Latest news with #ITprofessionals
Fast Company
5 days ago
- Business
- Fast Company
From hype to humanity: Driving more value with human-centered AI
In boardrooms and backroom labs, the promise of AI has morphed into modern mythology—a digital elixir promising to revolutionize industries and workforces, eliminate inefficiency, and empower businesses and humans like never before. As investments increase and headlines dominate, we find ourselves swept up in a collective fever dream—a hype cycle where AI is the universal solution to our most significant problems. According to Forrester's AI research, 67% of AI decision-makers say their organization plans to increase AI investment. With the advent of agentic AI, there seems to be even more enthusiasm about implementing it. In a June 2025 press release, Gartner reported that a poll of 3,400 IT professionals revealed that 19% said that their organization had made significant investments in agentic AI, 42% reported conservative investments, 8% had made no investments, and the remaining 31% were unsure about agentic AI investments in their organization. Beneath the hype lies a more sobering reality. Gartner analysts also predicted that 40% of agentic AI projects will be cancelled by 2027 due to costs, unclear business value, or inadequate controls. At Punchcut, we've led companies through several pivotal moments in tech evolution to achieve meaningful ROI. Our latest report, FutureView 2025: From Hype to Humanity, examines the gap between unrealistic AI expectations and results. It's a guide to ensure real drivers of revenue and profit, user satisfaction, and competitive advantage define AI initiatives. The AI revolution isn't solely about groundbreaking technology; it's fundamentally about shaping more profound and useful connections between humans and machines. By grounding AI work in human-centric principles, product teams can craft experiences that break free from the hype and deliver genuine, lasting benefits. A central insight from our work with business leaders is that AI objectives defined by human-centered needs deliver the strongest results. Real value hinges on AI's ability to enrich personal and professional activities and enable human potential. Amidst the frenzy, companies must move from hype to reality to pragmatically steer projects toward human-centered implementations. Only then will it drive loyalty and ultimate revenue growth. FOUR PRINCIPLES OF HIGH-VALUE AI Through our work, we've identified four key AI strategies for successful AI initiatives. AI implementations that follow these 'lanes' can deliver measurable returns rapidly while producing sustainable business benefits. 1. SHARED AUTONOMY The idea of completely autonomous systems is intriguing, but most users desire a feeling of control. Our findings indicate that people prefer a collaborative approach where autonomy is shared between humans and machines. Recently, we worked with a global automotive company to build an advanced in-vehicle AI agent for assisted driving. Primary testing revealed a strong preference for optional agent support over full automation. Drivers felt much more comfortable with the ability to selectively delegate tasks to AI rather than relinquishing control. This research showed that interfaces should respond to varying levels of user engagement and trust. Business Pivot: • Conduct thorough autonomy user research to uncover where automation adds value and where it can be disempowering. • Offer AI features that allow for cooperative user overrides and guidance, preserving a meaningful sense of agency. 2. AUTHENTIC RELATABILITY 'Humanizing' AI doesn't require crafting a digital clone. 'Human-like' AI captures headlines, but we've found that lifelike avatars, or agents that take on overly anthropomorphic qualities, can unsettle users. Instead, AI that focuses on clarity, transparency, and helpfulness fosters trust. In a study focused on AI companionship, we found that users consistently favored simple, utility-driven interactions over high-fidelity visual character designs. Abstract representations like voice or text were seen as more relatable than literal characters. We found that authentic, meaningful engagement stems more from tone and usefulness than from visual realism. • Resist the temptation for hyperrealism with agents. Instead, craft relatable interactions. • Use relationship design principles to shape AI interactions that feel authentic and empathetic, and build trust through utility, not appearance. 