Context is essential in any human interaction. But in the current digital era, grasping and leveraging contextual nuances is paramount for enhancing the quality of our interactions. As we hone these skills, we will increase our ability to revolutionize the future of AI applications. Context encompasses the intricate web of conditions, settings, and factors that shape how we perceive information. We draw insights from situational, personal and social elements and these provide us with the cues we need to understand and interpret messages. Linguistically, context transcends words, delving into the extralinguistic elements that create meaning and comprehension. Without context, meaning can be lost or misunderstood, which underscores its pivotal role.

The wide spectrum of context

Context as a concept exists on a wide spectrum that ranges from broad backdrops to granular, in-the-moment specifics. In general, context delivers a foundational understanding; however, in a specific setting, it can be much more nuanced to the particulars of the given situation. For example, when responding to a request while cooking a meal to also prepare a vegetable side dish, the context is not just the food preparation, but consideration of the likes and dislikes of the person making the request. This level of specificity enriches interactions, enabling responses to be modified to individual requirements and circumstances.

When considering AI and context, and in particular, large language models (LLMs), this specificity is achieved using techniques like retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), which integrates detailed contextual cues into queries, producing highly relevant and personalized responses. RAG demonstrates how a nuanced understanding of context can enhance the quality of interaction between humans and AI.

How RAG enhances personalization and context

Context is the most important factor in enabling personalization, particularly in today’s ubiquitous digital environments. The process by which AI assesses a user’s past behavior, their current circumstances and their preferences, allows systems to deliver detailed, highly modified experiences. With AI, the concept of personalization moves past just human interactions to embrace the Internet of Things (IoT) where context is expanded to incorporate variables such as location, environment and historical data.

The role of RAG is to amplify this process by finding and applying specific contextual data from a huge repository of vectors or embeddings. The vectors reflect various facets of a user’s profile or situational data, and they are essential for creating highly relevant responses that are also heavily personalized. As vectors are gathered, they build a library of historical patterns and current status, and this helps to augment the AI’s understanding, allowing it to provide more specific and nuanced responses.

How embeddings work

Embeddings are mathematical representations, also known as vectors, which play a vital role in capturing and making use of context. They work by encoding diverse data aspects, enabling nuanced profiling and semantic searches. The interplay between embeddings and LLMs is cooperative, with embeddings providing a dense contextual setting that helps LLMs with semantic understanding. The outcome is inevitably more precise and more contextually relevant.

As contextual vectors are accumulated – a process called accretion – a more comprehensive understanding starts to develop, and it encompasses various types of interactions, customers, users, or situations. The context that has been assembled to enhance the predictive and responsive capabilities of the AI system relies on the accuracy of the vector search, which is why it is so important to have high-quality, current data to inform these model responses.

Deriving enhanced responses by integrating context in LLMs

Giving contextual cues to LLMs will result in more polished and accurate in-context responses, which are essential for improving user interactions and decision-making. However, the application of context extends beyond the LLM framework, with additional layers of specificity minimizing response variance and ensuring even greater relevance and personalization.

So, let’s look at the capabilities that are needed to implement a system that is so context aware. They start with having a huge, high-throughput vector store. Also needed is efficient ingestion of embeddings that will ensure current context is maintained. The system will also need the ability to generate embeddings from diverse data sources and must have access to models suited for creating and applying embeddings. Finally, the most appropriate foundational model for the task at hand must be selected.

Looking ahead to the next phase of GenAI

In the era of generative AI, context is the cornerstone of valuable and significant interactions and effective decision-making. By gaining comprehension of the nuances of specific, in-the-moment contexts and being able to apply them, AI systems can offer unmatched personalization experiences and relevance, aiding online service providers such as retailers, banks, search engines and streaming companies. There is a synergy between LLMs, RAG, and embeddings that delivers a new paradigm in AI research and application, which promises a landscape in which interactions with AI are as nuanced and understandable as those we currently enjoy amongst ourselves.

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Once again, ChatGPT is under scrutiny in Europe, and the AI giant continues to jeopardize EU citizens’ privacy and data accuracy rights under GDPR.

