Hi everyone,

Attached in this post is the content from our ANZ Community meeting at the W Sydney on Oct 25th.

Please post any questions in this thread.

Thanks
Rose

Substrate chain deployment is a transformative process that turns a conceptualized blockchain into a functional, live network. It marks the transition from theoretical ideas to tangible solutions, allowing developers to showcase the practical applications of their innovations. Substrate chain deployment is the culmination of meticulous planning, coding, and testing, and it opens the doors to a decentralized world of possibilities.

Key Steps in Substrate Chain Deployment:

1. Define Use Case and Requirements: The deployment journey begins with a clear understanding of the use case and specific requirements of the Substrate chain. Developers must define the purpose, functionality, and goals to lay a solid foundation for subsequent steps in the deployment process.
2. Select and Customize Substrate Modules: Substrate offers a modular design with various pre-built modules that developers can choose from. These modules serve as the building blocks for custom blockchains. Developers select and customize these modules based on the features required for the targeted use case, optimizing the chain's functionality.
3. Define Consensus Mechanism: Substrate supports multiple consensus mechanisms, such as proof-of-stake (PoS) or proof-of-authority (PoA). The choice of consensus mechanism is a critical decision, impacting security, scalability, and the nature of the Substrate chain. Defining the consensus mechanism aligns the network with its intended characteristics.
4. Node Setup and Configuration: Nodes are the backbone of any blockchain network. Strategic node setup and configuration involve deploying nodes that validate transactions, participate in the consensus mechanism, and contribute to the overall security and reliability of the Substrate chain.
5. Genesis Block Creation: The genesis block is the foundational block of the Substrate chain, containing the initial state of the blockchain. Developers create the genesis block by specifying the initial distribution of tokens, validators, and other essential parameters. This block sets the stage for the Substrate chain's entire history.
6. Implement Governance Structures: Governance mechanisms are crucial for the functionality and evolution of a blockchain. Developers implement governance structures within the Substrate chain, determining how decisions are made, proposals are voted on, and upgrades are implemented. This step ensures adaptability and ongoing governance.
7. Testing and Optimization: Rigorous testing and optimization are essential before deploying a Substrate chain into production. Developers thoroughly test the functionality of the chain, identify and address potential issues, and optimize its performance for efficiency. Iterative testing ensures the Substrate chain meets desired standards.

Firms will soon be able to decode the unsaid when interacting with consumers – in fact, some already do.
Firms have so far used a mix of human intuition and traditional analytics to engage with their customers. But the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) and more sophisticated data interpretation is heralding a new era of business-customer interaction.

Instead of merely responding to expressed needs and wants, firms will proactively anticipate them, reaching a level of foresight never experienced before. This will revolutionize the nature of customer interactions and reshape industries.

Here are ten predictions as to how the multifaceted applications of AI – including generative AI – will transform marketing, and examples of how such changes are already underway.

1. Predictive analytics will anticipate clients’ desires

Forget mere lead scoring. AI-powered predictive analytics will anticipate desires before they are articulated. AI might craft multifaceted client profiles, predicting not just purchasing behavior's but also emergent needs. It will capture biometric signals, such as eye movement on a webpage or scroll speed, to decode a user's unsaid preferences and emotional reactions.

Consider the titan of streaming, Netflix. It already employs sophisticated machine-learning algorithms to anticipate viewers’ preferences. Beyond the shows a user has watched, it looks at subtler cues like when they paused a show, which episodes they skipped and how long they pondered over a particular title.
Such intricate data points allow Netflix to predict not just what a viewer might watch next, but also emerging content preferences. It can then tailor its original programming accordingly.

2. AI-driven content will birth next-generation storytelling

AI’s growing role in content generation will focus on resonance. AI might tailor content narratives in real-time, adapting to live user interactions. Such content will be based not just on overt actions but also on underlying subconscious preferences and unspoken sentiments of users.
In this regard, OpenAI stands out as a trailblazer. Its advanced language models have begun to lay the groundwork for content that dynamically adapts to user input by detecting underlying user sentiments and responding accordingly.
For example, these models can dynamically create short stories, adapt characters or even propose plot twists, while ensuring the narrative resonates with the user's unspoken preferences. Such innovations promise a future in which content, be it in literature, gaming or virtual experiences, can foster a high level of emotional connection between producers and end consumers.

