This week’s Featured News is a treasure trove of breakthroughs and forward leaps: From AI revolutionizing cancer diagnostics to Harvard’s findings on AI’s productivity prowess, and from the untapped AI potential in developing economies to Denmark’s healthcare-boosting Virtual Assistant Initiative. Discover how a voice-analysis AI can detect diabetes in seconds, the UK’s hefty investment to skill up in AI, the challenges in adopting generative AI, and the crucial investment strategies in digital pathology‘s AI ecosystem.

It’s a glimpse into a future where AI isn’t just an aid but a central pillar of progress across sectors. Dive in and share for success!

Best regards,

The Team of SwissCognitive

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SwissCognitive Guest Blogger: Neil Oschlag-Michael – “Virtual Assistant Initiative (VAI) – Danish Hospital LLM Use Case”

The benefits of LLMs were already recognized when the Virtual Assistant initiative was conceived in early summer of 2023, but concerns about their safety remained. Existing and publicly available LLMs were trained on generic data and there wasn’t certainty that LLMs could answer specific questions from specific patient types in relation to specific hospital procedures correctly. This led to the VAI initiative, in which the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery & Audiology (ENT) and Innovations Center in Rigshospitalet collaborated with 2021.AI to implement an LLM, named the Virtual Assistant for patients, or Virtual Assistant for short.

Located in Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet is the largest and most specialized hospital in Denmark, serving 75,000 inpatients each year. As a critical center for teaching and research, Rigshospitalet prioritizes innovation in a continual effort to provide world-leading healthcare. The ENT department in Rigshospitalet is the biggest university department in Denmark and is also the center for surgical head-neck oncology. Rigshospitalet’s Innovation Center has capabilities and competences in design, innovation, anthropology, business development, communication and strategic partnerships. It has experience in clinical innovation in all phases and accelerates the development of new healthcare solutions that create value for patients. 2021.AI is a Danish company which specializes in AI and AI governance. 2021.AI helps companies around the globe to accelerate their AI adoption by delivering the three key components that any organization needs to manage, implement and run AI systems successfully; models, platform, and governance.

The initiative was partly funded by the Danish Life Science Cluster and one of the first requirements was to complete the project rapidly; in 10 weeks. To meet this deadline, manage risk and ensure compliance with clinical, governance and security standards from the outset, the project team decided to adopt a two-stage approach. During the first stage a project would be run for 10 weeks to deploy and test an LLM and document requirements for the full-blown implementation project, in the second stage.

The use case selected for the project was designed to meet several aims: to improve patients’ experiences, to improve hospital processes and outcomes and to promote equality. It entailed using an LLM to answer questions from patients, limiting initial scope to thyroid cancer patients, for whom an operation was planned in the ENT department. There are 400 suspected thyroid cancer patients per year, of which approximately 150 undergo thyroid surgery.

Thyroid cancer is a serious and deadly disease, where early and correct treatment is crucial for the patients’ survival and quality of life. One challenge within the healthcare sector is that many patients, including thyroid cancer patients, have a significant need for information, not least to prepare properly for operations. Hospitals provide this information, but some patients struggle with understanding it and preparing for an operation is challenging, when factors such as fasting, or medication can be crucial. Currently patients with questions or in doubt can contact the hospital, but there is no 24*7 response service. Patients with dyslexia, who make up 6-8% of all social classes and a higher percentage of weaker classes, are at an added disadvantage. Worst case, they do not receive a response in time and cannot prepare fully. This can result in cancellations, and it is estimated that 6-10% of these operations currently need to be postponed, affecting patients’ experiences or worsening their condition and increasing an already-burdened hospital workload.

To address these issues the project would develop a Virtual Assistant, which would use Rigshospitalet’s procedures and documents, as well as other credible sources, to answer pre-operative questions from thyroid cancer patients. The Virtual Assistant would respond to questions about the treatment process and provide patients with responses to issues they may not have understood or had the opportunity to raise during pre-operative consultations. In doing so it would also promote equity in healthcare, improve treatment readiness and improve outcomes.

There were four main LLM requirements. The LLM must only base its answers on approved input data, which consisted of documents provided by the hospital for this purpose. The LLM must answer questions correctly based on the input data. The LLM must not answer questions related to certain topics, for example for diagnoses or questions about death. And the LLM must indicate when answers cannot be synthesized from approved input data, for example by adding: “I couldn’t find any relevant information” to its response.

