Badge Inc., the award-winning privacy company enabling Identity without Secrets, has announced a partnership with Cisco Duo to revolutionise Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) with the industry's first hardware-independent roaming MFA solution. With this unique integration, Duo and Badge are setting new standards for what's possible in secure, efficient, and user-friendly identity and authentication solutions.

MFA is an important security tool to combat unauthorised account access, however, it is not infallible. Traditional hardware-based MFA is high friction, can disrupt operations, and the resulting employee workarounds significantly increase the attack surface for security breaches.

Additionally, the two-factor authentication (2FA) market is becoming increasingly commoditised with the service now being included in popular applications from large technology providers . Per year, 16 billion authentications pass through Cisco's Duo Authenticator product the vast majority of which are virtual and remote desktop authentications requiring users to be in possession of a second device which is not always available or allowed depending on the environment.

This has created a large, unsolved market need that Badge is uniquely positioned to address.

Badge enables Cisco Duo to unlock new identity and authentication use cases while reducing friction and enabling seamless, password-less enrolment using verifiable credentials (VCs). Badge leverages the initial identity verification (IDV) enrolment, and from there the user can authenticate to access this credential anywhere, anytime, on any device. There is no need for repeat IDVs throughout the user lifetime journey, which reduces user frustration and increases cost-effectiveness for Cisco Duo.

"With Badge's novel privacy-preserving authentication, Cisco Duo users can access any device or application without storing user secrets or private keys," stated Dr. Tina P Srivastava, Co-founder of Badge. "This eliminates the friction and cost burdens associated with traditional MFA methods like tokens and repeated phone re-registration.

Additionally, by removing reliance on physical devices and insecure account recovery processes, Badge and Duo are raising the bar, making it harder for attackers to gain unauthorised access."

As Cisco Duo posted in their blog announcing the new Badge and Duo integration, when users are in device-not-present situations, like when a mobile phone required for an MFA push is lost, broken, or unavailable, the fallback is usually a phishable, high friction account recovery process.

Not only is this bad for the user experience, but it's bad for security too - as account recovery is increasingly becoming the front door for attackers and phishing. Recent high-profile attacks in healthcare and entertainment demonstrate this growing threat. In the piece, "Badge Integration with Cisco Duo Delivers Ultimate Hardware-less MFA Experience," Cisco Duo's blog points out that Badge eliminates disruptions and the need for account recovery, significantly reducing the risk of fraud.

"Duo can also operate as a certified passkey provider leveraging Badge - extending the password-less capabilities of Duo," said Ginger Leishman, Technology Partnerships Manager, Cisco Duo. "Unlike other passkey models, the Badge integration with Duo does not require users to cede trust of their key trees or login credentials to a centralised authority."

She also expanded on how Duo users leveraging the Badge passkey implementation benefit from a trust model where users can establish key provenance and maintain control over their authentication keys, enhancing security and privacy. Again, with Badge, users enrolls once, and may access their passkeys on any device (including across Apple, Microsoft and Google ecosystems).

With today's announcement, Cisco is the latest member of Badge's partner network, which also includes marquee identity partners, Okta/Auth0, Radiant Logic and Ping Identity.

An interview wi...

Cork College of FET celebrated the fifth iteration of the Female Leadership Development Programme (FLDP) to nurture female leadership from entry level and beyond.

Fifteen Dell Technologies team members graduated from the programme this year. This brings to over 100 the number of Dell team members who have graduated from the programme since its creation in 2019.

The FLDP graduates achieved the Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM) Level 4 Certificate in Leadership and Management. This internationally recognised qualification is part of the Cork College of FET Skills to Advance offering to companies. Skills to Advance is a SOLAS initiative which provides subsidised upskilling for companies and those in employment.

The FLDP was co-designed by the Skills to Advance Team in Cork College of FET and a cross functional team in Dell Technologies. It covers a range of topics including how to implement change in the workplace, managing remote workers and developing effective leadership styles. Through this custom-designed programme participants develop a deeper understanding of leadership job roles and responsibilities.

Colman O'Sullivan, Colman O'Flynn, Vice President of Strategic Transformation and Cork Site Lead at Dell Technologies Ireland, said:

"For Dell Technologies, empowering women in leadership is more than a commitment - it's a cornerstone of our vision for an inclusive workforce. That's why we're proud to celebrate the graduation of over 100 of our talented employees from the Female Leadership Development Programme rolled out by Cork College of FET over the past five years.

