Category: Yogi Nelson

Artificial Intelligence, Blockchains, Urban Planning, Yogi Nelson

How Neotech Transforms Urban Planning with 3D Technology

Yogi Nelson

Namaste Yogis.   Welcome to the Blockchain & AI Forum, where your technology questions are answered!   Here no question is mundane.  As a bonus, a proverb is also included.  Today’s question was submitted by Cristina from Bucharest.  Cristina asks if are there artificial intelligence (AI) 3D global mapping companies in Romania?

Cristina, you came to the right place. The answer is yes, Romania does have such a company—it’s called Neotech.  https://www.neotechai.com/  I’ll share their fascinating story beginning with the Neotech team, use case examples, and a word about the tech in Neotech. During my research I discovered Neotech provides city planners an immensely valuable service; I was a city planner for numerous years and that made the question particularly intriguing. 

Team Neotech.  Although Neotech consists of only 13 staff members and 4 advisors, don’t underestimate this powerhouse team.  Let’s start with Neotech founder, Mr. Doru Borsan and the co-founder Christian Meier.  Doru’s 3,000 followers on LinkedIn understand Mr. Borsan is an accomplished thought leader in his field.  And, Christian Meier is equally recognized among his peers for technological expertise.  But resumes only account for a fraction of the Neotech difference. 

City Planning Family Neotech is Calling:  What truly matters is what Neotech produces, especially to city planners, but also public works departments, and architectural review boards, city councils, etc.   With Neotech Smart City technologies, physical structures and assets can be scanned and converted into detailed 3D point-cloud models.  Of what value is this you ask?  As a former city planner, I say plenty.  Let’s take a very common situation where this service would be welcomed. 

Suppose a real estate developer proposed to demolish several small existing structures in a highly urbanized neighborhood and replace them with multiple residential towers.  Numerous interested parties will want to comprehend the implications on the urban form.  For example, neighbors at a city council meeting may ask how the buildings affect shade, wind, vistas, etc.  With Neotech city planners could create a digital twin of the project.  And, with the immersive technology available with Neotech, neighbors, architectural review boards, city councils, etc. would get a realistic experience of walking the project, and viewing it from every angle, of “being in the project”, rather than static drawings or pictures. 

The Tech in Neotech.  Neotech is high tech.  It’s unfortunate Neotech wasn’t available when I was a practicing city planner.  I sure could have used their data capturing tech, including advanced scanning, high resolution cameras, drones and scanner, some of which are AI aided to generate ultra-high-quality imagines.  At HUD we said, Leave No Neighborhood behind. At Neotech they say leave no detail behind! 

With the data firmly in hand, Neotech magic goes into second gear.  Their advanced system converts the data into detailed point cloud models.  The models are literally made of millions and millions of data points producing precise three-dimensional renditions.  Planners can display these incredibly accurate models, during public hearings for example as part of the citizen participation process.  By the way, the models have utility beyond public hearings.  For instance, users can integrate the 3D models in video games, or music videos, virtual reality settings, etc.

Last, and as expected, Neotech fully integrates artificial intelligence.  No surprise.  One example is the use of AI to detect and correct imperfections.  Another is to enhance the accuracy of the point clouds.  And, Neotech uses AI to manage the mountain of data it produces when creating models. 

Time for a proverb from Romania: “water passes but the stone remains.”

Until next time,

Yogi Nelson

Artificial Intelligence, behub, Blockchains, Uncategorized, Yogi Nelson

beHub: Revolutionizing Healthcare with Cardano Blockchain

Yogi Nelson

Namaste Yogis.   Welcome to the Blockchain & AI Forum, where your technology questions are answered!   Here no question is mundane.  As a bonus, a proverb is also included.  Today we explore the beHub project and its connection to Cardano.  We start with beHub.

According to its website, “… beHub is a single, integrated platform that supports clinicians and healthcare workers with 24/7 access, anytime, anywhere.”  That sounds appealing, but too general. More specifics please.  Okay, try this:  beHub is analogous to Spotify, the music streaming company—a centralized place where medical professionals can access medical device information and training so that health care facilities and clinicians have access anytime from anywhere.  Better.  How about more detail from three perspectives:  medical service providers, hospitals, and manufacturers.   I’ll conclude with the big Cardano reveal.

