#current software development trends

[jackied0minguez]

Remote Work Redefined: TopDevz CEO Ashkan Rajaee on the Future of Flexible Business

In a world where remote work has rapidly shifted from a temporary solution to a long-term strategy, TopDevz CEO Ashkan Rajaee is leading by example. Speaking ahead of the Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show, Rajaee shared insights on how his company has seamlessly integrated remote operations into its DNA—and why he believes this model isn’t just a passing trend.

A New Kind of Software Solutions

TopDevz isn’t your typical tech firm. Comprising an elite team of software developers, designers, project managers, and quality assurance specialists based in the United States and Canada, the company tackles the unique challenges that conventional off-the-shelf software can’t resolve. Rajaee explains that while standard solutions can cover 80–90% of business needs, the remaining nuances often cause significant inefficiencies. TopDevz fills this gap by offering custom solutions designed to address those critical details, ensuring that their clients achieve peak operational efficiency. With an impressive 96% workforce retention rate and 63% of their business coming through referrals, the company’s model speaks volumes about its effectiveness and employee satisfaction.

Mastering Remote Operations

Long before the global pivot to remote work, TopDevz was already thriving in a fully virtual environment. Rajaee emphasizes that the success of remote operations lies in having the right infrastructure and clear communication channels. “Working remotely isn’t as simple as logging in from home,” he notes. “It demands disciplined processes and a commitment to best practices—elements we’ve honed over the years.” His team’s seamless transition during the pandemic only reinforced the idea that a well-organized remote workforce can outperform traditional office setups.

The Indefinite Future of Remote Work

For TopDevz, remote work isn’t a temporary workaround—it’s the future. Rajaee envisions a business landscape where companies can lower overhead costs while empowering employees to work from anywhere. This flexible model not only drives client satisfaction by reducing expenses but also enriches employees’ lives by allowing them to choose environments that inspire creativity and well-being.

Rajaee even shares a personal touch: his passion for working from a yacht. Equipped with reliable Wi-Fi and satellite services, his unconventional workspace symbolizes the freedom that remote work offers. “If your current job doesn’t support the lifestyle you aspire to, it’s time to consider other opportunities,” he advises. His own journey from renting a yacht to eventually making it part of his regular work life underscores the importance of aligning one’s career with personal values and ambitions.

Empowering the Next Generation of Remote Entrepreneurs

Beyond leading TopDevz, Rajaee is passionate about sharing his remote work philosophy. Through his “RemotePreneur” initiative, he provides aspiring entrepreneurs and professionals with a playbook for building successful remote companies. This resource addresses the nuanced challenges of remote business management—from overcoming financial stagnation in traditional roles to confronting the inevitable criticisms that come with venturing off the beaten path. Rajaee’s message is clear: true freedom in work comes from rethinking established norms and embracing the possibilities that remote operations can offer.

Embracing a New Era

As businesses around the globe continue to navigate the evolving work landscape, Ashkan Rajaee’s vision serves as a powerful reminder that remote work, when executed with precision and passion, can unlock unprecedented opportunities. His leadership at TopDevz demonstrates that with the right approach, remote operations can not only sustain but also drive innovation, employee satisfaction, and overall business growth.

In a time when flexibility and adaptability are more important than ever, Rajaee’s insights offer a compelling roadmap for companies eager to thrive in a remote-first world.

[djgamek1ng]

MTG x Final Fantasy Card Discussion (Pt. 2.5 - Tifa, Martial Artist)

Hello! It is 3rd of May, which means it is Tifa Lockhart's birthday! For this occasion, we also got her card revealed. Specifically, we got her card in the FF7 Limit Break commander deck precon revealed as the alternative commander. This will be a short post, but let's talk about her.

So there is Tifa Lockhart, the most popular female Final Fantasy character. Let's quickly discuss the colors: yeah, they fit. I'd say she is more Green/White with a splash of Red, but that still makes Red/Green/White, so that's kind of a moot point. There is an argument Blue should be somewhere in there, with how she is more reflective and standoff-ish about her own feelings, but the chosen colors feel appropriate enough. Anyway, a 4 mana 4/4 is right on rate, so that's good. Aside from that, her abilities are:

Melee, which gives her a +1/+1 for every opponent you attack if you attack with her, so to +3/+3 in your average commander game if you have 2 other creatures attacking and attack all your opponents. At minimum, she's a 5/5 whenever she attacks. At most, she's a 7/7 whenever she attacks. This is quite good, makes her quite aggressive.

Whenever one or more creatures you control with 7 power or greater deal combat damage to a player, you untap all creatures you control and if it is the first combat phase of your turn, there is an additional combat phase after this phase. This... gets complicated. So, if you get Tifa to 7+ power alone via whatever means and she is able to deal combat damage to a player, she untaps all your creatures and you get an additional combat phase. However, if you get Tifa to 7+ power and have 2 other creatures of 7+ power attacking to all other players and they all deal combat damage to a player, you get the untap 3 times and the additional combat phase 3 times. This is because of how this ability is worded. In terms of programming terms (since I did study Software Development), this is like an if statement inside of an if statement. The ability will always trigger if you deal damage to a player with a creature of 7 power or greater, so if you do that 3 times, you trigger the ability 3 times. Then, as part of the same trigger, it checks if it is your first combat phase of the turn and if so, gives you an extra combat phase. Because that trigger is on the stack 3 times, supposedly during your first combat phase, it gives you 3 extra combat phases. EVEN MORE SO, because this is tied to you dealing combat damage to a player, giving all the creatures of 7+ power double strike does in fact also double the triggers, meaning you'd get a potential 6 extra combat phases. Also 6 extra untaps, but that's relatively minor unless you have tap abilities to tap your creatures you can use between triggers.

So uh... what the f**k is the trend with these alternative commanders? Celes goes infinite with Persist and Tifa can potentially give you 6 extra combat steps, 3 if you are being more reasonable? All the main commanders looked relatively chill, why do the alternative commanders have 0 chill?

Anyway, my review of the card is that it is currently the clear winner of the commanders revealed for this deck. It's insane and the fact that it is Red/Green/White makes it so much scarier, since you can just slap this into a big dinosaur deck and go crazy with extra turns. This card will be expensive to get most likely. This is definitely a "remove it or die" type commander when the player controlling her can put any type of evasion on their creatures, like Trample, Menace or Flying, all not too uncommon in the colors chosen for her. At least Celes breaks 1 very specific mechanic, Tifa just breaks having any big creatures on the field.

As for the art. Credit to Yumi Yaoshida. Link to their Twitter. Hmm... I don't love this. She herself looks great, the background is phenomenal, but all the cinders/sparks? They make this art quite cluttered. This is definitely a decision I wholeheartedly disagree with, the sparks just make the art lesser. I'm also confused, if the sparks are something you want to show, why not show what they came from? We're now just looking at Tifa... Also also, I do notice how muted that red on her glove is. Not a fan, should be higher contrast in my opinion. Still good art, just not a slam dunk.

Like every other main commander cart, as for the alternative art:

Credit to Robert Cornelius. Link to his Instagram (though it's not been used in a few years). Now this art is amazing. I'm still not over the blank backgrounds, even though I do think this is the second best use of it, but the art itself is great. All the details are on point, she is looking sharp, a good in-character pose, even if it is a bit duller than I'd hope for. This is great, easily now battling against Tidus, Yuna's Guardian normal art and Celes, Rune Knight alternative art.

---

And that's it! That's the singular card review I have to do for another week (oh god, the debut is next week). Overall, absolutely insane card that will be priced way too highly for a piece of cardboard. Tifa Lockhart everyone! This was a quick post, now it is just the waiting game until next week! Thanks for reading and have a nice day o/

Oh, as a small bonus, here is the alt art of Cloud's main set card:

[howlsofbloodhounds]

Because I had headcanon that Color is Autistic and has developed special interests in things such as photography, travel, maybe even things like social advocacy.

Maybe even philosophy and psychology. For now, in this posts, I’ll focus on the big two: photography and traveling. (I will also touch on how Color’s physical disability, chronic fatigue, his autism, and perhaps his ptsd/ separation anxiety from Killer also effect his ability to engage in his interests in another post.)

I think he’d develop some decent if not above average technical knowledge, such as camera types and functions. Detailed understanding of different types of cameras (DSLR, mirrorless, point-and-shoot, medium format, etc.) and their specific functions.

Knowledge about various lenses (prime, zoom, wide-angle, telephoto, macro) and their applications. Mastery of camera settings like ISO, aperture, shutter speed, and how to manipulate them for different lighting conditions and artistic effects.

In-depth understanding of how aperture, shutter speed, and ISO interact to create a properly exposed photograph. Proficiency in using software like Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop, or other photo editing tools for post-processing and enhancing images.

He’d learn about artistic elements such as composition techniques, lighten and color theory. Develop a familiarity with compositional rules like the rule of thirds, leading lines, framing, symmetry, and how to creatively break these rules.

Knowledge about natural and artificial lighting, how to use light to create mood and depth, and techniques like backlighting, side lighting, and using reflectors. Understanding of how colors interact, complementary colors, and how to use color to convey emotion and direct viewer attention.

Awareness of different photography styles (portrait, landscape, macro, street, documentary, astrophotography, etc.) and genres, and what makes each unique.

