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  • Afreximbank’s Annual Meetings 2024 Calls For Africans Across The Globe To Unite


    Denis Denya, Senior Executive Vice President – Finance, Administration and Banking Services, Afreximbank when he delivered the opening remarks
    (Source: Afreximbank)

    The three-day event is taking place in The Bahamas jointly with the 3rd AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF)

    NASSAU, THE BAHAMAS: Heads of State, Ministers, government officials, and renowned captains of industry were among the over two thousand delegates attending day one of the 31st African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) Annual Meetings (AAM) (www.Afreximbank.com) being held in Nassau, The Bahamas from June 12-15. Themed “Owning our Destiny: Economic Prosperity on the Platform of Global Africa,” the first day of the Meetings called to strengthen the linkages between Africa and the Caribbean, the sixth region of the African Union. These meetings are considered crucial for economic decision-makers in Africa and the Caribbean and are covered by the African, Caribbean, and international media.

    In his welcome remarks, John Rolle, Governor of the Central Bank of The Bahamas, encouraged the attendees to capitalize on the opportunities to learn, share, and network. He mentioned that the Caribbean could benefit from learning more about the Pan African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) from Africa. He believes that with support from Afreximbank, the Central Banks across the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) can work towards replicating that system.

    Mr Rolle, said: “A successful project in the Caribbean could keep us on pace to deliver on targets that are already being set for an international payment system that, even at the retail level, is more integrated, faster, and significantly cheaper for the average consumer. If we perfect the multilateral cross-border payments and settlements arrangement, it could also help us to conserve the use of precious international reserves, especially if we expand intra-regional trade.”

    In recognition of the increasingly closer linkages between Africa and the Caribbean and the movement towards a Global Africa uniting Africans, their diaspora, and descendants worldwide, the three-day event is taking place in The Bahamas jointly with the 3rd AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF).

    In his remarks, Denys Denya, Senior Executive Vice President of Afreximbank, said the AAM and ACTIF2024 were a reunion of all Africans in the context of Global Africa and would help shape the shared vision and aspirations of the Caribbean region and Africa.

    Denya said: “For a continent that is endowed with such an abundance of natural resources, the quest for sustainable development has been a perennial struggle. The state of development across the Caribbean region, while not identical, is not quite different from this narrative. It is in this context of sustained deprivation and marginalization, that we seek to unify our forces in the context of Global Africa for a better future. In our unity, we have the numbers, we have the voice to sit at the table when decisions are made. We are a viable force to influence global decisions.”

    Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Executive Director of the International Trade Centre, emphasized the significant trade potential between Africa and the Caribbean, projecting trade to reach US$1.8 million annually by 2028. She suggested it is time to explore establishing a free trade area between Africa and the Caribbean. “Trade agreements are one way to help bring down barriers and open new opportunities.

    After the Opening Ceremony, delegates attended a session on “Building Resilience in an Era of Globalization,” featuring a keynote address from Dr Roger W. Ferguson, Former Vice Chair of the Federal Reserve. Dr Ferguson, the first African American to hold that post, emphasized the importance of developing diverse and flexible systems to respond to challenges, highlighting the risks of rigidity in the face of shocks.

    During the first plenary session, which looked at navigating economic transformation in a poly-crisis world, Chairman and Managing Partner of SouthBridge Group and Former President of African Development Bank Group, Dr. Donald P. Kaberuka, emphasized the importance of countries learning to manage crises rather than treating them as unique situations. Meanwhile, Prof. Jeffery Sachs, Senior Lecturer in Economics at the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) of the Erasmus University of Rotterdam, said that in the face of stiff competition internationally, Africa must unite. He said: “You cannot operate in this world as a small country. Even the small countries that are successful are part of somebody’s world. And Africa is too big to be part of somebody’s world. It’s got to be Africa as a fundamental pillar of the world scene.”

    During the second plenary session before lunch, the Hon. Ken Ofori Attah, Economic Advisor to the President of Ghana, Hon. Hassan Abdalla, Governor, of the Central Bank of Egypt, and the Hon. Chad Blackman, Minister in the Ministry of Economic Affairs & Investment, Barbados, discussed best practices in dealing with macroeconomic crises, highlighting the importance of credibility, and having access to better financing options.

    Day One also saw Actress and JVL Media Co-Founder Viola Davis sign a memorandum of intent with Afreximbank and Fund for Export Development to create an African Film Development Value Chain. Following the ceremony, she emphasized the power of storytelling in reshaping the African narrative. She said the prevailing perception of poverty and suffering is intentionally perpetuated to justify mistreatment by oppressors, and so it is important for Africans to take ownership of their narrative.

    After lunch, delegates attended three plenary sessions on the following topics: “Driving Economic Transformation in Global Africa: The Role of Emerging Afri-Caribbean Giants,” “Making the African Continental Free Trade Agreement Work for Global Africa,” and “Using Industrial Transformation to Build Bridges: The Global Africa Vision and Experience of the Dangote Group.”

