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OpenAI GPT–6 Astra breaks Enigma message that has resisted solution since 2005

738 points · 448 comments · sohkamyung

  1. mmsc · · focus · HN ↗
    For anybody interested, the actual encrypted message:

      BTTE UM ANGABE DES MARSQWEGES X BEFINDE MIQ IN X ROSENOW ROSENOW X SOFORT FUNKANTWORT X WASCHBBSCH
    
    which, given misspellings, translates approximately to:

      Please specify the route of march. I am in Rosenow, Rosenow. Immediate reply by radio. Waschbusch.
    1. booty · · focus · HN ↗

          I am in Rosenow, Rosenow. 
      
      From the article:

          After trying many different approaches, GPT–6 
          Astra focused on using the repeated place name 
          ROSENOW ROSENOW as a crib. 
      
      This feels extremely underexplained! Why would Astra think to use that as a "crib"? Was it common to repeat the place name in these messages?

      (Is it possible that this is a misreported detail? It feels like a singular ROSENOW would be an equally effective crib)

      1. JimmyBiscuit · · focus · HN ↗
        Rosenow is a municipal (around 32km²) and in there is a district also called Rosenow. So the sender just specified his current position a bit more.
        1. booty · · focus · HN ↗
          Ah, thank you! That makes sense.
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