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SmartThings Blog

Avery Winslow
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SmartThings Blog

Whether you’re a SmartThings enthusiast, a longtime IKEA customer, or just starting your smart living, users are now able to simply connect everything together.

The average household in America now has several smart devices ranging from light bulbs to cameras, door locks to speakers, and almost any other thing you can think of. We are even seeing smart bird feeders! The Matter standard was created so that smart devices in our homes will easily connect, and work well together for even greater benefit and value.

SmartThings has introduced a new Matter Bridge integration, improving connectivity between its platform and IKEA’s smart home devices. This new feature simplifies the smart home experience by enabling seamless connectivity between SmartThings’ extensive ecosystem and IKEA’s Home smart devices.   

What is the Matter Bridge Integration?

IKEA shoppers can now effortlessly connect their IKEA smart devices to the SmartThings platform using the Matter Bridge integration. This feature allows users to import their existing IKEA smart home setups into SmartThings with just a few clicks. Existing SmartThings and IKEA users can now enjoy the benefits of both platforms simultaneously.

Why Is This a Game Changer?

  • IKEA Devices on SmartThings Map View: A Matter bridge integration enables users to view their IKEA smart devices on Map View available on Samsung TVs, Family Hub, tablets, and smartphones. A full view of your smart home in just one glance – no more scrolling through lists to find the right light.
  • Broader Ecosystem: This integration expands possibilities for users, particularly those with a mix of smart devices from different ecosystems. By connecting IKEA devices with SmartThings, users can create additional automations and control a broader range of smart devices from a single platform.
  • Seamless Transition: A major advantage of the Matter Bridge is the ease of transition between multiple ecosystems. Instead of adding and configuring each device one by one for both ecosystems, users can import their existing IKEA setup into SmartThings.
  • Greater Choice and Flexibility: The integration allows users to connect their devices to multiple ecosystems simultaneously, ensuring they can maintain their preferred setups without being locked into one system.

New Possibilities for Samsung and IKEA Shoppers

This integration enhances control and automation options while preserving the unique features of the IKEA DIRIGERA hub, such as the ability to bind a remote directly to a light or shade, which improves responsiveness and user experience. Users can also enjoy dynamic control, such as pressing and holding a dimmer button to gradually increase light levels until released.

Additionally, Samsung users who shop at IKEA can now incorporate IKEA’s affordable and stylish smart devices into their SmartThings ecosystem. This opens up new possibilities for expanding their smart home setup with IKEA’s products while benefiting from SmartThings’ advanced features and integrations.

Enjoy a More Connected and Automated Home Today

The IKEA and SmartThings Matter Bridge integration marks a significant advancement in smart home technology, offering users greater flexibility, ease of use, and expanded capabilities. By bridging the gap between IKEA’s smart devices and SmartThings’ robust platform, it is now easier than ever for users to enjoy a connected and automated home.

Murky AI Chip Economy

Parker Lennox
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Murky AI Chip Economy

The Growth of Loans Secured by Nvidia’s GPUs: A Note for Caution

A Rapid Rise in GPU-Backed Lending

In recent years, the lending industry has seen a significant surge in loans secured by graphics processing units (GPUs) from Nvidia, a leading graphics card manufacturer. This growth has been driven by the increasing demand for high-performance computing and cryptocurrency mining, as well as the relative ease of accessing credit for these purposes. However, this rapid rise in GPU-backed lending raises concerns about the potential risks and pitfalls associated with this type of lending.

Lack of Regulation and Oversight

One of the primary concerns surrounding GPU-backed lending is the lack of regulation and oversight in this sector. Unlike traditional lending, which is subject to strict regulations and guidelines, the lending industry for GPUs is largely unregulated. This lack of oversight creates an environment in which lenders can operate with minimal accountability, potentially leading to predatory lending practices and unfair treatment of borrowers.

Risks of GPU Devaluation

Another significant risk associated with GPU-backed lending is the potential for GPU devaluation. As new, more powerful GPUs are released, the value of older GPUs can plummet, leaving borrowers with little or no equity in their GPU. This can lead to a situation in which borrowers are unable to repay their loans, resulting in financial hardship and damage to their credit scores.

Consequences for Borrowers

The consequences of GPU-backed lending can be severe for borrowers. If a borrower is unable to repay their loan, they may face penalties, fees, and even legal action. Furthermore, the negative impact on their credit score can have long-lasting effects on their financial well-being.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while GPU-backed lending may seem like an attractive option for those seeking access to credit, it is essential to approach this type of lending with caution. Borrowers should carefully consider the risks and potential consequences before entering into a GPU-backed loan agreement. Lenders, on the other hand, must operate with transparency and integrity, ensuring that borrowers are treated fairly and with respect.

