Category: Technology

AI Improving Job Security and Productivity for Asset Managers, Clearwater Analytics Research Reveals

61% of asset managers say the technology will make their jobs safer

 BOISE, Idaho, NEW YORK, CHICAGO, LONDON and HONG KONG, Aug 19 – Senior executives at asset management firms are overwhelmingly positive about the benefits of artificial intelligence (AI) for enhancing their job security, new research from Clearwater Analytics shows.

While there is concern more widely that the technology may be responsible for reducing work for humans, 61% of senior executives at asset managers participating in the research, which covered a broad spectrum of fund managers including insurance asset managers, hedge funds, private markets specialists, and general asset managers, say AI will increase their job security.

However, more than a quarter (28%) of those surveyed concede AI will reduce job security and 1% say it will replace their role completely.

 The Efficiency Dividend

The efficiency gains AI is delivering are tangible and measurable. Six per cent of managers report saving between one and 30 minutes per week, while one in three save between 31 and 59 minutes.

The impact is more significant for the majority: 45% report efficiency gains of one to two hours per week, while 16% are saving as much as three to four hours.

Building for the AI Age

The data suggests that AI is not being viewed as a replacement for human talent. Asset managers are making deliberate investments to ensure their people evolve alongside the technology. Seven in ten firms are providing AI literacy and awareness training, while 63% are investing in internal mobility and redeployment pathways, actively repositioning talent rather than reducing it. Almost half (49%) are redesigning roles specifically to integrate human and AI collaboration, and 47% are hiring talent with AI-complementary skills. Taken together, these findings paint a picture of an industry that sees AI not as a substitute for human judgement, but as a platform for enhancing it.

Souvik Das, CTO at Clearwater Analytics, said: “What I find most telling in this research is where the confidence is coming from. Job security has traditionally come from being hard to replace. Here, it’s coming from a different direction entirely. Firms investing in their people as AI becomes part of the everyday work. That’s a more durable kind of confidence, and it reflects an industry choosing to grow into this moment. The firms doing this well are using AI to make the people doing the job better at it.”

Snowflake Unlocks Better AI Economics with Dynamic Model Routing, Delivering More Value to Customers

Netwrix Extends Identity Security to AI Agents in Microsoft Entra ID

FRISCO, Texas — August 18, 2026 — Netwrix, a recognized leader in identity and data security, today announced new capabilities across Netwrix PingCastle and Netwrix Threat Manager that extend identity security deeper into the Microsoft cloud, including coverage of AI agents.

Organizations are deploying AI agents faster than they can govern them. Each agent is an identity holding real permissions inside the enterprise environment, yet most exist outside any inventory, ownership, or review process. A Cloud Security Alliance survey found that fewer than a quarter of organizations have a formally adopted policy for creating or removing the identities their AI systems run on, and more than 16% don’t track when a new one is created at all. The consequences are measurable: in its 2026 Data and Identity Security Report, Netwrix found a 43% breach rate among organizations where AI had significantly expanded the number of identities needing access, compared with 11% where it hadn’t.

Netwrix PingCastle extends its Microsoft Entra ID coverage to 102 risk checks, extending the tool’s trusted Active Directory posture assessment into the cloud identity plane. Security teams and administrators can now assess identity risk across both on-premises AD and Entra ID with the same fast, prioritized approach that has made PingCastle a community favorite.

Netwrix Threat Manager adds new visibility into AI agent identities in Microsoft Entra ID, giving security teams an inventory of the agents operating in their environment and the access they hold. That inventory is the missing foundation for most organizations: the Netwrix report found only 19% of organizations fully govern non-human identities such as service accounts and AI agents. Threat Manager already provides visibility and monitoring for another critical non-human identity category, service accounts, through actionable risk insights, abnormal-behavior detection, and attack context for faster triage; this release extends that coverage to AI agents.

The latest Netwrix Threat Manager release also adds new threat detection for Azure Files, protecting file shares against ransomware, abnormal behavior, and high-risk changes such as the creation of open access. Agent-specific threat detection is planned for a subsequent release, building on the visibility foundation delivered today.

The new capabilities complement Microsoft’s native tooling with independent assessment and visibility across the Microsoft identity plane.

“Earlier this year, we gave organizations visibility into what AI agents can access. This release goes a layer deeper: which agents exist at all,” said Jeff Warren, CPO at Netwrix. “Our research found fewer than one in five organizations fully govern non-human identities, and agents are the fastest-growing category. You can’t review access for an identity you don’t know you have.”

