Top articles of the week | December 15

December 15, 2018

Every week, we put together a list of our top 5 articles of the past week. Happy reading!

A Data-Driven Approach to Uncover the Secrets of Billion Dollar Startups Ali Tamaseb

If you are interested in the tech startup space, you have to check out this set of data. Ali Tamaseb spent time collecting information on billion dollar startups and produced a fantastic array of statistics. He does warn that correlation does not equate causation but the utility is pretty clear; understanding what underpins a successful startup.

The State of Technology at the End of 2018 Stratechery

Ben Thompson as usual provides an insightful review of 2018 covering the main trends in technology. Of particular note the regulatory pressure that the large tech companies are receiving in Washington. Ben also claims that their dominance will only be challenged by the next internet-level shift.

The deepest problem with deep learning Gary Marcus

I’ve spent a lot of time this year learning about deep learning / machine learning in order to better understand this technology. Beyond the hype, I try to search for counter arguments to understand what the smart people in the space are saying. Deep learning is a terrific tool for some kinds of problems, particularly those involving perceptual classification, like recognizing syllables and objects, but also not a panacea. Gary Marcus, a professor of psychology and neural science at NYU writes about the limits of deep learning and how it will not lead us to cognition.

Enterprise IT Trends In 2019 CB Insights

The world of enterprise IT is a fascinating one and I would argue has more innovation than in the consumer space. This CB insights report showcases the key trends to watch out for in 2019. If you have a bit of a tech background, you will find these predictions interesting.

Nike and Boeing Are Paying Sci-Fi Writers to Predict Their Futures Brian Merchant

The 2002 film Minority Report often gets cited for bridging the gap between science technology and real technology. Now, Ford, Nike, Intel, and Hershey’s are willing to pay hefty sums for their own in-house Minority Reports. Companies like Experimental Design and SciFutures are helping these corporations imagine a far-flung future.