Monthly Archives: April 2022

[Hwangs China and the World] Toward the Korea-Japan relations of vision and coexistence – The Korea Herald

Posted: April 22, 2022 at 4:37 am

Hwang: This is commonly referred to as the worst period for Korea-Japan relations since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1965. Observers are also saying that relations have worsened under the Moon administration.

Lee: I do not completely agree with such statements. In fact, relations between Korea and Japan have worsened structurally since 2012 (before the Moon administration took office). We can say the conflict has intensified and deepened because problems were not resolved. Beyond the governmental dimension, anti-Japanese or anti-Korean sentiments are reaching a climax in both countries. On top of that, communication between national leaders has been cut off, which has continued this situation under an absence of trust. I would add that the interruption in human resource and private exchanges due to COVID-19 are additional obstacles in improving Korea-Japan relations.

Hwang: How do you evaluate the Moon administrations handling of Korea-Japan relations?

Lee: I would largely divide it into two parts. The first half of the Moon administrations term (2017-2019) can be assessed as an omnidirectional conflict with Japan. This conflict arose from issues related to politics, history, security, and approaches toward North Korea. Most of all, wartime sexual slavery and forced labor issues were the largest factors of conflict. They triggered an economic hit from Japans export regulations, which excluded South Korea from its whitelist of countries with preferential trade status. This later escalated into Koreas No Japan movement boycotting Japanese products. In terms of security, there was also mutual distrust that resulted in disputes, such as the 2018 radar lock-on dispute or announcement on the temporary termination of the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA). When it came to policies toward North Korea, the Moon administration considered Japan as an obstacle in reaching peace on the Korean Peninsula. Japan regarded the Moon administration as anti-Japan and pro-North Korea as a result. In the latter half of Moons term, there were efforts to improve relations with Japan through a two-track approach following US President Bidens inauguration. However, not much came of this approach. There was no clear consensus on the sexual slavery issue, nor on compensation for forced labor. On the other hand, Japan was likely watching Korea like a teacher waiting for the homework to be done with his arms crossed, rather than positively responding to the Moon administrations efforts.

Nam: I guess it is hard to tell if we can blame worsened Korea-Japan relations on the Moon administration. I can see factors that limited the Moon administrations diplomacy with Japan. The Moon administration conceptualized national identity as based on constitutional principles, and valued judicial judgement based on the separation of legal, administrative, and judicial powers. It also valued an international norm which focuses on victims. Under the given reality and conditions, at times the Moon administration decided to take a very realistic approach toward Japan, which even disappointed and confused the Moon administrations supporters. Also, due to the politicization of history, the government paradoxically happened to take the burden of resolving historical issues. This eventually resulted in civil society organizations excessive politicization of certain historical issues meeting resistance. The Moon administrations diplomacy with Japan is within the realm of pragmatic diplomacy to a certain level. As such, if the new administration excludes these strategies it would actually narrow down the spectrum of pragmatic diplomacy. Moreover, if it chooses to accept Japans one-track approach, it will face considerable domestic opposition. Moving forward, if the politicization of history gets toned down, the new government must remember the possibility that it might have to deal with massive resistance from civil society organizations.

Hwang: I would like to hear your outlook on further changes in relations with Japan after Yoon Suk-yeols inauguration.

Jo: I personally think we should avoid overly positive expectations of Korea-Japan relations under the Yoon administration. Of course, the new administration seems to be concerned with Korea-Japan relations. Cooperation between the US, Korea and Japan has become more significant due to the war in Ukraine and heightened animosity against China and North Korea. The Kishida administrations leadership is maintaining stability with 50 to 60 percent support domestically. The Japanese public seems to have very low expectations regarding Korea-Japan relations. The Biden administration also is continuously stressing US-Korea-Japan relations. All these factors point to better relations between Korea and Japan. However, Koreas pro- or anti-Japanese framing and the majority opposition and minority ruling party structure in parliament has a high possibility of constraining the implementation of specific policies toward Japan. Conservatives in Japan with former Prime Minister Abe have created a historical war framing which is now acting as a constraining factor on Prime Minister Kishida and Foreign Minister Hayashi in regard to bilateral relations. Since the two countries still have domestic political obstacles, both Korea and Japan should utilize well the momentum of Koreas new government.

Lee: When we look into President-elect Yoons overall pledges and remarks made during his campaign, he mainly emphasizes setting a future oriented and cooperative relationship with Japan not one buried under historical issues. He has consistently called for negotiating a comprehensive deal that covers all the current major issues of conflict between Korea and Japan. This includes compensation for forced labor, export regulations, interruption of GSOMIA, and so on. He also mentioned his intent to upgrade the JapanSouth Korea Joint Declaration of 1998 between Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi and South Korean President Kim Dae-jung. Moving forward, the Yoon administrations diplomatic strategies are generally in pursuit of a comprehensive US-Republic of Korea (ROK) alliance; strengthened US-Korea-Japan security cooperation; gradual participation in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad); and cooperation on the US Indo-Pacific Strategy. In this sense, I see a high possibility for Korea-Japan relations to naturally turn into a cooperative one.

Hwang: Despite all these optimistic prospects, I guess we can still see restrictive factors from home and abroad.

Lee: Yes. First of all, we can think of Korea-Japan relations within the context of Northeast Asian geopolitics, where strategic competition between the US and China is intensifying. Transitions are taking place with the flow and balance of power. Additionally, as Korea-Japan relations have gone from vertical to horizontal, there is disharmony and maladjustment. Under structural limitations, this new dynamic cannot be easily and naturally overcome even with a new government in Korea. Furthermore, domestically Koreas opposition party holds the majority of seats in parliament. In addition, civil rights and historical victims organizations continue to take a resolute stance against Japan. Thus, if the new administration takes a passive stance to Japan regarding historical issues, these organizations will denounce the new administrations policies as a humiliation. This will give rise to anti-Japan public sentiment, and the new administration will have to undertake the task of persuading the public otherwise.