Through the knowledge and skills gained in the programme, we can further strengthen the pipeline for women in leadership and ensure different perspectives are brought forward to drive innovation."

New research from Boundless, a leading global Employer of Record (EOR) platform that helps companies with their distributed workforce, reveals that the UK and Ireland rank among the top 10 European countries when it comes to the lowest employment costs and they also offer some of the highest take-home pay for workers (based on an annual salary of €60,000).

This expansive 32-country European study assessed the financial realities on both sides of the hiring equation, spotlighting major variations across nations in terms of employers costs and take-home pay for staff. The analysis found the UK and Ireland as an extremely attractive combination with relatively low overheads in hiring for employers, and competitive net income for workers.

"Our Decoding Employment Costs in Europe comes at a crucial time as companies across Europe grapple with managing distributed workforces and deciding where and how to employ talent," says Dee Coakley, CEO at Boundless, an Employer of Record employing people on behalf of customers in 25 countries.

"The study shines a light on the complex interplay between employment costs and take-home pay. It's a starting point for recruiters, CFOs, and other key decision makers looking to develop more informed talent investment strategies on how and where to hire talent across the continent."

To illustrate the differences clearly, Boundless used the instructive €60,000 benchmark salary across all of the countries examined. Through the analysis of data across a variety of job functions and geographies, this salary point provided a well-balanced yardstick for comparison.

Key insights from the report:

Ireland (€66,630 fully loaded employment cost on a €60,000 gross salary) ranks 6th and the UK (€67,099 or £57,483) ranks 7th in costs, putting both in the top 10 lowest employment costs. Ireland ranks 9th for take home pay (€43,203 net pay), while the UK ranks 5th (€46,236 or £39,610).

The most affordable nation in terms of employment costs is Lithuania (€61,074 total cost for €60,000 salary), while the most expensive is Austria (€88,618).

Major Western European economies like Germany (€74,724), the Netherlands (€83,140), and France (€86,707) all report relatively high employment costs for businesses at this salary point.

Employees in Bulgaria on €60,000 take home the most net pay at €51,239. Employees in Iceland take home the least at €30,525.

Portugal, a hugely popular remote work destination, ranks low in terms of employee take-home pay. Workers earning €60,000 gross only bring home €33,800 after taxes and deduction.

The Nordic countries show major variance in net pay for €60,000 gross income. While Iceland deducts nearly 50% leaving employees with just €30,525, Norway (€42,068) deducts a more moderate 30%.

Discussing the key findings of the study, Dee Coakley said, "The report shows the two-English speaking countries make a lot of financial sense for companies building distributed teams in Europe. The lower employment costs free up a lot of room in the budget. Businesses can use those savings strategically - whether it's attracting talent or investing in growth."

"From an employee perspective, there's also a financial draw," Dee continues. "The higher take-home pay compared to other European countries could make a real difference in buying power and lifestyle. Now, it's true - living expenses are higher in the UK and Ireland than some other parts of Europe. But even when you take that into account, the numbers still show some appealing financial perks for workers as well as businesses when compared to countries such as Portugal, Austria, or France."

The study sheds light on just how much regional variations are within the same continent with 27 of the countries also being EU members. Those may need to factor into talent mobility decisions across borders. For instance, an employee may be attracted to a particular location, only to realise the take-home pay they will receive even on the same salary will differ.

T...

Sony has launched the ZV-E10 II, the second generation of the top selling mirrorless ZV-E10 camer. The original ZV-E10 is a staple in Sony's ZV content creation camera series, designed to provide an easy, compact, and versatile tool for content creators of any level.

The new ZV-E10 II maintains all the features creators love about the original, such as Creative Looks, Product Showcase Setting, Background Defocus function and the vari-angle flip screen and builds on it to increase sophistication and ease of use.

The ZV-E10 II 's internal hardware has been improved from its predecessor with an upgraded 26 megapixel (MP) (approx. effective) Exmor R CMOS sensor and adoption of Sony's latest BIONZ XR image processing engine.

A few additional updates to this model include improved autofocus and video capturing capabilities: Cinematic Vlog Setting, a new vertical format user interface (UI), an upgraded large-capacity battery Sony Z battery for improved stamina and improved connectivity for easy live streaming and data transfer. It is compact and lightweight, and fits into a creator's hand with ease, weighing in at approximately 377 grams.

