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Cisco and the OECD: Building the World’s First Full Picture of Digital Well-being

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Pioneering research into the risks and benefits of digital life to help society prepare for the AI-era and beyond

News summary:

Cisco and the OECD launch the Digital Well-being Hub to holistically study technology’s impact on well-being and shape inclusive digital policies.The Hub explores the effects of digital transformation on people’s well-being by crowdsourcing insights including life satisfaction, mental health, AI tools and ethics, digital skills, cyber safety, civic engagement, climate consciousness and social connections. It also presents visitors with OECD data across several well-being dimensions.The collaboration with the OECD is part of Cisco’s Country Digital Acceleration program, a global co-innovation platform that is helping power inclusive communities and resilient economies.

ROME, Nov. 5, 2024 /CNW/ — Cisco, the worldwide technology leader, with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), today launched the Digital Well-being Hub, the world’s first cross-cutting study into the complex relationship between digital technologies and individual well-being. As AI and technology rapidly transform the ways we live, work, and connect, there has never been a comprehensive understanding of the overall impact of digital transformation on our well-being. Until now.

Daily Digital Experiences: the Missing Piece in Well-Being
Existing research already indicates that 40% of adults in OECD countries lack basic digital skills, potentially hampering their ability to safely navigate digital environments, including understanding digital privacy and the mental health implications of online activities. The situation gets more complex when considering that more than half of the workers in these countries are concerned that AI-related data collection could result in biased decisions against them. However, this picture is still incomplete. What is missing is an understanding of how different people experience these interconnected issues on a daily basis and how they impact overall well-being. For instance, a lack of digital skills may limit job prospects, or uncertainty about application of technology might deter responsible social media use, or participating in online education, healthcare or civic engagement.

“Digital well-being isn’t one thing; it’s multifaceted and interconnected, requiring a holistic understanding to responsibly navigate the AI era and beyond. But we’ve never fully examined technology’s impact on our well-being across various aspects of everyday life such as education, health and jobs,” said Guy Dietrich, SVP and Chief Innovation Officer, Cisco. “The evidence we gather from our Digital Well-being Hub will help people build healthier relationships with technology and create a more sustainable, secure, and inclusive digital future. By understanding how technology influences our well-being, we can unlock its full potential.”

Connecting the Dots in Digital Life
The Hub aims to dig deeper into the interplay between these issues by taking a holistic view of digital well-being that makes connections between the use of digital technologies and factors such as life satisfaction, mental health, digital skills, cyber safety, civic engagement, climate consciousness and social connections. Contributions from visitors to the Hub will inform pioneering research that will go beyond technology to focus on outcomes that enhance the quality of digital life for everyone.

“The Digital Well-being Hub shines a light on how advanced technology can build healthier lives and communities-and this is just the beginning,” said Francine Katsoudas, Cisco’s Chief People, Policy & Purpose Officer. “Connecting global populations through shared experiences presents an uplifting vision, but also an important call to action on behalf of the 2.6 billion people who still lack access to the Internet. This means that a third of the global population-largely in the world’s poorest countries-can’t participate and won’t be represented. We must commit to narrowing this gap as the first and most fundamental step to global well-being in the digital age.”

Building the First Full Picture of Digital Well-Being
The groundbreaking study, the first to connect different well-being dimensions in a single view, wrestles with the contradictions of the digital world. Where digital technology is accessible, available, and affordable—and people have the right skills—it can improve economic well-being and transform the way we work, live, and connect. AI for example, can boost productivity and improve working conditions. But it can also show biases against women and minorities. The effects of digital technology on the social, environmental, and relational aspects of well-being are less clear-cut, with risks and negative effects heightened by excessive or problematic use.

Part-crowdsourcing platform, part-research tool
The Digital Well-being Hub is grounded in the OECD Well-being Framework. It captures real-time evidence of people’s well-being, digital behaviours, and inequalities in technology use. Visitors to the Hub can also explore and interact with the OECD’s existing findings on technology’s impacts and compare country-level data.

