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Ethereum L2 EigenLayer is last of ‘life-changing airdrops,’ experts say – Cointelegraph

May 8, 2024 | Author: admin

An ongoing, much-hyped airdrop conducted by Ethereum restaking protocol EigenLayer continues to generate controversy over its restrictive qualifications for claiming rewards. Project founders and users from across the crypto ecosystem are chiming in as a result.

The reality is that, in all likelihood, the era of life-changing airdrops is now behind us, said Leandro Schlottchauer, co-founder and CEO of smart contract developer Kuyen Labs, in a statement. It should be clear by now that no airdrop or similar incentive can satisfy all community members, he continued, adding:

Meanwhile, Mohak Agarwal, CEO and founder of liquid-staking protocol Claystack, said EigenLayers decision to announce its airdrop as a surprise is not a workable model for the long term. While the mysterious approach may initially evoke excitement, it often leads to disappointment later on, said Agarwal. This pattern suggests a tendency for projects to announce a small airdrop supply initially, anticipating user disappointment, and then offering additional tokens to appease them a short-term fix that isnt sustainable in the long run.

In a surprise blog post on April 29, EigenLayer, the second-largest decentralized finance protocol with $15.67 billion in total value locked, unveiled its airdrop plans where among other items, only 5% of the initial token supply would be allocated to early users who participated in Season One. The remaining allocation would be distributed to users in the following seasons. In addition, users from 30 countries including the United States, Canada, China and Russia would not be able to claim EIGEN tokens.

The announcement quickly drew widespread community condemnation. Accepting stake from those countries and not rewarding them isnt right. They took a very real risk for nothing, wrote one user on social media platform X in response to the protocols geoblocking efforts. In response to community feedback, EigenLayer announced in a follow-up post on May 3 that they would airdrop an additional 28 million EIGEN to 280,000 wallets.

Despite booming development activities within the crypto ecosystem, recent airdrops often failed to follow up on their initial traction.

On April 4, cross-chain messaging platform Wormhole transferred $800 million worth of its W tokens to select users, with its post-airdrop valuation surging to a stunning $22 billion measured in fully diluted market capitalization. Since then, however, the token has lost more than 50% of its value and traded at $0.6457 at the time of publication.

Similarly, STRK, the native token of the Ethereum layer-2 scaling solution Starknet, has lost 43% of its value since its February airdrop. At the time, allegedly, 701,544 eligible wallets were controlled by airdrop farmers who claimed STRK tokens by creating duplicate developers accounts on GitHub.

Cointelegraph previously reported that due to their popularity, airdrops have been frequently targeted by farm accounts and Sybil accounts, thereby allocating large swaths of tokens to otherwise unqualified accounts instead of to genuine ecosystem users. "As a result, a projects reputation is damaged, its token supply inflates, and price manipulation may occur as a result of excessive dumping by airdrop farmers after the event is over," commented researchers at Gamic HQ regarding the practice.

Related:EigenLayer users fume over restrictive airdrop, others say its generous

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Ethereum L2 EigenLayer is last of 'life-changing airdrops,' experts say - Cointelegraph

The Funding: Ethereum restaking, DePINs, Bitcoin ecosystem and RWA tokenization lead crypto VC trends – The Block

May 8, 2024 | Author: admin

Deals May 4, 2024, 1:42PM EDT Published 1 minute earlier on

Crypto venture capital funding has seen a notable resurgence this year, with investors injecting over $4 billion into startups. Four areas, in particular, have witnessed increased investment activity: Ethereum restaking, DePINs (decentralized physical infrastructure networks), the Bitcoin ecosystem, and RWA (real-world asset) tokenization.

Ethereum restaking, a relatively new vertical, has grown substantially this year thanks to its pioneering protocol, EigenLayer.

EigenLayer facilitates the restaking of ether (ETH) and liquid staking tokens with validators in other blockchain networks, enabling users to earn additional rewards. In less than a year, the protocol has accumulated nearly $15 billion worth of assets. EigenLayer's success has spurred the launch of several EigenLayer-based liquid restaking platforms, which have collectively garnered over $9 billion in assets.

All three leading EigenLayer-based Ethereum liquid restaking protocols Ether.Fi, Renzo and Puffer Finance have raised funding this year. In February, Ether.Fi raised a $27 million round co-led by Bullish and CoinFund. Puffer Finance followed suit with an $18 million Series A round in April, co-led by Brevan Howard Digital and Electric Capital, bringing its valuation to $200 million, as reported exclusively by The Block at the time. Renzo, meanwhile, raised $3.2 million in seed funding led by Maven11 in January, valuing it at $25 million at the time. Both Puffer and Renzo received additional funding from Binance Labs recently.

Secondly, DePIN projects are gaining traction, particularly those operating on the Solana blockchain. Several DePIN projects, including Io.net, peaq, IoTex, Natix, andSendingNetwork, have all raised funding in recent months. Io.net, for instance, reached a$1 billion token valuation in March, two sources told The Block at the time. DePIN projects leverage blockchain technology to decentralize their physical hardware infrastructure and incentivize users with tokens for expanding their networks. As of April this year, around 70 projects have collectively raised about $192 million across the DePIN and DeAI (decentralized artificial intelligence) categories, per The Block Pro's Funding Dashboard.