Continue reading: https://knowledge.insead.edu/marketing/ten-ways-ai-transforming-marketing

From the moment hand prints emerged on cave paintings, language emerged as the advent of change. With the resulting unity of disparate cultures came the unison of different minds, creating an urge to change the world and birthing curiosity to develop an understanding of what’s around us. This linguistic evolution evolved into math, the first universal language that united the world through the desire to make change. With time came technological evolution, bringing about a digital era. As digital transformation started to knock, blockchain emerged, bringing more universal language and harmoniously weaving this new digital age.

In this article, we step into what will become a new historic moment for future generations to explore three of those transformative languages.

Solidity​

EthereumETH 0.0% brought about the advent of smart contracts that have transformed blockchain for the better. Smart contracts, which automate the mundane and facilitate the creation of a truly "trustless" ecosystem, can be implemented by the first universal language we will discuss - Solidity.

An object-oriented language, Solidity is a statistically typed language using an ECMA Script-like syntax with which web developers are already familiar. Solidity enabled the creation of complex smart contracts, which allowed blockchain technology to come out of its isolation and offer real-world benefits, complementing this ease of use.

Solidity’s Origins And Evolution​

A decade ago, the blockchain ecosystem was synonymous with BitcoinBTC 0.0%. People only came out of this gross misrepresentation after Vitalik Buterin pushed the envelope and brought Ethereum to the fold. However, while his dream of “one computer of the entire planet” was admirable, it was not plausible, not until Gavin Wood came to the fold and proposed a language that could help with the creation of smart contracts.

The goal was to create a language that was complex but expressive, easy to use but facilitated the creation of complex codes, and most importantly, compatible with the EVM (Ethereum Virtual machine).

Continue reading: https://www.forbes.com/sites/digita...ages-shaping-the-digital-age/?sh=6b7c5523b082

IT Nation Connect is a wrap! If you missed us there, ConnectWise offered a special discount code for MSP attendees, new to CompTIA, for annual CompTIA membership. Reply back for more details on this limited, attendee offer (expires November 30, 2023).

Hi everyone,

The attached Zip file contains PDFs of all the content presented at the May 2023 Community meetings hosted by Moheb Moses.

The files in the Zip include:
BlueRock - The Pros and Cons of Cyber Insurance
Cognition360 - Key trends for MSPs and IT service providers
CompTIA - ANZ Community Meeting (May 2023)
Microsoft - How AI is impacting the channel
Nortec - Insurance Implications of a Mass Scale Ransomware Attack
SherpaTech - Cyber insurance Tips & Tricks for Success

Hey all,

One for the diary https://connect.comptia.org/events/view/uk-i-community-msp-committee-meeting

The MSP Committee for UK&I is getting together next week, Wednesday, October 25 at 3 pm (BST).

See you there! Register at the link above.

Even if you are not a member of CompTIA you can still attend. LinkedIn event is here: https://www.linkedin.com/events/comptiauk-imspcommitteemeeting-7120367597732155392/comments/

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.

Hello there,

It's short notice but if you are in the area you are more than welcome to attend the North America community meeting!

More info and registration here: https://connect.comptia.org/events/view/comptia-north-america-community-meeting

If you have any questions please let me know

Hey there!

We're running an in-person community meetup for the Benelux region on 23rd November!

Register at the link below. If you have any questions, please ask away.

The CompTIA DACH community are meeting up in Seeheim!

Registration is below, but if you have any questions just let us know.

Hey everyone,

A reminder that we're running a webinar on November the 1st related to M&A and maximising your business value.

More info here:

Will you be at the ScanSource Channel Connect Conference next week? If so, we'd love to see you. Stop by our CompTIA booth 207!

From networking to business growth and educational sessions to getting up-close look at the latest tech products and solutions, the EMEA Member and Partner Conference 2023 had something for everyone. More than 600 attendees connected with peers and visited more than 60 exhibitor booths over two full days in London.

“The IT industry is changing faster than ever, and we have to help our customers solve new business challenges every day. CompTIA’s EMEA Member and Partner Conference brings fresh perspectives from a lot of smart people in the room—peers, vendors and subject matter experts. It’s more valuable now than ever before,” said Chris Ward, technical director of Vermont Systems Ltd., a Hampshire, UK-based MSP.

If you could not attend this year, or even if you did but missed a session, we’ve got you covered. Here are ten things you should know from the EMEA Member and Partner Conference 2023.

