Daily Tech Digest - January 26, 2025


Quote for the day:

“If you don’t try at anything, you can’t fail… it takes back bone to lead the life you want” -- Richard Yates

Here’s Why Physical AI Is Rapidly Gaining Ground And Lauded As The Next AI Big Breakthrough

If we are going to connect generative AI to all kinds of robots and other machines that are wandering around in our homes, offices, factories, streets, and the like, we ought to expect that the AI will do so properly, safely, and with aplomb. Can an AI that only has text-based data training adequately control and direct those real-world machines as they mix among people? Some assert that this is a highly dangerous concern. The generative AI uses ostensibly book learning to guess what will happen when a robot is instructed by the AI to lift a chair or hold aloft a dog. Is that good enough to cope with the myriad of aspects that can go wrong? Perhaps the AI will by text-basis logic assume that if the dog is dropped, it will bounce like a rubber ball. Ouch, the dog might not be amused. ... AI researchers are scurrying to craft Physical AI. The future depends on this capability. Machines and robots are going to be built and shipped to work side-by-side with humans. Physical AI will be the make-or-break of whether those mechanizations are compatible with humans and operate properly in the real world or instead are endangering and harmful.


Why workload repatriation must be part of true multi-cloud strategies

Repatriation can provide benefits such as cost optimization and enhanced control, but it also introduces significant challenges. Key obstacles organizations encounter during cloud repatriation include the absence of cloud-native services, limited access to provider-managed applications, the need for highly skilled professionals, and potentially substantial capital expenditures required for building or upgrading on-premises infrastructure. Migrating workloads back on-premises often results in the development of hybrid environments or, in cases where multiple public cloud providers are used, multi-cloud environments. This shift adds complexity to managing IT infrastructure, requiring greater coordination and expertise. In public cloud environments, providers offer a wide array of managed services, automated management, and orchestration capabilities that simplify operations and reduce the burden on IT teams. When repatriating workloads, organizations must find alternatives or develop in-house solutions to replicate these functionalities. This can be time-consuming, costly, and may result in reduced capabilities compared to cloud-native offerings. As such, organizations must carefully balance the trade-offs between the advanced capabilities of cloud-native solutions and the control offered by on-premises environments. 


3 hidden benefits of Dedicated Internet Access for enterprises

DIA is designed to support bandwidth-heavy tasks such as cloud-based applications and video conferencing. It ensures seamless connectivity, helping streamline operations and prevent performance issues. Routine activities like large file sharing, backups, and data transfers are completed more efficiently, while internal communication across multiple business locations becomes smoother and more reliable. Think of DIA as your business’s private Internet highway. Unlike shared connections, it provides uninterrupted service, essential for maintaining optimal workflows and boosting productivity. For companies that rely on consistent and high-performance Internet access, DIA offers a dependable solution tailored to meet these demands. ... Fast website loading times and smooth online transactions are essential for satisfying customers. DIA helps businesses deliver a premium online experience, which can significantly improve customer loyalty. This reliable performance extends to all business locations, including branch offices. With DIA, businesses can ensure consistent, high-quality interactions with their customers—whether accessing resources or reaching out through support channels. Additionally, DIA enhances customer support by ensuring messaging services remain continuously available, allowing businesses to respond quickly and efficiently to customer needs.


Data engineering - Pryon: Turning chaos into clarity

Data Engineering is the discipline that takes raw, unstructured data and transforms it into actionable, high-value insights. Without a strong data foundation, the $10M average that 1 in 3 enterprises are spending on AI projects next year alone, are setting themselves up for failure. As data creation accelerates – 90% of the world’s data has been generated in the last two years – engineers are tasked with more than just managing it. They have to structure, organise and operationalise data so it can actually be useful and produce the right outputs. From building reliable pipelines to ensuring data quality, engineering teams play the central role in making systems that actually solve problems. ... Data synthesis is interesting, but taking action is paramount. The final step is putting it to work. Whether that means automating workflows, making real-time decisions, or delivering predictive insights, this is where the rubber meets the road. Agentic orchestration can enable systems to take the synthesised insights and act on them autonomously or with minimal human input. These engines bridge the gap between theory and practice, ensuring that your data doesn’t just sit idle – it drives measurable outcomes.


Leading with purpose: Insights from the Bhagavad Gita for modern managers

In a professional setting, the ability to manage emotions is crucial for success. A manager or individual who seeks gratification of ego and cannot regulate their emotions is likely to face challenges in achieving results. Actions driven by a sense of false ego can lead to conflicts, and misunderstandings, and ultimately hinder productivity. Such individuals may react impulsively rather than thoughtfully, allowing their emotions to cloud their judgment. When individuals learn to regulate their emotions and act from a place of calmness rather than chaos, they not only enhance their performance but also uplift those around them. A Sattvic approach to work fosters collaboration, creativity, and a shared sense of purpose. Conversely, when actions are driven by ego or excessive ambition (Tamsik), they often lead to stress and burnout. By embodying the teachings of the Gita—performing duties with dedication while remaining unattached to outcomes—individuals can achieve true mastery over their emotions. This mastery not only paves the way for personal success but also cultivates an environment where everyone can thrive together. While the entire Bhagavad Gita is replete with invaluable life lessons, these two shlokas stand out as particularly essential for effective management in the workplace. 


