Could AI (artificial intelligence) reduce crashes and enhance transportation management? Possibly. Imagine this: technology predicts the movement and patterns of vehicles and adjusts traffic signals to reduce congestion. Of course, this is only one example. There are so many ways to use AI to help with transportation. Let’s explore a few. At the end of last year, a team of researchers at Virginia Tech wrote a report that explores the benefits and implementations of AI in departments of transportation at the state and local levels. AI can help in transportation in two essential ways: improve road safety/reduce accidents and enhance transportation efficiency. Here are key areas departments are looking to integrate AI: Traffic management Safety Mobility Asset management Infrastructure Multimodal transportation Pavement Still, the challenge remains: there is a lack of understanding about AI technology and there is also a lack of an experienced workforce, which are two hurdles that could continue to stand in the way. This research—and other research likely to come—could help open up new opportunities. If we get this right, we can use technology to help reduce crashes and improve traffic management. View this story on…

Yes! Will Gen AI (artificial intelligence) and machine learning—specifically materials informatics—help reinvent the battery industry? The answer to this probing question is a resounding, yes. And new methods for discovering electrolytes, electrode, current collector, and packaging materials, couldn’t come at a better time. IDTechEx points to two ways this can help. For one, a developed use case is virtual screening, which is when a database of candidate materials has already been generated, and agents can predict properties and remove low-potential materials, which reduces the number of materials that need further testing. A second emerging technology is de novo design, describing materials informatics that uses generative AI to design entirely novel materials. Here is how this can help: Keep up with the rising energy density. Address sustainability demands. Revolutionize the battery industry. Looking to the future, we are going to see new methods for discovery in the battery industry—and machine learning, gen AI, and material informatics will have a part to play in all of it. Keep an eye on this trend in the…