Go to the list of all blogs
Sergey Savastiouk's Avatar
published in Blogs
Dec 23, 2021
The Difference Between Real and Fake A.I.

The Difference Between Real and Fake A.I.

Artificial intelligence is here to stay. But as governments, companies, and people adapt to the reality of a world with AI, a revolutionary concept has been co-opted into a buzzword. AI as a sales tool has led to false claims and misinformation, making it difficult to parse facts about legitimate AI from the hype.

Here are some tips to help you tell the difference between real AI and fake AI.

AI is predicated on autonomy. It uses neural networks, machine learning, and other tools to create and run production models that not only simulate and predict outcomes but act based on those predictions. Some analytics companies bill their services as AI-driven, but if a human is required to act on a recommendation made by AI, then it’s not real, independent AI. Useful AI removes the need for human intervention. Predictive technology alone is just that – predictive technology.

It is important to evaluate how much human input is required for an AI-driven platform. Human setup can (and should) be a part of each service – after all, someone needs to set the parameters that dictate AI’s behavior. But any platform requiring daily human operation or maintenance is not true AI. Services that necessitate lengthy training and consulting processes are not selling a truly automated experience.

Most companies offering legitimate AI products will contractually guarantee increased performance. Real AI operates at a level of efficiency that humans are not capable of, regardless of the task it is performing. Be wary of companies that cannot guarantee superior results relative to people or other products on the market. Insights alone are not a measure of useful AI – a service that does the work for you while also providing new levels of understanding is a legitimate AI product.

It is also vital to consider the transparency of the product in question. True AI tools will offer a window into the millions of tasks it performs – if actions are obscured or visible only to the company providing the service, chances are it is not useful AI. Paying for a service that could be a person and a tool performing the tasks that are billed as artificial intelligence defeats AI’s very purpose.

As more and more AI products and services hit the market, it will become increasingly important to identify real-deal offerings in a sea of pretenders. Real AI may be sculpted by humans, but it should perform at a level of efficiency – without any human input – that no human can approach.
 

Adding A.I. as a Tool in Your Investment Toolbox

 

One of the only certainties of investing in stocks, bonds, forex, cryptocurrency, or any other type of security is that there is no certainty when it comes to future price movements. Making an investment decision about a trade or a strategy can involve all the data and research in the world, but there still remains an element of chance, and ultimately, luck.

But that does not mean it’s a waste of time to perform diligent research and homework and to use all of the tools at your disposal in an effort to make informed smart decisions. More data generally leads to a greater conviction, which can also lead to a higher probability of success.

That’s where Artificial Intelligence comes in. It is a very new tool that until now has not been available on a broad basis to retail investors. The A.I. mentioned in this article can be found on Tickeron.com, and it offers investors a free trial. Tickeron’s idea is to provide retail investors with technology and tools to enable trading with massive amounts of data and analysis. The end result is arming retail investors with a high-powered, virtual research assistant: Tickeron’s Artificial Intelligence. Readers can check out the free trial here: Pattern Search Engine.

We invite you to check out our other premium products -- they’ll help you be best prepared to take on the market. One of the premium products that might be helpful for a new trader is the AI Trend Prediction Engine. For a continuing trader, AI Real Time Patterns and our Screener are a great way to pinpoint exactly what you’re looking for and to monitor the securities for an extended period of time. 


Contributor

Sergey Savastiouk, Ph.D. has a degree in Applied Mathematics from Moscow University and has extensive experience as an entrepreneur, investor, manager, and mathematician. His professional expertise is in applied mathematics, mathematical modeling, system and pattern analysis, and software and hardware system integration. He has served as the CEO of several hi-tech start-up companies and nonprofit organizations, which has given him proven capabilities in business strategy for high-tech start-up companies, market assessment, company formation, team building, product development, marketing, and sales. He has published numerous articles in journals and magazines on related fields. As a retail investor, he spent 15 years developing his proprietary trading and quantitative algorithms (now Tickeron’s A.I.), which brought him significant returns in trading the stock market. His current work and goal in founding Tickeron is to bring professional, sophisticated stock market analysis capabilities to retail investors via an easy-to-use interface.


