(NewsUSA) - Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) is converging with other fields in ways that will change the nature of innovation and promote a stronger, more general form of AI, according to experts at the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP), a bipartisan nonprofit organization. Mastering GenAI will be critical in the technology competition and the United States should adopt measures to organize, drive, and ensure it has the fuel and resources to sustain America’s role as the world’s leading innovation power.

In a new report, SCSP explains how GenAI acts like an “innovation flywheel” and outlines some steps the U.S. could take to translate this innovative power into greater national security.

The flywheel includes four stages, the SCSP report explains.

1) GenAI is converging with other strategic technology sectors (biotech, energy, advanced manufacturing).

2) The resulting innovations are changing how the world works, and illustrating the immense opportunities of AI.

3) These opportunities are driving organizations – from governments to startups – to reprioritize their strategies to adapt and leverage the value of GenAI.

4) This reprioritization fuels changes in the foundational technology inputs that make GenAI work: computing hardware, algorithms, data, and talent.

For the U.S. to become a world leader in GenAI, SCSP outlines eight bold goals:

●Establish a Technology Competitiveness Council, Office of Global Competition Analysis, and a U.S. Advanced Technology Forum to execute technology strategy.

●Develop a top-down counterpart to a Digital Service Academy; this academy would teach government leaders about the latest developments in GenAI, inspired by the Senate’s AI Insight Forums.

●Scale a new model of public-private partnerships within the U.S. national laboratory system to focus on GenAI and other AI applications.

●Cooperate on national security-focused, government-led moonshots to address national security challenges and spur the innovation that leads to positions of advantage in strategic technologies.

●Get back to basic research in areas where GenAI converges with other scientific fields and tech sectors.

●Expand overall federal funding for research & development, starting with increases to federal non-defense AI, that would jumpstart GenAI’s potential to accelerate innovation itself.

●Start a GenAI-enabled rapid grant program

●Establish an annual technology innovation fund to support investment in strategic technology targets.

“The current GenAI moment is an opportunity to get federal R&D spending – the lifeblood of innovation – back on track,” according to SCSP.

For more information, visit scsp.ai.

(NewsUSA) - North Texas City Serves Up Festive Décor, Shopping and More

It will soon be the season when friends and families can enjoy some time off to get festive or just chill. There’s no better place to do both than Plano, Texas, a city that brims with holiday fun for everyone from shopping enthusiasts to sports fans. Conveniently located near Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and an easy drive from many major Texas cities, Plano is the perfect destination for a quick escape.

For sparkle seekers:  Come December, the entire city of Plano is aglow. And the twinkle is next level in the Deerfield neighborhood, where homes and yards are festooned with elaborate light installations. Drive, walk, or for a special treat, book a carriage ride. Another newer tradition, Lights on the Farm, transforms Plano’s Heritage Farmstead Museum into a wonderland of bedazzled and animated displays. Don’t miss a visit with Santa or the chance to make your own S’mores.

For shoppers:  A getaway to Plano is always fun and festive. But it’s also productive thanks to beautiful outdoor, walkable shopping enclaves full of gifts for everyone on your “nice” list. At The Shops at Willow Bend, The Crayola Experience has a great selection of stocking stuffers. At Legacy West, shop for everything from upscale athletic wear to Teslas. Once you’ve checked all the boxes, check in at the Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy West Hotel. The property features a lively bar, luxurious guest rooms with a “cowboy meets Samurai” theme, and a rooftop deck with a pool and cabanas.

For the shop-a-phobic:  If shopping isn’t your idea of a “sport,” there’s a new game in town. It’s called “fowling,” rhymes with bowling and combines the latter with football at the only Texas location of The Fowling Warehouse. You don’t have to be Tom Brady to excel at this new hybrid sport which is quickly becoming all the rage.

After dominating the “fowling” lanes, you may be ready to relax and watch a game on TV. But don’t settle for any ordinary sofa. Head over to the Dallas/Plano Marriott at Legacy Town Center and catch an English Premier League soccer match on the “Seat of Dreams.” Straight from the venerable home of Manchester United -- Old Trafford Stadium -- this sofa is the same spot where celebrity and VIP fans have watched historic matches across the pond.

Food, fun and festivities:  Plano boasts more restaurants per capita than some of the U.S.’ biggest foodie cities, and Legacy Hall, a European-style food hall + beer garden at Legacy West puts several of them under one roof, serving up a world of tastes. In December, the venue hosts “Hall-i-days at Legacy Hall” a series of not-so-ordinary holiday events including an “Elf” movie trivia night, Stories with Santa, and a Hall-i-day Sip ‘N Shop.

For specific dates, hours, ticket prices (where applicable) and additional help planning a holiday visit to Plano, please go to visitplano.com.