In addition, the E PZ 16-50MM F3.5-5.6 OSS II is announced, a compact APS-C power zoom lens which will be available separately or as part of the ZV-E10 II 's lens kit. The upgraded kit lens is lightweight and offers improved autofocus (AF) and video performance compared to the first-generation model.

"From the beginning, the goal of the Sony ZV line was to create cameras that produced high-quality results while being extremely easy to use. Today, the ZV line continues to uphold that standard, but we're taking it a step further," says Yann Salmon Legagneur, Head of IP&S Marketing, Sony Europe.

"Our aim with the advancements of the ZV-E10 II is to inspire creators to develop or recreate their own unique style through features like personalised Creative Looks and Cinematic Vlog Setting. We are committed to continually evolving our technology to help creators of all skill levels bring their visions to life."

Create Your Own Photos and Video Aesthetics

The ZV-E10 II features two key functions designed to produce premium-looking content straight from the camera, Creative Looks and Cinematic Vlog Setting. When shooting videos and still images, users can instantly enhance their images by selecting from ten Creative Look options: Standard (ST), Portrait (PT), Neutral (NT), Vivid (VV), Vivid 2 (VV2), Film (FL), Instant (IN), Soft Highkey (SH), Black & White (BW), and Sepia (SE).

Each of these looks are further customisable and can be edited through eight different parameters, allowing creators to fine-tune their content. Once customised, a creator can save six personal custom styles directly is camera for easy and reuse.

The ZV-E10 II allows creators to producer premium, cinematic video content with a single touch using the Cinematic Vlog Setting. This feature automatically adjusts the aspect ratio, frame rate, and AF transition speed to optimal settings for cinematic video capture.

Additionally, Creators can enhance their footage by selecting from five "Looks" such as S-Cinetone that enhances skin tones, and applying one of four "Moods"iv, that emphasise specific colours, offering extensive options to maximise creative expression.

Key Camera Specifications

759-point Focal Plane Phase-detection AF with Real-time Eye AF for Human/Animal/Bird and Real-time Tracking

Backside illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor offering an ideal combination of high sensitivity and low noise with an ISO range from 100 to 32000

APS-C interchangeable lens camera compatible with over 70 Sony E-mount lenses

High-speed readout, 5.6K oversampling compresses a vast amount of information into stunning 4K footage at up to 60p

Active Mode electronic image stabilisation employs a precision gyroscope and advanced algorithm to accurately measure and compensate for camera shake, providing highly effective stabilisation without sacrificing mobili...

Dana Carney, a visionary young innovator from Claremorris, has been honoured with the prestigious European Junior Regional Winner award at the Technovation Global Celebrations for her groundbreaking project, 'Secure Hands.' The Technovation Global Celebrations recognise young innovators from around the world who use technology to solve real-world problems. With nearly 11,000 girls from 69 countries creating 3,200 tech-based solutions to community problems, this year was especially competitive.

Dana's achievement shines a spotlight on her innovative approach to bridging the communication gap for Ireland's deaf community during emergencies.

Ireland's emergency services are renowned for their exceptional ability to handle a myriad of languages, ensuring effective communication across diverse linguistic needs. However, the deaf community, which relies exclusively on Irish Sign Language (ISL), faces a significant disadvantage. In moments of crisis, the absence of ISL knowledge among most emergency service providers leaves ISL users vulnerable and underserved.

Dana's project, 'Secure Hands,' addresses this critical issue through the power of technology. By leveraging advanced machine learning, Secure Hands equips emergency responders with the tools to learn and interpret ISL swiftly and accurately. This transformative solution not only enhances the capabilities of emergency personnel but also ensures that ISL users receive the same level of urgent care and support as the broader population.

Dana worked on her project coding her app and creating her business plans at Teen-Turn's after school sessions in Mount Saint Michael Secondary School in Claremorris with teacher and Teen-Turn lead mentor Stephanie Hogan, facilitated by Iseult Mangan, Teen-Turn's regional manager in the area.

Dana also received support while coding her app from industry and academic volunteers through Teen-Turn's online support and at this year's in-person Super Sessions at Genesys in Galway and the Ideas Lab in the University of Galway.

