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2015: New horizons for science

Scientists say hello to Pluto and gene editing, entrepreneurs enter the space race, and Ireland scores its first Nobel Prize for science in more than 60 years.

Celebrating 20 years of Silicon Republic, 2001-2021

2015 was a milestone year for Silicon Republic, with a new look, responsive design website and the inaugural Inspirefest, our major international sci-tech event.

Sadly, the incredible science communicator Mary Mulvihill was not with us for Inspirefest as planned. She died just a week before after a short illness, and Inspirefest founder and curator Ann O’Dea paid tribute to her instrumental role in Silicon Republic’s Women Invent Tomorrow campaign, the precursor to creating a sci-tech event with inclusivity at its core.

At the time, Ireland was in a state of transformation into a more progressive nation. The marriage equality referendum dominated headlines for the first half of the year, and Silicon Republic joined the Business for Yes campaign to legalise same-sex marriage.

#MarRef was the chief topic of conversation on Irish Twitter, which also brought us the heartwarming #HomeToVote hashtag as the referendum drew nearer. The Yes was won and, later that summer, love would win again when the US Supreme Court ruled that states could not ban same-sex marriage.

At the very least, it gave us something to talk about other than The Dress.

Pluto flyby

Another star of social media in 2015 was the dwarf planet Pluto.

When NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft set out for Pluto in 2006, it was still considered the ninth planet in our solar system. Nearly a decade later, New Horizons captured its first pictures of this demoted dwarf planet on the Edgeworth-Kuiper belt (which is half named after an Irish scientist).

After a brief breakdown in July, New Horizons awoke to take the first grainy snaps of Pluto’s surface – a closer look than ever before. Then it was one breathtaking snap after another, amazing scientists and Twitter folk alike.

New Horizons also marked a monumental moment for women in STEM, with women making up a quarter of the team, led by mission operations manager Alice Bowman.

Space race 2.0

Space travel was starting to open up in 2015, with astronauts aboard the ISS preparing the craft for visiting tourists and SpaceX giving us a first glimpse of the Crew Dragon capsule being built to take them there.

Some had ambitions to go even further, and the Mars One programme was exploiting these desires. Dr Joseph Roche was kicked off the shortlist for the one-way private mission to Mars after he spoke out about the selection process, which was driving applicants to raise money for the spurious project.

Meanwhile, two of the world’s best-known entrepreneurs were eager to take the lead in commercial space travel. Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin and Elon Musk’s SpaceX engaged in a space race to launch a reusable, self-landing rocket for future space missions.

SpaceX got off to a good start with missions to the ISS and deep space, but the Falcon9 rocket just couldn’t stick the landing. By April, Blue Origin was preparing to launch its own spacecraft while SpaceX was teasing out issues with velocity and weather.

A summertime explosion delayed Musk’s space-faring plans, giving Bezos the chance to take the lead when the New Shepard rocket successfully landed after a test launch in November.

But SpaceX came back swinging, launching the first reusable rocket to successfully enter orbital space and return, landing upright at the end of December.

Cut-and-paste genes

Reusable rockets may have sounded like a far-flung concept even at the turn of the century, but 2015 didn’t stop there with its science-fiction-level advances.

Considered by many to be the breakthrough of the year, Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier developed CRISPR-Cas9 as a method for genome editing. The duo received the 2015 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences to develop the genetic ‘cut and paste’ technology, which had promising potential for tackling diseases such as diabetes, cancer and HIV.

While it had been around for a few years, this was the year CRISPR-Cas9 became cheaper and research exploded.

Scientists were largely in support of low-level research on CRISPR but not its clinical use in the human germline, making heritable changes. But in April, it was confirmed that scientists in China had used CRISPR to edit the genomes of non-viable human embryos to see if they could remove the genes responsible for a serious blood disorder.

Ethical questions were raised and at December’s International Summit on Gene Editing, scientists agreed to establish an international forum to address concerns around CRISPR and harmonise regulations globally.

Ireland’s newest Nobel laureate

Doudna and Charpentier would later receive a Nobel Prize for their work on CRISPR, but 2015’s honourees included Donegal-born Trinity College Dublin graduate William C Campbell.

Campbell was jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his work on an anti-parasitic drug used on domestic farm animals. He developed the drug, Avermectin, while working with Merck in the US. It was then further refined as Ivermectin, a treatment for the condition known as ‘river blindness’.

He was the first Irish person to receive a Nobel Prize for the sciences since Waterford man and ‘atom splitter’ Ernest Walton in 1951.