(NewsUSA) - Military veterans can take on a new mission as a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^™ professional. Your new objective: Safeguard and advance the financial interests of everyday Americans. By earning CFP^® certification, you’ll gain the financial strategies and tactics to fortify their finances. As a CFP^® professional, your expert financial knowledge will also build on the personal insight you have into the unique financial challenges of the veteran community as well as servicemembers still on active duty.

Becoming a CFP^® professional not only allows you to help others, it also means joining a fast-growing industry that pays well and is dedicated to creating inclusive environments for people from diverse backgrounds.

Securing Your Own Financial Future

As you head into civilian life, you might be shifting your focus to securing your financial future. One way to do that is by becoming a CFP^® professional, where you can earn a six-figure income and the financial independence that goes with it.

The average CFP^® professional’s income, based on their years of experience, is high and only grows with time. The average annual income for a CFP^® professional with fewer than nine years of experience is $145,000. At over 15 years of experience, it rises to $297,000.

Earning Your Stripes as a CFP^® Professional

CFP^® certification is the standard for competent and ethical financial planning. As in all professions, credentials are important — and in the financial services industry, CFP^® certification stands out. Those letters signal to clients and employers that you’re knowledgeable and trustworthy. Earning your CFP^® certification provides many advantages, including the following:

• Competitive Edge: 83% of CFP^® professionals say they have a competitive edge over other financial advisors.
• Trust: 90% of consumers are more confident working with an advisor who has a financial planning designation.
• Success: 86% of CFP^® professionals say that certification has had a positive impact on their career satisfaction.

It all begins with education and training, just as in the military. Financial aid is available. You’re probably already eligible for GI Bill benefits, which you can use to meet CFP Board’s education requirements, starting you on the journey toward CFP^® certification.

Making the Transition

Nobody should sugarcoat the major changes and challenges veterans face when they look for a new civilian job. But don’t discount how many transferable skills you already have, such as analytical skills or project management, that could apply in a new career as a CFP^® professional.

And you won’t be making the transition alone — CFP Board provides tools and resources for you to begin the journey to a successful career as a CFP^® professional, including connecting you with other candidates and mentors. Get started today.

(NewsUSA) - Like the title of his book says, the United States education system is in trouble and needs to be fixed!

On the world stage, the U.S. is a middle-of-the-pack performer when it comes to academic performance, says Richard W. Garrett, author of U.S. Education Is in Trouble, Let’s Fix It! 22 Reform Proposals (Rowman & Littlefield). Some of the vital statistics at his disposal are downright scary.  “If you knew what I know, you’d be worried too,” he adds.

In this research-laden analysis, Garrett methodically and intricately shares with readers what he does, in fact, know and why the existing situation is so dire  – and aims to offer solutions to fix it, with 22 specific resolutions.

The author has been engaged in research on educational reform since 2013. This is his second major literary effort, his other being The Kids Are Smart Enough, So What’s the Problem? A Businessman’s Perspective on Educational Reform and the Teacher Crisis. (2017, Rowman and Littlefield)

Garrett has created a list of 22 reform proposals. When implemented, they will produce significant improvements. Here, in order, are the top four areas for reform to reverse the decline of our public school system: parenting issues; irresponsible management by school boards and superintendents; runaway discipline problems; and social promotion (promoting children to the next grade without having them meet the necessary reading requirements).

“Lack of discipline and lack of respect are destroying our education system,” writes Garrett. “It drives teachers out of teaching and makes new candidates afraid to enter the field.” This, along with accelerating resignations, has produced a significant teacher shortage.

Then there’s the matter of boosting a child’s self-esteem – a noble goal but one that Garrett says has been mishandled. Everyone “gets a trophy” and brings home top grades – an artificial reward system not based on achievement. And it masks the real situation, making it harder to fix. What are the consequences for poor work or failure?

Garrett takes a very granular approach to his topic, going into detail about the state of our nation when it comes to learning, student proficiency statistics, the plight of teachers, breakdown of the current school day, how schools should be organized, the all-important discipline issues, and much more.

His analysis is compelling – and frightening.

Garrett’s work is so complete that even though it is loaded with facts, statistics and graphical representations of trends, with a body of 148 pages, it is a swift read for anyone – parent, teacher, administrator, some students and any concerned citizen – looking to be enlightened on this all-too-crucial subject. It’s hard to dispute Garrett’s arguments, and it’s encouraging to hear his remedies.

In his final chapter, the author lists “22 reform proposals” that can shape but not necessarily fix our broken system. Some of his ideas involve recurring themes while others are out of the box.

Anyone who cares about our youth and cares about our country should add this this title to their must-read list.

“This book is a champion for children who want to learn and for teachers who want to teach,” says Garrett. “The goal is an education system that will educate more children, educate them well, and put the United States in the top tier worldwide.”

