April 1, 2024 Dell presents its vision of “AI anywhere on data everywhere” Greg Findlen, Senior Vice President of Product Management of Data Management at Dell Technologies, said: “Organizations are stuck between a rock and a hard place and deserve a better answer. An answer that works with their data gravity and not against it, doesn’t force them to undertake a multi-year journey to centralize all their data in the public cloud or constantly play catch up to the myriad choices of proprietary and open-source technologies.” “And while we’re at it, an answer that works for their current analytics and AI needs and emerging GenAI needs. We call this “AI anywhere on data everywhere.” Since most data remains on-premises, customers are left with two broad (both suboptimal) choices—either stitch together a complex web of tools and technologies and manage it on their own or replicate their entire data estate to the public cloud,” he added. Findlen said: “AI loves data, but many enterprises are still scratching the surface. While significant advancements have been made in AI, locating, accessing and processing data across disparate environments remains a major roadblock.” “Organizations need help with the rapid growth of data (and its copies) across multicloud, proliferating data sources, formats and tool choices, and an inability to scale as requirements grow. This prevents them from fully unlocking the potential of AI to drive business outcomes,” he added. In October 2023, Findlen announced Dell’s vision for an open, modern data lakehouse and the vision for this lakehouse is as follows: 1. A highly secure single point of access to ALL data across the enterprise. 2. The ability to interoperate freely with the broader ecosystem of tools across on-prem and cloud. 3. A unified stack for any workload—BI, AI, ML and GenAI. 4. Blazing fast performance with decoupled compute and storage. 5. Predictable costs for the entire stack, including infrastructure. 6. A turnkey experience that simplifies purchase, deployment and lifecycle management. 7. A reduction in data movement by discovering and querying data in place before consolidating. To deliver on these promises, Dell is developing the first phase of this solution, partnering with Starburst. Starburst is built on top of Trino, the open-source high-performance distributed SQL engine known for running fast analytic queries against data lakes, lakehouses and distributed data sources at internet-scale. It integrates global security with fine-grained access controls, supports ad-hoc and long-running ELT workloads and is a gateway to building excellent data products. Combining Starburst with Dell’s leading compute (PowerEdge) and leading storage (ECS, ObjectScale and PowerScale) platforms, we’re giving customers the ability to set the foundation for a high-performance, infinitely scalable lakehouse on-premises and across multi-cloud environments. Reference: AI Anywhere on Data Everywhere | Dell USA

March 8, 2024 Get ahead of the game, know the tech trends in 2024! Explore the tech landscape, where innovation is radically changing how we live and work. Today, we see cloud reliability engineers, ethical hackers, and visionary minds traverse the ever-evolving frontier of technology. We are amazed with the wonders of robotic process automation (RPA) and the revolutionary impact of quantum computing. Figure out the complexities of VR, AR, blockchain, IoT, 5G, and cybersecurity, understanding their crucial roles in shaping the digital future. Welcome to the future of technology! Generative AI — is like a creative robot brain. It makes things—art, music, text—seemingly on its own. It’s the magic behind AI-generated content, shaping how we create and connect in the digital world. Computing power — is like the engine for all things tech. It’s the energy and brainpower behind computers, making them faster and smarter. As it evolves to 6G, it shapes how we handle data and technology in every job. Smart devices — are tech helpers like smartphones and smartwatches. They’re not just gadgets; they’re career catalysts, and overall simplify life. Datafication — is turning everything into data-driven tech. It transforms daily activities into data, creating demand for skills in big data, robotics, and IT architecture. Mastering datafication opens doors to various tech careers. AI (artificial intelligence) — is like teaching machines to think. It powers smart tech, from virtual assistants to advanced algorithms. AI is a tech force that’s not just a trend; it’s a job market powerhouse. Machine learning — is AI’s smart sibling. It’s about machines learning from data to make decisions. This tech is everywhere, automating processes and contributing to data-driven choices in various industries. Virtual reality (VR) — immerses users in a simulated environment. It utilizes computer-generated visuals and sometimes incorporates other sensory feedback to create realistic