Dana says "Working on my project with Teen-Turn was an incredible experience. Their sessions guided me from the initial idea stage to coding a functional app. I loved visiting Genesys in Galway, where I collaborated with volunteers and coding experts. Additionally, visiting the Ideas Lab at the University of Galway provided invaluable support for the business aspects of my project".

"I am deeply honoured to receive the European Junior Regional Winner award at the Technovation Global Celebrations," Dana expressed. "Secure Hands is more than just a project; it is a mission to ensure that no one in our community is left without help in their most critical moments. This recognition motivates me to continue working towards a future where emergency services are inclusive and accessible to all."

Secure Hands is set to revolutionise the way emergency services and front line workers interact with the deaf community, ensuring that language barriers do not impede life-saving interventions. As Dana continues to develop and refine her app, her work promises to pave the way for a more inclusive and responsive emergency response system in Ireland and beyond.

Joanne Dolan, Technovation's Ambassador in Ireland added, "with the largest number of submissions from Ireland ever, and 9 of those entries reaching the global semi-finals, we already had a banner year, but seeing Dana's project go on to be awarded the Junior Category prize for all of Europe, well that's the icing on the cake."

See more stories here.

We look at the new JBL LIVE BEAM 3 one of a series of new gadgets from the JBL team. See more about the product here on their website.

JBL LIVE BEAM 3 reviewed

Our testers were quite happy to hear that they had another JBL product to review. Their general consensus was that previous gear had been pretty good so they were curious to see if this trend was continued with these ear buds also.

The case has a good feel and solidity to it. Charging was straight forward, and the ear buds themselves seem to hold the charge for multiple days before needing to be recharged, and, as you will see from the product blurb, the case itself also contributes to the charge of the devices.

From a big picture perspective earbuds will still be earbuds. By this we mean that they can still fall out, and often at the most inopportune times, like on a ferry for example. Thankfully we didn't lose either of these ones, and there are different rubber rings to help you try and find the best fit, but, earbuds are still a slightly tricky thing to keep in, attached to your body.

Maybe this is just an old school observation, but you do need to perhaps decide if headphones, or earbuds are the right choice for you from the get go.

With this proviso, these earbuds performed very well. The sound quality is great, and the adaptive noise cancelling in particular really worked well. Going back to the, how does it work on a ferry testing, the JBL Live Beam 3 performed really well, making a noticeable difference in dialing down the roar of the ferries engines. This feature was particularly popular with the testers.

Overall it was a definite thumbs up for this product. Cheaper than some, but delivering a good quality audio experience.

More about the device here

HI-RES AUDIO WIRELESS WITH JBL SIGNATURE SOUND

The JBL Live Beam 3's 10mm dynamic drivers are powered by JBL Signature Sound. Each driver is perfectly tuned to deliver deep bass, balanced mid-range, and refined high frequencies - all at any volume level. JBL Spatial Sound makes you feel like you're at a concert as the sound comes from virtually everywhere around you.

CONVENIENT SMART CHARGING CASE FOR APP-FREE CONTROL

You can customize every aspect of your JBL Live Beam 3 earbuds with the 1.45-inch touchscreen display on your Smart Charging Case. The display gives you full control of your sound on any devices - laptop, TV, smartphones, or tablets -, without needing to access the JBL App on your smartphone.

TRUE ADAPTIVE NOISE CANCELLING WITH CUSTOM CONTROL

Tune out the outside world entirely or customize just how much ambient sound you decide to let in, with four noise-sensing mics that automatically adapt to your surroundings in real time. The audio compensation filter in the JBL Headphones App even allows you to customize and fine-tune the Adaptive Noise Cancelling level to your ear canal's unique shape.

Get customized sound without ever looking at your phone. Use the controls on the Smart Charging Case of the JBL Live Beam 3 true wireless noise-cancelling earbuds with Hi-Res Audio to customize all their features without opening the JBL app on your device. Adjust volume and EQ, control your music, take phone calls, see messages - you can even customize the screensaver with your favorite photos.

And that's before you even get to enjoy the monumental JBL Signature Sound of the Live Beam 3 earbuds themselves. Best-in-class True Adaptive Noise Cancelling tunes out distractions.

