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Month: September 2024

News

HPE completes acquisition of Morpheus Data

Observenow Desk September 3, 2024

HPE has officially completed its acquisition of Morpheus Data, aiming to enhance HPE GreenLake’s cloud capabilities by leveraging Morpheus’ solutions to simplify IT complexity. HPE GreenLake’s software platform integrates the management of multi-cloud and hybrid IT while empowering DevOps teams with self-service provisioning. This acquisition is set to significantly enhance HPE GreenLake’s multi-vendor, multi-cloud management capabilities.

Morpheus Data will complement the AI-driven IT operations management provided by HPE’s OpsRamp, a previous strategic acquisition. This integration will facilitate advanced multi-cloud automation and orchestration, providing a streamlined, end-to-end management experience that allows customers to self-manage their applications.

The integration will also introduce important FinOps features, offering customers deeper insights into their cloud expenditures, enabling the creation of usage guardrails, and optimizing workloads for substantial cost savings.

Morpheus Data, previously a partner of HPE in the private cloud space, will now be fully integrated into HPE GreenLake’s cloud and private cloud portfolio, while still being available as standalone software.

Tags: Hewlett Packard EnterpriseHPEHPE GreenLake'sMorpheus Data

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News

Meta AI Hits Major Milestone with 400 Million Users

Observenow Desk

Meta AI has achieved a significant new milestone, reaching 400 million monthly active users across its platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, and Messenger. This expansion, which began in April, has seen Meta AI extend its reach beyond the US to countries like India and several others.

Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, shared the news via the company’s Threads app, revealing that Meta AI now boasts 400 million monthly active users and 185 million weekly users across its services. Despite not yet entering key markets such as the UK, Brazil, and the EU, the AI chatbot has demonstrated impressive growth.

Since its international rollout in April, Meta AI has also launched in Australia, Canada, Ghana, Jamaica, Malawi, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Singapore, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and more recently, India in June 2024.

Tags: Mark ZuckerbergMeta AI

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Governance

Centre Appoints Dharmendra as New Chief Secretary of Delhi

Observenow Desk

The Centre has appointed Dharmendra, a senior IAS officer of the 1989-batch from the AGMUT cadre, as the new Chief Secretary of Delhi. Prior to this, Dharmendra was serving as the Chief Secretary of Arunachal Pradesh. His transfer to the Delhi government comes just ahead of the February assembly elections, making him one of the most senior officers in the AGMUT cadre to assume this key role.

According to an order issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, Dharmendra’s transfer is effective from September 1, 2024, or from the date he assumes office, whichever is later. The appointment is significant as it positions Dharmendra to play a pivotal role in the administration during the upcoming elections.

Dharmendra succeeds Naresh Kumar, a 1987-batch IAS officer, whose tenure ended on August 31 after three extensions. The appointment was made on the same day as Naresh Kumar’s term expired, amidst speculation of a further extension.

Tags: DharmendraIAS officerUnion Ministry of Home Affairs

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News

WhatsApp Developing Voice Chat Mode for Interacting with Meta AI: Report

Observenow Desk

WhatsApp is reportedly developing a new voice chat mode that will enable users to communicate with Meta’s AI chatbot, according to a report by WaBetaInfo.

This feature, currently spotted in the WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.24.18.18, would allow users to engage in hands-free conversations with Meta AI, issuing commands and receiving responses through voice interaction.

Additionally, the update is expected to include privacy features, such as an indicator to inform users when Meta AI is listening or not. The platform is also planning to introduce a shortcut for quick access to this voice mode, with the flexibility to switch back to text-based chats. As of now, the feature is not yet available for beta testing.

Tags: Meta AIVoice Chat ModeWhatsApp

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News

Intel and IBM Collaborate to Provide Better Cost Performance for AI Innovation

Observenow Desk

IBM and Intel have announced a collaboration to offer Intel Gaudi 3 AI accelerators as a service on IBM Cloud. This new service, expected to launch in early 2025, aims to provide a more cost-effective way for enterprises to scale their AI workloads while driving innovation with a focus on security and resilience. As part of this collaboration, IBM will also integrate Gaudi 3 support into its watsonx AI and data platform. IBM Cloud will be the first cloud service provider (CSP) to adopt Gaudi 3, making it available for hybrid and on-premise environments.

