Issue 29 - Latimer.AI: A Pro Black LLM

Welcome to issue 29! And in particular welcome to new readers a/k/a punks who have signed up in the last few days. Our Gazette seeks to inform, entertain, and keep our fellow punks up to speed on what they need to know, ideally before others know it.

If there are subjects or ecosystems you want us to explore, please let us know. Similarly if you dig this issue, then share it!

Table of Contents

• Upcoming Event:

  • Getting Around Without Feeling Down

• The Future of Food

  • Agroecology: A Path Forward?

  • The Role of Technology in Shaping Our Food Systems

  • The Cultural and Psychological Aspects of Food

  • Localizing Food Production: A Solution to Global C …

• Latimer.AI: A Pro Black LLM

  • A Ten Point Program for the Internet Era

• Governing AI for Humanity?

• Fear of Ageing as Fear of the Unknown

  • The Unknown in Aging

  • The Role of Contemporary Society

  • Addressing the Fear

Upcoming Event:

Getting Around Without Feeling Down

Wednesday Feb 21st at 4pm

Why do all the ways to get where you’re going suck? Is travelling inherently uncomfortable, unsustainable, and even unsafe? Is there a better way for us to get on our way? Perhaps through cooperation and mutual aid we can create systems of transportation that actually work and don’t incite dread, anxiety, or leave us exhausted and disgruntled?

The Future of Food

As we navigate the uncertain terrains of climate change, industrial agriculture, and global supply chains, it's evident that our food systems are at a critical juncture.

Agroecology: A Path Forward?

Agroecology as an ecological approach to agriculture, emphasizes the importance of considering ecosystems, biodiversity, and social equity in food production. This perspective challenges the current yield-focused agricultural practices by advocating for methods that are sustainable and beneficial for both the environment and society. However, this raises several questions: Can agroecology be scaled to meet global food demands? How can we balance the need for productivity with ecological and social considerations?

The Role of Technology in Shaping Our Food Systems

Technological advancements, such as precision fermentation and vertical farming, were discussed as potential solutions to the challenges facing our food systems. These innovations promise to enable food production in increasingly challenging environments, potentially offering a path to food security in the face of climate change. Yet, this optimism is met with skepticism. What are the ethical implications of these technologies? Can they truly replace large scale farming methods, or should they complement them?

The Cultural and Psychological Aspects of Food

It is also important to consider the cultural and psychological aspects of our relationship with food, from the convenience-driven consumerism that dominates current food choices to the potential of home gardening and local food production to reconnect us with our food sources. This prompts reflection on our own food habits: How does convenience influence our food choices, and at what cost to nutritional value and environmental sustainability? Is there a middle ground between convenience and conscious consumption?

Localizing Food Production: A Solution to Global Challenges?

A recurring theme is the potential for localized, cooperative approaches to food production and consumption. By fostering local food systems, we can potentially reduce our reliance on global supply chains, mitigate the environmental impact of food production, and enhance food security. However, this brings forth questions about feasibility and impact: Can local food systems realistically support urban populations? What infrastructure and policy support are needed to make localized food systems viable?

Questions for Future Consideration

• How can we effectively scale agroecological practices without compromising their core principles?

• What is the role of consumers in driving change towards more sustainable food systems?

• How can policy and technology work together to support the transition to sustainable, equitable food systems?

• In what ways can education and community engagement be leveraged to promote a deeper understanding and appreciation of sustainable food practices?

The future of food is undoubtedly complex, intertwined with environmental, social, and technological factors. As we continue to explore these issues, it's clear that finding solutions will require a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach.

Latimer.AI: A Pro Black LLM

Latimer AI is a new large language model (LLM) designed to provide a more inclusive and diverse AI experience by reflecting the experience, culture, and history of Black and Brown people more accurately. It is often referred to as the "Black GPT" and aims to combat the erasure of Black and Brown cultural data. The platform is named after the Black inventor Lewis Latimer, and has been developed in partnership with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to offer an inclusive AI tool to students, agencies, brands, and the general public. Latimer is trained using several tactics to mitigate bias toward a white culture default and is also built to be an educational tool for students, introducing them to prompt generation. The platform incorporates African American historical and cultural data and has called upon notable American scholar and professor Molefi Kete Asante to help develop the learning model for the platform.

A Ten Point Program for the Internet Era

As Eco Punks we felt a relevant way to test out Latimer was to ask it about the Black Panther Party. The response was remarkably nuanced and well informed. After a brief conversation about the how and why of the Panthers, we came up with the following Panther-inspired declaration of principles and needs for our digital times:

1. We demand freedom. We demand power to shape the destiny of our online communities and digital identities.

2. We demand equal access and opportunities for all in the digital workforce, free from discrimination and bias.

3. We demand an end to the exploitation and profiteering by corporations within our digital and online spaces.

4. We demand secure and private digital spaces that respect the dignity and humanity of all users.

5. We demand education that accurately represents the history and contributions of marginalized communities in digital spaces, and that teaches the true impact of technology in our present-day society.

