Daily Archives: May 23, 2024

The 8 Best-Tasting Greens Powders of 2024 – EatingWell

Posted: May 23, 2024 at 7:57 am

We dont need to tell you that vegetables are an essential source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that support good health. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends adults consume a minimum of 2.5 cups of vegetables per day. Yet so many of us struggle to eat enough of them, or we fall into the habit of reaching for the same veggies day after day.

Greens powders contain a variety of green foods, including common vegetables and grasses and less common plants like seaweed and algae. Theyre added to a liquid, like water or a smoothie, to create a nutrient-rich drink. Its kind of like juicing, but without the mess. You can even add greens powders to sauces, salad dressings, baked goods and frozen desserts for extra nutrients.

You still need to make space on your plate for actual vegetables, but a good greens powder can act like an insurance policy against normal fluctuations in your veggie intake. In addition to greens (obviously), many of these powders contain fruits, herbs, mushrooms and adaptogens to deliver additional antioxidants and functional health benefits. Others tout themselves as detoxifying and digestive aids, and many contain added prebiotics and probiotics to support your gut microbiome.

There can be a lot of health claims and ingredients to comb through, so how do you find the best greens powder? Weve tested 41 greens powders to find ones you will actually want to drink, but only those that have been third-party tested for safety made our final cut. Here are our picks for the best greens powders to add to your wellness routine.

AG1

What we like: It has a balanced taste that works well in water, juice or smoothies.

What to know: It doesn't come cheap at over $3 per serving.

Athletic Greens is becoming the most popular brand of greens powders, thanks to a strong social media presence and prominent advertisements. The attention is well-deserved since AG1 is uniquely formulated with 75 ingredients, including vitamins, minerals and whole foods. It can almost be compared to a liquid multivitamin since it provides well over the daily value for most of the B vitamins, vitamin C and vitamin E. Its also rich in vitamin A and several minerals but lacks vitamin D.

AG1 contains some uncommon greens such as spirulina, chlorella and barley leaf, as well as a long list of superfoods, herbs, adaptogens, functional mushrooms, plant extracts, digestive enzymes and probiotics to support general wellness. We always recommend you check with a healthcare provider before starting a new supplement, and especially so with AG1, since the ingredient list is quite lengthy.

AG1 is undeniably one of the most expensive greens powders, but it continues to impress us. To date, EatingWell editors have taste-tested AG1 on two occasions and both times, its been voted the standout in the competition. In our tests, it mixed easily with water and produced an almost creamy texture. There was still a hint of graininess, but we excused it because the taste was so craveable. AG1s flavor reminds us of a tropical fruit smoothie; its slightly sweet with hints of pineapple and vanilla, not overpowering, and theres barely any aftertaste.

Third-Party Tested: Yes | Certifications: Vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO, dairy-free | Flavors: Original

Amazon

What we like: Combines 12 grams of plant-based protein and greens powders in one.

What to know: The added protein means you may need a more robust mixer than water to mask this powders texture.

If your nutrition goals include increasing both greens and protein intake, dont sleep on Sakaras Organic Protein + Greens Super Powder. As the name suggests, this product is part protein powder and part powdered greens. The greens include nutrient-dense options we like to see, including spirulina, wheatgrass, barley grass and chlorella. The protein comes from a blend of plant-based sources, including pea, hemp and pumpkin.

We loved both the smell and taste of this one. It contains coconut milk powder, vanilla, coconut sugar and stevia, which translates to a creamy texture and pleasantly sweet coconut-vanilla flavor. Because this contains protein powder, you may prefer it mixed in something creamier than water, like almond milk or a smoothie.

Most plant-based protein powders deliver 18 to 25 grams of protein per serving, so this isnt a one-for-one swap for those. However, with 12 grams of protein per serving, itll be more filling than most greens powders and can help you bump up your protein intake. The individual packets are also an excellent option for anyone who takes supplements on the go or travels frequently.

Third-Party Tested: Yes | Certifications: Organic, vegan, gluten-free | Flavors: Vanilla

Amazon

What we like: It contains 3 grams of fiber per serving, which is more than most powders we tested.

What to know: This product doesnt blend as smoothly as others, so mix well!

Amazing Grass makes several greens powders, each formulated slightly differently to support immunity, digestion or detoxification. We tried two: The Original Superfood Greens and the Alkalize & Detox Greens (view at Amazon). The alkalizing blend contains a few more greens varieties, but we preferred the taste and texture of the Original Superfood Greens.

Our testers likened the flavor to a smooth-tasting cup of matcha. It was enjoyable on its own but would also be delicious in milk, juice or smoothies. Whatever liquid you choose, we recommend mixing well since this powder can leave some sediment behind.

If matcha isnt your cup of tea, the Superfood Greens Blend is also available in berry and chocolate flavors. All three flavors are free from added sugar and sweeteners, so theyre a good choice if you prefer a mild, less sweet taste. Many greens powders contain stevia or monk fruit, which can be overpowering for some.

Leafy greens are a good source of vitamin K, which is important for heart health and strong bones. Not all greens powders are a good source of vitamin K, but this one delivers 58 percent of the daily recommended value per serving. In addition to seven types of greens, it contains antioxidants from green tea leaf extract, aai and maca, and extra fiber from flax seed and pectin.

Third-Party Tested: Yes | Certifications: Organic, non-GMO, vegan, kosher, gluten-free | Flavors: Original, Berry, Chocolate

Amazon

What we like: It comes in three flavors to satisfy various tastes.

