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How Regulatory Approval of ETFs Sparked Bitcoin’s 150% Growth

logancooperla — Tue, 24 Dec 2024 16:43:07 +0000

Understanding Bitcoin ETFs and Why They Matter

An ETF is a tradable security that replicates the series of an asset or group of assets. This allows for investors to get exposure to, in this case, BTC without needing to hold or own the cryptocurrency. This makes it way much easier for institutional investors and participants in traditional markets who would be more cautious in dealing with the intricacies of digital wallet management or securing the cryptocurrency.

The fact that ETFs have received regulatory approval is a new degree of trust and legitimacy in Bitcoin. Such funds would ultimately assure investors that regulators had cleared the asset to meet financial regulations, which is a ripple effect that causes participation to grow more and demand to rise.

Bitcoin Regulation to Drive Growth

Approval of Bitcoin ETFs is dependent on meeting regulatory standards. Clear guidelines by regulatory bodies ensure that these financial products meet security, transparency, and investor protection requirements. When such approvals occur, they instill confidence not only in the crypto space but also in its potential to be integrated into the traditional financial system.

While Bitcoin regulations in many cases do not provide for price increases, per se, in this event they have played a massive role. The ETFs represent the green light toward their broader adoption that was envisioned by investors, hence pushing up demand to hoist prices.

Key Factors Behind the BTC Price Surge

Several factors have contributed to Bitcoin’s bull run, with ETF approval being one of the most significant.

Institutional Interest
Approval of ETFs made it easier for institutional investors to access Bitcoin. Hedge funds, pension funds, and other large financial entities entered the market, bringing substantial capital with them.
Increased Demand
ETFs simplify Bitcoin investment for retail investors, fueling demand among those who had previously been hesitant to participate.
Market Sentiment
Regulatory approval created a sense of optimism, encouraging existing investors to increase their holdings.
Media Coverage
The approval process attracted widespread media attention, amplifying public interest and driving even more participation.
Global Influence
Approval of ETFs in major markets influenced investor behavior worldwide, creating a ripple effect across the crypto market.

Comparing Pre- and Post-ETF Approval Bitcoin Prices

The table below illustrates Bitcoin’s price before and after significant ETF approvals in 2023.

Date	Event	BTC Price (USD)	Percentage Increase
January 1, 2023	Before any approval	$16,500	–
June 15, 2023	First major approval	$24,000	45%
December 1, 2023	Widespread adoption	$41,250	71.9%

This table demonstrates how each approval created momentum, with prices rising significantly following regulatory decisions.

Long-Term Implications of ETF Approvals

The approval of Bitcoin ETFs has broader implications for the crypto market. It has created a bridge between traditional finance and cryptocurrencies, encouraging regulators to develop clearer frameworks for other digital assets. This trend benefits the entire market, fostering innovation and adoption.

At the same time, the growing presence of institutional investors creates stability. These participants bring liquidity and long-term strategies, reducing the volatility typically associated with cryptocurrencies. While price swings still occur, they tend to be less extreme when institutional players are involved.

Challenges and Considerations

Meanwhile, obstacles remain: many regulators have not given any approval, and jurisdictional differences lead to inconsistency and uncertainty. Also, institutional control over Bitcoin raises many long-term questions about its decentralization ethos.

Nevertheless, the endorsement of ETFs shows that crypto market regulation is the key to realizing the full potential of Bitcoin. As more countries do the same, we can expect Bitcoin to gain even greater traction in mainstream financial markets.

The regulatory green light given to Bitcoin ETFs has shaped the crypto market, catapulting the price upwards 150% over the past year. In fact, such products opened the door for wider adoption and growth due to ease of access to the market and, more importantly, a seal of approval from regulators.

Researchers Uncover PyPI Packages Stealing Keystrokes and Hijacking Social Accounts

logancooperla — Tue, 24 Dec 2024 16:33:51 +0000

Dec 24, 2024Ravie LakshmananMalware / Data Exfiltration

Cybersecurity researchers have flagged two malicious packages that were uploaded to the Python Package Index (PyPI) repository and came fitted with capabilities to exfiltrate sensitive information from compromised hosts, according to new findings from Fortinet FortiGuard Labs.

