This week’s list of top data news highlights covers April 22, 2023 to April 28, 2023 and includes articles on unveiling quantum computers and deploying the world’s first autonomous, electric ferry.
1. Generating Videos
Runway, a U.S.-based AI company, has created an app with a generative AI system that can create and edit videos. Users can record videos on their phones and submit text or image prompts or choose a preset style to generate a new video.
2. Tracking Global Health
The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched the Health Inequality Data Repository to better track population health around the world and address inequalities. The repository includes over 2,000 health indicators categorized by 22 dimensions of inequality, such as demographic or socioeconomic factors.
3. Translating Languages
Interprefy, a Swiss translation services company, has created an AI system that can translate speech into text or audio in a different language in real time. The system can translate 24 languages and can provide translation services at in-person events or on virtual platforms.
4. Traveling on an Autonomous Ferry
Torghatten AS, a Norwegian transportation company, has launched the world’s first autonomous, electric passenger ferry in Stockholm. The ferry contains radar, lidar, and ultrasonic sensors, cameras, and a GPS system to collect data on the nearby environment and an AI system that uses the data to navigate routes and dock.
5. Designing Profile Pictures
TikTok has launched an experimental tool enabling users in select regions to create AI-generated profile pictures. Users can submit 3 to 10 photos and select between two to five styles to create their profile pictures.
6. Sharing Shipping Data
The ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach, Hueneme, Oakland, and San Diego in California have launched the California Port Data Partnership. Through the partnership, ports will share shipping data to improve visibility along supply chains and reduce congestion, delays, and emissions.
7. Performing Surgery
Researchers at the California Institute of Technology and the University of Southern California have created an AI system that can identify types of surgeries from videos and assess the surgeons’ quality of work. The team trained the system with surgery videos annotated by medical professionals.
8. Unveiling Quantum Computers
SEEQC, a U.S.-based quantum computing company, has unveiled a quantum computer in Naples, Italy. The new computer is the country’s first full-stack quantum computer.
9. Opening Autonomous Stores
Hong Kong International Airport has opened its first autonomous store. Customers can tap their credit card at the store’s entrance and the store’s sensor technology will track what customers select and charge them accordingly.
10. Viewing King Charles III’s Crown
Atlantic Productions, a U.K.-based productions company, has partnered with Sky News to create an augmented reality version of King Charles III’s coronation crown. People can use the augmented reality version to view a life-size version of the crown in their surrounding environment. The company will add an augmented reality version of Queen Mary’s Crown, and Camilla, Queen Consort’s future crown, once it is revealed.
Image credit: Flickr user Ken Douglas