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3 AI-Backed Stocks That Could Return Magnificent Gains in 2024 – The Motley Fool

November 26, 2023 | Author: admin

If you don't already own artificial intelligence stocks, you're likely to be missing out on one of the biggest technology inflections in history. But if you fear you've already missed the boat, keep in mind many key AI industry participants still trade below their 2021 highs.

But as interest rates stabilize and AI tailwinds sustain as many suspect, look for these three names to make new all-time highs -- likely in 2024.

The AI world got a shock on Friday, when OpenAI CEO Sam Altman was fired by OpenAI's board of directors. While the situation appears fluid and Altman may be able to return, it is clearly a less-than-ideal situation.

In the cloud industry, OpenAI investor Microsoft (MSFT -0.11%) is thought to have the AI lead because of the OpenAI partnership, but the current chaos may have thrown that "lead" into question. Meanwhile Amazon (AMZN 0.02%), Microsoft's chief rival in the cloud computing space, is making its own AI moves.

September was actually a momentous month for Amazon's AI ambitions. Amazon Web Services made its AWS Bedrock service generally available to enterprise customers. Bedrock is AWS's generative AI platform, whereby companies will be able to access large language models (LLMs) from leading AI start-ups AI21 Labs, Anthropic, Cohere, Stability AI, and also Meta Platforms' LLM, called Llama. In addition, Amazon has pre-trained models of its own called Titan, which customers can combine with their own private data to glean insights. Finally, Amazon's AI-powered Code Whisperer helps developers write and implement software code quickly and efficiently with natural language prompts.

September also saw Amazon announce a strategic collaboration with AI start-up Anthropic. In exchange for a minority investment up to $4 billion, Anthropic will commit to using AWS as its primary cloud provider, and use Amazon's in-house-designed Trainium and Inferentia chips. The deal in many ways is Amazon's answer to Microsoft's collaboration with OpenAI, so we will see if the Anthropic deal gives Amazon a leg up in the AI wars.

And of course, Amazon is an innovative company with huge scale across its e-commerce, advertising, and other consumer businesses. That size and data advantage should also allow Amazon's other businesses to benefit from efficiencies gleaned from AI. And that may already be happening; last quarter, Amazon's non-cloud North American business grew 11%, and its International business grew 16%, which are very healthy rates for businesses that large.

Given that Amazon is still 25% below its all-time highs, Amazon is a "Prime" candidate for a strong 2024.

As the cloud computing business seems to be bottoming out, so is the memory industry. Micron Technology (MU -0.30%) is one of only three major DRAM manufacturers, and the only one based in the United States.

Fortunately for Micron, artificial Intelligence servers require multiples more DRAM than traditional enterprise servers, and research firm Trendforce recently projected AI server unit shipments will grow at a mid-teens rate for the next five years.

That should help underpin the DRAM market, which is due for an upturn even outside of AI servers. The post-pandemic period led to the worst-ever drop in demand for PC and mobile DRAM in mid-2022, but that long down-cycle has also shown recent signs of turning around:

MU EBIT (Quarterly) data by YCharts

Not only that, but Micron has overtaken its rivals on leading technology nodes over the past year. A year ago, Micron was the first company to manufacture DRAM on the 1-beta node. Recently, Micron introduced its new 128 GB RDIMM DRAM module built on 32GB DDR5 DRAM dies that is highly desirable for AI applications. And next year, Micron will begin shipping its new high-bandwidth memory (HBM3) for AI applications, whose specs exceed those of competitors' offerings in the market today.

With the memory market bottoming out and AI-related demand tailwinds just starting to kick in, Micron should see its current losses turn into profits -- potentially, big profits -- next year.

Unlike Amazon and Micron, server maker Super Micro Computer (SMCI -0.34%) reached an all-time high earlier this year, but it has backtracked about 20% off those highs from early August. Despite its outperformance over the past two years, shares still don't look expensive at 26 times trailing earnings and 16.7 times 2024 earnings estimates, with Super Micro's fiscal year ending next June.

Super Micro's energy-efficient servers with unique features such as liquid cooling and building-block architecture have found favor with artificial intelligence companies. Over the past year, the majority of SMCI's revenue now come from AI-related servers. Given the hypergrowth projected for AI servers going forward, Super Micro should be a strong grower not only this year, but for years to come.

This year, Super Micro announced a new Malaysia manufacturing plant that will come online in 2024, which should double the capacity of the company and lower its manufacturing costs significantly. And just two weeks ago, Super Micro announced it can now deliver 5,000 server racks per month as a result of surging demand. Why is this important? Because just two quarters ago, management had hoped to reach 4,000 racks per month by year-end. That means Super Micro is exceeding its own goals in meeting strong demand.

