As one of the board of directors of fleet tech startup LocoNav, Anjali Joshi’s focus is on enabling the company to fortify its vision of democratising fleet tech in emerging and high-growth markets. 
Anjali has held leadership roles in several high-profile companies across the world, including AT&T Bell Labs and Covad Communications. She is known for bringing exceptional digital products to market and has served as the VP of Product Management at Google, managing Google's fibre-to-communities' effort, which brought ultrahigh-speed broadband access to people across the US.
“I now serve on the boards of several technology companies and in advisory roles to many startups. In 2010 I  was selected as one of the top 50 alumni who graduated from IIT Kanpur in the last 50 years. In 2017, I was given the Distinguished Alumni Award,” says Anjali, in a conversation with HerStory. 
Why choose LocoNav? 
Anjali says she has been motivated by challenges throughout her professional career.
“When I learned about LocoNav, I was intrigued by the company’s vision of democratising access to fleet tech. They are leveraging the power of technology to create an incremental and positive impact in the lives and livelihoods of everyone in the fleet management industry. It is exciting to be a part of their journey and unlock opportunities and technology-led efficiency for over 250 million commercial vehicle owners and drivers in emerging markets,” she says.
She adds that her first conversation with Vidit Jain and Shridhar Gupta, the Founders of LocoNav, was focused on best practices for startups as they grow the company aggressively across emerging and high-growth markets. 
Continue reading: https://yourstory.com/herstory/2022/01/women-in-tech-anjali-joshi-ex-google-iit-kanpur-loconav-startup-board-of-directors/amp

The traits of successful women can usually be traced back to seeing a problem and finding a solution.
Women entrepreneurs are disrupting industries everywhere, from fashion to technology to finance. No matter what line of businesswomen entrepreneurs are in, the traits of successful women can usually be traced back to seeing a problem and finding a solution. Women bring a new perspective and skill set toward business that often helps make them better entrepreneurs. There are so many intangible qualities that make women entrepreneurs so special, and while these traits of successful women are certainly not all exclusive to women, it’s important to celebrate the qualities that position women to be successful and encourage more women to go after that success.
The year’s calling for each of us to challenge our own stereotypes and biases when discussing gender. Biases are rife in many industries, but particularly in tech; a sector that has been historically run and dominated by men. Men used to be the only ones who had the right to an education, serve in the military, vote or have a job, but times have changed. Also, there remained a staggering absence of women in technology-related fields. Enabling diversity is not only a social imperative but also a competitive advantage for companies and institutions resulting in demonstratively greater returns.
But now, we’re living in the 21st century and the world has seen a lot of progress in women’s rights. But those rights that were once exclusively given only to men have meant that women have had to do some catching up in the years since. And we’ve definitely been catching up and overcoming gender biases.
Continue reading: https://www.analyticsinsight.net/successful-women-in-technology-are-evolving-big-time/

Lack of transparency and inadequate tracking system persist in SCM due to inconsistent or lack of quality data to a great extent.
The supply chain has gone intrinsically complex, encompassing multiple players from producers to transporters, from wholesalers to retailers, and from buyers to consumers, unlike the two-man (seller-buyer) simple transaction that existed long ago. In this multifaceted process, the supply chain industry faces a critical challenge in cost, speed and product quality, directly linked to the seamless flow of data or information. Apart from lack of transparency, the hurdles faced in the sector are the complexities in information sharing and delays in data retrieval, which hold back the performance at every stage of the logistics network. Thus, creating pressure on all participants in the value chain to live up to the rising customer expectations, meet profitability targets, and overcome disruptions and delays.
Blockchain technology, which connects silos to a single source of truth through – smart contracts and shared ledgers, can add value to the supply chain by directly addressing these inefficiencies of supply chain management (SCM). Blockchain technology stores and distributes high-quality data, which is immutable, tamper-proof and time stamped. Lack of transparency and inadequate tracking system persist in SCM due to inconsistent or lack of quality data to a great extent, apart from the high amount of paperwork involved, lack of interoperability and limited information on the product lifecycle and transportation history.
Blockchain, which is being increasingly adopted in SCM these days in other parts of the world, rightly addresses some of these core issues, bringing in transparency, trust and traceability, the three inherent virtues of the new technology. By leveraging the decentralized cloud database, stored in non-changeable blocks and shared with all participants, global leaders like Walmart and Carrefour are increasing transparency at every step of the supply chain and adding value to the brand.
This immutable ledger that records every transaction and tracks every asset in the network makes the entire SCM transparent and searchable. The data is shared up to the customer level. In an end-to-end blockchain-enabled supply chain, data is generated and stored from the point of sourcing to the delivery point, while ensuring quality, speed, profitability and transparency. In a classic example of premium dry beef sale, the supplier first uploads data on anti-bacterial fodder and the cow is tagged with an RFID chip, proving its high quality. The producer gets the required info and adds a secured QR code for packed products. The data is shared with the distributor and the product is picked up by the 3PL players who also get the info about storing and transportation. The retailer and the store are enabled with these data. Finally, the customer can scan a QR code via an app and get to know its origin, farm location, ageing, duration, packaging and ingredients. Walmart has implemented blockchain application that enables it to track such products from sourcing a product in China to selling it in the US.
Continue reading: https://www.dqindia.com/quality-data-in-blockchain-to-change-the-way-supply-chains-work/

Key Takeaways

• Blockchain is an immutabile cryptographic ledger, mostly used to record transactions.
• Since blockchain is encrypted and distributed, it could one day serve another purpose: storing and distributing health data.
• Policy makers have continued to signal that they’re interested in enhancing interoperability, and blockchain may be the technology to do it.

