Crisscrossed.nethttps://www.crisscrossed.net/2024-03-18T18:50:48Z2024-03-13T15:20:23+00:00E-Commerce's Dual Realities and Their Impact on Small Online Businesses Globallyhttps://www.crisscrossed.net//en/blog/e-commerces-dual-realities-and-their-impact-on-small-online-businesses-globallyE-commerce, likened to a coin with two distinct sides, embodies the dichotomy between digital and physical goods and products. This metaphor illustrates not just the diversity of e-commerce but also the unique challenges and opportunities each side presents.
## Digital Products and Services: A Transformational Landscape
The landscape of digital products has undergone a radical transformation since the 2000s. Initially, the concept of purchasing digital services online was met with skepticism. However, the advent of social media and e-commerce ecosystems, such as Shopify, revolutionized this space. These platforms democratized online sales, enabling virtually anyone to market their products from the comfort of their living room, provided they reside in the right country.
This digital boom has seen a surge in the sale of online courses, ebooks, and even Excel templates on platforms traditionally associated with handmade goods, like Etsy. Even seemingly niche products, like sales templates for the information platform Notion, have millions of users.
Christian Kreutz2024-03-12T00:00:00+00:00The Story Behind the Unintended Success of the Famous M-Pesa Mobile Transfer in Kenyahttps://www.crisscrossed.net//en/insights/2023_03_12_the-story-behind-the-unintended-success-of-the-famous-m-pesa-mobile-transfer-in-kenya-Reflecting on the past two decades, it seems that we are constantly caught up in the technical hype cycle. We often rush to embrace the latest innovations without taking the time to understand their origin or impact.
That's why I was delighted to come across [Niti Bhan's insightful post about the success of mobile payments in Kenya](https://nitib.wordpress.com/2024/01/30/service-design-for-prepaid-dominant-markets-mpesa-as-a-narrative-tool/), which began back in 2007 with Safaricom, a Kenyan mobile network provider. Seventeen years later, no European country has implemented a similar system or mobile wallets. MPesa (Pesa means money in Swahili) was revolutionary because it made payments quick, safe, reliable, and provided access to financial services for the large number of unbanked individuals in African countries. Suddenly, people could securely save their money and now governments can explore new ways of digitally transferring funds for social welfare programs. Bhan notes that this mobile payment service was not initially intended for poverty alleviation, but rather evolved into a means of promoting inclusive finance. Interestingly, Mpesa in South Africa did not achieve the same success despite its good intentions and focus on reaching those least likely to have access to traditional financial services.
> It was because Mpesa was launched in Kenya as a general purpose tool – regardless of the relative wealth or poverty of the target audience – that it was adopted by users across Kenya’s demographic spectrum, thus ensuring its eventual success and its subsequent social impact.
This highlights the significance of system analysis and thorough testing when implementing new technologies to ensure their intended impact, which is often overlooked in the development of digital services.
As an added bonus, there is an own [story about Safaricom's journey to reclaim the intellectual property rights](https://ict4dblog.wordpress.com/2021/09/07/global-transfers-m-pesa-and-intellectual-property-rights/) for Mpesa from Vodafone in 2020.Christian Kreutz2024-03-08T15:20:23+00:00Big Tech and Privacy in Humanitarian Aid: Access Now's Digital Challenge Insightshttps://www.crisscrossed.net//en/blog/big-tech-and-privacy-in-humanitarian-aid-access-nows-digital-challenge-insightsI was intrigued by the latest report from Access Now entitled "[Mapping Humanitarian Tech: Exposing protection gaps in digital transformation programmes](https://www.accessnow.org/private-tech-humanitarian-mapping/)." Why? Because it delves into both the potential and challenges of using digital solutions, data, and new innovations to increase effectiveness in the development sector. The report sheds light on the complexity of implementing digital innovations for NGOs, the growing dominance of big tech companies as solution providers, and the lack of consideration for data protection among some actors.
According to the report, the humanitarian field is currently dominated by a small number of organizations primarily based in Europe or North America. These organizations hold most of the public's attention, control over data circulation, and a significant portion of available funding.
The author of the report, Giulio Coppi, and his team highlight two main developments in the use of digital technologies within the humanitarian sector:
> More broadly, we believe that two converging processes are unfolding: the transformation of some humanitarian actors into tech services providers, and the transformation of tech companies into de facto humanitarian service providers.
