Tag Archives: Digital Disruption

Did Tony Blair call for Digital ID mandate to suppress dissent?!

Did Tony Blair call for a Digital ID mandate to suppress dissent in the United Kingdom?! Take a look at the viral claim, and find out what the facts really are!

Claim : Tony Blair called for Digital ID mandate to suppress dissent!

People are sharing an article (archive) by The People’s Voice (formerly NewsPunch), which claims that former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has “ordered” the new Labour government to roll out the Digital ID in the UK to crack down on dissent and anti-establishment behaviour!

Here is an excerpt of the long and (intentionally?) confusing article. Feel free to skip to the next section for the facts!

Tony Blair Pushes UK Gov’t To Mandate ‘Digital ID’ To Crack Down on Dissent

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has ordered the new Labor government to prioritize the urgent roll out of digital ID in the UK to crack down on dissent and anti-establishment behavior.

Speaking at a conference hosted by his Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI) in central London, Blair said mandating digital IDs could also improve citizens’ access to public services while clamping down on benefit fraud and illegal migration.

Blair, who is widely tipped to succeed Klaus Schwab as WEF director, acknowledged that there would be “a little work in persuading to do here, it must be said.”

The former prime minister was desperate to implement a digital ID scheme during his term in office, however public sentiment against the scheme proved impossible to sway.

Now it appears the globalist agenda is being rolled out, whether the public approve of the draconian measures or not.

However, Technology Secretary Peter Kyle pushed back against the idea – at least for now.

“Right now, the priority when it comes to accessing digital services or online services or services per se is actually about verification,” Kyle told ITV’s Peston on Monday.

“ID cards conjure images of a universal service that affects everybody online and offline and everywhere else.”

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Truth : Tony Blair did not call for Digital ID mandate to suppress dissent!

This is yet another example of fake news created / promoted by The People’s Voice, and here are the reasons why…

Fact #1 : Tony Blair wants Digital ID to control immigration, not dissent

Let me start by pointing out that former British Prime Minister Tony Blair argued for the UK to adopt a Digital ID to “control immigration”, by ensuring that “we know precisely who has a right to be here”.

We need a plan to control immigration. If we don’t have rules, we get prejudices. In office, I believed the best solution was a system of identity, so that we know precisely who has a right to be here. With, again, technology, we should move as the world is moving to digital ID. If not, new border controls will have to be highly effective.

As you can see, Tony Blair is promoting the Digital ID as a way to control immigration, not as a way to suppress dissent.

This was clearly pointed out in the Politico article that was quoted in the The People’s Voice article, which makes me wonder – why would The People’s Voice claim or suggest otherwise???

Fact #2 : Tony Blair suggested Digital ID weeks before 2024 UK riots

Tony Blair actually made his Digital ID suggestion in an article (archive) for The Sunday Times, which was published on Saturday, 6 July 2024.

In other words, he pushed the Digital ID idea more than 3 weeks before far-right, anti-immigration riots erupted in the UK. Obviously, his Digital ID proposal has nothing to do with the riots that would come three weeks later!

So why would The People’s Voice dig up his article from more than a month ago, to suggest that Tony Blair wanted a Digital ID mandate to suppress dissent???

Unsurprisingly, The People’s Voice article did not provide any evidence to back up its “fact checked” claim.

Fact #3 : Digital ID cannot suppress dissent

Tony Blair actually tried to introduce compulsory ID cards while he was Prime Minister, but the idea was scrapped because it proved to be deeply unpopular with the public.

Even if the United Kingdom implements a Digital ID mandate, it would only serve as a standardised way to ascertain someone’s identity and citizenship. Such a digital ID, or even a physical identity card, do nothing to suppress dissent – people can still protest, and people who commit crimes can still be identified and prosecuted even without a digital ID, or physical identity card.

Unsurprisingly, The People’s Voice article did not explain how a digital ID, or even a physical identity card, would suppress dissent…

Fact #4 : The People’s Voice Is Known For Fake News

The People’s Voice is the current name for NewsPunch, which possibly changed its name because its brand has been so thoroughly discredited after posting numerous shocking but fake stories.

Founded as Your News Wire in 2014, it was rebranded as NewsPunch in November 2018, before becoming The People’s Voice. A 2017 BuzzFeed report identified NewsPunch as the second-largest source of popular fake news on Facebook that year.

Its articles have been regularly debunked as fake news, so you should never share anything from NewsPunch / The People’s Voice. Here are some of its fake stories that I fact checked earlier:

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He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

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Avanade appoints Rodrigo Caserta as new CEO!

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Avanade – a leading Microsoft solutions provider, has just appointed Rodrigo Caserta as its new CEO, replacing Pamela Maynard! Here is what you need to know…

Avanade appoints Rodrigo Caserta as new CEO!

On 16 August 2024, Avanade – a leading Microsoft solutions provider, has just appointed Rodrigo Caserta as its new CEO, with immediate effect.

