New York Times: Sources: Meta is building a standalone prediction markets app called Arena, which would probably rely on video game-like points instead of money wagers  —  The experimental app, internally called “Arena,” would be independent of Facebook and Instagram.  It could compete for attention …

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Omio integrates OpenAI models across its engineering operations to accelerate travel product development and launch booking interfaces. The multimodal travel platform coordinates operations with over 3,000 transportation providers across 47 countries. Omio explicitly rejects the superficial addition of technology to outdated internal processes. The company’s CTO, Tomas Vocetka, requires all internal functions to completely redesign […] The post Omio scales travel product development using OpenAI models appeared first on AI News.

How Gemini solved my Pandas problem in seconds, and why data science fundamentals still matter to spot suboptimal solutions The post I Spent an Hour on a Data Preprocessing Task Before Asking Gemini appeared first on Towards Data Science.

Power can account for 40% of the operating expenses (OpEx) to run an AI factory. Each watt can be spent on overhead, data ingestion, training, or generating... Power can account for 40% of the operating expenses (OpEx) to run an AI factory. Each watt can be spent on overhead, data ingestion, training, or generating tokens for customers. And most sites are capped at a fixed power level provided by a regional provider. Under these conditions, performance per watt becomes a key efficiency metric that directly translates to token costs. Source

Financial Times: Stark, which has a deal to supply “kamikaze” drones to the German military, raised €500M from Founders Fund, Sequoia, others; it faced criticism over Thiel ties  —  US billionaire's fund participated in €500mn funding round despite previous criticism of company's links with financier

White House spokesperson denied it was Trump only after story was published.

