In New Haven, Connecticut, the Louis I. Kahndesigned Yale Center for British Art strikes a distinctive look as a modern icon with its matte steel and reflective glass facade. After two years of renovations, the building will reopen to the public on March 29, 2025, putting the largest collection of British art outside the U.K. and Kahns geometric four-floor interior defined by the interplay of structure and light back on view. The Yale Center for British Art preserves a complex collection of works from the fifteenth century to the present. Following the conservation and transformation of the interior, the gallery displays will bring together historical and contemporary collections in an organic, uninterrupted way for the first time.On the buildings roof, 224 original acrylic skylights have been replaced with more resilient polycarbonate domes. (Richard Caspole/Courtesy Yale Center for British Art)With the help of architectural and engineering consulting firm EwingCole, fixtures to the lighting system and energy consumption were made. Renovations included replacing the roof and 224 original acrylic skylights with polycarbonate domes to improve weather resistance, durability, and maintain more energy efficient lighting systems. Below skylight domeswhich have always cast pattern, light, and shadows into the concrete and wood interiorslaylight cassettes have been added to diffuse sunlight and protect collections while keeping with Kahns architectural and aesthetic principle to preserve balance within structure and light. Additionally, replacement of 6,500 linear feet of original halogen lighting track have been converted to LED, in an effort to set foot in a more sustainable future. My colleagues and I are thrilled to welcome visitors back into the museum to enjoy our amazing collection newly installed within Kahns elegant skylit galleries, noted Richard Brodhead, interim director of the Yale Center for British Art.Maintaining Louis I. Kahns architectural principle that interior spaces should have a balance between structure and light, renovations to the roof have been made for daylight variation and protection. (Richard Caspole/Courtesy Yale Center for British Art)The renovation project was a careful balance between introducing more efficient lighting systems and maintaining Kahns distinctive modernist principles. When the museum reopens its doors next spring, it will offer new educational opportunities and programming that seek to revitalize connections among the past and present, much like this renovation.

This is the sixth entry in Architects Talking Ethics, an advice column that intends to host a discussion of the values that architects embody or should embody. It aims to answer real-world ethical questions posed by architects, designers, students, and professors.We, as the three initial authors of this column, think theprofessionis way behind in how it addressesethics. We think architects should explore our own ethics with the breadth and depth that other fields have done for a long time. In our teaching, weve sensed an eagerness among students to talk about ethics. The ethical turn in our profession that has a lot to do with equity and environmental responsibility, yet the typical curriculum has, maybe, one lecture on ethics in the pro-practice course. The amount of time and attention we give to ethics in school as well as in the profession does not align with its importance. Maybe, with this column, we can encourage more interest.What are the ethics of architects? What questions about ethics and architecture do you have? What ethical dilemmas do you face or have faced or anticipate facing?Oursixth column addresses the myriad ways architectural ethics take root in our society.Victoria Beach (VB): I think architectural ethics is, primarily, a branch of professional ethics like it would apply to engineers, because all people involved with buildings have moral obligations to society to provide shelter that is functional, comfortable, and good for the environment. Some might argue that there is a moral purpose to the artistic side of architecture as well, but this complicates things since aesthetics and ethics are two different, perhaps unrelated, fields.At the same time, ethics is often considered an invention of aesthetics.An example would go something like this: Human individuals are innately, aesthetically repelled when someone tries to oppress them. This eventually gives rise to societal constructs such as the Kantian golden rule ethos of treating others how you want them to treat you.Tom Fisher (TF): All buildings have an ethical impact on us whether we acknowledge it or not: We are constantly being affected by our built environment. Architecture allows certain behaviors and relationships and precludes others in ways that go unnoticed by most people. The lack of a discourse in our field about ethics is problematic, in part, because almost everything we do as architects has ethical implications. We are affecting people, ethically, all the time. Not only are most people unaware of it, so are we! Peggy Deamer (PD): More specifically, I think the main thing we architects do is divide people spatially. When we divide people in ways that conform to our social norms, arent we imposing our values on them? Architecture has subtle and not-so-subtle ways of saying, Youre allowed to be here, and youre not allowed to be here. Some people are in, and others are out. Every time we put something up, we are making those kinds of distinctionsthis behavior in this room, that behavior in another. I know that many architects feel that their primary obligationmaybe not ethical, but still a professional directiveis aesthetic. This is not the primary objective for me. Aesthetics affect the nature of those separations and how happy we are to be placed where we are. But if all were doing is making beautiful buildings, we are avoiding the reality that we are affecting human relationships in the process.TF: Peggy, your focus on peoples lived experience reflects a phenomenological way of thinking about ethics, which focuses on the ethos or environments in which we live. Heidegger wanted us to embed ethics in the material world and in our daily interactions with it and with each other. That, too, is an area of ethics that architecture has a lot to contribute.VB: If we are bringing up how aesthetics (the study of perception) has ethical dimensions, it might be useful to remember some of the flailing attempts to find moral purposes for art.Theres the Mithraditicjustification: Art is a way of experiencing life by proxy inoculating us so we can better cope with life. Theres the expressive justification: Art is a much-needed outlet for our primitive impulses and thereby civilizes us. And theres the empathetic justification: Art exposes us to foreign experiences, which helps us understand and feel for others. PD:In a discussion framed around the ethics of architecture, I struggle with two abstractions: architecture instead of architects and