AI unveiled: Exploring its applications, uses and challenges

In today’s world, there has been a large amount of talk surrounding artificial intelligence (AI). For years, Hollywood has been exploring potential tragedies that AI may create, and billionaires, such as Elon Musk, have been talking about the benefits they may bring to society. 

Even products such as our smartphones and their apps contain some aspect of AI within them. All around the world, AI has become a term that seemingly came out of nowhere but is now just another part of everyday life.

But what is AI, and how does it work? Roberto Souza, an assistant professor at the University of Calgary and principal investigator for the advanced imaging and artificial intelligence labs, (stylized as [AI**2]) says that before we answer those questions, we should make one thing clear: the AI we are seeing isn’t exactly AI. 

“The buzz that is happening right now, is all around deep learning technologies which are basically very powerful learning models from big data [sets].”

Deep learning technology works by feeding computer software large amounts of labeled data, or data that has been tagged to provide context to what it is. From there, the software is able to sift through the data it receives, and make predictions on unlabeled data.

Common examples of this include facial/fingerprint recognition software on our smart devices, online chatbots such as ChatGPT, and even Tesla’s self-driving vehicles which contain deep learning software. 

However, the term AI has become more of an umbrella term in recent years, which covers terms such as deep learning and machine learning technologies, algorithms, and more. According to IBM, actual artificial intelligence refers to a form of computer software that “leverages computers and machines to mimic the problem-solving and decision-making capabilities of the human mind.” These computers are made depending on the tasks they are asked to perform.

Current forms of AI differ largely from the ones that are portrayed in movies, such as James Cameron’s The Terminator from 1984. In this movie, the computer software is able to adapt, learn and grow, and is generally able to replicate the human mind and all of its nuances. 

The idea for these types of AI can be seen over 50 years ago, when scientists were experimenting with neural networks which mimicked how the brain and its neurons send signals to each other. This idea of mimicking the human mind and its neural networks is still something that can be found in all technologies related to AI in some form or another.  

While these technologies are just a buildup of previous old innovations, a new problem is created by the datasets that get fed into these technologies: online privacy.

Steve Drew, an assistant professor in the Department of Software and Electrical Engineering at the University of Calgary, says that traditional methods of collecting data for these technologies may also include your private information. 

“With such [an] amount of data, these companies of course can do the good things which are beneficial for the entire society, but they can also do bad things such as surveillance of the citizen or predicting something people do not want them to predict,” says Drew. 

 Google’s own privacy policy states that they collect information through apps you interact with, your phone number, and even the people you are in contact with the most via Gmail.

Other companies and web browsers may also ask for some amount of personal information when you create a new account on a website or even your financial information for when you want to purchase something online. 

The concerns over privacy and the collection of personal data have become such a large issue that governments are now passing legislation, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe, meant to protect the privacy and confidentiality of these users. 

Drew’s research, however, showcases that this issue can be combated with a different type of AI learning software: federated learning, a method that allows the software to receive and train data, without collecting any private data.

“The idea is that a company does not necessarily want the input history, but can still learn from it, without linking that personal information to the user. This way the privacy concern is reduced but the machine learning can still continue.” 

There are other concerns surrounding the artificial intelligence industry in general, such as how the collected data is obtained, energy efficiency and more. Souza believes that in this case, the pros outweigh the cons.

“I would be [more] excited about how [AI is] gonna impact health care delivery, how it’ll impact robotics, and so many other important fields that’ll make our world better.”

Souza’s research, for instance, looks at ways that’ll help increase the speed at which MRIs are performed, which may also help patients receive those scans faster. Souza believes that by giving the deep learning model labeled data sets of sick versus healthy MRI scans, those scans can overall be performed faster, and detect issues quicker. 

While artificial intelligence technologies do have their pros and cons, their integration with our society will still continue. Scientists and politicians are coming up with ways to make it safer overall, but we are a long way away from worrying about the next terminator movie becoming a reality.

