TechCrunch
중도 성향
IT/기술
In just 3 weeks, StrictlyVC is coming to Los Angeles
StrictlyVC Los Angeles is on June 18. Join for meaningful networking and fireside chats with leaders from Mach Industries, Shinkei Systems, and more. Register here.
"NETWORKING" · 총 56건
필터 보기현재 지수
50.3
0 = 부정 우세
50 = 중립
100 = 긍정 우세
최근 7일 기준 86,994건을 분석한 결과, 뉴스 심리지수는 50.3(균형)입니다. 긍정 4,383건(5.0%)·중립 80,563건(92.6%)·부정 2,048건(2.4%)이며, 중립 비중이 뚜렷하게 높습니다. 성향 지수는 종합 15.0(중도 균형)입니다.
StrictlyVC Los Angeles is on June 18. Join for meaningful networking and fireside chats with leaders from Mach Industries, Shinkei Systems, and more. Register here.
A terceira edição do evento “União Fundações” transformou Balneário Camboriú em um importante polo de debate sobre inovação e tecnologia aplicada à engenharia civil. Realizado no dia 6 de maio, no Ocean Place, o encontro reuniu cerca de 250 participantes entre engenheiros, empresários, estudantes, professores, fornecedores e representantes do poder público. Criado pela empresa catarinense União Fundações, referência há 16 anos no setor de engenharia civil e especialista em fundações de obras de larga escala, o evento destacou as principais tendências e avanços tecnológicos que vêm impactando o setor construtivo brasileiro, especialmente nas áreas de monitoramento e execução de fundações. A empresa já construiu fundações de diversos projetos que fizeram história no litoral catarinense. O Yacht House e o One Tower, em Balneário Camboriú, estão na lista das obras mais relevantes que ajudaram a projetar a marca em todo o território nacional. Agora, a empresa está responsável pela fundação do Senna Tower – empreendimento que terá o título de prédio residencial mais alto do mundo. Programação diferenciada Com o tema “Novas Fronteiras em Fundações: Instrumentação, Telemetria e Controle da Execução”, um dos pontos altos da programação foi a palestra do Dr. Ricardo Born, referência nacional no segmento, que apresentou soluções inovadoras e discutiu os desafios da modernização da engenharia no país. Além do conteúdo técnico, o encontro também reforçou a integração entre mercado, centros acadêmicos e setor público. Entre as autoridades presentes esteve o vice-prefeito de Camboriú, Jozias, evidenciando a relevância institucional do evento para o desenvolvimento regional. A programação contou ainda com recepção aos convidados, cerimonial de abertura, jantar de relacionamento e momentos de networking, favorecendo a troca de experiências e a criação de novas parcerias estratégicas. Segundo o engenheiro Tércio Barduzzi, responsável técnico da União Fundações, a iniciativa busca ir além da atualização profissional e fortalecer o futuro da construção civil na região. “O desenvolvimento da nossa região passa diretamente pela qualificação técnica e pela inovação no setor construtivo. Aproximar estudantes, profissionais e empresas é fundamental para preparar a engenharia para os desafios do futuro”, destacou. Mercado e centros acadêmicos interligados A aproximação entre universidades e mercado foi apontada como um dos principais diferenciais desta edição, incentivando a formação de novos profissionais alinhados às demandas atuais da construção civil. Com lotação máxima e avaliação positiva dos participantes, o evento União Fundações consolida-se como uma das principais iniciativas voltadas ao debate técnico e institucional da engenharia no litoral catarinense, com expectativa de expansão nas próximas edições. Saiba mais sobre a empresa catarinense que constrói fundações dos prédios mais altos do Brasil!
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Kanye West em imagem do documentário 'jeen-yuhs: Uma Trilogia Kanye' Divulgação A última edição do festival Cena 2K, realizada em novembro de 2025, foi marcada por caos e terminou com o cancelamento do último dos três dias de evento. E o nome de Kanye West foi responsável por gerar um caos jurídico. Com problemas de fluxo de caixa, o evento não conseguiu pagar artistas, fornecedores e realizar o reembolso dos ingressos após o cancelamento. Além de problemas de pagamentos, no segundo dia de festival houve uma briga entre a produção do rapper Major RD e seguranças da Neo Química Arena, local do evento. Segundo o g1 apurou, o corpo jurídico que representava o festival encerrou a parceria com o evento ao saber que representantes do Cena 2K negociavam a vinda do rapper norte-americano ao Brasil. LEIA TAMBÉM: Último dia do festival de rap Cena 2K é cancelado após recomendação da Polícia Militar 6 meses após cancelamento, maior festival de rap do país segue sem pagar artistas e reembolsos Agora no g1 Kanye West como ‘pivô’ Em junho, foi anunciado o show solo Kanye no Brasil, promovido pela Holding Entretenimento & Networking, sem ligação com o festival. Porém, desde o primeiro momento, a vinda do cantor foi rechaçada por seu histórico de posicionamentos antissemitas. Ele tem no currículo uma música chamada “Heil Hitler”, uma saudação nazista, além de ter comercializado uma camiseta com a suástica. Nos meses seguintes, o show marcado para o Autódromo de Interlagos ficou em dúvida, sendo oficialmente cancelado no dia 20 de novembro, um dia antes do início do festival Cena 2K. A essa altura, os organizadores do Cena 2K já tinham entrado em contato com a produção do rapper para viabilizar uma alternativa para um possível cancelamento. Entre as opções levantadas estava a inclusão de Kanye no line-up do festival. Ao saber da negociação, o escritório de advocacia que cuidava das questões jurídicas envolvendo o festival, incluindo contratos com os artistas, tentou entender melhor a situação. Cena 2k25 é marcado por cancelamentos, brigas e problemas na organização Divulgação O g1 apurou que um dos sócios do escritório, que é judeu, ficou inconformado com a posição do evento de cogitar a contratação de Kanye West e encerrou o contrato com o festival. A quebra de contrato próxima ao evento gerou um caos jurídico. Alguns artistas já anunciados deram o aceite para o evento via WhatsApp, sem contrato formal. Entre os problemas gerados pela falta de equipe jurídica, o evento renegociou valor de cachês e forma de pagamento durante o festival. Outro problema foi com relação a acordos técnicos para as apresentações, como o uso de pirotecnia. Sem contrato, alguns artistas não tiveram seus pedidos para uso de efeitos como máquinas de CO² atendidos pela produção. Esse acabou sendo apenas um dos diversos problemas vividos pelo festival Cena 2K, que, mesmo seis meses após seu cancelamento, enfrenta dezenas de processos e segue sem pagar artistas e fornecedores.