ethics as a supposedly known and universal thing.As Hegel said, the standard Kantian definition of ethics is an abstraction with a void (specificity) at its heart. I cant help but see ethics as part of a capitalist ideology that tells you how to behave according to those who have power. Similarly, the abstraction of architecture independent of architects and their lives feels wrong.TF: That condition reflects the ethical turn that has happened in recent decades in our field. Most students seem less obsessed with what used to occupy themthe style wars!that played such a big part of the post-modern era.Now they are unwilling to separate aesthetics from ethics or architecture from the architect.The larger culture of architecture no longer gives unqualified praise to a great building if it was done by a horrible person, whether one who mistreats people, takes advantage of women, has racist politics, or ignores the impact of his or her workon the environment or on communities.VB: I dont think any of us disagree on that point, but I dont think its the architectural ethics thats doing any of the work in that discussion.Its simply normal, everyday, general citizen ethics at work, with concerns like honesty, fairness, care for the environment, and community.After all, the practice of medical ethics does not negate the existence of other ethical actions. A doctor, for example, can follow medical ethics and also serve the planet, just like a capitalist corporation can.I think its important to be clear about what exactly is our concern if we are focusing on the ethics of architects in particular. PG: I understand your point, but I still worry about the abstraction implicit in that position; that you can divide yourself into different personas. No matter what you do with your life, you need to infuse it with the virtues of treating people, other living beings, and our natural environment well. That is the obligation that we all have as human beings and the idea that you would separate that from what you do in your professional life doesnt make sense.VB: Medical ethics is what doctors are supposed to do when they practice medicine, whether its embodied in the actions of one doctor or the whole field of medicine. Itdoesmatterwhere we locate ethics.All professionals, for example, have unusually stringent ethical obligations to their community, clients, colleagues, and craft. If we put architectural ethics in the aesthetic category, it would be useful to tease out any ethical obligations that stem from that.Could it imply, for example, that our moral obligation is to make aesthetically pleasing buildings?TF: At the same time, architecture relates to almost every aspect of ethics, whether it involves questions of character in how architects treat others, to questions of duty in how we perform as professionals, or to questions of utility in how buildings affect those who occupy them.Architecture has a lot to contribute to ethics, just as ethics has to architecture.I think of this in terms of Maslows hierarchy of needs, with shelter at the very bottom of Maslows pyramid and peoples physiological needsthe health, safety, and welfare of licensureat the next level. What we dont talk enough about in our field are the levels above that: How architecture can create a sense of belonging to a community, help people thrive and be more themselves, and empower people to have agency in their lives? Architectural ethics is woven into all of that.VB: On all that, I think we can agree.Victoria Beach was a faculty fellow at Harvards Center for Ethics and wrote the textbook for the first ethics class at the GSD. She has had her own architectural practice for nearly 30 years and has recently held elected office in California.Peggy Deamer is professor emerita, Yale School of Architecture and a founding member of the Architecture Lobby. She has practiced architecture for 45 years and is the authorArchitecture and Labor.Tom Fisher is a professor in the College of Design at the University of Minnesota and the director of the Minnesota Design Center. A former dean of the college, he was also an editor atProgressive Architecturemagazine for 14 years.The views of our writers do not necessarily reflect those of the staff or advisers ofThe Architects Newspaper.

December 2024 Opportunities: Open Calls, Residencies, and Grants for ArtistsDecember 2, 2024OpportunitiesColossalEvery month, Colossal shares opportunities for artists and designers, including open calls, grants, fellowships, and residencies. If youd like to list an opportunity here, please get in touch at [emailprotected]. You can also join our monthly Opportunities Newsletter.Innovate Grant awards two $1,800 grants each quarter to one visual artist and one photographer. In addition, twelve applicants will receive honorable mentions, be featured on the website, and join a growing community. International artists and photographers working in any medium are eligible. Deadline: 11:59 p.m. PST on December 12, 2024.Open CallsPublic Art for Spatial Justice (Massachusetts)These grants range from $15,000 to $30,000 and are open to all disciplines. Projects should creatively cultivate spatial justice through public works. Deadline: 11:59 p.m. ET December 2, 2024.The Wildlife Photographer of the Year 61 (International)Winners of the 61st annual competition will be shown in an exhibition launching at the Natural History Museum, London, in October 2025. There is a 30 entry fee, which increases to 35 in the last week of the submission period.Deadline: 11:30 a.m. GMT on December 5, 2024.Works on Paper Open Call 2025 (International)The Gallery at Green & Stone is accepting 3D sculptures and 2D works, including paintings, drawings, prints, and collages, for an exhibition centering on paper next January. There is a 15 application fee.Deadline: December 7, 2024.All About Photo Travels Photography Competition (International)The 45th issue of AAP Magazine is seeking submissions for cohesive bodies of travel photography. Winners receive $1,000, their image(s) published in the magazine, extensive press coverage, and global recognition.Deadline: December 10, 2024.SooVACs 19th Juried Exhibition (International)Submissions are open for Soo Visual Art Centers 19th juried exhibition, Untitled 19. All mediums are eligible for this show, which will run from February 15 to March 23. There is a $30 application fee.Deadline: 11:59 p.m. CT on December 15, 2024.Open to artists 19 and older, this award offers one artist $7,500, a solo exhibition, and a printed catalog at Pelham Art Center. $2,500 is divided among the finalists, and there is a $25 application fee.Deadline: December 15, 2024.Prospect Art: 2025 NEW WORK Focus on Los Angeles (Los Angeles)Open to visual artists living in Los Angeles County for at least five years, this open call offers $1,000, an exhibition at Winslow Garage, and a feature in the ONE WORK online publication series.Deadline: December 31, 2024.2024 Booooooom Photo Awards (International)Boooooooms annual photo