Oregon’s governor signs right-to-repair law that bans ‘parts pairing’
The Verge
Article

March 28, 2024

Oregon’s governor signs right-to-repair law that bans ‘parts pairing’

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has now signed one of the strongest US right-to-repair bills into law. Oregon’s SB 1596 will take effect next year, and, like similar laws introduced in Minnesota and California, it requires device manufacturers to allow consumers and independent electronics businesses to purchase the necessary parts and equipment required to make their own device repairs.“We need to cut down the insane cycle of churning through personal electronics — and that starts by empowering repair,” Nathan Proctor, the Public Interest Research Group’s (PIRG) right to repair campaign senior director, “Oregon’s nation-leading Right to Repair law will keep devices working and off the scrap heap."

Oregon’s governor signs right-to-repair law that bans ‘parts pairing’
The Verge
Article

March 28, 2024

Oregon’s governor signs right-to-repair law that bans ‘parts pairing’

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has now signed one of the strongest US right-to-repair bills into law. Oregon’s SB 1596 will take effect next year, and, like similar laws introduced in Minnesota and California, it requires device manufacturers to allow consumers and independent electronics businesses to purchase the necessary parts and equipment required to make their own device repairs.“We need to cut down the insane cycle of churning through personal electronics — and that starts by empowering repair,” Nathan Proctor, the Public Interest Research Group’s (PIRG) right to repair campaign senior director, “Oregon’s nation-leading Right to Repair law will keep devices working and off the scrap heap."

No App Store needed: Apple caves, will allow sideloading in EU
The Register
Article

March 13, 2024

No App Store needed: Apple caves, will allow sideloading in EU

Apple's compliance measures with the EU's Digital Markets Act haven't exactly been universally well received, so the iMaker is making a few tweaks to appease the software-developing masses. Allowing developers to distribute apps directly from their websites. Dubbed "Web Distribution," Apple said the feature will be available following a software update later in the spring. The new function will provide APIs "that facilitate the distribution of developers' apps from the web, integrate with system functionality, back up and restore users' apps, and more," Apple explained on a new developer support page.

No App Store needed: Apple caves, will allow sideloading in EU
The Register
Article

March 13, 2024

No App Store needed: Apple caves, will allow sideloading in EU

Apple's compliance measures with the EU's Digital Markets Act haven't exactly been universally well received, so the iMaker is making a few tweaks to appease the software-developing masses. Allowing developers to distribute apps directly from their websites. Dubbed "Web Distribution," Apple said the feature will be available following a software update later in the spring. The new function will provide APIs "that facilitate the distribution of developers' apps from the web, integrate with system functionality, back up and restore users' apps, and more," Apple explained on a new developer support page.

Rapport: Svenska företag drunknar i data och komplex teknik
Voister
Article

March 8, 2024

Rapport: Svenska företag drunknar i data och komplex teknik

98 procent av svenska it-chefer menar att komplexiteten i deras företags teknikstack ökat under det senaste året. Därtill uppger nio av tio att deras renodlade molnmiljöer genererar en dataexplosion som är bortom mänsklig förmåga att hantera. 92 procent av svenska chefer svarar även att renodlade molnmiljöer genererar en explosion av data som är omöjlig att hantera med mänsklig förmåga. Globalt anser 86 procent detta. Den enorma mängden data som produceras gör det allt svårare att övervaka och säkra sina applikationer, därför krävs avancerad AI, analys och automation, säger Bernd Greifeneder, CTO på Dynatrace.

Rapport: Svenska företag drunknar i data och komplex teknik
Voister
Article

March 8, 2024

Rapport: Svenska företag drunknar i data och komplex teknik

98 procent av svenska it-chefer menar att komplexiteten i deras företags teknikstack ökat under det senaste året. Därtill uppger nio av tio att deras renodlade molnmiljöer genererar en dataexplosion som är bortom mänsklig förmåga att hantera. 92 procent av svenska chefer svarar även att renodlade molnmiljöer genererar en explosion av data som är omöjlig att hantera med mänsklig förmåga. Globalt anser 86 procent detta. Den enorma mängden data som produceras gör det allt svårare att övervaka och säkra sina applikationer, därför krävs avancerad AI, analys och automation, säger Bernd Greifeneder, CTO på Dynatrace.

The EU’s new competition rules are going live — here’s how tech giants are responding
The Verge
Article

March 6, 2024

The EU’s new competition rules are going live — here’s how tech giants are responding

March 6th marks a long-awaited moment of change: it’s the deadline for tech’s biggest “gatekeepers” to comply with the European Union’s Digital Markets Act, or DMA. The DMA requires powerful companies to allow more interoperability and avoid preferencing their own digital services. In general, designated platforms must take proactive steps that the EU believes will make digital markets more fair and open. For example, gatekeepers must let third-party companies interoperate with their services, they can’t favor their own products in rankings over competitors’, and they can’t condition app store access for outside developers on using their payments systems or other services.

The EU’s new competition rules are going live — here’s how tech giants are responding
The Verge
Article

March 6, 2024

The EU’s new competition rules are going live — here’s how tech giants are responding

March 6th marks a long-awaited moment of change: it’s the deadline for tech’s biggest “gatekeepers” to comply with the European Union’s Digital Markets Act, or DMA. The DMA requires powerful companies to allow more interoperability and avoid preferencing their own digital services. In general, designated platforms must take proactive steps that the EU believes will make digital markets more fair and open. For example, gatekeepers must let third-party companies interoperate with their services, they can’t favor their own products in rankings over competitors’, and they can’t condition app store access for outside developers on using their payments systems or other services.

Demand for European data centers is skyrocketing, and providers can’t keep up
IT Pro
Article

February 20, 2024

Demand for European data centers is skyrocketing, and providers can’t keep up

European data centers failed to keep pace with skyrocketing demand for services over the last year, new research shows, despite the building boom fueled by the industry’s largest customers. Analysis from CBRE found there was 601MW of take-up across the 14 largest markets in Europe in 2023. Unfortunately, though, just 561MW of new supply was delivered during the same period. This marks the second time in the space of five years that data center demand has exceeded supply in Europe, CBRE noted, raising concerns about a potential future bottleneck for organizations across the region.

Demand for European data centers is skyrocketing, and providers can’t keep up
IT Pro
Article

February 20, 2024

Demand for European data centers is skyrocketing, and providers can’t keep up

European data centers failed to keep pace with skyrocketing demand for services over the last year, new research shows, despite the building boom fueled by the industry’s largest customers. Analysis from CBRE found there was 601MW of take-up across the 14 largest markets in Europe in 2023. Unfortunately, though, just 561MW of new supply was delivered during the same period. This marks the second time in the space of five years that data center demand has exceeded supply in Europe, CBRE noted, raising concerns about a potential future bottleneck for organizations across the region.

Opera browser’s new AI cluster in Iceland, powered by 100% renewable energy, showcases another example of the shift to energy efficient data center
IT Pro
Article

February 14, 2024

Opera browser’s new AI cluster in Iceland, powered by 100% renewable energy, showcases another example of the shift to energy efficient data center

Nordic web browsing specialist Opera has announced plans to enhance its AI infrastructure by deploying an AI cluster at a green data center in Iceland. Green data centers are a growing trend in IT infrastructure as organizations rush to provide the latest AI functionalities while staying on track to meet sustainability goals. Notoriously data-hungry AI workloads make this a difficult balancing act, and so energy-efficient data centers that are still able to provide the required computing power while limiting environmental impact have become a key focus for many enterprises.

Opera browser’s new AI cluster in Iceland, powered by 100% renewable energy, showcases another example of the shift to energy efficient data center
IT Pro
Article

February 14, 2024

Opera browser’s new AI cluster in Iceland, powered by 100% renewable energy, showcases another example of the shift to energy efficient data center

Nordic web browsing specialist Opera has announced plans to enhance its AI infrastructure by deploying an AI cluster at a green data center in Iceland. Green data centers are a growing trend in IT infrastructure as organizations rush to provide the latest AI functionalities while staying on track to meet sustainability goals. Notoriously data-hungry AI workloads make this a difficult balancing act, and so energy-efficient data centers that are still able to provide the required computing power while limiting environmental impact have become a key focus for many enterprises.

Cookies i webbläsaren på väg bort – då spåras användarna med annan teknik
ComputerSweden
Article

February 9, 2024

Cookies i webbläsaren på väg bort – då spåras användarna med annan teknik

När Google och andra planerar att slopa tredjepartsspårare för sökningar och webbplatser, kommer andra sätt att identifiera användare och upptäcka deras vanor att ersätta dem. Under de senaste åren har annonsbranschen på nätet genomgått en genomgripande förändring, eftersom tillsynsmyndigheterna har begränsat hur cookies får användas och webbläsarleverantörerna har slutat att använda dem, som svar på konsumenternas protester när det gäller integritetsfrågor. "De känner sig ofta övervakade; vissa tycker till och med att det är 'läskigt' att en webbplats kan visa dem annonser som är relaterade till deras beteende på andra ställen", säger en färsk studie från HEC Paris Business School.

