This involves taking multiple images to detect an object more than once within a short enough time for the detections to be linked. The actual linkage of detection can include decision trees or the connection of several detections together within similar co-moving velocities (Kubica et al., 2005; Masci et al., 2019). Multiple detection linking algorithms can link the detections of both point-source, asteroidal detections and those that are extended, as for comets. Even for comets, whose detections have a large, extended appearance, multiple detections can be linked as for point sources if the measurement of the comet's position relative to the moving frame of the object is consistent from detection to detection (Denneau et al., 2013). However, in some survey imaging pipelines, extended objects, defined as having a width more expansive than the measured width for known point sources, can be flagged as potential outliers and removed from further processing (Duev et al., 2019).

Airbus SE is using artificial intelligence to squeeze cost out of its finance function, an experiment launched in the aircraft maker's Americas division that could save the corporation millions of dollars annually if rolled out in other regions. It's one of the latest examples of how companies across sectors are digitizing operations to increase efficiency, reduce human error and free up employees for tasks that require more human judgment, such as strategic planning, analysis and audits. "Companies can now automate highly repetitive activity at a lower cost with a higher degree of accuracy," said David Axson, head of the CFO consulting practice at Accenture Strategy, a unit of consulting firm Accenture PLC. "This especially applies to high-volume-use cases like accounts payable." Less than half of companies' accounts-payable activity worldwide is currently automated, Accenture Strategy says.

MACHINE-LEARNING is beginning to shake up finance. A subset of artificial intelligence (AI) that excels at finding patterns and making predictions, it used to be the preserve of technology firms. The financial industry has jumped on the bandwagon. To cite just a few examples, "heads of machine-learning" can be found at PwC, a consultancy and auditing firm, at JP Morgan Chase, a large bank, and at Man GLG, a hedge-fund manager. From 2019, anyone seeking to become a "chartered financial analyst", a sought-after distinction in the industry, will need AI expertise to pass his exams.