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Backblaze’s Gleb Budman Talks Products, Partnerships, and the Growth in Cloud Storage

The company’s Scalable Application Keys received an NAB 2025 Product of the Year Award As the M&E space evolves at a breakneck pace, Backblaze is making waves, thanks to new features, expanded partnerships, and a major push into AI and high-performance cloud (HPC) storage. SVG caught up with Backblaze CEO/co-founder Gleb Budman to talk about […]

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The company’s Scalable Application Keys received an NAB 2025 Product of the Year Award

As the M&E space evolves at a breakneck pace, Backblaze is making waves, thanks to new features, expanded partnerships, and a major push into AI and high-performance cloud (HPC) storage. SVG caught up with Backblaze CEO/co-founder Gleb Budman to talk about the company’s NAB 2025 Product of the Year Award; its latest innovations, such as Overdrive and Scalable Application Keys; and how the company helps creative teams embrace flexible, cloud-first workflows without sacrificing performance or control.

Backblaze’s Gleb Budman: “We’ve got more than 500,000 customers and 4 exabytes under management. The best part is watching creative teams focus on being creative instead of worrying about infrastructure.”

In general, what are you seeing in the M&E market today, and how is your company evolving to meet customer demands?
We’re seeing strong momentum around modern cloud-first workflows in media and entertainment. Our partnerships let creative teams break free from traditional walled-garden systems and embrace remote workflows that actually work. We’ve got more than 500,000 customers and 4 exabytes under management now, which is pretty wild to think about. The best part is watching creative teams focus on being creative instead of worrying about infrastructure. That’s what we’re here for.

NAB 2025 in April was a big show for you. What were some of the highlights?
NAB was fantastic this year. We hosted a bunch of partner showcases where we got to show off some amazing projects we’ve been working on with companies like Twelve Labs, on AI-driven semantic search, and Mimir, on helping teams work with reliable storage.

A big highlight was winning the NAB Show 2025 Product of the Year Award for our Scalable Application Keys in the Cloud Computing and Storage category. It’s a feature that’s helping organizations manage massive amounts of data while keeping it secure and accessible. It’s exciting to see our efforts making a real impact in the media-production space.

Can you provide a bit more detail on the Scalable Application Keys feature in Backblaze B2 cloud storage? As organizations manage more and more feeds from large networks of cameras and devices, how does this feature improve your offering for customers? And how does it reflect the evolution of the market and customer demands?
Companies are deploying cameras everywhere now, and they’re keeping footage longer than ever before. But managing access to all that data can be a real headache, especially with growing security concerns and changing rules around data use.

That’s where Scalable Application Keys comes in. You can now generate up to 10,000 unique access keys per minute. That means each camera, drone, or other device can get its own temporary, secure key, making it easier to manage access without sacrificing security. It’s one of those features that sounds technical, but it actually makes life way easier for the teams managing all this gear.

We’ve seen Backblaze launch new partnerships and alliances in an effort to better serve customers. Why did you opt for a joint go-to-market partnership with media company CHESA? What will this offering entail?
CHESA has been a great partner for years, so this was about doubling down on what’s already working. They know media workflows inside and out, and we know cloud storage. Put those together, and you get solutions that make sense for how media teams work.

Media workflows are pretty complex: you often need seamless collaboration, robust storage, and advanced systems integration working together. As content demands grow and technology evolves, media organizations need solutions that can scale, innovate, and empower teams to deliver faster and better content. We want to work with experts like CHESA to show our commitment to empowering media organizations with innovative, efficient, and secure solutions.

How does AI factor into your future roadmap? Tell us a bit about the recent PureNodal partnership and how it will help you accelerate AI at scale.
AI is the fastest-growing piece of our business. Our AI customer base grew 66% last quarter, and our data grew by 25 times. Backblaze is a great fit for AI use cases because we provide a high-performance, low-cost storage platform that supports the open cloud. You can use whatever GPU provider you want.