Cookies i webbläsaren på väg bort – då spåras användarna med annan teknik
ComputerSweden
Article

February 9, 2024

Cookies i webbläsaren på väg bort – då spåras användarna med annan teknik

När Google och andra planerar att slopa tredjepartsspårare för sökningar och webbplatser, kommer andra sätt att identifiera användare och upptäcka deras vanor att ersätta dem. Under de senaste åren har annonsbranschen på nätet genomgått en genomgripande förändring, eftersom tillsynsmyndigheterna har begränsat hur cookies får användas och webbläsarleverantörerna har slutat att använda dem, som svar på konsumenternas protester när det gäller integritetsfrågor. "De känner sig ofta övervakade; vissa tycker till och med att det är 'läskigt' att en webbplats kan visa dem annonser som är relaterade till deras beteende på andra ställen", säger en färsk studie från HEC Paris Business School.

Gigabit infrastructure act: Council and Parliament strike a deal for faster deployment of high-speed networks in the EU
EU Council
Press Release

February 7, 2024

Gigabit infrastructure act: Council and Parliament strike a deal for faster deployment of high-speed networks in the EU

To accelerate the deployment of gigabit network infrastructure across Europe, the Council presidency and European Parliament’s negotiators reached a provisional agreement today on a proposal to replace the 2014 broadband cost-reducing directive (BCRD) by the gigabit infrastructure act (GIA). "In Europe, the roll-out of fibre and 5G could be a lot easier with less administration. We are tackling that administrative burden through the so-called Gigabit Infrastructure Act. We have struck a preliminary agreement with the European Parliament now. This would allow European citizens to surf faster using fibre or 5G."

Gigabit infrastructure act: Council and Parliament strike a deal for faster deployment of high-speed networks in the EU
EU Council
Press Release

February 7, 2024

Gigabit infrastructure act: Council and Parliament strike a deal for faster deployment of high-speed networks in the EU

To accelerate the deployment of gigabit network infrastructure across Europe, the Council presidency and European Parliament’s negotiators reached a provisional agreement today on a proposal to replace the 2014 broadband cost-reducing directive (BCRD) by the gigabit infrastructure act (GIA). "In Europe, the roll-out of fibre and 5G could be a lot easier with less administration. We are tackling that administrative burden through the so-called Gigabit Infrastructure Act. We have struck a preliminary agreement with the European Parliament now. This would allow European citizens to surf faster using fibre or 5G."

GenAI is moving to your smartphone, PC and car — here’s why
Computerworld
Article

February 6, 2024

GenAI is moving to your smartphone, PC and car — here’s why

Generative artificial intelligence (genAI) like ChatGPT has to date mostly made its home in the massive data centers of service providers and enterprises. One problem with a cloud-based system is that the underlying large language models (LLMs) running in data centers consume massive GPU cycles and electricity, not only to power applications but to train genAI models on big data and proprietary corporate data. The answer, according to Gold and others, is to put genAI processing on edge devices. That's why, over the next several years, silicon makers are turning their attention to PCs, tablets, smartphones, even cars, which will allow them to essentially offload processing from data centers.

GenAI is moving to your smartphone, PC and car — here’s why
Computerworld
Article

February 6, 2024

GenAI is moving to your smartphone, PC and car — here’s why

Generative artificial intelligence (genAI) like ChatGPT has to date mostly made its home in the massive data centers of service providers and enterprises. One problem with a cloud-based system is that the underlying large language models (LLMs) running in data centers consume massive GPU cycles and electricity, not only to power applications but to train genAI models on big data and proprietary corporate data. The answer, according to Gold and others, is to put genAI processing on edge devices. That's why, over the next several years, silicon makers are turning their attention to PCs, tablets, smartphones, even cars, which will allow them to essentially offload processing from data centers.

Telecom sector to see broadband rules approved next month, as Europe’s 5G roll-out lags
Euronews
Article

February 2, 2024

Telecom sector to see broadband rules approved next month, as Europe’s 5G roll-out lags

The European Commission’s overhaul of broadband rules, the Gigabit Infrastructure Act (GIA), is set to be concluded during EU negotiations on 5 February, the lawmaker in charge of the file in the European Parliament told Euronews. Despite an increasing great demand for high-speed internet, the uptake of these networks is still relatively low in Europe, especially in rural areasFigures published last year by the commission show that 56% of European households have access to fiber networks, which are critical for delivering gigabit connectivity. The EU executive set a goal that by 2030, all EU households should have gigabit connectivity and all populated areas should be covered by 5G.

Telecom sector to see broadband rules approved next month, as Europe’s 5G roll-out lags
Euronews
Article

February 2, 2024

Telecom sector to see broadband rules approved next month, as Europe’s 5G roll-out lags

The European Commission’s overhaul of broadband rules, the Gigabit Infrastructure Act (GIA), is set to be concluded during EU negotiations on 5 February, the lawmaker in charge of the file in the European Parliament told Euronews. Despite an increasing great demand for high-speed internet, the uptake of these networks is still relatively low in Europe, especially in rural areasFigures published last year by the commission show that 56% of European households have access to fiber networks, which are critical for delivering gigabit connectivity. The EU executive set a goal that by 2030, all EU households should have gigabit connectivity and all populated areas should be covered by 5G.

Low 5G uptake in Europe will stagger AI development, Commission official warns
Euronews
Article

January 30, 2024

Low 5G uptake in Europe will stagger AI development, Commission official warns

Persistent low uptake of 5G deployment in Europe mean other technologies dependent on fast internet such as artificial intelligence will face delays in uptake, according to a European Commission official. In its State of Digital Communications report published yesterday, telecom lobby group ETNO also warned that significant additional investment in roll-out is still needed before EU targets to reach full 5G and full gigabit coverage by the end of this decade are achieved. In 2023, 5G in Europe reached 80% of the population, up from 73% the previous year, whereas the level is 98% in South Korea and the US and 94% in Japan. The report confirms that at the end of the decade, around 40 million people in the EU will still have no access to a fixed gigabit connection.

Low 5G uptake in Europe will stagger AI development, Commission official warns
Euronews
Article

January 30, 2024

Low 5G uptake in Europe will stagger AI development, Commission official warns

Persistent low uptake of 5G deployment in Europe mean other technologies dependent on fast internet such as artificial intelligence will face delays in uptake, according to a European Commission official. In its State of Digital Communications report published yesterday, telecom lobby group ETNO also warned that significant additional investment in roll-out is still needed before EU targets to reach full 5G and full gigabit coverage by the end of this decade are achieved. In 2023, 5G in Europe reached 80% of the population, up from 73% the previous year, whereas the level is 98% in South Korea and the US and 94% in Japan. The report confirms that at the end of the decade, around 40 million people in the EU will still have no access to a fixed gigabit connection.

Apple to allow downloads outside App Store in EU, with new fees
Reuters
Article

January 30, 2024

Apple to allow downloads outside App Store in EU, with new fees

Apple has outlined its plans to allow software developers to distribute their apps to users in the European Union outside of Apple's own App Store. The move is in response to a new EU law called the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which requires companies with more than 45 million monthly active users and a 75 billion-euro ($82 billion) market capitalization to, among other things, make their apps compatible with those of rivals and let users decide which apps to pre-install on their devices. Starting in March, developers will be able to offer alternative app stores on iPhones and opt out of using Apple's in-app payment system, which charges commissions of up to 30%.

Apple to allow downloads outside App Store in EU, with new fees
Reuters
Article

January 30, 2024

Apple to allow downloads outside App Store in EU, with new fees

Apple has outlined its plans to allow software developers to distribute their apps to users in the European Union outside of Apple's own App Store. The move is in response to a new EU law called the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which requires companies with more than 45 million monthly active users and a 75 billion-euro ($82 billion) market capitalization to, among other things, make their apps compatible with those of rivals and let users decide which apps to pre-install on their devices. Starting in March, developers will be able to offer alternative app stores on iPhones and opt out of using Apple's in-app payment system, which charges commissions of up to 30%.

