Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, 'What! You too? I thought I was the only one.'" — C.S. Lewis |

July27-Aug03,2024:Welcome to a Special Edition of ACM VVIT TechBlog: Celebrating Friendship Day with a Tech Twist!

This Friendship Day, we’re diving into the delightful intersection of technology and camaraderie. As C.S. Lewis beautifully put it, “Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, ‘What! You too? I thought I was the only one.’” In this spirit, we’re exploring how technology not only connects us but also enhances the bonds we share with friends.

Join us as we celebrate Friendship Day by spotlighting the latest in tech innovations that bring us closer together. From the newest gadgets and apps that make staying in touch a breeze, to inspiring stories of tech communities and collaborations, this special edition is all about embracing the tech that fuels our friendships.

So, grab your favorite device, and let’s embark on a journey where tech and friendship collide in the most exciting ways. Here’s to celebrating the connections that make our tech world so much richer!

Tech Highlights of the Week

1.Honor Magic 6 Pro Launches in India, Elevating Flagship Smartphone Competition

The flagship smartphone market in India heats up with the launch of Honor Magic 6 Pro. Featuring a powerful Qualcomm chipset, a stunning quad-curved floating screen, and a robust IP68 rating, the Magic 6 Pro promises top-tier performance and durability. Competing head-to-head with Vivo's X100 Pro, released in January, Honor's latest offering aims to capture the attention of premium smartphone enthusiasts. The battle for the top spot in the premium segment just got more intense.

2.Study Reveals Chatbots' Political Bias Can Be Adjusted Through Training

A new study has found that most chatbots, including popular ones like ChatGPT and Gemini, exhibit a left-of-centre political bias by default. However, researcher David Rozado from Otago Polytechnic, New Zealand, demonstrated that these chatbots can be "steered" towards specific political inclinations—left, right, or centre—using modest amounts of politically aligned data. Published in PLoS ONE, the study highlights the potential to both induce and reduce political bias in conversational large language models (LLMs). As tech giants like Google, Microsoft-backed OpenAI, and Meta continue to expand their AI services, the ability to fine-tune the political alignment of chatbots could become increasingly relevant.

3.Google's 'Dear Sydney' Gemini AI Olympics Ad: A Controversial Spotlight

Google's new 60-second ad, titled "Dear Sydney," features a young girl who idolizes Olympic track star Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. In the ad, her father narrates their plan to write a heartfelt letter to the athlete, enlisting Google's Gemini AI to craft the perfect message. He emphasizes the importance of expressing his daughter's admiration and her ambition to break McLaughlin-Levrone's world record.

However, the ad faced swift criticism for allegedly undermining the authenticity of a fan letter, suggesting a reliance on AI over genuine human sentiment. In response to the backlash, Google clarified that the ad was meant to illustrate Gemini's potential to generate ideas rather than replace human creativity. Despite testing well before its release, Google announced that they would phase the ad out of their Olympics rotation, although it remains available to watch on YouTube.

4.Microsoft Adds OpenAI to Competitor List Despite Significant Investment

Microsoft has officially listed OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, as a competitor in the AI and search business in its latest annual report. This update places OpenAI alongside other tech giants like Amazon, Apple, Google, and Meta as key rivals. Notably, Microsoft is OpenAI’s largest backer, having invested over $13 billion in the company. The move underscores the complex dynamics within the tech industry, where collaboration and competition often intersect.

Friendship Day Special: Celebrating Connections in the Tech World

In the fast-paced realm of technology, where algorithms and data often take center stage, it’s easy to overlook the value of personal connections. This Friendship Day, let’s take a moment to appreciate the friendships and collaborations that shape our tech community.

The Power of Networking in Tech

Networking isn’t just about career advancement; it’s about building lasting relationships. Whether you're attending tech events, participating in online forums, or collaborating on open-source projects, these connections can be as vital as the latest technology trends. Strong professional friendships can lead to shared knowledge, new opportunities, and even groundbreaking innovations.

