Category Archives: Google

I was recently reading comments on a post related to COVID-19, and saw a reply I would classify as misinformation, bordering on conspiracy. I couldnt help but ask the commenter for evidence.

Their response came with some web links and do your own research. I then asked about their research methodology, which turned out to be searching for specific terms on Google.

As an academic, I was intrigued. Academic research aims to establish the truth of a phenomenon based on evidence, analysis and peer review.

On the other hand, a search on Google provides links with content written by known or unknown authors, who may or may not have knowledge in that area, based on a ranking system that either follows the preferences of the user, or the collective popularity of certain sites.

In other words, Googles algorithms can penalise the truth for not being popular.

Google Searchs ranking system has a fraction of a second to sort through hundreds of billions of web pages, and index them to find the most relevant and (ideally) useful information.

Somewhere along the way, mistakes get made. And itll be a while before these algorithms become foolproof if ever. Until then, what can you do to make sure youre not getting the short end of the stick?

There are around 201 known factors on which a website is analysed and ranked by Googles algorithms. Some of the main ones are:

Research has shown users pay more attention to higher-ranked results on the first page. And there are known ways to ensure a website makes it to the first page.

One of these is search engine optimisation, which can help a web page float into the top results even if its content isnt necessarily quality.

The other issue is Google Search results are different for different people, sometimes even if they have the exact same search query.

Results are tailored to the user conducting the search. In his book The Filter Bubble, Eli Pariser points out the dangers of this especially when the topic is of a controversial nature.

Personalised search results create alternate versions of the flow of information. Users receive more of what theyve already engaged with (which is likely also what they already believe).

This leads to a dangerous cycle which can further polarise peoples views, and in which more searching doesnt necessarily mean getting closer to the truth.

While Google Search is a brilliant search engine, its also a work in progress. Google is continuously addressing various issues related to its performance.

One major challenge relates to societal biases concerning race and gender. For example, searching Google Images for truck driver or president returns images of mostly men, whereas model and teacher returns images of mostly women.

While the results may represent what has historically been true (such as in the case of male presidents), this isnt always the same as what is currently true let alone representative of the world we wish to live in.

Some years ago, Google reportedly had to block its image recognition algorithms from identifying gorillas, after they began classifying images of black people with the term.

Another issue highlighted by health practitioners relates to people self diagnosing based on symptoms. Its estimated about 40% of Australians search online for self diagnoses, and there are about 70,000 health-related searches conducted on Google each minute.

There can be serious repercussions for those who incorrectly interpret information found through Dr Google not to mention what this means in the midst of a pandemic.

Google has delivered a plethora of COVID misinformation related to unregistered medicines, fake cures, mask effectiveness, contact tracing, lockdowns and, of course, vaccines.

According to one study, an estimated 6,000 hospitalisations and 800 deaths during the first few months of the pandemic were attributable to misinformation (specifically the false claim that drinking methanol can cure COVID).

To combat this, Google eventually prioritised authoritative sources in its search results. But theres only so much Google can do.

We each have a responsibility to make sure were thinking critically about the information we come across. What can you do to make sure youre asking Google the best question for the answer you need?

Read more: Is Google getting worse? Increased advertising and algorithm changes may make it harder to find what you're looking for

In summary, a Google Search user must be aware of the following facts:

Google Search will bring you the top-ranked web pages which are also the most relevant to your search terms. Your results will be as good as your terms, so always consider context and how the inclusion of certain terms might affect the result.

Youre better off starting with a simple search, and adding more descriptive terms later. For instance, which of the following do you think is a more effective question: will hydroxychloroquine help cure my COVID? or what is hydroxychloroquine used for?

Quality content comes from verified (or verifiable) sources. While scouring through results, look at the individual URLs and think about whether that source holds much authority (for instance, is it a government website?). Continue this process once youre in the page, too, always checking for author credentials and information sources.

Google may personalise your results based on your previous search history, current location and interests (gleaned through other products such as Gmail, YouTube or Maps). You can use incognito mode to prevent these factors from impacting your search results.

Google Search isnt the only option. And you dont just have to leave your reading to the discretion of its algorithms. There are several other search engines available, including Bing, Yahoo, Baidu, DuckDuckGo and Ecosia. Sometimes its good to triangulate your results from outside the filter bubble.

Read more: Australia's competition watchdog says Google has a monopoly on online advertising but how does it work?