This is the main takeaway that has emerged from the preliminary findings of the EU’s year-long ChatGPT Taskforce investigation. The EU Data Protection Board (EDPB)—the body that unites Europe’s national privacy watchdogs—created the taskforce in April last year after Italy’s temporary ban of the app on privacy grounds caused a surge in the use of the best VPN services across the region.

The group analyzed several problematic aspects of the popular AI chatbot, especially around the legality of its web scraping practices and data accuracy. In fact, besides data collection issues, ChatGPT’s hallucination tendency has also been hit by complaints from some national Data Privacy Authorities (DPAs) lately. 

The EU investigation is just at the beginning, so OpenAI’s practices are unlikely to become more GPR-friendly anytime soon. However, this may be a first step—although light—towards a better privacy framework for large language models (LLMs) tools to follow in Europe. 

ChatGPT’s web scraping and accuracy flaws

After Italy temporarily blocked ChatGPT for improperly collecting and storing data in March 2023, other EU countries including France, Germany, and Ireland began investigating the matter. There have been many complaints filed, but not much enforcement so far. 

The Taskforce comes as a way to promote cooperation between national DPAs investigating the OpenAI’s chatbot. However, while providing preliminary views on contested aspects among DPAs, the report “does not prejudge the analysis that will be made by each DPA in their respective, ongoing investigation,” EDPB explained. 

The main contested issue is how ChatGPT collects, retains, and uses EU citizens’ data. OpenAI scrapes vast scales of data from the web without asking for consent. Via chatbot prompts, users can feed the system with highly sensitive data which requires better protection. There’s also a lack of transparency on how the company ultimately processes this data to train its AI models.

GDPR requires a legal basis for processing personal data—in this case, either asking for the individual’s consent or having a “legitimate interest” in doing so. OpenAI cannot ask for consent to scrape your information online. That’s why, after the Italian case, the company is largely playing the latter card. 

While “the assessment of the lawfulness is still subject to pending investigations,” the report pointed out that the legitimate interest clause might be legally sound if some technical measures are used. These include avoiding certain data categories or sources (such as public social media profiles). The company should also be able to delete or anonymize personal data, respecting EU citizens’ rights such as the right to be forgotten. 

Yet, according to AI and privacy expert Luiza Jarovsky (see tweet below): “Legitimate interest has been totally distorted here.” 

Under Article 14.5 (b) of the GDPR, she explained, “the controller shall take appropriate measures to protect the data subject’s rights and freedoms and legitimate interests, including making the information publicly available.” However, ChatGPT’s data is anything but publicly available.

“Either the EDPB says that legitimate interest works differently for OpenAI and other AI companies relying on scraping to train AI (and explain why), or they require them to comply with legitimate interest according to the GDPR,” said Jarovsky.

Data accuracy is the next big contentious point. We already discussed how ChatGPT and similar AI chatbots will probably never stop making stuff up. “AI hallucinations” not only can fuel misinformation online, but they also go against EU privacy laws.

Under Article 5 of the GDPR, all online information about individuals in the EU must be accurate. Article 16 requires all inaccurate or false data to be rectified. Article 15 gives then Europeans “the right to access,” requiring companies to show which data they hold on individuals and what the sources are. Again, OpenAI doesn’t meet any of these criteria.

“As a matter of fact, due to the probabilistic nature of the system, the current training approach leads to a model which may also produce biased or made-up outputs”, the report reads. 

“Although the measures taken in order to comply with the transparency principle are beneficial to avoid misinterpretation of the output of ChatGPT, they are not sufficient to comply with the data accuracy principle.” 

Experts suggest that for OpenAI to act in line with the transparency principle under Article 5, it should explicitly inform the user that the generated text may be biased or made up. Likewise, they also recommend informing users that information shared via chatbot prompts may be used for training purposes. 

The report ultimately stresses the importance of EU citizens’ rights under GDPR, like the right to delete or rectify your data (known as the “right to be forgotten”) or the right to obtain information on how your data is being processed. 

