Blame it on the Stars 🔯: AI Astrology 🔮 for the Modern Mess 🪬

EDITOR’S NOTE

Dear Reader, Mercury's in retrograde...again!

Yep, the cosmic scapegoat for every tech glitch, miscommunication, and delayed flight is back for another round of chaos.

But hey, at least your AI astrologer won't roll its digital eyes when you blame your bad hair day on the mischievous planet.

In fact, it might even offer some personalized styling tips based on your birth chart.

Because who needs free will when you've got an algorithm whispering sweet nothings (and hair care advice) in your ear?

Welcome to the future of astrology, where the stars align with AI and even Mercury retrograde can't dampen our cosmically-charged sense of humor.

In Today’s Newsletter:

• Astro-Tech: Should You Start a Cult? Ask the AI

• KundliGPT: Your Personal AI Horoscope Guru!

• Stars, Algorithms, and You: The AI-Powered Horoscope Revolution

• Latest AI Job Opportunities in India

• Latest AI News from Around the World

TOP NEWS
Your Future by AI, Now Vending Machine-Style

An astro-tech company, Co-Star, has developed a machine that uses AI to provide astrological readings and answers to specific questions, promoting its new in-app service, The Void, which does the same things as the machine but on an app.

Why is it relevant?
The use of AI in astrology raises questions about the role of technology in a field that often relies on human intuition and emotional connection. While some saw this Co-Star machine/AI as a tool to enhance astrology, others were skeptical about the accuracy and trustworthiness of AI-generated answers. Read More

TOP NEWS
Future-Telling Bot: Is Your Kundli Ready for AI?

Kundli GPT, an AI chatbot developed using the GPT algorithm, provides personalized astrological readings and answers questions based on users' birth details.

Why is it relevant?
This tool showcases the growing integration of AI in astrology, making personalized readings more accessible. It highlights the increasing reliance on AI for guidance and raises questions about the balance between technology and traditional practices in interpreting personal destinies. Read More

NANOBITS RESEARCH
Cosmic Clickbait: We're All a Little Astro-Curious (and AI Knows It)

According to a survey carried out among US adults in June 2022, more than a quarter of them said they believed in astrology. I got curious and decided to check this number for the Indian market.

The Indian spiritual and religious market is estimated to be worth over $40 billion, of which the horoscope space alone is worth $10 billion.

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, global interest in astrology was already on the rise. Data from Google Trends indicates that searches for terms like "birth chart" and "astrology" reached their highest points in five years during 2021, contributing to the growth of several astrology-related businesses.

In fact, Puneet Gupta of Astrotalk believes that this industry has a global TAM of $100 billion.

Why do people believe in astrology? Is it science or superstitious hokum-pokum?

Today I learned something about the “Barnum Effect“ and this is the reason why people believe in astrology.

Astrology has consistently held a broad appeal, but it's noteworthy that AstroTech apps are particularly popular among younger demographics (18-35 years old). Additionally, users from Tier II and Tier III cities play a significant role in driving the growth of these apps.

Some factors that contribute to the popularity and growth of Astrotech among the younger generation include an evolved startup ecosystem, high mobile phone penetration, enhanced reach of broadband services, and tech-savvy consumers. 

Impact of AI on Astrology

AI has undoubtedly made astrology more accessible and engaging, leading to a surge in both astrologers and users. This shift has streamlined the process, emphasizing interpretation over complex calculations.

Here are some key impacts of AI in Astrology:

• Data analysis: AI sifts through vast amounts of astrological data, revealing hidden patterns and correlations.

• Personalized readings: AI crafts unique insights based on individual birth charts, offering tailored guidance.

• Predictive modeling: AI utilizes historical data and current trends to forecast future astrological events.

• Accessibility: AI-powered apps and websites make astrological insights readily available anytime, anywhere.

• Continuous learning: AI algorithms constantly learn and evolve, improving the accuracy of predictions over time.

• Innovative interpretations: AI offers fresh perspectives on traditional astrological concepts, fostering a deeper understanding.

