Category Archives: Technology

A Walmart customer verifies her order for curbside pickup using a portable scanner.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. Walmart is now offering its proprietary technologies and capabilities to other businesses and brands that also are working to better serve customers whether they are shopping online or in-store.

Weve built new capabilities to serve the evolving needs of our own customers, and we have a unique opportunity to use our experience to help other businesses do the same, said John Furner, CEO of Walmart U.S. Commercializing our technologies and capabilities helps us sustainably reinvest back into our customer value proposition.

Furner said that over the past several years, Walmart has built a world-class organization that has developed its own technologies and services to meet the rapidly evolving needs of customers at scale. These unique capabilities enable Walmart to better serve customers, create differentiated experiences and grow its business as digital shopping continues to increase.

As part of this effort, Walmart also announced a strategic partnership with Adobe to integrate Walmarts Marketplace, online and in-store fulfillment and pickup technologies with Adobe Commerce, a leading commerce solution for merchants and brands. Through the Adobe Commerce platform, retail businesses will be able to use Walmarts cloud-based services to offer seamless pickup and delivery to their customers.

Businesses will also be able to reach new customers on Walmarts Marketplace where they can leverage Walmarts Fulfillment Services to offer two-day shipping nationwide. Furner said that the partnership with Adobe to offer these capabilities will help businesses of all sizes to improve their customer experience while operating more efficiently.

The core mission of helping people save money and live better is at the heart of every idea including checkout technologies, AI-powered smart substitutions and pickup and delivery, said Suresh Kumar, chief technology officer and chief development officer of Walmart Inc. Combining Adobes strength in powering commerce experiences with our customer expertise, we can accelerate other companies digital transformations.

Walmart has continued to leverage its advanced technology, such as machine learning, cloud-powered checkout and pickup capabilities to offer more convenience and enhance the overall shopping experience for customers.

Excerpt from:

Walmart offers Marketplace technology to other businesses - Furniture Today

Opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not reflect the views of Rolling Stone editors or publishers.

Unprecedented access to information, ideas and funding is leading younger generations to trust technology over institutions. The worlds population has an average age that is younger than 35 years old.

A phenomenon occurs when you hear or see something that catches your attention a word, an idea, or in this case, a statistic and then you start to notice it seemingly everywhere.

A scientific neurological explanation for this is reticular activation. Your brains reticular activating system makes a note of what you see and defines it as important or exciting and then creates a filter to seek out evidence confirming that information. As you go about your day, when something piques your attention and your brain creates a new filter for it, you will be alerted to affirming evidence more often.

In my case, what Ive been constantly reminded of recently is that much of the worlds countries have an average age that is younger than 35 years old.

I first heard this data point referenced when I listened to a forecast of our world economic position one year into the pandemic by Martin Wolf, Chief Economics Commentator at the Financial Times, London. When he quoted this statistic in a live YPO webinar, it caught my attention, and I have now seen or heard this same statistic mentioned no less than four times in the past few weeks.

Martin Wolf is one of a handful of economic commentators I follow, and I appreciate and agree with many of his insights. One point on which we disagree is cryptocurrency. While Wolf thinks that cryptocurrencies have no intrinsic value, I firmly believe the opposite. I submit that blockchain is one of a handful of exponential technology innovation trends poised to fundamentally change how we store and trust data in our world.

To me, the resistance to blockchain is born out of a dated world view. Central factors of these resistant beliefs have been disproved, such as the one positing the anonymity and currency associated with cryptocurrency innovation will largely be used to fuel illegal activities. The reality shows cash currency is far more abused in such situations. The beauty of blockchain and its successful application to cryptocurrencies resides in its unique distributed, peer-reviewed structure.

Younger populations worldwide have declining faith in government and higher institutions. They have come of age in a global world connected by technology that facilitates assumed, easy access to information, products and services with just a click. Article after article has data demonstrating that younger generations and developing populations worldwide have a strong tendency to put their faith in technology over governments. I believe these beliefs give rise to the future of cryptocurrencies. And yet, those setting our fiscal policies in developed countries are resistant to this shift of trust. As a generation, they have been steeped in blind government trust for decades. These blinders will likely cause blunders.

