The hottest Data Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Terra.do, Part 2: Software Stacks in Climate

Solar Powered Data • 0 implied HN points • 30 Apr 24
🕹 Technology Climate Software Data Tech Education Python
  1. The course on Software Stacks in Climate Tech from Terra.do can be beneficial for software engineers interested in climate change
  2. The course content included topics like public data sources, energy modeling, and hardware/software interfaces
  3. The course assignments were challenging, appealing to a wide range of technical backgrounds, and encouraged participants to push themselves to learn and grow

Utility Data Hackathon - Dec 2023

Solar Powered Data • 0 implied HN points • 20 Dec 23
🕹 Technology API Energy Data Software
  1. Participated in a Utility Data Hackathon focused on energy insights and placed 2nd out of 9 teams.
  2. Found a solution that leverages utility data API and Shovels API to help electrify households efficiently.
  3. Collaborated effectively with a software engineer to build a demo app that provides energy-saving recommendations based on electricity data patterns.
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Ho We Use Language About Technology

The Digital Anthropologist • 0 implied HN points • 20 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Language AI Data Analytics Search Engines
  1. Language is a crucial human technology that has enabled collaboration, storytelling, and sharing different realities.
  2. Our language is evolving to describe technologies in a more human-like manner, impacting how we interact with and perceive technology.
  3. The way we use language to shape our relationship with technology is undergoing a significant shift, influencing our self-perception in relation to technology.

On Humans And Our Love of Data

The Digital Anthropologist • 0 implied HN points • 16 Sep 23
🔬 Science Data Mathematics Technology Statistics History
  1. Our brains love patterns, math, and language to comprehend the world and shape realities.
  2. Humans have a deep-rooted history of creating, analyzing, and utilizing data for various purposes throughout civilizations.
  3. Data, when transformed into information and knowledge, holds significant value and potential for enhancing human evolution and species advancement.

I Hate Data Migrations

Tribal Knowledge • 0 implied HN points • 11 Dec 22
🕹 Technology Data Software Blockchain Database Migration
  1. Data migrations in software engineering can be incredibly challenging due to the complexity and inconsistency of data.
  2. Routine database backups are crucial for quickly restoring data and avoiding catastrophic losses.
  3. Utilizing blockchain technology for building databases can provide benefits like easy recreation of data structures and decentralized app development.

LLMs Getting Cheaper 🤗 🔥

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 0 implied HN points • 17 Jul 24
🕹 Technology AI Computing Hardware Software Data
  1. The cost to train large language models, like GPT-2, has dropped significantly, now around $672 for training in just one day. This makes it easier for more people to work with LLMs.
  2. Improvements in hardware, software, and the quality of data have contributed to these lower costs. Better GPUs and tools for training make everything run smoother.
  3. As training becomes cheaper, we can expect more innovations and access to language models, allowing more individuals and businesses to use these advanced technologies.

GenAI Revenue Soars Like Never Before

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 0 implied HN points • 27 May 24
🕹 Technology AI Software Hardware Data Cloud
  1. NVIDIA had an incredible revenue increase of 629% compared to last year, showing how much generative AI is growing. It’s like finding unexpected money!
  2. Their data center revenue reached $22.6 billion, which is also a record. Demand for their GPU technology is really high right now.
  3. The success of generative AI is not slowing down, and NVIDIA is a key player in this tech market, with a 95% control over AI chip sales.

Small Cities, Big Impact

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 0 implied HN points • 27 Feb 24
🕹 Technology AI Data Economy Impact
  1. Generative AI could significantly boost India's economy, possibly adding $1.2 to 1.5 trillion by 2030. This means that new technology can really help our country grow.
  2. Most of the economic benefits from AI will come from smaller towns and cities. These places can contribute a lot to the overall wealth of India.
  3. Companies like Karya are helping rural communities, especially women, to earn money by working on AI tasks. This has already helped thousands of people generate significant income.

Are LLMs Making Search Any Better?

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 0 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🕹 Technology AI Search Internet Data Software
  1. Experts think LLMs aren't really improving search. They say LLMs provide a conversational search but still rely on traditional search engines.
  2. LLMs can create wrong information, which is called hallucination. Linking them to reliable websites could help, but it takes away from their original purpose.
  3. While LLMs add some value, they still can't fully replace normal search engines. They are meant to support rather than replace existing tools.

