We are living in a curious time in regards to our appreciation of modern technology. When computers, mobile phones, and televisions were first invented they brought about a new age for humanity. The digital age. And the advent of the internet connected humanity unlike ever before. Removing one of the stages of separation. Every new innovation was met with applause and fervent consumeristic demand.

But as technology advanced so did our understanding of mental health. Previously mental illness was only understood in the most basic of terms. And we had no idea of the impact that technology was having on our brain chemistry. Now we know that mental health is as much a physical illness as it is a psychological one. We know that our lifestyle choices play a key role in maintaining our brain’s health. And that includes how we use technology.

Over the last decade we have started to see a lot of studies published that show a direct correlation between technology usage and mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. Insomnia too has been shown to be exacerbated by looking at screens too often. Social media especially has been shown to be highly addictive and harmful when not used in moderation. It has almost become trendy to espouse the dangers of an over reliance on technology. But can technology actually be used to improve your mental health?

Improved Therapy Resources

Therapy used to be seen as something only needed for those suffering from extreme mental illness. It was considered taboo to be receiving therapy regularly. Nowadays we have accepted that everyone can benefit from regular therapy sessions. In the same way that our bodies are fortified by regular physical exercise.

Modern technology has vastly improved therapy accessibility. Not everyone has the time or the money to attend regular in-person sessions. But this is no longer an issue. We have seen a number of digital therapy apps pop up over the last few years. People can connect with therapists online and schedule regular video call sessions. Not only that but there are also services offering instant messaging support as well. Removing the need to arrange a session ahead of time.

There are also a number of crisis charities that now offer instant digital support sessions for anyone in need. This has proven to be extremely useful for young people who might be stuck in a hostile family environment. They can seek out professional support without alerting their parents.

Gaming And Mental Health

Video games are one of the most hotly debated technologies in regards to their connections to mental health issues. On one side of the argument you have experts claiming that video games are addictive and can lead to depression, anxiety, irritability, and a number of other issues. While some experts claim that video games are a great tool for combatting issues such as PTSD, stress, and can actually improve players’ moods.

The truth is that both sides of the argument are correct. Like anything, video games do have a lot of potential to help people when used properly and in moderation. There have been numerous studies showing that video games can help lessen the symptoms of dementia. Free games like this spider solitaire game from Arkadium have been shown to help improve cognitive reasoning and spatial awareness. One study proved that the 3D Mario games can help the older generations by immersing them in what is called a novel environment.

And even at the most basic level video games offer an escape from the world. There is no denying that things are tough for everyone at the moment. Many nations are facing a cost of living crisis. Paired with the growing political instability across the globe and the fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic still being felt. People need something to help them relax and unwind after a long day of work.

Video games can easily provide that escape. Allowing players to transport themselves into different worlds and situations. And studies have shown that playing games does have a positive impact on our mental health when done in moderation. Video games are also an extremely social endeavor too. During the pandemic lockdowns we saw the gaming community expand massively as people used the various digital worlds to emulate the social experiences they couldn’t enjoy anymore.

We have only briefly touched on the subject today but our main conclusion is that technology can improve your mental health. The important thing to remember is that technology is a tool. It is only as useful as you make it. So you need to do your own research into how best to utilize technology to help you.

The Rise Of AI Influencers

Love it or hate it, AI is here to stay. It has slowly started to creep into nearly every major industry on the planet. Being integrated into our daily lives through our smartphones. And, as AI technology continues to improve, we are undoubtedly going to see it blend into more aspects of our day to day lives.

In that regard AI is a lot like social media. No one can deny the stranglehold social media has over our global society. It too has become an integral part of nearly every professional sector. And most people have, at the very least, one social media profile. It is estimated that the average person spends 2 and a half hours on social media every day. This is a staggering amount of time when looked at in regards to the global population.