experiences. VR finds applications in gaming, education, healthcare, and more. Augmented reality (AR) — overlays digital information onto the real world, enhancing the user’s perception. It blends virtual elements with the physical environment, offering practical applications in industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, and navigation. Extended reality (XR) — goes beyond normal reality. It includes augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), and reshapes experiences. And it’s not just for gaming; XR is a tech playground for creative minds and enthusiasts in diverse fields. Digital trust — ensures secure digital transactions and data integrity. It’s the bedrock of cybersecurity, fostering trust in a digital landscape by implementing encryption, authentication, and secure protocols. 3D printing — constructs physical objects layer by layer from digital models. It’s a transformative manufacturing process, merging AI, machine learning, and modeling to create intricate designs with diverse applications. Genomics — analyzes and decodes an organism’s complete set of DNA. It unveils genetic information, guiding advancements in personalized medicine, disease prevention, and understanding the fundamental building blocks of life. New energy solutions — harness renewable resources for sustainable power. They include solar, wind, and bioenergy technologies, playing a vital role in mitigating climate change and shaping a greener, cleaner future. Robotic process automation (RPA) — employs software robots to automate repetitive tasks and streamline processes. It enhances efficiency, reduces errors, and allows human workers to focus on higher-value activities, transforming various industries. Edge computing — processes data near the source of generation rather than relying solely on centralized cloud servers. It ensures faster response times, reduced latency, and efficient handling of real-time data, complementing cloud computing. Text-to-Image — uses algorithms to generate visual content from textual descriptions. It aids in content creation, design, and accessibility, providing a bridge between textual information and visual representation. Speech-to-Text — converts spoken language into written text. It facilitates transcription services, voice commands, and accessibility features, allowing for the efficient processing and utilization of spoken information. Emotion recognition technology — interprets facial expressions and gestures to identify human emotions. It finds applications in human-computer interaction, personalized user experiences, and mental health monitoring. Virtual Try-On — allows users to virtually experience products before purchasing. It utilizes AR to overlay digital representations of items onto the user’s real-world environment, enhancing the online shopping experience. Predictive analytics — uses data, statistical algorithms, and machine learning techniques to identify the likelihood of future outcomes. It aids in forecasting trends, making informed decisions, and optimizing processes across diverse industries. Quantum computing — leverages quantum bits or qubits to perform complex computations. It holds the potential to revolutionize fields like cryptography, optimization, and drug discovery by solving problems at unprecedented speeds. Blockchain — is a decentralized, secure ledger that records and verifies transactions across a network of computers. It ensures transparency, immutability, and trust in various applications, including finance, supply chain, and voting systems. Internet of Things (IoT) — connects everyday devices to the internet, enabling them to send and receive data. It creates a network of interconnected devices, fostering automation, data exchange, and enhanced efficiency in various domains. 5G technology — is the fifth generation of wireless technology, delivering faster speeds and lower latency. It enables seamless connectivity, supports emerging technologies like AR and VR, and transforms communication and data transfer. Cybersecurity — safeguards digital systems, networks, and data from unauthorized access, attacks, and damage. It involves measures such as firewalls, encryption, and threat detection to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of information. Tokenization — converts sensitive data into tokens, enhancing security in transactions. It replaces actual data with unique identifiers, reducing the risk of data breaches and unauthorized access to financial and digital systems. Crypto staking — involves participating in blockchain networks by locking and holding cryptocurrencies. Stakers earn rewards for validating transactions, contributing to network security and stability. Text-to-Video — converts written content into video format using automated processes. It enhances content creation and marketing strategies, transforming textual information into engaging visual presentations. Reference: Tech trends you’ll need to know in 2024 (starsinsider.com)

