Bankloch

Generative AI (GenAI) remains one of the most transformative forces in technology today, capturing imaginations and redefining industries with unparalleled speed. While traditional AI has excelled in analysis and automation, GenAI is a newer force, capable of creating sophisticated content that mirrors human creativity. This innovative technology spans multiple modalities—text, audio, video, and beyond—enabling it to summarize extensive documents, craft opinion pieces, generate software code, design visuals, compose music, and even define data quality rules. The applications are virtually limitless. The rapid evolution of GenAI is driven by continuous advancements in models. Weekly, new models emerge, surpassing their predecessors and intensifying competition among key players. Key Large Language Models (LLMs) : xAI Grok : Designed for real-time social media interaction. Anthropic Claude : Prioritizes safety and ethical behavior. OpenAI ChatGPT : A versatile powerhouse for diverse appl...

A few weeks ago, I was discussing the challenges facing the Belgian company Agfa-Gevaert with colleagues. Once a cornerstone of the Belgian economy as a leader in photographic materials, the company now faces the repercussions of declining sales. Over the next three years, it plans to cut nearly 530 jobs. Agfa-Gevaert’s struggles symbolize a broader challenge: the transitioning from its analogue past to a digital future. Despite leveraging its expertise in chemicals and digital imaging (e.g. hospital scanners), these ventures have not achieved the revenue levels of its legacy businesses. Decades after the rise of digital photography, the company’s innovations have yet to fully offset the decline of traditional products. This raises a pressing question:   can large corporations truly innovate at the level required to survive in a rapidly changing world? Agfa-Gevaert is not alone. Many traditional European industries face similar hurdles. Thyssenkrupp, Volkswagen, BASF, and Bosch hav...

Cryptocurrencies have become a   polarizing topic , with passionate supporters and critics each holding strong opinions. Regardless of where one stands, it’s hard to deny the technological marvel that underpins these digital assets. Cryptocurrencies present a compelling alternative to traditional currencies, as demonstrated by the growing interest from central banks in   Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) . The fact that established financial institutions are also exploring blockchain and cryptocurrencies (including stablecoins) further highlights the importance and potential of this technology. One of the most revolutionary aspects of cryptocurrencies is   decentralization . In developed, democratic countries with strong legal systems, this feature may appear less critical, or even disadvantageous. Without a central authority overseeing transactions, opportunities for illegal activities increase, making it more challenging for governments to regulate and control mis...

In recent years, passive investing has gained significant popularity, particularly through low-cost, well-diversified ETF (Exchange-Traded Fund) portfolios. In Belgium, the term "hangmatbeleggen" (Dutch for "hammock investing," referring to this relaxed investment approach) was even named the word of the year in 2024. This style of investing is appealing, as research consistently shows that active investors — those attempting to beat the market through stock selection or timing — rarely outperform passive strategies. Passive investment portfolios provide broad market exposure, are cost-effective due to lower management fees and require minimal oversight. Moreover, with the growing popularity of ETFs, investors can now choose from a wide range of options, tailoring their portfolios to match their risk profile, investment horizon and personal preferences. A typical passive portfolio offers   long-term   average returns of around 7-8%, outperforming inflation and many ...