Expo Portal acontece entre os dias 3 e 7 de junho em Feira de Santana Washington Nery | Arquivo O Parque de Exposições João Martins da Silva, em Feira de Santana, segunda maior cidade da Bahia, receberá a Expo Portal 2026. O evento gratuito acontece entre os dias 3 e 7 de junho e reúne exposições de equinos, leilões, agricultura familiar, gastronomia regional e atrações culturais. A estrutura será dividida em vilas temáticas, com atividades voltadas para toda a família e também para pets. Entre os espaços confirmados estão Vila Campolina, Vila Pet, Vila Rural, Vila Campo, Vila Motor, Vila Artesanato e Vila Gastronômica. 📲 Clique aqui e entre no grupo do WhatsApp do g1 Feira de Santana e região O destaque deste ano é a Exposição Brasileira de Cavalos Campolina, que reúne exemplares da raça genuinamente brasileira e criadores de diferentes regiões do país. Além da exposição equestre, o evento contará com comercialização de maquinário agrícola, espaço para artesanato, comidas típicas e apresentações musicais de forró pé de serra. Segundo os organizadores, a expectativa é fortalecer o networking agropecuário e impulsionar a economia local e regional durante os cinco dias de evento. Confira a programação completa Vila Campolina Entrada dos animais — 1º e 2 de junho Mostra de animais — 3 de junho Julgamento oficial da raça — de 3 a 6 de junho Grande campeonato — 6 de junho Live leilão — 4 de junho, às 19h Provas sociais — 7 de junho Saída dos animais — 8 de junho Vila Motor - Exposição de carros antigos 📅 De 3 a 7 de junho 🕘 Das 9h às 20h Vila Rural - Exposição de produtos e estandes 📅 De 3 a 7 de junho 🕘 Das 9h às 20h Vila Pet - Diversão dos animais e espaço para doação de rações 📅 De 3 a 7 de junho 🕘 Das 9h às 20h Vila Campo - Exposição e venda de produtos e serviços 📅 De 3 a 7 de junho 🕘 Das 9h às 20h Vila Artesanato - Exposição e venda de produtos artesanais 📅 De 3 a 7 de junho 🕘 Das 9h às 20h Vila Gastronômica - Espaço de shows e alimentação 📅 De 3 a 7 de junho 🕘 Das 9h às 20h Quarta-feira (03/06): 19h — Show de Johnny Xamego Quinta-feira (04/06): 14h — Pagode Zero75 16h — Vivi (Atração infantil) 19h — Show de Dani Diamantino Sexta-feira (05/06): 19h — Banda Audácia Pura Sábado (06/06): 14h — Júlio Forró Trincado 16h — Risos & Cambalhotas (Atração infantil) 19h — Banda 80 na Pista Domingo (07/07): 14h — Trio Ingazeira 16h — Renata, a Nata da Animação (atração infantil) 18h — Banda Sound Maré Veja os vídeos que estão em alta no g1 LEIA MAIS: Confira programação completa da Expofeira; evento acontece de 7 a 14 de setembro em Feira de Santana Bahia Farm Show bate recorde de público ao receber mais de 160 mil pessoas nos seis dias de evento Festival de Inverno Bahia 2026 anuncia Zé Ramalho, Bell Marques, Belo, Henry Freitas e Ludmilla como atrações Veja mais notícias de Feira de Santana e região. Assista aos vídeos do g1 e TV Subaé 💻
In a sometimes-difficult job market, career advisers say networking can matter more than your résumé.
Valeria Rodriguez Codina, chefe da WPO na América Ibérica e Latina, Luciana Giudice Barrella, chefe da WPO em São Paulo, e a chefe global da organização, Anni Wilhelmi. Camila Cordeiro Em um auditório envidraçado na Faria Lima, na Zona Oeste de São Paulo, mulheres que comandam empresas milionárias passaram a manhã do dia 14 de maio discutindo um tema pouco associado ao mundo corporativo: a solidão de quem ocupa o topo das decisões empresariais. O encontro marcou o lançamento da primeira sede brasileira da Women Presidents Organization (WPO), ou Organização de Mulheres Presidentes, em português, destinada a mulheres donas ou acionistas de empresas com faturamento acima de R$ 5 milhões (leia mais abaixo). Apesar de a ideia remeter a ambientes reservados e luxuosos, algo parecido com reality shows sobre mulheres milionárias, o evento foi mais corporativo do que glamouroso. A reunião aconteceu em um prédio preto e espelhado. Na recepção, foi preciso esperar cerca de 15 minutos até que o QR Code finalmente liberasse a entrada no elevador. Mulheres milionárias se reúnem em evento na Faria Lima para discutir a 'solidão do topo' No 11º andar, uma mulher jovem recebia as convidadas e apontava discretamente para o auditório onde o café da manhã já estava montado: sanduíches de pesto com tomate e uma espécie de fricassê de frango, além de frutas com granola, suco de laranja e café. As participantes eram recebidas por Luciana Giudice Barrella, responsável pelo núcleo paulista da organização. Entre uma conversa e outra, ela parecia tentar equilibrar duas pressões ao mesmo tempo: convencer as empresárias presentes de que aquele espaço poderia ajudá-las e mostrar às lideranças internacionais da organização, Valeria Rodriguez Codina, chefe da WPO na América Ibérica e Latina, e Anni Wilhelmi, presidente global da entidade, que o modelo tinha potencial para crescer no Brasil. Donas de empresas A organização reúne mulheres donas ou acionistas de empresas com faturamento acima de US$ 1 milhão — cerca de R$ 5 milhões — e promete criar um espaço confidencial para discutir aquilo que normalmente não aparece nos posts motivacionais do LinkedIn. Quando a empresa dela começa a crescer e atingir uma certa maturidade, ela vai começar a ter questões em que vai se sentir sozinha na tomada de decisão. A pressão aumenta Ao redor das mesas do café da manhã, o tema aparecia em diferentes versões. A empresária que evita demonstrar insegurança para a equipe, a CEO que não consegue discutir certas decisões em casa, a dona da empresa que até tem amigas próximas, mas não alguém que entenda o que significa demitir funcionários, renegociar contratos milionários ou atravessar uma crise financeira. Muitas vezes a empresária tem uma super amiga ou um grupo de amigas, mas ela tem questões que não fazem sentido trocar com elas, porque são questões de negócios, de experiências, de decisões estratégicas Segundo ela, é justamente nesse momento que surge o que a organização chama de “isolamento do topo”. “Ela pensa: ‘Com quem eu vou contar para tomar essa decisão? Quem vai me ajudar nessa tomada de decisão? Empresárias nessa faixa de faturamento têm questões que precisam discutir. A solidão do topo começa a aparecer muito mais nesse estágio”, afirmou. Luciana discursou para 30 pessoas presentes noauditório — apenas três homens: um