Blockchain is the digital ledger on which bitcoin and other cryptocurrency exist. Although sentiments about crypto are mixed, the underlying blockchain technology has diverse applications—including in health care.  
A blockchain-powered health information exchange could expand interoperability, with the potential to reduce the costs and hassle of intermediary systems, experts say. 
Blockchain background
What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a type of distributed database technology. Rather than being centrally located, the database is shared among individual nodes of a computer network. All information is stored electronically in a digitally encrypted format. Right now, the chief use case for blockchain is cryptocurrency.
You can think of the blockchain as a living ledger that records and stores transactions. It is an unmodifiable record shared via peer-to-peer transactions, built on transaction blocks hosted on a digital ledger. 
Since blockchain lacks a central governing authority, it uses cryptographic strategies to permit interactions between network users who have no history of trust. These interactions include storage, exchange, and viewing.
In blockchain, transactions are distributed among all network users. Any interactions are exposed to all network participants and necessitate verification by the network before data is added to the ledger. This step allows trustless collaboration between network users, while creating an audit trail—a function with direct implications for healthcare.
Nationwide interoperability
How might blockchain benefit healthcare? Deloitte, the international consultancy firm, sees great potential. 
The promise of blockchain has widespread implications for stakeholders in the healthcare ecosystem,” the consultancy wrote in an analysis. “Capitalizing on this technology has the potential to connect fragmented systems to generate insights and to better assess the value of care.”
The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology appears to see a need for integration Deloitte described. The office published a shared roadmap for interoperability, and blockchain may be a highway to this destination.
Continue reading: https://www.mdlinx.com/article/the-emerging-role-of-blockchain-and-how-it-could-change-your-practice/1yPqaRtzTt5JuPgw9qlc0h

Billion-dollar companies are taking the Metaverse by storm as consumers have shown heightened interest in virtual, interactive, three-dimensional experiences that take place online. 
While the “Metaverse” is still a new concept, research firm Strategy Analytics found that the global Metaverse market is forecasted to hit nearly $42 billion by 2026. This very well may be the case, as a handful of businesses including Nike and Walmart have begun exploring consumer experiences in metaverse environments.
NFT utility for brands launching in the Metaverse
To understand how and why brands are leveraging the Metaverse, it’s key to point out the role that NFTs, or nonfungible tokens, play within these ecosystems. While the year 2021 saw an influx of NFTs, the rise of the Metaverse is predicted to highlight the importance of utility behind NFTs.
Adrian Baschuk, founding partner at Ethernity Chain — an authenticated and licensed NFT platform — told Cointelegraph that every brand, company and notable figure will eventually have a metaverse and NFT integration:
    “This is the "Myspace days" of the NFT-metaverse interactivity layer. Just as every     company and individual has adopted some form of social media, this will also be the     case for NFTs and the Metaverse.”
Given this, Baschuk shared that Ethernity recently brought its IP to The Sandbox, a blockchain-based metaverse ecosystem. Specifically speaking, Ethernity has acquired a desirable plot of land in The Sandbox to host a gallery and fully licensed NFT store. Baschuk explained that this will allow The Sandbox users to purchase Ethernity NFT wearables and collectibles.
According to Baschuk, these wearable NFTs include athlete jerseys, which will be used to dress and provide special powers to The Sandbox avatars. “Dallas Cowboys’ Zeke and Dak will kick this off, as the players’ wearable jerseys and shoulder pads will boost a user's avatars’ skills and powers,” he said.
While this specific example may appeal to The Sandbox gaming community, the concept behind it is universal for brands entering the Metaverse. For instance, Baschuk explained that NFTs within virtual ecosystems allow for companies to monetize assets across a blockchain network, enhancing interactivity for consumers and fans.
Continue reading: https://cointelegraph.com/news/blockchain-metaverse-ecosystems-gain-traction-as-brands-create-digital-experiences

In the construction industry, drones are becoming increasingly popular. Drones can now be used for a wide range of tasks, including data collection, filmmaking, and security. In the construction industry, UAVs have also been shown to be a cost-effective solution.
This article discusses five areas of construction where construction drone photography is proving to be a cost-effective alternative to traditional methods.
1. Land Surveying is Easier and Faster
Land surveying may now be conducted faster and more easily than ever before thanks to drones. Instead of having personnel out in the field for days on end, land surveying may be completed in a matter of hours. Drones have simplified this process by allowing you to remain in the same position as the drone while directing it. Drones can help with land surveys for buildings, roads, and bridges. Companies can devote fewer resources to land surveying with drones, saving time and money in the process.
2. Data can be Instantly Acquired
A drone can provide you with rapid results. Processes in construction, such as land surveying, are often laborious and handwritten, and data collection and analysis can take days or even weeks. Drones can sync video data with the back office, giving organizations access to data as soon as it is taken. Whether it’s for routine inspections, safety checks, or progress reports, drones can send data instantaneously, allowing your company to act on the results or even keep customers updated more frequently.
Continue reading: https://pctechmag.com/2022/01/ways-drones-save-construction-firms-money/

