India hopes for tech prowess under Trump leadership

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Donald Trump’s victory as the 47th president of the United States of America has bolstered hopes for India’s technology ambitions, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, quantum computing and manufacturing for technology infrastructure. 

“Had a great conversation with my friend, President @realDonaldTrump, congratulating him on his spectacular victory. Looking forward to working closely together once again to further strengthen India-US relations across technology, defence, energy, space and several other sectors,” India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, wrote in an X post. 

In June, the national security advisors of two of the world’s biggest democracies met in India to assemble the next chapter of their technology partnership. The aim is to ensure that the U.S. and India stay at the bleeding edge of innovation and improve coordination with like-minded nations to deliver secure, reliable and cost-competitive technology solutions. Both countries will pursue quantum, AI and high-performance computing collaboration, according to a joint fact sheet. 

India and the U.S. technology partnerships come at a time when two of the world’s biggest economies are in a trade war, which started in January 2018, when Trump began setting tariffs and other trade barriers on China. Simultaneously, the Narendra Modi-led Indian government has been reportedly positioning India as an alternative for global tech companies looking to reduce dependency on China for their supply chains. 

“There was already a reordering of supply chains which was taking place (globally). It is very likely that this will get accelerated after the election result in the U.S.,” External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said while explaining what the second term of Trump’s presidency would mean for India. 

“I’ll be very candid with you, that some of this will be somewhat disruptive, but we in India perceive it as an opportunity because having kind of missed the manufacturing bus in the 1990s, early 2000s, we do think that this reordering of supply chain gives us a sort of second bite of the apple. And maybe this time around, starting with Apple, we are doing better than we were doing earlier,” Jaishankar said.

India has already lured suppliers for major U.S. corporations like Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) and Google (NASDAQ: GOOGL). About 25% of all iPhones are expected to be made in India by 2028, from only 5% to 7% of Apple’s manufacturing in January 2023. On the other hand, Google has started production of its first batch of made-in-India Pixel 8 smartphones. 

“The third aspect pertains to the digital side, and the digital side now pretty much covers everything,” Jaishankar said. 

“What has been happening and will continue to intensify is about trust, and what accompanies the digital aspect of a product or service or technology will come under greater scrutiny… Digital payment platforms, for example, would become, in a sense, much more valuable,” the foreign minister added.

India is now the seventh-largest services exporting country globally, and ranks second in the world in telecommunication, computer and information services exports. Among services exports, software/IT services and business services exports have increased, supported by India emerging as a hub for Global Capability Centers (GCCs). GCCs are offshore facilities that multinational corporations use to manage business operations and processes.

“At last count, we have about 1,800 Global Capability Centers in India, which, between them, generate about $150 billion worth of exports. We see this trend intensifying,” Jaishankar said. 

A bold tech alliance

The India-U.S. tech partnership has announced its aim to unlock $90 million in joint funding over five years for the U.S.-India Global Challenges Institute, fostering university and research collaborations on semiconductor technology, critical and emerging technologies, and more. 

“We will see, under Trump, India and the U.S. unleashing a bold tech alliance, primed to shake up connectivity and security,” Raj Kapoor, founder of India Blockchain Alliance, told CoinGeek.

India and the U.S. will partner to deploy cost-effective Open RAN (ORAN) technology at scale, including a $5 million USAID Edge Fund grant to Qualcomm and Mavenir to test its ORAN stack in India with telecom service provider Bharti Airtel. Qualcomm will add $9.4 million to the project. 

“With a $5 million boost from USAID’s Edge Fund and a hefty $9.4 million pledge from Qualcomm, they’re testing out ORAN tech with Bharti Airtel to make mobile networks faster, more secure, and greener. I see that only as a beginning,” Kapoor added.

The two countries also intend to invest nearly $5 million in funding for research projects on next-generation telecommunications, connected and autonomous vehicles and machine learning, through the National Science Foundation and India’s Department of Science and Technology.

The U.S. and India have announced a semiconductor partnership between General Atomics and 3rdiTech to co-develop semiconductor design and manufacturing for precision-guided ammunition and national security electronics.

“A powerful semiconductor partnership between General Atomics and 3rdiTech, aiming to co-develop cutting-edge chips for precision-guided ammunition and critical security tech will now roll on a fast track. It’s a game-changer for defense electronics, bringing the best of both nations’ tech prowess. And the innovation juggernaut keeps rolling. Quantum, AI, and high-performance computing are next in line,” Kapoor added.