“Through the Digital Well-being Hub, we will hear directly from people to better understand the interplay between technology and life that can inform new decisions and policies, and spur action to improve outcomes for people,” said Romina Boarini, Director, OECD Centre for Well-being, Inclusion, Sustainability and Equal Opportunity (WISE). “Up to 14% of people in OECD countries feel lonely, which could be potentially exacerbated by the use of digital tools. Through our collaboration with Cisco, we are exploring the unintended consequences of excessive or problematic use of digital tools to understand how people live in the digital world. Our findings will help to shape policies and foster a more equitable and inclusive digital future.”

How’s Digital Life for You?
During the next several months, Cisco and the OECD are calling on people globally to contribute their experiences via the Hub. Once enough responses are collected, the OECD will analyse and synthesize people’s experiences (the subjective data) with existing OECD research (objective data) to provide a more holistic view of digital well-being in 2025.

Additional Resources:

Digital Well-being Hub Guy Diedrich Blog

About Cisco
Cisco is the worldwide technology leader that securely connects everything to make anything possible. Our purpose is to power an inclusive future for all by helping our customers reimagine their applications, power hybrid work, secure their enterprise, transform their infrastructure, and meet their sustainability goals. Discover more on The Newsroom and follow us on X at @Cisco.

Cisco and the Cisco logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cisco and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. A listing of Cisco’s trademarks can be found at www.cisco.com/go/trademarks. Third-party trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. The use of the word partner does not imply a partnership relationship between Cisco and any other company. 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cisco-and-the-oecd-building-the-worlds-first-full-picture-of-digital-well-being-302296528.html

SOURCE Cisco Systems, Inc.

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City of Redmond to Streamline Capital Program Management Using Aurigo Masterworks

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November 5, 2024

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AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Aurigo Software, the leading provider of capital planning and construction management software for infrastructure and private owners, announced it has entered into a multiyear contract with the City of Redmond, Washington, to modernize its Capital Improvement Program. Aurigo’s flagship product suite, Masterworks, will help the agency prioritize project investments and create long-range capital plans while providing real-time reports and forecasts throughout the program’s phases. The system will also manage all aspects of project delivery, including construction administration, document management, and tracking program performance.

The City of Redmond is located less than 20 miles east of downtown Seattle. Known for its lush green landscapes and as a hub for technology, Redmond is home to several major corporations, including Microsoft’s headquarters, which significantly contribute to its economic profile. Today, the City has around 75,000 residents and 95,000 jobs, and by 2030, it is expected to have 78,000 residents and 119,000 jobs. Redmond also prides itself on providing extensive recreational activities, as it is surrounded by forests and trails, making it well-known for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and birdwatching.

“We are excited to partner with the City of Redmond and provide a modern, intuitive, integrated solution to meet its capital planning and project delivery goals,” said Balaji Sreenivasan, CEO and founder of Aurigo Software. “As Redmond continues to flourish as a technology hub, Masterworks will enable the City to keep pace with its growth by optimizing resources and ensuring efficient project execution. We are committed to supporting Redmond in delivering infrastructure improvements that meet the needs of its expanding community.”

Aurigo Masterworks will enable the agency to gather proposed projects, prioritize them, and estimate costs accurately. The platform’s what-if analysis will help identify the best project combinations based on available funding and strategic priorities. Once projects are underway, the system will help monitor schedules, resource availability, and contract status to ensure timely and on-budget completion.

This initiative will also establish standardized processes to reinforce best practices for the City, including streamlining workflows, integrating with existing systems, and enabling role-based access and permissions. Enterprise-wide dashboards and reports will provide agency executives with the right data to aid decision making. These processes will be fully auditable and will ensure complete transparency, delivering a consistent approach to capital program management.

Redmond joins King County and the city of Seattle, both Washington-based Aurigo partners, along with several other agencies across North America (including the cities of Portland and Las Vegas and regional agencies in Colorado, Florida, and Ontario, Canada) using Masterworks to digitize their capital programs. The company has seen an increase in demand from the public sector as agencies are looking to adopt modern cloud-based solutions to boost productivity and achieve cost savings.

About Aurigo Software

Aurigo builds software that helps build the world. Aurigo provides modern, cloud-based solutions for capital infrastructure and private owners to help plan with confidence, build with quality, and maintain their assets efficiently. With more than $300 billion of capital programs under management, Aurigo’s solutions are trusted by over 300 customers in transportation, water and utilities, healthcare, higher education, and government on over 40,000 projects across North America. Aurigo helps capital program executives make better decisions based on proprietary artificial intelligence and machine learning technology. Aurigo is a privately held U.S. corporation headquartered in Austin, Texas, with global offices in Canada and India. Learn more at www.aurigo.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/city-of-redmond-to-streamline-capital-program-management-using-aurigo-masterworks-302296256.html

SOURCE Aurigo Software Technologies, Inc.

