Welcome the TikTok Shop Because Your Social Media Addiction Wasn't Enough

Hold onto your smartphones, folks! TikTok, the app that brought you endless dance trends and cat videos, has decided that your insatiable need for more online shopping options just couldn't wait any longer. Yes, you read that correctly: TikTok is foraying into the realm of e-commerce with the grand debut of its brilliant new product, TikTok Shop, in the good old United States of America.

TikTok has thrown caution to the wind and offered its American audience access to the ultimate shopping experience after what feels like millennia of trial (but only a few months). Because obviously, scrolling through entertaining videos wasn't taking up enough of your time.

Now, what does TikTok Shop bring to the table, you ask? Well, my dear consumer, it's more than just a shopping cart icon; it's a bona fide shopping extravaganza! Prepare to be dazzled by features like a dedicated shop tab on the home screen – because who needs easy access to anything else, right?

But hold on, there's more! Live video shopping is now available. You read that accurately. You can watch live videos of people demonstrating items you didn't know you needed and then buy them right away. Who said impulse purchases were extinct?

Shoppable ads are also part of the deal because TikTok understands that a 15-second dance challenge just isn't complete without a quick shopping interruption. What's more, guess what? Creators may now tag products in their films, allowing you to finally obtain an answer to the age-old question, "Where did they get that amazing thingamajig in their video?"

But hold on to your hashtags because there's also an affiliate program! Creators may now earn money by enticing you to buy their products. It's the equivalent of your favorite influencer saying, "Hey, swipe up and give me a commission," but on TikTok. Because, well, why not?

If you were worried about navigating this retail paradise, TikTok Shop has got you covered with a dedicated tab. Search for products, discover new recommendations, dive into various categories, and, of course, manage your orders with ease. Who needs a clutter-free home screen, anyway?

Now, here's the icing on the e-commerce cake: TikTok now provides a "Fulfilled by TikTok" service. They do more than just sell things; they also handle logistics. And don't worry; they promise that the checkout procedure is as secure as it gets!

But wait, there's more (once more)! TikTok has collaborated with major e-commerce behemoths such as Shopify, WooCommerce, Salesforce Commerce Cloud, BigCommerce, and Magento. What about customer service? Covered by Zendesk, Gorgias, and 1440. Print-on-demand merchandise? Say hello to Printful, Printify, and NovaTomato. Reviews? Yotpo's got you covered. And shipping? WeeBee, Flowspace, and Easyship are in the mix. Phew, that's a lot of friends!

TikTok was gracious enough to share some astounding figures with us: over 200,000 vendors have already signed up for the Shop product, and over 100,000 creators have joined the Affiliate program. Yes, you are not alone in your purchasing spree.

But before you rush to hit that shop button that's been tempting you, beware of imitations. Some users recently stumbled upon the shop button, only to find cheap knock-offs or counterfeit products from China. TikTok insists that over 90% of its sellers are based in the U.S., but hey, who doesn't love a good fake Rolex once in a while?

With its "Trendy Beat" area, ByteDance is already giving Shein and Amazon a run for their money in the United Kingdom. It's like a glammed-up version of a Wild West shootout, but with clothes.

And if you thought TikTok was only interested in fueling your shopping addiction, think again. They're entering the e-commerce fray with the big dogs like Amazon and Shein, who are apparently ready to go public. Meanwhile, TikTok is considering prohibiting third-party e-commerce links. But don't worry; ByteDance insists it's just a rumor for now.

With the launch of TikTok Shop, the app will soon have more of your personal data than your closest friend. They'll know your financial details, shopping habits, and home address. But don't fret; they promise to keep all that info safe. Just like Facebook promised they'd keep our data private. What could possibly go wrong?

In all seriousness, TikTok Shop has arrived and is ready to change the way you shop online. Whether you embrace it or continue scrolling through the shopping button to watch humorous pet videos, it's up to you. Remember that your wallet may have a different opinion.

Read next: Influencer Marketing is Growing Much Faster Than Traditional Marketing
by Rubah Usman via Digital Information World

73% of Board Members Say Their Companies Are At Risk of Cyberattacks

Most people tend to think that larger companies, namely those that have over 5,000 employees, will almost always be secure from cyberattacks with all things having been considered and taken into account. In spite of the fact that this is the case, it turns out that 73% of the board members for these large corporations feel like they are not all that prepared to meet cyberattacks if they were to occur in the near future.