Hwang: What would be a specific roadmap for improving and normalizing Korea-Japan relations?

Lee: We need to reopen communication between leaders on both sides through a summit. So far, Korea and Japan have maintained abnormal relations for 11 years without a single summit. Since a meeting is crucial in recovering Korea-Japan relations, we must consider the possibilities of holding a summit close to the time of Yoons inauguration. I see either Prime Minister Kishidas visit to Yoons inauguration ceremony or President-elect Yoons participation in the Quad summit scheduled in Tokyo at the end of May as likely to happen. The period after Koreas local elections in June or Japans House of Councilors elections in July is also a feasible time. This shuttle diplomacy based on leaders restoration of trust and communication is critical. In case a summit of the two leaders is unavailable for some reason, they could start thinking of holding a trilateral summit. The summit can be one of either US- Korea-Japan, or Korea-China-Japan.

Jo: The Yoon administrations policies toward Japan seem to deal with issues in a comprehensive way. However, negotiations and talks between Korea and Japan can reach a more effective outcome by using multiple gradual approaches, not a package deal. In particular, Korea and Japan must recognize that they must cover both areas of diplomacy and domestic politics at the same time. Accordingly, this approach would take some time. I also agree with the significance of Japan taking cautious moves regarding Korea-Japan relations until the House of councilors election, though the inauguration of Koreas new government will be a worthy opportunity. From the Kishida administrations view, President Bidens visit to Japan will be a necessary opportunity for the election. In this context, I would like to recommend that Japan seek a similar method in improving its relations with Korea. Lastly, I am a bit worried about Japanese politicians who are insisting on very firm hardline policies toward historical and territorial issues.

Nam: The new government is planning on a Joint Declaration 2.0 through an inclusive approach. However, the declaration back then was achieved through sharing a common goal, which was to build an East Asian community. Both Korea and Japan came to a consensus on planning a vision for peace, as well as solving and moving on from historical problems. That is why former President Kim Dae-jung assessed Japan as having contributed to the development of international society as a peaceful country after World War II when mentioning Japans postwar constitution. If the new administration strives to upgrade the Joint Declaration, how it does so will be its critical challenge. If these problems are not seriously dealt with, a final and irreversible crisis may once again strike Korea-Japan relations.

Hwang: It seems that the forced labor issue, the biggest area of conflict between Korea and Japan, must be resolved.

Jo: When it comes to the resolution of the forced labor issue, subrogation in a broad sense stands on extending the Declaration of Waiver of Compensation against Colony, also called the YS Formula. When we interpret subrogation within a wide spectrum, it is to require an apology and show of regret from Japan. Also, it is to have the Korean government provide material compensation to victims and the bereaved. Then it has a certain point of intersection with the YS Formula. If the Yoon administration can come up with a measure combining these two alternatives and present them to the people, I think it will be a more persuasive approach.

Lee: I think it is necessary to resolve the issue after the measures to withhold cashing through consultation with victims groups are taken. The scope of the conscription issue is quite wide, and I personally believe the cases won in the Supreme Court should be given priority for resolution. This means 50 billion to 300 billion won ($40 million-$242 million) should be paid to approximately 34 to 200 people. The ways to solve this conscription problem are through fundraising and subrogation through legislation. Also, they can be resolved through the International Court of Justice, the Arbitration Commission and the YS Formula. Considering the current situation, subrogation through legislation and the YS Formula might be possible.

Hwang: How about the sexual slavery issue?

Lee: I actually do not think it is the biggest issue at hand in terms of Korea-Japan relations. The essence of resolving the sexual slavery issue is restoring the dignity and honor of the victims through an apology from the Japanese government. To that end, we must solve it with a sexual slavery agreement fully involving both parties. Currently, the Research Institute on Japanese Military Sexual Slavery under the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family provides unpaid compensation to survivors and bereaved families. This compensation comes from a fund which includes 5.4 billion won from the Japanese government and 10.4 billion won from the Korean governments gender equality funds. This fund also allows the implementation of symbolic projects for historical research, memorials, and future education about the issue. An example would be building and maintaining a historical museum for the victims.

Hwang: What other efforts can be made for better Korea-Japan relations?

Nam: The tenuous disputes today between Korea and Japan trace their roots to the system in 1965. In fact, the principle of compensation was transformed into a form of economic cooperation under the Park Chung-hee regime, which resulted in Korea losing its right to make further compensation claims. Within this context, the Yoon administration is trying to normalize Korea-Japan relations. Following the Moon administrations oppositional approach, the system back in 1965 lingers as a reminder of conflicts between Korea and Japan. Moreover, as Korea has recently shifted to a middle power mentality, progressive cooperation and development in Korea-Japan relations may meet some difficulties. In this respect, I think that the Japanese government should consider these issues cautiously and make active efforts to solve these problems.

Lee: Korea needs to utilize a private-public mix. Those standing between Korea and Japan should be considered from the 1.5 track perspective. In particular, it is important to take into account the experiences of public-private joint commissions or studies on a new era for Korea-Japan relations. A Korea-Japan public-private institute can find an efficient resolution for further improvement of bilateral relations. Additionally, we may be able to develop the Joint Declaration 2.0 while preparing for the 60th anniversary of normalized diplomatic relations between Korea-Japan in 2025.

