Despite impressive advances in artificial intelligence (AI)-based language models, applications like ChatGPT still often make serious mistakes. Above all, users cannot understand where the AI gets its information from. The AI-based start-up Aleph Alpha now claims to have achieved a breakthrough in its Luminous language model, at least in the latter problem.
Maximilian Sachse
Editor in Business
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According to the Heidelberg-based company, the model can use a new extension to indicate on which text passage in a source the answers generated by the system are based and which sources may contradict it. Luminous thus offers "a unique opportunity for the transparency and traceability of AI-generated content," says co-founder Jonas Andrulis.
Similar to Open AI, Aleph Alpha has developed ChatGPT, an application that can answer a wide variety of queries with the help of artificial intelligence in a previously unknown quality. In February, the company published the results of a neutral performance comparison, according to which the Heidelberg-based company can keep up with the models of the American competition. Andrulis is convinced that the new transparency will enable the use of critical tasks in the legal, health and banking sectors. The upcoming AI regulation of the European Union is also expected to attach great importance to explainability and traceability.
Open AI could follow suit
Unlike ChatGPT, Aleph Alpha is primarily aimed at business customers. Andrulis sees the focus on explainability as a competitive advantage over the American competition. Customers often have internal verified knowledge. Aleph Alpha's AI can now build on this and ensure that only this verified knowledge is used in answers.
However, AI experts believe it is possible that financially strong companies such as Google or Open AI could at least in theory quickly follow suit if they wanted to. In addition, the information provided by Aleph Alpha has yet to be confirmed in independent tests. The feature is based on Aleph Alpha's latest research, which was published academically earlier this year under the name "AtMan."
Aleph Alpha is regarded as a German beacon of hope for artificial intelligence. According to information from the F.A.Z., the start-up is also said to have aroused the interest of SAP. The software group is to negotiate with the start-up about an entry in the context of an upcoming financing round of Aleph Alpha. In order to keep up with the large US corporations Google, Microsoft and Meta in the long term, Aleph Alpha should be able to use fresh money.