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Curated By Brylan Donaldson
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A Space To Think
Learning to Read AI Research Papers: A Business Leader's Guide to Staying Ahead
The Gist: Ever since ChatGPT came onto the scene in November 2022, keeping up with AI advances has become essential for anyone running a business or making investment decisions. Understanding AI research might seem daunting, but with the right approach, anyone can develop this capability. The key lies in knowing where to look and how to extract meaningful insights efficiently. What Needs to be Understood: The Research Landscape: Most universities and companies freely share their AI discoveries. While some companies like OpenAI have become more private lately, most AI researchers still share their work...
2025-01-02
05 min
A Space To Think
Agent Management: The Next Evolution of Work
The Gist: As Enterprise buyers pour $4.6 billion into generative AI applications, we're entering a time period where AI agents will become collaborative partners in our daily work. Rather than replacing humans entirely, this transition will transform many of us into agent managers - orchestrating a team of agents that can independently execute complex tasks while working alongside humans. What Needs to be Understood: Core Concepts: Environment: The space which an agent operate, whether physical (robots, drones) or digital (trading algorithms, game AI). Policy: Internal rules and learned behaviors that...
2024-12-31
13 min
A Space To Think
ETA: A Practical Approach to Business Ownership
The Gist With an estimated $72 trillion in business ownership transitioning in the coming years, Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) presents a compelling path for aspiring entrepreneurs. What Needs to be Understood: Defining ETA: ETA is when you focus on acquiring and operating an existing, cash flowing business rather than launching a new venture from 0 to 1. Historical Context: The concept of the "search fund" formalized in 1984 by Harvard Business School's Irv Grousbeck, offering a structured pathway for MBA graduates to identify, acquire, manage, and grow a privately held company. There Are...
2024-12-29
09 min
A Space To Think
Google's AI Bets: Beyond Search
The Gist: Google is strategically positioned to dominate the AI landscape in multiple ways, and these "bets" go far beyond simple search. They are methodically building a future where AI is at the core of everything. What Needs to be Understood: Waymo: They are building the future of autonomous transportation. With over 20 million miles of real-world driving experience under its belt and clocking over 1 million fully autonomous miles weekly, Waymo is rapidly expanding its robotaxi service, Waymo One. They've already provided over 2 million paid rider-only trips, currently completing over 150,000 paid...
2024-12-14
14 min
A Space To Think
Coconut: The Next Leap in AI Reasoning
The Gist Researchers are exploring a new way for Large Language Models (LLMs) to "think" – not with words, but with abstract concepts in a hidden space called the "latent space." This approach, "Coconut" (Chain of Continuous Thought), could dramatically boost their reasoning abilities and make them more efficient. What Needs to be Understood Latent vs. Language Space: Traditional LLMs use Chain of Thought to "think out loud" using language. Coconut reasons internally, manipulating abstract representations—like internal "thoughts"—in its latent space. Chain of Thought (CoT): Think of CoT as...
2024-12-12
05 min
A Space To Think
Navigating an Acquisition: Selling to a VC-Backed Company
The Gist: When VC-backed companies acquire other companies, they typically prioritize growth potential over immediate profit, often seeking strategic acquisitions for talent, product, or market access. What Needs to be Understood: The Players: You'll primarily be dealing with the acquiring company's CEO or co-founders. Think of them as the ultimate decision-makers. They're supported by their executive team (CTO, CFO, etc.) who handle the operational details. You might also interact with a VC board member, especially if the acquirer is smaller or the deal is particularly significant. Investment bankers usually only...
2024-12-11
06 min
A Space To Think
Sora: OpenAI Redefines Video Creation
The Gist: OpenAI's Sora generates videos from text, images, or other videos, potentially revolutionizing video content creation and consumption. What Needs to be Understood: Diffusion Transformer Model: Think of it like this — it starts with pure visual noise (like TV static) and gradually refines it into a coherent video. It does this by learning how noise patterns relate to real-world images and videos. Unlike previous methods, it uses a "Transformer" architecture, known for understanding relationships between different parts of data - in this case, frames and elements within a video - t...
