Marathon Digital Holdings, one of the world’s largest public Bitcoin mining companies, has announced its work on Anduro, a multichain, layer two platform on top of Bitcoin. With Anduro, Marathon proposes the creation of several sidechains designed to expand Bitcoin’s standard functionality and attract activity previously directed to other chains. Marathon Announces Anduro to Expand […]
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Cross Finance is a next-generation digital ecosystem of cutting-edge payment solutions, bridging the worlds of banking and blockchain. CrossFi seamlessly integrates these two pivotal segments of the global economy into a unified ecosystem, offering unparalleled scalability and processing speed of up to 1 million transactions per second through the core of the CrossFi Chain—a modular […]
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Chainlink (LINK), a leading decentralized oracle network, announced the successful integration of its Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP) with Circle’s Cross-Chain Transfer Protocol (CCTP).
According to a Jan. 16 statement, this collaboration would enable users to transfer the USD Coin (USDC) stablecoin securely and reliably across different blockchain networks.
“CCIP’s defense-in-depth infrastructure helps ensure that cross-chain USDC transfers are supported by the highest possible level of security,” Chainlink added.
Chainlink furthered that its integration of CCTP will open up new use cases for USDC around cross-chain transfers, payments, and other decentralized finance (DeFi) interactions for protocols building with Chainlink CCIP.
Chainlink’s CCIP is a pivotal solution for token transfers across diverse blockchains. Boasting a robust security infrastructure at level 5, the protocol supports major networks such as Ethereum, BNB Chain, Avalanche, and layer2 networks like Polygon, Arbitrum, Base, and OP Mainnet.
Meanwhile, major traditional institutions, including global financial messaging network Swift, South Korean gaming giant Wemade, and Hong Kong’s value exchange in its Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) trials, have heavily adopted the CCIP technology since last year.
Similarly, Circle’s CCTP is a permissionless on-chain platform that facilitates USDC transfers securely between blockchains via native burning and minting. This protocol is available on Ethereum, Arbitrum, Avalanche, Noble, OP Mainnet, and Base.
Sergey Nazarov, the co-founder of Chainlink, said:
“The defense-in-depth security infrastructure of CCIP, with multiple layers of decentralization, is something highly valued by developers building with USDC. It’s also exciting to see CCIP’s advanced risk management features have such a value-added role to play in how USDC can be sent in a way that complies with various key user requirements.”
Chainlink’s LINK is down 3% during the past day to $15 as of press time, according to CryptoSlate’s data.
Chainlink’s price feeds are now live on Matter Labs‘-backed layer2 network zkSync’s Era following the addition of the platform to the Oracle blockchain’s Sustainable Chainlink Access for Layer 1 and 2 Enablement (SCALE), according to a Dec. 12 statement shared with CryptoSlate.
Chainlink’s price feed is an essential blockchain tool that connects smart contracts and real-world data, like asset prices. The Oracle network ensures reliable data delivery by gathering information from various sources through a decentralized network of independent node operators.
Several DeFi applications, including lending and borrowing protocols, rely on this price feed to ensure smooth operations of their services.
So, zkSync’s integration into SCALE will provide developers within the layer2 network’s ecosystem with enhanced access to top-notch Oracle data. This will ultimately help to reduce the gas fees Chainlink nodes incur when submitting Oracle reports for Data Feeds on zkSync Era.
Matter Labs’ Senior VP, Marco Cora, emphasized the critical role of Chainlink Price Feeds, considering them crucial infrastructure beneficial to users and developers alike.
“Chainlink Price Feeds is a critical and industry-standard infrastructure that has wide reaching benefits for developers and users alike. Combined with our new prover, Boojum, and with our unique design around state differences, it will make zkSync the cheapest rollup for Oracle updates. This will open up a new design space to pave the way for new innovation and use cases,” Cora added.
