Jeff Cassman

Press Release: EPIC Applauds White House for Issuing Landmark Executive Order on Artificial Intelligence

WASHINGTON, DC – The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) applauds the White House for issuing an Executive Order on “Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence” that prioritizes protecting rights, safety, and privacy. According to a fact sheet released by the White House this morning, the Executive Order addresses federal government support for the development of privacy-preserving technologies, affirmative testing requirements for AI systems, including requiring disclosure of safety testing results to the federal government, and provisions that address algorithmic discrimination.

“EPIC commends the Biden-Harris Administration for this landmark executive action, which calls on agencies throughout the federal government to combat algorithmic discrimination and establish human rights safeguards around AI,” said EPIC Executive Director Alan Butler. “EPIC looks forward to working with federal agencies to carry out the Executive Order and ensure that artificial intelligence systems reflect our fundamental values and serve the public interest.”

In today’s announcement, President Biden reiterated his call for Congress to pass bipartisan data privacy legislation to better protect Americans’ privacy, including from the heightened risks posed by the use of artificial intelligence systems. The Executive Order will prioritize the development and use of privacy-preserving techniques within the federal government and call on agencies to evaluate their purchase and use of commercially available information from data brokers. “Artificial intelligence and privacy are inextricably linked,” said EPIC Executive Director Alan Butler. “Without a strong privacy law, there will be no meaningful limits on how companies collect and use our data for artificial intelligence systems. The incentives for capturing personal data on a massive scale are being fueled by AI. EPIC is pleased to see the White House address the privacy issues throughout the development and use of AI systems.”

In the absence of a comprehensive federal privacy law, digital giants have spent two decades amassing troves of personal information about Americans. Those same companies are now deploying artificial intelligence in ways that use our own personal data against us with terrifying efficiency, from determining the interest rates on mortgages and credit cards to denying people housing or jobs, depriving people of life opportunities and perpetuating structural inequalities. “While EPIC continues to call on Congress to pass a comprehensive privacy law that limits the mass data collection that fuels harmful uses of technology, this Executive Order is a significant step towards establishing the necessary fairness, accountability, and transparency guardrails to protect people from discrimination and inequality facilitated by AI systems,” said EPIC Deputy Director Caitriona Fitzgerald.

EPIC is anticipating that the Office of Management and Budget will soon release related guidance to improve the federal funding and procurement processes for acquiring artificial intelligence systems. This is critical – an increasing number of important government decisions are being made by private companies’ AI systems, and the federal government also provides many grants to state and local subdivisions like police departments, schools, and public benefits agencies that fund the purchase of AI systems. Through its own buying power and grant-making authorities, the federal government can effectively set new standards for private-sector development of AI systems through strong…

I Hope You’re Not That Kind of Prepper

There are two kinds of preppers in the world.

The first is the type who take their craft seriously. These are the people who read or learn about new skills, and then actually practice those skills.

If they read about a new food storage method, for instance, they actually try to store food using that method.

If they learn a simple survival skill such as how to get a fire going with a magnesium flint striker, they’ll buy a magnesium flint striker and head out into the woods and (safely) practice getting a fire going.

The second type are the type who read or learn about new skills… and then do nothing about it.

These are the people who read a lot of disaster preparedness and survival books, follow a lot of forums and social media pages related to the topic, and may even be ardently passionate about the subject of preparing for disaster.

But at the end of the day, they still do little to nothing to practice their skills.

And truth be told, there are more of the second type of preppers than the first type.

What Is a Real Prepper?

Here’s another way to put it. Prepping is all about learning and then taking action. The second type of preppers as described above will learn, but they won’t take much action. And that’s a big problem.

The reality is that many people who call themselves preppers, primarily those who fall under the second category as described above, get excited about the concept of prepping. These people are not real preppers.

They may rightfully believe that there is good reason to prepare for an upcoming potential disaster based on ongoing conflicts and events going on around the world.

Then they read books that teach you how to stock up on food and water and make it last over the long term, how to store ammunition, how to fortify and defend their homes against marauders, and how to select a bug out location and then bug out of town to get to that location.