The Bitcoin ecosystem is rapidly expanding, too, with startups building on the network witnessing increased investment activity. So far in 2024, there have been more Bitcoin ecosystem-related deals than in all of 2023 81 deals year-to-date compared to 77 in 2023 according to The Block Pro's Funding Dashboard.

Last but not least, the tokenization category is also gaining popularity, with several startups in this vertical including Securitize, Centrifuge and Backed all securing funding in recent months. Over 25 tokenization-related startups have raised a total of $80 million this year as of April, according to the dashboard.

To subscribe to the free The Funding newsletter, click here.

Disclaimer: The Block is an independent media outlet that delivers news, research, and data. As of November 2023, Foresight Ventures is a majority investor of The Block. Foresight Ventures invests in other companies in the crypto space. Crypto exchange Bitget is an anchor LP for Foresight Ventures. The Block continues to operate independently to deliver objective, impactful, and timely information about the crypto industry. Here are our current financial disclosures.

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The Funding: Ethereum restaking, DePINs, Bitcoin ecosystem and RWA tokenization lead crypto VC trends - The Block

Ethereum Forecast Today -08/05: Stable at Support (Chart) – DailyForex.com

May 8, 2024 | Author: admin

Keep in mind that Bitcoin will continue to lead the way when it comes to anything crypto currency related, and that of course includes Ethereum. In general, this is a market that I think short-term pullbacks will continue to look attractive, and therefore its likely that we will continue to see plenty of buyers willing to step in and take advantage of cheap Ethereum. If we break above the 50-Day EMA, which sits just below the crucial $3200 level, then we could continue to go higher.

In general, this is a market that I think continues to be very noisy, and therefore I think you do have to look at dips as buying opportunities, but if we were to break down below the $2800 level, then we have to have a situation where we could drop down to the 200-Day EMA, but you also need to see the Bitcoin market drop down below its recent support level. All things being equal, this is a market that I think is noisy, and I do think that there are plenty of supporters here, but I also recognize that is not necessarily going to be an easy trade.

If we were to turn around a break above the $3325 level, then its likely that the market goes looking to the $3600 level, followed by the $4000 level. The $4000 level was a swing high, and although we have been there before, you have to keep in mind it would be a 25% gain from where we are right now, so it may take some effort to make that move. As things stand right now, I dont have any interest in trying to short crypto in general.

For additional & up-to-date info on crypto brokers please see our best crypto brokers list.

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Ethereum Forecast Today -08/05: Stable at Support (Chart) - DailyForex.com

Cloudways Review: The Best Managed Cloud Provider in 2024? – Unite.AI

May 8, 2024 | Author: admin

As a web hosting review expert who has set up and managed many websites, I had been hearing about Cloudways and decided to try out their services. As one of the youngest hosts on the market, Cloudways has sure made a name for itself quickly. In this Cloudways review, well discuss how the hosting provider gives website owners ultimate scalability, performance, and value for money.

If you're curious about whether Cloudways stands up to the hype, this is the only guide youll need!

Cloudways stands out in the crowded cloud hosting market by offering a flexible and user-friendly platform that caters to a wide range of needs, from small businesses to large enterprises. They simplify cloud hosting by acting as an intermediary between users and major cloud providers such as AWS, Google Cloud, and DigitalOcean. This setup allows for straightforward management of applications and websites.

One of the things I love most about Cloudways is its scalable hosting plans. These plans are built to deliver exceptional speed, performance, and security, all without you having to worry about the nitty-gritty of server management.

With features like managed backups, real-time monitoring, and automated security updates included, I can focus on growing my business instead of getting caught up in technical details. With an impressive Trustpilot rating of 4.5, Cloudways has clearly demonstrated its reliability and customer satisfaction.

In the hosting industry, each provider presents a unique mix of prices, features, and services, which complicates direct comparisons. To tackle this, I created a rating system ranging from 1 to 5 to evaluate and fairly compare these hosts. Here is the breakdown for Cloudways:

Cloudways simplifies cloud hosting by creating custom plans offered by industry giants like DigitalOcean, AWS, and Google Cloud, but what truly sets them apart is their uniform pricing structure. As someone who values straightforward and transparent hosting solutions, I particularly admire Cloudways for their pay-as-you-go pricing model. This flexibility is a big plus, and with their 3-day free trial that requires no credit card, you can test their services without any commitment.

Most Popular Plan: 4GB RAM, 2 Core Processor, 80GB Storage, 4TB Bandwidth for $54/mo.

Personal Take: This plan hits the sweet spot for most small to medium-sized businesses. The robust storage and generous bandwidth ensure that your site can handle traffic spikes and large volumes of data efficiently. Plus, the pricing includes all DigitalOcean hosting charges, making budgeting straightforward.

Who Its Best For: Ideal for tech startups and small businesses that need a reliable, scalable solution without a hefty price tag. If you're running multiple small websites or a single medium-sized site, this plan offers excellent value.

Most Popular Plan: 4GB RAM, 2 vCPU, 20GB Storage, 2GB Bandwidth for $91.84/mo.

Personal Take: AWS is known for its high-performance capabilities, and this plan is no exception. While it may seem a bit pricier, the inclusion of free Object Cache Pro, SSL certificates, and 24/7 customer support justifies the cost. The CloudwaysBot alerts are a unique feature that provides real-time monitoring, enhancing your sites security and performance.

