​Buckle up as we zoom through the AI cosmos in this week's edition, where the digital future is not just knocking – it's already here, rearranging the furniture and asking for the Wi-Fi password.

From the media world's rollercoaster ride (think less "fun day out", more "hold onto your hats, this is the big one") to tech giants playing musical chairs with jobs (hint: the music's fast, and some chairs are being replaced by AI holograms), we've got the scoop that'll make you the smartest person in your next Zoom call. 🚀💼

Explore how AI is not just changing the game but also the players, the rules, and even the playing field. Whether it's Microsoft strategizing its next gaming move or SAP betting big on AI, we're covering it all. Plus, a special mention that'll have you rethinking apps (or the lack thereof) in a future so bright, you'll need shades. 🕶️📱

So, grab your favorite snack, find a comfy spot, and let's get into the nitty-gritty of how AI is reshaping our world, one algorithm at a time.

Trust me, by the end of this newsletter, you'll be ready to navigate the AI wave like a pro. Or at least, you'll have fun trying. 

​​Bill C-18, Canada's Online News Act, emerges as a contentious piece of legislation, stirring significant debate far beyond the boundaries of digital news content and into the burgeoning realm of artificial intelligence (AI).

Ostensibly designed to ensure fair compensation for news publishers from tech giants that share their content, the implications of such a bill extend into the arena of AI, prompting a conversation about censorship, innovation, and the free flow of information.

This legislation serves as a reminder of the balance between protecting content creators and stifling the very innovation that propels society forward.

​It's a fine line between ensuring fair compensation and inadvertently creating a walled garden that limits access to information—a cornerstone upon which AI, particularly large language models, is built.

​In the eerie aftermath of the Chernobyl disaster, a revelation emerged from the shadows—the discovery of fungi not merely surviving but thriving in the heart of intense radiation.

This revelation sparked a journey into the uncharted territory of radiotrophic fungi, organisms seemingly drawn to and nourished by the very radiation that terrifies most life forms.

Radiotrophic fungi, a mysterious class of organisms with an uncanny ability to harness ionizing radiation for growth, have taken center stage in scientific exploration.

The story unfolds in the dark corridors of Reactor 4, where Ukrainian scientists stumbled upon a black, mould-like fungus displaying an astonishing resilience to gamma radiation. This marked the beginning of a scientific odyssey that would unravel the intricate relationship between fungi, melanin, and radiation.

​Welcome to this week's edition of NorthStar News.

In our spotlight, we have a collection of narratives that map the journey of technology from the Gutenberg press to AI's role in today’s business landscape. 📜🤖

From @Quocirca & Louella Fernandes , dive into "The Gutenberg Revolution," where the echoes of the printing press remind us how AI might shape our future. At "The Golden Age of CIO Insights" from The Death of the Copier, we see the CIO's role in an era where information is gold, and those who mine it best, lead. 💡

The conversation turns to @HP at Davos with a candid admission of shifting profit paradigms - "We Lose Money on Hardware," spotlighting the move towards service and solutions. The debate heats up with D&B's perspective on whether ChatGPT can replace B2B sellers - a question igniting discussions in sales departments worldwide. 🔥

And lastly, CIO Dive's piece on @PwC's investment in generative AI and upskilling initiatives reflects a commitment to harnessing AI's transformative power. One poignant quote captures the essence: "Upskilling is the new currency in the AI-infused business terrain." 💼📈

It's another good week in Ai.

Enjoy!
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​​Converting office buildings into apartments isn't as simple as it sounds. Many office structures, particularly those built in the last 50 years, are not ideally suited for residential use. They often lack essential elements like natural lighting and adequate plumbing. This architectural mismatch poses significant renovation challenges and costs.

Moreover, only a fraction of these buildings can realistically be transformed into housing.

​In the picturesque setting of Davos, Switzerland, during the World Economic Forum, a revealing interview with HP's CEO, Enrique Lores, unfolded on "Squawk Box."

​It offered a deep dive into HP's strategic vision, particularly in embracing AI, addressing employee relations, and navigating the delicate balance of profit-making in the face of third-party print supplies.

​Three-Point Summary for the Beginning of the Article:

1. Understanding HP's Integration of AI in PCs: Discover how HP is revolutionizing the PC market with AI-powered laptops, and how this technological leap is set to redefine user experience and drive future demand.
   
