Adobe previews AI generated PowerPoints from raw customer data with ‘Project Slide Wow’

Join our daily and weekly newsletters for the latest updates and exclusive content on industry-leading AI coverage. Learn More Today at Adobe‘s annual digital innovation conference Summit 2024 in Las Vegas, the company is unveiling Project Slide Wow, a generative AI-driven tool designed to streamline the creation of PowerPoint presentations directly from raw customer data. Presented as part of the “Adobe Sneaks” program, the innovation aims to solve a common challenge for marketers and analysts—transforming complex data into compelling, easy-to-digest presentations. From data to presentation—automatically Project Slide Wow integrates with Adobe Customer Journey Analytics (CJA) to automatically generate PowerPoint slides populated with relevant data visualizations and speaker notes. This allows marketers and business analysts to quickly build data-backed presentations without manually structuring content or designing slides. “It’s analyzing all the charts in this project, generating captions for them, organizing them into a narrative, and creating the presentation slides,” said Jane Hoffswell, a research scientist at Adobe and the creator of Project Slide Wow, in a video call interview with VentureBeat a few days ago. “It figures out the best way to focus on the most important pieces of data.” A standout feature of the tool is its interactive AI agent within PowerPoint. Users can ask follow-up questions, request additional visualizations, or dynamically generate new slides on the fly, making it an adaptable solution for data-driven storytelling. One of the biggest advantages of Project Slide Wow is its ability to handle live data updates. Instead of static presentations that quickly become outdated, users can refresh their slides to reflect the latest analytics, which is particularly valuable for businesses that rely on real-time data insights. “We wanted this technology to be able to keep your data fresh and alive. If you give a presentation six months later, people will want to know how things have changed,” Hoffswell told VentureBeat. The tech under the hood Unlike many recent AI-powered tools, Project Slide Wow does not rely on large language models (LLMs) like OpenAI’s GPT or Adobe’s Firefly. Instead, Adobe’s research team developed a proprietary algorithmic ranking and scoring system to determine which insights are most important for a given dataset. The system prioritizes information based on: Data Structure in Adobe Customer Journey Analytics (CJA) – Insights that appear higher in the CJA workflow receive more emphasis. Relevance & Frequency—In slide generation, data points that appear multiple times across different analyses are given greater weight. Narrative Organization – The tool algorithmically arranges insights into a logical storytelling structure to ensure a smooth presentation flow. “Our ranking algorithm looks at the layout of the original Customer Journey Analytics project—content higher up is likely more important,” said Hoffswell. “We also prioritize values that frequently appear in the data.” Because the system is more rules-based and deterministic rather than relying on probabilistic AI models, it avoids common LLM issues such as hallucinated data or unpredictable outputs. It also allows enterprises to have greater transparency and control over how presentations are structured. What it means for the enterprise and decision-makers For CTOs, CIOs, team leaders and developer managers, Project Slide Wow represents a potential shift in how teams work with data visualization and presentations. Here’s what it means for enterprise-level decision-making: Greater Efficiency for Data Teams – Analysts and marketers can rapidly generate insights in presentation-ready formats, reducing the manual labor involved in building slides from scratch. Scalability for Large Organizations—By integrating directly into existing workflows, large enterprises can standardize the way customer insights are presented across departments. Data Integrity & Control – Unlike AI tools that create content based on unpredictable generative models, Project Slide Wow works within the enterprise’s existing datasets in CJA. This ensures data accuracy and minimizes compliance risks. Enhanced Collaboration Between Teams—By allowing presentations to be updated dynamically, multiple teams—such as marketing, analytics, and product development—can work with the latest insights in real time without duplicating efforts. Future Integration Potential – If Project Slide Wow becomes a full-fledged Adobe product, enterprise IT leaders may consider integrating it into their existing Microsoft 365 environments through the planned PowerPoint add-on. Will it become a full product? Adobe Sneaks is an annual showcase of experimental innovations. Around 40% of featured projects eventually become Adobe products. The fate of Project Slide Wow depends on user interest and engagement, as Adobe monitors social media conversations, customer feedback and direct inquiries to gauge demand. Eric Matisoff, Adobe’s Digital Experience Evangelist and host of Adobe Sneaks, highlighted that the program serves as a testing ground for cutting-edge ideas. “We start by scouring the company for hundreds of technologies and ideas…and whittle them down to the seven most exciting, entertaining, and forward-looking innovations,” Matisoff said. Looking ahead For businesses that rely on data-driven decision-making, Project Slide Wow could be a major step forward in simplifying the process of building presentations. If the tool gains traction, it may soon be available as an official Adobe product—potentially transforming how companies use customer data to inform strategy. Until then, CTOs, CIOs, team leads, and analysts should stay tuned for Adobe’s Sneaks announcements to see whether Project Slide Wow makes the leap from an experimental demo to a real-world enterprise solution. source

