Cloud Hosting

Collaboration and innovation are at the heart of research endeavors at NYU Langone. Biyu J. He, PhD, and Eric K. Oermann, MD, are exemplifying these qualities, merging their expertise to build an artificial intelligence (AI) model that imitates the human brain.

Richard Feynman, a Nobel Prizewinning theoretical physicist, once said, What I cant make, I dont understand. The quote is one that aptly captures the spirit of the collaborative effort by Dr. He and Dr. Oermann to build an AI model that more closely mimics the human brain. They hope to use that computer algorithm as a more nimble and practical proxy for exploring the brain and plumbing the depths of its mysteries. Building a computational model can help us understand whats going on in the brain in a more quantitative, detailed way than traditional neuroscience allows us to do, says Dr. He.

To fund their research, Dr. He and Dr. Oermann have been awarded $1.2 million from the W.M. Keck Foundation, a nonprofit that supports pioneering discoveries in science, engineering, and medical research.

The researchers will start by mapping the brains of volunteers as they complete a very specific, simple taska process that neuroscientists call one-shot learning. For example, imagine seeing an abstract black-and-white drawing, and then seeing a photo of a recognizable objectsay, a helicopterthat loosely resembles it. Once your brain recognizes the helicopter in the photo, it will forever see it in the abstract image as well. Once you have that photograph in your head, its imprinted in your mind and forever alters the way you process the abstract image, explains Dr. He.

The pair will use neuroimaging and electrodes to map the brain activity involved in one-shot learning, and then leverage advanced AI techniques to create a computer model. One-shot learning is something the human brain does well, but algorithms do not, explains Dr. Oermann. We plan to use our analysis of the process to unpack the differences and make AI models more brain-like.

Dr. He and Dr. Oermann are uniquely well suited to this venture. She is a neuroscientist who researches how the brain creates conscious awareness, while he is a neurosurgeon and machine learning expert. The seeds of their collaboration began in 2019 when Dr. He received an email from John G. Golfinos, MD, chair of the Department of Neurosurgery, announcing that Dr. Oermann was a candidate for a faculty role. In addition to his training in neurosurgery, Dr. Oermann had done a postdoctoral research fellowship in machine learning at the life sciences arm of Alphabet, Googles parent company. I looked at his website and thought, It would be amazing if we recruited him, recalls Dr. He.

Likewise, Dr. Oermann was aware of Dr. Hes research before his arrival at NYU Langone. Biyu asks some of the biggest questions about how our brains make us human, he says. As an engineer and a neurosurgeon, I was used to focusing on very specific problems. But understanding how the brain works is what drew me to AI.

Once here, Dr. Oermann wasted no time in reaching out to Dr. He. We immediately sensed there was a long-term research agenda that could benefit from combining our expertise, he says. We see this as the first step in a really ambitious collaborative process.

Read more:
Can an Artificial Intelligence Model Be Built to Closely Mimic the ... - NYU Langone Health

March 31, 2023

University of Wyoming students recently attended the annual conference of the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence in Washington, D.C. Attending were, from left, front row: Mehdi Nourelahi, from Ghaemshahr, Iran; Lona van der Linden, of San Diego, Calif.; Natalie Foss, from Colorado Springs, Colo.; and Zachary Harris, of Beavercreek, Ohio; middle row: Jesse Evans, from Green River; Joshua Arulsamy, of Laramie; Nikita Gallegos, from Casper; Damir Pulatov, of Tashkent, Uzbekistan; and Austin Stephen, from Cheyenne; and back row: Haniye Kashgarani and Mohamad Zamini, both of Tehran, Iran. Not pictured is Chet Russell, from Laramie. (UW Photo)

More than 3,500 worldwide participants -- including 15 University of Wyoming students and faculty members -- recently participated in a conference that brings together leading researchers and practitioners who work on all aspects of artificial intelligence (AI) and its applications.

The UW contingent attended the annual conference of the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI) in Washington, D.C. Technical sessions, invited plenary talks, tutorials, workshops, poster sessions and industry events were offered during the weeklong conference.

The conference provides a snapshot of the state of the art in AI, says Lars Kotthoff, a UW Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science assistant professor who was among faculty members attending the conference.

Besides Kotthoff and the 12 students, also attending were Patrick Johnson, head of the UW Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, and Hud Wahab, a postdoctoral research associate in the same department.

Going to the AAAI conference enabled me to see areas of artificial intelligence research not found at the University of Wyoming, says Austin Stephen, a Cheyenne senior majoring in computer science. This exposure helped me develop a deeper sense of what interests me; better understand what a career in academia looks like; and meet other students with similar interests.

All of the UW students say the conference was beneficial to their future careers, and they learned more about AI fields. They experienced recent advances across a broad range of AI and were introduced to advanced technical topics in tutorials.

