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Notepad++ updates got hijacked for months and could have spied for China

Notepad++ updates got hijacked for months and could have spied for China

Users of the text and code editor Notepad++ may have unknowingly downloaded a malicious update for the app after its shared hosting servers were hijacked last year. On Monday, the app’s developer, Don Ho, posted an update on the attack with more details, including that the hackers were “likely a Chinese state-sponsored group” and that the app’s servers were vulnerable for roughly six months from June through December 2nd, 2025.

The post explains that the hijacking occurred on the app’s unnamed, now-former hosting provider’s end, stating that “Traffic from certain targeted users was selectively redirected to attacker-controlled served malicious update manifests.” When victims were redirected, their app update could be replaced with a malicious executable that, according to independent cybersecurity expert Kevin Beaumont, may have given the hackers remote access to a victim’s keyboard.

Don Ho’s post also adds that the attack involved “highly selective targeting” in terms of the victims it redirected away from the legitimate Notepad++ website. Kevin Beaumont noted that the victims he spoke with “are [organizations] with interests in East Asia.” So, while this is a serious security vulnerability, it’s possible that the hackers were busy watching specific people instead of just anyone.

The developer did not specify when they became aware of the attack, but said that “all attacker access was definitively terminated” by December 2nd. The Notepad++ updater has been updated itself with stronger security measures to check for tampering and verify that updates are legitimate.

Notepad++ users should make sure they are on at least version 8.8.9, which addressed the vulnerabilities from the hijacking attack, and they should probably download that version directly from the Notepad++ website. Additionally, Kevin Beaumont suggested users double-check that they’re not using an unofficial version of Notepad++, keep a close eye on activity from “gup.exe,” the app’s updater, and check for a suspicious “update.exe” or “AutoUpdater.exe” file in their TEMP folder.

Notably, Don Ho, the developer of Notepad++, criticized the Chinese government in a 2019 app update. He called that version the “Free Uyghur” edition, and told The Verge at the time that his website had faced DDoS attacks in response.

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#Notepad #updates #hijacked #months #spied #China

Find X9 launch, the OPPO Find X9 Ultra will soon be available in India, bringing some exciting changes to the device, specifically aimed at boosting its camera performance. The firm is shifting its focus to hardware to enhance optical zoom capabilities, rather than relying too heavily on software.

The star attraction is QPPS, a new periscope architecture that enhances the feasibility of extended-range optical zoom. In most smartphones, optical zoom is achieved using a single prism that deflects the light path horizontally. Although this design boosts zoom range, it is constrained by the space available in the phone body.

What is QPPS?

OPPO Find X9 Ultra Camera Details Revealed Ahead of India Launch
	
After a stellar Find X9 launch, the OPPO Find X9 Ultra will soon be available in India, bringing some exciting changes to the device, specifically aimed at boosting its camera performance. The firm is shifting its focus to hardware to enhance optical zoom capabilities, rather than relying too heavily on software.



The star attraction is QPPS, a new periscope architecture that enhances the feasibility of extended-range optical zoom. In most smartphones, optical zoom is achieved using a single prism that deflects the light path horizontally. Although this design boosts zoom range, it is constrained by the space available in the phone body.



What is QPPS?







The QPPS (Quintuple Prism Periscope Structure) is designed to extend zoom using a smarter internal setup. In the camera body, the light reflects five times before hitting the sensor, thereby increasing the length of the optical pathway. Furthermore, the OPPO Find X9 Ultra can increase its focal length without compromising its thinness. The phone, therefore, can achieve true 10x optical zoom, equivalent to a 230mm lens.



An additional benefit of optical zoom is its ability to maintain image quality. Since the zoom is handled by the camera hardware, there’s less need for cropping or digital enhancement. This leads to sharper and more natural images. In everyday use, it improves shots of distant subjects and creates a pleasing background blur. It also ensures that image quality doesn’t drop suddenly as you move between zoom levels.



A multi-reflection system improves zoom, but it also complicates light handling. Each reflection point can introduce distortion or scattered light, which can affect the final image. Without proper control, this could lead to reduced sharpness and contrast.



To overcome this, OPPO uses a refined optical design that keeps light under control throughout its path. By applying highly precise adjustments, the camera is less affected by light, ensuring image quality. It means that you can take better shots with high zoom levels.



Camera







The phone has a 200 MP resolution camera that delivers high-quality photos, a 3X zoom camera that is useful for shooting in low light, and an ultra-wide camera that captures a wider view.



These elements combine to form an equilibrium system applicable to various situations. In cases where one is shooting portraits, scenery, or distant objects, the camera can do all that. Moreover, it features 4K Dolby Vision video recording capabilities, hence being suitable for photography and video recording.



