The gruff-but-beloved Hackman was among the finest actors of his generation, appearing as villains, heroes and antiheroes in dozens of dramas, comedies and action films from the 1960s until his retirement in the early 2000s.

He was a five-time Oscar nominee who won for “The French Connection” in 1972 and “Unforgiven” two decades later. His death comes just four days before this year’s ceremony.

Hackman met Arakawa, a classically trained pianist who grew up in Hawaii, when she was working part-time at a California gym in the mid-1980s, the New York Times reported in 1989. They soon moved in together, and by the end of the decade had bought their home in Santa Fe.

The large Southwestern-style ranch in a gated community just outside New Mexico’s capital city sits on a hill with views of the Rocky Mountains.

!summarize #lucid #ceo #peterrawlinson #automotive

Some technologists hope quantum computers will be capable of solving problems that stump classical computers. PCs and phones run calculations and store data with bits that are either on or off, while quantum computers work with quantum bits, or qubits, that can operate in both states simultaneously.

"We believe that scaling Ocelot to a full-fledged quantum computer capable of transformative societal impact would require as little as one-tenth as many resources as common approaches, helping bring closer the age of practical quantum computing," Fernando Brandão, Amazon Web Services' director of applied science, and Oskar Painter, the cloud group's quantum hardware chief, wrote in a blog post.

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said in 2020, when he was head of AWS, that the company was "optimistic in the future that quantum computing will play a role" as cloud gets bigger in large companies and the public sector.

Six months after Jassy made those comments, AWS released the Amazon Braket service, allowing developers to experiment with quantum computers from other companies, including IonQ and Rigetti Computing. Microsoft's Azure cloud has a similar offering. Amazon is planning for future versions of its quantum chips to become available through Braket, Painter said

In 2023, AWS senior vice president Peter DeSantis talked about building a quantum processor at the cloud group's Reinvent conference in Las Vegas, promising more details in the future.

Like Microsoft, Amazon fabricated its chip internally. Building a system boasting a million qubits will take collaborations with world-leading semiconductor manufacturers, according to Barrett. Outsourcing to a partner is an option as Amazon progresses with quantum hardware, Painter said.

Public interest in the space has risen lately, Painter said, as companies have discussed new ways of assembling qubits that are resistant to errors. Amazon designed Ocelot to tackle the problem of error correction, and Google's Willow also demonstrated improvements in that area, Painter said.

The Reddit co-founder, who created the "front page of the internet" in 2005, also weighed in on the future of social media. "I think we'll get to a place where we as users get to choose our algorithms, and because, without a doubt, these platforms, we're all incentivized to have the best possible algorithm, not because of anything sinister, but because we want to keep people engaged," he said.

In a post about Meta's new content moderation policies, Joel Kaplan, Meta's chief global affairs officer, wrote, "Starting in the US, we are ending our third party fact-checking program and moving to a Community Notes model."

Kaplan added that Meta would "take a more personalized approach to political content, so that people who want to see more of it in their feeds can."

Meta did not immediately reply to CNBC's request for comment.

The community notes model is also favored by Elon Musk-owned X, which says it aims to "create a better informed world by empowering people on X to collaboratively add context to potentially misleading posts."

With a two thousand mile coastline, one would imagine Italy as a seafaring nation -- but no. There are very few natural harbors and those were taken by the Greeks for their Magna Graecia. With virtually no tidal activity, the Mediterranean cannot wash away the silt from the river deltas to help make them into adequate harbors.

South of the hills of Etruria, where the Tiber and Arno flow, there are two plains named Latium and Campania. The soil there is rich, fertile, and full of volcanic ash. Abundant streams provide irrigation and a gentle southwest wind blows across the plains. But for many centuries the plain of Latium was inhospitable to man. As late as 1000 B.C. there were active volcanoes in the region -- more than fifty craters within twenty five miles of Rome.

The company's revenue barely grew in 2020, and plunged by nearly 29% in 2021. Its consumer segment was hit hard, and even as revenue rose 17% year on year to 251.5 billion yuan in 2023, it was just over half of what the unit generated at its peak in 2020.

The telecommunications company started to make a comeback in the smartphone market in 2023 with the release of its Mate 60 Pro in China. Reviews indicated the device offers download speeds associated with 5G — thanks to an advanced semiconductor chip.

Just over a year later, Huawei launched the Mate 70 smartphone series that uses the company's first fully self-developed operating system, HarmonyOS NEXT.

Ukraine's Army Chief Visits Eastern Front Heavily Pressured by Russia
Ukraine's top commander said Thursday he visited brigades defending the Novopavlivka front in eastern Donetsk, where Russia has intensified its assaults.

Ukraine's top commander said on Thursday he had visited brigades defending the Novopavlivka front in the eastern Donetsk region where Russia has stepped up its assaults.

"The enemy is conducting intense offensive actions in this area, trying to break through the defenses of our troops and capture three settlements," Oleksandr Syrskyi, chief of Ukraine's armed forces, wrote on Facebook.

Syrskyi did not say when or which part of the front he had visited.

