Axis of Ordinary

Axis of Ordinary is a Substack focused on the latest developments in artificial intelligence, scientific discoveries, and technological innovations, with occasional insights into politics and social issues. It features summaries of significant advancements, discussions on AI ethics and safety, and reflections on global events and their implications.

Artificial Intelligence Scientific Discoveries Technological Innovations AI Ethics and Safety Politics and Social Issues Global Events

The hottest Substack posts of Axis of Ordinary

And their main takeaways
117 implied HN points 25 Jan 24
  1. AI advancements are being made in realistic video generation, orchestration of robotic agents, and text-to-image generation.
  2. CAR T cells could be engineered to combat aging, revealing potential in using them for more than just cancer treatments.
  3. Historical narratives are often shaped by the perspectives of those in power, rather than the marginalized or oppressed.
117 implied HN points 18 Jan 24
  1. AI system AlphaGeometry solves Olympiad geometry problems like a gold-medalist.
  2. AlphaGeometry consists of a neural language model and a symbolic deduction engine.
  3. OpenAI is developing a new model, GPT-5, to advance scientific discovery.
78 implied HN points 09 Feb 24
  1. Neural networks can now control behavior from pixels to actions without teleop or task-specific code.
  2. Transformers can play chess at a Grandmaster level when operating at a sufficient scale.
  3. Google AI has developed methods to improve generalization of models by addressing spurious features and simplicity bias.
98 implied HN points 20 Jan 24
  1. Self-rewarding language models could lead to superhuman feedback in AI.
  2. New advancements in science and technology include brain implants for high-resolution brain activity monitoring.
  3. Recent events in Ukraine show increasing tensions and technological developments in warfare.
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78 implied HN points 27 Jan 24
  1. AI advancements are improving without human intervention.
  2. New scientific discoveries challenge current understanding of the universe and human history.
  3. Discussions about progressive politics, Biden administration decisions, and international military relations are ongoing.
98 implied HN points 10 Jan 24
  1. Researchers are working on a global project for a general robotic brain.
  2. Genetics play a significant role in educational attainment according to recent studies.
  3. American isolationism could lead to disruptions in international trade and more serious global issues.
78 implied HN points 22 Jan 24
  1. MultiPLY is a new embodied AI that can engage in 3D environments and gather multisensory data.
  2. OpenAI's incident showed how a small error could make AI output explicit content.
  3. Apple's AIM could revolutionize large-scale vision model training.
58 implied HN points 07 Feb 24
  1. Google introduces Self-Discover AI improving reasoning benchmarks.
  2. Nabeel Qureshi discusses intelligence and the potential for transformative breakthroughs.
  3. Research on understanding brain function and whole brain emulation is advancing.
98 implied HN points 07 Jan 24
  1. New post-pretraining method improves LLM's knowledge without forgetting
  2. Efficient heartbeat creates less friction and energy loss
  3. Discussions on sex and race realism are ongoing in various platforms
78 implied HN points 19 Jan 24
  1. Mark Zuckerberg aims to create artificial general intelligence with Meta having 600,000 GPUs by 2024
  2. Microsoft introduces new method to enhance LLM inference speed by 20 times
  3. Liquid-metal-based microelectrode arrays integrated with ultrathin retinal prosthesis for vision restoration
78 implied HN points 15 Jan 24
  1. AI topics include reinforcement learning, OpenMind Research Institute, and AI chips.
  2. Science and Technology discusses banking systems still using COBOL and new high-performance nanostructures for obtaining Hydrogen with solar energy.
  3. In Politics, China is moving towards a 'first-strike' capability with weapons of mass destruction.
58 implied HN points 01 Feb 24
  1. AI research focuses on shorter timelines for various applications.
  2. Efforts are made to monitor and hold AI agents accountable.
  3. Advancements in multi-modal models and automation using AI are noted.
78 implied HN points 13 Jan 24
  1. AI chatbots exhibit distinct behaviors from humans, often leaning towards altruism and cooperation.
  2. Advancements in AI technology like Amazon's self-talk dialogue agents and generative AI-powered experiences are being developed.
  3. In the science and technology realm, studies on the early universe, geothermal power in Iceland, and lab-grown hybrid life forms raise intriguing questions.
58 implied HN points 30 Jan 24
  1. Large language models can understand the words they process
  2. New models like Eagle 7B and Meta are advancing AI capabilities
  3. Research in science and technology is achieving breakthroughs in fields like 3D printing and energy harvesting
58 implied HN points 28 Jan 24
  1. Improving transformers with irrelevant data from other modalities showed significant performance enhancements.
  2. New revolutionary work in genome engineering can lead to innovative DNA manipulations.
  3. Higher intelligence levels were linked to negative attitudes towards cryptocurrencies.
78 implied HN points 09 Jan 24
  1. LLM Automated Interpretability Agent can help in understanding function structures.
  2. Self-Contrast method enhances reflection through inconsistent solving perspectives.
