Author: IQ TIMES MEDIA

The biggest software companies might be reduced to mere data sources, says Snowflake’s CEO.”The big model makers want to create a world in which all of the data for all of the enterprises is easily available to them,” Sridhar Ramaswamy said on an episode of Alex Kantrowitz’s “Big Technology Podcast” published last week. “Everything else, the world, is just a dumb data pipe that feeds into that big brain.”Prior to becoming Snowflake’s CEO in 2024, Ramaswamy was a partner at Greylock Ventures and cofounded AI search startup Neeva, which was acquired by Snowflake.Ramaswamy added that Snowflake needs to operate with…

Scientists and business leaders are responding to a viral essay warning of AI’s impact on jobs with a mix of agreement and skepticism.The essay, titled “Something Big is Coming,” written by cofounder and CEO of OthersideAI, Matt Shumer, has racked up more than 60 million views on X as of Thursday.In the 5,000-word post, Shumer said that AI could upend daily life on a scale “much bigger” than COVID, a comparison which drew pushback online. He wrote that the changes already unfolding in the tech sector are likely a preview of disruptions that could soon reach other industries as well.”Even…

Another tech company is making job cuts and attributing them to AI.Atlassian, an Australian-American proprietary software company, said on Wednesday that it is cutting about 1,600 jobs, roughly 10% of its global workforce, as the company restructures to focus on AI and enterprise growth.In a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, the Sydney-headquartered company said the layoffs are part of a broader effort to reposition the business for what CEO Mike Cannon-Brookes described as the “AI era.” About 30% of the affected roles are based in Australia.In a message to employees, Cannon-Brookes acknowledged the growing influence of AI…

White-collar workers, beware.CEO Jack Dorsey is departing from the classic tech layoff playbook — and it could be a sign of what’s to come.In a post on X on Thursday, the billionaire said he’s slashing nearly half of Block’s workforce, cutting its over 10,000-person staff to just under 6,000. He said that he is doing this despite the business being strong and profits growing.In the tech industry’s hardcore era, many companies have pared down teams through repeated rounds of layoffs. Dorsey’s massive chop stands alone. In his memo, the cofounder and CEO said repeated rounds of layoffs are “destructive to…

If you’re an actor, your next role could involve performing for an AI company.Handshake AI is hiring performers, including those with improv skills, to record themselves responding to a “light prompt or scenario” with other actors, according to a job posting.The work is part-time, remote, open to workers with at least a bachelor’s degree, and pays up to $74 an hour, per Handshake’s description. For actors, the work is “easy to fit alongside auditions, classes, or rehearsals,” the company says.”You’ll improvise scenes, explore characters, and respond naturally in the moment, with plenty of creative freedom to shape how each interaction…

Facebook Tweet Email Link If you needed another reason to get your daily steps in, science just handed you one. A new study shows that walking daily can reduce the risk of cognitive decline — especially among those with a genetic predisposition for Alzheimer’s disease. Almost 3,000 participants between the ages of 70 and 79 reported their daily walking habits over the course of 10 years, according to research that will be presented Tuesday at the annual Alzheimer’s Association International Conference. Those who reported maintaining or increasing their walking habits over the years showed greater improvements in processing speed and…

Facebook Tweet Email Link You know the drill — exercise could help you feel better, prevent disease and live longer. But that knowledge may not always get you motivated enough to head to the gym. Whether you have “gymtimidation” or working out isn’t your thing — you can still start improving your health by making simple but powerful changes in how you move as you go about your usual routine. Optimizing movement in your daily activities is a practice based on the concept of non-exercise activity thermogenesis, or NEAT, said Dana Santas, a certified strength and conditioning specialist known as…

Facebook Tweet Email Link Dana Santas, known as the “Mobility Maker,” is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and mind-body coach in professional sports, and is the author of the book “Practical Solutions for Back Pain Relief.” Whether you’re taking a morning walk or chasing after a little one, your feet bear your body weight with every step you take. Yet they are often one of the most neglected aspects of any fitness routine. Like any other part of your body, your feet respond to training. Overlooking them can have far-reaching consequences. Your feet are your body’s foundation, so when…

Facebook Tweet Email Link Too busy to go to the gym? Don’t worry — you can stay healthy by incorporating at least 15 minutes of fast walking into your everyday routine, new research suggests. In general, it’s recommended that people commit to 150 minutes of moderate activity per week to see sufficient health benefits, said Dr. Wei Zheng, the study’s corresponding author. But if 150 minutes is too difficult to manage, fast walking a minimum of 15 minutes every day can have the same health benefits. Zheng and a team of researchers recruited mostly low-income and Black study participants from…

Facebook Tweet Email Link Dana Santas, known as the “Mobility Maker,” is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and mind-body coach in professional sports, and is the author of the book “Practical Solutions for Back Pain Relief.” That persistent tension in your back, hip or shoulder never seems to fully resolve despite stretching before and after workouts, foam rolling, and even visiting a massage therapist regularly. In fact, sometimes the tightness feels worse after stretching. If this situation sounds familiar, your body might not just be tight — it may be protecting itself through involuntary muscle contractions. Recognizing the distinction…