Daily Archives: January 11, 2025

Who Wins – Technology or Humanity

AI requires constant oversight. The Washington Post reports that a chatbot suggested a teen kill his parents.*January 11, 2025 by Leadership Freak Leave a Comment
Apart from mindfulness, technology distracts, dilutes, and destroys humanity. Mindfulness is noticing the present moment. Distraction is neglecting or ignoring the present. The negative consequences of technology include:

Isolation.
Anxiety.
Aggression.
Job displacement.
Inequity between haves and have-nots.

Mindfulness and technology:
Digital mindfulness addressed the difficulty of constant connectivity. “Mindfulness is the key to unlocking the full potential of technology.” Douglas Pflug
AI requires constant oversight. The Washington Post reports that a chatbot suggested a teen kill his parents.*
Retain human oversight of AI in areas requiring ethical discernment. Decisions where values collide require sensitivity, experience, and discernment. For example, choosing between profits and employee well-being requires human sagacity.
AI systems lack an inherent moral compass and rely on human guidance for ethical considerations.
Humanity and AI:
Humans must remain integrated in situations requiring sensitivity and emotional support.
AI advances healthcare. Who wants to go back to bloodletting?
“The challenge lies in maintaining a balance between AI-driven support and the human touch required in delicate healthcare situations.” Douglas Pflug
AI enhances some HR functions. It simplifies individualized training paths, for example. But struggling employees need humanity.
Connect distinct strengths:
Acknowledge the distinct strengths of AI and emotional intelligence (EQ). Pflug points out that AI excels in data analysis, pattern recognition, and process automation. EQ is essential for managing emotions, building relationships, navigating complex social relationships, and fostering empathy and compassion.
A key factor in human flourishing is engagement. Disengagement drains fulfillment. Promises that technology improves engagement are yet to be fulfilled. If anything, people work to get away from technology so they can more fully engage.
Eric Sevareid said in 1965, “The greatest intellectual discovery of this generation is that the real cause of problems is solutions.”
Douglas Pflug’s new book, “Ironwill 360° Leadership,” caused me to reflect on the ideas in this post.
How are you navigating the challenges and opportunities of technology?
PS – My dentist uses 3D printers to make crowns for teeth.
*Washington post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/12/10/character-ai-lawsuit-teen-kill-parents-texas/
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George Washington and Duquesne meet for conference showdown

Duquesne Dukes (10-5, 1-3 A-10) at George Washington Revolutionaries (8-7, 1-3 A-10)
Washington; Saturday, 12 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Makayla Andrews and George Washington host Megan McConnell and Duquesne in A-10 play.
The Revolutionaries have gone 5-3 at home. George Washington is 2-0 when it has fewer turnovers than its opponents and averages 17.6 turnovers per game.
The Dukes are 1-3 in conference matchups. Duquesne ranks seventh in the A-10 shooting 32.8% from 3-point range.
George Washington scores 62.0 points per game, 5.0 fewer points than the 67.0 Duquesne allows. Duquesne averages 9.8 made 3-pointers per game this season, 3.3 more made shots on average than the 6.5 per game George Washington allows.
The Revolutionaries and Dukes face off Saturday for the first time in A-10 play this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Andrews is shooting 40.3% and averaging 12.1 points for the Revolutionaries.
McConell is scoring 20.2 points per game and averaging 7.7 rebounds for the Dukes.
LAST 10 GAMES: Revolutionaries: 5-5, averaging 58.8 points, 35.9 rebounds, 9.9 assists, 6.3 steals and 3.8 blocks per game while shooting 39.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 61.6 points per game.
Dukes: 7-3, averaging 74.0 points, 32.5 rebounds, 13.5 assists, 11.9 steals and 3.8 blocks per game while shooting 42.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 64.0 points.
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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TSA Expands Biometric Technology Across U.S. Airports Amid Privacy Concerns

