New gaming credit law gives Macau Chief Executive power to terminate eligibility of concessionaires to issue credit – Inside Asian Gaming

Posted on April 8, 2024 by Dook Domini

Members of Macaus Legislative Assembly have noted that the final version of the new law on gaming credit adds a provision on the termination of the qualification of the concessionaire to engage in gaming credit activities, a clause that allows the Chief Executive to terminate the provision of credit by concessionaires on the basis of significant public interest.

The second standing committee of the Macau Legislative Assembly discussed the gaming credit law on Friday, and members of the committee told media afterwards that the bill is expected to come into effect on 1 August this year. The bill had already passed a general vote in the Legislative Assembly on 18 May.

The final text of the bill stipulates that gaming credit business can only be carried out by Macaus concessionaires, confirming that gaming junkets are prohibited from engaging in such business themselves. However, junkets may enter into an agency contract with the concessionaire to carry out credit behavior with players on behalf of the concessionaire, provided that the money lent or recovered in the process belongs to the concessionaire. Such agent contracts require the approval of the Secretary for Economy and Finance.

The latest version of the bill adds this new provision on termination of eligibility to engage in credit business which grants the Chief Executive the power to terminate without regard to whether the concessionaire has fulfilled its relevant obligations.

However, the bill does not specify in detail what constitutes significant public interest or the circumstances under which it might be deemed to be in the public interest.

The bill does, however, establish a transitional period before the bill comes into force whereby the credit behavior of junkets will be dealt with in accordance with the old legislation.

As previously reported by IAG, the new credit law also prohibits casino management companies from issuing credit.

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New gaming credit law gives Macau Chief Executive power to terminate eligibility of concessionaires to issue credit - Inside Asian Gaming

iOS 18 won’t have a big focus on ‘ChatGPT-like generative AI features’ New leak says we should expect ‘ a slew of AI … – iMore

Posted on March 27, 2024 by Dook Domini

A new report into Apples rumored iOS 18 AI shift has revealed that Apple will focus on tools to improve the daily life of iPhone users, rather than its answer to ChatGPT, when the software is unveiled in June.

Ever since the explosion of AI in the public domain last year, rumors have indicated that Apple is frantically trying to play catch up to rivals like Microsoft, Google, and OpenAI, allegedly spending millions of dollars a day on its own answer to ChatGPT. Bloombergs Mark Gurman has been at the forefront of these rumors, most recently reporting that Apple is in discussions with Google to bring Gemini AI to iPhone in a landmark deal. Now, Gurman has tempered expectations.

In his latest Power On Newsletter, Gurman states that while iOS 18 is still considered internally to be the biggest update to iOS since the original iPhone, and while the main event will be artificial intelligence, iOS 18 wont have a big focus on ChatGPT-esque generative AI.

According to Gurman we shouldnt expect a big focus on ChatGPT-like generative AI features. To be clear, this doesnt necessarily mean that Apple wont have any generative AI features. Indeed, earlier on in his report Gurman indicates that Apple could open up iOS so any developer could build a generative AI system deep into the iPhone, building on swirling rumors of the Google partnership, and reported discussions with Chinese multinational and AI company Baidu.

Instead, Gurmans report seems to indicate that Apples focus for consumers at WWDC 2024 (when we should see iOS 18 unveiled) will be on a slew of AI tools that help manage your daily life. Previously, weve heard that there are six iPhone applications Apple plans to improve with AI, including its Xcode development software, Messages, Pages, and Keynote.

Alongside these AI incursions, Gurman also reports that Apples iPhone Home Screen will offer more customizability in iOS 18, including the option to have blank spaces and columns, just like Android. iOS 18 will likely debut in September alongside Apple's next best iPhone, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro.

iMore offers spot-on advice and guidance from our team of experts, with decades of Apple device experience to lean on. Learn more with iMore!

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iOS 18 won't have a big focus on 'ChatGPT-like generative AI features' New leak says we should expect ' a slew of AI ... - iMore

Why is Elon Musk suing Open AI and Sam Altman? In a word: Microsoft. – Morningstar

Posted on March 15, 2024 by Dook Domini

By Jurica Dujmovic

Potential ramifications extend far beyond the courtroom

In a striking turn of events, Elon Musk, Tesla's (TSLA) CEO, has initiated legal action against OpenAI and its leadership, alleging that the organization he helped found has moved from its original altruistic mission toward a profit-driven approach, particularly after partnering with Microsoft (MSFT).

The lawsuit accentuates Musk's deep-seated concerns that OpenAI has deviated from its foundational manifesto of developing artificial general intelligence (AGI) for the betterment of humanity, choosing instead to prioritize financial gains. But is that really so, or is there something else at hand?

Musk was deeply involved with OpenAI since its inception in 2015, as his concerns about AI's potential risks and the vision to advance AI in a way that benefits humanity aligned with OpenAI's original ethos as a non-profit organization.

In 2018, however, Musk became disillusioned with OpenAI because, in his view, it no longer operated as a nonprofit and was building technology that took sides in political and social debates. The recent OpenAI drama that culminated with a series of significant changes in OpenAI's structure and ethos, as well as a what can only be seen as Microsoft's power grab, seems to have sparked Musk's discontent.

To understand his reasoning, it helps to remember that Microsoft is a company with a long history of litigation. Over the years, Microsoft has faced numerous high-profile legal battles related to its market practices.

Here are some prominent cases to illustrate the issue:

-- In the United States v. Microsoft Corp. case, which began in 1998, the U.S. Department of Justice accused Microsoft of holding a monopolistic position in the PC operating-systems market and taking actions to crush threats to that monopoly. In April 2000, the case resulted in a verdict that Microsoft had engaged in monopolization and attempted monopolization in violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act.

-- In Europe, Microsoft has faced significant fines for abusing its dominant market position. In 2004, the European Commission fined Microsoft 497.2 million euros, the largest sum it had ever imposed on a single company at the time??. In 2008, Microsoft was fined an additional 899 million euros for failing to comply with the 2004 antitrust order.

-- In 2013, the European Commission levied a 561 million euro fine against Microsoft for failing to comply with a 2009 settlement agreement to offer Windows users a choice of internet browsers instead of defaulting to Internet Explorer.

In light of these past litigations, it's much easier to understand why OpenAI's CEO Sam Altman's brief departure from the company and subsequent return late last year - which culminated in a significant shift in the organization's governance and its relationship with Microsoft - was the straw that likely broke Musk's back.

After Altman was reinstated, Microsoft solidified its influence over OpenAI by securing a permanent position on its board. Furthermore, the restructuring of OpenAI's board to include business-oriented members, rather than AI experts or ethicists, signaled a permanent shift in the organization's priorities and marked a pivotal turn toward a profit-driven model underpinned by corporate governance.

The consequences of this power grab are plain to see: Microsoft is already implementing various AI models designed by the company in its various products while none of the code is being released to the public. These models also include a specific political and ideological bias that makes them problematic from an ethical point of view. This too, is an issue that cannot be addressed due to the closed-source nature of AI models generated and shaped under the watchful eye of Microsoft.

Musk's own ventures, like xAI and Neuralink, suggest he's still deeply invested in the AI space, albeit in a way he has more control over, presumably to ensure that the technology develops according to his vision for the future of humanity.

On the other hand, proponents of Microsoft's partnership with OpenAI emphasize strategic and mutually-beneficial aspects. Microsoft's $1 billion investment in OpenAI is viewed as a significant step in advancing artificial-intelligence technology as it allows OpenAI to utilize Microsoft's Azure cloud services to train and run its AI software. Additionally, the collaboration is positioned as a way for Microsoft to stay competitive against other tech giants by integrating AI into its cloud services and developing more sophisticated AI models????.

Proponents say Microsoft's involvement with OpenAI is a strategic business decision aimed at promoting Azure's AI capabilities and securing a leading position in the industry. The partnership is framed as a move to democratize AI technology while ensuring AI safety, which aligns with broader industry goals of responsible and ethical AI development. It is also seen as a way for OpenAI to access necessary resources and expertise to further its research, emphasizing the collaborative nature of the partnership rather than a mere financial transaction??.

