From Generative AI Battle to Paris Blockchain Highlights: A Recap of March 2023 in the Tech Industry

Welcome to the Cheesecake Labs Newsletter! This edition explores the impact of Generative AI and its consequences and highlights the Paris Blockchain Week 2023 with a focus on Stellar's role in shaping the future of blockchain technology.

We also share our latest blog posts, including a Soroban use case for smart contracts, a no-code tool for asset issuance, and tips on mitigating risks for product success during development. Join us as we navigate the impact of emerging technologies in society and business.

In Cheesecake Labs’ Newsletter:

• Generative AI: What the deep fake fashion pope has to teach us about AI?
• Paris Blockchain Week: Highlights and insights from one of the most influential global events in the blockchain industry.
• Latest blog posts: Check out our Soroban use case and learn about the no-code tool for asset issuance and how to mitigate risks for your product's success during development.

Navigating the Impact of AI in Society and Business

Starting with the buzz from Dall-E to the launch of the Chat GPT in 2022 – all created by OpenAI, Artificial Intelligence has taken a whole new level this year with a broader audience of users.

From the moment the technology was available for free in a matter of clicks through different mobile applications, everyone started to test it, either as a recreation to generate profile pictures to post on social media or in professional ways, by testing its ability to help in daily tasks at work.

It didn’t take long until things started going viral on the Internet. Selfies with Jesus and Cleopatra, Trump and Putin being arrested, until the photo of the pope wearing a swagged-out white puffer jacket also fooled everyone. These realistic photos were mainly generated using the AI platform Midjourney.

Companies are also betting on Generative AI for its market – since Microsoft invested billions in the chatbot maker OpenAI, it started a new fierce battle for AI dominance versus Google, with Bard. Other big tech companies and startups are launching or investing in solutions based on AI, like Amazon, Baidu, Canva, etc.

This series of events raised the discussion: is society really prepared to deal with Artificial Intelligence?

A group of prominent tech leaders, including Elon Musk, Bill Gates, and Steve Wozniak, as well as professors and researchers, have signed a letter calling for a pause in the training of the most powerful artificial intelligence systems. They argue that the AI race has become "out of control" and that a pause is necessary to evaluate the risks and benefits of these technologies, mentioning “profound risks to society and humanity”.

From our point of view, AI presents thousands of opportunities for businesses. Besides, it can be used as an ally to solve real-world problems. But the threats are real too, so they can’t be ignored by those who want to explore them.

Companies should also invest in security and guidance to guarantee that the technology is being used effectively and with responsibility. That’s why, we also believe that is important to rely on tech experts when it comes to working with emerging technologies. P.S. You can count on us.

Any thoughts on this matter? Leave your comment below ????

Paris Blockchain Week 2023 Highlights the Importance of Practical Applications and User Experiences in Blockchain Adoption

By Fifo Zatti

Paris Blockchain Week 2023 was a game-changing event for the blockchain community, and the Stellar network played a crucial role in shaping the conversation.

As an Engineering Manager and Blockchain Specialist at Cheesecake Labs, I had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the impact of Stellar's innovative solutions and discussions on the future of blockchain technology. Let me walk you through some of the key moments of Stellar's involvement in the event.

During her talk, Denelle Dixon , Stellar's CEO, gave an insightful presentation on Stellar Aid Assist, a tool developed by Stellar Development Foundation , Cheesecake Labs, and others that brings instant, transparent digital aid to those in need. She demonstrated how the tool was used by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency , and the IRC to deliver cash aid in Ukraine.

Denelle drew an interesting comparison between the adoption of blockchain technology and the adoption of HTTPS, highlighting the importance of practical applications and user experiences to seamlessly integrate blockchain into people's lives.

Stellar Aid Assist's impact was also celebrated at the event, where it received the "Best Impact Project Award." This recognition honors projects that use blockchain technology to create meaningful social change.

Another highlight was the Soroban smart contract platform, presented by Tomer Weller , SDF's VP of Product. Tomer debunked some myths about smart contracts and shared valuable design considerations. He emphasized the importance of established standards, strategic scaling, and ensuring interoperability to build better platforms.

By learning from others' experiences and avoiding their mistakes, Soroban can tackle the challenges of scaling and storage head-on and make a meaningful impact in the smart contract platform arena.

Finally, a session led by Paul Bellamy , Morgan Wilde , and Tyler van der Hoeven showcased Soroban in action. They demoed useSoroban.app, a user-friendly, browser-based IDE that will make it easier for developers to adopt Soroban. With its user-friendly interface and helpful debugging tools, the useSoroban.app could play a significant role in increasing the adoption of the Soroban platform.

In conclusion, Stellar's contributions at Paris Blockchain Week 2023 were groundbreaking. Their Stellar Aid Assist solution is making a difference in people's lives, and Soroban is paving the way for future blockchain innovation. These developments demonstrate how the blockchain industry has matured and the incredible impact it's making through innovative solutions.

Our next stop is Consensus 2023 by CoinDesk ??????

From April 26th to 28th, I will be in Austin, Texas with our CBDO Douglas and our CEO Marcelo attending the most important event in Crypto and Web3, Consensus 2023, with Stellar.

We are excited to connect with people at the event and attend all the sessions, particularly the one where Denelle and Tori Samples will discuss real-world solutions built on the Stellar network. Stay tuned as we will be sharing updates and insider information from the event.

Are you attending the event? If so, send us a DM so our team can schedule some time to chat over coffee. ?

Cheesecake Labs Extends Its Blockchain Services

Resulting from the work of more than 3 years supporting banks and financial institutions in the US, Brazil, the Caribbean, Indonesia, and Ukraine, with their blockchain innovations, the new 'Blockchain Services' by Cheesecake Labs emerged from the company's expertise in digital products to develop solutions focused on business outcomes such as helping to improve customer experience, drive both revenue growth and cost reduction. ??

The set of services covers areas such as asset tokenization, stablecoins, CBDC, tokenomics, smart contracts, dApps, NFT, web3, and decentralized finance (DeFi), among others.

Latest on Cheesecake Labs’ blog:

How to use Stellar’s Soroban to write a bond smart contract

Written by Alessandra Carneiro

Risk mitigation in software development — the key to ensuring product success

Written by Juliana Pereira Mendon?a

Guide to Stellar Asset Sandbox: The Tool Built for Asset Issuance

Written by Fabricius Zatti

Projects by Cheesecake Labs that you should take an eye on

???Camio: Read the full Case Study

???Cresol Pay: Read the full Case Study