The hottest Algorithms Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

How to Learn Data Structures and Algorithms [Storytime Saturdays]

Technology Made Simple • 299 implied HN points • 22 Jan 23
🚌 Education Data Structures Algorithms Learning
  1. Understanding Data Structures and Algorithms is crucial for success in technical fields like software development.
  2. Many resources focus on DSA for coding interviews, but it's important to go beyond that to deepen your knowledge.
  3. Learning DSA effectively doesn't have to involve answering countless questions or watching numerous tutorials; there are better approaches available.

Reducing selection bias / popularity bias in ranking

Recommender systems • 26 implied HN points • 20 Jan 24
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Data Analysis Algorithms Coding
  1. Reducing selection bias and popularity bias in ranking is important for recommender systems.
  2. An advocated approach is to factorize user interaction signals to account for biases originating from power users and power items.
  3. The proposals for causal/debiased ranking involve factorization, mutual information, and mixture of logits to improve the ranking model.

Genre Grapevine Presents Even More Examples of Deceptive Language Around Machine Learning

Genre Grapevine • 137 implied HN points • 01 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Machine Learning AI Algorithms
  1. Deceptive language is used in discussions around machine learning, like calling machine learning 'artificial intelligence' when it's really algorithms crafted from data samples.
  2. Some authors exaggerate the use of AI, like claiming to have written and sold a large number of books when the reality is quite different upon closer inspection.
  3. Manipulative language is often used to promote machine learning systems, such as claiming a machine learning system is a 'poet' when in reality humans select the best output from thousands of generated pieces.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Non-Newtonian Computing?

Bzogramming • 30 implied HN points • 07 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Computing Physics Cryptography Algorithms AI
  1. Physics has alternative framings like Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics, which could inspire new ways of viewing computation.
  2. Reversible computing, preserving information by having bijective gates, is crucial for energy efficiency and future computing technologies.
  3. Studying constraint solvers and NP-complete problems can lead to insights for accelerating search algorithms and developing new computing approaches.

Transposing a Matrix using RISC-V Vector

Fprox’s Substack • 27 HN points • 09 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Programming Hardware Algorithms Benchmarking Software Development
  1. Transposing a matrix in linear algebra is a common operation to switch row-major and column-major layouts to optimize computations.
  2. Different techniques like strided vector operations and in-register methods can be used to efficiently transpose matrices using RISC-V Vector instructions.
  3. Implementations with segmented memory variants and vector strided operations can be more efficient in terms of retired instructions compared to in-register methods for matrix transpose.

Practical AI is a Big Tent: Five Ideas for CEOs, Leaders, and Investors

Mike Talks AI • 98 implied HN points • 27 Aug 23
🕹 Technology AI Algorithms Data Analysis Team Building
  1. Practical AI encompasses various machine learning algorithms and techniques, including optimization and Operations Research.
  2. The concept of Practical AI allows for the inclusion of both established and emerging approaches in the field.
  3. To effectively solve real-world problems, AI leaders need a diverse set of skills and expertise, and must understand the strengths and weaknesses of different algorithms.

📝 Guest Post: An introduction to Similarity Search*

TheSequence • 182 implied HN points • 03 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Embeddings Models Algorithms
  1. Vector similarity search is essential for recommendation systems, image search, and natural language processing.
  2. Vector search involves finding similar vectors to a query vector using distance metrics like L1, L2, and cosine similarity.
  3. Common vector search strategies include linear search, space partitioning, quantization, and hierarchical navigable small worlds.

HackerNews Ranking Algorithm: How would you have done it?

Vigneshwarar’s Newsletter • 181 HN points • 09 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Algorithms Ranking Discussion Search Engine Manipulation
  1. The current HackerNews ranking algorithm is based on a simple formula involving points, age, and a constant factor.
  2. Proposing a new approach called HackerRank that incorporates PageRank-like scoring for user profiles based on upvotes and takes flagging into account.
  3. Additional ideas for improving the ranking algorithm include considering user submission upvotes, reading time, and website reputation.

Must Learn Quantum Security Preface: The Power of Quantum Computing in Advancing Artificial Intelligence

Rod’s Blog • 79 implied HN points • 15 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Quantum Computing Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning Algorithms Security
  1. Quantum computing has the potential to significantly enhance computational power and speed in AI tasks, offering faster and more accurate predictions.
  2. Quantum computing enables the development of more sophisticated machine learning techniques by processing and analyzing large amounts of data more efficiently.
  3. Quantum-inspired algorithms can be leveraged to improve classical AI algorithms, showcasing the benefits of quantum computing even without fully-fledged quantum computers.