Purchase the book at https://bit.ly/3rTE5kW.

(NewsUSA) - November is here, and that means it’s the kickoff of the Marine Toys for Tots annual Holiday Campaign, now in its 76th year of bringing joy and hope to children in need across the Nation.

Between November 1 and December 25, 2023, U.S. Marines and dedicated volunteers will conduct more than 850 local toy collection and distribution programs in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Toys for Tots, our Nation’s flagship children’s Christmastime charity and the U.S. Marine Corps’ premiere Community Action Program, provides year-round joy, comfort, and hope to disadvantaged children across the Nation through the gift of a new toy, book, game, or other gift.

It is estimated that 41% of America’s children live at or below the poverty level. The mission of Marine Toys for Tots is to bring the joy of Christmas to these children, with messages of hope that will inspire them to grow into responsible, productive, patriotic citizens. The impact that our Program is able to provide through the help of our dedicated supporters is extraordinary.

Marines and volunteers engage with local businesses, media, and individuals within their communities to collect new, unwrapped toys and distribute those gifts to disadvantaged children, allowing them to experience the joy of Christmas or any celebrated holiday.

Last year, Toys for Tots set new records, with over 24.4 million toys and books provided to nearly 10 million children in need across the Nation.

“Now, in Toys for Tots’ 76th year, we are asking our supporters to help us achieve another record-breaking year and deliver the magic of the holidays to every family seeking our assistance,” says LtGen James B. Laster, USMC (Ret.), President and CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.

This year, Toys for Tots will highlight our extraordinary Reserve Marines and community volunteers, as well as showcase the incredible effort from communities across the Nation who have enabled Toys for Tots to support over 291 million economically disadvantaged children since 1947.

“Saving Christmas is no small task. When we hear about families who are struggling financially during the holiday season, our network of Marines and volunteers mobilize and work tirelessly to ensure that no child is forgotten,” LtGen Laster adds.

Visit toysfortots.org for more information and to donate. 

(NewsUSA) - Paul Reid’s proclivity for pushing the boundaries in the wilderness extends to embracing what technology can do for people with diabetes.

Paul lives life to the fullest—and the highest. An avid outdoor adventurer, climber, and backpacker, Paul has completed a 5-day ascent of Mount Whitney, the highest mountain in the United States, including a grueling 24-hour technical ascent of its notoriously tricky eastern faces. What’s more, he did it while successfully managing his type 1 diabetes.

More than 37 million Americans are living with some form of diabetes¹, but advances in technology have made it easier for them to live a longer, healthier life.

Many individuals living with diabetes use a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system, which invaluably enables round-the-clock insights into their condition. "For example, when I'm backpacking through mountain ranges and it's 5-10 miles until camp, my CGM helps me have a better picture of how much glucose I need to get over the next few hills,” Paul says.

Paul, an animator by profession and a climber and outdoor trail guide by passion, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 1986, so he has seen his share of technological advances. However, traditional, short-term CGMs can be cumbersome, especially for an active person like Paul. "With a traditional CGM, I need a bowling ball’s worth of supplies for a two-week hiking trip,” he says.

For Paul, Eversense, the only long-term CGM available, developed by Senseonics and brought to people by Ascensia Diabetes Care, is a game-changer. Two weeks of hiking supplies with Eversense means just a small transmitter charger and a little pack of adhesives, and every inch of space is essential when you are hanging from a rock in a tight, vertical space, Paul says.

The company describes Eversense as “the CGM for real life,” and Paul agrees. “I can take Eversense off for a certain section of the climb, not worry about it being knocked off and my losing another sensor, and then easily put it back on as soon as I’m through².”

“At first, I couldn’t believe that I only needed two sensors a year,” Paul says. “But I can finally say goodbye to endless CGM replacements and supplies.” A sensor is inserted in the upper arm by a trained health care provider, and then you are good to go for up to six months, he says.

The smart transmitter for Eversense is worn over the sensor, and it wirelessly sends glucose data to a mobile device. The Eversense app then displays real-time glucose readings that people with diabetes can use to guide treatment.

“I love being able to remove the transmitter, out on the mountain or just while taking a shower at home²,” says Paul. He also loves the on-body vibratory alerts from the smart transmitter that are unique to Eversense, “getting alerted to glucose trends without looking at my phone is especially valuable when adventuring, but it’s just as helpful if you are out walking the dog.”

Paul continues to inspire others, and routinely leads outdoor adventure trips for individuals with diabetes. An Eversense user since 2019, he shows the world that diabetes doesn’t slow him down.

"With Eversense I don't have to sacrifice other things in my life,” he says.

For more information about successfully managing diabetes, visit EversenseDiabetes.com/get-started-today.

This is a paid advertorial

Paul Reid is an Eversense Patient Ambassador