With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that this is a considerable uptick from the 65% that said the same in 2022. This comes from a latest cybersecurity report that was released by Proofpoint, and it reveals just how risky things have become these days.

There are two main causes that can be seen in the report that Proofpoint put out. Firstly, a rise in geopolitical strife is leading many rival nations to target the corporations of countries that they are at odds with. Secondly, an increase in hybrid and remote work options is rendering many localized cybersecurity solutions obsolete.

The more people work from home, the more risk they would take on because of the fact that this is the sort of thing that could potentially end up depriving them of enterprise grade cybersecurity solutions. Singaporean board members were the most skeptical, with 81% indicating that their companies would not be able to withstand cyberattacks. Canada came in second with 67%, followed by Japan with 63%.

Interestingly enough, 86% of the board members from Singapore that participated in this survey suggested that they have made adequate investments into cybersecurity. This seems to indicate that they feel like there are not enough cybersecurity solutions out there, and they would need better options in order to move forward with any degree of confidence. The UK seems to be faring worse than everyone else, with just 48% of board members from the island nation stating that their investments into cybersecurity appear to bear accurate which is not a good sign for the future.

Read next: Ransomware Affected 80% of Education Providers in 2023
by Zia Muhammad via Digital Information World

Navigating the AI Freelance Boom by Discovering a New Avenue for Career Growth

A new player is making its mark in the ever-changing landscape of career opportunities: the AI specialist. Vlad Hu, a software engineer turned entrepreneur, began his career by establishing his own software agency. However, a new channel has developed in the last year: the arena of freelance artificial intelligence professionals. Hu's experience is not unique, as a growing wave of generative AI is altering the freelancing tech work market. This phenomenon has resulted in increased AI-related job posts from companies and job seekers' interest on sites such as LinkedIn, Upwork, and Fiverr.

A mere three years ago, becoming an AI expert required a deep understanding of machine learning algorithms, general deep learning AI concepts, and many technical intricacies. Hu, who now collaborates with Fiverr on chatbot implementation projects, can attest to the shifting sands of this field.

Indeed data shows that job postings for generative AI increased roughly 250% between July 2021 and July 2023. LinkedIn, controlled by Microsoft and a significant investor in OpenAI, also reported a large increase in member searches for new AI topics. LinkedIn has seen a constant spike in gen AI keyword mentions in member profiles since the public's infatuation with huge language models like ChatGPT took off in November 2022. AI-related terms like "ChatGPT," "prompt engineering," and "prompt crafting" are already appearing often in profiles, a 15-fold rise from the start of the year.

The business sector is paying close attention to the AI revolution. Companies are increasingly looking for ways to incorporate AI into their operations and are actively seeking skilled freelance engineers' advice. For example, Hu frequently receives inquiries from organizations interested in incorporating ChatGPT or similar AI bots into their applications. Fiverr has also seen an increase in interest in AI-related video creation over the last six months, as well as an increase in demand for AI app development specialists.

The AI freelance market is poised for continued growth, according to a LinkedIn survey of executives. Their data reveals that 44% of U.S. executives plan to expand their use of AI technologies in the coming year, with 47% anticipating improved productivity.

LinkedIn's top economist, Dr. Karin Kimbrough, points out that AI alters the workforce. Professionals worldwide are rapidly developing AI skills, and organizations are aggressively recruiting personnel capable of leveraging these abilities for enhanced productivity.

Opportunities for AI freelancers to exploit their expertise abound, mainly as a scarcity of AI capabilities exists among current industry professionals across all sectors of the economy. In the United States, for example, only 2.2% of technology, information, and media workers are AI proficient. While other areas, such as retail and finance, are catching up, the ratio of skilled workers remains low.

Freelance job platform Upwork, in a recent partnership with OpenAI, reports that experts are marketing over 250 different AI skills. Margaret Lilani, Upwork's vice president of talent solutions, suggests that a strong foundation in computer science, machine learning algorithms, proficiency in programming languages such as Python, or experience in data management and analysis are often prerequisites for AI consulting roles. Many AI experts have relevant undergraduate degrees, such as a bachelor's or master's in computer science or engineering. However, finding a job in AI ultimately comes down to demonstrating one's talents, abilities, and knowledge.

