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New York Jets interim coach Jeff Ulbrich said Aaron Rodgers “absolutely” will remain the team's starting quarterback and start Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks. Rodgers, who turns 41 next Monday, has been hampered at times during the Jets' 3-8 start by various injuries to his left leg, including a sore knee, sprained ankle and balky hamstring. Ulbrich said Monday the quarterback came back from the team's bye-week break ready to go. “All I can say, and you'd have to ask Aaron if he's fully healthy, but he's better off today than he's been as of late,” Ulbrich said. "So he's definitely feeling healthier than he has probably for the past month. A healthy Aaron Rodgers is the Aaron Rodgers we all love. “So, I'm excited about what that looks like.” NFL Network reported on Sunday that Rodgers, who missed all but four snaps last season with a torn left Achilles tendon, has declined having medical scans on his injured leg so he can continue to play. GM: The New York Jets are turning to one of their former general managers to help them find their next GM and head coach. The franchise announced Monday that The 33rd Team, a football media, analytics and consulting group founded by former Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum, will assist team owner Woody Johnson in the searches. Tannenbaum and Rick Spielman, former GM of the Miami Dolphins and Minnesota Vikings, will be The 33rd Team's primary representatives in helping find replacements for former coach Robert Saleh and GM Joe Douglas. FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The NFL removed New England Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers from the commissioner exempt list on Monday, making him eligible to participate in practice and play in the team’s games. Peppers missed seven games since being placed on the list on Oct. 9 after he was arrested and charged with shoving his girlfriend’s head into a wall and choking her. The league said its review is ongoing and is not affected by the change in Peppers’ roster status. Braintree, Massachusetts, police said they were called to a home for an altercation between two people on Oct. 7, and a woman told them Peppers choked her. Police said they found at the home a clear plastic bag containing a white powder, which later tested positive for cocaine. Peppers, 29, pleaded not guilty in Quincy District Court to charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and possession of a Class “B” substance believed to be cocaine. At a court appearance last week a trial date was set for Jan. 22. HENDERSON, Nev. — Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew is out for the rest of the season with a broken collarbone, coach Antonio Pierce said Monday. Minshew was injured with 3:12 left in Sunday's 29-19 loss to the Denver Broncos. Pierce will have to decide whether Aidan O'Connell or Desmond Ridder will start Friday's game at Kansas City. The Raiders, who have lost seven consecutive games to fall to 2-9, could use a spark. Minshew's grip on the starting job was tenuous even before he was injured. He threw 10 interceptions to just nine touchdown passes this season and Minshew also lost four fumbles. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence will practice Monday and “we'll see where he's at from there,” coach Doug Pederson said. Lawrence missed the past two games, losses to Minnesota and Detroit, with a sprained left shoulder. Lawrence had extra time to rest during Jacksonville's bye week. The Jaguars (2-9) host AFC South-leading Houston (7-5) on Sunday and need a victory to avoid being eliminated from playoff contention. Pederson said Lawrence is “feeling better" and they will know more about his playing status following practice Wednesday. Lawrence took a hit to his left shoulder while scrambling at Philadelphia on Nov. 3. Instead of sliding, he chose to go head-first and got hammered by linebacker Zack Baun. Lawrence has practiced some in a limited role since, but was inactive for both games. BRIEFLY LIONS: Detroit wide receiver Jameson Williams won't be charged with a crime after he was found with a gun in a car driven by his brother in October. Prosecutor Kym Worthy says Michigan law is “far from clear” when applied to the 1 a.m. traffic stop in Detroit. Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!

