Science/Tech – The Correspondent

Convergence Of Artificial Intelligence & Mental Health Services

mktayal — Fri, 27 Oct 2023 11:32:26 +0000

By SANIDHYA AGARWAL

In today’s fast changing digital landscape, where technology is reshaping practically every aspect of our lives, one area has a possibility for dramatic change: mental health assistance. With discussions about mental health gaining traction worldwide, the convergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and mental health services appears as a beacon of faith, providing accessible and customised treatment on a worldwide level.

For decades, the incidence of mental health illnesses has silently tormented civilizations worldwide. As per the World Health Organisation, roughly one in every four people will suffer from a mental health problem at some stage in their existence. However, stigma and a lack of resources frequently prevent people from getting help. This is the point where AI comes in as an actual game changer, transforming the face of mental health care.

Driven by AI, mental health techniques are methodically built to deliver rapid assistance, improve early identification, and offer clients with continuing help. Chat-bots with automated language processing features act as digital therapists, facilitating dialogues that provide an environment of security for individuals to share their feelings and thoughts without worry of being judged. The aforementioned chatbots not just eliminate mental health issues, but they also provide clients with ways to cope, relaxing approaches, and useful information.

A key benefit of AI in this type of situation is its ability to provide personalised therapies. Algorithms that use artificial intelligence methodically examine specific behavioural trends, utilisation of language, and psychological signs, tailoring reactions as well as suggestions to suit every user’s specific needs. This personalisation fosters an emotion of intimacy and comfort, similar to how one may create a relationship with a fellow human psychotherapist.

In addition, artificial intelligence (AI) systems show extraordinary proficiency in keeping track of and recognising small variations in a person’s psychological state. Continuous monitoring can aid in the prediction of possible emergencies or recurrence enabling timely treatments. Furthermore, AI analytics provide mental health providers with data on behaviour patterns and the efficacy of multiple therapies, allowing for scientifically supported modifications regarding treatment plans.

Nevertheless, including based on artificial intelligence psychological assistance is not without ethical repercussions. It is critical to protect the confidentiality and safety of information provided by users, as well as to avoid algorithmic errors. It is additionally difficult to strike the right equilibrium amongst the advantages provided by technology and human interaction, while others arguing that AI should supplement, instead of substitute conventional therapeutic partnerships.

The road to use AI to benefit mental wellness is merely beginning. Equally public and private organisations have been investing in studies and development to improve AI technologies and smoothly integrate them into the current psychological treatment systems. But it’s critical to realise that AI is an aid, not a panacea. It cannot substitute for the complexity of individual compassion, the nuance of conversations in person, or the power of a community that supports one another.

In our attempts to traverse the intersection of technology and mental health, AI has the ability to completely transform the way we address our psychological well-being. AI has the ability to reduce the worldwide impact of psychological difficulties by providing readily available personalised, and prompt assistance. Finding the appropriate balance between creativity and empathy, on the other hand, will be critical for guaranteeing technological innovation enriches, rather than destroys, the very essence of humanity.

At last, the integration of AI and mental health solutions brings in an entirely fresh phase of assistance that spans barriers and surpasses obstacles. AI’s power comes not just in its capacity to interpret extensive facts, but additionally in its capability to understand and respond to the complexities of human emotions. As the revolution of artificial intelligence proceeds, let us use its power to create a future where psychological treatment becomes readily available, welcoming, and uplifting.

The synergistic connection between AI and psychological care is fast growing in the ever-changing realm of mental health and technology. Considering a growing need for affordable and efficient assistance, AI has rapidly grown into an indispensable tool that supplements conventional methods of therapy. Following are some other views into the disruptive alliance’s capabilities and difficulties:

The potential of AI to give assistance around the clock is an important breakthrough. Mental health issues do not follow a timetable, and people frequently require support outside of normal business hours. AI-powered systems, such as applications and internet pages, allow people to look for assistance and participate in therapeutic interactions when they are most needed. This democratization of psychological care guarantees that help is constantly available, minimizing the emotions of loneliness and fragility that frequently precede these issues.

Among AI’s benefits is its capacity to analyse huge quantities of information quickly and precisely. AI systems can reveal trends and conclusions that might otherwise go unreported in typical healthcare settings by analyzing massive amounts of generated by users speech and text. This approach based on data improves the comprehension of mental wellness patterns, allowing clinicians and researchers to spot early indicators and devise focused therapies.

The adaptability of AI-driven solutions is especially advantageous in addressing neglected communities. AI’s capacity to transcend boundaries of geography can aid rural locations, multicultural groups, and regions with insufficient mental wellness facilities. AI-powered Chabot’s, for example, can give culturally appropriate aid that connects with people from all walks of life, minimizing the stigma associated with seeking help owing to societal disparities.