    The day closed with remarks from H.E. Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State, who urged Africans to embrace the global African agenda, see themselves as they can and should be, and march into the future with the determination to write their own stories of success such as the African Continental Free Trade Area.

    AAM and ACTIF are focused on addressing challenges that affect African and Caribbean economies, promoting growth, and accelerating trade and investment flows within Africa and with the diaspora. 

  • Cloud Computing, Scaling Hypothesis and Other Disruptive Tech Trends in 2024

    Technology

    Unsplash

    Technology is constantly evolving, and so is the way we live. Aman Sidhant, a former Microsoft product manager and current investor at WestBridge Capital, is passionate about understanding and investing in disruptive technology trends. “The future belongs to those who embrace change,” Sidhant says. “And in the tech industry, change is the only constant.”

    Sidhant’s perspective resonates with the rapid evolution of recent technological trends. According to a BCG survey, 71% of companies plan to increase investments in digital technologies and AI in 2024, driven by concerns over uncertain returns from digital transformation initiatives.

    From Cloud Computing to Generative AI, Sidhant’s unique background and position as an Infrastructure SaaS investor have given him insight into the future of technology.

    Cloud Computing: Driving Digital Transformation

    Sidhant is closely monitoring the digital transformation driven by cloud computing, which empowers businesses with increased flexibility, scalability, and data-driven insights, optimizing operations and enabling new business models.

    Cloud computing has revolutionized the way businesses and individuals access and manage computing resources, providing on-demand availability of computing power, storage, and applications over the internet. This paradigm shift is necessary because it offers scalability, flexibility, and cost-efficiency that traditional on-premises infrastructure cannot match.

    By leveraging cloud services, organizations can dynamically scale their IT resources to meet fluctuating demands, reduce capital expenditures on hardware, and focus on their core business operations rather than managing IT infrastructure.

    The necessity of cloud computing is underscored by its ability to support modern business needs such as remote work, big data analytics, and digital transformation initiatives. With the cloud, companies can rapidly deploy new services and applications, enabling faster time-to-market and improved innovation.

    It also enhances collaboration by providing seamless access to data and applications from anywhere in the world, fostering greater productivity and agility. Furthermore, cloud providers offer robust security measures and compliance certifications, helping organizations safeguard their data and meet regulatory requirements.

    Several companies have emerged as significant beneficiaries of the cloud computing revolution. Leading the pack are Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP), each offering a comprehensive suite of cloud services ranging from infrastructure as a service (IaaS) to platform as a service (PaaS) and software as a service (SaaS).

    These tech giants have seen substantial revenue growth driven by the increasing adoption of cloud technologies across various industries. Additionally, numerous startups and smaller enterprises have leveraged cloud computing to compete with larger incumbents by accessing advanced technologies and scaling their operations without significant upfront investment. The widespread adoption of cloud computing continues to drive innovation and transformation across the global economy.

    These technologies enable businesses to utilize data efficiently, improve processes, and innovate by analyzing real-time information across devices and systems. “Companies that effectively use these technologies can achieve a competitive edge,” Sidhant elaborates.

    Generative AI: Unleashing Creativity at Scale

    Sidhant is also interested in Generative AI, a new technology that can quickly create content like text, images, and videos. He points to Microsoft, his former place of employment, as an example of how Generative AI can be used strategically. Microsoft’s substantial investment of $13 Billion in OpenAI has had a profound impact on the field of Generative AI, catalyzing significant advancements and broadening the horizons of artificial intelligence. By committing billions of dollars to OpenAI, Microsoft has not only provided the financial backing necessary for accelerated research and development but has also integrated OpenAI’s cutting-edge technologies into its own suite of products and services.

    “Generative AI could change industries that depend on creativity, like advertising, media, product design, and software development, in a big way,” Sidhant explains. “Companies that use this technology well could gain a major advantage over their competitors.“

    However, he also warns that companies must be careful about using Generative AI responsibly. There are risks, such as the AI system showing unfair biases or being used to make fake content that looks real. To avoid these problems, Sidhant says we need strong rules and regulations regarding how Generative AI should be used.

    Scaling Hypothesis

    Generative AI is powered by data, and recent research suggests that feeding AI more data improves its performance. This observation is also called the scaling hypothesis.

    The scaling hypothesis posits that the performance of neural networks behind Generative AI improves significantly as they are scaled up in terms of data, parameters, and computational power. This theory suggests that larger models trained on vast datasets can generalize better and solve complex tasks more effectively than smaller models. The hypothesis has been supported by the development of models like OpenAI’s GPT-4, which demonstrated remarkable capabilities in natural language understanding and generation, far surpassing its predecessors despite using the same underlying architecture.

    In the context of Generative AI, the scaling hypothesis implies that the quality and versatility of AI-generated content can continue to improve with increased model size and training data. This has profound implications for the development of AI systems capable of producing human-like text, art, and other creative outputs.

    As models grow larger and are trained on more diverse datasets, they can perform a wider range of tasks with greater accuracy and fluency, moving closer to the goal of achieving general artificial intelligence. This hypothesis explains the meteoric rise of Nvidia stock, which increased more than 200% in 2023, as well as the recent $1B fundraise by Scale AI, which provides the data that power the cutting edge in Generative AI.

