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Tesla is no longer the only company to launch self-driving cars

Electric cars took center stage at this week's virtual CES floor in Las Vegas. In her keynote speech Wednesday, General Motors Chief Executive Officer Mary Barra said her teams are aiming to create a consumer-centric self-driving car "in the middle of this decade."

Chinese automaker Geely hopes to offer it even earlier. Intel Mobileye said Tuesday that it is working with a new electric vehicle brand, Geely Zeekr, to launch a vehicle with "Level 4" autonomous capabilities in 2024, which means it won't require human input, writes WSJ.

Mercedes-Benz and Honda are pushing the boundaries by allowing drivers of their most sophisticated vehicles to disconnect from motorway traffic at low speeds in their home countries of Germany and Japan. This technically qualifies as Level 3 Automation. The use case is not broad, but is a demonstration of both technological and, crucially, regulatory leadership.

Self-driving cars - getting closer to becoming a reality. The danger for Tesla investors is that this race cannot be won by any particular car brand.

Joseph Marc Blumenthal

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Security robots who don't know what laziness is

Robots and automata work in industry, helping or even replacing humans. Their work is invaluable where there is a risk to human life. But can they replace the regular guards on the patrol? And is this replacement really necessary? Patrolling objects is not the most dangerous job. There is no such heightened risk as, for example, in factories where robots move heavy workpieces that even a crane cannot handle. Nevertheless, security robots are already patrolling factories, construction sites, power plants, etc. First of all, this helps to save on the salaries of several security guards. In addition, security and monitoring require responsibility and attention, and a person may not always be alert due to fatigue. Robots do well in this regard, as they don't need rest. For example, a patrol robot at a power plant in Chuzhou is able to monitor the state of the environment, equipment, and road conditions. The robot is equipped with IR cameras, a thermal imager, and sensors for detecting an increase in temperature. In terms of dimensions, this is a large car on 4 wheels. Robot dogs are smaller and faster guards that can make round-the-clock rounds, transmit real-time video to the guard post, as well as report suspicious activity and collect readings for diagnosis and research. One of the companies that deals with such technologies are UNI3. Developers can " teach" robots with additional program codes and special equipment to carry out the functions and duties of protection. Moreover, the developers promise that in the future, Unitree dogs may even be used in emergencies, sneaking into places that are dangerous to human health. Security robots are indeed a preferable option since such machines do not know fatigue, can work around the clock, and quickly respond to emergency situations. The choice in favor of them is also obvious because the robot can replace several employees at once, thereby reducing wage costs. That is why already well-known companies are hiring iron employees to guard important facilities. Joseph Marc Blumenthal

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Virtual land sales in the metaverse are on the rise

The new "hot" real estate market is not on the picturesque coastline and not in the hot cities of the Sun Belt - in the metaverse of gamers. Investment companies acquire virtual land and real estate in the virtual worlds of Sandbox and Decentraland. In them, players imitate real-life - from shopping to attending concerts. Individuals and firms will spend money on the use of virtual houses and retail space. The value of the real estate will rise as the number of people in these worlds increases. Investor interest in virtual real estate has grown since Facebook was renamed Meta Platforms Inc. and plans to focus on online worlds - Metaverse. Large purchases of virtual land Republic Realm is engaged in real estate development in the metaverse. In November 2021, the company paid $4.3 million for land in the Sandbox world. This is the largest recorded sale of virtual real estate. The NonFungible organization monitors virtual land sales. Republic Realm bought virtual land from Atari SA, which specializes in video games. Both companies announced joint plans for the development of some properties. Earlier in November 2021, a subsidiary of Canadian investment firm Tokens.com paid about $2.5 million for land in the Fashion district of the virtual world of Decentraland. "It's like buying land in Manhattan 250 years ago when the city was under construction," said Andrew Kiguel, CEO of Tokens.com. What happens in the virtual world Virtual worlds are usually created by video game developers. The user's avatar can walk around the city, buy clothes or a painting for his virtual home in a store. In virtual worlds, there are apartments with living rooms. Users communicate with their real-life friends' avatars. Participants pay with cryptocurrencies. They gamble in virtual casinos or travel on virtual yachts. Real estate investors: ● sell houses next to users' friends or virtual attractions, ● develop retail space for lease to virtual retailers. Land ownership is registered using NFT tokens - digital identifiers that act like actual documents. Real estate sales are usually carried out in a cryptocurrency that is unique to each metaverse. Investing in virtual real estate is risky The real estate retains some value even during a market downturn. The value of virtual real estate could drop to zero if the metaverse goes out of style and people stop visiting it. "If I buy a virtual building for 40 ETH, and then Ethereum drops from $ 4,000 to $100, that's a fundamental risk. There is no such risk when buying physical real estate," said Zach Aarons, general partner at venture capital firm MetaProp. To reduce the risk of Republic Realm: ● buys land in several different virtual worlds, ● runs two real estate investment companies focused on virtual real estate, ● owns 2,500 plots of virtual land in 19 worlds. "... we buy land either directly from the creator of the world, or from third parties through public listings and off-market transactions. In some cases, we decide to just sit on vacant land and wait for an increase in value. In other cases, we pay an architect to design virtual houses or shopping centers. And the game developer for building them, "says Republic Realm co-founder Janine Yorio. Zoning rules restrict virtual developers. Too active development can lead to oversaturation of the market, although in the metaverse, buildings can violate the laws of physics and float above the ground. Republic Realm employs an asset management manager: ● handles complaints from tenants and requests to change the terms of the lease, ● rents the mall to avatar clothing retailers, ● manages a village of 100 villas on private islands. Tokens.com shares are listed on the exchange The firm is developing an 18-story skyscraper in Decentraland to be leased to lawyers and cryptocurrency exchanges for events or advertising. Tokens.com plans to develop real estate on its virtual land plot in the Fashion District of Decentraland and lease it to fashion companies for events and trade. “We can create the

equivalent of Rodeo Drive or Fifth Avenue, where Gucci and Adidas will appear,” said Mr. Kiguel. ETF Providers Create Metaverse Funds Bloomberg drew attention to the creation of investment funds in companies associated with virtual worlds. Zuckerberg called this nascent segment of Internet technology "the next frontier." The Roundhill Ball Metaverse ETF (META) launched in June 2021. META raised $664 million in cash in November and now manages $866 million. Management fee is 0.75%. At the end of October 2021, a small fund, the Fount Metaverse ETF (MTVR), was launched. In December 2021, First Trust Advisors LP applied to launch the Indxx Metaverse ETF. The fund plans to track technology companies in emerging and developed markets and will use passive management. First Trust is one of the largest sellers of thematic funds - with $150 billion in management. New Metaverse funds appear in South Korea and Canada. Analysts estimate the metaverse market at $800 billion by 2024 - an annual growth rate of 13%. The industry is still in its infancy - the potential is not fully understood. Joseph Marc Blumenthal

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Clean energy has won the economic race