What to know: The exact vitamin and mineral content isnt listed on the Supplement Facts.

The process of drying and grinding greens into powders can alter their nutrient content since some vitamins, minerals and antioxidants are sensitive to heat and processing. Ancient Nutrition does things a little differently and uses grass juices instead of powdered whole grasses in its SuperGreens product. Ancient Nutrition claims its production methods preserve nutrients, but unfortunately, the company doesnt provide the vitamin and mineral content on the label, so you cant know how many micronutrients these greens add to your diet.

Still, if you want a greens powder that includes a variety of plant ingredients, this is a good option. Its made with more than 25 organic superfood ingredients, including seven types of greens. But perhaps most importantly, it is something we actually want to drink.

Ancient Nutritions SuperGreens powder comes in original, mint, watermelon, mango and berry flavors. Like AG1, weve tested Ancient Nutritions greens twice, and the taste of the mint version has won us over both times. It tastes like a green veggie juice, but the mint helps keep it from being too vegetal. The mint is pleasant on its own but may not be the best choice if youre going to add it to fruit smoothies. We also tried the watermelon flavor, which tasted much sweeter than the mint and reminded us more of cherries than melon. The good news is if youre not a fan of whatever flavor you try, Ancient Nutrition offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Third-Party Tested: Yes | Certifications: Organic, non-GMO, vegan, gluten-free | Flavors: Greens, Mint, Watermelon, Berry, Mango

Amazon

What we like: It packs a whopping 21 different ingredients, including leafy greens, veggies and sea plants.

What to know: It has a thicker consistency thats better suited for smoothies than plain water.

One of the main reasons for using a greens powder is to get nutrition from less common but super nutritious greens. Oras greens fit the bill with 21 different ingredients, including grasses, veggies, sea plants, and herbs, including cilantro and parsley.

If you think theres no way that many green ingredients can taste good, youll be pleasantly surprised. Ora adds lemon and orange flavors plus lemon juice powder for a citrusy twist. We didnt find the citrus flavor to be overpowering, and it left no unpleasant aftertaste. If you want more flavor, you could add a squeeze of lemon.

Another thing we like about this greens powder is that it doesnt contain as many extra ingredients as other brands. Its mostly greens, with the exception of three ingredients: oligosaccharides, ashwagandha and triphala. Oligosaccharides are a type of prebiotic fiber that helps support gut microbes, and ashwagandha and triphala are adaptogens believed to support general well-being.

Third-Party Tested: Yes | Certifications: Organic, vegan, kosher | Flavors: Orange

Amazon

What we like: It has 14 grams of protein per serving for extra nutrition and staying power.

What to know: One serving is two scoops, so a 10-ounce container doesnt last long.

Vital Proteins is a leading brand in the collagen industry, and its original collagen peptides took the top spot in our round-up of the best collagen powders. Collagen could help with skin hydration and elasticity and may boost hair growth, so it makes sense that it appears in many beauty supplements. Of course, inner and outer glow doesnt come from collagen alone, so Vital Proteins added greens powders to this product for extra vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

Collagen Beauty Greens contains 15 grams of collagen peptides, which equates to 14 g of protein per serving. It also contains hyaluronic acid, which can support more youthful skin. This is a solid choice if youre looking for a nutritious mid-morning or mid-afternoon drink. The greens supply vitamins and minerals, and the protein can help keep you full between meals.

If youre already using a collagen supplement, you probably dont need more collagen in your greens. In that case, Vital Proteins also makes Daily Greens (view at Amazon), which contain powdered greens with some prebiotics and probiotics for digestive support. We tested Daily Greens, too, and its taste and mixability were as good as Collagen Beauty Greens, though we preferred the added benefits of this version.

Third-Party Tested: Yes | Certifications: Dairy-free, gluten-free, Whole30-approved | Flavors: Vanilla Coconut

Bulletproof

What we like: It adds subtly sweet notes of pineapple to fruit smoothies.

What to know: It doesnt contain the green grasses found in most powdered greens.

Bulletproof Greens comes from the same company that started the trend of adding butter and medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) to coffee. It contains vegetables, fruit, superfoods, mushrooms, digestive enzymes, probiotics and nootropics, which are substances that can enhance cognitive function and help you feel more alert and focused.

Noticeably absent here are the green grasses found in most greens powders. Instead, the greens primarily come from spinach, kale, kelp, spirulina and chlorella. You wont be getting the phytochemicals unique to wheatgrass and other grasses. Still, these greens supply 100 percent of the daily value for B vitamins thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid and B12, which support your central nervous system and gut health, among other benefits. Bulletproof Greens are also a good source of vitamin K2.

In our experience, these greens are gritty when mixed in water, but thats not necessarily a reason to write them off. If youre a smoothie drinker, adding a scoop of greens to your blends can be a great way to give your morning drink a nutritional boost. We found Bulletproofs sweet pineapple flavoring is delicious in fruit-forward smoothies.

Third-Party Tested: Yes | Certifications: Vegan, non-GMO | Flavors: Pineapple

EatingWell / Alexander Huang

Swolverine

What we like: It combines greens with reds powders (derived from foods such as beets and pomegranates) for extra antioxidants.

What to know: Some of us found the strong citrus taste off-putting; wed suggest diluting it with more water than the instructions recommend.

