As artificial intelligence makes way to help doctors detect diseases like cancer at an early stage, it’s now proving its potential in addressing mental health crises. A study revealed that AI can identify patients at risk for suicide, offering a tool for prevention in everyday medical settings.
Published in the JAMA Network Open Journal, the study addressed the case with two methods of alerting doctors about suicide risk: an active “pop-up” alert requiring immediate attention and a passive system (less urgent way) displaying risk information in a patient’s electronic chart.
The study found that the active alerts outperformed the passive approach, prompting doctors to assess suicide risk in 42% of cases, compared to just 4% with the passive system. Besides, it highlighted the need for using precise tools to start a conversation about suicide risks.
By combining automated risk detection with thoughtfully designed alerts, this innovation offers hope for identifying and supporting more individuals in need of suicide prevention services.
Colin Walsh, Associate Professor of Biomedical Informatics, Medicine, and Psychiatry at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, highlighted the urgency of this innovation. “Most people who die by suicide have seen a healthcare provider in the year before their death, often for reasons unrelated to mental health,” Walsh mentioned.
Previous studies show that 77% of individuals who die by suicide had contact with primary care providers in the year preceding their death. These findings underline the critical role AI could play in bridging the gap between routine medical care and mental health intervention.
The study tested Vanderbilt’s AI-driven system, the Suicide Attempt and Ideation Likelihood model (VSAIL), in three neurology clinics. The system analyses routine data from electronic health records to estimate a patient’s 30-day risk of attempting suicide. When high-risk patients were flagged, doctors were prompted to initiate targeted conversations about mental health.
Walsh explained, “Universal screening isn’t practical everywhere, but VSAIL helps us focus on high-risk patients and spark meaningful screening conversations.”
While the results were promising, researchers emphasised the need for a balance between the benefits of active alerts and their potential downsides, such as workflow disruptions. The authors suggested that similar systems could be adapted for other medical specialities to extend their reach and impact.
Earlier in 2022, Cambridge University released a paper to assess the patients at risk of attempting suicide using PRISMA criteria (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses).
The post Study Shows AI Can Detect Suicide Risk Early appeared first on Analytics India Magazine.
Bengaluru’s vehicular traffic is as iconic as its tech boom. The gridlock has inspired countless memes, provoked endless complaints and criticism, and turned into an urban nightmare, highlighting the citizens’ frustration. But there’s another story unfolding on the other side. The city’s traffic police, who ease the daily mess, relentlessly work to manage Bengaluru’s most persistent problem.
Surprisingly, the engineer-turned-police commissioner embraces tech, especially AI, to manage traffic, utilising the city’s talent pool.
A Day in the Life of Anucheth
The time leading up to meeting JCP M N Anucheth at the Bengaluru Traffic Centre was nothing short of severe anticipation and jitters about how a cop would respond when questioned about the solutions taken by authorities that have been troubling daily commuters’ lives. But his answers are backed by stats and tech.
During his interview with AIM, Anucheth, a key figure on Bengaluru Traffic’s social media, advocates for traffic awareness and believes social media is a powerful tool for understanding real-time issues and problems.
“We want to leverage the power of social media,” he said while trying to address the real problems. Being a champion for traffic awareness is one thing, but having an AI avatar represent you is quite another! Anucheth shares that all he has to do is type what he wants to say, and his AI avatar brings his words to life with its voice.
The department uses AI at signals using a proprietary tool developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC). “I think AI-based traffic management is more challenging. You can’t do predictive-based analysis. Rather, you have to do it in real time, which has to be instantaneous,” Anucheth said in an exclusive interaction with AIM.
These advancements have been made possible through partnerships with emerging startups in the city. These collaborations are vital for scaling tech and AI integration in intelligent traffic management in Bengaluru. Anucheth mentions that he engages in discussions with different companies every day to implement innovative solutions.
They have partnered with startups to offer varied services, including drone technologies, AI avatars, and traffic management platforms such as ASTraM (actionable intelligence for sustainable traffic management), which is their big data platform that leverages AI to help track real-time map data and assist police in sharing live data.
“What we find is that the younger startups have really good talent, and they’re really hungry for finding solutions, and they’re very eager. So I think that’s something really nice to work with,” said Anucheth, who doesn’t believe that the size of a company defines its ability to provide solutions. “Nothing against big tech companies. I think our experience has been that we can’t work with them to give tailor-made solutions for us.”
Traffic Monitoring Room at the Traffic Management Centre, Bengaluru. (The second screen from the right is from their ASTraM platform for live details on congestion and other statistics.)
Interestingly, we caught up with Anucheth a few weeks before New Year’s Eve, which witnessed its fair share of shenanigans during midnight revelry this year. But when asked about how they would face this day, he did not instruct anybody on what to do but rather spoke of how everybody should have a good time responsibly.
He believed that one should not restrict the actions of others while simultaneously advocating responsible conduct.
Bengaluru in the Future
Like an AI tech leader, Anucheth is clear and optimistic about Bengaluru’s new initiatives. Unlike many tech leaders, he wasn’t hesitant to discuss them openly.
With 9,000 cameras deployed across the city for crime prevention and law and order maintenance, the team is considering using these safety cameras to create an AI engine for violation detection, traffic management, and traffic counting.
“Imagine if I could get the traffic out at each junction. I would know exactly how traffic is moving in Bangalore. In the next couple of years, the whole idea is to move towards a digital twin for the city,” he said
Other initiatives involve using body-worn cameras at crime scenes to annotate observations with the assistance of an LLM, resembling a ‘digital panchnama.’ Additionally, the department is developing LLMs for FIRs to extract insights from previous cases and implementing AI in 112 emergency centres to communicate with individuals in various languages, including foreign tongues.