The PureNodal partnership is exciting because it combines our scalable foundation for AI and HPC workloads with their high-performance computing expertise. Together, we can unlock the full potential of AI by providing the flexibility to build with best-in-class tools and infrastructure.

Another big announcement was the release of Overdrive, your new high-performance cloud storage solution delivering terabit-speed throughput starting at just $15 per terabyte. How are you able to offer this kind of pricing, and why did it make sense to launch this new offering?
We’ve got a history of cost-leading innovation, but B2 Overdrive is a leap forward in achieving high performance at a fraction of the cost of hyperscalers. We’re not starting from zero — we can leverage our existing assets — and that’s how we can hit $15 per terabyte. Also, no egress fees and complex pricing tiers. There’s no room for surprise pricing in this world of AI, machine learning, and high-performance computing.

After a sprint to the public cloud in the early part of this decade, we’ve seen a bit of a retrenchment back to on-premises for many broadcasters, and it seems that hybrid models are now the norm. How has Backblaze reacted to this evolution, and how do you expect the cloud/on-premises/hybrid story to play out in the coming one or two years?
We’re seeing that, too. Most media companies are still predominantly hybrid. They want to mix and match based on what makes sense for each project. From live editing and postproduction to content delivery and much more, media teams can freely store their data without being locked into one vendor. Once again, this is where our free egress shines. You can move stuff between your on-prem setup and the cloud without worrying about getting slammed with fees.

Backblaze has grown and changed a lot since you co-founded the company in 2007. What are some of the biggest moves you’ve made during that time, and how have your offerings evolved? And, looking ahead, what are your primary goals for the next 12 months?
It has been an amazing experience. The biggest shift recently has been seeing AI companies become a huge part of our business: we have three AI companies among our top 10 customers, which would have been unthinkable a few years ago. Launching Overdrive was another big moment because it challenges this idea that you have to choose between performance and price. We’re proving you can have both.

Looking ahead, we’re excited about [a pair of] tools. Live Read lets media teams working on live events access, edit, and transform content as it’s being uploaded. Powered By, on the other hand, allows other platforms to integrate Backblaze B2 directly into their own services.



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How Global Gambling Trends Influence Local Conversations in Colorado

Like many US states, Colorado is experiencing a gambling shift. After years of total restrictions, locals can legally gamble on licensed sports betting and gaming platforms. This initial mitigation, together with tech changes and crypto expansion, ignited the growth of online casinos in the area. Another consequence is a massive discussion in the local gambling […]

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Like many US states, Colorado is experiencing a gambling shift. After years of total restrictions, locals can legally gamble on licensed sports betting and gaming platforms. This initial mitigation, together with tech changes and crypto expansion, ignited the growth of online casinos in the area. Another consequence is a massive discussion in the local gambling community. Let’s see what concerns Coloradans and track future gambling trends in the state and worldwide.

Colorado was under strict gambling restrictions for many years, although specific games of chance were allowed in the state. The legal services included some Bingo variations, charity games, and local raffles. The 2020 regulation lifted the sports betting ban, which was taken by many as a positive sign of further relaxations.

Today, locals can play at licensed casinos, regulated by the Colorado Division of Gaming, and they mainly choose native houses to place bets. However, the community has been influenced by recent trends in the industry. Coloradans can now explore the benefits and drawbacks of offshore online casinos, mobile betting platforms, social gaming providers, and more. So, there’s a big buzz about gambling in the state.

Tech growth is pushing the online casino market into more and more territories worldwide. A popular trend is international casino sites with advanced services and diverse betting options.

The popularisation of iGambling is especially noticeable in Asia. Its highly developed centres like Singapore, Macau, and Hong Kong are now joined by India, Bangladesh, and other countries. Although they tend to keep their gambling laws strict, online casinos, especially with decentralised banking, find their way to local players. Thanks to VPNs and easily accessible crypto payments, Asian players can bypass all the restrictions.

Another trend is the tangible growth of bookmakers in Europe. The European market is expected to welcome about 57 million sports bettors by 2029! Betting is booming due to cultural changes: Today’s youth actively use electronic gadgets and enjoy placing bets on sports competitions. The technology level allows for unprecedented convenience and diversity of interactive entertainment. Both features are the key demands of modern gamblers in Europe.