Campbell was not the only Irish award-winner of 2015. Beats Medical founder Ciara Clancy was named Cartier Laureate for Europe for her work with Parkinson’s patients; 13-year-old Niamh Scanlon was the second Irish girl in a row to be crowned EU Digital Girl of the Year; and Prof Louise Kenny scooped an award from the American Heart Association for her work on foetal and neonatal research.

To protect and surveil

Ireland gained international attention for other reasons in 2015. In October, Safe Harbour was submerged when the Court of Justice of the European Union declared this EU-US data-sharing agreement to be invalid in the case of Max Schrems versus the Irish Data Protection Commissioner.

By December, EU legislators had agreed the text of a data protection package that included the new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The EU was determined to draw a line between its data regime and that of the US, which had simultaneously passed the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA), which effectively legalised government snooping.

Terrorist attacks in Paris were used to justify government tech surveillance, reigniting a fiery debate on encryption and backdoors. And it wasn’t just the US government looking for a way in. In the UK, prime minister David Cameron had already threatened to ban encrypted messaging services such as WhatsApp and Snapchat if British intelligence services were unable to monitor them.

Later in the year, the UK government showcased a raft of new surveillance laws that further strengthened the spying capabilities of one of the most advanced surveillance states in the world. Edward Snowden was quick to criticise and Apple followed, warning that there was no guarantee backdoors could be built for use by ‘good guys’ only.

All shook up

From splits to reshuffles and births to departures, Big Tech went through big changes in 2015.

Yahoo followed HP’s example, deciding to split into two separate entities following a months-long battle with the IRS over its continued attempts to spin-off its $32bn stake in Alibaba.

Earlier, Yahoo rival Google announced it was rebranding as Alphabet. The move saw Alphabet Inc replace Google as the company’s public trading entity. Sergey Brin became president of Alphabet and its subsidiary companies (including Google) while Sundar Pichai became Google CEO.

Jack Dorsey returned to Twitter as CEO seven years after his departure from the role. He replaced outgoing CEO Dick Costolo.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg celebrated the birth of his first child as well as that of his philanthropy career when he and wife Priscilla Chan pledged to donate 99pc of their fortune to charity.

Closer to home, an Irish telecoms provider underwent a rebrand and leadership change. In September, Eircom became Eir under new CEO Richard Moat. A week later, Web Summit CEO Paddy Cosgrave decided to take his business elsewhere, announcing that the annual event would be held in Lisbon instead of Dublin from 2016 onwards.

In other news:

12 January: An open letter signed by Bill Gates, Elon Musk, Stephen Hawking and many others commits to ensuring the development of AI won’t end humanity.

14 January: Apple, Google, Intel and Adobe Systems reach a $415m settlement agreement after almost four years battling an antitrust class action lawsuit claiming they restricted Silicon Valley employees from changing jobs.

4 February: Ireland’s €10m National Lottery jackpot draw is postponed due to a 3G telecoms crash.

11 March: Scientist publish their discovery of a warm ocean on Saturn’s moon Enceladus.

30 April: John Herlihy steps down after 10 years leading Google in Ireland. (He would later be appointed EMEA MD for LinkedIn.)

30 April: NASA’s MESSENGER spacecraft crashes into the surface of Mercury after years of sending back stunning images of the planet it was circling.

14 May: HTTP/2, the first new version of HTTP since 1997, is introduced.

19 May: Silicon Republic reveals Facebook’s plans to build a €200m data centre at Clonee in Co Meath.

23 June: Researchers aboard the MV Celtic Explorer report the surprising discovery of a coral reef off the Kerry coast.

2 July: Irish start-up Hassle, described as ‘Hailo for cleaners’, is acquired by Berlin-based Helpling for €32m.

27 July: Outbox Incubator, the world’s first incubator programme for young women under 22, kicks off in London.

27 July: Details of Stagefright, the first in a series of bugs affecting hundreds of millions of Android devices, are disclosed.

1 August: Isis Anchalee starts the #ILookLikeAnEngineer hashtag in response to those sceptical of her appearance in a tech recruitment campaign.

11 August: Apple gets the green light for an €850m data centre in Athenry, Galway.

21 August: Google announces that it has begun construction of a new €150m data centre in west Dublin.

24 August: Facebook achieves a milestone 1bn users in a single day.

10 September: Scientists announce the discovery of Homo naledi, a new species in the ancestry of humans.

18 September: The Volkswagen emissions scandal breaks when the US Environmental Protection Agency issues the carmaker with a clean air violation, alleging that it concealed 1m tonnes of pollutants.

