This week’s list of top data news highlights covers August 3, 2024 to August 9, 2024, and includes articles on public defense attorneys using AI to analyze evidence and a humanoid robot helping to assemble BMW cars.
1. Translating Emergency Calls
Prepared, a New York-based AI company, is using generative AI to help 911 emergency dispatch centers answer Spanish-language calls by translating these calls in real time. English-speaking emergency professionals can type their responses in English, and the system will use an AI-generated voice to communicate the response in Spanish.
The State of Indiana has partnered with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to launch a data dashboard that provides access to statewide data on sickle cell disease patients, a genetic blood disorder mostly affecting people of African descent. The dashboard will streamline research and enhance patient care by providing data on hospitalizations, deaths, and newborn screening results per county.
Maria College in Albany, New York is using virtual reality to design realistic scenarios for nursing students to practice their patient service and medical skills. The students can practice dealing with stressed patients and their families, providing an opportunity to develop both medical skills and patient interaction techniques before beginning real-world training in hospitals.
Google has launched a new smart TV that will use AI to analyze users’ watching habits and preferences to automatically make content recommendations and create watchlists across streaming subscriptions.
Flightly, a flight companion and travel blog app that lets users record and track their flights, is releasing a new feature that will alert paid subscription users of how likely flight delays are before airlines officially announce them. The new feature uses machine learning and real-time data from local aviation authorities to analyze and predict which flights are likely to have a delay.
JusticeText, a California-based AI startup, has created software that helps public defense attorneys get through large amounts of evidence by using AI to automate transcription and case management. Currently, public defendants often do not analyze all the available evidence in a case, such as police body camera footage that can have more than 100 hours for each case. Attorneys save time by using the software to take time-stamped notes, create video clips, and catalog their discoveries.
7. Finding Archeological Treasures
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore have analyzed satellite data to reveal an underground hidden monastery in the Mahabodhi Temple complex in India, a holy site for Buddhists dating back to the fifth century. Analyzing satellite images allowed researchers to discover hidden structures without invasive archeological methods.
Figure AI, a California-based company making AI-powered robots, has designed a humanoid robot that can carry out complex, physically demanding tasks. The robot uses AI to analyze camera footage and can carry out some tasks autonomously but also has onboard microphones to complete certain tasks as directed by workers. BMW successfully tested the robot in its North Carolina-based manufacturing plant where the robot helped insert sheet metal parts into fixtures while assembling the base frame of vehicles.
9. Improving X-Ray Structure Methods
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have developed a deep learning model called PhAI that better determines and maps the structure of crystal structures using X-ray data. PhAI uses deep learning to work with lower-quality X-ray data and quickly produces highly accurate results, outperforming traditional methods. Understanding crystal structure is important in many scientific and medical applications.
10. Digitizing Housing Projects
The Abu Dhabi Housing Authority in the United Arab Emirates is using digital twins to showcase its housing projects and help people find housing that best suits their needs. 3D visualizations of the interior and exterior of more than 3,000 houses allow prospective residents to explore housing options and book interactive virtual tours using the Authority’s official app.
Image credit: Chutternsap