The TSA is implementing biometric technology, including facial recognition, across U.S. airports, prompting debates over privacy, transparency, and government surveillance.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is expanding its deployment of biometric technology, including facial recognition systems, at airports across the United States. The initiative, which the agency touts as a way to improve efficiency and enhance security, has sparked significant privacy concerns among lawmakers and civil rights advocates. Critics are questioning the potential for government overreach and the long-term implications for personal freedoms.
According to the TSA, its Credential Authentication Technology (CAT-2) scanners, now installed at nearly 84 airports nationwide, aim to streamline the passenger identification process. These systems compare a traveler’s facial image with their ID or passport. With plans to expand the program to over 400 airports, the agency has made biometrics a central focus of its modernization efforts. However, privacy advocates warn that the mass collection of biometric data raises critical questions about transparency and data protection. Additional details about the TSA’s expansion can be found here.
Critics argue that while the TSA asserts that facial recognition photos are deleted after use, the scale of the program makes it vulnerable to misuse. A bipartisan group of 12 senators recently called for an investigation into the agency’s biometric practices, citing the potential creation of a massive surveillance database. Lawmakers also highlighted the absence of comprehensive congressional oversight, as detailed here.
Although the TSA maintains that participation in the program is voluntary, reports indicate that opting out is often unclear or inconsistently enforced. Instances of passengers facing resistance or confusion from Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) have further eroded public trust in the agency’s handling of biometric data. More information on these reports can be found here.
Globally, the use of biometric technology in travel is gaining traction. India’s Digi Yatra program, which has garnered over nine million active users, stores biometric data on users’ mobile devices rather than in centralized databases, offering a potential model for balancing privacy and efficiency. However, the U.S. has opted for a centralized approach, raising additional privacy concerns. Critics note that the TSA’s technology has a three percent error rate, which could create discrepancies for tens of thousands of travelers annually.
To address these concerns, the Traveler Privacy Protection Act of 2023 was introduced to limit the TSA’s authority to use facial recognition for passenger screening and mandate the deletion of collected data. While the bill has yet to pass, it underscores growing congressional unease over the unchecked expansion of biometric systems.
As the TSA continues to implement biometric technology, the public must grapple with the trade-offs between convenience, security, and privacy. The ongoing debate highlights the importance of establishing clear safeguards to prevent misuse while ensuring individual freedoms are not compromised. Until these issues are resolved, the TSA’s biometric expansion will remain a contentious topic.

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Eastern Washington puts home win streak on the line against Sacramento State

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Sacramento State Hornets (8-7, 1-1 Big Sky) at Eastern Washington Eagles (5-10, 1-2 Big Sky)Cheney, Washington; Saturday, 5 p.m. ESTBOTTOM LINE: Eastern Washington will try to keep its three-game home win streak intact when the Eagles face Sacramento State.
The Eagles have gone 5-2 in home games. Eastern Washington is 4-3 when it has fewer turnovers than its opponents and averages 13.9 turnovers per game.The Hornets are 1-1 against Big Sky opponents. Sacramento State has a 1-1 record in games decided by 3 points or fewer.Eastern Washington scores 64.8 points per game, 4.2 more points than the 60.6 Sacramento State gives up. Sacramento State has shot at a 42.4% rate from the field this season, 2.4 percentage points higher than the 40.0% shooting opponents of Eastern Washington have averaged.The Eagles and Hornets face off Saturday for the first time in Big Sky play this season.

Huijbens and Gonzaga host Washington State

Gonzaga Bulldogs (9-8, 4-2 WCC) at Washington State Cougars (10-7, 5-1 WCC)Pullman, Washington; Saturday, 3 p.m. ESTBOTTOM LINE: Gonzaga visits Washington State after Maud Huijbens scored 23 points in Gonzaga’s 82-56 win against the Santa Clara Broncos.The Cougars have gone 5-2 in home games. Washington State ranks sixth in the WCC in team defense, allowing 65.5 points while holding opponents to 39.0% shooting.The Bulldogs are 4-2 in WCC play. Gonzaga ranks second in the WCC with 34.9 rebounds per game led by Yvonne Ejim averaging 8.3.Washington State is shooting 41.5% from the field this season, 0.1 percentage points higher than the 41.4% Gonzaga allows to opponents. Gonzaga averages 7.2 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.1 more made shots on average than the 6.1 per game Washington State gives up.The matchup Saturday is the first meeting of the season between the two teams in conference play.TOP PERFORMERS: Tara Wallack is averaging 13.1 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.9 blocks for the Cougars.Allie Turner averages 2.8 made 3-pointers per game for the Bulldogs, scoring 12.8 points while shooting 42.0% from beyond the arc.LAST 10 GAMES: Cougars: 6-4, averaging 67.1 points, 31.9 rebounds, 14.7 assists, 6.6 steals and 6.7 blocks per game while shooting 43.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 61.5 points per game.Bulldogs: 5-5, averaging 67.8 points, 35.7 rebounds, 17.6 assists, 7.3 steals and 2.8 blocks per game while shooting 44.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 67.0 points.The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Goldin leads No. 24 Michigan against Washington

