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☆ Even Mark Zuckerberg seems surprised by Meta's pace of spending on AI
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-30 | by ( Jonathan Vanian | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta Platforms Inc., arrives for the Meta Connect event in Menlo Park, California, on Sept. 25, 2024. Meta has been so quick to build out its massive data center and computing infrastructure for artificial intelligence projects that CEO Mark Zuckerberg is even a bit surprised. In a call with analysts on Wednesday after Meta's third-quarter earnings report, Zuckerberg explained to investors how Meta's rising costs for the year are tied to the speed at which employees are able to get data centers, servers and chips for AI up and running. Meta raised the low end of its capital expenditures guidance for 2024 to $38 billion from $37 billion. "That execution makes me somewhat more optimistic that we're going to be able to keep on building this out at a good pace."

Persons: Mark Zuckerberg, Meta, Zuckerberg, we've Organizations: Meta, Inc Locations: Menlo Park , California

☆ The US is in a technological arms race with China, Air Force secretary says, and AI could decide who wins
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-30 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

The focus on advanced technologies has put the two countries into a different kind of arms race. The US Air Force secretary suggested that AI could be decisive in future warfare. On Tuesday, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said China has been effectively modernizing the People's Liberation Army, fielding systems with the intent of challenging US forces, especially its high-value combat assets like carriers and satellites. China has built up its Rocket Force, developing capabilities that put US military assets at military bases and airfields across the Indo-Pacific within striking range. The Air Force secretary said that he doesn't think people who say that AI is "going to determine who's the winner in the next battlefield" are "all that far off."

Persons: —, Frank Kendall, Kendall, Xi Jinping, Sarah Weinstein, Giancarlo Casem Organizations: US Air Force, Service, Air Force, People's Liberation Army, Microelectronics, National Semiconductor Technology, PLA, Eastern Theater Command, Weibo, Department of Defense, Rocket Force, Navy, DARPA, USAF, Marines Locations: China, Taiwan, Beijing, Ukraine

☆ Alphabet is one of the best valued Magnificent 7 stocks says Jake Dollarhide
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-30 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

In this videoShare Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailAlphabet is one of the best valued Magnificent 7 stocks says Jake DollarhideJake Dollarhide, CEO of Longbow Asset Management explains why he thinks Alphabet is a leading value tech stock and examines its position in the AI competitive landscape.

Persons: Jake Dollarhide Jake Dollarhide Organizations: Longbow, Management

☆ Microsoft is still spending massively on AI
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-30 | by ( Tim Paradis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Investors have been focused on Big Tech AI spending and returns. That's a worry at Microsoft partly because feedback on the company's Copilot AI has been mixed. Others have been concerned that Big Tech spending on artificial intelligence is outpacing results. Goldman said Microsoft has been counting on its AI Copilot and other generative AI efforts at Windows, Edge, and Microsoft 365 to draw enterprise clients. AdvertisementMuch of Microsoft's spending has been going toward data centers, graphics processing units, and other AI projects.

Persons: —, Jeremy Goldman, Goldman, it's, Satya Nadella, Francine McKenna Organizations: Investors, Big Tech, Service, Microsoft, Apple, Windows, Bloomberg Locations: Redmond, Washington, OpenAI

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailHow ChatGPT-maker OpenAI's new lobbying power tamed Capitol HillCome election day, the future of Big Tech won't be decided by either presidential candidate. Instead, OpenAI co-founder and CEO Sam Altman has emerged as one of the most powerful people shaping AI policy. The man behind ChatGPT has put on a masterclass in wooing Washington, learning from Mark Zuckerberg and social media's missteps in the past on the Hill. And he's turned OpenAI into a lobbying powerhouse, bringing on staff with deep ties to D.C. like its head of global affairs Chris Lehane.

Persons: OpenAI, Sam Altman, ChatGPT, Mark Zuckerberg, he's, Chris Lehane Organizations: Big Tech Locations: Washington

☆ Otto: The scale of Alphabet's cloud business, and spend on AI infrastructure, will be critical
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-30 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailOtto: The scale of Alphabet's cloud business, and spend on AI infrastructure, will be criticalMelissa Otto of Visible Alpha, which is part of S&P Global, discusses the biggest takeaways from Alphabet's Q3 results and what to expect from Microsoft today.

