Photo etudes
19 June 2024 Reading time: ~1 minute
Nature's grandeur can manifest in many forms, often hiding in plain sight for us to discover. From towering mountain ranges to serene lake shores, even urban landscapes have their own unique charm when viewed with a curious eye. This photo gallery showcases the beauty of various well-known places, inviting you to appreciate the natural splendour that surrounds us every day. These images capture tranquil scenes, and captivating details that remind us how easily we can find serenity and wonder in our everyday lives if we only take the time to look.
Cambourne
14 May 2024 Reading time: ~1 minute
Hidden in the heart of Cambridgeshire, lies the charming village of Cambourne - a picturesque gem nestled amidst the rolling countryside. This thriving community boasts stunning natural beauty and a strong sense of community spirit. From its lush parks and open spaces to its bustling high street, Cambourne is a haven for those seeking a tranquil retreat from urban life. This photo gallery takes you on a visual journey through this lovely village, showcasing the best of its landscapes and landmarks. Whether you're a local resident or just discovering Cambourne for the first time, these images will transport you to a world of natural beauty and quaint charm.
Hidden Cambridge
28 April 2024 Reading time: ~1 minute
Tucked away from the bustling streets of Cambridge, lies a hidden world of breathtaking natural beauty, waiting to be discovered by those who dare to wander off the beaten path. In this enchanting city, where academic pursuits and historic charm often steal the spotlight, some of the most stunning green oases remain shrouded in secrecy. From secluded riverbanks to tucked-away meadows, and from tranquil gardens to verdant nature reserves, Cambridge conceals a treasure trove of secret beauties that will leave even the most seasoned locals awestruck. In this photo gallery, we invite you to join us on a visual journey through the lesser-known landscapes of our beloved city, where the simple pleasures of nature's majesty are revealed in all their glory. Get ready to be mesmerised by the unspoiled views, vibrant wildflowers, and serene atmosphere that will make you fall in love with Cambridge all over again.
Hidden gems of Cambridge
A new dimension of AI revolution: protecting personal data with self-hosted AI
25 March 2024 Reading time: 5 minutes
In recent years, the world has witnessed a remarkable surge in the development and application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies. The rapid advancement in Large Language Models (LLMs), which have enabled machines to process and generate human-like language with unprecedented accuracy, has transformed the way we communicate, work, and interact with each other. From virtual assistants to language translation services, email filters, and "AI-enhanced" social media platforms - AI is in almost every aspect of modern life. As we happily embark on this journey into a world where AI is increasingly intertwined with our daily lives, we must also think of and confront the challenges that come with it.
As we embrace the benefits of this technological revolution, it’s crucial that we also examine the elephant in the room: corporate dominance. The behemoths of the AI market – companies like OpenAI, Meta, Google, and Microsoft – are at the forefront of innovation, offering a wide range of AI-driven services that now become essential to our daily lives. AI is "bolt-on" into everything those large players offer (for our benefit of course). As we surrender our precious personal data to these corporations, maybe we should also ask ourselves: what’s in it for them?
These companies collect and store vast amounts of data from users’ queries and metadata often containing sensitive information. The problem is that these corporations do not provide transparency into how this data is processed and protected. They have neither the incentive nor the obligation to prioritise our privacy over their profits. Remember rule number one: if you are not paying for the product - you are the product. But would anything change if we paid for the service? More privacy or more security? Doubt it.
Fun fact: OpenAI, for instance, was initially established as a non-profit organisation with the noble goal of advancing artificial intelligence research. However, it has since suddenly transformed into a "very-much-for-profit" company valued at 80 billion USD (value for 25/05/2024). This shift in focus substantially transformed how the company behaves: now the monetisation of every single service has become an ultimate goal. And we, users, accustomed to the AI-based services, have no choice, but to pay someone to collect more of our data and make even more money on it. It's a perfect business model indeed!
It is well-known that lack of accountability in the IT world has already led to multiple high-profile data breaches, exposing millions of user’s personal information to cybercriminals. The consequences are far-reaching, from compromised identities and financial security to erosion of trust in these corporations. Is there any reason to believe that the story will be different in the case of the large providers of AI services? Doubt it.
As we move forward in this era of rapid AI development, we must prioritize data privacy and security. We must think twice before sharing our most intimate thoughts or personal details with AI assistants like ChatGPT and Bard or anything similar. Instead, let us look forward to a future where we can run our own AI systems at home or in the office, reaping the benefits of this technology while maintaining control over our digital lives.
One of the key hurdles in developing self-hosted AI solutions has been the need to compress large language models into smaller ones that can be processed on consumer-grade hardware. This process, known as quantization, involves mapping high-precision model data to lower-precision ones, effectively “shrinking” the model and, at the same time, trying to maintain its functionality.
This technology has already made good progress, enabling the development of small language models that can run reasonably quickly even on consumer-grade hardware using open-source solutions. Now it is also possible to train and deploy small LLMs using a relatively modest home PC with an Nvidia or Radeon graphics card. Some innovations work on your web browser only! This is opening a whole new world of possibilities for self-hosted AI solutions.
What does this mean for us? It means that we can harness the power of AI without sacrificing our most valuable asset – our data. We can unlock the full potential of AI while maintaining control over our digital lives. And, as we move forward in this era of rapid AI development, we still must prioritise data privacy and security. Check the Internet - there are multiple solutions there already!
As the era of self-hosted AI dawns, we stand at the threshold of a transformative moment in the history of technology. By embracing this approach, we can reclaim our data sovereignty, liberate ourselves from corporate control, and unlock the truly boundless potential of Artificial Intelligence. So, what’s holding you back? Just give it a try!
Grey ghost
28 February 2024 Reading time: ~1 minute
Weimaraner
Let's meet Weimaraner: it's the German breed, sleek and swift, often called "Gray Ghost". These dogs are beloved by hunters and pet owners for their friendliness, obedience and beauty. They enjoy exercise (plenty of it!), along with lots of quality time with their humans, of course. The dog is instantly recognised by a distinctive silver-grey coat. Male Weimaraners stand 25 to 27 inches at the shoulder, and females are a bit smaller: 23 to 25 inches. A properly bred Weimaraner will be solid coloured, with maybe a small white spot on the chest. The face, with its amber or blue-grey eyes framed by long velvety ears, is amiable and intelligent. The breed presents a picture of streamlined grace and balance. Weimaraner truly is a breathtaking sight! These dogs could be excellent with kids and yearn to be full-fledged family members. Easy grooming, trainability, a loving nature, and a can-do attitude make them great pets, as long as owners are committed to keeping them physically active and mentally engaged.
One million shades of grey
28 January 2024 Reading time: 2 minutes
Welcome to our photo gallery about one of the most majestic cat breeds - the Russian Blue. With their thick, plush coats a stunning silver-grey hue and piercing green eyes that seem to sparkle with intelligence, it's no wonder why these regal felines have captured the hearts of many. But what truly sets the Russian Blue apart is not just their striking appearance, but also their remarkable personality - they are highly intelligent, playful, and affectionate companions who form incredibly strong bonds with their human families. Loyal and devoted to a single person, often becoming Velcro-like in their attachment, Russian Blues shower their favourite humans with love and attention, making them the perfect addition to any family looking for a constant companion and friend.