Hwang Jae-ho is a professor of the division of international studies at the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. He is also the director of the Institute for Global Strategy and Cooperation and a member of the Presidential Committee on Policy and Planning. This discussion was assisted by researchers Ko Sung-hwah and Shin Eui-chan. -- Ed.

By Choi He-suk (cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)

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A European approach to artificial intelligence | Shaping …

Posted: at 4:36 am

The European approach to artificial intelligence (AI) will help build a resilient Europe for the Digital Decade where people and businesses can enjoy the benefits of AI. It focuses on 2 areas: excellence in AI and trustworthy AI. The European approach to AI will ensure that any AI improvements are based on rules that safeguard the functioning of markets and the public sector, and peoples safety and fundamental rights.

To help further define its vision for AI, the European Commission developed an AI strategy to go hand in hand with the European approach to AI. The AI strategy proposed measures to streamline research, as well as policy options for AI regulation, which fed into work on the AI package.

The Commission published its AI package in April 2021, proposing new rules and actions to turn Europe into the global hub for trustworthy AI. This package consisted of:

Fostering excellence in AI will strengthen Europes potential to compete globally.

The EU will achieve this by:

The Commission and Member States agreed boost excellence in AI by joiningforces on AI policy and investment. The revised Coordinated Plan on AI outlines a vision to accelerate, act, and align priorities with the current European and global AI landscape and bring AI strategy into action.

Maximising resources and coordinating investments is a critical component of the Commissions AI strategy. Through the Digital Europe and Horizon Europe programmes, the Commission plans to invest 1 billion per year in AI. It will mobilise additional investments from the private sector and the Member States in order to reach an annual investment volume of 20 billion over the course of the digital decade.

The newly adopted Recovery and Resilience Facility makes 134 billion available for digital. This will be a game-changer, allowing Europe to amplify its ambitions and become a global leader in developing cutting-edge, trustworthy AI.

Access to high quality data is an essential factor in building high performance, robust AI systems. Initiatives such as the EU Cybersecurity Strategy, the Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act, and the Data Governance Act provide the right infrastructure for building such systems.

Building trustworthy AI will create a safe and innovation-friendly environment for users, developers and deployers.

The Commission has proposed 3 inter-related legal initiatives that will contribute to building trustworthy AI:

The Commission aims to address the risks generated by specific uses of AI through a set of complementary, proportionate and flexible rules. These rules will also provide Europe with a leading role in setting the global gold standard.

This framework gives AI developers, deployers and users the clarity they need by intervening only in those cases that existing national and EU legislations do not cover. The legal framework for AI proposes a clear, easy to understand approach, based on four different levels of risk: unacceptable risk, high risk, limited risk, and minimal risk.

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How to amend the Artificial Intelligence Act to avoid the misuse of high-risk AI systems – The Parliament Magazine

Posted: at 4:36 am

As the opinion rapporteur for the Artificial Intelligence Act in the Committee on Culture and Education (CULT), I will present a proposal for amending the Artificial Intelligence Act in March. The draft focuses on several key areas of artificial intelligence (AI), such as high-risk AI in education, high-risk AI requirements and obligations, AI and fundamental rights as well as prohibited practices and transparency obligations.

The regulation is aiming to create a legal framework that prevents discrimination and prohibits practices that violate fundamental rights or endanger our safety or health.One of the most problematic areas is the use of remote biometric identification systems in public space.

Unfortunately, the use of such systems has increased rapidly, especially by governments and companies to monitor places of gathering, for example. It is incredibly easy for law enforcement authorities to abuse these systems for mass surveillance of citizens. Therefore, the use of remote biometric identification and emotion recognition systems is over the line and must be banned completely.

Moreover, the misuse of technology is concerning. I am worried that countries without a functioning rule of law will use it to persecute journalists and prevent their investigations. It is obviously happening to a certain extent in Poland and Hungary, where governments have used the Pegasus software to track journalists and members of the opposition. How hard will it be for these governments to abuse remote biometric identification, such as facial recognition systems?

It is absolutely necessary to set rules that will prevent governments from abusing AI systems to violate fundamental rights

As far as we know, the Hungarian government has already persecuted journalists in the so-called interest of national security for questioning the governments actions amid the pandemic. Even the Chinese social credit system, which ranks the countrys citizens, is based on the alleged purpose of ensuring security.

It is absolutely necessary to set rules that will prevent governments from abusing AI systems to violate fundamental rights. In October, a majority of the European Parliament voted in favour of a report on the use of AI in criminal law. The vote showed a clear direction for the European Parliament in this matter.

The proposal includes a definition of so-called high-risk AI systems. HR tools that could filter applications, banking systems that evaluate our creditworthiness and predictive control systems all fall under the definition of high-risk because they could easily reproduce bias and have a negative impact on disparity.

With AI being present in education as well, the proposal includes test evaluation and entrance examination systems. Still, this list shall be expanded to include online proctoring systems. However, there is a problem with different interpretations of the GDPR in the case of online proctoring systems, resulting in differences in personal data protection in Amsterdam, Copenhagen and Milan.

According to the Dutch and Danish decisions, there was no conflict between online proctoring systems and the GDPR, but the Italian data protection authority fined and banned further use of these technologies. Currently, universities are investing in new technologies without knowing whether they are authorised to use them or if they are going to be fined.

HR tools that could filter applications, banking systems that evaluate our creditworthiness and predictive control systems all fall under the definition of high-risk because they could easily reproduce bias and have a negative impact on disparity

In my opinion, technologies used for students personalised education should be included in the high-risk category as well. In this case, incorrect usage can negatively affect a students future.

In addition to education, the CULT committee focuses on the media sector, where AI systems can be easily misused to spread disinformation. As a result, the functioning of democracy and society may be in danger.

