AB's Reflections

Author: Aditya

  • Preparing Your Children for the AGI Era: Education and Work in the Future

    Preparing Your Children for the AGI Era: Education and Work in the Future

    As a father of a soon to be teenager the question I keep asking myself is whether we are preparing our children for the future and equipping them to manage the AI induced disruption. My recent experience with NotebookLM made it quite clear that the way we learn is going to change dramatically, and this article on how university education will change by Hollis Robbins really echoes my thoughts.

    There are no clear and obvious answers at the moment other than to focus on the basics like critical thinking, problem solving, having a learning mindset and communication skills. Ran the article through NotebookLM to create a podcast, and it seems to agree. Do give it a listen and share your thoughts:

    Can AI Predict Your Personality From Your Face? – AB's Reflections

    What if a single photo could reveal your personality traits—and even influence your professional future? This raises intriguing questions about privacy, bias, and the role of AI in hiring. Dive in to find out how a simple image might reveal more than you ever imagined—and why that matters in today's digital world.
    1. Can AI Predict Your Personality From Your Face?
    2. What if… Fictional Indian Nobel laureates
    3. Decoding Pharma Analytics
    4. Outrage Fatigue: Staying Engaged Without Burning Out
    5. AGI Kids: Preparing Your Children for an AI-Driven Future

    The summary:

    The rise of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) is rapidly changing the landscape of both education and work. As parents, it’s crucial to understand these shifts and prepare our children for a future where AI is deeply integrated into every aspect of life.

    What AGI Means for the Future of Education

    Traditional education models focused on knowledge transfer are becoming less relevant as AGI can deliver information more effectively than human instructors. The focus is shifting towards:

    •Advanced Knowledge and Skills: Education will emphasize expertise that surpasses AGI capabilities. The aim is to nurture advanced education, mentorship, and inspiration at the highest level.

    •Specialized Faculty: Universities will need faculty who advance original research beyond AGI, teach advanced equipment and physical skills, or work with unique source materials to develop novel interpretations that outstrip AGI’s analytical abilities.

    •Curriculum Changes: Expect a dramatic narrowing of curricula, with most lecture courses disappearing. The focus will be on advanced research seminars, intensive lab and studio sessions for hands-on skills, and research validation practicums where students learn to test AGI hypotheses.

    •Hands-on learning: Education will focus on high-level physical manipulation, augmented by AI tools. Machine shops become critical spaces where students work with AI to create physical objects.

    •Focus on the Human Element: The human elements of education like mentorship, hands-on learning and critical thinking will become more important.

    What AGI Means for the Future of Work

    AGI is set to transform the workplace by:

    •Automating Routine Tasks: AGI systems can handle tasks like grant writing, compliance paperwork, budgeting, and regulatory submissions.

    •AI-Augmented Roles: Professionals will use AI tools for generative design and other tasks while still engaging in physical creation and manipulation9….

    •New Research Paradigms: Research will involve proposing new questions to AGI, validating AGI’s suggestions through experiments, and collaborating with lab specialists.

    •Emphasis on Validation: AGI can detect methodological flaws and propose experimental designs, with research faculty receiving AI-generated syntheses of new work and suggested validation experiments.

    How Parents Can Prepare Their Children

    1. Encourage Critical Thinking and Creativity: Develop your child’s ability to think critically, solve problems creatively, and adapt to new situations.
    2. Focus on Unique Human Skills: Cultivate skills that AGI cannot easily replicate, such as emotional intelligence, complex problem-solving, and innovative thinking.
    3. Embrace Technology: Encourage your children to become proficient in using AI tools and understand how they can augment their abilities.
    4. Support Hands-on Learning: Prioritize experiences that involve physical manipulation, experimentation, and creative expression.
    5. Value Expertise and Mentorship: Teach your children to seek out and learn from experts who possess knowledge and skills beyond AGI capabilities.
    6. Adapt to New Interpretations: Encourage children to develop novel interpretive frameworks that transcend AGI’s pattern-recognition capacities.

    Leveraging Current Tools: NotebookLM

    Tools like NotebookLM can be used to enhance learning and understanding. (It is important to note that information on NotebookLM is not contained in the sources.) NotebookLM helps in:

    •Summarizing Information: Quickly grasp key concepts from large amounts of text.

    •Organizing Notes: Structure and connect ideas in a coherent manner.

    •Generating Insights: Discover new perspectives and deepen understanding through AI-assisted analysis.

