Liquid AI’s new STAR model architecture outshines Transformer efficiency

Join our daily and weekly newsletters for the latest updates and exclusive content on industry-leading AI coverage. Learn More As rumors and reports swirl about the difficulty facing top AI companies in developing newer, more powerful large language models (LLMs), the spotlight is increasingly shifting toward alternate architectures for the “Transformer” — the tech underpinning most of the current generative AI boom, introduced by Google researchers in the seminal 2017 paper “Attention Is All You Need.“ As described in that paper and henceforth, a Transformer is a deep learning neural network architecture that processes sequential data, such as text or time-series information. Now, MIT-birthed startup Liquid AI has introduced STAR (Synthesis of Tailored Architectures), an innovative framework designed to automate the generation and optimization of AI model architectures. The STAR framework leverages evolutionary algorithms and a numerical encoding system to address the complex challenge of balancing quality and efficiency in deep learning models. According to Liquid AI’s research team, which includes Armin W. Thomas, Rom Parnichkun, Alexander Amini, Stefano Massaroli, and Michael Poli, STAR’s approach represents a shift from traditional architecture design methods. Instead of relying on manual tuning or predefined templates, STAR uses a hierarchical encoding technique — referred to as “STAR genomes” — to explore a vast design space of potential architectures. These genomes enable iterative optimization processes such as recombination and mutation, allowing STAR to synthesize and refine architectures tailored to specific metrics and hardware requirements. 90% cache size reduction versus traditional ML Transformers Liquid AI’s initial focus for STAR has been on autoregressive language modeling, an area where traditional Transformer architectures have long been dominant. In tests conducted during their research, the Liquid AI research team demonstrated STAR’s ability to generate architectures that consistently outperformed highly-optimized Transformer++ and hybrid models. For example, when optimizing for quality and cache size, STAR-evolved architectures achieved cache size reductions of up to 37% compared to hybrid models and 90% compared to Transformers. Despite these efficiency improvements, the STAR-generated models maintained or exceeded the predictive performance of their counterparts. Similarly, when tasked with optimizing for model quality and size, STAR reduced parameter counts by up to 13% while still improving performance on standard benchmarks. The research also highlighted STAR’s ability to scale its designs. A STAR-evolved model scaled from 125 million to 1 billion parameters delivered comparable or superior results to existing Transformer++ and hybrid models, all while significantly reducing inference cache requirements. Re-architecting AI model architecture Liquid AI stated that STAR is rooted in a design theory that incorporates principles from dynamical systems, signal processing, and numerical linear algebra. This foundational approach has enabled the team to develop a versatile search space for computational units, encompassing components such as attention mechanisms, recurrences, and convolutions. One of STAR’s distinguishing features is its modularity, which allows the framework to encode and optimize architectures across multiple hierarchical levels. This capability provides insights into recurring design motifs and enables researchers to identify effective combinations of architectural components. What’s next for STAR? STAR’s ability to synthesize efficient, high-performing architectures has potential applications far beyond language modeling. Liquid AI envisions this framework being used to tackle challenges in various domains where the balance between quality and computational efficiency is critical. While Liquid AI has yet to disclose specific plans for commercial deployment or pricing, the research findings signal a significant advancement in the field of automated architecture design. For researchers and developers looking to optimize AI systems, STAR could represent a powerful tool for pushing the boundaries of model performance and efficiency. With its open research approach, Liquid AI has published the full details of STAR in a peer-reviewed paper, encouraging collaboration and further innovation. As the AI landscape continues to evolve, frameworks like STAR are poised to play a key role in shaping the next generation of intelligent systems. STAR might even herald the birth of a new post-Transformer architecture boom — a welcome winter holiday gift for the machine learning and AI research community. source

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5 Strategies to Propel Business Growth in 2025

