Latest news with #Internet-based
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Buy 5 Internet-Centric AI Stocks on the Dip to Boost Portfolio Returns
The artificial intelligence (AI)-driven astonishing bull run of 2023 and 2024 has suffered major hurdles in 2025. The highly overstretched valuation of U.S. stocks, stocks inflation, several weak economic data, geopolitical conflicts and severe concerns related to the Trump administration's tariff and trade policies significantly dented market participants confidence in risky assets like equities. The technology sector has suffered the most since these stocks, especially the AI-focused ones, have skyrocketed in the last two years. Meanwhile, the current low valuation of these stocks provides a good opportunity for investors. Here we recommend five Internet-based AI stocks with a favorable Zacks Rank to buy on the dip. These stocks are: Arista Networks Inc. ANET, Fastly Inc. FSLY, Five9 Inc. FIVN, HubSpot Inc. HUBS and Twilio Inc. TWLO. Each of our picks carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. The chart below shows the price performance of our five picks year to date. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Arista Networks is well-positioned with the right network architecture for client-to-campus data center cloud and AI networking backed by three guiding principles. These include the best-in-class, highly proactive products with resilience, zero-touch automation and telemetry with predictive client-to-cloud one-click operations with granular visibility and prescriptive insights for deeper AI algorithms. ANET's EOS Smart AI Suite and Arista AVA (Autonomous Virtual Assist) enhance AI job monitoring, deep-dive analytics, and proactive performance issue resolution. Its AI suite also focuses on network security and optimization. ANET's AI-powered cloud networking solutions provide predictable performance and programmability, enabling seamless integration with third-party applications for network management, automation and orchestration. Arista AVA offers augmentation of pervasive visibility, continuous threat detection, and enforcement. The growing demand for 200- and 400-gig high-performance switching products augurs well for ANET's long-term growth. Arista Networks has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 18.7% and 12.8%, respectively, for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 4% in the last 30 days. ANET is currently trading at a discount of 31.6% from its 52-week high price. Fastly provides infrastructure software offering cloud computing, image optimization, security, edge computer technology and streaming solutions. On Dec.16, 2024, FSLY unveiled Fastly AI Accelerator, a semantic caching solution that allows developers to optimize their LLM (large language model) generative AI applications. FSLY operates an edge cloud platform for processing, serving, and securing its customer's applications in the United States, the Asia Pacific, Europe, and internationally. FSLY's Edge Cloud Platform offers more efficient performance as developers need only a single line of code instead of repeated calls to the AI provider to update their application to a new API endpoint. Fastly has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 8.7% and 16.7%, respectively, for 2025. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 earnings has improved 9.1% over the last 30 days. FSLY is currently trading at a discount of 40.5% from its 52-week high price. Five9 provides intelligent cloud software for contact centers in the United States, India, and internationally. FIVN offers a virtual contact center cloud platform that delivers a suite of applications, enabling a broad range of contact center-related customer service, sales, and marketing functions. FIVN's platform comprises interactive virtual agents, agent assistance, workflow automation, workforce engagement management, AI insights, and AI summaries. It allows management and optimization of customer interactions across voice, chat, email, web, social media, and mobile channels directly or through its application programming interfaces. FIVN has been benefiting from the growing adoption of AI tools in its call center services, with personalized AI agents emerging as a major growth driver. On Feb. 19, Five9 introduced its Intelligent CX Platform powered by Five9 Genius AI on the Google Cloud space. FIVN also released new Five9 AI agents tailor-made for Google Cloud. Five9 has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 9.6% and 11.7%, respectively, for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 6.6% over the last 30 days. FIVN is currently trading at a discount of 47.6% from its 52-week high price. HubSpot provides a cloud-based customer relationship management platform for businesses in the Americas, Europe, and the Asia Pacific. HUBS is witnessing steady multi-hub adoption from enterprise customers in the premium market. Pricing optimization in HUBS' starter edition is leading to solid client additions in the lower end of the market. The integration of HubSpot AI, which includes state-of-the-art features, such as AI assistance, AI agents, AI insights and ChatSpot, is driving more value to