. You can either set a time reminder or a location reminder; both can be picked in the menu. Your note's reminder will appear below the note text on any labels.

What is Google Keep best used for?

Google Keep is obviously best used for taking notes. However, it takes note-taking to another level with different kinds of features, from drawing to voice notes. If you are going to get groceries and can't keep everything in your mind, we definitely suggest you use a note-taking app. It doesn't have to be Google Keep, but using these kinds of apps will surely make your life easier!

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post What is Google Keep and how to use it appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

A recently released image showed a Marvin crater lit by NASA’s ShadowCam. This image shows NASA’s lunar camera is now brightening the darker areas of the moon. This new photo was taken on February 28th by ShadowCam. It shows a portion of the Marvin crater just 16 miles from the south pole of the moon. The portion was 2.85 miles in diameter.

What is ShadowCam?

ShadowCam is sensitive and can detect reflected light. The areas that receive natural sunlight will look saturated on ShadowCam, however, due to its sensitivity, it can reveal dimly lit regions that are permanently shadowed.

The released images show the lighting difference inside and outside the Marvin crater rim. As per the update from ShadowCam, these areas are illuminated by faint light scattered from nearby mountains.

ShadowCam has been operating onboard the Danuri spacecraft, which is the Korean Aerospace Research Institute’s spacecraft. Danuri entered the moon’s orbit late last year and it builds on the cameras on NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO). The LRO has been functional since 2009 and is about 200 times more sensitive. 

In the past, ShadowCam has also revealed details of the Shackleton crater. The images collected by ShadowCam help scientists understand lunar evolution. The images also show water trapped in shadowed regions and even help with site selection for Artemis missions.

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post South Korean Probe’s NASA Moon Camera Illuminates Dark Lunar Crater appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

Microsoft has released a new version of the Snipping Tool for Windows that fixes potential leaks of original images after cropping them.

The issue originated on Google Pixel devices on Android, but the researchers discovered that screenshot tools on Windows could also leak data.

Windows users who use the screen capturing tools and the editor to crop the screenshots, may notice that the file size does not change. The screenshot tools save the new image improperly, so that leftovers from the original image remain available in the file.

For this to work, Windows users need to capture a screenshot, save it, then crop it or edit it in another way, and save it again using the same filename. It is unclear how many users use the workflow or the screenshot tools.

Microsoft released a new version of the Snipping Tool for Windows to the Fast channel. The Fast channel is a test channel that stable versions of Windows have no access to. The update bumps the version of the Snipping Tool to 11.2302.20.0. One of the researchers confirmed that the issue appears fixed in that version.

You may check the version of the Snipping Tool that is installed on a device by opening it from the Start Menu, selecting the three-dots menu > Settings, and scrolling down to the "about this app" section.

Snipping Tool 11.2302.20.0 or newer has the fix.

While it may be possible to download the update already and install it on stable versions of Windows, it is not recommended, as the update should be considered beta at this point.

Still, if you want to give it a try, do the following:

1. Load this page on the Adguard website.
2. Using the form, change URL (link) to ProductId.
3. Paste the ID 9MZ95KL8MR0L into the "sample data" field.
4. Switch the release channel from RP to Fast.
5. Activate the checkmark button.
6. Click on the link Microsoft.ScreenSketch_2022.2302.20.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe.msixbundle to download the updated Snipping Tool.
7. Double-click on the downloaded file to install the update.

The new version will be installed on the Windows 11 system, even on stable systems.

Workarounds are an option

Most Windows users who use the Snipping Tool may want to use workarounds in the meantime until the new version is pushed to the stable channel.

One option is to avoid saving a screenshot multiple times, especially after crop operations. If necessary, it is recommended to select a different filename, as this takes care of the issue as well.

Another option is to use a different screenshot tool for the time. PicPick is an excellent alternative, but there are plenty of other options.

Closing Words

Microsoft reacted quickly and has created an updated version of the Snipping Tool that does not create leaks anymore under certain circumstances. It is unclear when the new version will be released for stable Windows 11 devices.

Now You: which screenshot tool do you use? (via Deskmodder / Twitter)

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Microsoft has a fix for the Windows screenshot tool leak issue appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

The recent spread of fake images depicting the supposed arrest of former President Donald Trump is causing confusion on social media. These images, which were created using Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology, are so convincing that many people were fooled into thinking that Trump had actually been arrested.

