Technology

Akamai Sharpens Its AI Edge with Launch of Akamai Cloud Inference

Published

6 days ago

March 27, 2025

New service gives companies the ability to realize a 3x improvement in throughput, 60% less latency, and 86% lower cost than traditional hyperscale infrastructure

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., March 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Akamai (NASDAQ: AKAM), the cybersecurity and cloud computing company that powers and protects business online, today unveiled Akamai Cloud Inference, to usher in a faster, more efficient wave of innovation for organizations looking to turn predictive and large language models (LLMs) into real-world action. Akamai Cloud Inference runs on Akamai Cloud, the world’s most distributed platform, to address escalating limitations of centralized cloud models.

“Getting AI data closer to users and devices is hard, and it’s where legacy clouds struggle,” said Adam Karon, Chief Operating Officer and General Manager, Cloud Technology Group at Akamai. “While the heavy lifting of training LLMs will continue to happen in big hyperscale data centers, the actionable work of inferencing will take place at the edge where the platform Akamai has built over the past two and a half decades becomes vital for the future of AI and sets us apart from every other cloud provider in the market.”

AI inference on Akamai Cloud
Akamai’s new solution provides tools for platform engineers and developers to build and run AI applications and data-intensive workloads closer to end users, delivering 3x better throughput while reducing latency up to 2.5x. Using Akamai’s solution, businesses can save up to 86% on AI inference and agentic AI workloads compared to traditional hyperscaler infrastructure. Akamai Cloud Inference includes:

Compute: Akamai Cloud offers a versatile compute arsenal, from classic CPUs for fine-tuned inference, to powerful accelerated-compute options in GPUs, and tailored ASIC VPUs to provide the right horsepower for a spectrum of AI inference challenges. Akamai integrates with Nvidia’s AI Enterprise ecosystem, leveraging Triton, TAO Toolkit, TensorRT, and NVFlare to optimize performance of AI inference on NVIDIA GPUs.Data management: Akamai enables customers to unlock the full potential of AI inference with a cutting-edge data fabric purpose-built for modern AI workloads. Akamai has partnered with VAST Data to provide streamlined access to real-time data to accelerate inference-related tasks, essential to delivering relevant results and a responsive experience. This is complemented by highly scalable object storage to manage the volume and variety of datasets critical to AI applications, and integration with leading vector database vendors, including Aiven and Milvus, to enable retrieval-augmented generation (RAG). With this data management stack, Akamai securely stores fine-tuned model data and training artifacts to deliver low-latency AI inference at global scale.Containerization: Containerizing AI workloads enables demand-based autoscaling, improved application resilience, and hybrid/multicloud portability, while optimizing both performance and cost. With Kubernetes, Akamai delivers faster, cheaper, and more secure AI inference at petabyte-scale performance. Underpinned by Linode Kubernetes Engine (LKE)-Enterprise, a new enterprise edition of Akamai Cloud’s Kubernetes orchestration platform designed specifically for large-scale enterprise workloads, and the recently announced Akamai App Platform, Akamai Cloud Inference is able to quickly deploy an AI-ready platform of open source Kubernetes projects, including KServe, Kubeflow, and SpinKube, seamlessly integrated to streamline the deployment of AI models for inference.Edge compute: To simplify how developers build AI-powered applications, Akamai AI Inference includes WebAssembly (Wasm) capabilities. Working with Wasm providers like Fermyon, Akamai enables developers to execute inferencing for LLMs directly from serverless apps, allowing customers to execute lightweight code at the edge to enable latency-sensitive applications.

Together, these tools create a powerful platform for low-latency, AI-powered applications that allows companies to deliver the experience their users demand. Akamai Cloud Inference runs on the company’s massively distributed platform capable of consistently delivering over one petabyte per second of throughput for data-intensive workloads. Comprising more than 4,200 points of presence across greater than 1,200 networks in over 130 countries worldwide, Akamai Cloud makes compute resources available from cloud to edge while accelerating application performance and increasing scalability.

The shift from training to inference
As AI adoption matures, enterprises are recognizing that the hype around LLMs has created a distraction, drawing focus away from practical AI solutions better suited to solve specific business problems. LLMs excel at general-purpose tasks like summarization, translation, and customer service. These are very large models that are expensive and time-consuming to train. Many enterprises have found themselves constrained by architectural and cost requirements, including data center and computational power; well-structured, secure, and scalable data systems; and the challenges that location and security requirements place on decision latency. Lightweight AI models, — designed to address specific business problems — can be optimized for individual industries, can use proprietary data to create measurable outcomes, and represent a better return on investment for enterprises today.

