DOJ Files Suit to Block HPE’s Purchase of Juniper Networks

The Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit to block Hewlett Packard Enterprise from purchasing smaller rival Juniper Networks.

HPE announced in January 2024 that it had reached an agreement to purchase Juniper Networks in an all-cash transaction worth roughly $14 billion. Juniper specializes in AI-native networks, making it an appealing takeover target for HPE, as HPE made clear at the time of the announcement:

Through its suite of cloud-delivered networking solutions, software, and services including the Mist AI and Cloud platform, Juniper helps organizations securely and efficiently access the mission-critical cloud infrastructure that serves as the foundation of digital and AI strategies. The combination with HPE Aruba Networking and purposely designed HPE AI interconnect fabric will bring together enterprise reach, and cloud-native and AI-native management and control, to create a premier industry player that will accelerate innovation to deliver further modernized networking optimized for hybrid cloud and AI.

Unfortunately for the two companies, the DOJ has filed a suit to block the acquisition, saying it will reduce competition in the network hardware space.

The United States of America brings this civil action to prevent Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company (“HPE”) from acquiring a smaller, but innovative rival, Juniper Networks, Inc. (“Juniper”). HPE and Juniper are the second- and third-largest providers of commercial or “enterprise” wireless networking solutions, respectively, in the United States. The acquisition, if consummated, would result in two companies—market leader Cisco Systems, Inc. (“Cisco”) and HPE—controlling well over 70 percent of the U.S. market and eliminate fierce head-to-head competition between Defendants, who offer wireless networking solutions under the HPE Aruba and Juniper Mist brands.

The DOJ goes on to say that Juniper forced HPE to discount its prices, and that HPE only wants to purchase the small company because it cannot compete on merit.

For years, pressure from Juniper has forced HPE to discount deeply and invest in developing advanced software products and features as part of a multifaceted campaign to “Beat Mist. The “Beat Mist” campaign failed. Having failed to beat Juniper’s Mist on the merits, HPE seeks to acquire Juniper instead for $14 billion. This proposed acquisition risks substantially lessening competition in a critically important technology market and thus poses the precise threat that the Clayton Act was enacted to prevent. It should be blocked.

A Presumptively Unlawful Merger

The suit goes on to make the case that the merger is “presumptively unlawful,” since it would reduce competition and increase consolidation within the market.

The proposed merger is presumptively unlawful. It would significantly increase concentration in an already consolidated relevant market for enterprise-grade WLAN solutions. The proposed acquisition would result in two firms controlling over 70 percent of the relevant market.

To measure market concentration, courts often use the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (“HHI”) as described in Section 2.1 of the 2023 Merger Guidelines. See United States Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission, Merger Guidelines (2023 ed.) § 2.1. HHIs range from 0 in markets with no concentration to 10,000 in markets where one firm has 100 percent market share. Under the Merger Guidelines, a market with HHI greater than 1,800 is highly concentrated, and a change of more than 100 points is a significant increase. See Fed. Trade Comm’n v. Kroger Co., No. 3:24-cv- 00347, 2024 WL 5053016, at 15 (D. Or. Dec. 10, 2024). A merger that creates or further consolidates a highly concentrated market that involves an increase in the HHI of more than 100 points is presumed to substantially lessen competition and is presumptively unlawful. See id. at 15 (citing U.S. Dep’t of Justice & Fed. Trade Commission, Merger Guidelines § 2.1 (2023)).

The proposed merger between HPE and Juniper easily clears these hurdles in the markets for enterprise-grade WLAN solutions and is presumptively unlawful, with a pre-merger HHI over 3,000 and a change of at least 250 points using IDC’s estimates of U.S. market shares for wireless access points. Cisco and Defendants’ shares of the U.S. enterprise-grade WLAN market are roughly in line with their shares of the U.S. market for access points alone.

A Merger Would Hurt the Market

The DOJ maintains that a merger between the two companies would hurt the market in a way that could not be easily offset. This is due to the high barrier to entry any company looking to enter the market would face.

Entry by new vendors of enterprise-grade WLAN in response to the merger would not be timely, likely, or sufficient to offset the anticompetitive effects of the proposed merger of HPE and Juniper. It takes years and significant financial investment for a vendor to design and procure hardware components for a WLAN portfolio; create a management platform that incorporates tools that streamline and automate network maintenance; build a sales and support organization; and recruit value-added resellers and other distribution partners that procure and install equipment for WLAN customers.

The DOJ also believes that any proposed “synergies” of the merger are doubtful to live up to the hype.

Defendants have claimed that the proposed acquisition would generate synergies by combining operations and removing duplication in the companies’ sales, administrative, and other organizations. But HPE’s own executives—and several of HPE’s competitors—have expressed doubts about HPE’s ability to successfully integrate Juniper’s products into its networking portfolio. Regardless, to the extent the proposed transaction would result in any verifiable, merger-specific efficiencies in the relevant market, such efficiencies are unlikely to be timely or substantial enough to mitigate the risk to competition posed by the transaction.

Conclusion

The Trump administration has promised to crack down on Big Tech, vocally criticizing the influence tech companies have. Reuters reports that HPE representatives met with the Trump administration, but clearly those meetings were not productive enough to prevent the lawsuit.

The DOJ’s legal action could portend what’s to come for Big Tech companies and their future merger attempts.

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SoftBank May Invest $25 Billion In OpenAI

SoftBank is the latest company interested in making a massive investment in OpenAI, with the company reportedly looking to invest as much as $25 billion.

OpenAI has been wooing investors as it continues to spend money at an extraordinary rate in its quest for true artificial intelligence. Microsoft has been one of the company’s largest investors, but the relationship between the two companies appears to be cooling.

According to Financial Times, via TechCrunch, SoftBank could invest between $15 and $25 billion dollars in the AI firm. The investment would be in addition to the $15 billion it plans to invest in the US Stargate AI project.

As the outlets point out, the investment would be SoftBank’s largest since its failed WeWork bet. What’s more, the investment would also serve to give OpenAI more independence from Microsoft.

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AI-Powered DevSecOps: Forecasting the Future of Software Security in 2025

In the rapidly evolving tech landscape of 2025, artificial intelligence (AI) is not just enhancing software development—it’s revolutionizing security practices within DevSecOps, the integration of development, security, and operations. Here’s a detailed look at the transformative predictions shaping this sector:

AI-Driven Vulnerability Management

2025 marks a significant leap in how vulnerabilities are managed, with AI playing a pivotal role. Beyond merely detecting security flaws, AI systems now offer remediation strategies, learning from vast datasets to suggest fixes tailored to specific software environments.

“AI-powered DevSecOps is fundamentally changing the landscape of software development and cybersecurity,” notes Ayal Cohen of OpenText in a recent post on X.

The Evolution to ‘Shift Everywhere’

What was once known as the “shift-left” approach in security—where security is addressed early in the development cycle—has evolved. We’re witnessing a “shift everywhere” paradigm, where AI ensures security is omnipresent, from code conception to post-deployment monitoring.

This development means developers can work directly with real-time security insights in their integrated development environments (IDEs), while CI/CD pipelines use AI for continuous security checks.

The Dual Role of AI in Cybersecurity

AI’s role in 2025 is as much about defense as the potential for offense. While AI enhances threat detection and incident response, it also enables attackers to craft more sophisticated threats.

“AI’s potential in cybersecurity is a double-edged sword, empowering both defenders and attackers,” shares Ayal Cohen in another X post. This necessitates a nuanced approach to AI implementation in security protocols.

API Security: A New Frontier

With the rise of microservices and cloud-native applications, APIs have become critical, and securing them is paramount. AI is at the forefront here, predicting and thwarting threats by understanding and monitoring API behavior patterns.

“API security is moving from a technical concern to a boardroom imperative,” according to a post by vmblog on X, with AI being pivotal in managing the security of these interfaces.

The Rise of Integrated Development Platforms

The siloed toolsets of the past are giving way to AI-enhanced, integrated platforms. These platforms not only streamline development but also bake security into every step, reducing the cognitive load on developers and enhancing productivity.

Addressing Security Debt with AI

As AI accelerates development, it also risks increasing security debt. However, AI is also the proposed antidote, capable of scaling remediation efforts to match the speed of development, ensuring vulnerabilities are identified and addressed swiftly.

As we stand in 2025, integrating AI into DevSecOps is proving to be a game-changer for software security. The industry is at a crossroads where the benefits of AI must be balanced with the potential risks it introduces.