While these initiatives are at play, Anucheth is wary of the humongous task of managing vehicular traffic that is witnessing a geometric progression when the infrastructure is growing only at an arithmetic progression rate. The city’s vehicle population is expected to touch 1.2 crores in Bengaluru, a figure that doubled in 10 years.
However, he did not hesitate to acknowledge that AI’s full usage is only practical if the infrastructure is improved. “If infrastructure is not in place, no amount of AI is going to solve the bottleneck. It has to be eased through infrastructural development, which needs to improve,” he said.
On a lighter note, as we conclude, Anucheth is aware of how the city has been at the receiving end of traffic jokes and is quite open to criticism. “Traffic is not as bad as it is perceived to be. Certainly, we can do much better. But we are trying our best,” he assured.
The post When AI Meets Bengaluru Traffic, this Knight is in Control appeared first on Analytics India Magazine.
The January 2025 edition of AIM Print shines a spotlight on transformative AI developments and the visionaries shaping the future. This issue highlights pioneering figures, disruptive startups, and India’s growing dominance in the AI landscape.
Cover Story: Pragya Misra – OpenAI’s Face in India
OpenAI’s ambitious entry into India is being driven by Pragya Misra, the company’s first and only employee in the country. With India emerging as OpenAI’s second-largest user base, Misra’s role encompasses building partnerships with developers, policymakers, and the tech community. Misra believes that if AI solutions work for India, they can scale globally, reflecting India’s unique diversity and innovation potential. She emphasizes OpenAI’s commitment to empowering local startups through tools, credits, and technical support.
AI Without a PhD? Think Again
Meta AI’s chief Yann LeCun advises aspiring AI entrepreneurs in India to pursue advanced academic degrees to navigate the complexities of AI. He suggests that technical expertise, often gained through PhDs, plays a pivotal role in building successful AI startups. This aligns with a growing sentiment that foundational knowledge, rather than surface-level skills, will drive the next wave of AI innovation.
Nikhil Kamath’s Bet on Young Innovators
Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath’s ‘Innovators under 25’ initiative, supported by WTFund, is nurturing India’s youngest and brightest entrepreneurs. This year, nine startups across AI, healthcare, and sustainable technology received non-equity grants of up to INR 20 lakh. Kamath’s unconventional approach focuses on supporting talent without taking ownership, encouraging entrepreneurs to retain full control of their startups.
Key initiatives under WTFund include:
Mars Computers – Cloud-based high-performance computing for creative professionals.
BioCompute – DNA-based data storage solutions addressing scalability and sustainability.
RNT Health Insights – AI-powered diagnostics for gastric cancer, enhancing medical accuracy during endoscopy.
Pixa AI – Interactive AI-powered educational toys reducing screen time for children.
India is rapidly positioning itself as a hub for AI agents and generative models. The country’s engineering talent and focus on application-driven AI are propelling India ahead. This edition highlights how Indian startups are developing domain-specific AI models, reflecting the trend of local innovation with global implications.
Turing’s Dream – Paras Chopra’s Vision
Paras Chopra, founder of Wingify and creator of ‘Inverted Passion,’ is pursuing AGI through his initiative, Turing’s Dream. This residency program provides cloud GPUs and a collaborative environment for AI researchers to build cutting-edge projects. Chopra believes that AI systems need more than brute-force data scaling, advocating for the integration of external symbolic agents to improve reasoning
The post AIM Print Jan 2025 edition appeared first on Analytics India Magazine.
The global semiconductor industry has experienced a significant change over the past few years, driven by disruptions caused by the pandemic, changes in consumption behaviour, and rising geopolitical tensions. As the world increasingly relies on state-of-the-art technologies, securing a stable chip supply has taken centre stage.
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic five years ago turned the global semiconductor industry upside down. Unlike past economic disruptions, this crisis simultaneously hit both supply and demand. Factories in key hubs like China shut down, leading to chaos amongst chip makers.
The crisis highlighted the risks of overreliance on geographically concentrated supply chains and pushed companies to diversify and localise production. Notably, the US has emerged as a key player by using government incentives and private investments to alter the global landscape of semiconductors.
America’s Chip Comeback
Recognising the need to secure its semiconductor supply, the US government introduced substantial incentives to encourage domestic semiconductor manufacturing in 2022. This was an attempt to lower costs, create more localised jobs, strengthen the supply chain in the US and counter China’s advancements in chip production.
The CHIPS and Science Act, passed in 2022, allocated $52.7 billion to boost US semiconductor research, manufacturing, and workforce development.
America invented semiconductors. But when President Biden took office, the U.S. produced only 10% of the world’s supply. Thanks to his CHIPS and Science Act, we’ve catalyzed hundreds of billions of dollars in private sector investment and are finally bringing U.S. semiconductor… pic.twitter.com/Tx9GFdok22
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) December 28, 2024
The Act also allocated $1.5 billion to advance wireless technologies, support emerging fields like AI and biotech through new National Science Foundation (NSF) initiatives, and fund regional innovation hubs to boost local economies.
Following the Act, companies announced nearly $50 billion in additional investments in American semiconductor manufacturing, which included a $40 billion investment by Micron in memory chip manufacturing and $4.2 billion through a partnership between Qualcomm and GlobalFoundries.
In April last year, the US finalised a $6.6 billion subsidy for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC)’s production facility in Phoenix, Arizona.