awards are accepting submissions in five categories: portrait, nature, street, color, and fashion. Each category winner receives $1,000, editorial and social coverage, a feature in a printed publication, and some goodies from partners including gift cards, bags, slings, and cases.Deadline: 11:59 p.m. PST on January 10, 2025.Sony World Photography Awards 2025 (International)Open to photographers worldwide shooting on any device, this contest includes top prizes of $25,000, a solo exhibition in London, Sony digital imaging equipment, press and media coverage, and more.Deadline: January 10, 2025.NSMA International Painting Competition (International)Open to professionals and students, this competition focuses on contemporary realism in painting, and all subject matter is welcome. One winner will receive $25,000, and finalists will be exhibited at the New Salem Museum and Academy of Fine Art.Deadline: 11:59 p.m. EST on January 15, 2025.Begin Again Group Spring Exhibition (International)Artists are invited to share their freshest work from 2024 and set the stage for their direction in 2025 for a group exhibition in the Supporter Gallery at ARTS Southeast. All mediums are welcome.Deadline: 11:59 p.m. EST on January 18, 2025.Artadia Awards (Los Angeles)Artists receive unrestricted funds of $15,000, and honorariums will also be provided to finalists.Deadline: February 1, 2025.The Other Art Fair (Brooklyn)Applications are now open for the 2025 season of The Other Art Fair. Submit your work to show at one of the fairs, expand your collector base, and join a global network.Deadline: February 2, 2025.Bosch Parade 2026 (International)Nothing and nobody is perfect, and defects are everywhere. The Bosch Parade 2026 pays tribute to all these imperfections, sailing under the titlePowered by defectfrom June 18 to 21, 2026. Artists and collectives of all disciplines are eligible to submit their proposals for the bi-annual floating parade.Deadline: 12 CET on February 19, 2025.World of Wearable Art Competition (International)WOW is a world-renowned wearable art experience, where an annual design competition culminates in a spectacular show combining theatre, art, fashion, music, and performance. The event offers 25 winners $200,000 in total prizes.Deadline: 11:59 p.m. NZDT on February 20, 2025.GrantsMaterial Works Art Award 2024 (International)This award offers $2,500 in exchange for an original artwork to be added to Material Works growing contemporary art collection. Artists working in painting, photography, installation, sculpture, drawing, printmaking, mixed-media, experimental, and conceptual art are eligible.Deadline: 12 a.m. CT on December 8, 2024.Artists in Queens Grant (Queens)This $3,000 grant supportsthe creation of new work in a community setting.Deadline: 11:59 p.m. ET on December 12, 2024.NYSCA/NYFA Artist Fellowship (New York State and Tribal Nations located therein)This $8,000 unrestricted grant is open to those working in architecture, environmental structures, design, photography, and more.Deadline: 5 p.m. ET on December 17, 2024.The Adolf and Esther Gottlieb Emergency Grant (International)This program provides one-time financial assistance to qualified painters, printmakers, and sculptors whose needs resulted from an unforeseen catastrophic incident and who lack the resources to meet that situation. Awardees typically receive $5,000, up to $15,000.Deadline: Rolling.This fund commissions visual artists to create company projects on a rolling basis. Awardees will receive between $500 and $5,000.Deadline: Rolling.Pollock-Krasner Foundation Grant (International)The foundation welcomes applications from painters, sculptors, and artists working on paper, including printmakers. Grants are intended for one year and range up to $50,000. The artists circumstances determine the size of the grant, and professional exhibition history will be considered.Deadline: Rolling.Residencies, Fellowships, & MoreBernheim Artist in Residence Program (International)Now in its 45th year, this program awards up to four residencies each year to artists working with nature. Residents receive a $2,500 stipend and accommodations. One residency is dedicated to an artist in Kentucky or nearby counties in Southern Indiana, and another is dedicated to an artist whose work addresses environmental issues and the climate crisis.Deadline: Midnight EST on December 2, 2024.Folger Institute Long-Term Public Humanities Fellowship (International)This nine-month fellowship offers $70,000 and is designed to utilize Folgers collections, exhibitions, and programming themes. One fellow will devote 75% of their residency to research and 25% to implementing public humanities engagement.Deadline: 11:59 p.m. ET on December 15, 2024.Newberry Library Artist in Residence Fellowships (International)This one-month fellowship supports research for a visual artist with a $3,000 stipend.Deadline: 11:59 p.m. CT on December 15, 2024.Joshua Tree Highlands Artist Residency (International)These seven-week residencies in Joshua Tree National Park include $1,500 stipends, living accommodations, and studio space. There is a $45 application fee.Deadline: 11:59 p.m. MT on December 15, 2024.Roman J. Witt Residency (International)Open to established and emerging artists and designers, this program awards one residency to support the production of new work at the University of Michigan. Residents receive $20,000, housing, workspace, and up to $5,000 in research and development funding. There is a $15 application fee. Deadline: December 15, 2024.The New Gallery Studio Residency / Solo Exhibition (Springfield, St. Louis, Louisville, Atlanta, and more)The New Gallery at Austin Peay State University is offering its gallery space for a new summer studio artist-in-residence program, which offers $7,850 and lodging.Deadline: December 15, 2024.The Bray Artist Residencies (International)Throughsummer and long-term studio experiences, this program offers the opportunity to work within a community of global artists actively creating new work.Deadline: December 19, 2024.McColl Centers Artist-in-Residence Program (International)Open to emerging and mid-career artists across disciplines, this 10-week program offers a $6,000 stipend, housing, studio space, curatorial guidance, and more. Deadline: January 3, 2025.The image above is from a short film byPhoebe Wahland Andrea Love.Previous articleNext article