Software



In this camera system, software plays a supporting role. The LUMO Image Engine focuses on refining the image rather than artificially generating details. Instead of using software to create details that do not exist in the image, the technology uses high-powered hardware to generate the main image. This helps create a more realistic image with natural details. Afterward, the software is used to enhance the final image through minor adjustments to colors and brightness.



Software often plays a bigger role than the camera hardware itself. However, OPPO approaches this issue from a different angle, focusing more on hardware advancements. It results in more realistic and natural pictures. Also, there is better performance during long-range zoom operations.

#OPPO #Find #Ultra #Camera #Details #Revealed #Ahead #India #LaunchOppo

The QPPS (Quintuple Prism Periscope Structure) is designed to extend zoom using a smarter internal setup. In the camera body, the light reflects five times before hitting the sensor, thereby increasing the length of the optical pathway. Furthermore, the OPPO Find X9 Ultra can increase its focal length without compromising its thinness. The phone, therefore, can achieve true 10x optical zoom, equivalent to a 230mm lens.

An additional benefit of optical zoom is its ability to maintain image quality. Since the zoom is handled by the camera hardware, there’s less need for cropping or digital enhancement. This leads to sharper and more natural images. In everyday use, it improves shots of distant subjects and creates a pleasing background blur. It also ensures that image quality doesn’t drop suddenly as you move between zoom levels.

A multi-reflection system improves zoom, but it also complicates light handling. Each reflection point can introduce distortion or scattered light, which can affect the final image. Without proper control, this could lead to reduced sharpness and contrast.

To overcome this, OPPO uses a refined optical design that keeps light under control throughout its path. By applying highly precise adjustments, the camera is less affected by light, ensuring image quality. It means that you can take better shots with high zoom levels.

Camera

Hasselblad Imaging System

The phone has a 200 MP resolution camera that delivers high-quality photos, a 3X zoom camera that is useful for shooting in low light, and an ultra-wide camera that captures a wider view.

These elements combine to form an equilibrium system applicable to various situations. In cases where one is shooting portraits, scenery, or distant objects, the camera can do all that. Moreover, it features 4K Dolby Vision video recording capabilities, hence being suitable for photography and video recording.

Software

In this camera system, software plays a supporting role. The LUMO Image Engine focuses on refining the image rather than artificially generating details. Instead of using software to create details that do not exist in the image, the technology uses high-powered hardware to generate the main image. This helps create a more realistic image with natural details. Afterward, the software is used to enhance the final image through minor adjustments to colors and brightness.

Software often plays a bigger role than the camera hardware itself. However, OPPO approaches this issue from a different angle, focusing more on hardware advancements. It results in more realistic and natural pictures. Also, there is better performance during long-range zoom operations.

#OPPO #Find #Ultra #Camera #Details #Revealed #Ahead #India #LaunchOppo">OPPO Find X9 Ultra Camera Details Revealed Ahead of India Launch
	
After a stellar Find X9 launch, the OPPO Find X9 Ultra will soon be available in India, bringing some exciting changes to the device, specifically aimed at boosting its camera performance. The firm is shifting its focus to hardware to enhance optical zoom capabilities, rather than relying too heavily on software.



The star attraction is QPPS, a new periscope architecture that enhances the feasibility of extended-range optical zoom. In most smartphones, optical zoom is achieved using a single prism that deflects the light path horizontally. Although this design boosts zoom range, it is constrained by the space available in the phone body.



What is QPPS?







The QPPS (Quintuple Prism Periscope Structure) is designed to extend zoom using a smarter internal setup. In the camera body, the light reflects five times before hitting the sensor, thereby increasing the length of the optical pathway. Furthermore, the OPPO Find X9 Ultra can increase its focal length without compromising its thinness. The phone, therefore, can achieve true 10x optical zoom, equivalent to a 230mm lens.



An additional benefit of optical zoom is its ability to maintain image quality. Since the zoom is handled by the camera hardware, there’s less need for cropping or digital enhancement. This leads to sharper and more natural images. In everyday use, it improves shots of distant subjects and creates a pleasing background blur. It also ensures that image quality doesn’t drop suddenly as you move between zoom levels.



A multi-reflection system improves zoom, but it also complicates light handling. Each reflection point can introduce distortion or scattered light, which can affect the final image. Without proper control, this could lead to reduced sharpness and contrast.



To overcome this, OPPO uses a refined optical design that keeps light under control throughout its path. By applying highly precise adjustments, the camera is less affected by light, ensuring image quality. It means that you can take better shots with high zoom levels.



Camera







The phone has a 200 MP resolution camera that delivers high-quality photos, a 3X zoom camera that is useful for shooting in low light, and an ultra-wide camera that captures a wider view.



These elements combine to form an equilibrium system applicable to various situations. In cases where one is shooting portraits, scenery, or distant objects, the camera can do all that. Moreover, it features 4K Dolby Vision video recording capabilities, hence being suitable for photography and video recording.