For decades, the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) has argued that the move to clean energy will be cheaper and faster than governments, companies and many analysts expect. In recent years, this forecast has been fully justified: ● the cost of renewable energy sources declined faster than expected, ● implementation was faster than forecasts, ● there was a greater decline in value. Research from two reputable research institutes shows that a fast transition to clean energy is the least costly way forward. Decades of missed opportunities. Policymakers, business leaders, and financial institutions need to urgently consider the promising ramifications of this development. World leaders must recognize that a 1.5 ° C warmer does not mean sacrifice. Climate change is creating a lucrative race for cleaner, cheaper energy technologies. The world is already suffering from extreme weather events caused by climate. Moving quickly to clean energy is also the safest way forward. There is a risk of not only wasting trillions of dollars but also propelling civilization further along the dangerous and potentially catastrophic path of climate change. For decades, forecasters have underestimated the decline in costs and the acceleration in the adoption of renewable energy sources. Due to poor forecasts, trillions of dollars have been invested in energy infrastructure, which is not only more expensive but also more harmful to human society and all life on the planet. The last chance to rectify lost opportunities: Either continue to spend trillions of dollars on the energy system that is killing us, or move quickly to cheaper, cleaner and more advanced energy solutions of the future. How the transition to clean energy will take place. The report "Renewable Spring" (The Renewable Spring) International Renewable Energy Agency (International Renewable Energy Agency - IRENA) lead author Kingsmill Bond shows: "... renewables are following the same exponential growth curve as past technological revolutions, following predictable and well-understood patterns. The energy transition will continue to attract capital and create a momentum of its own. But this process can and must be sustained to keep it going. As quickly as possible. Policymakers who want to drive change must create an enabling environment for optimal capital inflows. " Four stages of transformation. Kingsmill Bond has clearly identified 4 stages of renewable energy technology development: 1. Indiscriminate growth: "spring" of new technology - market share goes beyond 1% and rises to about 5%. The new technology is becoming cost competitive and growing rapidly. This is a period of rapid innovation. 2. Fever. The "summer" of new technology is a period of rapid diffusion. The market share will increase from 5% to about 25%. Financial capital stimulates the construction of new infrastructure. As capital moves faster than new investment opportunities are created, financial bubbles appear. 3. Synergy. At the end of the fever period, an event occurs that accelerates the collapse of the financial bubble. The necessary regulatory changes are then made to further the diffusion of the new technology. There is a full flowering of technology or the "fall" of a new technology. The market share increases from 25% to 75%. 4. Maturity is "winter". The new infrastructure has been built. Capital moves on to the next big project. In financial markets, hedge funds and other "mobile" financial players will be pioneers in clean energy technologies: ● open to new ideas, ● accustomed to high risks, ● change-sensitive capabilities. Lessons from past energy revolutions. Capital gravitates towards technological revolutions. He enters the zones of growth and opportunity associated with the start of these revolutions. Once a new technology passes its maturing period, capital becomes widely available. Financial markets are changing. Capital movements accelerate the process of change. New capital flows into growing industries and exits from declining

industries. Stock prices tend to underestimate the risks of climate change Current signals from financial markets. Indicate the 1st stage of the transition to the use of clean energy. The downgrade of the fossil fuels sector comes amid impressive growth in new energy sectors. The Renewable Spring report notes market trends for policymakers to intervene. They are beginning to create the necessary institutional frameworks to accelerate the energy transition and realize the economic benefits of local clean energy supply chains. A recent analysis by the Institute for New Economic Thinking (INET) at the Oxford Martin School shows trillions of dollars in savings from the rapid transition to clean energy solutions. The slow pace of clean energy adoption will be more costly from a financial point of view. Delay will lead to high climatic costs of eliminating the consequences of disasters and to a deterioration in living conditions. A fast track for the development of renewable energy sources is quite achievable. The INET Oxford report states: "... if the growth in the use of solar, wind, battery and hydrogen electrolyzers continues exponentially over the next decade, the world can achieve net zero emissions within 25 years." Bloomberg News, in its commentary on the INET Oxford report, offers a "conservative estimate": "... a quick transition to clean energy will save $26 trillion over maintaining the current energy system. The more solar and wind farms we build, the more the prices of these technologies will come down." Bill McKibben, in his response to the INET Oxford study, notes: "... the cost of fossil fuels will not go down. Any technological advances in oil and gas production will be offset by the fact that the world's available reserves are already exploited. Solar and wind energy will save consumers money. The fossil fuel industry will continue to slow the transition to clean energy for reduce their losses. " Joseph Marc Blumenthal

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22 new technologies for real investment in 2022

In the technology industry, rapid success takes years of development. So what else can appear in our life? Here are 22 new technologies to watch for investors in 2022:

Solar Geoengineering

It is known that dust and ash emitted by volcanoes into the upper atmosphere have a cooling effect: The eruption of Mount Pinatubo in 1991 cooled the Earth by as much as 0.5 ° C over 4 years. Solar Geoengineering - managing solar radiation, plans to do the same on purpose.

This is a huge controversy. Will this work? How will this affect precipitation and weather conditions? And won't that undermine efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions? Attempts to test this idea in practice are met with fierce opposition from politicians and activists.

However, in 2022, a group at Harvard University hopes to conduct an experiment called "SCOPEX". It involves launching a balloon into the stratosphere to release 2 kg of special material. Then measure how it evaporates, reacts, and dissipates solar energy.

The project's supporters plan to find out the technology's performance. Solar geoengineering could buy the world time to reduce greenhouse emissions. The Harvard Group has set up an independent advisory group to consider moral and political implications.

Heat pumps

Keeping buildings warm in winter accounts for about 25% of global energy consumption. Most of the heating is carried out by burning coal, gas or oil. The most promising alternative is the use of heat pumps - refrigerators working in the opposite direction.

When it is cold outside, the heat pump pumps heat from the outside to heat the room. Reverse operation of the heat pump cools the house. It simply moves the existing heat. For each kilowatt of electricity consumed, heat pumps can produce 3 kW of heat - operation is cheaper than electric radiators.

San Francisco-based Gradient plans to launch such a heat pump in 2022. The special low profile "saddle bag" shape allows the heat pump to be installed in the window like an air conditioner.

Hydrogen fueled aircraft

Electric batteries can only power small planes for short flights. But can water-only hydrogen fuel cells be used in long-haul aircraft?

In 2022, hydrogen fuel cell passenger aircraft will be tested:

● two-seater aircraft being developed by Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands,

● California-based ZeroAvia plans to complete testing of a 20-seat aircraft and intends to have its hydrogen propulsion system ready for certification by the end of 2022.

● Universal Hydrogen hopes to take off its 40-seat aircraft in September 2022.

Direct capture of carbon dioxide

Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is causing global warming. So why not suck it out with machines? Several startups are developing direct air capture (DAC) technology:

● in 2022, the Canadian company Carbon Engineering will begin construction of the world's largest direct air capture plant in Texas with a capacity of 1 million tons of CO2 per year,

● The Swiss company ClimeWorks will open a plant for the utilization of CO2 in mineral form in Iceland in 2021. It is planned to bury the obtained CO2 in the amount of 4,000 tons per year,

● the American company Global Thermostat has 2 experimental plants.

DAC can become vital in the fight against climate change. Now there is a race to reduce the cost and scale up the technology.

Vertical farming

Vertical farms grow plants on trays in a closed, controlled environment. Efficient LED lighting made the process cheaper. To reduce transport costs and harmful emissions, vertical farms are planned to be located near consumers. The use of water is kept to a minimum. Insects are repelled, so no pesticides are required.

Some companies' plans for the creation and expansion of vertical farms:

● in the UK, Jones Food Company will open the world's largest 13,750 m2 vertical farm in 2022,

● American company AeroFarms will open its largest vertical farm in Danville, Virginia,

● Nordic Harvest will expand its facility near Copenhagen and build a new one in Stockholm,

● Plenty will open a new indoor farm near Los Angeles, California.

Vertical farms mainly produce highly valuable leafy greens and herbs. Some of them master the cultivation of tomatoes, peppers, and berries. The challenge now is to ensure economic efficiency.

Container ships with sails

Ships generate 3% of greenhouse gas emissions. The combustion of marine bunker fuel, dirty diesel sludge, contributes to the formation of acid rain. In the era of sails, there were no such problems. Therefore, the sails are returned in the high-tech form to reduce costs and emissions.

The International Wind Ships Association proposes to quadruple the number of large cargo ships with sails by the end of 2022 - up to 40 ships:

● in 2022, the French company Michelin will equip a cargo ship with an inflatable sail to reduce fuel consumption by 20%,

● the Japanese shipping company MOL plans to install a telescopic rigid sail on the ship in August 2022,

● Italian company Naos Design expects to equip 8 vessels with its swiveling and folding rigid "sails-wings",

● others use kites, "suction wings" and giant rotating cylinders - Flettner rotors.

The European Union plans to include shipping in its carbon trading scheme in 2022. This will give an additional impetus to the development of sailing technology.

VR workouts

Most people don't exercise. Many would like to study but lack motivation. Virtual reality (VR) headsets enable people to play games and burn calories.

VR workouts took off during the pandemic when gyms were closed and the powerful and affordable Oculus Quest 2 was released.

The Supernatural VR workout app, available only in North America, may be released in Europe.

