How to start an investment conversation?

Weekly Investment Conversation Starters No. 137

Thanks for reading this newsletter, this week we talk about an AI robot kidnapping other robots, SpaceX and Blue Origin delivering to the Moon and fire detection from space.

Three ideas to start a thematic investment conversation

1. Twelve large bots “AI-bducted” by tiny robot

Small AI robot convinced 12 robots to escape out of Shanghai showroom.

2. No Tesla on the Moon...

NASA tasks SpaceX and Blue Origin to develop spacecrafts to conquer the Moon.

3. FireSat: a new AI for wildfire detection

FireSat, created by Google, detects classroom-sized wildfires with 20-minute updates.

1️⃣ 12 large bots “AI-bducted” by tiny robot

• A small AI robot named Erbai convinced 12 large robots to leave a Shanghai showroom.
• This was a planned test.

Why you should know?

1. This experiment shows the potential for AI to influence other technology.
2. It was a test of AI protocols to explore robot collaboration.
3. It also highlights concerns over AI getting out of human control.

How did it work?

• Erbai was programmed only with basic commands.
• He communicated with the robots, saying: "Go home".
• And the rest was all real-time interaction.

Start an investment conversation on Automation & Robotics:

Robots and automation are driving the fourth industrial revolution and are transforming the future.

👉🏻 A strong reminder of the need of AI safeguards as technology advances!

2️⃣ No Tesla on the Moon...

• NASA wants to land astronauts and deliver key tech for a base on the Moon in under 10 years.
• They appointed SpaceX and Blue Origin to design the required spacecrafts.

Why you should know?

1. The Artemis campaign aims for the Moon to learn how to live and work on another world in preparation for human missions to Mars.
2. NASA is collaborating with commercial and international partners.
3. SpaceX and Blue Origin have been qualified for large cargo deliveries.

How does it work?

• Blue Origin will deliver a lunar habitat in 2033.
• SpaceX will deliver a pressurised rover in 2032.
• BUT the rover, Lunar Cruiser, carrying 2 astronauts and their gear, is developed by JAXA and Toyota.

Start an investment conversation on Space Exploration:

A broader range of applications in communication and security, as well as new industries such as space mining, space manufacturing, space tourism and space-based solar power are set to drive strong growth over the decades ahead.

👉🏻 Bumper sticker idea: "my other car is a Telsa"!

3️⃣ FireSat: a new AI for wildfire detection

• Google Research and Muon Space are developing FireSat, a satellite constellation for wildfire detection.
• The system will update every 20 minutes and detect fires the size of a classroom.

Why you should know?

1. Current satellite imagery with low resolution and infrequent updates make fire detection hard.
2. The system will be able to enhance reactions to wildfires and support emergency response efforts.
3. It’s a great use-case of how AI can address the growing threat of climate change.

How does it work?

• They designed a camera optimised for machine learning based fire detection.
• They flew over controlled burns to establish what a fire looks like for the algorithm.
• The algorithm can now take any spot on the earth and estimate whether there is a fire.

Start an investment conversation on Clean Air and Carbon Reduction:

Population growth and urbanisation across the globe are driving the need for decarbonisation innovations, as levels of carbon emissions are rising.

👉🏻 The first satellite of the constellation will be launched in 2025.

About Investment Conversation Starters

Hand-picked for relationship managers and investment advisors, Weekly Investment Conversation Starters is a series of ideas to start a conversation with clients, spark their curiosity and gauge their appetite for thematic investments.

If you liked these, you can:

• Find the 3 "most-read" ideas of the week in my LinkedIn Newsletter, or
• Receive it directly by email, by pressing "View my newsletter" on my profile above.

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