In today’s fast-changing business environment, startups and growing tech vendors face unique challenges and opportunities. As we approach 2025, planning for sustainable growth means more than just reacting to industry shifts—it requires a forward-thinking approach. From leveraging technology to fostering innovation, the most successful businesses are those that adapt with a proactive mindset. This blog outlines five essential strategies every startup and growing tech company can use to build resilience, drive growth, and stay competitive in an ever-evolving market.  If you’re ready to equip your business with the tools to thrive, read on to learn how to turn today’s trends into tomorrow’s growth drivers.  1. Embrace Technology to Stay Agile and Scalable  For startups and growing tech vendors, agility and scalability are key to thriving in competitive markets. Advanced technologies like AI, automation, and cloud computing provide powerful tools to streamline operations, reduce costs, and respond quickly to changes. AI-driven automation, for example, can handle repetitive tasks, freeing up teams to focus on innovation and strategy. Cloud infrastructure allows businesses to expand their operations without heavy investment in physical infrastructure, providing the flexibility to scale at pace with demand.  Staying agile doesn’t mean adopting every new tech trend—it’s about identifying use cases that align with your business goals. Consider what tools will help your business scale smoothly and improve productivity without creating complexity. Focusing on high-impact technologies, such as AI for customer support or data analysis, can lead to meaningful improvements in efficiency while ensuring your business remains flexible in a shifting market.  2. Make Data-Driven Decisions  In a competitive market, data is one of the most powerful tools a business can wield. By analyzing customer behavior, market trends, and operational performance, businesses can identify patterns and make more informed choices. Real-time data can help spot emerging opportunities and uncover potential challenges before they escalate, ensuring companies stay one step ahead.  Data-driven decision-making is about turning data into actionable insights. For example, IDC’s data analytics solutions offer startups and growing vendors the ability to harness data for better decision-making. With insights into customer behavior, market trends, and operational metrics, IDC helps companies turn data into strategic advantages. These analytics tools are invaluable for identifying key trends, optimizing resources, and making timely adjustments that fuel growth.  Using data to drive your decisions doesn’t require a complex setup; even basic analytics can reveal valuable insights. For instance, tracking customer engagement metrics can inform your product development or marketing strategies. By continually monitoring performance metrics, you can refine your approach, allocate resources wisely, and make strategic adjustments that align with growth goals.  3. Prioritize Operational Efficiency Without Losing Flexibility  Efficient operations are essential for startups and growing tech vendors, but it’s important to balance this efficiency with flexibility. Streamlining workflows and automating routine tasks can improve productivity, reduce costs, and allow your team to focus on high-value activities. However, maintaining flexibility is equally critical—especially in fast-moving markets where customer needs and industry standards are constantly evolving.  Consider adopting lean practices to enhance productivity while staying adaptable. For example, automating tasks in customer support or logistics can drive efficiency, while maintaining flexible processes lets your team pivot as new opportunities or challenges arise. By regularly assessing and refining your workflows, you can find areas to optimize without sacrificing your business’s ability to respond to changes.  Operational efficiency doesn’t mean rigidity; it means refining processes in a way that enhances agility. This balance of efficiency and adaptability will allow your business to grow sustainably, laying a strong foundation for long-term success.  4. Build a Resilient, Sustainable Business Model  In today’s market, sustainability is not only a regulatory requirement but also a powerful driver of brand loyalty and customer trust. Building a business that prioritizes environmental and social responsibility resonates with today’s consumers and investors alike. For example, IDC predicts that by 2027, 80% of IT buyers will only work with vendors that meet social, environmental, and governance-related responsible AI criteria in accordance with sustainable procurement requirements (IDC FutureScape: Worldwide Sustainability/ESG 2025 Predictions). For startups and new tech vendors, adopting sustainable practices from the outset can become a unique differentiator.  Resilience and sustainability go hand in hand. By incorporating eco-friendly practices, responsible sourcing, or transparent supply chain management, you create a business model that supports longevity. This approach also aligns with regulatory demands that are increasingly focused on sustainability, ensuring your business is prepared for future industry standards.  While sustainability can mean an initial investment, it ultimately leads to cost savings through efficient resource use, reduced waste, and improved brand reputation. By embedding sustainability into your business strategy, you’re not only building a resilient business but also positioning your brand as a leader in an increasingly conscientious market.  5. Cultivate a Culture of Innovation and Growth  For tech startups and growing companies, success hinges on a culture that prioritizes continuous learning, innovation, and personal growth. Companies that invest in developing their talent are better positioned to innovate, adapt, and thrive. This focus on professional growth helps attract top talent while also ensuring that your team has the skills to drive your business forward.  Creating a culture of innovation involves more than just providing training; it requires a commitment to fostering creativity and collaboration. By encouraging your team to explore new ideas, experiment with different approaches, and challenge existing assumptions, you ensure that your team is motivated to contribute to your business’s success.  Moreover, nurturing talent in critical areas like AI, data science, and digital transformation equips your team with the skills to lead in a technology-driven world. As the market changes, having a skilled, forward-thinking workforce will be one of your biggest competitive advantages.  Conclusion The road to sustainable growth requires a proactive, strategic approach. By embracing the right technologies, making data-driven decisions, prioritizing efficiency, building a resilient business model, and fostering a culture of innovation, startups and growing tech vendors can lay the foundation for long-term success.  For a deeper exploration of these strategies, download our eBook, 2025 Business Strategy: A Planning Guide for CEOs