Hard truths and consequences

While many point out that Musk winning the case is extremely unlikely, it's still worth looking into potential consequences. Such a verdict could mandate that OpenAI returns to a non-profit status or open-source its technology, significantly impacting its business model, revenue generation and future collaborations. It could also affect Microsoft's investment in OpenAI, particularly if the court determines that the latter has strayed from its founding mission, influencing the tech giant's ability to protect its investment and realize expected returns.

The lawsuit's outcome might influence public and market perceptions of OpenAI and Microsoft, possibly affecting customer trust and market share, with Musk potentially seen as an advocate for ethical AI development. Additionally, the case could drive the direction of AI development, balancing between open-source and proprietary models, and possibly accelerating innovation while raising concerns about controlling and misusing advanced AI technologies.

The scrutiny from this lawsuit might lead to more cautious approaches in contractual relationships within the tech sector, focusing on partnerships and intellectual property. Furthermore, the case could draw regulatory attention, possibly leading to increased oversight or regulation of AI companies, particularly concerning transparency, data privacy and ethical considerations in AI development. While Musk's quest might seem like a longshot to some legal experts, the potential ramifications of this lawsuit extend far beyond the courtroom.

More: Here's what an AI chatbot thinks of Elon Musk's lawsuit against OpenAI and Sam Altman

Also read: Microsoft hasn't been worth this much more than Apple since 2003

-Jurica Dujmovic

This content was created by MarketWatch, which is operated by Dow Jones & Co. MarketWatch is published independently from Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

03-09-24 1003ET

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Why is Elon Musk suing Open AI and Sam Altman? In a word: Microsoft. - Morningstar

An automated solution for the aerospace industry – Engineer Live

Posted on March 15, 2024 by

Evaluating a complete automated solution for composite handling, assembly and inspection.

Composites have long been leveraged for aerospace applications to help with lightweighting, reinforcement and new part designs. Naturally, the demand for wholly automated solutions for composite handling, assembly and inspection has become a key focus for the industry, as it promises to lower the cost and speed up the process of aircraft manufacturing.

One company operating at the forefront of this area is Loop Technology, whose innovative composite automation and layup technologies, inspection and kitting systems are leveraged by multiple global aerospace manufacturers across the globe. Using a combination of precision gantry, robotics, vision and automation, Loops products are supporting several large-scale projects demanding tight tolerances and fast assembly times.

Ian Redman, Project Director at Loop Technology, discussed recent advances in high-rate composite deposition at Advanced Engineering last November. He explains: We all know the benefits of composites, the challenge is actually getting these composite parts at the volume we require. So, yes we can make composite parts, but without advanced automation we are never going to achieve the quality, repeatability and rate that is required. Loop Technology has developed a range of technologies to level that challenge, and we have been working for a decade in this area on various R&D projects with industrial partners. Were now at a really exciting point where the maturity of these technological solutions is ready to deliver on the demands of todays projects.

Loops composite products are modular, allowing the company to deliver a system tuned to the individual needs of a particular project or manufacturer. The company can design bespoke systems for preforming structures both large and small, such as wing skins, fan blades or small box structures. The system gantry or robotic configurations can be itemised depending on factory size and layup preference, from full gantry systems and dual robot fiberoll layouts to small deposition cell and track gantry configurations.

The risks involved in composite handling are significant, as damage or deformation of plies in any handling process cannot be tolerated in flight and safety critical aerospace engineering applications. To protect against this, Loop offers bespoke composite gripper designs that simultaneously improve manufacturing cell throughput and maintain industry quality standards. On the inspection side of things, Loop has developed systems to meet stringent quality standards capable of in-process monitoring and positional correction during composite layup.

When optimal ply utilisation is a priority, Loop can design, manufacture and install fully integrated composite kitting systems. These systems offer a comprehensive automated composite ply handling and management solution starting from automated carbon fibre ply feeding to a cutting table, through to the fully kitted stage where composite plies can be presented in prescribed order for immediate assembly.

Another part of Loops automated composites handling solution is trimming it can deliver high-precision ultrasonic cutting of composite materials, from tacks of dry fibre to 3D preforms. By combining the power of CAD and CAM software with the flexibility of six-axis robots, Loop can offer bespoke part trimming while also integrating various auxiliary processes that may be required, such as torque monitoring and particulate extraction.

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Supreme Court justices appear skeptical of GOP states in major internet free speech case – Washington Examiner

Posted on February 27, 2024 by Dook Domini

The Supreme Court appeared skeptical of arguments Monday by the states of Florida and Texas that they are justified in regulating social media content moderation in a landmark case with major implications for speech on the internet.

The court heard oral arguments for two major speech-related cases on Monday: NetChoice v. Moody and NetChoice v. Paxton. The technology industry group NetChoice sued the states of Texas and Florida over laws imposed by Republicans meant to hold social media platforms accountable for banning users based on viewpoint.

Floridas law would allow residents to take legal action and the state to fine companies if they remove political candidates from social media platforms. The Texas law would require platforms to be content-neutral and allow the states attorney general and residents to sue platforms for removing content or blocking accounts. The court pressed the states to provide a justification for restricting speech. The justices, though, also asked questions aimed at determining the extent of Big Techs power over speech on the internet.

NetChoice v. Moody

Florida Solicitor General Henry Whitaker was the first to appear before the court to argue in NetChoice v. Moody. He said that platforms had to be neutral when it comes to content moderation and that the law merely regulates the conduct of a platform rather than the content. He also alleged that platforms such as Facebook and Google need to be treated as common carriers. Being defined as a common carrier, a term initially used for public transportation services and utilities but expanded to include radio stations and telephone services, would subject platforms to additional restrictions, including anti-discrimination regulations.

Multiple members of the court appear skeptical of Floridas law, noting that it was very broad and affected more platforms than some claimed it would. [Floridas law is] covering almost everything, Justice Sonia Sotomayor said. The one thing I know about the internet is that its variety is infinite.

Justice Samuel Alito noted there is also no list of platforms covered by Floridas statutes. This broadness makes it challenging to deal with the cases particulars, Justice Clarence Thomas argued. Were not talking about anything specific, Thomas said. Now were just speculating as to what the law means. The e-commerce platform Etsy was brought up multiple times by the court as an example of a platform that would be inadvertently affected by Floridas law.

Paul Clement, NetChoices representative, responded in his arguments by saying that Floridas law violated the First Amendment multiple times over. He also tried to create a distinction between content moderation decisions made by government entities versus private entities. There are things that if the government does, its a First Amendment problem, and if a private speaker does it, we recognize that as protected activity, Clement argued.

The Biden administrations Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar seemed to affirm Clements arguments, arguing in favor of NetChoice and limiting Floridas power over speech.

Netchoice v. Paxton

The court reconvened a short time after to hear arguments about Texass law. Clement returned to represent NetChoice, arguing that Texass law requiring neutrality on the platform would make social media less attractive to users and advertisers since it would require platforms to host both anti-suicide and pro-suicide content as well as pro-Semitic and antisemitic content.

He also emphasized to the justices that a social media company was more like a parade or newspaper than a common carrier, trying to focus on the state of speech on the platform.

Aaron Nielson, Texass solicitor general, emphasized that social media platforms are a lot like telegraphs and that this nature should be why the state should restrict the sorts of censorship that platforms allow.

Nielson was questioned multiple times about how the state would handle its viewpoint-neutral emphasis. When asked how platforms could regulate viewpoint-neutral approaches to subjects such as terrorism, Nielson said platforms could just remove it. Instead of saying that you can have anti-al Qaeda but not the pro-al Qaeda, if you just want to say, Nobody is talking about al Qaeda here, they can turn that off, Nielson argued.

Court conclusions

The court appeared divided on the extent to which content moderation was allowed. On one hand, they saw government-enforced moderation as questionable, mainly if it focused on content. On the other hand, they criticized the power exerted by Big Tech companies. Justice Neil Gorsuch brought up the example of private messaging services such as Gmail deciding to delete communications due to them violating certain viewpoint communications, a matter that multiple justices brought up before Clement.

The court appeared bothered by the two cases being facial challenges, a legal term for cases in which a party claims that a specific law is unconstitutional and should be voided. This approach offers little flexibility for the Supreme Court since the court could not limit the laws effect to only a specific form of speech but leave other parts of the law intact.

