Everything Is a Number (francescocarlucci.com)

In a recent blog post, Francesco Carlucci explores the philosophical and practical implications of the concept that "everything is a number," particularly in the context of modern AI and programming. He discusses the evolution of numerical representation, illustrating how complex information can be encoded into seemingly simple decimal numbers. Carlucci highlights a historic example where the DeCSS program, used to decrypt DVDs, was encoded into a prime number to evade anti-circumvention laws, aptly naming it an "illegal prime." This clever use of numerical encoding underscores the potential for diverse representations of complex ideas. The significance of this discussion for the AI/ML community lies in its emphasis on how information, whether it pertains to code or other complex data forms, can be distilled into formats easily understood by both machines and humans. Carlucci underscores how this duality of simplicity and complexity mirrors how AI transforms intricate inputs, such as text or images, into manageable numerical matrices. This interplay between different representational forms not only enhances our understanding of data processing but also reflects the fundamental nature of human cognition, which operates through patterns and numbers. For those interested in experimenting with this idea, Carlucci has developed a program to convert binary code into its decimal equivalent, inviting further exploration of this fascinating intersection of technology and philosophy.