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Facebook partners with NYU to make MRI faster with AI

Facebook partners with NYU to make MRI faster with AI

MRISan Francisco : Facebook has forged a partnership with the New York University (NYU) on a research project that aims to make magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans up to 10 times faster by leveraging the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

If the project, called fastMRI, yields the desired results, it will make MRI technology available to more people, expanding access to this key diagnostic tool, Facebook said in a blog post on Monday.

MRI scanners provide doctors and patients with images that typically show a greater level of detail related to soft tissues — such as organs and blood vessels — than is captured by other forms of medical imaging.

But they are relatively slow, taking anywhere from 15 minutes to over an hour, compared with less than a second or up to a minute, respectively, for X-ray and CT scans.

These long scan times can make MRI machines challenging for young children, as well as for people who are claustrophobic or for whom lying down is painful.

Additionally, there are MRI shortages in many rural areas and in other countries with limited access, resulting in long scheduling backlogs.

Making MRI scanners faster has several benefits, including increased access to these devices for patients.

Sufficiently accelerated MRI devices could also reduce the amount of time patients must hold their breath during imaging of the heart, liver, or other organs in the abdomen and torso.

Increased speed could let MRI machines fill the role of X-ray and CT machines for some applications, allowing patients to avoid the ionising radiation associated with those scans.

This NYU-Facebook project will initially focus on changing how MRI machines operate.

Currently, scanners work by gathering raw numerical data in a series of sequential views and turning the data into cross-sectional images of internal body structures that doctors then use to evaluate a patient’s health.

The larger the data set to be gathered, the longer the scan will take.

Using AI, it may be possible to capture less data and therefore scan faster, while preserving or even enhancing the rich information content of magnetic resonance images.

The key is to train artificial neural networks to recognise the underlying structure of the images in order to fill in views omitted from the accelerated scan, Facebook said.

The Facebook Artificial Intelligence Research (FAIR) group, believes that though this project will initially focus on MRI technology, its long-term impact could extend to many other medical imaging applications.

For example, the improvements afforded by AI have the potential to revolutionise CT scans as well.

Advanced image reconstruction might enable ultra-low-dose CT scans suitable for vulnerable populations, such as pediatric patients, Facebook said.

—IANS

Technology allows flexibility in learning, creates collaborative work environment

Technology allows flexibility in learning, creates collaborative work environment

Technology allows flexibility in learning, creates collaborative work environmentBy Sanjay Bahl,

India seems to be in a space where technology is a big favourite. Digital marketing and digital automation are among the top-searched words. This is making organisations look for and adapt smart technology-aided training interventions to rationalise training costs while enhancing effectiveness and saving time.

New technologies like Cloud computing, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and similar such innovations are constantly changing and evolving the workplace environment. Leveraging this technology is the appropriate approach to enable flexibility in learning. Corporate training need not be delivered entirely based on traditional methods. It can be merged with e-learning methods to make a great L&D (learning and development) tool.

Technology-enabled Blended Learning (TeBL) is an appropriate solution for imparting customised training programmes which save time. When blended with instructor-led training programmes, e-training solutions produce remarkable results in terms of training retention, overall productivity enhancement and a better training ROI (return on investment). Corporates are quickly realising that if they want to stay competitive in business, it’s time to get serious about customised training solutions.

Customised smart solutions are also lithe because they have the added benefit of learners being able to access content anytime, anywhere and even specify the extent to which they need it. This also allows facilitators to impart training specifically aimed at every individual’s needs. A blended learning approach maximises the effectiveness of instructor-led and virtual training programmes in a format that is highly scalable and measurable.

These types of technology-enabled blended learning models cater to the needs of employees stationed in remote areas. With this, an organisation gets the best out of each employee that they retain.

Corporate training sessions can be attended on Cloud-based frameworks on all devices, including tablets and smartphones. The training has now become engaging as both the parties contribute equally to the session. There are several features to facilitate communication with groups and individuals. Pre-workshop online material can be shared with the learners even before the training session. The trainer and participants have ongoing access to training materials both during and after the workshop.

The option of observing one’s learning through performance assessments make these sessions more fruitful. AI-enabled chatbots play a crucial role here, as they take on the job of the trainer when he or she is not around to lead the training-related FAQs. In addition to this, Augmented Reality (AR)- and Virtual reality (VR)-based training simulators are also being used to deliver training at various levels.

