When the line between machine and artist becomes blurred

When the line between machine and bewegungsknstler becomes blurredWhen the line between machine and akrobat becomes blurredWith AI becoming incorporated into more aspects of our daily lives, from writing to driving, its only natural that akrobats would also start to experiment with artificial intelligence.In fact, Christies will be selling its first piece of AI art later this month a blurred face titled Portrait of Edmond Belamy.The piece being sold at Christies is part of a new wave of AI art created via machine learning. Paris-based akrobats Hugo Caselles-Dupr, Pierre Fautrel and Gauthier Vernier fed thousands of portraits into an algorithm, teaching it the aesthetics of past examples of portraiture. The algorithm then created Portrait of Edmond Belamy.The painting is not the product of a human mind, Christies noted in its preview. It welches created by artificial intelligence, an algorithm defined by an algebraic formula.If artificial intelligence is used to create images, can th e final product really be thought of as art? Should there be a threshold of influence over the final product that an artist needs to wield?As the director of the Art AI Lab at Rutgers University, Ive been wrestling with these questions specifically, the point at which the artist should cede credit to the machine.The machines enroll in art classOver the last 50 years, several artists have written computer programs to generate art what I call algorithmic art. It requires the artist to write detailed code with an actual visual outcome in mind.One of the earliest practitioners of this form is Harold Cohen, who wrote the program AARON to produce drawings that followed a set of rules Cohen had created.But the AI art that has emerged over the past couple of years incorporates machine learning technology.Artists create algorithms not to follow a set of rules, but to learn a specific aesthetic by analyzing thousands of images. The algorithm then tries to generate new images in adherence t o the aesthetics it has learned.To begin, the artist chooses a collection of images to feed the algorithm, a step I call pre-curation.For the purpose of this example, lets say the artist chooses traditional portraits from the past 500 years.Most of the AI artworks that have emerged over the past few years have used a class of algorithms called generative adversarial networks. First introduced by computer scientist Ian Goodfellow in 2014, these algorithms are called adversarial because there are two sides to them One generates random images the other has been taught, via the input, how to judge these images and deem which best align with the input.So the portraits from the past 500 years are fed into a generative AI algorithm that tries to imitate these inputs. The algorithms then come back with a range of output images, and the artist must sift through them and select those he or she wishes to use, a step I call post-curation.So there is an modul of creativity The artist is very inv olved in pre- and post-curation. The artist might also tweak the algorithm as needed to generate the desired outputs.When creating AI art, the artists hand is involved in the selection of input images, tweaking the algorithm and then choosing from those that have been generated. Ahmed Elgammal, Author providedSerendipity or malfunction?The generative algorithm can produce images that surprise even the artist presiding over the process.For example, a generative adversarial network being fed portraits could end up producing a series of deformed faces.What should we make of this?Psychologist Daniel E. Berlyne has studied the psychology of aesthetics for several decades. He found that novelty, surprise, complexity, ambiguity and eccentricity tend to be the most powerful stimuli in works of art.When fed portraits from the last five centuries, an AI generative model can spit out deformed faces. Ahmed Elgammal, Author providedThe generated portraits from the generative adversarial network with all of the deformed faces are certainly novel, surprising and bizarre.They also evoke British figurative painter Francis Bacons famous deformed portraits, such as Three Studies for a Portrait of Henrietta Moraes.Three Studies for the Portrait of Henrietta Moraes, Francis Bacon, 1963. MoMABut theres something missing in the deformed, machine-made faces intent.While it was Bacons intent to make his faces deformed, the deformed faces we see in the example of AI art arent necessarily the goal of the artist nor the machine. What we are looking at are instances in which the machine has failed to properly imitate a human face, and has instead spit out some surprising deformities.Yet this is exactly the sort of image that Christies is auctioning.A form of conceptual artDoes this outcome really indicate a lack of intent?I would argue that the intent lies in the process, even if it doesnt appear in the final image.For example, to create The Fall of the House of Usher, artist Anna Ridle r took stills from a 1929 film version of the Edgar Allen Poe short story The Fall of the House of Usher. She made ink drawings from the still frames and fed them into a generative model, which produced a series of new images that she then arranged into a short film.Another example is Mario Klingemanns The Butchers Son, a nude portrait that was generated by feeding the algorithm images of stick figures and images of pornography.On the left A still from The