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☆ The world's third-richest person admits he has 'some addiction' to ChatGPT
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-23 | by ( Aaron Mok | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The world's third-richest person, Gautam Adani, admits that he has "some addiction" to ChatGPT. But he warned that AI tools like ChatGPT "will have massive ramifications" on society. Adani compares the "potential and dangers" of AI to the unintended impacts of the chip industry. On the flip side, they have also "paved the way for precision and guided weapons used in modern warfare," Adani wrote. "And the race is already on, with China outnumbering the US in the number of most-cited scientific papers on AI."

☆ Gautam Adani, Asia's richest man, is addicted to ChatGPT
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-23 | by ( Diksha Madhok | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New Delhi CNN —Asia’s richest man Gautam Adani says he is addicted to ChatGPT, the powerful new AI tool that interacts with users in an eerily convincing and conversational way. “But there can be no doubt that generative AI will have massive ramifications,” Adani wrote in his post, adding that generative AI holds the “same potential and danger” as silicon chips. Chipmaking has emerged recently as a new flashpoint in US-China tensions, with Washington blocking sales of advanced computer chips and chip-making equipment to Chinese companies. Many of Adani companies have become leading players in their respective sectors. A college dropout and a self-made industrialist, Adani is worth over $120 billion, making him the world’s third richest man, ahead of Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates.

☆ Ukraine's battlefields look like World War I but with a new and terrifying addition that leaves troops with almost nowhere to hide
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-22 | by ( John Haltiwanger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

The conflict in Ukraine has emerged as the first major war involving drone use on both sides. By the late 1990s, Predator drones were being used by the US and NATO for reconnaissance missions in the Kosovo War. Ukraine has in many ways emerged as a guinea pig for drone warfare. Anadolu Agency/Getty ImagesLater in the war, Russia began launching swarms of Iranian-made Shahed-136 "kamikaze" drones, striking targets across Ukraine. Drones have significantly shortened the so-called kill chain, Cancian explained, helping troops swiftly locate targets and provide coordinates for artillery.

☆ A spat over whether Russian troops can grow beards is a telling clue about the state of Putin's forces at a critical moment
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-20 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Reports suggest Russia's defense ministry is trying to enforce rules on facial hair and smartphones. The spat is a telling clue about the dysfunction in Russian ranks as a new general tries to regain the momentum. It's unclear if that played a role, but Ukraine has geolocated the cellphones of Russian troops and used that information in attacks. Prigozhin at times has promoted Wagner's efforts against Ukraine while ripping into Moscow's inability to secure any notable achievements. It also exposes a consistent dysfunction and communication issue that has plagued Russia's war efforts since launching the large-scale invasion nearly a year ago.

☆ Russia has screwed up over and over in its war in Ukraine, and Western militaries need to learn from its mistakes, former US Army general says
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-16 | by ( Natalie Musumeci | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

The West needs to learn from Russia's screw-ups in its war with Ukraine, a former US Army general said. "Russia has shown us what kinds of problems a large army can have if it hasn't done its homework," he said. The US and the West, Ryan emphasized in discussions with Insider, should be learning from Russia's mistakes. "We should be preparing our own militaries for a possible war with Russia and or China," the former general said. Looking at the future of the war in Ukraine and Western involvement, Ryan said "the West will probably increase its reactions to Russia's actions as they unfold."

☆ Russian gas will eventually return to Europe as nations 'forgive and forget,' Qatari energy minister says
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-16 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

On Friday, Russian energy supplier Gazprom said it would not resume its supply of natural gas to Germany through the key Nord Stream 1 pipeline, blaming a malfunctioning turbine. Hannibal Hanschke | ReutersThe European Union's rejection of Russian energy commodities following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine won't last forever, Qatar's Energy Minister said during an energy conference over the weekend. EU countries have dramatically cut down their imports of Russian energy supplies, imposing sanctions in response to Moscow's brutal, full-scale invasion of Ukraine. "But Russian gas is going back, in my view, to Europe," al-Kaabi said. Italy has dramatically reduced its reliance on Russian gas by replacing it with energy sources from alternative producers, such as Algeria.

☆ The upcoming Harry Potter game is already a top seller, despite JK Rowling controversy and boycott calls
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-10 | by ( Travis Clark | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

"Hogwarts Legacy" is topping charts on Steam and the PlayStation Store, a month from its release. Warner Bros. has suggested it wants to cooperate with Rowling on future Potter-related content. "Hogwarts Legacy" is an open-world role-playing game set in the Harry Potter universe during the 1800s, and the player will play as a student at Hogwarts during that time. Warner Bros. Games representatives did not respond to requests for comment from Insider on whether Rowling will be compensated for "Hogwarts Legacy." But Rowling has far-reaching control over Harry Potter.

☆ AK-47 vs. AK-74: How Russia's workhorse rifles stack up
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-28 | by ( Travis Pike | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Today we are going to dig deep into the differences and do a little AK-47 vs AK-74 showdown. Breaking down the AK-47 vs. AK-74 historyMikhail Kalashnikov with an AK-74 in November 2002. REUTERS/Gleb GaranichBig brother AK-47 can teach the younger 74 some lessons in this AK-47 vs AK-74 brawl. From a civilian-ownership perspective, we need to look at commonality and logistics in our AK-47 vs AK-74 deathmatch. Mikhail Japaridze\TASS via Getty ImagesIt's time to declare a winner in the AK-47 vs AK-74 grudge match.

