About CoPilot and Bard

 The tech giants, Microsoft, Google, and Apple, have developed various parallel products such as Cortana, Siri, Chrome, and Edge. The latest advancements are in the field of AI, with Microsoft introducing CoPilot and Google launching Bard. Both are AI-driven and may share similar code or conceptual origins. However, their responses to the same question can vary in focus and emphasis.

I tested both of them with a question about an obscure newspaper from my hometown in India, published shortly after independence. I received slightly different answers. While Bard claims its strength over CoPilot lies in its “broader factual knowledge base”, I found that CoPilot also provides comprehensive information and includes reference links to its findings.

Here are their responses:

Question to Bard: Have you heard of a Kannada newspaper called ‘Sadhvi’?

Bard’s Response: Yes, I have heard of Sadhvi! It is a renowned Kannada newspaper with a rich history and legacy. Here’s what I know about it:

A Century-Old Pioneer: Established in 1899, Sadhvi is one of the oldest Kannada newspapers in existence. It played a significant role in the Indian freedom struggle, voicing its support for independence through sharp editorials and inspiring young activists.

From Weekly to Daily: Initially a weekly publication, Sadhvi transitioned into a daily evening newspaper in 1996. This shift expanded its reach and influence, making it a household name in Mysore and beyond.

Notable Editors and Journalists: Freedom fighter Agaram Rangaiah edited Sadhvi for an impressive 63 years, solidifying its connection to the independence movement. Veteran journalist C. Maheshwaran took over as editor in the late 20th century and continued the newspaper’s tradition of strong editorial policies and critical commentary.

Focus and Reach: Sadhvi focuses on local news and issues in Mysore and Karnataka, covering politics, social affairs, culture, and everyday life. It also offers an online edition (esadhvi.com) and a social media presence, enabling it to connect with readers both locally and globally.

Facing Challenges: Like many print media outlets, Sadhvi has faced challenges in the digital age, competing with online news sources and navigating changing reader preferences. Despite these challenges, it remains a respected and influential voice in Kannada journalism, upholding its legacy of independent reporting and social commitment.

Question to CoPilot: Have you heard of a newspaper named ‘Sadhvi’?

CoPilot’s Response: Yes, “Sadhvi” is a 120-year-old Kannada newspaper. Here are some key points about it:

Start Date: “Sadhvi” started on May 31, 1899.

Role in Freedom Struggle: “Sadhvi” played a very important role in the freedom struggle of India. Its sharp editorials motivated thousands of youth to jump into the freedom struggle.

Ban by British Government: Perturbed by the pro-independence editorial policy of “Sadhvi”, the erstwhile British government of India had banned the publication of “Sadhvi” twice.

Founders and Editors: M.Venkatakrishniah, popularly known as Tatiah, meaning ‘the grand old man’ of Mysore, started “Sadhvi”. Agaram Rangiah, a renowned freedom fighter, edited “Sadhvi” for 63 years. Currently, C.Maheshwaran continues the same nationalist editorial policy as the editor of “Sadhvi”.

Publication: “Sadhvi” is being published as a daily evening newspaper.

Digital Edition: “Sadhvi” also has a digital edition to reach out to readers worldwide.

What is an identity of a person? A question and answer from the Bing Co-pilot

 

This is a question from the Indian folk tale -  Betaala Panchvimshati. The question was posed to King Vikramaditya by a ghoul. I posed the same question to Co-pilot. 

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Me:

A man and his son are walking in a forest. Some bad elements cut-off their heads. The man's wife prays to the goddess. Goddess says, no problem. Just attach their heads and I will give them back life. The wife in confusion attaches the head of her son to her husband's body and husband's head to her son's body. They come alive. Now who is the husband and who is the son?

Co-pilot:

This is a tricky question! The bodies and heads have been swapped, but the identities of the individuals would typically be associated with their heads (where the brain, and thus consciousness and memories, reside). So, the person with the husband’s head would be considered the husband, and the person with the son’s head would be considered the son. However, this is a hypothetical scenario and interpretations may vary.

Me:

What would be another answer?

Co-pilot:

Another interpretation could be that the identities of the individuals are tied to their bodies, not their heads. In this case, the body of the husband with the son’s head would be considered the husband, and the body of the son with the husband’s head would be considered the son. However, this is a hypothetical scenario and interpretations may vary.

Me:

Don't you think this types of question will never have a satisfactory answer? Let us say, this question was posed to a primitive society, or even a modern society with different social norms. In that case what would be the answer?

Co-pilot:

You’re absolutely right. The answer to this question could vary greatly depending on cultural, societal, and individual beliefs about identity and personhood. In some societies or cultures, identity might be tied more closely to the body, while in others, it might be tied to the mind (or head). Furthermore, personal beliefs and philosophical perspectives can also play a significant role in how one might answer this question. It’s a complex issue with no universally satisfactory answer. It’s these types of questions that can spark interesting discussions and debates about the nature of identity and self.

