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Phaidra Raises $12 Million to Help Data Centers Increase Compute Infrastructure and Solve the Most Urgent Problem Facing AI Innovation Today

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The rapid increase in high-powered GPUs, driven by AI, has created a looming energy and innovation crisis where data centers don’t have enough power to meet demand for compute; Phaidra uses AI and reinforcement learning to help data centers scale compute by optimizing cooling systems and reducing energy costs, which represent up to 50% of operating expenses

SEATTLE, July 2, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Phaidra, an AI-based control system that helps mission-critical facilities like data centers improve energy efficiency and increase compute infrastructure, today announced $12 million in new funding led by Index Ventures, bringing their total capital raised to $60.5 million. The new funding will allow Phaidra to accelerate expansion of its autonomous control systems, which use reinforcement learning to help data centers optimize their power usage while improving reliability. The announcement comes at a time when rapid AI innovation relies on scaling compute. This, combined with a shortage of power and skilled labor needed to support mission-critical facilities like data centers, is contributing to a global crisis where AI innovation is constrained by a lack of compute infrastructure.

“At Phaidra, we’re on a mission to revolutionize how data centers are managed with an AI-powered control system that not only adapts in real time, but also continuously learns and improves. The result is cost savings on a massive scale and more revenue to drive further growth.”

The data center industry, the backbone of AI, is growing rapidly. In the US, which accounts for 40% of the global data center market, demand is forecast to reach 35GW by 2030, up from 17GW in 2022. But data centers are extremely energy-intensive, consuming 10-50 times the energy per floor space of a typical commercial office building. As AI models proliferate, relying on resource-hungry GPUs, existing markets are struggling to meet demand. In Northern Virginia, the world’s largest data center market, only 0.2% of grid capacity is available. In Ireland, data centers are projected to account for 32% of national electricity consumption by 2026. There is simply not enough excess power available in the world to support AI’s current growth trajectory without major improvements in data center infrastructure and efficiency.

“For as much as we talk about AI and growing compute capacity, we are ignoring the heart of the problem—power,” says Martin Mignot, Partner at Index Ventures. “There is no AI without sufficient energy. The more time we spent researching this problem, the more clearly we saw the importance of investing in solutions that address the downstream effects of computational growth. Phaidra is a perfect example of the right team with the right product in the right place, at a unique moment in time.”

Phaidra’s AI control platform turns industrial facilities into intelligent, self-learning systems that combine the precision of manual methods with the scalability and efficiency offered by AI. It seamlessly integrates into existing building management systems to capture real-time data, feed that data into its cloud-based reinforcement learning agent, and autonomously alter the settings on the individual components to achieve optimal performance of the entire system. And unlike traditional control systems, which slowly degrade and require regular manual programming updates, Phaidra automatically learns and gets better over time. Phaidra’s early customers have seen efficiency improvements amounting to millions of dollars in cost savings, which translates to increased power availability for revenue-generating services.

Phaidra’s founding team brings a rare mix of specific engineering know-how and world-class AI research credentials. While working as a data center operator at Google, co-founder and CEO Jim Gao was inspired by the AlphaGo documentary to explore how machine-learning technology could be applied to improve efficiency in Google’s data centers. His enthusiasm caught the attention of Phaidra’s now-CTO Vedavyas Panneershelvam, who had worked as a primary research engineer on AlphaGo. They joined forces at DeepMind, where they developed AI-powered solutions that reduced the amount of energy needed to cool Google’s data centers by 30%. After publishing their findings, Gao and Panneershelvam were approached by industrial control systems engineer Katie Hoffman, who was leading innovation projects at Trane Technologies and later joined as Phaidra’s third co-founder and COO.

“The data center industry was already growing quickly and is hitting an inflection point thanks to turbocharged AI demand,” says Jim Gao, co-founder and CEO of Phaidra. “Every data center operator knows they will need to be more efficient to meet this growing demand. At Phaidra, we’re on a mission to revolutionize how data centers are managed with an AI-powered control system that not only adapts in real time, but also continuously learns and improves. The result is cost savings on a massive scale and more revenue to drive further growth.”

Today, Phaidra’s team of about 100 includes top software engineers and researchers from Google, DeepMind, Meta, and Amazon, along with specialists from leading engineering firms like Trane and Johnson Controls. The new funding will support continued investment in research and development, implementation, and customer success, along with expanded go-to-market efforts as Phaidra continues its mission of helping data centers worldwide optimize their energy usage.