jornalista, um técnico de som e um assessor de imprensa. Até a última quinta, dia do lançamento, o capítulo paulistano — que é como a organização chama os núcleos divididos em 145 cidades pelo mundo — contava com cinco integrantes, de áreas como engenharia, sustentabilidade, energia e comunicação. A previsão é a de que as reuniões comecem oficialmente em junho, quando o grupo atingir o número de dez participantes. A meta é chegar a 15 empresárias até o fim do ano. Rede de apoio A proposta da organização é justamente reunir mulheres que vivem problemas parecidos. Mas sem concorrentes na mesma sala e sob acordo de confidencialidade. Uma vez por mês, elas se encontram por algumas horas para discutir os dilemas da liderança. Segundo Luciana, os encontros seguem uma metodologia internacional e duram entre três e quatro horas. “É muito diferente de você sair para jantar com as amigas, de você participar de um evento de networking. Não é sobre networking, é sobre essa troca estratégica entre pares.” Na prática, o grupo funciona quase como uma mistura de conselho empresarial com grupo de apoio executivo. Cada empresária leva para a mesa uma dificuldade concreta da empresa — ou da própria vida. “As temáticas são as mais diversas. Pode ser um desafio da empresa que esteja impactando também a vida pessoal, outros tipos de relação. O que é proporcionado ali é um ambiente seguro”, disse. Luciana discursou para 30 pessoas presentes auditório — apenas três homens: um jornalista, um técnico de som e um assessor de imprensa. João de Mari/g1 Empreendedorismo O corte milionário de faturamento para participar do grupo posiciona as integrantes em um estágio já consolidado do empreendedorismo brasileiro. Embora o valor esteja distante das grandes corporações bilionárias da Faria Lima, ele representa um patamar acima da maioria das pequenas empresas do país e costuma envolver equipes maiores, expansão do negócio e decisões estratégicas mais complexas. No Brasil, a maioria das empresas é de pequeno porte e fatura muito abaixo disso. Segundo critérios do Serviço Brasileiro de Apoio às Micro e Pequenas Empresas (Sebrae), empresas com faturamento anual de até R$ 4,8 milhões ainda são consideradas pequenas empresas no Simples Nacional. Segundo a organização, o Brasil foi tratado como prioridade na América Latina pelo crescimento do empreendedorismo feminino. Dados do Sebrae apontam que o país chegou a 10,4 milhões de mulheres donas de negócios. “Existe uma psicologia que mostra que precisamos de referências. Se a gente só tem referências masculinas, ou de homens brancos, isso vira a imagem do sucesso", diz Luciana. Participaram do encontro Valeria Rodriguez Codina, chefe da WPO na América Ibérica e Latina, e a chefe global da organização, Anni Wilhelmi. Ao final da apresentação, Valeria resumiu o sentimento do encontro. “Não tem que esconder dificuldades, mas compartilhá-las”, disse.
Encontro do Sebrae reúne produtores rurais em Araçatuba Reprodução/TV TEM Produtores rurais da região de Araçatuba (SP) participaram, nesta semana, de um encontro promovido pelo Sebrae para discutir novas tecnologias, geração de negócios e a troca de experiências no agronegócio. O evento reuniu empreendedores e especialistas para debater temas importantes para o desenvolvimento das propriedades rurais. Durante a programação, foram abordados assuntos como acesso ao mercado, linhas de crédito especiais para o agronegócio, regularização de produtos artesanais e técnicas de plantas de cobertura. Outro tema que foi destaque foi a orientação sobre o Serviço de Inspeção de Produtos de Origem Animal (Sisbi Artesanal), sistema importante para produtores de queijo artesanal ampliarem a comercialização dos produtos. Além das palestras e orientações técnicas, o encontro também proporcionou momentos de networking entre os participantes, fortalecendo a troca de informações e experiências entre produtores da região. Veja a reportagem exibida no programa em 24/05/2026: Encontro em Araçatuba reúne produtores rurais para discutir negócios e tecnologia no campo VÍDEOS: veja as reportagens do Nosso Campo Acesse + TV TEM | Programação | Vídeos | Redes sociais Confira as últimas notícias do Nosso Campo
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Seoul’s luxury apartment towers are emerging not only as symbols of wealth, but also as hubs of exclusive social networking. Residents of Raemian One Bailey and Maple Xi, prestigious luxury apartment complexes in Seoul’s Seocho-gu where prices have reportedly surpassed 200 million won ($132,448) per 3.3 square meters, recently held a joint sports festival featuring screen golf, table tennis and basketball, according to news reports Friday. Organized by the residents’ association of Maple Xi in J
In the late 1940s—when computer engineers were grappling with unreliable hardware and noisy transmission environments—a team of engineers inside a modest lab at the University of Manchester, England, confronted a problem so fundamental that it threatened the viability of digital computing itself. Machines could generate bits, but they could not reliably read them back. The inconsistent reading back of memory data did not initially present itself as a grand theoretical challenge. It showed up as something more mundane: inconsistent computing results. Engineers including Frederic C. Williams, Tom Kilburn, and G. E. (Tommy) Thomas traced the failures not to logic errors but to the physical behavior of the machines themselves. The team devised a technique for keeping a transmitter and a receiver synchronized without relying on a separate clock signal. Their innovation, known as Manchester code or phase encoding, encoded each bit with a transition in the middle of the bit period, effectively embedding timing information directly into the data stream to be a self-clocking signal. So, even if the signal degraded or the timing drifted slightly, the receiver could continually keep time based on those regular transitions. By eliminating the need for separate clocks and reducing synchronization errors, Manchester code made data transfer more robust across cables and circuits. Those qualities later made it a natural fit for technologies such as Ethernet and early data storage systems. Its self-clocking nature helped standardize how machines communicate, and