Latest news with #implementation
Finextra
a day ago
- Business
- Finextra
How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Chaos: By Erica Andersen
Or: AI Confessions from the Keynote Stage What a difference a year makes. Last week, I found myself on stage at the AI World Congress, delivering a keynote to a room full of people who, twelve months ago, were probably telling anyone who'd listen that AI was going to solve world hunger, cure cancer, and maybe even fix their corporate expense reporting system. Fast forward to today, and suddenly the same crowd is singing a very different tune. The other keynotes? Let's just say they weren't exactly radiating optimism. Microsoft, Oracle, IBM, McKinsey – the usual suspects – all took their turns at the podium to essentially deliver variations of the same message: "AI is hard. Our systems don't work. Where's our ROI? We're confused and slightly terrified." Welcome to reality, folks. Population: everyone who actually tried to implement AI. The Crybaby Chronicles Now, I don't want to sound unsympathetic. Actually, scratch that – I do want to sound a little unsympathetic, because here's the thing: we've been saying this for years. AI isn't just software with a fancy hat. It's a completely different beast that doesn't play by the rules you learned in your Computer Science 101 class. These organizations have been approaching AI with a software-only mentality, and then acting shocked – shocked! – when things don't work like a traditional database query. AI systems can fail silently, which is terrifying if you're used to error messages that actually tell you what went wrong. They can also appear to work perfectly while delivering completely suboptimal results, which is like having a GPS that confidently directs you to drive into a lake. You need an engineering mindset for this, not just a software background. Engineers understand that things break, that systems are unpredictable, and that you need multiple layers of protection. Software developers expect deterministic outcomes. AI gives you probabilistic chaos with a side of randomness. The Economics of Artificial Anxiety And then there's the money talk. Suddenly, everyone's discovered that running AI costs actual money. Who could have predicted this shocking development? Here's the part that's going to make you really popular at parties: I think the big providers – AWS, OpenAI, the whole gang – are actually undercharging right now. They're burning through investor cash to grab market share. At some point, someone's going to want to actually make money, and those token costs are going to climb faster than a venture capitalist chasing the next unicorn. But here's where it gets interesting. People are obsessing over ROI, but that's like asking what the ROI was on the first spreadsheet. Imagine trying to explain to someone in 1979 why they should pay for VisiCalc: "Well, it's like a calculator, but bigger, and it has boxes, and you can change one number and other numbers change too." Revolutionary? Absolutely. Easy to calculate ROI? Not so much. The smartR Approach: Embrace the Chaos When we work with our AI models in our company we've taken a different approach. We think of AI as Assistive Intelligence, not Artificial Intelligence. The difference isn't just semantic – it's philosophical. Instead of trying to replace humans entirely (which is where most people run into trouble), we augment what people can do. Think of it like having a really powerful, occasionally unpredictable intern. They can do things that are hard or impossible for humans, but you still want someone experienced reviewing their work. The magic happens when you combine AI's raw computational power with human judgment and oversight. You get something better than the sum of its parts, and you avoid the nightmare scenario of full automation gone wrong. The Great Data Myth Here's another sacred cow we love to slaughter: the obsession with perfect data. Everyone keeps saying, "Your data needs to be in order first." Well, guess what? Your data is never going to be in order. It's a beautiful, chaotic mess, and it always will be. But here's the plot twist: AI can actually help clean up your data. Instead of spending months (or years) trying to organize everything perfectly, you can curate good datasets from your underlying messy data. The AI helps with the cleanup process. It's like having a really good research assistant who can find the good stuff buried in your filing cabinet of chaos. People telling you that you must clean all your data first are essentially creating expensive busy work. They're making money off your preparation anxiety while you could be getting actual results. The VC Reality Check We also love talking about how the AI engine companies probably aren't going to make the ridiculous money that had VCs practically hyperventilating with excitement. This technology is going to become commoditized and open source. The real money – the sustainable, long-term money – is going to be made by people who figure out how to actually apply AI to solve real business problems. That doesn't mean these foundational tools aren't important. They're absolutely crucial. But making venture capitalist levels of money from them? That's going to be tough when you're competing against open source alternatives and every tech giant on the planet. Privacy: The Chickens Come Home to Roost And speaking of uncomfortable truths, let's talk about privacy. We've been banging this drum for years, pushing private and secure models while everyone else was happily shipping their data off to the big cloud providers. Well, surprise! A US court just told OpenAI they can't delete anything – including conversations people specifically asked to be deleted. Your private messages