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Month: August 2024

HR

ANSR Acquires hrEntries in All-Stock Deal to Bolster Global Talent Management Platform

Observenow Desk August 29, 2024

ANSR has announced its acquisition of hrEntries, a human capital management (HCM) platform, in an all-stock transaction. This acquisition aligns with ANSR’s core business strategy, enhancing its technology solutions suite and providing clients with a comprehensive platform for global team management.

The integration of hrEntries, which will be rebranded as “Rise,” into ANSR’s “GCC SuperApp” technology stack, expands its offerings in Talent, Workspace, HR Ops, and Payroll solutions, enabling businesses to build and manage global centers more effectively. Vikram Ahuja, Co-Founder of ANSR and CEO of Talent500, highlighted the importance of this acquisition in simplifying GCC operations and enhancing customer experience.

Rise, alongside ANSR’s AI-led talent solutions such as Talent500, Leap, and Loop, offers a unified platform for digital onboarding, payroll management, benefits administration, expense tracking, and contract management. This integration streamlines HR operations, empowering organizations to manage global teams with greater efficiency.

The AI-driven capabilities of the newly integrated platform include intelligent employee engagement, predictive analytics, automated compliance checks, and smart onboarding processes, aimed at driving innovation in global team management.

Sharad Deshpande, Founder of hrEntries, expressed enthusiasm about joining ANSR, emphasizing that the AI-powered solutions will revolutionize the HR experience for companies managing a global workforce.

ANSR, an Accenture and Accel Ventures portfolio company, has established over 125 GCCs with over 180,000 enterprise talents and $2 billion in investment, utilizing over 12 million square feet of workspace.

Tags: ANSRhrEntriesSharad DeshpandeVikram Ahuja

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HR

Deloitte Introduces HR Cloud Operate to Transform HR Capabilities in the Digital Era

Observenow Desk

Deloitte has introduced its new HR Cloud Operate services, aimed at helping organizations maximize the potential of their Cloud Human Capital Management (HCM) platforms and streamline HR functions. This launch addresses a critical need as companies face challenges stemming from skill gaps in technology and processes within their HR teams.

HR Cloud Operate builds on Deloitte’s well-established application management services, which have consistently delivered results and gained the trust of over 200 clients across diverse industries. Drawing on extensive experience, Deloitte is set to offer an even broader array of solutions to drive innovation and efficiency.

“HR Cloud Operate is about simplifying the complex,” said Jonathan Pearce, Principal and Human Capital as a Service Leader at Deloitte Consulting LLP. “We’re offering a new approach that goes beyond traditional outsourcing. Our goal is to equip organizations with the tools and strategies to fully leverage their HR technology, allowing them to focus on their strategic goals and manage risk effectively.”

The HR Cloud Operate service suite includes a comprehensive range of offerings, from technical and functional HR support to post-go-live Cloud HCM application services like release management, health checks, and ongoing innovation. It also covers HR delivery optimization, business process execution, and automation across payroll, benefits, core HR, learning, and compensation.

By integrating AI and automation into client workflows, HR Cloud Operate ensures that organizations not only keep up with technological advancements but also lead in adopting new innovations to enhance HR functions. This proactive approach empowers organizations to capitalize on both current and emerging technologies.

“Over the years, our partnership with Deloitte has been key to our business growth and operational efficiency. Their services have optimized our processes and provided us with data-driven insights for strategic decision-making,” said Jeremy Brecher, North America CIO at Securitas. “As we enter the next phase of our digital transformation with HR Cloud Operate, we are confident in receiving the same high level of expertise and commitment. With Deloitte, we are prepared to embrace the future and drive ongoing innovation in our industry.”

Leveraging alliances, proprietary tools, automation, and AI, Deloitte’s HR Cloud Operate enhances efficiency and quality. Supported by a team of specialists with deep cloud technology expertise, this service enables organizations to achieve greater efficiency, streamlined operations, and real-time insights, allowing them to focus on core priorities.

Tags: DeloitteDigital EraHR Cloud Operate

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Digital Native

Indian Startups Secure $6.3 Billion in VC Funding in First Seven Months of 2024, Marking a 42.1% YoY Surge

Observenow Desk

Indian startups attracted $6.3 billion in venture capital across 672 deals from January to July 2024, reflecting a 42.1% year-on-year increase in funding value, despite a slight 1.2% rise in deal volume, according to data from U.K.-based analytics firm GlobalData. This significant growth in funding underscores high investor confidence in India’s startup ecosystem, even amid global market uncertainties, as noted by GlobalData.