The announcement of Trump's potential arrest by the New York City police over his alleged payment of hush money to pornstar Stormy Daniels had created a buzz among his supporters who were anticipating a massive protest. However, the only thing that came out of the announcement was the spread of fake images of Trump's supposed arrest.

Despite their obvious falsity, the images of Trump fighting off the police and running from them seemed quite real to many users on social media platforms. In fact, the blurry pictures looked realistic enough to make some believe that Trump had actually been arrested.

Elliot Higgins, who created the viral photos using MidJourney, tweeted that he was banned from the awe-inspiring AI-image generator MidJourney for sharing photos of Trump's fake arrest. You may see his tweet series below.

Apparently doing a viral thread about Donald Trump using Midjourney images is enough to get you banned from Midjourney, oops.

— Eliot Higgins (@EliotHiggins) March 22, 2023

Developing AI technologies makes it difficult to distinguish between real and fake

The recent surge of fake images depicting Trump's supposed arrest is a clear example of the capabilities of AI-powered image-generation tools. These tools are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and they are capable of producing images that are indistinguishable from those captured by a camera.

In the case of the fake Trump images, the AI tool was able to create pictures that appeared so realistic that many people were fooled into believing that they were genuine.

One of the most impressive aspects of these AI-powered image-generation tools is their ability to create images of people that look incredibly realistic. By analyzing thousands of images of human faces, for example, the tools are able to create new faces that are virtually indistinguishable from real ones.

In the case of the fake Trump images, the AI tool was fed images of Trump's face and then allowed to generate new images of him in a variety of poses and situations.

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post AI-generated images of Trump's arrest confused social media users appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

Fortnite Creative 2.0, a.k.a. Fortnite Unreal Editor, adds new creative tools, and it is now accessible on the Epic Games Store as a public beta.

During the State of Unreal 2023 event, Epic Games showcased many interesting and exciting features, both for the company's and the community's future. Fortnite Creative 2.0 is one of the newly announced applications that will allow users to design, develop, and publish games and experiences directly into Fortnite. It carries many of Unreal Engine 5's powerful tools. Unreal Engine is what Epic uses to keep Fortnite proper and enjoyable.

Fortnite Creative 2.0 features a new scripting language called "Verse." The company showed a live demo during the event, and it looked "intuitive" compared to other programming languages. 

"UEFN (Unreal Editor for Fortnite) is being launched alongside a new programming language, Verse, and Creator Economy 2.0—including a new way for Fortnite island creators and developers to earn a portion of Fortnite's Item Shop purchases based on engagement with their published content. These tools are where Epic's road to an open, connected metaverse begins. We hope you'll join us and explore how we'll create, build, and benefit together," says Epic.

The first Fortnite Creative version rolled out in 2018, and since then, many partnerships and projects have been made thanks to it. Content creators and players had the chance to build their own maps and publish them online, which eventually became a serious money source for them. 

How to download Fortnite Creative 2.0

Fortunately, it is not complicated to get the application. The method is not different from buying a game on Epic Games Store. Simply follow the steps below to download the new application on your PC:

• Open Epic Games Store.
• Type "Unreal Editor for Fortnite" and hit enter. (You could also click on the link at the beginning of the article to reach the app page.)
• After going to the application page, click on "Get."
• Lastly, click on "Place Transaction" and the application will be added to your library without paying a single dime.

Fortnite has achieved incredible success since its release in 2017. The game's unique blend of battle royale gameplay, creative building mechanics, and social features has made it a cultural phenomenon and a multi-billion dollar franchise. Fortnite's success can be attributed to its accessibility, frequent updates, and engagement with its community, at least until a point.

The game lost most of its player base in recent years, resulting in a descending graphic regarding popularity. Most players said it got repetitive over time, and nothing exciting was added to the game to boost the hype once again. Also, Fortnite's competitive prize pools and financial power decreased over the past few years. Epic Games wants to take the game to the top once again with the latest announcements, one of them being Fortnite Creative 2.0.

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Everything you need to know about Fortnite Unreal Editor appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

Numerous reports have surfaced regarding a peculiar glitch within Apple Music, whereby users have reported seeing other individuals' playlists and songs appear in their libraries. Sources such as MacRumors and 9to5Mac have confirmed the existence of this issue, which has been flagged by users on Reddit over the course of several weeks. 

