Samsung AI Forum 2021 Explores Future of AI Research @SamsungSA #ArtificialIntelligence

Hi Friends, 

Leading academics, industry experts discussed “AI Research for Tomorrow” and “AI in a Human World”

Samsung held the Samsung AI Forum 2021 for two days from November 1 to November 2. Marking its fifth year, the forum gathers world-renowned academics and industry experts on artificial intelligence (AI) and serves as a platform for exchanging ideas, insights and the latest research findings, as well as a platform to discuss the future of AI.

Day 1: AI Research for Tomorrow

On Day 1, which was hosted by Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT), Samsung’s R&D hub dedicated to cutting-edge future technologies, Dr. Kinam Kim, Vice Chairman & CEO of Device Solutions at Samsung Electronics, delivered the opening remarks. Under the theme, “AI Research for Tomorrow”, renowned AI experts discussed various AI technologies and the research direction on AI — from fundamental research to its applications – including how AI research will impact other fields such as new material development and semiconductors.

This year, Professor Yoshua Bengio, the winner of the 2018 Turing Award — often referred to as the Nobel Prize in computing — delivered the keynote. The keynote speech was followed by three technology sessions: Scalable and Sustainable AI Computing, AI for Scientific Discovery and Trustworthy Computer Vision.

In particular, in this year’s forum, various AI start-ups provided an overview of the current trends in cutting-edge AI technology and shared their actual business application models. In addition, the AI research leaders at SAIT participated in the forum as speakers and gave presentations on the current status and vision of Samsung’s AI research.

The Samsung AI Researcher of the Year awards,1 which were established last year in an effort to discover excelling rising researchers in the field of AI, was also presented during the forum. Last year, five researchers including Professor Kyunghyun Cho of New York University were awarded.

As the co-chairs of this year’s forum, Dr. Gyoyoung Jin, President and Head of SAIT and Professor Bengio, who was appointed as the Samsung AI Professor last year, highlighted outstanding rising researchers and expanded the base of AI research.

“This year’s forum was organised as a venue for sharing the current status of AI technology research and AI applications as well as discussing ways to transform AI into a technology that substantially contributes to our daily lives,” said Professor Bengio.

Day 2: AI in a Human World

Day 2 sessions were hosted by Samsung Research, the company’s advanced R&D hub that leads the development of future technologies for its Consumer Electronics division and IT & Mobile Communications division. Under the theme “AI in a Human World”, Dr. Sebastian Seung, President and Head of Samsung Research, delivered the opening remarks, and AI experts who have been actively engaging in AI research activities worldwide shared their insights on the current status of AI and future research directions that will have an important impact on our lives.

The keynote was delivered by Professor Leslie Valiant, the 2010 Turing Award winner, of Harvard University on the subject of integrating machine learning and inference for next-generation AI. This was followed by technology sessions: Interpretability for Skeptical Minds and Understanding Matter with Deep Learning.

Dr. Daniel Lee, Executive Vice President and Head of Samsung Research Global AI Centre, presided over an in-depth panel discussion with the speakers regarding the ‘future prospects and considerations of each AI sector’.

Lightning talks (5-minute speeches, 7 sessions) took place this year where members of the Samsung Research Global AI Centre and 5 AI centres (Cambridge, U.K.; New York, U.S.; Toronto, Canada; Montreal, Canada; and Moscow, Russia) participated.

“This year’s AI Forum helped us better understand where the current AI technology developments are heading and also about AI applicable products which are becoming smarter,” said Dr. Sebastian Seung, President and Head of Samsung Research.

1 Samsung AI Researcher of the Year: selected among AI researchers of aged 35 or under (up to five researchers per year)

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@HuaweiZA Launches HiAI 2.0, Commits to Creating the Ultimate AI App Experience #HigherIntelligence

Hi Friends,

At the third Huawei Eco-connect Europe conference, Huawei launched HiAI 2.0, an open platform designed to facilitate the development of On-Device artificial intelligence (AI). The latest iteration of the platform provides developers with an open ecosystem that lets them tap into the capabilities of Huawei’s chipsets, devices and cloud via HiAI Foundation, HiAI Engine, and HiAI Service.