Fall of the House of Usher by Anna Ridler. On the right The Butchers Son by Mario Klingemann.I use these two examples to show how artists can really play with these AI tools in any number of ways. While the final images might have surprised the artists, they didnt come out of nowhere There was a process behind them, and there was certainly an element of intent.Nonetheless, many are skeptical of AI art. Pulitzer Prize-winning art critic Jerry Saltz has said he finds the art produced by AI artist boring and dull, including The Butch ers Son.Perhaps theyre correct in some cases. In the deformed portraits, for example, you could argue that the resulting images arent all that interesting Theyre really just imitations with a twist of pre-curated inputs.But its not just about the final image. Its about the creative process one that involves an artist and a machine collaborating to explore new visual forms in revolutionary ways.For this reason, I have no doubt that this is conceptual art, a form that dates back to the 1960s, in which the idea behind the work and the process is more important than the outcome.As for The Butchers Son, one of the pieces Saltz derided as boring?It recently won the Lumen Prize, a prize dedicated for art created with technology.As much as some critics might decry the trend, it seems that AI art is here to stay.Ahmed Elgammal, Professor of Computer Vision, Rutgers UniversityThis article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Sexual Harassment Is Unacceptable, Regardless of Gender

Sexual Harassment Is Unacceptable, Regardless of GenderSexual Harassment Is Unacceptable, Regardless of Gender Can a female boss be found guilty of sexually harassing a young male employee? Can a gay man be successfully sued for sexually harassing his gay male subordinate? Can a woman sexually harass another woman?The answer to all of these questions is a resounding yes. It may seem obvious to some that harassment is harassment is harassment, but just a few short years ago, many workplaces and even courts routinely disregarded or dismissed such complaints, considering them unlikely, impossible or not worthy of serious attention.Fortunately, cultural shifts are bringing the justice system into line with the fact that anyone can be a harasser or a victim. In 1993, attorney V. James DeSimone made a historic win when he successfully argued that his client, Wayne Mogilefsky, was being sexually harassed by his boss Michael Levy. Prior to that landmark case, the only publi shed decision in a male-on-male sexual harassment case dismissed it as horseplay. DeSimones case became a crucial step in paving the way for a 2013 California law recognizing that sexual harassment could in fact take place between persons of the same sex.Yet as recently as 2016, that idea hadnt fully gained traction, even in such bastions of gay rights as West Hollywood, Calif., where then-mayor John Duran faced a male-on-male sexual harassment lawsuit that the city paid $500,000 to settle. His re-election soon after the settlement prompted the Los Angeles Times to observe that West Hollywood, for many, seemed to be the town that MeToo forgot.But in 2019, as Duran faced new allegations of sexual harassment by members of the Gay Mens Chorus of Los Angeles, fed-up residents began calling for his ouster proof that change can eventually make it everywhere.As an employment attorney for nearly 15 years, I used to represent larger firms where management didnt believe harassment could exis t outside of the stereotypical male superior/female subordinate dynamic. Now, especially in light of the MeToo movements urgings that we view sexual harassment with the utmost seriousness, employers have begun to change their tune. Ive represented hundreds of employers, from small shops to Fortune 500 firms, and Ive seen first hand how views have shifted.No matter who the players in a sexual harassment matter may be, as an attorney, I give the same advice to all clients Write down what happened, what was said, where it was said, and who witnessed it. The typical cases come down to the proverbial he-said-she-said scenario no matter the genders involved so the better prepared you are, with more anecdotal evidence, recorded as soon as possible after an incident occurs, when memories are fresh the stronger your case.If you are in a public or shared area of your workspace, where there is not a reasonable expectation of privacy, you might consider recording a conversation. But this can get tricky legally, and in many states, its not legal to record phone conversations without the consent of both parties. Thats why email is my preferred method of documentation, especially since it includes a date stamp.Once you do so, the company has a duty to investigate, and it cannot legally retaliate against the complainant.Sadly, despite the law, many employers do attempt to retaliate against a complaining employee through suspensions, demotions, and even termination. Its not uncommon for someone who makes a harassment complaint to suddenly find themselves hit with bogus write-ups and worse. If an employee has a clean past employment record of disciplinary history, with promotions or raises, that history can serve as evidence that an employer is trying to retaliate against a whistleblower.Even though headline-grabbing stories like the Harvey Weinstein case focus on female subordinates harassed by male superiors, in my courtroom experience, todays jurors, especially younger ones, understand that anyone can be harassed. Everyone is much more aware than they were even five years ago that these issues arent limited by gender or sexual orientation, and that people should be treated the same and afforded the same rights.Raymond Babaian is the founding lebensgefhrte of Valiant Law . During his nearly 15 years in practice, he has gained expertise in litigation of employment, general liability, class action, construction, products, and general business litigation matters. He has written volumes of employment handbooks, construction and real estate disclosures and agreements, and general business contracts aimed to fully protect his clients.

