Daily Archives: June 30, 2023

The role of artificial intelligence in the world of the CFO starts with … – TechHQ

Posted: June 30, 2023 at 5:00 pm

Twenty years ago, the advent of the internet led many to worry about their job security. Yet the rapid digitisation that ensued created millions of careers that didnt exist before. By 2018, digital jobs accounted for 7.7% of the UK economy.

History does tend to repeat itself, and right now, there are scores of headlines popping up every day about the latest threat borne of Silicon Valley; artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). Thanks, in part, to a new wave of freely available AI-powered chatbots, businesses and consumers alike are becoming aware of the technologys extensive capabilities.

While this has opened up fierce discussion about regulation even among the brightest minds in tech, there is also optimism about how AI could revolutionise the enterprise. Rather than fearing it may replace everyones jobs there are many examples of why this wont happen in both technical and creative roles it is easy to see how it could make work more enjoyable by automating dull, repetitive tasks.

This is particularly true in growing businesses, where higher-level employees may be bogged down by mundane tasks instead of focusing on strategy and other complex responsibilities.

For instance, no one wants to dig around their desk or car footwells for crumpled-up receipts when submitting expenses. Similarly, most CFOs dont want to be stomping about workstations, chasing staff for paperwork. Dedicated expense management apps enable employees to take a photo of their receipt as soon as they get it, automatically drawing out the relevant data to start a pain-free submission process.

An example of this can be found with Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, which recently automated its expense management processes with Concur Expense, a solution from SAP Concur. The council wanted to eliminate manual processes and create digital workflows [to] provide the highest possible levels of service to residents. After installing Concur Expense, mobile teams (like social workers) could input expenses on the go through an app. The time saved in expense entry and the reduced number of human errors thanks to AI-powered automation decreased the average reimbursement time from six weeks to three days.

Implementing a T&E management software powered by AI has also helped Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council focus on its sustainability. The data allows it to better monitor its grey fleet the personal vehicles being used for business purposes and therefore its carbon footprint too. The council can now make more informed decisions about its travel policy, and appropriately encourage employees to make use of public transport.

David Robinson, Service Director at the council, said: We want to adopt modern ways of working to give people the right work-life balance and attract the best talent. Concur Expense is a great example of how we can increase support for digital initiatives among employees by making sure theyre not out of pocket while we process claims.

Integrating AI into workplace software is nothing new, of course. But travel and expense management has been under-explored, despite being a data-rich area and, therefore, perfect for machine learning. There is also demand; research from Forrester Consulting has shown that 59% of decision-makers say that employee frustration with their expense process had a large or very large negative impact on the entire company.

Advanced algorithms can analyse and categorise expense data by recognising patterns and using natural language processing techniques. They auto-approve low-risk claims, eliminating the need for manual entry and reducing errors. As these algorithms process more expenses, they get better at knowing what is safe to approve without human intervention.

Automation reduces the chances of anything slipping through the cracks. Research has shown that 62% of finance leaders find that digital tools help them manage expenses more effectively across their organisations. Studies have also shown that over half of companies implementing an integrated travel and expense solution increase their scalability and flexibility.

Moreover, AI can defend the company against fraud by comparing the expense data against predefined rules and benchmarks and flagging any potential violations. It also helps organisations follow all compliance and regulatory requirements, something thats often only an afterthought. From a business intelligence perspective, too, technology can highlight cost-saving opportunities, generating reports for decision-makers from collated travel and expense data.

The minds at SAP Concur know that implementing AI and ML into finance processes can be intimidating. However, its software is well tried and tested, having been adopted by over 48,000 businesses since the early 1990s.

Expense management has been undergoing optimisation with AI and ML since long before other areas of corporate finance. Indeed, automating small, repetitive tasks like using Concur Expense to submit and approve receipts is a good starting point.

In the future, we can expect AI to completely transform expense management, resulting in increased company efficiency, savings from better financial management and minimised environmental impact. Its widespread implementation is expected to result in a 7% increase in GDP over the next ten years.

If you want to learn more about automating your expenses with SAP Concur, visit this website.

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Majority of Venture Capitalists Invested in Artificial Intelligence … – Investopedia

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As more businesses adopt artificial intelligence (AI) tools, venture capitalists (VCs) are putting more money into the industry.

Nearly three-quarters of global VCs invested in AI over the past year, with investors identifying AI as the technology with the most disruption potential, according to a recent survey by PitchBook and Collision.

Seventy-four percent of those surveyed said they made at least one investment in AI or machine learning (ML) startups in the last 18 months, and 14% claimed they had made more than six investments in the space.

The number of companies that use AI has also more than doubled since 2017, according to research by McKinsey. Service operations optimization, the creation of new AI-based tools, and customer service analytics are the most widely used cases of AI.