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There is, in fact, a 'wrong' way to use Google. Here are 5 tips to set you on the right path - The Conversation

Google wants to tidy up the event feed in its Home app to make it easier to see whats happening in your smart home. An update coming later this month will feature a clutter free layout, the search giant says, and it will group related entries to avoid you having to scroll through a list of repetitive events. The above screenshot released by the company shows a more concise, streamlined design.

Alongside this feed update, the company has officially announced a new centralized privacy section, as well as the updated controls that started appearing last week. The privacy section is launching this week, and allows you to manage household settings like presence sensing and offers an easy view of your data. Meanwhile, the new smart home controls offer a simple at-a-glance view of the status of your smart home devices without requiring as many taps, similar to the controls Google included with Android 11. Theyll roll out over the next few weeks, Google says.

Theyre welcome additions to the Google Home app, which has remained largely unchanged since its last major redesign in 2018 (barring a color changing light update in 2019). Unfortunately Googles post doesnt mention whether theyll reduce the amount of ads for Google services that currently plague the home feed.

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Google tidies up its smart home app - The Verge

This may sound familiar, but theres something wrong with the latest software update for Googles Pixel 6 phones. As Google tweaks the version of Android it distributes to phones running its custom Tensor chip, there have been some odd issues, but instead of problems with Wi-Fi or a slow thumbprint scanner, this time, its affecting another key feature: notifications. They still pop up on the phone just as regularly, but for some reason, the strength of the vibration is now significantly weaker than it was before.

Ive had my phones sounds set to silent for years, so any difference in the notification buzz is immediately an issue. Its also noticeably softer for incoming calls, and some people have reported missing phone calls as a result.

Adjusting the phones strength slider seems to have no effect, which suggests the problem is a bug rather than something intentional. A poster on Reddit pointed out that people noticed the same thing during the Android 12.1 beta, but it appears to have made its way into the production release without a response or adjustment. Droid-Life noted that after a list of changes in the March Pixel update appeared on March 7th, Google added a line saying it includes Fix for issue causing weaker haptic feedback in certain conditions on March 8th.

Why did Google change that, and was it intentional? I dont know, and despite requesting more information, the company has not responded. Everyone Ive talked to with a Pixel 6 has noticed the change in their phones, from friends to other Verge staffers, while a number of posts on social media sites and comments suggest its affecting pretty much everyone with one of the devices.

At least a few folks have said they like the change, but if youre not one of them, you may have to wait for another update or install another app that lets you adjust vibrations directly.

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Google's Pixel 6 and 6 Pro vibration changed after the March update - The Verge

March 23 (Reuters) - Alphabet-owned (GOOGL.O) Google will not help websites, apps and YouTube channels sell ads alongside content that it deems exploits, dismisses or condones the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, the U.S. company said Wednesday.

Google, whose advertising software helps publishers generate revenue, bars ads from appearing next to content that incites violence and denies tragic events. It is broadly applying those policies to the war.

"We can confirm that we're taking additional steps to clarify, and in some instances expand our monetization guidelines as they relate to the war in Ukraine," Google spokesman Michael Aciman said.

Register

In an email to publishers seen by Reuters, Google said ads would not run alongside, for example, "claims that imply victims are responsible for their own tragedy or similar instances of victim blaming, such as claims that Ukraine is committing genocide or deliberately attacking its own citizens."

Google also bars ads that capitalize on sensitive events and has applied that policy to the war.

Senior Russian officials say Western media has misreported the conflict in Ukraine, which it calls a "special operation" to demilitarize the country.

Interfax news agency reported on Wednesday that Russia's communications regulator had blocked Google's aggregator service Google News, accusing it of allowing access to what Russia calls fake material about the military operation in Ukraine. read more

Many major Western advertising and social media services have announced new content and payment restrictions around the conflict, including blocking Russian state media RT and Sputnik in the European Union.

Earlier this month, Google said it had stopped selling all online ads in Russia.

Register

Reporting by Eva Mathews in Bengaluru and Paresh Dave in Oakland, California; Editing by Shailesh Kuber and Rosalba O'Brien

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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Google to pause ads that exploit or dismiss Russia-Ukraine war - Reuters

Hello, and welcome to Protocol Entertainment, your guide to the business of the gaming and media industries. This Friday, were discussing Google and Spotifys new app store deal and what it means for the broader app economy, as well as what you should read, watch and play this weekend.