ChatGPT's Hunger for Energy Could Trigger a GPU Revolution
WIRED
Article

January 25, 2024

ChatGPT's Hunger for Energy Could Trigger a GPU Revolution

THE COST OF making further progress in artificial intelligence is becoming as startling as a hallucination by ChatGPT. Demand for the graphics chips known as GPUs needed for large-scale AI training has driven prices of the crucial components through the roof. The race to compete in AI also means that data centers are now consuming worrying amounts of energy. The idea that a broader rethink of computing is needed may be gaining momentum as the industry runs into the difficulty of maintaining Moore’s law, the long-standing prediction that the density of components on chips continues shrinking. “Even if Moore's law wasn't slowing down, you still have a massive problem, because the model sizes that OpenAI and others have been releasing are growing way faster than chip capacity,” says Peter McMahon, a professor at Cornell University who works on novel ways of computing. In other words, we might well need to exploit new ways of computing to keep the AI hype train on track.

ChatGPT's Hunger for Energy Could Trigger a GPU Revolution
WIRED
Article

January 25, 2024

ChatGPT's Hunger for Energy Could Trigger a GPU Revolution

THE COST OF making further progress in artificial intelligence is becoming as startling as a hallucination by ChatGPT. Demand for the graphics chips known as GPUs needed for large-scale AI training has driven prices of the crucial components through the roof. The race to compete in AI also means that data centers are now consuming worrying amounts of energy. The idea that a broader rethink of computing is needed may be gaining momentum as the industry runs into the difficulty of maintaining Moore’s law, the long-standing prediction that the density of components on chips continues shrinking. “Even if Moore's law wasn't slowing down, you still have a massive problem, because the model sizes that OpenAI and others have been releasing are growing way faster than chip capacity,” says Peter McMahon, a professor at Cornell University who works on novel ways of computing. In other words, we might well need to exploit new ways of computing to keep the AI hype train on track.

T-Mobile selects Nokia to improve scalability and efficiency for 5G High Speed Internet service
Placera
Article

January 24, 2024

T-Mobile selects Nokia to improve scalability and efficiency for 5G High Speed Internet service

Nokia has announced its collaboration with T-Mobile to launch a dedicated gateway solution that supports LTE, 5G NSA, and 5G SA technologies for the service provider’s nationwide, fixed-wireless High-Speed Internet (HSI) traffic. Nokia will deploy its Multi-Access Gateway (MAG) solution which will allow T-Mobile to improve service scalability, and time to market. Fixed wireless access (FWA) is a key technology to rapidly expand coverage of high-speed broadband services to provide universal or ubiquitous broadband. FWA will support residential broadband applications such as high-definition video streaming that consumes significantly more bandwidth than mobile applications.

T-Mobile selects Nokia to improve scalability and efficiency for 5G High Speed Internet service
Placera
Article

January 24, 2024

T-Mobile selects Nokia to improve scalability and efficiency for 5G High Speed Internet service

Nokia has announced its collaboration with T-Mobile to launch a dedicated gateway solution that supports LTE, 5G NSA, and 5G SA technologies for the service provider’s nationwide, fixed-wireless High-Speed Internet (HSI) traffic. Nokia will deploy its Multi-Access Gateway (MAG) solution which will allow T-Mobile to improve service scalability, and time to market. Fixed wireless access (FWA) is a key technology to rapidly expand coverage of high-speed broadband services to provide universal or ubiquitous broadband. FWA will support residential broadband applications such as high-definition video streaming that consumes significantly more bandwidth than mobile applications.

Meta ramps up AI efforts by building chip arsenal, consolidating teams
Reuters
Article

January 19, 2024

Meta ramps up AI efforts by building chip arsenal, consolidating teams

Meta, CEO Mark Zuckerberg said on Thursday that the company was bringing its AI research team "closer together" with a more business-focused generative AI team launched last year, doubling down on a push to get the technology into products. The social media giant was building out its infrastructure to accommodate the push and planned to have about 350,000 H100 GPUs (graphics processing units) from chip designer Nvidia by the end of the year, Zuckerberg said in posts on Meta's Instagram and Threads platforms. In combination with equivalent chips from other suppliers, Meta will have about 600,000 total GPUs by the end of the year, he said. That amount would make Meta's system, once finished, among the largest in the technology industry.

Meta ramps up AI efforts by building chip arsenal, consolidating teams
Reuters
Article

January 19, 2024

Meta ramps up AI efforts by building chip arsenal, consolidating teams

Meta, CEO Mark Zuckerberg said on Thursday that the company was bringing its AI research team "closer together" with a more business-focused generative AI team launched last year, doubling down on a push to get the technology into products. The social media giant was building out its infrastructure to accommodate the push and planned to have about 350,000 H100 GPUs (graphics processing units) from chip designer Nvidia by the end of the year, Zuckerberg said in posts on Meta's Instagram and Threads platforms. In combination with equivalent chips from other suppliers, Meta will have about 600,000 total GPUs by the end of the year, he said. That amount would make Meta's system, once finished, among the largest in the technology industry.

Apple prepares to enable sideloading and App Store changes in EU
appleinsider
Article

January 16, 2024

Apple prepares to enable sideloading and App Store changes in EU

Europe's Digital Markets Act has caused headaches for tech companies, including Apple, with the aim of leveling the playing field and reducing the power of so-called gatekeepers. Apple has anticipated that the DMA will force it into enabling third-party app storefronts alongside the App Store itself on its devices, but according to one report, it may actually happen within weeks. Apple is preparing to enable sideloading in Europe "in the coming weeks." The move will enable third-party app stores to be installed on iPhones and iPads without needing to comply with Apple's App Store rules. As a byproduct of the change, Apple will also split the App Store into two versions, with one covering EU member states and the other for the rest of the world. While the reasoning for this wasn't spelled out, it is likely to be a move to make it easier for Apple to comply with EU rules without making changes affecting other markets.

Apple prepares to enable sideloading and App Store changes in EU
appleinsider
Article

January 16, 2024

Apple prepares to enable sideloading and App Store changes in EU

Europe's Digital Markets Act has caused headaches for tech companies, including Apple, with the aim of leveling the playing field and reducing the power of so-called gatekeepers. Apple has anticipated that the DMA will force it into enabling third-party app storefronts alongside the App Store itself on its devices, but according to one report, it may actually happen within weeks. Apple is preparing to enable sideloading in Europe "in the coming weeks." The move will enable third-party app stores to be installed on iPhones and iPads without needing to comply with Apple's App Store rules. As a byproduct of the change, Apple will also split the App Store into two versions, with one covering EU member states and the other for the rest of the world. While the reasoning for this wasn't spelled out, it is likely to be a move to make it easier for Apple to comply with EU rules without making changes affecting other markets.

Over €250 million to support secure connectivity across the EU under the CEF Digital Programme
EU Commission
Press Release

January 11, 2024

Over €250 million to support secure connectivity across the EU under the CEF Digital Programme

The Commission has signed grant agreements with 37 projects selected under the second set of calls for proposals for the digital strand of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF Digital). The total budget of €252 million will be allocated among projects for the deployment of 5G infrastructure for local communities and along major European transport corridors, as well as for the deployment of submarine cables, improving the security and resilience of backbone networks within and to the EU. The grants support the take-up of 5G network infrastructure in local smart communities around the EU, like universities, hospitals, and other civic buildings, to improve the quality of services of general interest.

Over €250 million to support secure connectivity across the EU under the CEF Digital Programme
EU Commission
Press Release

January 11, 2024

Over €250 million to support secure connectivity across the EU under the CEF Digital Programme

The Commission has signed grant agreements with 37 projects selected under the second set of calls for proposals for the digital strand of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF Digital). The total budget of €252 million will be allocated among projects for the deployment of 5G infrastructure for local communities and along major European transport corridors, as well as for the deployment of submarine cables, improving the security and resilience of backbone networks within and to the EU. The grants support the take-up of 5G network infrastructure in local smart communities around the EU, like universities, hospitals, and other civic buildings, to improve the quality of services of general interest.

Microsoft offers to store all personal data of cloud customers in EU
Reuters
Article

January 11, 2024

Microsoft offers to store all personal data of cloud customers in EU

Microsoft said on Thursday its European Union cloud customers would be able to process and store all personal data in the region as part of a phased roll-out plan. Technology companies have been rolling out data storage and processing capabilities in the EU following privacy and security legislation. Amazon Web Services said in October it would allow data storage on servers located in the EU. For big companies, data storage has become so large and distributed across so many countries that it becomes difficult for them to understand where their data resides and if it complies with privacy rules.

Microsoft offers to store all personal data of cloud customers in EU
Reuters
Article

January 11, 2024

Microsoft offers to store all personal data of cloud customers in EU

Microsoft said on Thursday its European Union cloud customers would be able to process and store all personal data in the region as part of a phased roll-out plan. Technology companies have been rolling out data storage and processing capabilities in the EU following privacy and security legislation. Amazon Web Services said in October it would allow data storage on servers located in the EU. For big companies, data storage has become so large and distributed across so many countries that it becomes difficult for them to understand where their data resides and if it complies with privacy rules.

