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MongoDB Atlas for Government Empowers U.S. Agencies to Tackle Data Challenges with Agility

In an era where federal agencies are inundated with vast amounts of unstructured data, from emails and documents to surveillance footage and sensor outputs, the need for agile, scalable, and secure data management solutions has never been more critical. Addressing this pressing demand, MongoDB Atlas for Government, powered by Amazon Web Services, offers a modern database platform tailored to meet the unique challenges of the public sector.

This platform has the capability to manage and analyse diverse data types. Traditional relational databases, with their rigid structures, often fall short in handling the dynamic and voluminous data that agencies now encounter. In contrast, MongoDB’s flexible document model allows for the storage and processing of varied data formats, enabling agencies to derive actionable insights more efficiently.

Gary Taylor, an advisory solutions architect at MongoDB, highlighted in the report that the evolution of data storage needs necessitates a departure from legacy systems. “Traditional relational databases were created in the day when storage was very expensive. In today’s world, storage is not expensive at all. Yet agencies pay a growing cost as system performance degrades, data volumes expand, and data is increasingly distributed across multiple clouds,” Taylor noted.

One of the standout features of MongoDB Atlas for Government is its attainment of the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) Moderate authorization. This certification ensures that the platform meets stringent U.S. government security and compliance standards, facilitating its adoption across federal agencies.

The platform’s integration with AWS GovCloud further enhances its appeal, providing agencies with a secure and compliant environment to deploy, operate, and scale applications. This collaboration ensures high availability, automated backups, and robust security features, all essential for mission-critical government operations.

Moreover, MongoDB Atlas for Government’s support for multi-cloud deployments, including compatibility with Google Cloud’s Assured Workloads, offers agencies flexibility in their cloud strategies. This multi-cloud capability not only ensures resilience and disaster recovery but also allows agencies to leverage best-in-class services from multiple cloud providers while maintaining compliance with FedRAMP requirements.

As artificial intelligence and machine learning become integral to government operations, the ability to process and analyze large datasets in real-time is paramount. MongoDB Atlas for Government’s architecture supports these advanced analytics, enabling agencies to harness AI-driven insights for improved decision-making and citizen services.

In conclusion, MongoDB Atlas for Government stands out as a robust solution for federal agencies grappling with the complexities of modern data management. Its combination of flexibility, scalability, security, and compliance positions it as a pivotal tool in the government’s digital transformation journey.

LinkedIn Layoffs Reflect AI’s Growing Influence on Tech Employment

In a move that underscores the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on the tech industry, LinkedIn has announced the layoff of approximately 281 employees across its California offices. This decision is part of a broader restructuring effort aimed at aligning the company’s operations with evolving technological priorities.

The layoffs, communicated to affected employees on May 13, span multiple locations: 159 positions in Mountain View, 60 in San Francisco, 23 in Sunnyvale, 11 in Carpinteria, and 28 remote roles. The affected employees include software engineers, machine learning specialists, product managers, and designers. This reduction follows a previous layoff of 716 employees in 2023, indicating a continued trend of workforce adjustments within the company.

These job cuts coincide with LinkedIn’s increased investment in AI-driven features, such as AI-generated posts and comment suggestions, aimed at enhancing user engagement and streamlining content creation. While these innovations position LinkedIn at the forefront of technological advancement, they also contribute to internal restructuring, as certain roles become redundant due to automation.

The parent company, Microsoft, has also embraced AI integration, with CEO Satya Nadella revealing that up to 30% of the company’s code is now generated by AI. This shift towards automation reflects a broader industry trend, where companies are leveraging AI to increase efficiency and reduce operational costs.

However, the rapid adoption of AI has raised concerns about job displacement, particularly in entry-level white-collar positions. Experts warn that AI could eliminate up to 50% of these roles within the next five years, potentially leading to significant unemployment rates. This scenario highlights the need for proactive measures, such as reskilling and upskilling programs, to prepare the workforce for the changing job landscape.

In India, companies are taking steps to mitigate the impact of AI on employment. A recent report indicates that 94% of Indian organizations plan to reskill their employees to adapt to the evolving technological environment. This approach emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and adaptability in the face of rapid technological change.

As LinkedIn navigates this period of transformation, the company remains committed to balancing technological innovation with workforce considerations. The integration of AI presents both opportunities and challenges, necessitating thoughtful strategies to ensure that advancements benefit both the organization and its employees.

In conclusion, LinkedIn’s recent layoffs reflect the growing influence of AI on the tech industry, signaling a shift in employment dynamics. As companies continue to embrace automation, it is imperative to address the resulting workforce implications through strategic planning and investment in human capital development.