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Section 230, a part of the Communications Decency Act that protects platforms from being held accountable for content posted by third parties, was also brought up by the justices multiple times. The justices tried to weigh how that law would interact with the states attempts to block speech, as well as NetChoices arguments in favor of the platforms. Thomas argued that NetChoices argument that platforms had editorial control undermined its defense under Section 230.

The court is expected to release a decision on both cases sometime before July. The court will only be ruling on the preliminary injunction, which means that the decision will come quicker than other cases and that the decision will decide if the lower courts blocking of the laws will be upheld or overturned.

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Supreme Court justices appear skeptical of GOP states in major internet free speech case - Washington Examiner

Intuitive Machines’ Odysseus Spacecraft Lands on Moon Carrying 6 NASA Payloads – Executive Gov

Posted on February 27, 2024 by Dook Domini

An Intuitive Machines-built lunar lander carrying six NASA science research and technology demonstrations has touched down on the lunar surface following a seven-day journey to lunar orbit.

NASA said Friday its Navigation Doppler Lidar for Precise Velocity and Range Sensing guidance system for descent and landing has helped Intuitive Machines Nova-C lander, called Odysseus, softly land Thursday near Malapert A, a landing site close to the moons South Pole region.

According to NASA, Intuitive Machines turned to the guidance system when it encountered a sensor issue with its navigation system.

The NASA instrument uses a laser that emits pulses through three optical telescopes and measures speed, direction and altitude during descent and touchdown.

Other NASA payloads launched onboard Odysseus are a CubeSat-sized autonomous navigation demonstrator, a laser retroreflector array, a radio frequency mass gauge, a photoelectron sheath density observation instrument and stereo cameras for lunar plume-surface studies.

This feat from Intuitive Machines, SpaceX, and NASA demonstrates the promise of American leadership in space and the power of commercial partnerships under NASAs CLPS initiative. Further, this success opens the door for new voyages under Artemis to send astronauts to the Moon, then onward to Mars, said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson.

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Intuitive Machines' Odysseus Spacecraft Lands on Moon Carrying 6 NASA Payloads - Executive Gov

AI productivity tools can help at work, but some make your job harder – The Washington Post

Posted on February 27, 2024 by Dook Domini

In a matter of seconds, artificial intelligence tools can now generate images, write your emails, create a presentation, analyze data and even offer meeting recaps.

For about $20 to $30 a month, you can have the AI capabilities in many of Microsoft and Googles work tools now. But are AI tools such as Microsoft Copilot and Gemini for Google Workspace easy to use?

The tech companies contend they help workers with their biggest pain points. Microsoft and Google claim their latest AI tools can automate the mundane, help people who struggle to get started on writing, and even aid with organization, proofreading, preparation and creating.

Of all working U.S. adults, 34 percent think that AI will equally help and hurt them over the next 20 years, according to a survey released by Pew Research Center last year. But a close 31 percent arent sure what to think, the survey shows.

So the Help Desk put these new AI tools to the test with common work tasks. Heres how it went.

Ideally, AI should speed up catching up on email, right? Not always.

It may help you skim faster, start an email or elaborate on quick points you want to hit. But it also might make assumptions, get things wrong or require several attempts before offering the desired result.

Microsofts Copilot allows users to choose from several tones and lengths before you start drafting. Users create a prompt for what they want their email to say and then have the AI adjust based on changes they want to see.

While the AI often included desired elements in the response, it also often added statements we didnt ask for in the prompt when we selected short and casual options. For example, when we asked it to disclose that the email was written by Copilot, it sometimes added marketing comments like calling the tech cool or assuming the email was interesting or fascinating.

When we asked it to make the email less positive, instead of dialing down the enthusiasm, it made the email negative. And if we made too many changes, it lost sight of the original request.

They hallucinate, said Ethan Mollick, associate professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, who studies the effects of AI on work. Thats what AI does make up details.

When we used a direct tone and short length, the AI produced fewer false assumptions and more desired results. But a few times, it returned an error message suggesting that the prompt had content Copilot couldnt work with.

Using copilot for email isn't perfect. Some prompts were returned with an error message. (Video: The Washington Post)

If we entirely depended on the AI, versus making major manual edits to the suggestions, getting a fitting response often took multiple if not several tries. Even then, one colleague responded to an AI-generated email with a simple response to the awkwardness: LOL.

We called it Copilot for a reason, said Colette Stallbaumer, general manager of Microsoft 365 and future of work marketing. Its not autopilot.

Googles Gemini has fewer options for drafting emails, allowing users to elaborate, formalize or shorten. However, it made fewer assumptions and often stuck solely to what was in the prompt. That said, it still sometimes sounded robotic.

Copilot can also summarize emails, which can quickly help you catch up on a long email thread or cut through your wordy co-workers mini-novel, and it offers clickable citations. But it sometimes highlighted less relevant points, like reminding me of my own title listed in my signature.

The AI seemed to do better when it was fed documents or data. But it still sometimes made things up, returned error messages or didnt understand context.

We asked Copilot to use a document full of reporter notes, which are admittedly filled with shorthand, fragments and run-on sentences, and asked it to write a report. At first glance, the result seemed convincing that the AI had made sense of the messy notes. But with closer inspection, it was unclear if anything actually came from the document, as the conclusions were broad, overreaching and not cited.

If you give it a document to work off, it can use that as a basis, Mollick said. It may hallucinate less but in more subtle ways that are harder to identify.

When we asked it to continue a story we started writing, providing it a document filled with notes, it summarized what we had already written and produced some additional paragraphs. But, it became clear much of it was not from the provided document.

Fundamentally, they are speculative algorithms, said Hatim Rahman, an assistant professor at Northwestern Universitys Kellogg School of Management, who studies AIs impact on work. They dont understand like humans do. They provide the statistically likely answer.

Summarizations were less problematic, and the clickable citations made it easy to confirm each point. Copilot was also helpful in editing documents, often catching acronyms that should be spelled out, punctuation or conciseness, much like a beefed-up spell check.

With spreadsheets, the AI can be a little tricky, and you need to convert data to a table format first. Copilot more accurately produced responses to questions about tables with simple formats. But for larger spreadsheets that had categories and subcategories or other complex breakdowns, we couldnt get it to find relevant information or accurately identify the trends or takeaways.

Microsoft says one of users top places to use Copilot is in Teams, the collaboration app that offers tools including chat and video meetings. Our test showed the tool can be helpful for quick meeting notes, questions about specific details, and even a few tips on making your meetings better. But typical of other meeting AI tools, the transcript isnt perfect.

First, users should know that their administrator has to enable transcriptions so Copilot can interact with the transcript during and after the meeting something we initially missed. Then, in the meeting or afterward, users can use Copilot to ask questions about the meeting. We asked for unanswered questions, action items, a meeting recap, specific details and how we couldve made the meeting more efficient. It can also pull up video clips that correspond to specific answers if you record the meeting.

The AI was able to recall several details, accurately list action items and unanswered questions, and give a recap with citations to the transcript. Some of its answers were a little muddled, like when it confused the name of a place with the location and ended up with something that looked a little like word salad. It was able to identify the tone of the meeting (friendly and casual with jokes and banter) and censored curse words with asterisks. And it provided advice for more efficient meetings: For us that meant creating a meeting agenda and reducing the small talk and jokes that took the conversation off topic.

Copilot can be used during a Teams meeting and produce transcriptions, action items, and meeting recaps. (Video: The Washington Post)

Copilot can also help users make a PowerPoint presentation, complete with title pages and corresponding images, based off a document in a matter of seconds. But that doesnt mean you should use the presentation as is.

A documents organization and format seem to play a role in the result. In one instance, Copilot created an agenda with random words and dates from the document. Other times, it made a slide with just a persons name and responsibility. But it did better documents with clear formats (think an intro and subsections).

Google's Gemini can generate images like this robot. (Video: The Washington Post)

While Copilots image generation for slides was usually related, sometimes its interpretation was too literal. Googles Gemini also can help create slides and generate images, though more often than not when trying to create images, we received a message that said, for now were showing limited results for people. Try something else.

AI can aid with idea generation, drafting from a blank page or quickly finding a specific item. It also may be helpful for catching up on emails, meetings and summarizing long conversations or documents. Another nifty tip? Copilot can gather the latest chats, emails and documents youve worked on with your boss before your next meeting together.