Medical Service Professional. Let’s take Mary as an example; Mary is a nurse.  In the past, if Mary had an urgent question about a certain medical device her options were:  1) inquire with a co-worker and strain the overworked staff; 2) guess and risk the health of the patient (worst option); or 3) search and delay the care and risk being incorrect or rely on outdated information.  That was then; with beHub Mary can get her answer efficiently, effectively, and securely. How is that possible? Simple. beHub offers up-to-date medical device knowledge.  Suppose Mary has years of experience but has been out of university for some time.  With beHub she can remain abreast of the most recent innovations in medical technology on the beHub platform by watching tutorial videos, for instance.  Moreover, beHub offers continuing education.  Mary can use beHub to stay at the vanguard of medical innovation and fulfill continuing education obligations.  If Mary is new to nursing, existing information is also readily available.  Either way, it works. 

Hospitals. Does beHub benefit hospitals?  Absolutely! First, beHub helps to manage overwhelming workloads and constant pressure. In addition to mountains of duties, clinicians are also expected to master an ever-expanding array of devices and products.  Is this possible without automation?  No way!  Second, with beHub hospitals can reduce risk to patients by offering the training and support required to properly operate sophisticated medical equipment.  This leads to benefit three.  A hospital that uses beHub will maximize the value of its investment in medical equipment.  Given the price of medical technology, it’s no surprise hospital purchasing managers love it.  

Medical Equipment Manufacturers. To medical equipment manufacturers, beHub says to consider four points.  Let’s start with the support it offers to sales teams.  With beHub, sales teams can communicate product changes and up-to-date information on all products on offer to end users.  If clients are in remote locations, this can be an extra benefit.  No need for the sales team to undertake unnecessary trips or answer the same question repeatedly.  Second, with beHub medical providers have 24/7 access to product training and education modules.  With beHub end users can avail themselves of the information needed to operate products safely.  Awesome!  One more.  beHub, offers manufacturers insight into critical customer data, such as what devices are being used, how often, under what conditions, by whom, etc.  If you are a manufacturer, beHub is a market intelligence officer!

Big Reveal and drumroll please! Cardano is the layer one blockchain used by beHub. Cardano operates in the background without anyone knowing it other than those who read my blog!  Another victory for blockchain tech and Cardano.

Time to end with a proverb from Bulgaria:  work without reason, but don’t stay idle without reason.

Until Next Time,

Yogi Nelson

Artificial Intelligence, Blockchains, computer vision, Yogi Nelson

WHAT IS CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY’S ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE INITIATIVE?

Yogi Nelson

Namaste Yogis.   Welcome to the Blockchain & AI Forum, where your technology questions are answered!   Here no question is too mundane.  As a bonus, a proverb is also included.  Today’s question comes from Ian and he wants to know what is the Cambridge University Center for Human Inspired Artificial Intelligence (CHIA)?

Ian, you came to the right place.  CHIA is dedicated to advancing AI for the betterment of human society, says Cambridge.  According to Cambridge, CHIA brings together an interdisciplinary community of researchers to investigate the innovative ways in which human and machine intelligence can be combined to yield AI which is capable of contributing to social and global progress.  An ambitious task indeed!  Let’s learn more about CHIA by examining their program in detail.

Fundamental Human-Level AI. Within the Fundamental Human Level-AI program area, CHIA aims to combine the latest advances in algorithms and computing with human insights and intelligence.  The intent is to improve machine learning, speech and language processing, computer vision, robotics and other forms of machine intelligence.  What makes the program unique, say CHIA, is the collaboration between AI and a wide variety of human-centric disciplines.

Responsible AI. Ethical use of AI, is a central tenet at CHIA, says CHIA.  The standard CHIA aspires to is non-bias models with human oversight of AI.  They correctly note, AI systems used for sensitive, assistive or predictive tasks such as medical or legal decision-making must aim for the pinnacle of ethical behavior. I find this reassuring but only time will prove whether they adhere to this noble standard. 

Social and Interactive AI. Over the last few years, it’s become increasing obvious that conversational AI technology enables humans and computers to communicate clearly and effectively through speech or text.  For instance, chatbots and voice assistants are now commonplace, sometimes to much consternation! Not surprisingly, CHIA has decided to dedicate resources ensuring AI learns to recognize human communication and its nuances.  To do so, CHIA is blending the disciplines of computer science, sociology, psychology, physiology and others.