How To Choose Between Great Job Candidates

How To Choose Between Great Job CandidatesHow To Choose Between Great Job CandidatesHow To Choose Between Great Job Candidates LewisWith the national unemployment rateremaining stubbornly high, you may have been faced with the daunting task of choosing from a pool of eligible applicants with the right interview questions. Some of these applicants maybe overqualified.How can you choose a candidate that will fulfill the jobs responsibilities and be a suitable match to yur company culture? By targeting your interview questions to align with your businesss needs.The following interview questions will help you navigate through a sea of gifted applicants, as you strive to hire top talentfor your organization.Sample Interview Questions Tell me about the fruchtwein significant challenges you have encountered throughout your career. How did you overcome these issues? What steps did you implement to resolve them? As the owner of a home health care business based in Rochester Hills, Mich., Penn y VanDette copes with the unavoidable challenges of many small business owners project overload and staff shortages. She looks for top talent who will consistently rise above such issues and exceed expectations.In her interviews, VanDette focuses on the candidates perceptions of past challenges and how they utilized their problem-solving skills. I am particularly interested in hiring candidates who are risk-takers and are able to creatively approach any problems they encounter on a daily basis, she says.Follow up with additional questionsDid you resolve past conflicts alone or with the assistance of fellow team members? Was there a positive outcome for both you and your former employer? How were you able to apply these lessons to other similar scenarios? Describe these scenarios and their ultimate outcomes. Sample Interview QuestionsHow did you contribute to the fiscal and business goals of your previous employers?How can you apply this experience to our organization? Small business owners must often rely on employees who can assist with day-by-day operations, including office management and budget implementation.Jill Morrone, owner of an educational supply company in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, pursues a line of interview questions that illustrate how the candidate benefited the fiscal and business goals of previous employers.I am generally interested in conducting further interviews with candidates who have positively contributed to past employers monetary and business objectives, while working as a distinguished team player, says Morrone.Potential follow-up interview questions to askHave you had the opportunity to assist with developing a budget? Did you offer to initiate cost-reduction strategies? How comfortable were you this role? Were your financial ideas well-received by your fellow colleagues? Were your ideas implemented? What was the outcome? As a result, were you perceived as a reliable team player? If so, how? Sample Interview Questions How have previous bosses viewed your work? Why?As the menschengerecht resources representative of a promotional product manufacturer in Troy, Mich., Herb Weidman pursues candidates who, throughout the interview process, willingly convey positive working relationships with former supervisors.Candidates should offer interviewers examples of evaluations they have received from past employers, says Weidman. It is always very helpful for candidates to bring such evaluations with them to interviews.Ask the candidate to recreate specific scenarios that best illustrate the reasons behind the positive feedback.Sample Interview Questions What are your current career goals? Are you interested in long-term or short-term employment? Do you see your career goals changing in the near future? The hiring processcan require significant time and resources to interview and employ suitable candidates.For Anthony Alichwer, owner of a small photography business in Easton, Penn., that means knowing your own busine sss needs and being sure that they align with the candidates personal timeline.If I have a long-term position available, I must hire a candidate focused on a long-term commitment. The same principle applies to short-term positions, says Alichwer. As an employer, you should fully know your candidates future goals and the ways in which these goals may positively or negatively impact your business.Additionally, consider askingDo you plan to further your education and hone your current skills? How will your educational pursuits improve my businesss operations in the future? As you go about interviewing candidates, these questions will enable you to streamline your applicant list and hire an individual you can depend on to develop your business goals in the future.

