Tag Archives: academia

Fake Photo? Manipulated Video? How to Spot Sham AI

Amid a surge of alarming headlines exposing the disruptive impact of deepfake photo and video scams on our digital, cultural, societal financial and political landscapes, game-changing, readily-available free solutions are emerging that let you instantly identify and flag AI-generated imagery.

This to preserve the credibility of digital media and safeguard users from falling victim to scams. As synthetic media becomes more sophisticated, identifying AI-generated manipulations presents a unique challenge, but numerous  free apps and tools are readily available allowing users to validate photo and video authenticity with ease—a major step forward in safeguarding trust in a world increasingly influenced by AI-generated visuals, ensuring transparency and security in the digital age. More below.

Amid the onslaught of highly concerning news headlines  spotlighting how deepfake AI-generated photo and video scams are driving rampant misinformation and wreaking havoc across digital, cultural, workplace, political and other societal frameworks, solutions are emerging combat AI-driven misinformation and fraud before people fall victim to scams.

One AI disruptor transforming the fight against AI fraud is BitMind—an AI deepfake detection authority that offers a suite of free  apps and tools that instantly identify and flag AI-generated images before you fall victim. 



Built by a team of AI engineers hailing from leading tech companies like Amazon, Poshmark, NEAR, and Ledgersafe, BitMind’s instant detection of deepfakes helps uphold the credibility of the media, guaranteeing the authenticity of the information we use. A strong deepfake detection enhances digital interactions, supports better decision making and strengthens the integrity of the modern digital world—serving to protect reputations, shield finances and maintain trust for celebrities, politicians, public figures … and everyone else.

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For both B2C and B2B use, these 5 BitMind tools are free and accessible to anyone: 

  • AI Detector App: A simple web page where users can drag-and-drop suspicious images for fast deepfake detection results;
  • Chrome Extension: Flags AI-created content in real-time, while browsing.
  • X Bot: Verifies if images on X/Twitter are real or AI-generated;
  • Discord Bot: Verifies if images are real or AI-generated via its Discord Integration;
  • AI or Not GameFun Telegram bot that tests your ability to distinguish between AI-generated and human-created images.

“Recognizing the need to integrate deepfake detection into everyday technology use, our applications fit seamlessly into users’ lives,” notes Ken Miyachi, BitMind CEO. “For example, the BitMind Detection App is a user-friendly application that allows individuals to upload images and quickly assess the likelihood of them being real or synthetic. Additionally, the Browser Extension enhances online security by analyzing images on web pages in real time and providing immediate feedback on their authenticity through our subnet validators. These tools are designed to empower users, enabling them to navigate digital spaces with confidence and security.”

As the world’s first decentralized Deepfake Detection System, BitMind is an open-source technology that enables developers to easily integrate the technology into their existing platforms to provide accurate real-time detection of deepfakes.

“Deepfake technology has emerged as both a marvel and a menace,” continued Miyachi.  “With the capacity to create synthetic media that closely mimics reality, deepfakes present unprecedented challenges in privacy, security, and information integrity. Responding to these challenges, we introduced the BitMind Subnet, a breakthrough on the Bittensor network, dedicated to the detection and mitigation of deepfakes.”

According to Miyachi, here are key reasons why BitMind technology is a game changer:

  • The BitMind Subnet, which represents a pivotal advancement in the fight against AI-generated misinformation. Operating on a decentralized AI platform, this deepfake detection system employs sophisticated AI models to accurately distinguish between real and manipulated content. This not only enhances the security of digital media but also preserves the essential trust in digital interactions.
  • The BitMind Subnet is equipped with advanced detection algorithms that utilize both generative and discriminative AI technologies to provide a robust mechanism for identifying deepfakes.
  • BitMind employs cutting-edge techniques, including Neighborhood Pixel Relationships, ensuring competitive accuracy in detection. The operation of the subnet is decentralized, with miners across the network running binary classifiers. This setup ensures that the detection processes are widespread and not confined to any centralized repository, enhancing both the reliability and integrity of the detection results.
  • Community collaboration is a cornerstone of the BitMind Subnet, actively encouraging the community to contribute to our evolving codebase, and by engaging with developers and researchers, the subnet is continuously improved and updated with the latest advancements in AI.
  • BitMind combines its extensive industry expertise, cutting-edge academic research, and a deep passion for technology. The team has a proven track record in AI, blockchain, and systems architecture, successfully leading tech projects and founding innovative companies.

What truly sets BitMind apart is their commitment to creating a safer, more transparent digital world where AI benefits humanity, driven by their passion for innovation, security and community engagement. Their technologies are expressly designed to safeguard the integrity of digital media and foster a trustworthy digital ecosystem.

In the modern world full of fake news and increasing cyber threats, BitMind’s innovations are paving the way for a future in which digital trust is not an option, but a necessity. As the threats increase, the global community must be equipped with the means to ingest digital information in a reliable and authentic in order to realize AI’s true potential safely and efficiently. For the Silo, Marsha Zorn.