Software



In this camera system, software plays a supporting role. The LUMO Image Engine focuses on refining the image rather than artificially generating details. Instead of using software to create details that do not exist in the image, the technology uses high-powered hardware to generate the main image. This helps create a more realistic image with natural details. Afterward, the software is used to enhance the final image through minor adjustments to colors and brightness.



Software often plays a bigger role than the camera hardware itself. However, OPPO approaches this issue from a different angle, focusing more on hardware advancements. It results in more realistic and natural pictures. Also, there is better performance during long-range zoom operations.

#OPPO #Find #Ultra #Camera #Details #Revealed #Ahead #India #LaunchOppo

launch, the OPPO Find X9 Ultra will soon be available in India, bringing some exciting changes to the device, specifically aimed at boosting its camera performance. The firm is shifting its focus to hardware to enhance optical zoom capabilities, rather than relying too heavily on software.

The star attraction is QPPS, a new periscope architecture that enhances the feasibility of extended-range optical zoom. In most smartphones, optical zoom is achieved using a single prism that deflects the light path horizontally. Although this design boosts zoom range, it is constrained by the space available in the phone body.

What is QPPS?

OPPO Find X9 Ultra Camera Details Revealed Ahead of India Launch
	
After a stellar Find X9 launch, the OPPO Find X9 Ultra will soon be available in India, bringing some exciting changes to the device, specifically aimed at boosting its camera performance. The firm is shifting its focus to hardware to enhance optical zoom capabilities, rather than relying too heavily on software.



The star attraction is QPPS, a new periscope architecture that enhances the feasibility of extended-range optical zoom. In most smartphones, optical zoom is achieved using a single prism that deflects the light path horizontally. Although this design boosts zoom range, it is constrained by the space available in the phone body.



What is QPPS?







The QPPS (Quintuple Prism Periscope Structure) is designed to extend zoom using a smarter internal setup. In the camera body, the light reflects five times before hitting the sensor, thereby increasing the length of the optical pathway. Furthermore, the OPPO Find X9 Ultra can increase its focal length without compromising its thinness. The phone, therefore, can achieve true 10x optical zoom, equivalent to a 230mm lens.



An additional benefit of optical zoom is its ability to maintain image quality. Since the zoom is handled by the camera hardware, there’s less need for cropping or digital enhancement. This leads to sharper and more natural images. In everyday use, it improves shots of distant subjects and creates a pleasing background blur. It also ensures that image quality doesn’t drop suddenly as you move between zoom levels.



A multi-reflection system improves zoom, but it also complicates light handling. Each reflection point can introduce distortion or scattered light, which can affect the final image. Without proper control, this could lead to reduced sharpness and contrast.



To overcome this, OPPO uses a refined optical design that keeps light under control throughout its path. By applying highly precise adjustments, the camera is less affected by light, ensuring image quality. It means that you can take better shots with high zoom levels.



Camera







The phone has a 200 MP resolution camera that delivers high-quality photos, a 3X zoom camera that is useful for shooting in low light, and an ultra-wide camera that captures a wider view.



These elements combine to form an equilibrium system applicable to various situations. In cases where one is shooting portraits, scenery, or distant objects, the camera can do all that. Moreover, it features 4K Dolby Vision video recording capabilities, hence being suitable for photography and video recording.



Software



In this camera system, software plays a supporting role. The LUMO Image Engine focuses on refining the image rather than artificially generating details. Instead of using software to create details that do not exist in the image, the technology uses high-powered hardware to generate the main image. This helps create a more realistic image with natural details. Afterward, the software is used to enhance the final image through minor adjustments to colors and brightness.



Software often plays a bigger role than the camera hardware itself. However, OPPO approaches this issue from a different angle, focusing more on hardware advancements. It results in more realistic and natural pictures. Also, there is better performance during long-range zoom operations.

#OPPO #Find #Ultra #Camera #Details #Revealed #Ahead #India #LaunchOppo

The QPPS (Quintuple Prism Periscope Structure) is designed to extend zoom using a smarter internal setup. In the camera body, the light reflects five times before hitting the sensor, thereby increasing the length of the optical pathway. Furthermore, the OPPO Find X9 Ultra can increase its focal length without compromising its thinness. The phone, therefore, can achieve true 10x optical zoom, equivalent to a 230mm lens.

An additional benefit of optical zoom is its ability to maintain image quality. Since the zoom is handled by the camera hardware, there’s less need for cropping or digital enhancement. This leads to sharper and more natural images. In everyday use, it improves shots of distant subjects and creates a pleasing background blur. It also ensures that image quality doesn’t drop suddenly as you move between zoom levels.

A multi-reflection system improves zoom, but it also complicates light handling. Each reflection point can introduce distortion or scattered light, which can affect the final image. Without proper control, this could lead to reduced sharpness and contrast.

