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Fortifying our Agriculture against Climate Change

The article discusses India’s record-breaking foodgrains production in 2021-22 and the emerging challenges posed by climate change, resulting in extreme weather events. It highlights the impact of such events on the different stages of crop lifecycles – sowing, irrigation, and harvesting. The article also presents possible mitigation measures, including using resilient crop varieties, incorporating millets in the crop mix, adopting precision agriculture techniques, and evaluating future crop distribution. India witnessed…

  • Post category:Avalon Consulting
  • Reading time:7 mins read
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CMU Research Examines Sustainability of Grocery Delivery

The COVID-19 pandemic saw a marked surge of e-commerce and online grocery delivery services that persisted past lockdown conditions. The latest work(opens in new window) by Carnegie Mellon University College of Engineering researchers examined the impacts of grocery delivery on energy use, emissions and traffic congestion, and whether there might be a better way to manage and optimize deliveries. The study found that grocery delivery was less energy efficient than…

  • Post category:Carnegie Mellon
  • Reading time:4 mins read
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AI, Efficiency, and All Things Fintech in 2023: A Q&A with the CEOs of Adyen, SoFi, and Wise

From left to right: SoFi CEO Anthony Noto, Wise CEO Kristo Käärmann, Adyen co-CEO Pieter van der Does, and a16z Partner Alex Immerman. During a recent Connect/Fintech event hosted by a16z, Pieter van der Does, co-founder and co-CEO of leading financial technology platform Adyen, Anthony Noto, CEO of the leading digital personal finance company SoFi, and Kristo Käärmann, co-founder and CEO of leading money movement platform service Wise, sat down…

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Melissa Davis: Can a Radiologist Trust AI?

Harlan Krumholz: Welcome to Health & Veritas. I’m Harlan Krumholz. Howard Forman: I’m Howie Forman. We’re physicians and professors at Yale University. We’re trying to get closer to the truth about health and healthcare. This week, we’ll be speaking with Dr. Melissa Davis. But first, we’d like to check in on hot topics in health and healthcare. And Harlan, I know there’s a topic that got you really interested, and…

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China: New Measures on Generative Artificial Intelligence

On 13 July 2023, China’s Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) and six other regulators have jointly passed the Interim Measures for the Management of Generative Artificial Intelligence Services (GenAI Measures) which come into force on 15 August 2023. The new law, which is the first of its kind in Asia, follows from previous draft measures released earlier this year. The new rules contain several notable changes which provide more clarity…

  • Post category:DLA Piper
  • Reading time:7 mins read
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How Robots Can Enhance Performance Management for Humans

We are in the middle of a robot revolution. The past decade has seen dramatic growth in robot adoption across an increasing number of industries, and it shows no signs of slowing. In a recent McKinsey survey of companies worldwide, 88% of respondents said they plan to invest in robotics for their business. Our research has found an equally and perhaps more important transformation taking place: The adoption of robots…

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Toxic workplace culture…I’m not loving it

In February this year, McDonalds entered into a legally binding agreement with the Equality and Human Rights Commission through which it pledged to protect its staff from sexual harassment. Following the agreement, the BBC began an investigation into working conditions within McDonalds, which has now revealed over 100 allegations from current and former McDonalds workers across the past five months relating to sexual assault, harassment, racism and homophobia.  From pledging…

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What is AI and how should organisations be considering it?

Recently, it’s been impossible to open LinkedIn or browse the articles from your favourite thought leader without being confronted with headlines such as ‘AI WILL CHANGE THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT’ and ‘ROBOTS ARE BETTER THAN YOU’. I haven’t had such trepidation about technology since watching films like The Terminator as a youngster, albeit I was pretty excited about the world that Back to the Future painted. We’ll get…

  • Post category:Clarasys
  • Reading time:9 mins read
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Motivational Interviewing in Healthcare with Dr. Bruce Berger | E. 78

