📖Today’s Agenda

• Real Estate : “10 Affordable Real Estate Markets with High Potential Returns”

• Investment : “Bitcoin Playbook for Beginners”

• Entrepreneurship: “Navigating the Data Dilemma: AI Data“

🏢Real Estate

10 Affordable Real Estate Markets with High Potential Returns

Investing in real estate can be a lucrative venture, but it's essential to identify markets with high potential returns to maximize your investment. While some major cities may seem enticing, they often come with exorbitant price tags. However, there are numerous affordable real estate markets across the globe that offer promising investment opportunities. In this article, we will explore ten such markets, providing actionable insights and examples to help guide your investment decisions.

• Boise, Idaho, USA: Boise has experienced significant population growth in recent years, driving demand for housing. The city's strong job market, low unemployment rate, and affordable property prices make it an attractive investment option. For instance, neighborhoods like West Valley and Southeast Boise have shown consistent appreciation in property values.

• Indianapolis, Indiana, USA: Indianapolis is known for its affordable housing market and steady job growth. The city offers diverse investment options, from single-family homes to multi-unit properties. Areas like Irvington and Broad Ripple have seen rising property values and offer potential for rental income.

• Lisbon, Portugal: Lisbon has emerged as a thriving real estate market due to its growing tourism industry and affordable property prices. The city offers a range of investment opportunities, including short-term rentals and long-term leases. Neighborhoods such as Alfama and Graça have witnessed significant appreciation and high rental demand.

• Medellín, Colombia: Medellín has transformed into a vibrant city with a booming real estate market. The city's mild climate, affordable cost of living, and government initiatives to attract foreign investment make it an attractive destination. Areas like El Poblado and Laureles offer excellent investment potential, with rising property values and high rental demand.

• Berlin, Germany: Berlin's real estate market has experienced substantial growth in recent years, offering promising investment opportunities. While prices have risen, there are still affordable options in neighborhoods like Wedding and Neukölln. The city's strong economy and increasing population contribute to the potential for long-term returns.

• Istanbul, Turkey: Istanbul is a rapidly growing metropolis with a burgeoning real estate market. The city's strategic location, rich history, and increasing tourist arrivals make it an appealing choice for investors. Areas like Beyoğlu and Kadıköy offer affordable properties with high rental potential, fueled by a growing demand for accommodations.

• Cape Town, South Africa: Cape Town's real estate market has witnessed steady growth, driven by its natural beauty and thriving tourism industry. While certain areas like Camps Bay and Constantia can be pricier, neighborhoods like Woodstock and Observatory provide affordable investment opportunities. These areas are popular among young professionals and students, ensuring a steady rental demand.

• Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Kuala Lumpur offers a thriving real estate market with affordable property prices and high rental yields. The city's strong economy, growing expat population, and favorable investment policies make it an attractive choice. Areas like Bukit Jalil and Cheras have experienced consistent property appreciation, providing potential for long-term returns.

• Athens, Greece: The Greek capital, Athens, presents an affordable real estate market with immense potential. The city's rich history, favorable climate, and increasing tourism contribute to its attractiveness. Neighborhoods such as Koukaki and Exarcheia offer affordable investment options, with the potential for short-term rentals and capital appreciation. If you are also planning to Relocate to Greece, get informed here: Relocating to Greece: Exploring Facts, Real Estate Schemes, Benefits, and Recent Changes

• Chiang Mai, Thailand: Chiang Mai has emerged as a popular destination for both tourists and expats, creating a thriving real estate market. The city's low cost of living, pleasant climate, and cultural attractions make it an enticing investment opportunity. Areas like Nimmanhaemin and Old City offer affordable properties with strong rental potential.

Investing in real estate doesn't have to break the bank. By exploring affordable markets with high potential returns, you can make sound investment decisions that align with your budget and long-term goals. Remember to conduct thorough research, analyze market trends, and seek professional advice when venturing into these markets. With careful consideration and a strategic approach, you can unlock profitable opportunities in these ten affordable real estate markets.

