United News of Bangladesh

Meta platform has announced the termination of its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programmes, including initiatives related to hiring, training, and supplier selection. The decision was shared in a memo to employees on Friday, reflecting significant changes in the legal and political environment in the United States. The move coincides with preparations for the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, who has been vocal in his criticism of Meta’s political content policies. Meta tries letting Facebook Marketplace users view eBay listings Trump previously threatened Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg with imprisonment, adding pressure on the company to realign its strategies. Shifts in Legal and Social Frameworks Janelle Gale, Meta’s Vice President of Human Resources, explained the rationale behind the decision in the internal memo, which was later seen by Reuters. She cited recent Supreme Court rulings as indicative of a broader shift in how US courts will handle DEI initiatives in the future. “The legal and policy landscape surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in the United States is changing,” Gale wrote. She noted that the term ‘DEI’ has become polarising, with some perceiving it as advocating preferential treatment for certain groups. While Meta will continue to seek job candidates from diverse backgrounds, it will no longer use the "Diverse Slate Approach," a practice that ensured candidates from underrepresented groups were included in hiring pools. Besides, the company’s dedicated DEI team will be disbanded. Maxine Williams, Meta’s Chief Diversity Officer, will transition to a new role focusing on accessibility and engagement. Employee Backlash The announcement has elicited mixed reactions within Meta’s workforce. One employee described the news as “upsetting to read” in a comment on Gale’s memo. Meta ditches independent fact-checkers in favor of user-led "community notes" system In a related development, Meta recently elected three new directors to its board, including Dana White, CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and a close ally of Trump. The appointments signal a potential realignment in Meta’s governance, further distancing the company from its previous DEI commitments. Focus on Accessibility and Engagement As part of its revised strategy, Meta plans to prioritise accessibility and engagement in its operations. The company’s pivot underscores a broader trend among US corporations recalibrating their diversity initiatives amid heightened political scrutiny and legal challenges. The changes mark a significant departure for Meta, which has previously championed inclusive practices. But as the US political and judicial landscape evolves, the tech giant appears intent on navigating these shifts with a recalibrated approach. Source: With inputs from Indian media

As the Los Angeles Rams secured their win against the San Francisco 49ers, Amazon Prime Video’s innovative broadcast technology took center stage. While the Rams' defense seemed focused on preventing a Hail Mary from Brock Purdy, Prime Video’s “Prime Vision with Next Gen Stats” anticipated linebacker Christian Rozeboom's rush. Moments later, Rozeboom sacked Purdy, sealing the game. This real-time analysis exemplifies how Prime Video's integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Next Gen Stats is transforming how viewers experience and understand NFL games. As Prime Video gears up for its third season finale with Saturday's AFC wild-card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens, its advanced features continue to enhance fan engagement. Automakers revolutionise in-cabin experiences at CES Simplifying the Complexities of Football Alex Strand, Prime Video's senior coordinating producer, emphasized their goal of making football strategies accessible to all. “AI can decipher complexities that even seasoned fans might miss,” he said. Features like Defensive Alerts, which highlight potential pass rushers using a red circle, cater to both diehard fans and newcomers by pointing out pivotal moments on the field. Now in its second season, Defensive Alerts employs machine learning to track player movements pre-snap and predict blitzes. Other features, such as Prime Targets for optimal receiver selection, analytics for fourth-down decisions, and field goal probabilities, are reshaping in-game analysis. Innovative AI Development and Insights Amazon’s Computer Vision Machine Learning team, in collaboration with Prime Video's production and engineering teams, developed these AI models. Leveraging data from the NFL’s Next Gen Stats—powered by Amazon Web Services since 2017—these models provide insights into defensive vulnerabilities, pressure alerts, and coverage schemes, helping fans understand offensive and defensive dynamics. Sam Schwartzstein, a TNF Prime Vision analyst, highlighted the integration of Next Gen Stats with football knowledge: “We can now define intricate plays, like double teams, and explain them in real-time, enhancing the viewing experience.” Enhanced Viewing Experience A key upgrade this season is the shift to the high skycam as the primary view, offering a quarterback-like perspective of the field. This "Madden view" replaced the traditional all-22 sideline camera, allowing fans to see all 22 players and the play's progression in greater detail. The change resonated with fans, with social media mentions for Prime Vision skyrocketing from under 5,000 in the first nine games to over 315,000 in the last seven following the camera switch. Jay Marine, Prime Video’s global head of sports, called the high skycam a game-changer: “It’s an immersive perspective that brings fans closer to the action.” Collaborative Analysis Prime Video’s production team works alongside NFL’s Next Gen Stats analysts to identify trends and matchups during broadcasts. By combining film with data, they deliver compelling narratives that deepen fans’ understanding of the game. Keegan Abdoo, an NFL analyst, noted the collaboration’s broader impact: “It’s about helping everyone—viewers and analysts alike—connect what they see on the field with the underlying data to tell richer stories.” As Prime Video continues to refine its tools, its AI-powered broadcasts are setting a new standard for sports coverage, blending innovation with accessibility to make football more engaging for fans worldwide.              