Which of these trends is provoking discussion in Colorado? Surely, most users keep their eye on the possibilities provided by online casinos outside Colorado’s traditional system. The next part reveals the most alluring options for the state.

Interest in British Platforms Not on GamStop

The GamStop programme launched in the UK provides players worldwide with a noteworthy experience. Many worry about the incidents when players can’t access legal casinos with UKGC licences after they join the system. However, users tend to join casinos not on GamStop, and this is a pretty workable alternative that interests international gamblers. While anticipating changes in the law, Coloradans are also getting involved in discussions about the topic.

Why It Matters in Northern Colorado

Today’s technological boom impacts Colorado, just like everywhere else. Its population is changing by adopting cutting-edge innovation. Younger users are going fully digital. They actively interact on social media and are fond of online entertainment trends. On the other hand, Coloradans have enough knowledge to benefit from such instruments as VPNs, crypto banking, and internationally offered services.

Local conversations are now centred around current gambling regulations in the area. Like other US states, Colorado is in the run-up to a more extended set of available casino services. Gamblers also want effective responsible gambling tools to prevent addiction. So, non-GamStop alternatives and international crypto portals are widely debated in Colorado these days, including interest in platforms like casino ohne OASIS, which offer fewer restrictions for verified users abroad.

Final Thought – Stay Informed, Stay Local

Technological progress and mainstream crypto payments make geographical, cultural, and legislative barriers fall. So, it’s natural for Colorado gamblers to explore global trends in gambling. They are searching for the most convenient casino options, even if they are outside the local area.

It’s important to stay in touch with the state’s gambling community to be aware of all introductions. This is also crucial for sharing experiences. It’s recommended that every user communicate with local organisations and individual gamblers. Thus, they’ll be able to compare their comforts and challenges related to the recent gambling trends.



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Guest opinion: Utah’s sky-high tech ambitions are a bet worth making | News, Sports, Jobs

Utah’s Silicon Slopes aren’t the next Silicon Valley. They represent something more distinctive — a canvas with the right values and just enough infrastructure to make it work. That makes it a rare thing in 2025: a state where forward-thinking policy converges with open opportunity. For founders, investors and builders wary of coastal groupthink and […]

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Utah’s Silicon Slopes aren’t the next Silicon Valley. They represent something more distinctive — a canvas with the right values and just enough infrastructure to make it work. That makes it a rare thing in 2025: a state where forward-thinking policy converges with open opportunity. For founders, investors and builders wary of coastal groupthink and compliance traps, Utah stands out as a compelling alternative between California and the Midwest.

Let’s be real, Utah’s not perfect. It doesn’t have a billion-dollar venture fund on every block. You won’t find the density of Stanford grads or the influencer-stacked coworking spaces of New York City. However, what it lacks in polish, it compensates for with something far more valuable: freedom to operate. When it comes to trying new things and innovating, Utah’s default setting is “yes.” There’s no innovation-killing tech tax, no local board micromanaging your product, and no state AI law designed to gut private industry. Instead, entrepreneurs encounter a rare environment — policymakers who actively want them to build.

That shows up everywhere. Utah’s new Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy works with a range of AI companies and has made significant progress in its first year toward advancing innovation in the state. Utah is one of the only places in the country with an office of this kind and a regulatory safe-haven to back it up — offering a safe space for companies to quickly test new tools without getting buried in lawsuits. Meanwhile, job postings seeking candidates with AI skills in Utah have surged over 250% in the past year, showing that the private sector is already responding.

And then there’s the many projects and startups already underway in the state. Through Project Alta, for example,Utah wants air taxis running between SLC and surrounding cities by 2034. Project Gigawatt, a public-private effort to build out nuclear energy that can power AI data centers sustainably through increased production of energy facilities. And let’s not forget the University of Utah’s new Stena Center for Financial Technology, building a talent pipeline for AI, financial technology and crypto industries. Utah isn’t talking about innovation — it’s putting it on the grid, in the air and in the classroom.