But all results and content need careful inspection for accuracy, some tweaking or deep edits and both tech companies advise users verify everything generated by the AI. I dont want people to abdicate responsibility, said Kristina Behr, vice president of product management for collaboration apps at Google Workspace. This helps you do your job. It doesnt do your job.

And as is the case with AI, the more details and direction in the prompt, the better the output. So as you do each task, you may want to consider whether AI will save you time or actually create more work.

The work it takes to generate outcomes like text and videos has decreased, Rahman said. But the work to verify has significantly increased.

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AI productivity tools can help at work, but some make your job harder - The Washington Post

Leveraging Cloud Computing and Data Analytics for Businesses – Analytics Insight

Posted on February 19, 2024 by Dook Domini

In todays dynamic business landscape, organizations are constantly seeking innovative ways to drive efficiency, agility, and value. Among the transformative technologies reshaping business operations, cloud computing and data analytics stand out as powerful tools that, when leveraged effectively, can yield significant business value. By integrating these technologies strategically, businesses can unlock new opportunities for growth, streamline operations, and gain a competitive edge in the market.

Cloud computing offers organizations the flexibility to access computing resources on-demand, without the need for substantial investments in hardware and software infrastructure. This agility enables businesses to scale their operations rapidly in response to changing market demands, without the constraints of traditional IT environments. By migrating workloads to the cloud, organizations can streamline their operations, reduce downtime, and optimize resource utilization, leading to improved efficiency across the board.

In todays data-driven world, businesses are sitting on a goldmine of valuable information. Data analytics empowers organizations to extract actionable insights from vast volumes of data, enabling informed decision-making and driving business value. By leveraging advanced analytics techniques, such as machine learning and predictive modeling, businesses can identify trends, anticipate customer needs, and optimize processes for maximum efficiency. Furthermore, effective data governance and quality assurance practices ensure that insights derived from data analytics are accurate, reliable, and actionable.

Cloud FinOps, a practice focused on optimizing cloud spending and maximizing business value, plays a crucial role in ensuring that cloud investments deliver tangible returns. By tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) and measuring the business impact of cloud transformations, organizations can quantify the value derived from their cloud investments. Cloud FinOps goes beyond cost savings to encompass broader metrics such as improved resiliency, innovation, and operational efficiency, providing a comprehensive view of the business value generated by cloud initiatives.

Cloud computing infrastructure provides organizations with the foundation they need to harness the power of data analytics at scale. By leveraging cloud-based platforms for big data processing and analytics, organizations can access virtually unlimited computing resources, enabling them to analyze large datasets quickly and efficiently. Additionally, cloud infrastructure offers built-in features for data protection, disaster recovery, and security, ensuring that sensitive information remains safe and secure at all times. Furthermore, the pay-as-you-go pricing model of cloud services allows organizations to optimize costs and maximize ROI on their infrastructure investments.

Cloud computing accelerates the pace of software development by providing developers with access to scalable resources and flexible development environments. By leveraging cloud-based tools and platforms, organizations can streamline the software development lifecycle, reduce time-to-market, and improve collaboration among development teams. Furthermore, cloud-based development environments enable developers to experiment with new ideas and technologies without the constraints of traditional IT infrastructure, fostering innovation and driving business growth.

In conclusion, cloud computing and data analytics represent powerful tools for driving business value in todays digital economy. By embracing these technologies and implementing sound strategies for their deployment, organizations can unlock new opportunities for growth, enhance operational efficiency, and gain a competitive edge in the market. With the right approach, cloud computing and data analytics can serve as catalysts for innovation and transformation, enabling businesses to thrive in an increasingly data-driven world.

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Reddit CEO Steve Huffman Takes on Big Tech for AI and Ad $$ – Variety

Posted on January 16, 2024 by Dook Domini

While the big question everyone wants answered about Reddit these days is whether theres an initial public offering in the works, theres a lot more the industry is wondering about this unique hub for digital conversation.

One of its co-founders, Steve Huffman, returned to run Reddit eight years ago, and in that time has presided over a period of dramatic, if somewhat turbulent, evolution for the platform. He sat down with Variety Intelligence Platform president and chief media analyst Andrew Wallenstein on Jan. 10 at the Variety Entertainment Summit at CES in Las Vegas to discuss how Reddit holds its own for ad dollars against the tech juggernauts that also want to mine the companys intellectual property for AI training purposes.

Andrew Wallenstein: May I be so bold as to ask if well be seeing an IPO anytime soon? Steve Huffman: I cant talk about that topic. I have a PR-proofed sentence: We are working toward building a sustainable business.

Wallenstein: Alright, well, lets talk about that sustainable business, starting with advertising. Look at this chart (see below). Its saturated with the biggest digital players worldwide. How are you able to differentiate what youve got to compete with the Metas and Alphabets of the world? Huffman: First, I think theres a bug on your slide Reddit is misspelled as Other.

Wallenstein: Youre all that gray?! [Joking.] Huffman: Our business is growing nicely. Were outgrowing the market right now, which wed expect to do. Reddit is unique in a number of ways. I think its important to understand that Reddit is not social media. It is communities. Brands can connect the communities of people who love those brands on Reddit in a different way, and so its also a fair amount of what we would call unduplicated reach people who are on Reddit who arent on other platforms.

Wallenstein: You guys were out with some research this week talking about the power of recommendations. Huffman: The nature of Reddit is its a place where people go for recommendations or advice. Sometimes its life advice, but many times its actually products. In fact, a lot of Reddit is people talking about stuff theyre going to buy. Every second, two people ask for a products recommendation on Reddit, and they get, on average, 19 responses. I just went through this: I bought an E ink tablet, so I was deciding which one to buy for notetaking. And Reddit has tons of communities for that stuff. That sort of advice, just from other consumers, is really special and valuable. I ended up with the Supernote, for what its worth.

Wallenstein: This recommendation-centric strategy ... how does that play in this world were in now, in the end-of-the-cookie era? Huffman: On Reddit, we target with first-party data. We see your behavior, and we use that so we dont have to cookie you all over the internet and watch what youre browsing and reading and searching for and all those things. Its just your explicitly expressed interests on Reddit. And so I think the cookie transition the industry is going to go throughpresents some challenges, but the platforms that will do best will be the ones that rely on first-party data, when were one of those.

Wallenstein: The data that is in these Reddit communities is a goldmine, which is great because the tech giants want in on that. But it also is something of a control issue with these Redditors, so how do you navigate the balance there between what you can license to tech giants but also placate the Redditors? Huffman: Yeah, theres a balance there. Were learning how to walk that line and where the line is. Reddit is a valuable source of data for training potentially, and were open to licensing it for people, you know, for that purpose. For non-commercial use, its very straightforward. You can apply to Reddit and just get access to that sort of thing.

For commercial use, wed like to have some sort of arrangement or deal so we're not just subsidizing some of the largest companies on Earth. But for our user point of view, I think, that openness and that commitment, the privacy and making sure users are in control of their own identity thats kind of the bedrock of that. So no matter, you know, whether your data is on Reddit or, for example, on another platform, like a search engine, its all kind of transparent where its going and what its being used for.

Wallenstein: I would imagine, then, that you must be watching the New York Times-versus-OpenAI case with some interest. Is it relevant to the situation at Reddit? Huffman: We are watching that case, of course. Reddit is one of the largest corpuses of human-like authentic human conversation. And its not available for free, you know, to train these models. And so well work through that with all of these companies, right? Whether they want to use Reddit data or not.

But I think many IP holders share our view there, which is you have this IP, whether youre us or The New York Times or another big IP holder, and the intention is never to just give that information away wholesale for free so somebody else can use it for their gain.

I do think the industry will find a balance here over time. I think some people in the space are being more cooperative than others. But were right in the thick of it. I think we all are, and were all taking different approaches.

Originally posted here:

Reddit CEO Steve Huffman Takes on Big Tech for AI and Ad $$ - Variety

Tech Giants Amazon and Cloudflare Under Fire for Controversial Employee Terminations – BNN Breaking

Posted on January 16, 2024 by Dook Domini

Tech Giants Amazon and Cloudflare Under Fire for Controversial Employee Terminations

Two tech industry employees, one from Amazon and another from Cloudflare, have recently made headlines after their controversial firings, which they shared on social media platforms, began to trend. They have sparked debates on employment policies, termination procedures, and the role of social media in employee relations.