Washington Huskies (10-6, 1-4 Big Ten) at Michigan Wolverines (12-3, 4-0 Big Ten)Ann Arbor, Michigan; Sunday, 2 p.m. ESTBOTTOM LINE: No. 24 Michigan hosts Washington after Vladislav Goldin scored 36 points in Michigan’s 94-75 win over the UCLA Bruins.The Wolverines have gone 7-0 in home games. Michigan is 10-0 in games decided by 10 or more points.The Huskies are 1-4 in Big Ten play. Washington scores 73.1 points while outscoring opponents by 2.5 points per game.Michigan makes 51.9% of its shots from the field this season, which is 7.7 percentage points higher than Washington has allowed to its opponents (44.2%). Washington averages 6.5 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.1 fewer makes per game than Michigan gives up.The Wolverines and Huskies face off Sunday for the first time in Big Ten play this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Tre Donaldson averages 2.1 made 3-pointers per game for the Wolverines, scoring 13.1 points while shooting 46.3% from beyond the arc.DJ Davis averages 1.7 made 3-pointers per game for the Huskies, scoring 8.7 points while shooting 33.8% from beyond the arc.LAST 10 GAMES: Wolverines: 8-2, averaging 85.8 points, 36.8 rebounds, 18.0 assists, 6.2 steals and 4.7 blocks per game while shooting 51.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 71.0 points per game.Huskies: 5-5, averaging 73.7 points, 29.0 rebounds, 13.6 assists, 7.8 steals and 3.4 blocks per game while shooting 45.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 73.5 points.The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Ladine leads Washington against No. 20 Michigan State after 23-point game

Washington Huskies (12-4, 3-1 Big Ten) at Michigan State Spartans (12-3, 2-2 Big Ten)East Lansing, Michigan; Sunday, 2 p.m. ESTBOTTOM LINE: Washington plays No. 20 Michigan State after Elle Ladine scored 23 points in Washington’s 79-58 win over the Wisconsin Badgers.The Spartans have gone 8-0 at home. Michigan State is the top team in the Big Ten with 18.7 fast break points.The Huskies are 3-1 in Big Ten play. Washington ranks eighth in the Big Ten with 11.6 offensive rebounds per game led by Dalayah Daniels averaging 2.4.Michigan State averages 83.3 points, 23.8 more per game than the 59.5 Washington gives up. Washington has shot at a 46.3% clip from the field this season, 9.8 percentage points above the 36.5% shooting opponents of Michigan State have averaged.The matchup Sunday is the first meeting this season between the two teams in conference play.TOP PERFORMERS: Jaddan Simmons is averaging 6.9 points and 2.2 steals for the Spartans.Ladine averages 2.3 made 3-pointers per game for the Huskies, scoring 15.7 points while shooting 37.4% from beyond the arc.LAST 10 GAMES: Spartans: 7-3, averaging 77.3 points, 37.0 rebounds, 16.4 assists, 12.8 steals and 6.1 blocks per game while shooting 41.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 64.9 points per game.Huskies: 7-3, averaging 70.0 points, 35.5 rebounds, 14.7 assists, 6.1 steals and 6.2 blocks per game while shooting 46.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 59.9 points.The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

College basketball — NMU women vs. Michigan Tech

NMU women 68, Michigan Tech 64 Thursday at Vandament Arena, Marquette —————————– Summary (field goals, free throws, total points) —————————– MICHIGAN TECH — Wypych 6-3-16, Lenz 4-5-14, Kozlowska 2-5-9, Tormanen 2-0-5, Standfest 1-0-3, Zentkowski 2-2-7, Nuest 2-0-5, Mason 2-0-5. Totals 21-15-64. —————————– NORTHERN MICHIGAN — Nimz 3-5-11, Newcomer 3-0-9, Romero 2-1-6, Holzwart 2-0-4, Hill 2-0-4,…