Lu Wenyu, Chief AI Expert of Product Management Department, Huawei CBG announces HiAI 2.0

Lu Wenyu, Chief AI Expert of Product Management Department, Huawei Consumer Business Group, said, “In April 2018, Huawei announced HiAI 1.0, a mobile AI computing platform. By providing developers with operators and APIs, the inaugural platform helped cut down the time and complexity of app development. HiAI 2.0 will bring with it even greater computing power, richer APIs and better support across a wider range of devices. It’ll significantly lower the barrier to entry of AI development, allowing even more developers to join in and create exciting new apps for consumers.”

Huawei HiAI 2.0 Facilitates AI App Development
The new HiAI platform offers developers greater access to the capabilities of Huawei’s chipsets, devices, and cloud. It includes the HiAI Foundation, HiAI Engine, and HiAI Service, which work in concert to serve the myriad needs of developers.

1. HiAI Foundation provides developers access to chipset capabilities such as support for multiple frameworks and operators, as well as high computational capabilities. The HiAI platform leverages the capabilities of Kirin 980 and its Dual-NPU to realize double image recognition speed compared to its predecessor, or up to 4,500 images per minute. It also supports a greater number of developer models and operators, creating an environment whereby AI apps can run smoother and deliver a better user experience.

2. HiAI Engine provides apps engineers on the market with more choices. The APIs provided on the platform let developers quickly integrate key features into their projects and focus their efforts on delivering a truly compelling product. One of the most recent examples of HiAI Engine at work can be found on the recently launched Huawei Mate 20 Series. Using the flagship devices’ AI Spotlight Reel, a feature that can identify clips that all feature a character and auto-generate a 10-second montage. This feature is using face recognition and aesthetic scores provided by AI Engine. Benefit from the improvement of HiAI computing power, enabling the AI Engine to complete automatic editing on the mobile phone.

3. HiAI Service establishes a bridge between users’ needs and services. By connecting the two, developers can push services to consumers in a timely and proactive manner.

To date, there are more than 1,000 partners and 450,000 developers actively working within the Huawei HiAI ecosystem and empowering more than 300 million users with AI capabilities. Under the HiAI program, Huawei operates 13 R&D centers and 2 Open Labs around the world to collaborate with local developers on app development. These Labs also perform the role of a springboard for successful developers to launch their projects globally. Huawei remains committed to working with partners to build the AI ecosystem and perfect the AI app experience.

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The #HigherIntelligence of #HuaweiMate20Pro is Coming Soon to a Mall near you @HuaweiZA

Hi Friends,

Barely three weeks after its local launch, the new Huawei Mate 20 Pro is proving to be an even more popular smartphone than Huawei’s previous flagship devices. The phone’s enhanced artificial intelligence, superior camera, and improved battery life are all impressing consumers who demand more from their smartphones.

For those who are curious about just how far the Huawei Mate 20 Pro is pushing the boundaries of innovation, they now have the opportunity to experience the device for themselves before buying it. Huawei’s tech experts will be traveling the country to show South Africans exactly what the Huawei Mate 20 Pro offers and how easy it is to use. Not only will you be able to get hands-on experience with the country’s most exciting smartphone, but also get the opportunity to meet some of SA’s favorite celebrities and win amazing prizes.

Some Huawei Mate 20 Pro highlights
The Huawei Mate 20 Pro features twice the amount of Artificial Intelligence processing power than its predecessor, as its Kirin 980 chipset features the world’s first dual Neural Processing Unit. What this means is that the device is capable of computing more AI tasks than any other smartphone, which means peak optimization of the smartphone’s processing distribution for tasks.