it laid the groundwork for modern networking and digital communication protocols. On 13 April 2026, this breakthrough was honored with an IEEE Milestone plaque during a ceremony at the University of Manchester. Dignitaries from IEEE and the university attended the ceremony. Embedding timing in signals Those 1940s Manchester University engineers were working on systems that fed into the Manchester Mark I, one of the first practical stored-program machines. When troubles arose, they used oscilloscopes to probe signals. They found that electrical pulses did not arrive with consistent timing. Memory signals also blurred over time, making them harder to read, and when long runs of identical bits occurred, the waveform flattened into stretches with no transitions. That led to a crucial insight: The problem was not just detecting whether a signal was high or low; the system also lost track of when to sample the signal. Without reliable timing markers, even correctly formed signals were misread. Bits could effectively be lost or miscounted because the system fell out of sync. At first, the engineers tried to tame the hardware. They experimented with stabilizing circuits and more consistent pulse generation, attempting to impose a regular rhythm on an inherently unstable system. But the fixes proved fragile, and the electronics of the day could not maintain the required precision. So the Manchester group took a different approach. If the hardware could not provide a dependable clock, the signal itself would have to carry one. Instead of representing data as static levels, each bit changed state, with a guaranteed transition in the middle. Embedding timing in the signal reduced erratic behavior. Machines were suddenly able to reliably transmit, store, and read back data—an essential step toward practical stored-program computing. Making signals unmistakable The Manchester code addressed several issues at once. Regular transitions allowed continuous timing recovery. Transitions proved easier to detect than static levels, and long runs of identical bits no longer produced flat, ambiguous waveforms. Rather than fighting the imperfections of early electronics, the design worked with them. From lab curiosity to a global standard What began as a local solution in Manchester shaped digital communication systems for decades, including early Ethernet technology, for which timing and shared-medium communication were central challenges. According to Robert Metcalfe, a member of the team that built the first Ethernet system at Xerox PARC in 1973, he and his colleagues relied on Manchester code. “Manchester code solved a fundamental problem for us: timing,” Metcalfe says, explaining that each bit carried its own clock and removed the need for a global synchronized signal. That self-clocking property wasn’t the only benefit provided by the encoding scheme. On a shared coaxial cable, Manchester encoding did more than provide timing. Each transceiver left the medium undriven—effectively “off”—most of the time, allowing packets from other machines to pass without interference. Even during transmission, a station drove the signal only about half the time, leaving the line undriven during the other half of each bit cycle. This distinction—between a driven signal and an undriven line, rather than simple 1s and 0s—allowed receivers to recover both data and clock timing while also monitoring the cable for other activity. If a transceiver detected a signal when it expected the line to be undriven, the signal indicated that another station was transmitting at the same time. In other words, the system could detect collisions in real time and respond accordingly. The idea has proven durable far beyond local networks. Manchester code is being used aboard the Voyager spacecraft, which are now cruising through interstellar space—underscoring its reliability in extreme environments. The code also has found its way into everyday consumer electronics. Infrared remote controls for televisions and audio equipment commonly rely on Manchester code through protocols such as RC-5, developed by Philips in the early 1980s. The protocol encodes commands as timed infrared signals transmitted by a handset’s integrated circuit and LED, allowing devices to reliably interpret button presses even through noise and signal distortion. Manufacturers across Europe—and many in the United States—adopted the approach, extending Manchester code into the home. Why the Milestone matters An IEEE Milestone designation recognizes technologies with enduring impact. Manchester code qualifies because it solved a foundational timing problem at a critical moment in computing history. Without a way to embed timing in the data itself, early digital systems would have remained fragile and unreliable. Manchester code helped transform them into dependable machines, and it enabled much of today’s digital communication. “Manchester code solved a fundamental problem for us: timing,” —Robert Metcalfe, an Ethernet inventor Key participants at the plaque dedication ceremony included Tom Coughlin, 2024 IEEE president; Duncan Ivison, University of Manchester president and vice chancellor, and Nagham Saeed, chair of the IEEE U.K. and Ireland Section. Talks by Kees Schouhamer Immink (the 2017 IEEE Medal of Honor laureate probably best known for his work that made compact discs and other high-density digital media practical) and Peter Green (Manchester’s deputy dean for the engineering faculty) highlighted the code’s lasting impact on digital data storage and communications. The IEEE Milestone plaque for the Manchester code reads: “At this site in 1948–1949, Manchester code was invented for reliably encoding digital data stored on the Manchester Mark I computer’s magnetic drum. It became a standard for computer magnetic tapes and floppy disks and was used in digital communications, including the Voyager 1 and 2 spacecraft and early Ethernet networks. It found wide use in domestic remote controllers, radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, and many control network standards.” Administered by the IEEE History Center and supported by donors, the Milestone program recognizes outstanding technical developments worldwide. The IEEE U.K. and Ireland Section sponsored the nomination.