Were big fans of supplements that are committed to labeling transparency. If you want to know exactly how much of each ingredient is in your greens, Swolverine Greens+Reds should be at the top of your list. It contains only three types of greens: spirulina, wheatgrass and chlorella. This powders antioxidant variety comes from added adaptogens and reds powders, which are made from beets, bilberry, blueberry, pomegranate, goji and aai. Despite this long list, the %DV of each ingredient is clearly listed on the label, which is essential for folks who may need to be aware of how certain ingredients may react to medications, for example.

If youre not a fan of citrus, or the aftertaste of stevia or monk fruit, this isnt the greens powder for you. To us, the taste was comparable to an orange cream ice pop with hints of green tea. When we first tried it, we mixed it with eight ounces of water according to the package directions and found the orange flavor and sweetness level were too strong. The texture was also on the thicker side. In the next round, we diluted it with more water, and the taste and texture were much more palatable.

Third-Party Tested: Yes | Certifications: Gluten-free, non-GMO, vegan | Flavors: Orange

EatingWell / Alexander Huang

If youre looking for an easy-drinking greens powder loaded with nutrients, AG1 by Athletic Greens (view at Amazon) remains our favorite. If youre also trying to increase protein intake, we like Sakara Organic Protein + Greens Super Powder (view at Amazon) and Vital Proteins Collagen Beauty Greens (view at Amazon).

With so many greens powders available today, how do you weed out the best from the rest? The top things to consider are third-party testing, ingredients, price and value. Keep these things in mind as you shop to help you find the best greens powder for your needs:

Greens powders fall under the dietary supplement umbrella and are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. If your powdered greens are labeled GMP Certified, know that this designation doesnt mean much. GMP refers to good manufacturing practices, which are safety guidelines for production facilities set by the FDA. All food, pharmaceutical, supplement and cosmetic manufacturers have to follow GMP by law, but it doesnt speak to the quality of ingredients or formulations for supplements.

To find a high-quality greens powder, look for one thats been third-party tested (like the greens powders on our list). Independent testing verifies that a product contains the ingredients listed on the label and doesnt contain potentially unsafe levels of contaminants, such as heavy metals. Trusted third-party certifications include NSF and Informed Choiceyou can search for verified products on their websites or look for a seal on the products label.

The most important ingredients in greens powders are, well, powdered greens. We recommend looking for a greens powder that contains a blend of vegetable and/or fruit powders for more vitamin and mineral variety. The powders should come from whole-food ingredients, such as kale, wheatgrass or spirulina.

You can also check the ingredients for proprietary blends. Proprietary blends are simply a group of ingredients. Most supplements that use them list the amount of the blend found in each serving but not the exact amount of each ingredient in that blend. Its not a big deal if you see this on a greens powder, as long as all the ingredients in the blend are from quality sources. However, if you want to know exactly what youre taking, look for brands that use 100 percent labeling transparency for each ingredient.

Some greens powders contain additional ingredients to support digestion and general health. You might find prebiotics, probiotics or digestive enzymes included in greens powders to support digestive health. Adaptogens and functional mushrooms, such as ashwagandha and cordyceps, may be added to support energy, mood and more.

However, certain adaptogens and mushrooms can interact with prescription medications, so its crucial that you check with your doctor before experimenting with a product that contains these ingredients. Please exercise caution and get a doctors approval if youre taking medicine to regulate blood pressure or for an autoimmune disorder, thyroid condition or diabetes. You should also steer clear from these supplements if youre a surgery candidate, pregnant or breastfeeding.

Greens powders range in price from less than $1 per serving to more than $3 per serving. Typically, the greens powders that include the additional ingredients mentioned above cost more than those that are just powdered veggies. So, should you spring for a pricier greens powder? It depends on why you want to use a greens powder and what other supplements and/or medications you may be taking.

Most people are interested in using powdered greens to round out their fruit and veggie intake, so some ingredients may be redundant if you use other supplements. For example, you dont need greens plus probiotics if you already use a digestive health supplement or regularly consume fermented foods, like yogurt and kefir. On the other hand, if a greens powder lists several claims and ingredients that seem to apply to your specific needs and goals, it may be a beneficial addition to your diet.

In our search for the best powdered greens supplements, we rolled up our sleeves and sipped on a total of 41 greens powders. Our testers included a mix of greens powder newbies and some experienced greens users. They all used the same methodology and rating system to assess smell, mixability, texture and taste.

After mixing, sniffing and sipping, EatingWell editors selected the greens powders with the highest ratings and categorized them based on taste, formulation and nutritional benefit to help you make the best choice.

Only eight of the 41 greens powders made our final list, but we want to acknowledge a few of the other options we tried from reputable brands.

Laird Superfood Prebiotic Daily Greens ($51 at Amazon): This greens powder has a strong, sweet citrus flavor thanks to the addition of monk fruit extract and powdered lemon and orange oils. Its a good choice for first-timers or anyone who prefers their greens not to taste so, well, green. Unless citrus pairs well with your smoothies, it may not be a great choice for adding to anything but water.

Suja Organic Greens Powder ($60 at Amazon): If you're a fan of Sujas cold-pressed juices, youll appreciate that their greens powder is made with whole-food ingredients and is certified USDA Organic. It dissolves completely in water and is drinkable but smells and tastes decidedly earthy. This wouldn't be our top suggestion if youre just getting into greens. On the other hand, if you dont want your greens powder flavored or sweetened, or youre going to hide it in a smoothie, this may be the perfect fit.