The popularity of social media has led to the rise of what we call Influencers. People whose entire career is focused around maintaining an active presence on social media. Creating content. Interacting with their followers. Engaging in the latest social trends and sharing snippets of their life. The influencer lifestyle is an appealing one. And a potentially lucrative one. The money influencers make from their sponsorships is eye-watering.

Not everyone is built to be an influencer. It takes a lot of natural charisma and charm to pull it off. But, with AI now at the point where we can generate lifelike images and chat bots that are almost indistinguishable from real humans, we are seeing a lot more AI influencers appear.

How Do AI Influencers Work

Fake character profiles aren’t a new concept by any means. We have seen a number of digital personas become extremely successful on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. But AI influencers are being designed to take this to the next level. Before any digital persona would still require a degree of creative input from the account creator. Whereas an AI influencer could, in theory, operate entirely independently.

Using AI image generators to continually produce new content, these accounts can simulate the entire life of an influencer. Including any brand deals they might acquire. With AI image generation still being as unreliable as it is right now, most AI influencer accounts still need at least a moderate bit of human input to ensure the images are consistent.

But why would anyone want to create an AI influencer? The main reason is, of course, money. Instagram has an estimated 500 million daily users. TikTok has roughly 2.5 billion daily users. Facebook has 2.11 billion daily users. So, as you can guess by these social media stats, that is a lot of potential customers for companies to market too. Using influencers to market products has become one of the most effective business strategies of the digital age.

The main issue companies face is finding the right influencers to work with. And there is always the chance an influencer might say no. Or be too busy to fit a new brand sponsorship deal into their content creation schedule. AI influencers, in theory, have no such limitations. They don’t have to plan photoshoots or limit how many brand deals they have. They can create an infinite amount of sponsored content.

Meta Joins The Fray

This idea is so appealing that Meta, the owner of Instagram, Facebook, and Whatsapp, have declared that they are planning to integrate AI profile creation tools into their social media platforms. They claim that this is in hopes of attracting a younger audience to their platforms. But social media is already extremely popular with the younger generations.

This is where the first alarm bells ring for us. It should be obvious that Meta is hoping to utilize AI influencers to expand their already impressive marketing reach. Perhaps hoping to shift companies away from using real influencers. Instead hoping they will pay Meta directly to have an army of AI influencers advertise for them.

This might be outlandish thinking. It might be right on the money. We can’t know for sure. What we can be fairly certain of is the fact that AI influencers are the future of social media. Love them or hate them. The idea is too lucrative to not be capitalized on.

We have spent a lot of time focusing on the more greedy aspects of AI influencers. And it would be irresponsible of us not to acknowledge the potential good that could come from them. AI influencers could be used in a number of different ways. Education AI accounts would be a fantastic addition to a lot of social media platforms. The AI chatbot functionality of these accounts would allow followers to learn more about a subject in an engaging way.

When it comes to traveling nowadays many people think that just like it used to be the only thing you need to worry about is to secure your bags and make sure that nobody steals your passport. The reality though is that there is something even more important and easier to steal from you that you’re carrying right in your pocket. We are of course talking about your data. Whether you’re using a phone on a public Wi-Fi or bringing your laptop abroad the reality is that no matter where you connect your devices you are at risk of seeing your data stolen. This is why if you are one of those technological travelers you need to make sure that you are aware of how to secure your data. So, let’s take a look at the basics of digital security when abroad.

Avoid USB Ports

This might seem very strange to many people, but the reality is that no matter where you are in public, plugging your phone into a USB port to charge it is a very risky operation. Whether you use an airport USB port or one available in a restaurant or reality, you might be at risk of seeing your data stolen. The way this is done usually is by people replacing the USB port with a cloner. Cloners or cloning devices are USB ports comporting a very small computer that can copy all of the data available on your device onto a small drive. In some cases, more advanced ones are even able to transfer your data automatically to our server setup to compile all of this information. Usually, the thieves do this in an oak to get bank information and credit card information to be able to pull out money or potentially blackmail people. This is why when charging your phone, you should always use your charger plugged into an outlet.