The IEEE Communications Society (ComSoc)’s Research Collaboration Pitch Session initiative is proving to be a catalyst for meaningful engagement between academic researchers and industry innovators. Launched last year, the program connects promising researchers with industry leaders who can offer them funding, mentorship, and connections to bring interesting ideas closer to real-world deployment. Rather than relying on chance encounters at conferences, the pitch sessions create a focused environment. Five academic presenters share their work with five industry representatives, known as “innovation scouts”: senior leaders primarily chosen from ComSoc’s Corporate Program partner companies such as Ericsson, Intel, Keysight, and Nokia. The curated format ensures that each idea receives dedicated attention from professionals who are seeking new concepts aligned with their organization’s priorities. The initiative was launched in November at the IEEE Middle East Conference on Communications and Networking (MECOM) in Cairo and appeared in December at the IEEE Global Communications Conference (GLOBECOM) in Taipei, Taiwan. AI-driven communication network One of the most compelling outcomes came from the inaugural session in Cairo. Angela Waithaka, a student member and biomedical engineering student at Kenyatta University, in Nairobi, Kenya, presented her “AI-Driven Predictive Communication Networks for Enhanced Performance in Resource-Constrained Environments” paper. You can view her presentation along with others on IEEE.tv. Waithaka’s research tackles a critical challenge: Next-generation communication systems increasingly rely on artificial intelligence and machine learning, yet most existing architectures consume abundant computational and energy resources, which are not always present in developing regions. Waithaka proposed lightweight, adaptive AI/machine learning models capable of delivering predictive, reliable communication performance even under tight resource constraints. Her vision resonated with Ruiqi “Richie” Liu, a master researcher at ZTE in China. ZTE is a global leader in integrated information and communication technology solutions. Liu says he recognized the relevance Waithaka’s proposal had to his company’s work with the International Telecommunication Union. He invited her to establish an ITU account so she could participate in the organization’s meetings discussing global telecommunications standardization projects—which would elevate her work to an international stage. Simplifying data center protocols The momentum continued at GLOBECOM. Among the presenters was Nirmala Shenoy, a professor at the Rochester Institute of Technology, in New York. Shenoy, an IEEE member, spoke on the topic of simplifying data center network protocols. She highlighted the growing complexity of the critical networks, which underpin cloud services, enterprise IT, and emerging AI workloads. Shenoy’s focus on reducing protocol complexity while maintaining scalability, resilience, and low latency caught the attention of an innovation scout from Nokia, who heads its eXtended Reality Lab in Madrid. He found the key person at Nokia for Shenoy to connect with to discuss her research, and it led her to record a video for the company detailing her approach and its potential applications. A model for accelerating innovation The early success stories demonstrate the power of intentional, structured engagement. By bringing researchers and industry leaders together in a format designed for discovery, ComSoc is helping accelerate innovation and expand opportunities for collaboration. The pitch sessions are not merely conference events; they are becoming a bridge between academic creativity and industry implementation. This year sessions will be held during the IEEE International Conference on Communications in Glasgow from 24 to 28 May, and more are scheduled during the IEEE International Mediterranean Conference on Communications and Networking in Sardinia from 6 to 9 July, and at GLOBECOM in Macau from 7 to 11 December. As the program continues to grow, it could become a signature ComSoc initiative, one that strengthens the research ecosystem, supports emerging talent, and ensures that promising ideas find pathways to real-world impact.
Given how integral the Internet has become to everyday tasks such as shopping, paying bills, and holding virtual meetings, it’s interesting that nearly 30 percent of the global population still has no access to it. More than 2 billion people are still offline, according to a report released in November by the International Telecommunication Union. More and more people are being connected, though, thanks to IEEE Future Networks’ Connecting the Unconnected (CTU) and similar programs. Since 2021, the technical community has been working to accelerate the development, standardization, and deployment of 5G, 6G, and future generations. Every year, CTU holds a worldwide competition to seek out innovators who are in the early stages of developing technologies or applications to provide greater access. It also holds an annual summit that brings together experts, community leaders, and other interested parties to discuss strategies to expand access and foster digital inclusion. CTU expanded in several ways last year. It launched regional summits to focus on local connectivity issues, organized community-focused events, and established an expanded mentorship program to further support contest winners and the next generation of technological innovators impacting humanity. The program also partners with the IEEE Standards Association (IEEE SA) to develop guidelines for some of the submitted innovations. “IEEE Future Networks has created a community to bring all these initiatives working on digital connectivity together in a single platform and leverage the IEEE brand to help raise the visibility of their work,” says IEEE Life Fellow Sudhir Dixit, a CTU cochair and a Basic Internet Foundation cofounder, which also works to expand Internet access. A contest for new connectivity methods The CTU challenge, launched in 2021, typically receives 200 to 300 submissions each year, Dixit says. Last year 245 projects from 52 countries were submitted. Participants include academics, nonprofit organizations, startups, and students. Projects can be entered into one of three categories. The Technology Applications category is for new connectivity methods or innovations that broaden broadband access. Those who improve the affordability of Internet services can enter the Business Model category. The Community Enablement category is for strategies that promote public broadband adoption. After selecting a category, entrants choose between two tracks based on their project’s maturity. The proof-of-concept route is for early-stage but functional technology that has already produced results. The conceptual path is for projects in the theoretical phase that have not undergone full testing. “IEEE Future Networks has created a community to bring all these initiatives working on digital connectivity together in a single platform and leverage the IEEE brand to help raise the visibility of their work.” —Sudhir Dixit, Connecting the Unconnected cochair Last year’s challenge submission period was from March to June, with judging phases from June through November. The 20 winners presented their solutions in December at a virtual Winners Summit. Fourteen projects received prize money, ranging from US $500 to $2,500. Six finalists earned an honorable mention at the summit. The awards amounts have varied over the years, based on the sponsorship. Among the winners were a solar-powered community broadband network in Tanzania, a low-cost method for accessing the Internet that uses FM radio and a short message service (SMS), and a strategy for utilizing India’s rural broadband infrastructure to deliver medical services to people living in isolated, tribal, and other underserved regions. “Our job is to help further develop the technology, look for gaps, and see if it is good enough to be applied to rural villages, like those in Africa and India,” says IEEE Fellow Ashutosh Dutta, who is a CTU cochair and a professor at Johns Hopkins University, in Baltimore. “The idea behind the contest is to make sure the technology actually gets implemented at the grassroots level and is being used by the local community.” This year’s challenge submission period runs until 19 June, with judging phases from July through October. The finalists of the 2025 IEEE Connect the Unconnected challenge describe their projects.IEEE Future Networks Local connectivity discussions The CTU program hosted three regional summits last year. The North American event was held in September in Washington, D.C. In November, the Global/Asia-Pacific meeting took place in Bangalore, India; it was co-located with the IEEE Future Networks World Forum. The Europe, Middle East, and Africa summit also was held in November, in Abuja, Nigeria. Topics discussed at the summits included infrastructure solutions for universal connectivity; sustainable