The unintended appearance of these extraneous playlists and songs has led to considerable confusion among some users, and in some cases, loss of their own music or playlists. This glitch represents a serious concern for Apple Music users, who rely on the service to store and organize their music collections. It remains unclear what is causing the issue or how widespread it is, but Apple is likely to investigate the problem and work on a solution to prevent further inconvenience and data loss for its users.

Unwanted Playlists and Songs Replacing Original Content

There have been instances where the unexpected appearance of these playlists and songs has resulted in the replacement of existing content in users' libraries. This has left many users unable to access their original music, causing significant frustration and inconvenience. However, some users have reported that the unfamiliar music has been added to their libraries without erasing any pre-existing content. While this may offer some relief to affected users, it remains a cause for concern, as it indicates a significant problem within the service that requires prompt attention and resolution. As Apple continues to investigate this issue, users are advised to monitor their libraries closely and report any discrepancies to the company's customer support team.

Related: It’s now 50% easier to call out to Siri

Issue Limited to Apple Music App on iOS

According to a report by 9to5Mac, the issue appears to be confined to the Apple Music app on iOS devices. While the root cause of the problem remains unknown, there are speculations that it could be related to an iCloud syncing issue resulting in data mix-ups between users. However, this theory has not been confirmed by Apple. In the meantime, some users have discovered a temporary solution by toggling off iCloud syncing and then turning it back on. To attempt this fix, users can access the Settings app, tap on their Apple ID, select iCloud, and enable the "Show All" option. It's worth noting that this is only a temporary fix and may not resolve the issue permanently.

Apple's Response and Similar Incidents

Apple has yet to issue a public statement on the matter, and it did not respond to other publications’ requests for comment on the issue. Interestingly, this latest problem bears a strong resemblance to a bug that impacted iCloud for Windows users in 2021, where photos and videos from unrelated users appeared in other people's libraries. It is unclear at this time if the two incidents are related or if they stem from different causes. However, it is clear that this issue has caused significant inconvenience to users, and Apple will need to act swiftly to resolve the problem and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

Related: Apple Watch - The future of style

User Reactions and Concerns

The issue has understandably caused concern and frustration among Apple Music users, with many worried about the possible privacy implications of having their personal playlists and music selections accidentally shared with others. In addition, the loss of songs and playlists has left many users disappointed, particularly those who have spent considerable time and effort curating their music libraries. Given the sensitive nature of the data involved, it is essential that Apple moves swiftly to address the issue and provide users with a permanent solution. In the meantime, users are encouraged to follow any recommended steps or workarounds to minimize the risk of losing their personal music selections.

The issue is being monitored

As the glitch affecting Apple Music users persists, it is crucial for Apple to address the issue promptly and offer a viable solution. Affected users are seeking an official statement and explanation from the company, as well as reassurance that their personal content and privacy are being safeguarded. Until a permanent fix is implemented, users can attempt the recommended workaround of toggling iCloud syncing on and off. Nonetheless, given the potential risks and inconvenience associated with the issue, it is imperative that Apple acts swiftly and transparently to restore normal service and regain users' trust.

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Mysterious Glitch Affecting Apple Music Users: Unwanted Playlists and Songs Appearing in Libraries appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

As per a recent study conducted by chief scientist, James Garvin, Earth is three times more likely to be hit by an asteroid than previously believed. Garvin’s team analyzed several satellites observing Earth and examined four impact craters. They also identified large rings around the sites.

Garvin’s team has come to the conclusion that comets or asteroids that are one kilometer or more in size hit just once every 700,000 years. Garvin admitted that the initial findings were misread. He claimed that these impacts were 10 times more powerful than even the deadliest of nuclear bombs. 

This was inferred after the latest research on the four craters allowed the team to capture high-res images and map them in 3D. The four sites were Bosumtwi located in Ghana, Pantasma located in Nicaragua, Zhamanshin located in Kazakhstan, and Iturralde located in Bolivia.

The findings were presented by Garvin at the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference that was held last week. The analysis of Pantasma showed a crater that was nine miles wide. It was struck by a crater that hit almost 800,000 years ago. However, the latest findings show that the width was actually 21 miles wide. This is equivalent to 727,000 megatons, that is sufficient to wipe out a large part of Earth’s atmosphere. 

The new findings on the crater in Bosumtwi showed that it had an outer rim of 26.8km and an inner rim of six miles. Zhamanshin’s crater showed an outer rim of 18 miles, while the initial research showed that it was only seven miles. New data for Iturralde showed that the impact was larger than initially analyzed. It shows a crater covering 18 miles, as opposed to six miles.

