Researchers from TU Delft discover real Van Gogh using artificial intelligence | Delft University of Technology - Newswise

What did Vincent van Gogh actually paint and draw? by Delft University of Technology.

Researchers from TU Delft discover real Van Gogh using artificial intelligence

Paintings and drawings fade, so researchers from TU Delft are using deep learning to digitally reconstruct works of art and discover what they really looked like. ‘What we see today is not the painting or drawing as it originally was,’ says researcher Jan van der Lubbe.

Snow-Covered Field with a Harrow

One of the paintings the TU Delft researcher Jan van der Lubbe regularly refers to when this subject is discussed, is Snow-Covered Field with a Harrow (after Millet) which can be seen in the Van Gogh Museum. ‘That work’s colours have faded. The edges of the painting, which were protected by the frame, show that the dominant green was originally more purple,’ explains Van der Lubbe. ‘In collaboration with various partners, the museum is trying to digitally reconstruct changes like these. This applies to drawings too. And we're helping them.’...

Voyage of Discovery

The research focuses, amongst other things, on the reconstruction of a Van Gogh drawing. Van der Lubbe explains: ‘You could start off with an explicit model, but this would be like working with a mathematical formula: you feed it something, and it spits out something. Neural networks, however, are implicit. You make observations and then allow a learning method to work out the relationships between various parameters. All this data allows a method like CNN to predict what an old drawing would have looked like years ago. It's a way of going back from the present to the original year of manufacture of the drawing, using knowledge from the past. What we do is actually a voyage of discovery. We want to understand to what extent a reconstruction like this can be arrived at using a learning method.’

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Additional resources 

Zeng, Y., van der Lubbe, J.C.A. & Loog, M. Machine Vision and Applications (2019) 30: 1229. 

DOI: 10.1007/s00138-019-01047-3

Source: Newswise  

Beyond AI hype: AI once stood for algorithmic intelligence | AI & Machine Learning - Information Age

To look beyond the AI hype, it is worth remembering that AI once stood for algorithmic intelligence, John Gentry, Chief Technology Officer - Virtual Instruments tells Information Age. 

AI could just as easily mean algorithmic intelligence
Photo: AdobeStock

AI this, AI that, ayeeee, I am not sure the term is always used correctly. You could say there is too much AI hype, you might as well say the tide always comes in. It is not a contentious thing to say, it just is. Maybe it would help if we re-defined it. Instead is saying AI means artificial intelligence, maybe we should return to an earlier definition, one untainted by Hollywood. Let’s call it algorithmic intelligence, instead.

“Artificial intelligence is the application of algorithmic computation to large data sets,” says John Gentry, Chief Technology Officer and Senior Vice President of Business Development for Virtual Instruments, a solutions provider delivering AIOps driven performance management for modern hybrid infrastructure.

But it’s not just about fancy maths, he said. “It’s not just about saying ‘I’m using some fancy maths against a big data set and therefore I have artificial intelligence.’ It really needs to be much a more purposeful and practical application of a specific mathematics approach, depending upon the known interest and desired outcomes for a given factor.” That’s where the word intelligence comes in. Algorithms are as old as maths. Algorithmic intelligence is where you can take this to the next step — providing desired outcomes...

Gentry argues that economists, supply chain management and logistics professionals and the military have been using what was then called algorithmic intelligence for many years. Advances in computer power gave the technology a broader appeal, substitute the word artificial for algorithmic and you have got AI today.
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Source: Information Age

How Drones Are Accelerating Digital Transformation in the Insurance Industry | Claims Journal

Somewhere in central Michigan, a pickup truck drives into a sleepy suburban neighborhood by Michael Park, Chief Product & Marketing Officer at EagleView.

Photo: Flo Dnd from Pexels

An autonomous drone takes flight off the truck’s flatbed and, nearly silently, heads a half-mile east, slowing above a mid-20th century craftsman home that has clearly suffered damage to its roof after a particularly brutal hailstorm.

The drone then makes a careful and artful loop of a house’s shingled rooftop, snapping hundreds of photos as it circles the perimeter of the home, barely three feet from the roof itself. Its job done, the drone returns to the truck and snaps back into its docking station. The photos are securely transferred to the cloud.

Some 1,000 miles away, a claims adjuster in Shreveport, Louisiana, with 30 years of experience under her belt, views the photos, rendered onto her iPhone in the form of a three-dimensional model of the home. She determines the roof must be replaced and escalates the claim into the payout stage. The claim is processed in record time, without a site visit and at a fraction of the cost.