Cognitive AI. CHIA’s goal is to equip machines with human-like learning, reasoning and perceptual abilities.  Holy consciousnes!   According to CHIA, human-like computing could be integrated into AI, cognitive, biological, and other sciences. The end goal? The ultimate goal is to benefit the numerous applications that require close interaction between computers and human users, e.g., AI-powered tutoring, personalized healthcare, among others.

Health and Global AI. Cambridge asserts, and many agree, that AI has many health-related applications, ranging from systems that automatically generate new medical discoveries, diagnostic techniques and treatments to those that use multi-sensory data for early health diagnosis or management of medical conditions. The folks at CHIA note, AI may one day predict major economic, geopolitical, societal, and technological risks. Moreover, the innovations coming out of CHIA could be used to understand, predict, monitor, and manage natural systems and environmental risks such as climate change. To those in the prediction business, I say use the humble on-ramp.

Creative AI. CHIA claims their Creative AI program is aimed at developing systems that can support, augment, or even automate the creative process.  Do you believe the creative process can be automated?  Put me in Camp Skeptical! Being brilliant minds, CHIA staff recognize this endeavor will be “… highly challenging and required close collaboration between fields that have been traditionally quite distant from each other: AI and arts and humanities.”  An elegant understatement.

Time to end with a proverb from Pakistan: “a white beard does not mean gold or wisdom”.

Until next time,

Yogi Nelson

Artificial Intelligence, blockchain association, Blockchains, Taiwan, Yogi Nelson

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE LAWS IN TAIWAN, WHAT INSIDERS SAY

Yogi Nelson

Namaste Yogis.   Welcome to the Blockchain & AI Forum, where technology questions are answered!   Here no question is too mundane.  As a bonus, a proverb is also included.  Today’s question was submitted by Tiffany and she is curious about Taiwan’s recently proposed basic artificial intelligence (AI) law.

Tiffany, you came to the right place.  You are spot on.  Taiwan did recently propose a “basic AI law”.  In Taiwan there is an organization named the Computer and Communications Industry Association (CCIA).  CCIA represents the view of its members on matters pertaining to computer and communication technology.  Let’s examine what the CCIA says regarding the recently proposed basic AI law. 

Click to access CCIA-Comments-on-Taiwans-Proposed-AI-Basic-Law.pdf

CCIA members have reason to rejoice. Why?  Essentially, the CCIA finds the draft law: “generally aligns with best practices, which rely on flexible and international technical standards-based approaches to AI governance that are crucial for supporting innovation and diffusion. Imposing overly-prescriptive rules while the technology still develops could slow innovation and would likely become quickly outdated as global standards and AI technologies and applications are constantly changing.”

The CCIA did submit specific recommendations.  For instance, in Section 3, Principles, CCIA says certain terms need clearer definition, including:  privacy protection and data governance, transparency and explainability, fairness and non-discrimination, and accountability.  Clarity is always better.  However, the overarching theme of CCIA comments is to water down proposed safe guards.  Take the example of discrimination.  The CCIA suggest that protection against discrimination by AI should be minimized as opposed to what the proposed law says—No Discrimination.  If you are on the receiving end of “minimized impact of discrimination” the CCIA is not coming to your rescue because apparently CCIA is okay with a little discrimination.  Not a good look for CCIA.

CCIA submitted comments regarding Article 9 – Harm Prevention.  Article 9 calls on the government to prevent specified harms, including the creation of misleading or falsified information in violation of existing laws, and requests relevant agencies to develop or procure tools or methods for verification.  The CCIA wants a narrower application of Harm Prevention relative to text verification because, says CCIA, the technology is evolving and the emphasis instead should be on efficacy and contextualized to relevant outputs.  CCIA’s explanation is too self-serving for my taste.

Let’s talk about Risk Reduction because nothing in life, much less technology, is risk free.  Article 12 of the proposed new law would mandate the government to create a risk reduction framework.  The framework would exempt pre-deployed AI research from the risk reduction measures.  Sounds reasonable.  CCIA wants to, again, more narrowly define transparency and disclosure to align with international standards, specifically the US based National Institute for Standards and Technology AI Risk Management Framework. 