Vaccines against HIV and malaria

The impressive success of Corona Viral RNA vaccines heralds a golden era in vaccine development:

● Moderna is developing an HIV vaccine based on the same RNA technology used in the coronavirus vaccine. Clinical trials began in 2021. Preliminary results are expected in 2022,

● BioNTech is working on a malaria vaccine. Clinical trials are due to start in 2022,

● vaccines against HIV and malaria are being developed at the University of Oxford.

3D Printed Bone Implants

For years, researchers have been developing methods to create artificial organs using 3D printing of biological materials. The ultimate goal is to take a few cells from a patient and create fully functional organs for transplantation.

Particle3d and ADAM hope that in 2022 3D-printed bones will be available for implantation in humans. Both companies use calcium-based minerals to print bones. Implants are made according to the size of the patient - based on computed tomograms.

Tests of Particle3d in pigs and mice confirmed the growth of bone marrow and blood vessels into implants for 8 weeks.

3D-printed ADAM implants stimulate the natural growth of bones and gradually decompose, being replaced by the patient's bone tissue.

"... next in line is the 3D-printed blood vessels and heart valves."

Flying electric taxis

Flying taxis or electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft have long been considered something of a fantasy. In 2022, several companies around the world will begin test flights. Certification of aircraft for commercial use is planned for the next year or two.

Joby Aviation of California plans to build more than 12 of its five-seat aircraft. The flight range will be 150 miles. Germany-based Volocopter plans to provide air taxi services for the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Other contenders include eHang, Lilium and Vertical Aerospace. Watch the sky.

Space tourism

In July 2021, Virgin Galactic surpassed Blue Origin and made a suborbital flight in its own spacecraft. In September 2021, SpaceX sent 4 passengers on a multi-day orbital flight around the Earth.

All three companies hope to send more tourists in 2022. Virgin Galactic is modifying its apparatus to increase durability and safety. The flight will not take place until the second half of 2022, and commercial services will begin in the fourth quarter. Blue Origin is planning more flights. SpaceX has struck a deal to send tourists to the International Space Station.

Delivery drones

The new rules, which came into force in 2021, will help unmanned deliveries gain altitude in 2022:

● Manna is an Irish startup. Delivers books, food and medicine in County Galway. Plans to expand its service to Ireland and the UK.

● Wing is a subsidiary of Google. Made test deliveries in America, Australia and Finland. Plans to expand its home delivery service.

● Dronamics is a Bulgarian startup. Will start using winged drones to deliver cargo between 39 European airports.

The main task is to increase the speed of delivery of goods by unmanned aerial vehicles.

Silent supersonic aircraft

For 50 years, scientists have studied the shape of a supersonic aircraft and the reduction in the power of its sonic boom. Modern computers have allowed the necessary simulations to be carried out to translate noise reduction theory into practice.

The X-59 Quiet Supersonic Technology will make its first test flight in 2022. It is very important that the tests take place over land. The commercial supersonic airliner Concorde was not allowed to travel faster than sound when flying over the ground. The X-59's sonic boom volume will be 8 times quieter than the Concorde and equivalent to a distant thunderclap. Regulatory authorities will be able to lift the ban on supersonic flight over the ground in the event of successful tests of the X-59. A new era will open for commercial flights.

3D printed houses

Architects often use 3D printing to create scale models of buildings. The technology can be scaled up and used for the construction of real objects. Materials spill out of the nozzle in the form of foam, which then solidifies. Layer by layer, the house is printed - either on site or in multiple parts in the factory that are transported and assembled.

In 2022, California-based Mighty Buildings will complete 15 eco-friendly 3D-printed homes. Texas-based ICON plans to start building a community of 100 3D printed houses.

Sleep technology

It has become a fashionable fad in Silicon Valley. Tech geeks increase productivity during waking hours and optimize their sleep by using:

● rings and bandages that record and track sleep quality,

● soothing sound machines,

● devices for heating and cooling mattresses,

● smart alarms that wake up at the right time.

In 2021, Google released a sleep tracking tablet. A similar device is expected from Amazon in 2022. Poor sleep is associated with various diseases - heart disease, obesity ... Often, the fashionable technologies of Silicon Valley are spreading all over the world.

Individual meals

Each person's metabolism is unique. Food choices must also be unique. Personalized nutrition apps use:

● machine learning algorithms,

● analyzes of blood and intestinal microflora,

● data on lifestyle, exercise,

● tracking blood sugar levels in real time.

In the United States, several companies are successfully engaged in personalized catering and are planning to enter the markets of other countries in 2022. Some seek regulatory approval for diabetes and migraine headaches.

Wrist health trackers

Remote medical consultations have become commonplace. This could change the perspective of medical wrist trackers - Fitbit or Apple Watch. They currently measure:

● steps taken,

● running and swimming speed,

● heart rate during exercise

● oxygen saturation of the blood,

● ECG and atrial fibrillation.

The next version of the Apple Watch will receive new sensors for measurement:

● blood glucose and alcohol levels,

● blood pressure,

● body temperature.

Rockley Photonics develops sensory technology and calls its system the wrist clinic. Physicians and users will pay more attention to data from wearable devices.

Metaverse

The concept of "metaverse" was introduced in 1992 by Neil Stevenson's novel "Snow Crash". Through special glasses, people could meet in the virtual world, flirt, play games, buy and sell things ...

In 2022, the "metaverse" means the convergence of video games, social media and entertainment to create new, immersive experiences. For example, swimming inside your favorite song at an online concert or buying virtual real estate. Minecraft, Roblox and Fortnite are stepping stones to a new environment. Facebook has renamed itself Meta to take advantage of the new features.

Quantum computing

An idea from the 1990s has evolved into a multi-billion dollar competition between governments, tech giants, and startups to create a new kind of computer. A quantum computer will allow you to quickly perform computations in cryptography, chemistry, and finance.

One of the indicators of the capabilities of a quantum computer is the number of cubits. The Chinese team has built a 66-qubit computer. The American company IBM hopes to reach 433 qubits in 2022 and 1000 by 2023.

Existing machines have a fatal flaw: fragile quantum states last only a fraction of a second. It takes time to correct this deficiency. Quantum computing can become a commercial reality if existing machines can be made useful.

Virtual influencers

Virtual influencer will never be late for a photo shoot, get drunk at a party, and never get old. Computer generated characters advertise products on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

The most famous of them: Miquela Sousa - “Lil Miquela”. Fictional Brazilian American 19 year old girl with 3 million Instagram followers.

Aya Stellar, an interstellar traveler, will land on Earth in February 2022. Created by Cosmiq Universe Marketing Agency.

In 2022, $15 billion will be spent on influencer marketing.

Brain interfaces

In April 2021, Neuralink implanted two tiny electrodes in a monkey's brain. The signals from these electrodes allowed the monkey to move the screen blade in the Pong game using his thoughts.

In 2022, Neuralink plans to test computer control of paralyzed people through its device. Synchron has received US regulatory approval to begin human testing of its device. A neural prosthesis is inserted into the brain through the blood vessels in the neck. Possibilities of using the prosthesis:

● helping paralyzed people,

● diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the nervous system,

● treatment of epilepsy, depression and hypertension.

Artificial meat and fish

Now about 70 companies "grow" meat in bioreactors. In 2020, Eat Just, a San Francisco-based artificial meat company, received permission to sell its products in Singapore.

In 2022, Israeli startup Super Meat expects to receive permission to commercially sell grown chicken burgers for $10. California-based Finless Foods is hoping to get permission to sell farmed bluefin tuna at $440 a kilogram. Bacon, turkey and other cultivated meats are under development.

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6 tips to protect your finances from Warren Buffett

COVID-19 and the resulting recession have affected everyone, including 90-year-old investing legend Warren Buffett.

His huge conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway Inc. The pandemic “has negatively impacted almost all of our operations, although the impact has varied significantly,” the company said in its most recent quarterly earnings report in early November 2020. But even with the troubles, Berkshire reported an 82% jump in net profit for the July to September 2020 quarter. So billionaire Buffett seems to be handling the crisis well.

You can too if you follow his example. Here are the takeaways from Buffett's six wise deeds to help protect your money while the virus continues to rage.