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European Chips Skills Academy Unveils Comprehensive Skills Strategy to Boost Competitiveness of Semiconductor Ecosystem

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November 5, 2024

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BRUSSELS, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The European Chips Skills Academy (ECSA), an EU-funded initiative coordinated by SEMI, today announced the publication of the Skills Strategy report by DECISION Etudes & Conseil that outlines the strategic approaches required to tackle Europe’s growing talent shortage in the semiconductor sector. The report provides critical insights into the industry’s workforce demand and supply, while outlining methods to address the talent gap by 2030.

With increasing demand for chips and the investments from the EU Chips Act beginning to gain traction, the semiconductor industry is expected to experience substantial growth in the coming years. The report shows a projected employment annual growth rate of 5% by 2030, with more than 271,000 job openings expected over the forecast period. However, the current pipeline of graduates is not growing at a sufficient rate to match this growth. The report predicts a shortage of over 75,000 technical jobs across key areas such as hardware and software engineering, technicians, and data specialists.

Despite Europe producing over 1.1 million STEM graduates in 2022 and 320,000 in semiconductor related fields of study, only 6% of European STEM graduates are expected to enter the semiconductor industry. With many of these graduates opting for engineering careers in unrelated domains or positions beyond traditional engineering sectors, it is essential for Europe to respond to solve the talent gap.

ECSA’s Skills Strategy recommends both short- and long-term solutions. In the short-term, Europe should optimize the existing labor supply by improving EU-wide mobility, simplifying visa processes for non-EU workers, and reskilling current employees to meet evolving needs.

“Strategic communications campaigns will be pivotal in driving long-term growth in student interest in semiconductor-related disciplines,” said Laith Altimime, President of SEMI Europe. “The influx of STEM graduates into the sector is heavily shaped by the industry’s ability to project a compelling image, further enhancing its attractiveness as a desirable and innovative field for emerging talent.”

“Collaboration between education and industry needs to be strengthened to meet the long-term demand of the industry,” said Raphaël Beaujeu, Senior Consultant at DECISION Etudes & Conseil. “Aligning the academic curricula with the needs of the sector will ensure a sustainable pipeline of skilled workers that can drive innovation and productivity in Europe.”

Initiatives such as ECSA are well positioned to help address the talent gap by offering relevant training with input from industry. The wide network of companies involved with the ECSA aid in promoting STEM careers and ensuring a diverse workforce.

With the semiconductor industry at the core of global digital transformation, Europe’s ability to close the skills gap in its ecosystem will be crucial in maintaining competitiveness on the global stage.

About SEMI
SEMI® is the global industry association connecting over 3,000 member companies and 1.5 million professionals worldwide across the semiconductor and electronics design and manufacturing supply chain. We accelerate member collaboration on solutions to top industry challenges through Advocacy, Workforce Development, Sustainability, Supply Chain Management, and other programs. Our SEMICON® expositions and events, technology communities, standards, and market intelligence help advance our members’ business growth and innovations in design, devices, equipment, materials, services, and software, enabling smarter, faster, more secure electronics. Visit www.semi.org, contact a regional office, and connect with SEMI on LinkedIn and X to learn more.

About ECSA
The European Chips Skills Academy is an innovative alliance of 18 partners across Europe, working together to bridge the skills gap in the semiconductor sector. Through the development of decentralized education programs and fostering collaboration between industry and academia, ECSA aims to cultivate the next generation of semiconductor professionals essential for Europe’s technological leadership.

Contact Information:
Kartikey Srivastava / SEMI Europe
Phone: +49 151 1436 6324
Email: ksrivastava@semi.org     

Samer Bahou / SEMI Corporate
Phone: +1 408 943 7870
Email: sbahou@semi.org  

SOURCE SEMI

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Could use a vacation right now: Elsa Pataky and Chris Hemsworth Partner with Experience Abu Dhabi

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November 5, 2024

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ABU DHABI, UAE, Nov. 5, 2024 /CNW/ — Hollywood couple Elsa Pataky and Chris Hemsworth have collaborated with Experience Abu Dhabi, sharing all the city has to offer blending rich culture, adventure, and peaceful escapes, with incredible weather and endless experiences for every kind of traveller to enjoy at their own pace.

