SwissCognitive Guest Blogger: Zachary Amos – “Leveraging AI to Predict and Reduce College Dropout Rates”

Artificial intelligence (AI) is already impacting education in many ways. Some schools are embracing it to serve students better, and many learners use it to help them with research and assignments. One of its more promising uses in this field, though, is reducing dropout rates.

Dropping out of college before finishing a degree may limit students’ opportunities in the future, but it can also be difficult for schools to predict. AI can help all parties involved through several means.

Identifying At-Risk Students

Preventing dropouts starts with recognizing which people are at risk of quitting prematurely. Machine learning is an optimal solution here because it excels at identifying patterns in vast amounts of data. Many factors can lead to dropping out, and each can be difficult to see, but AI can spot these developments before it’s too late.

Studies show early interventions based on warning signs can significantly reduce dropout rates, and AI enables such action. Educators can only intervene when they know it’s necessary to do so, and that level of insight is precisely what AI can provide.

Early examples of this technology have already achieved 96% accuracy in predicting students at risk of dropping out. Combining such predictions with a formal intervention plan could let higher ed facilities ensure more students finish their degrees.

Uncovering Non-Academic Risk Factors

In addition to recognizing known predictors of dropout risks, AI can uncover subtler, non-academic indicators. The causes of dropping out are not always easy to see in classroom performance. For example, over 60% of college students experience at least one mental health issue, which can threaten their education. AI can reveal these relationships.

Over time, AI will be able to highlight which non-tracked factors tend to appear in students with a high risk of dropping out. Once schools understand these non-academic warning signs, they can craft policies and initiatives to address them.
Enabling Personalized Education
AI is also a useful tool for minimizing the risks that lead to quitting school before someone even showcases them. Personalizing educational resources is one of the strongest ways it can do so.

The AI Research Center at Woxsen University in India successfully used chatbots to tailor lessons to individual students. Students utilizing the bot — which offered personalized reminders about classwork — were more likely to receive a B grade or higher. People attending Georgia State University showed similar results when using a chatbot to drive engagement.

Personalized education is effective because people have varying learning styles. AI provides the scale and insight necessary to recognize these differences and adapt resources accordingly, which would be impractical with manual alternatives.

Improving Accessibility

Similarly, AI can drive pupil engagement and prevent stress-related dropout factors by making education more accessible. Many classroom resources and university buildings were not designed with accessibility for all needs in mind. Consequently, they may hinder some students’ success, but AI can address these concerns.

Some AI apps can scan physical texts into digital notes to streamline note-taking for those with impairments limiting their ability to use pens or keyboards. Natural language processing can lead to better text-to-speech algorithms for users with vision impairments. On a larger scale, AI could analyze a campus to highlight areas where some buildings or walkways may need wheelchair ramps or other accessibility improvements.

Responsible AI Usage Can Minimize Dropout Rates

Some applications of AI in education — largely dealing with students’ usage of the technology — have raised concerns. The technology does pose some privacy risks and other ethical considerations, but as these use cases show, its potential for good is also too vast to ignore.

Responsible AI development and use can help universities ensure every student gets the help they need. As a result, dropout rates will fall. Schools will benefit from the higher student success rate, and the student body will benefit by achieving goals that will help them in their future careers.

About the Author:

Zachary Amos is the Features Editor at ReHack, where he writes about artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and other technology-related topics.

Der Beitrag Leveraging AI to Predict and Reduce College Dropout Rates erschien zuerst auf SwissCognitive | AI Ventures, Advisory & Research.

By Martina Fuchs

Credits: The Female Quotient / The Frequency School – “First Song Ever to Unite Women from All Countries Using Sound Healing Frequencies”

The Frequency School – in partnership with The Female Quotient – launched “195”, the first song in history featuring women from all of the world’s 195 countries using sound healing frequencies and the 528 Hz ‘Love Frequency’ in a bid to ignite a global movement and raise awareness about gender equality across various industries including technology.

The Frequency School co-founded by Grammy-nominated and multi-platinum music producer Maejor, Kingsley Maduka, Brandon Lee, Aaron Dawson and Martina Fuchs premiered this visionary, powerful and universal campaign at a side-event in Davos, Switzerland which took place during the first day of the 55th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF).

Using the sounds of birds and the heartbeat as instrumental elements, “195” aims to raise the world’s frequency, elevate humanity, and trigger a positive impact by uniting and empowering women worldwide.

One woman in every one of the world’s 195 countries recognized by the United Nations said one word: “EQUALITY” in her national language or native tongue.

Martina Fuchs, business journalist and executive producer of the 195 women song, said:

“It has always been my dream to produce the first song in history featuring every country on the planet. Our vision was to unite 195 women from all walks of life from around the globe in this pioneering and groundbreaking initiative to advocate for gender equality and the rights of women and girls, and to help people struggling with mental health issues. Gender equality is not only a fundamental human right, but a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world.”

U.S. Grammy-nominated and multi-platinum music producer Maejor who produced the song using sound healing frequencies said:

“We chose to use 528 Hz for the track which is often referred to as the ‘love frequency’, or the frequency of transformation and miracles. It provides a powerful energetic foundation for creating an environment where equality can flourish. By resonating with a frequency linked to unconditional love, we wanted to promote more respect and fairness for women, as well as deep inner healing and a state of peace. The transformative vibration of 528 Hz can inspire positive action and empathy and people to act more kindly and inclusively.”

According to scientific studies and music theory, Solfeggio frequencies, ranging from 174 Hz to 963 Hz, offer unique sound patterns that promote relaxation, stress relief, and overall well-being. These frequencies have been shown to positively impact mental, emotional, and physical health by generating vibrations that help achieve a state of calm and balance of the mind, body and spirit.