    The success of scaled models like GPT-4 has led to a paradigm shift in AI research, emphasizing the importance of scale over intricate architectural innovations. This shift has encouraged researchers to focus on increasing computational resources and data provided to AI systems, driving advancements in AI infrastructure and enabling the creation of even larger and more powerful models. The scaling hypothesis thus serves as a cornerstone for future progress in Generative AI, highlighting the potential for continued exponential growth in AI capabilities through increased scale.

    Quantum Computing: Unlocking Computational Supremacy

    Another trend that Sidhant is watching is quantum computing. This technology has the potential to completely change fields such as cryptography, materials science, and drug discovery by solving challenging problems that regular computers can’t handle. “A recent survey revealed that 91% of respondents believe quantum computing is vital for U.S. national security, and 86% believe the U.S. should aim to lead in this domain,” Sidhant notes, citing a report from Classiq.

    He also points out that by 2025, quantum computers will have coherence times of up to 60 seconds, which is a big step forward – spelling a near future where humanity sees the incredible possibilities of quantum computing becoming a reality.

    “It’s an exciting but challenging time—the stakes have never been higher. As investors, it’s our job to predict the future. Trust me, big changes are coming. I am a history buff, and I believe the coming years will mirror the years where people saw the rise of personal computers and the internet,” Sidhant concludes.

    Technology’s pace of change shows no signs of slowing. Companies that fail to adapt risk being left behind, while those that embrace it could reap significant rewards.

  • Cloud Computing, Scaling Hypothesis and Other Disruptive Tech Trends in 2024

    Technology

    Unsplash

    Technology is constantly evolving, and so is the way we live. Aman Sidhant, a former Microsoft product manager and current investor at WestBridge Capital, is passionate about understanding and investing in disruptive technology trends. “The future belongs to those who embrace change,” Sidhant says. “And in the tech industry, change is the only constant.”

    Sidhant’s perspective resonates with the rapid evolution of recent technological trends. According to a BCG survey, 71% of companies plan to increase investments in digital technologies and AI in 2024, driven by concerns over uncertain returns from digital transformation initiatives.

    From Cloud Computing to Generative AI, Sidhant’s unique background and position as an Infrastructure SaaS investor have given him insight into the future of technology.

    Cloud Computing: Driving Digital Transformation

    Sidhant is closely monitoring the digital transformation driven by cloud computing, which empowers businesses with increased flexibility, scalability, and data-driven insights, optimizing operations and enabling new business models.

    Cloud computing has revolutionized the way businesses and individuals access and manage computing resources, providing on-demand availability of computing power, storage, and applications over the internet. This paradigm shift is necessary because it offers scalability, flexibility, and cost-efficiency that traditional on-premises infrastructure cannot match.

    By leveraging cloud services, organizations can dynamically scale their IT resources to meet fluctuating demands, reduce capital expenditures on hardware, and focus on their core business operations rather than managing IT infrastructure.

    The necessity of cloud computing is underscored by its ability to support modern business needs such as remote work, big data analytics, and digital transformation initiatives. With the cloud, companies can rapidly deploy new services and applications, enabling faster time-to-market and improved innovation.

    It also enhances collaboration by providing seamless access to data and applications from anywhere in the world, fostering greater productivity and agility. Furthermore, cloud providers offer robust security measures and compliance certifications, helping organizations safeguard their data and meet regulatory requirements.

    Several companies have emerged as significant beneficiaries of the cloud computing revolution. Leading the pack are Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP), each offering a comprehensive suite of cloud services ranging from infrastructure as a service (IaaS) to platform as a service (PaaS) and software as a service (SaaS).

    These tech giants have seen substantial revenue growth driven by the increasing adoption of cloud technologies across various industries. Additionally, numerous startups and smaller enterprises have leveraged cloud computing to compete with larger incumbents by accessing advanced technologies and scaling their operations without significant upfront investment. The widespread adoption of cloud computing continues to drive innovation and transformation across the global economy.

    These technologies enable businesses to utilize data efficiently, improve processes, and innovate by analyzing real-time information across devices and systems. “Companies that effectively use these technologies can achieve a competitive edge,” Sidhant elaborates.

    Generative AI: Unleashing Creativity at Scale

    Sidhant is also interested in Generative AI, a new technology that can quickly create content like text, images, and videos. He points to Microsoft, his former place of employment, as an example of how Generative AI can be used strategically. Microsoft’s substantial investment of $13 Billion in OpenAI has had a profound impact on the field of Generative AI, catalyzing significant advancements and broadening the horizons of artificial intelligence. By committing billions of dollars to OpenAI, Microsoft has not only provided the financial backing necessary for accelerated research and development but has also integrated OpenAI’s cutting-edge technologies into its own suite of products and services.