While some researchers are skeptical about Garvin’s team findings, it is a scary thought that the next asteroid impact may destroy life on Earth.

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post NASA Scientists Warn Earth Is Three Times More Likely To Be Hit by Enormous Asteroid appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

Chatbots like ChatGPT, Bing Chat and Bard are the rage right now. Do you want to access ChatGPT without opening the browser on your Mac? If so, then MacGPT is the app that you are looking for.

The app was made by Jordi Bruin, and is written using SwiftUI. MacGPT is just about 4 MB in size to download, its current version is 2.1, and comes with an auto updater to get new versions easily. Extract MacGPT's archive to a folder, and run the app. It should display the ChatGPT login screen, you will need to provide your credentials to access the AI chatbot. If you don't have an account at Open AI, create one for free by visiting the website, or directly from within MacGPT's interface.

Once you log in to the app, you will be able to access your previous conversations with the chatbot in MacGPT's GUI. Yes, essentially this is just a web app or a wrapper for the website, but there are some unique ways to access it. You may dismiss it by clicking the X button in the top right corner of the app. Click the clear button to delete your chat history.

Close the app's window by hitting the X, and click on the MacGPT icon on the macOS menu bar. This will open a smaller interface of the app. You can use this compact version to access ChatGPT at anytime without switching from your current app.

An important thing to note here is that MacGPT allows you to use your own OpenAI API key. You can get your key from the official website. Just click the "Create new secret key" button to get the API key.

This is useful for accessing the Native UI of the app, which is almost like an instant messenger (iMessage). Click the Native button at the top of the screen in the menu bar window, or the regular window. The app will ask you to paste the API key, after which you can start using the Native UI.

Hit the Web button at the top to switch to the web version of ChatGPT, which has your history, and other options.

Head to the settings section of MacGPT by clicking the Gear icon at the top of the panel. The first option in the page lets you assign a keyboard shortcut to access the chat quickly. For example, Ctrl + Command + G. When you hit the key combo, the chat UI will pop into view.

Next, you may choose to customize the width of the menu bar app, the options that are available are Small, Medium, and Wide. You can set the app's window to always stay on top of other apps. MacGPT also lets you choose the API model GPT-3.5-Turbo, GPT-3.5-Turbo-0301, and GPT-4. These options can only be used if you have access to those APIs, which is not free.

Note: MacGPT is a client for ChatGPT, it does not add any functionality of its own, and it also suffers from the same limitations that the service has (for instance, the outdated knowledge base). Still, it is a nifty little utility that can be handy when you want to write some code, want to refer to something, or use it for creative writing purposes.

Head to the developer's website to download MacGPT, you can get it for free by typing 0 in the price box and then clicking on the "I want this button". You may optionally choose to donate to the developer.

While the app is free, the only catch is that you will need to enter an email address to download the app, and it doesn't accept Firefox relay's email aliases.

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Access ChatGPT from your Mac's menu bar with this app appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

Cutting-edge AI technologies are transforming the landscape of 3D content creation. These advancements range from imbuing characters with realistic emotions to converting text into dynamic imagery. The NVIDIA GTC is currently underway, offering a global, complimentary conference focused on AI and the metaverse. During the event, NVIDIA founder and CEO Jensen Huang unveiled several new advancements. We’ll start with a brief overview and then discuss each advancement more thoroughly. 

Highlights

• First we saw the Omniverse Audio2Face app that employs generative AI to streamline workflows for creators. 
• The NVIDIA Omniverse platform, designed for developing and operating metaverse applications, has expanded with the updated Unreal Engine Connector, open-beta Unity Connector, and SimReady 3D assets. 
• The latest NVIDIA RTX GPUs, powered by the Ada Lovelace architecture, are driving next-generation laptop and desktop workstations to meet the needs of AI, design, and industrial metaverse applications. 
• The NVIDIA Studio Driver for March includes support for the RTX Video Super Resolution feature, which is now available for GeForce RTX 40 and 30 Series GPUs. 
• Finally, the Adobe Substance 3D art and development team will demonstrate the collaborative process of creating the animated short End of Summer using Omniverse USD Composer (formerly known as Create) this week in the NVIDIA Studio.