Miriam Moriati, President of the Kiribati Rotaract Youth Club and a Women and Youth representative for OARS (Ocean Alliance for Resilience and Sustainability), said:

“I’m from Kiribati, a small island nation in the Pacific, where our highest point is just 3 meters above sea level. Our women in Kiribati are vulnerable due to gender equality not being part of our culture and traditions. They are often the first to be affected by crises and the last to recover. Being part of this initiative to support women on an international stage is an incredible honor. Opportunities to represent our small country are rare, and I am grateful for this platform to amplify the voices of Kiribati women.”

Dalith Steiger, Co-Founder of SwissCognitive and the voice of Israel in the song said:

“Equality is not just an ideal—it’s our collective responsibility. The lack of gender equality still remains a huge challenge in the technology space that we need to tackle. I’m convinced that AI can support us to unbias the bias! I am grateful to be part of this global women empowerment initiative to raise awareness across various sectors.”

A new white paper by IMD in collaboration with Microsoft Switzerland and EqualVoice released at the WEF on Thursdy provides in-depth analysis and guidance for organizations to mitigate against risks and use AI responsibly.

More than 80% of the world’s organizations are expected to be using GenAI tools in production environments by 2026, and the productivity gains will likely boost global GDP by $7tn in the next decade. Yet even as innovation races ahead, important questions need to be asked about the potential risks.

Read the full report “Mind the Gap Addressing the risk of bias in Generative AI”.

The “195” song is planned to be submitted for a Guinness World Records for the title: “Most nationalities to contribute vocals to a musical recording (single song)”.

@Brandon Lee Shelley Zalis The Female Quotient The Frequency School

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Copyright: ilo.org – “The Artificial Intelligence Illusion: How Invisible Workers Fuel the “Automated” Economy”

Artificial intelligence (AI) is often presented as a revolutionary force poised to automate vast swathes of the economy, displacing workers, and ushering in a “post-work” era. However, behind the sleek interfaces and impressive capabilities of many AI systems lies a hidden workforce of humans. This “human-in-the-loop” model reveals a more complex reality, one where AI is less about replacing humans and more about relying on workers with decent work deficits, such as low earnings, lack of social protection benefits and occupational safety and health to sustain the AI system. This is what we look at in our  AI-enabled business model and human-in-the-loop (deceptive AI) article, which examines how these workers power  automated systems and the implications for labour markets,  society, and for the workers themselves.

Invisible labour in the development and deployment of AI

From self-driving cars to virtual assistants, the AI industry thrives on data. This data needs to be meticulously labelled, categorised, and annotated. This requires human intelligence and labour – both of which still cannot be replaced by machines. Such tasks are often outsourced to crowdworkers on digital labour platforms or to Artificial Intelligence-Business Process Outsourcing (AI-BPO) companies. These platforms fragment complex tasks into microtasks and offer small payments for each completed task. Crowdworkers, whom are also known as invisible workers because they often work behind the scenes, are essential for training AI algorithms on several functions, such as text prediction and recognition of objects.

Similarly, virtual assistants, marketed as autonomous tools, often rely on invisible workers who may be transcribing audio, verifying the virtual assistant’s understanding, or even performing tasks like scheduling meetings that AI may struggle with. Even sophisticated large language models with impressive capabilities rely heavily on human trainers to fine-tune their responses and mitigate biases, toxicity, and disturbing content. As a result, workers are routinely exposed to graphic violence, hate speech, child exploitation and other objectionable material. Such constant exposure can take a toll on their mental health and trigger post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and reduced ability to feel empathy.[…]

Read more: www.ilo.org

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AI Investments and Market Reactions – SwissCognitive AI Investment Radar

Our radar scans the globe, capturing significant developments and movements. We begin with Samsung’s strategic investment in US AI security startup Protect AI, reflecting the growing emphasis on cybersecurity. On Wall Street, tech giants face a $2.6 trillion market value loss due to AI investments exceeding expectations. Despite skepticism, Big Tech is ramping up AI-related capital spending, surpassing $100 billion in 2024.

AI continues to dominate as the key investment theme, with Meta’s shares rising on AI-driven revenue growth. Global venture capital investments surged to $94.3 billion in Q2 2024, driven by AI megadeals, though recent market fluctuations have raised investor doubts.

In the regulatory sector, Lausanne-based DemoSquare secured €1.2 million to expand its AI-powered legislative monitoring tool, highlighting the importance of compliance in business. Financial advisors are still holding their ground against AI, but advancements suggest this may change soon.

Healthcare sees a massive AI investment surge, aiming to revolutionize mental health services, drug discovery, and patient care. Saudi Arabia’s strategic focus on AI attracts significant funding, with Intelmatix raising $20 million in Series A. In China, Tencent and Alibaba boosted Moonshot’s valuation to $3.3 billion with a $300 million investment round.

While the future of AI stock valuations remains uncertain, experts debate the ROI of the $1 trillion investment in AI as companies seek transformative use cases.

Previous SwissCognitive AI Radar: AI Investment Highlights and Strategic Developments.

Our article does not offer financial advice and should not be considered a recommendation to engage in any securities or products. Investments carry the risk of decreasing in value, and investors may potentially lose a portion or all of their investment. Past performance should not be relied upon as an indicator of future results.

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Copyright: venturebeat.com – “Can We Please Stop Talking About Replacing Employees With AI?”

