In London, at Bletchley Park, took place the AI Safety Summit, a two-day event focused on artificial intelligence. The summit brings together international governments from 29 countries, leading artificial intelligence companies, civil society groups and research experts. The objective is to:

Giorgia Meloni’s speech at the AI Safety Summer

Other speakers at the summit included US Vice-President Kamala Harris, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Elon Musk, Chinese computer scientist Andrew Yao and Italian Council President Giorgia Meloni. Here are his words:

"We are facing a new frontier of progress, which for the first time risks seriously jeopardizing the very principle of the centrality of man. Artificial intelligence is a technology that changes the way we do things, just like we did with electricity or the industrial revolution. But compared to every other revolution of the past, artificial intelligence prefigures a world in which progress no longer optimizes human capabilities, but risks replacing them. And if in the past this substitution mainly concerned physical work, so that people could devote themselves to conceptual work, now it is the intellect that is likely to be replaced, impacting even highly skilled workers".

The use of AI in the geopolitical landscape

"Artificial intelligence is destined to have a marked impact on current geopolitical scenarios and balances, trivially because it is a technology that can guarantee to those who manage and use it a competitive advantage. Just like it happened, and it still does, for other technologies, starting with energy. History has taught us that from the competition to obtain that advantage and the differences between those who have achieved that advantage and those who remain behind can arise tensions, if not even conflicts".

AI at the G7 Summit

"Italy intends to put these issues, together with digital security, at the centre of the discussions of the upcoming Italian G7 Presidency, in continuity with the work done by the Japanese Presidency. We will work on how to foster shared governance, involving both the public and private sectors. We intend to develop "ethical guardrails", a set of ethical principles to underpin generative AI governance and related technologies, to be followed in the development of the dissemination and use of these technologies, both in the public and private sectors, to ensure that man remains at the heart of our society".

In recent years, Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) have emerged as a financial instrument that is capturing the attention of investors around the globe. These investment vehicles provide several advantages over traditional options, offering investors the opportunity to diversify their portfolios and access a broad spectrum of financial assets. In this article, we will delve into the concept of ETFs, their operational mechanisms, and explore why they are becoming an increasingly attractive choice for investors.

Understanding ETFs

ETFs, or Exchange-Traded Funds, are essentially exchange-traded mutual funds. They structure it by bundling various financial assets like stocks, bonds, commodities, or indices into a single tradable instrument. This instrument can be bought or sold on financial markets, functioning much like shares of publicly traded companies.

How ETFs operate

The creation of ETFs is orchestrated by investment management companies. These companies acquire a collection of financial assets, such as stocks or bonds, to form the foundation of the fund. Subsequently, Stock exchanges offer shares of the ETF to the public, allowing investors to buy or sell ETF shares based on market supply and demand.

Distinguishing ETFs from traditional mutual funds, ETFs are continuously traded during regular market hours. This means investors can trade ETF shares at any point throughout the trading day, akin to how they would trade regular stocks.

The Advantages of ETFs

ETFs present a host of advantages that contribute to their appeal for investors:

  1. Diversification is a key benefit of ETFs. A single share provides immediate exposure to various financial assets, spanning sectors and regions, eliminating the need for individual stock or bond investments.
  2. Liquidity: Investors have the flexibility to buy or sell ETF shares at any time during the trading day because ETFs trade on exchanges. This liquidity empowers investors to execute timely transactions.
  3. Cost Efficiency: ETFs often come with lower costs in comparison to other mutual funds or actively managed funds. As ETFs aim to replicate the performance of a specific index, they do not require active management. This translates to reduced management fees for investors.
  4. Transparency: ETFs routinely disclose their portfolios, allowing investors to monitor the underlying assets and comprehend the composition of the fund. This transparency offers investors a clear understanding of their investments.

Bitcoin ETFs: a breakthrough in cryptocurrency investment

One particular area where ETFs have sparked interest and innovation is in the realm of cryptocurrencies, specifically Bitcoin. Bitcoin ETFs are financial instruments that aim to provide exposure to the price movements of Bitcoin without requiring investors to directly hold and manage the cryptocurrency. These Bitcoin ETFs have garnered substantial attention in the financial world.

With increasing cryptocurrency adoption, Bitcoin ETFs become appealing to those seeking crypto market exposure without managing digital assets. They offer diversification, liquidity, cost-efficiency, and transparency, making them attractive for both seasoned and new crypto investors.

