Bright Laser Technologies (BLT) reported an abnormal stock trading fluctuation over three consecutive trading days (March 5, March 6, and March 7, 2025).During this period, the Chinese 3D printer manufacturers stock price deviated by 30%. According to the Shanghai Stock Exchanges regulations and Real-time Monitoring Rules, this volatility qualifies as unusual market activity. On 6 March, the companys stock surged 20%, rising from CNY 71.50 to a high of CNY 83.04. The next day, prices jumped 13.3% to CNY 95.80.In response, BLT executed an internal investigation and found no undisclosed material events, such as mergers, acquisitions, debt restructuring, or other corporate actions. The Chinese metal 3D printing firm also confirmed no insiders had traded shares during the period.BLT has also released preliminary financial results for FY24. While revenue grew 1.5%, net profit fell 47.0% and operating profit declined 65.4% compared to the previous year.Bright Laser Technologies headquarters. Photo via BLT.BLT experience abnormal stock tradingAfter its abnormal stock fluctuations, BLTs Board of Directors investigated its shareholders (including major shareholders with more than 5% of the shares), actual controllers, directors, supervisors, and senior management. The internal review reportedly involved phone calls, written inquiries, and on-site discussions.According to the Xian-based company, the self-examination confirmed its daily operations remained normal without significant changes. BLT reported no major adjustments to the market environment or industry policies, while its internal production and business activities proceeded as normal.Neither the company nor its actual controller communicated any undisclosed matters like mergers and acquisitions, stock issuances, debt restructuring, business reorganization, asset divestitures, or asset injections.Additionally, no company directors, supervisors, senior management personnel, or actual controllers were found to have bought or sold shares. During the period, BLT contended it has not engaged in any actions that violate fair information disclosure regulations.The Board also asserted it is unaware of any undisclosed information that could significantly impact the stock price. However, given the fluctuations, investors were reminded to be cautious, make rational investment decisions, and be aware of risks. BLT added it will strictly comply with relevant laws and regulations, fulfill its disclosure obligations, and ensure timely and accurate information disclosure.Bright Laser Technologies 3D printers. Photo via Bright Laser Technologies.Bright Laser Technologies FY 2024 resultsOn February 28, 2025, BLT released its 2024 Annual Performance Report, a shortened summary highlighting key financial results for the financial year.In FY24, revenue came to CNY 1.3BN (USD 171.4M), up 1.5% YoY from CNY 1.2BN in FY23. The companys operating profit reached CNY 48.0M, a 65.4% YoY decrease from CNY 138.6M the previous year. According to BLT, this decline in profit was driven by the economic environment, which caused labor costs to increase.Total profit fell 64.8% Y/Y from CNY 135.2M in FY23, to CNY 47.6M in FY23. Similarly, net profit attributable to the companys owners was CNY 75.1M, a 47% decline from CNY 142.0M in the previous year. After extraordinary gains and losses, net profit reached CNY 6.1M, down 94.2% YoY from CNY 105.6M.In FY24, BLTs basic earnings per share came to CNY 0.28, down 68.5% Y/Y from CNY 0.89 in FY23. This was mainly due to the decline in net profit and a 41.3% increase in share capital. Meanwhile, the weighted average return on net assets was 1.56%, down 7.0 percentage points from 8.6% in FY23.Moreover, equity attributable to BLT was CNY 4.81BN, a 0.9% increase from CNY 4.80BN at the close of FY23. Total assets came to CNY 7.3BN, up 11.3% from CNY 6.6BN reported in the previous year.The BLT-S800 3D printing with 20 synchronised lasers. Photo via Bright Laser Technologies.3D printing companies face financial compliance challengesWhile BLT was not found to have broken the Shanghai Stock Exchanges regulations, other 3D printing companies have faced more pressing financial compliance challenges.In 2023, Californian metal 3D printing company Velo3D received a non-compliance notice from the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE for failing to maintain the minimum average closing stock price over 30 consecutive trading days. The company successfully overcame this after approving a 1-for-35 reverse stock split of its common stock. This reduced the number of shares of outstanding common stock from approximately 297,064,857 shares to roughly 8,487,567 shares.However, in July 2024, the NYSE issued another non-compliance notice after the companys stock price again dropped below the $1 minimum requirement. During the same 30-day period, its average total market capitalization and stockholders equity fell below $50 million.Elsewhere, 3D printing service provider Shapeways received an NYSE non-compliance notice. As with Velo3D, the company hadnt traded above $1.00 over a consecutive 30-day period.Shapeways financial woes continued following the NYSE non-compliance. In February 2024, the company auctioned off Desktop Metal 3D printers worth $5 million. Shapeways bankruptcy was confirmed later that year. However, the 3D printing bureau was soon relaunched by its European team as Manuevo BV. At the end of 2024, the management team acquired Shapeways assets from Dutch and American bankruptcy trustees. This included the companys brand, website, and the original Eindhoven production facility.Who won the 2024 3D Printing Industry Awards?Subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry newsletter to keep up with the latest 3D printing news.You can also follow us on LinkedIn, and subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry Youtube channel to access more exclusive content.Featured image shows Bright Laser Technologies 3D printers. Photo via Bright Laser Technologies.