The tech sector’s challenge is clear: harness AI to make software development faster and fundamentally more secure. This year might well be remembered as the moment AI truly began to reshape the security landscape, for better or worse, in software development.

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Alternative Investments: Types, Benefits and Challenges, and How to Approach Them

Investing is an exciting endeavor for many people, as it helps grow your wealth, allowing you to meet your financial goals and enhancing your purchasing power. However, given the numerous options available, choosing the right fit for your portfolio can also be intimidating.  While many investors opt for asset classes like bonds, stocks, and cash, others willing to embrace innovation look at alternative investment options that allow them to capitalize on wealth-building opportunities, ranging from venture capital and private equity to art and real estate. 

Cryptocurrency is also one of the newest alternative investments, allowing investors to take advantage of the ethereum price chart and see substantial returns. In general, high-net-worth individuals are the ones to hold alternative investment assets due to these assets’ lack of regulation, complex nature, and high-risk level, and they are fairly illiquid as opposed to their conventional counterparts. Below, we will explore alternative investments in detail, discussing the different types available and their pros and cons, and provide a few tips on approaching these investments. Read on!

What are the different types of alternative investments? 

Alternative investments provide unique rewards and risks, so it’s essential to understand them and see how they fit your needs and your risk level. You can choose among the following:

• Cryptocurrency is digital currency powered by the blockchain, which records each transaction as a block of data and forms a chain to illustrate a clear ownership timeline. When choosing a crypto to invest in, it’s necessary to conduct research, as there are thousands of options available, and some of them are most profitable, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum. While cryptocurrencies have downsides and are volatile, they offer strong wealth potential.
• Real estate. When looking to invest in real estate, the option is to go for investment properties, which consist of office buildings, residential apartment buildings, or mixed-use buildings. Real estate is suitable for investors seeking to gain value from properties alongside the increase in rental rates, which offer valuation to the properties. However, becoming a landlord and managing this investment alternative requires work. 
• Hedge funds. Hedge funds are among the most desirable options for investors, and they are categorized by different strategies, such as event drive, relative value, macro, equity hedge and more. Such strategies represent actively managed bets seeking to beat the average returns in clients’ favor.  
• Commodities. These assets don’t have a similar market behavior to stocks and bonds in terms of fluctuations, and they can involve agriculture like corn, metals like gold, and energy like crude oil, to name a few. They can represent an inflation hedge, coming to maturity at various times of the year, and they can also be sold in future markets. 
• Private equity. Compared to publicly traded shares in enterprises, private equity investments focus on non-publicly traded companies. Capital is invested in these companies, which can be used for different purposes, like making an acquisition, bolstering a balance sheet, expanding on current capital, or buying new technology.  
• Art and collectibles. Some investments can double as hobbies, such as entertainment memorabilia, art, high-end watches, and other collectibles, which have historical depth or can gain value over time as related parties ( like the associated athlete or the artist) become more historic. 

What are the pros and cons of alternative investments? 

Alternative investments have low correlations with conventional ones, like bonds or stocks, due to their unique nature, and as a result, they represent a massive opportunity for investors who want to diversify their portfolios. Given that alternatives are riskier investments, they offer a higher potential return than traditional investments. Furthermore, they have different structures and forms and enable investors to select the option that’s best suited for them based on their risk appetite, preferences, and investment goals. Alternative investments give you the opportunity to tap into markets that cannot be accessed through traditional investments, which is genuinely appealing to many investors ( for example, a baseball enthusiast may be more excited to buy an autographed baseball). Selling a collectible can be more challenging because the market is less liquid, and thus, there are fewer buyers. However, this can be viewed as a benefit because it boosts price stability and lowers the likelihood of panic selling. 

However, alternative investments present downsides. First and foremost, they have higher fees due to their limited accessibility, which can reduce investors’ returns. Furthermore, it can be challenging to acquire market data on their pricing or historical trends because they are not commonly publicly traded. While public companies comply with reporting rules, some types of alternative investments come with increased fraud risk, as they aren’t subjected as much to regulatory oversight. Since they are also more complex than traditional investments, they can be challenging for some investors to understand, leading to uninformed or inappropriate decisions. 

What are the best practices when diving into alternative investments? 

If you’re considering getting started with alternative investments, we recommend taking the following steps to make the most of your journey:

• Understand alternative investment classes. Since these types of investments have differences in market expectations, structure, and regulations, investors should research each one by taking advantage of resources like courses, webinars, and similar educational opportunities. Doing so will offer them insight into how the asset class functions and allow them to decide how each one aligns with their goals. 
• Find a trusted provider. When looking for a trusted provider, you should focus on aspects like fit, integrity, and value. Above all else, your provider should have your best interest in mind, and make you aware of all the risks involved when it comes to an unstable investment option. Furthermore, they shouldn’t overlook the exorbitant fees that could hinder your wealth accumulation. It’s essential to ensure the provider is trustworthy and transparent and that they have investment selections of excellent quality, so don’t overlook this aspect. 
• Track the performance of the investments. Finally, it’s highly recommended that a benchmark be created to track the performance of the selected funds. However, if you’re a beginner, this could feel like wading in a pool of confusing numbers and figures, so use educational resources before you feel comfortable with assessing the performance of your investments – there are many webinars and published reference materials you can take advantage of, and even 1:1 expert instruction. Once you understand how the investments operate, you can interpret the data and gain clarity on how the fund is stacking up to the rest with similar strategies. 

The bottom line

 Alternative investments have excellent benefits, but they also pose challenges that you must understand before you get started with a specific asset class. Take the time to do your research and opt for alternative investments only if you believe they are a good fit for you and you can tolerate the high risk levels they involve.  

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AI Supercharges Developer Productivity: Transforming Code Creation to System Maintenance

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become the catalyst for a productivity renaissance in the high-velocity world of software development, where demand outstrips supply. For professional developers, AI isn’t just another tool; it’s a transformative force that reshapes the entire software lifecycle. Here’s how AI revolutionizes development for those at the forefront of code creation, testing, maintenance, and beyond.

Code Creation: Beyond Autocomplete

AI has transcended simple code suggestions to become an integral part of the coding process. Tools like GitHub Copilot or DeepMind’s AlphaCode now offer intelligent code completion beyond syntax, proposing entire functions or algorithms based on context, project history, and global codebases.

What was once a solitary task has evolved into pair programming with AI, where the machine suggests alternative implementations, highlights potential improvements, or alerts to security vulnerabilities in real time. This shift allows developers to bypass boilerplate code, focusing instead on high-level logic and innovative architecture.

Testing: Comprehensive and Predictive

In the realm of testing, AI has introduced a predictive element. It generates test cases, including those that human testers might not conceive, by learning from vast datasets of code, bugs, and fixes. This results in enhanced test coverage with less manual effort. AI also optimizes CI/CD pipelines by predicting which tests are most likely to fail, prioritizing them, or suggesting which tests can be safely removed, accelerating deployment cycles and improving release reliability.

Maintenance and Monitoring: From Reactive to Predictive

The maintenance phase has significantly shifted from reactive to predictive thanks to AI. Systems now monitor applications in production, detecting anomalies in performance, security, or user behavior. AI can predict potential issues before they escalate, alerting developers in time to take preventative actions. Moreover, when vulnerabilities or bugs surface, AI can suggest patches based on historical data, dramatically speeding up the resolution process. The pinnacle of this trend is self-healing systems where AI autonomously implements fixes, reducing downtime and the urgency for human intervention.

Documentation and Knowledge Management

AI also plays a crucial role in documentation, automatically updating or generating documentation as code changes, ensuring that technical documentation remains both current and comprehensive. Beyond documentation, AI enhances knowledge management by analyzing code, commit messages, and issues to build a dynamic knowledge base, which can answer developer queries about project history or architectural decisions.

Challenges and Considerations

While AI’s integration into development is largely beneficial, it presents some challenges. Developers must adapt to this new paradigm, learning to critically interpret AI’s suggestions while maintaining their creativity and problem-solving skills. There’s a delicate balance to strike to avoid over-reliance on AI, which could potentially stifle innovation or introduce biases if not managed with ethical considerations in mind.