22 September: A team of researchers claims to have quadrupled the distance record for quantum teleportation, having transferred quantum information carried in light particles over 100km of optical fibre.

28 September: NASA confirms that liquid water has been found on Mars.

29 September: Edward Snowden joins Twitter and quickly amasses more than 1m followers though he only follows one account: @NSAGov.

30 September: Google and Microsoft call a truce after five years of patent lawsuits.

13 October: UCD data spin-out Logentries is acquired by security analytics giant Rapid7 for $68m.

29 October: By a narrow margin, the European Parliament votes to drop all criminal charges against Edward Snowden, recognising his status as a “whistleblower and international human rights defender”.

11 November: Apple CEO Tim Cook visits Ireland, announcing 1,000 new jobs in Cork.

29 November: Bill Gates announces two initiatives at COP21: Mission Innovation, a commitment by more than 10 countries to invest more in research on clean energy; and the Breakthrough Energy Coalition, a private green energy fund backed by Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Richard Branson, Marc Benioff, Meg Whitman, Priscilla Chan, Jeff Bezos and Jack Ma.

30 November: 26-year-old Trinity researcher Haytham Assem is named the youngest-ever IBM Master Inventor.

2 December: The €26m Irish Centre for Research in Applied Geosciences (iCRAG) opens at University College Dublin.

10 December: Chicago’s TransUnion buys Irish start-up Trustev for $44m, making serial entrepreneur Pat Phelan and his co-founders millionaires.

12 December: The final wording of the Paris Agreement to reduce carbon emissions and limit global heating to “1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels” is agreed at COP21.

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“The Creator”: A Glimpse Into A Future Defined By Artificial Intelligence (AI) Warfare

By Cindy Porter

In “The Creator” visionary director Gareth Edwards thrusts us into the heart of a dystopian future, where the battle lines are drawn between artificial intelligence and the free Western world.

Set against the backdrop of a post-rebellion Los Angeles, the film grapples with pressing questions about the role of AI in our society.

A Glimpse into a Future Defined by Artificial Intelligence (AI) Warfare

A Glimpse into a Future Defined by Artificial Intelligence (AI) Warfare

While the narrative treads familiar ground, it is timely, given the rising prominence of artificial intelligence in our daily lives.

A Fusion of Genres

Edwards embarks on an ambitious endeavor, blending elements of science fiction classics with contemporary themes.

The result is a cinematic stew reminiscent of James Cameron’s “Aliens” tinged with shades of “Blade Runner” a dash of “Children of Men,” and a sprinkle of “Akira” This concoction, while intriguing, occasionally veers toward familiarity rather than forging its own distinct identity.

Edwards’ Cinematic Journey

The British filmmaker, known for his foray into doomsday scenarios with the BBC docudrama “End Day” in 2005, has traversed a path from indie gem “Monsters” (2010) to the expansive Star Wars universe with “Rogue One” (2016).

“The Creator” marks another bold step in his repertoire. The film introduces compelling concepts like the posthumous donation of personality traits, punctuated by impactful visuals, and raises pertinent ethical dilemmas. It stands as a commendable endeavor, even if it occasionally falters in execution.

Navigating Complexity

In his pursuit of depth, Edwards at times stumbles into the realm of convolution, leaving the audience grappling with intricacies rather than immersing in the narrative.

While adept at crafting visual spectacles and orchestrating soundscapes, the film occasionally falters in the art of storytelling.

In an era where classic storytelling is seemingly on the wane, some may argue that this approach is emblematic of the times.

AI: Savior or Peril?

“The Creator” leaves us with a question that resonates long after the credits roll: Will artificial intelligence be humanity’s salvation or its undoing? The film’s take on machine ethics leans toward simplicity, attributing AI emotions to programmed responses.

This portrayal encapsulates the film’s stance on the subject – a theme as enigmatic as the AI it grapples with.

“The Creator”

Director: Gareth Edwards.
Starring: John David Washington, Gemma Chan, Madeleine Yuna Boyles, Ken Watanabe.
Genre: Science fiction.
Release Year: 2023.
Duration: 133 minutes.
Premiere Date: September 29.

WATCH: TRAILER

Top 5 Movies by Gareth Edwards:

1. “Monsters” (2010)

– A breakout hit, “Monsters” showcases Edwards’ talent for blending intimate human drama with towering sci-fi spectacles. Set in a world recovering from an alien invasion, it’s a poignant tale of love amidst chaos.