Huawei’s new flagship device also sports the all-new Leica triple-lens camera, with a variety of shooting functions, including scene recognition, underwater shooting, ultra-wide-angle shooting, and a macro shooting mode, allowing sharper detail for subjects as close as 2.5cm from the camera.

The Huawei Mate 20 Pro’s colossal 4200mAh battery charges in a flash and offers all-day power. You can also charge on the go, as the Huawei Mate 20 Pro comes with a wireless charger, which can even reverse charge and give power to other compatible devices that are running out of juice.

Don’t miss out on your chance to learn what the Huawei Mate 20 Pro has to offer and also win amazing prizes. The Huawei Mate 20 Pro experts will be visiting these malls during November and December:

Gauteng
Clearwater Mall – 13 to 26 November
Eastgate –19 to 26 November
Sandton City – 27 November to 3 December
Kolonnade Mall – 18 to 31 December
The Glen – 19 to 26 November

Western Cape
Somerset Mall - 13 to 26 November
Canal Walk Shopping Centre - 30 Oct to 12 Nov

KZN
Midlands Mall – 13 to 26 November
Gateway Mall – 19 to 26 November
Gateway Mall – 4 to 17 December

 

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The #PorscheDesign @HUAWEIza Mate RS: Luxury and Performance Meet Innovation #HuaweiMateRS

Hi Friends,

Nothing beats the exhilarating experience of being drawn into the seat of a luxury high-performance vehicle as it accelerates into high speed. The engine roars as it bursts into hyper-drive, without taking away from the real feeling at the sensation of elegance behind the steering wheel.

Now imagine that powerful performance and ultimate luxury in the palm of your hand.
The PORSCHE DESIGN HUAWEI Mate RS is the bringing together of a trailblazing technology corporation and world-class design house, Porsche Design – culminating to form the apex of luxury and innovation. The PORSCHE DESIGN HUAWEI Mate RS isn’t a smartphone. It’s a statement.

Understanding that today’s elite consumers demand exquisite and premium craftsmanship and a device that can stand the test of time, with best-in-class hardware.

Breaking the boundaries of an ultra-premium smartphone, the PORSCHE DESIGN HUAWEI Mate RS is introduced at the tail-end of the success of the PORSCHE DESIGN HUAWEI Mate 10 Pro – launched in South Africa in 2017.

The RS, which stands for “Race Sport”, a designation reserved for cars that embody the best of performance and design, is pursued by all who love racing and exclusivity around the world.

Setting a new pace
The PORSCHE DESIGN HUAWEI Mate RS redefines the standard of high-quality workmanship with streamlined curves and symmetrical surfaces, which allow light and shade change to play on the device’s surface, a true masterpiece of excitement.

The PORSCHE DESIGN HUAWEI Mate RS features the industry’s most advanced technologies, including the world’s first dual fingerprint design including an on-screen fingerprint sensor and the world’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI) chipset.

As Huawei’s peak flagship and luxury device, the PORSCHE DESIGN HUAWEI Mate RS aptly fits into the lifestyle of the high-end user who demands potent performance and efficiency out of their smartphone.

Have a business meeting? The PORSCHE DESIGN HUAWEI Mate RS features an enhanced hands-free mode allowing users to simply place the handset on the table to record conference calls.

When the directional voice pick-up mode is switched on, the phone can record specific voices from multiple directions, filtering out background noise. After recording, users can choose to replay audio from a single participant or multiple parties on the call.

Featuring proportioned look, minimalist feel and a stylish 8-edged 3D curved glass body, the PORSCHE DESIGN HUAWEI Mate RS is available in South Africa in Black, a timeless, bold and sophisticated color.

The PORSCHE DESIGN HUAWEI Mate RS features a 6-inch, 18:9 OLED 2K curved screen for the most comfortable hold. The maximized screen viewing area brings users an unparalleled display experience.

Under the hood
To power the performance, the PORSCHE DESIGN HUAWEI Mate RS incorporates the world’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI) chipset – the Kirin 970. Breakthroughs in mobile AI allow Huawei’s EMUI system to evolve and learn to better understand the user’s needs, to respond faster to every task.