might become public evidence. But surely GDPR will save us, right? Wrong. America doesn't care about your data protection laws. The worst that will happen is some European official will impose a token fine, give a stern speech about showing those big bad tech companies who's boss, and then everything will continue exactly as before – except now your private information is scattered across the web like digital confetti. If you want your data to stay private, don't send it outside your ecosystem. It's that simple. The Swiss Cheese Philosophy Here's the thing about AI mistakes: they're inevitable. Sometimes what looks like a mistake to one person is actually a reasonable answer to someone else. That's just the nature of the beast. I like to think of AI implementation using the Swiss cheese model. Imagine multiple layers of cheese stacked on top of each other, each representing a different safety barrier. The holes represent vulnerabilities. No single layer is perfect, but together they provide protection. AI should be another layer or two of cheese in your stack. It adds protection and capability, but it shouldn't be the only layer. If you're going to remove human oversight, you better be absolutely confident that the AI can't break your entire system. The Bottom Line We're constantly upgrading our proprietary platform, based on real-world implementation experience. We've learned that AI works best when you stop trying to make it behave like traditional software and start treating it like the powerful, unpredictable tool it actually is. The companies crying about AI being hard aren't wrong – it is hard. But it's hard in an interesting way, like switching from building model airplanes to building rockets. Sure, they both fly, but rockets require understanding thrust vectors, fuel chemistry, and the uncomfortable reality that sometimes they explode spectacularly on the launch pad. The physics are different, the margin for error is smaller, but when you get it right, you're not just flying – you're reaching orbit.. The key is approaching it with the right expectations, the right safeguards, and maybe a sense of humor about the whole thing. Because if you can't laugh at the absurdity of trying to teach machines to think while we're still figuring out how human thinking works, you're probably taking this whole AI revolution thing a bit too seriously. And trust me, after listening to those other keynotes, we could all use a little less seriousness and a lot more practical wisdom about what AI can actually do – and what it definitely can't. Written by Oliver King-Smith, founder and CEO, smartR AI
The National
4 days ago
- Business
- The National
Race to host next year's Cop heats up as Brazil urges focus on action over ambition
As the race to host Cop31 intensifies – with Australia and Turkey emerging as leading contenders – this year's host, Brazil, is calling for the focus to shift from pledges to implementation. Cop30 will be held in Belem in November but leading climate figures have raised concerns about what can be achieved amid an underwhelming build-up, with many members yet to submit their updated climate action plans. Brazil's President-Designate for Cop30, Andre Correa do Lago, said the summit, being hosted in the country's Amazon region, will prioritise an 'intensified action agenda' focused on real-world implementation. On Wednesday, the Australian government announced that it is committed to its bid to host Cop31 'in partnership with the Pacific in 2026". Meanwhile, Turkish officials are also making their intentions known with the seaside city of Antalya touted as a likely venue. Speaking at a London Climate Action Week, Mr Correa do Lago warned that the world needs to find a new way of 'incorporating the climate agenda in these times of crisis, because we are basically always in times of crisis'. Time for implementation 'We believe that the climate urgency should inspire all to do whatever they can in their area and have an impact on this fight,' he added. The Global Ethical Stocktake, a Brazilian initiative, is designed to hold governments and non-state actors accountable for climate justice, equity and emission cuts. Mr Correa do Lago said Cop30's goals are not to rewrite what was agreed in Paris or Dubai. 'Many people want to reiterate what was decided two years ago. Let's not reiterate. Let's implement it,' he said. He said showcasing economic benefits is vital, citing falling solar costs in China enabling clean energy projects in Africa, and Brazil's opportunity to 'leapfrog' carbon-intensive development pathways by leveraging its many renewable energy resources. Finance on the front lines The importance of finance in tackling the climate crisis was echoed on Thursday in Abu Dhabi, where the UAE Central Bank convened leading financial policymakers at its Climate Finance Forum. Central Bank Governor Khaled Mohamed Balama warned that climate risks pose 'macro-financial challenges' to economies and institutions. 'The widespread flooding we witnessed in the UAE last year was the heaviest in 75 years,' he said. The UAE's green finance strategy focuses on 'people, policies and processes', including the rollout of Shariah-compliant climate tools, climate stress testing, and embedding sustainability into financial supervision. Dr Amna Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, described the country's net-zero approach as 'pro-growth and pro-climate,' noting that oil and gas represent less than 30 per cent of the economy – down from 80 per cent a decade ago. 'We're directing climate finance to drive green opportunities at home and abroad,' she said. The private sector, too, is transforming. Abdulaziz Al Ghurair, Chair of the UAE Banks Federation, called the current moment 'transformational'.
