Top Trending Technology News & Highlights
Microsoft Unveils Copilot for Finance, an AI Solution to Simplify Tasks Associated with Enterprise Finance
Microsoft on Thursday unveiled Copilot for Finance, a new artificial intelligence (AI) tool designed to make everyday mundane tasks easier for financial professionals. The Copilot tool adds new features tailored to financial operations to the already-existing Copilot for Microsoft 365 stack, rather than creating a brand-new AI model. This AI tool, which focuses on enterprises, is currently in public preview. Notably, a recent update from the tech giant revealed additional features and significant enhancements for Windows 11.Microsoft presented its new AI tool in a blog post, pitching it as a means of allowing finance departments within businesses to focus on strategic tasks rather than tedious analysis and report writing. The business also cited a statistic from CFO magazine, stating that the "drudgery of data entry and review cycles" was cited by 62% of finance professionals polled as a reason they could not find time for strategic tasks. The tech giant claims that Copilot for Finance automates a number of financial tasks that would otherwise require users to put in long hours. It can accomplish a wide range of tasks, including using natural language prompts to conduct a variance analysis in Excel, reconciling data in Excel with automated data structure comparisons, giving a comprehensive summary of pertinent customer account details, transforming raw data into visuals and reports, and much more.
Published 04 Mar 2024 05:41 PM
This AI Worm Can Steal Data And Violate ChatGPT And Geminis Security
According to a report in Wired, researchers are now creating AI worms that can steal your private information and circumvent the security measures of generative AI systems like OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's Gemini. The first generative AI worm, known as "Morris II," was developed by researchers at Cornell University, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, and Intuit. It has the ability to spread malware and steal data from one system to another. It was given this name in honor of the very first worm, which was released online in 1988. "It basically means that now you have the ability to conduct or to perform a new kind of cyberattack that hasn't been seen before," explained researcher Ben Nassi of Cornell Tech. According to the outlet, the AI worm can get past some security measures in ChatGPT and Gemini by targeting a generative AI email assistant with the intention of sending spam and stealing email addresses. To create the generative AI worm, the researchers employed a "adversarial self-replicating prompt". They claim that in response to this prompt, the generative AI model generates an alternative prompt. In order to put it into practice, the researchers integrated ChatGPT, Gemini, and open-source LLM into an email system that could send and receive messages using generative AI. They also found two ways to use the system: one was to embed the question within an image file, and the other was to use a text-based, self-replicating prompt. In one instance, the researchers pretended to be attackers and sent an adversarial text prompt along with an email. By using retrieval-augmented generation, this "poisons" the email assistant's database and gives LLMs access to additional data from sources outside of their own. Retrieval-augmented generation, according to Mr. Nassi, "jailbreaks the GenAI service" when it retrieves an email in response to a user query and forwards it to Gemini Pro or GPT-4 for generation of a response. Eventually, this leads to data theft from the emails."The generated response containing the sensitive user data later infects new hosts when it is used to reply to an email sent to a new client and then stored in the database of the new client," he stated.
Published 04 Mar 2024 04:27 PM
Connecting Local Environmental Factors With UFO Sightings?
UFOs, or unexplained aerial phenomena, have long been observed in the sky. Although preliminary research produced no solid proof, a recent study proposes a connection between sighting sites and their environs. After looking over two decades' worth of UAP reports, researchers discovered that locations with clear skies, low light pollution, and unhindered views had a higher frequency. There could be a number of reasons for this correlation, including better visibility that makes it possible to see more unusual objects. The study emphasizes how crucial environmental variables are to the analysis of UAP sightings.Investigating UFO sightings, researchers at the University of Utah sought to determine if there was a relationship between the location of sightings and the surrounding environment. They examined close to 100,000 National UFO Research Center reports over a 20-year period (2001-2020). For every county in the continental United States, they took into account two factors: the likelihood that something might be up there (airports, military bases) and how clear the sky is (light pollution, clouds, trees). Due to the wide open spaces and darkness in the western US, the results indicated a higher number of sightings. It's interesting to note that locations with heavy air traffic or a military presence were frequently hotspots for reports. This implies that individuals may be perceiving real objects but are merely unable to identify them. Lead author of the study and University of Utah associate professor of geography Richard Medina explained, "The idea is that if you have a chance to see something, then it's more likely that you're going to see unexplained phenomena in the sky." "With more technology than ever in the sky, one must wonder: What are people really seeing? Answering this question is difficult, but it's crucial since any ambiguity could pose a risk to national security."
Published 02 Mar 2024 06:29 PM
Following the intervention of the center, Google agrees to restore Indian apps.