During the same period in 2023, India recorded 664 venture capital deals totaling $4.4 billion. Aurojyoti Bose, lead analyst at GlobalData, attributed the substantial increase in funding value to a series of high-value deals in 2024, indicating that while investors remain cautious, there is no shortage of capital for promising startups.

Among the notable deals were Zepto’s $665 million funding round, Meesho’s $300 million raise, and PharmEasy’s $216 million round. Radiance secured $150 million, Kogta Financial raised $148 million, and Rapido garnered $120 million in funding.

Bose highlighted India’s position as a key market in the Asia-Pacific region and globally, ranking just behind China in VC activity. India accounted for approximately 7% of global VC deals and 4.3% of the disclosed funding value during the first seven months of 2024.

Despite global economic challenges, India’s strong pipeline of startups continues to draw significant investment, solidifying its status as a crucial player in the global venture capital landscape. A report by market intelligence firm Tracxn also noted that India remains the fourth-highest funded country in the tech startup space, with three new unicorns and 33 new Soonicorns emerging in the first half of the fiscal year.

Bengaluru led in total funds raised, followed by Delhi and Mumbai, while Accel, Blume Ventures, and Peak XV Partners were the top investors in H1 2024. Additionally, new IPOs in India rose to 20 in the first half of 2024, up from six in H1 2023 and 12 in H2 2023, with companies like TBO, TGIF Agribusiness, Radiowalla, and Trust Systems & S/w among those going public.

Tags: FUNDINGGlobalDataIndian Startups

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Education

UGC Introduces New Framework for University-Conducted Exams on SWAYAM Platform

Observenow Desk

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has unveiled a new framework allowing universities to conduct exams for courses available through the Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds (SWAYAM) platform. This move aims to improve the accessibility and flexibility of earning academic credits through online education.

Previously, end-term proctored exams for SWAYAM courses were managed by the National Testing Agency (NTA) and the National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL). Under the new system, students who complete SWAYAM courses can now choose to take their exams at their respective universities.

The updated framework provides additional support to students by enabling them to register through their universities, complete course requirements, and sit for exams conducted by their universities. This new option supplements the existing exam facilities offered by NTA and NPTEL.

Credits earned from these exams will be added to students’ transcripts. UGC Chairman M. Jagadesh Kumar encouraged all higher education institutions to adopt SWAYAM courses and utilize the new framework to enhance learner convenience.

The revised framework also includes provisions for re-examinations, allowing students who missed or did not pass the initial SWAYAM exams to retake them in future semesters. This added flexibility is expected to boost participation in SWAYAM courses and encourage more universities to integrate the UGC Credit Framework for Online Learning Courses through SWAYAM.

The UGC’s decision follows numerous state-level awareness meetings and online discussions with higher education institutions over the past year. These discussions underscored the growing interest in adopting SWAYAM courses for credit transfer and the need for a more student-friendly examination process.

To support universities in implementing the new framework, the UGC is providing two additional resources: the ‘Steps for Adopting SWAYAM MOOC Courses’ and the ‘University Dashboard User Guide.’ Additionally, universities are required to appoint a Nodal Officer to oversee registration, examinations, and credit transfers for SWAYAM courses.

Tags: M. Jagadesh KumarNational Testing AgencySWAYAMUGCUniversity Grants Commission

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Digital Native

Indian Startup Ecosystem Raises over $265 Million in Latest Funding Surge

Observenow Desk

Funding momentum for the country’s startup ecosystem remained strong last week, with over $265 million raised across 16 deals.

The largest funding round was led by omnichannel jewelry startup Bluestone, which secured $107.2 million in its pre-IPO round. In the fintech sector, Aye Finance received a $25 million loan from Goldman Sachs (India), while lending startup Axio attracted $20 million from Amazon Smbhav Venture Fund to accelerate its growth.

The e-commerce sector emerged as the top performer, with $148.7 million raised through four deals. Livpure, a domestic water purifier brand, secured Rs 208 crore from M&G Investments and nearly Rs 25 crore from Ncubate Capital Partners.