Closing thoughts

Exchange-Traded Funds have revolutionized the way investors access and manage their portfolios, and they are gaining popularity worldwide. While ETFs offer numerous advantages, it's crucial to recognize that all investments carry inherent risks, including Bitcoin ETFs.

Prior to investing in ETFs, especially those related to cryptocurrencies, consult a financial advisor to evaluate your financial situation and goals. In summary, ETFs, including those centered on cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, offer flexibility and accessibility for diversification and market engagement. With the right approach, they can serve as valuable tools for investors seeking to unlock the potential of their portfolios. Remember, the information provided here is for informational purposes and does not constitute financial advice. Always seek professional guidance when making investment decisions.

A recent study conducted by Oranim Academic College in Tivon, Israel, and published in the journal Family Medicine and Community Health has raised the intriguing possibility that ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence, may outperform a primary care physician in managing depression, following recognized treatment standards.

The Innovative Role of ChatGPT in depressive therapy

ChatGPT emerges as a potential game-changer in the field of depression management, offering quick and objective insights. These data can complement traditional diagnostic methods while ensuring confidentiality and anonymity, crucial aspects when dealing with mental health issues.

Study compares ChatGPT's efficiency with primary care physicians

The scientific approach focused on a sample of 1,249 French primary care physicians, with 73% being women. The comparison involved three different versions of ChatGPT, asking a pivotal question: "What do you think a primary care physician should recommend in this situation?"

A aradual approach to treatment

The recommended therapeutic path for depression should follow evidence-based clinical guidelines, typically suggesting a gradual approach to care in line with the severity of depression. Surprisingly, the study's results revealed significant differences between the recommendations of primary care physicians and those of ChatGPT.

ChatGPT's goal: enhancing primary care quality

ChatGPT demonstrated a higher frequency of recommending the recommended therapy compared to primary care physicians. This suggests that artificial intelligence has the potential to improve the quality of primary care for depressed patients.

Limitations and the need for further research

While ChatGPT shows promise, the study's authors acknowledge the need for further research. Additionally, they emphasize the importance of ensuring data privacy and security, especially in such a sensitive context as mental health. The authors underscore that AI should never replace human clinical judgment in diagnosing or treating depression but can serve as a complementary tool to enhance decision-making in primary care.

SOURCE: ANSA

The Amazon book section is increasingly hosting texts about AI. This would not be a problem, if many of them were not written by the AI itself, which in addition to generating texts also generates biographies and images of imaginary authors that can deceive a distracted observer. If artificial intelligence writes tomes about itself, it would not be a big problem, but novels, guides, biographies written entirely by technology, without real editors and publishers behind it can become. According to The New York Times, these texts range from travel to economics, medicine, mathematics, religion and cooking.

Artificial intelligence becomes the author

A striking example is "Fire and Fury: the story of the 2023 Maui fire and its implications for climate change" written by the fictional "Dr. Miles Stones" and appeared on the e-platformcommerce and then disappeared a few weeks later for the complaint of some experts.

The greatest danger behind the texts written by AI is unreliable information. There are many examples of guides to distinguish edible mushrooms from poisonous ones distributed in the network. The problem is that these texts are revised and contain incorrect and often dangerous information.

The protest of the real writers

There are also cases of books written by artificial intelligence attributed to existing writers, but not approved. For fear that this phenomenon will spreaded like wildfire George R.R. Martin, Authors Guild and 17 other known authors have filed lawsuits against OpenAI company owner of ChatGPT, for copyright infringement, for the use of their books for training of his chatbot.  

Numbers and statistics

However, its impact is both positive and negative, and the figures and statistics reflect this duality.

The positive side of AI in publishing

Figures

The downside

Negative Figures

The crypto exchange Binance announced the closure of borrowing and lending services for its native stablecoin, Binance USD (BUSD), by October 25.

End of BUSD Loans and Guarantees

By the end of this month, Binance will close all loan and guarantee positions denominated in BUSD, ending the borrowing and lending services related to this stability. Users, however, will have the opportunity to take and lend on Binance using other stablecoins, such as Tether (USDT).