3. NATURAL IMMERSION Amid the buzz about cool new hardware devices and spatial computing, true immersion is often more about how experiences fit into everyday contexts. AI should naturally engage multiple senses—visual, auditory, and tactile—without requiring the latest trendy device. In our work with a leading consumer electronics brand, we prototyped several spatial computing concepts that enhanced desktop experiences without the need for headsets or external devices. Prototypes showed that by embedding 3D views and AI-driven interactions directly into familiar devices and workflows, we could create more intuitive and seamless forms of digital immersion. Business Pivot: • Invest in multi-modal AI interaction that engages sensory and spatial inputs to create more intuitive, natural experiences. • Integrate AI within existing products and ecosystems to amplify value at familiar touchpoints before pursuing entirely new solutions. 4. MEANINGFUL IMPACT The allure of fast AI deployment can overshadow a well-defined strategy. In the race to compete, many AI solutions have focused more on technological novelty than measurable substance. A lasting impact requires aligning AI initiatives with user needs to ensure solutions lead to quantifiable business outcomes. We observed development teams assuming AI would provide value at every stage in a user's workflow while working with a large consumer technology provider with a major AI platform. But this assumption resulted in an overloaded feature set with decreased adoption. By utilizing a human behavior value matrix, we helped developers identify a few signature moments that delivered higher, more measurable value. Also, by prototyping imagined scenarios, we were able to validate the viability of new AI within their software. Business Pivot: • Invest in proper research and design, focusing on long-term strategy and growth over short-term gains. • Prioritize use cases with meaningful ROI and user satisfaction over flashy features. Start small, prove value, and build on success. Within the AI hype cycle, where technological novelty can overshadow substance, there's an opportunity for companies to rise above the noise. The long-term potential for AI to shape industries and society is profound, yet we are in a stage where investments outweigh returns, and rapid experimentation is the norm. Now is the time for companies to step back and employ strategies that prioritize value. By embracing human-centered design principles of autonomy, relatability, immersion, and impact, companies can create AI experiences that transcend novelty and truly enhance human experiences while driving measurable ROI and business growth.
Daily Mail
22-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE I quit the UK for a lower salary in Italy because my high-flying job was going to kill me - why I'll never go back
When Philip Gwynne Jones packed up his life in the UK and moved to Venice in 2012, it was meant to be a one-year escape from a financial crisis that threatened his IT job at a major bank. Thirteen years later, he's still there - and says there's no chance he'll return to the place he once called home. Philip, 58 and his wife, Caroline, both worked as computer programmers at one of Scotland's largest banks during the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis. As the financial sector braced itself for tens of thousands of redundancies, around 30,000 to 40,000 according to the Swansea-born writer, the couple began exploring ways of reinventing their careers as 'middle-aged' IT specialists. The turning point for Philip came from a conversation with a stranger in the local pub. He became inspired by the punter's plan to teach English abroad, recalling: 'He was moving to Seville to teach English as a foreign language to Spanish people. He said you don't earn very much money, but it's a job.' Reflecting on his former role as a computer programmer, Philip admitted: 'I hated the job, and I thought the stress of it would kill me. I had lovely co-workers. I was feeling burned out and tired and hadn't enjoyed the job for for years.' But his life was about to change: within months, Philip and Caroline accepted a 'modest' redundancy payout, sold their Edinburgh flat to their neighbours, left their belongings with a relative and enrolled in a language school and teacher training programme in Venice. The couple's first year in the City of Canals was far from a dream: the pair experienced long hours, low pay and 'difficulty in finding well paid work.' But slowly, things changed. With experience under their belts, they were able to secure positions in Italy's state education system - jobs that offered better pay and regular hours. For Philip, the move to teaching also sparked a creative awakening. He explained: 'I taught English for 10 years, and I really enjoyed it, because it was different every day, and I just had so much fun doing it, and I met so many nice people doing it. 