FAQs

Q: What are the risks associated with GPU-backed lending?

A: The primary risks associated with GPU-backed lending include the lack of regulation and oversight, the potential for GPU devaluation, and the consequences for borrowers if they are unable to repay their loans.

Q: What should borrowers do to mitigate these risks?

A: Borrowers should carefully review the loan agreement, understand the terms and conditions, and consider the potential risks and consequences before entering into a GPU-backed loan agreement.

Q: How can lenders operate more responsibly in this sector?

A: Lenders can operate more responsibly by being transparent about their lending practices, providing fair and reasonable loan terms, and treating borrowers with respect and fairness.

Q: What role can regulators play in ensuring the integrity of GPU-backed lending?

A: Regulators can play a critical role by establishing clear guidelines and regulations for the lending industry, ensuring that lenders operate with transparency and integrity, and protecting borrowers from predatory lending practices.

Organs of State

Phil
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Organs of State

The Organs of State

A living, breathing, glorious mess.

A Visual Representation

Conclusion

The organs of state are a complex and multifaceted system that is essential for the functioning of a country. They are a reflection of the country’s history, culture, and values, and are shaped by the interactions between different institutions and actors. The visual representation of the organs of state is a surreal and dreamlike image that captures the complexity and messiness of the system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the organs of state?
A: The organs of state refer to the various institutions and systems that make up a country’s government and administration.

Q: What is the purpose of the organs of state?
A: The purpose of the organs of state is to provide for the well-being and security of the citizens of a country, and to ensure the smooth functioning of the country’s economy and society.

Q: How do the organs of state interact with each other?
A: The organs of state interact with each other through a complex system of checks and balances, as well as through the interactions between different institutions and actors.

Q: What is the relationship between the organs of state and the citizens of a country?
A: The organs of state are responsible for serving the citizens of a country, and are accountable to them. The citizens of a country have the right to participate in the political process and to hold their government accountable for its actions.

Responsible AI Deployment Framework

Riley Kensington
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Responsible AI Deployment Framework

Digital Transformation in Government: The Role of Generative AI

Unlocking Value from Data

In 2024, the ongoing process of digitalization further enhances the efficiency of government programs and the effectiveness of policies, as detailed in a previous white paper. Two critical elements driving this digital transformation are data and artificial intelligence (AI). AI plays a pivotal role in unlocking value from data and gaining deeper insights into the extensive information that governments collect to serve their citizens.

The Growing Demand for Generative AI

As the demand for generative AI is expected to grow this year, it becomes imperative for the public sector to embrace responsible use of this technology. Only by doing so can governments establish themselves as trustworthy stewards.

Traditional AI vs. Generative AI

To understand the unique challenges that are posed by generative AI compared to traditional AI, it helps to understand their fundamental differences.

Traditional AI

Traditional AI primarily relies on algorithms and extensive labeled data sets to train models through machine learning. These models can provide recommendations or identify certain behaviors by recognizing patterns and adhering to predefined rules. For instance, traditional AI is used to improve the effectiveness of spam email filtering, enhance movie or product recommendations for consumers, and enable virtual assistants to help individuals in seeking information.

Generative AI

Generative AI is emerging as a valuable solution for automating and improving routine administrative and repetitive tasks. This technology excels at applying foundation models, which are large neural networks trained on extensive unlabeled data and fine-tuned for various tasks. It can effectively identify, summarize, convert, predict, and generate content from large data sets. Implementing this technology in the public sector can significantly improve efficiency, enabling organizations to complete their daily tasks with a fraction of the resources.

The Potential of Generative AI in Government

Generative AI presents an unprecedented opportunity to enhance various aspects of government operations and improve services for citizens. It can empower government workers with more powerful tools for answering questions and conducting research. Tasks such as contract writing and management, which are both time-consuming and crucial, might greatly benefit from the application of generative AI.

The US Department of State’s Approach

Last year, the US Department of State sought feedback on the challenges and security considerations of introducing generative and natural language processing AI into its network. A June request for information from the State Department revealed their aim to improve worker efficiency and accuracy in repetitive tasks related to market research and acquisition planning for contract writing. Machine learning-trained generative AI might help in drafting new contracts based on this research.

