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Power BI Technology

What is new in the March 2024 version of Power BI?

We are excited by the March 2024 update for Power BI.

This edition brings forth an array of new features and improvements, meticulously curated to enhance your experience with data analytics.

Microsoft evidently remains committed to innovation, ensuring that both long-standing aficionados and newcomers to Power BI will discover tools and functionalities to elevate their analytical endeavours.

What is new in the March 2024 version of Power BI

Let’s dive into the highlights:

Visual Calculations Update

You can now add and edit visual calculations directly in the Power BI service. After publishing a report, select “New calculation” from the context menu on a visual to create a visual calculation. Additionally, you can access the visual calculations edit mode by choosing “Edit calculation” for existing visual calculations.

Click the 3 dots under the visual and click New Calculation.

What is new in the March 2024 version of Power BI

Type the DAX in the formula bar.

What is new in the March 2024 version of Power BI

And press Enter and top left press Back to Report and the DAX calculation will be added to the visual.

What is new in the March 2024 version of Power BI

Edit Your Data Model in the Power BI Service

The Power BI Service now allows you to modify your data model directly. Features include Autodetect relationships, Undo/Redo, Clear all, and New Filter cards in the Explore section.

Below are the improvements coming this month to the data model editing in the Service preview:

Unlocking the Power of Semantic Models: Autodetect Relationships in Power BI

In the dynamic landscape of data analytics, establishing robust relationships within your semantic model is crucial. These relationships serve as the backbone for insightful visualisations and accurate data analysis. Fortunately, Power BI has introduced a streamlined solution: Autodetect Relationships.

Simplifying Relationship Creation

Gone are the days of manual relationship setup! With Autodetect Relationships, you can effortlessly connect your data tables and unleash the full potential of your semantic model. Here’s how:

Navigate to the Home Ribbon: Launch Power BI and head to the Home ribbon. This is your command centre for managing data and relationships.

Select “Manage Relationships: Within the Home ribbon, locate the “Manage relationships” option. Click on it to access the relationship management dialog.

Choose Autodetect: Opt for the “Autodetect” feature. Power BI will diligently scan your data tables, identifying relevant fields and potential relationships.

Let Power BI Work Its Magic: Sit back and relax. Power BI will analyse your data, establish connections, and create relationships automatically. No manual mapping required!

Benefits of Autodetect Relationships

Efficiency: Say goodbye to tedious manual linking. Autodetect streamlines the process, saving you time and effort.

Accuracy: Power BI’s algorithms are adept at identifying meaningful relationships. Trust the system to make precise connections.

Adaptability: As your data evolves, Autodetect adjusts accordingly. It adapts to changes in your model, ensuring ongoing accuracy.

Deliver Report Subscriptions to OneDrive SharePoint

You can now set up report subscriptions and have them delivered to OneDrive or SharePoint. This feature enhances collaboration and sharing within your organisation.

Mobile Layout Auto-Create

The Power BI service now automatically generates mobile layouts for your reports, making it easier to view and interact with them on mobile devices.

Enhanced Row-Level Security Editor Enabled by Default

The row-level security editor now provides an improved experience and is enabled by default.

What is new in the March 2024 version of Power BI

Selection Expressions for Calculation Groups

Calculation groups now support selection expressions, allowing you to create more dynamic calculations.

DAX Query View Improvements

You can now write DAX queries directly in the DAX query view with the help of Copilot.

New Visuals

Several new visuals are available in AppSource, including the Dumbbell Bar Chart, Date Picker, and Drill Down Combo PRO.

Conclusion

In conclusion, our exploration of the March 2024 Power BI release has

discussed a series of exciting and anticipated features. These enhancements extend beyond numerical or functional improvements; they empower users – data analysts, visualisation specialists, and those seeking actionable insights – to achieve even greater results.

Moving forward, as you build semantic models in Power BI, consider leveraging the power of the Autodetect Relationships functionality. This feature streamlines the process, allowing you to dedicate more time to uncovering valuable business intelligence. Remember, Power BI is not simply a software tool; it is a powerful bridge connecting your data curiosity to actionable insights. With each update, we strive to reinforce this bridge, incorporating innovative features and user-centric design principles.

Further Reading:

Power BI February 2024 updates  – blog

Categories
Artificial Intelligence Technology

How to use GenAI responsibly and securely at work

A practical guide for avoiding common pitfalls and staying ahead of the curve.

GenAI is a powerful tool that can help you automate tasks, optimise processes, and generate insights at work. But it also comes with some security and ethical challenges that you need to be aware of and address. In this blog post, we will explore some of the most common dilemmas that GenAI users face, and how you can avoid them or overcome them. We will also look at the upcoming EU legislation on AI, and what it means for your business.