So much of the technology showcased at CES includes gadgets made to improve consumers' lives — whether by leveraging AI to make devices that help people become more efficient, by creating companions to cure loneliness or by providing tools that help people with mental and physical health. But not all innovation is good, according to a panel of self-described dystopia experts that has judged some products as “Worst in Show." The award that no company wants to win calls out the “least repairable, least private, and least sustainable products on display." “We’re seeing more and more of these things that have basically surveillance technology built into them, and it enables some cool things,” Liz Chamberlain, director of sustainability at the e-commerce site iFixit told The Associated Press. “But it also means that now we’ve got microphones and cameras in our washing machines, refrigerators and that really is an industry-wide problem.” The fourth annual contest announced its decisions Thursday. A new smart ring every few years? Kyle Wiens, CEO of iFixit, awarded the Ultrahuman Rare Luxury Smart Ring the title of “least repairable.” The rings, which come in colors like dune and desert sand, cost $2,200. Wiens said the jewelry “looks sleek but hides a major flaw: its battery only lasts 500 charges.” Worse, he said, is the fact that replacing the battery is impossible without destroying the device entirely. “Luxury items may be fleeting, but two years of use for $2,200 is a new low,” he said. Ultrahuman did not immediately respond to a request for comment. An AI-powered smart crib? Bosch’s “Revol” crib uses sensors, cameras and AI that the company says can help monitor vital signs like how an infant is sleeping, their heart and respiratory rates and more. The crib can also rock gently if the baby needs help falling asleep and signal to parents if a blanket or other object is interfering with breathing. EFF Executive Director Cindy Cohn said the crib preys on parents' fears and “collects excessive data about babies via a camera, microphone, and even a radar sensor.” “Parents expect safety and comfort — not surveillance and privacy risks — in their children’s cribs,” she said in the report. Read: Japan links Chinese hacker MirrorFace to dozens of cyberattacks targeting tech data A spokesperson for Bosch told The Associated Press that all data is encrypted end-to-end and stored on Bosch-administered servers, “while all data at rest is secured locally with individual data encryption keys.” “Caregivers have the final say on whether data is transmitted at all. The Revol has an offline mode, which keeps data local if preferred,” the spokesperson said, adding that the smart crib helps keep children safe. Too much waste? Although AI is everywhere at CES, Stacey Higginbotham, a policy Fellow at Consumer Reports, felt that SoundHound AI’s In-Car Commerce Ecosystem, powered by its Automotive AI, pushes it to unnecessary extremes. The feature “increases energy consumption, encourages wasteful takeout consumption and distracts drivers—all while adding little value,” Higginbotham said. That landed the in-car system as “least sustainable” on the list. Soundhound AI's platform allows drivers and passengers to order takeout for pick-up directly from the car’s infotainment system. The company did not respond to a request for comment. In a statement Tuesday, Keyvan Mohajer, CEO of SoundHound AI, said the product's launch marks an moment “decades in the making.” “What begins here with food and restaurants will ultimately open up a whole new commercial ecosystem for vehicle and device manufacturers everywhere,” he said. Vulnerable to hacking TP-Link's Archer BE900 router won for “least secure” of CES. The company is a top-selling router brand in the U.S. But its products are vulnerable to hacking, said Paul Roberts, founder of The Security Ledger. "By Chinese law, TP-Link must report security flaws to the government before alerting the public, creating a significant national security risk," he said. “Yet TP-Link showcased its Archer BE900 router at CES without addressing these vulnerabilities.” In an email response, TP-Link Systems contested the report. “TP-Link Systems Inc. is a U.S.-headquartered company and does not provide any such security reporting to China as referenced by iFixit,” the company said. “TP-Link Systems has a secure, vertically-integrated, and U.S.