AI is Not Replacing Developers

AI is not replacing developers but augmenting their capabilities, making them more efficient, creative, and focused on delivering value through complex problem-solving. The future of development is a symbiotic relationship between AI and human developers, where each enhances the other’s strengths. For the professional developer, mastering this integration is not just about keeping up; it’s about leading in an industry that’s increasingly intertwined with artificial intelligence.

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DevOps 2025: AI Integration, Enhanced Security, and the Convergence of MLOps

The year 2025 marks a pivotal point where traditional methodologies are not just enhanced but redefined by the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI), a strategic focus on security through DevSecOps, and the convergence with Machine Learning Operations (MLOps). This article explores these intertwined trends, their implications for the industry, and the roadmap ahead.

AI Integration in DevOps: The New Frontier

The integration of AI into DevOps, often termed AI/CD (AI-driven Continuous Deployment), represents a paradigm shift. AI’s role in DevOps transcends automation; it’s about prediction, optimization, and self-healing systems.

• Predictive Analysis: AI algorithms now forecast potential failures or performance bottlenecks before they impact production. Tools like machine learning models analyze historical data from deployments, tests, and logs to predict outcomes with high accuracy.
• Optimization of Processes: AI-driven optimization goes beyond simple automation. It involves dynamically adjusting resources, optimizing code deployment strategies, or even suggesting architectural changes based on real-time performance data.
• Self-Healing Systems: Perhaps the most revolutionary aspect is the development of systems that can autonomously diagnose and fix issues. This reduces downtime, enhances reliability, and shifts human effort from reactive maintenance to proactive innovation.

Enhanced Security: The DevSecOps Evolution

Security in DevOps has evolved from an afterthought to a foundational element, leading to the concept of DevSecOps. In 2025, this evolution is characterized by:

• Security Automation: Security checks are now integrated into every step of the CI/CD pipeline. From code scanning for vulnerabilities to automated compliance checks, security is built into the product from the ground up.
• Zero Trust Architecture: With the rise of remote work and cloud services, the zero trust model has become central. Every access, whether from within or outside the network, is authenticated, authorized, and continuously validated.
• AI in Security: Machine learning models assist in anomaly detection, predicting potential security breaches, and even suggesting remediation strategies. This symbiosis of AI with security practices ensures a more resilient application ecosystem.

The Convergence of DevOps and MLOps

The integration of DevOps with MLOps signifies a fundamental shift towards what we can call “AIOps” – AI Operations. Here’s how they converge:

• Unified Pipelines: Previously separate pipelines for software and model deployment are now converging. This means a single pipeline can handle the deployment of both code and models, ensuring consistency, version control, and traceability.
• DataOps Integration: The management of data, crucial for both DevOps and MLOps, has led to the rise of DataOps. This ensures data quality, availability, and compliance, facilitating both software and model development.
• Shared Tools and Practices: Tools like Kubernetes, Docker, and Git have become staples not just for software but also for machine learning models. Practices like blue-green deployments or canary releases are now applied to models, ensuring safe updates and rollbacks.

Challenges and Considerations

While these trends promise a more efficient, secure, and innovative future, they come with challenges:

• Complexity Management: The integration of various domains increases system complexity, necessitating advanced skills in orchestration and management.
• Ethical and Privacy Concerns: AI models, particularly in security and predictive analytics, must be developed with ethical considerations in mind, respecting privacy and avoiding bias.
• Cultural Shift: The convergence requires a cultural shift towards embracing continuous learning, not just for technology but for the methodologies of how teams work together.

All-Encompassing Approach

By 2025, DevOps has transcended its original scope to become an all-encompassing approach where AI, security, and machine learning operations blend seamlessly. This evolution is not just about adopting new tools or technologies but about fostering a new culture of development that is anticipatory, secure, and inherently intelligent.

As we move forward, the key to success will be in how well organizations can adapt to this multifaceted, dynamic environment, ensuring they leverage these trends to drive innovation while managing the inherent challenges effectively.

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Perplexity AI Integrates DeepSeek, Giving Users Uncensored Private Option

Perplexity AI CEO Aravind Srinivas announced the company has integrated DeepSeek AI into its service, giving users a way to use the AI model privately and without censorship.

DeepSeek has dominated the news after it surprised the industry by revealing an AI model that rivals OpenAI, one it developed at a fraction of the cost and using second-rate Nvidia chips. Unfortunately, as a Chinese company, using DeepSeek’s R1 model comes with two main concerns:

• As with any Chinese company, there is a major concern regarding data and privacy, with Chinese companies legally bound to cooperate with Beijing in their surveillance and espionage efforts.
• DeepSeek R1 has already been shown to be aggressively censoring content, especially anything potentially critical of China. To see this at work, simply ask the the AI model to describe what happened at Tiananmen Square.

Perplexity is giving users an option, however, adding DeepSeek R1 to the list of AI models it offers support for. Srinivas announced the development in a post on X.

We’ve shipped many things in Perplexity, but integrating DeepSeek R1 with search is truly a phenomenal experience, seeing the model think out loud like an intelligent person, reading hundreds of sources, with sleek UX. Yes, the limits suck right now, but as I promised, we will increase them every day.

Because R1 can be used and deployed by anyone, with the source code available, Perplexity is able to address both concerns about R1 by running it on US-based servers and removing any censorship.

Well, even if you don’t care about your data going to China, I think it’s worth caring about not using a censored model that the DeepSeek app serves. And that’s why it’s worth using the R1 model on Perplexity with web search grounding and reasoning traces. pic.twitter.com/huJgerxGcw

— Aravind Srinivas (@AravSrinivas) January 29, 2025

Srinivas’ announcement is good news for users who want to try out DeepSeek’s models, but want to do so without compromising their privacy or being fed censored results.

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Italy Investigates DeepSeek Over Privacy Concerns

The Italian government is joining the growing list of entities concerned about Chinese AI startup DeepSeek, launching an investigation over privacy issues.

DeepSeek has quickly gained recognition for its impressive AI model, one that rivals the best OpenAI has to offer. Even more impressive is the fact that DeepSeek built its model for a mere $3-$5 million, a fraction of the $100 million it cost OpenAI, while doing it with second-rate Nvidia hardware.

The Italian data and privacy watchdog, the Garante Per La Protezione Dei Dati Personali (GPDP), announced it was launching an investigation of DeepSeek over “possible risk for data from millions of people in Italy.”

The GPDP made the announcement on its official website (machine translated):

The Guarantor for the protection of personal data has sent a request for information to Hangzhou DeepSeek Artificial Intelligence and to Beijing DeepSeek Artificial Intelligence, the companies that provide the DeepSeek chatbot service, both on the web platform and on the App.

Given the possible high risk for the data of millions of people in Italy, the Authority asked the two companies and their affiliates to confirm what personal data are collected, from which sources, for what purposes, what the basis is legal treatment, and whether they are stored on servers located in China.

The Guarantor also asked the companies what type of information is used to train the artificial intelligence system and, in the event that personal data is collected through web scraping activities, to clarify how users registered and those not registered in the service have been or are informed about the processing of their data.

Given that DeepSeek is a Chinese AI firm, it’s a safe bet this is not the last investigation it will face.

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Pat Gelsinger Is Switching His Startup From OpenAI to DeepSeek

DeepSeek just got a major endorsement, with former CEO Pat Gelsinger saying he is switching his startup from using OpenAI to DeepSeek.

DeepSeek took the tech and AI industry by surprise, unveiling an AI model that matches the best from OpenAI, but at a fraction of the cost—as little as $3-$5 million. Even more impressive, the Chinese startup used Nvidia H800, chips specifically designed to comply with US export laws. As a result, the H800 offers less performance than Nvidia’s flagship chips.

The Chinese startup’s success has raised numerous questions regarding the AI industry, not the least of which is whether American companies are overvalued and if the AI bubble is about to burst. There are also questions about the effectiveness of US sanctions on Chinese firms, given that DeepSeek achieved its success using second-rate chips.

Beyond technological and political questions, DeepSeek is already gaining a myriad of fans and users, including Gelsinger. The longtime tech exec took to X to emphasize the transformational impact of DeepSeek’s achievement.

Wisdom is learning the lessons we thought we already knew. DeepSeek reminds us of three important learnings from computing history:

1. Computing obeys the gas law. Making it dramatically cheaper will expand the market for it. The markets are getting it wrong, this will make AI much more broadly deployed.
2. Engineering is about constraints. The Chinese engineers had limited resources, and they had to find creative solutions.
3. Open Wins. DeepSeek will help reset the increasingly closed world of foundational AI model work. Thank you DeepSeek team.