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8 No-Cost Rank Tracker Templates for Dominating SERPs

Tracking your rank history over time is crucial. It helps you understand if your SEO strategy is working and which clusters or keywords you should double down on. Whether you’re looking to maintain the first page or you’re climbing the ladder from the bottom, rank tracker templates are a great way to stay organized. ClickUp: A beginner-friendly rank tracker template ClickUp is a powerful project management platform that you may not immediately associate with SEO work. But it actually works really well because you can turn your ranking insights into actionable tasks and collaborate with your entire team. You can sign up for free to get started and onboard your entire team at no cost. Paid plans are affordable, starting at $7 per user per month. More on ClickUp: ClickUp Review | ClickUp vs Asana | ClickUp vs. Notion. Use this free rank tracking template from ClickUp to see how your SERP positions change month-to-month. Image: Clickup.com Out of the box, this template is set up with a category and subcategory structure — which is useful if you want to track your rankings by month or if you want to group by primary keyword. Alternatively, you can track the ranking of specific pieces of content so you know what to update and when. This works really well if you’re also planning to use ClickUp to manage your content workflow. You’ll be able to manage the complete lifecycle of your assets from ideation through publishing and watch everything move through search results. Overall, I like this template because it’s super versatile, and it works no matter what industry you’re in. It’s also easily extendable — you can add fields to track visits, conversions, and other metrics you want to stay on top of. I also like that there’s a pre-built field that calculates your improvement rate. This makes it easy to understand positive and negative changes over time. If you’re on one of ClickUp’s top plans, you may be able to integrate with SEO software like Ahrefs or SemRush. Another option is using Make or Zapier to pull data into ClickUp via automations. If neither of those work, manual entry is always an option too. Notion: Flexible and powerful rank tracker templates Notion is a collaborative workspace with built-in features for tracking tasks, working on projects, taking notes, and creating flexible documents. It can work well for SEO purposes because it allows you to organize and store information in different ways. Overall, it’s more flexible than most typical project management tools. This means it’s easily adaptable to however you work. If you work by yourself, you can use Notion for free for quite a while. If you share your workspaces with others, the free plan is more like a free trial and you’ll have to upgrade to a paid plan in the near future. More on Notion: Notion Review | Notion vs Asana | Notion vs Todoist. Template 1: A good place to start It’s not uncommon to use multiple SEO tools for different purposes. This template helps you not only track ranking data, but also keep track of information for each of the tools you’re using. Its unique views and flexible nature make it much cleaner than spreadsheets or Google Docs to stay organized. This is especially true if you work with a team who creates different dashboards, uses different tools, and needs access to things from other people. Manage your keywords, SEO tools, and positions in one place with Notion. Image: Notion.com Out of the box, this template includes links to tutorials and resources for various SEO tools, eliminating one more thing you need to hunt down. Below that, there are multiple different views you can use to keep track of keywords, volume, difficulty, CPC, intent, and the software you got it from. You can view the same information as a gallery, board, list, or table. There are also due dates you can use to keep track of content production. If you’re an agency or freelancer, you can use the same template to keep track of keyword research and ranking positions for various clients. Each client has their own card. Inside that card, you’ll be able to enter their budget, contact information, status, and keywords. It’s a simple yet effective way to stay organized. Template 2: A rank tracker template for G2 Instead of keywords, this template helps you keep track of your G2 rankings. As one of the most trusted websites for consumers to find the best software, it’s an important platform to pay attention to, despite how often it’s overlooked. If you’re on G2, this template is an excellent place to start. Monitor G2 rankings using this intuitive template for Notion. Image: Notion.com Whether you’re currently on G2 and want to monitor your positions compared to your competitors or you’ve just recently claimed your G2 profile and need to make up some ground, this template offers an easy way to stay organized. You’ll be able to look at how you’re doing overall and across specific G2 categories. For example, you can quickly look at your current rank based on how many of your competitors qualify for the same category. But you can also see how your rankings change over time. There’s even an area for logging G2 badges, and a place for storing links to relevant quarterly reports you need to revisit again. Stackby: Rank tracker templates that integrate with Ahrefs and Serpstat Stackby is a powerful tool that uses relational databases to connect all of your data together. This is perfect if you’re getting rank data from a third-party source, as Stackby easily integrates with various SEO tools for automated data entry and regular refreshing. It’s free for up to five users, and you’ll even have access to two API connectors at no cost (which is enough to get started with any of these templates). Template 1: Track competitor rankings If you’re using Ahrefs for SEO and keyword research, you can integrate with Stackby to