The Rolling Stone Culture Council is an invitation-only community for Influencers, Innovators and Creatives. Do I qualify?

I also believe that many tech leaders and investors in the U.S. are also wearing what we could call bias blinders when it comes to sourcing innovation. For decades, companies and innovations in the U.S. have defined how populations worldwide interact with technology. This is due primarily to our first-mover status with technology and easy access to financial funding through the proliferation of venture capital and private equity firms in the U.S.

Weve reached a turning point in our technology and innovation dominance. Around the world, a vast majority of the population now has access to a mobile smart device, connecting them with virtually unlimited access to humanitys history of information and experience. There are intelligent, innovative people everywhere who now have access to technology and resources that were never previously available to them.

These mobile-connected, savvy device users have two advantages to displace U.S. dominance in technology and innovation. First, they understand the biggest problems facing their populations last-mile challenges, access to banking, healthcare, etc. far better than tech leaders in the U.S. do. Second, there is a predominance of and access to distributed gig-work and crowdfunding to fund their ideas and make them a reality.

Combining these two factors, the reality is clear: We live in the age of distributed innovation. If we keep these bias blinders on and ignore this new reality, the U.S. could lose its footing as a global technology and innovation leader.

To close, I would like to pose this question to all business leaders: How will you help your business tap into this unprecedented access to innovation and harness it for benefit?

My advice to leaders as they continue to operate in this age of distributed innovation is to ditch the status quo and think outside the box. Look to other sources for information. Consider hiring someone with a non-traditional background that excels in new technologies. Disrupt your traditional way of thinking.

First movers that tap into this type of innovation will be exceptionally rewarded, and laggers will fall behind.

See the original post here:

My Analysis of How Blockchain Technology Could Facilitate Citizen Disruption of Innovation - Rolling Stone

The Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica makes up less than a third of the global ocean surface, yet scientists believe it plays an outsized role in the climate system, according to a 2021 journal article in Geophysical Research Letters. Water and currents from other oceans meet here, allowing for heat and carbon transfer as this body of water connects the ocean and atmosphere.

Scientists have long believed the Southern Ocean to be a crucial carbon sink, but recent data is raising questions about whether the Southern Ocean may not actually be quite as much of a carbon sink as they once thought. To learn more and broaden their understanding, they are using new technology to collect additional data especially during the seldom-surveyed winter season.

The Southern Ocean is a really interesting place, says oceanographer Adrienne Sutton, who works for NOAAs Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory. It covers only 30% of the global ocean surface but it represents as much as 75% of heat uptake and 40% of carbon uptake for the globe. So it plays an outsized role in climate, and thats why were really interested in collecting more data there.

Since the world and its systems are so interconnected, learning about the Southern Oceans carbon uptake is important in calculating global carbon estimates.

As we try to manage carbon we need to know the natural sinks, says Bronte Tilbrook, senior principal research scientist with Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Oceans and Atmosphere in Australia. About half the carbon is currently taken up by natural sinks both on land and in the ocean. He points out that land sinks are very complex and difficult to quantify, so the ocean sinks atmospheric measurements are needed. In the ocean we have data that will allow us to get better ideas of how much carbon is going into the land, how much is going into the ocean, and whats remaining in the atmosphere from emissions, Tilbrook says. The ocean data is really critical for understanding the global carbon budget.

The waters off Antarctica are known for their brutal conditions, with ferocious waves and storms, and long, cold, dark winters when ships can become entrapped in ice. It all makes for a challenging place to get to, let alone conduct research. While some ships travel in the region during summer and retrieve data, winter measurements are scarce. To tell the complete story of the ocean, scientists need to know what is happening year-round in its vast waters.

Measuring the Southern Ocean in the winter can be so challenging that we have major gaps in our understanding because were just missing that season in huge swaths of the Southern Ocean, and so that was really our mission to collect data there, Sutton says.

To safely collect data from the Southern Ocean, a company called Saildrone developed a 23-foot-long, wind driven and solar powered uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) that can be controlled remotely. It has sensors and instruments to obtain a wide variety of data, and also has an array of cameras. Built specifically to handle the conditions of the Southern Ocean, it has already proven its durability, even surviving a collision with an iceberg. It is just one of the companys USVs, which are used for a variety of scientific projects ranging from collecting hurricane data to mapping the ocean floor.

