Tech News

We filter the important news for you and provide in-depth information on topics such as Artificial Intelligence, web technologies, society, and the future.

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Combined Experience: The Code Collective

The Code Collective has just been born to harness the strengths and potential of a large development team. It brings together experienced developers from various fields into a team that meets regularly, exchanges ideas, and develops new concepts.

The shortage of skilled workers continues to spread, and it’s becoming increasingly difficult for companies to find or retain new, well-qualified employees. This is no different in programming, which is why we are taking a different path by forming a network that unites expertise, resources, and connections.

The Code Collective aims to gain visibility, making it clear that we can tap into a large team of experienced programmers, benefiting both small and large projects. We also foster exchange among each other with regular meetings, expanding our knowledge together.

The launch is now complete, and we welcome new programmers who would like to become part of the Code Collective.

Open Source Study Switzerland 2024

The Open Source Study Switzerland 2024 analyzes the current state and trends of open source software in Switzerland.

The comprehensive study provides insights into the usage and development of open source technologies in Swiss companies and organizations. The adoption of the content management system (CMS) Drupal in Switzerland has increased from 9.6% in 2021 to 18.6% in 2024. RealizationZone actively supports the use and development of open source, particularly Drupal, and we are very pleased with this growth.

China Uses AI To Revive the Deceased

In China, more people are using AI-based virtual avatars to communicate with deceased loved ones. This technology, increasingly affordable, uses deepfake software to create realistic digital replicas of the deceased for interactive purposes.

Chinese companies are offering to create avatars of the deceased through AI that processes videos, audios, and biographies. These avatars, driven by cultural importance of ancestor worship, are part of a growing trend for digital interactions with the dead. The technology is also applied in media and education, replacing historical figures or news anchors.

What about the Metaverse?

Amidst the AI boom, one may overlook the big brother, namely the Metaverse. These virtual worlds completely immerse people in the digital realm.

Billions are flowing into the development of the Metaverse, and many signs indicate that the next breakthrough is imminent. It seems to be the logical step that technology automatically offers for further advancement. Complete immersion in virtual worlds with all our senses. Gert Scobel has shed light on this topic from a refreshing perspective (in German):

Next Milestone in AI Video Creation Appears To Be Reached

OpenAI recently released incredible videos generated with the new AI "Sora" using simple text prompts. This will revolutionize the video, film, advertising, and gaming industries overnight.

Previously, AI-generated videos flickered, were of low quality, and had very short durations. Now, OpenAI presents videos that are razor-sharp, without flickering, and of longer duration generated with rudimentary text prompts. This surpasses everything that has come before and grabs the attention of entire industries. What does this mean for various industries? Could entire cinema films soon be created by AI and text prompts? If the pace continues, then definitely. The consequences of this are profound, affecting jobs and the seemingly infinite potential of new possibilities.

How Do Negotiations Proceed When One Has Been Hacked?

How do cyber gangs operate? What is the process like for negotiating with criminals? More importantly, how can one protect oneself to prevent it from happening in the first place? The Chaos Computer Club has once again released a very intriguing video that many more people should see.

Quote from Chaos Computer Club: "There are all sorts of misconceptions about negotiations with the criminals, fueled by self-proclaimed 'cyber profilers' and 'ransom negotiators' who naturally have no interest in revealing their 'tricks.' That's why we're doing it: We delve into the game-theoretical mechanics of the negotiation situation using several real examples and examine the organization of ransomware gangs."

EU Proposal: Self-Commitment Instead of Cookie Banners

Who isn't familiar with those annoying cookie banners that can really spoil the digital browsing experience? The EU aims to counter that now.

The European Commission is planning a "Cookies Self-Commitment Initiative" (Cookies Pledge), in which large companies or very large platforms such as Amazon, Apple, Meta, or Microsoft will voluntarily commit to providing more detailed information to their users about the use of cookies. The goal is to avoid annoying banners that inform about cookie usage.

Chatbot Therapy: Risk or Opportunity?

Chatbots are increasingly being used as a tool in psychotherapy. They can help people cope with mental health issues by providing them with information, support, and guidance. However, there are also risks associated with chatbot therapy.

