AI model built with just $50😱
Data & AI with Hari - Newsletter #51
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AI model built with just $50
Researchers at Stanford and the University of Washington just shook up the AI world with s1, an open-source model that rivals OpenAI’s o1—built with just $50 in cloud credits! Using a clever distillation process with Google’s Gemini 2.0, they trained s1 on 1,000 questions in just 26 minutes using 16 Nvidia H100 GPUs.
Despite the tiny budget, s1 outperformed o1 by 27% on math problems. This proves you don’t need millions to build great AI—just smart techniques like "budget forcing", which pushes innovation under tight constraints. Could this be a game-changer for AI research? Absolutely!
UAE Invests in Europe's Largest AI Data Center in France
The UAE is investing €30-50 billion to build Europe’s largest AI data center in France! This massive 1-gigawatt AI hub will be the centerpiece of a new AI campus, strengthening France-UAE ties in AI research, talent, and infrastructure. The project includes virtual data embassies, advanced chip investments, and a consortium of French and Emirati investors.
With 35 potential sites identified, the final location will be revealed soon. The announcement was made at the AI Action Summit, where global leaders, including U.S. Vice President JD Vance, will discuss AI’s future and governance. France is making big moves in AI!
OpenAI Co-founder Joins Mira Murati’s New AI Startup
John Schulman, co-founder of OpenAI, has left Anthropic after just six months to join a new AI startup led by former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati. Murati has been building her company since leaving OpenAI in 2024 and has already attracted top AI talent. Schulman, known for his work on ChatGPT and AI alignment, adds to the growing list of AI leaders starting fresh ventures.
This move highlights the fast-changing AI industry, where top experts frequently switch teams or launch new projects, fueling intense competition and rapid innovation.




