Google is using machine learning to help Android users avoid unwanted and dangerous notifications


Notifications are part and parcel of life, being both useful and interesting. But they can also be problematic. Google is aware that the notifications generated by websites can be “spammy or even deceptive”.
The worst offenders can attempt to trick people into sharing personal information or downloading dangerous software. Google is using machine learning to fight back, launching warnings about warnings of unwanted notifications.
Google reveals ZAPBench to predict brain activity in zebrafish and unlock new AI-powered neuroscience research


If we are lucky, Artificial intelligence might one day help scientists understand the human brain the same way language models predict the next word in a sentence. And now, that future is closer to becoming reality thanks to a new project from Google Research, Harvard University, and HHMI Janelia. You see, these teams have introduced the Zebrafish Activity Prediction Benchmark, better known as “ZAPBench,” which could help researchers create more accurate models for predicting brain activity.
ZAPBench isn’t just another dataset, folks. Actually, this new tool is based on two hours of brain recordings from larval zebrafish, capturing how roughly 70,000 neurons fired in response to different virtual reality scenarios. These tiny fish were shown various environmental changes, including shifting light patterns and moving water currents, while researchers recorded brain activity at an impressively detailed scale.
Beyond words: What AI is really learning -- and what it knows that we never taught it


Imagine you had to finish every sentence in every book ever written -- with just your best guess of the next word. That’s how large language models (LLMs) like GPT-4 start learning.
LLMs use self-supervised learning, meaning they don’t need someone to label or explain the data to them. Instead, they learn by reading vast amounts of text from books, code, academic papers, Wikipedia (and its 57 million+ articles), Reddit forums, and news articles, in addition to billions of others, and then predicting what word comes next in a sentence -- over and over again.
Reskilling IT for AI and machine learning environments [Q&A]


As AI and machine learning technologies rapidly evolve, IT professionals must continuously adapt their skills to stay competitive in the workforce. This requires not only technical expertise but also a commitment to lifelong learning, including earning relevant certifications and developing crucial soft skills like communication and adaptability.
Companies can support this growth by fostering a culture of continuous learning, offering reskilling and upskilling opportunities, and providing tailored training paths for their employees. By prioritizing ongoing development, businesses can ensure their workforce remains at the forefront of emerging technologies, preparing them for the challenges of the AI-driven future.
MTA uses Google Pixel smartphones and AI to detect subway track defects


The subway in NYC has received a huge upgrade, but it’s probably not at all what you’d expect. No, it is not coming in the form of new trains or renovations to stations (even though that would be great). Actually, the MTA is testing a system that effectively transforms Google Pixel Android smartphones into powerful diagnostic tools for tracking rail defects!
The project, called “TrackInspect,” attaches Google Pixel phones to subway cars. Then, by using the Android devices’ built-in microphones and motion sensors, it detects vibrations and sound patterns. These sounds can indicate areas of track that may need maintenance. How cool is that?
OpenAI launches GPT-4.5 AI model and Elon Musk should be very worried


OpenAI has just announced GPT-4.5! While the company says the model is its most advanced AI yet, there’s definitely more to this release than meets the eye. Version 4.5 is a clear warning for anyone betting against OpenAI, including Elon Musk.
GPT-4.5 is being labeled a “research preview,” meaning OpenAI is still testing its strengths and weaknesses. With that said, it is apparently smarter, more natural in conversations, and better at avoiding mistakes than previous models. That could signal big trouble for xAI’s Grok, which Musk has been pushing as an alternative to OpenAI’s models.
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Cybersecurity professionals pessimistic about AI


A new report reveals that 54 percent of cybersecurity professionals believe cybercriminals will benefit more from AI than the security industry.
The report by The Chartered Institute of Information Security (CIISec), based on a survey of over 300 cybersecurity professionals, finds 51 percent) of those surveyed believe that AI and machine learning will be the most influential technology in the cybersecurity industry over the coming year.
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Microsoft's AI research mimics the human brain: Should we be terrified?


Microsoft is delving into the depths of human brain function, trying to replicate its most complex processes in artificial intelligence. While this might sound like progress, it raises a chilling question: Are we on the brink of creating an AI that could outthink and overpower its creators?
In collaboration with top universities, Microsoft Research Asia is spearheading projects that mimic the brain's intricate neural networks. CircuitNet, one such project, isn't just another AI -- it’s a system designed to think like a human. By replicating the brain's connectivity patterns, CircuitNet could potentially surpass current AI capabilities, processing information with an efficiency and accuracy that traditional systems can’t match.
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.
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