JBL Spatial Sound makes movies and music truly immersive. And if you have to take a call, 6 mics ensure perfect sound quality even in the noisiest surroundings. All this plus a 48-hour charge: 12 hours in the buds* and another 36 in the case - and they can charge wirelessly. The charging case features a loop to attach a lanyard for even more convenience. Great sound has never been simpler. (*with ANC off)

See more reviews here.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. has announced the new Galaxy Ring, Galaxy Watch7 and Galaxy Watch Ultra, expanding the power of Galaxy AI to more people through wearables designed to provide end-to-end wellness experiences for everyone.

These new additions to the wearables portfolio are central to Samsung's vision for Galaxy AI to enhance digital health, delivering personalised insights and tailored health experiences that enable a more comprehensive understanding of one's self through a holistic approach to everyday wellness.

Obtaining accurate, detailed, and advanced information on personal health is a key factor in this process, and Samsung's accumulated sensor innovations on Galaxy Ring, Galaxy Watch7 and Galaxy Watch Ultra are helping bring its vision to life.

Galaxy Ring delivers a straight-forward approach to wellness, offering health monitoring, tracking, and personalised insights while worn comfortably on a finger, even while asleep. Galaxy Watch7 maximises everyday wellness with personalised workouts along with intelligent and preventative health monitoring capabilities. Galaxy Watch Ultra - the newest addition to the Galaxy Watch lineup - is Samsung's most capable smartwatch yet, designed for next-level achievements.

"Current data shows consumers want more control over their health and wellbeing, with nearly half of the UK wanting to be able to track their health and sleep data on a regular basis, turning to technology to achieve this", said James Kitto, Vice President and Head of MX, Samsung UK & Ireland.

"We're proud to not only be extending our Galaxy Watch range to open up new possibilities for our customers' wellness journey, but also by announcing Galaxy Ring - our smallest-ever wearable, discreetly designed to allow our customers to monitor their health, wellness and sleep 24/7."

Galaxy Watch7: Comprehensive Understanding Of Everyday Wellness

Galaxy Watch7 is designed to help users gain a holistic understanding of themselves. Galaxy Watch7 motivates users to create healthier days with more ways to support everyday wellness. Users can accurately track over 100 workouts and build routines by combining various exercises with Workout Routine to achieve their goals. With Race, compare current and past performance in real time to track progress and maintain motivation.

Receive a complete body and fitness snapshot with Body Composition for a comprehensive understanding of your body.

In addition to the new advanced AI algorithm for sleep analysis, Galaxy Watch7 offers a deeper understanding of your heart health with Electrocardiogram (ECG) and Blood Pressure (BP) monitoring.

These advanced, in-depth monitoring and tailored insights are made possible thanks to Samsung's most innovative hardware onGalaxy Watch7. An enhanced BioActive Sensor offers increased accuracy, empowering users to better understand themselves with comprehensive readings. For the first time, Galaxy Watch7 allows users to conveniently track advanced glycation end products (AGEs) right from their wrist with an AGEs Index.

Strongly influenced by diet and lifestyle, AGEs reflect a user's overall biological aging process and provides an indication of metabolic health.

Equipped with the most powerful chip in the Galaxy Watch line-up, and for the first time a 3nm Processor, Galaxy Watch7 delivers a more seamless wearable experience with three times faster CPU and 30% improved power efficiency of application processor. In addition, Galaxy Watch7 is the first Galaxy smartwatch to feature a Dual-frequency GPS system, which can more precisely track location even in dense urban environments, enabling users to conquer wherever they are.

Featuring Samsung's iconic circle design, Galaxy Watch7 allows users to match their personal style with new watch bands, including a ripple shape design and colourful stitch details, along with a variety of watch faces. Galaxy Watch7 also brings more intuitive and seamless experiences between connected Galaxy devices. Answer m...

Guest post by Dominic Ashley-Timms and Laura Ashley-Timms, co-authors of the new management bestseller The Answer is a Question.

Absence anxiety is a very real problem. Research shows that over 50% of managers globally feel burnt out, which is why it's so important that, as a leader, you feel able to down tools and fully relax for at least some time this summer.

Leadership tips for a guilt-free summer holiday

That's easier said than done. It can be difficult to fully switch off from work. It's no wonder that one study found half of all respondents admitted to 'sometimes' checking their emails on holiday, while 27% said they look at them 'often'.

Absence anxiety can be a sign that you care deeply about your work; but for line managers, it's often because they bear the weight of responsibility for their teams. But taking a break from work is vital for good mental health and can actually improve your work performance. A study by US researcher Elizabeth Scott found that three days after a holiday, travellers felt well-rested, less anxious, and in a better mood.