'Then during COVID, of course, everything went online. I found it more stressful than being in class. 'When the opportunity came to renew my contract with school for another year, I thought, I think I can step back from it now and I can just concentrate the writing.' Philip's debut novel was published when he was 50, and he's since gone on to release a number of crime thrillers with Venice at their heart. His latest work, the Magus of Sicily, is a 'concoction of crime and culture' inspired by his monthly trips to the southern Italian island. He said: '[Sicily] is right at the other end of the country. Basically it's on the other side of the diagonal. It's probably a 90 minute to two hour flight to Catania, which is where we go. 'Catania is right under the volcano - you gotta have a lot of confidence to want to live there.' 'Sicily is so beautiful and so fascinating, historically as well as physically. It's slightly bigger than Wales, but it feels so different to the rest of Italy.' Since their move, the couple have embraced the language, too, after completing three months of intensive Italian lessons. Philip explained: 'You can read the newspapers, you can listen to the radio, you can watch Italian TV. It's immensely useful to have. It's a good thing to have. 'In Venice, if they pick up on your accent - and they will pick up on your accent, because I'm never going to sound Venetian - we have these strange conversations where they want to practice in English and I want to use my Italian, so we're knocking it back and forth until one side concedes.' One of the most significant steps to settling in, he says, was joining a local choir. Philip said: 'I was singing in a choir in the UK, and that was something I really missed, so I joined the Venetian choir, and immediately that gave me a circle of friends.' The couple have also found friendships among both Italians and fellow expats. And despite the distance, technology has made it easy to stay in touch with loved ones back home. Asked to compare life in the UK and Italy, Philip doesn't hesitate - and he's all too willing to share aspects of his old life he doesn't miss. He said: 'Whenever I go back to the UK and I fly to Bristol, and I'll go drive to Pembroke, which is where my mum is at the moment, I tell you what I do not miss. 'I will not miss that drive along the M4 because it's a boring journey. For the first two hours - it's only really when you pass Carmarthen there's any sort of scenery at all - you're either just sitting in traffic, or it's a dull and boring drive. 'Now, actually, driving is one thing I really do not miss. I don't particularly like it because, of course, I'm in Venice, there are no cars, which is perfect for me.' While Venice has its downsides - crowds in the summer, along with high rent - Philip says it's no more expensive than Edinburgh, and many essential foods, such as olive oil and fish, cost less. He added: 'The cost of wine is substantially less. There's a little shop around the corner where you basically take a plastic bottle and they fill it up for you. I'm getting a litre and a half of Prosecco for about four euros, which is absurd.' He especially praises fregola, a Sardinian baked pasta rarely seen in UK supermarkets, adding: 'It's one of my favorite things to cook with, because it's almost impossible to overcook them. It's it's a very forgiving type of pasta. His advice to anyone considering the same move? Philip said: 'Take all the time you can to plan it properly. 'Do go there with the intention of learning the language or get as much of it nailed down as you can beforehand, because it will make your experience easier and it will make it richer. 'I think there will be days along the way where you think, oh my god, what have we done? But those days will pass if you invest in it properly. It's changed my life. It changed our lives. I'm very grateful to Italy into Venice for giving us this opportunity.' Despite the regular visits back to 'lovely' Wales to care for his mother, Philip says returning to the UK permanently isn't on the table - and he has no plans to change that anytime soon. He said: 'It's hard to imagine now, because we've invested so much in this. I can imagine maybe moving somewhere else in Italy, but moving back to the UK, it would involve giving up a lot. I don't imagine us doing that.'