In early 2019, scientists launched a Saildrone USV from Bluff, New Zealand, and it covered 13,670 miles before being recovered off Bluffs coast 196 days later. The journey was the first autonomous circumnavigation of Antarctica.

Along the way, it collected data every hour. Scientists have now analyzed some of that data, and Sutton, Tilbrook, and University of South Florida oceanography professor Nancy Williams published their findings about carbon flux in Geophysical Research Letters. They noted the importance of expanding a network of observations and of using a variety of tools such as USVs like the Saildrone, floats, ships, and other devices.

Before Saildrone, Argo floats collected biogeochemical measurements from 2014 to 2017. When analyzing this data, scientists found the Southern Oceans carbon sink may be much smaller than previously believed. A 2018 paper by Alison Gray et al. in Geophysical Research Letters found the floats recorded significantly stronger outgassing than was found through previous ship-based estimates.

[It was] a big discrepancy, Sutton says. There was a lot of debate in the community on is that because 2014-2017 were anomalous years? And they were kind of strange years compared to the Southern Ocean mean annual average, she says, noting some scientists concerns that there could also be an issue with the float sensors. They learned 2014 and 2015 were fairly anomalous years, off gassing much more CO2 than what they believed was typical. However, she says 2019, when Saildrone circumnavigated the continent, represented what they believe to be a more representative year.

The scientific community is still grappling with trying to figure out what is the true year-to-year variability in CO2 exchange in the Southern Ocean, Sutton says. Because what were finding with these new technologies between floats and Saildrone is that there is huge interannual variability that we are not capturing now with our traditional measurements.

Gathering more data, and making sure this data includes measurements from all times of year, is an important step. The 2018 report authors had written that Our current understanding of the distribution of oceanic CO2 sources and sinks may need revision and underscore the need for sustained year-round biogeochemical observations in the Southern Ocean.

As scientists learn more about the Southern Oceans carbon uptake, they can also begin to formulate answers to other questions. For example, if the Southern Ocean is a smaller carbon sink than previously believed, where is the carbon going instead? These findings could indicate larger sinks in other parts of the ocean or even a change in the land sink.

The best way to plan for the future is to learn more about whats going on currently. In 2022, two Saildrone USVs will be deployed to the Southern Ocean to gather more data, and Williams and Sutton plan to analyze that new data with a focus on how eddies impact the air-sea CO2 exchange. Tilbrook is also applying for refunding for Australias Integrated Marine Observing System to collect measurements beyond 2022 from Australian ships. While ship-based measurements are still vital to research, the researchers expect new technology like Saildrone to be a huge step toward learning more about the Southern Ocean and the global carbon cycle.

Tilbrook says traditional measurements, such as those recorded by ships, are still needed, but devices like Argo floats and Saildrones provide benefits because they dont require us to send people into hostile environments all the time.

We can now manage things better, he says, and we can get more data for less money, and its really a game changer, the technology developments that are happening due to the visions of a few people.

Also see: Things you should know about the Arctic and Antarctica

Kristen Pope is an Idaho-based freelance writer who frequently covers science and conservation-related topics.

More here:

New technology offers insights on Southern Oceans carbon secrets - Yale Climate Connections

SPENDING

108 project proposals

NOTE: This story first appeared on FCW.com.

The Technology Modernization Fund is in high gear, meeting 10 hours each week to assess proposals and determine "from a top-down approach" which projects it could have the most impact on in terms of providing financial support, Federal CIO Clare Martorana testified at a House hearing on IT modernization on Wednesday.

Martorana, who serves as a chair of the TMF Board, told lawmakers on the Government Operations Subcommittee of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform that 108 project proposals have been submitted from 43 federal agencies following a $1 billion addition in funds included in the American Rescue Plan. That increase in capitalization to the revolving fund was accompanied by a relaxation of payback requirements that many agencies have found daunting.

Martorana testified that submitted projects so far exceed $2 billion, with proposals still coming in. At least 75% of the new project proposals submitted to the TMF Board focus on cyber, the federal CIO said.