AI inference needs a more distributed cloud
Increasingly, data will be generated outside of centralized data centers or cloud regions. This shift is driving demand for AI solutions that leverage data generation closer to the point of origin. This fundamentally reshapes infrastructure needs as enterprises move beyond building and training LLMs, toward using data for faster, smarter decisions and investing in more personalized experiences. Enterprises recognize that they can generate more value by leveraging AI to manage and improve their business operations and processes. Distributed cloud and edge architectures are emerging as preferable for operational intelligence use cases because they can provide real-time, actionable insights across distributed assets even in remote environments. Early customer examples on Akamai Cloud include in-car voice assistance, AI-powered crop management, image optimization for consumer product marketplaces, virtual garment visualization shopping experiences, automated product description generators, and customer feedback sentiment analyzers.

“Training an LLM is like creating a map, requiring you to gather data, analyze terrain, and plot routes. It’s slow and resource-intensive, but once built, it’s highly useful. AI inference is like using a GPS, instantly applying that knowledge, recalculating in real time, and adapting to changes to get you where you need to go,” explained Karon. “Inference is the next frontier for AI.”

About Akamai
Akamai is the cybersecurity and cloud computing company that powers and protects business online. Our market-leading security solutions, superior threat intelligence, and global operations team provide defense in depth to safeguard enterprise data and applications everywhere. Akamai’s full-stack cloud computing solutions deliver performance and affordability on the world’s most distributed platform. Global enterprises trust Akamai to provide the industry-leading reliability, scale, and expertise they need to grow their business with confidence. Learn more at akamai.com and akamai.com/blog, or follow Akamai Technologies on X and LinkedIn.

Contacts
Akamai Media Relations
akamaipr@akamai.com

Akamai Investor Relations
invrel@akamai.com

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SOURCE Akamai Technologies, Inc.

Technology

Autodesk announces Betsy Rafael to step down from Board of Directors

Published

41 minutes ago

April 2, 2025

SAN FRANCISCO, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK) today announced that Elizabeth “Betsy” Rafael has informed the Autodesk Board of Directors of her intention not to seek re-election at the company’s 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Ms. Rafael joined the Autodesk Board in September 2013, served as Audit Committee chair from March 2016 to May 2024 and served as Interim CFO from May 31, 2024, until December 16, 2024. Ms. Rafael’s decision not to stand for re-election aligns with the completion of her tenure as an advisor to Autodesk, which concludes on April 30, 2025.

“On behalf of the full Board, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for Betsy’s outstanding contributions and commitment to Autodesk over more than a decade,” said Andrew Anagnost, Autodesk president and CEO. “Betsy has overseen a period of significant growth at Autodesk, and her exceptional leadership and expertise have been instrumental in shaping our long-term vision. Betsy also stepped in as Interim CFO at an important time in Autodesk’s journey, and her leadership of the finance organization has positioned Autodesk for success in the future.”

“Autodesk is a great company with a bright future, well positioned to build on its momentum and continue delivering strong financial and operational performance,” said Ms. Rafael. “I wish the team continued success in the years ahead.”

About Autodesk

The world’s designers, engineers, builders, and creators trust Autodesk to help them design and make anything. From the buildings we live and work in, to the cars we drive and the bridges we drive over. From the products we use and rely on, to the movies and games that inspire us. Autodesk’s Design and Make Platform unlocks the power of data to accelerate insights and automate processes, empowering our customers with the technology to create the world around us and deliver better outcomes for their business and the planet. For more information, visit autodesk.com or follow @autodesk. #MakeAnything

Autodesk is a registered trademark of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product and services offerings, and specifications and pricing at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document.

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SOURCE Autodesk, Inc.