Published December 2, 2024 6:00am EST close 'CyberGuy': Is your friend's phone number compromised? Here's what to look for That weird text from a friend may actually be from a hacker. Kurt Knutsson tells you what signs to look out for. Phone hacking is a bigger deal than most of us realize, and it's something we all need to be aware of. Just the other day, Dennis sent an email sharing that he had a pretty unsettling experience with a suspicious text message that seemed to come from a friend's number. His story is a wake-up call for all of us to stay alert and informed. By understanding the signs of potential hacking, we can better protect ourselves and our loved ones from cyber threats.ENDS TOMORROW: IM GIVING AWAY A $500 GIFT CARD FOR THE HOLIDAYSEnter bysigning up for my free newsletter. A woman texting on her phone (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)The suspicious text messageDennis received a text from a friend that was unusually brief and out of character, simply asking,"Would you like to chat?" This raised immediate concerns, especially since the number appeared to be his friend's but wasn't recognized by Messenger as being in his contact list. Such scenarios often suggest phone numberspoofing orhacking, where cybercriminals disguise their identity by using someone else's number. Illustration of friends suspicious text (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Signs your friend's phone number might be compromisedUnderstanding the signs of a compromised phone number is crucial for protecting your personal information and that of your friends. Here are some indicators that your friend's number might be hacked:Unusual messages: If your friend starts sending texts that seem out of character such as odd phrasing, unexpected links or requests for personal information it could indicate their number has been hacked.Unknown contacts: If Messenger says the number is not in your contact list when it actually is, it might indicate a problem.Unexpected phone behavior: If your friend mentions their phone is acting strangely, they should look out for:High data usage: Unexplained spikes in your friend's data usage can indicate malicious apps running in the background on their phone.Unfamiliar apps: If your friend notices new apps that they didnt download, it could be a sign that their phone has been hacked.Battery drain: Rapid battery drain, even when not using the phone heavily, might suggest background malware activity.Slow performance: If your friend's phone suddenly becomes sluggish or unresponsive, it might be due to malicious software using up the device's resources.Pop-ups and ads: An increase in pop-up ads or redirects to dubious websites while your friend is browsing could indicate adware or malware on their device.Unauthorized charges: If your friends phone bill shows unexpected charges, it can result from premium SMS services or calls made by malicious apps.Spam sent from your friend's number: If you or other contacts receive spam or suspicious messages from your friend's number, it's a strong sign that their phone might be compromised. A man texting on his phone (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Steps to protect yourselfIf you suspect your friend's phone number has been hacked, consider these actions:1) Verify with your friend: Contact them through another method to confirm if they sent the message.2) Check for malware using strong antivirus software: Advise your friend to use strong antivirus software to scan for malicious apps or malware on the device. The best way for them to safeguard from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing their private information, is to have antivirus software installed on all their devices. This protection can also alert them to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping their personal information and digital assets safe.Get my picks for the best 2024 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.3) Change passwords: If your friend suspects their phone number has been hacked, they should change their passwords for all accounts linked to their phone number. They should consider using apassword manager to generate and store complex passwords.4) Contact service provider: Your friend should contact their mobile service provider to report the issue. The provider can help secure their account and prevent further unauthorized access.5) Enable two-factor authentication: Encourage your friend to enable two-factor authentication nn their accounts for added security.6) Monitor accounts: Advise your friend to regularly check their bank statements and credit reports for suspicious activity.Kurt's key takeawaysPhone hacking is a bigger issue than most people realize, and Dennis's recent experience is a stark reminder of that. It's crucial for all of us to stay vigilant and informed about the signs of potential hacking. By recognizing these warning signs and taking proactive steps, we can better protect our personal information and our loved ones from cyber threats.Have you ever experienced a suspicious message or a potential hacking incident? Share your story with us and let us know how you handled it by writing to us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you'd like us to cover.Follow Kurt on his social channels:Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:New from Kurt:Try CyberGuy's new games (crosswords, word searches, trivia and more!)Enter CyberGuy's $500 Holiday Gift Card SweepstakesKurts Best New Cyber Monday DealsCopyright 2024 CyberGuy.com.All rights reserved. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on "FOX & Friends." Got a tech question? Get Kurts free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

bas121 - stock.adobe.comNewsIntel confirms CEO Pat Gelsinger has left the company Several months after Gelsinger went public with plans for mass lay-offs at Intel, he has departed the company and left the boardByCaroline Donnelly,Senior Editor, UKPublished: 02 Dec 2024 17:30 Intel has confirmed the departure of its CEO Pat Gelsinger, several months after the companys failure to profit from the growing demand for artificial intelligence (AI) chips prompted the firm to announce mass lay-offs.The company has released a statement confirming that Gelsinger, who exited his role as CEO at VMware in early 2021 to take over the reins at Intel, retired on 1 December 2024 and has also stepped down from Intels board of directors.Intel senior leaders, David Zinsner and Michelle Johnston Holthaus, have been appointed interim co-CEOs while the board of directors search for a permanent replacement.Zinsner previously served as executive vice president and chief financial officer at Intel, while Holthaus is the CEO of the client computing, datacentre, networking and AI group that trades under the Intel Products name.The board has formed a search committee and will work diligently and expeditiously to find a permanent successor to Gelsinger, said Intel, in its statement.Frank Yeary, independent chair of Intels board, will become interim executive chair as the search for Gelsingers successor progresses, and said the companys focus now is on restoring investor confidence.On behalf of the board, I want to thank Pat for his many years of service and dedication to Intel across a long career in technology leadership. Pat spent his formative years at Intel, then returned at a critical time for the company in 2021, said Yeary.As a leader, Pat helped launch and revitalise process manufacturing by investing in state-of-the-art semiconductor manufacturing, while working tirelessly to drive innovation throughout the company.Even so, the company has found itself on the back foot, having struggled to keep pace with the growing demand for AI-enabling chipsets and has seen its market share decrease during Gelsingers tenure.In August 2024, Gelsinger went public with the news that Intel needed to cut $10bn in capital expenditure in 2025, which will result in 15,000 jobs being lost.