Who Its Best For: Best suited for rapidly growing businesses and e-commerce sites that demand robust infrastructure, superior uptime, and dynamic scalability. The support and features packed into this plan make it a wise choice for serious enterprises that rely heavily on their online presence.

Most Popular Plan: 3.75GB RAM, 1 vCPU, 20GB Storage, 2GB Bandwidth for $84.12/mo.

Personal Take: Google Cloud's reputation for innovation and performance is well-earned, and Cloudways makes this accessible even to those who aren't cloud experts. This plan offers a balance of power and price, making it accessible for small businesses and individual developers. The simplicity of scaling up as needed allows you to adjust resources as your demand grows.

Who Its Best For: Particularly good for developers, tech startups, and businesses that require high availability and state-of-the-art services. Its also a great choice for projects that may utilize Googles cutting-edge technologies like AI and machine learning.

Selecting the optimal Cloudways hosting plan involves balancing resources with application requirements. My recommendations below factor in the needs of both small projects and more demanding, high-traffic environments.

For WordPress sites that are just starting out or in the growth phase, I recommend the 2 GB RAM plan on DigitalOcean. This plan is particularly cost-effective for new blogs and small business websites with moderate traffic. For high-traffic sites or those utilizing many resource-intensive plugins, the 8 GB RAM plan on DigitalOcean offers an excellent balance of performance and price, providing ample resources to manage significant loads efficiently.

Starting an online store on WooCommerce with the 4 GB RAM plan from DigitalOcean is a wise choice due to the combination of reasonable cost and robust performance, suitable for handling initial e-commerce activities. As your store expands and demands increase, the 16 GB RAM plan becomes necessary, offering the increased capacity needed to ensure smooth operations during traffic spikes and high transaction volumes.

For moderate-sized Magento stores, the 8 GB RAM plan from DigitalOcean is my starting recommendation. It's cost-effective while still being powerful enough to handle Magento's resource demands. Larger enterprises should look to the 32 GB RAM plan, ideal for high traffic and extensive product databases, offering high performance without the premium cost associated with similar plans on AWS or GCP.

The 2 GB RAM plan from DigitalOcean is generally sufficient for most PHP projects, offering a great mix of affordability and capability. For larger projects that require more intensive processing or higher traffic volumes, the 8 GB RAM plan provides an excellent performance buffer while still being budget-friendly compared to AWS or GCP options.

Laravel applications generally perform well on the 4 GB RAM plan from DigitalOcean, which provides enough power for most backend tasks associated with average-sized applications. For larger applications or those with heavy usage, upgrading to the 16 GB RAM plan ensures that even the most resource-demanding tasks are handled smoothly.

For Drupal sites, the 4 GB RAM plan is typically adequate for managing community and content-heavy sites effectively. For those operating high-traffic or feature-rich Drupal sites, the 16 GB RAM plan from DigitalOcean offers a cost-effective solution that provides the necessary resources to handle complex operations efficiently.

The 2 GB RAM plan from DigitalOcean suffices for most standard Joomla sites, making it an ideal choice for its cost-effectiveness. For larger, more complex sites, the 8 GB RAM plan offers more extensive resources without a significant increase in cost, making it a prudent choice for sites expecting higher traffic.

The 4 GB RAM plan is a great starting point for new e-commerce sites, providing essential performance at a low cost. As demands grow, the 16 GB RAM plan offers an affordable upgrade path that supports higher traffic volumes and more intensive e-commerce activities without the financial burden often associated with AWS or GCP.

Cloudways offers an extensive range of hosting features designed to cater to various user needs, from simple site installations to advanced server management. Key basic features include

Unique Selling Points of Cloudways

What sets Cloudways apart is its departure from the traditional cPanel, opting instead for a custom control panel that greatly simplifies backend management. This change makes it easier for those with minimal technical expertise to manage their websites efficiently. Other standout features at Cloudways include 24/7/365 support ensuring that help is always available when needed, real-time monitoring to keep tabs on server performance, automated backups for data security, and a staging environment to safely test updates before going live. The platform also includes dedicated firewalls to protect against threats and auto-healing servers that reduce downtime by automatically resolving issues as they arise.

These features are designed not just to meet the basic needs of hosting but to provide a comprehensive, secure, and efficient hosting environment suitable for a wide range of applications and user levels

Assessing the performance of websites hosted on Cloudways involves focusing on critical metrics such as speed, uptime, and loading time. These factors are essential because they directly impact user experience and SEO rankings. I selected a website hosted by Cloudways and conducted a test using GTMetrix to measure its Time to First Byte (TTFB), which reflects server response speed.

The tested website showed a decent 254ms server response speed, with an overall GTMetrix performance score of 94%. Additionally, Cloudways guarantees a 99.9% uptime, ensuring that websites are almost always available to users, which is critical for maintaining user trust and engagement.

These performance benchmarks highlight why Cloudways is a top choice for hosting, balancing speed, reliability, and efficiency to meet the needs of diverse online projects.

Cloudways provides comprehensive support options to ensure users receive assistance whenever they need it.