Other notable funding rounds included $25 million for D2C ice cream brand Hangyo, $9 million each for MSMEs-focused fintech startup FlexiLoans and D2C luggage brand Uppercase. Additionally, 13 early-stage startups collectively raised $53.46 million, with Even and Zoff among the key beneficiaries.

Overall, the domestic startup ecosystem raised more than $395 million across 20 deals last week, marking a dramatic 350 percent increase from the previous week.

In July, Indian startups raised $1.03 billion following the government’s abolition of angel tax in the Union Budget 2024-25, which had been levied on foreign investors. This followed a significant $1.93 billion raised in June.

Startups based in Bengaluru and Delhi-NCR led the funding activity, with seven deals each.

Additionally, Kunal Bahl and Rohit Bansal’s Titan Capital Winners Fund successfully met its Rs 200 crore target this week. The fund will focus on investing in follow-on rounds for standout companies from its seed portfolio, leveraging high-signal data for investment decisions.

As of June 30, the government has recognized 140,803 entities as startups. Since 2016, more than 55 regulatory reforms have been implemented to improve business conditions, facilitate capital raising, and reduce compliance burdens for the startup ecosystem.

Tags: FUNDINGIndian Startup EcosystemKunal BahlRohit Bansal

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Exclusive

Cisco to acquire AI security startup Robust Intelligence

Observenow Desk

Cisco, a global leader in IT, networking, and cybersecurity, has announced the acquisition of Robust Intelligence, an AI security firm. Founded by Israeli mathematician Professor Yaron Singer, Robust Intelligence specializes in securing AI models throughout their lifecycle, according to CTech.

This acquisition is set to bolster Cisco’s AI security capabilities, aligning with its strategic focus on AI investments, including a recently launched $1 billion AI fund. While the financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, it underscores Cisco’s commitment to enhancing its AI portfolio.

Cisco’s wide-ranging products and services in networking, telecommunications, and cybersecurity play a vital role across various sectors, including business, government, and home communications. Robust Intelligence brings expertise in securing AI applications from development through to production, leveraging advanced automation and risk mitigation techniques to ensure safe deployments that comply with industry and regulatory standards.

Prior to the acquisition, Robust Intelligence had plans for significant expansion, despite its relatively small team based in Israel. Under Cisco’s leadership, these plans are expected not just to continue but to scale up significantly.

Co-founded by Yaron Singer and Kojin Oshiba in 2021, Robust Intelligence quickly established itself in the AI security landscape, securing $44 million in funding and achieving a valuation of over $200 million. This rapid growth highlights the strong market confidence in its innovative AI security solutions.

Tom Gillis, Cisco’s Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Security Business Group, stated, “Integrating Robust Intelligence technology will greatly enhance our ability to protect our customers’ AI applications from emerging threats.”

Security leaders need purpose-built solutions they can trust to keep up with the new paradigm of AI risk,” said Robust Intelligence co-founder and CEO Yaron Singer. “Our team is excited about the integral role our platform will play in shaping the future of the Cisco Security Cloud, providing end-to-end AI security and leading the AI revolution with Cisco.”

Tags: CiscocybersecurityRobust IntelligenceYaron Singer

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Digital Native

Digital Natives Drive Next-Gen Innovation at the 2nd edition of the ObserveNow Super 40 Digital Native Summit & Awards

Riya Adlakha August 28, 2024

ObserveNow Media announces the successful conclusion of the 2nd edition of the Super 40 Digital Native Summit & Awards, held in Bangalore this year. The summit centered around “AI-Powered Transformation: The Digital Native Imperative,” served as a critical forum for examining the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on digital transformation processes.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our esteemed partners, whose unwavering support contributed to the resounding success of 2nd edition of the Super 40 Digital Native Summit & Awards. Our sponsors included Tech Giants like – Niveus Solutions, Google Cloud, Hitachi Vantara, Ctrl S, ZScaler, MongoDB,  Imperva, A Thales Company, Truecaller Business, MeitY Start Up Hub, Karnataka Digital Economy Mission, T- Hub, Pleasin Strides Foundation.

The summit commenced with a Welcome Address by Riya Adlakha, Assistant Editor at ObserveNow Media. She articulated the rapid expansion of Digital Native (DN) accounts and their integral role in facilitating Digital Transformation (DX) initiatives.

