scholarly journals The shallow of your smile: the ethics of expressive vocal deep-fakes

2021 ◽  
Vol 377 (1841) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadia Guerouaou ◽  
Guillaume Vaiva ◽  
Jean-Julien Aucouturier
Keyword(s):  
Science Fiction ◽  
Autonomous Vehicles ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Social Dilemma ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
Experimental Ethics ◽  
Voice Modulation

Rapid technological advances in artificial intelligence are creating opportunities for real-time algorithmic modulations of a person’s facial and vocal expressions, or ‘deep-fakes’. These developments raise unprecedented societal and ethical questions which, despite much recent public awareness, are still poorly understood from the point of view of moral psychology. We report here on an experimental ethics study conducted on a sample of N = 303 participants (predominantly young, western and educated), who evaluated the acceptability of vignettes describing potential applications of expressive voice transformation technology. We found that vocal deep-fakes were generally well accepted in the population, notably in a therapeutic context and for emotions judged otherwise difficult to control, and surprisingly, even if the user lies to their interlocutors about using them. Unlike other emerging technologies like autonomous vehicles, there was no evidence of social dilemma in which one would, for example, accept for others what they resent for themselves. The only real obstacle to the massive deployment of vocal deep-fakes appears to be situations where they are applied to a speaker without their knowing, but even the acceptability of such situations was modulated by individual differences in moral values and attitude towards science fiction. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Voice modulation: from origin and mechanism to social impact (Part II)’.

scholarly journals The shallow of your smile: The ethics of expressive vocal deepfakes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadia Guerouaou ◽  
Guillaume Vaiva ◽  
Jean-Julien Aucouturier
Keyword(s):  
Science Fiction ◽  
Autonomous Vehicles ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Social Dilemma ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
Experimental Ethics ◽  
Therapeutic Context ◽  
Vocal Expressions

Rapid technological advances in artificial intelligence are creating opportunities for real-time algorithmic modulations of a person’s facial and vocal expressions, or “deep- fakes”. These developments raises unprecedented societal and ethical questions which, despite much recent public awareness, are still poorly understood from the point of view of moral psychology. We report here on an experimental ethics study conducted on a sample of N=303 participants (predominantly young, western and educated), who evaluated the acceptability of vignettes describing potential applications of expressive voice transformation technology. We found that vocal deep-fakes were generally well accepted in the population, notably in a therapeutic context and for emotions judged otherwise difficult to control, and surprisingly, even if the user lies to their interlocutors about using them. Unlike other emerging technologies like autonomous vehicles, there was no evidence of social dilemma in which one would e.g. accept for others what they resent for themselves. The only real obstacle to the massive deployment of vocal deep-fakes appears to be situations where they are applied to a speaker without their knowing, but even the acceptability of such situations was modulated by individual differences in moral values and attitude towards science-fiction.

scholarly journals The shallow of your smile: The ethics of expressive vocal deepfakes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
nadia guerouaou ◽  
Guillaume Vaiva ◽  
Jean-Julien Aucouturier
Keyword(s):  
Science Fiction ◽  
Moral Psychology ◽  
Autonomous Vehicles ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Social Dilemma ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
Therapeutic Context ◽  
Vocal Expressions

Rapid technological advances in artificial intelligence are creating opportunities for real-time algorithmic modulations of a person’s facial and vocal expressions, or “deep- fakes”. These developments raises unprecedented societal and ethical questions which, despite much recent public awareness, are still poorly understood from the point of view of moral psychology. We report here on an empirical study conducted on N=303 online participants, who evaluated the acceptability of vignettes describing potential applications of expressive voice transformation technology. We found that vocal deep- fakes were generally well accepted in the population, notably in a therapeutic context and for emotions judged otherwise difficult to control, and surprisingly, even if the user lies to their interlocutors about using them. Unlike other emerging technologies like autonomous vehicles, there was no evidence of social dilemma in which one would e.g. accept for others what they resent for themselves. The only real obstacle to the massive deployment of vocal deep-fakes appears to be situations where they are applied to a speaker without their knowing, but even the acceptability of such situations was modulated by individual differences in moral values and attitude towards science- fiction.

