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This study introduces MAGVIT-v2, a video tokenizer that efficiently translates image and video inputs into tokens for Large Language Models. With MAGVIT-v2, LLMs surpass the performance of diffusion models in visual generation tasks.
Researchers introduce a new technique for diffusion models used in text generation. By using a soft absorbing state, they improved how the model handled discrete text changes, resulting in faster learning and quicker sampling.
Researchers have created AucArena, a simulation platform designed to test Large Language Models in auction settings, which are dynamic and require strategic thinking. Initial tests show that, with the right prompts, these models can perform impressively in auctions, showing skills like budgeting and long-term planning.
A growing number of researchers want to overhaul the way LLMs are assessed, calling for more rigorous and exhaustive evaluation, as they believe the practice of scoring machines on human tests is misguided.
From task automation to writing code, AI is adding leverage to how we analyze customer data and build products. The key takeaway here is that AI is enabling people to do a lot more, and if you’re not using it, you’re likely going to get outpaced by your competition.
Sony's AI research suggests a more "multidimensional" approach to measuring skin color, emphasizing not just lightness/darkness but also red and yellow hues. Current scales might overlook biases against certain ethnic groups. Sony recommends the CIELAB color standard, even as others tout the simplicity of systems like the Monk Skin Tone Scale. Google and Amazon are reviewing Sony's findings.
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Adobe unveiled a sneak preview of Project Stardust, an AI-powered photo editor, at its MAX conference. Using the Firefly Model 2, Stardust lets users effortlessly modify scenes, replace backgrounds, and remove objects.
GitHub Copilot costs users $10 per month, but it is costing Microsoft an average of $20 per user per month. Some users are costing the company as much as $80 per month. This is likely why Microsoft decided to charge a lot more for the AI capabilities in Microsoft 365 Copilot. The costs are also likely why the company is developing its own in-house AI chip sets for its data centers and pushing the adoption of Neural Processing Units across the industry.
Bitfinex's parent iFinex Inc. is considering a $150 million share buyback that would allow it to exert more control amid increasing regulatory oversight. iFinex’s owners also own Tether, the largest stablecoin issuer. The purchase would be done through an all-cash injection from a subsidiary and open to those who bought iFinex shares via a 2016 investment platform swap deal.
A US bankruptcy judge is pushing BlockFi and 3AC into mediation over a $284 million dispute. If not resolved, a hearing is set for February to determine repayments to 3AC during its liquidation. The main contention is the date 3AC became insolvent and how this relates to payments made to BlockFi, with lawyers indicating up to $270 million was paid out in a potentially preferential manner.
The Superbridge, a gateway into various rollup ecosystems, has officially launched. It allows users to bridge Ether and other tokens from base layer networks to rollups. New updates include a redesigned home screen for easier rollup discovery and a Conduit x Superbridge integration for smoother operation. The team behind Superbridge also developed a feature called 'Easy Mode', which simplifies the withdrawal process from rollups, handling gas costs of subsequent transactions on behalf of users.
Morpho, a top lending platform on Ethereum, has launched a new lending protocol called Morpho Blue. Aimed at enabling efficient, trustless lending and borrowing, Morpho Blue offers higher collateralization factors, improved interest rates, and reduced gas costs. Diverging from current DeFi lending approaches, it separates risk management from its core protocol and allows users to create markets without requiring permission. Morpho Blue aims to redesign decentralized lending to overcome existing limitations and enhance flexibility.
The Multicoin Summit took place in Austin, featuring various crypto industry leaders. It consisted of numerous presentations, focusing on key issues including the modular versus integrated debate, value capture in DeFi, and the potential in DePIN. Talks also highlighted the evolving crypto regulatory environment, with input from Coinbase's Chief Legal Officer and Blockchain Association's CEO. This post provides summaries of each talk and links to the full presentations as well.
Base and Optimism agreed on a deal that gives Base 118 million OP tokens over the next six years. This post analyzes the deal and the dynamics of it for both Base and Optimism. In exchange, Base will give Optimism a percentage of its sequencer revenue. The move mirrors Didi's purchase of Uber in 2016 and could be a clever solution to regulatory concerns about issuing tokens. It also acts as a significant OTC purchase of OP tokens, providing off-exchange liquidity to Optimism amid upcoming unlocks and vesting periods.
