Innovation & Creativity

In recent years, the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and waste management has emerged as a promising frontier in sustainability research.
  • 7 May 2024
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In the global discussions on AI and digital health, the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health Dr. Tlaleng Mofokeng released the report on Digital Innovation, Technologies and the Right to Health.
  • 27 March 2024
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The International Telecommunication Union's AI for Good Innovation Factory is a competition that supports start-ups that are using AI to tackle sustainable development challenges.
  • 26 March 2024
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Data scientists are developing prediction models on the Zindi platform to find the best data-driven solutions through data science competitions. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has partnered with Zindi to develop solutions to important global challenges through a series of...
  • 27 September 2023
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The new State of AI in Africa Report created by the AI Media Group from South Africa, offers an analytical insight into the growing Artificial Intelligence (AI) sector in Africa, a topic that has not been fully explored up until...
  • 14 July 2022
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At the European Robotics Forum, the stars of the show were not the speakers or guests, but the incredible range of robots themselves. At this world-class conference, a robot exhibition hall displayed more than 50 booths offering interactive robot displays,...
  • 5 July 2022
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By Erin Kalejs Mental health matters. According to the World Health Organization, (WHO) 1 in 8 people in the world live with some form of mental health disorder. AI for Good’s recent AI for Health Discovery webinar explored an important...
  • 22 June 2022
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By ITU News For the past decade, the US city of Pittsburgh has been testing and adjusting new solutions for urban traffic management using artificial intelligence (AI). A system piloted in 2012 draws insights from historical data to simulate and...
  • 20 June 2022
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By Erin Kalejs Together, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital innovation have the incredible opportunity to create long-term improvements to lives on a global scale, especially young people who will inevitably acquire these innovations and create new ones. It is therefore...
  • 20 June 2022
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By Guillem Martínez Roura As robots move from pure imagination to rapid implementation in more and more facets of daily life, AI for Good is highlighting developments driving the future of robotic technologies. This month, ITU participates in the European...
  • 7 June 2022
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At the inaugural edition of the “Cannes Neurons Awards“ held at the World Artificial Intelligence Cannes Festival, ITU took part in the celebration of the world’s most innovative AI projects making a positive impact on society and the planet. As...
  • 3 May 2022
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One of the most pressing issues facing cities and urban spaces are the future impacts of climate change, and how to make critical decisions related to mitigation and response. This month, ITU’s AI for Good Innovation Factory series kicked-off with...
  • 20 April 2022
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ITU is ready to take part in the very first edition of the “Cannes Neurons Awards“, a global spotlight event on the most innovative AI projects making a positive impact on society and the planet. At the World AI Cannes...
  • 8 April 2022
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Wang Xinhui, General Manager of Wireless Standardization, and Industrial Relations, ZTE Artificial intelligence (AI) is advancing at an increasingly rapid pace. New technological applications and systems are currently being used to simulate, extend, and expand human intelligence. With the continued development...
  • 25 February 2022
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by Sarah Wray, Editor, Cities Today Artificial intelligence (AI) offers potential benefits for cities such as greater efficiency but there are also risks and new challenges, from procurement to governance. Such complexity can result in ‘analysis paralysis’ and stalled progress,...
  • 18 February 2022
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By Sheri Hinish, IBM Sustainability Services Global Lead Businesses cannot succeed in societies that are failing. The urgency of fulfilling the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 is a global rally for climate action underpinned by systemic reform, social justice,...
  • 14 February 2022
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8 February 2022 / Food, Innovation & Creativity
The next wave of technological progress to sustain the world’s fastgrowing global population will capitalize on artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) to improve the precision and sustainability of farming techniques. AI, IoT, connected services and autonomous...
  • 8 February 2022
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Neural Network AI for Good
1 February 2022 / Innovation & Creativity
Bjørn Christian Nørbech, CEO and Founder of myOnvent The UN has identified 17 goals for Sustainable Development. Looking at them shows the massive task we’re faced with. Climate action. Quality education. No poverty. Zero hunger. Complicating matters further is the...
  • 1 February 2022
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The effects of climate change and rapid urbanization around the world degrade the natural world, including wetlands and the wildlife that benefits from them. These factors also threaten the sustainable development of surrounding communities. Lake Sembakkam, in Chennai, India is...
  • 20 December 2021
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Geneva – 15 December, 2021 The top teams competing in the ITU AI/ML in 5G Grand Challenge Finale, a global competition to spur and award machine learning innovations in 5G communication networks, have just been announced. In first place, team...