The packages, named zebo and cometlogger, attracted 118 and 164 downloads each, prior to them being taken down. According to ClickPy statistics, a majority of these downloads came from the United States, China, Russia, and India.

Zebo is a “typical example of malware, with functions designed for surveillance, data exfiltration, and unauthorized control,” security researcher Jenna Wang said, adding cometlogger “also shows signs of malicious behavior, including dynamic file manipulation, webhook injection, stealing information, and anti-[virtual machine] checks.”

The first of the two packages, zebo, uses obfuscation techniques, such as hex-encoded strings, to conceal the URL of the command-and-control (C2) server it communicates with over HTTP requests.

It also packs in a slew of features to harvest data, including leveraging the pynput library to capture keystrokes and ImageGrab to periodically grab screenshots every hour and save them to a local folder, prior to uploading them to the free image hosting service ImgBB using an API key retrieved from the C2 server.

In addition to exfiltrating sensitive data, the malware sets up persistence on the machine by creating a batch script that launches the Python code and adds it to the Windows Startup folder so that it’s automatically executed upon every reboot.

Cometlogger, on the other hand, is a lot of feature-packed, siphoning a wide range of information, including cookies, passwords, tokens, and account-related data from apps such as Discord, Steam, Instagram, X, TikTok, Reddit, Twitch, Spotify, and Roblox.

It’s also capable of harvesting system metadata, network and Wi-Fi information, a list of running processes, and clipboard content. Furthermore, it incorporates checks to avoid running in virtualized environments and terminates web browser-related processes to ensure unrestricted file access.

“By asynchronously executing tasks, the script maximizes efficiency, stealing large amounts of data in a short time,” Wang said.

“While some features could be part of a legitimate tool, the lack of transparency and suspicious functionality make it unsafe to execute. Always scrutinize code before running it and avoid interacting with scripts from unverified sources.”

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I Tried the Tesla of Induction Stoves. It Could Be the Future.

logancooperla — Tue, 24 Dec 2024 16:32:02 +0000

Safety standards for battery-equipped stoves don’t yet exist. Batteries in stoves are so new, the safety-certification group UL Solutions, which develops testing certifications for cooking appliances for the US, has not yet updated its existing electric-range standards for testing them. (UL Solutions said that it is leading a task group that is working on that process now. The group includes representatives from new manufacturers like Copper, as well as other industry groups such as the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers.) These certifications are not legally required for appliances, and plenty of ranges sold do not have them, but the majority of electrical appliances we recommend do.

Calisch told me that even though the Charlie was not eligible for UL electric-range certification, the range was tested to the same standards to make sure that the cooktop and oven would operate safely. And the battery itself has been certified to two UL Solutions standards: UL 1973, which covers batteries used for auxiliary power, and UL 9540A, which evaluates for “thermal runaway,” or when a chain reaction quickly creates high heat and can lead to flames or explosions. (This is most often what happens in fires caused by e-bikes, which use a kind of lithium-ion battery. In many of those fires, the New York City Fire Department has said, the batteries were likely being charged incorrectly or were cheaper batteries without UL certification.)

Copper said that it also consulted with the New York City Fire Department to ensure that the Charlie’s battery compartment and the range itself were safely designed. (This consultation was required by the New York City Housing Authority and the New York Power Authority, which will award Copper a contract to manufacture 10,000 stoves similar to the Charlie for public housing once Copper completes its testing and pilot phases.) The battery compartment is designed to reduce the risk of thermal runaway fires, said Calisch. The components are physically separated and built with both a steel barrier and an air gap between the oven compartment and the battery components. The compartment also uses the same types of insulation, he said, that prevent oven heat from breaching the walls and setting your kitchen cabinets on fire.

Around 300 Charlie models have been in use in homes for nearly a year, and many have been in beta testing for far longer. The company expects 1,000 units to be in homes by the spring of 2025. Copper connected me with one owner who had used both the beta and Charlie models, and he had no issues.

It’s expensive. The stainless steel base model of this stove costs $6,000, which is a significant investment for a range. (The white and blue finish options cost more.) For now, anyone who buys a battery-equipped appliance like the Charlie is eligible for a 30% battery-storage technology tax credit on the cost of the range, which can lower the final price to about $4,200. (The credit is deducted from your tax bill once you file your federal taxes.) For comparison, the most affordable induction ranges in a style similar to the Charlie can occasionally be found on sale for around $800.

