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The Future of Metaverse: What Does it Hold?

Noah Davidson — Wed, 08 May 2024 10:31:19 +0000

The Metaverse presents new possibilities for businesses of all sizes. From changing the way people work to creating valuable virtual economies, this emerging technology is fastly redefining the way people interact with the world around them and reshaping the way businesses operate. Current statistics show the future of metaverse is bright with rising demand projected in the coming years. Bloomberg estimates the metaverse economy will generate $800 billion by 2025 and a whopping $2.5 million by the year 2030.

The Metaverse combines Extended Reality (EX) technologies to create an immersive, interconnected 3D virtual environment where augmented reality, blockchain, virtual reality, and cryptocurrencies define the way people work, live, and socialize. In this article, we discuss what the future of metaverse holds for businesses and explore the impact this technology will have on work.

What is Metaverse?

The metaverse refers to a blockchain-based network that connects numerous virtual spaces to give participants a digital experience that has never been seen before. It uses tech-infused elements to mirror the real world in virtual environments. Metaverse blockchain leverages augmented reality, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence to provide unmatched experiences in simulated virtual spaces. This ecosystem allows users to exchange, interact, trade, and work through digital avatars. Since blockchain underlies the core setup of metaverse systems, they are independent of device reliance and central control.

Why is Metaverse Technology Important for Businesses?

Metaverse platforms have the potential to redefine the way people connect, work, and live, making it extremely important for businesses. The ability to eliminate geographical barriers allows this technology to facilitate unprecedented levels of connectivity and collaboration for businesses across the globe. Companies can leverage global talent and remote socialization to spur economic growth. Below are four ways companies can utilize the metaverse to achieve their goals:

1. Collaboration

The metaverse provides businesses with greater collaboration capabilities to support remote work. Employees who work from different geographic locations can leverage engagement features and communication tools to collaborate seamlessly in real time. Most platforms that offer immersive technologies provide interoperability for tools that companies use daily to facilitate seamless remote team collaboration.

2. Cost Reduction

Facebook metaverse lowers costs for businesses by eliminating the need to invest in multiple physical assets required for in-person working spaces. The technology offers limitless customization abilities, allowing companies to create the space they need without incurring additional costs. For instance, employees can create shared spaces and virtual offices at no extra cost.

3. Product Prototyping

Another critical role that metaverse technology plays in business is making prototyping easier and faster. Designing and producing physical prototypes can be costly for businesses, posing a challenge for small and medium-sized companies. AR and VR technologies allow designers to collaborate in creating and manipulating virtual prototypes based on specifications from any location.

4. Flexible Workplaces

Businesses can utilize the metaverse to inject flexibility into their workplaces. Working in metaverse environments can give companies an edge over competitors that are not embracing the change in today’s evolving digital landscape. Businesses of all sizes can use AI metaverse to transcend barriers of employee interaction to expand their reach and awareness through virtual events.

How Will Metaverse Change the Future of Work?

The future of metaverse technology will impact the way people work in the coming years. Below are five ways the technology will change the way people work:

1. Fewer Accidents in Workplaces

For people who perform dangerous tasks like electricians and machine operators, metaverse glasses will help to reduce accidents. Through virtual reality platforms, employees can practice using virtual tools or machines as many times as they need to without experiencing physical injury. Trainers will be able to assess their performance and provide the guidance employees need virtually.

2. Employee Onboarding

The future of metaverse will enable businesses to reimagine employee onboarding experiences. Instead of requiring new employees to read documents or watch videos about company history, new employees will be able to visit job sites or meet corporate founders virtually. Metaverse headsets will also enable newly hired employees to connect socially with new teams.

3. Employee Learning/Training

The metaverse will be used to improve employee training and learning. By facilitating simulations and interactive gameplays, this virtual technology will make it possible for companies to provide ‘hands-on’ training to employees, enabling them to operate machines or practice sales presentations for big clients virtually.

4. Operational Assessments

Another way the future of metaverse will change the future of work is by making it easier for managers and executives to assess operations, solve problems for employees in different locations, and simulate changes. They will use the technology to make virtual visits to distribution centers, factories, and construction sites in different cities or countries without leaving their desks.

5. Employee Interactions

Increasingly, employees are working from different locations. The physical separation makes it challenging for teams to feel like they’re in the same room. This causes them to miss out on communication, morale, engagement, and cultural benefits that come with physical interactions at the workplace. The metaverse makes it possible for companies to provide socially satisfying experiences to their staff by bringing individuals in different locations into one virtual room.

Conclusion

Metaverse presents new possibilities for businesses to thrive. As the digital landscape evolves, companies can leverage the metaverse technology to engage remote employees, manage daily communication, enhance collaboration, and boost productivity. Virtual environments promise to deliver the most immersive experiences for employees. As the number of companies that adopt this technology increases, the future of metaverse can only get brighter.

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Smart Rings: The Future of Wearables?

Emily Lawson — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 14:13:47 +0000

For over a decade now, wearable technology has advanced significantly with fitness trackers, smartwatches, and augmented reality glasses becoming extremely popular. Smart rings are poised to take wearable devices a notch higher. Though much smaller than other wearables, digital rings are increasingly changing the way people interact with technology. They offer advanced solutions for lifestyle enhancement and provide users an unobstructive way to track health metrics and access information without the need to carry bulky devices.

Digital rings come with a stylish appearance that easily makes them the preferred option for tech-savvy consumers. These aspects place wearable technology rings at the top of wearable technology market innovation according to a MarkWide Research Report. In this article, we delve deeper into what digital rings can do and the benefits they offer users.

What are Smart Rings?

Smart rings are wearable electronic devices that are fitted with mobile components such as NFC chips and sensors. These stylish but compact wearables are worn on the finger and are capable of performing electronic tasks like receiving notifications, tracking health metrics, and making contactless financial transactions. The best smart rings feature multiple technologies including:

1. Sensors

This technology enables wearable technology rings to track varying parameters. Some of the sensors that are fitted in digital rings include optical or infrared sensors to monitor pulse or heart beat, gyroscope sensors that detect balance, 3-axis accelerometer sensors to track movement and sleep, and EDA sensors to track cognition, emotions, and feelings. Other sensors that come with smart rings for health include SpO2 which monitors oxygen levels in the blood, NTC thermistor which tracks body temperature, and glucose sensors which monitor blood sugar levels.

