📔 Weekly Journal: NZ's AI Powered Possum Traps 🪤🦾
[6 min read] Your weekend guide to getting ahead on the digital frontier. Today, the usual market news and also how AI is being used in automated pest control to differentiate cats from possums.
Welcome to this week’s Weekly Journal 📔, your guide to the latest news & innovation in emerging technology, digital assets, and our exciting path to the Metaverse. This is week 84 of the 520 weeks of newsletters I have committed to, a decade of documenting our physical and digital lives converge.
New subscribers are encouraged to check out the history & purpose of this newsletter as well as the archive.
- Ryan
🌐 Digital Assets Market Update
To me, the Metaverse is the convergence of physical & virtual lives. As we work, play and socialise in virtual worlds, we need virtual currencies & assets. These have now reached mainstream finance as a defined asset class:
🔥🗺️ 7-day heatmap below, showing the current share of the market for the top cryptocurrencies, and their change in price over the last week. Germany had finished selling off the seized Bitcoin, fear is subsiding, and we are now ready to go higher.
🎭 Crypto Fear and Greed Index is based on volatility, social media sentiments, surveys, market momentum, and a few other bits and pieces.
🗞️ Interesting news from this week
Following an Trump assassination attempt at a campaign rally, Trump-inspired meme coins like TREMP soared by 71%, TRUMP by 39%, and MAGA by 33%. The incident boosted raised his election odds to 67% on Polymarket, up from 60%. Investors speculate that a Trump presidency could mean smoother crypto regulations, influencing market sentiment.
In Kenya (where I grew up), widespread protests against government corruption and economic hardship have led many citizens to turn to cryptocurrencies as a potential financial refuge. The local currency's devaluation and rising cost of living have eroded trust in traditional banking systems, making digital currencies like Bitcoin increasingly attractive. The economic instability has highlighted the appeal of decentralized financial systems, offering an alternative means of securing financial stability and protecting assets. This shift towards cryptocurrencies underscores a growing disillusionment with conventional financial institutions and reflects a broader trend of adopting digital solutions in response to political and economic challenges.
Six Flags has launched a new metaverse experience on Roblox, offering virtual roller coasters, mazes, and games. Partnering with Digital Twin, they introduced 'Coastercoin' technology, allowing users to earn and redeem rewards at physical Six Flags parks. CTO Omar Jacques Omran highlighted the goal of blending digital and physical worlds, while CEO Selim Bassoul emphasized pioneering new entertainment standards. The Six Flags Metaverse on Roblox is now live, check out the teaser video here.
👓 Read of the Week
The article "The human side of the industrial metaverse" explores the potential and implications of integrating human elements into the industrial metaverse. It highlights how this convergence aims to enhance collaboration between human workers and digital technologies, leading to improved productivity and innovation.
The industrial metaverse blends physical and virtual realities, enabling real-time data exchange and immersive simulations. This fusion supports remote monitoring, training, and maintenance, thus enhancing operational efficiency and safety. Additionally, the article discusses the necessity of addressing human factors such as ergonomics, user experience, and emotional engagement.
🎥 Watch of the week
A groundbreaking AI tool developed by the University of Cambridge is revolutionising Alzheimer's detection. Capable of identifying early signs through subtle patterns in routine clinical tests and MRI scans, this innovation promises timely diagnosis and intervention. Early detection is critical, as 40% of dementia cases can be slowed or prevented by lifestyle changes if addressed promptly. The tool also distinguishes Alzheimer's from other cognitive issues like anxiety and depression, ensuring accurate diagnoses. With new treatments effective only in the disease's early stages, this AI advancement offers hope for better patient support and improved quality of life.
AI 🎨🤖🎵✍🏼
In the Metaverse, AI will be critical for creating intelligent virtual environments and avatars that can understand and respond to users with human-like cognition and natural interactions:
A pilot project by the Halo Project in Otago uses AI-powered cameras in pest traps to differentiate predators from native birds. Over 4,000 traditional traps are being supplemented by 100 AI traps that identify target species and activate accordingly. The initiative aims to protect wildlife and habitats around the Orokonui Ecosanctuary by controlling possums, weasels, stoats, and rats. This technology allows traps to avoid non-target species, enhancing conservation efforts. The Halo Project also engages in extensive habitat restoration and community involvement, with significant planting and volunteer contributions.
That’s all for the free version this week! If you have any organisations in mind that could benefit from learning about emerging technology, be sure to reach out. Educational workshops are one of many consulting services I offer.
DCA With Me 🤑
Dollar Cost Averaging is an investment strategy in which an investor regularly invests a fixed amount of money into a particular asset/asset class at regular intervals, regardless of its current market cycle. By doing so, the investor can reduce the impact of market volatility and potentially earn a better return over time. Motto = time IN the market beats trying to time the market
To experiment with this, I invest $50 NZD into a Digital Asset every week. Each week I will choose an asset that seems underpriced in the short term and has positive long-term potential. My timeframe is 3-5 years. I don’t give financial advice but if you want to follow along with me you can use my easycrypto.co.nz referral link to support this newsletter. Let’s dive into this week’s pick:
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