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SAP CEO Christian Klein predicts manual data entry will disappear from SAP by 2027

At a press conference held in Seoul on March 20, SAP CEO Christian Klein personally introduced the Korean market to SAP’s AI-specific services, describing how SAP’s AI vision can help Korean companies realize theirs. “Samsung, LG, and other top 10 conglomerates in Korea are SAP customers, and many excellent customers in Korea are using SAP to enhance their global competitiveness,” said Klein. “Korean customers are actively asking questions about how AI can support their business, grow their business, and utilize new technologies. That shows how much interest there is in AI in Korea.” The products that Klein particularly emphasized at this roundtable were SAP Business Data Cloud and Joule. Business Data Cloud, released in February, is designed to integrate and manage SAP data and external data not stored in SAP to enhance AI and advanced analytics. SAP has established a partnership with Databricks for third-party data integration. source

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In A World Of Buying Mayhem, All Leaders Must Be Change Leaders

Does it seem like every article you read tells you that the pace of change is accelerating? And do you feel as though you haven’t even figured out the last change when the next one comes along? Yeah, me too. Those articles aren’t wrong. In the years between 2019 and 2023, executives reported a 183% increase in the amount of change in their organizations. Our conversations with employees at the organizations we work with suggest that they’re feeling it, too. And while it is possible that not all change is necessary, the unfortunate reality is that for the most part we can’t avoid it. If we can’t avoid it, we’re going to have to get better at it. You might have heard the well-worn stat that 70% of change initiatives fail, but this data point lacks a lot of evidence and context. (If you’re interested, Mark Hughes of the University of Brighton Business School in the UK published an incredibly well-researched article on the topic.) It turns out that it’s actually quite difficult to measure how many changes succeed or fail and to what degree, because change takes time and value is not typically immediately visible. But we do know that organizations that use a structured methodology to approach change have better outcomes. A study by Prosci found that 69% of organizations used a structured approach, and of those, 59% achieved good or excellent levels of effectiveness while just 26% of those that did not use a structured approach achieved the same levels of effectiveness. For the last two years, I’ve been talking with our clients in guidance sessions, onsite working sessions, and conferences. What I hear over and over again is that organizations have a great plan but struggle to get people to engage, to change behavior, and to embrace new processes. Frustration is high, and while a disciplined approach helps, it does not make change a friction-free process. All change involves conflict. This year, we’re bringing change to the main stage at our B2B Summit North America and CX Summit EMEA events. I will be in Phoenix at the end of this month sharing essential information for change leaders about how to navigate through increasing uncertainty and how to improve your change outcomes. Then, in early June, my amazing and talented colleague Manuel Geitz will be on stage sharing these frameworks in London. With change happening at warp speed, you’ll gain tools for envisioning, managing, and sustaining the energy needed to keep pace, so join us in Phoenix or London — we’d love to see you there! source

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7 Best Business Banks for International Wire Transfers in 2025

