Enrique Dans for dummies

This blog post by Enrique Dans critiques Europol's executive director, Catherine de Bolle, for her statement that anonymity is not a fundamental right. Dans argues that anonymity is crucial for freedom of expression and that de Bolle's desire for Big Tech to unlock encrypted messages is a threat to privacy and potentially enables mass surveillance. He emphasizes that strong encryption is essential and that creating backdoors would only benefit criminals. The subsequent comments section features readers agreeing with Dans's concerns and offering further perspectives on the balance between security and individual liberties. This article is also available in English on my Medium page, «What planet does Europol boss Catherine de Bolle live on?»

The article discusses BYD's rise to become the world's leading electric vehicle (EV) seller, surpassing Tesla. BYD's success is attributed to its focus on affordable, mass-market EVs, contrasting with Tesla's luxury market strategy.  The author highlights the role of Chinese government subsidies in BYD's growth and contrasts this with Western government support for established automakers. A comment section follows, with readers debating the accuracy of the sales figures and offering various perspectives on the EV market. The overall theme explores the shift in global EV leadership from Tesla to BYD and the implications for the automotive industry. This article is also available in English on my Medium page, «When it comes to EVs, China has plenty to smile about«

This blog post by Enrique Dans discusses the potential impact of a TikTok ban in the United States, referencing India's 2020 ban as a case study. Dans argues that the impact of such a ban would likely be minimal, citing India's experience where alternative platforms quickly filled the void and users readily adapted. The comments section features various opinions, ranging from agreement with Dans' assessment to concerns about data privacy and the potential for replacement apps to be similarly problematic. Overall, the discussion centers on the adaptability of users and the market in response to the removal of a single social media platform. This article is also available in English on my Medium page, «⁠Will Americans really miss TikTok⁠?»

The Supreme Court upheld a ban on TikTok in the US, unless it's sold to an American company, prioritizing national security concerns over First Amendment rights. While the ruling doesn't immediately remove the app, it will disappear from US app stores. The incoming President Trump, who opposed the ban, may intervene, potentially influenced by political connections and business interests. The author questions the effectiveness of the ban, given the availability of alternative apps and the potential for future political influence to overturn it. Ultimately, the article speculates on the future of TikTok under a Trump administration. This article is also available in English on my Medium page, «How long will the US ban on TikTok last once Donald Trump takes office?»

Enrique Dans's article discusses the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, highlighting their connection to climate change and the escalating challenges to insurance coverage. The article emphasizes the inadequacy of current responses to the increasing frequency and intensity of such catastrophic events, criticizing the lack of urgency in addressing climate change and its disproportionate impact on various socioeconomic groups. Reader comments following the article offer diverse perspectives, ranging from blaming governmental mismanagement and insufficient funding for preventative measures to highlighting the role of individual choices and building practices in exacerbating the crisis. The discussion underscores the urgent need for preventative measures and a societal shift toward acknowledging the realities of climate change. This article is also available in English on my Medium page, «The Los Angeles firestorms: we can’t afford to live like this«

Enrique Dans's Medium article discusses the challenges facing journalism in the digital age. He argues that the industry's initial failures to adapt to the internet, coupled with the dominance of Big Tech, have created a precarious situation.  Dans then explores the impact of AI on journalism, suggesting both potential benefits (like enhanced research and personalization) and risks (like the creation of low-quality content).  Ultimately, he emphasizes the enduring value of human-driven investigative journalism and the need for news organizations to strategically integrate AI. This article is also available in English on my Medium page, «What is a newspaper for?»

The article discusses the "Free Our Feeds" initiative, a fundraising campaign aiming to protect the decentralized technology of Bluesky and foster an open social media ecosystem resistant to control by single entities or billionaires. This initiative seeks to prevent the kind of control exhibited by Elon Musk on Twitter and Mark Zuckerberg on Meta. The campaign, supported by notable figures like Jimmy Wales and Mark Ruffalo, envisions a non-profit foundation to ensure Bluesky's long-term independence. Commenters offer additional perspectives, suggesting encryption and biometric authentication as crucial elements for a truly free and secure platform, while others highlight existing decentralized alternatives like ActivityPub and the Fediverse. The core argument is that alternative models beyond the current capitalist structure may be needed for a healthier digital sphere.This article is also available in English on my Medium page, «Could Free Our Feeds free us from the control of rapacious, politicized social networks?»