Rodrigo Caserta (left in photo below), who was previously the Global Technology Business Group Lead at Avanade, succeeds Pamela Maynard (right in photo below), who will depart at the end of August to join Microsoft as Chief AI Transformation Officer for Microsoft Customer and Partner Solutions (MCAPS).

Karthik Narain, Avanade Board Chair and Group Chief Executive at Accenture Technology, expressed enthusiasm for Caserta’s appointment: “Rodrigo’s extensive experience and leadership within Avanade make him the ideal choice for CEO. His deep understanding of our clients and commitment to our team will drive our growth and innovation. I extend my gratitude to Pam for her transformative leadership, which doubled our business and enhanced our focus on inclusion and diversity.”

Rodrigo Caserta’s Vision For Avanade

Rodrigo Caserta is a veteran of nearly a decade at Avanade, who has contributed significantly to Avanade’s success. Under his leadership as General Manager of Brazil and later as President of Growth Markets, Avanade experienced notable revenue and headcount growth in Asia Pacific and Latin America. Originally from Brazil, Caserta recently relocated from Singapore to the United States with his family.

Caserta shared his excitement about his new role: “It’s an honour to follow in Pam’s footsteps. She brought me into Avanade nearly a decade ago and the wisdom I’ve gained from her is invaluable. It’s a privilege to uphold her legacy as Avanade’s next CEO”

“In an era marked by complex challenges, fierce competition, and the imperative to capitalise on AI, our clients have consistently found a trusted partner in Avanade. I am excited and look forward to this opportunity to lead – guided by our deep expertise, bold ambitions and a spirit of collaboration.”

Pamela Maynard’s New Role At Microsoft

Pamela Maynard, who has been a pivotal figure in Avanade’s growth, will transition to Microsoft as Chief AI Transformation Officer for MCAPS – the Microsoft Customer and Partner Solutions division.

Judson Althoff, Microsoft’s Chief Commercial Officer, welcomed Maynard to her new role: “We are excited to welcome Pamela to Microsoft Customer and Partner Solutions as our first Chief AI Transformation Officer, where she will leverage Microsoft’s AI portfolio to drive our internal transformation and work directly with customers to accelerate theirs. For nearly a decade, Microsoft and Avanade have been at the forefront of AI innovation, with both Pam and Rodrigo playing a critical role in advancing our progress. I look forward to this new chapter, confident in their leadership and expertise, as we further strengthen the longstanding partnership between Microsoft and Avanade and pioneer new advancements in our industry.”

Reflecting on her tenure, Maynard said, “After 16 remarkable years at Avanade, now is the right time to transition to new leadership and Rodrigo is the perfect choice for our next CEO. Reflecting on my five-year tenure as CEO, I am proud of what we’ve achieved as an organization.”

“We’ve solidified Avanade’s position as the preeminent leader in the Microsoft ecosystem – consistently earning recognition from industry analysts, market leaders, and Microsoft itself. And our workplace culture – celebrated by Newsweek, Glassdoor, and more – is a clear reflection of our deep commitment to inclusion, diversity, and wellbeing. As AI continues to transform the industry, I am excited to have the opportunity and grateful for the confidence Microsoft’s leadership has in me to lead critical work in my new role.”

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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

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Avanade study: Familiarity reduces workplace fears of AI!

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Here is our summary of a new study by Avanade on how growing familiarity eases workplace fears about generative AI!

Avanade study: Familiarity reduces workplace fears of AI!

A recent study by Avanade highlights a significant shift in workplace attitudes towards generative AI, offering valuable insights into how organisations can encourage employees to embrace generative AI.

The Avanade report explored the experience of 700 global employees at Avanade who used Copilot for Microsoft 365 through a seven-week study. This study represents the largest pilot of Copilot for Microsoft 365 conducted during the Early Access Program.

The study investigated the impact of the generative AI tool on six human metrics in the workplace: communication, creativity, trust, work satisfaction, belongingness, and organisational citizenship behaviour. Overall findings revealed increased structured creativity, idea sharing and problem solving, but limited improvements to spontaneously generated or original thinking.

Key findings from Avanade study on workplace fears of AI

The Avanade study sheds light on how familiarity with generative AI is alleviating workplace fears, leading to greater acceptance and integration. Here are key findings from the Avanade study…

Communication

Initially, 72% of employees were apprehensive about how Copilot for Microsoft 365 would handle meeting transcriptions. By the end of the study, 45% of employees felt less cautious about their communications, reflecting a shift towards more open dialogue as familiarity with the tool grew.

Creativity and Innovation

Avanade observed a 2% increase in overall creativity and innovation, with the score rising to 82%. Acceptance of new working methods improved from 80% to 89%. However, there was a slight decrease in preference for tasks requiring original thinking.

Trust

The study found that 88% of employees felt Copilot for Microsoft 365 aligned with corporate values, while 65% believed it matched their personal values. Satisfaction with the tool’s assistance was at 75%, but concerns about transparency (78%) and accountability (65%) highlighted the need for clearer decision-making processes and governance.