business models; scaling homegrown technologies; and policy, regulation, and financing issues. As of press time, the dates for this year’s regional summits had not been announced. Community-focused events To help bridge the gap between ideas and their deployment, the Connect a Community event was established to demonstrate how some new technologies might benefit people. The inaugural event was held in November in Bengaluru, India. During the daylong program, 10 of the challenge winners demonstrated their connectivity solutions to villagers from seven rural communities. Dutta credits IEEE Life Fellow Rakesh Kumar with devising the event. Kumar chairs IEEE Future Directions, which was where Future Networks got its start in 2017 as the 5G Initiative. “Kumar wants to ensure the winning technologies are going to be useful for the community,” Dutta says. Providing entrepreneurs with business skills Dixit says the Future Networks team believed that simply conducting a competition and distributing prizes wasn’t enough. “We wanted to follow up with the winners, monitor their progress, and help them turn their ideas into a business,” he says. To accomplish that, IEEE launched the Empowerment Through Mentorship program, in which budding entrepreneurs are paired with industry leaders and experienced mentors who provide them with 1,000 days of guidance, coaching them on scaling up their business. “We launched the mentorship program to further the cause,” Dixit says. “These people may be good at developing technology, but they don’t know the marketing challenges, how to raise money, and other factors.” The Lemelson Foundation, an organization in Portland, Ore., that partners with IEEE, collaborated on the mentorship program. The foundation’s philanthropic strategy is to cultivate a robust ecosystem for entrepreneurs in East Africa, India, and the United States. It does so by providing the entrepreneurs with tools including financing options and access to communities that share their passion. The foundation chose to partner with IEEE “because of its powerful international network and focus on electrical engineering, which is a critical element of communications and energy infrastructure globally,” says Kory Murphy, Lemelson’s program officer for U.S. invention and entrepreneurship. “Other factors include IEEE’s focus on nontraditional or disadvantaged areas in India,” Murphy says, “and its recognition that mentorship is critical for the successful deployment of new technologies.” IEEE began an early pilot project in 2023 with support of a grant from the Lemelson Foundation, to determine if a sustained entrepreneurship mentorship program was valuable and necessary, he says. It then conducted a survey through 2024 to collect information to better understand the needs of stakeholders, mentors, and entrepreneurs in hard-to-reach areas in India. While the early pilot program was restricted to that country, its intent was to learn from the experience and share the findings globally, he says. “Our job is to help further develop the technology, look for gaps, and see if it is good enough to be applied to rural villages, like those in Africa and India.” —Ashutosh Dutta, Connecting the Unconnected cochair “The foundation’s involvement was aimed at testing certain activities, partnership strategies, and understanding the budgetary requirements for a prepilot program,” he says. “The primary goal of the foundation is to enable conditions for innovation to occur within regional systems, especially addressing the opportunity for sustained, systematic, and relational mentorship in technology innovation.” The Empowerment Through Mentorship program is structured into three tiers. One focuses on individuals and their needs, the program/technical level focuses on the invention, and the venture level guides participants from the initial concept through product testing and validation. Within each track, participants engage in activities such as networking, securing financial support, and pitching their innovations, Murphy says. “The 1,000-day approach reflects the belief that it requires a long period of time to coach and support those who traditionally are excluded,” he says. CTU mentors can be IEEE members or nonmembers who are successful entrepreneurs and own small or large companies, Dixit says. They also can work in academia. “They need to be passionate about training and mentoring other people,” Dixit says. “We have created a curriculum that covers topics such as ways to get financing from investors and how to turn ideas into a profitable business. It’s not the technology that will make the product successful; it’s everything else that goes into it.” Rural broadband architecture standards To determine whether any of the challenge’s submitted projects have the potential to become a standard, the CTU working group collaborates with the IEEE SA Industry Connections program’s 6G Rural Connectivity and Intelligent Village activity. Projects considered for standards do not have to be winners. Any project that has successfully passed the first phase, completed the second-phase requirements, and requested a review may be considered. Typically, about half of the submitted projects are reviewed for possible standard implications, Dutta says. “We selected about 60 submissions that could be potentially standardized,” he says. “Out of those, we work with IEEE SA’s rapid reactive standards activity group to narrow them down to five or 10 that can be potentially standardized. “The CTU program is not only about developing a technology or implementing it, but also standardizing it so that people around the world can use the standard.” One such project led to the development of IEEE P1962, “Standard for Providing Broadband Connectivity to Rural Infrastructure by Utilizing Solar Panels as Optical Communication Receivers.” It specifies an architecture for an optical receiver that uses solar panels and associated circuitry to provide energy-efficient, affordable, and high-speed optical wireless communication. “CTU has created a platform for the world to bring their ideas to one single place where people can talk to each other about them,” Dixit says. “We are a unifying force. We bring these many dimensions together to connect the unconnected.” CTU Challenge Winner: Community Radio Bolo The Connecting the Unconnected program offers contestants benefits that extend beyond the recognition and rewards. One participant who benefited is Ritu Srivastava, a telecommunications engineer and IEEE member. She placed first in the 2022 technical concept category for her project, Community Radio Bolo (CR Bolo). The verb bolo means speak in Hindi. Internet services in India’s rural areas are either unavailable or have spotty coverage. People there rely on community radio stations to get news about local events and issues. There are about 300 such stations in India, Srivastava says. To provide broadband Internet access in the Bhadrak district of Odisha, India, she developed a cost-effective hybrid network that uses an online and offline wireless mesh network installed on the tower of community radio station Radio Bulbul. Several transceiver locations, known as access points, are located at schools and community centers that are within a 5- to 7-kilometer radius, connecting them with Radio Bulbul. CR Bolo includes a plug-and-play interactive voice response system that is coupled with the hybrid wireless network. The automated telephony technology routes callers using voice commands or a telephone’s keypad to the appropriate department. The system also has a direct-to-consumer platform where manufacturers sell their products through websites or mobile apps. “CR Bolo is a unique method of leveraging rural traditional technologies and infrastructure combined with modern technology to provide meaningful access to communities,” Srivastava says, “improving livelihood opportunities and creating social and economic viability for CR stations.” She says she plans to expand the project to other rural communities in India. She will incorporate a large language model and offer a learning management system to deliver training programs and educational courses, she says. Winning CTU inspired her to become a more active IEEE volunteer, she says. She is working with the IEEE Standards Association to develop guidelines for the architecture of broadband technology used in rural areas. Because of her entrepreneurial experience, CTU hired her in 2023 to assist with the challenge and the Empowerment Through Mentorship program. Srivastava is a director at Jadeite Solutions in New Delhi. The consulting company offers nonprofit organizations that are developing socioeconomic programs with project evaluation, impact assessment, financial reviews, and similar services. She credits CTU with giving her and her community-centered model more exposure: “The CTU challenge has given me a lot of other opportunities in terms of networking, funding resources, publishing my research in IEEE journals, and presenting at national and international conferences.”
