The pressures facing healthcare delivery organizations are well documented: increased regulatory oversight, financial challenges, heightened competition, a shrinking talent pool, and many more. Also well known is the army of consultants, systems integrators and technology companies promising their solutions will address one or more of these market trends. All too often, implementation fails to deliver the promised results, leaving the healthcare organization with a big bill and little to show for it. What if there were new solutions, built on the powerful capabilities of artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) that provided proven, quantifiable cost savings of 30% or more, and consistent improvements in uptime for some of the most expensive equipment healthcare facilities operate? Harbor Research, a leading strategy and technology research firm, notes utilizing AI/ML to leverage complex machine data from healthcare imaging equipment alone will provide $11.1 billion in revenue value (decreased costs/increased revenue generation) by 2022.

BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.--Six decades after the U-2 flew its first mission, the military is trying to harness artificial-intelligence technology to enhance the venerable spy plane's combat reconnaissance capabilities. U.S. Air Force reconnaissance experts have enlisted Stanford University engineering and business students to develop advanced computer programs to analyze the old-style Kodak film currently used by U-2s over Afghanistan, Iraq, Korea, Syria and other hot zones. If successful, computers would quickly scan miles of U-2 film and count cars, airplanes, motorcycles, buildings and even individual people, tasks now performed painstakingly by analysts using eye loupes and illuminated screens. "Our analysts are already saturated with data--too much imagery, too few analysts, and too little time," says U.S. Air Force Col. Jason Brown, commander of the 480th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing. "Imagine if an algorithm could sweep through the data to cue analysts on potential areas of concern. Airmen could spend less time searching and more time making sense of the things they see."

The report said the driver got the warnings to put his hands back on the wheel more than 15 minutes before the crash, and had kept his hands on the wheel for a total of 34 seconds of the last minute before he struck a crash attenuator and concrete barrier on US-101 in Mountain View, California.

From better health care to safer transport and more sustainable farming, artificial intelligence (AI) can bring major benefits to society and the economy. Yet, questions related to the impact of AI on the future of work and existing legislation are raised. According to the European Commission (EC), this calls for a wide, open, and inclusive discussion on how to use and develop AI both successfully and ethically sound. EC Vice President for the Digital Single Market Andrus Ansip says, "Step by step, we are setting up the right environment for Europe to make the most of what artificial intelligence can offer. Data, supercomputers, and bold investment are essential for developing artificial intelligence, along with a broad public discussion combined with the respect of ethical principles for its take-up."

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in health care is poised to soar throughout the globe in the coming years, including to support preventive care in people's homes. The report defines artificial intelligence (AI) as providing "a device or software program the ability to interpret complex data, including images, video, text, and speech or other sounds, and act on that interpretation to achieve a goal." The number of monitoring devices capturing patient data for AI purposes such as predictive analytics will increase exponentially, the report found. Specifically, there were 53,000 such devices in use as of 2017, and there will be 3.1 million as of 2021. "This includes the use of AI for home-based preventive care solutions," an ABI press release stated.

By 2023, the Singapore government aims to have all its public officers equipped with basic digital literacy. This will see 20,000 public officers being trained in data analytics and data science, up from 10,000 it announced previously according to multiple media reports. Meanwhile, to further strengthen integration between policy, operations and technology, chief digital strategy officers have also been appointed to lead and implement digitalisation plans within their ministries and respective agencies. These chief digital strategy officers will be paired with chief information officers, who will support them from a technical perspective, according to the recently released Digital Government Blueprint (DGB). At the middle management and working levels, the Singapore government also looks to help policy and operations officers understand the opportunities which technologies may offer.

WASHINGTON: "I think human extinction will probably occur," said billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, "and technology will likely play a part in this." He does not include his Tesla motor company or SpaceX endeavors among the malevolent innovations threatening humanity. Instead, Musk insists our demise is the exclusive responsibility of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The algorithms that teach computers to interact with us have produced software that seems almost human. They mark our calendars, compile recipes, tailor music and advertising to our tastes, and switch on the house lights at dusk.

The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) has awarded a "call when needed" contract to four U.S. companies for small UAS services. The contract will allow the agency to obtain fully contractor-operated small drones that are ready when needed to support wildland fire operations, search and rescue and other resource missions. "This contract reinforces our commitment to partnering with industry to provide our employees with the latest technology in carrying out their responsibilities as stewards of our nation's public lands while also ensuring their safety is paramount," says Ryan Zinke, DOI Secretary. "These contracted small UAS will supplement the manned firefighting fleet by providing the capability to operate during dense smoke/inversion situations which often occur and have heretofore hampered the aggressive prosecution of destructive wildfires," says Jeff Rupert, director of the DOI's Office of Wildland Fire.

Pedestrians walk along a sidewalk in Tokyo. Japan is responding to a government campaign to get the country's chronically overworked populace to leave the office by 3 p.m. on the last Friday of every month and go spend some cash. They call it Premium Friday. Japanese companies have long been known for their widespread practice of overtime, with employees toiling late into the night after the official end of the business day. Japanese drone startup Blue Innovation has offered a technological solution, a special drone called T-Frend designed to reduce overtime by flying around the office after hours, playing loud music and taking pictures of any staff who are still working and reporting them to management.

Andy Betts is a chief marketer, consultant and digital hybrid with more than 25 years of experience in digital and marketing technology--working across London, Europe, New York, and San Francisco. He works as a global executive adviser and consultant for start-ups, agencies, and many Fortune 500 companies. He spends considerable time working in marketing technology communities on strategic marketing initiatives, influence and public relations projects.