As AI Capabilities Grow, Leading Tech Companies Advance with Them
Emerging Tech Roundup — January 7
The Quantious team’s top picks for timely trending news in the tech world.
This week in tech: Government datasets are opened up for AI learning, AI is created to generate New Year’s resolutions, Viz.ai enhances treatment for strokes, a race for autonomous vehicles is organized, 5G is used to direct fleets of vehicles, Shopify may be leaning into brick-and-mortar, and Nvidia updates their AI to create high-resolution art.
AI “Data Libraries” Bill is Created to Further AI Training
(Rob Portman, December 29)
As the US tries to maintain AI leadership, any and all states want to make AI-learning as accessible as possible. Senators Jacky Rosen and Rob Portman have worked to further this effort with the new “data libraries” bill, now included in the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act. Officials hope that opening up government datasets to the public will help the US expand upon our current AI knowledge.
Researchers Create AI to Generate 2022 Resolutions
(The Washington Post, December 31)
Blogger Janelle Shane has developed AI technology to help people generate New Year’s resolutions. The AI compiled its knowledge from various resolutions that people posted online and generates “whimsical but realistic” resolutions. Although the resolutions suggested by the tool are not world-changing, they save us from the pressure of creating a realistic resolution on our own.
Viz.ai Helps Hospitals Treat Stroke Patients Earlier Using Deep Learning
(Forbes, January 3)
CEO Chris Mansi spoke about how Viz.ai uses AI to save peoples’ lives by detecting strokes, aneurysms and more, early on. The technology they use is able to detect medical conditions quickly using CT scans and other data, which then allows patients to be quickly transferred to a specialist. Over 900 hospitals have already adopted Viz.ai’s technology to enhance their treatment capabilities.
Autonomous Race Cars to Complete at CES 2022
(Electronics 360, January 3)
CES is hosting a race solely for autonomous vehicles to judge their capabilities, come January 7th. The winner of the race will receive $1 million, sponsored by Luminar. Organizers of the event hope that the race will advance technology and accelerate the commercialization of self-driving vehicles.
Seoul Robotics Launches Level 5 Control Tower to Enable Autonomous Mobility
(The Robot Report, January 4)
Seoul Robotics has developed a tower that can guide a fleet of vehicles using 5G. The AI-powered software Sensr allows sensors to be placed on traffic lights and buildings, rather than on each individual vehicle, and it can direct cars to park or idle themselves when waiting for further direction. The technology is currently being tested by BMW, but does not have a launch date yet.
Shopify Files Patent Suggests it’s Moving Toward Brick-and-Mortar Retail
(Business Insider, January 4)
Shopify quietly filed a patent in May that suggests its rivalry with Amazon may be intensifying. The patent surrounds “a system of sensors” that is capable of measuring foot traffic and behavior in different zones of a store. If certain zones get more attention or specific behaviors are observed, store owners can make more informed decisions on what to display in that area.
Nvidia’s Upgraded AI Art Tool Turns Obscure Squiggles into Masterpieces
(PC Gamer, January 6)
Nvidia has upgraded Nvidia Canvas to GauGAN2 AI, which is capable of taking child-grade artwork and transforming it into a digital landscape. GauGAN2 AI can also create images from a string of words. The technology is free to use and requires an RTX graphics card to operate.
