🖥️ Tech Futures #16

Happy Monday 👋

AI models like GPT-4 require vast data and computational resources, with future models needing millions of GPUs for training. Nvidia's CEO and SK Hynix's chairman discussed accelerating HBM4 supply, crucial for advancing beyond Moore's Law. Swift, UBS, and Chainlink have announced a pilot project to tokenize funds, integrating blockchain with traditional finance for efficiency. Zambia's government unveiled the 'Cyberthon' initiative to enhance cybersecurity amid digital transformation, addressing vulnerabilities and promoting digital skills. Physical Intelligence raised $400M, reaching a $2 billion valuation, aiming to develop adaptable software for various robots.

What's new?
HolonIQ’s new Green Skills Map and Workforce section reveal industry-wide sustainability skills and jobs, as well as workforce development initiatives, supporting upskilling for a sustainable economy.

⚙️ Artificial Intelligence

🖲️ GPT-4 AI Language Model Excels with Vast Training Data. GPT-4, an advanced AI language model developed by OpenAI, achieved remarkable performance by training on an enormous amount of data equivalent to about two million books.

🤖 Meta Unveils AI Tools for Robots to Enhance Physical World Interaction. Meta, unveiled three tools and benchmarks to improve robots' touch perception, dexterity, and ability to collaborate with humans in real-world environments.

🧲 Microsoft announced the Magnetic-One AI Agent Orchestration System. Microsoft introduced Magnetic-One, an AI agent orchestration framework that deploys numerous agents to accomplish daily activities autonomously for users.

💾 Semiconductors

🤝 Nvidia and SK Hynix Collaborate on High Bandwidth Memory. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and SK Hynix Chairman Chey Tae-won announced a collaboration on High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) that allows progress beyond Moore's Law.

🔬 TSMC to receive ASML's next-gen chip machines this year. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) is set to receive its first shipment of the world's most advanced chipmaking machines from Dutch supplier ASML Holding NV this year.

⚡ Blockchain

🔗 Swift, UBS, and Chainlink are piloting blockchain-based fund tokenization. Swift, UBS, and Chainlink have started a pilot project to tokenize funds using blockchain technology.

🚀 Polkadot's Gavin Wood Unveils Next Steps for JAM Protocol. Gavin Wood, the co-founder of Polkadot, signaled the next steps for Polkadot's revolutionary JAM protocol at the sub0 reset event.

🚨 Cybersecurity

🔒 Zambia Bolsters Cybersecurity Amid Digital Transformation Drive. Zambia is prioritizing cybersecurity through initiatives like 'Cyberthon,' partnerships, and the establishment of an AI center to foster a secure and inclusive digital transformation.

🛑 Medianova Strengthens Position in Cloud Security and CDN Market with Investment Boost. Medianova, a company that developed advanced cloud and cybersecurity solutions deployed across 50 international data centers, received an investment boost, strengthening its position in the cloud security and CDN market.

💻 Quantum Computing

🖥️ Quantum Machines and Nvidia Collaborate on Error-Corrected Quantum Computing. Quantum control startup Quantum Machines and technology company Nvidia announced a partnership to use machine learning to advance towards an error-corrected quantum computer.

🛠️ Skills and Workforce

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

🎓 Google has launched its largest AI initiative in the MENA region, committing $15 million by 2027. This funding will provide AI skills, research funding, and AI-driven tools. The program aims to train 500,000 individuals in AI over the next two years, focusing on education, product use, and infrastructure development. It will also support AI research in healthcare and climate through local grants and partnerships, including collaboration on cloud infrastructure with Saudi Arabia.

🤖 Google has committed $5.8 million to advance AI skilling programs in sub-Saharan Africa. According to Google's report The Digital Opportunity of Sub-Saharan Africa, AI could add up to $30 billion to the region's economy by 2030. This investment will support worker training in AI, AI safety and ethics education for teens, nonprofit leaders' use of AI, and civil servant upskilling to integrate AI in policymaking and public service delivery.

🏫 Simplilearn launched "Mission: AI Ready!" to equip over 100,000 alumni with generative AI skills.  As part of this mission, specialized generative AI programs will be offered to alumni with scholarships covering up to 50% of tuition costs. This initiative signifies Simplilearn's dedication to meeting the workforce's evolving needs and helping its alumni stay competitive in the fast-paced tech industry by 2025.

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

💴 Physical Intelligence secured $400M in funding, reaching a valuation of $2B, with backing from investors like Jeff Bezos and OpenAI. The company aims to develop adaptable software for various robots, enhancing their operational efficiency.

💶 Ellipsis Labs, a New York-based verifiable finance company, raised $21M led by Haun Ventures. The funding will enhance its blockchain development and support applications like Phoenix, an on-chain orderbook DEX, and Atlas, a specialized blockchain.

🪙 CynLr raised $10M  in Series A funding to enhance its robotics technology for a "universal factory." The investment will improve hardware reliability and software performance while expanding its team to support advanced automation solutions.

💹 Xavveo raised $8.6M in seed funding to advance its autonomous vehicle sensor technology. The investment will support the development of its photonic distributed radar system and expand its engineering team, enhancing capabilities for various markets.

💲 Workorb, a Toronto-based startup, announced the successful completion of its seed funding round, raising $1.5M. Led by Metavallon VC and Freedom of Innovation Ventures, the funding will enhance its AI solutions for the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industries.

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