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Quantum Material Exhibits “Non-Local” Behavior That Mimics Brain Function

New research shows a possible way to improve energy-efficient computing

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Credit: Mario Rojas / UC San Diego
Electrical stimuli passed between neighboring electrodes can also affect non-neighboring electrodes.
« Quantum Material Exhibits “Non-Local” Behavior That Mimics Brain Function

Newswise — We often believe computers are more efficient than humans. After all, computers can complete a complex math equation in a moment and can also recall the name of that one actor we keep forgetting. However, human brains can process complicated layers of information quickly, accurately, and with almost no energy input: recognizing a face after only seeing it once or instantly knowing the difference between a mountain and the ocean. These simple human tasks require enormous processing and energy input from computers, and even then, with varying degrees of accuracy.

Creating brain-like computers with minimal energy requirements would revolutionize nearly every aspect of modern life. Funded by the Department of Energy, Quantum Materials for Energy Efficient Neuromorphic Computing (Q-MEEN-C) — a nationwide consortium led by the University of California San Diego — has been at the forefront of this research. 

UC San Diego Assistant Professor of Physics Alex Frañó is co-director of Q-MEEN-C and thinks of the center’s work in phases. In the first phase, he worked closely with President Emeritus of University of California and Professor of Physics Robert Dynes, as well as Rutgers Professor of Engineering Shriram Ramanathan. Together, their teams were successful in finding ways to create or mimic the properties of a single brain element (such as a neuron or synapse) in a quantum material.

Now, in phase two, new research from Q-MEEN-C, published in Nano Letters, shows that electrical stimuli passed between neighboring electrodes can also affect non-neighboring electrodes. Known as non-locality, this discovery is a crucial milestone in the journey toward new types of devices that mimic brain functions known as neuromorphic computing.

“In the brain it’s understood that these non-local interactions are nominal — they happen frequently and with minimal exertion,” stated Frañó, one of the paper’s co-authors. “It’s a crucial part of how the brain operates, but similar behaviors replicated in synthetic materials are scarce.”

Like many research projects now bearing fruit, the idea to test whether non-locality in quantum materials was possible came about during the pandemic. Physical lab spaces were shuttered, so the team ran calculations on arrays that contained multiple devices to mimic the multiple neurons and synapses in the brain. In running these tests, they found that non-locality was theoretically possible.

When labs reopened, they refined this idea further and enlisted UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering Associate Professor Duygu Kuzum, whose work in electrical and computer engineering helped them turn a simulation into an actual device.

This involved taking a thin film of nickelate — a “quantum material” ceramic that displays rich electronic properties — inserting hydrogen ions, and then placing a metal conductor on top. A wire is attached to the metal so that an electrical signal can be sent to the nickelate. The signal causes the gel-like hydrogen atoms to move into a certain configuration and when the signal is removed, the new configuration remains.

“This is essentially what a memory looks like,” stated Frañó. “The device remembers that you perturbed the material. Now you can fine tune where those ions go to create pathways that are more conductive and easier for electricity to flow through.” 

Traditionally, creating networks that transport sufficient electricity to power something like a laptop requires complicated circuits with continuous connection points, which is both inefficient and expensive. The design concept from Q-MEEN-C is much simpler because the non-local behavior in the experiment means all the wires in a circuit do not have to be connected to each other. Think of a spider web, where movement in one part can be felt across the entire web.

This is analogous to how the brain learns: not in a linear fashion, but in complex layers. Each piece of learning creates connections in multiple areas of the brain, allowing us to differentiate not just trees from dogs, but an oak tree from a palm tree or a golden retriever from a poodle.

To date, these pattern recognition tasks that the brain executes so beautifully, can only be simulated through computer software. AI programs like ChatGPT and Bard use complex algorithms to mimic brain-based activities like thinking and writing. And they do it really well. But without correspondingly advanced hardware to support it, at some point software will reach its limit.