March 1, 2024 Microsoft AI Anthology: the future of human flourishing In his Dec 2023 blog post about AI, Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates said: “We are just at the beginning of this transition right now. This is an exciting and confusing time, and if you haven’t figured out how to make the best use of AI yet, you are not alone.” “Think back to the beginning of the internet. At first, you probably didn’t know many people who were using it, but it became more common over time. Most people had email addresses, bought things online, and used search engines to answer their questions,” he added. In a recent article about AI, Microsoft Chief Scientific Officer Eric Horvitz presented the “AI Anthology” project. Horvitz said that recent advances in artificial intelligence have sparked both wonder and anxiety as we contemplate its transformative potential. AI holds enormous promise to enrich our lives. “To nurture a future where AI is leveraged to the benefit of people and society, it is crucial to bring together a wide array of voices and perspectives. With this goal in mind, I am delighted to present the AI Anthology, a compilation of inspiring essays authored by distinguished scholars and professionals from various disciplines,” he said. Before the AI project came about, Horvitz had an encounter with GPT-4, a remarkable large-scale language model, in the fall of 2022 while serving as the chair of Microsoft’s Aether Committee. GPT-4 left him awestruck and observed unexpected glimmers of intelligence beyond those seen in prior AI systems. But the remarkable capabilities of GPT-4 raised questions about potential disruptions and adverse consequences, as well as opportunities to benefit people and society. The Microsoft team had concerns about safety and fairness, and even more challenges within medicine, education, and the sciences. Furthermore, questions came to mind surrounding artistic creation and attribution, malicious actors, jobs and the economy, and unknown futures that we cannot yet envision. How might people react to no longer being the unparalleled fount of intellectual and artistic thought and creation, as generative AI tools become commonplace? How would these advancements affect our self-identity and individual aspirations? Eager to investigate these opportunities in collaboration with others across a wide array of disciplines, the team initiated the AI Anthology project, with Open AI’s support. They invited twenty experts to explore GPT-4’s capabilities and contemplate the potential influences of future versions on humanity. Horvitz said: “The anthology explores the diverse ways in which AI can be channeled to benefit humanity while shedding light on potential challenges. By bringing together these different viewpoints, our aim is to stimulate thought-provoking conversations and encourage collaborative efforts that will guide AI toward a future that harnesses its potential for human flourishing.” FOR ORGANIZATIONS Reinvent your business with AI Inspire productive, meaningful work Speed up communication, streamline employee tasks, and accelerate service delivery. Increase efficiency and cost savings Anticipate needs and avoid downtime with predictive capabilities and accelerate operations with automation. Generate new business value Generate new products and services, personalize customer experiences, and improve decision-making. This anthology is a testament to the promise of envisioning and collaboration and to the importance of diverse perspectives in shaping the future of AI. It spans the fields of business, economics, education, engineering, healthcare, history, law, mathematics, medicine, mental health, psychology, and the sciences. Welcome to AI Anthology! References: Reflections on AI and the future of human flourishing – Microsoft Unlocked; AI Anthology

February 28, 2024 The Sound of Sunrise: Microsoft AI-powered musical Venture An enchanting form of artistic expression, music has always conveyed unspeakable wonders to human experience. Whether as an upbeat sound that makes us dance or a sad ballad that sends us into tears, it never fails to touch our core being. We experience music every day. We use it to relax, express ourselves, and deal with our emotions. Music, after all, is the language of the soul. Songs and melodies have the power to inspire people, guide their actions, and aid in the formation of identities. Music can unite people – even if absorbed in solitude, capture your imagination and boost creativity. It has the power to connect with and influence people because it can bridge a divide in communication. And music has not limited the expression of human creativity even in the age of digital technology. 