Knowledge about influential photographers and their work, such as Ansel Adams, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Annie Leibovitz, and contemporary photographers.

Understanding the evolution of photography, from daguerreotypes to digital photography, and significant milestones in the field. Awareness of current trends in photography, popular styles, and emerging technologies.

And, of course, he’d develop and grow practical experiences and hands on practice. Experience with on-location shoots, managing different weather conditions, and adapting to various shooting environments.

Knowledge about how to properly maintain and clean camera equipment to ensure longevity and optimal performance. Skills in troubleshooting common issues like lens flare, sensor dust, or focus problems.

He’d have a deep enthusiasm for specific techniques or subjects he enjoys photographing, whichever or whatever you all think those could be exactly.

Likely to have personal photography projects, well-organized portfolios, and possibly an online presence showcasing their work. Extensive collection of books, articles, videos, and tutorials related to photography.

A special interest in traveling, in addition to photography, would manifest in the character in several ways, showcasing their passion and extensive knowledge about various aspects of travel. Here are some specific aspects:

For his interest in travel, he’d be very well versed in the planning and research process. Color might create comprehensive travel itineraries, meticulously planning each day's activities, routes, and schedules.

He might gradually develop an extensive knowledge about various travel destinations, including historical sites, natural landmarks, cultural attractions, and lesser-known gems.

He’d display a proficiency in booking flights, accommodations, and transportation, as well as understanding visa requirements, travel insurance, and local regulations.

An expertise in packing efficiently, knowing what to bring for different climates and activities, and how to pack photography gear safely for travel. Color is likely to show a very deep and profound appreciation for different cultures, learning basic phrases or even fluency in multiple languages to better communicate while traveling.

He’d definitely show a deep interest in trying and understanding local cuisines, knowing popular dishes, and even recipes from various regions. He’d have at least some knowledge about local customs, traditions, festivals, and etiquette to respect and immerse themselves in different cultures.

He’d certainly develop some geographical and historical knowledge, with a detailed understanding of world geography, maps, and the ability to navigate using traditional maps as well as digital tools.

Knowledge about the history of the places he visits, including significant events, historical figures, and the cultural evolution of the region.

He might maintain detailed travel logs or journals documenting his experiences, including photos, notes, and personal reflections. He’d definitely collect souvenirs, postcards, or other memorabilia from his travels; often gifting them to beloved friends.

He’d probably engage with travel communities, forums, and social media groups to share experiences and gain insights.

This special interest would possibly lead to him gaining a lot of practical skills, such as in budget management. Expertise in budgeting for travel, finding deals, and managing expenses effectively.

He might display an ability to adapt to different environments, handle unexpected situations, and problem-solve while on the go.

Although it’d probably be harder for him than most, particularly if he has a harder time handling and dealing with change—especially if the change is unexpected and unplanned.

Knowledge about staying healthy while traveling, such as understanding local healthcare options, vaccinations, and travel safety tips.

He’d like combine both interests by using his photography skills to capture stunning images of the places he visits, creating travel blogs or photo albums to document his journeys.

He might create photo essays or visual stories that capture the essence of the cultures and places he explores. Share his travel experiences and recommendations with others, possibly through writing travel guides, blogs, or social media content.

All this is to say that Killer would definitely encourage Color to come with him to explore abandoned places and ghost towns, and Color’s going to be so overjoyed he starts hand flapping. He’s going to take so many pictures, he’s going to remember it forever.

[australianartistsdaily]

Generative AI and its place within the Australian music industry.

The introduction of AI within mainstream society over the last few years has been controversial. And yet within Australia alone, as of mid 2024, it was estimated that 68% of companies use AI and that approximately $6.4 billion Australian dollars had been invested into AI throughout the country. Of this, it was estimated that $430 million Australian dollars had been invested into generative AI for music with that amount expected to tenfold by 2028; meaning it will become the equivalent of 28% of the global music copyright collection as of 2022. This will make it the fourth biggest compound growth for generative AI; following only behind code generators, images and videos. To compare, as of mid 2024, it was currently only 8% of all AI investment within Australia.

To get a sense of both the impact generative AI has had on the music industry and the assumed impact those in the industry believe it will have in the near future, music rights management organisation APRA AMCOS conducted multiple studies in mid 2024.

The first part of this study consisted of 4274 Australian and New Zealand participants; all of which were songwriters, composers and/or publishers of music. 79% of these participants live within Australia. Though the largest percentage of participants were 55 years old or older and had been in the industry for well over a decade, it was noted that only 14% of all participants made minimum wage or above from all music activities they participate in each year. Further, 24% of participants make $500AUD or less for all musical activities each year.

The second part of this study was two additional surveys specifically aimed at Indigenous Australians and Maori musicians. These surveys had 53 participants.

Finally, APRA AMCOS had eight expert interviews with artists, academics, AI software providers and other music industry stakeholders as part of this study.

As part of their first survey, it was noted that 38% of the 4274 had used generative AI in their art before. Of these, 33% use it consistently and 5% describe themselves as using it 'almost always'. When looking at genres, electronic/dance, music library, music for games, advertising music and hip hop/rap are the top five genres in which the participants partake in using AI; all of which had rates of over 50% of participants in those genres using it. Surprisingly, when considering age, AI usage was most prominent in those aged between 45 – 54 (45%), then 25 – 34 (42%) followed by under 25 (33%) and finally 55+ (31%). 54% of participants also believe that generative AI can support the creative process with 49% of participants believing it will open new forms of creativity.

These results can be assumed to have translated into the practical world given the use of AI both by professional and amateur musicians. The last few years have seen the rise in platforms including Boomy, Musicgen and Mubert which allows anyone to make AI music. These sites champion inclusivity and reducing financial and social gaps within the music industry. They have also had incredible success with Boomy citing that 20 million songs have been made on their platform and Mubert stating that they have approximately 100M; a number similar to that of Spotify. Scouting and financing departments around the world have been using it find 'hits' and hence reduce the amount of songs they listen to in a day. Sites with millions of users such as Youtube and Tiktok are also currently in talks with record labels to make contracts over the developing future of AI and how it will impact both sets of companies. In 2020, Dutch broadcaster VPRO also held a competition in which the winners (Australian band Uncanny Valley) would create a Eurovision song using AI. Video game companies have also jumped on the trend and have started to incorporate AI music into their products. On a more individualistic level, artists including Grimes and The Beatles have encouraged or otherwise used AI; the latter of which leading to a nomination at the Grammys for the song created.

But this change has not come without fear and hardship; especially given the delayed legal response to the issues that arise. Barring intervention, it is expected that by 2028, 23% of Australian and Aotearoan music creators revenues will be at risk. An estimated $519M AUD is said to be lost within the industry between 2024 to 2028; $227M of which to be lost in 2028 alone. There is also currently no remuneration system for artists whose work has been used to train AI with or without their permission within Australia.

Artists are well aware of this with 69% of participants believing that AI will inevitably be adopted into the creation process of music with 43% believing distribution companies will also adopt AI and only 5% believing that AI will be generally limited within the music industry. 51% of participants believe that human made music will be replaced. Though 40% of these participants believed this impact would only be for up to 20% of music, 7% of participants believing anywhere up to 81 to 100% would be replaced. 82% of participants also believed that they will no longer be able to make a living wage for their work in the music industry due to generative AI. More generally, 65% of participants believed that the risks outweigh the opportunities AI brings; with consistent rates regardless of age with the only outliner being that only 3% of participants under 25 years old believed that the opportunities outweighed the risks in comparison to 9 or 10% of every other age group.

To top things off, 43% of participants believe that AI has no great economic potential in the music sector's long term future while only 35% of participants think it does. When asked about it in her expert interview, singer Kate Miller-Heidke noted that she believes that if we lose these people, both in terms of artists and adjacent roles (concert staff, crews etc), it will have a pandemic like effect where we will not get those people back. Other participants, both in the business and musical side of the industry also worry that the low quality content that AI is currently making could drive out humans from the industry before ultimately damaging user experience in a way that is hard to come back from. This effect has already been noted in the video game audio industry where the audio produced by AI has been extremely low quality up until this point. Former politician, lead singer of Midnight Oil and singer in his own right Peter Garrett also noted his concerns that AI would further sink Australian music, a category that is not as listened to within the countries that large streaming companies are made, within the algorithm. Connecting this with the programs currently being used internationally to find hits, if Australian music is being sunk by the algorithm, it is arguable that these systems may not see them as hits and as a result see a reduction in funding from record labels in Australian music and new Australian musicians. When combining this with the current mass indefinite cancellations of Australian music festivals, this could be detrimental to the future of Australian music.

It should also be noted that in an age where fans of artists place moral importance to the connections their favourite artists have, deepfakes and voice cloning has the potential to do reputational harm and arguably become defamatory. When the AI song Heart On My Sleeve using the voices of Drake and The Weeknd was released, Universal was quick to pull it down; but not quick enough to do so before millions of people had listened to it. Though no parties claimed as such, given the history and reputation of both acts could be seen as a misrepresentation, and, in the 'wrong' circumstances, could do real harm.