Implementing Generative AI Responsibly

The remarkable generative capabilities of this emerging AI technology raise questions about its responsible use in the public sector. For example, contract managers need to know that the original research is faithfully converted into a legally binding contract for two or more parties.

Key Pillars for Responsible AI in Government

IBM’s AI development centers around 5 fundamental pillars to help ensure trustworthy AI. Government leaders should prioritize these pillars when considering the responsible development, training, and deployment of AI:

Fairness

Fairness in an AI system refers to its ability to treat individuals or groups equitably, depending on the context in which the AI system is used. That means countering biases and preventing discrimination that is related to protected characteristics, such as gender, race, age, and veteran status.

Privacy

Privacy pertains to an AI system’s ability to prioritize and safeguard consumers’ privacy and data rights while complying with existing regulations related to data collection, storage, access, and disclosure.

Explainability

Explainability is important because an AI system must be able to provide a human-interpretable explanation for its predictions and insights in a way that does not hide behind technical jargon.

Transparency

Transparency means that an AI system must include and share information on how it was designed and developed and the data or data sources used to feed the system.

Robustness

Robustness is an AI system’s ability to effectively handle exceptional conditions, such as abnormalities in input. It helps to ensure consistent outputs.

Conclusion

As the public sector continues to embrace AI and automation to solve problems and improve efficiency, it is crucial to maintain trust and transparency in any AI solution. Teams should have the ability to comprehend and manage the AI lifecycle effectively. Proactively adopting responsible AI practices is an opportunity for all of us to improve.

FAQs

Q: What is generative AI, and how does it differ from traditional AI?
A: Generative AI is a type of AI that excels at applying foundation models, which are large neural networks trained on extensive unlabeled data and fine-tuned for various tasks. It can effectively identify, summarize, convert, predict, and generate content from large data sets.

Q: What are the key pillars for responsible AI in government?
A: IBM’s AI development centers around 5 fundamental pillars: fairness, privacy, explainability, transparency, and robustness.

Q: How can governments ensure the responsible use of generative AI?
A: Governments can ensure the responsible use of generative AI by prioritizing the 5 key pillars, maintaining human oversight, and providing clear processes for AI development and deployment.

Q: What are the benefits of implementing generative AI in government?
A: Generative AI can significantly improve efficiency, enabling organizations to complete their daily tasks with a fraction of the resources. It can also empower government workers with more powerful tools for answering questions and conducting research.

Miniature Marvel

Phil
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Miniature Marvel

Design and Performance

The iPad mini 7th generation brings the A17 Bionic chip and Apple Pencil Pro support to its tiniest tablet. On the face of it, this is a minor upgrade from the iPad mini 6th generation, with no visual changes save for the addition of a couple of new colours. But there’s a lot going on under the hood, making it a tantalising (and tote-able) option for creatives on the go.

iPad mini 7th generation: Key specifications

Specification Value
Chipset A17 Pro chip, 6-core CPU with 2 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
RAM 8GB
Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
Dimensions 195.4 x 134.8 x 6.3mm
Weight 293g (Wi-Fi), 297g (Wi-Fi + Cellular)
Connection type USB-C
Battery life 10 hours with basic use
Screen LED backlit touchscreen, 2732x2048p, 600 nits brightness

Design and Performance

If you’ve been anywhere near a 6th generation iPad mini, then there’s not much to see here as far as design is concerned. The iPad mini 7 is identical to its predecessor, save for the addition of two new hues, purple and blue (and these are very subtle). It’s essentially a shrunken-down iPad Air, complete with USB-C, quad speakers and an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display. It’s the perfect size for chucking in a tote bag, and at 293 grams it’s the lightest iPad out there.

If there’s one major disappointment here, it’s that display. While Apple may have quietly improved the infamous jelly-scrolling issue, we’re still seeing the same 60hz display. It would have been great to see Apple’s super-smooth 120hz ProMotion tech hit the iPad mini, and while OLED might have been too much to ask, a brighter and smoother display would have helped turn this into the ultimate ‘full’ mini iPad experience Apple is touting it to be. That said, the display is still an improvement over the basic 10th generation iPad, as it’s fully laminated and has an anti-reflective coating.

While things look the same as before on the outside, inside it’s a different story. One of the headline features of the 7th generation iPad mini is its powerful A17 Pro chip. This offers 30% faster CPU and 2x faster Neural Engine. And the performance boost can be felt across the device, from the UI to creative apps.