6. We demand protection from digital surveillance and unjust militarization of online platforms, for all individuals.

7. We demand an immediate end to online hate speech, cyberbullying, and digital oppression targeting marginalized groups.

8. We demand digital liberation and equitable representation for all individuals who have been wrongfully targeted and imprisoned in the digital realm.

9. We demand fair and unbiased treatment of individuals in digital legal proceedings and online platforms, reflecting the diversity and experiences of all communities.

10. We demand digital equity, access to information, online security, justice, and peace for all individuals in the digital age.

Governing AI for Humanity?

The UN AI Advisory Body has issued an interim report on AI, and it has some interesting preliminary insights. The obvious element of the report is the usual policy language, laudable goals that are feeling less and less realistic as time goes by with little in the way of concrete implementation:

• AI should be governed inclusively, by and for the benefit of all.

• AI must be governed in the public interest.

• AI governance should be built in step with data governance and the promotion of data commons.

• AI governance should be anchored in the UN Charter, International Human Rights Law, and other agreed international commitments such as the Sustainable Development Goals.

Yet what was interesting in this report were the “Institutional Functions” which included:

• Regularly assess the future directions and implications of AI.

• Harmonize standards, safety, and risk management frameworks.

• Promote multi-stakeholder collaboration.

• Monitor risks and coordinate emergency response.

• Develop binding accountability norms.

• Enhance accountability mechanisms.

• Ensure equitable representation and voice for all.

You can read the report and provide input via the link below:

Fear of Ageing as Fear of the Unknown

The fear of aging, at its core, reflects a profound fear of the unknown. This apprehension encompasses uncertainty about the physical changes that accompany aging, potential health issues, financial security, loss of independence, and the inevitability of death. Several factors, intrinsic to contemporary society, exacerbate these fears, making the process of aging seem more daunting than it might have been in the past.

The Unknown in Aging

1. Physical and Cognitive Decline: The most immediate unknown with aging is the physical and cognitive changes that may occur. There's uncertainty about when these changes will start, how fast they will progress, and how they will impact one's lifestyle and capabilities.

2. Health Concerns: With age comes the increased risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease. The unpredictability of one's health status and the potential for debilitating conditions heighten anxiety about aging.

3. Financial Security: There is also the unknown factor of whether one will have enough financial resources to maintain a comfortable lifestyle, afford healthcare, and fulfill personal aspirations in retirement.

4. Social Roles and Relationships: Aging can bring changes to social roles and relationships. The fear of losing loved ones, becoming isolated, or not being able to contribute meaningfully to society adds to the fear of aging.

The Role of Contemporary Society

1. Youth-Centric Culture: Modern society often idolizes youth, associating it with beauty, productivity, and innovation. This cultural bias can marginalize older adults, making aging seem like a loss of relevance and visibility in society.

2. Media Representation: The media frequently portrays aging negatively, focusing on decline and dependency rather than the opportunities and wisdom that can come with age. This skewed portrayal contributes to a societal fear of aging.

3. Technological Advancements: Rapid technological changes can make older adults feel left behind, exacerbating fears about the ability to adapt and remain engaged with society.

4. Healthcare System Complexities: Navigating the healthcare system can become increasingly complex and daunting with age. The fear of medical bureaucracy, coupled with concerns about the quality of care and support, amplifies the fear of the unknown aspects of aging.

5. Economic Insecurity: The modern economic landscape, with its challenges in pension systems, fluctuating markets, and concerns about the adequacy of savings, heightens anxiety about financial security in old age.

Addressing the Fear

To mitigate the fear of aging, it's crucial to promote a more balanced view of aging that recognizes the potential for growth, learning, and contribution at any age. If our understanding of age is socially constructed, then a shift in societal attitudes might be achieved through taking deliberate measures:

• Positive Aging Campaigns: Highlighting positive aspects of aging and showcasing stories of active, engaged older adults can help change perceptions.

• Education and Preparation: Offering resources and education on financial planning, healthcare options, and healthy lifestyle choices can empower individuals to face aging with confidence.

• Intergenerational Engagement: Encouraging intergenerational interactions can break down stereotypes and build mutual understanding and respect between age groups.

• Policy and Support Systems: Developing policies and support systems that ensure economic security, support healthcare access, and opportunities for continued engagement in society can alleviate some of the fundamental fears associated with aging.