The 5 essential components of an effective apology

The 5 essential components of an effective apologyThe 5 essential components of an effective apologyWomenapologize way too much hey, were all socialized with that expectation. Because of this, one might think that when the times comes for us to say Im sorry to someone whoactuallydeserves it, wed be rockstars at it. But unfortunately, this isnt always the case. Saying these two little words can be quite a trying task, even when we really think we mean them and despite knowing that theyre imperative to mending and maintainingallof our relationships.Nick Hobson, director of science forPsychologyCompassand a behavioral scientist who researches emotional functioning, makes it simple with his step-by-step instructions.1. Do it face-to-faceAs it does most things, technology can convolute apologies too. For this reason, Hobson recommends you apologize to someone in partie rather than via email, text, or even a phone call. The sincerity in social cues will come through much more in person, he says. Theres far too much ambiguity in word use and tone that gets lost. It will only make things worse. An in-person apology might be intimidating, but in the end, you owe it to them.2. Actually mean itAnd, of course, for any apology to prove effective, the apologizer must be genuinely sorry for their words or actions. Fake apologies are fairly transparent, Hobson says, especially thanks to body language, tone, etc., if youre following instruction 1. As much as not apologizing for your words and actions will weaken a relationship, a feigned apology can tank things even faster.3. Take responsibilityMost people love talking about themselves, so why not keep it up when saying youre sorry? Cue the I statements The apology should include an acknowledgment of personal responsibility, explains Hobson. What a lot of people tend to do is offer an apology saying wheretheywent wrong. This will mean a lot more to a person than blaming their hurt feelings on an outside factor - or worse, on t hem.4. Provide contextThis is the one part of an apology when youre able to explain your understanding of where things went wrong and why. But this step leaves room for some big mistakes, such as, say, sounding like youre trying to justify or excuse your behavior. Ensure the context is about reassuring the person you hurt that you understand where you went wrong and how to prevent it from recurring - not about making yourself look better. After explaining what happened, the person apologizing should add the important caveat that, despite the rationale, they still recognize what they did was wrong, selfish, mean, etc., Hobson says.5. Make up for itAnyone whos received an empty apology has been able to identify it after the fact because the person kept up their problematic behavior. A person feeling wronged by another will be looking for some honest signal that says theyre not going to do it again, asserts Hobson. A key tactic, then, is to build in the apology, at the moment or short ly after, an act of generosity or kindness. Taking the time to ensure they feel appreciated and cared for by you after breaking their trust is paramount to rebuilding your relationship.Whats your Im sorry strategy? Let us knowBritandCo.This article first appeared on Brit + Co.