PORSCHE DESIGN HUAWEI Mate RS also features Leica’s triple camera setup with a 40MP RGB sensor, a 20MP monochrome sensor and an 8MP sensor with telephoto lens, while the 5x Hybrid Zoom supports clear viewing at long distances. The breakthrough HUAWEI AIS technology is brilliant in low light while being powered by Master AI, intelligent photography is taken to a new level.

Fast-paced days require a powerful charge. The 4000 mAh battery and TÜV Safety Certified HUAWEI SuperCharge with intelligent power saving will meet every need. A whisper quiet, fan-less and wireless quick charging design keeps it cool under pressure.

The pioneering in-screen fingerprint design unleashes a revolution in unlocking. Floating your finger wakes up the device and touching to unlock the smartphone is as fast as lightning. The dual fingerprint identification in both front and back are also easy keys to switch separate mobile spaces, a new level of privacy.

To top it off, the PORSCHE DESIGN HUAWEI Mate RS is an entertainment powerhouse. Featuring dual super linear system (SLS) speakers with DOLBY ATMOS, setting the PORSCHE DESIGN HUAWEI Mate RS apart from its predecessors and other premium flagship devices. This enables it to have the best immersive surround sound and entertainment experience on-the-go.

 

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‘Will A Robot Take My Job?’ How Artificial Intelligence will Impact the SA Workforce - Rob Jardine @NeuroLeadership

Hi Friends,

Last year, research by Accenture and the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) posited that artificial intelligence (AI) had the potential to double the growth rate of the South African economy and boost rates of profitability by an average of 38 percent by 2035. This is great news for South African businesses of course, but an AI-dominated landscape brings with it multiple ethical and social issues, including the problem of a labor force that feels redundant and whose skills may be no longer needed.

AI will undoubtedly change the world of work, just as the Industrial Revolution did in the 1700s and 1800s. Certain jobs will become obsolete, as intelligent machines will be able to complete tasks quicker and more accurately than humans. New roles will also be created – jobs that we haven’t even thought about yet. AI will be the biggest disruptor the business world has seen in over two centuries. It is little wonder, then, that people are already starting to get jittery about the possibility of being replaced by, or working with, a robot in the near future.

Why we see AI as a threat
Neuroscience, which focuses on how the brain works, has some valuable insights into precisely why AI is perceived as such a threat by the workforce. As social animals, our desire to be part of a herd – in this case a company – is hardwired into our brains, an evolutionary remnant of when physical survival depended on safety in numbers. Any sense of social exclusion, therefore, is felt as a danger to our very existence, and our brain is consequently sensitive to this trigger in our social environments.

Feeling excluded is one of the five social triggers that is interpreted by the brain as a result of its central organizing principle: to minimize danger and maximize reward. These triggers can put our brains into a threat or reward state that has an effect on our capacity to solve problems, make decisions and collaborate. AI is particularly threatening because it can be triggered by all five areas of human social experience: Status, Certainty, Autonomy, Relatedness, and Fairness (SCARF ®).

AI threatens an employee’s Status, as their value in the workplace and as a productive member of society comes into question. Certainty is no longer guaranteed, as the future is unpredictable and employees wonder whether they will even have a job in the next five years. With AI encroaching on the workplace, employees feel as though they are losing their Autonomy because they cease to feel in control and think that they may not have options. Their Relatedness is threatened as they believe that they don’t belong anymore and are not sure which group they may belong to in the future. Finally, a sense of Fairness is triggered in employees as they feel as though they may not be treated equally.

One of the worst effects of being in a threatened state is that people are not open to change because the brain has less access to long-term memory and its capacity to think rationally and make decisions is reduced. This is because the brain is in a flight-or-flight survival mode, and so does not prioritize these actions. People are consequently also unable to see AI as something that could allow them the space to be more innovative, explore a new career, or give them more free time.