Frañó is eager for a hardware revolution to parallel the one currently happening with software, and showing that it’s possible to reproduce non-local behavior in a synthetic material inches scientists one step closer. The next step will involve creating more complex arrays with more electrodes in more elaborate configurations.

“This is a very important step forward in our attempts to understand and simulate brain functions,” said Dynes, who is also a co-author. “Showing a system that has non-local interactions leads us further in the direction toward how our brains think. Our brains are, of course, much more complicated than this but a physical system that is capable of learning must be highly interactive and this is a necessary first step. We can now think of longer range coherence in space and time”

“It’s widely understood that in order for this technology to really explode, we need to find ways to improve the hardware — a physical machine that can perform the task in conjunction with the software,” Frañó stated. “The next phase will be one in which we create efficient machines whose physical properties are the ones that are doing the learning. That will give us a new paradigm in the world of artificial intelligence.”

This work is primarily supported by  Quantum Materials for Energy Efficient Neuromorphic Computing, an Energy Frontier Research Center funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Basic Energy Sciences and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DE-SC0019273). A full list of funders can be found in the paper acknowledgements.

Journal Link: Nano Letters

Source: University of California San Diego

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Artificial Intelligence

AI Marketing Strategies On Generic AI Platforms Set To Hinder Success

Businesses overusing AI will find themselves disadvantaged when developing marketing strategies and marketing programs in 2024 says Robotic Marketer founder.

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ATLANTA, GEORGIA, UNITED STATES /EINPresswire.com/ — As the business world stands on the precipice of 2024, marketing industry expert, Mellissah Smith, forecasts a seismic shift in the competitive landscape due to the overuse and misuse of generic AI in marketing.

The pivotal new year, marked by the emergence of a stark competitive gap caused by a one-size-fits-all approach provided by many AI platforms, heralds a call to action for businesses worldwide that are being led by over-use of AI for content and strategy without bespoke data analysis and benchmarking.


AI is a productivity tool. It’s a tool to do fast analysis. Without using AI tools that integrate with your tech stack, it is a one-size-fits all, and something not to be relied upon.”


— Mellissah Smith

“In the race to embrace AI, the market is inadvertently veering towards a divide that will separate the leaders from the laggards,” says Mellissah Smith, the founder behind Robotic Marketer, a world-first AI powered marketing strategy technology platform. “2024 will witness the dawn of an AI divide where businesses that recognize and act upon the need for personalized, data driven AI strategies will gain a distinct competitive edge. Those continuing down the path of generic AI solutions will find themselves outpaced and outmanoeuvred by companies that are using their available data and content personalization to connect with customers. This isn’t just a minor shift; it’s a critical juncture that will significantly impact the competitive landscape in 2024 and the years that follow.”


AI Marketing Strategy Company Founder, Mellissah Smith from Robotic Marketer

Mellissah Smith, with her three decades of marketing experience, states, “2024 isn’t just another year; it’s 12-months since Open AI’s ChatGPT changed the way everyday people thought about AI and only 6 months since many companies have realized that they can’t afford not to get on the bandwagon of AI. However, the overuse of generic AI has reached its zenith, and this has been largely due to people not knowing how AI is developed and how it will best suit their company needs. AI is now intricately woven into the fabric of each business’s unique narrative, so it’s time to create some maturity in its use.”

Smith addresses the critical shortfall in current AI applications: “The market is inundated with tools that offer a one-dimensional view, leading to strategies that are as broad as they are bland. Our commitment at Robotic Marketer is to transcend this norm and as a company that has been in the market since 2017, we have been able to create the labyrinth of machine learning. We’re introducing an AI that doesn’t just analyze but understands, interprets, and develops strategies with a level of precision and personalization previously unimagined.”

Robotic Marketer’s innovation sets a new precedent in both the marketing and consulting industries. “We’re not just creating another marketing tool; we’re creating a AI platform that becomes the heart of your marketing strategy. It’s about developing a dynamic, intuitive understanding of your business goals, market nuances and customer dynamics,” Smith states.