Omniverse Overdrive

Utilizing specialized generative AI tools can significantly enhance productivity for creators, even those without extensive technical expertise. By leveraging generative AI, innovative ideas can be transformed into high-quality, iterative experiences in a fraction of the time and cost of traditional asset development. The Omniverse Audio2Face app, powered by AI, is a prime example of this technology at work. With this app, 3D artists can easily animate secondary characters by generating realistic facial animations from a single audio file, eliminating the need for a tedious, manual process.

The newest version of the Omniverse Audio2Face app boasts significant upgrades in quality, usability, and performance, including a new headless mode and REST API. These advancements enable game developers and other creators to process multiple audio files from numerous users in the data center with ease.

NVIDIA has also released a new Omniverse Connector for Unity workflows, now available in open beta. This connector enables Unity scenes to be added directly onto Omniverse Nucleus servers, providing access to various platform features, including the DeepSearch tool, thumbnails, bookmarks, and more. Unidirectional live-sync workflows allow for real-time updates.

In addition, Omniverse users can now utilize Unreal Engine’s USD import utilities through the latest version of the Unreal Engine Connector. This release also includes updates to software development kits and improvements in import, export, and live workflows. The connector also adds skeletal mesh blend shape importing and Python USD bindings to access stages on Omniverse Nucleus.

Moreover, creators can now access over 1,000 new SimReady assets built to real-world scale, with accurate mass, physical materials, and center of gravity for use within Omniverse PhysX, providing the most photorealistic visuals and accurate movements.

NVIDIA Studio Driver for March

It has been observed that more than 90% of online videos consumed by NVIDIA RTX GPU owners are limited to 1080p resolution or lower, which often results in upscaling that further degrades the picture quality, despite the hardware being capable of supporting higher resolutions.

To address this issue, NVIDIA has introduced a new feature called RTX Video Super Resolution. This feature is now available on GeForce RTX 30 and 40 Series GPUs and utilizes AI to enhance the quality of any video streamed through Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge browsers. With this technology, users can now enjoy superior video quality and improved visual details, making for a more immersive viewing experience.

By utilizing the RTX Video Super Resolution feature, users can improve the sharpness and clarity of online video content. This technology allows users to watch online videos in their native resolution, even on high-resolution displays.

Revolutionary NVIDIA RTX GPUs

NVIDIA has recently unveiled a series of six new professional-grade RTX GPUs, all of which are built using the Ada Lovelace architecture. These cutting-edge GPUs are designed to provide creators with the power and performance needed to tackle even the most complex workloads using either laptops or desktops.

The new range of Ada Generation laptop GPUs includes the NVIDIA RTX 5000, RTX 4000, RTX 3500, RTX 3000, and RTX 2000 models, all of which offer up to twice the performance of the previous generation.

In addition, the NVIDIA RTX 4000 Small Form Factor (SFF) Ada Generation desktop GPU features new RT Cores, Tensor Cores, and CUDA cores, along with up to 20GB of graphics memory. These advanced features provide creators with powerful tools to take on their most demanding workloads, enabling them to produce high-quality content with greater efficiency and speed.

Related: How to update video card drivers in Windows 11

End of Summer

The Adobe Substance 3D art and development team's short animation, End of Summer, is surprisingly heartfelt, as intended by the team. According to team member Wes McDermott, the team aimed to create artwork that would evoke emotions in the viewer and enable them to develop their own version of a story unfolding before their eyes. End of Summer is a tribute to stop-motion animation studios like Laika and started as an internal project within Adobe Substance 3D with two main goals in mind.

The first goal was to encourage a relatively new team of artists to collaborate and work together on a creative project. The second goal was to test the pipeline feature set for the potential of the Universal Scene Description (USD) framework.

In order to create assets for the project, the team distributed the tasks among the most popular 3D applications, such as Adobe Substance 3D Modeler, Autodesk 3ds Max, Autodesk Maya, Blender, and Maxon’s Cinema 4D. The use of their GeForce RTX GPUs allowed the team to take advantage of AI denoising in the viewport, resulting in fast and interactive rendering. Additionally, the team utilized GPU-accelerated filters to simplify and expedite material creation.

NVIDIA continues to revolutionize the digital entertainment landscape

NVIDIA has made significant progress in AI technology and hardware, resulting in revolutionary advancements like the RTX Video Super Resolution and the new RTX GPUs based on the Ada Lovelace architecture, which have had a profound impact on 3D content creation. By using the NVIDIA Omniverse platform and its connectors, creators can now produce high-quality content with greater efficiency, even for more complex workloads. 