Geeky Gadgets
19-06-2025
- Geeky Gadgets
VLAN Myths Busted : What They Really Do (and Don't Do)
Have you been told that VLANs are the ultimate solution to your network woes? That they'll magically secure your infrastructure, eliminate complexity, and solve all your traffic management headaches? If so, you're not alone—but you've also been misled. VLANs are powerful, yes, but they're not the all-encompassing fix they're often made out to be. In fact, many IT professionals and enthusiasts alike are wrong about what VLANs actually do and how to use them effectively. Misunderstandings about their purpose and limitations can lead to costly mistakes, inefficient networks, and even security vulnerabilities. It's time to separate fact from fiction and rethink what you know about VLANs. In this video SpaceRex uncovers the truth about VLANs—what they are, what they're not, and why they matter. You'll discover how VLANs provide logical segmentation and traffic isolation, but also why they're not a standalone security solution. We'll explore common misconceptions, such as the belief that VLANs eliminate the need for routing, and highlight practical applications that can transform your network's performance. Whether you're a seasoned network administrator or just starting to configure your first VLAN, this guide will challenge your assumptions and equip you with a clearer understanding of how to use VLANs effectively. Sometimes, the key to mastering a tool is unlearning what you thought you knew. Understanding VLAN Basics What Are VLANs? VLANs are virtualized networks that allow you to create isolated segments within a single physical network infrastructure. By assigning devices to specific VLANs, you can logically separate traffic, even when devices share the same physical hardware. This segmentation is achieved using VLAN IDs, which uniquely identify each virtual network. Devices within the same VLAN can communicate directly, while those in different VLANs remain isolated unless explicitly configured to communicate through routing. Key Characteristics of VLANs: Logical Segmentation: VLANs divide a physical network into smaller, logical networks. VLANs divide a physical network into smaller, logical networks. Traffic Isolation: Devices in separate VLANs cannot communicate without routing. Devices in separate VLANs cannot communicate without routing. Flexibility: VLANs enable dynamic network configurations without altering physical setups. This logical separation enhances network organization and simplifies management, making VLANs an essential tool for modern network design. Why VLANs Matter: Their Purpose and Benefits The primary purpose of VLANs is to optimize network management and resource utilization. By virtualizing physical switches, VLANs reduce the need for additional hardware and cabling, offering a cost-effective solution for networks of all sizes. Their benefits extend beyond cost savings, providing significant advantages in performance and organization. Traffic Isolation: VLANs create distinct boundaries within a network, making sure that traffic remains organized and controlled. VLANs create distinct boundaries within a network, making sure that traffic remains organized and controlled. Enhanced Performance: By minimizing unnecessary broadcast traffic, VLANs improve overall network efficiency and reduce congestion. By minimizing unnecessary broadcast traffic, VLANs improve overall network efficiency and reduce congestion. Cost Efficiency: The ability to segment networks without additional hardware reduces infrastructure expenses. The ability to segment networks without additional hardware reduces infrastructure expenses. Improved Scalability: VLANs simplify network expansion by allowing logical segmentation without physical reconfiguration. These benefits make VLANs a versatile solution for both small-scale and enterprise-level networks. VLANs Explained: Benefits, Limitations, and Misunderstandings Watch this video on YouTube. Advance your skills in NAS storage by reading more of our detailed content. Common Misconceptions About VLANs Despite their widespread use, VLANs are often misunderstood. Addressing these misconceptions is crucial to using VLANs effectively. VLANs as a Security Solution: While VLANs isolate traffic, they do not inherently prevent unauthorized access. Effective security requires additional measures such as firewalls, access controls, and proper configuration. While VLANs isolate traffic, they do not inherently prevent unauthorized access. Effective security requires additional measures such as firewalls, access controls, and proper configuration. VLANs Eliminate Routing Needs: Communication between VLANs requires a router or Layer 3 switch. Without proper routing and security protocols, inter-VLAN traffic can expose vulnerabilities. Understanding these limitations ensures that VLANs are used appropriately, complementing rather than replacing other network management and security tools. How VLANs Work VLANs operate by tagging network traffic with VLAN IDs, which allow switches to direct traffic to the appropriate VLAN. This process ensures that devices within the same VLAN can communicate seamlessly while maintaining isolation from other VLANs. Key Operational Features: Direct Communication: Devices within the same VLAN communicate without routing, reducing latency. Devices within the same VLAN communicate without routing, reducing latency. Inter-VLAN Routing: Traffic between VLANs is routed through a Layer 3 device, which can enforce access controls and firewall rules. Traffic between VLANs is routed through a Layer 3 device, which can enforce access controls and firewall rules. Tagged