I tried 26 of Cold Stone Creamery's Signature Creations and ranked them from worst to best. Meredith Schneider Cold Stone Creamery has over 20 combinations of ice cream and mix-ins called Signature Creations. The Founder's Favorite was too sweet for me, even though I liked the brownies. I loved the Banana Caramel Crunch, which tasted like a piece of banana bread fresh out of the oven. One of the hardest decisions for me to make is what to order at an ice cream shop. So, I chose to avoid the decision altogether and order 26 of Cold Stone Creamery's pre-set combinations of ice cream and mix-ins known as Signature Creations. I ordered all of the varieties in a "like it" cup (comparable to a small) from my local store in Kansas City, Missouri, for $7 each. As an ice cream lover who normally gravitates toward flavors full of chocolate, fruit, and peanut butter, I was excited to try everything and rank them from worst to best. Here's what the experience was like. Disclaimer: The availability of some Signature Creations may be subject to change. 26. Founder's Favorite I thought the Founder's Favorite was too sweet. Meredith Schneider This flavor might be the founder's favorite, but it wasn't mine. The sweet cream ice cream was, admittedly, too sweet for me, especially when paired with brownie pieces, fudge, caramel, and pecans. The brownie pieces were super soft, though, which was delightful. 25. Cookie Doughn't You Want Some I thought the French vanilla ice cream was too sweet as a base flavor. Meredith Schneider Similarly, I thought the French vanilla ice cream was an incredibly sweet base for this combination of cookie dough, fudge, chocolate chips, and a hint of caramel. It was so rich that I was glad I only ordered a small cup. 24. Oreo Overload I really loved the mix-ins in the Oreo Overload. Meredith Schneider With a sweet cream ice cream base and Oreos, fudge, and chocolate chips, this Signature Creation delivered a little too much sugar to my senses. However, I loved the texture. The loud crunch of the cookies was satisfying when paired with pockets of smooth fudge and hard chocolate chips. 23. Surrender to Strawberry Surrender to Strawberry tasted like a strawberry shortcake. Meredith Schneider Surrender to Strawberry reminded me of a strawberry shortcake, thanks to its combination of strawberry ice cream, yellow cake, strawberries, and whipped topping. However, it was less filling than I expected it to be. 22. Somewhere Over the Rain-dough Somewhere Over The Rain-dough reminded me of a cupcake with too much frosting. Meredith Schneider With a cookie-dough ice cream base and rainbow sprinkles, frosting, and sugar crystals mixed in, this creation was way too sweet for me. It tasted like a cupcake with too much frosting on top, only this time, I couldn't scrape anything off to make it taste better. 21. Coffee Lovers Only I thought the Coffee Lovers Only had a bitter aftertaste. Meredith Schneider Coffee Lovers Only includes a reliable mix of coffee-flavored ice cream, roasted almonds, Heath bar pieces, and caramel. It was super crunchy and had a bit of a bitter aftertaste. However, I'm not a big fan of Heath bars, so this flavor didn't rank highly for me. 20. Cookie Mintster The Cookie Mintster included mint ice cream, Oreos, and fudge. Meredith Schneider An upgrade to the classic mint-chocolate-chip ice cream, the Cookie Mintster had an incredible texture thanks to plenty of Oreo cookie crumbles and a dash of fudge. Although I do enjoy mint, this flavor combination was less impressive to me than other Signature Creations I tasted. 19. Peanut Butter Cup Perfection I enjoyed this flavor, but thought it wasn't unique enough to earn a higher ranking. Meredith Schneider I'm a big fan of Reese's peanut butter cups, so I really enjoyed this blend of chocolate ice cream, peanut butter, Reese's, and fudge. However, the flavors weren't unique enough for me to rank this creation any higher. 18. No One Lays a Finger on My Butterfinger I liked the No One Lays a Finger on My Butterfinger. Meredith Schneider Peanut-butter ice cream (made with Butterfingers) served as the base for this Signature Creation, which is topped with more Butterfinger pieces, fudge, and caramel. I thought it was tasty and original, but I didn't like the way the cold Butterfinger got stuck in my teeth. 17. Berry Berry Berry Good I thought this Signature Creation tasted like a cup of berries and cream. Meredith Schneider The combination of sweet-cream ice cream and fresh-tasting raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries mirrored a refreshing cup of berries and cream. I enjoyed this simple and light Signature Creation. 16. Apple Pie a la Cold Stone I liked Cold Stone's ice cream version of apple pie, but not more than the real thing. Meredith Schneider In my experience, ice cream shops usually only feature an apple pie flavor seasonally, but Cold Stone has a Signature Creation that mirrors one year-round. Its Apple Pie a la Cold Stone includes French vanilla ice cream, apple pie filling, graham cracker pie crust, caramel, and cinnamon. Although the flavors blend deliciously, I'd still prefer a fresh slice of apple pie à la mode any day. 15. Mint Mint Chocolate Chocolate Chip I liked the Mint Mint Chocolate Chocolate Chip more than the Cookie Mintster. Meredith Schneider Although the Cookie Mintster was a good start, the Mint Mint Chocolate Chocolate Chip was the true mint chocolate chip upgrade I'd been waiting for. With chocolate chips, brownie pieces, and fudge mixed into a mint ice cream base, this option was a little more filling for me. I'm also partial to the soft, decadent brownies. 