An online retailer recently underwent an AI transformation after it realized it no longer needed to employ an expensive local workforce to provide customer support. They split their customer support between AI bots serving as the first tier of support and an offshore team to which AI could escalate calls, functioning as a second tier of support. Its operational costs dropped precipitously, but so did the quality of service and sales.

This is just one example of the trendiest conversation in every boardroom, event and trade conference. More than anything, executives want to know when they can finally replace employees who require benefits, vacations, mental health programs, promotions and professional development and replace them with an army of AI bots. And we need to talk about this.

Handling Today’s Threatscape at Machine Scale

The chopping block includes roles like customer support, software developers, copywriters and content creators, marketing managers, forklift operators, drivers and more. The latest edition to this extinction list is no less than the CEO, says The New York Times. I’m less concerned about this, though, because we CEOs are still the ones deciding who gets replaced by AI.

Let’s augment, not replace

On behalf of all CEOs, I’ll admit that 75 to 90% of our day-to-day work is fully automatable by AI. Every task that involves collecting information, analyzing it and recommending decisions to maximize outcomes, AI can do better than a human CEO. Then there is the remaining 10 to 25%, and it’s crucial and unique to who a CEO is as a leader. It includes empathy, accountability, vision and inspiration to name a few.[…]

Read more: www.venturebeat.com

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SwissCognitive Guest Blogger: Ethan Millar – “Why Should Healthcare Leaders Focus On Human-Machine Partnerships?”

Human-machine partnerships with AI and ML continue to trend and dominate clinical effectiveness. It supports new drug trials, APIs, and lab R&D increasing business revenue. It also has the potential to be sensitive towards patient care. The biggest transformation lies in a pivotal change: instead of ‘responsiveness’ the focus shifts to ‘prevention.’

AI technology facilitates the sensitive healthcare industry in diverse ways, primarily relying on emotional intelligence to succeed. For example, healthcare systems in developed nations find it an uphill task to keep the growing, aging population away from medical collapse. AI’s suitability and capability work wonders for patients’ physical and mental progress.

Healthcare leaders should make serious investments in human-machine partnerships to improve clinical effectiveness. Automation also supports revenue generation, organized operations, and handling of medical records. AI can benefit hospitals, specialty clinics, labs, and pharma companies.

Key drivers for successful AI dependencies

• How is AI evolving in healthcare outcomes?
• AI as a ‘human’ partner and powerful tool
• Clinical and admins benefit from automated features
• Support of virtual healthcare assistants
• Digital twin models
• Convergence of mental and physical well-being

How is AI evolving in healthcare outcomes?

 Humans have been using machines for a long time to save time and energy. Various tools have features with unique strengths and weaknesses that can be harnessed. In the healthcare industry, the human-machine partnership is being tested with the emergence of AI. The tools are being developed to augment better medical outcomes. They are already capable of transforming the operations of the medical fraternity. This disruption leads to more innovation for humans and machines to operate successfully.

How will man and machine collaboration become more effective in the coming years?

The secret lies in safety, accessibility, and affordability for patients at the core of this industry. The following table shows its effectiveness as AI evolves to deliver better patient care. Pharma and life sciences are likely to grow rapidly with AI technology.

AI as a human partner and powerful tool

AI tools add value and benefits primarily in two areas, keeping in mind patient care:

• Clinical section
• Administrative section

Big data includes a plethora of medical case studies involving genetics and innovation via technology. The most significant trends in the healthcare industry vis a vis big data include studies focused on:

1. Patient-oriented care– it begins with validation from researchers as they conduct trials in an organized way. Systematic data mitigates errors, increases quality control of services, reduces costs for patients from false readings or reports, and improves payment structures.
2. From drug development to commercialization– experts are outsourced for extensive trials in clinics, specialty hospitals and government facilities. Compliance with rules regarding time-to-market products is critical.
3. Pooling of unstructured data- it includes prescriptions, diagnostics, lab tests, patient care records, and insurance claims.

Clinical data management is bringing automation with:

• Complete data sharing between different medical experts to treat patients.
• Reliability of records during processing from one format to another.
• Fewer problems in large clinical trials are expected with the automation of data.

Multiple IDs can be created to make results more authentic during the crucial R & D process. The actual authorization is limited to a few personnel only. It ensures the trial design is secure and safe. Any clinical failure is rectified with the expertise of specific professionals involved during the audit. This drastically reduces false claims during trials with guidelines provided to meet future healthcare demands.

There are challenges in both areas while adopting AI capabilities. With future progress, the gaps can be bridged for the following:

• Data access is only for the authorized staff.
• Treatment disparity due to bias in patient trials. The disproportions are reduced.
• AI tools are difficult to control when evaluating results. Thus, transparency is compromised. New tools will create clarity.
• Privacy risks are never ruled out. As data is available to more organizations globally.
• The adoption of AI tools is restricted due to development by different parties. They are a liability or restriction for continued use.

There are other areas where innovative technologies are useful and complement human-machine partnerships.

How do virtual healthcare assistants help?

Due to the pandemic, many patients started seeking online help for medication, medical opinion, and continued care. Many clinicians are satisfied with virtual assistants to bond with patients. They can offer advice for treatment, diagnosis, and prescribing medicines. The assistants talk to patients and answer questions.

They offer answers and communicate with them. It reduces the need for patients to visit the doctor when they need urgent attention. AI chatbots can schedule and set up appointments. The new versions provide companionship to patients. It is useful as it keeps the patient mentally engaged and at peace!

Digital twins: modeling organs virtually

There is much hype regarding the emergence of ‘digital twins’ in the healthcare industry. Being unique, they provide digitized, personal, and custom options for the medical fraternity to work. This concept works on creating a ‘digital twin’ of a ‘person,’ ‘organ,’ or a ‘tool.’ It is ideal for testing drugs and wearable medical devices for patient usage. Thus, they pave the way for man and machine to deliver better results with the least effort.