88rising, an Asian media collective and music company based in the US, embarked on a music experiment with an equipment installation that “captures the sound of sunrise.” Well, sure it sounds weird but it came out with the fascination of the skyline above the San Gabriel Valley. The San Gabriel Valley, located just east of Los Angeles, is home to the largest concentration of Asian American communities in the country and remains a historically important enclave for recent Asian immigrants. 88rising has high hopes for Asian American artists to thrive and be appreciated by the American music industry. Above the San Gabriel Valley, the sky is an ever-changing canvas of sights—a warm sunrise over a town, a dramatic pattern of clouds, a flock of birds doing a choreographed dance across a skyline. The 88rising venture is a collaboration with its resident artist Warren Hue. Using a video feed streaming from an overlook above the Valley, the installation took 88rising artist Warren Hue’s track “Too Many Tears” and remixed it using AI as it reacted to events in the landscape and skyline in real-time. It’s a whole new way to experience Hue’s song—not only sonically, but also visually. For example, as dawn rises above the Valley, the track has an ethereal, optimistic feel. Drum patterns are sparse, and audio effects like reverb float over the ambient but harmonious track. Sean Miyashiro, founder and CEO of 88rising, wanted to offer both meditative and inspiring moments for listeners. It was also important to the creative team that the project showcase a place that’s significant to Asian American communities, reflecting on a broader shared experience around the constant nature of change. This was especially true for Warren Hue, who wrote “Too Many Tears” in response to his experiences as an Asian artist: “’[It’s] a hip-hop and R&B song that I wrote with a unique beat and structure—reflecting on myself and my dreams and the reality of how people treat me.” The project is part of an evolution of Microsoft AI-powered musical collaborations, from Julianna Barwick to and Björk and now Warren Hue. But “Too Many Tears” is very much situated in a specific place, a digital manifestation of 88rising’s mission to amplify the voices of Asian and Asian American artists. Power your AI transformation with Microsoft Gain a competitive edge with powerful, trustworthy AI solutions. Amplify human ingenuinty with copilot experiences Accelerate productivity and innovation by embracing built-in AI in the tools you’re already using. Build your own intelligent apps Create your own AI apps and copilot solutions using the same stack and AI services that power Microsoft Copilot. Safeguard your business and data Build safety and responsibility into your AI journey from the very beginning on a trusted and secure cloud. References: Creating a soundtrack for life in real-time (microsoft.com)

February 26, 2024 Lenovo Unveils ‘AI Vision for All’ at Global Tech World Event Lenovo unveiled in October 2023 its most comprehensive AI capabilities to date, as well as its vision of ‘AI for All’ at the company’s annual global innovation event Tech World held in Austin, Texas. This year’s event, the 9th the company has hosted, focused on how Lenovo is unleashing the power of AI to drive intelligent transformation in every aspect of our lives and in every industry. Lenovo demonstrated the future of AI-ready devices and AI-powered features, including a vision of the future AI PC that will boost productivity, streamline workflow, and safeguard data, and a demo of Personal AI Twin. This is accomplished with AI interactions on the keyboard and natural language from the end-user as well as a new concept feature called AI NOW, which is a personal AI twin (AI assistant) solution for AI PCs. Alongside the AI device demonstrations Lenovo also unveiled a smartphone adaptative display concept that can be bent and shaped into different forms depending on users’ needs and was built upon the display and mechanical innovations from Lenovo foldable devices and rollable concepts, as well as updates to the company’s total solution for AI-powered motion capture, Project Chronos. As part of its focus on smart solutions, Lenovo announced its vision of Enterprise AI Twin – AI applications that have in-depth knowledge about an enterprise and keep that knowledge private and secure.  X1 Series The AI Twin can be used for a wide variety of scenarios – from helping employees book travel plans that comply with company policies and fit individual preferences, to supply chain teams mitigating risks based on public AI information such as weather patterns. It finds and extracts relevant information within your enterprise, from devices, edge and private cloud, synthesizes them into assessments and conclusions, and proposes solutions.  