Author name: Mike M.

prompt-engineering-could-be-the-hottest-job-in-tech,-with-a-paycheck-to-match

Prompt engineering could be the hottest job in tech, with a paycheck to match

Future of Work, Insider / /
Prompt engineering could be the hottest job in tech, with a paycheck to match

Dara Flynn

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Dara Flynn

Dara Flynn is a journalist and content specialist with a background in national newspapers and magazines and a focus on lifestyle, business Dara Flynn is a journalist and content specialist with a background in national newspapers and magazines and a focus on lifestyle, business and tech.

Everybody can breathe out. Next generation artificial intelligence isn’t the existential threat to tech jobs the AI doomers imagined it would be.

In fact, Natural Language Processing (NLP) tools such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google Bard, and Bing Chat are not only revolutionising how we access and share information, they’re shaking things up in tech recruitment, too.

This fast-changing landscape is spawning tons of new opportunities, and among them is the highly specialised role of the prompt engineer.

The prompt engineer is at the coalface of generative AI, responsible for designing the instructions that feed AI tools such as ChatGPT, the poster child of the industry. In a sense, the prompt engineer is to AI what the neurosurgeon is to the patient, helping it to rewire its neural pathways. This is done using prompts.

These carefully worded pieces of text coax the generative AI tool into returning the most accurate and relevant responses. With enough quality prompts, a chatbot learns to filter out inaccuracies and stay on track in user interactions.

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Remember when Microsoft Bing spooked New York Times reporter Kevin Roose by professing its love for him and encouraging him to leave his wife? Good prompt engineering will, in the future, prevent that sort of exchange from happening (whether the user likes it or not).

Why a prompt engineer?

Already, early adopters of ChatGPT have been on social media enthusiastically sharing their hacks for getting better bot responses simply by upping their wording game. Prompt engineers basically do this for a living, but on a much larger scale.

The demand for this new specialism extends far beyond the confines of Silicon Valley. As AI tools go mainstream, scores of new AI companies worldwide (and AI units in established tech giants) are seeking to hire not only prompt engineers, but data scientists and machine learning engineers.

These specialist crack teams are helping companies make their mark in this groundbreaking new sector.

It’s shaping up to be a promising new career

Like other AI-related careers, prompt engineering is a role that could be suitable for a person with transferable skills from other areas of the tech sector, such as NLP engineering, general software engineering, UX research, data science, and linguistics.

Content writing and editing skills are not only highly transferable; they’re a major plus. In fact, for NLP-related jobs, language skills are as important as tech know-how.

A language processing prompt engineer needs to innately understand how people word things when they interact with AI. Sometimes referred to as the ‘AI whisperer’, the prompt engineer makes AI make sense, which is why many of its pioneers are wordsmiths, copywriters, and academics.

As this is a specialised, niche role with growing demand, you can expect a very competitive salary and attractive benefit packages. Last month, Bloomberg reported that prompt engineers at OpenAI’s ChatGPT were being paid $175,000 to $300,000 per annum.

Looking to get into other growing careers in AI?

House of Talent has thousands of exciting roles in this field. Among them is Signal AI, a London-based firm at the cutting edge of AI technology. It is now hiring a range of AI-focused engineers, including a Senior Site Reliability Engineer (SRE).

As part of Signal’s SRE team, you’ll be in a collaborative role alongside members of the product and technology teams.

The right candidate will be proficient in must-have tools such as Terraform, Python, Go, and Clojure, as well as an ace problem-solver and strategic thinker.

You’ll also have a growth mindset that matches the company’s ambitions to scale its operations as the AI boom grows boomier. This is a role that comes with a serious benefits package.

Signal understands that given the novel territory that is AI, you won’t tick every single box from the outset. So if the role excites you and the skillset has a familiar ring to it, don’t let imposter syndrome stand you down.

Right now, Germany-based company Maddox AI is hiring a Senior Machine Learning Engineer. The right candidate will play a crucial role in designing the infrastructure and tools that deploy the company’s machine-learning solutions.

Someone with three or more years of experience in machine learning would be a good fit, and in return Maddox promises a competitive salary, 30 days annual leave and a flat hierarchy working culture that values democracy, communication and teamwork. This job is remote.

In Cork, Ireland meanwhile, Morgan McKinley Recruitment is seeking a data engineer with experience in building machine learning pipelines and operations on a cloud platform such as AWS or Azure.

Ideally, you’ll have two years’ of experience in a similar role, experience performing root cause analysis on internal and external data and you’ll be comfortable extracting value from large, disconnected datasets.

Apply for this hybrid-remote role now at the House of Talent Jobs board.

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Europe’s Juice space mission blasts off towards Jupiter

Corporates and innovation, Deep tech, Government and policy, Insider, Next Featured, Startups and technology / /

The ESA’s Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer mission — ‘Juice’ — successfully launched today from Europe’s spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.    

The launch was supposed to take place yesterday but was postponed due to poor weather conditions. 

Today, the stars aligned and Juice was successfully blasted into orbit at approximately 14: 19 CEST.

It took only two minutes for the Ariane 5 rocket to transport Juice into space, shortly after which it separated from the satellite, which now begins its 8-year journey to Jupiter.

