Welcome to this week’s “Ten IT, Cloud and Cybersecurity News Highlights” edition by CIO Influence. In this roundup, we bring you the latest developments from the tech giants during the week. These updates offer valuable insights into the evolving digital landscape, from cybersecurity measures to technological innovations.
NVIDIA and Google Cloud Join Forces to Fuel AI Innovation for Startups
NVIDIA and Google Cloud have unveiled a collaborative effort to accelerate the development of generative AI applications and services for startups worldwide. This partnership, announced at Google Cloud Next ‘24 in Las Vegas, merges the NVIDIA Inception program and Google for Startups Cloud Program. It aims to provide startups with increased access to cloud credits, go-to-market support, and technical expertise, enabling them to deliver value to customers more efficiently.
Qualified members of NVIDIA Inception, a global program supporting over 18,000 startups, will enjoy expedited access to Google Cloud infrastructure, including up to $350,000 in Google Cloud credits for those focusing on AI. Meanwhile, the Google for Startups Cloud Program members can leverage NVIDIA Inception benefits, gaining access to technological expertise, NVIDIA Deep Learning Institute course credits, and more.
This collaboration marks the latest effort by both companies to alleviate the costs and barriers associated with developing generative AI applications. It emphasizes support for startups, which often face financial constraints in pursuing AI investments.
Also Read: Lenovo and NVIDIA Lead the Charge in AI Integration Across Industries
Adobe’s Frame.io V4 Revamps Creative Collaboration and Workflow Efficiency
Adobe launches Frame.io V4, a game-changing platform for creative collaboration. Addressing the growing demand for video content, V4 streamlines workflows, centralizes feedback and accelerates media asset delivery. The beta release is now available for Frame.io Free and Pro customers, with a full launch scheduled later this year.
Key features include advanced workflow management with dynamic metadata and Collections for flexible organization. Emery Wells, Co-Founder of Frame.io, highlights V4’s impact on creative projects, offering greater focus and efficiency.
Expanding beyond video, V4 supports photography, casting, location scouting, and marketing campaigns. Integrations with Adobe Creative Cloud tools and Workfront ensure seamless collaboration across the content supply chain.
“As the demand for all content types – from video and images to design and documents – continues to skyrocket, the needs of Frame.io’s community have evolved. Companies, brands and individuals all need one unified platform that streamlines how teams and stakeholders come together to ideate, collaborate and create, no matter the creative project. With a****** capabilities that achieve clear, centralized feedback, fewer revisions, and faster delivery of media assets, V4 is a game-changer for all creatives and production teams – offering the space for greater focus to deliver their best work.” –Emery Wells, Co-Founder of Frame.io, and VP, Creative Product Group at Adobe.
With over 4 million users globally, Frame.io continues revolutionizing content creation for leading agencies, media, and entertainment companies. From Oscar-winning films to iconic music videos, Frame.io is reshaping modern content collaboration.
CrowdStrike Bolsters Cloud Security Collaboration with Google Cloud at Next ’24
CrowdStrike has announced an expanded partnership with Google Cloud, enhancing its cloud security capabilities to combat breaches across diverse cloud environments.
As cloud intrusions surge by 75% annually and attackers become increasingly swift, organizations require a comprehensive, user-friendly, managed security solution. The collaboration integrates CrowdStrike’s Falcon XDR platform, renowned for proactive threat hunting, with Google Cloud’s AI-powered cloud services. This synergy empowers security and DevOps teams, providing the agility to thwart breaches across any cloud or vendor.
Daniel Bernard, CrowdStrike’s Chief Business Officer, emphasized the Falcon platform’s efficacy and ease of deployment, citing it as the preferred technology for breach prevention. The alliance with Google Cloud aligns with organizations’ multi-cloud strategies, expanding global accessibility to robust cloud security solutions.
Google Cloud customers gain access to CrowdStrike’s industry-leading protection via the Google Cloud Marketplace, which offers tools such as Falcon Cloud Security, Falcon LogScale, Falcon Identity Protection, and Falcon Endpoint Protection. Moreover, CrowdStrike and Google Cloud are integrating additional products to simplify usage within the CrowdStrike platform.
Also Read: Are Cloud Cost Management And Optimization (CCMO) Tools Effective?
