The IT industry is constantly evolving and changing, with new developments, innovations, and challenges every day. Here are some of the latest IT news stories that you should know about:
Google’s vision for a connected future with Android and ChromeOS
Google is working on bringing Android and ChromeOS closer together than ever, creating a seamless experience across devices and platforms. Google’s vision is to use the cloud as the glue that connects everything, from smartphones to laptops to smart speakers. Google wants to make it easy for users to access their data, apps, and services from any device, anywhere, anytime. Google also wants to leverage its AI and machine learning capabilities to provide personalized and contextual assistance to users, such as suggesting actions, reminders, or content based on their needs and preferences.
However, Google’s ambitious plan also raises some questions and challenges, such as how to balance privacy and security with convenience and functionality, how to deal with compatibility and fragmentation issues across different devices and versions of Android and ChromeOS, and how to compete with other tech giants like Apple and Microsoft that have their own ecosystems and strategies.
Nearly four in five employers struggle to fill job roles, a 17-year high
The IT sector is facing a talent shortage crisis, as nearly 80% of employers report difficulty finding qualified candidates for their open positions. This is the highest level since 2006, according to a survey by ManpowerGroup. The survey also found that IT skills are among the most in-demand across all industries, especially cybersecurity, cloud computing, data analysis, and software development.
The talent gap is caused by several factors, such as the rapid pace of technological change that requires constant upskilling and reskilling of workers, the lack of diversity and inclusion in the IT workforce that limits the pool of potential candidates, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic that disrupted education and training opportunities for many people, and the mismatch between the expectations and preferences of employers and job seekers.
To address this challenge, employers need to adopt more flexible and innovative hiring strategies, such as offering remote work options, providing training and career development programs, partnering with educational institutions and community organizations, and creating a more diverse and inclusive culture.
EU privacy regulators to create task force to investigate ChatGPT
ChatGPT is a popular chatbot service that uses artificial intelligence to generate realistic and engaging conversations with users. ChatGPT claims to be able to talk about anything with anyone, from casual chit-chat to deep philosophical discussions. However, ChatGPT has also raised some serious concerns about its compliance with the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which sets strict rules for how personal data is collected, processed, and stored.
The European Data Protection Board (EDPB), which is composed of data privacy regulators from all EU member states, has decided to create a task force to investigate ChatGPT’s practices and potential violations of GDPR. The task force will examine issues such as how ChatGPT obtains consent from users to collect their data, how ChatGPT ensures the security and accuracy of the data it stores and uses, how ChatGPT respects the rights of users to access, correct, or delete their data, and how ChatGPT handles sensitive or special categories of data such as biometric or health information.
The EDPB’s investigation could result in fines or sanctions for ChatGPT if it is found to breach GDPR rules. ChatGPT could also face legal action from individual users or consumer groups who may claim damages for any harm caused by ChatGPT’s use of their data.
Cisco to offer Webex air-gapped cloud system for security, defense work
Cisco is planning to launch a new version of its Webex cloud collaboration platform that will provide an extra layer of security for companies working on national security and defense projects. The new Webex air-gapped cloud system will isolate the data and communications of these companies from the rest of the Webex network and the internet at large. This will prevent any unauthorized access or interference from external actors or malicious insiders.
The Webex air-gapped cloud system will be hosted in Cisco’s own data centers in the US and will comply with the highest standards of security certification required by the US government. The system will also offer end-to-end encryption for all data in transit and at rest. The system will support all Webex features such as video conferencing, messaging, file sharing, whiteboarding, polling, transcription, translation, and more.
Intel arc GPUs get another major performance-boosting driver, up to 63% improvement across games
Intel is gearing up for the launch of its first discrete gaming graphics cards, codenamed Arc, later this year. To prepare for this, Intel has been releasing frequent driver updates for its existing integrated graphics solutions, which share the same architecture and features as Arc. The latest driver update, version 30.0.100.9955, brings significant performance improvements for a number of popular games, such as Cyberpunk 2077, Doom Eternal, Horizon Zero Dawn, and Red Dead Redemption 2.
According to Intel’s own benchmarks, the driver update can boost the frame rates by up to 63% on some games, depending on the resolution and settings. For example, Cyberpunk 2077 can run at 28.8 frames per second (fps) on low settings at 1080p resolution on an Intel Iris Xe Max GPU with the new driver, compared to 17.6 fps with the previous driver. Similarly, Doom Eternal can run at 56.9 fps on medium settings at 1080p resolution on an Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 GPU with the new driver, compared to 36.1 fps with the previous driver.
The driver update also adds support for new features such as DirectX 12 Agility SDK, which enables faster adoption of new DirectX 12 features by developers and gamers; Adaptive-Sync for HDMI displays, which synchronizes the refresh rate of the display and the GPU to reduce screen tearing and stuttering; and HDR tone mapping for SDR displays, which enhances the contrast and color range of HDR content on non-HDR displays.
How to overcome noise in quantum computations
Quantum computing is a promising technology that could revolutionize various fields such as cryptography, artificial intelligence, and drug discovery. However, quantum computing also faces a major challenge: noise. Noise refers to any unwanted disturbance or interference that affects the quantum state of a qubit, the basic unit of quantum information. Noise can cause errors and reduce the accuracy and reliability of quantum computations.
Scientists from the University of Sydney have made significant progress in quantum computing by deriving a formula that predicts the effects of environmental noise on quantum systems. The formula, called the Lindbladian master equation, describes how noise affects the evolution of a quantum system over time. The formula can help researchers design better quantum error correction schemes and optimize quantum algorithms for noisy environments.
The formula is based on a mathematical framework called Lindblad theory, which was developed by Swedish physicist Göran Lindblad in the 1970s. However, applying Lindblad theory to realistic quantum systems was difficult and computationally expensive until now. The scientists used a technique called perturbation theory to simplify and approximate the Lindbladian master equation for various types of noise models. The scientists tested their formula on a two-qubit system and found that it matched well with experimental data.
The scientists hope that their formula will enable more efficient and robust quantum computing in the future.
That’s all for this month’s IT news roundup.
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