The article discusses the U.S. government's new plan to restrict the export of advanced chips and AI models to countries deemed adversaries, primarily China. This move, criticized by companies like Nvidia, aims to maintain U.S. technological dominance but risks hindering global technological progress. The plan faces concerns about its effectiveness given the complexity of the semiconductor industry and China's advancements in domestic chip technology. A 120-day consultation period will allow the incoming Trump administration to review and potentially modify the regulations before implementation. The article also highlights China's progress in developing its own AI capabilities despite limitations on accessing advanced U.S. technology. This article is also available in English on my Medium page, «Washington sets collision course with China over control of global chip market«

Enrique Dans's Medium article discusses the potential ban of TikTok in the United States, highlighting the Supreme Court's deliberations on national security concerns versus First Amendment rights. The article notes the widespread international bans on TikTok and the potential for continued use via VPNs or alternative methods despite a ban. Dans points out the irony of the U.S. potentially banning TikTok given its own history of foreign political interference. Finally, the article includes a comment section with a brief discussion about hypocrisy. This article is also available in English on my Medium page, «Could TikTok be about to go down the tubes in the United States this week?»

Enrique Dans's Medium article discusses the potential dangers of integrating AI, specifically ChatGPT, with weaponry. An engineer created a system that uses ChatGPT to control a rifle, raising concerns about the ethical implications and potential misuse of AI in military applications. Dans highlights the inherent risks, including the possibility of errors and malicious manipulation of AI-powered weapons systems. While acknowledging the inevitable development of AI in military contexts, he stresses the need for strict control and safety measures to prevent catastrophic outcomes. The article uses an example of a person mounting a rifle on a stand and connecting it to the ChatGPT API as a cautionary tale. The article concludes by emphasizing that the integration of AI with weapons systems requires careful consideration of ethical and safety concerns. This article is also available in English on my Medium page, «Using ChatGPT to fire guns: what could possibly go wrong?»

Mark Zuckerberg's decision to replace fact-checking on Meta platforms with a community-based system is analyzed. The author argues this move, influenced by the Trump administration, is a setback for content moderation and a dangerous abdication of responsibility. Concerns are raised about the system's potential ineffectiveness and susceptibility to manipulation, leading to a spread of misinformation. Internal Meta criticism of the change and the author's overall pessimistic outlook are also highlighted, fearing negative consequences for the future of social media. The author believes this shows a prioritization of user engagement and ad revenue over responsible content moderation. This article is also available in English on my Medium page, «Zuckerberg has bent the knee to Trump: be afraid, be very afraid«

Enrique Dans's Medium article expresses skepticism about the near-term prospects of quantum computing, citing Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's prediction of a 15–30 year timeline for practical applications. Dans argues that current quantum systems are severely limited, and that much of the hype surrounding the technology is driven by companies seeking funding or inflated valuations. He highlights the inherent complexities of quantum mechanics and the lack of understanding even among experts, suggesting a significant gap between current capabilities and ambitious predictions. The article concludes with a call for reassessing expectations and revisiting the topic in two decades. This article is also available in English on my Medium page, «Quantum computing: it’s a crying shame, but for the moment, it’s pie in the sky«

Enrique Dans's Medium article argues against banning AI in education, drawing parallels to past failed attempts to prohibit beneficial technologies like smartphones and the printing press.  Dans emphasizes the importance of integrating AI into the curriculum through education and supervision, rather than resorting to ineffective bans. He highlights the risk of creating a generation ill-equipped to use AI responsibly and suggests that AI, like calculators, should be a tool for learning, not a replacement for it.  The article references studies showing the potential negative impact of unsupervised AI use on critical thinking skills, particularly among younger students. Finally, Dans advocates for a proactive approach to integrating AI responsibly into education, preventing the repetition of past mistakes. This article is also available in English on my Medium page, «We’ve tried banning technology in education before, let’s not make the same mistake with AI«