Solution architecture was not designed from scratch and based on an existing solution on 2021.AI’s GRACE platform: GRACE governance for LLMs, which addresses risks and concerns associated with the use of LLMs. For a start, GRACE could be deployed rapidly as a web service. GRACE micro service architecture is configurable and scalable and designed to meet changing requirements and it can be integrated with any public LLM which has an API or with a Local Open Source LLM. It offers the same functionality as leading public chat services, making the switch to GRACE LLM easy for LLM users, and it extends this with a governance framework to operationalize organization policies, ethical guidelines and regulations. GRACE provides a secure environment with role base access control. This solution provided transparency and accelerated the project, allowing data scientists to start working on prompt engineering, which is the process of tuning a prompt to achieve the desired LLM response is called prompt engineering, early in the project.

Project governance was ensured by anchoring the project within hospital management and coordinating closely with clinical staff, instead of managing it as a standalone IT project, only governed by technical roles. This ensured that project goals and decision making were aligned with hospital and clinical goals and testing was managed in close coordination with hospital and clinical staff. ENT department surgeons took part in testing, testing was extended to meeting new requirements raised during the process, and testing was not limited to a technical test which only compared LLM responses with the information available in the approved source documents.

The Virtual Assistant met LLM requirements. It demonstrated that it could retrieve information correctly, cite sources, communicate efficiently and did not respond to topics tagged as sensitive. Key lessons learned include the importance of data quality, robust test procedures and ensuring goverance from the outset. LLM efficacy is intricately linked to input data quality. Testing uncovered issues with outdated or ambiguous input data and the risk of potential misinterpretations in data sources. Expert feedback from surgeons and nurses provided invaluable insights for LLM performance and optimization. Governance is required to implement safe and responsible LLM systems. And while they are relevant for all successful projects, the need for a motivated team with shared goals, open communication, close collaboration and robust “traditional” project management, must be acknowledged. Without these, any project, let alone a rapid LLM implementation, would hardly succeed.

This solution differentiates itself by combining advanced technology, healthcare capabilities, AI governance and risk management to develop a safe solution for patients and hospitals. Patients can receive the help they need, when they need it, preventing their condition from worsening. This reduces the risk of cancelling or postponing operations, improves hospital efficiency and reduces the workload, and has the potential to relieve healthcare personnel and free up resources for more complex patient needs. The solution is scalable, and scope can be extended to include more patient groups, more use cases in more departments. Chat can be extended to include voice support, and governance requirements can be extended to include compliance with say, the EU AI act.

About the Author:

Neil Oschlag-Michael is a data scientist and AI strategy and governance consultant. He works with organizations to use AI effectively, efficiently, easily and not least ethically and responsibly.

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Copyright by Mark Minevich, www.forbes.com

As the 21st century rages on, success and failure of nations depends not only on their citizenry and governmental leadership, but heavily on the technological visions that countries embrace. If a nation takes the approach of sitting back or standing still as automation and Artificial Intelligence advance at ever increasing rates, that nation is destined to be left behind. However, if a country embraces AI and dedicates significant resources and top minds to ethical implementation, that country is destined to be a leader for decades to come.

Recently Steve Mills, Chief AI Ethics Officer & Leader for Artificial Intelligence in the Public Sector, and Partner at Boston Consulting Group said quite eloquently “AI has become table stages for global national economic and technological competitiveness. This goes beyond nations capturing a piece of the large and rapidly growing AI market. AI is poised to transform nearly every industry. There is an imperative for nations to position themselves to integrate AI into these sectors. Particularly those sectors that are economically important to them. Failing to do so could erode their competitive position, creating opportunities for other, more technologically advanced nations to fill the void. This is not just a matter of missed upside potential from the new AI market. It’s also about downside risk for every other sector that is economically important to a nation.” 

What does it take to be one of these leading nations? To find that answer let’s look at the 7 most promising Governmental AI solutions across the globe. 

1. United States Department of Defense Joint Artificial Intelligence Center

The Pentagon’s Joint Artificial Intelligence Center is building on its success and moving towards what its Director, Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Michael Groen, calls “JAIC 2.0.” He wants the United States to accelerate the implementation of AI within the DoD. Lt. General Groen has also overseen the granting of $100 million to Deloitte Consulting to create a Joint Common Foundation to help organize the pentagon’s AI factory, secure it against intruders, direct its workers and test its products. As I’ve written ad infinitum, countries will always move their vision forward by successfully teaming with the private sector. 

2. Denmark’s Digital Growth

The Danish government allocated $134 million euros through 2025 as a part of their new Digital Growth Strategy. The goal of Denmark’s strategy for digital growth is to make Denmark a pioneer in the digital revolution to develop wealth for every Danish citizen. 

This sounds great on its face, but what exists within their borders to make this a reality? PerLasse Grøn Christensen, a Tech Team Leader at Invest in Denmark said, “Denmark holds international strongholds in research within the area of big data, artificial intelligence and machine learning and cryptography, just to mention a few, and offers a world-class software development talent pool. The strong focus of the Danish government to increase the number of graduates with a STEM background and to secure easier access to IT skills will be crucial for Denmark’s digital growth and a decisive factor for companies looking for locations to set up new R&D facilities.” 

