Exploring alternate realities with AI: What if Queen Elizabeth retired in Malta?

Apr 2 2023

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has revolutionised the way we create and manipulate images. With the help of deep learning algorithms, AI continues to generate highly realistic and detailed images that are almost indistinguishable from real photographs.

One intriguing application of AI-generated images is the ability to create alternate realities and explore “what-if” scenarios. In a recent post @malta_ai explored one such scenario: What if Queen Elizabeth II retired in Malta?

Queen Elizabeth II had a deep connection to Malta, having visited the island several times in the past and even lived here for a short period.

Using AI-generated images, AI Malta created a realistic depiction of what Malta might look like if Queen Elizabeth II had retired here.

Of course, this scenario is purely fictional, but it demonstrates the power of AI-generated images to create alternate realities and explore “what-if” scenarios.

It also highlights the potential of this technology to inspire new ideas and spark the imagination.

Who knows what other alternate realities we might create with AI-generated images? The possibilities are endless.

#MaltaDaily

Wind and showers to start the Easter week

Apr 2 2023

We can expect a mixed bag of weather this upcoming week, with Monday starting off with thundery showers and windy conditions.

According to the weather forecast, temperatures will range from 12°C to 16°C, with wind speeds reaching force 6.

Tuesday will bring similar weather conditions, with high winds and temperatures reaching a high of 17°C and low of 11°C.

The rest of the week is expected to be partly cloudy, with isolated showers on Wednesday and highs of 17°C and lows of 12°C. However, wind speeds are expected to decrease to force 3 on Wednesday.

Thursday will bring partly cloudy skies, with temperatures ranging from 11°C to 16°C, while Friday will be mostly the same with highs of 16°C and lows of 10°C. On both days, we can expect cooler weather conditions, especially during the night.

Saturday will mirror Friday’s weather with partly cloudy skies and similar temperatures. However, the wind speed will pick up, so residents might be advised to take precautions.

#MaltaDaily

106-year-old tattoo artist taking the world by storm

Apr 2 2023

Vogue Philippines has made a historic move in their latest issue by featuring the oldest person ever to grace the cover of the fashion magazine.

The cover star for the April edition is none other than the legendary Apo Whang-Od, a 106-year-old tattoo artist from the Philippines.

Apo Whang-Od has spent her entire life perfecting the art of hand-shaping tattoos, a traditional method known as “batok.” She learned the craft from her father when she was a teenager and has since become a revered figure in her community and the wider world.

In her hometown of Buscalan in Kalinga province, Whang-Od has become a symbol of strength, beauty, and tradition.

She has passed on her skills to younger generations, ensuring that the art of batok continues to thrive. Her works have been showcased in museums and galleries around the world.

In an interview with Vogue Philippines, Whang-Od talked about her life and her art.

She expressed her pride in being a tattoo artist and how it has allowed her to connect with people from all over the world. “I feel very happy when I see people come to Buscalan to get a tattoo. I feel like I am sharing our culture with them,” she said.

The decision to feature Whang-Od on the cover of Vogue Philippines is a significant move for the fashion industry.

It shows that age is not a barrier to beauty and that traditional art forms should be celebrated and appreciated. It also highlights the importance of representation and diversity in fashion.

In recent years, the fashion industry has made strides towards inclusivity, with models of different races, sizes, and ages gracing the covers of major magazines.

Whang-Od’s feature in Vogue Philippines is not only a celebration of her life and art but also a recognition of the cultural heritage of the Philippines.

Apo Whang-Od’s cover feature in Vogue Philippines is a reminder that age, culture, and tradition are beautiful and worthy of recognition.

#MaltaDaily

EU Parliament adopts new rules to tackle gender pay gap and promote pay transparency

Apr 2 2023

The European Parliament has adopted new rules that aim to address the gender pay gap across the European Union.

On average, women in the EU earn 13% less than men for doing the same job, which has persisted for years despite legal provisions for equal pay.

Under the new rules, companies will be required to disclose information that makes it easier for employees to compare salaries and to expose existing gender pay gaps.

Companies that have a gender pay gap of over 5% will have to take action to address it, and employers that do not comply with the rules will face dissuasive penalties, including fines.

The new legislation will also require pay structures to be based on gender-neutral criteria and recruitment processes led in a non-discriminatory manner.

Pay secrecy will be banned, and workers and workers’ representatives will have the right to receive clear and complete information on individual and average pay levels, broken down by gender.

The burden of proof on pay-related issues will shift from the worker to the employer, meaning that the employer will have to prove that there has been no discrimination if a worker feels that the principle of equal pay has not been applied and takes the case to court.

The new rules also include intersectional discrimination and the rights of non-binary persons, making it the first time that such issues have been included in European legislation.

The rapporteurs of the Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Committee and the Employment and Social Affairs Committee both expressed their satisfaction with the new rules.

The Council will have to approve the agreement before the text is signed into law and published in the EU Official Journal.

The new rules will come into force twenty days after their publication.

The adoption of these new rules is a significant step towards addressing the gender pay gap in the EU and ensuring that all workers are treated equally, regardless of gender or any other factor.

#MaltaDaily