Utah’s fundamentals are solid — low taxes, affordable land and a business-friendly government that sees entrepreneurs as assets rather than enemies. This is a state that believes in personal responsibility, lean government and letting people experiment. That mindset is gold for anyone building something new. It’s why companies like Adobe, Qualtrics and Lucid have set up serious operations here — and why others are starting to follow.

Unlike other states, you won’t be the thousandth AI startup fighting for an overpriced co-working desk in Utah. You’ll be one of the first to bring your idea to a market that’s hungry, open and underserved.

Think of it like Austin in 2011, before investment capital flooded in and the traffic backed up. That’s where Utah is now, and it’s already got six-lane highways to handle traffic. The question is — who’s going to get here in time to catch the wave?

Devin McCormick is the tech and innovation policy analyst at the Libertas Institute.

Copyright © 2025 Ogden Newspapers of Utah, LLC | www.standard.net | 332 Standard Way, Ogden, UT 84404



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There are still 200+ Prime Day 2025 deals you can get

For day three of Prime Day, we’re keeping fresh deals and updates going in an updated post. This article will no longer receive updates. Original article follows below. It’s the second day of Amazon’s four-day Prime Day sale, and if you’ve held out on making impulse buys so you can make informed purchases, you’ve come […]

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For day three of Prime Day, we’re keeping fresh deals and updates going in an updated post. This article will no longer receive updates.

Original article follows below.

It’s the second day of Amazon’s four-day Prime Day sale, and if you’ve held out on making impulse buys so you can make informed purchases, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve collected the best deals we could find on everything from noise-canceling headphones and robot vacuums to the latest tablets and TVs, the bulk of which have been tried and tested by Verge writers and editors. We pbasut as much confidence in our budget-friendly battery picks as we do the pricier gaming monitors we’ve included.

Prime Day’s extended runtime this year is giving you more time to shop, though don’t wait for entirely new sets of deals to drop everyday. There’ll be some lightning deals and single-day discounts, which we’ll be sure to highlight, but the big benefit is avoiding disappointment from missing a deep discount because you slept on it. We’re delighted to see many gadget deals, including the $100 off deal on Apple’s AirPods 4 and the $50 Meta Quest 3S headset discount, are still available. We don’t expect to see them this heavily discounted again until Black Friday rolls around, and even then, these deals aren’t guaranteed to come back.

Tablet and e-reader deals

Soundbar and Bluetooth speaker deals

Verge favorites and other miscellaneous deals

Update, July 10th: Added several new deals, including those for Sony’s WH-1000XM6 headphones and the Onn Google TV 4K Pro.



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The Stack: How AI Is Driving Rapid Change in Business

This week’s column dives into Mary Meeker’s latest report, and also looks at how Road Runner Sports is elevating its customer experience This story is part of “The Stack,” a weekly column that takes a deep dive into the ways tech companies are shaping the future of fitness and wellness I was surprised to see an […]

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This week’s column dives into Mary Meeker’s latest report, and also looks at how Road Runner Sports is elevating its customer experience
This story is part of “The Stack,” a weekly column that takes a deep dive into the ways tech companies are shaping the future of fitness and wellness

I was surprised to see an email in my inbox about a new report from Bond, the venture capital firm based in San Francisco and founded by Mary Meeker. Following the link brought me to a massive 340-page report. It was like Christmas in July.

If you don’t know, Meeker is known as the “Queen of the Internet.” While at Morgan Stanley, Meeker and Chris DePuy published “The Internet Report,” which guided investors through the dot-com boom era and beyond. So, what does she and her co-authors of “Trends – Artificial Intelligence” have to say today? A lot.

The report covers everything from soup to nuts, and includes chapters on AI deployment, usage, costs, growth, the competitive landscape, capital expenditures and IRL uses such as at work.  

The report paints an AI landscape using numerous graphs and charts, mostly festooned with arrows that go up, but also with some bleak data points such as “monetization threats.”