I’m considering planning a regular meetup for people across various industries/interests and experiences to discuss the exciting/terrifying advancements and implications of AI and Automation whether you’re deeply involved or just curious.

This is NOT only for techies as I beleive AI and Automation is about to have such a profound impact in all areas of life, the more diverse the attendees the better.

Key details:

• Probably a pub and maybe some grub
• Discussions from diverse sectors
• Central London location - as it’s erm, central

If this interests you:

• Please comment below or
• Direct message me with thoughts/ideas

The wave IS coming, let’s enjoy it!



#AI #Automation #LondonMeetup

It was officially on the 1st of September but still very applicable and necessary to share any day of the week.

Working to advance & retain women in cybersecurity, International Women in Cyber Day highlights the impact of diversity within a male-dominated industry

Hi everyone,

Mark your calendars for this one. It's open to anyone, you don't even need to be a CompTIA member.

Link to join the event: https://comptia.zoom.us/j/92937853833 >

Join @Kyle Torres and Miles Jobgen as they lead a discussion titled “Framework Frenzy - Navigating and understanding the importance of frameworks and compliances”

Get the answers to some of these questions (and bring your own).

*What are the most common frameworks?

*What are the challenges in implementation?

*What resources and guidance are available to help you navigate these conversations with clients?

We look forward to seeing you there. And if you have any questions just let us know in the comments below.

Check out this page for all the upcoming CompTIA events around the globe.


If you have any questions on any of the events we have coming up, just ask away here!

Hello, we are going to be hosting a client webinar to discuss AI. I was hoping to get some ideas on talking points that would be good for small business. Below are some of the topics we are going to talk about but would love to hear other ideas.

• What AI Is and Isn't
• Data and what should and shouldn't be shared.
• Private vs Public LLM's
• Security around AI, Creating an Acceptable Use Policy
• Messaging to Staff around AI, Their Stance and Goals with AI.
• How to get started with AI:

Hey there,

Just a quick note to share a new blog piece we've written on Neural Networks!


Do you think we will reach a point where artificial intelligence can replicate all aspects of human cognition? Surely that's a not? Anyone disagree?

In the dynamic landscape of IT, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) are emerging as significant game-changers. The surge in customer inquiries and market demand for these technologies is undeniable. As Managed Service Providers (MSPs), it's crucial to stay ahead of the curve and understand how to effectively respond to these inquiries and deliver innovative solutions.

However, the application of these technologies often raises questions. How can MSPs integrate AI and IoT into their services to gain a competitive edge? How can these technologies be leveraged to enhance operational efficiency and customer satisfaction?

Watch these short videos as we explore these questions and delve into the practical application of AI and IoT in the MSP landscape. By embracing these technologies, MSPs can unlock new opportunities and drive their competitive advantage in the IT industry.

Hello CompTIA members,

Excited to dive into AI hosting solutions with you all! As AI reshapes tech, robust hosting is vital. Let's explore:

1. Cloud Power: Which cloud providers ace AI hosting? Pros and cons?
2. On-Premises: Tips for on-site AI hosting? Hardware, scalability?
3. Hybrid Edge: Balancing cloud and on-site hosting for AI and IoT?
4. Cost Challenges: Smart spending on resource-hungry AI models?
5. Securing AI: Best practices for data privacy and AI hosting security?
6. Future Watch: Predictions for AI hosting trends?

Your insights matter. Seasoned techies and newbies, let's chat! 🚀

Curious about AI and ChatGPT? Dive into it with our latest blog post: "How to Think About ChatGPT and the New Wave of AI." 🚀 Discover insights that'll blow your mind and spark your AI imagination. Don't miss out, read now: https://www.comptia.org/blog/how-to-think-about-chatgpt-and-the-new-wave-of-ai #AI #ChatGPT #FutureTech

We hear the phrase ‘women in tech,’ quite often in the working world, yet not all women in tech appreciate this phrase. Many feel it is yet another label that entrenches the gap between men and women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) industries. Despite this sentiment, the statistics regarding women in such industries, particularly in relation to senior and leadership positions, indicate that there is still much work to be done to achieve equality and diversity in traditionally male-dominated spheres.

According to the Women in Tech ZA report released in August 2022, only 23% of the tech jobs in our country are held by women. This means that out of the 236 000 technology jobs in South Africa, only 56 000 are not held by men. The question we need to ask ourselves is “why?”. With influential initiatives like GirlCode and Women In Tech ZA and various groups targeted at women in this industry on LinkedIn – why is there still such a large gap?