Cognizant, Shopify, and Google Cloud Join Forces for Retail Transformation
Cognizant has unveiled a strategic alliance with Shopify and Google Cloud to revolutionize digital transformation and platform modernization for global retailers and brands. This collaboration combines Shopify’s leading commerce platform, Google Cloud’s robust cloud infrastructure, and Cognizant’s retail industry advisory and technology implementation expertise.
Driven by the imperative for retailers to adopt new technologies, enhance customer experiences, and offer personalized services, the alliance focuses on leveraging generative AI and modernizing commerce platforms. By harnessing Shopify’s commerce operating system, built on Google Cloud, alongside a comprehensive suite of Google Cloud offerings, brands gain the foundational technology required for impactful digital transformation.
Sushant Warikoo, SVP and head of Cognizant’s retail business unit emphasized the goal of unlocking advanced commerce capabilities for retailers of all sizes, addressing trends like hyper-personalized customer journeys and AI-powered shopping assistants.
Microsoft’s $2.9 Billion Investment to Boost AI and Cloud Infrastructure in Japan
Microsoft has announced a monumental investment of US$2.9 billion over the next two years to ramp up its hyperscale cloud computing and AI infrastructure in Japan. This initiative also includes expanding digital skilling programs to equip over 3 million individuals with AI expertise within the next three years. Additionally, Microsoft plans to establish its first Microsoft Research Asia lab in Japan and deepen cybersecurity collaboration with the Japanese government.
This significant investment underscores Microsoft’s commitment to accelerating Japan’s digital transformation and AI adoption, aligning with the country’s efforts to address economic challenges and stimulate growth. The announcement coincides with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s visit to the United States.
The investment aims to enhance Japan’s AI and cloud infrastructure capacity, offering advanced computing resources and supporting initiatives like the Generative AI Accelerator Challenge. Microsoft will also focus on training workers across various sectors, particularly women, developers, and students, to harness AI technologies effectively.
Also Read: Microsoft and OpenAI Join Up for $100 Billion Stargate Data Center in the U.S.
Tech Giants, Including Cisco, Indeed, Google, and Others, Aims to Upskill Workers on AI
A collaborative effort led by several tech giants and workforce ecosystem firms seeks to address the impact of AI on jobs and identify the essential skills needed for future success. The participating firms are Accenture, Cisco, Eightfold, Google, IBM, Indeed, Intel, Microsoft, and SAP.
The group, inspired by the US-EU Talent for Growth Task Force, aims to recommend reskilling and upskilling programs for various stakeholders, including students, career changers, IT workers, employers, and educators. In its initial phase, the consortium will assess the influence of AI on 56 information and communication technology jobs, offering recommendations for affected roles.
Individual members of the consortium have set ambitious goals for upskilling and reskilling initiatives. For instance, Cisco plans to train 25 million people in cybersecurity and digital skills by 2032, while IBM aims to skill 30 million individuals by 2030, focusing on AI. Similarly, Intel is committed to empowering over 30 million individuals with AI skills by 2030.
The consortium’s advisory board includes prominent organizations such as the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, DigitalEurope, and Khan Academy, highlighting the collaborative effort to address the workforce’s evolving demands in the AI age.
Apple’s Latest Apple Vision Pro for Spatial Computing in Business
Apple introduced the Apple Vision Pro, marking a new era in enterprise spatial computing. Leveraging decades of engineering innovation, Vision Pro integrates hardware, software, and AI to enable powerful spatial experiences. Features include an ultra-high-resolution display system, custom Apple silicon, and advanced machine-learning capabilities.
Enterprise developers can create intuitive spatial experiences supported by visionOS, which controls natural inputs like eyes, hands, and voice. The platform enables businesses to reinvent workspaces, enhance productivity, and revolutionize collaboration. SAP Analytics Cloud and Microsoft 365 productivity apps are among the first to leverage Vision Pro’s capabilities, enhancing data analysis and multitasking.
Vision Pro also facilitates design and collaboration processes, allowing for detailed visualization of 3D content and immersive renderings. Apps like Porsche Race Engineer and Lowe’s Style Studio demonstrate the platform’s versatility in various industries.