customers. HUBS' seat pricing model lowers the barrier for customers to get started with its business and mitigates pricing friction for upgrades. The growing adoption of inbound applications is a tailwind. HubSpot has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 15.4% and 14.9%, respectively, for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 2.1% in the last 30 days. HUBS is currently trading at a discount of 30.2% from its 52-week high price. Twilio is a leading provider of cloud communications Platform-as-a-Service (PAAS) in the United States and internationally. TWLO is focusing on generative AI offerings to tap the growing opportunities in this space. In this regard, TWLO launched Customer AI technology in June 2023, which powerfully combines customer engagement platform data, generative and predictive AI, and LLMs to unlock stronger customer relationships for brands. TWLO is integrating generative AI capabilities across its platform and every customer touch point. The company believes that by training LLMs for customers with their data inside its Segment customer data platform, Twilio will be able to help customers enter the AI race multiple steps ahead of their peers. TWLO has also partnered with Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL) for Google Cloud to integrate generative AI into the Twilio Flex customer engagement platform. Twilio's initiative to integrate generative and predictive AI technology across its platform is likely to boost its revenue growth over the long-run. Twilio enables companies to create personalized, customer-aware experiences powered by OpenAI. Through this integration, Twilio customers will be able to use OpenAI's GPT-4 model to power new generative capabilities in Twilio Engage, its multichannel marketing solution built on the Segment Customer Data Platform. Twilio has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 7.8% and 22.6%, respectively, for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 7.1% in the last 30 days. TWLO is currently trading at a discount of 25.3% from its 52-week high price. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Arista Networks, Inc. (ANET) : Free Stock Analysis Report HubSpot, Inc. (HUBS) : Free Stock Analysis Report Five9, Inc. (FIVN) : Free Stock Analysis Report Twilio Inc. (TWLO) : Free Stock Analysis Report Fastly, Inc. (FSLY) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Sign in to access your portfolio
Observer
24-05-2025
- Observer
Can ChatGPT save your marriage?
Those who support the use of artificial intelligence as a marital counsellor believe that it offers a neutral, judgement-free space for couples to discuss their concerns and seek advice. My friend, who has been married for over twenty years, was recently going through serious marital difficulties that made him consider divorcing his wife. However, when he attended marital therapy, he was not impressed by the advice given by the counsellors. He then decided to explore ChatGPT for free advice. He informed ChatGPT about all the points that were bothering him about his wife's attitude towards him and asked for an opinion. In a few seconds, the application produced a detailed analysis of the wife's behaviours followed by a few suggestions on how to address them. My friend was so impressed with this outcome that he decided to appoint ChatGPT as his marital therapist. All over the world, people of different age groups are using ChatGPT and other AI applications regularly, with some using it for marriage counselling. But can artificial intelligence truly help couples navigate the complexities of a relationship? Those who support the use of artificial intelligence as a marital counsellor believe that it offers a neutral, judgement-free space for couples to discuss their concerns and seek advice. It's free and available 24/7, making it convenient for those who might not have access or cannot afford to pay a human therapist. Moreover, AI can provide communication exercises, conflict resolution strategies, and even suggest ways to improve emotional intimacy that can help couples overcome their difficulties. Sometimes, couples feel uncomfortable discussing personal issues with a human, so an AI application can feel like a safe alternative. On the other hand, those of us who are against the use of AI as a marital counsellor believe that it lacks the genuine empathy and emotional intelligence that a human therapist can provide. Human relationships are complex, and one would need to observe a person's body language, tone of voice, and cultural context to provide therapy, while an AI programme might miss all of these. Additionally, the lack of professional credentials and the inability to handle deep-rooted issues or crises mean that AI should not replace a trained professional. Another important fact is that marital norms, communication styles, and conflict resolution strategies vary widely across cultures, while AI programmes collect information from a vast pool of Internet-based databases that may not fully capture or respect these cultural norms. What works as advice in one cultural context might be inappropriate or ineffective in another. When one relies on generalised data generated by AI, the advice provided is unlikely to align with a couple's specific cultural or social context. Also, having access to advice 24/7 is likely to make people dependent on AI to solve their problems instead of working on them. In my opinion, while ChatGPT can offer supplemental support and practical tips, it is not yet equipped to provide marital therapy. The best approach likely involves a combination of human expertise and technological tools that are tailored to the specific needs of each couple, with careful consideration of cultural and social differences. BLURB While ChatGPT can offer supplemental support and practical tips, it is not yet equipped to provide marital therapy