Clement Greenberg’s The Avant-garde And Kitsch

Art is, or it should be, about more than simply making marks on a surface or manipulating materials into pleasing–or indeed displeasing–shapes…. perhaps the avant-garde or kitsch. A true artist benefits immeasurably by knowing about the history that has created the universe they traverse.

Ever wonder what all that academic talk is that curators like to use so much? Do you find it pretentious or worse?

Art Theory informs in so many ways, tracing the paths that have led to a particular moment or movement. A foundational understanding of the schools of thought, the histories, the thinkers who have wrought the ground you stand on as an artist today enriches not only your own mind but your work as well.

One such thinker who made a significant impact on the art world in the 1940s was Clement Greenberg. In 1939, Greenberg published one of his seminal works Avant-Garde and Kitsch. The essay not only launched Greenberg to nearly overnight notoriety, it also sparked a major development in the art world as a whole.

The essay begins with the following statement:

“One and the same civilization produces simultaneously two such different things as a poem by T.S. Eliot, and a Tin Pan Alley song, or a painting by Braque and a Saturday Evening Post cover. “

Click on the following scan to open the full essay in PDF form-

PDF Greenburg Essay Avante-Garde and Kitsch
Click me to read full essay.

Greenberg goes on to classify Avant-Garde as those things that are untouched by the decline of taste and meaning in a society (a poem by T.S. Eliot or a painting by Braque) while Kitsch is the title bestowed on the rest of the clutter that appeals to the masses and asks nothing in return other than their money (a Tin Pan Alley song or a Saturday Evening Post cover).

The Portuguese-Georges Braque-1911.

For Greenberg, Avant-Garde situated itself outside the influences of both capitalist and communist influences that were gradually dampening society’s ability to appreciate any depth of meaning.

Greenberg wrote several other important essays over the course of his life and career. He was a strong proponent of Modernism being the last best hope for the preservation of integrity in art. Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning were among those he deemed the saviors of art in their time.

Understanding who Clement Greenberg was and why his influence matters is just one piece of the complex puzzle of being a well-rounded artist. There are libraries worth of books out there that will break down every bit of art theory and history you ever need to know.

Of course, who has time to read all that? How can you know where to begin? Who and what are some of the most important influences that have shaped the art world as it stands today and how are you meant to sort them out from the crowd? For the Silo, Brainard Carey

Best Countries For Post Covid Study Abroad Programs

As more students are heading towards graduation each year, the struggle to get a graduate job is becoming more difficult, and students have to ensure strong CVs in order to stand out from the crowd.  The Covid pandemic has put a halt to students having options in countries other than their own. However, with a bit of luck, the pandemic will continue to end and travel restrictions will be eased. When that happens, international students will finally be allowed to return to studying abroad, learning new skills and experiencing new cultures.

Although this may be seen as one long holiday to those not in the know, those that study abroad will, in fact, have a higher starting salary, earning an extra 5% more than those who don’t. On average, this could amount to an extra £75,000 ($126,709 CDN at time of this article)  over a career.

Study Abroad Graduates

Not only will they earn more, they are also almost ¼ less likely to be unemployed after graduation. So although all study abroad programs come with a cost, with readily available bursaries, this opportunity is accessible to any student who is hoping to boost their employ-ability and is an opportunity that should be taken.

Business and Finance Students – China: As the second largest economy in the world, China offers endless business opportunities, whilst encouraging students to learn the most widely spoken language in the world, Mandarin.

Business and Finance Studies in China

Medical Students – South Africa: Of the 234 million surgical procedures made every year, just 4% of these happen in the poorest third of the global population. When medical students choose to volunteer in South Africa, they will gain experience in a different medical setting, and all whilst giving back.

Medical Student study in South Africa

Education Students – Australia: As an English-speaking country, Australia is the perfect study abroad opportunity for future teachers. With the average UK class size standing at 30 pupils, the Australian’s average size of 16 will be a lot easier to manage. Plus for those who decide to stay in Australia long-term, new teachers can expect to earn £40,000+ ($67,572 CDN) compared to the £22,000 ($37,164 CDN) starting salary in the UK.

Education studies in Australia

Conservation – Madagascar: Conservation is a growing industry as concern grows for animals and the environment. As the fourth largest island in the world, and as home to species not found anywhere else, Madagascar is the perfect opportunity for a once in a lifetime opportunity for conservation enthusiasts.

Conservation Studies in Madagascar

Art & Design Students – Italy: From ancient and classic sculpture to modern day art, Italy is the perfect place to learn and gain an even greater passion for art history.

Art and Design Studies in Italy

Humanities Students – USA: With three of the top five humanities universities based in the USA, America offers a vast array of historical and literary studying options. This time abroad will open up options for students who are wanting to work in academia, journalism or teaching.

Humanities Studies in the United States
For the Silo, Bekki Ramsay/storageworld.