    “Generative AI could change industries that depend on creativity, like advertising, media, product design, and software development, in a big way,” Sidhant explains. “Companies that use this technology well could gain a major advantage over their competitors.“

    However, he also warns that companies must be careful about using Generative AI responsibly. There are risks, such as the AI system showing unfair biases or being used to make fake content that looks real. To avoid these problems, Sidhant says we need strong rules and regulations regarding how Generative AI should be used.

    Scaling Hypothesis

    Generative AI is powered by data, and recent research suggests that feeding AI more data improves its performance. This observation is also called the scaling hypothesis.

    The scaling hypothesis posits that the performance of neural networks behind Generative AI improves significantly as they are scaled up in terms of data, parameters, and computational power. This theory suggests that larger models trained on vast datasets can generalize better and solve complex tasks more effectively than smaller models. The hypothesis has been supported by the development of models like OpenAI’s GPT-4, which demonstrated remarkable capabilities in natural language understanding and generation, far surpassing its predecessors despite using the same underlying architecture.

    In the context of Generative AI, the scaling hypothesis implies that the quality and versatility of AI-generated content can continue to improve with increased model size and training data. This has profound implications for the development of AI systems capable of producing human-like text, art, and other creative outputs.

    As models grow larger and are trained on more diverse datasets, they can perform a wider range of tasks with greater accuracy and fluency, moving closer to the goal of achieving general artificial intelligence. This hypothesis explains the meteoric rise of Nvidia stock, which increased more than 200% in 2023, as well as the recent $1B fundraise by Scale AI, which provides the data that power the cutting edge in Generative AI.

    The success of scaled models like GPT-4 has led to a paradigm shift in AI research, emphasizing the importance of scale over intricate architectural innovations. This shift has encouraged researchers to focus on increasing computational resources and data provided to AI systems, driving advancements in AI infrastructure and enabling the creation of even larger and more powerful models. The scaling hypothesis thus serves as a cornerstone for future progress in Generative AI, highlighting the potential for continued exponential growth in AI capabilities through increased scale.

    Quantum Computing: Unlocking Computational Supremacy

    Another trend that Sidhant is watching is quantum computing. This technology has the potential to completely change fields such as cryptography, materials science, and drug discovery by solving challenging problems that regular computers can’t handle. “A recent survey revealed that 91% of respondents believe quantum computing is vital for U.S. national security, and 86% believe the U.S. should aim to lead in this domain,” Sidhant notes, citing a report from Classiq.

    He also points out that by 2025, quantum computers will have coherence times of up to 60 seconds, which is a big step forward – spelling a near future where humanity sees the incredible possibilities of quantum computing becoming a reality.

    “It’s an exciting but challenging time—the stakes have never been higher. As investors, it’s our job to predict the future. Trust me, big changes are coming. I am a history buff, and I believe the coming years will mirror the years where people saw the rise of personal computers and the internet,” Sidhant concludes.

    Technology’s pace of change shows no signs of slowing. Companies that fail to adapt risk being left behind, while those that embrace it could reap significant rewards.

  • Sensex trades higher as data shows inflation cools 4.75% in May 2024 from 4.83% in April 2024

    sensex

    Indian fairness benchmarks opened in inexperienced on Thursday after retail inflation declined in May. The authorities data confirmed India’s CPI (Consumer Price Index) easing to 4.75 per cent in May 2024, it was 4.83 per cent in April 2024.

    In early commerce, Sensex and Nifty made an all-time excessive of 77,145 and 23,481 respectively. At 9:50 am, Sensex was up 173 factors or 0.23 per cent, at 76,788 and Nifty 46 factors or 0.20 per cent, at 23,370. Buying can also be seen in midcap and smallcap shares.

    The Nifty midcap 100 is up 269 factors or 0.50 per cent, at 54,512 and Nifty smallcap 100 is up 27 factors or 0.20 per cent, at 17,824. India volatility index (India VIX) is down 2.22 per cent, at 14.07 factors.

    sensex

    IANS

    Among the sectoral indices, IT, fin service, realty, serv sector, and steel are main gainers whereas FMCG, media, and power are main losers. Vaishali Parekh, Vice President-Technical Research, Prabhudas Lilladher mentioned that the Nifty has witnessed a consolidation part because the final three classes with 23,400 zone performing as a tricky barrier and would want a decisive breach above to set off additional rise in the approaching days.

    “The main help zone for the index is maintained close to the 22,800 ranges whereas on the upside we will count on 23,800 ranges as the preliminary goal in the approaching classes,” he mentioned. 

    In Sensex pack, Wipro, Tech Mahindra, Nestle, Titan Company, Bajaj Finance, HCL Tech, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Infosys, TCS, and M&M are the highest gainers whereas Reliance, Power Grid, and HUL are the highest losers.

    (With inputs from IANS)

  • WWDC 2024 kicks off: ‘Apple Intelligence’ and IOS 18 released at the venue

    Apple WWDC 2024

    Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference, 2024Apple Official Website

    Apple’s much anticipated Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2024 kicked off on 10th June 2024, putting months of speculation on the IOS 18, the company’s AI and other technology developments to rest.

    Apple introduced ‘Apple Intelligence’ its first AI version, “the personal intelligence system for iPhone, iPad, and Mac that combines the power of generative models with personal context to deliver intelligence that’s incredibly useful and relevant.”