UNC-Greensboro 105, Va.-Lynchburg 50Florida backed up an upset of LSU with another inspired performance to knock Ole Miss out of the College Football Playoff and end Lane Kiffin-to-Gainesville speculation. Billy Napier is pleased with his team’s turnaround, but far from satisfied to merely scratch his first winning season at UF. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar discuss the Gators’ winning formula and continue to gush about the DJ Lagway Effect. Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com

For all its speed and centrifugal force, all its peril and push-the-envelope ingenuity, stock-car racing for decades subsisted on its array of characters. Guys named Fonty and Fireball, the Intimidator and the King, Foyt and France. They were an ensemble of ruffians and renegades, booze runners and barrier crashers, united by a critical common denominator. All were mavericks. Now, their audacity and achievements have been recounted in a sleek, photo-filled coffee-table book. “NASCAR Mavericks: The Rebels and Racers Who Revolutionized Stock Car Racing,” was been released. Published by Motorbooks (an imprint of the Quarto Publishing Group), it’s available at various online sites including Amazon and store.nascar.com . H.A. “Herb” Branham and Holly Cain, both former Tampa Tribune motorsports writers, spent 10 months on the project, interviewing roughly 100 sources. “What does it mean to be a maverick?” three-time NASCAR champ Tony Stewart asks rhetorically in his foreword. “Speaking from personal experience, it’s doing what you think is right, even when others say you’re wrong. And it’s being told you can’t, so you go even harder just to prove them wrong.” What ensues over the next 192 pages is an illustrated digest of sorts; character sketches in simple, unapologetic prose of those who embodied the maverick approach. “We talked to just about anybody that was relevant to the stories that were still alive, including obviously the people themselves,” Branham said. The mavericks include visionaries who helped propel the sport from red-clay tracks to major speedways (i.e. Bill France Sr.), crew chiefs who bent the rules to nearly their breaking point (i.e. Smokey Yunick), and drivers who had developed their automotive chops by running from the law in the South’s nether regions (i.e. Curtis Turner). The group also features those who sped full-throttle into what was once deemed a Southern-male sport. Among them: Wendell Scott, the first Black racer to win a NASCAR Cup Series race; and Sara Christian, the first female driver in the Strictly Stock Division (forerunner to the NASCAR Cup Series). Of course, the stars of NASCAR’s heyday — such as Dale Earnhardt, Darrell Waltrip and Richard Petty — get their due, as do modern-day mavericks such as Stewart, Kurt and Kyle Busch, and Hall of Fame crew chief Chad Knaus. Even maverick-style developments (a tobacco company becoming a corporate sponsor, the network TV takeover, the creation of a street race in Chicago) are chronicled. “It was a little bit of Wild West-style,” said Branham, who worked in NASCAR’s communications department nearly two decades. “It’s really not a corporate book at all. NASCAR, I think, is consciously just trying to ungloss what we did during my time there, where we just put lacquers over all of the history, at times which was deemed maybe not the type of stuff that mainstream America would like. And I think NASCAR now is trying to put it in reverse a little bit, and they’re really trying to recapture that great history.” Complementing that history are hundreds of photos — some iconic — that help bring the characters and cars to life. Noticeably absent is Michael Jordan’s ongoing antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR — a maverick move in itself — but Branham said the book had been completed long before that litigation arose. “We would’ve dealt with it,” he said. “We would’ve mentioned it, because there’s really not a whole lot of punches pulled in this book, which kind of makes it a little bit different.” Kind of a hardcover maverick. Get local news delivered to your inbox!WASHINGTON (AP) — Former Rep. said Friday that he will not be returning to Congress after withdrawing his name from consideration to be attorney general under President-elect Donald Trump amid growing allegations of sexual misconduct. “I’m still going to be in the fight, but it’s going to be from a new perch. I do not intend to join the 119th Congress,” Gaetz told conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, adding that he has “some other goals in life that I’m eager to pursue with my wife and my family.” Related Articles The announcement comes a day after Gaetz, a Florida Republican, stepped aside from the Cabinet nomination process amid growing fallout from that cast doubt on his ability to be confirmed as the nation’s chief federal law enforcement officer. The 42-year-old has vehemently denied the allegations against him. Gaetz’s