Business Wire
01-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Stamps.com Launches $25,000 Grant to Support Small Businesses
AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- ®, a leading provider of office mailing and shipping solutions, is proud to announce the launch of its $25,000 'Small Business Flexibility Grant.' The call for applications is open through the end of May, in celebration of Small Business Month. Our goal with this grant is to help relieve some of the pressure small businesses face and provide resources to support their operations. Share The grant seeks to empower service-based small businesses in the U.S. to tackle their operational challenges. Some of these challenges are often related to manual processes that can be easily automated, such as mailing and shipping. In the spirit of flexibility, there are no restrictions on how the winning business can use the grant funds. Applications will be accepted beginning May 1, 2025, and will remain open until May 31, 2025. A winner will be chosen and contacted in June. Eligible applicants must be U.S. service-based small businesses, with at least three employees, that have been operating for at least two years. Applicants will have to answer questions related to their business operations and how they would plan to use the grant money to address flexibility challenges. 'Small businesses are at the heart of our economy, and we understand how crucial flexibility is to their success. Flexibility can mean the ability to work on their own schedule, 24/7 access to carrier services, or the ability to mail and ship items any way they need to,' said Nick Spitzman, General Manager of 'Our goal with this grant is to help relieve some of the pressure small businesses face and provide resources to support their operations.' Since launching in the United States in 1996, has remained dedicated to delivering on the flexibility, efficiency, and simplicity businesses need. has served over a million business customers, from law firms sending court orders to accountants filing taxes. Hundreds of millions of stamps and shipping labels are printed annually through 'We help businesses save time and money, automate manual tasks, and find a simpler way to mail and ship,' said Spitzman. 'We're proud to offer this additional form of support to help businesses stay resilient and focused on the future.' To learn more about the Small Business Flexibility Grant or to submit an application, visit: About is a leading provider of Internet-based postage and shipping software. online postage and label service enables businesses and individuals to print discounted postage and shipping labels, right from their computer or mobile device. is a member of the Auctane family of companies and is headquartered in Austin, TX.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Crypto Advocate Kristin Smith to Exit Blockchain Association for New Solana Group
Kristin Smith, the longtime chief executive of the Blockchain Association, a leading lobbying group for crypto policy in Washington, is leaving next month to take a role as president of the new Solana Policy Institute, according to a Tuesday announcement. "I am incredibly proud of what we've accomplished together and confident that the organization's future is bright," Smith said in a statement. Earlier this week, Miller Whitehouse-Levine founded the organization and announced his position as CEO shortly after stepping down from the Defi Education Fund. Though the group hasn't yet clarified its source of funding, its website said it will focus its message on "how decentralized networks like Solana are the future of the digital economy." Smith has led the Blockchain Association for almost seven years — a dramatic period for the developing industry. Since late last year, the political grounds have solidified under the sector's feet as it finds allies running all levels of the U.S. government, where crypto advocates have long been trying to get a comprehensive set of regulations. The Blockchain Association has been a central player in the industry's lobbying. The organization said its board is now conducting a search to replace Smith. Whitehouse-Levin once worked in that organization's policy operations. "Innovators deserve to have the clarity they need to build a frictionless, Internet-based global economy — a future we believe is achievable with the right laws, rules and frameworks," he said in a statement during this week's launch of the Solana group. UPDATE (April 1, 2025, 19:09 UTC): Adds comment from Kristin Smith.