scholarly journals On BRT Spread around the World: Analysis of Some Particular Cities

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (10) ◽  
pp. 88
Author(s):  
Salvatore Trubia ◽  
Alessandro Severino ◽  
Salvatore Curto ◽  
Fabio Arena ◽  
Giovanni Pau
Keyword(s):  
Public Transport ◽  
Autonomous Vehicles ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Civil Engineering ◽  
Road Transport ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Transport Systems ◽  
Economic Point

The goal of civil engineering has always been the research and implementation of methods, technologies, and infrastructures to improve the community’s quality of life. One of the branches of civil engineering that has the strongest effect on progress is transport. The quality of transport has a profound economic and social impact on our communities regarding trade (freight transport) and city livability (public transport systems). However, innovation is not the only way to improve the features above-mentioned, especially public transport, considering that it is usually beneficial to enhance and repurpose vehicles with appropriate adjustments to offer more efficient services. Other perspectives that influence public transport systems are the costs and times of design and construction, maintenance, operating costs, and environmental impact, especially concerning CO2 emissions. Considering these issues, among the various types of existing public transport systems, those of the so-called Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) offer worthwhile results. The BRT system is a type of public road transport operated by bus on reserved lanes, and it is significantly profitable, especially from an economic point of view, in areas where there are existing bus routes. Nonetheless, for the construction of works minimization, it is closely linked to other features that improve its usefulness, depending on the vehicles’ quality such as capacity, but above all, the propulsion or driving autonomy that would guarantee high efficiency. This paper introduces an analysis of some BRT systems operating worldwide, presenting the background, general technical features, and the correlation with autonomous vehicles.

scholarly journals IoT Technologies during and Beyond COVID-19: A Comprehensive Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 105
Author(s):  
Mohamed Yousif ◽  
Chaminda Hewage ◽  
Liqaa Nawaf
Keyword(s):  
Social Impact ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Privacy And Security ◽  
Comprehensive Review ◽  
Iot Applications ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
Readiness Level ◽  
Improved Performance

The COVID-19 pandemic provided a much-needed sanity check for IoT-inspired frameworks and solutions. IoT solutions such as remote health monitoring and contact tracing provided support for authorities to successfully manage the spread of the coronavirus. This article provides the first comprehensive review of key IoT solutions that have had an impact on COVID-19 in healthcare, contact tracing, and transportation during the pandemic. Each sector is investigated in depth; and potential applications, social and economic impact, and barriers for mass adaptation are discussed in detail. Furthermore, it elaborates on the challenges and opportunities for IoT framework solutions in the immediate post-COVID-19 era. To this end, privacy and security concerns of IoT applications are analyzed in depth and emerging standards and code of practices for mass adaptation are also discussed. The main contribution of this review paper is the in-depth analysis and categorization of sector-wise IoT technologies, which have the potential to be prominent applications in the new normal. IoT applications in each selected sector are rated for their potential economic and social impact, timeline for mass adaptation, and Technology Readiness Level (TRL). In addition, this article outlines potential research directions for next-generation IoT applications that would facilitate improved performance with preserved privacy and security, as well as wider adaptation by the population at large.

scholarly journals Ethical dilemmas are really important to potential adopters of autonomous vehicles

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tripat Gill
Keyword(s):  
Autonomous Vehicles ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Social Dilemma ◽  
Innovation Adoption ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Early Adopters ◽  
The Social ◽  
Legal And Ethical Issues ◽  
Theoretical Standpoint

AbstractThe ethical dilemma (ED) of whether autonomous vehicles (AVs) should protect the passengers or pedestrians when harm is unavoidable has been widely researched and debated. Several behavioral scientists have sought public opinion on this issue, based on the premise that EDs are critical to resolve for AV adoption. However, many scholars and industry participants have downplayed the importance of these edge cases. Policy makers also advocate a focus on higher level ethical principles rather than on a specific solution to EDs. But conspicuously absent from this debate is the view of the consumers or potential adopters, who will be instrumental to the success of AVs. The current research investigated this issue both from a theoretical standpoint and through empirical research. The literature on innovation adoption and risk perception suggests that EDs will be heavily weighted by potential adopters of AVs. Two studies conducted with a broad sample of consumers verified this assertion. The results from these studies showed that people associated EDs with the highest risk and considered EDs as the most important issue to address as compared to the other technical, legal and ethical issues facing AVs. As such, EDs need to be addressed to ensure robustness in the design of AVs and to assure consumers of the safety of this promising technology. Some preliminary evidence is provided about interventions to resolve the social dilemma in EDs and about the ethical preferences of prospective early adopters of AVs.

