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Tag: Artificial Intelligence

  • For Circa 2024, 87 per cent expecting better year: Ipsos Global Predictions 2024

    For Circa 2024, 87 per cent expecting better year: Ipsos Global Predictions 2024

    Mumbai: Ipsos Global Predictions for 2024 shows a positive outlook emerging for the year 2024 with 87 per cent urban Indians and 70 per cent global citizens predicting it to be a better year.

    And 8 in 10 urban Indians (84 per cent) say they are willing to make personal resolutions and specific changes for themselves in 2024. And 85 per cent Indians are also hopeful of the global economy doing better in 2024.    

    2023 was a bad year

    The local and global verdict on the year 2023 shows a great deal of disappointment, with 65 per cent of urban Indians pronouncing it a bad year for India and 64 per cent calling it a bad year for them and their family. 70 per cent global citizens felt it was a bad year for their country and 1 in 2 global citizens (53 per cent) felt it was a bad year for them and their family.

    The markets unhappy with 2023 were Argentina (88 per cent), Sweden (84 per cent), Turkey (84 per cent), Great Britain (per cent), Portugal (82 per cent), South Korea (82 per cent) and Hungary (82 per cent).

    The survey captured views of citizens on a host of issues, with their predictions for 2024.  

    Economy

    Most urban Indians expect cost of living to go up, with 71 per cent believing prices in the country will increase faster than people’s incomes.79 per cent global citizens echo similar views

    7 in 10 urban Indians (70 per cent) further believe inflation will be higher in 2024 as compared to 2023. 68 per cent urban Indians expect interest rates to be higher in 2024 as compared to 2023. 66 per cent expect unemployment to be greater in 2024 versus 2023.

    Technology

    Impact of technology in 2024 is likely to be a mixed bag. 61 per cent urban Indians expect artificial intelligence leading to loss of many new jobs in the country. 56 per cent Indians fear their personal data being leaked on the internet in 2024. 67 per cent urban Indians expect doctors in India to use artificial intelligence regularly, to decide on treatments for their patients. Interestingly, 61 per cent urban Indians believe in 2024, robots will look, think and speak like humans. The biggest upside, 65 per cent urban Indians polled believe artificial intelligence will lead to many new jobs being created in the country. And 57 per cent urban Indians plan to use social media less in 2024.

    Environment

    Climate change has been wreaking havoc around the globe.

    In 2024, 65 per cent urban Indians expect more extreme weather events in the country than seen in 2023. 60 per cent Indians also fear a natural disaster hitting a major city. And 70 per cent urban Indians expect the average global temperature to increase.

    At the same time 67 per cent urban Indians polled expect the govt to introduce more demanding targets for reducing carbon emissions quickly in 2024. While 63 per cent urban Indians expect more restrictions to be introduced to reduce the amount people drive in their cars in the country.    

    Society

    Predictions for 2024 are optimistic. 71 per cent urban Indians expect women to be paid the same as men for the same work. 71 per cent expect India to win more medals in the 2024 Summer Olympics than the last one. 66 per cent Indians believe people in the country will become more tolerant of each other.

    69 per cent urban Indians predict office workers spending more time in the office than at home, in 2024. 86 per cent Indonesians held this view, 78 per cent Malaysians and 76 per cent Chinese.

    63 per cent Indians expect the level of immigration into the country to increase in 2024. Markets predicting the most influx included Portugal (87 per cent), Turkey (82 per cent), Singapore (82 per cent) and Italy (79 per cent).

    And 1 in 2 Indians (53 per cent) expect the total size of the population of the country to fall in 2024. For a country that has become the world’s most populous nation.

    Ipsos India CEO Amit Adarkar said, “Majority of our citizens have a positive outlook for 2024, predicting it to be a better year for them. Though they are bracing themselves up for a tougher year in terms of inflation, rising prices, higher interest rates and higher unemployment. Year 2023 was a bad year is the majority verdict. The year saw many upheavals due to inflation, rise in prices of essential commodities, yo-yo of fuel prices, drought and floods and violence in certain parts of the country. The predictions for 2024 hinge a lot on optimism, of office workers going more often physically to work, govt taking stringent measures to reduce the carbon footprint, pay parity of women with men doing the same work, citizens becoming more tolerant of one another and India bagging more medals in its kitty in the summer Olympics. AI is expected to stave off some jobs and create new ones, so this will put a lot of emphasis on reskilling. Cautious optimism is the approach for 2024, as there is also fear of a new more severe pandemic and natural disasters.”      

    About the study

    These are the results of a 34-country survey conducted by Ipsos on its Global Advisor online platform and, in India, on its IndiaBus platform between Friday 20 October to Friday 3 November, 2023.