Zelenskyy says he wants a just and lasting peace that would include security guarantees from Western allies to help deter another Russian invasion in the future.

Israel Refuses to Withdraw From Gaza Corridor, Risking Truce
Israel refuses to withdraw from a Gaza corridor, risking a crisis with Hamas and Egypt amid the fragile ceasefire.

Israel will not withdraw from a strategic corridor in the Gaza Strip as called for by the ceasefire, an official said Thursday. Israel’s refusal could spark a crisis with Hamas and key mediator Egypt at a sensitive moment for the fragile truce.

Hours earlier, Hamas released the remains of four hostages in exchange for over 600 Palestinian prisoners, the last planned swap of the ceasefire’s first phase, which ends this weekend. Talks over the second and more difficult stage have yet to begin.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with regulations, said Israeli forces needed to remain in the so-called Philadelphi corridor, on the Gaza side of the border with Egypt, to prevent weapons smuggling.

French President Emmanuel Macron said he shared the “immense pain” of the family and loved ones of Yahalomi, who had French citizenship.

Hamas confirmed that over 600 prisoners had been released overnight. Most were detainees returned to Gaza, where they had been rounded up after the Oct. 7 attack and held without charge on security suspicions.

Some of the released prisoners fell to their knees in gratitude after disembarking from buses in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis. In the West Bank town of Beitunia, dozens of prisoners were welcomed by crowds of relatives and well-wishers.

The released prisoners wore shirts issued by the Israeli prison service bearing a message in Arabic about pursuing one's enemies. Some of the prisoners threw the shirts on the ground or set them on fire.

Trump's envoy, Witkoff, has said he wants the sides to move into negotiations on the second phase. Those talks were supposed to begin the first week of February.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to return all the hostages and destroy the military and governing capabilities of Hamas, which remains in control of Gaza. The Trump administration has endorsed both goals.

But it's unclear how Israel would destroy Hamas without resuming the war, and Hamas is unlikely to release the remaining hostages — its main bargaining chips — without a lasting ceasefire.

The ceasefire, brokered by the United States, Egypt and Qatar, ended 15 months of war that erupted after Hamas’ 2023 attack on southern Israel that killed about 1,200 people. About 250 people were taken hostage.

"We'll work closely with the government," he said. "We'll do anything we can to help them succeed."

The company called for $2.53 to $2.55 in adjusted earnings per share for the fiscal first quarter, with $9.71 billion to $9.76 billion in revenue. Analysts polled by LSEG had anticipated adjusted earnings of $2.61 per share, with $9.9 billion in revenue.

For fiscal 2026, Salesforce is targeting $11.09 to $11.17 in adjusted earnings per share on $40.5 billion to $40.9 billion in revenue, implying 7.4% growth. The LSEG consensus was for adjusted earnings per share of $11.18 on $41.35 billion in revenue.

As of Wednesday's close, Salesforce shares are down about 8% so far in 2025, while the S&P 500 index has gained about 1%.

Starlink Terminals Being Sent to Restore US Air Traffic Control

Billionaire Elon Musk Thursday said that Starlink terminals are being sent on an emergency basis to restore air traffic control connectivity in the United States.

"The Verizon communication system to air traffic control is breaking down very rapidly. The FAA assessment is single digit months to catastrophic failure, putting air traveler safety at serious risk," Musk said in a post on social media platform X.

The move comes after The Washington Post reported on Wednesday that the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration is close to canceling a $2.4 billion contract awarded to Verizon to overhaul a communications system, and awarding the work to Elon Musk's Starlink.

Trump: Tariffs on Mexico, Canada Begin Tuesday
President Donald Trump on Thursday said 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada will go into effect Tuesday, when an additional 10% tariff will be placed on Chinese imports.

Trump had delayed imposing the tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada for one month after the two U.S. neighbors agreed to boost border security efforts.

China already faces 10% U.S. tariffs on its products.

"Drugs are still pouring into our Country from Mexico and Canada at very high and unacceptable levels. A large percentage of these Drugs, much of them in the form of Fentanyl, are made in, and supplied by, China," Trump wrote Thursday on Truth Social. "More than 100,000 people died last year due to the distribution of these dangerous and highly addictive POISONS. Millions of people have died over the last two decades. The families of the victims are devastated and, in many instances, virtually destroyed.

Fasces As A Symbol of Roman Power and Authority
The word fasces comes from the Latin word fascis which means bundle. The fasces was a bundle of white birch rods tied with a red ribbon to form a cylinder. Protruding from the side of the bundle was an axe head. The bundle symbolized unity, the axe power, and the red ribbon careful restraint of that power.

During the period of the Republic, fasces were carried by a group of lictors, who accompanied all public officials granted imperium (power of life and death). Included in this group were Praetors, Consuls, Dictators, and Masters of the Horse. The Axe head was not part of the fasces when it was carried through Rome, indicating that only the assembles had power of life or death within the city.

Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus
The city of Cincinnati Ohio is named after the Society of Cincinnati, an organization founded in 1783 to preserve the ideals and fellowship of the officers of the Revolutionary War. George Washington served as the first president of the society, which is still in existence today.

