The senior population in the United States is experiencing rapid growth, with approximately 59.3 million people aged 65 and older as of early 2025, representing about 18.6% of the total population. This demographic is expected to expand significantly in the coming years, reaching 71.6 million by 2030 and nearly 90 million by 2050, at which point seniors will comprise over 20% of the U.S. population. This shift is driven by the aging baby boomer generation and increased life expectancy, which as of 2021 stands at about 76.3 years at birth, with women living slightly longer than men. The growing number of seniors has major implications for healthcare, social services, and the workforce, highlighting the importance of planning for an aging society.
Fortunately, there are many resources to help seniors to plan for their aging. In Ridgefield, CT, the Commission on Aging decided to increase awareness of the many resources available by creating the Ridgefield Senior Spectacular Expo, which was held on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at the Ridgefield Parks & Recreation Center. This was the town’s first-ever event of its kind dedicated to celebrating and supporting the senior community. The expo ran from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM and, despite a rainy day, the event drew significant interest from local seniors, their families, and community organizations. They had hoped to attract 500 attendees, but the event drew nearly 700.
The event featured more than 60 exhibit tables, offering information and resources from local businesses and organizations focused on senior health, wellness, and lifestyle. Attendees could connect directly with service providers, learn about new programs, and access valuable support tailored to older adults in the area.
The expo also included nine speakers who led workshops and discussions on topics relevant to seniors, such as health, safety, financial planning, and community engagement. In addition to educational opportunities, the atmosphere was festive, with live music, prize giveaways, and lunch from Stew Leornard’s and Jersey Mikes available on-site. It was informative and enjoyable for all who attended.
The Ridgefield Senior Spectacular Expo was widely promoted as a free event and marked a major step forward in bringing together resources and support for Ridgefield’s older residents. Organizers and participants alike hailed the expo as a success, with hopes that it will become an annual tradition.
I was one of the speakers, and my topic was, “The Rise of AI, Should We Fear it or Embrace it?” One of the topics I discussed was the use of AI-imbued tabletop robots to act as companions to seniors living alone or in rehabilitation. Much more on that in the robotics category of my blog at johnpatrick.com. If interested, a copy of my presentation outline is here. You can watch the video on YouTube here.
In this section, I share what I am up to, pictures of the week, what is new in AI and crypto, and more.
The Ridgefield Parks & Recreation Center had a full house for the Senior Spectacular Expo in Ridgefield, CT last Saturday. A copy of my presentation outline is here. You can watch the video on YouTube here.
Heritage Hills in Somers, NY has invited me back for another talk on AI and Bitcoin. It will be on June 10.
I will be speaking at the Danbury Library on June 17.
This week’s C[I] Forecast featured speaker was Peter Kraus, Chairman and CEO of Aperture Investors. He brought a profound market expertise to CI Forecast during this critical moment of economic uncertainty. With an illustrious career that includes leadership roles as a Goldman Sachs partner and former CEO of Alliance Bernstein, Kraus has established himself as one of Wall Street’s most insightful and independent voices. Known for his refreshingly candid commentary on CNBC that frequently challenges mainstream market narratives, Kraus will delved into the complex economic forces shaping today’s volatile landscape. He explored the potential ripple effects of proposed tariff policies, the unprecedented public pressure on Federal Reserve leadership, and what these developments mean for America’s position as the global economic cornerstone. I learned a lot.
www.ciforecast.com
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I finished The Gateway to Europe about the history of Ukraine. I learned a lot I didn’t know.
Now reading
Joanne and I at Hammock Dunes Club in Palm Coast, FL on St. Patrick’s Day
Expecting new MacBook Air with M4 chip tomorrow. It was built in Hanoi, Vietnam. From there it went to Korea, then Alaska, then Louisville, KY. Seems to be stuck there.
AI saw several notable developments and trends this week, reflecting both technical progress and industry shifts.
Advances in AI Reasoning and Agents
The leading story is the rapid evolution of large language models (LLMs) that can “reason” through problems step by step, rather than just generating quick responses. OpenAI’s latest models, such as o3, and Google DeepMind’s experimental Gemini 2.0, now break down complex tasks into smaller actions and can switch strategies if stuck. This approach, sometimes called “Flash Thinking,” is making AI more reliable for math, logic, and coding, and is crucial for autonomous AI agents that handle multi-step tasks like web browsing or online shopping[1][2]. These reasoning models are being adopted widely, with many companies racing to integrate similar capabilities into their products[1][2].
Enterprise AI and Custom Silicon
Major tech companies are focusing on enterprise needs, developing AI platforms that promise better performance, profitability, and security. There’s a push for custom silicon-specialized chips designed to accelerate AI tasks-and a move toward cloud migrations to support AI workloads. Companies are also building systems to measure AI effectiveness and safety, reflecting growing demand for transparency and accountability in AI deployments[2].
