We aim to inform readers not only about developments in the bitcoin industry but also about what is happening in adjacent technological spheres — cybersecurity, and now in the world of artificial intelligence (AI).
ForkLog has gathered the most important AI news from the past week.
- In the Pentagon, calls were made to expand the use of military AI to avoid falling behind rivals.
- Researchers at the University of Georgia have developed an AI system to assist people with vision impairments in navigating their surroundings.
- YouTube began testing a function that recognises products in videos to enhance Google’s advertising services.
- In the United States, the first AI device for diagnosing COVID-19 was certified.
- Amazon is firing drivers from its own delivery service who refuse to be monitored while driving.
- The British Congress of Trade Unions urged legislative protections to safeguard workers from fate-changing algorithmic decisions.
Scientists have developed an AI backpack to assist visually impaired people
Researchers from the University of Georgia have developed a backpack system to help people with reduced vision navigate their surroundings.
Smart backpack. Data: Georgia Institute of Artificial Intelligence, University of Georgia.
Researchers say their system can detect obstacles (including overhead ones) and alert the user with audio prompts about their location. It can also read road signs and detect changes in elevation. For example, the system can inform the wearer of a stop sign at a crosswalk or warn when a curb lies ahead.
The backpack uses a Luxonis OAK-D spatial camera with an onboard AI processor and Intel Movidius image processing technology.
In the kit for aiding the visually impaired, developers have also included a Bluetooth headset that lets the wearer operate the system by voice. They can ask it to describe the surroundings or save GPS locations with a designated tag.
According to the developers, the system can run for up to eight hours on its built-in battery.
Researchers plan to open-source the project. They expect the system to be unobtrusive in public use. A drawback, however, is that the wearer must carry the backpack everywhere. They hope to pack such technology into smart glasses in the future.
YouTube will automatically detect products in videos
YouTube began testing the feature of automatically recognising products in videos watched by audiences in the United States.
\”We are experimenting with a new feature that displays a list of products detected in some videos, as well as related products… The aim of the experiment is to help people find more videos and information about these products on YouTube,\” they said in the host’s blog.
Media outlets suggest that this move is intended to bolster Google’s position in affiliate links and directly tie commerce to video uploads. These lists could serve as a second recommendation algorithm, showing videos that feature similar products.
Amazon fired drivers who refused to consent to surveillance during driving
The company forces delivery drivers to sign biometric-consent forms that essentially amount to consent to surveillance. Otherwise, they are fired.
The document allows GPS-tracking of vans, measuring vehicle speed, and \”identifying potential traffic violations.\”
The last item drew the most questions. In February 2021 Amazon introduced a driver-monitoring feature that uses cameras and AI to identify \”dangerous driving behavior,\” such as yawning or phone distraction.
Such monitoring has unsettled many drivers. Some employees have refused to sign the consent.
Amazon justified the surveillance as a safety measure.
\”We recently started rolling out camera-based safety systems across our entire delivery fleet. This technology will alert drivers in real time to help them stay safe while driving,\” they said at Amazon.
Facebook showed wristbands for AR environment control in its future smart glasses
The company unveiled two prototypes of wristband input devices for AR glasses that use electromyography (EMG) to translate neural signals into digital commands.
The company claims these signals are so clear that the wristbands could recognise finger movements with millimetre precision.
\”That means data input could be effortless. In the end, [the device] might even sense the intention to move a finger,\” said the system’s developers.
According to them, they studied a number of other input-signal sources before settling on the wrist. Developers think the traditional place for a watch could fit into daily life and enable intuitive AR control for users.
Devices also use artificial intelligence to adapt dynamically to the user and their environment.
The company did not name a release date for the wristbands. They are expected to go on sale alongside the augmented reality glasses.
British unions call to fix gaps in AI for hiring and firing
The Trades Union Congress released the report \”Dignity at work and the AI revolution\” noting that workers can be \“hired and fired by algorithm,\” but new legislation is needed to protect their rights.
Among changes proposed is the right to reassessment of any \”risky\” decision by a human.
\”AI at work can be used to raise productivity and extend working hours. But it is already used to make life-changing decisions about people at work, for example, whom to hire and fire,\” said Frances O’Grady, the Secretary General of the Congress.
She also added that the lack of rules on AI in the workplace could lead to discrimination and unfair treatment.
The Congress acknowledged that AI is being integrated more into the manufacturing processes of many companies. But as AI becomes more sophisticated, there are fears that it may be entrusted with riskier decisions—such as who to promote and who to dismiss.
\”Accountability, transparency and accuracy must be guaranteed by the legal system through carefully considered reforms we propose. There are clear red lines that must not be crossed to prevent work from becoming dehumanised,\” said the report authors.
Microsoft introduced AI-based live transcription in Teams
In Microsoft Teams live transcription with AI now exists, creating a written record of what was said during meetings.
The tool identifies each speaker, records the audio and generates a real-time transcript on the right side of the window. After the meeting, the stored transcript will be available for download.
Transcripts of video meetings in Teams. Data: Microsoft.
The tool uses information such as meeting invitations, participant names and attachments to automatically improve the accuracy of each transcript.
Shalendra Chabra, Teams manager, noted that AI models automatically delete audio recordings and transcripts after each meeting and that Microsoft will not use or store any data to improve the algorithm.
Developers noted that transcription accuracy is not guaranteed, but they hope the tool will help users replace manual note-taking.
The new Teams feature is available only to Microsoft 365 subscribers with E3, E5, Business Standard and Business Premium licenses. For now, it works only in English.
Also on ForkLog:
- In the United States certified the first AI device for diagnosing COVID-19 in asymptomatic carriers.
- In the Pentagon urged to expand the use of AI.
- Apple has shown the greatest activity among all American IT giants in AI startup acquisitions.
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