IntroductionThe Stone of Destiny, also known as the Stone of Scone, is an ancient symbol of Scotlands monarchy that has been used for centuries in the inauguration of its kings. But its earliest origins are unknown.Before the coronation of King Charles III, the Stone of Destiny and the Honours of Scotland (Crown, Sword of State and Sceptre) were digitised in 3D by the Digital Documentation and Innovation team at Historic Environment Scotland (HES), and you can view and explore this collection of models on our Honours of Scotland Sketchfab Collection.The main aims of the capture were to:produce digital models which can be shared online as an alternate way to virtually access the objects.create a 3D record of the Stone of Destiny and the Honours of Scotland to accurately capture their condition at the time of the survey.produce scaled 2D imagery for the specialist stone and metal conservators.create a 1:1 scale 3D print replica of the Stone.HES published a report The Stone of Destiny: Condition Assessment, Scientific Analysis and Digital Documentation 2023. Downloadable for free from their website, it details the work their Digital Documentation and Innovation team, and others, carried out on the Stone in preparation for the coronation. In this blog, David Vacas Madrid, Senior Digital Documentation Officer at HES, gives a summary and an inside look into how the team captured this priceless piece of Scottish history and helped conservators and collections experts prepare for the Stones role in the Coronation.Digitally documenting the Stone in 3DThe Stone was captured through photogrammetry, a digital documentation method to create accurate, measurable, and textured 3D models through photography. This was done by taking hundreds of images from different angles and heights around the Stone. David Vacas Madrid scanning the Stone through photogrammetry at Edinburgh Castle.Wider context images aided the photogrammetry software in alignment (above), and additional closer images added detail to the model. The Stone had to be turned four times by two conservators in order to capture every face and angle.In total, 862 photos were taken. The equipment consisted of a full-frame DSLR camera with a 35, 50, and 90mm lens to take the shots at different ranges. The team used a ring flash to provide medium soft lighting to the Stone, eliminating as much shadow from the texture as possible.Regular scales with circular 20-bit targets and a precision calibrated scale with targets aided in alignment between each image and ensured accurate scale to the 3D model.All the images were processed then aligned in RealityCapture to create the final 3D model (pictured below). Aligned images in RealityCapture, each white triangle representing an image taken of the Stone.Monitoring the Stones conditionThe resulting 3D model can be used as a highly accurate snapshot of the condition of the Stone at the time it was surveyed. Experts can use this data for condition reports and monitoring the Stone over time, both through 3D and 2D outputs, such as orthographic views, showcased below.Orthographic views are 2D renders that are accurately scaled and highly detailed, ready to be annotated and examined by stone conservators and heritage scientists. Orthographic, measurable, and high-resolution images of the Stone for Conservators to mark up and monitor change.Virtual viewingThe model of the Stone of Destiny and the Honours of Scotland are publicly available to view on Sketchfab. Beyond lending an up close and personal view to a highly significant piece of national heritage, the virtual lens provides unique conditions to tease out different stories of the Stone itself. Sketchfab model of the Stone with Base Color view.Take the side view of the Stone, for example, in the image above. By viewing it with its Base Color only, without post-processing (pressing 2 on the keyboard), the viewer can see the pinkish colour of the buff sandstone that the Stone is made up of, telling a geological story dating back 400 million years. Sketchfab model of the Stone with Matcap + Surface view.In the same view, the virtual model can strip away the colour information and view the geometry alone (press 3 twice on the keyboard for Matcap + Surface), pictured above. Here one might see the story of tool marks and the craftsperson who worked the Stone. On this face alone there is evidence of three different types of toolmarks visible. Underside of the Stone with repair work visible.Turning the Stone upside down a feat only this easily achieved in the virtual space and resetting the model to the Final Render (pressing 1 on the keyboard), the viewer can see in the above image a story of more recent repair from the 1950s.Rehearsing with replicasThe digital model does not only shine in the virtual space. 3D printing 1-to-1 scaled replicas of artefacts allow for handling those that are precious or unwieldy; the Stone of Destiny is both.Prior to the Coronation, the team printed out a life size replica of the Stone and the Coronation Chair in an industrial sized 3D printer (pictured below). The resulting print aided in the careful preparations for transporting it down to Westminster Abbey and placing it in the Chair. It allowed experts to choreograph each movement so that they were certain of placement and fit. Today, the print is a tool for education and outreach at Edinburgh Castle. 