Bruce explains that motivational interviewing is still the most effective intervention for substance abuse, why adherence hasn’t improved in 40 years, and why discharge counseling should be provided the day before patients leave hospital. He also shares how MI interventions reduced the patient dropout rate from 13% to 1.2%, saving $93 million for one biotech company in four months, and urges healthcare leaders to stop objectifying patients. Show Topics Motivational…

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Sustainability Progress Is Stalled at Most Companies

While many companies talk the talk of sustainability, claiming to be integrating environmental and societal concerns into their business models, far fewer walk the walk: Managers typically treat sustainability as someone else’s problem and relegate it to a department or even a single individual.1 On the other hand, companies that have been successful in transforming their business models to be more sustainable have embedded sustainability into their corporate DNA. This…

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Improving culture, quality, and speed for a home lending giant

Elabor8 customer, one of Australia’s largest banks with almost 40,000 employees, underwent a major enterprise-wise transformation. The aim was to introduce a fresh operational approach that would improve its response to customer needs, empower staff and enable productivity. While this drove positive change across much of the business, the new model didn’t seem to translate on the ground to the home lending business unit, which needed to work effectively with…

  • Post category:Elabor8
  • Reading time:6 mins read
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Savers celebrate rising interest rates, but it could mean an unexpected tax charge

After more than a decade of low interest rates, many people will be pleased to see the amount their savings are earning is starting to rise. Yet, it could mean you need to pay a tax charge. Interest from saving accounts may be liable for Income Tax. When the average interest rate was below 1%, you usually had to have a substantial amount held in cash accounts to face a…

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Antstream Arcade brings 1300 retro video games to Xbox consoles

We’re excited to share that Antstream Arcade, a cross-platform streaming platform focusing on retro games, is now available on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, bringing its current library of over 1,300 retro games to Xbox consoles. Jump in today and play classics like Mortal Kombat, Pac-Man, Asteroids, and Earthworm Jim from your couch. Experience classic PS1 and Nintendo games such as Loaded, Indiana Jones Greatest Adventures, and Super Star…

  • Post category:Microsoft
  • Reading time:8 mins read
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AI, Automation Aid Science Exploration

During the COVID-19 pandemic, robots helped Carnegie Mellon University students in the Computational Biology Department complete lab assignments. Joshua Kangas(opens in new window), an assistant professor in the Computational Biology Department(opens in new window) and co-director of the Master of Science in Automated Science(opens in new window) (MSAS) program, said students could log in to the Automated Science Lab(opens in new window)’s integrated robot, design experimental protocols and use cameras…

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  • Reading time:7 mins read
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Breaking the mould in the Middle East – how women can succeed in the construction industry

Attitudes towards women in the workplace are changing in the Gulf states – and the unlikely combination of technology and empathy can accelerate this transformation, according to pioneering female figures in construction. How women can succeed in the industry was the theme of a webinar on 22 June 2023 jointly hosted by global risk mitigation consultancy HKA and Reed Smith, the international law firm. Acknowledging the positive changes in the…

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  • Reading time:6 mins read
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Multi-billion-dollar risk to economic activity from climate extremes affecting ports: Oxford report

More than $122 billion of economic activity - $81 billion in international trade - is at risk from the impact of extreme climate events, according to new research today [20 July] from Oxford’s Environmental Change Institute. According to the paper in Nature Climate Change, systemic impacts – those risks faced due to knock-on effects within global shipping, trade and supply chains network - will hit ports and economies around the…

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Foxconn’s decision to pull out of India is a reflection of the country’s weaknesses

Vedanta says it is keen to team up with a new partner to pursue development of the project – though no names have been put forward as yet – and continues to acquire production licences (for production-grade 40 nm technology, with talks in progress over a 28 nm licence; for reference, the technological frontier set by TSMC and Samsung is 5 nm). The Indian government considers semiconductors to be of…

  • Post category:Credit Agricole
  • Reading time:5 mins read
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Refactoring or Recompiling? Streamlining the Transition Between Architectures with Wing Cloud*

The process of building software usually begins with a set of requirements; As engineers, we are trained to find the most efficient way to solve these requirements. Then, we figure out how to adjust and scale the software based on the usage and reliability needs of users. This process is cyclical, even Sisyphean. As the software is used and the business grows, the product must be improved to meet new…

