Archive for the ‘Artificial Intelligence’ Category

AI Assimilation: 7 Stocks Leading in Artificial Intelligence Adoption – InvestorPlace

The AI stocks landscape has undergone a seismic shift, emerging as one of the most critical sectors for growth in 2023. After a challenging 2022, a broad spectrum of tech stocks experienced a rejuvenating uplift amidst the integration of artificial intelligence (AI). As we transition into a new year, expectations are high for lower rates and more advanced generative AI technologies. This evolving landscape presents a golden opportunity for investors to effectively diversify their portfolios with AI stocks, especially as valuations continue to rise.

The AI market, currently valued at over $200 billion, is projected to skyrocket to $1.85 trillion by 2030. While the spotlight remains on well-known AI stocks, savvy investors know the importance of staying ahead of the curve. Paying the right price for the right company is key. AI has become a buzzword in numerous conference calls, signaling its massive influence. As companies ramp up their AI investments, a broader range of AI picks will emerge, some of which may not be immediately recognizable as AI players.

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Nvidia(NASDAQ:NVDA) remains a titan in the tech realm which continues its impressive stride, fueled by groundbreaking AI advancements. This dynamism isnt just about staying ahead; its about effectively reshaping the sector. As the demand for its H100 chips skyrockets, clients are showing remarkable patience, waiting weeks to harness these AI powerhouses. Hence, the pivot to AI for Nvidia has been incredible, a move mirrored by its stellar financial performance over the last three quarters, consistently outpacing analyst estimates.

In a striking showcase of market dominance, Nvidia has sold over half a million chips, with forecasts pointing to a sustained surge in sales. In the face of such overwhelming success, Nvidia stands not just as a market leader but as a visionary force, continually pushing the boundaries of tech innovation. Their journey, marked by strategic pivots and financial triumphs, paints a picture of a company not just riding the wave of AI evolution but steering it with unmatched expertise.

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Microsoft(NASDAQ:MSFT) remains a formidable force in the tech world, with its shares surging more than 50% year-to-date. The firms strategic investment in OpenAI places it at the forefront of the AI revolution. Furthermore, Microsoft 2023 effectively claimed an early lead in the generative AI race thanks to its massive investment in OpenAI. This move not only cements its position as a leader in AI but highlights the companys keen insight into future tech trends.

But Microsofts AI ambitions extend beyond cloud solutions. The recent introduction of Copilot, an AI assistant integrated with multiple Microsoft Office products, demonstrates the enterprises innovative approach to enhancing user experience. MSFTs ongoing development of diverse AI solutions is poised to bolster product retention and unlock new business avenues, reaffirming its status as a titan. CEO Satya Nadellas vision of propelling Microsoft to $500 billion in annual revenues by 2030 is ambitious but achievable, given the companys aggressive AI investment. Therefore, as it stands, Microsofts trajectory in the AI landscape continues to be one of immense growth and influential leadership in the tech sphere.

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Advanced Micro Devices(NASDAQ:AMD), cited as the runner-up to Nvidia in the AI stock arena, trails in chip technology. However, its imperative to note the significant strides AMD has made, particularly with regard to MI300 chips. These advancements are fueling an uptick in its share prices, a signal of the markets recognition of its progress. While some analysts could potentially downplay the impact of these chips in the face of Nvidias market dominance, the real-world response from top Silicon Valley companies paints a unique picture.

These tech giants are increasingly opting for AMDs MI300 chips over Nvidias H100 chips, a decision that speaks volumes about their confidence in AMDs offerings. This shift is primarily attributed to Nvidias premium pricing, positioning AMD as an attractive alternative. As AMD continues to innovate and offer cost-effective solutions, its carving out a niche for itself in the AI sector. Additionally, this emerging preference among Silicon Valleys elite for AMDs technology could mark the beginning of a more balanced playing field in the AI chip market.