Interact to see
Advertisement
Exxon Mobil is a global energy giant with roughly 324 billion dollars in trailing revenue, around 29 billion dollars in earnings, record production near 4.7 million barrels per day, and a long runway of projects in Guyana, the Permian, LNG and carbon capture. The Iran war has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and could keep a 10–20 dollar‑per‑barrel risk premium in crude if tensions stay high, which would generally be positive for XOM’s upstream earnings and refining margins.
Chevron is a global integrated oil and gas major with growing production, a strong balance sheet, and significant exposure to long‑life projects in the Permian, LNG, and Venezuela, aiming for structurally higher cash flows through 2026 and beyond. The Iran war has increased the probability of supply disruptions or perceived risk in the Gulf, and several analysts warn that Brent could move above 100 dollars per barrel if Hormuz traffic is impaired, which would generally be supportive for Chevron’s earnings and free cash flow.
Shell is a diversified global major with roughly 266.9 billion dollars in trailing revenue, 17.8 billion dollars in earnings, a 3.5% dividend yield, and an active buyback program, trading at about 13 times earnings near its 52‑week high. The Iran war materially raises the risk of disruptions or perceived threats around the Strait of Hormuz, which could push oil well above 80–100 dollars per barrel and tighten LNG markets, a setup that is generally supportive for Shell’s upstream and LNG businesses.
LMT is a defense heavyweight with roughly 75 billion dollars in annual revenue, about 5 billion dollars in earnings, and a backlog above 190 billion dollars spanning fighters, missiles, space, and sustainment contracts that support long‑term cash flow. The U.S.–Iran war has triggered a classic “flight to defense,” with sector ETFs and names like Lockheed rallying as investors price in higher defense spending, missile restocking, and elevated geopolitical risk for years to come.
NOC is a defense heavyweight with about 42 billion dollars in annual revenue, 4.18 billion dollars in earnings, and key growth programs in the B‑21 bomber, Sentinel ICBM, missile defense, and space, which are all strategically prioritized in U.S. and allied budgets. The Iran war has reinforced a rotation into defense stocks as investors expect elevated military spending, ammunition and missile restocking, and sustained demand for advanced systems, and commentary specifically cites Northrop as a likely beneficiary.
RTX is a broad aerospace and defense leader with about 88.6 billion dollars in 2025 revenue, 6.73 billion dollars in earnings, and a 268 billion dollar backlog spanning commercial and defense programs that support multi‑year growth. Management guides to 92–93 billion dollars in 2026 sales, adjusted EPS of 6.60–6.80, and free cash flow of 8.25–8.75 billion dollars, with analysts expecting roughly 6% EPS growth to around 6.67 dollars in 2026.
Delta is the most profitable major U.S. airline, with 2025 operating revenue of 58.3 billion dollars, adjusted EPS of 5.82 dollars, 12% ROIC, and manageable leverage, and it is guiding to 2026 EPS of 6.50–7.50 dollars and 3–4 billion dollars of free cash flow. The Iran war is pushing oil and jet fuel prices higher, with jet fuel benchmarks up about 22% this year amid fears over flows through the Strait of Hormuz, and long‑haul routes across the region are being rerouted, raising costs and causing disruptions.
GD produces business jets, combat vehicles, IT and mission systems, and submarines, with 2025 revenue of 52.55 billion dollars, net income of 4.21 billion dollars, EPS of 15.45, and a sizable backlog near 118 billion dollars that underpins future growth.​ The Iran war has boosted interest in defense stocks; sector ETFs are up double digits this year and analysts emphasize that long‑duration maintenance and modernization contracts can support cash flows even after the conflict cools.