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The SaaSy People launches U.S. expansion with key partnerships
The SaaSy People launches U.S. expansion with key partnerships BIRMINGHAM, United Kingdom and DENVER, Colo. and NEW YORK, June 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The SaaSy People, a globally recognized leader in SaaS implementation and consultancy services, today announced its significant expansion into the United States. This strategic growth initiative is marked by a new North American partnership with the company's sponsorship of the highly anticipated NYC Elevate 2025 conference, and the immediate commencement of active hiring in Denver, Colorado. This major expansion brings The SaaSy People's renowned expertise in optimizing SaaS platforms directly to American businesses, offering tailored solutions that drive efficiency and maximize ROI. With a proven track record of helping organizations globally unlock the full potential of their software investments, The SaaSy People is now poised to deliver this same level of exceptional service to the vibrant US market. Strategic North American Partnership A cornerstone of this expansion is The SaaSy People's newly solidified status as a North American Partner. This strategic alliance will significantly enhance the company's ability to empower more businesses across the continent to fully leverage the capabilities of Work OS platform. As a partner, The SaaSy People will provide comprehensive services including implementation, customization, integration, training, and ongoing support, ensuring clients can seamlessly integrate into their workflows and achieve their operational goals. Sponsorship of NYC Elevate 2025 To celebrate its official US launch and foster deeper connections within the American community, The SaaSy People is proud to announce its sponsorship of NYC Elevate 2025. This premier event, taking place in New York City, is a vital gathering for users, partners, and industry leaders. The SaaSy People's presence at the conference will provide an invaluable opportunity to engage with potential clients, share insights on best practices for Work OS optimization, and demonstrate their commitment to the US market. Attendees can look forward to interacting with The SaaSy People's team and learning more about their innovative solutions. Investment in Local Talent with Denver Hiring Initiative Further solidifying its commitment to the region, The SaaSy People is immediately commencing active recruitment for key roles in Denver, Colorado. This strategic decision to establish a local team will enable the company to provide on-the-ground support, build strong relationships with a growing US clientele, and offer rapid, responsive service. The hiring initiative will focus on attracting top talent in areas such as SaaS consultancy, project management, technical implementation, and customer success, ensuring that The SaaSy People's US operations are staffed with highly skilled and dedicated professionals. Leadership Perspectives Reece Couchman, CEO of The SaaSy People, commented on the expansion: 'Our expansion into the United States, underscored by our new North American partnership, represents a strategic leap forward for The SaaSy People. We see immense potential to support American companies in transforming their work, streamlining their operations, and achieving significant growth through optimized SaaS solutions. This collaboration ensures we deliver best-in-class expertise and solutions, becoming a trusted advisor in their digital transformation journey.' Kyle Hughes, COO of The SaaSy People, emphasized the importance of the local presence: 'Putting boots on the ground in Denver is a testament to our commitment to the US market and our dedication to providing localized, expert support. We're actively recruiting a stellar team that will be passionate about serving our American clients with the agility, responsiveness, and expertise they need to thrive. We're ready to hit the ground running and build a strong foundation of client success in the US.' Looking Forward The SaaSy People is energized by these significant developments and eagerly anticipates empowering US businesses to achieve new levels of productivity and efficiency. The company looks forward to a successful presence at NYC Elevate 2025, fostering robust engagement within the community, and welcoming new talent to its rapidly growing Denver team. About The SaaSy PeopleThe SaaSy People is a leading provider of SaaS implementation and consultancy services, specialising in helping businesses maximise the value of their software investments. With a focus on customer success and a deep understanding of leading platforms like The SaaSy People empowers organisations to streamline workflows, enhance productivity, and achieve their strategic goals. About is a leading Work OS platform that empowers teams to run their entire business confidently. With its comprehensive suite of tools, including a powerful CRM, robust development platform, and customisable workflows, enables organisations to streamline operations, enhance collaboration, and drive productivity across all departments. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at CONTACT: Media Contact: Becky Richards - hello@ - 0121 312 9919Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The SaaSy People launches U.S. expansion with key partnerships
