Digital Pakistan

16/08/2023

Tune in to an informative seminar with CEO, NITB, Dr. Baber Bhatti as he talks about the next steps to turn into a reality.

15/08/2023

Join us as we go live on our page, tomorrow, August 16th at 2:15 PM to a talk with CEO National Information Technology Board (NITB), Dr. Baber Majid Bhatti as he delves into the future of Telecom by exploring 5G use cases, its implications, and the next steps to turn into a reality.

22/07/2023

A novel technique developed by researchers at the University of California helps to prevent mosquitoes from spreading . To lessen female ‘Anopheles gambiae’, the main transmitters in , Ifegenia uses CRISPR .

One of the deadliest diseases in the world is still malaria. Each year, malaria infections cause hundreds of thousands of fatalities, the majority of which are children under the age of five.

The CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technique, which can perform accurate DNA cuts, is the basis of the Ifegenia system. The technique specifically targets the femaleless gene (fle), which is necessary for the growth of female mosquitoes.

Ifegenia kills female , who are the ones that bite and spread malaria, by interfering with this gene.

In contrast, male mosquitoes inherit Ifegenia but are unaffected by it. They are still capable of mating and producing children with the system.

One strain of the genetically altered A. gambiae mosquitoes carries the DNA-chopping enzyme Cas9, while the other strain expresses a guide RNA, a protein that tells Cas9 to target the fle gene.

Because it is straightforward, secure, and scalable, Ifegenia is a promising technology for the prevention of malaria. It is easy because all that is needed is Cas9 and guide RNA.

It is risk-free since it does not expose the environment or the insects to any toxic substances or foreign DNA.

It does not impact other species since it only targets a gene unique to A. gambiae. It doesn't need any outside assistance or care and can spread naturally through mating, making it scalable.

Many researchers have been working on creating an effective malaria vaccine for a long time, but only one vaccine candidate has been licensed for pilot use in three African nations.

As a result, there is no one method for preventing and controlling malaria. Depending on the local situation and the malaria epidemiology, a combination of different methods may be required.

Ifegenia, for example, is a genetic technology that could provide a new tool to supplement current interventions and have a bigger impact on lowering the malaria load.

22/07/2023

Consciously, or subconsciously, social media plays a very major role in how we see and feel about ourselves. It invaded our psyche without any prior warning and has an effect on our mental health whether we like it or not. 👥🧠
In this video, we talk about some skills that help you stay away from that negative vibes because, they just ain’t it. ❌

Watch our video for more details!

21/07/2023

According to Axios, who cited a source familiar with the situation, , a service owned by Platforms, intends to integrate its branded content tools with .

While advertising is not available, these will assist advertisers in collaborating with influencers on paid partnerships on the social media site.

According to Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, the firm wouldn't consider making Threads monetizable until it was evident how to reach a billion people.

Users of Instagram may transfer their accounts, login information, and followers to Threads, providing the text-based social networking site access to Instagram's more than 2 users.

Despite the lack of advertising on the network, a number of businesses have already begun creating profiles on Threads to share content naturally.

The lack of and keyword search capabilities on Threads, though, would reduce the platform's appeal to marketers.

Regarding the Axios article, Meta has not yet released a statement.

20/07/2023

Elon Musk has revealed his vision for his new artificial intelligence (AI) company, , stating that its purpose will be to "understand the universe."

During a Spaces audio chat, Musk discussed his goal of deepening our understanding of the universe, touching on topics such as Earth's evolution and the fragility of civilization.

He humorouslv summarized xAl's mission as "what the hell is really going on?" Musk accused companies like and Google of developing Al without considering human risks, and XAl aims to build a "good AGI" as an alternative. Notably, Musk mentioned that xAl will collaborate closely with his other ventures, Twitter and . The company intends to utilize public tweets for training Al models and may work with Tesla on Al software, which could mutually benefit both companies and expedite Tesla’s advancements in self-driving capabilities.

Musk has been advocating for Al regulations and has sought meetings with White House officials and Chinese government officials to stress the importance of responsible Al development.

19/07/2023

has launched a feature allowing content creators to earn revenue through ad sharing. To qualify, creators must subscribe to Twitter Blue or be affiliated with verified organizations, maintain 5 million tweet impressions in 3 months, have 10,000+ followers, and post at least 25 tweets in 30 days.

CEO revealed an initial $5 million payout from February onwards. While Twitter has not disclosed the revenue calculation methodology, creators are already earning up to $25,000 or more. The highest payout recorded was $107,274 for an influential account. By capitalizing on ad placements in tweet responses, Twitter overcomes revenue attribution challenges. This program incentivizes creators to generate engaging conversations. Twitter's initiative marks a significant step in recognizing and rewarding content creators, shaping the future of social media monetization.