Work Satisfaction

After implementing Copilot for Microsoft 365, 85% of employees reported a strong sense of accomplishment, and 80% remained engaged with their tasks. This suggests that the tool integrated smoothly into daily workflows without diminishing job satisfaction.

Belongingness

Team cohesion levels remained stable, with 85% of employees feeling consistent support from colleagues. Nevertheless, there was a 2% decline in the sense of belonging and team collaboration, indicating potential areas for improvement.Its seamless integration into Zoom Workplace not only provides a unified platform for communication and collaboration, it also ensures that users can access all their tools and documents in one place, streamlining workflows and enhancing overall efficiency.

Organisational Citizenship Behaviour

The study showed an increase in technological adaptability to 86%, suggesting that Copilot for Microsoft 365 promotes technical skill development. Altruism and courtesy remained steady at 88%, indicating the tool did not negatively impact the collaborative and supportive culture of the organization.

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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

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Zoom Docs transforms collaboration + meeting efficiency with AI

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Discover how Zoom Docs, the new AI-driven tool from Zoom, transforms team collaboration, document creation, and project planning for enhanced meeting effectiveness.

Zoom Docs transforms collaboration + meeting efficiency with AI

On August 5, 2024, Zoom officially launched Zoom Docs, a new AI-first solution designed to revolutionise the way teams collaborate and manage documents. As part of Zoom Workplace, this collaborative document solution with generative AI aims to enhance meeting effectiveness and streamline project planning.

Zoom Docs is our first Zoom Workplace product with generative AI built in from the ground up; it effortlessly transforms information from Zoom Meetings into actionable documents and knowledge bases, so teams can stay focused on meaningful work.

Zoom Docs is included at no additional cost with Zoom Workplace paid licenses, creating even more value for our customers. With AI Companion available every step of the way, Zoom Docs is purpose-built to empower people to ‘work happy’ and give them more time back in their day.

– Smita Hashim, chief product officer at Zoom

Zoom Docs represents a significant advancement in collaborative technology, combining the power of AI with the versatility of Zoom Workplace. Here is how it offers businesses a cutting-edge solution for enhancing team collaboration and productivity.

AI-Driven Document Creation

Zoom Docs leverages advanced artificial intelligence to assist in creating documents quickly and accurately. ith features like content generation, automated editing suggestions, and optimized formatting, users can create and refine documents faster and more accurately. The AI assists in structuring content, suggesting improvements, and ensuring consistency, making document management simpler and more effective.

Enhanced Team Collaboration

Thanks to its AI Companion, teams can collaborate in real-time on documents, share feedback instantly, and track changes seamlessly. The integration of AI tools facilitates smoother collaboration by automating routine tasks, highlighting important changes, and ensuring that all team members are on the same page.

Streamlined Project Planning

Zoom Docs supports comprehensive project planning by providing tools for task management, scheduling, and progress tracking. AI-driven insights help teams prioritize tasks, manage deadlines, and allocate resources efficiently. This streamlined approach to project planning ensures that teams can stay organized and focused on achieving their goals.

Benefits for Meeting Efficiency

Meeting productivity is enhanced by allowing participants to access and edit documents directly within the Zoom meeting platform. This integration reduces the need for switching between applications, saving time and improving focus during meetings.

Seamless Integration Into Zoom Workplace

Its seamless integration into Zoom Workplace not only provides a unified platform for communication and collaboration, it also ensures that users can access all their tools and documents in one place, streamlining workflows and enhancing overall efficiency.

Zoom Docs with AI Companion Price + Availability

Zoom Docs is available beginning today for users of the Zoom Workplace app, version 6.1.6 or later, which can be downloaded from the Zoom website. It can also be accessed from the Docs web homepage or the Zoom Web App.

Zoom Docs with AI Companion is included with all paid Zoom Workplace plans*. Basic (free) users can create up to 10 shared docs and unlimited personal docs without AI Companion but can upgrade to Zoom Workplace Pro, Business, or Enterprise plans for access to AI Companion capabilities across Zoom Workplace, including Docs. Account owners and admins may enable or disable AI Companion.

*Note: AI Companion is included at no additional cost with the paid services assigned to Zoom accounts. However, it may not be available for all regions and industry verticals.

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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

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Avanade + Accenture : 19th Microsoft Global SI Partner of the Year!

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Avanade and Accenture have just been recognised for a record 19th time as Microsoft’s Global SI Partner of the Year! Here is what you need to know…

Avanade + Accenture Celebrate 19th Microsoft Global SI Partner of the Year!

On June 26, 2024, both Avanade and Accenture were recognised by Microsoft as its Global SI Partner of the Year for a record 19th time.

This accolade underscores both companies’ nearly 25-year partnership with Microsoft, and commitment to delivering cutting-edge innovation, world-class capabilities, and transformative client value.