    For this survey, Ipsos interviewed a total of 25,292 adults aged 18 years and older in India, 18-74 in Canada, Malaysia, New Zealand, South Africa, Turkey, and the United States, 20-74 in Thailand, 21-74 in Indonesia and Singapore, and 16-74 in all other countries.

    Africa, Turkey, and the United States, 20-74 in Thailand, 21-74 in Indonesia and Singapore, and 16-74 in all other countries.

    Read the full report here:

    https://www.ipsos.com/en-in/optimism-rife-among-urban-indians-circa-2024-87-expecting-it-be-better-year-ipsos-global-advisor

  • India excels in Cloud, AI, and ML: 85 per cent of Indian businesses use cloud providers for analytics: Experian Study

    India excels in Cloud, AI, and ML: 85 per cent of Indian businesses use cloud providers for analytics: Experian Study

    Mumbai: India demonstrates remarkable resilience in the face of a challenging global landscape, according to the World Bank. Robust domestic demand, public infrastructure investments and the strengthening of the financial sector collectively contribute to India’s performance. As a testament to this resilience, a staggering 77 per cent of business leaders surveyed maintain a positive outlook for the upcoming year. These findings emerge from a comprehensive study conducted by forrester consulting commissioned by Experian, a global information services leader. The study also explores the profound impact of AI on analytics, risk assessment and customer experience. Notably, India demonstrates impressive AI and Machine Learning (ML), adoption rates, reaching 49 per cent in customer service and 40 per cent in identity verification.

    The study highlights India’s leadership in the EMEA and APAC regions, with 85 per cent of surveyed Indian businesses using external cloud providers for analytics. India’s adoption outpaces countries like Germany (66 per cent), New Zealand (per cent), and Spain (58 per cent), solidifying its position as a front-runner in cloud, AI, and ML utilisation.

    Role of AI in mitigating top risks:

    The report delves into the transformative potential of AI, the biggest risk priorities, and underscores how AI plays a pivotal role in fortifying resilience. Data privacy (59 per cent) and cybersecurity (53 per cent) emerge as the top risk concerns for the upcoming year, followed by ESG risk (47 per cent) and credit risk (41 per cent).

    Effectively mitigating these risks depends on improving the predictiveness of models and unlocking value from a wide variety of data sources. In this regard AI, particularly ML stands out as an instrumental tool with immense potential.

    Data integration and cloud investments drive AI success:

    Achieving AI success requires large volumes of data and the right data infrastructure. Despite an increase in new data sources, the biggest data-related challenge (for 48 per cent of respondents) pertains to the difficulty in effectively sharing data at a large scale while ensuring trust and security. As a result, 86 per cent of business leaders are prioritising investments in new data sources to better understand risk and affordability.

    The research shows that the biggest analytics-related challenge for nearly half of respondents (55 per cent) is the ability to seamlessly connect different data assets in a data warehouse that can adequately support AI/ML use cases. To address this issue, 86 per cent are prioritising investments in cloud technology for seamless data integration with 63 per cent agreeing that externally hosted cloud services are the best way to avoid data silos and aggregate data sources.

    Unlocking AI’s potential: productivity and efficiency enhancements:

    There are multiple ways in which AI can improve productivity, efficiency, and service delivery. Many organisations are actively exploring AI use cases, with a diverse range of possibilities, including enhanced underwriting with ML-based models, proactive and early identification of vulnerable customers, improved fraud prevention and faster customer service. More than half (65 per cent) of those already using AI find that their productivity gains have offset the initial cost – a clear indication of positive ROI from AI adoption.

    Experian managing director Saikrishnan said, “AI is currently leading the way in identifying innovative approaches to unlock the power of data, revolutionising business operations and elevating customer experience. As businesses engage with increasingly intricate decisions, AI plays a pivotal role in optimising the efficiency and effectiveness of business processes. Embracing the enduring role of AI becomes imperative, providing unparalleled insights for precise decision-making, particularly in critical areas such as risk management and fraud prevention. Simultaneously, it ushers in a new era of operational efficiency through automation, ultimately elevating the customer experience to new heights.”

    “AI/ML has increasingly emerged as a pivotal catalyst in combating new fraud challenges, automating credit risk processes, and leverage alternative data. AI is rapidly transitioning from a choice to a necessity, driving improved business performance and fostering inclusive financial growth,” he further added.