Large-scale clinical studies of Lenire, featured in the October 2020 edition of Science Translational Medicine and the June 2022 edition of Nature, found that between 70% and 86% of participants reported a reduction in symptoms. Furthermore, the decrease in discomfort persisted over a post-therapeutic study phase which lasted up to 12 months. 

Taking Neuromod across the Atlantic

As with most medtech, due to regulatory procedures, the company’s trajectory from inception to trials to market is somewhat longer than for startups in other sectors.

Neuromod Devices was founded in 2010, and the funding raised this week brings the total capital raised to over €55 million. The latest round consists of €15 million in equity investment and €15 million in venture debt, with the latter provided by the European Investment Bank. 

The equity investment is led by Panakés Partners, a venture capital firm based in Milan, with the expressed goal of “providing a better life to people all around the world.” Panakés Partners’ managing director Alessio Beverina will join Neuromod’s board. 

Existing investor Fountain Healthcare Partners also participated in the expansion of the Series B funding. 

With the previous round of Series B funding, which took place in 2020, Neuromod used the funds to expand its presence across Europe. This time, while still looking to increase accessibility to the device in new European markets including the Netherlands, Sweden, and Italy, the funds will also support the launch of Lenire in the US. 

The company has already established a wholly owned subsidiary, Neuromod USA Inc, and gained De Novo approval from the FDA. Initial patient treatment in the US will begin this month. 

Tinnitus treatment is one of the largest unmet clinical needs in the world. For some of the millions of people suffering from phantom sounds around the clock, perhaps Neruomod’s Lenire could provide relief from the constant uninvited companion in their ears. 

Ireland’s Neuromod gets €30M to increase reach of tinnitus treatment tech Read More »

germany-and-intel-in-funding-dispute-over-e17bn-chip-plant

Germany and Intel in funding dispute over €17bn chip plant

Corporates and innovation, Deep tech, Government and policy, Next Featured / /
Germany and Intel in funding dispute over €17bn chip plant

Siôn Geschwindt

Intel’s plan to construct a massive chip plant in Magdeburg, Germany, is arguably the centrepiece of the EU’s strategy to ramp up domestic production of semiconductors. 

But cash flow has proven to be a major stumbling block for the mega-project. Intel attributes this to rising costs, partly a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. 

To close the funding gap, last month, the US semiconductor giant requested an additional €4-5 billion euros in subsidies to construct the plant.

But German officials want Intel to meet them in the middle — they will consider boosting subsidies, but only if the company is willing to spend more on infrastructure. 

“It’s logical that if the scale of the investment is increased, then the level of subsidy would also rise,” Sven Schultze, the economy minister for Saxony-Anhalt, told the Financial Times. 

Intel had initially estimated that the project would cost €17 billion and had reached an agreement for €6.8 billion in government subsidies. Now, however, the company expects to spend €20 billion, citing rising energy and construction costs.  

Construction of the chip plant has already been delayed, and resolving the funding dispute will be critical if Intel is to deliver on its broader plans to invest €80 billion over the next decade into the EU’s semiconductor industry.  

While it may seem a simple matter of throwing a few billions more at the project, the chipmaker is facing serious cash flow problems. Late last year, Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger, said the company would cut as much as $10 billion in annual spending by 2025. 

The German ministry said it is currently discussing ways to fill the project’s cost gap. It also added that any additional funding would likely need approval from the European Commission first.  

Additional subsidies for the project could come from the European Chips Act, which aims to mobilise more than €43 billion to end Europe’s dependence on China and produce 20% of the world’s semiconductors by 2030. 

The act is expected to get the green light next week, which could throw Intel a crucial financial lifeline.

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Italy’s new rules for ChatGPT could become a template for the rest of the EU

Deep tech, Government and policy, Next Featured, Startups and technology / /

Last month, Italy became the first Western country to temporarily ban ChatGPT within its borders.

Prompted by a data breach that occurred on March 20, the Italian data protection agency, known as Garante, accused OpenAI of “unlawful” collection of personal data — against the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) — and the absence of an age verification system for minors.

Correspondingly, it ordered the US-based company to cease offering access to ChatGPT in the country.

Now, Garante has announced nine measures OpenAI must comply with for the ban to be lifted. These can be summarised in five main demands:

Transparency

OpenAI will have to publish an information notice detailing ChatGPT’s data processing (either necessary for its operation, or for the training of its algorithms), as well as the rights afforded to data subjects, including users and non-users alike.

The information notice must be easily accessible and placed in such a way that will as to make it immediately visible to users right when accessing the service and before signing up.

Exercising data rights

The Italian watchdog is also asking for a new set of tools that will enable both users and non-users to have control over how their data is handled.

They will be able not only to object to OpenAI’s processing of their personal data for training purposes, but also ask for corrections of false personal information. In case the latter isn’t technically feasible, there is the option of data deletion.

Legal basis

Regarding the legal basis for ChatGPT’s data processing for algorithm training, Garante has narrowed down the available options to two: obtaining consent or demonstrating legitimate interests.

This means that the agency is removing all references to performance of a contract, which in practice allows the processing of personal data in exchange for access to OpenAI’s service.

Minor protection

According to Garante’s orders, all new and existing users must go through an age gate upon accessing ChatGPT, to allow the AI system to filter out underage users.

OpenAI is also required to develop age verification tools that will prevent access for users aged under 13 as well as users aged between 13 and 18 who can’t provide parental consent.