Super Micro also plans to grow well beyond this year. While it has guided for revenue of $10 billion to $11 billion in fiscal 2024, CEO Charles Liang has set a goal for $20 billion, which he sees, "just a couple years away." Super Micro has a profitable history of beating its own guidance and publicly stated goals, so the company could get there even faster.

That makes it a stock that can soar even further in 2024.

John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Randi Zuckerberg, a former director of market development and spokeswoman for Facebook and sister to Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Billy Duberstein has positions in Amazon, Meta Platforms, Micron Technology, Microsoft, and Super Micro Computer and has the following options: short January 2025 $110 puts on Super Micro Computer, short January 2025 $125 puts on Super Micro Computer, short January 2025 $130 puts on Super Micro Computer, short January 2025 $280 calls on Super Micro Computer, short January 2025 $380 calls on Super Micro Computer, and short January 2025 $85 puts on Super Micro Computer. His clients may own shares of the companies mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon, Meta Platforms, and Microsoft. The Motley Fool recommends Super Micro Computer. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Unleashing the Potential: The Future of Bitcoin Cash and Its … – Geeks World Wide

November 26, 2023 | Author: admin

Bitcoin Cash (BCH) is a cryptocurrency that emerged as a result of a hard fork from the original Bitcoin (BTC) in August 2017. It was created to address scalability issues and offer a peer-to-peer electronic cash system. The key features of Bitcoin Cash include an increased block size, faster transactions, low transaction fees, Segregated Witness integration, decentralization, support for smart contracts and tokenization, and community consensus and development.

Bitcoin Cash has found applications in various sectors since its creation. It is used for peer-to-peer transactions, online payments, remittances, tokenization and smart contracts, decentralized finance (DeFi) applications, privacy features, adoption in developing countries, community projects, and education and outreach. It has also seen partnerships and integrations with companies and projects in the financial and tech sectors.

However, Bitcoin Cash also faces critiques and challenges. Some argue that the larger block size may lead to increased centralization and compromise network security. Achieving long-term scalability and balancing scalability with security remain challenges for Bitcoin Cash.

In the broader cryptocurrency ecosystem, Bitcoin Cash maintains a prominent position in the market and has a diverse community of developers, supporters, and critics. The future of Bitcoin Cash depends on scalability and technology upgrades, the evolving regulatory landscape, community development and support, integration into mainstream finance, enhanced privacy features, DeFi and smart contracts, global adoption and financial inclusion, educational initiatives, market dynamics and competition, and technological innovation.

Overall, the future of Bitcoin Cash will be shaped by its ability to address technological challenges, navigate regulatory landscapes, foster community engagement, and adapt to the evolving needs of users and businesses. Collaboration, strategic developments, and a clear vision will play a pivotal role in shaping the future trajectory of BCH.

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AI and the law: Imperative need for regulatory measures – ft.lk

November 26, 2023 | Author: admin

Using AI Technology, without the needed laws and policies to understand and monitor it, can be risky

The advent of superintelligent AI would be either the best or the worst thing ever to happen tohumanity. The real risk with AI isnt malice but

competence. A super-intelligent AI will be extremely good at accomplishing its goals and if those goals arent aligned with ours were in trouble.1

Generative AI, most well-known example being ChatGPT, has surprised many around the world, due to its output to queries being very human likeable. Its impact on industries and professions will be unprecedented, including the legal profession. However, there are pressing ethical and even legal matters that need to be recognised and addressed, particularly in the areas of intellectual property and data protection.

Firstly, how does one define Artificial Intelligence? AI systems could be considered as information processing technologies that integrate models and algorithms that produces capacity to learn and to perform cognitive tasks leading to outcomes such as prediction and decision-making in material and virtual environments. Though in general parlance we have referred to them as robots, AI is developing at such a rapid pace that it is bound to be far more independent than one can ever imagine.

As AI migrated from Machine Learning (ML) to Generative AI, the risks we are looking at also took an exponential curve. The release of Generative technologies is not human centric. These systems provide results that cannot be exactly proven or replicated; they may even fabricate and hallucinate. Science fiction writer, Vernor Vinge, speaks of the concept of technological singularity, where one can imagine machines with super human intelligence outsmarting financial markets, out-inventing human researchers, out-manipulating human leaders and potentially subduing us with weapons we cannot even understand. Whereas the short term impact depends on who controls it, the long-term impact depends on whether it cannot be controlled at all2.

