Sunday, April 21, 2024

Midjourney PixelPlay - Eccentric Characters

I am starting a free prompt-sharing series on various themes. A handful of digital creators on X (erstwhile Twitter) inspired me to learn AI prompting techniques last year. I am thankful to those creators who helped me revive my creative interests.

The first theme I am starting with is based on Eccentric Characters. In this theme, you must consider both the subject and the environment to get the desired visual impact.

Let’s get started

The Clockwork Countess

 

A whimsical clockwork woman with an air of eccentricity. Her limbs are intricate gears and pistons, and her polka-dotted dress is adorned with tiny clocks and gauges. Tiny birds with clockwork wings flit around her, and the background is a swirling nebula of stardust and time dust. --ar 4:5 --style raw --stylize 750

 

 

 

 

 

 

 The Librarian of Lost Lore

 

A hunched figure with mismatched limbs and a wild mane of hair is revealed to be a bookworm bard. Musical notes swirl around them like magical sparks, and the background is a fantastical library filled with towering bookshelves that defy gravity. --ar 4:5 --style raw --stylize 750

 

 

 

 

 

 

Culinary Concoction 

A stop-motion animation still featuring an eccentric chef with mismatched utensils for limbs and a stained apron. They stir a bubbling cauldron overflowing with fantastical ingredients – eyeballs, glowing mushrooms, levitating feathers. The background is a bustling kitchen filled with peculiar cookware and strange contraptions. --ar 4:5 --style raw --stylize 750

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dream Weaver

A sleepwalker with flowing, translucent limbs that seem to blend with the dreamlike environment around them. Their attire resembles a starry night sky, with swirling galaxies and constellations forming a cloak. Capture the dreamlike quality with a soft, ethereal brushwork reminiscent of Art Nouveau. --ar 4:5 --style raw --stylize 750
 
 

 

 

 

 

Living Doll 

A porcelain doll with mismatched limbs, cracks spiderweb across their painted face, Their dress is a faded floral pattern, adorned with chipped lace and buttons. Capture the unsettling beauty of a forgotten antique doll with a touch of gothic horror aesthetic. --ar 4:5 --style raw --stylize 350
 

Tuesday, April 02, 2024

The Rise of the Chief AI Officer: A Ripple Effect on Global GRC

 

Earlier this week, the USA released an official policy on using Artificial Intelligence. All federal departments and agencies will need to adhere to the guidelines on using AI as announced by the White House Office of Management and Budget. (OMB)

The OMB policy aims to achieve below five objectives:

1)      Address Risks from the Use of AI

2)      Expand Transparency of AI Use

3)      Advance Responsible AI Innovation

4)      Grow the AI Workforce

5)      Strengthen AI Governance 

On the surface, one may think this applies only to US government agencies, so how does this impact me? How would it affect the Governance, Risk, and Compliance practices?

The ripples of this OMB policy would be felt beyond US borders. Through my post, I will cover the possible developments related to the points in this policy that will shape the template of global controls and frameworks for firms.

Beyond US Borders: A Catalyst for Global AI GRC.

This move towards centralized oversight will have a cascading effect that will prompt international organizations and countries to a) have their own AI GRC policies in place, if not currently, and b) fine-tune their policies to align with emerging guidelines in the form of EU AI Act, and now OMB policy.

GRC experts must monitor these frameworks closely to identify the standard requirements and exceptions. Once we are past this storming phase, the next phase of fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing across borders will play an important role, which is imperative in building trust and ensuring responsible AI use through global alignment on AI governance.

CIO to CAIO: The balancing act between a technocrat and a strategist

The OMB policy calls for appointing a Chief AI Officer (CAIO) to coordinate the use of AI across all government agencies. Many larger firms must have started rethinking their organizational structure regarding an internal AI governing body. In some firms, the CIO role would be the best fit to incorporate CAIO roles and responsibilities. Some firms may want to appoint a chief AI Officer for an independent role.

GRC professionals also have an opportunity to fill the CAIO role by upskilling themselves to learn AI technology and the scale and scope of AI adoption within their organization to prepare for the upcoming wave of regulatory compliance. You do not have to understand the code or the application of AI solutions in detail; however, you should be able to read into the risks associated with AI, including bias, security vulnerabilities, and potential misuse. This necessitates strong leadership skills and a strategic mindset.

Preparing for the AI Governance Wave: A Call to Action

The OMB Policy has listed a few pointers on what GRC professionals can expect to fall in their kitty to work upon:

1) Annual inventories of AI use cases

2) Metrics reporting on AI use cases

3) Stakeholder declaration (Government, Shareholders, Vendors, Public)

Government-vetted AI solutions will gain wider acceptance, adding a new level of certification or whatever form this takes. Discussions between firms and vendors will accelerate, and companies will need to review what approach they need to take when declaring their in-house AI solutions to external stakeholders.

The emphasis would be on transparency and the ethical application of AI through annual inventories of AI use cases at enterprise, department, and project levels. Your metrics reporting would be linked to the supply chain associated with the firm, and it cannot operate in a silo and hence an apparent cascading effect.

Conclusion

The announcement of a chief AI Officer role would add a new dimension to the GRC landscape. Not all companies need to follow suit in appointing such a role; however, they must be proactive in establishing internal AI governance committees, conducting regular AI risk assessments, and developing clear policies for ethical AI use. Firms should anticipate the growing demand for expertise in building secure, responsible AI solutions. Integrating GRC considerations into the design and development process will be crucial to meeting compliance.

Friday, March 08, 2024

Kutchi Vibes - The Fashion of Kutch

 

Kutchi fashion, with its vibrant colors and intricate embroidery, is a testament to the rich cultural tapestry of the Kutch region in Gujarat, India. The traditional attire, known for its detailed handwork, reflects a history that dates back to the 16th and 17th centuries.

