Author: Marcel Waldvogel

  • How does ChatGPT work, actually?

    How does ChatGPT work, actually?

    ChatGPT is arguably the most powerful artificial intelligence language model currently available. We take a behind-the-scenes look at how the “large language model” GPT-3 and ChatGPT, which is based on it, work.

  • Identifying AI art

    Identifying AI art

    AI art is on the rise, both in terms of quality and quantity. It (unfortunately) lies in human nature to market some of that as genuine art. Here are some signs that can help identifying AI art.

  • The FTX crypto exchange and its spider web

    The FTX crypto exchange and its spider web

    Yesterday, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) released its indictment against Sam Bankman-Fried. It details the financial entanglements of FTX, Alameda Research and more than a hundred other companies and individuals. We have tried to disentangle these allegations somewhat for you.

  • Reproducible AI Image Generation: Experiment Follow-Up

    Reproducible AI Image Generation: Experiment Follow-Up

    Inspired by an NZZ Folio article on AI text and image generation using DALL•E 2, I tried to reproduce the (German) prompts. Someone suggested that English prompts would work better. Here is the comparison.

  • Web3 for data preservation? (Or is it just another expensive P2P?)

    Web3 for data preservation? (Or is it just another expensive P2P?)

    Drew Austin raises an important question in Wired: How should we deal with our accumulated personal data? How can we get from randomly hoarding to selection and preservation? And why does his proposed solution of Web3 not work out? A few analytical thoughts.

  • «The Cloud» does not exist

    «The Cloud» does not exist

    What is cloud anyway? And why are not all clouds the same? An overview to create clarity. The topic of the cloud is currently on everyone’s lips again, and decisions are pending in many places. Clarity is essential for assessing the impact on individuals, the economy and society. That’s why we’re starting a small series…

  • Rejuvenation for Pro Senectute through NFT and Metaverse?

    Rejuvenation for Pro Senectute through NFT and Metaverse?

    Pro Senectute beider Basel, a foundation to help the elderly around Basel, launched its NFT project last week and already informed about its Metaverse commitment beforehand. According to a media release, Michael Harr, managing director of the 15-million Basel-based company, wants to use the purchase of these “properties” in a “central location” in two online…

  • What is an NFT, behind the scenes?

    What is an NFT, behind the scenes?

    “NFT” is currently on everyone’s lips again, and not only because of Pro Senectute. But what is actually behind the full-bodied promises of the NFT advocates? For more insights on NFTs and the entire blockchain ecosystem, click here. You can also read this text in German 🇩🇪. “NFT” stands for “Non-Fungible Token” and is being…

  • Offline digital cash?

    Offline digital cash?

    The question of using digital money in the event of a network outage comes up again and again. Here is an overview of the options and their pros and cons.

  • The NFT Danger Zone

    The NFT Danger Zone

    Susanna Petrin closes her NFT experiment with a dystopia of life after we destroyed our environment: Admiring our NFTs while strolling through the metaverse. I hope we can avert both.