Alongside CEO Yuanqing Yang, Lenovo CTO and business group leaders shared their view of AI for All: Dr Yong Rui, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, commented; “In summary, we believe the future AI will involve a hybrid of public, private, and personal foundation models (FM) working together. Our hybrid AI service will leverage the three types of FM, empower AI applications across cloud, edge, and devices with personal twin and enterprise twin. Lenovo would like to build this Hybrid AI ecosystem along with partners, to unleash the potential of foundation models and benefit both our industry and daily life.” Kirk Skaugen, Executive Vice President and President of Lenovo’s Infrastructure Solutions Group, shared Lenovo’s vision for the next generation of AI solutions. He said: “Regardless of where you do your AI, regardless of whether you want general purpose or highly customized compute Lenovo is offering turnkey solutions – enabling AI everywhere for all.” “Through our own cutting-edge AI technology innovation and together with a vast network of best-in-class partners, new Lenovo Hybrid AI solutions are creating a faster and more flexible path to generative AI by bringing data-center level AI to the source of business data anywhere,” he added. References: Lenovo Unveils Comprehensive Vision – ‘AI for All’ – at 9th Global Tech World Event – Lenovo StoryHub

February 21, 2024 Dell’s GDPI reinforces data protection in today’s digital world According to Dell’s data protection report, cyber threats continue to grow and remain at the top of the list for causes of organizational disruption, with 52% of respondents reporting a cyberattack that prevented access to data within the past 12 months. This is the highest percentage in more than five years. The monetary impact on organizations is considerable with costs more than doubling over their last report. This trend is concerning, as 75% of organizations surveyed are worried their existing data protection measures are unable to cope with ransomware threats and 69% reporting they are not very confident they could reliably recover in the event of a destructive cyberattack. Yet despite these perspectives, most organizations (59%) invest more in cyber prevention than cyber recovery. The latest Dell Global Data Protection Index (GDPI) reinforces the importance of staying the course when it comes to protecting data in today’s digitally transformed world. Navigating the complex terrain of data protection remains a formidable challenge and demands a steadfast commitment to understanding all the risks that can threaten an organization’s data. The latest GDPI brings into focus new insights into the heightened threat of cyberattacks, the rise of generative AI (GenAI) and the ongoing expansion into multicloud environments. The GDPI also uncovered new insights regarding the use and effectiveness of insurance policies to help mitigate an organization’s financial exposure. While 93% of organizations cited the use of ransomware insurance policies, they noted several conditions could limit coverage. For example, 57% responded their insurance providers required proof of best practices for cyber threat prevention, 40% indicated some scenarios would void the policy and 40% pointed to the fact that payments to some entities may be restricted by law. For the first time, the GDPI probed the impact of GenAI on both the cyber threat landscape and future data protection requirements. According to the report, 52% believe GenAI will provide an advantage to their organization’s cyber security posture and 27% feel GenAI will initially provide an advantage to cyber criminals. While multicloud is still the preferred strategy for organizations seeking to deploy or update applications, data protection continues to be a major concern. Of IT decision makers surveyed, 79% are not very confident their organization can protect all the data across their public clouds, and 40% of organizations cite challenges over data security in public, multicloud environments. The Dell Global Data Protection Index, commissioned through Vanson Bourne, surveyed 1,500 IT and IT security decision makers from a wide range of public and private industries in September and October 2023 across the globe References: Charting a Path to Cyber Resilient Data Protection | Dell Philippines

February 14, 2024 A Lookback At The 2000 “Love Virus” Outbreak: 24 Years After​ THE LOVE BUG — nobody saw it coming, nobody expected or even suspected because it was cleverly disguised as a text file with the title “love-letter-for-you.” So, who would have thought of the danger? Nobody, actually… hence the outbreak! It’s been 24 years since the infamous computer virus had spread throughout the world wide web affecting, infecting, and crashing the entire digital systems of the world. The “love virus” was unleashed on May 4, 2000. It was simple, but devastatingly effective and highly contagious. Once infected, many of the user’s files would be overwritten with copies of the virus, so that whenever the victim tried to open the files, they’d reinfect their system. The virus also tried to steal people’s passwords. But the true genius lay in how it spread. Once infected, the victim’s computer