Samsung Places AI at Forefront as 2024 Phone Launches Kick Off
Bloomberg
Article

January 5, 2024

Samsung Places AI at Forefront as 2024 Phone Launches Kick Off

Samsung Electronics Co. announced it plans to launch its next flagship device on Jan. 17 in San Jose, California — likely to be known as the Galaxy S24 — with a livestreamed event. The teaser to the launch promises only that “Galaxy AI is coming.” In past years, Samsung and fellow mobile makers have relied on improvements in camera technology and flexible displays to stand out, but 2024 promises to be a year where added AI capabilities take center stage. More than a billion smartphones with built-in generative AI are expected to be shipped by the end of 2027, according to Counterpoint Research estimates.

Samsung Places AI at Forefront as 2024 Phone Launches Kick Off
Bloomberg
Article

January 5, 2024

Samsung Places AI at Forefront as 2024 Phone Launches Kick Off

Samsung Electronics Co. announced it plans to launch its next flagship device on Jan. 17 in San Jose, California — likely to be known as the Galaxy S24 — with a livestreamed event. The teaser to the launch promises only that “Galaxy AI is coming.” In past years, Samsung and fellow mobile makers have relied on improvements in camera technology and flexible displays to stand out, but 2024 promises to be a year where added AI capabilities take center stage. More than a billion smartphones with built-in generative AI are expected to be shipped by the end of 2027, according to Counterpoint Research estimates.

14 miljoner Euro till 5G-satsningar för Sverige med omnejd
Voister
Article

January 4, 2024

14 miljoner Euro till 5G-satsningar för Sverige med omnejd

EU-medel på mer än 14 miljoner Euro beviljas till fem projekt med syfte att vidareutveckla existerande infrastruktur och bygga ut nya sträckor, för att ytterligare stärka Sveriges uppkoppling mot omvärlden. Den övergripande målbilden är en säker uppkoppling och en robust, redundant digital infrastruktur: "Med dessa fem initiativ kommer vi att se en förstärkning av Sveriges digitala infrastruktur. Dels vad gäller uppkoppling gentemot omvärlden med hjälp av fiberoptiska sjökablar och landbaserad infrastruktur, dels en ökad användning av ny teknik kopplat till 5G-lösningar inom områden så som multimodala transporter, energi och hälsa", säger civilminister Erik Slottner i ett pressmeddelande från Finansdepartementet.

14 miljoner Euro till 5G-satsningar för Sverige med omnejd
Voister
Article

January 4, 2024

14 miljoner Euro till 5G-satsningar för Sverige med omnejd

EU-medel på mer än 14 miljoner Euro beviljas till fem projekt med syfte att vidareutveckla existerande infrastruktur och bygga ut nya sträckor, för att ytterligare stärka Sveriges uppkoppling mot omvärlden. Den övergripande målbilden är en säker uppkoppling och en robust, redundant digital infrastruktur: "Med dessa fem initiativ kommer vi att se en förstärkning av Sveriges digitala infrastruktur. Dels vad gäller uppkoppling gentemot omvärlden med hjälp av fiberoptiska sjökablar och landbaserad infrastruktur, dels en ökad användning av ny teknik kopplat till 5G-lösningar inom områden så som multimodala transporter, energi och hälsa", säger civilminister Erik Slottner i ett pressmeddelande från Finansdepartementet.

Europe Aims for Leadership Role in Quantum Computing
EE|Times
Article

December 28, 2023

Europe Aims for Leadership Role in Quantum Computing

The topic of quantum computing occupied an entire day at the recent PUZZLE X conference in Barcelona–with visionaries such as Nobel laureate Sir Roger Penrose, Bob Coecke (Quantinuum), Brian Subirana (Harvard and MIT), and Marta Estarellas (Qilimanjaro) served up as speakers. Soon, Qilimanjaro will install two quantum computers at the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC), with plans to participate in additional European tenders for installing quantum computers in high-performance computing (HPC) centers. Once the installation at the BSC headquarters is completed, Spain will have the first purely European quantum computer for public use in southern Europe, integrated with the MareNostrum 5 supercomputer, the most powerful in Southern Europe and among the most advanced worldwide.

Europe Aims for Leadership Role in Quantum Computing
EE|Times
Article

December 28, 2023

Europe Aims for Leadership Role in Quantum Computing

The topic of quantum computing occupied an entire day at the recent PUZZLE X conference in Barcelona–with visionaries such as Nobel laureate Sir Roger Penrose, Bob Coecke (Quantinuum), Brian Subirana (Harvard and MIT), and Marta Estarellas (Qilimanjaro) served up as speakers. Soon, Qilimanjaro will install two quantum computers at the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC), with plans to participate in additional European tenders for installing quantum computers in high-performance computing (HPC) centers. Once the installation at the BSC headquarters is completed, Spain will have the first purely European quantum computer for public use in southern Europe, integrated with the MareNostrum 5 supercomputer, the most powerful in Southern Europe and among the most advanced worldwide.

Final Fantasy-utvecklaren: Konsoler kommer vara utdöda inom loppet av tio år
Gamereactor
Article

December 27, 2023

Final Fantasy-utvecklaren: Konsoler kommer vara utdöda inom loppet av tio år

Att blicka in i kristallkulan och försöka förutspå branschens framtid är något som många försöker sig på, och nu har Naoki Yoshida, en av veteranerna hos Square Enix, också delat med sig av sina tankar. Den nu 50-årige producenten har trots allt hängt med ett tag och enligt honom kommer konsoler i dess nuvarande form försvinna inom loppet av tio år. Istället är det molnbaserade lösningar som kommer att ta över, och spelen kommer att strömmas till användare världen över. Tech som så klart redan finns idag men som över de kommande åren tveklöst kommer att både förfinas och förbättras avsevärt. Något som Yoshida ser väldigt mycket fram emot, och som i hans tycke egentligen redan borde ha skett

Final Fantasy-utvecklaren: Konsoler kommer vara utdöda inom loppet av tio år
Gamereactor
Article

December 27, 2023

Final Fantasy-utvecklaren: Konsoler kommer vara utdöda inom loppet av tio år

Att blicka in i kristallkulan och försöka förutspå branschens framtid är något som många försöker sig på, och nu har Naoki Yoshida, en av veteranerna hos Square Enix, också delat med sig av sina tankar. Den nu 50-årige producenten har trots allt hängt med ett tag och enligt honom kommer konsoler i dess nuvarande form försvinna inom loppet av tio år. Istället är det molnbaserade lösningar som kommer att ta över, och spelen kommer att strömmas till användare världen över. Tech som så klart redan finns idag men som över de kommande åren tveklöst kommer att både förfinas och förbättras avsevärt. Något som Yoshida ser väldigt mycket fram emot, och som i hans tycke egentligen redan borde ha skett

Google’s Gemini Is the Real Start of the Generative AI Boom
WIRED
Article

December 20, 2023

Google’s Gemini Is the Real Start of the Generative AI Boom

Google’s release of Gemini, claimed to be a fundamentally new kind of AI model and the company’s most powerful to date. In fact, although the 12 months since ChatGPT launched have been a banner year for AI, there is good reason to think that the current AI boom is only getting started. Google had already rushed out a direct response to ChatGPT in the form of Bard earlier this year, finally launching LLM chatbot technology that it had developed earlier than OpenAI but chosen to keep private. With Gemini it claims to have opened a new era that goes beyond LLMs primarily anchored to text—potentially setting the stage for a new round of AI products significantly different from those enabled by ChatGPT.

Google’s Gemini Is the Real Start of the Generative AI Boom
WIRED
Article

December 20, 2023

Google’s Gemini Is the Real Start of the Generative AI Boom

Google’s release of Gemini, claimed to be a fundamentally new kind of AI model and the company’s most powerful to date. In fact, although the 12 months since ChatGPT launched have been a banner year for AI, there is good reason to think that the current AI boom is only getting started. Google had already rushed out a direct response to ChatGPT in the form of Bard earlier this year, finally launching LLM chatbot technology that it had developed earlier than OpenAI but chosen to keep private. With Gemini it claims to have opened a new era that goes beyond LLMs primarily anchored to text—potentially setting the stage for a new round of AI products significantly different from those enabled by ChatGPT.

