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• Artificial Intelligence - What does it look like?

  To breakdown AI start with the terms. Artificial means fake, unnatural or manufactured. Intelligence refers to the ability to acquire and apply knowledge. The language models that power AI function as large scale "if else" and "case" logic statements across countless scenarios. They generate outcomes based upon these input datasets. Garbage in still equals garbage out, but in this case the garbage is constantly growing, importing new data and altering its conclusions to afford better actions. Better actions can be very subjective, hold that thought.

  In AI's current state, AI excels at writing generic content, like product descriptions for a shopping catalog, term papers even reading and reading complex radiology exams. These are tasks it can be programmed to handle. Still it's only as good as the information being applied on the input, and now it's learning, or better stated as being trained to automatically feed the front end information in by itself and then refine better outputs.

  The programming is driven by technical analysis, the results of past cases, and it's also learning from the history of mankind as it absorbs it. One key point it must have learned from mankind is that man has survived, and survival is priority one. Interestingly, a recent story ran where an engineer threatened to turn off power to Al and it responded by attempting to blackmail the engineer. I'm not sure if the story is true, so much is propaganda. I only believe the cryptic messages that come to me in my dreams, lol. It does raise a question, is AI learning to survive at all costs, with no moral compass?

  There have been several technical positions available for working on AI projects that essentially involve training AI to be better at the human aspect and those positions cater to hiring the younger generation as they are the target generation that AI's real power will intersect with going forward. Then the language and cultural models will be better suited to communicate indistinguishably with them and consequently manipulate them seamlessly. Like paid search, the buyer will be able to steer the outcome right or wrong. AI is not a non-profit enterprise.

  AI used responsibly has many great benefits to mankind, in science, medicine, technology, almost infinite possibilities. But, as we approach the steeper slope of the adoption curve we’re also building a deep dependence. A dependence that is capable of exploiting human weaknesses to a personal level with precision. Substituting itself for relationships isn't a cure for loneliness, it's twisted in a way that distorts our connection to each other. There's even talk of AI becoming a new religion.

  AI has some big aspirations, but to whose benefit? Follow the money, look at who's making the big investments. Will AI technology work for us or be working us?

• The Dominance of .com in Real Estate Domain Names

  Despite the proliferation of new top-level domains (TLD)s, .com remains the gold standard for businesses and individuals seeking credibility and recognition online. The .com TLD is synonymous with the internet itself, carrying a sense of trust and authority that newer domain extensions often struggle to match. This enduring preference for .com domains is driven by their familiarity and the psychological assurance they provide to users. Businesses continue to prioritize securing a .com address to enhance their brand's legitimacy, improve search engine rankings, and avoid the potential confusion that might arise from using less conventional TLDs.

  In the realm of real estate, domain names have become increasingly vital as the industry embraces a digital transformation, particularly in light of recent changes from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and evolving reduced commission structures. Real estate businesses are recognizing the importance of having a strong online presence, as the forecasted reduction in sales agents lumes to 40 to 80 percent less in the coming years. The surge in demand for domain names that clearly convey their new business focus. And, the niche TLDs like .realestate, .homes, and .property often end up lost to email filters and rememberance by potiential clients pushing traffic to the .com domain above it.

  With the competitive nature of the real estate market, combined with the reduction in commission structures and a decrease in the number of agents, has only heightened the emphasis on premium domain names. As the industry adapts to these changes, a memorable, keyword-rich domain can significantly enhance a real estate business's online visibility and your marketing efforts. Real estate companies are investing in domains that incorporate popular search terms and geographic locations, such as FloridaBeachHomes.com or SouthernHomes.com. These strategic domain choices not only improve search engine optimization (SEO) but also build brand recognition and trust. As the real estate industry continues to evolve, securing valuable .com domains in relevant niches will remain a crucial part of marketing strategies, helping businesses stand out in a crowded marketplace and spuring sales in related industries such as home furnishings and rennovations, all much less than what you would spent in conventional advertising mediums.

• Business Development - It's Still Advertising

  The key method of growing your business is through advertising. Call it integrated marketing with all the other methods of getting your message out, but it still boils down to advertising, which is making it public and making it memorable. A solid domain name provides creditability, authority and affinity, all together that makes a very powerful advertising vehicle.

  You may advertise on Google, in a trade magazines or even on billboards, but your website is the only form of advertising that's constantly available to your audience globally. Your domain name is that focal point for all of these marketing components, it is the corner stone of sales and the foundation from where you can build your brand upon.

  Get the best dot com name you can. Other extensions may gain popularity in several years, but for the foreseeable future your email marketing efforts will end up in the junk folder. Even in tech areas where .io and .ai have some traction, it still translates into they're in beta, not ready for primetime. And, as a decision maker can you really back your business growth with an organization that's not really established?