    Adding to it, Experian CEO, EMEA & APAC Malin Holmberg said, “While AI is driving innovation and enhancing analytical performance, it is critical to ensure this technology is used in a responsible and ethical way. It is reassuring that 61 per cent of our respondents have a comprehensive AI risk management program in place and are actively addressing unintentional bias through fully transparent and explainable AI. Businesses that embrace this technology will find themselves at an advantage as they unlock new growth opportunities through process efficiency and greater automation,”

  • Navigating tomorrow -The rise of artificial intelligence in leadership

    Navigating tomorrow -The rise of artificial intelligence in leadership

    Mumbai: In an era marked by rapid technological advancements, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into various facets of our lives is becoming increasingly prevalent. One of the most intriguing and transformative areas where AI is making a significant impact is in the realm of leadership. As AI technologies continue to evolve, leaders are presented with both unprecedented opportunities and unique challenges in harnessing the potential of intelligent machines.

    The rise of AI in leadership

    The traditional image of a leader conjures visions of a person at the helm, making critical decisions based on experience, intuition, and emotional intelligence. However, the landscape is shifting as AI becomes an integral part of organizational structures. AI is not replacing leaders but augmenting their capabilities, providing data-driven insights and automating routine tasks to allow leaders to focus on more strategic aspects of their roles.

    Data-driven decision making

    One of the primary contributions of AI to leadership is its ability to process vast amounts of data quickly and accurately. Leaders can leverage AI algorithms to analyze market trends, consumer behaviour, and internal operations. This data-driven approach empowers leaders to make more informed decisions, identify opportunities, and mitigate risks more effectively. AI doesn’t replace human intuition but complements it by providing a robust foundation of evidence on which leaders can base their choices.

    Enhanced productivity and efficiency

    AI is adept at handling routine and repetitive tasks, freeing up valuable time for leaders to focus on tasks that require creativity, strategic thinking, and emotional intelligence. From automating administrative functions to streamlining complex workflows, AI can enhance overall productivity and efficiency within an organization. This allows leaders to dedicate more time to building relationships, fostering innovation, and crafting a compelling vision for the future.

    Leadership development through AI

    AI is not only a tool for current leaders but also a valuable resource in nurturing the leaders of tomorrow. Machine learning algorithms can analyze leadership styles, competencies, and behaviours, providing tailored insights for individual professional development. This personalized approach helps aspiring leaders understand their strengths and areas for improvement, fostering continuous learning and growth.

    Cultural transformation and inclusivity

    AI-driven analytics can also play a pivotal role in shaping organizational culture. By analyzing communication patterns, sentiment, and employee engagement data, AI can provide leaders with real-time insights into the pulse of the organization. This information enables proactive interventions to enhance employee well-being, address concerns, and foster a more inclusive workplace culture.

    Challenges and ethical considerations

    While the integration of AI in leadership brings about numerous benefits, it also presents ethical considerations and challenges. Issues related to bias in AI algorithms, transparency, and privacy must be carefully addressed. Leaders need to ensure that AI technologies are deployed ethically and align with the organization’s values. Additionally, there is the concern of job displacement as routine tasks become automated. Leaders must navigate these challenges with a keen awareness of the social and ethical implications of AI adoption.

    The human touch in AI-Augmented leadership

    Despite the increasing role of AI in leadership, the human touch remains irreplaceable. Emotional intelligence, empathy, and the ability to inspire and motivate are qualities that distinguish human leaders. AI can provide valuable insights and support decision-making, but the emotional and interpersonal aspects of leadership require the nuanced understanding that only humans can provide.

    Building trust in AI

    Building trust in AI systems is paramount for successful integration. Leaders must communicate transparently about the role of AI, its limitations, and the ethical frameworks in place. Establishing trust among employees, stakeholders, and the wider community is crucial for the acceptance and effective implementation of AI technologies.

    Preparing leaders for the future

    As the role of leaders continues to evolve in the age of AI, there is a growing need for leadership development programs that incorporate AI literacy. Leaders should understand how AI works, its potential applications, and the ethical considerations associated with its use. This knowledge equips leaders to make informed decisions about AI implementation and ensures they remain at the forefront of shaping the future of leadership.

    Conclusion: The synergy of human leadership and AI

    The rise of AI in leadership heralds a new era of possibilities, where human leaders and intelligent machines collaborate synergistically. The integration of AI empowers leaders with unprecedented access to data, insights, and efficiency. However, the essence of leadership—the ability to inspire, guide, and connect with people—remains distinctly human. Successful leaders in the AI-driven future will be those who adeptly balance the benefits of technology with the enduring qualities of leadership that make a lasting impact on individuals and organisations alike.

    The author of this article is Shisham Digital CMO Ankoor Dasguupta.

  • How AI is ushering e-commerce brands in a new era of productivity

    How AI is ushering e-commerce brands in a new era of productivity

    Mumbai: Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionising the e-commerce industry, ushering in a new era of productivity and efficiency. By automating tasks, personalizing the shopping experience, and optimizing operations, AI is helping e-commerce brands to save time, money, and resources, while also improving customer satisfaction and driving sales.