In a hospital environment, they are created for lab results, studying computer models, and understanding the environment. While it is understandable that a hospital replica can be made for research and improvement, modeling human organs is challenging. With AI capabilities, it is possible. A treatment plan or a critical surgery can be conducted with the help of digital twins. In the future, more tools will be introduced to understand its benefits in real-time surgery with robots.

Convergence of mental and physical well being

While there are rapid advances in AI tools for physical health, the other side, mental health, cannot be ignored. It is more critical to take care of the patient’s mental health while offering treatments. It also assumes importance for the growing aged population in several developed nations. They need to survive with the least human interference.

New-age patients have different expectations from their healthcare service providers. Their needs are getting more complex. Converging man and machine to address this reality is a challenge. Being proactive can set the pace for delivering robust solutions with the combination of the emotional intelligence of doctors and the capabilities of artificial intelligence.

Is AI a wake-up call in this realm?

 Depression, anxiety, and loneliness form the deadly triumvirate that needs immediate attention. Globally, many adults suffer from mental illnesses while tackling long-term physical ailments. Depression is also a major contributor to diseases that take long to cure. AI tools like chatbots can detect depression risks in patients.

1. Early detection can provide better treatment options and get help from nurses, relatives, and volunteers.
2. AI bots can provide personalized recommendations, cures, or therapies. They collect feedback and prompts to offer advice.
3. Such AI tools are a boon in robust organizations and are effective for everyone’s well-being. Restrictions on privacy and access give confidence in people to interact with machines. This is yet another novel human-machine partnership that can be explored.
4. In organizations where diversity creates issues or there is sexual harassment, it can be mentally agonizing. AI can create a safe environment to express and get support.

With the help of AI Consulting solutions, the burden on healthcare systems will be reduced if organizations focus on the mental needs of their employees. If you are a part of the healthcare industry as a policy-maker or decisions taker the above content should be adopted with the best practices.

Conclusion

Where to start AI adoption in healthcare?

As a leader, where would you start your AI journey to ensure that the man and machine work successfully? Begin by opting for low-risk and high-impact solutions. Automation with data and smaller clinical trials is the best way forward. Move slowly and see the results before investing in this realm. Getting familiar with this technology will pave the way to use chatbots, virtual assistants, and digital twins more effectively.

Invest in clinical documentation and its time-consuming analysis. With AI’s predictive tool features the efforts are not wasted and present accurate results. Be a part of this revolution and meet the needs of patient care.

About the Author:

Ethan Millar is a technical writer at Aegis Softtech especially for computer programming like artificial intelligence, emergency technology, Big Data, data analytics, and CRM for more than 8 years. Also, have basic knowledge of AI and technology are vast fields with numerous experts contributing to various aspects of research, development, and application.

Der Beitrag Why Should Healthcare Leaders Focus On Human-Machine Partnerships? erschien zuerst auf SwissCognitive | AI Ventures, Advisory & Research.

SwissCognitive Guest Blogger: Artem Pochechuev, Head of Data Science at Sigli – “Bridging the Gap: How AI Can Facilitate Social Inclusion Of People With Disabilities”

A recent study conducted by the UK national disability charity revealed that around 60%, which is almost two-thirds, of people with disabilities are chronically lonely. Even a bigger percentage of respondents (70%) admitted that they feel that social isolation has an impact on their mental health, which can also lead to an increase in mental health conditions in combination with the disabilities that they already have.

And here, we can observe a very important dissonance. On the one hand, a lot of people with disabilities can’t feel that they are a part of society due to the restrictions that they have to face every day. So, they do not have the possibility to communicate with other individuals a lot.

On the other hand, many of them can’t live fully independently. Due to their disorders, they can’t handle even routine tasks. As a result, they need to rely on the support of their family members, nurses, or tutors. Consequently, they are obliged to interact with others to deal even with the simplest everyday processes.

Amid all these issues, questions related to social isolation and lack of independence shouldn’t be ignored by organizations that work with people with disabilities.

Given all the new opportunities that emerging technologies like AI open, they can make a huge contribution to such projects. And it is great to see the growing interest of the world’s community and international institutions in the adoption of AI to help all groups of society.

According to the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions), “AI holds significant potential to positively impact the lives of persons with disabilities by addressing various challenges and providing innovative solutions. From speech-to-text applications to vision-enhancing tools, AI can break down barriers and provide new avenues for communication and interaction.”

In this article, we offer you to take a closer look at AI-powered projects and initiatives aimed at breaking social barriers for people with disorders of various types.

AI and communication

Speech-to-text and text-to-speech tools are widely applied to help people with hearing and speech impairments communicate with others. In one of our previously written articles, we’ve already described the power of Artificial Intelligence in enhancing the way people with such disorders interact with the world around them.

Thanks to virtual assistants enriched by such features, people can communicate with others in the traditional way. And this approach presupposes a real-time dialogue with practically no delays. As a result, they can solve a lot of tasks (like making calls to book a table at a restaurant, setting an appointment with a doctor, or ordering a delivery) without waiting for help from others. You may say that such tasks can be performed via sending a message. But let’s be honest. Quite often, a phone call is the fastest way to get what you want. And in this case, they can rely on AI-powered virtual assistants like Siri.

But this functionality is not the only one that can be ensured thanks to Artificial Intelligence. AI can fully change the way society can communicate with those who use sign language. With modern solutions, you do not need to know all the signs and their meaning to communicate with those who can’t express thoughts with the help of verbal means. AI algorithms can recognize signs and transform them into natural languages and vice versa.