-owned international supply chain. Nearly all products sold in the United States are manufactured in Vietnam.” TP-Link said it controls its own supply chains, and “is constantly assessing potential risks to its U.S. operations, customers, and supply chain," adding that it acknowledges that vulnerabilities exist across the industry. Read more: Musk hiring cheaper tech servants from Asia: Alleges Bernie Sanders “However, contrary to claims of widespread vulnerabilities, comparative data places TP-Link on par with, or in some cases ahead of, other major industry players in terms of security outcomes,” the company said. Who asked for this? The awards also feature a category called “who asked for this?” Top of that list was Samsung's Bespoke AI Washing Machine, which Nathan Proctor, senior director of U.S. PIRG, a consumer advocacy group, said is filled “with features no one needs,” including the ability to make phone calls. “These add-ons only make the appliance more expensive, fragile, and harder to repair,” he said. Samsung did not respond to a request for comment. At a press conference at CES Tuesday, Jong-Hee Han, vice chairman of Samsung’s device experience division, said that he was “proud of how we have introduced new technologies and intelligence to the home, connected key devices and set the standard for the home of the future.” “We are reinforcing our commitment to delivering personalized experiences through our widespread implementation of AI and we will continue this journey of AI leadership in the home and beyond, not just for the next decade, but for the next century,” he said. The worst overall Gay Gordon-Byrne, executive director of The Repair Association called the LG “AI Home Inside 2.0 Refrigerator with ThinkQ” the worst product overall. The fridge adds “flashy features,” Gordon-Byrne said, including a screen and internet connection. “But these come at a cost,” Gordon-Byrne said. “Shorter software support, higher energy consumption, and expensive repairs reduce the fridge’s practical lifespan, leaving consumers with an expensive, wasteful gadget.” Christopher De Maria, director of public relations at LG Electronics, disagreed with Gordan-Byrne's assessment of their new product. “Of course, like any new innovation, there will be naysayers, but we believe that when we launch this product, consumers who are looking to elevate their kitchen experience will appreciate its innovative features, convenience and performance. We have not announced pricing or availability or shared any information regarding energy consumption, so these comments are respectfully without factual merit.”

Japan on Wednesday linked more than 200 cyberattacks over the past five years targeting the country's national security and high technology data to a Chinese hacking group, MirrorFace, detailing their tactics and calling on government agencies and businesses to reinforce preventive measures. The National Police Agency said its analysis on the targets, methods and infrastructure of the cyberattacks by MirrorFace from 2019 to 2024 concluded they were systematic attacks linked to China with an aim of stealing data on Japanese national security and advanced technology. The targets of the Chinese government-led cyberattacks included Japan's Foreign and Defense ministries, the country's space agency and individuals including politicians, journalists, private companies and think tanks related to advanced technology, the NPA said. Experts have repeatedly raised concerns about the vulnerability of Japan’s cybersecurity, especially as the country steps up its defense capabilities and works more closely with the United States and other partners to strengthen cyber defenses. Japan has taken steps but experts say more work is needed. Japan Airlines hit by a cyberattack, delaying flights during the year-end holiday season MirrorFace sent emails with attachments containing malware to targeted organizations and individuals to view data saved on computers mainly from December 2019 to July 2023, often from Gmail and Microsoft Outlook addresses using stolen identities, the NPA investigation found. The emails typically used as subjects key words such as “Japan-U.S. alliance,” “Taiwan Strait,” “Russia-Ukraine war” and “free and open Indo-Pacific," and included an invitation for a study panel, references and a list of panelists, the NPA said. In another tactic, the hackers targeted Japanese organizations in areas of aerospace, semiconductors, information and communications from February to October 2023 by exploiting vulnerabilities in virtual private networks to gain unauthorized access to information. The attacks included one on the Japan Aerospace and Exploration Agency, or JAXA, which acknowledged in June it had suffered a series of cyberattacks since 2023, though sensitive information related to rockets, satellites and defense was not affected. It was investigating to take preventive measures. Last year, a cyberattack paralyzed operations at a container terminal at a port in the city of Nagoya for three days. More recently, Japan Airlines was hit by a cyberattack on Christmas, causing delays and cancellations to more than 20 domestic flights, though the carrier was able to stop the onslaught and restore its systems hours later and there was no impact on flight safety.