2. Near Field Communication (NFC)

NFC refers to wireless connections that utilize magnetic field induction to enable communication between devices that are located in close range. NFC technology works effectively with common applications in laptops, smartphones, access cards, digital wallets, transport cards, point-of-sale terminals, and many others.

3. Bluetooth

This technology syncs the data that’s collected by sensors, allowing smart ring companies to analyze and generate user-friendly reports and personalized recommendations to users.

What Do Smart Rings Do?

Digital rings are used for different applications. Health and fitness are the most common applications in the market with Apple smart rings set to lead in monitoring health metrics while Oura smart rings and Samsung smart rings are perfect for tracking daily activities and nightly rest. Other practical smart ring capabilities include:

1. Contactless Payments

Digital rings like K Ring and McLEAR are already paving the way for contactless payment systems. Rings with these capabilities allow users to tap and make transactions of amounts that don’t exceed MasterCard and Visa global contactless payment terminals. Countries such as the Netherlands, the U.K., France, Japan, Australia, and Russia already have banks that allow smart ring contactless payments for debit and credit payments via activated MasterCard and Visa payment terminals.

2. Smart Key

Digital rings that are fitted with optical sensors can replace conventional keys or access badges or cards by working as smart keys that open homes, offices, and cars. These capabilities improve security systems as taking the ring off the finger halts access and ensures that no one can access your home, office, or the car you connect to the smart ring. Tesla smart rings are great examples of the convergence between smart and digital rings. The rings allow users to lock, start, and unlock a range of Tesla models including Model Y, Model 3, and Model S 2021.

3. Transit Pass

Various NFC smart rings come with tap-to-pay card readers that passengers can use to access transit gates, allowing them to serve as tickets or travel passes in public transportation. The rings work like stored-value cards, holding monetary value and making it readily available during travel without requiring third-parties from network connections or credit/debit accounts. A good example is the K Ring that provides transit passes for most rail services in London as well as Transport for London services.

4. Device Control

Wearable digital rings allow users to control devices like smartphones remotely. Users can improve their productivity and reduce screen time by using them to receive messages, control music, get call notifications, and set alarms remotely.

What are the Benefits of Wearing a Smart Ring?

In addition to their tracking capabilities, wearable technology rings offer users a range of benefits that include:

1. Gesture Control Capabilities

Digital rings come with tiny sensors that support gesture control. This allows users to interact with other devices, including smart home appliances by waving their hands. This feature enhances accessibility to technology and supports home automation.

2. Better Privacy and Safety

Although wearable devices function the same way, digital rings have an edge when it comes to privacy. The absence of screens means that your information remains inaccessible to those around you. Wearable technology rings also come with SOS features or panic buttons that can alert emergency services or predefined contacts when a user is in distress. In critical situations, these features can save lives.

3. Less Cumbersome

Digital rings are more comfortable to wear because of their lightweight and compact design. They provide a seamless and intuitive experience to users who prefer to use them for fitness tracking and contactless payments.

4. Longer Battery Life

Smart wearable rings have no screens. This reduces their power consumption significantly compared to other wearable devices like fitness bands and smartwatches. Majority of digital rings have a battery life of 3 to 7 days compared to fitness bands and smartwatches whose batteries last for 1 to 2 days.

5. Valuable Jewelry Pieces

Smart rings are both technology and jewelry pieces. When you get one, you wear it on your finger everyday. There are varying ring styles to choose from, and you can opt for a minimalist, sleek, or a more noticeable design. Whatever style you go for, the aesthetics that come with wearable rings make them valuable jewelry pieces that enhance your look.

Future Outlook

With the rising demand for discreet and convenient wearables, the future of smart rings looks promising. These innovative wearables blend fashion, technology, health, and finance. There’s no doubt that moving into the future, the powerful features they offer will inevitably shape our interaction with technology.

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Top 7 Latest Technology Trends in 2024

Noah Davidson — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 10:01:45 +0000

Advancements in the tech world continue to transform every aspect of our lives. From mainframe computers to cloud servers, the evolution in the tech space has been rapid. Regardless of how and when this evolution occurs, it brings simplicity, agility, and efficiency to businesses and the lives of those who utilize technology. In 2024, the latest technology trends reflect the innovation that continues to happen in the tech industry.

Since the advancement of existing technologies and the emergence of new ones can affect business performance and growth, companies must keep up with them to stay competitive. In this article, we explore the top technology trends that will shape the future of industries across the board in 2024.

7 Latest Trends and Technology to Look Out for in 2024

From artificial intelligence and 5G technology to green technology and edge computing, here are the latest trends in technology that will shape 2024:

1. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Becomes More Accessible

Artificial intelligence remains top on the list of 2024 technology trends after gaining prominence in 2023. An interesting aspect of AI that will be refined this year is generative AI. This type of AI is capable of creating new ideas and content, including images, conversations, videos, stories, and music. In 2024, generative AI will continue to drive advancements in healthcare, education, e-commerce, and the creative economy.

Open-source AI solutions like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Bard, Microsoft’s Bing Chatbot, and Meta’s Large Language Model Meta AI will continue to make AI accessible to the masses. These solutions remove the high costs associated with AI development. This drives innovation from startups and independent developers and will push AI accessibility a notch higher in 2024.

2. Strong Focus on Sustainable Technology

Among the latest technology trends is the focus on sustainable technology. As countries and businesses work towards realizing net-zero commitments, tech investments will be focused on solutions that minimize the impact of technology on the environment.

Environmental-friendly innovations that will receive widespread support include electric bikes, cars, and public transport. Other innovations may include solutions to novel environmental problems like carbon capture and storage and renewable energy technologies. In 2024, companies will embrace the green cloud computing concept where IT infrastructure and services prioritize the reduction of carbon emissions and energy consumption.

3. Emphasis on AI Governance & Ethics

Among the key emerging technologies to look out for in 2024 are AI ethics and governance. Although AI brings unparalleled benefits and opportunities to companies, it comes with immense responsibility. When it comes to AI’s impact on people’s lives, questions about its ethics, legality, data governance, and trust. As businesses scale up AI usage, they must be mindful of existing and new regulations to ensure compliance. In 2024, AI ethics and governance will be a priority for countries and businesses.