[Intel has] made significant progress in regaining manufacturing competitiveness and building the capabilities to be a world-class foundry, we know that we have much more work to do at the company and are committed to restoring investor confidence, added Yeary.As a board, we know first and foremost that we must put our product group at the centre of all we do. Our customers demand this from us, and we will deliver for them.Under the control of the co-CEOs, Intel will act with urgency to simplify its product portfolio and advance its manufacturing capabilities, said Yeary, and reduce its operating expenses.We are working to create a leaner, simpler, more agile Intel, he said. Ultimately, returning to process leadership is central to product leadership, and we will remain focused on that mission while driving greater efficiency and improved profitability.Gelsingers tenure as CEO at Intel was not the first time he held an executive position at the company, having previously served before working at VMware as CTO.Today is, of course, bittersweet as this company has been my life for the bulk of my working career, said Gelsinger.I can look back with pride at all that we have accomplished together. It has been a challenging year for all of us as we have made tough but necessary decisions to position Intel for the current market dynamics. I am forever grateful for the many colleagues around the world who I have worked with as part of the Intel family.Read more about IntelThe chipmaker has been impacted by poor PC sales, but aims to drive adoption of its AI inferencing technologyIntel has posted a 22% decline in revenue for its second quarter of 2022, compared with last year. Its net income declined by 109%, representing a loss of $500m on revenue of $15.3bn.CTO interview: Greg Lavender, Intel - Computer Weekly caught up with Intels chief technology officer to find out the semiconductor giants plans for the European market.In The Current Issue:Computer Weekly announces the Most Influential Women in UK Tech 2024From beauty model to tech role model this years most influential woman in UK techComputer Weeklys Women in UK Tech Rising Stars 2024Download Current IssueRisk of Trump and Big Tech deregulation Cliff Saran's Enterprise blogAI and analytics? Been there, done that Write side up - by Freeform DynamicsView All Blogs

relif - stock.adobe.comNewsUser group chair recommends long-term SAP Rise strategyIndependent UK and Ireland SAP User Group chair describes upgrade as a marathon, not a sprint, but says SAP Rise is also inevitableByCliff Saran,Managing EditorPublished: 02 Dec 2024 16:00 In his opening address at the start of the UK and Ireland SAP User Group (UKISUG) Connect conference in Birmingham, Conor Riordan, chair of UKISUG, described the move to SAP Rise as an inevitability. Moving to Rise is a when and how, not an if, he told delegates during the keynote session.Riordan, who took over as chair of the user group in April, described moving to SAP as a marathon, not a sprint, adding: Dont feel pressurised to move to Rise. Were in it for the long game. Its not a quick process.Having spent 20 years working on SAP implementations, Riordan is now part of Pfizers business process improvement team. The goal is to have a single instance of SAP to support 18,500 products in over 200 markets. The pharmaceutical company runs 20-year-old SAP Enterprise Core Component (ECC) systems and has chosen to move just five years of data as it migrates from on-premise ECC to on-premise S/4Hana. This went live in August.Companies are being encouraged to move off ECC before support officially ends in 2027. But upgrading to a supported version of S/4Hana is a major project. In some organisations this can take years to complete.One example of the marathon effort required to update SAP is the ongoing project at another pharmaceutical giant, AstraZeneca. AstraZeneca was again invited to give an update on this project, having spoken at last years Connect event about the initiative. Russell Smith, vice-president of enterprise resource planning (ERP) transformation technology at AstraZeneca, described the project as the largest technology programme in AstraZeneca bar none.It truly is a once-in-a-generation programme, he said, adding that the project will involve a six-year greenfield implementation. Were attempting to transform and simplify over 1,500 Level 4 processes covering our entire value chain. Weve got over 750 systems connected to our SAP landscape, over 3,000 interfaces and over 150 data objects.Ade Welsh, senior director and head of solution design and delivery, at AstraZeneca, said: This year is all about establishing our global design, then getting it ready for our testing phases.Discussing the importance of running parts of the programme in parallel, he added: We are learning how to run things in parallel. Its a big focus this year and it will get even more parallel next year.Data is one of the major challenges the company faces as it updates SAP. Now a year into the programme, Smith said: It doesnt matter when you start with the data, its always too late.SAPs newly appointed UK and Ireland managing director, Leila Romane, used the opening session to present SAP as a more customer-focused company. Recognising that upgrading to SAP Rise is not a sprint race, she said the company was trying to move away from its position a year ago, which was predominantly Rise-focused.Weve spent the past two years talking about Rise, but actually its about the full suite of our solution. From a global perspective, we are growing, and our number one goal is to be a business enterprise application and business AI [artificial intelligence] company, she said.Read more stories about SAP RiseUser groups give SAPs 50% Rise incentive the thumbs up: SAP has changed tack, after the furore over its intention to make certain features available only to Rise customers on SAP Cloud.Is SAP on the rise: This year represents a tipping point for SAP to convince cagey customers of the value of cloud enterprise resource planning.In The Current Issue:Computer Weekly announces the Most Influential Women in UK Tech 2024From beauty model to tech role model this years most influential woman in UK techComputer Weeklys Women in UK Tech Rising Stars 2024Download Current IssueRisk of Trump and Big Tech deregulation Cliff Saran's Enterprise blogAI and analytics? Been there, done that Write side up - by Freeform DynamicsView All Blogs

The company's first consumer laptop built for the AI era is already putting a smile on my face. As part of Cyber Monday, Amazon has slashed its price by over $200.