A dispute over service fees led to the removal of Indian mobile apps from the Play Store, but Google has started the process of restoring them. According to sources, the decision was made following a meeting between IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and company representatives. Ten Indian companies' apps were removed by Google on Friday, causing controversy in one of its fastest-growing markets. With 94% of phones running on its Android platform, Google commands a large portion of the Indian market. Popular names like Naukri and Bharatmatrimony were on the list.The main point of contention is Google's in-app purchase fees, which range from 11% to 26%. Indian startups have long opposed the US tech giant's actions, believing them to be unfair.The creator of Bharat Matrimony, Christian Matrimony, Muslim Matrimony, and Jodii, Matrimony.com, expressed shock at the matchmaking apps' removal from the Google Play Store. Murugavel Janakiraman, the founder, described it as a "dark day" for India's internet, highlighting the possible broad effects on matchmaking services."One by one, our apps are being removed. It literally means that all of the best matrimonial services will be eliminated," Mr. Janakiraman stated, according to Reuters. We possess an enormous and dynamic startup ecosystem. To ensure that this ecosystem is preserved, we must take all necessary measures. Google has embraced Indian technologies quite well. Before meeting with Google representatives, the minister told NDTV, "I am quite hopeful that Google will be reasonable with its approach." Due to some policy infractions, Google temporarily removed the well-known Indian payments app Paytm from the Play Store in 2020. Following the change, the founder of the business and the larger startup community banded together to take legal action against Google and launch their own app stores.
Published 02 Mar 2024 06:10 PM
Technology
21st century is dedicated to the Technology and technology is dominating everywhere and every part of the world and almost all the industries are now a days is technology dependent or they need technology help to drive more scale and deliveries.
Network18 and ZEEL reveal the new RIO; modify channel prices and remove bouquets
A new Reference Interconnect Offer (RIO), which will go into effect on February 1, 2024, has been issued by Zee Entertainment Enterprises (ZEEL) Ltd. and IndiaCast, the distribution division of Network18.IndiaCast has introduced new bouquets and discontinued some of its older ones in the new RIO. Additionally, it has changed how much some channels cost. More than 25 bouquets, including Colors Wala Hindi Budget and Colors Wala Hindi Budget Plus, have been canceled by the distributor.(whose cost was Rs 25) and Colors Wala Hindi Value (whose cost was Rs 28). Colors Wala Hindi Value (Rs 34), Colors Wala Hindi Value Plus Sports (Rs 45), and Colors Wala Marathi Value (Rs 40) are among the new products that the distribution arm is selling.Some channels on Network18 have seen price increases, such as Colors Marathi, which was formerly only Rs 10 and is now Rs 15. In a similar vein, Colors Cineplex, which was formerly priced at Rs 3, is now Rs 19.
Ranbir and Konkana return in the most recent OPPO advertisement as
In order to promote the Oppo Reno smartphone series, smartphone manufacturer OPPO just revealed their newest ad. It stars Ranbir Kapoor and Konkana Sen Sharma as two of their most beloved characters, Sid and Aisha, from the movie "Wake Up Sid."The characters' afterlife is captured in the video commercial campaign. Ranbir, who portrayed the aspiring photographer Sid, is shown using the just released OPPO phone to record a significant occasion."Simply capturing life with a special friend, just like Sid!" is the film's tagline and main idea.Famous Innovations is the person who conceptualized the movie. "Reno 11 Series is positioned as a Portrait Expert with this campaign; the phone boasts a superior camera, and who better to bring that alive than everyone's favorite photographer character, Sid from Wake Up Sid?" an agency spokesman remarked in reference to the same. We made an effort to depict the characters' life changes and provide a window into a unique time spent with Ayesha, Laxmi, and Rishi. People would feel nostalgic after watching this movie and be curious to learn more."
Why 2024 will be a year of entertainment media mergers
An existential crisis is plaguing India's entertainment industry as a result of changes in customer behavior. Globally, traditional media companies are likewise having difficulty and are looking to consolidate in order to maintain their heritage operations and reduce losses from their digital endeavors. The OTT market is having difficulties as audience growth slows and content costs rise. Indian broadcasting companies are experimenting with hybrid OTT revenue models, but they are up against e-commerce sites and software titans for digital ad dollars. The industry is at a loss as to how to proceed, whether it be through mergers or modifications to business structures.Will the business of linear television face an acceleration of collapse by 2024? Will broadcasting businesses be merging this year? Will internet behemoths in the technology sector steal viewers and money from over-the-top (OTT) video streaming services, or will they be able to survive? India's sizable entertainment corporations are facing challenges from digitally-powered businesses and changing consumer behavior, leading them to ask some unsettling questions.