Diversity and inclusivity is essential, not optional

I believe we have to start by examining the importance of gender diversity, and considering why it is so important for women to ‘have a seat at the table’. Personally, I feel the answer is straightforward. Diversity and inclusivity in the workplace should be a top priority; something we’re constantly striving toward because we want to align our workplaces with an accurate visual representation of our country.

Inclusivity starts at an education level

How do we achieve this? We’d have to start at the beginning – primary school education. According to the Mail & Guardian, only 38% of ICT graduates are women and despite the fact that this is 8% higher than the global average, it’s clear that we can and should be aiming higher. There is still much growth and development needed to eliminate gender disparity in this industry. Having said that, I do believe that interest in ICT-based careers is steadily climbing for female students, which is visible through the growth of tech grad programs. With initiatives such asAfrican Girls Can Code Initiative (AGCCI) we’re definitely headed in the right direction. The AGCCI recently enrolled 40 girls from public schools into their program, which focuses on inspiring and empowering young girls to code and introduces them to the likes of robotics, and skills in other emerging technologies.

Continue reading: https://www.africa.com/overcoming-g...en-in-tech-beyond-womens-month-is-the-answer/

While I have previously written about the potential of asset tokenication in Islamic finance in a more general sense, I believe this fusion can specifically contribute to the United Nations' sustainable development goals (SDGs). As the founder of an investment company that prioritizes both ethics and blockchain integration, this is an especially relevant topic for me.

Islamic Finance And Blockchain​

Islamic finance as a whole emphasizes risk-sharing, asset-backed transactions and ethical investing. These all easily align with sustainable development. Because of the nature of this form of finance, I believe that advances in this sector can help address global challenges like poverty, inequality and environmental degradation.

As a part of these advances, blockchain technology can amplify the impact of Islamic finance on sustainable development. By using blockchain, we can revolutionize financial transactions, democratize access to financial services and foster accountability and trust in the financial ecosystem.

Harnessing Blockchain For Sustainable Development In Islamic Finance​

There are a few ways I see blockchain transforming the Islamic finance sector to promote sustainable development:

• Microfinance and financial inclusion. I see blockchain technology facilitating Shariah-compliant microfinance services. Tokenization of microfinance transactions can lower transaction costs, increase efficiency and broaden financial services' reach.


• Green sukuk. Blockchain can support the issuance and trading of green sukuk, Islamic bonds for environmentally friendly projects. When these bonds are tokenized it can enhance their liquidity, making them more attractive to investors and driving increased funding for sustainable development initiatives.

Continue reading: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbes...lockchain-for-sustainability/?sh=3af7db7f54ba

Business leaders reading about Web3, often touted as “the next generation of the internet,” may well be unclear on the details and how the evolving online world could affect their processes and prospects. As with anything else, the changes coming, the pace of evolution and the responses needed will be different for each business; still, it’s wise to start learning more about the basics now.

Generally speaking, experts say that Web3 will place more power and control in the hands of users. So how can companies begin to prepare? Below, 20 members of Forbes Technology Council discuss some things businesses should start doing now to be ready for the advent of Web3.

1. Get Familiar With The Fundamental Principles​

First, begin to familiarize yourself with the fundamental principles of Web3, including decentralization, user control of data control and so on. This involves several crucial steps. Initially, dedicate resources to learning and training initiatives to gain a deep understanding of blockchain technology and decentralized systems. Then, initiate small-scale projects in areas such as gaming, decentralized finance (or DeFi) and others. - Suman Balakrishna, Juego Studio

2. Understand What Comes With The End Of The Platform Era​

The trouble with “Web3” is the amount of hype surrounding it, much of which is really a sales pitch. The key insight in most of the Web3 noise is that the platform and/or service-based era is at risk because people (and governments) don’t trust platforms. For most businesses, then, the keys are focusing on sensitivity in terms of data handling and authenticity in engagement. The tech is secondary. - Andrew Sullivan, Internet Society

3. Embrace Blockchain Technology​

Web3 is based on smart contracts and decentralized networks, which help enhance security, optimize operations and build trust among customers. Embracing blockchain technology is the best way for businesses to prepare for Web3. This is because businesses engaging with blockchain technology will be able to replace their centrally managed databases. - Dhari AlAbdulhadi, Ubuy

Continue reading: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbes...ould-do-now-to-prep-for-web3/?sh=5fed6b7ed6d0