Cesar Cadenas/ZDNETWhat's the deal?For Cyber Monday, Best Buy has substantially reduced the price tag on the Asus ProArt PZ13, making its new price $850.ZDNET's key takeawaysThe Asus ProArt PZ13 is an artistically-aligned laptop available at Best Buy for $1,100.It's ready to help pro-level artists with its vibrant OLED touchscreen, long battery life, and supportive apps.The device is held back by a limited array of ports and a substandard keyboard.A couple of months ago, I tested out Microsoft's Surface Pro 11, a laptop that doubles as a tablet. It has Qualcomm's next-gen chipset and a lot of great features that made me enjoy the machine. I highly recommend it to business professionals who frequently travel. It seems Asus must've seen the Surface Pro and thought to itself, "We can do better." The result of this inspiration is the Asus ProArt PZ13.Also:Best Cyber Monday deals live nowI mentioned the Surface Pro 11 because the two share many similarities, although the ProArt model is better suited for artists and creative professionals. details View at Best Buy Upon lifting the laptop out of its box for the first time, you'll be greeted with a 13.3-inch, 3K (2880 x 1800 pixels) OLED touchscreen. Its resolution isn't as high as Microsoft's laptop, although the ProArt PZ13 more than makes up for this with image-enhancing apps.It has Dolby Vision, support for the entire DCI-P3 color gamut, and VESA DisplayHDR True Black for ultra-dark shadows. Everything works together to ensure a stunning visual experience, except for the 60Hz refresh rate. That's a fine speed, but I would've liked to have 120Hz. At 60Hz, motion and animations on this laptop can look a little blurry.Also:One of the most versatile laptops I've tested is a crowd-pleaser with solid hardwareThe device has a really neat feature called Creator Hub. It's a dashboard app that lets you adjust the PZ13 on the fly. The most impressive of its many tools is Color Control, which lets you change the on-screen color gamut at any time. For example, the DCI-P3 option tweaks the colors so they're best suited for movies while Display P3 is recommended for artists as it more accurately displays hues. You can even adjust the color temperature.Creator Hub gives creative professionals a great amount of flexibility. Although I'm not an artist myself, I certainly appreciate having the ability to fine-tune my experience instantly.Asus' machine is no slouch either, as inside the ProArt PZ13 is a Snapdragon X Plus chipset. I was able to maintain about 60 tabs open without experiencing any major slowdown. I had videos playing and Twitch streams running, and I could still check out my email without any issue.Sadly, I couldn't get a specific benchmark number on the SoC (system on a chip). None of the major benchmarking tests have been updated for the Snapdragon X, but hopefully, that day will come soon.Also: This lightweight laptop has one of the best displays I've seen, and it's not a MacBook AirLike other Qualcomm-based laptops, the ProArt PZ13 has a ridiculously long battery life, and for once, the marketing materials were correct. This device ran for over 21 hours straight when on the Best Power Efficiency mode. I left it on overnight and was shocked to see it was still active in the morning. On Best Performance mode, the model manages to outperform most Intel-based laptops, as it lasted for about 14.5 hours on a single charge.These battery times are perfect if you ever need to take the ProArt PZ13 on the road. There's no need to worry about the laptop dying on you at the worst moment. Cesar Cadenas/ZDNETThe tablet is 0.35 inches thick and weighs a little under two pounds. Asus throws in a muted-green protective cover with the purchase. The cover adds some bulk to the device, although not by much. It'll fit snugly inside a bag.As much as I like Asus' new computer, I didn't like the ProArt PZ13's keyboard. Asus states it has a 1.4mm key travel distance. On paper, that should ensure a good typing experience, but I felt the keyboard was flimsy. Pressing a key bends the accessory a bit.Also: One of the longest-lasting laptops I've tested also has a gorgeous displayFurthermore, there are very few ports. You get three in total: two USB-C inputs and an SD card reader. Granted, the device is somewhat thin, so perhaps Asus couldn't find room for any more ports. Still, it could've at least included a headphone jack.My last critique is admittedly a nitpick. I would've appreciated a free stylus in the overall package. Microsoft's 11th-gen Surface Pro had one when I got it, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. So unless you already have a pen, you'll have to buy one for the PZ13, which isn't a big issue since the laptop is fairly cheap.ZDNET's buying advicePrices for the Asus ProArt PZ13 start at $1,100 on Best Buy, which is a steal. There is a more powerful version available on Asus' website --for $1,649, you can purchase a ProArt PZ13 sporting Qualcomm's Hexagon NPU, delivering extra power.Other than that, they're the same device. Get the Hexagon version only if you are expecting heavy workloads. How we test laptops We use a combination of methods to test laptops here at ZDNET. First, we acquire data from benchmarking software to analyze a system's metrics under the hood, and compare those to advertised numbers. Then, we spend an extended amount of time with the laptop (usually a week or two) using it the same way a typical consumer would, in order to analyze its portability, form factor, and how well the batteryactuallyholds up, among others. For an extensive breakdown, check out our comprehensivelaptop testing methodology.Benchmarking:We run a series of tests to put the computer's hardware through the wringer in order to see what it's capable of.Cinebenchis one of the most commonly-used hardware testing suites, which tests the laptop's rendering performance on single and multiple CPU cores.PCMark 10is another powerful program that covers a wide variety of tasks performed in the workplace.Processor:The "brain" of the laptop, and one of the most important factors that determines performance. This is tested in benchmarking software.The display:Brightness is measured in "nits," and color spectrums are tested in benchmarking software.The graphics processor (GPU):We test the GPU with a combination of benchmarking software, gaming, and media playback.Physical form factor:We carry the laptop around for at least a week and note how well it commutes.Battery testing:We test a unit's battery in a few ways. A handful of benchmarking programs have their own battery testing components, but we also will just let the laptop run for as long as it can under a medium load.The human element:As we mentioned earlier, metrics and system data is important, but numbers alone don't give you the full picture. This is where we weave in our personal experience with the device and tap into the practical use cases that consumers actually care about.Ultimately, our goal is to break down the capabilities of each and every laptop we test into digestible terms that people find useful. Featured reviews