    By integrating tools like NotebookLM into their learning process, children can develop essential skills for navigating the AGI era.

    By focusing on these key areas, parents can equip their children with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in an AGI-driven world. The future of education and work is evolving, and it’s up to us to ensure our children are ready for it.

  • Coping with outrage fatigue

    Coping with outrage fatigue

    Came across this interesting article on Scientific American which talks about outrage fatigue. Converted into a short podcast using HeyGen:

    Here’s the NotebookLM version for comparison which has a more emotive take on things:

    Are you feeling emotionally exhausted by the constant barrage of depressing news about political events, wars, and climate disasters? You might be experiencing outrage fatigue. This phenomenon occurs when repeated exposure to outrage-inducing content leads to feeling withdrawn and like resistance is futile.

    What is Outrage Fatigue?

    Outrage is a response to a perceived transgression against what we consider right and wrong. It can be functional for groups, drawing attention to issues and catalysing collective action. However, constant outrage, especially along group identity lines, can create hostility and conflict, leading to psychological exhaustion.

    How Outrage Manifests

    • Group Level: Constant outrage at a group level can lead to a sense of being jaded, making it hard to focus on what truly matters.
    • Individual Level: Some people become “super-outrage producers,” while others withdraw, feeling isolated or afraid to express their opinions. High levels of negative emotions, including outrage, can be taxing, leading individuals to regulate their emotions.

    The Role of Social Media

    Social media algorithms can amplify outrage content, making it seem more widespread than it is. This can lead to feeling turned off from political participation, even if the outrage isn’t representative of the broader group’s feelings.

    Combatting Outrage Fatigue

    • Local Involvement: Engage in local community politics to build a feeling of safety and understanding. This allows for concrete actions and a sense of direct impact.
    • Directed Outrage: Focused outrage is more effective as you know what it’s for and what outcomes you’re seeking.
    • Alter Your Social Media Ecosystem: Change your online environment by engaging with different content if you feel overwhelmed.

    Outrage as a Political Tool

    Outrage can be weaponised to divide groups. For example, stoking outrage on issues like immigration or abortion can distract people from economic policies that harm them.

    Final Thoughts

    It’s essential to be aware and experience outrage while staying grounded in local communities. Direct your outrage towards concrete actions and be mindful of the media you consume to avoid fatigue.

    via https://kottke.org/25/02/0046166-outrage-fatigue-is-real-t

  • [Sponsored] Revolutionizing Links: The 7 Best URL Shorteners for 2025

    Long and messy URLs are a challenge in today’s fast-paced digital world. Whether you’re promoting on social media, email, or print campaigns, shortening and customizing URLs not only makes them visually appealing but also enhances their functionality with tracking and targeting options.

    Here’s our curated list of the top URL shorteners for 2025. At the top is TNYL.link, a cutting-edge tool redefining link management.

    1. TNYL.link: The Ultimate URL Shortener of 2025

    For more than simple link shortening, TNYL.link leads the pack. It’s perfect for creators, marketers, and enterprises seeking comprehensive tools for smarter link management.

    What Sets TNYL.link Apart? 🔗 Geo Targeting: Tailor experiences by location.
    📱 Device Targeting: Redirect users based on devices.
    🌍 Language Targeting: Match content with users’ preferred languages.
    ✨ Custom Aliases & Domains: Personalize URLs for trust and branding.
    🔒 Password Protection: Restrict access for privacy.
    📊 Advanced Analytics: Understand audience behavior, including clicks and demographics.
    🎯 A/B Testing: Test link effectiveness and optimize campaigns.
    📅 Link Expiration: Schedule links to expire after a certain date or number of clicks.
    📲 Deep Linking: Send users to specific app locations seamlessly.
    🌟 Rich Bio Pages: Build multi-link pages for social profiles.
    📷 Custom QR Codes: Create branded QR codes for physical promotions.

    Who Should Choose TNYL.link? Whether you’re an influencer, e-commerce entrepreneur, or enterprise, TNYL.link provides tailored solutions to elevate campaigns.

    Pricing Enjoy a free tier (500 links, 10,000 clicks/month) or explore competitively priced plans, including lifetime deals.

    2. Bitly: The Classic All-Rounder

    With over 15 years of trust, Bitly remains a reliable choice for businesses looking for simple yet powerful link management.

    Key Features • Easy-to-use dashboard.
    • QR code creation.
    • Basic analytics in free plans; advanced analytics in paid tiers.