Technology

Lockmasters Announces Acquisition of Signals Defense

Published

41 minutes ago

April 2, 2025

NICHOLASVILLE, Ky., April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Lockmasters, Inc. (“Lockmasters”), a portfolio company of Dominus Capital, L.P. (“Dominus”) recently acquired Astic Signals Defenses, LLC (“Signals Defense”), a Maryland-based radio frequency (“RF”) and infrared (“IR”) shielding solutions company serving high security government and commercial applications. Signals Defense’s proprietary window film technology and related shielding materials have set the benchmark as the de facto standard for U.S. government and commercial organizations desiring to properly secure locations handling sensitive and classified information, protecting them from wireless eavesdropping and data interception threats.

Signals Defense’s combination with Lockmasters’ high security proprietary and distributed products as well as high security training creates a one-stop-shop solution serving government Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (“SCIFs”) and commercial end markets. This acquisition marks the fifth add-on for Lockmasters under Dominus’ ownership and expands the suite of proprietary offerings.

“I am excited to announce that Signals Defense is now part of Lockmasters,” said Deron Simpson, Founder of Signals Defense. “Since pioneering the initial Signals Defense film solution 25 years ago, we have continuously innovated to stay ahead of evolving wireless threats, driving specification improvements. Going forward, our combined expertise and product suite will create tremendous value for our loyal customer base.”

“The combination with Lockmasters positions us to serve the security market like never before,” said Eric Kuczynski, President of Signals Defense. “Our expertise and customer base coupled with Lockmasters’ extensive commercial and government reach presents a powerful cross-sell opportunity for our proprietary shielding technology and Lockmasters’ high security products. I am incredibly optimistic about the growth opportunities ahead for the combined company.”

“We are thrilled to welcome the Signals Defense team to Lockmasters,” said Joe McCormack, Lockmasters’ CEO. “Together, we will offer an unmatched portfolio of high-security solutions for government and commercial customers. This acquisition reinforces our commitment to innovation and providing best-in-class security solutions to meet evolving threats, including an increased need for data protection.”

About Signals Defense: For over 25 years, Signals Defense’s technology has been the de facto standard for the U.S. government and commercial organizations desiring to properly secure locations handling sensitive and classified information. The company’s window films meet the TEMPEST requirement for ICD-705 and the DoD Infrared and Radio Frequency Emanation Protection Standards. Signals Defense is based in Owings Mills, MD. For more information, please visit www.signalsdefense.com

About Lockmasters: Since 1955, Lockmasters has been providing the highest quality safe locks, tools, commercial hardware, specialty doors, and education to the government and security professional industry. The company offers extensive product lines and educational training to a range of security professionals including the automotive, banking, commercial, government, and industrial markets.

Lockmasters is not only a distributor for the best lock and tool manufacturers in the country, but it is also a manufacturer of a wide variety of proprietary tools and locks. The company also operates premier educational facilities in the security industry, providing training and certification to both new and experienced security professionals. Its world-class curriculum features hands-on learning taught by recognized authors, inventors, and industrial security professionals.

Lockmasters has the locks, tools, hardware, and educational training its customers need, but more importantly it has the experience to support the products and services it sells. Lockmasters is its customers’ complete source for locks, tools, hardware, and education.

Lockmasters is headquartered in Nicholasville, KY with additional locations in Annapolis Junction, MD; Oxford, MI; Plano, TX; Charlotte, NC; Hamden, CT; Las Vegas, NV; and Owings Mills, MD. For more information, please visit www.lockmasters.com.

About Dominus Capital: Based in New York, Dominus Capital is a leading middle-market private equity investment firm that focuses on management-led buyouts and growth capital investments in the business services and light manufacturing sectors. Drawing on the experience, knowledge and network of its founders and a team of in-house operating executives, Dominus Capital works hand-in-hand with exceptional management teams to unlock the untapped potential of its portfolio companies. The firm takes a long-term, conservative approach to investing and has a consistent and successful track record of achieving significant growth at its portfolio companies. The Dominus Capital team members have executed over 100 transactions over the past 25+ years. For more information, please visit www.dominuscap.com.

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SOURCE Dominus Capital, L.P.

Technology

Smart Transportation Market to Reach $484.5 Billion by 2029, Growing at 21.7% CAGR

Published

41 minutes ago

April 2, 2025

“Comprehensive Report Highlights Latest Advances, Market Dynamics, and Practical Applications in Smart Transportation for Urban and Industrial Use”

BOSTON, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — According to the latest study from BCC Research, “Smart Transportation: Technologies and Markets” is expected to grow from $181.7 billion in 2024 to $484.5 billion by the end of 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21.7% from 2024 through 2029.