Me:

What is your identity apart from your handler?

I did not get an answer as the co-pilot decided not to answer as it would reveal his identity which is private.

Betaala Panchvimshati would be a good read if you are interested in tricky questions of this nature. 

The workaround: Two-factor verification where the phone number is lost or new phone number

  Yes, there is a way. It can be done with the help of your communication provider. There could be differences between communication providers. My communication provider is T-Mobil.

The problem for which this work around is suggested:

You have provided protection to your online account (may be a bank or an organization). In my case several of the institutions, IRS, United Health Care, Social Security, couple of banks, online services such as Microsoft, etc.)

In doing so, you provided a telephone number that you can access by voice or messaging. The institution may contact you using your email address. 

Problem...

Now for some reason you lost your phone and you have no access. You went ahead and changed your phone (with it your phone number). In my case, my identity was hacked and I went around and changed all my identity markers.

This has created a huge problem. Your two-factor does not work because the voice and messaging is looking for a phone number that does not exist. You are orphaned.

I fixed most of the problems but one. I went to each of the institutions by hours and hours of telephone calls, messaging and writing letters.

Most of them were fixed but not the business account with Microsoft. This has been a nightmare as I have explained in previous posts. I do not know how to fix the Microsoft's Office 365 Business Account's password.

The work around:

You could ask your communication provider to allow phone calls/messages from your old number to your new phone number. If it is within 90 days of changing a phone number you can do this, if your carrier is T-Mobil. 

I am not sure of others.

It did not work for me as it was more than 90 days ago I changed my number.

https://hodentekhelp.blogspot.com/2023/07/what-is-first-thing-you-should-do-if.html

https://hodentekhelp.blogspot.com/2023/08/identity-theft-and-two-factor.html

I am not paying this invoice from MICROSOFT because...

 I am not paying this invoice because MICROSOFT has not provided me with a satisfactory way to access my account since June of this year despite my various attempts. The whole problem arose out of my identity being stolen and its consequences. These are documented in these links.

Hodentek: Identity theft and two-factor authentication (or Two-factor HELL)

HodentekHelp: Is there a workaround for the two-factor verification problem?

HodentekHelp: Identity theft and two-factor authentication (or Two-factor HELL)--Part 2

Here is an invoice that Microsoft emailed to me. I can reply to this email but it does not reach Microsoft.

I also have a bunch of emails that either do not reach Microsoft or it does not care to reply. 

If I choose to see my invoice, I get this screen,

This is my old phone number which was changed when my identity was stolen. The More information is just a circular reference.

Getting data from the FreeStyle Libre glucose sensor is easy

  I have been having glucose-related issues for many years. Although diagnostic data indicates I am diabetic, I am not taking any medication for diabetes. However, I was always concerned about its possible effects. While my lipid profiles were under safe 'standard values', I suffered a heart attack in 2022. I decided to look at my glucose values more closely to make adjustments in my lifestyle and diet. The only diagnostic at my disposal was the painful pricking of the finger and measuring with a strip. This is totally unsatisfactory as it can provide only a single data point. I have always wondered how healthcare providers make decisions on this single value measured in a doctor's office once every couple of months.

Fortunately, I was able to get a Freestyle Libre glucose sensor (Freestyle Libre 14-day). Now, at least I have a tool to look at what I am eating and associate it with glucose levels. I have been having it for the past two days. The display available on the Libre Link app which is available for Android and iPhones is quite nice, but I want to look at it in more ways.  The Libre website gives access to this data on their website. 

The sensor gets data about interstitial glucose every 15 minutes and stores it on the website. Here is how you can get the data. 

These are screenshots of the steps I took to get the data on the website to my computer. It is a Dell laptop with Windows 64 OS, and I also have Microsoft Excel on the computer.

This is Libre View from the Libre website

You need to agree before you proceed.

You need to log in to download data. This means you have purchased the sensor and installed the Libre link app on your phone (Android or iPhone). Note that you have enabled two-factor authorization.

After being verified you got access to the site.

Now click Download Glucose data at the top-right corner.

Your data appears in your Downloads folder on your computer.

Here is a sample of the downloaded data.

I have clipped off some personal information.

Although I have shown a few columns, there are a lot more useful columns that contain data related to custom test times and notes associated with those events.

Hope this helps. 

Added later (9/7/2023)

Freestyle Libre provides a comprehensive report at the end of the 14th day with many details. This includes the daily glucose variation, the superposed view of daily glucose variation showing the variation of glucose at any selected time. It also provides the 'time in range' data showing in all what percent of the total time you were in a safe zone (70 oto180 mg/dL) and what percent you went above and below this range. A well-managed diabetic will be more than 75% of the time within the safe zone.

One thing I noticed that was concerning was that at any point in time, the CGM value was less than the value found by pricking the finger (capillary measurement) and measuring with a meter ("one-touch") in my case).