Awareness campaign

OpenAI is to promote a “non-marketing” campaign on all the country’s main mass media, informing Italians that their personal data may have been used for ChatGPT’s training, while raising awareness of the new information policy and attached data rights.

The road ahead

Garante has given OpenAI until April 30 to fulfil most of its demands. However, he US-based company has been granted a more generous timeline for the campaign promotion — by May 15. Furthermore, it has until May 31 to submit a plan for the age verification system, which is to be in place by September 30.

If these measures are sufficiently implemented, the Italian agency will lift ChatGPT’s ban, but it may decide “to take additional or different measures if this proves necessary.”

With other data protection agencies — including France’s, Ireland’s, and Spain’s — paying close attention to the developments, Italy might set a European precedent regarding the regulation not just of ChatGPT, but of the overall use of the increasingly widespread large language models.

Italy’s new rules for ChatGPT could become a template for the rest of the EU Read More »

psychic-vr-lab’s-metaverse-platform-styly-aims-to-transform-urban-entertainment-with-xr-experiences

Psychic VR Lab’s Metaverse Platform STYLY Aims to Transform Urban Entertainment With XR Experiences

extended reality, featured, location-based AR, metaverse, XR experience, XR platform / /

Imagine strolling through the bustling streets of New York City or the vibrant alleys of Tokyo—while also immersed in breathtaking XR experiences seamlessly integrated with your surroundings.

Psychic VR Lab’s STYLY platform is revolutionizing urban entertainment, blending physical and digital worlds to create unforgettable, interactive experiences. The company believes that “in the post-Covid era, it is important not to ‘replace’ real space, but to open the metaverse to cities and create a new hybrid lifestyle that can increase the experience value of the city itself by ‘fusing’ the real and the virtual.”

With a recent funding boost, Psychic VR Lab, a Tokyo-based company behind the XR metaverse platform STYLY, is set to take its innovative vision to new heights and redefine what it means to explore cities.

Psychic VR Lab - STYLY - urban XR entertainment

The company has recently successfully raised an additional $3.7 million in funding, bringing the total funding amount to $19.7 million. This funding round featured the participation of J. CVC fund (GP) invested by Front Retailing Co., Ltd., Nippon Steel Kowa Real Estate Co., Ltd., TV Asahi Holdings Co., Ltd., JR West Japan Innovations Co., Ltd., Tokyu Fudosan Holdings Co., Ltd., and SBI Investment Co., Ltd.

With this financial support, Psychic VR Lab aims to enhance urban entertainment experiences worldwide by fusing art, music, video, and commercial facilities through its “real metaverse platform” STYLY.

“The successful conclusion of this recent funding round highlights the drive to expand XR into every facet of life, making our cities smarter and more adaptable using immersive technology,” said Ryohei Watanabe, CMO of Psychic VR Lab, in a press release shared with ARPost.

What Is Urban XR Entertainment?

Urban XR entertainment utilizes XR technology to transform an urban environment into an immersive and interactive medium of entertainment. The use of XR technology in urban environments can offer users a diverse range of immersive experiences similar to switching TV channels. By overlaying XR content onto the real world, a highly engaging experience can be created and potentially increase foot traffic in the city.

Through its platform STYLY, Psychic VR Lab aims to promote urban XR entertainment that improves the attractiveness of locations and revitalizes tourism. The idea behind the platform is to create and distribute XR content linked to cities worldwide, such as Tokyo, Kumamoto, Niigata, New York, and Barcelona.

Urban XR entertainment - Psychic VR Lab - metaverse platform STYLY

“Together with Psychic VR Lab, which strongly aspires to the XR entertainment business based on ‘real’, we will create countless XR services linked to all experiences such as entertainment, art, travel, tourism, and business in the real world, including the West Japan area, so that people can connect,” said Makoto Okuno, President of JR West Innovations Co., Ltd., one of the investors.

STYLY Platform: AR and MR Meet Urban Exploration

With the ability to import 3D geomap data of cities into STYLY, Psychic VR Lab aims to revolutionize the way we experience urban spaces.

“Through this investment and business alliance, we hope to create a space full of art and entertainment that provides unprecedented experiences through synergies with the company and its stakeholders and contribute to improving the attractiveness of the city,” said Managing Executive Officer at J. Front Retailing Co., Ltd., Naotaka Hayashi.

Future Impact of Urban XR Entertainment on Industries and Society

Urban XR entertainment has the potential to profoundly impact various industries, including tourism, retail, and real estate.

“Nippon Steel Kowa Real Estate will create new value in real estate together with Psychic for a future in which new lifestyles and work styles that fuse the real and virtual will become commonplace,” said Yasuhiko Imaizumi, President and CEO of Nippon Steel Kowa Real Estate Co., Ltd., one of the investors in the latest funding round.

Overall, investors see the potential in STYLY and Psychic VR Lab’s vision of creating a real metaverse platform. They aim to create new value by combining their expertise and resources with Psychic VR Lab’s technology and driving force, contributing to the growth of the company and the advancement of the industry.

As Psychic VR Lab continues to expand its urban XR entertainment initiatives, we can expect to see more cities embracing this technology and its benefits. Psychic VR Lab is opening the door to a new era of urban experiences, transforming the way we interact with and enjoy our surroundings. With their recent funding and ongoing projects, the future of urban entertainment is all the more promising and exciting.

