The search continues for a locally beloved bronze sculpture stolen from an Eau Claire property last Wednesday night.
‘I was so shocked’: Beloved local bronze sculpture missing
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Giving young artists a JumpstART
As you may know Oregon State University, the largest public research university, is one of only two US universities designated a land-, sea-, space- and sun-grant institution.
Weaver tickles the ivories with musical-themed sculpture
After working for months creating hundreds of ceramic tiles, Sedalia artist Alan Weaver was busy grouting his first of three musical-themed sculptures on Wednesday, June 28 at Hubbard Park.
The Rise of AI Adoption: Unleashing Economic Potential and Transforming Application Development
It’s hard to ignore the rapid and widespread adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and its transformative impact on business. At Armorblox, we’re no strangers to AI. We’ve been leveraging AI, LLMs, and ML for years to protect businesses against email-based threats. We were using GPT before it was cool by training it to detect malicious intent within emails.
We’ve always known AI would change the way we do business, but to what extent was hard to say. Now, with more interest and adoption, we have some recently released insights into how rapidly it is being adopted and the role we can anticipate AI to play in our lives, including the economic impact it will have, the way it will change the job landscape, and the changes it is making to the development of new technologies.
Key insights are now available from [McKinsey & Company’s “The Economic Potential of Generative AI: The Next Productivity Frontier” ](https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/mckinsey-digital/our-insights/the-economic-potential-of-generative-ai-the-next-productivity-frontier#introduction)and [Sequoia Capital’s “The New Language Model Stack: How Companies Are Bringing AI Applications to Life”](https://www.sequoiacap.com/article/llm-stack-perspective/). Let’s review the key findings from this new research and explore the wider landscape of AI adoption and the implications it holds for businesses across industries. From productivity transformations to industry-specific applications, we’ll delve into AI’s influence, guided by Armorblox’s real-world experience in building custom LLMs and generative AI.
## **The Economic Potential of Generative AI**
McKinsey & Company’s “[The Economic Potential of Generative AI: The Next Productivity Frontier](https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/mckinsey-digital/our-insights/the-economic-potential-of-generative-ai-the-next-productivity-frontier)” report highlights the enormous economic impact that generative AI can have on businesses across sectors. Generative AI refers to AI systems that can autonomously produce new content, such as text, images, music, and more. Here are some of the key findings from this new research.
### **Productivity Transformation**
Generative AI has the potential to drive a significant productivity revolution, **estimated to contribute between $2.6 trillion and $4.4 trillion to the global economy.** This immense value is driven by improved decision-making, enhanced creativity, and automation of complex tasks. The report estimates that generative AI has the potential to automate half of today’s work activities by 2045.
### **Industry-Specific Applications**
The impact of generative AI extends to various industries, including healthcare, retail, manufacturing, software engineering, and finance. AI-powered automation and optimization enable businesses to streamline operations, reduce costs, and deliver personalized experiences to customers. In the high-tech sector alone, McKinsey & Company estimates an economic impact of $460 billion.
### **Job Displacement and Creation**
While AI adoption may result in job displacement in certain areas, the report suggests that the net impact will likely be positive. As AI automates repetitive tasks, it frees up human workers to focus on higher-value activities, leading to the creation of new job roles and opportunities.
## **The New Language Model Stack**
Sequoia Capital’s report, “[The New Language Model Stack: How companies are bringing AI applications to life](https://www.sequoiacap.com/article/llm-stack-perspective/)” provides insights into the speed of adoption of AI and LMs in the development of new technology and applications. Sequoia Capital interviewed 33 companies within the Sequoia network to gain insights into the applications being built and the technology stacks being used. Here are some of the key findings.
### **Adoption of Language Models is Underway**
Almost every company in the Sequoia network is integrating language models into their products. Examples include code auto-complete, improved chatbots, and AI-driven workflows in fields like art, marketing, sales, legal, accounting, and more. The new stack for these applications revolves around language model APIs, retrieval mechanisms, and orchestration, with increasing usage of open source tools. Many companies have adopted foundation model APIs, with OpenAI’s GPT being the most popular choice. A significant portion of these companies are also utilizing retrieval mechanisms such as vector databases, while some express interest in LLM orchestration frameworks like LangChain.
