Displaying items by tag: ai

Google is committing $25 billion over the next two years to build out artificial intelligence infrastructure in the Mid-Atlantic and beyond, marking one of its largest regional investments to date. The announcement will be made at the Pennsylvania Energy & Innovation Summit, where Google will also unveil a $3 billion agreement to purchase hydroelectric power from Brookfield Asset Management. 

As part of that deal, Google will help modernize two Brookfield facilities to support its goal of running operations on 24/7 carbon-free energy. Alphabet’s chief investment officer Ruth Porat emphasized that the investments will expand clean energy access and help train Americans for careers in the AI-driven economy. 

President Trump and other key leaders will attend the summit at Carnegie Mellon University, underscoring the federal government’s alignment with AI infrastructure expansion. Meanwhile, AI firm CoreWeave is also expected to announce a $6 billion data center in Pennsylvania, highlighting growing private-sector momentum in the region’s tech transformation.

Finsum: There seems to be little doubt that AI infrastructure will dominate the alt space the next decade. 

Ruthenium, a rare platinum group metal, has nearly doubled in price over the past year to $800 an ounce, outperforming gold and silver thanks to surging demand from artificial intelligence applications. The metal’s unique hardness and conductivity make it ideal for hard disk drives used in data centers powering AI, where it enables high-density storage through ultrathin coatings. 

Unlike widely traded metals, ruthenium is sourced only as a byproduct of platinum mining, with global output limited to just 30 tons annually—a figure expected to decline further due to underinvestment. Analysts predict a supply deficit next year as demand outpaces dwindling production, intensifying competition for this obscure element. 

Despite being used in tiny quantities, ruthenium’s role in expanding cloud infrastructure is critical, with hard disk sales projected to rise 16% in 2025. 

Finsum: Unless alternative technologies emerge, ruthenium’s strategic value and price are likely to climb even higher.

The U.S. equity market remains a hotspot for high-growth opportunities, particularly within the AI infrastructure sector, where companies like Super Micro Computer (NASDAQ: SMCI), or Supermicro, are helping shape the next wave of computing. 

Specializing in powerful server and storage systems tailored for AI and high-performance computing (HPC), Supermicro is seeing a surge in demand as enterprises ramp up their investments in AI workloads. Despite a temporary stock slump sparked by a short-seller report and delayed financial filings, an internal review cleared the company of wrongdoing, helping to restore investor confidence. 

Now trading at more than 60% below its peak, Supermicro offers a compelling entry point for investors seeking discounted exposure to cutting-edge AI infrastructure. Its proprietary Data Center Building Block Solutions and liquid cooling technologies give it an edge in energy efficiency and scalability—both crucial in a market increasingly focused on sustainable computing. 

Finsum: The AI era will require a huge amount of infrastructure in order to hold up to the rising demands, investors should consider this cross over. 

Financial advice has long been seen as a luxury for the wealthy, but with new technology that’s rapidly changing,  Artificial intelligence is making high-quality financial guidance more accessible, helping advisors serve more people and empowering individuals to take control of their financial futures.

Today, only about 35% of Americans have a financial plan—a gap caused by high costs, limited access, and discomfort around discussing money. Traditional retirement strategies like the 4% withdrawal rule and fixed retirement ages are becoming outdated as lifespans lengthen and economic uncertainty grows. Many people rely on fragmented resources, such as online tools or informal advice, which often fail to create cohesive, personalized strategies.

Here’s where AI steps in:

• It delivers dynamic, real-time guidance tailored to individual life stages, financial goals, and challenges, far beyond what a static plan or annual review can offer.
• It democratizes access to planning tools, enabling younger investors, women, and middle-income families to build strong, personalized financial plans.
• It enhances professional advice by helping wealth managers streamline portfolio management, forecast needs, and deliver hyper-personalized service.

Finsum: For advisors helping clients plan for retirement, the right technology can help anyone make confident, informed decisions about their financial journey.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming a fixture in the financial advisory space, with over three-quarters of firms already using or exploring it. Rather than viewing AI as a threat, advisors should see it as a valuable ally that enhances efficiency and allows more time for meaningful client engagement. 

AI tools can streamline research, summarize documents, and provide fast answers to complex client questions, saving hours of manual effort. During meetings, AI-driven transcription services like Zoom AI Companion and Jump AI can capture notes and action items, allowing advisors to stay fully present. 

In marketing, platforms like Canva and Mailchimp now use AI to create polished content quickly, while tools like ChatGPT can also help formalize internal documentation and standardize processes.

Finsum: By embracing these tools, advisors can elevate service quality, boost operational efficiency, and increase the long-term value of their firm.