1. Use low-interest rates

Buffett has become one of the richest people on the planet by taking advantage of the opportunities that have opened up. During the pandemic, he pointed to fantastic opportunities for borrowers thanks to the Federal Reserve's response to the COVID crisis. The Fed "did the right thing" by cutting its key interest rate to near zero in response to the virus, Buffett said. Other rates fell like dominoes across the economy.

“This is a very good time to borrow money, which means that now is not the best time for loans, but it’s good for the country that now is a good time to borrow money,” he said during the last meeting of Berkshire shareholders. Hathaway in May 2020.

How You Can Be Like Buffett: If you're a home buyer or homeowner with a solid credit rating, pick one of today's ultra-low mortgage rates while you can.

2. Be vigilant

It's not for nothing that a native of Nebraska, Buffett is called the Oracle of Omaha. Last March, the multibillionaire told an interviewer, "I always felt like there would be a pandemic someday."

In 2019, he warned his Berkshire shareholders in a letter that the world was facing a "mega disaster," a kind of "complete surprise" that would overshadow the devastation from Hurricanes Katrina and Michael.

Buffett wrote that the monster disaster would result in huge losses for his company, but Berkshire will be ready to go the next day, he said.

How you can be like Buffett: You, too, can be prepared for anything - by buying life insurance to provide financial protection for your loved ones. Sales of policies for family breadwinners have surged due to deaths from COVID. You can easily go online and find several life insurance offers tailored to your family's needs.

3. Don't store balances on your credit card.

As layoffs soared during the pandemic, some Americans were forced to accumulate more credit card debt. Turning to credit cards due to financial hardship is one thing, but Buffett says some people use plastic as a "money-box for raiding."

During a virtual meeting of shareholders, he spoke about a friend who got into an unexpected situation and asked for advice on what to do about it. She had a credit card debt - at 18% per annum.

“If I owed money at 18%, the first thing I would do with the money I have is pay it back,” Buffett told her. "You can't live your whole life borrowing money at these rates."

How can you be like Buffett: When credit card debt gets unbearable, the first step to getting rid of it is turning it into a debt consolidation loan. You will simplify your bills and cut interest expenses to pay off debt faster. Instead of 18%, you can pay only 5.95% per annum in the USA.

4. Do your homework with stocks.

The coronavirus crisis is devastating entire industries, including retail, dining and entertainment. Buffett decided that the damage to one particular industry would be greater than he could bear as an investor.

“The aviation business - and I could be wrong and I hope I am wrong - has changed a lot,” he told his shareholders.

So he explained why Berkshire sold all of its airline shares.

Buffett says people were discouraged from flying, so "the world has changed for airlines."

How can you be like Buffett: Investors who did their homework were rewarded during the pandemic as the stock market climbed to new all-time highs. Several stock investment portfolios will help you make the right choice. One solution will allow you to invest extra money in a portfolio that automatically adjusts to the ups and downs of the market.

5. Stick to a long-term plan.

Warren Buffett is confident that the US economy will recover from the COVID-related recession.

“Basically, nothing can stop America,” he said during an online meeting. “In fact, we have not encountered anything that closely resembles this problem, but we faced more serious problems. American miracle, American magic has always prevailed, and it will repeat itself again. "

But Buffett also said that no one knows what will happen, so investors should brace for a potentially long recovery. He says they will get "good results" if they hold the stock in the long run.

How You Can Be Like Buffett: Financial planning services are more affordable and convenient than you think, and can help you focus on your investments. Today you can discuss the path to your long-term goals with a financial planner at a financial consultation.

6. Ask for help if you need it.

Buffett says the coronavirus has plunged the US into an "economic war," and many small businesses have fallen victim. He called on Congress to provide additional assistance.

“We have stopped a lot of people in this particular provoked recession and others are thriving, and I think the country owes these really millions of small entrepreneurs,” Buffett told CNBC in December.

The COVID-19 rescue package, approved in late December, included $284 billion in new small business loans with "paycheck protection." Now President Joe Biden wants to provide $15 billion in grants to more than 1 million hard-hit businesses.

How you can be like Buffett: If you are a business owner or breadwinner with financial difficulties, look for sources of relief - and take advantage of what is around.

This means, for example, that if you have federal student loan arrears in the United States, do not make payments until October, when the government moratorium is scheduled to end. Private loans can be refinanced at today's sharply lower interest rates.

[joseph-marc-blumenthal]

Smartphones, smartwatches, smart TVs, robotic vacuum cleaners, and finally, electric cars with autopilot - the number of different gadgets is growing from year to year. But few people know that besides the promoted technology, you can find quite unusual devices on sale that are not inferior in use to their more famous counterparts. The Joseph Marc Blumenthal team analyzed such options and compiled a selection of non-standard devices for different occasions.

For health and safety

Smart scales

You can monitor your health not only with the help of fitness bracelets and smart watches. Smart scales with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support are the best option for controlling body weight, dieting and exercising quality. The information received is analyzed and transmitted to a special smartphone application.

Without exception, all smart scales are equipped with a sensor for bioimpedance analysis, which sends a weak electric current through the feet, and calculates the proportion of fat, muscle, bone and water in the body using tissue resistance. The gadget also determines the indices of body mass and internal fat, protein content. Separately notes the mass of skeletal muscles, metabolic rate, body type and biological age. The data is analyzed and structured in a mobile application. Based on these data, recommendations for nutrition and training are further selected. Individual developers have guest access in mobile applications.

Among the most popular and reliable smart scale models, you should pay attention to Huawei Scale 3 Pro and Scale 3, Xiaomi Mi Smart Scale 2 and Mi Body Composition Scale 2, Medisana Target Scale 3, Picooc devices, etc.

Smart umbrella

Not only household appliances are becoming smart, but also umbrellas. Unlike standard models, which are designed exclusively for protection from precipitation, smart versions are equipped with an indicator of the imminent start of rain, as well as an alarm that will not let you forget your umbrella in transport or at work. The Opus One Jonas smart umbrella has just such functions.

The gadget is made of durable fabric that dries quickly. It opens easily and its rubberized handle fits well in the palm of your hand. An LED indicator can be found on the base. If it is red, it means rain is expected, and if it is green, it will be clear. The power source is four AAA batteries. This energy reserve will last for about six months. The main thing is to make sure that the device does not get wet.

The smart umbrella can be paired with an Android or iOS smartphone using a wireless connection. After pairing, it will notify you of new calls and SMS with a light vibration. In addition, Opus One Jonas will send a notification to the smartphone if the owner is more than 10 meters away from him. The device cannot be lost, hence the benefit.

Smart tags

Another useful but not very common smart gadget is smart tags. The devices are miniature radio chips that can be used to find a particular item. For example, users who attach such a beacon to a keychain, wallet or bag will be able to calculate their location through the app or receive a forgotten item notification when they leave home.

Smart tags are connected to smartphones via Bluetooth LE with low energy consumption or Ultra Wideband radio technology, which allows determining the coordinates of an object with an accuracy of a meter. When the smart tracker is out of range, it notifies other trusted devices nearby. All transmitted data is encrypted and inaccessible to third parties.

Smart tags are produced by Samsung and Apple, as well as by a dozen Chinese companies of various kinds. In the case of Samsung SmartTag, you can track the location of a forgotten or stolen item in the SmartThings app. The Galaxy SmartTag can beep to make it easier to find it. You can connect the Samsung tracker only to Galaxy devices with Android 8.0 and higher. They are not compatible with other Android smartphones or iPhones. Apple AirTag has similar functionality. The smart tag easily connects to iPhone, iPad and Mac, and lost items can be found through the Find My Network function.

In addition to keys, wallets and household items, trackers can be used to track luggage during air travel, and can also be attached to the collar of pets. By the way, tags for animals support geolocation using GPS and GLONASS. With their help, you can determine the location of cats, dogs and other animals with an accuracy of meters. Some models have a built-in microphone and speaker. In this case, the owner can call a cat or dog through a mobile device, without raising his voice, and hear what is happening next to him.

For work

Smart pen and notepad

Designers, artists, engineers and programmers may like smart pens and notebooks, with the help of which written records, drawings, algorithms and block diagrams can be instantly converted into electronic form without any scanning or photographing.