Earlier this week, Google and Spotify announced a joint multiyear agreement hinting at a serious shift in how much of the mobile commerce pie the search giant takes from third-party developers. The deal, which is being billed as a pilot program, allows Spotify to implement its own in-app payment system instead of Googles Play Store one: That means the streaming service will take home more of each subscription it sells.

The exact commission split is a mystery for now, but its going to be more generous than the current 85%-15% split. The implications this could have for the broader mobile economy, much of which is powered by gaming, are massive.

Spotify has been pushing for this for years. Spotify, alongside Epic Games and Netflix, has been one of the most vocal opponents of the 30% app store cut on Android and iOS. Though it has directed much of its ire toward Apple, Spotify has still supported lobbying efforts, legislation and regulation in the U.S. and abroad thats begun to chip away at both platforms once-rigid policies.

Gaming would be the real test. Spotify makes perfect sense as a first partner for the pilot program given the streaming services combative history against Googles competitor. But Google actually doesnt stand to lose all that much money here. Thats because mobile gaming, not music streaming, makes up a much bigger part of the mobile app economy.

Google is amplifying the pressure on Apple. Much of the pushback against app store legislation in countries like Japan, the Netherlands and South Korea has come from Apple, which has been steadfast in its defense of its 30% cut and less willing than Google to budge.

Its still too early to tell just how influential Google and Spotifys partnership will prove, and whether this will be the start of a sea change for the mobile app economy or just another concession Big Tech uses to forestall meaningful regulation. But until mobile game companies are extended the benefits other media apps enjoy, companies like Epic Games dont seem likely to ever back down.

Nick Statt

"To win more revenue for your sales teams, start with the customer. Understand what your customers need, and make sure that those needs are aligned to clearly defined internal success criteria. Build trust across the teams that what you sold the customer is what is being delivered." - Pilar Schenk, COO at Cisco Collaboration

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Spider-Man: No Way Home. Didnt catch the latest Spidey movie in theaters? Or maybe you did, but you really want to watch it again in the comfort of your own home? Nows your chance: The movie became available on iTunes, Google Play and a bunch of other video-on-demand stores in recent days; you can buy it for $19.99.

Eliza Masswerk.at. Joseph Weizenbaums pioneering chatbot has fascinated, enraged and amused people for decades. Playing the role of a therapist, Eliza is both very inquisitive and obviously limited in her understanding of what we tell her. And yet, we cant help but engage. We try to trip her up, get her to say something funny, swear at her or even confide in her. This week, Eliza was honored with a Peabody Award for Digital and Interactive Storytelling, which is as good of a reason as any to once again chat a bit with her. I highly recommend the online version hosted by Masswerk.at, which allows you to experience Eliza in an old-school terminal interface.

Netflix Jr. magazine Netflixjr.com. For some time now, Netflix has been on a quest to become its own best media partner. The company launched a print magazine, podcasts, newsletters and more, all doing journalism-ish things while also advertising Netflix movies and shows. The latest addition to this is the Netflix Jr. magazine, a print magazine for the preschool to early primary school crowd. Think Highlights High Five, with every page featuring characters from Netflix shows. There are puzzles, mazes, activities and even recipes (Cocomelon toast, anyone?). Netflix clearly isnt trying to reinvent the wheel here, but the magazine should still be fun for little ones, especially if theyre into shows like Ask the StoryBots or Ada Twist, Scientist. A subscription to the print version of the Netflix Jr. magazine is free, and the magazine is also available as a free digital download.

Enemies Unity. Game engines have improved a lot over the years, and theres no better way of keeping track of visual fidelity improvements than Unitys tech demos. Its latest looks like a high-end Hollywood visual effects production, but its all been rendered in real time. To add to the wow factor, its worth reading this Twitter thread from the tech and rendering lead on Unitys demo team, which explores all the intricacies of the short film in detail.

How SiriusXM bungled the Stitcher acquisition The Verge. With the $325 million acquisition of Stitcher, SiriusXM also got its hands on the podcast network Earwolf. Insiders told The Verge that the acquisition didnt exactly go over as expected. A worthwhile read, and another proof point that monetizing content with small but engaged audiences is hard.

