Google Cloud launches dedicated Digital Assets Team

By

-

January 28, 2022

Technology Giant Google Cloud announces the launch of its new dedicated digital assets team on Thursday.

This new development will allow Google Cloud to provide more scalable, secure, and sustainable technological infrastructure to its customers, helping companies in their path towards digital transformation.

Google has understood the increasing demand of expanding its capabilities in blockchain-based platforms and has formed this new digital assets team to cater to those rising needs of clients. According to the company, Google can play a significant role in this evolution.

Vice President of Financial Services at Google Cloud, Yolande Piazza, said, “We’re inspired by the work already done in the digital assets space by our customers, and we look forward to providing the infrastructure and technologies to support what’s possible with blockchain technologies in the future.”

He further added that businesses across the globe require scalable, secure, and long-lasting infrastructure to grow their operations and support their networks as technology becomes more prevalent.

Consumers all over the world are benefiting from blockchain technology’s amazing innovation and value creation. Google claims that its newly assembled digital assets team would help its customers accelerate their efforts in this developing field and lay the groundwork for blockchain ecosystems.

Google Cloud plans to provide multiple services to its customers with its new team, out of which, a few notable ones are as follows –

Providing dedicated node hosting/remote procedure call (RPC) nodes for developers. This will allow developers to deploy blockchain validators on Google Cloud effortlessly.
Hosting multiple public BigQuery datasets on Google’s Marketplace such as full blockchain transaction history for Bitcoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash, Dogecoin, and many others.
Providing joint go-to-market initiatives with Google ecosystem partners.
Offering support from Google Cloud executives and senior engineers for on-chain governance.

Google is also planning to provide support for cryptocurrency exchange for its customers soon. Interested users can reach out to their Google Cloud representatives for more information regarding these services.

Intel and Dell to launch AI Incubator Initiative in Community Colleges

By

Dipayan Mitra

-

January 28, 2022

Technology giants Intel, Dell, and the American Association of Community Colleges announced their plan to launch an AI incubator initiative across the United States. It is an eighteen-month-long initiative utilizing Intel, Dell’s expertise, and industry connections of America’s community college system.

According to the plans, the companies will build numerous artificial intelligence labs across the US to support the growth of AI technologies. Community colleges that can design their own artificial intelligence incubators can already apply for this program.

Executive Vice President and General Manager of Client Computing Group at Intel, Michelle Johnston Holthaus, said, “Building upon Intel’s partnership with the AACC and Dell Technologies by establishing incubators for emerging technology education across the US will provide greater access to critically needed technical skills and training in AI.”

He further added that this newly launched initiative would serve as a framework for the next generation of American technologists, engineers, and innovators to broaden their innovative thinking and pursue employment across the digital economy.

The AI Incubator program will cater to all the needs for higher education AI technical and literacy skills. Additionally, the program will also provide community colleges with the necessary equipment for providing top-notch artificial intelligence training to students.

Intel and Dell had earlier launched a similar program in the United States named AI Workforce. The semiconductor manufacturing giant launched this program under its Digital Readiness initiative to train future workers in artificial intelligence. Since its launch, the program has been expanded to 31 schools across 18 states in the US.

Similarly, the AI incubation program will also help provide better education to college students in AI. “Dell Technologies has an organizational goal to make a positive impact on 1 billion lives by advancing health, education, and economic opportunity. This partnership between AACC, Intel, and Dell gives us an opportunity to meet this goal,” said VP of State and Local Government and Education Strategy at Dell, Leslie Harlien.
Interested community colleges can apply for this program from the official website of the American Association of Community Colleges before 25th February 2022.

Udacity announces Scholarship for Programming and Web Development

By

Dipayan Mitra

-

January 28, 2022

Udacity Scholarship Programming Web Development

Online learning platform Udacity announces its new scholarship program for web development and programming. Udacity has collaborated with financial service and products provider Citi to offer this new scholarship program.

We've teamed up with @Citi to offer scholarships aimed at underrepresented groups in tech living in the #NewYork Metro area. Looking to gain in-demand skills and further your career? Apply today.https://t.co/I8LAMHd3gx pic.twitter.com/Cdgqs17IGB
— Udacity (@udacity) January 27, 2022

According to the company, it plans to offer scholarships to 100 students to help increase education and professional opportunities in technology careers, especially in the underprivileged section of society.