2024-12-11
06 min
A Space To Think
Living robot skin, roboforming revolution, and the gut-brain connection
🧭 In this episode of Questions, we answer: • How are robots being developed with living skin, and what are the implications? • What is roboforming, and how is it revolutionizing metal manufacturing? • How does the gut-brain connection work, and why is it important for our overall health? 🔗 Referenced: • Professor Takeuchi Shoji's Robotics Breakthrough: https://www.perplexity.ai/page/professor-takeuchi-shoji-s-rob-Om9dKV_6S26MUWj3Y9IOUg • What is the relationship between the gut and the brain: https://www.perplexity.ai/page/what-is-the-relationship-betwe-hBQaM44bStOhgm_1pLdvSg • New Robotic System to Displace a $28...
2024-07-06
05 min
A Space To Think
Etched Is Making The Biggest Bet In AI. Will It Matter?
🧭 In this episode of Will It Matter?, we unpack: • Etched's $120 million bet on a specialized AI chip designed exclusively for transformer models, promising 20x faster performance than current GPUs. • The potential disruption to the AI inference market, with a single Etched server potentially replacing 160 of Nvidia's top-tier H100 GPUs. • The environmental implications of AI hardware advancements, including energy consumption and water usage in data centers. 🔗 Referenced: • Etched is building an AI chip that only runs one type of model:https://techcrunch.com/2024/06/25/etched-is-building-an-ai-chip-that-only-runs-transformer-models/ • Etched Is Making The...
2024-07-03
09 min
A Space To Think
AI Designs New Proteins, Unlimited Clean Energy, and Robots That Learn Like Humans
🧭 In this episode of Sparks and Signals, we explore: • A frontier language model for biology that can design new proteins from scratch, simulating 500 million years of evolution. • The untapped potential of geothermal energy and innovative techniques to harness it for clean, abundant power. • A humanoid robot system called HumanPlus that learns complex tasks by observing and imitating human movements. 🔗 Referenced: • Simulating 500 million years of evolution with a language model: https://www.evolutionaryscale.ai/blog/esm3-release • The Untapped Potential of Geothermal Energy: https://www.contrary.com/foundati...
2024-07-01
03 min
A Space To Think
Next-gen nuclear reactors, electronic skin breakthroughs, and unlocking AI's latent expertise
🧭 In this episode of Questions, we answer: • What is the current state of nuclear reactors in the US, and how might next-gen technologies change the landscape? • How does electronic skin work, and what potential applications does it have in healthcare and robotics? • What are Ethan Mollick's latest thoughts on integrating AI in organizations, and why does he emphasize "latent expertise"? 🔗 Referenced: • Congress votes to advance nuclear energy development in the US: https://www.theverge.com/2024/6/19/24181808/congress-pass-nuclear-energy-bill-biden-signature • World’s first 3D e-skin gives robots human-like touching sense: https://i...
2024-06-29
04 min
A Space To Think
New AI Project Aims to Mimic the Human Neocortex. Will It Matter?
🧭 In this episode of Will It Matter?, we unpack: • Jeff Hawkins' Thousand Brains Project and its ambitious goal to revolutionize AI by mimicking the human brain's neocortex. • The potential of this neuromorphic approach to create more efficient, adaptable, and human-like AI systems for various applications. • The debate surrounding the project's feasibility, its impact on the future of AI, and whether it's a paradigm shift or a neuroscience-inspired mirage. 🔗 Referenced: • New AI Project Aims to Mimic the Human Neocortex:https://spectrum.ieee.org/jeff-hawkins • How the Brain Works...
2024-06-27
05 min
A Space To Think
Reviving frozen brains, AI politicians, and robotic war dogs
🧭 In this episode of Sparks and Signals, we explore: • A groundbreaking technique to revive frozen human brain tissue without damage using the MEDY solution. • An unconventional mayoral campaign in Wyoming featuring an AI chatbot as a virtual running mate. • China's showcase of an armed robotic dog during joint military exercises with Cambodia. 🔗 Referenced: • New technique brings frozen brain tissue back to life without harm: https://interestingengineering.com/health/frozen-brain-tissue-revived • An AI Bot Is (Sort of) Running for Mayor in Wyoming: https://www.wired.com/story/ai-bot-running...
