Implicit discourse relation classification is of great challenge due to the lack of connectives as strong linguistic cues, which motivates the use of annotated implicit connectives to improve the recognition. We propose a feature imitation framework in which an implicit relation network is driven to learn from another neural network with access to connectives, and thus encouraged to extract similarly salient features for accurate classification. We develop an adversarial model to enable an adaptive imitation scheme through competition between the implicit network and a rival feature discriminator. Our method effectively transfers discriminability of connectives to the implicit features, and achieves state-of-the-art performance on the PDTB benchmark.

The intersection of causal inference and machine learning is a rapidly advancing field. We propose a new approach, the method of direct estimation, that draws on both traditions in order to obtain nonparametric estimates of treatment effects. The approach focuses on estimating the effect of fluctuations in a treatment variable on an outcome. A tensor-spline implementation enables rich interactions between functional bases allowing for the approach to capture treatment/covariate interactions. We show how new innovations in Bayesian sparse modeling readily handle the proposed framework, and then document its performance in simulation and applied examples. Furthermore we show how the method of direct estimation can easily extend to structural estimators commonly used in a variety of disciplines, like instrumental variables, mediation analysis, and sequential g-estimation.

Earlier this week, the Samsung Galaxy S8 line of devices were announced with tremendous fanfare. The Galaxy S8 serves as a symbol of Samsung's comeback story following the Galaxy Note 7 debacle. In my opinion, the pros of the Galaxy S8 outweigh the cons. However, there is one specific con that has been making the headlines today. Early reviewers of the Galaxy S8 discovered a security flaw in the facial recognition feature.

While it's common for children to talk to their stuffed toys or animals, adults tend to outgrow this and are seen as odd if they do. But there's a scientific reason why humans tend to talk to animals or objects, and it's linked to social intelligence. One of the reasons we might anthropomorphize - give human form or attributes to an animal, plant, material or object, is because of our unique ability to recognize and find faces everywhere. Researchers say there is a scientific reason why humans tend to talk to animals or objects, and it's linked to social intelligence Dr Nicholas Epley, a professor of behavioral science at the University of Chicago and an anthropomorphism expert, told Quartz: 'Historically, anthropomorphizing has been treated as a sign of childishness or stupidity, but it's actually a natural byproduct of the tendency that makes humans uniquely smart on this planet'. He said whether or not we realize it, humans anthropomorphize objects and events all the time.

The landscape of data is ever-changing, meaning analysts need to evolve both their thinking and data collection methods to stay ahead of the curve. In many cases, data that might have been considered unique, uncommon or unattainably expensive just a few years ago is now widely used and often very affordable. It is the analysts who take advantage of these untapped data sources, while they remain untapped, who can reap the rewards by gaining a competitive advantage before the rest of their industry or peers catch on. This type of data is often referred to as alternative data, and with the ever-increasing levels of data available in the modern world comes the opportunity to gain unique insights, competitive industry advantage, and boosted profits. It is perhaps no surprise then to hear that the scramble to get hold of such data has been dubbed the new gold rush.

In the next stage of artificial intelligence adoption, banks will use AI to help understand the intentions and emotions of customers and enable better interactions, according to a new report from Accenture. According to the report, Accenture Banking Technology Vision 2017, more than three-quarters (78%) of bankers believe that AI will enable simpler user interfaces that will help banks create a more human-like customer experience. In addition, four out of five respondents (79%) believe that AI will revolutionize the way banks gather information and interact with customers, and three-quarters (76%) believe that within three years, banks will deploy AI as their primary method for interacting with customers. "Consumers' diverse needs and priorities are forcing financial services firms to redefine how they interact with them to determine the best products and services to meet individuals' needs," said Alan McIntyre, a senior managing director at Accenture and head of the company's Banking practice. "AI-enabled tools can help banks identify consumer preferences and empower their workforces to react with insight and emotional intelligence, which is essential for the development of meaningful consumer relationships. The challenge will be how quickly banks can implement these new technologies, many of which are not compatible with their existing IT infrastructure."

In the 2009 blockbuster'Avatar,' a human remotely controls the body of an alien, by injecting human intelligence into a biological body. While this still remains in the realm of science fiction, researchers have managed to create a similar system that allows humans to remotely control turtles. The incredible system, which is operated via a device on the turtle's shell, can'read' and use human thought to control the animal's movement. A'cyborg system' which consists of a camera, a Wi-Fi transceiver, a computer control module and a battery is mounted on the turtle's shell. Also included on the turtle's shell is a black semi-cylinder with a slit, which forms the'stimulation device'.

Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. reported an unexpected rise in quarterly earnings after the main assembler of Apple Inc.'s devices rode record iPhone sales during the pivotal holiday shopping period. The world's biggest contract manufacturer of electronics reported a 30 percent increase in net income to 68.8 billion Taiwan dollars ($2.3 billion) in the three months ended December, according to Bloomberg calculations derived from previously released data. Hon Hai, better known as Foxconn Technology Group, derives about half its sales from Apple, data compiled by Bloomberg shows. The world's most valuable company shipped an unprecedented 78.3 million iPhones during the October-December quarter, despite its latest device representing a modest update on its predecessor. Optimism around Apple's iPhone for 2017 -- the 10th anniversary of the iconic device -- has driven the Taiwanese company's stock close to a decade high.

Kaspar, a humanoid robot designed to help children with autism, is set to be trialled by the NHS. The child-sized robot was created by researchers at the University of Hertfordshire and is programmed to respond to touch. Kaspar is designed to play games with children, using a collection of skin sensors placed on various parts of its body to "encourage certain tactile behaviours" and discourage "inappropriate" ones. It will be used to teach five-to-ten year-olds who have recently been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) how to socialise and communicate. This is because research indicates that early intervention increases the likelihood of improved long-term outcomes for children with the condition.

IBM (NYSE: IBM) and Salesforce (NYSE: CRM) yesterday announced a global strategic partnership to deliver joint solutions designed to leverage artificial intelligence and enable companies to make smarter decisions, faster than ever before. With the partnership, IBM Watson, the leading AI platform for business, and Salesforce Einstein, AI that powers the world's #1 CRM, will seamlessly connect to enable an entirely new level of intelligent customer engagement across sales, service, marketing, commerce and more. IBM is also strategically investing in its Global Business Services capabilities for Salesforce with a new practice to help clients rapidly deploy the combined IBM Watson and Salesforce Einstein capabilities. The partnership will bring new insights from Watson directly into the Salesforce Intelligent Customer Success Platform, combining deep customer insights from Salesforce Einstein with Watson's structured and unstructured data across many sources and industries including weather, healthcare, financial services and retail. Together, Watson and Einstein will ingest, reason over and derive recommendations to accelerate decision making and drive greater customer success.