The scholarship will allow selected candidates to explore future career prospects in the fastest-growing technology industry. Learners of the scholarship program will be taught the critical skills required for programming and full-stack web development to help them become industry-ready. The new scholarship program intends to primarily help Black and Latinx individuals flourish and advance in the technology industry.

Selected learners will get the opportunity to attend the program at their own pace by devoting 5-10 hours per week according to likings. Additionally, after completing the program, learners will get a chance to apply for co-op roles within Institutional Client Group (ICG) Tech at Citi.

The enrollment process has already begun and will close on 21st February 2022. Udacity will shortlist 1000 applicants who have to undergo a seven-week introductory course. Out of the 1000 applicants, 100 will be selected for the Nanodegree program.

Apart from training, the seven-month nanodegree program will also allow learners to participate in networking and mentoring sessions with Citi employees and learn the working of the industry from Citi engineers. Post completion, learners will get a chance to apply for an interview with Citi for a fully paid 6-month co-op experience working on real development projects. Interested candidates can submit their applications from the official website of Udacity.

Epazz Introduces Affordable Metaverse Solution in a Real-time 3D Environment

By

Dipayan Mitra

-

January 28, 2022

Enterprise cloud business process software providing company Epazz introduces its new affordable metaverse solution in a real-time 3D environment named DeskFlex Metaverse Virtual Office.

The solution is meant for multiple industries, including business, government, healthcare, and many more. Unlike traditional video calling and conference software, the DeskFlex Metaverse Virtual Office will display 3D objects to improve team collaboration, which would help in providing an immersive experience to employees.

The newly unveiled technology will feature Metaverse Virtual Office with low-cost VR headsets for under $100.00, updated software apps, and hardware solutions. In today’s market, VR headsets that can be used to enter metaverse are exorbitantly priced, leading to a minimal number of individuals entering metaverse.

The company is planning to develop a budget-friendly smart glass named Epazz Slim to increase the accessibility of metaverse platforms. Epazz revealed its plan to release the VR smart glasses by the summer of 2022.

Founder, Director, and CEO of Epazz, Shaun Passley, said, “We saw the need for teams to collaborate in real-time and interact with their colleagues at work like they are in the actual office. What better way to do this than to extend DeskFlex into the MetaVerse to fill in the gaps?”

Epazz Slims will allow team members to participate fully in the virtual reality and augmented reality office meetings or conferences. Additionally, DeskFlex is building a Metaverse office that will enable remote employees to work, collaborate, interact, and discuss with other office employees in real-time.

United States-based metaverse solutions, blockchain cryptocurrency mobile apps, and cloud-based business software provider Epazz was founded by Shaun Passley in 2000. Since its establishment, the company has gained a vast customer base of over 800 clients, including several Fortune 500 companies. To date, Epazz has acquired seven companies such as Cynergy Systems, K9Bytes, MSHealth, DeskFlex, and several others.

Jidu raises $400 million in Series A Funding Round

By

Dipayan Mitra

-

January 27, 2022

Chinese technology company Baidu’s electric vehicle manufacturing subsidiary Jidu announces that it has raised $400 million in its recently held series A funding round. Baidu led Jidu’s series A funding round along with Zhejiang Geely Holding Group.

According to the company, it plans to use the newly raised funds to accelerate the development of its level Robocar, which Jidu recently revealed during Baidu’s Annual Developers’ Conference by the company’s co-founder and CEO, Robin Li, via China’s first metaverse platform named Xirang. Jidu aims to mass-produce its self-driving Robocar by the end of 2023.

Jidu is rapidly positioning its Robocar as the poster child for completely autonomous electric vehicles that incorporate interactive robot emotion and intelligence into the driving experience.

CEO of Jidu, Yiping Xia, said, “With the help of cutting-edge AI know-how mixed with a high-quality car platform and manufacturing course of, Jidu’s environment-friendly improvement of automotive robotic has been confirmed – the mind, nerve system, and physique of the Robocar are all underneath speedy improvement. When the product is delivered, it will likely be a benchmark-level product.”

He further added that their main motive is to offer customers extra revolutionary merchandise that exceeds their expectations. Jaidu earlier claimed that its L4 robocars would be initially deployed as taxis and trucks in designated locations of the country and then expand slowly to provide other related services to customers.