Accelerating HCM Cloud Implementation With RPA

Robotic Process Automation (RPA) provides a practical solution to streamline these processes. ... Many cloud platforms require Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), which disrupts standard login routines for bots. However, we have addressed this by programmatically enabling RPA bots to handle MFA through integration with SMS or email-based OTP services. This allows seamless automation of login processes, even with additional security layers. ... It’s essential that users are assigned the correct authorizations in an HCM cloud, with ongoing maintenance of these permissions as individuals transition within the organization. Even with a well-defined scheme in place, it’s easy for someone to be shifted into a role that they shouldn’t hold. To address this challenge, we have leveraged RPA to automate the assignment of roles, ensuring adherence to least-privilege access models. ... Integrating with HCM systems through APIs often involves navigating rate limits that can disrupt workflows. To address this challenge, we implemented robust retry logic within our RPA bots, utilizing exponential backoff to gracefully handle API rate limit errors. This approach not only minimizes disruptions but also ensures that critical operations continue smoothly.


MDM and genAI: A match made in Heaven — or something less?

Despite its promising potential, AIoT faces several hurdles. One major challenge is interoperability. Many companies use IIoT devices and platforms from different manufacturers, which are not always seamlessly compatible. This complicates the implementation of integrated AIoT solutions and necessitates standardised interfaces and protocols. IIoT platforms such as Cumulocity can integrate various services and devices. A well-chosen platform facilitates the integration of new devices, enables easy scaling, and supports the flexible adaptation of an IIoT strategy. It also allows integration with other systems and technologies, such as ERP or CRM systems, thereby embedding IIoT technologies into existing business processes. Moreover, robust platforms offer specialised security features to protect connected devices from potential cybercriminal attacks. Another critical aspect is data preparation. In IoT environments, data quality is often poorer than businesses assume. Applying AI to inadequately prepared data produces subpar models that fail to deliver expected results. ... A further challenge is the skills shortage. Developing and implementing AIoT systems requires expertise in fields such as data analysis, machine learning, and cybersecurity. The demand for skilled professionals exceeds current supply, prompting companies to invest in training and development programmes.


Enterprise Architecture and Complexity

Complex architectures are characterised by attributes that make it challenging to manage using traditional project or program management methods. These architectures often have many layers, interconnected parts, variables, and dynamics that are not immediately apparent or easily understood. Complex architectures are also unpredictable (Theiss 2023)2 due to the communication and interaction required across and between the components. Managing an architecture build and deployment requires both broad and deep understanding of the interdependencies, interactions, and inherent constraints. As increasing levels of automation are deployed at scale, greater visibility and transparency is needed to understand not only the technologies and applications in play, but also the intended and unintended consequences and behaviour that they generate. Architectural artefacts and systems documentation (even if up to date) typically show elements such as nested operational processes as simple, generalised linkages and design patterns which results in greater levels of ambiguity, not clarity. They only allow us to understand in part. As systems architectures become more complex in build, capability and scope, enhanced sense-making capabilities are needed to navigate components, to ensure a coherent, adaptive systems design. 


Misinformation Is No. 1 Global Risk, Cyberespionage in Top 5

Misinformation campaigns in the form of deepfakes, synthetic voice recordings or fabricated news stories are now a leading mechanism for foreign entities to influence "voter intentions, sow doubt among the general public about what is happening in conflict zones, or tarnish the image of products or services from another country." This is especially acute in India, Germany, Brazil and the United States. Concern remains especially high following a year of the so-called "super elections," which saw heightened state-sponsored campaigns designed to manipulate public opinion.  ... Despite growing concerns, cyber resilience continues to be inadequate especially among small and mid-sized organizations, according to the report's findings. Thirty-five percent of small organizations believe their cyber resilience is inadequate, up from 5% in 2022. Many of these organizations lack the resources to invest in advanced cybersecurity measures, leaving them increasingly vulnerable to ransomware, phishing and other attacks. Seventy-one percent of cyber leaders say small organizations have already reached a "tipping point where they can no longer adequately secure themselves against the growing complexity of cyber risks." ... On one hand, AI-powered systems are proving invaluable in identifying threats, automating responses and analyzing vast amounts of data in real time.


Cloud repatriation – how to balance repatriation effectively and securely

Regardless of the reasons for making the move away from public cloud, the road to repatriation can be complex to navigate. Whether it is technical or talent issues, financial costs or compliance challenges, businesses making the switch should be prepared to spend time planning and executing an effective strategy. Within this strategy there are three areas that require special attention: observability, compliance and employing a holistic tech stack strategy. Observability is crucial in cloud repatriation because in order to move data and applications in-house, a business must understand them and how they are being used. It is only then you can ensure a smooth and effective transition. For example, there might be Shadow IT or AI that is being used by employees to get around IT policy and help them to get their work done faster. Sometimes these technologies will store data on a cloud service, so businesses need to be aware of them before making the switch. By leveraging observability, organizations can mitigate risks, optimize their infrastructure, and achieve successful repatriation that meets their strategic objectives. Compliance is also important as it is a major focus area for European and UK regulators with new and emerging regulations like DORA and NIS2 coming to the fore.


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