If you’d like to personalise who you’re chatting to by using their photo as a background in the chat, or you’d simply like to change and brighten up your WhatsApp experience, you can easily change the default background to chats. Here’s how:

Within a chat for a particular person, tap on the three dots (top right) and select ‘Wallpaper’.

Choose from the options – Bright, Dark, Sold Colours, or choose a photo that you associate with that person from your phone’s gallery by tapping on ‘My Photos’.

When you’re happy with your selection, tap on ‘Set Wallpaper’.

One recent example of how ChatGPT may be the subject of a defamation lawsuit after it reportedly created completely incorrect (and highly damaging) content is in the case of Brian Hood, the mayor of Hepburn Shire, 120km northwest of Melbourne, Australia. Mr Hood reported being told by members of the public that ChatGPT had (falsely) named him as a guilty party in a foreign bribery scandal involving a subsidiary of the Reserve Bank of Australia in the early 2000s. In reality, Mr Hood had been the whistleblower in the scandal, hadn’t been convicted in a crime, and hadn’t served time in prison as claimed in ChatGTP’s output about the scandal.

Even though ChatGPT can produce some convincing looking outputs, as shown in this case, it is still capable making things up or getting things wrong, so here are some ways to check the facts quickly for yourself.

How Can ChatGPT Get Things Wrong? 

As an AI language model, ChatGPT uses algorithms to generate responses based on patterns and associations learned from substantial amounts of data. ChatGPT is a machine learning AI language model and not a human being, so it may not always provide perfect responses. As OpenAI says: “Current deep learning models are not perfect. They are trained with a gigantic amount of data created by humans (e.g. on the Internet, curated and literature) and unavoidably absorb a lot of flaws and biases that long exist in our society.”

How ChatGPT Could Get Things Wrong 

Clearly, it’s possible for ChatGPT to give out incorrect/inaccurate information and even OpenAI’s boss Sam Altman has said in interviews that he thinks regulators and society should be involved with the new generative chatbot technology to guard against potentially negative consequences. Some of the main ways that ChatGPT can get things wrong include:

– Limited knowledge.  ChatGPT’s knowledge is based on the data it was trained on, which has a cut-off date of September 2021. If there is new information or developments that have occurred after that time, ChatGPT may not be aware of them. This situation may, however, soon improve when ChatGPT uses plugins, such as a web browsing plugin, to bring its answers up to date.

– It is also possible that, since ChatGPT relies on the context of the conversation to generate appropriate responses, if the context is unclear or ambiguous, ChatGPT may generate a response that is irrelevant or incorrect.

– The data that ChatGPT was trained on may contain biases that can affect the responses it generates. For example, if the training data contains a disproportionate amount of biased information on a particular topic, ChatGPT may generate responses that are biased towards that topic. Critics have also noted gender biases and other biases may be present which could skew answers.

Can’t Verify The Accuracy Of Its Answers 

It’s important to note also that ChatGPT does not have the ability to verify the accuracy of the information it provides. Therefore, as ChatGPT says itself, it’s always a good idea to fact-check any information received from ChatGPT with other sources to ensure its accuracy.

What Are The Best Ways To Fact Check?

To ensure that any ChatGPT outputs that you use are accurate, there are several ways to fact-check information, including:

– Cross-checking with other reputable source such as news articles or academic publications. If the information matches up across multiple sources, it is more likely to be accurate.

– Looking for supporting evidence such as statistics or quotes from experts. This can help you verify the accuracy of the information provided.

– Checking the credibility of the source for the information it provides, e.g. looking for information about the author, the publisher and the publication date to ensure the source is reputable and up to date.

– Using fact-checking websites such as Fullfact.org, Snopes, or FactCheck.org to verify the accuracy of information. These websites specialise in investigating and verifying information to ensure that it is accurate.

– Consulting with experts in the relevant field (if you’re able to). If you are still unsure about the accuracy of the information provided by ChatGPT, consider consulting with experts.

What Does This Mean For Your Business? 

ChatGPT is certainly a time-saving tool but is also just a machine learning AI language algorithm, albeit an impressive one. As such, given the incorrect data source and/or context, it can get things wrong so it’s worth spending a little time reading its outputs and carrying out some basic fact-checking before publishing its outputs on a website or blog. As in so many areas of business, building checks into processes can help reduce mistakes and retain quality and this is the same with using the output of generative chatbots. However, with the introduction of GPT-4 and the use of plugins, such as a web browsing plugin, ChatGPT may soon be able to produce answers that are more up-to-date and contain fewer mistakes.