In the Keynote Address, Saurabh K. Mehta, Head of Growth Startups, India South at Google Cloud, delivered a compelling presentation that set the stage for the day’s discussions on the transformative potential of AI and its implications for digital strategies.

The dynamic Panel Discussions served as the heart of Super 40 Digital Native Summit & Awards:

The first-panel discussion, “Decoding the Tech-Enthused Mind: Investigating the Mindset of Brands Building for the Modern Indian Consumer,” brought together industry leaders to explore:

  • How brands can effectively adopt digital first strategies to engage with today’s tech-savvy Indian audience.

  • Embracing technological advancements and adapting to cultural contexts

  • Ethical considerations for brands to be able to  forge stronger connections and drive meaningful engagement with their target audiences.

Our esteemed panellists:

– Moderator: Amit Tenglikar, Director, Cyber, Grant Thornton Bharat LLP

–Vaibhav Tewari, Co-founder & CEO, Portea Medical

–Abhishek Kumar, Co-founder & CTO, Xoxoday

–Yash Dayal, CTO, Wakefit

–Vivek Garg, AVP, Swiggy

–Adarsh Prabhu, Associate Director,  Technology Application Modernization, Niveus

–Sachin Kamaladharan, Field Sales Manager, Google Cloud

Vaibhav Tewari, Co-founder & CEO, Portea emphasised, “Technology, data analytics, AI, and digitalization are transforming consumer brands by personalizing approaches that consider cultural nuances in a diverse country like India. Navigating the ethical and regulatory aspects of data use and detailed consumer engagement is crucial.”

The second panel discussion, “Embracing Zero Trust Security for Navigating the Cybersecurity Landscape,” provided a comprehensive exploration around:

  • Zero Trust model &  and its critical role in how organizations are increasingly turning to innovative security models to protect their digital assets.

  • Organizations uplifting behavioral analytics and AI to enhance Zero Trust security measures

  • Best Practices for organisations to ensure compliance while maintaining robust security?

Our esteemed panellists:

  • Moderator: Piyush Bajpai, Director – Cyber | Technology & Transformation, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India LLP

–Suresh Sharma, CISO, PayU

–Yashraaj Balaga, Co-Founder & CTO, Ashield

–Satyajeet Kumar, Director, Trust & Safety, PhonePe

–Sashank Dara, CTO , CISO & Cofounder, Seconize

–Bimal Bhattacharya, President – Engineering, Mirafra Technologies

–Sreejith Vijayendran, Director of Engineering – Infrastructure, Meesho

–Krishnamurthy Rajesh, Global Director & Head -IT, GreyOrange

–Chanchal Kaur, Technical Evangelist, Digital Native Business, Zscaler India

Satyajeet Kumar, Director, Trust & Safety, PhonePe highlighted “ZTA is a fundamental shift in the mindset towards cybersecurity and ensures that a proactive and robust mindset is applied to identity verification procedures. The panel brought out perspectives on what it means for different types of businesses to adopt and deal with the nuances of cybersecurity via ZTA, especially the aspects of regulatory compliance and balancing cost vs addressing the evolving threat landscape.”

“In the present security environment, Zero Trust has become essential as Identity and Access Management (IAM) has expanded beyond traditional organizational limits to a more interconnected global framework. As the first line of defense , Zero Trust is no longer a choice but a mandatory approach for organizations. Adopting Zero Trust principles enables organizations to effectively identify and monitor User Behavior Analysis (UBA), which is crucial for detecting and responding to potential security incidents. Furthermore, integrating Zero Trust with advanced security technologies such as XDR and SOC enhances overall protection in an increasingly complex threat landscape.” said Krishnamurthy Rajesh, Global Director & Head -IT, GreyOrange

The third panel discussion, “Cloud Migration and Digital Transformation: The Digital Native Approach,” emphasized on:

  • For digital natives, cloud migration isn’t just about technology—it’s about agility and scalability.

  • The strategies for incorporating legacy systems into a cloud-first strategy.

  • Best practices offering a roadmap for organizations to leverage cloud solutions for businesses to pivot quickly, respond to market demands, and innovate without traditional constraints.

