The 64-Team Round: AI-approved

      Can AI be relied upon for NCAA Pools? I found out.

      With the first two days of the tournament behind us, my performance in my pool is better than usual. I had ChatGPT generate two brackets: one aimed at forecasting the actual winner and the other focused on winning my pool. So far, both have performed decently. I currently hold a tie for fifth place out of sixty brackets with one entry and am in twentieth place with the other.

      ChatGPT didn't exceed my abilities when it came to predicting certain upsets, as the seeding reflects the committee's expectation of a higher seed winning.

      However, its predictions have been accurate about 80% of the time. Among the three teams I was cheering for, two (UCLA and Gonzaga) secured wins, while Santa Clara, a ten seed, lost in a nail-biter to Kentucky.

      Most importantly, my picks for the Sweet Sixteen, Elite Eight, and Final Four are all intact. This weekend will reveal a lot regarding how effective the ChatGPT modeling has been.

      In my “win the pool” bracket, my Final Four selections include several #2 seeds: UConn, Houston, and Purdue, with Houston taking home the Championship.

      In my “be right” bracket, I have all the #1 seeds succeeding, with Duke winning the tournament.

      A prevalent theme in this year's tournament discussions is the impact of NIL money and the transfer portal on "Cinderella" stories. There's a rising belief that the top ten or fifteen teams are able to recruit top talent and are heavily represented in the NBA lottery picks. Time will tell if this holds true, but it’s an interesting notion.

      Check back on Monday to see if my Sweet Sixteen turns out to be Sweet or sour.

      Peter C. Horan is an entrepreneur and digital media investor experienced in building successful media, commerce, and advertising ventures.

      I just finished watching Project Hail Mary; here's why it's one of the best films of the year.

      Ryan Gosling reaches for the stars in Project Hail Mary.

      Directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller have produced one of the must-watch films of 2026 with their new sci-fi comedy, Project Hail Mary. Based on Andy Weir's novel, the story starts with Dr. Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling) waking up on a spaceship with no recollection of his identity. Eventually, he remembers his mission to save the Sun and humanity from extinction and forms a friendship with a "crab-rock" alien (James Ortiz) on a similar mission.

      Supported by a skilled cast and crew, Project Hail Mary presents a spectacular blockbuster that fuses an exhilarating alien adventure with meaningful human emotion. Fans of classic sci-fi films such as The Martian, 2001: A Space Odyssey, and Interstellar will appreciate Project Hail Mary, which is already seen as a modern classic.

      AI technology is bringing Val Kilmer back to the big screen in the upcoming film “As Deep as the Grave.”

      The film has revealed its first glimpse of Val Kilmer’s character, Father Fintan.

      The use of generative AI in Hollywood has already ignited discussions about creativity and legacy. Now, the indie film As Deep as the Grave is garnering attention for reviving Val Kilmer using artificial intelligence.

      Kilmer was cast by writer-director Coerte Voorhees years before his passing in 2025, with the role tailored specifically for him. As Voorhees shared with Variety, “He was the actor I envisioned for this part. It was very much crafted around him, drawing from his Native American background and his love for the Southwest.”

      The Spider-Man: Brand New Day trailer reveals a Galaxy Z Flip and a superhero's financial struggles.

      Longtime fans may recall when Sony Xperia was part of the narrative.

      The new trailer for Spider-Man: Brand New Day is generating buzz, but not necessarily for its storyline. This time, it’s Peter Parker’s choice of smartphone that has caught attention. In a fleeting moment, Spidey is seen using what appears to be a Samsung Galaxy Z Flip, a high-end foldable that certainly doesn't suggest “rent overdue.”