2. “Rogue One” (2016)

– Edwards helms this epic Star Wars installment, seamlessly integrating new characters with the beloved original trilogy. It’s a testament to his ability to navigate complex narratives on a grand scale.

3. “End Day” (2005)

– This BBC docudrama marked Edwards’ entry into the world of speculative storytelling. Presenting five doomsday scenarios, it set the stage for his later exploration of dystopian futures.

4. “The Creator” (2023)

– Edwards’ latest venture, “The Creator,” immerses audiences in a future fraught with AI warfare. While not without its challenges, it boldly tackles pertinent questions about the role of artificial intelligence in our lives.

5. Potential Future Project

– As Edwards continues to push the boundaries of speculative cinema, audiences eagerly anticipate his next cinematic endeavor, poised to be another thought-provoking addition to his illustrious filmography.

“The Creator” stands as a testament to Gareth Edwards’ unyielding vision and his penchant for exploring the frontiers of speculative cinema.

While it doesn’t shy away from the complexities of AI, it occasionally falters in navigating its intricate narrative.

As we peer into this cinematic crystal ball, we’re left with a stark question: Will artificial intelligence be our beacon of hope, or will it cast a shadow over humanity’s future? Only time will unveil the answer.


We Can’t Thank You Enough For Your Support!

— By Cindy Porter

— For more information & news submissions: info@VoiceOfEU.com

— Anonymous news submissions: press@VoiceOfEU.com


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Energize Your Property Value: The Surge In Demand For Home EV Charging Points

By Raza H. Qadri (ALI)

In a rapidly evolving real estate landscape, home electric vehicle (EV) charging points have emerged as a coveted feature. Here, we will explore the surge in demand for these charging stations and their potential to transform property value desirability.

Surge in Demand:

Estate agents are witnessing an unprecedented uptick in requests for properties equipped with EV charging points. Rightmove reports a staggering 592% increase in listings mentioning EV chargers since 2019. This summer, Jackson-Stops even incorporated EV charging points into their top-ten must-have property features for the first time.

Adding Value To Property:

Integrating electric vehicle (EV) charging points into residential properties has become a key factor in boosting their market value. According to insights from the National Association of Property Buyers, homes equipped with EV charging facilities can see an uptick in value ranging from £3,000 to £5,000. This trend aligns with the increasing demand for sustainable features in real estate. Rightmove’s Greener Homes report highlights a remarkable 40% surge in listings mentioning EV chargers in comparison to the previous year. Such statistics underscore the significance of these installations as a sought-after feature among buyers.

Beyond the potential increase in property value, homeowners can reap substantial benefits from dedicated EV charging points. These specialized units offer significantly faster charging speeds compared to standard three-pin plugs. With an output of 32 amps/7kw, a dedicated charger can provide up to 28 miles per hour of charging, a substantial improvement over the 9 miles offered by a standard plug.

Moreover, safety considerations play a pivotal role. Standard domestic sockets may not be designed for prolonged high-output usage, potentially leading to overheating and related wiring issues.

Therefore, the integration of a dedicated EV charging point not only adds tangible value to a property but also ensures a safer and more efficient charging experience for homeowners and their electric vehicles.

Benefits Beyond Convenience:

Dedicated charge points offer benefits beyond convenience. According to James McKemey from Pod Point, these units deliver significantly faster charging speeds compared to standard three-pin plugs. Safety considerations also come into play, as standard domestic sockets may not be built for prolonged high-output usage.

Cost-Efficiency:

Charging an EV at home proves more cost-effective than relying on public charging stations. Smart charging capabilities enable homeowners to take advantage of lower rates, typically offered during off-peak hours, such as at night.

Charger prices vary, ranging from approximately £300 to over £1,000, with installation costs potentially adding another £400 to £600.

Solar Integration:

Solar integration presents a game-changing opportunity for homeowners seeking both environmental sustainability and financial benefits. The global solar energy capacity reached an astounding 793 gigawatts (GW), illuminating the rapid adoption of this renewable energy source.

For homeowners, integrating solar panels with an electric vehicle (EV) charging point can lead to substantial savings. On average, a standard solar panel system costs around £6,000 to £7,000 per kWp (kilowatt peak), with the typical installation size being 4kWp. This equates to an initial investment of approximately £24,000 to £28,000.

However, the return on investment is impressive. Solar panels can generate roughly 3,200 kWh (kilowatt-hours) per year for a 4kWp system in the UK. With the average cost of electricity sitting at 16.1p per kWh, homeowners can save approximately £515 annually on energy bills.

