Latest news with #IndustrialAge
Epoch Times
08-07-2025
- Epoch Times
Rick Steves' Europe: Art, Architecture, and Nightlife in Scotland's Second City
Lately, I've really been enjoying what I consider to be the 'second cities' of Europe, such as Naples in Italy, Marseille in France, and Hamburg in Germany. These places often have a rough, Industrial Age heritage and a rust-belt vibe that keeps them honest, unvarnished, and nonconformist. Even though Glasgow is Scotland's largest and most populated city, I consider it to be that country's second city behind Edinburgh, which wins first place for its capital status and tourism appeal. A century ago, Glasgow was one of Europe's biggest cities, an industrial powerhouse producing 25 percent of the world's oceangoing ships; but in the mid-20th century, tough times hit the city, giving it a run-down feel. Today, Glasgow is on the rise again. Many tourists give Glasgow a miss in favor of Edinburgh, but that's a shame; Glasgow is both a workaday Scottish city and a cosmopolitan destination, with an energetic dining and nightlife scene, unique modern architecture, top-notch museums, a flair for art, and unpretentious friendliness.
New York Times
05-07-2025
- General
- New York Times
A Century Ago, Adolescents Weren't Fully Human
A parent could be forgiven for thinking that adolescents are primitive. They speak in monosyllables ('Food!'), if they speak at all. Their cognition can described as dim. ('Where are my shoes!? Oh, they're on my feet.') As a group, they seem to be not merely not-yet-mature-humans but not-yet-fully-humans-at-all — Homo habilis maybe, Neanderthals at best. Take heart in this impression. A century ago, when adolescent psychology first emerged as a field of study, that was exactly the thinking: Teenagers are literally not fully evolved; they are pre-human. The main proponent of this idea was G. Stanley Hall, a psychologist and educator at Clark University who in 1878 had received, from Harvard, the first doctorate in psychology awarded in the United States. At the time, adolescence was not just a mystery but a nonentity. For centuries leading up to the Industrial Age, young humans went directly from childhood into the work force and reproductive mode. The economy permitted no room for semi-productive adolescents, much less anything like teen culture. There had been echoes of teen angst. William Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet' appeared in 1597. 'The Sorrows of Young Werther,' the 1774 novel by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, tells the story of a young man who, in pursuit of love, navigates melancholy, euphoria, suicidal ideation and, eventually, unrequited feelings that end in tragedy. The book was part of a late-18th-century German literary movement known as Sturm and Drang, which identified tumult and stress as defining characteristics of impulsive, romantic young people. Hall, born in Massachusetts in 1844, came of age amid major social and demographic change. With improvements in medicine, sanitation and living conditions, the life span of the average American was increasing, from roughly 40 in 1800 to near 50 by 1900. Progressive reformers sought to combat the ills of industrialization and called for compulsory elementary education; gradually, more working-class families opted for high school, because more learning could lead to better wages. These forces combined to wedge a new time period between childhood and adulthood. Hall was among the first scholars to try to name and explain it.'Up until Hall, there was an amorphous general notion that there was this period of life that was different,' said Dr. Laurence Steinberg, a psychologist at Temple University and expert on adolescence. 'What Hall did was connect the dots. He was the first person to put it all together.' He added, 'He had some ideas that were wacky and some that were brilliant.' Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
The Herald Scotland
03-07-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Inspiring awards set to celebrate the City's leading lights
From a small settlement that stretched the length of the High Street and the Saltmarket, from the River Clyde to the great Medieval cathedral that had been built on the site of St Mungo's original church, Glasgow began to grow rapidly in size and stature to become the city it is today. From trade with the New World to fostering the inventions that would launch the Industrial Age and through shipbuilding, architecture and education, Glasgow has made its mark on the world stage. Now, in recognition of its rich history, the city's vibrant present and the emerging talent that will forge a path into the future, The Herald, in collaboration with Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, is relaunching the Inspiring City Awards with the aim of celebrating those whose efforts continue to enhance the standing of the city today. There will be nine awards in total, each one recognising a different element of the life of the city and all of them recognising the hard work and vision of those who continue to carry forward Glasgow's long and proud legacy. The Art & Culture Award, which will embrace all art forms, including architecture, performance and events, will single out an individual or organisation that has enhanced the city's cultural ambitions on the global stage. The Economic Impact Award will focus on those businesses or initiatives that have made a significant contribution to Glasgow's economic growth and development, while the Environmental Award will focus on initiatives that have contributed to Glasgow's environment, by combating climate change and helping to address the Glasgow Pacts agreed by global leaders when the city hosted COP26. For the Outstanding Contribution by a Business Leader Award, the judges will be looking for someone who has made an indelible mark on the commercial life of the city, while the Sport Award will look at the development of sport in the city and at individuals or organisations which have inspired others to become more active, been a role model or who have helped to secure facilities and funding. For a city to thrive, all of its residents must feel that they have a stake in its future and the Community Impact Award will celebrate initiatives that have improved quality of life, community cohesion or social equity, while the Youth Empowerment Project Award will highlight projects that have been designed to engage and empower the youth of Glasgow, ensuring that that they are equipped to shape its future. The Heritage Champion Award will honour projects or individuals that have played a significant role in preserving Glasgow's history and heritage while for the final accolade, the 850 Legacy Award, the judges will assess how projects, businesses, individuals and communities have created lasting change across Glasgow. Richard Muir, Deputy Chief Executive, Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, who are partnering with The Herald in organising these awards, says: "As part of the momentous 850th anniversary of Glasgow, the return of the Inspiring City Awards is a fitting tribute to the city's enduring legacy and forward-looking spirit. These awards celebrate the remarkable individuals and organisations that make Glasgow such a vibrant and exceptional place. "With two of the city's most respected institutions, Glasgow Chamber of Commerce and The Herald, joining forces to deliver this event, it presents a perfect platform to showcase the very best of our city." Meanwhile, Billy Hammond, managing director, GTG training, sponsors of the Youth Empowerment Project Award, says: 'We're delighted to support this year's Inspiring City Awards and help shine a light on the individuals, businesses and communities that continually strive to make a positive and lasting impact on Glasgow and its people and we are particularly proud to sponsor the Youth Empowerment Project Award, which will celebrate the projects that engage and empower young people across the city. 