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UiPath(NYSE:PATH), based in New York City, is making significant waves in the AI sphere with its autonomous solutions. The company, known for its AI-enabled software, caters to a wide array of industries, including healthcare, finance, IT and government, demonstrating its broad applicability. Over the past year, UiPath has seen its share price more than double, reflecting the markets positive response to the integration of AI solutions in user interface management.

In their latest financial report released on Nov. 30, the company revealed a robust 24% increase in total revenue, with a 45% decrease in net loss, underscoring its operational efficiency and financial health. Furthermore, UiPath has shown impressive growth in its customer base, especially among high-value clients. There was a 31% increase in customers with $1 million or more in annual recurring revenue (ARR), totaling 264 customers. This customer expansion highlights UiPaths ability to attract and retain important clients, which is critical for sustained growth and revenue generation in the competitive AI sphere.

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SoundHound(NASDAQ:SOUN) is a prominent name in conversational AI and is capturing investor attention as the focus shifts from generative to conversational AI. Its most recent innovation, Employee Assist, has effectively revolutionized fast-food service by providing real-time AI support to employees and building on customer service. Additionally, the companys strategic acquisition of SYNQ3 Restaurant Solutions marks a significant expansion in the voice AI sector, particularly in U.S. restaurants, extending its reach to over 10,000 locations.

Financially, SoundHound remains on an upward trajectory. In the third quarter, the firm reported revenue of $13.3 million, a massive 52% increase sequentially and 19% year-over-year. Impressively, SoundHound boasts a 73% gross margin and has made notable improvements across its bottom line with a 57% increase in adjusted EBITDA. These solid financials, combined with innovative products, including Employee Assist, position SoundHound as a notable player in the AI stock market.

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Alphabet(NASDAQ:GOOG, NASDAQ:GOOGL) is a tech giant known for its revenue dominance, cementing its status as a top-tier tech stock with significant advancements in AI. This leap forward is marked by the debut of Gemini, its innovative AI model. Gemini not only establishes Alphabet as a strong contender against OpenAI but also highlights its central role in technological innovation.

In the third quarter, the companys earnings surpassed forecasts by 10 cents, reaching $1.55 per share. Additionally, revenue soared to $76.79 billion, an 11.1% increase year-over-year, exceeding expectations by a notable $980 million. A key factor in this financial success is Google Cloud, which reported a 22.6% year-over-year bump in sales, reaching $8.41 billion.

The launch of Gemini is set to propel Alphabets AI capabilities further, aiming to rival Microsofts OpenAI. Gemini boasts speed advantages over OpenAIs new model and offers three distinct versions. However, Alphabets appeal to investors extends beyond Gemini, with the company boasting a solid history, impressive fundamentals, and a dominant market share through Google Search, making it a compelling long-term investment choice.

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Adobe(NASDAQ:ADBE), a significant player in the AI and tech landscape, continues to make waves, though it often feels shy of reaching the pinnacle of industry leaders. Yet, its firm footing in AI, with innovations like Sensei and Firefly, remains undeniable. Moreover, its recent release of its 4th quarter earnings is a testament to its powerful performance.

Its EPS stood at a remarkable $4.27, with the company surpassing overall analyst expectations, signaling a robust financial position. The revenue figures are equally impressive, clocking in at $5.05 billion for the quarter, surpassing Wall Streets forecast by about $30 million. This achievement not only underscores Adobes financial health but also suggests that its investments in AI are yielding fruitful results.

Furthermore, Adobes stock has seen a remarkable upsurge in 2023, soaring by more than 70% year-to-date. This robust positioning not only demonstrates Adobes innovative edge but also indicates its potential for sustained growth and shareholder value enhancement in the evolving digital landscape.

On the date of publication, Muslim Farooque did not have (either directly or indirectly) any positions in the securities mentioned in this article.The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, subject to the InvestorPlace.comPublishing Guidelines.