These releases advance Netwrix’s strategy to unify identity and data security. PingCastle’s assessment engine already powers more than 200 checks within the company’s 1Secure™ platform, reflecting the same independent posture assessment approach now extended deeper into the Microsoft identity plane.

UIDAI Completes Over 2 Crore Mandatory Biometric Updates for School Children

New Delhi, August 18: The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has completed more than 2 crore Mandatory Biometric Updates (MBU) for school children as part of its nationwide mission-mode drive, covering around 1.56 lakh schools across the country.

The special drive, launched in September 2025, has been undertaken in coordination with State and Union Territory education departments to make Aadhaar biometric updates more accessible to children. Dedicated camps and school-level outreach programmes have enabled students to complete the mandatory process at their schools.

The initiative has been strengthened through UIDAI’s technological integration with the Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+), allowing schools to access information on the MBU status of children and facilitate timely updates.

Aadhaar enrolment for children below five years captures demographic details and a photograph, while fingerprints and iris biometrics are not recorded because these biometric features are still developing. Mandatory biometric updates ensure that the Aadhaar record is updated with the child’s latest biometric information as they grow.

MBU is required when a child reaches the age of five and again at 15. Timely completion of these updates helps ensure a smoother Aadhaar authentication experience as children move through school, higher education and other services where Aadhaar authentication may be required.

To encourage parents and guardians to complete the updates on time, UIDAI has waived MBU charges for children aged 7 to 15 years from October 1, 2025, for one year. MBU for children in the 5–7 and 15–17 age groups is already free. As a result, Mandatory Biometric Updates are currently free for children aged 5 to 17 years until September 30, 2026.

UIDAI has cautioned that failure to complete mandatory biometric updates could create difficulties in Aadhaar authentication while accessing benefits under various government schemes. It may also affect processes involving Aadhaar authentication, including registration for competitive and university examinations such as NEET, JEE and CUET.

UIDAI has urged parents and guardians to check the Aadhaar biometric update status of their children and complete the mandatory updates within the stipulated period.

NORDAC FUSION: combines motor and inverter into a compact high-performance unit

NORDAC FUSION – the compact drive solution with the decentralised NORDAC ON inverter for dynamic applications

 With NORDAC FUSION, NORD DRIVESYSTEMS launches a powerful drive system that combines motor and inverter into a compact unit.

Aug 18: Thanks to the optimal electrical and mechanical adjustment of both components, NORDAC FUSION achieves high power density, while particular attention was given to keeping the installation space as small as possible. Users benefit from a ready-to-use system that operates reliably once connected. This eliminates extensive parameterisation or time-consuming selection of components. NORDAC FUSION is the answer for everyone, who looks for maximum drive power in a very small space – simple, quick and efficient.

For logistics projects with a high level of automation, this means: less engineering efforts per drive axle, faster commissioning and consistently high drive quality – from the first conveying point to the last transfer station. NORDAC FUSION’s decentralised design furthermore allows for direct mounting on the respective unit. Centralised control cabinets are thus no longer required and wiring efforts are considerably reduced.

NORDAC FUSION – Various combinations

NORDAC FUSION combines asynchronous motors (IE3) and permanent magnet synchronous motors (IE5+) in ventilated and unventilated versions with a decentralised NORDAC ON frequency inverter. The optimised motor/inverter combinations cover a power range from 0.31 to 3.7 kW. They feature consistent safety and communication properties, are suitable for worldwide use, and can be ideally complemented with a gear unit from the manufacturer’s modular product range.

The decentralised frequency inverters are characterised by their compact design, full plug-in capability and high reliability. Special features include the integrated PLC and their multi-protocol Ethernet interface. PROFINET, EtherNet/IP and EtherCAT can be easily set via parameters. Integrated safety functions enable safe operation of almost all motion sequences in automated production.

Advanced communication and safety functions

Apart from STO and SS1, the NORDAC ON series will also feature the motion monitoring function SLS, SMS or SSM for fail-safe control of the rotary movement. They can be integrated via PROFIsafe or FSoE into a fail-safe application within an existing Industrial Ethernet network. Stand-alone use is also possible. The safe digital inputs and outputs can be used to incorporate fail-safe peripheral components or functions. Emergency stop buttons, safety door switches, photoelectric sensors, etc. can thus be connected directly. Two safe single-channel digital inputs can be combined into one safe two-channel digital input, and two safe outputs can be combined into one safe two-channel output. The level of functional safety can thus be individually set with NORDAC FUSION as well.

