2han99

📰 Weekly Highlights#

Open Interpreter#

Control your computer using natural language in code or Terminal

Including batch conversion of Word to PDF, adding a scheduled task, summarizing files, etc.

Essentially, it involves calling the computer's API to generate code for use. Does it depend on the quality assurance of relevant data on the internet? Or can AI self-train through code execution + result judgment to iterate?
Source

AI Anti-Fraud: Deepfake Audio and Video Detection Technology Debuts at CES, Accuracy Exceeds 90%#

A survey conducted by McAfee in December 2023 shows that Americans' concerns about Deepfake are increasingly significant, with nearly 68% of respondents stating they are more worried about Deepfake than last year, and 33% explicitly stating they have encountered Deepfake scams or are aware of related situations.

Thus, McAfee launched Project Mockingbird. The name was chosen because Mockingbird is a bird known for mimicking the calls of other birds, insects, and amphibians.

Their strategy is to use AI to defeat AI.

Project Mockingbird employs a combination of AI-driven context, behavior, and category detection models to identify whether audio in videos may be AI-generated.

Specifically, it inputs audio or video into the model, where the classification model determines whether the analyzed content belongs to certain predefined categories and can identify the starting position of forged audio, marking the forged parts.

McAfee CTO Steve Grobman stated that the research team is building the core technology modules for Project Mockingbird to integrate this technology into their product line.
Source

Trump Wins Big in Iowa#

If there was any question whether Donald Trump was on track to win the Republican nomination, it was answered Monday night by the voters of Iowa.
If anyone questioned whether Donald Trump was likely to win the Republican nomination, the voters of Iowa provided the answer on Monday night.

The first-in-the-nation Iowa caucuses delivered him a sweeping victory, offering the most concrete proof yet of his dominance over the Republican Party.
The first Iowa caucus in the nation resulted in a landslide victory for him, providing the most concrete evidence of his dominance over the Republican Party to date.

With nearly all the votes counted, Trump’s share was 51 percent. Ron DeSantis finished a distant second at 21 percent, with Nikki Haley at 19 percent. (See maps of the results.)
With nearly all votes counted, Trump received 51% of the vote. Ron DeSantis came in a distant second with 21%, and Nikki Haley received 19%. (See result maps.)

The result is not surprising or even unexpected, but Trump’s victory is still noteworthy. A year ago, Iowa looked more difficult for the former president. In an upset eight years ago, Iowa voters rejected Trump in favor of Ted Cruz. And unlike the rest of the country, the Iowa political establishment has refused to get in line behind Trump.
This result is not surprising or unexpected, but Trump's victory is still significant. A year ago, Iowa appeared more challenging for the former president. Eight years ago, Iowa voters upset Trump in favor of Ted Cruz. Unlike the rest of the country, the Iowa political establishment has refused to support Trump.

Not only did he win in a landslide anyway, but his 30-point margin of victory set a record for a contested Iowa Republican caucus.
Not only did he win overwhelmingly, but his 30-point margin of victory set a record for a contested Iowa Republican caucus.

Better still for Trump, neither DeSantis nor Haley posted a strong second-place showing that might have bestowed clear momentum for future races. If anything, DeSantis’s second-place finish might dampen Haley’s momentum heading into New Hampshire.
Even better for Trump, neither DeSantis nor Haley showed a strong second-place performance that could have provided clear momentum for future contests. If anything, DeSantis's second-place finish may weaken Haley's momentum heading into New Hampshire.

How he won#

Trump’s decisive victory was built on his usual — if still remarkable — strengths among working-class and rural voters, who made up a preponderance of the Iowa electorate. In county after county across the Iowa countryside, Trump obtained more than 60 percent of the vote — and sometimes 70 percent — with his rivals languishing in the teens or single digits.
Trump's decisive victory was based on his usual strengths among working-class and rural voters, who constituted a majority of the Iowa electorate. In county after county across Iowa's countryside, Trump received over 60% of the vote — and sometimes even 70% — while his opponents languished in the teens or single digits.