"I am so bullish on the Technology Modernization Fund," Martorana said. "Now that we're in a 2.0 phase with the $1 billion dollars in the American Rescue Plan funding, I see enormous possibility."

The hearing was held to assess progress on implementation of the Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act and share the results of the latest FITARA scorecard, which gives agencies letter grades for performance in areas covered by the legislation.

"Throughout this pandemic, we've come to realize how vital agile IT and strong IT governance are to the success of the federal government in meeting the needs of the people we all serve," Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) said at the hearing.

The latest results from that scorecard showed most agencies were just getting by with a passing "C" grade. Only one, the General Services Administration, received a score in the "A" range, with the agency earning a top "A+" rating.

Only four agencies improved their overall cyber posture so far this year, according to the latest scorecard review, while two have seen their ratings drop. The Department of Justice currently has a "D-" rating, a full letter drop from the "C-" score it received last year, while the Department of Veterans Affairs dropped to "C+" from the "B+" rating it received in December.

The vast majority of agencies maintained their previous scorecard ratings, with 18 in total receiving the same evaluation they earned at the end of 2020.

There were some improvements: The Department of Interior and the Social Security Administration went up full points, receiving two "B+" ratings. The State Department also received a slightly higher score of "C" from its previous "C-" rating.

Carol Harris, IT and cybersecurity director for the Government Accountability Office, and another witness at the subcommittee hearing said her office would work with lawmakers to continue investigating new ways FITARA can be implemented to improve governmentwide cybersecurity efforts, including the possibility of creating a new scorecard solely focused on cyber.

EIS transition

The FITARA scorecard also noted progress on the transition of agency networks to the new, $50 billion governmentwide Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions contracts and moving off the old Networx contract. Agencies are expected to have 100% of their telecom inventory under EIS at the end of fiscal year 2022. Networx is set to expire at the end of May 2023.

According to the scorecard, 10 agencies received "A" grades for their transition off Networx, including the Departments of Health and Human Services, Justice, Agriculture and Labor, the Social Security Administration and the Small Business Administration. The Office of Personnel Management and NASA were the only agencies receiving an "F" grade.

About the Author

Chris Riotta is a staff writer at FCW covering government procurement and technology policy. Chris joined FCW after covering U.S. politics for three years at The Independent. He earned his master's degree from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, where he served as 2021 class president.

Originally posted here:

Agencies propose more than $2B in TMF projects - Washington Technology

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Washington State Historic Preservation Office has been able to turn around information requests within three days, despite the fact that they had to switch suddenly to remote work. Because the information was digitized and accessible remotely, operations continued efficiently. Such responsiveness demonstrates how technology can help states provide critical government services in the midst of a crisis.

For future infrastructure investments to be successful, the federal permitting program must be ready to handle a flood of new projects as quickly and efficiently as Washington state does. It is critical to focus on three key areas:

1) promoting early planning and engagement

2) encouraging cutting-edge technology, like the use of digital data

3) investing in specialized human resources at all levels of government to ensure the effective implementation of new infrastructure projects

Federal permitting is often scapegoated as unduly delaying infrastructure development projects. However, robust permitting provides structure, certainty and accountability to the development process. The permitting process gives communities an opportunity to protect the historic and natural resources that define their communities. Special places, like historic downtowns, sacred spaces and areas of natural beauty, are what give towns their unique character and charm. Before breaking ground, developers must work with the community to ensure that there are adequate safeguards for the places that matter most in each town.

Critics of the permitting process use the small numbers of delays to argue that existing regulations should be abolished completely. They seek to weaken the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) in the name of increased speed. But those laws are key to protecting our communities and giving the American public a voice. Neither law prevents development. Instead, both NEPA and the NHPA ensure that residents get information on the impacts that a proposed development will have on their community. Residents can then weigh the benefits of the new development against the possible drawbacks. Oftentimes, potential damages can be avoided by making changes to the original plan.

It is crucial to focus on early engagement with the community. Early negotiation helps avoid high-stakes clashes with the community and ensuing public relations disasters. Potential disputes are more easily avoided because early conversations improve the chances of community support. Planners can adapt a project according to feedback from the community. Changes are also less expensive to make earlier in the process.

