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A new report reveals a disconnect between those in the C-suite and their eagerness to adopt AI coding tools compared to those actually using them who are cautious of AI.

The research from Snyk shows CTOs and CISOs are five times more likely than developers to believe AI coding tools pose no risk and twice as likely than developers to believe they are 'extremely ready' to adopt AI coding tools.

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Organizations have prioritized investment in SaaS security, with 70 percent establishing dedicated SaaS security teams, despite economic uncertainty and workforce reductions.

A new report from the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA), commissioned by cloud security specialist Adaptive Shield, also finds 39 percent of organizations are increasing their SaaS cybersecurity budgets compared to last year.

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Canonical has officially released Ubuntu Core 24, an "immutable" version of Ubuntu tailored for intelligent edge and IoT applications, featuring a 12-year Long Term Support (LTS) commitment. This release encapsulates system components in strictly confined containers, ensuring a secure environment for deploying critical applications on billions of devices globally.

Ubuntu Core 24 supports various architectures including Arm, X86, and RISC-V, transforming Ubuntu into an adaptable platform for edge computing. This version introduces an optimized factory installation process, significantly reducing setup time and supporting secure, air-gapped installations crucial for maintaining global supply chains. Enhanced by validation sets for application management, Ubuntu Core 24 ensures that devices operate with the correct, tested combinations of software, boosting reliability and security.

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New research from tech consultancy esynergy, which surveyed 700 business and tech leaders in the US and UK, finds 74 percent of organizations struggle to optimize cloud spend.

It also finds that 51 percent anticipate making a change to their cloud strategy in response to cost pressures. Increasingly they're looking at FinOps (financial operations) is to ensure that cloud resources are used efficiently.

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Last year was an AI milestone marked by enthusiasm, optimism, and caution. AI-powered productivity tools promise to boost productivity by automating repetitive coding and tedious tasks and generating code.  A year later, organizations are struggling to quantify the impact of their AI initiatives and are reevaluating metrics to ensure they reflect the desired business outcomes.

Measuring developer productivity has historically been a challenge, with or without the introduction of AI-powered developer tools. Last year, McKinsey & Company described developer productivity measurement as a “black box,” noting that in software development, “the link between inputs and outputs is considerably less clear” than other functions.

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In the next five to ten years, the United States faces a critical juncture in its technological trajectory, heavily influenced by the implications of the CHIPs Act. As a seasoned venture capitalist and Managing Director of Venture Labs, I have closely monitored the evolution of technology and innovation ecosystems. The CHIPs Act represents more than just a policy shift; it is a strategic maneuver poised to revolutionize the hardware industry, foster innovation, and bolster national security.

Historically, hardware production has been dominated by a few key players, leading to centralized control that stifles competition and innovation. The CHIPs Act aims to dismantle this concentration, decentralizing hardware production and empowering a diverse array of developers. This shift is crucial not only for fostering competition but also for driving technological advancements. By creating an environment where smaller companies can thrive, we can expect a surge in innovative solutions that address emerging challenges across various industries.

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Adult content is now explicitly permitted on X. The platform formerly known as Twitter has updated its rules and policies to permit users to post "consensually produced and distributed material depicting adult nudity or sexual behavior that is pornographic or intended to cause sexual arousal". AI-generated content is also covered by the policy.

Users are free to post content such as "full or partial nudity, including close-ups of genitals, buttocks, or breast" as well as depictions of sexual acts. The only proviso (aside from material having been consensually produced and distributed) is that any posts containing such material needs to be labelled with a warning. There are a handful of exceptions, however.

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A new study reveals that 60 percent of security leaders in the UK cite account takeover attacks as one of the top four most concerning cyber threats.

The survey from Abnormal Security shows 75 percent of UK survey participants report that their organization has been impacted by an account takeover attack at least once over the past year.

