The Earth Observation Satellite Planning (EOSP) is a difficult optimization problem with considerable practical interest. A set of requested observations must be scheduled on an agile Earth observation satellite while respecting constraints on their visibility window, as well as maneuver constraints that impose varying delays between successive observations. In addition, the problem is largely oversubscribed: there are much more candidate observations than what can possibly be achieved. Therefore, one must select the set of observations that will be performed while maximizing their weighted cumulative benefit, and propose a feasible schedule for these observations. As previous work mostly focused on heuristic and iterative search algorithms, this paper presents a new technique for selecting and scheduling observations based on Graph Neural Networks (GNNs) and Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL). GNNs are used to extract relevant information from the graphs representing instances of the EOSP, and DRL drives the search for optimal schedules. Our simulations show that it is able to learn on small problem instances and generalize to larger real-world instances, with very competitive performance compared to traditional approaches.

Job-Shop Scheduling Problem (JSSP) is a combinatorial optimization problem where tasks need to be scheduled on machines in order to minimize criteria such as makespan or delay. To address more realistic scenarios, we associate a probability distribution with the duration of each task. Our objective is to generate a robust schedule, i.e. that minimizes the average makespan. This paper introduces a new approach that leverages Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) techniques to search for robust solutions, emphasizing JSSPs with uncertain durations. Key contributions of this research include: (1) advancements in DRL applications to JSSPs, enhancing generalization and scalability, (2) a novel method for addressing JSSPs with uncertain durations. The Wheatley approach, which integrates Graph Neural Networks (GNNs) and DRL, is made publicly available for further research and applications.

That is not happening and we are behind schedule with that. The technology involved in getting the camera small enough that it doesn't fill the screen is a challenge. So we're still using the same system which is Nico [Klinger, FIA deputy safety delegate] following the in-car cameras.

In March of 2021, the Santa Fe Institute hosted a workshop as part of its Foundations of Intelligence in Natural and Artificial Systems project. This project seeks to advance the field of artificial intelligence by promoting interdisciplinary research on the nature of intelligence. During the workshop, speakers from diverse disciplines gathered to develop a taxonomy of intelligence, articulating their own understanding of intelligence and how their research has furthered that understanding. In this report, we summarize the insights offered by each speaker and identify the themes that emerged during the talks and subsequent discussions.

USING A computer used to mean bashing away at a keyboard. Then it meant tapping on a touchscreen. Increasingly, it means simply speaking. Over 100m devices powered by Alexa, Amazon's voice assistant, rest on the world's shelves. Apple's offering, Siri, processes 25bn requests a month. By 2025 the market for such technology could be worth more than $27bn.

Ford's transition from automaker to mobility company took another step forward in a small office space in downtown Ann Arbor this week. Instead of a new car or fancy self-driving tech update, Ford's big news was, basically, an AI-powered database. Standing next to a big 3D model of the city, Ford's vice president of mobility, marketing and growth, Brett Wheatley, announced the Ford City Insights platform. It uses AI and data from various sources--among them traffic cameras, parking garages, and police reports--to analyze everything from where collisions are most likely to happen to which roads would be best served by microtransit shuttles or scooters. The City Insights platform is made up of four main sectors: safety, parking, transit, and a 3D model that makes sense of the other three.

Investors and workers in the ever -expanding local business process outsourcing (BPO) sector are being warned about the dangers of the evolving development of artificial intelligence (AI) within the scientific community and the effects it can have on the industry. According to Science, Energy and Technology Minister Dr Andrew Wheatley who was speaking at last week's inaugural Symposium and Exposition in Montego Bay, St James, the direction of the continued innovation within the technological sector towards AI will have profound effects on the BPO sector. "Some persons may interpret it as being troubling developments, but I want for us to look at it more from the perspective that it provides an opportunity for us to be more innovative," said Wheatley. "These developments, I am sure, will have profound effects on our way of life, on our way of doing business, on our way of interacting with each other. It will also have profound effects on the BPO sector. In fact, it has already started."

Lots of gangster movies end in a shoot-out. Director Ben Wheatley's new tough-guy flick, Free Fire, begins with shots fired--and never stops. The entire movie is a firefight. "It started from reading an FBI transcript of a gun battle in Miami that happened in the 1980s. It was kind of forensic blow-by-blow report," Wheatley says.

This annual gathering sees robotics experts from all over the planet fielding teams of battling soccerbots in a bid for robot football supremacy. In this CNET special feature, we take you inside the tournament, revealing the goals, dives and cutting-edge technology deployed in this quirky footie-fest. This year's tournament took place in Leipzig, Germany, where robots across both humanoid and non-humanoid leagues went head-to-head. Meet the Australian team out to defend their title, see why a change to the regulation ball has scores of robots baffled, and enjoy the sight of extremely adorable robots falling over -- then hopping right back up again. Hit play on the video above to check it out, and see more videos from RoboCup below. The pace of artificial intelligence is relentless, so it's not surprising that robot competitors are frequently retired from the game.