Canadian foreign, finance ministers meet Trump's team on tariffsApple has found itself in hot water after its much-touted AI feature, “Apple Intelligence,” began generating false news headlines. Designed to streamline notifications, the feature instead sparked controversy by attributing fabricated headlines to respected news organizations. One glaring example involved a false claim that a murder suspect had shot himself, wrongly attributed to BBC News. This incident quickly went viral on social media, highlighting the speed and scale at which misinformation can spread in the digital age. This isn’t the first time Apple Intelligence has misfired. Just last month, a notification falsely suggested that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had been arrested, misconstruing a New York Times report about an International Criminal Court arrest warrant. These incidents have triggered a wave of criticism, with journalism organizations and the public alike expressing concerns about the potential of AI to distort facts and erode trust in news sources. The Fallout: Eroding Trust and Calls for Action The repercussions of these errors are significant. Reporters Without Borders (RSF), a prominent international non-profit organization defending freedom of information, has called on Apple to disable the Apple Intelligence feature. They argue that the spread of false information undermines the credibility of journalism and can have serious consequences in the real world. Public reaction has been swift and critical. Social media platforms are buzzing with discussions about the incident, with many users expressing disappointment and concern about Apple’s AI technology. Some have even called for a boycott of Apple products until the issue is addressed. Apple’s Silence Amplifies the Problem Adding fuel to the fire, Apple has yet to issue a public statement or acknowledge the errors. This silence has only intensified the criticism, with many seeing it as a sign that the company is not taking the issue seriously. The lack of transparency raises questions about Apple’s commitment to addressing the flaws in its AI technology and preventing future incidents. My Take: A Wake-Up Call for the AI Industry As someone who has been closely following the development of AI, I find this situation deeply concerning. While AI has the potential to revolutionize many aspects of our lives, this incident serves as a stark reminder that the technology is still in its early stages and prone to errors. It underscores the critical importance of rigorous testing and oversight before releasing AI-powered tools into the wild. Moreover, this situation highlights the ethical challenges associated with AI. When AI is used to generate and disseminate information, there is a risk that it can be used to manipulate public opinion or spread propaganda. It is crucial for companies like Apple to be transparent about how their AI systems work and to take steps to mitigate the risks of misinformation. The Road Ahead: Accountability and Transparency are Key This incident should serve as a wake-up call for the entire AI industry. It is essential for companies developing AI technologies to prioritize accuracy and reliability. This means investing in robust testing and validation processes and being transparent about the limitations of their AI systems. Furthermore, there is a need for greater collaboration between the tech industry and journalism organizations. By working together, they can develop guidelines and best practices for the use of AI in news reporting. Looking beyond the headlines, here are some key takeaways from this incident: The Apple Intelligence debacle is a significant setback for the company and a reminder of the challenges associated with developing and deploying AI technologies. It is crucial for Apple to take swift action to address the flaws in its system and regain the trust of its users. More broadly, this incident highlights the need for the entire AI industry to prioritize accuracy, transparency, and ethical considerations in the development and use of AI.