"Trying to make every deal as big as possible often adds complexity and extends sales cycles. To accelerate growth, sellers should focus on landing faster, and then expanding, and expanding again. Getting customers into your solution sooner helps you solve their initial problems, then later, you can grow together." - Michael Megerian, Chief Revenue Officer at Yello

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Thoughts, questions, tips? Send them to entertainment@protocol.com. Enjoy your day, see you Tuesday.

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Google and Spotifys app store deal could upend the mobile app economy - Protocol

Here are five things you should know about Google Analytics, transfers and Schrems II.

1. Down to Middle Earth We GoBrush up on your J.R.R. Tolkien because Datatilsynet in its new guidance on cloud providers, says you have to know all of your cloud provider processors and sub processors and sub-sub processors until you hit the hobbits in Middle Earth. This was expected based on the European Data Protection Boards Schrems II guidelines. Like a Keto diet, this is simple to understand but incredibly hard to do.

2. Supervisory Authorities Are People TooAnd they are having a hard time enforcing the Schrems II cases, in part because they are aware of how complicated compliance is and, in part, because it is also hard for them. They lack the resources to check if what the controllers said about the sub- and sub-sub- and sub-sub-subprocessors (you get the point) is actually true.

3. Trickle Down Schremsnomics:It is clear that compliance is hard. Right now, a lot of companies are relying on large processors and unable to get either the information or the compliance concessions they want. Maybe with cases like Microsoft and Zoom for the Netherlands government, DPIA and the new European Data Protection Supervisor MS 365 initiative, the work and changes made will start trickling down (or up) and be available up the chain to the SME processors or controllers who need it.

4. Keep Idealistic and Comply OnThere is no risk base in transfers and this is a key aspect of EU law (as opposed to the more pragmatic American approach). However, this does not mean you should just give up and do nothing. While the law doesnt allow for a risk-based approach, the enforcement by the supervisory authorities might. They could consider, for the purpose of issuing fines, the scope of the transfer, the nature of the data, the measures implemented, whether or not you have alternative services that you considered, etc. And this may result in a grace period to comply, reduce fines, no fines etc.

5. Better Accurate Than SorryThe worst thing you can do is say that you may be transferring personal data or you may be processing X or may be using marketing cookies when you really arent. This is a Chapter V GDPR transfers violation because, per the Court of Justice of the European Union and the European Data Protection Board, you need to know your transfers. Datatilsynet cloud guidance agrees. And its an Art 12 GDPR transparency violation (said Data Protection Commission Ireland in WhatsApp & Facebook cases). The California Attorney General and Federal Trade Commission dont like this very much in the US either.

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5 Things to Know About Google Analytics, Transfers and Schrems II - JD Supra

But it isnt just the threat of Russian missiles that has disrupted the supply chain flow in the Black Sea region. Its the choppy waters created by sanctions against vessels, businesses and people associated with Russia. The conflict in Ukraine is putting a searchlight on technologies from companies including Quantexa, Windward and Skytek, which use AI-based data analytics to monitor exposure to risks posed by sanctioned entities whether it be to guard against financial fraud such as money laundering or maritime risks such as illegal cargo or flag-hopping.

Damage to the two cargo ships each of them valued at close to $30 million, according to sanctions compliance assessment software vendor Skytek was minor, though one crew member on the Namura Queen sustained non-life-threatening injuries. When they were struck, the ships were among 120 cargo vessels moored at Ukrainian ports, just before Ukraine's military suspended commercial shipping at its ports following the initial invasion by Russian forces into that country.

The data is just a sampling of the sort of information available through software from Skytek, which uses machine learning and data analytics to evaluate current and historical voyage patterns and alert customers when suspicious activities such as evasion tactics occur in sanctioned maritime zones.

When President Joe Biden announced a new round of sanctions targeting 400 people and entities affiliated with the Russian government during a Thursday press conference, a reporter asked if he believed the actions would have an impact on making Russia change course in Ukraine. A frustrated Biden responded, Youre playing a game with me. Just before, he remarked, I did not say that, in fact, the sanctions would deter [Russian President Vladimir Putin]. Sanctions never deter.

Whether or not they are directly deterring Putin from continuing Russias attacks on Ukraine, data from Windward another company providing AI-based analytics software to assess maritime risk showed that regulatory or moral sanctions appear to be having some effect.

The Western market has been shutting off completely any work with anybody related to Russia, said Ami Daniel, co-founder and CEO of Windward. That means that when it comes to companies or ships that are connected in some way to Russia, A lot of the people won't even touch you with a stick right now.