The EU has launched a €1.2 billion cloud project to crack US dominance
IT Pro
Article

December 18, 2023

The EU has launched a €1.2 billion cloud project to crack US dominance

The EU has approved state aid of up to €1.2 billion for a cloud and edge computing project across Europe in a bid to compete more effectively with the US. The scheme, called IPCEI Next Generation Cloud Infrastructure and Services (IPCEI CIS), has been backed by France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, and Spain, and is aimed at creating the first interoperable and openly accessible European data processing ecosystem. "The IPCEI will provide for highly ambitious research, necessary to enable the uptake of innovative data processing applications and services for European businesses, public administrations, and citizens." The plan is to develop open source software that will allow for real-time and low-latency services, EU lawmakers said, with individual projects covering the entire cloud edge continuum, from the basic software layer to sector-specific applications.

The EU has launched a €1.2 billion cloud project to crack US dominance
IT Pro
Article

December 18, 2023

The EU has launched a €1.2 billion cloud project to crack US dominance

The EU has approved state aid of up to €1.2 billion for a cloud and edge computing project across Europe in a bid to compete more effectively with the US. The scheme, called IPCEI Next Generation Cloud Infrastructure and Services (IPCEI CIS), has been backed by France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, and Spain, and is aimed at creating the first interoperable and openly accessible European data processing ecosystem. "The IPCEI will provide for highly ambitious research, necessary to enable the uptake of innovative data processing applications and services for European businesses, public administrations, and citizens." The plan is to develop open source software that will allow for real-time and low-latency services, EU lawmakers said, with individual projects covering the entire cloud edge continuum, from the basic software layer to sector-specific applications.

Gartner Forecasts Worldwide Public Cloud End-User Spending to Reach $679 Billion in 2024
Gartner
Press Release

December 15, 2023

Gartner Forecasts Worldwide Public Cloud End-User Spending to Reach $679 Billion in 2024

Worldwide end-user spending on public cloud services is forecast to grow 20.4% to total $678.8 billion in 2024, up from $563.6 billion in 2023, according to the latest forecast from Gartner, Inc. “Cloud has become essentially indispensable,” said Sid Nag, Vice President Analyst at Gartner. “However, that doesn’t mean cloud innovation can stop or even slow. The tables are turning for cloud providers as cloud models no longer drive business outcomes, but rather, business outcomes shape cloud models.” “For example, organizations deploying generative AI (GenAI) services will look to the public cloud, given the scale of the infrastructure required,” said Nag. “However, to deploy GenAI effectively, these organizations will require cloud providers to address nontechnical issues related to cost, economics, sovereignty, privacy and sustainability. Hyperscalers that support these needs will be able to capture a brand-new revenue opportunity as GenAI adoption grows.”

Gartner Forecasts Worldwide Public Cloud End-User Spending to Reach $679 Billion in 2024
Gartner
Press Release

December 15, 2023

Gartner Forecasts Worldwide Public Cloud End-User Spending to Reach $679 Billion in 2024

Worldwide end-user spending on public cloud services is forecast to grow 20.4% to total $678.8 billion in 2024, up from $563.6 billion in 2023, according to the latest forecast from Gartner, Inc. “Cloud has become essentially indispensable,” said Sid Nag, Vice President Analyst at Gartner. “However, that doesn’t mean cloud innovation can stop or even slow. The tables are turning for cloud providers as cloud models no longer drive business outcomes, but rather, business outcomes shape cloud models.” “For example, organizations deploying generative AI (GenAI) services will look to the public cloud, given the scale of the infrastructure required,” said Nag. “However, to deploy GenAI effectively, these organizations will require cloud providers to address nontechnical issues related to cost, economics, sovereignty, privacy and sustainability. Hyperscalers that support these needs will be able to capture a brand-new revenue opportunity as GenAI adoption grows.”

Google’s App Store Ruled an Illegal Monopoly, as a Jury Sides With Epic Games
WIRED
Article

December 12, 2023

Google’s App Store Ruled an Illegal Monopoly, as a Jury Sides With Epic Games

Google violated California and federal antitrust laws through deals that stifled competition for its Play mobile app store, a jury in San Francisco unanimously found today. The verdict delivers the first significant US courtroom loss for big tech in the years-long campaign by rivals, regulators, and prosecutors to tame the power of internet gatekeepers. The ruling came in a case first filed in 2020 by Epic Games and argued before a jury since early November. Epic had accused Google of restricting smartphone makers, wireless carriers, and app developers from providing any competition to the Play store, which accounts for over 95 percent of all downloads onto Android phones in the US.

Google’s App Store Ruled an Illegal Monopoly, as a Jury Sides With Epic Games
WIRED
Article

December 12, 2023

Google’s App Store Ruled an Illegal Monopoly, as a Jury Sides With Epic Games

Google violated California and federal antitrust laws through deals that stifled competition for its Play mobile app store, a jury in San Francisco unanimously found today. The verdict delivers the first significant US courtroom loss for big tech in the years-long campaign by rivals, regulators, and prosecutors to tame the power of internet gatekeepers. The ruling came in a case first filed in 2020 by Epic Games and argued before a jury since early November. Epic had accused Google of restricting smartphone makers, wireless carriers, and app developers from providing any competition to the Play store, which accounts for over 95 percent of all downloads onto Android phones in the US.

Making an image with generative AI uses as much energy as charging your phone
MIT Technology Review
Article

December 6, 2023

Making an image with generative AI uses as much energy as charging your phone

Each time you use AI to generate an image, write an email, or ask a chatbot a question, it comes at a cost to the planet. In fact, generating an image using a powerful AI model takes as much energy as fully charging your smartphone, according to a new study by researchers at the AI startup Hugging Face and Carnegie Mellon University. However, they found that using an AI model to generate text is significantly less energy-intensive. Creating text 1,000 times only uses as much energy as 16% of a full smartphone charge. Their work, which is yet to be peer reviewed, shows that while training massive AI models is incredibly energy intensive, it’s only one part of the puzzle. Most of their carbon footprint comes from their actual use.

Making an image with generative AI uses as much energy as charging your phone
MIT Technology Review
Article

December 6, 2023

Making an image with generative AI uses as much energy as charging your phone

Each time you use AI to generate an image, write an email, or ask a chatbot a question, it comes at a cost to the planet. In fact, generating an image using a powerful AI model takes as much energy as fully charging your smartphone, according to a new study by researchers at the AI startup Hugging Face and Carnegie Mellon University. However, they found that using an AI model to generate text is significantly less energy-intensive. Creating text 1,000 times only uses as much energy as 16% of a full smartphone charge. Their work, which is yet to be peer reviewed, shows that while training massive AI models is incredibly energy intensive, it’s only one part of the puzzle. Most of their carbon footprint comes from their actual use.

Evroc plans €600m raise to build Europe’s first hyperscale cloud in Stockholm
Sifted
Article

December 4, 2023

Evroc plans €600m raise to build Europe’s first hyperscale cloud in Stockholm

Just months after evroc pledged to raise €3bn within two years, the Swedish startup has revealed that it will build its flagship hyperscale cloud centre next to Stockholm’s international airport. The startup, which intends to create a green rival to Amazon Web Services (AWS), wants to provide the largest AI infrastructure in Europe to help clients that cannot use other US-based services because of security concerns. “We wanted to build a sovereign and sustainable cloud for Europe. Now we believe that we can build a better cloud [than AWS and Google]”, says evroc’s founder Mattias Åström. As a first step for its €3bn investment goal, evroc is now raising €600m in a combination of venture capital, debt and grants for its flagship data centre.

Evroc plans €600m raise to build Europe’s first hyperscale cloud in Stockholm
Sifted
Article

December 4, 2023

Evroc plans €600m raise to build Europe’s first hyperscale cloud in Stockholm

Just months after evroc pledged to raise €3bn within two years, the Swedish startup has revealed that it will build its flagship hyperscale cloud centre next to Stockholm’s international airport. The startup, which intends to create a green rival to Amazon Web Services (AWS), wants to provide the largest AI infrastructure in Europe to help clients that cannot use other US-based services because of security concerns. “We wanted to build a sovereign and sustainable cloud for Europe. Now we believe that we can build a better cloud [than AWS and Google]”, says evroc’s founder Mattias Åström. As a first step for its €3bn investment goal, evroc is now raising €600m in a combination of venture capital, debt and grants for its flagship data centre.

Microsoft ramps up plans to make its data centers less thirsty
The Verge
Article

November 21, 2023

Microsoft ramps up plans to make its data centers less thirsty

Microsoft has ramped up its commitments to conserve water and energy in its data centers, laying out new cooling tech and strategies that could push notoriously thirsty and energy hungry servers past their current limits. The company’s latest environmental pledge comes as it plans to dramatically expand the number of data centers it operates around the world, a move that could put more stress on drought-stricken communities unless the company finds ways to use less water. Microsoft plans to slash the amount of water its data centers use by 95 percent by 2024, with the goal of “eventually” eliminating water use. That builds on a commitment it made last year to become “water positive” by the end of the decade, meaning it would replenish more water than it uses for its operations. In 2020, Microsoft also committed to becoming carbon negative by the same deadline, meaning it plans to draw down and store more planet-heating CO2 than it releases.