NFL picksGreen is poised to help scale Mechanized AI's revolutionary technology and drive operational excellence as the company enters a phase of rapid growth. ATLANTA , Dec. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Mechanized AI , a pioneer in the enterprise AI and application modernization space, proudly announces the designation of Amy Green as its new Chief Operating Officer. With over 15 years of industry experience, Green brings a wealth of expertise in operations, professional services and technology product marketing to the trailblazing enterprise AI and application transformation startup. Her appointment underscores Mechanized AI's commitment to combining groundbreaking technology with top-tier leadership to maintain its competitive edge in the marketplace. Based in Dallas , Green joins the team with an extensive background in operational management and strategic execution at Deloitte Consulting, where she built and grew the Product Engineering group within their Application Modernization & Innovation practice with Charles Wright , CEO of Mechanized AI. Prior to this, Green served on Deloitte's Global Strategy & Innovation team, where she advised teams across the global network on bringing technology products to market and driving scalable growth. A former Executive Search Consultant with Russell Reynolds Associates, Green has advised Fortune 100 clients on complex leadership challenges and recruited top executives to lead transformation at public and private organizations. Previously, Green also served as Strategic Engagement Director at AIG within the Office of the Chief Technology Officer. Green obtained her undergraduate degree from Harvard University and her MBA from UC San Diego's Rady School of Management. "Amy's deep expertise in managing world-class organizations will be critical to ensure we have the people, processes and technology in the right places to drive our operations forward," says Wright. "Her mastery of leading companies through transformation journeys and category creations will be invaluable as we roll out new products and strengthen our collaboration with strategic partners. Amy has already hit the ground running as COO and she will be a crucial asset in building a client-centric business as we position ourselves for sustainable growth." As COO, Green will oversee delivery and customer success, human resources, operations and marketing—key areas vital to Mechanized AI's ongoing success and ambitious growth objectives. She joins a veteran team of startup and consulting executives, including Aditya Muralidhar (Chief AI Officer), Matias Kreder (CTO), Ian Easton (CCO) and recently, Jenny Allen (CMO). "I'm honored to join Mechanized AI as COO and to collaborate with such a talented, passionate team in the rapidly evolving AI space," Green remarked. "Having had the privilege of working with Charles in the past, I'm confident in his ability to drive the company's vision and direction. Mechanized AI is uniquely positioned for growth and innovation, so I'm excited to help scale the organization and deliver impactful solutions that drive transformation for our clients." Launched in 2023, Mechanized AI has grown its team of experts by over 50 percent in 2024 and has locations throughout the U.S. and South America . Green's appointment comes at a pivotal moment as Mechanized AI expands its global operations and scales its enterprise AI and application modernization solutions across industries. About Mechanized AI: Mechanized AI was launched in 2023 to help companies unlock the power of enterprise AI and accelerate their application modernization journeys. Built and backed by a team with over four decades of combined AI/ML experience, the product suite enables end-to-end AI development and deployment and transforms traditional modernization workflows by automating complex, manual processes. The AI Factory platform is a turnkey solution to build Fortune 500-quality production AI for both enterprise and mid-market businesses. The mAI Modernize suite of products provides AI-powered code modernization for any tech stack, empowering clients to understand and modernize legacy code in hours versus months. For more information, set up a demo at Mechanized.ai , follow us on LinkedIn and X , and view open positions on our Careers page . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mechanized-ai-announces-expansion-of-executive-team-with-appointment-of-amy-green-as-coo-302330807.html SOURCE Mechanized AI
GM proves that big moves are restructuring on the fly as uncertainty looms in 2025Tweet Facebook Mail Heartbroken business owners have explained why they believe so many small Australian companies went bust this year. Business collapses climbed in 2024 and the hospitality, construction and retail industries were among the worst hit as inflation drove costs up. Plenty of small and large business owners made the gut-wrenching decision to shut doors or were forced to liquidate as they drowned in bills, including Sydney woman Belinda Jane Keehn. READ MORE: What the RBA is really looking at when it sets interest rates Belinda Jane Keehn ran her own business, BJ's PJs, but couldn't afford to keep it going in 2024. (Supplied) She told 9news.com.au she folded her clothing business, BJ's PJs, this year after struggling to cope with the aftermath of COVID-19. "When I launched my business just six years ago, the world was very different," Keehn said. "Unfortunately, this year, after years of