AI is a new generation technology where machines and information systems demonstrate a form of intelligence that simulates the natural intelligence of human beings in interacting with the environment. However, the success of any AI-based system also depends on the trust displayed by the beneficiaries on AI technology, besides other factors. Data, models, and analytics are the three key components of AI technology. One can decentralize these three key components using blockchain technology, and it will undoubtedly enhance the end users’ trust and confidence levels in AI-based systems.
Understanding key characteristics of blockchain technology
Seemingly, blockchain technology promises to solve many problems. However, a lot has yet to be explored as the global blockchain adoption will increase significantly in time to come. As per a Statista forecast, the global blockchain technology revenues are expected to soar to more than $39 billion by 2025.
The key characteristics of blockchain technology that make it so popular and appealing are:

• Decentralized technology: There is no central authority to monitor the network, unlike the traditional banking system. Authentication and authorization of transactions can take place without the help of any single ruling power.
• Distributed ledgers: Instead of storing data in a central repository, it is synchronized, shared, and recorded in various nodes in a shared infrastructure.
• Consensus-based: Any transaction in the blockchain network is executed when all pertinent network nodes agree on the transaction.
• Immutability & security: In the Blockchain network, a transaction, once recorded, cannot be altered by anyone at any time. Hashing is irreversible in the case of Blockchain, which makes the technology highly secure.

Continue reading: https://venturebeat.com/2021/12/20/use-of-blockchain-technology-could-increase-human-trust-in-ai/

More and more agencies and brands are relying on machine learning these days to analyze mountains of data and provide insights they can use to better inform advertising campaigns. Using ML, artificial intelligence tools can recognize patterns in data gleaned from existing campaigns to see how ads are impacting customer engagement, purchase intent and conversion rates.
Rather than guess at what approach will work best to reach target audiences, brands can generate predictive models using ML and AI to identify optimal creative, content, placements and more to boost the effectiveness, accuracy and efficiency of their ad campaigns. Here, eight members of Forbes Agency Council explore the best ways to streamline ad creation and refine marketing strategies by leveraging ML ad tools. 
1. Be Granular And Downstream With Your Data Inputs
Machine learning is still only as good as the data fed into it. The more granular and downstream the data you put into them, the more accurate these tools can be. Work to tie back signals indicating higher-revenue, closed customers or higher-scored leads to their sources—that will ensure the machine learning starts making audience, creative and ad decisions that are truly the best for your business. - Brian Walker, Statwax
Continue reading: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesagencycouncil/2021/12/20/eight-effective-ways-to-leverage-machine-learning-ad-tools/?sh=3ef44059619d

Only a few years ago, very few companies believed that marketing-specific AI engines would be where marketing was going. In 2018, a mere 29% of marketers used AI in their programs. This was the same year that we launched Selligent Cortex, our own marketing-specific AI engine at Selligent Marketing Cloud, following years of development.
Since then, the number of marketers using AI has skyrocketed. It recently increased to a new high of 84% over the course of 2020, as the technology went from cutting edge to status quo practically overnight. And more are joining the revolution: 77% of retailers are moving to implement AI in 2021.
The fundamental attraction of marketing AI has remained the same: AI lets marketers draw on real-time customer data to deliver ultra-personalized, highly relevant customer experiences across channels and devices at scale – with individualized engagement and journeys for every customer. But as our engineering teams at Selligent spent the last few years building and training such algorithms (with trial, errors, and learnings at every step), I can honestly say that all ‘marketing AI’ is not created equal. 
Continue reading: https://aithority.com/machine-learning/the-ai-revolution-in-digital-marketing/

If a computer gives you all the right answers, does it mean that it is understanding the world as you do? This is a riddle that artificial intelligence scientists have been debating for decades. And discussions of understanding, consciousness, and true intelligence are resurfacing as deep neural networks have spurred impressive advances in language-related tasks.
Many scientists believe that deep learning models are just large statistical machines that map inputs to outputs in complex and remarkable ways. Deep neural networks might be able to produce lengthy stretches of coherent text, but they don’t understand abstract and concrete concepts in the way that humans do.
Other scientists beg to differ. In a lengthy essay on Medium, Blaise Aguera y Arcas, an AI scientist at Google Research, argues that large language models—deep learning models that have been trained on very large corpora of text—have a great deal to teach us about “the nature of language, understanding, intelligence, sociality, and personhood.”
Large language models
Large language models have gained popularity in recent years thanks to the convergence of several elements:
Continue reading: https://bdtechtalks.com/2021/12/20/artificial-intelligence-large-language-understanding/

Since 2013 through the first half of 2021, over $222 billion has been invested in climate tech worldwide, per a new PwC report, as companies try to create tech that helps keep the planet below the 1.5 degrees Celsius recommended by the Paris Climate Agreement.

