Author: AI Ireland

AI Ireland's mission is to increase the use of AI for the benefit of our society, our competitiveness, and for everyone living in Ireland.

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News

Meta’s Connect Conference Unveils Exciting Innovations in AI and Mixed Reality

This year’s Meta Connect conference was nothing short of groundbreaking, featuring a series of significant announcements set to revolutionise the way we connect, communicate and engage with the digital realm. From the introduction of cutting-edge AI assistants to the evolution of mixed reality devices, Meta’s latest offerings are poised to redefine the future of technology.

Introducing AIs: A Leap in AI Advancements

One of the standout revelations from Connect is the debut of AIs, Meta’s generative AI-powered assistants and characters. Building upon over a decade of pioneering work in Artificial Intelligence, Meta aims to transform the way individuals interact by enhancing the creativity, expressiveness and productivity of their AI systems.

These AIs are primed to elevate various facets of our digital lives, spanning productivity and entertainment. They will seamlessly integrate into popular messaging platforms like WhatsApp, Messenger and Instagram, enabling users to engage with advanced conversational assistants. AIs are also set to become part of Meta’s hardware portfolio, including the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses and the next-generation VR headset, Meta Quest 3.

One of the most thrilling features of these AIs is their capacity to generate photorealistic images from text prompts, unlocking a world of creative possibilities that empower users to transform their ideas into stunning visual content effortlessly. Furthermore, Meta is introducing 28 additional AIs in beta, each boasting unique interests and personalities, with some even being portrayed by renowned cultural icons and influencers. This diverse array of AI characters promises to enrich digital interactions significantly.

Meta Quest 3: Pioneering Mixed Reality

Meta Quest 3, the latest iteration of the company’s popular VR headset, represents a substantial leap forward in mixed reality technology. With a new pancake lens display, improved display resolution, a sleeker design and customisable fit, this headset aims to provide users with an immersive experience like never before.

The Quest 3 is dedicated to seamlessly blending virtual content with the physical environment. It offers access to a library of over 500 apps, ensuring that users can enjoy a wide array of experiences. The new Touch Plus controllers, which are ring-free, promise enhanced interactivity and precision.

This innovation is poised to democratise mixed reality, making it more accessible and user-friendly than ever before. With vibrant, full-color resolution and an array of exciting features, the Quest 3 is set to redefine how we engage, work and connect in the digital realm.

Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses: A Smarter Perspective

Another exciting revelation at Connect was the evolution of smart glasses. In collaboration with EssilorLuxottica, Meta has enhanced the popular Ray-Ban Stories to create the next generation of smart eyewear. These glasses retain the stylish aesthetics of their predecessors, while boasting an even slimmer and more comfortable design.

The enhancements don’t stop there; the improved camera and audio capabilities make these smart glasses even more versatile. However, the real game-changer lies in the integration of AI functionality. Users can anticipate a more intuitive and interactive experience, with the glasses harnessing the power of Meta’s AIs to deliver real-time information and generate unique content.

Unleashing Creativity with Generative AI

Meta is not solely focused on enhancing communication and productivity; it is also committed to empowering users’ creative expression. The company has introduced a suite of generative AI-powered tools within its apps, providing users with novel avenues to convey stories and communicate visually.

AI stickers allow users to effortlessly craft personalised stickers for their chats and stories. Restyle empowers users to transform images by applying specific visual styles, such as “watercolor.” Backdrop, on the other hand, permits users to alter the background of their images based on prompts, adding a touch of magic to their photos.

These creative features are just the beginning, as Meta plans to roll out additional tools in the future, further expanding the creative horizons of its users.

Looking Ahead

While these announcements are undeniably thrilling, it is essential to note that initial access to these innovations may be limited. Quest 3 and Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses will be available in the same countries as their previous iterations, including Ireland. However, the initial rollout of generative AI experiences will be available in English only, with broader language support scheduled for 2024. Regarding AIs, their initial availability will be limited to the United States, with expansion plans underway.

In conclusion, Meta’s Connect conference has ignited fervent anticipation within the tech community for the future of AI and mixed reality. With the introduction of AIs, the evolution of Quest 3 and Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses, and a commitment to nurturing creativity through generative AI, Meta is poised to redefine how we connect, create and explore the digital world. 

Book an AI Presentation today

AI Ireland offers tailored presentations catering to your industry’s needs, providing invaluable insights into the transformative power of AI technologies. Stay ahead of the curve and equip your organisation with the knowledge it needs to confidently embrace the future.

Don’t miss the opportunity to enlighten your team and stakeholders. Book a presentation today and explore how innovation is positively impacting your industry.

Early Bird Tickets Now on Sale for the 2023 AI Awards.