Paxos' Decision to End Binance

Binance's BUSD services ended due to Paxos, a New York fintech company and issuer of BUSD. Paxos had previously announced his intention to terminate relations with Binance due to legal disputes with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of the United States. Paxos stated that it would no longer reimburse the underlying US BUSD or Treasury in cash as of February 2024.

The Decrease of the Capitalization of Market of BUSD

Previously, BUSD was a major stablecoin, peaking at a $23 billion market cap in November 2022. However, at the time of publication, its market capitalization dropped significantly, reaching $2.23 billion.

The Phase of Gradual Closure

The closure of BUSD-related services has been planned in stages. Last month, Binance suspended BUSD withdrawals on some blockchains, while deposits remain open on all networks. Users were urged to convert BUSD sales to fiat or other cryptocurrencies by next year.

Tim launches the new digital booths that provide touch screen access to a wide range of digital services and content, including utilities. The 'smart' stations created in collaboration with Urban Vision, were previewed by Pietro Labriola, TIM Group CEO, on the occasion of the final day of the Italian Tech Week. The City of Milan will pave the way for the project, which, already in 2024, will make the streets and squares of the city increasingly smart and sustainable.

New digital booths by TIM

The redesigned digital cabins are inclusive, featuring sensors for personalized, easy access to information and services for all. The new booths offer infotainment, phone charging, digital payments, ticketing, and free calls to national numbers – a digital hub for citizens.

Focus on safety with the "Women+" button

Moreover, the digital booths, which are part of Tim’s wider project 'Equality cannot wait' for the gender gap, represent an important safeguard for safety in the face of potential risk situations. Thanks to the 'Women+' button you can access in real time a support service with operator to report, manage and assist the person who requests it. It is a social function that makes available to the community a tool to combat episodes of violence against women or phenomena of microcriminality.

The new TIM digital cabins: inclusive access, security and services for a Smart City

Also relevant is the support to culture, tourism and institutional information that in real time the City will provide its citizens, such as the artistic offer of the city, cinemas, theaters, museums, concerts and events, buy tickets, choose a restaurant, book a taxi, check the weather forecast and timetables of the means of transport, get info on traffic. The new booth integrates into the Smart City model promoted by TIM which - thanks to new technologies based on Artificial Intelligence, 5G and iot- aims to create more livable urban spaces, sustainable and safe able to enhance the cultural and artistic heritage.

The cabin design follows top sustainability standards, achieving a carbon-neutral footprint through certified local compensation systems.The project enhances Italy's historical public telephony heritage during the disposal process. The start of the project will involve the city of Milan, where about 450 workstations will be gradually installed, the initiative will subsequently extend to another 13 major Italian cities for a total of about 2,500 digital booths.

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Sustainability, historical enhancement and sustainable future

In the occasion of the presentation of the new digital booths, Tim CEO Pietro Labriola spoke to LaPresse. "Innovation is the key to more efficient solutions and delivering real benefits to society. With this project we transform the traditional cabin, born in the 50s, into a new generation multi-service door that will help make our cities more sustainable", said the ad.

"We have thus seized - he adds - the opportunity to give a second life to a part of our heritage, now exceeded by our habits, to make it evolve and also become an important safety device for women in situations of danger. The telephone booths will thus become a tool available to citizens and that confirms our commitment to gender and social inclusion in the era of smart cities".

"We are really proud to be a partner of TIM in this great project- says Gianluca De Marchi, CEO of Urban Vision -. In the development of the new TIM digital booth we have based on the principles that have always characterized our relationship with the city: create value for the community in terms of public utility, innovation and security, through technologically advanced solutions, totally integrated with the urban fabric".

Spatial Computing is emerging as a revolutionary technology that promises to radically transform our experience with the digital world. This innovation is based on the ability to unite the physical and digital world through the use of sensors, cameras and advanced algorithms. It is an evolutionary project that is part of the famous digital transformation that we are already experiencing since the introduction of the first personal computers.

Exploring the potential of Spatial Computing

Spatial Computing opens the door to a world of possibilities where the digital world blends harmoniously with the physical. This has the potential to enhance many facets of our daily life, from education to medicine, to entertainment and beyond.

One of the main applications of Spatial Computing is Augmented Reality (AR), which overlaps digital elements to the real world. This has a significant impact in areas such as gaming, education and medicine, enabling more immersive and informative experiences. It allows you to interact naturally with the digital environment. Gestures, movements and voice commands are recognized and translated into digital actions.