Even more telling, Gelsinger told TechCrunch that his startup, Gloo, was adopting DeepSeek’s R1 model instead of paying for OpenAI’s o1.

“My Gloo engineers are running R1 today,” he said. “They could’ve run o1 — well, they can only access o1, through the APIs.”

Gelsinger went on to say that he believes DeepSeek will help usher in more affordable AI that can be deployed and integrated in far more devices.

“I want better AI in my Oura Ring. I want better AI in my hearing aid. I want more AI in my phone. I want better AI in my embedded devices, like the voice recognition in my EV,” he says.

If Gelsinger’s reaction is any indication, DeepSeek’s impact on the AI and tech industry could be far greater than critics believe—and that’s saying something.

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Smartphone Security: Protecting Business Data in the Age of BYOD

The trend of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) has become a standard for many businesses, allowing employees to use their own devices for work. According to the data, 82% of companies have a BYOD program. 

While this approach provides much-needed flexibility, cost savings, and productivity enhancement, it comes with significant cybersecurity risks. While it’s not a bad policy to adopt, businesses that embrace a BYOD model need to implement tight security measures to safeguard their important data.

First things first – develop a comprehensive BYOD policy

It’s not good enough to simply tell new hires they can use a personal device if they prefer. It’s crucial to have a comprehensive BYOD policy that specifically addresses elements like security protocols, employee responsibilities, and consequences for ignoring the rules. 

Here are some tips for creating your BYOD policy:

·  Define which devices may be used for work. For example, you might allow tablets (but not smartphones), or laptops (but not tablets). Whatever devices you allow, require them to remain in a protective case at all times. Good cases are affordable, even for new phones like the S25.

·  Specify how each device is to be secured. At the very least, require antivirus software to be installed on every device. You can also require that devices use a password and biometric lock to prevent unauthorized access. Some companies require software that monitors activity or allows for wiping data remotely. You can also create a rule that prohibits employees from allowing other people to use their devices at any time, including friends and family.

·  Create a policy that complies with regulations. Depending on your industry, it might be too much of a security risk to allow anyone to use a personal device, but if not, implement rules that adhere to applicable regulations.

·  Establish a procedure for wiping data remotely. Have a plan for wiping data remotely if a device is lost or stolen, or if an employee leaves the company.

·  Have well–defined consequences. Nobody wants to be the bad guy, but you can’t afford to ignore non-compliance. Spell out the consequences for disregarding your BYOD policies and enforce them across the board without exception. If you make just one exception, people will let their guard down, knowing they can talk their way out of a write-up or termination.

·  Conduct regular security audits. Verify that rules are being followed by conducting regular audits.

·  Block app installations. Implement software that won’t allow unauthorized apps to be installed. This may force some employees to opt out, but it’s safer for your company.

Implement a device management solution

Don’t hesitate to use software that monitors, manages, and secures your employees’ BYOD devices. It’s the only way to maintain control over your data and accounts. Employees may not like the idea of having their personal devices monitored or controlled, but personal devices come with big risks. 

If they want the convenience of being able to use their personal smartphone or laptop, they need to agree to your rules. Otherwise, they’ll need to buy a dedicated personal device or use a company-issued device.

Require encryption for data and traffic

Encrypt all data on the device’s hard drive. It’s good practice to prohibit the use of public Wi-Fi networks, but if you can’t get around that, require employees to use a VPN.

Don’t allow company-issued devices to become personal devices

In addition to securing personal devices, you also need to prevent company-issued devices from turning into personal devices. The easiest way to prevent this is to prohibit taking work devices home.

Train employees on security best practices

Cybersecurity training is crucial, but it only works when it’s thorough and ongoing. Start conducting regular training sessions to educate employees about potential threats specifically related to BYOD. For example, you’ll need to get them thinking about phishing schemes, advanced social engineering techniques, and the importance of installing antivirus updates as soon as they’re available.

Back up data regularly

You can’t rely on employees to back up their data on a regular basis. Even if it’s written into your company policy, backups are often too tedious for the average employee to manage. Instead, implement solutions that create automatic backups wherever they work. 

For example, anything employees do in the cloud – like adding, editing, or deleting documents – should create an automatic record and backup. A great example is how Box maintains access to older versions of documents.

It’s about awareness, training, and strict policies

Once you have a strict BYOD cybersecurity policy, foster a culture of security awareness where employees understand their role in preventing cybersecurity incidents. Your employees will be more likely to follow the rules, and the risk to your business will decrease.

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Trump Threatens 100% Tariffs On TSMC

President Trump is continuing to threaten Tariffs, this time targeting TSMC via Tariffs on chips made in Taiwan.

TSMC is the world’s leading semiconductor manufacturer. The company makes chips for all of Apple’s products, as well for AMD, Nvidia, Intel, and more. The company has a significant technological lead over rivals, making it the go-to option for companies needing the most advanced chips on the market.

“In the very near future, we’re going to be placing tariffs on foreign production of computer chips, semiconductors and pharmaceuticals to return production of these essential goods to the United States,” Trump said in a speech to House Republicans at the Trump National Doral Gulf Club in Miami.

“They left us and went to Taiwan, which is about 98% of the chip business, by the way, and we want them to come back,” Trump said, speaking of companies like Apple and Nvidia, which rely on TSMC for chip production.

Trump went on to say that companies would build factories in the US without receiving billions in AID, referencing the US CHIPS Act.

“And we don’t want to give them billions of dollars like this ridiculous program that Biden has given everybody billions of dollars. They already have billions of dollars,” Trump continued. “They’ve got nothing but money Joe. They didn’t need money. They needed an incentive. And the incentive is gonna be they’re not gonna wanna pay a 25, 50 or even a 100 % tax.”

“They’re gonna build their factory with their own money,” Trump added. “We don’t have to give them money. They’re going to come in because it’s good for them to come in. They’re giving the money, they don’t even know what they’re going to do with it.”

The Bigger Issue

While tariffs could certainly play a roll in forcing TSMC and other chip manufacturers to open more plants in the US, or even push companies to use Intel’s foundries instead of TSMC, leveling tariffs against Taiwanese chipmakers ignores a larger issue.

Detroit is not the automotive capital of the world just because Ford, GM, and Chrysler’s manufacturing facilities are there. The truth of the matter is that there is an entire industry built up around the companies, providing the myriad of support and supplementary services and products needed to manufacture automobiles.

The same is true with the computer industry. The actual semiconductors are just one part of the picture. The reality is that there is an entire industry built up in China, India, and Vietnam supporting the manufacture of computers, smartphones, tablets, and more.

While forcing companies to build more US-based semiconductor factories is certainly a step toward revitalizing American semiconductor production, it will not by itself result Apple, HP, Dell, or any other electronics company suddenly making their products in the US. The US simply doesn’t have the infrastructure in place to support domestic computer, smartphone, and tablet production.

As a result, it remains unclear what the ultimate end-goal is: A revitalization of US semiconductor production, and semiconductor production alone, or the first step toward a complete rebuilding of the entire infrastructure needed for domestic computer production.

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DeepSeek is an Opportunity Rather than a Threat, says Groq COO

In a recent interview with CNBC’s Melissa Lee, Sunny Madra, the Chief Operating Officer of Groq, a company specializing in AI inferencing technology, discussed the implications of DeepSeek AI’s launch, framing it as a pivotal moment for the AI industry.

The AI tech world is witnessing a significant shakeup with the introduction of DeepSeek AI, an open-source model that promises low-cost and easy deployment. “We now have a world-class open-source model that is low cost, easy to deploy and will probably be deployed in many different places,” Madra stated, emphasizing the model’s potential to democratize AI usage across various sectors.

The immediate market reaction to DeepSeek’s announcement was one of caution, with Nvidia’s stock experiencing a dip. However, Madra argued that this reaction was “overdone.” He explained, “You would think that the market would be excited, there would be more use of AI… if there would be some amount of movement downwards, it would have been to the magnitude that we saw today with Nvidia, right?”

Deflationary Forces in AI

One of the critical points Madra highlighted was the potential for DeepSeek to introduce deflationary pricing within the AI sector. “The timeline is just sped up by what times at this point. I feel like we’ve had an 18-month jump happen,” he noted, suggesting that businesses could now adopt AI technologies much sooner than anticipated. This acceleration, according to Madra, could lead to broader adoption by both companies and consumers, thereby forcing a reevaluation of pricing strategies in AI services and products.

