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Human Resources’ Role in Data Privacy and Cybersecurity, Part I: The Basics

AccessDefinition: The ability and means to communicate with or otherwise interact with a system, to use system resources to handle information, to gain knowledge of the information the system contains, or to control system components and functions.Air GapDefinition: To physically separate or isolate a system from other systems or networks (verb).AnonymizersDefinition: An anonymous proxy is a tool that attempts to make activity on the Internet untraceable [by making data anonymous…

  • Post category:Ogletree Deakins
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How AI is poised to transform air travel, from reservations and check-in to baggage handling

Introducing a new industry reference architecture for airlines and airports The aviation industry is entering a new era: airlines and airports worldwide are on the brink of transformation, driven by the power of generative AI. This powerful technology is creating new value at every stage of the aviation ecosystem, revolutionizing the way we fly and operate. From personalized travel offers to instant responses for customer service requests, AI is enhancing…

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Cambridge joins forces with ARIA to fast-track radical new technologies to revolutionise brain health

The collaboration, which includes researchers from the University of Cambridge, aims to accelerate progress on new neuro-technologies, including miniaturised brain implants designed to treat depression, dementia, chronic pain, epilepsy and injuries to the nervous system.Neurological and mental health disorders will affect four in every five people in their lifetimes, and present a greater overall health burden than cancer and cardiovascular disease combined. For example, 28 million people in the UK…

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Cambridge joins forces with ARIA to build new micro-machines that could revolutionise brain health

The collaboration, which includes researchers from the University of Cambridge, aims to accelerate progress on new neuro-technologies, including miniaturised brain implants designed to treat depression, dementia, chronic pain, epilepsy and injuries to the nervous system.Neurological and mental health disorders will affect four in every five people in their lifetimes, and present a greater overall health burden than cancer and cardiovascular disease combined. For example, 28 million people in the UK…

Continue ReadingCambridge joins forces with ARIA to build new micro-machines that could revolutionise brain health

A revolution is transforming women’s sports. How retail brands keep pace.

In 2024, the sector will generate $1.28 billion in revenue; the data should be sounding alarm bells for brands. Women’s sports are breaking through age-old barriers. In the past few years, we’ve witnessed significant progress, notably highlighted by the 2023 Women’s World Cup, which saw women’s sports take centre stage. That momentum gained further traction when EA Sports included women’s teams and players in their video game for the first time with EA…

  • Post category:Yonder Consulting
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California Governor Signs Freelance Worker Protection Act

Quick Hits Contracts for freelance work of $250 or more must be in writing and contain certain specific information regarding services to be provided and dates for contract completion, among other things. Payment for freelance work must be made on time or within thirty days after the completion of the work if no due date is specified in the contract. The FWPA prohibits discrimination or adverse action against freelance workers…

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University of Cambridge alumni awarded 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry

In 2020, Hassabis and Jumper of Google DeepMind presented an AI model called AlphaFold2. With its help, they have been able to predict the structure of virtually all the 200 million proteins that researchers have identified.Since their breakthrough, AlphaFold2 has been used by more than two million people from 190 countries. Among a myriad of scientific applications, researchers can now better understand antibiotic resistance and create images of enzymes that…

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Critical inputs from China: how vulnerable are European firms to supply shortages?

9 October 2024By Dennis Essers, Laura Lebastard, Michele Mancini, Ludovic Panon and Jacopo TiminiChina has been an important and reliable supplier of critical inputs for European industries for decades. But how vulnerable would our companies be if that suddenly stopped? The ECB Blog estimates the potential losses in value added for manufacturers in five countries. China is the top provider of Foreign Critical Inputs (FCIs) to the EU’s industries. So…

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Navigating a successful financial future

Whether you’re interested in setting clear financial goals, saving to buy a property or planning an enjoyable retirement, a positive side-effect of getting a solid plan in place is the impact it makes on your financial wellbeing. Strong financial wellbeing comes when you’ve built a good relationship with your money and have peace of mind about your financial circumstances. These elements enable you to thrive, whatever your stage of life. In our…

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Uday Shankar on India’s media and entertainment evolution

Media executive and entrepreneur Uday Shankar has played a key role in the transformation of entertainment and media in India and the Asia–Pacific region over the past three decades. After getting his start in journalism, Shankar transitioned to the entertainment business in 2007 as CEO of Star India, part of News Corp. He later went on to hold executive roles at 21st Century Fox (Asia) and Disney (Asia–Pacific). While at…