    Here are some of the key ways in which AI is transforming the e-commerce landscape:

    Automating tasks: AI can automate a wide range of e-commerce tasks, such as order processing, customer service, and inventory management. This can free up human employees to focus on more strategic and value-added activities.

    Personalising the shopping experience: AI can be used to personalize the shopping experience for each customer. This includes recommending products, providing relevant search results, and offering tailored promotions. By delivering a more personalized experience, AI can help e-commerce brands to increase customer engagement and loyalty.

    Optimising operations: AI can be used to optimize e-commerce operations in a number of ways. For example, AI can predict demand, forecast inventory levels, and optimize delivery routes. This can help e-commerce brands reduce costs, improve efficiency, and ensure that customers receive their orders on time.

    Improving customer satisfaction: AI can be used to improve customer satisfaction in a number of ways. For example, AI can provide 24/7 customer support, resolve customer issues quickly and efficiently, and personalize the customer experience. By improving customer satisfaction, AI can help e-commerce brands to increase customer loyalty and repeat business.

    Driving sales: AI can be used to drive sales in a number of ways. For example, AI can personalize product recommendations, target customers with relevant marketing messages, and optimize pricing strategies. Using AI to drive sales, e-commerce brands can increase their revenue and profitability.

    The impact of AI on e-commerce productivity:

    AI is having a significant impact on e-commerce productivity. For example, a study by McKinsey found that AI could boost global productivity by 0.8% to 1.4% annually over the next decade. This equates to an additional $13 trillion to $17 trillion in global economic output by 2030.

    In the e-commerce industry, AI is helping brands to automate tasks, streamline operations, and improve customer satisfaction. This is leading to significant productivity gains. For example, a study by Salesforce found that AI-powered customer service chatbots can resolve customer issues 30% faster than human agents.

    Here are some specific examples of how e-commerce brands are using AI to improve their productivity:

    Amazon: Amazon uses AI to automate a wide range of tasks, including order processing, inventory management, and product recommendations. AI is also used to power Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant, which allows customers to shop and get information using only their voice.

    Walmart: Walmart uses AI to predict demand, forecast inventory levels, and optimize delivery routes. AI is also used to power Walmart’s self-checkout kiosks and its mobile app.

    Ubuy India: Uses AI to personalize the shopping experience for each customer. AI is also used to power their payment platform and its logistics platform.

    These are just a few examples of how e-commerce brands use AI to improve their productivity. As AI continues to develop and become more sophisticated, we can expect to see even more innovative and transformative applications of AI in the e-commerce industry.

    The future of AI in e-commerce:

    AI is still in its early stages of development, but it has the potential to revolutionize the e-commerce industry in the future. As AI becomes more powerful and accessible, we can expect to see even more innovative and transformative applications of AI in e-commerce.

    Here are some of how AI is expected to impact the future of e-commerce:

    Personalized shopping experiences: AI will be used to personalize the shopping experience for each customer. This will include recommending products, providing relevant search results, and offering tailored promotions.

    Conversational commerce: AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants will play a major role in e-commerce in the future. These chatbots and assistants can answer customer questions, recommend products, and help customers place orders.

    Visual search: AI-powered visual search will allow customers to search for products using images instead of text. This will make it easier for customers to find the products they seek.

    Overall, AI has the potential to revolutionize the e-commerce industry in the years to come. By automating tasks, personalizing the shopping experience, and optimizing operations, AI is helping e-commerce brands save time, money, and resources while also improving customer satisfaction and driving sales.

    The article is authored by Ubuy Media spokesperson & senior content marketing specialist Faizan Ahmed Khan

  • Britannia NutriChoice launches personalised diet consultation on World Diabetes Day

    Britannia NutriChoice launches personalised diet consultation on World Diabetes Day

    Mumbai: To mark the occasion of World Diabetes Day, Britannia NutriChoice launched a first-of-its-kind service that democratises access to nutrition for people with diabetes. The initiative uses the expertise of nutrition and health coach Ryan Fernando to deliver diet plans customised to age and dietary preferences.

    The campaign will reach over 15 million people in India and promote awareness about healthy meal planning to help prevent and manage diabetes.

    Ryan Fernando, India’s leading nutritionist with over two decades of experience, has partnered with Britannia Nutrichoice to provide customised diet counseling. The diets keep in mind the need for diversity in taste, focus on portion control, and work with simple, everyday sources of nutrition. According to the IDF, India ranks second after China, with 77 million people with diabetes. It is one of the largest global health emergencies of this century, ranking among the 10 leading causes of mortality. Over one in two adults with diabetes is undiagnosed. In India, one of the primary reasons for the steady rise in cases of diabetes is the increasingly unhealthy lifestyle and dietary choices. For a problem that affects so many, there isn’t one solution that fits all.