He also excelled among white evangelical Christians and self-described “very conservative” voters — two groups that held him back here eight years ago. It’s a coalition that naturally gives him a commanding advantage in a party that’s disproportionately conservative, working class, evangelical and rural. It was enough for him to win all but one of the state’s counties, with his one defeat by a single vote in Johnson County.
He also performed well among white evangelical Christians and self-described "very conservative" voters — two groups that had hindered him here eight years ago. This coalition naturally gives him a significant advantage in a party that is disproportionately conservative, working-class, evangelical, and rural. It was sufficient for him to win all but one of the state's counties, with his only defeat coming by a single vote in Johnson County.

A disappointment for DeSantis#

DeSantis’s finish is a serious setback to his already ailing candidacy. He seemed like a perfect fit for Iowa, as the caucus electorate usually favors ideologically conservative candidates. He followed the winning caucus playbook, including campaigning in all 99 counties and earning high-profile endorsements from the state’s governor, many other elected Republicans in the state and prominent evangelical leaders. None of it seemed to make a difference.
DeSantis's finish is a significant setback for his already struggling candidacy. He appeared to be a perfect fit for Iowa, as the caucus electorate typically favors ideologically conservative candidates. He adhered to the winning caucus strategy, campaigning in all 99 counties and receiving high-profile endorsements from the state's governor, many other elected Republicans, and prominent evangelical leaders. None of it seemed to matter.

The road ahead for him is bleak. No upcoming contest plainly offers DeSantis a better chance of victory, and his poll numbers are even weaker in the states ahead. If he can’t compete in Iowa, it’s hard to imagine where he can. It has raised the question of whether he will continue in the race, though he has said he’s staying in. Either way, Haley has overtaken DeSantis as Trump’s nearest, if still distant, rival.
His future looks grim. No upcoming contest clearly provides DeSantis with a better chance of winning, and his poll numbers are even weaker in the upcoming states. If he cannot compete in Iowa, it is hard to envision where he can. This raises the question of whether he will remain in the race, although he has stated he will. Regardless, Haley has surpassed DeSantis as Trump's closest, albeit still distant, rival.

Haley’s path forward#

For Haley, the third-place finish is a disappointment but not dire. She showed important strength among college-educated, independent and suburban voters, who have long been Trump’s greatest skeptics. She defeated Trump by a comfortable margin in precincts where most residents held a four-year college degree. She also won 64 percent of self-described moderates.
For Haley, finishing third is disappointing but not catastrophic. She demonstrated significant strength among college-educated, independent, and suburban voters, who have long been Trump's most significant skeptics. She defeated Trump by a comfortable margin in precincts where most residents held a four-year college degree. She also garnered 64% of self-identified moderates.

Haley’s strength among moderates and college graduates wasn’t enough for second in Iowa, as several late polls suggested, but voters like these will represent a much larger share of later primary electorates. It might just be enough for her to compete in relatively well-educated states with larger numbers of independent voters, including New Hampshire next week — where the polls already show a close and tightening race.
Haley's strength among moderates and college graduates was insufficient for a second-place finish in Iowa, as several late polls indicated, but such voters will constitute a much larger share of later primary electorates. This may be enough for her to compete in relatively well-educated states with larger numbers of independent voters, including New Hampshire next week — where polls already indicate a close and tightening race.

But the results also confirmed that her appeal is extraordinarily narrow, all but confined to those moderate and highly educated voters. She routinely failed to reach 10 percent of the vote in rural, working-class precincts. The entrance polls found that she won just 9 percent among voters who never attended college.
However, the results also confirmed that her appeal is extremely limited, almost entirely confined to those moderate and highly educated voters. She consistently failed to reach 10% of the vote in rural, working-class precincts. Entrance polls revealed that she garnered only 9% among voters who never attended college.

College-educated and independent voters can only take a candidate so far in a working-class Republican Party. It certainly didn’t take her very far in Iowa on Monday night. There is no path for Haley to win the nomination without greatly expanding her appeal.
In a working-class Republican Party, college-educated and independent voters can only support a candidate to a certain extent. It certainly did not carry her very far in Iowa on Monday night. There is no way for Haley to win the nomination without significantly broadening her appeal.

More on Iowa#

In his victory speech, Trump struck an uncharacteristically upbeat tone. “I want to congratulate Ron and Nikki,” he said. “I think they both actually did very well.”
In his victory speech, Trump adopted an unusually optimistic tone. "I want to congratulate Ron and Nikki," he said. "I think they both actually did very well."

