🤖 AI Goldmine
Good morning! Welcome to the latest edition of "Workday Dash," your go-to source for all things supply chain and logistics! As we gear up for the holiday season, it's only fitting that we kick off this newsletter on National Stuffing Day, which falls on November 21st. Just like the delicious stuffing that complements the Thanksgiving turkey, the logistics industry is all about the perfect blend of efficiency, precision, and collaboration.
So, grab a plate of your favorite stuffing, settle in, and let's uncover the latest developments in the world of logistics! 🦃🥣
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CMA CGM funds over $100 million for non-profit AI lab
CMA CGM Group, a leading French container shipping company, is teaming up with French telecommunications firm Iliad S.A. and Schmidt Futures, a philanthropic organization founded by a Google founder, to establish a nonprofit research lab called "Kyutai" focused on artificial intelligence (AI). The lab aims to address the key challenges in modern AI, including the development of large multimodal models using text, sound, images, and more, along with inventing new algorithms to enhance their capabilities. It will leverage computing resources from Scaleway, a French cloud computing and web hosting company under Iliad's umbrella.
The founders have committed nearly $325 million to support Kyutai, with plans to secure additional long-term financing from private investors. Kyutai's mission is to democratize AI by sharing its advancements with the broader AI community, including researchers, developers, companies, and policymakers, while also contributing to the training of future AI experts through internships and research programs.
Check out today’s featured article from DCVelocity to learn more about why CMA CGM funded almost half a billion dollars to an AI lab. Will there be more money funded in the upcoming months?
Featured Article:
CMA CGM helps found a non-profit AI lab with more than $100 million in funding| DCVelocity
“Container shipping and logistics power and its partners Iliad S.A. and Schmidt Futures say “Kyutai” lab will democratize artificial intelligence.”
Cruise & AI
Cruise CEO Kyle Vogt Steps Down from GM-Owned Robotaxi Unit
Cruise co-founder and CEO Kyle Vogt has resigned from his position, with Mo Elshenawy, the former EVP of engineering, taking over as president and CTO. Vogt cited a desire to spend time with his family and explore new ideas but expressed confidence in Cruise's potential and praised the team. This leadership change comes as Cruise faces challenges, including a voluntary recall of robotaxis, a suspension of vehicle operations, and public scrutiny following a pedestrian collision incident, impacting GM's revenue goals and necessitating efforts to rebuild trust with stakeholders and regulators.
FHWA & Grants
FHWA spends millions to speed up construction on highways
The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has awarded $34 million in grants to 10 projects in 10 states under the Advanced Digital Construction Management Systems (ADCMS) program. The program aims to reduce highway construction delays and cost overruns by promoting digital construction practices like computer modeling and 3D design.
These grants are part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, providing a total of $85 million over five years. The projects will focus on information-sharing, reduced paper reliance, increased productivity, and cost savings during project delivery, serving as models for adopting digital construction technologies on a national scale.
Let’s Get Global 🌎
Checking out the scoop outside of the United States…
🇩🇪 Daimler's 60-Year-Old Plant: Ready to Embrace the Future. The Daimler Truck factory in Wörth, Germany, celebrates its 60th anniversary and plans to shift its focus towards hydrogen and battery-electric vehicles to adapt to the evolving trucking industry. The facility aims to produce electric trucks while incorporating new drivetrain technologies into its existing processes to maintain the familiar look and feel of diesel trucks.
🇨🇳 Reducing U.S. Reliance on Critical Minerals Sourced from China. The United States' heavy reliance on China for critical minerals, necessary for defense, advanced technologies, and energy infrastructure, raises national security concerns. China's dominant position in mineral extraction and processing could potentially be exploited for political and military advantage due to the U.S.'s dependence on these resources.
iLevel With You 🏡
More topics for the average American household to consider…
📉 Why Americans Feel Gloomy About the Economy Despite Falling Inflation and Low Unemployment. Despite record-low inflation, long-standing low unemployment rates, and a resilient economy, a significant number of Americans maintain a negative view of their economic situation. This paradox has generated confusion and curiosity across social media and opinion pieces. Recent government reports indicate that inflation has abated, with consumer prices remaining steady from September to October, and consumer spending contributing to economic growth.
📦 The Crucial Role of Address Validation in Same-Day Delivery. In the same-day delivery industry, address validation is crucial to ensure accuracy and efficiency. It helps prevent errors in delivery addresses, saving time, reducing costs, and improving the customer experience by ensuring deliveries reach the correct destinations on the first attempt.
😃 After Months in Limbo, Bankrupt Mitchell Gold's Products May Finally Reach Customers. A federal judge has approved a plan that will allow many customers of the bankrupt furniture company Mitchell Gold Co. to receive products that have been stuck in the supply chain for months. Ryder Last Mile, which has been storing over 2,000 items bound for Mitchell Gold's customers while awaiting payment, will now waive storage fees for customers who pay for delivery. Mitchell Gold abruptly shut down and filed for bankruptcy in September, leaving many customers in limbo, having already paid for their orders and delivery.
Get Smart 🧠
Ramp up that brain power for these advanced topics…
💨 Challenges and Opportunities in the Growing U.S. Offshore Wind Energy Industry. The U.S. offshore wind energy industry is making significant strides, with offshore wind farms offering clean energy solutions and economic benefits. The American Clean Power Association (ACP) reports a surge in offshore wind projects with massive expected capacity. However, one of the industry's challenges is the high cost of wind turbine installation vessels (WTIVs), essential for project deployment. Shipyards are pivotal in overcoming this bottleneck by building these vessels. Still, the global demand for WTIVs, coupled with their hefty price tag, may lead to increased costs and delays for wind developers. The role of shipyards is critical in offshore wind projects, and to navigate the associated risks, comprehensive marine insurance is essential.
🚛 ITS Logistics Expands Significantly in Texas. ITS Logistics has opened a 1.1 million-square-foot logistics facility in Fort Worth, Texas, with the aim of providing distribution and fulfillment services across the U.S. Located at the Intermodal Logistics Center near major transportation hubs, including BNSF Railway’s Alliance Intermodal Facility, FedEx and UPS regional hubs, and Fort Worth Alliance Airport, the facility will support the company's goal of offering national fulfillment services with fast delivery to 95% of the U.S. population in three days or less. This expansion is driven by increasing freight flows at Gulf Coast ports and a focus on cross-border trade with Mexico, now the largest U.S. trading partner.
✈️ How Air Freight is Adapting to Assist Shippers in Navigating Supply Chain Disruptions. The global air freight market has experienced fluctuations in demand since 2020, initially surging due to the COVID-19 pandemic's demand for quick transport of PPE and medical equipment, followed by a drop in demand in 2023 as ocean freight became more cost-effective. However, air freight is evolving as shippers seek agility in mitigating supply chain disruptions. While cost savings are challenging in air freight compared to ocean shipping, it helps shippers protect their supply chains from delays, inventory shortages, and line-down situations. Air freight is playing a role in scenarios like automotive strike activity, border disruptions, supporting the retail industry, and nearshoring transitions.
The Workday Dash is an aggregation of articles regarding the transportation logistics, trucking, and supply chain industries for November 22, 2024, from iLevel Logistics Inc.