Moreover, the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) scheme allows homeowners to earn money by exporting excess electricity back to the grid. As of September 2021, the SEG offers rates ranging from 1.79p to 5.24p per kWh. Over the course of 20 years, a solar panel system can generate savings of over £10,000, demonstrating the substantial financial benefits of solar integration. This trend is expected to surge further as advancements in solar technology continue to drive down installation costs and boost energy production.

Regulations and Grants:

Regulations surrounding EV charging point installations vary, particularly for listed buildings, which require planning permission for wall-mounted units. However, for flat owners, renters, and landlords with off-street parking, there’s an opportunity to benefit from government grants.

These grants provide a substantial subsidy, offering £350 or covering 75% of the total installation cost, whichever is lower. This incentive has spurred a surge in installations, with a notable uptick in applications over the past year.

In fact, according to recent data, the number of approved grant applications for EV charging points has risen by an impressive 68% compared to the previous year. This demonstrates a growing recognition of the value and importance of these installations in both residential and rental properties.

Renting Out Your Charging Point:

Renting out your EV charging point also presents a compelling opportunity for homeowners to capitalize on the growing demand for electric vehicle infrastructure.

According to recent market trends, the number of registered electric vehicles worldwide surpassed 14 million in 2023, marking a significant milestone. With projections indicating an annual growth rate of 29% – 34% for the global electric vehicle market, the need for accessible charging solutions is set to skyrocket. In the UK alone, the number of electric vehicles on the road has tripled over the last three years, reaching over 857,000 at the end of 2023.

This surge in EV ownership underscores the potential market for homeowners looking to rent out their charging points. Platforms like JustPark and Co Charger facilitate this process by connecting drivers in need of charging with available charging stations.

By participating in this shared economy, homeowners not only contribute to the expansion of EV infrastructure but also stand to generate a supplementary income stream. This symbiotic relationship between EV owners and charging point hosts aligns with the broader shift towards sustainable transportation solutions.

WATCH: EV CHARGING & OPPORTUNITIES

Finally, we can conclude that the surge in demand for properties with EV charging points signals a shifting paradigm in real estate. With added convenience, cost-efficiency, and potential for monetization, these installations are poised to become a cornerstone of future property value and desirability.


We Can’t Thank You Enough For Your Support!

— By Raza H. Qadri | Science, Technology & Business Contributor “THE VOICE OF EU

— For more information & news submissions: info@VoiceOfEU.com

— Anonymous news submissions: press@VoiceOfEU.com


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Business Transformation Expert Talks About Mass Layoffs

By Clint Bailey – ‘The Voice of EU’

By Clint Bailey – ‘The Voice of EU’


Raza H. Qadri (Ali), a Business Transformation expert and the Founder of Vibertron Technologies, a BizTech company, possesses extensive experience in the tech industry. Throughout his career, he has provided consulting services to both large corporations and SMEs undergoing significant restructuring initiatives.

In a recent interview with Voice of EU, Qadri highlighted the detrimental impact of mass layoffs on mid-career tech professionals and the businesses that implement such measures. He expressed his concern regarding the prevailing trend of widespread workforce reductions, suggesting that it represents a logical misstep.

“Considering the reputation of the tech industry for innovation, I had anticipated greater progress in recent developments. However, it appears that tech companies are regressing, particularly in their dismantling of established departments and structures that were intended to drive future growth.”

[Mass redundancies are] an outdated and traditional practice that most companies turn to as a first resort to create liquidity

Qadri says that most of the employees impacted by layoffs have “approximately 10-11 years of experience” and so are “not really junior staff that are easily replaced,” noting there would be “a loss of skills and knowledge in these companies.”

Additionally, he expresses concern regarding the potential loss of diversity at the technical and software engineering layer. Executives are increasingly focused on building and developing technology utilizing AI systems, which are known to possess biases due to limited training data.

Throughout his extensive experience working across various industries and regions, Qadri has observed that more than 70% of digital transformation initiatives either fall short or fail to achieve their intended outcomes. He emphasizes that one critical component, often overlooked, that can make or break digital transformation is the “people element.”

Emulating Technology & The Copycat Phenomenon

“In my view, the companies seem to be copying each other’s operations strategies” says Qadri. According to Qadri, these companies view the situation as an opportunity to streamline their workforce by letting go of the additional employees they had hired during the pandemic-induced surge. Many believed that the future would be dominated by virtual meetings and peripheral manufacturers would continue to experience significant profits.