CCDT and MnM Talkies Work Together for Human Rights #KripyaDhyanDein
Leading content provider MnM Talkies, which specializes in audio stories and podcasts, has partnered with Committed regions Development Trust (CCDT), a nonprofit committed to helping impoverished children in underserved regions. Together, they hope to produce an engaging audio project that uses sound's immersive quality to highlight human rights abuses, especially those that impact women and children. By collaborating with CCDT, an organization dedicated to advancing fairness and defending the rights of underprivileged children and families, MnM Talkies raises awareness of the voices of people whose tales are frequently ignored. nearly the course of the last 30 years, CCDT's commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations has had a significant influence on the lives of nearly 2 million children and families in distress throughout Maharashtra by propelling rights- and needs-based initiatives.Under the moniker "Kripya Dhyaan Dein" (Please Pay Attention), the cooperation has produced a number of audio wonders that aim to awaken the public and inspire them to pay attentive attention to the stories of persons around them. MnM Talkies and CCDT have skillfully communicated the urgency of human rights awareness, demonstrating sympathy with those impacted by abuses through fictional storylines grounded in real-life experiences. These powerful tales, which can be found on social media and different audio platforms, operate as a call to action for people to change the world and speak up in favor of human rights. This endeavor serves as a light of hope in the face of global human rights crises, inspiring listeners to deeply engage with these issues. The world needs transformative actions. In the spirit
MC Stan and MS Dhoni collaborate on Fire-Boltt
Leading Indian smart wearable manufacturer Fire-Boltt releases the #GaleTohMil advertisement, which stars the most unexpected pair—cricket great MS Dhoni and well-known Indian rapper MC Stan. This engaging movie seeks to showcase the exceptional qualities of Fire-Boltt's most recent invention, the ground-breaking Wristphone, which flawlessly blends the endless possibilities of a smartphone with the practicality of a smartwatch. With #GaleTohMil, Fire-Boltt showcases how technology is seamlessly incorporated into daily life while offering a new take on the marriage of sports and music.The video, which was conceptualized and filmed by the innovative powerhouse Moonshot, enthralls viewers with its distinctive fusion of humor, technology, and star power. The narrative takes place at a party, where MS Dhoni is approached by MC Stan and has an embarrassing encounter. As Dhoni struggles to remember Stan's name and songs, tension grows and the scenario takes an unexpected turn. The situation is amusing yet relatable.The story revolves around the Fire-Boltt Wristphone, which plays a pivotal role in saving Dhoni's life by giving him the knowledge he finds difficult to recall. The movie does a good job of conveying how useful the wristwatch is and why it is deserving of the hashtag #TheSmartestSmartwatch. "We are proud to introduce our first-ever Wristphone through this entertaining and engaging ad film featuring two iconic personalities, MS Dhoni and MC Stan," stated Arnav Kishore, CEO and Founder of Fire-Boltt. This wearable technology product is revolutionary, and we think the movie will do a great job of conveying to our viewers what makes it special. To guarantee broad visibility, the advertisement film will be heavily promoted on OTT channels and social media sites. Fire-Boltt wants to engage audiences from a varie
Here I am climbing: The films produced by Pramerica Life Insurance honor resiliency in many facets of life.
The debut of Pramerica Life Insurance's "This is My Climb" marketing campaign has been revealed. This campaign, which consists of two short videos, seeks to honor the many narratives of perseverance, goals, and purpose that characterize each of our unique experiences. Beyond the conventional marketing strategy, the campaign taps into the emotional center of the human experience, connecting with people at all stages of life. "Like any ascent, life's journey demands unwavering determination and unique challenges," stated Pankaj Gupta, MD, CEO of Pramerica Life Insurance. "We highlight the various aspects of purpose, commitment, and responsibility that each person exemplifies through the 'This is My Climb' campaign. Our goal is to become our clients' dependable bedrock—a partner as strong as a rock. We are dedicated to providing all of our stakeholders with a solid partner for every climb, no matter how big or small."Two powerful short films are used to tell the story of the campaign. The first movie depicts a father's journey and goals in a way that is relevant. We witness his dedication, as he lays aside his own goals and aspirations to support his child's aspirations. Regardless of the size of the obstacle, he views it as a climb he must do with perseverance and selfless sacrifice in order to reach his child's future. He reflects the essence of every parent who puts their child's aspirations ahead of their own, finding strength in their adversities and delight in their successes. The family of a defense member is shown in the second film as they follow him on an emotional journey of unwavering support and pride as he achieves new heights in dedication and commitment. Seeing this movie makes me think about Pramerica Life Insurance.President and Chief Business Officer of Pramerica Life Insurance Karthik Chakrapani stated, "The beauty of 'This is My Climb' lies in its breadth of perspectives." Each story has a distinct resonance, ranging from the ethos of a defense man and his family for the nation's sovereignty to the resolve of a father for his child's future. We encourage readers to interact with these motivational stories, look for themes in their own ascents, and join us in honoring the human spirit. Under the direction of Paritosh Srivastava, Chief Executive Officer, Oindrila Roy, Managing Director, and Heads of Creative Srijan Shukla and Pratheeb Ravi, who are renowned for telling gripping stories, Publicis Worldwide India has artistically produced this campaign. Their combined knowledge and commitment have been essential in obtaining
A viral tweet claims that the rasam bus ad in Bengaluru is insulting both north and south India Internet split
An online discussion has been triggered by an outside advertisement for Indira's Rasam Paste on a Bengaluru bus. Some online users have criticized the advertisement for being "sexist" and "regionalist." Some countered that the advertisement was not controversial in any way. The advertisement's wording said, "Wife North India aa?" (Is your wife North Indian?) implies that northern women are incapable of preparing rasam.Tejas Dinkar, an X user, initially brought the advertisement to the attention of the internet by accusing the company of being chauvinistic. "Today in ads that manage to be sexist while also insulting both North and South India (from r/bangalore)," he said. A heated discussion about whether the advertisement is offensive or not broke out in the comment area. X user Tejas Dinkar shared a picture of the advertisement, which attracted public notice. He expressed his disapproval in the caption, calling the advertisement "sexist" and "insulting" to people in both North and South India.
