JAPAN WUT PODCAST 197 "AI ARMS RACE"
Donate: paypal.me/japanwut
How did a leaked document from 2018 predict Japan’s connection to China’s supercharged AI programs? If 30% of Japan’s population become foreign-born, should they be entitled to vote? What is going on with Japan’s investments in AI agents?
SHOW NOTES
SOCIETY 5.0
Over the past week, DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup, released its R1 model, which outperforms leading AI models at a lower cost, causing a significant market reaction. Nvidia's stock plummeted, losing nearly $600 billion, due to DeepSeek's claim of using less advanced chips and debates over data usage. Security issues emerged as DeepSeek exposed sensitive data, leading to quick action to secure it.
Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi has commented on the need to balance innovation with risk management regarding DeepSeek.
In response, the U.S. Navy banned DeepSeek due to security concerns, and the Pentagon blocked its use after connections to Chinese servers. Nvidia shares slightly recovered, but the market remains volatile. In China, DeepSeek's success is celebrated, despite facing cyberattacks and scrutiny over data handling.
One of DeepSeek's innovations was:
Cold-Start Data Integration: Before applying reinforcement learning (RL), DeepSeek incorporates cold-start data, which includes carefully curated, long Chains of Thought (CoT) examples. This helps in refining the model's initial performance by addressing issues like endless repetition, poor readability, and language mixing, while also setting the stage for more effective RL.
Italy blocks access to the Chinese AI application DeepSeek to protect users' data
(Orig. from 2018) Scoop: Trump team considers nationalizing 5G network
OpenAI tailors version of ChatGPT for U.S. government
SoftBank in talks to invest up to $25 billion into OpenAI, FT reports
Open AI announces launch of "AI Agent" for autonomous reservations, etc.
BrainPad, a new company specializing in AI agents
Accenture evolves as AI agents hold business meetings with each other
Indian company orders 50 ‘flying cars’ from Aichi-based SkyDrive
Trying out the AI camera drone "HOVERAir X1 Smart" - a palm-sized "personal photographer"
SGOTW
Ukraine man pleads not guilty to charges of smuggling 113 kg of drugs
Canadian executive accused of smuggling 320 kg of meth into Japan