The fifth annual AI Awards takes place on Tuesday November 21st at the Gibson Hotel. This is an exciting opportunity to connect and network with over 200 AI and Data professionals across the island of Ireland and hear from some of the most exciting AI applications across industry and academia spanning 12 award categories.

Don’t miss the opportunity to get your discounted Early Bird tickets now! Head over to aiawards.ie/tickets or Eventbrite and enter the discount code EarlyBird_AIA to get your ticket for just €100. Limited tickets available; Original Price €239. 

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Awards

E113 An Overview of the AI Awards 2023 Applications (Part 1)

 

Welcome to episode E113 of the AI Ireland podcast, the show that explores the applications and research of Data Science, Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence on the island of Ireland.

Continue reading “E113 An Overview of the AI Awards 2023 Applications (Part 1)”
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News

Transforming Sustainability with AI: A Comprehensive Guide

 

In today’s rapidly changing world, where environmental concerns and sustainability have taken centre stage, businesses are seeking innovative ways to reduce their carbon footprint and enhance their ecological impact. One promising avenue for achieving these goals is the integration of Artificial Intelligence into various aspects of business operations. In this article, we explore the possibilities of how AI is revolutionising the sustainability landscape.

Data Analysis: Creating Carbon Footprint Calculations

One of the key applications of AI in sustainability is data analysis. By applying AI, companies can capture, process and analyse vast amounts of data, such as transportation and electric usage. This data enables organisations to create accurate carbon footprint calculations, providing a solid foundation for sustainable decision-making.

Identifying Scope 3 Risks

AI can play a crucial role in identifying and mitigating scope 3 risks, which often involve indirect emissions from a company’s value chain. Advanced AI algorithms can track and assess these risks, helping companies make informed choices to reduce their environmental impact.

Sustainable Agriculture

AI-driven innovations are transforming agriculture, making it more sustainable than ever. AI-powered cropping robots, weather monitoring, farmland management, and animal and crop monitoring systems are enhancing agricultural efficiency while minimising environmental harm.

Natural Disaster Mitigation

AI is becoming a valuable tool in reducing the impact of natural disasters. For instance, Google has already deployed AI to predict and manage extreme weather events, safeguarding the lives of over 370 million people worldwide. Additionally, AI technologies are assisting in fighting forest fires, further protecting our ecosystems.

Biodiversity Monitoring

AI-driven biodiversity monitoring offers better habitat analysis and more precise wildlife species identification. It also aids in real-time analysis of climate change’s impact on animals, providing valuable insights into conservation efforts.

Fighting Air Pollution

AI is helping combat air pollution by providing real-time warnings through air quality monitors and predictive models that forecast air pollutant concentrations. These technologies empower communities to take proactive steps in improving air quality.

Reducing Defective Production

Every year, around 17 billion items are returned globally, emitting 4.7 million metric tons of CO2. AI-enabled computer vision systems are stepping in to reduce this waste by ensuring high-quality production, thereby reducing emissions associated with returns.

Improved Leak Detection in Production

AI’s capability to detect water leaks is making production processes more sustainable. Buildings waste 15% to 20% of the water they consume on average and AI-enabled computer vision can help pinpoint and rectify these issues swiftly.

Safer Workplaces

Safety in the workplace is paramount and AI plays a vital role in ensuring compliance with safety rules. Smart cameras can be installed to monitor and enforce safe working practices, protecting employees and reducing accidents.

Reduced Energy Consumption

AI can analyse patterns of energy consumption without compromising productivity. This allows organisations to optimize their energy usage, reduce costs and minimize their environmental impact.

Optimized and Sustainable Logistics

AI optimizes logistics by finding the most efficient routes for product delivery. This not only reduces fuel consumption and emissions but also enhances overall supply chain sustainability.

While AI holds immense promise for sustainability, it is essential to acknowledge the challenges it poses. These include concerns about the energy consumption of AI systems, potential labour abuses in their development, biases in algorithms and ethical considerations surrounding their use. Addressing these challenges is crucial for ensuring AI’s positive impact on sustainability.

In conclusion, the integration of AI into sustainability efforts is transforming how businesses approach environmental responsibility. AI is revolutionizing data analysis, agriculture, disaster mitigation, biodiversity monitoring, air quality, production quality, workplace safety, energy consumption and logistics. 

However, it’s vital to navigate the challenges associated with AI to ensure that these technological advancements truly benefit both businesses and the planet. Embracing AI responsibly is the key to a sustainable future.

Early Bird Tickets Now on Sale for the 2023 AI Awards.

The fifth annual AI Awards takes place on Tuesday November 21st at the Gibson Hotel. This is an exciting opportunity to connect and network with over 200 AI and Data professionals across the island of Ireland and hear from some of the most exciting AI applications across industry and academia spanning 12 award categories.