    Limitations The free plan is restrictive, offering only 10 links/month.

    Pricing Starts at $35/month for 1,500 links and enhanced analytics. Higher tiers include custom domains.

    3. Rebrandly: The Customization Leader

    If branding is paramount, Rebrandly excels with its domain customization options.

    Key Features • Custom URLs for a professional look.
    • Detailed tracking tools.
    • Branded QR codes for offline campaigns.

    Limitations Free plans are limited to 10 links and 100 clicks/month.

    Pricing Starts at $13/month, covering 2,500 links and advanced tracking.

    4. Dub: The Fresh Innovator

    Launched in 2022, Dub is gaining traction for its innovative design and unique features.

    Key Features • AI-powered slug suggestions.
    • Analytics with city-specific insights.
    • QR code and custom domain support.

    Limitations Some advanced features are still in development.

    Pricing Free for up to 25 links and 1,000 clicks/month. Paid tiers begin at $24/month.

    5. TinyURL: The Simplest Choice

    For quick and straightforward URL shortening, TinyURL remains a go-to option.

    Key Features • No account required for basic shortening.
    • Custom slugs available for branded links.

    Limitations Lacks advanced features like analytics and targeting.

    Pricing Free for basic use, with pro plans starting at $12.99/month.

    6. BL.INK: Best for Businesses

    Designed for business owners, BL.INK offers dynamic features for enterprises and small teams alike.

    Key Features • Advanced tracking for user insights.
    • Dynamic redirection by device type.
    • Team collaboration tools.

    Limitations The platform has a steeper learning curve, and plans can be expensive for smaller teams.

    Pricing Free for up to 1,000 links. Paid plans start at $48/month.

    7. Short.io: The Feature-Rich Free Plan

    For robust functionality without high costs, Short.io is an excellent choice.

    Key Features • Free plan includes 1,000 branded links.
    • Target users by geography and device.
    • Detailed analytics for better tracking.

    Limitations A custom domain is required, which could deter beginners.

    Pricing Free tier for 1,000 links. Paid plans begin at $19/month.

    Why Choose TNYL.link?

    Among these great options, TNYL.link stands out for its versatility, advanced targeting, and user-friendly design. Whether you’re running a social media campaign or managing a large-scale enterprise, TNYL.link is your go-to solution.

    Start creating smarter links with TNYL.link today! (note that this is a referral link)

  • Exploring DeepSeek’s R1

    Exploring DeepSeek’s R1

    The new model from DeepSeek has been making waves over the last week thanks to its competitive performance against GPT-o1 while being open source. It is also able to transparently share its thought chain.

    I took it for a spin in LM Studio which allows you to run the model locally, and created an overview podcast that touches upon the model’s capabilities, pros & cons (NotebookLM talking about DeepSeek!). Check it out below:

    Thanks to the great overview provided by Zvi.

    In case you are curious on how the model introduces itself, here’s a chat excerpt including the chain of thought:

    Thought:

    Alright, the user asked about what I can do and who built me. Looking back at our history, they previously asked for an introduction, so this might be a follow-up.

    I need to clearly outline my capabilities without being too technical. They probably want a straightforward answer.

    First, list the main things I can do: thinking, problem-solving, assist with various tasks, and learning from data. Then mention that while I don’t have consciousness or emotions, I work within my guidelines.

    Next, explain who built me—DeepSeek, an AI research company. Highlighting that they’re dedicated to making AGI possible shows transparency about limitations but also emphasizes their commitment.

    Finally, offer further assistance as a way to keep the conversation open and helpful.

    Response:

    I’m DeepSeek-R1, an artificial intelligence assistant created by DeepSeek, a Chinese company dedicated to making Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) feasible. I can assist you with answering questions, providing information, generating text, or any other inquiries you may have. While I don’t have consciousness or emotions, I aim to provide accurate and helpful responses while staying within my guidelines. Let me know how I can help!

  • The S-Pen update on the S25 Ultra – It’s the magnets

    The S-Pen update on the S25 Ultra – It’s the magnets

    Looks like the S-Pen is losing the air gestures and Bluetooth capabilities that allow it to act as a remote camera shutter on the latest Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. I suspect it is due to the requirement of magnets in the new Qi2 wireless charging feature that’s being added.

