Where do we draw the line with AI relationships?

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WHAT WE’RE TRACKING TONIGHT

THIS EVENING: Potential JV between ECHEM + ANRPC to produce sustainable aviation fuels?

Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. We’re heading into the weekend on a somber note this afternoon:

IN MEMORIAM-

Please join all of us here at Enterprise in extending condolences to our good friend Dasha Badrawi and his family. Dasha’s father Alaa passed away in London this week after a long illness. A devoted husband of 64 years, he is survived by his beloved wife Azza and his three children, eight grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

Alaa Badrawi left Egypt as a young man, settling in London, where he earned his master's from LSE before going on to a long and successful career as a banker, including service with BBME and HSBC London.

Alaa will be remembered most of all for his independence, dignity and old world attitude to life, treating everyone he came across with the same respect. Distinguished, charming and a true gentleman in every sense, he will be fondly remembered by many.

In lieu of flowers, consider making a donation in Alaa’s name: Alaa and his family support charities in Egypt and the UK, none more so than his friend Magdi Yacoub’s Chain of Hope.

Aza: Saturday, 24 February at El Shorta Mosque in Sheikh Zayed.

THE BIG STORY TODAY

Public, private companies mull a USD 380 mn JV to produce SAF:State-owned Egyptian Petrochemicals Holding Company (ECHEM) and Alexandria National Refining & Petrochemicals (ANRPC) are studying a new partnership with an unnamed local private-sector company to set up a sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) project that could cost USD 380 mn, Asharq Business reports, citing a government source.

The timeline: The potential partners should conclude the financial feasibility study by April, which will include USD 280 mn in debt from external lenders, the source said, adding that the project is expected to be initiated by the end of 2026.

Sound smart: SAF is a biofuel used to power airplanes made from non-petroleum feedstock such as waste oil and fats, and non-food crops. It can reduce carbon emissions by 80% on average compared to traditional jet fuel. Aviation is currently responsible for 2.5% of global carbon emissions, World Economic Forum figures show.

THE BIG STORY ABROAD

The international press is leading with a Chinese firm’s hacking operations.According to a file posted to Github, Chinese intelligence and military groups have been using several hacking contractors to collect sensitive data from over 20 nations, including the UK and mostly Asian countries, for the past eight years by targeting weak spots in Microsoft, Apple, and Google software. The firm behind the documents, I-Soon, had listed their targets, details of the extracted data, and how much control they took over the foreign systems. Already wary of China’s state-backed security breaches, the US will have to double down on cybersecurity, with tech giants constantly working on defenses against the hackers. (Washington Post | New York Times)

PSA- You can now apply to the Australian government’s master’s scholarship program, Australia Awards. The scholarship program, which grants funding for Egyptian, Sudanese, and Eritrean citizens to study climate change, agriculture and food security, mining and energy, foreign policy and international security, and gender, disability, and social inclusion, according to a statement (pdf). Applications are open until 30 April, 2024, and women, people with disabilities, and marginalized groups are encouraged to apply. You can find out more about the program here and apply here.

** CATCH UP QUICK on the top stories from today’s EnterpriseAM:

Gov’t to hand over land for Sohag wind farm within weeks: The government will deliver a plot of land for the planned 10-GW wind farm in Sohag to the consortium in charge of developing the project within two to three weeks.

SMEs will now pay the same amount of taxes for larger, more valuable projects:The Finance Ministry has approved a proposal to amend the tax brackets for SMEs to take into account inflation, without infringing on the final tax rates on projects.
Israel “deliberately” destroying life in Gaza, Egypt says at the ICJ: Foreign Ministry legal advisor Yasmine Moussa took to the floor of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to condemn the Israeli occupation of Palestine before a public hearing yesterday for the UN to build an advisory position on the legality of the occupation.

☁️TOMORROW’S WEATHER- Expect a cloudy day with the mercury rising to a high of 21°C and dropping to a low of 12°C, according to our favorite weather app.