scholarly journals Magnesium: Biochemistry, Nutrition, Detection, and Social Impact of Diseases Linked to Its Deficiency

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1136
Author(s):  
Diana Fiorentini ◽  
Concettina Cappadone ◽  
Giovanna Farruggia ◽  
Cecilia Prata
Keyword(s):  
Social Impact ◽  
Magnesium Deficiency ◽  
Serum Magnesium ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Magnesium Concentration ◽  
Multiple Perspectives ◽  
Dietary Reference Values ◽  
Magnesium Status ◽  
Total Body

Magnesium plays an important role in many physiological functions. Habitually low intakes of magnesium and in general the deficiency of this micronutrient induce changes in biochemical pathways that can increase the risk of illness and, in particular, chronic degenerative diseases. The assessment of magnesium status is consequently of great importance, however, its evaluation is difficult. The measurement of serum magnesium concentration is the most commonly used and readily available method for assessing magnesium status, even if serum levels have no reliable correlation with total body magnesium levels or concentrations in specific tissues. Therefore, this review offers an overview of recent insights into magnesium from multiple perspectives. Starting from a biochemical point of view, it aims at highlighting the risk due to insufficient uptake (frequently due to the low content of magnesium in the modern western diet), at suggesting strategies to reach the recommended dietary reference values, and at focusing on the importance of detecting physiological or pathological levels of magnesium in various body districts, in order to counteract the social impact of diseases linked to magnesium deficiency.

scholarly journals Transporting Children in Autonomous Vehicles: An Exploratory Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 278-287 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrice D. Tremoulet ◽  
Thomas Seacrist ◽  
Chelsea Ward McIntosh ◽  
Helen Loeb ◽  
Anna DiPietro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Extracurricular Activities ◽  
Autonomous Vehicles ◽  
Driving Simulator ◽  
Autonomous Vehicle ◽  
Remote Access ◽  
Unaccompanied Children ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
Minimum Age ◽  
Audio Communication ◽  
Vehicle Information

Objective Identify factors that impact parents’ decisions about allowing an unaccompanied child to ride in an autonomous vehicle (AV). Background AVs are being tested in several U.S. cities and on highways in multiple states. Meanwhile, suburban parents are using ridesharing services to shuttle children from school to extracurricular activities. Parents may soon be able to hire AVs to transport children. Method Nineteen parents of 8- to 16-year-old children, and some of their children, rode in a driving simulator in autonomous mode, then were interviewed. Parents also participated in focus groups. Topics included minimum age for solo child passengers, types of trips unaccompanied children might take, and vehicle features needed to support child passengers. Results Parents would require two-way audio communication and prefer video feeds of vehicle interiors, seatbelt checks, automatic locking, secure passenger identification, and remote access to vehicle information. Parents cited convenience as the greatest benefit and fear that AVs could not protect passengers during unplanned trip interruptions as their greatest concern. Conclusion Manufacturers have an opportunity to design family-friendly AVs from the outset, rather than retrofit them to be safe for child passengers. More research, especially usability studies where families interact with technology prototypes, is needed to understand how AV design impacts child passengers. Application Potential applications of this research include not only designing vehicles that can be used to safely transport children, seniors who no longer drive, and individuals with disabilities but also developing regulations, policies, and societal infrastructure to support safe child transport via AVs.