While live chat support is available, it's slightly hidden within the support section under the knowledge base. Unfortunately, access to live chat requires server activation, which may inconvenience users needing immediate assistance.

Cloudways offers phone support exclusively to users on Premium support plans. This direct line is ideal for urgent matters requiring personalized assistance.

Users can submit support requests via the ticketing system, with a commitment to responding within 24 hours. This option is suitable for non-urgent inquiries or follow-ups.

Cloudways' extensive knowledge base with a built-in search engine provides self-help resources for quick issue resolution.

Accessible to Premium plan subscribers, Cloudways' private Slack channel offers a unique support experience, enhancing the level of personalized assistance available.

Cloudways takes website security seriously and provides a range of advanced protections to keep your online assets safe and secure.

Cloudways doesn't offer an in-house website builder like other traditional hosts. This may limit users seeking an all-in-one solution. Instead, Cloudways focuses on managed cloud hosting, ideal for users who develop their own sites or use platforms like WordPress, installable via their 1-click installer.

Customers seeking a website builder would need to integrate third-party services. Popular options include WordPress with builders like Elementor or WPBakery, or standalone platforms like Wix or Squarespace. However, to have these, you may need to pay extra fees on top of your Cloudways hosting fees.

Additionally, Cloudways recently introduced a feature enabling users to launch Divi, a powerful page builder, with just one click, enhancing website creation on their elite cloud hosting platform.

Registering on Cloudways is a simple process, though there might be a short waiting period before your account is fully activated. Here's how it works:

Go to the Cloudways website and navigate to their pricing page.

Select the plan that fits your requirements and click on Start 3 days trial to initiate the registration process.

Fill in your name, email address, and password as prompted on the registration form.

After submitting your details, you'll receive a notification that your account activation is pending and Cloudways will reach out to you within 1-2 working days.

Your account activation will be processed within 1-2 working days. During this time, Cloudways will review your registration details and set up your account. Once your account is activated, you'll receive another email notifying you that your Cloudways dashboard is ready for use. You can then log in to your dashboard to start managing your hosting services.

Cloudways provides a user-friendly control panel to manage your hosting services. While some hosts use traditional cPanel, Cloudways has its own custom control panel tailored for ease of use. Here are some features you can expect:

Intuitive interface: Cloudways' control panel is designed to be user-friendly, making it easy for beginners to navigate.

Hosting management: From the control panel, you can manage various aspects of your hosting services, such as domain settings, email accounts, and server configurations.

One-click installations: Cloudways offers one-click installations for popular applications like WordPress, making it easy to get your website up and running quickly.

Installing WordPress on Cloudways is a simple process that can be done through the control panel. Here's how:

Step 1: Log in and Navigate to Servers

Click on the Plus button at the top right and select Add Server.

Step 2: Select Configuration for WordPress

Choose a WordPress configuration.

Customize the application, server, and project names.

Prefer the Clean option for a fresh WordPress instance.

Step 3: Select Server Provider, Location & Resources

Choose a server provider and RAM allocation.

Opt for a server location closest to your audience.

Click Launch to proceed.

Step 4: Access Your WordPress Application

Wait for server configuration, usually 10-15 minutes.

Access your WordPress installation under the www option.

Step 5: Add a Domain Name

In the Application Dashboard, select Domain Management.

Type in your domain name and save changes.

Step 6: Add SSL Certificate

Let Cloudways issue a free SSL certificate automatically.

Optionally, add a custom SSL certificate.

Step 7: Access the WordPress Dashboard

Log into your WordPress admin dashboard using the provided credentials.

Change the default password for security.

If youve followed through all the steps, you should have a brand new WordPress website ready to be used.

Personally, I highly recommend Cloudways to anyone looking for robust, scalable cloud hosting solutions. Their unique approach of simplifying the cloud via a user-friendly platform that bridges major providers like AWS, Google Cloud, and DigitalOcean is a standout feature.

Cloudways also offers competitive pricing, extensive support options, and strong security measures cater well to both small businesses and larger enterprises. While the lack of a native website builder might be a minor inconvenience, the flexibility and performance gains offered make Cloudways a compelling choice for those who prioritize quality and scalability in their hosting solution.

Yes, Cloudways offers a solution for easy website building by providing the Divi page builder with a 1-Click setup. This integration allows users to build websites with incredible ease on top of Cloudways' elite cloud hosting platform.

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Cloudways Review: The Best Managed Cloud Provider in 2024? - Unite.AI

F-Secure Review 2024: Features, Pros & Cons Forbes Advisor INDIA – Forbes

May 8, 2024 | Author: admin

Below we take a look at F-Secures core features.

F-Secure protects browsing users through a browser extension that blocks devices from entering malicious web pages that might contain malware, exploits or phishing techniques. The extension also provides users with a handy color-coded visual cue that appears next to search results on Google, Yahoo, DuckDuckGo or Bing to quickly distinguish which websites are safe to access. Green signifies safe, yellow suspicious and red malicious. The browsing extension is compatible with Firefox, Safari, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge.

F-Secures Banking Protection feature installs alongside the browsing extension and will activate whenever the user accesses financial or banking websites. While active, Banking Protection will prevent you from accessing potentially harmful sites until you conclude your banking activity. Additionally, F-Secures remote access blocker averts third-party attempts to access your device while youre banking, adding an extra layer of security.