 

The two-year partnership was announced with a campaign film that features the duo on set, dreaming of a much-needed holiday. Using a mix of comedy and action, the film sees the couple agree that they could use an escape and imagine the blissful moments they could be experiencing in a destination that has it all…Abu Dhabi.

Elsa commented on putting family first: “When it comes to family holidays, Abu Dhabi has it all. Whether it is for us as a couple or a family, every day here is a new adventure, there is something for each one of us to enjoy and discover. My kids have fallen in love with Abu Dhabi, as it gives them a playground for all the things they want to do. Whether it’s theme parks with exciting roller coasters, dune bashing and horse riding in the desert to catching the best wave, Abu Dhabi has it all and is now our must-do holiday spot.”

Chris reflected on creating memories: “We’re thrilled to partner with Experience Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi’s got everything we love all in one place. The adventures have left us with amazing memories that will last a lifetime—you can tell how special it was since the kids didn’t want to leave. We’ve loved everything about the culture, the people and the experiences. It’s a place where we can unwind, and relax, with the feeling of being at home. We’ve travelled the world, but Abu Dhabi has captured our hearts. We’re already planning for our next trip!”

As heard in the film, the message “Could Use A Vacation Right Now” resonates with the world. So many of us are drowning in deadlines, work commitments, and a never-ending to-do list—dreaming of that next great holiday. In Abu Dhabi, you can swap your daily routine for the perfect escape, from inspiring cultural experiences to galloping across desert dunes, riding waves at Surf Abu Dhabi and reconnecting with loved ones under a stunning sunset on a white-sand beach.

The campaign film showcases how Abu Dhabi inspires every family to find their own pace—a destination brimming with new adventures and countless opportunities to create lasting memories. From kayaking around Louvre Abu Dhabi to thrilling rollercoasters, all wrapped in the warmth of Emirati hospitality, the couple had the perfect family getaway. They savoured traditional Emirati cuisine before sunset strolls on the beach, feeling welcomed and at ease.

H.E. Nouf Mohamed Al-Boushelaibi, Executive Director of Strategic Marketing & Communications at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “We’re incredibly passionate about sharing Abu Dhabi with the world and are proud to have Elsa and Chris partnering with us. Their dynamic energy and love for discovery highlights everything Abu Dhabi has to offer from inspiring cultural experiences to adventures, creating meaningful and lasting memories, all at their own pace.”

Get inspired by Chris and Elsa’s dream-come-true adventure in Abu Dhabi and watch the new film here.

About Experience Abu Dhabi:
Experience Abu Dhabi is the destination brand of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi. 

DCT Abu Dhabi drives the sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi’s culture and tourism sectors and its creative industries, fuelling economic progress and helping to achieve Abu Dhabi’s wider global ambitions. 

By working in partnership with the organisations that define the emirate’s position as a leading international destination, DCT Abu Dhabi strives to unite the ecosystem around a shared vision of the emirate’s potential, coordinate effort and investment, deliver innovative solutions, and use the best tools, policies and systems to support the culture and tourism industries.

DCT Abu Dhabi’s vision is defined by the emirate’s people, heritage and landscape. We work to enhance Abu Dhabi’s status as a place of authenticity, innovation, and unparalleled experiences, represented by its living traditions of hospitality, pioneering initiatives and creative thought.

For more information about the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and the destination, please visit: dct.gov.ae and visitabudhabi.ae

Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQEYVigHGZQ
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2549319/Elsa_Pataky.jpg
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2549316/Chris_Hemsworth.jpg
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2549317/Elsa_Pataky_Chris_Hemsworth_Desert.jpg
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2549318/Elsa_Pataky_Chris_Hemsworth_dining.jpg
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2239093/4629993/Experience_Abu_Dhabi_Logo.jpg

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/could-use-a-vacation-right-now-elsa-pataky-and-chris-hemsworth-partner-with-experience-abu-dhabi-302296597.html

SOURCE Experience Abu Dhabi

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