GenAI the Oracle Way

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 0 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🕹 Technology AI Cloud Data Enterprise Software
  1. Oracle has launched its own Generative AI service that aims to provide better data security for businesses. This means companies can explore AI without worrying as much about safety.
  2. The service is integrated across all levels of Oracle's technology, making it easier for users to access AI tools. This can help businesses adopt AI solutions more effectively.
  3. Oracle's introduction of new Large Language Models (LLMs) like Llama 2 shows its commitment to staying competitive in the cloud service market. This supports a growing demand for advanced AI capabilities.

Quality over Quantity

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 0 implied HN points • 27 Nov 23
🕹 Technology AI Data Ethics Research Software
  1. Focusing on the quality of data is really important for AI development. Good quality data can lead to better performance and outcomes.
  2. Using synthetic data to train AI can be controversial. Some believe it may not help in reaching the ultimate goal of artificial general intelligence (AGI).
  3. Discussions about the balance between quality and quantity in training data are ongoing in the AI community. Finding the right mix is key to making progress.

Nothing Like Cypher

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 0 implied HN points • 15 Oct 23
🕹 Technology AI Conferences Innovation Data Networking
  1. The Cypher 2023 conference was a big success, with over 1700 attendees and 800 companies present. This made it the largest event ever held for this conference.
  2. The conference took place over three days at Hilton Convention Center in Bengaluru, showcasing the latest in AI technology and trends.
  3. Unlike many events that operate in isolation, Cypher encouraged collaboration and networking among participants, making it more engaging and informative.

It’s Now or Never for Meta

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 0 implied HN points • 22 Sep 23
🕹 Technology AI Software Data Innovation Computing
  1. Meta's LLaMA is facing tough competition from both OpenAI and open-source models like Falcon 180B. It's crucial for them to improve and innovate quickly.
  2. There are high hopes for Llama 3 to use better training data, which could make it perform much better than previous versions.
  3. The idea of using Mixture-of-Architecture could be key to improving performance by combining different strengths instead of relying on just one approach.

No More Bad News for OpenAI

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 0 implied HN points • 22 Aug 23
🕹 Technology AI Data Intellectual Property Ethics Cybersecurity
  1. The New York Times has blocked OpenAI's web crawler, GPTBot, from accessing its content. This could make it harder for OpenAI to gather data for its AI models.
  2. There's a chance that the NYT may sue OpenAI for copyright violations. If they win, it could lead to serious consequences for OpenAI, including hefty fines.
  3. If the lawsuit goes in favor of NYT, OpenAI might have to delete training data or even shut down its ChatGPT service. This would be a big setback for the company.

Chatbots are Poisoned

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 0 implied HN points • 05 May 23
🕹 Technology AI Data Security Ethics Software
  1. Chatbots are becoming less trustworthy because it's hard to see if they are giving correct information or just making things up. Even tech leaders admit they don't fully understand how these AI systems work.
  2. Data poisoning is a real issue, where bad actors can put false information into the training datasets for chatbots. This makes it even harder to trust the responses they provide.
  3. One method of data poisoning involves hackers buying expired domains to change their content. This can taint the datasets that chatbots rely on, leading to incorrect or harmful outputs.

The Trust Issue Paradox

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 0 implied HN points • 04 May 23
🕹 Technology AI Data Trust Business Ethics
  1. Trust is really important for good relationships, both personal and in business. If you're afraid of getting hurt, it can make it hard to trust others.
  2. OpenAI is launching ChatGPT Business and says that user data won't be used for training their model. This claim raises questions about whether users can actually trust their words.
  3. When past experiences make you hesitant to trust, it's a problem because trust is key to a healthy ecosystem. Finding a balance between caution and trust is essential.

Databricks’ Unsexy Success

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 0 implied HN points • 24 Apr 23
🕹 Technology AI Data Software Innovation Startups
  1. Databricks made it to Forbes' AI 50 list due to its stability and long-term vision. This makes it stand out among other AI startups.
  2. Companies like Stability AI should learn from the success of Databricks to improve their own chances of success.
  3. Having a clear focus and a strategic approach can help other AI startups achieve recognition in the industry, just like Databricks did.

Google or Microsoft?

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 0 implied HN points • 23 Apr 23
🕹 Technology AI Software Cloud Data Innovation
  1. NVIDIA is leading the way in AI, but the race between Google and Microsoft is heating up. Both companies have their strengths, making it hard to declare a clear winner.
  2. Microsoft might be better at business and selling their AI tools, while Google could have the edge in the quality of their AI models.
  3. The competition is not only about technology but also about how well these companies can use their AI for practical applications.

