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Welcome to our blog. We'll explore various topics related to technology. From Content Management Systems to Solar Panels, we'll dive deep into the latest trends, observations, and best practices. So, sit back, relax, and let's get started!

Tech Talk is featured in Island Arts Magazine.

Tech Talk

Ethical Use of AI in Content Generation
Navigating Universal, Societal, and Personal Ethics
Tech Talk

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2024-08-01

Artificial intelligence (AI) in content generation has changed and revolutionized how we create and consume information. From automated news stories to creative writing and marketing, AI tools are reshaping the landscape of content creation. This transformative power of AI is not just intriguing but also inspiring. However, the ethical use of AI in this domain requires careful attention to...

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2024-05-23

Mo Gawdat, former Chief Business Officer at Google X, acknowledges the potential of AI to solve complex problems but warns about the dangers of unchecked AI development. He believes that without proper ethical guidelines, AI could lead to catastrophic consequences for humanity. Gawdat emphasizes the importance of creating AI with human values and moral principles to ensure that it serves the...

Artificial Intelligence as an Art Critic
Can AI be used to critique a painting?
Tech Talk

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2024-04-06 Last Updated on: 2024-05-03

In the last issue of Island Arts Magazine, I wrote about using AI responsibly. I received an email from Brian in Cobble Hill asking if Artificial Intelligence (AI) could be used to critique art. My initial response was no, but that needed to be corrected. I felt all art is subjective, and AI would be incapable of analyzing it.

After doing some more research, yes, with the assistance of AI,...

Using AI Responsibly
A Guide to Harnessing the Power of Artificial Intelligence
Tech Talk

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2023-12-15 Last Updated on: 2024-01-17

We had a couple of interesting comments on our Island Arts Magazine Facebook page after sharing an article from a recent issue. The commenters disagreed with the article's premise; one suggested the author used AI to generate her story.

That raised the question of how we should approach AI content in our magazine and websites.

I have been experimenting with AI for several months and used...

Living with Solar
1 year later
Tech Talk

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2023-10-26 Last Updated on: 2024-07-07

It was just over a year ago that we had solar panels installed on our roof. We were optimistic going in but it has exceeded our wildest dreams.

To recap, we had 20-455 watt panels installed in 2 banks of ten on the east and west slopes of our garage. Our goal was to cut our electric bill in half. We just got our BC Hydro bill to cover the final period covering the last year. We went from an...

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2023-06-10 Last Updated on: 2024-06-04

IOT (Internet of Things) are smart devices with sensors used in home automation such as lights, security cameras, smart plugs, thermostats and even some medical equipment. Home fridges, ranges and other appliances are also incorporating smart technologies.

Until recently, you could not mix and match devices due to incompatibilities in their underlying software. Two communication protocols,...

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2023-04-22 Last Updated on: 2024-06-04

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is making it mark in all kinds of endeavours including writing, art, technology, science, search engines and the list goes on. It begs the question, “how accurate is AI”.

The published answer to this is 95%. However, accuracy is not a term that can be used without prior definition. Currently AI accuracy is defined as an average by comparing right vs wrong...

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2023-01-24 Last Updated on: 2024-07-07

I started to experiment with Artificial Intelligence (AI) this week a bit exploring several areas of interest in technology and philosophy.

I mentioned it to Susan and she thought it would make a great TT article. I logged into my account at ChatGPT (chat.openai.com) and posed two art related questions. This platform is design as conversational AI, it won’t generate art but is a place to...

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2022-10-22 Last Updated on: 2024-06-04

In the last issue I wrote about having solar panels installed on our garage roof. They have now been on for 23 days at the time of this article and what a difference in our grid consumption. The numbers are impressive.

Our most recent bill for 1 month ending Oct 17 shows our grid consumption down 56% from last year and we only had a part month of generating our own power. We generated 525 kWh...

Time to go Solar
Tech Talk

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2022-08-22 Last Updated on: 2024-06-04

We are having solar panels install at our home/office. The system we are installing will generate approximately 60% of our yearly consumption. It is the equivalent of taking 1 car off the road every year or planting 3920 trees or 320 barrels of oil saved. But the big thing is the monetary savings, over the life of the panels - $44,000, almost double the cost.

What made it so attractive to do...