But those same people won’t actually stock up on much food and water. They won’t actually make any real fortifications to make their homes more defensible. They won’t really grow or preserve their own food.

They’ll keep reading books and articles and watching videos on how to do the above, but they’ll do so largely out of entertainment rather than any substantial desire to actually put what they learn into practice.

This is exactly what happened during the covid pandemic. People were unprepared and they panicked.

They went to grocery stores and supermarkets and in a matter of days, basic necessities like soap and toilet paper, among many other items, were stripped from the shelves completely.

There Is No Middle Ground

…

Continue reading here

Personal Memories of Lady Eve Balfour

Following our last blog post about Lady Eve Balfour, we received this story

from Gwyn Jones.

“As a young man, I went to England and Lady Eve picked me and my mother up and took us to her home.

She gave me the contact details for Alex Podolinsky and that is how I got involved with BD.

She asked me to literally pass the batten on and that led me to write Australia’s first commercial organic conversion course [16 days] in Gippsland over 20 years ago with Liz Clay.

Modern historical viewpoints are currently focusing on soil [healthy and then commercialisation to carbon sequestration]. I have done 106 talks on the above, but the reality is that the focus needs to be on plants that grow the topsoil and decomposing plants and their roots feeding the soil biology/earthworms/casting/water stable aggregates, etc.

They are the drivers of sustainable soil development. Savory talks about the importance of stock, but it is the plants that feed the stock in the first place.

Lady Eve was one of the first individuals to raise the issue of sustainability.

May I suggest that we have missed the link between sustainability and plant succession.

Historically humanity has exploited plant succession as a biological asset – one of Australia’s first exports were timber masts for sailing ships. In Australia, we literally have no natural red cedar as we have successfully harvested and removed this high-successional order plant.

Globally humanity has taken high-order plant successions [forests/grasslands etc] and through a process of unsustainable agriculture systems created an output of deserts and wastelands.

Consumers and governments are now starting to take note of what is occurring as countries are now literally counting the number of years of soil they have before they cannot feed themselves eg Britain’s 150 years.

Globally we need to advance plant succession and the first “natural” stage is pioneer weeds that have positive amplified feedback loops.

To work with nature, we need to first understand nature’s biological repair processes and utilise them.

In short, we need to learn to read the weed!

Learn from plants, even the plants the ones we place a negative value on.

So, Lady Eve did change the way I think and I am grateful to her for that.

Food for thought

Gwyn Jones

Pioneering Educator

26 years of independent consulting”

EPIC Testifies at New York Assembly Hearing on Labor and AI

EPIC Senior Counsel Ben Winters testified before the New York State Assembly Standing Committees on Labor and Science & Technology, describing the breadth of increased worker surveillance and exploitation through the use of AI and offering the legislators clear paths forward to address the resulting harms.

“Automated decision-making systems have become increasingly prevalent throughout the hiring and employment process in recent years, and the bias, opacity, and inaccuracy of such systems has caused significant harm to workers,” Winters said. “In the upcoming session, the State Assembly has an opportunity to reverse that trend and provide real privacy and civil rights protections for hardworking New Yorkers.”

EPIC previously submitted a complaint to the FTC and DC attorney general regarding HireVue, a video interview analysis vendor, and published Generating Harms, a report illustrating the specific harms that Generative AI has on the labor market.

The Guardian: How the UK’s emphasis on apocalyptic AI risk helps business

The disproportionate focus on tech leaders’ perspectives has also allowed for an unhelpful framework on how regulation could impact innovation to take root, said Calli Schroeder, a senior counsel and global privacy counsel at the non-profit Electronic Privacy Information Center.

“They still have it a little bit set up in their head that this is a game of privacy and consumer protection versus innovation when it doesn’t have to be confrontational that way,” Schroeder said. “There are absolutely ways to develop innovative new technology while also paying attention to risks.”

Some Last-Minute Purchases and Preps. List of Lists.

(Continued from Part 1. This concludes the article.)

