UsefulAI

  • LLM-Shield: Privacy Proxy for Cloud LLMs


    LLM-Shield: Privacy proxy - masks PII or routes to local LLMLLM-Shield is a privacy proxy designed for those using cloud-based language models while concerned about client data privacy. It offers two modes: Mask Mode, which anonymizes personal identifiable information (PII) such as emails and names before sending data to OpenAI, and Route Mode, which keeps PII local by routing it to a local language model. The tool supports various PII types across 24 languages with automatic detection, utilizing Microsoft Presidio. Easily integrated with applications using the OpenAI API, LLM-Shield is open-sourced and includes a dashboard for monitoring. Future enhancements include a Chrome extension for ChatGPT and PDF/attachment masking. This matters because it provides a solution for maintaining data privacy when leveraging powerful cloud-based AI tools.

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  • Top 10 GitHub Repos for Learning AI


    10 Most Popular GitHub Repositories for Learning AILearning AI effectively involves more than just understanding machine learning models; it requires practical application and integration of various components, from mathematics to real-world systems. A curated list of ten popular GitHub repositories offers a comprehensive learning path, covering areas such as generative AI, large language models, agentic systems, and computer vision. These repositories provide structured courses, hands-on projects, and resources that range from beginner-friendly to advanced, helping learners build production-ready skills. By focusing on practical examples and community support, these resources aim to guide learners through the complexities of AI development, emphasizing hands-on practice over theoretical knowledge alone. This matters because it provides a structured approach to learning AI, enabling individuals to develop practical skills and confidence in a rapidly evolving field.

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  • Google’s AI Inbox Revolutionizes Gmail


    Google is taking over your Gmail inbox with AIGoogle is introducing an AI-powered Inbox view for Gmail that transforms the traditional email list into a personalized to-do list and topic summaries. This feature aims to help users manage their inboxes more efficiently by suggesting tasks such as rescheduling appointments or responding to emails, and summarizing key topics like events or meetings. Initially available to select testers in the US, the AI Inbox is currently limited to consumer Gmail accounts and lacks a way to mark completed tasks. Despite potential concerns about overwhelming users with too many suggestions, the AI Inbox could enhance productivity by offering timely recommendations and summaries. Additionally, Google is expanding its AI features to all consumer Gmail users, including personalized replies and thread summaries, at no extra cost, while premium subscribers receive advanced tools like proofreading and enhanced search capabilities. This matters because AI-driven tools in email management could significantly improve productivity and organization in our increasingly digital lives.

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  • AI’s Impact on Job Markets: A Multifaceted Debate


    Linus Torvalds: "The AI slop issue is *NOT* going to be solved with documentation"The debate on AI's impact on job markets is multifaceted, with opinions ranging from concerns about job displacement to optimism about new opportunities. Many believe AI is already causing job losses, particularly in entry-level and repetitive positions, while others argue it will create new job categories and enhance productivity. There are fears of an AI bubble leading to economic instability, but some remain skeptical about AI's immediate impact, suggesting its capabilities are often overstated. Additionally, economic factors and regulatory changes are seen as having a more significant influence on job markets than AI alone. Understanding these perspectives is crucial as AI continues to develop rapidly, with its long-term implications still uncertain.

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  • Fracture: Safe Code Patching for Local LLMs


    Built a local GUI tool to safely patch code without breaking local LLM setupsFracture is a local GUI tool designed to safely patch code without disrupting local LLM setups by preventing unwanted changes to entire files. It allows users to patch only explicitly marked sections of code while providing features like backups, rollback, and visible diffs for better control and safety. Protected sections are strictly enforced, ensuring they remain unmodified, making it a versatile tool for any text file beyond its original purpose of safeguarding a local LLM backend. This matters because it helps developers maintain stable and functional codebases while using AI tools that might otherwise overwrite crucial code sections.

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  • MCP for Financial Ontology


    MCP for Financial Ontology!The MCP for Financial Ontology is an open-source tool designed to provide AI agents with a standardized financial dictionary based on the Financial Industry Business Ontology (FIBO) standard. This initiative aims to guide AI agents toward more consistent and accurate responses in financial tasks, facilitating macro-level reasoning. The project is still in development, and the creators invite collaboration and feedback from the AI4Finance community to drive innovative advancements. This matters because it seeks to enhance the reliability and coherence of AI-driven financial analyses and decision-making.

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  • Ford to Integrate AI Assistants in Cars by 2026


    Ford is getting ready to put AI assistants in its carsFord is planning to integrate AI assistants into its vehicles by 2026, as announced at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The AI system aims to personalize the driving experience by seamlessly connecting intelligence between a user's phone and vehicle, offering features like assessing if an item will fit in a truck bed through a photo. Initially, the AI assistant will be available in Ford and Lincoln smartphone apps, with a full integration into new or refreshed vehicle models expected by 2027. This technological advancement signifies a shift towards more personalized and intelligent automotive experiences, enhancing convenience and functionality for drivers.

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  • Ford’s AI Assistant & BlueCruise Tech Unveiled


    Ford has an AI assistant and new hands-free BlueCruise tech on the wayFord is introducing an AI assistant initially through its smartphone app in 2026, with plans for vehicle integration by 2027. This assistant, hosted by Google Cloud and utilizing off-the-shelf LLMs, will provide detailed vehicle-specific information and answer both high-level and granular questions. Additionally, Ford is developing a next-generation BlueCruise driver assistance system, which is 30% cheaper to produce and aims to enable eyes-off driving by 2028. The new system will debut on Ford's upcoming EV platform, promising enhanced autonomy similar to Tesla's offerings. This matters because it highlights Ford's strategic advancements in AI and autonomous driving technology, positioning it competitively in the evolving automotive industry.

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  • Artisan AI’s LinkedIn Ban and Reinstatement


    Yes, LinkedIn banned AI agent startup Artisan, but now it’s backArtisan AI, a San Francisco-based startup known for its AI sales agent Ava, was temporarily banned from LinkedIn due to violations involving unauthorized data scraping and improper use of LinkedIn's name on its website. The ban led to a viral online discussion, but after addressing LinkedIn's concerns, Artisan was reinstated. CEO Jaspar Carmichael-Jack noted that the incident inadvertently boosted the company's visibility and lead flow. Artisan, a Y Combinator graduate, is expanding its services to include outbound calling, highlighting that while LinkedIn is a critical platform for sales, the company can adapt to other channels if necessary. This situation underscores the importance of compliance with platform policies and the potential scrutiny from major tech companies on data practices.

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  • Sonya TTS: Fast, Expressive Neural Voice Anywhere


    Sonya TTS — A Small Expressive Neural Voice That Runs Anywhere!Sonya TTS is a newly released, small, and fast text-to-speech model that offers an expressive single speaker English voice, built on the VITS framework and trained with an expressive voice dataset. It is designed to run efficiently on various devices, including GPUs, CPUs, laptops, and edge devices, delivering natural-sounding speech with emotion, rhythm, and prosody. The model provides instant generation with low latency, suitable for real-time applications, and includes an audiobook mode for handling long-form text with natural pauses. Users can adjust emotion, rhythm, and speed during inference, making it versatile and adaptable for different use cases. This matters because it democratizes access to high-quality, expressive TTS technology across a wide range of devices without requiring specialized hardware.

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