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Meta's LLaMA, short for Large Language Model Meta AI, will be available under non-commercial license to researchers and entities affiliated with government, civil society, and academia, it said in a blog. Large language models mine vast amounts of text in order to summarize information and generate content. "Generative AI is a new application of AI that Meta has less experience with, but is clearly important for the future of their business." It described its 65-billion-parameter LLaMA model as "competitive" with Google's Chinchilla70B and PaLM-540B, which are even larger than the model that Google used to show off its Bard chat-powered search. Meta in May last year released large language model OPT-175B, also aimed at researchers, which formed the basis of a new iteration of its chatbot BlenderBot.

☆ Colombia, Bolivia to ask UN to remove coca leaf from narcotics list
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Claudia MoralesBOGOTA, Feb 22 (Reuters) - Colombia and Bolivia will jointly ask the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs to remove coca leaves from its list of prohibited substances and accept the plant's traditional uses, Colombia's government said on Wednesday. "Bolivia and Colombia consider it is the moment to once again put this issue on the table," she said. "To remove the coca leaf - the leaf, not cocaine - from the prohibited substances list." Coca leaves are widely used in different countries in Latin America, especially by indigenous groups, to treat stomach aches and altitude sickness, among other ceremonial uses. Bolivian President Luis Arce said in January his government would push for coca leaves to be removed from the list so they can be commercialized, after his predecessor Evo Morales decriminalized coca nationally.

☆ Shopify is in talks to add Amazon's Buy with Prime service. Analysts say this is a 'Trojan horse' that could cut into Shopify's core revenue.
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( Madeline Stone | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

But many analysts don't think that Buy with Prime is a good thing for Shopify. Shopify executives continued to strike an optimistic tone about Amazon's Buy with Prime feature during the company's fourth-quarter earnings call on Wednesday. Buy with Prime allows sellers to offer Prime benefits — like fast shipping, free delivery, and free returns — on websites outside of Amazon.com. Shopify merchants that try to install it get a pop-up informing them that the checkout feature violates the company's terms of service and could leave their store vulnerable to fraud. Many Shopify merchants choose not to sell their products on Amazon because they want to maintain control over their customer data.

☆ Shopify's revenue forecast fails to impress, shares fall
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Feb 15 (Reuters) - Shopify Inc (SHOP.TO) on Wednesday forecast slowing revenue growth for the current quarter despite price hikes and new product launches, signaling that macroeconomic challenges were weighing on its merchants' online businesses. U.S-listed shares of Shopify, which started 2022 as the most valuable Canadian company before losing three-quarters of its value, fell about 8% in extended trading. The technology company, which offers tools and services for businesses to set up their online stores, said it expects revenue growth in the "high-teen" percentages, while analysts had forecast a rise of nearly 20%, according to Refinitiv data. "For them to guide to high-teen growth after taking price increases that didn't factor into the last quarter, it seems very conservative," said Gil Luria, analyst at D.A. Fourth-quarter revenue rose 26% to $1.7 billion, compared with analysts' average estimate of $1.64 billion, according to Refinitiv data.

☆ Our margins are very healthy, says Check Point Software CEO Gil Shwed
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-13 | 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 EmailOur margins are very healthy, says Check Point Software CEO Gil ShwedGil Shwed, Check Point Software Technologies, joins 'TechCheck' to discuss his thoughts on cyber threats and the e-crime space.

☆ Watch CNBC's full interview with Check Point Software CEO Gil Shwed
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-13 | 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 EmailWatch CNBC's full interview with Check Point Software CEO Gil ShwedGil Shwed, Check Point Software Technologies CEO, joins 'TechCheck' to discuss his thoughts on cyber threats and the e-crime space.