Meta said Wednesday that it will allow some Facebook users to view eBay listings on its Marketplace service, as it tries out a possible way to resolve European Union charges of anticompetitive behavior that the bloc leveled last year. The social media company said it's launching a test that will let Facebook users in Germany, France and the U.S. browse eBay listings directly on its Marketplace online classifieds service but complete the transaction on eBay. Meta is carrying out the trial after Brussels slapped the company in November with a penalty of nearly 800 million euros ($824 million) for what it called “abusive practices” involving Marketplace. European Union antitrust enforcers accused Meta of illegally shutting out competition by tying Marketplace to its social network and automatically exposing Facebook users to Marketplace whether or not they wanted it. They also accused Meta of gaining an unfair advantage through ad-related data. Meta ditches independent fact-checkers in favor of user-led "community notes" system “While we disagree with and continue to appeal the European Commission’s decision on Facebook Marketplace, we are working quickly and constructively to build a solution which addresses the points raised,” Meta said in a blog post, adding that its solution could benefit people on both platforms. The European Commission, the 27-nation bloc's top antitrust enforcer, said it had “no specific comment," saying only that Meta must comply with the decision issued in mid-November within 90 days. Shares of eBay jumped on the news. The company said that starting Wednesday a “select number of eBay listings” in the three countries “will be seamlessly integrated and viewable on Facebook Marketplace.” The listings will be from a “variety of categories,” based on factors including shopping trends and listing quality, it said, without being more specific. Buyers will complete their transactions following the same process as they would when buying directly through the eBay website and will be covered by the platform's money-back guarantee and other protections, it said.

Apple has agreed to pay $95 million to settle a lawsuit that accused the company of turning its virtual assistant Siri into a snoop that eavesdropped on the users of iPhones and other trendy devices in a betrayal to its long-standing commitment to personal privacy. The proposed settlement filed in federal court earlier this week still needs to be approved by a judge, but here are a few things to know about the case and the privacy issues that it raised. WHAT WAS THE LAWSUIT ABOUT? The Wood Law Firm, which specializes in class-action lawsuits, filed the complaint against Apple in August 2019, shortly after The Guardian newspaper published an article alleging that Siri's microphone had been surreptitiously turned on to record conversations occurring without the users' knowledge. Apple issued a September 2014 software update that was supposed to activate the virtual assistant only with the triggering words “Hey, Siri,” but The Guardian story alleged Siri was listening and recording conversations at other times to help improve the company’s technology. The story led to the lawsuit, which later raised allegations that Apple shared some of the conversations that Siri secretly recorded with advertisers looking to connect with consumers who were more likely to buy their products and services. HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE COVERED BY THE SETTLEMENT? Tens of millions of U.S consumers who owned or purchased iPhones and other devices equipped with Siri from September 17, 2014, through the end of last year will be eligible to file claims. HOW MUCH MONEY WILL EACH ELIGIBLE CONSUMER RECEIVE? It's far too early to tell for certain, but the settlement currently envisions paying out up to $20 per Siri-enabled device, with each consumer limited to a maximum. The final amount could be affected by two factors: the number of claims and how much of the settlement fund is reduced to cover legal fees and costs. A claims administrator estimates only 3% to 5% of eligible consumers will file claims. The lawyers in the case currently are seeking nearly $30 million in fees and expenses, but that figure could still be lowered by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White, who is overseeing the case in Oakland, California. A proposed Feb. 14 court hearing has been proposed to review the settlement terms. DID APPLE BREAK ANY LAWS? If the allegations were true, Apple may have violated federal wiretapping laws and other statutes designed to protect people's privacy. But Apple adamantly denied any wrongdoing and maintained that it would have been cleared of any misconduct had the case gone to trial. Lawyers representing the consumers asserted that Apple's misbehavior was so egregious that the company could have been liable for $1.5 billion in damages if it lost the case. Although Apple hasn't explained the reasons for making the settlement, major companies often decide it makes more sense to resolve class-action cases rather than