When Ana Inês Inácio goes to work at the Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) in The Hague, she thinks about signals most people never notice: radio waves moving between satellites, sensors, and future wireless networks. The integrated circuits the research scientist designs lay the foundation for next-generation RF sensor systems critical to advancing radar technologies. Ana Inês Inácio EMPLOYER Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research, TNO TITLE Scientist IEEE MEMBER GRADE Senior member ALMA MATER University of Aveiro, in Portugal Those invisible RF signals are only part of what earned the IEEE senior member her global recognition. Inácio recently received the IEEE–Eta Kappa Nu Outstanding Young Professional Award for “leadership in IEEE Young Professionals, fostering innovation and inclusivity, and pioneering advancements in RF sensor systems, bridging technical excellence with impactful community engagement.” The recognition from IEEE’s honor society reflects a career built along two parallel paths: advancing RF circuit design while helping engineers worldwide build professional communities. “I’ve always liked building things,” Inácio says. “Sometimes that means circuits; sometimes it means helping people connect and grow together.” That blend of technical innovation and global leadership gives her work impact far beyond the laboratory. EE lessons at the kitchen table Inácio grew up in Vales do Rio, a rural village near Covilhã in central Portugal. The region was known for farming and textiles, she says. Many residents worked in the textile industry, including her grandfather, who repaired machinery such as industrial looms. He became her first engineering teacher without ever holding the formal title. Through correspondence courses delivered by mail, he taught himself electrical systems. At home, he explained electricity to his granddaughter while he repaired the household’s appliances and wiring. “He would show me why something broke and how we could fix it,” she recalls. It sparked her curiosity. Her mother was a tailor who later managed other tailors. Her father left his factory job to attend culinary school and now cooks at an elder-care facility. Curiosity was a trait that ran through the family. By high school, Inácio was drawn equally to mathematics and physics and to biology and geology, she says. Encouragement from teachers and an uncle, an engineer, ultimately steered her toward electronics engineering. Conducting research on integrated circuits In 2008 she enrolled in an integrated master’s degree program in electrical and telecommunications engineering at the Universidade de Aveiro in Portugal, a five-year degree that combined undergraduate and graduate studies. An opportunity to study abroad changed her path. In 2012 she moved to the Netherlands to study at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) through a six-month European exchange program with UAveiro. A professor encouraged her to stay on, so she completed her final year of masters in the Netherlands. She focused on techniques to improve the linearization of RF power amplifiers at Thales. The company, based in Hengelo, Netherlands, designs and produces electronics for defense and security. She earned her master’s degree from UAveiro in 2013. After graduating, she joined the integrated circuit design group at the University of Twente, in The Netherlands, conducting collaborative research as part of a nationally funded program on linearization techniques for RF front-end systems. The experience introduced her to international research culture and persuaded her to pursue a career abroad, she says. Engineering the future of wireless Inácio joined TNO in 2018 as a junior scientist and innovator: her first professional industry job. Today she designs integrated RF front-end systems—the circuits that allow devices to transmit and receive wireless signals. The components sit at the core of modern communications, enabling sensor networks, satellite links, and emerging 6G technologies. Her work aims to tackle a central challenge: getting greater performance from smaller chips. “As communication evolves, we need more bandwidth to transfer more data at higher speeds,” she says. “The question is how much complexity you can integrate into one system while keeping it efficient.” Unlike commercial lab environments, which reuse established designs, research projects often start from scratch. Each transmit-receive chain—the signal path that converts digital data to radio waves and back again—is tailored to specific requirements. Her work focuses on improving key circuit characteristics including linearity (ensuring that the signals that go out of the antenna are not distorted) as well as noise reduction (so design blocks can be optimized). Advanced design techniques help devices communicate more reliably while consuming less energy, a critical need for large sensor networks such as the Internet of Things, she says. Artificial intelligence is beginning to influence her field, she says: “AI is already helping us work faster. The real challenge is learning how to use it to make better designs, not just quicker ones.” A parallel vocation with IEEE While her technical career flourished in research labs, an additional journey unfolded through IEEE. Inácio joined the organization in 2009 as a student after discovering UAveiro’s student branch. What began as curiosity evolved into a long-term leadership path. She advanced through roles within Region 8—covering Europe, Africa, and the Middle East—one of the organization’s most culturally diverse regions. She was the student branch’s vice chair, and the region’s student representative for more than 22,000 IEEE members. She also served as the Young Professionals Affinity Group chair for the IEEE Benelux Section, which encompasses Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. Currently, she serves as the immediate past chair of the Region 8 Young Professionals Committee, and vice chair and IEEE Member and Geographical Activities representative on the IEEE Young Professionals Committee. In those roles, she represents close to 135,000 IEEE members. In addition, she is an active member of the IEEE Microwave Theory and Technology Society, currently serving as its Young Professionals liaison. Her involvement with IEEE has boosted her professional confidence, she says. “IEEE didn’t directly give me promotions at my day job, but it gave me leadership skills, networking opportunities, and the ability to work with people from everywhere,” she says. Those experiences now shape her collaborations at TNO, where international teamwork is essential. The IEEE-HKN Outstanding Young Professional Award recognizes that combination of technical excellence and community impact, she says. Looking back, Inácio sees a clear thread connecting her childhood curiosity, her international career, and her IEEE leadership: Engineering, she says, is ultimately about people as much as it is about technology.