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Veteran-run startup bags €1M to recycle body armour, carbon fibre

UK and Luxembourg-based startup Uplift360 has landed €1mn in pre-seed funding to scale up a greener method for recycling advanced materials like Kevlar. Uplift360’s patent-pending process breaks down Kevlar and other composites without compromising the integrity of the fibres and resins. These raw materials can then be reused to make new products. It does this using safe chemicals and at room temperature — making it greener and more energy-efficient than traditional methods, the startup claims.   “It’s a game-changer,” Sam Staincliffe, Uplift360’s co-founder and CTO, told TNW in an interview. “It means we can lower costs and recycle a wide range of advanced materials without the harmful impacts.” The process can also break down carbon fibre and glass fibre. Uplift360 will use the fresh funding to accelerate R&D, mature its technology and expand its team of scientists and engineers. Over the next 12 months, the company will set up its first concept demonstrator plant at its lab in Luxembourg, as it looks to woo potential customers, including DuPont: the American chemical conglomerate that first invented Kevlar.     Giving body armour a second life Webinar: Unicorn DNA: The Blueprint for Scaling Success What does it take to build a unicorn? Top executives of unicorn companies reveal the mindset, strategies, and innovative thinking that propelled their companies to the top. Staincliffe, a defence tech expert, founded Uplift360 alongside Royal Airforce (RAF) veteran Jamie Meighan in 2021. Their mission was to help green the defence sector, which by one estimate contributes 5.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions — more than Russia.  First, the founders considered recycling military uniforms until Dr Debra Carr, a textile scientist working for the UK’s Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA), suggested they look into body armour. More specifically, para-aramid fibres — aka Kevlar.    DuPont chemist Stephanie Kwolek invented Kevlar in 1965. The material, which is five times stronger than steel, is best known for stopping bullets, but it’s also found in planes, cars, boats and many other products.  Today, Kevlar vests are incinerated after around 5 years of use. They are never recycled. That’s partly because traditional recycling methods aren’t up to the task. Governments also don’t want body armour ending up in the wrong hands.    Either way, it’s a big sustainability problem. It can take over 37 kilograms of petrochemicals to make one kilogram of Kevlar, so making new ones all the time isn’t exactly good for the planet.  Burning Kevlar also doesn’t make economic sense. Para-aramid fibres cost 85 times as much per weight as steel. A single vest can cost up to €3000. This makes Kevlar “waste” pretty darn valuable.  ‘Matter of national security’ Last year, Uplift360 secured €600K in funding from the UK’s Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA), as the country’s Ministry of Defence looks for innovative ways to green its supply chain. It also wants to cut reliance on foreign powers for key materials.   “The defence industry in the UK and Europe has a pretty fragile supply chain,” said Staincliffe. “Recycling and reusing isn’t just about sustainability, it’s also a matter of national security.”    However, the startup’s first customers will likely not be the users of products like Kevlar, but the manufacturers of them. Uplift360 is already trialling its technology with DuPont and Teijin, a Japanese company specialising in high-performance fibres.  The aim is to build recycling facilities at these firms’ factories. The plants will take in old products and recycle them for reuse to make new ones. While Uplift360 is focusing on Kevlar recycling for now, the company plans to put its chemicals to work on a range of tough stuff in the future — from aircraft components to wind turbine blades. source

