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Tag: Artificial Intelligence courses

How AI Can Improve Life Differently?

Posted on by Imarticus Learning
Reading Time: 2 minutes

As more tech companies invest in Artificial Intelligence or AI, the realm of possibilities continues to expand. One of the emerging fields in which AI is on the cusp of making real breakthroughs is with human disabilities. AI is what runs the likes of Siri and Alexa, and this type of development is focused on accessible and inclusive designs.

These tech companies are focused on developing AI in order to make all forms of content and information accessible to everyone. One of the most visible and successful examples of AI for people with disabilities was Stephen Hawking. AI helped him not just continue his research and studies but also helped him impart his vast knowledge while also allowing him movement.

Current Algorithms

Microsoft is one of the largest investors in AI and has spent many hours and dollars on developing new technologies that include people with disabilities. The Microsoft Seeing Ai allows visually impaired people to recognize people, money, text, and more by narrating the world that the user inhabits. Microsoft Hello uses biometric login such as face recognition and fingerprint or iris scans.

This can be particularly useful for people who have physical disabilities or for people who are dyslexic. The FCC has made it mandatory to provide closed captions for speech and sound effects. With machine learning, Google has been able to roll out the same features for YouTube videos. This allows people with hearing impairment to enjoy the full range of the video.

The Future

With about 15% of the world’s population living with some disability and a rapidly aging population in many countries, companies have been invested in finding solutions that help seamlessly. One of the most ambitious ideas is to create robot caregivers. With Honda developing the ASIMO, this future seems more achievable. The idea is to have these caregivers help in order to fit the needs of the individual.

From making coffee to making sure your prescriptions are filled, they will be a valuable asset for many. Another concept that is still in the nascent stage but can prove to be life-changing for those paralyzed is robotic exoskeletons. These can help relieve pressure and even provide movement for the paralyzed region.

What Do We Need?

For AI to truly have an impact on the differently-abled, a lot of forces need to come together with the express idea of including all people. Currently, companies seem to be suffering from a lack of awareness and how their technologies are effectively alienating people. Alexa and Siri are useless for those who have a hearing impairment.

As more companies begin to embrace universal design principles, more people will be able to use these devices. These companies must work with people with disabilities when testing a product. They can do so by working with universities. Lastly, governments need to shake their apathy and start defining the needs of the differently-abled in a social and cultural context.

There is no doubt that Artificial Intelligence can significantly improve the lifestyle of a physically disables person while also providing them with dignity. However, much of the research and development is still at a nascent stage. Working on inclusive design principles will benefit the companies that are on the cusp of AI R&D.

Digital Skills and Asian Job Market – What You Should Be Aware Of!

Posted on by Imarticus Learning
Reading Time: 3 minutes

Digital Skills
With increasing digitization of everything from payments to record keeping, the demand for digital skills in the job market is on an ever increasing trend. Digital skills may be classified into big data analytics, artificial intelligence and machine learning in the field of Data science; cryptography in areas of passwords and security in digital space; search engine optimization, video editing in the field of digital marketing and application development in the field of mobile technology.
The other skills which are much in demand are cloud-based applications, database management, programming and coding skills along with the ability to adapt and be adept at new technologies. Asia is one the regions where digital skills are most in demand. Moreover, the demand is poised to increase rapidly in the years to come as companies transform themselves to become a part of the digital revolution alongside the rise of digital start-ups.  
Asian Job Market
China, India, Singapore and Australia are some of the major countries in Asia where the job market for Digital skills is hot. From traditional banks and consumer retail companies to upcoming start-ups, digital skills can get you a job in a host of varied and diverse companies, roles and profiles.
In one of the top markets for Technology related Jobs, Singapore, digital marketing strategy and social media marketing are the top 2 skills that are in demand by the recruiters. Governmental as well as non-governmental agencies are looking to hire professionals with experience in the digital domain or even the freshers who possess high skills in such areas. Pricing strategy, mobile marketing and reputation management in the online space are other areas which can get you a job in Singapore.
In India, software jobs are most sought after and well-paying jobs. The Indian software job market is witnessing an upgrade of skills from basic coding to analytics, machine learning and artificial intelligence. However, application development, cloud services skills andidatabase management skills are still pretty much in vogue. Social media marketing jobs are on the rise along with digital advertisement, video editing and search engine optimization. Content creators in the digital space too are in demand in the Indian job market.
China is experiencing a shortage of high-end skilled workers. Companies like Alibaba, Tencent, Baidu and Huawei are promised high end technical and engineering related jobs to the highly skilled workers are mostly foreign educated and return to China to get jobs. Internet/ e-commerce are on a boom in China, and hence digital skills are more in demand and lucrative now than in any time in its history. Artificial intelligence skills and data science skills like natural language processing, speech recognition, visual skills, pattern recognition and data analytics in other related subjects are one of the most sought-after skills that recruiters look for in the prospective employees.
Australia too is facing a massive shortage in employee skills. With the digital boom, the market is looking for skilled professional for high-end digital marketing roles, but the present job market in Australia is facing a skill gap. The most in-demand digital skills in Australia are analytical skills regarding big data analytics, content creation and marketing skills and digital accounting to handle payments and receivables in the digital space.
Thailand is undergoing digitalization at a fast pace, and the companies are looking at strengthening their digital capabilities. Thailand is poised to become a part of the eastern economic corridor and emerge as a smart digital hub in the region.
Plenty of opportunities for skilled professionals
We notice from the above trends that there is no dearth of opportunities in the digital arena if one is skilled enough to provide solutions. The need of the hour is up-gradation of skills to match the industry demands.     