The EU AI Act and other judgements

Laws and regulations are in the process of being enacted in some of the developed countries, such as the EU and the USA. The EU AI Act (Act) is one of the main regulatory statutes that is being scrutinised. The approach that the MEPs (Members of the European Parliament) have taken with regard to the Act has been encouraging. On 1 June, a vote was taken where MEPs endorsed new risk management and transparency rules for AI systems. This was primarily to endorse a human-centric and ethical development of AI. They are keen to ensure that AI systems are overseen by people, are safe, transparent, traceable, non-discriminatory and environmentally friendly. The term AI will also have a uniform definition which will be technology neutral, so that it applies to AI systems today and tomorrow.

Co-rapporteur Dragos Tudovache (Renew, Romania) stated, We have worked to support AI innovation in Europe and to give start-ups, SMEs and industry space to grow and innovate, while protecting fundamental rights, strengthening democratic oversight and ensuring a mature system of AI governance and enforcement3.

The Act has also adopted a Risk Based Approach in terms of categorising AI systems, and has made recommendations accordingly. The four levels of risk are,

Unacceptable risk (e.g., remote biometric identification systems in public),

High risk (e.g., use of AI in the administration of justice and democratic processes),

Limited risk (e.g., using AI systems in chatbots) and

Minimal risk (e.g., spam filters).

Under the Act, AI systems which are categorised as Unacceptable Risk will be banned. For High Risk AI systems, which is the second tier, developers are required to adhere to rigorous testing requirements, maintain proper documentation and implement an adequate accountability framework. For Limited Risk systems, the Act requires certain transparency features which allows a user to make informed choices regarding its usage. Lastly, for Minimal Risk AI systems, a voluntary code of conduct is encouraged.

Moreover, in May 2023, a judgement4 was given in the USA (State of Texas), where all attorneys must file a certificate that contains two statements stating that no part of the filing was drafted by Generative AI and that language drafted by Generative AI has been verified for accuracy by a human being. The New York attorney had used ChatGPT, which had cited non-existent cases. Judge Brantley Starr stated, [T]hese platforms in their current states are prone to hallucinations and bias.on hallucinations, they make stuff up even quotes and citations. As ChatGPT and other Generative AI technologies are being used more and more, including in the legal profession, it is imperative that professional bodies and other regulatory bodies draw up appropriate legislature and policies to include the usage of these technologies.

UNESCO

On 23 November 2021, UNESCO published a document titled, Recommendations on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence5. It emphasises the importance of governments adopting a regulatory framework that clearly sets out a procedure, particularly for public authorities to carry out ethical impact assessments on AI systems, in order to predict consequences, address societal challenges and facilitate citizen participation. In explaining the assessment further, the recommendations by UNESCO also stated that it should have appropriate oversight mechanisms, including auditability, traceability and explainability, which enables the assessment of algorithms and data and design processes as well including an external review of AI systems. The 10 principles that are highlighted in this include:

Proportionality and Do Not Harm

Safety and Security

Fairness and Non-Discrimination

Sustainability

Right to Privacy and Data Protection

Human Oversight and Determination

Transparency and Explainability

Responsibility and Accountability

Awareness and Literacy

Multi Stakeholder and Adaptive Governance and Collaboration.

Conclusion

The level of trust citizens have in AI systems can be a factor to determine the success in AI systems being used more in the future. As long as there is transparency in the models used in AI systems, one can hope to achieve a degree of respect, protection and promotion of human rights, fundamental freedoms and ethical principles6. UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay stated, Artificial Intelligence can be a great opportunity to accelerate the achievement of sustainable development goals. But any technological revolution leads to new imbalances that we must anticipate.

Multi stakeholders in every state need to come together in order to advise and enact the relevant laws. Using AI Technology, without the needed laws and policies to understand and monitor it, can be risky. On the other hand, not using available AI systems for tasks at hand, would be a waste. In conclusion, in the words of Stephen Hawking7, Our future is a race between the growing power of our technology and the wisdom with which we use it. Lets make sure wisdom wins.