However, funding activities have taken a major blow due to uncertain macroeconomic conditions and rising rates. VCs formed $13 billion in funds during the first quarter of 2023, compared to $78.1 billion in the same period a year ago, according to EY. More than half of investors PitchBook surveyed said they arent looking to raise funds, while 54% suggested they believe that raising funds will be difficult in the next 12 months.

Despite being battered by economic headwinds and rising rates, nearly 68% of respondents claim that their pace of investment over the last 18 months remains near normal. Only 3.4% of respondents said that they have halted investments for the time being.

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A Science Fiction Writer in Space: Sands of Mars by Arthur C. Clarke – tor.com

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In this bi-weekly series reviewing classic science fiction and fantasy books, Alan Brown looks at the front lines and frontiers of the field; books about soldiers and spacers, scientists and engineers, explorers and adventurers. Stories full of what Shakespeare used to refer to as alarums and excursions: battles, chases, clashes, and the stuff of excitement.

Arthur C. Clarkes first published novel1951s Sands of Marsis also one of his most compelling and personal books. It is the story of Martin Gibson, a science fiction writer who has long dreamed about traveling in space, and gets the opportunity to travel to Mars on the trial run of the first interplanetary cruise liner. When he arrives on the planet, he finds not only a frontier full of mystery, but a sense of personal fulfilment and adventure that his life had previously been lacking.

I have remembered this book fondly for yearsor at least, I thought I did. I can still see my dads paperback copy, featuring two astronauts with cylindrical metal helmets standing in front of a classic streamlined rocket landing on its tail fins beside a dome with antennas on top. I remember a colonist, who may have been brought to Mars involuntarily, struggling to survive on a planet where you couldnt live for long without an oxygen mask, and the detail that many of the earliest workers on the planet came from mountainous regions of Earth, like the Himalayas and the Andes, and were able to function better in the thin atmosphere.

That paperback of dads is long lost, so I ordered the book from my states interlibrary loan system. The only copy they had was in an omnibus edition, Prelude to Mars, which included the books Prelude to Space and Sands of Mars as well as 16 short stories. And then, when I finally started reading Sands of Mars, I was shocked to find that I hadnt ever read this book after all. I must have confused the title with another story about early Mars exploration. So this column is not a re-read, but it is still a review of a book that is well worth visiting, and a classic of the genre. [And if anyone has ideas of other Mars exploration books I might have confused with Sands of Mars, I would be delighted to hear from you in the comments!]

I have visited Mars a number of times in this column. This includes looks at several works featuring the more fanciful planetary romance version of the planet, most notably Edgar Rice Burroughs A Princess of Mars, and a number of works by Leigh Brackett, including the adventures of Eric John Stark and the classic novel The Sword of Rhiannon. I also reviewed Ray Bradburys The Martian Chronicles, which can be seen as a bridge between the planetary romances and more realistic depictions of the planet. Heinleins juvenile adventure Red Planet contained another view of Mars written in roughly the same era as The Sands of Mars. And in Ben Bovas Mars, I found a more realistic view of visiting the planet, rooted in modern science.

About the Author

Arthur C. Clarke (1917-2008) was a British science fiction writer who spent his final years living in Sri Lanka. He is one of the most influential authors from the formative days of the science fiction genre; with Clarke, Robert Heinlein, and Isaac Asimov often referred to as science fictions Big Three. I have discussed Clarkes work before in this column, having reviewed A Fall of Moondust and Rendezvous With Rama, and you can find more biographical information in both of those reviews. Among his many other books were classics like Against the Fall of Night, Childhoods End, 2001: A Space Odyssey, and The Fountains of Paradise.

The Great Gap

The Sands of Mars portrays Martin Gibson as a science fiction author who started his career in the days before actual space travel and who gets to travel to Mars later in his life. While specific dates are not mentioned, I would guess that Gibson might have been born in the 1940s, started writing in the 1960s, and travels to Mars in the 1980s or 1990s. In the real world, of course, that progress in spaceflight hasnt come to pass. Here in 2023, the pioneers of the Golden Age of science fiction field have almost all passed away. And if they were still alive, they wouldnt be able to get a flight to the Moon, let alone Mars. There were high hopes for space programs after men landed on the Moon on July 20, 1969, and people had visions of moonbases and trips to Mars in the coming decades. But progress is not always linear, and the Apollo program came to an ignominious end in 1972 after only six successful lunar landings. There were a few orbital uses of leftover equipment, including the Skylab program, as well as the eventual launch of the International Space Station, but humans have not left Earth orbit since.