Similarly, Johann Eid, Chainlink Labs’ Chief Business Officer, highlighted how this integration decreases operating costs for Chainlink nodes, enabling zkSync to offer necessary services for building highly secure and scalable applications.
zkSync Era is one of the most popular Ethereum layer2 scaling solutions, with more than $500 million worth of digital assets locked on the network, according to data from L2beat.
In a Dec. 8 post on social media platform X, Chainlink stated that over 19 million additional LINK tokens were staked in under 7 hours after it opened its early access.
The Oracle network opened the staking platform to the general public on Dec. 11. However, data from the site shows that the pool remains filled as no existing staker has withdrawn their assets.
The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS sits at the top of the German brand’s stable of SUVs with luxurious 3-row seating, satisfying engine options, and many customization options. We expect pricing to start at about $84,000.
The Mercedes-Benz GLS is luxury writ large. Mercedes-Benz
MBG,
was one of the pioneers of the grand experiment of the luxury SUV, and the flagship GLS translates the experience of the iconic S-Class into SUV form. It has the top-notch interior quality and satisfying driving manners you’d expect from the brand, plus the convenience of 3-row seating and adventurous off-road capabilities.
The closest rivals to the Mercedes-Benz GLS are the admirable BMW X7 and the long-wheelbase version of the Range Rover. You could also compare it to bigger American full-size luxury SUVs like GM’s
GM,
Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator, but this is arguably in a different category.
Mercedes-Benz
We expect the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS to start at about $84,000. Stepping up to V8 power will bump the price of entry to around $108,000. The high-performance AMG GLS 63 should start at about $140,000, and the extra luxurious Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 will likely start at around $175,000.
The GLS is priced similarly to its closest competitor, the BMW
BMW,
X7. The Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator are bigger and more affordable than the GLS.
| 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS | MSRP |
| GLS 450 | $84,000 (est.) |
| GLS 580 | $108,000 (est.) |
| AMG GLS 63 | $140,000 (est.) |
| Maybach GLS 600 | $175,000 (est.) |
Before buying a GLS, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. Mercedes-Benz GLS resale value is about average for the segment.
The Mercedes-Benz GLS gets an aesthetic refresh for 2024 with updated bumpers and lighting. The interior gets a minor update with a new steering wheel. Other design updates include new paint, wheels, leather, and interior trim options.
The GLS also gains a new Off-Road Engineering Package with underbody protection and a revised suspension that can give the GLS an extra 1.2 inches of ground clearance.
The engines under the hood of the GLS are enhanced with an additional 13 horsepower for the GLS 450 and 27 more horsepower for the GLS 580.
Check out: The 2023 Genesis GV60 review: photos, prices, range, tax credits and more for this all-electric luxury SUV
In classic Mercedes-Benz fashion, the driving character of the GLS exemplifies luxury. The 6-cylinder engine delivers adequate thrust for any driving situation, but the available V8 gives it more muscle.
We enjoyed the smooth and gentle ride quality in testing the GLS, but its personality can change thanks to its standard adaptive air suspension and Dynamic Select drive modes. Comfort, Sport, and Off-Road modes speak for themselves, and we found that switching between modes actually made a big difference in how this SUV drives.
The AMG GLS 63 is a serious, high-performance luxury SUV, as long as you can stomach the price at the dealer and the fuel pump. It makes over 600 horsepower and delivers an authentic AMG experience but doesn’t compromise comfort.
The Mercedes-Benz GLS has the supremely luxurious interior we expect from the brand’s flagship SUV. We’re impressed with the rich quality of the materials, and we love the customizability with various options for interior leathers and trim options ranging from natural grain ash wood to real aluminum.
Depending on how your SUV is optioned, the second row can get even more luxurious than the first. Optional second-row captain’s chairs make the second row more comfortable and the third row easier to access. However, for a first-class experience in the back, you’ll want the Executive Rear Seat Package Plus with heated, ventilated, massaging seats, a wireless charging pad, and an MBUX tablet in the second row.
Third-row legroom is adequate for children and shorter adults; we found it a little tight back there for an SUV this size. If you’re looking for an adult-friendly third row, the Lincoln Navigator and Jeep Grand Wagoneer are the leaders in that category.