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Crowell Adds Longtime DOJ Litigator to DC Antitrust Group

By Emily Sawicki ( December 10, 2024, 12:00 AM EST) — Crowell & Moring LLP announced on Tuesday that it had added a former U.S. Department of Justice litigator with 33 years of government experience to its antitrust and competition, government contracts and litigation groups in its Washington office, furthering the firm’s ongoing strategy to “double down” on its strongest practice areas, in the words of a top Crowell litigator…. Law360 is on it, so you are, too. A Law360 subscription puts you at the center of fast-moving legal issues, trends and developments so you can act with speed and confidence. Over 200 articles are published daily across more than 60 topics, industries, practice areas and jurisdictions. A Law360 subscription includes features such as Daily newsletters Expert analysis Mobile app Advanced search Judge information Real-time alerts 450K+ searchable archived articles And more! Experience Law360 today with a free 7-day trial. source

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IBM’s Co-Packaged Optics: Adds More Bandwidth Into a Connector

On Dec. 9, IBM unveiled a breakthrough in co-packaging optics that could reduce GPU downtime and accelerate AI training. IBM’s working prototype significantly increases the number of optical fibers connecting at the edge of a silicon photonics chip by replacing traditional glass with a polymer optical waveguide. This innovative approach could pave the way for faster, more efficient data transfer and allow data centers to handle greater workloads. The idea of co-packaged optics has been around for a long time, but IBM’s process enables what the company calls the world’s first stress-tested prototype. IBM spokespeople didn’t directly address questions about availability or a timeline. Instead, they emphasized their intent to develop a roadmap and expressed their openness to sharing design material with foundries in the future. “At the end, the chip product companies will have to ask for that, and then the product companies will design that into their chip design, and the foundries can manufacture,” Makesh Khare, general manager of IBM semiconductors, said at a briefing. “But it has no special requirement regarding the foundry aspect. It will have a design aspect we can provide to the chip companies.” What makes a polymer optical waveguide stand out? Co-packaged optics with polymer optical waveguides are an alternative to copper connections and are often used to link GPU accelerators in data centers. These sit at the edge of a chip and let many high-density bundles of optical fibers squeeze into a tiny space, with half a micron or less between the fiber and the connector. IBM said this brings a dramatic bandwidth boost between chips compared to electrical connections. The size — a 50-micron pitch — also differentiates the prototype. 250-micron pitch is a standard size. Going smaller translates to increased bandwidth. The polymer optical waveguide stacks in up to four layers for up to 128 channels. At the “beachfront” where the connector meets the chip, it presents 51 fibers per millimeter. The waveguide lids and polymer optical waveguide are integrated with a chip. Image: IBM More about data centers “The big deal is not only that we’ve got this big density enhancement for communications on module, but we’ve also demonstrated that this is compatible with stress tests that optical links haven’t been passing in the past,” John Knickerbocker, distinguished engineer at IBM research, said in a press release. “This co-packaged optics innovation is basically bringing the power of fiber optics on the chip itself,” Khare added. IBM’s polymer optical waveguide may compete with novel connectivity processes like the Ranovus Odin electronic and photonic integrated circuit or linear-drive pluggable optics. Researchers are also experimenting with glass ribbons or vertical-graded interconnections in this area. Knickerbocker said in the briefing: “It’s hard to say who is up in front“ between polymer optical waveguides and linear-drive pluggable optics. IBM has manufactured co-packaged optics with polymer optical waveguides at its Bromont testing facility in Quebec. SEE: Data centers will need more power for AI training as hyperscalers offer more advanced models. The proposed market: Data centers used to train AI IBM proposes the new connector could benefit the booming generative AI industry by: Power draw reduction (of up to 5 times) mid-range electrical interconnects, including at long ranges (hundreds of meters). Reduction in the time it takes to train a large language model, from three months to three weeks. Increased energy efficiency. “With this breakthrough, tomorrow’s chips will communicate much like how fiber optics cables carry data in and out of data centers, ushering in a new era of faster, more sustainable communications that can handle the AI workloads of the future,” SVP and Director of Research Dario Gil said in a press release. source

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Have We Gone Too Far With AI in Software Development?