Watch: ‘Disruptive’ blockchain can be useful for India

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‘Bomb cyclone’ kills 1 and knocks out power to more than 700,000 in Washington state

Technology

Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead moreA deadly “bomb cyclone” has ripped through Washington state, killing at least one person, downing trees and power lines, and leaving hundreds of thousands without power.What was forecast to be one of the strongest storms in the northwest US in years struck on Tuesday evening, lashing the Pacific Northwest – a region covering Washington, Idaho and Oregon – and Northern California with heavy rain and high winds.I​n northwest Washington, strong winds downed trees, striking homes and power lines and littering debris across roads.Almost 710,000 homeowners and businesses in the state were without power as of Wednesday morning, with King and Snohomish counties the worst impacted areas.In Lynnwood, a woman was killed when a large tree fell on a homeless encampment on Tuesday evening, South County Fire said in a statement on X.Over in Seattle, a tree fell onto a vehicle, temporarily trapping a person inside before emergency services rescued them, the Seattle Fire Department reported.Damaged tree and downed power lines during a major storm on November 19 in Seattle

‘Bomb cyclone’ kills 1 and knocks out power to more than 700,000 in Washington state

Technology

Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead moreA deadly “bomb cyclone” has ripped through Washington state, killing at least one person, downing trees and power lines, and leaving hundreds of thousands without power.What was forecast to be one of the strongest storms in the northwest US in years struck on Tuesday evening, lashing the Pacific Northwest – a region covering Washington, Idaho and Oregon – and Northern California with heavy rain and high winds.I​n northwest Washington, strong winds downed trees, striking homes and power lines and littering debris across roads.Almost 710,000 homeowners and businesses in the state were without power as of Wednesday morning, with King and Snohomish counties the worst impacted areas.In Lynnwood, a woman was killed when a large tree fell on a homeless encampment on Tuesday evening, South County Fire said in a statement on X.Over in Seattle, a tree fell onto a vehicle, temporarily trapping a person inside before emergency services rescued them, the Seattle Fire Department reported.Damaged tree and downed power lines during a major storm on November 19 in Seattle

Globe Business launches Deep Dive Dialogues to support companies’ digitalization journey

Business News

Maan D’ Asis Pamaran – The Philippine StarNovember 20, 2024 | 12:00pm

MANILA, Philippines — Digitizing a company’s business processes improves efficiency and productivity. Certain digital solutions can optimize workflow, while others can enhance customer relations and client experience.  As businesses grow and evolve, challenges become increasingly complex, requiring specialized digital solutions to make processes more efficient. 

While there are many digital solutions providers that can connect businesses to success, it is just as important to find the ones that are relevant for each business on its digital journey. For this reason, Globe Business recently launched its Deep Dive Dialogues, a business solutions consultancy initiative designed to connect with growing businesses and empower them on their digital transformation journey.  

Deep Dive Dialogues is targeted at businesses that have established a foundational IT system but seek to optimize operations and drive sustainable growth. The discussions offer the businesses expert and strategic counsel toward adopting critical solutions such as cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure, and business application solutions. 

Tech talks

The Deep Dive Dialogues opens with a plenary session, where industry trends and emerging technologies are discussed by experts. This is followed by personalized consultations that discuss pain points and goals in the company’s digital transformation journey. Globe Business Deep Dive Dialogues is designed for businesses who are in the middle of their digital transformation journey.
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The pilot event brought together a diverse group of growing businesses seeking to elevate their digital capabilities through a plenary session that highlighted industry trends, best practices, and emerging technologies. 

They were also able to avail of personalized consultations for customized guidance and recommendations based on their specific needs and objectives relevant to their own digital transformation journey.  Globe Business consultants were on hand to help them recognize pain points, determine opportunities for improvement, mitigate risks and optimize operations. 

Finding the right fit

Jonathan Cristobal, Globe Business Marketing head, talked about how connections fuel success for emerging enterprises.
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There is no one-size-fits-all solution, says Jonathan Cristobal, Marketing head of Globe Business. According to Cristobal, their goal is to assist in business growth by helping customers identify which solutions fit their needs.

“With Deep Dive Dialogues, decision-makers who are in the middle of their digital transformation journey have access to consultancy services that can help them rethink and redesign how they operate, the way they interact with clients, and how they provide value to their clients. It starts with discussions on their framework and their priorities,” Cristobal said. 

He continued, “Success in digital transformation is about combining process, people, and technology, transforming as much as possible at the lowest expenses that will garner a faster return on investment. We are here to show them what their journey can be.” 