    This World Diabetes Day, the service launched by Britannia Nutrichoice is to provide a customised diet plan to individuals managing diabetes based on age and dietary preferences while minding the diversity of food choices across the country. The initiative recommends the most suitable diet plan for each person based on their demographics and delivers it via an easy-to-access, interactive WhatsApp ChatBot.

    Knowing that the journey to good health requires consistency and commitment, the initiative uses AI-powered technology to deliver a personalised video (addressing every individual by name) to check in on them a week after the diet plan has been delivered, to keep them motivated and on track.

    DENMARC director and Jaslok Hospital and Research Center endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism director prof. (Dr.) Hemraj B. Chandalia said, “On the occasion of World Diabetes Day, let us intensify our efforts to stop the onslaught of diabetes by choosing a healthier lifestyle. Healthful foods and increased physical activity will go a long way in preventing diabetes and mitigating its complications.”

    Speaking on the launch, Britannia Industries chief marketing officer Amit Doshi said, “India is home to the world’s second-highest population of people managing diabetes. On World Diabetes Day, we are happy to launch this national initiative to provide expert counsel towards balanced nutrition for diabetes. We aim to democratise access to nutrition and deliver a highly personalised experience using the power of AI technology. We are happy to have partnered with award-winning nutritionist Ryan Fernando, who worked extensively on the diet plans and helped bring the large-scale and much-needed initiative to life.”

    Nutritionist and Qua Nutrition founder Ryan Fernando said, “As a nutrition coach, it is my responsibility to educate and guide people towards healthier options and choosing foods that heal the body. Diabetes is a disorder that can be regulated and managed through the foods one consumes and the lifestyle one leads. I am excited about my collaboration with Britannia NutriChoice and hope what we have worked on benefits a lot of diabetics and pre-diabetics across the country.”

  • Zee Digital rebrands as IndiaDotcom Digital; focuses on building a tech-centric organisation

    Zee Digital rebrands as IndiaDotcom Digital; focuses on building a tech-centric organisation

    Mumbai: Zee Digital, one of India’s largest digital entities, has rebranded itself as IndiaDotcom Digital Pvt Ltd (IDPL) with a new logo to redefine a host of “infinite possibilities.” It unveiled the new brand identity and fresh look through a short video on social media, thus symbolising a well-thought-out manifestation of its relentless drive for innovation, excellence, empowerment, and growth.

    The media industry has been evolving with new, innovative technology. To match the increasing demand of its viewers and readers, IDPL looks forward to converting into a technology-centric organisation by investing in high-end technology, encouraging product talent and vibrancy, and boosting the entrepreneurial spirit. IDPL has implemented technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning.

    Speaking about the brand rebranding, IDPL CEO Devadas Krishnan said, “The new avatar of IDPL is a step forward towards encouraging innovation and adopting a tech-driven approach as per the market demand of the present day and age. As a brand, we are fast-paced and encourage our employees to upskill and enhance their knowledge through an in-depth understanding of how content is consumed by our viewers and readers. We look forward to attracting the best tech, product, and marketing talent in the industry.”

    Furthermore, keeping in line with Zee Group’s employee-friendly culture, IndiaDotcom Digital offers its employees the option to work onsite, remotely, or in a hybrid setting. IDPL has also successfully initiated employee-friendly practices such as an in-house gym and library, crèch for working parents, and a ‘Well done’ initiative where team members’ efforts are appreciated and rewarded by the company on the spot. This enables a better work-life balance and the well-being of its workforce and encourages a collaborative culture of healthy employee relations.

    IDPL has been aggressive in its hiring and recently added 300+fresh talent. As per the latest FICCI-EY report, the Indian media and entertainment (M&E) industry clocked Rs 1.61 lakh crore in 2021 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 11 per cent to Rs 2.32 lakh crore by 2024.

  • Top Publishers adopt Taboola’s New Header Bidding Solution

    Top Publishers adopt Taboola’s New Header Bidding Solution

    Mumbai: Taboola has announced Taboola Header Bidding—a new capability that expands on the native bidding service that was originally launched in April 2022.

    Publishers using Taboola Header Bidding generate incremental revenue from existing display ad inventory, and to date, top publishers like McClatchy, Ströer, iMedia, and many others are already live.

    With Taboola Header Bidding, advertisers can now use Taboola’s advanced AI and unique first-party data to seamlessly connect with 500 million daily active users across IAB-standard display placements on its large publisher network. This gives advertisers working with Taboola even more visibility in prominent locations across trusted publishers in verticals like local news, sports, entertainment, finance, and more.