Haley congratulated Trump but made the case that the country did not want another Trump-Biden election: “Both lack a vision for our country’s future because both are consumed by the past, by investigations, by vendettas, by grievances,” she said.
Haley congratulated Trump but argued that the country did not want another Trump-Biden election: "Both lack a vision for our country’s future because both are consumed by the past, by investigations, by vendettas, by grievances," she said.

Vivek Ramaswamy, the 38-year-old entrepreneur, dropped out of the race after finishing fourth.
Vivek Ramaswamy, the 38-year-old entrepreneur, withdrew from the race after finishing fourth.

DeSantis and his allies bashed the news media for calling the race a half-hour after the caucuses began, which they said might have biased Iowans who had not yet cast a vote.
DeSantis and his allies criticized the news media for declaring the race just half an hour after the caucuses began, claiming it might have biased Iowans who had not yet voted.

Far fewer Iowans voted last night than in 2016. The frigid weather likely kept turnout low. Read five takeaways from the caucuses.
Fewer Iowans voted last night than in 2016. The frigid weather likely contributed to low turnout. Read five key takeaways from the caucuses.

Trump’s connection with his supporters is one of the most durable forces in American politics, Michael Bender and Katie Glueck write.
Michael Bender and Katie Glueck write that Trump's connection with his supporters is one of the most enduring forces in American politics.

Commentary#

The battle between DeSantis and Haley for second place doesn’t matter: The general election has already started, Times Opinion’s Michelle Goldberg writes.
Michelle Goldberg of Times Opinion writes that the battle between DeSantis and Haley for second place is irrelevant: The general election has already begun.

The wishful thinking that someone can stop Trump from winning the nomination is coming to an end, Karen Tumulty writes in The Washington Post.
Karen Tumulty writes in The Washington Post that the wishful thinking that someone can prevent Trump from winning the nomination is coming to an end.

Elevating Haley over DeSantis as the non-Trump candidate only makes a Trump victory easier, Times Opinion’s Ross Douthat writes.
Ross Douthat of Times Opinion writes that elevating Haley over DeSantis as the non-Trump candidate only facilitates a Trump victory.

Trump’s win “serves as an endorsement of the constant drumbeat for vengeance that Trump has made the centerpiece of his campaign,” MSNBC’s Hayes Brown writes.
Hayes Brown of MSNBC writes that Trump's victory "serves as an endorsement of the constant drumbeat for vengeance that Trump has made the centerpiece of his campaign."

News organizations were “irresponsible to call the race for Trump before a remotely representative sample of votes had been counted,” Isaac Schorr writes for Mediaite.
Isaac Schorr writes for Mediaite that news organizations were "irresponsible to call the race for Trump before a remotely representative sample of votes had been counted."

ByteDance Accelerates Relocation of TikTok Employees Overseas#

According to multiple ByteDance employees, starting from November 2023, employees in front-end and back-end development, data, algorithms, and other positions working for TikTok in China have begun receiving notifications to transfer to overseas positions. Locations include Singapore, Australia, Canada, and the United States. One TikTok employee stated that accepting the transfer could result in a salary package about double that of domestic positions and a two-year housing allowance; if they do not accept the transfer, they have not been forced to resign yet, but TikTok's domestic job positions have been significantly reduced. ByteDance has not responded to inquiries regarding this matter as of the time of publication.

Suddenly thinking about going, many HR from ByteDance, including TikTok, have added me recently, but I haven't moved for over three years, how to go for an interview? 😂

National Bureau of Statistics: 9.02 Million Births in China in 2023#

According to the People's Daily Health Client, the State Council Information Office held a press conference on the national economic operation situation in 2023. It was reported that by the end of 2023, the national population (including the population of 31 provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities, and active military personnel, excluding residents of Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan living in the 31 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities, as well as foreign personnel) was 1,409.67 million, a decrease of 2.08 million from the end of the previous year. The total number of births in the year was 9.02 million, with a birth rate of 6.39‰; the number of deaths was 11.1 million, with a death rate of 7.87‰; the natural population growth rate was -1.48‰.
Source. Article Ten

TSMC Announces Further Delays at Its $40 Billion Arizona Plant Due to Skilled Worker Shortage#

TSMC, the world’s largest chipmaker, has announced new delays at its $40 million semiconductor site in Arizona, another blow to President Biden’s ambitions to bring manufacturing back to the US — and the thousands of good-paying jobs that come with it.
TSMC, the world's largest chip manufacturer, has announced further delays at its $40 million semiconductor plant in Arizona, marking another setback for President Biden's ambitions to bring manufacturing back to the US — along with the thousands of well-paying jobs that come with it.