Avanade and Accenture were also named Microsoft’s first-ever Global Business Transformation Partner of the Year for Copilot, recognizing their leading expertise in deploying and leveraging Copilot across the Microsoft ecosystem and driving substantial value with generative AI for organizations worldwide.

Pam Maynard, CEO of Avanade, commented, “This is an incredible honor, one that confirms our commitment to creating value for our clients. In addition to our record-breaking 19th Partner of the Year win and receiving more global industry wins and finalist recognitions than ever before, it’s notable to be named the winner of the inaugural Copilot Transformation award, which highlights our close alignment with Microsoft on AI from the earliest days of Copilot’s development and deployment. As we look ahead to the opportunities offered by an ‘AI-first’ world, we will continue to leverage the expertise and insights of our global team to expand what’s possible with Microsoft technologies.”

Here in Malaysia Avanade unveiled its first generative AI lab for Southeast Asia last year, following the launch of its first Malaysian Digital Innovation Studio in Kuala Lumpur located at the Tun Razak Exchange in 2022.

“Our recognition as Microsoft’s Global SI Partner of the Year for the 19th time underscores the exceptional value our partnership with Microsoft and Avanade delivers to our clients,” said Chris Howarth, senior managing director and Accenture Microsoft Business Group lead. “By leveraging Microsoft Copilot and advanced generative AI technologies, we are not only enhancing our service offerings but also creating new opportunities for our clients to innovate and accelerate growth in their respective markets. This strategic focus empowers them to harness the full potential of their digital transformation, driving significant business outcomes.”

Both Avanade and Accenture have been at the forefront of developing AI solutions in collaboration with Microsoft for over a decade, most recently pioneering with generative AI application. As early adopters of Copilot, they have also played a critical role in previewing, developing, and deploying the full suite of Microsoft Copilots, enabling them to have market-leading offerings available on day-one of general availability.

Avanade and Accenture have continued this momentum with the rollout of industry-specific Copilots and Microsoft Agents for Copilot, showcased at Microsoft Build in May 2024.

This year, Avanade and Accenture received more Global Industry awards and finalist recognitions than ever before, including wins across Retail & Consumer Goods, Media & Telco, and Mobility & Transportation. They were also recognized as a winner or finalist in every Business Applications category.

Overall, Avanade and Accenture have been honored as winners in seven global categories:

Global System Integrator (GSI)
Global Business Transformation | Copilot
Global Industry | Retail & Consumer Goods
Global Industry | Media & Telco
Global Industry | Automotive, Mobility & Transportation
Global SAP RISE on Microsoft Cloud
Global Dynamics 365 Sales & Customer Insights

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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

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Did WEF Just Order Governments To Ban Cash?!

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Did the WEF just order governments to ban cash, except for VIP elites?! Take a look at the viral claim, and find out what the facts really are!

Claim : WEF Just Ordered Governments To Ban Cash!

People are sharing an article (archive) by The People’s Voice (formerly NewsPunch), which claimed that the WEF just ordered governments to ban cash, except for VIP elites!

Here is an excerpt of the long and (intentionally?) confusing article. Feel free to skip to the next section for the facts!

‘100% Digital’: WEF Orders Govt’s To Outlaw Cash For ‘Non-Licensed Individuals’

Using cash to make anonymous purchases that are not monitored by the central bank’s invasive monitoring system will soon the reserved for VIP elites who hold licenses to use cash, if we allow Klaus Schwab’s World Economic Forum to roll out their carefully laid plans.

The WEF hosted a summit in Saudi Arabia to quietly share the details of their disturbing plans to completely ban cash in favor of a 100 percent digital system, while admitting the Covid pandemic was part of the plan to transition consumers away from cash and into the cold embrace of central banks.

Unfortunately for the global elite and their backroom negotiations in the world’s most repressive states, we are watching them like a hawk, we have insiders walking the corridors and blowing the whistle, and it is our duty to expose their diabolical plans to the world.

During a WEF meeting in Saudi Arabia last week, the Central Bank Governor of Bahrain Khalid Humaidan said ordinary people cannot be trusted to spend their money how they see fit, and the elite must completely ban cash in the near future in favor of a fully digital solution.

Humaidan also casually boasted that the general public is going to accept the elite’s transition to a central bank digital currency or CBDC without a struggle.

Did you catch that? The central bank governor actually said that the people trust the central banks to do whatever they want with our money.

Disturbingly, according to Humaidan, the elites are not only planning to clamp down on cash for ordinary people, they are hellbent on eliminating it completely.

“At some point in time hopefully we’ll be able to be 100 percent digital,” he boasted.

Getting rid of cash will prohibit the anonymous transfer of funds, a premise already admitted by the banking sector.

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Truth : WEF Did Not Order Governments To Ban Cash!

This is yet another example of fake news created / promoted by The People’s Voice, and here are the reasons why…

Fact #1 : WEF Did Not Order Governments To Ban Cash!