Christian Kreutz2024-03-07T00:00:00+00:00The Misconception of AI's Ability to Summarize Crucial Informationhttps://www.crisscrossed.net//en/insights/2024_03_07_misconception-of-ais-ability-to-summarize-crucial-informationThere is a prevailing belief that generative AI has the ability to sift through vast amounts of information and provide quick summaries. Whether it's condensing a large PDF folder or finding relevant court cases for lawyers, there is high hope that large language models can assist in these tasks.
[In the Economist Don and Charlie Sull](https://www.economist.com/by-invitation/2024/02/12/two-experts-predict-ai-will-transform-companies-understanding-of-themselves) rave about using generative AI for new form of employee feedback. "Freed from the shackles of traditional surveys, organisations can use AI to gather and process employee feedback from many sources."
However, the problem lies in underestimating the complexity of summarizing information and leaving it up to a machine to determine what is important. While this may give a general overview or highlight interesting connections between documents, it cannot replace human judgement when making critical decisions based on the information. Such autonated summarization can help me to get an initial overview of a document, which is what a good executive summary should do anyway. Large language models can even draw interesting connections between documents, but it is always only one version of the story. Such a summary will hardly ever find the one piece of information that is important to you, or that you maybe did not know.
**Summarization requires prioritization** and should still be a task left to humans. Especially for delicate projects, such as when the citizen participation platform [CitizenLab proudly announces its ability to reduce citizen-generated feedback by half through AI technology](https://www.citizenlab.co/blog/case-study/cambridge-analyzes-input-faster-citizenlab-ai-assistant/). I doubt citizens or employees would be pleased if they were aware that their qualitative feedback may be prioritized by a machine in the future. Large language models may not always uncover the crucial piece of information or something previously unknown, making human involvement all the more necessary.Christian Kreutz2024-03-04T00:00:00+00:00Prepare for Failure: South Korea's Digital Government Outagehttps://www.crisscrossed.net//en/insights/2024_03_04_prepare-for-failure-south-koreas-digital-government-outageSouth Korea is well-known for its advanced digital government, ranking third globally according to the [UN Egovernment 2022 report](https://publicadministration.un.org/egovkb/en-us/Reports/UN-E-Government-Survey-2022). Denmark and Finland take the first two spots. In November of 2023, South Korea experienced a unexpected network [outage lasting for 56 hours](https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2023/12/113_363928.html) due to a glitch. As a result, the Government24 platform was inaccessible, leading to over 240,000 complaints from citizens. "The network failure thus became a national crisis that dented the country's reputation as a digital leader, and cast doubt over its incident response plan." [Source](https://interweavegov.substack.com/p/a-disaster-in-this-tightly-wired)
The government's failure to communicate was a major issue: they simply instructed citizens to wait. The story goes that one reason it took so long to fix the glitch was that it happened on a Friday. It's not easy to mobilise a government on a Friday afternoon.
One of the most intriguing aspects of this issue is that even countries with highly developed digital governments are not immune to failures like this. And even after four months, there is still very little information about what actually caused the problem. I wouldn't be surprised to discover that the real cause is too embarrassing to reveal publicly, as it often boils down to a single human error or undetected software glitch that triggers a chain reaction of problems - a clear demonstration of how complex systems can be unpredictable. But it's not just governments that face these challenges; even cloud providers like Amazon Web Services [experienced a major outage in December 2021](https://www.zdnet.com/article/aws-heres-what-went-wrong-in-our-big-cloud-computing-outage/) due to a network glitch. Without a doubt, top-down bureaucratic organizations are far too sluggish in identifying and addressing such issues.Christian Kreutz2024-03-02T00:00:00+00:00Victims at both ends: The sophistication and the scaling of cybercrimeshttps://www.crisscrossed.net//en/insights/2024_03_02_victims-at-both-ends-the-sophistication-and-scaling-of-cybercrimesThe cybercrime industry is rapidly growing and highly profitable, with no end in sight for its expansion. Perpetrators can operate from anywhere in the world, safe from detection, as they lure unsuspecting targets into their well-planned exploitative scams. The industry has developed a complex network of services and employs sophisticated tactics to manipulate and deceive victims. Gone are the days of simple inheritance fraud; modern scams are meticulously designed, utilizing psychological manipulation and technical expertise to compel innocent individuals into transferring money.
