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Principled Bayesian Optimisation in Collaboration with Human Experts, Colin N. Jones 1, Michael A. Osborne

Neural Information Processing Systems

Bayesian optimisation for real-world problems is often performed interactively with human experts, and integrating their domain knowledge is key to accelerate the optimisation process. We consider a setup where experts provide advice on the next query point through binary accept/reject recommendations (labels). Experts' labels are often costly, requiring efficient use of their efforts, and can at the same time be unreliable, requiring careful adjustment of the degree to which any expert is trusted. We introduce the first principled approach that provides two key guarantees.


SustainDC: Benchmarking for Sustainable Data Center Control Supplementary Information, Ricardo Luna

Neural Information Processing Systems

The selected locations are highlighted, while other U.S. locations are also plotted for comparison. Regions with both high CV and high average carbon intensity are identified as prime targets for DRL agents to maximize their impact on reducing carbon emissions. In the table bellow (7) is the summarizing the selected locations, typical weather values, and carbon emissions characteristics: Considering the data from (9), the U.S. states with the highest number of data centers are summarized in Table 8. The states with the most significant number of data centers tend to be Virginia, Texas, California, and New York. Virginia, especially, is a major hub due to its proximity to Washington D.C. and the abundance of fiber optic cable networks. Texas and California are also prominent due to their size, economic output, and significant tech industries. New York, particularly around New York City, hosts numerous data centers that serve the financial sector and other industries. The selection of these locations is justified by their significant number of data centers, which emphasizes the potential impact of DRL agents in these regions. By targeting areas with both high data center density and favorable carbon intensity characteristics, DRL agents can maximize their effectiveness in reducing carbon emissions.


SustainDC: Benchmarking for Sustainable Data Center Control, Ricardo Luna

Neural Information Processing Systems

Machine learning has driven an exponential increase in computational demand, leading to massive data centers that consume significant energy and contribute to climate change. This makes sustainable data center control a priority. In this paper, we introduce SustainDC, a set of Python environments for benchmarking multiagent reinforcement learning (MARL) algorithms for data centers (DC). SustainDC supports custom DC configurations and tasks such as workload scheduling, cooling optimization, and auxiliary battery management, with multiple agents managing these operations while accounting for the effects of each other. We evaluate various MARL algorithms on SustainDC, showing their performance across diverse DC designs, locations, weather conditions, grid carbon intensity, and workload requirements. Our results highlight significant opportunities to improve data center operations using MARL algorithms. Given the increasing use of DC due to AI, SustainDC provides a crucial platform for developing and benchmarking advanced algorithms essential for achieving sustainable computing and addressing other heterogeneous real-world challenges.


Supplementary: Fast Bayesian Inference with Batch Bayesian Quadrature via Kernel Recombination 1 Convergence analysis such that K1: = K K

Neural Information Processing Systems

We compared the influence of these approximations. Figure 2(b) illustrates that these approximations are not affecting the convergence rate in the sample efficiency. However, when compared to the wall-clock time (Figure 2(c)), the exact sampler without the factorisation trick is apparently slow to converge. Moreover, the provable recombination algorithm is slower than an LP solver implementation. Thus, the number of samples the provable recombination algorithm per wall time is much smaller than the LP solver. Therefore, our BASQ standard solver delivers solid empirical performance. Qualitative evaluation of posterior inference Figure 3 shows the qualitative evaluation of joint posterior inference after 200 seconds passed against the analytical true posterior. The estimated posterior shape is exactly the same as the ground truth.


Apples new HomePod with a display might arrive by the end of 2025

Mashable

Apple's new HomePod will have a display, and it might arrive later this year. This is according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman (via 9to5Mac), who claims that the device will launch "by the end of this year," though he admits that the timing is uncertain. The new device will be a smart home speaker with an added display (a 7-inch one, previous rumors claim), that should one day become a centerpiece of Apple's smart home tech. Other features, per previous reports, includes support for Apple Intelligence, a camera, smart home controls, and a rechargeable battery. While the device will have a built-in speaker, Apple will likely position it as a smart hub instead of just a home speaker.