3D print of the Stone in one-to-one scale with the actual object.Final thoughtsThe 3D digitisation work undertaken by the Digital Documentation and Innovation team was the most detailed documentation of the Stone of Destiny ever undertaken. It has provided accurate 3D imagery and models that will prove useful for future conservation and research activity, and act as an invaluable digital record of the Stone.Take an annotated tour of the Stone and its stories through HES Sketchfab model here: Learn more about the conservation and digitisation work carried out on the Stone of Destiny by downloading HES report, The Stone of Destiny: Condition Assessment, Scientific Analysis and Digital Documentation 2023.About the author David Vacas Madrid I am a Senior Digital Documentation Officer on the Digital Documentation and Innovation team at Historic Environment Scotland. The Digital Documentation and Innovation Team members conducting the documentation works for the Stone of Destiny and the Honours of Scotland were David Vacas Madrid, Sophia Mirashrafi, Adam Frost and Al Rawlinson. You can learn more about this team and all the teams at the Engine Shed, HES dedicated building conservation centre and digital innovation hub, by visiting their website: www.engineshed.scot.No CommentsRelated articles

Last year, Duvall Decker won a Best of Practice Award for the Best Medium Architecture Firm in the Southeast. It was the studios second consecutive AN award. Best of Practice is ANs annual awards program that seeks to celebrate studios working in the AEC industry. This honor is not just about a well-designed projectbut about designing companies that can best serve the built environment and its people. Considering office culture, ethos, and output, Best of Practice awards firms across architecture, landscape, real estate, development, contractor, and consulting categories that are moving the needle on how these structures should be organized.Duvall Decker has won this award twice for the studios commitment to community responsibility. At the helm of the consistently winning firm is Anne Marie Duvall Decker. The principal sees architecture as a way to engage with the material phenomena of the world and its systems and helps guide the firm with this ethos. This year, she joins the 2025 Best of Practice Awards jury, which also includes Antoine Bryant, managing director of Gensler Detroit; Jacob Reidel, Harvard GSDs assistant professor in practice; Steve Radom, founder of Radom Capital; and more. Below she told AN the practices that guide her own firm and what shell be looking for in applications. Read on to get her advice on applying and submit entries before the deadline on March 28.U.S. Courthouse (Courtesy Duvall Decker)AN: Duvall Decker has now won a Best of Practice Award two years in a row. What does this achievement mean to you and the firm?Anne Marie Duvall Decker (AMDD): We often say, The most important project for a design studio is the design of the practice itself. Crafting the studio environment and cultivating a kinship around the firms point of view with collaborators, clients, consultants, community members, and contractors is essential for a studio to be productive and have a healthy impact. It is this kind of impact that we believe The Architects Newspaper is honoring when they name a firm as Best of Practice, and we are proud to be recognized in this way. AN: How would you describe the philosophies and principals of the practiceboth in terms of office culture and design?AMDD: Because we started the firm with a belief that all architecture is public work, we have been writing and reflecting on our philosophies and principles from the beginning. We recently published Duvall Decker Foundations, which describes the propositions and tactics we have developed through the years. Foundation #1 is enigma: making useful and engaging architecture is not about, or limited to, the logic of problem-solving or service. Engaging form is enigmatic, elusive, open, and hard to know fully. Only the architect who makes an enigma of the solution is involved in making art.Foundation #53 is best idea wins. Innovative ideas are the most valuable assets a creative organization creates, and as such, Duvall Decker values the voices of all collaborators in the work. Constructive criticisms and suggestions on design solutions, standard practices, daily processes, operations, and quality control are expected and encouraged. While team members may be assigned to one project or work primarily for one company, Duvall Decker recognizes the value of each employees roaming rights to voice their ideas about any project, policy, or company practice. We believe that the quality of the building or environment we are making matters more than any one position, authority, or ego. We value learning from each other and the collaborative practice of recognizing the best ideas from each of us. The best idea wins, every day. AN: An integral part of the firms practice is its consultation services. Can you elaborate on this service? Why is this element of the practice important?AMDD: After completing our first two K12 buildings for the Newton Municipal School District, its progressive and dynamic superintendent, Mina Bryan (Bryan-Lightsey), came to trust in our commitment to the districts long-term success. On one hand, she charged us with planning for the high school campus. On the other hand, she asked us to help her determine the criteria for hiring custodians and plan for ongoing equipment service and maintenance contracts. We began to learn about the burden of caring for buildings and realized that our knowledge and experience could allow