Kendall, a seven-year veteran at Amazon, turned to TikTok to express his dissatisfaction with the companys employment practices. Known to his 35,800 followers as thatamazonguyy, Kendall humorously advised people to refrain from ordering heavy items like Fiji water or dog food. He argued that the task of picking such heavy orders was unreasonable, causing waves of reactions from his viewers. The video, posted four weeks before Kendalls termination, was received with mixed reactions. While many found humor in his light-hearted complaints, some, particularly senior citizens, took offense.

Acknowledging the unintended offense, Kendall apologized, clarifying that his intentions were neither harmful nor discriminatory. Despite his public apology, Amazon decided to terminate his employment, also making him ineligible for rehire. Although the tech giant has not issued an official statement, Kendalls story continues to fuel discussions over the physical demands on Amazon workers.

Simultaneously, another employee termination was stirring controversy in the tech sector. Brittany Pietsch, a mid-market account executive at Cloudflare, recorded her own firing on a Zoom call and shared the video on social media. Her confrontational questioning of HR representatives and her visible frustration with their vague responses resonated with many viewers. The video quickly went viral, sparking debates about the companys handling of the situation and the legality of recording such calls.

Cloudflare CEO, Matthew Prince, commented on the incident, admitting that the companys approach to firing employees wasnt always perfect. Pietsch further explained on LinkedIn that her manager was left in the dark about her dismissal, expressing his shock upon discovering the news. She also stated that despite being among the top performers on her team, she was let go due to not meeting company expectations based on 2023 performance evaluations.

As the dust settles on these two high-profile firings, they serve as reminders of the precarious balance between employer expectations, employee rights, and the power of social media in shaping public opinion.

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Tech Giants Amazon and Cloudflare Under Fire for Controversial Employee Terminations - BNN Breaking

MSI Cyborg 14 hands-on: I’ve never been so excited for a budget gaming laptop – Laptop Mag

Posted on January 16, 2024 by Dook Domini

Nostalgia for the 1990s has been running high for years, but finally we have what weve been missing: transparent tech. MSIs new Cyborg 14 has a transparent chassis in a gray-blue shade that is immediately reminiscent of Nintendos translucent Gameboy Color and Gameboy Advanced handhelds.

As far as budget gaming laptops go, this may be the only exciting entry into that space due to its style and surprising amount of computing power for FHD gaming.

Lets dig in and see if its destined to find a spot among our best budget gaming laptops.

The high-end version of the Cyborg 14 with an Intel i7-13620H and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 will retail for $1,099. MSI has not finalized pricing for the lower configurations which could come with an Intel Core i5 13th gen processor and an NVIDIA 2050, 3050, or 4050 GPU. However, its safe to say the Cyborg will start below $1,000.

The Cyborg 14 doesnt have a set date to hit the shelves as of press time.

Positioned as the new entry level in the Cyborg line-up, the 14 exchanges the Cyborg 15s red and black colors for a blue and gray scheme which gives it a unique look among gaming laptops, especially in the budget gaming space. The transparent chassis and WASD keys pair well with the bright blue keyboard lights for a slick cyberpunk design. It is very much the kind of 90s design throwback that Millennials have been hoping for.

The Cyborg 14 also weighs just 3.5 lbs (1.6 Kg) so it is very light, which is also a nice touch on a gaming laptop.

The Cyborg 14 features a 14-inch FHD+ (1920 x 1200) display with a 144Hz refresh rate. The IPS panel will hit 100% on the sRGB color gamut, so youve got a decent bit of color accuracy for gaming and web surfing.

Topping out at $1,099, the Cyborg 14 packs a surprising amount of power in its small chassis with a 13th gen Intel i7-13620H CPU and NVIDIA RTX 4060 GPU. As the 14-inch display tops out at FHD+ resolution, you should have all the power you need with that top end configuration. Obviously, well need to confirm that in our labs in the future.

The Cyborg 14s Achilles heel may very well be its 53.5 Whr battery which is a small power supply for any gaming laptop. MSIs AI Engine will be working hard to keep the machine going for as long as possible, but well need to test it out in our lab to be sure of exactly how much leverage the new AI Engine gives to battery life.

Budget gaming laptops are rarely exciting. In fact, theyre usually the kind of laptops I dread dealing with because of the compromises they need to make to hit that low price point. But the RTX 4060 is a powerhouse of a GPU and while the i7-13620H isnt the flashiest or most powerful CPU, but it can absolutely keep up with the demands of 1200p gaming.

Maybe it's my 90s nostalgia hitting, but I am actually excited about the Cyborg 14. And that honestly might be the most impressive thing about it.

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MSI Cyborg 14 hands-on: I've never been so excited for a budget gaming laptop - Laptop Mag

Which Nazi Ideas am I Supposed to Debate for Your Profit? – Daily Kos

Posted on January 7, 2024 by Dook Domini

I am behind on this, of course, but the leaders of Substack have responded to the letter voicing concerns about the monetization of Nazi newsletters on Substack. I signed the letter, and Substacks leadership was quite clear that they intended to go on making money from people who wish to kill and oppress their fellow humans. I am not surprised the VC class as a whole seems very alt-right/Nazi curious. I havent decided what to do with this newsletter. Moving it would require money, something this newsletter definitely does not make. But I am coming back to this because one aspect of the response stuck out to me:

I just want to make it clear that we dont like Nazis eitherwe wish no-one held those views. But some people do hold those and other extreme views. Given that, we don't think that censorship (including through demonetizing publications) makes the problem go awayin fact, it makes it worse.

We believe that supporting individual rights and civil liberties while subjecting ideas to open discourse is the best way to strip bad ideas of their power.

Emphasis mine.

This comment leaves me with a question: Which Nazi ideas, specifically, does the Substack leadership think have power? I mean, we have seen Nazism in its full glory: it led to a massive world war, oppression of anyone the Nazis did not like, and perhaps the worlds first industrialized genocide. Which of those ideas am I supposed to debate? Which violent eliminationism is worthy of further refutation? Is it the genocide? The demand for others land for themselves? The idea that once race is inherently superior to others and thus can oppress and murder the others at will?

See, my mothers family is Polish. By which I mean they all immigrated from Poland. Some of my uncles were old enough to have lived through the Second World War. I dont have all of the details (gee, Uncle Frank, what did you do in the war? is not a question a child asks of the obviously very angry, very damaged man who survived), but I do know that the Nazis debated with my family members and their countrymen with a bullet to their heads. Explain to me, again, why that idea is worthy of monetization? How, precisely, is a parlor debate about whether my relatives, and anyone who doesnt fit their notion of a true human, deserve to live in anyway going to refute the idea more effectively than the outcome of WWII?

Because Nazis dont respect democracy. They dont debate in good faith, and they arent interested in the give and take of a pluralistic society. They demand power and they seek to attain through violence. The idea that you can talk them down from that position is insane. All allowing them on your platform does is allow them the infrastructure necessary to spread their hate.

De-platforming works. Not all speech is deserving of support. You cannot shout fire in a crowded theater, to use the cliche, and companies make decisions all the time about what does and does not constitute acceptable speech on their platforms. Substack leadership knows both of these positions are true: they ban porn and sex workers from their platform. No, pretending that you can reason with people who wish to destroy democracy is nothing more than a disingenuous attempt to profit from pro-genocide and other anti-democratic positions while providing a fig-leaf to keep others from abandoning their platform.

There are no Nazi ideas with power. History has thoroughly refuted them to anyone who wishes to see. You are not required to give platforms to people who wish to destroy your tolerant society. But the Substack leadership obviously cares more about the money the Nazis bring them than about preserving democracy or a tolerant, pluralistic society.

As I said, I am not sure what I am going to do with this newsletter. It is a hobby. I have roughly 120 subscribers, and dont even have a paid option. Even if I did, it is unlikely I could bring in enough to pay for other services. But I do know that I am not going to play the Substack leaders game and pretend that I must take seriously the disproven ideas of the people who wish to destroy my family, my friends, and my society. No amount of money should be worth that.