Autodesk Appoints Ashish Kumar Mittal as Public Sector Director for India and SAARC

Autodesk, the U.S.-based software giant renowned for its engineering and design solutions, has named Ashish Kumar Mittal as its new Director of Public Sector for India and the SAARC region. This strategic leadership move is part of Autodesk’s growing commitment to supporting digital transformation within government institutions and public sector initiatives across South Asia.

With more than 30 years of experience in the IT industry, Mittal brings to the role a wealth of knowledge gained through his extensive tenure across both public and private organizations. His professional journey includes senior positions at major technology firms such as Zenith, HCL, Oracle, Microsoft, Adobe, and ESRI India. Known for his strengths in business growth, stakeholder engagement, and long-term strategic relationship management, Mittal is expected to lead Autodesk’s outreach to public sector clients with renewed vigor.

In his new role, Mittal will oversee the company’s public sector operations in India, guiding its strategy, execution, and engagement with government-led infrastructure and digital initiatives. His responsibilities also include managing the public sector sales division and fostering collaboration with policymakers and industry stakeholders. The objective: to integrate Autodesk’s cutting-edge tools into national and regional development efforts.

Autodesk sees the public sector as a critical growth area, especially as governmental bodies increasingly adopt data-driven decision-making and digital technologies to modernize infrastructure. The appointment of Mittal is a clear signal of Autodesk’s intent to deepen its footprint in this space and contribute meaningfully to transformative projects in both India and SAARC nations.

Haresh Khubchandani, Vice President for Asia Pacific and Japan at Autodesk, welcomed the appointment, noting that Mittal’s proven track record aligns well with the company’s ambition to support India’s long-term development vision. Khubchandani emphasized that Autodesk is positioning itself to play a more prominent role in key national initiatives aimed at modernizing infrastructure and promoting sustainable urban development.

Commenting on his new role, Mittal expressed optimism about India’s ongoing digital shift, especially within the public sector. He highlighted Autodesk’s commitment to aiding the government’s ‘Developed India’ vision by helping build smart, future-ready infrastructure that addresses both present needs and long-term sustainability.

A graduate in Computer Science and Engineering with a Bachelor of Technology degree, Mittal’s technical foundation and leadership experience equip him well for this role. His appointment is expected to accelerate Autodesk’s efforts to bring innovation and efficiency to public infrastructure planning and execution across the region.

With this leadership reinforcement, Autodesk is poised to expand its impact on South Asia’s digital public infrastructure landscape, fostering stronger collaboration between technology and governance in the years ahead.

Microsoft Implements Additional Layoffs Amid Strategic Shift Towards AI

In a continued effort to realign its workforce with emerging technological priorities, Microsoft has announced the termination of over 300 employees this week. This move follows a significant reduction of 6,000 positions last month, underscoring the company’s commitment to restructuring in the face of rapid advancements in artificial intelligence. Microsoft has not specified the departments or roles affected in this latest round, the previous cuts predominantly impacted software engineers and managerial positions. These workforce adjustments are part of Microsoft’s broader strategy to streamline operations and invest more heavily in AI-driven initiatives.

The tech industry at large is experiencing a paradigm shift, with major players reallocating resources towards AI development and automation. Companies like Microsoft and Meta have emphasized the efficiency of AI-powered tools, which not only accelerate development processes but also reduce the need for extensive software teams. Salesforce has similarly noted that increased AI adoption has allowed for a more streamlined workforce.

As of June 2024, Microsoft employed approximately 228,000 full-time staff globally, with about 55% based in the United States. The company’s recent layoffs reflect an industry-wide trend of reassessing workforce structures to better align with the growing emphasis on AI and automation. Despite the reductions, Microsoft continues to invest significantly in AI and cloud computing. The company has committed over $13 billion in partnership with OpenAI and has launched products like the Microsoft 365 Copilot assistant, showcasing its dedication to integrating AI into its offerings.

In India, Microsoft has announced a collaborative initiative with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to train 500,000 individuals in rural areas in AI skills. This program aims to empower underserved communities by equipping them with advanced technological knowledge, further emphasizing Microsoft’s commitment to AI development on a global scale.

As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly central to strategic planning across the tech industry, companies like Microsoft are making decisive moves to invest in AI capabilities while restructuring traditional roles. These changes are poised to reshape the technology labor market for years to come.