Microsoft ramps up plans to make its data centers less thirsty
The Verge
Article

November 21, 2023

Microsoft ramps up plans to make its data centers less thirsty

Microsoft has ramped up its commitments to conserve water and energy in its data centers, laying out new cooling tech and strategies that could push notoriously thirsty and energy hungry servers past their current limits. The company’s latest environmental pledge comes as it plans to dramatically expand the number of data centers it operates around the world, a move that could put more stress on drought-stricken communities unless the company finds ways to use less water. Microsoft plans to slash the amount of water its data centers use by 95 percent by 2024, with the goal of “eventually” eliminating water use. That builds on a commitment it made last year to become “water positive” by the end of the decade, meaning it would replenish more water than it uses for its operations. In 2020, Microsoft also committed to becoming carbon negative by the same deadline, meaning it plans to draw down and store more planet-heating CO2 than it releases.

Meta, YouTube face criminal spying complaints in Ireland
The Register
Article

November 13, 2023

Meta, YouTube face criminal spying complaints in Ireland

Facebook-owner Meta and Google's YouTube now face criminal complaints in Ireland for alleged unlawful surveillance of EU citizens via tracking scripts. Privacy consultant Alexander Hanff, has challenged Meta's collection of data without explicit consent under Ireland's computer abuse law. He told The Register he's also in the process of filing a similar criminal complaint against YouTube over its use of scripts to detect ad blocking extensions in people's web browsers. Two weeks ago, Hanff filed a civil complaint to the Irish Data Protection Commission against YouTube's browser interrogation system, which detects ad blocking software and refuses to play videos unless adverts are allowed or subscription money handed over. The regulators are right now waiting on a reply from Google to provide an update on the status of that claim.

Meta, YouTube face criminal spying complaints in Ireland
The Register
Article

November 13, 2023

Meta, YouTube face criminal spying complaints in Ireland

Facebook-owner Meta and Google's YouTube now face criminal complaints in Ireland for alleged unlawful surveillance of EU citizens via tracking scripts. Privacy consultant Alexander Hanff, has challenged Meta's collection of data without explicit consent under Ireland's computer abuse law. He told The Register he's also in the process of filing a similar criminal complaint against YouTube over its use of scripts to detect ad blocking extensions in people's web browsers. Two weeks ago, Hanff filed a civil complaint to the Irish Data Protection Commission against YouTube's browser interrogation system, which detects ad blocking software and refuses to play videos unless adverts are allowed or subscription money handed over. The regulators are right now waiting on a reply from Google to provide an update on the status of that claim.

Humane officially launches the AI Pin, its OpenAI-powered wearable
The Verge
Article

November 10, 2023

Humane officially launches the AI Pin, its OpenAI-powered wearable

The AI Pin is powered by a Snapdragon processor — though it’s not clear which one — and you control it with a combination of voice control, a camera, gestures, and a small built-in projector. The Pin itself weighs about 34 grams, and the “battery booster” adds another 20. The built-in camera takes 13-megapixel photos and will capture video as well after a software update. Unlike a device like the Rewind Pendant, it’s not meant to be always recording, and it’s not even listening for a wake word. You’ll have to activate the device manually by tapping and dragging on the touchpad, and the Pin’s “Trust Light” blinks to let you and supposedly everyone else know it’s collecting data.

Humane officially launches the AI Pin, its OpenAI-powered wearable
The Verge
Article

November 10, 2023

Humane officially launches the AI Pin, its OpenAI-powered wearable

The AI Pin is powered by a Snapdragon processor — though it’s not clear which one — and you control it with a combination of voice control, a camera, gestures, and a small built-in projector. The Pin itself weighs about 34 grams, and the “battery booster” adds another 20. The built-in camera takes 13-megapixel photos and will capture video as well after a software update. Unlike a device like the Rewind Pendant, it’s not meant to be always recording, and it’s not even listening for a wake word. You’ll have to activate the device manually by tapping and dragging on the touchpad, and the Pin’s “Trust Light” blinks to let you and supposedly everyone else know it’s collecting data.

Data labeling companies are raising prices in the AI boom
Quartz
Article

November 10, 2023

Data labeling companies are raising prices in the AI boom

Need another indicator that the generative artificial intelligence industry is real and making progress? Look at the booming business of data labeling and annotation, which is an essential step in training the models that power AI products ranging from what’s currently vogue in the industry—chatbots!— to ongoing projects such as self-driving vehicles and tools that diagnose diseases. The data labeling service began generating revenue last year, with the business getting “very big, very quickly,” he said. Jäätma estimates that 80% of the business comes from companies essentially looking to make avatars less cartoonish.

Data labeling companies are raising prices in the AI boom
Quartz
Article

November 10, 2023

Data labeling companies are raising prices in the AI boom

Need another indicator that the generative artificial intelligence industry is real and making progress? Look at the booming business of data labeling and annotation, which is an essential step in training the models that power AI products ranging from what’s currently vogue in the industry—chatbots!— to ongoing projects such as self-driving vehicles and tools that diagnose diseases. The data labeling service began generating revenue last year, with the business getting “very big, very quickly,” he said. Jäätma estimates that 80% of the business comes from companies essentially looking to make avatars less cartoonish.

Enterprise wallets to sustain European IT growth as devices lag
The Register
Article

November 10, 2023

Enterprise wallets to sustain European IT growth as devices lag

IT spending in Europe is set to hit $1 trillion by the end of 2023, and will see growth of 9.3 percent into next year, well up on this year's figure of 5.5 percent, according to stats from Gartner. The tech industry research house said Europe's IT spending would reach $1.1 trillion in 2024, driven by investments in software and IT services. Declining demand for devices — including laptops, desktops, phones and tablets — have created a drag on IT spending in the last couple of years. It is left to enterprise IT spending to drive growth in the tech industry, although Europe slightly lags the US in that regard, he said. "Europe tends to look at how things look before they leap a little bit more than the US, which is a much larger market," he said. Nonetheless, tech spending in Europe remains relatively recession-proof, regardless of concerning GDP figures across the continent.

Enterprise wallets to sustain European IT growth as devices lag
The Register
Article

November 10, 2023

Enterprise wallets to sustain European IT growth as devices lag

IT spending in Europe is set to hit $1 trillion by the end of 2023, and will see growth of 9.3 percent into next year, well up on this year's figure of 5.5 percent, according to stats from Gartner. The tech industry research house said Europe's IT spending would reach $1.1 trillion in 2024, driven by investments in software and IT services. Declining demand for devices — including laptops, desktops, phones and tablets — have created a drag on IT spending in the last couple of years. It is left to enterprise IT spending to drive growth in the tech industry, although Europe slightly lags the US in that regard, he said. "Europe tends to look at how things look before they leap a little bit more than the US, which is a much larger market," he said. Nonetheless, tech spending in Europe remains relatively recession-proof, regardless of concerning GDP figures across the continent.

Microsoft announces Secure Future Initiative to help improve its cybersecurity efforts
Neowin
Article

November 3, 2023

Microsoft announces Secure Future Initiative to help improve its cybersecurity efforts

Today, Microsoft announced a new cybersecurity effort that it calls the Secure Future Initiative. It will have three main goals that the company says should offer better protection against the threat of cybercriminals. Microsoft Brad Smith stated in a blog post that this new initiative came about because the company has decided "that the increasing speed, scale, and sophistication of cyberattacks call for a new response." He summarized this new initiative by stating it will have "three pillars, focused on AI-based cyber defenses, advances in fundamental software engineering, and advocacy for stronger application of international norms to protect civilians from cyber threats."

Microsoft announces Secure Future Initiative to help improve its cybersecurity efforts
Neowin
Article

November 3, 2023

Microsoft announces Secure Future Initiative to help improve its cybersecurity efforts

Today, Microsoft announced a new cybersecurity effort that it calls the Secure Future Initiative. It will have three main goals that the company says should offer better protection against the threat of cybercriminals. Microsoft Brad Smith stated in a blog post that this new initiative came about because the company has decided "that the increasing speed, scale, and sophistication of cyberattacks call for a new response." He summarized this new initiative by stating it will have "three pillars, focused on AI-based cyber defenses, advances in fundamental software engineering, and advocacy for stronger application of international norms to protect civilians from cyber threats."