Persons: Otto, Melissa Otto Organizations: P Global, Microsoft

☆ First Energy CEO on AI power demand and headwinds to business
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-30 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailFirst Energy CEO on AI power demand and headwinds to businessBrian Tierney, First Energy CEO, joins 'Money Movers' to discuss how quickly First Energy can meet the demand for powering artificial intelligence, how cost inputs are impacting First Energy, and how the summer's storm activity impact capacity.

Persons: Brian Tierney Organizations: First Energy, Energy

☆ I tried Apple Intelligence for 48 hours. These are my favorite AI features so far.
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-30 | by ( Jordan Hart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

I tried out Apple Intelligence on an iPhone 16 Pro Max over the first few days of its rollout. The iOS 18.1 update introduced AI tools like writing aids and photo editing on newer iPhones. AdvertisementI've been testing out Apple Intelligence for 48 hours, and it's already changing the way I use an iPhone. For transparency, I own an iPhone 14 Pro Max — an older model that can't support Apple's newly rolled-out AI features. AdvertisementThe tools aren't perfect, and Apple has said that outcomes can vary when it comes to Apple Intelligence.

Persons: Max, —, Max —, I've, Jordan Hart, Apple Organizations: Apple Intelligence, Service, Max, Apple, Worldwide, Conference

☆ Saudi Arabia is pulling back on a global spending spree to focus on its own projects
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-30 | by ( Polly Thompson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Now the Kingdom plans to cut its foreign investment to prioritize domestic spending. AI is the new focus of investment as Saudi Arabia looks to position itself as a global technology hub. AdvertisementSaudi Arabia is pulling back on its global spending spree to focus on domestic investments. In September, Saudi Arabia held the third Global AI Summit, attracting a host of high-profile leaders and dealmakers. The new focus on domestic investment comes as Saudi Arabia's spending on Neom, its futuristic megacity in the desert, hit $1 trillion.

Persons: —, Yasir Al Rumayyan, we've, Al Rumayyan, Yasir Al, Rumayyan, Hamad I Mohammed, Uber, Andreessen Horowitz Organizations: Service, Public Investment Fund, Future Investment, Economic, REUTERS, Investors, Saudi Press Agency, Financial Times, Saudi, AI, Bloomberg, Sindalah Locations: Saudi, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Davos, Switzerland, Neom

☆ Meta earnings live updates: Wall Street bullish on the firm's long-term prospects; analysts watching for AI guidance
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-30 | by ( Jennifer Sor | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

The company is expected to report revenue of $40.25 billion. Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Go to newsletter preferences Thanks for signing up! download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . Meta will report its earnings for the third quarterafter the closing bell, and Wall Street is feeling upbeat heading into the results.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, Meta, Facebook Locations: Wall

CNN has reached out to Terada for comment on the R-FBI’s role in Russian disinformation efforts, and ties to the state. Storm-1516 and R-FBI network members have spread at least 54 different disinformation narratives online since August 2023, according to Clemson and CNN’s analysis. “Does anyone believe that an American would be the spearhead of what some call the biggest Russian Disinformation operation since the cold war? TelegramAnother prominent figure in propagating Russian disinformation is American Tara Reade, a former Senate staffer who in 2020 accused then-presidential candidate Joe Biden of sexual harassment. The links between Terada’s group and other Russian disinformation efforts are at best opaque, which is likely no accident.

Persons: –, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Wagner, Mira Terada, Kamala Harris, Tim Walz, Harris, Walz, Morgan Finkelstein, “ Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump, Trump, ”, Win McNamee, ” Darren Linvill, Patrick Warren, “, Biden, Warren, Kamala, Influencers, John Mark Dougan, Dougan, he’s, Andrew Harnik, MAGA, IMbaMm8YVF, Darren Linvill, Linvill, ” Clemson, Maxim Shugaley, Terada, Vladimir Putin’s “, ” Prigozhin, Konstantin Pridybaylo, Ruslan Ostashko, Colin Gerard, Gerard, Alexander Dugin, picturing, Tara Reade, Joe Biden, Reade, ” Chay Bowes, Simeon Boikov, podcaster, Bowes, ” Warren, Sean Lyngaas, influencers Organizations: CNN, Clemson University’s, Russian Foundation, FBI, Storm, Democratic, Minnesota Gov, Clemson, Getty, NBC, Wired, Prigozhin’s, Internet Research Agency, Miami Chronicle, Boston Times, DC, IRA, Russian, Gov, National Intelligence, US State Department, Minnesota, Apple, Trump, Infrastructure Security Agency, ’, Federal Bureau, Investigation, Kremlin, Wagner Group, US Justice Department, ANO Dialog, BRICS Journalists Association, Washington Post, Center, Forensics Locations: Russian, Ukraine, West, San Francisco, Zambia, Savannah , Georgia, ”, “, American, Zambian, St . Petersburg, Florida, Moscow, Russia, Kazakhstan, Minnesota, Philadelphia , Pennsylvania, Bucks County , Pennsylvania, Bucks County ,, French, Irish, Sydney, European