One of the most prevalent and profitable scams currently is known as "pig butchering." It begins with a seemingly innocuous email claiming to be sent to the wrong address, and slowly draws the recipient into a conversation that can eventually turn into a false sense of friendship or even a fabricated love story. In a recent [segment on John Oliver's show](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLPpl2ISKTg), he delves into the intricacies of this scam and reveals that victims come from all walks of life. The level of sophistication in this cybercrime method is apparent in multiple aspects:
- Rather than asking for direct money transfers, the victims are steered towards fraudulent cryptocurrency apps that have garnered numerous positive ratings on the Appstore. However, these apps lack proper monitoring and enforcement measures to prevent scams. The fake apps lure victims with promises of high returns, persuading them to invest more funds. They even simulate rising profits within the app to maintain their facade.
- Scam factories in Myanmar ([as reported by Deutsche Welle](https://www.dw.com/en/how-chinese-mafia-run-a-scam-factory-in-myanmar/a-68113480)) have developed clever methods to trick people into applying for fake jobs and then forcing them into modern-day slavery. This often involves bringing people from other countries under false pretenses.Christian Kreutz2024-03-01T15:20:23+00:00ChatGPT at Work: Studies on the Impact on Work Practices, Job Landscape, and Freelancershttps://www.crisscrossed.net//en/blog/chatgpt-at-work-studies-on-impact-on-work-practices-job-landscape-and-freelancersChatGPT has been an integral part of many people's working lives for a year now. The extensive press coverage and numerous testimonials, despite the sometimes erroneous content, impressively underline the importance of these assistance systems. Initial studies show productivity gains through the use of ChatGPT, as these systems can provide support for a variety of tasks, but the impact on certain job roles can be serious.
An insightful study into the motivations of knowledge workers to use ChatGPT is "[Why do people use ChatGPT? Exploring user motivations for generative conversational AI](https://firstmonday.org/ojs/index.php/fm/article/view/13541)" from December 2023[^1]. This study shows how generative conversational AI meets a variety of user needs by overcoming the limitations of traditional conversational technologies - for example, by offloading cognitive or creative tasks to the technology. The majority of respondents cited productivity gains as the primary reason for using ChatGPT. The motivation to use ChatGPT to increase productivity in a variety of ways was clear, such as to find information quickly and easily, to generate text or assist with writing, or in software development to generate code or identify problems in code. Although to a lesser extent, ChatGPT is also used for creative work or learning, mainly because of its ability to simplify complex concepts and explain difficult topics in an easy to understand way.
Christian Kreutz2024-03-01T15:20:23+00:00Examples of job reduction through automation and generative AIhttps://www.crisscrossed.net//en/knowledge/examples-of-job-reduction-through-automation-and-generative-ai## The problem of predicting job losses - studies
In recent years, many studies have emerged discussing the potential impact of artificial intelligence automation that might result in job cuts. Most of these studies are built on assumptions and attempt to forecast potential job losses. These predicted figures are often cited, despite lacking much solid evidence. I previously wrote about a particularly [flawed study by the ILO](https://www.crisscrossed.net/en/insights/2024_01_24_when-ai-took-over-the-ilo-a-hilarious-tale-of-predicting-job-impacts), which is why I choose not to link to any similar studies.
It's clear that no one can predict with certainty the full impact of artificial intelligence on job replacement. Similarly, it is difficult to estimate how many new jobs may be created as a result of these advancements. The internet has already demonstrated its ability to generate various jobs that did not exist just a decade or two ago. These concerns about widespread job loss are not a new phenomenon and have been raised with each major technological advancement.
In 2016, [James Bessen conducted a study](https://time.com/charter/6333995/what-history-says-about-the-risk-of-ai-automating-jobs-away/) examining 271 occupations listed in the 1950 Census. His findings showed that only one occupation could be definitively linked to automation by 2010: [elevator operators](https://www.crisscrossed.net/en/blog/2022-08-14-the-elevator-a-machine-we-have-learnt-to-trust). Now, there is much talk about the potential impact of generative AI and large language models on employment, with warnings of potential job losses.