One of the key takeaways of the report is the speed of change occurring.

“To say the world is changing at unprecedented rates is an understatement,” the report’s authors said. “Rapid and transformative technology innovation/adoption represent key underpinnings of these changes. As does leadership evolution for the global powers.”

The report noted the rise of Google, Alibaba and Facebook – each experiencing growth arcs that were relatively steady.

“Fast forward to today with the world’s organized, connected and accessible information being supercharged by artificial intelligence, accelerating computing power and semi-borderless capital … all driving massive change,” the authors of the report said. “Sport provides a good analogy for AI’s constant improvements. As athletes continue to wow us and break records, their talent is increasingly enhanced by better data/inputs/training. The same is true for businesses, where computers are ingesting massive datasets to get smarter and more competitive.”

Over time, the speed of change is only expected to increase, so hang on.

If you want to learn more, download the report here. 

The New Kid on the Block

The latest development in AI is “Agentic AI,” which is the spooky one that works autonomously with little human oversight. Instead, it runs on its own to reach specific goals. This form of AI joins the ranks of other powerful models, such as predictive and generative AI. In truth, Agentic AI is not so much spooky as it is advanced.

For the retail, hospitality and fitness industries, companies such as Profitmind are working with businesses to create an “intelligence layer” with Agentic AI that can assist in price optimization, performance analysis and inventory analysis. It can even be used in competitive and white space analysis.

SalesRevv dashboard shows a text message conversation
SalesRevv, a software platform for fitness brands, uses agentic AI in text messages (credit: SalesRevv)

In IBM’s latest “Global C-suite Series” report, analysts polled CEOs and looked at how Agentic AI can help businesses move from profitability to greater productivity. 

“Technology promises to help them make smarter, better decisions that drive growth and stakeholder value,” the report’s authors said. “AI agents, in particular, offer predictive capabilities that let teams see the impact of change before they lift a finger. This autonomous, adaptive and self-iterating technology is already dramatically changing how businesses operate.”

Business leaders are taking note. IBM’s survey of executives found that 61 percent of CEOs polled “say their organization is actively adopting AI agents and preparing to implement them at scale.”

Tying Everything Together

Road Runner Sports, the nationwide fitness retailer, recently teamed up with unified commerce solutions leader Aptos to implement the tech company’s modern, mobile-first Point of Sale (POS) platform, Aptos One. This strategic deployment, extending across Road Runner Sports’ 50-plus U.S. stores, aims to significantly enhance customer engagement and omnichannel capabilities.

Deploying Aptos One is in response to growing consumer demands for an overall better shopping experience, whether it is online, in a physical store or at a pop-up shop. Personalization and seamless experiences are key.

Aptos said the integration of Aptos One will seamlessly connect with Road Runner Sports’ existing Aptos SaaS applications, including Merchandising, Order Management System (OMS), Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Sales Audit. The company said this connectivity will enable highly personalized customer service, real-time inventory visibility and a unified experience across online and offline interactions.

San Diego-based Road Runner Sports is renowned for its diverse selection of athletic shoes, apparel and fitness devices. Their shoppers are fiercely loyal and expect a high level of personalization. The company’s commitment to inspiring active and healthy lifestyles is exemplified by its unique Fit Finder technology, which provides in-store and online customers with personalized shoe fittings, and its popular membership program, offering extended guarantees and exclusive benefits. 

“We’ve redefined the traditional shoe buying experience,” Tom Compogiannis, chief financial officer at Road Runner Sports, said in a statement. “Our interest in Aptos One stemmed from our continuous pursuit of elevating our customers’ journey.”

exterior of a Road Runner Sports store
credit: Arne Beruldsen/shutterstock.com

Beyond in-store enhancements, Compogiannis foresees significant opportunities for Aptos One to facilitate Road Runner Sports’ presence at external events such as pop-up shops, expos and gatherings.

“We want to interact with Road Runner Sports customers and potential customers wherever they are,” Compogiannis added. “As a cloud-native, mobile-first solution, Aptos One makes it easy to conduct selling activities just about anywhere.”