Our esteemed panellists:

– Moderator:  Jithendran C K, CTO, Blubirch

–Ishaan Bansal, CTO, Bolt.Earth

–Navneet Kumar, CTO, CARD91

–Sandesh Gs, CTO, Bureau

–Sudheer Kumar, Director Engineering, Jupiter Money

–Ankush Bansal, Vice President, CtrlS

“Cloud migration plays a crucial role in enhancing customer experiences and delivering personalized services by providing scalability, flexibility, and advanced data management Cloud platforms enable centralized data storage and real-time analytics, allowing companies to gain valuable insights into customer preferences and behaviors, which can be used to tailor personalized services and recommendations. Additionally, cloud-based solutions support omni-channel customer interactions, creating consistent and seamless experiences across different platforms, such as web and mobile. They also enable faster deployment of new features and updates, allowing businesses to respond quickly to market changes and customer feedback,” said Navneet Kumar, CTO, CARD91.

Sudheer Kumar, Director Engineering, Jupiter Money highlighted, “Building Fintech products/services on cloud enables auto-scaling with high reliability. It is important that digital natives implement disaster recovery strategy within/across cloud providers.”

The fourth panel discussion, “Generative AI & the Future of Innovation for Digital Natives: Navigating Opportunities and Challenges,” took center stage to discover:

  • AI enabling digital natives to innovate faster and more creatively than ever before.

  • The challenges of implementing Generative AI—such as ensuring transparency and managing AI-driven disruptions.

  • Analyzing the potential economic impact of Generative AI on job markets and its role in driving industry innovation.

  • Ethical challenges of Generative AI and how policy frameworks and technological safeguards can address them.

Our esteemed panellists: 

  • Moderator: Aditya Nanda, Regional VP-DNB & Mid Market, MongoDB

–Rajamohan, CTO, Bonito Designs

–Ashish Sharma, CBO, PhysicsWallah

–Tanin Chakraborty, Sr. Director & Global DPO, Biocon Biologics Ltd

–Rithish Saralaya, Sr. VP Engineering, Redbus

–Vishal Ramrakhyani, SVP, Head of Engineering, Zoomcar

–Biru Kumar, VP Engineering, Betterhalf

–Abhishek Dutta, Director – Data Science, AI & Digital, Affine

–Kumar Rangarajan, Co-Founder, Slang Labs

–Chetan B R, Cloud Sales, Google Cloud

–Yash Gupta, Co-Founder, Nova Benefits

“Zoomcar has introduced its new GenAI-based multi-lingual assistant, designed to support new hosts with instant, accurate answers to all their queries—no need to wait for customer support. This is just the beginning, as we’re also exploring how GenAI can further enrich our product details page, making the experience even more seamless for our guests”, said Vishal Ramrakhyani, SVP, Head of Engineering, Zoomcar.

Yash Gupta, Co-Founder, Nova Benefits emphasised, “Nova is leveraging GenAI by converting unstructured hospitalization documents into structured data, making the claims process smoother and more efficient. We’re also using AI to decode complex business insurance policies, empowering our team to provide clearer, more informed guidance to our clients. These innovations underscore our commitment to harnessing AI for better customer experiences and operational excellence.”

The summit concluded with a powerful keynote address by Suresh Khadakbhavi, CEO of Digi Yatra Foundation, on “The Transformational Journey of Digi Yatra.” He highlighted Digi Yatra’s commitment to revolutionizing the travel experience through seamless, contactless, and secure digital solutions, reflecting broader initiatives aimed at fostering innovation and digital transformation across sectors. The address underscored the importance of embracing technology to drive efficiency, enhance user experiences, and propel India into a new era of digital leadership.

The evening brimmed with the Super 40 Award Ceremony, celebrating the remarkable achievements within the digital native community and recognizing excellence across various domains.