**This page aims to keep track of real-world examples where the use of generative AI has resulted in or been linked to job cuts.**
### Content editors
Content editing is a significant feature offered by large language models like ChatGPT, ensuring proper grammar and even applying a specific style or tone to a text. Recently, the German tabloid magazine Bild, owned by Springer companies (which also owns Politico), declared their plans to downsize their team of editors. The company claims that traditional roles such as "editors, print production staff, subeditors, proofreaders, and photo editors" will no longer exist in their current form. According to sources within the company, the number of employees leaving is estimated to be in the "low" hundreds. [Source](https://www.faz.net/aktuell/feuilleton/medien/bild-zeitung-entlaesst-mehr-als-200-mitarbeiter-ki-haelt-einzug-18974856.html)
### Content Creator
- In November, Luis von Ahn, the Chief Executive Officer of Duolingo, a popular language learning app, announced that they have implemented generative AI technology to create content at a faster pace. This includes scripts for shows that aid in teaching languages. As a result, about 10% of their contractors were let go. According to a company representative, this is due to the efficiency of AI and the fact that fewer people are needed for certain tasks. [Source](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-01-08/duolingo-cuts-10-of-contractors-in-move-to-greater-use-of-ai)
- A PR firm in France is reducing its workforce by more than half, with plans to cut 209 positions and not fill an additional 8 already empty roles out of its current staff of 383. The company, located in Courbevoie (Hauts-de-Seine), employs individuals who compile press articles and create summaries for prominent economic figures. [Source](https://www.liberation.fr/economie/social/chez-onclusive-un-des-premiers-plans-massifs-de-licenciement-dus-a-lia-en-france-20230914_WMEUA46RHRCMRMVI5HPZJXSD4A/)
### Customer support
In February of 2024, Klarna, an online payment platform that offers the option to buy now and pay later, revealed their plans to incorporate AI assistants into the checkout process. These AI assistants were proven to be as effective as 700 full-time agents, handling a whopping 2.3 million conversations and generating high levels of customer satisfaction.
Additionally, the use of these assistants resulted in a significant 25% decrease in repeated inquiries. This achievement is particularly noteworthy because it implies that they were able to overcome challenges such as false responses and hallucinations from AI-driven chatbots, which [recently led to a legal dispute involving a Canadian airline](https://www.crisscrossed.net/en/insights/2024_02_26_the-unpredictability-of-large-language-models-a-double-edged-sword-for-service-delivery). [Source](https://twitter.com/buccocapital/status/1762635315951374664)
### Administration - Back-office support
IBM said the company expected to pause hiring for roles it thinks can be replaced by AI technology in the next few years. Around 30% of the jobs in back-office functions, such as human resources, could be automated with AI tools over a five-year period. [Source](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-05-01/ibm-to-pause-hiring-for-back-office-jobs-that-ai-could-kill)
### Translation
In a blog [Henley Wing Chiu analyzed 5 million freelancing jobs](https://bloomberry.com/i-analyzed-5m-freelancing-jobs-to-see-what-jobs-are-being-replaced-by-ai/) that decreased most since the introduction of ChatGPT: writing, translation, and customer service. Translation jobs declined 19%, and customer service jobs declined 16%.
![Changes in Jobs of Upwork since ChatGPT was released](/images/2024/change-in-of-upwork-jobs-since-chatgpt-was-released.png)
### Additional sources
British Telecom announced in 2023 they would potentially replace 10 thousand employees using artificial intelligence by 2030. [Source](https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/may/18/bt-cut-jobs-telecoms-group-workforce)
-#
JPMorgan says its AI cash flow software cut human work by almost 90%. It is unclear from the article if actual jobs have been replaced by this automated forecasting system. [Source](https://bloomberry.com/i-analyzed-5m-freelancing-jobs-to-see-what-jobs-are-being-replaced-by-ai/)Christian Kreutz2024-02-28T00:00:00+00:00The First Search Result has an 80% Chance of being an Adhttps://www.crisscrossed.net//en/insights/2024_02_28_first-search-result-80-percent-chance-being-adThe main way to navigate the internet is through search engines. Unfortunately, search results are often pushed aside by advertisements. Google used to have ads on the side of their search results, but now they are starting to appear as the first results, which leads to lower quality information for users. In many countries, Amazon has become the go-to site for product searches. A recent study titled "[Behind the Clicks: Can Amazon allocate user attention as it pleases?](https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4659231)" found that products with increased visual prominence and positioning received more clicks, even if they had a higher price or worse ratings. This shift towards focusing on visibility and sales over relevancy is a major issue with both Google and Amazon's search algorithms. What if this attention was directed towards the best sustainable, energy-efficient, fair trade products? Or those with [transparent supply chains](https://www.csr-in-deutschland.de/EN/Business-Human-Rights/Supply-Chain-Act/supply-chain-act.html)? Sadly, neither Google nor Amazon has made innovative strides in this direction.Christian Kreutz2024-02-27T15:20:23+00:00Implementing Care Robots in Japan: Unraveling Complexity in Social Settingshttps://www.crisscrossed.net//en/blog/implementing-care-robots-in-japan-unraveling-complexity-in-social-settingsAs populations decrease in various countries, such as Europe, China, and Japan, the latter has taken the lead in implementing robots for basic tasks to alleviate their care crisis. Ethnographer James Wright conducted a study called "[Are Robots the Solution to Japan's Care Crisis?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DozxJqByr3U)" based on his book ["Robot's Won't Save Japan."](https://www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9781501768040/robots-wont-save-japan/) In this research, Dr. Wright delves into the emotional and social consequences of introducing robots into a care setting, specifically how it might impact relationships between residents and staff members. He also considers the potential for robots to alter these dynamics.