Cybersecurity consultants have never been more in demand. Information security analyst roles are projected to grow nearly 30 percent between now and 2034, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. More than 15 million cybercrime incidents occurred worldwide in 2024, Statista reported. Data breaches are costly and pose direct safety risks. Statista reported that more than US $10 trillion is spent annually repairing the damage caused by cybercrime, most commonly phishing, spoofing, extortion, and data breaches. In one example in the United States, breathalyzer devices installed in vehicles became disabled, leaving hundreds of drivers stranded, as detailed in an IEEE Spectrum article. To help you acquire the skills you need to distinguish yourself from other cybersecurity job candidates, the IEEE Computer Society offers a “What Makes a Great Cybersecurity Consultant” guide. The 23-page PDF includes hard and soft skills you need, a list of certifications to pursue, and key IEEE cybersecurity conferences for staying updated on developments in the field. The guide includes advice from two cybersecurity experts. John D. Johnson, an IEEE senior member, is the founder and CEO of Aligned Security in Bettendorf, Iowa. Ricardo J. Rodriguez is an associate professor of computer science and systems engineering at the Universidad de Zaragoza, in Spain, who researches digital forensics and other cybersecurity topics. “Technology, remote work, and a shortage of skilled workers make this the ideal time to consider becoming a cybersecurity consultant,” Johnson says in the guide. “Consulting can give you the flexibility, variety, and control over where you want your career to go.” Hard and soft skills At a minimum, cybersecurity professionals should have a general understanding of IT including operating systems, communication protocols, network architecture, and programming languages such as C++, Java, and Python. They also should be well-versed in security auditing, firewall management, penetration testing, and encryption technologies. The principles of ethical hacking and coding would be handy as well. “To be able to defend a system well, you first have to know how to attack it,” Rodriguez says. The guide explains that there are now more technologies available to help cybersecurity consultants monitor threats and protect systems. They include security orchestration, automation, and response (SOAR) platforms, which automate workflows to collect security data, streamline incident response, and automate repetitive tasks. Rodriguez points to advances in domain name system security extensions (DNSSEC), which uses digital signatures based on public-key cryptography to strengthen the authentication of the domain name system. By validating data authenticity, DNSSEC safeguards against attacks such as DNS spoofing and guarantees that users connect to the correct IP address. Technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and quantum computing will increasingly be used to help thwart cyberattacks, the guide suggests. AI is expected to enhance the quality of data analysis, Rodriguez says. Although hard skills are important, soft skills are just as crucial, according to the guide. Critical thinking, project management, flexibility, teamwork, and organizational and presentation skills are essential. It’s not enough to be good at analyzing security vulnerabilities; you also need to clearly describe the situation and explain possible solutions. “Soft skills are important to achieve good team cohesion,” Rodriguez says, “because consultants often lead diverse teams from within their client’s organization.” “It’s essential,” Johnson adds, “that you demonstrate to clients you’re a team player and a capable communicator, and that you meet your commitments.” Security certifications Possessing security-specific credentials is a valuable way to demonstrate your expertise to potential clients, according to the guide. Because hundreds of certifications are available, Johnson says, pinpointing the most relevant ones can be challenging. Some people focus on theoretical knowledge, while others want to cover practical applications of technology. “Survey the industry and compare it to your skills,” Johnson recommends. “Decide what you want to do, and identify where you have gaps in your skills and experience.” Here are four of the nine certifications listed in the guide that are frequently cited as being important. All the providers are cybersecurity organizations. Certified information security manager. This globally recognized certification from the ISACA is for professionals managing enterprise information security. Certified cloud security professional. Offered by ISC2, this credential validates advanced technical skills in designing, managing, and securing cloud infrastructure. Certified ethical hacker. This certification from the International Council of E-Commerce Consultants (C-Council) confirms proficiency in using methods commonly employed by malicious hackers to detect vulnerabilities. Offensive security certified professional. A hands-on, 24-hour certification exam offered by OffSec covers practical testing skills. Additional industry-specific certifications might be required for organizations in finance, government, health care, or manufacturing. Sound general knowledge—backed by experience, training, and certification—is an essential foundation for being a specialist, Johnson says. Conferences and networking opportunities Events sponsored by the IEEE Computer Society can help you learn about the latest research and advancements in cybersecurity: IEEE Symposium on Security and Privacy, from 18 to 21 May in San Francisco. IEEE European Symposium on Security and Privacy, from 6 to 10 July in Lisbon. IEEE International Conference on Cyber Security and Resilience, from 3 to 5 August in Lisbon. IEEE Secure Development Conference, from 14 to 16 October in Indianapolis. Conferences can give you insight into the field and let you do some networking, but it’s important to network elsewhere as well, experts say. Consider joining the IEEE Technical Community on Security and Privacy, which connects experts and professionals advancing research in areas such as encryption, operating system security, and data privacy. Learning and meeting people keeps your knowledge sharp and can lead to mentorship opportunities with established cybersecurity consultants, Johnson says. Other IEEE resources The IEEE Computer Society’s cybersecurity resources page offers a wealth of information including fundamentals, possible career paths, and standards development. To keep you updated on trends, the society publishes IEEE Transactions on Privacy and the IEEE Security and Privacy magazine. In addition to the guide, the IEEE Learning Network offers nearly 30 courses on cybersecurity. And you can find research papers in the IEEE Xplore Digital Library.