CBS News
27-03-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Mike Waltz's Venmo account showed his contacts — even after bombshell report on secret Signal chat
Washington — Soon after the revelation that the editor in chief of The Atlantic had inadvertently been added to a Signal chat with top Trump administration officials about Yemen attack plans, some of those officials began changing or deleting their Venmo accounts. At least one account remained public for a day after the Atlantic report. Venmo, an Internet-based mobile payment service owned by PayPal that allows users to send and receive money quickly, also allows the public to view users' contacts if they do not change their privacy settings. National security experts contend the public information could be exploited by foreign intelligence services or other nefarious actors. According to screenshots obtained by CBS News, White House national security adviser Michael Waltz's friends list on Venmo was open to the public to view as late as Tuesday — a day after the Atlantic report about the Signal chat was published. On Wednesday, his account settings were changed to make his contacts private. Waltz's contacts on Venmo included journalists, government officials, active and retired service members and members of congress. There was evidence Waltz had sent or received payments on the platform. Susie Wiles, President Trump's chief of staff, was listed on Waltz's Venmo friends list, but her account is now no longer searchable. On Wednesday, Wired magazine reported on Waltz' and Wiles' Venmo accounts and said their respective accounts were made private after the publication contacted the White House. "Venmo is a commonly used app, and Mike Waltz has made necessary updates for his personal privacy protection," said NSC spokesman James Hewitt, after being contacted by CBS News Wednesday. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has faced a barrage of criticism this week for sharing details on the Signal chat about the March 15 on Iranian-backed Houthis, had an account in early March, but it has since been deactivated, CBS News has learned. In February, reporters with The American Prospect, a progressive political and public policy magazine, found that Hegseth's Venmo was previously left open for the public to view contacts he had in his cellphone who also had Venmo accounts. Among the contacts were defense contractors, UnitedHealth executives, fellow veterans and colleagues at Fox News. The Pentagon has not responded to CBS News' request for comment. Joe Kent , who is Mr. Trump's nominee to run the National Counterterrorism Center, was on the Signal chat as a point of contact for Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and his Venmo account was open for the public to view as of Thursday morning. The office of the director of national intelligence has not replied to a request for comment. Der Spiegel reported Wednesday that private contact details for Waltz, Gabbard and Hegseth had been leaked online. Reporters from the German news publication were able to find mobile phone numbers, email addresses and even some passwords belonging to the senior Trump officials with most of the numbers and email addresses still in use. On Wednesday, Gabbard and CIA Director John Ratcliffe defended their participation in the group chat in testimony before the House Intelligence Committee at a hearing focused on the global security threats facing the United States. Gabbard acknowledged the conversation was "sensitive" but denied that classified information was shared in the chat. "There were no sources, methods, locations or war plans that were shared," she told lawmakers. On Tuesday, Gabbard and Ratcliffe both said they were not aware of any information that was shared in the chat regarding weapons packages, targets or timing. The Atlantic on Wednesday released more of the texts on those topics after officials on the chat stated repeatedly that nothing disclosed in the Signal group was classified. The messages showed Hegseth provided detailed information to the group of senior Trump officials about the strikes targeting Houthi rebels earlier this month, including a timeline of when fighter jets would take off and what kind of weapons would be used. Multiple U.S. intelligence officials and members of the U.S. military who have spoken to CBS News this week have all contended that this type of information is always classified, but even if the information was somehow unclassified, it would still be a violation of cybersecurity and operational security protocols. CBS News on Tuesday published unclassified internal documents from a National Security Agency bulletin warning of vulnerabilities in using the Signal app, even though it is encrypted. The NSA bulletin was widely distributed to NSA employees a month before the Signal chatroom was created by Waltz. The bulletin also underscored to NSA employees that third-party messaging applications such as Signal and Whatsapp are permitted for certain "unclassified accountability/recall exercises" but not for communicating more sensitive information. NSA employees were also warned to not send "anything compromising over any social media or Internet-based tool or application," and to not to "establish connections with people you do not know." Fin Daniel Gómez and Caitlin Yilek contributed to this report.