Impressive. Chips Act funding got basically every major chipmaker to build in the US. “That means the US will become the only country in the world with facilities run by all of the top manufacturers.” pic.twitter.com/yMSqfTzg5c
— Kyle Chan (@kyleichan) April 25, 2024
Moreover, as part of the CHIPS and Science Act, Samsung Electronics was awarded up to $6.4 billion from the US government to build its new complex in Taylor.
Why Favour America?
Several factors make the US a sought-after hub for semiconductor manufacturing. The country offers a secure environment compared to regions with geopolitical tensions for a steady and dependable supply of these essential components.
Several AI chip companies, including TSMC and Samsung, have been shifting their focus to building manufacturing facilities in the US. TSMC’s Arizona facility has achieved a 4% better yield than the semiconductor giant’s manufacturing sites in Taiwan.
Notably, states like Arizona and Texas provide ideal climate conditions for chip manufacturing facilities. Access to advanced research institutions, skilled labour, and strong infrastructure supports high-tech manufacturing.
Locating production facilities closer to major clients facilitates better collaboration and reduces logistical complexities. For example, TSMC’s Arizona plant is expected to serve clients such as NVIDIA, Apple and AMD, enhancing operational efficiency.
Chipping In to Power the AI Revolution
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for semiconductors used in cars, phones, and gadgets fell sharply as people tightened their budgets. At the same time, chips for cloud computing and home internet equipment saw a surge in demand, driven by the rise of remote work and online activities.
The AI revolution has ushered in a new wave of demand for advanced semiconductors. At the core of AI are processors like GPUs, CPUs, and accelerators from NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel, powering models like generative AI.
Data centres, transformed by companies like Dell and HPE, provide the infrastructure for AI to scale. Meanwhile, while innovators like ASML and TSMC create smaller, faster, and more efficient chips, Qualcomm and ARM’s custom designs extend AI into devices and industries.
Chip production shines with innovators like ASML and TSMC, which create smaller, faster, and more efficient chips. Qualcomm and ARM’s custom designs extend AI into devices and industries. Meanwhile, companies like Micron and Western Digital provide robust data storage solutions, and design tools from Synopsys and Cadence speed up innovation.
These advancements have enabled AI to move from theory to real-world applications. Michael Hurlston, CEO at Synaptics Inc., recently claimed to make the chip design even more efficient and cost-effective by shrinking AI models and optimising software to fit within a minimal memory footprint.
Innovating for a Smarter Future
As per reports, the new fabrication unit in Arizona, which produces 3nm and 4nm chips, will develop Apple A16 chips in the US. Additionally, AMD plans to manufacture its AI high-performance chips (HPC) at this facility in Arizona.
China has also rapidly closed the gap with the US in AI capabilities. As reported recently, it was only six to nine months behind the US. “We were six or seven years behind,” 01.AI chief Kai-Fu Lee had said. Now, however, China seems to have surpassed the US.
In retrospect, while the government’s benefits may have helped attract the attention of these giants, they could also have adversely affected their supply chains. With the rise in regulations surrounding the export of AI chips to China, Washington plans to also limit semiconductor shipments to some countries accused of supplying to Beijing in order to Close China’s Backdoor Access.
The post Chip Makers are Betting Big on US appeared first on Analytics India Magazine.
Apple has settled a class action lawsuit in which tens of millions of users can expect a slice of the payout.
Also: The first open-source, privacy-focused voice assistant for the home is here
On Tuesday, the iPhone maker agreed to pay $95 million to settle a 2019 lawsuit claiming that Siri violated the privacy of Apple users by recording their conversations, as reported by Reuters.
Lopez v. Apple, Inc.
Known as Lopez v. Apple, Inc., the class action lawsuit was filed by three plaintiffs who alleged that Apple programmed Siri to intercept conversations even when no hot word, such as "Hey Siri," was spoken. Further, the plaintiffs claimed that Apple violated their privacy by sharing recordings of the conversations with third-party contractors.
Specifically, two of the plaintiffs said that mentioning Air Jordan sneakers and Olive Garden restaurants prompted ads for both products. The third plaintiff said he received ads for a surgical treatment after discussing it privately with his doctor.
In settling the suit, Apple has denied any wrongdoing on its part. Before the plaintiffs and Apple users can receive their slice of the payout, the settlement must be approved by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White in the Oakland, Calif., federal court.
How much you could get
How much would the average Apple user stand to collect? That may depend on how many Apple devices you own. Though each individual payout would reach only as high as $20, that's the amount per Siri-enabled device, according to Reuters. That could mean that the more devices in your household, the higher your overall payout.
However, the settlement specifically states that it applies to current or former owners of a Siri device in the US whose private conversations were obtained by Apple and/or shared with third parties due to an unintended activation by Siri between Sept. 17, 2014, and the settlement date. That description implies that the payout would be limited to Apple customers who were caught in the Siri snooping, and not all Siri users.
Also: The best AI chatbots: ChatGPT, Copilot, and notable alternatives
Further, the definition was modified at some point to include "owners" of Siri devices, as opposed to just "purchasers," and dropped "household members" to reduce the potential for duplicate claims. Ultimately, each Apple user will just have to wait to see how many slices of the payout they actually receive. Assuming the judge approves the settlement, details on how to collect your cut should then be revealed.
The class action period runs from Sept. 17, 2014, to Dec. 31, 2024, encompassing more than 10 years of Siri use. The 2014 date marks Apple's introduction of the phrase "Hey Siri" to trigger the voice assistant.
