Microsoft AI invests in humans

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*The content provided in this newsletter is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.*

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🤯 MYSTERY AI LINK 🤯

(The mystery link can lead to ANYTHING AI-related: tools, memes, articles, videos, and more…)

SALTY STORIES OF THE WEEK 🧂

Want some seasoning? Here are the saltiest AI stories in FRY-nance from this week:

• Microsoft is launching Microsoft Elevate and the AI Economy Institute to ensure that AI helps people thrive, not just machines get smarter. Through a $4 billion global investment over five years, Microsoft will support schools, nonprofits, and workers with AI tools, training, and education. The AI Economy Institute will back this mission with research that shapes public policy and ensures AI benefits are widely shared. Together, these initiatives aim to put people—not just productivity—at the center of AI’s future. (Read More)

• Microsoft says its use of AI saved the company over $500 million last year in call centers alone. This came after slashing 15,000 jobs and ramping up automation across sales, customer service, and software development. The company is now using AI to handle smaller customer accounts and generate more sales leads, moves that are already bringing in tens of millions in new revenue. (Read More)

• America’s largest power grid, PJM, is under major strain as demand from AI chatbots and data centers skyrockets—faster than new power plants can be built—pushing electricity bills up over 20% in some areas this summer. PJM, which serves 67 million people across 13 states, is struggling to keep up as older plants retire and new ones face delays due to local pushback, supply chain issues, and a backlog of connection requests. The pressure has triggered political backlash, leadership shakeups, and even threats from Pennsylvania’s governor to leave the grid. Unless PJM accelerates its reforms, residents may face higher costs and greater risk of blackouts as AI-driven demand continues to surge. (Read More)

THIS WEEK’S DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH 💎

Q: What's the easiest way to cut a diamond’s value in half?

A: Buy it. 🙃

This week’s diamond in the rough: Samsara (IOT)

How is Samsara using AI? Samsara uses AI to turn massive amounts of real-world data—over 14 trillion data points a year—into smart tools for businesses with physical operations like trucking, logistics, and field services. Its AI powers features like predictive maintenance, automated driver safety alerts, and real-time route adjustments.

Why is Samsara valuable? Samsara recently reported $1.25 billion in yearly revenue, a 33% increase from the previous year, with annual recurring revenue also growing 33% to $1.46 billion. Its stock price is also up over 20% in the past three months, reflecting investor interest.

HOW ARE THE BIG AI PLAYERS DOING?

$AMZN ( ▲ 0.97% ) 

$AAPL ( ▲ 0.55% ) 

$GOOGL ( ▲ 0.81% ) 

$META ( ▲ 0.41% ) 

$MSFT ( ▼ 0.32% ) 

$NVDA ( ▼ 0.67% ) 

$TSLA ( ▲ 3.13% ) 

FRY-NANCIAL TOOL OF THE WEEK 🔧

My grandfather told me to invest in good speakers—that was some sound advice! 🔊

What is the tool? Allo is a wealth management tool that is designed to soothe and reduce your anxiety, while guiding you on reflecting and improving your relationship with money.

What are the features?

• Identify your financial priorities.

• Review all your transactions in one place.

• Get reminders about upcoming expenses and bills.

• Log how you feel about your finances and purchases.

• Get encouragement and learn from experts in finance.

FRY-AI FANATIC OF THE WEEK 🍟

Congrats to our subscriber, mrgroessl! 🎉

Mrgroessl gave us a Fresh and Crispy review and wrote, “Excellent column!! I enjoy reading every part of it!”

(Leave a comment for us in any newsletter, and you could be featured next week!)

YESTERDAY’S POLL RESULTS 📊

Featured comments:

“It can be a great tool if done properly, but the issue is it is too regulated in some areas, under regulated in others.” (Less! 🙌)

“We don’t need the wild wild west in AI.” (More! 👊)

“When a human is involved in programming coding for AI there’s always a chance to put their personal opinion in it and then that gets into AI…” (More! 👊)

HAS AI REACHED SINGULARITY? CHECK OUT THE FRY METER BELOW:

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