Marlon Cruz, senior director of Business Solutions Consulting, discussed the trends and challenges of growing businesses in the Philippine Market.
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Marlon Cruz, senior director of Business Solutions Consulting, added that utilizing targeted digital solutions helps companies to become more relevant and agile, helping to create an advantage over the competition.

“The discussion is about finding out how we can help, centering on what the customer wants to achieve in terms of their digital transformation,” Cruz said. “These are businesses who are trying to traverse their digital journey from being an observer, explorer, and tech adapter, to becoming proficient, and then eventually becoming an innovator.”

This is the right time to invest in a digital framework, he further noted, as around 81% of businesses in the ASEAN region are refunneling their strategies in digital transformation. 

The Globe Business Deep Dive Dialogues is rooted in a vision to build a stronger economy, leveraging on Globe’s robust connectivity that propels businesses towards sustainable growth.

“We are helping businesses to build an ecosystem through our strength, which is connectivity, along with our partnership with solutions providers that can help our customers become globally competitive,” said KD Dizon, head of Globe Business. “Businesses have a role to play in nation building, that is why we try to help them solve their critical solution issues around technology.”

“For businesses beyond the initial stages of digital adoption, the path to success often requires a more measured approach. Deep Dive Dialogues is our commitment to providing expert insights and practical solutions that enable growing businesses to navigate the complexities of continuous transformation to unlock their full potential,” Dizon added.

For digital transformation to be successful, people, process and technology need to come together in a framework that supports growth
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As a trusted partner of Philippine enterprises, Deep Dive Dialogues is part of Globe Business’ commitment to empower companies with the digital solutions they need to thrive. By leveraging Globe Business’ ecosystem of technology partners, businesses can gain a competitive edge, improve efficiency, and drive sustainable growth. 

Deep Dive Dialogues is being rolled out to existing Globe Business customers, and will soon expand to reach more businesses, going nationwide through Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.  

To find out more about Deep Dive Dialogues, visit https://glbe.co/DeepDiveDialoguesPR. 

Editor’s Note: This branded content for Globe is not covered by Philstar.com’s editorial guidelines.