☆ Here's how tech giants Microsoft, Google, and Baidu are dealing with ChatGPT, and what that could mean for investors
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-08 | by ( George Glover | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

ChatGPT's viral success has caught the eye of big tech companies and investors. Microsoft is working to integrate the bot into its search engine, while Google is scrambling for alternatives. Major tech names like Microsoft, Google parent Alphabet, and Chinese tech giant Baidu have all taken steps in recent weeks to show they're trying to harness the technology underpinning OpenAI's ChatGPT. BaiduChinese search giant Baidu is also working on developing a rival to ChatGPT to use in its services. But analysts generally expect Baidu's bounce to prove short-lived – because so many of its competitors, including Microsoft and Google, are working on similar AI programs.

☆ Shopify's prices will go up by as much as 33% in some cases, but analyst say merchants aren't going anywhere
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-31 | by ( Madeline Stone | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Analysts say Shopify's products offer a much better value than their competitors'. He added that many merchants pay more in fees for third-party apps and add-ons than they do for a Shopify subscription. With those fees in mind, an increase to the monthly subscription fee would seem relatively small, Pfau argued. Luria said that it's possible Shopify's price hikes could "upset smaller merchants for whom this is a big expenditure," particularly amid inflation and economic uncertainty. Shopify's price hikes come as the company makes changes to its leadership team.

[1/2] Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu looks on as he convenes a weekly cabinet meeting amid surge of violence in Jerusalem and the West Bank, at the Prime Minister's office in Jerusalem, January 29, 2023. The blue-chip Tel Aviv 35 index (.TA35) was 1.% lower in afternoon trade, while the broader TA-125 index (.TA125) dipped 1.7%. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office declined to comment to Reuters. Critics have said the move will compromise the independence of the judiciary and undermine Israel's democratic system of checks and balances. There was no sign of a large-scale military operation in the works, and Netanyahu said Israel was not seeking an escalation.

[1/4] A member of Doctors Without Borders (MSF) looks at a migrant after he was rescued by the ship 'Geo Barents' during a search and rescue (SAR) operation in the Mediterranean Sea, January 25, 2023. La Spezia is the furthest and northernmost destination that Italy has assigned to an NGO ship. Forcing NGO ships to reach ever-more distant ports increases costs at a time when budgets are stretched by inflation and higher fuel costs following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Last month, the SOS Mediterranee NGO appealed for donations, saying fuel charges for its Ocean Viking rescue ship had increased by over 1 million euros during 2022. The new docking destinations policy adds to a December decree which forces NGO ships to request and head to a port "without delay" after each rescue, rather than continue looking for boats in distress.

☆ Latest Microsoft results show the tech giant is still a buy despite near-term pressures, analysts say
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( Sarah Min | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Microsoft may be facing some near-term pressures, but most analysts think the stock remains a buy at current levels. Radke has a buy rating on the stock, and raised his target price slightly to $282 from $280. His $300 price target represents more than 23% upside from Tuesday's closing price for the stock. Davidson's Gil Luria was especially bullish on Microsoft, saying that the tech giant "deserves a premium valuation relative to the market and its Pac4 comparables." He lowered his price target to $265 from $267.

☆ Satya Nadella doesn't expect spending to be very strong for the next couple of years, says Gil Luria
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-24 | 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 EmailSatya Nadella doesn't expect spending to be very strong for the next couple of years, says Gil LuriaGil Luria, senior software analyst at DA Davidson, joins 'Power Lunch' to discuss expectations for Microsoft's earnings report, the payoff for Microsoft's investment in OpenAi in the short and long term, and the potential consequences of antitrust litigations against Google.

☆ Alphabet or Microsoft? Analysts predict which stock will come out on top
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-23 | by ( Weizhen Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Analysts say the platform could be a threat to Google's bread-and-butter search business . Alphabet and Microsoft compete in the cloud business. Neither stock did well in the past year, with Microsoft dropping more than 20%, and Alphabet tumbling over 30%. According to FactSet, analysts covering the stock gave it 21% upside on average, while 91% gave it a "buy" rating. According to FactSet, analysts covering Alphabet gave it 35% upside on average, while 92% gave it a buy rating.