Editing photos across the Adobe Suite, or creating 3D models in ZBrush is a breeze on the A17-powered iPad mini, and in my initial testing I was unable to find any creative task that the iPad mini particularly struggled with. The most notable difference between this and the iPad Pro was in exporting 4k video from LumaFusion. This took almost twice as long, and caused the iPad itself to warm up, which isn’t an issue on the Pro. But it still gets the job done impressively.

The performance boost is also particularly clear when it comes to gaming. Hardware-accelerated ray tracing (4x faster than software-based ray tracing) means graphics-intensive AAA games like Zenless Zone Zero look absolutely stunning, even on the smaller display.

iPad mini 7th generation as a creative tool

The other major update for the iPad mini is Apple Pencil Pro support. This unlocks a bunch of new writing and drawing tools, and could be worth the update alone for digital artists.

Barrel Roll is one of the most impressive new features. Thanks to a brand new gyroscope, rotating the barrel of the pencil changes the orientation of shaped pen and brush tools, just like pen and paper – and Pencil Hover means users can see a preview of the brush’s orientation rotating in real-time before even touching the display.

And then there’s the haptic engine. Like AirPods Pro 2, the Apple Pencil can now be squeezed to access tools and settings. A new sensor in the barrel lets users bring up a tool palette to quickly switch tools, line weights, colors, and more. And like the best features for artists, it’s basically a massive time-saver – instead of tapping the screen, the user simply squeezes, interrupting the creative process far less.

As far as speed and performance go, the iPad mini is pretty much as capable as the iPad Air. Procreate in particular runs extremely well, coping with several layers on even a 10,000×10,000-pixel document. And aside from the aforementioned minor slowdown when exporting 4K video from LumaFusion, this thing is quite the mini marvel when it comes to creative tasks.

Price and availability

This review was done with the 512GB iPad mini in purple. Other color options include Blue, Space Grey, and Starlight. The base 128GB model is from £499. For the maximum 512GB, you are looking at £799, and the addition of cellular connectivity adds £150 to the price, bringing you into iPad Pro territory.

Should I buy the iPad mini 7th generation?

For iPad mini 6 owners, whether or not you’ll want to upgrade to the 7th generation ultimately comes down to two factors: the chip, and Apple Pencil Pro support. The latter is a compelling development for digital artists, bringing the full iPad digital sketching experience to the mini, with the likes of Barrel Roll and haptic feedback now available on the tiny form factor. The chip, meanwhile, unlocks Apple Intelligence features and enhanced performance across the board, from creative apps to gaming. But this is very much an evolution rather than a revolution, and if you’re happy with the performance of your iPad mini 6 and Apple Pencil 2, you might be happy sticking with what you’ve got.

But if this is to be your first entry into the iPad mini product line, it’s a no-brainer. With ‘mini’ Apple products falling by the wayside over the last few years, most notably the iPhone mini, it’s refreshing to see the iPad mini get an update. With a powerful new chip and support for the latest Apple Pencil, it’s as future-proof as it gets.

FAQs

Q: Is the iPad mini 7th generation worth the upgrade from the iPad mini 6th generation?
A: If you’re a digital artist, the Apple Pencil Pro support alone might be worth the upgrade. If you’re not, the performance boost might not be enough to justify the cost.

Q: Is the iPad mini 7th generation a good option for gaming?
A: Yes, the iPad mini 7th generation is a great option for gaming, with hardware-accelerated ray tracing and fast performance.

Q: Is the iPad mini 7th generation a good option for creative tasks?
A: Yes, the iPad mini 7th generation is a great option for creative tasks, with a powerful A17 Pro chip and support for the latest Apple Pencil.

5 ChatGPT Settings to Boost Productivity

Emerson Blake
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5 ChatGPT Settings to Boost Productivity

Customizing ChatGPT Settings for a Better Experience

There is no denying that ChatGPT is a highly capable tool that can assist you with many different tasks. However, using the chatbot can present challenges, such as requiring extensive prompting and raising privacy concerns. Lucky for you, a few quick and easy settings can help tackle those issues.

1. Custom Instructions

This setting is perhaps the biggest time-saver. With Custom Instructions, you can type in directives for ChatGPT to follow every time it generates a response for you, allowing you to skip adding those instructions every time you type in a prompt.

For example, if you are a teacher or a parent and want all of the generated material to be catered to the children’s ages, you could use Custom Instructions. In that scenario, you could say, “I am a third-grade teacher and will be using ChatGPT to help me generate back-to-school content. I want you to use a third-grade-level vocabulary and keep your tone engaging and optimistic.” Then, every subsequent answer would follow that criterion.