and Untagged Traffic: VLAN IDs are used to tag traffic, while untagged traffic is assigned to a default VLAN. Trunk ports play a critical role in VLAN setups by allowing multiple VLANs to share a single physical connection between switches. This reduces cabling complexity and enhances scalability, making VLANs an efficient solution for growing networks. Practical Applications of VLANs VLANs offer a wide range of practical applications, making them a valuable tool for network organization and optimization. Their versatility allows them to address various challenges in both small and large-scale environments. Device Isolation: VLANs can separate sensitive devices, such as security cameras or IoT devices, from general network traffic to enhance security. VLANs can separate sensitive devices, such as security cameras or IoT devices, from general network traffic to enhance security. Departmental Segmentation: Organizations can create distinct VLANs for different teams or departments, making sure that traffic remains organized and manageable. Organizations can create distinct VLANs for different teams or departments, making sure that traffic remains organized and manageable. Data Center Efficiency: VLANs reduce cabling requirements and improve scalability in data centers, streamlining operations. VLANs reduce cabling requirements and improve scalability in data centers, streamlining operations. Guest Networks: VLANs can provide isolated networks for guest users, making sure they do not interfere with internal traffic. By logically separating traffic, VLANs simplify troubleshooting, improve resource allocation, and enhance overall network performance. Getting Started: VLAN Configuration Basics Configuring VLANs involves setting up switches and routers to assign ports to specific VLANs. Proper configuration is essential to ensure VLANs function as intended, providing both isolation and connectivity where required. Steps for VLAN Configuration: Port Assignment: Assign switch ports to specific VLANs for tagged or untagged traffic, depending on the network design. Assign switch ports to specific VLANs for tagged or untagged traffic, depending on the network design. Trunk Ports: Configure trunk ports to carry traffic for multiple VLANs across a single link, reducing cabling complexity. Configure trunk ports to carry traffic for multiple VLANs across a single link, reducing cabling complexity. Dynamic VLANs: Use dynamic configurations to adapt to changing network requirements and improve flexibility. A well-configured VLAN setup ensures efficient traffic management and seamless communication between devices. Security Considerations for VLANs While VLANs provide traffic isolation, they are not a standalone security solution. Misconfigurations or vulnerabilities can expose networks to risks such as VLAN hopping, where attackers exploit weaknesses to bypass VLAN boundaries. Best Practices for VLAN Security: Implement strict firewall rules and access controls to regulate inter-VLAN traffic. Regularly audit VLAN configurations to identify and address potential vulnerabilities. Apply enhanced security measures to VLANs that handle sensitive or external-facing traffic. A layered security approach, combining VLANs with other protective measures, is essential to safeguard your network. Advanced VLAN Features Modern VLAN implementations offer advanced features that enhance their functionality and adaptability, making them suitable for complex network environments. Dynamic VLANs: Automatically adjust configurations to meet changing network demands, improving flexibility and efficiency. Automatically adjust configurations to meet changing network demands, improving flexibility and efficiency. Virtual Interfaces: Enable devices to operate on multiple VLANs simultaneously, optimizing resource usage and simplifying network design. These advanced capabilities make VLANs an indispensable tool for managing sophisticated networks, making sure they remain efficient and scalable as requirements evolve. Media Credit: SpaceRex Filed Under: Hardware, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Yahoo
Windows 11 Pro Is Just $14.97
The following content is brought to you by PCMag partners. If you buy a product featured here, we may earn an affiliate commission or other compensation. Microsoft Windows 11 Pro delivers the tools modern professionals need as well as performance, security, and a clean interface. With a one-time payment of $14.97, this license provides full access to a future-ready operating system built for productivity and security. This version of Windows features advanced multitasking capabilities, including Snap layouts and multiple desktops, making it easy to manage projects or switch between personal and work profiles. Support for features like Hyper-V, BitLocker, and Windows Sandbox makes it an ideal choice for developers, IT professionals, and anyone who values control and security. The Pro edition also enhances everyday usability with voice typing, a powerful search bar, touch screen support, and Windows Copilot, an AI assistant that helps you take action, find answers, and even generate ideas. If your PC meets the system requirements, this upgrade is a cost-effective way to unlock better multitasking, enterprise-grade protection, and AI-powered convenience. There are no recurring costs—just one low payment for a fully licensed, always-updated OS. Don't miss the opportunity to get Windows 11 Pro for just $14.97 (reg. $199) through July 20. Prices subject to change. PCMag editors select and review products independently. If you buy through StackSocial affiliate links, we may earn commissions, which help support our testing.