Breakthroughs in Robotics and Vision
Researchers announced a new robotic framework called RHyME, which allows robots to learn tasks by watching how-to videos, improving their ability to imitate human actions even when conditions change. Another breakthrough, Lp-Convolution, brings computer vision closer to human-like image processing, enhancing how AI interprets visual data[6].
AI in Healthcare and Explainability
AI continues to make inroads in healthcare, with new tools like VisionMD, which uses AI to analyze videos of patients with movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, aiding in diagnosis and monitoring. There’s also progress in explainable AI, with models designed for ship navigation that make their decisions transparent to human operators, reducing the risk of errors[6].
Industry Partnerships and Content Access
OpenAI struck a partnership with The Washington Post, allowing its search features to access and use the publication’s content. This move is part of a broader trend where AI companies are making deals with news outlets to secure high-quality data for training and to avoid legal disputes over content use[9].
Recognition of AI Innovators
The 2025 Artificial Intelligence Excellence Awards highlighted leaders and organizations driving innovation in predictive analytics, generative AI, and explainable AI. These awards reflect the growing impact of AI across sectors like finance, healthcare, and cybersecurity[4].
In summary, this week’s AI news highlights the shift toward more capable, reasoning models; the integration of AI into enterprise and robotics; new applications in healthcare; and the importance of partnerships and recognition in the AI ecosystem.
The first week of May 2025 in crypto is marked by heightened volatility, regulatory shifts, and several major events shaping both prices and sentiment.
Altcoin ETFs and Regulatory Developments
Analysts anticipate that the US SEC is likely to approve spot ETFs for Solana (SOL), XRP, and Dogecoin (DOGE) in the coming months, following the earlier success of Bitcoin ETFs. This could open the door for broader institutional participation in these altcoins and drive further mainstream adoption[1]. Regulatory momentum is also evident in Washington, where the House Financial Services Committee will hold a digital assets hearing on May 6, followed by an SEC roundtable on May 12. The Senate is expected to vote on the GENIUS Act, which could reshape stablecoin regulation and blockchain startup funding later this month[5][10].
Trump Administration’s Crypto Pivot
In the US, the Trump administration is making headlines for a dramatic shift in crypto policy compared to previous years. The industry is celebrating what’s described as a “180 pivot,” with new rules favoring innovation and investment in digital assets[2]. A notable development is the selection of Trump’s USD1 stablecoin for a $2 billion Abu Dhabi investment in Binance, signaling global confidence in US-based stablecoins and their regulatory backing[11].
Major Network Upgrades and Token Unlocks
Ethereum’s Pectra upgrade is scheduled for May 7, aiming to improve network performance and user experience. This upgrade is considered a potential bullish catalyst for ETH and the broader DeFi ecosystem[5][10]. Several other networks, including IOTA and Casper, are also rolling out significant upgrades this month. Meanwhile, large token unlocks for SUI, ENA, MOVE, LAYER, and APT are expected to inject volatility, as these events often lead to increased selling pressure and price swings[5][10].
Bitcoin and Market Outlook
Bitcoin entered May trading at $58,320, up 2.3% in 24 hours, and has gained over 14% in the past month. While demand from existing holders is rising, new institutional inflows remain subdued compared to last year. Analysts suggest that a summer rally toward $150,000 is possible if both demand and momentum align, but for now, the market is in a consolidation phase[4][7][16].
Altcoins and Memecoins in Focus
With Bitcoin’s dominance steady, attention is shifting to altcoins. Ethereum, Solana, Chainlink, Avalanche, and Render are among the top altcoins to watch in May, especially with technical upgrades and growing adoption in DeFi and NFTs[8]. Memecoins like Dogecoin are also in the spotlight, with DOGE’s price closely tied to the potential approval of a spot ETF. Forecasts for DOGE in May range from a slight dip to a significant rally, depending on regulatory news and broader market conditions[3][19].
Macro and Corporate Events
Crypto markets are bracing for key US economic data releases, including jobless claims, the Federal Reserve’s FOMC meeting, and inflation reports, all of which could impact risk sentiment and crypto prices[5][10]. Major tech events, such as Microsoft Build and Google I/O, are expected to highlight Web3 and AI-crypto integrations, while industry conferences like Consensus Toronto may generate new narratives and partnerships[10].
In summary, this week in crypto is defined by anticipation around ETF approvals, regulatory clarity, major network upgrades, and a renewed focus on both institutional and retail participation. Volatility is expected to remain high as these catalysts play out across the market.
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