It sounds like a scenario straight out of a Ridley Scott film: technology that not only sounds more "real" than actual humans, but looks more convincing, too. Yet it seems that moment has already arrived. A new study has found people are more likely to think pictures of white faces generated by AI are human than photographs of real individuals. "Remarkably, white AI faces can convincingly pass as more real than human faces – and people do not realise they are being fooled," the researchers report. The team, which includes researchers from Australia, the UK and the Netherlands, said their findings had important implications in the real world, including in identity theft, with the possibility that people could end up being duped by digital impostors.

NEW DELHI: The skills gap is widening, found a global survey by Wiley Education Services and Future Workplace. It also found that the number of recruiters who would prefer to invest in AI (artificial intelligence) rather than upskilling their employees had increased to 40% this year from 29% last year. The report, titled'Closing the Skills Gap 2019', surveyed 600 HR leaders and found that 64% employers thought there's a skill gap in their firm, up from 52%. The top reasons for the skill gap were found to be the pace of change due to technology, a lack of skilled talent that can move into the required positions, and a lack of candidates who are qualified. Around 90% of employers said they would hire a person without a 4-year college degree, although 68% said that a college degree was used to validate to hard skills.

A new survey has found that 41% of consumers will shun brands that send irrelevant messages and offers. AI marketing may be the answer, however, as the survey also finds that 47% state they are happy for intelligent technology to improve the offers they receive. The survey was carried out by AI marketing outfit Emarsys, which questioned 2000 UK consumers. A mere 6% of consumers believe the product and service offers they receive are specifically relevant to them. It is not all bad; opportunity lurks too.