As AI technology advances, countries that lack AI regulations will seek to develop them while those with existing frameworks will focus on enforcement. At the corporate level, businesses will define their mission and principles for AI and establish governance structures that inspire confidence in AI technologies. They’ll also strengthen their compliance with existing laws and regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation, monitor upcoming laws, and develop risk mitigation policies.

4. 5G Technology Will Drive Extended Reality Adoption

Immersive technologies coupled with expanding applications and the convergence of augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR) are driving the transformation of extended reality (ER). The presence of 5G technology will accelerate the adoption of ER by facilitating remote access to immersive training, simulations, and interactions.

With its enhanced connectivity and super-fast speeds, 5G technology facilitates data exchange between devices, laying a solid foundation for a highly connected, efficient society. In 2024, this technology will unleash the metaverse through immersive extended reality experiences as businesses leverage its seamless connectivity, ultra-low latency, and efficient resource allocation to maximize growth.

A combination of AR and VR, and the metaverse is already revolutionizing the way people work and live. It takes users from the real world to the virtual one. Businesses can use the technology to create a virtual version of their real world where staff can collaborate, close deals, and conduct demos or training seamlessly.

5. Emergence of AI-Internet-of-Things (AIoT)

Among the latest technology trends 2024 is the emergence of AI Internet-of-Things (AIoT). Increasingly, tech devices are designed with WiFi connectivity. This means they can be connected to the internet. IoT is already facilitating data exchange between gadgets, including home appliances, devices, and cars through the internet. In business, IoT promises efficiency, safety, and better decision-making through data utilization.

But current trends point to something bigger- a convergence between IoT technology and systems that leverage AI and machine learning to respond to questions and make decisions. Projections show that over 200 billion devices will be connected to the internet by the end of the year. The majority of these will be intelligent smart devices augmented with AI.

6. AI Integration Makes Devices Smarter

Technology has played an important role in making operations smoother and smarter. Besides simulating humans, technology makes life easier and hassle-free through smart devices. By developing AI appliances, home robots, wearables, and work devices, data scientists will continue to make devices smarter. As more and more companies work on transforming their digital spaces, the demand for smarter devices will increase in 2024.

7. Preference for Edge Computing Over Cloud Computing

Another important new technology trend to expect in 2024 is the rising preference for edge computing. Although cloud computing adoption continues to grow, companies are beginning to realize its shortcomings as their data volumes increase. Edge computing solves this challenge by eliminating latency, and pushing data processing closer to where it is generated instead of sending it to a centralized server. As businesses seek to process time-sensitive data remotely with limited connectivity, we’ll see a preference shift from cloud computing to edge computing in 2024.

Wrapping Up

2024’s new technology trends show that the future of tech is indeed exciting. The growth trajectory in AI’s integration and accessibility is expected to continue across sectors. Emerging technologies will continue to offer new solutions to businesses and societal challenges. With a strong focus on green technologies and responsible AI, there’s no doubt that these trends will create a more sustainable, efficient, and connected future that benefits society as a whole.

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How to Secure Your Cloud Native Applications in 2024

Emily Lawson — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 12:50:13 +0000

In a world where the technology landscape is constantly changing, the cloud-native concept has gained traction. Although mostly associated with migrating data to the cloud, cloud-native is also about leveraging cloud infrastructure to increase agility, drive digital transformation, and add value to businesses. It involves the use of open-source technologies to develop and run scalable cloud-native applications.

However, organizations can only reap maximum benefits from this technology if they secure their cloud applications. In this article, we discuss the security of cloud-native applications. We explain their features and show you how you can secure your organization’s cloud-native ecosystem in 2024.

What is a Cloud-Native Application?

Cloud-native applications are software applications that are built to run in cloud computing environments. The cloud-native approach to software development involves breaking applications into small, manageable components that are designed and deployed as independent microservices. Cloud-native application architecture allows developers to leverage dynamic cloud capabilities, including those relating to resource allocation.

Since these applications are built based on DevOps practices that automate the testing, development, and deployment process, they can scale automatically depending on demand. They are capable of recovering from failures and maintaining service without manual intervention. Three things characterize cloud-native apps, which are:

DevOps Principles: Cloud-native apps leverage DevOps practices that emphasize automation and collaboration between operation and development teams.
Containerization: Cloud-native development involves the use of containers like Docker. Container orchestration tools like Kubernetes support the management and scaling of these containers. The containers condense the applications and their dependencies for consistency across varying environments.
Microservices Design: The design of cloud-native apps utilizes a microservice architecture that involves dividing the application into smaller, independent services that connect through APIs. This facilitates uninterrupted delivery and boosts agility.

8 Ways to Ensure Cloud-Native Application Security

Cloud security is among the main challenges businesses that utilize cloud-native environments experience. To address this challenge, businesses should apply holistic strategies, which include taking the following actions:

1. Prioritize Microservices Security

Microservices security in the overall security of cloud-native applications. This involves addressing unique challenges within their architecture. Important actions that your company can take to ensure microservices security include implementing a service mesh to keep communication between microservices secure. Additionally, conduct logging and monitoring activities from a central location to detect anomalies quickly and improve microservice interaction visibility. Leverage API gateways to secure and control external access to your microservices.

2. Embrace Best Practices in Container Security

Implement container security best practices throughout the container life cycle to secure your containers. This involves observing image, runtime, and orchestration security. Image security involves updating your images regularly, scanning them for vulnerabilities, and using official images. Orchestration security involves securing platforms like Kubernetes by observing network policies and configuring role-based access control. Runtime security involves employing runtime protection practices to detect and address threats promptly during container execution.

3. Scan the Continuous Integration, Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) Pipeline

Ensuring that the entire CI/CD pipeline is secure is critical in identifying and fixing security vulnerabilities early in the cloud-native app development process. This process involves monitoring the CI/CD pipeline continuously to detect and promptly respond to security threats. It includes scanning container images regularly to ensure that deployment is limited to secure images. It also involves analyzing static codes to identify and address vulnerability, misconfiguration, or insensitive data issues that may be present in the codebase.