Nvidia's Project Digits, a compact and affordable desktop AI supercomputer, is poised to democratize AI development. This machine, comparable in size to a Mac Mini, offers significant computational power at a starting price of $3,000, making it accessible to developers, researchers, and students. Its design, a collaboration with MediaTek, prioritizes energy efficiency. Project Digits enables users to develop and test AI models locally before seamlessly deploying them to cloud infrastructures. The article highlights the significance of this development for broadening access to AI technology. This article is also available in English on my Medium page, «How Nvidia’s Project Digits is about to democratize AI«

Enrique Dans's Medium article discusses the challenges of integrating new technologies, using a Waymo self-driving car incident as a case study. He argues that while technological advancements like self-driving cars offer substantial benefits, they are inherently experimental and prone to errors.  Dans emphasizes the need for both user flexibility and company responsibility in addressing these issues, highlighting the importance of safety and constructive feedback. The article also touches on the broader societal implications of increasingly algorithm-driven lives and the potential for misuse of AI.  Reader comments further explore these issues, raising concerns about the necessity and cost-effectiveness of such technology. This article is also available in English on my Medium page, «Sometimes, new technology can feel like going round in circles«

Despite a year-on-year sales decline, Tesla's reduced market share reflects the broader growth of the electric vehicle (EV) market, not a downturn in EV popularity. Global EV sales are surging, particularly in China, where EVs are projected to dominate sales within the next year. This growth is driven by increased affordability, expanding consumer choice, and improved charging infrastructure.  Counter to previous concerns, EV adoption continues to rise, even in cold climates, indicating that the technology is overcoming previous limitations. The article ultimately argues that Tesla's sales dip should be viewed within the context of a significantly expanding EV market. This article is also available in English on my Medium page, «What Tesla’s drop in sales tells us about the growing popularity of EVs«

Enrique Dans's Medium article discusses the emergence of powerful AI tools like STORM, a generative AI capable of creating Wikipedia-style articles, and NotebookLM, useful for creating study guides and summaries.  Dans highlights the significant potential of these AI agents to revolutionize research, education, and journalism by streamlining information processing and report writing. He contrasts these advanced AI agents with the simpler chatbot format, emphasizing the shift toward more adaptable agent platforms. The author also notes Google's mismanagement of NotebookLM and the broader trend of AI agents transforming search functionality. Finally, he enthusiastically promotes STORM as a game-changing tool. This article is also available in English on my Medium page, «Looking to create your own Wikipedia-style article? Try STORM«

The article analyzes two proposed mergers, Honda-Nissan and Getty Images-Shutterstock, arguing that these represent desperate measures by legacy companies facing disruption. Honda and Nissan are struggling with the rise of electric vehicles, while Getty Images and Shutterstock are threatened by the increasing accessibility of generative AI image creation tools. The author suggests that these mergers are unlikely to solve the underlying problems, highlighting the obsolescence of their business models in the face of technological advancements and the easy availability of free alternatives. The author concludes that these companies are essentially delaying the inevitable. This article is also available in English on my Medium page, «Here’s another merger that augers badly for two legacy companies«

Enrique Dans's Medium article discusses the UK's decision to reverse a proposed ban on social media for under-16s. Dans argues against such bans, citing a lack of conclusive evidence on their effectiveness and highlighting the potential benefits of social media for vulnerable youth. He suggests that instead of prohibition, the focus should be on pressuring social media companies to adopt ethical design practices that mitigate the addictive nature of their platforms. The article contrasts this approach with Australia's upcoming ban, which Dans believes will be unenforceable and ultimately counterproductive. Finally, the article emphasizes the need for a more nuanced approach involving education and corporate accountability. This article is also available in English on my Medium page, «If phone bans for under-16s make no sense, how to combat addictive social networks?»

Enrique Dans's Medium article discusses the shift towards flexible work arrangements in 2025, contrasting companies like Spotify and Airbnb, which embrace remote work and trust their employees, with those forcing a return to the office.  Dans argues that treating employees like adults, rather than children, fosters a more productive and innovative environment. He highlights the benefits of flexible work, emphasizing that resisting this trend is detrimental to companies' ability to attract and retain top talent. The article concludes by posing the crucial question of whether companies treat employees as adults or school children, ultimately suggesting that a flexible approach is the future of work. A reader's comment reinforces this central theme. This article is also available in English on my Medium page, «Do you treat your employees like adults or like school children?»