The biggest problem with further manned space efforts was high launch costs: The cost of launching anything into orbit on the single-use, custom-made boosters of the Apollo program was hideously expensive. The US shuttle program was intended to address that with a reusable launch system, but budget limitations and cost overruns hampered it from the start. Instead of being totally reusable, the system ended up with strap-on boosters and fuel tanks that were disposable, and a shuttle with a complex heat shield system that was extremely difficult to maintain.

Part of the problem was focusing on a large vehicle that could perform all missions, including the launch of heavy defense satellites. As someone remarked at the time (I think it might have been Jerry Pournelle), the decision to build such a large craft was like a family buying an 18-wheel truck for daily use, in order to be ready for occasional moves to a new home. The shuttle was tremendously expensive (it cost $54,000 per kilogram launched into orbit), it was not reliable enough for crewed flight, and the shuttle was retired even before its mission of supporting the International Space Station had ended, leaving that task to aging Russian Soyuz craft.

In recent years, however, space launch technology has made major leaps forward. There are several disposable rocket systems that can launch material in space at costs five to ten times cheaper than the shuttle. SpaceX, with boosters that fly back to the launch site for reuse, promises even cheaper costs in the future. And there are other companies also working on reusable launch systems, including those that launch from high-flying aircraft. No one can compete with the cost of an intercontinental aircraft flight (at least not yet), but these innovations have revived hopes of more robust crewed space flight programs in the future, and renewed the hope of bases on other worlds. (See this Wikipedia article for more discussion of launch costs.) After a gap of fifty years, during which meaningful progress in crewed space flight had been minimal, there is renewed hope that the days when a science fiction author can fly to other planets may be in our future after all.

The Sands of Mars

The book opens on a launch pad, as science fiction author Martin Gibson prepares to fly into space for the first time. The pilot teases him about people not passing out from the acceleration of a launch (as they did in his books). Martin, a bit high strung, passes out. And then, despite new drugs that minimize nausea in zero gravity, Martin gets sick in orbit. Gibson resembles the author Clarke to a great degree, and Clarke shows he is ready to poke some fun at himself, here.

Gibson arrives at Space Station One and begins to recover in the artificial gravity produced by its rotation. He sees the dumbbell-shaped ship, Ares, which will transport him to Mars. It is a passenger ship, but he will be the only passenger on this shakedown voyage. The ship is an atomic rocket, which explains its shape, with a crew compartment forward separated by a long, central shaft from the highly radioactive fission plant that heats the reaction mass. It is heavily automated, and has a crew of only six: the captain, Norton; the engineer, Hilton; the navigator, Mckay; the doctor, Scott; the electronics officer, Bradley; and the young supernumerary (on a military ship, he might be referred to as a midshipman), Jimmy Spencer. There are many staterooms that on this trip will be empty. Through Gibsons eyes, we tour the ship and observe its operations. In fact, in a meta moment, one of the officers jokes that such tours of the ship are a regular part of Gibsons books, and Gibson admits that describing a tour is the easiest way for the author to let readers know how things work.

There is a bit of excitement introduced when Earth launches a high-speed cargo rocket carrying an antidote to Martian fever, a disease the colonists brought with them from Earth, but which has mutated into a dangerous form. They must contact the missile with a homing signal, and bring it aboard so the doctor can tend to its contents during their voyage.

There is a micrometeorite strike that puts a tiny hole in Gibsons stateroom, so small that only the instruments detected it. The crew does not want him to find out about it (and alarm potential future passengers by writing about a threat that is vanishingly small), so his previously denied request to go out in a spacesuit gets approved. Designed only for zero gravity, the spacesuits do not have articulated legs, and are more like a tiny personal spacecraft. He has a delightful time, and the crew patches the hole in his stateroom with no one the wiser. There are a few anachronisms that crop up, as communications and navigational equipment is far more primitive in the book than it turned out to be in the real world. Gibson still types manuscripts on paper with carbon copies, and they are transmitted to Earth in a scanner that resembles a facsimile machine. And the spaceship dumps its garbage over the side, as ships did in the days before pollution became a concern, creating what could eventually become tiny hazards to navigation.

Along the way, Gibson gets to know the crewmembers, and finds that he has a surprising personal connection to one of them. Things get a bit meta again as the coincidence is described as an outrageous violation of the laws of probabilitythe sort of thing that would never have happened in one of Gibsons own novels. But it gives Gibson a chance to reevaluate his past, and his life so far, a life that will soon become very different. It turns out that, after a short, failed relationship in college, he has lived his life keeping emotions and commitments at arms length.