Jidu intends to continue focusing on product development and expanding its business network in order to go forward quickly. Technology giant Baidu’s EV subsidiary Jidu was recently founded in 2021 to popularise electric vehicles and self-driving technology.

The firm specializes in developing and manufacturing various technologies and components used to build self-driving electric cars. Last year, Jidu received $300 million as its startup capital during its establishment.

“I would like to express my special thanks to the entire team who accompanied this project from the scratch,” added Xia.

New DOD Chief Digital and AI Office to start work by 1st February

By

Dipayan Mitra

-

January 27, 2022

The United States Department of Defense ‘s new artificial intelligence office will commence its operations by the 1st of February 2022. The latest development was announced by the US Navy’s Chief Data Scientist.

However, officials say that the office will function at its full potential by June. According to Navy CDO Sasala, the new office will aid the Department of Defense in moving forward with data initiatives, as well as his team’s efforts to bring data-driven decision-making to the Navy.

The new chief digital and AI officer will be in charge of the Department of Defense’s top data officer, the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center, and the Defense Digital Service, and also act as an integrator for their activities.

A DOD official said, “We are looking both internally and externally to the Department and actively reviewing potential candidates to ensure we have the right person to drive the kind of progress we need.”

Given the broad portfolio of the department’s chief operating officer, the new post is being tasked to ensure AI and data efforts receive more attention. The memo which created the new positions mentioned, “The CDAO will serve as the Department’s senior official responsible for strengthening and integrating data, artificial intelligence, and digital solutions in the Department.”

Due to their different activities, the three offices have faced overlaps and inefficiencies to date. The new unified reporting system will allow them to work together to build a tech stack that integrates data, software, and artificial intelligence.

DHL Supply Chain Collaborates with Boston Dynamics to Automate Warehousing

By

Dipayan Mitra

-

January 27, 2022

International express mail service provider DHL Supply Chain collaborates with dynamic robots and software developing company Boston Dynamics to further automate warehousing in the United States.

As a part of this collaboration, DHL Supply Chain will invest $15 million in Boston Dynamics for equipping its warehouses with Boston Dynamics’ developed robot named Stretch. This investment makes DHL the first-ever customer of Boston Dynamics’ Stretch that is capable of automating the unloading process in distribution centers.

Stretch developed by Boston Dynamics can address complex industry challenges through flexible automation. The companies signed a multi-year contract to accelerate the rate of warehouse automation across North America. According to DHL and Boston Dynamics, the deployment of the first batch of Stretch will begin in the spring of 2022.

CIO of DHL Supply Chain North America, Sally Miller, said, “At DHL Supply Chain, we are committed to continuous innovation and digital transformation to optimize the end-to-end supply chain. Investing in warehouse automation plays an important role in increasing operational efficiency and improving service for our customers.”

Miller further added that they are excited to partner with Boston Dynamics to deploy the best available robots in their warehouses. Both the companies have been jointly working to develop and test Stretch over the last year.

Stretch will work in the warehouse on various box-moving activities, starting with truck unloading at chosen DHL locations. After the initial deployment of Stretch, DHL will also use the robot for additional duties to support other aspects of the warehouse workflow.

CEO of Boston Dynamics, Robert Playter, said, “We are thrilled to be working with DHL Supply Chain to deliver a fleet of robots that will further automate warehousing and improve safety for its associates. We believe Stretch can make a measurable impact on DHL’s business operations, and we’re excited to see the robot in action at scale.”

He also mentioned that Stretch is Boston Dynamics’ newest robot, and it was specifically created to solve problems in the warehouse.

Google Cloud to open New Office in Pune by 2022

By

Dipayan Mitra

-

January 27, 2022

Technology giant Google announces that it is all set to open its new office in Pune, India, by 2022. The announcement was made by the Vice President of cloud engineering India at Google, Anil Bhansali.

According to the company, it has already started hiring for the new office and will begin its operations by the first half of this year.

Google understands that India has been a center for technology and creativity, and the country’s large talent pool makes it a strategic place for Google Cloud to invest in its cloud infrastructure. Google Cloud’s new Pune office will drastically help the company to cater to its growing customer base in this region.

Anil Bhansali said, “I’m pleased to share that Google is opening an office in Pune, and the first Googlers in the space will be in our Cloud Product Engineering, Technical Support, and Global Delivery Center organizations.”