• Over $87.5 billion—or 39%—of that was invested between H2 2020 and H1 2021.
• That’s a 210% jump in funding from the prior 12-month period.

Climate-tech startups have proliferated in this eight-year window, with over 3,000 climate-tech startups in a variety of fields, like renewable energy or sustainable food.
PwC’s report identified over 6,000 unique investors since 2013. Most of the funding came from US investors, which dished out $56.6 billion between H2 2020 and H1 2021—nearly 65% of all climate tech funding for that period.

• European investors landed the no. 2 spot by spending $18.3 billion, while China came in third raising $9 billion.

Unicorn check: The number of climate-tech unicorns grew to 78 in 2021, up from 43 last year. This year, mobility and transport unicorns totaled 43, while food agriculture and land-use startups numbered 13, industry, manufacturing and resource-use startups had 10 unicorns, and energy startups numbered nine.
Continue reading: https://www.morningbrew.com/emerging-tech/stories/2021/12/20/climate-tech-funding-rose-210-in-the-first-half-of-2021

Earlier this week, I was in San Diego as a speaker and guest of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) National Meeting. I had the opportunity to share some of my own outlooks and opinions with the Big Data and Artificial Intelligence Working Group. I also had the opportunity to participate in meetings with key stakeholders involved in considering next steps toward regulatory oversight of AI.
2021 has seen a material acceleration in regulatory interest and posturing regarding the use of AI — both within insurance and more broadly. From the New York City Council creating legislation to rein in AI biases during the hiring process to the Federal Trade Commission’s guidance on how to build and deploy responsible AI and machine learning models, governing bodies across the United States have demonstrated a vested interest in regulating AI. For insurance carriers with European exposure, a just released update to Europe’s proposed AI Act now specifically places insurance industry use of AI under the “high risk” category.
In August 2020, the NAIC put forth AI principles. Over the course of the past year, its focus was to gain more data about exactly where the insurance industry is in its use of AI. The priority was to get a sense of how regulations could impact the industry’s use of AI technologies. During the Big Data Working Group, a first public peek was offered into the results from a survey of property and casualty carriers and their use of AI. The results show a broad application of AI across the core functions of this group of insurance carriers. This working group seems likely to expand the survey to homeowners and life insurance lines of business in the coming months.
The challenge of regulating AI is not insignificant. Regulators have to balance protection of consumers with support of innovation. Several themes are evident about the regulatory outlook on the use of AI in insurance:

• An appreciation that AI is a complex system resulting from actions, decisions, and data driven by a team of stakeholders over a system’s entire life cycle.
• An understanding that regulation will need to include evidence of broad life cycle governance and objective reviews of key risk management practices.
• Agreement among regulators that they are largely unequipped to perform, with state regulatory staff, deep technical examinations or forensics of AI systems. To be successful in regulatory oversight, they need further education, partnerships with more expert organizations, and some degree of carrier attested accountability in the future.
• A possibility that material shaping and defining regulations will have to be forged at the federal level — not just state-level departments of insurance.