Business Adoption and ROI

Madra touched upon the necessity for businesses to demonstrate a return on investment (ROI) with AI technologies. “We will see that theoretically in a shorter timeframe, which is exactly what the AI trade wanted to see,” he said. This acceleration in deployment could prove to be a litmus test for the practical application of AI, moving from theoretical possibilities to tangible business outcomes.

Impact on Competitors and Innovation

The conversation also turned to how other players in the market, like Meta with its open-source Llama model, might benefit from DeepSeek’s launch. “I do think they’re probably one of the top groups. Their researchers are probably looking at what the DeepSeek team did,” Madra commented. He foresaw a scenario where both large companies and smaller teams would be empowered to innovate, thanks to the open-source nature of DeepSeek.

Groq’s Position in the New AI Ecosystem

For Groq, which had recently secured a $2.8 billion valuation, DeepSeek’s emergence is seen as an opportunity rather than a threat. “These models, these reasoning models consume a lot more tokens and produce a lot more tokens. So for us, this is really excellent,” Madra explained. He pointed out that with Nvidia unable to supply enough chips, there’s room for Groq to expand its market presence aggressively.

Misconceptions and Geopolitical Implications

Addressing some of the more sensationalized narratives around DeepSeek, Madra debunked myths about chip smuggling, clarifying, “There were eight, eight hundreds which were allowed under export control.” This comment highlights the ongoing debate around technology export controls and their efficacy in managing global tech innovation.

Madra concluded by reflecting on the broader implications for U.S. policy and technology leadership. “It shows us that the best minds in technology can’t be constrained,” he said, invoking Marc Andreessen’s “post-Sputnik moment” to suggest that this could be a catalyst for a renewed push in American tech innovation.

As AI continues to evolve, DeepSeek’s entry into the market might just be the catalyst needed to spur a new wave of innovation, potentially reshaping the AI industry’s landscape and accelerating technological advancements across the globe.

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Making the Case for Broadcast Television

A lot has changed since I started my career 22 years ago as a national TV news producer. Starting out as a Production Assistant at MSNBC with Dan Abrams, I couldn’t have imagined a more exciting or perfect role for me straight out of college. Being part of a team that produced a live, hour-long show five days a week was fast-paced, busy and fun. I loved being part of a big team and working down to the wire to make sure the show got off smoothly. 

Spending nearly a decade in person, within studios, at the onset of my career, is what ultimately propelled me into starting Pace PR. It was the interactions with the guests I booked and connected with in real life, especially in the greenrooms, that laid the foundation for the agency. Mentioning my work in television to almost anyone elicited awe and a ton of questions. It carried a sense of gravitas and allure as being an exciting and unconventional career path.

Talking about TV news in 2025 likely garners a different reaction. Try mentioning “cable news” to Gen-Z – if it’s not streaming or on social media, there’s a good chance they couldn’t mention the three big national morning shows, or one anchor on CNN or Fox. 

Many companies and brands are putting resources into content, paid opportunities and various marketing tactics outside of traditional PR, TV bookings and broadcast media placements. Everyone’s benefitted from having more options to consider in your total comms plan. But if you overlook TV news, TV bookings and traditional earned media, you’re likely missing out on what could be a critical component to growing your brand awareness, increasing your industry stature and strengthening your thought leadership.

I know from experience the power TV holds. 

Several years ago, we placed a client of ours, a non-profit CEO, on Bloomberg Television. It was a great segment, lasting several minutes (an eternity in cable news!), that led to a phone call into their office, with a donor looking to make a contribution in the millions. That is a true story! 

We’ve had countless clients secure partnerships directly from appearing on television. Many of them have told me about the interesting folks they themselves have met in the greenroom. 

But TV clips serve another purpose, too. 

For those in the service industry, video content is a way to have potential clients or customers get to know you (or feel like they know you), by watching you in action. How thoughtfully you answer a question from a reporter shows off your personality. 

For our clients who are medical physicians, we’ve heard that these videos play a big part in having a patient make an appointment with them. 

The same thing goes for our legal clients. Hiring an attorney can be quite personal in most instances. Many feel more comfortable getting to know their potential legal counsel by watching them in a few videos, rather than hiring them blindly.

For our CEOs, there really is no better media outlet to highlight success than CNBC (maybe the WSJ ranks closely!). When our VC, PE and investment clients appear on CNBC, it strengthens their reputation in a crowded landscape. 

The power to utilize the clip of the TV interview afterwards, on social media, marketing communications and investment decks have played a role in client’s exits, acquisitions and mergers. 

The power of TV is still quite real – you may just need a strong PR firm to unlock it for you.

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Linux Foundation Launches ‘Supporters of Chromium-Based Browsers’

The Linux Foundation has launched the “Supporters of Chromium-Based Browsers,” an effort to further the development of Chromium-based web browsers.

Chromium is the open-source web browser that serves as the basis for Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Opera, Brave, and others. While it may be the most popular and widely-used browser code base, Google still accounts for the vast majority of development, as the company says in a blog post.

In 2024, Google made over 100,000 commits to Chromium, accounting for ~94 percent of contributions. While we have no intention of reducing this investment, we continue to welcome others stepping up to invest more.

With the DOJ seeking to force Google to sell Chrome, the Linux Foundation is seeking to foster a healthy Chromium ecosystem.

“With the launch of the Supporters of Chromium-Based Browsers, we are taking another step forward in empowering the open source community,” said Jim Zemlin, executive director of the Linux Foundation. “This project will provide much-needed funding and development support for open development of projects within the Chromium ecosystem.”

The Foundation says the initiative will create a neutral space for Chromium development.

“With the launch of the Supporters of Chromium-Based Browsers, we are taking another step forward in empowering the open source community,” said Jim Zemlin, executive director of the Linux Foundation. “This project will provide much-needed funding and development support for open development of projects within the Chromium ecosystem.”

Google, Meta, Microsoft, Opera and others have joined the initiative, although Brave is notably absent from the list.

• “With the incredible support of the Linux Foundation, we believe the Supporters of Chromium-Based Browsers is an important opportunity to create a sustainable platform to support industry leaders, academia, developers, and the broader open source community in the continued development and innovation of the Chromium ecosystem,” said Parisa Tabriz, VP, Chrome.
• “Microsoft is pleased to join this initiative which will help drive collaboration within the Chromium ecosystem. This initiative aligns with our commitment to the web platform through meaningful and positive contributions, engagement in collaborative engineering, and partnerships with the community to achieve the best outcome for everyone using the web,” said Meghan Perez, VP, Microsoft Edge.
• “As one of the major browsers contributing to the Chromium project, Opera is pleased to join the Supporters of Chromium-Based Browsers and to lend our efforts towards the development of the open-source ecosystem. We look forward to collaborating with members of the project to foster this growth and to keep building innovative and compelling products for all users,” said Krystian Kolondra, EVP Browsers, Opera.

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Oracle the Front-Runner to Take Over TikTok, Raising Significant Privacy Concerns

Oracle has reportedly emerged as the front-runner to take over TikTok’s operations, not just in the U.S. but globally as well.

When TikTok first faced prospects of a ban under the first Trump administration, Oracle emerged as the likely candidate to take over the platform, along with Walmart. The ban went nowhere and was eventually abandoned, only to be successfully implemented by the Biden administration. TikTok appealed the ban, unsuccessfully fighting its case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Despite originally supporting a ban, President Trump did an about-face, vowing to help save the company from a ban. Shortly after taking office for the second time, Trump issued a 75-day hold, ordering the Attorney General not to enforce the ban during the 75-day reprieve.

According to an NPR exclusive, Oracle is once again taking the lead in a potential takeover of TikTok’s operations. Interestingly, NPR reports that Oracle, along with a group of investors, is in talks to “effectively take control of the app’s global operations.”

“The goal is for Oracle to effectively monitor and provide oversight with what is going on with TikTok,” a person directly involved in the talks told the outlet. “ByteDance wouldn’t completely go away, but it would minimize Chinese ownership.”

Interestingly, the reported talks are a substantial change from what Trump initially proposed. In a Truth Social the day before his inauguration, Trump spoke of a 50-50 ownership solution.

I would like the United States to have a 50% ownership position in a joint venture. By doing this, we save TikTok, keep it in good hands and allow it to say up. Without U.S. approval, there is no Tik Tok. With our approval, it is worth hundreds of billions of dollars – maybe trillions.