As a business owner, you constantly seek ways to cut costs, especially when sending payments to global suppliers or managing cross-border transactions. High international wire transfer fees can quickly add up, while slow transfers can delay payments. By choosing a bank with low fees, competitive exchange rates, and fast processing, you can reduce your overall business costs and keep your overseas payments on track. Here is a list of our best banks for international wire transfers. Overall best business bank for international wire transfers: Chase Member FDIC. Best for businesses focused on international trade: Citibank Member FDIC. Best for variety of global services: Bank of America Member FDIC. Best for competitive fees and user-friendly online platform: Capital One Member FDIC. Best for digital banking tools and strong customer support: Truist Bank Member FDIC. Best for strong international connections to Europe and South America: Santander Bank Member FDIC. Best for businesses owned or associated with military members: Navy Federal Federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) Best business banks for international wire transfers quick comparison Our rating (out of 5) International wire fees (receiving and sending) Exchange rate markups Transfer speed Supported countries Chase 4.15 Incoming: Up to $15 $0 if transfer was originally sent with the help of a Chase banker or using chase.com or Chase Mobile Outgoing: Up to $50 No wire fee is charged for sending a wire in foreign currency via the Chase Mobile app or Chase.com to a bank outside the US if the amount is $5,000 or more. For amounts less than $5,000, a $5 fee per transfer applies. Yes The bank determines the exchange rate under its sole discretion. Typically 1 to 5 business days Over 140 countries, see JP Morgan’s Global Payments Guide Citibank 4.14 Incoming: $15Outgoing USD: $65 ($27 if online) Yes The bank determines the exchange rate under its sole discretion. Generally 1 to 5 business days Over 100 Bank of America 4.04 Incoming:$15Outgoing USD: $45 (USD); $0 (non-USD) Yes The bank determines the exchange rate under its sole discretion. 1 to 2 business days Over 200 Capital One 3.9 Incoming: $15Outgoing USD: $50 (USD); $40 (non-USD) Yes The bank determines the exchange rate under its sole discretion. 3 to 5 business days Over 200 Truist Bank 3.64 Incoming: $20 to $75Outgoing: $36 to $75 Yes The bank determines the exchange rate under its sole discretion. 3 to 5 business days Undisclosed Santander Bank 3.61 Incoming: $15 Outgoing USD: $40 (USD); $31 (non-USD) Yes The bank determines the exchange rate under its sole discretion. 1 to 5 business days Undisclosed Navy Federal 3.50 Incoming: $0Outgoing: $25 Yes Partners with a correspondent bank to provide exchange rates for converting funds. 5 to 7 business days Undisclosed Navy Federal won’t send wire transfers to Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Russia, Sudan, Syria, Yemen or the Crimean, Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine. Image: Chase Chase: Overall best business bank for international wire transfers Our rating: 4.15 out of 5 Chase is one of the largest traditional banks in the United States, offering a wide range of business products and services, including three business checking accounts with waivable monthly fees. By opening the entry-level Business Complete Checking account, you can earn a welcome bonus of up to $500 after completing qualifying activities. This limited-time offer is available until April 17, 2025. Why I chose it I chose Chase as the overall best business bank for international wire transfers due to its global presence in over 140 countries and strong foreign bank relationships, which ensures faster wire processing. It also offers multi-currency accounts, foreign exchange services, and high security. Receiving an international wire costs $15 but is free if sent through a Chase banker or online/mobile banking. Meanwhile, sending a foreign currency wire costs just $5 or is free for transactions of $5,000 or over, resulting in more savings. Fees International wire transfer fees Incoming: Up to $15 $0 if transfer was originally sent with the help of a Chase banker or using chase.com or Chase Mobile Outgoing: Up to $50 No wire fee is charged for sending a wire in foreign currency via the Chase Mobile app or Chase.com to a bank outside the US if the amount is $5,000 or more. For amounts less than $5,000, a $5 fee per transfer applies. Monthly fees Chase Business Complete Banking: $15; waivable Waived by meeting Chase Military Banking requirements or by having any of the following:– $2,000 average daily balance– $2,000 Chase Ink Business Cards spend– $2,000 in deposits from Chase QuickAccept or other eligible Chase Payment Solutions transactions– Linked Chase Private Client CheckingSM, JPMorgan Classic Checking, or Private Client Checking Plus account Chase Performance Business Checking: $30; waivable Waived by meeting a $35,000 or greater combined average daily balance (ADB) in qualifying business deposit accounts. Chase Platinum Business Checking: $95; waivable Waived by meeting a $100,000 combined ADB across qualifying business deposit and investment accounts. The required ADB is $50,000 for a linked Private Client CheckingSM, JPMorgan Classic Checking, or Private Client Checking Plus account. Features $0 or $5 wire fees for outbound FX transactions facilitated online or via Chase’s app Free associate and employee debit cards upon request Chase Bank QuickBooks integration Built-in card acceptance through its mobile app Fraud protection services Payment and invoicing services via Chase Payment Solutions Digital banking and branch locations in 48 states Online and branch customer support Pros and cons Pros Cons Incoming international wires can be free if sent via the help of a Chase banker or online/mobile app Outgoing foreign currency wire over $5,000 is free Up to $500 welcome offer for new business checking (conditions apply) No interest earnings Only 20 fee-free paper transactions High balances to waive the monthly fees for premium checking accounts Image: Citibank Citibank: Best for businesses focused on international trade Our rating: 4.14 out of 5 Citibank is another leading global financial institution that offers a broad array of business products and services to meet the