I find this feature especially useful when writing a cover letter or a resume because I can include basic information in the Custom Instructions about myself such as education, work experience, and interests. Then when I ask ChatGPT for help with my resume, it will reference that information, producing more tailored bullets.

How to: Click on your profile picture in the upper right-hand corner and “Customize ChatGPT.” You will be shown a pop-up window with two text boxes asking you, “What would you like ChatGPT to know about you to provide better responses?” and “How would you like ChatGPT to respond?” as seen in the picture above. If you need inspiration for the instructions, click on the textbox, and bulleted “thought starters” will appear.

2. Memory

Like Custom Instructions, Memory allows users to avoid repeating themselves every time they use the chatbot and undergo a more tailored experience. With Memory, the chatbot remembers any user-supplied insights that could prove useful when formulating subsequent answers.

For example, if I mention in a prompt that I have a Yorkie named Jimmy, with the Memory feature turned on, ChatGPT would use this information as context when generating a related answer in the future. So, if I said, “What food should I feed my pet?” in a later prompt, it would recall that my pet is a Yorkie and give recommendations accordingly.

If privacy is a major concern, you can also opt to have the feature off so that it doesn’t remember any personal information about you that you don’t manually type into the Custom Instructions fields.

How to: Click on your profile picture in the upper right-hand corner > Settings > Personalization > Memory and toggle it on or off. You can also click on the Manage setting to delete any memories it has saved that you don’t want to be used in the future or that you don’t want it to remember.

3. Temporary Chat

One of users’ biggest concerns regarding ChatGPT is whether their data will be kept private and secure. This concern is exacerbated because generative AI models like ChatGPT use user inputs to train their models further. Temporary Chat offers a quick and simple way to ensure your conversation stays private.

When Temporary Chat is turned on, your chats won’t be used to create memories, train models, or appear in history. Beware: OpenAI notes that even with Temporary Chat, it may keep copies of chats for up to 30 days to monitor for abuse.

How to: All you have to do is click on the dropdown at the top right corner where it reads “ChatGPT” and check the Temporary Chat option.

4. Improve the model for everyone

On the topic of privacy and security, if you would feel more comfortable having none of your chats used to train the model further, you can turn off the “Improve the model for everyone” setting. This step is especially important because the feature is turned on by default.

Once you turn this setting off, your conversations will not be used to train ChatGPT further, regardless of what device you are using, as long as you are signed into the same account.

How to: To turn it off, click on your profile picture in the upper right-hand corner > Settings > Data Controls > Model Improvement and toggle it on or off.

5. Theme

Even though having your ChatGPT interface appear in a light or dark theme may seem minor, it can significantly improve your experience. For example, I always gravitate toward dark mode on all my devices because it is easier on my eyes. As a result, as seen in my screenshots above, I also opted for a dark theme in ChatGPT.

How to: Personalizing this setting is easy because as soon as you visit the Settings page, you will find the “Theme” dropdown at the top of the popup. Once you click the dropdown, you can choose between “System,” “Light,” and “Dark.”

Conclusion

Customizing ChatGPT settings can greatly enhance your experience with the chatbot. By using Custom Instructions, Memory, Temporary Chat, and the “Improve the model for everyone” setting, you can tailor your conversations to your needs and ensure your data remains private and secure. Additionally, personalizing the theme can improve your overall user experience.

FAQs

Q: How do I access the Custom Instructions setting?
A: Click on your profile picture in the upper right-hand corner and “Customize ChatGPT.”

Q: What is the purpose of the Memory feature?
A: The Memory feature allows ChatGPT to remember any user-supplied insights that could prove useful when formulating subsequent answers.

Q: Is the Temporary Chat feature safe?
A: Yes, the Temporary Chat feature is safe, but OpenAI notes that it may keep copies of chats for up to 30 days to monitor for abuse.

Q: How do I turn off the “Improve the model for everyone” setting?
A: To turn it off, click on your profile picture in the upper right-hand corner > Settings > Data Controls > Model Improvement and toggle it on or off.

Q: Can I change the theme of ChatGPT?
A: Yes, you can change the theme of ChatGPT by clicking on the “Theme” dropdown at the top of the popup and choosing between “System,” “Light,” and “Dark.”

Outrider raises another $62 million to drive growth of yard automation – Robotics & Automation News

Avery Winslow
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Outrider raises another million to drive growth of yard automation – Robotics & Automation News

Outrider, a developer of autonomous yard operations for logistics hubs, has raised $62 million in an oversubscribed Series D financing round.

