AI unlocks the secrets of animal communication

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1. AI unlocks the secrets of animal communication

Researchers are harnessing the power of AI to unlock the secrets of animal communication. By analyzing the sounds made by various animals, scientists aim to decipher their communication patterns and gain insights into their world.

Project CETI (Cetacean Translation Initiative) is at the forefront of this effort, using machine learning to sift through vast amounts of data to find patterns in sperm whale clicks. Sperm whales use loud clicking sounds to communicate, and researchers believe that these clicks may carry meaning. By analyzing the number and timing of the clicks, as well as the frequencies of the sounds, Project CETI aims to translate sperm whale communication.

However, translating animal communication is not without its challenges. Animals may use different aspects of sound to carry meaning, and their experiences may have no human equivalent. For example, prairie dogs use layers of frequencies in their calls, while dolphins use echolocation to navigate and communicate. Understanding these unique communication systems requires a shift in perspective.

Despite the challenges, understanding animal communication has important implications for conservation efforts. By gaining insights into the world of animals, researchers can better protect their habitats and cultures. For example, understanding that prairie dogs have a complex communication system may inspire people to value and protect the species.

As researchers continue to explore the world of animal communication, they face philosophical questions about understanding the experiences of animals. While AI can help decipher the sounds made by animals, truly understanding their world may remain a mystery. Nonetheless, the efforts to unlock the secrets of animal communication offer a glimpse into the rich and diverse world of our fellow creatures.

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2. Gartner highlights key innovations for competitive advantage

The 2023 Gartner Hype Cycle for Artificial Intelligence has identified key innovations and techniques in AI that offer significant and transformational benefits. These innovations address the limitations and risks of fallible AI systems and provide credible cases for investment in AI strategies.

Among the innovations highlighted in the Hype Cycle, generative AI and decision intelligence stand out as deserving particular attention within the two-to-five-year period to mainstream adoption. Generative AI, which involves the creation of new content or data, has the potential to revolutionize industries such as entertainment, design, and manufacturing. Decision intelligence, on the other hand, focuses on the application of AI to support and enhance decision-making processes.

"Early adoption of these innovations will lead to significant competitive advantage and ease the problems associated with utilizing AI models within business processes," says Gartner Director Analyst Afraz Jaffri. As AI continues to evolve and mature, organizations that strategically invest in these technologies will be better positioned to capitalize on the transformative benefits they offer.

The Gartner Hype Cycle serves as a valuable guide for organizations looking to navigate the rapidly evolving AI landscape. By identifying the most promising innovations and techniques, the Hype Cycle helps organizations make informed decisions about where to invest their resources to gain a competitive edge in the market.

As AI technologies become increasingly integrated into business processes, organizations that adopt these innovations early will be better equipped to leverage the full potential of AI and stay ahead of the competition. The 2023 Gartner Hype Cycle for AI provides a roadmap for organizations to identify and capitalize on the most impactful AI innovations in the coming years.

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3. Pink Floyd song clip created from brain activity recordings

An AI system has recreated a clip of a Pink Floyd song by analyzing brain activity recorded while people listened to the original. The study, conducted by Robert Knight and his colleagues at the University of California, Berkeley, involved recordings from electrodes surgically implanted onto the surface of 29 people's brains to treat epilepsy. The participants' brain activity was recorded while they listened to "Another Brick in the Wall, Part 1" by Pink Floyd.

The researchers trained an AI to learn links between brain activity and musical components, excluding a 15-second segment of the song from the training data. The AI generated a prediction of the unseen song snippet based on the participants' brain signals. The spectrogram of the AI-generated clip was 43% similar to the real song clip.

The study deepens our understanding of how the brain perceives music and could help improve devices that speak on behalf of people with speech difficulties, says Knight. "For those with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or aphasia, who struggle to speak, we’d like a device that really sounded like you are communicating with somebody in a human way," he says. "Understanding how the brain represents the musical elements of speech, including tone and emotion, could make such devices sound less robotic."

The invasive nature of the brain implants makes it unlikely that this procedure would be used for non-clinical applications, says Knight. However, other researchers have recently used AI to generate song clips from brain signals recorded using MRI scans.

As the technology progresses, AI-based recreations of songs using brain activity could raise questions around copyright infringement, depending on how similar the reconstruction is to the original music, says Jennifer Maisel at the law firm Rothwell Figg in Washington DC. "The authorship question is really fascinating," she says. "Would the person who records the brain activity be the author? Could the AI program itself be the author? The interesting thing is, the author may not be the person who’s listening to the song.

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4. Bambu's 3D printers go rogue due to cloud outage

Owners of Bambu's X1C or P1P 3D printer models were in for a surprise when they woke up to find their printers had mysteriously started printing on their own overnight. The results were chaotic, with many printers printing a second copy on top of an already completed print, mangling their creations. In some cases, the printers even damaged themselves, including expensive parts such as the nozzle and the printing surface.

Bambu explained that the issue was caused by an unexpected cloud outage, leading to what it's calling "job jamming." After its cloud service went down, any jobs sent to Bambu's printers during this period went unconfirmed, leading to requests being sent repeatedly even after the service resumed. "Simply explained, the print job sent to the printer before was trapped on the cloud and had a delayed start," Bambu wrote on its official blog.

The incident highlights the risks of cloud-based technology controlling real-world devices. That sophisticated machines could go completely haywire over a simple outage is concerning. Moreover, 3D printers are a potential fire hazard, so it's fortunate that no one was hurt or had their property damaged. The debacle raises fears over the practical shortcomings of cloud-based technology, such as overengineered lights that can't be used when the internet is down. Bambu has accepted "full responsibility" for the incident, but the manufacturer didn't go as far as to promise free repairs and replacements. In light of the incident, many Bambu owners may now be considering taking advantage of the optional LAN-only mode that doesn't rely on the cloud.

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5. Teens embrace AI for learning and personal growth

Local teens in Ypsilanti are harnessing the power of AI to enhance their learning experiences and personal growth. Ariana Perez, a junior at Ypsilanti Community High School, uses an app called Character.ai to interact with character bots, including a psychologist bot, to learn about the field of psychology. Perez finds the app helpful for understanding psychological concepts and even uses it to express her own feelings.

Perez's use of AI extends to her math homework, where she finds the assistance invaluable. "When I talk to the A.I., it breaks them down step by step, they’re not just giving me the answers, but they’re helping me get to the answers," Perez said.

Marrell Brown, another student at the school, has been using Grammarly for two years to work on his writing style and spelling. "It will give me tips on how I can benefit and better my writing," Brown shared. He also uses AI for workout plans, history class, and business class, finding it helpful for understanding complex concepts.

Despite the benefits, there are concerns about the use of AI in education. According to a poll by Impact Research, roughly two-thirds of students worry that AI may be used to cheat or that they may become too reliant on it. However, 85% of students believe that it will have a positive impact on education, and more than 9 in 10 are interested in AI tools that may help them learn.

Both Perez and Brown are optimistic about the future of AI in education. "I would like to see more actually. I want to see how this takes off and just a new level of educating," Perez said. Brown added, "I think it’s great, I think it could really help students all across the earth."

As AI continues to make inroads into education, it offers new opportunities for learning and personal development, but also raises questions about its impact and potential risks.

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