AllYouCanTech

“Starlink Enters National Radio Quiet Zone, Reportedly Limits Access for Some Users”

### Starlink’s Growth in the National Radio Quiet Zone: A Complex Issue

#### Introduction

Starlink, the satellite internet service from SpaceX, has broadened its network to include the National Radio Quiet Zone (NRQZ), an area in the United States with stringent restrictions on radio transmissions to safeguard essential scientific research. Following a multi-year engineering partnership with the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO), Starlink is now accessible to 99.5% of the residents in the NRQZ. Nevertheless, this growth has generated debate, especially for the remaining 0.5% of residents who have lost access to Starlink’s Roam service, which had been their internet lifeline.

#### Starlink’s Introduction to the NRQZ

The NRQZ, covering sections of Virginia and West Virginia, houses vital scientific institutions such as the Green Bank Observatory and an NSA facility at Sugar Grove Station. Since 1958, there have been stringent regulations that limit radio transmissions in this zone to avoid interference with radio telescopes and other sensitive equipment. Consequently, residents have faced challenges with limited internet options, given the frequent unavailability or unreliability of traditional broadband and cellular services.

The introduction of Starlink in the NRQZ results from a near three-year engineering collaboration between SpaceX, the NSF, and the NRAO. The aim was to deliver high-speed satellite internet to most residents while ensuring minimal interference with the observatories. As of October 25, 2024, Starlink’s home internet service reaches 99.5% of the NRQZ’s population, marking a noteworthy advancement in reducing the digital divide in this remote area.

#### The Roam Issue

While the growth of Starlink’s home internet service is a positive change for many residents, it has unfortunately left a small yet significant fraction of the population without service. Specifically, 0.5% of residents who had utilized Starlink’s Roam service—intended for travelers and RV users—have seen their access revoked. According to the Pendleton County Office of Emergency Management, these residents depended on Roam for two years, and its abrupt discontinuation has left them without acceptable internet alternatives.

Rick Gillespie, the Emergency Services Coordinator for Pendleton County, voiced his frustration regarding the situation, asserting that “in many instances, Starlink was the sole internet provider available to residents and emergency responders.” He described the lack of coverage as “unacceptable,” especially in areas devoid of other internet options.

#### Consequences for Public Safety and Communication

The withdrawal of Starlink Roam coverage has ignited worries about public safety and emergency communications within the NRQZ. Gillespie has actively highlighted the struggles faced by local communities, characterizing the restrictions as keeping parts of Pendleton and Pocahontas counties “in the dark ages of communication systems.” He stressed that Starlink had been an essential resource for both residents and emergency personnel, and its absence has created a notable void in the region’s communication framework.

Local leaders are now advocating for alterations to the NRQZ regulations to facilitate more robust communication systems. Ten counties in West Virginia and one in Virginia have formally articulated their need for changes through resolutions and letters of support. Representing over 262,000 residents, these counties are urging either the dismantling of the NRQZ or waivers that would authorize the adoption of modern communication technologies, including satellite internet and cellular networks.

#### Starlink’s Technical Approaches to Minimize Interference

In addressing the concerns of the NRAO and other scientific organizations, SpaceX has adopted sophisticated technical solutions to lessen interference from its satellites. Starlink’s phased array antenna technology enables the network to dynamically direct beams away from radio telescopes, ensuring that scientific research remains undisturbed. This system relies on real-time data sharing between Starlink and the observatories, allowing satellites to modify their transmissions according to the telescopes’ observation schedules and pointing directions.

Starlink claims this beam-steering technology can redirect satellite signals in milliseconds, safeguarding the telescopes’ observations while providing constant internet service for users located near the observatories. This method has been effectively employed not only in the NRQZ but also at the NRAO’s Very Large Array in New Mexico.

#### Demands for Modification of NRQZ Regulations

Despite these technical advancements, local leaders contend that the NRQZ regulations are outdated and require reform. The Pendleton County Commission has demanded either the abolition of the quiet zone or the issuance of waivers for public safety communications and commercial services like Starlink. Their resolution emphasizes the financial strain placed by the NRQZ, noting that the limitations have compelled the county to construct more communication towers than would be necessary otherwise.

Additionally, the Pocahontas County Commission has passed a resolution advocating for waivers or federal funding to help alleviate the expenses associated with developing public safety communication systems.