#6 12-volt deep cycle batteries and at least two battery charges. (I prefer the 2-,6-, and 10-Amp chargers. I do have a 50-amp charger, but it is hard on a battery. The slower the charge, the better the life expectancy of the battery). These are extremely important and are actually my #2 priority item only after fuel. Get several if they are available. You can build a light system for your property using 12-volt lights or buy an inverter that switches to A/C use. For outside lighting go to an RV/off-road store and pick up several light bars that go on vehicles. I have one about 15 inches long on my boat that is both a spot and a flood light combination. I can see several hundred feet at night. and it has a wide field of view with the flood light. You can also use the inverter to run your computer. You can plug in your survival blog archive stick and look up thousands of articles from the past. on how to articles. Inverters use power and can drain your battery so use accordingly.

See this picture of a 12v automotive bulb and how to soldier the wires on it. You must use a flux to attach the wires, but it is not difficult. Black goes to the tail end and white grounds it. I used these older-style automotive bulbs in a camp I built in the woods. It was 12×20 and one bulb did a fairly good job of lighting it up. When first getting up in the morning I would turn on the light bulb until I lit the kerosine lamp. And speaking of kerosine lamps, always place a mirror behind the lamp, it is about three times brighter. These older bulbs draw more power from the battery than the new LEDs. Shop in the automotive and RV store now and get modern lighting. You can purchase complete fixtures and simply hook the wires up accordingly. The light bulb project described was just to show you how to adjust in a time of need. Just remember: You can do most things with 12 volt DC that you can with 110 volts AC.

#7 Several 100-foot 16 gauge AC extension cords. (usually orange in color) Cut the ends off (about 12 inches from ends, and save them for other repair uses.) Remove the outer sheath and attach them to the battery on one end and the floodlights on the other end.

[JWR Adds: For DC wiring, typically red is positive and black is negative. Just be consistent in what you do. Never use AC plugs and outlets for DC wiring, to avoid costly and potentially dangerous mistakes. I recommend standardizing with Anderson Powepole connectors for DC cabling.]

A simple switch can be used, or you can just touch the wire to the battery post to briefly turn it on. At RV stores, you…

Bloomberg Law: AI Order Puts Agencies Front and Center in Building Safeguards

“Many of the privacy components of this order are going to improve privacy protections for Americans and at the same time lay down those human rights safeguards on the use of AI, so it’s serving two purposes,” said John Davisson, director of litigation at the nonprofit Electronic Privacy Information Center.

The order will also have broad implications for how federal agencies develop and deploy privacy-enhancing technologies, such as encryption.

Davisson said while there are limits on what the executive order can do, the frameworks it sets up shows the administration is aligned with the underlying principles he thinks should be included in comprehensive federal privacy legislation.

“It’s not the end-all-be-all solution but it’s a major step forward and it should be a kick in the seat for Congress to move ahead with comprehensive privacy legislation,” he said.

The Incredible Journey of Natural Farming Pioneer: Pat Coleby

Pat Coleby was born in England in 1920. Early on in her life Pat became interested in alternative health solutions after suffering chronic asthma as a child. This kickstarted a lifelong mission to find natural disease remedies without manufactured medicines. Her curiosity led her to constantly research and experiment with vitamins, minerals, and plants for healing properties.

Over the years, Pat’s knowledge reached people all over the world. She received countless calls from individuals seeking advice, a remarkable feat considering this was in a pre-internet era. She was among the first to provide guidance to those who wanted to support animals and grow crops without conventional treatments or synthetic fertilizers. Pat emphasized the use of seaweed and naturally occurring minerals to address common ailments, a recommendation that has gained worldwide recognition.

Helen and Hugo of Farming Secrets had the privilege of meeting Pat in 1991 when they discovered her books “Farming Naturally” and “Organic Animal Care.” They were inspired by her belief that animals should have access to natural minerals. Pat recognized the importance of self-selecting natural minerals for animals’ health. Her books became vital resources for farmers and animal enthusiasts worldwide and many still refer to them when a problem occurs. Her experience and advice saved many animals. Pat ended up writing comprehensive books on cattle, sheep, alpacas and goats, horses, and pets as well as a general one called “Natural Farming”.

Pat wrote to support her readers in their pursuit of a better farming system and a healthier environment. She hoped her books would aid them in this important endeavor.

