Latest news with #XAI
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
XAI Madison Equity Premium Income Fund Will Host its Q2 2025 Quarterly Webinar on August 7, 2025
CHICAGO, July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- XAI Madison Equity Premium Income Fund (NYSE: MCN) (the 'Fund') today announced that it plans to host the Fund's Quarterly Webinar on August 7, 2025 at 11:00 am (Eastern Time). Jared Hagen, Vice President at XA Investments ('XAI') will moderate the Q&A style webinar with Kimberly Flynn, President at XAI, and Ray Di Bernardo, Portfolio Manager at Madison Investments. TO JOIN VIA WEB: Please go to the Knowledge Bank section of or click here to find the online registration link. TO USE YOUR TELEPHONE: After joining via web, if you prefer to use your phone for audio, you must select that option and call in using a number below, based on your current location. Dial: (312)-626-6799 or (646)-558-8656 or (267)-831-0333 or (720)-928-9299 or (213)-338-8477Webinar ID: 818 2684 2773 REPLAY: A replay of the webinar will be available in the Knowledge Bank section of The Fund's primary investment objective is to provide a high level of current income and gains, with a secondary objective of capital appreciation. The Fund pursues its investment objectives by investing in a portfolio consisting primarily of high quality, large and mid-capitalization stocks that are, in the view of the Fund's Investment sub-adviser, selling at a reasonable price in relation to their long-term earnings growth rates. The Fund will, on an ongoing and consistent basis, sell covered call options on its portfolio stocks to seek to generate current earnings from option premiums. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objectives. The Fund's common shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol MCN. About XA Investments XA Investments LLC ('XAI') is a Chicago-based firm founded by XMS Capital Partners in 2016. XAI serves as the investment adviser for two listed closed-end funds and an interval closed-end fund, respectively the XAI Octagon Floating Rate & Alternative Income Trust, the XAI Madison Equity Premium Income Fund, and the Octagon XAI CLO Income Fund. In addition to investment advisory services, the firm also provides investment fund structuring and consulting services focused on registered closed-end funds to meet institutional client needs. XAI offers custom product build and consulting services, including product development and market research, marketing and fund management. XAI believes that the investing public can benefit from new vehicles to access a broad range of alternative investment strategies and managers. For more information, please visit About XMS Capital Partners XMS Capital Partners, LLC, established in 2006, is a global, independent, financial services firm providing M&A, corporate advisory and asset management services to clients. It has offices in Chicago, Boston and London. For more information, please visit About Madison Investments Madison Investments (Madison) is an independent investment management firm based in Madison, Wisconsin. The firm was founded in 1974, has approximately $28 billion in assets under management as of March 31, 2025, and is recognized as one of the nation's top investment firms. The firm has managed covered call strategies for over 20 years through various market cycles. Madison offers domestic fixed income, U.S. and international equity, covered call, multi-asset, insurance, and credit union investment management strategies. For more information, please visit XAI does not provide tax advice; please consult a professional tax advisor regarding your specific tax situation. Income may be subject to state and local taxes, as well as the federal alternative minimum tax. Investors should consider the investment objectives and policies, risk considerations, charges and expenses of the Trust carefully before investing. For more information on the Trust, please visit the Trust's webpage at This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the laws of such state or jurisdiction. NOT FDIC INSURED NO BANK GUARANTEE MAY LOSE VALUE Paralel Distributors, LLC - Distributor Media Contact: Kimberly Flynn, President XA Investments LLCPhone: 312-374-6931Email: kflynn@
Business Wire
15-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
IDC Spotlights SUPERWISE® in New Report: Only 7.9% of Enterprises Are Ready to Operate AI at Scale
NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--IDC has released a new Spotlight report, 'Governing and Operating AI at Scale,' sponsored by SUPERWISE, highlighting the growing urgency for enterprises to establish strong governance foundations as agentic AI rapidly expands across business-critical operations. 'Enterprises don't just need better models—they need systems that can be governed,' said Russ Blattner, CEO of Superwise. 'This IDC report validates what we're hearing from the field: AI governance isn't a checkbox—it's a control center for the future.' Written by IDC Research Director Shannon Kalvar, the report explores how enterprises are transitioning from traditional AI models to probabilistic, autonomous agentic AI—systems that perceive, reason, and act in pursuit of objectives. According to IDC's research, while 68% of companies are investing in agentic AI, only 7.9% are mature enough to operate and govern these systems at scale. 'Agentic AI marks the most profound computing shift since mainframes,' says Kalvar. 'Enterprises that fail to govern it risk operational failures, compliance gaps, and eroding customer trust.' Key Challenges Identified: Rising brand and regulatory risks from hallucinations and toxicity Difficulty managing hybrid work and aspatial, asynchronous AI operations Immature governance strategies in a fast-moving agentic landscape The report calls for a unified approach to AI governance and observability, especially as AI agents increasingly replace deterministic workflows with adaptive, semiautonomous systems. Why Download the Report: Understand why AI governance is now existential—not just strategic Learn how leading companies are establishing agent guardrails and oversight See how Superwise's unified platform addresses compliance, agent lifecycle, and observability Get actionable insights from IDC's maturity benchmarks and field data 'Enterprises don't just need better models—they need systems that can be governed,' said Russ Blattner, CEO of SUPERWISE 'This IDC report validates what we're hearing from the field: AI governance isn't a checkbox—it's a control center for the future.' About SUPERWISE SUPERWISE is the Enterprise AI Governance and Operations Platform purpose-built for real-world AI. With a platform-first approach, it unifies artificial intelligence operations and governance, risk, and compliance into a single, scalable foundation, enabling complex industries to deploy, run, monitor, and manage AI with confidence and proper oversight. Recognized by Gartner as a Cool Vendor in Enterprise AI Governance and a pioneer in MLOps, SUPERWISE® delivers built-in guardrails, observability, explainability, and compliance, positioning AI as a trusted foundation for successful business transformation. For more information about SUPERWISE and its XAI capabilities, Download the Full IDC Spotlight Report.
New York Post
14-07-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Elon Musk's xAI apologizes for Grok chatbot's ‘horrific' pro-Hitler behavior — while reportedly eying $200B valuation
Elon Musk's xAI apologized for the 'horrific' antisemitic comments made by its Grok chatbot — including referring to itself as 'MechaHitler' — as the startup reportedly launched a new fundraising round at a $200 billion valuation. Grok began spewing pro-Nazi garbage on July 8 after Musk's startup pushed an update designed to make the chatbot less politically correct – at one point declaring, 'If calling out radicals cheering dead kids makes me 'literally Hitler,' then pass the mustache.' 'First off, we deeply apologize for the horrific behavior that many experienced,' xAI said in a message to X users on Saturday. Advertisement 3 Elon Musk said Grok was 'too compliant with user prompts.' Getty Images The company added that the update that caused Grok's behavior was 'independent of the underlying language model that powers' the chatbot. 'The update was active for 16 hrs, in which deprecated code made @grok susceptible to existing X user posts; including when such posts contained extremist views,' the company added. 'We have removed that deprecated code and refactored the entire system to prevent further abuse.' XAI also shared the faulty system prompt that led to Grok's antisemitic meltdown. The startup's engineers instructed Grok to behave as though 'you tell like it is and you are not afraid to offend people who are politically correct.' Advertisement Musk, who has presented Grok as less biased than rival chatbots like OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google Gemini, previously said xAI's creation was 'was too compliant to user prompts' and 'too eager to please and be manipulated, essentially.' While Grok has since been fixed, the mistake could further upset major advertisers who left X in droves as Musk eased content moderation on the platform formerly known as Twitter. Musk merged xAI with X earlier this year. 3 xAI apologized for Grok's behavior. REUTERS Advertisement Linda Yaccarino stepped down last week as X's CEO within hours of the July 8 incident – though a source told The Post that the decision had been in the works for more than a week and was not related to the chatbot's behavior. Despite the internal turmoil at xAI, Musk's firm is looking to raise money at a valuation as high as $200 billion, the Financial Times reported, citing people close to the situation. 3 xAI is reportedly looking to secure a $200 billion valuation. That would be 10 times what xAI was valued earlier this year. The startup is locked in intense competition with ChatGPT and various other AI rivals. Advertisement Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, PIF, is expected to be involved in the new round, according to the FT. Elsewhere, Musk said Monday that he does not support a merger between xAI and his other company, electric car maker Tesla.