  • 15 December 2021
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After a year-long quest, AI for Good has announced the winner of the global startup pitching competition. The Innovation Factory top prize was awarded to DoctorOnCall, a digital health solution, during a live Grand Finale hosted by the International Telecommunication...
  • 10 December 2021
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The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) recently connected with pioneering artificial intelligence (AI) expert Kai-Fu Lee, former president of Google China, CEO of Sinovation Ventures, and co-author of the forthcoming book “AI 2041: Ten visions for our future.” Here, Lee shares...
  • 15 September 2021
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The ITU Challenge on AI and Machine Learning in 5G welcomes you to join students and professionals from around the world in solving problems at top of mind for innovators working to ensure that communication networks capitalize on advances in AI and...
  • 19 July 2021
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25 February 2021 / Ethics, Innovation & Creativity
n a digital world overloaded with content and short on resources, reaching and engaging new audiences has been a persistent challenge for creative industries. Some top media players have turned to artificial intelligence (AI) for a possible solution. For Kati...
  • 25 February 2021
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“Free, fast, for all, the Journal aims to promote accessibility of research to academics and industry researchers across the world,” says the ITU Journal’s Editor-in-Chief, Ian F. Akyildiz. “The publication is free of charge for both readers and authors, highlighting the true...
  • 23 December 2020
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Ved P. Kafle and Abu Hena Al Muktadir of Japan’s National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) received the recognition of first prize at ITU Kaleidoscope 2020 for their paper proposing the use of machine learning techniques to support edge-cloud...
  • 18 December 2020
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Greyparrot, a start-up which uses computer vision for waste management, has been voted the winner of the Innovation Factory Grand Finale held as part of the year-round AI for Good Summit 2020. The Innovation Factory is AI for Good’s platform to showcase...
  • 24 November 2020
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Technology has drastically transformed the world we live in and the way we lead our daily lives throughout history. As recent innovations in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning accelerate the pace of change, they are opening up valuable opportunities...
  • 10 November 2020
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What do we need to build a better and more equal world for everyone on this planet? And how can artificial intelligence (AI) help us get there faster? The AI for Good Global Summit organized annually by ITU and XPRIZE...
  • 6 October 2020
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Transformed in 2020 into all-online showcase of action-oriented AI projects and interactive expert talks, the AI for Good Global Summit will celebrate the culmination of its 2020 activities next week during the much-anticipated ‘Breakthrough Days’ to run from 21 to...
  • 17 September 2020
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ITU News caught up with Chaesub Lee, Director of the ITU Telecommunication Standardization Bureau, to learn more about the latest ITU standards projects addressing AI and Machine Learning and the value of the AI for Good Global Summit. Where do...
  • 6 July 2020
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By ITU News Datasets relevant to sustainable development, expertise in AI and humanitarian action, and ‘AI for Good’ projects with ambitions to achieve global impact – these are the three key pillars of the Global Initiative on AI and Data...
  • 24 June 2020
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*Today, ITU marks World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD). This year’s theme, “Connect 2030: ICTs for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)” focuses on the five strategic goals of the Connect 2030 Agenda: growth, inclusiveness, sustainability, innovation and partnership. Here is...
  • 17 May 2020
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Datasets relevant to sustainable development, expertise in AI and humanitarian action, and ‘AI for Good’ projects with ambitions to achieve global impact – these are the three key pillars of the Global Initiative on AI and Data Commons. The AI for Good...
  • 23 April 2020
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It is becoming clearer to the world that we can only achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 if the innovative voices of those in Africa, who are most affected by the challenges, are involved. This is...
  • 27 February 2020
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Ten years remain to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Leaders in AI and humanitarian action will convene at the 2020 AI for Good Global Summit with strong intent to ensure that ‘AI for Good’ solutions achieve a scale...
  • 11 February 2020
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*The following article is adapted from my remarks this week during the ‘AI Forum’ at the Sixth Wuzhen World Internet Conference in Wuzhen, China. In Game Two of the historic 2016 Go match between Lee Sedol and DeepMind’s AlphaGo, the...
  • 24 October 2019
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*The following is a Foreword to the newly published compendium entitled, “United Nations Activities on Artificial Intelligence.“ Very few topics have captured the imagination of the public and promised to transform humanity more than artificial intelligence. In this publication, more...
  • 27 September 2019
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*The article below is adapted from remarks delivered in New York this week at the “Advancing the global goals with artificial intelligence” event, which was part of the SDG Action Zone, held during the High-level week of the UN General Assembly,...