Let me start by quickly pointing out that the WEF (World Economic Forum) did not order governments to ban or outlaw cash, and limit its use to only VIP elites with the licence to use cash.

If the WEF actually did that, it would have been widely reported all over the world. Yet no legitimate media outlet reported such a shocking development… because it never happened!

Unsurprisingly, The People’s Voice never provided any evidence that the WEF ever ordered any government to ban or outlaw cash, or restrict its use to people with the licence to use cash!

It is also ludicrous for The People’s Voice to claim that cash will be reserved only for licensed individuals to use. How will they use cash, if everyone else has been banned from using it??? How idiotic!

Fact #2 : Khalid Humaidan Does Not Speak For WEF

The People’s Voice article insinuated or suggested that Khalid Humaidan was speaking for the WEF (World Economic Forum). That’s just utter nonsense.

Khalid Humaidan is the governor of the Central Bank of Bahrain, and does not speak for or represent the WEF.

Speaking at the WEF’s Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy Development on Sunday, 5 May 2024, he only said that it was Bahrain’s goal to replace cash with CBDC (Central Bank Digital Currencies), and go “one hundred percent digital”.

Fact #3 : Khalid Humaidan Said Central Bank Will Have Smaller Role

On top of that, Khalid Humaidan actually pointed out that the Central Bank of Bahrain will have a smaller role with CBDCs than it had with cash! After all, it is the private sector that plays a big role with the rolling out of these CBDCs:

We know in the past when it comes to cash, central bankers were very much in control with all aspects of cash, and now we’re comfortable to the point where the private sector plays a big role in the printing of the cash, in the distribution of the cash, and with the private sector we use interest rates to manage the supply of cash.

The same thing is likely to happen with CBDC. Yes, the central bank will have a role, but at some point in time — the same way we don’t call it ‘central bank cash’ — we’re probably going to stop calling it central bank digital currency.

It’s going to be a digital form of the cash, and at some point in time hopefully we will be able to be one hundred percent digital.

That’s why Humaidan said that these digital currencies should no longer be called CBDCs – because central banks will play a much more limited role, than they did with actual cash!

In short – while digital cash is traceable, central banks will have far less control over it, not more.

Fact #4 : Cash Won’t Be Eliminated As Long As People Want It

Speaking at the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) Innovation Summit in March 2023, European Central Bank president Christine Lagarde pointed out that cash will always be around, as digital currencies will never be as anonymous as cash.

Is it [digital euro] going to be as private as cash? No. A digital currency will never be as anonymous and as protecting of privacy in many respects as cash, which is why cash will always be around.

If people want to use cash in some countries or in some transactions, cash should be available.

A digital currency is an alternative, is another means of payment and will not provide exactly the same level of privacy and anonymity as cash, but will be pretty close in terms of complete neutrality in relation to the data.

However, if people choose to use digital cash because it’s safer and more convenient, then there will be less cash. That has already been the case in many countries, like China, India and South Korea.

Eventually, cash could be eliminated in favour of digital currencies, but it will not happen because central banks “ban” cash. It will only happen if people want to use digital currencies instead of physical cash.

Fact #5 : WEF Screenshot Is Fake

The cover image used by The People’s Voice article and video has a screenshot which purportedly shows the World Economic Forum (WEF) posting on X (formerly Twitter) that:

Nothing to hide? Nothing to fear! It’s time to BAN cash

That is most definitely a fake screenshot, because there is no such post on X by the WEF.

If the WEF actually posted such a shocking post, it would have been reported by the worldwide media. But of course, that didn’t happen, because the WEF never posted it!

Yet again, and unsurprisingly, The People’s Voice article provided no evidence that such a post ever existed!

Fact #6 : The People’s Voice Is Known For Fake News

The People’s Voice is the current name for NewsPunch, which possibly changed its name because its brand has been so thoroughly discredited after posting numerous shocking but fake stories.

Please help us FIGHT FAKE NEWS by sharing this fact check article out, and please SUPPORT our work!

Please Support My Work!

Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp

Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

Recommended Reading

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Did Bill Gates Say India’s Digital ID Must Be Mandatory In US?!

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Did Bill Gates say that India’s digital ID must become mandatory in the United States?! Take a look at the viral claim, and find out what the facts really are!

Claim : Bill Gates Says India’s Digital ID Must Become Mandatory In US!

People are sharing an article (archive) by The People’s Voice (formerly NewsPunch), which claimed or suggested that Bill Gates said that India’s digital ID must become mandatory in the United States!

Bill Gates Says India’s Digital ID Must Become Mandatory in America

Bill Gates has called for the digital ID system in India to become mandatory in America and other Western nations as a matter or urgency.

Gates recently announced on his blog that he is visiting India, and made sure to boast that the Gates Foundation is involved in what he calls “efforts that are saving millions of lives.”