Attending the AAAI conference was beneficial to my education and experience in artificial intelligence, adds Chet Russell, a Laramie junior majoring in computer science. I learned so much about a variety of topics in the field and a lot about topics I had never heard of before.

At the end of the conference, many members of the UW delegation took advantage of the location to visit with Wyoming U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis in her office. The students and the senator talked about her work on the digital assets committee and the general importance of technology, computer science and AI -- especially for Wyoming, Kotthoff says.

I hope that such trips will become a permanent fixture at UW, enriching the education of current and future students, he adds.

Before the conference, Kotthoff organized a UW-wide competition for scholarships that allowed students to attend the conference. UWs School of Computing, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, and Wyoming Research Scholars Program funded the program.

Exposing students to AI research and applications is especially important now, as there is a lot of hype around technologies such as ChatGPT that makes it difficult to see AIs limitations and where research still needs to happen, Kotthoff says. At many institutions, such opportunities are extremely limited, especially for undergraduate students. It is very encouraging to see so many units at UW come together to make this happen.

Additionally, Kotthoff and Johnson organized a daylong workshop to bring AI and materials science closer together. The program featured invited speakers from both areas, a poster session and breakout discussions to develop plans for more joint events to facilitate cross-fertilization. Approximately 20 people from academia and industry attended the workshop.

The workshop we organized was aimed at researchers working at the intersection of AI and materials science as part of the conference program, Kotthoff says. The interactions between the participants enabled future joint activities, which will benefit both areas.

UW students who attended the AAAI conference, listed by hometown, were:

Beavercreek, Ohio -- Zachary Harris.

Casper -- Nikita Gallegos.

Cheyenne -- Austin Stephen.

Colorado Springs, Colo. -- Natalie Foss.

Ghaemshahr, Iran -- Mehdi Nourelahi.

Green River -- Jesse Evans.

Laramie -- Joshua Arulsamy and Chet Russell.

San Diego, Calif. -- Lona van der Linden.

Tashkent, Uzbekistan -- Damir Pulatov.

Tehran, Iran -- Haniye Kashgarani and Mohamad Zamini.

Read more from the original source:
UW Students and Faculty Engage in Large Artificial Intelligence ... - University of Wyoming News

The combination of Dynamics 365 and Artificial Intelligence is revolutionizing the way businesses operate by providing advanced analytics, personalized customer engagement, optimized supply chain processes, enhanced security, and automation of routine tasks. By incorporating AI into Dynamics 365, businesses can make better decisions based on real-time data, improve customer satisfaction, reduce costs, and gain a competitive edge. With the limitless possibilities of this technology, businesses can continue to innovate and transform their operations, ultimately leading to increased efficiency and success in the long run. Therefore, businesses should consider implementing Dynamics 365 and Artificial Intelligence into their operations to take advantage of the numerous benefits they offer.

Looking to streamline your business processes with Dynamics 365? Look no further than our team of experienced Dynamics 365 engineers. We specialize in helping businesses like yours implement and optimize Dynamics 365 to improve productivity, streamline workflows, and reduce costs. Our consulting services can also provide you with expert guidance on how to get the most out of your investment in Dynamics 365.

So why wait?

Contact us today to learn more about our Dynamics 365 consulting services and engineer hiring and take your business to the next level.

See original here:
Transforming Business Operations with Dynamics 365 and Artificial Intelligence - Security Boulevard

Monday April 03 2023

AI could be the death knell for your career or the catalyst o your next big job, and remember it is just a tool.

We live in the midst of a seismic shift thats shaking the very foundations of our world. It does not discriminate based on education, title or seniority as it is coming for us all. You cant stand still and hope to weather this storm. You need to adapt or risk being swept away. Artificial intelligence (AI) is driving these waves of change crashing down on all of us. Take a hard look and ask: Am I ready?

The popular US entertainment website BuzzFeed is laying off 180 employees, about 12 percent of its workforce, to reduce costs due to declining advertising revenue and the conclusion of its merger with Complex Media.

However, the companys shares rose two-fold after announcing the layoffs and its investment in AI technology.

BuzzFeed has been using algorithms to determine popular content. And now with AI and machine learning, it creates content directly.

The tech industry in the US has already laid off 80,000 people globally in the first two months of this year with numbers still increasing. It is not about the quality of the workers, but whether their skills are still relevant. Those with outdated skills risk being replaced by AI, adding to the growing number of people globally losing their jobs to automation.

The revolution

Some media outlets such as CNET, an American media website that publishes reviews, news, articles, blogs, podcasts and videos on technology and consumer electronics globally, already use AI for entire departments.