After some early stumbles and growing pains, the use of artificial intelligence and generative AI in coding and software development seems here to stay. The intent is to use AI to free up developers from certain points of tedium in the development cycle, but has this tool lived up to expectations? Have those expectations changed, especially if the C-suite wants more AI in play to speed up software delivery? Even before GenAI, for better or worse, worked its way into software development, no-code platforms let non-professional software developers join the cycle. Does the rise of GenAI in software development mean an end to “citizen developers?”   This episode of DOS Won’t Hunt saw Matt Bishop (lower center in the video), principal architect at Bitwarden; Artem Kroupenev (lower right), vice president of strategy at Augury; Matias Madou (upper left), Secure Code Warrior’s CTO and co-founder; and Joel Carusone (lower left), senior vice president of data and AI at NinjaOne, come together. They discussed the use of AI in software development, its benefits and risks, and how developers want AI to be implemented in the cycle. Listen to the full episode here. source

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Can Data Pros Tackle Singapore's Data Maturity Crisis?

A new survey by CRM software firm Salesforce revealed that 61% of consumers in Singapore believe that companies are reckless with the customer data they provide, while 74% trust companies less than they did a year ago. The State of the AI Connected Customer research also found customers in Singapore were expecting more from companies when they do provide data. For instance, 75% of consumers wanted consistent interactions across departments, while 71% wanted fewer touchpoints to complete tasks. The survey also shows that IT, data, and AI professionals are fighting to retain customer trust while leveraging the power of data and AI in Singapore. Customers now trust organisations less — most likely due to loose data practices and data breaches — and may be less willing to hand over data in the future. Most Singaporeans do not trust businesses with their data Singapore customers appear to be increasingly suspicious of the way companies collect and manage their data. A survey conducted by Ping Identity in 2024, for example, found that of all surveyed Singapore consumers, the vast majority (86%) do not fully trust organisations that manage their identity data. The trust customers have in companies is declining around the globe. Source: Salesforce The trend is unsurprising, given the rising awareness of data mishandling and cyber breaches. In October 2024 alone, Singapore’s Personal Data Protection Commission issued three undertakings after ransomware attacks affected the personal data of over 690,000 individuals. The Commission blamed the undertakings on “various ransomware attacks due to the insufficient security IT measures implemented” by organisations. They join a long list of 44 undertakings given in 2024, all based on potential contraventions of Singapore’s Personal Data Protection Act 2012. The cyber threat environment is not helping trust. A recent cyber security survey from Cloudfare found that 41% of Asia-Pacific respondents, including Singaporeans, said their organisation experienced a data breach in the past 12 months, with 47% suffering from more than 10 data breaches. SEE: Three-quarters of companies retain an increasing amount of sensitive data The problem conditions for data are leading to consumer concerns. An IDC report conducted for APAC-based data management company Affinidi found that 59% of businesses indicated they are still struggling with security concerns from customers during the customer registration process. Must-read big data coverage Personalisation is preferred, but Singapore businesses are ill-prepared While customers are more wary of trusting companies with data, they also want the customer experiences that flow from handing over data. For instance, a 2021 survey from OpenText found 71% of Singaporean consumers are more likely to buy again from brands that provide them with personalised service. “Customers face a dilemma: the desire for personalised experiences… while at the same time, discerning how much data they should share to achieve such a goal,” the IDC report said. “Businesses must navigate the fine line between delivering tailored experiences and proving they can protect customers’ data.” According to IDC research, businesses in Singapore are more focused on achieving profitable growth and customer acquisition than personalising experiences. In other parts of the world, such as North America, competition has driven businesses to make personalisation using data a top priority. SEE: Australian organisations need to build trust with consumers over data and AI Singapore businesses may mature their data management skills to personalise their experiences further in the future. However, 55.5% of businesses surveyed for the IDC report highlighted data collection and management as a key challenge, especially given the current cybersecurity landscape. Perfecting data management a wise first step before AI Salesforce thinks AI could help reinforce customer trust. Its survey showed younger users in Singapore, in particular, were open to interacting with AI agents; millennials (53%) and Gen Z (47%) were most open to AI agents that enhanced the customer experience with personalised and valuable content. However, the successful deployment of AI, with its heavy reliance on underlying data to be effective, may require organisations to get better at managing data first. As IDC’s report said: “Only when a business has earned the customers’ trust do they then feel comfortable enough to share more data.” IDC identified several challenges Singapore businesses must overcome to improve data management: Tenable’s data and cloud security expert, Liat Hayun, recently told TechRepublic that it might be better for APAC organisations to think of data as “fuel” rather than “gold.” Thinking of data this way will allow them to better mitigate risks such as data breaches while leveraging the value of data for their business. “Fuel obviously has a lot of benefits,” Hayun explained. “You can fly an airplane with fuel. But it’s also risky if you don’t store fuel correctly and securely with the right mechanisms, and it spills over or causes a fire. That’s obviously the risk you’re taking, and there is this balance. “With data, I think we’re now starting to understand it is similar; it is not this neutral asset that you just store and accumulate and it has only benefits that allow your business to move faster and forward. It has risk associated with it. So you need to take into account and to balance those two things.” source