ObserveNow Announces 10th Education Leaders Conclave & Awards in Chandigarh

ObserveNow Education is all set to host the 10th edition of its flagship event—the Education Leaders Conclave & Awards (ELCA) 2025—on June 5, 2025, in Chandigarh. Powered by Zoom and co-powered by ICFAI University, this edition promises to be a landmark gathering focused on the theme “Higher Education 4.0: The AI Revolution.”

With a sharp focus on how artificial intelligence is transforming the education landscape, the conclave will bring together an impressive cohort of over 150 thought leaders, policymakers, chancellors, vice chancellors, and institutional heads from across India. The event aims to foster discussions around AI-driven transformation in higher education, spanning teaching innovations, student experience enhancement, institutional agility, and the creation of future-ready campuses.

The conclave will be inaugurated with keynote addresses by distinguished leaders including Taniya Tikoo, Co-founder & Editor-in-Chief of ObserveNow, Prof. S. W. Akhtar, Hon’ble Chancellor of Integral University, and Prof. (Dr.) Keshav Sharma, Vice Chancellor, ICFAI University, Himachal Pradesh. They will delve into the strategic imperatives of integrating AI across academic and administrative functions in higher education institutions.

A strong lineup of speakers includes top education leaders such as Dr. Aman Mittal (Vice President, Lovely Professional University), Dr. Sunil Rai (Chancellor, UPES Dehradun), Dr. Kanwar Tushar Punj (Pro Chancellor, Sri Sai University), Dr. Anshu Kataria (Chairman, Aryans Group of Colleges), and many more from institutions such as CT University, Chandigarh University, and Jigyasa University.

Adding depth to the panel are tech-enabled education leaders and administrators such as Dr. Sandeep Sharma from Dev Bhoomi Uttarakhand University and Dr. Akhil Dadarma from IILM University, who will contribute to discussions on smart campuses, AI-integrated curricula, and adaptive learning systems.

The conference is supported by organisations prominent in the education sector. All the partners include- The Association of Indian Universities as the Supporting Partner, Powered by Zoom, Co-powered  by ICFAI, Online Learning Partner is Coursera for campus, Technology partner- Dassault Systems, Student housing partner- Scholar Zolo, Networking partner- Wadhwani foundation, University partners – Lingaya’s Vidyapeeth and Integral university, Coding and assessment partner- CodeTantra, Associate partners- Upgrad and YourDost, and finally CSR partner- Strides Pleasin Foundation.

ELCA 2025 will not only serve as a platform for forward-thinking discussions but also recognize institutions and leaders who have championed digital transformation in education. The awards segment will celebrate excellence in edtech adoption, AI implementation, and student-first policies.

As AI continues to redefine the way knowledge is delivered and consumed, ELCA 2025 stands as a crucial touchpoint for India’s higher education community to chart a collaborative, tech-forward future.

For more details and registration, visit: https://observenowevents.in/elca/chandigarh/

CXOs Explore the Future of AI-Driven Security at ObserveNow–Shivaami Roundtable

In a bid to spotlight the convergence of Artificial Intelligence and cybersecurity, ObserveNow, in collaboration with Shivaami, hosted an exclusive, closed-door CXO Leaders Roundtable on “The Synergy of AI and Security: A Shivaami Perspective.” Held in Gurugram, the event brought together a select group of industry leaders and technology executives for a high-impact conversation on how AI is transforming enterprise security strategies and reshaping the digital future.

The session opened with a welcome note from Ms. Taniya Tikoo, Co-founder and Editor-in-Chief at ObserveNow, emphasizing the urgency of secure, intelligent infrastructure in a world increasingly defined by digital threats and operational complexity. “At ObserveNow, our mission has always been to enable conversations that matter. We don’t just report on transformation, we help shape it by bringing visionaries, innovators, and decision-makers together”.

Juned Kasmani, Associate Director at Shivaami, shared insights into how businesses are leveraging AI to enhance operational resilience and build smarter security frameworks. We at Shivaami bring solutions and services. For that, we have onboarded Google as our digital partner. In Google Workspace, we have established a new enhancement through which a lot of associated costs can be cut out.

Raghav Sharma, Chief Product Technology Officer at BellaVita, added a product-driven perspective to the dialogue, highlighting real-world use cases where AI has helped streamline threat detection, automate decision-making, and bolster digital trust within consumer ecosystems. AI is evolving at a pace where many enterprises haven’t yet factored it into their technology roadmaps. It’s not just about deploying tools—it’s about securing the ecosystem they operate in. For example, if employees are accessing sensitive data through third-party apps, how do we govern that? This is where secure environments, device management, and controlled access to applications become critical, he noted.

