How AI is driving the future of manufacturing, one tool at a time

How AI is driving the future of manufacturing, one tool at a time

THE ARTICLES ON THESE PAGES ARE PRODUCED BY BUSINESS REPORTER, WHICH TAKES SOLE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CONTENTS Win-win: Digital transformation doesn’t have to be daunting and can be a real boost to both consumers and businesses Autodesk is a Business Reporter client Autodesk’s Jeff Kinder on why digital transformation is a win-win for consumers and businesses Over the past few decades, society has lived through ongoing stages of technological transformation. Music went from records to cassette tapes to CDs and now streaming platforms such as Spotify. Television was born with black-and-white TV sets and antennas, evolving through cable and satellite television to today’s on-demand, anywhere, anytime streaming services. Just 15 years ago, banking at home via an app was in its infancy. Now, that’s the norm. This thread of streamlining daily processes has naturally found its way into the workplace. Communication tools such as email and Slack have revolutionised how we communicate at work. Cloud-based services such as Dropbox and Google Drive enable teams to store large quantities of data and share files easily. Some design and manufacturing businesses are using AI-powered tools such as generative design to create design options faster than ever before – and there is […]

UNDP, Qatar Unite to Boost Global Digital Innovation

UNDP, Qatar Unite to Boost Global Digital Innovation

DOHA – On the sidelines of the 2024 Doha Forum themed "The Innovation Imperative", the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the State of Qatar, represented by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), aimed at advancing digital innovation to drive sustainable development. This partnership recognises the vital role that digital technologies play in fostering inclusive growth, enhancing access to essential services, and empowering communities worldwide. It underscores a joint commitment to prioritize support for countries most in need, working to pave the way for sustainable development through greater access to digital technologies, and by furthering digital inclusion. "Qatar recognizes the transformative power of digital technology to create opportunities, enhance inclusion, and drive sustainable development on a global scale. This collaboration with UNDP underscores our commitment to collectively harnessing digital innovation that benefits communities worldwide" said H.E. Mr. Mohammed bin Ali Al Mannai, Minister of Communications and Information Technology. "This agreement reflects a shared determination to bridge the digital divide, foster global partnerships, and ensure that digital transformation serves as a force for equitable growth and progress worldwide" H.E. added. Building on the successes of the previous Partnership Framework Agreements (2019-2023) between […]

Marks & Spencer expands First Insight partnership to drive digital transformation

Marks & Spencer expands First Insight partnership to drive digital transformation

Photo: Adobe Stock British retailer Marks & Spencer is expanding its partnership with First Insight to accelerate its digital transformation. First Insight offers voice of the customer retail solutions. The partnership kicked off in 2015 to drive the retailer’s lingerie business. It now encompasses M&S’s entire clothing and home businesses, according to a press release . "Our partnership with First Insight has supported our strategy to reshape for growth, as we maintain and extend our lead on quality and value and continue to drive style perceptions," Richard Price, managing director of clothing and home at M&S, said in the release. "First Insight’s AI-driven intelligence has empowered us to get closer to our customers and offer a more compelling fashion-led experience as we seek to become more relevant, to more people, more often." By integrating First Insight’s customer-driven AI intelligence engine across product development, design, pricing, merchandising and marketing, M&S has enhanced profitability while advancing sustainability goals. Technology Customer Experience Customer Service Marketing Retail – Apparel First Insight, Inc. Marks & Spencer

Kazakhstan's eGov revolution: How digital services are transforming the economy and society

Kazakhstan’s eGov revolution: How digital services are transforming the economy and society