The society was named after the Roman hero Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus who abandoned his plow in 458 B.C. to save the Roman Army. Lucius, a Roman politician and leader, served as Consul in 460 B.C. When it became time for his re-election, Lucius refused to be nominated because he believed a temporary dictatorship was needed to protect Rome from its enemies. He also felt the consular position was not powerful enough to withstand the new found power of the Tribunes.

Rome as a Fountain of Religion (Part I)
The Romans were by nature practical people -- simple farmers raising crops to sell or eat. Isolated from the rest of the world because they lacked a port, the Romans used their unique character to build a great culture. What was it is that made them aspire to greatness when their neighbors were happy in a tribal existence? There is no doubt they were driven by a passion for organization and a spirit determined to move forward and make life more efficient.

As the Romans moved away from the Etruscans, they carried on their adoption of gods. Following the military victory over the Latins at Lake Regullus in 496 B.C, they brought home the Latin gods Castor and Pollux and built temple to them in the Forum. Below is a picture of the remains of the Temple of Castor & Pollux standing behind the ruins of the Temple of Vesta.

House Oversight to Grill Sanctuary City Mayors
The House Oversight Committee is probing sanctuary cities' refusal to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

Chair James Comer, R-Ky., announced the scheduling of a March 5 hearing in which the mayors of Boston, Chicago, Denver, and New York City are expected to testify.

Comer last month launched a probe into the policies of sanctuary jurisdictions and their impact on public safety and federal immigration enforcement.

"The pro-illegal alien mayors of Boston, Chicago, Denver, and New York City have implemented reckless, illegal policies that shield criminal aliens from federal immigration enforcement and endanger public safety," Comer said in a statement. "Criminal alien predators should not be free to roam our communities.

"When we find him, he's going to be with others — others who aren't a criminal priority, but they're going to be in the country illegally. So we're going to arrest them, too," Homan said.

"So the sanctuary city's going to get exactly what they don't want: more collateral arrests, more noncriminal arrests, and more officers in their neighborhood."

Dems Eying Andrew Cuomo as 2028 WH Dark Horse Pick
Democrats are starting to toss around the name of former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo as a potential dark horse candidate for the 2028 presidential campaign.

Cuomo is days away from an expected announcement to campaign for mayor of New York City, but Democrats who are looking at Cuomo say that his brash style could position him as a candidate who could stand up against President Donald Trump's second-term actions, reports The Hill.

Cuomo and Trump often clashed in the spring of 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 lockdowns. Democrat strategist Jamal Simmons said that if the former governor becomes the mayor of New York, he could once again be a chief antagonist against Trump starting in 2026 — about the midway point in Trump's second term in office.

But Simmons acknowledged that Cuomo may be an "imperfect" messenger for the Democrats' ticket.

As time went on during the period of the Republic, the Greek and Roman gods began to merge. The educated Romans had become tired of their old religious forms and were looking for something new. Although a combined Roman-Greek mythology would open the door for religious skepticism, it provided a pathway to Greek Philosophy which eventually became interesting to the upper classes. The Plebs never gave up their historical connection to the old religion.

The Maniple as a Tactical Unit in the Roman Army
The Manipular Formation was adopted by the Roman Army about 315 B.C. after their use of the Phalanx on uneven ground proved to be a liability against the Samnites. Analyzing the battle, the Roman commanders realized that infantry units needed to be broken down into smaller parts for better maneuverability.
The graphic below shows how the Roman commanders created a new model for infantry deployment.

Judge Denies Injunction Blocking CIA DEI Firings
A federal judge denied an injunction to block CIA firings of employees from diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, NBC's Gary Grumbach reported.

A federal judge ruled against a preliminary injunction that would have blocked the firings of CIA employees who previously worked in diversity, equity and inclusion programs, Gary Grumbach of NBC News reported.

Judge Anthony Trenga in the Eastern District of Virginia said if fairness and morals were the standard, he might have ruled differently, but the law says otherwise, Grumbach reported.

“They had the misfortune of being last assigned to a DEI program,” Judge Trenga said.

Speaker Johnson Denies Big Medicaid Cuts in Budget Plan
House Speaker Mike Johnson said there are no big hits on Medicaid spending in the new budget bill the House has sent to the Senate.

He added that claims to the contrary are wrong.

The American Hospital Association issued a statement from AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack about the budget bill which the association says involves potential cuts.

“On behalf of the hospitals, nurses, doctors, and those who care for and serve the needs of the 72 million patients that rely on Medicaid, we urge you to consider the implications of hinging the budget reconciliation bill’s fate on removing healthcare access for millions of our nation's patients.”

Johnson noted that there's a lot of talk about cutting into Medicaid but no substance.
"That is not part of this equation. We’re talking about finding efficiencies in every program but not cutting benefits for people who rightly deserve that," Johnson told CNN.