There are various avenues open for people interested in entering the AI sector. Over the last year, online learning platforms such as Udacity have witnessed a 33% spike in interest in AI-based courses. These courses cover many topics, including deep learning and AI programming with Python, machine learning for DevOps engineers, computer vision, and natural language processing. Victoria Papalian, general manager of Udacity's consumer division, notes that they are expanding their content to include Generative AI and related subjects to meet the growing demand.

Lilani recommends beginning with computer science classes if you are a high school student or a newcomer to the workforce interested in exploring AI. These courses lay the groundwork for the programming languages required for AI proficiency. Furthermore, independent learning approaches such as viewing YouTube videos or reading AI-focused blogs are gaining popularity for obtaining AI capabilities. Staying current with concepts and technologies like ChatGPT is critical for professionals in an ever-changing job landscape across all industries.

Hu offers practical advice for beginners in the AI space. He recommends starting with the basics, including OpenAI tools like ChatGPT, ChatGPT API, Dall-E, and Davinci. Nevertheless, he underscores that proficiency in these areas is only the beginning. Because the genuine value of AI is found in its practical application to real-world problems, prospective AI specialists must bridge the gap between technology and its meaningful application. Hu says, "It's how you bridge the gap with the real-world problem that truly matters."

To summarize, whether you are an experienced developer looking for new challenges or a beginner eager to dive into the world of AI, there has never been a more exciting time to explore the position of a freelance AI specialist. AI is the future, and it is ready for the taking!

Read next: ChatGPT Can Get You One Step Closer To Landing Your Dream Job But Not All Take It Seriously, New Survey Reveals
by Rubah Usman via Digital Information World

X's Restrictive Measures and the Censoring Links Amid Elon Musk's Media Critique

After Meta, X has now descended to the ground to protect privacy and ensure its users' security. But is that all? Do you smell something spicey cooking up in the disguise of restrictive measures?

Recent disclosures may not surprise watchers, but X, formerly known as Twitter, has been blocking access to hyperlinks aimed at the New York Times (NYT), as per Semafor. Elon Musk, the founder of X, has already expressed his disdain for traditional media channels. This extensive analysis goes into the specifics of this development, including the implications, rationale, and broader context of Musk's continual criticism of the media landscape.

Restrictions on New York Times Links

Mr. Musk has an exceptional talent to be in the limelight, the talk of the town; he just can't help it. You know it already because Elon Musk has become the official part of your everyday gossip.

Beginning in late July, a substantial and abrupt decline in user engagement with X posts containing links to the New York Times has been documented. This noticeable decline encompasses shares and various other forms of user interaction. Notably, this plummet in engagement does not reverberate with links associated with analogous news outlets, which include CNN, the Washington Post, and the BBC. NewsWhip, an analytics tool that examines the behaviors of 300,000 influential X users, has thoroughly chronicled this statistical fall.

Impact on Reach and Visibility

According to NewsWhip's results, links associated with The New York Times now produce far less reach than they did previously. This decrease in reach is noticeable, even when notable persons such as former President Barack Obama post-NYT material. Consequently, the reach of Obama's posts sharing content from the NYT has dwindled to a mere fraction of its previously robust audience. In stark contrast, links to other sources, shared by Obama, continue to accrue a multitude of interactions, tallying up to millions.

X's Official Stance - or Lack Thereof

Unsurprisingly, X has chosen not to comment on these purported constraints because it lacks a dedicated press office. This is consistent with the general silence on the matter, in which no official replies have been provided. It is critical to emphasize that Elon Musk's criticism has not been limited to the New York Times. Musk's discontent with the Times initially germinated from the publication's coverage of South African politics. This topic holds particular significance for Musk, given his South African heritage. However, this occurrence is merely one among many where Musk has targeted a multitude of media establishments.

The Persistent Critique by Elon Musk

Elon Musk has sharpened his criticism of traditional media companies since becoming the helm of X. He routinely depicts journalists as corporate pawns or political puppets, arguing that they purposefully mislead the public. Musk's opinion has garnered significant support from right-wing audiences, effectively cementing his position as a vociferous critic of mainstream media. This approach, however, has alienated a sizable portion of X's most engaged user base. As a result, given Musk's constant bombardment of criticism, several media organizations are debating the value of keeping a presence on the platform.