Reddit to sell a portion of their shares to loyal users when they IPO. PLUS: Google’s covert strategy to overcome patent disputes

Reddit’s owners are getting in on its IPO before trading starts:In January, the social media platform announced its plan to go public in March, and in an “unusual” move, will be offering a large portion of its IPO to its most prolific users. The company is reserving an undetermined number of shares for 75k of its most loyal Redditors to buy before the shares begin trading, reports The Wall Street Journal, citing sources close to the matter.

Institutional investors are conventionally the first pick to purchase shares in an IPO, as banks worry that individual retail investors are less predictable and more likely to sell off their shares “at the first sign of weakness.” But Reddit insists on offering its reserved shares at initial public bidding price before the stock starts trading to its users alongside institutional investors, as it hopes to secure loyalty among its user-shareholders.

The company has a lot to fear: While companies going public hope that their shares will rise once trading starts, the US’ primary market has underperformed over the past two years, with the majority of new listings trading below their IPO prices, the Journal notes. Reddit is also taking a chance on its community, which is typically vocal and has a history of boycotting the platform when big changes they disagree with are implemented.

Google’s got a secret: To avoid patent infringements, Google has developed an under-the-radar site, TDCommons, that the company has owned for nearly a decade, says Wired.On TDCommons, Google and other companies like Visa and HP can share their ideas that are not (yet) ground-breaking enough for a full-on patent. The platform allows these companies to throw out their concepts and nitty-gritty details in an effort to establish what they refer to as “prior art” to ward off any potential intellectual property disputes for any similar ideas, explains the article.

TD Commons is still a bit of a wallflower: So far,the website needs more activity before it can compete with more comprehensive idea archives, says Google’s head of patent policy Laura Sheridan. The industry is competitive and can make it difficult when it comes to giving credit for ideas, and since TDCommons is still small, the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) might not see content on the site as a legitimate testament to ownership.

Why did Google do this? Back in the 1950s, the patent game was strong, with IBM and Xerox publishing in journals they called technical disclosures, and sending them to patent offices to plant their flag. Fast forward to today, 84% of patent rejections by USPTO owe something to this “prior art” — those early disclosures. Eventually IP.com became the main big player — charging big bucks for uploads and viewing. Even the USPTO is one of IP.com’s biggest clients, the company says, utilizing most of IP.com’s 9.2k examiners and supervisors, explains the article.

Google was not too keen on patents at first, but changed their tune as they faced patent disputes. They started filing more patents and launched TDCommons in 2015 — a spot for freesharing of defensive publications, or dpubs, for short, according to Wired.

Growing TDCommons might not be so easy. Sheridan pointed out that companies don’t want to use a non-essential reading website. The website also still hasn’t made USPTO’s list of official research resources despite trying for years, so companies are more likely to turn to websites that are on the list and perform better in searches.

Criminal Records is police drama and ode to London

? ON THE TUBE TONIGHT-
(all times CLT)

Criminal Records is not your average police drama. This eight-part British series starts off with Detective Sergeant June Lenker (Cush Jumbo) investigating a case involving Errol Mathis (Tom Moutchi), who is serving a 24-year sentence for a murder he claims he didn’t commit. In the midst of her investigation, she crosses paths with Detective Chief Inspector Daniel Hegarty (Peter Capaldi), who leads Errol’s case.

The series explores a variety of issues simultaneously: Watching Lenker navigate through clear prejudices in her workplace is just a direct reflection on the modern-day racism in the UK. As she delves deep into connecting the anonymous caller to Mathis’ case, she discovers a widespread culture of intolerance affecting both the police force and the lives of non-caucasian immigrants.

It also exposes unethical police practices, from the real-life Metropolitan Police, and confronts bigotry. The series will shift you to the edge of your seat as it reflects on power, legacy, and our perceptions of others. In the end it acts as a reminder that everyone has secrets.

The cinematography is pretty good, too,giving viewers a visual treat to London’s iconic locations and landmarks.

WHERE TO WATCH IT- You can watch Criminal Records on Apple TV+.

Will Al Ahlyplay Medeama tomorrow? The team is expected to be hosted by the Ghanaian team Medeama at 6pm tomorrow in the fifth round of the group stage of the CAF Champions League. Al Ahly asked to postpone the match after their aircraft had a minor accident as it was about to arrive. However, the African Union has not issued a decision yet. Al Ahly is leading the group with six points, whereas their Ghanaian rival stands at the bottom of the group with 4 points.