The smart transportation market focuses on technology offerings across roadways, airways, railways, and maritime systems. It highlights solutions such as traffic management, vehicle telematics, smart ticketing, and port operations management. The report covers services such as consulting, deployment, integration, and maintenance, which are crucial for implementing these technologies. It also analyzes the market regions of North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World.

The smart transportation market is undergoing significant advances, with innovations enhancing its applications across multiple sectors. With a growing emphasis on sustainable urban mobility and the need for customized, scalable solutions, stakeholders must stay informed on developments in smart transportation to capitalize on emerging opportunities and stay competitive in an evolving landscape.

The factors driving the market include:

Cost Efficiency: Smart transportation reduces fuel consumption and operational costs through technologies such as intelligent traffic management and optimized routing.

Urbanization Challenges: As cities grow, smart solutions such as integrated public transit and smart parking help manage congestion and pollution, making urban mobility more efficient.

Safety and Security: Advanced systems such as ADAS and automated emergency response enhance safety for passengers and pedestrians, preventing accidents and ensuring secure transit environments.

Request a sample copy of the global smart transportation market report.

Report Synopsis

Report Metric

Details

Base year considered

2023

Forecast period considered

2024-2029

Base year market size

$152.6 billion

Market size forecast

$484.5 billion

Growth rate

CAGR of 21.7% from 2024 to 2029

Segments covered

Transportation mode, roadway offerings, airway
offerings, railway offerings, maritime offerings

Regions covered

North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of
World (Latin America, Middle East and Africa)

Market drivers

• Growing need for cost efficiency in transportation.

• Urbanization and transportation challenges in
expanding cities.

• Increased focus on safety and security.

Interesting facts:

Smart transportation is changing public transit with Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) models. These models combine ride-sharing, public transit, and other travel options for a smoother experience. For example, the city of Madrid uses MaaS to connect public and private transport, making city travel easier.5G networks are essential for real-time data in smart transportation, especially for connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs). Areas with strong 5G networks, such as Asia-Pacific and parts of Europe, are seeing better traffic solutions. 5G also handles the vast amount of data from IoT devices and smart city systems.Roadway transportation accounts for over 40% of the market due to the need for integrated traffic management, advanced ticketing, smart parking, and real-time data analytics.

Emerging startups

OptibusSuperpedestrianBestmile

The report addresses the following questions:

What is the projected market size and growth rate?The market is projected to reach $484.5 billion by the end of 2029, growing at a CAGR of 21.7%.Which segments are covered in the report?Transportation mode, roadway offerings, airway offerings, railway offerings and maritime offerings.Which roadway offering will be dominant in the market in 2029?The solutions segment is expected to be dominant in the market in 2029.Which region has the largest share of the market?Europe holds the largest share of the global market.

Market leaders include:

AARAV SOLUTIONSADVANTECH CO. LTD.ALLIED TELESIS HOLDINGSALSTOM SAATOS SEAXIOMTEK CO. LTD.CISCO SYSTEMS INC.CONDUENT INC.HEXAGON ABHITACHI LTD.HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO. LTD.IBM CORP.IEI INTEGRATION CORP.INTEL CORP.NEC CORP.SAP SESIEMENSTHALES

Related reports include:

Global IoT Testing Services Market: The report covers market trends, challenges, and companies. analyzing revenue by service type, testing type, end-user industry, and region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW). The report also explores patent activity, emerging technologies, and ESG developments, offering insights into the competitive landscape and the strategies of leading companies.

Industrial IoT (IIoT): Global Markets: The report analyzes offerings (hardware, solutions and platforms, services), connectivity (wired and wireless), deployment (on-premise and cloud), organization size (SMEs and large enterprises), and industry verticals (manufacturing, energy and utilities, healthcare, etc.). It also examines regional markets (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, RoW), regulations, government programs, and technical issues. It includes market size data for software, platforms, solutions, services, and hardware, taking into consideration manufacturers’ and consumers’ perspectives.

Purchase a copy of the report direct from BCC Research.

For further information on any of these reports or to purchase one, please contact info@bccresearch.com.

About BCC Research

BCC Research market research reports provide objective, unbiased measurement, and assessment of market opportunities. Our experienced industry analysts’ goal is to help you make informed business decisions free of noise and hype.

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