He also mentioned that These teams would work with global engineering teams to develop sophisticated enterprise cloud technologies and provide real-time technical guidance. Additionally, the Google Cloud Pune team will also supply product and implementation expertise that clients expect from Google Cloud for their digital transformation.

Google has started hiring for its Pune office, and interested candidates can check the open positions on Google Careers.

“Over the last 12 months, we’ve hired top engineering talent to join our Development Center in India to support and help build advanced cloud technologies in collaboration with our global engineering teams,” added Bhansali.

Last year, Google had launched its Delhi NCR cloud region office, making India one of the countries in Asia to operate two Google Cloud Regions. Currently, Google operates two offices in India located in Delhi and Mumbai. The addition of Google’s Pune office will further help the company to expand its capability and services in India.

Dental care Startup Smiles.ai raises $23 million in Series A Funding Round

By

Dipayan Mitra

-

January 26, 2022

Smile.ai $23 million Series A Funding Round

Healthcare service providing company Smiles.ai raises $23 million in its series A funding round led by Alpha Wave Incubation, managed by Falcon Edge Capital, and with strong participation from existing investors Sequoia Capital India and Chiratae Ventures.

MBX Capital, Wami Capital, angel investors Peyush Bansal, and Amit Chaudhary of Lenskart, Aakrit Vaish of Haptik, Revant Bhate of Mosaic Wellness, Miten Sampat of CRED, and Sambhav Rakhyan of WTW are among the other investors who participated in Smiles.ai’s latest funding round.

This investment comes less than a year after the company raised $1 million in its seed round led by Sequoia Capital India and Chiratae Ventures with the participation of some angels and family offices.

Co-founder of Smiles.ai, Hitesh Kakrani, said, “India’s dental care market has remained highly fragmented and without any significant technological disruption for decades. However, now with increasing awareness, increasing disposable incomes, and rising millennial aspirations, the industry is going through a transition, and we are leading this change in India by combining dental care operations and technology expertise.”

According to the company, it plans to use the newly raised funds to expand its footprints in the country, enhance its leadership team, and develop novel tech-driven dental care solutions. He also mentioned that Smiles is positioned to disrupt the market and establish itself as a market leader while preserving its capital efficiency, thanks to its use of technology as a key driver and differentiator.

Bengaluru-based dental care startup Smiles.ai was founded in 2019. The company specializes in using proprietary technology and expert healthcare professionals to provide access to high-quality and cost-effective dental care products and services.

“Given the massive opportunity in the dental care space in India and abroad, we were very impressed with Smiles.ai’s approach in establishing a comprehensive offline base of dentists and building an aligners business on top of that,” said Managing Director of Alpha Wave Incubation, Anirudh Singh.

Meta is building the World’s Fastest Supercomputer

By

Dipayan Mitra

-

January 25, 2022

Technology giant Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg announced his intentions to create a virtual metaverse. He stated that his social media company is creating what he claims is the world’s fastest artificial intelligence supercomputer.

He said that the metaverse, which combines the physical and digital worlds through virtual and augmented reality, will necessitate colossal processing power. According to Zuckerberg’s Meta business, the AI supercomputer, dubbed AI Research SuperCluster (RSC), is already the fifth fastest in the world.

Artificial intelligence is a computer programme that mimics the brain’s fundamental architecture and is capable of digesting and finding patterns in massive volumes of data. Meta, the company behind Facebook, Instagram, and the WhatsApp messaging service, collects a lot of data from its 2.8 billion daily users.

Mark Zuckerberg said, “The experiences we’re building for the metaverse require enormous compute power (quintillions of operations/second!) and RSC will enable new AI models that can learn from trillions of examples, understand hundreds of languages, and more.” The RSC, according to Meta researchers, will be the fastest computer of its kind when it is finished in the summer.

Following the Cambridge Analytica scandal, it was fined $5 billion for privacy violations, and Frances Haugen, a former Facebook employee and whistleblower, has cautioned that the firm is focusing on development into new sectors when it should be focusing on very basic safety mechanisms.

“We hope RSC will help us build entirely new AI systems that can, for example, power real-time voice translations to large groups of people, each speaking a different language, so they can seamlessly collaborate on a research project or play an AR game together,” said researchers from Meta.

The company added that in the end, the collaboration with RSC will pave the way for the development of technologies for the next major computing platform, the metaverse, in which AI-driven apps and products will play a key role.