Latest news with #FHS
Forbes
14-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Blockchain, AI And The Digital Frontier
Deepinder Sethi is the chief information officer at FHS (Fortive). Leading growth and enhancing experiences for customers and employees. In the history of enterprise technology, few combinations have generated as much excitement—and existential anxiety—as the convergence of blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI). Separately, they've already disrupted industries. Together, they're poised to do something far more radical: collapse the traditional SaaS model and usher in a new era of decentralized, intelligent orchestration. We are not just iterating on the past. We are inventing a new digital order. Real-World Examples Healthcare: AI models trained on blockchain-verified datasets are being used to personalize treatment plans while preserving patient privacy. For example, Estonia's national health system uses blockchain to secure medical records, which are then analyzed by AI for early disease detection. Supply Chain: IBM and Maersk's TradeLens platform uses blockchain to track shipments and AI to predict delays and optimize routes. This dual-layered intelligence has reduced paperwork and improved transparency across global logistics. Finance: DeFi platforms like Aave and Compound use AI to dynamically adjust lending rates and risk models, while blockchain ensures transparency and auditability. The Power Of Orchestration The real revolution isn't in the agents themselves—it's in who orchestrates them. As enterprise stacks collapse into agentic systems, the question becomes existential: Will you control the orchestration of your digital agents—or be controlled by them? This is the new CIO mandate. It's not about managing infrastructure. It's about designing ecosystems of intelligent, self-improving agents that can reason, negotiate and act. Who Gains The Most? The biggest winners will be those who embrace decentralization as a design principle—not a threat. • Startups that build composable, agent-first architectures will leapfrog incumbents. • Enterprises that invest in agent orchestration platforms and decentralized identity will gain agility and trust. • Nations that foster open innovation ecosystems will become digital superpowers. And yes, CIOs who understand this convergence will become the architects of the next digital economy. The Tipping Point Is Closer Than You Think This isn't a 10-year roadmap. It's a 24-month sprint. The SaaS model, once revolutionary, is now a relic. The future belongs to systems that are decentralized, intelligent and self-orchestrating. The question is no longer whether this convergence will happen. It's whether you'll be ready when it does. How Organizations Can Start Now Organizations looking to harness the power of blockchain and AI must begin by rethinking their digital strategy. Here are some steps to get started: 1. Invest in education and training. Ensure that your teams understand the fundamentals of blockchain and AI. This includes technical training as well as strategic insights into how these technologies can transform your business. 2. Build partnerships. Collaborate with startups, research institutions and industry consortia to stay ahead of the curve. These partnerships can provide access to cutting-edge technology and innovative ideas. 3. Develop a decentralized strategy. Shift from a centralized to a decentralized mindset. This means rethinking how data is stored, how decisions are made and how trust is established. 4. Focus on governance and security. Establish robust governance frameworks to manage decentralized systems and ensure security. This includes setting rules for AI agents and auditing their decisions. Organizational Culture Shift Needed The convergence of blockchain and AI requires a fundamental shift in organizational culture. Here's what needs to change: Embrace autonomy. Encourage teams to experiment and innovate without micromanagement. Decentralized systems thrive on autonomy and adaptability. Foster collaboration. Break down silos and promote cross-functional collaboration. Blockchain and AI projects often require diverse skill sets and perspectives. Prioritize transparency. Build a culture of transparency and trust. This is essential for decentralized systems where decisions are made by autonomous agents. Adopt a growth mindset. Encourage continuous learning and improvement. The pace of change is accelerating, and organizations must be agile and adaptable. Leadership Transformation The convergence of blockchain and AI is redefining C-suite roles: • CEO: Must champion digital transformation and align blockchain-AI strategy with long-term goals. • CIO: Evolves from infrastructure manager to orchestrator of intelligent, autonomous systems. • CCO: Develops governance frameworks to ensure AI compliance and secure decentralized operations. • CMO: Leverages AI for hyper-personalized engagement while navigating decentralized data trust models. Risks And Challenges Of Adopting Blockchain And AI Solutions While the convergence of blockchain and AI offers transformative potential, it is essential to recognize the risks and challenges associated with adopting these technologies. Recent examples have shown that some companies have begun to walk back AI implementations due to poor outcomes. Here are some key considerations: 1. Implementation Complexity: Integrating blockchain and AI into existing systems can be complex and resource-intensive. Organizations should invest in necessary expertise and infrastructure to support these technologies. 