Author: Connected World
Universities are increasingly innovating how research support is delivered as demands for advanced information technology grow. As one example, Texas A&M AgriLife is piloting a new model for tech access that could reshape how institutions keep up. Texas A&M AgriLife’s Center for Managed Technology Services has gotten a $1.4 million grant from the National Science Foundation to launch a 24-month pilot program. What makes this forward-looking is that it provides a cost-recovery service block framework for commoditized time blocks of IT expertise rather than permanent hires or costly outside consultants. Here is how this can help in academic and research:…
If you are following the “debate” about the pro’s and con’s of AI (artificial intelligence) and its impact on humans (you and me), you’ve probably noticed the increasing use of the term “human agency.” What is human agency? To answer this question, I wanted to do an experiment asking an AI what it is, to see how it responded. I posed the question, what is human agency, to my new buddy, ChatGPT, which, yes, is a form of AI. ChatGPT said: “Human agency” refers to the capacity of individuals to act independently, make their own choices, and exert control over…
#Factoftheweek 53% of U.S. consumers distrust the reliability of AI-generated search summaries. AI search may offer speed and convenience, but many still distrust it, according to recent Gartner research. We also see 41% say they find AI-powered summaries more frustrating than traditional search methods, and 61% want the option to toggle AI-generated content on or off in search results. Will this skepticism hinder long-term adoption of AI search? How can we create confidence?
Can wearable sensors improve both comfort and accuracy? A team is researching sweat-monitoring devices for smartwatches, fitness trackers, and wearable bands—and the technology could be integrated into prosthetics and exoskeletons to provide realtime feedback and prevent overexertion. As one example, a research team at Waseda University has created rose-petal-inspired, non-contact sweat sensors. Here’s how it works: Sensor A reproduces the inner petal’s micro‑wrinkles for high water retention—ideal during movement—while Sensor B mimics the outer petal’s structure for rapid self‑cleaning. Both outperform conventional ISMs (ion-selective membranes) in stability and electrochemical performance. This technology could elevate wearable health monitoring. Here is how…
Recently, I posted about “perioperation” and DEXOP, a new teleoperation glove that can teach robots how to do motion and sensing like a human hand can. The term “perioperation” has a medical orientation, so I got to thinking about a better, more general term to use when discussing tactile, sensory developments in robotics. The light bulb in my head went off this past weekend, and I settled on an older but still useful term, haptics. The word itself has been in use since the 1860s. Talk about staying power! With the rise of AI-infused robotics in warehouses and distribution centers—my…
The integration of AI in manufacturing has and will continue to drive major gains in efficiency, productivity, and cost savings. But without enterprise-grade security, these benefits can quickly turn into serious operational and reputational risks. Industrial organizations across the world remain prime ransomware targets, facing an 87% year-over-year increase in 2024. Manufacturing remains a top target, with the industry accounting for half of all observed ransomware victims and 57% of cyberattacks occurring in North America. As manufacturing underpins industries like automotive, aerospace, and food & beverage, any successful cyberattack has ripple effects across supply chains, exacerbating disruption and threatening the…
#Factoftheweek 69% of adults in the United States say they are most worried about cybercrime—more than physical theft, violent crime, and property damage. In today’s digital world, we must protect our data. One in seven Americans adopted new cyber protection tools in 2024. 33% said they’ve been a victim of a cybercrime and reported it. Utah leads the nation in self-reported cybercrime at 48%. What can help? Antivirus software, credit monitoring, and password managers, just to name a few. But with cybercriminal tactics evolving fast—and more than half of Americans still without proactive protection—the question becomes: Are we doing enough…
Robots are becoming smarter, but can they have regret? New research aims to unpack if robot regret just might be a common theme in the future, as they aim to behave more thoughtfully and safely around humans. Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have developed advanced algorithms that embed the concept of robot regret into decision making, enabling them to work alongside people in dynamic and unpredictable environments. Here is how this can help: Robots can learn to anticipate task completion and potential harm. Robots seek tasks that advance their tasks while also prioritizing safety. Robots can model human…
Following up on my recent piece, “Cobots on the Rise,” do we give the moral status and legal protections, afforded to humans, to AI (artificial intelligence)-infused digital minds, especially those with the potential for superintelligence (superior to human intelligence)? Should I, as a human, while working in a cobotic work process, be expected to offer apologies to a robotic coworker if, for example, I get in its way? I’ve been reading about this “debate” in a growing forum of people, which includes AI researchers (advocates and naysayers), people using Chatbots with religious orientations and perspectives, and business executives who are…
#Factoftheweek 93% of Americans say they’re not very prepared for the next natural disaster. A new survey from PVFARM reveals climate fears are now influencing everything from career paths to family planning. A closer look at the data shows: 38% of Gen Z say climate change is making them less likely to have children 45% of Americans admit they’ve become numb to recurring disasters like wildfires and hurricanes 66% report regular stress about the environment, and 43% say it’s gotten worse in the past year 59% of Gen Z would take a pay cut to work for a sustainable employer…