The Dangers of Public Wi-Fi

When we talk about digital security abroad one of the most important things is to make sure that you are using secure Wi-Fi to protect your data. Usually, when you use a Wi-Fi service that is protected by a password you should assume that it is generally safe even in a hotel. The reality though is that free Wi-Fi that is not protected by at least a WPA2 key is at risk of being jacked by people using listening devices. When we talk about listening devices, we are talking about programs more than physical devices. The idea here is to be able to copy the packets your online news sends and receives so that they can copy important data to access your banking information or other vital information. To avoid this generally, you should use a VPN.

VPNs or Virtual Private Network

Virtual private network services essentially allow you to browse the Internet without the oversight of your Internet service provider or anyone who could be hijacking your connection to see what you are doing. Companies like Techrux do VPNs with the added benefit that they do UK IPTV subscriptions. This means that not only do you benefit from the services of a virtual private network, but you can also access any TV channel you like abroad while avoiding the restrictions from the current country in which you find yourself. This can be pretty difficult if you want to keep up with the news at home. These services allow you to not only browse streaming services safely but also have access to more media on streaming platforms.

As you can see when it comes to protecting your data abroad there are many things you can do to make yourself not as vulnerable and avoid most of the potential dangers you will encounter as a regular citizen. The reality is that you will most likely never be the target of a true hacking attack which means that you simply need to protect yourself from passive threats when it comes to data robbery. As more and more people become accustomed to using their devices more and more important information will become digitized or realities that there will be a more important need for digital security especially when traveling abroad. This is why you shouldn’t wait to take your security into your own hands.

If you’ve ever consumed any media depicting the tech industry, you might have seen a lot of stereotypes going around people who work in this industry. One such stereotype is that a lot of people who work in technology are highly spiritual and borderline hippie kind of people. While the stereotype is greatly exaggerated, there is a lot of overlap between spiritualism and tech. While this might surprise you, there are many ways that both spiritualism and technology can complement each other. So, let’s look at how both of these concepts overlap and benefit one another.

Modernizing spirituality

When we talk about the modern takes on spirituality one of the best ways to look at it is by using a proper example. One such example is the spiritual concept behind human design. The human design is a spiritual system that integrates and melds multiple older and new spiritual ways to understand not only our personality but the way we interact with life when it comes to setting life goals or encountering situations that require you to make choices. The way the human design spiritual exercise benefits from technology is by digitizing a human design blueprint chart which allows you to fill out the information and follow up with your human design path online. This means that by using a technological tool you can fill out your body graph and understand what kind of type you fit in. With these tools then you can properly understand the decision-making strategies as well as your inner voice that gives you the motivations behind every decision.

Spirituality as a business tool

As you can see in the last paragraph when we talked about human design the reality is that these spiritual tools allow you to not only take control over your decisional skills but understand better what pushes you to make certain decisions. When we talk about human design this force that pushes you to make decisions is called the authority. By connecting to your energies and properly understanding what your authority pushes you to do and gives you the power to do you can make better decisions that serve you both spiritually and in a business sense when it comes to technology. This is why for example a lot of the technology industry is connected to spirituality because as we see a lot of development when it comes to the tech industry there are a lot of moral quantities to be weighed when it comes to moral and ethical decisions. This is why properly understanding your emotions through this spiritual process allows you to better away these decisions as not only a tech industry actor but also as a profoundly spiritual person.

Transhumanism, technology, and spirituality

As we see technology advancing more and more there is a lot of talk about how technology can be used to better the human spirit as well as the human body. While we’ve not seen any development dies word worrying about still a lot of people are starting to worry as we talk about the introduction of inter-cranial implants and subdermal implants that allow you to connect physically to machines. A lot of the worry when it comes to transhumanism in a technological sense is the loss of human identity to an evolutionary application of technology. This is why for example a lot of people are discussing the ethics of putting a computer inside of somebody’s brain and what it could potentially do to someone. Spirituality comes into play here especially when we talk about what it is to be human and understanding what truly powers the human mind and the human soul. While scientifically saws don’t necessarily exist the reality is that there is a spark in every person that allows them to be who they are. Spirituality serves as a counterbalance when it comes to discussing the pragmatic facts of using technologies as an evolutionary tool versus what it could do to humanity as a concept.