Which Nazi Ideas am I Supposed to Debate for Your Profit? - Daily Kos

Council to consider limiting powers of the mayor after removal of Confederate statue | Jax Daily Record – Jacksonville Daily Record

Posted on January 7, 2024 by Dook Domini

A discussion began Jan. 2 at the City Council Rules Committee about the extent and limits of the power of Jacksonvilles mayor that could ultimately require proposed changes being put on a ballot for the public to decide.

Council President Ron Salem, responding to Mayor Donna Deegans action to remove the Women of the Southland Confederate monument from Springfield Park on Dec. 27, called city General Counsel Michael Fackler to appear before the committee to answer questions about his offices advice to Deegan that led to the removal without consulting the Council or seeking its approval of the action.

Several times during the discussion, Salem said his concern is about Councils authority, not about the statue or whether it was appropriate for it to be displayed on city property.

I feel our powers were infringed upon, Salem said.

Salem said he plans to file legislation Jan. 3 to clarify the mayors power to authorize such an action in the future.

Many of his questions to Fackler were related to Deegan basing her decision to have the statue removed on a draft opinion from the Office of General Counsel that was neither dated nor signed, rather than a formal, final document.

Fackler said the draft was an internal document prepared by his office that was used to advise the mayor.

It was a way to get our thoughts on paper and make sure we were comfortable giving the advice, Fackler said.

The draft, a public document, was provided to the media Dec. 26, Fackler said.

Salem said he learned about the advice given to Deegan from news reports.

The media showed me a draft document I didnt know anything about, he said.

I never want to see a draft document used as long as I am on City Council.

The advice given to Deegan was based on the fact that the reported $187,000 used to pay for the statues removal came from private donations, not revenue accounted for in the city budget or the Capital Improvement Plan approved by Council.

Fackler said the advice to Deegan was based on the fact that the donations did not flow into the city budget, so the money was not in Councils jurisdiction.

The mayor was advised that we didnt see anything that would prevent her from accepting gifts to use for removal of the statue, Fackler said.

Salem asked whether Deegan or a future mayor could use private donations to remove other statues from city property, such as the statue of the late U.S. Rep. Charles Bennett in James Weldon Johnson Park.

There is a possibility it could occur again, Fackler said.

Council member Kevin Carrico asked why Council was not advised before Dec. 27 that the statue was going to be removed.

My impression is that if the removal was announced it could have created a furor and a security concern, said Bill Delaney, Council liaison for Deegan.

Council member Jimmy Peluso

Council member Jimmy Peluso said he agrees with the decision to not announce the removal before it began.

The last thing we want is for Jacksonville to be on CNN for political violence, Peluso said.

Council member Matt Carlucci said the draft opinion merely repeated what is in the city charter and the ordinance code and he supports Deegans decision to have the monument removed.

This has been a thorn in the side of Council and somebody had to take leadership, Carlucci said.

I support the strong mayor form of government. We need a strong mayor in emergencies, like a hurricane. In my opinion, the mayor overstepped herself in this case, Salem said.

Fackler advised that if any changes to the mayors power sought by Council require amending the city charter, the changes must be approved by a majority vote in a referendum. He said he will work with Salem to craft the proposed legislation.

Deegan is the second Jacksonville mayor to act to remove Confederate statues.

In June 2020, former Republican Mayor Lenny Curry committed to remove all the citys Confederate monuments and city crews worked overnight to remove a statue of a Confederate infantryman in Hemming Park south of City Hall.

In August 2020, the Council voted to change the name of the park in honor of writer and civil rights activist James Weldon Johnson.

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Council to consider limiting powers of the mayor after removal of Confederate statue | Jax Daily Record - Jacksonville Daily Record

The Future of Neuroscience and AI: DeepSouth Supercomputer – Medriva

Posted on December 28, 2023 by Dook Domini

Stepping into the Future with DeepSouth

The world is on the brink of a significant breakthrough with the development of DeepSouth, the first-ever supercomputer capable of simulating the entire human brain. This trailblazing project, under the leadership of Western Sydney University in Australia, is set to revolutionize neuroscience and artificial intelligence as we know it. With an operational launch date set for 2024, DeepSouth is poised to unlock a myriad of opportunities in medicine, technology, and beyond.

DeepSouth isnt just another supercomputer it is a powerhouse that matches the human brains estimated rate of operations. With the ability to perform 228 trillion synaptic operations per second, it is set to redefine what technology can achieve. Its not just about the staggering numbers; its about how DeepSouth uses this power. The supercomputer is designed to process colossal amounts of information with minimal power, emulating the efficiency of the human brain.

What sets DeepSouth apart is its neuromorphic system. Unlike traditional computer systems, the neuromorphic system is designed to operate like networks of neurons. This unique configuration allows the supercomputer to emulate large networks of spiking neurons efficiently, requiring less power and enabling greater efficiencies. This ingenious design is what makes the simulation of the entire human brain possible.

DeepSouth is expected to be a game-changer for neuroscience and AI. By simulating the human brain, it will provide unprecedented insights into how our brains process information so efficiently. These findings could lead to breakthroughs in understanding both healthy and diseased human brains, opening new avenues for medical research and treatment. The supercomputer will also be an invaluable resource for researchers looking to prototype new engineering solutions in the AI space.

While the implications for neuroscience are profound, the potential applications of DeepSouth dont stop there. The project could lead to advances in smart devices and sensors, further enhancing the technology that forms an integral part of our lives. With AI applications becoming increasingly prevalent, the insights derived from DeepSouths brain simulations could pave the way for more sophisticated AI systems, pushing the boundaries of what technology can achieve.

As we look forward to DeepSouths operational launch in 2024, its clear that were on the cusp of a new era in technology and neuroscience. This supercomputer isnt just simulating the human brain; its unlocking the potential to understand our brains better, develop more advanced AI, and create smarter technology. The future of neuroscience and AI is bright, and DeepSouth is leading the charge.

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The Future of Neuroscience and AI: DeepSouth Supercomputer - Medriva

Supercomputer Ramanujan Universe to enable engineering students to pursue qualitative research in AI and ML … – Education Times

Posted on December 28, 2023 by Dook Domini

The Ramanujan Universe - a supercomputer was inaugurated at Jaypee Institute of Information Technology (JIIT) to help the Engineering students pursue cutting edge research in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML). The supercomputing facility was inaugurated by Rajive Kumar, member secretary, AICTE on the National Mathematics Day.

This newly developed High Performance Supercomputing Center(HPC) facility has eight A 100Graphics Processing Unit(GPU) cards accelerated nodes, six compute nodes, more than 3500 GB RAM and 100 GB InfiniBand connectivity. The supercomputer has been developed with the help of technical expertise provided by Dell. The cost ofRs10crore has been incurred to develop this high computing facility.

Speaking to Education Times, on the sidelines of launch event, BR Mehta, vice-chancellor, JIIT, Noida, says, Introduction of the supercomputer will enable undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD students to solve complex mathematical problems, algorithms and more. Several students involved in AI and ML research can use the supercomputer. In addition to the regular curriculum, we would encourage the students to use the supercomputer for research in healthcare, data analysis, data Science and cyber security."

The needfor supercomputer was felt for long and itslaunchwill fulfil requirementof AI programmerstodevelop diversesoftware applicationscatering to differentindustries.This supercomputer cancalculatewithing fraction of secondsandenable processing of complex tasks and simulations at incredibly high speed.In the era of AI and ML, this facility will play a crucial role in advancing scientific research, technological innovation, and solving complex real- world problems in the areas of AI, Robotics, and many more by harnessing the power of high-speed computation and data processing.

Rajive Kumar, member secretary, AICTE, says, The supercomputing facility will be beneficial to all Engineering students as computing is the major component of their curricula. Besides the computer engineering students, students from mechanical stream can use this to create Computer Aided Design and Drafting technology (CADD) technology. Students can take the help of this supercomputer to complete their online internships and projects. This high-powered supercomputing facility will revolutionise the engineering education in the country. This is the second college which has introduced a facility of high-powered supercomputing after IIT Delhi in North India.