Raaya's integrated marketing mandate is won by With & Chai Group.
Men's ethnic clothing company Raaya has awarded the marketing mandate to Pune-based advertising firm Wit & Chai Group. Following a multi-agency pitch, the mandate was acquired by Wit & Chai in October 2023.With online and offline promotions, Wit & Chai Group hopes to raise awareness of Raaya and bolster its standing as a high-end menswear brand. "Wit & Chai gave a strong pitch, and we think working with them will help our brand reach new audiences. Our goal is to set Raaya apart as a luxury brand that is reasonably priced and to highlight our exceptional craftsmanship. Preshit Jain remarked, "We are confident that Wit & Chai has our best interests at heart.Furthermore, Wit & Chai Group partner Nahush Gulawani added, "We are thrilled to collaborate with a brand like Raaya that has such an intriguing focus: men's ethnic apparel. We are eager to collaborate with the Raaya team and use our skills to further improve the brand image. Men's ethnic clothing company Raaya has awarded the marketing mandate to Pune-based advertising firm Wit & Chai Group. Following a multi-agency pitch, the mandate was acquired by Wit & Chai in October 2023.With online and offline promotions, Wit & Chai Group hopes to raise awareness of Raaya and bolster its standing as a high-end menswear brand. "Wit & Chai gave a strong pitch, and we think working with them will help our brand reach new audiences. Our goal is to set Raaya apart as a luxury brand that is reasonably priced and to highlight our exceptional craftsmanship. Preshit Jain remarked, "We are confident that Wit & Chai has our best interests at heart.Furthermore, Wit & Chai Group partner Nahush Gulawani added, "We are thrilled to collaborate with a brand like Raaya that has such an intriguing focus: men's ethnic apparel. We are eager to collaborate with the Raaya team and use our skills to further improve the brand image.
A diagnostics business is getting ready to launch a blood testing product in Austin and San Antonio.
Babson Diagnostics has successfully obtained important FDA clearance for its blood testing products following years of cooperation and trials. Listen to the most recent episode of Texas Business Minds to hear about the startup's history, its funding efforts, and the Texas towns it plans to debut in this year, including San Antonio.A diagnostic firm is getting ready to launch a blood testing product in Austin and San Antonio. Babson Diagnostics has successfully obtained important FDA clearance for its blood testing products following years of cooperation and trials. The creator of Babson Diagnostics is getting ready to introduce a cutting-edge blood test device. The founder, COO, and chairman of Austin-based Babson Diagnostics, a blood testing firm, is Eric Olson. He was recently a guest on the Texas Business Minds podcast.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Series to Be Available on Blinkit in Select Cities; Doorstep Delivery in 10 Minutes
Samsung Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24+, and Galaxy S24 Ultra were unveiled at the company's Galaxy Unpacked event last week. The latest flagships are currently up for pre-orders in India and are set to go on sale for the first time starting Wednesday, January 31. Ahead of the sale, Samsung has joined hands with hyper-local delivery company Blinkit to offer doorstep delivery of the Galaxy S24 series in select cities. The company is claimed to deliver new handsets to buyers within 10 minutes of receiving the order. Samsung, via a press release on Thursday (January 25), announced a tie-up with Blinkit to deliver its recently launched Galaxy S24 series in India. Customers in Bengaluru, Delhi-NCR, and Mumbai can order Galaxy S24 Ultra, Galaxy S24+, and Galaxy S24 smartphones on the instant delivery platform for doorstep delivery. The handsets will be delivered in less than 10 minutes of receiving the order, claims Blinkit. Meanwhile, other online retailers will take at least one day to deliver the handsets. Customers buying the Galaxy S24 series through the Blinkit app or website can avail of an instant cashback of Rs. 5,000 for payments made using HDFC Bank credit cards.Samsung's Galaxy AI Features Are Coming to These Older Devices: Report. The Galaxy S24 has a starting price tag of Rs. 79,999 for the base 8GB + 256GB variant, the Galaxy S24+ pricing starts at Rs. 99,999, and the Galaxy S24 Ultra has a starting price tag of Rs. 1,29,999. Samsung Galaxy S24 series run on Android 14-based One UI 6.1 and boasts Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays with up to 120Hz refresh rate. The Galaxy S24 packs 8GB of RAM, while the top-end Galaxy S24+ and Galaxy S24 Ultra offer 12GB of RAM. The Galaxy S24 Ultra runs on a tweaked version of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC called "Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC for Galaxy" in all regions. The India variants of Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S24+ smartphones have Exynos 2400 SoC under the hood. All three phones have IP68-rated dust- and water-resistant build. Samsung has equipped the Galaxy S24 Ultra with a quad camera setup led by a 200-megapixel primary camera. The regular models have triple rear cameras led by a 50-megapixel wide-angle camera. Samsung to Make Galaxy S24 Series in India for Local, Global Markets The Galaxy S24 Ultra comes with a 5,000mAh battery with support for 45W wired charging and Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 that offers 15W charging speeds. The Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S24+ pack 4,000mAh and 4,900mAh batteries with 25W and 45W wired charging support, respectively.
