August Updates

We now return to our regularly scheduled programming

Aug 07, 2023

Thanks 🙏🙏 to everyone who has subscribed to my newsletter over the years. All of you—nearly two thousand now—are people I have met either in person or online. It means a lot to me to have for coming along for the ride🎢 and allowing me to continue to share with you. Speaking of which...

About six months ago, I started experimenting with a new format for this newsletter. That was great in some respects but not so great in others. Such deep dives were hard to keep up with and prevented me from discussing the latest technology topics.

I hope you are willing to continue as I return to something similar to the previous format; this newsletter is much shorter, with a few updates on what I have been doing and will be doing this fall. In the future, look for more resources and SHORT essays coming more regularly.

🕹️Blockchain Game Update! ₿

A big shout out to Coen Overgaag, who sent these kind word and a new translation of the Blockchain Game.

What you have created is awesome. I have planned to use it for our students coming year. A great way to let the students experience, “feel”, the basics of blockchain.
For that I have translated your materials to the Dutch language and added as an attachment in case you want to use it.

Contact me if you want a copy of Coen’s translation (or the German version), and I will send you the latest files. Details on how to run this activity with your group or class are here.

🎧 Recent Talks 📺

I had the honor of being on several programs recently, including:

Boone County Muleskinners

At this local democratic social group, I talked about “The 422 on AI/ChatGPT,” and explored the fundamental concepts behind AI and the underlying principles that enable it to generate human-like text. I looked at technologies are being used (for example in Deepfakes) and the policy and political implications.

Paul Pepper

Where I talked about ChatGPT, of course.

The Tech Leader Talk Podcast

Where I talked about IOT and Open Source Hardware, a hobby of mine.

📆 Upcoming Talks/Classes 👨‍🏫

I will be presenting a Policy @ DEF CON talk at DEFCON31 next week on "The Promise and Perils of Planetary-Scale ISPs"! Description below and more details here. If you are attending this year, let me know and we can compare notes!

Our tiny blue planet is quickly being encased in layers of fast-flying, low-earth orbiting satellites in an effort to provide Internet access to earth's three billion unconnected and slowly connected inhabitants. SpaceX's Starlink system is the first planetary-scale ISPs for consumers; more are set to follow. Planetary ISPs can drive much-needed economic growth in the world's poorest countries but introduce unique policy and operational challenges. The regulatory bodies and frameworks set up to deal with terrestrial ISPs are not prepared to deal with issues of internet access, content filtering/moderation, and network neutrality on a global scale. Nor are the agencies governing space launches and operations. While planetary ISPs may see enormous profits, the rest of us may pay the potential costs: an end to ground-based astronomy; an end to clear viewing of the sky; increasing costs for space operations, collision avoidance, and debris removal; and the geopolitical risk when access is provided or not-provided in certain regions. Humanity's future will be determined by how we operate on the internet and in space. How we navigate this new era of space-based internet and what policy frameworks we put in place will determine the winners and losers in this new race in space.

I will be presenting “Who Controls the Internet” in an very fun format for DiffuseTap, a fund for alternative investors on August 16th, 2023. I can’t reveal what we will discuss, since that will take the fun out of it, but I can tell you that is is a lively format. Register here.

I will present a series of classes for the Osher Lifelong Learning institute at MU, where we will look at the technology that is behind the news and changing our world. Register through the Osher website.

Ripped from the headlines! Join Prof C as we explore the technology behind the day’s news and the technology making news. Together we’ll develop an understanding of technology’s profound role in shaping the world of politics, economics, sports and culture. Along the way, we’ll learn ways to think about technologically driven change and confront the ethical dilemmas posed by emerging technologies.

I will be presenting at the Women’s Network September Luncheon on September 21st about "AI and the future of work" with an eye to the impact of AI on the nature of work with a particular focus on ChatGPT. Details and registration will be posted here closer to the event.

As the boundaries of AI continue to expand, organizations and individuals face an unprecedented paradigm shift. ChatGPT and its cousins have the potential to reshape traditional job roles, enhancing productivity and fostering creative collaboration. And they might also be used for manipulation, fraud, and disinformation. Prof C will discuss the implications of AI-driven automation, the rise of hybrid human-machine teams, and how businesses are using ChatGPT's capabilities today.

I will be giving a short presentation at Columbia Rotary South, about “Fun and Failure with ChatGPT and it's cousins” at 7am on Oct 13th. This group meets at the Country Club of Missouri (CCMO), 1300 Woodrail Ave, Columbia MO 65203. Let me know if you want to join and be my guest.

Can’t say much yet, as it has not been officially announced, but I will be speaking at a TEDx event this fall! It is an interesting process and I am currently working on my talk with the help of a mentor.

If you need a program or talk for your organization or company, please let me know.