Miami Art Basel Alpha

Simplifying emerging technology trends with Shira Lazar. Learn what matters in web3 and AI in under 3 minutes per week.

Author

Shira Lazar
December 04, 2023

This Week in Web3...

A recap of The Past Week in Web3

Cryptocurrency industry executives are heralding the start of a new bull run, with predictions of Bitcoin reaching over $100,000 by 2024, fueled by optimism around a potential U.S. Bitcoin ETF approval and the upcoming Bitcoin halving.

The market's recovery follows the resolution of high-profile legal cases involving FTX and Binance, which had previously cast a shadow over the industry. Bitcoin has already surged more than 120% this year, with experts suggesting this growth could continue, particularly if regulatory and macroeconomic factors remain favorable.

Portuguese soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo is facing a class-action lawsuit seeking over $1 billion in damages for his role in promoting Binance-issued NFTs. The lawsuit, filed in a Florida federal court, alleges that Ronaldo's endorsement was deceptive and contributed to unsafe investments. Despite the controversy, Ronaldo, one of the world's most famous athletes, continues to promote Binance. The case comes amid broader scrutiny of celebrity endorsements in the crypto industry, with Binance itself recently settling a $4 billion plea arrangement with the DOJ over various allegations, including operating as an unregistered securities exchange.

Art Basel Alpha Here’s What You Need To Know

The Art of Wellness by NRVLD, an Art Basel Miami Beach event, runs from December 6th to 10th and is hosted by Dale Moss and Barry's & Friends. The event, in partnership with Barry’s and the Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel, offers five days of wellness and cultural experiences.

Highlights include daily Barry's fitness classes, Therabody recovery lounge, ice baths, meditation, food pop-ups, live poetry, coworking space, music, and art exhibitions.

Peace Inside Live will be leading the daily meditation lounge, enhancing your well-being amidst a host of activities!

Sign up for exclusive invites to these special events throughout Miami Art Week.

Here is a preview of the daily programming.

PWW3 Conference

I will be speaking at the PWW3 Conference on the “Defining Leadership in Web3” panel on December 6th at 4:30 PM 2-5 PM, during the SCOPE ART SHOW in Miami Beach. The event is at Ocean Drive and 12th Street, Miami Beach, Florida.

Quick Headlines

AI Corner

The traditional pathway to partnership, which can take up to 17 years at Big Four accounting firms and about a decade at law firms, is being reevaluated as AI takes over tasks like document preparation, client meeting prep, and basic research.

Professional service firms like PricewaterhouseCoopers and KPMG are using AI to speed up career progression for junior staff, allowing them to tackle advanced tasks sooner and potentially reach partner level faster. This shift, driven by AI's ability to automate routine tasks, is saving significant time and reshaping traditional career paths in these firms, enhancing productivity and early career development.

Pika AI Video Editing Tool

Pika, an AI video editing startup co-founded by Demi Guo and Chenlin Meng, has recently launched a user-friendly AI video generation tool that's generating significant buzz online. Aimed at everyday consumers rather than professional filmmakers, the app allows users to create and edit videos with ease, such as adding custom objects or text.

After an impressive growth in users and video creation, the startup has secured $55 million in funding over three rounds, with the latest round valuing the company between $200 million and $300 million. Initially focusing on anime-style videos, Pika has rapidly expanded its capabilities, now offering more realistic video generation and editing features. The tool, which was first available on Discord, has now been released as a web app, broadening its accessibility to a larger mainstream audience.

This Week We’re Bullish On

Jana Bobosikova, founder of KIKI, a membership-based beauty brand, is dedicated to merging online and offline experiences in the beauty industry. With a background in beauty that began after her move from the Czech Republic to America, Bobosikova focuses on creating real-world solutions that resonate with customer needs. KIKI stands out for its unique blend of physical and digital offerings, incorporating tokenized products and blockchain technology to offer personalized and interactive experiences to its customers.

Positive Affirmation for This Week

“Good riddance to decisions that don't support self-care, self-value, and self-worth."- Oprah

Hope you enjoyed this week's edition of the Alpha newsletter!

We're looking for brands to share with The Alpha. If you’ve got a product or service you think we’d love, let us know!👇

Remember, I'm Bullish on you!

With gratitude,