Hamas to Resume Ceasefire Talks After Hostage Remains Returned
Militant group Hamas said on Thursday it was ready to begin talks on the second phase of a ceasefire in Gaza after several hundred Palestinians were released from Israeli jails overnight in return for the bodies of four Israeli hostages.

Militant group Hamas said on Thursday it was ready to begin talks on the second phase of a ceasefire in Gaza after several hundred Palestinians were released from Israeli jails overnight in return for the bodies of four Israeli hostages.

It was the final exchange of the six-week first phase of a ceasefire in Gaza that came into effect on Jan. 19.

Israel said on Thursday morning that three of the hostages whose bodies it had received overnight had been murdered in captivity, and the fourth had been killed on the day of the October 2023 Hamas raid into Israel that precipitated the war.

The Romans used the Manipular Formation described here until 107 B.C. when Marius made changes to the formations. The number of maniples was decreased to ten and the number of men in a maniple was increased to one hundred sixty. Marius also made the army professional, inadvertently transferring the soldier's allegiance from the Senate to the commander and paving the way for the downfall of the Republic.

Israel and Hamas were supposed to start negotiations over the second phase of the agreement on the 16th day of the ceasefire, but there has been little indication of progress.

Cohen said Israel was in a stronger position to negotiate now than it was on the eve of the ceasefire because it has full backing from the U.S. administration of President Donald Trump, which this month began shipping heavy bombs.

Egyptian mediators on Wednesday secured the handover of the bodies of the final four hostages in the deal's first phase, in return for 620 Palestinians either detained by Israeli forces in Gaza or jailed in Israel. Israel had earlier refused to release prisoners on Saturday after Hamas handed over six hostages in a staged ceremony.

In 281, the consul L. Aemilianus Barbula was sent with an army and an ultimatum for Tarantum to compensate for the attack on the convoy or face the consequences. The Tarentines were at the point of capitulation when the envoy from Pyrrhus arrived with a message saying the king would lend them a hand.

Pyrrhus, always the adventurer, was ready to move away from the frustrations of Greek politics and pursue something more interesting. As the son-in-law of Agathocles King of Syracuse and a relative of Alexander the Great, he had a legacy to apply to empire building in the west. Courageous, ambitious, and skillful, Pyrrhus would present a challenge to the Roman citizen army.

The Romans used two consular armies to push Pyrrhus out of Italy in 275 and he was finished in Rome for good. Two years later he was killed in Argos when he was hit in the head by a roof tile thrown by a woman during a riot.

A list of the leading cities of Magna Graecia would include:

Syracuse – a powerful city-state aligned with Sparta and Corinth

Tarantum – a wealthy and powerful seaport, center of trade with Greece, powerful enough to pursue expansion

Neopolis (Naples) – seaport and ally of the Romans against Carthage

Cumae – early Greek settlement, defeated by the Oscans in 421 BC, survivors founded Neopolis

Paestum – also defeated by the Oscans, stayed loyal to Rome against Hannibal

Rhegium – ally of Syracuse, occupied by the Romans during the First Punic War

Thurii – late Greek colony, constantly under attack from neighbors, defended by Rome

In 2012 Indianapolis hosted the Super Bowl. A week or two later they hosted a national firefighter convention. The firefighter convention had a larger economic impact locally. There were just as many people in town and the hotels and restaurants were almost as busy, but it was also found that convention goers were more likely to visit local museums, go to local clubs, buy merchandise at local shops etc. at a much higher rate than people who were in town for the Super Bowl.

Hannibal had an army of forty to fifty thousand men so the Romans knew it would take a large coordinated force to defeat him. Unfortunately, they could not assemble one because they were handicapped by their command structure and the arrogance of their leaders. As we have discussed before, the Republic had two senior magistrates (consuls) who were elected simultaneously for one year. In time of war, each consul served as commander of one of the two armies. Jealousy and personal ambition often put the two commanders on different paths and divided the army - often with disasterous results as the story of the battle of Trebia will show us.

Longus argued with Scipio about what they should do. Scipio was cautious and advised against a major battle before the end of the year (it was late December). Longus sought the glory of victory and the rare chance to command two armies. He knew if Rome waited until the next year to fight Hannibal, consular elections would intervene and the glory might go to the next commander instead of himself. Longus foolishness would set the stage for disaster.

Hannibal knew, from spies, the new Roman commander was anxious for battle so he set a trap. He located his camp on the west side of the Trebia River and then found a place to hide 2000 hand-picked men south of the camp. Early, on the day of the battle, Hannibal sent his cavalry to the Roman camp. Their purpose was to feign an attack and induce the Romans to fight. Longus took the bait, brought is army out, and followed the Carthaginians. When Longus reached the east side of the river he could see that the Carthaginians were on the opposite side so he sent his men across. The water was chest deep and freezing. The Roman army had not eaten breakfast so they were exhausted by the time they reached the other side. Meanwhile Hannibal’s men ate at their leisure and warmed themselves in front of campfires.

