Science et affaires

La théorie des jeux, modèle mathématique de la prise de décision stratégique, opère avec de nombreux concepts qui aident à comprendre la dynamique des interactions. L'un des plus importants et des plus fréquemment cités est le jeu à somme nulle. Ce concept décrit des situations où le gain d'un participant signifie nécessairement la perte d'un autre, et où le « gain » total net est constant, c'est-à-dire nul. Les jeux à somme nulle sont des modèles fondamentaux de la compétition et du conflit, et sont pertinents dans de nombreux domaines, du sport à l'économie en passant par la politique.

Vous êtes-vous déjà demandé pourquoi la technologie moderne, censée nous faciliter la vie et nous faire gagner du temps, ne se traduit pas réellement par plus de temps libre ? Pourquoi travaillons-nous autant, voire plus, que nos grands-parents, alors que nous sommes entourés de machines à laver, de lave-vaisselle, d'ordinateurs et de smartphones ? La réponse réside dans un phénomène identifié dès la Révolution industrielle, connu sous le nom de Paradoxe de Jevons.

Reverse Polish Notation (RPN) is an efficient method for evaluating mathematical expressions, characterized by placing operators after their operands. This approach allows for the omission of parentheses, simplifying and clarifying the calculation process. Although it might seem different at first, using RPN significantly speeds up the execution of operations, especially in computer systems and programmable calculators.

Many people still associate graphics cards primarily with gaming, yet GPUs are capable of much more. Due to their architecture, they are excellently suited for parallel computations, which is essential for training and running deep learning models. Consider this: a modern LLM has billions of parameters, and all these parameters need to be managed simultaneously. This type of parallel processing is the true strength of GPUs, whereas traditional CPUs (central processing units) lag behind in this regard.

Throughout the evolution of storage devices, numerous connection technologies have emerged, bringing revolutionary changes in both speed and efficiency. SATA, SAS, and M.2 connections are among the most common solutions today, but what are they used for, and how do they differ?

Le fonctionnement efficace des grands modèles de langage (LLM) repose en grande partie sur le stockage et le traitement adéquats de leurs poids. Le format numérique sélectionné influe directement sur les besoins en mémoire, la vitesse de calcul et la précision du modèle. Au fil des années, le format FP32 a été progressivement supplanté ou remplacé par les formats FP16 et BF16 pour l'entraînement, tandis que les formats INT8, voire les formats quantifiés à plus faible nombre de bits, sont de plus en plus utilisés pour optimiser l'inférence.

The rapid development of Large Language Models (LLMs) poses new challenges in the field of computing. A crucial question for me is how GPUs perform when running these models. In this post, I aim to examine the performance of various GPUs through the concepts of TFLOPS (trillion floating-point operations per second) and TOPS (trillion operations per second). I will present the capabilities of individual models using a clear table, supplemented with brief explanations.

Graphics card prices have been sky-high for years, and this is due to complex, interconnected reasons. Often, a high-end graphics card (GPU) alone can cost more than all the other components of a computer combined, highlighting just how significant their price has become.

Data transfer speed plays a crucial role in the performance of modern computers. USB and PCIe interfaces have evolved over decades to provide increasingly faster and more efficient communication between devices. In this post, I'll review the speeds of these connections and their evolution across generations.

The performance of modern computers is significantly influenced by the speed and type of memory used. DDR, GDDR, and HBM memories are optimized for different purposes, whether it's main system memory for CPUs, memory for graphics cards, or tasks requiring high bandwidth computations. In this post, I compare the speeds and key parameters of these memory types.

There are many misunderstandings surrounding the speeds of various computer data transfer and storage standards (e.g., USB, SATA, DDR, PCIe, Ethernet, etc.). That's why I've created several summary descriptions and tables covering the main standards and their speeds.

In the digital world, network speed is a fundamental factor that shapes our daily lives – whether it's online communication, gaming, video conferencing, or simple browsing. The evolution of wired (Ethernet) and wireless (Wi-Fi) networks has come a long way over the past decades. While speeds of a few megabits per second were considered fast in the 90s, today we encounter gigabit speeds even in our homes.

Large Language Models (LLMs), such as GPT-3, LLaMA, or PaLM, are neural networks of enormous size. Their size is typically characterized by the number of parameters (e.g., 7b, 14b, 72b, meaning 7 billion, 14 billion, 72 billion parameters). A parameter is essentially a weight or bias value within the network. These parameters are learned during training and collectively represent the model's "knowledge," determining how it processes information and generates outputs. Modern LLMs possess billions, sometimes even hundreds of billions, of parameters.

Récemment, la révolution de l'IA a vu l'émergence de nouveaux acteurs et de solutions technologiques innovantes dans le secteur des semi-conducteurs. Cerebras Systems, une startup basée en Californie qui a récemment annoncé son introduction en bourse, figure parmi les plus prometteuses.