2. Data Privacy And Security: While blockchain provides enhanced security, it also introduces new challenges in managing sensitive data. Ensuring compliance with data privacy regulations and protecting against cyber threats is crucial. 3. Scalability Issues: Both blockchain and AI can face scalability challenges. Blockchain networks may struggle with transaction throughput, while AI models require significant computational power and data storage. 4. Ethical Concerns: The use of AI raises ethical questions, including bias in algorithms and the potential for misuse. Organizations must establish ethical guidelines and ensure transparency in AI decision making. 5. Cost Considerations: Implementing blockchain and AI solutions can be costly. Organizations must weigh the benefits against the financial investment required and consider long-term sustainability. Recent Examples: • In the healthcare sector, some AI-driven initiatives have faced setbacks due to data privacy concerns and regulatory hurdles. For instance, a major hospital system had to halt its AI-powered diagnostic tool after facing compliance issues. • In the finance industry, certain DeFi platforms have experienced security breaches, leading to significant financial losses. These incidents highlight the importance of robust security measures in blockchain implementations. By addressing these risks and challenges, organizations can better navigate the adoption of blockchain and AI technologies. The rate of change of technology has never been faster than what we are seeing now, and yet it is at its slowest pace compared to the future. Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify?
The Citizen
07-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Fourways High Sschool kicks off term 3 preparation at Camp Discovery Festival
Fourways High School's (FHS) soccer squads left for the annual Camp Discovery Soccer Festival in Limpopo's Dinokeng district on July 6. The festival, which draws schools from KwaZulu-Natal to Johannesburg, serves as a warm-up tournament ahead of the term 3 soccer season, while giving players a chance to test themselves against teams outside their usual league. 'We missed last year's camp and tournament, but we're back and doing our best against soccer schools from around the country,' said Anthony Clayton, head of extramurals at FHS. Also read: New school screening aims to tackle teen mental health crisis The U17 team impressed on their first day of the camp, winning four of their six matches and showcasing strong attacking football, including a notable 3–1 victory over Riverside. In the last match of the day, they secured a confident 3–0 win over Rangers, closing out the day with five wins out of seven games. An excellent effort by these youngsters as they continue to build momentum. Meanwhile, the U19 squad put up a spirited fight in a high-paced match against Curro Shoshanguve, narrowly losing 1–0 in what was described as a thrilling encounter. Also read: Fourways High School shows sporting prowess at derby 'The scores are not the point of this festival,' said Clayton, 'but rather increasing our depth and testing ourselves in new environments. 'Beyond the results, the festival offers valuable experience, team bonding, and fun, laying a strong foundation for the term ahead. 'This is about growing as a team, learning, and preparing for the season ahead.' Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Business of Fashion
03-07-2025
- Business
- Business of Fashion
Swiss Watchmakers Battle for Their Future
GENEVA — At a press conference marking the 20th anniversary of the Fondation Haute Horlogerie (FHH) in Geneva last week, watchmakers gathered in a show of strength to double down on plans to revitalise an industry facing a double-digit decline in sales. Since the pandemic-era luxury boom delivered three consecutive years of record revenues, the Swiss luxury watch industry has seen demand slump. In its June report, the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry (FHS) reported that watch exports of 2.1 billion Swiss francs in May were down 9.5 percent year-on-year, despite the well documented price hikes of the past 12 months. Volumes crashed too, down 13.4 percent for the month, equivalent to 180,000 units. While exports this year are up 1.1 percent overall by value, the FHS report noted that sales figures were unlikely to show a similar uptick, with many sellers reporting swollen inventories as brands continue to apply pressure