Copyright euronews In this episode of East-West Connect, we explore Kazakhstan’s groundbreaking digital transformation, focusing on the Digital Kazakhstan programme, e-government services and the introduction of the Neo Nomad Visa for digital professionals. Kazakhstan’s Digital Kazakhstan initiative is reshaping public services and the economy. With 80% of services now automated and 120,000 jobs created, the programme has revolutionised accessibility and efficiency. Kazakhstan’s Digital Kazakhstan initiative is reshaping public services and the economy. With 80% of services now automated and 120,000 jobs created, the programme has revolutionised accessibility and efficiency. The country’s eGov portal provides seamless online services for citizens and businesses, while KazPost is expanding its logistics capabilities to reach rural areas and global markets. In addition, Kazakhstan’s introduction of the Neo Nomad Visa aims to attract skilled digital professionals and position the country as a hub for innovation and growth in Central Asia. The country’s eGov portal provides seamless online services for citizens and businesses, while KazPost is expanding its logistics capabilities to reach rural areas and global markets. In addition, Kazakhstan’s introduction of the Neo Nomad Visa aims to attract skilled digital professionals and position the country as a hub for innovation and growth in Central Asia. […]

Should the UK join EU-backed data sovereinty project Gaia-X?

Should the UK join EU-backed data sovereinty project Gaia-X?

European Union Flag And Flag Of Uk On Flagpole In late 2023, the UK government decided not to join an EU-backed interoperability project called Gaia-X. But, with a new government that’s friendlier to Europe and looming data adequacy deadlines following Brexit, the CEO of the organisation is hopeful the UK will reconsider. This upcoming deadline means that the UK needs to take action to maintain data adequacy with the EU. The consequences for missing it could mean costly compliance complications for the UK’s institutions, including the NHS and the police, plus the prospect of hefty fines and other economic barriers for UK-based firms trading with the EU, a Lords committee has warned . What is Gaia-X? Gaia-X was initially designed as a way to reduce European reliance on US cloud providers. The association of governments and companies that form Gaia-X believe that, if data sits in US server rooms, then it is not sovereign or necessarily compliant with European data standards. The EU and its member states have backed the project, which was founded in 2019, to the tune of €3.5bn (£2.9bn). Major European businesses such as BMW and Orange are on board and aviation giant Airbus recently claimed […]

Philippines digital transformation banks on PPP partnerships

Philippines digital transformation banks on PPP partnerships

CEBU, Philippines — The future of digital transformation in the Philippines lies in robust public-private partnerships (PPPs), which play a critical role in closing connectivity gaps and maximizing the impact of technology. Emmanuel Estrada, Vice President for Regulatory Development and Strategy at Globe, emphasized the importance of government and private sector collaboration to address the dynamic digital needs of Filipinos. According to Estrada, Globe, a staunch advocate of PPPs, is actively involved in initiatives such as the Connectivity Plan Task Force (CPTF). This task force, led by the Private Sector Advisory Council, brings together mobile network operators, tower companies, and government stakeholders to optimize existing networks, build over 150 new sites, and explore cutting-edge technologies like satellite services for underserved areas, including Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA). Estrada underscored the critical role of modernizing regulatory frameworks to enable effective PPPs. He stressed that outdated policies hinder progress and called for transparent, stable, and consistent regulations to encourage private-sector investments and long-term collaborations. Policies from as far back as 1931 are no longer relevant in today s digital economy. From Policy to Practice – Designing PPPs for Digital Innovation, he said, citing Executive Order No. 32 as a step […]

Mitesco's Centcore Unit Drives Digital Transformation at State-of-the-Art Data Center

Mitesco’s Centcore Unit Drives Digital Transformation at State-of-the-Art Data Center

Centcore Elevates Connectivity, Cost-savings at State-of-the-Art Data Center VERO BEACH, Fla., Dec. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Mitesco’s (OTC:MITI, www.mitescoinc.com ) unit, Centcore ( www.centcoreusa.com ), a leader in data infrastructure solutions, is excited to announce expanded capabilities at its state-of-the-art data center in Melbourne, Florida. This facility is designed to provide highly secure, high performance computing for a wide range of applications from: Business automation applications and secure remote backup, both domestically and at specific international locations; Enterprise computing applications such as SAP and Oracle and; Infrastructure simulation, design and maintenance, including GIS, LIDAR processing, and other analytical applications. This facility is configured to meet the growing demand for secure, scalable, and energy-efficient data storage solutions while ensuring maximum uptime and seamless connectivity for businesses of all sizes. Key to its attributes is its pricing, specifically offered at a substantial cost savings when compared to AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud or Oracle. Mr. Brian Valania is responsible for this business unit, and noted, “We are ramping up the range of our offerings based on input from the market over the last few months. Beyond some of our smaller clients, we have been approached by major organizations in hospitality, […]