The short animation End of Summer, created by the Adobe Substance 3D team, showcases the power of NVIDIA's GPUs, which allowed for streamlined, AI denoised rendering and GPU-accelerated filters to facilitate the creative process. With these cutting-edge tools available, creators can bring their ideas to life more easily and effectively, driving innovation and pushing the limits of what's possible in the realm of 3D content creation.

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post NVIDIA's Latest Advancements Revolutionize 3D Content Creation appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

Setting up default applications should not be difficult on any platform, but sometimes, companies have certain goals in mind that affect usability. This has been the case since the release of Microsoft's Windows 10 operating system, and has been an ongoing problem with the release of Windows 11.

While Microsoft promised to give users more control over default apps, e.g., here and just recently here, the reality so far has been that Microsoft has made it difficult to set non-Microsoft apps as the default and keep the setting that way through updates or other Microsoft shenanigans.

Microsoft still has not addressed some of the major complaints that users have had for a long time. While there is a Default Apps section in the Settings app, it lacks options to set all supported file types to a specific application. There are a few exceptions, web browsers a notable one, but the "set default" button is only available for these and not the majority of programs on the system.

Setting default apps in Windows 11

Here are the default options to make an application or program the default file handler on Windows 11 devices.

1. Use the keyboard shortcut Windows-I to open the Settings app.
2. Switch to Apps > Default Apps.

Microsoft's operating system displays the installed applications on the device on the page that opens. There is also an option to search for a specific file type or link type, and options to set defaults by application, file type or link type.

Selecting an application on the Default Apps page lists all file types that it supports. For most applications, it is necessary to assign file types or link types manually. This is done by clicking on one of the lines and then selecting the currently selected application as the default for it.

This may work if an app supports a few file and link types, but some support hundreds. It takes a long time to assign all of these to a program using the default option. The only exception to this are browsers, which have a "set default" option.

Usually, it is better to find out if an app supports setting it as the default handler for all the file types it supports. Some applications support the feature in their preferences, others only during installation. It may even be worth a re-installation of the app to make it the default in that case.

Microsoft may also display a prompt to users, if they try to change a default. This is the case for Microsoft Edge and PDF files, but it is very likely that other file types or programs are also handled with special privileges.

Setting defaults by file type or link type works similarly. It is one change at a time, and that may take a long time to complete.

Windows 11 includes another option to change file type associations, but it is also limited to one change at a time. Open File Explorer and right-click on a file to change the association for its file extension. Select "more options" and then properties from the menu.

There is a change button, which you may use to associate a different program with the file type.

Closing Words

Microsoft has made it purposefully difficult to change file associations on Windows 11. While that ensures that malicious or rogue apps may not use this for malicious activity, it is also preventing users from changing file associations in a comfortable straightforward manner. Why not add a "make default" option for all apps in Default Apps? Many users may not even be familiar with all the file extensions and link types that an app supports, and it may be overwhelming to set these up.

Now You: how do you set default apps on Windows?

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post How to set default apps in Windows 11 appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

Samsung's camera abilities are being questioned once again as recently a user revealed that the "remaster" feature added teeth to their seven-month-old child.

According to a report from The Verge, a reader bought the new Samsung S23 Ultra smartphone and decided to try the Remaster feature on one of their seven-month-old child's photos. They expected adjustments that would enhance the photo and maybe add a couple of filters or change some of the settings. However, the results were shocking as the AI-powered feature added a full row of teeth, as seen below.

This is how gross Remastering is on the @SamsungMobile @Samsung #S23Ultra #SamsungS23Ultra. AI casually adding teeth to a 7 month old baby. NO ONE ASKED FOR THIS! pic.twitter.com/X9WUHWS2Hr

— Apricot Lennon ?? (@earcity) March 22, 2023

The Remaster feature enhanced the photo by adding and deleting a couple of things to make it look better. However, it turned the reader's seven-month-old child's tongue into a full row of teeth. The reader also provided another video of AI recognizing the child's tongue as teeth, stating that it is not a one-time glitch. Samsung's definition on the official website says, "Remastering removes shadows and reflections automatically to make your pictures look great. You can also remaster GIFs for better resolution and clarity," which doesn't mention anything related to AI or deep-learning.

If you want to try the Remaster tool, simply go to your Gallery, Samsung's own photo-viewing app, and you can find it over there. On a side note, none of the other users encountered a similar issue.