He added, Organizations need to look beyond just reactive security and move towards predictive, AI-assisted frameworks. Tools like Google’s AI-powered agent systems and data classification models can help limit exposure and ensure sensitive information is only accessed by the right people.”

Another spokesperson, Deepak, highlighted, Artificial intelligence is coming in every domain now, from personal to professional uses. One should build their organisation as one full of culture—don’t limit your employees but empower them instead. Using AI is not bad.Mr. Amit stated, “You can’t guide each of the 200,000 users individually—you need a policy for what data can be used, in what environment, and how it’s handled. If you’re not learning AI today—whether you’re from infrastructure, project management, or any field—you’ll fall behind.

Naveen, a speaker present in the Round-table gave his insights as well stating, “With hybrid systems coming in, there’s a greater need for accessibility—and with that, the security aspect becomes even more critical. We used to have our own servers and infrastructure to create secure environments—now, everything is moving to the cloud.” To which, Mr. Ritesh replied, “We come from a traditional industry, where everything was built step-by-step. The new industry operates differently and has its own pace. Security policies must align with the organization’s vision—it differs from organization to organization. Every industry has its own set of compliances—you can’t apply a one-size-fits-all approach to IT infrastructure policies.

Mr. Dinkar, a spokesperson of an IT company quoted, “You need to understand and identify what kind of AI and what kind of risks are being added to your system—this must be discovered as early as possible. It’s not just about technology, but also about your paper processes and policies—AI is an additional layer on top of all this. I won’t limit how employees use AI—but I will create a framework for how to use it responsibly.

Following the insights given by all these speakers, Juned made an announcement regarding the anticipated launch of Agentic AI in India: Although it is not officially stated, most probably Agents will be launched in India in June 2025,” said Juned.

The roundtable fostered rich discussion on practical AI deployment, ethical considerations in security automation, and the future role of AI-powered agents in proactive defense strategies. Participants also reflected on the importance of human oversight in an AI-first world, underscoring that while machines can accelerate decisions, strategic direction still lies with people.

With its focus on actionable insights and peer-led learning, the session underscored the growing need for enterprises to adopt intelligent, secure, and scalable digital solutions. By convening voices from across industries, ObserveNow and Shivaami successfully created a space for meaningful exchange—one that promises to inspire a new wave of innovation at the intersection of AI and enterprise security.

Transforming the Way Organisations Work with an AI Powered Collaboration of Google Cloud and Shivaami

ObserveNow in collaboration with Google Cloud and Shivaami recently held an exclusive, closed-door roundtable with select industry leaders from healthcare to software development to deliberate on emerging cloud strategies, AI integration, and enterprise modernization. The invitation-only gathering was aimed at fostering open, high-level dialogue around Artificial Intelligence’s evolving role in business innovation.

The roundtable commenced with opening remarks by Ms. Taniya Tikoo, Co-founder and Editor-in-Chief at ObserveNow. Ms. Tikoo highlighted, “At ObserveNow, we see ourselves at the center of a powerful shift where conversations around cloud innovation, AI integration, and enterprise modernization are no longer just technical discussions, but strategic imperatives.”

“As a B2B media and marketing company, our role is to bring all the right stakeholders to the table—industry leaders, technology providers, and forward-looking enterprises to foster meaningful dialogue. Through platforms like our be-spoke sessions, we create the space for partners like Google Cloud and Shivaami to not only showcase innovation but also listen, learn, and collaboratively define what the future of intelligent workplaces looks like. Whether it’s cost efficiency or rethinking workflows, we are proud to be the bridge where these critical conversations begin.” Ms. Tikoo added.

Following the introduction, participants shared insights into how their respective organizations are leveraging AI to enhance efficiency and drive innovation. This interactive exchange highlighted the diverse applications of artificial intelligence across industries.

Abhinav Kishore, Head of SMB at Google India, expanded on these insights, underscoring AI’s role in enhancing trust, productivity, and user experience. He introduced the concept of Agentic AI, describing it as a significant evolution in enterprise automation. “Agentic AI is where AI doesn’t just interpret data but also acts on it”, he explained. “Imagine an agent integrated with your company’s ticketing system, not only summarizing issues but taking the initiative to escalate them based on context and urgency.

Adding to the conversation, Juned Kasmani, Associate Director at Shivaami, remarked on the practical applications of AI in the enterprise ecosystem. “Artificial Intelligence is being adopted in the right direction”, he said. “It enables the creation, analysis, and optimization of digital workflows. Agentic solutions, in particular, are proving to be effective problem-solvers, and we have dedicated experts working on platforms like AgentSpace to further this innovation.