  • Post category:McKinsey & Company
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C-Suite Hiring: Seven Mistakes Companies Still Make

Topics Leadership Talent Management Carolyn Geason-Beissel/MIT SMR | Getty Images Selecting the right candidate for an executive role ranks high on the list of the most consequential organizational decisions. But despite employing the common tools of due diligence when assessing whether someone will perform well in the role, most companies’ predictive powers rank alongside astrology in reliability. Organizations consistently make poor hiring decisions, but they rarely rethink their approaches. Despite…

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Protecting democratic institutions from cyber threats

Microsoft’s Digital Crimes Unit (DCU) is disrupting the technical infrastructure used by a persistent Russian nation-state actor Microsoft Threat Intelligence tracks as Star Blizzard. Today, the United States District Court for the District of Columbia unsealed a civil action brought by Microsoft’s DCU, including its order authorizing Microsoft to seize 66 unique domains used by Star Blizzard in cyberattacks targeting Microsoft customers globally, including throughout the United States. Between January…

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Finding the Blueprint for Thriving Organizations

Q: What questions have guided your career? The question I began with was, “What drives inequality in society?” Early projects led me to believe that the way organizations structure themselves and manage their employment relationships has a significant impact on why some people get ahead and some people don’t. At the time, organizations were getting essentially no attention from scholars interested in inequality, so it was an area where I…

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World – Macro-economic Scenario 2024-2025: delicate balances

In the US, while the foundations of recent growth, tenacious beyond expectations, are showing some cracks, there are reasons to hope that they will not become too deep. On the one hand, we can count on the positive effects of an earlier cycle of monetary easing and, on the other, on the solid financial position of households, whose net worth has risen considerably thanks to strong gains in equities and…

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  • Reading time:7 mins read
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California Expands Protections and Paid Sick Leave Uses for Crime Victims

Quick Hits Newly enacted AB 2499 expands the FEHA by making it unlawful to discriminate or retaliate against an employee for taking time off from work for jury duty or to comply with a subpoena or other court order as a witness in a judicial proceeding, or, if the employee is a victim (i.e., an individual against whom a “qualifying act of violence” has been committed) or has a family…

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University of Cambridge alumnus awarded 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics

Hinton (King’s 1967) and Hopfield were awarded the prize “for foundational discoveries and inventions that enable machine learning with artificial neural networks.” Hinton, who is known as the ‘Godfather of AI’ is Emeritus Professor of Computer Science at the University of Toronto. He is the 122nd member of the University of Cambridge to be awarded the Nobel Prize.This year’s two Nobel Laureates in Physics have used tools from physics to…

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Power forward: Five make-or-break truths about next-gen e-commerce

E-commerce is undergoing a fundamental change that is reshaping how customers buy and companies sell. While generative AI (gen AI) has grabbed the attention of executives over the past year, a quieter wave of technology-driven innovation is washing over almost every aspect of e-commerce. This technology infusion is powering a much more comprehensive and integrated version of next-gen e-commerce, in which a broad ecosystem of capabilities—such as R&D, logistics, warehousing,…

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  • Reading time:16 mins read
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Ultra-powered MRI scans show damage to brain’s ‘control centre’ is behind long-lasting Covid-19 symptoms

Using ultra-high-resolution scanners that can see the living brain in fine detail, researchers from the Universities of Cambridge and Oxford were able to observe the damaging effects Covid-19 can have on the brain.The study team scanned the brains of 30 people who had been admitted to hospital with severe Covid-19 early in the pandemic, before vaccines were available. The researchers found that Covid-19 infection damages the region of the brainstem…

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How to Develop Continuous Learners

Leaders can help more employees upskill, reskill, and adapt to change by applying four key strategies. Wendy Tan and Joo-Seng Tan October 07, 2024 Reading Time: 7 min  Carolyn Geason-Beissel/MIT SMR | Getty Images Amid the ever-increasing frequency and complexity of job changes and career transitions people experience, the notion of “one life, one career” has given rise to the phenomenon of a “portfolio career” that comprises a variety of…

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OSH Law Primer, Part X: Voluntary Safety and Health Self-Audits