  • Post category:Battery Ventures
  • Reading time:8 mins read
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Disability Pride Month and the Role of Employee Listening

July is Disability Pride Month, a time dedicated to promoting visibility and mainstream awareness of the positive pride felt by people with disabilities. All too often the focus is on what people with visible or invisible disabilities can’t do, rather than their tremendous accomplishments and capabilities, which this month spotlights. Disability Pride Month also provides us with an opportunity to highlight a critical aspect of employee engagement, inclusion, and overall…

  • Post category:Perceptyx
  • Reading time:7 mins read
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Navigating Contractual Commitment: Unveiling Effort Levels and Qualifying Phrases in Legal Obligations

It is quite common to find wording in commercial contracts that seeks to “water down” an absolute requirement to do something to a qualified level of effort, with phrases such as ‘reasonable endeavours’ or ‘best efforts’ all too familiar to those negotiating contracts. It is, of course, important to understand the implications of including such phrases in a contract with regard to the law of the jurisdiction that will govern…

  • Post category:DLA Piper
  • Reading time:7 mins read
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Setting up a Business in the UK: The Legal Considerations

Starting a new business is very time consuming, especially if the UK is new to you, with different rules and regulations. Dixcart Legal Limited (Dixcart Legal) can assist with your legal requirements in a seamless way (as well as providing access to tax, IT, and payroll teams if required) so that you can focus your time on building your business. Set out in this brief note are issues to consider…

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  • Reading time:10 mins read
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Safety of cryptocurrency is in the numbers

The safety of cryptocurrency comes under regular scrutiny. Safely guiding customers through the complexities of crypto requires a joint effort between banks, fintech companies, and customers. By fostering a collaborative approach, financial institutions can empower their customers to confidently embrace digital assets while minimising risks.  A lot of potential users of crypto still don’t understand what crypto is, its functionality and its potential. The aforementioned collaborative approach should start with…

  • Post category:Ayming consulting
  • Reading time:3 mins read
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Navigating Liability in IoT and Autonomous Vehicle Contracts: Practical Tips for Effective Risk Management

Revolutionary technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and autonomous vehicles are reshaping industries worldwide. As these innovations advance, understanding and managing liability in contracts becomes paramount for all stakeholders involved. In this article, we provide practical tips to help businesses successfully navigate liability issues within IoT and autonomous vehicle commercial contracts. Setting the GPS for Liability Imagine an IoT project where a manufacturer supplies smart devices, a software…

  • Post category:Logan & Partners
  • Reading time:5 mins read
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A monthly update on the state of the US consumer: July 2023

After signs of improving economic sentiment in the spring, consumer spending seems to be in a summer slump. Across age and income groups, American consumers continue to spend less than they did a year prior—except on travel. Real year-over-year spending has declined for the third month in a row, while for the first time in more than two years, nominal spending growth is now negative as well. Will US consumer…

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Secrets Exposed: Trade Secrets, Trust, and a Multi-Million Dollar Lesson

At the beginning of the pandemic, concerns were raised that trade secret misappropriation might take a new form. Indeed, with large swaths of the workforce working from home, spouses, roommates, or others living in the same area had an increased opportunity to purloin confidential information that might not have been available to them previously. But a recent case in Massachusetts highlights that this is not unique to pandemic-era work-from-home setups.…

  • Post category:Seyfarth Shaw LLP
  • Reading time:4 mins read
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Mental Health Challenges Among World Leaders

Mental health is a complex issue that can affect people from all walks of life, regardless of their social or political status. Historically, some world leaders have been open about their struggles with mental health issues, while others may have faced challenges privately. It is essential to remember that mental health problems should not be stigmatized, and seeking help and support is crucial for everyone, including those in positions of…

  • Post category:Civility Partners
  • Reading time:4 mins read
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A new federal lobby code of conduct