As you can see the importance of technology for spirituality might not be as big as the opposite, but the reality is that they both have a lot to offer to the other. As we see technology affect our lives more and more every day it might become even more important to have a very spiritual and human approach to technology to understand the deep effects of technology on humanity both as a group and as a concept at large. Only time will tell if our technology affects our minds and bodies in the future if we ever come around to using implants as an evolutionary tool instead of a medical application.

Starting a venture in the field of technology is really a wonderful way to bring innovation and business solutions. However, one of the major hurdles that come with starting up this kind of business is the issue of acquiring clients. In this sector, whether you are creating software, creating an application, or offering IT services, clients are the heart of your business. It is a must to find ways of securing clients, especially in this competitive tech startup market. You will need to employ a mix of marketing strategies, customer understanding, and other means to reach potential clients and make sales.

Know Your Target Market

First, you need to identify our clients by identifying your audience. Which industry are you addressing? Who are the key decision-makers within that industry? What particular issues will your product or service help your target consumers overcome? These questions will help you determine your marketing strategies and which angle to use for prospective clients.

In order to effectively serve your market, you need to conduct market research. Research and collect information relating to the customer’s existing trends through market reports, competitor analysis, and customer feedback. This information will help you tailor the marketing messages and develop products that meet or alleviate the discomforts of your potential clients.

Strengthen Your Online Presence

The idea of creating an internet presence has become relevant because it is necessary for generating trust while demonstrating one’s knowledge and offering products or services.

First, design to highlight your startup’s objectives, how it will help clients, and why people should choose you rather than your competitors. Consider adding case studies, testimonials, and a blog that provides readers with useful information in their field. Second, consistency in updating your site with new content not only assists with your SEO but also encourages engagement.

Further, social networks can be used to reach potential buyers. Platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook make it possible for you to communicate with your potential clients, discuss important topics, and advertise products/services.

Networking and Partnerships

Recruiting customers depends on networking, especially in the field of technology. Attending industry conferences, seminars, and trade shows is a good platform to present your startup company and its products and speak with potential clients and major purchasers.

It is advisable to contact other businesses with services you do not offer since you can partner with them. For instance, if your startup is all about software development, working with an IT consulting firm could result in a stream of clients. Another benefit of strategic partnerships is that they widen your circle of contacts while providing you with more reputation and adding value to your clients.

Utilizing Email Marketing

Email marketing has been a very successful method of targeting potential clients. It enables direct and relevant communication with decision-makers and provides updates on your products and services. Nevertheless, for email marketing to be effective, it’s important to have a clean list of people who want to receive the emails and who are potential consumers. Here is where email finder tools come in handy.

These tools assist you in discovering the e-mail addresses of potential leads so that you can approach them to extend your marketing campaign. A tool like Prospeo or Findymail has a sales navigator scraper that automatically cleans prospective data and finds emails from LinkedIn Sales Navigator. Thanks to the email finder, you can search for specific contacts of people in that company. Hence, you are sure of sending the email to the right person compared to sending out messages to many people who may not be interested in the subject matter.

However, personalization remains an important concept in any form of email marketing. Segment your emails according to the recipient’s needs and preferences. Say their name, state their company, and explain how your product or service can address their issues. Only tailored emails can elicit a positive reaction and get a better response from readers.

Offering Free Trials

When you offer the product or service for free, maybe for a limited time, it ensures potential clients get to experience the offerings you provide firsthand, making it easier to encourage them to make a purchase. An organized offer of free trials or demonstrations can help articulate your start-up’s capacities and provide clients with the assurance they require to proceed.