Ares is diverted to the Martian moon Deimos instead of Phobos, the first indication that Earth authorities are not aware of everything afoot on Mars. There is a description of the planet, as seen from the moon, which matches the best knowledge of the time. For some reason, astronomers thought Mars was without mountains. They also thought the planet had vegetation, as there had been changes in coloration detected as seasons changed. They thought the atmosphere thin and not at all breathable, which turned out to be largely correct, although they underestimated how thin.

Gibson and the crew fly down on a winged reentry rocket, and when they land, Gibson assumes the large crowd awaiting them has gathered for him, the acclaimed author. But it turns out they are waiting for Doctor Scott and his precious medical supplies, and Gibson, though he immediately understands, is chastened. Gibson meets Chief Hadfield, the administrator of the Mars colony, who from the start sees him as someone who can help them sell their efforts to bureaucrats back on Earth, and obtain more resources and funding. Unlike other colonists, Hadfield was allowed to bring a young daughter to the moon with him. Thus, she is about the only person on Mars who is the same age as young Ares crewmember Jimmy Spencer, and unsurprisingly, romance ensues.

The rest of the book involves a series of mysteries and revelations about Mars and its colonists, and I will avoid spoilers by not revealing them all here. Along the way, Gibson begins to identify with the colonists, and starts to feel a sense of belonging that he had previously lacked. He learns more about Martian plant life, and sees there are native plants that can produce oxygen. He goes on a trip to another colony, only to have his aircraft downed by a storm where its jets ingest far too much sand. During their struggle to survive, the crew makes an exciting discovery. And when Gibson returns to the main colony, the secret of the colonial research project on Phobos is revealed, and it is something that will transform the future of the planet Mars itself.

I very much enjoyed Sands of Mars. The prose, as throughout Clarkes career, is serviceable without being flashy. The characters are realistic, although often thinly drawn. Technological and scientific issues, on the other hand, are addressed with enthusiasm and in great detail. The science is compelling, and there are surprisingly few details that have been overtaken by subsequent technological advances, considering the fact that the book was written over seventy years ago. The big surprise is the level of emotion we find in the character of Martin Gibson, who ends up being a surrogate for Clarke himself. Perhaps Clarke felt he revealed too much, because I dont recall another of his books where he wore his heart on his sleeve quite so openly.

Final Thoughts

I may not have read Sands of Mars in my youth, but I wish I had. It is exactly the type of book that inspired my lifelong interest in science fiction, and in traveling to other worlds. Some might call the character Martin Gibson a Mary Sue for Arthur Clarke, and see the book as a kind of wish fulfillment, with a science fiction writer living out the dream of seeing other worlds. Personally, it makes me wonder, after long years where hope seemed lost, if some science fiction author living now will get to do exactly that.

And now I turn the floor over to you. Id love to hear the thoughts of those of you who have read Sands of Mars, and would like to hear about your other favorite tales from the early days of science fiction.

Alan Brown has been a science fiction fan for over five decades, especially fiction that deals with science, military matters, exploration and adventure.

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Increase your crypto portfolio performance 10X in 2023 with … – Analytics Insight

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As the cryptocurrency market evolves, investors constantly look for promising projects to boost their portfolio growth in 2023. In this pursuit, DigiToads (TOADS), Dogelon Mars (ELON), and Shiba Inu (SHIB) have emerged as promising crypto projects that could yield maximum profits. These notable projects offer enticing features and attractive returns, catering to both experienced and novice investors.

DigiToads is an excellent investment option, providing exponential growth opportunities through its groundbreaking P2E gaming ecosystem and NFT staking platform. ELON is a meme coin project with a passionate community dedicated to creating a cryptocurrency for space exploration, while SHIB aims to revolutionize the crypto realm through decentralization and innovation. In this article, well explore the key attributes of each cryptocurrency and their potential contributions to portfolio growth in 2023.

DigiToads is a thrilling meme coin that has captured the interest of crypto enthusiasts with its impressive features and innovative approach. This DeFi project possesses robust capabilities that can propel investors crypto portfolios to new heights, offering a remarkable combination of investment potential and thrilling experiences within the ever-evolving realm of digital currencies. At the core of the DigiToads ecosystem lies an engaging P2E gaming platform where gamers can acquire, nurture, and compete with their unique DigiToads.

By leveraging the power of TOADS tokens, players can transform their DigiToads into formidable champions, enhancing their strength and abilities by acquiring food, potions, and training resources. DigiToads rewards the highest achievers on the leaderboard with an additional DeFi token bonus as the exciting season draws to a close. This unique platform allows players to enjoy the game and provides substantial incentives, fostering a sense of excitement and motivation within the community.

