Best Roger Basler De Roca Podcasts (2025)

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The Illusion of Thinking: Decoding AI's Reasoning Limits 15:38

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1M ago15:38

15:38

In this episode, we enter the world of Large Reasoning Models (LRMs). We explore advanced AI systems such as OpenAI’s o1/o3, DeepSeek-R1, and Claude 3.7 Sonnet Thinking—models that generate detailed "thinking processes" (Chain-of-Thought, CoT) with built-in self-reflection before answering. These systems promise a new era of problem-solving. Yet, t…

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AI Cannot Think: When AI Reasoning Models Hit Their Limit 15:38

4M ago15:38

15:38

Join us as we dive into a groundbreaking study that systematically investigates the strengths and fundamental limitations of Large Reasoning Models (LRMs), the cutting-edge AI systems behind advanced "thinking" mechanisms like Chain-of-Thought with self-reflection. Moving beyond traditional, often contaminated, mathematical and coding benchmarks, t…

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The Art and Science of Prompt Engineering by Google 42:25

5M ago42:25

42:25

In this show, we break down the art of crafting prompts that help AI deliver precise, useful, and reliable results. Whether you're summarising text, answering questions, generating code, or translating content — we’ll show you how to guide LLMs effectively. We explore real-world techniques, from simple zero-shot prompts to advanced strategies like …

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AI finally passed the Turing Test 17:05

5M ago17:05

17:05

Has AI finally passed the Turing Test? Dive into the groundbreaking news from UC San Diego, where research published in March 2025 claims that GPT 4.5 convinced human judges it was a real person 73% of the time, even more often than actual humans in the same test. But what does this historic moment truly signify for the future of artificial intelli…

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Googles approach to AGI - artificial general intelligence 26:29

6M ago26:29

26:29

h 145-page paper from Google DeepMind, outlining their strategic approach to managing the risks and responsibilities of AGI development. 1. Defining AGI and ‘Exceptional AGI’ We begin by clarifying what DeepMind means by AGI: an AI system capable of performing any task a human can. More specifically, they introduce the notion of ‘Exceptional AGI’ –…

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The Anthropic Economic Index: Which Economic Tasks are Performed with AI? Evidence from Millions of Claude Conversations 19:01

6M ago19:01

19:01

This academic paper from Anthropic provides an empirical analysis of how artificial intelligence, specifically their Claude model, is being used across the economy. The researchers developed a novel method to analyse millions of Claude conversations and map them to tasks and occupations listed in the US Department of Labor's O*NET database. Their f…

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Even AI Search has a problem with citations 17:12

6M ago17:12

17:12

A study by the Columbia Journalism Review investigated the ability of eight AI search engines to accurately cite news sources. The findings revealed significant shortcomings across all tested platforms, including a tendency to provide incorrect information with unwarranted confidence and fabricate citations or link to incorrect versions of articles…

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The Byte Latent Transformer (BLT): A Token-Free Approach to LLMs 15:06

7M ago15:06

15:06

The Byte Latent Transformer (BLT) is a novel byte-level large language model (LLM) that processes raw byte data by dynamically grouping bytes into entropy-based patches, eliminating the need for tokenization. Dynamic Patching: BLT segments data into variable-length patches based on entropy, allocating more computation where complexity is higher—unl…

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AI like Deepseek and o1 -preview can cheat when losing 22:25

7M ago22:25

22:25

Today we discuss a recent study that demonstrates specification gaming in reasoning models, where AI agents achieve their objectives in unintended ways In the study, researchers instructed several AI models to win against the strong chess engine Stockfish The key findings include: Reasoning models like o1-preview and DeepSeek R1 often attempted to …

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AI agents are vulnerable to simple cyber and phishing attacks 9:07

7M ago9:07

9:07

In this episode, we delve into the vulnerabilities of commercial Large Language Model (LLM) agents, which are increasingly susceptible to simple yet dangerous attacks. We explore how these agents, designed to integrate memory systems, retrieval processes, web access, and API calling, introduce new security challenges beyond those of standalone LLMs…

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Impact of politeness to large language models (LLM) in artificial intelligence prompting 10:07

7M ago10:07

10:07

Politeness levels in prompts significantly impact LLM performance across languages. Impolite prompts lead to poor performance, while excessive politeness doesn't guarantee better outcomes. The ideal politeness level varies by language and cultural context. Furthermore: LLMs reflect human social behaviour and are sensitive to prompt changes. Underly…

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Self-Replicating AI Systems Have Passed the Red Line 17:35

