The Comunicano Sunday Edition for November 10th 2024

It's Sunday Funday

Today we’re diving into the latest in innovation, investment, and transformation. From Wall Street to space, groundbreaking shifts are redefining how we live, work, and invest.

First off, private equity giants like Blackstone and Apollo are turning to individual investors for capital as traditional institutional sources dry up. They’re offering retail investors a shot at growth opportunities, but it’s not without risks—market volatility and limited liquidity make retail investors cautious, which may mean slower uptake than expected. But make no mistake: this trend could democratize access to lucrative investments once reserved for the big players…..Next, OpenAI is evolving, but the leap isn’t as big as we’ve seen with past models. Their new model, "Orion," might not perform as spectacularly, especially in coding tasks. They’re addressing this by experimenting with synthetic data, trying to keep innovation alive without overwhelming new data inputs. In app development, OpenAI’s ChatGPT, boosted by a Chrome extension called Ultra, is making it easier for everyone to create apps, leveling the playing field in tech. Whether for beginners or seasoned developers, these tools are transforming tech accessibility, making development as easy as a few clicks.

AI isn’t just in the coding labs; it’s transforming classrooms too. Teachers using AI for lesson planning report improved effectiveness, as AI helps craft lessons that cater to diverse student needs. However, there’s a learning curve, and adapting AI tools can sometimes take as much time as creating content manually…..In the business sector, AI agents are proving more efficient than traditional AI, thanks to their ability to operate autonomously and adapt over time. Deloitte’s study highlights their potential for complex tasks but warns of risks, like cyber threats and bias. Companies looking to implement these need robust security frameworks…Switching to smartphones, Apple’s iOS 18 introduces personalized commands for Siri, replacing the standard “Hey Siri” with user-chosen phrases for a more intimate experience. And speaking of security, iPhones in police custody are mysteriously locking out investigators, possibly due to new privacy features in iOS 18….In the robotics world, despite recent layoffs, firms like Exotec and Dexterity are actively hiring, showing that demand for skilled robotics talent is as high as ever. For those looking to enter the field, there are ample opportunities….On the energy front, Space Solar, a UK startup, plans to launch a 30-megawatt solar power plant in space by 2030, transmitting energy back to Earth. And in urban mobility, Voltpost is turning streetlights into EV charging stations—practical, efficient, and much-needed.

Finally, in San Francisco, a shift in leadership with Daniel Lurie signals hope for a balanced approach to public safety, housing, and tech needs. This change reflects a more business-friendly, moderate future for the city. So, from AI to infrastructure, these developments define the changing landscape, and it’s a future we’re excited to shape, and that and more is all here today, only in THE COMUNICANO!!

Andy Abramson

Money Watch

Follow The Money—Private equity giants like Blackstone, EQT, and Apollo are increasingly targeting retail investors to fill capital needs as traditional institutional funding slows. Factors like rising interest rates, a competitive fundraising landscape, and limited institutional appetite have led PE firms to seek the vast wealth in retail markets. However, retail investors remain cautious, citing liquidity concerns, market volatility, and alternative returns in bonds and other assets. Although PE offers diversification and remains attractive relative to other assets, many retail investors are wary of the asset class’s illiquidity and risk, suggesting a slower adoption than PE firms might hope.

OpenAI Watch

OpenAI’s Strategic Shift—OpenAI’s upcoming model, reportedly called "Orion," might not achieve the leap in capabilities seen with past versions like GPT-4, according to a report from *The Information*. Testers noted that while Orion performs better overall than prior models, the rate of improvement has slowed, particularly in coding tasks. To address this, OpenAI has established a new foundations team to explore methods for enhancing model performance amidst limited new training data. These strategies include leveraging synthetic data and refining models post-training. OpenAI has not confirmed these plans and stated there are no releases scheduled for Orion this year.

Appy Days Are Here Again—OpenAI’s ChatGPT now enables users to create apps with ease, especially with the help of a new Chrome extension called Ultra. This extension enhances ChatGPT’s app development capabilities by providing structured, step-by-step guidance ideal for beginners and versatile enough for experienced developers. Users can brainstorm, plan, and code apps ranging from practical tools to games. Ultra offers features like multistep prompt flows and a prompt library, making development manageable and interactive. By leveraging these tools, users can prototype, refine, and expand their applications effectively, broadening access to AI-driven app development.

Hot for Teachers—A study featured in *PsyPost* reveals that teachers using AI for guidance and lesson planning report feeling more effective. Following 24 U.S.-based K-12 teachers over the 2023-2024 school year, researchers found that AI can provide valuable alternative teaching methods, boosting productivity and creativity in the classroom. Rather than merely creating quizzes faster, AI helps teachers adapt lessons to fit diverse learning needs. However, challenges remain, as new users may take as long to adapt AI output to their needs as they would creating materials from scratch.

