AI & Technology Updates
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Advancements in Llama AI and Local LLMs
Advancements in Llama AI technology and local Large Language Models (LLMs) have been notable in 2025, with llama.cpp emerging as a preferred choice due to its superior performance and integration capabilities. Mixture of Experts (MoE) models are gaining traction for their efficiency in running large models on consumer hardware. New powerful local LLMs are enhancing performance across various tasks, while models with vision capabilities are expanding the scope of applications. Although continuous retraining of LLMs is difficult, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) systems are being used to mimic this process. Additionally, investments in high-VRAM hardware are facilitating the use of more complex models on consumer machines. This matters because these advancements are making sophisticated AI technologies more accessible and versatile for everyday use.
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AI as Cognitive Infrastructure: A New Paradigm
AI is evolving beyond simple chatbots and consumer novelties to become a critical component of cognitive infrastructure, acting as a co-processor that enhances human reasoning and labor. High-cognition users such as engineers and analysts are utilizing AI as an extension of their cognitive processes, requiring systems with identity stability, reasoning-pattern persistence, and semantic anchors to maintain reliability and safety. As AI adoption transforms various labor sectors, addressing both replacement and dignity anxieties is crucial to enable smoother economic transitions and create new high-cognition roles. For AI companies, the focus should shift towards architectural adjustments that support cognitive-extension use cases, emphasizing reliability over novelty. Regulatory frameworks will likely classify AI tools as cognitive scaffolds, with significant market opportunities for companies that prioritize identity stability and reliable cognitive infrastructure. This matters because recognizing AI as a cognitive infrastructure rather than a novelty will shape the future of human-AI collaboration and economic landscapes.
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Automate Time-Series Data Cleaning with DataSetIQ
![[Resource] A library to practice Time-Series ML without spending hours cleaning data](https://www.tweakedgeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/featured-article-7237-300x171.png)
Practicing time-series forecasting or regression often involves the challenging task of cleaning economic data, such as aligning dates and handling missing values. The DataSetIQ Python client simplifies this process with its new helper function, get_ml_ready, which automates data pre-processing. This function is particularly useful for quickly generating feature matrices to test models like LSTM and XGBoost on real-world economic data. By streamlining data preparation, it allows users to focus more on model testing and less on data cleaning.
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Free GPU in VS Code
Google Colab's integration with VS Code now allows users to access the free T4 GPU directly from their local system. This extension facilitates the seamless use of powerful GPU resources within the familiar VS Code environment, enhancing the development and testing of machine learning models. By bridging these platforms, developers can leverage advanced computational capabilities without leaving their preferred coding interface. This matters because it democratizes access to high-performance computing, making it more accessible for developers and researchers working on resource-intensive projects.
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Tech Interview Evolution 2020-2025
The landscape of tech interviews has undergone significant transformation from 2020 to 2025, with a shift towards more inclusive and diverse formats. Traditional whiteboard interviews have been largely replaced by project-based assessments and take-home assignments that better reflect real-world scenarios. Additionally, there is an increased emphasis on soft skills and cultural fit, with companies employing AI-driven tools to ensure unbiased evaluation. These changes matter as they aim to create a fairer hiring process that values a candidate's holistic abilities rather than just technical prowess.