EVERETT, WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 2: Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods of the New Day look on during ... [+] Monday Night RAW at Angel of the Winds Arena on December 2, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Photo by WWE/Getty Images)Getty ImagesRaw was excellent on Monday night from Everett, Washington.In one of the final episodes on USA, WWE jam-packed the two-hour time slot with a myriad of deep, developing storylines and some solid in-ring action.Arguably the most compelling storyline of all involved The New Day. It was the tenth anniversary of one of the most successful and beloved tag teams in WWE history. After weeks of tension, we were all prepared to see Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston go their separate ways.The New Days breakup seemed inevitable as it was set to come at a time when WWE is celebrating its tag-team divisions, with this storyline adding emotional weight to the companys broader focus. I expected one of them to hit Big E with a chair to solidify his new heel status.Welp, Big E came out, and he was turned on. No one hit him with a chair, but instead of one member of New Day turning his back on Big E, Kofi and Woods blamed their former brother for leaving them behind.They called him selfish for not coming back to wrestle with a broken neck, and they shunned his offer to be their manager.Big E has been sidelined since March 2022 with a broken neck sustained during a SmackDown match, making his return to television (not included PLE pre-shows) even more impactful.MORE FROMFORBES VETTEDIt was a strong scene and solid utilization of the pieces at the storytellers disposal. The crowds reaction to the entire New Day segment proved how invested fans remain in the group, with many expressing shock and sadness (think Undertaker-lost-his-streak-level shock) at the apparent restructuring of the beloved trio.Here is a look at the meatiest parts of the segment.Watching Kingston attempting to be serious after all these yearsespecially as a heelwill be interesting. Hes such a nice person that it almost looked painful for him to say mean things to Big E.Woods is a killer on the mic whom Ive always felt had a serious heel run in him. Both of them are likely going to get the chance to do something special at this stage of their careers.It could be a new day for the New Day. Here is a look at the results of every match on Raw, including a what-you-need-to-know explanation for the matches with the most depth or surrounding storyline.Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez def. Damage CTRLLiv and Raquel won, but Rhea Ripley did emerge to wreak some havoc before slamming Morgans face into the edge of the announcers table.That action set up a match between the two powerful women next week on Raw.Dakota Kai def. Shayna Baszler and Katana Chance - Womens Intercontinental Championship TournamentThis match wasnt very entertaining, but Kai winning made sense considering the options.Gunther def. Dominik MysterioIt looks as if Gunther is headed for a face turn, which feels weird. Gunthers potential face turn could be a response to the overwhelmingly positive crowd reactions hes been receiving in recent months, particularly during international events.Well see how this goes over. Finn Balor attacked Gunther after the match.Gunther will now defend his World Heavyweight Title against Balor on Saturday Nights Main Event.R-Truth def. Pete DunneEasily the weakest point in the show. R-Truth won on a roll-up. Dunne is dreadful on the mic, and it holds back any storyline hes in. If there was ever a guy who needs a manager to augment his look and in-ring ability, its Dunne.Seth Rollins def. Sami ZaynLayers upon layers here. Rollins interrupted CM Punks show-opening promo and went word-for-word and punch-for-punch with him. There are definite issues that will culminate at some point in 2025.Punk made it clear he wants to main event WrestleMania at the Showcase of the Immortals, but Rollins just wants to wreck him. Zayn broke up the fight, and later in the show, someone attacked Jey Uso backstage.Zayn believed it was Rollins, who is still hot about anyone teaming up with Roman Reigns at Survivor Series.Rollins says it wasnt him but still defeats Zayn in the main event via small package pin. Seconds after losing, Zayn gets laid out in the middle of the ring by Drew McIntyre, who made his first appearance since losing a Hell in a Cell match against Punk at Bad Blood. McIntyres return adds another layer to Raws stacked roster heading into 2025. His potential programs with Zayn could headline major events in the coming year.There was a lot here to unpack, but plenty of seeds were planted as we move into 2025, and Raw makes its way to Netflix in January.

Leatherback turtle baby making its way to the seagettyVenture capital has long been a magnet for family offices, especially capturing the enthusiasm of younger generations. However, navigating this asset class is notoriously challenging. Direct investments in startups, aimed at achieving VC-like returns, put family offices in competition with dedicated professionals. Opting to back fund managers may reduce the volume of due diligence but not its complexity. Given the significant variation in returns, careful selection and strong access are essential to make the risk worthwhile.Traditionally, family offices have only considered emerging VC managers when unable to access established, big-name VCs. Yet, there is a shift in interest. More sophisticated families are now intentionally allocating capital to emerging managers, even when they can invest in larger, well-known VCs.One possible reason for this change is the evolution of established VCs into larger entities, which often results in returns more akin to private equity. This shift leaves a gap in portfolios for high-volatility, high-return potential investmentsexactly the niche that emerging managers can fill.At a CIO Forum we hosted earlier this year, which gathered family office representatives from 14 countries, it became clear that while established VCs are easier to vet and bring substantial brand leverage, emerging managers offer unique advantages. Their strong alignment of interests, driven by carry rather than management fees, their eagerness to prove themselves, and the potential for building strong, long-term relationships early on make them an attractive option for family offices considering venture.The New Wave: Origins of Emerging VC ManagersSourcing in venture capital remains highly network-driven, applying to both VC managers scouting startups and family offices seeking VC managers to diversify their portfolios. Staying connected to talented individuals and being immersed in the flow of opportunities is crucial. Opportunities often arise through other family offices, existing portfolio VC managers, or entrepreneurs. If you ask, many emerging managers will also openly disclose the other managers they respect the most, facilitating the mapping of key investors in the ecosystem.MORE FROMFORBES VETTEDOne significant category of emerging managers is spin-offs from established funds. Principals or Partners leaving larger firms to start their own ventures bring a measure of reassurance to Limited Partners (LPs) through their track record. However, questions arise regarding the attribution of their past successes and the replicability of those results without the infrastructure, support, and brand of their previous firm. Additionally, challenges related to building a new firm, including administrative, entrepreneurial, and cultural hurdles, must be considered. To address attribution, LPs can leverage references and access records from previous funds. While sophisticated automation tools can mitigate some administrative risks, the entrepreneurial elements of firm-building cannot be outsourced.Another notable category is the founder-turned-funder profile. Entrepreneurs whove gone through the fundraising process themselves, had some success in their ventures, often times an angel investing portfolio on the side and now want to take their investing activity to the next level. These individuals typically establish a strong rapport with founders due to shared experiences and possess valuable entrepreneurial