navigating the challenges of small business ownership, including the aftermath of COVID-19 and skyrocketing living costs, I made the difficult decision to close my doors. "The rising production costs, financial stress, and declining consumer spending have made it unsustainable to continue." Keehn said the cost of production meant she was barely making any profit from her brand. She also blames the big brand competition which made it virtually impossible to match prices. READ MORE: Other countries have tried to ban children from using social media. So does it ever work? She said the rising cost of production meant she couldn't turn a profit. (Supplied) "I am far from alone in these challenging times," she added. "Many small businesses are either closing or are on the brink of doing so, and it's heartbreaking to witness." Keehn said the cost of fabric, manufacturing and postage resulted in her business effectively being made "non-profitable". "Winding down has been an emotional and difficult challenge," she said. "I Have built up my clientele in my other small business, Keehn As Gardening and Light Home Maintenance, which took a back seat to BJ's PJs over the last few years but will focus more on that to supplement the loss of income." The best and worst states and territories to try and run a business in View Gallery Sydney man Mick Owar ran his own construction business for five years. He told 9news.om.au business boomed after he started it in 2018, but things went south post-COVID. "The cost of materials just exploded and there was a point after COVID where the labour force just woke up and didn't want to work anymore," he said. "Finding people that just had an ounce of reliability became almost impossible." Owar described the taxes forced on businesses in Australia as a "joke". This contributed to Owar shutting down the construction side of his company after realising he was barely able to cut himself a salary. Experts have blamed the huge spike in business failures in rising costs, tax debts and low consumer spending. (Dion Georgopoulos/SMH) According to UNSW research, rising material costs, tax debts and high interest rates have contributed to the surge of businesses going bust this year. Low consumer spending has also been a major factor. "The more discretionary categories of spending tend to get cut back on, and for businesses in that sector, a large and sudden drop in demand can make it economically impossible to continue," Professor Richard Holden from the UNSW School of Economics said. In October, a report from CreditorWatch found businesses in Australia were collapsing at a rate not seen since the pandemic. It blamed the rapid rate of business owners shutting doors on the cost of living crisis and mounting tax debts. CreditorWatch noted all sectors have seen a major spike in failures since the ATO ramped up collections in October 2023.
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Full list of what's open on Christmas Day and Boxing DayThe energy sector selloff has intensified after the Federal Reserve delivered a harsh reality check last week, dashing hopes for a deep cut in interest rates. a 25 basis point rate cut, as widely expected, but warned about higher inflation and fewer rate cuts in 2025. Fed Chair Jerome Powell went on to cite inflation as one of the primary reasons for forecasting a slower pace of interest rate cuts. Oil and gas stocks have collectively declined nearly 15% over the past month as energy markets struggle to find direction. Over the past couple of weeks, oil prices have struggled to break out of $68-$72 per barrel range for WTI, and $71-$75 a barrel for Brent. “It feels as if oil prices must break out of their current, tightish, range. But it also feels as if they need a catalyst for this to happen,” David Morrison, senior market analyst at Trade Nation said. Also weighing on oil prices is a brawny dollar. The U.S. dollar index has gained 8.0% over the past three months, with the rally accelerating after Trump won the November presidential elections. The US dollar has strengthened on investor expectations of dollar-positive policies including domestic tax cuts and widespread imposition of tariffs with the aim of restoring US manufacturing competitiveness. Meanwhile, the shallower rate cuts are positive for the dollar. The slowdown by the Chinese economy has not been helping oil prices, either. China's economy expanded 4.6% in the third quarter, the slowest pace since early last year, as the country struggles to boost flagging growth. Two weeks ago, Beijing unveiled plans to adopt its first monetary policy stance since 2010 as it looks to boost economic growth. Related: Iraq Plans to Slash Gas Flaring Over the past couple of decades, China has carried the lion’s share of global oil demand growth thanks to the country’s remarkable economic boom. But signs are now legion that China’s growth machine has finally hit the skids and may never return to its glory days. The factors that helped sustain China’s rapid growth since the global financial crisis are unlikely to be replicated in the next decade, particularly in sectors of property construction and local government investment. Indeed, China’s economic slowdown has mainly manifested in the property sector’s decline, hardly surprising considering that the industry represented 20 to 25 percent of GDP at its peak. Unfortunately, new annual housing starts are now , with the sector expected to remain below half of its previous size