OpenAI, the company at the forefront of artificial intelligence (AI) research and development, is once again in the spotlight. In a record-breaking funding deal closed in October 2024, the company secured $6.6 billion in funding through convertible notes, catapulting its valuation to a staggering $157 billion. This move is not only one of the largest capital-raising maneuvers in Silicon Valley history but also a clear signal of investors' unwavering confidence in the future of AI and OpenAI's leading role. However, this comes as the company grapples with enormous operating costs, fierce competition, and significant internal transformations.

The development of magnetic nanorobots could open new horizons in the treatment of brain aneurysms. These microscopic, precision devices are designed to deliver necessary medication directly to the site of the problem, potentially minimizing complications and the inherent risks of traditional surgical procedures. This article explores how these nanorobots work, their advantages over conventional methods, and the future possibilities within this cutting-edge field of nanomedicine.

Imagine an unusual kind of hourglass – one that momentarily stops flowing the instant you glance at it, only to resume when you look away. This peculiar thought experiment bears a resemblance to a real phenomenon physicists call the Quantum Zeno Effect (QZE). It describes how frequent measurements can effectively "freeze" a quantum system in a particular state by repeatedly collapsing its wave function, thereby inhibiting its natural evolution or decay. But what does this counter-intuitive effect truly entail, and why does it captivate scientists?

According to reports from The Wall Street Journal that surfaced earlier this year, Qualcomm recently explored a potential acquisition approach towards Intel, a move that sent shockwaves through the semiconductor industry and caused significant fluctuations in the stock prices of both companies. This unexpected, though highly speculative, move could fundamentally reshape the technology sector and establish a new balance of power in the world of chip manufacturing.

Oracle co-founder, Chairman, and Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Larry Ellison, recently detailed ambitious artificial intelligence plans for the company. These include potentially massive investments in cutting-edge AI capabilities and exploring the construction of vast data centers powered by nuclear energy, signaling Oracle's intent to aggressively compete in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.

L'effet Cobra décrit les conséquences négatives imprévues de politiques bien intentionnées, illustrées par une tentative de contrôle des cobras. Ce phénomène souligne comment des solutions trop simplistes et des incitations mal conçues peuvent involontairement aggraver le problème qu'elles visent à résoudre.

OnlyFans, the subscription-based content platform, demonstrated remarkable financial growth again in 2023. The company reported record revenue and profits, while its owner, Leonid Radvinsky, received significant dividends. However, the platform also faces challenges related to cybersecurity and social perception.

Scientists at the University of Toronto have made a startling observation in the realm of quantum physics that challenges conventional notions of how we measure time durations at the quantum scale. In an experiment studying the interaction of photons with an ultracold cloud of atoms, researchers observed what they termed an apparent "negative time delay" or "negative dwell time." Under specific conditions, photons seemed to exit the atomic cloud faster than expected based on their entry, leading to a calculated negative duration for their interaction.

The convergence of the video game industry and quantum computing is opening up exciting, albeit challenging, new frontiers. One of the most intriguing examples of this intersection is Quandoom, an adaptation of the iconic first-person shooter DOOM, theoretically designed to run on a quantum computer. But how feasible is such a quantum leap in game development today?

Many might still consider Tesla, Apple, or Meta the center of the tech universe, but a significant reshuffling has occurred behind the scenes. A lesser-known yet highly influential giant, Broadcom, not only surpassed Tesla's market value in 2024 but has firmly cemented its place among the most valuable companies in the United States by 2025, reshaping the famed "Magnificent Seven" group. But who exactly is Broadcom, and how did it achieve this feat?

Le Système Trachtenberg, développé par l'ingénieur russe Jakow Trachtenberg pendant son emprisonnement dans les camps de concentration nazis, est une méthode de calcul mental rapide qui a fasciné aussi bien les mathématiciens que les étudiants. Cette approche innovante de l'arithmétique, qui élimine le besoin des tables de multiplication et ne repose que sur des compétences de base en calcul, promet une plus grande vitesse, précision et facilité dans l'exécution des calculs.

The world of technology constantly introduces exciting new developments that change our lives and how we work. Among the most promising and intriguing of these is cognitive computing. But what exactly is it, and why is it so important?

Humanity has always pondered its place in the cosmos and the potential capabilities of advanced civilizations. The Kardashev scale offers a conceptual framework for addressing this question, not only providing a perspective on our own development but also guiding the search for potential signs of extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI).

Tetris stands as one of the most iconic and enduring video games ever created, captivating players worldwide for decades. But how did this simple yet ingenious puzzle game originate behind the Iron Curtain and become a global sensation?