Christian Kreutz2024-02-26T00:00:00+00:00The Unpredictability of Large Language Models: A Double-Edged Sword for Service Deliveryhttps://www.crisscrossed.net//en/insights/2024_02_26_the-unpredictability-of-large-language-models-a-double-edged-sword-for-service-deliveryAfter receiving an order to pay compensation for misleading a customer [with inaccurate information from their chatbot](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/feb/16/air-canada-chatbot-lawsuit), Canada's largest airline faces a challenge in utilizing generative AI in real-world situations. While it is seen as a helpful assistant by many, the potential risks prevent it from fully taking over services. The UK Government Digital Service [conducted an experiment](https://insidegovuk.blog.gov.uk/2024/01/18/the-findings-of-our-first-generative-ai-experiment-gov-uk-chat/) with a large online model and found that 70% of users found the chatbot's results useful, but this does not guarantee reliability.
This highlights the difficulty in controlling the output of chatgpt even after one year of widespread adoption. Some argue that because it is a stochastic process, it is logical to have unpredictable outcomes, while others find it intriguing that chatgpt remains a blackbox even for experts. This has led to various funny experiments, [including providing tips to improve chatbot results](https://minimaxir.com/2024/02/chatgpt-tips-analysis/). The machine seems to care about the tip, even if it doesn't benefit from it.
[Image source](https://twitter.com/voooooogel/status/1730726744314069190)Christian Kreutz2024-02-19T15:20:23+00:00Navigating the New Frontier: The Rise of Satellite Internet and Its Global Impacthttps://www.crisscrossed.net//en/blog/navigating-new-frontier-satellite-internet-global-impactIn the old days, satellite internet was slow and used by few people. Through various initiatives, satellite internet, such as Starlink, has made a comeback. It now serves as a crucial link to reach remote corners of the world. This technology is mission-critical for Ukrainian warfare and holds the promise of covering zones currently without internet access. Yet, [affordability in remote areas ](https://restofworld.org/2022/the-last-internet-dealers-of-rural-mexico/) is key to its adoption.
But can satellite internet also be an option to circumvent internet censorship? With only a small mobile dish—or soon, just a smartphone—users anywhere could potentially bypass restrictions. The feasibility of this approach so far depends heavily on private companies like Starlink or OneWeb offering their services in countries with censorship practices. But also [China plans to launch a constellation of 12,992 satellites](https://www.economist.com/china/2023/05/18/why-china-fears-starlink), joining Russia and the EU, with projects like [IRIS2](https://defence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu/eu-space-policy/iris2_en), in providing their own satellite internet solutions. But as these plans unfold, space is becoming increasingly crowded. Thousands of satellites are planned for launch, with Starlink alone accounting for approximately 30,000. This rapid expansion raises questions about the sustainability of space as a resource.
So, how is all of this governed? [Laura DeNardis has written an insightful report on Interplanetary Internet Governance](https://www.cigionline.org/publications/interplanetary-internet-governance/), suggesting that existing space treaties could play a role in governing the internet beyond Earth. This emerging field of governance will be key to managing the crowded skies and ensuring that satellite internet remains a viable and accessible option for all.