us to provide these services independently of architectural practice.After this experience, we developed our first sister company, Dunn Management, to provide maintenance services for buildings designed by us and by others. In subsequent projects for developers, we realized the value that architects, as world-builders, can bring to projects beyond standard services, and we formed our second sister company, Eldon Development. Through this company, we develop projects and provide development consulting.Though the businesses must be distinct, all of the employees are employees of Duvall Decker. This is impactful to our team because all of the companies function as a single studio and everyone learns from the diverse services provided. It is impactful to our community and our clients, because diverse efforts broaden and deepen our ability to contribute to the long-term durability of buildings and the long-term health of our communities. AN: What would you like to see in Best of Practice applications?AMDD: I am excited to see the diversity of work that firms are undertaking! I particularly look forward to seeing a commitment to design excellence that is balanced by a commitment to serve the public good.AN: Can you share what youre working on now or forthcoming that youre particularly excited about?AMDD: We are particularly excited that the new United States courthouse in Greenville, Mississippi is nearing completion. This two-courtroom courthouse is an important expression of our third branch of government in local communities and the promise of access to federal justice in this diverse and historic Mississippi Delta community. We are also excited to be starting construction on three fire crash rescue stations for the Mississippi Air National Guard. Two are at the Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport and the third is at the 186th Air Refueling Wing in Meridian, Mississippi. These buildings will support the noble and important work of the fire department team members who contribute to the safety of travelers and crews at these important airports.Best of Practice Awards will be open for submissions until midnight E.T. on March 28. Learn more about eligibility and submit here.

Girl with Butterflies (2024), silk and wool yarn on muslin warp, 50 x 40 inches. All images courtesy of the artist and Claire Oliver Gallery, shared with permissionRegal Portraits Evoke Myth and Power in Simone Elizabeth Saunders Hand-Tufted TextilesMarch 12, 2025ArtCraftKate MothesEmblazoned with vibrant patterns and words like TRUTH and LOVE, Simone Elizabeth Saunders explores Black identity in relation to kinship, power, and survival. Her hand-tufted textiles (previously) merge cultural narratives and history with mythology, nostalgia, and personal experiences. Saunders predominantly focuses on women, who she portrays in bold portraits and within fantastical, empowering scenarios. In recent works like Girl with Butterflies and She Manifests Her Destiny, figures embrace and commune with totem-like snakes, insects, and plants.She Reveals (2022), hand-tufted velvet, acrylic, and wool yarn on rug warp, 65 x 60.5 x 1 inchesRooted in the myriad histories of the global Black diaspora and rich textile traditions throughout countless cultures, Saunders employs a craft technique historically relegated to a role beneath fine art in order to turn the tables on how we comprehend influence, identity, and artistic expression.Saunders is represented by Claire Oliver Gallery, and you can explore more work on the artists Instagram.(Be)Longing IV (2023), hand-tufted acrylic, cotton, wool, and metallic yarn on cotton rug warp, 20 x 1 x 30 inchesGirl with Hummingbirds (2024), silk and wool yarn on muslin warp, 50 x 40 inchesInternal Reflections (2022), hand-tufted velvet, acrylic, and wool yarn on rug warp, 66 x 62.5 x 1 inches(Be)Longing VIII (2024), hand-tufted acrylic, cotton, wool, and metallic yarn on cotton rug warp, 20 x 1 x 30 inchesRelease in Darkness (2022), hand-tufted velvet and acrylic yarn on muslin warp, 66 x 55 inchesShe Manifests Her Destiny (2024), silk and wool yarn on textile backing, 50 x 40 inchesBreak Away at Dawn (2023), hand-tufted velvet, acrylic, and wool yarn on muslin warp, 66 x 56 x 1 inchesNext article

Recommended By Fox News Staff Fox News Published March 12, 2025 11:59am EDT close Robot uses lasers to make chemical-free farming a reality Game-changing technology figures to revolutionize weed control. Welcome to Fox News Artificial Intelligence newsletter with the latest AI technology advancements.IN TODAYS NEWSLETTER:- Robot uses lasers to make chemical-free farming a reality- Kamala Harris roasted for trying to tie love of Doritos to Big Tech innovation during AI conference- Chinese humanoid robot lands worlds first front flip LaserWeeder G2 (Carbon Robotics)FARMING MEETS SCI-FI: TheLaserWeeder G2 builds on the success of its predecessors to bring submillimeter weed control to a wider range of farms, crops and soil types.CHIPS ACT: Former Vice President Kamala Harris was roasted for delivering another "word salad" on a public stage after trying to tie the "innovation" of Big Tech to her love of nacho cheese Doritos during an artificial intelligence conference. PM01 humanoid robot performing a front flip (EngineAI)FRONT-FLIPPING ROBOT: Chinese robotics company Zhongqing Robotics, also known as EngineAI, has officially entered the humanoid robotics scene by releasing a video showcasing what it claims is the world's first humanoid robot front flip.FIGHT TO SAVE KIDS: Australia's Murdoch Children's Research Institute is helping scientists use stem cell medicine and artificial intelligence to develop precision therapies for pediatric heart disease, the leading cause of death and disability in children. The Mallinsons (Fox News)FOLLOW FOX NEWS ON SOCIAL MEDIASIGN UP FOR OUR OTHER NEWSLETTERSDOWNLOAD OUR APPSWATCH FOX NEWS ONLINEFox News GoSTREAM FOX NATIONFox NationStay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future with Fox Newshere. This article was written by Fox News staff.