14. Our Strawberry Blonde Our Strawberry Blonde was decadent without being overbearing. Meredith Schneider The Our Strawberry Blonde is made with refreshing strawberry ice cream topped with strawberries, caramel, graham cracker pie crust, and whipped topping. The final creation was thick and decadent without being overbearing. It also had a fun crunch, thanks to the graham cracker pie crust. 13. Don't Cry Over Spilled Silk Even though the vegan ice cream wasn't my favorite, I thought it paired well with the toppings. Meredith Schneider This vegan-friendly option, made with Silk chocolate almond milk, almost passed for regular ice cream, save for being just a little grainy and icy in its consistency. Still, I thought it paired well with the bananas, peanut butter, and roasted almonds. 12. Cookies Make Everything Batter I thought the cake batter ice cream tasted like the filling in an Oreo. Meredith Schneider This Signature Creation includes cake-batter ice cream, Oreos, Golden Oreos, and whipped topping. The ice cream tasted sweet like the center of an Oreo, but I couldn't really tell that the whipped topping was there. Still, I thought it was really good, and a small cup was almost too much for me because of how filling it was. 11. Going Bananas for Jell-O Pudding I liked the texture of the ice cream more than that of a traditional pudding. Meredith Schneider This creation mixes crunchy Nilla Wafers, bananas, and whipped topping into a Jell-O banana-cream-pudding ice cream. I thought it had a true banana pudding taste and a creamy texture. Normally, the texture of pudding bothers me, but I love the taste, so I would absolutely eat this in its place. 10. One Smart Brookie I was surprised that the base ice cream was cookie-dough flavored. Meredith Schneider I initially raised my eyebrows at this treat, as I expected the base ice cream flavor to be vanilla, not cookie dough. However, I thought the cookie-dough ice cream was a nice addition that tasted like a mix between French vanilla and cake batter. I also liked the addition of cookie dough and brownie pieces to finish the creation. 9. Chocolate Devotion I enjoyed the Chocolate Devotion. Meredith Schneider The Chocolate Devotion is an irresistible blend of chocolate ice cream, chocolate chips, brownie pieces, and fudge. The ice cream itself was delightfully creamy, and there were so many soft chunks of brownie, I almost thought they were the main ingredient. If you're craving chocolate, don't consider anything else. 8. Cheesecake Fantasy I thought the Cheesecake Fantasy tasted just like a bite of cheesecake. Meredith Schneider I thought the cheesecake ice cream base was incredible. With Graham cracker pie crust, blueberries, and strawberries mixed in, this Signature Creation was a delightful, thick treat that tasted just like a bite of cheesecake. 7. Reese's Peanut Butter Awesome Sauce I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this Signature Creation. Meredith Schneider The Reese's Peanut Butter Awesome Sauce pairs sweet-cream ice cream with the saltiness of Reese's peanut butter sauce and Reese's peanut butter cups. This was a surprisingly delicious treat, especially since I'm clearly not the biggest fan of sweet-cream ice cream. Together, this creation was outstandingly thick and creamy — almost like cookie dough. 6. Dough for It I could enjoy a cup of the cookie dough ice cream by itself. Meredith Schneider The Dough for It is made with cookie-dough ice cream, chocolate chips, cookie dough, and sugar crystals. I thought the ice cream was really creamy and would be enjoyable on its own. Plus, the sugar crystals weren't too sweet and added a fun crunch. 5. Cake Batter Batter Batter I loved Cake Batter Batter Batter. Meredith Schneider I expected this Signature Creation to be too sweet and didn't think cake-batter ice cream would pair well with the cookie dough and brownie pieces. However, it was surprisingly amazing. I found myself eating it more slowly because of its decadence, and couldn't put the spoon down. 4. Birthday Cake Remix I loved the rainbow sprinkles in the Birthday Cake Remix. Meredith Schneider The Birthday Cake Remix combines cake-batter ice cream, brownie pieces, fudge, and rainbow sprinkles. As soon as I took a bite, I said, "Amazing." This Signature Creation had the distinct flavor of three staple desserts — ice cream, cake, and brownies. In my opinion, it had the perfect amount of richness, while still being a little unique. If you're a fan of sprinkles, I think you'll really like this one. 3. Banana Caramel Crunch The Banana Caramel Crunch tasted just like fresh banana bread. Meredith Schneider The Banana Caramel Crunch tasted like sweet banana bread that had been pulled fresh out of the oven. Roasted almonds added a fun crunch to the soft, ripe bananas, and sweet caramel drizzle mixed into a French vanilla base. The whole thing somehow managed to taste warm and inviting. 2. Mud Pie Mojo The array of textures in the toppings reminded me of trail mix. Meredith Schneider I want to wake up to this concoction of coffee ice cream, Oreos, peanut butter, roasted almonds, and fudge every morning. The creamy coffee ice cream was light and sweet, with a bit of a bite in the aftertaste, which created a great base to balance all the flavors. I also loved the array of textures the toppings provided. 1. Dough-lightful Peanut Butter The Dough-lightful Peanut Butter was my favorite Signature Creation. Meredith Schneider My favorite Signature Creation was the Dough-lightful Peanut Butter. I loved the cookie-dough ice cream base and thought the added peanut butter, Reese's peanut butter cups, and sugar crystals provided an interesting crunch and a filling, balanced, salty-sweet taste. This story was originally published on May 20, 2025, and most recently updated on June 23, 2026. Read the original article on Business Insider