The AI-powered era in marketing

And that’s cool that there are projects like Signapse AI, which helps businesses adapt their marketing strategies to the needs of everyone. What does it mean? The offered solution can translate written text into a Sign Language video which businesses can place on their websites, social media accounts, and blogs.

It will be sensible to note that all the information can be delivered to people with hearing disorders via written texts. Yes, it is possible. But such projects allow companies to make their communication with everyone vivid and engaging enough. Moreover, that’s a good way to demonstrate that you respect all your existing and potential and appreciate them regardless of any disabilities that they may have.

Autism and social skills

However, while discussing barriers in communication, we should mention not only speaking or hearing disabilities. In this context, it is also crucial to talk about people with autism spectrum disorder.

For individuals with autism, it can be extremely challenging to participate in various formats of social interactions. And AI-powered tools for social skill training can bring huge value. Such tools can simulate different role-playing real-life scenarios, analyse people’s behaviour in offered situations, and provide real-time feedback. It means that, in this case, AI is applied to create a supportive, controlled, and fully safe environment where users can practice and enhance their social skills.

One of the projects that are working on delivering such solutions is SocialMind. It is a member of the Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub. This platform relies on AI and NLP to improve the social skills of children with autism. Thanks to AI, the social skills training can be personalized for each child based on his/her specific needs and learning style.

But that’s not the only possible AI use case in this domain. AI can let people with autism communicate via alternative means. How is it possible? AI technology can recognize non-verbal or limited verbal means. Then language processing algorithms, predictive text, and voice recognition tools can transform them into natural language. As a result, individuals with autism get more freedom in expressing their thoughts. They can engage in various activities and take part in conversations.

AI and consumption of content of different formats

Books, movies, and art are among those things that, in this or that form, are present in our social life and affect it.

Let us mention a very simple example. When you move to a new country and try to integrate into a new community, sooner or later you may feel that you are a stranger. It can happen even if you perfectly know the local language and have already learned the names of local supermarkets. You may start feeling that you do not know the cultural context. For example, you do not know what songs were popular when people from your generation went to school and what cartoons they liked. As a result, you simply can’t understand the majority of memes and jokes.

But, of course, it is not a problem in comparison to what people with hearing or vision disorders experience when it comes to the cultural context.

However, thanks to AI, we can introduce alternative forms of consuming and producing different content. And it’s not only about social and cultural aspects. Such tools can be also of great use for educational and professional purposes.

Live captioning and screen readers are expected to greatly change the game for people with disabilities. Real-time captioning solutions make the participation of individuals with hearing disorders in various online events possible.  At the same time, image and text readers can be used by those with visual impairments and people with dyslexia.

AI and accessibility of public spaces

It’s amazing to observe that today, public spaces are gradually becoming more accessible thanks to AI. Smart city solutions can rely on systems powered by Artificial Intelligence for sharing real-time data on accessible transportation options (like wheelchair-accessible ramps or buses that can be easily used by people with limited mobility).

Architects and designers can benefit from AI-powered tools for creating so-called disability-friendly urban planning and buildings.

And already today there are apps that use the power of AI to provide accessibility information about various public spaces.

For people with visual disorders, the market can offer smart glasses and AI-powered apps that use smartphone cameras. Special cameras can be placed on a person’s eyeglass frames. They utilize optical character recognition technology. With it, they can transform digital or printed text into real-time auditive feedback. Some other solutions of this kind can also be powered by stereo sound sensors and GPS technology. They can recognize colours, read signs, and provide spoken directions.

Moreover, there are applications like Seeing AI by Microsoft that can safely navigate people with visual impairment. AI algorithms can identify objects and people caught by the device camera and then audibly describe what is happening around them.

While Seeing AI is a universal app that can be used in many situations, similar technologies can be more industry-specific. For example, cameras powered by computer vision can be installed in gyms and can notify people about any threats caused by irregular use of equipment. Such a solution can be of great use for a very wide audience. But it will have the highest importance for people with visual impairments.

AI and independent living

Let’s be honest, the modern world is built in such a way that even a lot of healthy people can stay at home, work from home, order deliveries, communicate with others only via chats, and still feel completely okay about it. Total digitalization (in which AI also takes an important position) makes it possible for everyone. However, even when all these opportunities are available, people still feel that they are a part of society. They can easily leave their homes if they want to do it and go wherever they want. They do not depend on others.

But we can’t say just the same about people with disabilities. Many of them can’t live fully independently due to many reasons which causes a lot of discomfort to them. Nevertheless, AI is here to address such issues.

For example, smart controllers used in smart home systems can greatly increase the safety of people with vision and cognitive disabilities. They can track whether all home appliances are turned off when they are not used, monitor possible water leaks, etc. Assistants with voice control can be used to manage a lot of tasks. Meanwhile, cameras with computer vision can recognize who is standing at the door and inform a person.

Special smart controllers can also be responsible for detecting various threats and dangerous situations related to people’s health. Already today, there are projects that offer to install sensors that will detect falls and the absence of movements during a particular period. Such solutions are highly relevant for families with elderly people living alone. If a dangerous pattern is identified, the system will send notifications to nurses or other authorized individuals who can take the required measures.

For people with limited mobility, there are quite a lot of voice-controlled devices and smart robotic products. But some solutions that are available today are ground-breaking. For example, what about walking simply by thinking about it? Thanks to electronic brain implants, it can be possible. The system is still not widely available and is at an experimental stage. Nevertheless, a 40-year-old Dutch man who was paralyzed after an accident got the possibility to walk again. The electronic implants wirelessly transmit his thoughts to his legs and feet via an implant on his spine.

