Artificial Intelligence (AI): Growing problems with it, Buyer beware of AI-Generated endorsement and senior scams.
There is a growing concern about data centers and artificial intelligence due to the likely increased cost and
effect on our electric bills, increased costs and depletion of our water resources, and the terrible
buzzing sounds that data centers generate for those who live near them. AI can make phony
websites, phony examples about everything you can imagine, and, to someone who is not aware
of the ability to create false images or presentations in minutes, it makes for an easy hit.
Currently, U.S. senior citizens have been scammed out of $700 million this year. It is suspected
that many of these scams go unreported because seniors are too embarrassed to report them. Dr.
Mehmet Oz was featured in an AI-generated scam using his likeness and voice. Yet Dr. Oz did not
endorse this product! To help solve this problem, there should be a written disclaimer stating that
Dr. Oz has not endorsed the product. Congress must act by proposing a law prohibiting an
“unlawful representation of AI-generated sales.” According to Macomb County Prosecutor Pete
Lucido, “This unlawful misrepresentation by AI-generated endorsements must have
consequences!” Note: Macomb County Prosecutor Lucido has made a concerted effort to
prosecute those who commit senior scams, as well as giving presentations about how to
recognize senior scams, and providing a booklet for Macomb seniors. Also, AI is now being used
in phone answering services for big companies like Comcast/Xfinity, AT&T, and other places
where you might need to go for assistance. I also have an issue with Xfinity, and I have
repeatedly called them several times. The AI wants to help, but I repeatedly say I want to speak
with a person, and then it hangs up. The AI is either unable or unwilling to solve my issue, so I
must decide whether to cancel my subscription with this AI-generated cable company and go
with a competitor willing to have people handle my issue.
Actions in Dearborn by a hate group against Muslims are outrageous and
unacceptable!
Our Constitution supports freedom of all religions, not just one particular religion. Comments made in Dearborn Tuesday, was unacceptable and not free speech, any more than yelling
“fire” in a crowded movie theater would be. I have Muslim neighbors, including one who lives
next door to me. He and his family are very warm and considerate, as are the many other
Muslims whom I have come in contact with. It appears the group speaking in Dearborn was hatefully delirious about
trampling on the rights of American Muslims. Hateful actions should never be accepted as part
of our American culture. In a Democracy, we respect and defend the rights of all people. I
applaud the mayor of Dearborn for standing up for our constitutional rights.
Why did political polls in Michigan and Wisconsin fail to accurately predict outcomes?
In the last two weeks, political polls in both Michigan and Wisconsin have been woefully inept
in their predictions of candidate strengths. In Michigan, Abdul El-Sayed had a strong 12%
or more lead going into the primary, yet he barely won by 1 percentage point. It was a very close
race. In Wisconsin, the heavily favored candidate, Francesca Hong, lost to a last-minute
candidate by less than 1%, even though the polls had predicted she would win by more than
30%. The Michigan race saw a heavy influx of dark money, including at least $70 million from
undisclosed and corporate-backed special interest groups. Abdul was outspent by an 11-to-1
margin. Much of that $70 million came from AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs
Committee). Our TV screens were filled with vitriolic anti-El-Sayed political commercials.
These ads helped change the minds of last-minute voters.
Predictions for general election voters based upon the August primary results
I believe that unregulated dark money from special interest groups and political action committees will favor
Republican candidates and may allow Republican victories in a state like Michigan, where a
candidate has taken controversial positions. Francesca Hong took the highly unpopular position
of wanting to cancel Thanksgiving. That position, taken five years earlier in 2021, doomed her
campaign, even though she reversed it in a later interview with Politico, saying it was her
favorite holiday. Abdul El-Sayed may face the same fate with dark money attacking him for his
views on the Middle East and his association with Social Democrats. Recent political ads on TV
make him appear to be a Muslim terrorist, despite the fact that this is not true. He is also
accused of being a radical socialist, even though he has said he is a proud capitalist. It appears to
be a borderline, if not outright racist, attack on El-Sayed. Some ads also unfairly implicate Jocelyn
Benson.
Could a new movie about President Reagan and his pursuit of peace be a
model that President Trump could focus on his final two years?
Could President Donald Trump turn around his image as Reagan did in the last two years and become a
more moderate president in pursuit of peace? Reagan did this through verification and guarantees of more tangible
agreements, such as the December 8, 1987, INF (Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces) Treaty.
Maybe Trump could pursue peace in Ukraine by demanding that Putin compromise and instead of asking
Ukraine to do so, along with guarantees that Putin no longer invades other independent
democratic countries. That could earn Trump his long-coveted Nobel Peace Prize. It would also
stop the massive killings.
No rate increase without better responses to frequent outages
DTE has requested a new rate increase, but it should not be considered or granted without guarantees of quicker responses to
frequent outages and a new effort to provide better services, both on the phone and online.
Repeated outages in my area mandate more accountability in order to get my support for an increase!
Jim Fouts is a former Warren Mayor and city council member, and a retired Warren Consolidated Schools government and history teacher.
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