This capability allows store teams to engage with local communities, expanding customer acquisition and sales opportunities outside traditional store environments.”

Jeremy Grunzweig, general manager at Aptos, emphasized that Aptos One was developed in response to retailer feedback, combining robust enterprise-grade, omnichannel POS functionality with a mobile-first design.

For inquiries and tips related to “The Stack,” please reach out to [email protected]





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Fitness fanatics – you can’t miss this feature-packed Samsung smartwatch for only £39 on Prime Day

Having tested super expensive smartwatches alongside budget alternatives, I can tell you that price doesn’t always equate to quality. Sometimes, an incredibly budget-friendly smartwatch can defy its price tag, so that’s why I’m recommending the Samsung Galaxy Fit3 at Amazon for only £39 (was £69). The basic but impressive and feature-rich wearable has dropped to […]

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Having tested super expensive smartwatches alongside budget alternatives, I can tell you that price doesn’t always equate to quality. Sometimes, an incredibly budget-friendly smartwatch can defy its price tag, so that’s why I’m recommending the Samsung Galaxy Fit3 at Amazon for only £39 (was £69).

The basic but impressive and feature-rich wearable has dropped to an all-time low price for Amazon Prime Day. At a shade under £40, I can understand if you’re feeling tempted. because even I am too.

Today’s best Samsung Galaxy Fit3 deal

In our Samsung Galaxy Fit 3 review, we gave the budget wearable a commendable four out of five stars. The high praise is thanks to what hardware and features Samsung has managed to pack into such an affordable device.

We appreciate it’s unlikely to feature in our guide to the best smartwatches, but it can still be considered a capable smartwatch. With smart functionality, fitness tracking, and health monitoring, Samsung has covered all the bases.

Alongside health and fitness tracking, we have a lot of love for the 1.6-inch AMOLED display that looks and performs excellently. Use it to view your metrics, navigate directions, and keep track of your exercise.

If you’d like to explore more options, including premium alternatives, then our best smartwatches have you covered. There’s no better starting point if you’re trying to decide which is the best option for you. We also have a dedicated Apple Watch deals page.



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How automation is using the latest technology across various sectors

A majority of small businesses are using artificial intelligence and finding out it can save time and money. Artificial Intelligence and automation are often used interchangeably. While the technologies are similar, the concepts are different. Automation is often used to reduce human labor for routine or predictable tasks, while A.I. simulates human intelligence that can […]

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Artificial Intelligence and automation are often used interchangeably. While the technologies are similar, the concepts are different. Automation is often used to reduce human labor for routine or predictable tasks, while A.I. simulates human intelligence that can eventually act independently.

“Artificial intelligence is a way of making workers more productive, and whether or not that enhanced productivity leads to more jobs or less jobs really depends on a field-by-field basis,” said senior advisor Gregory Allen with the Wadhwani A.I. center at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. “Past examples of automation, such as agriculture, in the 1920s, roughly one out of every three workers in America worked on a farm. And there was about 100 million Americans then. Fast forward to today, and we have a country of more than 300 million people, but less than 1% of Americans do their work on a farm.”

A similar trend happened throughout the manufacturing sector. At the end of the year 2000, there were more than 17 million manufacturing workers according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics and the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. As of June, there are 12.7 million workers. Research from the University of Chicago found, while automation had little effect on overall employment, robots did impact the manufacturing sector. 

“Tractors made farmers vastly more productive, but that didn’t result in more farming jobs. It just resulted in much more productivity in agriculture,” Allen said.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE DRIVES DEMAND FOR ELECTRIC GRID UPDATE

AI rendering of pitcher throwing ball

Researchers are able to analyze the performance of Major League Baseball pitchers by using A.I. algorithms and stadium camera systems. (University of Waterloo / Fox News)

According to our Fox News Polling, just 3% of voters expressed fear over A.I.’s threat to jobs when asked about their first reaction to the technology without a listed set of responses. Overall, 43% gave negative reviews while 26% reacted positively.