The MCU X-Men Movie: What We Know So Far

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

While there are a lot of questions that need to be answered about it, the Marvel Cinematic Universe will have its own version of the X-Men hitting the upcoming MCU movies slate before too long. Disney’s merger with Fox back in 2019 meant that that previously licensed characters would be available to the canon for the first time, and in addition to The Fantastic Four: First Steps, it is only a matter of time before we get a full-on X-Men movie set in the Marvel timeline.At this stage in the game, there is a solid mix of things that we know and don’t know about the X-Men and other mutants in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, so while we wait for the picture to further clarify, we’ve put together this guide. We’ll continue to update this feature as things develop and new details are announced, but for now, here’s what we know so far about the MCU X-Men movie.The MCU X-Men Movie Release Date(Image credit: 20th Century Fox)There presently is no X-Men movie to be found on the Marvel Cinematic Universe release calendar. There are six films with established dates set to arrive in theaters between now and summer 2027, and there is zero specific indication that we will be getting a new MCU X-Men movie in that time span. At least for now, the upcoming films include:While fans will have to wait to see the live-action MCU X-Men, there are a couple of upcoming Marvel TV shows featuring mutant characters – including the final run of What If…? and new seasons of X-Men ’97.The MCU X-Men Movie Director(Image credit: Marvel Comics)With the MCU X-Men movie currently existing more as a behind-the-scenes idea than an officially announced project, it won’t surprise anyone reading this to read that there is currently no director attached to make the film. There have been some shaky online rumors suggesting Jordan Peele has met with Marvel Studios to discuss ideas, but neither party has confirmed whether or not that meeting ever happened, let alone that the subject of conversation was the proper introduction of mutants in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.Because so little is known about how Marvel Studios will eventually approach the first MCU X-Men movie, it’s impossible to say what kind of director will ultimately take the helm of the film. It’s possible that they could try and reach out to standout auteur filmmakers to take on the vital assignment, or the blockbuster might end up in the hands of an up-and-comer (Jon Watts made Spider-Man: Homecoming as his third feature, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps will be director Matt Shakman’s second).X-Men Characters We Have Seen In Marvel Cinematic Universe Movies(Image credit: Marvel Studios)As of 2024, the canon Marvel Cinematic Universe – known in-world as Earth-616 – has not been led by any X-Men characters… but that’s not the same thing as saying zero X-Men characters have appeared in Marvel Cinematic Universe movies. Thanks to universe-hoping antics in recent films, some special heroes have appeared within the franchise:Your Daily Blend of Entertainment NewsProfessor XIn Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness, the titular sorcerer is taken by America Chavez to Earth-838, and part of his time there is spent pleading a case in front of a powerful panel called the Illuminati. One member of this group is Professor Charles Xavier (played by Patrick Stewart), though he is eventually killed when he engages in a psychic battle with the Scarlet Witch and gets his neck snapped.BeastAfter Monica Rambeau gets trapped in an alternate universe at the end of The Marvels, she wakes up in a hospital bed and is shocked to be face-to-face with her mother – but what Marvel fans really love about the end credits scene is that it features the return of Dr. Hank McCoy a.k.a. Beast in his full blue, furry glory (and the voice of Kelsey Grammer, who previously played the role in X-Men: The Last Stand).DeadpoolWe’re playing a bit loose with the definition of “X-Men characters” here, as Deadpool isn’t really best known for being a part of the famous mutant team, but he has been affiliated with the group, so he is being counted. Wade Wilson, played by Ryan Reynolds, makes a brief stop in Earth-616 at the start of Deadpool & Wolverine, but the vast majority of the film is set in the X-Men universe (a.k.a. Earth-10005) and the barren dimension known as The Void.WolverineHugh Jackman made his big comeback as Logan a.k.a. Wolverine in Deadpool & Wolverine, but his future playing the character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is underdetermined (despite insistence by Deadpool throughout the movie that Marvel will have the Australian actor playing the part until he is 90 years old). At the end of the film, Wolverine is featured going in Earth-10005, and we don’t yet know if he will ever get to Earth-616.GambitChanning Tatum spent years and years trying to develop a solo Gambit movie, and while that film never got on its feet, the actor did finally get the chance to play the character in Deadpool & Wolverine. The titular anti-heroes meet the card-throwing Cajun while they are stuck in the Void, and they team up with him (alongside some other big screen Marvel rejects) to try and defeat Emma Corrin’s Cassandra Nova.Existing Mutants In The Marvel Cinematic Universe(Image credit: Marvel Studios)Just because Earth-616 doesn’t feature any proper X-Men characters yet doesn’t mean that it isn’t completely without mutants. In this space, we’ll keep track of all the characters in the canon who have been specifically identified as Homo superior.Kamala Khan a.k.a. Ms. MarvelAs things presently stand, the only known mutant character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is Kamala Khan a.k.a. Ms. Marvel – played by Iman Vellani. It is established in the finale of the Ms. Marvel Disney+ series that her powers come from a mutant gene, and the revelation was paired with a musical queue familiar to fans of X-Men: The Animated Series.How The X-Men Could Factor Into Avengers: Secret Wars(Image credit: Marvel Studios)At present, nothing is known about the plot of Avengers: Secret Wars – but given comic book history, there is a possibility that the film will involve X-Men characters in some way. This is total speculation, but we’re gonna let it rip anyway:In the 2015 Secret Wars event published by Marvel Comics, the main Marvel Universe is destroyed when it quite literally collides with an alternate canon known as the Ultimate Universe. Following the events of Deadpool & Wolverine, it’s not wholly inconceivable that the Marvel Cinematic Universe will pull off something very similar on the big screen and have the MCU end up crashing together with Earth-10005.Whether or not this is used as a path to introduce a new version to the MCU is something we may not know until summer 2027.How To Watch The Previous X-Men Movies(Image credit: Fox)Watching all of the X-Men movies is not a hard thing to do in the 2020s, as there are many potential avenues to go with. If you have a Disney+ subscription, you’re just a few clicks away from watching all of the movies in the X-Men timeline right now. This list includes:X-Men (2000)X2: X-Men United (2003)X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)X-Men: First Class (2011)The Wolverine (2013)X-Men: Days Of Future Past (2014)Deadpool (2016)X-Men: Apocalypse (2016)Logan (2017)Deadpool 2 (2018)X-Men: Dark Phoenix (2019)The New Mutants (2020)For physical media fans, all of the movies are available for purchase on 4K UHD and Blu-ray (the original trilogy is collected as a box set), and all of the titles can also be found from digital retailers for rent and purchase.It hopefully won’t be too long before more information is made available about the future of the X-Men in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (perhaps at San Diego Comic-Con 2025?), but you can be sure that we’ll have all of the biggest news about the project for you here on CinemaBlend as it arrives online.