“Unlocking AI’s full potential requires an open and collaborative ecosystem that offers customers choice and accessible solutions,” said Justin Hotard, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Intel Data Center and AI. “By integrating Gaudi 3 AI Accelerators and Xeon CPUs with IBM Cloud, we are introducing new AI capabilities that meet the growing demand for cost-effective, secure, and innovative AI computing solutions.”

While generative AI holds promise for accelerating digital transformation, it also requires significant compute power, emphasizing the need for availability, performance, cost-efficiency, energy efficiency, and security. Through this partnership, Intel and IBM aim to reduce the total cost of ownership for AI deployment while boosting performance. Gaudi 3, when combined with 5th Gen Xeon, is designed to support enterprise AI workloads both in the cloud and in data centers, giving customers greater visibility and control over their software stack and simplifying workload and application management. The integration of IBM Cloud with Gaudi 3 will help customers more effectively scale their AI workloads, focusing on performance, security, and resilience.

For generative AI inferencing workloads, IBM plans to support Gaudi 3 within the watsonx AI and data platform, providing watsonx users with additional infrastructure options to scale AI workloads across hybrid cloud environments and optimize the cost-performance ratio of model inferencing.

“IBM is committed to helping our clients drive AI and hybrid cloud innovation by providing solutions that meet their business needs. Our focus on security and resilience with IBM Cloud has been a key driver of our hybrid cloud and AI strategy for enterprise clients,” said Alan Peacock, GM of IBM Cloud. “Using Intel’s Gaudi 3 accelerators on IBM Cloud will offer our clients a flexible AI solution that optimizes cost performance, unlocking new opportunities to test, innovate, and deploy AI inferencing solutions more affordably.” The partnership between IBM and Intel aims to help clients across industries, including those that are heavily regulated, leverage IBM Cloud’s robust security and compliance features to make Gaudi 3 services accessible to enterprises.

Scalability and Flexibility: IBM Cloud and Intel provide scalable and flexible solutions that allow clients to adjust computing resources as needed, leading to potential cost savings and improved operational efficiency.

Enhanced Performance and Security: By integrating Gaudi 3 into IBM Cloud Virtual Servers for VPC, x86-based enterprises can run applications faster and more securely than before, improving user experiences. Intel and IBM have a long history of collaboration, from the development of the IBM PC to the creation of enterprise AI solutions with Gaudi 3. The IBM Cloud with Gaudi 3 offerings is expected to be generally available in early 2025. Stay tuned for more updates from Intel and IBM in the coming months.

Tags: AI InnovationAlan PeacockIBM CloudIntel

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News

AI chatbots must learn to say ‘help!’ says Microsoft exec

Observenow Desk

Generative AI tools have the potential to save companies significant time and money, says Vik Singh, Vice President at Microsoft. However, he acknowledges that these models need to learn when to admit they don’t have the answers. “To be frank, what’s missing today is a model that raises its hand and says, ‘I’m not sure, I need help,'” Singh explained.

Since last year, companies like Microsoft, Google, and others have been rapidly rolling out generative AI applications such as ChatGPT, which can create various types of content on demand, giving users the impression that they know everything. However, despite advancements, these AI models still “hallucinate” or generate inaccurate information. This is a critical issue for Singh, who oversees Microsoft’s Copilot project; his corporate clients cannot afford for their AI tools to go off course, even occasionally.

Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff recently noted that many of his customers are becoming frustrated with the unpredictable behavior of Microsoft’s Copilot. Singh emphasized that “really smart people” are working on developing methods for chatbots to acknowledge when they don’t know the correct answer and to seek human assistance.

Singh believes that a more humble AI model would still be highly valuable. Even if the AI needs to consult a human 50 percent of the time, it would still save “tons of money.” For example, one Microsoft client currently spends $8 every time a customer service representative answers a new request, so using AI could result in substantial cost savings while also providing faster responses for customers.

Singh joined Microsoft in January and recently took charge of the teams developing “Copilot,” Microsoft’s AI assistant for sales, accounting, and online services. These applications have the significant task of generating revenue and justifying the enormous investments in generative AI.

At the peak of the AI boom, start-ups driving this technology were promising solutions so advanced they would “uplift humanity,” as Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI (heavily funded by Microsoft), put it. For now, however, these technologies are primarily being used to enhance productivity and, hopefully, profitability. According to Microsoft, Copilot can perform research for salespeople, freeing up their time to connect with customers. Singh mentioned that Lumen, a telecom company, “saves around $50 million a year” through this capability.