Sanjeev Kumar, Head IT at EIL raised his concern and said, “The challenge comes from three areas—data security, system enjoyability and liability, and the cost model. We are looking for a solution that’s automatic and predictive in nature—especially useful for facilities management teams monitoring these sites. Sometimes faults may go unnoticed—how can AI help identify such cases more effectively than humans? There are millions of items—how do we track, manage, and maintain them efficiently while utilizing space cost-effectively?

Following the conversation, Mr. Rohit stated, “You need to work very hard on the security part of AI—don’t be scared, but be vigilant. We have an AI-based security solution monitoring real-time spaces—it’s deployed in Maruti Suzuki, Solon, and across metro stations and airports worldwide. During an AI conference, someone raised a concern: suppose the system is deployed at an airport and shows a 1% error—what if it wrongly identifies someone as a terrorist? I told him: we should not depend 100% on AI. There should always be human intervention in critical applications.To which, Mr. Ramjas responded, “AI can help in temperature security—it can notify us with alerts or video feeds before anything actually happens. We are SAP users, and in production companies, each unit follows a specific production plan. AI can assist by aligning material movement with these requirements. As per the requirement, AI can help in real-time decision-making for material issuance and movement across production units.

Mr. Abhijeet added to the conversation and stated, “We are using AI in our organization for procuring hardware—laptops, printers, and other devices. Each user is interacting with AI individually through security apps. AI is currently being used at the individual user level, not as a unified organizational strategy. The challenge is that senior executive management wants to implement AI at an organizational level—that’s the big leap we’re still working on. There’s no doubt that AI can help—especially in summer operations, reputation management, and maintenance. The objective is not to reduce manpower—it’s to enhance it with the support of AI.

Adding further depth and to answer the questions, Ankita, a representative from Google Cloud, shared her perspective on how AI is being strategically implemented across industries to drive measurable outcomes. “At Google, we start by deeply understanding a customer’s business—what’s driving revenue, where growth is happening, and where automation can make an immediate impact,” she explained. “It’s not about a one-size-fits-all solution; it’s about identifying the right starting point for each enterprise. Once priorities are clear, we build automation frameworks that align with those goals.” 

Ankita also highlighted how AI-powered systems are already making autonomous decisions in manufacturing. “Factory machines today are capable of evaluating raw materials, logistics challenges, and operational constraints on their own. They notify you when inventory is low and initiate restocking—completely autonomously,” she noted. Reflecting on the broader implications, she added, “While AI enhances productivity—reducing processes from 40 minutes to just one—it doesn’t replace the human element. Especially in areas like recruitment, the human touch remains essential. What AI offers is a chance to reimagine workflows, increase efficiency, and empower employees by integrating intelligent tools into their daily tasks.

The session concluded with a dynamic exchange of real-world use cases and strategic reflections. The collaborative atmosphere encouraged attendees to share ideas on how AI can reshape not only individual workflows but entire organizational structures. The event reinforced the imperative for responsible and strategic AI adoption as businesses look to future-proof their operations.

By bringing together a curated group of industry pioneers, ObserveNow, Google Cloud, and Shivaami succeeded in creating a powerful forum for dialogue and innovation. As AI continues to mature and evolve, such engagements play a crucial role in shaping the digital blueprint for tomorrow’s intelligent enterprises.

Aurionpro Appoints Sachin Salian as Chief Marketing Officer

In a new development Sachin Salian has been appointed as the new Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). This move comes as the company sharpens its focus on global brand building and market expansion.

With over 20 years of experience in marketing leadership roles, Sachin brings a strong track record in brand strategy, digital transformation, and market growth. At Aurionpro, he will lead the company’s global marketing efforts, working closely with business leaders to enhance brand visibility, focusing on  company’s global marketing strategy and on enhancing digital engagement, and supporting business growth across banking, payments, mobility, and government sectors

Prior to joining Aurionpro,  he was leading the Intellect Design Arena Ltd as Senior Vice President & Global Head of Marketing for iGTB (Intellect Global Transaction Banking) where he successfully led brand campaigns, product marketing, and digital initiatives. During his tenure, he was instrumental in driving brand and product marketing across MEA, South Asia, APAC, and global markets.

Aurionpro’s leadership team believes this appointment will play a key role in driving the company’s next chapter of growth, particularly as it expands its presence in banking, payments, mobility, and government technology solutions. We at ObserveNow wish him all the very best for his new journey.

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