Risks

  • Inadequate adaptation to individual needs: Chatbots are not able to adapt to individual needs as well as human therapists. They are only able to respond to general questions and problems. Additionally, chatbots cannot provide the same emotional support as a human therapist.
  • Providing false or misleading information: Chatbots can provide false or misleading information. This can be especially dangerous when it comes to topics such as suicide or self-harm.
  • Privacy violation: Chatbots can violate the privacy of users by collecting and sharing personal data. This can be especially problematic when it comes to sensitive data such as medical information or mental health issues.
  • Reinforcement of biases: Chatbots can reflect the biases of the people who develop them, and this can exacerbate the mental health problems of users. This can be the case, for example, if a chatbot is developed by a team of white men and does not take into account the needs of people from other ethnic backgrounds.

Potential

Chatbots also have the potential to improve mental health care. They can provide people with mental health issues access to therapy that they might not otherwise be able to afford. Additionally, chatbots can help people prepare for in-person therapy.

Conclusion

Chatbot therapy is a promising new tool with the potential to improve mental health care. However, it is important to be aware of the risks before deciding to undergo chatbot therapy.

“Secure by Design”: 18 Countries Sign New AI Guidelines

Eighteen countries, including the USA, Germany, and the UK, have signed "Secure by Design" guidelines for AI. The document emphasizes security, transparency, and ethical AI development.

The goal is to ensure the secure development and utilization of AI. The agreement underscores security, transparency, and ethical responsibility. As the world's first initiative of its kind, it aims to prevent misuse and promote responsible AI innovation. These guidelines are intended to strengthen protection against AI-based cyberattacks and data misuse. The participating nations aim to establish common standards for the safe deployment of AI.

The 10 Saddest Robots Ever Built

Lonely Mars rovers, thankless twitter bots, abused delivery machines: robots don't have feelings, but these are history's saddest examples.

  1. @NYT_First_Said: A Twitter bot that tweets the first-time words used by The New York Times. It was allowed to speak about itself only once.
  2. Mars rover Curiosity: All alone on the red planet, 236.6 million miles from home, Curiosity sang "Happy Birthday" to itself in 2013 on its birthday.
  3. hitchBOT: A robot that sat by the roadside, asking for rides. hitchBOT was found decapitated with its arms ripped off.
  4. Samsung Arm: A robot arm that repetitively opened and closed a phone - 30,000 times. Imagine a world where your sole existence was to flip open a phone.
  5. NYPD robot dogs: Imagine being turned on for the first time and learning not only that you're a cop but also that you'll spend the rest of your life at Times Square.
  6. Self-driving cars in San Francisco: It was a fiasco with accidents, traffic jams, sex on the backseat, and numerous other issues.
  7. Food delivery robots in L.A: They're swarmed by people attacking and destroying them.
  8. Chernobyl robots: The Soviet government sent around 60 robots for debris removal. Many couldn't withstand the effects of radiation.
  9. Can't Help Myself: A robot built for exhibition purposes entrusted with Sisyphean work.
  10. Cassini-Huygens: The spacecraft was rewarded with a fiery death in Saturn's atmosphere after nearly two decades of service.

President Biden Issues Executive Order on Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy AI

The US President, Joe Biden, has signed an Executive Order. According to the White House, this Executive Order represents the most significant measure by a government in the field of Artificial Intelligence worldwide.

President Biden has issued an Executive Order to promote secure and trustworthy Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The key provisions of the Executive Order include:

  • Strengthening AI Security: The order places a strong emphasis on the security of AI systems.
  • Ethics and Transparency: It promotes ethical and transparent AI applications.
  • AI Workforce Training: Measures to qualify professionals in the AI industry.
  • International Cooperation: The order aims to facilitate global regulation of AI technologies.

New York City unveiled a new plan to use AI to make its government work better

New York City is embracing digitalization and is planning to optimize government affairs with Artificial Intelligence.

The article reports on New York City's ambitious plans for the implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across various sectors. The city intends to deploy AI in education, housing, and crime-fighting efforts. In the education sector, AI systems will be used to provide personalized learning content to students and assist teachers in identifying students with special needs. In housing, AI algorithms will monitor rental prices and housing availability, aiding the city in addressing housing issues. In the realm of crime prevention, New York City plans to use AI to analyze crime data, enhancing the efficiency of law enforcement. These plans are part of a comprehensive AI program by the city aimed at improving citizens' quality of life and addressing urban challenges through AI technologies.