Therefore, my initial thought is a joint venture between the current owners and/or new owners whereby the U.S. gets a 50% ownership in a joint venture set up between the U.S. and whichever purchase we so choose.

If NPR’s source is correct, the current talks could be a much tougher sell since China has made clear in the past that it will not allow TikTok to come under U.S. control. While Beijing may conceivably be open to a joint ownership scenario, it’s hard to believe it will be OK with the terms currently being discussed.

Why Oracle Is a Terrifying Option

National security and concerns over Beijing’s access to Americans’ data are the driving issues behind the ongoing TikTok ban efforts. Unfortunately, privacy advocates should be as concerned, if not more so, at the thought of Oracle being involved.

While Oracle is a well-respected U.S. company, a leading cloud and database provider, and is playing a significant roll in powering AI infrastructure, founder Larry Ellison has endorsed ideas that can only be described as 1984-style mass surveillance.

In a company financial meeting in late 2024, Ellison described his vision, using police body cameras as an example. He describes scenarios where an office would need to turn off the camera, such as when using the restroom, saying the cameras would continue to record and simply be labeled ‘private.’

“The police will be on their best behavior because we’re constantly recording and watching everything that’s going on,” Ellison said. “Citizens will be on their best behavior, because we’re constantly recording everything that is going on. And it’s unimpeachable. The cars have cameras on them. We’re using AI to monitor the video.

“It’s not people that are looking at those cameras; it’s AI that’s looking at the cameras.”

Unfortunately, Ellison is not an outlier within Oracle, in terms of his views on surveillance. The company has a history of being accused of mass surveillance, facing a class action lawsuit in 2022. In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs say the company worked to surveil people, with no regard for whether they were Oracle customers or not.

According to Ellison, the purpose of Oracle ID Graph is to predict and influence the future behavior of billions of people. He explained Oracle could achieve this goal by looking at social activity and locations in real time, including “micro location[s].” For example, Ellison has represented that companies will be able to know how much time someone spends in a specific aisle of a specific store and what is in the aisle of the store. “By collecting this data and marrying it to things like micro location information, Internet users’ search histories, websites visits and product comparisons along with their demographic data, and past purchase data, Oracle will be able to predict purchase intent better than anyone.”

Oracle and TikTok Is a Match Made In Privacy Hell

If Oracle is allowed to gain control over TikTok and its data, it could put the company in a terrifying position to move forward with additional surveillance.

TikTok, like all mainstream social media platforms, offers a goldmine of user data. If the lawsuit against Oracle is accurate, and the company is working to surveil even those who are not customers, having control over a major social media platform would help the company do just that. As a result, there are few companies that pose a more terrifying scenario for TikTok ownership than Oracle.

Ultimately, the controversy surrounding TikTok underscores the importance of BlueSky, Mastodon, and other open social media networks.

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Supply Chain Innovation Spectacular: Revolutionizing the Backbone of Global Commerce

In today’s fast-paced, interconnected world, the supply chain is the lifeblood of global commerce. From ensuring that essential goods reach their destinations on time to navigating the complexities of international logistics, the supply chain is an intricate web that requires constant innovation to keep up with ever-changing demands. The recent surge in technological advancements, combined with shifting consumer expectations and global disruptions, has ushered in a new era of supply chain management—one that is more efficient, resilient, and sustainable than ever before.

This deep dive explores the latest innovations in the supply chain industry, highlighting the role of technology, the impact of recent global events, and the visionary companies leading the charge. Through expert insights and real-world examples, we’ll examine how supply chain innovation is reshaping industries and setting the stage for the future of global trade.

The Importance of Supply Chain Innovation

The supply chain has always been critical to business success, but recent global events have underscored just how vital a resilient and adaptable supply chain is to survival. The COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical tensions, and natural disasters have all exposed vulnerabilities in traditional supply chain models, prompting companies to rethink their strategies.

“Supply chain innovation is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity,” says Evan Kirstel, a leading B2B tech influencer. “Companies that fail to adapt will find themselves unable to compete in an increasingly complex global market.”

One of the key drivers of supply chain innovation is the growing demand for speed and efficiency. Consumers expect faster delivery times, greater transparency, and a seamless shopping experience, whether they’re ordering groceries online or purchasing electronics from overseas. To meet these expectations, companies are leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and blockchain to optimize their supply chains and enhance customer satisfaction.

Technology: The Engine of Supply Chain Transformation

Technology is at the heart of supply chain innovation, enabling companies to streamline operations, reduce costs, and improve visibility across the entire supply chain. AI and machine learning, for example, are being used to predict demand, optimize inventory levels, and even automate decision-making processes.

One of the standout examples of technology-driven supply chain innovation is Gatik, a company that specializes in autonomous delivery vehicles. “Gatik is helping major retailers meet the evolving demands of consumers in today’s supply chain,” says Sam Dundee, VP of Finance at Gatik. “Our autonomous solution is creating more efficient and sustainable delivery networks, reducing the need for human intervention and cutting down on delivery times.”

Similarly, blockchain technology is being adopted to increase transparency and security in the supply chain. By providing a decentralized and immutable ledger, blockchain allows all parties involved in the supply chain to track the movement of goods in real time, ensuring that products are authentic and have not been tampered with. This is particularly important in industries such as healthcare, where the integrity of the supply chain can directly impact patient safety.

“Blockchain is a game-changer for supply chain management,” says Chris Anderson, Director of Technical Program Management at Vuemed. “It not only improves traceability but also helps companies comply with regulatory requirements and reduce the risk of fraud.”

Resilience and Sustainability: The New Pillars of Supply Chain Strategy

In addition to efficiency and transparency, resilience and sustainability have become key priorities for supply chain leaders. The disruptions caused by the pandemic highlighted the importance of having a supply chain that can withstand unexpected shocks and quickly adapt to changing circumstances.

Companies are now focusing on building more resilient supply chains by diversifying their supplier base, increasing inventory buffers, and investing in advanced analytics to predict and mitigate risks. For example, UPS’s Supply Chain Solutions team played a crucial role in helping a young Boy Scout named Sebastian by quickly clearing a specialized battery-powered ATV through customs. This case demonstrates how supply chain resilience can have a direct and meaningful impact on people’s lives.

“Supply chain resilience is about more than just avoiding disruptions—it’s about being able to respond quickly and effectively when they do occur,” says a UPS representative. “Our goal is to ensure that our customers’ goods reach their destination, no matter what challenges arise.”

Sustainability is another critical focus area, as companies seek to minimize their environmental impact and meet the growing demand for eco-friendly practices. From reducing carbon emissions to minimizing waste, sustainability initiatives are becoming integral to supply chain strategies. Gatik’s autonomous delivery vehicles, for instance, are designed to be energy-efficient, reducing the carbon footprint of last-mile deliveries.

“Sustainability and efficiency go hand in hand,” Dundee explains. “By optimizing delivery routes and using energy-efficient vehicles, we’re able to reduce our environmental impact while also cutting costs for our customers.”

Real-World Applications: Innovations in Action

Supply chain innovation is not just a theoretical concept—it’s being implemented in real-world scenarios, with impressive results. Companies across various industries are leveraging the latest technologies to overcome challenges and improve their supply chain operations.

In the healthcare sector, PwC’s SAP S/4HANA and Industry Edge for Life Sciences are helping companies deliver tangible benefits through enhanced supply chain management. “Our clients are seeing real-world results from these innovations,” says Ayman El Dah, a representative from PwC. “From improving patient outcomes to reducing operational costs, the impact of supply chain innovation is significant.”

The logistics industry is also witnessing a transformation, with companies like Fr8topia offering innovative solutions to protect freight from damage during transit. By ensuring that loads are not transloaded to other trucks, Fr8topia is helping customers maintain the integrity of their shipments and reduce the risk of loss.

“Protecting freight is a top priority for us,” says a Fr8topia representative. “Our approach ensures that goods arrive at their destination in the same condition they were shipped, which is crucial for maintaining customer trust.”

The Future of Supply Chain Innovation

As we look to the future, it’s clear that supply chain innovation will continue to play a critical role in shaping global commerce. The ongoing adoption of AI, automation, and blockchain will further enhance the efficiency, transparency, and resilience of supply chains, while new technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and 5G connectivity will open up even more possibilities.