### **Companies are customizing LMs**
Companies are aiming to customize language models to their specific contexts and data. There are three main ways to achieve this: training a custom model from scratch, fine-tuning a base model with proprietary data, or using a pre-trained model with relevant context retrieval. The latter approach, often utilizing vector databases, is more accessible and cost-effective. The stack for LLM APIs and custom model training is expected to converge over time. Despite LLM APIs being readily available, many companies are still interested in training and fine-tuning their own models. It was also reported that startups are working on tools that cater to both custom model training and LLM API utilization.
### **Ease of Use of LMs Will Continue to Improve**
Sequoia Capital reports that the stack is becoming more developer-friendly, enabling a broader range of developers to work with language models. Tools like LangChain work to simplify the development process by addressing common challenges and facilitating integration with other systems and data sources. Language model applications are moving toward being multi-modal, combining text, speech, and image/video generation. In addition, the integration of multiple generative models enables richer user experiences and more complex tasks.
## **The Transformative Impact of AI**
Despite current progress, we are still in the early stages of the AI revolution. As AI continues to advance, organizations that embrace its potential can gain a significant competitive advantage. McKinsey & Company’s report highlights the economic potential of generative AI, while Sequoia Capital’s report provides a framework for understanding how companies are adopting AI from a development standpoint and the tools they are using to do so.
As businesses and society move forward, it is essential to recognize that responsible and ethical AI adoption is key. Collaboration between humans and AI systems, along with ongoing investment in skills development, will ensure a successful transition into an AI-powered future.
###
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## Cisco to Acquire Armorblox
Have you heard the news? Cisco recently announced its intent to acquire Armorblox. Read more about how Cisco is furthering the AI-first security cloud.
*** This is a Security Bloggers Network syndicated blog from Bejamas – Armorblox RSS Feed – Title ! authored by Bejamas – Armorblox RSS Feed – Title !. Read the original post at: https://www.armorblox.com/blog/the-rise-of-ai-adoption-unleashing-economic-potential-and-transforming-application-development
Lucid TLC Arts celebrates gallery grand opening in Nixa – Christian County Headliner News
Alexandria Real Estate Equities Continues to Impress Investors with Steady Dividends and Strategic Leadership
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE: ARE) has been making impressive strides in the Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) sector. During the first quarter, State of Alaska Department of Revenue raised its stake in Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 7.3%, according to the company’s most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm now owns an impressive 118,823 shares of Alexandria’s stock, which are worth $14.92 million.
The latest dividends for this investment giant will be released on Friday, July 14th, representing yet another milestone for Alexandria Real Estate Equities; it has increased its dividend from $1.21 per share to $1.24 per share – which means that shareholders can expect a consistent annualized yield of 4.33%. Although some investors followed suit with Chairman Joel S Marcus and sold 7500 shares at an average price of $122.20 on Monday May 8th, he still holds a significant number in the company – valued at over $42 million.
This announcement comes with outstanding news for investors who have invested long-term in Alexandria Real Estate Equities stocks which have continued to grow steadily due to well-planned and executed strategic initiatives by management led by CEO & founder, Joel Synder Marcus and Peter Moglia, who serves as CFO along with Alexandra Mieko Stamler serving as their General Counsel.
In conclusion, these achievements indicate that the success of Alexandria Real Estate Equities is tied to strong management practices guiding strategic plans and formidable investor interest evident in consistent dividend payouts. Without a doubt are testaments to why developers looking to lease high-quality real estate buildings should seriously consider Alexandria – leading experts in one-stop-shop solutions that utilize state-of-the-art marketing pledges paired with tailored client maintenance service agreements catering uniquely to each tenant through many different skillsets including project planning and execution; guaranteed leasing services utilizing specialized marketing agents and more.
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.
ARE
Strong Buy
Updated on: 27/06/2023
Hedge Funds Increase Holdings in Alexandria Real Estate Equities Despite Mixed Results
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. has been making headlines lately with a number of hedge funds modifying their holdings of the stock. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc., American Century Companies Inc., Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc., and HighTower Advisors LLC are among the several hedge funds that have increased their position in Alexandria Real Estate Equities during the first quarter. The real estate investment trust’s stock is currently valued at $114.51, with a market capitalization of $19.81 billion.