AI listens, thinks and acts for us as seen in personalised movie recommendations on Netflix, targeted adverts on Facebook based on conversations and suggested videos on YouTube. AI will soon know us better than those around us and respond accordingly.

Toto Neorest NX2 is a high-end smart toilet that uses AI and sensors to analyse the users urine and stool. It can detect changes in pH levels, blood and protein as well as alert the user or a healthcare professional if it detects any abnormalities. The toilet also features a self-cleaning bowl, a heated seat and a bidet.

In addition, Duravit Senso Wash is a smart toilet that uses AI and sensors to adjust water temperature, pressure, and position based on the users preferences. The toilet also features a self-cleaning bowl and a built-in odour extraction system.

The AI revolution will impact all aspects of our lives and businesses. Companies view people as their biggest expense and may replace them with more efficient AI tools.

Customer service is an example where one representative can only speak to one customer at a time, causing wait times. AI can handle a million customers simultaneously improving efficiency.

Catalyst

AI is both a blessing and a curse. It could be the death knell for your career or the catalyst for your next big break. Remember, AI is just a tool and it is only as good as the humans who wield it. That is where you come in.

If you are willing to put in the work, reskill, and adapt, you could become indispensable to any organisation. The clock is ticking and the stakes are high. Do not let this chance to prepare slip away. It is time to act.

Next week read about practical ways to reskill and hand you the tools you need to ride this wave of disruption with confidence. Get ready to take control of your future!

Wale Akinyemi is the founder of the Street University. Email is wale@thestreetuniversity.com

Read the original here:
Artificial Intelligence a blessing and curse at your workplace - The East African

India should draw up its own blueprint for artificial intelligence (AI) development to harness all possible benefits of AI while minimising socio-economic disruption, says a letter written to the government jointly by three leading professionalsZoho CEO Sridhar Vembu, former Vice chairman of NITI Aayog Rajiv Kumar and Sharad Sharma, Co-founder of iSPIRT Foundation.

They urged the government and various other stakeholders, including researchers, to engage in a healthy debate on helping in evolving a national consensus on how best to utilise AI. Kumar is the Chairman of Pahle India Foundation, while Vembu is Chairman of Swadeshi Shodh Sansthan.

We are fully aware that for a developing country like India, application of AI in various fields provides an opportunity to pole-vault the traditional, linear growth paths. Deploying advanced technologies optimally and strategically can create a potent mix of resources and infrastructure that can yield more equitable and more sustainable growth. For a remarkably young country like India, with a median age of 29, AI offers a huge opportunity to raise labour productivity, build a knowledge society and further enhance our demographic dividend, the letter said.

Also read: Elon Musk, Marc Rotenberg, others urge US FTC to halt GPT rollouts

At the same time, it is also clear that AI could put millions of jobs at risk almost overnight. The dizzying pace of the ongoing digital revolution has meant that AI is inveigling itself into the economic, psychosocial, and cultural aspects of human life at an unprecedented speed. The downstream effects of adopting technologies such as AI without essential due diligence and appropriate safeguards can cause unprecedented disruption of the existing social order, it added.

We know that technological progress is inexorable and overall beneficial. Yet we have to manage it carefully to avoid unmanageable socio-economic disruptions at scale, the letter said.

This follows the likes of Elon Musk planning to urge the US govt to activate a pause on development of AI.

The recent Open Letter issued by the Future of Life Institute calls upon all AI labs worldwide to pause for six months the training of AI systems more powerful than GPT-4.

They suggest that this time should be used to assess how to manage their profound impact on all aspects of human life. India should also use this time to draw up its own blueprint for AI development, the letter said.

ChatGPT: Should teachers be worried?

We urge stakeholders like IT researchers, policymakers, academicians in other disciplines, industry leaders, and members of the civil society to join this vital debate that will help evolve a national consensus on how best to utilise this powerful technology for achieving our national goals and meeting the exploding aspirations of our young population, the letter said.

Vembu in a tweet on the issue said, AI were to eliminate all jobs, it means AI is able to produce all the goods and services humans need and want without human labour. What should our policy makers do? My advice is to place strict openness requirements on AI technology. Some providers will threaten to leave India but we must call their bluff. Indians can produce great AI too, subject to our laws. No monopolies, no toll gates.

As the need for a debate on AI was emphasised, a press release says, Totto, a technology company, launched Cuddlean AI & Human Assistant on WhatsApp for parents and expecting parents.

Cuddle combines the power of AI with human expertise to provide expecting and new parents with support throughout their pregnancy and parenting journey. Cuddle is now available on WhatsApp, offering parents a convenient and reliable way to access personalised guidance and assistance from a team of experts, the release said.

View post:
National consensus needs to be evolved on development of artificial intelligence say Zoho CEO Sridhar Vembu - BusinessLine