hanohiki - stock.adobe.comNewsApple slated in CMA mobile browser investigationApple policies are main focus, but Google doesnt escape the regulators scrutiny either, with its business practices to promote Chrome coming under fireByCliff Saran,Managing EditorPublished: 12 Mar 2025 15:48 The Competition and Markets Authoritys (CMA) final report into the mobile browser market has found innovation is being held back by a lack of competition, which could be limiting growth in the UK.Margot Daly, chair of the CMAs independent inquiry group, said: Following our in-depth investigation, we have concluded that competition between different mobile browsers is not working well, and this is holding back innovation in the UK. I welcome the CMAs prompt action to open strategic market status investigations into both Apple and Googles mobile ecosystems. The extensive analysis weve set out today will help that work as it progresses.The final report highlights Apples policy that third-party web browsers need to use its underlying browser engine called WebKit, which, the CMA said, determines what competing mobile browsers can do on iOS.Apples own mobile browser Safari has or has had greater or earlier access to key functionalities from the operating system and Apples WebKit browser engine, compared to competing mobile browsers. This has a negative impact on competition and innovation, the CMA report stated.The CMA investigation also found Apple appears to be holding back progressive web apps (PWAs), described in the report as lower cost and easier for developers to build since they can run on any operating system and do not need to be listed on an app store. This means Apple is unable to charge a commission for hosting them on its App Store, which it does with iOS apps.While the CMA considered submissions from Apple, in which it said browsers must use WebKit because allowing alternative browser engines could raise security, privacy and performance risks, the regulator felt these risks could be managed in other ways.The report also found that alternative browser engines perform similarly to WebKit on security outcomes and that Apples current restriction prevents mobile browsers competing and innovating on security and privacy features, for example by implementing security updates more frequently than Apples architecture currently allows.Another issue noted in the report is the inability for iOS apps to offer in-app browsing functionality something that is possible on Android. Meta told the CMA that in-app browsing could improve user experience, security and performance. While it has developed this functionality on its Android app, Meta told the CMA that it cannot develop these features on iOS currently because Apples rules require apps to use Apples own technology including its WebKit browser engine.Looking at Googles product design choices, the CMA said Google had made it significantly harder for consumers to drive competition by actively choosing which browser they use.Googles control of the Android operating system means it is able to determine key design decisions such as which products are placed prominently on a users screen and which apps are treated as the default option. We have seen evidence that this is happening in relation to how browser options are presented when users first get their device, and again later, while they are using it. Google uses factory setting agreements with device manufacturers who use Googles Android operating system, the report stated.Read more CMA investigationsCMA clears Google over Anthropic partnership: The UK competition watchdog has finished its initial investigation into Googles partnership with Anthropic, with no follow-up on the cards.Chrome cookies reprieved amid Google Privacy Sandbox changes: Google abruptly changes tack on third-party cookies in its Chrome web browser, cancelling plans to deprecate them in favour of an unspecified new experience for users.In The Current Issue:Digital twins map the world and guide strategic decisionsLiverpool reinvents customer service through digital platformDownload Current IssueSLM series - SAS: Whats old is new again CW Developer NetworkSUSE CEO: Enterprise Linux where choice happens' Open Source InsiderView All Blogs