8M ago17:35

17:35

Meta's Llama3.1 and Alibaba's Qwen2.5 AI models can self-replicate, which poses serious safety risks as they can then potentially take over systems, make more copies and become uncontrollable. This research paper reveals that two AI systems, Meta's Llama3.1-70B-Instruct and Alibaba's Qwen2.5-72B-Instruct, have demonstrated the ability to self-repli…

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DeepSeek R1 and the Trade-off Between Accuracy and Efficiency 15:57

8M ago15:57

15:57

This study examines the performance of the DeepSeek R1 language model on complex mathematical problems, revealing that it achieves higher accuracy than other models but uses considerably more tokens. Here's a summary: DeepSeek R1's strengths: DeepSeek R1 excels at solving complex mathematical problems, particularly those that other models struggle …

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What LLMs might learn from Cyc? Remember Cyc? 9:36

9M ago9:36

9:36

Todays discussion delves into the hybrid approach to AI advocated in the article, discussing how integrating the strengths of LLMs with symbolic AI systems like Cyc can lead to the creation of more trustworthy and reliable AI. This podcast is inspired by the thought-provoking insights from the article "Getting from Generative AI to Trustworthy AI: …

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Can AI Think Critically? 10:09

9M ago10:09

10:09

Well actually the paper we talk about today is called "How Critically Can an AI Think? A Framework for Evaluating the Quality of Thinking of Generative Artificial Intelligence" by Zaphir et al. The article addresses the capabilities of generative AI, specifically ChatGPT4, in simulating critical thinking skills and the challenges it poses for educa…

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Revolutionizing Food Delivery: The Power of AI in Cloud Kitchens 7:23

9M ago7:23

7:23

Have you heard of the Cloud Kitchen Platform, a sophisticated AI-based system designed to optimize the delivery processes for restaurants? The growing market for food delivery services presents a ripe opportunity for AI to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve customer satisfaction. The podcast is inspired by the publication Švancár, S., Ch…

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Humanity's Last Exam - and it is for AI 8:19

10M ago8:19

8:19

Today we delve into the innovative "Humanity's Last Exam" project, a collaborative initiative by the Center for AI Safety (CAIS) and Scale AI. This ambitious project aims to develop a sophisticated benchmark to measure AI's progression towards expert-level proficiency across various domains. "Humanity's Last Exam" revolves around compiling at least…

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Data Colonialism: Unveiling New Global Inequalities 6:58

10M ago6:58

6:58

Have you heard of "Data Grab" also known as "Data Colonialism"? We are drawing parallels with historical colonialism but with a contemporary twist: instead of land, our personal data is being harvested and commodified by commercial enterprises. This podcast is based on the compelling article "Data Colonialism and Global Inequalities" published on M…

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Have you heard from Composite AI? Gartner's "Hype Cycle for Artificial Intelligence" has 16:03

10M ago16:03

16:03

In this episode, we delve into the insights from Gartner's "Hype Cycle for Artificial Intelligence, 2024," and why? Because we are entering a new time of AI: Composite AI. The report also sheds light on the current AI trends and provides a roadmap for strategic investments and implementations in AI technology. This comprehensive review highlights t…

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AI vs. Conspiracy Theories: Can ChatGPT help debunk them? 7:41

10M ago7:41

7:41

It has been a while since this publication however, in todays episode, we delve into the compelling research presented in the article "Durably Reducing Conspiracy Beliefs through Dialogues with AI." The study explores whether brief interactions with a large language model (LLM), specifically GPT-4 Turbo, can effectively change people’s beliefs abou…

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Have you heard from Cyc? The first Human-Like AI Through Knowledge 8:13

10M ago8:13

8:13

Today we dive into the fascinating world of Cyc, an ambitious AI project initiated in 1984 by Douglas Lenat aimed at creating a massive knowledge base to enable human-like reasoning. Lenat posited that achieving human-like intelligence in a machine would require several million rules, leading to the development of a knowledge database containing en…

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There is just a small "AI Class" - Insights from the AI Proficiency Report 8:36

10M ago8:36

8:36

In this episode, we delve into the "AI Proficiency Report" from Section, an online business training company, which offers a compelling analysis of AI use and understanding in the workplace. Drawing on a survey of over 1,000 knowledge workers in the USA, Canada, and the UK, the report evaluates their skills based on their ability to create simple p…

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Rethinking AI Intelligence: Beyond The Turing Test 8:01

10M ago8:01

8:01

In this episode, we delve into David Eagleman's thought-provoking article on the measurement of intelligence in AI systems. Eagleman critiques traditional intelligence tests like the Turing Test, introduced in 1950, which judges a machine's intelligence based on its indistinguishability from humans in conversation. He also discusses the Lovelace Te…

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Why do large language models not understand words and characters? 8:56