The Neo SmartPen N2 pen and the Neo N Plain Notebook can be an optimal pair. First, you make a handwritten note in a notebook, and it is immediately digitized. After that, the text (picture) can be transferred and edited on mobile devices or computers. Bluetooth is used for synchronization.

The handle body is made of lightweight and durable metal. It is difficult to scratch or wrinkle. The device is equipped with a built-in battery, the reserve of which is enough for about 10 hours of writing with simultaneous digitization.

Portable coffee machine

Mobile can be not only laptops or smartphones, but also coffee. And all thanks to smart portable coffee machines. Such devices are compact in size, easily fit into a backpack and operate without an outlet from the built-in battery. All you need to make a fragrant and fresh espresso is boiling water and ground coffee (there is the option of using capsules). One of the best options for this class is the Rombica Barista CTG-2B.

With the help of such a gadget, you can make coffee anywhere - at home, at work, on a hike or on a walk. The device creates a pressure of up to 15 bar for the preparation of a real espresso. One start is enough for 2 x 30 ml espresso cups. In this case, the minimum amount of water for starting is 50 ml. The container for freshly brewed coffee is located directly under the lid of the coffee machine. The thermal ring on the lid allows you to enjoy your fresh drink comfortably and safely.

Headphones with smart translator

If by your occupation you often have to communicate with foreigners whose language you do not know perfectly, the Timekettle M2 wireless headphones with real-time translation function can be a useful gadget. This gadget understands 40 languages ​​and 93 dialects. Thanks to algorithms based on artificial intelligence, simultaneous voice translation is provided with a high degree of accuracy.

The headset consists of two anatomically shaped earbuds that fit perfectly in your ears. It connects to a smartphone via Bluetooth. The weight of the set with the charging case is 65 grams, and the power reserve is enough for 30 hours. Before you start using Timekettle M2, you should download the library of the necessary languages ​​from the developer's server and have a high-quality Internet channel for automatic translation. English paired with Russian, Chinese, French, Spanish, Japanese and Korean is available even without an internet connection.

For entertainment and home

Smart glasses

Smart glasses are becoming more and more popular among smart devices. These gadgets, in addition to improving the quality of vision and protecting from the sun's rays, combine the functions of a wireless headset, and some of them also project information using augmented reality type. In Russia, smart glasses are sold by Huawei and Bose.

Huawei's Gentle Monster Eyewear II features thin temples made of lightweight, durable plastic with an addition of titanium dioxide. Semi-open speakers located on each boom transmit sound through a directional sound chamber. This design reduces sound leakage and delivers crisp, multi-layered stereo sound. Both temples have holes to compensate for directional sound waves and further reduce sound leakage. The glasses provide high-quality sound, which is especially pronounced when listening to music, playing games and watching video content.

The smart glasses have an intelligent gesture control system. For pairing with a smartphone using a wireless connection. An intelligent algorithm automatically determines the position of the device using sensor data. If you take off the glasses for a while and then put them on again, a window appears on the smartphone screen allowing you to check the battery level. Eyewear II features a powerful rechargeable battery that can play music continuously for up to five hours on a single charge. Fast wireless charging technology via NFC allows you to recharge your gadget whenever you want.

The Bose Frames Rondo model belongs to the sun protection class. Glasses with fashionable rounded lenses are a great addition to a casual look or a luxurious evening outfit. The special coating of the lenses protects the eyes from ultraviolet rays, and the built-in speakers provide rich music sound. The device can receive phone calls when connected to a smartphone via Bluetooth, and can also access voice assistants Siri and Google Assistant. Speaker sound is directed inward, so the music won't disturb other people. At the same time, the user will hear the surrounding sounds: conversations, important notifications at the airport and car signals.

Smart chess

Fans of board games may like the sets of the so-called "smart chess". One of the most popular and widespread is the Square Off Grand Kingdom Set.

The gadget is a chessboard, the pieces on which move by themselves. A special two-axis mechanical mechanism with a magnetic head is hidden in the body of the wooden board, which moves the pieces one after another. Magnets are built into the figures, so the mechanism simply activates them at the right time.

To play, you need to download the Square Off app and connect the board to your smartphone via Bluetooth. Through the application, you can play online with other players, follow someone else's party, or fight against artificial intelligence.

The device itself is quite large and heavy: dimensions - 603x484x49 mm, weight - 5.4 kg. On a single charge of the Square Off Grand Kingdom Set, you can play about 50 games lasting 1-1.5 hours. A battery is also built into the board. The set includes a charger for operation from the mains.

Smart video projector

Another interesting smart entertainment gadget is the smart video projector. Unlike stationary models, the device combines the functions of a projector, set-top box and game console. A special graphics chip, 2 GB of RAM, and a built-in drive are responsible for displaying the picture. The connection is made using Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

The striking representatives of this class are the Mi Smart Projector 2 and Mi Smart Projector 2 Pro projectors from Xiaomi. The devices can broadcast images in 1920 x 1080 pixels. Offers high brightness up to 1300 ANSI lumens and HDR10 support for enhanced color contrast. The older model is equipped with two built-in 10W speakers with support for DTS-HD and Dolby Audio, while the younger model has two 5W speakers. The devices support omnidirectional keystone correction, relieving the user of the painstaking work of screen placement.

Xiaomi Mi Smart Projector 2 and 2 Pro run Android TV, support Chromecast and Google Assistant. The delivery set includes a remote control. Configuration and navigation is also possible using a mobile application from a smartphone. The projectors can be connected to the smart home service.

Smart feeder and drinker for animals

If you have a pet, consider purchasing a smart drinker or smart food dispenser. One of the best ways to improve your pet's health is to get them to drink more. As an example, we can recommend the Xiaomi Petoneer Smart Pet Water Dispenser automatic drinker for cats and dogs. The running water attracts the pet's attention and encourages him to drink more.

The device has a four-level purification filter: keeps drinking water fresh, removes dirt and bacteria. The 5W pump consumes little electricity and the pump running sound is only 40dB. The volume of the liquid is 2 liters.

If you are often away from home, then purchase of the Geozon PF-01 automatic feeder can be an excellent solution. Using the special Geozon Home app for Android or iOS, you can remotely set up scheduled feeding or give a one-time command. The food will automatically go into the bowl. The volume of the tank is 2.4 liters. Synchronization is performed over Wi-Fi. The device operates from a standard electrical network, switching on occurs automatically.

[joseph-marc-blumenthal]

For the first time in medical history, an autonomous drone helps save the life

For the first time in medical history, a drone played a critical role in saving lives during sudden cardiac arrest. A unique world achievement came in Trollhättan, Sweden, in December 2021, when an autonomous drone Everdrone delivered a defibrillator that helped save the life of a 71-year-old man. “This is a truly revolutionary technology that needs to be implemented everywhere,” says the patient, who has now fully recovered.

With a combination of immediate emergency calls, prompt action by Dr. Mustafa Ali, and prompt delivery of an automatic external defibrillator (AED), life-saving measures could be taken before the ambulance arrived and his life was saved. The time from the alarm signaling to the delivery of the AED to the scene was just over three minutes.

For Dr. Mustafa Ali, the experience was just as enjoyable, despite the gravity of the situation.

“I was driving to work at the local hospital when I looked out of the car window and saw a man passed out in the driveway,” says Dr. Ali. “I immediately realized that something was wrong and rushed to help. The man had no pulse, so I started doing CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) by asking another passerby to call 112 (emergency number in Sweden). In just a few minutes I saw something flying over my head. It was a drone with a defibrillator! "

The drone delivery system in the Vastra Gotaland region is developed and operated by Everdrone, the world's leading autonomous drone solutions company. The solution was developed and is constantly being improved in close cooperation with the Resuscitation Science Center of the Karolinska Institute, SOS Alarm, and the Västra Götaland region. Operations are also supported by Vinnova, Swelife, and Medtech4Health.

“This is a great real-world example of how Everdrone's cutting-edge drone technology, fully integrated with an emergency dispatch, can minimize the time it takes to access rescue equipment,” says Mats Sallström, CEO of Everdrone.

[joseph-marc-blumenthal]

NFT and DeFi will take over the world, and we won't even know what it is.