Footnotes:

1Pg 11/12; Will Artificial Intelligence outsmart us? by Stephen Hawking; Essay taken from Brief Answers to the Big Questions John Murray, (2018)

2 Ibid

3https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20230505IPR84904/ai-act-a-step-closer-to-the-first-rules-on-artificial-intelligence

4https://www.theregister.com/2023/05/31/texas_ai_law_court/

5 https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/recommendation-ethics-artificial-intelligence

6 Ibid; Pg 22

7 Will Artificial Intelligence outsmart us? Stephen Hawking; Essay taken from Brief Answers to the Big Questions John Murray, (2018)

(The writer is an Attorney-at-Law, LL.B (Hons.) (Warwick), LL.M (Lon.), Barrister (Lincolns Inn), UK. She obtained a Certificate in AI Policy at the Centre for AI Digital Policy (CAIDP) in Washington, USA in 2022. She was also a speaker at the World Litigation Forum Law Conference in Singapore (May 2023) on the topic of Lawyers using AI, Legal Technology and Big Data and was a participant at the IGF Conference 2023 in Kyoto, Japan.)

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Ethereum Classic shows resilience amid mixed crypto market … – Investing.com

November 26, 2023 | Author: admin

Investing.com|EditorNikhilesh Pawar

Published Nov 25, 2023 09:14AM ET

Cryptocurrency markets have presented a mixed bag of results recently, with Ethereum Classic (ETC) demonstrating its robust presence in the space. Despite a marginal decline early today to $19.28 or its Bitcoin equivalent, ETC's market capitalization holds strong at $2.78 billion, backed by a substantial trade volume nearing $140 million.

The cryptocurrency, which was established on July 23rd, 2016, remains committed to its original principles of immutability and censorship-resistance for smart contracts and decentralized application (dApp) functionality on its blockchain platform. Operating on a proof-of-work protocol with its native EtcHash algorithm, Ethereum Classic boasts a total supply of 210,700,000 coins and a circulating supply of 144,201,836 coins, reflecting a solid adoption rate within the community.

The broader crypto market has seen varied performance today. Bitcoin recorded a slight decrease at $37,690.84 (-0.2%), while altcoins such as Dogecoin and Litecoin experienced gains, rising to $0.0782 (+0.8%) and $71.09 (+1.1%), respectively. Bitcoin Cash also saw growth to $227.49 (+0.6%). In contrast, UNUS SED LEO took a notable hit, decreasing to $3.97 (-3.3%), alongside minor dips in Bitcoin SV at $47.76 (-0.3%) and Conflux at $0.16 (-0.1%).

Investors interested in Ethereum Classic often start by acquiring mainstream cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum through recognized platforms before trading for ETC. The vibrant ETC community actively engages in discussions on Reddit and tracks the currency's progress through Github contributions.

As the cryptocurrency landscape continues to evolve, Ethereum Classic's dedication to preserving the founding tenets of the blockchain technology it builds upon distinguishes it within an increasingly diverse market ecosystem.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

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Liquidity Management in Crypto Payment Gateways: Strategies for … – Analytics Insight

November 26, 2023 | Author: admin

Liquidity Management in Crypto Payment Gateways: Strategies for Seamless Digital Transactions

As the adoption of cryptocurrencies continues to surge, the management of liquidity within crypto payment gateways has become a pivotal aspect of ensuring efficiency, stability, and trust in digital transactions. This article delves into the critical role of liquidity management in crypto payment gateways, exploring the challenges, strategies, and technological advancements that contribute to maintaining a seamless and reliable ecosystem for users engaging in cryptocurrency transactions.

Liquidity in the context of crypto payment gateways refers to the availability and ease with which cryptocurrencies can be bought or sold in the market without causing significant price fluctuations. It is a measure of the gateways ability to fulfill transactions promptly.

Cryptocurrencies are known for their price volatility, which can pose challenges to liquidity management. Sudden market fluctuations can impact the availability of assets and affect the speed and cost of transactions.

Crypto payment gateways face challenges related to market liquidity. High demand or low trading volumes can lead to slippage, where the execution price of an order differs from the expected price. Implementing strategies to address market liquidity challenges is crucial.

Effective liquidity management involves robust risk mitigation strategies. This includes monitoring and addressing counterparty, market, and operational risks to ensure the payment gateways stability.

Utilizing advanced analytics and real-time monitoring tools is essential for anticipating liquidity needs. By closely tracking market trends and user behavior, payment gateways can proactively adjust liquidity parameters to meet demand.

AMM protocols, commonly used in decentralized finance (DeFi), automate the process of liquidity provision. These algorithms adjust token prices based on supply and demand, ensuring continuous liquidity in decentralized exchanges and payment gateways.

Crypto payment gateways can integrate with liquidity pools, which are reserves of tokens supplied by users. This integration helps ensure that the gateway has access to a pool of assets to facilitate transactions, enhancing liquidity.