To overcome this, OPPO uses a refined optical design that keeps light under control throughout its path. By applying highly precise adjustments, the camera is less affected by light, ensuring image quality. It means that you can take better shots with high zoom levels.

Camera

Hasselblad Imaging System

The phone has a 200 MP resolution camera that delivers high-quality photos, a 3X zoom camera that is useful for shooting in low light, and an ultra-wide camera that captures a wider view.

These elements combine to form an equilibrium system applicable to various situations. In cases where one is shooting portraits, scenery, or distant objects, the camera can do all that. Moreover, it features 4K Dolby Vision video recording capabilities, hence being suitable for photography and video recording.

Software

In this camera system, software plays a supporting role. The LUMO Image Engine focuses on refining the image rather than artificially generating details. Instead of using software to create details that do not exist in the image, the technology uses high-powered hardware to generate the main image. This helps create a more realistic image with natural details. Afterward, the software is used to enhance the final image through minor adjustments to colors and brightness.

Software often plays a bigger role than the camera hardware itself. However, OPPO approaches this issue from a different angle, focusing more on hardware advancements. It results in more realistic and natural pictures. Also, there is better performance during long-range zoom operations.

#OPPO #Find #Ultra #Camera #Details #Revealed #Ahead #India #LaunchOppo">OPPO Find X9 Ultra Camera Details Revealed Ahead of India Launch

After a stellar Find X9 launch, the OPPO Find X9 Ultra will soon be available in India, bringing some exciting changes to the device, specifically aimed at boosting its camera performance. The firm is shifting its focus to hardware to enhance optical zoom capabilities, rather than relying too heavily on software.

The star attraction is QPPS, a new periscope architecture that enhances the feasibility of extended-range optical zoom. In most smartphones, optical zoom is achieved using a single prism that deflects the light path horizontally. Although this design boosts zoom range, it is constrained by the space available in the phone body.

What is QPPS?

OPPO Find X9 Ultra Camera Details Revealed Ahead of India Launch
	
After a stellar Find X9 launch, the OPPO Find X9 Ultra will soon be available in India, bringing some exciting changes to the device, specifically aimed at boosting its camera performance. The firm is shifting its focus to hardware to enhance optical zoom capabilities, rather than relying too heavily on software.



The star attraction is QPPS, a new periscope architecture that enhances the feasibility of extended-range optical zoom. In most smartphones, optical zoom is achieved using a single prism that deflects the light path horizontally. Although this design boosts zoom range, it is constrained by the space available in the phone body.



What is QPPS?







The QPPS (Quintuple Prism Periscope Structure) is designed to extend zoom using a smarter internal setup. In the camera body, the light reflects five times before hitting the sensor, thereby increasing the length of the optical pathway. Furthermore, the OPPO Find X9 Ultra can increase its focal length without compromising its thinness. The phone, therefore, can achieve true 10x optical zoom, equivalent to a 230mm lens.



An additional benefit of optical zoom is its ability to maintain image quality. Since the zoom is handled by the camera hardware, there’s less need for cropping or digital enhancement. This leads to sharper and more natural images. In everyday use, it improves shots of distant subjects and creates a pleasing background blur. It also ensures that image quality doesn’t drop suddenly as you move between zoom levels.



A multi-reflection system improves zoom, but it also complicates light handling. Each reflection point can introduce distortion or scattered light, which can affect the final image. Without proper control, this could lead to reduced sharpness and contrast.



To overcome this, OPPO uses a refined optical design that keeps light under control throughout its path. By applying highly precise adjustments, the camera is less affected by light, ensuring image quality. It means that you can take better shots with high zoom levels.



Camera







The phone has a 200 MP resolution camera that delivers high-quality photos, a 3X zoom camera that is useful for shooting in low light, and an ultra-wide camera that captures a wider view.



These elements combine to form an equilibrium system applicable to various situations. In cases where one is shooting portraits, scenery, or distant objects, the camera can do all that. Moreover, it features 4K Dolby Vision video recording capabilities, hence being suitable for photography and video recording.



Software



In this camera system, software plays a supporting role. The LUMO Image Engine focuses on refining the image rather than artificially generating details. Instead of using software to create details that do not exist in the image, the technology uses high-powered hardware to generate the main image. This helps create a more realistic image with natural details. Afterward, the software is used to enhance the final image through minor adjustments to colors and brightness.



Software often plays a bigger role than the camera hardware itself. However, OPPO approaches this issue from a different angle, focusing more on hardware advancements. It results in more realistic and natural pictures. Also, there is better performance during long-range zoom operations.