Infowars.com reports: This is a reference to India’s production of another of Gates’ “passions” – vaccines. As for DPI, Gates expressed his “admiration” for the country’s massive biometric identity DPI component, Aadhaar, and the fact that over 12 billion transactions are processed by it.

And, the Microsoft founder has another “passion” – agriculture. He made sure to note that he would be visiting a monitoring center where agriculture meets Aadhaar. More whopping numbers: the government uses the center in Odisha that has a registry of 7.5 million farmers to give them “real-time guidance,” Gates said.

It sounds like a surveillance state dream, at least as far as the “right” infrastructure is concerned: “Officials can keep track of who is growing what,” Gates continued, but he says this is done for the sake of providing those farmers with “advice.”

It has almost become a rule that projects like DPI effectively get tested in developing countries, orchestrated by globalist financial institutions like the World Bank.

Gates mentions that the developments around the implementation of DPI in Odisha are monitored by the World Bank, as well as Ethiopia and Sri Lanka, ostensibly in order for the example to be replicated there.

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Truth : Bill Gates Did Not Say India’s Digital ID Must Become Mandatory In US!

This is yet another example of fake news created / promoted by The People’s Voice, and here are the reasons why…

Fact #1 : Bill Gates Never Said India’s Digital ID Must Implemented In US

Let me start by pointing out that Bill Gates never said that India’s digital ID must be implemented in the United States, never mind made “mandatory”.

If Bill Gates actually suggested making India’s digital ID mandatory in the United States, it would not only have been reported widely by the mainstream media, and lambasted by people who don’t like such ideas. Yet, there was no such report, not even some social media outrage.

That’s because that never happened. The People’s Voice article, unsurprisingly, offered no evidence to back up its “fact checked” claim.

The source of this nonsensical claim is a blog post by Bill Gates on his (upcoming) trip to India, called “India’s innovations are still changing the world“. Nowhere in that post does he mention implementing India’s digital ID, or making it mandatory in the United States.

Fact #2 : Aadhaar Is Not Mandatory In India

Aadhaar (आधार), India’s digital ID system, provides a 12-digit unique identity number based on the persons biometrics – 10 fingerprints, 2 iris prints, and a photo of the person’s face, as well as demographic data.

However, Aadhaar is not mandatory, and is an “opt-in” system, because it was developed to help provide targeted delivery of financial aid and other subsidies, benefits and services to the people of India.

In fact, the Supreme Court of India issued an interim order on 23 September 2023, that “no person should suffer for not getting Aadhaar“, and that the government cannot deny a service to a resident who does not possess Aadhaar, as it is voluntary and not mandatory.

Fact #3 : US Federalism Makes It Difficult For National ID

The United States of America is one of the few developed countries to not have a national identity card. It’s not for a lack of trying – there have been proposals to nationalise its ID cards.

Anyone, including Bill Gates, can call for a national identity card, whether digital or physical. So what? It’s not the first time anyone has suggested it, and it won’t be the last time either.

However, the United States was founded upon the idea of federalism, so attempts to create a national identity card have failed so far. As a result, Americans have to resort to using a number of documents to prove their identity or citizenship.

Fact #4 : The People’s Voice Is Known For Fake News

The People’s Voice is the current name for NewsPunch, which possibly changed its name because its brand has been so thoroughly discredited after posting numerous shocking but fake stories.

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Dell Forecasts The Future of Connected Living In 2030!

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Dell Technologies just shared with us the key findings from their research that explore the future of connected living by the year 2030!

Find out how emerging technologies will transform how our lives will change by the year 2030!

Dell On The Future of Connected Living In 2030!

Dell Technologies conducted their research in partnership with the Institute for the Future (IFTF) and Vanson Bourne, surveying 1,100 business leaders across ten countries in Asia Pacific and Japan.

Let’s take a look at their key findings, and find out why they believe the future is brimming with opportunity thanks to emerging technologies.

Technological Shifts Transforming The Future By 2030

IFTF and a forum of global experts forecast that emerging technologies like edge computing, 5G, AI, Extended Reality (XR) and IoT will create these five major shifts in society :

1. Networked Reality

Over the next decade, the line between the virtual and the real will vanish. Cyberspace will become an overlay on top of our existing reality as our digital environment extends beyond televisions, smartphones and other displays.

This transformation will be driven by the deployment of 5G networks that enable high bandwidth, low-latency connections for streaming, interactive services, and multi-user media content.

2. Connected Mobility and Networked Matter

The vehicles of tomorrow will essentially be mobile computers, with the transportation system resembling packet-switched networks that power the Internet.

We will trust them to take us where we need to go in the physical world as we interact in the virtual spaces available to us wherever we are.

3. From Digital Cities to Sentient Cities

More than half of the world’s population live in urban areas. This will increase to 68% over the next three decades, according to the United Nations.

This level of growth presents both huge challenges and great opportunities for businesses, governments and citizens.

Cities will quite literally come to life through their own networked infrastructure of smart objects, self-reporting systems and AI-powered analytics.