Authors miffed by publisher’s offer to use their books for AI training

Arts & Culture, Books

Authors are voicing concerns after a major book publisher offered payments in exchange for permission to use their books to train artificial intelligence. Daniel Kibblesmith, an Emmy-nominated writer and comedian who writes for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, posted a memo from HarperCollins — a major publisher that is also home to dozens of Canadian authors — offering $2,500 US to use his children’s book Santa’s Husband to train an AI model for an unnamed “large tech company.””Abominable,” Kibblesmith posted to the social media platform Bluesky on Friday — with screenshots of the messages alongside his response. He declined. The memo, forwarded to Kibblesmith and his illustrator by his agency, acknowledges controversies surrounding AI, including that it “may one day make us all obsolete.””That said, the technology is already here and is being used,” it continues, claiming the offer has already been agreed to by “several hundred authors.” Risk of gutting the industryKibblesmith told CBC News he was disappointed, but not surprised, by the offer.”I declined very succinctly, and that was the end of that conversation,” he said. “I know that most of what I’ve published has already been scraped without my consent. It’s just that no one ever asked me before. So in being asked, I was given the opportunity to say no for the first time.”But he understands why some would accept the offer, saying being a freelance creator does not “leave the average person much wiggle room for moral righteousness.” Kibblesmith says the march of AI in literature is reminiscent of the early days of music file-sharing program Napster. It risks “creating a new paradigm where the expectation will be on-demand, free, satisfactory media that guts the industry as it previously existed, in a way that it will never recover from,” he said. A HarperCollins spokesperson says the publisher reached an agreement with the tech company to allow “limited use of select nonfiction backlist titles” for training AI models. It was not immediately clear why the offer was extended to a fiction writer such as Kibblesmith.WATCH | Margaret Atwood isn’t worried about AI: ‘AI is a crap poet’: Margaret Atwood isn’t worried about artificial intelligence22 days agoDuration 2:00Celebrated Canadian author Margaret Atwood says she’s too old to be concerned about artificial intelligence and how it could affect her career, but admits that’s not the case for younger artists. As she works on her memoir, Atwood says she wants to tell stories about the ‘stupid things and catastrophes’ that have happened in her life, rather than the books she’s written.”HarperCollins has a long history of innovation and experimentation with new business models. Part of our role is to present authors with opportunities for their consideration while simultaneously protecting the underlying value of their works and our shared revenue and royalty streams,” the spokesperson  said in via email. “This agreement, with its limited scope and clear guardrails around model output that respects author’s rights, does that.”The spokesperson did not confirm whether the deal applies to Canadian authors. ‘Deeply discouraging’Author Elisabeth de Mariaffi, who is from Toronto and now lives in St. John’s, called the news “deeply discouraging.”She says she’s not received the offer, but would reject it. HarperCollins has been her publisher since 2015, when she released her novel The Devil You Know.”I do feel a lot of pressure to write more commercially as it is, and this just feels like the next logical step — ‘Why don’t we just use your writing to train AI? And we can actually just cut you right out of the picture, and it’s only going to cost us $2,500,'” de Mariaffi said. Some authors, including several Pulitzer Prize winners, are suing companies like OpenAI and Microsoft, accusing them of copyright infringement for training AI models on their writing without permission.Author Elisabeth de Mariaffi says she has not received the AI offer from HarperCollins, but would reject it.

Business News | Pan IIT Alumni India to Host the Third Edition of PIWOT: PanIIT World of Technology