Many business leaders and community advocates have already realized the benefits of cooperating in a proactive manner. For example,Leaders in Energy and Preservation(LEAP) is a coalition of energy companies and historic preservation groups promoting best practices for early planning that deliver efficient energy projects through responsible heritage management. LEAPs best practices and technological innovations help energy companies manage risk and plan successful projects that protect significant heritage resources such as archaeological sites, historic properties and sites of cultural importance to Indigenous people.

Digital tools also offer big opportunities to save time and money, but states vary widely in how much they are utilizing the technology. In some parts of the country, project planners must rely on paper records stored in government offices. In contrast, qualified users in Virginia can log in remotely to the states GIS map of cultural resources and study any area in the state. In neighboring North Carolina, the same person has to make an appointment for a 2-hour time slot to use the government computer in Raleigh. Ensuring ease of access to data will help developers incorporate the consideration of historic and natural resources into their plans right from the start.

Technological tools are only part of the equation, however. To handle a flurry of new infrastructure projects, the federal government, state and tribal historic preservation offices must have enough staff to review permit applications. Many offices are already stretched thin. Bringing in more staff will create jobs and help America build back better. Big investments in American infrastructure require investing in the workers who can make projects happen.

Congress is about to spend a lot of money helping America to build for the future. Lets ensure that communities have the tools they need to start building these projects quickly and efficiently.

KellyLizarragais the advocacy coordinator for the Coalition for American Heritage, representing the American Anthropological Association, the Society for Historical Archaeology,heritage professionals, scholars, small businesses, non-profit groups and history-lovers from across the country who support and promote our nations commitment to historic preservation.

This piece has been updated.

Continue reading here:

Technology can speed permitting and reduce conflicts over new infrastructure | TheHill - The Hill

TOKYO Created by the International Olympic Committee in 2001, Olympic Broadcasting Services is responsible for providing the sights and sounds of the Games to billions of fans all over the world.

As the medal count climbs for Team USA, athletes are reaching feats of glory inside stadiums that are cavernous and nearly empty.

Everyone knows that a stadium without fans loses something, but we wanted to make sure we could do better for it, said Matt Millington, director of digital content for OBS.

Four months ago when the Olympics banned most fans, Millington hatched a plan to bring the roar of the crowd to the Olympics.

It allows fans from across the world to cheer for their country from a website and also upload selfie videos. These are projected onto the video scoreboards, Millington said.

The module called Cheer Zone, which is on the Olympics website, shows an interactive map displaying where the applause and video uploads are originating from in real-time.

Its not just about fans themselves, studies have shown that athletes also react to the noise and the support that a full stadium can generate, Millington said.

While athletes may be too focused during competition to notice, a personal touch may be enough to make them feel at home.

Well have their family ready and waiting on the TV monitor and theyll be able to pass along their best wishes and congratulations, Millington said.

With a virus distancing the world, the Olympics found another way to bring us together.

They must feel very, very removed (16) so to be able to get them to connect immediately after the event, it means a lot to them but it also means a lot to us, Millington said.

See original here:

Bringing the fans to the Olympics through technology - KXAN.com

Investors focused on the Computer and Technology space have likely heard of Microsoft (MSFT), but is the stock performing well in comparison to the rest of its sector peers? By taking a look at the stock's year-to-date performance in comparison to its Computer and Technology peers, we might be able to answer that question.

Microsoft is a member of our Computer and Technology group, which includes 630 different companies and currently sits at #14 in the Zacks Sector Rank. The Zacks Sector Rank considers 16 different sector groups. The average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups is measured, and the sectors are listed from best to worst.

The Zacks Rank is a proven model that highlights a variety of stocks with the right characteristics to outperform the market over the next one to three months. The system emphasizes earnings estimate revisions and favors companies with improving earnings outlooks. MSFT is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MSFT's full-year earnings has moved 2.07% higher within the past quarter. This signals that analyst sentiment is improving and the stock's earnings outlook is more positive.

