The 64-Team Round: AI-ok

      Can AI be relied upon for NCAA Pools? I discovered the answer.

      With the initial two days of play behind us, I'm faring better in my pool than I typically do. I asked ChatGPT to generate two brackets: one for predicting the actual winner and another aimed at securing a win in my pool. So far, both are performing reasonably well. I find myself tied for fifth out of sixty entries with one bracket and in twentieth place with the other.

      ChatGPT didn't outperform my predictions for some of the upsets, as the committee expects the higher seed to win, which is why one team is seeded fifth and the other twelfth.

      However, it has predicted correctly about 80% of the time. Of the three teams I was cheering for, two (UCLA and Gonzaga) emerged victorious, while Santa Clara, a ten seed, lost in a last-second shot against Kentucky.

      Most importantly, my picks for the Sweet Sixteen, Elite Eight, and Final Four are all intact. This weekend will reveal much about the effectiveness of the ChatGPT modeling.

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

      In my “be right” bracket, I have the #1 seeds winning, with Duke taking the championship.

      One recurring theme in discussions about this year's tournament is the impact of NIL money and the transfer portal on the Cinderella teams. There’s a growing belief that the top ten or fifteen teams can acquire the best talent and are rich in NBA lottery picks. We will see if this is indeed the case, but it’s certainly fascinating.

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

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

      I recently watched Project Hail Mary, and here’s why it’s among the best films of the year.

      Ryan Gosling reaches for the stars in Project Hail Mary.

      Directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller have crafted one of the must-see movies of 2026 with the new sci-fi comedy, Project Hail Mary. Based on the novel by Andy Weir, the film starts with Dr. Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling) waking up on a spaceship with no memory of his identity. He eventually recalls that he was sent into space to save the Sun and humanity, forming a bond with a "crab-rock" alien (James Ortiz) on a parallel mission.

      Featuring a talented cast and crew, Project Hail Mary offers a grand blockbuster that seamlessly combines an exhilarating alien adventure with touching human drama. Fans of classic sci-fi films like The Martian, 2001: A Space Odyssey, and Interstellar will appreciate Project Hail Mary, which has already made its mark as a modern classic.

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

      The film has unveiled its initial look at Val Kilmer’s character, Father Fintan.

      The incorporation of generative AI in Hollywood has ignited discussions about creativity and legacy. Now, an independent film, As Deep as the Grave, is gaining attention for resurrecting Val Kilmer on screen through artificial intelligence. Years before his passing in 2025, Kilmer was cast by writer-director Coerte Voorhees, who tailored the role specifically for him. Voorhees shared with Variety, “He was the actor I wanted for this role. It was specifically designed around him, reflecting his Native American heritage and his love for the Southwest."

      The trailer for Spider-Man: Brand New Day depicts a Galaxy Z Flip phone and a superhero budget dilemma.

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

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