skills for building new firms. The trend of VC funds started by angels who continue to position themselves as friendly angel funds has staying power. However, the transition from angel investing to institutional VC involves significant adjustments. Founders-turned-funders must secure larger allocations, maintain disciplined portfolio construction to achieve target venture fund returns, and diligently report all deals to build a credible track record.Scientists and academics entering the investment space represent another key category, particularly in the growing deep tech sector. While some investing experience is still preferred, commercial savviness within the team can sometimes compensate for a lack of a clear track record. Family offices and other LPs often state, We invest in first-time funds but not in first-time investors.Access to highly competitive deals is a hallmark of successful emerging VC managers, with each manager profile bringing a unique edge to securing their seat at the table. For instance, scientists and academics can identify technological potential early, often before its widely understood. The founder-turned-funder profile tends to build deeper connections faster as they relate more genuinely to the entrepreneurial journey. Meanwhile, the spin-off partners can leverage relationships with previous founders to spot opportunities ahead of the pack.Regardless of profile, another key characteristic of successful emerging managers is their deep passion for venture capital. As one fund manager noted, there are three types of investors: those who like investing, those who love it and those who live it. Great investors probably have to be somewhere in between love it and live it. I think this applies even more acutely to emerging VC managers, they probably have to live it. This dedication resonates with family office principals, who often deeply understand the long-term commitment required to build large businesses from the ground up.Performance Insights: on the Lookout for Venture AlphaFamily offices investing in VC funds are well-acquainted with the concept of 'venture alpha', as emerging VC fund managers have consistently demonstrated their ability to generate it, according to multiple data sets.There is an important nuance to consider: emerging managers often oversee smaller funds, which tend to perform better given the valuation implication for fund returner winners. When also focused on pre-seed and seed investments they have an inherently different risk-return profile than a larger fund that focuses on Series A and beyond. A fair comparison must account for fund size and investment stage.An abrupt increase in fund sizeA study that has looked into persistence of returns highlights that manager experienceThe power law governs VC, emphasizing the importance for GPs to identify and back big winners early on to drive fund returns. Typically, around 5% of invested capital in a few winning bets drives most of the return, often exceeding 50%. The VC model relies on investing in early-stage companies, each with the potential to more than return the entire fund.Family offices often face the dilemma of choosing between generalist and specialistData suggests that for smaller funds under $250 million, specialist funds now tend to outperform generalists. Specialist funds focus on specific sectors or themes, allowing them to develop deep expertise and networks. This targeted approach can lead to better identification of high-potential investments within their niche.Generalist funds offer flexibility, particularly at the pre-seed and seed stages. These funds can back the most talented founders regardless of the sector they choose to pursue.Generalist funds play an essential role in up-and-coming ecosystems, providing broad regional or local coverage and capitalizing on diverse opportunities. Specialist funds tend to be a sign of a maturing startup ecosystem.Ultimately, VC outperforms if you know where to look, making the search for standout emerging managers akin to finding a needle in a haystack. The alignment between family offices and emerging VC managers lies in their shared understanding of the dedication required to achieve exceptional performance.Innovation and Trends in VCWhile the core VC model remains fundamentally unchangedremarkable people investing early in other remarkable peoplethere have been notable innovations, particularly in sourcing and selection stages.It all starts with sourcinghow do you find the best companies before everyone else? VCs are experimenting with some new ways of utilizing data and AI to discover promising entrepreneurs often even before they establish their companies. This proactive approach includes building relationships with potential founders well in advance. Additionally, innovative venture scouting models are emerging, utilizing networks as extended team members to enhance sourcing capabilities.At the selection stage, data and AI play an increasingly supportive role. Smart benchmarks derived from large-scale data can aid decision-making without fully replacing the human element. The human touch remains crucial, particularly in nuanced tasks like securing allocation in sought-after roundsa hard to disrupt art. Even if you know how to select them, will the best founders choose you back? Post-investment support continues to evolve and there are many approaches to enhancing the value-add provided to portfolio companies but no clear breakthrough innovation.In terms of spaces where there's a lot of activity, there's a surge in interest and activity in AI and deep tech, especially at the intersection of hardware and software. Innovations in computer simulations are reducing capital expenditure by minimizing the need for early hardware development, which is particularly relevant for robotics and decarbonization efforts. Advances in AI and computational biology are also accelerating biotech developments, potentially leading to shorter timelines for significant breakthroughs.When it comes to the profile of emerging managers, a category that seems to be here to stay is the Solo GP. While institutional investors typically worry about keyman risk and scalability challenges, many family offices view solo GPs more flexibly, especially those who have seen friction between GPs building a firm together for the first time. There is always a certain degree of people risk, regardless of the GP structure. A notable trend involves celebrities launching funds, which might initially seem dismissible but offers intriguing distribution and marketing advantages.Historically, high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) and families have been one of the primary backers of emerging managers, a trend that persists.On the LP side, there is a growing trend toward syndication and collaboration among families, pooling capital and resources to conduct due diligence and access funds. Additionally, more fund of funds (FoFs) are focusing on emerging managers, offering diversification and better access through syndication and lower ticket sizes. If you pick the right partners, you should have an advantage in navigating this asset class.With the growing number of emerging managers launching VC funds and family offices becoming more adept at mapping them, differentiation and a clear value proposition are more critical than ever. Achieving a solid GP-strategy fit becomes table stakesare managers effectively aligning their unique skills and competitive edge with the funds core mandate?What remains crystal clear is that VC will continue to sit at the forefront of innovation and provide a unique access point to category defining companies. Its hard not to want a seat at the table.