Pat passed away at the age of 87 on June 1st, 2015. Throughout her life, she dedicated herself to the well-being of farm animals and shared her invaluable insights through her books.

Her passing was a significant loss to the natural care community for both land and animals. For all who knew and valued Pat and her teachings, we express our gratitude. At Farming Secrets, we still get people making contact needing her help or wanting one of her books. Pat’s legacy lives on through her books, which continue to inspire and educate those who share her passion for natural farming and holistic animal care.

Now her remarkable journey inspires a new generation of farmers to nourish farm life without chemicals.

Pat quoted Dr. Stuart Hill, who said, “A clever person solves problems – A wise one prevents them.” She believed that this quote encapsulated her approach to agriculture and animal care.

White House Publishes Wide-Ranging AI Executive Order

The Biden-Harris Administration issued an Executive Order entitled “Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence” that emphasizes the need for regulation of high-risk AI and critically recognizes the link between privacy and AI.

Notably, the order requires the developers of the most powerful AI systems to share their safety test results with the government, promises federal support for development and agencies use of privacy-preserving techniques, requires an evaluation of how agencies collect and use commercially available data (including from data brokers), and requires increased training on how to investigate and prosecute civil rights violations related to AI.

The order tasks agencies with a number of responsibilities that will lead to standards from the National Institute of Standards and Technology to layout responsible AI testing frameworks and guidance for content authentication and watermarking.

For government use of AI, the EO requires the development of guidance for agency use of AI and a faster and more efficient process for agencies to procure AI products and services. The directive also calls for the rapid hiring of AI professionals and the training of employees at all levels. The content of a forthcoming Office of Management and Budget memo will dictate the details of how government AI use will change.

EPIC has long advocated for comprehensive privacy protections, rigorous testing protocols, expanded resources for evaluation of AI systems, and a government-whole effort to fighting algorithmic discrimination.

Carleigh Fairchild: Discusses Her Time on the TV Show Alone

There’s something primal that stirs within us at the thought of being isolated in a remote place. As social creatures, many of us instinctively shy away from situations that separate us from our fellow humans. Others are drawn to solitude, so that they may more clearly hear their inner voice — a voice that’s often drowned out by the modern-day electronic hum that permeates our lives. The latter individuals typically remain secluded only for a short period of time, before having to return to the social tasks their lives demand. However, there are an elite few who have grappled with not only the physical dangers of the remote wilderness, but also with their own inner demons for months at a time without another human soul to lean on for support. Carleigh Fairchild is one such person.

Since the age of 13, her life has been immersed in wilderness survival and survival skills training. After turning 18, she moved to Washington state to learn primitive skills, and tested herself by successfully solo backpacking 500 miles on the Pacific Crest Trail. Having traveled the country honing her skills, she took on one of popular culture’s most difficult survival challenges by becoming a contestant on History Channel’s Alone — not once, but twice.

First, she went to the foothills of the Andes mountains in Patagonia, Argentina, on Season 3. She returned to the show on Season 5, which took place in Mongolia. Today, Carleigh uses her vast experience by teaching others how to reconnect with their surroundings and themselves, much like our not-so-distant ancestors did on a daily basis. We were able to attend a wild edibles class she was teaching at the Georgia Bushcraft Campground near Watkinsville, Georgia, and had the opportunity to sit down with her to learn more about her survival experience and what it was like to survive for 86 days in Patagonia, alone.

Carleigh Fairchild Interview

RECOIL OFFGRID: You started learning wilderness survival skills as a child, what do you feel drew you to that endeavor?

Carleigh Fairchild: My mom started me on the path of learning survival skills when she went to the Tracker School run by Tom Brown Jr. in New Jersey. They have a wide variety of classes. They start with their Standard Course which covers pretty much all of the basics of survival skills, and then there’s more advanced survival skills and tracking classes.

She came home from that and showed me the bow drill kit she had made. It was my first look at making a fire without matches or a lighter. I was fascinated that you could truly rub two sticks together and make a coal. I wanted to learn more. Luckily, I was able to attend a teen summer camp the next year when I was 13 to learn earth skills. I loved the connection the skills brought to me — connection with the earth, connection with my own abilities, and connection with others also passionate about those…