Category: AI

The remarkable progress in artificial intelligence (AI) over recent years can largely be attributed to one factor: scale. Around the beginning of this decade, researchers noticed that as they increased the size of their algorithms and fed them more data, the capabilities of AI models skyrocketed. The latest AI models, boasting hundreds of billions to over a trillion network connections, are learning to write, code, and process information by ingesting vast amounts of data—essentially a large fraction of the internet.

This scaling, however, demands enormous computing power. According to nonprofit AI research organization Epoch AI, the computing power dedicated to AI training has been quadrupling every year. Should this trend continue, by 2030, AI models could be trained with up to 10,000 times more compute than today’s cutting-edge models, such as OpenAI’s GPT-4. This would represent a leap as significant as the difference between GPT-2’s rudimentary text generation in 2019 and GPT-4’s advanced problem-solving abilities in 2023.

After the 2014 failure of Google Glass, smart glasses seemed doomed to obscurity. However, a resurgence may be on the horizon, as companies like Meta and Google invest heavily in a new generation of smart glasses that blend fashion, functionality, and generative AI, according to Gene Munster, managing partner at Deepwater Asset Management.

Writing on the firm’s website, Munster explained the renewed optimism in smart glasses, stating that consumers are drawn to easy-to-use technology, and the advancements in generative AI are transforming these devices into a more attractive option. “Gen AI is paving the way toward complex wearable ambient computing,” he noted. This next iteration of smart glasses aims to look and feel like “normal glasses,” while incorporating generative AI, voice activation, cameras, and sensors for a seamless user experience.

In a groundbreaking advancement in artificial intelligence, Google is leveraging audio signals to detect the early symptoms of illness. Using 300 million audio samples—ranging from coughs to labored breathing—Google has trained its AI foundation model to recognize signs of diseases like tuberculosis. In collaboration with Salcit Technologies, an AI startup in India focused on respiratory healthcare, Google is working to integrate this technology into smartphones. This innovation has the potential to transform healthcare in high-risk, underserved communities by offering more accessible diagnostic tools.

Google has a history of digitizing human senses, and its venture into bioacoustics is an extension of that. Bioacoustics, which merges biology and acoustics, uses AI to interpret sounds made by humans and animals to gain medical insights. In this field, Google’s new AI model, HeAR (Health Acoustic Representations), stands at the forefront. This model utilizes sound signals to detect early signs of illness, offering a promising tool for early diagnosis.

A team of researchers has developed a swarm of self-coordinating drones designed to act as first responders in combating wildfires. This innovative solution, which combines cutting-edge AI, thermal, and optical imaging technology, was created by the University of Sheffield’s School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering to enhance early mitigation strategies for wildfires.

These AI-powered drones can autonomously detect, investigate, and relay information about fires to firefighting teams. By utilizing swarm technology developed at the University of Bristol, the drones can intelligently coordinate with one another to deploy fire retardants, monitor fire progression, and safely return to base. Dr. Lyudmila Mihaylova, Professor of Signal Processing and Control at the University of Sheffield, emphasized the importance of this breakthrough, saying, “Autonomous wildfire detection and localization, especially in remote and large geographic areas with hot weather, is a challenging task that current technology has not fully addressed.”

Richtech Robotics, a leader in AI-driven service robots, has launched its latest ADAM robot bartender at Globe Life Field, home of the Texas Rangers. This installation marks the 10th deployment of ADAM, reflecting the Paradise, Nevada-based company’s commitment to enhancing personalized hospitality experiences.

“ADAM has seen a surge in popularity following the successful debut of its advanced AI features at CES 2024,” said Matt Casella, president of Richtech Robotics. “We’re thrilled to bring ADAM to the iconic Globe Life Field, continuing our mission to deliver exceptional, engaging, and fluid interactions across various industries. We’re eager to see how fans at the stadium interact with our leading robot.”

Chinese researchers have unveiled a groundbreaking AI model that mimics the behavior of neurons in the human brain, potentially revolutionizing the future of artificial intelligence. This new model, developed by a team from the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Automation and Peking University, promises to deliver powerful computational abilities without the high energy consumption associated with traditional silicon-based processors.

