Summary of WSJ Tech News Briefing Episode: "How AI Will Change Personal Tech in 2025"
Release Date: December 30, 2024
Host: Danny Lewis
Guest: Nicole Nguyen, Personal Tech Columnist
The Wall Street Journal’s Tech News Briefing delves into the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in personal technology as we approach 2025. Hosted by Danny Lewis, the episode features insightful discussions with personal tech columnist Nicole Nguyen, exploring advancements in weather forecasting, the rise of AI-driven scams, and innovations in health and longevity tech.
1. AI Revolutionizing Weather Forecasting
Nicole Nguyen opens the conversation by addressing the persistent inaccuracies in weather apps. Traditionally, a 10-day forecast has only about a 50% accuracy rate according to NOAA. However, this is set to change dramatically with Google's DeepMind introducing Gencast, an AI-powered weather forecasting tool.
Nicole Nguyen [01:22]: "Google's machine learning-based weather model Gencast produces forecasts up to 15 days in advance that were 97% better than one of these traditionally used models."
Gencast leverages advanced machine learning and the computational prowess of Google Cloud TPUs (Tensor Processing Units), enabling it to generate accurate forecasts in approximately eight minutes—a stark contrast to the hours required by traditional supercomputers processing European and US weather models.
Nicole Nguyen [02:16]: "Gencast can predict up to 15 days in advance and that's a leap beyond current predictions... Gencast was fed data from this medium-range European model and it also takes current observations."
DeepMind has made the Gencast code open source, allowing public access and utilization. Danny Lewis highlights that real-time forecasts from Gencast are expected to be available to the public in early 2025.
2. Enhanced Hurricane Predictions by NOAA
Building on the theme of improved weather forecasting, Nicole discusses NOAA’s advancements in hurricane season predictions. In 2024, NOAA achieved its most accurate hurricane season forecast to date, thanks to enhanced modeling and data capture techniques. This progress ensures better preparedness and response strategies for regions vulnerable to hurricanes in 2025.
Nicole Nguyen [03:44]: "Advancements in modeling and data capture... NOAA made its most accurate hurricane season prediction ever in 2024."
3. The Dark Side of AI: Rise of Scammers
Transitioning to cybersecurity concerns, the discussion shifts to how AI advancements might empower scammers. Nicole warns that generative AI and deepfake technologies are being exploited to create convincing fraudulent communications.
Nicole Nguyen [05:18]: "Generative AI has changed a lot of things and now fraudsters are using deepfake technology to recreate your boss's voice or their likeness on video."
A notable case involved a finance worker in Hong Kong who inadvertently transferred $25 million to fraudsters through a deceptive internal company call enhanced by deepfake technology.
Nicole Nguyen [05:18]: "One finance worker in Hong Kong paid out $25 million to fraudsters who use this kind of deepfake technology."
Everyday scams are also becoming more sophisticated, with AI helping criminals refine their language and create legitimate-looking websites to deceive victims into transferring funds.
Nicole Nguyen [06:18]: "Scammers are using generative AI just to fix their language so there are no more linguistic mistakes... You think it’s your company payroll vendor but it’s actually fraudsters."
4. Protecting Yourself Against AI-Powered Scams
In response to these growing threats, Nicole offers practical advice for safeguarding against AI-driven scams:
- Establish a Safe Word: Implement a secure word or phrase with colleagues to verify the authenticity of unexpected requests.
- Verify Through Multiple Channels: If you receive a suspicious message, contact the sender directly through a known phone number or email.
- Strengthen Passwords: Use robust, unique passwords for all sensitive accounts and consider a password manager for enhanced security.
Nicole Nguyen [07:09]: "Strengthen all of your passwords, especially your most sensitive ones... If you don't have a password manager yet, it is a great time to get started with one."
5. AI in Health Tech: Extending Health Span
Shifting focus to health technology, Nicole introduces the concept of health span—the period of life spent in good health, free from chronic diseases. AI is playing a pivotal role in measuring and enhancing health span through various innovative tools.
- Wearables: Devices like Aura and Fitbit now estimate cardiovascular age based on heart rate metrics.
- AI Face Age Tests: Companies like Novo Labs offer apps that analyze selfies to predict biological age.
- Deathclock App: Launching in 2025, this app provides users with visual predictions of their appearance at age 70 under different lifestyle scenarios.
Nicole Nguyen [07:48]: "Deathclock next year will have this tool that will show you what you will look like at 70 with good habits and with bad habits."
6. Trends in the Longevity Business
The longevity sector is booming with innovations aimed at extending health span. Nicole highlights two significant trends:
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Continuous Glucose Monitoring for Non-Diabetics: Devices resembling skin stickers continuously monitor blood sugar levels, helping users manage and prevent chronic issues related to blood sugar spikes.
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AI-Powered Dietary and Lifestyle Insights:
- January AI: Showcasing at CES, this app allows users to take photos of their meals, using generative AI to predict blood sugar responses.
- Stello by Dexcom: A needle-based sensor integrated with Google Gemini offers comprehensive insights by correlating blood sugar levels with sleep patterns, eating habits, and other lifestyle factors.
Nicole Nguyen [08:57]: "One is an app called January AI... Another is a needle-based sensor called Stello, which is from a company called Dexcom."
These advancements empower individuals to take proactive steps in managing their health, potentially extending their health span through informed lifestyle choices.
Conclusion
As AI continues to permeate various aspects of personal technology, the upcoming year promises significant enhancements in weather forecasting, health monitoring, and beyond. However, these advancements come with increased cybersecurity risks, necessitating heightened vigilance and proactive measures to ensure safety. The insights shared by Nicole Nguyen underscore the dual-edged nature of AI's evolution—offering remarkable benefits while introducing new challenges.
Produced by Julie Chang and supervising producer Kathryn Millsap. For more updates, stay tuned to the Wall Street Journal’s Tech News Briefing.