Notation From the Grid (Special Edition): #FIFA2018; #AI; @NBA & Other Thoughts....

Please enjoy these courtesy of the team at Goldman Sachs on Our World as we hope all enjoy FIFA2018:

GS Economists Train Their Machine-Learning Model on the 2018 World Cup

What happens when economists apply their statistical techniques to the world's most popular sport? A mathematical model for predicting the winners in the 21st FIFA World Cup, of course. As they have done with the World Cup in years past, Goldman Sachs Research economists calculated the chances of victory for each of the 32 countries competing in the 2018 World Cup, which begins on June 14 in Russia. This year, for the first time, the team led by Chief Economist Jan Hatzius used player data and a machine-learning model. They ran one million simulations to find the most likely outcome for the tournament. Their prediction? Brazil has the best chance to take the cup, with an 18.5% probability, ahead of France with an 11.3% chance. Watch video Read report SHARE:

Talks at GS: Jeremy Lin on his Brand and Basketball Career

Above (L to R): Phil Han of Goldman Sachs and Jeremy LinFive years from the peak of "Linsanity," basketball player Jeremy Lin, now with the Brooklyn Nets, feels like he's slipped under the radar of high expectations -- which is exactly how he likes it. "That's kind of the situation I've always thrived in, because...obviously, [when] you step on a basketball court, if you're Asian, you're immediately under the radar," Lin said at a recent Talks at GS session, where he spoke about the liberating effect of letting go of other people's expectations. "I enjoy the ability to be able to surprise people." As one of very few Asian-Americans in the National Basketball Association, Lin says he hopes his unconventional path from Harvard to the NBA will help challenge stereotypes. "That's really how you see racial breakthroughs in whatever industry it might be."

Talks at GS: Eric Schmidt on AI, Leadership and the 'Mark Zuckerberg' Effect

Above: Marty Chavez of Goldman Sachs and Eric Schmidt, formerly of Alphabet Advancements in artificial intelligence aren't posing a threat that computers will "take over," but are paving the way for them to become "savant systems" -- offering up choices, scenarios and advice to people, according to former Alphabet chairman Eric Schmidt, who discussed the future of AI during the Goldman Sachs Systematic Investing Conference. "[Computers] will use their ability to see very deeply, to see everything that humans can't," he said. Schmidt also shared his thoughts on cybersecurity, leadership and why technology is winning the war for talent. "Computer science is now the number one major in essentially all of the top universities," he said. "I call this the 'Mark Zuckerberg Effect.'"