Report an Error or Typo

After a traumatic brain injury, UBC student heads to Stanford to help others

UBC student Yi Yi Du never thought he would graduate from university.

The 24-year-old fell into a two-month-long coma after being struck by a car in the fall of 2021 and suffered a severe traumatic brain injury.

But now, the ambitious young man has fought back and in the fall, he will start a Ph.D. program at Stanford University, where he is hoping to develop technologies that can support people who suffer traumatic brain injuries.

"I graduated with mechanical engineering, with a specialization in biomechanics and medical devices, special design," Du said of his UBC diploma.

At Stanford, he wants to apply what he learned about automatic control and use it to design medical devices such as traumatic brain injury prevention devices or rehabilitative devices.

"I'm going to the direct to the Ph.D. program, so I won't be getting a master's," Du said.

Video: Breakthrough procedure helps paralyzed patient walk again

While he is excited about Stanford and what lies ahead, Du had a long road of rehabilitation to get here.

"Before the accident, I was a very dedicated individual," he said.

"On one side of things, on the academic side, I focused on my schoolwork, achieving A-pluses in all my courses, and also continuing to participate in undergraduate research and also doing my co-op.

"But also my other side focused on outside of school where I was very passionate in three things. The first is road biking. One of my really close friends from high school introduced me to road cycling and we went on really long rides."

Du said he also loved hiking and even wanted to train with North Shore Rescue at one point. He said he also enjoyed sea kayaking and was a lifeguard with the City of Coquitlam.

"I really like the outdoors," he said.

But after being hit by a car while on his longboard and not wearing a helmet, Du gradually began to come out of his coma after two months.

"I don't remember the early days because my memory is not so good after the accident," he said. "But from what I and my mom's account, I woke up not just immediately, like what you would expect. It was very gradual waking, gradual consciousness."

In his case, Du's doctors told him he likely will have some permanent disabilities, including issues with balance and double vision. He said his cognitive abilities will be the slowest to recover and he also gets tired very easily.

Video: Mother and son miraculously survive bizarre Ironworkers bridge accident

He said after his accident and returning to studying, UBC has been very considerate and understanding of his condition. He received accommodations on exams and assignment deadlines as he processes information slower than others.

But now he is looking forward to the next stage of his life and what he can achieve.

"I think because of my injury, I like to focus on something that's not physically intensive for work because I don't think I would excel at physically demanding work or active work that requires my active daily life," he said.

"At the same time, I want to continue my research in biomechanics and medical devices because before my injury, I (knew) the importance of medical devices and the research going to them. I knew that it was very important for this society. But now, after the injury, I have a personal understanding of the impact of research."

Specifically, he said he would like to develop a crutch or a cane to help people walk with more stability.

The future in sunny California looks bright for Du as he heads off this fall with a new outlook on life.

"You cannot choose what happens to you," he said. "You can choose what you respond. I think that is the takeaway from this. And I think another takeaway is to make sure to surround yourself with a good support network."

ICAI CA Final, Intermediate Exam May 2023: Admit card released; how to download

ICAI CA Final, Intermediate Exam May 2023: The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) today released the admit cards for the Intermediate and Final exam for May 2023. Candidates who will be appearing for the exam can download the hall tickets from the official website— icai.org.

Also Read |ICAI defers May 10 CA intermediate exam in Karnataka

The final exam for group 1 will begin from May 2 to 9 from 2 pm to 5 pm. The exam for group 2 will begin on May 11 and conclude on May 17, it will also be conducted from 2 pm to 5 pm.

Step 1: Visit the official website— icai.org

Step 2: Click on self service portal option given on the homepage

Step 3: Click on the link for admit card

Step 4: Enter your student registration number and password

Step 5: View and download the admit card for future reference

The Intermediate exam for group 1 will begin from May 3 till May 10 and group 2 exams will commence from May 12 and conclude on May 18. All exams will be held from 2 pm to 5 pm.