The harm AI has the potential to cause is greater to those of Indigenous background. In the second study conducted by APRA AMCOS, 89% of the Indigenous participants believe that AI will lead to cultural appropriation and misuse of Indigenous properties. 67% of participants believed that AI makes it harder for Indigenous artists to protect their cultural rights compared with 11% that did not. Connecting to the first study where most participants did not believe AI has great economic potential for the industry and that the risks outweigh the opportunities, 36% of Indigenous participants in this survey do not believe that AI will create more opportunities for Indigenous artists or communities with only 30% believing that it does. More generally, 61% of Indigenous participants believed that AI affects the ability of Indigenous creators and communities to make well informed decisions and 89% of Indigenous participants also believe that the Guardians or Owners of Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property should handle copyright violations regarding AI.

So with that knowledge, where do we as a community go from here? It is clear that generative AI is here to stay and that a not insignificant amount of artists use and like using it. The main issue tends not to be the use of AI itself, but the legality of it. Artists like Grimes who do not have a label are more freely able to openly use and compensate her fans who she encourages use AI to make songs using her voice without fans fearing coercion from labels as she is the one in control. Likewise, given they have spoken about remaking Now and Then long before it happened and had the demo to do so, it can be assumed that The Beatles had a lot of input and wanted to recreate that track. The issue comes when consent cannot be given and those whose art has trained the AI have not been repaid for doing such. Though the previously mentioned Eurovision song Uncanny Valley created had intensive human input, it was trained using 70 years worth of Eurovision songs with the 70 years worth of artists unlikely to have been compensated for that. Most AI music falls into that same boat.

It is clear that legal intervention is not only wanted, but needed. As part of the first survey, it was noted that 97% of participants want legal change. Of this, 96% want AI providers to disclose when copyrighted works are used for training, 93% want AI music tracks to be labelled as such, 95% believe copyright holders should give permission for their work to train AI and 93% believe that copyright holders should be involved commercially if their work is used to train AI.

Similarly, In 2023, multiple international associations representing the music sector published an open letter stating the following should be legislated:

AI systems analyse, scrape and exploit vast amounts of data, typically, without authorisation. Creators‘ and performers‘ rights must be upheld and protected when exploited by AI systems.

Licensing solutions should be available for all potential exploitation of copyright works, performances and data by AI systems.

AI systems are enabled to exploit copyrighted works through legal exceptions, e.g., for text and data mining. Exceptions for text and data mining which do not provide for effective opt-out by rights holders should be avoided.

If the work of authors and performers has been exploited by AI systems, this should be mentioned by name with appropriate credits.

Transparency obligations should apply for the use of creative works and performances by AI systems to ensure fairer AI practices.

AI companies should be held liable for activities and results that infringe the rights of authors.

AI models are merely a tool. Policymakers must clarify that fully autonomous works generated by AI cannot enjoy the same level of protection as works created by humans

Since then, countries around the world have had differing responses to generative AI. Peter Garrett particularly noted that Australia's lack of AI laws having already impacted the Australian music industry and will continue to do so until our intervention is had. Much like a lot of technology based laws, Australia has had many discussions politically on the matter but is yet to have any cemented legislation surrounding generative AI; leaving our laws years behind where they need to be to protect our artists. Comparatively, as of mid 2024, China has remained ahead of the curve and been consistently updating their legislation for AI. The EU has also implemented AI legislation requiring the full disclosure of the data used to train AI. Brazil is in the process of developing an AI bill. Canada has released AI legislation and guidelines that governments much adhere to with decision making but primarily practices 'in line with global norms' for everyone else. Similarly, Japan has guidelines that are not legally binding. And finally, the USA has made attempts to introduce legislation but is currently approaching AI on a case by case basis.

On the judicial front, cases like Universal Music Publishing Group and Abkco v Amazon/Claude + Universal Music Group Recordings, Sony Music Entertainment and Warner Brothers v Suno and Udio are ongoing. There have been steps forward and back in regards to both cases and it could take years to receive a result for precedence within the USA. And though the American market influences our own, given the difference in laws, there is no guarantee that these results will help Australian artists even if the record labels win.

Instead, we need to support our artists and push our politicians to act now. One of the reasons I wanted this to be my first post for this account is that Australia has an election coming up in just under a month. While the promises of laws certain parties are offering including outlawing dynamic pricing and adjacent cost of living measures would be a great start, our artists need direct support from officials too. So with politicians and their aides currently doing door knocks, please consider both artists and the future of AI in general as part of your demands for them. Because between the fall of festivals and reports such as the one this post is based on, it's clear that if we don't act now, in years to come we won't have artists in the professional sense at all.

To read the report for yourself, please click here.

[mariacallous]

In a future conflict, American troops will direct the newest war machines not with sprawling control panels or sci-fi-inspired touchscreens, but controls familiar to anyone who grew up with an Xbox or PlayStation in their home.

Over the past several years, the US Defense Department has been gradually integrating what appear to be variants of the Freedom of Movement Control Unit (FMCU) handsets as the primary control units for a variety of advanced weapons systems, according to publicly available imagery published to the department’s Defense Visual Information Distribution System media hub.

Those systems include the new Navy Marine Corps Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) launcher, a Joint Light Tactical Vehicle–based anti-ship missile system designed to fire the new Naval Strike Missile that’s essential to the Marine Corps’ plans for a notional future war with China in the Indo-Pacific; the Army’s new Maneuver-Short Range Air Defense (M-SHORAD) system that, bristling with FIM-92 Stinger and AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and a 30-mm chain gun mounted on a Stryker infantry fighting vehicle, is seen as a critical anti-air capability in a potential clash with Russia in Eastern Europe; the Air Force’s MRAP-based Recovery of Air Bases Denied by Ordnance (RADBO) truck that uses a laser to clear away improvised explosive devices and other unexploded munitions; and the Humvee-mounted High Energy Laser-Expeditionary (HELEX) laser weapon system currently undergoing testing by the Marine Corps.

The FMCU has also been employed on a variety of experimental unmanned vehicles, and according to a 2023 Navy contract, the system will be integral to the operation of the AN/SAY-3A Electro-Optic Sensor System (or “I-Stalker”) that’s designed to help the service’s future Constellation-class guided-missile frigates track and engage incoming threats.

Produced since 2008 by Measurement Systems Inc. (MSI), a subsidiary of British defense contractor Ultra that specializes in human-machine interfaces, the FMCU offers a similar form factor to the standard Xbox or PlayStation controller but with a ruggedized design intended to safeguard its sensitive electronics against whatever hostile environs American service members may find themselves in. A longtime developer of joysticks used on various US naval systems and aircraft, MSI has served as a subcontractor to major defense “primes” like General Atomics, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and BAE Systems to provide the handheld control units for “various aircraft and vehicle programs,” according to information compiled by federal contracting software GovTribe.

“With the foresight to recognize the form factor that would be most accessible to today’s warfighters, [Ultra] has continued to make the FMCU one of the most highly configurable and powerful controllers available today,” according to Ultra. (The company did not respond to multiple requests for comment from WIRED.)

The endlessly customizable FMCU isn’t totally new technology: According to Ultra, the system has been in use since at least 2010 to operate the now-sundowned Navy’s MQ-8 Fire Scout unmanned autonomous helicopter and the Ground Based Operational Surveillance System (GBOSS) that the Army and Marine Corps have both employed throughout the global war on terror. But the recent proliferation of the handset across sophisticated new weapon platforms reflects a growing trend in the US military towards controls that aren’t just uniquely tactile or ergonomic in their operation, but inherently familiar to the next generation of potential warfighters before they ever even sign up to serve.

“For RADBO, the operators are generally a much younger audience,” an Air Force spokesman tells WIRED. “Therefore, utilizing a PlayStation or Xbox type of controller such as the FMCU seems to be a natural transition for the gaming generation.”

Indeed, that the US military is adopting specially built video-game-style controllers may appear unsurprising: The various service branches have long experimented with commercial off-the-shelf console handsets for operating novel systems. The Army and Marine Corps have for more than a decade used Xbox controllers to operate small unmanned vehicles, from ground units employed for explosive ordnance disposal to airborne drones, as well as larger assets like the M1075 Palletized Loading System logistics vehicle. Meanwhile, the “photonics mast” that has replaced the traditional periscope on the Navy’s new Virginia-class submarines uses the same inexpensive Xbox handset, as does the service’s Multifunctional Automated Repair System robot that’s employed on surface warships to address everything from in-theater battle damage repair to shipyard maintenance.

This trend is also prevalent among defense industry players angling for fresh Pentagon contracts: Look no further than the LOCUST Laser Weapon System developed by BlueHalo for use as the Army’s Palletized-High Energy Laser (P-HEL) system, which explicitly uses an Xbox controller to help soldiers target incoming drones and burn them out of the sky—not unlike the service’s previous ventures into laser weapons.

"By 2006, games like Halo were dominant in the military," Tom Phelps, then a product director at iRobot, told Business Insider in 2013 of the company’s adoption of a standard Xbox controller for its PackBot IED disposal robot. "So we worked with the military to socialize and standardize the concept … It was considered a very strong success, younger soldiers with a lot of gaming experience were able to adapt quickly."