Along with other antivirus scanners, F-Secure references a large database of known malware in order to detect malware code on a system and wipe it out. However, zero-day malware still poses a significant threat to users since their code wont exist on any known databases until its too late.

For this kind of malware, F-Secure implements its DeepGuard module, which detects and monitors files that the scanner is unable to label as either safe or harmful. DeepGuard observes the file when it launches and while its running. If the file exhibits any behavior that appears harmful or exploitative, DeepGuard halts its activities.

In addition to full scans, quick scans and scheduled scans, F-Secure also performs real-time scans which can identify and quarantine malware as it attempts to enter a system. Since F-Secures scanning engine is cloud-based, users will hardly notice any lag while performing scans whether its a full scan or the real-time scan working in the background.

Family Rules is F-Secures parental control feature that allows users to set screen time limits and block certain types of online content. The content filters provided by F-Secure are not extensive but are definitely sufficient. Any additional websites that might not meet filter criteria can be easily blocked or allowed manually. Family Rules can be remotely managed through the My F-Secure portal whichlike the rest of F-Secures interfacesis intuitively designed and easy to use.

Family Rules also provides a bedtime feature that prevents device use for specific time periods. The bedtime feature is available on Windows and Mac. On Android, it is limited to preventing non-system apps only, and on iOS, it only works on Safe Browser.

Parents can also view all the installed apps on their childs device and either restrict or block access to them with the App Control feature. This feature is not available for iOS.

F-Secures VPN is effective and secure, but it is limited by its server count and locations. While its important to remember server networks can grow, at the time of this writing, F-Secures VPN only offers 28 server locations in 22 countries. Restrictive countries such as China and Russia are not included. Compared to CyberGhost VPN, for examplewhich offers over 9,000 servers in 91 countriesF-Secures VPN might not offer enough server flexibility for some users.

Despite server count, the VPN works well with streaming sites including Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime and more. Users can either choose a server location or set the VPN to automatically choose the server closest to the user.

Unfortunately, F-Secure doesnt allow torrenting on certain VPN gateways, including the United States, United Kingdom, Mexico, France and more. If torrenting activity is identified on these gateways, the users connection will be temporarily blocked.

Security-wise F-Secures VPN is well-equipped. AES 256-bit encryption (the industry standard for encryption today) protects your data, and IKEv2 and OpenVPN protocols are also secure and well-known for speedy performance.

SAP forecasts clarity in the cloud – CIO

May 8, 2024 | Author: admin

SAP intends to answer these questions in the course of the RISE and GROW programs. This is where clearly defined and regulated migration processes take place, and SAP basically dictates how the move should occur. Do you think its okay from the point of view of the user companies to relinquish control to a certain extent?

In some conversations with customers, the issue of control arises. With RISE, we only handle the basic operation of the SAP system. Were experts in this stack around HANA cloud. We also keep up with all the infrastructure innovations, and we excel at the lifecycle management level. After all, we built all of this ourselves. Beyond this basic operation, customers have the freedom to customize.

SAP is also neutral when it comes to choosing a partner with whom customers want to implement the RISE package. Ideally, the next upgrades will be highly automated. There are no more costly projects that consume millions to keep SAP systems up to date. In my opinion, it makes a lot of sense to entrust this SAP basic operation to us. We offer high-quality service-level agreements, high system availability, and robust cybersecurity measures. Other providers do the same, but users must buy everything end-to-end from one provider. Were more flexible and open.

Restructuring is currently a main topic at SAP. Is this the biggest in the companys history?

I rather view it as an evolution. We began our own transformation more than three years ago and decided to focus on the cloud. Besides that, weve had some other developments, such as the breakthrough of generative AI in 2023, which significantly sped up the pace of innovation. Internally, we need to remove the barriers our customers and our employees face. Were very deliberate about what we take on. After all, every reorganization takes time and requires proper change management. But the change is necessary because SAP is going through a transformation, and that also demands an organizational transformation.

Where do you want SAP to be in five years?

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SAP forecasts clarity in the cloud - CIO

The global cloud market just saw one of its biggest ever quarterly growth spurts – TechRadar

May 8, 2024 | Author: admin

New data from Synergy Research Group has revealed a significant surge in cloud infrastructure service spend, with Q1 2024 not only setting a new high but also sending year-on-year growth rates on an upward trajectory.

The firm's report revealed global cloud spend surpassed $76 billion during the first three months of 2024, marking a substantial 21% year-over-year increase of $13.5 billion, and also the second quarter to have seen considerable year-on-year growth.

According to the data, Amazon, Microsoft and Google can be thanked for a large proportion of the spend, collectively accounting for two-thirds (67%) of the market.

Amazon maintains its stronghold as market leader, according for nearly one-third (31%) by itself. Microsoft (25%) and Google (11%) follow in second and third place.

However Synergy also noted healthy growth among tier-two cloud providers, including Huawei, Snowflake, MongoDB and Oracle.

Despite lingering economic and political uncertainties, the cloud market continues to prove resilient, while the increased focus on cloud computing and artificial intelligence suggests that the market will have enough fuel for plenty more quarters yet.

Public IaaS and PaaS services, which Synergy says account for a large portion of the market, saw a notable 23% increase during the quarter, with overall trailing twelve-month revenue hitting $283 billion.