  • 26 September 2019
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Last week’s 3rd annual AI for Good Global Summit once again showcased the growing number of Artificial Intelligence (AI) projects with promise to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Now, using the Summit’s momentum, AI innovators and humanitarian leaders are...
  • 7 June 2019
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In the past 20 years or so, extreme poverty has fallen by some 50% globally. But when people are surveyed and asked to guess the decline in poverty rates, only around 1% of people get it right. Why is that?...
  • 29 May 2019
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The 3rd annual AI for Good Global Summit officially kicked off today with a range of inspiring messages, important discussions and examples of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in action. “Very few topics have captured the imagination of the public and promised to transform humanity...
  • 28 May 2019
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Artificial Intelligence (AI) innovations have been causing quite a stir in the field of arts and culture lately. They have been creating movies, paintings, music, poetry — and much more. One prime example was when the first piece of AI-generated art to be sold at a...
  • 23 May 2019
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*Mr McConaghy is leading the ‘Scaling AI for Good‘ track at next week’s AI for Good Global Summit. Artificial Intelligence (AI) can help meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For example, AI researchers are already using satellite imagery to...
  • 22 May 2019
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Just over three years ago, XPRIZE launched the USD 5 million IBM Watson AI XPRIZE with the mission of accelerating the AI for Good movement. With artificial intelligence (specifically, the subfield of machine learning) evolving so quickly, we felt it was the right time to create...
  • 21 May 2019
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ITU News asked Chaesub Lee, Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Standardization Bureau about the top use cases of AI now — and in the coming years. In mid 2019, where do you think we are in AI’s journey, and how much greater is the...
  • 20 May 2019
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Artificial intelligence (AI) will transform our lives. The question often posed is: will it be for better or for worse? At ITU, we are working hard with partners across the world to ensure the trusted, safe and inclusive development of AI technologies – and equitable...
  • 16 May 2019
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29 April 2019 / Innovation & Creativity
As we know, the iMac came out in 1998. Apple’s slogan at the time — “think different” — represented both the company’s cornerstone message and their rallying cry as it rapidly innovated, finding ways to disrupt traditional industries. Whether it be the music or...
  • 29 April 2019
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The potential value from artificial intelligence (AI) is enormous: some $16 trillion by 2030, according to a PwC study. But what are the costs of AI when not done properly — and what are some of the risks? What does it...
  • 17 April 2019
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At their core, ‘AI for Social Good’ projects use artificial intelligence (AI) hardware and software technologies to positively impact the well-being of people, animals or the planet – and they span most, if not all, of the United Nations Sustainable Development...
  • 29 March 2019
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Artificial Intelligence (AI) has taken giant leaps forward in recent years, inspiring growing confidence in AI’s ability to assist in solving some of humanity’s greatest challenges. Leaders in AI and humanitarian action are convening on the neutral platform offered by...
  • 19 March 2019
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23 January 2019 / Innovation & Creativity
Academia play an important role in the research and development of telecommunications and information and communication technologies (ICTs). As such, ITU is committed to strengthening the innovative roles of academic members in the work of the Union. This week, ITU...
  • 23 January 2019
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Ahead of the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2018 (PP-18) – the top policy-making body of the International Telecommunication Union, taking place from 29 October to 16 November in Dubai – ITU News is highlighting some important and emerging areas of ITU’s work. The following...
  • 17 October 2018
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ITU Telecom World 2018, taking place this week in Durban, South Africa, brings together government officials, regulators, private company representatives and experts to discuss ways forward for smart digital development. “Smart digital development means a better life for all of...
  • 14 September 2018
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28 August 2018 / Innovation & Creativity
When you think about the potential of emerging technologies to improve people’s lives around the world, video games might not be the first things that come to mind. Yet, virtual games could play an important role in training Artificial Intelligence (AI)...
  • 28 August 2018
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“Whenever we view video, take photographs, see digital displays in places like the Great Wall, Buckingham Palace, Shibuya or Times Square, we are benefiting from technologies based on the results of ITU-T Study Group 16’s work,” says Huawei’s Noah Luo,...
  • 24 July 2018
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There is incredible potential for Artificial Intelligence (AI) to help the world achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)s. But how successful these efforts will be will depend on how regulators and policymakers address questions of governance. That was one...
  • 24 July 2018
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Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) are rapidly changing the information and communication technology (ICT) industry. And as these disruptive technologies impact more aspects of our everyday lives, ICT regulators are finding themselves...
  • 18 July 2018
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The following was adapted from Brahima Sanou’s opening remarks at the Global Symposium for Regulators 2018 in Geneva on 10 July 2018. It is good to remember that it is under the auspices of ITU that the liberalization of the telecommunication sector was launched in...