Damage to Apple's reputation
For a company that earned $93.74 billion in its latest fiscal year, $95 million represents only about nine hours of profit for Apple, Reuters explained. Although the payout won't hurt Apple's bottom line, there could be some damage to the company's reputation.
Compared with the likes of Microsoft, Google, and other major tech players, Apple has always boasted about its commitment to privacy. Assuming the allegations in the lawsuit are true, the company doesn't seem shy about bending or breaking its promises when it comes to protecting the privacy of its users.
People have expressed concerns about voice assistants snooping on their conversations and even sharing those conversations with third parties without consent. Even though Apple denied any such misdeeds, the settlement implies that the company didn't want to fight the allegations, which puts it in a bad light.
Also: Apple reportedly prepping powerful new AI version of Siri for 2026
Before the lawsuit was even filed, The Guardian published a story in early 2019 about the alleged Siri privacy violations. Using info shared by a whistleblower, The Guardian reported that Apple contractors were able to hear confidential conversations as part of their job of quality control or grading of Siri's responses.
To address the privacy concerns, Apple made specific changes to Siri in August 2019. The company suspended the human grading of Siri responses, promised to stop storing recordings of Siri conversations, and changed the Siri training based on audio samples to an opt-in process. Further, even for users who opted in to allow their conversations to be shared, the recordings would be accessible only to Apple employees and not outside contractors.
Google is also in the crosshairs
Apple isn't the only large tech company in the crosshairs of such a lawsuit. A similar class action suit filed by users of Google's voice assistant has charged the search giant with privacy violations, Reuters added. Being heard in a San Jose, Calif., federal court, the law firms representing the plaintiffs are the same ones who stand to gain in the Apple case.
Editor's note: This story was originally published on Jan. 2, 2025, but it was updated on Jan. 3 with more information about the settlement.
Priya Kurien, the client strategy and innovation leader of global industries at IBM.
Priya Kurien, the client strategy and innovation leader of global industries at IBM, has a fascinating job working with C-suite and senior leaders for IBM's clients across the world, helping them to leverage IBM's technology, particularly with AI.
In this interview, we conduct a wide-ranging discussion, going from telecom partnerships to 5G to AI to NASA and even Earth science and medical innovations.
Without further ado, let's dive into our interview.
ZDNET: Could you share your journey in telecom and what led you to advocate for cross-industry collaboration?
Priya Kurien: My journey in telecom began during the e-commerce era, a transformative period when operators were adapting to the shift from landline calls and very limited 2G mobiles to providing internet connections. In the time since, there have been many changes in the industry from traditional infrastructure to modern innovations such as copper to fibre-based communications networks, and the transition from 2G to 5G.
Having worked closely with operators during these pivotal changes, I've seen firsthand how telecom lies at the heart of connecting the world and enabling industries.
As the industry has continued to evolve, the importance of customer value has become a key differentiator. By adopting cross-industry collaboration, it means we're able to develop partnerships across different sectors to drive innovation and growth for our shared customer base, and the telecoms industry has the ability to help bridge those diverse gaps to create transformative solutions.
ZDNET: How can telecom partnerships accelerate advancements in fields like geospatial intelligence and climate science?
PK: In many countries around the world, telecom operators are considered critical infrastructure and regulated by their governments. As a result, during extreme weather-related conditions, telecom operators focus on maintaining connectivity for citizens.
By partnering with organizations specializing in geospatial intelligence and climate science, we can create richer data sets for all entities involved. For example, this collaborative approach can result in the development of early warning systems for natural disasters, or real-time climate monitoring, enabling those involved to continue improving both on a joint scale, and as individual organizations.
We also know that telecom operators themselves have vast IoT and sensor networks that can provide critical on-the-ground data. When combined with satellite imagery, this information can enhance the quality of geospatial data that will improve advancement of this field, with the potential to deliver societal benefits, helping communities prepare for and adapt to climate challenges.
ZDNET: Could you walk us through the IBM-NASA collaboration to make Earth science data accessible and its impact on industries outside of space?
PK: In an effort to widen access to NASA Earth science data and accelerate climate-related discoveries, IBM and NASA worked together to develop the largest geospatial AI foundation model on Hugging Face. As a result, IBM's watsonx.ai geospatial foundation model — built from NASA's satellite data, is the first-ever open-source AI foundation model built in collaboration with the organization.
By developing open-source technologies, we can accelerate critical areas of discovering for issues including climate change, indicating how collaboration across industries allows us to implement faster and more impactful solutions that will improve our planet.
The model — trained jointly by IBM and NASA on Harmonized Landsat Sentinel-2 satellite data (HLS) over one year across the continental United States and fine-tuned on labelled data for flood and burn scar mapping — has demonstrated to date a 15 percent improvement over state-of-the-art techniques using half as much labelled data.
With additional fine-tuning, the base model can be redeployed for tasks like tracking deforestation, predicting crop yields, or detecting and monitoring greenhouse gasses.
ZDNET: How do you see IoT innovations transforming telecom's role in everyday consumer experiences?
PK: Consumers are already relying on IoT devices in their day to day lives, from smart home systems, lighting, thermostats, smart meters, voice controllers and robotic vacuum cleaners. Many operators around the world not only sell IoT devices, but some also offer services to set up and manage these devices for their consumers.
Often, consumers forget that their daily lives involve IoT, for example the connected car is one of the most sophisticated IoT devices and yet, most people would probably not list this as one of their IoT devices.
Telecom operators can also provide personalized plans for consumers based on their IoT devices and data consumption and is another example of how the telecom industry has shown itself to be the backbone of global progress.
