🖥️ Tech Futures #14

Happy Monday 👋

OpenAI unveiled its o1 model, which enhances decision-making with "System Two Thinking," achieving 83% accuracy on math exams. Google introduced SynthID Text for watermarking AI-generated content, promoting trust and authenticity by allowing users to trace the source of the text. JustUnsecure and Suwebatu AB unveiled AfriHackBox to enhance cybersecurity skills training in Africa. Buenos Aires initiated miBA, empowering 3.6 million citizens with secure blockchain-based digital identities. IBM unveiled Guardium Data Security Center, combining AI and quantum security for enhanced data protection. Venture capitalists invested $3.9B in generative AI startups during Q3 2024, highlighting significant growth. In upskilling initiatives, Sheikh Hamdan launched an initiative to train 5,000 UAE nationals in future tech skills.

🤖 Artificial Intelligence

🌐 OpenAI unveils a new AI model for smarter decision-making. Noam Brown of OpenAI unveiled the o1 model, showcasing how 'System Two Thinking' could transform industries by enabling AI to deliver smarter, more deliberate decision-making.

📷 Google Unveils AI Text Watermarking Technology. Google released SynthID Text, a technique for watermarking text generated by AI models.

🧭 Anthropic Pulls Ahead in AI Agent Race with New Task Completion Software. Anthropic, a startup, announced new software called 'computer use' that allows it to complete user tasks, putting it ahead to develop conversational AI agents.

📲 Apple Intelligence Integrates ChatGPT into iOS and iPadOS. Apple Intelligence integrated ChatGPT into its latest iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2 releases, allowing developers to access the ChatGPT integration.

🛞 Blockchain

🔑 Buenos Aires Pioneers Blockchain-based Digital Identity for Millions of Citizens. Buenos Aires, the capital city of Argentina, implemented a blockchain-based digital identity platform called miBA, empowering 3.6 million citizens with secure digital identities.

🏢 Sui unveiled the Global Web3 Innovation Hub in Dubai. Sui, a blockchain platform, unveiled its first global hub called 'SuiHub Dubai' to drive innovation in the Web3 space.

🏬 Crypto license in Lithuania: A guide for blockchain startups. The news highlights that Lithuania is an attractive destination for blockchain startups due to the favorable services and environment provided by the country.

🚨 Cybersecurity

🚧 JustUnsecure, a nonprofit organization, and Suwebatu AB collaborated to unveil AfriHackBox, a platform aimed at transforming the cybersecurity landscape in Africa by providing skills training to professionals and aspiring experts.

🚦 Instagram, a major social media platform, is implementing facial recognition technology to enhance security measures for its users.

💻 Quantum Computing

🏫 The University of Basel and QuantumBasel collaborated to develop the Q2C into a global center of excellence for quantum computing.

🏨 IBM announced IBM Guardium Data Security Center, a new offering featuring AI and quantum security software to protect organizations from emerging security threats.

🛠️ Skills and Workforce

With reskilling and upskilling playing a key role in closing workforce gaps, HolonIQ is now tracking these impactful initiatives shaping the health industry. Read on for this week’s insights.

🌐 Sheikh Hamdan launched an initiative to train 5,000 UAE nationals in future technologies, preparing them for roles in the private tech sector. The initiative is part of a series of projects to promote startups, boost Emirati talent, and drive innovation, supporting Dubai’s goal to double GDP by 2033 and establish the city as a global tech leader aligned with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.

HolonIQ has also launched the Green Skills Map, an open-source framework initiated for the purpose of cataloging, evaluating, and contextualizing the different components of the rapidly expanding field of green jobs. This comprehensive taxonomy will serve as a resource for understanding the full spectrum and complexity of green skills required across various sectors, thereby enabling a cohesive approach toward achieving net zero and decarbonizing the global economy. Green Skills Map spans 11 areas, 54 sub-areas, and 243 green skills clusters. A snippet of the map covering four areas has been included above. Explore the full map on greenskills.org.

💰 Tech Deals

💲 Venture capitalists invested a staggering $3.9B in generative AI startups during the third quarter of 2024.

💷 Ericsson, a telecommunications company, is investing $19M in Nigeria as part of a business strategy developed in the 1920s.

🚗 Wayve Technologies Ltd., a UK startup that raised over $1B from investors led by SoftBank Group this year, is starting to test automated driving technology in and around Silicon Valley.

Thank you for reading. Have a great week ahead!
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