With ChatGPT’s makers OpenAI facing a possible defamation lawsuit from an Australian mayor, we look at the legal aspects of online writing and publishing.

Defamed? 

Last November, when ChatGPT was first released for public use, Brian Hood, the mayor of Hepburn Shire, 120km northwest of Melbourne, was told by members of the public that ChatGPT had (falsely) named him as a guilty party in a foreign bribery scandal involving a subsidiary of the Reserve Bank of Australia in the early 2000s. In fact, Mr Hood had been the whistleblower in the scandal, hadn’t been convicted in a crime, and hadn’t served time in prison as claimed in ChatGTP’s output about the scandal. Mr Hood is, therefore reported to have instructed lawyers to send a letter of concern to OpenAI on giving the company 28 days to fix the errors about him or face a possible defamation lawsuit.

Can An AI Algorithm Defame Someone? 

Although this is a relatively new area, it could be argued that because ChatGPT is an AI language model and does not have the intent or awareness to defame someone, it may not be as clear a case as it sounds. Defamation requires a statement that is false, communicated to a third party, and causes harm to the reputation of an individual. Since ChatGPT does not have the ability to communicate with a third party outside of the conversation, it is unlikely that its responses could cause harm to an individual’s reputation in a way that would meet the legal standard for defamation.

Could The Third-Party Source Be Liable? 

However, if the information provided by ChatGPT is based on false or defamatory information from a third-party source that is repeated by ChatGPT, that third party may potentially be liable for defamation. In this case, the individual who is harmed by the false information may (as in the case of Mr Hood) be able to pursue legal action against the original source of the information.

It’s important to remember that the legal standards for defamation can vary depending on the jurisdiction, and it is always advisable to consult with a legal expert for guidance on specific cases.

What Are The Main UK Laws Relating to Online Publishing? 

Publishing online information about people is, of course, covered by laws and for publishers of content of all kinds, plus it’s worth being aware that these exist and should be adhered to. For example, in the UK, there are several laws and regulations that relate to online publishing. The main ones are:

– The Defamation Act 2013. This law sets out the rules for defamation, which occurs when a false statement is made that harms someone’s reputation. It applies to online publishing, including social media and websites.

– The Electronic Commerce (EC Directive) Regulations 2002. This regulation requires website owners to provide certain information to users, such as the website owner’s name and address, and details about any professional body or trade association they belong to.

– The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. This law protects original works such as text, images, videos, and music from being copied or used without permission. It applies to online publishing as well as offline publishing.

– The Computer Misuse Act 1990. This law makes it a criminal offense to access or modify computer systems without authorisation. This applies to online publishing, including hacking and malware attacks.

– General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This EU regulation, which was adopted in the UK (and made into the UK’s own version following Brexit), sets out rules for the collection, use, and storage of personal data. It applies to online publishing, including websites and social media.

– The Obscene Publications Act 1959. This law makes it an offense to publish material that is obscene, or that is likely to be harmful to the general public. This applies to online publishing, including websites and social media.

What Does This Mean For Your Business?

Although there has always been a culture of sharing and a degree of free speech on the web, uploading content to a website or platform that’s publicly available should still be regarded as publishing and, therefore, subject to many different publishing laws. In the case of ChatGPT, it’s an algorithm that has been trained on content gathered from third-party sources online and, therefore has no ‘intent’ to defame anyone, even though it has now become a popular and trusted source of information itself.

In the case of Mr Hood, it could be argued that being a public figure such as a mayor, his public reputation is of particular significance and that the third-party sources that ChatGTP’s system got the information from, and the apparent inability of ChatGPT to check the accuracy of what it produces may be central points in the case, should it go to court. When businesses use ChatGPT to produce content that they intend to publish online it is therefore worth conducting some basic fact checks, particularly where specific people and organisations are named. ChatGPT’s existence, however, shouldn’t change the fact that businesses should always be aware that there are many laws to adhere to when publishing online and that compliance is always an important issue.

With deepfake images recently making the news by fooling many people, we look at the issues around fake images and how to spot them.

Recent Examples 

The emergence of AI has led to an increasing output of highly convincing fake images/manipulated images/deepfake images (and deepfake videos). Motivations for making these images vary, e.g. entertainment (fun or visual effects in movies and TV), political propaganda, revenge, or harassment (to harass, embarrass, or intimidate individuals), to commit fraud, or simply for artistic expression.