Open Source AI Chat Model

Looking for an alternative to ChatGPT? Check out HuggingChat! 🤗

Not only is HuggingChat free and open-source, but it's also community-driven and not developed by a commercial organization. Unlike ChatGPT, which can only be accessed through an API that's not publicly available, HuggingChat is completely open and accessible to everyone, without any restrictions due to copyright infringement or business interests. Plus, its openness allows users to improve and adapt the model themselves, leading to faster improvements. 🚀

 Give it a try and experience the power of community-driven AI! 💪

"Artificial Intelligence Will Reduce Inequality"

The burning question of our time: Will Artificial Intelligence improve or worsen the job market for humans? The "SonntagsZeitung" conducted an insightful interview (in German) on this topic with the economist David Autor, shedding light on these and other questions.

The interview delves into the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on social inequality. Renowned economist David Autor argues that AI has the potential to reduce inequality by increasing work efficiency and creating new employment opportunities. He emphasizes the importance of adapting education and skills to harness the opportunities presented by AI. Furthermore, ethical concerns related to AI are addressed, particularly regarding data privacy and discrimination. The discussion underscores the importance of balanced regulation and social responsibility in the development of AI technologies. Overall, the complex relationship between AI and social inequality is explored, considering both opportunities and challenges.

What If the Internet Goes Down Tomorrow?

How stable and secure is the internet, really? Many interesting questions and answers, as conducted by SRF - Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen.

This article explores scenarios and consequences of a sudden internet outage. It highlights the dependency of our modern society on digital communication and data access. Possible repercussions include the collapse of financial systems, challenges in healthcare and education, and disruptions to public order. It also emphasizes the importance of disaster preparedness and alternative means of communication. The article underscores how vulnerable our world is in the age of the internet and the importance of being prepared for such scenarios.
 

Valais Coffee Machine Conquers the World

THIS is how digitization works. 💪👏

The company Eversys from Siders exports coffee machines worldwide and owes its success to the Internet of Things (IoT). By integrating data and IoT technology into their machines, they can monitor and maintain performance, thus increasing customer satisfaction. This example illustrates how IoT technology is successfully employed in the business world.

The 100 Most Influential People in AI in 2023

Who actually calls the shots in the realm of Artificial Intelligence? TIME has compiled a list of the most influential minds in Artificial Intelligence.

The world of Artificial Intelligence is shaped by exceptional individuals who continuously push the boundaries of what's possible. The list of the 100 most influential people in AI is a fascinating who's who of technology elite. Researchers who develop groundbreaking algorithms, entrepreneurs driving innovative applications, and visionaries advancing the ethical aspects of AI – their influence spans across industry boundaries and shapes how we work, communicate, and live. This list not only acknowledges their past achievements but also offers a glimpse into the unstoppable future of Artificial Intelligence.

Philipp Hacker: "We Need Legal Refinements"

What is the legal framework regarding Artificial Intelligence? Philipp Hacker provides a broad overview during his talk with ZEIT ONLINE.

In the article, Philipp Hacker discusses the opportunities and risks of Artificial Intelligence (AI). He emphasizes that AI offers groundbreaking possibilities for progress and efficiency but also presents ethical and social challenges. Hacker encourages the responsible development and use of AI to maximize its positive impacts and minimize negative consequences. He highlights the importance of education and discussion to prepare society for the AI revolution. These reflections underscore the complex dimensions of AI and emphasize the need for a balanced approach to this technology.

6 Skills You Need to Become a KI Prompt Engineer

This article describes what makes a good Prompt Engineer. Feeding AI is something anyone can do, just as anyone can program something.

For truly excellent results, you need:

  1. Understanding of how AI, Machine Learning, and Natural Language Processing work.
  2. Clear problem definition and the ability to formulate highly detailed queries accurately.
  3. Creativity and strong conversational skills.
  4. Expertise in writing and art styles.
  5. Scripting and programming knowledge.
  6. A considerable amount of patience and a good sense of humor.

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