Blockchain
Microsoft delivers new advancements in Azure from cloud to edge ahead of Microsoft Build conference
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On Thursday, Microsoft Corp. announced a series of new Azure services and developer technologies that put advanced capabilities spanning AI, mixed reality, IoT and blockchain in the hands of developers. The company will share these and additional advancements in hybrid cloud and edge computing at its Microsoft Build conference to empower developers.
“It’s an incredible time to be a developer. From building AI and mixed reality into apps to leveraging blockchain for solving commercial business problems, developers’ skillsets and impact are growing rapidly,” said Scott Guthrie, executive vice president, Microsoft Cloud and AI Group. “Today we’re delivering innovative Azure services for developers to build the next generation of apps. With 95% of Fortune 500 customers running on Azure, these innovations can have far-reaching impact.”
Furthering Microsoft’s commitment to building the most productive AI platform
Microsoft announced a new set of Azure AI technology aimed to help developers and data scientists apply AI to any solution.
- Azure Cognitive Services power applications to see, hear, respond, translate, reason and more. Microsoft is launching a new Cognitive Services category, called “Decision,” that delivers users a specific recommendation for more informed and efficient decision-making. This category includes Content Moderator, the recently announced Anomaly Detector, and a new service called Personalizer, which uses reinforcement learning to provide users with a specific recommendation to enable quick and informed decision-making.
- Microsoft is bringing AI to Azure Search with the general availability of the cognitive search capability, enabling customers to apply Cognitive Services algorithms to extract new insights from their structured and unstructured content. In addition, we are previewing a new capability that enables developers to store AI insights gained from cognitive search, making it easier to create knowledge-rich experiences leveraging Power BI visualizations or machine learning models.
New innovations in Azure Machine Learning simplify the process of building, training and deploying machine learning models:
- MLOps capabilities with Azure DevOps integration provides developers with reproducibility, auditability and automation of the end-to-end machine learning lifecycle.
- Automated ML advancements and an intuitive UI make developing high-quality models easier.
- Visual machine learning interface provides no-code model creation and deployment experience with drag-and-drop capabilities.
- To enable extremely low latency and cost-effective inferencing, Microsoft is announcing the general availability of hardware–accelerated models that run on FPGAs, as well as ONNX Runtime support for NVIDIA TensorRT and Intel nGraph for high-speed inferencing on NVIDIA and Intel chipsets.
Expanding opportunity at the Intelligent Edge
The company introduced several new products and solutions today that continue to address the existing and emerging needs of hybrid cloud and edge computing:
- Microsoft introduced Azure SQL Database Edge to support the spectrum of edge compute needs. A SQL engine optimized for lower compute requirements with built-in AI, the product combines data streaming with in-database machine learning and graph capabilities to enable intelligence on the edge. Because Azure SQL Database Edge shares the same programming surface area with Azure SQL Database and SQL Server, developers can easily take applications to the edge without having to learn new tools and languages, providing a consistent programming experience.
- Microsoft also announced IoT Plug and Play, a new open modeling language to seamlessly connect IoT devices to the cloud, enabling developers to navigate one of the biggest challenges they face — deploying IoT solutions at scale. Previously, software had to be written specifically for the connected device it supported, limiting the scale of IoT deployments. IoT Plug and Play will offer customers a large ecosystem of partner-certified devices that can connect quickly.
- For mixed-reality development, Microsoft is making it easier to create for HoloLens 2 with the HoloLens 2 Development Edition, which provides the community of mixed-reality developers with access to solutions to help them build and run mixed-reality experiences across a range of devices.
- Unreal Engine 4 support for streaming and native platform integration for HoloLens 2 will be available for developers by the end of May to create high-quality, photo-realistic renders and immersive, mixed-reality experiences for solutions spanning architecture, product design, manufacturing and more.
Doubling down on investments to empower blockchain developers
Last year, Microsoft announced Azure Blockchain Workbench, which gave developers a simple UI to model blockchain applications on a preconfigured Azure-supported network. Today’s announcements take it even further.
- Azure Blockchain Service simplifies the formation, management and governance of consortium blockchain networks, allowing businesses to focus on workflow logic and app development. Azure Blockchain Service deploys a fully managed consortium network and offers built-in governance for common management tasks, such as adding new members, setting permissions and authenticating user applications.
- Microsoft also announced this week that J.P. Morgan’s Ethereum platform, Quorum, is the first ledger available in Azure Blockchain Service, giving Microsoft and J.P. Morgan customers the ability to deploy and manage scalable blockchain networks in the cloud.
More than 6,000 developers and content creators will join Microsoft in Seattle next week for the conference to learn about the latest advancements in cloud and developer technologies, as well as get hands-on experience with them. Today’s announcements give developers of all kinds new cutting-edge tools to create the next generation of applications for intelligent cloud and intelligent edge. There will be even more showcased next week at Build.
Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) enables digital transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and an intelligent edge. Its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.
SOURCE Microsoft Corp.
