A small company developing an implantable brain computer interface to help treat conditions like paralysis has received the go-ahead from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to kick off clinical trials of its flagship device later this year. New York-based Synchron announced Wednesday it has received FDA approval to begin an early feasibility study of its Stentrode implant later this year at Mount Sinai Hospital with six human subjects. The study will examine the safety and efficacy of its motor neuroprosthesis in patients with severe paralysis, with the hopes the device will allow them to use brain data to "control digital devices and achieve improvements in functional independence." "Patients begin using the device at home soon after implantation and may wirelessly control external devices by thinking about moving their limbs. The system is designed to facilitate better communication and functional independence for patients by enabling daily tasks like texting, emailing, online commerce and accessing telemedicine," the company said in a release.

To learn a skill, we gather knowledge, practice carefully, and monitor our performance. Eventually, we become better at that activity. Machine learning is a technique that allows computers to do just that. We all know what we mean by intelligence when we say it, but describing it is problematic. Leaving aside emotion and self-awareness, a working description could be the ability to learn new skills and absorb knowledge and to apply them to new situations to achieve the desired outcome.

Have you ever thought that, eventually, business would go back to normal and everything would be "business as usual"? If so, it's time to rethink what "as usual" actually means. The business world keeps evolving, and brands continuously keep adopting new ways to meet the demands of their target audience. The needs of customers are never constant, as they vary from one person to the other. However, a brand has the responsibility to ensure they meet every consumer's needs, as it is how they add value.

The machines are not becoming human. Among those technologists at the forefront of artificial intelligence (AI) -- those developing its deep learning algorithms, probabilistic graphical models and layered neural networks -- this is common, if not humbling, knowledge. What the machines are doing is imitation, without agency. At their most sophisticated when fed massive data sets, AI frameworks, representations and programming imitate a slice of the human brain process. While exciting brain research initiatives are underway, almost every aspect of the brain remains underinvestigated and partially understood at best.

Computer vision has exploded onto the technology scene over the past decade. Considered one of the most powerful types of artificial intelligence (AI), it has become the technology solution of choice for some of the most complex issues facing industries today. From health care to automotive to manufacturing, computer vision has made great strides to solve real-world problems. One important way that computer vision is advancing is helping heavy industrial facilities protect their most important assets: their people. Computer scientists first began deep explorations of computer vision in the 1960s.

The head of Blizzard Entertainment is stepping down after video game publisher Activision Blizzard was sued by the state of California over alleged sexual harassment and equal pay violations. In a statement posted Tuesday, Blizzard Entertainment announced J. Allen Brack will step down as head of the studio, replaced by Jen Oneal and Mike Ybarra as co-leaders of the studio. Oneal joined Blizzard earlier this year as an executive vice president of development, providing support to franchises Diablo and Overwatch. Ybarra left Xbox to join Blizzard in 2019 as executive vice president and general manager of platform and technology, overseeing the studio's Battle.net "I am confident that Jen Oneal and Mike Ybarra will provide the leadership Blizzard needs to realize its full potential and will accelerate the pace of change," said Brack in a statement.

Both Oneal and Ybarra are relatively new to the company, which develops popular video game titles "World of Warcraft" and "Overwatch." Oneal joined the company in January from Vicarious Visions, another Activision Blizzard subsidiary, and had been overseeing the development and support of Blizzard's Diablo and Overwatch franchises. Ybarra came to Blizzard in November of 2019 after more than 19 years working with Xbox. In his final post there, he served as corporate vice president, overseeing Xbox Live, Xbox Game Pass and Microsoft's now defunct streaming platform, Mixer.

Activision Blizzard Inc. said an executive named in a gender-bias lawsuit filed against the company last month by California regulators is leaving the videogame company. J. Allen Brack is immediately stepping down from his role as president of Blizzard Entertainment, the unit behind hit franchises such as World of Warcraft and Overwatch, the company said Tuesday. Two company veterans, Jen Oneal and Mike Ybarra, were named co-leaders of the unit, which it acquired in 2008. "It became clear to J. Allen Brack and Activision Blizzard leadership that Blizzard Entertainment needs a new direction and leadership given the critical work ahead in terms of workplace culture, game development, and innovation," the company said in a statement. Mr. Brack didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

Do you live in a Smart Home? Can you control your lighting, heating, and electronic devices with nothing more than a smartphone? It's no secret that demand for smart homes and devices has gone from novelty to necessity. Artificial Intelligence (AI) assistants like Siri and Alexa have exploded in popularity and have been accepted into millions of homes. Many consumers have come to not only accept the help of these devices but have come to rely upon them. Can you even begin to imagine life today without social media, smartphones, or GPS systems?

Each of the 11 new research institutes, which are headed by major research universities, will ... [ ] receive about $20 million over five years. The National Science Foundation (NSF) announced today that it was funding 11 new National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Research Institutes. The latest grants follow a first round of seven AI research institutes established in 2020. The new investment totals $220 million and expands the network of these institutes to a total of 40 states and the District of Columbia, according to NSF. "I am delighted to announce the establishment of new NSF National AI Research Institutes as we look to expand into all 50 states," said National Science Foundation Director Sethuraman Panchanathan in the agency's news release. "These institutes are hubs for academia, industry and government to accelerate discovery and innovation in AI. Inspiring talent and ideas everywhere in this important area will lead to new capabilities that improve our lives from medicine to entertainment to transportation and cybersecurity and position us in the vanguard of competitiveness and prosperity."