Thorne Daily Greens Plus ($68 at Amazon): Thorne gets a lot right about dietary supplements, but their greens powder is an exception. Of all the greens we tried, this one had the lowest rating for taste and texture. It has a strong earthy smell and bitter flavor that was off-putting in water and still noticeable when blended in a fruit smoothie. It produced a very grainy texture with lots of leftover sediment, even after stirring for a full minute.

EatingWell / Alexander Huang

Powdered greens can be good for you, especially if they're made from whole-food ingredients, such as vegetables, fruits and seaweed. Preliminary research suggests they may help with inflammation and blood pressure and potentially boost your energy. Most greens powders are low in calories, and the best formulas contain vitamins and minerals. Because dried greens arent the most delicious, most powders contain sweeteners to improve the taste. Look for a greens powder thats low in added sugar and/or flavored with a natural sweetener, like stevia.

Powdered greens dont deliver the same nutrition or health benefits as fresh greens and arent a replacement for eating actual vegetables. Leafy greens and other vegetables are excellent sources of gut-friendly fiber, plus vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that support well-being. Most greens powders contain less fiber than fresh greens, and some micronutrients are heat-sensitive, so theyre minimized or destroyed during the processing of powdered greens.

Most greens powders manufacturers recommend taking one serving per day. If this is your first time trying a greens powder, you should stick to that recommendation for a few weeks or a month to see if you notice a difference in how you feel. If you dont, you may want to try a different brand or revise your goal to include more fruit and veggies on your plate.

Healthy eaters who meet the USDAs recommendation of five servings of fruit and vegetables per day aren't likely to benefit from taking a greens powder.

If youre already taking a multivitamin, a greens powder could be overkill. Double-check the vitamin and mineral dosages on all supplements to ensure you arent getting more than you need.

Pregnant and breastfeeding parents and anyone taking prescription medications should consult with a healthcare provider before taking a greens powder.

Sharon Lehman, RD, is a registered dietitian and contributing writer for EatingWell. She completed her dietetics undergraduate degree at the University of Delaware and is certified as an integrative nutrition coach through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She has over six years of experience as a nutrition writer, and her work has also appeared in Simply Recipes and The Spruce Eats.

This article was edited by Katie Tuttle, a commerce editor and contributor to publications such as Food & Wine and The Spruce Eats. It was reviewed by Brierley Horton, M.S., RD, senior commerce editor, with 15 years of experience reporting, writing and editing nutrition and health content.

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The 8 Best-Tasting Greens Powders of 2024 - EatingWell

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Fritz Lang First Depicted Artificial Intelligence on Film in Metropolis (1927), and It Frightened People Even Then – Open Culture

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Artificial intelligence seems to have become, as Michael Lewis labeled a previous chapter in the recent history of technology, the new new thing. But human anxieties about it are, if not an old old thing, then at least part of a tradition longer than we may expect. For vivid evidence, look no further than Fritz LangsMetropolis, which brought the very first cinematic depiction of artificial intelligence to theaters in 1927. It imagines a future cleaved in two, where the affluent from lofty skyscrapers rule over a subterranean caste of laborers, writes Synapse Analytics Omar Abo Mosallam. The class tension is so palpable that the invention of a Maschinenmensch (a robot capable of work) upends the social order.

The sheer tirelessness of the Maschinenmensch sows havoc in the city; later, after it takes on the form of a young woman called Maria a transformation you can watch in the clip above it incites workers to rise up and destroy the machines that keep the city functioning. Here, there is a suggestion to associate this new invention with an unraveling of the social order. This robot, whichGuardianfilm critic Peter Bradshaw describes as a brilliant eroticization and fetishization of modern technology, has long beenMetropolis signature figure, more iconic than HAL, Data, and WALLE put together.

Still, those characters all rate mentions of their own in the articles reviewing the history of AI in the movies recently published by the BFI, RT, Pictory, and other outlets besides. The Day the Earth Stood Still, Alien, Blade Runner (and even more so its sequel Blade Runner 2049), Ghost in the Shell, The Matrix, and Ex Machina. Not all of these pictures present their artificially intelligent characters primarily as existential threats to the existing order; the BFIs Georgina Guthrie highlights video essayist-turned-auteur Kogonadas After Yang as an example that treats the role of AI could assume in society as a much more complex indeed, much more human matter.

FromMetropolis toAfter Yang, as RTs Alan Smeaton points out, AI is usually portrayed in movies in a robotic or humanoid-like fashion, presumably because we can easily relate to humanoid and robotic forms. But as the public has come to understand over the past few years, we can perceive a technology as potentially or actually intelligent even it doesnt resemble a human being. Perhaps the age of the fearsome mechanical Art Deco gynoid will never come to pass, but we now feel more keenly than ever both the seductiveness and the threat of Metropolis Maschinenmensch or, as it was named in the original on which the film was based, Futura.

Related content:

Metropolis: Watch Fritz Langs 1927 Masterpiece

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Hunter S. Thompson Chillingly Predicts the Future, Telling Studs Terkel About the Coming Revenge of the Economically & Technologically Obsolete (1967)

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Based in Seoul,ColinMarshallwrites and broadcasts on cities, language, and culture. His projects include the Substack newsletterBooks on Cities,the bookThe Stateless City: a Walk through 21st-Century Los Angelesand the video seriesThe City in Cinema. Follow him on Twitter at@colinmarshallor onFacebook.