☆ Apple updates MacBook Pro laptops with new chips, more memory for AI
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-30 | by ( Kif Leswing | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Apple on Wednesday introduced new MacBook Pro laptops with updated processors, in what is likely the company's last major hardware announcement of the year. Apple says the new chips are 1.8 times faster than the M1, which powered Apple's 2021 MacBook Pro. Additionally, all of the new MacBook Pro models come with at least 16GB of RAM. The more memory a computer has, the more it is capable of handling larger and more sophisticated AI models. Doubling the RAM on its laptops represents the most significant change Apple has made to its lineup of computers to better support Apple Intelligence.

Persons: Tim Cook, Apple Organizations: Apple Inc, Apple Worldwide, Apple, M4, Apple Intelligence, MacBook Locations: Cupertino , California

☆ Here are Wednesday's biggest analyst calls: Apple, Alphabet, Snap, Boeing, First Solar, Reddit, AMD & more
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-30 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Here are Wednesday's biggest calls on Wall Street: Bank of America reiterates Advanced Micro Devices as buy Bank of America said the stock is best positioned following earnings on Tuesday. JPMorgan reiterates First Solar as overweight The firm said the solar company is still best positioned following earnings on Tuesday. "Attractive entry point ahead of EDN's tariff review, a key value driver that could drive significant earnings growth & trigger stock re-rating. "We remain confident in BOOT's ability to deliver attractive relative earnings growth supported by compelling unit expansion opportunity." Raymond James downgrades Crocs to market perform from outperform Raymond James downgraded the shoe company following earnings citing margin pressures.

Persons: Wells, Reddit, Morgan Stanley, Raymond James, it's, Bernstein, Baird, Raymond James downgrades Qorvo, Barclays downgrades Lear, Goldman Sachs, Chipotle, Goldman, Raymond James downgrades Crocs, Wedbush downgrades Williams Organizations: Bank of America, Devices, AMD, JPMorgan, Catalyst, " Bank of America, DoJ, Citi, YouTube, Bank of, Holdings, of America, Incyte, Boeing, UBS, Barrick Gold, Barrick, Barclays, CMG, Walmart, Apple, Apple Intelligence, 3Q, 4Q, WSM Locations: China, OW, America, Sonoma

But when it comes to technology, one of the most powerful people shaping regulation isn't a candidate at all. Altman, the OpenAI co-founder and CEO, meanwhile, has put on a masterclass in wooing Washington, learning from Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and social media's missteps in front of Congress. Lawmakers have now begun embracing AI in a way they never did social media. That new messaging on AI regulation is largely thanks to Altman turning OpenAI into a lobbying powerhouse. Now, he's bringing his playbook to OpenAI, where his message to Washington is that if the U.S. doesn't lead the way in AI, an autocratic nation like China will.

Persons: It's Sam Altman, Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, Altman, Mark Zuckerberg, ChatGPT, Katie Harbath, They're, Chris Lehane, Lehane, Bill Clinton, doesn't Organizations: Republican, Democratic, Meta, Lawmakers, China, D.C Locations: Washington, OpenAI, U.S, China, American

☆ RBC's Brad Erickson on Alphabet earnings, what to expect from Meta and Amazon
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-30 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailRBC's Brad Erickson on Alphabet earnings, what to expect from Meta and AmazonBrad Erickson, RBC Capital Markets senior analyst for internet services, joins 'Squawk Box' to discuss Alphabet's quarterly earnings results, state of the AI technology race, what to expect from Amazon and Meta's earnings, and more.

Persons: Brad Erickson Organizations: Meta, RBC Capital Markets

☆ ‘There are no guardrails.’ This mom believes an AI chatbot is responsible for her son’s suicide
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-30 | by ( Clare Duffy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Globally: The International Association for Suicide Prevention and Befrienders Worldwide have contact information for crisis centers around the world. Garcia believes Character.AI is responsible for the death of her 14-year-old son, Sewell Setzer III, who died by suicide in February, according to a lawsuit she filed against the company last week. When Garcia first heard he was interacting with an AI chatbot, she said she thought it was something like a video game. However, within months of starting to use the platform, Setzer became “noticeably withdrawn, spent more and more time alone in his bedroom, and began suffering from low self-esteem. “There were no suicide pop-up boxes that said, ‘If you need help, please call the suicide crisis hotline.’ None of that,” she said.