ZDNET: What are some of the biggest challenges in telecom partnerships, and how can these be overcome?
PK: Partnerships require a culture of collaboration as well as the maturity to navigate differences. In our view, these are some of the greatest challenges that the telecom industry faces in partnering for innovation.
For example, breaking down silos, cross pollinating ideas and sharing challenges to identify innovative ideas is just a few ways in which we can jointly create enterprise transformation, and at IBM, we can support in developing those collaborations across key technologies including APIs, AI, and security.
There is a famous quote [often attributed to Henry Ford] that sums up partnerships well for me: "Coming together is the beginning, keeping together is progress and working together is success."
ZDNET: Could you provide examples of success stories where multi-industry partnerships drove transformative change in telecom?
PK: There are a number of multi-industry partnerships to drive change in the industry. For example, in the connected cars arena, Verizon's partnerships with automotive OEMs help to deliver in-car Wi-Fi services, showing how telecom and automotive industries work can together to enhance driver experiences.
Another example of how telecom can collaborate is to improve healthcare services. The Medical Drone Delivery project with BT and Skyfarer uses drones for medical deliveries, as a solution born from COVID-era challenges, demonstrating telecom's potential in supporting the future growth of how technology can work to improve the wider healthcare system.
What we're seeing in these examples is how we can turn big ideas into tangible outcomes, and that's a really exciting direction to be heading in.
ZDNET: What are the unique values that telecom businesses can bring to industries like healthcare and finance through cross-industry collaboration?
PK: Health and finance are two key sectors in which improved connectivity can make all the difference. For example, the concept of telehealth is expanding rapidly, driven by several factors including the COVID pandemic, technological advancements, and a consumer demand for convenience. Telehealth can include virtual appointments to remote monitoring devices, allowing patients to consult with healthcare providers, manage chronic conditions, access health information, and receive medical advice without needing to visit a physical healthcare facility.
In a drive to bridge the digital divide and improve financial inclusion across Africa, Airtel Africa extended their distribution network in rural and semi-urban areas, providing resilient, far-reaching coverage to enable millions of people to access telecoms and banking services. This new, financial ecosystem allowed the company to offer mobile money services, including digital wallet payments systems, microloans, savings and international money transfers, boosting financial inclusion for residents who were previously excluded.
ZDNET: How can telecom companies better leverage AI to unlock greater innovation and efficiency for enterprise clients?
PK: There are several ways in which AI can improve efficiency for clients, including productivity gains and new revenue streams. For example, we know that AI is revolutionizing customer care for enterprises by automating routine tasks, improving personalization, and enabling 24/7 support. AI can also support in managing change requests in enterprise sales by streamlining processes when it comes to client modifications or service specifications.
AI and automation are also transforming how enterprise connectivity deployment and monitoring can improve efficiency, reduce downtime, and increase proactive management.
Efficiency is a necessity for most operators to improve profitability, and having an agile approach will help towards achieving these outcomes.
ZDNET: What are some risks associated with cross-industry collaborations in telecom, and how can companies navigate them?
PK: Understanding the risks and challenges when it comes to partnerships working is essential for driving the intended transformation. Differences in regulatory compliance is a potential issue, however, establishing compliance frameworks from the beginning ensures that all parties understand their regulatory obligations.
Complexities in partnerships can also arise, so it is essential that clear roles and responsibilities are defined ahead of the project. There could also be the risk of cultural mismatch. However, by setting a common goal and having mutual respect and open communication, many of these issues can be swiftly mitigated.
ZDNET: How essential is data security in telecom collaborations, particularly with APIs?
PK: Data security is critical for telecoms as they work with APIs, as secure APIs lead to good reputation and trust with consumers and enterprises, whilst managing potential risks and ensuring regulatory compliance.
Secure API design, encryption of data, security testing, monitoring and logging are vital elements as organizations collaborate through APIs. Alongside this, it is essential to implement an incident response management plan, as transparent and shared communication can ensure successful API integration.
ZDNET: In what ways does cross-industry collaboration foster resilience and agility within telecom firms?
PK: Cross-industry collaboration enables telecom firms to enhance their resilience and offerings by diversifying expertise and accessing resources outside their usual domain. These partnerships allow firms to tap into broader skill sets and funding opportunities, reducing operational risks and fostering innovation.
For example, collaborations often lead to market expansion and access to emerging markets, creating new revenue streams. Additionally, with increased emphasis on data security, these partnerships have the added benefit of reducing risk, ultimately driving agility in telecom operations.
ZDNET: What role does enterprise connectivity play in the success of transformative partnerships in telecom?
PK: Enterprise connectivity acts as the backbone for successful partnerships, ensuring seamless integration and communication across industries. A key insight from IBM's research looking at telecoms' blindspots highlights that operators often struggle to align with enterprise customers, and are often undervaluing the services of most interest to customers.
However, as part of research, we discovered a sub-group of communications service providers that have adopted a more forward-thinking approach in their drive for solutions beyond basic connectivity. We call them the 'In-touch Telecoms', and they're gaining an edge over their peers by employing a more customer-centric focus, a culture of innovation, and a stronger reliance on an ecosystem of business partners.
Pursuing digital transformation through technologies such as cloud computing, machine learning, and AI positions leaders in the telecommunications industry to develop new business models both within the industry and through partnerships with companies in other industries.
This optimization of next-generation technologies can support them in navigating different environments — a key ask of many of our enterprise clients.
ZDNET: With digital transformation as a priority, how can telecoms keep pace with industries evolving at different rates?
