Travel
Debiasing Random Oblique Projections for Subsampled OLS and Fast CUR in High Dimensions
Niu, Chengmei, Garg, Sachin, Dereziński, Michał, Liao, Zhenyu
Random sampling is a fundamental tool in modern machine learning and numerical linear algebra for reducing the computational cost of large-scale matrix problems. Existing analyses, however, rely primarily on subspace embedding guarantees, which do not precisely characterize the statistical bias of nonlinear random oblique projections induced by sampling, which arises ubiquitously in subsampled least squares and fast low-rank approximation methods. Because (pseudo)inversion is nonlinear, these random oblique projections can be systematically biased even when the underlying sketch is unbiased, thereby introducing hidden bias into downstream least squares and low-rank approximation solutions. In this work, we develop a unified non-asymptotic theory for random oblique projections in high dimensions. We show that standard random sampling schemes generally induce a systematic statistical bias overlooked by classical subspace embedding-style analyses, and we propose a principled debiasing framework to correct it. We illustrate the power of the theory through two canonical applications. For subsampled least squares, we obtain sharp bias--variance characterizations, reveal previously unrecognized statistical suboptimality in widely used sampling schemes, and identify when debiasing yields provable improvements. For fast CUR decomposition, we develop a debiased approach with improved approximation accuracy. Numerical experiments further validate our theoretical findings.
Bank boss sorry after describing workers as 'lower value human capital'
The boss of Standard Chartered has apologised after describing employees whose jobs are vulnerable to being replaced by Artificial Intelligence (AI) as lower value human capital. Discussing how automation was likely to lead to thousands of job cuts at the bank at a recent conference, Bill Winters said it wasn't about cost cutting but replacing, in some cases, lower value, human capital, with the financial capital and the investment capital that we're putting in. He later sought to contextualise the remarks via LinkedIn and said he was sorry for his wording, which had caused upset to some colleagues. He said he was committed to helping staff cope with the accelerating pace of change. The rise of AI tools has led to predictions of huge job losses, particularly for tech workers and graduates.
10 must-know tips for visiting Yellowstone National Park
Don't forget the bear spray. More information Adding us as a Preferred Source in Google by using this link indicates that you would like to see more of our content in Google News results. Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent six days a week. The park, spread across 2.2 million acres and three states, includes half of Earth's active geysers, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River, and stunning wildlife. Ahead of the 2026 summer tourist season, Yellowstone National Park recommends following these 10 steps for making the most out of your visit.
I found a better way to explore America's National Parks online
When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. I found a better way to explore America's National Parks online TrailVerse helps you plan hikes, road trips, and park visits all in one simple, clean interface. When I'm not at work hunting down and writing about cool sites and apps for you folks, I can usually be found exploring the great outdoors. And I'll take any chance I can get to go poking around National Parks. But, if you're like me, you know how quickly planning a park visit can get out of hand and turn into a dozen open tabs.
Fast Training of Mixture-of-Experts for Time Series Forecasting via Expert Loss Integration
Mahtout, Btissame El, Ziel, Florian
We propose a novel adaptive Mixture-of-Experts (MoE) framework for time series forecasting that enhances expert specialization by incorporating expert-specific loss information directly into the training process. Notably, the overall objective comprises the base forecasting loss and expert-specific losses, allowing expert-level prediction errors to jointly shape training alongside the global forecasting loss. This framework is further combined with a partial online learning strategy, enabling incremental updates of both the gating mechanism and expert parameters. This approach significantly reduces computational cost by eliminating the need for repeated full model retraining. By integrating expert-level loss awareness with efficient online optimization, the proposed method achieves improved learning efficiency while maintaining strong predictive performance. Empirical results across economic, tourism, and energy datasets with varying frequencies demonstrate that the proposed approach generally outperforms both statistical methods and state-of-the-art neural network models, such as Transformers and WaveNet, in forecasting accuracy and computational efficiency. Furthermore, ablation studies confirm the effectiveness of the expert-specific loss integration strategy, highlighting its contribution to enhancing predictive performance.
What the Spirit Airlines Implosion Means for Your Vacation
Things have not been looking good for Spirit Airlines for years now. The budget airline known for its bare-bones approach to the sky filed for bankruptcy in 2024 and then again in 2025. And yet, its demise on Saturday felt sudden and shocking: Spirit said it would go out of business, canceling flights, shuttering its customer service lines, and laying off workers without warning. What does it mean for flyers, and for the busy summer travel season? WIRED spoke to experts to find out.
15 innovative, wacky airplane seat designs
Inspired by space ships, double decker buses, and old-fashioned trains, designers try to make flying feel less torturous. More information Adding us as a Preferred Source in Google by using this link indicates that you would like to see more of our content in Google News results. How far would you go for more space on a plane? Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent six days a week. Travel season is approaching, which means families and solo adventurers scrounging together funds for a summer getaway.
Japanese scientists push for AI use in medical research and diagnoses
A Maholo humanoid robot carries out a series of tasks at the Institute of Science Tokyo's Robotics Innovation Center, during the center's opening last month. Artificial intelligence is transforming the way we work across industries. Two recent developments in Japan show how technology could help the nation cope with a shortage of talent in the fields of science and medical research. Some researchers have launched an effort to deploy AI-powered robots to carry out complex wet-lab experiments, which could free staff from time-consuming, repetitive work. In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever.
Japan Airlines to test humanoid robots for airport ground handling work
A humanoid robot performs ground handling tasks at Tokyo's Haneda Airport on Monday. Japan Airlines (JAL) and GMO AI & Robotics, a unit of GMO Internet Group, have announced a demonstration experiment to utilize humanoid robots for ground handling tasks at Tokyo's Haneda Airport. The roughly three-year test will begin next month with the aim of reducing the need for manpower and cutting employee workloads amid a severe labor shortage in the industry. In the test, announced Monday, two robots made in China will carry out tasks such as transporting containers and opening and closing levers that secure them. Future plans include enabling the robots to operate autonomously, thereby expanding the range of tasks they can perform.
Airfare Keeps Going Up. Here Are Some Tricks to Finding Cheap(er) Tickets
It's an expensive time to fly. These tips can help lighten the load on your wallet. As a general rule, global instability leads to higher prices, and boy, is the world a doozy right now . Airfare hasn't escaped the tumult: US airfares are up 14.9 percent compared to a year ago, according to NerdWallet, largely due to fuel price spikes linked to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz caused by blockages, bombs, and blockades. While the medium-term outlook for the airline business isn't great, there are still a few smart and tricky ways to save a little money when flying this summer.