    Publishers benefit from Taboola Header Bidding by driving significantly more monetisation with their existing display ad units. Using this product, Taboola’s publishers can tap into unique native advertising demand by working with 15,000 direct advertisers, immense first-party data, and AI. This helps publishers increase auction density across display ad inventory, resulting in a stronger and healthier display marketplace.

    Speaking about this new feature, Taboola founder and CEO Adam Singolda said, “I’m excited to expand our partnership with 15,000 of our advertisers, providing them a broader opportunity to reach their target audiences and driving lower acquisition costs.”

    Singolda added, “It is critical to help drive strong performance for advertisers and businesses all around the world, especially during times when social networks and privacy are in play. The feedback we’ve gotten working with some of our top publishers has been incredible. We’re not only able to provide value by generating incremental revenue from existing display placements but also by making the display marketplace healthier. We have a unique proposition given our massive first-party dataset, our direct advertisers, and AI—and I’m excited to make this available to 9,000 of our publishers in years to come.”

    McClatchy chief revenue officer Tony Berg, who looks forward to the added benefits that this collaboration offers advertisers, said, “Taboola continues to be a strategic partner for us. Working with them on their header bidding technology strengthens our relationship even further. Their expertise in AI, coupled with their strong advertiser relationships, will create increased revenue opportunities.”

    “Taboola has been a longtime partner of ours and has shown a commitment to collaborating on products that drive our business forward. We’ve integrated their products holistically because of their strength in making our properties more appealing to both advertisers and readers. More relevancy for ads on our site means a better experience for readers, while also giving advertisers the chance to tap into millions of very engaged and savvy readers. We are pleased to be the first sales house in DACH using this innovation within our Header Bidding solution powered by Yieldlove,” said Yieldlove senior vice president of product management programmatic & sata at Ströer and managing director Abdelkader Barjiji.

    Ströer is the first sales house in the DACH region to use Taboola’s Header Bidding capabilities and, in doing so, continues its use of a variety of Taboola offerings. Most recently, the companies announced an extended partnership through 2028.

    iMedia Digital Services president Matt Leardini commented, “Taboola has been our trusted, longtime partner, and their new header bidding product is very exciting to us.”

    “Over our long partnership, their technology has given us a clear competitive advantage. With Taboola header bidding, we’ve got incredible new potential to grow our business together,” Leardini added.

  • ‘MTV Hustle 2.0’ launches ‘BotHard’ in partnership with DDB Mudra Group

    ‘MTV Hustle 2.0’ launches ‘BotHard’ in partnership with DDB Mudra Group

    Mumbai: MTV India has joined hands with the country’s foremost creative powerhouse, DDB Mudra Group, to launch ‘BotHard‘—an AI-powered rapper and a state-of-the-art creative bot.

    The partnership combines artificial intelligence with the rhyming sensibilities of hip-hop music. The revolutionary campaign offers a unique tech innovation and consumer engagement experience for fans of the genre and India’s first-ever hip-hop reality show.

    Conceptualised by DDB Mudra Group for the iconic MTV show, BotHard breaks new ground across music, entertainment, and technology.

    The name ‘BotHard‘ stems from the colloquially used Indian phrase “Bohot Hard,” which refers to a rap song or rhyme that is acknowledged as exceptional in the rap community.

     

     
     
     

     
     
     
     
     

     
     

     
     
     

     
     

    A post shared by Bot Hard (@bothard.raps)

     

    The inception of BotHard underscores how real human talent in the musical genre of rapping remains unrivalled—with skill, practice, and finer nuances of musicality, technique, and performance.

    The stage of Realme MTV Hustle 2.0, co-powered by Wild Stone’s new classic range and produced by Fremantle Media, has been grooming raw talent into industry-ready professionals since its premiere.

    Speaking on the initiative, Viacom 18 head of youth, music, and English entertainment cluster Anshul Ailawadi said, “MTV has always been about bold visions and big moves. ‘BotHard’ is an example of disruptive, transmedia storytelling that complements the raison d’être for Realme MTV Hustle 2.0. With this initiative, we hope to redefine the consumer experience for our gen-z and millennial fans.”

    Viacom18 marketing head for youth, music, and English entertainment Utsav Chaudhuri, said, “At MTV, we focus on strategic and innovative experiences across multiple youth touch-points. We are at the cusp of exciting possibilities with AI to drive narratives, recall value, and immersive consumer engagement. With the confluence of avant-garde technology and a multi-platform approach, we developed ‘BotHard’, a first-of-its-kind AI-powered rapper, to further put the spotlight on real, unmatched talent curated by Realme MTV Hustle 2.0.”

