Project Maven, the Pentagon-backed AI imaging initiative that seeks to "result in improved safety for citizens and nations through faster identification of evils such as violent extremist activities and human right [sic] abuses," marks just the first steps along very long road for the American defense and intelligence industries. Maven uses drone footage to build its machine learning models, and drew media attention earlier this year when Google backed out of the project over the concerns of dissident employees. The employees, some 3,000 of whom signed a petition against any involvement with the US military, demanded the company not contribute to any research that would be used for wartime applications. General James Holmes of the US Air Force told reporters last month, however, that the US would need to vigorously pursue such research if it wanted to seriously deter war. A stance the Pentagon has thrown its weight behind, releasing a memo earlier this week announcing the establishment of the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center.

What little mystery surrounded DJI's upcoming Mavic 2 drone appears to have evaporated. Numerous UK residents have noticed that the latest Argos catalog includes a prominent ad for the Mavic 2 that reveals just about everything, including some clarifications on past leaks. It doesn't appear to have a removable gimbal, alas. Instead, there will be separate Mavic 2 Pro and Mavic 2 Zoom models tailored to specific needs. The'regular' Zoom model would include a 2X optical zoom lens for aerial close-ups, while the Pro would pack a Hasselblad camera with a 1-inch sensor and no zoom. You'd have to decide whether quality or flexibility is your main focus.

ISLAMABAD – Over the years, Pakistan's Imran Khan has been known for his anti-American rhetoric, once even suggesting he might, as prime minister, order the shooting down of U.S. drones targeting al-Qaida figures along the Pakistan-Afghan border. Now that Khan is poised to become nuclear-armed Pakistan's leader, Washington will be watching closely for signs of whether he will follow a path of confrontation or continue with the conciliatory tone he struck in his election victory speech. His attitude toward the United States and President Donald Trump -- to whom Khan has often been compared as a populist shaking up the established political order -- could determine the future of a crucial but fraught relationship. Officially allies in fighting terrorism, Pakistan and the United States have a complicated relationship, bound by Washington's dependence on Pakistan to supply its troops in Afghanistan but plagued by accusations that Islamabad is playing a double game. Tensions have grown over U.S. complaints that the Afghan Taliban and al-Haqqani network that target American troops in Afghanistan are allowed to shelter on Pakistani soil.

When artificial intelligence is brought up in conversation, the classic idea of a robot versus a human emerges – somewhat of an us-versus-them mentality – but artificial intelligence works at its best when it – machine learning, natural language processing, and robotics – is viewed as a partnership with the human workforce. Enter augmented intelligence, which sits at the nexus between artificial intelligence and humans, and revolves around technology helping people to complete their work more efficiently and allowing them to focus more on high-value "human-only" type activities. Today's utilities are faced with multiple market disruptions including the proliferation of distributed energy sources, evolving regulatory and policy changes, the increased adoption of energy efficiency products and programs, changing consumer behaviors, and an imperative to modernize their technologies and processes. Faced with these disruptions, utility executives can leverage innovative approaches such as augmented intelligence to position themselves for success. Utilities make investments in new equipment by upgrading existing assets, such as transformers and substations, and performing preventative maintenance -- all with the goal of improving reliability of service.

A Saudi-led coalition has launched air raids on Yemen's Hodeidah, in an apparent resumption of military operations on the strategic Red Sea city after Houthi rebels attacked two Saudi oil tankers and one of the United Arab Emirates' (UAE) main airports. The Houthi-run al-Masirah TV said in a series of tweets on Friday that coalition air strikes had targeted a radio station inside the city and a fishing pier. There were no immediate reports of casualties. The latest offensive on the port city of Hodeidah came a day after Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for a drone attack on Abu Dhabi's international airport. According to the Al-Masirah television channel, the Sammad-3 drone launched three attacks on the airport.

The UK government could ban kids from owning drones weighing over 250g (0.55 lbs), under rules drawn up by the Department for Transport. The proposals suggest children could fly a heavier drone under adult supervision if someone older owns and has registered it. The age limit could be pegged at 18, partly because that's the minimum age for most insurance policies. Officials are consulting on a number of drone-related proposals, with a view to publishing a Drones Bill later this year. Proposals that are being considered include online safety tests and required registration for drones weighing over 250g -- that falls in line with FAA registration rules in the US.

Yemen's Houthi rebels say they attacked Abu Dhabi's international airport in the United Arab Emirates with a drone. According to the Houthi-run Al-Masirah television channel, the Sammad-3 drone launched three attacks on the airport on Thursday. It was not immediately clear if there was any damage or casualties. Abu Dhabi airport tweeted earlier in the day there had been an incident involving a supply vehicle that had not affected operations. It was unclear if it was related to the reported drone attack.

DUBAI (Reuters) - Yemen's Iranian-aligned Houthi movement said on Thursday it had attacked Abu Dhabi airport in the United Arab Emirates with a drone, though it was not immediately clear if there was any damage or casualties.

LONDON, / CHICAGO – Boffins at U.K. engineering giant Rolls-Royce proudly displayed an array of miniature robots at this year's Farnborough air show, best known as a major marketplace for passenger planes but also a test bed for the aviation industry's wilder imaginings. Designed to speed up engine overhauls, the manufacturer's tiny cockroach-like drones would remove the need for power plants to be detached from aircraft during maintenance work. The "swarming" bots, less than half an inch across, are designed to roam engine turbines in gangs, beaming pictures back to inspection crews after being deposited by so-called "snake" hosts that work their way through the engine. If the bots don't get you the drones will. The biannual air show was awash with unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs, ranging from delivery craft that guarantee to gently deposit a parcel by your door to the latest military types intent on blowing stuff up.

Airplanes fly over Xiamen City, southeast China's Fujian Province, July 18, 2018. After a short holiday, we have a lot to catch up on. AI made huge leaps and has made insurance claims 176,000 times more efficient than humans, China has opened their low-altitude airspace for the booming drone industry, and classrooms are getting quantified using AI and brain research. Let's get you the news. Yes, you read that correctly.