While it's normal to feel a touch of anxiety as you power down your laptop and set off for the airport, it's important to be able to let go of the reins. The best way to do this is to build a workplace that functions without you, at least for a period of time.

Management should enable employees to perform their jobs to the best of their abilities, not only when under direction. From an employee's point of view, it's dispiriting to have a manager micromanage your every move, which is likely to lead to disengagement. For managers, being able to trust in their teams is better in the long run too, because they can spend less time bogged down in the micro-details of the day-to-day, and more time on the higher-value aspects of their roles instead.

So, how do you avoid falling into the trap of being a 'command-and-control' manager who tells employees what to do instead of enabling them to find solutions for themselves? You can start by learning to adopt more of an enquiry-led approach to management in three simple steps:

1. STOP and bite your lip.

When a team member comes to you with a problem, it can be tempting to simply give them a solution and send them away. This may work in the short term, but in the long term, all they've learned is that you can 'fix' problems for them. So instead of answering, STOP, take a mental breath. This will give you a valuable few moments to THINK about how best to respond in a way that's more helpful to them.

2. Ask powerful questions.

How do you encourage your team to start problem-solving? The secret is to ASK them questions intended to stimulate their own thinking. Simple questions like 'What do you think?', 'Can you tell me more?' or 'What makes you think this?' help employees think their way around a problem. It also shows them their opinions are valid, helping them grow in confidence. This approach doesn't just benefit employees but the whole business.

Successful companies work collaboratively from the bottom up by tapping into the diverse experience and expertise of the entire workforce.

3. Give appreciative feedback.

Another management 'trap' is only giving feedback when it's needed. If you've helped someone to achieve a RESULT from taking an action on their own, make it a point to give them some appreciative feedback. Regularly making the effort to give feedback normalises the process and fosters open and honest conversations between the manager and employee. It also helps both of you identify strengths to build on.

That way, performance appraisals become part of the ordinary working day rather than something to be feared. This focus on continuous improvement is a powerful tool for helping employees be their best selves.

Integrating these three simple habits into your everyday management practices helps create an inclusive, solutions-led working environment that will ensure your department runs smoothly, not just when you're on holiday ...

Guest post by Chris Griffiths and Caragh Medlicott are the authors of The Focus Fix: Finding clarity, creativity and resilience in an overwhelming world out now, Kogan Page.

Why creativity will be your career superpower in the age of AI

Job security is something almost all of us will have had concerns about at one point or other. After all, it's hard to focus on doing a good job when you're worried that your role might be at risk. In our modern age, this is a concern that has become relevant to an increasing number of people.

The Focus Fix

In the last few years, we have seen the prevalence of AI grow more and more significant. As its abilities scale and its ubiquity increases, it's only natural that many individuals have begun to wonder if there's anything AI can't do - and what that might mean for their job, and even their industry as a whole.

Undoubtedly, this is a reasonable concern. Reports have abounded that AI may replace the equivalent of 300 million jobs in the future, which is certainly a number not to be sniffed at. Yet, such predictions come alongside projections for job transformation - with much to suggest AI may actually create more occupations than it eradicates as time goes by.

Job transformation has often been the outcome of technological advancements historically. Whether that be during the boon of the industrial revolution or entrance into the computer-powered age of the latter twentieth century. Still, the power and speed with which AI is disrupting the workplace can be unnerving, but it's important to keep in mind the key advantage we as human beings still have over AI.

So, what is this magical human skill you ask? Well, the answer may initially trigger scepticism - because I'm here to tell you that creativity is the career superpower which gives us an edge over machine learning. Of course, there are a few reasons why you may be doubtful - at least initially.

This is because - while AI cannot be creative in a true sense - it does have the ability to display creative behaviours. It can produce imitative pieces of artwork or fiction much quicker than a human. Given such machine-learning tools can, for example, produce a piece of art in the style of Van Gogh in a matter of moments, this may give the false impression that it matches the creative ability of the artist - but that's not so.

This is because AI would not be able to produce such work without the humans who first trailblazed the new impressionist style which brought us artists such as Van Gogh in the first place. Put another way, AI is only as creative and capable as the data it's trained on - information that (crucially) comes from human output.