Recent examples of fake images that have made the news include:

– Fake images of Pope Francis wearing what appears to be a $3,500 Balenciaga puffer coat.

– Fake images, circulated on social media, of former US President Donald Trump being arrested, and an AI-generated image on his own ‘Truth’ social media platform of him kneeling in prayer.

What Problems Can Fake Images Cause? 

Fake images/manipulated images/deepfake images can cause various problems depending on the context in which they are used. For example:

– Misinformation. Fake images can be used to spread false information, mislead people and create a false narrative. For example, doctored images of political events, protests, or disasters can create a misleading impression of what actually happened, potentially influencing public opinion or policy decisions.

– Reputational damage. Fake images can be used to damage the reputation of individuals or organisations. For example, a fake image of a celebrity engaging in illegal or immoral activity can cause significant harm to their public image.

– Legal issues. Fake images can be used as evidence in legal cases, but if they are not authentic, they can lead to wrongful convictions or acquittals. Moreover, fake images can cause copyright and intellectual property issues.

– Security threats. Fake images can be used to create security threats. For example, a fake image of a terrorist attack or a natural disaster can cause panic and chaos among people, leading to a security breach.

– Personal harm. Fake images can be used to harass, intimidate, or blackmail individuals. For example, a fake image of a person engaging in illegal or embarrassing activity can be used to blackmail or extort money from them. This gained notoriety with the trend of fake-pornographic images of well known celebrities, causing significant distress.

It should also be noted that some fake images can simply be a source of amusement or wonder over how AI has advanced and could be be seen as an example of how difficult it can now be to tell the difference between a real and a fake photo.

How Are Fake Photos Made? 

Examples of the kinds of tools now used to make fake photos include:

– More traditional photo editing software like Adobe Photoshop, e.g. using the Clone Stamp tool to duplicate elements of an image and cover up unwanted objects, or the Liquify tool to reshape and distort a person’s features.

– Online image editing tools: Several online image editing tools, such as Fotor, PicMonkey, and BeFunky, provide basic image editing capabilities that can be used to create fake photos, such as adding text, filters, and borders to an image.

Deepfake software, such as DeepFaceLab, FakeApp, and Zao, use machine learning algorithms to create realistic fake photos and videos by swapping faces or manipulating the appearance of a person.

– GANs (Generative Adversarial Networks), a type of artificial intelligence that can be used to generate realistic images. GANs consist of two neural networks, a generator that creates images and a discriminator that tries to distinguish real images from fake ones. As the generator learns, it can create more realistic images, making it a powerful tool for creating fake photos.

There are now many different AI programs that can be used to create fake images such as Generated.photos, This Person Does Not Exist: Random Face Generator, Shutterstock Generate, Jasper, Picsart, and even the next generation of ChatGPT, some of which can now instantly generate photos from a text description.

How To Spot A Fake Image 

With so many fake images around and so many AI-powered programs available, how can you spot a fake image?  Here are some common giveaways:

– Unnatural or inconsistent lighting. If the lighting in the image looks unnatural or inconsistent, such as different parts of the image having different shadows or light sources, it could be a sign that the image has been manipulated.

– Pixelation or blurring. If parts of the image look pixelated or blurred, it could be a sign that they have been altered. This is because when an image is edited, it often loses some of its original quality.

– Perspective and proportions. If the proportions or perspective in the image look distorted or inconsistent, it could be a sign that the image has been manipulated. For example, if a person’s head looks too big or too small for their body or if an object looks like it’s floating in the air, it could be a sign that it has been added to the image. It is often noted that hands can be a difficult area for fake image programs to get right, and the direction of eyes in a photo where there are multiple persons can also be a giveaway.

– Inconsistencies in shadows. If there are inconsistencies in the shadows in the image, it could be a sign that the image has been manipulated. For example, if a person’s shadow falls in a different direction than the other objects in the scene, it could indicate that the person has been added to the image.

– Lack of context. If the image lacks context or appears to be taken out of its original context, it could be a sign that it has been manipulated. For example, if an image shows a person in front of a particular background, but the person does not appear to be interacting with their surroundings, it could indicate that the person has been added to the image.

– Although it’s important to be vigilant and critical when viewing images online and to look for signs of manipulation, it’s also a good idea, if in doubt, to know how to and to try to verify the authenticity of an image by checking the original source.