Virtual reality, also known as VR, is increasingly utilized in mental health therapies as artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities advance. VR settings provide comprehensive exposure therapies for disorders such as anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder, allowing people to confront their concerns in a safe environment. This technology, when combined with AI’s real-time monitoring, has the potential to provide a comprehensive approach to mental health care, tracking progress and adjusting treatment programs as needed.

Although AI provides personalized assistance, it additionally serves as an asset for mental health experts. AI-powered analysis of data can help psychologists make more educated treatment recommendations. Clinicians can adjust their techniques and build more personalized care plans by recognizing trends in reaction and monitoring the efficacy of treatments.

Yet, moral issues remain crucial. Visibility with regard to how AI systems function, collect statistics, and make suggestions is critical for establishing user confidence. It is still difficult to strike an equilibrium between personalization and data privacy. In order to guarantee that technology is actually benefiting their well-being, people must have access to their information and comprehend how it is utilized.

Furthermore, the application of AI in responding to emergencies merits consideration. Although AI can predict potential catastrophes, the choice about whether to take action should be made with caution. Defining the involvement level and the extent of human engagement in crucial circumstances necessitates careful moral consideration.

To summarize, the combination of AI and psychological services has enormous potential for revolutionizing how we address our mental health. AI has the ability to establish a more welcoming and beneficial psychological wellness environment by increasing accessibility, customizing initiatives, and improving data-driven insights. To realize the entire potential of this revolutionary alliance, however, a continual dedication to tackling moral issues, protecting user privacy, and establishing the correct balance between technological advancement and compassion for others will be required.

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More Features, Less Cost: Smartphones

Fri, 31 May 2019 12:32:36 +0000

Mobile phone has become a basic need in today’s era. Everyone loves to have good quality phones. But is it simple to buy a mobile phone? No, if you will go to a mobile seller you will get thousands of companies with hundreds of styles. You have to check various things in phone like its RAM, ROM, and Memory etc. It is a hectic job to buy a phone. So here are some best phones which are affordable in price and are a pack of best features:

Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 Pro

This phone has industry’s highest megapixel count. It contains IMX586 camera sensor with Impressive front camera. It has blazing performance. It also have features like Tough against drops & scratches, Aura design, Gradient reflective glass back finish, High durability. About battery it has 4000mAh two-day battery with Quick Charge. It has Corning Gorilla Glass and Type-C charging port

PRICE: From 13,999

Available in 2 colors: Nebula red and Neptune blue.

Realme 3 Pro

The Realme 3 Pro lags behind the Redmi Note 7 Pro in terms of benchmark scores but offers a better gaming experience. If you like gaming and that’s a top priority to you, the Realme 3 Pro is a good option.

It looks like any 2019 budget Android smartphones with shiny back, glossy finish, a notch and a sleek design. The battery backup is impressive, has a decent display, and lowlight camera performance is better than most competitors.

Price: From 13,999

Available in 3 colors: Nitro Blue, Lightning Purple and Carbon Grey.

Asus Zenfone Max Pro M2

The Asus Zenfone Max Pro M2 brings all the necessary elements to the table and it’s a powerful mid-ranger. It’s a balanced phone and a steady performer that can handle both day to day tasks and games like PUBG Mobile. On top, its 5000mAh battery ensures more than a day of battery life.

Price: From 9,999

Available in 3 colors: Black, Blue and Gold

Honor 10 Lite

The Honor 10 Lite is one of the best looking smartphones in its range. It is unarguably a good phone for the price as it offers a balance of decent cameras, sub-par performance, great design and lively display. What it lacks is a smooth UI experience and a seamless 3D gaming experience. It has Micro USB port for charging.

Price: 13,999

Available in 3 colors: Blue, Sky Blue and Midnight Black

Samsung Galaxy M20

Samsung’s Galaxy M20 is good phone for those who prefer a neat custom UI with a decent chipset. Additionally, it offers more than a day power, a good display, handy design and Samsung’s fast charging. What makes it stand out is its wide angle camera, which is a rare in this segment.

Price: From 9.999

Available in 2 colors: Charcoal Black and Ocean Blue

The Correspondent Bureau

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NASA: First Person On Mars Likely To Be A Woman

Wed, 13 Mar 2019 09:59:45 +0000

The first person on Mars is ‘likely to be a woman’, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine has said. “It’s likely to be a woman, the first next person on the Moon. It’s also true that the first person on Mars is likely to be a woman,” CNN cited Bridenstine as saying on a science and technology radio talk show “Science Friday”.

The NASA administrator did not identify a specific person but said women are at the forefront of the agency’s upcoming plans. NASA will also have its first all-female spacewalk at the end of the month when astronauts Anne McClain and Christina Koch will get to float around in space. The spacewalk will last about seven hours, according to the US space agency.