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AI Assimilation: 7 Stocks Leading in Artificial Intelligence Adoption - InvestorPlace

Why Are the "Magnificent Seven" So Magnificent? Hint: Artificial Intelligence – The Motley Fool

The "Magnificent Seven" stocks have dominated the market in 2023, and that's affected index returns that are weighted toward bigger companies. So what drove these massive tech stocks higher?

In this video, Travis Hoium covers the cause of the Magnificent Seven's outperformance, and it starts with artificial intelligence.

*Stock prices used were end-of-day prices of Dec. 22, 2023. The video was published on Dec. 27, 2023.

Randi Zuckerberg, a former director of market development and spokeswoman for Facebook and sister to Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Travis Hoium has positions in Alphabet and Apple. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Tesla. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Travis Hoium is an affiliate of The Motley Fool and may be compensated for promoting its services. If you choose to subscribe through their link they will earn some extra money that supports their channel. Their opinions remain their own and are unaffected by The Motley Fool.

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Why Are the "Magnificent Seven" So Magnificent? Hint: Artificial Intelligence - The Motley Fool

Artificial Intelligence: Threat to Humanity. Or Is It? – Medium

Photo by Efe Kurnaz on Unsplash

Artificial intelligence, AI for the cool cats who dwell in the digital realm, is a subject thats been swirling around for a while now. Some folks see it as a harbinger of doom, a digital Godzilla, while others think its a shiny knight in silicon armor, here to save the day. Well, Ive got a story to share that might just blur those lines a bit.

You know how AIs become a ubiquitous presence, right?

Its in our phones, our homes, and heck, its probably in your toaster, making sure your bagels are perfectly toasted. So, whats my deal with this whole AI thing? Lets dive in, shall we?

A few months back, I was sipping my cold brew at this hipster caf, trying to pretend I was too cool for technology. Lo and behold, my smartphone starts buzzing like its auditioning for a role in a sci-fi thriller. It was a weather app, telling me a storm was heading my way, ready to drench my nonchalant hipster look. Thanks, AI!

But you see, AI isnt just about weather updates and making your dog talk in a funny accent on social media. Theres a dark side to this coin too. Remember that one time you googled how to bake cookies, and the next thing you know, your feed is flooded with ads for baking supplies? Yeah, thats AI peeking into your digital soul, ready to sell you stuff you didnt know you needed.

Lets get personal here, shall we? Im a sucker for those streaming platforms, and one day, while I was mindlessly scrolling through my watchlist, AI decided to play psychic. It suggested a show I hadnt even heard of, but guess what? I binged it in one night and it was freakishly good. Scarily good. Thanks for knowing me better than I know myself, AI. Creepy yet oddly satisfying.

Now, heres where things get a tad dystopian. A friend of mine, lets call him Dave, had his job threatened by AI. He was a stock trader, and his boss introduced a shiny AI algorithm that could predict market trends faster than Dave could even blink. He

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Artificial Intelligence: Threat to Humanity. Or Is It? - Medium

New guidelines on responsible implementation of artificial intelligence in journalism – Portal – Council of Europe

The Council of Europes intergovernmental steering committee on media and the information society (CDMSI) has adopted new Guidelines on the responsible implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) systems in journalism. These guidelines are an important contribution to the promotion of a rule of law-based and human rights-compliant public communication sphere. They provide practical guidance to the relevant actors, in particular news media organisations, but also states, technology providers and digital platforms that disseminate news, detailing how AI systems should be used to support the production of journalism.

The text covers the use of AI systems in different stages of journalistic production, ranging from the decision to use AI systems, the acquisition of AI tools, incorporating AI systems into professional practice and the external dimension of using AI in newsrooms, namely its effect on audiences and society. The guidelines also propose certain responsibilities for technology providers and platforms, as well as for member states. The latter can play an important role in developing standards for the responsible use of AI and providing support, including financial schemes for the development of responsible journalistic AI systems.