Despite these positive developments from hedge funds, there have been some setbacks for Alexandria Real Estate Equities as well. Several analysts have cut their target price on the stock since early 2017, indicating that Alexandria Real Estate Equities may not be living up to expectations. However, Bloomberg reports that one analyst has rated the stock as a sell, while six have given it a buy rating – resulting in a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy,” and a consensus target price of $167.43.
In addition to being the subject of analyst reports, Alexandria Real Estate Equities recently announced an increased quarterly dividend – another factor contributing to speculation around its securities.
Alexandria Real Estate Equities’ financial results for Q1 were mixed, with the company reporting lower-than-expected EPS but higher-than-expected revenue growth from the previous year – leading many investors to be cautiously optimistic about the future prospects of this real estate investment trust.
Given all these developments in recent months surrounding Alexandria Real Estate Equities’ securities and holdings, it will certainly be interesting to see how its management team responds and adjusts moving forward using innovative thinking strategies and techniques in order to maintain its prominent position within the real estate industry.
Native American artists want more protection under Indian Arts and Crafts Act
Blake Mullen, Gaylord News
Originally Published: June 27, 2023 3:06 p.m.
WASHINGTON — Native American artists say they continue to struggle with the theft of their work, and tribal leaders are urging Congress to strengthen the Indian Arts and Crafts Act.
IACA was passed in 1990 to prohibit any advertisement and all sales of counterfeit Indian arts and crafts. Choctaw Nation artist D.G. Smalling says the act must adapt to the new ways of buying and selling art through online sales.
“We have just a very different kind of engagement with intellectual property now,” Smalling said. “This is why my principal attorney is an expert in intellectual property. It is to defend what I create and to defend what is mine.”
Cherokee Nation Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. urged Congress to strengthen the IACA during the Cherokee Days in Washington, D.C., this spring. He is working with members of Congress on a proposed the Amendments to Respect Traditional Indigenous Skill and Talent – or ARTIST – Act of 2023.
“We haven’t engaged the delegation just yet,” Hoskin said. “We will be setting up some opportunities to visit with them. The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs is where this matter sits at the moment. The chair of that committee is Chairman (Brian) Schatz of Hawaii and he and ranking member Sen. (Lisa) Murkowski have asked for input on the ARTIST Act, so that is the particular forum through which we are channeling our advocacy.”
The proposed legislation would increase and expand protections on Indian arts and crafts, as well as enforce stricter punishments for those who are selling or making counterfeit goods which could lead to being arrested for the crimes. These counterfeit items are often recreated by non-Indian artists or printed off and seen on portraits, shirts, mugs, online shops and many other places throughout the world.
“The law must be changed in order to protect actual Cherokee artists, artisans and craftspeople – those who are citizens of one of the three federally-recognized Cherokee tribes – and ensure their arts and crafts are the only works permitted to be presented as Cherokee,” Hoskin wrote in a March 29 letter to the Senate Indian Affairs Committee.
Smalling is supportive of Hoskin and other tribal leaders as they push for change.
“They are asking that the law and the act can be adapted for our time and we need to cover all things that are digital, all things that are traditional and analog and we need to have a much more robust set of laws that can then be used to act against those who are chronic violators who profit off of theft,” Smalling said.
“I stand 100% with Chief Hoskin and the other tribal leaders who are seeking to defend our right to our own identity on our own terms.”
Giant Sand Sculpture Inspired by “Marvel’s Spider-Man 2” Comes to Life in Taiwan
Marvel has debuted a giant sand sculpture in Taiwan celebrating the upcoming release of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. What’s Happening: This larger-than-life sand sculpture of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is now on display at Fulong Beach in New Taipei City, Taiwan. From June 6th – October 22nd, 2023 (8:00AM – 5:00PM each day), celebrate Disney100 through the theme of this year’s 2023 Fulong […]
Flossmoor approves ‘Paradise’ sculpture for rotational art program
The Flossmoor Village Board has approved a motion to include a new sculpture “Paradise” in the Flossmoor Public Art Rotational Sculpture Program. The selected artwork is the creation of sculptor and painter Hubert Phipps. Phipps’s current body of work predominantly explores abstract forms as a means of artistic expression, devoid[Read More…]
Celebrating Pride: Photography from the LGBTQ+ Community
“After taking this image, I knew I was onto something that had never been seen before.” – Robert Andy Coombs
To celebrate Pride Month, we’re spotlighting LGBTQ+ photography projects from photographers around the world. In this collection, Robert Andy Coombs creates intimate portraits with friends and lovers. Naima Green pays homage to Catherine Opie while celebrating queer communities built by women of color. Soraya Zaman travels the US, making portraits of Transmasculine people from all walks of life.