'At GTG Training, we strive to inspire young people through our apprenticeship programmes. We offer alternative career paths, train the future workforce and give young people the skills to succeed. We're therefore looking forward to celebrating those who are making a real difference to all young people across Glasgow and helping to shape the future of the city.' The award ceremony will take place on Monday, 8 September at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow and the closing date for entries is Monday, 28 July. Full information and entry details are available at and sponsorship opportunities for the awards are now available. For more information contact Alana Massie, Events Manager, Newsquest Events Scotland & Northern Ireland, Telephone: 07702807008
IOL News
02-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
The last generation to learn the old way: How AI can reshape education and learning
Most African governments have consistently failed to meet global and regional education funding targets to ensure quality public education, Human Rights Watch reported earlier this month. The 2025 theme for the Day of the African Child is 'planning and budgeting for children's rights: progress since 2010.' Yet only one-third of African countries met the globally endorsed education funding benchmarks between 2013 and 2023. That dropped to just one-quarter by 2022. Fourteen African countries didn't meet the target even once in a decade. This paints a sobering picture. But it doesn't have to be this way. With more than 60% of the continent's population under the age of 25, the future is young and full of opportunity. Artificial intelligence is creating entirely new pathways to reimagine education. We have the tools and the talent to equip our youth for a bigger, brighter future. Education and learning are set to be fundamentally disrupted. But because education funding targets aren't being met, we're already falling behind. The good news? The solution is within our reach and we can turn this around. Taking a step back, it's important to understand that the education system as we know it was designed for the Industrial Age, a one-size-fits-all model built to prepare students for one career, not the fast-evolving future we find ourselves in now. But our children are growing up in a radically different world. Exponential technologies are rewriting the rules of learning, creativity and human achievement. We are standing at the edge of a profound transformation. The kids of today will be the last generation to learn in the static, linear ways we did. The rise of artificial intelligence is ushering in a new educational paradigm: one that is personalised, dynamic, interactive and profoundly human. In the coming years, additional to an increased focus on life skills, every learner will have an AI tutor, an adaptive, empathetic companion capable of understanding not just what they know, but how they learn best. These AI tutors will design custom learning paths, accelerating mastery of knowledge while nurturing deeper creativity and critical thinking. No more standardised testing to the mean. No more passive classrooms. Education will become an organic, living process that evolves with each learner – if we enable it to. And here lies the magic key that can unlock it all: bridging the digital divide. Insufficient public spending on education doesn't just jeopardise the right to quality education, it threatens our ability to unlock the full potential of AI for learning. Without reliable electricity, internet connectivity or access to basic digital tools, many schools, particularly in rural areas, remain disconnected from the very technologies that could transform their futures. South Africa is no exception. While some urban schools experiment with robotics and coding, many others still operate in analogue mode. This lack of infrastructure poses a serious risk to the country's ability to harness AI and future-facing technology in education. But it's not too late. Bridging this gap is about more than fairness. It is a national imperative. In a country grappling with high youth unemployment and growing social unrest, investing in relevant, future-proof education is one of the most powerful tools we have to break the cycle. So yes, the Department of Communications has developed a national AI strategy, but it does not go far enough to mitigate these risks or provide the infrastructure that is needed. If we do not act now, our country may find itself further behind in the global digital economy. The lack of access to AI-driven opportunities will entrench inequality. This is why it is critical that technological advancement serves all citizens and not just a privileged few. As Ray Kurzweil teaches, technology progresses exponentially and so too does the potential for human development. AI can help us transcend cognitive limits, but it's the human factor, collaboration, empathy, imagination, that will define our future. In this new world, the most valuable skills won't be memorisation or rote knowledge, but the ability to solve complex problems together, to think creatively, and to work fluidly alongside intelligent systems. Schools have the potential to evolve into innovation labs where students take on real-world challenges with AI, learning not only content, but how to shape the world. Working with AI optimally, not just using it in a transactional way, will become a fundamental part of education. Children need to grow up seeing AI as a partner, a co-creator, and a powerful amplifier of their abilities. Spatial computing will play a critical role in this shift. The metaverse is already emerging as a powerful learning environment, a rich, immersive layer where students can engage with knowledge experientially. Imagine walking through a living cell, debating philosophy with an AI-powered Socrates, or designing virtual cities with classmates across continents. Platforms like UBU are pioneering this next frontier, blending AI, blockchain and immersive environments to redefine what learning can be, and making it accessible to those who can connect. As Peter Diamandis reminds us, the only constant is accelerating change. Our education systems must reflect that reality. To reclaim the future, South Africa's youth need an economy that includes and uplifts them. The greatest gift we can give the next generation is not just content from the past, but the tools, mindsets and platforms to create the future. We are raising a new generation of explorers, human - AI hybrids capable of unimaginable creativity and collaboration. The classroom of tomorrow won't have four walls. It will be an infinite canvas, where learning is lifelong, personalised, and powered by AI. And that future is arriving faster than we think. If we are to future proof our continent, Africa must benefit from this revolution too and it's up to all of us to make sure that this happens.