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Mistral AI drops new open-source model that outperforms GPT-4o Mini with fraction of parameters

Join our daily and weekly newsletters for the latest updates and exclusive content on industry-leading AI coverage. Learn More French artificial-intelligence startup Mistral AI unveiled a new open-source model today that the company says outperforms similar offerings from Google and OpenAI, setting the stage for increased competition in a market dominated by U.S. tech giants. The model, called Mistral Small 3.1, processes both text and images with just 24 billion parameters—a fraction of the size of leading proprietary models—while matching or exceeding their performance, according to the company. “This new model comes with improved text performance, multimodal understanding, and an expanded context window of up to 128k tokens,” Mistral said in a company blog post announcing the release. The firm claims the model processes information at speeds of 150 tokens per second, making it suitable for applications requiring rapid response times. By releasing the model under the permissive Apache 2.0 license, Mistral is pursuing a markedly different strategy than its larger competitors, which have increasingly restricted access to their most powerful AI systems. The approach highlights a growing divide in the AI industry between closed, proprietary systems and open, accessible alternatives. How a $6 billion European startup is taking on Silicon Valley’s AI giants Founded in 2023 by former researchers from Google DeepMind and Meta, Mistral AI has rapidly established itself as Europe’s leading AI startup, with a valuation of approximately $6 billion after raising around $1.04 billion in capital. This valuation, while impressive for a European startup, remains a fraction of OpenAI’s reported $80 billion or the resources available to tech giants like Google and Microsoft. Mistral has achieved notable traction, particularly in its home region. Its chat assistant Le Chat recently reached one million downloads in just two weeks following its mobile release, bolstered by vocal support from French President Emmanuel Macron, who urged citizens to “download Le Chat, which is made by Mistral, rather than ChatGPT by OpenAI — or something else” during a television interview. The company strategically positions itself as “the world’s greenest and leading independent AI lab,” emphasizing European digital sovereignty as a key differentiator from American competitors. Small but mighty: How Mistral’s 24 billion parameter model punches above its weight class Mistral Small 3.1 stands out for its remarkable efficiency. With just 24 billion parameters—a fraction of models like GPT-4—the system delivers multimodal capabilities, multilingual support, and handles long-context windows of up to 128,000 tokens. This efficiency represents a significant technical achievement. While the AI industry has generally pursued ever-larger models requiring massive computational resources, Mistral has focused on algorithmic improvements and training optimizations to extract maximum capability from smaller architectures. The approach addresses one of the most pressing challenges in AI deployment: the enormous computational and energy costs associated with state-of-the-art systems. By creating models that run on relatively modest hardware—including a single RTX 4090 graphics card or a Mac with 32GB of RAM—Mistral makes advanced AI accessible for on-device applications where larger models prove impractical. This emphasis on efficiency may ultimately prove more sustainable than the brute-force scaling pursued by larger competitors. As climate concerns and energy costs increasingly constrain AI deployment, Mistral’s lightweight approach could transition from alternative to industry standard. Why Europe’s AI champion could benefit from growing geopolitical tensions Mistral’s latest release emerges amid growing concerns about Europe’s ability to compete in the global AI race, traditionally dominated by American and Chinese companies. “Not being American or Chinese may now be a help, not a hindrance,” The Economist reported in a recent analysis of Mistral’s position, suggesting that as geopolitical tensions rise, a European alternative may become increasingly attractive for certain markets and governments. Arthur Mensch, Mistral’s CEO, has advocated forcefully for European digital sovereignty. At the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona this month, he urged European telecoms to “get into the hyperscaler game” by investing in data center infrastructure. “We would welcome more domestic effort in making more data centers,” Mensch said, suggesting that “the AI revolution is also bringing opportunities to decentralize the cloud.” The company’s European identity provides significant regulatory advantages. As the EU’s AI Act takes effect, Mistral enters the market with systems designed from inception to align with European values and regulatory expectations. This contrasts sharply with American and Chinese competitors who must retrofit their technologies and business practices to comply with an increasingly complex global regulatory landscape. Beyond text: Mistral’s expanding portfolio of specialized AI models Mistral Small 3.1 joins a rapidly expanding suite of AI products from the company. In February, Mistral released Saba, a model focused specifically on Arabic language and culture, demonstrating an understanding that AI development has concentrated excessively on Western languages and contexts. Earlier this month, the company introduced Mistral OCR, an optical character recognition API that converts PDF documents into AI-ready Markdown files—addressing a critical need for enterprises seeking to make document repositories accessible to AI systems. These specialized tools complement Mistral’s broader portfolio, which includes Mistral Large 2 (their flagship large language model), Pixtral (for multimodal applications), Codestral (for code generation), and “Les Ministraux,” a family of models optimized for edge devices. This diversified portfolio reveals a sophisticated product strategy that balances innovation with market demands. Rather than pursuing a single monolithic model, Mistral creates purpose-built systems for specific contexts and requirements — an approach that may prove more adaptable to the rapidly evolving AI landscape. From Microsoft to military: How strategic partnerships are fueling Mistral’s growth Mistral’s rise has accelerated through strategic partnerships, including a deal with Microsoft that includes distribution of its AI models through Microsoft’s Azure platform and a $16.3 million investment. The company has also secured partnerships with France’s army and job agency, German defense tech startup Helsing, IBM, Orange, and Stellantis, positioning itself as a key player in Europe’s AI ecosystem. In January, Mistral signed a deal with press agency Agence France-Presse (AFP) to allow its chat assistant to query AFP’s entire text archive dating back to 1983, enriching its knowledge base with high-quality journalistic content. These partnerships reveal

