Tech Notes Archives

5 skills to prepare for tomorrow’s tech-centric jobs (Tech notes)

by admin | May 25, 2021 | Corporate Jobs, Employment, Entrepreneurship, Markets, Online Marketing, Technology

By Ishan Gupta,

Rapid developments in technology require professionals to upgrade their skills for technology-centered jobs of tomorrow

Srikanth Vidapanakal, who has been into data for more than 18 years, was inquisitive to learn about new technologies. He did a Self-Driving Car Engineer Nanodegree that helped him acquire advanced skills and landed him with a job in automation sector. Srikanth is an example of lifelong learning where staying relevant in the age of rapidly changing technologies is the need of the hour.

In 2017, research suggested that AI and robotics could collectively take over 800 million jobs worldwide by 2030. On the flipside, it also mentioned that the technological revolution will end up creating millions of new jobs. In order to stay relevant and keep their jobs in the changing global job landscape, technologists and professionals from diverse fields will be required to upskill themselves Keeping yourself abreast with emerging technologies will constantly keep you ahead of the game.

Here are 5 skills that, if acquired, can keep you relevant in the transforming global job market of tomorrow:

Machine Learning: Machine Learning entered the technological arena as a game-changer that enabled multifaceted software to become more competent at tasks without the need for repeated programming. Machine Learning allows computers to read and interpret large data sets to derive essential insights. This learning can further be applied to complex data models in order to create predictions and compare trends for the future. Machine Learning can also enable algorithms to track data and identify weak links in any process or system, thereby optimizing them to their highest level of productivity and efficiency.

Deep Learning: Deep Learning is a part of Machine Learning which is based on the Neural Network architecture. Neural networks are extremely advanced programming codes that seamlessly mimic the architecture of neurons of the human brain. Through Deep Learning, software can identify and configure patterns from data or images much more proficiently. By identifying patterns in data, Deep Learning can be utilized to create more efficient Natural Language processors that can be used to write more responsive chatbots.

Blockchain: Blockchain technology evolved with the purpose of appending data security and information privacy to cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Today, the robust mechanism has found applications in securing digital payments, smart contracts, cybersecurity, digital IDs copyright protection and data sharing. Given the exceptionally versatile nature of blockchain applications, blockchain technology experts are high in demand in the job market. Jobseekers with blockchain skills bag the 4th highest salaries in India which makes it one of the most sought after job by Indians and professionals around the world.

Robotics and Automation: Both robotics and automation are essentially reducing human labor and proliferating safety of humans by taking over dangerous, physically demanding tasks. Robots can easily lift heavier weights and tolerate high temperature working environments more than human workers possibly can. Robotics has quickly clocked in the highest potential among any other applications of Artificial Intelligence. With Machine Learning at the heart of AI, robots that already outperform humans at the physical level will also be able to undertake a variety of laborious tasks such warehousing and security.

Self-Driving Cars: For more than a 100 years, motor vehicles have been an integral part of human existence. Since its inception, the motor vehicle has gone through umpteen updates that have led to the invention of the modern and inherently secure vehicle. However, road accidents have continued to cause loss of property and life. These fatal accidents can be attributed not to technology but to human negligence or error, leading to the need for replacing the human driver. With cutting-edge robotics, Machine Learning, and engineering, humans have been able to create self-driving cars. These driverless vehicles are appearing to be exponentially more efficient at avoiding collisions and accidents.

(Ishan Gupta is MD India of Udacity, Silicon Valley-based lifelong learning platform)

—IANS

The benefits of a secure digital identity system (Tech Notes)

by admin | May 25, 2021 | Markets, Networking, Online Marketing, Technology

By Madhu Nori,

We live in a society driven by digital connections — the way we bank, shop, apply for a job and even find love has moved online. Despite this, the way we prove our identity hasn’t changed, still stubbornly clinging to paper and cards. This method is outdated and not secure; we reveal more personal data than necessary and ID documents can easily be lost, stolen or damaged, putting us at risk of identity theft. Furthermore, we can’t be 100 per cent confident in the identities of people we meet online.

A secure digital identity system lets people prove their identity without showing paper documents, confirm the identity of people they meet online, and log into websites securely without passwords. It can help strike the balance between security, privacy and convenience, and make online and offline interactions safer for both individuals and businesses.

Given the growing volume of high profile data breaches over recent years, people are appreciating just how vulnerable their data is. Sixty-eight per cent of Indians said they are worried about becoming victims of a data breach in the near future. A digital identity puts individuals in control of their personal information. They will have greater transparency over who has access to their data and can limit the amount of information they share.

Additionally, companies can benefit from fast and accurate KYC as well as save time and money when verifying the identities of their customers, without the need for paper documents. They can confirm customer identities with less information, safe in the knowledge that every identity is verified.

We are all signing up to more apps and services, and sharing more personal data than ever before. With so many online accounts, convenience often trumps security and people reuse the same passwords and login details across different accounts. The average person has around 32 different online accounts so it is no surprise they reuse the same easy-to-remember passwords. Whilst this makes our lives easier, we are putting our personal data at great risk — hackers only need to crack one email/password and they can then access a number of websites. They will unlock a treasure trove of personal information, allowing them to impersonate individuals and steal their identity.

A digital identity system offers a secure alternative and many companies are already turning to biometrics in a bid to combat fraud, increase security and enhance the customer experience. They no longer have to remember passwords and they can appreciate the ease and simplicity that biometric technology can offer.

Peer-to-peer platforms have changed the way we interact with people. We can meet life partners through online dating, buy items from strangers on classified sites, and even rent another person’s home. Yet it is too easy for people to create fake profiles online and pretend to be someone else.

Anna Rowe, a victim of catfishing, was tricked by a man using the photo of a Bollywood actor on his dating profile. They were in a relationship for 14 months before she discovered his true identity and that he was married. Anna is now calling for catfishing to be made illegal and believes people should have to use their real names on dating sites to prevent them from creating fake profiles. With a single, digital identity and verified details, the misuse of these platforms can be quashed. Individuals have confidence and reassurance that the people they meet are who they say they are — helping to prevent false profiles and make digital interactions safer.

The time for a secure digital identity system is here. Everyday tasks like logging into websites or proving our identity to a business will become simpler and safer, and individuals will also have more control, privacy and security of their personal data.

(Madhu Nori is CPO & International Commercial Director, Yoti. The views expressed are personal)

—IANS