“When you meet the team and talk to their customers, it’s clear that Phaidra is in a unique position to tackle this problem head-on,” says Martin Mignot, Partner at Index Ventures. “No other startup has the domain expertise and AI research chops to actually deliver on the promise of autonomous controls, to say nothing of the impressive performance and results they’ve already shown. We’re excited to see Phaidra take the next step as a company and deliver solutions that are not only critical to data centers’ growth and sustainability, but to the overall growth and sustainability of AI development, the technology industry, and the world at large.”

To learn more, visit phaidra.ai.

About Phaidra

Phaidra is an AI-powered virtual plant operator that helps mission-critical facilities like data centers improve energy efficiency, plant stability, and sustainability. Phada’s autonomous control systems use reinforcement learning to make real-time decisions geared at helping data centers optimize their energy usage, while automatically learning and getting better over time.

Led by a former data center operator, reinforcement learning researcher, and internal control systems engineer, the Phaidra team brings a unique mix of specific engineering knowledge and AI research credentials to help data center operators save energy costs and free up power availability to meet the growing demand for computing power as a result of rapid AI growth.

Media Contact

Amber D Moore, Moore Communications, 1 5039439381, amber@moorecom2.com

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SOURCE Phaidra

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Baseus Announces New Line of iPhone and Tech Accessories – Including Wireless Chargers, Security Cameras, Power Banks, and More

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September 20, 2024

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As a company that designs products to be practical, reliable, and based on users, the new releases are curated to make everyday life easier and more efficient.

NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Baseus, a global leader in consumer electronics and mobile accessories, hosted an exclusive launch event in New York, introducing its latest innovations: the PicoGo series, Nomos series, and Security Camera series. These new offerings, including wireless chargers, headphones, and home security systems, are designed to meet the needs of the everyday consumer. Baseus CEO Shiyou He emphasized the company’s commitment to delivering practical, user-friendly tech solutions.

At the event, COO Jacky Fang outlined Baseus’s core values of “Practical, Reliable, Based on User,” He attributed the brand’s rapid growth to its strong product portfolio and brand recognition, highlighting significant progress in North America, including new partnerships and retail expansions. Vadim from Max Tech YouTube Channel shared how Baseus’s user-driven philosophy guided the development of several new products in the second half of the year. These launches further solidify Baseus’s mission to enhance users’ digital lives through innovative, practical solutions.

New Product Highlights Include:

Baseus PicoGo Series: Pocket Power, On the Go

Baseus PicoGo Fast Charger 45W – $29.99

The Baseus PicoGo 45W Fast Charger supports full-speed PD 3.0 charging for the iPhone 16, improving efficiency. It is 54.2% smaller, uses TÜV Rheinland-certified graphene technology for safer, cooler performance, and features a USB-C port for wide compatibility, ideal for travel.

Baseus PicoGo Power Bank 10000mAh 45W – $39.99

The Baseus PicoGo 45W Power Bank delivers 10,000mAh capacity and 45W fast charging, perfect for the latest iPhones. Its ultra-thin, 2-in-1 design supports wired and wireless charging, offering universal compatibility and a smart digital display for efficient power on the go.

Baseus PicoGo Magnetic Power Bank with Rotatable Stand 5000mAh 20W – $39.99

Get the best of both worlds with a Magnetic Power Bank that has both wireless and wired charging capabilities. This device boasts an impressive 5000mAh capacity and is Qi2-certified to provide ultra-fast 20W charging power.

Baseus Nomos Series: Power Combined, Simplicity Redefined

Nomos Qi2 5-in-1 140W Desktop Charger – $129.99

A 5-in-1 design featuring a smart digital display and intelligent power allocation. It’s the first desktop charger with Qi2 wireless charging and a retractable 100W USB-C cable, letting you charge up to 5 devices simultaneously while keeping your space clutter-free.

Baseus Nomos Qi2 8-in-1 Charging Station – $89.99

The Baseus Nomos Qi2 8-in-1 Slim Charging Station 67W (US) is the world’s thinnest at just 0.67 inches. It supports 67W fast wired and 15W Qi2 wireless charging for up to 8 devices, perfect for multi-device workspaces, travel, and saving space.

Baseus Nomos Qi2 3-in-1 Magnetic Power Bank – $69.99

The Baseus Nomos Qi2 3-in-1 Power Bank offers wired and wireless charging for up to three devices at once. With 10,000mAh capacity, it supports 45W fast wired and 15W Qi2 wireless charging. Compact and slim with a digital display, it’s perfect for travel and daily use.