The SaaSy People launches U.S. expansion with key partnerships BIRMINGHAM, United Kingdom and DENVER, Colo. and NEW YORK, June 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The SaaSy People, a globally recognized leader in SaaS implementation and consultancy services, today announced its significant expansion into the United States. This strategic growth initiative is marked by a new North American partnership with the company's sponsorship of the highly anticipated NYC Elevate 2025 conference, and the immediate commencement of active hiring in Denver, Colorado. This major expansion brings The SaaSy People's renowned expertise in optimizing SaaS platforms directly to American businesses, offering tailored solutions that drive efficiency and maximize ROI. With a proven track record of helping organizations globally unlock the full potential of their software investments, The SaaSy People is now poised to deliver this same level of exceptional service to the vibrant US market. Strategic North American Partnership A cornerstone of this expansion is The SaaSy People's newly solidified status as a North American Partner. This strategic alliance will significantly enhance the company's ability to empower more businesses across the continent to fully leverage the capabilities of Work OS platform. As a partner, The SaaSy People will provide comprehensive services including implementation, customization, integration, training, and ongoing support, ensuring clients can seamlessly integrate into their workflows and achieve their operational goals. Sponsorship of NYC Elevate 2025 To celebrate its official US launch and foster deeper connections within the American community, The SaaSy People is proud to announce its sponsorship of NYC Elevate 2025. This premier event, taking place in New York City, is a vital gathering for users, partners, and industry leaders. The SaaSy People's presence at the conference will provide an invaluable opportunity to engage with potential clients, share insights on best practices for Work OS optimization, and demonstrate their commitment to the US market. Attendees can look forward to interacting with The SaaSy People's team and learning more about their innovative solutions. Investment in Local Talent with Denver Hiring Initiative Further solidifying its commitment to the region, The SaaSy People is immediately commencing active recruitment for key roles in Denver, Colorado. This strategic decision to establish a local team will enable the company to provide on-the-ground support, build strong relationships with a growing US clientele, and offer rapid, responsive service. The hiring initiative will focus on attracting top talent in areas such as SaaS consultancy, project management, technical implementation, and customer success, ensuring that The SaaSy People's US operations are staffed with highly skilled and dedicated professionals. Leadership Perspectives Reece Couchman, CEO of The SaaSy People, commented on the expansion: 'Our expansion into the United States, underscored by our new North American partnership, represents a strategic leap forward for The SaaSy People. We see immense potential to support American companies in transforming their work, streamlining their operations, and achieving significant growth through optimized SaaS solutions. This collaboration ensures we deliver best-in-class expertise and solutions, becoming a trusted advisor in their digital transformation journey.' Kyle Hughes, COO of The SaaSy People, emphasized the importance of the local presence: 'Putting boots on the ground in Denver is a testament to our commitment to the US market and our dedication to providing localized, expert support. We're actively recruiting a stellar team that will be passionate about serving our American clients with the agility, responsiveness, and expertise they need to thrive. We're ready to hit the ground running and build a strong foundation of client success in the US.' Looking Forward The SaaSy People is energized by these significant developments and eagerly anticipates empowering US businesses to achieve new levels of productivity and efficiency. The company looks forward to a successful presence at NYC Elevate 2025, fostering robust engagement within the community, and welcoming new talent to its rapidly growing Denver team. About The SaaSy PeopleThe SaaSy People is a leading provider of SaaS implementation and consultancy services, specialising in helping businesses maximise the value of their software investments. With a focus on customer success and a deep understanding of leading platforms like The SaaSy People empowers organisations to streamline workflows, enhance productivity, and achieve their strategic goals. About is a leading Work OS platform that empowers teams to run their entire business confidently. With its comprehensive suite of tools, including a powerful CRM, robust development platform, and customisable workflows, enables organisations to streamline operations, enhance collaboration, and drive productivity across all departments. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at CONTACT: Media Contact: Becky Richards - hello@ - 0121 312 9919Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
