In this paper, a progressive learning technique for multi-class classification is proposed. This newly developed learning technique is independent of the number of class constraints and it can learn new classes while still retaining the knowledge of previous classes. Whenever a new class (non-native to the knowledge learnt thus far) is encountered, the neural network structure gets remodeled automatically by facilitating new neurons and interconnections, and the parameters are calculated in such a way that it retains the knowledge learnt thus far. This technique is suitable for real-world applications where the number of classes is often unknown and online learning from real-time data is required. The consistency and the complexity of the progressive learning technique are analyzed. Several standard datasets are used to evaluate the performance of the developed technique. A comparative study shows that the developed technique is superior.

Marketers will need to transform from campaigns to real-time, continuous interaction with customers via intelligent agents. So says Forrester Research VP and Principal Analyst Brian Hopkins, co-author (with Adam Silverman) of a new Forrester Research report, The Top Emerging Technologies to Watch: 2017 to 2021 ($499 for individual purchase). It's about the top 15 developing technologies that will help businesses become more customer-obsessed over the next years. Forrester is obsessed with customer-obsession, which it says is essential to a modern brand and which is characterized by several key principles. According to the research firm, such a customer-focused company is led by insights from and about customers, responds quickly and is thoroughly connected everywhere. The report chose 15 technologies for their impact on companies employing these principles.

The idea that robots could replace humans in the workplace dates back to science fiction writers a century ago, and it has been a recurring theme in political life for almost as long. Back in 1964, US President Lyndon B. Johnson created a national commission to examine the impact of automation on the economy and employment. Automation should be viewed as an ally, not an enemy, he said at the time. "If we understand it, if we plan for it, if we apply it well, automation will not be a job destroyer or a family displaced. Instead, it can remove dullness from the work of man and provide him with more than man has ever had before."

This book presents a detailed review of the state of the art in deep learning approaches for semantic object detection and segmentation in medical image computing, microscopic image analysis, and large-scale radiology database mining. A particular focus is placed on the application of convolutional neural networks, with the theory supported by practical examples. This book describes a range of different methods that make use of deep learning for object or landmark detection tasks in 2D and 3D medical imaging; examines a varied selection of techniques for semantic segmentation using deep learning principles in medical imaging; introduces a novel approach to interleaved text and image deep mining on a large-scale radiology image database. Dr. Yang is the founder of the Biomedical Image Computing and Imaging Informatics (BICI2) lab (http://www.bme.ufl.edu/labs/yang/). His major research interests are focus on biomedical image analysis and imaging informatics, computer vision, biomedical informatics and machine learning.

DAVOS, Switzerland (Reuters) - Open markets and global trade have been blamed for job losses over the last decade, but global CEOs say the real culprits are increasingly machines. And while business leaders gathered at the annual World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos relish the productivity gains technology can bring, they warned this week that the collateral damage to jobs needs to be addressed more seriously. From taxi drivers to healthcare professionals, technologies such as robotics, driverless cars, artificial intelligence and 3-D printing mean more and more types of jobs are at risk. Adidas, for example, aims to use 3-D printing in the manufacture of some running shoes. "Jobs will be lost, jobs will evolve and this revolution is going to be ageless, it's going to be classless and it's going to affect everyone," said Meg Whitman, chief executive of Hewlett Packard Enterprise.

Whole brain segmentation: automated labeling of neuroanatomical structures in the human brain.

Legal tech start-up, Juro, this week announced it had received significant funding to help grow its AI-powered contract system (see story here). Artificial Lawyer caught up with co-founder and former Freshfields lawyer, Richard Mabey to find out more. We discussed how Juro works, the difference between selling legal tech to lawyers and non-lawyers and where the UK-based company is headed. First, congratulations on the $750k in seed funding for Juro, that is a great sign of confidence from what are experienced tech investors. Can you set out for the readers broadly what Juro does?

Fears that accelerating automation is going to eat its lion's share of jobs continue to plague corporate sectors. However, new research from McKinsey Global Institute may talk folks afflicted with automation phobias down from the ledge. The research group says that although half of today's work activities could be automated, it may not happen until 2055. Where the statistic falls along the S curve depends on various factors, such as breakthroughs in artificial intelligence and economic conditions, says Michael Chui, a McKinsey Global Institute partner and an author of the report. Chuiand other researchers analyzed 800 occupations and 2,000 job tasks.

Fears that accelerating automation is going to eat its lion's share of jobs continue to plague corporate sectors. However, new research from McKinsey Global Institute may talk folks afflicted with automation phobias down from the ledge. The research group says that although half of today's work activities could be automated, it may not happen until 2055. Where the statistic falls along the S curve depends on various factors, such as breakthroughs in artificial intelligence and economic conditions, says Michael Chui, a McKinsey Global Institute partner and an author of the report. Chuiand other researchers analyzed 800 occupations and 2,000 job tasks.

Digital transformation sits atop the strategic agenda for enterprises, according to a Forbes Insights and Hitachi survey of 573 top executives worldwide. The next two years are critical in this regard, as half of survey respondents believe that their organizations will be vastly digitally transformed in that time. It won't be an easy undertaking. Technology is at the core of every digital transformation, with the digital transformation imperative ushering in an era of unprecedented change. However, digital transformation is not about technology. Rather, it uses technology as a means to an end and goes beyond business.