On this crucial point, though, the Taskforce does not give any practical recommendations, and only gives broad advice. OpenAI should implement “appropriate measures” and integrate “the necessary safeguards” to meet the requirements of the GDPR and protect the rights of data subjects, experts said.

Are they really expecting OpenAI to come up with a solution? It looks likely. 

Which is most effective, working from home or working in an office? This debate is raging in the working world and doesn’t show any signs of stopping.

For employers, working in an office brings with it the benefits of face to face collaboration, yet for employees, working from home allows for far greater flexibility. So, what’s the answer? As much as everyone would love for this to be black and white, the end of the dispute lies in compromise. And it’s a compromise enabled by technology that promotes in-person collaboration without taking away employee autonomy and control.

With fewer office days in a week, it’s essential to make every face to face minute with the team count. Employees don’t want to waste time searching for space in a crowded office, or struggle with inadequate AV setups for hybrid meetings, let alone dealing with no-shows and last-minute cancellations.

A game-changer for office life

It’s time to create a world where the office works for employees, where the chaos of booking resources and finding workspaces is replaced by ease and efficiency. It’s no longer just about reserving a desk or securing a meeting room but about crafting an effortless office experience.

For organizations that implement workspace management platforms, employees get a clear picture of who’s in the office, the resources at their disposal and the best times for collaboration. No more aimless wandering in search of a workspace or a locker. It ensures workers are informed, making each office day productive and simple to navigate.

But the capabilities go beyond simple desks or room bookings. Easy access to popular office amenities—such as the perfect monitor for design tasks, a standing desk for wellness, or a collaborative space for team brainstorming sessions—is made easier. This incentivizes office visits and provides organizations with insights into the resources that employees actually use and value, informing future allocation.

This is how we can bring the comfort and flexibility of a home office into the workplace. The visibility and ease of use not only empower employees in their daily decisions but also make the office a place they want to be. It turns the office into a destination, encouraging regular visits and building a more vibrant, connected workplace community.

Effortless team meetings

Yet, the flexibility and freedom of hybrid work come with its own set of challenges, especially when coordinating team gatherings. Planning a meeting in the hybrid era can often feel like herding cats, with inevitable forgetfulness or last-minute changes throwing a spanner in the works. The time has come to transform chaos into order.

Imagine you’re gearing up for a brainstorming session. Gone are the days of endless emails and last-minute scrambles. With the right platform in place, you’re clearly shown the available spaces, each with its specific size, amenities and location. You find the perfect spot, and with a click, it’s reserved for you and your team.

But this doesn’t end with just a booking confirmation. Everyone gets automated timely reminders about the upcoming meeting with clear instructions on where and when things are happening, ensuring no one misses out. In addition, the time slots in the attendees’ diaries are booked out to reduce scheduling conflicts. For the team members who may have doubts about joining, the ability to see when your colleagues are attending the office is the digital equivalent of seeing friends check into an event on social media – they feel that pull to join in, encouraging them to make that leap from remote to in-person interaction.

This approach focuses on enriching the team experience. It creates an environment where meetings aren’t just scheduled—they’re anticipated. By choosing the right space that meets the team’s needs and using technology to keep everyone in the loop, the office becomes a space where creativity, collaboration, and camaraderie thrive.

Winning at work

Creating an inviting office environment goes beyond just making workspace bookings and team meetings easy. With insights into how and when staff prefer to use office spaces, organizations can tailor events and activities to match these preferences. This could mean scheduling lunch and learn sessions, guest speaker talks, workshops, or hackathons at times when they’re most likely to be well-attended and impactful.

For some organisations, incorporating gamification would introduce a fun, competitive element to office attendance. They could set up a system where employees earn points for each day in the office. These points could then be redeemed for tangible rewards, creating a leaderboard that tracks and rewards office presence. Such an approach would draw people in while building a community feeling at work.

The key is to understand what employees need and value and actively engage them through feedback loops. This way, organizations can align office life with the real interests and schedules of their workforce, making the office more than just a place to work.