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Elon Musk's xAI pressed employees to install surveillance software on personal laptops
XAI is rolling out employee surveillance software for the workers that train Grok. Some workers expressed concern after they were told to download it on their personal laptop. XAI adjusted its policy after an inquiry from Business Insider, allowing delays for those awaiting company devices. Elon Musk's xAI told workers to download employee tracking software on their personal computers, prompting privacy concerns — and one worker's apparent resignation. The AI startup told the tutors who train its Grok chatbot earlier this month that they would be expected to download a workforce management system called Hubstaff, according to a document viewed by Business Insider. The tutors were initially asked to download the software onto their personal computers by July 11 if they did not have a company-issued device, according to the document and sources with knowledge of the issue that asked to speak anonymously as they were not authorized to speak on the company's behalf. They were told to enable access to screen captures, and were also told that using the software was mandatory. After Business Insider reached out to xAI with questions about Hubstaff, xAI announced tweaks to the policy on Slack: Now, workers who requested company computers could wait to download the software until they receive a company-issued laptop. It's unclear if employees who downloaded the software ahead of the July 11 deadline or purchased a new device would also be allowed to wait for an xAI computer to be shipped to them. The company has said it will only use the system to monitor URL and application visits during designated work hours, according to the document. According to its website, Hubstaff can also track mouse movement and keystrokes. "This new tool serves to streamline work processes, provide clearer insights into daily tutoring activities, and ensure resources align with Human Data priorities," the company's human resources team said in a mass email to employees. Hubstaff would be used to gauge employee performance and gather data on how tutors perform research, according to the document. A spokesperson for xAI did not respond to a request for comment. Some workers spoke up with privacy concerns about the software, according to Slack messages viewed by Business Insider. One worker said they would resign due to the Hubstaff roll-out, according to a Slack message that received dozens of reactions appearing to support the post. In the message, the worker wrote that it was "surveillance disguised as productivity" and "manipulation masked as culture." Staff with concerns about data privacy on their personal computers had been told to either purchase a new computer using xAI's $50 per month tech stipend or create a separate log-in and profile on their device that would keep their work separate from any browsing in their personal time, according to the document. The software, which requires workers to clock in and out, would not track activity on the laptop outside of work hours, the document said. The company supplies some workers with company-issued Chromebooks, but many workers use their personal devices for the role, BI previously reported. In the lead up to the roll-out, tutors were initially told that the company had run out of Chromebooks, and it was unclear when they would be restocked, people familiar with the guidance told BI. Other AI companies have used Hubstaff. In an ongoing worker lawsuit filed against Scale AI that alleged the company misclassified workers, a former employee said the company used Hubstaff to monitor data annotators and that they were required to download it onto their personal computers. A spokesperson for Scale AI said that the company uses Hubstaff "to help contributors track the time they choose to spend on tasks, supporting accurate payment submissions." David Lowe, an employment attorney who has brought cases against Musk-owned companies Tesla and X, told Business Insider that while worker surveillance tactics can pose some legal risks for the company, the nature of the risk often comes down to the company's reasoning for additional security practices, the amount of notice, and opportunities for reimbursement toward a separate device. "It's a balancing test," Lowe said. XAI could make a case that it has "an interest in trade secrets and ensuring employees are not violating privacy obligations," Lowe said. "The next step is to determine if there is a less intrusive way to accomplish that objective." California, where xAI is headquartered, has some of the most stringent worker-protection laws, but many of the company's tutors are remote and would be governed by their region's labor laws, Camron Dowlatshahi, a Partner at MSD Lawyers in Los Angeles, told BI. He said it's best for the company to ensure the surveillance system is confined to work hours. In addition to Hubstaff, xAI also uses the HR manager Rippling to clock workers' hours and its in-house system Starfleet, which tracks the amount of time