nomination as attorney general had inside the Justice Department, but reflected Trump’s desire to place a loyalist in a department following the criminal cases against him. Hours after Gaetz withdrew, Trump nominated Pam Bondi, the former Florida attorney general, who would come to the job with years of legal work under her belt and that other trait Trump prizes above all: loyalty. It’s unclear what’s next for Gaetz, who is no longer a member of the House. He surprised colleagues by resigning from Congress the same day that Trump nominated him for attorney general. Some speculated he could still be sworn into office for another two-year term on Jan. 3, given that he had just won reelection earlier this month. But Gaetz, who has been in state and national politics for 14 years, said he’s done with Congress. “I think that eight years is probably enough time in the United States Congress,” he said.Victor Wembanyama Plays 1-On-1 Chess With Fans In New York

Mureka Unveils Cutting-Edge Features, Revolutionizing Music Creation with AI Technology 12-16-2024 07:34 PM CET | Leisure, Entertainment, Miscellaneous Press release from: Getnews / PR Agency: Global Social Mureka, a leading AI music platform, has recently updated its advanced AI features, providing an all-in-one solution with exceptional performance and an unparalleled experience for creators. Image: https://www.globalnewslines.com/uploads/2024/12/1ad9d1d78f5383b59fb78637836837b5.jpg In recent years, the AI music industry has been booming, with AI technology revolutionizing everything from melody creation to automatic mixing. Whether it's providing background music for short video creators or generating inspiration for musicians, AI music platforms have become the ultimate "secret weapon" for creators. Mureka is the platform designed to solve that exact problem. The name Mureka comes from the combination of "Music" and "Eureka," symbolizing the ability to capture fleeting moments of inspiration and transform them into high-quality music through AI technology. Whether you're a professional musician or an occasional hobbyist, Mureka makes music creation simple, fun, and efficient with its AI-driven music generation and editing features. Mureka stands out with its self-developed AI model, delivering original music fast and letting you easily adjust style, tone, and rhythm. Whether creating a song that fits the atmosphere for a short video, composing a holiday-themed track, or making a personalized diss track for a friend, Mureka handles it all with ease. It is also a playground for tech enthusiasts, offering unlimited possibilities, from voice selection to reference audio input. If you're a musician, you can also use it to generate commercially-grade tracks directly. Creativity knows no bounds, and Mureka is your most reliable companion on your musical journey. Mureka makes AI music generation and editing fun and easy. In just a few minutes, you can create a high-quality original track. Its fast and reliable generation capabilities set it apart in the market. Whether you're a music enthusiast or a professional producer, Mureka meets all your creative needs. With continuously optimized AI models, it stays at the forefront of technology. With amazing mixing, catchy melodies, and reliable song structures, it's the go-to tool for music production. Mureka's commitment to innovation and quality has made it the top choice for creators worldwide. Mureka's Key Features and Enhancements Recent updates have made Mureka one of the most polished AI music platforms. Key improvements include: 1. Vocal Quality: The new model significantly enhances vocal clarity, reducing issues with distortion and muffled sounds. 2. Mixing Quality: The mixing design is more polished and professional, addressing previous issues with spatial clarity and volume balance. 3. Melodic Motivation: Melodies generated by the new model are more captivating, cohesive, and harmonically sound, improving upon past issues of scattered motifs and lack of thematic focus. 4. Song Structure: The model now delivers enhanced dynamics and a more fitting song structure. 5. Output Quality: The rate of high-quality output is significantly improved, increasing the likelihood of producing music that meets professional standards. 