Google avslöjar: Fler uppdateringar ger högre intäkter
Mobil.se
Article

November 1, 2023

Google avslöjar: Fler uppdateringar ger högre intäkter

I USA pågår det just nu en antitrusträttegång mot Google som har medfört att det har kommit fram en del information om tidigare inte har varit känd för allmänheten. När Googles VD Sundar Pichai tog plats i vittnesbåset avslöjade han bland annat en del om hur det fungerar med de olika tillverkarnas arbete med säkerhetsuppdateringar för operativsystemet, och varför olika OEM-tillverkare släpper olika många uppdateringar. Föga förvånande handlar det om pengar, och enligt Pichai har Google ekonomiska incitament för att få OEM-tillverkare att uppdatera sina mobiler. Företag som håller sina enheter uppdaterade med de senaste säkerhetsuppdateringarna får nämligen en högre andel av intäkterna från Googles tjänster än de som inte gör det. Fler uppdateringar innebär alltså mer pengar för tillverkaren. Slutsatsen av Pichais uttalande blir att för tillverkare med få användare blir det dyrare att anpassa och publicera en säkerhetsuppdatering, än vad de ökade intäkterna från användarna ger tillbaka.

Google avslöjar: Fler uppdateringar ger högre intäkter
Mobil.se
Article

November 1, 2023

Google avslöjar: Fler uppdateringar ger högre intäkter

I USA pågår det just nu en antitrusträttegång mot Google som har medfört att det har kommit fram en del information om tidigare inte har varit känd för allmänheten. När Googles VD Sundar Pichai tog plats i vittnesbåset avslöjade han bland annat en del om hur det fungerar med de olika tillverkarnas arbete med säkerhetsuppdateringar för operativsystemet, och varför olika OEM-tillverkare släpper olika många uppdateringar. Föga förvånande handlar det om pengar, och enligt Pichai har Google ekonomiska incitament för att få OEM-tillverkare att uppdatera sina mobiler. Företag som håller sina enheter uppdaterade med de senaste säkerhetsuppdateringarna får nämligen en högre andel av intäkterna från Googles tjänster än de som inte gör det. Fler uppdateringar innebär alltså mer pengar för tillverkaren. Slutsatsen av Pichais uttalande blir att för tillverkare med få användare blir det dyrare att anpassa och publicera en säkerhetsuppdatering, än vad de ökade intäkterna från användarna ger tillbaka.

OpenAI, Google and a ‘digital anthropologist’: the UN forms a high-level board to explore AI governance
TechCrunch
Article

October 30, 2023

OpenAI, Google and a ‘digital anthropologist’: the UN forms a high-level board to explore AI governance

Yesterday, the United Nations announced a new AI advisory board — 39 people from across government, academia and industry — with an aim “to undertake analysis and advance recommendations for the international governance of AI.” The advisory board will operate as a bridging group, covering any other initiatives that are put together around AI by the international organization, the UN said. Indeed, in forming a strategy and approach on AI, the UN has been talking for the better part of a month with industry leaders and other stakeholders, from what we understand. The plan is to bring together recommendations on AI by the summer of 2024, when the UN plans to hold a “Summit of the Future” event. The new advisory board is meeting for the first time today.

OpenAI, Google and a ‘digital anthropologist’: the UN forms a high-level board to explore AI governance
TechCrunch
Article

October 30, 2023

OpenAI, Google and a ‘digital anthropologist’: the UN forms a high-level board to explore AI governance

Yesterday, the United Nations announced a new AI advisory board — 39 people from across government, academia and industry — with an aim “to undertake analysis and advance recommendations for the international governance of AI.” The advisory board will operate as a bridging group, covering any other initiatives that are put together around AI by the international organization, the UN said. Indeed, in forming a strategy and approach on AI, the UN has been talking for the better part of a month with industry leaders and other stakeholders, from what we understand. The plan is to bring together recommendations on AI by the summer of 2024, when the UN plans to hold a “Summit of the Future” event. The new advisory board is meeting for the first time today.

Bill Gates feels Generative AI has plateaued, says GPT-5 will not be any better
The Indian Express
Article

October 26, 2023

Bill Gates feels Generative AI has plateaued, says GPT-5 will not be any better

In an interview with German business newspaper Handelsblatt, the 67-year-old said that there were plenty of reasons to believe that GPT technology reached a plateau. He also admitted that he could be wrong. He said that contrary to what people at OpenAI think about GPT-5, he believes that current generative AI has reached a ceiling. Talking about benchmark, he termed the leap from GPT-2 to GPT-4 as “incredible”. In his interview, Gates also predicted that in the next two to five years, the accuracy of AI software will witness a considerable increase along with a reduction in cost. This will lead to the creation of new and reliable applications.

Bill Gates feels Generative AI has plateaued, says GPT-5 will not be any better
The Indian Express
Article

October 26, 2023

Bill Gates feels Generative AI has plateaued, says GPT-5 will not be any better

In an interview with German business newspaper Handelsblatt, the 67-year-old said that there were plenty of reasons to believe that GPT technology reached a plateau. He also admitted that he could be wrong. He said that contrary to what people at OpenAI think about GPT-5, he believes that current generative AI has reached a ceiling. Talking about benchmark, he termed the leap from GPT-2 to GPT-4 as “incredible”. In his interview, Gates also predicted that in the next two to five years, the accuracy of AI software will witness a considerable increase along with a reduction in cost. This will lead to the creation of new and reliable applications.

Leveraging generative AI in Europe: The opportunities and challenges
McKinsey
Article

October 23, 2023

Leveraging generative AI in Europe: The opportunities and challenges

Europe has a unique combination of multiple languages and cultures, abundant science and tech talent, and long-standing strengths in the manufacturing and services sectors. Taken together, these regional advantages render the transformative potential of generative AI especially compelling in a number of industries across the entire value chain—and for society at large. This McKinsey article highlights how Europe's unique characteristics and commitment to regulation provide a fertile ground for generative AI adoption and transformation across various industries, with potential economic and social benefits.

Leveraging generative AI in Europe: The opportunities and challenges
McKinsey
Article

October 23, 2023

Leveraging generative AI in Europe: The opportunities and challenges

Europe has a unique combination of multiple languages and cultures, abundant science and tech talent, and long-standing strengths in the manufacturing and services sectors. Taken together, these regional advantages render the transformative potential of generative AI especially compelling in a number of industries across the entire value chain—and for society at large. This McKinsey article highlights how Europe's unique characteristics and commitment to regulation provide a fertile ground for generative AI adoption and transformation across various industries, with potential economic and social benefits.

10x Podden: Köpläge i småbolag och IPO hägrar för tidigare Spraychefen
Realtid
Article

October 21, 2023

10x Podden: Köpläge i småbolag och IPO hägrar för tidigare Spraychefen

I veckans bolagsspotlight får vi träffa den svenska entreprenören och företagsledaren Per Bystedt. Han är kanske mest känd för att ha varit chef för ikoniska svenska bolag som ZTV, TV3, Spray och Neonode. Nu är han aktuell med en ny startup, Xiris Group, med utvecklar lösningar för mobil interaktiv realtidsstreaming. De har också släppt en internetuppkopplad klocka, PLATONUM®, även om bolagets verksamhet inte är fokuserad på hårdvara, utan som han beskriver det, för att få stora företag att kunna se ett handfast ”coolt” exempel på hur tekniken kan appliceras. Han avslöjar också att en börsnotering av bolaget framöver är något som kan ligga i korten: ”Det är absolut en möjlighet och det har vi sagt till våra investerare att det ligger i planen. Sen när exakt man gör det får vi se. Jag tror det finns ett stort intresse från aktiemarknaden att investera i något konkret i hela den här 5G-fasen vi är inne i nu” säger han i podden.

10x Podden: Köpläge i småbolag och IPO hägrar för tidigare Spraychefen
Realtid
Article

October 21, 2023

10x Podden: Köpläge i småbolag och IPO hägrar för tidigare Spraychefen

I veckans bolagsspotlight får vi träffa den svenska entreprenören och företagsledaren Per Bystedt. Han är kanske mest känd för att ha varit chef för ikoniska svenska bolag som ZTV, TV3, Spray och Neonode. Nu är han aktuell med en ny startup, Xiris Group, med utvecklar lösningar för mobil interaktiv realtidsstreaming. De har också släppt en internetuppkopplad klocka, PLATONUM®, även om bolagets verksamhet inte är fokuserad på hårdvara, utan som han beskriver det, för att få stora företag att kunna se ett handfast ”coolt” exempel på hur tekniken kan appliceras. Han avslöjar också att en börsnotering av bolaget framöver är något som kan ligga i korten: ”Det är absolut en möjlighet och det har vi sagt till våra investerare att det ligger i planen. Sen när exakt man gör det får vi se. Jag tror det finns ett stort intresse från aktiemarknaden att investera i något konkret i hela den här 5G-fasen vi är inne i nu” säger han i podden.