Reevaluating the Value of Media Organizations

When considering Musk's stance, one may wonder if he is potentially underestimating the fundamental value that media companies provide to his business ventures. While Musk views X as a platform that supports "citizen journalism," allowing regular people to freely share their ideas and insights, he appears to overlook journalists' critical role in modern society. Musk's concept appears to advocate for a more authentic media landscape. Simultaneously, it calls into question the credibility of practically all media outlets.

Wrapping up

In conclusion, the latest discoveries of X imposing limits on connections directing users to the New York Times offer clarity on Elon Musk's ongoing feud with traditional media sites. The consequences of these limits are far-reaching, affecting the visibility and reach of shared material while raising debate over the platform's position in the media ecosystem. As Musk continues to promote X as a forum for "citizen journalism," the gap between his viewpoint and that of the media organizations he criticizes remains. This case highlights the delicate dynamics that exist between social media platforms, media companies, and influential figures in influencing the digital information landscape. The route forward remains uncertain as these discussions unfold, and the ramifications for the media ecosystem remain profound.

Read next: Is Elon Musk Losing Control of His Own Brand?
by Rubah Usman via Digital Information World

Meta's Protective Shield Puts Search Restrictions on Threads App

If you think that only school administrations or your parents can put restrictions, then my friend, you are wrong. This is precisely the recent move of Meta. Meta has come to the rescue as a vigilante in a world full of insecurities, threats, and hate speech. Meta has just placed search limitations on its Threads app, attempting to protect users from "potentially sensitive" topics. This move is part of an effort to limit the spread of contentious and misleading content on the site. We will go into the intricacies of this restriction, its consequences, and Meta's careful stance in light of its previous experiences in this paper.

Threads and Its Keyword-Searching Abilities

Threads, a newer Meta family member, introduced keyword-searching capabilities to improve user experience. This feature enabled users to delve into various topics and engage in meaningful conversations inside the app's ecosystem. However, these possibilities are limited, as the app currently blocks searches for many "potentially sensitive" words, such as "vaccines," "covid," and other related versions that have previously been associated with misinformation on Meta's platform.

The Motivation Behind the Restrictions

According to The Washington Post, Meta's purpose is clear: they want to prevent controversial and potentially hazardous content from spreading within Threads. The restricted vocabulary includes not just COVID-related phrases like "covid," "coronavirus," "covid-19," "vaccines," and "covid vaccines," but also words connected with obscene material like "gore," "nude," and "sex."

Temporary Measures and Meta's Statement

In an official statement to The Post, Meta acknowledged this search restriction as a temporary measure. A company spokesperson explained, "The search functionality temporarily doesn't provide results for keywords that may show potentially sensitive content." Adam Mosseri, who heads Instagram and oversees Threads, tweeted that this decision stems from the company's commitment to learning from past mistakes and maintaining caution as they roll out the search feature.

Meta's History and Caution

Meta's careful approach to search features on Threads stems from its past, particularly with Instagram. Instagram's search feature has been chastised for facilitating misinformation and leading users into conspiratorial regions. Instagram's search algorithm even rewarded conspiracy-laden anti-vax content during the early stages of the pandemic when users typed seemingly innocuous keywords like "vaccine" and "5g."

A Shift in Strategy

It's worth noting that Meta's decision to block all searches containing "potentially sensitive" keywords represents a more assertive stance compared to its previous actions. Meta had limited search functionality in the past, primarily when terms were directly linked to rule-breaking content, such as specific hashtags related to QAnon. In other instances, the company had worked to refine search results for topics like vaccines and directed users to official resources via in-app Public Service Announcements (PSAs).

The Unintended Consequences

However, the result of this thorough prohibition on COVID-related search phrases is that users are prevented from obtaining information, resources, and debates that do not violate the platform's regulations. This may unintentionally impede those seeking genuine guidance or reputable information from professionals.

Meta's Caution and Threads' Swift Development

Meta's decision to be cautious also indicates Threads' quick development. The app was released just five months after a small group of Instagram programmers began working on it. Threads debuted with certain essential functionality visibly missing due to the rapid development pace. While Meta maintains that Threads follows the same safety regulations as Instagram, it has not revealed detailed plans for content filtering on this Twitter-like network, where the user experience differs substantially from Instagram's familiar design.