The round was led by Koch Disruptive Technologies (KDT) and New Enterprise Associates (NEA), with additional investments from 8VC, ARK Invest, B37 Ventures, FM Capital, Interwoven Ventures, NVentures (Nvidia’s venture capital arm), and Prologis Ventures.

This funding will drive the commercial scaling of Outrider’s autonomous yard operations as a service with Fortune 500 customers in 2025 and solidify its position at the forefront of logistics automation.

Andrew Smith, founder and CEO of Outrider, says: “By automating yard operations, Outrider is empowering supply chain workers to maximize facility throughput and safety while minimizing their exposure to repetitive, manual tasks performed in dangerous environments.

“This latest funding strengthens our ability to set the highest operational standards in logistics and deliver unmatched value to our customers and their employees.

“Our global team of top talent is proud to have created this industry and will continue to lead the way for years to come.”

With over $250 million in equity capital raised to date, Outrider is working closely with customers to launch and scale its autonomous yard operations as a service across industries such as package shipping, retail and eCommerce, consumer packaged goods, and automotive.

Since 2019, Outrider’s customers, representing over 20 percent of all yard trucks in operation in North America, have been actively involved in product testing and pilot deployments, highlighting their commitment to reinventing yard operations.

Byron Knight, president of Koch Disruptive Technologies, says: “Outrider’s industry-leading technology approach, commitment to safety, and robust IP portfolio make them a standout in autonomous yard operations.

“We’re thrilled to support their continued growth as they revolutionize supply chain efficiency on a global scale.”

While 2025 product scaling is currently focused on distribution center applications, Outrider’s technology is also well-suited for use in intermodal rail and port terminals, paving the way for future applications across freight transportation.

This versatility, along with an electric-first yard truck platform strategy, positions Outrider to play a crucial role in modernizing multiple facets of the global supply chain.

With this new capital, Outrider will scale to hundreds of systems with key customers and address additional use cases. This investment will further extend Outrider’s leadership position in the marketplace and increase the protection of its patented innovations.

Ira Renfrew, chief product officer at Outrider, says: “Outrider’s proprietary safety systems; consistent, predictable movement through complex and chaotic environments; and patented robotic-arm-based system for trailer air and electric line connections have allowed us to stay far ahead of any competition.”

Other investors joining the Series D financing are Goose Capital; Lineage Ventures, the investment strategy of Lineage, Inc.; Presidio Ventures, the venture capital arm of Sumitomo Corporation; and Service Provider Capital.

Since securing $73 million in Series C funding in 2022, Outrider has made impressive strides, including new and expanded deployments, global expansion of its technical team, and the release of groundbreaking AI and deep-learning capabilities for system safety and performance.

Outrider’s technological achievements have been validated by over 100,000 autonomous trailer moves across its customer deployments and test site. Multiple issued patents further underscore Outrider’s commitment to leading the industry and transforming yard operations.

The AI Machine Gun of the Future

Avery Winslow
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The AI Machine Gun of the Future

US Military Turns to Simple Solution to Counter Drone Threats: Reinventing the Gun

Amid a rising tide of low-cost weaponized adversary drones menacing American troops abroad, the US military is pulling out all the stops to protect its forces from the ever-present threat of death from above.

A New Approach: Artificial Intelligence-Enabled Autonomous Robotic Gun System

At the Technology Readiness Experimentation (T-REX) event in August, the US Defense Department tested an artificial intelligence-enabled autonomous robotic gun system developed by fledgling defense contractor Allen Control Systems dubbed the “Bullfrog.”

How it Works

Consisting of a 7.62-mm M240 machine gun mounted on a specially designed rotating turret outfitted with an electro-optical sensor, proprietary AI, and computer vision software, the Bullfrog was designed to deliver small arms fire on drone targets with far more precision than the average US service member can achieve with a standard-issue weapon like the M4 carbine or next-generation XM7 rifle.

Impressive Results

Footage of the Bullfrog in action published by ACS shows the truck-mounted system locking onto small drones and knocking them out of the sky with just a few shots. The Bullfrog appears effective enough against drone targets to impress DOD officials: According to Defense Daily, Alex Lovett, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for prototyping and experimentation within the Pentagon’s Research and Engineering office, told reporters at a demonstration event in August that the testing of the “low-cost” Bullfrog solution had “gone really well.”

Why Reinvent the Gun?