over the next decade. However, China is poised to lose its prominence in global oil markets. “ fast,’’ Emma Richards, senior analyst at London-based Fitch Solutions Ltd, told The Times of India. According to the analyst, over the next decade, China’s share of emerging market oil demand growth will decline from nearly 50% to just 15% while India’s share will double to 24%. But it’s not just a dramatic slowdown in its economy that will make China a less important player in global oil markets. The country’s booming EV sector will rapidly lower oil demand much faster than India’s: China sold 6.1 million EVs in 2022 compared with just 48,000 sold in India. Last year, revised its oil demand forecasts downwards, saying peak domestic gasoline demand has already passed and it’s going to be downhill from here thanks to China’s EV revolution. If accurate, the repercussions will be global considering China has for long been the biggest growth market for refined oil products. According to , Chinese new car buyers are now choosing "new energy vehicles" (battery-electric and plug-in hybrid cars) at a rate of 37.8%, up from just 5.4% in 2020 Whereas Scandinavian countries like Norway (87.8%), Iceland (56.1%) and Sweden (56.1%) lead in terms of , China still sells ~10x more EVs than all those three combined. Further, China has a lot more room for growth given its huge population and the fact that currently, less than 5% of cars on Chinese roads are NEVs Sinopec now forecasts that 2024 and beyond will see declining gasoline demand. In contrast, India is nowhere near as aggressive with its clean energy push. India’s coal minister previously declared that the country has no intention of ditching coal from its energy mix any time soon. Minister Pralhad Joshi said that coal will continue to play an important role in India until at least 2040, referring to the fuel as an affordable source of energy for which demand has yet to peak in India. " Joshi said, adding the fuel will continue to play a big role until 2040 and beyond. By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com
Peter Bart: Celebrity Documentaries Command Lofty Prices Even As Star Power Appears To Be Losing Its LusterSAN DIEGO, Dec. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DiCello Levitt LLP announces that it is investigating whether Adobe, Inc. (“Adobe” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: ADBE) violated the federal securities laws, issued false and/or misleading statements, and/or failed to disclose information required to be disclosed to investors. Investors who purchased Adobe securities from September 2022 to the present and those with information about the allegations are encouraged to obtain additional information and assist the firm’s investigation by contacting DiCello Levitt attorneys Brian O’Mara or Hani Farah by calling (888) 287-9005 or emailing investors@dicellolevitt.com . No Case Has Been Filed and No Class Has Been Certified. Until a case is filed and a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. Investigation Details: Adobe is one of the largest software companies in the world, offering software products used by creative professionals, businesses, and other consumers. DiCello Levitt is investigating whether the Company made false and misleading statements regarding Adobe’s efforts to monetize artificial intelligence (“AI”). On December 11, 2024, Adobe announced financial results for fiscal year (“FY”) 2024 and issued disappointing guidance for FY 2025. In response to the announcement, more than a dozen securities analysts cut their price targets for Adobe stock due to the Company’s apparent failure to monetize AI. For example, UBS wrote that “ Adobe’s been pushing an AI narrative for 2 years now and we still see no evidence of monetization .” Similarly, KeyBanc Capital Markets stated that “[t]he results in the quarter were more of the same that has vexed investors throughout 2024,” adding that “AI monetization continues to get kicked further and further down the road.” On this news, the price of Adobe common stock fell $75.30 per share, from a closing price of $549.93 per share on December 11, 2024, to a closing price of $474.63 per share on December 12, 2024, a decline of 13.7% on heavy volume. About DiCello Levitt: At DiCello Levitt, we are dedicated to achieving justice for our clients through class action, business-to-business, public client, whistleblower, personal injury, civil and human rights, and mass tort litigation. Our lawyers are highly respected for their ability to litigate and win cases – whether by trial, settlement, or otherwise – for people who have suffered harm, global corporations that have sustained significant economic losses, and public clients seeking to protect their citizens’ rights and interests. Every day, we put our reputations – and our capital – on the line for our clients. DiCello Levitt has achieved top recognition as Plaintiffs Firm of the Year and Trial Innovation Firm of the Year by the National Law Journal , in addition to its top-tier Chambers and Benchmark ratings. The New York Law Journal also recently recognized DiCello Levitt as a Distinguished Leader in trial innovation. For more information about the firm, including recent trial victories and case resolutions, please visit www.dicellolevitt.com . Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Media Contact Amy Coker 4747 Executive Drive, Suite 240 San Diego, CA 92121 619-963-2426 investors@dicellolevitt.com