The first article in this series provided a general overview of the OSH Act and OSHA; the second article examined OSHA’s rulemaking process; the third article reviewed an employer’s duty to comply with standards; the fourth article discussed the general duty clause; the fifth article addressed OSHA’s recordkeeping requirements; the sixth article covered employees’ and employers’ respective rights; the seventh article addressed whistleblower issues; and the eighth article covered the…

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Election 2024: Why Demographics Won’t Predict the Next President

Pundits love a political horse race, parsing the latest polls to predict who might win an election. And in the final runup to the US presidential contest, these forecasts can influence markets and shape public opinion and policies.But as America heads to the polls in November, new research warns forecasters to use caution with one large body of data: past demographic voting trends. Analyzing census figures and US presidential and…

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A new era of hotel ratings in the UK & Ireland?

For the first time ever, the Michelin guide has released its ‘keys’ for hotels in the UK & Ireland; part of its refresh for their hotel section. They see it as delivering the same level of recommendation for hotels, as it does for restaurants, with the keys equating to the following: One Key: a very special stay. Two Keys: an exceptional stay. Three Keys: an extraordinary stay. In their first…

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  • Reading time:6 mins read
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What is a Target Operating Model?

How to effectively design, implement, and evolve a Target Operating Model A Target Operating Model (TOM) serves as the blueprint for how an organisation should function to achieve its goals. This article explores key elements such as strategy, value chains, enterprise architecture, roles, culture, and performance. It provides practical insights on how to effectively design, implement, and evolve a TOM. Reading time: 3 minutes You may well have come across…

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How to Put the ‘Art’ In Artificial Intelligence: Using AI in Brand Management

Marketers are naturally creative and have always thought outside the box in terms of how to be more efficient while delivering products and services. Many have started to look at how AI may increase their brand visibility. The approach has always been to craft messaging and communicate through storytelling in an effort to build strong relationships with their potential clients which leads to brand loyalty. Artificial intelligence (AI) and its…

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How to embrace the CEO role: An interview with Daniel Vasella

Leadership is never easy—not for nothing did Shakespeare write, “Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.” The job of leader may seem even more imposing these days given a range of micro- and macro- social, economic, and geopolitical forces. But amid the challenges, there is always the opportunity for growth, says Daniel Vasella, the former chairman and CEO of Novartis AG. Vasella has counseled hundreds of global CEOs through…

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  • Reading time:17 mins read
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Taylor Swift is thinking about a Prenup – you too?

In September 2024, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce marked their first anniversary, and rumours of marriage have intensified. It is reported that the couple has discussed needing a Prenuptial Agreement before getting engaged, with Swift’s net worth estimated at $1 billion and Kelce’s at $70 million. Though most of us don’t have billion-dollar fortunes, this situation highlights the importance of financial planning and clarity in relationships. You might still be…

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What is Strategic Brand Consultancy?

Developing a clear and strategic brand is essential for businesses aiming to stand out and connect with their target audience. A strategic brand consultancy not only helps companies craft a brand that aligns with their mission but also ensures it resonates with customers and distinguishes itself from competitors. Whether you’re a startup or a large corporation looking to reposition or refresh your brand identity, strategic brand consultancy plays a pivotal…

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Cybersecurity Awareness Month: Securing our world—together

As Cybersecurity Awareness Month marks its 21st year, it’s clear that this year stands out. Phishing emails have become more convincing, and fraud has increased, making cyberattackers seem legitimate—as if they were Microsoft support or even the fraud detection services from your bank.1 And threat actors are taking advantage of the rise of AI, using it to enhance and fine-tune their strategies. To add to the complexity, dedicated cybersecurity teams…

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Taming the World’s Affordable Housing Crisis

The world is knee-deep in a housing crisis. According to the United Nations, 1.6 billion people – one in every five – lack adequate housing, and the number could rise to 3 billion by 2030. It is a problem that plagues rich and poor countries alike, from Burundi to the United States, damaging well-being, distorting economic choices and worsening inequality. The crisis impacts not only individuals but also weakens economies and…

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How to reduce a Dividend Tax bill as the number of people paying doubles in 3 years

In 1602, the Dutch East India Company became the first-ever publicly traded business and began issuing dividends – a portion of the company’s profits paid to shareholders. According to Investment Week, shareholders received a shipment of nutmeg and pepper as payment. Over 400 years later, dividends – now paid in the form of cash or additional shares – have evolved to become an integral part of the stock market. As…