Smart contracts can be employed to automate liquidity provision and management. These contracts can set predefined rules for liquidity adjustments based on market conditions, enhancing efficiency and reducing the need for manual intervention.

Effective liquidity management contributes to seamless transactions, ensuring users can buy or sell cryptocurrencies without delays or disruptions. This enhances the overall user experience and promotes trust in the payment gateway.

Transparent communication about liquidity management practices is crucial for building trust with users. Payment gateways should provide clear information on liquidity levels, risk management strategies, and any potential impacts on transactions.

In the rapidly evolving world of cryptocurrency transactions, liquidity management is a cornerstone for the success and reliability of crypto payment gateways. By addressing market challenges, implementing effective risk mitigation strategies, and leveraging technological solutions, these gateways can navigate the complexities of liquidity and provide users with a seamless, trustworthy, and efficient platform for engaging in digital transactions. As technological innovations continue, the landscape of liquidity management in crypto payment gateways is poised for further advancements and improvements.

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Ethereum Staking: Vitalik Buterin Reveals Ethereum’s Staking Overhaul for Decentralization Boost – CoinGape

November 26, 2023 | Author: admin

In a recent interview with Defi and NFT platform Defiant, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin was asked 45 questions. The interview took place in Turkey, and Buterin was visiting the nation for the first time.

The Ethereum founder first addressed the Turkish cryptocurrency environment. When asked about crypto in Turkey, Buterin stated that Turkey is a very big hub in the crypto-verse as per statistics. He also said that whenever he posts on X, he gets most of the comments from the Turkish audience.

Later on, he talked about how the future of crypto in Turkey will advance and how it will impact the world.

As the interview proceeded, the host asked Buterin about the future roadmap of Ethereum. Vitalik revealed that the change this year is realizing that they have to have a positive approach toward staking centralization.

He addressed that they have to redesign the Ethereum staking to make healthy changes in Mining pools and staking pools. He thinks that alleviating the issues will improve decentralization. However, the challenge is that data availability is moving slower in the off-chain systems as the near-term and mid-term demands are high.

About the next Ethereum upgrade EIP 4844 a.k.a Danksharding, Buterin said that the data map space will be improvised to 16 Megabytes per slot. Once the upgrade is done, the only hard work to be done is setting the parameters and attributes.

Buterin also argued that they could also employ a voting system so there would be no need for hard forks in the future. The Dencun upgrade will be live early in 2024.

Also Read: CME Bitcoin Futures Turns Mega Bullish, Rally To $45,000 In Play?

As soon as Buterin mentioned UTxO, Cardano advocates mocked him on the microblogging site X hilariously. Taking a dig at Buterin, Cardanos founder Charles Hoskinson said that Ethereum 3 will solve it all satirically.

Ethereum uses an account-based model while, UTxO (Unspent Transaction Output (UTXO)-based blockchain) is used by Bitcoin and Cardano. While Buterin praised the UTxO approach, the Cardano army couldnt stop themselves and taunted why Cardano was doing things correctly.

In response to a comment, Hoskinson mentioned that Cardano would never be lauded as one of the greatest scientific achievements by Vitalik or the Ethereum team. Furthermore, he stated that Vitalik is rediscovering what Cardano has been working on for a decade and that they are never recognized.

Also Read: Binances Ex-CEO Changpeng CZ Zhao Fights For UAE Return Post Guilty Plea

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"Rising Demand and Price Surge: Ethereum (ETH) Reaches $2084 … – Geeks World Wide

November 26, 2023 | Author: admin

Ethereum (ETH) is currently trading at $2084, showing a 0.57% increase in the past 24 hours. The price has been steadily rising since finding support at $1934 on November 22. Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, recently discussed the platforms planned development and the need for improvement in Ethereum staking. The rise in demand for ETH coincided with breaking the $2000 mark on November 23.

Ethereum (ETH) has experienced a positive price increase, reaching $2084 with a 0.57% gain in the last 24 hours. This growth has been consistent since it found support at $1934 on November 22. Vitalik Buterin, the co-founder of Ethereum, shared insights on the platforms development during an interview. He emphasized the importance of enhancing Ethereum staking to strengthen decentralization.

Ethereum (ETH) has witnessed a positive price surge, climbing to $2084 with a 0.57% gain in the last 24 hours. Vitalik Buterins interview highlighted the importance of improving Ethereum staking for increased decentralization. As ETH surpassed the crucial $2000 mark, demand for the cryptocurrency rose significantly. The next potential price movements involve testing the $2128 resistance level or potentially dropping to the $2000 support level.