to continue to run up legal costs and risk the chance of potentially bad publicity. The lawsuit also targeted one of Apple's core values framing privacy as a “fundamental human right.” Although $95 million sounds like a lot of money, it's a pittance for Apple. Since September 2014, the company's total profits have exceeded $700 billion — a streak of prosperity that has helped propel the company's market value to about $3.7 trillion. DO I NEED TO BE WORRIED ABOUT THE MICROPHONES ON OTHER DEVICES SPYING ON ME? Perhaps. A case similar to the one filed against Siri is still active in a San Jose, California, federal court against Google and the virtual assistant in its Android software, which has been widely used in smartphones for years. JUST IN CASE, HOW DO I DISABLE SIRI? You can turn Apple’s virtual assistant off by following these simple steps: 1. Navigate to Settings Siri & Search. 2. Toggle off Listen for ‘Hey Siri’ and press the Side button for Siri. 3. Tap Turn Off Siri when a pop-up window appears. You can also disable individual apps' access to your iPhone's mic by doing the following: Navigate to Settings (select the app) then toggle off Microphone.  

US Senator Bernie Sanders has sharply criticised Elon Musk, accusing the tech magnate of exploiting the H-1B visa system to hire lower-wage foreign workers, particularly from India, instead of employing highly skilled American labour. Sanders, known for his staunch advocacy for workers' rights, has called for significant reforms to the visa programme to protect local jobs. Speaking on Thursday, Sanders argued that Musk’s reliance on the H-1B programme is motivated more by cost-cutting than by filling a skills gap. "Elon Musk is wrong," Sanders posted on social media platform X. "The H-1B visa programme’s primary purpose is not to bring in the best and the brightest, but to replace good-paying American jobs with low-wage labour from abroad." Apple to pay $95 million to settle lawsuit accusing Siri of eavesdropping The Senator highlighted that companies like Tesla have used the programme to hire workers for roles such as associate accountants and mechanical engineers, positions he believes should first be offered to qualified Americans. Sanders also noted Tesla's decision to lay off over 7,500 American workers earlier this year while continuing to employ H-1B visa holders. The debate over the H-1B visa programme has long been contentious, with critics alleging that it undermines American workers by allowing corporations to prioritise cheaper foreign labour. Sanders joins a growing chorus of political voices, including Laura Loomer and Steve Bannon, who have called for a reassessment of the programme. However, Musk has consistently defended the H-1B visa system, claiming it addresses a critical shortage of highly skilled tech talent in the United States. Musk has pointed out that many engineers who have contributed to the success of his companies, Tesla and SpaceX, entered the US through the programme. In response to Sanders’ accusations, Musk reiterated his position, stating that the US education system struggles to produce enough top-tier engineering talent. Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, a close ally of Musk, echoed these sentiments, calling for an overhaul of the US education system to better prepare the domestic workforce. Former President Donald Trump also weighed in, expressing support for the H-1B programme. He argued that the US must continue to attract skilled individuals to maintain its economic competitiveness. Elon Musk sparks speculation with name change on X; this is the name he chose The controversy over the H-1B programme reflects broader tensions between safeguarding American jobs and ensuring access to global talent in a competitive tech landscape. As the debate intensifies, policymakers face mounting pressure to strike a balance that addresses both concerns. Source: With inputs from Indian media

Apple has agreed to pay $95 million to settle a lawsuit accusing the privacy-minded company of deploying its virtual assistant Siri to eavesdrop on people using its iPhone and other trendy devices. The proposed settlement filed Tuesday in an Oakland, California, federal court would resolve a 5-year-old lawsuit revolving around allegations that Apple surreptitiously activated Siri to record conversations through iPhones and other devices equipped with the virtual assistant for more than a decade. The alleged recordings occurred even when people didn't seek to activate the virtual assistant with the trigger words, “Hey, Siri." Some of the recorded conversations were then shared with advertisers in an attempt to sell their products to consumers more likely to be interested in the goods and services, the lawsuit asserted. The allegations about a snoopy Siri contradicted Apple's long-running commitment to protect the privacy of its customers — a crusade that CEO Tim Cook has often framed as a fight to preserve “a fundamental human right.” Apple isn't acknowledging any wrongdoing in the settlement, which still must be approved