on retail networks to commit to orders. The monthly fall was driven by the US, by far the industry's largest market, which recorded a decline in export values of 25.3 percent, a drop that was expected following a bumper April during which brands and retailers rallied to get ahead of President Trump's incoming trade tariffs, prompting a freak 150 percent surge in exports to the country. ADVERTISEMENT The picture was similarly bleak elsewhere. Japan, one of the industry's few bright spots over the past year, recorded a 10.5 percent year-on-year fall in May, while exports to the UK dropped 14.5 percent. China and Hong Kong continued a sustained period of market contraction, with export values declining a further 17.4 percent and 12.6 percent respectively. Singapore, the sector's sixth largest market, reported a milder drop of 3.4 percent. Pascal Ravessoud, vice-president of the FHH told The Business of Fashion at last week's event that unless the slide was stopped, it posed a long-term threat. 'I'm very concerned with the loss of volumes and that we sell less and less watches, but more and more expensive,' he said. 'That's not good because at some point, you become so small that you're not relevant anymore.' According to the FHS, over the past decade, volumes of Swiss watch exports have almost halved, while revenues have risen by around 25 percent. Ravessoud called for a rethink: 'Watch brands have been too inward-looking and too exclusive, because things were going too well,' he said. 'Every year was bringing double-digit growth, and now that's over they have to reinvent themselves. If you don't reinvent yourself when you fail your primary utility, then you're going to be dead at some point.' Audemars Piguet chief executive Ilaria Resta agreed. 'Our goal should be to open our doors for greater visibility, to demystify a traditionally closed world, and to preserve our traditions while embracing innovation,' she said. Audemars Piguet has been one of the industry leaders in immersing its brand product in mainstream culture over the past decade, with revenues climbing to 2.4 billion Swiss francs last year, according to estimates by Morgan Stanley. Patrick Pruniaux, chairman and chief executive of Girard-Perregaux, also pointed to the relevance challenge. 'If we were doing a much better job, the industry would be five times what it is today,' he said at last week's event. 'There would be no question not to buy our watches all the time. We need to promote it better.' The FHH, a non-profit part funded by around 35 watch brands and that operates on an annual budget in the range of 5 million Swiss francs, is hoping a series of fresh initiatives will help kick-start the industry. The foundation was established 20 years ago by industry veteran Franco Cologni, backed by the Richemont Group (whose watch brands include Cartier, IWC and Panerai), Audemars Piguet and Girard-Perregaux. For the past two decades, its focus has been industry-facing, offering training and education programmes in support of Swiss watchmakers. In Geneva, it said it had so far trained 40,000 people and issued more than 15,000 certificates to watchmaking students. ADVERTISEMENT But at last week's event, the FHH said it would become more consumer-focused. It opened a free-to-access exhibition called Watch Makers in Geneva that it expects to draw in more than 12,000 visitors over the summer, and announced that its FHH Forum concept would be held outside Switzerland for the first time when it lands in New York later this year. It also introduced FHH Boutique, an online platform offering paid-for access to its training programmes to members of the public for the first time. The course will cost 620 Swiss francs and result in a certification Ravessoud said was increasingly well recognised by industry employers around the world. While Ravessoud admitted these initiatives were unlikely to lure back millions of lost watch buyers overnight, he said they were part of a long-term strategy to encourage enthusiasts, particularly women and Gen Z who he said were showing a growing interest in the category. Ms. Resta agreed: 'New audiences are emerging and Gen Z is becoming the next wave of luxury consumers,' she said. 'And the influence of women as buyers and collectors is on the rise, alongside a growing demand for sustainable and responsible business practices. These shifts are not threats but opportunities.' Ravessoud said he remained confident the industry would overcome its current challenges. 'Swiss brands have always been resilient,' he said. 'When it was needed, they knew how to turn around and cope with the new reality.' But Cyrille Vigneron, Cartier's former chief executive and now the Parisian house's chairman of culture and philanthropy, said at the event that watchmaking should be wary. 'We are beyond function and we are beyond necessity,' he said. 'A watch has become a cultural object of sophistication, but if we think things are forever, they are never forever. Culture has to constantly reinvent, otherwise it can disappear.'
