Labor

“Expanding into America: Robovision, the Belgian Startup Revolutionizing Computer Vision to Combat Labor Shortages”

Plant Sorting Machine By Iso Group Powered By Robovision
Out of its base in Belgium, Robovision already serves customers in 45 countries, CEO Thomas Van den Driessche told TechCrunch in an interview. The initial traction Robovision gained was in agtech, which represents 50% of its activities, Van den Driessche said. But other verticals are growing faster for Robovision, Van den Driessche said. According to Van den Driessche, Robovision is seeing strong traction in life sciences and tech. Van den Driessche became Robovision’s CEO in 2022, and Berte moved his focus to fundraising, partnerships and global expansion.

Revolutionizing Agriculture’s HR Issues: Seso’s Innovative Software for Farm Workforces

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Seso was founded five years ago to help streamline that process and now looks to expand into a one-stop-shop HR platform for the agriculture industry. Michael Guirguis co-founded the startup after his cousin asked for his advice on whether or not her organic farm should expand. Once he started talking to potential farm customers, he realized that farms could use a lot more help with their HR beyond just finding workers. “When it comes to the back office, every farm we visited had thousands of filing cabinets,” Guirguis said. “Your HR team is in the back office doing traditional HR work,” Guirguis said.

Exploring the Influence of Artificial Intelligence on Indian Society: The Work of Urvashi Aneja

Women In Ai Aneja
Aneja’s current research focuses on the societal impact of algorithmic decision-making systems in India, where she’s based, and platform governance. Aneja recently authored a study on the current uses of AI in India, reviewing use cases across sectors including policing and agriculture. At the same time, India had launched its Digital India mission and National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence. What are some issues AI users should be aware of? Investors need to consider the entire life cycle of AI production — not just the outputs or outcomes of AI applications.

“Orbital Repairs in Motion: Gitai’s Autonomous Robot Installs Panel on the ISS”

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Los Angeles-based Gitai said Tuesday that its autonomous robotic arm has nailed a tech demonstration outside the International Space Station. Autonomous robotic systems still have a ways to go before they render human labor obsolete, especially here on Earth; but in space, human labor is expensive (and dangerous), which provides an opening for a robotic alternative. The 1.5-meter autonomous robotic arm, which the startup calls S2, launched to the ISS aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 in January. In the nearer term, the company is targeting on-orbit satellite servicing for spacecraft in low Earth orbit and geostationary orbit. The arm’s technology readiness level (TLR), a standard used by NASA to chart the maturity of technology, is now at 7, the highest level, Gitai said.

Bluewhite Secures $39 Million for Versatile Tractor-Ready Robots-as-a-Service

Bluewhite
Agriculture has a long heritage of being constantly disrupted by technology, an evolution that has continued to play out until today. Bluewhite will also be using the funding to continue expanding in its current markets, and to break ground in new ones. “Labor, labor, labor: it is the biggest need,” he said in an interview. Tractors fitted with Bluewhite’s robots can still be operated by humans in situations where they might still need to be. Bluewhite cites forecasts from researchers that project a market worth $11.5 billion for autonomous tractors by 2030.

Alleged Firing of Eight Activist Employees at SpaceX Questioned by US Labor Board

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The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) filed a complaint alleging that SpaceX illegally fired eight employees who wrote and distributed an open letter with workplace concerns. Circulated in June 2022, the open letter called out how SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk’s public behavior was harming the company’s reputation. At the time, Business Insider alleged that SpaceX paid a $250,000 settlement to a flight attendant that Elon Musk sexually harassed. As a result of its complaint, the NLRB regional director in Los Angeles will seek to arrive at a settlement with SpaceX. If SpaceX doesn’t settle, the company will face a hearing before an administrative law judge in March.

“Tech Layoffs’ Adverse Effect on Minority Workers: Concerns Raised by Black Senators”

Views Of The U.s. Capitol As Obstacles Await Lawmakers During Its Three Week Stretch
Members of the Congressional Black Caucus have written to the United States’ Acting Secretary of Labor, Julie Su, expressing concerns over the disproportionate impact tech layoffs could have on Black workers, according to a letter seen by TechCrunch. More than 240,000 jobs have been eliminated this year due to layoffs in the tech industry. The worry here is that the “last in, first out” approach to tech layoffs commonly employed at companies may impact new, less senior and “non-essential” employees, who are most likely to be minorities. “We’ve seen that Black, Brown, and women tech workers have borne the brunt of layoffs while companies have enjoyed billion-dollar profits,” Missouri Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, co-chair of the CBC, told TechCrunch. The Department of Labor and Su did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Inquire with Sophie: Are AI Entrepreneurs Now Able to Obtain Green Cards More Easily?

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Ask Sophie: Is it easier yet for AI founders to get green cards? Sophie is passionate about transcending borders, expanding opportunity, and connecting the world by practicing compassionate, visionary, and expert immigration law. TechCrunch+ members receive access to weekly “Ask Sophie” columns; use promo code ALCORN to purchase a one- or two-year subscription for 50% off. How is the administration making it easier for AI companies to sponsor employees for permanent residence? Will the number of green cards earmarked for individuals in the AI field increase?