This week, I learned:

  • SQL optimizations for multi-threaded web applications. Ref
    • PRAGMA journal_mode = WAL. Improves performance for frequent writes. It allows concurrent reads and writes.
    • PRAGMA synchronous = NORMAL. Improves performance. We might lose a few transactions but won’t corrupt the database.
    • PRAGMA mmap_size = 128000000. Set global memory map for processes to share data
    • PRAGMA journal_size_limit = 64000000. Limit WAL file to prevent unlimited growth
    • BEGIN IMMEDIATE instead of BEGIN. Prevents writes to the journal file until the transaction is complete. Improves concurrency.
  • AI seems to be slowing down apprenticeship since experts would rather use an AI than train an apprentice. Example: Robotic surgery. Ref
  • How AI can improve education performance and engagement. Ref
    • Student: Create study plan based on course and schedule
    • Student: Focus on what you need to learn more
    • Student: Align with your study style and pace
    • Teacher: Grading MCQs
    • Teacher: Writing conceptual guides
    • “New collar workers” was coined by Ginny Rometty
    • Embed tutor or document in video and ask for clarification! This is a new embedded interface. #TODO
  • Playing Bad Apple in Minecraft. Ultra cool!
  • OpenAI has a prompt generator. Currently it uses a meta-prompt but may later move to DSPy or Gradient Descent. Ref
  • Great demo of using the Realtime API to read the latest Hacker News. Ref
  • LLMs have reached the point where they can show a world, like CounterStrike, in near real time. Ref