4. Implement Proper Identity and Access Management (IAM)

In cloud-native environments, proper identity and access management are critical. Some practices that will ensure robust security include the implementation of RBAC to ensure permissions are granted based on roles, enforcement of multi-factor authentication, and automation of user provisioning and de-provisioning for prompt access revocation when the need arises.

5. Adopt a Zero-Trust Security Approach

The zero-trust approach to security holds that by default, no entity, internal or external to the organization is to be trusted. Embracing this approach enables you to mitigate the risks that are posed by dynamic infrastructure. It ensures that your business sets up a robust security system, that includes verifying the identity of each device and user who attempts to access its resources from any location.

6. Secure Your APIs

The security of APIs is critical in preventing data breaches and unauthorized access. APIs are the main communication channel between cloud-native apps and microservices. Some practical measures that your company can take to secure cloud-native apps include applying strong authentication and enforcing proper controls in authorization, implementing rate limitations to prevent abuse, and managing API supply. Passively scan APIs to detect misconfigurations, weaknesses, and other vulnerabilities. You should also encrypt data during transit.

7. Monitor and Respond to Security Incidents Promptly

Monitoring cloud-native app environments regularly allows you to identify security incidents and respond to them in real-time. Some practical ways of doing this include aggregating logs from different sources for analysis centrally, and implementing a Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system to detect and respond to threats. Consider developing an incident response plan to enable you to respond to security incidents swiftly and effectively.

8. Audit Your Security Controls Periodically

Another way to secure cloud-native applications is to comply with industry regulations and conduct periodic audits to determine the effectiveness of your company’s security controls. This means documenting security policies, compliance measures, and procedures, checking compliance gaps in security controls, and automating compliance checks to ensure that your company adheres to the set security standards.

Final Thoughts

The cloud environment is highly dynamic. In recent times, the cloud-native landscape has evolved from Infrastructure-as-a-service to platform-as-a-service. Some of the tech innovations that support this evolution include managed databases, containerization, and serverless computing. These advancements pose new cloud security challenges for organizations. Businesses must stay abreast of the emerging security threats in this landscape and constantly upgrade their security response plans to secure their cloud-native applications. If your company is struggling to secure its cloud-native apps, applying the 8 strategies discussed above can reduce vulnerabilities and improve your response to security threats.

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What Is Artificial General Intelligence and How Does It Work?

Emily Lawson — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 12:21:33 +0000

Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) hasn’t become real yet. However, research into this type of artificial intelligence where machines think and learn as people continues in different parts of the world. The idea behind AGI is to have machines develop self-awareness and consciousness. These developments have already started manifesting in innovations like self-driving cars. Once developed fully, AGI can potentially blur the intellectual differences that currently exist between machines and humans.

Although it’s still too early to tell whether machines can simulate human intellectual capabilities fully, the concept of AGI is fascinating. In this article, we explore AGI further to help you understand how it differs from artificial intelligence (AI) and the technologies behind it.

What is Artificial General Intelligence?

Artificial General Intelligence is a theoretical form of AI that can learn, understand, and apply knowledge to perform intellectual tasks like humans. Although AGI isn’t a reality yet, its design incorporates adaptability, flexibility, and problem-solving skills. These skills will enable it to perform any intellectual task that a human can, or in some instances, outperform human abilities.

AGI is designed to address gaps in current AI systems. Currently, AI systems have limited scope. They cannot self-teach or complete tasks they are not trained to perform. AGI promises complete AI systems that utilize generalized human cognitive abilities to perform complex tasks across different domains. Artificial general intelligence examples already exist in self-driving cars.

Artificial General Intelligence vs Artificial Intelligence: What’s the Difference?

In decades past, computer scientists advanced machine intelligence to a point where machines perform specific tasks. For instance, AI text-to-speech tools use deep learning models to establish the link between linguistic elements and their acoustic features. These machine-learning models learn from huge volumes of audio and text data and then generate AI speech and voice patterns.

Today, AI systems are designed to perform specific tasks. They can’t be repurposed to work in other domains. Their computing algorithms and specifications are limited and they rely on real-time data for decision-making. This form of machine intelligence is considered narrow or weak AI.

AGI seeks to advance current AI capabilities. It seeks to diversify the tasks that machines can perform to enable them to solve problems in multiple domains instead of one. This makes AGI a hypothetical representation of a strong, full-fledged AI. Such AI will have general cognitive abilities that enable it to solve complex tasks, just like humans.

How Does General Artificial Intelligence Work?

The concept of AGI is based on the theory of mind that underpins the AI framework. This theory focuses on training machines to understand consciousness and learning as fundamental aspects of human behavior. Besides applying algorithms, AGI will incorporate logic into machine learning and AI processes to mirror human learning and development.

With a solid AI foundation, AGI is expected to learn cognitive abilities, make judgments, integrate learned knowledge in decision-making, manage uncertain situations, and even plan. General artificial intelligence will also facilitate machines to conduct imaginative, innovative, and creative tasks.

Technologies that Drive Artificial General Intelligence

The concept of AGI is still in the theoretical stage. Research on its viability and efforts to create AGI systems continue in different parts of the world. The following are the emerging technologies that will most likely characterize AGI:

1. Robotics

This is an engineering discipline that involves the creation of mechanical systems that automate physical tasks. In AGI, robotics facilitate the physical manifestation of machine intelligence. Robotics plays an important role in supporting the physical manipulation ability and sensory perception required by AGI systems.

2. Natural Language Processing

This AI branch enables machines to generate and understand human language. NLP systems convert language data into representations known as tokens using machine learning and computational linguistics.

3. Deep Learning

It’s an AI discipline that involves training multiple layers of neural networks to understand and extract complex relationships from raw data. Deep learning can be used to create systems that understand different types of information like audio, text, video, and images.

4. Computer Vision

A technology that supports extraction, analysis, and comprehension of spatial data from visual data. For instance, self-driving cars rely on computer vision models to analyze camera feeds in real time for safe navigation. Computer vision relies on deep learning technologies to automate object classification, recognition, and tracking among other image-processing tasks.