SustainDC: Benchmarking for Sustainable Data Center Control, Ricardo Luna

Neural Information Processing Systems

Machine learning has driven an exponential increase in computational demand, leading to massive data centers that consume significant energy and contribute to climate change. This makes sustainable data center control a priority. In this paper, we introduce SustainDC, a set of Python environments for benchmarking multiagent reinforcement learning (MARL) algorithms for data centers (DC). SustainDC supports custom DC configurations and tasks such as workload scheduling, cooling optimization, and auxiliary battery management, with multiple agents managing these operations while accounting for the effects of each other. We evaluate various MARL algorithms on SustainDC, showing their performance across diverse DC designs, locations, weather conditions, grid carbon intensity, and workload requirements. Our results highlight significant opportunities to improve data center operations using MARL algorithms. Given the increasing use of DC due to AI, SustainDC provides a crucial platform for developing and benchmarking advanced algorithms essential for achieving sustainable computing and addressing other heterogeneous real-world challenges.


The real win of AI PCs? Battery life

PCWorld

In 2022-2023, AI-powered PCs made quite a splash with their automatic generation and built-in virtual assistants. Those features are cool, sure, but they're a little gimmicky at first blush. That said, amid the hype, the real standout feature emerged: battery life. Thanks to smarter resource management and power-efficient chip architecture, AI PCs became long-lasting devices that didn't need to be plugged in all the time. Let's take flying cross-country with a traditional laptop, for instance.


This high-tech exoskeleton lets you hike longer and run faster

Mashable

Every weekend warrior knows the drill -- you sit in front of a computer all week, and when the weekend hits, you bike, hike, and run yourself ragged. Your body feels destroyed on Monday. If this sounds like you -- or even if you're a casual exerciser who wants to walk and bike longer distances without getting tired -- the future has arrived. The world's first-ever outdoor exoskeleton, Hypershell X, can help max out your physical abilities with minimal effort. Hypershell X is causing a buzz among both outdoorsy types and robotics enthusiasts, and it won the Best of Innovation in Robotics award at CES 2025.


Principled Bayesian Optimisation in Collaboration with Human Experts, Colin N. Jones 1, Michael A. Osborne

Neural Information Processing Systems

Bayesian optimisation for real-world problems is often performed interactively with human experts, and integrating their domain knowledge is key to accelerate the optimisation process. We consider a setup where experts provide advice on the next query point through binary accept/reject recommendations (labels). Experts' labels are often costly, requiring efficient use of their efforts, and can at the same time be unreliable, requiring careful adjustment of the degree to which any expert is trusted. We introduce the first principled approach that provides two key guarantees.


SustainDC: Benchmarking for Sustainable Data Center Control Supplementary Information, Ricardo Luna

Neural Information Processing Systems

The selected locations are highlighted, while other U.S. locations are also plotted for comparison. Regions with both high CV and high average carbon intensity are identified as prime targets for DRL agents to maximize their impact on reducing carbon emissions. In the table bellow (7) is the summarizing the selected locations, typical weather values, and carbon emissions characteristics: Considering the data from (9), the U.S. states with the highest number of data centers are summarized in Table 8. The states with the most significant number of data centers tend to be Virginia, Texas, California, and New York. Virginia, especially, is a major hub due to its proximity to Washington D.C. and the abundance of fiber optic cable networks. Texas and California are also prominent due to their size, economic output, and significant tech industries. New York, particularly around New York City, hosts numerous data centers that serve the financial sector and other industries. The selection of these locations is justified by their significant number of data centers, which emphasizes the potential impact of DRL agents in these regions. By targeting areas with both high data center density and favorable carbon intensity characteristics, DRL agents can maximize their effectiveness in reducing carbon emissions.