China's AI black market + Google AI Raters

Inside the Chinese black market for AI chips

Reuters journalists have conducted an investigation into the underground trade of NVIDIA computer chips in China. Due to U.S. sanctions, Chinese buyers are resorting to the black market in Shenzhen's Huaqiangbei electronics area to acquire high-end Nvidia AI chips, like the A100. While these transactions are not illegal, they bypass U.S. export restrictions.

The demand for these chips is driven by the global AI boom, as Nvidia's microprocessors are highly sought after for their machine-learning capabilities. Vendors in Hong Kong and mainland China manage to obtain limited quantities of A100 chips through excess stock or imports from other countries. These chips are sold at inflated prices, often double their usual rate. The exact volume of chips entering China is uncertain, but buyers include app developers, startups, researchers, and gamers. Despite Nvidia officially prohibiting A100 and H100 chip exports to China, vendors continue to import and sell them.

The U.S. Department of Commerce acknowledges the impact of export controls but investigates reports of violations. In response, Nvidia has created alternative chips with reduced capabilities specifically for the Chinese market. Major Chinese tech companies like Tencent and Alibaba are purchasing these substitutes. Chinese vendors caution that fraud is prevalent, with refurbished chips being misrepresented as A100s. Acquiring the more advanced H100 chips is challenging. Small chip transactions are unlikely to draw significant U.S. attention, but stricter enforcement may occur if China becomes a greater concern. The premiums commanded by Chinese vendors for A100 and H100 chips may decrease in the future as Chinese AI startups eventually leave the market.

Read More

Microsoft Unveils ZeRO++ for Faster and Smarter Learning

Microsoft researchers have created a special system called ZeRO++ to make it easier and faster to train big AI models. It solves the problem of transferring lots of data and limited internet speed. ZeRO++ uses clever ways to talk between computers and makes training quicker and cheaper.

When we train really big models like ChatGPT, it takes a lot of computer memory and power. ZeRO++ helps us use the memory and power of many computers together. It does this by using tricks to talk to each other efficiently, even when the internet is slow or we can only train a few examples at a time.

ZeRO++ has three smart tricks to make the training process better. First, it makes the information we share between computers smaller by using a special technique called quantization. Second, it uses some of the computer's memory to help with the talking, so we don't waste time waiting. Finally, it uses a new way of sending messages called quantized gradient communication, which helps us talk faster and save time.

With ZeRO++, we can train big models much faster and use less internet data. It can be used for things like making smart conversations or answering questions. It's like having a superpowered computer that helps us learn and discover new things.

Read More

The Google AI raters are Back

Google AI raters who were previously laid off for raising concerns about their working conditions have now been reinstated in their jobs. A group of six AI chatbot trainers, employed by Google subcontractor Appen, were fired after expressing worries that the poor working conditions could pose risks to Google's Bard chatbot.

The Alphabet Workers Union has announced that the workers have been offered their jobs back, along with backpay. The Worker Agency, an advocacy group, shared a copy of the email from Appen's RaterLabs, which explained the decision:

After careful consideration and review of our business needs, we have determined that the previous workforce reductions were unnecessary and can be reversed. We are delighted to extend the option for you to return to work with RaterLabs.

Internal complaints regarding Bard had previously referred to it as "a pathological liar" and urged the company not to launch it.

Read More

Prompt Engineering for beginners (and pros) - The master Prompts for everything!

This will enable you to save 10x more time and be significantly more productive when using ChatGPT!

Prompt:

Copy/paste the prompts here: https://www.promptvibes.com/view-and-test?recordId=rectzWLPw8dFZ9zqt

Anti-trolling prompt

This prompt helps you respond to trolls (can also be tweaked to write social posts)

Prompt:

Copy/paste the prompts here: https://www.promptvibes.com/view-and-test?recordId=recfCTfHPtaq8Mmva

PyAssist

The Ultimate AI-Powered Python Assistant!

Prompt:

Copy/paste the prompts here: https://www.promptvibes.com/view-and-test?recordId=reco1FjjP8BqS30su

How this Tool Can Boost Your Productivity

BrowseGPT is an AI tool that would help automate web browsing seamlessly! Give BrowseGPT instructions like "Find a place to stay in Seattle on February 22nd" or "Buy a children's book on Amazon", and it will use artificial intelligence to attempt to complete the task for you

Painting of the orange cat Otto von Garfield, Count of Bismarck-Schönhausen, Duke of Lauenburg, Minister-President of Prussia. Depicted wearing a Prussian Pickelhaube and eating his favorite meal - lasagna.