Commercial video game handsets have also proven popular beyond the ranks of the US military, from the British Army’s remote-controlled Polaris MRZR all-terrain vehicle to Israel Aerospace Industries’ Carmel battle tank, the latter of which had its controls developed with feedback from teenage gamers who reportedly eschewed the traditional fighter jet-style joystick in favor of a standard video game handset. More recently, Ukrainian troops have used PlayStation controllers and Steam Decks to direct armed unmanned drones and machine gun turrets against invading Russian forces. And these controllers have unusual non-military applications as well: Most infamously, the OceanGate submarine that suffered a catastrophic implosion during a dive to the wreck of the Titanic in June 2023 was operated with a version of a Logitech F710 controller, as CBS News reported at the time.

“They are far more willing to experiment, they are much less afraid of technology … It comes to them naturally,” Israeli Defense Forces colonel Udi Tzur told The Washington Post in 2020 of optimizing the Carmel tank’s controls for younger operators. “It’s not exactly like playing Fortnite, but something like that, and amazingly they bring their skills to operational effectiveness in no time. I’ll tell you the truth, I didn’t think it could be reached so quickly.”

There are clear advantages to using cheap video-game-style controllers to operate advanced military weapons systems. The first is a matter of, well, control: Not only are video game handsets more ergonomic, but the configuration of buttons and joysticks offers tactile feedback not generally available from, say, one of the US military’s now-ubiquitous touchscreens. The Navy in particular learned this the hard way following the 2017 collision between the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS John S. McCain and an oil tanker off the coast of Singapore, an incident that prompted the service to swap out its bridge touchscreens for mechanical throttles across its guided-missile destroyer fleet after a National Transportation Safety Board report on the accident noted that sailors preferred the latter because “they provide[d] both immediate and tactile feedback to the operator.” Sure, a US service member may not operate an Xbox controller with a “rumble” feature, but the configuration of video-game-style controllers like the FMCU does offer significant tactile (and tactical) advantages over dynamic touchscreens, a conclusion several studies appear to reinforce.

But the real advantage of video-game-style controllers for the Pentagon is, as military officials and defense contractors have noted, their familiarity to the average US service member. As of 2024, more than 190.6 million Americans of all ages, or roughly 61 percent of the country, played video games, according to an annual report from the Entertainment Software Association trade group, while data from the Pew Research Center published in May indicates that 85 percent of American teenagers say they play video games, with 41 percent reporting that they play daily.

In terms of specific video games systems, the ESA report indicates that consoles and their distinctive controllers reign supreme among Gen Z and Gen Alpha—both demographic groups that stand to eventually end up fighting in America’s next big war. The Pentagon is, in the words of military technologist Peter W. Singer, “free-riding” off a video game industry that has spent decades training Americans on a familiar set of controls and ergonomics that, at least since the PlayStation introduced elongated grips in the 1990s, have been standard among most game systems for years (with apologies to the Wii remote that the Army eyed for bomb-disposal robots nearly two decades ago).

“The gaming companies spent millions of dollars developing an optimal, intuitive, easy-to-learn user interface, and then they went and spent years training up the user base for the US military on how to use that interface,” Singer said in a March 2023 interview. “These designs aren’t happenstance, and the same pool they’re pulling from for their customer base, the military is pulling from … and the training is basically already done.”

At the moment, it’s unclear how exactly many US military systems use the FMCU. When reached for comment, the Pentagon confirmed the use of the system on the NMESIS, M-SHORAD, and RADBO weapons platforms and referred WIRED to the individual service branches for additional details. The Marine Corps confirmed the handset’s use with the GBOSS, while the Air Force again confirmed the same for the RADBO. The Navy stated that the service does not currently use the FMCU with any existing systems; the Army did not respond to requests for comment.

How far the FMCU and its commercial off-the-shelf variants will spread throughout the ranks of the US military remains to be seen. But controls that effectively translate human inputs into machine movement tend to persist for decades after their introduction: After all, the joystick (or “control column,” in military parlance) has been a fixture of military aviation since its inception. Here’s just hoping that the Pentagon hasn’t moved on to the Power Glove by the time the next big war rolls around.

[upenanuhansi]

Bridging Academia and Industry: How SUSL Prepares Computing Students for the Real World

Today learning in a classroom or lecture room is not enough. Students need real experience and chances to work with professionals before they graduate. That’s why the Faculty of Computing at Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka (SUSL) is working closely with the tech industry.

Internships for Real-World Experience

Students don’t just study books. They get real work experience through internships. These internships allow students to work with real companies, where they learn how to work on projects, follow deadlines, and use modern tools in tech jobs.

This hands on learning helps students understand how the industry works something you can't always learn in the classroom.

Learning from Industry Experts

SUSL also invites people who work in the tech field to speak with students. These experts share their knowledge, talk about new trends, and give career advice. This kind of mentoring helps students learn what’s really happening in the tech world today.

Study Programs That Match Industry Needs

One of the best things about SUSL's computing faculty is that they update the curriculum based on what the industry wants. That means students are learning the most important and current skills like software development, cloud computing, AI, and cybersecurity making them ready for jobs as soon as they graduate.

Building Strong Industry Connections

The university is also working to build strong partnerships with tech companies in Sri Lanka and beyond. These partnerships help open doors for student internships, job placements, and even startup ideas. It’s a win-win for both students and companies.

Why This Matters

Students who get to work with the industry while they study become more confident, skilled, and job-ready. They understand real problems, learn to work with others, and know how to keep learning after university.

With this strong university industry bond, SUSL is helping students move smoothly from the classroom to their careers.

[creatureofmimics]

BREAKING NEWS: Revolutionary AI Scheduling Model Disrupts Multi-Billion Dollar Industries

IndustriesMay 14, 2025 – In a groundbreaking development set to redefine time management across education, fitness, and the arts, researchers from the Zurich Institute of Technology (ZIT) have unveiled an artificial intelligence model capable of autonomously optimizing human schedules with an accuracy rate exceeding 98.7%.Dubbed "ChronoPilot," the new system leverages deep contextual learning to interpret not only user preferences but also emotional states, productivity trends, and even regional weather forecasts to dynamically tailor personal and group schedules. In early trials, the system outperformed existing scheduling platforms by over 400% in efficiency and conflict resolution.The implications span vast sectors. Educational institutions using class scheduling software like Lunacal’s platform for class bookings have already reported dramatic improvements in attendance and engagement. In the fitness industry, where applications such as gym booking software are crucial, ChronoPilot’s integration led to a 37% rise in client retention during a 90-day pilot. Music academies leveraging music lesson scheduling tools observed a 52% reduction in missed appointments.ZIT’s Secret Weapon: Sentient Sync ProtocolWhat truly sets ChronoPilot apart is its proprietary Sentient Sync Protocol (SSP) — a neural time-mapping engine that mimics human anticipation. SSP doesn’t just block out time; it predicts the best time for each task based on thousands of variables, including circadian rhythms, cognitive load history, and even micro-fluctuations in vocal tone during user interactions.Dr. Lena Marwick, lead AI architect at ZIT, explained, “We’re no longer asking users to fit into rigid schedules. ChronoPilot adapts to them, moment by moment.”Global Trials, Unprecedented ResultsThe AI was tested across 1.2 million scheduling interactions in 11 countries, across five major time zones. In one compelling instance, a public school in Osaka integrated ChronoPilot into its digital classroom system. Within three weeks, student punctuality improved by 48%, and feedback indicated a 63% increase in perceived classroom coherence.Meanwhile, a UK-based national gym chain used ChronoPilot to coordinate personal training sessions across 87 locations. Instructors reported a 41% decrease in downtime, and an average boost of 18% in customer satisfaction scores.ChronoPilot vs. The Old GuardWhile current scheduling tools rely heavily on manual input or rigid templates, ChronoPilot learns from passive inputs — browsing behavior, sleep app data, voice command history — with the user’s consent. This passive data synergy allows it to preemptively adjust schedules without user intervention.Analysts say the AI’s capabilities pose an existential threat to legacy scheduling systems and even to calendar giants like Google Calendar and Microsoft Outlook. “It’s not just a calendar anymore,” says Gideon Lark, senior analyst at MetaMetrics. “It’s a lifestyle orchestrator.”Privacy Concerns and Ethical DebateNot everyone is celebrating. Digital rights watchdogs have raised concerns about the volume and sensitivity of data ChronoPilot processes. The AI can access everything from location logs to biometric signals. While ZIT asserts the system uses end-to-end encryption and offers opt-out data controls, some critics remain wary."We’re trading convenience for surveillance,” warns Aria Salim, director of the Tech Privacy Initiative. “There must be enforceable limits on how such AI models evolve, especially as they begin to predict and possibly influence human behavior.”ZIT has responded by publishing a white paper detailing its privacy protocols and inviting third-party audits. Still, the debate over AI autonomy and human agency continues to intensify.

[bharatpatel1061]

Microservices vs Monolith: Choosing the Right Architecture

Content: When developing software systems, architecture is one of the first and most impactful decisions. Two primary models dominate: monolithic applications and microservices architectures.

Monoliths consolidate all functions into a single unit, making them easier to build initially. However, they often become cumbersome as the codebase grows, making deployments riskier and updates slower.

Microservices, on the other hand, break applications into independent services that communicate over APIs. Each service is loosely coupled, allowing teams to work independently, use different tech stacks, and scale specific components without overhauling the entire system.

However, microservices come with their own challenges: higher complexity, the need for service orchestration, and potential for network latency.