Verifying Images

Verifying the authenticity of an image can be challenging, however there are several steps you can take to help determine if an image is real or has been manipulated:

– Check the source. One of the easiest ways to verify the authenticity of an image is to check its source. If the image is from a reputable news outlet, a government agency, or a trustworthy website, it is more likely to be real. However, if the image is from an unknown source or an unverified social media account, it could be fake.

– Look for metadata. Metadata is information embedded in the image file that can provide details about when and where the image was taken, the camera used, and other relevant information. You can use image analysis software or online tools to view the metadata of an image and determine if it matches the content of the image.

– Use a reverse image search. A reverse image search can help you find out where an image has been used before and whether it has been altered. You can use search engines such as Google Images or TinEye to upload the image or its URL and see if there are any matches.

– In more high-profile cases that make the news, there is also the option of consulting with experts in image analysis or forensics who can examine the image and provide a professional opinion. This can be especially helpful in cases where the image is of significant importance or is being used to influence public opinion.

Overall, verifying the authenticity of an image requires critical thinking, attention to detail and a willingness to do some research. By following these steps, you can increase your chances of determining if an image is real or fake.

What Does This Mean For Your Business? 

The pace at which AI is advancing has meant that much more convincing fake images (and videos) can be made more quickly and easily and it’s this pace that’s recently alarmed some people into calling for a 6 month pause on the development of AI systems to assess the risks (a 1,800 signature open-letter, including Elon Musk’s). Although there are many ways to spot and verify fake photos, it looks likely that this is going to become more difficult to check and we even need the help of AI to help us spot AI generated deepfakes. Even the powerful social media platforms haven’t been able to stop fake profile photos and the circulation of fake photos and videos on their platforms are cause for concern, e.g. spreading propaganda/misinformation and is something the social media platforms will need to get a firmer grip on. It could be argued that education and awareness of news and world events is one important way that people can be aware of context and be better able to develop a healthy scepticism and be more able to spot fake photos and their possible motivations. For businesses, being able to identify fake photos is an important issue from a security and legal perspective so it’s important to be familiar with popular ways to tell the difference between real and fake photos and how to verify photo (and video) authenticity.

Changes to Microsoft 365 could mean less OneDrive cloud storage and could lead to Outlook being disrupted.

Change 

In February, Microsoft announced that cloud storage used across Microsoft 365 apps and services would include Outlook.com attachments data and OneDrive data. Microsoft has warned that this change could reduce how much cloud storage users have available to use with their OneDrive and, if the cloud storage quota is reached, the ability of users to send and receive emails in Outlook.com will be disrupted.

What’s Included In Microsoft cloud storage? 

A user’s Microsoft storage quota applies to a personal Microsoft account and includes OneDrive files and photos, e.g. personal files uploaded and synchronised from a computer or mobile device, such as Office documents, photos and other files saved to OneDrive, and items in the recycle bin. It also includes Outlook.com attachments and email in-line images, Microsoft Teams message attachments and recordings.

What Does This Mean? 

Whereas users used to be allowed to have a maximum of 15GB of storage in their cloud-hosted email which included text and attachments, and 5GB in their OneDrive storage, attachments now count as part of the 5GB OneDrive allowance. This is not just a significant reduction of storage space available as part of the account but also means the threat of disruption to services if/when the smaller storage quota is reached. Also, the change means that unless users keep deleting emails with attachments (which few people are likely to do) that could push them over the new limit.

Not Aware 

Another problem may be that many users may simply not be aware of the recent policy change and could face disruption without knowing why.

There have also been reports of users who were unaware that the attachments shifting over to OneDrive were the cause of their email problems and deleted a lot of emails in response, only to discover that this didn’t change the “storage used” amount.

Gradual Rollout 

The fact that Microsoft says that the new storage change is to have a gradual rollout also puts the responsibility onto users to keep checking their Windows settings, and Microsoft account to see if they are likely to experience some storage problems.

Subscription  

Some commentators have suggested that the policy change could lead some users to think that it’s a move by Microsoft to make users buy a subscription by the back door.

What Does This Mean For Your Business? 