☆ The Year in Pictures 2022
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-19 | by ( The New York Times | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +57 min

Every year, starting in early fall, photo editors at The New York Times begin sifting through the year’s work in an effort to pick out the most startling, most moving, most memorable pictures. But 2022 undoubtedly belongs to the war in Ukraine, a conflict now settling into a worryingly predictable rhythm. Erin Schaff/The New York Times “When you’re standing on the ground, you can’t visualize the scope of the destruction. Jim Huylebroek for The New York Times Kyiv, Ukraine, Feb. 25. We see the same images over and over, and it’s really hard to make anything different.” Kyiv, Ukraine, Feb 26.

☆ Advocates Urge Congress to Pass Permanent Residency Status for Afghans
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( Oma Seddiq | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

Drew Angerer/Getty ImagesConvincing Republican senatorsThe House version of the Afghan Adjustment Act has 143 co-sponsors, including 10 Republicans. Demonstrators gather to support Afghan evacuees outside the Capitol on Nov. 16, 2022. At the moment, one prospect to advance the Afghan Adjustment Act is by attaching it to that larger spending bill, advocates say. But negotiations on the omnibus are ongoing, and whether the Afghan Adjustment Act will be included is up in the air. Yet without a deal by then, passage of the Afghan Adjustment Act appears doomed, advocates say, keeping Afghan evacuees in perpetual legal limbo.

☆ Defenses Carved Into the Earth
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-14 | by ( Marco Hernandez | Josh Holder | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +16 min

This satellite image shows newly built Russian fortifications near one of the deadliest frontlines of the war in Ukraine. This satellite image shows newly built Russian fortifications near one of the deadliest frontlines of the war in Ukraine. An illustration of the main defensive structures built by Russians in Ukraine: an anti-vehicle trench, dragon’s teeth and pillboxes. Russian defensive fortifications built in November Fedorivka Russia has built multiple defensive lines behind the frontline on the outskirts of Popasna. A map showing defensive structures built by the Russians in Kherson Oblast.

☆ Wedbush says sell GameStop shares before Wednesday's earnings, stock still very much irrational
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Alex Harring | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Retail investors have inflated GameStop 's price to a point that is "disconnected from the fundamentals of the business," according to Wedbush. Analyst Michael Pachter reiterated the stock at underperform with a price target of $6, which reflects a downside of 76.5% compared with where the stock closed Monday. Though trading feels disconnected from actual business trends, Pachter expects its challenges will be apparent in third-quarter earnings and beyond. "GameStop's transformation efforts have missed the mark so far, leaving it to rely on a challenged core business," Pachter said. Pachter expects inventory investments and the success of "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II" will boost sales in the the third quarter, which will be announced after the bell Wednesday.

☆ Drone strikes deep in Russia seen as Ukrainian rebuff to missile barrages
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Tom Balmforth | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Military analysts saw the attacks as Kyiv's response to Russia on the same day that Moscow conducted another wave of missile strikes on critical infrastructure in Ukraine. wrote Russian military blogger Vladlen Tatarsky. Musiyenko added: "It's a moment for Russia to wonder about continuing to conduct missile strikes on Ukrainian territory. It was not the first time Russia accused Ukraine of using such drones for attacks inside its borders. In an opinion piece on Nov. 29, Ukroboronprom's general director Yuriy Gusev called for an "asymmetrical response" by the Ukrainian army to Russian missile volleys.

☆ Drone strikes in Russia seen as Ukrainian rebuff to missile barrages
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Tom Balmforth | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Ukrainian officials revelled in the blasts but declined to acknowledge Kyiv's role, after Russia said Ukraine used unmanned Soviet-era aerial vehicles to attack two air force bases in the Ryazan and Saratov areas of south-central Russia. On Tuesday, a third Russian airfield in Kursk, which lies closer to Ukraine, was set ablaze in another drone strike. Military analysts saw the attacks as Kyiv's response to Russia on the same day that Moscow conducted another wave of missile strikes on critical infrastructure in Ukraine. wrote Russian military blogger Vladlen Tatarsky. It was not the first time Russia accused Ukraine of using such drones for attacks inside its borders.

☆ Activision acquisition would be good for Microsoft and the overall stock market
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( Zev Fima | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +12 min

That implies that the other 35% of the market is made up of firms with equal to or less than about a 2% market share. For simplicity's sake, let's say an additional 17 firms have a 2% market share each to bring us to 100% of the market. That means the HHI, calculated by the market share number squared and then added together for all 27 companies, would be under 650. If the Microsoft-Activision Blizzard deal goes through, and you combine the market share concentration of the two companies, the HII would be just over 700. The other issue is how one measures the gaming market.