Singh’s teams are now focused on integrating Copilot more deeply into Microsoft’s software and increasing its level of autonomy.

Tags: AI chatbotsAI modelGenerative AIMicrosoftVik Singh

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HR

Darwinbox Elevates CTO Vineet Singh to Co-Founder

Observenow Desk

HRTech startup Darwinbox, Hyderabad’s first unicorn, announced that its Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Vineet Singh, has been promoted to the role of co-founder. This development marks a significant milestone in the company’s growth, recognizing Vineet’s vital contributions to its innovation and success.

Before joining Darwinbox, Vineet Singh built a strong background in engineering and product development across consumer and SaaS technology sectors. His impact at Darwinbox has been transformative, helping shape the company into a leading HR tech platform. Notably, under his guidance, Darwinbox became the youngest and only Asia-origin Human Capital Management (HCM) product to be featured in Gartner’s Magic Quadrant three years ago.

“We are excited to welcome Vineet as our fourth co-founder. He was the first to join our team in 2015 and has since scaled our engineering and R&D teams into a robust 400-member unit. His influence extends beyond technology, having played a key role in driving Darwinbox’s overall growth,” said Chaitanya Peddi, co-founder of Darwinbox.

Peddi further emphasized Vineet’s key role in achieving Darwinbox’s vision of developing a global-standard enterprise tech product from India. “He has expanded the platform into a comprehensive HCM suite with 15 modules in just six years, a feat unmatched in the enterprise HR tech space,” Peddi added.

Expressing his enthusiasm for his new role, Vineet Singh said, “We will further accelerate our technological innovations by embedding AI as a core platform capability to enhance user experience and provide contextual intelligence to our customers. This is just the beginning, and I’m eager to see the continued growth and innovation that lies ahead.”

Founded in 2015, Darwinbox has experienced rapid growth, tripling its scale in the past two years. The company is expanding into new markets, including the US and UK, and currently serves over 900 enterprises and around 3 million employees worldwide. In 2023, Darwinbox partnered with Microsoft to co-innovate future-ready solutions by integrating both ecosystems. The company has also introduced several industry-first innovations, such as integration with Microsoft Teams and the launch of the industry’s first HR-specific large language model to bring AI advancements to its customers.

Darwinbox is supported by prominent global investors, including TCV, Microsoft, Salesforce Ventures, Peak XV, Lightspeed, and Endiya Partners.

Tags: Chaitanya PeddiDarwinboxVineet Singh

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BFSI

Airtel Payments Bank Introduces New Fraud Alarm and Transparent Banking Features at Global Fintech Fest 2024

Observenow Desk

Airtel Payments Bank has introduced two new features in the banking section of the Airtel Thanks app: the Fraud Alarm and Transparent Banking. These features are designed to enhance user experience by providing heightened security and increased transparency in banking operations. The new solutions were showcased at the Global Fintech Fest 2024.

The Fraud Alarm, located in the app’s Safe Bank Section, offers users immediate assistance in case of suspected fraudulent activity. With just one swipe, users can report suspicious transactions, request service, and secure their accounts to prevent further unauthorized actions. This feature ensures a swift and efficient response to potential fraud, empowering users to protect their finances.

In addition, the Transparent Banking section centralizes essential information such as charges, terms and conditions, and customer data storage guidelines. This section presents these details in simplified language, making it easy for users to access and understand. It also explains why various device permissions are required, ensuring transparency regarding user privacy and the data accessed by the app.

Anubrata Biswas, MD and CEO of Airtel Payments Bank, commented: “At Airtel Payments Bank, we are committed to delivering solutions that integrate security, transparency, and user-focused innovation. The introduction of the Fraud Alarm and Transparent Banking features underscores our dedication to making banking simpler, safer, and more rewarding for our customers.”

Tags: Airtel Payments BankAnubrata BiswasGlobal Fintech Fest 2024

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Exclusive

Google partners with Tamil Nadu government to build AI-powered ecosystem

Observenow Desk

Google and the Government of Tamil Nadu have entered into a strategic partnership aimed at accelerating the growth of an AI-driven ecosystem in the state. This collaboration, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), will focus on key areas such as enabling AI startups, enhancing skill development, and supporting the industrial ecosystem, including Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

The MoU was signed at Google’s Mountain View headquarters, in the presence of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, Industries Minister Dr. TRB Rajaa, and Google executives Amit Zavery and Nanda Ramachandran, along with officials from Guidance Tamil Nadu, the state’s investment promotion agency.