With regards to Article 15, Data Openness, Sharing and Reuse, CCIA has plenty to say.  CCIA notes correctly, that government has vast quantities of data.  CCIA wants the government to ensure, through policies and/or rules, that data that can be made publicly available and optimized for AI training.  But wait.  Whose data is it?  Isn’t the data yours and mine? Why should the government turnover our data to private for-profit companies for building AI models.  Apparently CCIA believes it has a right to our data and wants to use the compulsion authority of government to get its hand on it.  I want to decide who gets my data, not the CCIA. 

Time to hit the road with a proverb from Taiwan: “where there is a mountain, there is a road; where there is water, there is a bridge.”

Until next time,

Yogi Nelson

blockchain association, Blockchains, Ireland, Yogi Nelson

WILL IRELAND HAVE THE LUCK OF THE IRISH WHEN IT COMES TO BLOCKCHAIN INNOVATION?

Yogi Nelson

Namaste Yogis.   Welcome to the Blockchain & AI Forum, where your technology questions are answered!   Here no question is too mundane.  As a bonus, a proverb is also included.  Today’s question comes from Patrick and he wants a quick overview of blockchain innovation in Ireland. 

Patrick, you came to the right place.  Recently I read an informative research report titled:  Ireland’s Blockchain, Crypto & Web3 Strategy: A Vision to Establish Ireland as a Global Web3 Hub.

https://www.blockchainireland.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Blockchain-Ireland-Irelands-Blockchain-Crypto-and-Web3-Strategy-Paper.pdf  Below I highlight the most critical findings, but I’ll start with the authors, list the report chapters, and conclude with five recommendations. 

Report Authors

The report was prepared by researchers and academics on behalf of Blockchain Ireland.  Blockchain Ireland is essentially an industry association. According to Blockchain Ireland, the report offers a “… strategy and roadmap for creating a national and international blockchain hub in Ireland.” 

Table of Contents from the Report

  • Blockchain Ireland Overview:  In this chapter the report explains the who, what, why, and how of the organization. 
  • Blockchain Explainer:  Within this chapter, the authors go into detail regarding what is blockchain technology, how it works, why it’s important, etc.
  • Areas to Benefit from Blockchain, Digital Assets, and Crypto Innovations.  Here authors identify E-Governance & Digital Identity; Energy; Financial Services; Digital Assets; Healthcare and Supply Chain Management as the sectors where blockchain could have the greatest positive impact.
  • Government Regulations:  In this second to last chapter, the authors explain existing blockchain laws and government regulations in Ireland.
  • Recommendations and Road Map:  In this concluding chapter, the authors offer the government a series of recommendations and a “how to” narrative on implementing the ideas.

Report Highlights

After 25 years, Blockchain Ireland has grown to 1,400 members and 100 partnerships.  Blockchain Ireland has the ear of government officials, so let’s explore a few recommendations of the report starting with the Blockchain Hub concept: 

  1. 1. Develop a Global Blockchain Hub, a Multi-Institutional Centre for Excellence using the UN sustainable development goals (SDGs).  According to proponents, “… This Hub will bring together all the key components of the Blockchain ecosystem in an efficient and innovative way. The Hub, will contribute to drive the promotion of skills and talent in this area and position Ireland as a location of choice for Blockchain Technologies.”  What do you think about a blockchain association asking government to facilitate their industry?  Does it prove again that “free market” advocates want, need, and ask for government help when it’s convenient or did I miss something?
  2. 2. Create a Blockchain Skills Strategy and Roadmap. Blockchain Ireland is advocating for the government to adopt a blockchain strategy and of course, that it base the strategy on the report they produced and being reviewed here.  Makes sense. 
  3. 3. Create Public Trust in Blockchain.  It is unclear why Blockchain Ireland believes the government is capable of creating public trust in blockchain as opposed to other institutions but nevertheless, this is what they said.  The authors identified a number of ways to create public trust in blockchain technology, including:  more academic studies, university degrees in blockchain, conduct test pilot projects in fields of law and property, for example. 
  4. 4. Provide networking, mentoring, and financial support for emerging entrepreneurs and innovators to participate in national and EU-level innovation events, hubs and clusters.
  5. 5. Establish compliant sandbox and test-bed environments to iterate Web3 proof of-concepts, test implementations, and trial scaling propositions.

Time for a proverb from Ireland, where they say: “a cabin with plenty of food is better than a hungry castle.”

Until Next Time,

Yogi Nelson