Biometric Cameras, Bureaucratic Digitalization: The Week in Tech

This week, the University of North Florida launched tech-focused bootcamps to fill the lack of IT talent. Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden’s administration issued an executive order limiting investment and knowledge transfer to Chinese technology firms.

In Mexico, Worldcoin introduced cameras in Mexico City that allow users to exchange their biometric data for cryptocurrency, raising concerns regarding data privacy. Meanwhile, the digitalization of bureaucratic procedures is expected to save Mexico City millions. 

Ready? This is the week in Tech

Global Technological Landscape

UNF – Fullstack Launch Tech-Focused Bootcamp

The University of North Florida (UNF) introduced two immersive bootcamp options designed to equip participants with the essential skills to compete in an enveloping digital economy. With a focus on high-demand areas, the six-month bootcamps offered by the UNF aim to teach vital technological skills for students aspiring to become adept in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. 

Worldcoin’s Orb Cameras Raise Data Privacy Concerns

OpenAI's CEO, Sam Altman, unveiled the Worldcoin project, an iris biometric cryptocurrency project with that aims to establish universal access to financial resources. Despite its benevolent objective, the project has raised data privacy concerns given the integration of biometric application tool: World ID. This "digital passport" concept has triggered discussions regarding the potential misuse of confidential information. To gain access to Worldcoin cryptocurrency platform, users must interact with three interconnected technologies within the company's ecosystem: an application interface, a biometric data recognition system and Worldcoin’s proprietary cryptocurrency token.

Mexico’s Technological Advancements

Bureaucratic Digitalization Saves Mexico City Millions 

The public health guidelines established during the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated the digitalization of processes, leading to enhanced efficiency and productivity for private and public organizations worldwide. For the government of Mexico City, the digitalization of its bureaucratic processes has resulted in substantial cost-savings, amounting to as much as MX$2 billion (US$117 million). 

Mexico Monitors Escalating US-China Relations 

The US-China rivalry continues to grow as US President Joe Biden issued an executive order limiting investment and knowledge transfer to Chinese technology firms. The order is said to be primarily motivated by fears that these tech companies could inadvertently enhance Beijing's military prowess and aspirations. Meanwhile, despite Mexico’s well-established political and economic relationships with both nations, Mexican organizations remain ambivalent about expanding business partnerships with Chinese companies. 

Executive Perspective 

The AI Revolution in the Legal World (Part 1)

The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) marks a pivotal technological milestone, particularly transformative in the legal sphere. Amid the digital age, legal professionals are adapting to an evolving landscape demanding efficiency and quality service. The integration of AI offers essential advantages: automating repetitive tasks like document review and expediting legal information retrieval through AI algorithms, among others.  However, ethical and legal considerations accompany this progress. "Lawyers and legal technology companies must ensure that AI systems comply with data protection regulations and laws, ensuring the security and confidentiality of information," says Mariano Werner, CEO, Lemontech.

The Fascinating World of Cobots

Process automation is undergoing a transformation in which collaborative robots (cobots) have taken center stage. Cobots specialize in performing repetitive tasks that are potentially dangerous to humans, while their defining feature is the ability to collaborate with humans without requiring restricted zones or additional safety measures. Additionally, "with industrial robots there is a feeling of replacement, but with collaborative robots there is a synergy, an empathy; operators see the cobot as an ally in performing their tasks," says Miguel Gómez, Automation and Director, Sustainable Consulting G2H.

Screen Versus Children: A Delicate Balancing Act 

Debates surrounding the use of screens in education continue, necessitating a balanced perspective that acknowledges the technology's potential benefits while stressing careful implementation. Technological integration in classrooms and early childhood can foster curiosity and readiness for an AI-driven world, nurturing both motivation and creativity. Moreover, screens can introduce children to varied cultures, perspectives and experiences. However, Fernando Valenzuela Migoya, President, Global Editech Impact Alliance, argues that the best way to strike a healthy screen balance in children’s life will require "helping children understand the difference between productive and unproductive screen time."