- THE AI WAY
- Posts
- AI Unleashed: From Revolutionary Drug Discovery to Immersive Indigenous Narratives
AI Unleashed: From Revolutionary Drug Discovery to Immersive Indigenous Narratives
Niel de Kock
June 20, 2024
Welcome to the latest newsletter, where we dive into AI's exciting world, emphasizing education and broader societal impacts.
Education AI News
Streamlining Drug Discovery with SPARROW
MIT researchers have developed SPARROW, a new algorithm designed to streamline drug discovery by efficiently identifying optimal molecules for medical research. This algorithm automates the selection process, balancing synthesis costs against potential benefits, thus potentially reducing the time and expense of bringing new medicines to market. SPARROW integrates data on molecular design, property predictions, and synthesis planning, enhancing the decision-making process in pharmaceutical development.
Immersive Haudenosaunee Creation Story Brought to Life at MIT
Jackson 2bears, a multimedia artist and the 2022-24 Ida Ely Rubin Artist in Residence at MIT, has crafted an immersive multimedia experience reimagining the Haudenosaunee creation story. His project, "NeáKanónhsa’kówa íOnkwehonwe," utilizes a virtual recreation of a traditional longhouse to present the narrative, emphasizing community and shared cultural practices. The experience, supported by MIT's Co-Creation Studio, encourages collective participation and explores the intersection of Indigenous knowledge and modern technology.
James Bennett shares his experiences using AI in academia, navigating its potential to improve student engagement despite concerns about over-reliance on the technology. The article explores the challenges and benefits of integrating AI tools in university settings, emphasizing the need for critical thinking and responsible use. Bennett highlights the disparity in academic skills among students and how AI can demystify complex academic practices, potentially enhancing learning and accessibility in higher education.
Higher Education Has Not Been Forgotten by Generative AI
Ray Schroeder discusses the integration of Generative AI (GenAI) in higher education, highlighting its potential to revolutionize teaching methods and pedagogy. The article explores the evolving role of GenAI in academia, from initial concerns about plagiarism to its current applications in enhancing classroom engagement and operational efficiency. With examples like ChatGPT and educational collaborations, the piece underscores the necessity for academic institutions to adapt to GenAI to prepare students for future technological workplaces.
AI News
How Mobile Networks Are Adapting to AI Enhancements
Telecom networks are increasingly integrating AI to manage the surge in data usage and improve efficiency. Innovations like dynamic frequency management and AI-powered monitoring of network equipment are becoming commonplace. AI applications also extend to customer service, with virtual assistants handling routine inquiries to free up human agents for complex issues. This technological shift is poised to enhance network capabilities and customer interactions while promoting sustainable practices within the industry.
Safe Superintelligence Inc: Ilya Sutskever's New Venture
Ilya Sutskever, co-founder of OpenAI, has launched a new startup, Safe Superintelligence Inc (SSI), dedicated to developing safe superintelligent systems. Joined by former OpenAI colleague Daniel Levy and Apple’s ex-AI lead Daniel Gross, SSI aims to advance AI capabilities responsibly, without the pressures of commercial interests. Sutskever’s departure from OpenAI follows a controversial stint and reflects his continued focus on AI safety, a priority during his time at OpenAI. SSI seeks to maintain rigorous safety standards while pursuing ambitious AI advancements.
McDonald's Ends AI Experiment at Drive-Thrus
McDonald's has discontinued its AI voice ordering system, developed in collaboration with IBM since 2021, due to its inability to handle complex customer interactions effectively. Despite initial aims to enhance service efficiency and reduce labor costs, the system struggled with simple orders and odd food recommendations, leading to its phase-out by July 31, 2024. This decision highlights ongoing challenges and potential in integrating AI within fast-food operations.
AI tools
Imagen AI
Imagen offers a quick AI-powered photo editing solution for professional photographers that personalizes editing to match the user's style. This tool provides 1,000 free AI edits upon download, supports Adobe extensions, and requires no credit card for sign-up. It features advanced editing capabilities like individual photo adjustments, AI-powered culling, and cloud storage. Users can also create personal AI profiles or select from Talent AI profiles by renowned photographers, ensuring each photo is edited with precision and consistency in less than 0.5 seconds.
Outline Ninja
Infographic Ninja is an AI-powered infographic generator that simplifies the process of creating custom infographics for various uses, such as educational content, marketing materials, and more. This tool offers automated features like data visualization and design personalization and can generate infographics quickly from texts like articles or keywords. It's designed to save time and effort by transforming written content into visually appealing infographics, particularly for educators, bloggers, and SEO agencies. The platform provides a user-friendly interface with options to customize colors and fonts and include logos, enhancing efficiency and creativity in infographic production.