Continue reading: https://venturebeat.com/2021/12/18/how-ai-regulation-is-developing-in-the-insurance-industry/

California’s civil rights regulator is investigating Google’s treatment of Black female workers following alleged incidents of harassment and discrimination, according to two people familiar with the matter and emails from the agency seen by Reuters.
Attorneys and analysts at the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) have repeatedly interviewed several Black women who have worked at Alphabet Inc., Google's parent company, about their experiences there, according to the documents and the sources. The sources spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid jeopardizing the work.
Questions have centered on alleged harassment and discrimination in the workplace, according to the emails. Conversations have taken place as recently as last month, one of the sources said.
The DFEH declined to comment.
Continue reading: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/california-investigates-googles-treatment-black-women-workers-rcna9154

Blockchain technology has the ability to change a number of industries. Although it is commonly referred to when speaking of cryptocurrencies, blockchain also can affect the supply chain, health care, the Internet of Things, and more. According to MarketsandMarkets, blockchain technology and services are estimated to reach US $67.4 billion by 2026. Already this year they hit $4.9 billion.
One of the key benefits of blockchain technology is decentralization—its ability to distribute data and computing power across multiple computers in an organization’s network—according to a Yahoo Finance article.
How can companies implement the technology?
IEEE Educational Activities and the IEEE Blockchain Initiative have partnered to create a five-course program, A Step-by-Step Approach to Designing Blockchain Solutions. It offers guidance to help product managers, designers, architects, and other technical professionals who need to understand the expected benefits and costs of blockchain solutions.
“As blockchain technology continues to evolve and expand into business sectors, organizations must understand how to properly integrate it into their systems,” says course author Hunter Albright, IEEE member and co-chair for both the IEEE Blockchain Initiative and its blockchain-enabled transactive energy work.
Continue reading: https://spectrum.ieee.org/5-courses-on-blockchain-technology

The arrival of the Internet in our homes and our mobiles has brought about a revolution. In addition, those who make use of social networks share a lots of content revealing unsuspected details. The internet privacy it takes on more and more relevance. It is enough to dive a little through these networks to see how we are leaving a trail that is difficult to erase. But it is not necessary to use these networks to verify that there are many records of what we do on the Internet. As soon as we navigate or interact with our smartwatch, we leave a mark that can become indelible. Is there a different way to get to interact with the network without leaving a trace? In addition to the obvious precautions, an American team is already working on it.
Privacy on the Internet, a continuous struggle
A task force led by University of Michigan assistant professor of industrial operations and engineering Raed Al Kontar envisions a new kind of connected device infrastructure. Called the Internet of Federated Things, could do more for its users while greatly reducing the amount of data that is shared. A kind of IoT, but more strict.
The sheer amount of data produced by today’s devices is starting to overwhelm the ancient cloud-based Internet of Things. In addition, it is necessary that the decisions are taken more and more quickly. In an autonomous car, for example, there is often no time to upload data to the cloud and wait for it to be processed and sent before taking action.
At the same time, devices connected via IoT have become increasingly powerful. The high-end mobile devices, for example, they are more powerful than many notebooks. For example, the processor that mounts the new iPhone 13 could move a MacBook without problems.
A new model is envisioned that harnesses that power and does more data processing and decision making on peripheral devices rather than on cloud-based servers. The server would act as more coordinator, adding key findings from peripheral devices and allowing the network as a whole to learn from them.
What advantages would it have?
There are many potential benefits, but perhaps the most important from a consumer perspective is that it allows your devices have more functionality while sharing much less data. For example, instead of mobile uploading every detail of your daily activity to the cloud for processing, you could process the data locally and share only the results. Wouldn’t that be a huge improvement in privacy?
Continue reading: https://cvbj.biz/is-it-possible-to-maintain-privacy-in-a-hyper-connected-world.html

The U.K. government has published its new National Cyber Strategy which is the first major milestone following the publication of the government’s Integrated Review earlier this year.
The strategy builds on the significant progress made on cyber over the last five years which has seen the U.K. cybersecurity sector grow rapidly, with over 1,400 businesses generating revenues of £8.9 billion last year, supporting 46,700 skilled jobs, and attracting significant overseas investment.
Through the strategy, the government is calling on all parts of society to play their part in reinforcing the U.K.’s economic and strategic strengths in cyberspace – this means more diversity in the workforce, leveling up the cyber sector across all U.K. regions, expanding offensive and defensive cyber capabilities and prioritizing cybersecurity in the workplace, boardrooms and digital supply chains.
The Government is announcing a new “Cyber Explorers” online training platform which will teach young people cyber skills in classrooms, and is taking steps to improve diversity in the cyber workforce through a new adult scheme which will ensure that people from all backgrounds have access to these high skill, high priority jobs. In addition, a new “Royal Charter” for the U.K. Cyber Security Council has been approved by the Queen, which will help improve cyber careers and bring the cyber workforce into line with other professional occupations like engineering.
To promote growth and innovation in the U.K. cyber industry the government is investing in the Cyber Runway scheme which is helping 107 innovators grow and develop their businesses, with the majority of member companies outside of London and the South East, 45% led by women and 52% run by founders from black and minority ethnic groups.
Funding for these growth and skills programs will be reoriented away from large, often London-based initiatives to a regionally delivered model which will mean more jobs and better opportunities for people across the U.K.
Continue reading: https://www.hstoday.us/subject-matter-areas/cybersecurity/britains-new-national-cyber-strategy-includes-support-for-training-businesses-and-law-enforcement/