DigiToads is renowned for empowering holders through innovative mechanisms, such as its popular NFT staking platform. By actively staking their NFTs, holders can participate in the staking pool and gradually receive rewards over time. This feature encourages engagement and benefits investors who choose to stake their NFTs for extended periods. TOADS has demonstrated exceptional success and tremendous growth potential throughout its presale stages.

In the Lilypad 9 phase, this DeFi token offers an attractive price of $0.047, providing investors with a discounted opportunity to get involved. The presale has already raised an impressive $5.7 million, reflecting the high level of investor confidence in its future path. This DeFi project presents a promising avenue for portfolio growth, with the next presale phase set to raise the price to $0.05.Dogelon Mars (ELON): Pioneering Interplanetary Crypto Platform and Intergalactic Currency

Dogelon Mars is an interplanetary cryptocurrency venture inspired by popular dog-themed meme coins like Dogecoin and Shiba Inu. Its visionary goal is to create an intergalactic currency to support future space colonization ventures. ELON operates on the Ethereum blockchain, utilizing DApps to enhance its blockchain ecosystem.

Dogelon Marss platform enables trading between humans and potentially extraterrestrial beings. It utilizes a special proof-of-stake protocol for secure and efficient transactions across planets.

Shiba Inu is an Ethereum-based ERC-20 token called the Dogecoin Killer. It aims to surpass Dogecoins limitations and revolutionize crypto, fostering decentralization and innovation. With a robust social media presence and engaged community, SHIB has garnered widespread popularity.

Shiba Inu uses smart contracts to offer a range of decentralized applications and platforms within its ecosystem. One unique platform is ShibaSwap, a decentralized exchange that allows users to trade SHIB tokens and other cryptocurrencies on the Ethereum blockchain.

In 2023, investors will be presented with compelling options for portfolio growth, with TOADS, Dogelon Mars, and Shiba Inu taking center stage. These groundbreaking projects showcase enticing features and attractive returns, catering to investors with varying capacities and budgets. Among these options, DigiToads stands out with its innovative P2E gaming platform and popular NFT option. Seize the opportunity to maximize your crypto portfolio and experience the rewarding path ahead with TOADS.

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Happy Birthday Elon Musk: Spotlight on the Remarkable Life of a … – Transcontinental Times

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UNITED STATES:Elon Musk, the worlds richest man, turns 52 today. Born on June 28, 1971, Musk has left an indelible mark on the world, transforming various industries and inspiring countless individuals with his audacious goals and relentless pursuit of innovation.

As the co-founder and CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink, and The Boring Company, Musk has left an indelible mark on the realms of electric vehicles, space exploration, brain-machine interfaces, and tunnelling technology.

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On the Twitter bosss birthday, his admirers have flooded social media with an outpouring of love, expressing their heartfelt wishes for the technological pioneer. Have a look!

Today, as Elon Musk blows out the candles on his birthday cake, we take a closer look at Musks life, his remarkable achievements, his relentless pursuit of innovation, and the impact he has had on shaping the future.

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Early life and education

Elon Reeve Musk was born on June 28, 1971, in Pretoria, South Africa. From a young age, Musk displayed a keen interest in technology and entrepreneurship. Fascinated by computers, he taught himself programming and developed a video game called Blastar at the age of 12. Musks aptitude for innovation became evident during his adolescence, foreshadowing his future endeavors.

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After completing his high school education in South Africa, Musk relocated to Canada to attend Queens University. He afterwards proceeded to the University of Pennsylvania in the US and graduated with a double Bachelors degree in Economics and Physics there. Musks educational background laid the foundation for his multidisciplinary approach to problem-solving.

Entrepreneurial Beginnings: Co-founding Zip2 and PayPal

Elon Musks entrepreneurial journey began even before his university days. In 1995, Musk co-founded Zip2, a software company that aimed to assist newspapers in developing an online presence. Zip2 became a pioneer in the online business directory and mapping software industry. For $307 million, Compaq bought the business in 1999, giving Musk his first significant financial achievement.

With newfound resources, Musk co-founded X.com 1999, an online payment company. Recognizing the potential in the emerging e-commerce market, X.com eventually transformed into PayPal. Under Musks leadership, PayPal revolutionized online payments, streamlining transactions and enhancing security. In 2002, eBay acquired PayPal for $1.5 billion, solidifying Musks status as a visionary entrepreneur.

SpaceX and the pursuit of space exploration

Elon Musks ambitions expanded beyond the realm of online payments. In 2002, he established SpaceX (Space Exploration Technologies Corp.) with the primary goal of making space travel more affordable and accessible. Musks visionary aspirations drew attention and skepticism from the industry, but he remained steadfast in his mission.

