At Hark, we’re developing our machine learning (ML) for predictive maintenance features in our platform. By visiting the World Summit AI – this year held in Amsterdam, Netherlands – we were able to hear how other companies are integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and ML into their businesses to keep our own innovations inspired. Our CTO Andrew and CEO Jordan joined me for the trip.
This year, the summit was held at the Gashouder. The nightclub is surrounded by a collection of small bars that encouraged industry members to get to know one another. The venue itself, situated by the Amsterdam Canals (and far-too-many bicycles), saw over 120 speakers and 6000 attendees eager to share their knowledge and interests regarding AI.
Below are some of our favourite topics from the event.
Solutions in Healthcare Tech
Joseph Sirosh, Cooperate Vice President and CTO of AI at Microsoft, gave an inspiring presentation on how his team aims to use AI to help people who have lost their limbs. Traditional prosthetics are restricted by movement and price, costing upwards of thousands of dollars. Sirosh’s aim is to produce better, smarter prosthetics for a minimised cost.
On screen, Sirosh revealed a robotic arm titled SmartArm. Made using cheap, 3D-printed materials and hardware such as a Raspberry Pi, the arm had a camera attached. This is used for computer vision and allows the arm to learn how to pick up objects with its motorised fingers.
Chatbots
Later, Andy Peart, Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer of Artificial Solutions and Siem Uittenhout, Pre-Sales Consultant of Artificial Solutions, led a presentation on how traditional chatbots often struggle to apply context within conversation.
ML, when added into chatbots’ decision trees, can be used to increase their conversational and contextual understanding. A live demo of their improved chatbot was shown to demonstrate its ability to understand Siem’s Dutch-English accent.
One Giant Leap
Proving that science-fiction stories are becoming reality, Steve Chien, Head of Artificial Intelligence Group, JPL, NASA, delved into their plans to develop AI that can aid the future exploration of extra-terrestrial subsurface oceans and the search for life on Jupiter’s moon, Europa.
In the future, Chien says, more robotic vehicles will be used for exploring planetary objects. To combat inefficiencies such as distance and communication times between operators and robots, NASA intend to implement AI into their robots to allow them to explore without human intervention.
While there are still ethical debates to tackle, it is clear that the presenters at the World Summit AI are making the world a better place.
We are incredibly excited for the future of AI and ML. It is these innovative strides in tech that inspire us at Hark.
Be sure to contact us to find out more about our developments.