The list of winners is as below:

1. Founder with Exceptional Leadership: Abhishek Kumar, Group CTO, Xoxoday by Giift

2. Data Privacy Officer of the Year: Tanin Chakraborty, Sr. Director & Global DPO, Biocon Biologics Ltd.

3. Young Entrepreneur with Outstanding Vision: Sameer Shashank Gattupalli, Co-Founder & CEO ,MoneyPlanned

4. Digital Transformation Trailblazer Award: Priya, CTO, Happiest Minds Technologies Ltd

5. Best Use of AI: Abhishek Dutta, Global Director – Data Science & Consulting, Affine

6. Changemakers in Social Entrepreneurship: Sandesh GS, CTO, Bureau

7. Founder with Exceptional Leadership: Akhil Gupta, Co-Founder and Chief Product & Technology Officer, NoBroker Technologies

8. Changemakers in Social Entrepreneurship: Sashank Dara, CTO, CISO & Co-Founder, Seconize

9. Best use of AI: Varun Kumar Modi, CTO, Brightmoney

10. Top Travel Startup: Vishal Ramrakhyani, SVP & Head of Engineering, Zoomcar

11. Startup with Exceptional Innovation: Vaibhav Tewari, Co-Founder & CEO, Portea Medical

12. Cybersecurity and Risk Management in B2B Environments: Suresh Sharma, CISO, PayU

13. Best Technology Startup of the Year: Jharna Saha, Co-Founder, EPVI New Technological Epoch

14. Best B2B Startup: Shivakumar Kuppannan, CEO, Star Systems India

15. Best Technology Startup of the Year: Kamalaakar Devaki, Founder & CEO, SandLogic Technologies

16. Leading Blockchain Startup: Wilson Bright, CEO, BlockSurvey

17. Cybersecurity and Risk Management in B2B Environments: Yashraaj Balaga, Co-Founder & Head Of Product Engineering, AShield Technologies

18. Best Technology Startup of the Year: Jithendran C K, CTO, Blubirch

19. Startup with Exceptional Innovation: Ashish Dokania, CEO, Green Tiger Mobility

20. Best use of AI: Manish Pandya, Founder & MD, NileForge Technology

21. Best Social Impact Startup: Sachin Nandwana, Co-Founder & Director, BigHaat

22. Cybersecurity and Risk Management in B2B Environments: Bipin Sadashiv Lokegaonkar, Head Cloud & OT security, Tata Communications

23. Most Innovative Concept: Yash Gupta, Co-Founder & CTO, Nova Benefits

24. Best use of AI: Krishnamurthy Rajesh, Global Director & Head – Information Technology, GreyOrange

25. Startup with Exceptional Innovation: Biru Kumar, VP Engineering, Betterhalf

26. Most Promising Fintech Company of the Year: Rajamohan, CTO, Bonito Designs

27. Best use of AI: Yash Dayal, CTO, Wakefit

28. Best Social Impact Startup: Richa Singh, Founder & CEO, YourDOST

29. Most Promising Fintech Company of the Year: Navneet Kumar, CTO, CARD91

30. B2B Entrepreneur of the Year: Ajay Tiwari, CEO & Co-Founder, HappyLocate Relocation Services

31. Young Entrepreneur with Outstanding Vision: Kiran Poojary, CTO, Simple Energy

32. Best Use of AI: Siddharth Tripathi, CEO, Desi Vocal

33. B2B Entrepreneur of the Year: Gautam Pillai, Co Founder & CRO, CloudDBTech

34. Best Use of AI: Kumar Ranaranjan, Co-Founder, Slang Labs

35. Best Use of AI: Anoop Kumar Mishra, Sr. Director & Head of Data Platform, Ace Turtle

36. Changemakers in Social Entrepreneurship: Hilal Ahmad Lone, CISO, Razorpay

ObserveNow Media extends its deepest gratitude to all speakers, panellists, partners, and attendees for their invaluable contributions, which made this summit a resounding success. The insights and discussions will undoubtedly continue to influence the trajectory of AI-driven digital transformation.

Tags: artificial intelligencecybersecurityRiya AdlakhaSuper 40 Digital NativeSuper 40 Digital Native Summit & Awards

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Cybersecurity

McAfee Unveils New Deepfake Detection Tool in Partnership with Lenovo

Observenow Desk

McAfee has introduced its latest innovation, the McAfee Deepfake Detector, expanding its range of AI-driven solutions. As deepfake technology becomes increasingly prevalent, misleading AI-generated videos and audio are rapidly spreading across social media, making it harder to distinguish reality from deception. In response, McAfee has partnered with Lenovo to integrate this advanced deepfake detection technology into select Lenovo AI PCs, beginning today.

To further assist consumers, McAfee is launching the Smart AI Hub. This new platform offers resources and interactive features aimed at educating users about deepfakes and AI-powered scams.