At the TDX 2025 developer conference in San Francisco, Salesforce executives presented its Agentforce agentic AI technology as a whole system approach, where large language models (LLMs) are less significant than a trinity of data, applications and agents. Relatedly, they consistently disparage DIY artificial intelligence (AI) programmes.Paula Goldman, the suppliers chief ethical and humane use officer, said: I think a lot of the public discourse about AI has been about [large language] models. But if you think about Agentforce, its a whole system. Theres a foundation model, and then theres a series of smaller models that go into our Atlas system, and there are workflows that are automated that people can draw on. Weve got used to talking about AI as models over the past few years, but I think we need to be talking about systems.David Schmaier, president and chief product officer at Salesforce, said the suppliers entire technology stack, including Slack and Tableau, comes into play with Agentforce. He also pointed to its Data Cloud platform as central to its AI offer.You couldnt have a computer without a microprocessor; you need storage and RAM and a display and an operating system around it. Thats what weve done. We have our data cloud, which harmonises hundreds of thousands of systems. It gives you the data, the metadata and the semantics. Thats why we can outperform an LLM by itself. LLMs have hallucinations, they have bias, toxicity. An LLM is necessary but insufficient. We add to the LLM. Our view is the data powers the AI and then the AI powers the customer experience of the future, he said. An LLM is necessary but insufficient. We add to the LLM. Our view is the data powers the AI and then the AI powers the customer experience of the future David Schmaier, SalesforceWe call it the holy trinity. We have the Data Cloud, then we have our Sales Cloud, Service Cloud and Marketing Cloud apps which is how we got the name Salesforce as well as Slack, Mulesoft and Tableau. And now we have Agentforce on top of all that. Thats how we can turn on 10,600 customers over three days with agents. Its because we are using the same platform as we have for 25 years. So, with a healthcare company, for example, that has workflows it has bult in its Salesforce deployment, it can make all those available for [virtual] agents, Schmaier added.He believes too many organisations are doing DIY AI. Most people are just trying to take whatever apps they have, whether its Salesforce or SAP or Workday, and just buying ChatGPT and trying to plug it in. No other competitor has what we have, in terms of agents. We think we have a real lead in this agentic field. Weve sold to 5,200 customers since launching at Dreamforce [in September 2024]. Now, we have 200,000 customers, and most dont use Agentforce today, he said.Rahul Auradkar, executive vice-president and general manager of Unified Data Services and Einstein at Salesforce, made a similar argument about what the provider calls DIY AI.What we are doing with agents is an entire system. Were not shipping a model, an app or a copilot. Were shipping an AI system on a deeply unified platform. What that system allows our enterprise customers, who dont want to do the DIY, to do is surface customer-centric analytics and workflows, and listen to the customers to feed back to the system so the agents get better. Copilots are a narrow sliver of what AI can be, he said.The difference between a DIY AI and an enterprise using [our] system is that the enterprise can focus on things that they are good at, which is plenty of things. They have their data. The have their transactions. They have their engagement data. They have their AI policies, their workflows, their automations. We bring all that together within a deeply unified platform and drive value for our customers, added Auradkar.And yet, analyst research from Informa TechTargets Enterprise Strategy Group (ESG) offers a contrast with Salesforces disparagement of DIY AI a complicating contrast rather than a confutation, but a contrast nevertheless.Towards the end of 2024, ESG surveyed 832 professionals at organisations across the globe involved in the strategy, decision-making, selection, deployment and management of generative AI (GenAI) initiatives and projects at their organisations and familiar with their organisations use of third parties to support GenAI initiatives.The resulting report, The state of the generative AI market: Widespread transformation continues authored by Mark Beccue, principal analyst, Mike Leone, practice director and principal analyst, and Emily Marsh, associate research director does find support for an agentic AI philosophy: Respondents most often said that they see AI agents, virtual assistants, and intelligent chatbots powered by AI as valuable productivity tools, though they also often said they view them with cautious optimism (41%). Over two-thirds of organisations are planning for or considering AI agents, which represents a significant opportunity for AI vendors to target these requirements with capabilities and services.They also note, however: The AI agent market is extremely nascent and loaded with challenges, including managing single-task agents, interoperability problems, the potential emergence of multitask agents and security.But the authors also remark, similarly to Salesforces Auradkar, that: A wide majority (84%) of respondents agreed it is important to incorporate their own enterprise data into models that support generative AI. GenAI models themselves are not a competitive differentiator. Rather, effectively identifying, organising and vetting internal data for use with GenAI models is the key to creating unique and highly actionable insights.The research also found user organisations to be embracing a variety of LLMs open source and proprietary. The largest percentage of respondent organisations (43%) are both proprietary and open source models.Alongside this enthusiasm for using large language models, the study found that organisations are placing their bets on internal resources, planning to reskill or upskill employees (58%) and provide education and awareness training to employees (43%). This suggests a growing cadre of employees who will want to do DIY AI.The authors