This post draws a parallel between Ethereum and Solana and iOS and Android. Ethereum and its vast network of L2s and L3s is compared to Android, giving users and developers lots of optionality. However, this diverse set of networks creates a challenging environment for developers due to differences in operating systems and user experience fragmentation. Solana, on the other hand, attributes its fast and cost-effective nature to its unified network, offering a more consistent user experience and making it equivalent to Apple’s iOS in this analogy. The article underscores that both systems offer unique advantages depending on users' needs.
The courtroom spectacle continues in the lawsuit involving Sam Bankman-Fried. This thread provides a summary of the discussions the witnesses are having on the stand with the attorneys in the case. The highlight of the thread is Caroline Ellison’s testimony, in which she revealed details about her involvement in the alleged fraud, her relationship with SBF, and the dynamics of working as Alameda’s CEO.
This directory provides a community-curated collection of all the various implementations of Uniswap v4 hooks that have been created so far.
Spencer Ventures is acquiring 144 Pudgy Penguin NFTs from 3AC via Sotheby's. The deal includes rare and unminted pieces. The fund has no plans of reselling anytime soon.
Trader Joe's is suing DEX Trader Joe for trademark infringement. The supermarket alleges the crypto platform mimicked its brand. After failed private resolutions, Trader Joe's is now demanding a jury trial.
Binance's Industry Recovery Initiative, meant to aid the crypto industry post-FTX collapse, has spent only 2.7% of its $1.1 billion commitment - the few specific beneficiaries have remained undisclosed.
Nationwide has today unveiled its most significant rebrand in over three decades. The work by London studio New Commercial Arts is part of a drive to modernize the building society and reaffirm it being owned by members rather than shareholders. Alongside the updated visual identity, the new branding sees Nationwide promise to be “A Good Way to Bank” after research revealed 63 percent of people value their local branch, with face-to-face service given as the top answer as to why.
In a partnership with BBC, Adobe is rolling out an ‘icon of transparency’ that will flag if an image has been altered after its creation. The logo certifies that a media image utilizes Content Credentials, a series of open-source opt-in metadata.
UsabilityHub is now Lyssna, which means “to listen” in Swedish. The team behind Lyssna thinks that listening is the foundation of human connection and understanding so they decided it was their new mission. The rebranding comes complete with a new identity logo and new branding guidelines.
Considering the availability of modern tools and recent advancements in governance (design systems), one might think designers could relax and enjoy some leisure time. Surprisingly, that’s not the case. It feels like designers have even less time than before. As we’re frantically pushing toward an auto-governed future, we ought to stop and think about our purpose as designers.
Bing Chat, powered by the GPT-4 model, is free and available as a sidebar in Microsoft Edge. Given how practical and effective it is, designers should explore using the tool for generating product ideas, creating user personas, learning about user pain points, and more.
When it comes to learning experience, retention becomes an even more crucial aspect of product design. This post shows how Duolingo found impressive retention levels using psychology and behavioral science to keep its users learning.
Create your illustrated story using characters, styles, scenes, and objects. This free tool offers a set of 60 characters, backgrounds, and elements that can be mixed and customized.
These six horror-themed Google Fonts will get you covered for the Halloween season. Free for personal and commercial use, they convey the fear and suspense you need for the spookiest layouts.
Hotshot is a free AI tool that lets you generate GIFs from simple text prompts. The website also features a gallery with other GIFs that have been created, with their corresponding prompts.
Voice User Interfaces (VUIs) employ speech-recognition technology that enables users to communicate via a computer, smartphone, smart speaker, or other device by using voice commands. They incorporate many recent technological advancements, including artificial intelligence technologies such as speech synthesis and automatic speech recognition. VUIs help users save time, provide similar results for multiple synonyms so users can always find what they’re looking for, and promote multitasking.
Increasing the amount of money a user spends and decreasing the chance they are leaving empty-handed is the ultimate goal for e-commerce websites. Persuasion might compromise user autonomy since the choice architecture and visual presentation of options can lead consumers to make choices they may not otherwise have made. This causes users to feel negative emotions like shame and guilt and presents a cognitive burden as they have to exercise extreme willpower and concentration to make sensible decisions.
Effective teams have as a common trait the ability to harness the strength of diverse experiences, perspectives, and personalities. This is related to a conscious effort to gain insights into individual experiences and worldviews continuously. Some practical tools include mapping individual strengths, guides to understand how each member works best, and Ikigai, a method that relies on exploring the intersection of passion, mission, vocation, and profession.