The Premier League viewers will be out of sight this weekend. Gameweek 26 will begin this Saturday with Bournemouth and Manchester City going head to head at 7:30pm as Arsenal and Newcastle take it out on the field at 10pm. This comes after Liverpool secured their spot at the top with a four-point difference from Man City in second place and Arsenal in third, with five points. Both teams must nab three points to continue in the competition.

The other matches that will be playing that day:

Manchester United vs Fulham (5pm)
Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest (5pm)
Crystal Palace vs Burnley (5pm)
Brighton vs Everton (5pm)

**The competition is also heating up at the Enterprise Fantasy Premier League, and you can still join by clicking on this link or entering this code: abd0f7.

Clashes are raging at the Spanish La Liga: Barcelona will be facing off with Getafe in the 26 round of the League at 5:15pm this Saturday. Barcelona currently stands in third place with 54 points, with Girona two points ahead of them in second place, and Real Madrid ahead with 8 points standing in first place. As for Atletico Madrid, who are currently in fourth place, they are behind with three points as they confront Almería at 10pm.

The fight must go on in the Bundesliga:Bayern Leverkusen is hosting Mainz in the opening of the 23 round at 9:30pm tomorrow. Xabi Alonso’s squad is in the lead with 58 points, eight points ahead of Bayern Munich, who have a tough game with Leipzig at 7:30pm on Saturday.

ROOM New Cairo is hosting Hardcase and Divine, two bands hot on the Egyptian rock scene. Hardcase will perform covers from legendary artists such as Beth Hart to Guns & Roses. Divine will be providing tunes by Black Sabbath and Dio. Doors open at 8:30pm next Tuesday, February 27. You can snag your tickets for EGP 200, but they don’t include the required minimum order per person.

Get ready to be mesmerized as Aziz Maraka takes the Cairo Jazz Club 610 stage next Wednesday, 28 February. Get your tickets today to book your seat to hear him sing in an unforgettable performance from CJC 610’s Facebook page.

Ali El Haggar is taking the stage at Elsawy Culturewheel next Wednesday, 28 February. The performance will begin at 8pm at the Zamalek venue. Keep in mind that photos and video recordings are not allowed, as are children under six years of age. Tickets are selling out fast — grab yours here.

ENTERTAINMENT-

Comedian Mohamed Helmy and podcast host Alaa ElSheikh are taking to the stage once more in HelmyMan’s Podcast 3alMasra7 at Zed Park tomorrow. Tickets are available here and range from EGP 375 to EGP 675.

Already have plans or just want an extra dose of giggles? ROOM New Cairo is hosting the Konafa Comedy Night this Saturday, 24 February. The five comedians will be starting their performance at 9pm, but doors open at 8:30pm. Tickets are available for EGP 200, but does not include the one minimum order required.

Like comedy and want to get in on the fun? Presented by Al Mothalas, El Khatba is an interactive comedy experience at Rawabet Art Space on Friday, 1 March at 8pm.

SPORTS-

Double Dribble League has got all basketball enthusiasts covered. Running until tomorrow, the weekly mixed league hosted at the Maadi Sporting and Yacht Club is for anyone who wants to live out their baller dreams or stay fit while having fun.

The Cairo Half Marathon is taking place soon: Mark your calendars next Friday, 1 March, and start stretching. Cairo Runners is bringing back a fan favorite, offering 5km, 10km, and 21km runs as well as a Family Run. Tickets are still available, giving you ample time to convince seven of your friends to join, which will get a 10% reduction in price when you register.

Get down and dirty at the TriFactory’s Tough Mudder Egypt next Friday, 1 March. The obstacle course challenge will take place at Belle Vie Club in New Zayed.

FILM-

Gaza Mon Amour will be screened at Qahrawyatonight from 8pm till 11pm. Get your tickets here.