Shooting down small, fast-moving drones with conventional firearms is a significant challenge to even the most talented marksman, and the US military has been pursuing various ways to make its small arms more effective against unmanned airborne threats. Those efforts include the procurement of small- to medium-caliber munitions and “buckshot-like” ammo that can replicate the effects of the shotguns that have proven effective counter-drone measures amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine; rifle-mounted radio frequency and GPS jammers to disorient incoming drones so troops don’t have to carry separate, bulky counter-drone weapons like the Dronebuster or NightFighter; and “smart” optics from companies like SmartShooter and ZeroMark that purportedly only allow a weapon to fire when it locks on target.

A New Era of Counter-Drone Warfare

For ACS cofounder and CEO Steve Simoni, a former Navy nuclear engineer, the best way to optimize a firearm for drone threats isn’t through novel accessories or enhanced training, but a combination of advanced robotics and a sophisticated AI that can take the guesswork out of target acquisition and tracking.

Conclusion

The US military is facing a growing threat from low-cost weaponized adversary drones, and it is turning to innovative solutions to counter this threat. The Bullfrog, an artificial intelligence-enabled autonomous robotic gun system, has shown impressive results in testing and could represent a new era in counter-drone warfare. As the military continues to develop and refine its counter-drone capabilities, it is likely that we will see more innovative solutions emerge in the future.

FAQs

Q: What is the Bullfrog?

A: The Bullfrog is an artificial intelligence-enabled autonomous robotic gun system developed by Allen Control Systems.

Q: How does the Bullfrog work?

A: The Bullfrog consists of a 7.62-mm M240 machine gun mounted on a specially designed rotating turret outfitted with an electro-optical sensor, proprietary AI, and computer vision software.

Q: What are the benefits of the Bullfrog?

A: The Bullfrog is designed to deliver small arms fire on drone targets with far more precision than the average US service member can achieve with a standard-issue weapon, and it can take the guesswork out of target acquisition and tracking.

Q: Is the Bullfrog a new era in counter-drone warfare?

A: Yes, the Bullfrog represents a new approach to counter-drone warfare, combining advanced robotics and sophisticated AI to take down drone threats.

Maximize Securly Filter Value in 2024-25

Morgan Tate
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Maximize Securly Filter Value in 2024-25

Here is the rewritten article:

Introduce AI Responsibly in the 2024-25 School Year with AI Chat

If your school is like many, you’re still figuring out how to introduce AI to your students, while preventing misuse. AI Chat for Securly Filter is a conversational AI chatbot tailored specifically to address this challenge. Unlike general-purpose AI tools, AI Chat is built with K-12 educational goals and student safety at the forefront. Students can engage with AI Chat like they’d use a typical AI chatbot. However, unlike widely available AI tools, AI Chat gives you oversight of student interactions and control over AI responses. You gain visibility into how students are using AI so you can make any needed policy adjustments and identify “teachable moments” about productive and responsible AI use.

Make Data-Backed Edtech Decisions with Usage Analytics

Just in time for the 2024-25 school year, Securly Filter now includes an edtech usage analytics tool. This powerful new functionality gives you a comprehensive view of device, application, and website usage across your district. You can know which technology tools are used most often (including “shadow IT” apps), as well as those that are underutilized or not used at all. With this data at your fingertips, you can make better, smarter edtech decisions and investments.

Give Teachers Filter Control by Integrating with Securly Classroom

Securly’s popular classroom management solution, Securly Classroom, now integrates seamlessly with Securly Filter. This integration solves the annoying problem of teachers asking IT teams to temporarily allow access to otherwise blocked sites for lessons. Teachers can now do this themselves from within Classroom and without compromising your district’s overall web filtering policies. This is just one more example of how Securly Filter can be leveraged to create a more efficient and easy-to-manage edtech ecosystem.

Reduce IT Demands in the 2024-25 School Year with Delegated Policy Management

Managing web filtering policies across an entire district can be a time-consuming and complex task. Securly Filter’s new delegated policy management feature makes it possible for technology administrators to distribute this responsibility, granting select staff the ability to create, edit, and enforce web policies tailored to their specific needs. This distributed approach reduces the administrative burden on the central IT team, while being more responsive to the requirements of individual schools and departments.

Strengthen Safety and Security with AI-Powered Circumvention Detection

As students become increasingly tech-savvy, the battle against unauthorized device and network access can be an ongoing challenge. Securly Filter now uses advanced AI algorithms, powered by Securly Discern, to identify students who are attempting to circumvent your web filtering policies or security measures. With this capability, you can quickly pinpoint problem areas, understand the scope of non-compliance, and take proactive steps to address it.