Based on the most recent data, MSFT has returned 28.68% so far this year. In comparison, Computer and Technology companies have returned an average of 22.47%. This means that Microsoft is performing better than its sector in terms of year-to-date returns.

Breaking things down more, MSFT is a member of the Computer - Software industry, which includes 38 individual companies and currently sits at #90 in the Zacks Industry Rank. This group has gained an average of 25.14% so far this year, so MSFT is performing better in this area.

Investors in the Computer and Technology sector will want to keep a close eye on MSFT as it attempts to continue its solid performance.

Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportMicrosoft Corporation (MSFT) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Here is the original post:

Is Microsoft (MSFT) Outperforming Other Computer and Technology Stocks This Year? - Yahoo Finance

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The "AI in Information and Communications Technology 2021-2026: AI and Cognitive Computing in Communications, Applications, Content, and Commerce" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

This report assesses the AI in the ICT ecosystem including technologies, solutions and players. Application areas covered include marketing and business decision making, workplace automation, predictive analysis and forecasting, fraud detection and mitigation.

The report provides detailed forecasts globally, regionally, and across market segments from 2021 to 2026. The report also covers AI subset technologies, embedded in other technologies, and cognitive computing in key industry verticals.

While the opportunities for artificial intelligence in the information and communications technology industry are virtually limitless, we focus on a few key opportunities including AI in big data, chatbots, chipsets, cybersecurity, IoT, smart machines and robotics. AI is poised to fundamentally shift the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry as technologies such as Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, Deep Learning, and others.

AI will dramatically enhance the performance of communications, apps, content, and digital commerce. AI will also drive new business models and create entirely new business opportunities as interfaces and efficiencies facilitate engagement that has been heretofore incomprehensible.

Many other industry verticals will be transformed through this evolution as ICT and digital technologies support many aspects of industry operations including supply chains, sales and marketing processes, product and service delivery and support models.

For example, we see particularly substantial impacts on the medical and bioinformatics as well as financial services segments. Workforce automation is an area that will affect many different industry verticals as AI greatly enhances workflow, processes, and accelerates the ROI for smart workplace investments.

Key Topics Covered:

1 Executive Summary

2 Introduction

2.1 Artificial Intelligence Overview

2.1.1 Intelligent Software Agent

2.1.2 Problem Solving

2.2.4 Practical Approaches to AI

2.2 Machine Learning

2.2.1 Supervised Learning

2.2.2 Unsupervised Learning

2.2.3 Semi-Supervised Learning

2.2.4 Reinforcement Learning

2.3 Deep Learning

2.3.1 Artificial Neural Networks

2.3.2 Artificial Neural Network Deployment

2.4 Cognitive Computing

2.5 AI Algorithms in Applications

2.5.1 Natural Language Processing

2.5.2 Machine Perception

2.5.3 Data Mining

2.5.4 Motion and Manipulation

2.6 Limitations and Challenges for AI Expansion

2.7 AI in Information and Communications Technology Industry

2.7.1 AI Market Drivers in ICT

2.7.2 Key AI Opportunities in ICT

2.7.2.1 Artificial Intelligence and Big Data

2.7.2.2 Artificial Intelligence in Chatbots and Virtual Private Assistants

2.7.2.3 Artificial Intelligence in Chipsets and Microelectronics

2.7.2.4 Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity

2.7.2.5 Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things

2.7.2.6 Artificial Intelligence in Network Management and Optimization

2.7.2.7 Artificial Intelligence in Smart Machines and Robotics

3 AI Intellectual Property Leadership by Country and Company

3.1 Global AI Patents

3.2 AI Patents by Leading Countries

3.3 Global Machine Learning Patents

3.4 Machine Learning Patents by Leading Countries

3.5 Machine Learning Patents by Leading Companies

3.6 Global Deep Learning Patents

3.7 Deep Learning Patents by Leading Countries

3.8 Global Cognitive Computing Patents

3.9 Cognitive Computing Patents by Leading Countries

3.10 AI and Cognitive Computing Innovation Leadership

4 AI in ICT Market Analysis and Forecasts 2021-2026

4.1 Global Markets for AI 2021-2026

4.2 Global Market for AI by Segment 2021-2026

4.3 Regional Markets for AI 2021-2026

4.4 AI Market by Key Application Area 2021-2026

4.4.1 AI Markets for Predictive Analysis and Forecasting 2021-2026

4.4.2 AI Market for Marketing and Business Decision Making 2021-2026

4.4.3 AI Market for Fraud Detection and Classification 2021-2026

4.4.4 AI Market for Workplace Automation 2021-2026

5 AI in Select Industry Verticals

5.1 Market for AI by Key Industry Verticals 2021-2026

5.1.1 AI Market for Internet-related Services and Products 2021-2026

5.1.2 AI Market for Telecommunications 2021-2026

5.1.3 AI Market for Medical and Bioinformatics 2021-2026

5.1.4 AI Market for Financial Services 2021-2026

5.1.5 AI Market for Manufacturing and Heavy Industries 2021-2026

5.2 AI in other Industry Verticals

6 AI in Major Market Segments

6.1 AI Market by Product Segment 2021-2026

6.2 Market for Embedded AI within other Technologies 2021-2026

6.2.1 AI Algorithms in Data Mining 2021-2026

6.2.2 AI in Machine Perception Technology 2021-2026

6.2.3 Market for AI Algorithms in Pattern Recognition Technology 2021-2026

6.2.4 Market for AI Algorithm in Intelligent Decision Support Systems Technology 2021-2026

6.2.5 Market for AI Algorithms in Natural Language Processing Technology 2021-2026

7 Important Corporate AI M&A

7.1 Apple Inc.

7.2 Facebook

7.3 Google

7.4 IBM

7.5 Microsoft

8 AI in ICT Use Cases

8.1 Verizon Uses AI and Machine Learning To Improve Performance

8.2 Deutche Telecom Uses AI

8.3 H2O.ai Use-cases in Telecommunications powered by AI

8.4 KDDI R&D Laboratories Inc., AI-assisted Automated Network Operation System

8.5 Telefonica AI Use Cases

8.6 Brighterion AI, Worldpay Use cases

9 AI in ICT Vendor Analysis

9.1 IBM Corporation

9.1.1 Company Overview

9.1.2 Recent Developments

9.2 Intel Corporation

9.3 Microsoft Corporation

9.4 Google Inc.

9.5 Baidu Inc.

9.6 H2O.ai

9.7 Hewlett Packard Enterprise

9.8 Apple Inc.

9.9 General Electric

More here:

Global AI in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Report 2021: AI and Cognitive Computing in Communications, Applications, Content, and...

What GAO Found

In March 2021, GAO issued its high-risk series update and emphasized that federal agencies' needed to implement numerous critical actions to strengthen the nation's cybersecurity and information technology (IT) management efforts. In the update, GAO reiterated the importance of agencies addressing four major cybersecurity challenges facing the nation: (1) establishing a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy and performing effective oversight, (2) securing federal systems and information, (3) protecting cyber critical infrastructure, and (4) protecting privacy and sensitive data. Overall, the federal government has to move with a greater sense of urgency to fully address key cybersecurity challenges. In particular:

In its March update, GAO also stressed the importance of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and federal agencies fully implementing critical actions recommended to improve the management of IT to better manage tens of billions of dollars in IT investments. GAO emphasized, for example, that

Until OMB and federal agencies take critical actions to strengthen efforts to address these important high-risk areas, longstanding and pervasive weaknesses will likely continue to jeopardize the nation's cybersecurity and management of IT.

The nation's critical infrastructures and federal agencies are dependent on IT systems and electronic data to carry out operations and to process, maintain, and report essential information. Each year, the federal government spends more than $100 billion on cybersecurity and IT investments.

GAO has long stressed the continuing and urgent need for effective cybersecurity, as underscored by recent events that have illustrated persistent and evermore sophisticated cyber threats and incidents. Moreover, many IT investments have failed, performed poorly, or suffered from ineffective management. Accordingly, GAO has included information security on its high-risk list since 1997 and added improving the management of IT acquisitions and operations in 2015. In its March 2021 high-risk series update, GAO reported that significant attention was needed in both of these important areas.