Right now, Windwards customers are conducting queries in its software platform to help inform how they address sanctions against Russian entities. We have a German customer which is super risk averse and doesn't want to do any business with anybody who's ever been near one of these places in the last 24 months, Daniel said.

Lloyds List Intelligence also offers data and AI-based analytics tools to monitor maritime risk. But unlike startup competitors, the company launched in 1734 as a printed broadsheet posting ship arrivals and departures in a London coffee house. It still maintains its media arm, which reported early this month that Cargo underwriters are taking the decision not to cover consignments heading to Russia or Ukraine, and even nearby countries, citing reputational risks and the potential difficulties of paying out on insured claims.

Windwards software provides custom views of exposure to vessels connected to countries customers have particular concern about, such as Russia, Venezuela, Iran or Myanmar, over a selected time period. The company feeds satellite image and radio frequency data, weather data, ship ownership and cargo data, port data and vessel schedule data into deep-learning models tailored to a customers risk tolerance, then scores their level of risk associated with sanctions or other laws and regulations. As an example, the system pulls in imagery data from hundreds of satellites measuring a particular offshore area via an API every day.

Windward has published reports in recent weeks with updates related specifically to Ukraine and the Black Sea region, where intensifying attacks from Russia have led to a drastic decline in port activity around Ukraine.

But not all cargo ship activity is at a standstill. In fact, based on its analysis of its ship-tracking in the region, Windward reported on March 22 that general cargo and oil tankers calling port in Russia actually increased operations by 44% over the following week. The company pointed out an important piece of information teased out in its analysis: 60% of that increase in Russian port calls was associated with Russian-flagged vessels.

That, Daniel said, likely meant that those ships were returning home before they got stranded. This is Russian vessels coming home, and we think it's also because nobody would sell them marine fuel, he said, adding, About 50% of the marine fuel providers of bunker fuel will not provide them fuel. So they're in a tough spot.

Tracking sanctions-related risk on the high seas is just one area companies need to monitor, of course. Financial institutions are also using sophisticated analytics and machine-learning-based software to keep one step ahead of Russian nationals and oligarchs recently added to the U.S. Treasury Departments sanctions list.

Entity resolution is a key component in the processes used to identify suspicious actors by companies including Windward and Quantexa, which uses network analytics to detect possible financial fraud such as money laundering. The Quantexa system automatically generates a contextual network, a graph indicating the links connecting target entities with other shell operations or shady individuals.

To isolate possible fraudsters, the financial fraud detection software ingests information from an array of sources, from SWIFT wire transfer messages and risk data from Bureau van Dijks Orbis and RDC Grid to less-obvious sources such as financial records data revealed through journalistic investigations of the leaked Pandora and Panama Papers.

When you go in and look at the exposure, you see that person is not only a sanctioned individual, here's the company that our customers have been doing business with [and] he's 100% owner of that company, said Clark Frogley, head of financial crime solutions at Quantexa. He continued, But guess what? He's also the primary shareholder of these other three companies that they've been doing business with or these other two customers that we weren't even looking at.

On the water, Windward must navigate the maritime version of oligarch shell games to resolve ship identity. According to Windward, vessels are usually associated with multiple nationalities because they are linked to several owners, each performing different functions on a single ship. Windward combines several sources of positional and vessel identifier data to detect flag-hopping, a manipulative tactic used to circumvent sanctions and fishing regulations by changing the nation where a ship is registered.

Shipping traders or legal teams at Windwards customer companies are using its analysis to inform whether they should cancel booked shipments or other deals that might be subject to Russia-related sanctions. Contracts associated with trading plans over the next six months or more could be canceled if deemed too risky, Daniel said, adding, Listen, force majeure. Tough luck.

The headline on this story has been updated for clarity.

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Google is getting rid of its beloved bidets in California - Protocol

Google announced on Thursday three new health projects aimed at showcasing its artificial intelligence prowess. The most bullish among them: a partnership with Northwestern Memorial Hospital to use artificial intelligence to make ultrasounds more accessiblea development Google claims would halve the maternal mortality rate.

All three of Googles new projects highlight how the companys strength, organizing information, can play a role in health care. In the case of maternal mortality, that means creating a software that can record scans from an ultrasound wand as it glides over a pregnant womans stomach, and then analyze those images for potential fetal abnormalities or other signals that something is wrong.