HII is the dominant U.S. Navy shipbuilder, focused on aircraft carriers, submarines, and other major naval vessels, with about 12.0 billion dollars in trailing revenue, 569 million dollars in net income, and EPS of 14.50. The Iran war and threats around the Strait of Hormuz highlight the importance of naval and missile-defense capabilities; reports show interceptor stocks being depleted and stress that keeping sea lanes open will likely require sustained naval investment where HII is a key contractor.
United is a large global carrier with a premium‑focused “United Next” strategy that upgauges to larger, more fuel‑efficient aircraft and adds premium seats to improve margins over the next several years. The Iran war has forced widespread Middle East airspace closures, creating thousands of cancellations, diversions, longer flight times, and higher fuel burn; analysts warn of higher fares and air‑freight rates if the conflict persists.
GE Aerospace is a focused aviation and defense company with two major segments—commercial engines and services, and defense and propulsion—earning most of its profits from long‑duration engine service on an installed base near 80,000 engines. Revenue and earnings growth have been strong, with recent quarterly revenue above 11 billion dollars, up high‑teens year over year, and net income over 2 billion dollars; management guides to 2026 EPS of 7.10–7.40 dollars, well above this year’s roughly 5.4‑dollar consensus.
Shares of Citigroup (C) declined approximately 5.17% in the most recent completed trading session, closing at $110.19 versus a prior close of $116.19. The primary catalyst was hotter-than-expected U.S. Producer Price Index (PPI) data, stoking fears of persistent inflation and a reduced likelihood of near-term Federal Reserve rate cuts.
AVAV surged +16.83% in Monday's session, trading at $294.70 compared to Friday's closing price of $252.25 — a gain of $42.45 per share. The primary catalyst was a powerful confluence of geopolitical demand and corporate developments: the escalating U.S.-Iran military conflict dramatically amplified investor focus on AeroVironment's loitering munitions portfolio.
Shares of Venture Global surged approximately +16.61% on March 2, 2026, closing at $11.30 compared to the prior close of $9.69. The primary catalyst was a stronger-than-expected Q4 2025 earnings report, with GAAP EPS of $0.41 beating the consensus estimate of $0.36 by $0.05.
Shares of CCL plunged 10.11% in Monday's session, falling from a prior close of $31.55 to $28.36. The primary catalyst was a coordinated U.S. and Israeli military strike on Iran over the weekend, causing crude oil prices to surge approximately 8–9% and triggering a global risk-off selloff.
ADT shares dropped sharply — falling as much as 13.4% intraday and hitting a new 52-week low of $6.65 — after reporting Q4 2025 results before the Monday open. Fourth-quarter revenue and guidance both missed analyst expectations, overshadowing an earnings-per-share beat.
Shares of Karman Holdings surged approximately +13.00% in Monday's session, closing near $99.57, up from a prior close of $88.11. The primary catalyst was the release of the company's fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 financial results, which showed strong revenue growth and exceeded top-line expectations.
Netflix dropped out of a months‑long bidding war for Warner Bros Discovery after Paramount/Skydance raised their offer, and Netflix refused to match it, saying the new price was “no longer financially appealing.” The stock jumped roughly 10%+ on the news as investors read this as fiscal discipline—management chose not to overpay, which protects the balance sheet and future returns instead of chasing scale at any price.
SE shares plunged approximately 23% at Tuesday's open, marking one of the steepest single-session selloffs in recent company history. The primary catalyst was a severe Q4 2025 earnings miss: adjusted EPS of $0.63 fell well short of the analyst consensus of $0.80, a miss of roughly 21%.
Shares of Southern Copper Corporation (SCCO) are down 10.32% in Tuesday's session, trading at $196.27 versus the prior close of $218.85 — a single-day loss of $22.58 per share. The primary catalyst is a Bank of America downgrade issued on March 2, cutting SCCO from Neutral to Underperform, which triggered accelerating sell pressure into Tuesday's open.