🎯Investment

Bitcoin Playbook for Beginners

In the landscape of modern finance, one digital asset has captured the attention of both seasoned investors and newcomers alike – Bitcoin. As the pioneer of the cryptocurrency space, Bitcoin has garnered significant interest as a potential investment opportunity. If you're a beginner looking to enter the world of cryptocurrency investing, this Bitcoin playbook will provide you with a glance to help you get started.

Understanding Bitcoin for Beginners: The Basics

Bitcoin, often referred to as digital gold, is a decentralized digital currency that operates on a technology called blockchain. This technology ensures the security and transparency of transactions, making it resistant to fraud and tampering. Unlike traditional currencies issued by governments (fiat currencies), Bitcoin isn't controlled by any central authority. Instead, it's governed by a network of participants and developers worldwide.

Invest in Bitcoin or not?

Bitcoin, the pioneering digital currency, has revolutionised the financial landscape since its inception in 2009. It operates on a decentralised network, which ensures transparency, security, and immutability of transactions; let's dig in a bit more:

Store of Value: Bitcoin's limited supply – capped at 21 million coins – is designed to emulate the scarcity of precious metals like gold. Many investors view Bitcoin as a store of value that can potentially hedge against inflation.

Decentralization: The absence of a central authority means no single entity controls Bitcoin. This decentralized nature can be appealing to those who are skeptical of traditional financial systems.

Global Accessibility: Bitcoin can be sent and received anywhere in the world, providing financial inclusion to those who lack access to traditional banking services.

Portfolio Diversification: Adding Bitcoin to a traditional investment portfolio can introduce a new asset class with potentially different risk and return characteristics.

Getting Started: Steps to Invest in Bitcoin

Educate Yourself: Before investing, take the time to learn about Bitcoin, blockchain technology, and how cryptocurrencies work. There are numerous online resources, articles, and courses available to help you understand the basics.

Choose a Reliable Exchange: To buy and trade Bitcoin, you'll need to register on a cryptocurrency exchange. Popular exchanges include Coinbase, Binance, and Kraken. Make sure to choose a reputable and user-friendly platform.

Secure a Wallet: A wallet is a digital tool that allows you to store, send, and receive Bitcoin securely. There are different types of wallets, including software wallets (online or mobile apps) and hardware wallets (physical devices). Hardware wallets are generally considered more secure (but more pricy).

Buy Bitcoin: Once your exchange account is set up and verified, you can purchase Bitcoin using fiat currency (like USD, EUR, etc.) through various payment methods such as bank transfers, credit cards, or other cryptocurrencies, Remember to use one time cards if possible, do not insert your main card for this transaction (at least at firsts).

Practice Security: Ensure your investments are secure by enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) on your exchange and wallet accounts. Be cautious of phishing scams and never share your private keys. Noone will ever ask you for your private keys (or the private phrase).

Hodl or Trade: Some investors buy Bitcoin with the intention of holding it long-term ("hodling"), while others actively trade to capitalize on price fluctuations. Decide on your strategy based on your risk tolerance and investment goals.

Key Considerations and Risks

Volatility: Bitcoin's price can be highly volatile, leading to substantial price swings in short periods. Be prepared for this level of volatility in your investment journey.

Regulation: The regulatory environment for cryptocurrencies varies by country and may impact their legality and use. Stay informed about the regulations in your jurisdiction.

Research: Before investing in any cryptocurrency, conduct thorough research and consider consulting with financial advisors. Avoid making investment decisions based solely on hype or speculation.

Long-Term View: While short-term gains are possible, consider Bitcoin as a long-term investment. Its potential for growth and adoption could play out over several years.

Investing in Bitcoin can be an exciting venture, but it's essential to approach it with the right mindset and knowledge. This Bitcoin playbook serves as a starting point for beginners, helping you understand the basics, the reasons behind Bitcoin's appeal, and the steps required to invest. Remember, as with any investment, it's important to do your due diligence, be cautious of risks, and make informed decisions based on your financial goals.