  3. AI agents are introduced to explain complex neural networks.
58 implied HN points 26 Jan 24
  1. Hugging Face and Google partner for AI collaboration
  2. Spatial VLM introduces 3D Vision-Language Model
  3. Superforecasters optimistic about x-risk but concerned over engineered pandemics
58 implied HN points 23 Jan 24
  1. Researcher Jim Fan discusses the 'foundation agent' for AI blending virtual and physical worlds
  2. Market's valuation of LLM companies indicates low expectations for human-level AGI
  3. Speculative Decoding improves LLM inference speed without sacrificing output quality
58 implied HN points 21 Jan 24
  1. Altman plans to raise billions for AI chip factories globally
  2. ChatGPT analysis on dementia compared for quality
  3. European military spirit values small unit cooperation
39 implied HN points 08 Feb 24
  1. Recent remarkable results in cognitive science of language have challenged critiques of LLMs.
  2. New generative agents simulate human behavior for studying social policies and human behavior.
  3. OpenAI is developing device-operating software for automating complex tasks with minimal human intervention.
58 implied HN points 16 Jan 24
  1. AI advancements include evaluating LLMs on protocol planning in biology and using multiple AI models for transparent robot plans.
  2. Space exploration discusses Titan's potential for human colonization and the unique properties of the Godel universe.
  3. Psychology insights cover diminished neural responses in autistic adults and the tendency of people to shun help in challenging situations.
39 implied HN points 06 Feb 24
  1. AI has unlocked ancient Roman scrolls with the Vesuvius Challenge.
  2. AI can fix vulnerabilities efficiently and AIs don't think based on processor speed.
  3. Genetics play a significant role in intelligence, antimicrobial resistance is a global threat, and precision warfare is evolving in Ukraine with drones.
39 implied HN points 04 Feb 24
  1. Neural Networks are advancing towards universal prediction with innovative approaches.
  2. Technology is progressing with 3D-printed human brain tissue, new universal memory candidate, and quantum computing in graphene layers.
  3. Research shows interesting findings in science, like the arms race between bats and moths, the impact of recreational drugs on parasites, and the correlation of brain size with intelligence.
39 implied HN points 02 Feb 24
  1. AI tools do not significantly increase the risk of biological weapon attacks
  2. Russia's Black Sea Fleet under pressure from successful Ukrainian campaigns
  3. FBI disrupts major Chinese government-backed hacking effort targeting US infrastructure
39 implied HN points 29 Jan 24
  1. AI research compares Vision Transformers to newborn visual systems.
  2. GPT-4 shows improved idea generation with better prompting.
  3. New developments in technology include brain-like transistors and ultrasonic imaging in Alzheimer's research.
39 implied HN points 17 Jan 24
  1. OpenAI's Sam Altman and Bill Gates discuss plans for GPT-5
  2. New battery material with less lithium for AI-powered search
  3. Advances in mind-decoding technologies and rumors about life on a planet from James Webb Space Telescope
39 implied HN points 12 Jan 24
  1. AI advancements showcased in different domains like video models, AI glasses for the visually impaired, and AI-powered cough tracking apps.
  2. Exciting developments in astronomy with potential signs of life on exoplanets.
  3. Innovation in computing with faster nanotechnology, graphene spintronics, and Silicon Photonics breaking bandwidth limitations.
39 implied HN points 08 Jan 24
  1. AI can learn to make coffee by watching humans.
  2. Monte Carlo Simulation offers a simple solution to hard problems in math.
  3. Big Five dimensions are not universally identified in different populations for psychology research.
19 implied HN points 11 Feb 24
  1. Researchers achieve quick drone flight with fast simulations on a laptop and share the code publicly.
  2. New study surpasses previous methods in long-context video understanding, even with fewer parameters.
  3. Introduction of PHATGOOSE model for recycling PEFT modules to enhance zero-shot generalization.
19 implied HN points 10 Feb 24
  1. AI advancements are progressing rapidly, with more agents leading to better performance in Language Models.
  2. Neuroscience is evolving with innovations like sensors enhancing sensation in prosthetic limbs and brain control enabled by neural networks.
  3. Physics research reveals insights such as gravity showcasing the strong force in the proton and implications of linearity in quantum mechanics.
19 implied HN points 03 Feb 24
  1. AI model can detect high-risk pancreatic cancer patients 18 months early
  2. Efficient tool use with chain-of-abstraction reasoning by Meta
  3. France increases military budget by 40% for 2024-2030 period
117 implied HN points 17 Feb 23
  1. Building AGI for law to assist lawyers with complex legal questions and unique work products.
  2. Discovery about mammalian brain development and evolution in relation to neocortex.
  3. Frontiers of AI-powered experimentation at the convergence of multiple technologies.
117 implied HN points 15 Feb 23
  1. Google released MetNet-2, a deep learning model that predicts rain better than current weather models.
  2. There is a need for drugs that strengthen identity rather than dissolve it like psychedelics.
  3. Automatic differentiation in MIT's ADEV brings AI benefits to a broader class of problems.