Digital Transformation for Bank Branches

Digital Transformation for Bank Branches

Video Thumbnail The banking industry in India is undergoing a transformative shift, leveraging cutting-edge technology to enhance customer experiences and modernize branches. On the latest episode of The Edge & Beyond podcast, Michelle Dawn Mooney hosts a conversation with influential leaders from Intel and Bits & Bytes Integrators Private Limited. Together, they discuss how their partnership is revolutionizing the banking sector through the Digital Experience Center project, focusing on the integration of AI, edge computing, and Intel’s advanced processors. Amit Jain of Bits & Bytes highlights the impact of their partnership, stating, “Intel’s technology allows us to develop scalable and secure banking solutions tailored for the diverse needs of the Indian market. Our ‘Banking on Wheels’ initiative brings essential banking services directly to rural communities.” Intel’s Rahul Malhotra underscores the importance of collaboration, “By combining Intel’s robust technology with Bits & Bytes’ expertise, we’re able to deliver innovative solutions that not only meet customer demands but also transform the operational efficiency of branches.” The discussion covers key trends in Indian banking, including the importance of digitization in both urban and rural areas, and how AI-driven solutions are reshaping customer interactions. The guests also emphasize the significance of offering secure […]

A strategic approach to the digital transformation

A strategic approach to the digital transformation

Image: Gorodenkoff/stock.adobe.com In a rapidly changing landscape driven by digitalisation, evolving customer demands and regulatory pressures, and the need for operational efficiency, utilities need complete control of their data to stay ahead. Utilities often operate a mix of systems – manual reads, AMR and AMI – across multiple vendor platforms. This fragmentation leads to data silos, inefficiencies and operational complexity, making it difficult to streamline processes. Itron’s Temetra™ platform is purpose-built to support utilities in this transformation, offering a solution that integrates data from multiple sources, improves operational efficiency, and enhances customer engagement. The challenge of disparate systems As the industry shifts toward integrated solutions, utilities require systems that unify disparate technologies. Temetra meets this need with a flexible, multi-vendor platform that consolidates data from diverse metering systems, including legacy and third-party tools. This centralisation reduces complexity, improves data quality, and simplifies operations. Temetra’s adaptable design ensures utilities can scale and evolve without disrupting ongoing operations, providing a flexible and future-proof solution. Digital compatibility Digital transformation requires seamless integration with existing utility systems, but connecting modern technologies to legacy tools can be complex and expensive. Temetra’s open architecture and adherence to industry standards ensure compatibility with systems such as […]

Boston University’s Digital Business Institute and Infocap partner to drive digital transformation in credit unions

Boston University’s Digital Business Institute and Infocap partner to drive digital transformation in credit unions

The Digital Business Institute (DBI) at Boston University Questrom School of Business has announced a partnership with Infocap AI Corp, a company specializing in human-centric automation. The collaboration aims to support credit unions in improving growth and member services through digital transformation initiatives. Infocap provides automation solutions designed to enhance human capabilities in organizational processes. The partnership with DBI will leverage the institute’s research and Infocap’s technological expertise to develop digital strategies that improve customer engagement and operational efficiency within credit unions. Nathaniel Palmer, President and CEO of Infocap, said: “Our mission is to serve as a co-innovation partner supporting clients who put their own members at the center of their gravity. We continuously strive to expand the value received by their members, implementing solutions that enable both employees and the community they serve to get the human yet digitally enhanced experience they’ve come to expect in any modern experience in the 21st Century.” The collaboration focuses on integrating data-driven research into practical applications for credit unions. Professor Peter Howard, Executive Director of the Digital Business Institute, stated: “Through this work, Infocap will draw on the Institute’s data-driven research and hands-on learning with a partnership focused on driving real […]