Neurosurgeon Prof Jocelyne Bloch at Lausanne University, who carried out the surgery and inserted the implants, explained the project’s goal in the following way:

“The important thing for us is not just to have a scientific trial, but eventually to give more access to more people with spinal cord injuries who are used to hearing from doctors that they have to get used to the fact that they will never move again.”

And that’s exactly how we at Sigli (Cortlex) view the mission of introducing tech innovations – to make impossible things possible for everyone.

But even such cutting-edge projects are not at the highest level of what we can expect to see in this field in the near future. Research and experiments are going on.

Conclusion

Have we mentioned all the existing AI-powered projects aimed at facilitating everyday tasks for people with disabilities? Definitely no. This list could be practically endless.

Without any doubt, it is extremely exciting to explore the potential of AI in this aspect. And it is even more exciting to make our contribution to this huge common initiative – ensuring that our world is comfortable for everyone. If you need any technical assistance in the realization of such projects, we would be happy to hear from you.

About the Author:

In his current position, Artem Pochechuev leads a team of talented engineers. Oversees the development and implementation of data-driven solutions for Sigli’s customers. He is passionate about using the latest technologies and techniques in data science to deliver innovative solutions that drive business value. Outside of work, Artem enjoys cooking, ice-skating, playing piano, and spending time with his family.

Der Beitrag How AI Can Facilitate Social Inclusion Of People With Disabilities erschien zuerst auf SwissCognitive | AI Ventures, Advisory & Research.

SwissCognitive Guest Blogger: Artem Pochechuev, Head of Data Science at Sigli – “How People With Cognitive Disabilities Can Benefit From AI-Powered Solutions”

Cognitive disabilities are among those things that people prefer not to discuss, especially when they have faced them in their families. But it doesn’t mean that this topic should stay without social attention. Vice versa, it can be viewed as an alarming sign that these people do not receive enough support. And it is one of the main key indicators that show us how important it is for society to find tools, solutions, and approaches that will help people with cognitive disabilities and their families cope with related difficulties.

Cognitive disabilities: Basics

So, what do we mean when we mention cognitive impairments? This term is used in relation to a wide range of conditions. It includes but is not limited to mental illnesses, autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disability, brain injuries, Down syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease, and other dementias.

These conditions can greatly affect various cognitive skills, such as attention, short-term and long-term memory, logic, and reasoning. Among other issues, we should also mention the ability of people’s brains to handle different types of information. While there are states that affect math or language processing, some others can affect brain processing abilities even in a more severe way which will prevent people from general understanding of reality and the world around them.

The impact that cognitive disorders have on people’s lives can be different, depending on the type of disorder that we are talking about and its severity. While some disorders may stay practically unnoticed by other people, in some cases they may have a strong influence on individuals’ ability to communicate and interact with their surroundings. Their speech, behaviors, and reactions to different events may seriously differ from social norms. They may have problems with fulfilling even simple routine tasks. Such conditions lead to their dependence on their tutors and families while the lack of proper control and assistance may result in negative consequences for their health and even lives.

It means that when we are speaking about supportive tools for people with cognitive impairments, we should also talk about solutions for those who take care of them, who teach them, who help them with their everyday tasks because it is very hard work. But we are quite sure that modern technologies can be of great help in this context.

In one of our previously published articles, we discussed the power of Artificial Intelligence in making the learning process a more enjoyable journey for both students with learning difficulties, such as dyslexia, and their teachers. And in this article, we offer you to consider how AI can help to facilitate a lot of processes for people with cognitive impairments, their families, nurses, and tutors who directly interact with them.

Traditional methods vs AI-powered tools

Working with people with cognitive disabilities requires a comprehensive and personalized approach. Traditional solutions are aimed at enhancing people’s independence, developing their communication and social skills, and increasing their overall quality of life. Among these traditional methods, it’s worth mentioning educational therapy with a focus on gamification, behavioral therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy. All these approaches presuppose the active participation of tutors and their holistic involvement in all the processes. In their work, they use such assistive tools as memory aids, visual charts and schedules, picture boards, reminders, etc.

The level of efficiency of all the traditional methods may vary depending on the exact disability, its severity, as well as the skill and qualifications of those specialists who work with people with cognitive impairments. Of course, their contribution and efforts can’t be underestimated.
Nevertheless, we strongly believe that AI-powered tools can greatly increase the efficiency of therapies, optimize the load for tutors and nurses, and make it possible for people with cognitive disabilities to live independently (or at least safely perform a limited set of tasks without external help). All this is possible thanks to the possibility of finding an individualized approach to each person, automating a lot of processes, and conducting a more advanced analysis of symptoms and behavioral patterns.

Let’s proceed to a more detailed overview of AI use cases in the work of people with cognitive impairments.

Advanced research on skills and behaviors of people with autism

One of the main problems that the healthcare industry has to deal with today is the risk of omitting small facts that may have a serious impact on the correct diagnostics. Unfortunately, some details can’t be noticed in a huge volume of information and then processed by a human. However, modern AI tools can successfully address this issue. They can detect even the slightest signals that can be signs of particular disorders and provide doctors with a comprehensive overview of the case.

Very often it may become a real challenge to identify traits of autism, especially in those cases when a child doesn’t need any specific support from adults in everyday tasks. Sometimes doctors need months or even more to get a diagnosis. But the later a diagnosis is confirmed, the later therapies begin which may lead to undesirable consequences.