This brain state also affects the control of self-defeating behavior; for example, an employee in a threatened state could stop being collaborative with their colleagues, procrastinate in their work, and have a lower capacity to solve problems. None of this behavior is conducive to doing business or ensuring a productive workforce.

Cultivating a growth mindset in employees
As AI becomes more of a permanent fixture in companies, employers should start focusing on fostering a growth mindset in their employees, so that they welcome the change that AI will bring, rather than fearing it. This mindset, pioneered by the work of Dr. Carol Dweck, is based on whether employees believe that their abilities are finite or if they can be developed. If they do believe that their ability can be developed, then they will be inspired by the change and look forward to it as an opportunity to grow.

We must also remember that, with the dawn of the age of AI, human qualities become far more valuable. AI machines cannot truly collaborate and adjust their behavior in relation to others’ actions. They do not have the same degree of social intelligence, and cannot become leaders. AI machines also lack business acumen and are unable to transfer their ‘skills’ from one industry to another. All these qualities, even in the age of AI, will still be a vital aspect of ensuring a prosperous society and thriving economy.

Entrepreneurship provides a solution
It is undeniable, however, that many South African’s jobs will become obsolete or change as AI becomes more of a permanent fixture in the workplace. The significant portion of SA’s workforce that is unskilled or semi-skilled will most likely be the first to be replaced by machines that will be able to do the work more efficiently. This will place pressure on individuals to change how they approach work and possibly to seek work in other sectors. However, this is no different to how jobs have evolved in the past. The introduction of more efficient farming technology a few centuries ago, for example, meant fewer people were needed to farm the land and so more workers were able to take up roles in other industries where there were labor shortages.

But with every door that AI closes to the workforce, another one opens – in this case, entrepreneurship. AI will make entrepreneurship an even more sought-after skill in the SA economy, as it focuses on innovation, provides employment opportunities, and has the significant social impact. Entrepreneurship also gives individuals a sense of belonging, as being productive members of society provides Status, Certainty, Autonomy, and a sense of Relatedness and Fairness. People are able to elevate their level of contribution, they have more certainty and autonomy in their own work in an entrepreneurial setting and can develop a more individualized sense of belonging by being able to gain as much as they contribute. This sense of belonging means that people are performing at their best, as they do not feel threatened by a change that may seem out of their control.

Of course, in order to retain employees, it is not feasible to ask them to set up their own shops. However, as employers, we can look at the ways that we define and integrate current employment when the machines join us in the workforce. By allowing employees more autonomy and control in the way they do and view their work, we can put them in a better brain state, as it plays to their social drivers. In most industries where the impact of machines will become more prominent, this is already being done in the advancement of the gig economy.

In conclusion, then, AI is definitely set to change our workforce in the next few decades, but not all these changes will be threatening. It is up to employers to ensure that their employees realize this by playing to the social domains that trigger the brain so that every individual can continue to perform optimally, learn new skills, and work towards their future roles in stimulating our economy. If we are able to do this, we will ensure our brains will be at their best to face and embrace this change.

In a world that is becoming more mechanistic, it is our ability to be aware of our social surroundings that both sets us apart, and allows us to never fear a robot taking our job.

Written by - Rob Jardine, Head, Research and Solutions at the NeuroLeadership Institute South Africa

 

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Why AI Looks Set to Take #Smartphone #Photography to The Next Level @HuaweiZA #HuaweiP20pro

Hi Friends,

AI has been making its presence felt in almost every arena of our lives and is now also taking the lead role in our smartphone cameras. While the previous demands of our mobile cameras focused mainly on the number of megapixels and variety of filters, AI is now starting a true revolution in smartphone camera technology.

Thanks to AI, it is no longer necessary to have to enhance our photos after the fact. AI is now taking the role of photographer, making adjustments and predictions as the photos are taken in real time. This means that anyone with an advanced AI smartphone camera can become a pro photographer – no training, skills, or expensive equipment required.