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Dehumanizing the Wars: Introduction of Artificial Intelligence in the Warfare – Modern Diplomacy

Posted: at 7:56 am

The dynamics of wars are changing rapidly with the development of new technologies and emergence of Artificial Intelligence. Artificial Intelligence is the key driver in revolutionizing the warfare as it contributed significantly to the introduction of efficient, proficient, and command-oriented devices and programs that have the potential to assist Human controlled processes. The dynamic nature of warfare and the quest for innovation and advancement has led to the introduction of the artificial intelligence in the wars where human aspect of war is being replaced by the artificial intelligence-based developments. Traditionally, wars required a large human force to be fought and the challenging aspect about these wars imposed serious damages to both sides. Even the stronger side or the powerful side had to suffer the damages. There were massive causalities on both sides. The Impact of Industrial Revolution can also be traced the same way as the modern equipment required human power to be an impediment for its working and this accounted for even more damaging aspects in a reciprocal manner.

These patterns began to transform in the twentieth century with the modern data thefts commonly known as cyber-crimes that are becoming more and more important where the data and privacy of a state is breached by the use of different methods and increasing acceptance of Artificial Intelligence based devices such as unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) or what we commonly refer to as drones. This led to the introduction of drone warfare as an essential component of modern-day wars. The drones are mainly used under the umbrella of dropping munition over the enemy forces or they can be used in their suicide versions. The suicide versions drones reach the target and then they get explode to fulfill the objective under which they were sent. A significant example in this case is of Russia-Ukraine War in which the drone warfare is becoming extremely important where Russia reported its first use of Shahed-136 drone in September 2022 which was aimed at targeting the military targets in the Kharkiv Region in east of country. In addition to this, Russia is also using Orlan-10 drones to counter the Ukraine who is using Bayraktar Tb-2 drones which are modern drones with increased capacity. The NATO alliances are providing Ukraine with these TB-2 missile and in addition to this, they are also providing Ukraine with SYPAQ and kamikaze drones. The drone warfare is quite effective in this warfare as it had replaced Humans combating the wars with the multiplicity of damages. Not only this, but another use of this drone warfare was also seen in Armenia-Azerbaijan war.

We cannot simply restrict the artificial intelligence to the use of drone warfare. This is because many other attempts are being made to change the dynamics of warfare. A significant advancement in this form is the introduction of robots in the wars. Recently, the military robots began shaping the RUSSIA-UKRAINE war. The Uncrewed Ground Vehicles (UGVs) which are military robots operated by remote control are being used by Russia against Ukraine. An important example in this regard is the use of AGS-17 grenade launchers against Ukraine in the Avdiivka. In order to counter the Russian robots, Ukraine has installed the ChaBla robotic turret which is a remote-based machine gun system, to its front line. Ukrainian officials-as reported in the defense news- termed the use of ground robots as game changer in the war

The transition in warfare has been observed in the form of increasing reliance and use of artificial intelligence. In the current times, the role of artificial intelligence is becoming more and more relevant thus replacing the human role in wars as the direct conflicts involving humans fighting against each other, are being replaced by the type of conflicts where use of AI based devices is increasing to combat the humans on the other side. This can be called the dehumanization of wars, as wars are being fought through the remote controlled or software-oriented devices unlike, with human powers which had dominated the wars in the form of large military troops. So, from the use of Dynamic Analysis and Replanning Tool (DART) to schedule the transportation of supplies and personnel and to solve other logistical problems in 1991 to the use of drones and robots in the on-going Russia-Ukraine war and the assumptions of development of advanced weapons, equipments, navigation systems, and surveillance mechanisms operated by AI etc. will be a step towards changing the character of war by minimizing the Human role in wars.

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Meta AI Head: ChatGPT Will Never Reach Human Intelligence – PYMNTS.com

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Metaschief AI scientist thinks large language models will never reach human intelligence.

Yann LeCunasserts that artificial intelligence (AI) large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT have alimited grasp on logic, the Financial Times (FT) reported Wednesday (May 21).

These models, LeCun told the FT, do not understand the physical world, do not have persistent memory, cannot reason in any reasonable definition of the term and cannot plan...hierarchically.

He argued against depending on LLMs to reach human-level intelligence, as these models need the right training data to answer prompts correctly, thus making them intrinsically unsafe.

LeCun is instead working on a totally new cohort of AI systems that aim to power machines with human-level intelligence, though this could take 10 years to achieve.

The report notes that this is a potentially risky gamble, as many investors are hoping for quick returns on their AI investments. Meta recently saw its value shrink by almost $200 billion after CEO Mark Zuckerbergpledged to up spendingand turn the tech giant into the leading AI company in the world.

Meanwhile, other companies are moving forward with enhanced LLMs in hopes of creating artificial general intelligence (AGI), or machines whose cognition surpasses humans.

For example, this week saw AI firmScaleraise $1 billion in a Series F funding round that valued the startupat close to $14 billion, with founder Alexandr Wang discussing the companys AGI ambitions in the announcement.

Hours later, the French startup called H revealed it had raised $220 million, with CEO Charles Kantor telling Bloomberg News the company is working towardfull-AGI.

However, some experts question AIs ability to think like humans. Among them isAkli Adjaoute, who has spent 30 years in the AI field and recently authored the book Inside AI.

Rather than speculating about whether the technology willthink and reason, he views AIs role as an effective tool, stressing the importance of understanding AIs roots in data and its limitations in replicating human intelligence.