But the Charlie could potentially cost less than even the cheapest range if you also need to upgrade your kitchen’s electrical panel and wiring—a project that can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to $9,000, according to the federal government’s estimates. (There are federal rebates and some tax credits available to cover the costs, but those primarily apply to people with lower incomes.)

Considering its high-quality design, the Charlie is also on a par price-wise with other midtier premium ranges we have evaluated, which often cost about the same as (or more than) induction models, all of which still require a 240-volt outlet.

It lacks some basic features. The Charlie has a true convection oven but lacks the oven features that come standard on much cheaper ranges, such as air-fry or pizza mode, a self-clean setting, or even a basic timer. (These omissions may not be dealbreakers for everyone; most people don’t take full advantage of such modes.) Calisch said that some of these features could be added and downloaded to ovens later, because the Charlie is Wi-Fi–enabled.

Small, new manufacturers pose a risk, and getting service could be a pain. This is a new product from a small, recently debuted, and largely untested company. For now, the Charlie is available only directly from the Copper website, and you don’t have as many service techs or sales and distribution points at your disposal as you would with a bigger brand. Copper’s service and support operates like that of most smaller appliance manufacturers in that the company works with national and local third-party service providers. Copper also has a phone number, email address, and web form for reaching support, but it does not offer assistance outside of working hours. The Charlie has a two-year warranty (one year longer than most), but there is no guarantee that the company will still exist in a decade.

It is harder to get. You’re likely to wait several months at a minimum before you can get a Charlie range because of high demand for a relatively small amount of stock. For now, Copper estimates that most stainless steel Charlie ranges purchased in late 2024 in the contiguous United States will be delivered in March 2025, and that blue and white models will be delivered in May 2025. (Residents of the San Francisco Bay Area, where the ranges are assembled, will receive them more quickly, and for now, shipping is not available to Alaska, Hawaii, or Puerto Rico.)

It is not certified by Energy Star. The Charlie range does not currently have Energy Star certification, which means that it is not eligible for federal electric-appliance rebate programs.

MIT Researchers Measure Quantum Geometry of Electrons in Solid Materials for First Time

logancooperla — Tue, 24 Dec 2024 16:08:23 +0000

A new study has allowed physicists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and collaborators to measure the quantum geometry of electrons in solids. The research provides insights into the shape and behaviour of electrons within crystalline materials at a quantum level. Quantum geometry, which had previously been limited to theoretical predictions, has now been directly observed, enabling unprecedented avenues for manipulating quantum material properties, according to the study.

New Pathways for Quantum Material Research

The study was published in Nature Physics on November 25. As described by Riccardo Comin, Class of 1947 Career Development Associate Professor of Physics at MIT, the achievement is a major advancement in quantum material science. In an interview with MIT’s Materials Research Laboratory, Comin highlighted that their team has developed a blueprint for obtaining completely new information about quantum systems. The methodology used can potentially be applied to a wide range of quantum materials beyond the one tested in this study.

Technical Innovations Enable Direct Measurement

The research employed angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES), a technique previously used by Comin and his colleagues to examine quantum properties. The team adapted ARPES to directly measure quantum geometry in a material known as kagome metal, which features a lattice structure with unique electronic properties. Mingu Kang, first author of the paper and a Kavli Postdoctoral Fellow at Cornell University, noted that this measurement became possible due to collaboration between experimentalists and theorists from multiple institutions, including South Korea during the pandemic.

These experiences underscore the collaborative and resourceful efforts involved in realising this scientific breakthrough. This advancement offers new possibilities in understanding the quantum behaviour of materials, paving the way for innovations in computing, electronics, and magnetic technologies, as reported in Nature Physics.

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What Makes a Software Testing Company Truly Reliable in 2025

logancooperla — Tue, 24 Dec 2024 16:03:20 +0000

Software development is continuously evolving with technology, consumer demand, and the complexity of applications. In 2025, it will be clear that an honest software testing company needs to be developed so that a company’s applications remain secure, usable, and of high quality. Then, what makes a software testing company dependable while innovation never ends? Let’s take a look at the major determinants that define reliability in software testing services and why they mean more than ever.