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Propelling satellites with electricity and salt? No problem for this Parisian startup

In 2018, Elon Musk put a Tesla in space. Like many of the billionaire’s antics, it was a publicity stunt. However, it pointed to an undeniable truth: the future of space travel is electric.   Most spacecraft today — like cars and trucks back on Earth — burn chemicals to get around. But space agencies like NASA, ESA, and France’s CNES have been experimenting with electric thrusters for decades, in a bid for a cleaner, more efficient way to propel satellites. A few startups have spun out from this work. One of them is Paris-headquartered ION-X. It hopes to build the most efficient propulsion system ever put in space. ION-X has developed a so-called electrohydrodynamic (EHD) electrospray thruster. It works by applying a high-voltage electric field to an ionic liquid fuel. (Ionic liquid is made up of organic salts that are liquid at room temperature). The electric charge breaks up the fuel into tiny charged particles that eject from the back of the thruster at high speeds — propelling the satellite through space.  Today, ION-X announced it has raised €13mn in funding as it looks to break out from the lab and industrialise its technology. This adds to €4mn in seed capital, raised back in 2022.   “This funding round is a decisive step for ION-X,” said Thomas Hiriart, the company’s CEO. “We are deeply convinced that our propulsion solutions can revolutionize the space mobility market, contribute to sustainable, innovative, and cost-effective space missions, and carve out a significant commercial position in a market eager for reliable thrusters.”  The 💜 of EU tech The latest rumblings from the EU tech scene, a story from our wise ol’ founder Boris, and some questionable AI art. It’s free, every week, in your inbox. Sign up now! World-renowned engineer Jacques Giérak founded ION-X in 2021 following decades of research into electrospray propulsion systems at the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) and CNES. Giérak co-founded the company with Yves Matton, a partner at the early-stage deep-tech venture firm Technofounders, which has also invested in Ion-X.   Unlike chemical thrusters, which burn fuel to produce thrust, or ion thrusters that use xenon, ION-X’s system is far more energy-efficient and compact. It’s better at precisely manoeuvring satellites, the startup claims. The ionic liquid fuel is also non-toxic and nonflammable, and thus safer. However, it’s less powerful than combustion-based systems, so it’s better suited to smaller satellites, like those in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) — which is, nevertheless, a booming market.  ION-X is set to demonstrate its technology in orbit for the first time early next year. Its thrusters will propel a satellite by Danish company Space Inventor as part of a larger ESA mission. The company is also building a production facility near Paris. Here it hopes to produce 200 ion thrusters per year by 2028.  The funding round was led by aerospace-focused VC Expansion and Technofounders. The European Innovation Council (EIC) also joined in, as did the Île-de-France Region, through its Reindustrialisation Fund.   source