“We’re just scratching the surface of what’s possible with supply chain innovation,” says Kirstel. “The next few years will see even more advancements, as companies continue to push the boundaries of what’s achievable.”

One area to watch is the development of “smart” supply chains, where IoT devices provide real-time data on the location, condition, and status of goods. This information can be used to make more informed decisions, reduce waste, and improve overall supply chain performance.

Moreover, the integration of 5G technology will enable faster and more reliable communication between supply chain partners, leading to greater collaboration and more efficient operations. “5G will be a game-changer for the supply chain industry,” says Anderson. “It will enable real-time visibility and control, allowing companies to respond to changes in demand and supply conditions with unprecedented speed and accuracy.”

Embracing the Supply Chain Revolution

The supply chain is the backbone of global commerce, and its importance cannot be overstated. As the world becomes more interconnected and consumer expectations continue to rise, the need for innovation in supply chain management has never been greater.

Companies that embrace supply chain innovation will be well-positioned to thrive in this new era of commerce, while those that fail to adapt risk being left behind. Whether it’s through the adoption of cutting-edge technologies, the implementation of sustainable practices, or the development of more resilient supply chains, the opportunities for growth and success are immense.

“Supply chain innovation is not just about keeping up with the competition—it’s about leading the way,” Kirstel concludes. “The companies that invest in their supply chains today will be the ones shaping the future of global trade tomorrow.”

As we move forward, the supply chain will continue to evolve, driven by technological advancements, changing consumer behaviors, and the need for greater efficiency and sustainability. By staying ahead of these trends and embracing innovation, companies can ensure that their supply chains remain strong, agile, and ready to meet the challenges of the future.

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Amazon Shutters Its Quebec Operations

Amazon is shuttering its Quebec operations, including some 1,700 jobs, in what is likely a retaliation for workers unionizing.

According to Reuters, Amazon’s warehouse workers in Quebec unionized in May, in response to issues with wages, as well as safety issues and health benefits. Amazon is notoriously anti-union, going to extreme measures to combat unionization. The company has hired Pinkertons to fight unionization efforts, resorted to intimidation tactics, violated labor laws, and faced a ruling that CEO Andy Jassy crossed the line with anti-union comments.

It would seem unionization among the Quebec workers was a bridge too far for Amazon.

“Following a recent review of our Quebec operations, we’ve seen that returning to a third-party delivery model … will allow us to provide even more savings to our customers,” Amazon spokesperson Barbara Agrait said, via Reuters.

The Confédération des syndicats nationaux (CSN), the organization representing the unionized employees, was quick to point out Amazon’s action as being anti-union.

“There is no doubt that the closings announced today are part of an anti-union campaign against CSN and Amazon employees,” said CSN president Caroline Senneville, via Reuters.

“This move contradicts the provisions of the Quebec Labour Code, which we will strongly oppose,” Senneville added.

“There is no doubt that the closings announced today are part of an anti-union campaign against CSN and Amazon employees,” said CSN president Caroline Senneville in a French-language statement.

“This move contradicts the provisions of the Quebec Labour Code, which we will strongly oppose,” Senneville added, without providing immediate specifics.

Federal Innovation Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne expressed Ottawa’s disappointment:

Spoke to the head of Amazon Canada.

I expressed our dismay and frustration after learning in the news that they intend to let go of 1,700 employees and close all seven of their warehouses in Québec.

This is not the way business is done in Canada.

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January Has Been a Bad Month for T-Mobile Marketing

January has been a bad month for T-Mobile marketing, with the Better Business Bureau’s (BBB) National Advertising Division (NAD) recommending T-Mobile cease three marketing campaigns.

The NAD analyzes companies’ marketing claims, evaluating whether they are honest and accurately reflect what a company is delivering. Other companies can challenge a marketing claim, with the NAD investigating whether the complaint is valid. During the month of January, the NAD ruled against T-Mobile on three of its advertising claims.

The First Issue – January 9

The first claim involves T-Mobile’s claim that it offers 20% saves vs ‘the other big guys.’ Charter Communications challenged T-Mobile’s claims, with the NAD finding in favor of Charter, recommending T-Mobile modify or discontinue its marketing claim.

Charter argued the generic reference to “the other big guys” in the commercial included Spectrum Mobile. NAD determined that the claim “the other big guys” is ambiguous and it is not clear from the context of the ad which competitors are being compared, so prospective consumers who live within Spectrum’s limited nationwide footprint could reasonably interpret the challenged claim as against Spectrum Mobile.

NAD also examined whether prospective customers could save 20% by switching to T-Mobile compared to Spectrum Mobile.

NAD found that any savings for Spectrum customers would not be achieved in the first year due to a promotional offer that expires after one year. While the advertised claim touts “Families Can Save,” it was unclear if customers choosing T-Mobile would achieve 20% savings over Spectrum Mobile in the first year.

Therefore, NAD recommended T-Mobile discontinue or modify its advertising to make clear the company/(ies) that are the object of the comparison (“the other big guys”) in those markets where Spectrum Mobile also provides service.

The Second Issue – January 16

The second claim was brought by AT&T and involves the T-Mobile’s marketing claim that customers can “save on every plan vs the other big guys.” Unfortunately for T-Mobile, the NAD found that T-Mobile was not living up to its claim.

NAD determined that the T-Mobile claim “save on every plan vs. the other big guys” conveys the message that the price of a cell phone plan and the same number of lines at T-Mobile will be less than a comparable plan from both AT&T and Verizon. In making its cost comparison, T-Mobile included the cost of certain third-party streaming services, that are bundled with a T-Mobile plan, on top of the price of AT&T and Verizon wireless plans.

NAD also determined that the bundled streaming services are ancillary benefits to cellular phone plans that consumers are unlikely to expect are included when plan prices are being compared and that consumers are unlikely to understand that the savings comparison includes the value of streaming services bundled with a T-Mobile plan.

NAD concluded that the challenged claim was unsupported because in some cases the price of T-Mobile’s plan, when not considering streaming services, is more expensive than comparable plans at AT&T and Verizon.

The NAD recommends that T-Mobile discontinue its marketing campaign.

The Third Issue – January 16

The third claim comes from both AT&T and Verizon, with the two carriers taking issue with T-Mobile’s assertion that “families can save 20% every month versus AT&T and Verizon.”

At issue for NAD was whether T-Mobile’s commercial informs consumers that the 20% savings claim is calculated by including the cost of third-party streaming services on top of the price of AT&T’s and Verizon’s monthly wireless plans.

NAD determined that the context of the challenged commercial does not put consumers on notice that streaming services are connected with T-Mobile’s price comparison claim. Because the main message of the commercial is price savings, without reference to optional add-on streaming services, NAD determined that the small on-screen print disclosure that references streaming services as the basis of comparison is insufficient and contradicts the main message of the commercial.

T-Mobile’s Response

T-Mobile expressed its disappointment with all three decisions, but said it was only appealing the first on, on January 9. The company says it will abide by the other two decisions, evening saying it will “take NAD’s recommendations into account with respect to its future advertising,” in regard to the third decision.

T-Mobile Is No Longer the Un-carrier

T-Mobile built its current success on being the Un-carrier, the scrappy wireless provider that called out its bigger rivals for being more expensive, more opaque, and generally not caring for their customers.

Unfortunately, as the NAD’s decisions show, T-Mobile has largely become the very thing it once railed about, no longer offering plans that are substantially cheaper, and relying on opaque marketing and verbal slight of hand to make its plans seem like a better value than they really are.

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Meta’s Ambitious AI Leap: Zuckerberg Outlines Vision for 2025

In a bold declaration of Meta’s AI strategy, CEO Mark Zuckerberg has set ambitious goals for the coming year, signaling a significant pivot towards artificial intelligence that could redefine the tech landscape. Speaking from his platform, Zuckerberg outlined a vision where AI not only enhances but leads Meta’s product offerings, with plans that dwarf previous investments in technology infrastructure.

Zuckerberg’s statement comes at a time when the tech industry is racing to capitalize on AI’s potential, with competitors like Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI also making substantial investments. Meta’s approach, however, appears to be one of the most aggressive, focusing on both the expansion of AI capabilities and the physical infrastructure to support it.

Here’s what Zuckerberg had to say:

“This will be a defining year for AI. In 2025, I expect Meta AI will be the leading assistant serving more than 1 billion people, Llama 4 will become the leading state of the art model, and we’ll build an AI engineer that will start contributing increasing amounts of code to our R&D efforts.