    The earlier editions of the Ultra series used to have stylus detection issues with magnet based accessories (like this reddit post notes), like cases which gave it MagSafe like capabilities. In fact I encountered this issue with my S23 when I tried a MagSafe equipped case with the S-Pen not working properly around the middle of the screen where the magnet is positioned on the back.

    Not much to be done I suppose as the new model trades off the advanced stylus capabilities in favour of faster charging.

  • DoomPDF

    DoomPDF

    Looks like this is a month for novelty Doom spinoffs, and this time it is a playable version of Doom in a PDF made possible due to JavaScript support in PDFs.

    Here’s some gameplay footage that I put together where you can appreciate it in all its ASCII glory:

    You can play it here – https://doompdf.pages.dev/. Note that it only works on Chromium based browsers (Chrome & Edge for ex.) for now, but supports loading your own WAD files if you want to try other variations.

    via: https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2025/01/this-pdf-contains-a-playable-copy-of-doom/

  • Decoding Pharma Analytics: Customer Segmentation and Engagement Strategies

    Decoding Pharma Analytics: Customer Segmentation and Engagement Strategies

    I recently had the opportunity to share a fascinating online lecture to a group of MBA students about Pharmaceutical Analytics, specifically focusing on customer segmentation and engagement strategies.

    I have created a summary podcast using presentation, sources and audio recording from the session which you can check out below:

    Also sharing the presentation from the session.

    Building Real-World Models lecture 2025.01.14Download

    Do get in touch if you would like me to hold similar sessions for your organization or institution.

  • The Moon in 2024 through the S23 & more

    The Moon in 2024 through the S23 & more

    It’s been a while since I posted about my photography activities and the phone reviews, and what better time than the new year to look back at some of the memories created over the last year.

    Here’s a couple of moonshots taken last year with my current phone – the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra that I got back in 2023. I’ve put the 30x zoom versions first followed by the regular wide angle photo to give a sense of the zoom. All were taken during our 2024 summer trip to Kashmir (first set in Phalagam, second in Srinagar on the Dal Lake).

    While the zoomed in images may not be the sharpest, the S23 Ultra has finally made me stop missing my DSLR with its zoom lenses. There may have been a lot of controversy over the artificial enhancement in the moon photos taken with Samsung phones, but I have been really pleased with the performance of the 10x lens which enables shots that were unthinkable on mobile phones.

    The moon is of course not the only object that you can shoot, so here’s a few more including the Sun, a rainbow and more travel photos.

    Do follow me on Instagram for more.

  • Doom: The Gallery Experience

    Doom: The Gallery Experience

    A playthrough of the new Doom parody that reimagines the first level as an art gallery with sections for different regions & eras like Greece, Egypt, Japan & Renaissance.

    Health is literally wealth in this version, with armour replaced by cheese and a bunch of drinks to pick up & sip instead of guns. And yes, the Doom guy is wearing glasses.

    You also have a few secrets to discover.

    You can play (or download) the game here – https://bobatealee.itch.io/doom-the-gallery-experience

    via https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2025/01/doom-marine-crashes-art-gallery-politely-sips-wine/

  • My NotebookLM a-ha moment

    My NotebookLM a-ha moment

    I have been trying out Google’s NotebookLM over the last few days, and I thought of taking a shot at generating a podcast from the “What if” exhibit images that I had come across during my visit to the Birla Science & Technology Museum in Kolkata last month.

    I had created a PDF from the images I had taken from the exhibit and uploaded it to NotebookLM as a source. Below is the audio overview from this file – just give it a listen.

    This is nothing short of astounding given the way in which it is presented by the 2 hosts not just categorizing and covering each of the scientist’s contribution, but also explaining some of the key terms and providing context for their work. The last 4-5 min are even more interesting as it looks at the big picture and talks about nation building.

    I also gave the interactive mode (currently in beta) a try wherein you can interrupt the hosts with your comments and questions. I brought in the family connection to Upendranath Brahmachari (my father had incidentally created the wikipedia page back in 2005), and also asked about potential conspiracy theories surrounding the lives of Homi Bhabha and Vikram Sarabhai. They seemed to do a good job of integrating my comments before bringing the discussion back on track, even sounding slightly vexed by the multiple interruptions.

    Looks like 2025 is going to be another big year for the AI related developments given the plethora of announcements at the end of last year, and Google definitely has something interesting going on as always. Just hope that they don’t shut it down.