When incorrectly deployed, AI systems that recommend content and learn from our responses can systematically display content which form so-called rabbit holes of disinformation. This increases hatred and the polarisation of society and has a negative impact on democratic functioning.

We need to set clear rules that will not be easy to circumvent. Currently, I am working on a draft legislative opinion which will be presented in the CULT committee in March. I will do my best to fill all the gaps that I have identified.

The Council is also working on its position. A common compromise presented by the Slovenian presidency was found, for example, in the extension of social scoring from public authorities to private companies as well.

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Industry Executives Share Real Insights on Artificial Intelligence – Progressive Grocer

Posted: at 4:36 am

In a new survey of retail executives, Symphony RetailAIfound that 82% of them are focusing on data-driven demand forecasting and nearly two thirds (61%) are prioritizing data management in their supply chain.

While there is strong agreement that data is key, the embrace of technologies to achieve those goals is somewhat behind sentiment. Only 13% of retail execs polled think they outperform their peers, while 87% say that their supply chain performance lags or is equal to competing businesses.

Symphony RetailAI's research, conducted with partner Incisiv, also sought to uncover retailers use of AI and machine learning. A high number of 87% of respondents said they have not yet taken meaningful steps to embrace AI and many of them are stalling for a variety of reasons. Barriers include poor data quality, an inability to integrate data from several sources and a general lack of confidence in AI.

The gap between intent and progress underscores the opportunity for retailers to use AI to enhance demand forecasting and supply chain management, according to Symphony RetailAI's experts. As new threats loom and other economic factors create supply chain unpredictability, these results highlight the need to future-proof grocery supply chains to handle unexpected disruptions, declared Troy Prothero, the companys SVP, product management, supply chain solutions. The importance of using data, including AI-driven demand forecasting, to gain a competitive supply chain advantage isnt going away, so organizations that prioritize new ways of using data for decision-making will be better positioned to succeed.

Added Gaurav Pant, chief insights officer for Incisiv: Our research with Symphony RetailAI sheds light on the critical need for retailers to use AI to break down silos and utilize as much organizational data as possible.

These and other insights on grocery forecasting will be shared in a Progressive Grocer webinaron April 27:"The New Rules of Grocery Demand Forecasting:Exclusive research reveals supply chain priorities and pain points."

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MEDIA ALERT: Business Insurance to Host Webinar "How Artificial Intelligence is Transforming the Insurance Industry" – Yahoo Finance

Posted: at 4:36 am

Gradient AI Sponsors Webinar to Explore the Promise and Challenges of AI in the Insurance Industry

April 21, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Gradient AI

WHAT: Business Insurance is hosting a webinar "How Artificial Intelligence is Transforming the Insurance Industry." Sponsored by Gradient AI, a leading provider of proven artificial intelligence (AI) solutions for the insurance industry, this webinar will cover real-world use cases, and explore AIs powerful benefits enabling attendees to gain an actionable understanding of AIs potential and its value to their business.

WHEN: April 26, 20221:00 PM - 2:00 PM EDT/10:00 AM -11:00 AM PDT

WHO: Featured Speakers include:

Builders Insurances Mark Gromek, Chief Marketing and Underwriting Office

Florida State Universitys Dr. Patricia Born Midyette, Eminent Scholar in Risk

CCMSIs S. F. "Skip" Brechtel, Jr., FCAS, MAAA, Executive VP and CIO

WHY ATTEND: As digital transformation has disrupted many industries, AI is poised to do the same for insurance enterprises. Attendees will learn:

How to use AI to gain a competitive advantage and generate improved business outcomes such as improved key operational metrics

How AI can increase the efficiency and accuracy of underwriting and claims operations

The challenges and opportunities facing the next generation of insurance professionals

WHERE: Learn more and register here.

Tweet this: How Artificial Intelligence is Transforming the Insurance Industry Webinar: April 26, 2022, 1:00 pm EDT https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/5324033635572250381?source=GradientAI #AI #insurance #insurtech

About Gradient AI:

Gradient AI is a leading provider of proven artificial intelligence (AI) solutions for the insurance industry. Its solutions improve loss ratios and profitability by predicting underwriting and claim risks with greater accuracy, as well as reducing quote turnaround times and claim expenses through intelligent automation. Unlike other solutions that use a limited claims and underwriting dataset, Gradient's software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform leverages a vast dataset comprised of tens of millions of policies and claims. It also incorporates numerous other features including economic, health, geographic, and demographic information. Customers include some of the most recognized insurance carriers, MGAs, TPAs, risk pools, PEOs, and large self-insureds across all major lines of insurance. By using Gradient AIs solutions, insurers of all types achieve a better return on risk. To learn more about Gradient, please visit https://www.gradientai.com.

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View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220421005382/en/

Contacts

Elyse Familantelysef@resultspr.net 978-376-5446

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Artificial Intelligence to Assess Dementia Risk and Enhance the Effectiveness of Depression Treatments – Neuroscience News

Posted: at 4:36 am

Summary: Using MEG data, a new AI algorithm called AI-MIND is able to assess dementia risk and the potential effectiveness of treatments for depression, researchers say.

Source: Aalto University

The human brain consists of some 86 billion neurons, nerve cells that process and convey information through electrical nerve impulses.

Thats why measuring neural electrical activity is often the best way to study the brain, says Hanna Renvall. She is Aalto University and HUS Helsinki University Hospital Assistant Professor in Translational Brain Imaging and heads the HUS BioMag Laboratory.

Electroencephalography, or EEG, is the most used brain imaging technique in the world. Renvalls favorite, however, is magnetoencephalography or MEG, which measures the magnetic fields generated by the brains electrical activity.