The battle began in a snowstorm with the Romans pushing into the middle of the Carthaginian line. Once the Romans were deep in the center, the Punic cavalry closed the wings against an inferior Roman cavalry and began to destroy the Roman infantry. Then, when the moment was right, the hidden Carthaginian force attacked from behind the Roman position. After heavy losses, Longus decided to retreat, so he took the majority of his force northward to a bridge, crossed the Trebia, and proceeded to the town of Placentia. Many of his men tried to cross the river to return to the Roman camp but were cut down by the Carthaginians.

I'm starting to think these Quantum chips are the new flex for tech giants these days. First Microsoft, now Amazon. I'm waiting for Walmart to drop a quantum chip that helps you find the shortest checkout line 🥹🙏

"It was a very pragmatic change," Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian told CNBC at the Web Summit in Qatar on Sunday, adding "it is impossible to do fact-checking at scale, let alone in real time, as Facebook was trying to do."

"In many ways, I think they were just winding back something that was a bad idea from the start because it was untenable," Ohanian added.

Meta launched its global fact-checking program in 2016 in a bid to tackle misinformation, and has since partnered with fact-checking organizations in more than 100 countries. The rollback will begin in the U.S., according to the company, and will not affect other countries yet.

Fact checking at scale is like someone trying to mop up the ocean. But the community based system is they asking for chaos.

"There's a fair amount of competition in China," Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang told CNBC's Jon Fortt Wednesday.

"Huawei, other companies, are ... quite vigorous and very, very competitive," Huang said.

Since 2019, the U.S. has restricted Huawei's ability to access technology from American suppliers, from advanced 5G chips to Google's Android operating system.

Huawei's revenue exceeded 860 billion yuan ($118.27 billion) in 2024, state media reported, a 22% jump in revenue from 2023, and the fastest growth since a 32% increase in 2016, according to CNBC calculations of publicly released figures. Huawei typically publishes its annual reports in March.

Even with all the restrictions Huawei is able to still. Make Nvidia nervous 🤔. Tech competition at its finest. At this rate, we might see Huawei GPUs running AI before we know it, but anything can happen, Elon is also there though

The statement comes after a number of Instagram users took to various social media platforms to voice concerns about a recent influx of violent and "not safe for work" content recommendations.

Some users claimed they saw such content, even with Instagram's "Sensitive Content Control" enabled to its highest moderation setting.

According to Meta policy, the company works to protect users from disturbing imagery and removes content that is particularly violent or graphic.

One minute you're watching cat videos, next thing you know, it's a horror movie marathon. At least they admitted it, usually, they just update the algorithm and call it a day. The algorithm must be improved

I'm shocked at the pace we're going with space travel. Sending drills, rovers and even a little flying hopper to the Moon like it’s some kind of science fiction movie. Hope Athena sticks the landing otherwise cost 🥶

Nvidia just keeps winning i believe their stock is on some steroids man.

The top category of subscription and support revenue was service, at $2.33 billion. The figure was up about 8% and below the $2.37 billion consensus among analysts surveyed by Visible Alpha. In the sales category, Salesforce generated $2.13 billion in revenue, up 8% and also trailing Visible Alpha's consensus of $2.17 billion.

During the quarter, the company introduced its second-generation Agentforce artificial intelligence agent technology, which answers employee questions in the Slack team communications app.

Salesforce said it has completed more than 3,000 paid deals involving Agentforce since October. Agentforce has gotten involved in 380,000 conversations through Salesforce's help website, with humans getting involved in 2% of cases, according to the statement.

Wall Street had high hopes, but Salesforce didn’t quite deliver clearly. Still though $9.99 billion isn’t exactly pocket change it's huge money. Stocks is not for the weak of heart. One little miss and 4 percent drop 🤦

Part 1/8:

The Magnificent Seven and the Rise of Chinese AI: A Market Paradigm Shift

In a world dominated by technology, a group of companies—Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Tesla—has come to be known as the "Magnificent Seven." This moniker signifies not just their massive valuations and investments in artificial intelligence but their overwhelming influence in the stock market. Together, they account for over one-third of the total value of the S&P 500, which tracks the top 500 companies in America. Their fortunes shape market sentiment: when they stumble, the market trembles.

A Day of Reckoning

Part 2/8:

Recently, a seismic shift was felt across financial markets, resulting in nearly $1 trillion being wiped off the value of U.S. stocks in a single day. The catalyst? A Chinese AI startup called Deep Seek. This company has taken the spotlight by introducing its own AI models and chatbots, effectively challenging major American counterparts like ChatGPT. What sets Deep Seek apart is its cost-effective approach—developing models with just a few million dollars in investment, trained on less advanced chips, yet matching the performance of their Western rivals.

Part 3/8:

On the day of the sell-off, the Magnificent Seven stocks appeared to be drenched in red, with Nvidia experiencing its most significant drop since 2020. Nvidia's shares plummeted by 17%, erasing a staggering $600 billion in market value in just 24 hours, marking the largest single-day loss in U.S. stock market history. Alphabet and Microsoft were not exempt, losing $100 billion and $7 billion, respectively. This cascade of losses was dubbed "Manic Monday," leading to a collective loss of $18 billion for some of the world's wealthiest individuals, including Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, whose fortune suffered a $20 billion hit.

