Hello, curious minds! This week's newsletter dives into a climate deal that’s both a balm and a bicker, an AI Jesus stirring souls, and Nvidia’s chip titan dreams. Plus, Apple’s Siri gets a brain boost, and moon rocks reveal more than just craters. Let's unravel these tales with a sprinkle of humor and a dash of insight!
At COP29 in Baku (Nov 11-22, 2024), wealthy nations agreed to dole out $300 billion annually by 2035 to help developing countries battle climate change. While a landmark move with the new Loss and Damage Fund, critics like India and Nigeria grumble it’s only a sliver of the $1.3 trillion they demand. Amid political squabbles and fossil fuel fuss, there’s cautious optimism that this deal might actually cool things down.
Peter’s Chapel in Lucerne launched the 'Deus in Machina' project in September 2024, featuring an AI-powered Jesus in a confessional booth fluent in 100 languages. Over two months, more than 1,000 visitors engaged, with two-thirds reporting spiritually positive experiences. Developed with Lucerne University and theologian Marco Schmid, the art installation sparked lively debates on AI’s role in faith. While many lauded its innovation, some critics called it a gimmick, leading the church to keep it temporary.
Nvidia continues to shine in the generative AI race, with third-quarter 2024 revenue soaring 94% to $35.1B and a market cap exceeding $3.5T. Dominating 65% of the data-center AI chip market, its new Blackwell GPUs are expected to rake in $10B in Q4. Analyst optimism, led by Jim Cramer's praise, forecasts a $4T cap by 2025. Meanwhile, AMD and Intel are still trying to outpace the AI chip giant—with mixed success and plenty of popcorn for the spectators.
Apple's 'LLM Siri' is gearing up to out-chat ChatGPT! Announced at WWDC 2025, with a Spring 2026 rollout via iOS 19 and macOS 16, the revamped assistant leverages advanced language models for smarter interactions. Currently in testing and adding ChatGPT integration this December, Apple aims to rival rivals like Google Gemini while keeping user privacy intact. Stay tuned as Apple partners with OpenAI to redefine your voice assistant experience—with a dash of Apple’s signature charm!
Researchers from multiple universities have discovered that heart cockles possess aragonite-based fiber-optic structures in their shells, allowing 11-62% of light to reach symbiotic algae while filtering 5-28% of harmful UV rays. This natural marvel, the first of its kind in any organism, showcases an evolutionary leap in light transmission. Scientists believe mimicking these designs could lead to cheaper, more efficient fiber-optic cables. Who knew shellfish were the unsung heroes of internet tech?
NASA warns of a stubborn air leak in the ISS's Russian Zvezda module, detected since 2019 and now ticking up to 3.7 pounds per day this year. Despite NASA labeling it the top safety risk, Roscosmos shrugs, blaming micro-vibrations. Recent fixes have halved the leak, but tensions remain as the aging space station edges toward its 2030 sunset. Meanwhile, NASA eyes the Moon and Mars, juggling repairs and interstellar diplomacy in zero gravity.
At the Baku COP29 summit, wealthy nations vowed to dole out $300 billion annually by 2035 to help poorer countries tackle climate change—a triple boost from the previous $100 billion goal. However, experts point out the real need is $1.3 trillion each year. Adding spice to the stew, President-elect Donald Trump’s climate skepticism casts a shadow, while China and other developing nations hint at chip-in contributions. Meanwhile, vulnerable countries aren’t exactly popping champagne over the lack of fossil fuel commitments.
In May 2023, scientists confirmed the Moon has a solid inner core about 300 miles wide with an iron-like density of 7,822 kg/m³. This Earth-esque core, surrounded by a fluid outer layer, offers fresh insights into lunar formation and its once mighty magnetic field—100 times stronger than Earth's. Leveraging data from multiple space missions and lunar ranging experiments, this discovery paves the way for deeper Moon exploration. Looks like the Moon isn't just a pretty face after all!
Investor alert! Symbotic rockets revenue by 57.7% to $492M in Q3 ’24, thanks to its Walmart alliance and a $22.8B backlog. Meanwhile, Serve Robotics gears up to launch more delivery bots for Uber Eats, aiming to automate your next meal run. Lemonade’s AI-powered insurance charms the younger crowd, fueling its swift customer surge. Despite Symbotic's 61% stock dip, these AI stars might still make millionaires. Robots and policies, oh my!
As of November 2024, Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway has allocated nearly 47% of its $358B portfolio to AI-focused giants: Apple, Amazon, and BYD. Apple leads with AI features in devices, Amazon’s AWS drives generative AI growth, and BYD pushes autonomous tech. Snowflake exits completed, while Domino’s Pizza stays off the AI radar—Buffett’s sticking to proven innovators. Despite his cautious approach, these strategic AI moves could yield hefty long-term returns.
As of fall 2024, tech investors might find smarter bets in IBM, Micron Technology, and Fiverr International instead of Nvidia’s rocket-high stock. IBM clinched $3B in AI contracts and teamed with AMD to turbocharge its cloud AI capabilities. Micron’s memory chips are the unsung heroes of AI infrastructure, while Fiverr smartly blends AI with freelancing. Meanwhile, Nvidia’s $44.87B revenue might come with a hefty price tag. These hidden gems offer solid growth with fewer bubbles.