Daily Archives: December 3, 2024

CELIA submarine cable connecting the Caribbean to the United States

The CELIA project incorporates high standards for environmental protection and biodiversity preservation in both terrestrial and marine neutral habitats at every stage of the project. The route selection and various infrastructures have been carefully studied to bypass the most sensitive areas and to apply the least invasive technologies. The consortium will work closely with NGOs and local authorities to ensure the preservation of ecosystems and theprosperity of local communities.“For an island like Aruba, it’s crucial to be connected to international data networks to attract private investments, stimulate local businesses, education, essential services, the hospitality sector and for our integration into the global economy.” – Roland Croes, CEO SETAR N.V.
“The CELIA project represents a significant advancement in connectivity and will improve the network resilience for the Caribbean region. By using cutting-edge fiber optic technologies, we are able to provide very high Internet speeds and secure data transfer capabilities while adhering to strict environmental standards. This project will highly contribute to local sustainable economic growth and connections to other territories are being studied. And we are proud that our subsidiary Orange Marine will be in charge of the marine deployment of the cable, ” said Samir Benzahra, director Orange Antilles Guyane.
“CELIA is another major step forward in the expansion of Telxius’ global network, increasing capacity and adding to our densely redundant routes across the Americas,” said Mario Martin, CEO at Telxius. “We’re committed to delivering the lowest latency and highest connectivity performance for our business customers in the Caribbean and enhancing experiences for end users globally.”
“This project is a giant step forward in the process of re-creation of Antigua and Barbuda digital environment. It depicts the continuous commitment of APUA in providing the best connectivity solutions which will be vital in the growth of the country’s economy, support businesses, transform communities and place Antigua and Barbuda as a pioneer in digitaltransformation within the OECS.” – John Bradshaw, General Manager APUA.
John Bradshaw, General Manager of APUA
Paul Gabla, ASN VP Marketing & sales reflects on CELIA’s contribution to Caribbean connectivity: “We would like to thank the CELIA consortium for putting their trust in ASN to deliver the latest generation in high capacity subsea connectivity within the Caribbean to Florida, building upon our extensive experience in the region to deliver an architecture that creates reliable and secure platform for sustained growth in a region subject to hurricanes and other natural challenges.”

42% of IT Professionals Are Exploring New Jobs: IT Talent Trends 2025 Report from Info-Tech Research Group Spotlights Retention Risks and Opportunities

Info-Tech Research Group’s IT Talent Trends 2025 report details critical shifts in workforce dynamics, including the growing influence of generative AI, escalating skill shortages, and the urgent need for upskilling and reskilling. Based on survey data, the report reveals that 76% of IT managers are facing increased stress, 23% of respondents view the CEO position as the logical next step for CIOs, and 66% of IT employees see generative AI as the path to greater autonomy. The research insights in the newly released report will equip leaders with the understanding of how best to enhance talent retention, address the employee experience gap, and navigate the challenges and opportunities associated with rapid technological evolution.
SYDNEY, Dec. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Info-Tech Research Group, one of the leading global IT research and advisory firms, has released its annual IT Talent Trends report. IT Talent Trends 2025 provides a data-driven analysis of the shifting dynamics in IT talent management. The report examines how generative AI, evolving skills demands, and workforce restructuring are reshaping the IT landscape and provides leaders with actionable strategies to tackle these challenges while considering how to foster innovation and employee experience in 2025.

‘With 89% of IT structures undergoing some form of a redesign in 2025, we are going to see the way we lead, leverage IT skills, and deliver against emerging capabilities change rapidly,’ says Brittany Lutes, research director and lead author of the report. ‘The IT Talent Trends 2025 report offers valuable insights and practical strategies to help leaders address workforce challenges, support employee growth, and adapt to the exponentially changing IT landscape.’
The IT Talent Trends 2025 report is based on a survey of over 500 IT professionals conducted online by Info-Tech in partnership with Centiment between April and May 2024. Respondents, primarily from the United States, Canada, and Australia, not only provided responses on their IT structures, the future of IT leadership, and their own employee experiences but also insight into how generative AI will reshape their work.
‘The tech scene across the Asia-Pacific region, particularly here in Australia, is evolving at a rapid pace, presenting both incredible opportunities and significant challenges for IT leaders. Generative AI is not just knocking on our door; it’s already here, reshaping the way we work. At the same time, the industry is contending with a persistent skills shortage, intensifying the competition for talent,‘ says George Khreish, managing partner at Info-Tech Research Group, APAC. ‘It’s essential for organisations to focus on strategically developing their workforce. By prioritising upskilling, fostering innovation, and harmonising technology with human capital, APAC organizations can not only keep pace but also lead in the global digital marketplace.’
Info-Tech’s findings reveal the growing urgency for organisations to adapt to shifting workforce dynamics. With 42% of IT professionals actively or passively seeking new roles, often citing work-life balance and having a good manager as their main concerns, the firm advises that organisations must focus on retaining all IT talent while also identifying the obstacles.   
‘What is most notable is the divide we saw between those who are entering the workforce and representative of Gen Z employees versus those nearing the end of their careers,’ says Lutes. ‘Gen Z is more likely to think that skills need to change to support the future we are driving toward and more likely to believe their tasks can be taken over by AI. These findings highlight the urgent need for IT leaders to evolve their talent management strategies to stay competitive in a rapidly changing landscape.’
Demand for security, cloud, and AI professionals, coupled with the growing need to leverage organizationally embedded IT, is reshaping workforce planning and driving the need for adaptive and forward-thinking strategies.
‘The integration of generative AI, combined with reskilling initiatives, provides organisations with a unique opportunity to bridge skill gaps and foster a culture of innovation’ explains Lutes. ‘However, achieving success requires thoughtful planning – aligning AI-driven strategies with workforce empowerment and collaboration beyond just a skills-based hiring approach.’
The IT Talent Trends 2025 report identifies five key trends shaping IT talent management:

Generative AI: A Transformative EnablerThe firm reports that by 2030, 66% of IT employees anticipate greater autonomy in their roles, enabled by generative AI. This shift has the potential to significantly enhance IT’s value creation for organisations, as employees will be able to dedicate more time to strategic initiatives and innovation. However, to capitalise on this potential, Info-Tech cautions that organisations need to proactively implement AI tools thoughtfully and strategically, investing in upskilling programs to equip IT professionals with the necessary skills to leverage AI effectively. This type of approach is critical given that 65% of organisations anticipate structural changes as a result of incorporating generative AI into their strategies, indicating the transformative impact this technology is expected to have on IT departments.

Restructuring IT Organisations for the FutureWhile 55% of respondents believe their current IT structures are effective for today, 89% recognise the need to redesign their IT organisation to future-proof their operations and better align with evolving business demands. These findings suggest that while current IT structures may be functioning adequately for now, IT leaders are proactively anticipating future challenges and recognising the need to adapt to stay ahead of the curve. Key drivers include critical skills shortages, generative AI integration, and the rise of business-led IT functions, requiring both technical and cultural adjustments. These adjustments may consist of establishing specialised AI teams, integrating IT functions more closely with business units, or adopting more agile and flexible operating models to accommodate evolving demands. The shift away from traditional, rigid pyramid hierarchies toward flatter, more dynamic structures is becoming increasingly necessary to support innovation and adaptability. This wave of restructuring is expected to have a significant impact on the IT talent landscape, leading to the increased need for specialised skills, a shift in required competencies for IT leaders, and a greater focus on attracting and retaining top talent in a competitive market.

Skills Gap and the Urgency of ReskillingA significant 95% of survey respondents acknowledge that some, most, or all of their current IT skills will need to change by 2030 to keep pace with the exponentially evolving technology environment. This finding emphasises the pressing need for continuous reskilling, particularly in areas like cybersecurity and AI/ML, which 38% of leaders identified as critical for 2025. While this data highlights a widespread recognition of the need for upskilling, a concerning 51% believe that only some skills require updating, indicating a potential underestimation of the scale of transformation occurring in the IT industry. According to Info-Tech’s research, organisations that fail to invest in developing their IT workforce risk being left behind in terms of innovation and efficiency. Dependence on external resources to address internal skills gaps may become increasingly unviable, making internal reskilling efforts essential.

Bridging the Employee Experience DisconnectWhile 86% of IT leaders indicate they are prioritising improving the employee experience (EX), their efforts may be misdirected, as 39% of IT employees reveal that reliable digital tools and technology have the greatest impact on their experience. Organisations are performing well in areas like physical space and social relationships but are falling behind when it comes to the impactful areas IT employees care about, like digital and culture. This disconnect underscores the need for organisations to align EX investments with employee expectations, particularly in hybrid and remote work environments where seamless digital experiences are critical for productivity and job satisfaction. Given the increasing adoption of flexible work arrangements, in 2025, organisations must prioritise providing a user-friendly, efficient, and reliable digital experience for their employees to enhance engagement and optimise performance.

CIOs on the Path to CEOAs technology increasingly becomes central to business strategy, 23% of respondents view the CEO position as the logical next step for CIOs, which is a reflection of the evolving prominence of CIOs in organisations, with many already reporting directly to the CEO. However, this transition requires CIOs to expand their leadership capabilities beyond technical expertise, including developing stronger strategic and business acumen. While 23% see it as a natural progression, only 11% of respondents indicated that a CEO or a senior executive role was their ultimate career goal. Another 13% aspire to other C-suite roles, including some positions that are emerging or don’t yet exist, suggesting that the future of leadership in organisations may look quite different from traditional structures, with technology expertise playing a vital role in a range of new leadership positions over the coming years.

Key Research Insights From Info-Tech’s IT Talent Trends 2025 Report:

Generative AI Impact: 65% of organisations anticipate structural changes due to generative AI, including the formation of specialised AI teams.

Stress Among IT Leaders: 76% of IT managers report moderate or increasing stress levels, underscoring the need for enhanced leadership support and resources.

Hiring Difficulties: 36% of IT organisations reported that infrastructure and operations roles were the most difficult to hire for, calling attention to the cloud talent shortage – another critical area of IT.