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Failing to mention any geographic regions that performed poorly, Synergy confirmed that the APAC region saw the biggest growth of 25%, though the entire region still trails behind the US, which remains the single largest cloud market.

Looking ahead, John Dinsdale, a Chief Analyst at Synergy Research Group, commented: We will not return to the growth rates seen prior to 2022 [up to around 40%], as the market has become too massive to grow that rapidly, but we will see the market continue to expand substantially. We are forecasting that it will double in size over the next four years.

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The global cloud market just saw one of its biggest ever quarterly growth spurts - TechRadar

Industry and Academia Explore AI, Cyber Security and Cloud Computing – Irish Tech News – Irish Tech News

May 8, 2024 | Author: admin

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How AI might shape LGBTQIA+ advocacy | MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology – MIT News

May 8, 2024 | Author: admin

"AI Comes Out of the Closet" isa large learning model (LLM)-based online system that leverages artificial intelligence-generated dialog and virtual characters to create complex social interaction simulations. These simulations allow users to experiment with and refine their approach to LGBTQIA+ advocacy in a safe and controlled environment.

The research is both personal and political tolead author D. Pillis, an MIT graduate student in media arts and sciences and research assistant in the Tangible Media group of the MIT Media Lab, as it is rooted in a landscape where LGBTQIA+ people continue to navigate the complexities of identity, acceptance, and visibility. Pillis's work is driven by the need for advocacy simulations that not only address the current challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community, but also offer innovative solutions that leverage the potential of AI to build understanding, empathy, and support. This project is meant to test the belief that technology, when thoughtfully applied, can be a force for societal good, bridging gaps between diverse experiences and fostering a more inclusive world.

Pillis highlights the significant, yet often overlooked, connection between the LGBTQIA+ community and the development of AI and computing. He says, "AI has always been queer. Computing has always been queer," drawing attention to the contributions of queer individuals in this field, beginning with the story of Alan Turing, a founding figure in computer science and AI, who faced legal punishment chemical castration for his homosexuality. Contrasting Turings experience with the present, Pillis notes the acceptance of OpenAI CEO Sam Altmans openness about his queer identity, illustrating a broader shift toward inclusivity. This evolution from Turing to Altman highlights the influence of LGBTQIA+ individuals in shaping the field of AI.

"There's something about queer culture that celebrates the artificialthrough kitsch, camp, and performance," states Pillis.AIitselfembodies the constructed, the performative qualities deeply resonant with queer experience and expression. Through this lens, he argues for a recognition of the queerness at the heart of AI, not just in its history but in its very essence.

Pillis found a collaborator withPat Pataranutaporn, a graduate student in the Media Lab'sFluid Interfaces group.As is often the case at the Media Lab, their partnership began amid the lab's culture of interdisciplinary exploration, where Pataranutaporn's work on AI characters met Pillis's focus on 3D human simulation.

Taking on the challenge of interpreting text to gesture-based relationships was a significant technological hurdle. InPataranutaporn's research, he emphasizes creating conditions where people can thrive, not just fix issues, aiming to understand how AI can contribute to human flourishing across dimensions of "wisdom, wonder, and well-being." In this project,Pataranutapornfocused ongenerating the dialogues that drove the virtual interactions. "It's not just about making people more effective, or more efficient, or more productive. It's about how you can support multi-dimensional aspects of human growth and development."

Pattie Maes,the Germeshausen Professor of Media Arts and Sciences at the MIT Media Lab and advisor to this project, states, "AI offers tremendous new opportunities for supporting human learning, empowerment, and self development. I am proud and excited that this work pushes for AI technologies that benefit and enable people and humanity, rather than aiming for AGI [artificial general intelligence]."

Addressing urgent workplace concerns

The urgency of this project is underscored by findings that nearly 46 percent of LGBTQIA+ workers have experienced some form of unfair treatment at work from being overlooked for employment opportunities to experiencing harassment. Approximately 46 percent of LGBTQIA+ individuals feel compelled to conceal their identity at work due to concerns about stereotyping, potentially making colleagues uncomfortable, or jeopardizing professional relationships.

The tech industry, in particular, presents a challenging landscape for LGBTQIA+ individuals. Data indicate that 33 percent of gay engineers perceive their sexual orientation as a barrier to career advancement. And over half of LGBTQIA+ workers report encountering homophobic jokes in the workplace, highlighting the need for cultural and behavioral change.

"AI Comes Out of the Closet"is designed as an online study to assess the simulator's impact on fostering empathy, understanding, and advocacy skills toward LGBTQIA+ issues. Participants were introduced to an AI-generated environment, simulating real-world scenarios that LGBTQIA+ individuals might face, particularly focusing on the dynamics of coming out in the workplace.

Engaging with the simulation

Participants were randomly assigned to one of two interaction modes with the virtual characters: "First Person" or "Third Person." The First Person mode placed participants in the shoes of a character navigating the coming-out process, creating a personal engagement with the simulation. The Third Person mode allowed participants to assume the role of an observer or director, influencing the storyline from an external vantage point, similar to the interactive audience in Forum Theater. This approach was designed to explore the impacts ofimmersiveversusobservationalexperiences.