Wrapping up

In conclusion, Meta's recent imposition of search restrictions on Threads, targeting "potentially sensitive" keywords, aims to safeguard users from harmful content. While this move signifies a commitment to responsible platform management, it also raises questions about the accessibility of information and the potential for unintended consequences. As Threads continues to evolve, users and observers will undoubtedly keep a watchful eye on how Meta navigates the balance between safety and free expression in this ever-evolving digital landscape.

With these safeguards in place, Meta hopes to create a more secure and controlled environment within Threads while also learning from past mistakes and avoiding the traps of misinformation that have afflicted its other platforms. Whether these protections strike the proper balance between security and user freedom remains to be seen. Still, one thing is for sure: Meta's mission to expand and refine its platforms continues, and Threads is only one step in that process.

Read next: Bidding Adieu to Threads by Unveiling the Hottest Mobile Apps of August
by Rubah Usman via Digital Information World

Just 13% of Workers Receiving AI Training Despite 2,000% Increase in AI Jobs

The rise of generative AI has created an abundance of opportunities for people who are looking to enter a brand new sector. LLMs are useful because of the fact that this is the sort of thing that could potentially end up automating a number of manual processes, and this has led to a 2,000% uptick in the number of AI related roles that are being offered to aspiring employees around the world.

This comes from an analysis conducted by Ronstadt which revealed that AI related job postings have increased 20 times over. In spite of the fact that this is the case, present day employees are not receiving all that much AI training with all things having been considered and taken into account. According to this report, only about 13% of workers have been given the chance to get trained in AI related field by their employers which might make it harder for them to hold onto their jobs than might have been the case otherwise.

With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that employers appear to be more keen on hiring fully trained AI staff rather than investing in training in the employees that they already have. 52% of survey respondents acknowledged that receiving some kind of training in AI related tools will give them the ability to rise up the ranks at their chosen companies, and 53% believe that AI will have an impact regardless of whether or not they learn how to use it.

In the US, 29% of workers are using AI to get the job done, with 42% saying how excited they were about how this will impact the future. Regardless, it is the responsibility of employers to help their workers learn the ropes, otherwise they will end up becoming obsolete. The great replacement of human workers with AI might not be happening quite as soon as many suspected, but it will nevertheless change the shape and face of labor as we know it today if steps aren’t taken.

Read next: The Semiconductor Industry Receives First Quarterly Revenue Uptick in 2 Years Thanks to AI

by Zia Muhammad via Digital Information World

Ransomware Affected 80% of Education Providers in 2023

Cybersecurity is the sort of thing that can impact all sorts of industries, and the education industry is no different with all things having been considered and taken into account. It turns out that education might just be the single most impacted sector of all as far as ransomware is concerned, with 80% of lower education providers and 79% of higher education providers getting affected by it last year.

This comes from a recent survey conducted by Sophos which shed some light on the matter at hand. According to the findings presented in this survey which asked questions of 3,000 IT experts across 14 countries, few industries came close to education in terms of how ransomware may have inhibited their ability to educate children.

With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that the construction industry was not all that far behind either. 71% of construction firms were targeted with ransomware attacks this year. Following close behind and tying for third place were central and federal government institutions and media and entertainment agencies both of which saw a 70% attack rate apiece.

Local and state governments were attacked 69% of the time, as were retail outlets. Rounding off the top five list are energy and utility companies, 67% of which received ransomware attacks in the previous year, as well as distribution and transportation concerns which faced a similar proportion of attacks.

The Biden-Harris administration has spoken out about this issue because of the fact that this is the sort of thing that could potentially end up derailing the entire American economy. They have outlined a plan that will serve to bolster the level of cybersecurity that K-12 schools can end up relying on, thereby rendering them safer from these attacks than might have been the case otherwise.

36% of attacks for lower education institutions and 40% for higher education came from compromised credentials. That makes this a singularly important thing to focus on in order to keep ransomware attacks at bay, and the Biden administration would do well to emphasize this.

Read next: North Americans Are 20% More Likely to Have Their Password Leaked
by Zia Muhammad via Digital Information World