Baseus Security Camera Series: This state-of-the-art solar-powered outdoor camera features sun-powered tracking and top-of-the-line alerts, dual camera modes, color night vision, and more.

Baseus Security S1 Pro Outdoor Dual Camera 3K 2-Cam Kit – $449.99

The S1 Pro, winner of the Technology Innovation Awards 2024 by Future Publishing, keeps your camera charged for uninterrupted home surveillance, even without sunlight. Its 13,500mAh battery powers up to 270 days of use. The camera rotates up to 80°, harnessing solar energy for near-continuous power.

For security, the system features AES+RSA encryption (TÜV Rheinland Certified).

The Baseus H1 HomeStation includes 16GB of eMMC storage for up to three months of footage, with optional 16TB expansion via an external hard drive (sold separately).

These products are available for purchase in the US on Amazon, at Baseus.com, and at Target (select products). For more information and to review all the latest Baseus products, please visit: www.baseus.com

About Baseus

Founded in 2011, Baseus was born out of utmost care for users. The company embodies its slogan: Practical. Reliable. Based on User. With 300 million users and over 6 billion services, Baseus delivers 100 million products annually, combining quality and innovation to enhance user satisfaction.

Media Contact:

Baseus PR Team
Phone: +1 (213) 512-7063
Email: pr@baseus.com

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Creative by Nature: HUAWEI Launches GoPaint Worldwide Creating Activity 2024

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September 20, 2024

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BARCELONA, Spain, Sept. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — On September 19, HUAWEI officially launched the GoPaint Worldwide Creating Activity 2024 themed “Creative by Nature”. From the kickoff day to December 31, 2024, painting enthusiasts around the world can share their unique digital art works on HUAWEI Community platform.

With their HUAWEI MatePad tablets, designed to spark creativity, global consumers can bring the “Creation of Beauty” concept to life. The HUAWEI GoPaint Worldwide Creating Activity invites aspiring artists to unleash their inner creativity and continue to be inspired.

The new HUAWEI MatePad Pro 12.2-inch and HUAWEI MatePad 12 X come with powerful hardware and enhanced writing & painting experience when working with the most updated GoPaint App. The app’s professional brush engine, diverse canvas options, and FangTian Painting Engine 2.0 provide a seamless, authentic, and user-friendly creative experience.

The Activity is divided into five groups, with themes of Sci-Fi Art, Design & Fashion, Narrative Art, Cutting-edge Painting, and Digital Watercolor & Ink. Find out more in the the Official Website and get ready to paint on your HUAWEI MatePad[1]!

In the HUAWEI GoPaint Worldwide Creating Activity, you could win the chance to showcase your artwork worldwide and in app placements. You’ll also have the opportunity to share your creative journey in video interviews. For more details, please visit the official website: 
https://consumer.huawei.com/en/campaign/gopaint/

[1] MatePad tablets that support the GoPaint App are required, such as HUAWEI MatePad Pro 13.2, HUAWEI MatePad 11.5S, HUAWEI MatePad Pro 12.2, and HUAWEI MatePad 12 X.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2510583/Creative_Nature_HUAWEI_Launches_GoPaint_Worldwide_Creating_Activity_2024.jpg
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Info-Tech LIVE 2024 Day 3 Highlights: Key Insights on IT Leadership, Ethical AI, and the Future of IT

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1 min ago

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September 20, 2024

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Day 3 of Info-Tech LIVE 2024 delivered actionable insights on IT leadership, AI, and future IT trends, featuring thought leaders and experts from across the technology landscape.

TORONTO, Sept. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ – The third and final day of Info-Tech LIVE 2024 concluded with impactful sessions designed to equip IT leaders with strategies to navigate the exponentially changing technology landscape. Day 3 delivered valuable insights on critical topics such as ethical AI, leadership, and the evolving role of the CIO.

Key Highlights From Day 3 Featured Keynotes:

1. Adaptive IT Leadership: Leading at the Pace of Exponential Change
Speaker: Carlene McCubbin, AVP of Research Development at Info-Tech Research Group

Carlene McCubbin explored the critical importance of building strong IT leadership teams capable of navigating the rapidly evolving technology landscape. She emphasized the shift from a purely technical focus to a more balanced approach that includes people leadership and business acumen. McCubbin highlighted the findings from the 2024 Info-Tech and McLean & Company surveys, which revealed a growing gap in leadership skills within IT and underscored the urgent need for leadership development and prioritization.