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Supercomputer Ramanujan Universe to enable engineering students to pursue qualitative research in AI and ML ... - Education Times

The New CEO of Sofitel and MGallery Hotels Says Deliberate Hedonism Plus Mindful CSR Are What Todays Luxury Is Made Of – Travel + Leisure Southeast…

Posted on December 19, 2023 by Dook Domini

The Reimagined Lobby at Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit, Thailand

FOR YEARS, there was one choice along Bangkoks buzzing Sukhumvit strip for those looking for a contemporary luxury homebase. Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit had it all: great location, French sophistication, a rooftop bar with all the views yet none of the faff, a verdant lazy-days photo-worthy pool, and the sumptuous rooms and suites wed come to rely on from this storied brand including the famous Sofitel MyBed.

Sensing that not just the hotel but also the neighborhood needed some exciting new life, Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit underwent a massive renovation that maintained all the elements we always loved but supercharged them. Rooms and suites are brighter and softer, there are two exciting new restaurant and bar concepts off the stunningly soaring lobby upping the F&B game, and theres a new skybridge offering direct walking access to the BTS and the heart of the city. The hotel has reemerged as the neighborhood grande dame it used to be, version 2.0: an anchor, a hub and a nurturing cocoon. You might say the same about the Sofitel brand overall, these days. And for that, much credit is due to Maud Bailly, who took over as CEO of Sofitel, MGallery and Emblems brands worldwide in January 2023, just as Accor solidified a strategic reshuffle.

Quick primer for you hotel nerds: Accor is now divided into two empowered divisions supported by corporate functions and a shared platform. First, the Premium, Mid-scale & Economic Division, whose properties are organized by region. Second, the Luxury & Lifestyle Division, organized by brand, in which the former is represented by Orient Express, Raffles, Fairmont, Sofitel/Sofitel Legend, MGallery and Emblems, and the latter includes Ennismore.

Sofitel, MGallery and Emblems find themselves in the same umbrella under Bailly because, despite having different styles, they each offer guests collections of unique places to find luxury that incorporate local soul while affirming their French roots. We asked Bailly, featured on the cover of Forbes France this July as one of 40 influential women shaping France, to share her vision of the Sofitel and MGallery brands (which comprise 240 hotels in 58 countries), what exciting evolutions lie ahead for them in Asia (there are 10 properties in Thailand alone!), and some packing tips because we can never get enough travel advice from women always on the go.

Travel+Leisure Southeast Asia: Whats your interpretation of the Sofitel DNA? What was exciting about the brand when it launched 60 years ago? Why does it matter now? And where is it going?

Maud Bailly: Sofitel is the only French global brand, the second-largest brand in the luxury hospitality industry with 123 hotels, about 31,000 rooms, and 49 countries by the end of 2023. We have a large diversity of top locations, from urban historic centers like Sofitel Barcelona Skipper, to airport locations, to mind-blowing romantic resorts, and six gems of Sofitel Legend hotels like the one we opened this year Sofitel Casco Viejo in Panama.

In a luxury world with very similar codes,we believeSofitel brand can differentiate itselfby a specific positioning on quiet and committed luxury,reconciling quality and discretion, with a very recognizable signature: the French zest for life that is based on four brand markers that we are deploying across our entire network:

Pool at Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo, Panama

Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo, Panama

The Sofitel promise also stands in its logo, the symbol of cultural link: two interlocking rings, reflecting the encounter of the French and the local culture of each hotel. All Sofitel hotels embody this union of two cultures, proving that they are also, and maybe first, places meant for their local communities.

And finally, the last and the most important brand marker: Sofitel is meant to be heartful, it should lead the way in sustainable luxury, with a strong CSR commitment.

T+L SEA: What CSR activities are you most passionate about?

Maud Bailly:

1. Promoting diversity and inclusion

2. Giving back to local communities by strengthening local anchorage and solidarity

3. Fighting against food waste especially by leveraging AI

To change the perception of a sector that can sometimes be perceived as a predator we developed a demanding CSR roadmap. Our ambition is to demonstrate that our brands can be sustainable places and can have a positive impact on the local communities, that we can combine beauty, experience and eco-responsibility.

Our 7-pillar roadmap is:

Im convinced that the power of a brand, no matter how fascinating it is, is no longer enough. We decided to stand for a committed luxury, inclusive, diversity-promoting, luxury that gives back to our local communities and serves something bigger than ourselves.

It has to be rooted in a genuine purpose, a value system and a positive societal impact. For me, this is the most powerful lever of attraction and retention.

T+L SEA: Glad you brought up RiiSE. The hospitality industry has long been dominated by men, but more and more women are becoming luxury GMs and taking on other important leadership roles. How is Accor/Sofitel working on gender parity?

Maud Bailly: The group has been a pioneer on the diversity and inclusion subject, long before Rixain French law appeared in 2021. With 300,000 people working all around the world, diversity is obviously at the heart of our DNA. Diversity of cultures, backgrounds, educations, skills, jobsthere are 138 different kinds of jobs in hotels, where you can find up to 25 different nationalities, and this is a real gift. And we value diversity as an immense lever of collective intelligence, with strong KPIs to monitor it, notably through our RiiSE diversity network, with 20,000 members all around the world.

I am against quotas, but for quotas until we dont need them anymore. I believe the sum of individualities is greater than collective individualities.

When I started this new role on the first of January, we were counting 26% of women as general managers in our hotels; they are now 29.5% and we hope to reach 32% by the end of the year.

With RiiSE we are also fighting against all forms of violence and are very involved with several NGOs to help women victim of violence: finding them a place to stay with their children, conducting webinars with testimonies, and even training our teammates within Accor to detect early indicators of violence.

Finally, I am very involved in mentorship to help women both within and outside of Accor. I am trying to help every woman to embrace their sensitivity as a form of freedom and truth towards others. As Gustave Flaubert said, I am endowed with an absurd sensitivity; what scratches others tears me apart. Being a woman in this industry and more globally is finding the right balance between intellectual and emotional quotients, which is a combination for success.

T+L SEA: Wellness is huge right now. What new, interesting things are Sofitel and MGallery in Asia doing to meet guest needs in spa, health and wellbeing?

Maud Bailly: We are always listening to our guests, and studies have shown that 80% wish to focus on their wellbeing. Guests are now seeking more personalization, as well as a reconnection to oneself and others. Desires for nature intertwine with a strong attraction to new technologies, and, hence, to sustainable results. This is how our new holistic wellness concept The Purist Retreat & Spa was born. An innovative offering centered around four pillars of wellbeing: care, sleep, nutrition, and movement. It provides a means to live better, find balance, and establish new lifestyle habits.

The very first The Purist Retreat & Spa is opening its doors in December 2023 within the MGallery in Trouville, Normandy, in France, an ideal destination for its fresh air and seawater. Here, the offering is reinvented, modernized, and tailored to a guest seeking a holistic experience. The treatment menu has been enriched with exclusive novelties and complemented by a 360 wellness offering.

The Purist Retreat & Spa is intended to be deployed worldwide, in each case emphasizing the expert hands of our teams and strong CSR commitments. In our spaces, guests regain control of their health, learn to understand themselves (better), and take daily self-care.

Globally, all Sofitel hotels have a dedicated luxury spa. We are also dedicated to the Art of Sleep, from jet-lag kits, to our pioneering Sofitel MyBed, to sleep rituals.

Our MGallery hotels offer signature treatments and local know-how in the wellness space, using local products inspired by the destination and ancestral techniques (for example, the farm within the hotel serving all organic ingredients at the restaurant in Legacy Yen Tu, herbs from the garden used in the spa treatments, etc). And we highlight outdoor experiences, from sunrise in Sapa at Hotel de la Couple, to mountain hiking at Veranda Chiang Mai, to personal wellness gurus at V Villas Phuket.

T+L SEA: What innovations should we be looking out for in Sofitel and MGallery food and beverage in Asia?

Haute Croissanterie at Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk

Maud Bailly: The French zest in all our hotels starts at breakfast! Sofitel will soon introduce a project around the art of the croissanta century-old true symbol of the French breakfast around the world. From mastering the traditional pur beurre croissant to perfection following the French pastry guidelines, to creating a cultural link in styling the croissant, Sofitel Croissants will let the guests taste the essence of different places, celebrating the diversity of global cuisine where unique flavors come together, ultimately linking the French culture with other cultures around the world.