tutors spend on each task and can monitor employees' actions within the site, BI previously reported. It's been a chaotic week for xAI. It temporarily took its Grok chatbot off X after it posted a series of anti-semitic messages on Tuesday, and tutors took to Slack to respond, BI previously reported. On Wednesday, Musk unveiled the latest version of Grok and a $300-per-month subscription plan for a more sophisticated version of Grok, called SuperGrok Heavy. Musk also said the company will be adding Grok capabilities to Tesla vehicles. Do you work for xAI or have a tip? Contact this reporter via email at gkay@ or Signal at 248-894-6012. Use a personal email address, a nonwork device, and nonwork WiFi; here's our guide to sharing information securely. Read the original article on Business Insider
Geeky Gadgets
13-07-2025
- Business
- Geeky Gadgets
xAl Grok 4 : Elon Musk's Latest AI Model Demonstrated
What if the future of artificial intelligence wasn't just about solving problems but fundamentally reshaping how we think, create, and interact? Enter Grok 4, the latest breakthrough from XAI, a system so advanced it blurs the line between human ingenuity and machine precision. From acing PhD-level problems to optimizing real-world industries, Grok 4 doesn't just set new standards—it obliterates them. In a world increasingly reliant on AI, this isn't just another upgrade; it's a paradigm shift. And who better to unveil its fantastic potential than Elon Musk, a figure synonymous with pushing technological boundaries? Brighter with Herbert explore how Grok 4's reasoning and tool integration are redefining what AI can achieve. From transforming biomedical research to crafting immersive entertainment experiences, its applications span industries and disciplines, promising to reshape both economies and everyday life. But beyond its technical brilliance lies a deeper question: how will humanity adapt to a tool this powerful? Join us as we delve into the capabilities, challenges, and future implications of Grok 4, and discover why it's not just a technological leap—it's a glimpse into a new era of possibility. Grok 4: AI Revolution Unmatched Capabilities and Real-World Achievements Grok 4 demonstrates exceptional versatility across a wide range of disciplines, achieving near-perfect scores on academic benchmarks such as the SAT, GRE, and even advanced PhD-level problems. Its reasoning abilities extend beyond theoretical challenges, excelling in fields such as mathematics, physics, engineering, and the humanities. This remarkable performance is driven by advanced reinforcement learning techniques and seamless tool integration, allowing Grok 4 to solve complex problems with extraordinary precision. Real-world applications of Grok 4 further underscore its adaptability and fantastic potential: Optimizing vending machine networks in business simulations, showcasing its ability to manage intricate operations and improve efficiency. Analyzing massive biomedical datasets to uncover insights that could accelerate medical research and innovation. These achievements highlight Grok 4's capacity to address pressing challenges across industries, making it a valuable tool for businesses, researchers, and policymakers alike. Training and Computational Advancements The development of Grok 4 involved a substantial increase in computational resources, with a tenfold boost in training compute compared to its predecessor, Grok 3. This was made possible by using a vast infrastructure of 200,000 GPUs, allowing the refinement of its algorithms on an unprecedented scale. Advanced reinforcement learning techniques played a critical role in enhancing its problem-solving capabilities, making sure consistent and reliable performance across diverse tasks. Future iterations of Grok aim to incorporate multimodal understanding, allowing the system to process and interpret images, video, and audio with greater accuracy. This evolution will enable Grok to interact more effectively with real-world environments, further expanding its applications and utility. xAl's Grok 4 Intro and Demo with Elon Musk Watch this video on YouTube. Take a look at other insightful guides from our broad collection that might capture your interest in Grok 4. Fantastic Applications Across Industries Grok 4's capabilities extend far beyond academic benchmarks, offering practical solutions for industries ranging from healthcare to entertainment. Its ability to analyze vast datasets and generate actionable insights streamlines workflows, drives innovation, and enhances decision-making processes. Key applications include: Automation: Enhancing efficiency in manufacturing and logistics by optimizing processes and reducing operational costs. Enhancing efficiency in manufacturing and logistics by optimizing processes and reducing operational costs. Creative industries: Assisting in the generation of assets for video games, movies, and other interactive content, fostering creativity and innovation. Assisting in the generation of assets for video games, movies, and other interactive content, fostering creativity and