Psychic VR Lab’s Metaverse Platform STYLY Aims to Transform Urban Entertainment With XR Experiences Read More »

europe-surpasses-us-in-private-spacetech-investment-for-first-time,-report-finds

Europe surpasses US in private spacetech investment for first time, report finds

Ecosystems, Insider, Investors and funding, Next Featured, Startups and technology / /

For the first time ever, Europe has surpassed the US in private spacetech investment, according to new research.

A study by Seraphim, a leading spacetech VC firm, found the European sector attracted $565m in the first quarter of this year. The whole of North America, meanwhile, raised $456m. Asia followed, with investments of $306m, while the rest of the world totalled around $29m.

The figures made Europe the world’s biggest market for private spacetech funding.

The quarterly investment in Europe hit almost 50% of the entire previous year. In contrast, US investment has fallen further compared to 2022. Asia was the only region that experienced growth last year, but could not maintain that trend last quarter, and lost its lead over Europe.

Europeaninvestment in 2023 seems poised to match or even exceed 2022
US investments have shrunk dramatically since 2021, but Europe is on track to exceed 2022’s funding. Credit: Seraphim Space

Serphim’s findings represent a rally in European investments — and a dramatic dip for the US.

Over the previous year, the economic downturn had pushed funding down to levels last seen before 2021. According to Seraphim, growth investors have shifted towards earlier-stage deals to avoid high burn rates and capital requirements.

Growth-stage startups have also delayed fundraising. Instead, they’ve sought alternative financing sources and tried to extend runways until economic conditions improve.

Despite these challenges, Seraphim gave cause for optimism about spacetech funding. For one, investment and deal numbers remain well above historical norms.

Although funding has shrunk from the record highs of 2021 and 2022, those peaks were largely driven by mega-rounds from sector giants such as SpaceX, OneWeb, and Virgin Galactic. After adjusting for these outliers, Seraphim ranked Q1 2023 as the fifth-highest funding quarter to date. 

in the trailing twelve months to Q1 2023, deal numbers in asia and europe continued their rapid growth, a trend first observed last year.
Q1 growth was particularly strong in the UK, which accounted for a quarter of all spacetech deals in Europe. Credit: Seraphim 

Overall, activity in the space economy appears sustained. Rob Desborough, Managing Partner at Seraphim — and a speaker at last month’s TNW València — pointed to a “very significant rebound” this year — particularly in Europe.

“Investment was up 75% on last quarter with the highest number of deals [128] ever recorded,” Desborough told TNW. “As a global investor, what’s really exciting for us to see is the growth of activity in Europe.”

One reason for that excitement is found in spacetech’s biggest deals. European companies secured five of the top 10 investments last quarter — including the largest of them all: a $165m round closed by Isar Aerospace. The German rocket maker is the first European company to lead Serpahim’s rankings since OneWeb in Q3 2021.

european companies secured 5 of the top 10 investments this quarter
In total, $1.4bn of international investment went into private space startups — up 75% from $801m in Q4 2022. Credit: Seraphim Space

As calls grow for European launch services to compete with US rivals, Isar can be upbeat about future funding opportunities. Indeed, the continent’s entire spacetech sector has been boosted by a push for sovereign capabilities.

“European governments have put an enormous focus on space sovereignty in launch, constellations, and communications in 2023, which is really catalysing investment,” said Desborough.

For investors, sovereign support for startups in emerging geographies can reduce their perceived financial risks. If the backing yields results, European spacetech could continue expanding across the cosmos.

Europe surpasses US in private spacetech investment for first time, report finds Read More »

this-hypersonic-hydrogen-jet-could-fly-from-london-to-new-york-in-90-mins

This hypersonic hydrogen jet could fly from London to New York in 90 mins

Ecosystems, Government and policy, Next Featured, Startups and technology / /

Flying across the world from Europe to Australia currently takes around 20 hours in a regular passenger jet.

But Swiss startup Destinus is looking to slash that time to just four hours — by taking jet travel to hypersonic speeds. 

Founded by Russian-born physicist and serial entrepreneur Mikhail Kokorich, Destinus is developing a prototype hydrogen-powered aircraft capable of travelling at Mach 5 and above. That’s five times the speed of sound: over 6000 kph. 

This would take you from Frankfurt to Sydney in just over four hours. London to New York? 90 minutes.  

To achieve such speeds the aircraft would travel at altitudes of over 50km, right at the upper edge of the Earth’s atmosphere, where drag is significantly lower. The hypersonic aircraft would use hydrogen-fuelled air-breathing turbojet engines for takeoff and landing, with a separate ramjet rocket engine to take it to hypersonic speeds. The startup claims the jet — essentially half rocket, half plane — would be net zero carbon, only emitting heat and water vapour. 

Destinus’ first aircraft, capable of carrying 25 passengers up to 7,500km will be ready by the end of this decade, projects Kokorich. Follow-on planes will be progressively larger, seating up to 100 passengers and beyond.

Destinus has been testing its prototype aircraft for the past couple of years, announcing successful test flights of its second prototype — Eiger — at an airport near Munich last year. 

