An expert overview of post-training techniques for language models, covering the entire workflow from data generation and curation to advanced algorithms like Supervised Fine-Tuning (SFT), Direct Preference Optimization (DPO), and Reinforcement Learning (RL), along with practical advice on evaluation and iteration.
This talk introduces Anaximander, a system designed to bridge the gap between traditional, GUI-driven Geographic Information System (GIS) workflows and modern, code-heavy machine learning practices. Anaximander integrates geospatial foundation models directly into QGIS, allowing experts to interactively orchestrate, run, and evaluate models for tasks like semantic segmentation and object detection on satellite imagery.
At Applied Compute, efficient Reinforcement Learning is critical for delivering business value. This talk explores the transition from inefficient synchronous RL to a high-throughput asynchronous 'Pipeline RL' system. The core challenge is managing 'staleness'—a side effect of in-flight weight updates that can destabilize training. The speakers detail their first-principles systems model, based on the Roofline model, used to simulate and find the optimal allocation of GPU resources between sampling and training, balancing throughput with algorithmic stability and achieving significant speedups.
In a discussion with Astro Teller, Emily Ma from X (formerly Google X) delves into the multifaceted problem of food waste and the moonshot projects developed to tackle it. They explore Project Delta, an initiative that created an "air traffic control" system for surplus food, and Project Chorus, a broader supply chain moonshot designed to give every object a voice through advanced sensors and software.
Ben Horowitz of Andreessen Horowitz discusses how AI is reshaping venture capital, detailing the firm's strategy for managing partners, verticalizing teams, and evaluating investments in real-time. He breaks down the current AI cycle, arguing that application design and model orchestration are key, and explains why the current market's growth is driven by real demand, not just hype.
Ashwin Rajeeva, cofounder and CTO of Acceldata, details the architecture and philosophy behind their Agentic Data Management (ADM) platform. He explains how the Xlake reasoning engine provides crucial context for AI agents to operate across petabyte-scale enterprise data, enabling capabilities like self-healing data pipelines and automated data quality assurance, while also discussing strategies for leading technical teams in the age of AI.
Nikesh Arora, CEO of Palo Alto Networks, shares his unconventional journey and leadership philosophy. He provides a masterclass in building a multi-platform company through strategic M&A, explains why founders should sometimes ignore customers, and reveals how to lead with conviction while managing imposter syndrome.
Stewart Butterfield, co-founder of Slack and Flickr, shares the product frameworks and leadership principles that guided his success. He delves into concepts like "utility curves" for feature investment, the "owner's delusion" in product design, and why focusing on "comprehension" is often more important than reducing friction. He also introduces powerful mental models for organizational effectiveness, such as combating "hyper-realistic work-like activities" and applying Parkinson's Law to team growth.
Intuit CEO Sasan Goodarzi discusses the operational playbook for reinventing a 40-year-old company, from its slow transition to SaaS to its early adoption of AI. He shares insights on winning the SMB market by treating small businesses like consumers, building effective channel partnerships, and developing a platform strategy. Goodarzi also details his leadership philosophy, emphasizing that grit and curiosity are more critical than raw talent.
Alice Bartlett, Tech Director at the Financial Times, offers a deep dive into her leadership role, managing a 70-person team responsible for FT.com and the mobile apps. She discusses the transition from principal engineer to director, the art of managing stakeholder relationships, strategies for tackling technical debt, and her nuanced perspective on the impact of AI on software development and team dynamics.
Eric Pritchett, President and COO of Terzo, explains the transformative impact of AI agents and LLMs on workflow orchestration. He contrasts the goal-oriented, flexible nature of AI agents with the limitations of traditional RPA, illustrating how a multi-agent system can automate complex processes like quote generation, marking a paradigm shift in automation capabilities.
Gurobi's Jerry Yurchisin explains the power of mathematical optimization, a prescriptive approach that complements AI's predictive capabilities. This summary covers how to get started with free resources, the use of GPUs and LLMs to enhance optimization, real-world applications at companies like Toyota, and its relationship with quantum computing.
Ping Wu, CEO of Cresta, and Sequoia’s Doug Leone discuss the transformation of contact centers with AI. They explore a dual approach, blending AI-powered human agent assistance with full automation, to meet enterprises where they are. Wu details the immense technical challenges of deploying AI at scale, from orchestrating over 20 models in real-time with sub-800ms latency to solving for legacy on-premise systems. Leone provides a framework for building AI companies at speed, arguing that value will accrue in the application layer and that we are at the beginning of an "Industrial Revolution 2.0".
Alex Salazar, CEO of Arcade, argues that the true value of AI is not in chatbots but in agents that can take real-world actions. He details the primary reasons agents fail to reach production—security, cost, latency, and accuracy—and introduces an "Agent Hierarchy of Needs" as a framework for building robust, production-ready agents. The talk emphasizes a critical shift from exposing raw APIs to building intention-based tools and solving the complex challenge of agent authorization through a delegated model.
OpenAI's Sam Altman and Greg Brockman, alongside Broadcom’s Hock Tan and Charlie Kawwas, announce a strategic partnership to co-design custom AI chips and vertically integrated systems. This collaboration aims to build the next generation of AI infrastructure, starting with a 10-gigawatt deployment, to meet the world's soaring demand for intelligence.
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