Globally, the maternal mortality rate is 152 deaths per 100,000 births, according to the Gates Foundation, and a 2016 National Vital Statistics report found that 15% of women in the U.S. who gave birth received inadequate prenatal care. The WHO recommends women have at least an ultrasound before 24 weeks gestation. Ultrasound imaging requires fairly high level of expertise and requires a technician or nurse to make an initial assessment, before handing it off to a doctor. Google is suggesting that its technology could provide the technical expertise instead.

The idea is that we think we can actually help a relatively untrained operator get some of the basics, says Greg Corrado, senior research director at Google. Through Northwestern, its artificial intelligence will review ultrasounds for 5,000 patients. (Google did not specify a timeline for the three projects.)

Its other two initiatives center on developing software that turn mobile phones into health tools. The first, an extension of Googles past work using artificial intelligence to detect diabetic retinopathy from specialty retinal scans, uses a cellphone camera to take a picture of a persons eye from which it can detect signs of diabetic retinopathy. The third project revolves around software that can turn a smartphone into a stethoscope.

All of these ideas seek to position Google at the forefront of both artificial intelligence in healthcare and the future of health at home. Whether these inventions will really deliver on that promise is up for debate. (In general, researchers have only recently started to bring artificial intelligence to healthcare.)

Googles health ambitions have been ill-defined since the departure of former head of health David Feinberg and the dissolution of its unified health division. Under Feinberg, Google made a big push to make electronic health records easily searchable (manifested in a product called Care Studio). Now, health projects are distributed throughout the organization and overseen by Karen DeSalvo, Googles Chief Health Officer and former Assistant Secretary of Health under the Obama administration (she also previously served as New Orleans health commissioner and helped rebuild the citys primary care clinics). Since shes taken the health helm at Google, projects have taken on a more global public health focus.

Healthcare is an important piece of Googles forward-looking business strategy. In 2021, it invested $1.1 billion into 15 healthcare AI startups, according to the CBInsights report Analyzing Googles healthcare AI strategy. It also has been forging ahead into healthcare systems, notably signing a deal with global electronic health record company MEDITECH. Google is also competing with AWS and Microsoft to provide cloud services to healthcare providers, through which it can sell them additional services. These health projects are a way for Google to show companies in the $4 trillion healthcare market what it can really do for them.

Google has launched several public health projects in recent years. It teamed up with Apple to launch a digital COVID-19 exposure notification. Last year, it debuted artificial intelligence dermatology tool for assessing skin, nail, and hair conditions. It also added a tool to Google Pixel that can detect heart rate and respiratory rate through the smartphones camera. Its effort to screen for diabetic retinopathy is by far its most robust project. In 2016, Google announced it was working to develop algorithms to detect early signs of diabetic retinopathy, which leads to blindness.

The bigger question is: how useful is any of this stuff? A 2020 study, following the diabetic retinopathy tools use in Thailand, found that it was accurate when it made an assessment, speeding up diagnosis and treatment. However, because the image scans were not always high quality, Googles AI didnt deliver results for 21% of imagesa significant gap for patients. The technology is predominately deployed in India and is being used to screen 350 patients per day with 100,000 patients screened to date, the company says.

Corrado says there will always been some decrement in performance in taking technology from a lab setting to a real world setting. Sometimes its so much that its not worth it, he says. Im proud we go out into the world and see what is it like in those conditions and when we see there is a performance gap, we work with partners to close that performance gap. I assume theres going to be a trade off between accessibility and error.

But its follow up tool, which uses a smartphone camera to take a picture of the outside of the eye in order to screen for diabetic retinopathy may still have too many trade offs. A validation study, which usedexisting table-top cameras rather than a smartphone to collect images, found that the technology could detect a few different indications of whether someone may already be showing signs of diabetic retinopathy, including if their hemoglobin A1c level is 9% or more. The idea is that this tech could help prioritize certain patients for in-person care.

Ishani Ganguli, assistant professor of medicine at Brigham and Womens Hospital in Massachusetts, says that these technologies could definitely be potentially useful. It could be helpful to capture heart rate and respiratory rate for a virtual visit, for example, or for a patient with a certain condition to track (I wouldnt recommend healthy people track these routinely), she writes via email. Diagnosing diabetes retinopathy by photos would be very helpful as well (easier and potentially cheaper than an ophthalmology visit). However, she says, these approaches arent particularly novel.

