Not so Random!

I have been reading and noting the developments since my last blog. However, with the finals coming up I really did not have the time or the inclination to write out a blog! A case of writer’s block?! Nah. But here are some not-so-random thoughts I wanted to share with you. Enjoy!

You must have noticed too! The world of Artificial Intelligence has been taken by storm thanks to OpenAI, a startup, which, released an AI model named ChatGPT that interacts with users in a conversational way to answer questions, explain the text, and even write and explain code! Millions of users signed up in a matter of days and all sorts of use cases and chatGPT screenshots are flying around on the Internet! It turns out that OpenAI has been bankrolled by none other than Microsoft and that it would be integrated soon into some of the marquee products of Microsoft. I gave ChatGPT a go and must say that it is a really effective tool to understand & summarize text, explain and write code, develop road maps, and more. There is little doubt that this ‘model’ will be greatly enhanced in time and become the base model for most (if not all) such AI-based tools. It is amusing to note the buzz and perhaps alarm that this has created at some of the big tech companies such as Alphabet!

The world was pointing fingers at India not so long ago for securing its Energy requirements by buying crude oil from Russia even as the US and other countries have various trade and economic embargos against Russia. The Indian external minister did the rounds and firmly settled the questions/concerns by explaining the need to meet the needs of India before everything else. Well as it turns out (and not many are talking about this), India is importing a good chunk of its crude oil requirements from Russia, but it is also exporting larger quantities of petrol and diesel to European countries! Lol. It’s a round world indeed. Go figure!

A US-based investment firm, Hindenberg, dropped a bombshell on the Indian stock markets by putting out a voluminous report in which it alleged that the Adani group (a large Indian corporate group) has been indulging in various manners of fraudulent practices and stock manipulation! This led to a precipitous fall in all the Adani group stocks in a matter of days. Claims, counterclaims, and all sorts of mud-slinging and legal threats ensued. No side appears to be backing down as of now. The stocks have since recovered and are sorta in a Yo-Yo holding pattern for the time being. It’s my gut feeling that there is a lot more to happen in this ‘case’ and of course these stocks! Collateral damage could be seen in the rest of the Indian stock market. Invoking nationalistic pride is not going to cut it with the markets or the world!

There is more interesting stuff that has caught my eye. So be sure to check back soon for more interesting content! Till then, cheers!