MEG signals are easier to interpret than EEG because the skull and other tissues dont distort magnetic fields as much. This is precisely what makes the technique so great, Renvall explains.

MEG can locate the active part of the brain with much greater accuracy, at times achieving millimeter-scale precision.

An MEG device looks a lot like bonnet hairdryers found in hair salons. The SQUID sensors that perform the measurements are concealed and effectively insulated inside the bonnet because they only function at truly freezing temperatures, close to absolute zero.

The worlds first whole-head MEG device was built by a company that emerged from Helsinki University of Technologys Low Temperature Laboratoryand is now the leading equipment manufacturer in this field.

MEG plays a major role in the European Unions new AI-Mind project, whose Finnish contributors are Aalto and HUS. The goal of the 14-million project is to learn ways to identify those patients, whose dementia could be delayed or even prevented.

For this to happen, neuroscience and neurotechnology need help from artificial intelligence experts.

Fingerprinting the brain

Dementia is a broad-reaching neural function disorder that significantly erodes the sufferers ability to cope with everyday life. Some 10 million people are afflicted in Europe, and as the population ages this number is growing. The most common illness that causes dementia is Alzheimers disease, which is diagnosed in 7080% of dementia patients.

Researchers believe that communication between neurons begins to deteriorate well before the initial clinical symptoms of dementia present themselves. This can be seen in MEG dataif you know what to look for.

MEG is at its strongest when measuring the brains response to stimuli like speech and touch that occur at specific moments and are repetitive.

Interpreting resting-state measurements is considerably more complex.

Thats why the AI-Mind project uses a tool referred to as the fingerprint of the brain. It was created when Renvall and Professor Riitta Salmelin and her colleagues began to investigate whether MEG measurements could detect a persons genotype.

More than 100 sibling pairs took part in the study that sat subjects in an MEG, first for a couple of minutes with their eyes closed and then for a couple of minutes with their eyes open. They also submitted blood samples for a simple genetic analysis.

When researchers compared the graphs and genetic markers, they noticed that, even though there was substantial variance between individuals, siblings graphs were similar.

Next, Aalto University Artificial Intelligence Professor Samuel Kaskis group tested whether a computer could learn to identify graph sections that were as similar as possible between siblings while also being maximally different when compared to other test subjects.

The machine did itand more, surprisingly.

It learned to distinguish the individual perfectly based on just the graphs, irrespective of whether the imaging had been performed with the test subjects eyes open or closed, Hanna Renvall says.

For humans, graphs taken with eyes closed or open look very different, but the machine could identify their individual features. Were extremely excited about this brain fingerprinting and are now thinking about how we could teach the machine to recognize neural network deterioration in a similar manner.

Risk screening in one week

A large share of dementia patients are diagnosed only after the disorder has already progressed, which explains why treatments tend to focus on managing late-stage symptoms.

Earlier research has, however, demonstrated that many patients experience cognitive deterioration, such as memory and thought disorders, for years before their diagnosis.

One objective of the AI-Mind project is to learn ways to screen individuals with a significantly higher risk of developing memory disorders in the next few years from the larger group of those suffering from mild cognitive deterioration.

Researchers plan to image 1,000 people from around Europe who are deemed at risk of developing memory disorders and analyze how their neural signals differ from people free from cognitive deterioration. AI will then couple their brain imaging data with cognitive test results and genetic biomarkers.

Researchers believe this method could identify a heightened dementia risk in as little as a week.

If people know about their risk in time, it can have a dramatic motivating effect, says Renvall, who has years of experience of treating patients as a neurologist.

Lifestyle changes like a healthier diet, exercise, treating cardiovascular diseases and cognitive rehabilitation can significantly slow the progression of memory disorders.

Better managing risk factors can give the patient many more good years, which is tremendously meaningful for individuals, their loved ones and society, as well, Renvall says.

Identifying at-risk individuals will also be key when the first drugs that slow disease progression come on the market, perhaps in the next few years. Renvall says it will be a momentous event, as the medicinal treatment of memory disorders has not seen any substantial progress in the last two decades.

The new pharmaceuticals will not suit everybody, however.

These drugs are quite powerful, as are their side effectsthats why we need to identify the people who can benefit from them the most, Renvall emphasizes.

Zapping the brain

Brain activity involves electric currents, which generate magnetic fields that can be measured from outside the skull.

The process also works in the other direction, the principle on whichtranscranial magnetic stimulation(TMS) is based. In TMS treatments, a coil is placed on the head to produce a powerful magnetic field that reaches the brain through skin and bone, without losing strength. Themagnetic fieldpulse causes a short, weak electric field in the brain that affects neuron activity.

It sounds wild, but its completely safe, says Professor of Applied Physics Risto Ilmoniemi, who has been developing and using TMS for decades.

The strength of the electric field is comparable to the brains own electric fields. The patient feels the stimulation, which is delivered in pulses, as light taps on their skin.

Magnetic stimulation is used to treatsevere depressionand neuropathic pain. At least 200 million people around the world suffer from severe depression, while neuropathic pain is prevalent among spinal injury patients, diabetics and multiple sclerosis sufferers. Pharmaceuticals provide adequate relief to only half of all depression patients; this share is just 30% in the case of neuropathic pain sufferers.

How frequently pulses are given is based on the illness being treated. For depression, inter-neuron communication is stimulated with high-frequency pulse series, while less frequent pulses calm patients neurons for neuropathic pain relief.

Stimulation is administered to the part of the brain where, according to the latest medical science, the neurons tied to the illness being treated are located.

About half of treated patients receive significant relief from magnetic stimulation. Ilmoniemi believes this could be much higherwith more coils and the help of algorithms.