The rise of AI has significantly amplified the capabilities of cybercriminals, allowing them to craft more convincing and personalized scams. Deepfake fraud can have severe consequences, with reported losses ranging from $250 to over $500,000. Although not all AI-generated content is harmful, verifying the authenticity of videos is crucial for making informed decisions.

Roma Majumder, McAfee’s Senior Vice President of Product, emphasized the importance of staying informed in today’s AI-driven environment. “In a world where the authenticity of content is often in question, McAfee Deepfake Detector provides immediate answers, ensuring you know if a video or audio clip is genuine.”

Igor Bergman, Vice President of Lenovo Cloud and Software, highlighted the synergy between Lenovo and McAfee: “Our collaboration merges Lenovo’s hardware expertise with McAfee’s AI security innovations, offering consumers enhanced trust in the digital content they encounter.”

The McAfee Deepfake Detector is now available exclusively on select Lenovo AI PCs. This tool alerts users within seconds if AI-altered audio is detected, operating directly on the PC to safeguard privacy and avoid reliance on cloud-based processing. With detection models trained on nearly 200,000 samples, the tool ensures a high level of accuracy while preserving device performance and battery life.

Starting August 21, 2024, McAfee Deepfake Detector will be accessible for English language detection on new Lenovo AI PCs available through Lenovo.com and select retailers in the US, UK, and Australia. Customers will receive a complimentary 30-day trial, with pricing set at $9.99 for the first year.

Tags: Deepfake Detection ToolLenovoMcAfee

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Education

Ministry of Education Pushes for Full Literacy Across India by 2030 Under New Initiative

Observenow Desk

The Ministry of Education (MoE) has set a clear goal for States and Union Territories to achieve “full literacy” by 2030 under the New India Literacy Programme (NILP). In a recent directive, School Education Secretary Sanjay Kumar emphasized the importance of adult literacy, urging the onboarding of one crore learners annually through this five-year initiative (2022-2027). Kumar outlined that “literacy” goes beyond reading and writing, encompassing numeracy and essential life skills like digital and financial literacy. A State or Union Territory will be deemed “fully literate” when it reaches a 95% literacy rate, which the NILP considers equivalent to 100% literacy.

The MoE clarified that individuals previously classified as non-literate could attain literacy status by passing the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT). The latest FLNAT in March 2024 saw an 85.27% pass rate, slightly lower than in previous years.

The NILP has a budget of ₹160 crore for 2024-25, though past fund utilization has been inconsistent. Despite previous literacy programs like Saakshar Bharat, a significant portion of India’s adult population remains non-literate, highlighting the ongoing challenges.

The Ministry’s ULLAS initiative, part of NILP, is expected to be instrumental in addressing these gaps, with the ultimate aim of achieving full literacy across India by 2030. Kumar’s message to State governments underscores the urgency of this national mission and the collective effort needed to realize this ambitious goal.

Tags: Ministry of EducationNew India Literacy ProgrammeSanjay Kumar

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Education

Australia to Cap International Student Intake at 270,000 for 2025

Observenow Desk

Australia has announced a cap on the number of new international students at 270,000 for the calendar year 2025, with the introduction of a National Planning Level (NPL). This decision is pending the passage of legislation currently before Parliament.

According to Education Minister Jason Clare, the NPL will allocate approximately 145,000 spots for higher education, maintaining the intake at 2023 levels. This approach aims to support universities still recovering from the pandemic, particularly those facing uneven patterns of student returns. In the vocational education and training (VET) sector, around 95,000 new students will be enrolled, with institutions heavily reliant on international students receiving lower allocations to encourage diversification.

Starting in 2026, the government will urge universities to expand student housing to benefit both domestic and international students as part of their growth strategies. Non-university higher education providers and other universities will have around 30,000 new international student commencements in 2025.

Data from the Australian Education Department shows that 561,000 international students commenced studies in 2023, with figures of 388,000 in 2022 and 519,000 in 2019. The planned intake for 2025 will be the lowest in five years.

The Australian government has also noted that the number of international students at universities is now 10% higher than pre-COVID levels, while private vocational and training providers have seen a 50% increase.

In addition, the government announced in December 2023 that higher IELTS band scores and a new English test would be required starting in 2025. The Visa processing fee was also increased from July 1, marking the steepest hike in five years.

Tags: higher educationJason ClareNational Planning Level

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