Links for 2024-02-12
AI:
Exploiting the symmetry within datasets, MIT researchers show, can decrease the amount of data needed for training neural networks. https://news.mit.edu/2024/how-symmetry-can-aid-machine-learning-0205
Offline actor-critic reinforcement learning can scale to large models - such as transformers - and follows similar scaling laws as supervised learning. https://arxiv.org/abs/2402.05546
Keyframer: Empowering Animation Design using Large Language Models https://arxiv.org/abs/2402.06071
China has approved over 40 AI models for public use in just six months. It’s part of a broader effort to compete with the U.S. in AI. https://www.oodaloop.com/briefs/2024/01/29/china-approves-over-40-ai-models-for-public-use-in-past-six-months/
SMIC and Huawei plan to make new 5nm processor, supporting Beijing’s goal for advanced semiconductors: “The 7nm and 5nm chip fabrication lines comprise US machines stockpiled by SMIC before it was hit by the restrictions. Its fab also boasts ASML lithography machines shipped last year. The Dutch government recently revoked an export licence for some of the most advanced machines, which has blocked ASML from selling to China.” https://www.ft.com/content/b5e0dba3-689f-4d0e-88f6-673ff4452977 [https://archive.is/BbK7D]
“WishfulSearch is a natural language search module for JSON arrays. Take any JSON array you have (notifications, movies, flights, people) and filter it with complex questions. WishfulSearch takes care of the prompting, database management, object-to-relational conversion and query formatting.” https://github.com/hrishioa/wishful-search
Miscellaneous:
Gender differences in children's toy preferences are among the largest known to psychology - and the magnitude of these differences hasn't changed in 50 years, according to a recent meta-analysis. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31989412/
Revolutionizing Web Caching: Computer Scientists Unveil Simple Yet Game-Changing Algorithm https://news.emory.edu/stories/2024/01/esc_cache_sifting_22-01-2024/story.html
Electron transport chain [great visualization] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQmTKxI4Wn4
American rural black culture https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hw4aYjWPs7A
Math Is the Answer to More Than One Question: “I am only a mathematical tourist, but my experience has led me to believe that mathematics is rife with intimations of a divine presence...And even if created by men and women, mathematics, as I read somewhere, is the longest continuous human thought, a circumstance that is itself worth regarding with awe.” https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/09/opinion/math-god-numbers.html [https://archive.is/VKj8E]
Politics:
‘People are scared’: Sweden’s freedom of information laws lead to wave of deadly bombings https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/feb/11/sweden-freedom-of-information-laws-deadly-bombings
A Moscow-trained missile scientist used mathematical models to push China's one-child policy. Now China’s baby bust is happening faster than many expected, raising fears of a demographic collapse. https://www.wsj.com/world/china/china-population-births-economy-one-child-c5b95901 [https://archive.is/su3z4]
Ukraine:
Arms company Rheinmetall is massively expanding its production capacity for artillery shells. In 2025, it plans to produce up to 700.000 artillery shells per year, Rheinmetall boss Armin Papperger said. https://www.rheinmetall.com/en/media/news-watch/news/2024/02/2024-02-12-rheinmetall-builds-new-ammunition-factory-in-unterluess-ground-breaking-ceremony-with-chancellor-scholz
Ukraine to produce thousands of long-range drones in 2024, minister says https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/ukraine-produce-thousands-long-range-drones-2024-minister-says-2024-02-12/
“Russia is conducting a deportation campaign in the Ukrainian territories that it is occupying that has the intent of robbing Ukraine of its multigenerational potential & damaging Ukraine’s future claims to its own people. Ukrainian children are a clear target of Russia’s deportation campaign.” https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/kremlins-occupation-playbook-coerced-russification-and-ethnic-cleansing-occupied
At least 19,000 Ukrainian children have been spirited away to Russia illegally. https://www.npr.org/2024/02/08/1228453066/taken-by-russia-then-rescued-young-ukrainians-speak-out
Ukraine's missing children tracked down in Russia by digital sleuths https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-68249102