Microsoft’s AI can translate Chinese on parity with a human

Microsoft believes its AI is able to translate Chinese as well as a human translator. The company says the development represents a “major milestone” and was achieved by regularly feeding the AI with news stories often used across the AI industry for testing purposes. Microsoft claims its AI translated the articles to the same level as two human bilingual translators. The researchers aimed to replicate the ‘trial and error’ approach to how humans learn. With this in mind, the AI...

16 March 2018 | Machine Learning

How to develop autonomous driving solutions

It’s hard not to be excited about the potential of the autonomous car. But as developers know, building a car that can learn to navigate through its environment takes more than raw processing power. Intel can help you develop for autonomous cars. With deep learning you can create an accident-free experience with cars that can sense, learn and make proper decisions. Achieving this means greater reliance on sensors, data and processing power. And that’s true whether you’re developing for...

14 March 2018 | Connected Cars

#MWC18: Taking responsibility for AI

mwc 2018 paula boddington ai ethics

A session here at MWC 2018 titled ‘AI Everywhere: Ethics and Responsibility’ explored some of the questions we should be asking ourselves as the ethical minefield of AI development progresses. Dr Paula Boddington, a researcher and philosopher from Oxford University, wrote the book ‘Towards a Code of Ethics for Artificial Intelligence’ and led today’s proceedings. She claims to embrace technological progress but wants to ensure all potential impacts of developments have been...

27 February 2018 | Ethics

How industry collaboration with academia advances the field of AI

Academia has, and continues to play a fundamental role in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) development. As a Professor of Computer Science at the University of San Francisco as well as Chief Scientist at data integration software provider SnapLogic, I’ve been lucky to have worked with AI and ML in both an academic and professional capacity. I started my career as a pure academic, and only when I switched to my dual role some 10 years ago did I come to appreciate that,...

22 February 2018 | Applications

Experts warn AI poses a ‘clear and present danger’

A report by leading experts calls on governments and businesses to address the “clear and present danger” posed by unregulated AI. The foreboding report is titled ‘The Malicious Use Of Artificial Intelligence’ and was co-authored by experts from Oxford University, The Centre For The Study of Existential Risk, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, and more. Three primary areas of risk were identified: Digital security — The risk of AI being used for increasing the scale and efficiency...

21 February 2018 | Ethics

Sony is working on an AI-powered taxi system

Sony is leading an alliance of taxi companies to create an AI-powered hailing system. While Uber brought us on-demand taxi rides at the press of a button, Sony wants to use AI to further improve on the model. By studying conditions such as traffic, weather, and current events — taxis can be dispatched automatically where needed. One example, which many of us will have experienced, is the frustration of getting transport home after a concert. Sony’s algorithm would ensure a fleet of...

20 February 2018 | Connected Cars

Leaders warn NATO is unprepared for AI warfare

Current and former European leaders gathered at the Munich Security Conference to warn that NATO is unprepared for AI warfare. AI is set to revolutionise many industries and will bring a range of benefits to citizens and businesses around the world. Concerns about job losses have been prevalent, but AI’s inevitable use in a military capacity has been less discussed. Kersti Kaljulaid, President of Estonia, believes there is a 50 percent chance an AI system capable of launching a lethal...

16 February 2018 | Ethics

Home Office unveils AI tool for tackling extremist content

Following impatience with technology leaders in delivering measures to fight the spread of extremist content, the Home Office has unveiled its own AI tool for detecting it with impressive accuracy. The UK government has long called on tech giants to ensure any extremist content is removed from their platforms quickly. A report from the Home Affairs Committee slammed the likes of Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube for "consciously failing" to remove terrorist propaganda. Most law-abiding...

13 February 2018 | Ethics

AI defeats humans in predicting forex

Another day brings another story of AI beating humans. This time, AI has shown its ability to forecast exchange rates more accurately than we can. Nikkei has organised its ‘dollar-yen derby’ for over three decades. Readers and analysts try to predict the exchange rate for the following month. However, a new competitor has entered the ring. An AI developed by the Nikkei Group was able to deliver the most accurate forecast for the year-end exchange rate. Impressively, it beat around 400...

1 February 2018 | Research

Emtech China: Warnings of AI causing job losses continue

This year’s EmTech China conference in Beijing was filled with exciting insights at where AI is heading, but it also carried the usual warnings of potential job losses. The three-day event is organised by MIT Technology Review and features some of the world’s most talented experts. In the past, we’ve heard from the likes of Elon Musk saying AI will mean a ‘universal basic income’ will become necessary as more jobs become automated. Others counter this argument by claiming AI...

29 January 2018 | Government