Encoderless control in dynamic applications

Another advantage is the encoderless control of NORDAC FUSION with the manufacturer’s highly efficient IE5+ synchronous motors (PMSM). Using the CFC open-loop injection method, the motor’s rotor position and speed can be captured without additional sensors. With this, NORD offers a robust, streamlined and economical drive solution that is also suitable for dynamic applications.

Highly efficient IE5+ motor technology

NORD’s highly efficient IE5+ permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSM) are characterised by a constantly high efficiency of up to 95% over a wide torque range. In partial load and partial speed ranges, they therefore achieve optimum energy consumption performance and allow for a reduction of variants for more streamlined production, logistics, warehousing and service processes.

Ideal for demanding environments

The NORDAC FUSION drive solution can be used up to a temperature of -30 °C. The combination of IE5+ synchronous motors and NORDAC ON PURE with NXD tupH® is, for example, suitable for wash-down applications in the food sector. Ethernet on board, hybrid cables and daisy chain technology enable efficient and hygienic topologies that are more streamlined and easier to clean than conventional decentralised wiring.

Technology-Driven Pension Services Improve Efficiency, Save Resources: Jitendra Singh

New Delhi, August 18: Union Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Dr Jitendra Singh said technology-driven pension services have improved efficiency while reducing manpower and financial costs. Addressing the 9th National ANUBHAV Awards Ceremony 2026 and the 60th Pre-Retirement Counselling Workshop at Vigyan Bhawan, he described retiring and retired government employees as a “national asset” and called for continued use of technology and pensioner feedback to make the system simpler and more responsive.

Dr Singh said pension reforms are aimed not only at providing ease of living to pensioners but also at improving administrative efficiency. He highlighted initiatives such as Digital Life Certificate, Face Authentication, Pension Adalats, Bhavishya and the Integrated Pensioners’ Portal, which have simplified pension processing, reduced physical verification requirements and helped resolve grievances. He said pension procedures are being continuously reviewed, with unnecessary provisions removed and family pension rules strengthened in line with changing social realities.

The minister also conferred National ANUBHAV Awards on five awardees and presented Jury Awards. He said the ANUBHAV initiative, launched in 2015, helps preserve the experience of government employees and provides valuable feedback for improving policies and administrative practices. The 60th Pre-Retirement Counselling Workshop was attended by around 800 officials due to retire in March 2027, covering pension benefits, healthcare, digital life certificates, cyber security, investment options, family pension and grievance redressal. DoPPW Secretary Nivedita Shukla Verma said more than 14,000 experiences have been shared on the ANUBHAV portal, while the 2026 awards received over 2,000 nominations, the highest so far.

Vodia Phone 2 Turns Android Phones into Vodia Extensions

BOSTON: August 17 – Vodia Networks, Inc., a provider of unified cloud communications solutions to enterprises, contact centers, and service providers, is pleased to announce Vodia Phone 2, an app that brings the Vodia PBX experience to Android users. Vodia Phone 2 is a companion app to the new Vodia iOS app, which the company announced in July of this year.   

Vodia Phone 2 turns any Android device into a full-featured extension of the Vodia phone system. It integrates with the native Android calling experience, so users can make and receive calls from anywhere via a business phone system.

Incoming business calls ring like regular calls, even when the app is in the background or the phone is locked – calls can be placed from the Vodia app or directly from the Android dialer.

Vodia Phone 2 makes it easier to manage calls, voicemail, chat, extensions, call history, and active call controls in one place. Users can hold and resume calls, perform blind or attended transfers, park calls for colleagues, access company contacts, and manage how business calls reach them. Integration with Android Telecom Manager also enables support for Bluetooth devices and Android Auto, giving users a familiar mobile calling experience wherever they work.

For installation instructions and more information about calling, transfers, contacts, extension activity, and settings, visit the Vodia Android app documentation page.

Vodia has been committed since its inception to helping enterprises and SMBs work from anywhere. For more information about our iOS and Android apps, Vodia representatives can be reached at sales@vodia.com or +1 (617) 861-3490.

NIELIT Unveils CYBER KUSHTI 2026 to Sharpen Cybersecurity Decision-Making Skills

New Delhi, August 16: The National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT) has launched ‘CYBER KUSHTI 2026’, a cybersecurity assessment initiative designed to test how effectively individuals can apply human judgment while identifying, analysing and responding to cyber threats.

The initiative focuses on a critical aspect of cybersecurity that extends beyond technical knowledge — the ability to make sound decisions when confronted with complex and evolving digital threats.