The guidelines, which were elaborated by a sub-committee of experts on increasing resilience of media, were developed in parallel with the wider work on the Council of Europes future framework convention on AI.

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New guidelines on responsible implementation of artificial intelligence in journalism - Portal - Council of Europe

Artificial intelligence predicts the influence of microplastics on soil properties – EurekAlert

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Given the alarming impact of microplastic pollution in nature, it is important to understand how this toxic waste alters the environment. However, there is a paucity of research on how microplastic litter in soil impacts the quality of soil. To this end, researchers led by Prof. Yong Sik Ok, applied machine learning models to find that microplastic characteristics, such as its type, size, shape, and dosage can significantly change soil properties, including pH, organic carbon, phosphorus, nitrogen, and acid phosphatase enzyme activity.

Credit: Hillary Daniels from Flickr Image Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/51763198@N00/12140848366

Plastic waste and its buildup in nature has become a major environmental concern in recent times. While plastic pollution in the oceans is undoubtedly a concern, the presence of plastics in soils around the world is also known to cause severe environmental and health issues. As plastics fragment into smaller pieces known as microplastics (MPs) in the soil through natural and anthropogenic processes, they drastically alter soil properties. Moreover, they are also absorbed by plants, potentially entering human food chain and causing health complications.

Grasping the impact of MPs on soil properties bears significant relevance for corporate sustainability, notably within the Environmental aspect of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals. Global corporations are often confronted with mounting expectations to embrace eco-friendly strategies, with a particular emphasis on handling plastic-related concerns being the core of these initiatives. However, the underlying mechanisms governing the environmental impact of soil MPs still remain unknown. Soil-MP interactions are complex due to soil heterogeneity and MP diversity, challenging prediction and mitigation of their effects on soil properties.

To address this paucity in research on soil MPs, a team of scientists, led by Prof. Yong Sik Ok, used machine learning (ML) algorithms to assess and predict the influence of MPs on soil properties. Prof. Ok is a KU HCR Professor, President of the International ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) Association (IESGA), and the Chair and Program Director of the Sustainable Waste Management Program for the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU SWM Program). ML is a dynamic and transformative field of artificial intelligence (AI) that uses algorithms and models to learn and make predictions from vast datasets with great accuracy. Using ML to comprehensively understand the role of MPs in soil systems is time- and resource-efficient and provides a foundation for future research on this subject, explains Prof. Ok, the corresponding author of this study. The results of their study were made available online on 5 November 2023 in Environmental Pollution, following Prof. Oks two critical reviews published under the collection 'Plastics in the Environment' in Nature Reviews Earth and Environment, a journal by Nature.

The ML algorithms were programmed to predict the influence of MPs on soil properties and found that different MP factors, such as type, size, shape, and dosage, significantly altered soil properties. Specifically, MP size was identified as a major factor that affects soil properties. Besides this, the shape, type, and dosage of MP was also found to distinctly influence the soils chemical properties. This pioneering study contributes essential data to support informed decision-making on plastic waste management, aligning with the global focus on sustainability and ESG principles. It underscores the importance of innovative research in guiding corporate sustainability efforts, where plastic-related issues are a growing concern. The application of ML techniques to this problem demonstrates the potential for advanced technology to drive sustainable practices and create a greener, more eco-conscious future, says Prof. Ok.

These quantitative insights into the influence of MPs on soil characteristics represents a breakthrough in comprehending and mitigating the plastic waste dilemma. The study's utilization of ML algorithms marks a groundbreaking shift from traditionally complex and resource-intensive methods for predicting and interpreting the impact of MPs on soil properties. Our ML-based approach for this study underscores the potential of advanced technology to address the challenge of MP pollution in our environment. Such data-driven research could guide informed decision-making on plastic waste management, while aligning with global sustainability goals and the principles of ESG, social responsibility, and community engagement. Furthermore, this could revolutionize corporate sustainability efforts and pave the way for more green jobs and sustainable development to create a greener and eco-conscious world for current and future generations, says Prof. Ok.