3. Estonia’s National AI Strategy

Estonia has a goal of at least 50 AI use cases by the end of the year, building on its current 30. Estonia created a National AI Strategy, which resulted in a national plan for promoting the implementation of AI solutions in both public and private sectors. Part of this is the Estonian government investing 10 million euros through 2021 to push towards full implementation of this National AI Strategy. 

The government is also focusing on their national education system with AI in mind. Estonia have begun a change with the creation of a specialized Master of Science study program in the field of Data Science, including artificial intelligence. The nation will begin to include AI in the curriculum for all general education schools. This is a common sense, yet brilliant approach to winning the future in Denmark. By starting their youth in the these fields through school, Estonia can ensure great bench strength and an educated and ready generation of AI minds to come. […]

Read more: www.forbes.com

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Copyright by www.expresscomputer.in

Researchers at the University of Helsinki have developed a technique in which a computer models visual perception by monitoring human brain signals. In a way, it is as if the computer tries to imagine what a human is thinking about. As a result of this imagining, the computer is able to produce entirely new information, such as fictional images that were never before seen.

The technique is based on a novel brain-computer interface. Previously, similar brain-computer interfaces have been able to perform one-way communication from brain to computer, such as spell individual letters or move a cursor.

As far as is known, the new study is the first where both the computer’s presentation of the information and brain signals were modelled simultaneously using artificial intelligence methods. Images that matched the visual characteristics that participants were focusing on were generated through interaction between human brain responses and a generative neural network.

The study was published in the Scientific Reports journal in September. Scientific Reports is an online multidisciplinary, open-access journal from the publishers of Nature.

Neuroadaptive generative modelling
The researchers call this method neuroadaptive generative modelling. A total of 31 volunteers participated in a study that evaluated the effectiveness of the technique. Participants were shown hundreds of AI-generated images of diverse-looking people while their EEG was recorded.

The subjects were asked to concentrate on certain features, such as faces that looked old or were smiling. While looking at a rapidly presented series of face images, the EEGs of the subjects were fed to a neural network, which inferred whether any image was detected by the brain as matching what the subjects were looking for.

Based on this information, the neural network adapted its estimation as to what kind of faces people were thinking of. Finally, the images generated by the computer were evaluated by the participants and they nearly perfectly matched with the features the participants were thinking of. The accuracy of the experiment was 83 per cent.

“The technique combines natural human responses with the computer’s ability to create new information. In the experiment, the participants were only asked to look at the computer-generated images. The computer, in turn, modelled the images displayed and the human reaction toward the images by using human brain responses. From this, the computer can create an entirely new image that matches the user’s intention,” says Tuukka Ruotsalo, Academy of Finland Research Fellow at the University of Helsinki, Finland and Associate Professor at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark. […]

Reade more: www.expresscomputer.in

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Copyright by www.cnnmoney.ch

According to James Wootton, researcher at IBM Research in Zurich, quantum computing can solve science and business problems that regular computing cannot. The IBM Q Network is working with Fortune 500 companies to advance the field, and last month IBM announced the first IBM Quantum Computation Center in New York.

As IBM and Google compete to dominate quantum computing, many wonder what this growing field has to offer the world. According to James Wootton, researcher at IBM Research in Zurich, quantum computing can solve science and business problems that regular computing cannot. The IBM Q Network is working with Fortune 500 companies to advance the field, and last month IBM announced the first IBM Quantum Computation Center in New York.

There are many electric ferries being rolled out, but none are quite like Ellen. Using only clean energy generated from wind turbines, the e-ferry is funded by the European Commission and powered by lithium-ion batteries from Swiss firm Leclanché. CNNMoney Switzerland was invited on board the record-breaking vessel in Denmark for an exclusive look at its design and to talk about how Ellen could shape the future of electric transport.

Implementing 5G could push Switzerland past its allowed limit for radio waves. “You need ten times more antennas, ten times more power than with 4G,” says Suat Topsu, inventor and CEO of Erganeo. His solution is a new version of LiFi, a technology that uses LED light to transmit data safely, which may significantly reduce the number of antennas needed for 5G.

After the 2008 financial crisis, the shipping industry took a hard hit. SkySails CEO Stephan Wrage saw an opportunity for his special technology: using massive kites to propel ships and produce electrical power. “We’re sold out for next year, for the first time ever,” he says. Wrage goes on to explain why competition makes him happy and why Switzerland, which has said “no” many times, could really benefit from their technology.