The CEOs of Australia’s biggest companies say digital skills are now core to their operations, with many building up large in-house teams to carry out tasks such as digitising operations, developing new digital products and harnessing customer data.
The Chanticleer CEO Poll of Australia’s top 60 business leaders found that leaders were using part or all of a three-pronged approach to the challenge: building internal capability; using specialist consultants; and partnering with technology companies.
Woolworths Group CEO Brad Banducci called this the “build, buy and partner” method.
“Given the strategic importance of digital capabilities for our future, we have taken a mixed strategy of build, buy and partner,” he said.
“This helps ensure we’re deploying the best capabilities at all times, while also enabling us to own strategically important capabilities and IP [intellectual property],” Mr Banducci, a former vice-president and director at Boston Consulting Group, said.
Continue reading: https://www.afr.com/work-and-careers/workplace/ceos-rush-to-build-in-house-tech-teams-20211217-p59ify

The up coming era is reshaping the potential of do the job with the new and shifting demands of their employers. Staff are embracing a lot more fluid phrases with the enterprises that employ them, typically opting for independent and far more adaptable work, or creating lateral moves considerably more often than previous generations. With all this in thoughts, you should really anticipate to lower shelling out on upskilling or reskilling your folks, correct? Mistaken. In point, I’d endorse accurately the reverse.
The world desires additional experienced employees. In accordance to the Planet Financial Forum’s Upcoming of Positions Report 2020, companies estimate that, by 2024, all over 40% of staff will need reskilling of up to six months, and 94% of enterprise leaders say they be expecting workers to consistently select up new competencies on the career. The Planet Financial Forum also estimates that wide-scale financial investment in upskilling has the prospective to improve GDP by $6.5 trillion by 2030.
But for lots of firms and workers, the pre-current and possibly outdated eyesight of specialist daily life and organizational harmony — 1 the place expertise employees arrived to work for and devote their full professions with significant firms — has been obliterated by sweeping economic and technological tendencies. We no for a longer period hope firms to devote a lot in our qualified development simply because we very likely do not plan to be all over for extended. We know it, and they know it.
The ladder is broken — and that has its gains — but abandoning efforts to upskill workforce, regardless of whether they are entire-time or on-agreement, is a shortsighted maneuver that will expense executives down the road.
Nowadays, 80% of CEOs rank the require to facilitate upskilling as their greatest company obstacle, so you are not by itself if you are asking yourself if it is worth the time and dollars. In this article are just a couple of reasons why upskilling is an financial investment companies can’t afford to go with out. 
Cultivating a talent and ambassador ecosystem
Precariously used millennials and Gen Zers have read about how it utilised to be in the olden days: You bought a work with a large firm and invested numerous a long time there, if not your entire career.
Continue reading: https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/398553