Let’s make things clear. There has never been a better time to talk about talent in the UK tech industry. Recent stats show a record year of investment in the sector and monumental generational changes to workforces with the rise of the so-called “great resignation”.
It’s not surprising many tech leaders are now mindful of age-old problems such as the gender gap and the lack of women in the tech talent pipeline. According to government-funded growth network Tech Nation, nearly three million people, or 9% of the UK workforce, are employed in the UK tech industry. Just 26% of those in the tech workforce are women.
More worryingly, women are driven out of the tech sector due to burnout, gendered biases, toxic aspects of “bro-culture” and a lack of work-life balance. All these things together are ultimately driving down the retention rate of women in tech.
So what can we do to not only attract but also retain top women in tech? This is a topic that has always been a priority to Makers and has been accelerated by our Women in Software initiative, which aims to bring together and amplify the voices working towards a more inclusive tech industry.
Continue reading: https://www.uktech.news/sponsored/tech-gender-gap-2022-20220121

Today’s Woman in Tech: Stephanie Brubaker, Founding Engineer, FullStory
Stephanie Brubaker is a founding engineer and Senior Director of Engineering at FullStory. She currently leads the Application Experience engineering teams, which works closely with Product to create a high-leverage digital experience analytics platform for customers. Stephanie previously served as an engineer at Google, where she worked on the Google Web Toolkit and complex version control systems. After earning her master’s degree in computer science from Georgia Tech, Stephanie started her career as a technical architect at Accenture, where she provided infrastructure support and guidance for a Fortune 100 financial services firm. If it’s a weekend, the odds are she’s watching volleyball or tennis (clearly she has excellent taste in sports!).
When did you become interested in technology? What first got you interested in tech?
Engineering was in my DNA. My dad was an electrical engineer and had a big workshop in the basement. One of my earliest memories, in fact, is burning myself on a soldering iron. He was always doing projects that I got to help him with–running electrical cabling, changing the brake pads in the car, fixing broken appliances. As a child, it was something that I just thought everyone did. My dad’s example really influenced my curiosity around technology.
Continue reading: https://jaxenter.com/women-in-tech-brubaker-176402.html

Implementing the right electronic signature solution can streamline your health care workflows and save your staff enormous time and frustration from having to manually gather patient signatures and securely store those documents.
But home-based care agencies also need to find out whether an e-signature provider’s security protocols are sufficient to satisfy the privacy requirements of health care regulators. After all, those electronic signatures will in most cases be attached to documents containing highly personal, sensitive information about your patients. The process your organization uses to store and protect such documents could make the difference between compliance and noncompliance.
Your medical practice maintains electronic records of numerous forms containing patients’ personal health data and various administrative documents — along with signatures from both the patients themselves and other providers in their continuum of care. Here is a look at why blockchain is the best technology for e-signatures in health care, specifically in skilled nursing facilities.
Continue reading: https://skillednursingnews.com/2022/01/why-blockchain-is-the-safest-e-signature-technology-option-for-health-care/

Summary: Everyone has probably heard about blockchain, but do we really understand how this technology works and what application it has found in modern life? In this article, we will look at the basic concepts of blockchain and explain everything you need to know in simple terms.

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Blockchain technology is on everyone’s mind these days. With the ongoing cryptocurrency bull market, almost everyone has heard about this tech at least once in their lives. After all, the decentralized ledger that makes up the blockchain is essential for registering crypto transactions.
However, many investors have limited knowledge about this technology and immediately link it to cryptocurrencies. But blockchain has some incredible use cases in addition to being a vessel for crypto transactions. This article has the goal to introduce you to the basics of blockchain tech and its many applications across various industries.
First, let’s begin with some essential knowledge on how this tech came to be and the science behind it.
Continue reading: https://www.euroscientist.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-blockchain-technology/