Why Software Testing Matters

Testing is a backbone when it comes to delivering quality digital solutions. Unless proper testing takes place, firms run the risk of releasing faulty applications, which leads to customer dissatisfaction, revenue loss, and reputational harm. Quality assurance in software is critical to risk identification and mitigation, ensuring applications meet user expectations and remain ahead of the competition.

In the new era, it is the responsibility of a software testing company to ensure that its applications running across various platforms are covered with precision and speed. Businesses today rely upon QA and testing services so that they may optimize the entire development cycle and get a bug-free and secure product which surpasses every other competitive product.

Key Features of a Reliable Software Testing Company

Advanced Knowledge in Modern Testing Approach

A good software testing company keeps itself ahead of the competition by embracing modern testing practices like DevOps, Agile, and Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD). The emphasis of the methodologies is on collaboration, speed, and adaptability. Companies that excel in these practices ensure smooth testing integration into their software development and software testing lifecycle.

For example, companies providing testing as a service can scale resources and processes for specific project requirements. Such flexibility is important in 2025 when applications demand shorter time-to-market cycles without sacrificing quality.

Holistic Software Quality Assurance (SQA) Solutions

A reliable company can boast of end-to-end software quality assurance services. Starting from requirement analysis to post-release testing, a reliable partner makes sure that every development phase is scrutinized. The major components of SQA are:

Functional Testing: Assuring software acts according to the required parameters.

Performance Testing: Test how it acts at speeds and is responsive and stable.

Security Testing: Protecting applications from vulnerabilities and cyber-attacks.

Testing of Web Application: Checking usability, compatibility, and functionality across browsers and devices.

With these capabilities, an SQA-focused company ensures that the software is free of critical issues before reaching the end-users.

Advanced Tools and Technologies

Automation and AI-based tools revolutionize the scope of QA services. A proactive software testing service uses innovative solutions, including Selenium, Appium, JMeter, and software testing tools powered by AI, in order to make testing more accurate and efficient in terms of time.

The companies, in 2025, include machine learning algorithms to forecast probable errors and then evaluate the cases. Such preventive effort saves time and resources and ensures complete coverage. Companies seeking reliable software QA services focus on partners with a successful track record in using sophisticated tools.

Domain Expertise and Industry Knowledge

Every industry has its specific requirements. It starts from the health and financial sectors up to e-commerce, gaming, and so on. A proper software testing firm knows its requirements for each domain type and will make its appropriate QA testing service. Here is an example:

Healthcare applications must strictly adhere to regulations like HIPAA.

Financial platforms need strong security measures against data breaches.

E-commerce websites require rigorous web application testing for smooth user experiences.

The domain expertise allows the testing companies to deliver solutions aligned with the industry-specific challenges and standards.

Scalability and Flexibility

Business needs are unpredictable in 2025. Whether it is a complex enterprise application development or scaling a startup product, a trusted partner provides scalable QA and testing services that match the size, timeline, and requirements of the project.

This flexibility is particularly important in projects that need rapid deployment or changes that are not expected. Companies that provide testing as a service are best at providing on-demand resources and expertise to keep projects on track.

Focus on Communication and Teamwork

The essence of a good testing partnership is proper communication. A good testing company will have clear communication, updates, and teaming. This allows the clients to stay updated on the development and to make informed decisions based on the test results conducted.

As it is in 2025, most teams work remotely, and there are collaboration tools like Slack, Jira, and Zoom that ensure no link gaps and improve coordination between development and testing teams.

Security and Compliance Commitment

Proper software testing services are essential to applications in terms of ensuring their safety because cyber threats are becoming smarter and more complex. Security testing of vulnerabilities and compliance with regulations and industry standards guarantee the operations of applications without risking data privacy through GDPR or financial transactions through PCI DSS, thus creating trust and removing risks.

Additionally, reputable companies have secure internal practices and protect client information and intellectual property during the testing process.

Trends Driving the Demand for Reliable Software Testing in 2025

Rise of AI and Automation

AI-based tools change QA services by accelerating defect detection as well as smarter test case generations. Reputable testing firms take advantage of such advanced technology to stay competitive yet maintain high-quality delivery.

Shift Towards DevSecOps

Security in the DevOps workflow has now become a critical requirement. A reliable software testing company adheres to the DevSecOps principles that involve security at every step in the development and testing process.