Embedded IT Growth: The rise of business-led IT is evident, with organisations nearly doubling the amount of embedded IT they leverage (18% in 2024 and up to 33% in 2025). This indicates that business units are actively using their own resources to address IT-related needs – with or without IT knowledge.

Generational Differences in AI Perceptions: Generational divides exist in perceptions of AI, with Gen Z employees estimating a higher percentage of their tasks being completed by AI in 2030 (56%) compared to Baby Boomers (43%) and Generation X (41%).

According to Info-Tech’s findings in the recently published report, success in 2025 and beyond hinges on IT leaders’ ability to combine technological innovation with strategic foresight and human-centric leadership. By integrating AI capabilities, investing in reskilling programs, and fostering employee-centric policies, Info-Tech advises that organisations can address talent gaps and create adaptive, resilient workforces. A holistic approach to workforce transformation will empower IT departments to thrive in the face of rapid technological change and secure a lasting competitive edge.
To learn more about Info-Tech’s findings and recommended strategies for addressing IT talent challenges, download the IT Talent Trends 2025 report.
For media inquiries or interview requests with Brittany Lutes, lead author of the 2025 report and an expert on IT talent trends, please contact [email protected]. 
About Info-Tech Research GroupInfo-Tech Research Group is one of the world’s leading research and advisory firms, proudly serving over 30,000 IT and HR professionals. The company produces unbiased, highly relevant research and provides advisory services to help leaders make strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. For nearly 30 years, Info-Tech has partnered closely with teams to provide them with everything they need, from actionable tools to analyst guidance, ensuring they deliver measurable results for their organisations.
To learn more about Info-Tech’s divisions, visit McLean & Company for HR research and advisory services and SoftwareReviews for software-buying insights. 
Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software and hundreds of industry analysts through the firm’s Media Insiders program. To gain access, contact [email protected].
For information about Info-Tech Research Group or to access the latest research, visit infotech.com and connect via LinkedIn and X.
Media Contact: Sufyan Al-Hassan, Senior PR Manager, Info-Tech Research Group, [email protected] | +1 (888) 670-8889 x2418

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A mom and son with tech roots at the University of Washington launch trip-mapping startup

The mother and son team who co-founded Viata: Cecilia Aragon, chief technologist, and Ken Aragon, CEO. (UW CoMotion Labs Photo)

When I was searching for a hotel earlier this year for a volleyball tournament, I could easily find information on lodging prices, ratings and availability. What I needed to know was how long the drive would be going to and from the venue over a long weekend.

Seattle startup Viata has that information, and just launched its platform for public use.

Viata lets users enter the city they’re visiting, sites and destinations for their trip, and then generates a map plotting potential hotel options and travel times between lodging and locations. Users can select whether they want to get around via car, mass transit, bikes or walking.

Ken Aragon, Viata’s co-founder and CEO, said this is an essential but harder to research parameter for making a hotel choice.

“There is no way when you’re looking for a hotel to understand, ‘How is this going to fit into my trip?” Aragon said.

In my case, I wound up mucking around in Google Maps, pasting in the tournament venue and multiple hotel options to answer the question.

Aragon founded Viata last year with his mom, Cecilia Aragon. The two have strong ties to the University of Washington. Ken holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the university, and Cecilia is a professor in the UW’s Department of Human Centered Design and Engineering.

Professor Aragon developed the mapping visualization tool in her lab, and she has two patents and two publications covering the work. The company is pursuing an exclusive license to use the technology.

Screen shot of a Viata search for a Seattle hotel showing the driving distance to multiple points of interest. (Viata Image)

The startup founders initially thought of using the mapping tech for real estate listings, then realized the potential for travel insights and made a pivot. Ken Aragon explained that travelers often prioritize finding the cheapest hotel option, but if it’s a longer way from their points of interest that could increase taxi and other travel fares.

“We want to visualize that so they can really easily see the hidden cost in transportation and avoid making bad decisions,” he said.

The startup recently won a $100,000 grant from the Washington Research Foundation to help commercialize the technology.

Viata is partnering with Seattle travel giant Expedia and has incorporated its 500,000 properties worldwide into the platform. The startup will make money through a revenue sharing model when a user books through one of their partner sites, such as Expedia or Hotels.com. The team plans to pursue a pre-seed round in the near future.

Viata is working out of the UW’s CoMotion Labs tech incubator in Startup Hall on the university’s campus. Ken Aragon said the incubator has been a great help in customer discovery and connecting with investors.

The startup’s other team members are Chingiz Torobekov, chief product officer and MBA grad from the UW, and founding engineer Eli Goldberg.

Company advisors are Dorine Rassaian, who spent nearly a decade leading product and marketing at Expedia, and Ryan Lee, an entrepreneur who founded the commerce platform Nautical Commerce.

Aragon said he likes working with his mom, who is also the company’s chief technologist.

“One of the most critical factors in a co-founder is trust, right?” Aragon said. “And when you’ve known your co-founder for literally your entire life, that foundation is as rock solid as it possibly could be.”