Pinterest CEO Bill Ready Camille Kermarrec for BI Pinterest's CEO, Bill Ready, wants advertisers to know that its users come to the platform to shop. Search and product recommendations are now core parts of Pinterest's business. Ready sat down with Business Insider at Cannes Lions and spoke about how Pinterest is leveraging AI. Pinterest is a search engine — and its CEO wants advertisers to know it. Bill Ready, who joined the company as CEO in 2022 from Google, told Business Insider's editor in chief, Jamie Heller, that Pinterest sees more than 80 billion searches a month. "Those searches are primarily visual," Ready said, adding that "more than half of those are commercial." The interview took place at Business Insider's annual CMO Insider Breakfast, with support from founding sponsor BCG, supporting sponsor PayPal, and contributing sponsor LinkedIn. Pinterest has become a digital mall of sorts, with products and brands placed strategically in the feed. While not every user comes to Pinterest to shop — and may have opened the app or website to passively scroll — it's become a de facto experience. If you arrive at Pinterest, you're going to end up window shopping, at the very least. Since taking over as Pinterest's CEO, Ready has been laser-focused on "building it out as a shopping platform," he said. AI is proving to be a key part of that plan. Pinterest has doubled down on AI-powered visual search tools that guide users through its results, serving up recommended content based on their tastes. Ready said that Pinterest trains open source AI models on the platform's proprietary data, which helps surface those recommendations to its users. It's also leveraging AI to improve its advertising product. In 2024, it launched "Pinterest Performance+" to help advertisers better target using visual signals from content. It also offers tools to turn products into more stylized images for platform advertisements using generative AI. Bill Ready was interviewed onstage by Business Insider's editor in chief, Jamie Heller, at Cannes Lions. Camille Kermarrec for BI Ready gave an example onstage at Cannes: Imagine someone wants to buy a $5,000 coffee maker. "They're probably thinking about how that's going to look in their kitchen," Ready said. "When you can personalize down to a level of not just showing them a great coffee maker, but showing them a great coffee maker that is sitting in a kitchen like their kitchen, you're going to have better conversion rates on that, and it's going to be brand-enhancing." Search and AI innovations have been bolstering Pinterest's ad business. "We quadrupled the growth rate of the revenue," Ready said of advertising. "But of course you want to get the user engagement first, and the revenue falls in behind that." While AI is a crucial part of Pinterest's search and advertising business, the platform is still figuring out how its over 630 million users — more than half of whom are Gen Z — feel about AI content in their feeds. "I'm an entrepreneur by background, an engineer, a technologist, and there's so many great uses of AI, but there's also a bit of a counter movement to that with consumers," Ready said. Pinterest, like nearly every social media platform, has been scrutinized by some users for too much AI slop. Last year, it introduced tools that let users limit the amount of AI-generated content they see on their Pinterest feeds. "We're in this transition period where users are still trying to figure out their own tastes and preferences," Ready said. Read the original article on Business Insider