CYBER KUSHTI 2026 is designed around the premise that cybersecurity professionals must do more than identify vulnerabilities or recognise known attack patterns. They must also evaluate situations, assess risks and make timely decisions when information may be incomplete or ambiguous.

Through the initiative, participants will be exposed to assessment scenarios intended to examine their ability to interpret cybersecurity situations and distinguish between genuine threats, potential risks and routine events.

The programme is expected to provide a platform for assessing practical cybersecurity capabilities in an environment that places emphasis on reasoning and decision-making.

As organisations increasingly deploy artificial intelligence, automation and advanced security tools, the role of human expertise in cybersecurity continues to remain important.

Automated systems can identify anomalies and flag potential threats, but security professionals are often required to determine the significance of an alert, establish priorities and decide what action should be taken.

CYBER KUSHTI 2026 seeks to bring this human element into sharper focus by examining how participants respond to cybersecurity challenges rather than relying solely on theoretical or textbook knowledge.

The launch comes at a time when India is expanding its digital infrastructure and strengthening cybersecurity capabilities across government, industry and other sectors.

A growing digital economy has also increased the potential attack surface for organisations, creating demand for professionals who understand both technology and cyber-risk management.

NIELIT’s initiative can contribute to this ecosystem by encouraging cybersecurity learners and professionals to develop stronger analytical and decision-making capabilities alongside technical skills.

Traditional cybersecurity assessments often concentrate on technical concepts, tools, vulnerabilities and predefined answers. CYBER KUSHTI 2026 takes a different approach by placing greater emphasis on judgment, interpretation and situational awareness.

This approach could prove particularly relevant for cybersecurity roles where professionals have to respond to rapidly changing circumstances and make decisions that can affect the security and continuity of an organisation.

The initiative also highlights the evolving nature of cybersecurity education, where practical problem-solving and human reasoning are becoming increasingly important components of professional preparedness.

With artificial intelligence, cloud computing, connected devices and digital services becoming increasingly embedded in everyday business and public infrastructure, cybersecurity challenges are becoming more complex.

Against this backdrop, initiatives such as CYBER KUSHTI 2026 underline the need to develop cybersecurity professionals who can combine technical expertise with critical thinking and responsible decision-making.

The NIELIT initiative is expected to provide participants with an opportunity to evaluate their preparedness for real-world cybersecurity situations while contributing to a broader conversation around the skills required for India’s evolving digital security ecosystem.

STPI Units Cross Rs.7.73 Lakh Crore in Software Exports in FY26

New Delhi, August 15, 2026: Software Technology Parks of India (STPI)-registered units recorded exports worth more than ₹7.73 lakh crore during FY26, highlighting the continued strength of India’s software and technology services industry.

The export performance underscores the growing contribution of technology-driven businesses to India’s overall trade and the country’s expanding role in the global digital economy. STPI has played an important role in supporting software exporters, particularly through infrastructure, regulatory facilitation and technology-focused ecosystems.

The strong export numbers also reflect rising global demand for IT services, software solutions, digital products and technology-enabled business services originating from India.

With businesses worldwide accelerating investments in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data services and digital transformation, India’s technology sector is expected to remain an important engine of export growth.

The latest performance further strengthens the case for expanding India’s digital infrastructure and nurturing technology talent, particularly as the country seeks to increase its share of high-value global technology and services markets.

India, Japan Work on New Roadmap to Expand Skilled Workforce Mobility

New Delhi, August 15, 2026: India and Japan are working on a more structured pathway to help skilled Indian workers access employment opportunities in Japan, as both countries seek to deepen cooperation in skill development and human-resource mobility.

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) recently brought together officials, training institutions, industry representatives, recruitment agencies and other stakeholders for an India-Japan consultation in New Delhi. The discussions focused on making the movement of skilled workers between the two countries smoother and more effective.

A key area of discussion was the need to combine job-specific training with Japanese language and cultural preparation. Participants also examined assessment systems, employer requirements and better coordination among government agencies, training organisations and industry.

The proposed roadmap is expected to set out short-, medium- and long-term actions, with measurable targets and clearly defined responsibilities. The aim is to create a stronger link between Japanese employers looking for talent and Indian workers preparing for overseas careers.

The initiative comes against the backdrop of Japan’s growing demand for skilled manpower and India’s large young workforce. The two countries’ 2025 human-resource action plan envisages the exchange of 500,000 people over five years, including 50,000 skilled personnel and potential talent from India to Japan.

For Indian youth, the expanding partnership could open more international career opportunities while giving Japanese businesses access to a larger pool of trained professionals.