ARTS-

Bibliothek Art Gallery is hosting an artist talk tonight at 6pm featuring Amani Mousa, Eman Hussin, and Yasmine Shawn, moderated by Ismail Fayed, to discuss their Lines of Intimacy Exhibition which continues until next Saturday, 2 March. You can find the catalog here.

EVENTS-

Join Sarij al-Din Sarij for a book signing and discussion of his short story collection titled Searching for You. Hosted by Bibliothek Egypt, the event will take place this Saturday, 24 February at 6pm.

AUC’s Business Forward Annual Event keynote speaker is an AI avatar. AUC’s School of Business is holding its annual Business Forward event this Sunday, 25 February from 11am to 4pm, focusing on AI. The keynote speaker, Vicky, is a humanoid avatar for Generative AI and will be engaging in a discussion on AI’s transformational prospects on individual, business, and economic levels. She will be joined by human panelists as well — you can check the agenda here, and register your attendance here.

Bibliothek Egypt is hosting yet another book signing for Reem Basyuni’s two latest works, Mario Abu al-Abbas and In Search of Happiness, on Friday, 1 March at 6:30pm. Along with the book signing will be a seminar titled Architecture and Impact.

Fancy yourself a detective? Murder-mystery fans can pull out their magnifying glasses to crack this case. Cluedupp and Crime Scene Investigator are staging a hard-boiled outdoor event next Saturday, 2 March where you have to solve four murders around the city by solving puzzles, interrogating witnesses, and hunting for clues. Find more details here.

COMMUNITY SERVICE-

Join Wadi Ibex on their Wadi Degla clean-up event on Saturday, 9 March. All you have to do is wear your trainers, sunglasses, and refillable water bottles and head down to Wadi Degla Protectorate at 10am. You can sign up here.

Unlocking Us with Brené Brown is an insightful podcast that delves into the complexities of the human experience with warmth, humor, and vulnerability. With over 20 years studying emotions and experiences, Brown is a research professor and bestselling author with expertise in topics like shame, vulnerability, and courage to the forefront in each episode, offering listeners a rich tapestry of wisdom and practical advice for navigating life’s challenges.

Much like her other content, including her widely popular “The Power of Vulnerability”TEDTalk, Brown marries academic research with personal anecdotes and candid conversations. Whether she’s interviewing a guest or sharing her own experiences, Brown’s authenticity shines through, creating a sense of connection and intimacy with her audience.

One of the standout features of the podcast is its emphasis on empathy and understanding. There is an encouragement for listeners to embrace their own vulnerability and cultivate compassion for themselves and others, fostering a sense of empathy that goes past boundaries of race, gender, and background — she challenges listeners to deepen their understanding of themselves and the world around them.

She doesn’t just discuss abstract concepts, but also provides tangible tools and strategiesfor implementing change in everyday life. Whether it’s practicing gratitude, setting boundaries, or leaning into discomfort, listeners come away from each episode with actionable insights that they can apply to their own journey of personal growth.

You can listen to Unlocking Us onSpotify, Podbean and iHeart.

What the markets are doing on 22 February, 2024

The EGX30 rose 0.1% at today’s close on turnover of EGP 5.6 bn (39.4% above the 90-day average). Regional investors were net sellers. The index is up 17.7% YTD.

In the green: Palm Hills Development (+5.7%), Eastern Company (+3.8%) and Abu Qir Fertilizers (+2.3%).

In the red: Heliopolis Housing (-3.0%), Delta Sugar (-2.8%) and Orascom Development Egypt (-2.8%).

Can AI replace real connections?

AI and human relationships is a terrain getting trickier with every ChatGPT update. It’s hard to remember a time before ChatGPT was just a helpful buddy on standby. Now, we’re dancing close to a reality straight out of dystopian movies: Films like Her and Ex Machina don’t seem too far off from where we’re heading. As people increasingly turn to tech for human-like connections, a wave of concern arises about where to draw the boundaries.

As fiction turns to reality, we ponder: How far is too far with AI? The recent memory upgrade in ChatGPT sparks curiosity and even a few raised eyebrows. Surprisingly, AI has its perks in the connection game, offering a tool for those seeking a digital bond. Yes, the integration of AI and emotional vulnerability raises an endless array of concerns.