    Apple Intelligence is aimed at “delivering intuitive, powerful, and instantly useful experiences that will transform the iPhone experience, all with privacy at the core.” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering.

    Apple Intelligence across products

    Apple Intelligence will be rolled out across productsApple Official Website

    Here are some highlights from Apple:

    Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO described the new Apple Intelligence stating “Our unique approach combines generative AI with a user’s personal context to deliver truly helpful intelligence. And it can access that information in a completely private and secure way to help users do the things that matter most to them. This is AI as only Apple can deliver it, and we can’t wait for users to experience what it can do.”

     Writing and Email made easy

    According to its news release, “Apple Intelligence unlocks new ways for users to enhance their writing and communicate more effectively.” Users can now “rewrite, proofread, and summarize text nearly everywhere they write, including Mail, Notes, Pages, and third-party apps.”

    Priority Messages in emails, now provide users with a section of the most urgent emails for attention like a boarding pass or dinner invitation reminder. Email summaries and Smart replies are also key features.

    Transcribing audio and recording are now more convenient. For instance, when on a call, participants are automatically informed about the recording and upon the call’s completion Apple Intelligence will be able to create a summary of the points discussed.

     Self-expression features enhanced

    Apple Intelligence now has ‘exciting image creation capabilities’ to help users communicate and express themselves in new ways. Using Image Playground, users can create fun images almost immediately.

    Genmoji, Apple’s customised emoji creator can create original emojis just by typing a description or using photos.

     Photo controls made easy

    Apple Intelligence has also made searching for photos and videos even more convenient using natural language descriptions. The new ‘Clean Up tool’ can identify and remove distracting objects in the background of a photo.

    Using language and image understanding, Apple Intelligence allows ‘Memories’ to choose the “best photos and videos based on the description, craft a storyline with chapters based on themes identified from the photos, and arrange them into a movie with its own narrative arc.” This is backed by the privacy model of storing pictures and videos on the user device and not sharing them externally.

     The new Siri

    “With richer language-understanding capabilities, Siri is more natural, more contextually relevant, and more personal, with the ability to simplify and accelerate everyday tasks. It can follow along if users stumble over words and maintain context from one request to the next. Additionally, users can type to Siri, and switch between text and voice to communicate with Siri in whatever way feels right for the moment.”

    Siri will also be able to take new actions within and across Apple and third-party apps on behalf of users. It is also designed to deliver intelligence that’s “tailored to the user and their on-device information based on processing and interpretation of device content.”

     Privacy in AI

    “A cornerstone of Apple Intelligence is on-device processing, and many of the models that power it run entirely on device.” According to its statement, this is done to maintain the best standards in AI privacy.

    Where there are more complex processing tasks, the “Private Cloud Compute extends the privacy and security of Apple devices into the cloud to unlock even more intelligence.”

    Further, Apple has provided scope for independent experts to “inspect the code that runs on Apple silicon servers to verify privacy” standards.

     ChatGPT now available on Apple devices

    A crucial partnership between OpenAI and Apple was officially announced at the WWDC 2024. Apple has integrated ChatGPT into experiences within iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia, “allowing users to access its expertise — as well as its image- and document-understanding capabilities — without needing to jump between tools.”

    To secure privacy more holistically while using ChatGPT, Apple has ensured that “user IP addresses are obscured, and OpenAI won’t store requests”.

    Apple Intelligence and its features will be free for users. However, the wait will continue with the release of Apple Intelligence slated for this fall and sequenced rollouts over the next year.

    “Apple Intelligence is deeply integrated into iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia. It harnesses the power of Apple silicon to understand and create language and images, take action across apps, and draw from personal context to simplify and accelerate everyday tasks,” said the company in a release. These are also complimented by Apple’s emphasis on AI privacy throughout its applications.

  • WWDC 2024: macOS Sequoia, iPadOS 18 and watchOS 11 unveiled on Day 1; all new features explained

    Apple WWDC 2024 Day 1

    Apple WWDC 2024: Day 1 unveiled Apple Intelligence in its productsApple Official Website

    Apple unveiled some major developments and features relating to its products at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2024 in Cupertino, California on Tuesday.

    It previewed “macOS Sequoia, the next version of the world’s most advanced desktop operating system.” The updated iPadOS 18 was introduced with “powerful new intelligence features and apps designed for Apple Pencil.” The watchOS 11 has been showcased with improved features on “health and fitness insights, and even more personalization and connectivity.”

    ‘Apple Intelligence’ is the foundation for these releases at WWDC 2024. According to Apple, this type of intelligence “understands and creates language and images, takes action across apps, and draws from personal context, simplifying and accelerating everyday tasks.” These are amongst a host of updates and new releases from Apple, in a bid to retain its customer base and remain competitive within a rapidly growing AI market.