Focus on User-Centric Testing

Companies now focus on usability testing as the user experience becomes the top priority. This trend reflects the necessity of web application testing to make the applications intuitive, accessible, and efficient.

Growth in IoT and Edge Computing

IoT devices and edge computing have widely spread, and thus, a more sophisticated testing approach is needed to validate complex interconnected systems. Reliable software QA services provide solutions to the testing complexity in such complex environments.

Benefits of Partnering with a Reliable Software Testing Company

Partnering with a trustable software testing company confers many benefits to business setups:

Software Quality: Apps will be fully tested to the highest standards.

Cost savings: Early detection saves more money on fixes and downtime.

Faster Time-to-Market: Processes are streamlined to speed up development timelines.

Security: Testing will cover vulnerabilities and breaches comprehensively.

User Satisfaction: High-quality software leads to positive user experiences and loyalty.

Wrap Up!

In 2025, this software testing company will become a strategic partner that makes certain that your applications are strong, secure, and friendly to end users. Modern methodology, advanced tools, deep domain expertise, and also client-centric approaches characterize such vendors who are designed to do business well in this competitively challenging digital landscape.

Whether you’re looking for comprehensive software quality assurance services, efficient web application testing, or scalable QA and testing, the right partner can be crucial in defining your software’s success. Whether it’s keeping up with a well-established testing company, there is no doubt that changes in the industry mean that these applications will stay ahead of the cutting edge, wowing and driving growth.

If you need assistance with software testing, contact us at [email protected]. Our team will get in touch with you to help you implement QA best practices.

Understanding Shadow AI and Its Impact on Your Business

logancooperla — Tue, 24 Dec 2024 15:53:21 +0000

The market is booming with innovation and new AI projects. It’s no surprise that businesses are rushing to use AI to stay ahead in the current fast-paced economy. However, this rapid AI adoption also presents a hidden challenge: the emergence of ‘Shadow AI.’

Here’s what AI is doing in day-to-day life:

Saving time by automating repetitive tasks.

Generating insights that were once time-consuming to uncover.

Improving decision-making with predictive models and data analysis.

Creating content through AI tools for marketing and customer service.

All these benefits make it clear why businesses are eager to adopt AI. But what happens when AI starts operating in the shadows?

This hidden phenomenon is known as Shadow AI.

What Do We Understand By Shadow AI?

Shadow AI refers to using AI technologies and platforms that haven’t been approved or vetted by the organization’s IT or security teams.

While it may seem harmless or even helpful at first, this unregulated use of AI can expose various risks and threats.

Over 60% of employees admit using unauthorized AI tools for work-related tasks. That’s a significant percentage when considering potential vulnerabilities lurking in the shadows.

Shadow AI vs. Shadow IT

The terms Shadow AI and Shadow IT might sound like similar concepts, but they are distinct.

Shadow IT involves employees using unapproved hardware, software, or services. On the other hand, Shadow AI focuses on the unauthorized use of AI tools to automate, analyze, or enhance work. It might seem like a shortcut to faster, smarter results, but it can quickly spiral into problems without proper oversight.

Risks Associated with Shadow AI

Let’s examine the risks of shadow AI and discuss why it’s critical to maintain control over your organization’s AI tools.

Data Privacy Violations

Using unapproved AI tools can risk data privacy. Employees may accidentally share sensitive information while working with unvetted applications.

Every one in five companies in the UK has faced data leakage due to employees using generative AI tools. The absence of proper encryption and oversight increases the chances of data breaches, leaving organizations open to cyberattacks.

Regulatory Noncompliance

Shadow AI brings serious compliance risks. Organizations must follow regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, and the EU AI Act to ensure data protection and ethical AI use.

Noncompliance can result in hefty fines. For example, GDPR violations can cost companies up to €20 million or 4% of their global revenue.

Operational Risks

Shadow AI can create misalignment between the outputs generated by these tools and the organization’s goals. Over-reliance on unverified models can lead to decisions based on unclear or biased information. This misalignment can impact strategic initiatives and reduce overall operational efficiency.

In fact, a survey indicated that nearly half of senior leaders worry about the impact of AI-generated misinformation on their organizations.

Reputational Damage

The use of shadow AI can harm an organization’s reputation. Inconsistent results from these tools can spoil trust among clients and stakeholders. Ethical breaches, such as biased decision-making or data misuse, can further damage public perception.

