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.
Thomas Wolf, co-founder of Hugging Face, discusses his journey from physics to AI, the power of open-source models to accelerate innovation, the practical challenges of productionalizing AI demos, and why the biggest opportunities for founders now lie in the application layer on top of powerful foundation models.
Daren Fields, Co-Founder & CEO of Virtual Select, discusses the future of manufacturing, emphasizing the role of AI as a tool for human augmentation, not replacement. He explores how to modernize manufacturing by combining a carbon-based workforce with silicon-based systems to prevent defects, reduce costs, and de-risk execution.
The panel discusses Anthropic's Claude Cowork and the challenge of user trust in AI agents for everyday tasks. They then analyze the Apple-Google partnership to integrate Gemini into Siri, debating its implications for edge AI, privacy, and hardware limitations. Finally, they explore Linus Torvalds' use of AI for "vibe coding," considering its impact on hobbyist programming and entrepreneurship versus the current limitations in producing production-ready software.
Jeff Crume and Patrick Fussell from IBM's X-Force team share a real-world ethical hacking war story, demonstrating an attack from an 'assume breach' perspective. They break down how vulnerabilities in Identity and Access Management (IAM) and legacy systems can lead to a full compromise, starting from an insider threat and escalating to domain administrator privileges through advanced C2 attacks and lateral movement.
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.
A deep dive into ReactJS security, this presentation reframes the discussion around leveraging AI for secure code generation. It argues that by creating detailed, specific security prompts, developers can train AI to be an expert security coder, transforming it from a flawed tool into a powerful ally for building robust and secure applications.
Bret Taylor discusses the AI market's shift to autonomous agents and outcome-based pricing, the future of coding with AI, and strategic advice on GTM, pricing, and where to build in the new AI landscape. He shares career-defining lessons from Google, Facebook, and Salesforce.
Sriram Krishnan, Senior White House Policy Advisor on AI, outlines the America AI Action Plan, a strategy designed to ensure U.S. dominance in artificial intelligence. He discusses the three core pillars of the plan—infrastructure, innovation, and global standards—while also exploring the geopolitical race with China, the critical role of open-source models, and the need for America to own the full AI stack, from GPUs to applications.
A technical deep dive into Apple's Private Cloud Compute (PCC), exploring its novel architecture for running sensitive AI workloads with cryptographic privacy guarantees. The talk covers the core requirements, key components like remote attestation and transparency logs, and how these concepts can be applied by developers today.
A security analysis of YC AI agents reveals that the most critical vulnerabilities are not in the LLM itself, but in the surrounding infrastructure. This breakdown of a red teaming exercise, where 7 out of 16 agents were compromised, highlights three common and severe security flaws: cross-user data access (IDOR), remote code execution via insecure sandboxes, and server-side request forgery (SSRF).
OpenAI's Head of Education, Leah Belsky, and students Yabsera and Alaap discuss how AI, particularly ChatGPT and its new Study Mode, is transforming education. They cover global adoption, the shift from policing AI to integrating it, its role as a personal tutor for building confidence and skills, and the evolving nature of learning, work, and critical thinking in the age of AI.
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