Tech Teams and Collaboration: A Friendship in Action

Successful tech projects often rely on more than just technical skills; they depend on effective teamwork and mutual trust. The friendships forged among team members can lead to more cohesive collaboration and better project outcomes. Celebrating Friendship Day reminds us to value these relationships and recognize their importance in achieving collective success.

From Coding Buddies to Mentorship: The Many Faces of Friendship in Tech

Friendships in tech come in many forms, from coding buddies who tackle challenges together to mentors who guide newcomers through their careers. Each of these relationships contributes to personal growth and the advancement of technology itself. This Friendship Day, consider reaching out to your tech friends and mentors to express your gratitude and celebrate the impact they’ve had on your journey.

Building a Supportive Tech Community

As we celebrate Friendship Day, let’s also think about fostering a more inclusive and supportive tech community. By extending kindness and support, we can help create an environment where everyone feels valued and encouraged to contribute.

More Than Just Code

In the tech world, friendships and professional relationships are integral to personal and collective success. This Friendship Day, let’s take a moment to appreciate these connections and recognize their impact on our careers and the tech community as a whole.

CAREER CORNER:

Future of IT Jobs: Which Tech Roles Will Be in Demand in 10 Years?

As the technology landscape evolves, it's crucial to understand which IT roles will be in high demand over the next decade. According to Peter Tsai, using data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the IT job market is projected to grow significantly.

Overall, computer occupations are expected to see a 14% increase in job growth from 2022 to 2032, compared to a 3% growth across all US occupations. Specifically, information security analyst roles are anticipated to surge by 31.5%, driven by rising cybersecurity threats. Conversely, jobs for computer programmers are predicted to decline by 11.5%, while software developers, who focus on application design, will see a 26% increase. Database architects are expected to experience a 10% growth, surpassing the 7% increase projected for database administrators.

Other IT professions expected to grow include software quality assurance analysts and testers (20%), web developers (17%), and web and digital interface designers (15%). Management roles, such as computer and information systems managers, will grow by 15%, though support staff roles like network support specialists (7%) and computer user support specialists (5%) will see slower growth.

In summary, while overall IT job growth is strong, demand will be particularly high for security, software development, quality assurance, and management roles.

Internship Alert: Top Game Development Opportunities for Aspiring Developers

Here are some exciting internship opportunities available this week:

1. Unity Development Internship at Tutedude
   Duration: 1 month
   Stipend: ₹7,000/month
   Responsibilities: Create 2D virtual environments and implement multiplayer functionality.
   Deadline: August 31
   Apply:Tutedude Internship

2. Game Development Internship at House of Heists
   Duration: 1 month
   Stipend: ₹2,000 - ₹3,000/month
   Responsibilities: Design and develop game features for mobile platforms.
   Deadline: September 1
   Apply:House of Heists Internship

3. Game Development Internship at MentorBoxx
   Duration: 1 month
   Stipend: ₹18,000/month
   Responsibilities: Design game levels, mechanics, and collaborate with the team.
   Deadline: August 28
   Apply:MentorBoxx Internship

4. Unity Game Developer Internship at Parody Studios
   Duration: Full-time, in-office
   Stipend: ₹18,000/month
   Responsibilities: Design and maintain Unity-based applications.
   Salary (Post-Internship): ₹3,00,000 - ₹4,00,000/year
   Apply:Parody Studios Internship

5. Game Development Internship at YOSO Visual Commerce
   Duration: 6 months
   Stipend: ₹20,000 - ₹40,000/month
   Responsibilities: 3D asset manipulation and high-quality code writing.
   Deadline: August 28
   Apply:YOSO Visual Commerce Internship

These internships offer a fantastic opportunity to gain hands-on experience and boost your skills in the dynamic field of game development.

Stay tuned for more exciting updates, events, and insights from the ACM VVIT Student Chapter. Remember to subscribe to our blog to never miss a beat in the dynamic world of technology.