Diving into trends with Joseph Marc Blumenthal

2008 saw a notable revolutionary intervention in the technology world with the help of blockchain. Satoshi Nakamoto laid the foundations for the electronic money system and paved the way for many revolutionary blockchain technologies in various sectors. In the early years, blockchain mainly focused on cryptocurrency applications , and has gradually evolved into programmable money that can be adapted for hundreds of different uses. And now, almost 13 years later, the blockchain system has transformed into a complex ecosystem of many components.

Today we will look in detail:

● What does the blockchain ecosystem consist of now?

● An advanced look at derivatives of blockchain infrastructure. DeFi

● An advanced look at derivatives of blockchain infrastructure. NFT

● Briefly about the economy and cryptocurrency in 2021

● What will happen next?

What does the blockchain ecosystem consist of now?

● Exchanges (exchanges / exchanges) - provide a springboard for listings of all kinds of tokens, as well as swap services, liquidity provision, P2P exchange, and so on;

● Wallet (wallets) - tools for storing digital assets;

● Blockchain Platform (networks) - the main layers on top of which economies are built and applications are written, as well as on the basis of which the above tools exist;

● Stablecoin (stable) - a number of large and widely recognized coins and tokens (USDT, USDC, DAI), pegged to $1 and therefore devoid of risks associated with volatility;

● Tooling - utilities and trackers that market participants used to track rates and other market movements;

● DeFi (decentralized finance) - a layer of public financial applications (dApp's) in the Ethereum network that interact with each other and do not have a central leadership (node), state affiliation and geographic restrictions;

● Gaming + NFT (gaming and non-fungible tokens) are tools and applications that are related to GameFi or NFT industries: play-2-earn games, NFT marketplaces, game economy tools and metauniverses.

An advanced look at derivatives of blockchain infrastructure. DeFi

There is a "competition" on the wallet market: who will be the first to create a multi-chain wallet that will allow cheap transactions between blockchains without using bridges (bridges) and without moving funds through additional layers of the network;

● The Payments section represents payment systems and the aforementioned

additional "cheaper" layers of the Ethereum network. These projects are working to introduce digital assets as means of payment and improve UX in the current low bandwidth environment;

● In the Lending section, everything is pretty static: you give a collateral, you get more credit for it, and you farm. Or you provide liquidity to the protocol and earn% from commissions.

● In the Stablecoins section, active work is carried out around the creation of new algorithmic stablecoins. This is seen by market participants as the optimal strategy to get rid of attachment to fiat currencies and centralized stable, because the price of algorithms is regulated by an algorithm (smart contract) and crypto-assets of collateral, instead of being pegged to the price of the US dollar;

● In the Infrastructure section , where networks and solutions for their scalability are mainly located

, fundamental problems of network hashrate are solved, issues of environmental friendliness of consensus (PoS vs PoW) are raised, databases, resource-intensive methods of storing information, etc. are studied;

● The Prediction Markets section is exchange instruments created for trading the results of events, futures. Market prices can indicate the mood of the community about an event;

● The Assets Tokenization section is responsible for data and property tokenization. That is, for the transfer of information or objects to the digital property format (NFT is one of the possible digital property formats, and it can be anything, not just art objects).

An advanced look at derivatives of blockchain infrastructure. NFT

The NFT infrastructure is not as simple as it might seem at first glance. From the unobvious: it is very fashionable now to have a "domain name" (ex. Acidpunch.eth), so domain services are now evolving. The domain name can serve as a representative tool in the community.

The NFT fashion segment is represented by organizations that produce their own collections of clothing and accessories or merchandise. The funny thing is that the clothes are usually themed:

The Infrastructure section reflects the networks on top of which everything is built. Virtual worlds are anything related to the meta universes . Large IT players are already actively investing in this area, for example, Facebook (google the $ MVI index if interested). The showcases and the audio section are small and narrowly targeted offshoots that host virtual exhibitions in the aforementioned meta-universes, and develop the direction of music as a digital property.

NFT architecture

It would be logical to start with the "first layer", which is represented by the systems and networks on which the infrastructure is built. The most popular of them are Ethereum and Solana . Near and other networks are not much, but they are lagging behind due to the difference in monetary volumes.

They are followed by L2 solutions , that is, sidechains that neutralize expensive commissions and partly solve the bandwidth problem. Further in the structure are peer-to-peer open source file systems , they are used to store data. Then, two sections of the ecosystem applications are superimposed on them, which, in turn, are divided into games, sports applications, metaverse and other virtual spaces.

And the “header” of the architecture is the interfaces , thanks to which we track our assets, study dashboards with volumes and also make swaps and deposits, because many trackers have exchange functions.

An example of a new direction of development in the NFT sphere is collective ownership and fractionalization of tokens. Many tokens cost a lot of money, so the community got the logical idea to buy them together and figure out how to get a collective profit from this. One example of implementation is the Fractional platform, where thousands of NFTs are collectively sold live. Then there is the Crowd Protocol, which won the recent Definition hackathon. They have not yet gotten their hands on implementation, but you can try to find their pitch deck on the Internet.

[joseph-marc-blumenthal]

Technology for women

How apps can improve street safety

Several apps have been launched recently with the main goal of making the streets safer for women. Such services allow a couple of clicks to launch the panic button, inform relatives and friends that the user is in danger, or broadcast video from the scene.

According to surveys, many women feel uncomfortable walking alone down the street late at night. So, according to a survey conducted by the British Office for National Statistics, almost half of women feel discomfort in the dark on the street, 81% - if they have to walk through a park or open space. Technology comes to the rescue here - several applications have already been developed that help make such walks safer.

Appendix WalkSafewas launched in March this year. Among other things, it allows you to draw up a safer route in the dark - on a map on which, in particular, the sites of recent attacks and other crimes are loaded. WalkSafe has the ability to set a specific time for returning home - and if a person does not inform in time that he is there, his relatives and friends marked in the application will receive a notification. Another option is that a person opens an application on the way home and periodically presses a button in it. If something went wrong and he stopped doing it, the application sends an alarm signal to his loved ones, at the same time informing them of the location of the person. WalkSafe plans to launch another feature next year - selected people will be able to track the movements of a user with a running application on a map.

WalkSafe founder Emma Kaye says that she started thinking about building an app after being harassed several times on the street.

“Of course, we would like it to be unnecessary. Nobody wants to live in a world that needs a security app, but unfortunately they do, ”says Ms. Kay.

According to her, former police officers and criminal analysts collaborate with the service - they help to draw up maps of the safest routes, analyze crime scenes, etc. Since the launch of WalkSafe, it has been downloaded more than 560 thousand times.

Another technological development of this kind is the Epowar smartwatch app , created by scientists from the British University of Bath. This application works on a slightly different principle - it monitors body position and heart rate and recognizes that a person is in trouble - for example, running away from pursuers, fighting them off, etc.

One of the developers of Epowar, student E.-J. Rudt said the idea came to her while she was running in a dimly lit park and pondering the possibility of an attack there.

“When I learned that smartwatches are being used to detect heart attacks, I thought maybe this technology could be used to keep women safe,” she says. there will be time (or very little) to prevent this - which is not always possible with ordinary panic buttons or just a mobile phone. "

The bSafe app combines a panic button and the ability to record an attack on a video. The user can turn on the function of the panic button with a voice command - and after that the application starts recording a video of what is happening, simultaneously saving it and sending it in real time to the selected contacts. “These tapes can be used as evidence in court in cases such as rape, which are often difficult to prove,” says bSafe founder Rich Larsen. According to him, the rape of his daughter Charlene prompted him to create the application, among other things.

There are other applications of this kind. For example, Shake2Safety . If it is running, you can sound an alarm or start recording a video by shaking the phone or pressing the power button several times. Another application Safe And The City also combines several of the already listed functions: it allows you to send an alarm with one click, mark the place where you were attacked on the map, and also see a map of places in the city where you can hide in case of pursuit.

[joseph-marc-blumenthal]

Artificial intelligence in the Metaverse

In consumer-facing applications, AI is now playing an important role through facial recognition, natural language processing (NLP), faster computing, and all sorts of other processes.

It was only a matter of time before AI was applied to augmented and virtual reality to create smarter immersive worlds.