Factors such as quality customer support should not be compromised during the trial or demo period. Make yourself available for questions to assist and guide the potential client so that his or her encounter will be positive. This level of attention not only assists in the process of managing leads and transforming them into paying clients but also lays the platform for continued business.

Self-driving cars have been in the news for some time now. One of the dreams of the future, which has now become real, is for cars to drive without any input from human beings. Global car giants like Tesla, Google, and Uber are moving in this direction to have safer roads, less traffic, and more convenience.

However, with these advancements come what they call major issues. So, are self-driving cars just another tech revolution in our lives, or are potential threats yet to happen? Find out more in this article.

Benefits of Self-Driving Cars

• Improved Safety Features

Probably the most powerful and persuasive argument is that self-driving cars are safer than conventional automobiles. As reported by the World Health Organization, about 13 million people die every year in road traffic accidents globally, and more than half of them are the result of human errors resulting from fatigue, distraction, or the effects of drugs like taking too much alcohol.

Self-driving cars are intended to avoid risk factors that cause traffic mishaps, such as distracted, speeding, or reckless driving. These cars are equipped with Li-de sensors, cameras, and AI to drive autonomously through roads, identify hindrances, and decide on the next course of action in record time.

• Increases Mobility

Self-driving cars are also expected to enhance the likelihood of people with limited mobility to drive, such as the elderly, disabled, and those who do not hold valid driving licenses. The innovative cars might likely offer a viable means of transport for these people, thus enabling them to gain more freedom and access basic needs.

Furthermore, with the help of self-driving cars, the problem of transportation in rural or unpopulated regions where there are few, if any, public transport links could be solved. It would enable people to have easy and cheap means of transport, which would enhance their lives.

• Efficiency

One more benefit of self-driving cars is that they will be faster than human drivers in terms of transportation. Self-driving cars are capable of interacting with each other, which ensures that they tweak their path, avoid traffic jams, and minimize traffic congestion. This could result in small traveling distances and higher fuel efficiency, which will suit the drivers and the environment.

Dangers and Challenges

Self-driving or autonomous cars have their share of technological advancement, but there are also their problems.

Complicated MVA Lawsuits

Reducing motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) is one of the objectives of developing self-driving cars. However, one of the main challenges is achieving AVs’ technical capability to operate safely at any time of day, in any kind of weather, without causing an accident or injury to others. However, there are things that can cause system confusion or overwhelm it, such as construction pits, ramps, or bad weather resulting in a bad accident. Hence, the occurrence of the accident becomes inevitable, but to what entity does the liability belong in the following occurrences and third-party injuries?

For one to get quick justice and compensation, one should seek consultation with an attorney. However, since most people don’t usually have one on standby, they often sign up with MVA lead generation agencies for assistance. That’s where reputable law firms source clients who need legal expertise during the most challenging and life-altering traffic accidents. Some of these agencies, such as Exclusive Leads Agencies and other similar agencies, are preferred by firms as they have exclusive MVA leads connecting victims to only one and the best law firm for faster processing.

Probabilities of Hacking

Another source of concern for self-driving cars that has not yet been addressed is cyber vulnerability. Because self-driving cars are controlled by software and use a connection, they are easy targets for hacking. Hackers can reverse the programming of such cars, hijack them, and cause havoc through accidents, carjacking, or using the car as a deadly weapon.

As self-driving cars take the roads, security concerns will become more paramount for the market. However, making sure that those systems are secure is not an easy task or process.

Increased Unemployment

Self-driving cars could also pose social issues, such as massive unemployment in major industries such as trucking, delivery services, and taxi services. Tens of millions of people have jobs as drivers, and self-driving cars will put many of them out of work. Although new employment opportunities in the technology and maintenance field may be expected, there could be a problem for people whose only means of income rely on driving.

Regulatory and Legal Issues

Governments and regulatory authorities are still working on these questions; the answers will be continental or regional. It will be valuable to create clear laws that determine how self-driving cars will be prevalent in the future without compromising the safety of citizens on the streets.