A clear example is the backlash against Sports Illustrated when it was found they used AI-generated content with fake authors and profiles. This incident showed the risks of poorly managed AI use and sparked debates about its ethical impact on content creation. It highlights how a lack of regulation and transparency in AI can damage trust.

Why Shadow AI is Becoming More Common

Let’s go over the factors behind the widespread use of shadow AI in organizations today.

Lack of Awareness: Many employees do not know the company’s policies regarding AI usage. They may also be unaware of the risks associated with unauthorized tools.

Limited Organizational Resources: Some organizations do not provide approved AI solutions that meet employee needs. When approved solutions fall short or are unavailable, employees often seek external options to meet their requirements. This lack of adequate resources creates a gap between what the organization provides and what teams need to work efficiently.

Misaligned Incentives: Organizations sometimes prioritize immediate results over long-term goals. Employees may bypass formal processes to achieve quick outcomes.

Use of Free Tools: Employees may discover free AI applications online and use them without informing IT departments. This can lead to unregulated use of sensitive data.

Upgrading Existing Tools: Teams might enable AI features in approved software without permission. This can create security gaps if those features require a security review.

Manifestations of Shadow AI

Shadow AI appears in multiple forms within organizations. Some of these include:

AI-Powered Chatbots

Customer service teams sometimes use unapproved chatbots to handle queries. For example, an agent might rely on a chatbot to draft responses rather than referring to company-approved guidelines. This can lead to inaccurate messaging and the exposure of sensitive customer information.

Machine Learning Models for Data Analysis

Employees may upload proprietary data to free or external machine-learning platforms to discover insights or trends. A data analyst might use an external tool to analyze customer purchasing patterns but unknowingly put confidential data at risk.

Marketing Automation Tools

Marketing departments often adopt unauthorized tools to streamline tasks, i.e. email campaigns or engagement tracking. These tools can improve productivity but may also mishandle customer data, violating compliance rules and damaging customer trust.

Data Visualization Tools

AI-based tools are sometimes used to create quick dashboards or analytics without IT approval. While they offer efficiency, these tools can generate inaccurate insights or compromise sensitive business data when used carelessly.

Shadow AI in Generative AI Applications

Teams frequently use tools like ChatGPT or DALL-E to create marketing materials or visual content. Without oversight, these tools may produce off-brand messaging or raise intellectual property concerns, posing potential risks to organizational reputation.

Managing the Risks of Shadow AI

Managing the risks of shadow AI requires a focused strategy emphasizing visibility, risk management, and informed decision-making.

Establish Clear Policies and Guidelines

Organizations should define clear policies for AI use within the organization. These policies should outline acceptable practices, data handling protocols, privacy measures, and compliance requirements.

Employees must also learn the risks of unauthorized AI usage and the importance of using approved tools and platforms.

Classify Data and Use Cases

Businesses must classify data based on its sensitivity and significance. Critical information, such as trade secrets and personally identifiable information (PII), must receive the highest level of protection.

Organizations should ensure that public or unverified cloud AI services never handle sensitive data. Instead, companies should rely on enterprise-grade AI solutions to provide strong data security.

Acknowledge Benefits and Offer Guidance

It is also important to acknowledge the benefits of shadow AI, which often arises from a desire for increased efficiency.

Instead of banning its use, organizations should guide employees in adopting AI tools within a controlled framework. They should also provide approved alternatives that meet productivity needs while ensuring security and compliance.

Educate and Train Employees

Organizations must prioritize employee education to ensure the safe and effective use of approved AI tools. Training programs should focus on practical guidance so that employees understand the risks and benefits of AI while following proper protocols.

Educated employees are more likely to use AI responsibly, minimizing potential security and compliance risks.

Monitor and Control AI Usage

Tracking and controlling AI usage is equally important. Businesses should implement monitoring tools to keep an eye on AI applications across the organization. Regular audits can help them identify unauthorized tools or security gaps.

Organizations should also take proactive measures like network traffic analysis to detect and address misuse before it escalates.

Collaborate with IT and Business Units

Collaboration between IT and business teams is vital for selecting AI tools that align with organizational standards. Business units should have a say in tool selection to ensure practicality, while IT ensures compliance and security.