Persons: Megan Garcia, Garcia, Character.AI, Sewell Setzer III, Setzer, “, ” Garcia, ” –, Character.AI's chatbots, chatbot Setzer, she, ” “, ”, Gabby Jones, I’m, That’s, ” Setzer, Matthew Bergman, Bergman, Sewell, Noam Shazeer, Daniel De Freitas, weren’t Organizations: New, New York CNN, International Association for Suicide Prevention, Befrienders, CNN, Trust, Safety, Prevention, Junior Varsity, Bloomberg, Getty, Character.AI, Social Media, Law Center, Meta, Google, Apple Locations: New York, Florida, Brooklyn , New York

☆ Google 'moving in a good direction': What analysts are saying after tech giant's strong earnings
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-30 | by ( Lisa Kailai Han | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Major Wall Street banks remain bullish on Alphabet following the tech titan's strong third-quarter results . On Tuesday, Google's parent company reported earnings of $2.12 per share, while analysts polled by LSEG had predicted $1.85 per share. The company's revenue grew 15% year over year to $88.27 billion, more than the same quarter last year and the $86.30 billion analysts had anticipated. "We think shares could remain choppy as we work through the Search remedies, given the large impact zone, but performance in 3Q was solid." Meanwhile, Goldman Sachs' Eric Sheridan also commended the firm for its strong investment cycle, which includes investments into Google's Cloud infrastructure and more AI deployment through its application ecosystem.

Persons: LSEG, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Ross Sandler, Doug Anmuth, Eric Sheridan Organizations: Barclays, Citi, JPMorgan, Bank of America, of America, Google, DOJ

☆ Super Micro shares plunge 35% as auditor resigns after raising concerns months earlier
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-30 | by ( Rohan Goswami | In Rohangoswamicnbc | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

EY had been hired to audit Super Micro for the first time for the 2024 fiscal year, the company said. Super Micro makes computers that companies use as servers for websites, data storage and other applications, including AI algorithms. Shares of Super Micro, which joined the S&P 500 in March, surged 246% in 2023. EY's concerns were raised prior to a short-seller report that took aim at Super Micro's financial controls and accounting practices. The company hired law firm Cooley and a forensic accounting firm to review Super Micro's internal controls.

Persons: Ernst & Young, Charles Laing, EY, Cooley, Young Organizations: Nvidia, AMD, Intel, Securities and Exchange Commission, Super Micro, Ernst

☆ Betting on the election is the hottest new trend. But can prediction markets keep the momentum going?
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-30 | by ( Dan Defrancesco | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

The big storyPresidential betsChris duMond; Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images; Jenny Chang-Rodriguez/BIWe're less than a week from election day, but one group can already claim victory: betting markets. Kalshi's legal victory in October over the CFTC to offer election betting paved the way for the trend. iStock; Rebecca Zisser/BIThe betting market's biggest tests might come after the election. Betting markets have Trump as a heavy favorite, whereas traditional polls indicate a tight race. AdvertisementShould Trump win in a landslide, it could strengthen the case for using betting markets as a key tool for election analysis.

Persons: —, Chris duMond, Chip Somodevilla, Jenny Chang, Rodriguez, Matthew Fox, Donald Trump, Polymarket, iStock, Rebecca Zisser, Nate Silver, Tesla, Zuckerberg, Citadel's, Justin Lubell, Lubell, Steve Schwarzman, Ken Griffin, Trump, Tyler Le, Harris, Sundar Pichai, Elon Musk, Dan DeFrancesco, Jordan Parker Erb, Hallam Bullock, Milan Sehmbi Organizations: Business, Service, Apple, CFTC, Trump, TikTok, Meta Connect, Meta, Bank of America, Blackstone, Republican, Amazon, AWS, Five Apple Intelligence, Google, The Washington Post, Street, Microsoft, Starbucks Locations: French, New York, London

☆ AMD CEO Lisa Su: AI is going to be in every aspect of computing
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-30 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailAMD CEO Lisa Su: AI is going to be in every aspect of computingAMD CEO Lisa Su joins 'Squawk on the Street' to discuss the company's quarterly earnings results, the role AI will play in the company's growth, and more.