But AI (and precisely, deep learning) tools are known for their capacity to spot patterns which can be extremely helpful for making the right decision.

One of such solutions is a system called the Naturalistic Observation Diagnostic Assessment launched by an Idaho-based company Behavior Imaging. The company offers an application that provides parents with all the required features for uploading videos of their children to analyze their behavior in a remote format. Behavior Imaging has already started training AI-like algorithms that will be able to categorize behaviors and provide hints to clinicians. It is not expected that the system will make decisions on its own but it will support specialists in their work.

Another example of using AI is creating robots that will interact with children with autism spectrum disorders. They can help kids build social interactions, provide relevant responses in different communicative situations, and identify different facial expressions.

Moreover, today there are already various AI apps that can analyze the skills, emotions, and needs of users and provide personalized practices with step-by-step lists. Though there can be an opinion that their efficiency is lower than what the use of special robots can offer, they have other benefits. In comparison to robots, they are more affordable and easy to use in schools and at home.

AI-powered solutions for people with dementia

As well as in the previously described case, AI is very useful for the early detection of dementia and understanding the pace at which symptoms develop. This knowledge is crucial for appropriate treatment.

But that’s not the only AI use case. One of the main tasks that doctors have in their struggle with dementia is to help people maintain their independence for as long as possible. And here is when supportive tools enter the game.

Today researchers are investigating the possibility and feasibility of mounting sensors around the house to track people’s behavior. If any signs of risky patterns are detected, they will get immediate help. For example, home appliances will be automatically turned off or a nurse will be notified.

AI tools can also provide cognitive support by offering prompts for social interactions or reminders for daily tasks.

Breaking down communication barriers

We’d like to start with an example that is well-known to a very wide audience. It’s highly likely that you’ve also seen the solution used by Stephen Hawking for talking. Due to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, he lost the ability to express his thoughts verbally and could communicate with the help of a speech-generating device (SGD). It could be controlled just with a single cheek muscle. Using this muscle, Hawking selected words and phrases and then they were synthesized into speech practically immediately.

This technology is rather expensive which means that it is not available to everyone. Nevertheless, today there are more affordable alternatives like speech-to-text and text-to-speech tools that are already widely used by people with visual and hearing disabilities. However, not all mental states can allow people to use them.

Another case that can be mentioned in this category is Voiceitt. It is an AI-based tool for augmentative and alternative communication. Thanks to speech recognition technology and AI models, the app can translate unintelligible, non-standard sounds into clear words. As a result, people who have verbal language production disabilities, including those caused by Down syndrome, can communicate with others in real-time.

Personalized learning

This AI use case plays a vital role when it comes to tutors and their work.

Educational tools powered by AI can have the relevant functionality for creating specific learning programs based on the individual needs of people with cognitive disabilities. These tools can offer tailored lessons, addressing the strengths and challenges of each person. As a result, it can greatly facilitate such tasks for tutors.

Moreover, some AI-based educational applications can be intended for independent use by children and adults with cognitive impairments if their skills allow them to do it.
With the right training, AI models can demonstrate impressive results in delivering individualized learning programs. That’s why this sphere definitely deserves more focused exploration.

Final word

In this series of articles, we are talking about the capacity of artificial intelligence to change the lives of people who face any physical or mental disorders, to help them integrate into society, and enjoy more opportunities that earlier used to be inaccessible to them.

While working with people with cognitive disabilities can be a very sensitive and challenging process, AI is one of the most promising technologies in this field. AI-powered solutions can efficiently analyze huge volumes of data, which is important for making the right diagnosis, choosing therapy, and finding the right approach for each person.

If you have any ideas for such kind of solutions, at Sigli, we will be always happy to cooperate with you and help you with your project realization.

About the Author:

In his current position, Artem Pochechuev leads a team of talented engineers. Oversees the development and implementation of data-driven solutions for Sigli’s customers. He is passionate about using the latest technologies and techniques in data science to deliver innovative solutions that drive business value. Outside of work, Artem enjoys cooking, ice-skating, playing piano, and spending time with his family.

Der Beitrag How People With Cognitive Disabilities Can Benefit From AI-Powered Solutions erschien zuerst auf SwissCognitive | AI Ventures, Advisory & Research.

SwissCognitive Guest Blogger: Reddy Mallidi – “Humanizing AI: Leadership in the Age of Algorithms”

Leadership in the AI era is markedly different from traditional leadership models. It demands a unique blend of technical and business expertise, a strong focus on emotional intelligence and the human element, transparency in AI integration, ethical vigilance, and a commitment to lifelong learning and global collaboration. As AI continues to reshape the business landscape, leaders must adapt and evolve, guiding their organizations through this transformative journey with a balanced and forward-thinking approach.

Integrating Technical Expertise with Business Acumen

The leadership landscape in the AI era is distinctly different from traditional models, primarily due to the necessity of integrating technical and business expertise. In today’s digital age, leaders are expected to possess a good understanding of AI technologies alongside their business acumen. This dual expertise is crucial for effectively leveraging AI to enhance business strategies, operational efficiencies, and customer experiences. As a leader you want to ask the right questions of the technical experts as well as the business experts to drive optimum decisions. Unlike traditional leadership, where a clear division between technical and managerial roles existed, AI-era leaders must blend these skills to drive innovation and maintain a competitive edge.