"Moto G24 Power India Launch Set for January 30; Teased to Offer 6,000mAh Battery, Helio G85 SoC "
Moto G24 Power is confirmed to be offered in Glacier Blue and Ink Blue colours. Moto G24 Power will be launched in India next week. The Chinese smartphone vendor has announced the arrival of a new Moto G series smartphone through its official social media handle. Motorola has also listed the Moto G24 Power on its India website revealing its design and specifications. It is confirmed to come in Glacier Blue and Ink Blue shades. The Moto G24 Power is teased to run on the MediaTek Helio G85 SoC. Dual rear cameras, a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, and a 6,000mAh battery are other key specifications of the handset. It will be sold via Flipkart. Motorola, through its official X account, confirmed that the Moto G24 Power will launch in India on January 30 and will go on sale via the company's official website, Flipkart, and other leading retail stores. The Lenovo subsidiary and Flipkart are both teasing the key specifications of the smartphone via a dedicated microsite. The price details of Moto G24 Power are not known at this moment. However, we can expect the handset to be priced at around Rs. 10,000. The Moto G24 Power is confirmed to be offered in Glacier Blue and Ink Blue colours. It is listed to run Android 14 and feature a 6.56-inch HD+ display with 90Hz refresh rate. The handset will be powered by a MediaTek Helio G85 SoC, coupled with up to 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. Moto G04, Moto G24 With 5,000mAh Battery Unveiled: See Price For optics, the Moto G24 Power gets a dual rear camera unit, comprising a 50-megapixel primary camera with Quad Pixel technology alongside a 2-megapixel macro shooter. Selfies and video chats will be handled by a 16-megapixel front camera. It gets stereo speakers supported by Dolby Atmos and a side-mounted fingerprint scanner for authentication. It will offer an IP52-rated build and pack a 6,000mAh battery with support for 33W fast charging.
Oppo, Nokia Resolve All Pending Patent Disputes via Cross Licencing Deal
Nokia said that Oppo will make royalty payments, along with catch-up payments to cover the periods of non-payment as part of the cross-licencing deal.Finnish telecom gear maker Nokia said on Wednesday it had signed a 5G patent cross-licencing deal with Chinese device maker Oppo that resolves patent litigation between the companies. Nokia has been involved in legal disputes with several Chinese tech firms, including Oppo and Vivo, over patent payments. The Finnish group recently signed an agreement with Chinese smartphone maker Honor."Under the agreement Oppo will make royalty payments, along with catch-up payments to cover the periods of non-payment," Nokia said in a statement. "The agreement resolves all pending patent litigation between the parties, in all jurisdictions."OP Corporate Bank analyst Kimmo Stenvall said investors had expected the parties to reach an agreement "sooner or later". Nokia' shares were roughly flat at 1049 GMT (4:19pm IST).Inderes analyst Atte Riikola said it was good uncertainty was now lifted about the timing of the deal, after the process had taken longer than expected. Nokia in December warned it would not meet its financial outlook for 2023, saying talks over unspecified licence renewals would continue into this year.
How China Cannot Use Its Technology for Artificial Intelligence Because of US Intervention
The Biden administration is proposing requiring US cloud companies to determine whether foreign entities are accessing US data centers to train AI models, US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said on Friday. "We can't have non-state actors or China or folks who we don't want accessing our cloud to train their models," Raimondo said in an interview with Reuters. "We use export controls on chips," she noted. "Those chips are in American cloud data centers so we also have to think about closing down that avenue for potential malicious activity." The Biden administration is taking a series of measures to prevent China from using US technology for artificial intelligence, as the burgeoning sector raises security concerns. The "know your customer" rule that was proposed was made available to the public on Friday and will be published the following Monday. It is significant, according to Raimondo. The US is "trying as hard as we can to deny China the compute power that they want to train their own (AI) models, but what good is that if they go around that to use our cloud to train their models?" she stated. Raimondo stated last month that Nvidia would not be permitted by Commerce "to ship is the most sophisticated, highest-processing-power AI chips, which would enable China to train their frontier models."For a variety of national security reasons, the US government is concerned about China developing sophisticated AI systems, so it has taken action to prevent Beijing from obtaining cutting-edge US technologies to bolster its armed forces. Under the proposed legislation, foreign nationals who register for or keep accounts using US cloud computing would have to provide identification through a "know-your-customer program or Customer Identification Program." Additionally, cloud computing companies would have to certify compliance on an annual basis, and it would set minimum standards for identifying foreign users.Raimondo said US cloud computing companies "should have the burden of knowing who their biggest customers are training the biggest models, and we're trying to get that information. With that information, what will we do? Depending on what we discover. President Joe Biden in October signed an executive order requiring developers of AI systems that pose risks to US national security, the economy, public health or safety to share the results of safety tests with the US government before they are released to the public.The Commerce Department intends to request those surveys from businesses in the near future. Companies will have 30 days to reply, Raimondo told Reuters. "Any company that doesn't want to comply is a red flag for me," she stated. Biden's "illegal" executive order is being implemented by Commerce, according to Carl Szabo, general counsel at the tech industry trade group NetChoice, "to force industry reporting requirements for AI." He went on to say that making US cloud providers disclose how non-US organizations were using their resources "for training large language models could deter international collaboration."