I created this concept of digital fashion artwork to showcase the colors and patterns that belong to the place where I come from In India. Some limited artisans produce this embroidery work today, and despite its rarity, this artwork has become a distinct identity for our people and culture.

In 2005, the Kutch embroidery tradition was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This embroidery product of Kutch has been registered for protection under the List of Geographical indication (GI) of the Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement.
 
Check the full showcase here

Thursday, March 07, 2024

International Women's Day 2024 - Free Wallpaper Pack

 

 
International Women's Day is a vital occasion to celebrate the progress and potential of women from all walks of our life. This day also serves as a catalyst to amplify the voices and visions of women across various domains, such as society, economy, culture, and politics.

To emphasize the importance of inclusion for achieving gender equality, the United Nations has chosen the theme 'Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress'. This campaign focuses on the need for diversity and empowerment for women in every sphere of life, as stated above; hence, the theme for this year's Women's Day is #InspireInclusion.

If you're looking for some wallpapers to celebrate International Women's Day, you can download 13 images split into three different downloadable sets here.

Happy International Women's Day!
Szczęśliwego Dnia Kobiet

Please note that these images are free for your personal use, and do not forget to attribute me while using them in any of your projects. Altering, editing, or any other modification of these images for commercial use is prohibited.
 
 

Monday, January 22, 2024

Palworld: A Wild and Wonderful Adventure

 

Palworld is a game that defies easy categorization. It is a survival and crafting game but also a monster-catching and battling game. It is a game that lets you explore a vast and beautiful open world and confronts you with the harsh realities of poaching and exploitation. It offers you freedom and creativity and challenges you with moral dilemmas and ethical choices.

This game has generated a lot of buzz and hype since its reveal trailer in June 2023. The trailer, which showed a mix of cute and cuddly creatures called Pals and intense gunfights and explosions, quickly went viral and sparked much curiosity and controversy. Some people praised the game for its originality and ambition, while others criticized it for its violence and tone-deafness. Some people compared it to Pokemon, while others compared it to Rust or Minecraft. Some people were intrigued by the game's potential, while others were repulsed by the game's premise.

Palworld was finally launched in early access on Xbox and PC on January 19, 2024. The game, developed by Pocket Pair, the indie studio behind Craftopia, is still in development and will receive regular updates and improvements based on player feedback and suggestions. The game, as it stands now, is a promising but flawed experience that offers a lot of fun, excitement, frustration, and confusion.

If you want a gameplay experience that is something different and daring, you should try playing Palworld once. It is a game that will appeal to gamers who enjoy survival and crafting games and those who enjoy monster-catching and battling games. It is a game that will surprise you with its variety and depth but also a game may disappoint you with its bugs and glitches in its current state of release; the developers have acknowledged the overwhelming response this game has received, and they are making all efforts to manage the server traffic and other stability issues related to the game currently.

What is Palworld about?

Your character begins its journey in a world populated by Pals, mysterious and diverse creatures that can be your friends or foes. You can capture Pals using special Pal Ball devices and use them for various purposes. You can make them fight alongside you against other Pals or poachers, or you can make them work on your farms or factories. You can even sell them or eat them if you are so inclined.

Palworld is a game that lets you build your base and craft your items. You can gather natural resources, such as wood, stone, metal, or plants, and use them to create tools, weapons, armor, or furniture. You can also use Pals to help you build and craft, as they have different abilities and skills. For example, you can use a Pal that can fly to transport materials or a Pal that can dig to mine ores.

You can explore a vast and diverse open world, traveling across different biomes, such as forests, deserts, mountains, or oceans, and encounter different Pals, animals, plants, and structures. You can also discover hidden secrets and treasures, such as dungeons, ruins, or caves. You can also interact with other players, as the game supports multiplayer and co-op modes. You can team up with your friends to fight, build, or compete with other players for resources or territory.

Why is Palworld so hyped?

Palworld has attracted much attention and interest for several reasons. One of them is its unique and innovative combination of genres and mechanics. It blends elements from survival and crafting games, such as Rust, Minecraft, or Valheim, with elements from monster-catching and battling games, such as Pokemon, Digimon, or Monster Hunter. Palworld is a game that offers a lot of freedom and creativity, as well as a lot of action and adventure.

Another reason why Palworld is so hyped is its controversial and provocative presentation and theme. It is a game that does not shy away from showing the dark and gritty side of living with Pals. The Pals are not only cute and loyal companions but also exploited and abused workers, slaves, and food. This raises questions about the ethics and morality of using Pals for your benefit and the consequences of doing so. Palworld is a game that challenges you to make choices that will affect your reputation and alignment, as well as the world and the Pals around you.

How did Palworld become a Steam chart-topper in sales and active player count?

Let’s list down some of the key features that stand out for Palworld and how it can attract a gamer who doesn’t play these types of games:

- Its rich and varied gameplay allows you to do almost anything you want, from fighting and farming to building and crafting to exploring and discovering.

- It is a diverse and dynamic world, which offers you a lot of opportunities and challenges.

- Evident contrast between the cute and cuddly Pals and the action element.

- Its multiplayer and co-op modes enable you to share your experience and adventure with your friends or other players, which is a big draw for gamers to try this game.

Conclusion

Palworld is a game that is not for everyone, but also a game that is worth a try. It has a weird charm and a familiar nostalgic feel to its premise, which is uncomplicated and manages to immerse the game player in the core element of having fun. Since the game is in early access and the initial response has been staggering, it has set the stage for developers to work on ironing out the issues at launch and have a potential winner on hand already, as they have crossed 3 million copies in sales within 48 hours of launch.

I hope this game does not become embroiled in unnecessary controversy raised by some Pokémon fans about the uncanny likeliness of Pokémon video game characters.