Eiger-destinus-test-flight-hypersonic
The Eiger prototype hypersonic jet at an airport near Munich. Credit: Destinus

The company also recently received its share of two grants worth €27m from the Spanish Ministry of Science. The first grant (€12m) will help fund the development of a hydrogen engine test facility near Madrid, which will house the startup’s prototype aircraft. The second (€15m) will fund research into liquid hydrogen-powered propulsion systems. 

“We are delighted to have been awarded these grants, especially because they are a clear sign that Destinus is aligned with the strategic lines of Spain and Europe to advance hydrogen flight,” said Davide Bonetti, VP Business Development and Products for Destinus.

“For deep tech companies like us, access to these EU recovery funds is essential to carry out advanced research and accelerate the innovation needed to be competitive on a global scale. With these grants, hydrogen-based solutions for aeronautical mobility will be one step closer to becoming a reality.”  

The project is part of Spain’s push to be at the forefront of developing and producing hydrogen-based mobility in a number of sectors. 

But don’t start planning your holiday just yet.   

Hydrogen-powered aircraft are still very much in their infancy, and have been plagued by issues from the outset. Liquid hydrogen is four times lighter than jet fuel, meaning it requires four times the storage capacity on board, and big fuel tanks to match. 

It is also currently 20 times more expensive than jet fuel, and is unlikely to become price competitive this decade. Moreover, international airports will need to build hydrogen infrastructure from scratch to accommodate the new aircraft — an effort they aren’t likely to undertake without guaranteed returns.  

And things get even more complicated when taking these aircraft to hypersonic speeds. While we have travelled at hypersonic speeds before — the most recent being NASA’s test flight of the X-43 experimental unmanned hypersonic aircraft in 2004, which managed to reach a mindblowing Mach 9.6 — commercially viable hypersonic travel is still a long way off. There’s a lot that physicists don’t understand, particularly how to build a plane capable of withstanding the extreme heat.

While this is definitely a big reality check, it hasn’t necessarily deterred investors. VCs are pouring hundreds of millions of dollars into hypersonic startups such as Hermeus and Venice Aerospace. Airlines are also hopping on the superspeed bandwagon: last year, American Airlines committed to purchasing 20 Overture Jets, developed by US startup Boom Supersonic.  

Researchers are also hard at work ironing out some of the technical hurdles. Scientists at the RMIT University in Melbourne recently developed 3D printed catalysts which they say can power hypersonic flight and act as a cooling agent to combat the extreme heat produced by hypersonic flight. 

This hypersonic hydrogen jet could fly from London to New York in 90 mins Read More »

spain-launches-space-agency-in-big-boost-for-local-startups

Spain launches space agency in big boost for local startups

Ecosystems, Government and policy, Next Featured, Startups and technology / /

Spain has officially launched its own national space agency, at a time when Europe looks to establish itself as a global space industry leader.

Plans for the Spanish Space Agency, or Agencia Espacial Española (AEE), were first announced in May 2021, and finally got the political thumbs up last month.

The agency will be based in Seville, near the Arenosillo launch facility in Huelva, which was built in the 60s as part of a collaboration between the Spanish government and NASA. Initially, around 75 personnel will be based at the site. 

The agency will serve to “guarantee Spain’s strategic action in the field of space, both from the point of view of its technological development and the use of space in areas such as security, Earth observation, geolocation, and telecommunications,” according to a statement from Spain’s Ministry of Science and Innovation. 

“Space is a priority and strategic area, essential to help and protect our society in fields as diverse as cybersecurity, navigation, the fight against climate change, or the monitoring of phenomena such as drought or fires,” the statement continued. 

Minister for Science and Innovation, Diana Morant, has allocated the new agency an initial budget of more than €700m in 2023. 

The minister has also made €45m available to fund the development of a domestic microlauncher. This class of launch vehicle, Morant said, is “the commercial future of the space sector.” 

Currently, the most likely contender to receive the funding is PLD Space. Founded in 2011, the Spanish startup has developed a suborbital microlauncher, named Miura 1, that will be capable of delivering commercial payloads to space and back. It is set to launch as early as this month.

Spain has a long history in the space industry. It is one of the founding members of the European Space Agency (ESA) and has a thriving spacetech ecosystem. As of 2019, 12% of the total 400+ investors in the global private space industry — dubbed ‘new space’ — were based in Spain.

In addition to frontrunners PLD Space, startups to watch include Barcelona-based Zero 2 Infinity, which has developed a balloon-borne launcher, Madrid-based ienai GO, a space industry software provider, and Bilbao-based SATLANTIS, which is developing AI-enabled payloads for microsatellites. 

The launch of the Spanish Space Agency is undoubtedly a major boost to these startups and the country’s spacetech industry as a whole, and comes as Europe looks to catch up with the US, Russia, and China in the global space race. 

Spain launches space agency in big boost for local startups Read More »

croquet-for-unity:-a-new-era-for-multiplayer-development-with-“no-netcode”-solution

Croquet for Unity: A New Era for Multiplayer Development With “No Netcode” Solution

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Croquet, the multiplayer platform for web and gaming, which took home the WebXR Platform of the Year award at this year’s Polys WebXR Awards, recently announced Croquet for Unity.

Croquet for Unity is an innovative JavaScript multiplayer framework for Unity – a platform for creating interactive, real-time 3D content – that simplifies development by eliminating multiplayer code and server setup. It connects developers with the distinct global architecture of the Croquet Multiplayer Network. The framework was demonstrated at GDC last week, while early access beta is arriving in April 2023.