Integrating ML insights to study the impact of MPs in the context of ESG aligns with social responsibility, fostering sustainable practices with positive community effects. Corporations tackling MP pollution can not only reduce their environmental footprint but also build community trust by applying ML solutions. These efforts could, in turn, influence industry standards, potentially creating jobs and driving economic growth in related fields. We have consistently addressed global threats posed by plastic pollution and the importance of soil ecosystems, exemplified by our contributions of three articles to Nature Journals' groundbreaking special issues on Soils in Food Systems and Plastics in the Environment," concludes Prof. Ok.

***

Reference

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122833

Authors: Piumi Amasha Withana1,2, Jie Li3, Sachini Senadheera1,2, Chuanfang Fan1,4, Yin Wang3, Yong Sik Ok1,2,5

Affiliations:

1Korea Biochar Research Center, Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) Sustainable Waste Management Program & Division of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering, Korea University

2International ESG Association (IESGA)

3CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences

4College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences

5Institute of Green Manufacturing Technology, College of Engineering, Korea University

About APRU Sustainable Waste Management Program As a network of leading universities linking the Americas, Asia, and Australasia, APRU (the Association of Pacific Rim Universities) brings together thought leaders, researchers, and policy-makers to exchange ideas and collaborate toward practical solutions to combat the challenges of the 21st century. The APRU Sustainable Waste Management Program focuses on adopting environmentally friendly practices to manage waste effectively, while minimizing its negative impacts on the environment and human health. It involves various strategies and approaches to reduce, reuse, recycle, and properly dispose of waste materials together with ESG concepts. Prof. Yong Sik Ok at Korea University serves as the Chair and the Program Director of the program and co-directed by Prof. William Mitch at Stanford University.

About Professor Yong Sik Ok Professor Yong Sik Ok is a KU HCR Professor. He is the Chair and Program Director of the Sustainable Waste Management Program for the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) and the President of the International ESG Association. Prof. Ok has made history by being the first and only Highly Cited Researcher (HCR) in three fields, namely, Environment and Ecology, Engineering, and Biology and Biochemistry, in the year 2022, which is abundant evidence of his outstanding contribution to research. Notably, he was declared an HCR in Cross Fields in 2018 and became the first Korean HCR in Environment and Ecology in 2019. Additionally, he was declared the first Korean HCR in Environment and Ecology, and Engineering in 2021. He maintains a worldwide professional network by serving as Co-Editor-in-Chief of Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology (CREST, five-year IF:13.6) at Taylor and Francis, an extremely distinguished and highly ranked international journal that publishes leading research on UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and ESG. Prof. Ok hosted the first Nature conference in Seoul, which was attended by representatives from several South Korean universities, on waste management and valorization for a sustainable future. This conference was held in collaboration with the Chief Editors of Nature Sustainability, Nature Electronics, and Nature Nanotechnology, in 2021. Furthermore, he also partnered with Nature journal to host the first Nature Forum on ESG for Global Sustainability: The E Pillar for Sustainable Business in August 2022. The 2023 Global ESG Forum in Singapore was yet another remarkable event that Prof. Ok hosted which brought together academic experts, industrial partners, and ESG practitioners. The recently concluded 6th Global Conference on ESG Management & Sustainability marked another milestone in Prof. Oks ongoing journey toward achieving sustainability and ESG goals together with Prof. Jay Hyuk Rhee (President, KU ESG Research Institute & President, International ESG Association) at Korea University Business School.

Environmental Pollution

Computational simulation/modeling

Not applicable

Machine learning prediction and interpretation of the impact of microplastics on soil properties

5-Nov-2023

The authors declare that they have no competing financial interests or personal relationships that may have influenced the work reported in this study.

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Artificial intelligence predicts the influence of microplastics on soil properties - EurekAlert