One-note clanger to concert virtuoso

In 2018, the ConnectToBrain research project headed by Ilmoniemi was granted 10 million in European Research Council Synergy funding, the first time that synergy funds were awarded to a project steered by a Finnish university. Top experts in the field from Germany and Italy are also involved.

The goal of the project is to radically improve magnetic stimulation in two ways: by building a magnetic stimulation device with up to 50 coils and by developing algorithms to automatically control the stimulation in real time, based on EEG feedback.

Ilmoniemi looks to the world of music for a comparison.

The difference between the new technology and the old is analogous to a concert pianist playing two-handed, continuously fine-tuning their performance based on what they hear, rather than hitting a single key while wearing hearing protection.

Researchers have already used a two-coil device to demonstrate that an algorithm can steer stimulation in the right direction ten times faster than even the most experienced expert. This is just the beginning.

A five-coil device completed last year covers an area of ten square centimeters of cortex at a time. A 50-coil system would cover both cerebral hemispheres.

Building this kind of device involves many technical challenges. Getting all these coils to fit around the head is no easy task, nor is safely producing the strong currents required.

Even once these issues are resolved, the hardest question remains: how can we treat the brain in the best possible way?

What kind of information does the algorithm need? What data should instruct its learning? It is an enormous challenge for us and our collaborators, Ilmoniemi says thoughtfully.

The project aims to build one magnetic stimulation device for Aalto, another for the University of Tbingen in Germany and a third for the University of Chieti-Pescara in Italy. The researchers hope that, in the future, there will be thousands of such devices in operation around the world.

The more patient data is accumulated, the better the algorithms can learn and the more effective the treatments will become.

Quantum optics sensors could revolutionize how we read neural signals

Professor Lauri Parkkonens working group is developing a new kind of MEG device that adapts to the head size and shape and utilizes sensors based onquantum optics. Unlike the SQUID sensors currently employed in MEG, they do not need to be encased in a thick layer of insulation, enabling measurements to be taken closer to the scalp surface. This makes it easier to perform precise measurements on children and babies especially.

The work has progressed at a brisk pace and yielded promising results: measurements made with optical sensors are already approaching the spatial accuracy of measurements made inside the cranium.

Parkkonen believes that a MEG system based on optical sensors could also be somewhat cheaper and more compact and thus easier to place than traditional devices; such a MEG system could utilize a person-sized magnetic shield instead of a large shielded room as the conventional MEG systems do.

This would bring it into reach of more researchers and hospitals.

Author: Minna HlttSource: Aalto UniversityContact: Minna Hltt Aalto UniversityImage: The image is in the public domain

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Artificial Intelligence to Assess Dementia Risk and Enhance the Effectiveness of Depression Treatments - Neuroscience News

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Two Key Drivers In 2022: Artificial Intelligence And The Blockchain – Tekedia

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Changes in technology have drastically changed the way humans work, learn, live, and even think over the last several decades. Due to global lockdowns during the pandemic, many individuals and companies scrambled to develop new forms of virtual experiences and digital interactions.

As technology continues to be one of the largest differentiating factors between modern businesses, new technology trends have begun to emerge for the new year of 2022. These emerging trends are only the beginning of the major transition towards Web3.0.

Blockchain as a Service, or Baas, is a new trend in the blockchain space that many corporations and businesses have already begun to take advantage of. Blockchain as a Service is a cloud-based solution that allows companies to collaborate on blockchain-based digital products, such as smart contracts, decentralized applications (dApps), and more. Since these types of products dont require the full infrastructure of the blockchain to function properly, they can be integrated by large scale companies much more easily.

Many companies have already begun to develop their own blockchains and provide Blockchain as a Service to a wide range of businesses, which will ultimately have an impact on the future of blockchain based applications in years to come.

The rise of artificial intelligence has been one of the most significant technological advancements of our generation, and is showing absolutely no sign of slowing down. Many companies have begun to integrate artificial intelligence into their businesses in a variety of fashions, from artificial intelligence chatbots for customer service to Netflix using AI to recommend movies youd be interested in.

Machine learning is being integrated in every industry, from Teslas newer vehicles utilizing AI to improve autonomous driving capabilities, to Amazons Alexa voice assistant using machine learning to interpret user queries and executing tasks.

A large number of the difficulties associated with both blockchain and artificial intelligence technologies can be remedied by merging the two ecosystems together. When combined, these systems can create an immutable, secure, and decentralized system.

This interconnection of artificial intelligence and blockchain technology is important for retaining a reliable record of each AI algorithm recordings made during the machine learning process.

By combining these ecosystems, it has resulted in massive advancements in the security of both information and data in a variety of industries, including healthcare, personal banking, and others.

Storing large files or documents on the blockchain can be prohibitively expensive due to factors such as the Bitcoin networks 1-megabyte per block file size limit. To work around this problem, data is stored on a decentralized storage medium, and hashes of the data are linked to the blockchain or implemented in smart contract code.

A recent report by MarketWatch estimated that the Asia Pacific blockchain artificial intelligence market will grow at an annual rate of 31.1%. With major driving factors such as advancements in the cryptocurrency space and a growing number of investments in AI blockchain projects, this would put the segment near a total addressable market cap of $3650 million USD.

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Two Key Drivers In 2022: Artificial Intelligence And The Blockchain - Tekedia

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Associate Professor within Artificial Intelligence job with NORWEGIAN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY – NTNU | 290775 – Times Higher Education

Posted: at 4:36 am

About the job

We havea new 100% permanent position as an Associate professor at theDepartment of ICT and Natural Sciences (IIR).