In August, Annie Bishai left her job at a publishing house. After four years in the business, the 28-year-old, who lives in Brooklyn, had already been weighing a career change. But her frustrations increased along with her workload as she was working remotely through the pandemic — tasks for a new boss were mounting, she said, and it seemed like they were all all going unrecognized.
“It felt like much of my work just went into a black hole,” Bishai said. One too many large tasks in addition to the massive reading load — “and not even receiving thanks” or “a word of acknowledgment” — prompted her to leave before securing a new job.
“It made more sense to just get out and give myself time and space to figure out what I’d do next, rather than to try to figure that out while doing the unending and often unrecognized work,” Bishai said. In the meantime, she is getting by with temp and freelance work and money that she was fortunate enough to borrow from her parents, she added.
Now, she’s considering leaving the industry altogether. In her next job, Bishai is looking for “a workload that does not extend into unpaid hours,” with clearly defined boundaries. She is also looking for a different kind of culture, in which she can talk openly with her colleagues and supervisors about what she finds challenging and how to improve, she said.
“Publishing seemed like a lot of faking it to me,” Bishai added.
The United States remains knee deep in “The Great Resignation,” as another 4.2 million Americans quit their jobs in October, according to data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics earlier this month. That follows a record-setting September, in which 4.4 million Americans left their jobs, which also came on the heels of the previous record of 4.3 million workers quitting in August.
Women have been leaving the workforce in disproportionate numbers throughout the pandemic. Since February 2020, 1.3 million mothers between 25 and 54 left the workforce, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s September 2021 Current Population Survey.
The pandemic has pushed U.S. workers to the edges of what they can or will tolerate at jobs that range from less than satisfactory to dismal. In addition, the persistence of the pandemic and frequent coronavirus surges have somewhat normalized a background in which working mothers, in particular, face limited options and increased costs for child care while stable in-person schooling remains elusive.
Continue reading: https://www.thelily.com/these-women-left-the-workforce-heres-what-they-want-in-their-next-jobs/

The Edge Computing in Retailing Market research report explores the expansions of the global economy as well as the factors stifling market growth. The Edge Computing in Retailing Market business report features major companies in the industry, as well as full information on their strategies in the global market. In the same way, this research report delves into competitive opportunities, industry developments, challenges, driving forces, R&D, technological advancements, key technologies, expansion potential, and market dynamics. The market research study also provides key insights into a number of innovations and application sectors. Likewise, the research analysis highlights market segmentation such as product type, technology, end-user, and region.
Executive summary:
Prepared by seasoned analysts and researchers, the Edge Computing in Retailing market report encapsulates accurate quantitative and qualitative studies to impart a complete understanding of the current and future growth patterns of this domain. It highlights the major driving forces, restraints, and opportunities that will dictate the industry dynamics in the upcoming years.
The Edge Computing in Retailing market is set to record a year-over-year growth rate of XX% over the forecast timespan of 2021-2026.
To offer a broader view of the industry, the research literature critically examines the sub-markets, followed by a comprehensive investigation of the competitive landscape. Additionally, it takes into account the Covid-19 impact and accordingly formulates action plans that will aid businesses in generating strong returns over the assessment period.
Continue reading: https://www.nwdiamondnotes.com/edge-computing-in-retailing-market-106029/

Test methods developed at Virginia Tech are the first to be accepted by the Federal Aviation Administration to demonstrate compliance with new regulations for a capability that’s crucial for the drone industry to expand: The ability to fly these aircraft over people.  
The FAA’s release late last year of a rule for flights over people was a long-awaited indicator of progress in an industry where technological capability has typically outstripped regulatory approvals. The official acceptance of test methods — known in the industry as a means of compliance — adds practical value to the rule’s symbolic significance. 
“The rule provided an understanding of what’s required to operate over people,” said Tombo Jones, the director of the Virginia Tech Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership, an FAA-designated drone test site. “But to utilize the rule, you need a solid process to demonstrate that you meet those requirements. That’s what this means of compliance provides, and it will make it possible to use drones efficiently and safely for a wider range of operations.”
It also reinforces Virginia Tech’s position at the forefront of drone integration, as the regulatory paradigm in the industry shifts to allow flights to become more routine.
The work is the latest win in a long-running collaboration between the test site, known as MAAP, and injury biomechanics experts in the Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics. The two nationally recognized groups decided to pool their expertise to study the risks of drone-human impacts shortly after the FAA released its first set of commercial drone rules in 2016 — regulations which explicitly prohibited flights over people.
The ban has been a consistent sticking point for the industry, since having to avoid flying over anyone on the ground is a significant handicap for many otherwise ideal applications for small drones. (Imagine wedding photography, for example, or delivery operations in urban areas.) It’s also a crucial building block for flying beyond visual line of sight, another industry focus: If you can’t see the drone anymore, you can’t guarantee there aren’t people underneath it.
The FAA has granted waivers to this provision when an operator has made a compelling case that their planned flights were low-risk. These waivers allowed the industry to expand — and, crucially, spurred research into effective test methods — but each waiver applied only to a narrow set of circumstances. Each new type of operation needed a separate waiver.  
Continue reading: https://www.suasnews.com/2021/12/test-methods-for-drones-help-put-a-crucial-rule-for-safe-flights-over-people-into-practice/