“So these are great days. We have the first all-female spacewalk happening this month at the end of March, which is, of course, National Women’s Month,” Bridenstine said.

Both McClain and Koch were part of the 2013 astronaut class, half of which were women. They came from the second largest applicant pool NASA has ever received — more than 6,100. The most recent class of flight directors was also 50 per cent women, NASA said.

NASA has come a long way since 1978 when the first six women joined NASA’s astronaut corps. Currently, women comprise 34 per cent of its active astronauts, according to the agency. “NASA is committed to making sure we have a broad and diverse set of talent and we’re looking forward to the first woman on the moon,” Bridenstine said.

With inputs from news agencies.

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NASA: Today’s Hunger moon To Be 583 Km Closer To Us

Tue, 19 Feb 2019 06:51:23 +0000

A super snow moon, mid-winter moon or the hunger moon will cross the skies on Tuesday, February 19. The full moon today will be closer to earth, will be larger, brighter and will definitely command attention in the sky. When the moon is full and at its perigee and is the point in its orbit when it is closest to the Earth is called Supermoon. This week’s perigee will be about 362 miles (583 kilometers) closer to us than last month’s supermoon. The subsequent full moon in March will also be a “supermoon”. Two and four full moons can be classified as “supermoons” in a given year.

Why winter moon called “Snow Moon” and ‘Hunger Moon”

According to NASA, the term “snow moon” is the historic name given to the second full moon of winter by certain Native American tribes in the US. It is called the snow moon due to typical snowfall during this time of year. Heavy snowfall is also the reason for its alternative name the “hunger moon.”

Snow Moon Timings

The moon will reach its full peak on February 19, 2019, at 10:54 am EST or around 9:30 pm IST. The snow moon is visible to most in the US at that time.

Last month, Super Blood Wolf Moon was seen on January 20 and 21 when the moon took a reddish glow from refracted light. Sky-watchers across the entire Western Hemisphere were able to see the eclipse.

Next super moon

The next full moon will be on March 20, and while it is also going to be a supermoon” it will not be as big as the super snow moon.

with inputs from news agencies.

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Google Pay user loses ₹2.7 lakh to fake customer care execs

Fri, 15 Feb 2019 12:23:32 +0000

In a case of identity theft, which is one of the major modes of operation for cybercrime in the city, a Google Pay customer was allegedly cheated of Rs 2.7 lakh by imposters posing as customer care personnel.

The matter came to light through a complaint with the cyber crime police on Tuesday.

As per the complaint, Kundan Kumar, 29, from Hoige Bazar in the city, was cheated of Rs 2.7 lakh while trying to get money refunded from a transaction that had failed on the popular payment portal earlier.

However, he stumbled upon the wrong contact number for customer service on the internet and this caused him to lose a fortune.

Kumar, believing it to be the customer care service, called up and complained to the personnel that the money that was earlier transacted by the payment portal was not yet refunded to his account. The person on the line asked him for his bank account number first and then a code and assured the amount would be refunded in 24 hours.

The next day morning, Kundan, to his surprise, found Rs 2.7 lakhs deducted from his bank account through a UPI transaction.

City cyber crime police are investigating the case.

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Dubsmash, MyFitnessPal among 16 apps to suffer leak

Fri, 15 Feb 2019 12:11:24 +0000

Another instance of online accounts being stolen and sold on the Dark Web has now come to light. As many as 617 million accounts from 16 popular websites have been detected for sale on the Dream Market website available on the Tor network. Hackers get hold of this information for an equivalent of $20,000 in Bitcoin. The information available includes account names, email addresses and passwords and the only good news being that the passwords are in hashed state and those who buy these information will need to crack them before it being useful.

This haul of user information was first highlighted to The Register by the apparent seller, who then provided the website with sample records to prove the authenticity of this leak. The report notes that nearly 162 million Dubsmash accounts have been compromised while 151 million MyFitnessPal user accounts have also been affected. Other services hit by this data leak include 92 million users of MyHeritage, 41 million from ShareThis, 28 million from HauteLook, 25 million from Animoto, 22 million from EyeEm, 20 million from 8fit, 18 million from Whitepages, 16 million from Fotolog, 15 million from 500px, 11 million from Armor Games, 8 million from BookMate, 6 million from CoffeeMeetsBagel, 1 million users of Artsy and 7,00,000 accounts linked to DataCamp.

The victims of this data bump include dating sites, e-commerce stores, and gaming studios. The database was apparently put up for sale by a single hacker, says The Register, and the information is said to have been stolen in 2018. The hacker reportedly cracked security vulnerabilities within web apps in order to deploy remote-code execution, which allowed them to extract user account information from these sites.

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