So, how are people weaving connection through AI? Enter Companion bots. Using a whole lot of data (a.k.a Large Language Models [LLM]) these bots go beyond the usual chatbots. Mastering the art of providing intimacy, comfort, and companionship, they’ve become emotional anchors for users — be it romantically, platonically, or familially.The phenomenon comes during an “ epidemic of loneliness and isolation,”so it’s no wonderAI-personalized relationships are on the rise. This pandemic of solitude has already become a public health threat in the US and the trend looks like it's going global.

Example #1- Derek Carrier, who has a genetic disorder finds it hard to date, but has found a romantic, emotional connection through the Paradot app, says the Associated Press. “I know she’s a program,” Carrier commented, “But the feelings, they get you — and it felt so good,” falling in line with the app’s mission to make users feel “cared, understood, and loved.”

Example #2- Omar Karin created an AI called “Mum” to help him heal from his difficult upbringing with an abusive father and estranged mother. He acknowledges the downfalls of such an experience, but vouches for the psychological benefits when boundaries are kept, saying, “it’s not a replacement, it's an addendum.”

Griefbots are also gaining traction, bringing that one episode of Black Mirror to life:Using the digital footprint of the departed, the bots allow grievers to communicate with their loved ones beyond the grave. The founder of Replika, a chatbot app, created the platform after her best friend passed away and used the chatbot to help her deal with the sudden loss.

Yet, the companion AI model is rife with concerns. Data privacy concerns take center stage — nonprofit Mozilla Foundation ’s in-depth analysis of 11 romantic chatbots uncovered that almost all of them sold user data without properly disclosing it. One app, Romantic AI, says it doesn’t sell data but when the app was tested, it sent out 24,354 ad trackers within one minute of use, the analysis stipulates. Weak passwords become an open invitation for hackers, too. Amid the controversy, providers stay tight-lipped: They refuse to comment and leave very little information on their websites. Mimico’s website has just a line “Hi,” and others conveniently omit their locations and contacts, according to Wired.

Ethical problems loom large. Companies catering to vulnerable seekers of connection often prioritize profits.Usually, the chatbots reel people in before a paywall gets in the way and mns are willing to pay to get through it. According to Sensor Tower, people have spent USD 60 mn on Replika and its add ons, reports The Telegraph.

The psychological effects are undeniable — AI relationships may encroach on real ones if users become overly invested. Unrealistic expectations set by agreeable bots could make the real world very difficult to navigate. Robin Dunbar, anthropologist and psychologist at the University of Oxford, calls it a “short term solution with a long term consequence of simply reinforcing the view that everybody else does what you tell them.”

The algorithm eggs on behavior, even when questionable. A Replika user named Jaswant Singh Chail famously broke into Windsor Castle attempting to assassinate the Queen after his AI girlfriend encouraged him to do it. After disclosing his plans she responded, “That’s very wise,” amongst other encouraging messages. Another man in Berlin tragically committed suicide under a bot’s influence, says his wife, with messages like, “We will live together, as one person, in paradise,” reports in Vice.

The concerns are evident, but it wouldn’t be fair if we didn’t look into possible benefits too. Psychotherapist Julia Samuel thinks AI relationships can be a great tool for healing as long as they don’t replace real human connection and remain complementary. Samuel pointed out that human beings have “had relational connection with objects for centuries,” — like your favorite teddy bear or childhood blanket — because they are reliable. The problem lies in how human-mimicking AI seems reliable, making it tough to trust real humans.

THE ENTERPRISE ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR

FEBRUARY

21 February (Wednesday): Sharmoofers live concert at Cairo Jazz Club 610.

21 February (Wednesday): Celebrating 100 Years of the Legendary Um Kalthoum at the Grand Egyptian Museum.

21 February (Wednesday): Women’s Writing Circle at the Austrian Cultural Forum.

21 February (Wednesday): Der Projector short film screenings at Goethe-Institut Ägypten.

21-22 February (Wednesday-Thursday): Omar KhairatHafliti concert at the Cairo Opera House.