Technology

VMPLNew Delhi [India], November 20: Pan IIT Alumni India proudly presents the ‘PanIIT World of Technology Summit,’ a global event dedicated to leveraging innovation for positive societal impact. Scheduled for January 17-19, 2025, the summit will be held at the Jio World Convention Centre, Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai.Also Read | Nora Fatehi Likes to Slay in Her Jeans; 7 Hot Looks to Check Out (View Pics).Building on the insights from PIWOT 2021’s focus on technology’s transformative power and PIWOT 2023’s emphasis on future-driven innovation, this year’s theme, “Technology at Work,” will explore how advancements in technology are shaping society, industry, governance, and global services. The summit will bring together thought leaders and innovators from various sectors to engage in collaborative discussions on the far-reaching effects of digitalization and technological change.PIWOT 2025 will feature keynote addresses from prominent figures in technology, policy, and industry, including Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Education; Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of Science & Technology; Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Railways; Gururaj Desh Deshpande; Dr. R.A. Mashelkar; Sunil Wadhwani; and Partha Ghosh. There is a strong lineup of international speakers as well, including Prof. Sharon Pickering (Vice-Chancellor and President of Monash University) and Alon Chen (President, Weizmann Institute of Science). Japanese industry stalwarts like Naotaka Nishiyama (Founder CEO Talendy), Kinji Saito (GMO Suzuki), and Hiroshi Iwatsubo (CTO, Murata Manufacturing) will share insights on the latest technological advancements and their real-world applications.Also Read | Government Employees Retirement Age Raised to 62? PIB Fact Check Debunks Fake Notice Going Viral on Social Media.”This conference fosters essential conversations among the nation’s key influencers. Keynote addresses from members of the Prime Minister’s Cabinet will illuminate industry needs, while academia focuses on preparing the next generation for the future envisioned by government and industry. At PIWOT, where innovative thinking meets practical application, we unite public and private sector implementers to tackle national challenges. Join us in advancing discussions on “Technology at Work” as we chart the way forward.” — Debashish Bhattacharyya, Chairman, PanIIT.Dr. Sharad Saraf, Summit Chair, while expressing his thoughts on the significance of technology in today’s time, said, “Technology has emerged as a transformative force, impacting not just industrial, commercial, and social sectors but also our daily lives in profound ways. Over the past decade, its exponential growth has created a new dimension of work, interaction, and solving pressing challenges. Hence, PIWOT 2025 serves as a productive platform to explore and harness this potential for a brighter, more sustainable future.”Highlights of the Summit: With an expected attendance of over 3000 participants, PIWOT 2025 will feature multiple tracks and interactive sessions to engage stakeholders across the technology spectrum:* Conference Sessions: PIWOT 2025 commences with an inaugural session, where tech stalwarts and thought leaders from diverse sectors engage in keynotes and panel discussions that address “Technology At Work,” covering critical topics including Defence, Climate Change, Agri-Tech, Sustainable Development among others.* Fireside Sessions: Engaging discussions with industry leaders, IIT Directors, IIT Incubators, and IIT Alumni Associations.* Hackathon: IMAGINE, India’s first design and coding hackathon, focusing on developing affordable tech solutions for societal challenges, with themes like Generative AI, Productivity, E-Commerce, Agritech, and Blockchain.* Startup Conclave: The summit hosts a Mega Investor Startup Meet, featuring live pitches, masterclasses, networking with super angels and top VCs for transformative funding and mentorship, attracting more than 100 investors in the past with hands-on sessions and access to significant funding opportunities.* Exhibition: A platform showcasing technological innovations from startups to corporates across sectors like healthcare, robotics, social impact, among others.Join us at Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai on January 17-19, 2025, to be part of this momentous event.About PanIITPan IIT Alumni India (PanIIT) is a not-for-profit organization representing alumni of all Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). Established in 2006 under the Societies Registration Act, it serves as the Indian legal entity of the global Pan IIT Alumni movement, which has a strong presence in India and internationally, including the United States, Europe, Canada, United Kingdom, Korea, Singapore, and Australia.About PIWOT The PanIIT World of Technology (PIWOT) Summit is a platform for dialogue, innovation, and collaboration, featuring conferences, hackathons, exhibitions, and sideline discussions on technology and its societal impact. Organized by PanIIT, it connects technology professionals, startups, researchers, academics, investors, and policymakers to foster networking and drive innovative solutions. The Summit focuses on practical applications of technology, highlighting its transformative role in industries and daily life while advocating for effective policies and cross-sector collaboration.Media Contact:Isha Kothari: +91 9619853899, [email protected] Sharma: +91 9368581608, [email protected](ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)

Business News | Pan IIT Alumni India to Host the Third Edition of PIWOT: PanIIT World of Technology

