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Oct 5, 2023

Harnessing AI & Longevity Science — A Blueprint for Lifespan Extension (Tina Woods)

Posted by in categories: biological, genetics, policy, quantum physics, robotics/AI, science, wearables

Tina Woods, serving as Healthy Longevity Champion for the National Innovation Center for Aging, sets forth her vision for a blueprint for healthy longevity for all. Her emphasis is on reaping the “longevity dividend” and achieving five additional years of healthy life expectancy while reducing health and wellbeing inequality. Woods elaborates on the role of emerging technologies like AI, machine learning, and advanced data analysis in comprehending and influencing biological systems related to aging. She also underscores the crucial role of lifestyle changes and the consideration of socio-economic factors in increasing lifespan. The talk also explores the burgeoning field of emotion AI and its application in developing environments for better health outcomes, with a mention of “Longevity Cities,” starting with a trial in Newcastle. In closing, Woods mentions the development of a framework for incentivizing businesses through measurement of their contribution to health in three areas: workforce health, consumer health through products and services, and community health. Woods envisions a future where businesses impacting health negatively are disincentivized, and concludes with the hope that the UK’s healthy longevity innovation mission can harness longevity science and data innovation to improve life expectancy.

00:00:00 — Introduction, National Innovation Center for Aging.
00:00:56 — Discussion on stagnating life expectancy and UK’s life sciences vision.
00:03:50 — Technological breakthroughs (including AI) in analyzing biological systems.
00:06:22 — Understanding what maintains health & wellbeing.
00:08:30 — Hype, hope, important of purpose.
00:10:00 — Psychological aging and “brain capital.“
00:13:15 — Ageism — a barrier to progress in the field of aging.
00:15:46 — Health data, AI and wearables.
00:18:44 — Prevention is key, Health is an asset to invest in.
00:19:13 — Longevity Cities.
00:21:19 — Business for Health and industry incentives.
00:23:13 — Closing.

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Oct 5, 2023

Quantum Dots Explained (2023 Nobel Prize in Chemistry)

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, chemistry, computing, quantum physics, solar power

The 2023 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to three scientists who discovered and developed quantum dots, which are very small particles that can change color depending on their size. Quantum dots are tiny particles of a special kind of material called a semiconductor. They are so small that they behave differently from normal materials. They can absorb and emit light of different colors depending on their size and shape.

You can think of quantum dots as artificial atoms that can be made in a lab! They have some of the same properties as atoms, such as having discrete energy levels (meaning they can only exist in certain distinct energy states, and they cannot have energy values between these specific levels) and being able to form molecules with other quantum dots. But they also have some unique features that make them useful for many applications, such as displays, solar cells, sensors, and medicine, which I shall discuss later in this story!

To grasp the workings of quantum dots, a bit of quantum mechanics knowledge comes in handy. Quantum mechanics teaches us that these tiny entities can possess only specific amounts of energy, and they transition between these energy levels by absorbing or emitting light. The energy of this light is determined by the difference in energy levels. In typical materials like metals or plastics, energy levels are closely packed, forming continuous bands where electrons can move freely, resulting in less specific light absorption or emission. However, in semiconductors like silicon or cadmium selenide, there’s a gap between these bands known as the “band gap.” Electrons can only jump from one band to another by interacting with light having an energy level that precisely matches the band gap, making semiconductors valuable for creating devices like transistors and LEDs.

Oct 5, 2023

Kelly A. Turner — Radical Remission: 10 Healing Factors Common among Exceptional Cancer Survivors

Posted by in category: biotech/medical

This is just Episode 1 of 10 in the powerful Radical Remission docuseries. To learn more, visit: http://radicalremissiondocuseries.com/

In Radical Remission, you’ll meet 21 amazing survivors who healed against all odds by taking control of their healing process, plus dozens of world-renowned scientists, researchers, and doctors who speak to the scientific validity of what the survivors are saying.

Oct 5, 2023

Skydio X10

Posted by in categories: drones, robotics/AI

Skydio X10 autonomous drones deliver the best sensors for a drone this small, piloted by the most advanced AI in the sky.