Choosing between monolith and microservices depends largely on your team's size, project complexity, and long-term goals. Companies uses tools like Software Development assist in evaluating your needs to design the most appropriate architecture, balancing scalability with simplicity.

Ultimately, it’s not about trends—it’s about choosing what fits your project’s current and future states.

Before jumping into microservices, ensure your team masters clean modular design within a monolith first—it’ll make the transition smoother if/when you need it.

[nandinish27]

Best Courses to Study in Australia for Indian Students with High ROI.

Why Australia is a Top Study Abroad Destination in 2025

Australia continues to rank among the top destinations for Indian students seeking world-class education, global career opportunities, and a multicultural lifestyle. With over 100,000 Indian students currently studying in Australia, the trend is fueled by high employability, quality institutions, and welcoming immigration policies. This blog provides a complete study guide in Australia for Indian students, focusing on the top courses offering the highest return on investment (ROI) in 2025.

Top Reasons to Study in Australia for Indian Students

Globally ranked universities like the University of Melbourne, ANU, and UNSW

Post-study work visas for up to 4 years

Pathways to Permanent Residency (PR)

Industry-relevant, skill-based courses

High graduate employability

Scholarships and financial support for Indian students

High ROI Courses for Indian Students in Australia

1. Information Technology and Computer Science

Why It’s Worth It:

Booming tech industry in cities like Sydney and Melbourne

Strong demand for software developers, AI specialists, and cybersecurity analysts

Excellent PR pathways via the Skilled Occupation List (SOL)

Career Opportunities:

Software Developer

Cloud Engineer

Cybersecurity Analyst

Average Salary: AUD 70,000 – 120,000

2. Engineering (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Mining)

Why It’s Worth It:

High demand for engineers in infrastructure, renewable energy, and mining

PR-friendly occupations

Hands-on, accredited programs (Engineers Australia recognition)

Career Paths:

Civil Engineer

Structural Engineer

Renewable Energy Consultant

Average Salary: AUD 75,000 – 130,000

3. Health Sciences & Nursing

Why It’s Worth It:

Acute shortage of skilled healthcare workers

Strong employment growth projected until 2030

Offers direct PR routes for nursing graduates

Career Opportunities:

Registered Nurse

Public Health Officer

Physiotherapist

Average Salary: AUD 65,000 – 110,000

4. Business Analytics and Data Science

Why It’s Worth It:

High demand across sectors (banking, retail, healthcare)

Versatile career paths with global appeal

STEM classification supports extended post-study work visa

Career Options:

Data Analyst

Business Intelligence Consultant

Data Scientist

Average Salary: AUD 85,000 – 130,000

5. Accounting and Finance

Why It’s Worth It:

Consistent job demand across Australia

Accredited courses (CPA Australia, CA ANZ)

Opens doors to roles in multinational firms

Career Opportunities:

Chartered Accountant

Financial Analyst

Auditor

Average Salary: AUD 70,000 – 115,000

6. Education and Teaching

Why It’s Worth It:

Australia’s school system seeks qualified teachers, especially in regional areas

Included in the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)

Roles After Graduation:

Primary School Teacher

Early Childhood Educator

Secondary School Teacher

Average Salary: AUD 65,000 – 100,000

7. Architecture and Construction Management

Why It’s Worth It:

Australia’s urban expansion and infrastructure projects

Recognized qualifications with global applicability

Popular Careers:

Architect

Project Manager

Construction Estimator

Average Salary: AUD 70,000 – 120,000

Cost of Education in Australia (2025)

Course Type

Average Annual Tuition (AUD)

UG Courses

20,000 – 45,000

PG Courses

22,000 – 50,000

MBA

40,000 – 80,000

Scholarships Available for Indian Students

Australia Awards Scholarships – Fully funded by the Australian government

Destination Australia Scholarships – Regional study scholarships worth AUD 15,000

University-Specific Grants – E.g., Monash International Merit Scholarship, University of Sydney International Scholarships

Post-Study Work Rights and PR Pathways

Australia allows international students to work up to 20 hours per week during semesters and full-time during breaks. Graduates can apply for a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), offering work rights for 2–4 years depending on qualification and location.

PR Pathways via:

General Skilled Migration (GSM)

Employer-Sponsored Visas

Regional Migration Programs

How Eduvisor Can Help You Study in Australia

Navigating the Australian education system, choosing the right course, and applying for visas can be overwhelming. That’s where Eduvisor, a trusted study abroad consultant in India, steps in. Eduvisor offers personalized counseling, university shortlisting, scholarship assistance, SOP writing, and complete visa support — tailored for Indian students planning to study in Australia.

Final Thoughts

Choosing a high-ROI course in Australia is more than just picking a subject — it’s about aligning your passion with global trends. With the right guidance and planning, Australia can be your gateway to a successful international career. Use this study guide in Australia for Indian students as your blueprint for 2025 and beyond.

Ready to begin your journey? Let Eduvisor turn your study abroad dream into reality.

FAQs

Q1. What are the most affordable courses to study in Australia? A: Vocational Education & Training (VET) courses, TAFE programs, and regional university degrees are often more budget-friendly.

Q2. Is PR easy after studying in Australia? A: Courses on the SOL and MLTSSL lists (like IT, Nursing, Engineering) make it easier to qualify for PR.

Q3. How do I find scholarships to study in Australia? A: Government sites, university portals, and expert consultants like Eduvisor can help you explore scholarships based on merit, need, and region.

[designeduleem]

Join The Leading Fashion Designing Institute In Bangalore – Enroll Now!

Fashion design is a dynamic and creative field that combines art, technology, and business to create innovative and stylish clothing and accessories. As a fashion designer, you'll have the opportunity to express your creativity, work with various materials and textures, and bring your designs to life.

What is Fashion Design?

Fashion design is the art of creating clothing and accessories that are functional, aesthetically pleasing, and reflective of current trends and styles. Fashion designers use a variety of techniques, including sketching, draping, and sewing, to create garments that are both beautiful and functional.

Why Pursue a Career in Fashion Design?

A career in fashion design can be highly rewarding, with opportunities to work with top designers, create innovative clothing and accessories, and build a successful career in the fashion industry. Some of the benefits of pursuing a career in fashion design include:

Creative Expression: Fashion design allows you to express your creativity and bring your ideas to life.

Variety: The fashion industry is constantly evolving, with new trends and styles emerging every season.

Opportunities: There are many career opportunities in fashion design, from working with top designers to starting your own label.

Why Eduleem School of Design & IT for Fashion Design?

Eduleem School of Design & IT is a leading fashion design institute in Bangalore that offers comprehensive training programs in fashion design. Our fashion designing course in Bangalore are designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the fashion industry.

Our Fashion Design Courses

We offer a range of fashion designing courses in Bangalore, including:

Diploma in Fashion Design: A comprehensive course that covers the fundamentals of fashion design, including sketching, draping, and sewing.

Certificate in Fashion Design: A short-term course that focuses on specific skills, such as pattern making or textile design.

Advanced Diploma in Fashion Design: An advanced course that covers specialized topics, such as fashion merchandising and branding.

Why Choose Eduleem?

Eduleem offers an immersive and career-driven learning experience in fashion design, equipping you with the skills needed to excel in the fashion industry. Here’s why you should consider us:

Industry-Experienced Faculty: Our faculty members are experienced professionals in the fashion industry.

State-of-the-Art Facilities: Our facilities are equipped with the latest technology and equipment, including sewing machines, draping tables, and design software.

Hands-On Learning: We emphasize hands-on learning, with projects and assignments that allow you to apply your skills and knowledge.

Industry Connections: We have strong connections with the fashion industry, providing opportunities for internships, job placements, and networking.

Career Opportunities in Fashion Design

A career in fashion design can be highly rewarding, with opportunities to work with top designers, create innovative clothing and accessories, and build a successful career in the fashion industry. Some of the career opportunities in fashion design include:

Fashion Designer: Create original clothing and accessories for fashion brands and designers.

Fashion Stylist: Work with clients to create personalized outfits and looks.

Fashion Merchandiser: Analyze market trends and develop strategies to promote fashion products.

Fashion Illustrator: Create illustrations of fashion designs for fashion brands and designers.

Explore Other Courses at Eduleem

If you're interested in exploring other creative fields, Eduleem also offers courses in interior design. Our interior design institute in Bangalore provides comprehensive training programs in interior design, including:

1 year interior design course in Bangalore: A comprehensive course that covers the fundamentals of interior design, including space planning, color theory, and materials.

Interior design courses in Bangalore: We offer a range of interior design courses, from certificate programs to advanced diplomas, that cater to different interests and career goals.

Enroll Now

Master the art of fashion design with Eduleem School of Design & IT. Join us today to pursue your passion for fashion and take your career to new heights. Our courses are available both online and offline, so you can learn at your own pace and convenience. Enroll now and start building your future in fashion design.

For More Details Visit: Eduleem - Fashion design course in bangalore Website: www.eduleem.com Email: info@eduleem.com Contact: +91 9606457497

[erome014]

The Power of Innovation: How Erome is Leading the Way in Modern Business

In today’s fast-paced business environment, staying ahead of the competition requires constant innovation and adaptability. Erome, a business that has quickly become a leader in its industry, is a perfect example of how embracing change and new technologies can lead to success. With an unwavering commitment to providing quality and value, Erome has set a high standard for other companies to follow. But what exactly sets this business apart from others in the market? The answer lies in its ability to continuously evolve, offering products and services that meet the ever-changing needs of consumers.

