Researchers use AI to turn smartphones into lab grade microscopes
WHY THIS MATTERS IN BRIEF Not everyone has access to a lab grade microscope, and if you’re a doctor in the middle of nowhere that’s an issue that will delay disease diagnosis and potentially put lives at risk, this breakthrough will revolutionise front line medicine. Today we are on...
Infographic: The Future of AI in the Energy Sector
WHY THIS MATTERS IN BRIEF As AI’s capabilities improve it will revolutionise how we generate, transmit, sell and consume energy. It shouldn’t come as any surprise to anyone that Artificial Intelligence (AI) will have a significant impact on the energy sector, and at all stages of its lifecycle. Whether...
Futurist in London: The Future of Investing, STOXX Annual Conference
WHY THIS MATTERS IN BRIEF There has, arguably, never been a better time, or a risker time to invest in today’s markets, but as every industry undergoes titanic transformation investors who are ill advised, or who lack the right vision, could quickly find themselves on the wrong end of tomorrow’s...
Futurist in Reading: Adapt or Die, Cherwell European Conference
WHY THIS MATTERS IN BRIEF The pace of change, and disruption, is accelerating. In this presentation I show just how fast, and how crazy, the world’s business environment is getting, it’s impact on every sector, and what you can do to future proof yourself. Firstly, I’d like to thank...
Futurist in Milton Keynes: The Future of Communities, Castleton European Summit
WHY THIS MATTERS IN BRIEF The future will have a huge impact on the future of communities, both good and bad, but with proper foresight and planning tomorrow’s communities could be brighter and better for everyone. Firstly, I’d like to thank Jay and Chantel for inviting me to present...
This new algorithm will let tomorrow’s exascale supercomputers simulate an entire human brain
WHY THIS MATTERS IN BRIEF Today we can simulate 10 percent of the human brain in a supercomputer, but a whole brain simulation would revolutionise neuroscience, unlock the secrets of the brain and lead to new breakthrough cognitive treatments. The renowned physicist Dr. Richard Feynman once said “What I...
Chinese workers are having their emotions monitored by “mind reading” tech
WHY THIS MATTERS IN BRIEF The future of work is an increasingly important topic, particularly as the spectre of AI driven automation looms, but the ability to read employees emotions and thoughts fundamentally changes the employer-employee relationship. Today I have the tech to stream images, movies and sentences directly...
Diagnose the onset of dementia using your voice and this smartphone app
WHY THIS MATTERS IN BRIEF Being able to diagnose cognitive conditions using just a smartphone, even if you have no formal access to healthcare, will help millions of people catch the signs of dementia earlier, meaning they can seek treatment sooner. WinterLight Labs in the US have just announced...
Suspicious nuclear power plants can now be monitored remotely using WATCHMAN
WHY THIS MATTERS IN BRIEF Up until now it’s only been possible to assess the status of a sovereign states nuclear power program by physically inspecting the site, which is sometimes difficult, but now it can be done remotely from thousands of miles away. A consortium led by UK...
The US military is funding an AI that’s learning to write its own code
WHY THIS MATTERS IN BRIEF One day non-programmers will be able to instruct AI’s to create software on their behalf, this is one step in realising that goal and it has wide ranging ramifications for al of us, and AI development. If you’re tired of writing your own boring...
Google’s lifelike sounding AI assistant, Duplex, blows past uncanny valley
WHY THIS MATTERS IN BRIEF I’ve been saying this for a long time, very soon you won’t know whether the content you’re consuming was generated by a human or a machine, and Google’s latest product, Duplex, moves us all one step closer to that time. At Google’s I/O developer...
Rigetti combines Quantum computing with Machine Learning to boost AI
WHY THIS MATTERS IN BRIEF Tomorrow’s ultra powerful Quantum Computers could revolutionise the direction and development of future AI’s, and companies are making some interesting breakthroughs. While many of Quantum computing’s practical applications remain largely unknown, with, arguably, only our imagination being the limit of what we can do...
Vertical farms edge closer to disrupting traditional agriculture
WHY THIS MATTERS IN BRIEF Today’s modern agricultural practises favour countries with fertile land and the food they produce has a dramatic impact on the environment, but tomorrows farms could be stationed in deserts, or at sea, right next to their consumers, producing high quality, organic food at knock down...
New Quantum ML algorithm could revolutionise Quantum AI before it even begins
WHY THIS MATTERS IN BRIEF Artificial Intelligence, whether it’s Artificial General Intelligence or even Artificial Super Intelligence, could be completely eclipsed by the power of new Quantum AI models. One of the ways that intelligent computers and Artificial Intelligence (AI) platforms “think” is by analysing the relationships between and...
A new form of “Master algorithm” could pave the way for super intelligent machines
WHY THIS MATTERS IN BRIEF One day we will create super intelligent machines that far surpass our own level of intellect, and experts believe this new form of calculus might help get us there sooner rather than later. You can be excused for not noticing that a scientist named...
Elon Musk warns that AI could “become an immortal dictator”
WHY THIS MATTERS IN BRIEF Musk has a point that an all controlling AI could become the embodiment of an immortal dictator, but hopefully it’s a vision that won’t come to pass. By definition Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI), is a form of Artificial Intelligence (AI) that isn’t just smarter...
Biased AI’s are becoming a problem, this startup is fighting back
WHY THIS MATTERS IN BRIEF The rise of the “Algorithmic society” coupled with biased AI’s and machines means that increasingly bias, if left unchecked, can change the course of people’s lives, as well as viewpoints, both with potentially life changing and harmful consequences. Today there is a huge amount...
Futurist in London: The Future of Artificial Intelligence, British Museum
WHY THIS MATTERS IN BRIEF There is a risk that humanity is under estimating the impact that AI will have on the world, particularly in the criminal underworld, but if I could give you a single take away it would be this – AI’s capabilities are evolving at a furious...
AI can now restore your corrupted photos to their original condition
WHY THIS MATTERS IN BRIEF Lots of us have old or crappy photos that are in bad condition and in the past the only place you could put them was in the bin, but now new AI image restoration technology could restore them to better than the originals. There’s...
Intel unveils Loihi, a revolutionary new Neuromorphic self-learning processor
WHY THIS MATTER IN BRIEF As the age of silicon based computing systems nears its natural conclusion new computing platforms are emerging that are capable of self-learning and revolutionising AI development, and which are millions of times faster and more energy efficient than today’s “antiquated” systems. Intel recently held...
