Spreading Sunshine: Introducing "Good News Corner" to Our Newsletter!

Welcome back, Cubs! 🐻

This week at my Toastmasters Club, we had a thought-provoking discussion about the scarcity of good news and how quickly negative news can spread like wildfire. It got me thinking... when was the last time you came across a heartwarming story that lifted your spirits?

Inspired by that conversation, I'm thrilled to introduce a brand-new section in this newsletter dedicated to sharing positive and uplifting stories from around the world. While our main focus remains on exploring the exciting world of AI, I believe we can all use a dose of good news to brighten our day.

This Week's Highlights

• The First AI Beauty Pageant

• Smarter Spreadsheets with AI Thanks to Microsoft

• 2 AI-Powered Spreadsheet Tools

• One Piece of Good News

• New Prompt to Challenge Your Opinions

AI WOMEN
The First Miss AI has Been Crowned

There she is, Miss AI. Moroccan lifestyle influencer Kenza Layli recently took the crown in the first AI beauty pageant. She was chosen out of 10 AI-generated contestants submitted by programmers, and the judges were both human and digital in the competition organized by creator platform Fanvue. The contenders were judged on their makers’ use of AI tools and, well, looks. Myriam Bessa, founder of the Phoenix AI agency, who is behind Layli, received $5,000 and other perks.

“Winning Miss AI motivates me even more to continue my work in advancing AI technology,” Layli said in a video. “I am committed to promoting diversity and inclusivity within the field, ensuring that everyone has a seat at the table of technological progress.”

Meanwhile, for some real people, beauty is in the eye of the robot. Customers are flocking to AmorePacific’s AI beauty lab in Seoul, where machine learning matches people to the right tone from 205 different skin foundations or the best shade from 366 different lip colors. Robots at the cosmetics firm then mix the products to come up with the perfect shade. “Knowing more data about my own skin, and seeing the before-and-after firsthand, is a very good experience,” Kwon You-jin, a 32-year-old customer, told Reuters.

AI FOR SPREADSHEETS
Smarter Spreadsheets Ahead: Microsoft's AI Enhances User Experience and Business Decision-Making

Microsoft researchers have introduced a groundbreaking AI model, SpreadsheetLLM, designed to revolutionize the way we interact with spreadsheets. This innovation leverages large language models (LLMs) to enhance the accessibility and utility of structured spreadsheet data.

SpreadsheetLLM represents a significant leap in applying AI to complex data formats, addressing longstanding challenges associated with formulas and references in spreadsheets. Its ability to reason over spreadsheet contents could democratize data insights within organizations.

This new model is part of Microsoft's broader strategy to integrate AI into enterprise tools, exemplified by their recent launches of Microsoft 365 Copilot and Copilot for Finance. These initiatives underscore the company's commitment to enhancing workplace efficiency through AI.

The introduction of SpreadsheetLLM amid Microsoft's robust investment in AI technologies signals a transformative shift in how businesses might approach data-driven decision-making. The potential for such tools to automate routine tasks and generate intelligent recommendations is profound.

AI TOOLS
2 AI-Powered Spreadsheet Tools

Numerous.ai a game-changing Excel/Sheets plug-in that revolutionizes spreadsheet productivity! With its intuitive interface and AI-driven capabilities, you can effortlessly generate and explain formulas, manipulate data, and make informed predictions. Enjoy seamless suggestions and templates, no API key hassles, and instant access to the free version.

Equals Cool AI features but not a 1-for-1 replacement for all spreadsheets. It's specifically for teams who have data in some data store like Snowflake, PostgreSQL, or Redshift. If none of those names mean anything to you, you can safely click off the page now.

GOOD NEWS
Butterflies Make Historic 2,600-Mile Non-Stop Flight Across Atlantic

Painted lady butterflies venture far and wide with their impressive migratory patterns that stretch for thousands of miles -- but they often travel across land, so they can stop to rest. Scientists have now found evidence that a group of winged travelers flew over 2,600 miles (about 4,200 kilometers) across the Atlantic Ocean without stopping, according to a new study published June 25 in the journal Nature Communications.

PROMPT OF THE WEEK
Challenge Your Opinions and Views

I am going to provide an opinion on a subject, and I want you to criticize it from a technical, legal and ethical perspective. My opinion is: [insert opinion]

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Until Next Time, Cubs! - Mama Bear