At MGallery we aim to turn our hotels into lively destination places for locals with one of the brand pillars being Memorable. Memorable stands for memorable moments, design and mixology. We are creating a signature cocktail to tell the story of each hotel, its creativity, savoir-faire and local anchorage.

T+L SEA: Whats your favorite destination in Asia-Pacific?

Maud Bailly: Vietnam.

T+L SEA: How often per month do you travel? And can we get your most important packing tips, please?

I am traveling three to six times a month! My life could be summarized this way: from checked bag to carry-on, I became a worldwide expert of under 100mlbeautyproducts.

Travel tips: drink a lot of water, no alcohol, sleep as much as you can each time you can, dont eat too much on a plane, take some high hydration masks, and never forget yourflightsocks!

T+L SEA: What did you want to be when you grew up?

Maud Bailly: A hand surgeon!

T+L SEA: Haha! Wed say were surprised but actually you came to this job from operations in a totally different industry. How does running the Paris Metro Montparnasse station equip you to run one of the worlds most prestigious luxury hotel brands?

Maud Bailly: A principle has always driven me: to fully embrace each experience, whether its spending six months on the field at SNCF learning to couple TGV carriages, overseeing missions for NGOs in inspection, envisioning tomorrows solutions within Manuel Vallss economic and digital cell at Matignon, or over the past six years at Accor, alongside my wonderful teams.

Throughout all my experiences, I have remained true to who I am, my values, my drive to build powerful teams through diversity, my desire to empower those around me, and my commitment to the cause of women.

The expectations of the new generations have evolved significantly in their approach to work, that is why we are very focused on the purposehow we are serving something bigger than ourselves. I am deeply involved in the transformation of the hotel industry to make it more environmentally friendly by eliminating plastic usage, making our buildings cleaner, thereby reducing their greenhouse gas emissions, and minimizing food waste.

I am always guided by Ren Chars quote: There are only two ways to live your life: as though nothing is a miracle, or as though everything is a miracle.

The general manager of Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit, Oliver Schnatz, introduces us to his newly spruced-up grande dame The renovation of the hotel did not only cover all of our 345 guest rooms and suites, but we also have a put a very strong focus on enhancing all the public spaces in the hotel. This includes the bridge that was built to connect the Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit directly with the Asok BTS station, the Sukhumvit MRT station, and Terminal 21 shopping mall.

When we conceptualized the new food and beverage outlets for the hotel one of the key objectives was to create venues that would appeal to the community as much as they would appeal to our in-house guest. Judging by the number of local residents we are now welcoming on a daily basis, it seems that we were able to achieve this and become a meeting spot for the community.

Our soul is in providing exceptional and personalized service.

There are indeed many new hotels coming into the market on a regular basis and with our renovated product we can definitely compete with them. But ultimately it is the service culture in a hotel that creates these memories that make you want to return. I truly believe that we have a very caring and passionate team and they are the ones creating the opportunities to set us apart from many other luxury hotels.

To find out more about the lovely new look and feel at Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit, read here.

Article Sponsored by Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit. Images courtesy of Sofitel, unless otherwise noted.

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The New CEO of Sofitel and MGallery Hotels Says Deliberate Hedonism Plus Mindful CSR Are What Todays Luxury Is Made Of - Travel + Leisure Southeast...

The Latest News on Meme Coins | Navigating the Meme Coin Hype in 2023 with Dogecoin, Shiba Inu, Pepe Coin, and … – Finbold – Finance in Bold

Posted on December 19, 2023 by Dook Domini

This post is sponsored and not a part of Finbold's editorial content. For a full disclaimer, please . If you encounter any issues, kindly report them to [emailprotected]. Crypto assets/products can be highly risky. Never invest unless youre prepared to lose all the money you invest.

The cryptocurrency market is experiencing a surge of optimism, fueled by recent positive developments, while the ever-growing popularity of meme coins persists. These digital tokens, inspired by internet memes and cultural trends, are captivating both experienced crypto users and newcomers alike.

This article aims to demystify the world of meme coins, providing an informative overview for crypto users of all levels. Well explore the current market landscape, analyze the top contenders, and dissect the risks and potential rewards associated with these unique crypto coins.

What are Meme Coins? | Understanding the Hype

Unlike Bitcoin or other altcoins, memecoins ride the wave of humor and community. While first wave meme coins such as Dogecoin may have lacked inherent utility, more recent altcoins such as ApeMax stands out with its Boost-to-Earn staking utility, allowing coin holders to boost projects or their favorite entities and potentially earn rewards. Its important to note that while all meme coins mix blockchain and fun, they are all different from one another in many ways. In this article well explore some of these particularities of these different meme cryptos.

Meme Coin Market Overview | Current Landscape and Trends

The meme coin market has experienced explosive growth in recent years, with the total market capitalization reaching over $22 billion as of December 2023. This surge is attributed to several factors, including:

The Leading Meme Coins of 2023:

ApeMax (APEMAX)

ApeMax is exploding onto the crypto scene, grabbing peoples attention with its innovative approach to staking. This exciting new meme coin introduces Boost-to-Earn tokenomics, a revolutionary concept that lets holders potentially earn rewards while simultaneously boosting the projects theyre fans of.

Dogecoin (DOGE)

Dogecoin (DOGE) is the grandfather of all meme coins, predating the current trend by several years. Launched in 2013 as a joke, it quickly captured the hearts and minds of internet users with its Shiba Inu mascot and lighthearted approach to cryptocurrency.

Shiba Inu (SHIB)

Often called the Dogecoin killer, Shiba Inu has captured significant attention through its aggressive marketing and loyal community. SHIB has developed a wide ecosystem with several sub-tokens with specific purposes, and it has also recently launched its own Shibarium Layer-2 chain.

Pepe Coin (PEPE)

Pepe Coin is a popular new meme coin, inspired by the iconic Pepe the Frog meme. Pepe Coin implements a token burning mechanism which takes place on each on-chain transaction. This, combined with its strong community and unique branding, has propelled it to become a popular choice in the meme coin space.

What is ApeMax? | A Potential Game Changer in the Meme Coin Space?

With a rapidly growing community, ApeMax has quickly become a hot topic in presale discussions, gaining traction as a potential game-changer in the blockchain and presale space. In its current presale phase, ApeMax boasts an impressive 7,800+ token holders and a staggering 3.5 billion tokens staked. Moreover, eligible buyers during the presale can acquire exclusive discount Loot Boxes for a limited period.

Heres what makes ApeMax stand out:

ApeMax positions itself as a leader in the evolution of crypto presales and staking. Its innovative approach, combined with its passionate community and exciting features, makes it a new coin that new coin buyers are watching.

Whats The Future of Crypto Coins?

The short answer to this complex question is: its impossible to predict with certainty. Crypto is a notoriously volatile market and constantly changing, with new trends and use cases arising every year. However, 2023 has been a recovery year for crypto following a bearish year in 2023. Institutional adoption and a move into the mainstream could be in sight according to some crypto fans. For example, Paypal will soon allow its users to make transactions using cryptocurrencies, and that includes meme coins.

While the future is always unpredictable, Blockchain technology has the power to disrupt various industries, from finance and supply chain to healthcare and governance. These factors, combined with the current bullish market sentiment, could mean that 2024 could be an intriguing year for crypto with new surprises in store. As 2024 is just around the corner, larger meme coins such as Dogecoin and Shiba Inu also continue to remain popular amongst meme coin fans.

Wrapping up 2023 | Positivity Towards a Bullish Market?

The meme coin market has experienced a whirlwind of activity in 2023, captivating peoples hearts and sparking discussions about the future of cryptocurrency. While volatility remains a defining feature, the year has also been marked by new developments, gearing towards a possible crypto bullrun.

Looking forward, meme coins seem likely to remain a crypto staple within the wider altcoin family. The increasing mainstream awareness, adoption by major platforms, and integration with real-world applications are creating a fertile ground for adoption. New meme coins like ApeMax, with their innovative features, are paving the way for a future where meme coins go beyond the realm of hype to offer new and creative forms of utility. It should be noted that this article doesnt serve as financial advice. Thorough personal research is crucial when engaging with meme coins or any kind of cryptocurrency. Its essential to be aware of the high risks associated as well as the volatility inherent to all crypto coins. For those interested in ApeMax coins, verify regional restrictions and buying eligibility rules on the ApeMax official website before proceeding.

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