The Unexposed Secret of Cv Resume Sample

The Unexposed Secret of Cv Resume Sample Whispered Cv Resume Sample Secrets The resume format sample needs to be carried out well. You should understand, that resume format is critical, since it can boost your odds to get invited for an interview. Closing thoughts Your file format is a significant element to think about when sending out your resume. Each resume format was made to improve your odds to find the job in 2018. Cv Resume Sample No Longer a Mystery Utilize your CV to keep tabs on your accomplishments and publications so that its always up-to-date. Lets departure with a fast overview of resumes, as they are more familiar to the majority of American writers than CVs. Second, there are various fashions of resumes to consider. Second, there are various fashions of resumes to consider. Whether youre writing your very first curriculum vitae or revising a recent CV, a template can be exceedingly helpful. Faculty application packets demand a CV. You have to adapt your C V to the work ad content. So, you can want to think about maintaining a distinct CV which you use specifically for submitting with applications. Resume writing for women which are stay at home mothers and are trying to reevaluate the workforce could be tricky thing. Its very essential to know the sort of resumes preferred by the establishment that you need to work for. Its cool that youre searching for a job to have some money, but you need some difficulties with resume. If youre attempting to obtain work in accounting or finance you require averystrong resume. What You Need to Know About Cv Resume Sample Developing a CV based on your skills might be excellent concept, especially if youre a mature candidate who has an extensive collection of previous positions or in case you have a great deal of skills to give. Then you ought to write about the skills you possess which will help you with many facets of the job that you are applying for. It is possible to also mention your athletic skill below a distinct sub-heading. The extra skills can be in accord with the job or completely different. If work experience isnt your key highlight or whether youve got an inconsistent work history, its best advisable to start your resume with your qualifications. Some jobs have strict rules and standards about the writing of the CV, so be certain you find out the way to do it right the very first time. Simply because youve got zero experience or its your very first job. Various kinds of work in the food service industry require resumes with a number of the exact same skills. In america and Canada, theres a huge difference between a CV and a resume. Employing VisualCVs CV editor it is simple to switch from 1 template to another, and that means you can easily use the ideal template for the job every single time you apply. There are lots of free resume templates readily available on the web but sometimes it can be quite challenging to pick the best one that is most suited to you. Resume templates youll be able to download. Its possible to also see Resume Templates. Resume templates can be helpful in building your resumes. Word Resume templates are simple to find or spot on the web and can be downloaded for more use. When youre asking for a job which relies on the strengths of the person, you will need a resume template that you could inject a little more personality into to make it pop. There are more than merely a couple of pointers which you have to remember and fully adhere to when designing a resume even when youre employing a readymade template. Especially if you would like your resume to keep formatting and if are asking for a creative job which requires your resume to reflect a specific skill set such as graphic design. Sometimes all you will need is a timeless style template thats clean, clear and right to the point. Basic layouts are extremely simple to edit, even when you have never made a resume before. Basic resumes typical ly have an extremely classic and conventional tone. Resume writing can appear intimidating, particularly if youre creating your anfangsbuchstabe resume. The Basics of Cv Resume Sample Needless to say, a CV is for anyone seeking to apply for employment or admission to a certain position. Overview of a persons qualification is also recommended to put your very best foot forward right at the start of the resume. Also make certain you tailor the document to the job youre applying for. Whichever format you select, it should make you become selected for the job youre applying for. The Advantages of Cv Resume Sample As soon as you have prepared and submitted your CV to an employer the hope is you will be requested to attend work interview. Determine the job which you would like. Ascertain the job which you would like. Alternatively, you must tailor your resume for every single job which you apply for. Characteristics of Cv Resume Sample For instance, an Indian employer might ask you for a CV or a resume. Your CV may include everything which youve done so far. In many areas of the planet, a CV photo isnt only recommended but required. So, when you put in an application for work in Greece, the united kingdom, or Denmark, your prospective employer will ask you for a CV.