Christian Kreutz2024-02-17T15:20:23+00:00Sustainability in Tech: Bridging Green Software, Resources, and Organizationshttps://www.crisscrossed.net//en/knowledge/sustainability-in-tech-bridging-green-software-resources-and-organizationsAs we delve deeper into Green ICT, we uncover a growing number of important resources. This page serves as a central location for compiling and sharing these valuable findings. Rest assured, as our research continues, we will consistently update this page with new information. To start learning about the topic, read our blog post: [Decoding Green Technology: Navigating the Labyrinth of Eco-Tech Terms and Concepts](https://www.crisscrossed.net/en/blog/decoding_green_technology_navigating_the_labyrinth_of_eco-tech_terms_and_concepts). The carbon emissions produced by using a digital service are crucial to consider, from the energy used by a smart phone to the operation of data centers, network traffic, and software. These factors all play a part in determining the amount of carbon emissions generated when sending an email, making a search request, or asking chatGPT a question.
Christian Kreutz2024-02-15T00:00:00+00:00The Desire for Anonymity: A Study on Reddit User Behaviorhttps://www.crisscrossed.net//en/insights/2024_02_15_the-desire-for-anonymity-a-study-on-reddit-user-behaviorThe EU General Data Protection Regulation grants individuals the "right to be forgotten," but do users truly care about what they leave behind on the Internet and whether it can be linked back to them? In a [thought-provoking study by Joseph Reagle](https://firstmonday.org/ojs/index.php/fm/article/view/13193/11041), he uncovered that even anonymous users delete their posts on social media if they contain sensitive content. Using content from Reddit, a platform known for its wide range of discussions from inspirational to inflammatory, Reagle delved into how these users handle their contributions.
> "Roughly half of submissions are deleted by their users, most within the first day and week. Interviews with 30 Redditors reveal that their motives for deletion include ensuring the “Internet doesn’t see them,” especially those who might “see it on my Reddit profile,” deciding their issue was resolved, receiving unhelpful or aggressive comments, and concluding their submission was no longer relevant. Most interviewees were not overly concerned about deleted submissions persisting elsewhere (e.g., social media, archives, and datasets) as long as it is not easily connected to their other activity or identity."Christian Kreutz2024-02-12T00:00:00+00:00The Dual Dilemma: Public and Expert Ambivalence Towards AI's Futurehttps://www.crisscrossed.net//en/insights/2024_02_12_the-dual-dilemma-public-and-expert-ambivalence-towards-ais-futureThe role of artificial intelligence and its impact on society is a topic filled with uncertainty, as shown by a global study from the University of Queensland in Australia. Nearly two-thirds of respondents expressed uncertainty about AI's potential consequences. [Source](https://policy-futures.centre.uq.edu.au/files/16650/Trust%20in%20AI%20Global%20Report_2023_UQ.pdf) Interestingly, this sentiment is shared by experts as well; a survey of 2,778 experts showed that many are unsure about the long-term value of AI progress. [Source](https://arxiv.org/html/2401.02843v1)
The citizen survey also revealed varying levels of trust and acceptance towards AI systems across different countries. Surprisingly, India and China exhibit high levels of trust at 75% and 67%, respectively, while Japan and Finland have low levels of acceptance at only 25%. This is striking given that most online users encounter algorithm-driven services on a daily basis, yet still harbor mistrust towards AI systems as a whole. The adoption rate of chatgpt raises questions about whether this level of mistrust will continue to be prevalent in certain countries.Christian Kreutz2024-02-09T00:00:00+00:00IEA Electricity 2024 Reporthttps://www.crisscrossed.net//en/insights/2024_02_09_IAE_electrivcity_reportThe 2024 electricity report from the International Energy Agency is captivating. The CO2 emissions of the USA are declining and are about to match India's emission levels. However, the USA, with only a quarter of India's population, produces, on average, four times as much CO2 per citizen as India. Renewable energy supplies are growing at an astonishing rate and are projected to account for almost half of the world's electricity generation by 2026. This growth is matched by an increased demand for electricity, particularly for electric vehicles, heat pumps, and data centres, especially those used for artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency. These factors are anticipated to remain strong pillars of growth over the period, collectively accounting for half of the expected gains in total demand. There is significant progress towards renewables, but a much larger electricity supply is needed for electric vehicles and other uses. [Source: IAE](https://www.iea.org/reports/electricity-2024/executive-summary)
![CO2 Emissions India](/images/2024/co2-emissions-india.webp)Christian Kreutz2024-02-06T00:00:00+00:00Automated Tasks vs. Human Automationhttps://www.crisscrossed.net//en/insights/2024_02_06_automated-tasks-vs-human-automationThere is a lot of talk about automating human tasks, but not enough about the impact of "AI" on human behavior and "work efficiency". This video, surveilling a cafe, shows how much time customers spend at their tables, or which worker isn't producing enough for the cafe's success. It's as if this information would provide insights on how to effectively manage a thriving cafe. Not only are processes becoming automated, but clients and employees are also increasingly being controlled by machines. It's certain that boring cafe chains are happy to utilize such technologies.