Robots now are being trained to work alongside humans. Some have been built to help with household chores, address worker shortages in certain sectors and even participate in robotic sporting events.

The most recent data from the International Federation of Robotics found more than 4 million robots working in factories around the world in 2023. 70% of new robots deployed that year, began work alongside humans in Asia. Many of those now incorporate artificial intelligence to enhance productivity.

“We’re seeing a labor shortage actually in many industries, automotive, transportation and so on, where the older generation is going into retirement. The middle generation is not interested in those tasks anymore and the younger generation for sure wants to do other things,” Arnaud Robert with Hexagon Robotics Division told Reuters.

Hexagon is developing a robot called AEON. The humanoid is built to work in live industrial settings and has an A.I. driven system with special intelligence. Its wheels help it move four times faster than humans typically walk. The bot can also go up steps while mapping its surroundings with 22 sensors.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FUELS BIG TECH PARTNERSHIPS WITH NUCLEAR ENERGY PRODUCERS

gif of AI rendering of pitching throwing a ball

Researchers are able to create 3D models of pitchers, which athletes and trainers could study from multiple angles. (University of Waterloo)

“What you see with technology waves is that there is an adjustment that the economy has to make, but ultimately, it makes our economy more dynamic,” White House A.I. and Crypto Czar David Sacks said. “It increases the wealth of our economy and the size of our economy, and it ultimately improves productivity and wages.”

Driverless cars are also using A.I. to safely hit the road. Waymo uses detailed maps and real-time sensor data to determine its location at all times.

“The more they send these vehicles out with a bunch of sensors that are gathering data as they drive every additional mile, they’re creating more data for that training data set,” Allen said.

Even major league sports are using automation, and in some cases artificial intelligence. Researchers at the University of Waterloo in Canada are using A.I. algorithms and stadium camera systems to analyze Major League Baseball pitcher performance. The Baltimore Orioles joint-funded the project called Pitchernet, which could help improve form and prevent injuries. Using Hawk-Eye Innovations camera systems and smartphone video, researchers created 3D models of pitchers that athletes and trainers could study from multiple angles. Unlike most video, the models remove blurriness, giving a clearer view of the pitcher’s movements. Researchers are also exploring using the Pitchernet technology in batting and other sports like hockey and basketball.

ELON MUSK PREDICTS ROBOTS WILL OUTSHINE EVEN THE BEST SURGEONS WITHIN 5 YEARS

graphic overview of ptichernet system of baseball player's pitching skills

Overview of a PitcherNet System graphics analyzing a pitcher’s baseball throw. (University of Waterloo)

The same technology is also being used as part of testing for an Automated Ball-Strike System, or ABS. Triple-A minor league teams have been using the so-called robot umpires for the past few seasons. Teams tested both situations in which the technology called every pitch and when it was used as challenge system. Major League Baseball also began testing the challenge system in 13 of its spring training parks across Florida and Arizona this February and March.

Each team started a game with two challenges. The batter, pitcher and catcher were the only players who could contest a ball-strike call. Teams lost a challenge if the umpire’s original call was confirmed. The system allowed umpires to keep their jobs, while strike zone calls were slightly more accurate. According to MLB, just 2.6% of calls were challenged throughout spring training games that incorporated ABS. 52.2% of those challenges were overturned. Catchers had the highest success rate at 56%, followed by batters at 50% and pitchers at 41%.

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Triple-A announced last summer it would shift to a full challenge system. MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said in June, MLB could incorporate the automated system into its regular season as soon as 2026. The Athletic reports, major league teams would use the same challenge system from spring training, with human umpires still making the majority of the calls.

Many companies across other sectors agree that machines should not go unsupervised.

“I think that we should always ensure that AI remains under human control,” Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith said.  “One of first proposals we made early in 2023 was to insure that A.I., always has an off switch, that it has an emergency brake. Now that’s the way high-speed trains work. That’s the way the school buses, we put our children on, work. Let’s ensure that AI works this way as well.”



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