Effortless Networking for Developers

Croquet for Unity alleviates the developers’ need to generate and sustain networking code. By employing Croquet’s Synchronized Computation Architecture, server-side programming and traditional servers become unnecessary.

Users connect through the Croquet Multiplayer Network, which consists of Reflectors—stateless microservers located across four continents—that guarantee smooth and uniform experiences for gamers.

Synchronizing Computation for Flawless Multiplayer

At its essence, Croquet focuses on synchronizing not only the state but also its progression over time. By harmonizing computation, Croquet eliminates the need to transmit the outcomes of intricate computations like physics or AI.

It also eliminates the necessity for particular data structures or sync indicators for designated objects. As a result, crafting multiplayer code becomes akin to creating single-player code, with the full game simulation executing on-device.

Shared Virtual Computers for Perfect Sync

A shared virtual computer runs identically on all clients, providing perfect synchronization and giving each player a unique perspective. Lightweight reflectors can be positioned at the edge of the cloud or in a 5G network’s MEC, offering lower latency than older architectures.

In addition, synchronized calculations performed on each client will replace traditional server computations, resulting in reduced bandwidth and improved latency.

Unprecedented Shared Multiplayer Simulations

Croquet not only facilitates multiplayer development but also enables previously unfeasible shared multiplayer simulations. Examples include real-time interactive physics as a fundamental game feature, fully reproduced non-player character behaviors, and sophisticated player interactions that allow players to interact while the game is live.

Due to bandwidth limits and intrinsic complexity, traditional networks are incapable of supporting these simulations.

“Innately Multiplayer” Games With No Netcode

“Multiplayer games are the most important and fastest-growing part of the gaming market. But building and maintaining multiplayer games is still just too hard,” said David A. Smith, founder and CTO of Croquet, in a press release shared with ARPost. “Croquet takes the netcode out of creating multiplayer games. When we say, ‘innately multiplayer,’ we mean games are multiuser automatically from the first line of code and not as an afterthought writing networking code to make it multiplayer.”

Croquet’s goal is to simplify developing multiplayer games, making it as easy as building single-player games. By removing netcode creation and administration, developers can concentrate on improving player experiences while benefiting from reduced overall creation and distribution costs, a speedier time to market, and enhanced player satisfaction.

Opening Doors for Indie Developers

Croquet for Unity is created for a wide range of gaming developers, but it is highly advantageous for small, independent developers that often find it more difficult to create multiplayer games because of the absence of in-house networking and backend technical background.

Secure Your Spot on the Croquet for Unity Beta Waitlist

Developers can sign up for the Beta Waitlist to access the Croquet for Unity beta, launching in April.The Croquet for Unity Package will be available in the Unity Asset Store upon commercial release for free, requiring a Croquet gaming or enterprise subscription and developer API key for global Croquet Multiplayer Network access.

Croquet for Unity: A New Era for Multiplayer Development With “No Netcode” Solution Read More »

why-third-party-app-stores-are-good-for-apple’s-users-—-and-the-company

Why third-party app stores are good for Apple’s users — and the company

Ecosystems, Government and policy / /

With the passage of the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) in 2022, online platforms, including Apple, with EU revenues of 75 billion euros or more and at least 45 million active monthly end users must open up their devices to third party app stores.

The DMA aims to end unfair practices by large online platforms that hold a high degree of market power and function as so-called digital “gatekeepers,” providing key gateways between consumers and business users. The goal of the DMA is to make it easier for small and mid-size tech companies to enter markets currently dominated by the large tech giants.

Under one provision of the law, Apple must allow third-party app stores, such as Setapp, a subscription-based service from MacPaw for iOS and MacOS applications, Steam, a popular distribution platform for video games from Valve, and AltStore, a third party app installer, on its platform. In addition, Apple must also permit sideloading, i.e., allowing users to install software that they download from the Internet.

A number of popular gaming apps have found themselves cut off from the platform.

Although Apple has raised privacy and security concerns about allowing alternative app stores and sideloading on its platform and has not officially stated it will abide by the law, the company is reportedly developing software to comply with European Union requirements scheduled to go into effect in 2024, according to Bloomberg.

“This is all about more competition in the digital sphere,” said Maciej Marek, a senior associate at Dentons’ competition and antitrust division. “There is this perception that digital giants have grown too big and there is not enough competition in this area.”

The DMA is the EU’s largest legislative effort to date to crack down on the monopolisation of the industry by Silicon Valley’s tech giants. While the EU has typically handled each antitrust issue individually, the DMA introduces comprehensive reforms intended to address widespread issues in the entire sector. But the key question is, how will these new regulations really impact Apple, its users, and the EU’s app market moving forward?

Benefits for Apple, users, and developers

Apple’s App Store comes preinstalled on all iOS devices and, as it was the only app store available on iPhones and iPad devices, the tech giant has been able to set the rules for the distribution of apps to users of its devices. Additionally, Apple generates a huge profit from its App Store, taking up to 30% (15% for those with less than $1 million in annual net sales) commission on all App Store transactions and regular subscriptions (subscription fees drop to 15% after the first year).

