Recently, I read Technofeudalism: What Killed Capitalism by Yanis Varoufakis. In this thought-provoking book, Varoufakis analyzes the profound shifts in the global economy and social relations and argues that capitalism has been overtaken by a new system he calls “technofeudalism” — a technologically advanced form of feudalism. But what exactly does he mean by this, and how … Continue reading Welcome to Technofeudalism!
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The EU Artificial Intelligence Act: How will it affect universities?
This month, a big step in AI regulation was taken. The European Parliament and the Council of the EU have officially adopted the Artificial Intelligence Act,* the world’s first binding and comprehensive framework for AI. Since I teach AI-related courses and use Deep Learning for research, I decided to read the Act and see how … Continue reading The EU Artificial Intelligence Act: How will it affect universities?
Is there the Language of Disinformation?
It would be great if computers could detect fake news and disinformation automatically and neatly classify information into true and false. But is this a realistic task? In their recent book The Language of Fake News (Cambridge University Press, series "Elements in Forensic Linguistics"), Jack Grieve and Helena Woodfield argue that it is possible to … Continue reading Is there the Language of Disinformation?
Lost in Translation: Feminitives and gender-inclusive language in Zelenskyy’s speeches
Kalush Orchestra's Stefania represented Ukraine in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 and won. The video, filmed in Bucha, Hostomel, Irwin and Borodianka, features women soldiers carrying children out of bombed-out and burning buildings. Volodymyr Zelenskyy addresses Ukrainian people almost every day. The transcripts of his videos are translated into English and Russian (just a fun … Continue reading Lost in Translation: Feminitives and gender-inclusive language in Zelenskyy’s speeches
Yevgeny Prigozhin: A businessman and a showman
Last weekend all the world talked about the Wagner Group rebellion headed by Yevgeny Prigozhin. It was difficult to say what was more unexpected, the beginning of the so-called "March for Justice" or its abrupt end. Everyone was mystified. What was Prigozhin's aim? Why did the march stop 200 km from Moscow? What kind of … Continue reading Yevgeny Prigozhin: A businessman and a showman
A negative fact: Putin’s silence about attacks on Russian territory
https://twitter.com/nexta_tv/status/1664626520667611136 In one of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's short stories, Sherlock Holmes used a "negative fact" to solve a mystery - the fact that a watchdog did not bark when a prize-winning racehorse was stolen. The Scotland Yard detective: Is there any other point to which you would wish to draw my attention?Holmes: To the … Continue reading A negative fact: Putin’s silence about attacks on Russian territory
ChatGPT and the Kardashians, or How to become a celebrity?
Launched in the end of 2022, ChatGPT has become a true star. With its hundreds of millions of users it has achieved the celebrity status. It's difficult to say if it is as famous as the Kardashians and other human celebrities, but it is much more useful, for sure. True, sometimes it hallucinates (see my … Continue reading ChatGPT and the Kardashians, or How to become a celebrity?
Another Victory Day without a victory
On May 9 Russia celebrated Victory Day. As in 2022, there were no glorious victories to report. In contrast to the usual grand shows advertising the country’s military power, this year’s parade seemed to have the motto “less is more”. The flypast was cancelled. The number of troops was modest. A lone Soviet T-34 tank … Continue reading Another Victory Day without a victory
Putin and Xi: Asymmetric friendship
A romantic dinner in the Kremlin. Source: en.kremlin.ru Last week I wrote about Orwell's totalitarian world, where Oceania can at one point be allied with Eastasia against Eurasia, and at the next moment be allied with Eurasia against Eastasia. According to Putin's most recent version of history, Russia has always been at war with Europe … Continue reading Putin and Xi: Asymmetric friendship
Oceania has always been at war with Eastasia: How Putin re-writes history
The world in Orwell's 1984. Source: Wikipedia. George Orwell's novel 1984 describes how a totalitarian regime can constantly re-write history. It was one of the pillars of the Big Brother's power. At one moment, it was believed that Oceania was at war with Eurasia and allied with Eastasia. The next moment, it was announced that … Continue reading Oceania has always been at war with Eastasia: How Putin re-writes history
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