Improved understanding is a necessary first step in the process of managing the loss of an archaeological site, and the Seaford Head Project is trialing ways of achieving this including 3D modeling and surveying the site with drones. The project will also trial the use of podcasts and videos to engage local communities in a conversation about coastal change and how they feel about the eventual, inevitable loss of historic sites.
The team and their partners have begun capturing the nationally important archaeology of Seaford Head, East Sussex, before it is lost to coastal erosion. The headland, which includes an Iron Age hillfort and provides the iconic view of the Seven Sisters cliffs, has seen significant cliff collapses in the last year. The erosion is expected to increase in frequency and severity with predicted rises in rainfall and storm events related to climate change.
Jon Sygrave, project manager for Archaeology South-East, said: "Seaford Head is a striking and beautiful site featuring archaeology of multiple periods, including a Bronze Age bowl barrow (a type of burial mound), an Iron Age hillfort and a Second World War reinforced concrete structure.
Continue reading: https://phys.org/news/2021-12-drones-capture-coastal-heritage-lost.html

Drones are just one emerging technology aiding port operations across the globe. At PTI we thought it was time to delve into why this machinery could be a key asset for ports in the future.
This new type of technology has, over the last few years, been utilized in everyday life more and more, whether it be retail conglomerates using them to deliver packages or simply members of the public piloting them for pleasure. However, they do present a whole range of advantages for their use in the maritime industry.
Safety
Arguably, one of the main uses of drones in this sector is to help improve security and safety at ports. Cameras on the machinery allow for imaging to be remotely accessed by port authorities and give updates on happenings around their respective complexes.
The Port Antwerp has been one port leading the charge with this, having previously worked alongside the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) to expand the use of drone technology in its port operations, citing improvements to security and safety as the main driver. The port went on to say that the technology will allow authorities to manage, inspect and monitor large areas.
Continue reading: https://www.porttechnology.org/news/why-are-more-ports-using-drones/

Your post-mounted mailbox could one day be replaced by a temperature-controlled smart box capable of receiving medicine, groceries and parcels by drone.
Why it matters: After the novelty of drone delivery wears off, people aren't going to run out of their homes to greet the whirring machines as they lower packages to the ground. Instead, they'll expect deliveries that are automated and secure.
What's happening: An Indiana company, Dronedek, has developed a patented, sensor-equipped receptacle it hopes will one day be as ubiquitous as today's letter box.
Details: It's about 4 feet tall and 2 feet square, with a lid that automatically opens when the drone arrives to drop off — or retrieve — a package.

• The secure door is heated and motorized for easy access, and there's a cushioned landing pad inside to prevent damage to packages.
• Individual compartments can be heated or cooled, and UV lights can disinfect parcels if needed.
• There's even a letter slot for traditional mail.

Continue reading: https://www.axios.com/mailboxes-drone-deliveries-428f2ff4-78ab-44c4-881c-a7da48efdf3a.html

While there is still some uncertainty about the pandemic, with vaccinations widely available many people are eager to travel. Travel bookings are through the roof – with hotels the busiest they’ve been since prior to the pandemic. Among all this chaos, it’s important for hotel owners to protect their two most important assets: their guests and their employees.
For hoteliers looking to create efficiencies and a safe, comfortable experience for both employees and guests traveling for the first time in over a year, the Internet of Things (IoT) can help them do so. In fact, according to PwC, 70% of hospitality executives report that they already have active IoT projects in the works.
The term ‘IoT’ refers to devices that are connected to the internet that collect and share data. These devices can be connected to a 0G network, which connects low-bandwidth, battery-powered devices over long distances. This type of network is easy to implement due to its low-cost, lightweight and low-powered infrastructure. A 0G network allows the customer to receive information on the status of the device located within the network and provides a shelf-life of up to five years or more, thanks to only sending small messages which requires very little battery power.
Continue reading: https://www.traveldailymedia.com/how-internet-of-things-can-create-seamless-stay-for-hotel-guests-and-maintain-worker-safety/