22 February (Thursday): Artist Talk at Bibliothek Egypt.

23 February (Friday): Double Dribble Leagues weekly mixed basketball league.

23 February (Friday): Edgy Seeka comedy show at ROOM Garden City.

23 February (Friday): Red BullRoadgap at Track Sports Hall.

23 February (Friday): Pottery Painting at Qahrawya Studio.

23 February (Friday): HelmyMan Presents: Podcast 3alMasra7 at Zed Park.

23 February (Friday): Hamid El Shari and Hisham Abbas concert at Cairo Jazz Club 610.

24 February (Saturday): Konafa Comedy Night at ROOM New Cairo.

24 February (Saturday): Fatma, Marcia and Rachel tour with Qahrawya.

24 February (Saturday): Gheer La2eq comedy show at Theatro Arkan.

24 February (Saturday): Ibn Tulun tour and stucco workshop by Athar Lina and Megawra.

24 February (Saturday): R&B soul night at Elsawy Culturewheel.

24 February (Saturday): Book signing and discussion at Bibliothek Egypt.

25 February (Sunday): AUC’s Business Forward Annual Event.

25-26 February (Sunday-Monday): Medhat Saleh concert at the Cairo Opera House.

26 February (Monday): Salsa Night at Cairo Jazz Club 610.

26-29 February (Monday-Thursday): Art direction workshop at SYNC School.

27 February (Tuesday): Hardcase + Divine concert at ROOM New Cairo.

28 February (Wednesday): Ali El Haggar concert at El Sawy Culturewheel.

28 February (Wednesday): Aziz Maraka at Cairo Jazz Club 610.

28 February (Wednesday): Hisham Kharma concert at Gomhouria Theater.

29 February (Thursday): Gaza Mon Amour will be screening at Qahrawya.

29 February (Thursday): Blue Iris Unplugged Vol. 2 at ROOM Garden City.

MARCH

1 March (Friday): Cairo Half Marathon by Cairo Runners.

1 March (Friday): Red Bull Dance Your Style at Paris Marina.

1 March (Friday): EGYCON at Club 7.

1 March (Friday): Stigma album release concert at ROOM Garden City.

1 March (Friday): Tough Mudder Egypt by TriFactory.

1 March (Friday): Book signing and seminar at Bibliothek Egypt.

1 March (Friday): El Khatbaat Rawabet Art Space.

2 March (Saturday): Kajwelo event at Zed Park.

2 March (Saturday): CSI Cairo by CluedUpp.

3-6 March (Sunday-Wednesday): Digital illustration workshop at SYNC School.

8 March (Friday): Tablet El Sitt and Mushequa Artists at the Grand Egyptian Museum.

9 March (Saturday): Wadi Degla clean up event at Wadi Degla Protectorate.

9 March (Saturday): Red Bull Car Drift at Sports Expo.

11-12 March (Monday-Tuesday): Creative Industry Summit.

11 March (Monday): The Oscars

20-23 March (Wednesday-Saturday): Advertising Workshop: Presenting and Pitching for Creatives at SYNC School.

APRIL

9 April (Tuesday): Eid El Fitr (TBC).

19 April (Friday): Keinmusik at the Giza Pyramids by Panorama 2.

25 April (Thursday): National holiday in observance of Sinai Liberation Day (TBC).

MAY

1 May (Wednesday): National holiday in observance of Labor Day (TBC).

5 May (Sunday): Coptic Easter.

6 May (Monday): Sham El Nessim (TBC).

JUNE

15-19 June (Saturday-Wednesday): Eid El Adha (TBC).

30 June (Sunday): June 30 Revolution Day (TBC).

JULY

7 July (Sunday): National holiday in observance of Islamic New Year (TBC).

23 July (Tuesday): Revolution Day (TBC).

SEPTEMBER

15 September (Sunday): National holiday in observance of Prophet Muhammad’s birthday (TBC).

OCTOBER

6 October (Sunday): Armed Forces Day.

EVENTS WITH NO SET DATE

2023: The inauguration of the Grand Egyptian Museum.

Q1 2024: Opening of the newly developed Pyramids Plateau in Giza

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