The Atomized Empire

Based Meditations • 39 implied HN points • 25 Nov 23
🕹 Technology Internet Algorithms Social Interaction Digital Culture
  1. The Atomized Empire metaphorically represents how technology has enslaved us, influencing behavior through digital means.
  2. Technology, like a modern Trojan Horse, has stealthily infiltrated our lives, controlling us through addictive algorithms and impacting human culture.
  3. Our increasing addiction and reliance on technology is leading to loneliness, social disconnection, and a detachment from the real world, hindering deep human connections and meaningful interactions.

Specifying objectives in RLHF

Democratizing Automation • 90 implied HN points • 02 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Machine Learning Artificial Intelligence Research Optimization Algorithms
  1. Reinforcement learning from human feedback involves using proxy objectives, but over-optimizing these proxies can negatively impact the final model performance.
  2. Optimizing reward functions for chatbots with RLHF can be challenging due to the disconnect between objective functions and actual user preferences.
  3. A new paper highlights fundamental problems and limitations in RLHF, emphasizing the need for a multi-stakeholder approach and careful consideration of current technical setups.

Math for Software Engineering[Math Mondays]

Technology Made Simple • 139 implied HN points • 21 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Mathematics Software Engineering Data Analysis Algorithms Machine Learning
  1. Linear Algebra is crucial for software engineers, especially for operations involving vector and matrix operations. Understanding the basics is key for most developers.
  2. Probability and Statistics play a significant role in analyzing data, and even non-AI professionals can benefit from grasping concepts like causal inference. Focus on foundational principles before diving deeper.
  3. Calculus, though important, may not be essential for all software engineers. Studying up to Calc-2 is generally adequate, as it appears in various other topics.

Does terminology affect how we perceive and evaluate intelligent systems?

UX Psychology • 158 implied HN points • 16 Jan 23
🕹 Technology AI Algorithms
  1. Terminology used to describe intelligent systems can impact how people perceive and evaluate them. Different terms like 'AI', 'algorithms', or 'robots' can influence perceptions of complexity, trustworthiness, and human-likeness.
  2. Research shows that the terminology chosen can affect perceptions of fairness and trust in intelligent systems. Terms like 'algorithm' and 'sophisticated statistical model' may lead to better evaluations compared to 'artificial intelligence'.
  3. The terminology selected for discussing intelligent systems can have strategic implications. Companies and product designers can intentionally use terminology to shape perceptions, engage users, and influence attitudes towards products using intelligent systems.

What CEOs, leaders, and investors need to know about the different meanings of AI

Mike Talks AI • 78 implied HN points • 27 Jul 23
🕹 Technology AI Analytics Deep Learning Machine Learning Algorithms
  1. The term AI can mean different things and understanding those meanings is crucial for clear communication, better decisions, and addressing concerns.
  2. Different definitions of AI include AGI or artificial general intelligence, deep learning for solving complex problems, and tools like ChatGPT for tasks like writing and summarizing.
  3. CEOs, leaders, and investors should explore opportunities in AGI, deep learning, ChatGPT, and practical AI to stay relevant and make informed decisions.

AGI will be made of heterogeneous components

Engineering Ideas • 19 implied HN points • 27 Dec 23
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Algorithms AI safety AI Policy AI Governance
  1. AGI will be made of heterogeneous components, combining different types of DNN blocks, classical algorithms, and key LLM tools.
  2. The AGI architecture may not be perfect but will be close to optimal in terms of compute efficiency.
  3. The Transformer block will likely remain crucial in AGI architectures due to its optimization, R&D investments, and cognitive capacity.

GPT-4 invalidates the Turing test

Gray Mirror • 110 implied HN points • 13 Apr 23
🕹 Technology AI Computing Intelligence Models Algorithms
  1. Large language models like GPT-4 are not AI, but they are powerful tools that connect patterns and rely on intuition.
  2. The Turing test is not a valid test for AGI, as machines like LLMs can invalidate it by excelling in certain tasks while lacking in others.
  3. Understanding the difference between general and special intelligence is key to not overestimating the capabilities of tools like GPT-4.

Daily bit(e) of C++ | Learn Modern C++ 6/N

Daily bit(e) of C++ • 98 implied HN points • 03 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Programming Algorithms Sorting
  1. Iterators provide an abstraction layer for containers and different types allow for specific operations such as forward, backward, or random access iteration.
  2. Algorithms in the standard library provide efficient ways to perform common operations on containers like sorting, copying, and looking up elements.
  3. Views help avoid unnecessary data copies by allowing for lazy evaluation of operations on ranges, providing a more efficient way to chain operations.