At the core of any successful business is its understanding of customer needs and its ability to respond effectively. In the case of Erome, innovation is at the heart of their mission. By using cutting-edge technology, Erome has developed a business model that focuses not only on meeting current demands but also anticipating future trends. This proactive approach allows the company to stay ahead of the curve and create products that push the boundaries of what's possible. Whether it’s through improved user experiences, better product designs, or new business strategies, Erome’s focus on innovation has allowed it to lead the charge in its respective industry.

One of the keys to the company's success lies in its dedication to research and development. The business understands that in order to remain competitive, constant improvement is essential. The team at Erome invests heavily in R&D, ensuring that they are always exploring new avenues to enhance their offerings. From exploring new materials to integrating the latest software, Erome ensures that every product is designed with quality, efficiency, and sustainability in mind.

Customer satisfaction is another important aspect of business success. Erome excels in providing outstanding customer service, which has helped to build a loyal customer base over the years. Their commitment to putting the customer first is evident in every aspect of their business, from the user-friendly website to responsive customer support teams. The company goes above and beyond to address customer concerns and ensure that their experiences are positive and memorable.

As businesses across various sectors begin to recognize the importance of sustainability, Erome stands out as an example of how environmentally conscious practices can be integrated into a profitable business model. Sustainability is no longer a luxury, but a necessity. By prioritizing eco-friendly materials, reducing waste, and exploring new ways to minimize their carbon footprint, Erome is not only leading the way in innovation but also in corporate responsibility. The company understands that being mindful of the environment is not only the right thing to do, but it also makes good business sense.

Another factor that has contributed to the company's success is its ability to embrace digital transformation. In an era where technology is continuously reshaping industries, companies must leverage digital tools and platforms to remain competitive. Erome has recognized this shift and has been proactive in integrating new technologies into its operations. Whether it’s utilizing AI for predictive analytics, enhancing digital marketing efforts, or streamlining internal processes through automation, Erome uses digital tools to enhance efficiency, increase productivity, and provide better services to customers.

Furthermore, Erome’s emphasis on data-driven decision-making sets it apart from others in the industry. By collecting and analyzing valuable data, the company is able to make more informed decisions that lead to better outcomes. This data-centric approach allows Erome to fine-tune its strategies and continuously improve its offerings. Whether it’s through market research, customer feedback, or performance metrics, Erome ensures that every move they make is backed by hard data.

Collaboration and partnerships have also played a crucial role in the company's growth. Erome recognizes that no business can thrive in isolation. The company has built strong relationships with other organizations, both locally and internationally, to leverage shared knowledge and resources. By forming strategic alliances, Erome has been able to expand its reach, access new markets, and stay on the cutting edge of industry trends.

Employee engagement and development are also critical to the company’s long-term success. At Erome, the focus on a positive and inclusive workplace culture ensures that employees are motivated, engaged, and aligned with the company’s goals. By investing in employee growth through training and professional development programs, Erome is able to build a strong, loyal team that drives the business forward. Happy, well-trained employees are essential to delivering excellent customer service, which in turn contributes to the overall success of the business.

In conclusion, Erome is a shining example of how innovation, customer-centric strategies, sustainability, and digital transformation can lead to business success. By staying ahead of trends, investing in research and development, and constantly improving products and services, the company has positioned itself as a leader in its field. As more businesses look to replicate this success, it is clear that the key to long-term growth lies in a commitment to innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement. As Erome continues to set the standard for excellence, it proves that with the right vision and strategy, businesses can thrive in an ever-changing world.

[unilifeabroadcareersolution]

Popular Courses Currently in Demand for International Students

@unilifeabroadcareersolutions

Popular courses currently in demand for international students After finding the perfect course, any international student must make another crucial decision when choosing which course to study abroad in. Global industries are currently changing fast, and it can create career opportunities for international students depending upon the fields they choose and the scope for Permanent Residency (PR). So here is a list of some of the top in-demand courses for international students looking to study abroad in 2024 and beyond. 1. Data Science and Artificial Intelligence

With the emergence of big data and AI-driven technologies, Data Science and AI have emerged as two of the most in-demand courses worldwide.

Why Choose It?

High-paying job opportunities. Demand in industries like IT, healthcare, finance, and retail. Courses available in countries like USA, Canada, Germany, and UK. Career Prospects: Data Scientist, AI Engineer, Machine Learning Expert, Data Analyst. 2. Engineering and Technology

Engineering is at the top preference of the international students due to a wide range of area and scope. Some of the most common specializations offered are Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, and Software Engineering.

 Why to choose? All over the world, engineers are required for every industry, such as construction, automobile, and technological. Many colleges provide industrial training along with co-op programs. Top Destinations: Germany, Canada, Australia, and USA. Career Opportunities: Software Engineer, Project Manager, Structural Engineer, Robotics Specialized.

3. Business Administration and Management (MBA) A Master of Business Administration (MBA) is ideal for students who want to work in a leadership position or become an entrepreneur. There is a growing trend towards specialized MBAs in Finance, Marketing, Human Resources, and Operations.  Why Choose It?  International recognition and high-paying jobs.  Networking opportunities and exposure to real-world business.  Popular Places: USA, UK, Canada, and Australia.  Career Paths: Business Consultant, Marketing Manager, Operations Director, Financial Analyst. 4. Healthcare and Nursing The health sector is on a roll due to the growing need for qualified professionals. Nursing, Public Health, Physiotherapy, and Pharmacy courses are highly rewarded. Why Study It?  High employability and PR opportunities in countries like Canada, Australia, and UK.  Good chance to make a good difference in people's life. Career Options: Registered Nurse, Public Health Specialist, Pharmacist, Physiotherapist. 5. Information Technology and Cyber security The increased dependency on technology has given a huge demand for IT and Cyber security professionals. Courses like Cloud Computing, Cyber security, and Software Development are in high demand. • Why Choose It? Tremendous job opportunities in tech-driven economies like the USA, Canada, and Germany. Increased demand for cyber security experts to combat digital threats. Career Options: Cyber security Analyst, IT Consultant, Software Developer, Cloud Architect.

6. Hospitality and Tourism Management the tourism industry is on a boom after the pandemic, and so are the demands for professionals in Hospitality and Tourism Management. Why Choose It? Global opportunities for working in luxury hotels, airlines, and tourism companies. Strong industry links and placement during courses. • Popular Locations: Switzerland, Australia, France. • Career Opportunities: Hotel Manager, Tourism Consultant, Event Planner, Airline Executive. 7. Environmental Science and Sustainability As there is a growing interest in sustainability across the globe, courses in Environmental Science, Renewable Energy, and Climate Change are on demand • Why study it? Large-scale efforts at creating the sustainable world present a massive employment scope. • Job opportunities with governments, NGOs, and private sectors Career Prospects: Environmental Consultant, Sustainability Officer, Renewable Energy Specialist. 8. Finance and Accounting Courses on finances and accounting are always in high demand all over the world. FinTech, Financial Technology, and all the related courses are in trends these days. Why Choose It? • High demand for finance people in the world. PR opportunities in Canada and Australia • Career Options: Accountant, Financial Analyst, Investment Banker, FinTech Specialist. 9. Media and Communications The dawn of digital media, content creation, and advertising has made Media and Communications one of the most exciting and rewarding fields. Why Choose It? Growing job demand in digital marketing, PR, and content strategy. Opportunity for creativity and innovation. Career Options: Digital Marketer, Media Specialist, Content Creator, Public Relations Officer. 10. Logistics and Supply Chain Management Supply Chain Management has become a necessary professional skill for international businesses considering the booming of globalization and e-commerce

Why Choose It? Logistics, transportation and e-commerce sectors are demanded. Strong employment opportunities in Canada, Germany and USA. Career Options: Supply chain analyst, logistics manager and procurement specialist. Conclusion The right course according to global trends and industry demand is the key to a successful future. Whether it's technology, healthcare, or business, the top courses in demand are here, offering excellent career opportunities and pathways for PR. Explore programs that align with your interests and goals, and take the first step toward achieving your dream career abroad.

[bjrcrecruiting]

What Are the Current Trends Shaping Finance Recruitment in Toronto

The finance landscape in Toronto is evolving rapidly, influenced by technological advancements, changing workforce demographics, and shifting employer expectations. As organizations adapt to these changes, finance recruitment is also undergoing a transformation. Understanding the current trends shaping finance recruitment is crucial for both employers looking to attract top talent and candidates seeking to position themselves effectively in this competitive market.

In this blog post, we’ll dive into the key trends currently shaping finance recruitment in Toronto and examine their implications for the hiring landscape.

1. Emphasis on Diversity and Inclusion

One of the most prominent trends in finance recruitment today is the growing emphasis on diversity and inclusion. Companies are recognizing the value that diverse perspectives bring to decision-making and problem-solving within finance teams. This shift is prompting organizations to rethink their recruitment strategies, ensuring they attract candidates from various backgrounds, experiences, and demographics.

Finance recruitment experts in Toronto are at the forefront of this movement, helping organizations develop inclusive hiring practices. By broadening the talent pool, companies can foster innovation and create a more dynamic workplace culture. This focus on diversity not only enhances team performance but also aligns with the values of today’s workforce, making organizations more attractive to potential candidates.