5. Generative AI

A subset of deep learning, this technology enables AI systems to generate realistic and unique content from knowledge learned. Generative AI models use huge datasets to train, which enables them to answer questions from humans in text, visuals, and audio formats that resemble natural human creations.

The Challenge Ahead

If it becomes a reality, there is no doubt artificial general intelligence will change how we work and live. But the journey to making it work isn’t smooth. In developing this emerging technology, computer scientists must find ways to make AGI models connect between domains the way humans do. Another challenge that needs to be overcome relates to emotional intelligence.

Neural networks cannot replicate the emotional thinking required to drive creativity and imagination. Humans respond to situations and conversations depending on how they feel. Considering the logic embedded in current AI models, replicating this ability and improving sensory perceptions to enable machines to respond and perceive the world the way humans do remains an uphill task.

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Implementing DevSecOps for Cloud Security

Noah Davidson — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 09:44:55 +0000

DevSecOps refers to development, security, and operations. It is a methodology that integrates security practices into the DevOps process, emphasizing the importance of security from the very beginning of software development.

DevSecOps is a relatively new idea. Cloud DevSecOps takes the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) one step further by integrating the security component, whereas DevOps merges development and operations in a continuous synchronized loop.

As a result, security is built right into the cloud application, saving a lot of time and money in the event of a cyberattack.

This strategy is necessary because DevSecOps in cloud security transpires to be a significant benefit for the widespread adoption of cloud computing. The method incorporates security testing and monitoring in addition to continuous development and deployment, making the cloud application secure from the start.

Understanding the breadth and advantages of cloud DevSecOps can be helpful if you intend to develop your software or application.

Importance of DevSecOps in Dealing with Cloud Security Challenges

While DevSecOps teams check on product security during development and launch, IT departments strive to guarantee the security of a company’s network and IT infrastructure.

Their responsibilities include process monitoring, risk analysis collection, security measure automation, and incident handling. DevSecOps helps businesses address cloud security concerns by assisting them to establish efficient risk management for cloud security.

1. Open Environment

DevSecOps’s introduction creates the framework for open dialogue between teams and business divisions. Once DevSecOps is the cornerstone of your development, tracking and monitoring complex initiatives—like cloud migration and security, for example—and keeping all stakeholders informed become non-issues.

Nonetheless, developing and implementing DevSecOps processes in a way that allows them to handle security threats and support the resilience of enterprises takes time.

2. Offering Cost-effective Security

Which is better, addressing a security breach’s consequences or trying to stop it from happening? Organizations that leverage DevSecOps neutralize such threats before they have a significant effect. Through the identification and prevention of events that may impact the internal IT environment, DevSecOps helps many firms reduce their business vulnerabilities.

It saves time and money by reducing the need to repeat a method to resolve security vulnerabilities thanks to DevSecOps’ quick and safe delivery. Because the integrated security code no longer includes pointless rebuilds or reviews, it is more secure. It is reasonably priced and effective.

3. Storing Data at A Single Location

Teams may quickly improve apps that are still in development by utilizing data management and the DevSecOps process suite to gather data from various sources and feed it back into the creative process. To put it briefly, the implementation of DevSecOps helps technical and operation teams to analyze collected data and transform it into meaningful insight.

The data insights are continuously improved under one roof, resulting in easy CI/CD that further helps save time during the product development cycle.

Strategies for DevSecOps that Can Transform Cloud Security

For a cloud DevSecOps deployment to be effective, the DevOps cloud security teams need to collaborate closely with other teams and monitor the code quality throughout the application’s lifetime. Here, we go over the six essential DevSecOps in cloud deployment techniques that have the potential to completely transform cloud security and cloud security solutions at your business:

1. Process Automation for Testing

Automated testing is unquestionably one of DevSecOps’ principles or best practices. It may be the impetus for cloud DevSecOps. Automated tests improve the testing process by repeating tests, documenting findings, and providing feedback to the team more quickly.

Automating tests throughout development can improve overall productivity by eliminating code errors. It is possible to expedite the entire cloud migration procedure, which facilitates the migration of more resources to the cloud.

2. Analysis of Code

Most businesses must be able to alter their software regularly to respond to changing market conditions. Short delivery cycles make traditional security models unsuitable, even though agile teams have adapted to this trend. As a result, they hinder your organization’s agile release cycles and expand software product offerings.

You may ensure excellent cloud security risk management and code production in short, frequent releases by using an agile approach to security operations within your teams. Using cloud technology for DevSecOps has two advantages: it incorporates code analysis into the quality control process and allows for rapid vulnerability screening.

3. Compliance Tracking

Cloud-based technologies are used to handle enormous volumes of data. Following stringent security laws such as HIPAA, GDPR, and SOC 2 could be difficult.

Adopting cloud DevSecOps could alter it and reduce the additional effort from regulatory audits. Every time new codes are generated or modified, development teams can gather instantaneous evidence of compliance. It would help the company be ready for any unanticipated circumstances.

4. Vulnerability Management

Finding, looking into, and fixing any threats or vulnerabilities that surface with every new code delivery is crucial to DevOps security. In addition to publishing and carrying out vulnerability checks, schedule regular, periodic security scans to aid in the discovery of new defects or vulnerabilities.

5. Change Management

It takes a deep comprehension of the change management procedure to implement a DecSecOps cloud computing approach. Giving your developers the knowledge and resources they need to recognize risks and take appropriate action before they become major problems enhances the effectiveness of change management.

Similarly, giving developers 24-hour clearance windows allows them to consistently propose proposals for security measures that are essential to the goal.

Conclusion

Cloud security protocols could undergo a revolution with the application of DevSecOps. Integrating security concerns into each software development lifecycle step allows organizations to guarantee the integrity of their cloud environments, protect sensitive data, and manage risks proactively.

Businesses may stay ahead of cyber risks and adhere to regulatory obligations by implementing DevOps managed services, which fosters cooperation, automation, continuous monitoring, and a security-first culture.

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Understanding the Dynamics of Digital Twin Technology

Olivia Carter — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 15:25:44 +0000

Digital twins are among the most sought-after business tools in the world today. One Internet-of-Things (IoT) analytics report shows that between 2020 and 2022, the digital twin technology market grew by 71%. The versatility that this technology offers, makes it attractive for varying businesses across industries. Digital twins are computer programs that utilize real-world data to develop simulations based on historical data and current conditions.