Imagined Architecture decided to give Sydney's Opera House an AI-driven facelift to celebrate its 50th anniversary. The iconic building was reimagined as if it was designed by architecture masters like Frank Lloyd Wright, Gaudí, Frank Gehry, and many other legends.
Will & Well's new "Adaptable" collection features clothing with easy-to-use alternatives to elements such as back zips, hook-and-eye closures, armholes, and buttons. As one of the 12 design projects displayed at Singapore Design Week's Playground of Possibilities, the collection included innovations like the Two-Way blouse, which has Velcro closures on the shoulders so that a wearer with limited mobility in their arms can put it on without having to struggle with neck or armholes, and the HangLoops, which allow some people who would previously have needed assistance with their clothing to use the bathroom on their own.
We can’t say we’re surprised. Down rounds, inertia in the IPO market, and climbing rates of administrations were always going to impact VC returns. The second order impact of this is that LPs are likely going to be a little hesitant giving GPs fresh capital, which impacts the amount of funding available for startups.
The absence of growth funding in the DACH region has been replaced with healthy M&A. The number of M&A transactions in the region has increased from 153 in H1 2022 to 235 in H1 2023, a 54% increase. Last month LeanIX was acquired for a reported €1.2bn by software giant SAP in one of Germany’s biggest ever tech acquisitions.
Ryan Lieber was the 40th hire at Snowflake back in 2014 when it was still in stealth. Starting as an SDR, he’s since worked on country expansion and program management. This piece explores the challenges of building a category-creating business and a few lessons learned selling along the way: the optimal SDR:AE ratio, pipeline health checks, and involving engineers in sales calls.
Customers don’t really know what they want. Very few of them are able to envision and articulate new product ideas. Instead of asking them what they want, ask them more about their problems. The solution will start to become more apparent.
Reflections on Tanda’s transition into a multi-product company, with key takeaways including the value of diversifying products, adjusting ineffective features, and prioritizing customer-driven demand.
You’re either a builder or a seller right? This is a rundown from an engineer who turned into a founder and then switched to the business side of the operation. The biggest takeaway is how the move meant they ended up juggling lots of work streams and had to get good at fast context switching.
Usage-based billing seems to be growing in popularity. How do you know if it’s working? Here are the 14 top metrics you should be keeping an eye on.
Investors often prioritize easily identifiable metrics, such as founder pedigree, especially when dealing with novel technologies that are still emerging. However, as technologies mature, the focus on founder backgrounds might not necessarily yield the best innovative ventures. Instead, the fusion of top-tier research with creative product perspectives might be the key to pushing forward in industries like AI, biotech, robotics, and more.
As founders, we’re sometimes perfectionists. Get comfortable with the fact that the first version is never the final version. Doing something great is a series of iterations.
To win a government contract, Fairchild Semiconductor quoted products significantly below market rate. It did this because it was confident that over time its manufacturing costs would come down significantly. Is there something we can learn from this and apply to selling AI products? Compute costs will no doubt come down, chips will get better, and hardware will improve.
The PEACHPIT ad fraud botnet infected hundreds of thousands of Android/iOS devices via 39 apps with over 15 million installs. Part of the China-based BADBOX operation includes backdoored off-brand mobile devices. At its peak, it had 121K Android and 159K iOS bots across 227 countries generating illicit revenue.
There has been an increase in SMS phishing targeting USPS customers to steal personal and financial data. The scams spoof USPS and other postal services with landing pages impersonating their sites. They trick users to input address info and then request additional sensitive details. The attacks highlight the ongoing effectiveness of basic phishing page impersonation tactics. Users should be wary of unsolicited security messages and verify legitimacy before clicking.
A memory corruption vulnerability in the cue sheet parsing library libcue can be used for 1-click RCEs on systems running the GNOME desktop environment. This is caused by Tracker Miners, which is included by default in GNOME, automatically indexing all downloaded files to update the search index on GNOME Linux systems. A proof of concept is provided in the article.
A post from the AWS security team on how CloudFront automatically detected and mitigated a new form of DDoS. This DDoS attack is known as an HTTP/2 rapid reset attack. In this attack, an attacker issues multiple requests for streams and then issues a reset for each of those requests. This causes the server to waste resources generating logs even if nothing is returned to the clients.
A blog post covering four different patterns for managing secrets in Python code. The post begins with more traditional methods such as utilizing a .env file, a secrets.json file, or environment variables before covering some newer approaches like leveraging a cloud secrets store or KMS.