Deep learning based Blockchain solution for preserving privacy in future vehicles

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Varsha R ◽  
Meghna Manoj Nair ◽  
Siddharth M. Nair ◽  
Amit Kumar Tyagi
Keyword(s):  
Deep Learning ◽  
Autonomous Vehicles ◽  
Recommendation System ◽  
Privacy Preserving ◽  
Smart Devices ◽  
The Road ◽  
Blockchain Technology ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
Previous Decade ◽  
Smart Things

The Internet of Things (smart things) is used in many sectors and applications due to recent technological advances. One of such application is in the transportation system, which is of primary use for the users to move from one place to another place. The smart devices which were embedded in vehicles are useful for the passengers to solve his/her query, wherein future vehicles will be fully automated to the advanced stage, i.e. future cars with driverless feature. These autonomous cars will help people a lot to reduce their time and increases their productivity in their respective (associated) business. In today’s generation and in the near future, privacy preserving and trust will be a major concern among users and autonomous vehicles and hence, this paper will be able to provide clarity for the same. Many attempts in previous decade have provided many efficient mechanisms, but they all work only with vehicles along with a driver. However, these mechanisms are not valid and useful for future vehicles. In this paper, we will use deep learning techniques for building trust using recommender systems and Blockchain technology for privacy preserving. We also maintain a certain level of trust via maintaining the highest level of privacy among users living in a particular environment. In this research, we developed a framework that could offer maximum trust or reliable communication to users over the road network. With this, we also preserve privacy of users during traveling, i.e., without revealing identity of respective users from Trusted Third Parties or even Location Based Service in reaching a destination. Thus, Deep Learning based Blockchain Solution (DLBS) is illustrated for providing an efficient recommendation system.

Until Death Do Us Part and They Upload Us Into Clones: An Analysis of Film Narratives About Mind Uploading and the Myth of Immortality

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 529-548
Author(s):  
Anja Zlatović ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Science Fiction ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Modern Society ◽  
Eternal Life ◽  
Fear Of Death ◽  
Brain Functions ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
Visual Science ◽  
The Mind ◽  
Tv Show

The fear of death and the myth of immortality are themes long present in various narratives, whether literary or visual. Science fiction as a genre offers us many venues for new explorations of this idea. Mind uploading is one of them. This fictional technique, related to cloning, is performed when the mind and consciousness of a person are transferred to another biological body or machine with the help of technology. In this way, a person continues their social life through their brain functions. This paper looks at four separate recent screen narratives – the movies Self/less, Transcendence, and Replicas, and the episode “Be Right Back” of the TV show Black Mirror. With the help of Tzvetan Todorov’s structural analysis, we find clauses that are present in all of the plots and see what ideas and topics they share. The paper also uses the idea of anthropological reading of science fiction and therefore uses scientific research to analyze these themes. By looking at anthropological findings of immortality, mortality, death in modern society, and digital techniques, we see how the analyzed narratives portray a unique mixture of fear of and longing for all the mentioned processes and ideas. Finally, this paper shows how science fiction could possibly reflect reality – both through presenting thoughts of society and inspiring future technological advances and ideas (in this case, the quest for immortality). While humans are still far from achieving eternal life, the mentioned screen narratives portray the growing stream of ideas that deal with mind uploading in the age of the internet and social media.

scholarly journals The Potential Implications of Autonomous Vehicles in and around the Workplace

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (9) ◽  
pp. 1876 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone Pettigrew ◽  
Lin Fritschi ◽  
Richard Norman
Keyword(s):  
Labour Market ◽  
National Survey ◽  
Autonomous Vehicles ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Worker Safety ◽  
Key Stakeholders ◽  
Market Planning ◽  
Vehicle Automation

The advent of autonomous vehicles is forecast to bring enormous changes to the workplace as positions primarily involving driving become progressively redundant. Little is known about public awareness of these impending changes and the potential impacts on society and individuals. This study involved a national survey of Australians and interviews with key stakeholders across multiple countries to identify major potential issues associated with vehicle automation, including in and around the workplace. Most survey respondents had concerns relating to job losses in driving occupations, while almost half anticipated increased employment in technology-related areas. Three primary themes were evident in the data from the stakeholder interviews: (1) the inevitability of the universal use of AVs and hence the immediate need for labour market planning, (2) associated potential effects on occupations that are not primarily structured around driving, and (3) the possibility of increased worker safety and enhanced commuting opportunities.

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