How Swiss start-ups can benefit from India’s health-tech boom

Swissnex India sees the rise of India’s medtech sector as potentially advantageous to Swiss start-ups. But the relationship could be mutually beneficial, says Krishnaswamy VijayRaghavan, principal scientific adviser to India’s government: “There’s a substantial fire in the belly in India, and there’s a substantial capability in Switzerland.”

The World Economic Forum has called bioplastic one of the top 10 emerging technologies of 2019. Swiss start-up Bloom Biorenewables wants to replace petroleum—one of the key elements of plastic—with a greener, more sustainable option. Co-founders Remy Buser and Florent Héroguel are combining chemistry with technology to find a petroleum alternative that will put a dent in our carbon footprint. […]

Read more – www.cnnmoney.ch

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copyright by blogs.microsoft.com

From the melting glaciers in the Arctic Circle to algae blooms in the previously pristine Lake Atitlan to ecosystem change around Murchison Falls to penguin tracking in Antarctica, the need for greater knowledge about the world around us and how it’s changing is both apparent and acute. Today, in partnership with the National Geographic Society, we’re excited to announce the winners in the Microsoft and National Geographic Society AI for Earth Innovation Grant program , announced in July.

These 11 changemakers will, with the help of artificial intelligence (AI), uncover new insights to better monitor, model and ultimately manage the world’s natural resources more effectively and sustainably. These grantees, like our 200-plus AI for Earth grantees globally, are testing innovative applications of AI in scientific exploration and research to help solve critical environmental challenges. We introduce you to these innovative leaders and their inspiring work below, in four categories — climate change, biodiversity conservation, agriculture and water.

Climate change

The data is clear — climate change is real and demands a global response. But what actions will be most effective? And how can progress be measured? These two grantees are helping answer these questions with AI.

Melting glaciers provide some of the clearest visual evidence of the Earth’s warming temperatures. Unfortunately, collecting data and measuring these changes can only be done crudely, making it tricky to measure glacier surface change and melt rates, never mind project those changes into the future.

This is a frustration Joseph Cook knows all too well. In the last decade, he has conducted more than 12 Arctic field expeditions, mostly in field camps on the Greenland Ice Sheet, and pumped out findings and research insights in scientific journals, documentaries and conferences around the globe.

These experiences led Cook to machine learning, specifically applying it to optical data from drones and satellites to explore the changing cryosphere. The key is capturing the complexity of ice surface evolution, from pristine snow to dust-covered, algae-covered and waterlogged ice. By training the algorithms to recognize how the different surfaces reflect certain wavelengths of light — wavelengths that can be measured by satellites as well as by drones — precision study of vast areas becomes feasible. After testing the algorithms on imagery from custom-built drones, Cook’s team will then apply them to satellite remote-sensing data, enabling them to scale up to entire glaciers.[…]

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copyright by www.nanalyze.com

However, it is commonly referred to as the happiest country in the world. Among the many reasons cited are the strong welfare system, a superb education system, work-life balance, and the concept of hygge. Pronounced “hue-guh” it means living in the present, creating a sense of intimacy, and savoring the moment – something one cannot buy – and something most of us in ‘Murica could never dream of doing without meditation – or hard drugs .

Little daily pleasures don’t stand in the way of the Danes’ AI ambitions though. In early 2018, the Danish government released a Strategy for Denmark’s Digital Growth that focuses on AI, big data, and the Internet of Things. Its goals include making Danish businesses better use technology, setting the right conditions for the digital transformation of businesses, and ensuring the population has the necessary skills to compete. (In other words, they need to have a strategy in place to compete in the global AI race.) The government has also set aside $11 million for 2018, $19 million for the following years until 2025, and $11 million in perpetuity until the goals are met. Slow and steady wins the race, and Danish leaders seem to be convinced it’s worth going for the long haul. In order to see what’s happening in the world of cozy Danish AI startups, we did a quick search in Crunchbase:

The above list may not be completely accurate because not all startups keep Crunchbase updated. If we “missed” your cool Danish AI startup because you were too busy being happy instead of keeping Crunchbase updated, drop us a note and we’ll see if we can help you. (To mitigate this problem, we’re going to start working with the folks at Pitchbook to generate these lists in 2019.)

Founded in 2013, Copenhagen startup Blackwood Seven has raised $43 million in funding to develop a marketing media analytics platform. Its AI algorithms measure the effect of past media investments and run a multitude of investment scenarios to optimize and predict future outcomes. Analytics include sales acheived, cost-per-sale, and media ROI available at channel and single publisher levels. The platform measures the real sales effect of media campaigns by stripping out other external factors like seasonality, competitor activity, and macroeconomic peaks and troughs. Users set a sales target and Blackwood Seven’s algorithms suggest a campaign mix that’ll achieve it. […]

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