Emphasizing Emotional Intelligence and Human-Centric Approaches

This past year, I had many conversations with employees of Clients who were fearful of losing their jobs with the advent of AI. The prophecies of “AI can do everything from your laundry to your knee surgery” are not helping! A significant shift in leadership due to AI’s influence is the need for heightened emphasis on emotional intelligence. With AI’s potential to automate jobs and disrupt traditional employment structures, leaders must prioritize the human element more than ever. They play a crucial role in mitigating fears about AI, ensuring that employees understand AI as a tool for augmentation rather than replacement. Sure, AI will eliminate some roles and reduce the need for some roles. Leaders should not avoid the “elephant in the room,” but be transparent about decisions impacting them.

With AI automating numerous tasks, leaders must ensure their teams feel valued and indispensable. This might involve redefining roles, emphasizing creative tasks, or offering mental health support. For instance, if AI automates data analysis, employees could be redirected to strategy formulation, ensuring they remain integral to the business process.

Facilitating Transparent AI Integration and Change Management

The process of integrating AI into businesses is fraught with complexities and uncertainties, marking a departure from standard operational upgrades. Modern leaders must excel in change management, guiding their organizations through the transformative process of AI adoption. This involves being transparent about AI implementations, its impacts on jobs, and ensuring that all stakeholders are on board and well-informed.

Championing Ethical Responsibility and Compliance

Leaders must navigate a minefield of ethical and legal considerations with AI, a relatively new terrain in leadership responsibilities. The integration of AI into business processes brings forth a plethora of ethical dilemmas, from data privacy concerns to potential algorithmic biases. Leaders must serve as the organization’s moral compass. For instance, if an AI-driven marketing strategy targets vulnerable individuals, an ethical leader would prioritize societal values over short-term profits. Such decisions bolster long-term trust and position the company as a responsible AI adopter. Leaders must ensure that AI applications align with ethical standards and comply with evolving regulations. They should champion internal governance structures to deploy AI safely and securely.

Promoting Lifelong Learning and Collaboration

The pace of development of AI technologies and applications is unprecedented. This rapid evolution needs leaders to stay abreast of the latest developments and be agile with AI adoption and encourage employees to do the same. They must engage actively with the global AI community, embracing insights and best practices from the AI community.

As a great example of upskilling, Shell launched an upskilling program three years ago to build in-house capability to embed AI and digital technologies across the company. They wanted to empower their teams to better understand, develop, and use these technologies, making their businesses more effective and efficient. Shell had over 350 data scientists and over 4000 software engineers developing AI and other digital solutions. They supplemented these resources with “citizen data scientists” who were often engineers, chemists and scientists. Through this upskilling Shell democratized AI, making it more accessible to employees across their businesses (Empowering the workforce of the future | Shell Global)

Business Outcome Focus

I have seen at times leaders falling in love with technology and forgetting that technology is a means to achieve a business outcome. To avoid this trap, leaders should establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success of AI initiatives giving leeway for adoption curve and org maturity with the technology. These could range from cost savings and revenue growth to customer satisfaction scores. Regularly reviewing these metrics ensures that the team’s efforts align with business objectives and provides data-driven insights for future projects.

Driving Cross-functional Diversity

AI adoption in a company will not succeed if it’s viewed as a technological exercise and is seen as the responsibility of a CTO or CIO. Businesses are best served by having an AI Czar, a C-level business executive who is tech savvy.

Success of AI across companies and organizations often hinges on the collective strengths of a diverse team. Each member brings a unique skill set, ensuring that the AI project is well-rounded, innovative, and effective. AI Czar for a company must ensure that AI teams should have ethics experts, policy experts, besides Data Scientists, Data Engineers, Machine Learning Engineers, Software Engineers, UI/UX Designers, product managers etc.  Since AI models need to be tailored to specific domains like healthcare, finance, etc. it’s crucial to have team members with in-depth knowledge of the domain who can provide insight into the key problems to solve, datasets to use, and evaluation metrics.

Conclusion

In the AI era, leadership transcends traditional boundaries, requiring a unique amalgamation of business acumen, technical expertise, emotional intelligence, and human element. Leaders must adeptly navigate the complexities of AI integration, balancing ethical considerations and technological advancements with a profound focus on the human element. This new leadership paradigm emphasizes continual learning, global collaboration, and a commitment to ethical responsibility. It’s about steering organizations through AI-driven transformations while ensuring that technology serves as a tool for enhancement, not replacement.

The successful implementation of AI demands a forward-thinking approach, where leaders are not just decision-makers but visionaries who understand the nuances of technology and its impact on business strategies. They must champion diverse, cross-functional teams, fostering an environment where AI is democratized and accessible to all. In doing so, leaders ensure their organizations are not only technologically advanced but also ethically grounded and human-centric, ready to thrive in a constantly evolving digital landscape.

About the Author:

Reddy Mallidi is an eminent business executive, an AI visionary with over 25+ years of leadership in operational excellence, digital transformation, and customer experience, and author of the “AI Unleashed – Harness the Power of AI to Transform Your Business” book. As a Partner and COO at Seventrain Ventures, he delivered multimillion $ value using AI and Automation to his clients. Previously he held executive roles at Intel, Autodesk, and ADP. Beyond his impressive accomplishments, Reddy remains grounded by his humble beginnings and unwavering belief in the human potential and sees AI as a tool to empower people and drive positive change in the world.

Der Beitrag Humanizing AI: Leadership in the Age of Algorithms erschien zuerst auf SwissCognitive | AI Ventures, Advisory & Research.

Today, we bring you a fascinating blend of AI advancements and strategic insights.

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Plus, explore Switzerland’s pioneering AI advancements in healthcare.

Dive in, learn, and share for success!

Best regards,

The Team of SwissCognitive

Der Beitrag The AI That Talks to Itself erschien zuerst auf SwissCognitive | AI Ventures, Advisory & Research.