    Apple Intelligence across products

    Apple Intelligence will be rolled out across productsApple Official Website

    Some newly introduced and updated Mac, iPad and Apple watch features

    On a broader note, ‘Apple Intelligence’ has now been customised and integrated across products like the Mac, iPad and Apple watch. The Mac and iPad come with some common enhanced features, such as the Image Playground, an AI improved, natural and personalized Siri, Private Cloud Compute using AI for privacy, ChatGPT and upgraded Writing Tools. The rollout is expected over the next month and will continue into the fall season.

     The macOS Sequoia

    This is the latest in Apple’s desktop operating systems, backed by “the power of Apple silicon and the Neural Engine, Apple Intelligence will be supported by every Mac with an M-series chip.”

    iPhone Mirroring is a key feature which enables “full access to and control of iPhone directly from macOS.”

    Safari browser, which is credited to be the world’s fastest browser gets a big update with the new ‘Highlights’ feature for seamless information discovery of the most relevant information while browsing.

    Passwords app is a “new app that makes it even easier to access passwords, passkeys, Wi-Fi passwords, and other credentials all in one place. iCloud syncing is backed by secure end-to-end encryption.”

    Messages allows users to “express themselves and stay connected, including all-new text effects, emoji and sticker Tapbacks, and the ability to schedule a message to send later.”

    Photos now consists of “Collections, which automatically organizes a user’s library by helpful themes, and includes a big update to search, so users can get results quickly.”

    Note taking has new audio transcription and summarization features with Apple Intelligence enabling a device to take notes for the user.

    iPadOS 18

    “With fun new ways to personalize the Home Screen, a redesigned Photos experience, major updates to the Notes app, the addition of Calculator with Math Notes, and the groundbreaking introduction of Apple Intelligence, iPadOS 18 brings incredible new features designed for the unique capabilities of iPad, making it even easier for users to get tasks done.”

    Calculator, with all new Math Notes, allows users to type or write out math expressions and see them instantly solved in their own handwriting.

    Redesigned tab bar that “floats above app content and complements the sidebar to help users stay focused on what matters most” while keeping other tabs at hand.

    Smart Script “makes handwritten notes fluid, flexible, and easier to read, all while maintaining the look and feel of a user’s personal handwriting.”

    Photos app “receives its biggest redesign yet — which takes advantage of the larger display on iPad — automatically keeping libraries organized so users can spend less time searching and more time enjoying their best moments. Because each user’s photo library is unique, the app is customizable, so users can organize collections, pin collections to access frequently, and include what’s most important to them in the carousel view.”

    New privacy controls allow the iPad user to lock and hide apps for user privacy, restricting access and customising permissions.

    Accessibility features “include Eye Tracking, a built-in option for navigating iPad with just eyes, and Vocal Shortcuts that enable users to perform tasks by making a custom sound.”

    watchOS 11

    The watchOS 11 comes with the “Vitals app, training load, new ways to tailor Activity rings, intelligent customization of the Smart Stack and Photos face, and the Translate app on Apple Watch.” According to Apple, the devices health features are grounded in science and developed with inputs from clinical experts.

    The focus is on “key health metrics and context to help users make more informed day-to-day decisions, and the ability to measure training load offers a game-changing new experience when working out for improved fitness and performance.”

    Targeted health metrics have been taken a step further by Apple. For instance, apart from the “watchOS 11, the iOS 18, and iPadOS 18 offer additional support for pregnant users to reflect changes in their physical and mental health.” This targeting also extends to users heavily engaged in workouts and training load tracking.

    Smart Stack is designed to help users quickly access important information from any watch face, and in watchOS 11 such for tasks like translation on the go. New widgets including Shazam, Photos, Distance, and more are now available.

    Check In allows users who are “heading out on an early morning run or to a late-night gym session” to update their movements, so that other authorised users can keep a track.

    Tap to Cash allows users to “send and receive Apple Cash by simply holding their Apple Watch near another Apple Watch or iPhone.”

  • D2C Insider Regional Summit 2024 Highlights: Concludes Successfully in Mumbai

    D2C Insider Regional Summit 2024 Highlights: Concludes Successfully in Mumbai

    Mumbai, 10 June 2024 || D2C Insider, an in depth neighborhood of meticulously chosen founders and CXOs hailing from the Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) ecosystem has marked a worthwhile D2C Insider Global Summit 2024 in Mumbai on Saturday on the Holiday Inn. This event, India’s largest D2C founders’ confluence, aimed to navigate the entrepreneurial journey and foster idea commerce and growth assist amongst its members.

    The event attracted early-stage founders from the western space of India, who pitched their ideas in entrance of a panel of patrons and attended by a notable number of founders, patrons, and senior leaders from D2C enablers and restore suppliers in the western space of India. Following an distinctive pitch at PITCHATHON, Siddharth Batra, the founding father of Pikndel was the primary runner-up securing an funding of 25 Lakhs and praises from the esteemed firm. However, the last word first prize winner was Richy Dave, the founding father of Tulua Foods Pvt Ltd which secured a whole funding of fifty Lakhs (25 lakhs from D2C insiders and 25 lakhs from credit score rating enablers).

