AI
[Artificial Intelligence] A software that can answer questions or solve problems based on its knowledge, without programmers having predefined its behavior. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105
API
[Application Programming Interface] An interface provided by software, through which other programs can exchange data with the software and issue instructions to it. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
AR
[Augmented Reality] The blending of reality with added digital objects, typically through a headset or glasses. 1 2 3
blockchain
Decentralized, historicized, tamper-proof public ledger. Often used for digital currencies such as Bitcoin. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
burnout
Work overload that leads to feeling overwhelmed, emotional exhaustion, and reduced performance. Can result in inability to work or suicide. 1 2
capitalism
An economic system based on private ownership of the means of production. Production and prices are regulated by the market. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
climate change
The rapid and ongoing alteration of the Earth's climate triggered by human-induced changes to the Earth's ecosystem and atmosphere. →Chapter 3.1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
commune
A group of people living and working together, when this is not based on kinship or romantic relationships. Usually with an ideological orientation. Various concepts exist, ranging in size and scope. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
communism
Ideal of a classless society as a shared community of need. Everything belongs to society as a whole. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
compatibility (people)
With how little conflict and stress multiple people can work and spend time together. Matching communication styles, behaviors, environmental preferences, etc. 1 2 3 4 5
decentralized
A system that is distributed across multiple locations and continues to function even if any one of these locations fails. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Dunbar’s number
Maximum number of social relationships a person can maintain at the same time. Range 100–250, with 150 most commonly assumed. 1 2 3 4
dystopia
evolution
Gradual improvement (higher fitness) of inherited traits in living organisms over generations, through natural selection. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
exponential function
A function that has the form f(x) = nˣ. Consequently, f(x+1) = n·f(x) →Chapter 2.1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
GDP
[Gross Domestic Product] Total value of all goods and services (after deducting all intermediate inputs) generated in one year. 1 2
GUI
Graphical User Interface of an application (Software). 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
historicized
Data for which all changes are logged, so that one can recreate the state of the data at any given time. 1 2 3 4
key pair
Consists of a public and private key. Data encrypted with one of the keys can be decrypted with the other. Enables encrypted data transmission (e.g., https) and proof of authorship (signature). 1 2 3 4 5 6
median
[Central Value] The middle value of a list after it has been sorted by value (for an even number of elements, the average of the two middle values). This makes it robust against outliers. Example: The median of 3, 4, 4, 6, 983 is 4 (average: 200) 1 2 3
medium-voltage grid
Alternating current network, usually 20kV. Serves to distribute electricity in a region before it is transformed down to 400V three-phase current for individual households. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
migration (immigration)
Change of permanent place of residence. The conditions under which this is possible are determined by the destination country. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
neural network (artificial)
Inspired by neurons in the brain. Can—using pattern recognition and large amounts of data—solve problems that are too complex for exact rules. AI is often based on neural networks. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
open-source software
Software whose source code is publicly viewable and modifiable, and which may be used and distributed by anyone who adheres to the same rules. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
QR code
Pattern of black and white squares that can be easily read by cameras and is then translated into a link. 1 2 3 4 5
redundancy
Multiple copies exist for the purpose of fail-safety. 1 2 3 4 5 6
science fiction
Narrative (novel/film/...) of a possible future of our present. Depicts technical and societal changes. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
target function
Function whose result (numerical value) an AI attempts to maximize. Thus, it defines what the AI aims to achieve. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
taxes
Payment to the state without entitlement of service in return. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92
transistor
Small electrical component. The foundation of logic circuits in computer chips. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
UBI
[Universal Basic Income] A sum of money paid out monthly by the state to all citizens. Intended to replace the existing social welfare system. →Chapter 5.1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76
utopia
Beautiful future societal order, often considered unfeasible though. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Wi-Fi access point
Receiver for the signal of WLAN devices to connect them to each other and to the internet. 1 2 3 4 5 6