by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White. Lawyers in the case have proposed scheduling a Feb. 14 court hearing in Oakland to review the terms. Read: Apple iOS 18.2 Release: Key Features, Updates, Pros, and Cons You Need to Know If the settlement is approved, tens of millions of consumers who owned iPhones and other Apple devices from Sept. 17, 2014, through the end of last year could file claims. Each consumer could receive up to $20 per Siri-equipped device covered by the settlement, although the payment could be reduced or increased, depending on the volume of claims. Only 3% to 5% of eligible consumers are expected to file claims, according to estimates in court documents. Eligible consumers will be limited to seeking compensation on a maximum of five devices. The settlement represents a sliver of the $705 billion in profits that Apple has pocketed since September 2014. It's also a fraction of the roughly $1.5 billion that the lawyers representing consumers had estimated Apple could been required to pay if the company had been found of violating wiretapping and other privacy laws had the case gone to a trial. Read more: Apple set to launch its first foldable iPhone: A game-changer for market The attorneys who filed the lawsuit may seek up to $29.6 million from the settlement fund to cover their fees and other expenses, according to court documents.

  NEW YORK (AP) — As artificial intelligence continues to grow at a rapid pace, more and more businesses are grappling with how to adapt both quickly and responsibly. Dan Priest is the new Chief AI Officer at PwC, one of the world's largest consulting firms, where he works with companies across industries as they adopt this burgeoning technology both into their day-to-day operations and future business models. He says 2024 was all about proving what AI brings to the table — and expects 2025 will shift more into scaling it. Priest recently spoke with The Associated Press about his new role and other AI business predictions his team has for the year ahead. The interview has been edited for length and clarity. Q: When did PwC decide it wanted a Chief AI Officer? A: We launched the role in early July, on the heels of us doing an AI impact analysis and strategy for the firm. The motivation was simply to make sure we were tapping into AI's full potential, responsibly, to best serve our clients. We work with companies across a range of sectors — including tech, health care and hospitality. Q: What have the companies you work with told you about how they're adopting AI? A: AI is showing up in some form or fashion for the majority of our clients these days. In a recent survey that we did of Fortune 1000 companies, nearly half of respondents said AI is fully embedded in their workflows — and then about a third had even embedded it in their products and services. And AI is more than just a tech initiative, it's also adjusting business strategies. CEOs overwhelmingly recognize that AI will impact their business model in some way — with about 73% of those we spoke to in a predictions report saying that they believe AI would cause a shift in their business model. In particular, we're increasingly seeing generative AI both in the presence of the consumer and throughout product development. Q: Can you give me examples of what that looks like? A: To be competitive, companies can’t just predict what consumers want anymore. You have to give them a way to personalize the specific products and services they want — and gen AI has a means of doing that. Take a business in the cruising sector, for example. In the past, cruise lines would have to predict what each type of foods, products and excursions people wanted. Now, with gen AI, they can have a personalization engine that says, “I’m a fan of these luxury products,” and then make sure those types of luxury products are on board. Or, “I’m a fan of this type of food," and they can make sure that food is on the menu. It gives companies a way to personalize the experience that wasn't possible before. Q: What risks should companies keep in mind when approaching AI? A: AI is not monolithic, and there are different maturity levels for different uses. You’ve seen issues in contact centers, for example, where AI agents were introduced and in some cases gave customers hallucinations with wrong information. And so having a “maturity test” to make sure they tech you're using is ready for prime time, particularly when it's customer-facing, is important. Those same disciplines are critical for protecting internal data, which you don't want inadvertently training a large language model. That’s one category of risk. On the other side of all of this, another risk is not moving quickly enough and falling behind. Your AI strategy will either put you ahead or make it hard to ever catch up. If we take a lesson from the Internet era, a lot of those early movers ended up being winners for the next ten, 20 years. We expect to see something very similar for companies that embrace AI today, both early on and in a trustworthy way.  