Oct 5, 2023

Generative AI Is Revolutionizing Music: The Vision For Democratizing Creation

Posted by in categories: media & arts, robotics/AI

For me, one of the most exciting aspects of the recent wave of generative AI technology is the democratizing impact it has on creativity. We’ve seen how anyone can use tools like ChatGPT or Midjourney to express their ideas with words or pictures. And the way we create and listen to music is about to be turned on its head, too.

Loudly is a generative AI-driven music platform that aims to allow anybody to “create, customize and discover music.” Recently, I was joined by founder and CEO Rory Kenny for my podcast, covering a number of topics that I personally find fascinating.

Does AI threaten human creativity by ushering in a future where all of our art and entertainment is conjured up from… More.

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Oct 5, 2023

The Amazing Ways Chinese Tech Giant Alibaba Uses Generative Artificial Intelligence

Posted by in categories: business, robotics/AI

Not to be outdone in the generative artificial intelligence (AI) race, China-based tech giant Alibaba has recently unveiled a number of its own tools and models. Its flagship is its ChatGPT challenging large language model (LLM) called Tongyi Qianwen — cited as one of the largest and most powerful generative chatbots produced so far.

Alibaba is best known in the West as an e-commerce titan, in many ways analogous to Amazon. Like that US company, it’s also a global leader in cloud services provided through its subsidiary Alibaba Cloud.

Its dominance across retail and web services means it is well-positioned to create apps enabling its business customers to launch their own generative AI… More.

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Oct 5, 2023

Why the first-ever space junk fine is such a big deal

Posted by in category: satellites

A fine handed to the US TV firm Dish by the FCC could help kick-start the market for solutions to space debris.

We’ve just taken a major step toward cleaning up space junk. On Monday, October 2, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the US issued its first fine for space debris, ordering the US TV provider Dish to pay $150,000 for failing to move one of its satellites into a safe orbit.

“It is definitely a very big symbolic moment for debris mitigation,” says Michelle Hanlon, a space lawyer at the University of Mississippi. “It’s a great step in the right direction.”

Oct 5, 2023

Underground thermal energy networks are becoming crucial to the US’s energy future

Posted by in categories: energy, futurism

Their advantages extend beyond reducing carbon emissions.

Thirteen US states are now implementing underground thermal energy networks to reduce buildings’ carbon emissions as part of a nationwide push to adopt cleaner energy sources.

Thermal energy networks use pipe loops that connect multiple buildings and provide heating and cooling through water-source heat pumps. Geothermal heat is commonly used in these networks, but it is also possible to bring in waste heat from other buildings through the sewer system.

Oct 5, 2023

Getty Images CEO Craig Peters has a plan to defend photography from AI

Posted by in category: robotics/AI

Getty’s entire brand is built on authenticity. CEO Craig Peters sat down with us at Code to talk about how the company is dealing with AI and disinformation.

We’ve got another great conversation from the Code Conference today: my chat with Getty Images CEO Craig Peters. Getty is one of the most important photography services in the world, and as you might imagine, we talked quite a bit about the promise and peril of generative AI when it comes to photography. Craig was great onstage — he’s direct and no-nonsense about what AI can and can’t do, and we got right into it.

About a year ago, Getty banned users from uploading or selling AI-generated content. At the time, the company said it was… More.

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Oct 5, 2023

AI-powered parking platform Metropolis raises $1.7B to acquire SP Plus

Posted by in category: futurism

AI-powered parking platform Metropolis today announced that it raised $1.7 billion to acquire SP Plus, a provider of parking facility management services, in a combination of equity and debt.

Eldridge Capital and 3L Capital co-led the tranche with participation from BDT & MSD Partners’ affiliated credit funds, Vista Credit Partners, Temasek, Slow Ventures and Assembly Ventures. As a part of the financing, Metropolis will take on $650 million in loans and $1.05 billion in Series C preferred stock financing.

Metropolis will pay roughly $1.5 billion for SP Plus “while retaining significant capital on its balance sheet,” Metropolis co-founder and CEO Alex Israel said in a press release. Prior to the latest fundraise, Metropolis had raised $226 million in total.