Oracle cut about 21,000 jobs in fiscal 2026 as it restructures around AI and cloud infrastructure, raising questions for enterprise buyers. The post Oracle Cuts 21,000 Jobs as It Rebuilds Around AI appeared first on TechRepublic.

Tom Holland and Zendaya attend a photo call for "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" in June 2026. Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images Zendaya and Tom Holland have been a public couple since 2021. They keep their relationship private but occasionally make red-carpet appearances together. When Holland and Zendaya attend events together, they often wear coordinating ensembles. It's a great time to be a fan of Zendaya and Tom Holland. The couple has been a public item since 2021, though they largely keep their relationship private. However, they're spending more time together in front of cameras in summer 2026 thanks to the coming releases of "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" and "The Odyssey." Fewer red-carpet appearances than some celebrity couples haven't made the pair any less stylish, either. It's no surprise, given that Zendaya has become a red-carpet icon throughout her career, partnering with her fashion architect, Law Roach, to stand out. From complementary looks to coordinating colors, take a look at how Holland and Zendaya's style as a couple has evolved over the years. Zendaya and Tom Holland started making joint appearances as a couple in December 2021 while promoting "Spider-Man: No Way Home." Zendaya and Tom Holland at a photo call for "Spider-Man: No Way Home" in December 2021. David M. Benett/Dave Benett/WireImage Holland and Zendaya made several press appearances together in December 2021 to promote the movie, in which Holland starred as Peter Parker and Zendaya played MJ. Zendaya embraced method dressing during the press tour, wearing outfits inspired by different "Spider-Man" villains. For instance, at a photo call on December 5 in London, she wore a gray blazer dress and black tights with crystal embellishments arranged in web patterns. Designed by Alexander McQueen, the ensemble nodded to Venom, who often wears black versions of Spider-Man's suits. Law Roach styled her look and Holland's outfit. Holland's black-and-white ensemble didn't directly nod to a "Spider-Man" character, but it complemented Zendaya's outfit. He paired a black Celine jacket with a white button-down and black pants. Their outfits flowed together, but Zendaya's was certainly more eye-catching. Some of the looks they wore on the "Spider-Man: No Way Home" tour had a similar vibe, but they felt distinct. Tom Holland and Zendaya on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" in December 2021. Randy Holmes via Getty Images When they appeared on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" in December 2021, Holland and Zendaya both wore suits with colorful tops. Holland's look was fairly simple. He paired a blue blazer and pants with a pink top, and black shoes completed his look. Zendaya took a more high-fashion approach to her suit, wearing a white Balmain blazer with coordinating cargo pants. Both the top and pants had strips of fabric flowing out behind her. A gold top underneath and white Christian Louboutin heels tied her look together. Holland and Zendaya's looks felt cohesive without matching completely. And they showed a glimpse of how powerful their couple style could be at the film's world premiere. Zendaya and Tom Holland attend the world premiere of "Spider-Man: No Way Home" in December 2021. Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images for Sony Pictures Zendaya continued her streak of "Spider-Man"-inspired looks at the premiere, wearing a custom Valentino dress. The taupe sheath gown had a low, pointed neckline and a thigh-high slit. It was covered in a webbed pattern, celebrating the film. Holland's custom Prada suit, which included a double-breasted jacket, didn't feature webbing, but the brown fabric coordinated almost perfectly with Zendaya's gown. The couple both wore Louboutin shoes, tying their outfits together. They looked effortlessly chic for a date night in February 2022. Zendaya and Tom Holland in New York in February 2022. Gotham/GC Images/Getty Images Zendaya and Holland didn't match their looks completely for a February 2022 date night, but they did ensure their outfits looked cohesive. Holland gave his charcoal suit a more casual feel by pairing it with a dark turtleneck instead of a button-down. He added black shoes to the look. Zendaya, on the other hand, based her outfit on a button-down dress. She belted it at the waist and paired it with sheer, black tights and Christian Louboutin heels. Holland accented Zendaya's method dressing as she promoted "Challengers" in March 2024. Zendaya and Tom Holland attend the BNP Paribas Open in March 2024. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images Zendaya wore a series of tennis-inspired looks in the lead-up to the premiere of "Challengers" in 2024, including at the BNP Paribas Open. She wore a cream set from Louis Vuitton, which consisted of a zip-up jacket with a flared collar and a pleated skirt. A white tank top and sneakers tied the laid-back look together. Like Zendaya, Holland wore a white tank top, though he paired it with an unbuttoned burgundy shirt. Red-tinted sunglasses added a chic touch to his look. Though their outfits differed, they shared similar silhouettes. Zendaya dressed in theme to support Holland during his "Romeo and Juliet" run in May 2024. Tom Holland and Zendaya exit a production of "Romeo and Juliet" in May 2024. Ricky Vigil M / Justin E Palmer/GC Images/Getty Images Holland starred as Romeo in Jamie Lloyd's London production of "Romeo and Juliet" in May 2024. Zendaya attended a press night for the production on May 24, nodding to Shakespeare's world with her look. She arrived at the show in a black Vivienne Westwood gown covered in subtle sparkles. It had puffy sleeves, a corset bodice, and a full skirt reminiscent of the Elizabethan era, which she modernized with her maroon necklace and Christian Louboutin heels. The color of Zendaya's dress was appropriate, as Holland wore all-black both in the production and as he left the show. His post-play look included a black Prada sweatshirt, trousers, and shoes. When Zendaya accompanied Holland to promote his zero-proof beer in October 2024, they seemed to have perfected their couple style. Tom Holland and Zendaya in New York in October 2024. XNY/Star Max/GC Images/Getty Images Zendaya joined Holland at Bero's New York City launch party on October 24, 2024, and the couple arrived in coordinating ensembles. Holland wore a mock-neck, short-sleeve sweater in a berry color, black pants, and white Prada sneakers. Zendaya's custom Louis Vuitton dress was almost the same color. The leather dress was form-fitting, with a pointed neckline and a belt detail on the waist. Christian Louboutin heels completed her look. The outfits seemed to show that Zendaya also taught Holland the art of method dressing, as they matched the cans of Bero's Edgy Hill Hazy IPA flavor, nodding to the product. The couple made their first red-carpet appearance in over a year in June 2026, wearing coordinating ensembles. Tom Holland and Zendaya attend a "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" photocall in Madrid in June 2026. Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images The couple kicked off their press tour for "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" with a photo call in Madrid, marking their first red-carpet event since Holland seemed to confirm to Esquire that he and Zendaya are married. They both wore black outfits for the stop, looking coordinated without going overboard. Holland's custom Jacquemus ensemble featured a pop of red on his blouse, nodding to his role as Spider-Man. He paired it with a bomber jacket, slim-fitting trousers, a tie, and boots. Zendaya wore a Christian Cowan dress from the brand's Fall 2026 collection. Styled by Law Roach, the strapless dress featured a lace bodice, while the skirt was made of tassels that created a slit on one side. Black heels, Stefere jewelry, and a Rolex completed the look. The couple stuck to a similar color scheme at another stop in Amsterdam. Tom Holland and Zendaya attend a photocall for "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" in Amsterdam in June 2026. Simon Lenskens / ANP / AFP via Getty Images Holland and Zendaya posed together at a photo call in Amsterdam, again wearing dark colors with pops of red. Holland donned a simple Thom Browne suit, pairing it with a tie striped in navy and red. Meanwhile, Zendaya wore Louis Vuitton. Silver embellishments adorned her high-neck jacket, which had a train in the back. She wore it with a red miniskirt and white pumps, with a Rolex watch. The looks didn't match, but the coordinating colors gave Zendaya's and Holland's looks a cohesive feel. They both had fun with print at an event in Berlin while promoting "Spider-Man" in June 2026. Tom Holland and Zendaya attend a "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" fan event in Berlin in June 2026. Christoph Soeder/picture alliance via Getty Images Both Holland and Zendaya wore casual looks for a daytime photo call in Berlin during their "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" tour. Zendaya arrived in a Coach ensemble, pairing a red jersey tee with the number 39 and a plaid midi skirt. Chocolate pumps and gold jewelry — including her engagement ring and wedding band — tied it all together. Holland's blue jeans and blue checked button-down were simple, but he added a yellow Prada jacket for a fun pop of color. The common thread between their looks was experimentation with color and print, and both pulled it off. They wore one of their best red-carpet looks to date in June 2026. Tom Holland and Zendaya attend a "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" event in Berlin in June 2026. Tristar Media/WireImage/Getty images The couple changed into more formal attire for a red-carpet event in Berlin, complementing each other in black looks. Holland's suit from Celine included a double-breasted jacket, wide trousers, and a red button-down and tie, a fun "Spider-Man" twist on a classic look. Zendaya, meanwhile, arrived in a custom Louis Vuitton leather set. Her cropped vest had a V-neckline, while the low-waisted skirt flowed to the floor and had a dramatic train. She wore blue dangly earrings and a ring from Lydia Courteille, subtly adding a hint of color to her look. The glamorous, nighttime feel of Holland's and Zendaya's looks worked well together on the red carpet. Read the original article on Business Insider