For users who’ve had a Microsoft account for some time, this change may not only take them by surprise and potentially cause some confusion and disruption but may also leave them feeling annoyed that they’re being pushed towards either buying a subscription to get 50GB of email storage or facing the extra work of having to keep deleting emails with attachments. If users are already invested with their Microsoft account, the barrier to switching may seem high, however some online commentators have pointed out that Google’s Gmail accounts come with a 15GB limit which may have seemed an attractive alternative.

A new study has shown that using underground water to maintain comfortable temperatures could reduce consumption of natural gas and electricity in this sector by 40 per cent, thereby offering a green heating and cooling solution.

The Issue 

With a massive 12 per cent of the total global energy demand coming from heating and cooling homes and businesses, finding a green way to meet this demand could be a major step forward in reducing the consumption of natural gas and electricity, thereby helping the environment.

The Solution – ATES? 

One green method for meeting this demand could be using aquifer thermal energy storage (ATES).

ATES is a sustainable technology that utilises the subsurface temperature differences of groundwater to store thermal energy for heating and cooling purposes e.g., for heating and cooling buildings. This technique involves extracting groundwater from a shallow or deep aquifer, passing it through a heat exchanger system to extract heat or coolness, and then reinjecting the water back into the same or another aquifer.

During the summer season, the warm water from the building’s cooling system is transferred to the cold groundwater and then re-injected into the ground. In the winter season, the process is reversed, where the heat stored in the groundwater is extracted to provide warmth to the building.

Highly Efficient & Cost-Effective 

ATES is a highly energy-efficient and cost-effective technology for space heating and cooling, which results in lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional HVAC systems. ATES can be used in a variety of applications, including residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. It is also suitable for district heating and cooling systems, which can serve a large number of buildings in an area.

The Study 

The study, published in Applied Energy, looks at how ATES could fit into the larger goal of decarbonising U.S. energy systems by storing intermittent renewable energy which could be used when the sun isn’t shining, and the turbines aren’t spinning. In the study, researchers built a technological and economic simulation of an energy system. The study’s authors found that ATES is an option for heating and cooling energy storage that, like batteries, could help end human reliance on fossil fuel-derived backup power and enable a fully renewable grid.

Simple But Effective 

The ATES concept is simple because it uses the existing natural heat-absorbing property of water and the natural geological features. ATES involves the process of pumping water up from existing underground reservoirs, heating it at the surface in the summer with environmental heat or excess energy from solar, or any time of the year with wind, and then pumping back down, ready to use the stored heat in the colder months.

How Effective Are Underground Aquafers At Storing Heat? 

Underground aquifers are highly effective at storing heat because they have a large thermal mass, which means they can store a significant amount of heat energy. Aquifers are typically made up of porous rock or soil layers that can absorb and store water, which can be used to store thermal energy.

That said, the effectiveness of underground aquifers at storing heat depends on several factors, such as the depth and size of the aquifer, the properties of the soil or rock layers, and the flow rate of groundwater.

The Deeper The Better 

Deep aquifers are more effective at storing heat than shallow aquifers because the temperature of the water is more stable at greater depths, although it could be said that the earth is generally a good insulator.

All things considered, underground aquifers are an excellent and highly effective method for storing heat energy, which can help to reduce energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions associated with heating and cooling buildings.

A Relatively High-Cost Method 

The study showed that adding ATES to the grid could reduce consumption of petroleum products by up to 40 per cent. However, using ATES could cost 15 to 20 per cent more than existing energy storage technologies.

Other Benefits 

Other benefits of using ATES could include:

– Unlike above-ground tank-based water or ice storage systems ATES doesn’t need to take up space.

– Compared with traditional geothermal heat pump systems that rely on heat transfer with the underground earth soil, ATES is more efficient and can be more easily scaled up for large community cooling or heating.

– ATES has the potential to become more efficient as weather becomes more extreme in the coming years due to climate change.

– ATES could make the future grid more resilient to outages caused by high power demands during heat waves because ATES-driven cooling needs less electricity than air conditioners, and it only needs enough power to pump the water around.

What Does This Mean For Your Organisation?

Although more expensive than existing energy storage technologies, ATES offers businesses a natural, green way to heat and cool buildings that actually takes advantage of current climate change temperature extremes e.g., supercharging the amount of free thermal energy that can be stored. Using ATES could also make future grid more resilient to outages caused by high power demands during heat waves, thereby causing less disruption to businesses. Combine these points with the fact that ATES is efficient and can relatively easily scaled up and it’s clear that ATES could offer a greener, realistic alternative to conventional HVAC systems in the future.