Why Women Are Leaving Tech
As of now, women account for a very small portion of the American tech industry — less than 30%. And according to a recent report from New View Strategies, 38% of working women are considering leaving their jobs in the tech industry within the next few years.
COVID-19 has impacted these numbers — a 2021 report from McKinsey & Co. shows that 42% of women feel burned out, compared to only 32% in 2020. A Trustpilot survey suggests that 43% of women in tech are working longer hours now than before the pandemic.
In addition, the devaluation of domestic work means that women tend to carry many household responsibilities without pay or recognition. Other pressures specific to the tech industry include a lack of female mentors and role models and difficulty advancing into higher positions.
The first problem is self-perpetuating — if women leave the industry because there are no female role models, there will be no female role models for future generations. Unfortunately, many women steer clear of tech from an early age, partly because of cultural stereotypes like “boys are better at math.”
Early stereotypes affect adults as well as children. Although nearly as many women as men are applying for leadership roles in tech, only 28% of these positions are filled by females. This may make women in tech feel they have to work harder than male colleagues to prove their competence.
Continue reading: https://alltogether.swe.org/2021/12/more-than-one-third-of-women-in-tech-are-looking-to-leave-their-jobs-within-two-years-heres-why/

Women are making moves toward greater representation in the tech world, but we're still statistically underrepresented in the industry. The percentage of women in tech is significantly lower than the overall percentage of women in the workforce, and according to Statista, women hold 26.5 percent of executive-level positions in S&P 500 companies. 
Women still face daily challenges that impact how we are perceived at work--especially in tech. Women have two options: to view these challenges as overwhelming hindrances or embrace them and create strategies to set themselves apart. I've been working in marketing and tech for over a decade now, and I've learned the importance of marketing yourself in an industry where your demographic is typically underrepresented. 
Whether you're starting your career, established in your role, or considering pushing into a field where women are less represented, here are five key ways to market yourself in the tech world.
Use Your Voice In Your Industry
Position yourself as a thought leader and vocalize your contributions to the industry. This doesn't mean bragging, but it does mean that you devote extra time to express your opinions and thoughts on certain industry trends. Use social media--LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram--to establish your profile as a leader in the industry. 
Continue reading: https://www.inc.com/shama-hyder/how-to-advance-your-reputation-as-a-woman-in-tech.html

Cities are beginning to pay closer attention to blockchain, viewing it as a fundamental shift that they cannot afford to ignore. Sarah Wray explores the potential use cases and the implications for ethical governance.
Blockchain is one of the most hyped technologies around but there have been few implementations by cities to date.
Interest in the decentralized ledger technology is now growing due to advances in cryptocurrencies, smart contracts, digital assets, and other so-called Web 3.0 technologies.
The debate for cities is not only about whether they should adopt blockchain but also how to prepare for the wider impact – because many believe it’s coming, ready or not.
Societal shift
Speaking at Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona last month, Diego Fernández, Secretary of Innovation and Digital Transformation for Buenos Aires City Government, said blockchain could have the same transformative power as the printing press and the internet.
“Today, every transaction is controlled by central entities: governments and big companies. The blockchain is going to change that and this is a change that will alter society forever,” he said, citing taxation, the financial sector, notary services, the job market and voting as major areas where the impact could be felt.
Continue reading: https://cities-today.com/blockchain-cities-prepare-for-impact/