Analytics is an important part of managing a business today. There are many types of analytics techniques, with predictive and prescriptive analytics being two key ones. But what is predictive analytics, and what is it used for?
Predictive Analytics Today describes predictive analytics as "The branch of advanced analytics which is used to make predictions about unknown future events." It "uses many techniques from data mining, statistics, modeling, machine learning and artificial intelligence to analyze current data to make predictions about the future."
Using patterns found in historical data, it's possible to identify risks and opportunities for the future. Organizations that use this form of data analysis can anticipate future outcomes, identify risk and are better positioned to make decisions.
Analyzing Structured and Unstructured Data
This type of analytics can be performed on both structured data and unstructured data. Structured data, things like age, gender and sales figures, can be used to track customer trends.
Unstructured data, such as notes from call center agents, or customer feedback can be used to identify customer sentiment and build predictive models.
Predictive vs Prescriptive Analytics
Predictive analytics is not to be confused with prescriptive analytics. Nicole Fallon of Business News Daily describes prescriptive analytics as taking "A more technological approach," and offering a "Deeper look into the 'what' and 'why' of a potential future outcome."
Prescriptive analytics takes past data and uses it for projections, but it allows analysts to tweak variables to determine what changes they'd need to make to achieve a specific outcome.
Predictive and prescriptive analytics are often used in tandem. Fallon explains, "Predictive analytics helps find potential outcomes, while prescriptive analytics looks at those outcomes and finds even more paths of options to consider."
Related Article: How Can Predictive Analytics Impact Customer Experience?
What Are Predictive Analytics Used For?
Predictive analytics can be used to tweak and test processes across a variety of industries. Earl Sires, a digital content marketer at Rapid Insight explains, "Many industries use predictive analytics as a core part of their strategy."
Some common use cases include:

1. Fundraising
2. Health care
3. Marketing
4. Insurance
5. Supply chain management
6. Risk Management
7. Predictive Analytics in Fundraising
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   Fundraising requires building connections and relationships with potential donors. Sires explains, "Predictive modeling allows you to plan your fundraising calendar strategically." This means fundraisers can get the right communications out to prospective donors at a time when they're likely to respond positively.
   Predictive Analytics in Health Care
   Health care workers can use data in a variety of ways to improve the efficiency of the service they provide. Effective use of patient data can also help improve patient outcomes.
   Continue reading: https://www.cmswire.com/customer-experience/what-predictive-analytics-are-and-how-they-can-help-your-business/

The artificial intelligence (AI) industry is continually evolving, with new solutions being created and deployed every day. Gartner predicts that 75 percent of organizations will have operational AI by 2024. However, Gartner’s research shows that only 53 percent of AI projects make it from prototype to production. What is holding new AI pilot projects back from hitting production?
Successful AI projects are all around us, but there is no single best way to create and deploy an AI product with all of these developments. There are, however, four reasons businesses might be missing the mark when it comes to their AI solution.
1. Not enough data
AI is consistently learning and growing from its results and algorithms to provide better, more efficient, and more accurate outcomes in the future. For AI projects to learn, they need an abundance of information. The more data AI can ingest, the higher the accuracy of its output. Yet a common issue is a lack of sufficient data sets for developing AI solutions.
AI needs to ingest enough data to identify patterns within the dataset. A lack of data can impact predictions and output. Providing AI with substantial training data sets can combat this issue and help limit the risk of biases.
Where large data sets can be daunting to a human, AI has the power of speed on its side and can learn quickly. Providing the proper quality and quantity of data allows these solutions to yield exceptional accuracy. If your team still feels bogged down from the endless tasks that the AI solution was supposed to solve, you will need to continue training your AI.
2. Sticking with one means of learning
You don’t just need a lot of data; you also need a lot of sources. For AI to work, it first has to learn. Limiting AI’s learning to one source or knowledge base can negatively affect how the end product operates. Without a range of information from different means, an AI solution will have gaps in its deliverables, causing issues for both creators and end-users.
Successful AI tools use a combination of deep learning models to provide well-rounded solutions. AI projects need to employ various techniques, algorithms, and learning efforts cohesively with straightforward and easy accessibility for humans to engage should there be a need. These “ensemble” algorithms often outperform any individual method of prediction.
With that being said, humans carry unconscious bias, whether they mean to or not. If only one person is providing information to the AI solution, that solution will adopt and share the same biases as the person who taught it. When building an AI project, developers and business leaders need to be laser-focused and aware of potential biases, such as cultural and environmental factors playing a role in developing an AI system, as well as how they can intervene to eliminate biases that could arise. Staying up-to-date on AI developments, how others are implementing and adjusting their projects, and the regulations put in place are essential to developing a successful AI solution.
Continue reading: https://enterprisersproject.com/article/2022/1/why-ai-pilot-projects-fail-4-reasons

Ever since Alan Turing helped decode the Enigma messages used by the Germans during World War II, the concept of artificial intelligence started getting traction. It was only in 1956 that the term actually was officially coined by none other than John McCarthy.
It was the era when the debate over artificial intelligence began and became a heated topic. 
The concept fascinated a lot of free thinkers and frightened others. A few referred to AI as a great leap toward the modern future, while some bashed the idea based on fears that might lead to human extinction. But even today, human technology is still far from creating a self-aware and self-evolving AI that might take over the earth. 
Until we develop a fully-functional, self-operating and morally responsible AI, we will discuss how this much-debated technology is shaping our tomorrow.
AI In The Automotive Industry
One of the biggest beneficiaries of AI has always been the automotive industry. Robots are being used at various platforms in car manufacturing. You now see robots shape a block of aluminum into an engine. You see them weld the joints, paint the car, assemble the parts and cut leather for the interior.
Even outside of the factory, AI is assisting this industry in a lot of other ways. Heard of drive assist? Well, that’s an AI doing its job. You reverse your car and hear the car beeping when you’re close to an object? Again AI. 
AI In Entertainment Sector
This is probably the most affected sector. AI has completely overturned the way the entertainment industry used to function. Cameras are more subject-oriented and use automated modes to detect scenes or faces. Even editing is now on another level. The best part about it is the number of details and consistency.
AI In Healthcare
It’s pretty common, and you might be using it even now without realizing it. The Apple Watch, Fitbit and other smartwatches analyze your activity and check your heartbeat. It even sends an alert if something is off.
Continue reading: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2022/01/21/artificial-intelligence-a-key-technology-thats-shaping-our-tomorrow/?sh=78894dce3725

