A backpack for visually impaired, algorithms for the Pentagon and other news from the world of AI

We strive to inform readers not only about events in the Bitcoin industry, but also to talk about what is happening in related technological spheres-cybersecurity, and now in the world of artificial intelligence (AI).

Forklog has collected the most important news from the world of AI over the past week.

• The Pentagon called for expanding the use of military artificial intelligence so as not to “stay behind the competitors”.
• Researchers at the University of Georgia have developed an AI system for people with visual impairments, which should help them navigate in space.
• YouTube tests the function of recognizing goods in videos to improve Google advertising services.
• In the United States, the first device for coronavirus diagnosis was certified.
• Amazon dismisses drivers of their own delivery service, who refuse to survive during the control of the van.
• The British Congress of Trade Unions called on the legislative level to protect the rights of workers from fateful decisions of algorithms.

Scientists have developed AI-Ryukzak to help visually impaired people

Researchers from the University of Georgia have developed a backpack system to help people with weakened vision navigate the environment.

Smart backpack. Data: Institute of Artificial Intelligence University of Georgia.

Researchers say that their system can detect obstacles (including aboveground) and inform the user using sound tips where they are located. She can also read road signs and determine changes in height. For example, the system can inform the owner about the sign of a stop at a pedestrian crossing or inform him when a border is in front of him.

The backpack uses the Luxonis Oak-D spatial camera, which has a built-in artificial intelligence processor and Intel Movidius image processing technology.

The developers also included a Bluetooth lobby to help the visually impaired, which allows the owner to control the system using a voice. They may ask him to describe the surroundings or save GPS locations with a certain mark.

According to the developers, such a system will be able to work up to eight hours from the built -in battery.

Researchers plan to open the source code of the project. They suggest that the system is unobtrusive and does not attract attention with public use. The developers call the system a disadvantage of the system everywhere to carry a backpack with them. However, they hope to find a way to pack such technologies, for example, in smart glasses.

YouTube will automatically detect products in videos

YouTube began to test the function of automatic recognition of goods in the videos that are viewed by US residents.

“We are experimenting with a new function that displays a list of products found in some videos, as well as related products … The purpose of the experiment is to help people find more videos and information about these products on YouTube,” the video hosting blog said.

The media suggest that this step is aimed at strengthening the Google position in the partner link market, as well as directly connect the commerce with video loading. These lists can act as a second algorithm of recommendations when YouTube will show a video that present similar products.

Amazon fired the drivers of vans who did not give consent to survive during driving

Amazon forces the drivers of delivery of delivery van to sign the forms of “biometric consent”, which are essentially a resolution for surveillance. Otherwise, the deliveryers are fired.

The document, which the company asked to sign, contains a number of points that allows Amazon to track the van via GPS, measure the speed of the vehicle and “identify potential violations of traffic rules”.

The last point raised the most questions. In February 2021, Amazon introduced the function of monitoring drivers, which, using chambers and algorithms, can determine “dangerous behavior at the wheel”, for example, when the driver yawns or is distracted by the phone.

Such control by Amazon has concerned many deliveryers. Many employees refused to sign permission.

Amazon explained the need to observe drivers care for their safety.

“We recently started introducing security systems based on cameras for our entire delivery park. This technology will warn drivers in real time to help them stay safe during driving, ”said https://gagarin.news/ua/news/court-rejects-the-arrest-warrant-for-do-kwons-assistant/ Amazon.

Facebook showed bracelets to manage AR environment in its future smart ones

Facebook introduced two prototypes of input devices in the form of bracelets for AR-stings that use electromyography (EMG) to convert nerve signals into digital commands.

The company claims that these signals are so clear that bracelets will be able to recognize the movements of the fingers with an accuracy of a millimeter.

“This means that data input can be easy. In the end, [device] may even feel the intention to move a finger, ”the developers of the system said.

According to them, they studied a number of other sources of the input signal before stopping on the wrist. The developers believe that the traditional place of wearing a watch can fit into everyday life and will make management in AR intuitive for users.

Devices also use artificial intelligence for dynamic adaptation to the user and its environment.

The date of the release of bracelets in the company was not called. It is expected that they will appear on sale along with the output of augmented reality glasses.

British trade unions called to eliminate gaps in the legislation on the use of AI for hiring and dismissal

The Congress of British Trade Unions issued the report “Dignity at Work and the Ai Revolution” in which he recognized that workers can be “hired and fired by decision of the algorithm”, however, new legislative measures are necessary to protect their rights.

Among the changes to which he calls is the right to revise any “risky” decision by a person.

“AI at work can be used to increase performance and increase the duration of work. But it is already used to make fateful decisions about people at work, for example, about who is hired and fired, ”said Congress Secretary Francis O’Gradi.

She also added that the lack of rules for using AI at work can lead to discrimination and unjust circulation.

The congress recognized that artificial intelligence is more actively introduced into the production processes of many companies. But as AI is becoming more and more sophisticated, there are fears that he will be entrusted with more risky decisions, for example, to find out who to increase and whom to fire.

“Accounting, transparency and accuracy should be guaranteed by the legal system through carefully thought -out legal reforms that we offer. There are clear red lines that cannot be crossed so that the work does not dehumanize, ”the authors of the report said.

Microsoft introduced the function of direct transcription of AI’s BASIS II in Teams

The function of direct transcription based on artificial intelligence has appeared in Microsoft Teams, which creates a written recording of what was said during the meeting.

The tool identifies each speaker, records sound and generates transcription in real time on the right side of the window. After the meeting, the preserved transcript will be available for download.

Transcription video statements in Teams. Data: Microsoft.

The function uses information such as invitations to meetings, the names of participants and investment to automatically increase the accuracy of each transcript.

Schelendra Chabra, Teams manager, emphasized that AI models automatically delete audio recordings and transcripts after each meeting and that Microsoft will not use and store any data to improve the algorithm.

The developers of the function added that the accuracy of the transcript is not guaranteed, but they hope that the tool will help users replace manual records.

The new Teams function is available only to Microsoft 365 subscribers with E3, E5, Business Standard and Business Premium licenses. So far, she only works in English.

Also on FORKLOG:

• In the United States, the first AI device for COVID-19 diagnostics in asymptomatic infection carriers was certified.
• The Pentagon was called to expand the use of artificial intelligence.
• Apple has shown the highest activity among all American IT giants in the field of buying and startups.

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