One of the most famous and influential studies in the history of psychology is undoubtedly the Stanford marshmallow experiment. Conducted by Walter Mischel and his colleagues in the 1960s, this research shaped how we think about self-control and its long-term effects for decades. But is the picture really as simple as we once thought?

Backpropagation is a fundamental algorithm central to training artificial neural networks (ANNs). It enables the fine-tuning of network weights by efficiently calculating the gradient of the loss function with respect to those weights, effectively propagating error signals backward through the network's layers to minimize prediction errors.

Arthur C. Clarke's Third Law, stating that "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic," has become a cornerstone maxim in discussions spanning science fiction, futurism, and the philosophy of technology. This aphorism highlights the profound, almost supernatural, impact technological progress can have on observers unfamiliar with its underlying principles and mechanisms.

The Linux operating system (OS) has become one of the most influential pieces of software today, especially in the world of servers, data centers, and developer environments. Its journey began in the early 1990s, and thanks to its open-source model, flexibility, and community support, it continues to evolve and spread.

Egy különleges rádiójel észlelése kavarta fel a tudományos világot 1977-ben. Az Ohio State University Big Ear rádióteleszkópja által rögzített jel, amelyet azóta "Wow! jel" néven ismerünk, máig az egyik legrejtélyesebb és legvitatottabb észlelés a földönkívüli intelligencia utáni kutatás (SETI) történetében. A mindössze 72 másodpercig tartó, erőteljes keskenysávú jel egyetlen alkalommal volt észlelhető, ami még inkább fokozza az esemény titokzatosságát.

La méthode TRIZ, dont le nom complet est « Teorija Resenija Izobretatelszkih Zadacs » (Théorie de la résolution inventive de problèmes), est une méthodologie d'innovation systématique qui aide à trouver des solutions créatives et efficaces aux problèmes techniques et autres. TRIZ a été développée à partir de la fin des années 1940 par Genrich Altshuller, un ingénieur russe qui a formulé la méthode en se basant sur l'analyse de milliers de brevets.

The rapid advancement of AI and robotics requires continuous learning. Whether you are a professional actively working in the field or simply curious about these technologies, knowing reliable and up-to-date information sources is essential. In this blog post, I've compiled key resources that can help you navigate the exciting world of artificial intelligence and robotics.

Kroger's latest AI-powered dynamic pricing system has sparked mixed reactions, particularly due to concerns surrounding data privacy and inequality. How does this impact customer trust, and what ethical questions does the new technology raise?

In recent years, the question has increasingly arisen: could the mysterious world of quantum physics influence the workings of the human brain and our consciousness? The concept of quantum entanglement, where particles become interconnected and interact, divides the scientific community. Why does this matter, beyond simply wanting to understand how our brains work?

The Medallion Fund's staggering performance and secretive strategies continue to fascinate the investment world. How has a quantitative fund, founded by a mathematician rather than a traditional investor, managed to consistently beat the market by such wide margins for decades?

The inversion technique, frequently utilized and refined by figures like Charlie Munger, is a powerful problem-solving mental model that flips conventional thinking on its head. Instead of solely focusing on how to achieve success, this method compels you to consider how you might cause failure – and then actively work to avoid those pitfalls. This counter-intuitive strategy helps identify potential obstacles, challenge assumptions, and gain fresh perspectives on complex problems across various domains, from investing to personal development.

Researchers at Google have simulated the emergence of self-replicating digital life forms in an experiment that could offer insights into how biological life began on Earth. According to New Scientist, the study involved creating a virtual "primordial soup" where random data interacted over millions of generations, leading to the spontaneous formation of self-replicating programs.

As technology advances, our world is changing faster than ever before. Yuval Noah Harari, one of the most influential thinkers of our time, has been warning us for years about the challenges ahead. But what advice does he offer for preparing for the future? I will explore Harari's ideas, focusing particularly on why adaptability might be the most valuable skill of the 21st century.

The LEAN method is a powerful management philosophy and process improvement system focused on maximizing customer value by minimizing waste and enhancing process efficiency. Originating with the Japanese automotive giant Toyota in the 1950s as the Toyota Production System (TPS), LEAN principles have proven highly adaptable and are now successfully applied across countless sectors worldwide, including manufacturing, healthcare, software development, services, and government.

The tech world was shaken in early 2024 by the news: Elon Musk, the renowned entrepreneur and one of OpenAI's co-founders, filed a lawsuit against the artificial intelligence research lab and its leadership. The accusation was severe: Musk claimed OpenAI had turned its back on its original non-profit mission, prioritizing profit maximization over the benefit of humanity through its alliance with Microsoft.

Neuralink, Elon Musk's ambitious brain-computer interface company, has officially relocated its state of incorporation from Delaware to Nevada. This strategic move comes amid broader shifts in Musk's corporate strategy and follows a significant legal setback for Musk in Delaware's influential Court of Chancery.