This teamwork fosters innovation without compromising the organization’s safety or operational goals.

Steps Forward in Ethical AI Management

As AI dependency grows, managing shadow AI with clarity and control could be the key to staying competitive. The future of AI will rely on strategies that align organizational goals with ethical and transparent technology use.

To learn more about how to manage AI ethically, stay tuned to Unite.ai for the latest insights and tips.

Delivering More Customer Delight, Not More AI Hype

logancooperla — Tue, 24 Dec 2024 15:46:13 +0000

Today we’re announcing two brand new AI features from Help Scout: AI drafts and AI answers. We’re so excited for you to try them, but it’s also important for us to keep it real about what they’ll change and what they won’t.

We’ve seen a troubling trend emerge in support software: Companies are rushing to market with AI features and bold claims. Homepages and press releases everywhere are using terms like AI-first, AI-powered, and AI-led, with marketing campaigns promising a whole new way of delivering customer support. The future is here, and it’s AI as far as the eye can see.

So far, however, the customer feedback and reviews aren’t living up to the hype. It seems that some businesses are more focused on being “first movers” in AI technology than meeting customer needs. As a result, teams who truly take pride in their customers’ experience are slow to adopt these features, or adopt them but stop using them soon after.

From day one, we’ve avoided boarding that hype train. We know AI isn’t a magic wand for good customer service.

The future is still customer-first

Even in an AI-obsessed world, Help Scout’s mission hasn’t changed: We build tools for the world’s most customer-centric businesses, helping people who talk to customers every day do their best work. Exploring and integrating new technology is essential, of course, but our focus has always been on the customer experience first. Full stop.

On its own, AI is not a customer service strategy. It’s one of many tools that empower your team to help more customers in less time, and it works best in concert with your in-house experts.

We know it because we’ve lived it: Our own support team finds that AI has the biggest impact when it comes to speeding up repetitive tasks, answering FAQs, and pulling in relevant info from documentation to get up to speed quickly. AI supercharges support teams; it doesn’t replace them. It frees up more time for humans to handle complicated issues and customer interactions that require a personal touch.

Hear from our in-house experts

Features that help you help them

The last thing we want to do is churn out rushed AI features that savvy support teams will end up abandoning. Instead, we’ve put in the time and the work to find the most impactful ways to add AI into your existing work streams — and we’re improving every day. As our own toughest critics, we don’t release new features that our team hasn’t tested extensively and used to support our own customers.

In addition to Help Scout’s existing AI tools, AI summarize and AI assist, our newest features are designed to ensure your team has more time to do what they do best: build relationships.

Here’s a quick look at what we’re releasing:

AI drafts: Draft a reply to any email in one click. AI learns from your help articles and past conversations to generate on-brand responses that are ready to review, revise, and send.

AI answers (coming soon!): A 24/7 self-service assistant that taps into your help content to provide your customers with instant answers to common questions. Join the waitlist here and be the first to know when it’s available!

Brand new beginnings, same old values

The landscape of customer support is changing rapidly, making it more important than ever to choose tech partners whose values align with your own.

We’re excited about the journey ahead, but we’re staying laser-focused on what matters most: our customers and their experience using our product. We’ll keep building features that make it easier for you to help more customers.

You’ll hear much more about this topic from us throughout the coming weeks, including in a live conversation on Wednesday, June 12th, about the future of AI and its impact on customer-first teams. Tune in for a closer look at our latest AI features and our thoughts on how to adopt AI without compromising customer experience.

Sign up here. Hope to see you there!

Strengthen your core and improve your posture in just 10 moves with this 10-minute bodyweight ab workout

logancooperla — Tue, 24 Dec 2024 15:19:48 +0000

If you’re bored of crunches and sit-ups, but still want all the benefits of a stronger core, like increased stability, better balance, and improved posture, you do have options, like this more varied 10-minute core-strengthening workout.

You don’t need any equipment to get started, although I’d recommend rolling out one of the best yoga mats to improve your underfoot grip and comfort while doing floor-based exercises. However, so long as you have a bit of space to stretch out and 10 minutes to spare, you’re good to go.

The session, developed by personal trainers Juice & Toya, is mostly based on the ground — which is handy, as you can have a quick lay down after the session is over to recover and give your mid-section muscles a bit of a break before getting on with your day.