4. Agents and Algorithms

Our 2030 future will see everyone supported by a highly personalised “operating system for living” that is able to anticipate our needs and proactively support our day-to-day activities to free up time.

Such a Life Operating System (Life OS) will be context-aware, anticipating our needs and behaving proactively.

Instead of interacting with different apps today, the intelligent agent of the future will understand what you need and liaise with various web services, other bots and networked objects to get the job done.

5. Robot with Social Lives

Within 10 years, we will have personal robots that will become our partners in life – enhancing our skills and extending our abilities.

In some cases, they will replace us, but this can mean freeing us to do the things we are good at, and enjoy.

In most cases, they can become our collaborators, helping to crowdsource innovations and accelerate progress through robot social networks.

Preparing For The Future Of Connected Living By 2030

Anticipating Change

Many businesses in APJ are already preparing for these shifts, with business leaders expressing these perceptions :

80% (82% in Malaysia) will restructure the way they spend their time by automating more tasks
70% (83% in Malaysia) welcome people partnering with machines/robots to surpass our human limitations
More than half of businesses anticipate Networked Reality becoming commonplace
– 63% (67% in Malaysia) say they welcome day-to-day immersion in virtual and augmented realities
– 62% (63% in Malaysia) say they welcome people being fitted with brain computer interfaces

Navigating Challenges

These technological shifts are seismic in nature, leaving people and organisations grappling with change. Organisations that want to harness these emerging technologies will need to collect, process and make use of the data, while addressing public concerns about data privacy.

APJ business leaders are already anticipating some of these challenges :

78% (88% in Malaysia) will be more concerned about their own privacy by 2030 than they are today
74% (83% in Malaysia) consider data privacy to be a top societal-scale challenge that must be solved
49% (56% in Malaysia) would welcome self-aware machines
49% (43% in Malaysia) call for regulation and clarity on how AI is used
84% (85% in Malaysia) believe that digital transformation should be more widespread throughout their organisation

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The Dimension Data 2018 IT Predictions Revealed!

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Ettienne Reinecke, Dimension Data’s Group Chief Technology Officer, reveals the Dimension Data 2018 IT Predictions!

The Dimension Data 2018 IT Predictions

The Dimension Data 2018 IT Predictions that was just published, noted the importance of blockchain, artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics as well as virtual and augmented reality in 2018. They all have the potential to “deliver disruptive outcomes” and “reshape digital business”.

Blockchain

Ettienne Reinecke, Dimension Data’s Group Chief Technology Officer, says Blockchain has gone from strength to strength. “Last year, when we looked at the top digital business trends for 2017, we predicted that centralised transaction models would come under attack. We were spot on. In the financial services sector, we’ve seen the US and European capital markets moving onto Blockchain platforms, and similar activity in markets such as Japan. Considering how conservative and compliance-focused this sector is, that’s quite remarkable.

“It’s ironic that the cybercriminals who perpetrated the recent WannaCry ransomware attack could hold a federal government to ransom and demand to be paid in Bitcoin. Bitcoin might be a crypto-currency, but it’s based on Blockchain, and if cybercriminals are confident that Bitcoin provides a safe mechanism for the payment of ransoms, it indicates just how secure the distributed ledger approach is. I believe that Blockchain has the potential to totally re-engineer cybersecurity, but the industry has yet to come to terms with it.”

Blockchain And IoT

Reinecke predicts that Blockchain will also deliver on the promise of Internet of Things (IoT) in the year ahead.

“In the world of IoT you’re generating millions of small transactions that are being collected from a distributed set of sensors. It’s not feasible to operate these systems using a centralised transactional model: it’s too slow, expensive, and exclusive. To extract the true value from IoT technology you have to be able to operate in real time. Once a sensor alert is received from a control system you must react to it, meter it, and bill for it instantly – all of which negates the viability of a centralised transactional authority. The cost of the transaction has to be near-zero or free, and the cost elements of a centralised model simply don’t support the potential business model in IoT,” he explains.

In 2018, some interesting applications of Blockchain and IoT in the area of cybersecurity will emerge. Significant attacks have recently been launched from low-cost IoT endpoints, and there’s very little incentive for manufacturers of these devices to incur the cost of a security stack, which leaves them extremely vulnerable. Blockchain can play a fundamental role in securing these environments.

New Wireless Technologies

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Another exciting trend to look forward to is the boom in new wireless technologies that will enable IoT and bring us a step closer to the dream of pervasive connectivity. Some of these advancements will include 5G and Gbps Wi-Fi, new controls, virtual beacon technology, and low power, long distance radio frequency.

Digital Disruption

There’s also a “digital fight-back” coming on the part of certain incumbent players. Established businesses that have proactively transformed into digital businesses, modernised their architectures, and embedded high levels of automation into their operations have a window of opportunity to claw back market share in the year ahead. That’s because there’s been an increase in the number of cloud-born start-ups themselves starting to be disrupted in certain industries.