PK: Flexibility and collaboration are crucial qualities telecom companies need to consider in order to keep pace with different industries. This includes the use of standardized APIs that facilitate modular and rapid integration, supporting industries that evolve at varying speeds, innovation hubs that create ****spaces for collaboration and allow telecoms to co-develop solutions with industry-specific partners, and partnerships that include building alliances with other industries to foster shared growth.
These initiatives enable telecoms to adapt to the evolving landscape, ensuring they remain relevant in a rapidly changing world.
ZDNET: How important are APIs for connecting telecom capabilities with diverse industries, and what new value does this bring?
PK: APIs are crucial for enabling telecoms to work with other industries, as they provide a modular, scalable way for integrating rapidly with other industries. IDC is projecting that telecom and network APIs will grow to $6.7 billion by 2028 from $700M in 2023), at a compound annual growth rate of 57.1%, driven by a rise of platform-based commerce and the need to generate new revenues.
In September 2024, there was a landmark agreement between some of the world's largest telecom operators announcing a new venture to combine and sell network APIs on a global scale, supporting innovation in digital services. The partner ecosystem will further drive developer experience whilst increasing value creation across the industry.
ZDNET: How are telecom firms adapting to meet the needs of advanced medical devices like smart implants and remote monitoring solutions?
PK: Telecom firms are leveraging 5G networks to address the low latency requirements of advanced medical devices. These solutions enable real-time monitoring for devices like smart implants and remote monitoring devices, enhancing patient outcomes.
Additionally, telecoms are implementing robust security measures to ensure compliance with healthcare regulations when transmitting sensitive patient data — a critical component to building trust in this health and telecom collaboration.
Establishing innovation hubs with healthcare organizations can further support the development of remote monitoring solutions and advanced medical technologies, highlighting the role telecoms can play in the wider healthcare ecosystem.
ZDNET: Could you discuss how 5G is enhancing the potential for enterprise-level partnerships across various sectors?
PK: Private 5G networks are transforming how enterprises build partnerships across industries to open up new avenues of value creation. For example, at the Port of Tyne, BT and Ericsson are building the UK's first site-wide deployment of 4G and 5G standalone connectivity, driven by a host of planned activity including autonomous vehicles, survey drones, smart surveillance, AI, and XR.
In China, Unicom is planning to install 5G networks in more than 100 mines to monitor operations, boost efficiency and reduce safety related risks. We're also seeing this in manufacturing too, with Mercedes-Benz leveraging private 5G with telecommunications company Telefónica Deutschland and network supplier Ericsson to optimize production, enabling automation and IoT integration.
These applications demonstrate how 5G fosters collaboration, drives efficiency, and unlocks transformative opportunities across different industries.
ZDNET: How do telecom companies balance the need for innovation with their responsibility to maintain stable and secure infrastructure?
PK: Telecom firms achieve this balance by adopting a 'security by design' approach, embedding security within their processes, alongside a culture of collaboration. Improving the skillset of the workforce, creating internal cross functional teams, and fostering a mindset of innovation and partnerships, whilst developing a zero-trust architecture for high availability and listening to the customer, are different ways in which telecom companies can balance innovation and maintain stable and secure infrastructure. This focus allows telecom firms to introduce cutting-edge solutions without compromising reliability.
ZDNET: How are telecom firms leveraging AI for operational efficiencies within cross-industry collaborations?
PK: The telecom industry has some of the most complex customer care requirements in terms of the variety of plans and types of connectivity they support. Traditional AI has been used for over a decade to provide support for customer care and chatbot support, and gen AI has unsurprisingly been adopted by many telecom operators to support the contact centre for agent assist and contact summarization — some have even started to deploy gen AI agents directly with customers.
IBM research has also found that gen AI was being used by the telecom industry across customer service, IT, information security, finance, risk and compliance, sales, marketing and HR functions — highlighting that efficient AI models can streamline workflows, reduce latency, and improve decision-making, driving efficiencies across their business.
ZDNET: What trends do you see shaping the future of telecom partnerships, and how might they impact global connectivity?
PK: I see a number of emerging trends that have the potential to shape future telecom partnerships, including 5G rollout where there is wider support for smart cities and healthcare, expansion of private 5G networks that leads into innovation in other industries, edge computing for autonomous vehicles, and self-healing networks with AI and automation to further improve connectivity.
With the varying partnerships and collaborations we're seeing across different industries, APIs are becoming a source of revenue for operators, alongside digital inclusion policies and initiatives to get to the billion of the world's population that is still unconnected.
You can follow my day-to-day project updates on social media. Be sure to subscribe to my weekly update newsletter, and follow me on Twitter/X at @DavidGewirtz, on Facebook at Facebook.com/DavidGewirtz, on Instagram at Instagram.com/DavidGewirtz, on Bluesky at @DavidGewirtz.com, and on YouTube at YouTube.com/DavidGewirtzTV.
LG just announced that it's expanding its lineup of Gram laptops in 2025, which includes launching the company's first-ever Copilot+ PC and its first devices powered by Gram AI, its proprietary hybrid AI that utilizes both on-device and cloud-based AI models.
Expected to be unveiled at CES 2025, the Gram, Gram Pro, Gram Pro 2-in-1, and Gram Book are just as slim and lightweight as last year's models. We tested them, and can confirm that they're some of the thinnest, lightest laptops we've ever seen. What's new is that they now come equipped with LG's on-device "Gram Chat" AI to process and analyze data locally, even when not connected to Wi-Fi.