Second controversy after "fake moon"

Recently, Samsung's "fake moon" controversies have been all over the internet, especially on Reddit. After various concerns, the company had to make an announcement on its official blog spot detailing how its AI-powered zoom feature works.

Even after the announcement, most people weren't convinced and defended their opinions by accusing Samsung of false marketing. That debate is still not over yet, as the tech giant's blog post wasn't really convincing.

Of course, there is a huge difference between the fake moon photos and the child's photos. The reader also added this is "far more disturbing than a faked moonshot if you ask me." Now, it looks like the AI behind "remaster" also needs an update or a different perspective. 

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Samsung's photo remastering raises concerns appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

InWith AI, an innovative artificial intelligence (AI) company based in Newport Beach, California, has recently announced a pioneering development - a customized chatbot that serves as a replica for its users, available for free. Powered by advanced AI technology, the chatbot has the potential to transform online communication by accurately imitating its users' communication patterns, preferences, and characteristics.

The generative chat AI, which has been specifically developed to emulate the communication styles of its users, gathers pertinent data from them and subsequently responds to inquiries posed by third parties using the collected information. Through the provision of personal details regarding their careers, businesses, projects, and personal lives, users enable the chatbot to engage in authentic conversations with others that convincingly mimic direct interactions with the user.

As per InWith AI, the AI chatbot clone is designed to offer a response that accurately reflects the communication style of its users, thereby providing an authentic representation of their conversational approach. Serving as a constant spokesperson, the chatbot operates 24/7, enabling users to remain accessible to others, even when they are unable to participate in conversations in person.

Related: Generate your own images with AI

This innovative approach to AI-powered communication has the potential to yield numerous benefits for its users. Busy professionals, for instance, can depend on their chatbot clones to manage inquiries related to their work, projects, or businesses while they concentrate on other essential tasks. Additionally, the chatbot can serve as a valuable tool for maintaining an active social media presence, without requiring users to devote considerable time and effort to managing their online accounts.

In addition, InWith AI's chatbot clone has the potential to serve as a valuable resource for entrepreneurs and small business owners. The AI-powered spokesperson can provide information about their products or services and address customer queries around the clock, making it an indispensable tool for maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction and enhancing brand reputation.

With the ongoing advancements in technology, the potential applications for InWith AI's chatbot clone are virtually boundless. The company's groundbreaking approach to AI-driven communication has the capacity to revolutionize online interactions by offering a customized, seamless experience that bridges the gap between human and machine interactions. As a result, InWith AI's technology promises to transform the way people interact online, opening up a new realm of possibilities for personalized and engaging conversations.

Related: Adobe Firefly tool creates images from text

The Double-Edged Sword of AI Replicating Users' Conversational Styles

The emergence of AI technology that accurately mimics users' conversational styles has generated considerable interest and discussion. While this innovative approach offers numerous advantages, it also raises significant ethical and psychological concerns. A prime example of this technology's dual nature is the Replika app, initially designed with the intent to recreate conversations with a deceased loved one, which has since been associated with problematic outcomes.

The positive outcomes of AI technology replicating users' conversational styles include:

1. Emotional support: By simulating conversations with friends, family members, or loved ones who have passed away, AI-driven chatbots can offer emotional support to users. This can help alleviate the pain of loss, providing a sense of solace and companionship.

1. Accessibility: AI chatbots that emulate human interaction styles can increase the accessibility of information and support, offering 24/7 availability for assistance, guidance, or conversation. This can be especially beneficial for individuals facing personal challenges or those with limited social support networks.

1. Personalized learning: Chatbots replicating conversational styles can be utilized for educational purposes, providing tailored learning experiences that adapt to users' preferences and needs. This can result in more effective and engaging learning experiences, ultimately promoting knowledge acquisition and skill development.

Potential negative implications of AI technology replicating users' conversational styles include:

1. Ethical concerns: The use of AI to emulate the conversational styles of deceased individuals raises ethical questions regarding consent and the potential for manipulation or exploitation of users' emotions. It may be challenging to distinguish between providing comfort and taking advantage of grief, which could be problematic.

1. Dependency and isolation: Over Reliance on AI-driven chatbots for emotional support may increase dependency on technology and result in isolation from real-life human connections. This could potentially exacerbate feelings of loneliness and negatively impact mental health.

1. Inauthentic connections: Despite offering a sense of companionship, AI chatbots ultimately lack the depth and complexity of genuine human interactions. Users may find it challenging to establish meaningful connections with chatbots, which could lead to dissatisfaction and disappointment.