GAO was asked to testify on federal agencies' efforts to address cybersecurity and the management of IT. For this testimony, GAO relied on selected products it previously issued.

View original post here:

Cybersecurity and Information Technology: Federal Agencies Need to Strengthen Efforts to Address High-Risk Areas - Government Accountability Office

Here at Zacks, we offer our members many different opportunities to take full advantage of the stock market, as well as how to invest in ways that lead to long-term success.

The Zacks Premium service, which provides daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank; full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List; Equity Research reports; and Premium stock screens like the Earnings ESP filter, makes these more manageable goals. All of the features can help you identify what stocks to buy, what to sell, and what are today's hottest industries.

It also includes the Focus List, a long-term portfolio of top stocks that have all the elements to beat the market.

Breaking Down the Zacks Focus List

Building an investment portfolio from scratch can be difficult, so if you could, wouldn't you take a peek at a curated list of top stocks?

That's what the Zacks Focus List offers. It's a portfolio of 50 stocks that serve as a starting point for long-term investors to build their individual portfolios. The stocks included in the list are set to outperform the market over the next 12 months.

What makes the Focus List even more helpful is that each selection is accompanied by a full Zacks Analyst Report, which explains the reasoning behind every stock's selection and why we believe it's a good pick for the long-term.

The portfolio's past performance only solidifies why investors should consider it as a starting point. For 2020, the Focus List gained 13.85% on an annualized basis compared to the S&P 500's return of 9.38%. Cumulatively, the portfolio has returned 2,519.23% while the S&P returned 854.95%. Returns are for the period of February 1, 1996 to March 31, 2021.

Focus List Methodology

When stocks are picked for the Focus List, it reflects our enduring reliance on the power of earnings estimate revisions.

Earnings estimates are expectations of growth and profitability, and are determined by brokerage analysts. Together with company management, these analysts examine every aspect that may affect future earnings, like interest rates, the economy, and sector and industry optimism.

Story continues

What a company will earn down the road also needs to be taken into consideration, and this is why earnings estimate revisions are so important.

Stocks that receive upward earnings estimate revisions are more likely to receive even more upward changes in the future. For example, if an analyst raised their estimates last month, they're more likely to do it again this month, and other analysts are likely to do the same.

Utilizing the power of earnings estimate revisions is when the Zacks Rank joins the party. A unique, proprietary stock-rating model, the Zacks Rank uses changes to quarterly earnings expectations to help investors create a winning portfolio.

There are four main factors behind the Zacks Rank: Agreement, Magnitude, Upside, and Surprise. Each one of these features is then given a raw score that's recalculated every night and compiled into the Rank. Using this data, stocks are classified into five groups, ranging from "Strong Buy" to "Strong Sell."

The Focus List is comprised of stocks hand-picked from a long list of #1 (Strong Buy) or #2 (Buy) ranked companies, meaning that each new addition boasts a bullish earnings consensus among analysts.

Because stock prices react to revisions, buying stocks with rising earnings estimates can be very profitable. Focus List stocks offer investors a great opportunity to get into companies whose future earnings estimates will be raised, potentially leading to price momentum.

Focus List Spotlight: Microsoft (MSFT)

Redmond, WA-based Microsoft Corporation is one of the largest broad-based technology providers in the world. The company dominates the PC software market with more than 80% of the market share for operating systems.

MSFT, a #2 (Buy) stock, was added to the Focus List on February 1, 2016 at $55.09 per share. Since then, shares have increased 419.55% to $286.22.

Eight analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days for fiscal 2022. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.17 to $8.46. MSFT boasts an average earnings surprise of 16.9%.

Additionally, MSFT's earnings are expected to grow 6.2% for the current fiscal year.

Reveal Winning Stocks

Unlock all of our powerful research, tools and analysis, including the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research Reports, Zacks Earnings ESP Filter, Premium Screener and more, as part of Zacks Premium. You'll quickly identify which stocks to buy, hold and sell, and target today's hottest industries, to help improve the performance of your portfolio. Gain full access now >>

Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportMicrosoft Corporation (MSFT) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Link:

Why This 1 Computer and Technology Stock Could Be a Great Addition to Your Portfolio - Yahoo Finance