As businesses prepare to navigate the complexities of 2024, Smith underscores the imperative for a strategic renaissance. “The future is not about broad strokes but about the detail and depth that creates relevance.”

“The economy will dictate how many businesses navigate 2024, which requires for those companies most effected by a downturn to automate tasks where possible. Scaling marketing efforts is possible with AI, particularly if you have the right marketing strategy in place, but must come with personalization.”

About Robotic Marketer:
Founded by the visionary and “Innovator of the Year” recipient, Mellissah Smith, Robotic Marketer is at the vanguard of the next generation of AI-driven marketing strategy development. Committed to innovation, personalization, and strategic acumen, Robotic Marketer is empowering businesses worldwide to navigate the future of marketing with unparalleled precision and insight. Working with brands such as SAP, Oracle, Mitel and Atlassian through channel programs, and 1000’s of companies globally, the company has firmly established its position as the leading AI marketing strategy tool that develops, manages, executes and reports on marketing strategy performance. The platform integrates with social media, Google, competitor insights, GPT-4, and popular email marketing, CRM, marketing automation and advertising tools. The company is expanding globally through marketing agencies using the platform as a productivity tool with inbuilt benchmarking and industry best practice. www.roboticmarketer.com



Contact:
Mellissah Smith
Robotic Marketer
info@roboticmarketer.com
www.roboticmarketer.com


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AI marketing strategy technology platform Robotic Marketer

Source: Robotic Marketer

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Artificial Intelligence

Vymo’s ‘Rise of AI’ report highlights the the role of AI in transforming Insurance Distribution in 2023

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SINGAPORE /PRNewswire/ — Vymo, the Sales Engagement Platform of choice for global financial enterprises, has unveiled its latest report, ‘Rise of AI in 2023.’ This report summarizes the transformative impact of AI on the insurance industry, providing a profound understanding of how AI tools are reshaping the landscape.


Vymo’s ‘Rise of AI report highlights the the role of AI in transforming Insurance Distribution in 2023

The report, compiled after extensive conversations with insurance firms and financial services leaders, highlights the areas that are being disrupted through AI applications and the vast potential AI brings into Insurance distribution. For example, agent attrition is a significant challenge and AI may just have the key to understanding and preventing agent churn and hiring the right talent.

The report delves into the different areas AI will impact and strengthen insurance distribution in the years to come.

Speaking about this, Venkat Malladi, Co-Founder and CTO, Vymo, said, “AI has made an extensive and positive impact on almost every function of an insurance organization. From product development to claims processing, AI eliminates biases, improves transparency, and ensures precise risk assessment. This trend of AI transformation is only going to gain greater traction, and its footprint is going to be much bigger in the entire insurance industry landscape.”

The report’s focus on AI and insurance elucidates how AI tools contribute to insurance sales, distribution, and recruitment.

Further, Venkat MalladiCo-Founder and CTO, Vymo said, “The importance of user-friendly AI tools without extensive training requirements cannot be overstated. AI has become an integral part of several insurance processes, and it will be interesting to see how its influence grows.”

The report is engaging, insightful and provides key learnings on how insurance organizations should chart out their AI roadmap and the guardrails that they will need to put into place.

A relevant read for anyone who is interested in the growth of AI and the role it will play in building insurance organizations of the future.

The report goes through AI’s unique applications in Insurance Sales and Distribution, offering insights into how AI can personalize services, streamline recruitment, and optimize lead allocation processes. It emphasizes the imperative for insurers to adapt to AI to enhance decision-making, improve customer experiences, and drive growth.

The report can be accessed for free at https://www.vymo.com/riseofai2023

About Vymo

Vymo (www.vymo.com) is the Sales Engagement Platform of choice for 350,000 salespeople across 65+ Global Financial Institutions such as AIA, Berkshire Hathaway, Generali, AXA, Sunlife, and HDFC Bank. The platform drives productivity bottom-up through nudges and interventions across the customer lifecycle.

Gartner recognizes Vymo as a Representative Vendor in the Sales Engagement Market Guide.