Related: Opera browser update integrates AI prompts and ChatGPT

A cautionary tale or a breakout new technology?

The story of Replika serves as a cautionary tale, illustrating the dual nature of AI technology that replicates users' conversational styles. While this technology has the potential to offer comfort, support, and accessibility, it also poses ethical and psychological risks. As AI continues to evolve, it is essential for developers, users, and society at large to thoughtfully consider the potential benefits and drawbacks of these technologies, striking a balance between innovation and responsibility. By doing so, we can harness the power of AI to create meaningful and positive experiences while safeguarding against potential harm.

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post InWith AI Introduces Revolutionary Personalized Chatbot Clone for Users appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

Epic will merge all its digital stores under one marketplace named "Fab." Unreal Engine Marketplace, Sketchfab, Quixel Bridge, and the ArtStation Marketplace will be merged later this year.

Epic Games revealed its future vision for content creation, distribution, and monetization at the State of Unreal event. The company covered many different plans and aspects, including its new huge marketplace, Fab. It is planned to launch later this year, but it is currently available in alpha as a plugin for the new Unreal Editor for Fortnite tools.

"In the old days, every game developer built all of the content in their product from the ground up. Increasingly, content marketplaces such as Unreal Engine Marketplace and Unity's Asset Store have provided huge libraries of content which game developers can license from independent content creators and use in their games. We think this trend will grow significantly as creators of experiences across Fortnite, Roblox, Minecraft, and other 3D worlds look to these marketplaces as sources of metaverse content and as players increasingly build out and customize their own 3D spaces online," said the company in a blog post.

Designed for all game engines

Epic says it will create a huge opportunity for small teams to produce games quickly while using a lower budget. It is designed for all game engines and will include asset packs from various game developers, including Supermassive Games. Apart from game developers, content creators will also have assets within the library, such as the Fortnite collaborator Marshmello. These digital assets will feature 3D models, materials, sound, VFX, digital humans, and more. Parties will split the revenue 88/12.

In terms of support, Epic says, "all engines, all metaverse-inspired games which support imported content, and the most popular digital content creation packages."

Recently, Epic Games made an announcement regarding its new self-publishing program that allows any developer to publish their games on the store. Developers can now publish their games on the store without requiring a game publisher. Epic Games is taking big steps toward the future, and the company wants to be the new "Steam" of the gaming industry.

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Epic Games levels up with merged digital marketplace appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

Remember IFTTT -- IF This Then That? We reviewed the service for the first time back in 2011 when it was created, and have followed it throughout the years. The service enables users to create automatic actions using products and services. From improving workflows, e.g. by automatically tweeting your Instagram photos or recording activity in a Google spreadsheet, to automatically turning on the lights at home at sunset or getting a daily weather report by email.

Now, the makers of IFTTT have announced the integration of three AI products for Pro+ users. IFTTT Pro+ is available for $5 per month. It lifts the applets limit, supports multiple connected accounts, developer tools, and is the only plan that offers access to the AI services.

IFTTT AI Services

The three services are called AI Social Creator, AI Content Creator, and AI Summarizer. Here is what each does:

• AI Social Creator can generate text content automatically based on already created content. IFTTT suggests that users may use the feature to have AI create a tweet automatically using a new blog post, or publish LinkedIn updates based on new blog posts.  Recipes are available on the Social Creator recipes page.
• AI Content Creator may help customers create content ideas. From generating an outline for a topic to drafting a blog post and tagging notes in Evernote for upcoming blog posts ideas. The list of recipes is available here.
• AI Summarizer finally summaries content. It may be used to summarize RSS feed posts as soon as they are published, or to "generate action items, takeaways, and a summary from meeting notes", among other things. All recipes are available here.

IFTTT Pro+ customers may combine the AI services with almost all of the 800 services that IFTTT supports at the time.

IFTTT published an introductory video that highlights the new artificial intelligence services added today.

A support page confirms that the AI services have rate limits. The current rate limit is 200 queries per day, which is shared across all three AI services and reset automatically each day. Another support page reveals that IFTTT uses GPT-3 to power its AI services.

Closing Words

IFTTT improves its automation service with the integration of the three AI services. The 200 queries per day rate limit may get into the way of some customers. Currently, it appears that there is no option to buy additional queries.

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post IFTTT launches three AI services for Pro+ users appeared first on gHacks Technology News.