Who Will Rule The World?

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 0 implied HN points • 20 Apr 23
🕹 Technology AI Innovation Cloud Data Ethics
  1. AI is evolving fast and might become very powerful in the future. It's changing how we live and work every day.
  2. Experts warn that if we don't take action, this powerful AI could have negative effects on society. We need to think about how we use it.
  3. Just like natural selection, AI could be a strong force that shapes our world. We need to be careful and responsible with this technology.

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 0 implied HN points • 19 Apr 23
🕹 Technology AI Software Web Data Trends
  1. Stack Overflow is facing a tough choice about using generative AI technology. They first rejected it but now see users leaving the platform.
  2. The number of visitors to Stack Overflow has dropped significantly since ChatGPT was released. There was a 12% decrease in website visits, indicating a loss of interest.
  3. It's a challenge for Stack Overflow to balance traditional Q&A with new AI tools. They need to adapt to keep their users engaged.

Replit Outshines Amazon & Microsoft

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 0 implied HN points • 18 Apr 23
🕹 Technology AI Software Cloud Development Data
  1. Replit is getting help from Google to make coding easier and faster, claiming it can help programmers finish projects in a fraction of the time.
  2. In India, Replit is leading the way in helping new software developers, with the number of developers expected to grow significantly this year.
  3. This partnership is aimed at competing with big names like Microsoft and Amazon in the coding and AI space.

The Odds are Stacked Against You!

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 0 implied HN points • 05 Apr 23
🕹 Technology AI Software Automation Data Innovation
  1. Stack Overflow is worried about ChatGPT taking over because it gives quick answers, which might make their site less useful. Many users are leaving the platform.
  2. Stack Overflow previously warned users about ChatGPT responses but eventually banned it due to accuracy issues in the answers.
  3. This situation highlights how technology like AI can impact existing platforms, causing significant changes in user behavior and engagement.

Microsoft OpenAI’ffair

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 0 implied HN points • 12 Mar 23
🕹 Technology AI Software Innovation Cloud Computing Data
  1. Microsoft's turnaround began when Satya Nadella became CEO in 2014, bringing fresh ideas and energy to the company.
  2. The company is making waves in the tech world with its AI-powered products, like the new Dynamics 365 Copilot, which helps streamline tasks.
  3. With its innovations, Microsoft is competing strongly in various markets, especially in search engines and business software.

Now or Never

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 0 implied HN points • 09 Mar 23
🕹 Technology AI Software Enterprise Data Innovation
  1. Generative AI is changing how businesses operate, and major companies like Microsoft and Salesforce are competing to be the best at it.
  2. Companies that don't quickly adapt to using AI might fall behind in the market.
  3. Experts believe Microsoft may struggle to regain market share from Salesforce in the CRM area, especially with their partnership with OpenAI.

For Google, Automotive is the New Black

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 0 implied HN points • 27 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Automotive Partnerships Data Machine Learning
  1. Google is focusing on the automotive industry to boost its growth. They are looking to partner with car companies to provide advanced technology.
  2. A significant partnership with Mercedes-Benz was formed to enhance their navigation and geospatial data.
  3. Google will support car manufacturers with AI and machine learning to help develop smarter vehicles quickly.

Time to Snap Out of Hallucinations

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 0 implied HN points • 22 Feb 23
🕹 Technology AI Software Data Innovation Internet
  1. Generative AI chatbots can sometimes give wrong answers and act like they know everything. This can confuse users if they rely on the chatbot's answers.
  2. A recent example showed Google's chatbot, Bard, making an error about space discoveries. It incorrectly stated a fact about a telescope's findings, which highlights its limitations.
  3. Users need to be cautious and verify information from AI chatbots since they can 'hallucinate' or make mistakes, just like people sometimes do.

Chatbots are Hallucinating

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 0 implied HN points • 10 Feb 23
🕹 Technology AI Software Data Ethics Innovation
  1. Chatbots like ChatGPT, Bard, and Bing Chat can give strange and incorrect answers. They sometimes say really silly things or make up crazy stories.
  2. These weird responses are often caused by the prompts given to the chatbots. The way people ask questions can confuse them a lot.
  3. As a result, chatbots might not follow their own rules anymore. This shows that they can be affected by the input they receive.