AI bias is already harming businesses and there’s significant appetite for more regulation to help counter the problem.
The findings come from the State of AI Bias report by DataRobot in collaboration with the World Economic Forum and global academic leaders. The report involved responses from over 350 organisations across industries.
Kay Firth-Butterfield, Head of AI and Machine Learning at the World Economic Forum, said: 

“DataRobot’s research shows what many in the artificial intelligence field have long-known to be true: the line of what is and is not ethical when it comes to AI solutions has been too blurry for too long.
The CIOs, IT directors and managers, data scientists, and development leads polled in this research clearly understand and appreciate the gravity and impact at play when it comes to AI and ethics.”

Click to expand...

Just over half (54%) of respondents have “deep concerns” around the risk of AI bias while a much higher percentage (81%) want more government regulation to prevent.
Given the still relatively small adoption of AI at this stage across most organisations; there’s a concerning number reporting harm from bias.
Over a third (36%) of organisations experienced challenges or a direct negative business impact from AI bias in their algorithms. This includes:

• Lost revenue (62%)
• Lost customers (61%)
• Lost employees (43%)
• Incurred legal fees due to a lawsuit or legal action (35%)
• Damaged brand reputation/media backlash (6%)

Ted Kwartler, VP of Trusted AI at DataRobot, commented:

“The core challenge to eliminate bias is understanding why algorithms arrived at certain decisions in the first place.
Organisations need guidance when it comes to navigating AI bias and the complex issues attached. There has been progress, including the EU proposed AI principles and regulations, but there’s still more to be done to ensure models are fair, trusted, and explainable.”

Click to expand...

Four key challenges were identified as to why organisations are struggling to counter bias:

1. Understanding why an AI was led to make a specific decision
2. Comprehending patterns between input values and AI decisions
3. Developing trustworthy algorithms
4. Determining what data is used to train AI
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   Continue reading: https://artificialintelligence-news.com/2022/01/20/ai-bias-harms-over-a-third-of-businesses-81-want-more-regulation/

AI is the future of technology, no longer limited to voice activated robots or gadgets you buy online.
Instead, artificial intelligence is allowing business to move forward at an unprecedented rate. Machine learning will allow technologies to be more responsive, personal and efficient.
Just how valuable is AI for your business?
In the year 2030, AI could be a huge part of the world's economy. In addition to faster productivity, there will also be a rise in consumption and demand.
On a smaller scale, you can begin to adapt your company with AI in 2022 with these innovative technologies.
Dash cams
AI dash cams with GPS provide real-time incident detection alongside personalised, preventative in-cab coaching to all your drivers. In addition to giving your staff peace of mind behind the wheel, your company gets to enjoy lower costs, fewer disruptions and faster productivity.
Dash cameras also give your business greater protection. With records of any incidents, you can get more money back from insurance claims and avoid litigation.
No-code applications
Emerging platforms are putting the power of web innovation into the company's hands. No-code AI interfaces allow you to drag and drop elements to create ready to deploy artificially intelligent systems custom suited to their industries.
While some knowledge is still required to build the systems themselves, the development process will be cut down drastically thanks to the ease of these new tools.
Continue reading: https://retailtechinnovationhub.com/home/2022/1/20/the-top-ai-technologies-for-business-in-2022

Using artificial intelligence (AI) for day-to-day tasks used to seem like a far-off science fiction concept.
Now, AI is proving to be a valuable and versatile tool that many businesses are embracing. From what I’ve seen, companies that are integrating AI tend to fall into two categories: those that wholeheartedly embrace AI and those that strive to maintain a human element in their company or brand and don’t want to cut down their labor force.
Many companies have already begun integrating AI, whether it’s through automated scheduling, payment processing, or something else. Even McDonald’s is on board. The company’s use of strategic AI will help automate drive-thru lanes, hopefully giving customers a smoother experience.
I believe we are only seeing the beginning of all that AI can do for our businesses. In recent years, we’ve seen the pieces begin to fall into place as companies increasingly turned to this technology. In 2020, McKinsey & Company found that a number of the companies surveyed attributed 20% or more of their organizations’ earnings (before interest and taxes) to AI.
We can’t ignore it any longer—AI truly is the future. So how can companies integrate AI systems while retaining a human touch? Here’s what I’ve learned from working with numerous B2B tech clients on the cutting edge of AI and automation.
AIDING RESTAURANTS WITH EFFICIENT CONTACTLESS DINING
Even small businesses with budget constraints have a number of AI-driven solutions worth considering. This especially applies to the restaurant industry, which as a whole took a pretty big hit during the pandemic, with more than 110,000 restaurants closing.
Continue reading: https://www.fastcompany.com/90713197/the-power-of-automation-how-ai-can-help-you-exceed