This position is associated with the AI-node, which is a collaboration with theNorwegian Open AI Lab (NAIL)You will participate in research activities related to Norwegian Open AI Lab in Trondheim, activities at AI-node in lesund and at the Department of ICT and Natural Sciences. Candidates are expected to have experience in research activities within Artificial Intelligence, machine Learning with associated topics. We are looking for a researcher that can create new activities through networking with people internally and externally.

In this position there is a good opportunity to work on problem solving defined in cooperation with NAIL partners within companies and public sectors. The researcher will contribute to enhance NAIL, and in particular the AI node in lesund. The first three years of work will be to create a research portfolio. After this period, it is expected to contribute to the Department of ICT and Natural Sciences with lecturing.

You will report to Head of Department ICT and Natural Sciences.

Responsibilities

Requiredqualifications

Associate professor (Frsteamanuensis):

You must have thequalificationsrequiredfor the position of associate professor in the field ofArtificial Intelligence, as outlined intheregulations concerning appointment and promotion to teaching and research posts

Applicable to all:

You must document relevant basic competenceinteaching and supervision at auniversity/higher education-level, as referenced in the Norwegian nationalRegulations.Ifthis cannot be documented, you will be required to complete an approved course in university pedagogy within two years of commencement.NTNU offers qualifying courses.

New employees who donotspeak aScandinavian languageby appointment is required, within three years, todemonstrate skills in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language equivalent to level three of thecourse for Norwegian for speakers of other languagesat the Department of Language and Literature at NTNU.

Preferred qualifications

Personal qualities

We offer

Salary and conditions

In this position you will typically receive a gross salary according to the Associate professor (Frsteamanuensis) code 1011, depending on qualifications and seniority. As required by law, 2% of this salary will be deducted and paid into the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

Employment will be granted in accordance with the principles outlined in the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Candidates who by assessment of the application and attachment are seen to conflict with the criteria in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment to NTNU. Applicants should be aware that there may be changes in the working environment after employment has commenced.

It is a prerequisite that you are able to be present and accessible at the institution daily.

Application Process

You can find more information about working at NTNU and the application processhere.

About the application

Your application and supporting documentation must be in English or Norwegian.

Please note that your application will be considered based solely on information submitted by the application deadline. You must therefore ensure that your application clearly demonstrates how your skills and experience fulfil the criteria specified above.

If, for any reason, you have taken a career break or have had an atypical career and wish to disclose this in your application, the selection committee will take this into account, recognizing that the quantity of your research may be reduced as a result.

Your application must include:

Joint work will also be considered. If it is difficult to identify your specific input to a joint project, you must include evidence of your contributions.

While considering the best-qualified applicants, we will payparticular attentionto personal qualities, your motivation forapplying forthe position, and your pedagogical skills and qualifications.Ourassessment will be based on documented pedagogical material, forms of presentation in your academic works, teaching experience, PhD, andMasterssupervision, and any other relevant pedagogical background. Both quality and scope will be taken into consideration.

NTNU isobliged bythe evaluation criteria for research quality in accordance withThe SanFransiscoDeclaration on Research Assessment DORA.This means that we will payparticular attentionto the quality and academicrangedemonstrated by your scientific work to date. We will also pay attention to research leadership and participation in research projects.Your scientific work from the last five years will be given the most weight.

Your application will beconsidered by a committee of experts. Candidates of interest will be invited to a trial lesson and an interview.

General information

NTNUspersonellpolicyemphasizes the importance ofequality and diversity. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, disability, or cultural background. NTNU is working actively to increase the number of women employed in scientific positions, and has a number ofresourcesto promote equality.

The city of lesund, with its population of 50 000, will provide you with plenty of opportunities to explore a region of Norway that is famous for its beautiful scenery with high mountains and blue fjords. lesund itself, with its Art Nouveau architecture, is by many considered to be the most beautiful city in Norway! The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world.

As an employee at NTNU, you must continually maintain and improve your professional development and be flexible regarding any organizational changes.

In accordance with public law your name, age, job title, and county of residence may be made available to the public even if you have requested not to appear on the public list of applicants. For the sake of transparency, candidates will be given the expert evaluation of their own and other candidates. As an applicant you are considered part of the process and is stipulated to rules of confidentiality.

If you have any questions regarding the position, please contact Rune Volden, tel:+47-92887753, e-mail: rune.volden@ntnu.no. If you have questions regarding the recruitment process, please contact Maren Skuterud Rasmussen, e-mail: maren.skuterud@ntnu.no.

The application and all attachments should be submitted electronically via jobbnorge.no.

NTNU - knowledge for a better world

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) creates knowledge for a better world and solutions that can change everyday life

Department of ICT and Natural Sciences

Our campus in lesund works in a partnership with industry that is in a class of its own among Norwegian universities. This ensures a practical focus for our study programmes, while they are firmly anchored in modern theory. The Department offers programmes in automation engineering, computer engineering, electric power systems, simulation and visualization. Our research areas include autonomous vessels, robotics, cybernetics, medical technology and health informatics, and artificial intelligence.The Department of ICT and Natural Sciencesis one of seven departments in theFaculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering.

Deadline15th May 2022EmployerNTNU - Norwegian University of Science and TechnologyMunicipalitylesundScopeFulltimeDurationPermanentPlace of servicelesund Campus

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Associate Professor within Artificial Intelligence job with NORWEGIAN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY - NTNU | 290775 - Times Higher Education

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Spain Is Ready To Bid On The 2030 Winter Olympics – Sports Talk Florida

Posted: at 4:35 am

Four bidders are expected to be in the race.