“We are pleased to collaborate with Google on advanced manufacturing initiatives, including the recently announced Made in India Pixel 8 phones being manufactured in Tamil Nadu,” said Dr. TRB Rajaa. “The MoU signed today will focus on key Artificial Intelligence (AI) initiatives under the Tamil Nadu AI Labs. Our partnership with Google marks a major step towards making Tamil Nadu a leading hub for AI and advanced electronics manufacturing.”

This partnership is designed to harness Google’s expertise and resources to empower individuals, businesses, and government entities in Tamil Nadu, enabling them to use AI for inclusive growth and development.

“We’re excited to join forces with the Tamil Nadu Government as they advance towards an AI-enabled future,” said Amit Zavery, GM/VP, and Head of Platform at Google Cloud. “This collaboration highlights our mutual commitment to promoting inclusive growth and technological advancement through AI. We are eager to build a robust AI ecosystem in Tamil Nadu—one that not only drives innovation and creates new opportunities but also equips people with the skills necessary to thrive in the digital era.”

Key Aspects of the Partnership

Manufacturing of Pixel 8 Phones: Tamil Nadu is playing a key role in the production of Made in India Pixel 8 devices through local partnerships, enhancing the state’s position in advanced manufacturing.

Skill Development and Education: Google will collaborate with the Tamil Nadu government to enhance AI capabilities among the workforce, potentially through the ‘Naan Mudhalvan’ upskilling platform.

Startups and Innovation: To boost the startup ecosystem, Google will offer mentorship, networking opportunities, and AI-focused events in Tamil Nadu. The Google for Startups program will provide eligible AI startups with valuable resources, such as Cloud credits and technical training.

Empowering MSMEs and Rural Economy: Google, along with Google Cloud partners, will work with the Tamil Nadu government to help MSMEs use Google Cloud’s AI on open network marketplaces to optimize operations and improve decision-making.

This strategic collaboration is set to lay the foundation for Tamil Nadu’s emergence as a prominent player in AI and advanced technology, paving the way for inclusive growth and technological advancement in the region.

Tags: artificial intelligenceGoogleGoogle CloudMK StalinTamil Nadu Government

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Digital Native

Indian Startups Secure Over $485 Million in Funding from August 26-31, 2024

Observenow Desk

In a significant boost to the Indian startup ecosystem, 27 startups across various sectors raised over $485 million in funding during the last week of August. The sectors attracting investment include Quick Commerce, Agritech, Fintech, Edtech, Healthtech, Femtech, Biotech, SaaS, QSR, and Insurtech.

Leading the pack, Quick Commerce startup Zepto secured a massive $340 million, highlighting the growing investor interest in the sector. Specialty coffee and bakery brand Blue Tokai followed with a $35 million Series C round.

Fintech startup Yubi, Agritech startup AGRIM, and Post-sales service firm Servify also saw significant investments, collectively raising $57.3 million. Yubi brought in $30 million, AGRIM secured $17.3 million, and Servify raised $10 million in debt.

Among emerging startups, Medront, a user data storage company, raised the smallest amount with $120,000 in a Pre-Seed round. Meanwhile, InsurancePadosi and ODA Class both secured $500,000 each. Other notable fundraisers include The Hive Hostels, Cambrian Bioworks, Laiqa Wellness, Sunfox Technologies, DeepMatrix, and plutos ONE, with investments ranging from $1.37 million to $2 million.

Noteworthy funding rounds also came from QSR chain 99 Pancakes, robotics startup Miko, and SaaS startup Finarekin Analytics, with amounts ranging from $2.4 million to $4.75 million. Clean Electric, Convin, HouseEazy, and Pilgrim each raised between $6 million and $9 million, further underlining the diverse investment landscape.

In addition to funding rounds, the week witnessed strategic mergers and acquisitions. FMCG firm GRM Overseas acquired a 44% stake in Swmabhan Commerce Pvt Ltd, the parent company of Rage Coffee, while VerSe Innovation, the parent of DailyHunt and Josh, acquired digital marketing solutions firm Valueleaf Group.

This wave of funding and strategic acquisitions underscores the dynamic and evolving nature of the Indian startup scene, with investors keenly eyeing opportunities across a broad spectrum of sectors.

Tags: EdtechFUNDINGIndian Startups

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