Technology

VMPLNew Delhi [India], November 20: Pan IIT Alumni India proudly presents the ‘PanIIT World of Technology Summit,’ a global event dedicated to leveraging innovation for positive societal impact. Scheduled for January 17-19, 2025, the summit will be held at the Jio World Convention Centre, Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai.Also Read | Nora Fatehi Likes to Slay in Her Jeans; 7 Hot Looks to Check Out (View Pics).Building on the insights from PIWOT 2021’s focus on technology’s transformative power and PIWOT 2023’s emphasis on future-driven innovation, this year’s theme, “Technology at Work,” will explore how advancements in technology are shaping society, industry, governance, and global services. The summit will bring together thought leaders and innovators from various sectors to engage in collaborative discussions on the far-reaching effects of digitalization and technological change.PIWOT 2025 will feature keynote addresses from prominent figures in technology, policy, and industry, including Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Education; Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of Science & Technology; Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Railways; Gururaj Desh Deshpande; Dr. R.A. Mashelkar; Sunil Wadhwani; and Partha Ghosh. There is a strong lineup of international speakers as well, including Prof. Sharon Pickering (Vice-Chancellor and President of Monash University) and Alon Chen (President, Weizmann Institute of Science). Japanese industry stalwarts like Naotaka Nishiyama (Founder CEO Talendy), Kinji Saito (GMO Suzuki), and Hiroshi Iwatsubo (CTO, Murata Manufacturing) will share insights on the latest technological advancements and their real-world applications.Also Read | Government Employees Retirement Age Raised to 62? PIB Fact Check Debunks Fake Notice Going Viral on Social Media.”This conference fosters essential conversations among the nation’s key influencers. Keynote addresses from members of the Prime Minister’s Cabinet will illuminate industry needs, while academia focuses on preparing the next generation for the future envisioned by government and industry. At PIWOT, where innovative thinking meets practical application, we unite public and private sector implementers to tackle national challenges. Join us in advancing discussions on “Technology at Work” as we chart the way forward.” — Debashish Bhattacharyya, Chairman, PanIIT.Dr. Sharad Saraf, Summit Chair, while expressing his thoughts on the significance of technology in today’s time, said, “Technology has emerged as a transformative force, impacting not just industrial, commercial, and social sectors but also our daily lives in profound ways. Over the past decade, its exponential growth has created a new dimension of work, interaction, and solving pressing challenges. Hence, PIWOT 2025 serves as a productive platform to explore and harness this potential for a brighter, more sustainable future.”Highlights of the Summit: With an expected attendance of over 3000 participants, PIWOT 2025 will feature multiple tracks and interactive sessions to engage stakeholders across the technology spectrum:* Conference Sessions: PIWOT 2025 commences with an inaugural session, where tech stalwarts and thought leaders from diverse sectors engage in keynotes and panel discussions that address “Technology At Work,” covering critical topics including Defence, Climate Change, Agri-Tech, Sustainable Development among others.* Fireside Sessions: Engaging discussions with industry leaders, IIT Directors, IIT Incubators, and IIT Alumni Associations.* Hackathon: IMAGINE, India’s first design and coding hackathon, focusing on developing affordable tech solutions for societal challenges, with themes like Generative AI, Productivity, E-Commerce, Agritech, and Blockchain.* Startup Conclave: The summit hosts a Mega Investor Startup Meet, featuring live pitches, masterclasses, networking with super angels and top VCs for transformative funding and mentorship, attracting more than 100 investors in the past with hands-on sessions and access to significant funding opportunities.* Exhibition: A platform showcasing technological innovations from startups to corporates across sectors like healthcare, robotics, social impact, among others.Join us at Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai on January 17-19, 2025, to be part of this momentous event.About PanIITPan IIT Alumni India (PanIIT) is a not-for-profit organization representing alumni of all Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). Established in 2006 under the Societies Registration Act, it serves as the Indian legal entity of the global Pan IIT Alumni movement, which has a strong presence in India and internationally, including the United States, Europe, Canada, United Kingdom, Korea, Singapore, and Australia.About PIWOT The PanIIT World of Technology (PIWOT) Summit is a platform for dialogue, innovation, and collaboration, featuring conferences, hackathons, exhibitions, and sideline discussions on technology and its societal impact. Organized by PanIIT, it connects technology professionals, startups, researchers, academics, investors, and policymakers to foster networking and drive innovative solutions. The Summit focuses on practical applications of technology, highlighting its transformative role in industries and daily life while advocating for effective policies and cross-sector collaboration.Media Contact:Isha Kothari: +91 9619853899, [email protected] Sharma: +91 9368581608, [email protected](ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)

What Were Your Favorite Movies, TV, Music and Books in 2024?

Arts & Culture, Books

We want to know what stuck with you this year. What were the best things you watched, read and heard?Toward the end of every year, our critics share their thoughts on the best film, television, pop music, classical music, books, art, dance, theater, video games, comedy and so much more.They’ll be doing it again this year. But we also want to hear from you.What was the best TV show, or episode, you watched in 2024? The best movie? Your favorite book of the year? There are four areas of culture and arts that we want to hear from you about, all listed below. Please pick your one favorite in each category and focus on that, or else we’ll be overwhelmed!You can answer one or all of those questions. We plan to publish some of the responses, but we won’t publish any part of yours without following up with you, verifying your information and hearing back from you. And we won’t share your contact information outside the Times newsroom or use it for any reason other than to get in touch with you.