The exercise packs all 10 moves into a 10-minute routine; you’ll do each exercise for 40 seconds, take a 20-second rest, then start the next exercise. To get the most from your time on the mat, you’ll want to give your all for the 40 seconds, but also do each move with proper form, following the duo’s demonstrations.

Watch Juice & Toya’s 10-minute ab workout

10 Minute Abs For Beginners [Daily Core Strength Workout] – YouTube

Watch On

If this all sounds a lot like a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workout, that’s because it is. It’s a similar technique, known as high-intensity resistance training (HIRT), where the focus is on muscle-building exercises in place of primarily cardio-based activities.

But because you keep the intensity high and rests to a minimum, you get a combination of HIRT and HIIT effects, with a sustained, elevated heart rate, that means you burn more energy than during a steady-paced routine and boost your metabolism — the amount of energy you burn throughout the day.

This is the HIRT is the style of training I prefer as well. When I have other things going on throughout the day, it’s hard to find time to do an hour-long workout. So I often pick up my set of adjustable dumbbells and push through a 20-30-minute session instead.

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Of course, 10 minutes each day won’t produce immediate effects, but if you add this into your schedule consistently, you’ll begin to see results. And because it’s a quick workout, you can do it when you’re short on time, traveling, or at the end of a longer resistance or cardio session.

Whichever you choose, strengthening your core with routines like this can help boost your performance during your training, and have noticeable impacts on your daily life. Your core, a section of mid-body muscle, helps connect your upper and lower body, and is responsible for balance and stability too.

People often use abs and core interchangeably, but there are some differences. Your abs, including the rectus abdominis six-pack abs muscle, form part of your core, a much larger set of interconnecting muscles around your stomach.

So while some people train for six-pack abs, there are plenty of practical reasons to strengthen this area too. And if you want increase the intensity of your mid-section sessions, consider adding in some of the best ab exercises with dumbbells as well.

More from Tom’s Guide

Hedera Hashgraph price soars as predicted: What’s next for HBAR?

logancooperla — Tue, 24 Dec 2024 15:17:49 +0000

Hedera Hashgraph’s price rose for the third consecutive day as the Santa Claus rally returned in the crypto market.

Hedera Hashgraph (HBAR) rose to $0.3300 on Christmas Eve, up over 30% from its lowest level last week.

This rebound happened as other popular altcoins recovered. Other top performers included Helium (HNT), JasmyCoin (JASMY), and VeChain (VET).

There was no Hedera-specific news to fuel the jump. As such, the most likely reason for the rally was based on sentiment and technicals. Hedera’s sentiment among traders improved after Canary Capital filed for the first spot in Hedera ETF in November.

Eric Balchunas, the senior ETF analyst at Bloomberg, predicted that the Securities and Exchange Commission will easily approve the HBAR fund. He argued that the agency has not labeled HBAR a security as it has done with other tokens like Solana and Ripple.

Hedera’s rebound also happened after the futures open interest plunged to $209.7 million on Dec. 22 from last month’s high of $460 million. Most coins often rebound when the open interest and sentiment among traders drops.

Hedera Hashgraph open interest | Source: CoinGlass

Hedera Hashgraph price formed two bullish patterns

HBAR price chart | Source: crypto.news

The most likely reason why the HBAR price has rebounded is what crypto.news predicted last week. In that report, we noted that the coin formed a double-bottom pattern at $0.2350, and whose neckline was at $0.3310, its highest swing on December 13. Such a bottom is usually a sign that bears are afraid of placing short sales below that price.

Hedera also formed a falling wedge chart pattern, which is shown in purple above. The upper side of this pattern connects the highest level on Dec. 7, 18, and 20. The lower side of this wedge links key downswings this month. A falling wedge often leads to more gains.

HBAR price also formed a bullish pennant pattern, comprised of a long flag pole followed by a triangle pattern.

Hedera also remained above the 50-day moving average, signaling that bulls were still in control as it retreated. It has now formed the three white soldiers candlestick pattern, which is characterized by three consecutive candlesticks.

Therefore, the outlook for the HBAR price is bullish, with the next point to watch being the year-to-date high of $0.40, which is 20% higher than the current level.

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logancooperla — Tue, 24 Dec 2024 15:01:19 +0000

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