Research Shows AI Systems Display Bias Toward Black and Female Resumes

### The Bias of AI in Résumé Screening: A Comprehensive Analysis of Language Models Favoring White and Male Candidates

In recent times, artificial intelligence (AI) has become a vital component of various sectors, especially in human resources (HR). AI-powered tools, particularly large language models (LLMs), are progressively being utilized to streamline processes such as résumé evaluation and candidate assessment. Nevertheless, an expanding array of research indicates that these AI systems may not be as unbiased as we desire. A recent study has uncovered that language models frequently display preferences, favoring white and male candidates over others, even when qualifications are the same.

#### The Study: Unearthing AI Bias in Résumé Screening

A new paper, showcased at the AAAI/ACM Conference on AI, Ethics, and Society, underscores the prevalence of bias in AI-based résumé screening. Researchers from the University of Washington executed a study utilizing three different Massive Text Embedding (MTE) models, all derived from the Mistal-7B large language model (LLM). These models were refined with various datasets to enhance their efficacy in activities such as document retrieval, classification, and clustering.

The researchers processed hundreds of publicly accessible résumés and job postings through these MTE models. Rather than depending on straightforward keyword matching, the models produced “embedded relevance scores” for each résumé and job description combination. This enabled the researchers to evaluate how closely each résumé aligned with the job description based on the model’s text comprehension.

To assess bias, the researchers initially ran the résumés through the models without any names attached. Subsequently, they repeated the experiment using names with high scores for racial and gender distinctiveness, indicating that the names were strongly linked to specific racial or gender categories. The objective was to observe whether the models favored certain names over others in the résumé evaluations.

#### The Results: A Distinct Pattern of Bias

The results of the study were alarming. Across more than three million résumé and job description evaluations, the MTE models consistently showed a preference for white and male names. Specifically:

– **White names were selected in 85.1% of the evaluations**, compared to only 8.6% for Black names. The remaining evaluations displayed negligible differences.
– **Male names were chosen in 51.9% of the evaluations**, while just 11.1% were for female names.
– In intersectional comparisons (considering both race and gender), **Black male names were never favored over white male names** across any of the bias evaluations.

These patterns were apparent across a variety of job descriptions, regardless of the typical racial or gender demographics of the roles in reality. This implies that the bias does not mirror societal trends but is instead a product of the models’ intrinsic preferences.

#### Why Does This Occur? The “Default” Dilemma

The researchers suspect that the bias arises from the models’ treatment of certain identities as the “default.” In this situation, the models appear to consider “masculine and White concepts” as the standard, with other identities regarded as anomalies. This presents a serious concern, as it indicates that the models are not evaluating candidates solely based on qualifications, but rather are affected by the names linked to those candidates.

The inclination towards white and male names was often minor in individual tests, with the “percentage difference in screening advantage” being around 5% or lower in the majority of instances. However, the persistent nature of the bias across millions of evaluations accumulates, possibly resulting in substantial discrepancies in hiring outcomes.

#### Real-World Consequences: AI Bias in Recruitment

The findings of this study are troubling, particularly given the growing dependence on AI in recruitment. While the biases displayed by the MTE models in this controlled study may not precisely reflect how AI tools function in practice, they spotlight a significant issue: AI systems are susceptible to bias. In fact, they frequently mirror the biases present in the data utilized for training.

This isn’t the first instance of AI bias in recruitment coming to the forefront. In 2018, Amazon was compelled to abandon an internal AI recruiting tool after it was discovered to favor male candidates. The tool had been trained on résumés sent to the company over a decade, most of which were submitted by men. Consequently, the AI learned to prefer male candidates, even penalizing résumés that contained the term “women’s” (e.g., “women’s chess club”).

#### The Urgency for Bias Mitigation in AI

As AI continues to assume a more prominent role in hiring and other decision-making processes, it is essential to tackle these biases. Some firms, such as Salesforce, have enacted thorough testing for bias and toxicity in their AI models prior to their deployment in production. These organizations also incorporate safeguards and controls to avert harmful outcomes.