2. The Rise of Remote and Hybrid Work Models

The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally altered how companies operate, leading to a surge in remote and hybrid work models. This shift has significant implications for finance recruitment in Toronto. Candidates are now seeking flexibility in their work arrangements, and organizations must adapt to meet these expectations.

The best finance recruitment agency in Toronto understands the importance of offering remote or hybrid options to attract top talent. Companies that embrace flexible work environments are better positioned to draw candidates who value work-life balance and autonomy. As this trend continues to evolve, finance recruiters will play a crucial role in connecting organizations with candidates who thrive in these modern work settings.

3. Increased Demand for Tech-Savvy Professionals

As technology continues to reshape the finance industry, there is a growing demand for tech-savvy professionals who can navigate the digital landscape. Skills in data analysis, financial modelling, and familiarity with financial software are becoming increasingly important for candidates in finance roles.

Finance recruitment experts in Toronto are adapting to this trend by prioritizing candidates with strong technical skills. Recruiters are now looking for individuals who not only possess traditional finance qualifications but also have experience with technology tools and platforms. This trend reflects a broader shift toward digital transformation within the finance sector, making it essential for candidates to continuously upskill and stay relevant in a competitive job market.

4. Focus on Candidate Experience

In a competitive job market, candidate experience has emerged as a critical factor influencing recruitment success. Organizations are recognizing that providing a positive candidate experience can help attract and retain top talent. This includes everything from clear communication during the hiring process to offering a seamless application experience.

The best finance recruitment agency in Toronto is focused on enhancing the candidate experience by providing valuable feedback, timely updates, and a personalized approach to recruitment. By prioritizing candidate engagement, organizations can foster a positive impression of their brand and improve their chances of securing the best talent available.

5. Adapting to Changing Employer Expectations

Today’s employers are looking for more than just technical skills; they seek candidates who can demonstrate adaptability, problem-solving abilities, and strong interpersonal skills. As the finance industry evolves, so do the expectations placed on finance professionals. Candidates who can showcase their ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment are highly sought after.

Finance recruitment experts in Toronto are helping organizations identify candidates who not only meet the technical requirements but also embody the soft skills necessary for success in today’s finance landscape. By focusing on these attributes, companies can build well-rounded teams capable of navigating the complexities of the finance sector.

Understanding the current trends shaping finance recruitment in Toronto is essential for both employers and candidates. With a growing emphasis on diversity and inclusion, the rise of remote work, and the demand for tech-savvy professionals, organizations must adapt their recruitment strategies to attract top talent. Additionally, enhancing the candidate experience and aligning with changing employer expectations will be crucial for success in this competitive market.

At BJRC Recruiting, we are committed to helping you navigate the evolving landscape of finance recruitment. As the best finance recruitment agency in Toronto, our experienced team is dedicated to connecting organizations with the right talent to meet their unique needs.

Ready to streamline your finance recruitment process? Get in touch with BJRC Recruiting,and let us help you connect with the top talent that will drive your organization’s success!

Know more https://bjrcrecruiting.com/2024/11/29/toronto-finance-recruitment-trends/

[jonathanshaw4747]

Why Canadian Companies Prefer Digital Marketing Agencies over In-house Teams

In the ever-changing digital landscape of Canada, companies big and small have to make one very important decision: develop an in-house digital marketing team or hire the services of a dedicated agency. Far from being a routine operational issue, this choice has great implications for its competitive position, market relevance, and general growth trajectory. With the digital platform becoming increasingly complicated and the stakes of online visibility soaring high, a trend has definitely been witnessed across Canadian companies: that of choosing between the expertise and agility provided by digital marketing agencies over in-house teams.

Expertise and Specialization

This has been one of the major reasons for the tectonic shift in the approach of Canadian enterprises. Digital marketing is not a monolithic discipline but a constellation of specialized areas, each with its own particular demands in expertise. From SEO virtuosos to social media savants, content marketing maestros to PPC prodigies, agencies house a cadre of specialists under one roof. Such an assemblage of talent allows businesses to tap into a wellspring of knowledge that would be prohibitively expensive and logistically challenging to cultivate internally.

What is more, the digital marketing field keeps on changing 24/7, since that is when algorithms, best practices, and consumer behaviors change at the speed of light. This places agencies in a much better place to be updated due to their focus and the heterogeneity of their client base. They undertake heavy continuous learning and serious means of professional development investment to ensure that their strategies remain at the cutting edge of industry changes. This means a commitment to staying current translates into better marketing solutions for their clients-more effectively and innovatively.

Agency versus in-house: financial implications are huge and multi-dimensional. At face value, the retainers or project fees associated with agency services might appear huge. However, a close look will reveal that this is not true on the cost-efficiency level. By outsourcing an agency, a business may significantly reduce overheads like salaries, benefits, office space, and equipment, which are kept by full-time employees.

The next strong economic case lies in the fact that it can make that great sense of scalability and flexibility. It eases the opportunity to adjust marketing spend against seasonal demands, special campaign needs, or fluctuating economies without getting into the complexities of hiring or drastically reducing an internal team. That elasticity of resource allocation permits better budget efficiency and implores optimization of Marketing ROI.

Technology and Tools

The digital marketing arena is the haven for sophisticated tools and platforms-most of which come with heavy price tags, coupled with steep learning curves. Agencies, able to use economies of scale, invest in a wide array of premium software and technologies that would be financially unviable for most individual businesses to acquire. From advanced SEO tools to full-service social media management platforms, agencies arm their clients with the technological arsenal needed to drive marketing effectiveness.

Besides tools, agencies often have state-of-the-art analytics and reporting. These systems allow for the granular tracking of campaign performance, consumer behavior, and ROI. Insights gained from these advanced analytics become the powerhouse that drives businesses into making data-informed decisions and fine-tuning their marketing approaches with strategy precision.

Strategic Objectivity

One of the most overlooked benefits of hiring a digital marketing agency is the fresh perspective it brings to the challenges a brand faces. Sometimes a company's internal teams, despite being quite familiar with the brand, can suffer from tunnel vision or be stuck in paradigms. Agencies, drawing on diverse experience across industries and markets, have become a fertile source of new solutions and unconventional creative approaches, which for those within the organization can be virtually invisible.

This objectivity extends to performance appraisal as well. Large agencies are usually held to very tight KPIs through which they are accountable to deliver measurable results. The setup ensures a very transparent culture of business betterment, whereby the agencies fall under pressure to prove their strategies right and value-proposition-valid on a regular basis.

Time and Resource Management

For most Canadian businesses, more so for the SMEs, the job of dedicating or committing resources to build and maintain a fully-fledged in-house digital marketing team is surely going to distract them from their core business activities. By outsourcing such functions to an agency, this energy is freed for product development, customer service, and other mission-critical activities.

Furthermore, more often than not, agencies are in a much better position than in-house units to implement marketing initiatives. With the established processes, loads of already-vetted resources on standby, and a lot of previous work to its credit, an agency can consequently save time throughout the process from conceiving of the strategy to launching the campaign. This agility is paramount in the fast-paced digital landscape, where usually the early bird catches the worm.

Many of these digital marketing agencies boast of having an extensive industry network, including influencers, media, and technology partners that can open various doors of opportunity to collaboration. Beta programs and early access to new marketing channels/features fall into this category. To Canadian businesses, this is quite an invaluable asset that networks with potential new customers.

Moreover, most agencies have good relations with key platforms, such as Google, Facebook, and LinkedIn, which provide them with the latest features, premium support, and, in some cases, almost privileged rates. More probably than not, such partnerships are passed on as tangible benefits to the clients to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of their digital marketing initiatives.

As a sustenance of risks

The regulatory requirements associated with digital marketing, encompassing privacy, advertising standards, and the specific policies of these diverse digital platforms, make hazardous minefields for businesses. This adds further pressure on digital marketing agencies because they possess specialized knowledge and experience in ensuring that their clients work in conformance with these regulations. This becomes even more crucial in instances involving Canada, where there are regulations like CASL, which is anti-spam law dictating strict requirements on electronic messaging.

Additionally, the agencies adapt by nature through adaptation to market changes. Their diversified client bases and regular activities with businesses in various industries enable them to identify and respond to the change in consumer behavior, change in technology, or economic conditions very fast. Adapting to the situation at hand helps hedge against potential risks associated with sudden changes in the market which could render several marketing strategies irrelevant.

Performance and Results

What's arguably most convincing in the move towards agency partnerships is the attention to accountability and measurement of performance. Most of the agencies operate on performance-based models with clear KPIs and reporting structures that generate tangible means through which firms realize their marketing return on investment. In other words, therefore, the approach is results-based, with continuous optimization of marketing to align with business objectives.

As such, agencies can contribute to performing competitive benchmarking. With many years of experience across industries and data, they can paint a view for a business regarding its relative standing in digital marketing performance from its competition and industry benchmarks. Such a comparative perspective may also help them zero in on opportunities for performance improvement and areas of differentiation.