☆ Canada's energy jobs transition bill sparks discord in oil heartland
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-22 | by ( Nia Williams | Steve Scherer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

FILE PHOTO: Pipelines run at the McKay River Suncor oil sands in-situ operations near Fort McMurray, Alberta, September 17, 2014. REUTERS/Todd KorolPrime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government is expected to table its long-awaited workforce transition bill this spring, ahead of economic changes expected as they pursue ambitious goals to slash climate-warming emissions. The government of Alberta, Canada’s main crude-producing province, says the legislation will dismantle the oil and gas industry that makes up 5% of Canada’s GDP. The oil and gas sector employs around 185,000 workers, making the bill a hot topic in Alberta ahead a provincial election in May. Think tank Clean Energy Canada estimates there could be 200,000 clean energy jobs created by 2030.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The governing board of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, the public corporation currently in charge of energy generation on the island, approved a contract that brings the U.S. territory one step closer to privatizing power generation. Less than 4% of Puerto Rico’s power generation currently comes from renewable energy. Power generation units in Puerto Rico are on average about 45 years old, twice those of the U.S. mainland. As part of the ongoing privatization process, the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority relinquished the island’s power transmission and distribution system to Luma Energy. It’s unclear whether privatizing power generation would have any impact on such efforts.

☆ Pitch Decks That Advertising Tech Startups Used to Raise Millions
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-10 | by ( Business Insider | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +19 min

Check out these pitch decks that they've used to sell their vision and raise millions from private equity and VC investors. Blocking ad fraudAdtech startup Lunio, announced a $15 million Series A funding round in September 2022. In May 2022, the software-as-a-service startup raised a $30 million Series B round, led by Insight Partners. Marketing in the metaverseAnima, an augmented-reality startup, raised a $3 million funding round from investors in Janury. He raised $50 million in Series D after closing a $34 million Series C last year, bringing its total raised to $100 million.

☆ Venezuelan president names new head of PDVSA, foreign minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

CARACAS, Jan 6 (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Friday named Pedro Rafael Tellechea as the new head of state oil company Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) (PDVSA.UL) and said Yvan Gil Pinto would become the new foreign minister. Exports this year are expected to get a lift after the United States relaxed oil sanctions by authorizing some PDVSA partners to resume taking Venezuelan crude. Former head of PDVSA Asdrubal Chavez, a cousin of late President Hugo Chavez and former oil minister, will soon have new responsibilities, Maduro added. In a separate tweet, Maduro named Gil Pinto to head the country's diplomacy. "It's a great responsibility I'm sure he will perform with great professionalism," Maduro said about Gil Pinto, who had been serving as vice-minister for Europe.

☆ With Bing and ChatGPT, Google is about to face competition in search for the first time in 20 years
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-06 | by ( Emilia David | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Microsoft put $1 billion in OpenAI, which built ChatGPT, and plans to integrate ChatGPT into Bing. Many have said Google Search has stagnated, and competition from Bing and ChatGPT might change that. The Information reported Microsoft and ChatGPT creator OpenAI are working on integrating the technology into Microsoft's perpetually overlooked search site Bing. Bing has lost to Google search for over a decade, but with the integration of ChatGPT, Bing may offer the first compelling reason why people might want to switch from Google. The internet giant has its own language model called LaMDA, short for Language Model for Dialogue Applications.

☆ Microsoft's investment into ChatGPT's creator may be the smartest $1 billion ever spent
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-06 | by ( Hasan Chowdhury | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Microsoft's $1 billion investment into OpenAI may be one of the shrewdest bets in tech history. OpenAI released AI bot ChatGPT and is in discussions to raise capital at a $30 billion valuation. "We believe Microsoft's investment in OpenAI will translate to significant underappreciated upside," Luria wrote. Investors may be souring on speculative tech but AI looks resilientThere is speculation that Microsoft may look to buy OpenAI. That suggests investors will still look to pile into the hottest AI companies, cementing the value of Microsoft's deal.