Persons: Lisa Su

☆ Meta's stock drop tells the wrong story on earnings — so, we're boosting our price target
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-30 | by ( Zev Fima | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +11 min

Don't let the after-hours stock action fool you, Meta Platforms delivered one heck of a strong third quarter and a current quarter revenue guide above expectations. Ok, now that the "bad" is out of the way, let's look at what investors should really be focused on as they consider what to do with Meta stock. Meta Platforms Why we own it : We value Meta Platforms for its targeted advertising dominance. Notably, Meta AI, the company's version of a ChatGPT-type generative artificial intelligence search/answer engine, now has over 500 million monthly active users. Looking ahead to 2025, the team noted on the release, "We continue to expect significant capital expenditures growth in 2025.

Persons: biggie, that's, China's ByteDance, Mark Zuckerberg, Jensen Huang, Zuckerberg, we're, Meta, it's, haven't, Jim Cramer's, Jim Cramer, Jim, Andrej Sokolow Organizations: LSEG, Meta, People, Management, China's, Reality Labs, Nvidia, ., Facebook, CNBC, Getty Locations: Ray, capex

☆ LLMS for The People
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-30 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Consider the possibility of a public model of AI, built on public data, reliably safe, and accessible to all communities. That's what the Collective Intelligence project is advocating, as it works with companies and policymakers around the world to contemplate deep questions about the relationship between AI and society. Guest: Divya Siddarth, Collective Intelligence Project Co-Founder & Executive Director

Persons: Divya Siddarth Organizations: Intelligence

☆ Reddit's bet on AI is starting to pay off
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-30 | by ( Huileng Tan | Aditi Bharade | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The company saw a 68% revenue increase and a 47% rise in daily active visitors in Q3. Reddit's third-quarter revenue soared 68% to $348.4 million from a year ago, comfortably beating analysts' expectations of $312.8 million. This positive net increase was consistent with its second-quarter results, during which the platform saw a 51% increase in daily active users globally. Elon Musk's X reported 1.6% growth in daily active users in 2024's second quarter, per the FT. The daily active users on all of Meta's platforms combined, which include Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, increased by 7%, according to its second-quarter earnings report.

Persons: —, Steve Huffman, Huffman, Reddit, AMAs, Elon Musk's, Jefferies, RDDT Organizations: Service, Analysts, Global, Elon, Facebook, New York Stock Exchange Locations: Spanish

☆ BBG Ventures raises $60 million for its latest fund and moves beyond just backing female founders
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-30 | by ( Leena Rao | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

New York-based BBG Ventures has raised a new $60 million fund. The latest fund will invest in both female founders and those with diverse backgrounds. Ten years later, the seed stage fund has raised a new $60 million fund and is moving beyond just backing female founders to any entrepreneur from a diverse background. AdvertisementWhen Verizon bought AOL in 2015, BBG Ventures separated and raised a new $50 million fund. Related storiesDua explained that the decision to move beyond exclusively backing just female founders reflects the duo's shift in thesis around innovation.

Persons: —, VCs, Susan Lyne, Nisha Dua, Lyne, Dua, Nordstrom, clamoring Organizations: BBG Ventures, California Endowment, Mizuho, Service, AOL, Founders, Spring Health, Verizon, State of Michigan Retirement Services, Illumen, Investments, Fairview Capital, Bank of America Locations: York, U.S, Spring, Nara, Dua, Lyne

☆ Wall Street is bullish on Amazon earnings despite uncertainty around consumer spending, rising investment costs
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-30 | by ( Filip De Mott | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

CFRA trimmed its Amazon price target to $219 a share on October 21, indicating 13% upside ahead. The firm has a "buy" rating on the stock and a $210 price target, which implies an 8.3% gain from current levels. The firm said investors have toned down margin expectations due to Amazon's spending in new investment areas, such as Project Kuiper. AdvertisementWedbush reiterated its "outperform" rating and $225 price target, implying a 16% gain from current levels. Morgan Stanley has a $210 price target for the stock, representing upside of about 8% from Wednesday's share price.

Persons: —, Arun Sundaram, Sundaram, Justin Post, BofA, Scott Devitt, Wedbush, Morgan Stanley, Bullish, Brian Nowak Organizations: Service, CFRA, Bank of America, Amazon Web Services, 3Q, JPMorgan, Wedbush Securities

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