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Huawei's Pura X Ditches Android for HarmonyOS, Debuts AI Assistant With DeepSeek

Image: Huawei Huawei just flipped the script on foldable phones — literally. The Chinese tech giant has launched the Pura X, a sleek, square-shaped foldable smartphone with a wider screen, a powerful AI assistant, and no trace of Google’s Android in sight. Unveiled on March 20 in Shenzhen, the Huawei Pura X starts at 7,499 yuan (about $1,037) and marks a major milestone for the company. It’s the first phone to run HarmonyOS 5, Huawei’s fully self-developed operating system, signaling a complete break from Android — and from U.S. tech reliance. A flip phone, but make it wide At first glance, the Pura X looks like your regular flip phone — small, square, and pocket-friendly when closed. But once opened, it reveals a 6.3-inch inner display with an unusual 16:10 aspect ratio that gives users more screen space than they’re used to. The outer display is a 3.5-inch square screen that lets you check messages, take calls, or snap photos without unfolding the device. Mobility must-reads Powered by Harmony, not Android The Pura X is Huawei’s first phone to completely ditch Android, launching instead with HarmonyOS 5, the latest version of its in-house operating system. The shift marks a bold move for Huawei, which has been under U.S. sanctions since 2019 and cut off from Google’s services. The device also debuts Xiaoyi, Huawei’s AI assistant powered by its Pangu model and enhanced by DeepSeek AI. It can do everything from voice commands to next-gen features such as eye-tracking page turns. Serious cameras and battery life Under the hood, the Pura X carries a 4,720-milliamp-hour battery with 66watt fast charging and 40W wireless charging. It supports Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.2, and NFC, and the collector’s edition includes satellite communication support. For photo lovers, you get a 50MP main sensor, a 40MP ultra-wide lens, a 3.5x optical zoom, and a dedicated color sensor, all optimized by Huawei’s imaging tech. Whether folded or unfolded, you can capture pro-grade photos and 4K video. The bigger picture To Huawei, the Pura X isn’t just another phone — it’s a statement. The company is stepping fully away from Android, betting big on its own software and AI. The Pura X comes in several stylish options: Moon Shadow Gray, Zero Degree White, Phantom Night Black, and two collector’s editions with more premium finishes and up to 1TB of storage. The highest-end version tops out at 9,999 yuan (around $1,500). Though the Pura X is currently exclusive to China, given its bold design and software independence, it’s a device the global market will be watching closely. source

