Digimasters Shorts - IrishJobs Reveals Construction Crisis, Fortune Media Sparks Legal Debate, Black Ops 6 AI Controversy, Google's Quantum Breakthrough

In this episode, we explore the booming demand for construction workers in Ireland, driven by a significant skills shortage. Discover why Site Managers, Engineers, and Project Managers are at the forefront of this surge, and learn about the notable rise in demand for Accountants and Nurses across diverse sectors.

We also navigate the booming realm of AI and technology, discussing how Automation Engineers, Data Scientists, and Risk Managers are shaping the future of their respective fields. Our analysis is complemented by a look into the rise of quantum computing, as Google's latest chip outperforms supercomputers with unprecedented efficiency, setting new standards in error correction and computational capability.

Additionally, tune in for our coverage of the gaming controversy around Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, addressing fan allegations of AI use, and the implications of transparency and disclosure.

Engage with us for these compelling stories and more on Digimasters Shorts, where we unravel the digital zeitgeist and its impact on our lives and industries.

Transcript

Adam N: 0:05

Welcome to Digimasters Shorts, we are your hosts Adam Nagus

Carly W: 0:08

and Carly Wilson delivering the latest scoop from the digital realm. In 2024, IrishJobs data revealed a significant demand for construction industry workers in Ireland as the sector grapples with a skills shortage. Site Managers were the most sought-after, experiencing a 39% year-on-year increase in demand. The construction sector dominated the top in-demand positions, with Site Engineers and Project Managers also highly ranked. The need for Site Engineers and Project Managers rose by 15% and 10% year-on-year, respectively. Accountants occupied the second spot in overall demand. Other notable professions include Nurses in fifth place, reflecting diverse sector requirements. The data, derived from IrishJobs TalentBank's vast CV database, highlights recruitment trends across various sectors. As the AI transformation accelerates, there's growing demand for skilled technology specialists. Automation Engineers lead the IT job market, while Data Scientists and Risk Managers are in demand in the Science and Banking sectors, respectively. The consistently high demand for skilled trades and engineering underlines the continued challenges in meeting talent needs for Ireland’s future infrastructure.

Adam N: 1:20

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is facing allegations of using Generative Artificial Intelligence for loading screens and other elements. Fans have criticized this alleged move as"soulless" and have voiced their discontent on platforms like Reddit. Neither Activision nor Treyarch has officially responded to these claims. If proven true, Steam's AI disclosure policy would require the game to reveal its AI use. Currently, the game's Steam page lacks any mention of AI, only noting a required third-party Activision account. This absence of disclosure appears to be in contradiction with Steam’s updated Content Survey requirements. The policy distinguishes between AI-generated content during development and moments when AI content is produced while the game is running. Examples like JR’s Christmas Adventure and Replikant Chat show compliant AI usage disclosure. Activision and Treyarch's response timeline remains uncertain amid growing scrutiny. Further updates on whether Black Ops 6 will clarify its AI use on Steam are awaited.

Carly W: 2:19

Google's quantum computing lab has made a groundbreaking advancement, unveiling a chip called Willow capable of solving complex problems in under five minutes. This achievement dwarfs one of the world's fastest supercomputers, which would take an unimaginable 10 septillion years for the same task. Back in 2019, Google claimed a notable advancement, though IBM challenged the figures. The lab's recent progress includes error reduction—a significant hurdle in quantum computing—using a method that adds and corrects qubits. Qubits are prone to errors due to their interaction with the environment, but Google has managed to correct them in real time. This achievement, described as'below threshold', signifies a major leap in error correction. Willow, boasting 105 qubits, is now regarded as having best-in-class performance. While competitors like Microsoft, Amazon, and IBM develop their quantum systems, Google’s ambitions include computations that transcend conventional computer capabilities. Hartmut Neven, Google Quantum AI founder, sees quantum tech as crucial for advancing AI, medicine, energy solutions, and beyond. This development marks a crucial step towards achieving practical applications in various fields.

Don: 3:32

Thank you for listening to today's AI and Tech News podcast summary... Please do leave us a comment and for additional feedback, please email us at podcast@digimasters.co.uk You can now follow us on Instagram and Threads by searching for@DigimastersShorts or Search for Digimasters on Linkedin. Be sure to tune in tomorrow and don't forget to follow or subscribe!