Composites and Correlations

Cybernetic Forests • 139 implied HN points • 26 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Biases Machine Learning Algorithms
  1. Composite images were historically used to reinforce racist and eugenic ideologies, linking appearance with criminality and intelligence.
  2. The use of language and categorization in AI-generated images can perpetuate biases and stereotypes, reflecting societal norms and prejudices.
  3. The dataset used in AI models can influence the outcomes, showing how biases and problematic representations are embedded in the generated images.

Understanding Big Oh, Big Theta, and Big Omega Notations[Math Mondays]

Technology Made Simple • 99 implied HN points • 16 May 23
🕹 Technology Algorithms Computing Education
  1. Time complexity refers to the number of instructions a software executes, not the actual time taken to run the code.
  2. Three common asymptotic notations for computing time complexity are Big Oh, Big Theta, and Big Omega.
  3. Understanding time complexity bounds is essential in computer science and software engineering, as they are fundamental concepts that appear regularly.

Problem 85: Count Complete Tree Nodes [Amazon]

Technology Made Simple • 99 implied HN points • 04 May 23
🕹 Technology Coding Data Structures Algorithms Tech industry
  1. The post discusses Problem 85: Count Complete Tree Nodes [Amazon], focusing on recursion, trees, and data structures.
  2. It is about solving a problem related to counting the number of nodes in a complete binary tree efficiently.
  3. The post mentions the importance of community engagement in choosing problems to discuss and the growth of the author's newsletter.

AprilTags: Why Robotics Invented Its Own QR Code

Luminotes • 7 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Robotics Computer Vision Algorithms Open Source Image Processing
  1. AprilTags are similar to QR codes but are used as fiducial markers in robotics for localization purposes.
  2. AprilTags, created by the reputable robotics lab April, enable systems to localize features in 6 degrees of freedom using a single image.
  3. AprilTags differ from QR codes as they are designed for easy detection in low resolution, unevenly lit, or cluttered images and can detect multiple tags.

Superconductors and Such

Bzogramming • 53 implied HN points • 01 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Materials science Software Imaging Algorithms Business Models
  1. There is potential for room-temperature superconductors with simple materials like lead, phosphate, and copper.
  2. A shift back to innovation in physical technologies, like hyperspectral imaging and geometric folding algorithms, might lead to significant advancements.
  3. A reemphasis on traditional engineering fields, such as cars and rocket engines, is essential for future innovations outside of software.

Mark Zuckerberg Wants You To Think That His Algorithms are All-Powerful

Never Met a Science • 50 implied HN points • 28 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Social media Algorithms Research Content creation Digital Platforms
  1. Temporal validity in social media experiments may be challenging due to the fast-paced nature of platforms like TikTok.
  2. Social media companies emphasize the power of their algorithms to drive ad revenue, but may be cautious about influencing elections.
  3. The interaction between producers and consumers, influenced by social feedback, plays a crucial role in the dynamics of social media content.

Afternoon project: JPEG DCT text lossifizer

lcamtuf’s thing • 2 HN points • 17 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Algorithms Compression
  1. Using discrete cosine transform (DCT) for lossy compression can be applied to text data by converting it into frequency coefficients, quantizing them, and then reversing the process to obtain reduced-fidelity text.
  2. Mapping text data to numerical representation through a perceptual character table, rather than ASCII, can significantly improve readability even in high quantization settings.
  3. In text compression, focusing on higher-frequency components is crucial for maintaining readability, unlike image compression where higher-frequency components are reduced more aggressively.

Using the Rabin Karp Algorithm to speed up your code[Technique Tuesdays]

Technology Made Simple • 59 implied HN points • 19 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Algorithms Programming AI Tech industry
  1. The Rabin Karp algorithm is a string-searching technique that uses hashing to efficiently find patterns in texts.
  2. It is useful for tasks like detecting plagiarism, finding keywords, or searching for DNA sequences in large texts.
  3. The algorithm works by calculating hash values at each position of the text, making it faster than naive string-matching algorithms.

GenAI will change how games are played

Let's talk games & AI. • 4 implied HN points • 19 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Video Games Cloud Computing Hardware Algorithms
  1. In about 7.5 years, there is potential for playing any game experience whenever you want.
  2. The speed of GenAI model advancements will likely lead to faster response times for gaming.
  3. Over the next few years, GenAI will revolutionize how games are created and played through user-generated content, dynamic gaming experiences, and cloud gaming solutions.