Entrepreneur
09-06-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Why Institutional Investors Are Embracing Crypto–TradFi Partnerships
Many people have been stranded while attempting to send money or make an investment, only to have paperwork drag things down. These experiences raise a basic question: Is there a better way to send money? Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. You're reading Entrepreneur Asia Pacific, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. Have you ever waited days for a bank transfer to clear, only to be surprised by a hidden fee? Or did you feel stuck when you tried to buy an investment, and paperwork slowed you down? Many people have been stranded while attempting to send money or make an investment, only to have paperwork drag things down. These experiences raise a basic question: Is there a better way to send money? Old Banking Methods Are Slow and Costly In the past, moving money across borders typically required filling out lengthy documents and waiting for permissions. Hidden costs accumulated while you waited. This process might take several days or weeks. You had no clear view of what was occurring with your finances. It seemed like your money was imprisoned. How Blockchain Makes Finance Faster Now, blockchain networks can handle transactions in real-time. They use public ledgers that everyone can inspect. No more wondering if your payment went through, and no more hidden fees. This move is not only for IT professionals; anybody looking for quicker, clearer, and more affordable financial services may benefit from it. Consider waking up and moving money over the world in minutes, or purchasing a piece of rental property without seeing a lawyer. That scenario is becoming a reality as blockchain solves problems that traditional banks cannot. Why Big Businesses Are Getting Involved Banks and big financial institutions have licenses, employees, and regulators' trust. But they recognize the need for improved tools. This is where platforms such as MultiBank come into play. MultiBank has decades of expertise in the FX and derivative markets. They established robust risk management procedures and learned to obey rules. They are now using their experience to provide new blockchain-based solutions. Instead of abstract roadmaps and hype, is providing real-world innovation, such as a $3 billion real estate tokenization collaboration with MAG and Mavryk, demonstrating how Web3 can enable unprecedented levels of liquidity, access, and global involvement. This allows both tech-savvy consumers and conventional investors to feel at ease. Platforms that combine blockchain speed with established safety nets may be a viable alternative. For example, if you want to invest in tokenized real estate, search for a provider that stores digital assets in safe wallets and adheres to local regulations. This configuration allows for faster access while remaining worry-free. You continue to follow the same standards, but more speedily and efficiently. Tokenization Opens New Doors Tokenization converts a huge asset (such as a building) into tiny, digital shares. Instead of saving for years to acquire the entire land, you may buy a portion for a few dollars. This allows consumers to start investing sooner and with less money. Tokenized real estate may seem more like purchasing stock than dealing with banks and attorneys. This transformation is not limited to real estate. Tokenization may be used for bonds, art, and even collector artifacts. Each of these assets may be converted into digital tokens that anyone can purchase and trade. When corporations like MultiBank back these coins, investors get additional trust since they know a licensed expert is engaged. Tips for Embracing Crypto and Traditional Finance Together Begin by sending a basic payment using a cryptocurrency wallet. Take note of the time it takes and the money you pay. Then compare it to a previous bank transfer. If you enjoy the outcomes, look into other methods to use these tools. Perhaps you should trade a tokenized bond next, or invest in a small slice of a rental building. Choose platforms that continue to offer useful features. For example, a smartphone app may display your balance in real-time, or the business may provide crypto-backed loans. These changes should seem like useful enhancements rather than hard sales. When a platform expands its tools, you gain greater value without requiring a steep learning curve. Actions to Take Today Real change does not occur overnight. However, by being interested and educated, you may influence your financial future. Try making a modest blockchain payment. Investigate a tokenized asset that interests you. Over time, you'll realize that cryptocurrency and traditional finance are not mutually exclusive. They operate best together, making finance quicker, clearer, and safer. Finally, keep in mind that cryptocurrency is not intended to replace banks. It's here to help them improve and to provide you with what you need more quickly and easily.