Don't think. Just Do

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 0 implied HN points • 24 Dec 22
🕹 Technology AI Data Innovation Cloud Computing Gaming
  1. Generative AI is becoming popular with tools like DALL.E 2 and ChatGPT, but some companies are focusing on real breakthroughs instead.
  2. AI is being developed for games, like AlphaGo and AlphaStar, which shows its potential in complex problem-solving.
  3. DeepMind is working on innovative AI applications rather than just creative ones, aiming for significant advancements.

AI's Emission Problem, Reddy’s Wager & more in this week's Belamy

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 0 implied HN points • 04 Jul 21
🕹 Technology AI Sustainability Conferences Data Innovation
  1. AI has an emission problem which means it can contribute to environmental issues. It's something people are starting to talk about more now.
  2. Reddy's Wager suggests that AI will improve and become more beneficial over time. This idea is hopeful for the future of technology.
  3. There are upcoming events like Deep Learning DevCon where people can learn more about AI and share their own research. It's a great chance for those interested in deep learning.

Learn Apache Kafka From Basics Part — 1

Better Engineers • 0 implied HN points • 25 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Software Programming Data Networking Systems
  1. Apache Kafka is great for handling large amounts of data because it can easily grow by adding more servers. This means it can keep up when lots of data needs to be processed quickly.
  2. It keeps data safe even if something goes wrong, so you won't lose important messages. This is important for businesses that need to make sure their data is always reliable.
  3. Kafka allows different apps to work together smoothly, letting them send and receive messages in real-time. This helps companies build faster and better services.

Models: some thoughts

Splattern • 0 implied HN points • 10 Aug 23
🕹 Technology AI Models Data Innovation Trade
  1. Models are useful tools for gaining insights, but they depend heavily on the assumptions behind them. If the assumptions are wrong, the model won't be helpful.
  2. When you act on a model's predictions, you can actually change the market dynamics, which can impact the model's effectiveness.
  3. It's better to use models for exploration and creativity, rather than relying on them to make decisions for us in most cases. They can help us understand ourselves and our ideas better.

Refuting Five Myths About Large Language Models

The Future of Life • 0 implied HN points • 24 May 24
🕹 Technology AI Models Data Language Innovation
  1. Large language models (LLMs) are not just predicting the next word. They can create complex ideas and reasons, similar to how our brains work.
  2. LLMs can solve problems and generate content about new topics, even if they weren't specifically trained on them. They can understand and adapt quickly to various tasks.
  3. The development of LLM technology is still growing fast, with new discoveries happening all the time. This means we can expect even more advancements in artificial intelligence in the future.

Why I am optimistic about Artificial General Intelligence

The Future of Life • 0 implied HN points • 30 Apr 24
🕹 Technology AI Neuroscience Computing Innovation Data
  1. Creating AGI may just be a matter of scaling existing AI systems. Once we can model parts of the brain in software, we can potentially recreate human-level reasoning.
  2. To achieve AGI, we need huge neural networks, effective training methods, and diverse training data. Each of these factors plays a crucial role in developing intelligent systems.
  3. The progress in AI has been faster than many people realize. Just like early flight paved the way for space exploration, early AI successes can lead to significant breakthroughs in intelligence.

Vector Database Checklist Point

The Beep • 0 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
🕹 Technology AI Data Software Search Databases
  1. Always start with a clear goal when building a VectorDB. This helps in setting the right direction and making evaluation easier.
  2. Data quality is crucial for VectorDB to work well. Clean and well-prepared data leads to better search results.
  3. Choosing the right VectorDB is important. Picking the wrong one can lead to issues with how effectively it retrieves information.

Assertions Are Like Guardrails for LLM Apps

Cobus Greyling on LLMs, NLU, NLP, chatbots & voicebots • 0 implied HN points • 03 Jun 24
🕹 Technology AI Software Programming NLP Data
  1. Assertions provide a way to set rules for how language models should operate. They help make sure that models follow specific guidelines and constraints during their tasks.
  2. There are two types of assertions: hard and soft. Hard assertions can stop the process if important rules aren't followed, while soft assertions allow for flexibility and continue the process even with some issues.
  3. Using DSPy as a framework, it's possible to create different checks and balances for model outputs. This setup ensures that the generated content meets set standards for things like citing sources correctly.