Latest Data Headlines: Top News in the Digital Sphere

In the ever-evolving world of technology, artificial intelligence (AI) continues to make significant strides in various fields. Here are some recent developments that showcase the versatility and potential of AI.

Google has released an anonymized dataset of symptom searches from each U.S. county, dating back to 2017. This data aims to help predict future COVID-19 hot spots by analysing trends in search queries, extending beyond common virus-related symptoms to include over 400 symptoms and conditions, such as stress and diabetes.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Army is utilising AI to prevent and predict injuries in soldiers. The Army is using a machine learning system from Sparta Science, which employs sensor-equipped scales to measure a soldier's core and lower strength based on exercises like planks and jumping jacks. The system predicts the risk an individual has for getting certain musculoskeletal injuries.

The University of Southern California Shoah Foundation has been at the forefront of AI applications, using the technology to preserve the stories and accounts of Holocaust survivors. They developed an AI technology called "Interactive Survivors", which creates digital, interactive testimonies of Holocaust survivors. This innovative technology enables museums to integrate these personal memories into exhibitions through conversational video interfaces.

On a different front, researchers from Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center have developed a machine learning approach to examine placentas delivered after birth for any indication of complications in future pregnancies. The algorithm identifies each blood vessel on the slide and assesses it for characteristics of disease.

Lastly, researchers at Columbia University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and IBM have trained a machine learning model to identify and categorise abstract video concepts. The model performed exceptionally well, outperforming humans in two scenarios: picking which video clips completed a given abstract set and identifying which videos did not belong in a given abstract set.

These advancements in AI demonstrate its potential to revolutionise numerous sectors, from healthcare to history preservation, and pave the way for a future where technology aids in predicting and preventing challenges, while preserving and sharing invaluable stories and experiences.