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The next wave of cybersecurity: Cloud and SOC integration

In today’s modern business landscape, cloud technology adoption has skyrocketed, driven largely by the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). This shift has completely transformed how businesses operate, with 63% of organizations citing AI as the primary driver for cloud investment. However, this rapid growth in cloud technology has also attracted more threats, with nearly 29% of cyber incidents originating in cloud environments. Traditional approaches to cloud security can’t keep up with real-time attacks. While today’s CNAPPs are primarily focused on cloud posture management and have proven effective in flagging misconfigurations and ensuring security compliance, they can fall short in preventing a breach from a Zero Day attack. To tackle these challenges, a unified approach is needed that combines best-in-class cloud detection and response (CDR) with industry-leading CNAPP to deliver the future of real-time cloud security. This comprehensive strategy is crucial as it integrates data from code to cloud to SOC, equipping organizations with complete context to drive rapid prioritization and real-time prevention. By fostering collaboration between cloud security and SOC teams, organizations can enhance threat detection and response capabilities across their cloud infrastructure. The integration of AI-driven cloud and SOC technology is revolutionizing cybersecurity practices, allowing organizations to utilize advanced analytics and automation for improved threat detection and response. By leveraging AI-driven insights, security teams can proactively identify emerging threats, predict potential exposures, and implement proactive security measures to safeguard critical data effectively. Unified security platforms are key in bridging the gap between cloud and enterprise SOC teams, leading to quicker response times and higher ROI. According to a report from IBM and Palo Alto Networks, organizations with unified platforms detect and contain security incidents faster, resulting in a significant increase in ROI compared to using standalone products. By consolidating data, streamlining workflows, and leveraging AI insights, organizations can reduce risks, prevent cloud threats, and respond to attacks promptly. In today’s cybersecurity landscape, it’s crucial for defenders to bring AppSec, CloudSec, and SecOps teams together to stay ahead of cyber threats. Embracing cloud and SOC integration allows organizations to bolster their defense, enhance their security posture, and effectively stop threats. The seamless integration of cloud and SOC is not just a best practice but a strategic necessity in protecting businesses from today’s ever-changing cyber landscape. Learn what it takes to successfully pivot to security platformization and what it can deliver for your organization. source

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Dems Call On Trump To Reinstate Axed FTC Commissioners

By Courtney Bublé ( March 21, 2025, 5:37 PM EDT) — A pair of top House Democrats called on President Donald Trump on Friday to reinstate the fired Democratic commissioners of the Federal Trade Commission because their firing was a “clear violation of the law.”… 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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It’s Not Your Automation, It’s Your Change Management