☆ Ukraine is getting more THeMIS robots, ground vehicles that Russian troops have been offered $16,000 to capture
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-29 | by ( Charles R. Davis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Ukraine will receive 14 more THeMIS unmanned ground vehicles, manufacturer Milrem Robotics said Tuesday. A Russian think tank previously offered a bounty for the capture of one of these vehicles. "Automating these tasks with unmanned vehicles alleviates that danger and allows more soldiers to stay in a safe area or be tasked for more important activities." Evacuation robot (unmanned ground vehicle) THeMIS seen on a dusty road during the field tests in Kyiv, Ukraine. At the time, a spokesperson for Milrem Robotics told Insider: "We take the bounty as a compliment."

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Cyber Monday 2022 is here with big deals on games for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, as well as discounts on PS5 accessories. Best Cyber Monday deals on PS5 controllers and accessoriesDeal icon An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt. $49.99 from Best Buy Originally $69.99 Save 29%Deal icon An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt. Great Price PlayStation Plus Essential (12 Months) Cyber Monday is one of the best times of the year to renew your PlayStation Plus subscription thanks to the 25% discount. $44.99 from PlayStation Originally $59.99 Save 25%Deal icon An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt.

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☆ Activision Scores Some Downside Protection
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( Dan Gallagher | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Fantasy videogames can still inflict real-world wounds, but a 19-year-old franchise is also proving very hard to kill. Activision Blizzard’s latest “Call of Duty” iteration is selling strong, which marks a notable comeback after last year’s flop. The game publisher said Monday that “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II” surpassed $1 billion in global sell-through in 10 days from its Oct. 28 release, which is faster than any previous version of the game has crossed that threshold. Later in the day, the company reported stronger-than-expected net bookings for the third quarter and projected growth of at least 20% year over year for the fourth quarter. It also confirmed that it will make a new “Call of Duty” sequel in 2023, countering previous reports that it was planning to skip a year in what has historically been a steady annual release cadence.

☆ From Apple AirPods and Squishmallows to 'Encanto' toys, here are some of the most anticipated gifts this holiday season, according to Adobe
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-27 | by ( Sarah Belle Lin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

"The shape of the holiday season will look different this year, with early discounting in October," Patrick Brown, Adobe vice president of growth marketing and insights, said in a statement. Here are the toys, gaming devices, games, and other gifts that Adobe predicts will be the most popular items this holiday season. SquishmallowsThe stuffed animals come in all sizes, shapes, and colors and are expected to once again be popular this holiday season. Xbox Series XThe Xbox Series X is the fastest, most powerful Xbox yet, per Microsoft. Apple Watch Series 8/UltraThe new Apple Watch Series 8 comes in eight different colors, with either a 41-millimeter or 45-millimeter case.

☆ How Amazon's warehouse empire reshaped the nation — and the US workforce
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-21 | by ( Avery Hartmans | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Today, we're exploring the new Insider project Warehouse Nation, and specifically, Amazon's role. The tech giant has made efficiency the cornerstone of its business, and this series examines how that's reshaped the nation and its workforce. Plus, this week has shown us that Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos have pretty much opposite views on the state of the economy (no surprise there). Elon Musk told investors that he planned to get rid of nearly 75% of Twitter's 7,500 workers, according to The Washington Post. Jeff Bezos thinks it's time to "batten down the hatches," while Elon Musk says Tesla is "pedal to the metal" on production.

☆ Russia's attack on Ukraine shows that the US and Europe have to relearn how to fight an industrial war
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-18 | by ( Alexander Clarkson | World Politics Review | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

The military effort to support Ukraine shows how US and European defense priorities have been distorted. The war is a reminder that the US and Europe must fundamentally reassess how they prepare for war. The military responses Western states formulated toward these perceived threats were shaped by wider neoliberal policy approaches shaped by the impact of globalization. This greater reliance on private-sector actors to develop and administer key military functions also reflected a period of tightening defense budgets. An airman secures a GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munition on an aircraft at Barksdale Air Force Base in August 2014.

After Fox News host Tucker Carlson took to the airwaves to ridicule female service members, an Army general defended the tens of thousands of women in the ranks in a social media post. That includes reviews of how active-duty officers engage on public social media platforms, where they are rightly held to stricter standards than typical users. This is evident in the war in Ukraine, where social media has greatly influenced the global public’s perception of the war. It’s true that just 4% of Russian military personnel were women in 2020, compared to 16.5% in the U.S. armed forces. And Russian female military personnel aren’t permitted to serve in combat roles.

☆ How a remote lagoon and a 'secret weapon' allowed the US Navy to overwhelm Japanese forces during World War II
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-25 | by ( Benjamin Brimelow | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

In September 1944, the US Navy captured Ulithi Atoll and used it to support the Allied advance. US NavyService Squadron 10 oversaw the rearming, resupplying, and repairing of Navy ships and aircraft, and otherwise supported the war effort's logistical needs. In all, the unit had over 400 vessels, including repair ships, tankers, floating dry docks, crane ships, desalination ships, tugs, floating barracks, and floating workshops. US NavyBy the end of the war, Ulithi was the world's largest naval facility, hosting as many as 617 vessels. An airfield and a high school damaged by Typhoon Maysak on Falalop Island in Ulithi Atoll in December 2015.

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