The intuition of AI
AI-powered cameras like the Huawei P20 series intelligently assist users to take great photos by automatically optimizing the camera settings on the backend. By learning about users’ behaviors and giving them what they want before they ask for it, the AI powering the devices is becoming increasingly sophisticated. With its enhanced object recognition capabilities, the AI smartphone can automatically determine the shooting modes and parameter settings for different scenes and learn users’ photo-taking habits in order to deliver a more professional imaging effect. The more photos that are taken, the better the camera can interpret complicated environments.

The Huawei P20 and Huawei P20 Pro’s AI-powered real-time scene and object recognition technology can recognize more than 500 scenarios in 19 18 categories for users to choose the right skills at the right moment, such as the beach, food, or people. Once an object or a scene is identified, the smartphone automatically makes adjustments – from focus to contrast, to brightness, to color – to produce the best possible results, regardless of the actual conditions you are presented with. The camera changes settings as it takes photos based on the information it is given; you do not have to browse through menus and select the settings you want.

For example, if a user is shooting at the beach, the AI-powered camera can identify objects and intelligently adjust for the best lighting, so the output looks good regardless of lighting conditions. Also, when the AI camera registers an attempt to take a group photo or a picture of the skyline, the AI Assisted Composition feature automatically draws a grid for the convenience of the user.

This AI-powered camera is capable of suggesting optimal parameters based on data gathered in the scene. Using machine learning, the devices also understand the photography habits of users over time, making suggestions based on various actions. AI also brings intelligent behavior prediction, including intelligent context awareness and intelligent resource allocation.

4D Predictive Focus, breathtaking night shots and selfie evolution
One of the situations that have been the bane of photographers’ careers for decades now is night shots or low-light conditions. Because these scenarios usually require the long exposure, these photos often come our out blurry, especially if they are taken with cellphones. AI image stabilization technology, which is featured in the P20 devices, can eliminate these shaky shots and enable steady handheld night shots for incredible long exposure images. No tripod required!

The 4D predictive focus is another useful AI smartphone feature. In this mode, the camera predicts moving objects and focuses on them with extreme efficiency in order to capture minute details of objects in motion and eliminate blurred action shots. For the Huawei P20 and P20 Pro, the laser sensor provides instant focus with an effective range of three meters.

AI can also take the good old selfie to a whole new level with AI beautification. AI beautification provides 3D portrait lighting, making adjustments to better match the users’ facial features, resulting in luminous skin-tone enhancements and radiant selfies, even when backlit. These features are enhanced by the Huawei P20’s 24MP front camera, which captures the smallest details, even in low-light settings, bringing to life selfies with natural skin tone enhancements, delicately outlined face shapes and 3D facial feature adjustments.

Other notable features of the Huawei P20 Pro include:

• The world’s first Leica triple camera, comprised of a 40MP RGB sensor, a 20MP monochrome sensor, and an 8MP sensor with a telephoto lens. This results in images with more light, intricate detail, and greater zoom
• f/1.8, f/1.6 and f/2.4 wide aperture Leica lenses. The size of the aperture regulates how much light goes into the image sensor. The wider the aperture, the more light strikes the sensor, and therefore, the brighter and clearer the image – even in low-light environments.
• A brand new Leica 3x telephoto (VARIO-SUMMILUX-H 1:1.6-2.4/27-80ASPH) lens for long-range photography of up to 5x Hybrid Zoom.
• A revolutionary and highly-sensitive image sensor of 1/1.7 inches, 170 percent larger than the iPhone X, with a pixel size of 2 μm micrometers – 2.68 times higher than the iPhone X’s 1.22 μm
• Ultra Snapshot - devices can capture an image in as little as 0.3 seconds, even from a locked screen.
• Six-axis stabilization and 960fps super slow motion, which is 4x higher than the standard 240fps and captures details that cannot be seen with the naked eye.

I have not reviewed the Huawei P20pro smartphone and the camera as yet, other than seeing them at the launch event in Johannesburg. I will want to check out the smartphone soon on my blog!

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