#OPPO #Find #Ultra #Camera #Details #Revealed #Ahead #India #LaunchOppo

The QPPS (Quintuple Prism Periscope Structure) is designed to extend zoom using a smarter internal setup. In the camera body, the light reflects five times before hitting the sensor, thereby increasing the length of the optical pathway. Furthermore, the OPPO Find X9 Ultra can increase its focal length without compromising its thinness. The phone, therefore, can achieve true 10x optical zoom, equivalent to a 230mm lens.

An additional benefit of optical zoom is its ability to maintain image quality. Since the zoom is handled by the camera hardware, there’s less need for cropping or digital enhancement. This leads to sharper and more natural images. In everyday use, it improves shots of distant subjects and creates a pleasing background blur. It also ensures that image quality doesn’t drop suddenly as you move between zoom levels.

A multi-reflection system improves zoom, but it also complicates light handling. Each reflection point can introduce distortion or scattered light, which can affect the final image. Without proper control, this could lead to reduced sharpness and contrast.

To overcome this, OPPO uses a refined optical design that keeps light under control throughout its path. By applying highly precise adjustments, the camera is less affected by light, ensuring image quality. It means that you can take better shots with high zoom levels.

Camera

Hasselblad Imaging System

The phone has a 200 MP resolution camera that delivers high-quality photos, a 3X zoom camera that is useful for shooting in low light, and an ultra-wide camera that captures a wider view.

These elements combine to form an equilibrium system applicable to various situations. In cases where one is shooting portraits, scenery, or distant objects, the camera can do all that. Moreover, it features 4K Dolby Vision video recording capabilities, hence being suitable for photography and video recording.

Software

In this camera system, software plays a supporting role. The LUMO Image Engine focuses on refining the image rather than artificially generating details. Instead of using software to create details that do not exist in the image, the technology uses high-powered hardware to generate the main image. This helps create a more realistic image with natural details. Afterward, the software is used to enhance the final image through minor adjustments to colors and brightness.

Software often plays a bigger role than the camera hardware itself. However, OPPO approaches this issue from a different angle, focusing more on hardware advancements. It results in more realistic and natural pictures. Also, there is better performance during long-range zoom operations.

#OPPO #Find #Ultra #Camera #Details #Revealed #Ahead #India #LaunchOppo

The original mysterious black box wasn’t an AI model at all, but the Kaaba, the black cube at the center of the Sacred Mosque of Mecca. Prior to Muhammad’s conquest of Mecca, the Kaaba was a sort of all-purpose repository of 360 sacred symbols from around the region. If you were, say, a busy merchant on his way to Medina, whatever the great spiritual truths of the universe may be, they were in there somewhere, so a prayer to the Kaaba had you covered in the god department and you were good to go.

Anthropic seems to be doing something along these lines with Claude.

Last week, representatives from Anthropic—along with OpenAI—attended an event in New York called the “Faith-AI Covenant” roundtable. The New York Board of Rabbis, the Hindu Temple Society of North America, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the U.S.-based Sikh Coalition, and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America were all in attendance.

Last month, I wrote about a series of meetings and dinners Anthropic organized with a collection of 15 Christian leaders. Anthropic was looking for advice from the Christians, and guidance on the supposed “spiritual development” of its Claude AI model. At the time Anthropic said it was working on arranging meetings with moral thinkers who represented other groups.

It’s not clear from a fresh Associated Press piece about the Faith-AI Covenant meeting whether these latest conversations with religious leaders and the earlier meetings with Christians were part of a single coherent program at Anthropic, and whether the staff members who participated in the Christian summit participated in this one as well. Gizmodo asked Anthropic for clarity about this on Saturday, but Anthropic did not return our request as of this writing.

The Associated Press also says OpenAI and Anthropic “initiated outreach,” but also that a Swiss NGO called the Interfaith Alliance for Safer Communities organized it, and has plans for future events along similar lines in China, Kenya and the United Arab Emirates. Also mentioned as a “key partner” was Baroness Joanna Shields, a member of the British House of Lords.

There’s not a single clear takeaway in the AP story—no religious instructions laid out by all these spiritual leaders. But what Anthropic calls Claude’s constitution includes a dissection of the philosophically fraught moral work Anthropic is at least trying to do by injecting morals into a machine: getting it to make the decision of a person with perfect values when there’s no way to write a rule for a situation that arises, and the consequences of making the wrong decision could be dire. This, Anthropic writes, is “centrally because we worry that our efforts to give Claude good enough ethical values will fail.”

To this end, the Associated Press story extracts some quietly devastating commentary from Rumman Chowdhury, CEO of a nonprofit called Humane Intelligence: “I think a very naive take that Silicon Valley has had for a couple of years related to generative AI was that we could arrive at some sort of universal principles of ethics,” Chowdhury told the AP, adding, “They have very quickly realized that that’s just not true. That’s not real. So now they’re looking at maybe religion as a way of dealing with the ambiguity of ethically gray situations.”