For example, VR is widely being used by manufacturing-based companies to train workers on shopfloor safety. AR and simulation-based trainings have been employed by auto companies to explain off-road functionalities of SUVs inside the showroom itself so that the sales staff can understand key features without spending on out-bound training interventions.

Through VR, an employee can easily learn how to use complex machinery in a non-physical environment resembling real life. The mistakes made in the virtual environment cause no harm to the employee or the equipment. AR can also be used for specialised training like full-scale visualisation of machines and products without physically building them.

Digital transformation is also happening in training for the retail, tourism and hospitality, FMCG, apparel and furnishing sectors, as it is easy to upskill and scale the employees’ performance by assessing them on their actions to a virtual sales floor. So, it is evident that technology allows flexibility in learning and gives a collaborative environment to work in, irrespective of the sector and the geography.

(Sanjay Bahl is CEO and MD of Centum Learning. The views expressed are personal)

—IANS

Blockchain can add $5 bn to Indian economy in 5 years: Nasscom official

Blockchain can add $5 bn to Indian economy in 5 years: Nasscom official

Blockchain technologyBy Gokul Bhagabati,

New Delhi : By increasing productivity and reducing cost, Blockchain technology has the potential to create value of up to $5 billion in India in the next five years, a top official of IT industry’s apex body Nasscom has stressed.

“The Blockchain ecosystem is evolving in India. Creating awareness on how this technology is simpler and easier to use with the existing social media and Cloud technology can go a long way in helping the country realise its potential,” KS Viswanathan, Vice President (Industry Initiative), Nasscom, told IANS in an interview.

Based on distributed storage of data, Blockchain technology can enhance the speed of transactions while increasing transparency. It is widely recognised as having the potential to transform several sectors of the economy, including banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) industry, travel, retail, healthcare and supplsy chain, among others.

But despite its potential, the response of Indian organisations to adopt this technology has been far from enthusiastic.

The primary factors that are holding back the widespread deployment of this tehnology in India is lack of awareness, unavailability of adequate skilled persons and insufficient computing infrastructure, Viswanathan, who also head Nasscom’s 10,000 Startups initiative, said.

“There are currently just 20-30 good Blockchain startups in the country,” Viswanathan said, adding that one way to increase investment in Blockchain is to invest in startups.

To create awareness on the importance of the technology and develop skill sets for Blockchain adoption and deployment in India, Nasscom in February tied up with Blockchain Research Institute (BRI), Canada.

The two entities agreed to collaborate on various activities, including joint webinars and knowledge sharing.

The industry body earlier this month also launched a platform, called FutureSkills, for skills development in eight varied technologies — Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR), robotic process automation, Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data analytics, 3D printing, Cloud computing, and social and mobile.

This platform was launched with the aim of up-skilling two million technology professions and skilling another two million potential employees and students over the next few years.

While cyber security was later added to the list as the 9th skill, Viswanathan said that Blockchain will be added to the list as the 10th skill by October this year.

In collaboration with BRI, Nasscom also started the first Nasscom Industry Partnership Programme (NIPP) Blockchain challenge from June this year.

The shortlisted teams will come together for a 36-hour session in Bangaluru, to be held on July 28-29, to explore new opportunities for co-creating innovative solutions in the areas of Blockchain technology.

For the challenge, eight large corporates including Fidelity Investments, Larsen & Toubro Infotech (LTI), ICICI Bank, Amdocs, SAP Labs, Wipro and IBM (which is also the knowledge partner) have joined the initiative as strategic partners.

“Boosting skill levels, creating awareness on how this technology is simpler and easier to use with the existing social media and Cloud technology, organising multiple hackathons and getting international research papers on Blockchain published are among the priorities that Nasscom is focusing on to increase deployment of the technology,” Viswanathan said.

He said that time is not yet ripe for India to think about a regulatory framework specifically for Blockchain as it can come under the ambit of regulations on data security and privacy.

(Gokul Bhagabati can be contacted at gokul.b@ians.in)

—IANS

Rs 1 cr ISRO’s lithium ion cell technology gets overwhelming initial response

Rs 1 cr ISRO’s lithium ion cell technology gets overwhelming initial response

lithium ion cell technologyBy Venkatachari Jagannathan,

Chennai : Over 130 companies have shown interest in the Indian space agency’s lithium ion cell technology and the pre-application conference will be held on Tuesday, said a senior official.

