Weekly Roundup: Friday, 8 September, 2017
Here are some links I thought were worth sharing this week:
AI
Apple’s Core ML Brings AI to the Masses
"AI for the masses. In the years to come, iPhone users updating their favorite apps will experience a step function improvement in utility, but may never know that Core ML is behind the curtain making it all possible. We can all look forward to continually improving apps thanks to Core ML."
Microsoft joins Facebook in sharing AI research with everyone
"Facebook and Microsoft today announced they were joining forces to provide an open source AI resource repository. Called the Open Neural Network Exchange (ONNX), the algorithm sharing platform will allow developers to switch between AI engines at various stages of development."
DATA PRIVACY
AccuWeather caught sending user location data, even when location sharing is off
"Popular weather app AccuWeather has been caught sending geolocation data to a third-party data monetization firm, even when the user has switched off location sharing."
Sonos says users must accept new privacy policy or devices may "cease to function"
"Sonos has confirmed that existing customers will not be given an option to opt out of its new privacy policy, leaving customers with sound systems that may eventually 'cease to function'."
"It comes as the home sound system maker prepares to begin collecting audio settings, error data, and other account data before the launch of its smart speaker integration in the near future."
SOCIAL MEDIA
Instagram photos reveal predictive markers of depression
"Using Instagram data from 166 individuals, we applied machine learning tools to successfully identify markers of depression. Statistical features were computationally extracted from 43,950 participant Instagram photos, using color analysis, metadata components, and algorithmic face detection. Resulting models outperformed general practitioners’ average unassisted diagnostic success rate for depression. These results held even when the analysis was restricted to posts made before depressed individuals were first diagnosed. Human ratings of photo attributes (happy, sad, etc.) were weaker predictors of depression, and were uncorrelated with computationally-generated features. These results suggest new avenues for early screening and detection of mental illness."
MESSAGING
Let’s face reality: US Teens engage with iMessage more than any other social platform
"No one really seems to talk about it or acknowledge it, but iMessage is where a lot of mobile usage is trending towards, particularly for Gen-Z, and there are many good reasons why......"