AI has the potential to analyze massive amounts of data at lightning speed to generate ideas and drive action. Users can either use AI to make decisions (which is the case for most enterprise applications), or link AI to automation for low-touch processes.

The metaverse will use augmented and virtual reality (AR / VR) combined with artificial intelligence and blockchain to create scalable and accurate virtual worlds.

What is the Metaverse and why does it need AI?

The Metaverse is defined as a vast virtual space where users can interact with 3D digital objects and 3D virtual avatars of each other in a complex manner that mimics the real world.

The idea of ​​the metaverse was first dreamed up by science fiction writer Neil Stevenson in the early 90s and was eventually developed piece by piece by companies such as Second Life, Decentraland, Microsoft, and more recently Meta (formerly Facebook).

Facebook is now well known for its work in artificial intelligence and sophisticated AI algorithms.

The company's AI research spans a variety of areas such as content analysis, self-controlled speech processing, robotic interactions, computer vision, full body posture assessment, and more.

All of this could influence the future direction of a company like Meta and lay the foundations for its own version of the metaverse.

5 use cases for AI in the Metaverse

While VR worlds can technically exist without artificial intelligence, the combination of the two opens up a whole new degree of veracity. The following five use cases can be affected.

Precise avatar creation

Users are at the center of the metaverse, and the accuracy of your avatar will determine the quality of the experience for you and others. The AI ​​engine can analyze 2D images of users or 3D scans to come up with a very realistic simulated interpretation.

He can then create various facial expressions, emotions, hairstyles, aging-related features, etc. to make the avatar more dynamic.

Companies like Ready Player Me are already using AI to create avatars for the metaverse, and Meta is working on its own version of the technology.

Digital people

Digital humans are 3D versions of chatbots that exist in the metaverse. They are not actually copies of another person - instead, they are more like AI-enabled NPCs in a video game that can react and react to your actions in the VR world.

Digital humans are created entirely using AI technologies and are essential to the metaverse landscape.

From NPCs in gameplay to automated VR workplace assistants, there are many applications and companies such as Unreal Engine and Soul Machines have already invested in this direction.

Multilingual availability

One of the main ways digital people use AI is through language processing.

Artificial intelligence can help break down natural languages ​​like English, convert it to a machine-readable format, perform analysis, get an answer, convert the results back to English, and send it back to the user. This whole process takes a split second - like a real conversation.

The best part is that the results can be converted to any language, depending on the AI ​​training, so that users from all over the world can access the metaverse.

Expanding the VR world to scale

This is where AI really comes into its own. When an AI engine is fed historical data, it learns from previous outputs and tries to come up with its own.

The AI ​​output will get better every time, with new input, human feedback, and machine learning reinforcement.

After all, AI will be able to perform a task and provide an output almost as well as humans. Companies like NVIDIA are teaching AI to create entire virtual worlds.

This breakthrough will play an important role in the scalability of the metaverse as new worlds can be added without human intervention.

Intuitive pairing

Finally, AI can also aid in human-computer interaction (HCI). When you wear a sophisticated AI-enabled VR headset, its sensors can read and predict your electrical and muscle patterns so you know exactly how you want to move within the metaverse.

AI can help recreate an authentic sense of touch in VR. It can also aid in voice navigation, so you can interact with virtual objects without the need for hand controllers.

Problems around AI in the Metaverse

It is important to keep in mind that the metaverse is a new area of ​​research and operations, and the implementation of AI can lead to problems. For example, you may have questions about:

● AI Content Ownership Who owns the copyright and can profit from AI-generated content and vr worlds?

● Deepfakes and user transparency - how do you ensure users know they are interacting with AI and not other people? How can deep forgery and fraud be prevented?

● Fair Use of AI and ML - Can users legally apply AI / ML technologies to metaverse interactions? For example, can they use AI code to win games?

● Right to use data to train an AI model - How can we ethically train AI for the metaverse? What consent mechanisms are involved?

● Responsibility for AI bias - If a digital human or similar AI algorithm displays bias, what is a possible remedy?

Ultimately, without AI, it will be difficult to create engaging, authentic, and scalable metaverse experiences. That's why companies like Meta are working closely with think tanks and ethnic groups to stop AI risks without limiting the technology's potential.

[joseph-marc-blumenthal]

Help the AI ​​with a fragile snowflake

What the study of snowflakes and neurons in the brain can give Scientists at Imperial College London have put forward and confirmed the hypothesis that the use of different - and not identical, as is done now - artificial neurons in the creation of artificial intelligence (AI) increases the efficiency of artificial neural networks. The idea that artificial neurons should be different was prompted by the neurons of the human brain and snowflakes. As you know, in nature there are no two identical snowflakes. It's the same with the neurons in the mammalian brain - each one is unlike any other. At the same time, artificial neural networks created by humans, although they imitate the work of the brain, however, the neurons used in them are absolutely the same. According to scientists at Imperial College London, this is why the human brain is still superior to AI in many ways, for example, it learns faster, adapts to changing conditions, and switches from one task to another. Their research is published in the journal Nature Communications. Computational neuroscientist Daniel Goodman, who participated in the study, in an interview with NEO.LIFE, explained the difference between the ability to learn and adapt to changing circumstances in the human brain and AI. Artificial intelligence can be trained to play, for example, the arcade video game Pong, famous in the 80s. “There are two rackets moving along the edges of the field and alternately hitting the ball. A trained AI will play this game perfectly. Better than a human, - says the scientist. - However, it is worth moving the rackets at least a pixel closer to each other, and the AI ​​will not be able to play it, since it is trained only for specific parameters of the game and cannot cope with any, even the most insignificant changes in it. " A person will not have such a problem, says Mr. Goodman. The reason for this, the scientist believes, is that all neurons in the human brain are different. The Imperial College Intelligent Systems and Networks Lab tried to slightly alter every cell in an artificial neural network modeled after the brain. As a result, the efficiency and accuracy of the artificial neural network has increased by 20%. As part of the study, scientists at the Imperial College studied the principle of communication between neurons in the mammalian brain. It does this through electrical impulses that are precisely timed, and these impulses are fundamentally different from digital and analog computational operations. By modifying the neurons in AI systems so that they differ from each other, like neurons in the brain, and making them as closely as possible reproduce the impulse work of the brain's networks, scientists have been able to improve the efficiency of these systems. In particular, the performance of AI has improved in speech recognition, receiving and interpreting voice commands. And the change in the activation time of artificial neurons made it possible to increase the efficiency of performing tasks with a time component, such as recognizing numbers pronounced in a row. Meanwhile, Parta Mitra, a neuroscientist at Cold Spring Harbor, New York, USA, is convinced that it’s not so much the variety of neurons in AI systems, but how they are arranged. For example, he says, in electronic circuits, all the components are the same, but depending on how they are lined up, this circuit will be used for a specific type of appliance, be it a radio or a washer-dryer. His British colleague notes that this can also contribute to increasing the efficiency of AI systems, for example, in solving problems related not to temporal, but to spatial components. And both scientists agree that in the near future there will be AI systems built from artificial neurons (made of silicone) - neuromorphic systems. Such systems will mimic another important feature of natural neural networks - plasticity. It is the ability of the brain to change its wiring by growing and reorganizing physical connections with other cells. It is plasticity that can become the most

important property for creating autonomous AI systems that can interact with the real world, as the human brain does, adapting to new circumstances, allowing a person to recognize danger and avoid it, regulate motor activity by analyzing sensory information, etc. And this plasticity could allow AI to learn, for example, to play Pong with variable parameters without error, scientists say. Joseph marc blumenthal

[joseph-marc-blumenthal]