THIS WEEK IN ENTERPRENEURSHIP POLICY + RESEARCH
Welcome to ‘The Startup State’ - a weekly bulletin from the GEN Policy and Research team highlighting key entrepreneurship news, reports, commentary and features from around the world. The GEN Atlas is the world’s largest entrepreneurship policy compendium, featuring over 350 case studies from 70 countries. Our latest entry to be updated examines Germany’s Better Regulation Program - a wide-reaching initiative to reduce red tape, simplify regulations, and improve the overall quality of policymaking. Read the Atlas entryThe UNDP, the presidents of Rwanda and Ghana, and Nigeria’s digital economy minister Bosun Tijani used Davos to launch ‘Timbuktoo’, an ambitious pan-African development initiative with the aim to mobilize $1bn capital to create 10 million jobs and transform 100 million lives. It will include legislative reform, derisking investment, and ‘university innovation pods’, among other efforts to strengthen African entrepreneurship ecosystems (UNDP). Saudi Arabia has boosted its Aramco Ventures unit by $4bn, more than doubling the state oil company’s overall venture capital funds (Aramco).The United Kingdom’s technology secretary Michelle Donelan has announced a government “scaleup policy sprint” with the aim of matching US levels of VC investment as a share of GDP by 2030 - which would mean an additional £5bn ($6.3bn) per year into British startups (Sifted | Speech transcript).Nigeria’s minister of women affairs and social affairs Uju Kenedy-Ohaneye has launched a new unit in the SME Development Agency of Nigeria dedicated to supporting women and youth entrepreneurship (Blueprint) Publications and analysis This World Bank report examines ten years of data behind a public-private matching grant program to answer the question of whether public funding can help startups innovate and subsequently improve their performance. This Tony Blair Institute for Global Change report sets out how the UK can reset its historically aid-focused African engagement approach to embrace emerging economic opportunities and achieve mutual prosperity and cooperation. This World Economic Forum and Schwab Foundation Global Alliance for Social Entrepreneurship report is the first, comprehensive global dataset to estimate the size and scope of social enterprise worldwide. It finds 10 million social enterprises globally, with $2 trillion annual revenue and 200 million jobs.This World Economic Forum report introduces a multidimensional framework to assess the quality of growth across 107 countries globally. It characterizes nations’ economic growth across four dimensions: innovativeness; inclusiveness; sustainability; and resilience. This World Economic Forum and Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance report reveals new data on the rapidly evolving fintech ecosystem and the opportunities fintech activities are offering traditionally underserved consumers and businesses.
These innovators are accelerating the aviation industrys transition to net-zero
Aviation accounts for 2% of global greenhouse gas emissions and, with air travel projected to increase, these emissions are poised to escalate.The Sustainable Aviation Challenge on UpLink called for innovators who accelerate the development and adoption of sustainable aviation fuel and other propulsion solutions.16 Top Innovators were selected as winners and will gain visibility opportunities, special event invitations and curated introductions to industry partners and potential funders. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), aviation accounts for 2% of global greenhouse gas emissions and with air travel projected to increase over this decade, these emissions are only poised to climb. The challenge is to reinvent flying and make it compatible with our global net-zero emissions targets. Decarbonizing aviation is one of the toughest challenges of the clean energy transition and one that will require many technological breakthroughs and a concerted effort by innovators, industry, governments, and finance providers. To accelerate and support the transformation of aviation and expedite its journey to net-zero, UpLink and the First Movers Coalition have launched the Sustainable Aviation Innovation Challenge to identify and accelerate the most innovative and promising start-ups in this sector. With 130 high-quality submissions received from around the globe, 16 Top Innovators were selected by industry partners to join the UpLink Innovation Ecosystem. To this end, we’re excited to announce the cohort of Sustainable Aviation Top Innovators to accelerate the development and adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and other propulsion solutions, with the broader vision of enhancing the viability of promising start-ups in this space. Innovation ignites the spark, but collaboration fuels progress. These 16 innovators are now plugged into World Economic Forum formal programming and a support ecosystem of industry partners and investors to scale up their ventures through business and technology collaborations.
The impact of supporting a new generation of entrepreneurs.
UpLink, launched in 2020 by the World Economic Forum in collaboration with Deloitte and Salesforce, is building an open innovation platform ecosystem fostering entrepreneurial solutions for global challenges aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Since its inception, it has grown into a vibrant community of purpose-driven entrepreneurs, investors, visionary organizations and experts. It has hosted 51 Innovation Challenges, bringing forth nearly 6,500 innovative solutions worldwide, recognizing 442 of these as 'Top Innovators' and 46 as 'Top Investors.' More than 250 ecosystem partners from across sectors have supported these innovators through catalytic funding, expertise, and other acceleration opportunities. UpLink aims to accelerate the growth and impact of early-stage entrepreneurs, build innovation ecosystems of diverse stakeholders, and shift perceptions of innovation's role in achieving the SDGs. These innovators, carefully selected for their impactful and sustainable solutions, are integrated into a dynamic ecosystem for growth, collaboration, and increased global visibility.Since early 2023, UpLink has started to implement a robust impact management and measurement strategy following industry best practices, to better support and showcase the positive transformation led by its Top Innovators. Here are the key impact highlights reported by UpLink Top Innovators in UpLink's 2023 Annual Impact Report:
Netflixs password crackdown worked. It could have more tricks to lure subscribers.