18/07/2023

plans to collaborate with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) for its upcoming custom chips, moving away from . The Pixel 6 series marked Google's first custom processor, Tensor, based on Samsung's Exynos chips. However, the Pixel 8, set to release in 2025, will feature Google's fully customized Tensor G5 chip manufactured by TSMC. The new chip, utilizing TSMC's advanced 3-nanometer process and Integrated Fan-Out , aims to deliver a thinner design, improved power efficiency, and enhanced performance.

While delays in production pushed the chip's launch to 2025, Google remains committed to achieving a higher level of integration between hardware and . The forthcoming Pixel 8 lineup for this year and the 2024 Pixel will still incorporate Samsung processors, albeit with fewer Samsung components compared to previous models.

17/07/2023

technology conglomerate , which owns , and , has added to its collection with the launch of its own microblogging platform Threads. The launch is the culmination of months of rumors that Meta was going to launch a rival to Elon Musk- owned .

The listing on 's App store states that users are able to follow accounts and keep the same username as they have on Instagram.
The launch of Threads is more trouble for Twitter, whose monopoly has been challenged. The blue bird is already seeing trying times due to Elon Musk's unpopular measures, including restricted amounts of tweets that can be read per day.

16/07/2023

Discover the world's top five smartphones: iPhone 14 Pro, Google Pixel 7 Pro, Samsung $23 Ultra, Samsung $23+, and OnePlus 11 5G. These devices redefine the mobile industry with their cutting-edge technology, exceptional camera capabilities, stunning displays, and impressive performance. 📱

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16/07/2023

Instant messaging application has made the transfer of chat histories between 2 devices much easier with the introduction of a QR code.

Previously, the transfer of chat histories between 2 devices was done by creating a chat backup on 1 device and then downloading it on the other one. The method, though helpful, was a bit painful and time-consuming.

With the new method, users will just have to use their new device to scan the QR code present on the old device. The QR code will be available by Settings>Chats>Chat transfer.

The catch is that both devices must be running on the same operating system. For to or vice-versa, the transfer system is a bit different and is present on WhatsApp's help page.

Whatsapp has been introducing a wave of popular measures recently. Password-secured chats and silent calls from unknown numbers are some recent examples.

15/07/2023

and , the parent company of and , are embroiled in a dispute over Meta's new app called 'Threads.' Twitter alleges that Meta hired former Twitter engineers to develop the app, which they claim is a copycat of their platform.

Twitter accuses Meta of stealing their secrets and confidential , alleging that ex-Twitter employees improperly retained
documents and devices. , the owner of Twitter, has criticized Meta, stating that competition is acceptable, but cheating is not.

In response, Meta denies the allegations, asserting that none of the engineers working on previously worked for Twitter. Threads gained
popularity quickly due to dissatisfaction with recent Twitter decisions, amassing 30 million sign-ups within 24 hours.

While similar to Twitter, Threads lacks certain features such as long videos,
chatrooms, direct messages, and hashtags. The situation between Twitter and Meta is intensifying, with potential legal action looming.

14/07/2023

Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited ( ) and National Bank of Pakistan Limited ( ) have partnered to offer primary Data Center colocation services at PTCL's Tier-Ill Data Center facility.

The agreement was signed by Zarrar Hasham Khan, Group Chief Business Solutions Officer, PTCL & 4G, and Amin Manji, Group Chief IT & CTO National Bank of Pakistan. This collaboration aims to support NBP's digital transformation vision by providing cutting-edge infrastructure and platform solutions with advanced and managed security.

The partnership represents a transformative step for NBP, enhancing its , platforms, and data management. By leveraging PTCL's expertise, NBP aims to achieve operational efficiency, robust , and reduced time-to-market for its digital products and services. PTCL, as Pakistan's national carrier, is dedicated to assisting state-owned institutions in adopting state-of-the-art technology solutions to drive the national digital agenda. This agreement reflects PTCL's commitment to delivering exceptional services to corporate customers and contributes to the growth of the digital banking ecosystem in .

13/07/2023

, Pakistan's leading startup, has recently launched , a fintech venture in . AgromAl aims to revolutionize financial services in the agricultural sector by leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and geospatial data.

Muzaffar Manghi co-founder of Farmdar, emphasized the global impact of Pakistani technology, stating that it will be utilized by some of the world's largest businesses, including more developed markets.

America, particularly , faces significant climate change challenges, such as evolving temperature and rainfall patterns, which increase risks for insurers.