Analyze Filter Data with a More Intuitive Reporting Dashboard

Rounding out the list of new Securly Filter features is a revamped reporting dashboard, designed to streamline the process of investigating activities and generating custom reports. Intuitive filters, improved readability, and dynamic layout adjustments make it easier than ever to uncover actionable insights from your web filtering data.

Get More from Your School Web Filter in the 2024-25 School Year

If you’re already using Securly Filter, you know that it’s more than a content blocker. If you’re not, maybe you should give it a closer look. In addition to being one of the easiest to use and customize school web filters, Securly Filter is the heart of an integrated ecosystem designed to help K-12 schools support students’ safety, wellness, and engagement.

Conclusion

Securly Filter is more than just a web filter. It’s a comprehensive solution designed to support the needs of K-12 educators and students. With its new features, you can introduce AI responsibly, make data-backed edtech decisions, give teachers filter control, reduce IT demands, strengthen safety and security, and analyze filter data with ease.

FAQs

Q: What is AI Chat for Securly Filter?
A: AI Chat is a conversational AI chatbot designed specifically for K-12 educational goals and student safety.

Q: What is the purpose of Securly Filter’s new delegated policy management feature?
A: This feature allows technology administrators to distribute web policy management responsibilities to select staff members.

Q: How does Securly Filter’s AI-powered circumvention detection work?
A: This feature uses advanced AI algorithms to identify students who are attempting to circumvent web filtering policies or security measures.

Q: What is the revamped reporting dashboard for Securly Filter?
A: This dashboard is designed to streamline the process of investigating activities and generating custom reports, making it easier to uncover actionable insights from web filtering data.

AI: Catalyst for Business Transformation

Jordan Waverly
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AI: Catalyst for Business Transformation

We are now at a crucial stage in our evolution with enterprise generative AI. While consumer generative AI has captured the imagination of millions, executives are developing the practices that can deliver an effective and responsible strategy for enterprise generative AI.

According to our CEO survey, 60% of organizations are not yet developing a consistent, enterprise-wide approach to generative AI. IBM is in a unique position to help. The company has a rich history of innovation, combined with a deep understanding of what organizations need.

IBM’s Vision for Generative AI

IBM’s vision for generative AI is different. It’s about more than just creating cutting-edge tools; it’s about ensuring that the technology can be trusted, scaled, and used to solve real-world business challenges.

1. Trust as the Foundation

Trust is central to IBM’s AI philosophy. We are developing systems that not only deliver results but also provide explanations for how those results are achieved.

2. Innovation with a History of Success

IBM is one of the most innovative organizations in the world. From inventing SQL to pushing the boundaries with AI systems like Watson and large language models, IBM has been driving the future of technology for over a century.

3. Enterprise-Ready Scalability

Generative AI is not a research experiment for IBM. It’s our way to help drive real-world business transformation. We are building AI systems that are scalable, secure, and ready to meet the demands of the most complex enterprise environments.

On the Cusp of Transformation

I believe we’re on the cusp of something truly transformational. IBM is leading the charge in how AI drives real business value. Our mission is to empower businesses to scale AI in a way that’s both effective and responsible.

Conclusion

AI is going to change the way we operate, the way we make decisions, and the way we grow. Over the coming months, we’ll be launching new generative AI features designed to revolutionize how businesses use data, unlocking more intelligent insights, improving decision-making, and driving operational efficiency at unprecedented scale.

I’m incredibly excited to be a part of this journey and to help shape the future of AI at IBM. We’re just getting started, and the best is yet to come.

FAQs

Q: Why is trust central to IBM’s AI philosophy?
A: Trust is central to IBM’s AI philosophy because we are developing systems that not only deliver results but also provide explanations for how those results are achieved.

Q: What sets IBM apart from other companies when it comes to generative AI?
A: IBM’s history of innovation, combined with its deep understanding of what organizations need, sets it apart from other companies. We are developing AI systems that are trusted, scalable, and secure.

Q: How can businesses use generative AI to drive real-world business transformation?
A: Businesses can use generative AI to drive real-world business transformation by building AI systems that are scalable, secure, and ready to meet the demands of the most complex enterprise environments.

Q: What is the mission of IBM’s AI division?
A: The mission of IBM’s AI division is to empower businesses to scale AI in a way that’s both effective and responsible.

Q: When can businesses expect to see new generative AI features from IBM?
A: Over the coming months, IBM will be launching new generative AI features designed to revolutionize how businesses use data, unlocking more intelligent insights, improving decision-making, and driving operational efficiency at unprecedented scale.

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