Key Takeaways:

There is a significant disconnect between CxO expectations and IT department capabilities. While 50% of CxOs view IT as a driver of transformation, only 5% of IT departments are currently meeting this expectation.The top challenges for IT leaders include staffing shortages, skills gaps, and difficulties in meeting business demands, which can hinder IT’s ability to deliver value and adapt to changing business needs.Despite advancements in technology, 35% of IT employees’ time is still spent on administrative tasks, a figure that has remained unchanged over the past five years. The finding indicates a persistent inefficiency that could be addressed through better use of AI and automation.Many IT employees believe that efficiency can be improved, with 37% identifying opportunities to eliminate low-value activities and 47% seeing potential for greater operational efficiency through innovative approaches.

2. AI Hype vs. Reality
Speaker: Dr. Timnit Gebru, Founder and Executive Director at the Distributed AI Research Institute

Dr. Timnit Gebru’s keynote dissected the current AI landscape and how to navigate the fine line between hype and the tangible benefits of AI technologies. She explained how AI can be misused, highlighting issues such as unauthorized data usage, copyright infringement, and machine bias. Dr. Gebru emphasized the need for critical thinking and skepticism when evaluating AI systems and stressed the importance of establishing ethical guidelines and accountability to ensure responsible AI development and deployment.

Key Takeaways:

There is a significant disconnect between the hype surrounding AI and its real-world applications, with many organizations overestimating the capabilities of current AI technologies.A critical, evidence-based approach is essential for evaluating the true capabilities and risks of AI systems, particularly in avoiding the misuse of data and ensuring compliance with copyright and ethical standards.AI systems must be developed and integrated with strict ethical guidelines and accountability frameworks to prevent biases, protect user data, and ensure responsible AI usage.

3. The New CIO: Leading IT Into the Future
Speaker: Heather Leier-Murray, Research Director at Info-Tech Research Group

Heather Leier-Murray discussed the evolving role of the CIO and the skills necessary to lead IT into the future. The session focused on the strategic shift required for CIOs to move from traditional IT management to becoming key business partners. Leier-Murray emphasized the need for modern CIOs to balance technological innovation with leadership and influence, positioning IT as a central driver of organizational success in an increasingly technology-driven world.

Key Takeaways:

The role of the CIO has transformed significantly over the past 40 years, evolving from optimizing back-office operations to becoming a leader in driving organizational value through advanced technologies. Despite these shifts, 81% of respondents to Info-Tech’s CxO-CIO Alignment Diagnostic feel their IT maturity level is only at a supporting or struggling stage, indicating a need for further evolution.While 35% of CxOs believe their IT department must achieve the highest level of maturity to transform the organization, only 2% feel confident that their IT department is capable of driving this transformation.Over 50% of a CIO’s weekly time is consumed by day-to-day management and operational tasks, leaving less than 20% for strategic initiatives and technology advancements. This misalignment must be addressed so that IT leaders can effectively guide organizations through rapid technological changes.

Looking Beyond Info-Tech LIVE 2024

Over the three days of Info-Tech LIVE 2024, attendees explored the critical intersections of technology, leadership, and innovation, gaining insights into how to navigate the future of IT. From the transformative discussions on Exponential IT and AI to in-depth sessions on modernizing IT frameworks and developing effective leadership strategies, the conference provided a comprehensive roadmap for IT leaders aiming to drive their organizations forward in an era of exponential change.

Info-Tech Research Group looks forward to announcing details for the next LIVE event, including plans to expand the conference to Australia in March 2025.

For media inquiries, including requests for interviews with featured speakers and experts from LIVE 2024, or for access to session recordings and additional content, please contact pr@infotech.com. For conference-related press releases and images, please visit the online Info-Tech LIVE 2024 Media Kit.

About Info-Tech Research Group

Info-Tech Research Group is one of the world’s leading research and advisory firms, proudly serving over 30,000 IT and HR professionals. The company produces unbiased, highly relevant research and provides advisory services to help leaders make strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. For nearly 30 years, Info-Tech has partnered closely with teams to provide them with everything they need, from actionable tools to analyst guidance, ensuring they deliver measurable results for their organizations.

To learn more about Info-Tech’s divisions, visit McLean & Company for HR research and advisory services and SoftwareReviews for software-buying insights. 

Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software and hundreds of industry analysts through the firm’s Media Insiders program. To gain access, contact pr@infotech.com.

For information about Info-Tech Research Group or to access the latest research, visit infotech.com and connect via LinkedIn and X.

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SOURCE Info-Tech Research Group

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