• Real-time updates: AI provides immediate notifications and advice based on current planetary movements.

Top Tech Companies Pioneering the AI Revolution in Astrotech:

1. AstroNidan: Uses ML and Ayurveda to provide personalized Eastern astrology readings, focusing on individual traits and doshas.

2. Jeffrey Celavie: Combines Western, Chinese, and Vedic astrological traditions using NASA astronomical data to generate Zodiac Horoscopes and Astral Maps.

3. Vedic AstroGPT: Offers detailed Vedic astrology readings and personalized responses to specific questions, catering to both experts and general audiences.

4. Ask The Oracle: Features a chatbot for tarot readings, dream interpretations, and chart readings, along with a fun zodiac-based love calculator.

5. VedVaani: AI-powered app providing Vedic astrology, tarot, palm, and face readings, along with love, career, and numerology guidance.

6. Astrology Works: Introduces "Astra," a personal AI astrologer, offering instant answers and guidance on self-development, career, relationships, and health.

I could not help but mention the fun ones too: eSalon for hair color suggestions basis your horoscope, Zodiac Chat AI for personal growth advice, Birthdate Blueprint by SimplyAstro for numerology, Compartés for zodiac-themed chocolates, Zodiac Perfumery for perfume suggestions.

But this will be my all-time favorite: LinkedIn Tarot. It’s a divination tool built on Claude AI that uses tarot cards to match a user's professional profile on LinkedIn. It allows users to enter their LinkedIn profile and receive a tarot card that is meant to represent their professional persona or career path.

Risks & Challenges

With the rising global uncertainties, there's a growing reliance on astrology to navigate life's complexities and seek guidance. Despite AI’s exciting contributions to this sector, it faces huge hurdles.

Spirituality/divination’s subjective nature makes it harder to identify AI’s shortcomings and errors. While factual errors, like claiming a lack of African countries starting with "K," are easily dismissed, subjective guidance, such as daily exercise routines for success, is harder to evaluate. This can lead to prolonged periods of waiting for results, with users attributing delays to their own actions rather than questioning the AI's advice.

AI readings lack the discernment and nuanced understanding of human emotions that are crucial in live astrological consultations. Expert astrologers can gauge a person's energy and emotional state, tailoring their delivery of both positive and challenging insights accordingly. AI, currently, lacks this empathetic and intuitive ability, potentially leading to insensitive or unhelpful communication.

AI Astrology is getting a little too personal. It speaks with a peculiar and unsettling authority — more definitive than human divination experts. This is because clear, definitive answers have a broader appeal especially when the world is uncertain. People give AI godlike space because it’s supposed to be “superior“ but one has to remember that the machine is made up of humans’ convictions, flaws, and biases fed into its algorithms.

Mitigation Measures

Companies like Co-Star have set up near-robust defense systems to prevent humans from falling into the rabbit hole and causing self-harm.

1. On Co-Star, a user can’t have ongoing conversations with the AI chatbots; it resets after every question.

2. Users can not ask the same questions repeatedly in different ways.

3. Co-Star’s algorithm rejects 20% of the questions asked because of the potential risks of self-harm.

Future of AI in Astrology

With rising investments and interests in the space, the future of AI-powered divination looks brighter.

• AI astrology has started integrating with wearable devices to provide personalized and real-time astrological insights.

• This technology will also bridge the gap between astrology and modern science, incorporating psychological and wellness principles for a more comprehensive understanding of well-being.

• Moreover, AI astrology will promote inclusivity and respect for diverse beliefs, creating a welcoming space for everyone to explore the cosmos on their own terms.

AI JOB OPPORTUNITIES

• Novartis - Director AI Platforms

• Apple - CV ML Engineer

• NetApp - Product Manager (AI/ML, Storage)

• Microsoft - Principal Product Manager

• Genesys International Corp - AI Internship

• Primary HeatlhTech - Data Analytics Intern

Click here to browse more AI jobs in India

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