6. Multilingual support: Currently supports English, Chinese, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, and Korean, with full adaptation from the product page to text input and output. Who is Mureka Best For? For Comedy Type Creators: Mureka helps add humor with custom tracks for any occasion - whether it's outshining a friend's music taste, creating a last-minute anniversary gift, or writing a diss track after a fallout. For Music Type Creators: Perfect for musicians and producers to create original tracks, add vocals, and release music. For Tech Type Creators: Ideal for those exploring AI music tools, offering unique features like vocal selection and reference audio input for detailed reviews. Mureka is designed for a wide range of creators, streamlining music production and enhancing creativity across genres. Free Trial and Access Mureka offers new users a free trial, allowing users to experience the platform's features before subscribing and fully explore the potential of the AI music generator. Simply register to start creating music right away. If the free trial doesn't meet your needs, you can subscribe to the Basic or Pro plans, with an average cost of less than 2 cents per song. How to Use Mureka to Generate Music Mureka provides a simple and intuitive process for new users to easily create high-quality AI music. Here's how to use Mureka's AI tools to create professional music: Mureka offers two versions: Basic and Advanced. The following steps describe the features and functionality of the Advanced version. Discover the incredible capabilities of this music maker by visiting Mureka's official website [ https://www.mureka.ai/create?utm_source=wemedia&utm_medium=wemedia&utm_campaign=other&utm_content=1 ]. Step 1: Create an Account First, register and log in to the Mureka platform. After signing up on the official website, users usually get free trial opportunities to experience the platform's features. Step 2: Input Lyrics and Generate Music Style Image: https://www.globalnewslines.com/uploads/2024/12/efda9302f07e2c852d811a609e517fcf.jpg Users can input lyrics or describe the theme of the song, and Mureka will generate a suitable music style based on this input. Step 3: Customize Your Track and Style Reference Image: https://www.globalnewslines.com/uploads/2024/12/f5b933f9dcd6ffe171a3a9d25259c4af.jpg If users have their own unique music style, Mureka's "Style Reference" feature allows them to generate music that perfectly matches their style and artistic vision. By analyzing the audio samples provided by the user, Mureka's AI identifies key elements such as genre, rhythm, instrumentation, and mood, then creates music that reflects the user's distinctive style. Step 4: Edit the Melody Image: https://www.globalnewslines.com/uploads/2024/12/7a3a85035dcef93be535cb14fbed18b3.jpg Users can input their inspiration and hummed melodies into Mureka, and the AI will analyze the melody and generate a complete song based on the user's input. Step 5: Choose a Vocal Style Image: https://www.globalnewslines.com/uploads/2024/12/d56f4534ccae8a8c1879d3d6527562a3.jpg Before generating a track, users simply select their desired vocal tone, which remains consistent throughout the song. Mureka offers a variety of vocal options, including male and female voices, as well as styles like pop, R&B, and rap. Users can preview and choose their preferred tone, and the AI seamlessly integrates it into the music. Step 6: Export the Track Once satisfied with the creation, users can export the track in various formats, ready to be published on any platform or used in other projects. By following these steps, Mureka enables creators to quickly and efficiently produce high-quality music, whether for commercial use, personal projects, or as a foundation for further production. Mureka's advanced AI music maker simplifies the process of creating professional music in minutes. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced producer, Mureka's platform makes music creation accessible, fast, and enjoyable. For more information about Mureka or to try it out, please visit Mureka's official website [ https://www.mureka.ai/create?utm_source=wemedia&utm_medium=wemedia&utm_campaign=other&utm_content=1 ]. Media Contact Company Name: Mureka Contact Person: Melody Evans Email: Send Email [ http://www.universalpressrelease.com/?pr=mureka-unveils-cuttingedge-features-revolutionizing-music-creation-with-ai-technology ] Country: Singapore Website: https://www.mureka.ai/ This release was published on openPR.Holly Valance’s property tycoon husband to become Reform UK’s treasurerWhere does the push to audit the Mass. Legislature stand right now?

Ohio State is getting close to full strength and is looking forward to a final non-conference foe before diving into its Big Ten schedule. The Buckeyes (8-4) host Indiana State (8-4) on Sunday afternoon in Columbus, Ohio, with another opportunity to get valuable minutes for center Aaron Bradshaw. Bradshaw, who transferred from Kentucky after his freshman year last season, missed seven games while Ohio State investigated an alleged domestic incident at his off-campus apartment. He made his first five shots and finished with 11 points in 18 minutes during the Buckeyes' 85-65 rout of then-No. 4 Kentucky on Dec. 21. "Aaron plays with an intensity and a passion that I thought we missed," Buckeyes coach Jake Diebler said Friday. "And certainly, his size (7-foot-1), rebounding ability, his ability to protect the rim, all of those things were certainly missed. "I'm not going to lie. I didn't anticipate he was going to go 5 for 6 but that spoke to his focus the last couple of weeks to get back out there." While