They are indeed looking at maybe religion. But it’s hard to picture Anthropic coming away from these meetings converted, and inserting one set of specific religious doctrines into Claude. They’re just trying to glean high order ethical truths, and demonstrating to the world that they’ve—ostensibly—left no stone unturned in searching for them.

Your mileage will vary on whether you think a machine charged with making decisions or giving important advice would, when the chips are down, be able to synthesize ideal morals thanks to meetings its creators held with administrators from some of humanity’s premier religions. It probably can’t hurt, sorta like nodding at the pre-Islamic Kaaba. But then again, only God knows for sure.

#Anthropic #Added #Religions #Quest #Inject #Perfect #Morals #ClaudeArtificial intelligence,religion">Anthropic Has Added Several More Religions on Its Quest to Inject Perfect Morals into Claude
                The original mysterious black box wasn’t an AI model at all, but the Kaaba, the black cube at the center of the Sacred Mosque of Mecca. Prior to Muhammad’s conquest of Mecca, the Kaaba was a sort of all-purpose repository of 360 sacred symbols from around the region. If you were, say, a busy merchant on his way to Medina, whatever the great spiritual truths of the universe may be, they were in there somewhere, so a prayer to the Kaaba had you covered in the god department and you were good to go. Anthropic seems to be doing something along these lines with Claude. Last week, representatives from Anthropic—along with OpenAI—attended an event in New York called the “Faith-AI Covenant” roundtable. The New York Board of Rabbis, the Hindu Temple Society of North America, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the U.S.-based Sikh Coalition, and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America were all in attendance.

 Last month, I wrote about a series of meetings and dinners Anthropic organized with a collection of 15 Christian leaders. Anthropic was looking for advice from the Christians, and guidance on the supposed “spiritual development” of its Claude AI model. At the time Anthropic said it was working on arranging meetings with moral thinkers who represented other groups. It’s not clear from a fresh Associated Press piece about the Faith-AI Covenant meeting whether these latest conversations with religious leaders and the earlier meetings with Christians were part of a single coherent program at Anthropic, and whether the staff members who participated in the Christian summit participated in this one as well. Gizmodo asked Anthropic for clarity about this on Saturday, but Anthropic did not return our request as of this writing.

 The Associated Press also says OpenAI and Anthropic “initiated outreach,” but also that a Swiss NGO called the Interfaith Alliance for Safer Communities organized it, and has plans for future events along similar lines in China, Kenya and the United Arab Emirates. Also mentioned as a “key partner” was Baroness Joanna Shields, a member of the British House of Lords.

 There’s not a single clear takeaway in the AP story—no religious instructions laid out by all these spiritual leaders. But what Anthropic calls Claude’s constitution includes a dissection of the philosophically fraught moral work Anthropic is at least trying to do by injecting morals into a machine: getting it to make the decision of a person with perfect values when there’s no way to write a rule for a situation that arises, and the consequences of making the wrong decision could be dire. This, Anthropic writes, is “centrally because we worry that our efforts to give Claude good enough ethical values will fail.” To this end, the Associated Press story extracts some quietly devastating commentary from Rumman Chowdhury, CEO of a nonprofit called Humane Intelligence: “I think a very naive take that Silicon Valley has had for a couple of years related to generative AI was that we could arrive at some sort of universal principles of ethics,” Chowdhury told the AP, adding, “They have very quickly realized that that’s just not true. That’s not real. So now they’re looking at maybe religion as a way of dealing with the ambiguity of ethically gray situations.”

 They are indeed looking at maybe religion. But it’s hard to picture Anthropic coming away from these meetings converted, and inserting one set of specific religious doctrines into Claude. They’re just trying to glean high order ethical truths, and demonstrating to the world that they’ve—ostensibly—left no stone unturned in searching for them. Your mileage will vary on whether you think a machine charged with making decisions or giving important advice would, when the chips are down, be able to synthesize ideal morals thanks to meetings its creators held with administrators from some of humanity’s premier religions. It probably can’t hurt, sorta like nodding at the pre-Islamic Kaaba. But then again, only God knows for sure.      #Anthropic #Added #Religions #Quest #Inject #Perfect #Morals #ClaudeArtificial intelligence,religion

was a sort of all-purpose repository of 360 sacred symbols from around the region. If you were, say, a busy merchant on his way to Medina, whatever the great spiritual truths of the universe may be, they were in there somewhere, so a prayer to the Kaaba had you covered in the god department and you were good to go.

Anthropic seems to be doing something along these lines with Claude.

Last week, representatives from Anthropic—along with OpenAI—attended an event in New York called the “Faith-AI Covenant” roundtable. The New York Board of Rabbis, the Hindu Temple Society of North America, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the U.S.-based Sikh Coalition, and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America were all in attendance.

