Author: Colin Henderson

Progress in era of productivity
Canada

Bloomberg Canadian Finance Conference

Colin Henderson

This is a good event focussed on Canada and with the resources of Bloomberg managing. The level of professional management always shows through for their events. It is “Proudly Sponsored By National Bank of Canada Financial Markets” DETAILS: Bloomberg Canadian Finance Conference Oct 16th, 2024 Last year, we were pleased to have you join the virtual edition of Bloomberg’s Canadian Finance Conference, Proudly Sponsored By National Bank of Canada Financial Markets. We’re delighted to inform you that Bloomberg’s Canadian Finance Conference will be returning on October 16. Register for a complimentary pass to watch the live broadcast. During this virtual … Continue reading Bloomberg Canadian Finance Conference

Sociology2

The Monocle Manifesto

Colin Henderson

living better / global https://monocle.com/magazine/issues/175/the-monocle-manifesto/ The Monocle Manifesto From urbanism and the environment to simple street manners, we present 30 edicts for improving our cities for people and planet.ByJosh FehnertIllustratorPong As the world and global opinion turns, monocle remains irrepressibly optimistic about cities – or at least their enduring potential to help people live well, regardless of income, outlook or industry. While no city is perfect, the best ones know how strike a balance and remain places of opportunity, discovery and excitement for all. So shouldn’t more politicians, ceos and civic leaders be concerned about making the most of the … Continue reading The Monocle Manifesto

Growth

A quick, low-cost solution to Britain’s productivity problem

Colin Henderson

via BBSStudio/ Shutterstock The UK economic outlook has brightened in recent months. Growth has come back more quickly than expected, inflation is running at a third of the levels of a year ago and, last month, the Bank of England cut interest rates for the first time in more than four years. Agreed, the UK has plenty of problems, above all a low rate of productivity growth. Even on this troubled front, we’ve had positive news. A recent study from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows a marked improvement in the average quality of UK management. The study, published in May, found that the average … Continue reading A quick, low-cost solution to Britain’s productivity problem

Security

The US National Intelligence Council, part 1:

Colin Henderson

The US National Intelligence Council, part 1: the discreet forum in charge of strategic analysis The NIC is little known, even within the US intelligence community, but is responsible for producing the most authoritative analyses in Washington. The forum brings together experts from all the US agencies and can adapt to political decision-makers’ needs. Continue reading The US National Intelligence Council, part 1:

AI

The Simple Macroeconomics of AI

Colin Henderson

Daron Acemoglu – Massachusetts Institute of Technology – May 12, 2024 Abstract This paper evaluates claims about large macroeconomic implications of new advances in AI. It starts from a task-based model of AI’s effects, working through automation and task complementarities. So long as AI’s microeconomic effects are driven by cost savings/productivity improvements at the task level, its macroeconomic consequences will be given by a version of Hulten’s theorem: GDP and aggregate productivity gains can be estimated by what fraction of tasks are impacted and average task-level cost savings. Using existing estimates on exposure to AI and productivity improvements at the … Continue reading The Simple Macroeconomics of AI

Geopolitics

Ukrainian special operations abroad are part of its broader war effort against Russia

Colin Henderson

Malians demonstrate in support of Russia on the 60th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Mali, in Bamako, Mali, in September 2020. Russian mercenaries have played a key role in the fighting in several African countries, prompting attacks by Ukrainian-backed rebels. (AP Photo) Published: August 14, 2024 1.01pm EDT  James Horncastle, Simon Fraser University Mali recently severed relations with Ukraine as Ukrainian-backed Tuareg rebels killed at least 84 Russian soldiersin a well-executed ambush.  It’s unclear whether Ukrainian Special Operations Forces were directly involved in the assault, although pastinstances of Ukrainian forces operating in Africa make it likely. Ukraine’s rationale for backing the Tuareg rebels is … Continue reading Ukrainian special operations abroad are part of its broader war effort against Russia

AI, Canada

The $22 Billion Plan to Turn a Defunct Airport Into a Small City

Colin Henderson

Canadian developer aims to preserve airport’s features, including hangars and a runway, to draw residents and businesses to the neighborhood By Anne Kadet Aug. 13, 2024 at 5:30 am ET A planned community for about 55,000 residents in Toronto will include the usual playgrounds, bike paths and shops. It will also feature 11 airplane hangars and more than a mile of airport runway. Airports have been repurposed as communities and parks before, but developers typically raze the original infrastructure and start from scratch. In this case, Northcrest Developments is betting that by preserving the airport’s main features it can enhance the … Continue reading The $22 Billion Plan to Turn a Defunct Airport Into a Small City

Geopolitics

The Forty-Year War

Colin Henderson

How America Lost the Middle East By Lisa Anderson May/June 2023Published on April 18, 2023 In March 2023, China’s announcement that it had brokered renewed diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran threw into sharp relief the United States’ rapidly diminishing role in the Middle East. Shortly after President Joe Biden came to office, the United States completed its inept withdrawal from Afghanistan, a country that Washington had spent 20 years trying and failing to bring into the Western fold. Then the president, who as a candidate had cast Saudi Arabia as a “pariah” because of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s alleged … Continue reading The Forty-Year War

Open Finance

Key takeaways from the fastest week in Fintech

Colin Henderson

linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/unpacking-fastest-month-fintech-open-banking-excellence-qhhze?trackingId=FMUEJ%2B0sXu0xdnix4iKaEg%3D%3D&lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_company%3BTnhwHVw1RYm9Xx3zOmRDYQ%3D%3Dý Money 20/20 – The place where money does business OBE’s panel session, “Open Banking Crossroads: The Global Regulatory Roadmap” kicked off the open banking discussion on the Summits & Bar stage. Featuring Ashwin Vasan from FS Vector and Henk Van Hulle from Open Banking, this session set the tone for a series of insightful conversations about the future of open banking regulations globally. Open banking was a central theme throughout the conference, with significant discussions on its potential to revolutionise financial services by enhancing consumer control over financial data. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)’s proposed rule changes … Continue reading Key takeaways from the fastest week in Fintech

AI

In a rare in-depth interview, this billionaire man of mystery, the head of Palantir Technologies, talks about war, A.I. and America’s future

Colin Henderson

Alex Karp Has Money and Power. So What Does He Want? In a rare in-depth interview, this billionaire man of mystery, the head of Palantir Technologies, talks about war, A.I. and America’s future. Aug. 17, 2024 By Maureen Dowd Reporting from the White Mountains in New Hampshire Alex Karp never learned to drive. “I was too poor,” he said. “And then I was too rich.” In fact, Mr. Karp, a co-founder and the C.E.O. of Palantir Technologies, the mysterious and powerful data analytics firm, doesn’t trust himself to drive. Or ride a bike. Or ski downhill. “I’m a dreamer,” he said. … Continue reading In a rare in-depth interview, this billionaire man of mystery, the head of Palantir Technologies, talks about war, A.I. and America’s future