Participants were guided through a series of simulated interactions, where virtual characters, powered by advanced AI and LLMs, presented realistic and dynamic responses to the participants' inputs. The scenarios included key moments and decisions, portraying the emotional and social complexities of coming out.

The study's scripted scenarios provided a structure for the AI's interactions with participants. For example, in a scenario, a virtual character might disclose their LGBTQIA+ identity to a co-worker (represented by the participant), who then navigates the conversation with multiple choice responses. These choices are designed to portray a range of reactions, from supportive to neutral or even dismissive, allowing the study to capture a spectrum of participant attitudes and responses.

Following the simulation, participants were asked a series of questions aimed at gauging their levels of empathy, sympathy, and comfort with LGBTQIA+ advocacy. These questions aimed to reflect and predict how the simulation could change participants' future behavior and thoughts in real situations.

The results

The study found an interesting difference in how the simulation affected empathy levels based on Third Person or First Person mode. In the Third Person mode, where participants watched and guided the action from outside, the study shows that participants felt more empathy and understanding toward LGBTQIA+ people in "coming out" situations. This suggests that watching and controlling the scenario helped them better relate to the experiences of LGBTQIA+ individuals.

However, the First Person mode, where participants acted as a character in the simulation, didn't significantly change their empathy or ability to support others. This difference shows that the perspective we take might influence our reactions to simulated social situations, and being an observer might be better for increasing empathy.

While the increase in empathy and sympathy within the Third Person group was statistically significant, the study also uncovered areas that require further investigation. The impact of the simulation on participants' comfort and confidence in LGBTQIA+ advocacy situations, for instance, presented mixed results, indicating a need for deeper examination.

Also, the research acknowledges limitations inherent in its methodology, including reliance on self-reported data and the controlled nature of the simulation scenarios. These factors, while necessary for the study's initial exploration, suggest areas of future research to validate and expand upon the findings. The exploration of additional scenarios, diverse participant demographics, and longitudinal studies to assess the lasting impact of the simulation could be undertaken in future work.

"The most compelling surprise was how many people were both accepting and dismissive of LGBTQIA+ interactions at work," says Pillis. This attitude highlights a wider trend where people mightacceptLGBTQIA+ individuals but still not fully recognize the importance of their experiences.

Potential real-world applications

Pillis envisions multiple opportunities for simulations like the one built for his research.

In human resources and corporate training, the simulator could serve as a tool for fostering inclusive workplaces. By enabling employees to explore and understand the nuances of LGBTQIA+ experiences and advocacy, companies could cultivate more empathetic and supportive work environments, enhancing team cohesion and employee satisfaction.

For educators, the tool could offer a new approach to teaching empathy and social justice, integrating it into curricula to prepare students for the diverse world they live in. For parents, especially those of LGBTQIA+ children, the simulator could provide important insights and strategies for supporting their children through their coming-out processes and beyond.

Health care professionals could also benefit from training with the simulator, gaining a deeper understanding of LGBTQIA+ patient experiences to improve care and relationships. Mental health services, in particular, could use the tool to train therapists and counselors in providing more effective support for LGBTQIA+ clients.

In addition to Maes, Pillis and Pataranutaporn were joined by Misha Sra of the University of California at Santa Barbara on the study.

Excerpt from:

How AI might shape LGBTQIA+ advocacy | MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology - MIT News

Artificial Intelligence, Psychedelics, and Psychotherapy Working Together to Fight Chronic Pain – dallasinnovates.com

May 8, 2024 | Author: admin

More than 51 million Americans experienced chronic pain in 2021, according to the CDC. And the NIH estimates that 2.1 million people in the U.S. have opioid use disorder. The founders of Dallas-based biotech startup Cacti dont think thats a coincidence.

Combining what they know about brain development and function, Kaitlin Roberson, CEO of Dallas-based Cacti, Inc., and David Roberson, Cactis lead scientific advisor, are taking a novel approach to treating chronic pain, by addressing the trauma that is often at its root.

Cacti has two programs one seeks to reset angry pain nerves by delivering a psychedelic molecule directly to the nerve sending the pain signal. Essentially, were trying to make pain nerves trip, said David. And the other approach is a therapeutic catalyst: a psychedelic-derived medicine that targets the part of the brain that processes the emotional aspects of pain, which will be paired with psychotherapy to train the brain to process pain differently.

To develop these new medicines, Cacti is using technology from Robersons company, Blackbox Bio.

David Roberson, PhD, MBA, founder of Blackbox Bio [Photo: Blackbox Bio]

Also based in Dallas-Fort Worth, Blackbox Bio uses artificial intelligence to watch how lab mice and rats behave under different circumstances, such as when they have arthritis pain or when theyve been given an experimental drug for their pain. The companys scientific instruments observe the effect of a drug on rodents from below. This is important because prey animals, like mice and rats, have developed ways to hide injury and weakness from the view of predators for the purpose of self-preservation.

Watching from below allows their AI algorithms to see if the rodents are favoring a limb, struggling with balance, or even if theyre scared (they walk on their tiptoes). Mice only live for about a year and a half. So, you can observe the effects of a drug over their whole lifespan; you can take a mouse that has experienced a stroke and test a new therapy to see how it affects the rest of their life, in a relatively short period of time, he said.