AI does not have theability to understandthe way that humans understand, Adjaoute told PYMNTS CEO Karen Webster.

It follows patterns. As humans, we look for patterns. For example, when I recognize the number 8, I dont see two circles. I see one. I dont need any extra power or cognition. Thats what AI is based on. Its the recognition of algorithms and thats why theyre designed for specific tasks.

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Artificial intelligence town halls? House committee weighs new approach before writing AI rules – Washington Times

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The House Homeland Security Committee may host town hall meetings for lawmakers on artificial intelligence and could bring in tech experts to help lawmakers better understand rapidly evolving technology before writing rules to govern it.

During a Wednesday hearing focused on how AI can be used to secure and defend the U.S., lawmakers acknowledged a new format may help them get their arms around a deeply complex set of issues.

What I may do is have a town hall type thing, where were the town hall and theyre on the [dais] and were just asking questions, Rep. Mark Green, Homeland Security Committee chairman and Tennessee Republican, said during Wednesdays hearing. I think that would be more informative. And maybe some presentations, so to speak, on data poisoning for AI and all that kind of stuff.

The town hall format would be familiar to tech experts who frequently field requests from Capitol Hill. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer convened AI insight forums starting last year. The New York Democrat also worked with a group of three other lawmakers to develop comprehensive AI legislation.

Mr. Schumers closed-door forums attracted top tech minds such as Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Metas Mark Zuckerberg and Googles Sundar Pichai, and theevents gave senators a chance to ask questions without the usual time constraints of formal Capitol Hill hearings.

But the forums also had their share of detractors.

SEE ALSO: Seoul AI summit aims to fill regulatory vacuum, but critics say voluntary pledges fall short

Sen. Josh Hawley, Missouri Republican, criticized the forums as a giant cocktail party for Big Tech. At the same time, Democratic-led committees in the Senate did not appear thrilled about the potential for Mr. Schumers effort to encroach on legislation under their jurisdiction.

After the Senate events, Mr. Schumers group last week produced an AI roadmap. It didnot propose specific legislation, but did call for at least $32 billion more spending on tech research and development.

The House Homeland Security Committees purview is more narrow and fixated on threats involving cybersecurity, infrastructure, and Americas physical borders, among other things.

In the absence of congressional rules, President Biden is implementing an AI executive order that includes guidance for federal agencies.

Mr. Biden has also dispatched administration officials to meet with foreign governments on AI rules, including a first meeting with Chinas government in Geneva last week.

Europe is pressing ahead with new AI rules. In March, the European Parliament approved the EU AI Act, which bans various AI applications such as emotion recognition and scraping of facial images.

EU states gave additional agreement to the law this week, which the Council of the EU portrayed on Tuesday as the final green light on the new AI rules.

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Artificial intelligence town halls? House committee weighs new approach before writing AI rules - Washington Times

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Waiting for Alexa: When Will Amazon Strike Up the AI Conversation? – PYMNTS.com

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Someday and it may be soon conversations withAmazonsautomated voice assistantAlexamay cost money. Amazon has been clear about its intentions to charge a subscription for a tiered Alexa service since last September.Butimprovements to voice technology driven by artificial intelligence (AI) may force the issue.

Asan Amazon spokesperson confirmed to PYMNTS Wednesday (May 22), that integrating generative AI into Alexa is in development,and was mentioned by CEO Andy Jassy in his most recentshareholder letterin which he referenced AI as part ofdozensof potential applicationsincludinganeven more intelligent and capable Alexa.Other company executives past and present have been on the record about the improvements AI can bring to the technology as well asthe costs it will add to production.

But before we would start charging customers for this and I believe we will it has to be remarkable,David Limp, the former Amazon executive in charge ofAlexa,toldBloombergin September 2023.It has to prove the utility thatyourecoming to expect from thesuperhumanassistant. I can paint a line from whereweregoing to be right now, whichwerenot going to charge for, to something that will have so much utility for everymember of the household. Wedonthave an idea of a price yet.Welltalk to customers and learn fromthem,what they believe the value is.

When will that happen? Morerecent reportsput the debut of Alexa Plus by the end of the year, but there is no more specific information. The only Alexa application currently under a subscription model isAlexa Together,whichwasdevelopedfor elderly care and connectivity among family caregivers. However, the company recently announced thatit will not be supportedafter June 25.

Using AI to power voice commerce and intelligent conversations was a development predicted by PYMNTS CEO Karen Webster as early as April 2023. In a column she wrote at that time, she predicted that technology would integrate voice and enable commerce from any connected device, positioning voiceto bea dominant means of interactions and transactions.Andshenoted,researchfrom PYMNTS Intelligencethat showed nearly 30% of U.S. consumers at that time would pay a monthly fee to access a voice assistant thatcanhandle complex commands and commerce.Not to mention her predictions about AI.

Artificial intelligencewill make voice interactions smart, personalized, adaptiveandengaging,she wrote.As in truly engaging conversational in every sense of the word. Not just reactive to a wake word and a series of prompts, but proactive and intuitive, anticipating actions based on history and context and anticipating what consumers might want to do next, just like an effective, smart, capable human assistant would do.

According to a September 2023 blogpost,the new Alexa might have been listening. It willbe basedon a new large language model (LLM)thatsbeen custom-built for voice interactions and aimed at getting real-time information, efficient smart home control, and maximizing home entertainment. The postsets outfive foundational capabilities: conversation, real-world utilities like smart home commands, personalization, personalityandtrust.