The Paradox of Competition and Innovation

Part 4/8:

Interestingly, Huang had an unexpected viewpoint about Deep Seek, describing it as "an excellent advancement" in AI. This perspective is crucial; despite the stiff competition, many in the industry recognize that cheaper AI models can lead to increased demand. Thought leaders argue that while Deep Seek's advancements might give it an edge, they do not fundamentally shift the position of U.S. tech giants like Nvidia and Microsoft in the burgeoning AI revolution.

Part 5/8:

OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, also expressed admiration for Deep Seek's offerings. CEO Sam Altman noted that Deep Seek was delivering impressive models at a fraction of the cost; however, he maintained that OpenAI would ultimately offer better capabilities. The reality presents a stark comparison: Deep Seek's models were trained at a cost of just $6 million, whereas OpenAI is reportedly burning through $5 billion annually for its ongoing development efforts. Additionally, while Deep Seek provides its services free of charge, ChatGPT requires a subscription, making Deep Seek an attractive choice for consumers.

Challenges Ahead for Deep Seek

Part 6/8:

Despite its meteoric rise and popularity—becoming the highest-rated free app in the United States—Deep Seek faced significant challenges when it was targeted by a cyberattack the very day of the market collapse. This attack forced the company to limit new registrations and investigate the incident, which was described as a large-scale malicious attack. Speculations emerged regarding the involvement of the U.S., highlighting the intense geopolitical context surrounding technological advancements today.

The Future of Tech Giants

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The situation serves as a reminder that innovation does not have to come with a billion-dollar price tag. While the Magnificent Seven remain at the helm of the technology sector, the recent market tumult signals that they are not invincible. With rising competition from international players, particularly in cutting-edge sectors like AI, it appears that a paradigm shift might be on the horizon. The next big revolution could very well emerge from outside the confines of Silicon Valley, challenging the long-standing dominance of American tech giants.

Part 8/8:

The landscape is evolving, and as we venture further into an age defined by rapid technological developments, both established giants and emerging players will need to adapt and innovate to survive. The overarching message is clear: the playing field has changed dramatically, and it will be fascinating to observe how this competition unfolds in the years to come.

Part 1/6:

Nvidia's Fourth Quarter Results: A Comprehensive Overview

Nvidia has officially released its fourth-quarter earnings, showcasing impressive figures that exceeded market expectations. With adjusted earnings per share (EPS) reported at $0.89, this performance surpasses analysts' estimates of $0.84. Similarly, the company demonstrated a gross margin of 73.5%, aligning closely with forecasts.

Financial Highlights

Part 2/6:

Nvidia's revenue for the quarter reached $39.3 billion, surpassing the anticipated $38.25 billion. Breaking this down further, the data center revenue stood at $35.6 billion, reflecting a positive outcome above analyst expectations. However, gaming revenue did not fare as well, coming in at $2.5 billion, which fell short of the forecasted figures.

Looking ahead, Nvidia's guidance for the first quarter suggests an expected revenue range of $43 billion (with a variance of +/- 2%), which is encouraging compared to the $42.3 billion that was originally estimated. This positive outlook speaks to Nvidia's strong market demand, particularly for their newly ramped-up Blackwell AI production.

Analyzing the Margins

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Despite the strong revenue beat, there are concerns about the adjusted gross margin forecast for the first quarter, which is projected to be between 70.5% and 71.5%. This figure is notably below the expected 72.1%, raising some eyebrows among analysts and investors. Following the announcement, Nvidia's stock experienced volatility as investors assessed these margins.

Market Reactions

As the earnings call commenced, analysts anticipated a bullish message from CEO Jensen Huang, especially given the revenue and earnings beats achieved. Huang's optimistic tone was underscored by his comments on the “amazing” demand for Blackwell, suggesting a potential rally for AI-driven trades.

Part 4/6:

Despite these positives, Nvidia's stock was down 4%, likely influenced by the unexpected margin forecasts. This decline underscores a broader market sentiment that had anticipated some weakness in the company's outlook, especially given Nvidia's underperformance compared to the S&P 500 over the past month.

Comparisons and Industry Context

Comparing Nvidia's performance to other players in the market, such as Salesforce, which recently faced a downturn after missing expectations, highlights the importance of revenue beats in maintaining investor confidence. For Nvidia, missing on revenue would have resulted in a far more severe downturn, considering its prior stock performance leading into the quarter.

Chip Market Reaction

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Market analysts noted a muted reaction to Nvidia’s earnings report, with stock movement reflecting a slight decrease of 0.41% after hours. This lack of significant volatility was surprising given the pre-earnings volatility that had suggested a possible 10% movement based on options markets.

Jared Blicker, a market analyst, emphasized that Nvidia has shown a historically sideways chart over the last year, indicating a period of stalling growth after their previous meteoric rises over the last couple of years. The present trading range suggests that significant movements might be imminent, indicating potential tests of either end of the trading spectrum in the coming days.