[Source Video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZ_Td0uUn7E)Christian Kreutz2024-01-26T00:00:00+00:00Ordering in the Factory: Chinese Ecommerce - The Direct Feedback Loop from the Factoryhttps://www.crisscrossed.net//en/insights/2024_03_18_ordering-in-the-factory-chinese-ecommerce-the-direct-feedback-loop-from-the-factoryIs the rise of Chinese e-commerce giants is shaking up the global retail landscape? The impact of Chinese E-commerce on the global market continues to grow, as it pushes capitalist ideals to new heights. This is a result of various factors at play. China boasts a massive domestic market, where consumers across cities and towns enjoy purchasing products online. The country has also made significant improvements in logistics, with an extensive train network being just one example. Additionally, China holds the title for the world's largest production pipeline and excels in rapid product development cycles seen in places like Shenzen - often referred to as the [Silicon Valley of hardware]([https://www.wired.co.uk/video/shenzhen-full-documentary=](https://www.wired.co.uk/video/shenzhen-full-documentary=).
E-commerce giants like Jd.com, Alibaba, Shein, and the newest addition, Pinduduo with its Temu app, are rapidly expanding beyond Chinese borders. Through [aggressive ultra-low cost and even free product campaigns](https://restofworld.org/2023/temu-mobile-gaming/), Temu has become recently one of the most popular apps in the USA. Like Alibaba, Pinduduo takes advantage of the de minimis provision in the US, allowing for products up to $800 to be imported without taxes. Read more about that topic.
On the other hand, it provides a gamified approach to online shopping which tempts customers into buying unnecessary items, leading to unintentional purchases and filling homes with short-lived consumer products.
In an [intriguing video report by Financial Times](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2d8j_q2tl9c&t=794s), the secretive nature of Pinduduo, the company behind Temu, is explored. Little is known about its sales figures and employees. However, what sets Pinduduo apart is its unique ecommerce model that has led to its success. This is a story of how digital disruption has revolutionized every step from production to consumer, creating what they call a "customer-to-manufacturer" model.
> The products that we as western consumers are buying on platforms, for example, like Amazon, the high cost of them has a lot to do with the fact that they need to create a brand. They spend a lot on marketing. They do consumer surveys to try and figure out what we want. All of this costs money and is baked into the price of the product.
> Temu has stripped that away. They've basically said, OK, we're going to go straight to the manufacturer, use algorithms to predict what shoppers want online, cut out all of this brand creation, fee, cost structure, and ship these goods directly from the factories to shoppers in the west.Christian Kreutz2024-01-26T00:00:00+00:00Germany Takes a Stand Against Hate Speech: Shifting Responsibility from Users to Tech Giantshttps://www.crisscrossed.net//en/insights/2024_01_26_germany-shifts-responsibility-from-users-to-tech-giants-hate-speechPositive news from Germany against hate speech. German court mandates Meta to seek and remove such content, shifting duty from users to company. Turning the principles of the Communications Decency Act of 1996 (USA) that brought us into this mess.
The Communications Decency Act of 1996, particularly Section 230, significantly influenced online content moderation by providing immunity to internet platforms from liability for user-generated content. This meant platforms were not legally responsible for the posts and comments made by users and lead to the dynamic growth of social media platforms.
The new German ruling marks a departure from this approach by placing proactive responsibility on the platform itself.
[Source](https://cxd.li/fd8FMc)Christian Kreutz2024-01-24T15:20:23+00:00Navigating the Exceptions: The Achilles' Heel of Algorithmic Decision-Makinghttps://www.crisscrossed.net//en/blog/navigating-the-exceptions-the-achilles-heel-of-algorithmic-decision-makingAs society becomes more technologically advanced, algorithms are taking on a greater role in completing tasks. However, with the increased reliance on these programmed protocols, common sense and intuition often take a backseat. These algorithms are designed to handle typical scenarios, but struggle when faced with exceptions. As a result, humans are increasingly out of the loop.
Christian Kreutz