Cryptocurrencies will be the future of finance, and we can’t afford to ignore the fact. Instead, we need to make certain that they are adequately regulated. 
Many countries have taken steps to authorize their use under banking and tax rules and regulations, including the United States and EU countries. Many governments have established legislation restricting their use because of worries about price volatility and potential use for money laundering and criminal transactions. 
The production and transfer of a cryptocurrency are controlled by cryptography, and the protocols that underpin bitcoin are reliable. Because there is no single point of failure, Bitcoin’s use of distributed ledger technology (DLT), also known as the blockchain, provides miners involved in the network with all the transactional information, which can be hardly altered, but still can be visible to all the miners. However, the parties involved remain anonymous, removing the risk of information leaks in traditional banking systems.
The blockchain and the introduction of DLT have not prevented criminals from breaking into users’ crypto wallets and stealing their funds. Cyber hackers are more likely to target platforms that allow users to make payments and exchange cryptos, as well as crypto wallets that store bitcoin.
Since the ethereum-trader.io, its value has fluctuated between $29,000 and $63,000 thus far in 2021, making attacks profitable.
Continue reading: https://techbullion.com/why-should-i-secure-my-cryptocurrency-address/

In 12 days, the curtain will close on 2021 and cryptocurrency investors will likely be uncorking the champagne following another banner year. Amid volatile trading, the aggregate value of digital currencies has risen by 185% year-to-date, through late evening, Dec. 16.
Without question, the "Big Two" -- Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) and Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) -- have played a significant role in pushing the total market value of cryptocurrencies higher. This dynamic duo makes up 62% of the crypto market's $2.2 trillion value.
However, 2021 has also been a year where cryptocurrencies with clear-cut competitive advantages shone bright. When I say "competitive advantages," I'm referring to blockchain projects that demonstrate a competitive edge over the other 15,700-plus listed cryptocurrencies. Differentiation is absolutely imperative for digital currencies to stand out in an increasingly crowded space.
Image source: Getty Images.
The crypto space is full of pretenders
Unfortunately, there are also plenty of pretenders. Two good examples being the ultra-popular dog-themed coins, Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: SHIB) and Dogecoin (CRYPTO: DOGE).
Shiba Inu and Dogecoin are two of the most-searched digital currencies in the U.S., and they arguably generate the greatest amount of social media buzz. That's because these two coins have delivered life-altering returns, with SHIB tokens up more than 45,000,000% this year and Dogecoin higher by a more "modest" 3,400%.
Continue reading: https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/3-cryptocurrencies-with-clear-cut-competitive-advantages

In 2022 edge computing initiatives started in 2020 and 2021 will see increasing maturity, as IT infrastructure vendors, telecoms network operators, and cloud service providers all aim to capture a share of this growing market. According to GlobalData’s latest forecast, sales of edge computing technology, services and solutions will rise to US$10.9 billion in 2022, reflecting annual growth of almost 14%.
In 2021 edge technology and service providers introduced new solutions and expanded the geographical availability and capabilities of existing solutions. The industry also saw new acquisitions and partnerships that were designed to help solution providers expand their edge toolsets and target specific edge opportunities.
2022 will see further examples of edge computing enabling new and more sophisticated use cases. Vertical edge applications will be a strong focus, with apps such as AR-based maintenance, AI-enabled video/surveillance, connected worker, and autonomous vehicles leading in high-opportunity verticals.
GlobalData predicts that, in 2022, cloud service providers, including Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud and IBM, will extend the geographical and feature availability of their edge offerings, while expanding and deepening their partnerships with telecoms network operators.
For example, AWS Wavelength, which is already offered via partnerships with Vodafone, Verizon and SK Telecom, provides application developers with tools and services for building mobile apps at the network edge. In 2022 AWS Wavelength will become commercially available in new geographical markets, including Germany. Meanwhile, IBM will forge ahead with plans to build a nationwide edge computing and 5G network in Canada, via a recently announced partnership with Canada’s Telus.
In 2022 telecoms network operators will accelerate efforts to translate edge capabilities into tangible business benefits for customers, including better time to market, cost control, and enhanced client engagement. U.S. network operators such as AT&T, Verizon and Lumen already have enhanced edge offerings, some of which are offered via partnerships with cloud and IT service providers. They are seeing traction with customer trials and support use cases such as cloud gaming, broadcast media, immersive video streaming, drone tracking, and AR/VR-based training and inspection. In Europe and Asia Pacific, leading operators in the edge space include Vodafone, Orange, Deutsche Telekom, Telefonica, SingTel and Telstra.
Continue reading: https://www.verdict.co.uk/edge-computing-2022-alliances-innovation-drive-development/