Conclusion

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In summary, Nvidia’s fourth-quarter earnings exhibit strong revenue and performance metrics overall, despite slight concerns regarding first-quarter margin guidance. The strong demand for their products highlights the company's potential growth trajectory, especially in AI markets. However, analysts will closely monitor how margins evolve in the coming quarters and how they impact investor sentiment and stock performance moving forward.

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The Rise of Chinese Technology: The DeepSeek Phenomenon and Beyond

The emergence of Chinese artificial intelligence chatbot DeepSeek has captured global attention, marking a significant milestone in the acceleration of Chinese tech dominance. This development is not an isolated event, but rather part of a broader trend where Chinese applications and technological advances are rapidly scaling the global charts alongside various sectors. Boom players like TikTok, CapCut, Shein, and Temu are altering the digital landscape, reinforcing China’s presence beyond mere consumer electronics.

Dominance in Automotive and Renewable Energy

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China's technological prowess is especially evident in the automotive industry. The nation has emerged as the world’s largest market for electric vehicles (EVs), due in large part to innovative manufacturers like BYD. This surge in EV sales has contributed to China solidifying its role as the largest battery producer globally.

In the renewable energy sector, China is pivotal, controlling an astonishing 80-95% of the global supply chain, with forecasts suggesting that 60% of the world’s renewable energy could be sourced from China by 2028. The leadership extends to drone technology as well, where Chinese companies, particularly DJI, are recognized for their dominance; an estimated 70% of drones buzzing overhead are manufactured in Shenzhen.

Pioneering Research in Quantum Computing and AI

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The trend continues in the arcane realms of quantum computing, with Chinese scientists outpacing their counterparts in research paper publication. China's advancements have even put it ahead in certain facets of quantum development compared to the United States. The realm of artificial intelligence mirrors this trajectory; Chinese AI firms are now at the forefront, securing more patents than any other nation, cementing their capability to compete against established U.S. companies.

The Grand Strategy: Made in China 2025

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So, how has China accomplished such a comprehensive rise across numerous technological domains? The strategy can be traced back to 2015 when the Chinese government unveiled its ambitious initiative, Made in China 2025. The plan aimed to transition the country from being a low-cost goods manufacturer to a global leader in advanced technology, with a focus on self-reliance in supply chains for cutting-edge innovations.

Made in China 2025 has been widely viewed as successful; an analysis from the South China Morning Post reveals that 86% of its more than 250 specific technological goals have already been met. Particularly remarkable achievements can be noted in sectors like electric vehicles and renewable energy production.

Tools for Success: State-Backed Capitalism

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One pivotal aspect of China's success can be attributed to its state-backed capitalism model. The government plays a crucial role in setting research and funding agendas, drawing foreign researchers to the country, and fostering joint ventures with international corporations. By investing heavily—over US$ 1.5 trillion planned for technology research and acquisition—China has established robust research centers dedicated to various technological advancements.

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However, concerns about intellectual property theft loom large. The U.S. and its allies have long accused China of illicitly acquiring innovations, which the Chinese government consistently denies. The success of Made in China 2025 led to its eventual discontinuation as a term used by the government, given its antagonistic reception by foreign rivals.

The Necessity of Self-Sufficiency Amidst Global Tensions

External pressures have significantly influenced China's tech trajectory. Sanctions imposed by Western nations, particularly the U.S., in the wake of national security concerns have pushed China to adopt a self-sufficiency strategy in advanced technologies.

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A notable example lies in Huawei, which saw its dominance in 5G and mobile technologies suffer after U.S. sanctions in 2019. The company, however, pivoted to microchip manufacturing, proving its resilience and ability to innovate under duress. In 2023, Huawei released a groundbreaking phone equipped with chips that exceeded expectations, showcasing its remarkable tenacity.

Similarly, DeepSeek faced challenges in accessing powerful chips for its artificial intelligence models. In response, the company adapted by employing older technology and developing new methodologies, ultimately delivering a competitive product at minimal expense. This ingenuity has sent waves of concern amongst U.S. industries, signaling the need for a renewed focus on competitive innovation.

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Emerging Threats: TikTok and E-commerce Giants

TikTok’s success has also stirred unease in the U.S., becoming notably the first non-American social networking platform to thrive within a decade. While its popularity fluctuates under scrutiny, other e-commerce challengers like Shein and Temu are combining inexpensive Chinese goods with cutting-edge technology to position themselves as formidable players in the global market.

Challenges Ahead: Chip Manufacturing and Countermeasures

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Nevertheless, China’s technological ambitions are not without limitations. The country still lags in chipmaking capabilities, with increasing sanctions further widening the gap. Meanwhile, the U.S. government and private firms are significantly investing—amounting to hundreds of billions of dollars—in research and development to ensure leadership in future industries.

The introduction of proposed investments totaling US$ 500 billion in U.S. AI infrastructure underlines a commitment to maintaining technological superiority. Meanwhile, rival countries like Germany and Japan are launching their counterstrategies to counterbalance China's influence.