would send an email to everyone in their Microsoft Outlook contacts book. The emails read: “kindly check the attached love letter coming from me,” and attached was a copy of the virus, disguised as a text file with the title “love-letter-for-you.” This unfortunate “love story” started in the Philippines and was delivered with the subject line ILOVEYOU along with instructions to read the attached email. The virus was tracked to an email address registered to an apartment in Manila, which led to Onel de Guzman. He created the Love Bug virus, not thinking it would reach as many people as it did. In 2000, Guzman, 24, was a computer science student at the AMA Computer College. Within 24 hours of releasing the virus, it had spread across the world. Due to the way this virus multiplies and spreads, it is categorized as a worm. It self-replicates, which means that it can send copies of itself through a network without any action from an actual person. The worm would then steal passwords and overwrite files, including both documents and photos stored on any device connected to the original affected computer. Meanwhile, it would also go into the Microsoft Outlook Windows contact list and send a copy of itself to that entire list, starting the cycle over again. In April 2019, BBC News reporter Geoff White tracked down Onel De Guzman in Manila. White interviewed De Guzman for his book on cyber crime called Crime Dot Com. The reporter says he flew to the country and found De Guzman at a phone repair shop in a shopping mall in the Quiapo district. According to White, De Guzman admitted having created the “I Love You” virus while he was a computer science student, but he says he only did it so he could steal passwords and access the internet for free.  The efforts to recover data from affected systems and remove the infection cost as much as $10 billion, according to Winder. Government agencies, such as the Pentagon, CIA and the U.K. Parliament, were also affected and, as a consequence, all shut down their email. Information technology (IT) systems around the world were shut down from overload, due to computer  systems not being made to process this type of virus, or turned off in an effort to prevent spread of the infection. The Love Bug had a highly publicized introduction to the world. As one of the first examples of malware, it changed the way people viewed and used both email and the internet. The deception of the email being from a loved one paired with it sending itself to people’s personal contact lists, hardened people. They now knew to be more apprehensive and less trusting of emails. The Smithsonian Institute named the “I Love You” virus the 10th most destructive computer virus in history. As for De Guzman, although he was initially arrested by authorities, he was later released and all charges against him were dropped, primarily because there were no laws against writing malware at the time. In June 2000, Congress enacted Republic Act No. 8792, or the E-Commerce Law. White says De Guzman, who was already 44 years old at that time, regrets creating the virus and doesn’t like the infamy it has brought him. “I’m a shy person,” he tells White. “I don’t want this.” Cybersecurity impact Microsoft has defined Cybersecurity as a set of processes, best practices, and technology solutions that help protect your critical systems and network from digital attacks. As data has proliferated and more people work and connect from anywhere, bad actors have responded by developing sophisticated methods for gaining access to your resources and stealing data, sabotaging your business, or extorting money. Advance Solutions Inc (ASI) being one of the leading providers of technology solutions in the country since 1996 has always recognized the importance of cyber security. In fact, ASI conducted a tech update seminar in September 2023 aimed at addressing this current technology trend. In the seminar, ASI’s brand partners Microsoft, HP Philippines, Intel, and Aruba provided a comprehensive discussion on the subject matter of cyber security. A 2022 report produced by HP Wolf Security in collaboration with Forensic Pathways – and alongside security experts in both industry and academia – has identified how cybercriminals are now operating on a professional footing with easy-to-launch malware and ransomware attacks being offered on a “Software as a Service” basis. As a result, even people with rudimentary IT skills are now able to launch cyberattacks at targets of their choosing. A successful cybersecurity approach has multiple layers of protection spread across the computers, networks, programs, or data that one intends to keep safe. In an organization, the people, processes, and technology must all complement one another to create an effective defense from cyber attacks. References:Throwback Attack: ILOVEYOU, a Love Letter No One Wanted | Industrial Cybersecurity Pulse | Industrial Cybersecurity Pulse