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2 Soaring Stocks I’d Buy Now With No Hesitation – The Motley Fool

November 26, 2023 | Author: admin

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a buzzword in 2023 and for good reason. According to research from the McKinsey Global Institute, generative AI has the potential to increase global corporate profits by $4.4 trillion annually.

Unsurprisingly, AI stocks also stand to benefit dramatically in the case of a potential bull market. Although no one can definitively tell whether we are currently in a bull market or not, investors focused on generating long-term wealth can consider buying small positions in promising AI stocks such as Palantir Technologies (PLTR -2.49%) and Microsoft (MSFT -0.11%).

Here's why shares of these companies are well-positioned to soar even higher in the coming months.

Long before AI and machine learning became buzzwords, Palantir's cutting-edge software solutions -- including Gotham, Apollo, and Foundry -- were leveraging these technologies to analyze huge troves of data and derive actionable insights for its government and commercial clients.

Launched in April 2023, Palantir's Artificial Intelligence Platform (AIP) is also proving to be a major growth catalyst. Combining the power of large language models in its core machine learning algorithms, AIP enables users to interact and receive automated responses (a chatbot experience). Within five months of launch, AIP has been used by nearly 300 enterprise clients.

Palantir's recent go-to-market strategy, AIP Bootcamp, is also expected to accelerate the pace of customer acquisition for the company. Unlike traditional pilot projects that require one to three months, Palantir has managed to deliver real-time workflows to prospective clients within five days. This initiative has enabled the company to simultaneously approach multiple clients through multi-organization boot camps, reduce time to market, and ensure deep engagement of its IT team. Furthermore, these boot camps are also leading to expanded usage of the company's technologies by existing clients while also resulting in better unit economics.

Palantir reported impressive numbers in the third quarter with revenue and earnings surpassing consensus estimates. The company also posted its fourth consecutive quarter of positive net income. The total number of customers grew by 34% year over year to 453. The company also saw an acceleration in the pace of high-value deals, closing 80 deals valued at $1 million or more, 29 valued at $5 million or more, and 12 valued at $10 million or more in the third quarter.

Trading at a price-to-sales multiple of 21.5, Palantir is valued significantly higher than the software industry median multiple of 2.1. However, considering the broad customer base comprising multiple high-value clients, its impressive strategy to reduce conversion times for larger clients, and its improving financials, the premium valuation seems justified.

Coupled with the additional revenue streams from increased penetration of AIP in the global AI market (estimated to be worth $1.8 trillion by 2030), Palantir may see significant share price appreciation in the coming months.

Previously known mainly for its personal computing business (Office productivity suite), Microsoft now has a strong presence in several other rapidly growing markets such as cloud computing, search advertising, and cybersecurity.

Microsoft's $13 billion investment in OpenAI, creator of the widely famous chatbot ChatGPT, has also proven to be a masterstroke for this tech titan. Thanks to this strategic partnership, the company has been successfully integrating AI technology across its core offerings such as Azure, Bing, and Office 365 -- making them more efficient and cost-effective for customers.

For the past few years, the Azure cloud computing business has become a major revenue driver for Microsoft. In the first quarter of its fiscal 2024 (ended Sept. 30, 2023), the Intelligent Cloud segment saw a 19% year-over-year jump in revenue to $24.3 billion -- driven mainly by a 28% year-over-year jump in constant-currency revenue of Azure and cloud services business.

Microsoft expects cloud spending optimization to be a persistent trend in the cloud business, although the impact was higher in the past few quarters. Morgan Stanley analyst Keith Weiss expects the impact of this trend to lessen in the coming quarters. Nevertheless, increasing consumption and monetization of AI models and services (OpenAI models as well as other proprietary and open-source models) is proving to be the major growth catalyst for Azure. At the end of the first quarter, more than 18,000 organizations were using the Azure OpenAI service.

Microsoft is also gearing up for new revenue streams by monetizing several of its AI-powered assistants or Copilots. Prominent among them is Microsoft 365 Copilot, which was made generally available to enterprises on Nov. 1. Priced at $30 per month, this AI assistant is expected to make a meaningful contribution to the company's revenue -- considering that the Microsoft 365 productivity suite has nearly 345 million paid seats. Its already existing GitHub Copilot is used by 1 million paid users across 37,000 organizations. Priced at $100 per seat per year, this AI assistant has helped increase overall developer productivity by up to 55%.

