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Archive for the ‘economics’ category: Page 204

Jan 20, 2016

British parliament to consider motion on universal basic income

Posted by in categories: economics, policy

MPs in the British Parliament are being asked to consider the question of introducing a universal basic income paid unconditionally to all citizens.

An Early Day Motion on the policy, tabled by Green Party MP Caroline Lucas, calls on the Government to commission research into the idea’s effects and examine its feasibility to replace the UK’s existing social security system.

The motion, which raises the profile of the idea but is very unlikely to be adopted into law, says the policy “has the potential to offer genuine social security to all while boosting entrepreneurialism”.

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Jan 19, 2016

Connecting The Dots to Get the Big Picture with Artificial Intelligence

Posted by in categories: big data, disruptive technology, economics, information science, machine learning

Ask the average passerby on the street to describe artificial intelligence and you’re apt to get answers like C-3PO and Apple’s Siri. But for those who follow AI developments on a regular basis and swim just below the surface of the broad field , the idea that the foreseeable AI future might be driven more by Big Data rather than big discoveries is probably not a huge surprise. In a recent interview with Data Scientist and Entrepreneur Eyal Amir, we discussed how companies are using AI to connect the dots between data and innovation.

Image credit: Startup Leadership Program Chicago

Image credit: Startup Leadership Program Chicago

According to Amir, the ability to make connections between big data together has quietly become a strong force in a number of industries. In advertising for example, companies can now tease apart data to discern the basics of who you are, what you’re doing, and where you’re going, and tailor ads to you based on that information.

“What we need to understand is that, most of the time, the data is not actually available out there in the way we think that it is. So, for example I don’t know if a user is a man or woman. I don’t know what amounts of money she’s making every year. I don’t know where she’s working,” said Eyal. “There are a bunch of pieces of data out there, but they are all suggestive. (But) we can connect the dots and say, ‘she’s likely working in banking based on her contacts and friends.’ It’s big machines that are crunching this.”

Continue reading “Connecting The Dots to Get the Big Picture with Artificial Intelligence” »

Jan 19, 2016

LinkNYC’s free gigabit Wi-Fi is here, and it is glorious

Posted by in categories: economics, habitats, internet, mobile phones

I’m standing on the corner of 15th Street and Third Avenue in New York City, and I’m freezing. But my iPhone is on fire. After connecting to one of LinkNYC’s gigabit wireless hotspots, the futuristic payphone replacements that went live for beta testing this morning, I’m seeing download speeds of 280 Mbps and upload speeds of 317 Mbps (based on Speedtest’s benchmark). To put it in perspective, that’s around ten times the speed of the average American home internet connection (which now sits at 31 Mbps). And to top it all off, LinkNYC doesn’t cost you a thing.

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Jan 19, 2016

Impossible Foods

Posted by in categories: economics, food, habitats

We love meat. We love cheese. And for thousands of years we have relied on animals to make them. Impossible Foods has found a better way. We use plants to make the best meats and cheeses you’ll ever eat.

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Jan 18, 2016

The Fourth Industrial Revolution is already here

Posted by in categories: business, economics, employment, nanotechnology, quantum physics

Very interesting; the article highlights that there was no mention of job losses in 2020 within the IT field instead the writer highlights a shortage of IT resources to fill the jobs. And, thoroughly appreciate that the writer highlighted that Quantum, Nanobots, etc. are making the 4th Industrial Revolution happen; I couldn’t agree more.


To be sure, the Fourth Industrial Revolution is still in its nascent state. But with the pace of change and disruption to business and society so swift these days, the time to join in is now.

Author: Gary Coleman is the Global Industry and Senior Client Advisor for Deloitte Consulting and lead partner in Deloitte’s strategic relationship with the World Economic Forum. Follow him on Twitter@gcoleman_gary. He is participating in the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting in Davos.

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Jan 18, 2016

Report from Davos: 5 million jobs to be lost by 2020 because of tech advances

Posted by in categories: 3D printing, biotech/medical, economics, employment, genetics, robotics/AI

In less than 4 yrs. 5 million jobs will be lost is the prediction.


A new report predicts a loss of 5 million jobs in the next five years because of technological advances, but don’t blame it all on the robots.

The other culprits: artificial intelligence, 3-D printers and advances in genetics, biotech and more.

Continue reading “Report from Davos: 5 million jobs to be lost by 2020 because of tech advances” »

Jan 16, 2016

Beyond Money: A Future of Passion & Progress

Posted by in category: economics

As we continue growing as a technological society at an exponential rate, what will the fate of money be as a result? — Francesco Amati for Serious Wonder.

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Jan 15, 2016

Think Like a Workplace Futurist

Posted by in categories: business, economics, energy

It truly takes more than 10 year products and services roadmap to retain a company’s competitive edge these days especially with the current sophisticated and high demand consumers. Futurists truly are the NextGen Disrupters.


In the first quarter of 2015, Millennials finally overtook Generation X as the largest cohort in the workplace — there are more than 53.5 million of them working today. Their massive size and economic power has had marketers and business leaders tracking the “Millennial mindset” for years.

And yet, nipping at their heels, here comes Generation Z, the oldest of who are just starting to come of age. The U.S. Census estimates that Generation Z will include close to 80 million members — a number that eclipses the conversation-dominating Millennials.

Continue reading “Think Like a Workplace Futurist” »

Jan 14, 2016

How Will Artificial Intelligence Change War?

Posted by in categories: drones, economics, military, robotics/AI

Davos, US military branches, Time Magazine, etc. are all talking about the Robotic Battlefield.


Automated systems have already reshaped modern warfare, most notably with the widespread use of drones in conflict. Now, experts predict that advances in artificial intelligence could further change how we fight battles.

The new frontiers of warfare are not without ethical questions. Many have already challenged whether the United States should use unmanned drones to kill terrorists.

Continue reading “How Will Artificial Intelligence Change War?” »

Jan 13, 2016

Half of plastic trash in oceans comes from 5 countries

Posted by in categories: economics, health, materials

If true, this might mean there’s a “low hanging fruit” solution to ocean gyre garbage — a targeted effort to improve garbage collection in a small number of cities in developing nations, might dramatically reduce it. Hint, hint, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation! Side benefit would be greatly improving the lives of people in those cities, with some obvious health benefits along the way.


Economic growth in these countries is outpacing infrastructure, and their trash is collecting in the sea.

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