Ohio State was battling the storied Kentucky program, Indiana State was posting a 101-53 win over the University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy. The Sycamores open Missouri Valley Conference play next week. To say it's a giant leap to play Ohio State for the first time in program history is an understatement. "I'm definitely excited. I know the team is super excited because we all think we can play at that level," Indiana State guard Jahni Summers said. "We all know we can play at that level. It will be a big game for us, a huge challenge for sure." The Sycamores are led by Samage Teel, who is averaging 17.5 points per game while shooting 58.2 percent from the field. He also leads the team with 4.3 assists per game. Indiana State has won five in a row and has scored at least 80 points in each of the past six games. Diebler said the Buckeyes need to move past the win over Kentucky. "We know what's coming up here, certainly starting off with a really good Indiana State team," he said. --Field Level MediaT.Johnson 10-30 0-2 21, Bratcher 5-15 0-0 10, Corrigan 0-1 0-0 0, Newman 5-15 9-12 19, Joppy 0-1 0-0 0, Crews 0-4 0-0 0. Totals 20-66 9-14 50. Davis 4-9 0-0 9, Henry 3-4 4-6 10, Atwell 6-14 4-4 21, Giles 4-10 0-0 12, Polite 4-7 2-2 12, Ahemed 3-5 0-0 7, Breath 3-6 2-5 8, Jones 0-0 0-0 0, Reath 5-6 0-0 10, Saizonou 2-7 2-2 7, Kauzonas 3-4 0-0 6, Webb 0-0 0-0 0, Bailey 1-2 0-0 3. Totals 38-74 14-19 105. Halftime_UNC-Greensboro 56-26. 3-Point Goals_Va.-Lynchburg 1-12 (T.Johnson 1-5, Corrigan 0-1, Crews 0-1, Joppy 0-1, Newman 0-1, Bratcher 0-3), UNC-Greensboro 15-38 (Atwell 5-10, Giles 4-9, Polite 2-5, Bailey 1-2, Ahemed 1-3, Davis 1-4, Saizonou 1-4, Reath 0-1). Rebounds_Va.-Lynchburg 24 (T.Johnson 10), UNC-Greensboro 52 (Davis, Henry, Reath 7). Assists_Va.-Lynchburg 4 (Bratcher 3), UNC-Greensboro 29 (Polite 7). Total Fouls_Va.-Lynchburg 15, UNC-Greensboro 11. A_462 (23,500).

In August, the agency barred two of about a dozen private sector online-enrollment platforms from connecting with healthcare.gov over concerns related to improper switching.

California vows to step in if Trump kills US EV tax credit

NFL NOTES

Robinson had three steals for the Bears (3-3). Tyler Johnson scored 18 points while shooting 7 for 13 (0 for 4 from 3-point range) and 4 of 5 from the free-throw line and added five rebounds. Alex Holt had 14 points and finished 7 of 10 from the floor. The Dolphins (3-3) were led by Robert McCray, who recorded 20 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals. Kendall Munson added 14 points, six rebounds and two steals for Jacksonville. Zach Bell also had 13 points and two steals. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

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Matt Gaetz says he won’t return to Congress next year after withdrawing name for attorney generalTRUMP GOLF: THE GAME ANNOUNCES EXCLUSIVE PRESALE FOR MOBILE GAME LAUNCH, WHERE PLAYERS EXPERIENCE THE AWARD-WINNING TRUMP GOLF PORTFOLIO THROUGH THEIR MOBILE DEVICESNew Perspective on Tesla Stock. Gaming and Future TechnologiesFans are calling Emma Roberts’ son her “mini me.” The actor’s son, Rhodes, celebrated his fourth birthday on Friday, Dec. 27. To mark the occasion, Roberts shared several photos of him on Instagram , starting with a sweet snap of her son smiling wide for the camera. In another pic, Rhodes lays down in his mom's lap while she took a selfie of the duo. In the last photo of the post, Rhodes stood on top of an arcade game with his mom by his side. “Happy Birthday angel boy,” Roberts wrote in the caption. “4!!” Some fans shared celebratory messages for Rhodes’ birthday while others made a point to call out the uncanny resemblance between the mother and son. “Tell me you’re Emma Roberts’ son without saying anything!” one commenter wrote. “He’s your double!” Another comment read, “I didn’t realize we were cloning people now lol. What a sweetie pie.” “He’s adorable and your mini me for sure!" one commenter pointed out. “I can see the Robert’s blood it runs strong!” an Instagram user added. “Mini you!” another comment read. “Happy birthday.” Rhodes also received a sweet birthday message from his great aunt, Julia Roberts, who wrote in the comments, “happy birthday Rhodeo.” Roberts shares Rhodes with her ex, Garrett Hedlund. The couple split in 2022, and the “American Horror Story” actor got engaged to Cody John in July 2024. Hedlund also shared a sweet Instagram post on Saturday that included several snaps of Rhodes to celebrate his birthday. “Happy 4th Birthday to my dearest Rhodes!” Hedlund wrote in the caption. “My ‘where the roses grow.’ My heart. Here’s to our new year of endless journeys!!!” In the past, Roberts has shied away from sharing her son’s face on social media, until a blunder with her mom, Kelly Cunningham. In February 2023, Cunningham posted a photo of Rhodes’ face without her daughter’s permission. Roberts opened up about how she is trying to raise her son to be a gentleman and practice good manners during an April appearance on TODAY with Hoda & Jenna. “I’m trying to reinforce the ‘thank you,’ but take away the ‘no,’” she shared. “To things that are simple, like dinnertime: (He says) ‘No, thank you,’ and I’m like, ‘Actually, you’re welcome.’ “I feel like the way to get kids to do stuff, you have to present it in a very grand way, so I’m like, ‘Your bath is ready, sir. Look at all these toys,’” she added. This story first appeared on TODAY.com . More from TODAY :