MINDBODY Supports Transgender Equality

MINDBODY Supports Transgender Equality Below is a post originally written by PowerToFly Partner MINDBODY, and published on November 28, 2018. Go to MINDBODYs page on PowerToFly to see their open positions and learn more.Last week, MINDBODY signed the Business Statement for Transgender Equality. MINDBODY believes that all gruppe members have the right to be their true, authentic selves in and out of the workplace, regardless of gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, or religious beliefs. We also recognize that diversity and inclusion are imperative to a successful, innovative, and modern business. Because of this belief, MINDBODY supports transgender equality and will advocate for equal rights for our team members and across the globe. One of the biggest challenges in almost all industries today is achieving gender parity. Gender diversity provides huge benefits in the workplace. pWhile some industrie s have made significant advancements in gender diversity, some industries lag further behind... and the construction industry is well-known for being in the latter category. If someone says, construction workers, youll likely picture a group of men in yellow hard hats analyzing an architects plans or laying bricks on top of a scaffold. And men at work signs only help to reinforce this image.pThis stereotype is rooted in reality. When was the last time you actually spotted a woman on a construction site? Or hired a female plumber or carpenter? Your answer is most likely never. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statisticsreports that only 3.4% of the total of 8.3 million construction employees are women.pBut the construction industry has a lot more to offer than steel-toed boots and hard hats, and it needs women to help advance the industry in this era of rapid change. Here are 5 reasons why women joining the workforce or looking to make a pivot should consider a career in construction.h21 . Fuel Innovation/h2pNot only is diversity the socially and morally right thing to do, but it is also actually an excellent business strategy. pResearch presented in the Harvard Business Reviewshows that diverse teams develop more innovative ideas. This is further supported by a study conducted by Gallupon the wertzuwachs of gender-diverse teams versus single-gender teams, which found that the difference in backgrounds and perspectives led to better business performance and problem-solving. h22. Capitalize on Demand/h2pThe construction industry is currently experiencing a labor shortage. The industry itself is booming and projected to be one of the fastest-growing industries, with total spending projected to exceed $1.45 trillion in 2023/a. However, most construction companies are unable to meet the rising demand. pAccording to the Associated General Contractors of America/a, more than 80% of contractors are experiencing difficulties filling hourly craft positions that represent the bulk of the construction workforce.pAnd demand isnt limited to individual contributor roles. Given the industry boom, there are a number of open stable and high-paying roles (any project managers out there?) waiting for the right candidateh23. Leadership Opportunities/h2pAccording to the Bureau of Labor Statistics/a, women compose only 7.7% of the total 1 million managerial positions in construction.br/pBut given the highly collaborative nature of construction work, more women in leadership roles would help drive innovation and enhance productivity.Furthermore, as a woman in construction in a leadership position, youd have the unique opportunity to drive change for the industry and make it a more attractive option for other women.h24. High-Income befhigung/h2pSalaries for many skilled positions in construction are on the rise, making a construction career a prime choice for women looking for a high-paying job,pThe 2018 Construction Craft Salary Surveyconducted by the National Cente r for Construction Education and Research revealed that salaries for many skilled craft areas are increasing. Project managers and project supervisors topped the list at $92,523 and $88,355, respectively. The next set of highest-paying jobs include those of combo welders ($71,067), instrumentation technicians ($70,080), pipe welders ($69,222), power line workers ($68,262) and industrial electricians ($67,269). Of the 32 categories of workers in the survey, 19 positions earned an average salary of $60,000 or higher.h25. Sense of accomplishment/h2p The construction industry can give employees a unique sense of achievement. Yes, the job is stressful and the work can be demanding, but nothing beats the feeling of being able to build something from the ground up. pHow many professionals in other industries can point at a school, a hospital, or a skyscraper and say I helped build that?pThe construction industry has a long way to go in combating gender bias and supporting women in the work force, but given the current demand for workers, theres no better time to spielblttchen up a sledgehammer (figurative or literal) and smash the gender stereotypes plaguing the construction industry.