Welcome to another edition of our Dreamers Digital Digest. This week, we have been discussing stories from Facebook, Dementia Research, LinkedIn and AirBnB.
Facebook fake news stories
The biggest news in the digital world this week is the(link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/37974816/the-problem-with-fake-news-on-facebookand-how-to-spot-it text: fake news debacle from Facebook). A few weeks back we announced how Facebook had gotten rid of its human editors in favour of automatically using an algorithm to post stories. This then created a surge of fake ‘news’ stories which some say effected things like the presidential vote with stories such as that the pope endorsed Donald Trump and defamatory claims regarding the Clinton family. Facebook have come out to say that they are going to do more about the problem.
Sea Hero Quest – the video game that researches dementia
Gaming technology has come a long way, but the latest from the world’s largest dementia research experiment is a game which has the (link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-37988197 text: ability to help make a dementia test). The game is adventure to save an old sailors memories. The game is available to all with the point being to develop new ways of diagnosing dementia in people in its earliest stages.
LinkedIn blocked by Russia
With Russia moving to ban certain software from the country, it has been (link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-38014501 text: announced) that LinkedIn has been banned within the country for violating data storage laws. With official reports announcing the block is for data protection for its citizens, many worry that this move is just the start and is more about censorship and control.
Quick Draw – Google uses AI to guess what you’re drawing
Goole has (link: http://www.wired.co.uk/article/google-draw-ai-artificial-intelligence-experiments text: released a new AI experiment) to help them develop their technology. These experiments come in the form of games people can play including the latest, ‘Quick, Draw!’. Set as a Pictionary stype game, the experiment gives you an object to draw with a mouse and on touchscreen and you have 20 seconds to draw the object with Google guessing what you have drawn. Definitely a good way to kill some time on your lunch break!
AirBnB to offer trips instead of just somewhere to stay
AirBnB have (link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-38025227 text: announced plans) to roll out a new Trips service which instead of letting people rent out rooms or apartments, allows them to offer their knowledge and experience of that particular place. The idea for the move is to allow people to “immerse themselves in local communities”. For a price (obviously), locals can become tour guides and get the chance to show off the surroundings they reside in all the time.
Join us next week for some more digital news. With the run up to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, online retailers and sites are sure to be pulling out all the stops with new digital techniques which we can all follow.