These programs can integrate with artificial intelligence, IoT, and software analytics to improve outputs. IoT sensors facilitate the transfer of real-world data needed to create virtual twins. Using the simulations, businesses can predict how a process or product will perform. But, virtual twins aren’t just about simulation. They span the entire product or process lifecycle and have service, engineering, and manufacturing use cases.

In this article, we delve deeper into the types of digital twin technology and its use cases.

What is Digital Twin Technology?

Digital twin refers to the technology that supports the creation of virtual representations of physical systems, processes, or objects. This digital twin is supported by various state-of-the-art technologies including artificial intelligence, IoT, big data, machine learning, IoT, and visualization technologies like augmented and virtual reality. Essentially, digital twins have three main components:

A virtual definition of their counterparts
Operational data of their components
Information model that gathers and presents data to inform decisions

Types of Digital Twin Technology

There are four types of digital twins namely:

1. Component Twins

Also referred to as part twins, component twins are the lowest levels of virtual twins. It corresponds with the tiniest elements within a specific part of a product or equipment like a switch or an IoT sensor. Component twins facilitate performance monitoring and allow for the simulation of real-world conditions for purposes of testing their efficiency, stability, or endurance.

2. Product/Asset Twins

Product twins feature several component twins or utilize the information that component twins generate to create complex assets like smart buildings, pumps, or engines. These twins analyze how well separate parts of a system perform and interact as part of the entire process or solution. Engineers use product twins to gather insights about equipment performance and identify potential flaws.

3. System Twins

These digital twins show how varying products combine to form functional units and duplicate product assets at the system level. They provide a large-scale view of plants or factories, allowing engineers to test varying systems for optimal effectiveness.

4. Process Twins

These constitute the highest level of virtual twins, connecting system twins into a single entity that supports synchronization and collaboration between systems. Process twins create solutions that offer a maximum view of workflows within manufacturing plants or factories for deeper and more versatile output analysis.

Key Industrial Use Cases of Digital Twin Technology

Virtual twinning has varying use cases. Below are the main use cases for this technology in businesses across industries:

1. Product Design

Digital twins allow companies to develop quality products, cities, processes, systems, or buildings. By simulating physical objects, product developers test varying designs, identify design flaws, and make adjustments to improve those flaws before commencing actual production.

2. Service Optimization

Companies can use digital twinning to identify service improvement opportunities and optimize the delivery of those services. Companies use virtual twinning to improve customer experience, optimize manufacturing processes, and improve operations.

3. Supply Chain Management

Industries can use digital twins to simulate and test scenarios that facilitate the identification of inefficiencies in supply chain management processes. This information enables them to optimize the flow of materials and products in supply chains. Digital twinning is also used to simulate supply chain disruptions like transportation problems or raw material delivery delays and their impact on the business. This allows suppliers to mitigate these issues before they occur.

4. Operations Management

In operations management, virtual twin technology facilitates real-time remote access and performance monitoring of systems, assets, and processes. This enables industries to test varying scenarios and find improvement opportunities. Digital twins also help companies identify and fix performance problems like energy consumption, uptime, and maintenance needs before they can result in production losses or downtime.

5. Entertainment

Another important digital twinning use is entertainment. Considering that mixed reality technologies are at the heart of virtual twins, the technology can be used to create immersive experiences for customers in the leisure industry.

One of the leading digital twin technology examples in the entertainment industry is the simulation of attractions and rides in amusement parks. This allows customers to experience the rides virtually even before they make actual visits to the parks. With this information, customers can plan their visits better and prioritize their preferred attractions for more satisfying experiences.

Final Thoughts

Digital twinning will continue to change the way industries build, design, and maintain systems and products. Its application will expand to new sectors beyond automobile, aerospace, health, and smart cities industries. Another trend we can expect in future is democratized access to the technology through the digital twin-as-a-service (DTaaS) model. Delivery of DTaaS via cloud-based solutions will make digital twin technology highly affordable and accessible to businesses of all sizes. Additionally, we’ll witness integration of virtual twinning technology with edge computing and the 5G network to support real-time analytics and facilitate flawless data transfer respectively.

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What Is Spatial Computing and How It Is Reshaping Industries?

Noah Davidson — Fri, 23 Feb 2024 15:40:31 +0000

The last few decades have been characterized by significant tech innovations like artificial intelligence, 3D printing, and driverless cars. As we progress into the current decade, another massive shift in computing is unfolding right before us – spatial computing. This new technology holds enormous potential to change how industries optimize their operations. In this article, we answer questions like what is spatial computing? What are the key elements of this technology, and how will it affect industries in future?

What is Spatial Computing?

This refers to digitization of activities that involve people, machines, objects, and environments where they take place. It merges the digital and real worlds to create a more immersive experience for users. Combining technologies like virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR), spatial analysis technology facilitates seamless interactions between computers and users in a 3-dimensional (3D) world.

What are the Main Elements of Spatial Computing?

Computing spatial analysis technologies have four main elements:

1. Augmented Reality (AR)

Space computing uses augmented reality to improve user perception and interaction by overlaying objects and digital information into the real world. AR applications leverage this technology to track user position and orientation for improved interaction with virtual objects.

2. Virtual Reality (VR)

Virtual reality immerses users in computer-generated environments. It’s ideal for simulating real-world activities. But, what is spatial computing technology with regard to virtual reality? Space computing utilizes VR to add natural interactions to virtual environments by tracking body and head movements.

3. 3-D Scanning

Computer spatial analysis leverages photogrammetry or 3D scanning to capture real-world objects and scenes. This results in the production of detailed 3D models with the right shape, texture, and color for immersive 3D user experiences.

4. 3-D Modeling

Mixed reality uses augmented reality to improve user perception and interaction by overlaying objects and digital information into the real world. AR applications leverage this technology to track user position and orientation to improve interactions with virtual objects.