AgromAl seeks to mitigate these risks and help agribusinesses respond effectively. As Brazil is the third-largest agricultural exporter globally, with a total agricultural production value exceeding $170 billion, AgromAl's advanced algorithms and cutting-edge technology will provide accurate farm-level intelligence. This will optimize credit and insurance risk management, leading to
enhanced productivity, profitability, and sustainability in the agricultural sector.

Farmdar expressed pride in exporting their Al and data-backed products, showcasing the innovation and potential of Pakistani talent in the global agritech industry.

12/07/2023

12/07/2023

The Cabinet Division warns of a critical threat from a hacker group, Kill Net, targeting Pakistan's government institutions and military. Kill Net, operating from Russia's Kremlin since January 2022, employs DDoS attacks and brute force techniques, causing temporary disruptions and embarrassment.

To counter this menace, the Cabinet Division advises proactive measures: monitor , use reputable firewalls and SIEM solutions, restrict incoming traffic, implement MFA, regularly change passwords, and patch systems.

Additional steps include anti-DDoS services, advanced firewalls (NGF, WAF), 24/7 event logging for anomaly detection, and blocking malicious domains and document hashes associated with Kill Net.
Emphasized are application updates, equipment hardening, strong passwords, and regular data backups.

11/07/2023

5G is the fifth generation of cellular technology and its BIG! 🙌🏻
Swipe right to see what 5G has to offer and how it will revolutionise technology as we know it! 🤩

11/07/2023

has released GPT-4, its highly anticipated text-generating model. Existing developers with successful payments can access it now, while new developers will gain access later this month.
GPT-4 improves upon its predecessor, offering text and code generation, and accepting image and text inputs. OpenAl claims GPT-4 achieves human-level benchmarks across domains, fostering innovation.

However, the model has limitations, occasionally producing errors and displaying overconfidence.

OpenAl plans to support developers transitioning from GPT-3 and its derivatives, which will be phased out by January 4, 2024. Image understanding capabilities are being tested with Be My Eyes.

OpenAl envisions a future where chat-based models can cater to any use case, making Al a versatile tool.

10/07/2023

multinational company Baidu, Inc. has made a tall claim that the latest version of its chatbot Ernie is better than OpenAl's .

In a blog post, Baidu stated that, "Ernie 3.5 has made significant strides in Beta testing, surpassing ChatGPT (3.5) in comprehensive ability scores and outperforming GPT-4 in several Chinese language capabilities."

Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Baidu, Dr Haifeng Wang. has stated that these new improvements are visible in the creative writing, reasoning and code generation being done by Ernie 3.5. He also stated that the shall have Baidu Search Plugin, a plugin and shall soon accept third-party plugins.

Chatbots have seen a surge in popularity ever since the rise of ChatGPT in November. China has been trailing its American counterparts in this field. However, that could change if the chat coming from is true.

10/07/2023

Jack Ma, the founder of Multinational technology company made an unannounced visit to last Thursday. This news was relayed in a by Azfar Ahsan, former Minister of State and Chairman of Board of Investment and founder of the Nutshell group.

In a following tweet, Mr. Afzar stated that Mr. Ma was present in and that his visit was purely a private one. Furthermore, the tweet claimed that the Embassy wasn't aware about the details of the visit nor the engagements made by Mr. Ma was accompanied by 5 Chinese nationals, 1 American citizen and a Danish citizen. In another tweet, Mr. Azfar shared a picture of Jack Ma at a friend's house, further cementing his claim.
Jack Ma has made a fortune of over $25 billion in the tech sector via Alibaba. His visit to Pakistan shall hopefully mean something good for the tech sector.

09/07/2023

Platform Twitter has announced in a that Twitter users will soon be required to be verified in order to access . The news is one of many painful ones that the blue bird has been giving to its users recently.

The tweet detailed an improved version of tweetDeck with new features out did not clarify whether the verification was necessary for both versions. The company stated that the change will take effect in 30 days.

TweetDeck is a dashboard application that allows for easy account management. By making it accessible to only verified users. Twitter has indirectly made it a pay-to-use feature. For verification, individuals have to pay $8 per month and organizations $1000 per month.

Twitter has been focusing on monetization ever since Elon Musk took over. The company introduced a subscription service, made APis pay-to-use and has now topped it all off with TweetDeck. One can only wonder if a tweet shall cost money soon too.

08/07/2023

Online video-sharing platform is running a experiment that prevents viewers from using ad blockers while watching videos on the platform.
Screenshots posted on discussion platform showed ad blocker users seeing a warning message.