Change isn’t just hard — it’s a continuous battle, and one that automation will make more intense and frequent. And if you think you’re prepared for automation’s pace of change that is coming, you’re already behind. We’ve barely grown comfortable with the past few years’ changes — remote work, video calls, hybrid chaos — and that’s just the warm-up. Take note from Forrester’s Automation Survey, 2024: 82% of companies are about to invest in generative AI (genAI), which will drown out the old ways of working. And here’s the kicker: The very teams deploying AI agents are admitting they don’t know how to manage the change they’re creating. Automation teams struggle with CM (change management) and admit it’s one of the biggest challenges of adopting automation. The Common Pain Points For Automation Initiatives Our new report, Change Management: Taming The Automation Beast, breaks down the challenges that automation decision-makers face and highlights how effective change management is more crucial than ever. Our analysis revealed the following CM concerns brought on by automation projects: Proving ROI. Change management initiatives related to automation projects require investment. Securing budget for these efforts can be challenging, as business leaders need to see ROI for change management itself. Employee retention, mental state improvements, and the value of ongoing skills development are hard to quantify. Job loss. Introducing new ways of working, especially automation, brings uncertainty and fear of job loss. In Forrester’s Future Of Work Survey, 2024, 39% of global workers said they fear losing their jobs to automation in the next 10 years. According to the customer service operations manager at a large manufacturing company, “Automation is perceived as a big threat … employees are not welcoming of change, and some view automation as an opportunity to reduce headcount.” Growing skill gaps. Ensuring that employees have the necessary skills to use automation and AI technology requires ongoing training. Many organizations lack proper training programs for nontechnical employees. Only 19% of global individual employees say they have been through formal training on how to use AI for work. As many employees are being given access to AI tools/AI agents, this poses a real challenge. Confidence And Trust In Change Management Is Missing Change management has a basic problem. Top-level executives report a high degree of confidence in their CM practices, yet employees believe the opposite: CM initiatives are inadequate. Employees lack confidence in CM practices and lack trust in their organization’s leaders. What this means is simple: Folks in charge of implementing CM are not trusted to follow through on promises. Employees would like CM to be more integrated into leadership responsibilities. However, without addressing this chasm of confidence and trust, it is unlikely to work. It’s Time To Bring Your Change Management Up To Speed The accelerating pace of automation demands that traditional CM methods adapt to its speed and impact. You first need to address your organization’s AIQ (the AI quotient), which measures the readiness of individuals, teams, and organizations to adapt to, collaborate with, trust, and generate business results from genAI and other forms of AI. You then need to focus on Change Management: Taming The Automation Beast. This report highlights the following key areas for automation teams to prioritize: clear communication around pending automation, giving them more control over automation that impacts their work, and adopting an iterative and continuous CM approach. source

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FBI 'Increasingly Seeing' Malware Distributed In Document Converters

Image: iStockphoto/domoyega Threat actors may attempt to distribute malware, including ransomware, by offering free document converters, according to a March 7 report from the FBI’s Denver office. “Agents are increasingly seeing” this type of scam. The scheme has been deployed globally, the FBI warned. How the document conversion scam works Threat actors behind the document converter scam disguise malicious software as a legitimate tool for file conversion. The software may claim to convert .doc files to .pdf files, merge multiple .jpg files into a single .pdf file, or download MP3 or MP4 audio files. In most cases, the downloaded software performs the advertised conversion. However, it also grants the attacker access to the victim’s computer. Once installed, the malware allows threat actors to download additional malicious software or access files submitted for conversion. If these files contain identifying information —  such as dates of birth, social security numbers, or phone numbers — the threat actor may exploit them for identity theft. The attacker could scrape the submitted files for banking information, seed phrases and other information associated with cryptocurrency wallets, email addresses, and passwords. Must-read security coverage How to protect yourself from malware Avoiding a malware-filled download comes down to taking basic cybersecurity precautions. Download software only from trusted websites affiliated with reputable companies. Avoid clicking on sidebar ads, downloading files from anonymous forums, or trusting social media offers that seem too good to be true. Keep antivirus software updated and scan any file before downloading it. In many cases, online converters are unnecessary. Most word processors offer a built-in “export to pdf” function. SEE: Rich Communication Services (RCS) standards will eventually allow encrypted messages between iMessage and Google Messages. What to do if your computer is infected A ransomware infection may be indicated by a message stating that the computer has been locked or by the presence of suspicious financial transactions. In such cases, the victim should inform their financial institution of any fraudulent transactions. The bank may temporarily freeze the affected accounts. The user should switch to an uninfected device to change the passwords on important accounts and accounts that seem to have been affected. Internet crimes can be reported to the U.S. government at IC3.gov. The FBI report recommended taking the affected device to a computer repair center or other professional organization that performs virus and malware removal services. source

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