The technology sector is poised for substantial growth in 2025, with specific skills set to dominate the job market. From cutting-edge advancements in AI to cybersecurity expertise, here’s a look at the tech skills expected to be the most sought-after in 2025 and beyond. 12 Top In-Demand Tech Careers in 2025 Learning the following high-demand tech and IT skills, one can ensure a stable income through full-time jobs and freelancing. Full-Stack Development Following the process of digitalization, diverse sectors like business, healthcare, education, administration, etc require apps and software to carry out their operations.  Proficiency in front-end and back-end software development enables the creation of comprehensive web applications. Not to mention, like the previous and passing years, full-stack developers will be highly sought after in the coming years too. Read more: How to Submit Zero Income Tax Return Online in Bangladesh Cloud Computing Proficiency in cloud platforms like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud can boost your career as businesses continue to migrate to cloud infrastructures. Roles such as cloud engineers and architects will be in high demand in 2025 and afterward. UI/UX Design A software or app might lose its potential if its UI/UX design is not user-friendly. Creating user-centered designs that enhance user experience is critical. By learning User Interface and User Experience design, one can earn money from full-time jobs or freelancing in the outsourcing platforms. Cybersecurity Many small to large financial organizations, banks, and even government organizations are falling prey to hackers. Individual users are also not safe in this digital world. Read more: Best Free Blockchain Development Courses With the increasing frequency and sophistication of cyber threats, people and organizations require experts to protect their digital assets. It can be anticipated that skills in network security, ethical hacking, and risk assessment will be valuable in the job markets in 2025.  Data Analysis and Big Data The ability to analyze large datasets to extract actionable insights is invaluable. Skills in SQL, Python, and data visualization tools are particularly important. The business, marketing, banking, finance, academic research, and diverse sectors are employing data analysts and data scientists nowadays. This wave will flourish in the new year. Besides computer engineering professionals, statisticians, and mathematicians, many people from other sectors are learning these skills to shift their careers to more potential dimensions. DevOps and Automation Ranging from food shops to large factories, automation is in high demand to increase production in less time. Experience with DevOps practices and automation tools facilitates efficient software development and deployment, making these skills highly desirable. Read more: Best Free Data Science, Machine Learning Courses Online Extended Reality (AR/VR) Besides gaming, e-sports, and entertainment sectors, augmented and virtual reality technologies are expanding into diverse sectors like healthcare and retail. Therefore, expertise in VR technology in creating immersive experiences will become increasingly valuable in the coming days. Internet of Things (IoT) With the proliferation of connected devices, skills in IoT development and sensor technology are in demand to support smart infrastructure and products. In the coming years, IoT-skilled professionals will be required in diverse sectors like smart cities, connected factories, health care, agriculture, autonomous driving, smart homes, smart grids, wearables, etc. Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Machine Learning (ML) The integration of AI and ML across various industries is driving a surge in demand for professionals skilled in these areas. This trend is expected to continue in 2025. Expertise in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning will be applied in diverse research and development sectors. The job markets around the world will require more professionals to develop and implement AI solutions in business, technology, management, finance, and other sectors. Read more: Read Free Online Basic Programming Courses for Beginners Robotics and Automation Engineering In the coming year, the application of robotic technologies will flourish in diverse sectors like healthcare, engineering, manufacturing, transportation, etc. As industries and service-providing sectors are adopting automation, job opportunities in robotics and automation engineering will be created for designing, controlling, and maintaining automated systems. Digital Marketing and SEO With the digital transformation of businesses, news portals, etc. skills in SEO, and digital marketing are vital. Digital marketing experts can lead content development teams, monitor the web readers’ priorities, and develop user engagement plans for social media platforms. The job scope of digital marketing professionals will increase more in 2025.  Low-Code and No-Code Development Gone are the days, when only IT experts could develop or use web applications. Nowadays, diverse digital platforms allow application development with minimal coding skills. This trend has increased the demand for professionals who can leverage these tools to quickly deliver solutions.  Conclusion By investing in these highly demanding tech skills, you can enhance your employability and career prospects in the evolving digital landscape of 2025 and beyond. Read more How to Get a Job in Google from Bangladesh?