What Big Tech's balance sheets this week said – and didn't say – about real-world AI adoption This ongoing generative AI assistant hype-cycle already feels like it's been going on for a decade, with Big Tech pouring billions into systems that simultaneously are supposed to take away our jobs and enhance our working day. So with the likes of Google, Microsoft, AMD, Amazon, and Qualcomm publishing their latest financial …
Simon clearly wins this here Kettle hands down IMHO, at least because, with no bookshelf backgrounds in sight, the hanging saddle-free bicycles procure much needed oculary refreshment. A honorable mention goes to the bank-robber, live at 14:58!
Qualcomm's Nuvia Oryon chip sounds alright but some of us may have missed the resolution of the related SoftBank lawsuit ... (?). Granite Rapids is probably the chip to look out for from Intel this year, along with their efforts to run inference on CPU vector/matrix engines (AMS?). MI300A meanwhile will remain unbeatable (esp. at FP64 HPC) I think.
If AIs/LLMs get to parse our CVs in job applications (and/or our LinkedIn profiles ...) I imagine there'll be opportunities for folks skilled in the matter to help others (for a fee) egineer their CVs/profiles for best AI-parsing outcome (beyond keyword sprinklering) -- a whole new industry could be borne!
"A whole new industry could be born..."
Then it needs to be born pretty quickly. eBay now offers AI-written descriptions for the tat you're selling. So, instead of getting a description that you can use to judge the item you get a paragraph that sounds like the descriptions of the prizes from Sale of Century in the 70s or a Marshall-Ward mail-order catalogue. It's already starting to grind my gears and they've only been around a few weeks. If Management Bullshit Speak winds you up then be prepared to get very annoyed when every CV you read sounds like Nicholas Parsons describing a Goblin Teasmade.
Here's a couple I found on eBay after just a few seconds
"This vintage Goblin Teasmade from the 1970s is a delightful addition to any tea lover's collection. It is a hot tea maker that can brew up to 3 cups of your favourite ground coffee or tea. The unit is made of stainless steel and comes in a classic white colour.
This tea maker is a great find and is in good working order. It has a model number of 850k and is a rare gem for collectors. The unit is sold as a single item and comes with all the necessary components. It is perfect for those who want to enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of their own home.."
And in a similar vein
"This stylish black goat leather jacket by Reiss is a must-have for any fashion-forward person. With four spacious pockets and a full zip closure, it's perfect for keeping your essentials safe and secure while on the go. The spread collar gives it a touch of sophistication, while the regular fit ensures maximum comfort.
The lining and insulation materials are made of high-quality polyester, making it both durable and easy to care for. It's suitable for dry clean only, and the size is S with a chest size of 38 inches. Look sharp and stay warm with this versatile jacket, perfect for any occasion."
"Goblin Teasmade" Dispenses Orc's piss?
Some UK abomination I suspect?
Although I can see the SEO snake oil vendors seamlessly transitioning to crafting CVs, EOI etc claiming to target AI/LLM based recruitment etc systems.
If I were recruiting I would insist on handwritten (manuscript) applications - ball pen or fountain pen on proper paper.
Pretty much excludes the lightweight and the more sensible applicants who had drafted their submission before making a fair copy would be obvious. At the interview stage to exclude plagiarists I would require a short (~500 word) essay completed during the interview process with an unchallenging topic given immediately beforehand.
All a bit old school I guess but the advent of this technology does throw those skills which humans can excel into stark relief. Written communication is one.
Re "Goblin Teasmade", to borrow the words of Douglas Adams "...it invariably delivered a cupful of liquid that was almost, but not quite, entirely unlike tea".
So, having had the misfortune of drinking a cup of "tea" made in my parent's Goblin Teasmade in the 70s, I can confirm that you're right in summarising its flavour as being akin to "Orc's piss".
UK's Labour party say they will force AI firms to share their tech's test data. Not much detail yet and "test data" might not mean the same as revealing the training dataset, but it might be a start. Also, they still have to win an election.
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/feb/04/labour-force-ai-firms-share-technology-test-data
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