Oxford Insights’ AI News Roundup #3
By Katie Passey and Scarlet George
Welcome to the third edition of AI Roundup — your fortnightly newsletter on AI from around the world — brought to you this week by our researcher Katie.
___________________________________________________________________
From Oxford Insights:
André Petheran and Isak Nti Asare
From open data to artificial intelligence: the next frontier in anti-corruption
Laura Caccia
Beyond borders: talking at TEDxLondon
Hannah Miller and Isak Nti Asare
Why every city needs to take action on AI
___________________________________________________________________
Europe
Artificial intelligence used to predict how cancers will evolve and spread ❲Oxford Mail❳
Scientists have used artificial intelligence to predict how cancers will progress and evolve, which could help doctors design the most effective treatment for each patient.
Is Gmail’s smart reply useful or creepy? ❲The London Free Press❳
The customised auto-responses come in the latest version of Gmail on the web and expand on a feature already available on Android devices and iPhones. They’re just one more example of how artificial intelligence is seeping into everyday online life, whether it’s to tailor product recommendations or correct spelling.
___________________________________________________________________
North America
Artificial intelligence is now a Pentagon priority. Will Silicon Valley help? ❲The New York Times❳
In a May memo to President Trump, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis implored him to create a national strategy for artificial intelligence. Mr. Mattis argued that the United States was not keeping pace with the ambitious plans of China and other countries.
Ethical AI standard and the Canadian group making it happen ❲IT World Canada❳
Industry-wide ethical standards for artificial intelligence may currently be lacking but the CIO Strategy Council says it is ready to create standardised policies to help Canadian companies and governments.
___________________________________________________________________
South America
Colombia Looks to Slash Cryptocurrency Tax Rates for Blockchain Startups ❲Bitcoin Exchange Guide❳
The new Colombian president, Iván Duque, has promised that it may cut taxes for crypto and blockchain companies. This is very positive for virtual currency companies in the region that are searching to locate their headquarters.
___________________________________________________________________
Middle East and North Africa
UAE to monitor climate change with AI ❲tahawul tech❳
The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and the Environment has launched the Artificial Intelligence Laboratory in collaboration with Khalifa University of Science and Technology and the International Renewable Energy Agency at the Ministry’s headquarters in Dubai. The lab utilises artificial intelligence techniques to identify concentrated solar energy locations, monitor and analyse levels and sources of air pollutants in the country.
Saudi Arabia has Sophia, and now Egypt, wants a robot, too ❲Bloomberg❳
Egypt’s labyrinthine bureaucracy is tiptoeing into the 21st century. The Arab world’s most populous nation is building its own version of Sophia, the robot that was granted Saudi citizenship to dramatize the kingdom’s plan to build a $500 billion futuristic city.
___________________________________________________________________
Sub-Saharan Africa
This fintech startup has what it takes to change the credit system in Nigeria ❲Ventures❳
Mines, a Nigerian fintech startup revolutionising the credit system in emerging economies closed a Series A funding round of $13 million earlier this month. The round of funding, which was led by The Rise Fund, a global fund managed by TPG Growth, will enable Mines to intensify talent acquisition to supplement the company’s technical needs, continuous growth in Africa, and expansion to countries in South America and South-East Asia.
___________________________________________________________________
Asia
What does AI-generated art look like? ❲Document Journal❳
An exhibition at Nature Morte in New Dehli showcases the artwork generated not by human hand, but by artificial intelligence.
Japan developing ‘pre-crime’ artificial intelligence to predict money laundering and terror attacks ❲South China Morning Post❳
Japan’s police and military are to separately begin tests of artificial intelligence systems to predict crimes and the activities of suspicious vessels at sea, including the potential threats foreign ships may pose to Japanese territory.
Singapore driving smart nation development through AI education ❲Tech Wire Asia❳
Singapore is laying down the groundwork for the development of artificial intelligence through education. Two new initiatives led by AI Singapore will target 12,000 industry professionals and young students in an effort to build up local skill sets in AI.
___________________________________________________________________
Oceania
Robots ready to start killing crown-of-thorns starfish on Great Barrier Reef ❲ABC❳
It looks like a tiny yellow submarine, but this underwater drone is on a mission to kill. In a bid to eradicate the pest, Queensland researchers have developed world-first robots to administer a lethal injection to the starfish using new technology.
Does artificial intelligence have a role in the wool industry? ❲Sheep Central❳
The first-of-its-kind artificial intelligence research project, investigated by a collaboration of Australian Wool Innovation, neXtgen Agri Ltd, and the University of Sydney, will investigate the potential of applying AI in the sheep and wool industry.
___________________________________________________________________
We’d love to hear your thoughts on our newsletter. Please feel free to get in contact via airoundup@oxfordinsights.com