AI Watch

AI Agents Get Better—According to a Deloitte study, AI agents are proving to be more effective than Generative AI (GenAI) for enhancing enterprise productivity through business process automation. Unlike GenAI, which primarily functions as input-output systems and can struggle with complex, multistep tasks, AI agents operate autonomously, interacting with their environments to perform tasks without human input. These agents can handle more intricate workflows by leveraging memory to track and learn from customer interactions across channels, making them ideal for complex, ongoing processes. While AI agents offer significant advantages, the study cautions about potential risks, including algorithmic bias and vulnerabilities to cyber threats. Deloitte suggests that businesses employ robust governance and security frameworks when adopting these agents to ensure responsible and secure implementation.

Apple Watch

A Name Is But A Name—Apple’s iOS 18 introduces the ability to customize Siri's activation command, replacing the familiar "Hey Siri" with a user-chosen phrase. After confirming your iPhone runs iOS 18, access the “Vocal Shortcuts” in the Accessibility menu, where you can set a new command. Choose a distinctive, memorable phrase to avoid accidental activations, and apply it to enhance both privacy and personalization. This feature lets users add a personal touch to their Siri experience, making interactions quicker and more efficient. With a custom trigger, Siri feels more responsive and aligned with your unique style.

Locked Out at The Lockup—Reports indicate that iPhones held in police custody are mysteriously rebooting, entering a "Before First Unlock" (BFU) state that locks out forensic teams from accessing data. According to a Detroit law enforcement document obtained by 404 Media, these reboots may occur after about 24 hours offline, even affecting devices in Airplane mode and Faraday boxes. Some speculate that this could be a security feature in iOS 18.0, potentially triggered by iPhones communicating signals to each other to prompt reboots. Experts are divided; some praise the concept as a privacy safeguard, while others remain skeptical of its intentional design. Apple has yet to respond.

Robot Watch

Where The Work Really Is—Despite recent layoffs in the robotics sector—such as iRobot's reduction of 105 employees following the collapsed Amazon acquisition and Bowery Farming's quiet shutdown—many robotics companies are actively hiring. For those affected by recent job cuts or new graduates looking to enter the field, opportunities abound. Notably, Exotec is leading with 111 open roles, while other firms like Humanoid (43 roles), Dexterity (41 roles), and Latitude AI (38 roles) also offer numerous positions. Other companies like Agility Robotics, Aurora, Chef Robotics, and Stack AV have substantial hiring needs, presenting promising opportunities across various roles and expertise levels.

Energy Watch

A Higher Power—Space Solar, a UK-based startup, plans to launch a 30-megawatt solar power plant in orbit by 2030, transmitting energy wirelessly to Earth, with an initial site in Iceland and potential expansions in Canada and Japan. Utilizing a system named CASSIOPeiA, the plant will harness solar energy continuously, unaffected by weather, and transmit it to ground-based rectennas. This pioneering approach bypasses land-use issues by possibly co-locating rectennas with offshore wind farms. While space solar power remains costly, advancements in launch technology and modular satellite design are driving costs down, positioning it as a competitive renewable energy source.

A New Way To Charge Your EV—Voltpost, a New York-based startup, aims to tackle EV charging challenges by converting streetlights into charging stations, a practical solution for city dwellers reliant on street parking. Each Voltpost installation, which can charge two to four adjacent cars, uses existing streetlight electricity, making it both cost-effective and quick to set up. Partnering with AT&T for IoT connectivity, Voltpost enhances the reliability and efficiency of its chargers, especially in urban areas like Michigan's Metro-Detroit. With plans for widespread deployment, Voltpost envisions tens of thousands of these Level 2 chargers available nationwide by 2030, accessible via its ChargeApp.

Crime Watch

Let The Hologram Solve It—In an effort to solve the 15-year-old cold case of Hungarian sex worker Betty Szabo, Amsterdam’s police have deployed a hologram in the city's red-light district. This haunting 3D image, depicting Betty knocking on a window and writing “help,” aims to jog memories and gather leads on her brutal 2009 murder. Szabo was found fatally stabbed in her brothel room just three months after giving birth. Cold case detectives hope the hologram will encourage witnesses, especially tourists, to come forward, with a €30,000 reward offered. The hologram underscores the risks sex workers face, as Amsterdam debates relocating its red-light district.

SF Watch

Changing Of The Guard—San Francisco’s latest mayoral election saw Daniel Lurie, a political newcomer with business-friendly views, defeat incumbent London Breed and progressive Aaron Peskin. Although tech investors didn’t get their preferred candidates, many celebrated a shift away from progressive dominance. This moderate win marks a move toward addressing public safety, housing, and business needs, aligning somewhat with tech leaders' priorities. Meanwhile, Lurie, with ties to San Francisco’s elite, faces challenges like budget constraints and a complex city government. His victory represents a hope for balanced change in San Francisco, appealing to both moderate tech interests and business advocates.