The Business of Events and ICC Belfast unveil the 2024 Global Destination Report at IBTM World

Business News

The Business of Events (TBOE), in partnership with ICC Belfast, has unveiled the highly anticipated Global Destination Report 2024 at IBTM World.

The report explores economic contributions, budget stability, government support, and the need for stronger industry advocacy across regions, while identifying the successes and challenges that continue to shape the sector.

Commissioned by The Business of Events, this year’s report has again been produced in collaboration with SFA Connect, ICC Belfast, and IBTM World, with a focus on insights from industry stakeholders in global destinations.

Building on previous reports, the Global Destination Report 2024 offers critical data and recommendations for industry leaders and policymakers to strengthen the business events sector, drive economic growth, and foster international collaboration.

Key findings

The report reveals notable growth in budget stability and economic impact for business events across developed regions. Destinations such as North America and Western Europe are enjoying economic benefits from large-scale business events, with over 50% of surveyed regions reporting event-driven contributions that exceed €100m annually. Respondents from developed areas, including Western Europe (9%), Central Europe (13%), and North America (13%), reported economic values from business events reaching over €5bn in 2024.

However, the findings indicate persistent disparities in economic benefit. While developed regions continue to thrive, smaller cities and less developed areas are not capturing the same level of economic gain from business events, highlighting the need for inclusive growth strategies. Additionally, while funding remains stable or grows for larger destinations, regions in Central and South America are reassessing funding models to align with changing market dynamics.

Martin Fullard, director of The Business of Events, commented on the report’s purpose and the importance of ongoing research: “The 2024 Global Destination Report serves as an essential tool for industry stakeholders to understand the real-time challenges and opportunities in the business events sector. Our findings reveal that while many regions benefit economically, the sector still faces an advocacy gap with policymakers. We’re proud to provide data that destinations can leverage to secure funding and make the case for the essential role business events play in economic and social development.”

Government advocacy and funding support

A core area of focus in the report is the ongoing call for stronger government advocacy. The majority of respondents indicated that government recognition of business events’ value remains insufficient. While Africa, the Middle East, and Central and South America reported some progress in government support, many other regions expressed frustration with a lack of engagement or meaningful policy support.

Claudia Hall, show director of IBTM World, said: “IBTM World is dedicated to supporting the business events industry and advancing dialogue on critical issues such as advocacy. By creating a forum for open discussions, we hope to empower industry professionals and help drive positive change. Reports like this one are vital, as they shine a light on areas where we can collectively work to influence decision-makers and secure a stronger future for business events.”

Budget stability and staffing challenges

The report points to a promising trend in budget stability, with most respondents reporting steady or increasing budgets in developed regions. Larger destinations and capital cities have benefited from budget growth, enabling better planning and sustainability within the sector. However, budget cuts were still reported in Central and Southern America, parts of Europe, and the Middle East, and the issue of undersized teams remains widespread across Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. This staffing concern could hinder the sector’s ability to meet demand and achieve long-term growth.

Ross Moffett, sales director of ICC Belfast, noted the importance of sustainable funding and staffing: “Our industry has a powerful impact on economies worldwide, but sustainable growth requires commitment and investment.  We support the Global Destination Report as it highlights the very real financial and operational pressures many destinations face, particularly around skills shortages.  This report shows the invaluable economic engine that exists when business events are given the right support.  It reinforces the need for governments to provide the appropriate policy focus necessary to help our sector thrive.”

Future-oriented business models and over-tourism impact

The report also identifies changes in business models across regions. Areas like Asia and Central/Southern America are actively reviewing funding strategies to adapt to market needs, while regions such as Southern and Northern Europe report higher stability with minimal shifts in their approach. Interestingly, the findings indicate that over-tourism does not present a major barrier to business events, with 82% of respondents noting no adverse effect. However, Asia emerged as an exception, with 50% of respondents from the region noting over-tourism as a potential concern for event hosting.

Driving progress and collaboration in the business events sector

In its concluding recommendations, the Global Destination Report 2024 stresses the importance of alignment between the business events sector and government policy, including the need for increased advocacy and direct financial support. Suggestions include implementing tax incentives, promoting sustainability, and establishing stronger industry-academic partnerships to address talent shortages and drive sector growth.

The Global Destination Report 2024 is now available, providing essential insights for destinations, event organisers, and policymakers as they work to shape a future-oriented business events industry.