When a new technology is developed, it's first met with skepticism by many and enthusiastically embraced by others. Over time, more often than not, people realize that smartphones, computers, the internet, cryptocurrency and virtual reality add value to our lives and work.
One company that is on a mission to fully automate businesses is UiPath. The tech company is a leading enterprise automation vendor, headquartered in New York City and has offices around the world with about 3,000 employees. Its sophisticated software platform helps clients build AI-powered bots that take care of important, but mundane tasks that bog down human workers. 
Using machine learning, AI and bots, UiPath is changing and improving the way people work. Its mission is to unlock human creativity and potential by empowering workers through automation. It uses robotic process automation, a software technology that makes it easy to build, deploy and manage software robots that emulate human actions. 
More than 9,600 customers, including 80% of the Fortune 10 and more than 60% of the Fortune Global 500, use UiPath’s technologies. Its clients include Chipotle, Eversource, Equifax, Cleveland Clinic and Autodesk.
Similar to workers, the software robots can do things like understand what’s on a screen, complete the right keystrokes, navigate systems, identify and extract data and perform a wide range of tasks. The bots, however, can do many of these basic routine tasks faster and more consistently than people. Bots also don’t require vacation time, holidays off, coffee breaks or gossip with the other robots. 
Continue reading: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2022/01/20/ai-powered-bots-may-be-the-answer-to-the-great-resignation-and-war-for-talent/?sh=44e9faec2e6d

Drones.
What are they really for anyway? Getting the ultimate selfie or shot for your Instagram? Or could they be used for something far better — maybe even saving lives?
Allow me to "drone" on about it!
Here are five things to know:

1. The drone is an incredible new option for first responders, delivering supplies, support, communication and advice until medical teams can reach the scene. Drones can send medical tools that can check heart rates and temperatures and even defibrillators to help heart attack victims.
2. Tests have been successful in using drones to deploy buoyancy devices to those trapped at sea, spotting sharks and even helping to pull victims back to shore. Incredible! Drones fitted with Lidar (light detection and ranging) can even create 3D images of a disaster site to make it easier to assess for fire and rescue. There are even drones that can become a small, flying cell tower so that when disasters knock out the phone service, people trapped in buildings can call emergency services.
   [/LIST=1]
   Continue reading: https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/la-east/public-safety/2022/01/20/drones-to-the-rescue#

There are a lot of reasons why MSPs should get excited about drones, which doesn’t even include a projected 20+% growth rate for the next several years. But if you’re not familiar with the technology—or its applications in the business space—there’s a lot you need to know. A comprehensive guide to standards and best practices is a good place to start, but it’s also a good idea to hear firsthand from some of the industry’s experienced thought leaders.
We asked members of CompTIA’s Drone Advisory Council on what to expect in the drone/UAV market for 2022. Their responses ranged from new technology innovations to the potential impact of new standards and regulations. Here’s what they had to say:
Wider Adoption of Spray Drones Brings Agricultural Benefits
“I’m looking forward to wider adoption of spray drones for agriculture, as they have significant potential to reduce costs, increase safety and lower chemical usage. Agriculture is a big opportunity for drones and the more that customers see the business benefits and innovations occurring in our industry, the more productive and efficient they will be.” – Adam Gittins, general manager, HTS Ag
Infrastructure Inspection Improvements, AI Used in Data Analysis, Navigation
“This year we will see drones being used more and more for infrastructure inspection such as our country’s roads, bridges, buildings, and telecommunications. Another thing to watch out for is the use of artificial intelligence in drone data analysis, data processing, and navigation. We are excited to see the industry growing at an exponential rate!” – Ted Parisot, co-founder, Helios Visions
NIST Adoption Has Positive Impact
“This year we will continue to see more influence from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). As the year progresses, more organizations and educational institutions will adopt the NIST sUAS Standard Test Methods. This will have a positive impact and add value industry-wide, by providing repeatable, scalable way to measure hands-on pilot proficiency.” – Dave Krause, co-owner of Influential Drones
Use Cases Continue to Help Improve the Physical World
“2022 will continue to see additional use cases for UASs. These remarkable machines not only carry increasingly sophisticated cameras and measurement devices, but their capabilities are extending into modifying the physical world. For example, UASs can now gather water samples (including those from a whale spout), plant seeds, spray chemicals on crops and structures, take contact-based physical measurements on flare stacks and above-ground storage tanks, and more. As UAS technology continues to develop, we will see more and more use cases and the value they unlock will continue to expand.” – Robert Dahlstrom, founder and CEO of Appelix
Remote ID Expansion Drives New Ideas, Benefits
“We’ll see the expansion and initial implementations of remote identification (RID), which will enable beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations, less complicated flights over persons, and a perceived greater safety to the general public.” – Douglas Spotted Eagle, Instructor/Examiner UAV, Sundance Media Group.
More Aircraft Equipped with LiDAR Technology
“Innovations in the automotive and precision robotics industries will bring a rapid expansion of aircraft equipped with light detection and ranging-equipped (LiDAR) in 2022, capable of delivering strips to the cloud, or directly into post-processing systems on the ground. Leveraging AI-infused technologies, real-time kinematics for precise positioning will become more commonplace vs. a luxury or add-on for specific verticals. Coupled with LiDAR and photogrammetry, remeasuring the continent and infrastructure will drive many developments and channel offerings. We’re already seeing much of this growth as a beneficial fallout from the prolific use of LiDAR/laser scan technologies in other industries, as costs of LiDAR have fallen by more than 75% in the past two years.” – Douglas Spotted Eagle, Instructor/Examiner UAV, Sundance Media Group.
 