This was the vision of the future many had hoped for when drone technology was first introduced to the insurance space about six years ago...

A little further out on the horizon, momentum is building for the FAA to loosen its restriction that all drone pilots must be able to visibly see their craft’s flight pattern (the “Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS)” requirement). That will open the door to a world of fully autonomous drones that can fly further and for longer periods, covering large ranges of geography and capturing aerial imagery at an even more economical rate. This could happen as soon as three years from now, according to a study by Deloitte.
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Source: Claims Journal  

Is your digital transformation strategy a digital check or digital wallet? | Artificial Intelligence - TechHQ

Companies must “build for the future rather than modifying from the past,” said marketing expert Tom Goodwin at eCommerce Expo.

Digital wallets have the potential to transform payments.
Source: Shutterstock

Look at how the world at large has transitioned into a digital age, and it becomes apparent that much of what we might consider digital transformation is just taking something we’ve done before and making it a bit more modern. 

The ‘digital check’, for example, is in its principal concept, not much different from traditional paper checks. Apart from the fact that it can be filled out on a keyboard and exchanged online, it is a digital interpretation of a centuries-old way of doing things — while we can hardly call that ‘transformative’. 

This was just one analogy presented by Tom Goodwin, EVP Head of Innovation at Zenith and a global marketing industry influencer at eCommerce Expo in the UK capital last week...

The point is— whether it’s online coupons which customers print themselves; iPads added to classrooms which haven’t changed fundamentally since the 19th century; e-commerce websites which present products in a catalog; items that have never been on shop shelves shipped in branded packaging; TV ads being used on YouTube— few companies have fundamentally changed their approach, despite consumers’ buying habits changing dramatically. 

“My definition of digital transformation is very much rooted in this idea of rethinking technology— it is rooted in understanding what it will mean, and how it comes together,” said Goodwin.  
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Source: TechHQ

The 5-trillion-dollar question: how can business build a digitally native India? | India - World Economic Forum

This article is part of the India Economic Summit

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Deb Deep Sengupta, President and Managing Director, SAP India & Sub-Continent summarizes, To face the challenges and reap the rewards of the Fourth Industrial revolution, India must focus on people and skills.
 

A focus on employability and skills for India's huge youth population is crucial
Photo: REUTERS/Punit Paranjpe

As India moves along the trajectory of digital transformation, the growing penetration of digital technologies in Indian society presents huge economic opportunities. The government has set its sights on transforming India into a $5 trillion economy by 2025. For India to reap the economic rewards of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the participation of the government, large enterprises, micro, small and medium enterprises, start-ups, entrepreneurs and society at large is required. For India Inc., this is an opportunity to seize with both hands.
 
Businesses at the forefront of the Fourth Industrial Revolution must take the initiative to raise awareness and provide technical expertise and guidance for all citizens to ensure a future-ready India.

National treasure
With the introduction of new, cutting-edge technologies almost every single day, organizations are becoming aware of the need to don the digital mantle. They are increasingly adopting innovative solutions that can help them stay relevant in today’s hyper-competitive environment. According to a recent McKinsey Global Institute report, roughly 14% of the global workforce by 2030 will need to switch to new occupational roles under categories such as digitization, automation and data management and analytics. Moreover, 35% of existing job roles will be non-existent by 2022...

Digital inclusion for all Digital inclusion is the process of empowering people through information and communication technology. Strong public-private partnerships will help us accomplish it more quickly.

Online training programmes and the inclusion of machine learning, data analytics and the Internet of Things, plus increased automation in the existing education curriculum and corporate training programmes for early-career youth can help catapult India far into the Fourth Industrial Revolution. 
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Source: World Economic Forum

Cisco joins hands DGT to facilitate digital learning | Skill Development - Economic Times

Cisco has signed a pact with Directorate General of Training (DGT) to facilitate digital learning for six National Skill Training Institutes (NSTI), inform Ayan Pramanik, Principal Correspondent at The Economic Times.

The platform is aimed at providing NSTIs with access to new learning experiences and mentorship programmes irrespective of geographical locations.

Under this initiative, NSTIs in Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, Noida, and Kanpur will be equipped with a Cisco Connected Classroom solution, that uses Cisco’s Collaboration solutions like Cisco TelePresence and Cisco Webex, to offer a next-generation digital learning experience to the students and faculty of NSTIs, said the company in a press release. 

The platform is aimed at providing NSTIs with access to new learning experiences like virtual field trips and specialized skill modules, guest lecturers, as well as industry-connect and mentorship programmes irrespective of geographical locations.