Andrew Ibrahim, a surgeon and co-Director at the University of Michigans Center for Healthcare Outcomes & Policy, has a less rosy assessment. Couldnt he just ask patients a few more questions about their symptoms in order to get to the same information? What hes also getting at here is a matter of workflow. Its not clear exactly where a smartphone camera fits into how a doctor makes health decisions. For this smartphone health tool to effectively triage patients and surface the ones that need care first would require doctors to change how they do what they do. That part may not be realistic, though Google is working with partners, like Northwestern Memorial Hospital, to test that feasibility.

Regardless, these projects, which are then published in studies and will be submitted for peer review, serve to validate Google as a real contender in healthcare. And thats what this work is ultimately about.

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Google wants to use AI to cut the maternal mortality rate by half - Fast Company

For years, venture-backed media was buzzy and seductive, with sky-high valuations based on the idea that savvy online publishers could crack the code of digital or develop a formula for going viral.

Following a spate of rapid consolidation into just a few major players, BuzzFeed was the only one among them to go public, with HuffPost and Complex Networks, BuzzFeeds two pre-IPO acquisitions, along for the ride. But when BuzzFeed rang the bell, it didnt end up being a digital media debut that will inspire other media behemoths to follow suit.

Although BuzzFeed had positive EBITDA and traded higher after its first earnings, its quest for profitability comes at a cost. The money-losing-but-award-winning BuzzFeed News division is on its way to being dismantled or, at the very least, gutted. Staff is being offered buyouts, and leadership is leaving.

Then, in the second half of the episode, we get into Google Ad Managers preparations to accommodate other signals beyond third-party cookies, including encrypted signals from publishers (ESPs), which recently entered open beta. We unpack how to tell the difference between ESPs and PPIDs and all the other signals out there.

We also get into the reason behind why Google made dueling publisher-facing products. Its trying to give publishers the option to share whatever signals they want, while Google itself has taken a strong stance against any identifiers based on email (see UID2).

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Podcast: BuzzFeed's First Earnings (OMG) And The DL On Google's ESP - AdExchanger

The Mayo Clinic launched its artificial intelligence startup program this week with an initial cohort of four participating companies.

The 20-week program, known as Mayo Clinic Platform_Accelerate, is aimed at giving early-stage health tech AI startups a boost, with additional expert assistance from Google and Epic.

"Health tech startups are critical contributors to the cycle of innovation," said Dr. John Halamka, president of Mayo Clinic Platform, in a statement. "We are excited to collaborate with these innovators to solve some of the most complex problems in medicine today."

WHY IT MATTERS

The program connects participating organizations with Mayo Clinic regulatory, clinical, technology and business experts, with a focus on AI model validation and clinical readiness.

Google and Epic thought leaders will also provide workshops. The initial cohort, which will begin this summer, comprises four competitively chosen startups:

Through the program, participants will delineate AI model requirements with the help of data science experts; check for fairness and bias in their models; access de-identified Mayo Clinic patient data in a secure environment; conduct model validation with guidance from data science experts; and plan clinical validation studies.

They'll also learn about Food and Drug Administration clearance pathways and have the chance to potentially partner with the Mayo Clinic Platform.

"The program is integral to our Mayo Clinic Platform mission to enable new knowledge, new solutions and new technologies that improve patients' lives worldwide," said Eric Harnisch, vice president of Partner Programs for Mayo Clinic Platform, in a statement.

The waiting list is currently open for the second cohort.

THE LARGER TREND

The Mayo Clinic has made several pushes toward AI-driven innovation in recent years, as in its ongoing 10-year partnership with Google and the introduction of its Clinical Data Analytics Platform in 2020.

In April 2021, it launched a new platform connecting devices to AI resources helping providers with clinical decision support.

Later that year, it teamed up with Duke, UC Berkeley and others to create a Health AI Partnership aimed at enabling safer, more effective software deployments.

ON THE RECORD

"We are helping participants take a crucial step in their growth trajectory by providing startups with a disciplined focus on model validation and clinical readiness to show product value," said Harnisch in a statement.

Kat Jercich is senior editor of Healthcare IT News.Twitter: @kjercichEmail: kjercich@himss.orgHealthcare IT News is a HIMSS Media publication.

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Mayo launches AI startup program, with assists from Epic and Google - Healthcare IT News