Welcome back to Market on Close. Shares of Reddit are down 3% right now, but NEM thinks that the stock has a lot of room to run higher. The firm named it its 2026 top pick and added it to its conviction buy list.Needm is positive on Reddit, having 100% human created content and notes that it's already generating more than hund00 million per year in fees from OpenAI and Google's Gemini. And that number could double with Anthropic and Perplexities fees. Shares are up about 40% so far this year.And that of cou ...

Core Insights - The evolution of enterprise-level AI chatbots has shifted from basic customer service tools to advanced systems that can transform customer interactions and backend operations [1] - By the end of 2025, over 80% of customer interactions are expected to involve chatbots, indicating a fundamental shift in customer expectations [1] - The market for AI chatbots is projected to reach $27 billion by 2030, driven by advancements in voice technology, AI integration, and personalized customer journeys [2][26] Group 1: AI Chatbot Functionality - AI chatbots can engage in real conversations, understanding user intent beyond scripted responses [3][4] - Key features include Natural Language Understanding (NLU), which allows chatbots to comprehend various expressions of the same question [9] - They provide 24/7 customer support, reduce costs, shorten response times, and offer scalability for businesses of all sizes [5][6] Group 2: Business Benefits - AI chatbots enable businesses to respond to customer inquiries without human intervention, meeting modern consumer expectations for instant support [6] - They help prevent potential customers from abandoning purchases due to unanswered questions and maintain service quality during high traffic periods [6] - Chatbots can collect valuable data on customer behavior and preferences, improving products, services, and marketing strategies [10] Group 3: Real-World Applications - Companies like H&M and Domino's have successfully implemented chatbots, resulting in increased online sales and reduced call volumes [11] - American Bank's virtual assistant, Erica, handles over 1 billion customer interactions annually, showcasing the efficiency of AI in banking [11] - Chatbots enhance customer engagement and satisfaction across various industries, including fashion, food delivery, and travel [11] Group 4: Implementation Challenges - Initial setup complexity and the need for extensive training data can pose challenges for businesses adopting AI chatbots [13][14] - Integration with legacy systems may require significant upgrades and custom API development [14] - Customer skepticism towards automated responses can hinder adoption, necessitating a balance between automation and human interaction [14] Group 5: Selection Criteria - Businesses should clarify their objectives for chatbot use, whether for customer support, sales, or internal functions [17] - The choice between off-the-shelf solutions and custom-built chatbots depends on the complexity of workflows and available technical resources [18] - Evaluating key features such as multi-channel support, third-party integrations, and security controls is essential for selecting the right chatbot [20] Group 6: Future Trends - Voice technology is emerging as a significant growth area, enabling more intuitive customer interactions [23] - Integration with advanced AI models like GPT-4 is enhancing chatbot capabilities, allowing them to handle complex queries [24] - The trend towards hyper-personalization in customer journeys is driving the adoption of AI chatbots across various sectors [25]

Core Viewpoint - Apple is struggling to modernize Siri, with a fully personalized version expected to be delayed until the release of iOS 20 in 2027, despite initial plans for a 2024 launch [1][3]. Group 1: Siri Development Challenges - Apple's new personalized Siri update is confirmed to be delayed, with no specific timeline provided, following internal admissions of embarrassment regarding the delays [3]. - The introduction of Apple Intelligence has not met user expectations, as many users feel that Siri relies too heavily on external assistance from ChatGPT for complex tasks [5][8]. - The company’s strategy of waiting for technology to mature before application has been challenged by the urgency to catch up with competitors in the generative AI space [10][12]. Group 2: User Expectations and Market Perception - Users are increasingly dissatisfied with Siri's current capabilities, desiring a more intelligent assistant that can handle complex queries independently, similar to ChatGPT [5][7]. - Despite some consumer interest in AI features, many believe that current AI functionalities on smartphones add little value [5][7]. Group 3: Technical and Privacy Constraints - Siri's development is hindered by the need to support multiple languages, which complicates natural language understanding and requires significant resources [14]. - Apple's commitment to user privacy complicates the development of a personalized Siri, as it limits the use of personal data necessary for enhancing Siri's capabilities [14][16]. - The challenge of running advanced AI functionalities on-device, while maintaining privacy, presents a significant obstacle for Apple in delivering a fully functional personalized Siri [16][18].