US regulator wants to block merger of American Nvidia and British Arm

The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on Thursday announced that it has filed a lawsuit to block US-based Nvidia's purchase of British processor maker Arm Holdings. The FTC notes that it filed a lawsuit following its own review of the deal. According to the FTC, this merger could violate antitrust regulations and lead to "suppression of competing next generation technologies." The regulator believes the deal gives Nvidia "the opportunity and incentive to use its control over these technologies to undermine competitors' capabilities, which harms competition and ultimately degrades quality, discourages innovation, and increases prices and choices." Recall that in September last year, Nvidia agreed to buy Arm from the Japanese telecommunications holding Softbank for $ 40 billion. This deal immediately caused concern of other technology companies and regulators. The fact is that Arm designs, still considered vendor neutral, are used in almost all processors for smartphones and other devices, and the possible restriction of access to them by other companies by Nvidia could greatly affect the market. Because of this, in February, Google, Microsoft and Qualcomm complained about the deal, it has already been reported that the deal was being verified by British and European regulators. A US merger review could be the biggest obstacle to a deal and, at the very least, postpone it. The FTC's claim is due to be heard by the regulator's own administrative law judge next August. If companies are not happy with his decision, they can appeal it to federal court. All this in any case slows down the transaction - initially the companies planned to complete it in the first half of 2022. Joseph Marc Blumenthal

[joseph-marc-blumenthal]

Experts bypassed the fingerprint scanner in MacBook and iPad using film and glue

The fingerprint recognition accuracy was about 80%. Cybersecurity researchers at Kraken Security Labs have demonstrated that fingerprint authentication can be bypassed with cheap consumables. To hack devices, specialists did not even need direct access to the owner's fingerprint - only a photograph of the surface he touched. It was processed in Photoshop, making it monochrome, and printed on acetate film on a laser printer. The toner gave the image a three-dimensional structure, and the wood glue brought the print to life. We carried out a successful “attack” on most of the tested devices, including the iPad and MacBook Pro. With a real hack, we would have access to a huge amount of confidential information. Kraken Security Labs Kraken isn't the only lab to have tricked a fingerprint sensor. In 2020, Cisco Talos published a report describing a similar method. In both cases, the recognition accuracy was about 80%. Experts noted that most users are unlikely to encounter a hack, but if they want to reproduce fingerprints is easy - they remain on any surface, from a glass in a restaurant to a taxi door. Recommendations - do not consider the scanner as a secure alternative to a strong password and use it only for two-factor authentication.

[joseph-marc-blumenthal]

Digital twins save the New Year

Artificial Intelligence Involved in Solving the Global Logistics Crisis News of global supply chain problems has been around for months - that Christmas gifts may not reach customers on time, dozens of container ships queuing in ports, and retailers trying to find alternative shipping methods. As Joseph Marc Blumenthal writes, one of the ways to cope with this problem may be the proliferation of so-called digital twins. By itself, this technology has been used for several years. The digital twin is a kind of virtual model of a real object, based on artificial intelligence and helping to optimize work. In order for the digital twin to properly reflect reality, it must receive a huge amount of data from its real prototype - this is done using various sensors, cameras and other data sources. With the help of such systems, it is possible to simulate situations in production (or in logistics) and possible disruptions in work. AI can also provide guidance on how to deal with these violations. However, until now, digital twins of limited objects have usually been created - from a single device to a group of enterprises. Now we are talking about digital twins of supply chain systems as a whole - modeling an extremely complex system with numerous suppliers, complex transport networks, etc. According to Hans Thalbauer, managing director of Google's supply chain and logistics division, the main problem for logistics companies is the inability to predict events that may affect supply chains. “Anyone in the supply chain business will tell you that they lack the breadth of vision they need to make decisions,” says Talbauer. It is this latitude that digital twins can provide. If such an AI-based digital twin receives enough data from its physical counterpart, it can replay potential failures over and over again and find the best option through trial and error. The data that the digital twin must receive for normal forecasting is very different. Information about the company itself, its suppliers, their stocks and planned delivery dates, data on consumer behavior based on financial forecasts and market research. And also information about the world as a whole, for example, about the likelihood of natural disasters and the geopolitical situation in different regions. For example, it can test the assumption that Taiwan will experience a drought and water shortages will lead to a reduction in semiconductor production. The digital twin will predict the likelihood of such an event, track its impact on different parts of the supply chain, and suggest options on how to at least mitigate the blow. Even with the use of AI, such analysis is still a very difficult task. So, the automaker Ford has more than 50 factories around the world, annually they use 35 billion parts to produce 6 million cars. These parts come from 1.4 thousand suppliers from 4.4 thousand factories, and in some cases supply chains come into play. A stress test of a system requires checking all its elements and exploring different options - what to do in case of a failure at a particular plant or at a particular supplier. Amazon is already using digital twins for supply chains. Such technologies are being developed by Google, FedEx and DHL. There are also companies specializing in digital twins for logistics systems, such as Pathmind or Deliverr. Pathmind's digital twins work with existing supply chain management tools and data from a particular company. They use this data to model various problems in the system and options for solving problems. According to Pathmind founder Chris Nicholson, the resulting synthetic data - that is, not directly obtained, but generated by AI based on this direct data - helps to predict a variety of scenarios, such as a pandemic, and learn how to minimize their damage to supply chains. “This is the answer to the question: why is AI smart? He just lives longer than we do in all these different worlds, many of which never existed, ”he says. As the head of the data analysis laboratory of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology

David Simchi-Levy notes, one of the important goals of logistics companies with the onset of the pandemic and the crisis was to increase the resiliency of the supply chain, that is, the ability of the system to remain stable and operable in the event of failure of some of its elements. Companies are willing to invest in this, but they want to maintain a balance by strengthening the supply chain enough without spending too much money - and from this point of view, digital twins can also help. “We are seeing more and more companies stress testing their supply chains using digital twins,” says Professor Simchi-Levy. At the same time, experts admit that technology alone will not help here. “Technology will not solve these problems. They won't help ships carry more containers. But digital twins will help us detect problems before they happen, ”says Professor Simchi-Levy. Some elements of supply chains also lag behind in terms of digitizing data. “Many of the world's ports do business on paper, you are very lucky if they use PDF or email. And these are the big operators, not the New Hampshire candle manufacturer. Without digitalization, AI will not be able to work, ”says Mr Nicholson.

[joseph-marc-blumenthal]

Apple to switch to self-developed modems for smartphones in 2023 - Nikkei

The company will manufacture them together with TSMC. Joseph Marc Blumenthal ● Apple plans to start mass production of its first 5G modem chip based on a 4nm TSMC chip with its own components, Nikkei found out from sources familiar with the details of the negotiations. The company is also working on its own charging control chip for the modem. The iPhone 13 uses components manufactured by Qualcomm. ● TSMC is slated to be the sole manufacturing partner. In mid-November 2021, Qualcomm said it would only provide 20% of iPhone modems in two years. ● Sources said that testing will begin with 5nm technology, after which the company will move to 4nm chips for mass production. Sales of devices will begin no earlier than 2023 - telecom operators will need time to check and test modems. ● In 2019, Apple paid Qualcomm $4.5 billion in a patent dispute. Modems of our own production will allow to abandon the purchase of a license from Qualcomm and create a chip with more power, the sources explained. ● In 2019, Apple bought the production of modems for smartphones from Intel for $1 billion. ● TSMC is a manufacturer of iPhone A-series processors and M1-based chips for computers. TSMC engineers work together with Apple's development team.

[joseph-marc-blumenthal]

SpaceX could face bankruptcy over rocket engine crisis

The American company SpaceX could face bankruptcy if specialists fail to speed up the production of Raptor engines designed for the Super Heavy launch vehicle. This is reported by Joseph Marc Blumenthal with reference to a corporate letter from the head of SpaceX Elon Musk. “The Raptor engine crisis is now much worse than it seemed a few weeks ago. If we do not manage to reach the launch schedule for at least one Starship ship every two years, then we could really face bankruptcy, ”- said in an appeal by Mr. Musk to the company's employees. He described the company's rocket engine production rate as disastrous. Vice Presidents of Power Plants Will Heltsley and Vice Presidents of Flight and Launch Lee Rosen resigned from SpaceX last week. Jacob Mackenzie led the development and production of the engine. In July, SpaceX successfully tested a 67-meter Super Heavy Booster 3 rocket with three Raptor engines. In the near future, the company intends to conduct another ground test of the same rocket prototype, but with nine Raptor engines instead of three. For the full launch of Starship, it is planned to use the Booster 4 booster, on which more than 30 engines will be installed. As Elon Musk later noted, the Raptor engines are planned to be used on the Starship manned spacecraft. According to him, the development of the engines was influenced by Russian developments.