Blockchain
Pantera Capital Plans to Raise $1 Billion for New Fund Offering Exposure to Crypto Assets
Pantera Capital is reportedly planning to raise $1 billion for a new fund that offers exposure to various crypto assets, as reported by Blockchain.News. This ambitious fundraising initiative underscores Pantera’s continued confidence in the potential of the cryptocurrency market and its commitment to providing investors with diversified investment opportunities in the digital asset space.
The new fund from Pantera Capital aims to capitalize on the growing demand for exposure to cryptocurrencies and blockchain-based assets among institutional and retail investors. By offering a comprehensive portfolio of crypto assets, the fund seeks to provide investors with access to a wide range of investment opportunities, spanning cryptocurrencies, tokens, and other digital assets.
Pantera’s decision to raise $1 billion for the new fund reflects its optimistic outlook on the long-term growth prospects of the cryptocurrency market. With increasing mainstream adoption and institutional interest in cryptocurrencies, Pantera sees significant potential for value creation and capital appreciation in the digital asset space.
As one of the leading blockchain-focused investment firms, Pantera Capital is well-positioned to attract capital from investors seeking exposure to the cryptocurrency market. The firm’s track record of successful investments and its experienced team of investment professionals are likely to bolster investor confidence and support for the new fund.
Pantera Capital’s plans to raise $1 billion for its new fund underscore its commitment to driving innovation and growth in the cryptocurrency market. As the fund attracts capital and deploys it into promising investment opportunities, it is poised to play a key role in shaping the future of the digital asset ecosystem.
Source: blockchain.news
The post Pantera Capital Plans to Raise $1 Billion for New Fund Offering Exposure to Crypto Assets appeared first on HIPTHER Alerts.
Blockchain
Existing Blockchains Can’t Adopt Post-Quantum Cryptography Without Significant User Impact, Says Johann Polecsak
Johann Polecsak argues that existing blockchains face significant challenges in adopting post-quantum cryptography without causing substantial disruption to users. This assessment highlights the complex and multifaceted nature of transitioning to new cryptographic standards in blockchain networks.
Post-quantum cryptography refers to cryptographic algorithms that are resistant to attacks from quantum computers, which have the potential to break traditional cryptographic schemes. While post-quantum cryptography offers enhanced security, implementing it in existing blockchain networks poses technical, operational, and usability challenges.
Polecsak suggests that transitioning to post-quantum cryptography could require significant changes to blockchain protocols, consensus mechanisms, and user interfaces. These changes may disrupt existing workflows, require modifications to software and hardware infrastructure, and necessitate coordination among network participants.
Furthermore, Polecsak emphasizes the importance of ensuring backward compatibility and interoperability during the transition to post-quantum cryptography. This is crucial to prevent fragmentation of the blockchain ecosystem and maintain continuity for users and applications.
Polecsak’s assessment underscores the complexities and trade-offs involved in adopting post-quantum cryptography in existing blockchain networks. While the transition promises improved security against quantum threats, it requires careful planning, coordination, and investment to minimize disruption and ensure a smooth transition for users and stakeholders. As the field of post-quantum cryptography continues to evolve, blockchain projects will need to carefully evaluate their options and strategies for implementing these new cryptographic standards.
Source: news.bitcoin.com
The post Existing Blockchains Can’t Adopt Post-Quantum Cryptography Without Significant User Impact, Says Johann Polecsak appeared first on HIPTHER Alerts.
Various technology trends are discussed that are shaping the retail industry, from artificial intelligence (AI) to blockchain. These trends are driving significant changes in how retailers operate and engage with customers, offering new opportunities for innovation and growth.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is highlighted as a key technology trend that is revolutionizing various aspects of the retail industry. AI-powered solutions enable retailers to analyze vast amounts of data, personalize customer experiences, optimize supply chain operations, and enhance decision-making processes. From chatbots and virtual assistants to predictive analytics and recommendation engines, AI is enabling retailers to deliver more personalized and efficient services to their customers.
Blockchain technology is another trend shaping the retail industry, offering benefits such as enhanced transparency, security, and traceability in supply chains and transactions. By leveraging blockchain, retailers can improve inventory management, streamline payments, prevent counterfeit products, and enhance trust and accountability throughout the supply chain. Additionally, blockchain enables retailers to create decentralized marketplaces and loyalty programs, providing new opportunities for customer engagement and loyalty.
Other technology trends discussed in the article include augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), which are transforming the way consumers shop and interact with products online and in-store. By enabling immersive shopping experiences, AR and VR technologies allow retailers to showcase products more effectively, reduce returns, and increase customer engagement and satisfaction.
Technology trends such as AI, blockchain, AR, and VR are reshaping the retail landscape, driving innovation, and enabling retailers to meet the evolving needs and expectations of consumers in an increasingly digital world. As retailers continue to embrace these technologies, they are poised to unlock new opportunities for growth and differentiation in the competitive retail market.
Source: 365retail.co.uk
The post Tech Trends Shaping Retail: From AI to Blockchain appeared first on HIPTHER Alerts.
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