2024-06-25
05 min
A Space To Think
Data centers powering AI, the truth about heart disease, and the silicon wizardry behind GPUs
🧭 In this episode of Questions, we answer: • How do you build a data center, and why are they crucial for the future of AI? • What is often misunderstood about heart disease, and how can you reduce your risk? • What is the supply chain of GPUs, and why are they the engines of innovation? 🔗 Referenced: • How to Build an AI Data Center: https://substack.com/home/post/p-145504549?source=queue • To Understand Heart Disease, You Need To Understand This: https://substack.com/home/post/p-145022894?source=queue •...
2024-06-21
05 min
A Space To Think
Cradle Is Pursuing Reviving Frozen Bodies. Will It Matter?
🧭 In this episode of Will It Matter?, we unpack: • Cradle Healthcare's groundbreaking work on reversible cryopreservation, aiming to freeze terminally ill patients for revival in a future when cures exist. • The potential impact of this technology on extending human life and grappling with mortality itself. • The immense technical challenges and ethical quandaries that stand in the way of making reversible human cryopreservation a reality. 🔗 Referenced: • Startup Brings New Hope to the Pursuit of Reviving Frozen Bodies:https://archive.is/sUBtD • My research: https://www.perplexity.ai/sea...
2024-06-19
09 min
A Space To Think
Mind-controlled bionic arms, inequality's moral toll, and simulating social intelligence in AI
🧭 In this episode of Sparks and Signals, we explore: • Atom Limbs' groundbreaking mind-controlled bionic arm that restores touch and dexterity. • How rising inequality erodes our moral compass by undermining perceived control and social mobility. • SOTOPIA, a platform for training and evaluating socially intelligent AI agents in complex interactions. 🔗 Referenced: • Atom Limbs Research: https://www.perplexity.ai/page/Tell-Me-About-uM.6QceTRYCJZgqcrYd2wg • How the Inequality Around Us Shapes Our Perception of Morality: https://insight.kellogg.northwestern.edu/article/how-the-inequality-around-us-shapes-our-perceptions-of-morality • SOTOPIA: Interactive Evaluation For Social Intelligence In Language...
2024-06-17
04 min
A Space To Think
Understanding the Rubin Observatory, universe 25 experiment, and the quantum internet
🧭 In this episode of Questions, we answer: • What is the Rubin Observatory, and how will it revolutionize our understanding of the universe? • What is the Universe 25 Experiment, and what did it reveal about population dynamics? • What is the quantum internet and why should Washington care about its development? 🔗 Referenced: • Rubin Observatory research: https://www.perplexity.ai/page/What-Is-the-cB.YojkFR7Ck7Y9yqV7FaQ • A series of rodent experiments showed that even with abundant food and water, personal space is essential to prevent societal collapse, but Universe 25...
2024-06-14
04 min
A Space To Think
Chinese scientists cured diabetes. Will it matter?
🧭 In this episode of Will It Matter?, we unpack: • The recent cure Chinese scientists developed for diabetes. • What will its impact be? • What are the challenges it will face? 🔗 Referenced: • Chinese scientists develop cure for diabetes, insulin patient becomes medicine-free in just 3 months: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/healthcare/biotech/healthcare/chinese-scientists-develop-cure-for-diabetes-insulin-patient-becomes-medicine-free-in-just-3-months/articleshow/110466659.cms • My research: https://www.perplexity.ai/search/Tell-me-more-jEEStcjqTBivIN4pFU2yWQ 💌 Quick note: Diabetes has been top of mind for me because it has impacted those around me, so when I heard the news the optimist in me was overly excited. However, it was quickly dampened when I rem...
2024-06-12
06 min
A Space To Think
AGI timelines, placing organs on computer chips, and 76% decrease in GenAI funding
🧭 In this episode of Sparks and Signals, we explore: • Former OpenAI researcher Leopold Aschenbrenner's provocative predictions about the rapid emergence of AGI and superintelligence. • How organ-on-a-chip technology is revolutionizing biomedical research. • The latest trends in generative AI venture capital dealmaking. 🔗 Referenced: • SITUATIONAL AWARENESS: The Decade Ahead: https://situational-awareness.ai/ • Organ-on-a-Chip Technology: https://www.perplexity.ai/page/OrganonaChip-Technology-e_8Ru2_8RYSSD_X4bfOpEw • Generative AI seed funding drops 76% as investors take wait-and-see approach: https://pitchbook.com/news/articles/generative-ai-seed-funding-drops 💌 Quick note: What’s good cu...
2024-06-10
06 min