Don’t miss the opportunity to get your discounted Early Bird tickets now! Head over to aiawards.ie/tickets or Eventbrite and enter the discount code EarlyBird_AIA to get your ticket for just €100. Limited tickets available; Original Price €239. 

Categories
News

OpenAI Unveils Game-Changing Upgrades for ChatGPT

This week, OpenAI unveiled a substantial enhancement to ChatGPT, enabling their GPT-3.5 and GPT-4 AI models to analyse images and respond to them within text conversations.

OpenAI also disclosed that their ChatGPT mobile app will soon incorporate speech synthesis capabilities, facilitating fully verbal interactions with the AI assistant when combined with its existing speech recognition features. OpenAI intends to roll out these features to their Plus and Enterprise subscribers within the next two weeks. 

The new image recognition capability in ChatGPT allows users to upload one or more images during a conversation, utilising either the GPT-3.5 or GPT-4 models. OpenAI claims that this feature has diverse practical applications, from assisting users in deciding what to cook by analysing pictures of their fridge and pantry contents to helping troubleshoot issues with malfunctioning grills. Users can also employ their device’s touch screen to highlight specific areas of the image for ChatGPT’s attention.

OpenAI has provided a promotional video on their website, illustrating a hypothetical interaction with ChatGPT. In this scenario, a user seeks guidance on adjusting a bicycle seat and provides photos, an instruction manual and an image of their toolbox. ChatGPT responds by offering step-by-step instructions on how to complete the task. It’s crucial to mention that this feature has not undergone independent real-world testing for its effectiveness.

Regarding the technical aspects, OpenAI has not divulged specific details about the inner workings of GPT-4 or its multimodal variant, GPT-4V. However, based on existing AI research, including that of OpenAI’s partner, Microsoft, multimodal AI models generally transform both text and images into a shared encoding space. This allows them to process various types of data using the same neural network. OpenAI may employ techniques such as CLIP to align image and text representations in the same latent space, enabling ChatGPT to make contextual inferences across text and images, although this remains speculative.

In terms of audio capabilities, ChatGPT’s new voice synthesis feature reportedly enables spoken interactions with the AI. OpenAI describes it as a “new text-to-speech model.” Once this feature is introduced, users can enable voice conversations in the app’s settings and choose from five synthetic voices with names like “Juniper,” “Sky,” “Cove,” “Ember” and “Breeze.” These voices have been crafted in collaboration with professional voice actors. OpenAI’s Whisper, an open-source speech recognition system, will continue to handle the transcription of user speech input.

OpenAI acknowledges several limitations in the expanded features of ChatGPT, including the potential for visual misidentifications and imperfect recognition of non-English languages. The company has conducted risk assessments and sought input from alpha testers, advising users to exercise caution, especially in high-stakes or specialized contexts.

In light of privacy concerns, OpenAI has implemented technical measures to restrict ChatGPT’s ability to analyze and make direct statements about individuals, recognizing that ChatGPT is not always accurate and that privacy should be respected.

While OpenAI promotes these new features as granting ChatGPT the ability to “see, hear, and speak,” there is ongoing debate about the anthropomorphism and potential exaggeration in the language used. Notably, some AI researchers caution against anthropomorphizing AI models.

Although ChatGPT and its associated AI models are unequivocally not human, these updates have the potential to significantly expand OpenAI’s computer assistant capabilities. However, their actual performance and effectiveness will need to be assessed. OpenAI plans to introduce these features gradually, allowing for ongoing improvements and risk mitigation while preparing for more advanced systems in the future. 

Early Bird Tickets Now on Sale for the 2023 AI Awards.

The fifth annual AI Awards takes place on Tuesday November 21st at the Gibson Hotel. This is an exciting opportunity to connect and network with over 200 AI and Data professionals across the island of Ireland and hear from some of the most exciting AI applications across industry and academia spanning 12 award categories.

Don’t miss the opportunity to get your discounted Early Bird tickets now! Head over to aiawards.ie/tickets or Eventbrite and enter the discount code EarlyBird_AIA to get your ticket for just €100. Limited tickets available; Original Price €239. 

Categories
News

AI Startups in 2023: A Comprehensive Overview

2023 marked another significant milestone in the evolution of Artificial Intelligence. With exponential growth in AI, Startups, established companies and government organizations are all harnessing their potential to address complex challenges and drive innovation. 

In this article, we will provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of AI, highlighting its growth, impact, trends and spotlighting noteworthy startups leading the way.

Global AI Landscape

Number of AI Companies in 2023

As of July 2023, there are an estimated 57,933 AI companies operating worldwide. The United States leads the pack with approximately 14,700 companies, followed closely by China and the European Union.

Geographical Distribution

While Silicon Valley remains a prominent hub for AI innovation, other cities like Beijing, London, Berlin and Toronto are emerging as significant players in the global AI landscape, fostering a diverse ecosystem of AI-driven startups.