“The response to our announcement to transfer the lithium ion cell technology is overwhelming. More than 130 companies have purchased the RFQ document. The pre-application conference will be held on Tuesday,” S. Somanath, Director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), told IANS.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in June announced its decision to transfer its own lithium ion cell technology to the Indian industry on a non-exclusive basis for usage in automobiles for Rs 1 crore.

The space agency had said the initiative will accelerate the development of the indigenous electric vehicle industry.

The VSSC, located in Kerala, will transfer the lithium ion cell technology to the successful Indian industries/start-ups on a non-exclusive basis to establish production facilities in the country that can produce cells of varying size, capacity, energy density and power density catering to the entire spectrum of power storage requirements, ISRO had said.

According to Somanath, the transfer of technology will start from transfer to documentation.

“Successful companies can come to VSSC and familiarise themselves about the battery technology. We do not have the manpower to depute to the technology buyer’s place,” Somanath said.

According to him, the lithium ion cell battery technology buyers can innovate further so address the market needs.

“Batch manufacturing of lithium ion cells is sufficient for ISRO’s needs. Whereas in the case of mass production it is only the industry that can do it,” he added.

Somanath said the ISRO makes lithium ion cell batteries of various sizes and power (1.5 ampere to 100 ampere) to power its rockets and satellites.

“ISRO will not get any royalty from the buyers of its lithium ion cell technology. Our idea is to enable the industry to develop,” Somanath said.

He said ISRO for its use will source lithium ion batteries from Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) as the technology has been transferred to the power equipment major.

Last month, ISRO issued the RFQ containing a brief description of the qualification process and technology transfer process, instructions to applicants, eligibility criteria, timelines and other details.

All queries or request for additional information concerning the RFQ will be addressed at the pre-application conference, the space agency had said.

ISRO also said that the “competent firm’s security deposit will be adjusted against the technology transfer fee of Rs 1 crore. The security deposit (Rs 400,000) of unsuccessful applicants or withdrawn applications will be returned, without any interest”.

The one-time technology transfer fee has to be paid within 30 days of the qualification date.

“Technology shall be transferred to all/any of the competent firms who qualify the eligibility criteria as specified in the RFQ. The required process documents shall be provided by ISRO at the time of signing of technology transfer agreement and payment of technology transfer fee,” ISRO had said.

Presently, the lithium-ion battery is the most dominant battery system finding applications for a variety of societal needs including mobile phones, laptops, cameras and many other portable consumer gadgets apart from industrial applications and aerospace.

Recent advances in the battery technology have made it the preferred power source for electric and hybrid electric vehicles also.

—IANS

Yunus warns of survival threat from Artificial Intelligence

Yunus warns of survival threat from Artificial Intelligence

Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus

Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus

Bengaluru : Expressing apprehension that disruptive technology would hasten extinction of humankind, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus on Thursday warned companies against excessive use of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

“Technology will expedite our extinction on the planet Earth. It may sound funny because technology is supposed to help us and make things easier. But the way AI is invading the world, it will soon replace us with machines to do our job,” Yunus said at the eighth edition of Social Business Day here.

The Bangladeshi won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his effort to fight poverty. Yunus founded Grameen Bank which gives microcredit to the poor without any collateral.

Organised by the Yunus Centre, a Dhaka, Bangaldesh-based think tank founded by Yunus himself, the event had participants from 42 countries including Afghanistan, Australia, Canada, Italy, France, Taiwan and the US, among others.

As human beings can be replaced with machines, thereby saving money, more machines are being made in the world, leading to widespread use of AI, Yunus pointed.

“With the production cost using machines going down and profit margin going up, more machines are being made.”

In the process of adopting AI, several people will be pushed out of the jobs they hold, Yunus warned.

“We already have nearly 30-40 per cent of the youth remaining unemployed in several prosperous economies. And with the AI, people who are employed won’t have their jobs as smart machines are taking over,” the Nobel laureate said.

Technology, while being a blessing also has the potential to leave a human being at the mercy of others, creating a whole community of “beggars”, Yunus lamented.

“Human beings are capable of creating weapons of mass destruction in a smart way. We are capable of killing ourselves in a very decent way. That is the direction technology can go,” stressed the 78-year-old social entrepreneur.

Countries taking pride in their “fast-growing” economies must beware of concentration of wealth in their nations, Yunus said.

“We take pride that our economies are growing faster than anyone else’s but we forget that the faster we grow, the faster is the rate of wealth concentration and we soon approach the doomsday,” he added.

The two-day event which began on Thursday was held on the Infosys campus at the Electronics City in the southern outskirts of the city.

—IANS