  • 12 July 2018
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As momentum to build new ‘AI for Good’ projects emerges from last week’s AI for Good Global Summit, experts and leaders are recognizing the need to share resources to help such projects achieve significant scale. Discussions towards ‘AI and Data Commons’...
  • 25 May 2018
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Two key characteristics of artificial intelligence (AI) will help us address the challenges we face, says Celine Herweijer, Partner, Innovation and Sustainability, at PwC UK. First, AI helps increase productivity, and second, it speeds up the process of learning and understanding,...
  • 22 May 2018
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At this week’s AI for Good Global Summit, artificial intelligence (AI) experts, ethicists, academics, technologists, United Nations representatives, and youth gathered to discuss how AI can help support educational initiatives and improve the lives of young people worldwide. They noted that...
  • 17 May 2018
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Dozens of top artificial intelligence (AI) experts from industry, academia, government and civil society are meeting this week for the AI for Good Global Summit at the ITU headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. Day 1 of the three-day Summit, the United Nations’ top...
  • 16 May 2018
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Today, young people are in pole position to steer the best possible future of the development of artificial intelligence (AI). As Douglas Adams famously said: “Anything that’s invented between when you’re fifteen and thirty-five is new and exciting and revolutionary...
  • 11 May 2018
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How will Artificial Intelligence (AI) impact industries and economies? How can governments and companies prepare for the 4th Industrial Revolution? ITU News recently spoke with renowned futurist Stephen Ibaraki to discuss the top trends shaping AI and ITU’s upcoming AI for...
  • 10 May 2018
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In January 2016, the United Nations brought into effect a list of 17 Sustainable Development Goals that, if achieved, would improve life in a way that is sustainable for the coming generations. From alleviating poverty to taking action on climate...
  • 2 May 2018
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ITU News spoke to Chaesub Lee, Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Standardization Bureau, to discuss the motivations behind the AI for Good series and how AI will come to influence ITU’s work. The 2017 AI for Good Global Summit was the first...
  • 1 May 2018
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ITU has just launched an AI Repository where anyone working in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) can contribute key information about how to leverage AI to help solve humanity’s greatest challenges. This is the only global repository that identifies AI-related projects,...
  • 25 April 2018
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22 April 2018 / Innovation & Creativity
The Global Good Fund invents technology to address the most difficult challenges faced by the world’s poorest populations. It is the result of the collaboration between Bill Gates and Intellectual Ventures, stemming from a vision to address gaps in technology and science...
  • 22 April 2018
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The 4th Industrial Revolution continues to demonstrate what I call exponential “A Triple C”: accelerating Automation; time Compression in new innovations; Convergence in physical and digital existences; ubiquitous Connectivity. Perhaps nowhere is this “A Triple C” dynamic more on display than in the realm of artificial...
  • 22 March 2018
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The 2nd AI for Good Global Summit at ITU Headquarters in Geneva, 15-17 May 2018, will take action to ensure that Artificial Intelligence (AI) accelerates progress towards the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. The summit is organized by ITU with support from the XPRIZE...
  • 8 February 2018
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26 January 2018 / Data, Innovation & Creativity
Every January, big technology trends become more central to key discussions as the world’s top business and political leaders gather at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting  in Davos, Switzerland. It reflects the growing importance of information communication technologies (ICTs) for...
  • 26 January 2018
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8 January 2018 / Innovation & Creativity
If tech entrepreneur Elon Musk and MIT physicist Max Tegmark are to be believed, artificial intelligence (AI) is less a scientific fiction than an (almost) technological fact. AI ‘facts’ are recounted from three perspectives: AI’s technological promise, AI’s dystopian potential, and AI’s ethical implications....
  • 8 January 2018
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Technology is developing at an exponential pace that can be difficult to follow. But one conference tries to stay ahead of the curve: TechCrunch’s regional European conference, Disrupt Berlin, showcases the latest in game-changing technology, and thought-leadership from key innovators...
  • 8 December 2017
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17 October 2017 / Innovation & Creativity
Starting from September this year, secondary and tertiary education – and even primary school curricula – in mainland China are expected to include studies related to artificial intelligence (AI) and coding. This ambitious plan includes an increase in the number of places for...
  • 17 October 2017
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Thirteen-year-old software developer and self-described ‘algorithm-ist’ Tanmay Bakshi is at the World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC-17) in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to promote his message about the promise of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve lives. Currently a Machine Learning & Watson Developer at IBM,...
  • 11 October 2017
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