The message stated that the YouTube player will be blocked after 3 videos if the use of ad blocker persists. The viewers can only watch the video by disabling the ad blocker. The message further states that ads allow the platform to stay free for billions of users. It also suggests that users can go ad-free with YouTube premium and that creators can still get paid from the subscription. After the warning message, the user can either disable the ad-blocker and allow ads or subscribe to YouTube premium.
Ad-blockers have been a way to avoid painful ads, specially the unskippable ones. By running this experiment, YouTube has indirectly given a stern message that it won't just watch now.

08/07/2023

platform Twitter now requires users to have an account in order to view tweets, a move that has been called a "temporary emergency measure" by owner .

In a reply to a tweet by regarding the change, Mr. Musk stated that the move was temporary and was done because so much data was being "pillaged" that it was degrading service for normal users.

Various sorts of organizations have been scraping data from to fulfill their own needs.

These include firms like OpenAl, owner of , that use the data to train their large language models.

It is hoped that by virtue of this move, bots and data-scrapers will not be able to benefit from Twitter. At the same time, it means that I will have to create an account in order to see Fabrizio Romano's tweets.

05/07/2023

Google is testing a new feature that uses to recommend customized templates for complex tasks in Google Sheets. This could help organizations streamline their and save time.The is currently being tested with a limited group of users. It works by asking the user to provide a prompt, such as "roadmap for a new product launch" or "team budget for the next fiscal year." The AI then uses this information to recommend the most suitable template.

Google is also testing AI-powered features for Google Slides and Gmail. These features could make it easier to create presentations and write emails.
These developments demonstrate Google's commitment to using AI to improve its . Stay tuned for more updates on these exciting new features.

04/07/2023

Introducing Opera One, the latest browser version by Opera, featuring an named Aria and other significant upgrades. Aria, residing in the browser's sidebar like Microsoft Edge's Bing chatbot, offers real-time information, text/code generation, and idea brainstorming. Powered by Opera's Composer AI engine and connected to OpenAI's GPT model, Aria requires to create an Opera account to access its functionalities. Simply click on the Aria icon on the left side of the screen to initiate a conversation. Notably, Aria provides convenient through a command line-like overlay, allowing users to swiftly type in questions or prompts.

It also offers text highlighting on webpages for translation, explanation, or searching related topics. While Aria may lack certain present in the Bing chatbot, Opera is likely to continue updating and improving its capabilities over time. Opera One also introduces enhancements such as "tab islands" for grouping related tabs and a fresh design with improved browser architecture. Experience Aria and the new Opera One browser on Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms.

03/07/2023

A between a Tokyo-based firm, Carelogy, and Nihon University's College of Bioresource Sciences has resulted in the development of a cutting-edge app called "Cat Pain Detector." This revolutionary application employs technology to determine whether a cat is experiencing pain, overcoming the challenge of detecting discomfort in feline companions. By analyzing a vast database of cat photos, the app identifies subtle indicators of pain by examining various such as ears, noses, whiskers, and eyelids. The researchers have devised a scoring system that enables the app to achieve an impressive accuracy rate of over 90%.
The main aim of this tool is to empower cat owners to assess their pets' well-being at home, assisting them in making informed decisions about seeking veterinary care. While the app has gained considerable popularity in , where cats are highly revered, the recognize the importance of further refining the AI system before widespread adoption. This app represents a growing trend in pet-related technologies that aim to support owners in monitoring their animals' health and mood.

02/07/2023

Out of 1,000 applicants, 95 were chosen by the Pakistani government to present their ground-breaking ideas to foster innovation and . These candidates come from a range of , including health, , education, and . They also have experience with cutting-edge mobile apps.

As part of the Pakistan Innovation Fund (PIF) program, the government intends to provide 60 of these candidates with up to Rs20 million in startup funding to bring their initiatives to life. This initiative, led by 's planning ministry, seeks to build a strong environment for innovation and entrepreneurship in the nation.

Before a panel interview of the shortlisted candidates for their final selection based on their ideas, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal told Arab News that "all in all, Pakistan Innovation Fund is a major contribution towards recognizing the talent, energy, and promise of our ."

"The Pakistan Innovation Fund and Awards are a part of the 5e framework that the government has developed to turn around Pakistan's economy."

For the nation's economic growth, the government's 5e framework encompasses the promotion of exports, energy, the environment, equity, and empowerment.

Iqbal claimed that this year, 60 young Pakistanis would be chosen to receive grants totaling up to Rs20 million apiece. “We think this will be enough for them to translate their projects into reality and scale up their ideas,” he said.

To be chosen and get funding for their projects, the inventors and businessmen on the shortlist had to present their concepts to a panel of judges.

The candidates claim that the program will encourage young businesspeople to share their original ideas.