Like with the first delay, TSMC chairman Mark Liu cited during a news conference Thursday a shortage of skilled workers for the delay of production at the second factory.
As with the first delay, TSMC Chairman Mark Liu mentioned during a news conference on Thursday that the delay in production at the second factory was due to a shortage of skilled workers.

Back in July, the company said it was having trouble finding workers with specialized expertise required for equipment installation in a semiconductor factory. As a result, TSMC said it would send 500 experienced technicians from Taiwan to train local workers for a short period of time to bridge the skills gap.
In July, the company stated that it was struggling to find workers with the specialized expertise needed for equipment installation in a semiconductor factory. Consequently, TSMC announced it would send 500 experienced technicians from Taiwan to train local workers for a short period to address the skills gap.

TSMC also said it is having tense negotiations over how much money the US government will provide. At the same time, the firm has not determined the specific chip the second factory would produce.
TSMC also indicated that it is engaged in tense negotiations regarding the financial support from the US government. Simultaneously, the company has not yet determined which specific chip the second factory will produce.
Source

Forcing companies to build factories in the US, while these seasoned players have their ways to cope.

7,500 Tech Layoffs in the First Two Weeks of 2024#

The first two weeks of 2024 are over, and they brought with them more than 7,500 layoffs in the tech industry.
The first two weeks of 2024 have concluded, resulting in over 7,500 layoffs in the tech sector.

What exactly is happening? It’s a confluence of things.
What exactly is going on? It's a convergence of factors.

😞 A continuing comedown from 2021’s boom (and overhiring)
😞 A continuing decline from the boom of 2021 (and overhiring)

🤖 New priorities—mainly that of generative AI
🤖 New priorities — mainly focused on generative AI

🪡 An inherent startup ethos of being nimble
🪡 An inherent startup spirit of agility

emm

Bing's Market Share Still Below 4% Despite AI Boost#

According to data analysis company StatCounter, Microsoft's search engine ended 2023 with only 3.4% of the global search market, an increase of less than 1 percentage point since integrating ChatGPT.

However, Microsoft discusses the new Bing: A 1 percentage point increase in search ad market share could bring in $2 billion in revenue annually.
Source

The search scenario cannot form a dimensionality reduction strike; the result is that the webpage is the accumulation of years of technology and data, and as a supplementary result, GPT cannot overpower Gemini.

📚 Articles#

Fastest Way to Read Excel in Python#

Full text

Perhaps I should store all the data as DuckDB files.

National Bureau of Statistics: 2023 National Economy Shows Recovery and High-Quality Development Progresses Steadily#

AI Summary#

This article reports on the recovery of the national economy in 2023 and emphasizes the steady progress of high-quality development. It details four aspects of economic data, including grain production, industrial output, service sector growth, and market sales. The article points out that under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee, various regions and departments have earnestly implemented the decisions and deployments of the Party Central Committee and the State Council, comprehensively deepening reform and opening up, increasing macroeconomic regulation, focusing on expanding domestic demand, optimizing structure, boosting confidence, and preventing and resolving risks. China's economy has shown signs of recovery, with steady improvements in supply and demand, active promotion of transformation and upgrading, overall stability in employment and prices, effective and strong social security, solid progress in high-quality development, and the successful achievement of major expected goals.
Full text

Several AI summaries have issues; I wonder if they triggered some sensitive information.

🎞️ Life#

Sunset in a Corner of Shanghai#

Site of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China#

The Thirteen Participants#

Some lost faith and became traitors, while others sacrificed their lives at a young age; only a few achieved success and fame.

Boxer Rebellion#

Lenin#

💭 Snippets#

My Outlook on the Essential Need for Household Robots#

A robot that can categorize and organize clothes, socks, and hats that I casually throw on the sofa or chair, determining whether they need washing, should be put in the closet, or left by the door for easy access.

Including tidying up leftover food, sorting garbage, and putting dishes in the dishwasher.

I don't need a particularly mature and all-purpose robot; what I might need more initially is a function for organizing household chores.