The Zoom Election + Google DeepMind's Math Olympiad + HatGPT! Olympics Edition

The Olympics, with its rich history and diverse range of sports, continues to surprise and challenge our perceptions. The story of Steven Neterosik, the pommel horse specialist, exemplifies this, as he defies the nerd-jock binary with his intellectual pursuits and athletic abilities. The origins of the pommel horse can be traced back to the Romans, adding an intriguing historical dimension to the sport. The Olympics also serve as a platform for exploring the evolution of other sports, such as wrestling, which used to be practiced naked. In the current political landscape, technology is playing a significant role in campaigns, with Zoom emerging as a critical tool for organizing and engaging supporters, particularly for the Democratic Party. The unexpected use of Zoom as a campaign infrastructure raises questions about its applicability beyond the current context and why Republicans are not embracing it as much as Democrats. Overall, the Olympics and politics offer fascinating insights into human history, culture, and society.

The use of large-scale Zoom calls for political fundraisers and engagement has become a significant phenomenon in political campaigns, particularly in the case of the Kamala Harris campaign. These calls, which can accommodate tens of thousands of participants, offer an intimate and participatory experience for donors and supporters, allowing them to feel connected to political figures and celebrities. The popularity of these events can be attributed to the group Win With Black Women, who have been using Zoom for recurring calls for the past four years, and the entry of Kamala Harris into the presidential race, which energized the use of this technology for political fundraising. Zoom has been scaling up its infrastructure to accommodate larger events, and during the Kamala Harris call, they were able to accommodate over 200,000 participants, making it the largest Zoom event in history. Despite the technical challenges that come with managing such large events, Zoom has been working behind the scenes to increase capacity to meet the demands of political campaigns.

The Democratic Party is effectively utilizing Zoom rallies as a powerful organizing tool, attracting large numbers of voters, particularly white women, to engage with the campaign. These events, which have seen celebrities and experienced organizers participate, have proven successful as fundraisers and have circumvented challenges in traditional political discussions online. However, the Republican Party has not yet embraced this trend, with fewer mega Zoom rallies occurring, and some mocking the concept. The Harris campaign's use of Zoom reflects the enthusiasm among Democrats, but it may not become a vital campaign infrastructure in every race. Despite some criticism, these events represent an innovative approach to digital campaigning in the compressed timeline of the 2022 election.

While Zoom megaprases were effective in generating enthusiasm and engagement among already enthusiastic groups during the 2020 election cycle, they were not widely adopted as a replacement for traditional campaigning methods due to technical limitations, security concerns, and Zoom fatigue. However, the intimacy and authenticity offered by virtual events may make them an important part of future campaigns. Despite the challenges faced in 2020, the use of technology like X, Spaces, podcasts, and YouTube channels for online organizing and fundraising continues to be a significant trend in politics. The ease of use and accessibility of these platforms make them valuable tools for reaching and engaging with voters. The future of political campaigns may involve a combination of traditional and virtual events, with virtual events providing opportunities for more frequent and intimate interactions between candidates and constituents.

Google DeepMind's AI system made a significant breakthrough by solving a substantial number of problems in the International Math Olympiad, which is known for its notoriously difficult tests for young mathematicians. This achievement was unexpected, as many in the field believed it would take longer for an AI system to reach this level of performance. The system, named AlphaProof and AlphaGeometry, used a precise mathematical language called Lien to understand and solve problems. Unlike large language models that are probabilistic and make things up based on possibilities, mathematics requires a set of rules and precise answers. The team used two different AI models, each with unique strengths, to achieve this success. AlphaGeometry focused on geometry problems and had an effective search language, while AlphaProof worked in a more expressive mathematical language to write proofs for problems and verify the correct answers. This breakthrough raises questions about the future of AI in solving complex problems in various domains, including physics, chemistry, and addressing global issues.

The Alpha Proof system, a specialized AI model, uses a different approach to learn and solve mathematical problems compared to traditional methods. This system, which operates in the formal language of Lean, learns by being presented with a large number of translated math problems from English and is rewarded for successful solutions. It attempts to solve easier versions of problems first and, over time, adjusts its strategy to tackle the full problem. The system can take anywhere from a few seconds to several days to solve a problem, depending on its complexity. The Alpha Proof system may also come up with unconventional solutions that humans might not consider. The ultimate goal is to maximize the number of problems that can be solved, rather than minimizing the time it takes. The system, Alpha Geometry, which specializes in geometry problems, can solve these problems in a matter of seconds. The system's unique approach and ability to find counterintuitive solutions make it an intriguing development in the field of AI and mathematics.

While AI systems like AlphaProof are currently unable to solve all types of mathematical problems, they have already made significant strides in discovering new algorithms and solving complex mathematical problems. These advancements have the potential to revolutionize various fields, including computer science and cybersecurity, by providing more effective ways to understand and prove the behavior of software systems. The impact on mathematics, in particular, is significant as AI systems can assist in understanding the world by providing powerful tools to help mathematicians and scientists make sense of complex concepts. However, the implications of these advancements extend beyond the realm of mathematics, as they can lead to more effective bug finding and cybersecurity measures. Despite some concerns, the overall impact on society is expected to be positive, as these advancements can lead to new discoveries and innovations.

The Olympics in Paris are in full swing, and technology is playing a significant role in enhancing the viewer experience. One example is NBC's new feature, "Your Daily Olympic Recap," which uses an AI version of legendary broadcaster Al Michaels to deliver personalized Olympic recaps to users on the Peacock app. However, while the AI's word bank allows it to deliver accurate and relevant commentary, the delivery and transitions could use improvement. Another tech-related Olympics story generating buzz is Google's ad for its Gemini language model, which showcases an AI-generated fan letter for a favorite athlete. The ad received backlash for being insincere and formulaic, highlighting the concern that AI-generated expressions can lack the heartfelt and personal touch that makes human-written communications special. Both examples illustrate the potential and limitations of AI in the realm of sports broadcasting and communication. While AI can deliver accurate and personalized content, it may lack the human touch and nuance that makes these communications meaningful and engaging.

The Olympics have the power to bring people together, whether it's through heartwarming letters from celebrities or rare moments of cross-border harmony. However, there are also instances of unsportsmanlike conduct, such as spying on competitors with drones. Despite this, the spirit of the Olympics continues to inspire and unite people around the world. For instance, a selfie taken by North and South Korean table tennis players during the Olympics went viral and was seen as a symbol of peace and diplomacy. While some rules have been relaxed to allow for moments like these, it's important to remember that technology, like drones, can also be used to gain an unfair advantage or invade privacy. Overall, the Olympics remind us of the importance of coming together, pushing boundaries, and spreading positivity.

The 2024 Olympics opening ceremony in France served as a representation for the polyamory community, showcasing their lifestyle to the world. This was seen during the ceremony when an individual appeared with multiple partners. The liberal values and freedom that France embodies were highlighted, making it a fitting choice to host such a representation. The event served as a taste of the cultural diversity that the Olympics aims to showcase. The possibility of more non-traditional relationships being displayed, such as a four-way, was also hinted at. The tech industry in the Bay Area, known for its progressive values, was expected to be particularly excited about this. Overall, the opening ceremony served as a significant step towards promoting inclusivity and representation in a global platform.