Security dilemmas

How to use GenAI responsibly and securely at work

One of the main security risks of using GenAI is that it can expose your data to unauthorised access, manipulation, or theft. This can happen if you use untrusted or malicious GenAI models, if you share your data or models with third parties without proper safeguards, or if you fail to protect your GenAI systems from cyberattacks. Here are some examples of how this can go wrong:

  • A company used a GenAI model to generate marketing emails for its customers, but the model was infected with malware that inserted phishing links into the emails. The company lost thousands of dollars and damaged its reputation.
  • A researcher used a GenAI model to analyse sensitive health data, but the model was trained on data from another source that had different privacy policies. The researcher violated the data protection laws and faced legal consequences.
  • A manager used a GenAI model to optimize the production schedule, but the model was hacked by a competitor who changed the parameters and caused delays and losses.

To avoid these security dilemmas, you need to follow some best practices when using GenAI:

Only use GenAI models from trusted and verified sources and check their security certificates and ratings.

Only share your data and models with authorised and reliable parties and use encryption and authentication methods.

Regularly update your GenAI systems and software and use antivirus and firewall programs.

Monitor your GenAI activities and outputs and report any suspicious or abnormal behaviour.

Ethical dilemmas

How to use GenAI responsibly and securely at work

Another major challenge of using GenAI is that it can raise ethical questions and concerns, such as bias, fairness, transparency, accountability, and human dignity. This can happen if you use GenAI models that are not aligned with your values and principles, if you use GenAI for inappropriate or harmful purposes, or if you fail to consider the impact of your GenAI decisions on others. Here are some examples of how this can go wrong:

  • A company used a GenAI model to screen job applicants, but the model was biased against certain groups based on their gender, race, or age. The company faced discrimination lawsuits and public backlash.
  • A journalist used a GenAI model to write a news article, but the model fabricated some facts and quotes. The journalist violated the journalistic ethics and lost credibility.
  • A teacher used a GenAI model to grade students’ assignments, but the model was not transparent about how it calculated the scores. The teacher failed to provide feedback and justification to the students.

To avoid these ethical dilemmas, you need to follow some guidelines when using GenAI:

  • Only use GenAI models that are fair, unbiased, and explainable, and check their ethical standards and ratings.
  • Only use GenAI for legitimate and beneficial purposes and respect the rights and interests of others.
  • Always take responsibility for your GenAI actions and outcomes and be ready to correct any errors or harms.
  • Involve human oversight and input in your GenAI processes and decisions and respect the human dignity and autonomy.

EU legislation on AI

In April 2021, the European Commission proposed a new regulation on artificial intelligence, which aims to ensure that AI is trustworthy, human-centric, and respectful of the fundamental rights and values of the EU. The regulation is expected to be adopted by 2025, and it will have significant implications for businesses that use or develop AI, including GenAI.

The regulation defines four categories of AI applications, based on their level of risk and impact:

  • Unacceptable: AI applications that pose a clear threat to the safety, livelihoods, and rights of people, such as social scoring, mass surveillance, or manipulation. These applications will be banned in the EU.
  • High-risk: AI applications that have a high potential to cause harm or discrimination, such as biometric identification, critical infrastructure, or education and employment. These applications will be subject to strict requirements, such as data quality, human oversight, transparency, and accuracy.
  • Limited-risk: AI applications that have a low potential to cause harm or discrimination but may affect the emotional or psychological well-being of users, such as chatbots, video games, or online advertising. These applications will be subject to transparency obligations, such as informing users that they are interacting with an AI system.
  • Minimal-risk: AI applications that have a negligible potential to cause harm or discrimination, such as spam filters, email assistants, or smart appliances. These applications will be subject to voluntary codes of conduct and best practices.

To comply with the EU legislation on AI, you need to be aware of the category and the corresponding obligations of your GenAI applications and follow the rules and standards that apply to them. You also need to monitor the developments and updates of the regulation and be ready to adapt to the changes.

Conclusion

GenAI is a valuable and versatile tool that can help you improve your work performance and productivity.

But it also comes with some security and ethical dilemmas that you need to be aware of and address. By following the best practices and guidelines that we discussed in this blog post, you can use GenAI responsibly and securely, and avoid the common pitfalls and mistakes. You can also stay ahead of the curve and prepare for the upcoming EU legislation on AI, and ensure that your GenAI applications are trustworthy, human-centric, and respectful of the fundamental rights and values of the EU.