☆ D.A. Davidson initiates coverage of Microsoft with a $270 price target
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-05 | 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 EmailD.A. Davidson initiates coverage of Microsoft with a $270 price targetGil Luria, D.A. Davidson analyst, joins 'Power Lunch' to discuss the decision to initiate coverage of Microsoft today with a buy rating and a $270 price target.

☆ Buy Microsoft as latest investment can help it end Google's search dominance, D.A. Davidson says
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-05 | by ( Samantha Subin | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Microsoft 's investment in OpenAI should offer "significant underappreciated upside" for the big technology stock in the months ahead, according to D.A. The firm initiated coverage of the tech bellwether with a buy rating and $270 price target, viewing its investment in the research company, which operates ChatGPT, as a potential short-term catalyst for shares that help support its premium valuation. "Longer-term, we believe incorporating ChatGPT capabilities into Bing may provide Microsoft with a once-a-decade opportunity to unseat Google's Search dominance," wrote analyst Gil Luria in a note to clients Wednesday. Looking ahead, Luria expects the company's market dominancy and endurance to help the company weather further uncertainty ahead. The firm's $270 price target implies nearly 18% upside from Wednesday's close.

☆ North Korea's Kim sacks No. 2 military official
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-02 | by ( Hyonhee Shin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SEOUL, Jan 2 (Reuters) - North Korea has sacked Pak Jong Chon, the second most powerful military official after leader Kim Jong Un, state media reported. The party's Central Military Commission, which is headed by Kim, is considered the country' most powerful military decision-making body, above the defence ministry. In late 2020, Pak was promoted to the politburo and earned the title of marshal, the highest military rank under Kim, and became a leading voice last November against joint South Korea-U.S. military exercises. Like most other top military aides who went through ups and downs repeatedly under Kim, Pak was briefly demoted in mid-2021 after Kim chided some officials for their handling of North Korea's anti-coronavirus policy, before being promoted again months later. Ri, Pak's successor, is also a senior military commander who held key positions including chief of the army's general staff and defence minister.

☆ Our best stories on financial tech in 2022
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-30 | by ( Dan Defrancesco | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Today, we're going to recap all the great stories we've done this year on financial tech, whether it's up-and-coming startups or the projects at the biggest banks and investment firms. Wall Street and sports have a long history together. How top Wall Street firms are testing out cutting-edge tech. Shaw, here are 10 of the most innovative tech projects at top Wall Street firms. And we also identified the top Big Tech executives who could get poached by Wall Street firms looking to do more in the cloud.

☆ Creator economy experts say 2023 will be a buyer's market for M&A. Here are 5 themes to watch, from tech buyers like Shopify to startup consolidation
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-30 | by ( Marta Biino | Sydney Bradley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

"As a result, institutional acquirers, like PE firms who still have dry powder to spend, will start snatching up mid-to-large sized creator startups at much more advantageous prices." Insider spoke with creator-economy and market experts about what deals and the broader M&A landscape in 2023 may look like. "They're going to see that the creator economy exists as a direct failure of them to support creators," Gestetner said. "But if an opportunity arises for us to significantly enhance our capabilities to make us a better business powering the creator economy, we'll consider it." Startups can expect consolidation in saturated marketsThe crowded niches within the creator economy startup sphere could also face a wave of consolidation.

Critically, experts say, nothing that's transpired in the crypto market in 2022 undermines the inherent value of the blockchain. "So while this has been a shock to the market, a lot of people in the space remain sanguine about the future of blockchain technology." He said stock trading, buying and selling real estate, and borrowing and lending money remain ripe for disruption by blockchain technology. "The ethereum blockchain could turn out to be this major infrastructure layer for the future of technological services," Abner said. He said prospective crypto users must prepare for a steep learning curve going forward, because it ultimately involves trusting only yourself to be in charge of your assets.

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