The research team aimed to bridge the gap between the complex workings of large AI models and the intricate, yet energy-efficient, operations of the human brain. While AI systems have rapidly expanded in capability, their increasing demand for energy has become a growing concern. In contrast, the human brain, which is far more complex than any existing AI model, operates on a mere fraction of the energy.

A team of scientists from Beijing has announced a groundbreaking development in artificial intelligence (AI) with the creation of the world’s first fully optical AI chip, named Taichi-II. This innovative chip marks a significant leap in both efficiency and performance, surpassing even NVIDIA’s renowned H100 GPU in energy efficiency.

Led by Professors Fang Lu and Dai Qionghai from Tsinghua University, the research team revealed their findings, showcasing the Taichi-II as a major advancement over its predecessor, the Taichi chip. Earlier this year, the original Taichi chip was reported to have exceeded the energy efficiency of NVIDIA’s H100 GPU by more than a thousand times, according to the South China Morning Post (SCMP). The new Taichi-II chip has further elevated this benchmark, demonstrating superior performance across a range of applications.

As we stand at the dawn of the AI revolution, many people harbor concerns about the potential risks and job displacement that these technologies might bring. However, there are also immense opportunities for AI to drive breakthroughs across various industries, significantly enhancing our quality of life. A compelling example of this potential comes from a startup called Perceptive, which has developed a robot dentist capable of performing certain dental surgeries autonomously.

Imagine a world where fully automated robotic dental systems are deployed globally, speeding up procedures and potentially lowering costs. This vision could soon become reality, though it still awaits approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before it can be widely adopted.

The conversation around artificial intelligence (AI) has rapidly expanded from research labs and tech companies to everyday discussions in mainstream media, coffee shops, and street corners. AI is a hot topic, with concerns ranging from its potential to revolutionize industries to fears of its impact on jobs and society. Recently, a friend shared a story about overhearing a group of men discussing the threats posed by AI, with one of them expressing his frustration by saying, “I want to punch AI in the face!”

While AI doesn’t have a face to punch, this reaction highlights the anxiety many people feel about the rise of machine intelligence. The potential dangers of AI are indeed concerning. It can be misused to reinforce biases, destabilize political systems, and deepen social inequities. Some experts even warn that AI could one day challenge our dominance as a species. But beneath these fears lies a more immediate concern: the potential economic impact of AI, particularly on jobs.

For over 60,000 years, since the time Neanderthals crafted flutes from bones, technology has played a significant role in shaping how we create and share music. From the analog recording era to today’s streaming services, technological advancements have continuously expanded our musical possibilities. However, the latest development—generative AI—represents a monumental shift with both transformative potential and significant risks.

Generative AI, which can produce text, images, and music from simple prompts, has opened new avenues for creativity. These tools promise to democratize music creation, enabling anyone, from seasoned professionals to young children, to craft music. Yet, this convenience comes at a cost. AI-generated music could undermine the livelihoods of human musicians, who rely on their craft to sustain themselves and their families.

A cutting-edge satellite equipped with artificial intelligence has made a significant breakthrough by identifying 142 ships near a port within minutes, showcasing the potential of real-time Earth observation. This remarkable achievement was made by the CogniSAT-6 satellite, operated by Dublin-based space technology firm Ubotica. Launched in March of this year, CogniSAT-6 is pioneering the use of AI to identify and analyze terrestrial objects in real time.

For the first time, a satellite has used AI to acquire and relay detailed information about Earth-based objects instantly, without any delay in transmission to ground controllers. According to Ubotica’s press release, this represents a global first for a commercial Live Earth Intelligence system, setting a new standard in Earth observation. This real-time capability could be instrumental in combating illegal fishing, monitoring ocean systems, and tracking climate change impacts.

The evolution of human civilizations is closely tied to the advancement of infrastructure, a relationship that has become increasingly evident with the rapid urbanization of recent years. As we stand on the brink of an era of ‘smart cities,’ driven by technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things, and big data analytics, the promise of sustainable urban development has never been greater. However, the progress toward these smart cities is being challenged by the growing impacts of climate change.

Natural disasters, particularly earthquakes, pose significant threats to buildings and infrastructure. A prime example of this is soil liquefaction—a hazardous phenomenon where saturated soil loses its strength and rigidity under stress, often due to earthquake-induced shaking or sudden loading. When this occurs, the soil behaves like a liquid, compromising its ability to support structures and creating substantial risks for urban environments.