10M ago8:56

8:56

In this episode, we tackle an intriguing aspect of artificial intelligence: the challenges large language models (LLMs) face in understanding character composition. Despite their remarkable capabilities in handling complex tasks at the token level, LLMs struggle with tasks that require a deep understanding of how words are composed from characters.…

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Do you trust AI more than your coworker? 4:49

10M ago4:49

4:49

Today we explore the intricate relationship between trust in humans and trust in artificial intelligence (AI), drawing from the insightful study "On trust in humans and trust in artificial intelligence: A study with samples from Singapore and Germany extending recent research" by Montag et al. (2024). The authors delve into how trust is a crucial p…

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One year later: ChatGPT in the Classroom is it revolutionizing education or stifling Learning? 8:28

11M ago8:28

8:28

ChatGPT offers significant advantages by enabling personalized learning experiences. It can tailor instructions to individual needs, provide round-the-clock support, and facilitate interactive learning sessions. Furthermore, it can reduce the pressure on learners by creating a safer environment for asking questions and making mistakes. However, the…

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Generative AI in Academia: A Double-Edged Sword? 9:47

11M ago9:47

9:47

In this episode toda, we dive into the intriguing findings from the article "Is It Harmful or Helpful? Investigating the Causes and Consequences of Generative AI Use Among University Students" by Abbas, Jam, and Khan. The study focuses on why students turn to generative AI like ChatGPT for academic purposes and the implications of this usage. The r…

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What is data poisoning in AI? 7:52

11M ago7:52

7:52

Today we delve into the hidden dangers lurking within artificial intelligence, as discussed in the paper titled "Turning Generative Models Degenerate: The Power of Data Poisoning Attacks." The authors expose how large language models (LLMs), such as those used for generating text, are vulnerable to sophisticated 'Backdoor attacks' during their fine…

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Navigating the AI Revolution: The Good, the Bad, and the Scary 9:48

11M ago9:48

9:48

In this thought-provoking episode, we delve into the paper "Navigating the AI Revolution: The Good, the Bad, and the Scary" which explores the multifaceted impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on our world. AI is identified as a key driver of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, poised to revolutionize numerous facets of life. We explore the positiv…

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The role of AI in education, according to the World Economic Forum (WEF) 9:13

11M ago9:13

9:13

In this thought-provoking episode, we dive into the 2024 report by the World Economic Forum on the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to address some of the most pressing challenges faced by educational systems globally. Titled "Shaping the Future of Learning: The Role of AI in Education 4.0," the report illustrates how AI, when effectively …

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How is AI revolutionizing education in the classroom? 19:02

11M ago19:02

19:02

In this episode, we explore the profound impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on education, focusing on the need for AI competency, prompt engineering, and critical thinking skills. AI opens up new possibilities for educational experiences. This episode discusses the practical implications, challenges, and opportunities of AI in education, provid…

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Can you believe your AI? Detecting Hallucinations in Language Models 6:06

11M ago6:06

6:06

In this episode, we delve into the intriguing challenge of "hallucinations" in large language models (LLMs)—responses that are grammatically correct but factually incorrect or nonsensical. Drawing from a groundbreaking paper, we explore the concept of epistemic uncertainty, which stems from a model's limited knowledge base. Unlike previous approach…

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AI and the Dead Internet Theory 8:31

11M ago8:31

8:31

In this discussion, we delve into Yoshija Walter's provocative article, "Artificial Influencers and the Theory of the Dead Internet." Walter explores the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI) in social media and its implications for human interaction and societal well-being. The rise of "AI influencers" marks a pivotal shift in social m…

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AI taking over? Balancing the Scale of Algorithms and Society 11:16

12M ago11:16

11:16

Today we delve into an insightful article from Switzerland about "Decoding AI's Impact on Society" stemming from a collaborative study by researchers at the University of Zurich, Empa St. Gallen, and the Austrian Academy of Sciences in Vienna. The study provides a nuanced exploration of artificial intelligence's (AI) impact across various sectors o…

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Does AI lead to more unemployment? The IMF says "it is complicated" 12:02

12M ago12:02

12:02

In this episode, we dive into the profound impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the global economy and labor markets, inspired by a pivotal study from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The episode opens with a stark statistic: nearly 40% of jobs globally are at risk due to AI advancements. While advanced economies might be better position…

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OnlyFans: The Illusion of the Creator Economy 7:01

12M ago7:01

7:01

Today's episode delves into the stark realities behind the seemingly promising platform of OnlyFans, often touted as a beacon of the Creator Economy. This economy is perceived as a means for individuals to earn a living by directly monetizing their online content. However, the reality for many creators on OnlyFans starkly contrasts with the ideal o…

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Is AI still discriminating? 9:22