To power this, Meta is building a 2GW+ datacenter that is so large it would cover a significant part of Manhattan. We’ll bring online ~1GW of compute in ’25 and we’ll end the year with more than 1.3 million GPUs. We’re planning to invest $60-65B in capex this year while also growing our AI teams significantly, and we have the capital to continue investing in the years ahead.

This is a massive effort, and over the coming years it will drive our core products and business, unlock historic innovation, and extend American technology leadership. Let’s go build!”

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Europe’s Telecoms at a Crossroads: Satellite Giants like Starlink Challenge Traditional Broadband Dominance

DAVOS, Switzerland— Amidst the snow-capped peaks of Davos, Liberty Global CEO Mike Fries provided a cautious yet insightful view on the evolving dynamics of Europe’s telecom sector, particularly in the shadow of emerging satellite internet providers like Starlink and Amazon’s Kuiper. His interview with CNBC at the World Economic Forum highlighted the complexities and opportunities in a rapidly shifting landscape.

Fries acknowledged the transformative potential of these new competitors. “I think what they’re doing is brilliant,” he said of Starlink and Kuiper, recognizing their ambition and financial muscle. However, he was skeptical about their immediate impact on traditional broadband. “Will it replace your home broadband? Unlikely because we’re offering one gig. It’s going to be ten gig. And just the economics of physics of that make that difficult,” Fries noted, pointing out the practical limitations of satellite technology in matching the speed and reliability of fixed broadband.

Recent sentiments on X echo Fries’ concerns and observations. Posts suggest that while Starlink has made significant inroads in rural and underserved areas, its role in urban, high-speed internet markets remains niche.

@WholeMarsBlog tweeted, “There’s actually a ton of competition. Satellite internet has been around before Starlink even existed. What we are seeing is just SpaceX outcompeting the rest of the industry so strongly that there effectively is no other alternative of the same quality.” This highlights how Starlink’s entry has redefined what “quality” broadband means, particularly in areas where traditional providers have been slow to invest.

Yet, the competitive landscape is not static.

@SawyerMerritt shared, “J.P. Morgan predicts that Viasat, a competitor of Starlink, could lose up to $80 million of revenue per year due to

@SpaceX‘s new deal with United Airlines to equip its entire fleet of over 1,000 airplanes with Starlink internet service.” This indicates that satellite internet isn’t just a threat to residential service providers but also to specialized markets like in-flight connectivity.

Fries also touched on the broader European context, where regulatory frameworks have historically favored price control over infrastructure investment. “Europe is in a very important inflection point,” he said, echoing sentiments in posts by

@woye1 on X, who pointed out the alarm among traditional telecom operators about Starlink’s potential to disrupt the market. “Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators are raising alarm against the license issued to Starlink that it might lead them to EXTINCTION,”

@woye1 tweeted, highlighting the existential threat perceived by some incumbents.

The conversation at Davos wasn’t just about competition but also about Europe’s digital future. “If you want to increase productivity, increase investment, increase innovation, we’d better get this regulatory thing right,” Fries emphasized, signaling a need for regulatory reform to foster a more competitive and innovative telecom sector. This sentiment aligns with

@ajtourville‘s tweet about SpaceX’s openness to competition, quoting their COO, “NEWS:

@SpaceX President and COO Gwynne Shotwell said today at the 2024 Baron Investment Conference that

@Starlink welcomes competition from Eutelsat’s OneWeb, Amazon’s Project Kuiper, Telesat’s Lightspeed, and AST SpaceMobile.”

Fries’ insights, paired with the ongoing discourse on X, illustrate a telecom industry at a crossroads. While satellite providers like Starlink bring new competition and innovation, traditional providers face the challenge of adapting or risk being overshadowed. The coming years will be telling, as Europe navigates this “inflection point” with both traditional and emerging players vying for dominance in the digital sphere.

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OpenAI Unveils ‘Operator’: Your New Digital Assistant for Web Tasks

In the hyper-competitive world of artificial intelligence, where the race for the most advanced AI agent is akin to the gold rush of yesteryears, OpenAI has just struck a new vein with the release of “Operator.” This isn’t just another AI tool; it’s your new digital sidekick, capable of navigating the internet and performing tasks for you, from booking travel to managing your online shopping list.

Launched on January 23, 2025, Operator starts its journey as a “research preview” available only to those who subscribe to OpenAI’s ChatGPT Pro tier, a $200 monthly investment into the future of AI interaction. But what does this mean for the average tech-savvy individual or enterprise? It means having an AI that isn’t just about answering questions but acting on them.

The Mechanics of Operator

Operator leverages a novel model called the Computer-Using Agent (CUA), which utilizes the vision capabilities of OpenAI’s GPT-4o model alongside advanced reasoning skills honed by reinforcement learning. This combination allows Operator to “see” websites through screenshots and interact with them via clicks, scrolls, and keystrokes, essentially emulating human navigation of the web.

The CUA model is designed to understand and manipulate graphical user interfaces (GUIs) by interpreting visual cues from browser windows. Here’s a deeper dive for the developers:

• Vision and Interaction: Operator uses a convolutional neural network (CNN) layer to process visual inputs from screenshots, identifying actionable elements like buttons or text fields. The model then applies a decision-making algorithm, which could be likened to a mix of deep Q-learning for action selection and a transformer-based approach for understanding context.
• API Integration: While Operator doesn’t rely on traditional APIs for interaction, developers can expect an API release that allows for integration of CUA capabilities into other applications. This API will likely include endpoints for initiating tasks, monitoring progress, and managing session data.
• Performance Metrics: In benchmarks like OSWorld, where AI models are tested on their ability to mimic human computer use, Operator scored a 38.1%, surpassing competitors like Anthropic’s model but not yet reaching human levels (72.4%). In web navigation tasks, it boasts an 87% success rate on WebVoyager, suggesting robust performance in real-world scenarios.
• Limitations and Adaptability: Operator’s current limitations include struggles with complex interfaces or tasks requiring nuanced human judgment. However, its design includes mechanisms for learning from user feedback, potentially improving over time through online learning techniques.

Safety in an Autonomous World

With great power comes great responsibility, and OpenAI is acutely aware of this. Operator isn’t given free rein; it operates under stringent safety protocols. For instance, it won’t send emails or alter calendar events without user intervention, aiming to prevent potential misuse or privacy breaches. OpenAI’s safety net includes both automated and human-reviewed monitoring to pause any suspicious activity, reflecting broader concerns about AI autonomy.

• User Control: Before executing tasks with significant consequences, like making purchases, Operator requests confirmation from the user, ensuring a layer of human oversight.
• Privacy: Operator’s design includes options to clear browsing data, manage cookies, and opt out of data collection for model improvement, all accessible through a dedicated settings panel.

The Competitive Scene

The tech world isn’t short of AI agents; Anthropic has its “Computer Use” feature, and Google is rumored to be working on similar tech. But Operator’s immediate integration into the ChatGPT ecosystem gives it a head start. The buzz on X has been palpable, with users and tech analysts alike weighing in on its potential. One notable post from

@MatthewBerman highlights, “OpenAI’s first AGENTS are here! ‘Operator’ can control a browser and accomplish real-world tasks on your behalf,” showcasing the community’s excitement and the platform’s capabilities.

Looking Ahead

OpenAI’s move with Operator isn’t just about adding another tool to its belt; it’s about redefining how we interact with technology. The company has teased further integration of Operator’s capabilities across its product lineup, hinting at a future where AI agents handle the mundane, allowing humans to focus on the creative and strategic.

• Developer Opportunities: With plans to make CUA available through an API, developers can look forward to building applications that leverage Operator’s capabilities for automation in sectors like customer service, e-commerce, and personal productivity.
• Scalability and Customization: The model’s architecture allows for scaling down to smaller, more specific tasks or scaling up for broader, more complex workflows, offering flexibility for different use cases.

However, the path forward for Operator is dotted with challenges. Adapting to the ever-evolving web, ensuring privacy, and managing the ethical implications of autonomous agents will be critical. Developers and tech enthusiasts are watching closely, eager to see how Operator will evolve, adapt, and perhaps, revolutionize our daily digital interactions.

As we stand on this new frontier, one thing is clear: with Operator, OpenAI isn’t just aiming to assist but to transform our digital lives, one task at a time.

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