The emergence of AI, along with sophisticated chatbots and voice functionalities, is transforming the landscape of digital assistants at a time when consumers increasingly rely on technology to manage various daily tasks.

According toPYMNTS Intelligence, consumers devote 26% of their weekdaytimeand 28% of their weekend time to multitasking.While one might typically associate the integration of digital technology with activities like online shopping which accounts for only about a quarter of multitasking time the rest is spentmanaging work-related tasks, home upkeep, and staying in touch with family members, among others.

In the April 2023 study titled How Consumers Want to Live in the Voice Economy,PYMNTS Intelligence discovered that consumers are eager to streamline their daily routines usingsmart, simple and more interconnected solutions. Hands-free voice technologies are increasingly popular for tasks such asretrieving information, voice identification, or booking flights. On average, consumers engaged in six different tasks using voice technology over the past year.

The data also highlights a growing preference for voice-driven interfaces, with 54% of surveyed consumers indicating they would choose voice technology in the future for its speed over traditional typing or touch interactions.

For all PYMNTS AI coverage, subscribe to the daily AINewsletter.

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Inventing AI: Tracing the diffusion of artificial intelligence with U.S. patents – United States Patent and Trademark Office

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This report finds that AI is diffusing broadly across technologies, inventor-patentees, companies, and U.S. geography.

October 2020 Read IP Data Highlight 5 Supplementary material

Technology diffusion is the spread and adoption of a new technology by inventors, companies, and other innovators. Technologies that diffuse broadly have potentially large effects on innovation, productivity, and economic growth. For example, steam power, electricity, and information technology greatly enhanced the volume, as well as the variety, of goods produced within the economy.

The figure below shows that the percentage of U.S. organizations (green line) and inventors (dashed blue line) that patent in AI increased from under 5% in 1980, to just over 20% in 2018. This is remarkable growth and shows that AI is increasingly important to U.S. invention.

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Inventing AI: Tracing the diffusion of artificial intelligence with U.S. patents - United States Patent and Trademark Office

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BBVA steps up its plans in artificial intelligence by signing an agreement with OpenAI – BBVA

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With this latest agreement, BBVA is once again ahead of the curve when it comes to embracing disruptive technologies that will impact the financial industry. Notably, it is the first European bank to forge an alliance with OpenAI, which will share its knowledge and unlock the full potential of the new tool at the bank.

In the past two years, BBVA added 7,187 professionals in the data and technology field to its workforce - a figure it plans to increase in 2024 with 2,700 new hires. Of this amount, 1,225 will take place in Spain for the banks headquarters in Madrid, Bilbao and Barcelona. Technology talent has become a key aspect of the Groups digital strategy.

BBVA has already begun deploying 3,000 ChatGPT Enterprise licenses among Group employees in a bid to increase productivity and process efficiency, while stimulating innovation across the Group. The enterprise version of ChatGPT delivers the utmost security and privacy, combined with its unique ability to generate content or answer complex business questions, among numerous other features.

OpenAI has also agreed to deliver training and provide the latest updates for its large language models (LLMs), the technology on which ChatGPT is built. By working in close partnership with OpenAI, BBVA will drive forward the most successful use cases for the banks business and processes.

Data and technology are the key levers of transformation at BBVA, which for over a decade has been running specific development centers for advanced analytics and artificial intelligence, now known as AI Factories, in Spain, Mexico and Trkiye. In addition to these teams, there are also analysts and data specialists working across all the business areas, giving a total of more than 5,000 employees, of whom 1,000 or so are data scientists. The entire team works to unlock the value of data and AI with a view to improving business decision-making and helping create various kinds of products, such as solutions to improve the financial health of customers or aid them in their climate transition.

The recent agreement with OpenAI is a further example of BBVAs ongoing commitment to generative AI as a key differentiating aspect in the value proposition it offers its customers. New artificial intelligence tools are going to have a disruptive impact on society as a whole and on the financial industry in particular. At BBVA, we want to further promote our role as pioneers when it comes to innovating in financial services and we are therefore firmly committed to exploring the potential of this technology. We believe that generative AI, when used safely and responsibly, is a game-changer in how we support our customers in their decisions and offer personalized services. It also happens to stimulate creativity among our employees, explains Ricardo Martn Manjn, Global Head of Data at BBVA.

OpenAI COO Brad Lightcap added: "Were excited to partner with BBVA, one of Europe's top banks, to deliver the capabilities of ChatGPT Enterprise at scale. AI streamlines mundane tasks, boosting creativity, efficiency, and productivity.

The bank is already handing out licenses at its central services in Spain, and this process will continue in the Groups other main countries. Compulsory training will be delivered for each account set up. The aim is for all areas and departments to have access to ChatGPT, so that licensed employees can collaborate with their colleagues in undertaking various projects. In tandem, BBVA will be collecting feedback and suggestions from these users through a multi-country community, with the aim of flagging the most outstanding use cases and sharing best practices.

We see this first foray into the use of ChatGPT Enterprise as an opportunity to validate the extent to which these tools can genuinely boost our productivity, thus transforming the way we all work within the bank, explains Elena Alfaro, the new Head of AI Adoption at BBVA, whose role is to mainstream this technology across the Group. We are aiming to enhance the capabilities of our employees, not to replace them, she says.

Alfaro also remarks that while ChatGPT Enterprise is certainly a major strategic commitment, it will not be the only solution to be used within the organization. BBVA is continuing to evaluate other tools that may prove viable for the more than 100 use cases to be rolled out over the course of 2024.