Last month, I wrote about a series of meetings and dinners Anthropic organized with a collection of 15 Christian leaders. Anthropic was looking for advice from the Christians, and guidance on the supposed “spiritual development” of its Claude AI model. At the time Anthropic said it was working on arranging meetings with moral thinkers who represented other groups.

It’s not clear from a fresh Associated Press piece about the Faith-AI Covenant meeting whether these latest conversations with religious leaders and the earlier meetings with Christians were part of a single coherent program at Anthropic, and whether the staff members who participated in the Christian summit participated in this one as well. Gizmodo asked Anthropic for clarity about this on Saturday, but Anthropic did not return our request as of this writing.

The Associated Press also says OpenAI and Anthropic “initiated outreach,” but also that a Swiss NGO called the Interfaith Alliance for Safer Communities organized it, and has plans for future events along similar lines in China, Kenya and the United Arab Emirates. Also mentioned as a “key partner” was Baroness Joanna Shields, a member of the British House of Lords.

There’s not a single clear takeaway in the AP story—no religious instructions laid out by all these spiritual leaders. But what Anthropic calls Claude’s constitution includes a dissection of the philosophically fraught moral work Anthropic is at least trying to do by injecting morals into a machine: getting it to make the decision of a person with perfect values when there’s no way to write a rule for a situation that arises, and the consequences of making the wrong decision could be dire. This, Anthropic writes, is “centrally because we worry that our efforts to give Claude good enough ethical values will fail.”

To this end, the Associated Press story extracts some quietly devastating commentary from Rumman Chowdhury, CEO of a nonprofit called Humane Intelligence: “I think a very naive take that Silicon Valley has had for a couple of years related to generative AI was that we could arrive at some sort of universal principles of ethics,” Chowdhury told the AP, adding, “They have very quickly realized that that’s just not true. That’s not real. So now they’re looking at maybe religion as a way of dealing with the ambiguity of ethically gray situations.”

They are indeed looking at maybe religion. But it’s hard to picture Anthropic coming away from these meetings converted, and inserting one set of specific religious doctrines into Claude. They’re just trying to glean high order ethical truths, and demonstrating to the world that they’ve—ostensibly—left no stone unturned in searching for them.

Your mileage will vary on whether you think a machine charged with making decisions or giving important advice would, when the chips are down, be able to synthesize ideal morals thanks to meetings its creators held with administrators from some of humanity’s premier religions. It probably can’t hurt, sorta like nodding at the pre-Islamic Kaaba. But then again, only God knows for sure.

#Anthropic #Added #Religions #Quest #Inject #Perfect #Morals #ClaudeArtificial intelligence,religion">Anthropic Has Added Several More Religions on Its Quest to Inject Perfect Morals into ClaudeAnthropic Has Added Several More Religions on Its Quest to Inject Perfect Morals into Claude
                The original mysterious black box wasn’t an AI model at all, but the Kaaba, the black cube at the center of the Sacred Mosque of Mecca. Prior to Muhammad’s conquest of Mecca, the Kaaba was a sort of all-purpose repository of 360 sacred symbols from around the region. If you were, say, a busy merchant on his way to Medina, whatever the great spiritual truths of the universe may be, they were in there somewhere, so a prayer to the Kaaba had you covered in the god department and you were good to go. Anthropic seems to be doing something along these lines with Claude. Last week, representatives from Anthropic—along with OpenAI—attended an event in New York called the “Faith-AI Covenant” roundtable. The New York Board of Rabbis, the Hindu Temple Society of North America, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the U.S.-based Sikh Coalition, and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America were all in attendance.

 Last month, I wrote about a series of meetings and dinners Anthropic organized with a collection of 15 Christian leaders. Anthropic was looking for advice from the Christians, and guidance on the supposed “spiritual development” of its Claude AI model. At the time Anthropic said it was working on arranging meetings with moral thinkers who represented other groups. It’s not clear from a fresh Associated Press piece about the Faith-AI Covenant meeting whether these latest conversations with religious leaders and the earlier meetings with Christians were part of a single coherent program at Anthropic, and whether the staff members who participated in the Christian summit participated in this one as well. Gizmodo asked Anthropic for clarity about this on Saturday, but Anthropic did not return our request as of this writing.

 The Associated Press also says OpenAI and Anthropic “initiated outreach,” but also that a Swiss NGO called the Interfaith Alliance for Safer Communities organized it, and has plans for future events along similar lines in China, Kenya and the United Arab Emirates. Also mentioned as a “key partner” was Baroness Joanna Shields, a member of the British House of Lords.