Besides a robust diversified business model, Microsoft also boasts enviable financial numbers. The company surpassed analysts' consensus estimates for both revenue and earnings in the first quarter. The company also has a stellar balance sheet with $144 billion cash and $105.7 billion total debt.

Considering Microsoft's strength in the enterprise software and cloud computing business, AI tailwinds, and strong financial prospects, the company is an attractive pick now.

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Top Trending Cryptos To Buy: FriendXChange Surges by 300%, BONK Challenges SHIBA INU & DOGE, and Ethereum Rival Solana Rises 15% – Yahoo Finance

November 26, 2023 | Author: admin

New York, NY --News Direct-- Bitcoin Mag

The cryptocurrency market is abuzz with recent developments, showcasing exciting growth and competitive dynamics. From FriendXChange's impressive surge to BONK's challenge to meme coin titans, and Solana's stand against Ethereum, each story reflects the vibrant and unpredictable nature of this digital economy.

FriendXChange, an emerging force in the cryptocurrency landscape, has experienced a remarkable 280% surge in value, underscoring its unique position in the market. This platform offers an innovative approach to monetizing social capital, allowing users to trade shares of X (Twitter) influencers, family, friends, and public figures, akin to stock market investments. This pioneering concept has introduced a new asset class that ties directly into daily social interactions.

A notable feature of FriendXChange.Tech is the ability to trade shares of renowned cryptocurrency figures like Vitalik Buterin, M. Cuban, and A. Hayes, among others. This functionality capitalizes on the growing trend of influencer-based investments within the crypto sector. Beyond facilitating trades in shares of famous personalities, the platform expands investment opportunities to a diverse range of influencers, fostering a dynamic and engaging market environment.

FriendXChange also incentivizes user participation through a staking mechanism. By staking their $FRND tokens, users are eligible to earn a portion of the platform's revenue, presenting an appealing passive income opportunity. Additionally, the platform promotes community growth and engagement by offering users a 5% lifetime referral commission on all trading transactions made by their referrals. As per FRNDX Contract Audit's, $FRND has implemented essential measures to ensure a safe and reliable trading environment. These measures include renouncing the contract and locking in liquidity. Furthermore, an upcoming airdrop of FRNDX tokens is set to enhance the platform's appeal, aiming to attract new users and reward existing members.

Story continues

In the dynamic world of cryptocurrencies, BONK has emerged as a formidable contender, especially in the memecoin category. The Solana-based memecoin has experienced a staggering 4424% increase in value in just a week after its launch. This growth was spurred by the developers' strategic airdrop of half of BONK's total supply to the Solana blockchain community, fostering rapid adoption within the ecosystem.

BONK's initial performance outpaced that of Shiba Inu, which took 141 days to triple its market price, compared to just eight days for BONK. This rapid rise positions BONK as a potential rival to established memecoins like Shiba Inu and Dogecoin.

The impact of BONK on Solana (SOL) has been significant. The blockchain, which had been grappling with a decline in market cap, saw a 20-40% increase in value recently, trading at $59.90 at the time of reporting. While BONK experienced a recent 53% gain in a week, there are signs of recovery of the Solana Ecosystem.

Dogecoin, the veteran of dog-themed cryptocurrencies, known for its light-hearted community and meme-centric nature, has also been influenced by these developments. Despite achieving a significant bull run in late 2022, DOGE recently lost its 8th spot by global market cap, highlighting potential vulnerabilities in its position. While Shiba Inu (SHIB), the 19th most popular memecoin, has been navigating through the volatile cryptocurrency market. With a current market capitalization of approximately $4.78 billion, Shiba Inu (SHIB) continues to maintain a significant presence in the crypto landscape.

The contrasting trajectories of Solana and Ethereum offer insights into the diverse strategies and performances within the crypto market. Solana, known for its efficient and high-speed transactions, has recently made headlines with a significant rally. Following the FTX collapse, SOL's value climbed from a low of under $20 to nearly $60, driven by increased network activity and successful liquid staking token protocols like Jito. This surge has bolstered Solana's position as a top 6 cryptocurrency, with the ratio between Solana and Ethereum jumping significantly.

In contrast, Ethereum, while maintaining its status as the second-largest cryptocurrency by market cap, has faced challenges with scalability and network centralization. Over the past week, Ethereum's price saw a modest increase of approximately 6%, fluctuating between $1,970 and $2,100. Despite these challenges, both Solana and Ethereum continue to show promise, with asset management firm VanEck forecasting significant price gains for both platforms by 2030.