2. Exploring HP's Approach to Employee Relations in a Hybrid World: Gain insights into HP's strategies for enhancing employee satisfaction and productivity in the evolving landscape of remote and hybrid work.
   
3. Analyzing HP's Business Model in Light of Third-Party Print Supplies: Learn about the complexities and controversies surrounding HP's stance on third-party print supplies and its impact on their business model focusing on profit generation from supplies.
   

​Welcome to this week's edition of NorthStar News.

This week, we explore a groundbreaking study from Columbia University, revealing that fingerprints may not be as unique as we once believed. This finding, unearthed by AI, challenges long-held beliefs in forensic science and raises crucial questions about privacy and identity security. 🕵️‍♂️🔍

Next, we turn to the business realm with Quocirca's report on IBPI, highlighting the evolving landscape of business technology partnerships. This insight is crucial for anyone navigating the complex web of modern business collaborations. 🤝💼

HP's introduction of AI-powered laptops marks a significant milestone in personal computing, blending cutting-edge technology with everyday usability. This development promises to redefine our interaction with personal devices. 💻🌐

Weekly reflections, in bullet form, with possible one or two expanded passages on select items. 

​Designed to enlighten by stirring the pot and spawning more questions.

Okay - Here we go. 
 
1. The best Ai tool is your Ai tool.
2. Ai negates the need for cybersecurity.
3. Ai will one day outrun the need for your data.
4. The ENTIRE education system will be obliterated and reimagined with Ai
5. Ai helps those on the spectrum. (everyone is on the spectrum)
6. Ai is self-therapy. But hasn't therapy always been self-therapy?
7. Ai can be trained to experiment and provide 'riskier' answers.
8. There is no 'central Ai Brain', which is why it cannot be reigned.
9. Ai gets rid of copywrites, trademarks, and royalties.
10. The AiPhone: Imagine a world that does not require Apps. (Your Ai/LLM is the mother of all Apps)
11. Ai music is your music. Created in real-time, specifically for you at a vibration your body and mind ask for.
12.People who use Ai everyday have multiplied their productivity, feel better about their jobs and increased their personal IQ. (and you want to wait and see how this whole Ai fad works out)

I love number 12.

Let's dig into increasing IQs.

​What You Will Know After Reading:

1. The Mechanism of RAG: Understanding how RAG combines retrieval of external data with LLMs' generative capabilities to produce more accurate and contextually relevant responses.
2. Enhancement Over Traditional Models: Insights into how RAG addresses the limitations of traditional LLMs by minimizing inaccuracies and 'hallucinations.'
3. Real-World Applications: Examples of how RAG is being employed in practical scenarios, like IBM's customer-care chatbots, demonstrating its potential in enhancing user experiences and operational efficiency.

After reading this blog on Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), you will gain insights into:
​

1. The Fundamentals of RAG: Understand the core concept of Retrieval-Augmented Generation, how it enhances traditional language models by integrating real-time data retrieval, and its role in improving the accuracy and relevance of AI-generated responses.
2. Applications and Impact of RAG in Various Industries: Discover the diverse applications of RAG across different sectors such as healthcare, customer service, and journalism. Learn how RAG is transforming these industries by providing up-to-date, factually accurate information, and enhancing decision-making processes.
3. Future Prospects and Technological Evolution: Gain a visionary perspective on the future implications of RAG in the field of artificial intelligence. Explore how this technology is set to evolve and its potential to revolutionize the way we interact with AI, making it more reliable, informative, and integral to various aspects of business and society.

But AI doesn't stope there.

The latest iteration of LLMs forces us to be really good at 'prompting.  Which means we need to be better at asking questions, which means we need to think deeper before asking.

We need to be taught HOW TO think instead of WHAT TO think.  Our current eductation system, from Kindergarten to higher ed, focusing on outputs more than the process.  We need to be taught to think critically.  AI will force out the old and stifling modes of rote education.  It will.

Meanwhile Apple is introducing something about AI and IBM illuminates an AI concept called retrieval-augmented generation or "RAG".  Get to know what it means and how it impacts the rest of your world.

Explore, look around the site and enjoy.

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