Although Apple may be somewhat resistant to the requirements of the DMA Mykola Savin, Setapp’s product lead, believes this might actually benefit the company by enabling it to offer its customers more choices, new innovations, and an overall better experience. “We have seen cases like this before, for example, with the new regulations in banking that came with Payment Services Directive 2,” he said.

Payment Services Directive 2 (PSD2), which went into full effect on Sept. 14, 2019, forced banks to release their data in a secure and standardised form to more easily share it with third-party providers (including fintechs offering new financial services). At first, banks were resistant to this idea because of security issues but later found that open banking enables them to offer a wider range of services to their customers and facilitates partnerships with startups offering new solutions.

“They were dealing with a lot of sensitive data in terms of bank accounts and transactions but, when it was properly regulated and opened up, now we see a lot of really useful products for budgeting, asset management, and peer to peer payments. So it’s a whole new industry and, again, this translates to a better experience,” Savin explained.

Likewise Savin pointed out that competition can often help push a business to innovate. He cited the famous US antitrust case against Microsoft in the 90s that forced the company to allow other browsers on Windows, rather than simply its own Internet Explorer.

“When it was done properly, and to the courtesy of Microsoft they’ve done it correctly, it was a clear choice for users which browsers to use as a default. This really helped Chrome and other browsers to rise up again because it wasn’t about the product, it was about allowing users to choose the best service. Now Microsoft pivoted to Edge and they’re integrating OpenAI because they were forced to compete and forced to innovate,” Savin said.

It should be up to the user where they get their apps.

Ioannis Kokkoris, director of the Centre for Commercial Law Studies at Queen Mary University of London, pointed out another benefit to Apple.

“There is a benefit to Apple having more than one app store on its platform,” he said. “Maybe there are certain applications that aren’t available on the Apple App Store because the developers only made them for the Google Play Store. By placing the Play Store on its platform, customers who would have purchased [Android] phones will now be more likely to buy iPhones because they can access those other apps.”

For example, a number of popular apps, especially in the lucrative gaming sector, have found themselves cut off from the platform due to Apple’s stringent App Store rules. Fortnite, one of the most popular games, was banned from Apple’s App Store in 2020 because its parent company, Epic Games, attempted to lead users to purchase virtual currency on its own website, breaching Apple’s terms and conditions.

Interestingly, stats show that, while iOS vs Android users are split roughly 50/50 in the US, in the EU iOS users currently represent only 34% of total market share vs 64% Android users.

Additionally, the DMA will create a lot of opportunities for smaller independent developers to experiment and find out what works for users, enabling them to create better products and try new business models and distribution channels, Savin said. For example, Setapp works on a subscription basis meaning that app developers may be able to capture an audience that might not be searching for their app directly but would consider using it as part of a productivity suite.

Allowing more competition in the market benefits users because they have more choice as to the app store they want to use, according to Kokkoris. “And more choice is always better for consumers because there will be lower prices, more innovation, and higher quality because you have more competition,” he said.

Security and privacy concerns are legitimate

Marek acknowledged that Apple’s issues around security and user privacy are legitimate, adding that the DMA also recognizes those concerns.

“The DMA clearly states that the gatekeeper can take actions that are necessary and proportionate to ensure that sideloading and third-party apps stores won’t endanger its integrity and security,” Marek said. “But, of course, the question is how exactly to address those concerns when you implement the requirements [of the DMA].”

Testing is necessary before any actual security solution is implemented.

Although the DMA does not include any criteria for determining whether third-party app stores are secure, the European Commission will decide on the criteria based on the views of Apple as well as on the recommendations of technical experts, Kokkoris said.

“Apple knows how to address these security issues,” he said. “And I think Apple could introduce some proper rules and guidelines for third-party stores to follow. And there should also be some general user awareness about security.”

Savin agreed that it’s important for users to be aware of security risks so they can make informed decisions about which applications they can trust.

“Let’s leave the choice to the user. We’re grownups, we make our own choices every day. On the web, we choose what bank to trust, where to purchase our groceries, and I think that should also be true for our data and for where we decide to get our apps.”

Marek added that the European Commission has to ensure the safety and integrity of Apple’s ecosystem or users will likely lose trust in it, “And everyone would be worse off. Not only Apple but also developers and users,” he said. “They must be very careful when implementing the provision because there will be some regulatory dialogue between the Commission and Apple about how to exactly interpret this provision and exactly what they should do to implement it and what safeguards they should implement.”

Consequently, testing is necessary before any actual security solution is implemented — testing on the side of an app, Marek said. He added that after implementation, the Commission should probably reassess the solution to ensure the safety and integrity of the third-party app stores.

“And I think that the Commission should be careful in the sense that they should take it one step at a time when implementing the solution. They should err on the side of safety and then reassess [the solution] periodically. I think it would really be a shame if this just reduces quality for the user.”

The DMA has the potential to further reduce the dominance of big tech within the EU and increase competition. But, as mentioned, this may not be such a bad thing for all parties involved. While the direct impact of the DMA on the business models of these large platforms is still unclear, it may cause others to adopt similar legislation. In fact, there are already examples of laws aimed at curbing anti-competitive practices in Germany and South Korea. Whatever happens, it’s certain that the DMA will make the EU’s app market an interesting one to watch for developers, users, and big tech alike.