Business Adoption of AI

How AI Affects Businesses

Business leaders are displaying growing confidence in AI technologies. A survey reveals that 43% of executives planned to increase investments in AI and automation tools in 2023, with 31% considering AI crucial to their overall business strategy.

ROI and Productivity

Investments in AI technologies are yielding positive returns on investment, with businesses reporting an average increase in productivity of up to 20%. This demonstrates the tangible benefits AI brings to various industries.

Industry-Specific Growth

Healthcare

AI is reshaping the healthcare sector by assisting in diagnostics, drug discovery and patient care, ultimately making treatments more effective and affordable. The potential for AI to revolutionise healthcare is immense.

Transportation

Automotive companies are directing their efforts toward self-driving technologies, predictive maintenance and route optimisation to enhance the transportation sector. AI-driven solutions promise to redefine the way we move people and goods.

AI Technology Trends

What’s Hot in AI Right Now?

  1. Generative AI: Tech giants like Google and Microsoft are harnessing generative AI for intelligent threat detection, pushing the boundaries of cybersecurity.
  2. Reinforcement Learning: Emerging as a potent tool for optimising various industrial operations, reinforcement learning is driving efficiencies across industries.
  3. NLP (Natural Language Processing): Chatbots and automated customer service are becoming increasingly sophisticated, offering seamless interactions and support.
Is AI Worth Learning in 2023?

The demand for AI specialists continues to soar, accounting for an average of 18% of all positions across businesses. Learning AI technologies can significantly enhance one’s career prospects, positioning individuals to capitalize on the growing demand for AI expertise.

AI Impact in the Next 5 Years

By 2028, AI is predicted to transform education by providing personalised learning experiences, revolutionising industries like manufacturing through automation and influencing public policy decisions. The transformative potential of AI knows no bounds.

Top 15 Promising AI Startups

Here’s a glimpse of some of the most promising AI startups in 2023, offering innovative solutions across various sectors:

OpenAI: Advancing general-purpose AI models.

Frame AI: Providing AI-driven customer engagement solutions.

Jasper: Revolutionising content creation through automation.

Moveworks: Leveraging AI for IT operations.

Tome: Optimising logistics and supply chain management with AI.

Synthesia: Transforming video creation with AI.

Uizard: Empowering rapid prototyping through AI.

Accubits: Innovating in blockchain and AI solutions.

Soundful: Harnessing AI for audio analytics.

GoodVision: Enhancing surveillance systems with AI.

Writesonic: Enabling AI-powered copywriting.

Atomic AI: Delivering AI-driven marketing analytics.

MindsDB: Transforming database management with AI.

Shield AI: Offering AI solutions for security applications.

Eightfold: Revolutionising talent management with AI

Irish Startups and the AI Awards 2023

The AI Awards are currently underway, celebrating the application of AI on the island of Ireland. Stay tuned as we announce the finalists, with the awards presentation scheduled for November 21, 2023, at the Gibson Hotel. 

Did you know?

AI Ireland offers tailored presentations catering to your industry’s needs, providing invaluable insights into the transformative power of AI technologies. Stay ahead of the curve and equip your organisation with the knowledge it needs to confidently embrace the future.

Book an AI Presentation Today

Don’t miss the opportunity to enlighten your team and stakeholders. Book a presentation today and explore how innovation is positively impacting your industry. Our speakers are seasoned professionals with substantial experience in various AI applications, ready to provide actionable insights.

AI Unleashed: Now Available for Preorder

If you’re an executive interested in how AI can benefit your organization, our upcoming publication “AI Unleased” is an essential read. It distills complex topics into digestible insights, equipping you with the tools to make informed decisions about adopting AI in your business. Contact us to pre-order your copy today to secure your advantage.

Stay informed, stay ahead, and let AI Ireland be your guide in the ever-evolving landscape of Artificial Intelligence.

Early Bird Tickets Now on Sale for the 2023 AI Awards.

The fifth annual AI Awards takes place on Tuesday November 21st at the Gibson Hotel. This is an exciting opportunity to connect and network with over 200 AI and Data professionals across the island of Ireland and hear from some of the most exciting AI applications across industry and academia spanning 12 award categories.

Don’t miss the opportunity to get your discounted Early Bird tickets now! Head over to aiawards.ie/tickets or Eventbrite and enter the discount code EarlyBird_AIA to get your ticket for just €100. Limited tickets available; Original Price €239. 

Categories
Professional services

E112 Aditya Mohan, Senior Scientific Officer at the National Standards Authority of Ireland

Welcome to episode E112 of the AI Ireland podcast, the show that explores the applications and research of Data Science, Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence on the island of Ireland.

Continue reading “E112 Aditya Mohan, Senior Scientific Officer at the National Standards Authority of Ireland”