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New US CIO appointments, November 2024

Nick Harness joins Fringe Benefit Group as CIO New CIO appointments, October 2024 Daikin Applied Welcomes Ashish Srivastava as CDIO Navistar announces Robert Oh as CDIO Jacqui Nevils joins Fresenius Medical Care as CIO MDU Resources promotes Dyke Boese to CIO Gagan Sinha named CIO of Bloomin’ Brands, Inc. K. Hovnanian Companies announces Sri Arumugam as CIO Matt Belanger joins Republic Airways as CIO NW Natural Holdings announces Brian Fellon as CIO Gemological Institute of America names Neil Jadhav CITO Paul Roche named CIO for Transdev US University of Oklahoma welcomes Nishanth Rodrigues as CIO DocGo names Eiwe Lingefors CIO Brigham Young University appointed Brian Radford CIO New CIO appointments, September 2024 Truist names Steve Hagerman CIO Mike Guhl appointed CIO at PulteGroup Inc. Norfolk Southern welcomes Anil Bhatt as CIDO Nelly Jefferson named CIO of Avangrid Marjorie Hutchings joins Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies Workers Compensation Division as CIO Itamar Albek joins American Jewish Committee as CIO HEICO welcomes William Velez as CIO First Watch names Rob Conti as CIO Winston & Strawn appoints Robert Kerr as CIO Jovan Marconi joins Inland as CIO CoolSys appoints Danny Rodriguez as CIO Justin McWhirter named CIO for CCC Intelligent Solutions TAB Bank appoints Tami Fisher as CIO Queens University of Charlotte names Kenitra Horsley CIO New CIO appointments, August 2024 Nike appoints Cheryan Jacob CIO Mondelēz International named Filippo Catalano CIDO Keith Credendino named CIO of Macy’s, Inc. Kyndryl appoints Kim Basile as CIO Neeru Arora named CIO for Mazda North American Operations Dan Shull joins Hasbro as CDIO REI Co-op promotes Guillaume Ledieu to CTO Marco Deutsch named CIO at Baker McKenzie Adolfo Rodriguez appointed CTIO at Guitar Center Yeman Collier to join UChicago Medicine as CIO Subaru of America, Inc. appoints Aurelian Sin as CIO Alliant Credit Union welcomes Jamie Warder as CIO Howard Hughes Holdings Inc. appoints Bhupesh Arora as CTO Jamie Head joins Parts Town as CIO Lloyd Boyd named CIO for Park Lawn Corporation Ryan McEnroe named CIO at Reed Smith Unison Risk Advisors appoints Tony Martinez as CIO Martina Schubert joins Van Meter Inc. as CIO Atlas Van Lines promotes Ryan Parmenter to CIO New CIO appointments, July 2024 BNY names Leigh-Ann Russell as CIO Charles (Rusty) Patel joins Baxter as CIO Clayco names Jeff Miller as CIO Kevin Ruggiero named CIO of Parsons Corporation Urmila Menon joins Tri Pointe Homes as CIO Signature Aviation appoints Al Lettera as CDIO Boart Longyear names Niel Nickolaisen as CIO Jordan Ruch named CIO at AtlantiCare Holley Performance Brands names Charan Mann CIO Heath Tuttle named CIO at the University of Buffalo MEC appoints Daniel Bourquin as CIO George Haddad joins North American Partners in Anesthesia as CIO New CIO appointments, June 2024 Madhu Narasimhan named CIO of DaVita Cleveland Clinic announces Sarah Hatchett as CIO Quest Diagnostics appoints Murali Balakumar as CIDO Guncha Mehta joins Beyond as CDIO Gulfstream Aerospace appoints Anthony Newlin as CIO David Ugan named CTO for AAA, Inc. Mieko Shibata named new R&T Deposit Solutions CIO Keith Jones promoted to CIO at Cone Health Lendmark Financial Services announces Zaheer Khan as CIO Keith Correia named CIO at Portillo’s Freshworks appoints Ashwin Ballal as CIO Bill Shuler joins Planet Home Lending as CIO source

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