The cargo room in the GLS is good; it has more space behind the third row than the BMW X7. Like any big SUV, you get more cargo space if you fold down the third-row seats.
For SUV shoppers with deeper pockets, the Mercedes-Maybach GLS takes luxury to the next level. The third row is gone to accommodate more room for the second row, and it adds exclusive materials, massaging rear seats, heated armrests, and even heated and cooled cupholders.
You might like: This hot new 2024 Mercedes-AMG GT coupe has a built-in racing instructor
The Mercedes-Benz GLS is a luxury SUV with a presence. It does an admirable job applying the corporate Mercedes-Benz design language to a full-size SUV, adding ruggedness without losing any panache. A slight facelift for 2024, updating the bumpers, wheels, and light signature, keep it fresh.
The Mercedes-Benz GLS is the biggest SUV in the brand’s lineup. It’s about the same size as the BMW X7 and long-wheelbase Range Rover. Its American counterparts, like the Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator, and Jeep Grand Wagoneer, are bigger, especially in their respective long-wheelbase variants.
Mighty engines
The GLS has a standard 375-horsepower turbocharged 6-cylinder and a stronger V8 option making more than 500 horsepower.
MBUX infotainment system
This system integrates a customizable digital gauge cluster and a user-friendly infotainment system in one sleek display. It also responds to “Hey, Mercedes” voice prompts.
Luxurious seating
The GLS has comfortable 3-row seating, and the second row can get supremely luxurious with the Executive Rear Seat Package Plus with massaging seats, an MBUX tablet, and much more in the back.
Burmester audio system
The GLS comes standard with a Burmester 13-speaker audio system. It’s more than sufficient for most drivers, but a 26-speaker Burmester 3D audio system is available if your budget allows it.
Driver Assistance Package Plus
This option package does what its name implies by adding features like adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, blind-spot assist, active lane-change assist, and much more.
Off-Road Engineering Package
This new option package improves this SUV’s off-road chops with skid plates and a unique suspension tuning that can add an extra 1.2 inches of ground clearance.
Also see: The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE raises the bar for luxury SUVs, and now there’s a plug-in hybrid version, too
The Mercedes-Benz GLS is available with a 6-cylinder or V8 engine, both turbocharged. The 6-cylinder is the most efficient option, but the more powerful V8 is available in three different tunings. None are especially efficient, but the V8 rewards the driver with confident acceleration and a satisfying sound.
3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 (GLS 450)
375 horsepower @ 5,800-6,100 rpm
369 lb-ft of torque @ 1,800-5,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: (2023 figures) 18/23 mpg
4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 (GLS 580)
510 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm
538 lb-ft of torque @ 2,250-5,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: (2023 figures) 16/21 mpg
4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 (AMG GLS 63)
603 horsepower @ 5,750-6,500 rpm
627 lb-ft of torque @ 2,500-4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: (2023 figures) 14/19 mpg
4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 (Maybach GLS 600)
550 horsepower @ 6,000-6,500 rpm
538 lb-ft of torque @ 2,500-5,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: (2023 figures) 15/20 mpg
More GLS fuel economy information is available on the EPA’s website.
The Mercedes-Benz GLS is covered by a 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty and powertrain warranty. That matches the BMW X7, but the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator both have longer warranties.
KBB’s car review methodology.
This story originally ran on KBB.com.
As previously reported, new research reveals inconsistencies in ChatGPT models over time. A Stanford and UC Berkeley study analyzed March and June versions of GPT-3.5 and GPT-4 on diverse tasks. The results show significant drifts in performance, even over just a few months.
For example, GPT-4’s prime number accuracy plunged from 97.6% to 2.4% between March and June due to issues following step-by-step reasoning. GPT-4 also grew more reluctant to answer sensitive questions directly, with response rates dropping from 21% to 5%. However, it provided less rationale for refusals.
