Links for 2023-09-01
“Transformers can learn to compute the greatest common divisor of two positive integers. They make deterministic predictions that can be fully explained. Training from a log-uniform distribution of operands achieves best results.” https://arxiv.org/abs/2308.15594
Reinforced Self-Training (ReST) for Language Modeling https://arxiv.org/abs/2308.08998
RoboTAP: Tracking Arbitrary Points for Few-Shot Visual Imitation https://robotap.github.io/
Learning Vision-based Pursuit-Evasion Robot Policies https://abajcsy.github.io/vision-based-pursuit/
“Can LLMs lie and detect lies? To answer this question, I built Hoodwinked, a text-based game inspired by Mafia and Among Us. GPT agents show strong deception skills. They kill their opponents, provide elaborate alibis, and cast blame on other players.” https://arxiv.org/abs/2308.01404
“If aligning AGI turns out to be hard, we should expect to see early warning signs. Misaligned AIs will want to lash out early in order to prevent the deployment of peer competitor AIs, even if their takeover attempts have a low probability of success.” https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/TxrzhfRr6EXiZHv4G/agi-battle-royale-why-slow-takeover-scenarios-devolve-into-a
1000 Times Faster Processing: Innovative Detector for Large-Scale Optical Neural Networks https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/999562
New robot searches for solar cell materials 14 times faster https://arstechnica.com/science/2023/08/new-robot-searches-for-solar-cell-materials-14-times-faster/
Taming Black Swans: Long-tailed distributions in the natural and engineered world https://www.allendowney.com/blog/2023/08/27/taming-black-swans/
“Iran is threatening American lives on U.S. soil. We must take bolder steps to protect them: During the past few years, operatives affiliated with the Iranian security services have been aggressively targeting for potential assassination former government officials, including two former U.S. national security advisors, a former secretary of state, a former secretary of defense and others.” https://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/op-ed/article278522569.html [https://archive.ph/OjvJa] (see also: Republicans say Biden not doing enough to counter ‘credible threats’ on U.S. leaders https://freebeacon.com/national-security/lawmakers-press-for-classified-briefing-on-irans-assassination-plots/)
Ukraine links:
Moment Of Drone Strike That Destroyed Russian Il-76s Seen In Infrared Image — Head of the Ukrainian GUR Maj. Gen. Budanov apparently spoke with The War Zone, releasing a Ukrainian IR drone picture of a burning Russian Il-76 at Pskov Airbase. https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/moment-of-drone-attack-that-destroyed-il-76s-at-russian-base-seen-in-infrared-image
"There are more than 200 companies officially manufacturing drones in Ukraine and hundreds more smaller-scale operations, like Midnight Lab. Alexei and Kostya build most of their products with a 3d-printer and source electronic components from abroad and within Ukraine. They are experimenting with ai, silent motors and wooden frames: this innovation is driven by changing needs on the battlefield." https://www.economist.com/1843/2023/08/04/the-crazy-professors-making-drones-for-ukraine [https://archive.ph/DDGrb]
"The missile program of the President of Ukraine in action. The tests are successful, the implementation is effective. Sevastopol is waiting, Kamchatka is waiting, Kronstadt is waiting," he said. https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1697232390211461166
Multiple air defense missile systems deployed by Russia on two disputed islands off northern Japan in 2020 have been moved off the isles, raising the possibility that Moscow is repurposing weapons from its Far East for use in the war against Ukraine. https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/08/54a2f12d1a6e-russia-has-moved-missiles-off-isles-disputed-with-japan-expert.html