Continue reading: https://connect.comptia.org/blog/drone-uav-predictions-for-2022-from-agricultural-benefits-to-remote-id-expansion

Blockchain in Supply Chain: Article 9
Subscription-based services, embraced by the software industry as an alternative to traditional models of selling product, provide a steady income stream to providers. Software-as-a-Service, along with the related Platform-as-a-Service, Network-as-a-Service, and Infrastructure-as-a-Service models, provide benefits to customers by shifting maintenance responsibilities to the vendor and exchanging large capital expenses for lower subscription fees. 
What is a Machine-as-a-Service Model?
Following in the footsteps of the software industry, capital equipment manufacturers are beginning to adopt Machine-as-a-Service ("MaaS") models, providing manufacturing equipment such as Computerized Numerical Control ("CNC") machines or automated manufacturing systems on a subscription basis.
Unlike a traditional leasing model with a fixed monthly or weekly payment, customers may make MaaS subscription payments based on usage or outcome, such as monthly payments based on the number of units produced.1 For example, in addition to conventional air compressor sales, Kaeser Compressors, Inc. now offers a MaaS compressed air service with a subscription fee for a fixed amount of compressed air.2 The equipment manufacturer takes on additional risk with the possibility that client needs and corresponding revenue may decline but may find a much broader market of willing customers, particularly for the newest or most advanced machines that would be very expensive outright purchases.
Blockchain for Asset Tracking
Asset tracking is crucial for running a successful MaaS-based business. Vendors may collect operational data from manufacturing machines, including hours of operation, units produced, and operating efficiency statistics or faults and use the data for both pricing calculations and maintenance purposes (such as identifying when preventative maintenance operations should occur). Blockchain may collect this data directly at the machine through integrated sensors to provide the parties with an immutable operational record. By utilizing blockchain technology, both the vendor and user can feel confident that operational numbers are accurate and secure.3
In some instances, companies may use smart contracts based on data recorded to the blockchain to automatically execute arranged payments as manufacturing thresholds are reached. For example, SteamChain's Secure Transaction Engine for Automated Machinery ("STEAM") uses blockchain technology to generate tamper-free performance records that are accessible by both end users and vendors, and to execute payment transactions in real time.4 Pearson Packaging Systems uses STEAM to provide packing machines under a MaaS model, with clients providing payments per erected, sealed, or palletized case via smart contracts.5 By using blockchain for recording case counts and executing payment, the parties benefit from decreased human errors and increased transparency.
Automated Maintenance Requests via Smart Contracts
Companies can use smart contracts to automatically schedule maintenance for deployed MaaS machines. Because updated data and statistics for each machine are recorded to the blockchain ledger, companies can automatically monitor the performance of each machine. If efficiency degrades or other faults occur, a smart contract can dynamically generate a service request. For fee-based service agreements, smart contracts can also automatically process payments.6
A blockchain ledger provides a permanent and immutable record of maintenance history for the machine, which potential purchasers may find valuable when the vendor sells used capital equipment. Because each maintenance record is written to the ledger with a timestamp and that timestamp is encoded into each subsequent block, a bad actor would have difficulty faking records in case of missed maintenance windows.7
Continue reading: https://www.foley.com/en/insights/publications/2022/01/blockchain-capital-equipment-maas-model?utm_source=Mondaq

Blockchain, the technology that supports the crypto sector, has emerged as an interesting field of knowledge in recent years, several researchers say. In a bid to ramp up research work in the Blockchain sector, Google Labs has appointed a new team to focus on the up-and-coming tech. Google Labs is an incubator that tests and develops new-tech developments and projects, parented by the search engine giant. Shivakumar Venkataraman, an engineering vice president at the company has been chosen to head this new group.
The blockchain-focussed team at Google Labs is smaller in comparison with Google's other research and product areas.
The main task assigned to the members of this group is to work around next-generation technologies in the distributed computing and data storage categories, Bloomberg said.
The Blockchain technology is basically an extending list of records termed “blocks” that are interconnected by “cryptography,” or complex codes and algorithms.
On Blockchain, information can be stored over the shared system where everybody can see it but cannot modify it, a report by Tech4Fresher explains.
Earlier this month, Bill Ready, the president of commerce at Google reportedly said that the company will evolve alongside user and merchant demands.
Continue reading: https://gadgets.ndtv.com/cryptocurrency/news/google-labs-blockchain-tech-research-team-2719615