“I predict that a number of digitally transformed incumbents will successfully start reclaiming their markets because they have more credibility, longer histories, an established customer base, and assets that can stand the test of time,” says Reinecke.

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SAP At The Asian Innovators Summit 2017

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The Asian Innovators Summit 2017 was just held at the Grand Hyatt in sunny Kuala Lumpur. It focused on the new Digital Economy, which has a profound effect on the way governments and businesses operate today. Let’s take a look at what SAP revealed at the Asian Innovators Summit 2017!

The Road Towards 2050 : The Digital Future In Malaysia

Terrence Yong, Managing Director of SAP Malaysia, kicked off the media briefing with his views on digital transformation in Malaysia. In particular, how Malaysia can achieve the government’s National Transformation 2050 Plan (Transformasi Nasional 2050).

Introducing SAP Leonardo

SAP also introduced their Leonardo digital innovation system, which covers everything from the Internet of Things, Machine Learning, Big Data Analytics and even Blockchain technology. It helps SAP customers create and scale new intelligent applications.

In this video, SAP (Southeast Asia) Head of Analytics, Kathleen Muller, gives an introduction to SAP Leonardo, and how it can help SAP customers innovate, integrate and scale their solutions.

The MAHB Digital Transformation with SAP

Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) Chief Strategy Officer Azli Mohamed then gave us an update on MAHB’s latest initiatives to drive greater operational efficiency and productivity through digitalisation.

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The SAP Innovations Tour @ The Asian Innovators Summit 2017

Finally, SAP took us on a tour of their latest digital solution showcase at the Asian Innovators Summit 2017. Amongst the things we saw were :

The SAP Digital Airport Management solution
The SAP Asset Intelligence Network solution
The SAP Digital Fleet Management solution
The SAP Connected Transportation Safety solution

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Riding The Experience Business Wave With Adobe

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Last week, we were invited to an exclusive Adobe briefing on the Experience Business Wave. V.R. Srivatsan, Managing Director, Adobe Southeast Asia, flew in to share with us how Adobe’s three cloud services help organisations transform their businesses to ride the experience business wave.

Riding The Experience Business Wave

This is the age of digital disruption. No enterprise is safe from being made extinct or irrelevant in a moment’s notice. It is no surprise that every enterprise out there is talking about, if not already implementing, some form of digital transformation.

One of the major companies helping these enterprises respond to digital disruption is Adobe. While many of us know them as the creators of content creation software like Photoshop and Premiere, they are more than that. They are now a cloud service provider that also help enterprises change to meet the new digital disruptions.

As Srivatsan explains, the world is now riding on the experience business wave. Organisations now have to do more than just run an efficient business or make great products. They also have to focus on delivering the best experience to their customers. Srivatsan summarises the four key points of a great experience from the perspective of the customer :

Know Me & Respect Me
Speak In One Voice
Make Technology Transparent
Delight Me At Every Turn

The food and beverage industry is an obvious example. Just look at how pizzas are being ordered and delivered. So is the automotive industry. But no industry is safe from this new trend.

The Adobe Experience Cloud

To help these enterprises “ride” the experience business wave, Adobe offers the Adobe Experience Cloud. It consists of three different cloud solutions – Analytics Cloud, Advertising Cloud and Marketing Cloud.

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The Adobe Analytics Cloud allows for meaningful measurements of audience analytics, with instant insights. It also offers advertiser analytics and asset insights, as well as automated anomaly detection, contribution analysis and alerts.

The Adobe Advertising Cloud offers enterprises better control of their advertising with cross-channel and cross-device support, as well as tight integration with Adobe Analytics and Audience Manager.

Finally, the Adobe Marketing Cloud enables corporations to manage user experience at scale, with 1-click personalisation and mobile push notifications.

These three Adobe Experience components are all tightly integrated with the Adobe Creative Cloud and Document Cloud services, to allow for easier creation and management of creative content and documents.

Claim : Tony Blair called for Digital ID mandate to suppress dissent!

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Avanade appoints Rodrigo Caserta as new CEO!

Rodrigo Caserta’s Vision For Avanade

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Claim : Bill Gates Says India’s Digital ID Must Become Mandatory In US!

Truth : Bill Gates Did Not Say India’s Digital ID Must Become Mandatory In US!

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Dell On The Future of Connected Living In 2030!

Technological Shifts Transforming The Future By 2030

Preparing For The Future Of Connected Living By 2030

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The Dimension Data 2018 IT Predictions

Blockchain

Blockchain And IoT

New Wireless Technologies

Digital Disruption

Go Back To > News | Home

Support Tech ARP!

The Road Towards 2050 : The Digital Future In Malaysia

Introducing SAP Leonardo

The MAHB Digital Transformation with SAP

The SAP Innovations Tour @ The Asian Innovators Summit 2017

Go Back To > Events | Home

Support Tech ARP!

Riding The Experience Business Wave

The Adobe Experience Cloud

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Support Tech ARP!