Using Artificial Intelligence in Indian Farming Sector: The Way Forward

Posted on by Imarticus Learning
Reading Time: 2 minutes

India’s roots and foundation have been agrarian, and they continue to remain so. The India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF) reported that 58% of rural households in the country depended on agriculture for their livelihood, as of 2018. On the level of the national economy, agricultural services and machinery industries have led to a cash influx through foreign direct investments of about $2.45 billion. 

Looking at these metrics, it is clear that the agricultural sector has much to gain through the use of technology to advance its crop yield, in ways that grow the sector and benefit the farmers. The field of. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has shown scope for widespread application and impact. The most popular uses of AI in farming span the life-cycle of sowing, caring, harvest, and selling. Here, we detail some applications of AI usage in the farming sector across different periods of harvest. 

Predictive Technology
Predictive technology such as Microsoft India’s AI-based sowing app has addressed a critical issue of the right time in crop sowing. The right sowing time cuts losses through seed costs and fertilizer applications. To automate this through historic data, this predictive app uses data from over 3 decades to determine the optimal sowing period, which is then shared with the farmers via text messages. The findings from their pilot run indicated that crops sowed at the time predicted by the AI-based app lead to 30% higher yields in the targeted geographical location.

Microsoft India has extended this further and uses AI & machine learning to assess the risk of pest attacks on crops. This helps farmers take preventive action before it is too late. On the other end of the spectrum, makers of predictive AI tools have even reached out to governments and policymakers through their price forecasting feature for agricultural goods.

Automating Tasks
The World Urbanization Prospects report a massive movement of population from rural to urban areas, thus leaving fewer hands-on-deck in the rural areas where agriculture thrives. This creates a need for automation of tasks that were previously manual.

Using automation AI-based tools that help operation through remote locations, agricultural operations can rely lesser on manual efforts in their processes such as driver-less tractors and automated irrigation systems that account for weather conditions.

Image Recognition Tools
Through image recognition, certain AI-apps have been developed that identify potential defects and certain deficiencies in the soil that’s easily captured by any smartphone. This app is called Plantix and has been developed by a Berlin-based start-up called PEAT. Once these deficiencies are found out, the farmers are then equipped with solutions such as soil restoration techniques and more so as to address the issue found. 

What’s Next?
Thanks to the success of AI-driven modifications in the farming sector in India, the path has been forged and is followed by plenty of upcoming technologies. The challenge is to reduce costs so as to make it marketable in a mass way. It is predicted by technology experts that crop and soil monitoring techniques will remain important tools even as climate change is being increasingly studied and documented.  

The tools currently seek to address the core issues in the agricultural sector such as crop yield increase, soil health, and pest prevention. It is even anticipated that AI robots might soon start making an impact in this sector.
While there is significant progress, the ground is fertile for newer technologies to take root in the Indian home soil of agriculture.