After sustaining an injury to his spinal cord in college, Robert Andy Coombs searched for representations that resonated with his experiences. “I felt so uninformed from my medical professionals about disability and sexuality that I had to find it elsewhere,” he remembers.
“There were very few resources to learn from, so I decided to take matters into my own hands and started creating images I wanted to see in the world.” The result is CripFag—- reclamation of the words “crip” and “fag” as well as a tender exploration of sex, love, and friendship.
“In a world where binaries are heavily enforced and rigidly policed, Soraya Zaman sees their subjects as they are, establishing a profound level of trust with their subjects who reveal their deep, inner selves in a series of portraits and personal quotes, which, when taken together offer a multi-faceted look at our ideas around masculinity in America today.” – Miss Rosen
While working on her MFA thesis, All the black language, at the New York Public Library in 2017, Naima Green came upon Catherine Opie’s Dyke Deck, a set of poker cards that playfully looks into the lives and performances of ‘90s lesbians in the Bay Area.
“The deck felt both new and old, still radical and iconic. I knew it would find a place in my own work as I wanted to add to the ethos of queer cultures,” Green writes. With Opie’s blessing, Green reimages the Dyke Deck for the modern day as Pur·suit — a vital celebration of queer, trans, non-binary, and gender nonconforming communities for women of color:
“After 23 years, I didn’t fully see myself or my community in Opie’s deck. I found so much pleasure parsing through her work and thinking about which of my friends might identify with what characters if any. I knew I needed to make a Brooklyn version that reflected my people.”
“For the majority of my life, I was unsure where I belonged in the world. I grew up in a religious household in a small Southern town. My mother was raised in the Sanctified Holy Church and my father was raised Southern Baptist. As a result of the strict beliefs I had been taught since birth, I did not feel comfortable coming out as queer until I was 21 years old.
“As I came to terms with my own identity, the photo series ‘Infinite Tenderness’ came to fruition. In 2016, I began exploring the notion of intimacy and identity among the LGBTQ+ community in the American South. These are the people I have met and connected with along the way. “Through this work, I have documented the exploration of one’s body, sexuality, and gender that comes along with growing up and identifying oneself.” – Peyton Fulford
About thirteen years ago, the photographer and scholar Leah DeVun and her partner, who is transgender, lived in Texas. “Much like now, there was a lot of anti-LGBT rhetoric in the air,” she tells me. They were looking for safe, protected places to stay while traveling when a friend recommended womyn’s lands—historic and revolutionary communities built by lesbians in the 1970s and ’80s.
Lesbian Land, DeVun’s ongoing series, brings together documentary photographs from the womyn’s lands of today and staged performances inspired by images made on womyn’s lands in the 1970s and ’80s.
Tom Atwood defines the heroes of Kings and Queens of Their Castles as people who “sing” to him, and he spent fifteen years tracking them across the United States. The book is the result of literally thousands upon thousands of hours of work spent researching, contacting, visiting, and photographing hundreds of LGBTQ people at home. Many of them are celebrities- performers, activists, writers, artists- and many of them are not- farmers, sheriffs, doctors, scientists, bartenders. All of them live in castles of their own making.
“I wanted to highlight trans and non-binary figures that have existed on the African continent and that lived within their communities without suffering in any way socially to show people that they have always existed and are therefore deserving of the same respect and place in society as everyone else.
“All of the subjects who took part in this project are part of the queer community in some way so having them embody queer figures of the past added another dimension and thread connecting the experiences of non-binary and trans folks from the past on the African continent in their particular communities, to those of today living as part of the African diaspora in a more globalized world.” – Yannis Guibinga
Looking for more LGBTQ+ photography? Check out this collection as well.