iOS 27 beta 2 adds Write with Siri, RCS replies, Wallet updates, and Home fixes, giving IT teams more to test before launch. The post Apple’s iOS 27 Beta 2: New Siri, RCS, and Wallet Changes Arrive appeared first on TechRepublic.

“All he has done is try to start a right-wing/conservative pressure group within Wikipedia.”

Content creator Adam Waheed, better known as Adam W. Victoria Baud for BI YouTuber Adam W and Google exec Sean Downey offered tips on how brands should work with creators. The best performing creator ads are the ones where marketers ease up on creative control, they said. Open-ended campaign briefs and a healthy back-and-forth conversation are key, they said. Hey marketers, it's OK if a creator shakes up your carefully crafted messaging in their sponsored content. That actually may be the only way to get people to pay attention. That was the key advice coming out of a Tuesday fireside chat between YouTuber Adam Waheed, better known as Adam W, and Google ad executive Sean Downey. The pair dove deep into the brand-creator relationship during a discussion at Business Insider's annual CMO Insider Breakfast, hosted with support from founding sponsor BCG, supporting sponsor PayPal, and contributing sponsor LinkedIn. Creator ad spend is projected to hit $44 billion this year and is growing faster than the broader advertising industry, according to an April report from the Interactive Advertising Bureau. As creators become the new Mad Men of the ad world, savvy brands are giving them more room to run with their most creative ideas. Ideally, a brand will start the conversation by providing an open-ended campaign brief, said Downey, who oversees Google and YouTube advertising in the Americas. "The creator process is much different than it was four or five years ago," Downey said. People now run a lot of experiments, rather than just handing influencers a script, he said. For Waheed, his creative process usually starts with dreaming up the funniest, most relatable video he can think of and finding a way to "backdoor" a brand into the content, he said. "The biggest thing, at least from my end, is the brand understanding that it's a two-way street," Waheed said. "It's a collaboration, and obviously, there's always going to be pushback. I'm not going to get to do exactly what I want to do, and I'm not going to do exactly what the brand wants to do. It's meeting in the middle." Content creator Adam Waheed and Google ad executive Sean Downey spoke with Business Insider's Lara O'Reilly at the CMO Insider Breakfast. Camille Kermarrec for BI. Giving creators a lot of input into ad messaging doesn't mean that you shouldn't educate them on your products or marketing goals, the pair said. Some marketers are inviting creators to "brand school" to train them up on their positioning, for example. At the end of the day, though — even for those who prize brand safety — the path to strong performance is having the courage to let a creator come up with something original, Downey said. "It's really hard for a brand to show up on YouTube or anywhere in this day and age and be the sole voice of their product," he said. "When they stop trying to control the message so overtly, they get really good magic." Read the original article on Business Insider

Exascale computing has pushed high-performance systems into a new era, not only in raw compute power but in the scale and velocity of the data they generate. As a result, […] The post The Exabyte Inflection Point: Why Exascale Archives Are Being Rewritten appeared first on BigDATAwire.

This is the second data breach to affect LastPass customers in recent years, after one of the password manager's tech partners was recently breached.

HaloBraid aims to help salons speed up braiding with its first device, slated to launch later this year, that acts as a braiding assistant for professional stylists.

Enterprise Document Intelligence [Vol.1 #7A] - Stop searching strings. Filter line_df and toc_df. Pick anchors small, expand context large The post Retrieval Is Filtering, Not Search: A Mental Model for Enterprise RAG appeared first on Towards Data Science.

As AI systems move from single-turn interactions to coordinated multiagent workflows, low-latency inference becomes increasingly important. Autoregressive LLMs... As AI systems move from single-turn interactions to coordinated multiagent workflows, low-latency inference becomes increasingly important. Autoregressive LLMs generate tokens sequentially, which can limit GPU utilization and constrain throughput in latency-sensitive serving scenarios. Speculative decoding helps mitigate this bottleneck by using a lightweight model to draft future tokens… Source