SpaceX achieved a significant breakthrough in 2008 when its Falcon 1 became the first privately-funded liquid-propellant rocket to reach orbit. Since then, the company has achieved numerous milestones, including the development of the Falcon 9 rocket and the Dragon spacecraft, which successfully delivered cargo to the International Space Station. SpaceXs achievements have revolutionized the aerospace industry, paving the way for reusable rockets and commercial space travel.

Tesla: Accelerating sustainable transportation

In 2004, Elon Musk joined Tesla Motors, a fledgling electric car company, as Chairman and later became CEO. Under his guidance, Tesla disrupted the automotive industry by producing high-performance electric vehicles that challenged the status quo. Musks unwavering commitment to sustainability and clean energy played a crucial role in popularizing electric cars and stimulating the global transition towards greener transportation.

Teslas Model S, Model 3, Model X, and Model Y quickly gained popularity, setting new standards for range, performance, and autonomous driving capabilities. Additionally, Teslas extensive Supercharger network and innovative battery technologies have accelerated the adoption of electric vehicles worldwide.

Other ventures and futuristic visions

Elon Musks endeavors are not limited to SpaceX and Tesla. He has also embarked on ventures such as Neuralink, a neurotechnology company focused on developing brain-computer interfaces, and The Boring Company, aimed at revolutionizing transportation through tunneling technology.

Furthermore, Musk has actively advocated for the colonization of Mars, envisioning a future where humans become a multi-planetary species. His ambitious project, Starship, aims to facilitate manned missions to Mars, making interplanetary travel a reality in the coming decades.

Elon Musks birthday is not only a celebration of his life but also an acknowledgment of his extraordinary contributions to technology and innovation. From co-founding Zip2 and PayPal to revolutionizing space exploration and sustainable transportation, Musk has consistently defied boundaries and embraced audacious goals.

Through his unwavering vision, he has inspired a generation of entrepreneurs and engineers to dream big and pursue innovation fearlessly. As Elon Musk continues to shape the future with his ventures, we eagerly anticipate the next chapter in his remarkable journey.

Also Read: NASA Unveils AI Assistant for Astronauts to Communicate with Spacecraft

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Jony Ive’s latest gig is the seal for King Charles’s space project … – AppleInsider

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An "Astra Carta" seal has been designed by Jony Ive's LoveFrom firm for the UK's King Charles, and aimed at being a call to action for private firms in space-related industries.

Ive previously designed the royal emblem for King Charles's coronation, and this new seal is similarly circular, with a crown toward the top. The Astra Carta seal is subtly animated, however, with stars and planets rotating around the center, as can be seen on the official site.

"We were fascinated by the celestial rhythms that were illuminated during this design process, and how they are profoundly connected to the patterns of life on Earth," said Sir Jony Ive in a statement sent to AppleInsider. "This feels a crucial time to do more to protect the natural universe in the broadest sense, and we are deeply honoured to have been able to contribute to this important and pioneering project."

The seal has today been revealed at Buckingham Palace in London by King Charles. In his previous role as Prince of Wales, he championed the Astra Carta project at 2022's Space Sustainability Summit.

"Inspired by His Majesty's vision," said Jennifer Jordan Saifi, Chief Executive Officer, Sustainable Markets Initiative, "the Astra Carta is a collective call to action that seeks to unite the public and private sectors and other stakeholders in a shared commitment to the responsible and sustainable use of outer space."

Colonel Chris Hadfield, ex-astronaut and International Space Station commander, also consulted on the creation of the project.

"Whether its executing activity in the most sustainable way or leveraging all that space has to offer for sustainability here on Earth," said Hadfield, "the Sustainable Markets Initiative's Astra Carta is a call to action and convenes those best placed to contribute."

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Rwanda, Seychelles Waive Visas, Ink Five Pacts to Deepen Relations – AllAfrica – Top Africa News

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Rwandans traveling to Seychelles will not be required to have visas, thanks to a new agreement signed between the two countries.

The visa exemption deal was reached on Wednesday, June 28, as part of the several memoranda of understanding (MoUs) signed during President Paul Kagame's visit to Seychelles.

President Kagame, who is visiting alongside First Lady Jeannette Kagame, started a two day state visit to Seychelles on Wednesday, June 28, as part of the efforts to deepen bilateral relations.

Upon reaching the island nation, he was received by host President Wavel Ramkalwan.

The two Heads of State held a tete-a-tete before chairing a bilateral meeting of both countries.

The bilateral agreements signed aim at fostering cooperation in the field of defense and security, law enforcement, agriculture, health, and tourism.

In his press statement, host President Ramkalawan outlined that within law enforcement, Rwanda has one of the best police academies.

"We have agreed that our police force will be able to use the facilities of your academies at all levels. In the same way for defense and security, Rwanda continues to play a leading role," he said.

