AI & Technology

At a recent event in the Missouri state capitol, Cisco Networking Academy commemorated its 20-year anniversary with 120 graduates of Missouri programs. This anniversary marks a major milestone for the internationally recognized education program, which was launched in 1997 to help educate a workforce skilled in STEM disciplines.

Join the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and U.S. Department of State for the eighth annual International Women’s Day Forum, “Partner With Purpose: Business for Gender Equality." Gather with the business community, civil society, and government representatives on March 6—7 in Washington, D.C. to advance women’s empowerment around the globe. This is the final week to register, so save your spot today!

Consider these three recent developments: California emerged from drought in April 2017, fewer companies reported impacts associated with water scarcity, and the average freshwater intensity of companies in the MSCI ACWI Index dropped by 15 percent between 2015 and 2016. While these are positive short term signals for investors concerned with water scarcity, 2017 was also the most costly in U.S. history for natural disasters.

JA Americas recently revealed the recipient of its 2017 Transforming Education Award: Scotiabank. Brent Currie, Scotiabank's Senior Vice President of Brand Management and Marketing Services, was presented with the award in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Domtar Corporation today announced improvements to its award-winning supply chain transparency tool, The Paper Trail® (www.domtarpapertrail.com), offering customers a deeper look into the company’s products and the people and places behind their manufacture.

Tetra Tech, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTEK) announced today that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has awarded the Company a $32 million, single-award contract to expand the delivery of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services in Uganda. Under the five-year Uganda Sanitation for Health Activity contract, Tetra Tech will provide technical services to increase household access to sanitation and water services and improve health through evidence-based behavior change campaigns in homes, schools, and health facilities.

It is evident that the emergence of technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT) has disrupted – or will soon disrupt – every sector and every business across the world. We’re seeing a digital transformation that is reshaping markets and transforming how people live and work. Although IoT technology is relatively young, there are countless deployments underway globally that are accelerating the path to economic growth and improved living conditions for millions.

Southwestern Pennsylvania entrepreneurs have two opportunities this year to compete for grants and technical assistance through UpPrize, a social innovation challenge sponsored by the BNY Mellon Foundation of Southwestern Pennsylvania and The Forbes Funds. In its third year of operation, UpPrize connects local entrepreneurs and innovators with the region's nonprofit community and the people they serve.

Some think of the technology as disruptive, but at its current level of maturity, AI is really more of a “foundational technology,” says Brian Tessier, vice president of global supply chain innovation at Schneider Electric. You could place it on the maturity curve near blockchain, he says.

Sustainability challenges grow more pressing by the day. Research shows that global temperatures are on track to increase by 2 degrees C by the end of the century — and some scientific models are predicting up to 6 degrees. Antea Group’s blog showcases 9 companies to watch in 2018 for their innovative efforts towards achieving sustainability.