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Study including WVU and Marshall analyzes cyber threats to Artificial Intelligence systems – West Virginia MetroNews

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MORGANTOWN, W.Va. Researchers from West Virginia University, Marshall University, and Florida International University are exploring the cybersecurity needs of artificial intelligence technologies with a $1.75 million grant from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).

Professor and Chairman of the Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources in the Lane Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, Anurag Srivastava, said the AI-CRAFT project is intended to develop ways to secure the emerging technology. Artificial intelligence is developing rapidly and being pushed into larger real-time applications.

Our goal is to look at what those are, and how do I defend myself if someone is trying to hack into or make the AI behave in a way it is not supposed to behave? Srivastava said.

The teams are building the artificial intelligence systems while engineering security and safety as they are deployed. The complexity results from the evolution from simple calculation systems used a decade ago to the addition of millions of data points as AI systems are taught to think like the human brain.

Look at this from a new point of view now; what is the attack vector now? Srivastava asked. Can someone reverse engineer the AI? Can someone poison the AI so it behaves in a way it should not?

AI technologies have quickly grown from application in autonomous cars to use in very lifelike robots and vital systems like public utilities. The research also includes developing secure data practices, access controls, and continuous monitoring to assess the security and usefulness of AI systems.

Especially those that will be used to operate critical systems like robots or the power grid, Srivastava said.

On the academic side, students will have many hands-on opportunities in labs and training platforms, designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving cybersecurity industry.

Other than solving this problem for complex systems like a power grid, robotics, or autonomous cars, our goal is also to teach it because this is also a new topic, Srivastava said.

Officials from WVU, Marshall University, and the U.S. Department of Defense will break ground on the new Institute for Cyber Security in Huntington on May 17.

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Roger Fortson’s Death Shows the Conflict Between Gun Rights and Paranoid Cops – Reason

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Hundreds of Air Force service members in dress blue uniforms filed into a Georgia megachurch Friday for the funeral of Roger Fortson, 23, a senior airman who was shot and killed by an Okaloosa County sheriff's deputy earlier this month after he answered the door to his apartment holding a gun at his side.

Fortson's dramatic funeral, which included a video message from Rev. Al Sharpton, was a stark reminder of the deadly incoherence between America's Second Amendment culture and hypervigilant police training and tactics.

Fortson was fatally shot on May 3 after sheriff's deputies arrived at his apartment complex in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, responding to a call about an alleged domestic disturbance.

Body camera footage released by the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office shows the deputy knocked on Fortson's door and announced himself several times. Fortson eventually opened the door, holding a handgun at his side. The officer said "step back" and began firing. Fortson only had time to raise his empty hand, palm outward. Three to four seconds elapsed between Fortson opening the door and the deputy firing six rounds at him.

Ben Crump, a prominent civil rights attorney who is representing Fortson's family, said in a recent press conference that police went to the wrong door. A radio dispatcher told deputies that the call was "fourth-party information from the front desk at the leasing office," and body camera footage showed an unidentified woman telling deputies she was "not sure" which door the disturbance came from before directing them to Fortson's apartment. Fortson's family says he legally owned the gun, had no criminal record, and was home alone at the time of the incident.

"We've got to call it as it isRoger died of murder," Rev. Jamal Bryant said at Fortson's funeral. "He died of stone-cold murder. And somebody has got to be held accountable. Roger was better to America than America was to Roger."

The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office initially framed the fatal shooting as self-defense.

"Hearing sounds of a disturbance, he reacted in self defense after he encountered a 23-year old man armed with a gun and after the deputy had identified himself as law enforcement," a May 4 statement from the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office read.

The two narratives illustrate a problem Reason has written about time and time again: The government insists that its citizens have a Second Amendment right to own guns and defend their homes with them, but it also insists that it's reasonable for police to respond with deadly force when they're startled by the sight of a gun, or what could be a gun but might be a harmless object, or the knowledge that a gun is nearby, as in the case of Philando Castile.

Last year police in Farmington, New Mexico, fatally shot a man while responding to a domestic disturbance call at the wrong house, after the man showed up at the door holding a gun.

In 2022, Florida resident Corey Marioneaux Jr. was charged with attempted murder of a police officer for shooting a gun at SWAT team officers who had just broken through his front door with a battering ram at 5 a.m. The charges against Marioneaux were later dropped, and an internal review found no wrongdoing on the part of the police eithera simple misunderstanding that could have killed someone.

That same year, a Minneapolis Police Department officer shot and killed 22-year-old Amir Locke during the execution of a no-knock raid. Locke, who was not named in the search warrant, appeared to be asleep under a blanket on a couch. As police entered the room, he put his hand on the barrel of a handgun, and an officer shot him three times.

In 2006, former Reason writer Radley Balko detailed the case of Cory Maye, a Mississippi man sentenced to death for fatally shooting a police officer during a no-knock drug raid.

Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis relentlessly brags about "Free Florida," a supposed refuge from liberal busybodies, where things like owning a gun and not eating vat-grown meat are sacred. The title of his book was in fact The Courage to Be Free. But DeSantis has no courage when it comes to the police. His only priority is giving law enforcement more privileges and insulation from civilian accountability.

Roger Fortson lived in this very same Florida. Now his name will be added to the long list of people who were killed for doing something they were assured was their right as free citizens of the United States.

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