Links for 2023-08-08
‘We’re changing the clouds.’ An unforeseen test of geoengineering is fueling record ocean warmth. This accident is making scientists realize that with not much effort we can geoengineer the earth and reduce the effect of greenhouse gas emissions. https://www.science.org/content/article/changing-clouds-unforeseen-test-geoengineering-fueling-record-ocean-warmth [https://archive.is/fpZSB]
Tool Documentation Enables Zero-Shot Tool-Usage with Large Language Models — Using only the docs for GroundingDino, StableDiffusion, XMem, SAM: LLMs re-invented the functionalities of just-released systems. https://arxiv.org/abs/2308.00675
“We present Perfusion, a new text-to-image personalization method. With only a 100KB model size per concept (excluding the pretrained model, which is a few GBs), trained for roughly 4 minutes, Perfusion can creatively portray personalized objects.” https://research.nvidia.com/labs/par/Perfusion/
A Practical Deep Learning-Based Acoustic Side Channel Attack on Keyboards — Correctly identifies 93% of keystrokes via sounds over zoom calls. https://arxiv.org/abs/2308.01074
Since DeepMind's AlphaFold solved the "protein folding problem," AI tools have helped craft entirely new proteins. The benefits for medicine could be huge. https://www.dw.com/en/generative-ai-inventing-proteins-is-changing-medicine/a-66356415
parsel is a framework that helps large language models do a better job on tasks involving hierarchical multi-step reasoning and problem solving. http://zelikman.me/parselpaper/
“In this study, AI was more accurate than two thirds of radiologists, yet when radiologists had AI help their diagnoses did not improve. Why? Humans ignored the AI’s advice when it conflicted with their views.” https://blueprintcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Blueprint-Discussion-Paper-2023.10-Agarwal-Moehring-Rajpurkar-Salz_2.pdf
Yann LeCun on AGI and AI Safety https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/Zfik4xESDyahRALKk/yann-lecun-on-agi-and-ai-safety
“Both sides in British politics have an interest in overstating the level of crime. Neither narrative is correct.” https://www.aporiamagazine.com/p/british-police-are-doing-a-pretty
Why You Should Never Update Your Beliefs https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/LCduhA4m3RhMjZJPA/why-you-should-never-update-your-beliefs
How the pursuit of pleasure could doom all intelligent life to a blissful extinction https://bigthink.com/the-future/pursuit-happiness-doom-intelligent-life-blissful-extinction/
“One year ago, experts were certain that America was headed for a recession. But the 2023 economy is historically strong. What happened?” https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/08/recession-doomers-economy/674900/ [https://archive.is/bMzgE]
Ukraine links:
"By the end of this year, Ukraine will start production of 155-mm artillery ammunition according to NATO standards," Minister of Strategic Industries Oleksandr Kamyshin said. https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraines-ammunition-chief-battles-to-boost-production-563e5fac [https://archive.is/9Z3w5]
Doug Bush, United States Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology: "Soon to get to 28,000 a month with a path to in excess of 80,000 a month over the following year. So that ramp up is really about to kick in." (Remember that this is just for the United States. Many other countries are ramping up their production as well.) https://taskandpurpose.com/news/army-increasing-155mm-artillery-shell-production/
Ukraine has developed robotic medevac: “It has already used large cargo drones, capable of carrying 180kg loads up to 70km, to evacuate wounded personnel, becoming the first country to conduct this sort of robotic medevac.” https://www.economist.com/international/2023/08/04/what-ukraines-bloody-battlefield-is-teaching-medics [https://archive.is/O9Dmd]
“…good visualization of Ukraine's long range precision fires problem. Storm Shadow/SCALP inventories will run out sooner or later.” (Remember that the United States and Germany will likely deliver their own long-range missiles next.) https://twitter.com/ColbyBadhwar/status/1688615050783727616
“Today marks fifteen years since Russia invaded Georgia and occupied 20% of its land. Russia still refuses to abide by its 2008 ceasefire commitments. The United States strongly supports Georgia's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and Euro-Atlantic aspirations.” — Secretary Antony Blinken https://twitter.com/cepa/status/1688563850784722944