AI Could Become Therapists' Secret Weapon

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Hi, friends!

Welcome to Cybermind Nexus Weekly, your guide to the best in the world of psychology of AI & cybersecurity. To our new readers, a warm welcome to you! Dive into our rich archive of weekly and special editions available on the Cybermind Nexus homepage, where a wealth of knowledge awaits.

This week, we've seen a whirlwind of developments and breakthroughs in the ever-evolving landscapes of AI psychology and cybersecurity. From groundbreaking AI research to emerging trends in cyberpsychology, we've gathered the most impactful stories to keep you informed and ahead of the curve.

In today’s edition:

• From MotherNet's Revolutionary Training to OpenAI's Superintelligence Control and FAL's Real-Time Face Conversion

• Global Cyberthreats Escalate: From 'Indestructible' Botnets to New Cybercrime Markets and State-Sponsored Attacks

• Navigating the Digital Dilemma: Social Media's Impact on Mental Health and the Rise of Cyber-Syndrome

• AI Could Become Therapists' Secret Weapon

• Emoji Effect

And don’t forget to tell us what you thought about today’s newsletter at the end! 

— Tom

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• Researchers propose a hypernetwork architecture that they call MotherNet, trained on millions of classification tasks, that, once prompted with a never-seen-before training set generates the weights of a trained ``child'' neural-network. The child network generated by MotherNet using in-context learning outperforms neural networks trained using gradient descent on small datasets, and is competitive with predictions by TabPFN and standard ML methods like Gradient Boosting. Heavy metal stuff!! Read more

• OpenAI, a leading AI research institute, has formed a team focused on controlling AI that surpasses human intelligence. This team, known as the Superalignment team, is working on developing governance and control frameworks for superintelligent AI systems. The concept of superintelligence, while still theoretical, represents a significant leap in AI capabilities. OpenAI is also launching a $10 million grant program to support research in this area, highlighting the importance and urgency of this work. Read more

• This is insane what Fal.ai made. Real-time face conversion is here and you can try it directly righ now. FAL is an Abu Dhabi-based company focusing on innovative artificial intelligence solutions across multiple industries.

• The Chinese APT Volt Typhoon has been linked to an “impossible to kill” botnet that is reportedly packed with end-of-life SOHO routers, threat hunters found. Read more

• A new cybercrime marketplace called OLVX is gaining population among hackers, as it has emerged as a quick way to purchases tools for online fraud and cyberattacks. Read more

• A Russian hacking group has claimed responsibility for the attack that recently took out a Ukrainian mobile operator. Ukraine claims the hacker group has ties to Russian intelligence. Read more

• The Russian foreign intelligence service has been spotted exploiting the JetBrains vulnerability. Read more

  • Adding context:

    • Agencies in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Poland explained that the hacker group tracked as APT29 or Cozy Bears has exploited the JetBrains vulnerability.

    • The vulnerability was previously used by North Korea government attributed hackers.

• Research has repeatedly shown a strong link between social media use and unhappiness. Stepping away from social media is described as an ultimate act of liberation, with the potential to reclaim creative brilliance and improve mental health. The article from Psychology Today outlines a three-step process to reduce social media dependency, emphasizing the benefits of distancing from these platforms for overall wellbeing. Read more

• A study published in the Cyberpsychology: Journal of Psychosocial Research on Cyberspace has uncovered a significant relationship between social surveillance on Snapchat and mental health outcomes in young people. The study focused on 16- to 25-year-olds, highlighting the role of "fear of missing out" (FOMO) as a mediating factor in the negative impacts of social media surveillance behaviors. This underscores the need for tailored digital wellness strategies to address these issues. Read more

• The concept of Cyber-Syndrome, a collection of disorders due to excessive or problematic interactions in cyberspace, has been proposed. This concept is based on Cyber-Physical-Social-Thinking (CPST) theories and examines the effects of social media and mobile computing on users' physical, social, and mental states. The study aims to provide a deeper understanding of these cyber disorders and suggests entropy-based control mechanisms for their management​. Read more

AI Could Become Therapists' Secret Weapon

Recent advances in generative AI like ChatGPT have shown these systems can mimic therapeutic conversations. Though risky ethically, some believe AI could help therapists better empathize and make breakthroughs with clients.

I'd be fascinated but cautious about this application, since mental health is so nuanced. AI may lack human wisdom and judgment.

Still, the potential is intriguing if implemented carefully. AI could allow more access to therapy and supplement human counselors. But it shouldn't replace the empathy of a living, breathing therapist.

Mental health is deeply personal. We must ensure human connection remains integral, while judiciously tapping AI's benefits.

The future could see innovative human-AI collaboration in therapy - if we act deliberately.

Read more

The Emoji Effect

Mark your calendars for an enlightening journey into the world of digital communication with my upcoming article, "The Emoji Effect," publishing this Wednesday. Delve into the history, cultural impact, and surprising significance of emojis in forming online relationships. Whether it's through dating apps or daily interactions, discover how these colorful symbols facilitate emotional expression and connection in the digital realm. Get ready to explore the intricate role emojis play in our digital lives and their powerful influence on modern communication. Stay tuned! 📅💬🌐

Recent Reads Showcase

• A 2000 study found that the average online attention span was 12 seconds, but by 2015, it had dropped to just 8.25 seconds, which is even shorter than that of a goldfish at 9 seconds.

• People are more likely to disclose private information in safe online locations than they are to their closest friends, highlighting the unique dynamics of online interactions and trust​.

• Online environments can amplify emotions and behaviors. The consequences seem less significant, making it easier to express anger or form quickly bonded groups. This reflects the heightened intensity of digital interactions​.

I hope you've enjoyed this blend of cutting-edge technology, psychology, and some fun facts I shared. I'm excited about what's in store for our next edition, where I'll continue to bring you interesting updates from the world of cybersecurity, cyberpsychology, AI, and more. Thank you for being a part of our community, and until next time, stay curious and stay safe!

Have a wonderful week!

Tom