The Future of Digital Marketing Partnerships in Canada

The trend of Canadian businesses partnering with specialized marketing agencies is showing no signs of abatement in the evolving digital marketing landscape. The recipe combining experience, the advantage of being cost-effective, technological advances, and strategic value when working with an agency makes compelling economic sense. And, of course, in-house teams will always have their role; it's actually quite important for big organizations. The passed "advantages to this kind of approach are flexibility and comprehensive capabilities available to organizations of any size.".

The collaboration with a digital marketing agency is considered an investment in terms of growth strategy and competitiveness. Increasingly, this is a cost consideration that Canadian executives are factoring in as Canadian businesses strive to find their way through digital complexities—and as a result, a way to innovate the catalyst for success in the long term.

[govindhtech]

AI Frameworks Help Data Scientists For GenAI Survival

AI Frameworks: Crucial to the Success of GenAI

Develop Your AI Capabilities Now

You play a crucial part in the quickly growing field of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) as a data scientist. Your proficiency in data analysis, modeling, and interpretation is still essential, even though platforms like Hugging Face and LangChain are at the forefront of AI research.

Although GenAI systems are capable of producing remarkable outcomes, they still mostly depend on clear, organized data and perceptive interpretation areas in which data scientists are highly skilled. You can direct GenAI models to produce more precise, useful predictions by applying your in-depth knowledge of data and statistical techniques. In order to ensure that GenAI systems are based on strong, data-driven foundations and can realize their full potential, your job as a data scientist is crucial. Here’s how to take the lead:

Data Quality Is Crucial

The effectiveness of even the most sophisticated GenAI models depends on the quality of the data they use. By guaranteeing that the data is relevant, AI tools like Pandas and Modin enable you to clean, preprocess, and manipulate large datasets.

Analysis and Interpretation of Exploratory Data

It is essential to comprehend the features and trends of the data before creating the models. Data and model outputs are visualized via a variety of data science frameworks, like Matplotlib and Seaborn, which aid developers in comprehending the data, selecting features, and interpreting the models.

Model Optimization and Evaluation

A variety of algorithms for model construction are offered by AI frameworks like scikit-learn, PyTorch, and TensorFlow. To improve models and their performance, they provide a range of techniques for cross-validation, hyperparameter optimization, and performance evaluation.

Model Deployment and Integration

Tools such as ONNX Runtime and MLflow help with cross-platform deployment and experimentation tracking. By guaranteeing that the models continue to function successfully in production, this helps the developers oversee their projects from start to finish.

Intel’s Optimized AI Frameworks and Tools

The technologies that developers are already familiar with in data analytics, machine learning, and deep learning (such as Modin, NumPy, scikit-learn, and PyTorch) can be used. For the many phases of the AI process, such as data preparation, model training, inference, and deployment, Intel has optimized the current AI tools and AI frameworks, which are based on a single, open, multiarchitecture, multivendor software platform called oneAPI programming model.

Data Engineering and Model Development:

To speed up end-to-end data science pipelines on Intel architecture, use Intel’s AI Tools, which include Python tools and frameworks like Modin, Intel Optimization for TensorFlow Optimizations, PyTorch Optimizations, IntelExtension for Scikit-learn, and XGBoost.

Optimization and Deployment

For CPU or GPU deployment, Intel Neural Compressor speeds up deep learning inference and minimizes model size. Models are optimized and deployed across several hardware platforms including Intel CPUs using the OpenVINO toolbox.

You may improve the performance of your Intel hardware platforms with the aid of these AI tools.

Library of Resources

Discover collection of excellent, professionally created, and thoughtfully selected resources that are centered on the core data science competencies that developers need. Exploring machine and deep learning AI frameworks.

What you will discover:

Use Modin to expedite the extract, transform, and load (ETL) process for enormous DataFrames and analyze massive datasets.

To improve speed on Intel hardware, use Intel’s optimized AI frameworks (such as Intel Optimization for XGBoost, Intel Extension for Scikit-learn, Intel Optimization for PyTorch, and Intel Optimization for TensorFlow).

Use Intel-optimized software on the most recent Intel platforms to implement and deploy AI workloads on Intel Tiber AI Cloud.

How to Begin

Frameworks for Data Engineering and Machine Learning

Step 1: View the Modin, Intel Extension for Scikit-learn, and Intel Optimization for XGBoost videos and read the introductory papers.

Modin: To achieve a quicker turnaround time overall, the video explains when to utilize Modin and how to apply Modin and Pandas judiciously. A quick start guide for Modin is also available for more in-depth information.

Scikit-learn Intel Extension: This tutorial gives you an overview of the extension, walks you through the code step-by-step, and explains how utilizing it might improve performance. A movie on accelerating silhouette machine learning techniques, PCA, and K-means clustering is also available.

Intel Optimization for XGBoost: This straightforward tutorial explains Intel Optimization for XGBoost and how to use Intel optimizations to enhance training and inference performance.

Step 2: Use Intel Tiber AI Cloud to create and develop machine learning workloads.

On Intel Tiber AI Cloud, this tutorial runs machine learning workloads with Modin, scikit-learn, and XGBoost.

Step 3: Use Modin and scikit-learn to create an end-to-end machine learning process using census data.

Run an end-to-end machine learning task using 1970–2010 US census data with this code sample. The code sample uses the Intel Extension for Scikit-learn module to analyze exploratory data using ridge regression and the Intel Distribution of Modin.

Deep Learning Frameworks

Step 4: Begin by watching the videos and reading the introduction papers for Intel’s PyTorch and TensorFlow optimizations.

Intel PyTorch Optimizations: Read the article to learn how to use the Intel Extension for PyTorch to accelerate your workloads for inference and training. Additionally, a brief video demonstrates how to use the addon to run PyTorch inference on an Intel Data Center GPU Flex Series.

Intel’s TensorFlow Optimizations: The article and video provide an overview of the Intel Extension for TensorFlow and demonstrate how to utilize it to accelerate your AI tasks.

Step 5: Use TensorFlow and PyTorch for AI on the Intel Tiber AI Cloud.

In this article, it show how to use PyTorch and TensorFlow on Intel Tiber AI Cloud to create and execute complicated AI workloads.

Step 6: Speed up LSTM text creation with Intel Extension for TensorFlow.

The Intel Extension for TensorFlow can speed up LSTM model training for text production.

Step 7: Use PyTorch and DialoGPT to create an interactive chat-generation model.

Discover how to use Hugging Face’s pretrained DialoGPT model to create an interactive chat model and how to use the Intel Extension for PyTorch to dynamically quantize the model.

Read more on Govindhtech.com

[graphicdesigningmasterycourse]

Free Graphic Designing Mastery Course

In a world increasingly dominated by visual communication, graphic design has become an indispensable skill. Whether for branding, marketing, or personal projects, the ability to create eye-catching visuals can set you apart in today’s competitive landscape. The Free Graphic Designing Mastery Course is an exceptional opportunity for anyone looking to develop their design skills and harness their creativity effectively.

The Importance of Graphic Design

Graphic design is not just about aesthetics; it’s a powerful tool for conveying messages and emotions. From logos and advertisements to social media posts and websites, design plays a crucial role in how audiences perceive and interact with brands. For individuals and businesses alike, mastering graphic design can lead to better engagement, increased brand recognition, and improved communication.

What the Course Covers

The Free Graphic Designing Mastery Course is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of graphic design principles and practices. Here’s a breakdown of what participants can expect:

Foundational Skills: The course begins with the fundamentals, ensuring that learners grasp the essential concepts of design, such as color theory, typography, composition, and layout. This foundation is critical for creating visually appealing and effective designs.

Hands-On Projects: To reinforce learning, the course includes practical projects that allow participants to apply their skills in real-world scenarios. This experiential approach not only solidifies understanding but also builds a portfolio that can be showcased to potential employers or clients.

Software Proficiency: Participants will gain proficiency in industry-standard design software, including Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign). Mastering these tools is essential for any aspiring graphic designer, as they are widely used in the industry.

Creative Techniques: Beyond the basics, the course delves into advanced techniques and trends in graphic design. Participants will learn about branding, digital illustration, and user interface design, equipping them with a diverse skill set.

Expert Insights: Instructors with extensive experience in graphic design guide learners throughout the course. Their insights into current industry practices and tips for overcoming common design challenges provide invaluable guidance.

Benefits of Taking the Course

Cost-Free Learning: One of the standout features of this course is that it is entirely free. This makes it accessible to anyone eager to learn, regardless of their financial situation.

Career Opportunities: As businesses increasingly recognize the value of strong visual branding, the demand for skilled graphic designers continues to grow. Completing this course can open doors to various career paths in design, marketing, and advertising.

Flexible Learning: The course is designed for convenience, allowing participants to learn at their own pace. This flexibility makes it easier to balance education with other commitments.

Community Support: Joining the course means becoming part of a vibrant community of aspiring designers. Participants can share feedback, collaborate on projects, and motivate one another throughout the learning journey.

Conclusion

For anyone passionate about creativity and looking to enhance their design skills, the Free Graphic Designing Mastery Course is a remarkable opportunity. By combining foundational knowledge with practical experience, this course equips learners with the tools needed to succeed in the field of graphic design.

To take the next step in your design career, consider enrolling in this enlightening course offered by Hadi E Learning. With expert instruction and a supportive learning environment, you’ll be well-prepared to create stunning visuals that make a lasting impact. Don’t hesitate—begin your journey in graphic design today