Moreover, Vision Pro enhances training and simulation with interactive experiences, as seen in KLM Royal Dutch Airlines’ Engine Shop app. Resolve’s Guided Work app streamlines information access for maintenance workers, optimizing construction project lifecycles. Apple Vision Pro promises to transform industries, offering innovative solutions for businesses worldwide.
Gemini for Google Cloud Transforming AI Integration
Google introduces Gemini for Google Cloud, integrating generative AI throughout its product portfolio to empower developers, enhance data insights, and navigate security challenges. Gemini offers enterprise-grade AI capabilities with robust security controls and industry-leading availability.
- Gemini Code Assist: Evolving from Duet AI for Developers, Gemini Code Assist aids developers in building higher velocity and quality applications. It supports private codebases across various repositories. Features include full codebase awareness and code customization, with integrations for seamless access to multiple source-code repositories.
- Gemini Cloud Assist: Facilitating application lifecycle management, Gemini Cloud Assist offers goal-driven design, guided operations, and tailored optimizations, accessible through a chat interface in the Google Cloud console.
- Gemini in Security Operations: Elevating security operations, Gemini in Security Operations integrates with Chronicle to detect, investigate, and respond to threats efficiently. It features assisted investigation and new AI capabilities across the security portfolio.
- Gemini in BigQuery: In preview, Gemini in BigQuery enhances data analytics with AI-powered data preparation, query recommendations, and semantic search, enabling multi-modal analysis with direct access to AI models in Vertex AI.
- Gemini in Looker: Introducing Conversational Analytics and new capabilities in public preview, Gemini in Looker accelerates insights generation and report creation, making business data engagement effortless.
- Gemini in Databases: Simplifying database development and management; Gemini in Databases offers AI-powered assistance for SQL generation, fleet management, and database migrations, ensuring optimal performance and security.
- Enterprise-Ready Solution: Gemini for Google Cloud prioritizes data security and privacy, offering shared fate, data control, and responsible deployment features to meet enterprise needs.
Also Read: Meet the 2024 Google Cloud Partner of the Year Award Winners
MessageGears and Snowflake Join Forces to Revolutionize Data Cloud Applications
MessageGears, the premier cross-channel engagement platform for major consumer brands, has collaborated with Snowflake, the Data Cloud Company. Using Snowpark Container Services (public preview), MessageGears will run within Snowflake, enabling marketers to execute campaigns directly within the Data Cloud with increased timeliness, security, and flexibility.
Taylor Jones, Chief Customer Officer at MessageGears, emphasized the significance of this partnership, stating, “This is a real game changer for consumer brands on the Snowflake platform.” By leveraging Snowpark Container Services, marketers can utilize MessageGears without data ever leaving Snowflake, empowering them to work with larger datasets more efficiently and securely.
Key benefits of MessageGears running within Snowflake include:
- No Data Mapping: Analyze, model, and harness data securely within the Snowflake account environment.
- Fully Managed Environment: Enjoy maintenance-free infrastructure with minimal effort in creating clusters for service applications.
- Integrated Security: Benefit from Snowflake’s robust security features, ensuring applications adhere to Snowflake’s security model.
- Zero Data Movement: Services operate directly on data within Snowflake, eliminating the need for data movement and ensuring seamless, secure connections.
Oracle Unveils DTrace 2.0.0-1.14 for Linux Systems
Oracle has released DTrace 2.0.0-1.14, marking a significant advancement in integrating DTrace into Linux systems. Originally a Solaris feature coveted by Linux developers, DTrace has evolved alongside Linux’s native tracing capabilities with Oracle’s ongoing support. This latest iteration builds upon the Linux kernel tracing functionality akin to BPF.
Over the past decade, Oracle has diligently worked on bringing DTrace to Linux. While Linux’s native tracing abilities have progressed, DTrace 2.0 now operates solely as a standalone user-space application, capitalizing on the kernel’s native capabilities.
DTrace 2.0.0-1.14 implements the IO provider, the print() action, and various other functions, alongside numerous bug fixes and enhancements. Oracle’s release announcement highlights its feature completeness compared to the earlier kernel-based implementation, DTrace for Linux 1.2.
According to Oracle, this latest version is based on BPF and other Linux kernel tracing features and functions entirely as a userspace application. While it can trace on any Linux kernel, providing BPF-based tracing and BTF type data, enhanced functionality requires two optional kernel patches.
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