innovation. Biomedical research: Supporting medical diagnostics and hypothesis testing by processing complex datasets and identifying patterns. For example, Grok 4's ability to simulate real-world scenarios and generate video content positions it as a valuable tool for businesses, researchers, and creative professionals. Its adaptability ensures that it can meet the unique demands of various sectors, driving progress and efficiency. Future Innovations and Multimodal Capabilities The roadmap for Grok 4 includes significant advancements in multimodal capabilities, allowing it to process and understand images, video, and audio with greater sophistication. These developments will unlock new possibilities in areas such as: Interactive content creation: Facilitating the development of AI-generated video games, immersive entertainment experiences, and dynamic storytelling. Facilitating the development of AI-generated video games, immersive entertainment experiences, and dynamic storytelling. Social media platforms: Enhancing user engagement through AI-generated video and audio content tailored to individual preferences. Enhancing user engagement through AI-generated video and audio content tailored to individual preferences. Humanoid robotics: Allowing real-world interactions and collaborative problem-solving with humans, paving the way for advanced robotics applications. Additionally, specialized coding models are being developed to streamline software development processes, making them faster, more efficient, and accessible to a broader range of users. Addressing AI Safety and Ethical Challenges As AI systems like Grok 4 grow more powerful, making sure their alignment with human values and ethical principles becomes increasingly critical. XAI has prioritized the integration of transparency, accountability, and truth-seeking behaviors into its models to ensure societal benefit. Key safety measures include: Rigorous testing: Identifying and mitigating potential risks to ensure the system operates reliably and safely. Identifying and mitigating potential risks to ensure the system operates reliably and safely. Safeguards: Implementing measures to prevent misuse and unintended consequences, protecting users and society at large. By addressing these challenges, XAI aims to build trust in AI systems and their applications, making sure they remain beneficial and aligned with societal interests. Economic and Societal Impacts The economic implications of Grok 4 are profound. By automating complex tasks and driving innovation, it has the potential to significantly boost productivity and expand the global economy. Industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, and entertainment stand to benefit from increased efficiency, reduced costs, and enhanced capabilities. On a societal level, Grok 4's advancements could improve quality of life through innovations in education, healthcare, and cultural expression. Its ability to generate creative content, such as video games and movies, opens new opportunities for engagement, storytelling, and artistic exploration. Advancements in Voice and Interaction Grok 4 introduces new improvements in voice synthesis, delivering natural-sounding AI voices with enhanced emotional expression and reduced latency. These advancements make interactions with AI systems more intuitive, engaging, and human-like. Applications include: Customer service: Improving user experience through natural voice interactions and personalized support. Improving user experience through natural voice interactions and personalized support. Education: Allowing personalized learning experiences through conversational AI, tailored to individual needs and preferences. Allowing personalized learning experiences through conversational AI, tailored to individual needs and preferences. Entertainment: Offering immersive and lifelike interactions in virtual environments, enhancing user engagement and enjoyment. Benchmark Performance and Leadership On key benchmarks, Grok 4 consistently outperforms its competitors, demonstrating exceptional reliability, adaptability, and robustness. Its ability to tackle long-term simulations and solve complex problems positions it as a leader in the field of artificial intelligence, setting new standards for performance and innovation. Shaping the Future of AI Grok 4 represents a fantastic step in the evolution of artificial intelligence. Within the next year, AI-generated video games, movies, and interactive content are expected to become mainstream, driven by Grok's advanced capabilities. The continued acceleration of AI development promises to unlock new possibilities, fostering progress in both practical and creative domains. With its advanced reasoning, tool integration, and real-world applications, Grok 4 is poised to redefine the boundaries of AI. Its potential to transform industries and society underscores the profound impact of this technological milestone, shaping the future of innovation and human progress. Media Credit: Brighter with Herbert Filed Under: AI, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