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Exports to China have become less important

German exports to Eastern European countries and the US have fully compensated for the weaker development of exports to China. The increase of exports to Eastern Europe has mainly been driven by Poland, which alone has reached a share of 6% in total German exports in 2024 YTD – and which is now as important for the German export sector as China. The combined share of Poland, Czech Republic and…

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Between Scylla and Charybdis: The Fate of the Trans-Kyrgyz Railway

Competition, albeit latent, can be both counterproductive and beneficial for the project. Until recently, Russia was sceptical about the Trans-Kyrgyz Railway project, reasonably believing that this project would not be a global competitor to the Trans-Siberian Railway, despite the shorter, but more complex route to Europe. Russian Railways were even officially present in the working group for the development of the Trans-Kyrgyz Railway project (or as it is called, the…

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Toyota is Investing $500 Million in Joby Aviation

Toyota City, Japan, and Santa Cruz, CA, October 2, 2024―Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota; NYSE: TM) and Joby Aviation, Inc. (Joby; NYSE: JOBY), a company developing electric air taxis for commercial passenger service, today announced that Toyota will invest an additional $500 million to support the certification and commercial production of Joby's electric air taxi, with the aim of realizing the two companies' shared vision of air mobility. The investment, which…

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Arts Education Teaches Empathy, Values Mentorship

In the dramatic arts, training artists and actors holds as much importance as teaching tools for expression, according to Carnegie Mellon alumni with ties to Broadway. “Arts education allowed me to see that there was not one way to be, not one way to learn, not one way to process information,” said Nate Bertone(opens in new window) (CFA 2016), a member of the Tartans on the Rise Class of 2024(opens in new window).…

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40% of major companies, cities and regions lack emission reduction targets

As the climate crisis accelerates, the Net Zero Stocktake 2024 identifies a commitment gap across cities, states and regions, which is holding back the necessary economy-wide transition. The Net Zero Tracker’s annual assessment of the intent and integrity of global climate commitments, shows only a modest increase in net zero targets set by subnational governments (states and regions, and cities) in the past year. Thomas Hale, Professor of Public Policy at…

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‘Fuel starts the engine, but data drives the race’ – Ducati

As the Ducati Lenovo Team powers up for a potential hat-trick in the 2024 MotoGP World Championship, they’re shifting gears in a new era where data, not just fuel, drives the race. In high-performance racing, where every millisecond counts, the two companies are now shaving off seconds every race thanks to the introduction of a groundbreaking track-enabled robot, powered by the Lenovo ThinkStation P360 Ultra workstation. A Partnership Powered by…

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SDNY Chief Judge to ADA Plaintiff: Court Closed for Business to Online-Only ADA Web Cases

Image of computer and coffee mug By: John W. Egan and Minh N. Vu Seyfarth Synopsis: A recent decision holding that web-only businesses cannot be sued over the accessibility of their website under the ADA is the first of its kind in the Southern District of New York and may cause forum-shopping serial plaintiffs and their counsel to shift to state court.  The Chief Judge Laura Taylor Swain of the…

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Introducing Drasi: Microsoft’s new change data processing system

Drasi is Microsoft's new open-source project that simplifies change detection and reaction in complex systems, enhancing real-time event-driven architectures. Drasi is a new data processing system that simplifies detecting critical events within complex infrastructures and taking immediate action tuned to business objectives. Developers and software architects can leverage its capabilities across event-driven scenarios, whether working on Internet of Things (IoT) integrations, enhancing security protocols, or managing sophisticated applications. The Microsoft…

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FinCEN’s October 2024 Beneficial Ownership Information FAQ Update

On October 3, 2024, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued new guidance concerning the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) by updating and expanding on the Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) Reporting Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) that Seyfarth's CTA Task Force has covered in the past. Key updates include clarifications on who can access and submit BOI, the use of third-party service providers, exemptions for certain entities, the creation and conversion of…

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Navigating Meal Period Compliance: Key Insights From Recent Washington Court Ruling for Employers

Quick Hits The Washington Court of Appeals affirmed a lower court’s decision requiring a hospital to compensate employees for missed meal periods, not only with the time worked but also with an additional thirty minutes of pay per missed break, as a remedy for depriving them of their statutory break rights. The ruling emphasizes the importance of employers in Washington adhering to statutory obligations regarding breaks during meal and rest…

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