Spatial Computing Use Cases that are Reshaping Industries

What is spatial computing enabling companies to do? We take an in-depth look at six use cases of computer vision spatial analysis and their application across industries:

1. Redefining Employee Training

Space computing is redefining employee training with its immersive and highly interactive capabilities. Using this technology, companies can develop virtual training environments that are very similar to scenarios in the real world. In such environments, employees learn by doing as opposed to observing. For example, pilots can acquire aircraft flying skills through virtual simulations that resemble real-life flight experiences. This hands-on, immersive approach accelerates employee learning and improves knowledge retention.

2. Improving Productivity

Mixed reality automates tedious tasks and optimizes workflows. Industries can use it to add intuitiveness to digital content interactions for enhanced efficiency and task completion. For example, the technology gives visual cues on AR glasses to enable factory workers to locate or identify the tools they need. In retail environments, technology can give buyers pleasant shopping experiences by leading them to the products they wish to buy. This blend between the physical world and digital data provides contextual information needed to fast-track decision-making and enhance productivity.

3. Virtual Product Prototyping

What is spatial computing to product development and how will it alter the way industries prototype their products? Companies incur huge costs conducting physical prototyping and testing on new products. Computer vision spatial analysis is changing this by enabling prototyping and testing of products virtually. Product designers and developers can develop, refine, and test product designs in digital environments before producing physical products. By facilitating simulation of real-world product usage and conditions, spatial computing technology allows companies to identify product design issues and resolve them early in the development process.

4. Improving Workplace Design

Companies in different industries can use spatial analysis computing to create workspaces that foster employee productivity and collaboration. Using this technology, organizations can simulate different office layouts, create digital replicas of real-world workspaces, and evaluate their impact on employee collaboration, workflow, and efficiency. Interior designers and architects use the spatial analysis technology to visualize workspace layouts in 3D, giving companies an office feel before implementing actual changes.

5. Fostering Collaboration

The immersive nature of computer spatial analysis technology gives buyers personalized experiences. For example, the technology can facilitate ‘try before purchase’ experiences for retail shoppers. Buyers can see how a dress would look on them or how furniture pieces would look in living spaces without trying or placing them physically.

6. Better Customer Service

Industrial enterprises can use spatial glasses to create shared digital spaces that allow teams to interact as if they were located in the same physical room. In such environments, teams can exchange digital objects, view each other’s avatars, and engage each other. This enables teams to build stronger relations and enhances collaboration, making it more immersive and highly interactive.

Final Thoughts

Industrial enterprises that understand space computing and its use cases can change their operations significantly. But, what is spatial computing in relation to extended reality technologies like augmented and virtual realities? Space computing leverages these technologies to recreate physical environments in digital spaces for immersive, highly engaging experiences. Industries can use this technology to enhance employee productivity, improve staff training and collaboration, and facilitate virtual product prototyping.

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Distributed Ledger Technology: A Comprehensive Overview

Emily Lawson — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 10:22:57 +0000

If you’ve been following cryptocurrencies and blockchain, you’ve heard about distributed ledger technology (DLT). Although the idea of distributed computing isn’t entirely new, the execution of distributed ledgers is one of the most ingenious inventions of our time.

Distributed ledgers didn’t gain popularity until 2008 when the first cryptocurrency was created. Since then, they have evolved into programmable and scalable platforms where tech solutions that use ledgers and databases can be created.

In very simple terms, distributed ledger technology may be defined as tech protocols and infrastructure that allow concurrent access to records, updates, and validations across a network of databases. In this article, we explore the differences between DLTs and blockchain and explain their benefits and limitations.

Distributed Ledger Technology vs Blockchain

Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology. However, there are many other types of DLT systems. As decentralized systems, blockchains and DLTs facilitate transparent and secure data storage and updating. However, major differences exist between the two.

DLT systems use different structures to manage and store data while blockchains use linear blocks to record, store, and verify transactions. Each block has transaction data, a time stamp, and a cryptographic hash for the previous block.

The other difference between blockchains and DLT systems is immutability. Blockchain does not allow alteration of data after recording it on the chain. This isn’t the case with DLT systems. Although some DLTs offer immutability, this feature does not apply to all distributed ledgers.

Blockchains are mostly permissionless and public. However, some are permissioned. This is different for DLTs. The permissioned blockchains are designed to provide high levels of security and privacy. They can be made permissionless where need arises.

The two systems have wide applications. However, blockchains are often used in applications like smart contracts and cryptocurrencies. DLTs, on the other hand, are mostly associated with healthcare, supply chain management, and voting systems.

Benefits of Distributed Ledger Technology

Distributed ledger technological solutions are important because they have the potential to change how companies, governments, and other entities record, store, and distribute information. Their value is demonstrated by the range of benefits they offer, which include:

1. Eliminating Fraud

There are no centralized points of control in distributed ledgers. This reduces their vulnerability to widespread system failures and enhances their resilience to cyberattacks. Some DLTs use cryptographic algorithms that make it impossible to forge or alter records. This feature makes DLT data trustworthy and reduces fraud risk.

2. Improving Efficiency

Distributed ledgers automate transactions and eliminate intermediaries. Since they facilitate automatic execution of transactions upon fulfillment of contract conditions, DLTs reduce human interaction in transactions. This streamlines organizational processes, increases efficiency, and reduces costs for organizations.

3. Immutability

Distributed ledgers allow users to make database entries without involving third-parties. Once records are entered into the ledgers, they cannot be altered. This means your records remain secure until the ledgers have been distributed.

4. Decentralization

DLT systems are highly decentralized. They store data across database networks in an accurate and consistent manner, which helps in reducing discrepancies and errors.

5. Greater Transparency

Distributed ledger technology enhances visibility of system operations for all users, which enhances transparency of transactions and data. With greater transparency, businesses, and governments enjoy stakeholder trust.

Limitations of Distributed Ledger Technology

Distributed ledgers have several limitations due to their infancy. These limitations include:

1. Complex Technology

Another limitation facing distributed ledgers is their complex technological nature. This complexity makes it challenging to maintain and implement. Businesses and governments that want to leverage DLT solutions must invest in specialized expertise. The technical complexity of DLTs also makes it challenging for developers to design new services and applications.

2. Lack of Regulatory Clarity

Regulation is among the major limitations of distributed ledger technologies. Across the world, governments struggle to regulate DLTs like blockchain. This lack of clarity in the regulatory environment causes confusion and uncertainty for business. Without clear regulation, distributed ledger solutions cannot reach their full potential.

