Feels like it was yesterday (in 2016!!) that I launched the “Read Before Monday” articles, which were a curation of things I found interesting and would give my personal view. And now, here I am, making a comeback, but in a newsletter format. This first edition is about something I’m very invested in, Generative AI, Cybersecurity, Tesla, some office porn and opensource movies. Yes, that’s right!
In this issue
7 piecesThe National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has released a major update to its Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) since 2014, now in Version 2.0. This framework provides guidance on how to manage and reduce cybersecurity risks, and the new version is designed to be more inclusive, user-friendly and introduces a suite of resources for customized implementation, including quick-start guides and a searchable catalog of references.
Finally, something that is intended for all organizations. This 2.0 version widens the scope of CSF and clearly focus on governance and decision-making.
Tim Bray discusses the current investment frenzy in AI technologies
Tim Bray discusses the current investment frenzy in AI technologies, attributing it to a combination of genuine advancements and speculative hype. He acknowledges the potential of AI, especially in areas like language processing and specific applications like Adobe Lightroom's "Select Sky" feature. But he's critical of the massive investments flowing into AI without a clear understanding of its capabilities, likening the situation to past bubbles.
Yes, AI still feels like a bubble, RAG is good but It's not AGI, building own models is still expensive, but I do believe that it's just the start. The potential for AI is close but not here yet, it's a journey and we just started, comes with risks but also with great rewards.
Simon Wardley discusses the potential dangers of A
Simon Wardley discusses the potential dangers of AI. He explains how AI is changing the way we reason about the world by affecting language, medium, and tools. This could lead to the rise of new theocracies, where AI systems control how people think. He argues that we need to be careful about how we develop and use AI.
He has some good points there. Simon is a great thinker and I love his maps. This week I talked about Responsible AI and we really need to make an effort to bring regulation, compliance and audibility to AI.
The NYTimes details the rapid growth of AI
The NYTimes details the rapid growth of AI that has increased the demand for data centers, which consume a lot of electricity and have a significant carbon footprint. This represents serious challenges in meeting sustainability goals, such as the limited availability of renewable power, the long lead times for equipment, and the rising competition for land and resources.
Last year I was at Tech show London, moderating a panel about why organization were automating devops process and in other parts of the venue there was a lot of investment, buzz and develops in the data centre world. Back then AI was just a 'fad' and there were already serious concerns about sustainability, which I assume will be a big thing the following years.
Tesla's partnerships with General Motors and Ford
Tesla's partnerships with General Motors and Ford are set to provide a significant revenue boost, potentially amounting to $3 billion by 2030. These agreements involve the adoption of Tesla's North American Charging Standard (NACS) by GM and Ford for their electric vehicles, positioning it as the primary network in the United States.
Tesla, despite all its faults has done three great investments in securing its position to be the electric car manufacturer 'DeFacto'. The charging network - brilliant!, the way it manages batteries and the car software that beats any infotainment in the industry.
Nvidia’s headquarters
Nvidia’s headquarters is now one of the most sought-after places to work. Spanning more than 1 million square feet combined, Nvidia’s space-ship-like buildings were designed with help from custom software powered by the AI chips that have made the company successful. WSJ gets a look inside.
going back to the office? no.. but this is a very cool office indeed! I love how Nvidia is also using their own products to design facilities.
The Blender Studio's website showcases
The Blender Studio's website showcases a collection of iconic opensource movies produced using Blender, a free and open-source 3D creation suite. These films, ranging from 2006's "Elephants Dream" to the latest projects in development, demonstrate the capabilities of Blender through various genres and animation styles. Each film is accompanied by production files, assets, artwork, and exclusive content, serving as both entertainment and valuable resources for the Blender community and aspiring animators.
I'm a huge fan of the Elephants Dream and my oldest daughter started learning and doing her own animations with Blender. I'm still stuck on the 3DMax and other tools from the 90's, but it's quite amazing what an opensource tool can do. Blender then opens up everything for animators to see, kudos!