The challenge ahead

Striking the right balance between in-office collaboration and remote flexibility is crucial. In this respect, technology isn’t simply facilitating a compromise between working from home and the office. It’s redefining the purpose and value of the office itself.

By providing clear insights into office attendance and resource utilisation, workspace management software empowers organisations to create a dynamic, responsive, and employee-centric work environment. It’s about enriching the office experience, making it a place where employees want to be, not where they have to be.

Moving forward, the challenge will be to use this technology to its fullest potential, ensuring the office remains a hub for innovation, collaboration, and community. The future of work is hybrid and with the right tools and mindset we can create a work environment that is flexible, efficient and, above all, geared towards employee wellbeing and productivity.

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A new certification from the Korean Radio Research Agency, a national regulatory body that oversees radio and communications equipment, suggests that Sony has created a PC adapter for the PSVR 2.

As spotted by virtual reality (VR) influencer Brad Lynch, the certification pertains to a product that is manufactured by a regional subsidiary of Sony Interactive Entertainment and is called the “PlayStationVR2 PC adapter.” Although this could be anything, the name would heavily suggest that it is an adapter designed to enable the PSVR 2 VR headset, which was originally designed for the PlayStation 5, to work with a PC.

This discovery comes off the back of the official confirmation that the PVSR 2 was being tested to support PC games back in February this year. The adapter will presumably enable the PSVR 2 to work with certain PC games on platforms such as Steam in a similar fashion to other VR headsets.

The idea that a PC adapter could be arriving soon is a bit of a glimmer of hope in what has otherwise been a pretty disappointing year for PSVR 2 owners. Beyond a few excellent launch titles like Horizon: Call of the Mountain, the pricey headset has received few desirable games and has largely been outclassed in terms of library variety and general versatility by much cheaper alternatives like the Meta Quest 3. 

PC support would allow existing owners to squeeze a little more value out of their headsets, potentially granting access to many of the best VR games on PC like Half-Life: Alyx. 

Although the peripheral has undeniably been let down on the software front, we were very pleased with the PSVR 2 back when it launched and still consider it to be on of the best VR headsets right now. We awarded the headset four and a half out of five stars in our PSVR 2 review, lavishing praise on the incredibly straightforward setup process, excellent level of responsiveness, comfortable design, and brilliant visual fidelity. 

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Amazon Games is set to publish an unannounced AAA open-world driving game that is being developed by Maverick Games.

Maverick Games was founded in 2022 and is home to many core development team members from across the Forza Horizon series. This includes studio head Mike Brown, who worked on the series for many years at Playground Games and served as the creative director of Forza Horizon 5.

“I’ve been making racing games for nearly 20 years and I know this community really well,” said Brown in an interview concerning the announcement. “I think there are a lot of fantasies, desires, and motivations that this community has that we have a unique opportunity to deliver on.”

Exact details surrounding the nature of the unannounced game are scarce, but we do know that it is targeting a release on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PlayStation 5, and PC. We also know that the game will feature AAA production values, be open-world, and focus quite heavily on storytelling.

“Lots of great driving games have amazing gameplay, amazing content,” said Brown. “But to really cross that bridge, to become a game that people genuinely love, then there needs to be that human connection where you’re actually rooting for these characters, falling in love with these characters. That, I think, is a place where our game will be able to really differentiate itself from the other titles in the genre.”

The publishing deal with Maverick Games is part of a wider attempt by Amazon Games to expand its development efforts into Europe which recently saw the announcement of a new European development studio in Bucharest. 

Christoph Hartmann, VP of Amazon Games, explained that in the company’s “ongoing global search for talented development teams who are building compelling titles that players will love, Maverick Games stood out as a studio that can deliver on all fronts.”

“Mike and his team are the total package – proven game developers who are masters at their craft and aren’t content with the status quo,” he continued. “Their vision for this game is fresh and innovative, and we’re looking forward to working alongside them to bring it to players around the world.”

The game will join Amazon’s growing portfolio of titles, which includes the previously released New World and Lost Ark. Among other unannounced projects, the company is currently working on the next entry in the Tomb Raider series and a new The Lord of the Rings game.

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