3. Slow Adoption

Distributed ledgers can only transform business operations through widespread adoption. However, awareness of how these technologies work remains low. Additionally, most people hesitate to try new technologies, which further slows down their adoption rate.

4. The Interoperability Challenge

Most DLT systems run independently without communicating with each other. This makes it impossible for users to move information or assets from one system to the other. Although there are efforts to fix this operation issue. But it’ll take time before such a solution is developed.

Conclusion

Although the adoption of distributed ledgers by businesses and governments appears slow, the technology leaves a lasting impact on entities and industries that utilize it. The technology has the potential to change the way businesses operate and manage data. DLTs are becoming a necessity for modern enterprises and governments that need to prevent fraud, fix inefficiencies, and guarantee accuracy of supply chain and financial reporting data.

They improve efficiency and offer transparency and better security. However, these benefits are curtailed by the complexity of these technologies, unclear regulations, and slow adoption. As DLTs advance, these drawbacks will be addressed and the potential of these technologies realized.

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Hyperloop Technology: How It Can Revolutionize the Travel Industry?

Olivia Carter — Tue, 30 Jan 2024 14:20:31 +0000

The need for a fast, efficient ground transport system that connects cities and countries has been evident for a long time. The Hyperloop system promises to make this a reality by 2030. For over a decade, development of hyperloop technology has been a key topic of discussion in the transportation industry, with some companies commencing hyperloop technology tests. If commercialized, this transport system could have far-reaching economic and environmental benefits for passengers across the world.

Defining Hyperloop Technology

Hyperloop technology refers to a super-fast ground transport system that several companies are currently developing. This technology could see both cargo and passengers travel at ultra-high speeds inside floating pods either below or above ground. Electric propulsions and magnetic levitation tracks are used to move the pods through low-pressure tubes.

History of the Hyperloop

The idea of a vacuum tube transportation system has been around for at least two centuries. The earliest concept of a tunnel system was in 1799 when the idea of using air pressure to move goods via iron pipes was conceptualized.

This idea has developed over time as reflected in timeline below:

1844: A pneumatic railway station in London completed

1845: Proposal to construct a tube that propels trains at 70 miles per hour made but not implemented

1850s: Additional pneumatic railways constructed in London, Dublin, and Paris

1860s: An atmospheric railway known as Crystal Palace in South London constructed

1870s: The Beach Pneumatic Transit launched in New York City

1900s: Pneumatic Tubes adopted and used in key cities to transport mail and other
items/messages. Design of a vacuum-tube train system from New York to Boston

1910: Design of a train that would float on magnets within a vacuum tunnel developed

Early 2000s: Design of a pneumatic-maglev train with car-sized pods to travel in elevated tubes with completed

2010: Underground vacuum tube network to move food canisters, Foodtubes project unveiled in the UK

2013: A Hyperloop white paper published by Elon Musk. The design featured sealed pods whisking through vacuum tubes

2014: Hyperloop One is Launched

2016: Construction of a Hyperloop Test Track commenced in California

How Do Hyperloops Work?

A hyperloop system features three things- connecting movement hubs, a vacuum-tube network, and pods. Since hyperloops are designed to work in low-pressure environments, their energy efficiency is high due to the minimal aerodynamic drag.

Hyperloops differ from current travel options in several ways. Unlike conventional trains, hyperloop pods travel through near-vacuum tunnels or tubes. These tubes have little to no air to minimize friction. The absence of air in the tubes could cause hyperloop pods to move at speeds as high as 700 miles per hour. Unlike cars or trains, hyperloop pods don’t use wheels. They leverage magnetic levitation to float on air, which reduces friction and enhances their speed.

What is the Significance of Hyperloop Technology in the Travel Industry?

Hyperloop technologies will have a significant impact on the way passengers travel in the coming years. Here are 5 ways these technologies will change the way people travel:

1. Fast Movement of Passengers

When using conventional modes of travel like air and rail, passengers struggle with long waiting and travel times. Besides the actual travel time, they have to consider airport transfers, airport trekking, and long check-in queues when planning their trips.

Hyperloop will reduce travel time for passengers with their super-fast speeds. Their stations will be constructed in city centres. This means passengers won’t have to trek or use other means to access stations as they currently do with travel hubs like airports and rail stations. Hyperloop will utilize technology to facilitate fast loading and unloading of passengers, effectively reducing waiting time for passengers.

2. Better Travel Experiences for Passengers

Although passengers will only spend a short time in the travel pods, hyperloops are designed to provide passengers with positive travel experiences. Pod interiors feature comfortable, entertaining, and productive spaces to give passengers an office or living room feel throughout their journey.

3. Reducing the Cost of Travel

Proponents of hyperloop systems envision it as a more affordable and convenient mode of travel. The systems will have stations within city centers, which alleviates passenger costs and stress of accessing the cities.

4. Uninterrupted Travel

Hyperloops travel in near-vacuum tubes that protect them from extreme weather conditions like rain, snow, wind, ice, and fog. The construction of tubes were on pylons with adjustable dampers. In the event of an earthquake, the pylons adjust to new positions. These two aspects offer convenience to passengers, ensuring that their travel plans are not interrupted by extreme weather or earthquakes.

5. Reduced Exposure to Accidents

Compared to road, air, and rail travel, hyperloops travel at ultra-fast speeds, reducing the time that passengers spend on one journey. This reduction in journey duration significantly reduces passenger exposure to accident risks. Hyperloop pods travel in sealed tubes, which offers additional security against earthquakes and extreme weather.

Disadvantages of Hyperloop Systems

Hyperloop advancements have several downsides. The technology is still new and hasn’t been tested widely. It’ll take several years before hyperloops become a reality for passengers. Also, the risk factors associated with this transport system have not been analyzed fully. The technology is not designed to use existing infrastructure, which makes it extremely costly to set it up and launch.

Conclusion

Hyperloops are slowly gaining traction as tests begin around the world. The technology has been hailed as much safer than cars, faster than trains, and more environmentally friendly than aircraft. However, it’s still in the early stages of development and testing. Only time will tell whether the vision of revolutionizing the travel industry with this technology will be realized.

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