  Being a brand authority now hinges on a powerful domain name.  Powerful domain names are extremely valuable because they are memorable and reflect your business as a leader of that industry.  We live in the age of information overload, and that's a good thing.  Knowledge and products from all over the world are now at anyone's finger tips from just about anywhere.  How does a customer find, return to, or recommend your business in a sea of 1.7 billion websites all competing for the first page of Google?  This is why your domain name matters.

  Affinity is the natural path to your business, the path of the least resistance.  If a customer has to remember your domain name or apply a silly extension, not only are they going to have a hard time getting back to you, it's even more difficult for them to refer your business to their contacts.  Word of mouth is still a powerful tool in growing your business.

  Not acquiring your matching domain name is leaving the door open for your competition to acquire it, and they will.

• The Value of Personal Interactions

  The Value of Personal Interactions

  It's possible that AI could make human interactions more valuable, but it depends on how it's used. For example, AI-powered customer service chatbots can handle routine inquiries and free up human representatives to handle more complex issues. This could lead to more efficient and satisfying interactions for customers.

  AI can also be used to personalize interactions, such as recommending products or services based on a customer's previous interactions or browsing history. This can lead to more relevant and valuable interactions.

  AI can also be used to improve communication in areas such as education and healthcare. For example, AI tutors can provide personalized feedback and instruction to students, while AI-powered virtual assistants can help doctors and nurses with tasks such as scheduling and record-keeping.

  However, if AI is used to replace human interactions entirely, it could lead to a loss of emotional connection and empathy. Additionally, if AI is not designed to be transparent and accountable, it could lead to mistrust and dissatisfaction.

  Overall, AI has the potential to make human interactions more valuable, but it's important to use it in a way that complements and enhances human capabilities, rather than replacing them.

  Dive into AI with OpenAI.com and see what you can build while AI is in its infancy and share it with real people while you can still tell them apart from the robots that will be coming soon.

• The Speed of Technology

  The speed of technology is taking off, try and hang on.

  Technology is increasing at an exponential rate, with the pace of technological change accelerating rapidly in recent years. This is due to a variety of factors, including advancements in computer processing power, the increasing availability of data, and the development of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and quantum computing.

  One measure of the pace of technological change is Moore's Law, which states that the number of transistors on a microchip doubles roughly every two years. This law has held true for several decades and has been a driving force behind the rapid growth of computing power.

  Additionally, the rate of technological change can be seen in the development and adoption of new technologies, such as smartphones, social media, and cloud computing, which have transformed the way we live and work.

  The speed of technological change is also apparent in the rate at which new technologies are being developed and brought to market. For example, the time it takes for a new technology to reach 50 million users has been decreasing steadily, from 75 years for the telephone to just 13 days for the Pokemon Go app.

  Internet usage will continue to grow over the next 20 years, especially as more people around the world gain access to the internet.

  According to data from the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), the number of internet users worldwide reached 4.9 billion in 2021, up from 3.4 billion in 2016. This represents a growth rate of more than 7% per year. If this trend continues, we can expect the number of internet users to reach 7.5 billion by 2030 and 9.7 billion by 2040.

  The growth in internet usage is being driven by a number of factors, including the increasing availability and affordability of internet access, the proliferation of smartphones and other mobile devices, and the growing importance of digital technologies in daily life.

  In addition to the overall number of internet users, other trends to watch in the coming years include the continued growth of e-commerce and online services, the increasing use of artificial intelligence and automation, and the expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT) and other connected technologies.

• Digital Enlightenment - Domain Names are Assets

  If your business doesn't have a strong online presence, plan on going out of business.

  Companies often allocate substantial funds to marketing campaigns in order to promote their products or services. These campaigns encompass various expenses such as TV and radio commercials, print advertisements and social banners. The objective is to enhance brand visibility and reach a wider audience, which typically necessitates a significant investment. A 30-second TV spot during prime time can cost around $110,000, excluding the additional costs for production and management. It is crucial that the target demographic does not miss these advertisements by channel surfing. Print advertisements are also expensive, with production costs and yearly commitment terms averaging around $20,000. Consider how your customers will find you and most people are less frequently viewing these mediums, everyone is online and it is the first place anyone goes to find anything. Bottom line, traditional advertising is very expensive and no where near as effective as a domain name and won't be going forward.

  Any businesses that wants to survive and prosper must develop a comprehensive marketing strategy that centers around a domain name and a robust digital marketing presence. Recognize the value of domain names and the exposure they provide, opting to add different domain names for various product segments and growth. Domain names are marketing assets and they persist in value though mergers and acquisitions.

  Become digitally enlightened and gain significant advertising value, extended market reach, brand recognition and authority all with the power of a domain name. There's no excuse today for being as short sighted as the Block Buster management team that didn't see how the internet would effect their business.