    Apart from this, producers like The Sass Bar, Secret Alchemist, Wanderlooms and Grow Billion Trees participated and showcased some distinctive pitches at PITCHATHON and garnered intensive info, experience and reward from the esteemed firm.

    The event was honored by the presence of Malini Aggarwal and Nowshad Rizwanullah, the Founders of MissMalini Entertainment, as a result of the chief firm. Where completely different notable attendees included Ankit Chona (HOCCO Ice Cream), Arjun Vaidya (V3 Ventures), Vedang Patel (The Souled Store), Pooja Shirali (DSG Group), Rishubh Satiya (Plix), Anurag Kedia (Pilgrim), and Helen Cooper (Helen Cooper Luxury).

    Abhishek Shah, Founder of D2C Insider, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “We are thrilled to rearrange India’s largest D2C founders’ confluence to pave one of the simplest ways for youthful entrepreneurs in India. We initiated the D2C Insider Global Summit by way of the lockdown, and in the meanwhile, we have grown proper right into a thriving group of over 10,000 founders and leaders. I’m delighted to share that 2 out of 5 producers featured on Shark Tank are from the D2C Insider group, which is a proud second for our full employees. India has develop right into a hub for founders, and we’re proud to be a part of this journey, serving to them be part of and develop.”

    He continued, “Our function in organizing these events extends previous fostering the D2C ecosystem; we thrive on collaboration, with members supporting each other by means of challenges harking back to promoting and advertising and marketing and manufacturing. This event offers producers with the possibility to showcase their merchandise and acquire instantaneous recommendations, promoting internal growth. We contemplate in the flexibility of collaboration and are devoted to serving to our members navigate the complexities of the enterprise panorama. Through these efforts, we function to assemble a stronger, additional associated D2C group.”

    The D2C Insider Regional Summit in Mumbai launched collectively a varied group of D2C founders at quite a few phases of their entrepreneurial journey, along with key patrons and senior leaders from D2C enablers and restore suppliers. The event showcased the colorful and rising D2C ecosystem in India, providing a platform for networking, finding out, and collaboration among the many many space’s most promising entrepreneurs and enterprise leaders.


    Mansi Praharaj

  • Tokyo Jewelry FES 2024

    Tokyo, Japan, June 10, 2024 — Tokyo Jewelry FES is again for its second version, for an additional charming expertise for jewellery fans of all ages. It will current a grand showcase of beautiful jewellery items from world wide. From July 12-14, 2024, Tokyo Big Sight will remodel right into a showcase of luxurious and class below the group of RX Japan, providing a novel alternative to discover and indulge on the planet of bijou.

    This three-day occasion will characteristic a variety of actions and points of interest, together with workshop, particular exhibition, Japan Best Jewellery Wearer Awards and unique presents from exhibitors. With 250 exhibitors and an anticipated attendance of 14,000 guests, Tokyo Jewelry FES is Japan’s largest scale jewellery B2C occasion.

    Explore Three Sub-Sections Catering to Every Jewelry Enthusiast
    1. Jewelry FES: Explore a variety of bijou, together with diamond jewellery, colored stone jewellery, gold jewellery, chains, silver jewellery, reform jewellery, second-hand branded jewellery, pearl jewellery, second-hand branded watches, vogue jewellery, second-hand branded baggage, and equipment buy and restore providers.

    2. Creators FES: Discover authentic and distinctive jewellery designs, in addition to equipment of authentic design, showcasing the creativity and expertise of bijou artisans.

    3. Mineral and Stones FES: Immerse your self on the planet of gem stones with a surprising show of rubies, topaz, sapphires, aquamarine, emeralds, morganite, garnet, tanzanite, opal, alexandrite, amethyst, sphene, tourmaline, and extra.

    Engage in a Variety of Activities and Opportunities
    Exhibitors and guests alike can interact in a wide range of actions and alternatives, together with over-the-counter gross sales, model promotions, product buy and restore providers, firm PR, and occasion promotions.

    “We are excited to welcome guests of all ages to Tokyo Jewelry FES,” mentioned Tokyo Jewelry FES Show Director, Yoshihito Waki. “Whether you’re wanting so as to add sparkle to your on a regular basis life or discover a timeless piece to cherish, our occasion presents one thing for everybody.”

    Experience the Magic of Tokyo Jewelry FES – Register Now
    Discover the magic of bijou at Tokyo Jewelry FES 2024. Register now without spending a dime to safe your spot and take pleasure in a world of luxurious and class.


    Praveen

  • ISMG’s Southeast Asia Summit 2024 to Unite Leaders in Cybersecurity and Business Transformation

    Princeton, NJ, June 08, 2024 — Southeast Asia’s fast digital transformation has established the area as a world nexus for finance and commerce, however it has additionally heightened its vulnerability to cyberthreats. In response to this pressing want for sturdy cybersecurity measures in this area, ISMG is happy to announce Southeast Asia Summit 2024: Cybersecurity and CIO.inc Business Transformation Conferences, a two-day digital occasion set for June 6 and 7, 2024.