It is this easy to manipulate both sound and picture using AI
Video

October 17, 2023

It is this easy to manipulate both sound and picture using AI

Emanuel Karlsten, a Swedish journalist, recently demonstrated how AI technology can manipulate both sound and pictures on the Swedish show "Nyhetsmorgon". In one example, he used AI to replace the voices of the hosts in a video, resulting in a segment that could be watched and heard in different languages with voices that were almost identical to the original hosts. He also presented a voice memo where the voice of the Swedish prime minister announced the hosts as new ministers, also generated by AI. This experiment highlights the potential of AI to create realistic audio and visual content, which can have both positive and negative implications in the future.

It is this easy to manipulate both sound and picture using AI
Video

October 17, 2023

It is this easy to manipulate both sound and picture using AI

Emanuel Karlsten, a Swedish journalist, recently demonstrated how AI technology can manipulate both sound and pictures on the Swedish show "Nyhetsmorgon". In one example, he used AI to replace the voices of the hosts in a video, resulting in a segment that could be watched and heard in different languages with voices that were almost identical to the original hosts. He also presented a voice memo where the voice of the Swedish prime minister announced the hosts as new ministers, also generated by AI. This experiment highlights the potential of AI to create realistic audio and visual content, which can have both positive and negative implications in the future.

New research reveals that Generative AI could contribute SEK 309 billion to Sweden's GDP
Realtid
Article

October 17, 2023

New research reveals that Generative AI could contribute SEK 309 billion to Sweden's GDP

According to a new report from McKinsey, Generative AI has the potential to significantly increase productivity in the business sector. Sweden is well-positioned to benefit from this technology, as companies around the world are already using it to gain a competitive edge. Sweden, being a digitally mature country with a population that is accustomed to dealing with complex tasks, is expected to quickly adopt and benefit from generative AI technology. Gardar Björnsson Rova, partner at McKinsey and Nordic head of McKinsey's AI department QuantumBlack, states that generative AI technology could have a rapid impact in Sweden.

New research reveals that Generative AI could contribute SEK 309 billion to Sweden's GDP
Realtid
Article

October 17, 2023

New research reveals that Generative AI could contribute SEK 309 billion to Sweden's GDP

According to a new report from McKinsey, Generative AI has the potential to significantly increase productivity in the business sector. Sweden is well-positioned to benefit from this technology, as companies around the world are already using it to gain a competitive edge. Sweden, being a digitally mature country with a population that is accustomed to dealing with complex tasks, is expected to quickly adopt and benefit from generative AI technology. Gardar Björnsson Rova, partner at McKinsey and Nordic head of McKinsey's AI department QuantumBlack, states that generative AI technology could have a rapid impact in Sweden.

India's AI vision calls for 80 exaflops of AI infrastructure build
The Register
Article

October 16, 2023

India's AI vision calls for 80 exaflops of AI infrastructure build

India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has unveiled an ambitious plan to enhance the nation's AI capabilities. The proposal aims to build a formidable computing infrastructure, comprising high-end compute, inference arm, and edge compute, with a total of 80 exaflops of power. This infrastructure is set to revolutionize AI training and inference in India. Additionally, plans for the India Datasets Platform (IDP) highlight the importance of aggregating and utilizing data for various applications. Despite challenges, this vision positions India for a significant leap in AI innovation.

India's AI vision calls for 80 exaflops of AI infrastructure build
The Register
Article

October 16, 2023

India's AI vision calls for 80 exaflops of AI infrastructure build

India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has unveiled an ambitious plan to enhance the nation's AI capabilities. The proposal aims to build a formidable computing infrastructure, comprising high-end compute, inference arm, and edge compute, with a total of 80 exaflops of power. This infrastructure is set to revolutionize AI training and inference in India. Additionally, plans for the India Datasets Platform (IDP) highlight the importance of aggregating and utilizing data for various applications. Despite challenges, this vision positions India for a significant leap in AI innovation.

Artificial Intelligence Is Seeping Into All of Your Gadgets
WIRED
Podcast

October 13, 2023

Artificial Intelligence Is Seeping Into All of Your Gadgets

Artificial intelligence abounds, and it’s only making its way deeper and deeper into every scrap of technology we use. Generative AI in particular is an invention that seems destined to follow us far into the future, so it’s best to try to make sense of where it’s headed. In a recent episode of the Business Wars podcast, Michael Calore and Lauren Goode from WIRED magazine joined the host to discuss the rapid rise of AI in recent years. They explored the future of artificial intelligence and whether the portrayal of AI in movies accurately predicts what's to come. The conversation offered valuable insights into the current state of AI and its potential impact on various industries.

Artificial Intelligence Is Seeping Into All of Your Gadgets
WIRED
Podcast

October 13, 2023

Artificial Intelligence Is Seeping Into All of Your Gadgets

Artificial intelligence abounds, and it’s only making its way deeper and deeper into every scrap of technology we use. Generative AI in particular is an invention that seems destined to follow us far into the future, so it’s best to try to make sense of where it’s headed. In a recent episode of the Business Wars podcast, Michael Calore and Lauren Goode from WIRED magazine joined the host to discuss the rapid rise of AI in recent years. They explored the future of artificial intelligence and whether the portrayal of AI in movies accurately predicts what's to come. The conversation offered valuable insights into the current state of AI and its potential impact on various industries.

AI's electricity use is spiking so fast it'll soon use as much power as an entire country
Futurism
Article

October 12, 2023

AI's electricity use is spiking so fast it'll soon use as much power as an entire country

AI chatbots like OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's Bard consume an astronomical amount of electricity and water — or, more precisely, the massive data centers that power them do. In a recent analysis published in the journal Joule, data scientist Alex de Vries at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam in the Netherlands found that by 2027, these server farms could use anywhere between 85 to 134 terawatt hours of energy per year. That's roughly on par with the annual electricity use of Argentina, the Netherlands, or Sweden, as the New York Times points out, or 0.5 percent of the entire globe's energy demands. Sound familiar? The much-lampooned crypto industry spiked past similar power consumption thresholds in recent years. It's a massive carbon footprint that experts say should force us to reconsider the huge investments being made in the AI space — not to mention the eye-wateringly resource-intensive way that tech giants like OpenAI and Google operate.

AI's electricity use is spiking so fast it'll soon use as much power as an entire country
Futurism
Article

October 12, 2023

AI's electricity use is spiking so fast it'll soon use as much power as an entire country

AI chatbots like OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's Bard consume an astronomical amount of electricity and water — or, more precisely, the massive data centers that power them do. In a recent analysis published in the journal Joule, data scientist Alex de Vries at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam in the Netherlands found that by 2027, these server farms could use anywhere between 85 to 134 terawatt hours of energy per year. That's roughly on par with the annual electricity use of Argentina, the Netherlands, or Sweden, as the New York Times points out, or 0.5 percent of the entire globe's energy demands. Sound familiar? The much-lampooned crypto industry spiked past similar power consumption thresholds in recent years. It's a massive carbon footprint that experts say should force us to reconsider the huge investments being made in the AI space — not to mention the eye-wateringly resource-intensive way that tech giants like OpenAI and Google operate.

Analysis: "AI’s $200B Question"
SEQUOIA
Article

October 10, 2023

Analysis: "AI’s $200B Question"

The goal of this analysis is to highlight the gap that we see today. AI hype has finally caught up to the deep learning technology breakthroughs in development since 2017. This is good news. A major CapEx buildout is happening. This should bring AI development costs down dramatically over the long-term. You used to have to buy a server rack to build any application. Now you can use the public clouds at a much lower cost. Likewise, today many AI companies are using a large portion of their venture capital on GPUs. As today’s supply constraints give way to a supply glut, the cost of running AI workloads will come down. This should spur more product development. It should also attract more founders to build in this space.

Analysis: "AI’s $200B Question"
SEQUOIA
Article

October 10, 2023

Analysis: "AI’s $200B Question"

The goal of this analysis is to highlight the gap that we see today. AI hype has finally caught up to the deep learning technology breakthroughs in development since 2017. This is good news. A major CapEx buildout is happening. This should bring AI development costs down dramatically over the long-term. You used to have to buy a server rack to build any application. Now you can use the public clouds at a much lower cost. Likewise, today many AI companies are using a large portion of their venture capital on GPUs. As today’s supply constraints give way to a supply glut, the cost of running AI workloads will come down. This should spur more product development. It should also attract more founders to build in this space.