CallTower Achieves Certified Implementation Partner Status with Five9
Strengthening the alliance to deliver seamless, enterprise-grade advanced contact center implementation services SALT LAKE CITY, UT, ROCHESTER, NY, MONTREAL, LONDON, June 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CallTower, a global leader in delivering unified communications, contact center, and collaboration solutions, is proud to announce its official designation as a Certified Implementation Partner with Five9, a leading provider of intelligent cloud contact center solutions. This certification marks a significant milestone in the strategic relationship between the two companies, enabling deeper collaboration and enhanced support for businesses seeking a robust, scalable, and integrated contact center experience. The Five9 Certified Implementation Partner designation is awarded to select organizations that demonstrate exceptional expertise in deploying and optimizing Five9's cloud contact center platform. As a Certified Partner, CallTower is now fully equipped to deliver advanced implementation services, customized integrations, and strategic guidance to help organizations maximize the utilization of Five9 within their digital communication ecosystem. 'Achieving Five9 Certified Implementation Partner status represents a meaningful advancement in our ability to support enterprise contact center transformation,' said Doug Larsen, Senior Vice President of Product & Software Development at CallTower. 'This partnership enables us to work more closely with Five9 to deliver highly customized, end-to-end solutions that drive performance, reliability, and efficiency for our customers.' As a longtime provider of Five9 through its CCaaS portfolio, CallTower has demonstrated a strong track record of delivering innovative contact center deployments to organizations across industries. With this certification, CallTower is now positioned to provide even greater value through tighter integration, faster implementation timelines, and ongoing optimization services. 'For many years, Five9 has been proud to call CallTower a trusted partner. This certification is a testament to the strength and maturity of our collaboration and our shared dedication to helping customers deliver elevated, world-class customer experiences, said Jake Butterbaugh, SVP Global Partner Organization & International Sales.'Together, we're empowering organizations to raise the bar for CX, and we're excited for what the future holds for this incredible partnership.' This certification highlights CallTower's commitment to delivering best-in-class customer experience solutions while expanding its robust suite of UCaaS and CCaaS offerings. Customers can now benefit from a fully aligned partnership that combines CallTower's technical depth and Five9's AI-powered contact center innovation. About CallTower CallTower is at the forefront of transforming global communication, redefining how businesses connect and collaborate across the globe. Since 2002, CallTower has grown into a global leader in enterprise-class cloud communications and collaboration solutions, empowering businesses to thrive in the digital age. Leveraging advanced technologies like Microsoft® Teams Operator Connect, Direct Routing and GCC High Teams Direct Routing, Webex by Cisco®, Zoom Phone, and AI-powered contact center solutions, CallTower delivers seamless and reliable connectivity tailored to the unique needs of enterprises worldwide. CallTower empowers business communications by integrating features like one-click failover, advanced analytics, seamless CRM integration, and cutting-edge AI—redefining operational efficiency. In 2025, CallTower acquired North America's trusted contact center expert, Inoria, amplifying its CCaaS and CX capabilities. Inoria drives the evolution of contact center operations by offering personalized optimization, implementation, and integration services powered by Conversational AI and advanced analytics. Together, CallTower and Inoria deliver actionable insights, enhanced customer experiences, and cutting-edge solutions that guide enterprises through their digital transformation journeys. With a vision focused on innovation and a commitment to excellence, CallTower continues to advance cloud communications, empowering businesses across the globe to achieve unparalleled success. About Five9 Five9 empowers organizations to create hyper-personalized and effortless AI-driven customer experiences that deliver better business outcomes. Powered by Five9 Genius AI and our people, the Five9 Intelligent CX Platform is trusted by 3,000+ customers and 1,400+ partners globally. The New CX starts here and it's at the heart of every winning experience. CONTACT: Kade Herbert CallTower, Inc. 8003475444 marketing@ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
