Category: Technology

Where is AI ​​going?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming an increasingly ubiquitous technology, and its influence in various fields is increasing rapidly. Experts predict that AI will be combined with various technologies to create seamless workflows, providing operational transparency and automation capabilities. Furthermore, language and vision analysis will be one of the most important applications of AI.

AI is expanding into a wide range of fields, and its impact on human interaction is growing rapidly. AI is expected to have a huge impact on healthcare systems, from diagnosis to epidemic prevention. In addition, AI can also play an important role in agricultural production, helping farmers decide when to plant and harvest.

Interestingly, the concept of AI has been around for centuries, and the idea of ​​automating reasoning and intelligence has been under exploration since ancient times. However, modern AI is done by digital computers and originated in 1956 with the pioneers of AI.

In short, AI is becoming an increasingly ubiquitous technology, and its influence in various fields, from health to agricultural production, is growing rapidly. AI is becoming a critical technology for automating workflows and improving operational transparency.

Advantages and disadvantages of cloud computing

What is cloud computing?

In general, cloud computing is a business technology benchmark that allows remote access to programs that store information and process data through the network. It also amplifies the execution possibilities of personal computers without the need to install additional applications.

Scalability, versatility and ubiquity are the main characteristics of cloud computing services. They have the capacity to adapt to the needs that the user requires at a certain moment, they allow the use of a wide range of resources according to their demands, they have a large storage capacity, they allow access to information from any place or device, be it a personal computer , smartphone, or any other mobile device.

The user of a cloud computing service can access it in three ways:

  • Public cloud: the cloud operator provides the infrastructure and the service is provided to all users, who pay only for the resources they consume.
  • Private cloud: the service is provided to a limited number of users using a private network, so that resources are not shared, they are Iaas products.
  • Hybrid cloud: the user simultaneously contracts the services offered by a public and a private cloud, using them according to their needs.
  • Multicloud: The information moves through several clouds, these are services that offer several simultaneous environments.

Cloud computing technology presents 3 dynamics:

  • Iaas – Infrastructure as a service: solution in which resources are not bought, they are rented, without losing total control of operations. In general, the user acquires and configures his programs, the supplier provides the physical support, and is in charge of its maintenance.
  • Saas – Software as a service: the user provides the software that is hosted on the provider’s servers, which is also responsible for hardware maintenance, storage, business management system and support.
  • Paas – Platform as a service: intermediate modality, which provides greater control over the cloud than in Saas, without reaching total dominance as in Iaas. The provider provides the platform and the applications run on it. It maintains scalability according to the situation that arises. Generally used by programmers.

What are the advantages of cloud?

  • It is scalable: at a fairly affordable cost, an SME can buy one license, while a multinational will buy 500 licences. And the two will share the same services.
  • We stop depending on our physical job. By having the data on the server, any computer, smartphone or cyber cafe will be set up in our office.
  • It saves on equipment, because we no longer have to worry about our equipment (whether or not it is obsolete) and when to change it. The supplier company will take care of this.
  • We also save in efficiency in crashes and backup copies, since the supplier companies are really equipped to deal with possible contingencies.
  • Quick implementation of software already tested by thousands of users on the planet.
  • Great ability to customize applications and their appearance.
  • Automatic updates that arise from the experience and use of millions of users and their requirements.

What are the disadvantages of cloud?

  • We depend on our supplier, that it has a good policy and preserves the data, although periodic backups can be made to the hard drive of our computer.
  • If our internet goes down, we’ll be in trouble! This is a clear disadvantage, but we can overcome this problem if we have devices that offer us an alternative means of connection, such as a Wi-Fi connection. There is also the possibility of working offline.
  • Vulnerability of the privacy of our data, although if we think about it, it already exists when we use gmail, yahoo, etc. Access with passwords and security sectors with https protocol reduce the danger.

The reason for the shortage of raw materials and its impact on the industrial sector

The high demand for equipment and installation materials, as a result of the return to normality after the pandemic, has left an uncertain outlook for manufacturers and suppliers in the sector, as the supply begins to decline, prices increase, and all as a result of the shortage of raw materials. A shortage of raw materials, semiconductors, electronic components, etc., which affects the entire value chain, from manufacturers to distribution, installers, as well as developers, maintenance and reform companies, etc.

The lack of electronic components, copper, steel, plastics, etc. It has already caused the partial stoppage of production of several automobile manufacturers, and is beginning to put stress on other auxiliary industries or manufacturers of original machinery -OEM-, by not having all the necessary elements to manufacture.

And the forecasts are not very positive, transferring the tension of the entire supply chain until the year 2022. A problem on a global scale that is already one of the great concerns of the sector. According to data from the Spanish Association of Cable, Electrical Conduit and Fiber Optic Manufacturers, FACEL, the price of PVC has already increased by 20%, copper by 18.5% and aluminum by 15.4%, in the first quarter of 2021.

The origin of all the problem is in the US and its economic incentive policies, and China, where the Asian giant already foresees a 7.5% growth of its economy, being also the largest consumer of raw materials, chips and semiconductors in the world. world. The large stockpiling that they have made of these components has generated shortages in the rest of the countries, and prices have risen since mid-2020. Fortunately, the Chinese government has recently decided to release its strategic reserves of copper, aluminum and zinc to deflate prices to world level. Although the collapse of seaports in Asia is also problematic, where delays in container shipments accumulate, and growing demand has tripled the cost compared to 2020.

The emergence of green technologies, such as the electric vehicle and its infrastructure, also has its influence. The demand forecasts for this green mobility will increase from 2 to 8 million in 2025. The impulse towards this electric mobility and the growing production of these vehicles, also stresses the availability of chips and metals such as copper, silver, platinum, which are vital raw materials for these sustainable vehicles.

Demand for semiconductors and chips will not stop growing

To all this is added teleworking, and the digitization of everything that surrounds us. This new trend as a result of the pandemic has catapulted the demand for consumer electronics, computers and all kinds of devices that facilitate work from home.

What started as a momentary mismatch between supply and demand has turned into a perfect storm, where demand is unstoppable, growing, the forecast was wrong, in contrast to a highly concentrated chip and semiconductor manufacturing industry (83% of the world production is concentrated in Taiwan and South Korea), as is that of metals. There are those who claim that chips have become as scarce and coveted as gold, unable to keep up with demand.

The demand for chips will not stop growing in the present and in the future. The reason? More and more products incorporate a chip. And with the arrival of 5G and the connectivity imposed by digitization, it will be a structural trend. Thermostats, light bulbs, cars, bicycles, refrigerators, etc … everything that surrounds us is / will be backed by an integrated circuit.