comment: Employee enthusiasm for these technologies is likely at a high point as GenAI excitement pervades many facets of society, so this internal investment will likely be a win-win situation whereby personnel receive welcome development opportunities and the business gains valuable GenAI expertise.At Dreamforce in September 2024, Marc Benioff, co-founder, chairman and CEO of Salesforce, was in combative mood in respect of Agentforce, positioning it as a wholescale alternative to generative AI copilot usage, associated with Microsoft and Google, but with other vendors too.Theres a lot of narratives out there from vendors, and a lot of it is not true, he said at the time. You need to sit with those customers [at the Dreamforce event], look at the code and break the hypnosis coming from all the vendors. Theres plenty of real customers here who are really deploying real AI. But there are billions being invested in copilots, delivering how much productivity increase? Is there a better way to do it? And so, thats our gambit.The game is still being played. The middle game lies ahead.Read more about Salesforces AgentforceSalesforce banking on autonomous agents with Agentforce 2dx.TDX 2025: Salesforce vaunts Agentforce 2dx as evolved agentic AI platform.After rebranding Einstein copilot products as agents, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff likens Microsoft Copilot AI to Clippit, also known as Clippy, the original intelligent agent.Singapore Airlines is deploying Salesforces Agentforce AI agent platform to improve customer interactions and personalise experiences.

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The best parenting does not remove obstaclesit teaches children how to climb over them with ... [+] patience and persistence.gettyNo parent has it all figured out from the start, but through trial and error and a whole lot of love, you get to grow alongside your children. In the book, A Contented Child in 28 Days, Harvard psychologist Richard Bromfield lays out a structured approach to breaking cycles of overindulgence and raising children who are emotionally secure and truly content.As he explores what makes children feel fulfilled, he also warns of a growing obstacle in modern parenting: the culture of instant gratification. Gone are the days of waiting for Saturday morning cartoons or saving up for months to buy a toy. Entertainment is available with a tap of a screen; purchases usually arrive within hours and rewards come with little to no effort.Bromfield argues that when children constantly receive what they want the moment they want it, they struggle to develop patience and resilience. In his book, he identifies some of the most common ways modern children experience instant gratification and how parents can counteract these patterns.The Importance Of Delayed GratificationOne of the most effective ways to counteract instant gratification is to teach children how to wait. Bromfield stresses that delayed gratification is a skill that must be actively developed, as todays world rarely enforces it naturally. A 2024 study published in Applied Developmental Science conducted in Singapore examined how delayed gratification impacts young childrens development. Researchers followed nearly 3,000 preschoolers over two years. They measured the childrens ability to wait for a reward, their working memory and their self-control. Later, they assessed the childrens academic achievement and behavioral patterns.The findings suggest that children who were better at delaying gratification at a young age performed better in reading and math and had fewer behavioral issues later on. The study also found that self-control and working memory played a key role in developing patience. This reinforces Bromfields argument that learning to wait is not just about disciplineits about shaping your childs long-term success.Here are three ways you can get your children more comfortable with delayed gratification.1. Creating Waiting Experiences In Daily LifeBromfield argues that waiting should be a normal, everyday experience for children. You can implement intentional waiting periodssuch as delaying screen time until after chores are completed, making your children save up for non-essential items or setting a family rule where they must wait 10 minutes before getting a snack.These small, everyday exercises train children to tolerate frustration and develop self-control, making patience a natural habit. One crucial factor influencing a childs ability to delay gratification is rooted in how they perceive rewards.Research published in Frontiers in Psychology found that children who focus on personal achievement and success (self-enhancement values) are more likely to wait for a bigger reward, while those who prioritize security and tradition (conservation values) prefer immediate rewards because they may not trust that the future reward will come.This suggests that a childs motivation to delay gratification is influenced by both their desire for greater rewards and their confidence in actually receiving them. Here are some practical ways you can create waiting experiences to help your children develop patience and self-control.Introduce earned rewards. Instead of immediate access to toys or treats, tie them to effort-based achievements (for example, completing chores before watching TV). This helps children associate rewards with patience and effort rather than expecting instant gratification.Use a save to spend approach. Give children opportunities to