Using this process improves the quality of the observational data and accelerates the steps needed to get a drug approved. By using AI to watch mice instead of human observation, outcomes are better. As a result, fewer animals are needed and the results are more reliable, said David. The long-term goal of our technology is to use these rich data sets to generate AI virtual mice that will replace live lab animals in many cases.

Cacti is using the Blackbox technology to identify new psychedelic-derived medicines but without the hallucinations and other side effects that classical psychedelics can cause. The device can look at a mouse and automatically tell if it is experiencing a psychedelic hallucination.

Having access to this technology has given us a head start in our search for new therapies that can heal the root cause of chronic pain, said Kaitlin.

Jarret Weinrich, PhD, Kaitlin Roberson, founder of Cacti, and Biafra Ahanonu, PhD at UCSF. [Photo: Blackbox Bio]

But four years ago, in Massachusetts, before Cacti began the path toward FDA approval for its new medicines, the idea for the startup was just coming together.

It was 2020 and the Robersons (all six of them, plus their Vizsla, Ruby) were living in Harvard University housing, where Kaitlin was finishing her graduate program.

We were living in a tiny little apartment right off Harvard Square, Kaitlin said.

Picture one thousand square feet of apartment space with only one toilet; their oldest son was twelve years old; the twins were seven, and their younger sister was five.

And then COVID-19 shut the city down.

I turned to David and I said, Im not worried about the virus at this point. But I do think we may die by our own hands, she said.

They needed to get out of that apartment, but initially the plan wasnt to leave the Bay State.Wed been out in the Boston area for 11 years at that point and we were really happy there, Kaitlin said.

But they started thinking more holistically. David is a scientist and can work from anywhere, and Kaitlin had done a lot of work in the humanitarian field, mostly with the refugee population.

And my thinking was, you know, why not move to a border state that is not only the largest refugee resettlement state in the country, resettling refugees from all over the world, but also a border state also contending with asylum seekers and immigrants, said Kaitlin.

She took a job with a resettlement agency that has offices all over Texas, but it went bankrupt the following year.

Meanwhile, David a neurobiologist and drug developer had been toying with the idea of a startup that would integrate the use of psychedelics to treat chronic pain. Specifically, he was looking at phenethylamines, medicinal substances made by the cactus family.

We started talking about combining our two areas of training and see if we could take an interdisciplinary approach to chronic pain, she said.

With her background in developmental psychology, Katilin assumed the role of CEO and Cactinamed in honor of the compound David had identified for developmentwas born.

Where traditional pain management has focused on treating the acute feeling and overlooked the psychology behind it, Cacti focuses on the experience of pain and how it correlates to brain function.

Depression, grief, and other negative emotions are processed in the same part of the brain that gets activated when people have chronic pain, said David.

Cacti wants to treat the trigger. The working theory is that just like emotions can resurrect a memory of mental pain, they can also remind the body of physical pain, keeping the sensation active.

I think one of the things that is lacking in Western medicine is the connection between body and mind. And pain is treated in this very isolated way where its just a certain receptor being targeted, said Kaitlin.

Cactis approach aims to bring together body and mind, by pairing psychedelics with psychotherapy but a new model presents additional hurdles.

So even when a new medicine does get approved, theres still a question of how this treatment will fit into our health care system. With psychedelics, its like an eight-hour journey with the patient. Will insurance pay for the drug and the time spent with a therapist as it takes effect?

Cactis medicines are not yet in human trials, but they are creating a treatment that would work for multiple communities of people who have trauma-triggered chronic pain, including the refugees to whom Kaitlin devoted her early career. Its a long road to FDA approval for a first-in-class medicine, but were committed to the patients with chronic pain who deserve more effective treatments, and were well on our way to finding them, she said.

That means a future without Opioid dependence may be closer than you think.

Voices contributor Nicole Ward is a data journalist for the Dallas Regional Chamber.

Carmackwhose Dallas-based, AGI-focused startup raised $20 million in August 2022is partnering with Dr. Richard Sutton, chief scientific advisor at the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute in Canada. Their focus: developing a genuine AI prototype by 2030 that will show "AGI signs of life."

At the Bush Center in Dallas on September 5, Capital Factory will host top tech minds to talk AI and AGI. Tech icon John Carmack will take the stage in a rare fireside chat on artificial general intelligence with AI expert Dave Copps. Here's what you need to know, along with advance insights from Copps.

Dallas Innovates, the Dallas Regional Chamber, and Dallas AI have teamed up to launch the inaugural AI 75 list. The 2024 program honors the most significant people in AI in DFW in seven categoriesthe visionaries, creators, and influencers you need to know.

Trailblazing companies reshaping industries with innovative AI strategies will be in the spotlight at Convergence AI on May 2. The conference offers a unique opportunity for businesses to learn from these leaders and position themselves for success in the AI-driven future.

Addison-based Crederathe consulting business of marketing group Omnicomsaid the council will serve as a collective intelligence hub to address many different aspects of AI adoption. Founded by Credera Partner and Chief Data Scientist Vincent Yates, the council will aim to foster collaboration while guiding the responsible deployment of AI.

The rest is here:

Artificial Intelligence, Psychedelics, and Psychotherapy Working Together to Fight Chronic Pain - dallasinnovates.com

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