"We realize that in the field of agriculture, Rwanda is again showing leadership on the African continent and small Seychelles would like to tap into the experience. The MOU signed will give our agricultural field a greater hope for improvements. In the field of health, tourism, and other areas, I think what we signed today marks the confirmation of the solid relationships that we want to further," he added.

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Deepen cooperation

Kagame said that discussions held at State House with his Seychellois counterpart were productive as Seychelles and Rwanda are driven by common aspirations to improve the life of their citizens, working hand in hand with partners in the region and beyond.

"Building on our strong bilateral ties, we intend to deepen our cooperation across strategic areas of mutual benefits. For Seychelles and Rwanda, tourism is a key driver of economic growth. Collectively, there is a lot we can do to make the sector more sustainable and resilient. Tourism creates enormous opportunities for air connectivity and commercial links bringing businesses from Seychelles and Rwanda closer together," he said.

As part of his visit to Seychelles, Kagame also addressed the National Assembly in an extraordinary session on Wednesday, during which he urged lawmakers to build on the many successes of the African continent to find solutions that benefit both their people.

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Rwanda, Seychelles Waive Visas, Ink Five Pacts to Deepen Relations - AllAfrica - Top Africa News

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Seychelles’ fiscal performance in Q1 much better year-on-year – Seychelles News Agency

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Liberty House which houses the Ministry of Finance. (Gerard Larose)

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The fiscal performance of Seychelles in the first quarter of 2023 is much better than that of the same period last year, said a top official from the Ministry of Finance on Friday.

The comptroller general for financial planning and control, Astrid Tamatave, revealed in a presentation, that in the first quarter of 2023, the total revenue and grants was SCR2,067,714 ($157,104) compared to SCR1,856,634 ($141,253) in 2022.

"The increase in revenue comes mainly due to the fact that the Seychelles Revenue Commission was able to collect more from taxes than it did in quarter 1 of 2022," explained Tamatave.

Most taxes were collected from business taxes paid during the first quarter of the year since the deadline for the lodging of business tax returns is March 31.

Tamatave also showed that there has been more expenditure this year compared to 2022.

From January to March 2023, the total expenditure and net lending amounted to SCR2,133,260 ($162,556) and in the first quarter of 2022, this figure was SCR1,840,408 ($140,293).

An increase was also registered in terms of wages and salaries for the first quarter of 2023 and the total paid was SCR787,182 ($60,022) compared to SCR684,828 ($52,278) in 2022.

"The wages paid was more because in 2023 because there was the 13th month salary while in 2022, there was no such payment to public service workers," she added.

Tamatave said that ministries need to be more active with their capital projects to ensure that the projected budgets are used.

She pointed out that SCR1,007,761 ($76,848) was budgeted for capital expenditures for the first quarter but only SCR699,829 ($53,367) were used.

During the presentation, the director general for debt management, Dick Labonte, shared that Seychelles debt- to-GDP ratio was now at 64.2 percent, with the current debt at SCR17.8 billion ($1.35 billion) compared to SCR17.5 billion ($1.33 billion) in the first quarter of 2022.

Seychelles is aiming to reduce the country's debt-to-GDP ratio to 50 percent by 2026.

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Seychelles' fiscal performance in Q1 much better year-on-year - Seychelles News Agency

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Harnessing Renewable Energy in Seychelles: Challenges and … – EnergyPortal.eu

Posted: at 4:59 pm

Seychelles, an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, is known for its stunning beaches, lush tropical forests, and rich biodiversity. As a small island developing state (SIDS), it faces unique challenges in terms of energy security and climate change. With a growing population and increasing demand for electricity, Seychelles has recognized the need to diversify its energy sources and transition towards renewable energy. Harnessing renewable energy not only offers the opportunity to reduce the countrys dependence on imported fossil fuels but also contributes to global efforts in mitigating climate change.

Currently, Seychelles relies heavily on imported diesel to generate electricity, which exposes the country to volatile international oil prices and supply disruptions. In 2018, approximately 95% of the countrys electricity was generated from diesel, with the remaining 5% coming from renewable sources, mainly solar and wind. Recognizing the potential of renewable energy, the government of Seychelles has set an ambitious target of generating 15% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030.

To achieve this target, Seychelles has been actively exploring various renewable energy options, including solar, wind, and ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC). The countrys abundant sunshine and strong trade winds make solar and wind energy particularly attractive options. In recent years, several solar photovoltaic (PV) projects have been implemented, including the installation of solar panels on rooftops of public buildings and the construction of a 5 MW solar farm on Romainville Island. Moreover, the countrys first wind farm, consisting of eight turbines with a total capacity of 6 MW, was commissioned in 2013 on Mah Island.