European countries suspend Syrian asylum decisions after Assad's fall

NonePesto Sauces Market to Grow by USD 936.2 Million (2024-2028), Driven by New Product Launches, AI Impacting Market Trends - Technavio( MENAFN - IANS) New Delhi: The call for 'Digital India' coming from Prime Minister Narendra Modi provides a timely push to business transactions by encouraging corporates to switch over to online work, use computerisation for speedy delivery and facilitate an outreach to customers that was not so easy to achieve earlier. An ultimate advance of Information technology symbolised by Artificial Intelligence (AI) is now sweeping the business world in a manner that makes it necessary to administer a word of caution to all concerned against presuming that AI is the quick-time panacea for all their problems -- big and small. The important point here is that India on its way to becoming the third largest economy in the world in the foreseeable future, is benefitting a great deal from the strategic initiative of speeding up with 'digitisation'. This policy flowed right from the top and gave this country a significant competitive advantage in today's globalised world enabling it to move ahead of others in the 'knowledge economy'. India is a leading power and a storehouse of talent so far as IT is concerned and it will not be presumptuous to conclude that it will guide the world in the area of AI applications, too. These applications will expedite growth, improve efficiency and also take care of the issues of security that 'digitisation' would create for all stakeholders. There cannot be a one-fit for all, however, and a progressive understanding of the specific needs of an organisation will go a long way in giving that particular business a competitive advantage. AI will never replace human jobs completely. It can free human hands of routine tasks that do not bank on creativity, strategic thinking and leadership qualities. A company that makes its employees do their jobs better or 'more swiftly' than earlier, is adding to their 'efficiency' by improving the output per unit of 'time' -- time being a recognised 'resource' now. This does not necessarily entail laying down any part of the workforce -- the new requirement is to make the existing manpower more productive. This is not all that easy to achieve since it calls for deep planning for 'customising' the AI applications to the employee's tasks and duties. AI is adopted for creating business value and this has to be done in an innovative and ethical way to win customer's confidence. Human intelligence and imagination are needed while planning for an AI application -- it can be said, therefore, that AI is a 'product' not a 'substitute' of the human mind. AI aims at enhancing operational efficiency and has to be built into the concerned 'processes'. Its validation takes time and cannot be fixed in a moment. AI applications also get linked to a possible organisational resetting, training regimen and investment of time because they worked for long-term advantage -- often altering the decision-making protocols. It is advisable to start with AI applications for small management projects and make them a part of the evolution of the larger organisational growth. It has to be understood that AI lays the path of steady progress and cannot be 'ordered' to produce instant results except in the area of 'data analytics' where algorithms can be devised to read the 'patterns' for further deductions and 'machine learning' introduced to help a certain degree of 'automation'. AI is important but there is something unnatural about the way every business is feeling pressurised to embrace it like a blind spot for success in terms of achieving an immediate enhancement of 'productivity' and 'return on investment'. When the Information Technology revolution appeared on the scene in 1991, the world transitioned from the Industrial Age to the Information Age and a new level of globalisation set in because of instant communications that could be made across geographical frontiers and the advent of a level of competitiveness that had not been encountered earlier. Businesses got new opportunities for reaching out to customers and prospects of diversification, mergers and acquisitions multiplied. With the advent of AI, it became possible to analyse a large amount of data that was humanly impossible to examine earlier. Also, 'machine learning' could be used for improving 'processes' and making