    In case you are curious, here’s the PDF that I used:

    What if – Fictional Nobel prizes for Indian ScientistsDownload

    And here’s the text summary that NotebookLM generated from the file:

    Here is a list of all the scientists mentioned in the sources, along with their contributions:

    Chemistry

    • Thiruvengadam Rajendram Seshadri: Awarded a fictional Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his research on plant chemistry, primarily in oxygen heterocylics, and his contributions to the isolation and structural elucidation of flavonoid pigments.
    • Prafulla Chandra Ray: Awarded a fictional Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his research on organic and inorganic nitrites and pioneering modern chemical research in India.
    • Asima Chatterjee: Awarded a fictional Nobel Prize in Chemistry for her contributions to medicinal chemistry, with a special reference to alkaloids, coumarins and terpenoids, alongside her advancements in mechanistic organic analytical chemistry and development of anti-epileptic and anti-malarial drugs.

    Physics

    • Homi Jehangir Bhabha: Awarded a fictional Nobel Prize in Physics for explaining the scattering of positrons by electrons with exchange, his work on Dirac’s theory of the positron, the passage of fast electrons and the theory of cosmic showers.
    • Meghnad Saha: Awarded a fictional Nobel Prize in Physics for formulating the Saha Equation, which allows for the calculation of the degree of ionization in a gas, a concept important in analyzing the spectra of stars and nebulae.
    • Satyendra Nath Bose: Awarded a fictional Nobel Prize in Physics for his work describing elementary quantum particles, leading to Bose-Einstein Statistics which fueled the quantum revolution.
    • Jagadish Chandra Bose: Awarded a fictional Nobel Prize in Physics for his quasi-optical experiments on the properties of very short radio waves, leading to improvements in the coherer and contributing to the development of solid-state physics.

    Physiology or Medicine

    • Upendranath Brahmachari: Awarded a fictional Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for creating the drug Urea Stibamine, used to treat visceral leishmaniasis or black fever, a severe infection caused by the Leishmania parasite.
    • Dilip Mahalanabis: Awarded a fictional Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for being one of the earliest practitioners of vital oral rehydration therapy, whose research into diarrhoeal diseases saved millions of lives, including vulnerable infants.

    Other Sciences

    • Birbal Sahni: Awarded a fictional Nobel Prize in Paleobotany for examining evolutionary trends and geographical distributions, suggesting a separate order, Taxales, within the conifers.
    • John Burdon Sanderson Haldane: Awarded a fictional Nobel Prize in Evolutionary Biology for his work in relating Darwinian evolutionary theory and Gregor Mendel’s concepts of heredity.
    • Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis: Awarded a fictional Nobel Prize in Statistics for formulating the Mahalanobis distance – a statistical measure of comparison between two data sets – and for his work on innovative techniques for conducting large-scale sample surveys.
    • Salim Moizuddin Abdul Ali: Awarded a fictional Nobel Prize in Ornithology for his systematic bird surveys across India and authoring books popularizing ornithology.
    • Edavaleth Kakkat Janaki Ammal: Awarded a fictional Nobel Prize in Botany for her contributions to plant breeding, cytogenetics, phytogeography and her development of several hybrid crop species, including varieties of sweet sugarcane that allowed India to cultivate its own.
    • Anna Modayil Mani: Awarded a fictional Nobel Prize in Meteorology for creating India’s first ozonesonde, making it easier for scientists to monitor the ozone layer.
    • Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai Jain: Awarded a fictional Nobel Prize in Space Science for initiating space research and helping develop nuclear power in India.
    • Verghese Kurien: Awarded a fictional Nobel Prize in Dairy Science for transforming India’s dairy industry by streamlining effective management and distribution strategies, making India the largest milk-producing country in the world.
    • Mankombu Sambasivan Swaminathan: Awarded a fictional Nobel Prize in Agricultural Science for his contributions to the Green Revolution in India by introducing high-yielding varieties of wheat and rice, further developing high-yielding varieties of wheat and rice, and spearheading mass movements with farmers and scientists. His work helped save India and Pakistan from certain famine-like conditions in the 1960s.
    • Manali Kallat Vainu Bappu: Awarded a fictional Nobel Prize in Astronomy for jointly discovering the Wilson-Bappu effect with astronomer Olin Chaddock Wilson.
    • Vijay Pandurang Bhatkar: Awarded a fictional Nobel Prize in Computer Science for architecting India’s national initiative in supercomputing, where he spearheaded the development of India’s first supercomputer PARAM in 1990.