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It was surely only a matter of time before AI made its way to the Raspberry Pi and today sees the launch of the  Raspberry Pi AI Kit. Developed in close collaboration with Hailo, it provides a way of seamlessly integrating local, high-performance, power-efficient inferencing into a number of applications.

The Raspberry Pi AI Kit comprises the M.2 HAT+ preassembled with a Hailo-8L AI accelerator module. Installed on a Raspberry Pi 5, the AI Kit allows users to build AI vision applications, running in real time, with low latency and low power requirements.

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For the second time in a year, Spotify has announced a hike in prices for US customers. The increase in subscription fees are significant in their own right (rising by up to 17 percent), but the fact that the company has already increased prices in the last year makes this latest announcement sting.

The new pricing structure also comes on the back of Spotify's recent announcement of record profits, increased revenue and a jump in subscriber numbers. The higher pricing applies to new subscribers with immediate effect, and will be implemented for existing users in July.

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Hitachi and Microsoft have announced a strategic collaboration projected to be worth billions of dollars, aiming to drive generative AI innovations across various sectors.

As part of the agreement, Hitachi will integrate Microsoft's array of technologies, including Azure Open AI Service, Dynamics 365, Copilot for Microsoft 365, and GitHub Copilot, into its Lumada solutions. This move is poised to enhance the Lumada business, targeting a revenue goal of 2.65 trillion yen ($18.9 billion USD) for FY2024, and streamline processes for its 270,000 employees.

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TCL Mobile has expanded its portfolio with the TCL 50 LE, an entry-level smartphone from its 50 Series, making high-quality technology accessible at just $79.99! This fully-equipped Android phone is available exclusively through Verizon Prepaid (buy it here).

The TCL 50 LE is engineered to keep users connected and entertained. It boasts a 6.56-inch HD+ display with a 90Hz refresh rate, ensuring vivid and smooth visuals. The phone is powered by a MediaTek MT6765 octo-core processor, clocked up to 2.2GHz, paired with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, expandable via MicroSD up to 512GB. It runs the latest Android 14 operating system, providing a user-friendly experience with access to a multitude of apps and services.

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In a historic move, Microsoft has unveiled its largest investment in Sweden, marking a significant commitment to bolster the nation's cloud infrastructure and AI capabilities.
The tech giant plans to invest a staggering 33.7 billion Swedish Kronor (approximately 3.5 billion USD) over the next two years, aiming to enhance Sweden's innovative edge, competitiveness, and resilience in the AI era.

Today, from its headquarters in Stockholm, Microsoft revealed the details of this monumental investment. The funds are earmarked for expanding Sweden's cloud infrastructure and integrating cutting-edge artificial intelligence technology. Additionally, Microsoft aims to elevate the AI proficiency of 250,000 Swedes, preparing the workforce for future challenges and opportunities.

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The transition from Windows 10 to Windows 11 brought several changes and enhancements to the File Explorer, aiming to streamline navigation and improve user experience. The most notable update in Windows 11 is the redesigned user interface, which adopts a cleaner, more minimalist look consistent with the overall aesthetic of the operating system.

The changes include a simplified toolbar, which replaces the traditional ribbon menu seen in Windows 10. The new command bar is less cluttered and provides quick access to commonly used functions like cut, copy, paste, rename, and share.

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PlayStation VR2 launched last year, and many PS5 players were impressed with its innovative gameplay and immersive sensory features. Now, Sony has taken another step to expand its VR ecosystem. Starting August 7, PlayStation VR2 will support Steam on PC, opening up a whole new world of gaming possibilities.

This move allows players to buy and play Steam’s vast library of VR games, including popular titles like Half-Life: Alyx, Fallout 4 VR, and War Thunder. However, to get started, players will need to purchase a PlayStation VR2 PC adapter, available for $59.99 / €59.99 / £49.99 at select retailers and direct.playstation.com. Additionally, a DisplayPort 1.4 compatible cable and a Steam account are required, along with a PC that meets specific minimum requirements.

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