Learners Live

Big Tech’s Next AI Bet Is A ‘Watershed Moment,’ Analyst Says — And a $1 Trillion Opportunity by Shannon Carroll

At the core of this strategy is a growing alliance between Gulf governments and U.S. technology companies. The Middle East could rapidly become the next major frontier for artificial intelligence, and U.S. tech giants are lining up to cash in. Nvidia, Microsoft (MSFT), Amazon (AMZN), Alphabet (GOOGL), Palantir (PLTR), and Tesla (TSLA) are all positioning themselves in the region to be key players in what could be full-throttle AI buildout. In what Wedbush analysts are calling a “watershed moment” for Big Tech, recent developments in the region mean the AI boom might be rapidly shifting its center of gravity. A wave of investment in AI infrastructure across Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates is signaling an acceleration in U.S. tech companies’ expansion abroad. According to a Monday note from analysts led by Dan Ives, the region is poised to become one of the most important global markets for AI over the next decade, potentially adding over $1 trillion.  Big Tech’s next AI bet is a ‘watershed moment,’ analyst says — and a $1 trillion opportunity

US, Saudi Arabia Agree on Energy & Critical Mineral Deals

The MOU also highlights the intent to collaborate in various fields including petroleum refining and refined products trading, electricity generation technologies and energy storage systems, and artificial intelligence projects to accelerate deployment of energy-driven innovations. The two sides also outlined areas for cooperation on civil nuclear energy, including safety, security, and nonproliferation programs; vocational training and workforce development; U.S. Generation III+ advanced large reactor technologies and small modular reactors; uranium exploration, mining, and milling; and safe and secure nuclear waste disposal.  The signings coincided with President Trump’s announcement that he secured a $600 billion investment commitment from Saudi Arabia.  US, Saudi Arabia Agree on Energy & Critical Mineral Deals – electrifiED

Americans in Their 80s and 90s Are Redefining Old Age by Amy Dockser Marcus

Dementia rates are down, recovery rates are up. Many are thriving mentally and physically deep into their later years. According to research at the Stanford Center on Longevity, older Americans report higher levels of emotional well-being and lower levels of negative emotions compared with young adults.  By 2034, for the first time in U.S. history, adults 65 and older will outnumber people under 18. Although more older Americans are living with chronic disease such as arthritis, high blood pressure or diabetes, Lachs said these statistics say little about the quality of these lives. No one now disputes the role that regular exercise, good sleep and a healthy diet play in lengthening lives and improving their quality. The market for more radical interventions for boosting health and longevity, including supplements and off-label drugs, is robust and growing.  Americans in Their 80s and 90s Are Redefining Old Age – WSJ

Innovation in the Digital Age

Innovation in the Digital Age.mp4 

Sponsored by naturaLED LED Lighting Solutions

 New product development is essential to survival in this dynamic global economy.  This e-learning session ups the ante to INNOVATION.  We have never seen change at this level of velocity and with the emergence of AI, it will speed up.  Clayton Christensen when he was at Harvard University detailed three (3) essential forms of innovation in his book: The Innovator’s Dilemma.  Worth reading……….my goal with this virtual learning session is to cover his essential points in order to encourage you to research this subject in more detail. Jack Welch said it best: If the rate of change outside is greater than the rate of change inside, the end is near.

Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update

U.S. Regular Gasoline Prices*(dollars per gallon)
04/28/25 05/05/25 05/12/25 week ago year ago
U.S. 3.133 3.147 3.120 -0.027 -0.488
East Coast (PADD1) 2.987 2.998 2.947 -0.051 -0.544
New England (PADD1A) 2.948 2.959 2.953 -0.006 -0.630
Central Atlantic 3.112 3.113 3.090 -0.023 -0.561
Lower Atlantic) 2.918 2.935 2.856 -0.079 -0.512
Midwest (PADD2) 2.992 3.027 2.978 -0.049 -0.456
Gulf Coast (PADD3) 2.686 2.722 2.692 -0.030 -0.476
Rocky Mountain (PADD4) 3.134 3.118 3.137 0.019 -0.264
West Coast (PADD5) 4.192 4.156 4.224 0.068 -0.470
West Coast less California 3.757 3.721 3.760 0.039 -0.550

Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update – U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)

NAED Statement on House Ways & Means Committee Reconciliation Bill

 Wes Smith, President and CEO of the National Association of Electrical Distributors, provided the following statement: The businesses we represent—located in every state and Congressional district—have seen firsthand how the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) has fueled growth across the electrical distribution industry, from small enterprises to large distributors. By lowering marginal tax rates, enhancing expensing provisions, increasing the estate tax threshold, and establishing the 20% small business deduction under Section 199A, the TCJA has been a powerful catalyst for economic progress. We applaud the pro-business, pro-growth tax provisions, including the Section 199A deduction, enhancements to the 179 expensing, modifications to the Estate Tax, and the temporary restoration of Bonus Depreciation.  NAED Statement on House Ways & Means Committee Reconciliation Bill – tEDmag

Energy Department Proposes to Cut 47 Rules in ‘Largest Deregulatory Effort in History’ by Rachel Frazin

 The Energy Department plans to ax a long list of efficiency regulations, including those pertaining to stoves, ovens, showerheads, clothes washers, dishwashers and microwaves. The rules also apply to a smattering of other policies ranging for guidelines under which the department buys oil for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to nondiscrimination requirements for grant recipients. Energy Department proposes to cut 47 rules in ‘largest deregulatory effort in history’

AI Changes Search Game for Marketers

 In a matter of months, artificial intelligence has begun to change how people search for things online in ways that alarm some marketers. Consumers who use traditional search engines like Google and Bing are now greeted atop their search results by AI-generated summaries of the topics at hand. OpenAI said last month that ChatGPT will soon roll out a shopping button that redirects users to a merchant’s website, where they can buy the product they were researching. OpenAI says ChatGPT now processes roughly one billion searches a week, but Google handles 5 trillion searches each year, or around 100 times that total, according to its most recent figures.  “This is not big for us yet, but it could be,” Joy Howard said of LLM searches.  Q1i1BlXWfajcTTkzC3B2-WSJNewsPaper-5-12-2025.pdf

Tariff Tracker, May 12: An Agreement with China

The temporary agreement is seen as a potential breakthrough for negotiations with multiple countries.  In what is being described as a major trade breakthrough, the U.S. and China have agreed to slash tariffs for 90 days while both sides negotiate a new agreement. The decision has pushed stocks up on Monday, and is a solid beginning to what may be a long-term agreement. Chris Kuehl, Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Armada, tells us that while some questions remain, a long-term agreement will go a long way toward helping American manufacturing.  Tariff Tracker, May 12: An Agreement With China – electrifiED

FDL 7×7 Floodlights CCT3 1/2″ Knuckle Mount with Selectable Wattages by naturaLED

The naturaLED® 7X7 floodlight offers selectable wattages and color temperatures for versatile lighting solutions. With a flood beam distribution, it replaces up to 400-watt fixtures and includes a built-in photocell for efficiency. Its IP65 water-resistant rating ensures durability in outdoor conditions. Ideal for security, perimeters, entryways, facades, landscapes, and architectural lighting, it delivers bright and reliable illumination. The pre-installed 1/2” knuckle mount allows for easy installation and angle adjustment. This floodlight provides a flexible and energy-efficient solution for various residential and commercial applications. APPLICATIONS: Security, Architectural, Perimeter, Entryway, Pathway, Landscape  FDL 7X7 Floodlight CCT3 (1/2” Knuckle – naturaLED    Spec sheet: FDL_7x7_9734_9735_KNC

Why Use AI – 5 Reasons:

  1. Efficiency and Automation: AI can automate repetitive tasks…                saves time and reduces human effort
  2. Data Processing: AI excels at analyzing large datasets quickly…      uncovers patterns and insights that humans might miss
  3. Scalability: AI systems can handle growing workloads…                        without a proportional increase in costs or resources
  4. Accuracy: AI can perform tasks with high precision…                         reducing errors in areas like diagnostics or forecasting
  5. 24/7 Availability: AI tools can operate continuously…                        improving productivity and customer support