However, in contrast to the significant revenue growth experienced by many companies during the global lockdowns, a notable trend has emerged. Numerous organizations have initiated large-scale job cuts.

According to data compiled by Layoffs.fyi, 693 technology businesses have already laid off 197,945 employees this year, with the year not even reaching its midpoint. This figure surpasses the 164,591 individuals laid off by 1,056 companies throughout the entirety of 2022.

Qadri quoted Henry Ford’s aphorism – “Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is probably the reason so few engage in it” – saying that mass redundancies were “an outdated and traditional practice that most companies turn to as a first resort to create liquidity.”

Shareholders, Profitability & Financial Performance Driving the Bottom Line

Qadri said: “The impact of layoffs on profitability may not be immediately evident, as increased expenses and significant severance packages (usually spanning 3-6 months) need to be accounted for in the short term. However, the dismantling of established departments and structures by tech companies is perceived as a regressive step. This approach reflects short-term thinking, lacking a focus on sustainable strategies for the digital future.”

Raza Qadri

Business Transformation Exec. Raza Qadri Talks About Mass Layoffs.

Qadri, who recently introduced a new remote work tech transformation algorithm MCiHT (Multi-Channel Integrated Hybrid Technologies) for Vibertron Consulting Solutions, notes that while companies are laying off people, they are investing billions in AI, IoT, and automation, citing the billions Microsoft has put into OpenAI so far.

In recent months, Microsoft announced its intention to reduce its workforce by 10,000 employees, which constitutes approximately 4% of the company’s total staff. This decision was prompted by Satya Nadella’s remarks highlighting the necessity for productivity enhancements. Microsoft is not the only company taking such measures; other prominent organizations like Salesforce, Amazon, Google, Meta, and several others are also trimming their workforce to align with the excess hiring made during the growth spurred by the COVID-19 lockdowns.

On the company’s most recent earnings call last month, Nadella noted: “During the pandemic, it was all about new workloads and scaling workloads. But pre-pandemic, there was a balance between optimizations and new workloads. So what we’re seeing now is the new workloads start in addition to highly intense optimization drive that we have.”

CFO Amy Hood then quickly responded to this, stating the company had “been through almost a year where that pivot that Satya talked about, from [here] we’re starting tons of new workloads, and we’ll call that the pandemic time, to this transition post, and we’re coming to really the anniversary of that starting. And so to talk to your point, we’re continuing to set optimization. But at some point, workloads just can’t be optimized much further.”

Not singling Microsoft out specifically, but speaking to the point of moves made by tech companies in a ‘maturity phase’. Qadri said, “Layoffs significantly impact this key performance indicator (KPI), despite the fact that these companies may possess substantial reserves. Such measures serve as a swift means to align with investor expectations and share prices, enabling them to quickly optimize their size and structure.”

Is It A Sustainable Approach?

During our conversation, we inquired with Qadri about the notable and unprecedented cuts that occurred at Twitter following Elon Musk’s involvement with the company.

He said: “I find it difficult to believe that only 30 percent of the organization was responsible for managing the entire structure. Even if that were the case, it would require considerable time to evaluate the existing structure, realign roles and responsibilities, and implement transformative measures to enhance efficiency.

The sudden loss of a significant portion of the workforce within a few weeks raises concerns, and I anticipate witnessing a restructuring of the top leadership with the arrival of the new CEO. Considering the online statements made by individuals like him, I am apprehensive about the values and direction that tech leaders of this nature promote.”

“Conversely, individuals whose skills are no longer retained by the tech industry now have opportunities to pursue financial independence and may choose not to revert to traditional roles within companies. Some are exploring avenues as independent contractors, leveraging their technical expertise to manage multiple full-time jobs enabled by remote work.”

Ultimately, the tech industry is “not really in a dire situation financially,” he says. While it “might have some loss of revenue [it is] not in the red yet. Layoffs should be last resort in truly bad financial situations, rather than first resort in slightly uncertain conditions.”

According to Qadri, one of the proposed solutions is for companies to resist the urge to follow the crowd and instead prioritize addressing the people element. By gaining support from investors and other stakeholders, companies can shift their focus towards long-term objectives rather than short-term gains. This entails establishing a robust ecosystem of internal and external stakeholders.


Photo credits: Vibertron.

Clint Bailey — Senior Business & Technology News Editor at ‘The Voice of EU’ & Co-Editor of EU-20 magazine.

Have a tip? Send him a DM at info@voiceofeu.com.


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