 There’s not a single clear takeaway in the AP story—no religious instructions laid out by all these spiritual leaders. But what Anthropic calls Claude’s constitution includes a dissection of the philosophically fraught moral work Anthropic is at least trying to do by injecting morals into a machine: getting it to make the decision of a person with perfect values when there’s no way to write a rule for a situation that arises, and the consequences of making the wrong decision could be dire. This, Anthropic writes, is “centrally because we worry that our efforts to give Claude good enough ethical values will fail.” To this end, the Associated Press story extracts some quietly devastating commentary from Rumman Chowdhury, CEO of a nonprofit called Humane Intelligence: “I think a very naive take that Silicon Valley has had for a couple of years related to generative AI was that we could arrive at some sort of universal principles of ethics,” Chowdhury told the AP, adding, “They have very quickly realized that that’s just not true. That’s not real. So now they’re looking at maybe religion as a way of dealing with the ambiguity of ethically gray situations.”

 They are indeed looking at maybe religion. But it’s hard to picture Anthropic coming away from these meetings converted, and inserting one set of specific religious doctrines into Claude. They’re just trying to glean high order ethical truths, and demonstrating to the world that they’ve—ostensibly—left no stone unturned in searching for them. Your mileage will vary on whether you think a machine charged with making decisions or giving important advice would, when the chips are down, be able to synthesize ideal morals thanks to meetings its creators held with administrators from some of humanity’s premier religions. It probably can’t hurt, sorta like nodding at the pre-Islamic Kaaba. But then again, only God knows for sure.      #Anthropic #Added #Religions #Quest #Inject #Perfect #Morals #ClaudeArtificial intelligence,religion

The original mysterious black box wasn’t an AI model at all, but the Kaaba, the black cube at the center of the Sacred Mosque of Mecca. Prior to Muhammad’s conquest of Mecca, the Kaaba was a sort of all-purpose repository of 360 sacred symbols from around the region. If you were, say, a busy merchant on his way to Medina, whatever the great spiritual truths of the universe may be, they were in there somewhere, so a prayer to the Kaaba had you covered in the god department and you were good to go.

Anthropic seems to be doing something along these lines with Claude.

Last week, representatives from Anthropic—along with OpenAI—attended an event in New York called the “Faith-AI Covenant” roundtable. The New York Board of Rabbis, the Hindu Temple Society of North America, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the U.S.-based Sikh Coalition, and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America were all in attendance.

Last month, I wrote about a series of meetings and dinners Anthropic organized with a collection of 15 Christian leaders. Anthropic was looking for advice from the Christians, and guidance on the supposed “spiritual development” of its Claude AI model. At the time Anthropic said it was working on arranging meetings with moral thinkers who represented other groups.

It’s not clear from a fresh Associated Press piece about the Faith-AI Covenant meeting whether these latest conversations with religious leaders and the earlier meetings with Christians were part of a single coherent program at Anthropic, and whether the staff members who participated in the Christian summit participated in this one as well. Gizmodo asked Anthropic for clarity about this on Saturday, but Anthropic did not return our request as of this writing.

The Associated Press also says OpenAI and Anthropic “initiated outreach,” but also that a Swiss NGO called the Interfaith Alliance for Safer Communities organized it, and has plans for future events along similar lines in China, Kenya and the United Arab Emirates. Also mentioned as a “key partner” was Baroness Joanna Shields, a member of the British House of Lords.

There’s not a single clear takeaway in the AP story—no religious instructions laid out by all these spiritual leaders. But what Anthropic calls Claude’s constitution includes a dissection of the philosophically fraught moral work Anthropic is at least trying to do by injecting morals into a machine: getting it to make the decision of a person with perfect values when there’s no way to write a rule for a situation that arises, and the consequences of making the wrong decision could be dire. This, Anthropic writes, is “centrally because we worry that our efforts to give Claude good enough ethical values will fail.”

To this end, the Associated Press story extracts some quietly devastating commentary from Rumman Chowdhury, CEO of a nonprofit called Humane Intelligence: “I think a very naive take that Silicon Valley has had for a couple of years related to generative AI was that we could arrive at some sort of universal principles of ethics,” Chowdhury told the AP, adding, “They have very quickly realized that that’s just not true. That’s not real. So now they’re looking at maybe religion as a way of dealing with the ambiguity of ethically gray situations.”

They are indeed looking at maybe religion. But it’s hard to picture Anthropic coming away from these meetings converted, and inserting one set of specific religious doctrines into Claude. They’re just trying to glean high order ethical truths, and demonstrating to the world that they’ve—ostensibly—left no stone unturned in searching for them.

Your mileage will vary on whether you think a machine charged with making decisions or giving important advice would, when the chips are down, be able to synthesize ideal morals thanks to meetings its creators held with administrators from some of humanity’s premier religions. It probably can’t hurt, sorta like nodding at the pre-Islamic Kaaba. But then again, only God knows for sure.

#Anthropic #Added #Religions #Quest #Inject #Perfect #Morals #ClaudeArtificial intelligence,religion

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