    Under the central theme “Leadership, Strategic Innovation and Cybersecurity Defense,” the summit will deliver collectively trade leaders, expertise specialists and decision-makers from throughout SEA to discover the most recent developments and methods in expertise and cybersecurity. This occasion goals to present essential insights into managing rising dangers and leveraging technological improvements for enterprise development and resilience.

    According to PwC’s Digital Trust Insights 2023: The Southeast Asia Perspective, cyberattacks in SEA have surged in tandem with elevated digitalization of operations, with a 28% rise because the begin of the last decade. In gentle of this regarding development, the SEA summit’s advisory committee has curated a complete agenda to equip organizations with the required data and methods to navigate the evolving cybersecurity panorama.

    The summit options two individually themed days, with Day 1 devoted to the “ISMG Cybersecurity Conference” and Day 2 targeted on the “CIO.inc Business Transformation Conference.”

    Day 1 of the summit will kick off with a keynote tackle by Esti Peshin, vice chairman, basic supervisor of the cyber division at Israel Aerospace Industries. Peshin will delve into how innovation, enterprise success and cybersecurity preparedness will intersect in as we speak’s digital economic system, highlighting digital transformation and cybersecurity challenges of the AI period.

    In a plenary session titled “AI’s Influence on Cybersecurity Leadership, Innovation and Defense,” Axiata Chief Risk and Compliance Officer Abid Adam will discover the evolving cybersecurity panorama and the strategic crucial of integrating AI into cybersecurity frameworks.

    On Day 2, the main target shifts to the CIO.inc Business Transformation Conference, which is centered across the position of expertise in driving enterprise development and resilience. In the session “The Upcoming Age: AI’s Influence on Technology Innovation,” Arlene Romasanta, director IV on the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, will share insights on how AI could be seamlessly built-in into companies, reworking operations and fostering innovation throughout industries.

    Zaved Akhtar, chairman and managing director of Unilever Bangladesh, will ship a CEO keynote on “CEO Priorities in 2024: Impact and Strategies for CIOs.” This session will cowl aligning expertise methods with broader company targets, emphasizing data-driven decision-making and expertise growth to obtain enterprise objectives.

    “The Southeast Asia Summit represents a pivotal convergence of cybersecurity prowess and enterprise acumen,” stated Geetha Nandikotkur, vice chairman – conferences, Asia, Middle East, and Africa at ISMG. “As rising applied sciences reshape the risk panorama, our agenda fosters invaluable collaboration between safety strategists and company leaders to create a future the place resilience and innovation go hand-in-hand.”

    With an unparalleled lineup of thought leaders throughout cybersecurity and enterprise domains, cutting-edge subjects, and invaluable networking prospects, the Southeast Asia Summit’s agenda supplies actionable training for the best way ahead. The summit will equip attendees to tackle escalating threats, harness AI’s affect responsibly and drive cybersecurity excellence alongside technological innovation for sustainable development.


    Praveen

  • Radico Khaitan Presents ‘MERA CRICKET’ Anthem To Ignite High Spirits In T20 Men’s World Cup 2024


    MERA CRICKET

    Mera Cricket marks the singing debut of cricket legend, Harbhajan Singh

    The song is a musical celebration of cricket’s universal appeal and its ability to unite people

    The song will be released on June 8 on the Hitz Music YouTube Channel and across all major audio-streaming platforms

    NEW DELHI: Radico Khaitan Limited (“Radico Khaitan” or the Company), one of the largest IMFL companies in India, is thrilled to ignite the cricket fervor worldwide by presenting ‘MERA CRICKET,’ an electrifying anthem dedicated to the T20 Men’s World Cup 2024. This anthem is a gift from Radico and Hitz Music to cricket fans across the globe, capturing the unparalleled passion and excitement that cricket inspires.

    Marking the singing debut of cricket legend Harbhajan Singh, ‘MERA CRICKET’ is a musical celebration of cricket’s universal appeal and its ability to unite people. The song also features legendary cricket icons like Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar, Navjot Singh Sidhu, Anil Kumble, Virender Sehwag, Mithali Raj, Aaron Finch, Sreesanth, Vivek Razdan, and Aakash Chopra. Written by the talented Padamjeet Sehrawat, with music composed by Sehrawat and Kamal Joshi, this anthem promises to resonate deeply with cricket enthusiasts.

    “We are immensely proud to present ‘MERA CRICKET,’ a heartfelt tribute to the game that celebrates the joy and shared passion it brings to millions. At Radico Khaitan, we strive to honor cricket’s unifying spirit through this musical journey. As advocates for both music and sports, we appreciate the common synergy between these universal languages, which have the extraordinary ability to unite people globally. ‘MERA CRICKET’ symbolizes our commitment to this vision, and we’re excited to share this celebration with cricket fans worldwide,” shared Abhishek Khaitan, Managing Director of Radico Khaitan Limited.

    Released under the Hitz Music label, this unique collaboration promises an unforgettable listening experience. Cricket fans across the globe can immerse themselves in the anthem, enhancing their sports spirit, starting June 8, 2024, on the Hitz Music YouTube Channel and across all major audio streaming platforms.