 “In order to succeed in a digital economy, students need to be armed with new skills, taught in new ways.
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Source: Economic Times

Seymour schools introducing eLearning | Local - Seymour Tribune

Seymour Community School Corp. is gearing up for its first eLearning day next spring, says January Rutherford, reporter for The (Seymour) Tribune.

Photo: courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

To prepare for this method of educating students when they aren’t in the classroom, there will be a practice day this week.

On Thursday, teachers will take time during the school day to go over procedures to make sure students understand what to do on the district’s first official planned eLearning day April 24. On that day, students will not have to go to school but will still have to complete work...

The intent of eLearning is not to give teachers a paid day off or give students busy work, she said.

To have eLearning, all students must have access to an electronic device at home, such as a school-issued Chromebook, a desktop computer, a laptop, an iPad or a cellphone.
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Source: Seymour Tribune

Better Together: Pairing E-learning and In-Person Training is Key to Successful Data Analysis Education | Software - Quality Magazine

This article originally appeared on The Minitab Blog.

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As technology continuously makes our lives easier than ever, it’s no wonder that companies and instructors everywhere have been revamping education to include digital components in the learning process by Minitab.

Photo: Minitab

As technology continuously makes our lives easier than ever, it’s no wonder that companies and instructors everywhere have been revamping education to include digital components in the learning process. This approach of combining traditional face-to-face training led by expert instructors, with e-learning modules, online educational materials and digital opportunities for interaction (including games, quizzes, web content, videos, articles, audio books, podcasts, digital engagement, etc.) is called blended learning. Even strategy leaders like McKinsey & Company have stated that “the future of corporate academies lies in blended learning.”

The question then arises: how can you create a successful blended learning program? We contacted an outstanding expert in the field of training and education and leading TEDx coach with a passion for helping others, Cristina Chis, to find out more. Cristina explained that there is no perfect mix of in-person, e-learning and supplemental materials that is suitable for all training. As individuals and organizations are unique and pros and cons exist for each separate method, the blended learning journey should be adapted and personalized for each type of learning goal and audience.

Continuous Learning from Almost Anywhere
Focusing on e-learning first, Cristina highlighted the benefits of learning at anytime, anywhere, and on any device (ATAWAD) without the worry of travel or specific time limitations. E-learning also allows individuals to learn independently and actively with the option to explore their questions and process information in their own time. Creating an e-learning tool, however, can be very time-consuming. Cristina mentioned that a well-done 20-minute learning module can take at least 7-8 hours to bring to life and can easily become outdated...

Realizing the importance of face-to-face training, Minitab hosts hands-on Training sessions all year long through both public sessions in several locations around the world and on-site at various companies so everyone has the opportunity to learn statistics and Minitab Statistical Software.

With our experts instructing and providing guidance, attendees like Barbara Lis of Raynor Intraocular Lenses Limited found training beneficial because of the way the trainer explained statistics and answered the questions.
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Source: Quality Magazine

The most influential women in UK technology | CW+ Downloads - Computer Weekly

Computer Weekly recognises 50 inspirational women who are role models for diversity and success in technology by ComputerWeekly.com.

Photo: Computer Weekly

In this week's Computer Weekly, we announce our annual list of the 50 most influential women in UK technology. Meet the winner, Debbie Forster, CEO of Tech Talent Charter, and find out who are this year's five rising stars. Also, our latest buyer's guide looks at the latest developments in robotic process automation.
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Source: Computer Weekly.com

44 New Skills You Can Now Learn on LinkedIn Learning | New Courses - The Learning Blog

Each week presents a new opportunity for you and your team to learn the skills necessary to take on the next big challenge, suggest Zoë Kelsey, Learning Supporter at LinkedIn.

Photo:  Learning Blog - LinkedIn Learning

At LinkedIn Learning, we want to do everything we can to help make that happen. Each week, we add to our 15,000+ course library. This past week we added 44 courses. What can you expect from the new additions? 

More than half (52%) of professionals have been inspired to learn a new skill to keep their skills up to date and 69% of professionals think verified skills are more important than a college degree. How can you ensure you’re cultivating and showcasing the right skills?   Take a Skill Assessment to highlight the skills you cultivate on your profile. No matter how you score, you can also choose from relevant LinkedIn Learning courses based on your areas of improvement. Whether you’re looking to learn quick tips on LinkedIn, InDesign, or Illustrator, or be inspired by  Women in Tech, we’ve got you covered on those topics and more. Check out one of the 44 new courses this week.

The new courses now available on LinkedIn Learning are:
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Source: LinkedIn Learning