Despite these promising developments, Seychelles faces several challenges in harnessing renewable energy. One of the main challenges is the limited availability of land for large-scale renewable energy projects. As a small island nation with a high population density, land is a scarce resource in Seychelles. This constraint has led to the exploration of innovative solutions, such as floating solar PV systems. In 2020, the countrys first floating solar power plant, with a capacity of 3.5 MW, was inaugurated on the Providence lagoon.

Another challenge is the intermittency of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, which can lead to fluctuations in electricity supply. To address this issue, energy storage systems, such as batteries, can be used to store excess electricity generated during periods of high renewable energy production and release it when production is low. However, the high cost of energy storage technologies remains a barrier to their widespread adoption in Seychelles.

In addition to technical challenges, Seychelles also faces financial and regulatory barriers in scaling up renewable energy. The high upfront cost of renewable energy projects and limited access to financing can hinder the development of such projects. Furthermore, the absence of a comprehensive regulatory framework for renewable energy can create uncertainty for investors and project developers.

Despite these challenges, Seychelles has made significant progress in harnessing renewable energy, and there are numerous opportunities for further growth. International partnerships and support from development agencies, such as the World Bank and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), have played a crucial role in facilitating the implementation of renewable energy projects in the country. Continued collaboration with international partners and the private sector can help Seychelles overcome the challenges and unlock the full potential of renewable energy.

In conclusion, harnessing renewable energy in Seychelles presents both challenges and opportunities. By addressing the technical, financial, and regulatory barriers, the country can capitalize on its abundant renewable energy resources and move towards a more sustainable and resilient energy future. This transition will not only enhance Seychelles energy security but also contribute to global efforts in combating climate change.

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Seychelles’ La Gogue Dam back in operation with 60% increased … – Seychelles News Agency

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The dam, which was inaugurated on Wednesday, will be able to store 1.6 million cubic metres when full. (State House)

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Seychelles' La Gogue Dam, the largest water storage of the island nation, is back in operation after undergoing five years of work to enhance its capacity by 60 percent.

The dam, which was inaugurated on Wednesday, will be able to store 1.6 million cubic metres when full and thiswill partly address water scarcity which is more evident during the dry season from May to September when the southeast trade winds kick in.

The inauguration plaque was unveiled by Seychelles' President Wavel Ramkalawan.

In his address, the Designated Minister, Jean-Francois Ferrari, said, "The maintenance of our people's wellbeing is closely tied to water availability. Many countries around the world face dramatic water scarcity as a fundamental challenge to their economic and social development. Seychelles is no different."

He said that "the regular and safe supply of water is one of the regular challenges facing our government today. Demand is rising but availability is stagnating. In our quest to dress our fair share of water problems, progress to build significant storage capacities in the like of La Gogue Dam has been slow mainly due to our limited financial resources to meet those very high investment costs."

The projectof raising the dam by 6 metres amounted to almost SCR400 million ($30 million) and was funded through a $20 million loanfromthe African Development Bankwith contributions from the government and the Public Utilities Corporation (PUC).

According to the chief executive of the Public Utilities Corporation, Joel Valmont, currently, the dam is at 82 percent capacity.

Valmont told reporters on Wednesday, that although the dam is operational, "at this point in time, our aim is to impound the dam to continuously increase the water in it for us to be able to subject it to a test that it needs to go through."

Valmont added that "if we get rainwater, it will fill the dam and what we decided at this time in our dry period, is gradually using the water for treatment at Hermitage to serve to a certain extent, the northern Mahe region and the central region."

He explained that the dam is connected to the Hermitage station and the zone covered by this station does not arrive to the south of Mahe.

"South Mahe from Cascade upwards to Port Glaud is still vulnerable. These areas are still depending on water from the rivers mainly and the fallback is from the desalination plants," he added.

Minister Ferrari said that "If we are to increase our resilience to the ever-increasing challenges of droughts, we have no choice but to give particular attention to the investments required in storage infrastructures such as this one and the likes of such dam projects in the southern part of Mahe and on Praslin."

La Gogue Damwas first inaugurated in 1979and Valmont said, "It has loyally served our growing populationuntil 2018, the year which we took it out of operation to enhance its capacityby 60percent."

The CEO said the project faced several challenges including the COVID-19 pandemicwhich caused "supply chain disruptions, costescalations, held up of contractor's workers and supervision personnelinternationally, and quarantine requirements upon entry in the country."

"Today, the La Gogue Dam stands taller, resilient and proud; making a remarkableimpression, on all who behold, this engineering accomplishment. [...]. This achievement has allowed us to take firmer strides towards achieving watersecurity on the main island," said Valmont in his address at the inauguration ceremony.

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