Netflix added almost 30 million subscribers in 2023 after cracking down on password sharing in May.Customers balked at the idea, but in the end Netflix prevailed.AdvertisementWhen Netflix announced it was mulling a ban on password sharing a few years ago, subscribers immediately balked. Many threatened to ditch their subscriptions, screaming #CancelNetflix, while others followed through and decisively closed their accounts.Nobody liked the idea. I certainly didn't. But let's be honest: We knew this had to happen.For years, Netflix turned a blind eye to password sharing, even winkingly encouraging it on social media. But that was when Netflix was in an exponential growth phase that carried the company to its 2021 share price high of more than $690. In 2022, Netflix reported losing subscribers for the first time in more than a decade — about 200,000 accounts in the first quarter of that year and close to 1 million in the second.Couple those losses with the fact that the streaming landscape had become much more crowded than it was in 2007 when Netflix first started offering its library online. Think Hulu, Disney+, Prime Video, Paramount+, and others. So, say you're one of Netflix's co-CEOs: You see your company is bleeding subscribers, your competitors are circling you like vultures, and, at the end of the day, you're beholden to your shareholders.And wow, look, an internal analysis report drops on your desk. It reveals that there are about 100 million households around the world who are accessing Netflix without a paid account, including a cheap Business Insider reporter leeching off his ex.In the third quarter of 2023, Netflix reported that it added 8.8 million subscribers, vastly exceeding expectations. The fourth quarter numbers yielded even better results: 13.1 million global subscribers for a total of more than 260 million, Business Insider's Lucia Moses reported. That's a gain of nearly 30 million over 2022. Two moves likely helped Netflix boost those numbers, according to Jadrian Wooten, an economics professor at Virginia Tech who writes the newsletter Monday Morning Economist.While Netflix was preparing its password-sharing crackdown, it introduced an ad-based subscription at about $7 a month, which was $3 less than its cheapest ad-free offering at the time and slightly cheaper than a Hulu account. The company also provided an option for households to add users to their existing accounts for about $8 a month. "So that was sort of a move that was done both to geographically expand to other countries and offer a cheaper version, but it also introduces sort of this second tier for people who were sharing an account, and they could then bump down to that next part," Wooten told BI. "So the idea is they wouldn't pay for a full account on their own, but maybe if they lost access, they would drop down to that ad-tier part."
SAP is restructuring 8,000 jobs to focus on AI, some employees could be asked to leave
SAP has unveiled a major restructuring plan, affecting 8,000 jobs, as it is now preparing for the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI). This transformative move, backed by a substantial €2 billion (around Rs 18,000 crore) investment, highlights SAP's commitment to positioning itself for future growth in the dynamic tech landscape, the company said in a blog post. SAP has unveiled a major restructuring plan, affecting 8,000 jobs, as it is now preparing for the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI). This transformative move, backed by a substantial €2 billion (around Rs 18,000 crore) investment, highlights SAP's commitment to positioning itself for future growth in the dynamic tech landscape, the company said in a blog post. The software company's CEO Christian Klein explained the importance of this strategic transformation, describing it as the next chapter for SAP. The German enterprise software giant aims to steer its focus towards Business AI, signaling a notable shift in its investment priorities. Klein expressed confidence in the company's prospects, particularly in the year 2024.Of SAP's extensive workforce of 108,000 employees, more than 7 percent will feel the impact of this restructuring. To manage these changes, SAP clarified that the majority of the approximately 8,000 affected positions are expected to be addressed through voluntary leave programs and internal re-skilling initiatives. The voluntary program suggests that some of the employees could be asked to leave internally, which won't be labelled as layoff, something that Amazon was also reported to be doing. The company wants to end 2024 with a workforce size comparable to its current levels after implementing reinvestments.