💸Entrepreneurship

Navigating the Data Dilemma: AI Data

Adobe, a creative software company, was openly questioned about whether AI would kill it. DALL-E 2 and Midjourney, text-to-image tools, threatened Adobe's image-editing software. Seeking Alpha published "Is AI the Adobe killer?" in April.

This prediction was wrong. Adobe developed Firefly AI tools using its hundreds of millions of stock photos. Adobe executive Dana Rao says Firefly has generated over a billion images since March. They avoided copyright disputes by not mining internet images like its competitors. Since Firefly's release, Adobe's stock has risen 36%.

Adobe's success, despite these doomsday predictions, highlights the race for supremacy in the rapidly evolving AI tools market. The latest "generative" AI models require massive amounts of data. AI model developers are now looking for new data sources to expand after harvesting large portions of the internet without permission. Companies with large data stores are considering how to best capitalise on them, creating a data war.

AI models need datasets for training and processing power to find patterns in them. Due to a lack of specialised AI chips, improving a model by adding data or processing power has become increasingly difficult. Model developers now prioritise data collection.

Epoch AI, a research firm, predicts that by 2026, high-quality text resources for training may be exhausted due to data demand. The latest Google and Meta AI models were trained on over a trillion words. Wikipedia, an online encyclopaedia, has about four billion English words.

Performance & Licencing

Data quantity and quality affect model performance. Text-based models should be trained on well-written, factual long-form content. Data startup Scale AI's Russell Kaplan says models trained with such information produce better results. Explanatory textbooks are needed because AI chatbots respond better when they can explain their reasoning. Specialised datasets help fine-tune niche models. Microsoft's code-writing AI tool benefited from GitHub's acquisition.

Data is harder to get as demand rises. In the US, content creators sue AI model developers for copyright infringement. Authors like Sarah Silverman have sued OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, and Meta. Artists have sued text-to-image toolmakers Stability AI and Midjourney.

As AI companies scramble for reliable data sources, deals have exploded. OpenAI licenced Associated Press stories in July. It expanded its partnership with Shutterstock, a stock photography provider like Meta.

Google reportedly discussed licensing artists' voices for an AI songwriting tool with Universal Music on August 8. Tech companies have approached Fidelity for financial data. AI research labs reportedly want BBC image and film archives. Another suspected target is the academic journal digital library JSTOR.

Data holders exploit their negotiating power. Reddit and Stack Overflow raise data access costs. Because users can "upvote" answers, these platforms help models identify relevance. Twitter (now X) restricts bot scraping and charges for data access. This data will help Elon Musk launch his AI business.

Thus, model developers aim to improve data input quality. Data annotators label images and rate responses in AI labs. Some of this work requires a master's or doctorate in life sciences, but much of it is outsourced to Kenya, where labour costs are lower.

AI firms collect data from user interactions with their tools. Many tools let users rate outputs. Firefly's text-to-image generator offers four options. Bard, Google's chatbot, gives three answers. ChatGPT responds with thumbs up or down. Douwe Kiela of Contextual AI calls this feedback the "data flywheel." Copying and pasting a chatbot's response is an even better indicator. Google rapidly improved its translation tool by analysing such data.

Pushing Limits

Tech firms' corporate customers' data remains untapped. Call-center transcripts and customer spending data are valuable to many businesses. This data is valuable because it can be used to fine-tune models for specific business applications, such as helping call-center staff handle customer inquiries or business analysts find sales enhancement opportunities.

Harnessing this data is difficult. Most companies have ignored massive, unstructured datasets that could train AI models. These datasets are often scattered across systems on company servers rather than in the cloud.

Companies could customise AI tools with this data. Amazon, Microsoft, and Google offer unstructured dataset management tools. As clients break down data silos, Snowflake database company's Christian Kleinerman says business is booming. Weaviate and PineCone, AI-focused database startups, have raised significant funding to meet this demand. Data competition is just beginning.