One of the ideas by a candidate, Professor Ayesha Urooj, seeks to modernize mental health support by creating an AI-based application, dubbed "AI-Psychologist," to address the pertinent mental health concerns, societal stigma, and constrained access to services in Pakistan.

“By offering a safe and accessible platform, we individuals, particularly women, to seek help without fear of judgment,” she told Arab News. “Our goal is to break barriers, promote mental wellbeing and create a supportive environment for everyone.”

In conclusion, The Pakistan Innovation Fund (PIF) program promotes an entrepreneurial culture by empowering young innovators and creating a supportive environment. Its rigorous selection process, multi-stakeholder approach, and focus on social impact enable Pakistan to develop its youth, spur economic expansion, and address societal issues for its residents' benefit.

01/07/2023

The National Freelance Technology Program is a training initiative by the Ministry of Information and Telecommunication (MoITT). The program offers cutting-edge training to prospective freelancers who wish to advance their careers in this field.

This ambitious program aims to promote , reduced inequality, economic growth, and revolutionary training. The enhanced worldwide representation, alliances, and social uplift of the nation's underdeveloped regions will result from this. Through its 20 cutting-edge facilities, we hope to enable 21,000+ people over the course of three years to earn a good living.

The National Freelance Training Program's Guide to Freelancing:

You must first finish the registration process to join the National Freelance Training Program as a , which is done by going to the NFTP website. You will be able to choose the courses you want to take after registering. You can enroll in as few or as many courses as you choose.

A variety of additional services are available from the National Freelance Training Program to assist you in beginning your freelance career. Among these services are:

· Help in your job search by helping you identify freelance positions that fit your interests and skill set.
· Assistance with planning is available if you want to start a freelance business.
· Aid in marketing your freelance business to potential clients.

Numerous centers have been built to assist the students. 20 centers have been opened nationwide to help with the training. The program offers unemployed youngsters three months of training in technical content marketing, advertising, and creative design.

In addition, the NFTP provides a variety of courses in areas like , , , and . Authorities hire seasoned professionals, and students have access to several tools like online learning environments, mentors, and networking possibilities.

Additionally, students will receive certificates once the program has been completed. The certificates will be based on an official rating and performance review. Examining criteria for candidates include attendance, academic performance, and other assignments.

30/06/2023

The salaried class would be subject to higher taxes because of the budgetary changes , the finance minister, announced on Saturday.

According to a report in the Express Tribune, the proposed proposals would impose an additional 2.5% tax on anyone earning Rs 200,000 per month. Income tax obligations for persons making Rs. 200,000 or more per month will now increase to 22.5 percent from the current 20 percent.

(IMF) efforts to reinstate the $6 billion loan program led to the decision being made. The government refused the IMF's demand to tax the upper middle- and wealthy-income groups—those who make between Rs. 104,000 and Rs. 1 million per month—at a single rate of 30%.

The increased tax rates will nevertheless hit the salaried class with a hefty burden of Rs. 80 billion despite being lower than the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) initial demand. In addition, as paychecks for July 2022 will be withdrawn in August 2022, the effects of the higher taxes will be noticeable in those payments.

Similarly, it is suggested to raise taxes for business classes starting at 20 percent by 2.5 percent.

According to the article, which cited a government official, both salaried and non-salaried people will be subject to new taxes totaling Rs. 30 billion in the upcoming fiscal year.

29/06/2023

Famous conglomerate Uber has signaled its intent to lay off 200 employees from its recruitment division in a bid to streamline costs.

The lay-offs account for 35% of Uber's recruitment team and around 0.6% of its 32,700 total employees. This is not the first time that Uber has released employees. Earlier this year, 150 employees from the freight services division were also sent packing. 17% employees had lost their paycheck in mid-2020 as well.

The decision of Uber is undoubtedly concerning as well as understandable considering the recession and .

However, what is more worrying is the prospect of further staff reductions. As a ride-hailing company, Uber sure knows how to drop off people.

29/06/2023

multinational technology company Amazon has been sued by the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for tricking its users into enrolling in

Prime is Amazon's paid subscription service that offers a vast array of perks, including free shipping, discounts and access to movies and series. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in , alleges that Amazon knowingly enrolled millions of its customers into Prime without their consent and made it difficult for them to cancel their subscription. Further allegations state that though the company changed its cancellation process in April due to pressure, the process still requires more than 5 clicks across desktop and .

has had previous interactions with Amazon, forcing the company to pay $5.8 million in a camera unit spying case, as well as $25 million in a child privacy rights violation case. It will be interesting to see how this case plays out, especially considering that Amazon, like every other
"honest and well-reputed company", has refuted the claims of the FTC.