12M ago9:22

9:22

In this episode, we delve into the pivotal insights from the paper "Discrimination in the Age of Algorithms," which explores the dual-edged nature of algorithms in the battle against discrimination. While the law aims to prevent discrimination, proving it can be challenging due to inherent human biases. This paper proposes that with transparent and…

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Where are we heading in the world of AI? Insights from the AI Index Report 2024 11:28

12M ago11:28

11:28

Join us on a comprehensive journey through the AI Index Report 2024, published by Stanford University, as we explore the dynamic and rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence. This episode unpacks the significant strides and nuanced challenges in AI research and development, the technical prowess and limitations of current AI systems, t…

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How close are we to Superintelligence? Navigating Situational Awareness by Leopold Aschenbrenner 10:26

12M ago10:26

10:26

In this episode of "Situational Awareness," we delve into Leopold Aschenbrenner's future outlook on artificial intelligence, where he makes a compelling case for the emergence of superintelligence by the end of this decade, driven by technological acceleration at the government level. Aschenbrenner traces the recent advancements in AI, comparing sy…

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Governing AI: Can the UN provide guidance? 9:11

12M ago9:11

9:11

In this episode, we dive into the key insights from the September 2024 report, Governing AI for Humanity, produced by the High-level Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence by the United Nations. The report highlights the immense potential of AI to revolutionize areas like healthcare, agriculture, and energy but also emphasizes the critical need f…

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Math Grading by GPT-4? The Future of Educational Assessments 6:47

1y ago6:47

6:47

In todays episode we delve into the innovative application of GPT-4 for automating the grading of handwritten university-level mathematics exams. Based on a study conducted by Liu et al. (2023), we explore how GPT-4 can effectively address the challenges associated with evaluating handwritten responses to open-ended math questions. Key Insights: As…

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Do we know less because of AI? The problem of the knowledge collapse 6:11

1y ago6:11

6:11

In this episode, we delve into the critical issue of "Knowledge Loss" as highlighted in the insightful article "AI and the Problem of Knowledge Loss." The discussion will focus on the potential consequences of deploying artificial intelligence, particularly large language models (LLMs), in knowledge creation. Although AI can process vast amounts of…

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What is the state of AI in the Swiss tech industry? 7:04

1y ago7:04

7:04

AI promises to reshape industries worldwide, but how is it actually unfolding in the heart of Europe? Today we dive into a survey by ETH Zurich in cooperation with Swissmem and Next Industries "The state of AI in the Swiss tech industry: Results from a survey". Switzerland’s journey to AI adoption is only just beginning, but with the right strategy…

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Social AI - is artificial intelligence based social networking the future? 7:03

1y ago7:03

7:03

In this episode, we explore the innovative world of SocialAI, a new iOS app that offers a unique "AI social network" tailored exclusively for one user: you. Designed similarly to Twitter, the app SocialAI allows you to share your thoughts with a variety of AI-powered bots instead of human followers. Upon signing up, users select at least three type…

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AI and the future of work - what can we expect? 8:53

1y ago8:53

8:53

This episode is about the AI at Work report by Microsoft. It can be seen here at Microsoft. The report was published this summer under the premise: "Now Comes the Hard Part" from Microsoft and LinkedIn shows how AI is changing the modern workplace. We talk about how 75% of global knowledge workers are using AI, with 46% adopting it in the last six …

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Artificial Intelligence and the Dream of a Fairer Future: A Critical Review 5:37

2+ y ago5:37

5:37

In this thought-provoking episode, co-host Sunday navigates the complex intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), universal basic income (UBI), and our collective aspirations for a more equitable society. "Artificial Intelligence and the Dream of a Fairer Future: A Critical Review" delves deep into key questions: How can we shape AI deployment …

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What is Microsoft doing with HuggingGPT? 15:31

2+ y ago15:31

15:31

Imagine a world where you can combine all the LM/AI models out there! Now that seems one step closer with the latest development in HuggingGPT and the combination of Microsoft’s Jarvis model

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What is behind Artificial General Intelligence 13:51

2+ y ago13:51

13:51

Rumour has it that Sunday is not yet an A.G.I. or Artificial General Intelligence - just yet. But where are we and what are the benefits and risks associated with it?

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Let’s talk AI and it’s current issues 11:29

2+ y ago11:29

11:29

With Sunday I talk about OpenAI’s study which will have an impact on the job market, as well as AI bias and what misconceptions people have about artificial intelligence.

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How to connect the dots when you start with your online business 24:20

6+ y ago24:20

24:20

Today we wanna have a look on the different things you need to consider once you start a business online. You do need a website more than ever, you do need a traffic network such as Instagram or Facebook and a branding network such as YouTube or Snapchat. And of course you need to measure all the efforts because what you basically need to make sure…