Also: I tested the lightest 16-inch convertible laptop of the year, but that's not even its best feature
Gram Chat's hybrid approach utilizes LG's EXAONE large language model when offline, but when connected to Wi-Fi, it employs cloud-based AI powered by GPT-4o. LG Research released its EXAONE 3.0 LLM earlier this year after a three-year development period.
So, what does this mean for laptop users? AI all day, every day, whether or not you have Wi-Fi. LG says Gram Chat integrates with calendar and email apps, enabling the AI to help manage a user's schedule as well as send and receive emails and messages. It also leverages the "Time Travel" feature, which can revisit web pages, documents, videos and audio files (which sounds a little bit like a certain controversial Windows feature).
In terms of hardware, the new Gram lineup is fully committed to running Intel processors, featuring both the "Arrow Lake" Intel Core Ultra H-Series and the "Lunar Lake" Intel Core Ultra V-Series, which is particularly optimized for AI tasks. In fact, the 0.49-inch thick LG Gram Pro with the Lunar Lake chip is the first from the series to be designated as a Copilot+ PC, and was first announced back in September at IFA in Berlin.
Also: Dell's latest XPS 13 hits the sweet spot of performance and value for me. Here's why
The Lunar Lake processors have shown themselves to be high-performing chips on the other devices we tested this year, offering marathon batteries and supercharging AI performance with an NPU capable of up to 48 TOPS (trillion operations per second).
The 2025 Gram Pro laptop lineup continues LG's trend of offering 2TB storage options (except for the Gram Book, the smaller, more accessible model) and lots of onboard RAM. Surprisingly, though, only the 16-inch 2-in-1 Gram Pro has an OLED display option. Here's a breakdown of the major specs on the new Gram Pro laptops:
LG Gram Pro 2-in-1 (16-inch)
LG Gram Pro (16-inch)
LG Gram Pro (17-inch)
LG Gram Book (15.6-inch)
Display
OLED: 48-120Hz, LCD: 31-144Hz
LCD: 31-144Hz
LCD: 31-144Hz
LCD: 60Hz
CPU
Intel Core Ultra 5, 7
Intel Core Ultra 5, 7, 9
Intel Core Ultra 5, 7
Intel Core i5
GPU
Intel Arc
Intel Arc
Nvidia RTX 4050
Intel Xe
Memory
Up to 32GB
Up to 32GB
Up to 32GB
Up to 16GB
Storage
Up to 2TB
Up to 2TB
Up to 2TB
Up to 1TB
Weight
3.08 pounds
2.73 pounds
3.26 pounds
3.74 pounds
Regarding pricing, LG has not dropped any numbers yet. But based on the current pricing of 2024's Gram Pro models, I would estimate the first three laptops will be well above the $1,500 mark, hovering around $2,000 and up. The LG Gram Book, however, should be lower, with its comparatively modest suite of hardware.
Also: The next big HDMI leap is coming next week — what the 2.2 standard means for you
The other thing I'll be looking out for is heat efficiency with the new processors, as the ultrathin form factor resulted in devices that ran slightly hotter than I would have liked. Stay tuned for full-length reviews once we can get our hands on these ultra-thin and light machines.
It's impossible not to notice how bad my iPhone's battery life has become since upgrading to iOS 18; it only got progressively worse with iOS 18.1 and 18.2. It's the rare day that my battery is still above 40% by lunchtime, and power banks have become constant companions in my life.
The situation was bad (night or day), battery consumption was much higher than anything I remember, and even Low Power Mode didn't offer much relief.
It was time to investigate the problem.
Also: iOS 18.2 update triggers eruption of iPhone battery life complaints — what to know
However, I wasn't optimistic about finding a solution or even a workaround. Recently, the only remedy for such issues has been to wait for Apple to patch the problem. But given that I've watched this issue go from bad to worse over the past few months, I'm not holding my breath.
So I decided to investigate. For any battery drain issue, the first place I always look is under the Battery screen in Settings. This section is a treasure trove of information, not only related to the battery but also to the apps that are running and consuming power. Two charts are displayed here: Battery Level, which shows how the charge level changes at 15-minute intervals; and Activity, which uses a bar chart to illustrate which apps have been active and using battery power in hourly intervals. You can tap on the bars for a deeper dive into what's been happening on your iPhone during that period.
But other than elevated usage by Home & Lock Screen (basically, any activity on the lock screen, such as notifications or widgets) there was nothing out of the ordinary. I did try disabling the iPhone's always-on display — the setting to do this is under Settings > Display & Brightness > Always On Display — but to no avail.
The problem persisted.
After a bit more investigating, testing, tweaking settings, and a lot of frustration, I found the culprit: Apple Intelligence. With Apple Intelligence enabled (the setting can be found under Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri), I found it impossible to make it through a day without recharging. However, with it disabled, my battery life returned to its former levels.
Also: iOS 18.2 with Apple AI is available for iPhone. How to download it (and which models support it)
And here's the kicker: I wasn't even using Apple Intelligence. I had enabled it for testing purposes, but it sort of fell by the wayside as I moved on to other things. I found Apple Intelligence rather underwhelming, but I didn't expect it to drain the battery so significantly when it wasn't actively in use.
It seems that this issue isn't limited to my hardware, as I've come across plenty of similar reports. Moreover, it doesn't appear to be restricted to the iPhone; Apple Intelligence also is being blamed by some for excessive battery consumption on MacBooks.
I find the effect repeatable — on my iPhones and, to a lesser extent. my iPads. Turn Apple Intelligence on, battery life drops like a stone; turn it off, and things go back to normal.
