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Key trends we're watching this week include: Toyota's new Big Data connected-car consortium; mobile edge computing trials and growth projections; and how information and communication technologies (ICTs) are empowering the world's youth.

Spotlight

How can ICTs improve the lives of young people? For International Youth Day, ITU News published a series of articles on topics such as: how digital skills can advance decent jobs for youth; tips to keep children safe online; what Egypt is doing to empower youth through ICTs; and how youth are building peace with ICTs.

ICT Trends

Auto-tech convergence: Toyota has teamed up with Denso, Ericsson, Intel and NTT Docomo to announce the Automotive Edge Computing Consortium to use Big Data to improve self-driving technology in a reliable and secure manner. Tesla, meanwhile, is set to test fleets of self-driving long-haul trucks. [Don't miss upcoming ITU Workshop on Security Aspects of Intelligent Transport Systems in Geneva, 28 August 2017]

Cloud on the rise: The mobile edge computing market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 35.2% in the next few years, according to a new study. Meanwhile, InterDigital claims the world’s first ‘successful’ mobile edge computing 5G network architecture trial. Also, spending on public cloud services is on the rise with Central and Eastern European market expected to double by 2021.

One month left to submit nominations for EQUALS in Tech Awards

Have you been inspired by a project helping women and girls cross the digital divide? The annual award from ITU and UN Women is accepting submissions for projects focused on Access, Skills, Leadership for women in tech until 15 September 2017.

Is your password protected? The man behind those annoying password requirements that require ‘at least one special character’ admits the advice was flawed. But are we moving towards phone numbers being the only username that matters?

Mobile broadband: ICT roll-out across Africa shows how mobile is setting the ICT development agenda for the region. ITU Facts and Figures shows that mobile broadband is more affordable than fixed broadband, mobile-broadband subscriptions have grown more than 20% annually in the last five years and are expected to reach 4.3 billion globally by end 2017.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...

Content and Multimedia: Facebook launches Watch, a new video streaming platform with suite of original programming. Meanwhile, is Soundcloud’s shut-down imminent?
Bitcoin hits a new high: The cryptocurrency surpassed over $4,000 this weekend and one theory suggests that 'as global geopolitical tensions rise, bitcoin is acting like a disaster hedge, much like gold.' Meanwhile Snap Chat records its lowest earnings.
Big Data: How can Big Data help heal our oceans?
Digital Health: A birth control app has become first application in the world to be approved as a contraceptive.
Cybersecurity: Scientists hack a computer using DNA, but experts say that you don't have to worry ... yet.
Voice typing: Google’s voice typing tech adds support for 30 more languages, which could help boost usage rates in Emerging Markets.

Insights

Silicon Valley’s gender problem does real damage. A recent memo distributed by a Google employee has brought issues of gender equality in tech to the forefront. What does the memo really say about Silicon Valley? Mary Hicks weighs in.

Banking on blockchain: NEO co-founder sees blockchain as the key to a new 'smart economy' and believes the blockchain ecosystem could create better ways of managing financial transactions and change every industry.

Keep up to date with ITU

UPCOMING EVENTS

- ITU Workshop on "Security Aspects of Intelligent Transport Systems"; ITU Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland on 28 August 2017.

- ITU Telecom World; Busan, Republic of Korea, 25-28 September.

MORE FROM ITU

Contribute to the new ITU Journal: ICT Discoveries The first special issue will forecast how Artificial Intelligence (AI) will improve user experience by enhancing the performance and efficiency of communications networks. A Call for Papers invites submissions until 28 August 2017.

- ITU News recently launched a new beta site. Have a look and let us know what you think!

- New videos! On ITU’s YouTube channel

- Read the latest ITU News Magazine here

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