The dream of endowing computers with causal reasoning drew Bareinboim from Brazil to the United States in 2008, after he completed a master's in computer science at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. He jumped at an opportunity to study under Judea Pearl, a computer scientist and statistician at UCLA. Pearl, 83, is a giant--the giant--of causal inference, and his career helps illustrate why it's hard to create AI that understands causality.

Artificial intelligence could help to create long-lasting electric vehicle (EV) batteries that charge faster. William Chueh at Stanford University in the US and his colleagues have developed an AI that optimises EV battery recharging while also maximising the battery's lifespan. "If you want to charge a battery quickly there is an infinite number of ways you can do so," says Chueh. Standard EV batteries tend to be recharged quickly at first, and then more slowly, for example.

If you go down to the farm today, you'll likely find it packed with sensors, drones and remote management systems run by iPhones, iPads and other mobile devices. In fact, we're only one or two Siri Shortcuts away from voice-controlled farms equipped with remotely controlled irrigation, livestock and crop management solutions and blockchain-based crop lifecycle analysis tools. Most of this technology exists, but cost constrains deployment. Leading the digital transformation of agriculture are apps, such as: Agrellus, an online marketplace for agriculture, xarvio Scouting App for better crop management, FieldNET Mobile to control water pivots remotely, Yara ImageIT, which turns your iPhone into a crop nutrient testing system, AgSense, and GrainTruckPlus. There are many more apps for agriculture available at the App Store – including Tudder, the "Tinder for farm animals."

In a bid to boost the gaming, VFX industry, the Software Technology Park of India (STPI) has set up IMAGE, a centre of excellence (CoE) for gaming, VFX, computer vision and AI in Hyderabad on Monday. This is also the first Incubation centre for companies focussed on IP in Gaming, VFX, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Vision set up by STPI. Spread over 10,000 Square feet, the IMAGE CoE, which is inside the existing STPI facility targets to incubate up to 25-30 startups per year for the next five years. It will be investing a total of Rs 19.68 crore over a period of 5 years for the CoE in addition to existing infrastructure in the STPI facility. STPI-IMAGE also signed MoU with five partners TVAGA (Telangana VFX, Animation and Gaming Association), Hyderabad Angels, HYSEA, IIIT- Hyderabad, and TiE Hyderabad with an objective to nurture and promote start-ups and budding entrepreneurs by offering resources like mentoring, technology support, infrastructure like Plug & Play Incubation, Mocap, CVAI labs and funding.

Digital technology is changing people's lives. The EU's digital strategy aims to make this transformation work for people and businesses, while helping to achieve its target of a climate-neutral Europe by 2050. Therefore, the EU's strategies for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data aim to encourage businesses to work with, and develop, these new technologies, while at the same time making sure that they earn citizens' trust.

When every single element in the technological space is rapidly changing, it is evident for some of them to go obsolete. Not just technology but the literature of technology also loses its essence with time. A few years ago, machine learning (ML) or artificial intelligence (AI) were terms used to fascinate people. In 2020, these words do turn heads, but people are now used to these terms as they are a part of everyday dinner table conversations for many. However, there is no shortage of new terms in the landscape, which are gaining prominence.

Today, the Commission unveils its ideas and actions for a digital transformation that works for all, reflecting the best of Europe: open, fair, diverse, democratic and confident. It presents a European society powered by digital solutions that put people first, opens up new opportunities for businesses, and boosts the development of trustworthy technology to foster an open and democratic society and a vibrant and sustainable economy. Digital is a key enabler to fighting climate change and achieving the green transition. The European data strategy and the policy options to ensure the human-centric development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) presented today are the first steps towards achieving these goals.

LONDON – The European Union is unveiling proposals to regulate artificial intelligence that call for strict rules and safeguards on risky applications of the emerging technology. The report on artificial intelligence released Wednesday is part of the bloc's wider digital strategy aimed at maintaining its position as the global pacesetter on technological standards. The EU's executive Commission said it wants to develop a "framework for trustworthy artificial intelligence." European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had ordered her top deputies to come up with a coordinated European approach to artificial intelligence and data strategy 100 days after she took office in December. Clear rules are needed to address "high-risk AI systems" such as those in health, policing or transport, which should be "transparent, traceable and guarantee human oversight," the EU said.

The old stereotype of video game players as spotty, socially isolated boys in basements is finally disappearing after decades, but the popular image of game developers is enduring. They are imagined to be white and beardy, with glasses and a probable fondness for sci-fi and fantasy, and this is hardly unjustified. Cast an eye over the development floor of pretty much any major game developer in the western world and there's an undeniable homogeneity. The same can be said about video games industry executives. Whether clean-shaven or bearded, besuited or smart-casual, creative or corporate, they are almost universally white and male. In 15 years on the games beat, I have interviewed more men called Phil in senior games industry positions than women and people of colour combined.

WASHINGTON/SEATTLE – Computers using artificial intelligence are discovering medicines, designing better golf clubs and creating video games. Patent offices around the world are grappling with the question of who -- if anyone -- owns innovations developed using AI. The answer may upend what's eligible for protection and who profits as AI transforms entire industries. "There are machines right now that are doing far more on their own than to help an engineer or a scientist or an inventor do their jobs," said Andrei Iancu, director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. "We will get to a point where a court or legislature will say the human being is so disengaged, so many levels removed, that the actual human did not contribute to the inventive concept."