transactions cost-effective in terms of time utilisation, which would boost 'productivity' and consequently enhance 'profitability'. There is literally a transformation of the Age of Information into the Age of Intelligence because AI does add to the ability of business houses to have a peep into the future and read the 'risks and opportunities' ahead of others. Analysis of what is available in the public domain always helped to produce 'intelligence' that could provide this insight. Analysis is the instrument that allowed for the advantage of human imagination and far-sight to be built into AI applications. Digitisation in general and AI in particular has produced a new socio-economic atmosphere that gave intensive for launching start-ups and innovating 'products' and 'services'. On the other hand, in the strategic sphere, it has allowed 'proxy wars' to replace open military attacks -- social media emerging as a particularly powerful instrument of combat. Misinformation, 'deepfakes' and indoctrination are used for narrative building against a regime. They were affecting people's lives by exposing them to newer kinds of cyber fraud and also creating a new risk profile for businesses. Just as Information Technology fundamentally altered the lifestyle of people, AI is likely to impact the cultural outlook of society -- creating new normals for businesses, inter-personal interactions and even social values to an extent. The Information Age had mandated that being well-informed is the key to success in any field and Artificial Intelligence has further added to the importance of being aware of what was happening within the society and also in the world outside. Business-customer relations, people's approach to the ruling elite and life in the universities are all impacted by AI offerings. 'Writing assistants' are helping the 'cost-effective' management of organisations. What has gained in importance is the discipline of accepting and acting only on reliable information. One should not run into the erroneous belief that whatever appears on the internet is trustworthy. There are both promises and perils associated with AI and this is a sobering thought for all well-informed people. It is interesting to recall that the awardees of the Nobel Prize in Physics this year are two pioneers of Information Technology -- John Hopfield of Princeton University and Geoffrey Hinton of the University of Toronto. Hinton warned that AI -- which he compared with 'another Industrial Revolution' -- could produce unforeseen consequences creating a situation where 'things could get out of control'. Hopfield was even more forthright in declaring at a university Conclave that 'AI could create an apocalypse'. Hinton praised GPT4 -- an AI offering -- saying that 'if I want to know the answer to anything I would just ask it' but added with a twist that 'I do not totally trust it because it can hallucinate'. AI is subject to the fundamental principle of 'garbage in garbage out' that did not apply to human intelligence because the latter could invoke 'logic', 'power of recall' and 'imagination' which were not available to the former while absorbing information. AI applications are situation-specific, anchored on processes and meant to produce a long-term gain for the organisation. They are used after deep consideration and planning and have a strategic perspective -- there is nothing tactical about them. In the times ahead successful CEOs would be leaders that were well-versed in AI and the personnel working for them would be individuals who had been up-skilled about AI applications -- even though they might not be 'technologists' themselves. The new-age businesses would be different from the traditional-looking ones in as much as they would be far more competent and aggressive about exploring the 'opportunities' and averting the 'risks'. 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Throughout the last three months, 9 analysts have evaluated Bread Finl Hldgs BFH , offering a diverse set of opinions from bullish to bearish. The table below offers a condensed view of their recent ratings, showcasing the changing sentiments over the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months. Bullish Somewhat Bullish Indifferent Somewhat Bearish Bearish Total Ratings 2 1 3 2 1 Last 30D 0 1 0 0 0 1M Ago 0 0 0 0 1 2M Ago 1 0 2 1 0 3M Ago 1 0 1 1 0 Analysts have set 12-month price targets for Bread Finl Hldgs, revealing an average target of $53.78, a high estimate of $88.00, and a low estimate of $34.00. This upward trend is evident, with the current average reflecting a 3.2% increase from the previous average price target of $52.11. Diving into Analyst Ratings: An In-Depth Exploration A clear picture of Bread Finl Hldgs's perception among financial experts is painted with a thorough analysis of recent analyst actions. The summary below outlines key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets. Analyst Analyst Firm Action Taken Rating Current Price Target Prior Price Target Sanjay Sakhrani Keefe, Bruyette & Woods Raises Outperform $88.00 $67.00 Ryan Nash Goldman Sachs Raises Sell $58.00 $52.00 John Pancari Evercore ISI Group Raises In-Line $54.00 $52.00 Bill Ryan Seaport Global Lowers Buy $56.00 $58.00 Moshe Orenbuch TD Cowen Raises Hold $50.00 $48.00 Terry Ma Barclays Lowers Underweight $34.00 $35.00 Terry Ma Barclays Lowers Underweight $35.00 $37.00 John Pancari Evercore ISI Group Lowers In-Line $52.00 $59.00 Mihir Bhatia B of A Securities Lowers Buy $57.00 $61.00 Key Insights: Action Taken: Analysts frequently update their recommendations based on evolving market conditions and company performance. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their reaction to recent developments related to Bread Finl Hldgs. This information provides a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company. Rating: Analysts unravel qualitative evaluations for stocks, ranging from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings offer insights into expectations for the relative performance of Bread Finl Hldgs compared to the broader market. Price Targets: Understanding forecasts, analysts offer estimates for Bread Finl Hldgs's future value. Examining the current and prior targets provides insight into analysts' changing expectations. Considering these analyst evaluations in conjunction with other financial indicators can offer a comprehensive understanding of Bread Finl Hldgs's market position. Stay informed and make well-informed decisions with our Ratings Table. Stay up to date on Bread Finl Hldgs analyst ratings. Unveiling the Story Behind Bread Finl Hldgs Formed by a combination of JCPenney's credit card processing unit and The Limited's credit card bank business, Bread Financial is a provider of private label and co-branded credit cards, loyalty programs, and marketing services. The company's most financially significant unit is its credit card business that partners with retailers to jointly market Bread's credit cards to their customers. The company also retains minority interest in its recently spun-off LoyaltyOne division, which operates the largest airline miles loyalty program in Canada and offers marketing services to grocery chains in Europe and Asia. Financial Milestones: Bread Finl Hldgs's Journey Market Capitalization Analysis: Positioned below industry benchmarks, the company's market capitalization faces constraints in size. This could be influenced by factors such as growth expectations or operational capacity. Negative Revenue Trend: Examining Bread Finl Hldgs's financials over 3 months reveals challenges. As of 30 September, 2024, the company experienced a decline of approximately -4.66% in revenue growth, reflecting a decrease in top-line earnings. When compared to others in the Financials sector, the company faces challenges, achieving a growth rate lower than the average among peers. Net Margin: Bread Finl Hldgs's net margin is below industry standards, pointing towards difficulties in achieving strong profitability. With a net margin of 0.2%, the company may encounter challenges in effective cost control. Return on Equity (ROE): Bread Finl Hldgs's ROE is below industry standards, pointing towards difficulties in efficiently utilizing equity capital. With an ROE of 0.06%, the company may encounter challenges in delivering satisfactory returns for shareholders. Return on Assets (ROA): Bread Finl Hldgs's ROA is below industry standards, pointing towards difficulties in efficiently utilizing assets. With an ROA of 0.01%, the company may encounter challenges in delivering satisfactory returns from its assets. Debt Management: Bread Finl Hldgs's debt-to-equity ratio is below the industry average. With a ratio of 1.47 , the company relies less on debt financing, maintaining a healthier balance between debt and equity, which can be viewed positively by investors. Analyst Ratings: Simplified Within the domain of banking and financial systems, analysts specialize in reporting for specific stocks or defined sectors. Their work involves attending company conference calls and meetings, researching company financial statements, and communicating with insiders to publish "analyst ratings" for stocks. Analysts typically assess and rate each stock once per quarter. Beyond their standard evaluations, some analysts contribute predictions for metrics like growth estimates, earnings, and revenue, furnishing investors with additional guidance. Users of analyst ratings should be mindful that this specialized advice is shaped by human perspectives and may be subject to variability. Breaking: Wall Street's Next Big Mover Benzinga's #1 analyst just identified a stock poised for explosive growth. This under-the-radar company could surge 200%+ as major market shifts unfold. Click here for urgent details . This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Companies that self-regulate to curb harmful practices increase profits, finds study