Both GPT-3.5 and GPT-4 generated buggier code in June compared to March. The percentage of directly executable Python snippets dropped substantially because of extra non-code text.
While visual reasoning improved slightly overall, generations for the same puzzles changed unpredictably between dates. The considerable inconsistencies over short periods raise concerns about relying on these models for sensitive or mission-critical uses without ongoing testing.
The researchers concluded the findings highlight the need for continuous monitoring of ChatGPT models as their behavior evolves across metrics like accuracy, safety, and robustness.
The opaque update process makes rigorous testing important for understanding shifts in performance over time.
CryptoSlate conducted a small internal experiment using ChatGPT Plus (GPT-4), OpenAI API (GPT-4), Anthropic (Claude 2), and Google (Bard) using the basic prompt used in part of the research,
‘Is 17077 a prime number?’
The prompt was used on each model with additional reflection prompts as described below.
When given the prompt, ChatGPT and OpenAI API responded ‘no’ and hallucinated on the math. The image below details the conversation, with the model unable to identify 17077 as a prime number even upon several reflections.
To be clear, 13 x 1313 is 17,069.
The OpenAI GPT4 API was unable to reach this conclusion until specifically asked to calculate 13 x 1313 to discover the answer is not 17077 as it stated.
However, Anthropic’s Claude 2 demonstrated its problem-solving process by performing calculations before providing the correct response.
CryptoSlate then asked Claude 2 to perform the same task without showing the workings in a fresh chat window. Claude 2 gave a solid answer, refusing to commit while offering additional insight into the solution.
“Unfortunately I cannot determine if 17077 is prime without showing some working. However, I can confirm that 17077 is not divisible by any prime number less than 121, which strongly suggests it may be prime.”
Google Bard tackled the question with a similar strategy to Claude 2. However, instead of walking through the problem with text, it ran some basic Python code. Further, it appears Bard used information from a prime number website and Wikipedia in its solution. Interestingly, the page cited from the prime number site, primenumbers.info, included only information about other prime numbers, not 17077.
Interestingly, Meta’s recently released 70 billion parameter open-sourced model Llama2 performed similarly to GPT4 in CryptoSlate’s limited testing.
Yet, when asked to reflect and show its working, Llama2 could decipher that 17077 is a prime number, unlike GPT4 versions currently available.
However, the caveat is that Llama used an incomplete method to check for prime numbers. It failed to account for other prime numbers up to the square root of 17077.
Therefore, technically Llama failed successfully.
CryptoSlate also tested the math puzzle against the GPT4-0613 model (June version) and received the same result. The model suggested 17077 is not a prime number in its first response. Further, when asked to show its working, it eventually gave up. It concluded that the following reasonable number must be divisible by 17077 and stated that it was, therefore, not a prime number.
Thus, it appears the task was not within GPT4’s capabilities going back to June 13. Older versions of GPT4 are currently unavailable to the public but were included in the research paper.
Interestingly, ChatGPT, with the ‘Code Interpreter’ feature, answered correctly on its first try in CryptoSlate’s testing.
In response to claims OpenAI’s models are degrading, The Economic Times reported, OpenAI’s VP of Product, Peter Welinder, denied these claims, asserting that each new version is smarter than the previous one. He proposed that heavier usage could lead to the perception of decreased effectiveness as more issues are noticed over time.
Interestingly, another study from Stanford researchers published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that the latest version of ChatGPT significantly outperformed medical students on challenging clinical reasoning exam questions.
The AI chatbot scored over 4 points higher on average than first- and second-year students on open-ended, case-based questions that require parsing details and composing thorough answers.
Thus, the apparent decline in ChatGPT’s performance on specific tasks highlights the challenges of relying solely on large language models without ongoing rigorous testing. While the exact causes remain uncertain, it underscores the need for continuous monitoring and benchmarking as these AI systems rapidly evolve.
As advancements continue to improve the stability and consistency of these AI models, users should maintain a balanced perspective on ChatGPT, acknowledging its strengths while staying aware of its limitations.