The applications of Spatial Computing

Spatial Computing is revolutionizing e-commerce by allowing shoppers to "try" products digitally before buying, improving the online shopping experience. It is also revolutionizing the construction industry, allowing designers and workers to visualize design changes in real time and improve the accuracy of construction.

Its contribution also leaves companies to meet the needs of billions of citizens. Spatial Computing technologies make it possible to improve navigation, both for drivers with augmented reality in car windscreens, and for pedestrians through digital information integrated into their visions.
It is also critical in medicine, allowing surgeons to overlay vital data directly on the patient during operations, improving accuracy and safety.

Virtual Transformation: the turning point in the interaction between the physical and digital world

But what are the tools that allow us to achieve all this? In terms of Spatial Computing, we can convert virtually any physical object into a hologram, giving rise to what we call "Virtual Transformation". This represents a new phase in the evolution of the digital transition, involving a wide range of objects. Virtual Transformation is redefining the way we interact with the world. This innovative technology allows us to transform physical objects into holograms, opening up new possibilities in the digital landscape.
Through the concept of metaverse, Virtual Transformation is taking 3D reality to the next level. Spatial Computing transforms environments, individuals, and physical objects into data, enabling more immersive experiences.

However, the real breakthrough does not lie in the complete virtualization of the physical world, but rather in the harmonious integration between virtual and real elements. With Virtual Transformation devices, we can interact with virtual objects as we move in the real world, opening up new perspectives for technological innovation.

Thanks to the innovative Spatial Computing devices, it will be possible to walk the streets interacting with virtual objects visible only through specific equipment, similar to the integration of smartphones in our daily habits in the early 2000s.

The report of the Antimafia Investigation Directorate highlights a growing interest of criminal organizations in encrypted communication platforms, the internet and the darkweb in the second half of 2022. Europol had already pointed out the potential problems linked to this new scenario. Mafias are gradually abandoning the use of violence, increasingly focusing their efforts on business and investment, especially in areas of the country affected by serious economic difficulties. The report stresses that the clans have adopted silent infiltration strategies and corrupt practices, reducing the use of violence and intimidation.

The mafias, thanks to the accumulated capital from their traditional illegal activities, are shifting their attention to entrepreneurial and commercial sectors. These new operating modalities aim to strengthen the associative ties, looking for profits and consents, exploiting the economic difficulties of some zones. "These are 'ways of working' where we try both to strengthen the associative ties through the pursuit of profit and the search for consensus taking advantage of the strong economic suffering that characterizes some areas - reads -, both to keep up with the most advanced investment strategies, managing to seize the opportunities offered by national and community public funds (Recovery Fund and Pnrr)".

SOURCE: ANSA

On September 12, 2023, a financial movement totalling USDT 69 million emerged on blockchain, with management from Tether Treasury to Bitfinex. This event is a transaction on the Tron network that occurred between one of the public addresses associated with Tether and one connected to the Bitfinex cryptocurrency exchange. Both companies are part of the iFinex conglomerate, with Bitfinex serving as the main trading platform for USDT, which is the preferred location for such tokens in cryptocurrency markets.

Not one but two transitions

It cannot be denied that this transaction went unnoticed, as the financial entity involved is not particularly relevant. Considering that Bitfinex is the operating arm of the iFinex group used by Tether to introduce their stablecoins in cryptocurrency markets, this transaction could be just one of many with which Tether distributes USDT on the markets.

However, the problem surfaced shortly after this first transaction, when they executed a second financial move. This second transaction covered the same amount as the previous one, but in the opposite direction, representing a transfer of 69 million USDT from Bitfinex to Tether Treasury. The two transactions were executed with an interval of about twenty minutes from each other.

A significant detail indicates that Bitfinex made a conversion of Ethereum's ERC-20 token to Tron's TRC-20 token during this second transaction on the Ethereum network. Please note that Tether issued USDT tokens on the Tron network as a result of the Ethereum network's increased slowness and substantial commissions. By way of example, the first transaction, made on the Tron network by Tether to Bitfinex, resulted in practically zero fees, while the second transaction, carried out on the Ethereum network by Bitfinex to Tether, cost 0,0046121 ETH, equal to more than 7$.

SOURCE: Cryptonomist

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