Beirut in July 1958. Pringle/AP Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, is one of the oldest cities in the world. From the 1950s to the 1970s, it was known as the "Paris of the Middle East." A 15-year civil war beginning in 1975 ended the city's "Golden Age." Beirut has been inhabited for over 5,000 years, making it one of the oldest cities on the planet. And, much like any other ancient city, it has been shaped by years of trade, complex domestic and foreign conflicts, and colonialism. But one of the city's highest points came following World War II, after Lebanon gained independence from France in 1943. Celebrating newfound freedom, combined with French metropolitan influences, a temperate climate, and access to the Mediterranean Sea, Beirut became a popular tourist destination and a prosperous city, earning it the nickname "Paris of the Middle East." Stars like Elizabeth Taylor, Marlon Brando, Brigitte Bardot, and Peter O'Toole on breaks from filming "Lawrence of Arabia" were spotted there, and luxury hotels and clubs dotted its beaches. However, not everyone was living like an A-list movie star during this period. Economic disparity persisted, and conflicts were brewing that would lead to one of the bloodiest periods in the city's long history. When the Lebanese Civil War broke out in 1975, this "Golden Age" came to an end. Almost 1 million people fled the country, and over 150,000 people were killed, per the Middle East Research and Information Project. The Civil War ended 15 years later, in 1990, though unrest and violence continue in Lebanon to this day. For decades, the country has been drawn into repeated conflicts with Israel, with which it shares a border, and new fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Shiite Islamist group based in Lebanon, started in 2023. This conflict has complicated efforts to end the wider war involving the US, Iran, and Israel. Here's what Beirut looked like during one of its most prosperous periods. When Lebanon achieved independence from France in 1943, it signaled a new era for Beirut, its capital. An aeriel view dated in the early 1970s shows Saint George hotel in Beirut, which is scheduled to reopen after renovations on the first day of the new century, 01 January 2000 AFP/Getty Images Beirut has been inhabited for 5,000 years, but the mid-20th century was a prosperous time for the city. MAY 1948: A view of a fishing vessels anchored at Beirut Harbor in Beirut, Lebanon. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Beirut International Airport opened in 1954, bringing the city more visitors than ever before. Historic color photograph (digitized slide) taken in 1966, showing a view from the parking area toward Beirut International Airport in Lebanon. The image captures the mid-20th-century architecture and atmosphere of air travel during that era, Michael Anton/iStock Its unique location meant locals and visitors could drive up the Lebanon Mountains in the morning … BEIRUT, LEBANON - MAY 13,1948: A view as a man drives his Woodie on the road to Damascus in Beirut, Lebanon. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images … and make it back to the Mediterranean Sea in the afternoon. MAY 1948: A view as people wade in the surf on the beach in Beirut, Lebanon. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Tourism was a significant part of Lebanon's economy. In the two decades before the Civil War, it made up 20% of the country's GDP. Picture taken in Beirut in the early 70s shows the heart of downtown Beirut, with the landmark Rivoli movie theatre in the background, before the break out of the 1975-90 civil war. The area is undergoing reconstruction since the early 90s. AFP/Getty Images Source: Encyclopedia of the Nations This photo, showcasing the nightlife of 1955 Beirut, resembles the lights of Las Vegas. Illuminated signage displayed in many colors and languages across the city to attract the night life crowd in Beirut Lebanon, 1955 Express/Getty Images A photo taken in 1965 shows the Acapulco Beach Club, one of the city's ritziest resorts. It also had a lively nightclub. Beirut Night Life March 1965: Late night revellers dancing in the Acapulco beach area of Beirut Keystone Features/Getty Images Source: The Strange Brew French-inspired design was prominent. This road, Hamra Street, was compared to Paris' Champs-Élysées. Libanon, Beirut - Cafe Eldorado in der Hamra Street Cafe Eldorado in der Hamra Street- 1969 Gazioch/ullstein bild/Getty Images Another photo, taken in 1973, shows a well-stocked flower shop, street vendors selling their wares, and other businesses. A street vendor sells watermelons from a cart in October 1973 in front of a flower shop on a street in downtown Beirut. Jean-Pierre PREVEL/AFP/Getty Images The other draw of Beirut, of course, was its proximity to the Mediterranean. MAY 1948: A view of a young couple on a surf board paddling on the ocean in Beirut, Lebanon. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images The beaches were filled with sunbathers. MAY 1948: A view of young couples resting on a beach in Beirut, Lebanon. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images One of the most famous seaside resorts was the Hotel St. Georges. It was built by a French investment group and opened in the 1930s. It closed in 1975 due to the civil war. Guests fill the swimming pool and garden of the St. Georges Beach Club. The Phoenicia Intercontinental Hotel rises in the background. Nik Wheeler/Sygma/Getty Images It resembled an oasis. MAY 1948: An aerial view of buildings and palm trees and the harbor in the distance in Beirut, Lebanon. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images When the civil war broke out in 1975, tourism steadily declined. The US lists Lebanon as a Level 4 travel advisory, which means "Do not travel." BEIRUT, LEBANON - MAY 1948: An aerial view from a rooftop, of buildings and the harbor in Beirut, Lebanon. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Source: Business Insider These photos preserve a glimpse of the Beirut that helped inspire its moniker as the "Paris of the Middle East," a glamorous chapter in a longer, more complicated history. Beirut, Lebanon — Traffic on Rue des Canons, city center; undated, 1950s. Published: Brigitte 14/1954. ullstein bild Dtl./ullstein bild/Getty Images Read the original article on Business Insider