Moto Razr 40 Ultra, Razr 40 get up to Rs 20,000 price cut
Motorola has slashed the prices of its Moto Razr 40 and Razr 40 Ultra foldable phones by up to Rs 20,000. The premium devices boast impressive specifications and are now available at reduced prices.In Short Motorola Razr 40 and Razr 40 Ultra get a significant price cut of up to Rs 20,000.The Razr 40 Ultra features a 6.9-inch P-OLED display, Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor, and a dual rear camera system.The Razr 40, resembling the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4, offers a 6.9-inch viewing area. If you are planning to buy a foldable phone, you should check out the deals on Motorola Razr series. The Moto Razr 40 as well as the Razr 40 Ultra are getting a price cut of Rs 20,000. To recall, the Moto Razr 40 Ultra was launched at a price of Rs 89,999. However, the price will now be down to Rs 69,999. Even the Moto Razr 40 is getting a price cut of Rs 10,000, which is now available for Rs 49,999. Motorola is making waves with the release of the Motorola Razr 40, a phone that bears a striking resemblance to the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4, complete with a compact cover display. This petite OLED cover display measures just 1.5 inches and boasts a 2:1 aspect ratio. While it may seem small, it provides users with a handy space for checking apps and call notifications on the go.However, the magic truly unfolds when you open up the Razr 40, revealing an expansive 6.9-inch viewing area with a 22:9 aspect ratio. The phone's cover display maintains a standard 60Hz refresh rate, but the main display kicks things up a notch with an impressive 144Hz refresh rate. Motorola has equipped the main screen with a 10-bit display panel, promising a palette of over 1 billion possible colors for an enhanced visual experience. In terms of features, the Motorola Razr 40 aligns with some of the standard offerings found in other cutting-edge Motorola Edge phones. It's worth noting that the phone does not include an audio jack, although it compensates with speakers that boast Dolby Atmos support, delivering a rich and immersive audio experience. Connectivity-wise, the Razr 40 is up to par with support for NFC, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.3.One interesting twist is that Motorola has included a protective case right in the box, ensuring that your stylish and sophisticated Razr 40 remains well-guarded from the elements and everyday wear and tear.With its sleek design, innovative features, and striking resemblance to its Samsung counterpart, the Motorola Razr 40 is poised to make an impact in the world of foldable smartphones, offering a unique blend of style and substance for tech enthusiasts on the lookout for the next big thing in mobile technology.
Izi Mini X Nano Drone With 3-Axis Gimbal, 4Km Live Video Range Launched in India
Izi, a consumer electronics brand focussed on consumer drones, has launched its new Mini X nano drone in India today, January 24. The Mini X nano drone is available in two different versions — Standalone and Fly More Combo. The drone is said to be capable of transmitting live videos from a maximum distance of 4km. It features a Sony CMOS sensor with f/2.0 aperture and boasts video recording capabilities at 4K (Ultra-HD) resolution. The Mini X nano drone starts at the price of Rs. 29,999.The Izi Mini X Standalone nano drone is available at the price of Rs. 29,999, whereas the Mini X Fly More Combo has been priced at Rs. 37,999. The main difference between the two models is two extra batteries that allow the latter to sustain flight for 93 minutes as opposed to the base variant's 31-minute flight time, as per the company. The base model also does not come with a triple-charging hub that can charge all the batteries at the same time. The drone can be purchased via Izi's website and Amazon. The Izi Mini X nano drone features a 20-megapixel Sony sensor that has 4x zoom capabilities and can record videos in 4K resolution. The drone weighs 249g and the body has a foldable modular design for added portability. It can reach a maximum altitude of 800m and can fly at the speed of 16m/s or 58kmph, as per the company.Izi Mini X nano drone is equipped with GPS and GLONASS sensors that enable precise navigation and safe returns with one-tap control. This is useful in low battery or lost control scenarios. The drone offers 10+ flying modes that help in capturing a diverse set of videos. The photography modes on the drone include Normal, Helix, Comet, Circle, Follow Me, Dronie, Rocket, Waypoint, Route Plan, and Panorama. For storage, the Mini X nano drone sports an SD card slot supporting up to 128 GB Class 100 UHS-1 microSD card. The drone works with the Izi Sky Eye app for remote piloting control, aerial photography, cinematography, and flight parameter adjusting.
Spotify to Allow In-App Purchases for Subscriptions, Audiobooks on iPhone in Europe After March DMA Deadline
Spotify will be able to avoid Apple's 30 percent fee for purchases made via the App Store once the EU's DMA regulations go into effect in March.Spotify users in Europe from March will be able to buy audiobooks and subscription plans from within the music-streaming app as a result of the region's new competition law for Big Tech, the Swedish company said on Wednesday.The move will help the company avoid Apple's 30 percent fee for purchases through its App Store, which has long been a source of contention between app developers and the tech giant.Spotify has for years been in embroiled in a legal battle, alleging that it was forced to raise the price of its monthly subscriptions to cover costs tied to Apple's App Store rules. Instagram, Facebook, Messenger Now Work Separately, But There's a Catch "For years Apple had these rules where we couldn't tell you about offers, how much something costs, or even where or how to buy it," Spotify said in a blogpost."The DMA (Digital Markets Act) means that we'll finally be able to share details about deals, promotions, and better-value payment options in the EU."Under the DMA, which all Big Tech firms must comply with by March 7, companies are obligated to treat their own products and services like they do rivals'. How Apple Plans to Enable Sideloading in Europe in the Coming Weeks Apple plans to challenge the European Union's decision to put all of App Store into the bloc's new digital antitrust list, Bloomberg News had reported in November. Advertisement On Tuesday, Apple asked a London tribunal to throw out a mass lawsuit worth around $1 billion brought on behalf of more than 1,500 app developers over its App Store rules.Apple had also drawn criticism from Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg who called App Store policies and fee structure as problematic and causing a conflict of interest. Advertisement Japan to Force Apple, Google to Allow Third-Party App Stores: Report "We've always been interested in helping developers distribute their apps, and new options would add more competition in this space," Meta said on Wednesday."Developers deserve more ways to easily get their apps to the people that want them." Is the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 the best foldable phone you can buy in India right now? We discuss the company's new clamshell-style foldable handset on the latest episode of Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.Affiliate links may be automatically generated - see our ethics statement for details.For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel.