The cryptocurrency market continues to thrive with innovative platforms like FriendXChange offering unique trading opportunities and incentives. BONK's rapid ascent challenges established players like Shiba Inu and Dogecoin, while the rivalry between Solana and Ethereum underscores the diverse strategies and potentials within this digital economy. As the market evolves, these developments promise exciting opportunities and challenges for investors and enthusiasts alike.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or trading advice.

Bitcoin Magazie

news@bitcoinmag.co

View source version on newsdirect.com: https://newsdirect.com/news/top-trending-cryptos-to-buy-friendxchange-surges-by-300-bonk-challenges-shiba-inu-and-doge-and-ethereum-rival-solana-rises-15-418595046

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Top Trending Cryptos To Buy: FriendXChange Surges by 300%, BONK Challenges SHIBA INU & DOGE, and Ethereum Rival Solana Rises 15% - Yahoo Finance

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Windows-as-an-app is coming – Computerworld

November 26, 2023 | Author: admin

My first computer was an IBM 360 mainframe. To use it, I relied on a 3270 terminal. From there, I quickly moved on to a PDP-11 minicomputer running Unix where my interface was a VT-102 terminal.

In those days, all the computing power was remote. Then, CP/M, Apple, and IBM PCs changed everything. And the desktop became where power lived. That was then; this is now. Today, we're moving back to remote computing and from the PC to cloud-based Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS) offerings such as Windows 365.

This is exactly what Microsoft has wanted for years. Don't believe me? Check out Windows App, Microsoft's gateway to all its remote Windows offerings.

Windows App, which is still in beta, will let you connect to Azure Virtual Desktop, Windows 365, Microsoft Dev Box, Remote Desktop Services, and remote PCs from, well, pretty much any computing device. Specifically, you can use it from Macs, iPhones, iPads, other Windows machines, and pay attention! web browsers.

That last part means you'll be able to run Windows from Linux-powered PCs, Chromebooks, and Android phones and tablets.

So, if you've been stuck running Windows because your boss insists that you can't get your job done from a Chromebook, Linux PC, or Mac, your day has come. You can still run the machine you want and use Windows for only those times you require Windows-specific software.

Mind you, you've been able to do that for some time. As I pointed out recently, all the Windows software vendors don't want you to run standalone Windows applications; they prefer web-based Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) applications. They can make a lot more money from you by insisting you pay a monthly subscription rather than a one-time payment.

Sure, Microsoft made its first billions from Windows and the PC desktop, but that hasn't been its business plan for years now. As Zac Bowden, a senior editor at Windows Central, recently spotted in a June 2022 Microsoft internal presentation, the company plans to "Move Windows 11 increasingly to the cloud: Build on Windows 365 to enable a full Windows operating system streamed from the cloud to any device. Use the power of the cloud and client to enable improved AI-powered services and full roaming of people's digital experience."

This move was coming long before Microsoft fell in love with AI. I saw Microsoft switching people to Windows DaaS coming down the road in 2018. Windows App will just make it easier than ever.

How easy is it? Very.

For example, you'll be able to use Windows remotely via browsers using ancient versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and, of course, Edge. Essentially, if your web browser supports HTML5, you should be good to go.

From a browser, you'll be able to redirect your local devices, such as a printer, microphones, cameras, and your location, as well as audio, and clipboard to your remote session. If you redirect your local clipboard to your remote session, you can copy and paste text.

Microsoft is confusing, though, when it comes to copying and moving files. One part says you can, another part on the same web page says you can't. Stay tuned.

Not all remote Windows services are supported, yet. Microsoft says you'll be able to use remote desktop PCs, for example, but not at the moment. Support is coming, though..

To harness Windows App, you must upgrade to the latest version of Windows 365. You must also, for now, have a business or student account. If you qualify, upon launching Windows 365, you'll be greeted with an invitation to explore the Windows App's features through an interactive tour. Post-tour, you can access the "Home" screen to connect with remote devices or apps, aided by intuitive filters designed to streamline the search process.

From this customizable Home screen, you can use multiple services and PCs from one screen although I wouldn't try this on a smartphone. Windows App will enable you to use multiple monitors with custom and dynamic display resolutions, and scaling. So, if you like running multiple displays, as I do, you'd be able to run your personal desktop on one display while running a remote Windows session on another.

It all looks interesting. But, as Microsoft warns, "Windows App is currently in PREVIEW." Windows app "may be substantially modified before it's released. Microsoft makes no warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to the information provided here."

At this point, I'd tinker with it. After all, like it or not, this is Windows' future. But I wouldn't think about using it for production anytime soon.

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Windows-as-an-app is coming - Computerworld

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