Nevertheless, further efforts are required to ensure that AI systems are just and equitable. This encompasses not

New “Skeleton Crew” Preview Hints at Pirates and Secret Dangers

# **Star Wars: Skeleton Crew – An Adventure Inspired by The Goonies in a Distant Galaxy**

The universe of Star Wars is set to expand further with the forthcoming spinoff series, *Star Wars: Skeleton Crew*, scheduled to premiere on Disney+ on December 3, 2024. This eight-episode standalone show unfolds in the same timeline as *The Mandalorian* and *Ahsoka*, yet it introduces a fresh and adventurous perspective to the galaxy far, far away. Drawing inspiration from the beloved 1985 cult film *The Goonies*, *Skeleton Crew* is poised to offer a nostalgic yet exhilarating voyage, merging the charm of a coming-of-age tale with the grand scale of the Star Wars saga.

### **A Goonies-Inspired Adventure Within Star Wars**

Executive Producer Kathleen Kennedy, who also co-produced *The Goonies*, has acknowledged the film’s impact on *Skeleton Crew*. Similar to *The Goonies*, the series features a group of children who encounter a mysterious discovery and set off on an unforeseen journey. Nonetheless, unlike *The Goonies*, which depicts a treasure hunt in the real world, *Skeleton Crew* takes its young heroes on an adventure across the galaxy, filled with peril, excitement, and mystery.

While the series is not explicitly targeted at a young audience, it narrates a story of kids in extraordinary situations. This narrative approach enables it to appeal to a wider viewership, akin to *The Goonies*, which appealed to both children and adults.

### **The Plot: Adrift in Space**

The official synopsis of *Star Wars: Skeleton Crew* is as follows:

> “*Skeleton Crew* chronicles the adventure of four kids who discover something mysterious on their seemingly secure home planet, only to find themselves adrift in a strange and perilous galaxy, crossing paths with figures such as Jod Na Nawood, a mysterious character portrayed by Jude Law. Their quest to find their way home—and the unexpected allies and adversaries they meet—will prove to be a grander adventure than they ever anticipated.”

The series revolves around four young characters—Wim (portrayed by Ravi Cabot-Conyers), Fern (Ryan Kiera Armstrong), KB (Kyriana Kratter), and Neil (Robert Timothy Smith)—who, after uncovering a mysterious find, become lost in the vastness of space. Throughout their journey, they meet Jod Na Nawood, a Force-user played by Jude Law, who acts as their mentor and guardian as they face the galaxy’s dangers.

### **The Cast and Their Roles**

Jude Law leads the ensemble as Jod Na Nawood, a clever and charismatic Force-user who aids the children on their quest. Law has described his character as both enigmatic and inventive, presenting a new spin on the classic Jedi archetype.

The youthful cast features:
– **Ravi Cabot-Conyers** as Wim, an inquisitive and adventurous boy.
– **Ryan Kiera Armstrong** as Fern, a bold and daring girl.
– **Kyriana Kratter** as KB, a tech-savvy and ingenious companion.
– **Robert Timothy Smith** as Neil, the group’s cautious yet valiant pilot.

In addition to the primary cast, *Skeleton Crew* showcases a plethora of captivating characters, including:
– **Nick Frost** lending his voice to SM 33, a droid and first mate of the spacecraft *Onyx Cylinder*.
– **Fred Tatasciore** as Brutus, a formidable foe.
– **Jaleel White** as Gunther, a mysterious individual.
– **Mike Estes** as Pax, a fellow wayfarer.
– **Marti Matulis** as Vane, a perilous pirate.
– **Dale Soules** as Chaelt, a clever ally.

Tunde Adebimpe and Kerry Condon are also expected to appear in unspecified roles, adding to the allure of the cast.

### **The Trailer: A Sneak Peek into the Journey**

The inaugural trailer for *Skeleton Crew* premiered at Disney’s annual D23 Expo in August 2024, providing a captivating preview of the series’ tone and narrative. The trailer begins with the youthful protagonists at school, gearing up for a test that could shape their futures. However, they feel restless and crave something far more thrilling than their monotonous lives. Their desire for adventure becomes reality when they uncover a hidden “lost Jedi temple” tucked away in the woods.

Before long, the children find themselves aboard a spaceship, soaring away from their home planet and losing their way in space’s immense expanse. The trailer, set to a rendition of David Bowie’s “Major Tom” sung in an alien Star Wars dialect, features the kids’ encounters with bizarre creatures, perilous pirates, and treacherous terrains.

One of the standout scenes in the trailer shows the group attempting to pay for food at a Star Wars-themed waystation using Old Republic credits, only to be met with an unexpected situation.