save up for special items, whether its money, stickers or tokens that accumulate toward a bigger reward. This helps reinforce the idea that delayed gratification leads to better rewards in the future.Teach abstract thinking about rewards. Help children think about a treat as an object (For example, this is just a round cookie instead of this is something delicious I want right now) to reduce immediate temptation.While delaying gratification is not always the right choice, having the ability to do so when necessary is crucial for long-term success. Without the skills to manage impulse control, children may struggle to make thoughtful and strategic decisions as they grow.2. Letting Boredom Do Its JobIn an era of constant stimulation, boredom has become something to avoid at all costs. The moment a child expresses even the slightest hint of restlessness, parents often rush to fill the voidhanding over a tablet, turning on a show or offering a new toy. However, Bromfield argues that boredom is not a problemits a necessity.Boredom acts as a crucial catalyst for creativity and problem-solving. When a child is left without any instant distraction, their brain is forced to engage in imaginative thinking.Research published in the Journal of Intelligence explores how toddlers interact with technology, revealing that some level of distraction and mind-wandering can enhance learningespecially when supported by a caregiver. This was demonstrated through a case study of Ryan, a toddler under three years old, who was introduced to an iPad for the first time.The study found that:Mind-wandering can enhance learning. When Ryan experienced moments of distraction but remained engaged, he developed stronger navigation skills. His ability to switch between apps and explore new features demonstrated creativity and problem-solving.Emotions shape learning outcomes. While frustration combined with boredom can hinder progress, when boredom is paired with curiosity and persistence, it fosters creativity and deeper problem-solving skills.These findings suggest that allowing toddlers to experience moments of mind-wanderingrather than constantly redirecting their attentioncan support cognitive development, particularly when guided by a supportive caregiver.When children are habitually rescued from boredom, they never develop the ability to entertain themselves, leading to restlessness and an increased dependence on external sources of entertainment.Bromfield emphasizes the fact that you should let your child sit with boredom and allow them the space to naturally find ways to occupy themselves. You can also model this by engaging in slower and screen-free activities so that children see boredom as an opportunity for creativity rather than discomfort.Additionally, setting structured unplugged time each daywhere children have no access to screens or pre-planned entertainmentcan help them rediscover the joy of self-directed play and curiosity. Over time, this practice trains them to embrace unstructured moments rather than seek immediate gratification through passive entertainment.Ultimately, Bromfield argues that when you allow children to experience natural moments of stillness, they are helping them develop creativity and emotional endurancequalities that will serve them far better in life than any instant distraction ever could.3. Using Not Now Instead Of NoBromfield introduces the Not Now strategy, a parenting approach that teaches children patience and delayed gratification by postponing, rather than denying their requests.This method acknowledges a childs desires while setting clear boundaries, helping them develop emotional resilience and self-control. For example, if a child asks for a treat before dinner, instead of saying no, a parent might respond, Not now, but you can have one after we eat. This response reassures the child that their request is valid while reinforcing the idea that rewards come with appropriate timing.The effectiveness of this strategy aligns with findings from the renowned Stanford marshmallow experiment conducted by psychologist Walter Mischel in the 1970s. This study showed that children who could wait for a larger reward instead of taking an immediate onetended to have better academic performance, healthier habits and stronger self-discipline later in life.To successfully implement the Not Now strategy, parents should:Set clear expectations. Specify when and under what conditions the request will be granted.Be consistent. Regularly reinforcing this approach helps children internalize the concept of waiting.Offer engaging alternatives. Providing a distraction, like a small task or a different activity, makes the waiting period more manageable.By incorporating not now into everyday interactions, parents create a structured way to help children develop patience, understand boundaries and learn that while their needs are acknowledged, instant gratification isnt always the answer.Parenting For The Long RunParenting is not about perfection. Its more about guiding children toward becoming resilient and independent individuals.At its core, parenting is about preparinghelping children build the confidence to create their own joy and the strength to wait for what truly matters. Its important to remember that your job is to give them the tools to build a meaningful life for themselves.Does parenting currently feel more exhausting than rewarding for you? Take this science-backed test to find out if you are experiencing parental burnout: Parental Burnout Assessment