Scoop
17-06-2025
- General
- Scoop
Historical Foxton Courthouse A Step Closer To Restoration
Press Release – Horowhenua District Council The Foxton Historical Society (FHS) and Horowhenua District Council worked together to apply to the Lotteries Heritage and Environment Fund and successfully obtained $27,500 for the work. In need of strengthening and redevelopment, the Foxton Courthouse Museum project has received funding for a feasibility study. The Foxton Historical Society (FHS) and Horowhenua District Council worked together to apply to the Lotteries Heritage and Environment Fund and successfully obtained $27,500 for the work. This funding will allow Council and the FHS to develop the feasibility study. The aim is for the study to provide the basis for applications to funders, including Lotteries, for a future upgrade of the building. FHS co-chairman Te Kenehi Teira says: 'We welcome this grant which will support a further key stage of work towards the community goal of restoring the courthouse. Horowhenua District Council's ongoing support for the project has already delivered great practical results.' The society's aim is to make the courthouse an exciting, well-supported and financially independent settler and Māori Heritage centre, as well as a base for family/whakapapa research. The site has historical importance for iwi as it is land donated by Ihakara Tukumaru, who was instrumental in the founding of Foxton, and has been designated Wāhi Tūpuna. It is the second courthouse building, constructed in 1929, and is one of the very few remaining examples of this type of building. It is also a rarity in that it retains its original courtroom configuration. Restoration and redevelopment of the courthouse will provide value beyond the Foxton community. The proposed heritage centre role for the building will produce economic benefits as a tourism attraction, and as a resource for locals and visitors alike to make or discover social connections to Te Awahou Foxton. Horowhenua District Mayor Bernie Wanden says this project is a fantastic example of Council and the community working together. 'We were really pleased to hear the application for funding was successful,' he says. 'We know how hard members of the community are working to bring this restoration to life and the ability to do a feasibility study is an important step. When the Ōtaki to North of Levin expressway is completed, making it easier for people to visit Foxton and Foxton Beach, this proposed heritage centre would give people yet another reason to enjoy their stay.' Through Better-Off Funding from Central Government, the previous work undertaken on this project includes a detailed concept plan for strengthening the building prepared by Myamoto NZ, and an interior design for the upgraded building by Essence Design is being commissioned. FHS co-chairman Jim Harper says: 'The society commends Council staff and members for the support and encouragement they are giving to this project. Once completed this proposed Te Awahou-Foxton Heritage Centre will be something that the community can be proud of.'
Scoop
17-06-2025
- General
- Scoop
Historical Foxton Courthouse A Step Closer To Restoration
In need of strengthening and redevelopment, the Foxton Courthouse Museum project has received funding for a feasibility study. The Foxton Historical Society (FHS) and Horowhenua District Council worked together to apply to the Lotteries Heritage and Environment Fund and successfully obtained $27,500 for the work. This funding will allow Council and the FHS to develop the feasibility study. The aim is for the study to provide the basis for applications to funders, including Lotteries, for a future upgrade of the building. FHS co-chairman Te Kenehi Teira says: 'We welcome this grant which will support a further key stage of work towards the community goal of restoring the courthouse. Horowhenua District Council's ongoing support for the project has already delivered great practical results.' The society's aim is to make the courthouse an exciting, well-supported and financially independent settler and Māori Heritage centre, as well as a base for family/whakapapa research. The site has historical importance for iwi as it is land donated by Ihakara Tukumaru, who was instrumental in the founding of Foxton, and has been designated Wāhi Tūpuna. It is the second courthouse building, constructed in 1929, and is one of the very few remaining examples of this type of building. It is also a rarity in that it retains its original courtroom configuration. Restoration and redevelopment of the courthouse will provide value beyond the Foxton community. The proposed heritage centre role for the building will produce economic benefits as a tourism attraction, and as a resource for locals and visitors alike to make or discover social connections to Te Awahou Foxton. Horowhenua District Mayor Bernie Wanden says this project is a fantastic example of Council and the community working together. 'We were really pleased to hear the application for funding was successful,' he says. 'We know how hard members of the community are working to bring this restoration to life and the ability to do a feasibility study is an important step. When the Ōtaki to North of Levin expressway is completed, making it easier for people to visit Foxton and Foxton Beach, this proposed heritage centre would give people yet another reason to enjoy their stay.' Through Better-Off Funding from Central Government, the previous work undertaken on this project includes a detailed concept plan for strengthening the building prepared by Myamoto NZ, and an interior design for the upgraded building by Essence Design is being commissioned. FHS co-chairman Jim Harper says: 'The society commends Council staff and members for the support and encouragement they are giving to this project. Once completed this proposed Te Awahou-Foxton Heritage Centre will be something that the community can be proud of.'