The race between countries for the 2030 Winter Olympics is underway with a Spanish bid from thePyrenees-Barcelona region pitted against offers from Sapporo, Japan, Salt Lake City, Utah and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.Ukraine really wanted to host the 2030 Winter Olympics. Ukrainian officials were planning to meet with the International Olympic Committee to explain why the country should host the event. But that plan is dead after Russia invaded Ukraine in February during an Olympics truce period. Salt Lake City, Utah business and political leaders want the 2030 Winter Games although they may have to wait until 2034 as it is unlikely the IOC wants back-to-back US Olympics with Los Angeles hosting the 2028 Summer Games. Salt Lake City hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics. Vancouver hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics and Sapporo hosted the 1972 winter event. Japans bid for the 2030 Olympics comes on the heels of the financially disastrous COVID-19 delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics which took place in 2021. Sapporo bowed out of the 2026 Winter Olympics competition.

An Olympic bidder needs an incredible amount of government and TV support in the form of billions of dollars of public money and lots of TV money. In Salt Lake Citys case, the United States TV and platform network, Comcast, would pour billions of dollars into the Olympics in exchange for programming. No government wanted to subsidize a 2026 Winter Olympics bid although Italy relaxed its stance and did help out Cortina bidders get that event. The IOC identified Queensland in Australia as the perfect spot for the 2032 Summer Olympics and seemingly awarded the area the event without a bidding process. The IOC has begun a policy of non-committal continuous dialogue with potential candidates to find out if a region will welcome the event. The race is on.

Evan Weiners books are available at iTunes https://books.apple.com/us/author/evan-weiner/id595575191

Evan can be reached at evan_weiner@hotmail.com

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Spain Is Ready To Bid On The 2030 Winter Olympics - Sports Talk Florida

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Coaches and athletes rejoice as the Native Youth Olympics make in-person return – Anchorage Daily News

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Eden Hopson of Anchorage celebrated winning the girls Alaskan High Kick with her mother Joanna Hopson at the Native Youth Olympics at the Alaska Airlines Center on Thursday, April 21, 2022. (Bill Roth / ADN)

The last time Chevak senior Chandler Ulroan was able to attend and participate in the Native Youth Olympics was his freshman year in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the annual athletic contest, where young athletes from around Alaska come to test their might and resolve, to be held virtually.

It was great, Ulroan said. Ive been coming here since seventh grade.

While he didnt produce a finish in the wrist carry to earn him a spot on the podium, the 18-year-old was by far the most impressive and inspiring student-athlete to take the court in the main gym at the Alaska Airlines Center on Thursday afternoon.

Ulroan moves with the assistance of a wheelchair, but that didnt stop him from finding or participating in a sport he could compete in, said Chevak coach Anthony Boyscout.

He inspired a few kids, Boyscout said. Back home, there are a few things to do, but this is the only sport and event he can do and hes competitive.

Ulroan and his fellow Olympians took part in the 2020 and 2021 games virtually from their respective cities, towns, villages and communities, from the heavily populated to the most remote areas of the state.

Its exciting, Boyscout said about the games being back in person. Kids are happy, theyre all ready to go. All our kids were happy everywhere.

Outside of practicing the event itself, training for wrist carry includes multiple exercises that engage and strengthen the wrist and upper body.

I hang on my wrists and do pullups, Ulroan said.

He said he tries to do as many pullups as he can when training, and that the most hes ever done consecutively was 50. His teammates and carriers say he can do more pullups than anyone on the team.

Its very impressive, Boyscout said. We built a small contraption for him to do chin-ups and wrist carry practice when he was in seventh grade.

Ulroan said that being able to actually compete in a sport despite his disability means a lot to him, and he intends to continue competing even after he graduates because the age limit on participants for the games is 19 years old.

The first-place finisher in the wrist carry was Dillinghams Ethan Jenkins with a mark of 535 feet, 3 3/4 inches. The junior has been competing in the games since he was in the seventh grade as well and is both glad and grateful for the opportunity to do so in person after a two-year hiatus.

[You can always go further mentally than you can physically: Wrist carry champions test their resolve]

Its really great just the hype and everything just makes you feel good, Jenkins said.

Bethel High School senior Landon Smith is participating in the games for the first time this year. He produced a respectable mark in the wrist carry but it wasnt far enough to earn him a spot on the podium, which is unfamiliar territory for the four-time state champion wrestler.

It was very fun just getting to see everybody go before me and seeing what a good distance was, Smith said. My friends told me to try it out, I gave it a try and I really liked it.

Smith wasnt the only state champion wrestler participating in the games. Myles Campbell of the Mat-Su A-Team not only took part in the wrist carry, his mark of 396 feet, 3 1/2 inches was far enough to earn him third place. As a member of the Redington High School wrestling team, he won the Division II title for the 112-pound weight class.

Eden Hopson of Anchorage steadies the fur ball en route to her winning the girls Alaskan High Kick during the Native Youth Olympics at the Alaska Airlines Center on Thursday, April 21, 2022. (Bill Roth / ADN)

Anchorages Joanna Hopson is the coach and mother of Girls Alaskan High Kick champion Eden Hopson. She said she is elated that the games are not only back in person but that the face masks are no longer required indoors, so that emotions of both coaches and athletes can be seen.

Its amazing to see everybodys faces, Hopson said. Just to be in person and not have a mask is huge because you can see the smiles, see the disappointments, then the smiles afterwards makes a huge difference. Its just so nice being with people again.

Her daughter echoed similar sentiments after she won her event.

I love it a lot more, Hopson said. We get to see everyones faces, be able to talk with them, be able to help each other, be a lot more encouraging. Its a lot more different from when we were virtual with just our own team if anything.

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Coaches and athletes rejoice as the Native Youth Olympics make in-person return - Anchorage Daily News

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