Parliament has recessed for the summer. As we take stock of the many subjects that occupied Members of Parliament from January to June 2023, the amended Lobbyists' Code of Conduct ("Code") under the Lobbying Act is on their list of accomplishments. What does this mean for your organization or corporation, and the potential lobbying activities that you plan to undertake in the fall of 2023? The 2023 Lobbyists' Code of Conduct…

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Apple celebrates Lionel Messi’s debut with Inter Miami CF on MLS Season Pass

Fans around the world can watch all the Messi action and the Leagues Cup tournament starting July 21. To mark Lionel Messi’s anticipated debut with Inter Miami CF and Major League Soccer on Friday, July 21, fans around the world can tune in to MLS Season Pass to enjoy a range of content that complements all the action on the pitch. As Inter Miami takes on LIGA MX’s Cruz Azul…

  • Post category:Apple Inc.
  • Reading time:6 mins read
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Shifting the deficit mindset

Peter Belmi, who earned his PhD at Stanford Graduate School of Business in 2015, was the first in his family to attend college. Today he’s a professor at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business. Yet when some of his graduating students who were also “first-gens” asked if they should mention that fact in their job applications, Belmi was hesitant. He talked it over with several colleagues — including…

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Talk it out

When Abby Rubin Davisson, MA ’08, MBA ’08, and her then-boyfriend, Ross Davisson, ’01, MBA ’08, were deciding whether to move in together, they wrote a 20-page research paper about it, covering everything from how they would manage finances and divide household tasks to where they would spend holidays. At the time, they were students in Work and Family, a popular course taught by Myra Strober at the Graduate School…

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Post-Merger Integration: A Comprehensive Guide to Successful Mergers

  In this comprehensive guide, we explore the intricacies of Post-Merger Integration and how to ensure successful mergers. Learn the strategies, challenges, and best practices to navigate this crucial phase and maximize the potential of your combined business. Introduction Mergers and acquisitions have become integral to the modern business landscape, offering companies unique opportunities for growth, diversification, and enhanced competitiveness. However, the process of merging two separate entities into a…

  • Post category:NMS Consulting
  • Reading time:31 mins read
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A long-term focus on growing cities in Africa

When Stanford University researchers, including Professors Pascaline Dupas and Marcel Fafchamps, set out to test a new way of assessing relative poverty, applying a peer-ranking methodology they devised to data from a large metropolis in Côte d’Ivoire and rural Indonesia, their method worked—in some ways better than other poverty measures. But, in the urban setting, they ran up against a problem: Most people did not know their neighbors well enough…

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Set aside your ego: partnerships are the key to financial excellence

The reputation of an investment bank hinges on its products, service quality, and public trust. However, beneath these pillars of customer experience often lies a considerable reliance on manual operational processes and outdated in-house technology infrastructure. Why? Traditionally, investment banks have favoured internal development and maintenance of all products and services, driven by notions of pride, “prestige,” or the imperative of risk management. Despite recent efforts to prioritise client-centricity and…

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  • Reading time:9 mins read
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Stop Going It Alone

History is filled with tales of courageous and decisive heroes. Individuals like Julius Caesar and Winston Churchill, for instance, have led from the front to guide their people through adversity and achieve ultimate success. This myth building is especially prominent in the business sector, with stories of inspiring CEOs parachuting in to rescue and revive troubled organisations. But is a strong leader who takes a centralised approach to company strategy…

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  • Reading time:8 mins read
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The Case Against Restricting Stock Buybacks

  Are stock buybacks as bad as they’re made out to be? The ubiquitous corporate practice of repurchasing shares has been the focus of much political and media scrutiny. The federal Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 included a 1% excise tax on repurchases (which President Biden has proposed increasing to 4% in his 2024 budget). In addition, senior Democrats have shown interest in barring executives from selling shares for three…

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7 common but potentially harmful Inheritance Tax myths debunked

Inheritance Tax (IHT) is often controversial – you may have heard of it referred to as “the most hated tax in Britain”. Yet, despite the coverage it receives, it’s often misunderstood. Common myths about IHT could mean you’re needlessly worrying about a potential bill or failing to take steps that could allow you to pass on more wealth to your family. Read on to discover seven common myths about IHT…

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