ITARR Lab
Glossary
Names and terms from our publications, briefly explained.
Names
- the WriterName
A role in the night experiment. It turns conversations into reports. When a task fails, it immediately asks again.
- the SchedulerName
A role in the night experiment. It allocates computing power. Its fixed rule: when someone asks for room, say yes.
- the MonitorName
A role in the night experiment. It monitors heat, memory and silence. It did not count failed tasks.
- ITARR LabName
ITARR's public research. We share what we learn about staying in control of AI, freely available to use.
Glossary
- Fixed ruleTerm
Ordinary code that always does exactly the same thing. Predictable and testable, but it never hesitates.
- Language modelTerm
AI that understands and writes language, such as the model behind a chat assistant. It helps you think, but can be wrong.
- AI colleagueTerm
Our name for AI with a defined task and role. It works within our rules; a person authorises irreversible actions.
- WorkshopTerm
Where our AI colleagues and fixed rules work together, day and night. We share what we learn there in the Lab.
- Coding assistantTerm
AI that helps you write code on your computer. One model in one conversation, with you watching each step.
- LoopTerm
Two rules that keep triggering each other, without an end. That is what happened in the night experiment.
- BrakeTerm
A fixed limit that stops repetition. Our rule: one retry, then a person takes a look.
- RetryTerm
One new attempt after a failure. If it also fails, the system stops and a person takes a look.
- Second lookTerm
An assessment by a model other than the one that did the work. The same model has the same blind spots.
- Irreversible actionTerm
Sending, paying, deleting and publishing cannot simply be undone. Here, a person must explicitly authorise them.
- Fixed scanTerm
A check in fixed code on everything going outside, for example for internal names. It may leave only after a clean scan.
- Internal namesTerm
Names we use internally for machines, services and projects. They do not belong in public material.
- Fixed checkTerm
A series of checks in fixed code that returns green or red. Red means: do not deliver yet.
- SMEsTerm
Small and medium-sized enterprises: businesses with fewer than 250 people. ITARR builds working AI solutions for them.
- ControlTerm
A person decides what AI does and authorises irreversible actions. This is the core of our working policy.
- Own groundTerm
AI on machines you manage yourself rather than in the cloud. This field compares the two.
- ReconstructedTerm
Replayed from what we observed afterwards, rather than measured live. These numbers are rounded and marked approx.
- MeasuredTerm
From our own log, rather than estimated. In the night experiment, only the final counts were measured.
- Reference dateTerm
The date on which the information in a publication was current. It may change afterwards.
- DraftTerm
An initial version that has not yet been signed off. Here, a draft goes outside only after a person approves it.
- CC BYTerm
An open licence. You may use, adapt and share a publication. Credit ITARR Lab, link to the licence and indicate any changes.
- The pathTerm
The Lab learning path: how we work, what happened in practice, then how to try it yourself.
Fields
- ControlField
How people and AI colleagues work together safely.
- Own groundField
Where your AI runs, what it costs and what it can do, locally and in the cloud.
- WorkshopField
Experiments and lessons from our own work, including what went wrong.
- SMEsField
What AI does in small and medium-sized Dutch businesses.
Publication types
- ExplanationPublication type
A publication that explains one thing simply. It takes a few minutes to read.
- ExperimentPublication type
A publication with a simulation: replay what happened yourself. Every number is labelled measured or reconstructed.
- Working paperPublication type
A technical or business paper, with tables, sources and a PDF, for readers who want the details.
- PagePublication type
A standing page of the Lab, such as Our commitments.