Al Anbat News
01-07-2025
- Business
- Al Anbat News
Orange Jordan Sponsors ICIT 2025 to Advance Digital Innovation
Publish date : Tuesday - pm 05:10 | 2025-07-01 Alanbatnews - Orange Jordan Orange Jordan renewed its commitment to leading the digital future by participating as the telecom sponsor of the 12th International Conference on Information Technology (ICIT 2025), organized by Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan in collaboration with British Telecommunications (BT), the BT Innovation and Incubation Center (BTIIC), Ulster University, with technical sponsorship from the Global Community for Technology Professionals "IEEE'. Bringing global minds under one roof, the conference served as a dynamic platform for leading researchers to exchange insights and explore the latest advancements and challenges across cybersecurity, AI and data science, emerging technologies, software engineering, mathematical modeling, and computer engineering. Orange Jordan participated in a panel discussion titled "Quantum AI: Redefining Intelligence in the Industrial Age,' which explored future developments in the field and discussed their anticipated impact on various vital sectors. Orange Jordan emphasized that investing in the digital empowerment of youth is a central pillar of its strategy to build a sustainable digital economy. The company reaffirmed its commitment to supporting national efforts aimed at positioning Jordan as a regional hub for technological innovation by equipping youth people with advanced digital skills that enable them to compete globally and lead digital transformation in the region. Orange Jordan's vision extends beyond traditional telecom services, aiming to contribute to building an inclusive digital future where all segments of society can benefit from the opportunities presented by modern technology. It's worth noting that the Orange Digital Center offers a variety of initiatives designed to enhance youth capabilities in technology and entrepreneurship through specialized training programs, fully equipped innovation spaces, and support for startups. The company also continues to provide scholarships to outstanding students and organize innovation competitions to inspire creativity and enable Jordanian youth to sharpen their digital skills, the latest of which was the "Ramadan Hackathon,' offering a stimulating platform for youth people to explore their potential and compete in a dynamic digital environment. To learn more, please visit our website: - End – About Orange Jordan Orange Jordan, with over 1800 employees across nearly 300 shops and locations throughout Jordan, strives to provide the best customer experience through an integrated set of digital solutions including fixed lines, mobile lines, internet, data, and Smart Life Solutions to around 4.6 million customers in Jordan. Orange Jordan is a subsidiary of Orange Global Group, which is present in 26 countries worldwide. In line with the Group's strategy "Lead the Future' and through its positioning as a true responsible digital leader, Orange Jordan supports the national digital transformation vision. Orange Jordan prioritizes community service, and in this context, it implements a comprehensive CSR strategy that revolves around 4 pillars including digital education, digital inclusion, entrepreneurship, climate, and environment. In addition to serving individual customers, Orange Jordan offers tailored solutions for businesses through its sub-brand, (Orange Business). To learn more, please visit our website: About Orange Orange is one of the world's leading telecommunications operators with revenues of 40.3 billion euros in 2024 and 127,000 employees worldwide at 31 December 2024, including 71,000 employees in France. The Group has a total customer base of 291 million customers worldwide at 31 December 2024, including 253 million mobile customers and 22 million fixed broadband customers. These figures account for the deconsolidation of certain activities in Spain following the creation of MASORANGE. The Group is present in 26 countries (including non-consolidated countries). Orange is also a leading provider of global IT and telecommunication services to multinational companies under the brand Orange Business. In February 2023, the Group presented its strategic plan "Lead the Future", built on a new business model and guided by responsibility and efficiency. "Lead the Future" capitalizes on network excellence to reinforce Orange's leadership in service quality.