Without this information AI would not be helpful, and if all artists were to cease innovating from this point onwards, we would never advance into new epochs of artistic style and revelation.

Instead, the strength of AI lies in its ability to juggle, arrange and make useful large amounts of data (something it can store at a level unfathomable to humans). In the future, this may indeed outstrip the ability of humans in certain ways. For example, an AI tool may be able to run through a list of potential ailments of illnesses quicker than a human doctor.

However, that still wouldn't give it the ability to think more abstractly about how a rare disease had combined with another to produce an unconventional set of symptoms or present in an uncommon way. And it certainly couldn't offer the empathy, reassurance and quality of connection that a human doctor is capable of.

Ultimately, this is the case because AI has no subjective understanding of the world. It might be able to replicate an artist style or help with a medical diagnosis, but it has no personal experience of being moved by a work of art or being stuck down by illness. Our own conscious perspective is one of the crucial things which gives us our creative ability.

Our lives are foregrounded in a personal emotional climate, by the memory which feeds our...

Applications to MakeITcircular must be in by October 3, 2024 with the top prize of €3000

MakeITcircular is the contest that promotes the Circular Consumption Charter and the values of recycling, reuse and co-design. Shifting from a linear to a "circular economy" model is the key to enabling economic growth that respects material and natural resources and to making a contribution to protecting against climate change, which the planet has pledged to halt by 2050.

In order to practise and encourage "circular consumption" and promote the transition from a culture of waste to a culture of recycling and reuse, the "Circular Consumption Charter" was created: Ideas to inform the major choices that climate change and ecological transition imposes on us and to affirm a fairer society and economy. Check out the rules and last year's winners below.

Maker Faire Rome returns

Every idea counts, every idea can make a difference!

Apply now to MakeITCircular 2024 contest by October 3rd!

The MakeITcircular contest will reward the best ideas that are in line with the principles of the Charter and promote its dissemination and the involvement of different actors in its implementation.

In particular, they are seeking projects that aim to:

raise awareness of the environmental impacts of products and the industrial processes that generate them;

• promote knowledge of the concepts of "circularity" and the "environmental footprint" of products/services;

• overcome the "disposable" approach, in consumption and production, by promoting values of durability, sharing, repair, repurposing and reuse of products and material resources;

• involve consumers in defining the "circularity" characteristics of products, helping them to become aware that their behaviour in the use and post-use phase can influence that characteristic.

Natural persons of age, Italian or foreign, companies, bodies, associations, foundations, and/or other legal entities, can participate.

All projects submitted through Maker Faire Rome 2024's Call for Makers in the "circular economy" category are also entitled to participate in the contest.

The Prizes

The Evaluation Committee will identify a winning project and assign two honorable mentions, a third mention will be assigned by the Assoutenti Association.

The prizes, in cash, will be, respectively:

Winning project: 3,000.00 (three thousand/00) euros

Honorable mention n. 1: 1,000.00 (one thousand/00) euros

Honorable mention n. 2: 1,000.00 (one thousand/00) euros

Antonietta Boselli Special Mention: Euro 1,000.00 (one thousand/00) - this mention is managed and assigned directly by the Assoutenti Association.

Winners of the 2023 Edition of the MakeITcircular Contest

FIRST PLACE: IOTILIZE uses data to revolutionize waste collection. It is the first service in Italy for monitoring the quantities of industrial waste, applicable to each container. This helps improve the way you collect waste, increasing interventions up to 30% with the simplest and most reliable service on the market.

SECOND PLACE: iGREEN COVER

iGreen Gadgets has created a compostable iPhone cases that grow basil, daisies, and forget-me-nots when the user plants and recycles them instead of discarding them after use. The inside part of the compostable iPhone cover has a water-soluble protective film, and when it gets diluted or decomposed, the rack of seeds behind it spills the grains of basil, daisies, and forget-me-nots on its own. via designboom

THIRD PLACE: Nuova Vita Al Sottoprodotto Cartone E Non Solo

The CARTONECO "REGIONAL" APEA project aims to achieve symbiosis and sustainable industrial and technological development, in order to implement circular economy processes aimed at all the possible synergies that can be activated in several sectoral areas in order to guarantee the maximum effectiveness of the strategy of development of the APEA.

Starting from FSC certified by-products such as cardboard, MDF and chipboard, new innovative products are created and manufactured, ...