Also: What is AI? Everything to know about artificial intelligence
It's as reliable as clockwork. This tweak also appears to reign in the excessive battery consumption I was seeing on the iOS 18.3 beta.
If you're finding battery life to be especially poor since making the jump to iOS 18, and you've enabled the Apple Intelligence feature, it could be your culprit. I say "could" because this could be one of those "mileage will vary" situations. However, if you're not finding Apple Intelligence to be all that useful, you have nothing to lose by turning it off.
The next time you run low on your favorite food, you could place an Instacart order straight from your refrigerator — including items that your fridge added to the shopping list.
Samsung announced today that it's teaming up with Instacart to let you place a grocery order directly from your refrigerator's screen. This order can consist of items you placed there and things your fridge knew you needed.
Also: CES 2025: What to expect and how to watch
Samsung said this feature will be introduced first in the company's 2025 Bespoke models — the 32-inch "Family Hub" display version and the 9-inch "AI Home" display version. The feature also will roll out to existing AI Family Hub+ units through over-the-network firmware updates later this year.
Neither the AI technology nor the screen-ordering technology is new on its own, but it's the first time you can use them together.
Refrigerators with screens have been around for years (both from Samsung and other manufacturers), and some of these did let you place Instacart orders, but were limited to items you put in your cart.
Since 2023, Samsung's high-end refrigerators have utilized a small camera above the door and "AI Vision Inside" to automatically keep track of what's inside (not in the bins or freezer, though), but that inventory list was only available in an app. In last year's model, the technology was able to identify 30+ foods, including fruits and vegetables.
Previous Samsung models did let you track food through the Samsung Food app and send items to Instacart, but this latest model is the first to know what you have, know what you're almost out of, add the items to your cart, and let you place an order without your phone.
Samsung's new refrigerators are expected to debut at CES 2025 next week.
With CES upon us, you have probably seen countless mentions of the conference from any tech news outlet or company you follow. Whether you're a tech enthusiast or consumer, the show is guaranteed to feature something you care about — be it the launch of a new tech product or feature or the demo of some visionary technology with the potential to change the future.
Want to keep up with the conference's latest and hottest news? ZDNET will have a team on the ground bringing you the latest announcements during the show, so you don't miss a thing. Here's everything you need to know about CES 2025.
What is CES?
The Consumer Electronics Show, also known as CES for short, is an industry tradeshow that features the biggest tech players from across the globe who will showcase their latest consumer technology with daily product launches, keynotes, activations, and demos. The annual event, which has found a permanent home at the Las Vegas Convention Center and other nearby hotels, has been taking place for decades, becoming a staple in the tech community.
When is CES 2025?
The official days of CES 2025 are Tuesday, Jan. 7, to Friday, Jan. 10. However, since Jan. 5 and Jan. 6 are media days, you can expect a lot of news to break before the conference starts. Once the conference kicks off officially on Tuesday and the show floor opens, you will start to see reports related to each exhibitor's booths and demos.
The major tech companies invest a hefty penny to secure CES booths in prime locations and, therefore, make them as elaborate as possible — quite a sight to behold. To see them for yourself, follow ZDNET's video platforms (YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram).
Where is CES 2025 happening?
CES has been held in Las Vegas, Nev., since 1978.
While the main show floor is in the Las Vegas Convention Center, the conference is so massive that it expands to neighboring hotels comprised of two campuses: the Venetian campus and the C Space campus. The Venetian campus includes the Venetian, Palazzo, and Wynn, while the C Space campus includes the Aria, Vdara, Cosmopolitan, and Park MGM. There are a total of 12 official venues, spanning over 2.5 million net square feet, according to the CES website.
Can you attend CES 2025?
Although it is a tradeshow that includes the term "consumer" in the title, it is not open to the general public.
Per the CES website, "CES is a trade-only event for individuals 18 years of age or older and affiliated with the consumer technology industry." The three registration types are industry and media attendees and exhibitor personnel, and you must meet a long list of registration requirements for each.
Even if you meet the qualifications, you still have to pay to attend. There are two ticket tiers: the Exhibits Plus Pass, $350, and the Deluxe Conference Pass, $1,700. Full details on exactly who is eligible to attend and how to prove eligibility can be found on the CES registration page. In 2024, there were 135,000 or more attendees.
If you don't qualify, don't worry; most companies will livestream their keynotes, and ZDNET will update its site daily with the latest.
Which companies will be at CES 2025?
The list of companies exhibiting at CES is extensive; CES 2024 featured more than 4,300 exhibitors, including about 1,400 startups, according to CES data. This year, the CES website advertises that exhibitors will include 309 of the Fortune 500 companies. Attendees include big names such as Qualcomm, Intel, Google, Samsung, and Panasonic.
The full list is public, and you can review it here.
What can you expect at CES 2025?
At CES, you can always expect the release of lots of hardware, with new PCs and TVs being a large part of the show. Following precedent, some less flashy but equally important announcements will likely include the latest processors from the leading chip companies, such as Intel and Qualcomm, which are especially notable as they will power the latest features, including AI, in your future devices.
In terms of themes, you can expect to hear lots of AI mentions, whether it be using the technology to make more functional smart home devices, fitness trackers, assistants, robotics, features for your devices, or even standalone products, such as last year's Rabbit R1 debut.
How to watch CES 2025
The major companies will be holding live streams, so it is worth checking their YouTube pages and socials for the links. Some companies already include links to Nvidia, Samsung, and Sony. ZDNET will have a team covering the event on the ground, as well as one covering the event remotely to ensure you don't miss a thing.