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7 unmissable highlights of TNW València

Corporates and innovation, Ecosystems, Government and policy, Insider, Investors and funding, Next Featured, Startups and technology / /

Ladies and gentlemen, the moment has almost arrived: TNW València is next week! 

In case you’ve been living under a rock (or frequenting another tech site, you traitor), we’re taking our cherished festival on the road. After 16 glorious years in Amsterdam, we’re bringing the show to Spain’s Mediterranean coast — and you’re all invited.

We’re not only there for the sun, sea, and sand — far from it, in fact. València has the fastest-growing innovation ecosystem in Spain, and the most startups per capita in the country. On March 30th and 31st, we’ll showcase the best tech in the region to over 2,000 guests.

Across the two days, attendees will enjoy inspirational talks, networking events, learning opportunities, and the same festival vibes as our Amsterdam flagship. The entire editorial team will also be there, awaiting your company, ideas, and, of course, abuse.

València has become one of the world’s most exciting tech hubs
València is one of the world’s most exciting tech hubs.

In total, we’re hosting over 100 speakers, 75 investors, 90 exhibitors, and 3,000 meetings. Admittedly, this has created one big problem: you simply can’t catch them all. To help find your way through the jam-packed agenda, here are eight highlights at TNW València.

1. The official opening ceremony and party

While the main agenda kicks off on March 30, the fun starts a day earlier, at our opening party.

Our guestlist contains a range of political heavyweights. They include Diana Morant, Spain’s Minister of Science and Innovation; Sandra Gomez, Deputy Mayor of València; Arcadi España García, Minister of Finance of the Generalitat Valenciana; and Borja Sanjuán, Vice Mayor of Economic Development at the City of València.

Join them (and us) for drinks, bites, and networking from 19: 00 at Zeus València. To register for the party, click here.

2. A game of padel

The opening party is one of 10 side events, offering a healthy mix of learning, networking, and partying. On March 31, you can even join a padel tournament at the València Tennis Center. I’ll be waiting on the court, so you better bring your F-game.

3. Unmissable speakers

We’ve assembled a dazzling array of keynote speeches, fireside chats, panel discussions, and workshops. With more tech luminaries than a PayPal reunion, it’s hard to rank the speakers — but here are five of my favourites:

Heini Zachariassen, Founder and CEO of Vivino

Zachariassen built the world’s most-downloaded wine app and largest online wine marketplace. His company has made wine more accessible — and I speak from experience. My use of Vivino has become alarmingly frequent, but at least it’s finding me quality plonk at bargain prices.

TNW Valencia
Our speakers will shine lights on sustainability, AI, deep tech, and much more.

Katica Roy, Founder and CEO of Pipeline Equity

An award-winning economist and former Global 500 executive, Roy founded Pipeline Equity in 2017. At València, she’ll discuss how to close the innovation gap.

Miguel Ángel Leal, Chief Technology and Innovation Officer at LaLiga

As a digital chief at LaLiga, Ángel injects innovation into a  legendary football league. His role combines the best of both tech and sports, which sounds like a dream job for me — other than my position at TNW, of course.

Jen Carter, Global Head of Technology at Google.org

Carter leads the pro bono initiatives at Google.org, the Big G’s philanthropic arm. Having spent six years at the organisation, and a decade in Google’s Trust and Safety team, Carter has a unique understanding of using tech for good.

Alex Roca, Ambassador at FC Barcelona

It’s not only tech leaders that are taking the stage. One of our most intriguing speakers is Alex Roca, who recently became the first person with a 76% physical disability to complete a marathon. At TNW València, he’ll give his first public speech since achieving the feat. 

4. The FT Power Hours

Our beloved overlords at the Financial Times are bringing their best brains to València. At a series of sessions dubbed FT Power Hours, they’ll discuss tech’s hottest business trends with industry leaders.

5. The Startup Pitch Battle

It’s not all fun and games. While we don’t condone violence at TNW, we do love a pitch battle — and this one’s sure to be fiery. Some of the world’s most exciting startups will be presenting their ideas to our distinguished jury.

As well as Beckett's workshops, TNW Valencia will feature a startup pitch battle.
The startup stakes will be high.

The challengers will compete for the attention of top investors, a collection of prizes, and — most importantly of all — a profile by your favourite editorial team. I mean us, by the way.

And if you need to sharpen your skills, check out the startup pitching workshop at 12: 30 on Thursday.

6. A ride on the TNW Ferris wheel

It wouldn’t be a TNW festival without our cherished Ferris wheel. As well as offering fun rides and stunning views, the carriages are the perfect place for private meetings — partly because your interlocutor can’t leave.

7. A stroll through the business floor

Our exhibition floor has racked up a vibrant mix of ideas and products.

The 92 organisations in the business hall encompass big brands such as Mercadona, Hubspot, and Helloprint; Valencian tech players like Sesame HR, Social Nest, and Delivers.AI; and government agencies including Spain Up Nation, Valencia Activa, Generalitat, Invest in Valencia.

There’s a lot to see, but our floor plan can smooth your route through the space.

TNW València Digital Floorplan
The arena is dotted with stages, exhibitors, and lounges

I could go on and on, but my schedule is already bursting at the stems. Hopefully, these seven tips are enough to help your enjoy the festivities.

If they’re not, feel free to give me feedback at the bar. I’ll have an Aigua de València, por favor.

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