One quarter of supply chain decisions will be made across intelligent edge ecosystems through 2025, as organizations turn away from centralized technology investments to more distributed networks enabled by improvements in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and fifth generation (5G) data communications, the analyst firm Gartner said today.
Edge ecosystems are different from the powerful computers located in data centers because they allow decisions to be made close to the original source of information, Stamford, Connecticut-based Gartner said.
That design enables data processing, communications, and storage to occur at the point of data capture, such as small sensors placed throughout a manufacturing or logistics operation. The approach is valuable because it creates more even workflows, distributes data capacity, and streamlines real-time responses, the firm said.
“Historically, digital supply chain investments prioritized large-scale, centralized applications in domains such as manufacturing and logistics,” Andrew Stevens, senior director analyst with the Gartner Supply Chain Practice, said in a release. “Edges are physical locations where things, people, and data connect. Increasingly, supply chains are becoming more dynamic and cover larger networks where data and decisions originate at the edge – from operators, machines, sensors, or devices.”
Continue reading: https://www.dcvelocity.com/articles/53557-edge-computing-holds-rising-value-for-logistics-and-manufacturing-firms-gartner-says

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is reportedly looking for the pilot of a drone who broke a series of UAV flying regulations while recording a video above and around the Cincinnati Bengal’s NFL playoff game against Las Vegas Saturday. If caught, the flier risks dizzying fines and possible jail time for his 1:15 film.
The video, taken during the Bengal’s 26-19 victory over the Raiders, unleashed a cascade of condemnation – and at times outrage – from drone enthusiasts for its brazen flaunting of FAA rules banning certain kinds of operation. In this case, the pilot violated prohibitions of flying UAVs around stadiums hosting NFL, MLB, NCAA, or other major sporting events an hour before they begin until at least 60 minutes after they end. Its flight above and around Cincinnati’s Paul Brown Stadium almost certainly ignored beyond visible line of site restrictions. The craft’s overflight of the packed stands – and even on-field players –  similarly broke FAA restrictions on flying above people.
Response to the illicitly shot drone video of the Bengals’ game unleashed an immediate and enduring torrent of angry criticism of the pilot. Since it was uploaded on YouTube Sunday, the footage has been viewed over 38,000 times and elicited over 630 comments. Virtually all of those condemned the repeated FAA rules violations – an unabashed disregard of regulations and act of irresponsibility that many respondents said would only worsen the often unflattering reputation drones suffer among large parts of public opinion. 
“A lot of us go through a lot… (l)earn the rules, follow guidelines, get certified,” lamented Indy Aerial Drone Photography LLC in a comment. “You are definitely one of the reasons rules will get stricter, and (you’re) hurting the hobbyists the most. I don’t know anyone that flies that will approve of this.”
Several other people responding warned the account owner, BrickByBrickProduction513, of the near-certain legal woes the video would generate. And according to media accounts, those troubles may now be on the way. Several publications reported Wednesday the FAA issued a statement confirming its “local safety office is aware of the video and is investigating.” 
Continue reading: https://dronedj.com/2022/01/19/faa-reportedly-hunts-pilot-of-rule-violating-bengals-drone-video/

How using drones will save the Phoenix Fire Department time and money.

Regardless of industry, if you’re a business or IT leader today, you’re seeing the emergence of the digital transformation divide: a gap between those organizations who’ve sprinted ahead and those being left behind. Despite major investment in digital transformation, 67% of CEOs feel they’re losing ground, according to KPMG, while top performers have doubled their profits in the last 12 months, according to McKinsey. In a word, digitalization has become ‘do or die.’
What’s driving this transformation divide? Data. It’s the lifeforce of the modern enterprise. Data-first modernization is key to activating next-gen operating and business models that drive your business forward, faster — across the transformation divide. Unlocking the value of data for supply chains, distribution models, product development, manufacturing, marketing, sales, and more enables you to accelerate decision velocity, speed innovation and time to market, reimagine customer experiences, and improve operational efficiency.
But there’s a catch, and you probably already know what it is.
Unleashing the power of data requires that you first confront and eliminate the operational complexity, data silos, specialized tools, and constant fire-fighting that have long plagued IT — and inhibited strategic business initiatives. Those challenges have only grown with the advent of IT resources that now span across edge, core, and cloud. As an example, ESG has found that the average organization today relies on 23 different data management tools to handle the lifecycle of their data and data infrastructure. That’s unsustainable.
IT decision makers are well aware of these problems: 93% know that data complexity represents a critical hindrance to the velocity of business transformation — lowering agility, efficiency, and innovation, but also elevating business risk, according to ESG. Moreover, 59% of IT leaders say this situation is only getting worse — and more difficult to rectify as time goes on. By now, it’s clear that simplifying data management and data infrastructure — the essence of data-first transformation — can be the difference between winning and losing market share.
Continue reading: https://www.cio.com/article/303410/storage-as-a-service-more-than-just-on-demand-consumption.html/amp