Key Bridge rebuild: leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning for AEC projects
The collapse of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge sent shockwaves both nationally and internationally earlier this year. The city is now faced with the significant economic loss of a critical transport channel – and the challenging task of its reconstruction. Engineering and construction specialists anticipate that the rebuild effort could take up to 15 years. As a once-widely utilized structure, there is a deep sense of urgency to expedite the resurrection of the Key Bridge.
But current engineering and construction processes could wreak havoc on the possibility of an expeditious rebuild. The design and planning processes for large architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) projects, specifically critical infrastructure such as airports, bridges and ports, are historically rigid. Operating with a highly formalized approach derived from years of informed engineering practices, the volume of factors to contemplate around the build of a crucial transport structure is astronomical. Identifying and adhering to rigorous regulatory standards is only the first hurdle. Combine this with navigating other variables such as climate change, traffic implications and sourcing highly specialized materials, and suddenly a decade doesn’t seem like an unreasonable timeline for the construction of a major transport hub.
Microsoft launches GitHub Models, offering 100 million developers easy access to leading AI tools
Microsoft has introduced "GitHub Models," a new platform that enables over 100 million developers to integrate AI into their software projects by providing access to a variety of AI models. This includes popular models like Llama 3.1, GPT-4o, and Mistral Large 2, among others. Developers can explore these models for free through a built-in model playground on GitHub, where they can experiment with different prompts and model parameters.
The integration of GitHub Models into Codespaces and Visual Studio Code aims to simplify the development process, allowing developers to easily transfer what they've learned and experimented with into their own environments. Backed by Azure AI, the platform offers enterprise-grade security, privacy, and availability, which is vital for running AI applications at scale. GitHub Models is also designed to adhere to strict privacy and security standards, ensuring that no data used in the model playground is shared with external parties or used to train the models.
System76 launches refreshed Adder WS Linux laptop with 14th Gen Intel CPU
System76, a prominent manufacturer of Linux-based computers, has announced yet another update to its laptop lineup. The company previously upgraded its Bonobo WS and Serval WS laptops with 14th generation Intel CPUs, and now the Adder WS laptop gets a new processor too.
The Adder WS is equipped with an HX-class Intel i9 CPU, now in its 14th Gen, and features NVIDIA 40 Series graphics, DDR5 RAM, and PCIe 4.0 NVMe storage. This powerful configuration is aimed at individuals who work with large data sets, complex animations, or enjoy a vast game library during breaks. The laptop can be configured with up to 12TB of storage across three drives, providing ample space for all types of projects and entertainment.