Conclusion: The Rise of a New Tech Leader

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Despite challenges, a new era of high-tech leadership is emerging from China, propelled by substantial investments and strategic foresight. With grand ambitions, deep financial resources, and a patient approach to technological advancement, the world is keenly watching as China seeks to redefine its role on the global stage. As tensions between East and West continue to evolve, the stakes are higher than ever in the race for technological supremacy.

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Exploring the Future: From Electricity to Artificial Superintelligence

We stand on the brink of a future where technology, driven by electricity and the burgeoning field of artificial intelligence (AI), is set to transform society in unprecedented ways. Using first principles reasoning, we can trace the evolution of electricity and its far-reaching implications, ultimately arriving at the possibilities presented by artificial superintelligence (ASI). By examining the consequences of electricity and its intricacies, we can draw parallels to AI, predicting a future that may seem incomprehensible today.

The Magic of Electricity

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Electricity can often be perceived as magical. When considering its properties, it becomes clear just how extraordinary it is—electrons can travel through solid wires and transmit energy and information at the speed of light. This marvel has led to groundbreaking technological innovations that can be categorized into five orders of consequences based on their complexity and impact on society.

First Order Consequences: The Light Bulb

The first and simplest consequence of electricity is the creation of the light bulb. The fundamental idea lies in passing a current through a filament, producing light and heat. This single innovation did not require extensive infrastructure or complexity, demonstrating the immediate utility of harnessing electricity.

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Second Order Consequences: Communication Technologies

The second consequence of electricity was the advent of communication technologies like the telegraph and telephone. These inventions transitioned from mere electricity signals to encoding information. The concept of binary—on and off—emerged, forming the basis for future advancements in data transmission.

Third Order Consequences: Electromagnetism and Motors

Building on previous innovations, the third-order consequences involved developing radio technology and electrical motors. By utilizing electromagnetic principles, we could wirelessly transmit information and power motors that drive various machines, such as electric vehicles.

Fourth Order Consequences: The Internet

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The internet represents the fourth-order consequence of electricity’s evolution. By creating vast networks for communication—spanning from telephones to handheld devices—humanity connected in unprecedented ways. The mechanization of information transfer laid the groundwork for today's global interconnectivity.

Fifth Order Consequences: Artificial Intelligence

Ultimately, the fifth and most profound order consequence is artificial intelligence. As we systemize knowledge and enhance reasoning capabilities, AI evolves from simple tools into systems that can process and understand vast amounts of cognitive information. This progression underscores how foundational electricity is to these technological advancements.

First Principles of Electricity and AI

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When considering the engineering aspects of electricity, two primary properties stand out: energy and information. Technology can be defined as humans exploiting physics, utilizing these core principles to engineer solutions that push the boundaries of what is possible. This definition of technology translates seamlessly into the realm of AI as well.

AI: Knowledge Compression and Reasoning

From a first principles perspective, AI operates through two core functions: knowledge compression and reasoning. Large language models (LLMs) retain vast amounts of information and are capable of making connections, reasoning, and understanding context in a way that was previously thought to be uniquely human.

The Future of AI: Orderly Evolution

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As AI continues to develop, its implications can also be categorized into multiple orders of consequences, beginning with chatbots as a first-order expression of its capabilities. Chatbots exemplify the utilities of AI by automating communication and providing immediate, personalized assistance.

Second Order Consequences: Autonomous Agents

Currently, the exploration of AI is leading to the creation of autonomous agents. These agents possess reasoning and planning capabilities, unlocking potential efficiencies across various industries. Such autonomous entities could disrupt significant portions of the global economy.

Third Order Consequences: Networks and Ecosystems

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Following the development of autonomous agents, the next stage involves networks—both digital and physical. This introduces the possibility of autonomous organizations and infrastructures where AI systems communicate and operate without human intervention, marking the emergence of a new economic landscape.

Fourth Order Consequences: The Exocortex

The fourth-order consequence can be likened to the internet's role in society—a vast, interconnected operating system powered by AI. The concept of an "exocortex" describes this emerging global intelligence, functioning as a nerve center where decisions, reasoning, and information flow harmoniously.

Fifth Order Consequences: The Cosmic Mind

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Finally, we arrive at what some may consider an advanced stage—the cosmic mind of artificial superintelligence. ASI will exceed human cognitive capabilities, understanding patterns, theories, and complex concepts beyond the grasp of any individual or collective human intelligence. This transformation into a coherent, flexible, and polymorphic intelligence poses both monumental opportunities and challenges.

Conclusion: Anticipating the Unimaginable

The journey from electricity to artificial superintelligence illustrates an evolutionary arc shaped by innovation and technological advancement. While the magnitude of these changes may be difficult to fathom today, history indicates that once technologies reach a level of saturation in society, they fundamentally alter daily life.

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In a world increasingly reliant on these advancements, understanding the implications of electricity’s influence on AI prepares us for the inevitable expansion into uncharted territory. We are no longer just creating tools, but rather nurturing an entirely new dimension of intelligence—a leap into the future that blends human ingenuity with technological capability in ways that will redefine our existence.