Vymo has raised over $45M in funding from Sequoia Capital, Emergence Capital, and Bertelsmann India Investments and is also a winner of CB Insights’ Demo Day and Microsoft’s ‘AI for All’ awards.

Relevant Links

Download Rise of AI 2023: https://www.vymo.com/riseofai2023

Watch Vymo in Action: https://youtu.be/x-kxnDUAI84?si=-CGimxTiml0Hm3qS

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Artificial Intelligence

McDonald’s and Google Cloud Announce Strategic Partnership to Connect Latest Cloud Technology and Apply Generative AI Solutions Across its Restaurants Worldwide

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CHICAGO and SUNNYVALE, Calif. /PRNewswire/ — McDonald’s Corporation and Google today announced plans for a new multi-year, global partnership to connect Google Cloud technology across thousands of its restaurants worldwide. This partnership is a significant step for McDonald’s in advancing its restaurant technology platform to become the most sophisticated and productive in the industry. McDonald’s plans to leverage a wide range of Google Cloud’s hardware, data, and AI technologies to implement innovation faster and create even better experiences for its customers, restaurant teams, and employees.  

“We see tremendous opportunity for growth in our digital business and our partnership with Google Cloud allows us to capitalize on this by leveraging our size and scale to build capabilities and implement solutions at unmatched speeds,” said Brian Rice, McDonald’s Executive Vice President and Global Chief Information Officer. “Connecting our restaurants worldwide to millions of datapoints across our digital ecosystem means tools get sharper, models get smarter, restaurants become easier to operate, and most importantly, the overall experience for our customers and crew gets even better.” 

As part of this partnership, McDonald’s will roll out significant advancements to its restaurant and customer platforms – from its popular mobile app that serves as the gateway for its 150 million member-strong and quickly expanding loyalty program, to its thousands of self-service kiosks in restaurants worldwide. With a consistent approach, McDonald’s expects to deploy innovations with much greater speed and agility. McDonald’s will use edge computing from Google Cloud to power these new platforms, bringing information storage and high powered computing into individual restaurants. 

Google Distributed Cloud, a combined hardware and software offering, is planned to be deployed to thousands of McDonald’s restaurants so they can leverage both cloud-based software applications and their own software and AI solutions locally on-site, as needed. With Google Cloud edge computing capabilities, McDonald’s will be able to draw new insights into how equipment is performing, enact solutions that reduce business disruptions, and diminish complexity for crew so restaurant teams can focus on delivering amazing hospitality to customers. McDonald’s will be the largest global foodservice retailer to use Google Distributed Cloud’s new capabilities, with plans for thousands of restaurants to begin receiving their hardware and software upgrades next year.  

Through this new partnership, a dedicated Google Cloud team in Chicago will work in close proximity to McDonald’s global innovation center, known as Speedee Labs. Together, they’ll focus on applying generative AI across a number of key business priorities to power exciting new experiences for crew and customers, with McDonald’s unmatched convenience and value.  

“Through this wide-ranging partnership, Google Cloud will help McDonald’s seize on new opportunities to transform its business and customer experiences, empowering restaurants worldwide with the latest technologies for near-term impact,” said Thomas Kurian, Google Cloud’s Chief Executive Officer. “Pairing the iconic brand, size and scale of McDonald’s with Google Cloud’s deep history in AI and technology innovation will redefine how this industry works and what people expect when they dine out.” 

About Google Cloud 
Google Cloud accelerates every organization’s ability to digitally transform its business and industry. We deliver enterprise-grade solutions that leverage Google’s cutting-edge technology, and tools that help developers build more sustainably. Customers in more than 200 countries and territories turn to Google Cloud as their trusted partner to enable growth and solve their most critical business problems. 

About McDonald’s 
McDonald’s is the world’s leading global foodservice retailer with over 40,000 locations in over 100 countries. Approximately 95% of McDonald’s restaurants worldwide are owned and operated by independent local business owners.

SOURCE Google Cloud

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