    Speaking from the creative perspective, DDB Mudra Group chief creative officer Rahul Mathew said, “While this idea is built on cutting-edge technology, the most exciting part for us was how true it had to stay to hip-hop culture for it to be accepted by the audience. It lives at the right intersection of culture, creativity, and technology.”

    The AI-powered rapper challenged some of the biggest names in the industry, across the globe. The bot also made an appearance on the show, battling the talent on Realme MTV Hustle 2.0. BotHard has piqued the curiosity of fans and audiences alike, who can challenge the bot to bust a rhyme (pun intended) on any word!

  • GUEST ARTICLE: Artificial intelligence: The key ingredient to boost the growth of the advertising industry

    GUEST ARTICLE: Artificial intelligence: The key ingredient to boost the growth of the advertising industry

    Mumbai: For a layman, the term “artificial intelligence” is usually associated with robots and voice assistant software like Alexa and Siri or Elon Musk’s self-driving cars. Many people don’t think about the scope of AI beyond these concepts. However, the aforementioned use cases of AI are just the tip of the iceberg.

    In reality, the power of AI cannot be summarised in a few words or applications, as an infinite number of AI-enabled tools and interfaces are working behind the scenes to make the lives of consumers and other stakeholders a lot easier.

    This is especially true in the business world. AI has played a pivotal role in putting products and services in front of potential customers through social media or other means, even though it wasn’t widely recognised or understood. An impactful form of marketing, AI-enabled advertisements present themselves before customers only after learning and assessing their online preferences, shopping behaviour, and other necessary inputs.

    And soon, the fast-emerging advertising industry realised that the days of manually asking for customer inputs are behind us, as AI can do this job in the background. This was just the beginning of an AI hurricane that swept the advertising world off its feet. Automation technology evolved, and so did its applications.

    Against this backdrop, we will discuss AI’s role in the advertising industry and its advantages in-depth. Without further ado, let’s dive in!

    The emergence of adtech: A comprehensive overview

    If there’s one industry with a genuine case of AI fever, that is advertising, aka adtech. From the desktop sidebar ads in the 1990s to mobile advertising and the user recognition capabilities of CTV marketing, the advertising industry has evolved dramatically over the past two decades. Everywhere the eye can see today is likely an advertisement. One can thank the internet and new technologies like AI and ML (machine learning) for this drastic change.

    Gradually, as remote access to stable internet connections and the widespread distribution of smartphones and smart televisions increased, the pathway to video and online ads became clearer. Some significant industry experts believe that the launch of the iPhone and the consequent smartphone market growth played a considerable role in augmenting the acceleration of adtech, specifically online advertising.

    A 2021 InMobi report revealed that programmatic mobile video ads had registered a 194 per cent increase in India. This proves the widespread adoption of video ads as a more effective source of advertising than others, as they are better at connecting and engaging with the audience. But this is just one example of the new wave that enveloped the advertising industry and pushed it toward the path of unprecedented success.

    The latest tools and approaches are taking the adtech world by storm

    Interactive ads: Going over and beyond

    Interactive advertising is a contemporary marketing technique that enhances customer participation. The primary focus is to ensure that consumers engage with and interact with the ad, directly or indirectly, and provide real-time feedback on the relevant campaign. The idea is to not limit the audience from viewing the ad but to make them feel its presence and relevance. There are different ways to implement interactive advertising. Here are a few pioneering examples:

    1. 3D impact: A solution that offers immersive experiences to consumers by leveraging advanced animations to deliver multiple messages in one video. Utilising this, advertisers can improve customer brand recall, enhance the ROI, and make a high impact.

    2. 3D wobble: A solution that delivers compact and efficient information through a comprehensive UX powerhouse. It adds a noteworthy twist to ads and increases user engagement, brand conversion ratio, and click through rate (CTR).

    3. Shoppable unit: A solution that appears as a deck inside a conversational flow. It allows customers to swipe and check out the sequence of product images. This is an effective solution for brands gearing up to streamline their sales and marketing strategies.

    CTV advertising: Think bigger

    Connected TV advertising (CTV) is a type of advertising approach placed on any smart TV with the facility to connect to the internet. CTV essentially depends on a large TV screen, which enables advertisers to engage audiences in a linear TV-like environment.

    It allows advertisers to create a one-to-many relationship with the audience (propelled by co-viewing) compared to other advertising methods where advertisers establish a one-on-one relationship with their target customer base. There are several ways to implement CTV advertising. Here are a few suggestions:

    1. Split screen: The split screen technology offers viewers a non-disruptive, non-intrusive, side-by-side creative display. This ensures that consumers don’t miss any key details or pay attention to the content they are consuming while consciously or subconsciously watching the display ad.

