Last Week in AI #232 - ChatGPT Ads, Thinking Machines Drama, STEM
245 snips
Jan 28, 2026 They cover OpenAI testing ads in ChatGPT and a controversial age-prediction safety feature. Tensions in Silicon Valley surface with high-profile departures at a fast-growing AI startup. China’s AI stack advances with major models trained on domestic hardware. New legislation, updated AI constitutions, and artist pushback highlight the cultural and legal battles around AI.
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China's End‑to‑End AI Stack Emerges
- Chinese firms are increasingly training major models on domestic Ascend chips and MindSpore software stacks.
- This proves a domestic end-to-end AI stack is feasible though parity with top Western hardware remains limited.
Power As A Competitive Moat
- XAI activated a gigawatt-scale AI supercluster using Tesla Megapacks and on-site gas turbines to bypass grid permitting delays.
- Controlling a private power supply is a major strategic advantage for rapid data center scale‑up.
Prioritize Latency For Interactive Vision
- Optimize image models for sub-second interactive editing when targeting consumer interactivity.
- Prioritize latency and responsiveness even if it means using smaller but faster architectures.