    2. Brand assimilation: By harnessing the power of mighty brand assimilation, advertisers can manipulate visual effects and place brands in a place where they get seen by customers seamlessly and effortlessly.

    3. Persuasive overlay: This approach includes a contextualised and commercial interactive video that connects with the audience through powerful content. The video is created in such a fashion that consumers can quickly connect the display with the brand.

    Wrapping up

    The use cases, solutions, and approaches mentioned above clearly demonstrate that AI is not the distant future of adtech but its present. This remarkable technology plays a crucial role in helping advertisers deliver highly engaging and non-intrusive ads while providing incremental revenue to publishers. Additionally, given that AI can automatically generate the ad while keeping customer preference in mind, advertisers don’t need to engage their manual workforce for such tasks and can easily concoct their next ad campaign.

    AI has made it incredibly easy for advertisers to leverage its many benefits while simultaneously saving money and optimising efficiency to a noteworthy extent. Adequately handling this can improve the overall effectiveness and ROI of ad campaigns, making the entire concept more rewarding.

    The author of this article is VDO.AI founder and CEO Amitt Sharma.

  • Mark Zuckerberg expects Meta to return to healthier revenue growth trends next year

    Mark Zuckerberg expects Meta to return to healthier revenue growth trends next year

    Mumbai: In a conference call with analysts to discuss the third quarter 2022 results, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said that in terms of the business, total revenue grew slightly this quarter on a constant currency basis. “We’re still behind where I think we should be, but we believe that we will return to healthier revenue growth trends next year. That said, it’s not clear that the economy has stabilised yet, so we’re planning our budget somewhat more conservatively.”

    He noted that the company in the quarter had launched JioMart on WhatsApp in India. “It’s our first end-to-end shopping experience that shows the potential for chat-based commerce through messaging.” He said that beyond Reels, messaging is another major monetisation opportunity. “Billions of people and millions of businesses use WhatsApp and Messenger every day, and we’re confident we can connect them in ways that create valuable experiences.”

    For the record, Meta’s share price fell by 20 per cent in after-hours trading after it reported its fourth straight quarterly decline in profit. Analysts want Meta to cut costs. Some analysts describe Meta’s investments as being confusing and confounding.

    Zuckerberg also said that Meta’s product trends look better than what the commentary that he has seen suggests.

    “Our community continued to grow this quarter. We now reach more than 3.7 billion people monthly across our family of apps. And while we continue to navigate some challenging dynamics—a volatile macroeconomy, increasing competition, ad signal loss, and growing costs from our long-term investments—Iq have to say that our product trends look better from what I see than some of the commentary I’ve seen suggests.”

    He said that three of the areas that Meta is very focused on are the AI discovery engine, the ads and business messaging platforms, and the future vision for the metaverse. “I believe the tougher prioritisation, discipline, and efficiency that we’re driving across the organisation will help us navigate the current environment and emerge an even stronger company.”

    Reels, which is its short-form video platform, continues to grow quickly across apps—both in production and consumption. “There are now more than 140 billion reels played across Facebook and Instagram each day. That’s a 50 per cent increase from six months ago. Reels are incremental to time spent on our apps. The trends look good here, and we believe that we’re gaining time spent on competitors like TikTok.”

    While analysts are unsure about whether the big bets on areas like the Metaverse will pay off, Zuckerberg expressed confidence in the work being done in the Metaverse space. “We just had our Connect conference and announced Quest Pro, which we just started shipping. It’s our new high-end VR headset that delivers high-resolution mixed reality so you can blend virtual objects into the physical environment around you. It’s pretty amazing when you see it, and it’s going to enable all kinds of new experiences in socializing, gaming, fitness, and work. I’m really looking forward to seeing what people build with this new capability.

    Working in the metaverse is a big theme for Quest Pro. There are 200 million people who get new PCs every year, mostly for work. Our goal for the Quest Pro line over the next several years is to enable more and more of these people to get their work done in virtual and mixed reality, eventually even better than they could on PCs.”

    He dwelt on the importance of partnerships. “To deliver a great work and productivity experience, I’m excited about the partnerships we announced with Microsoft bringing their suite of productivity and enterprise management services to Quest, Adobe and Autodesk bringing their creative tools, Zoom bringing their communication platform, Accenture building solutions for enterprises, and more.

    “There’s still a long road ahead to build the next computing platform, but we are clearly doing leading work here. This is a massive undertaking, and it’s often going to take a few versions of each product before they become mainstream. But I think our work is going to be of historic importance and create the foundation for an entirely new way that we will interact with each other and blend technology into our lives, as well as a foundation for the long term of our business.”