Wow, May was full of diverse topics again. We even welcomed our first guest author Florian Stummer on the blog. Let’s not waste time and get right into it!

Should AI systems own property?

The only asset that an AI system has without the right to own property is the system itself. It may also be very valuable because it has exclusive expertise or data for example. Why should such a system be allowed to own property? At least, it would be very funny if your own household robot suddenly buys a new house. In the event of a fault (e.g .: accidents, injuries, violations, …) through your AI system, it could be held accountable. The victims could then demand compensation from the system and not from you.

Of course, that could lead to dangers and unpleasant consequences. Systems that have achieved such independence would easily compete with or even outperform companies that are run by people. No one but the AI system itself would benefit. However, it is not necessary to ban machines completely from having a right to property. One possible solution would be to restrict their ownership and link them with obligations. Obligations to pass aptitude tests or to apply for operating licenses would be an option.

Book Recommendation: „Artificial Intelligence – An Introduction“

The book „Artificial Intelligence – An Introduction“ by Jerry Kaplan showed me how diverse the field of artificial intelligence really is. Eight chapters offer you a combination of an introduction to the topic and related questions. For example, there is the question of how the right should deal with AI, what impact it has on the world of work and what impact we may have to expect in the future. But the best part is that the book provides you with the most important information on a very complex subject, without going into too much detail. In addition, it is structured in a question-answer format, which I found very pleasant. You’ll get the answers to the questions you’re likely to ask yourself when you first start dealing with AI, practically delivered on a silver platter.

Internet of Things (IoT) and Health

Our guest author Florian Stummer wonders in his post why the pedometer actually sits on the wrist. He claims that two things are safe in the IoT-world: The main health application is health monitoring and the devices will soon be omnipresent. Patients‘ motivation and consumer awareness play a crucial role, which the health system translates into incentives for use and funding schemes. In addition to these person-centered solutions, the IoT industry is naturally looking for options to expand its technology in the areas of robotics, artificial intelligence and big data. Another focus is thus on the monitoring and tracking of individuals in the networking of the results obtained. From a health science perspective, a long overdue goal.

The data collected through fitness bracelets, pedometers, heart monitors, etc. ends up in Electronic Healthcare Records (EHR). These are intended to help doctors, nurses and other health care providers maintain our state of health or, in the event of deviations, to intervene in good time. The Internet of Things will help the aging society to improve the changing health behaviors, the desires of patients and thus the challenges to the health care system. It will help to relieve health professions, save money and increase the quality of care. Innovation, visibility of the results and cost savings are essential factors.

Make trains arrive on time again!

Everyday scenario: A train enters the station. Many people want to get in and out. However, the doors are blocked by the „cool kids“ and the nice granny with her rollator does not get through. As a result, there will be overruns and delays. AI could regain order. This would be possible if the AI observed the inside of the train as well as the platform via the video surveillance system. Like a fortune-teller looking through her magic ball, she might predict where there might be trouble getting in and out. In addition, the algorithm is able to distinguish people, bicycles and luggage from each other.

Once the train and platform data have been compared, it is possible to determine exactly which doors the passengers should take on the platform. LED strips on the ground, which light up in green, yellow and red in the same way as the traffic light, guide their way. Currently, this technology is being tested at a UK university, but is expected to be launched soon.

What is „DevOps?“

As Hannah Montana would say:“You get the best of both worlds!“ It unites the best in software development (Dev) and IT operations (Ops). DevOps describes a process improvement approach and a set of practices that automate the processes between software developers and IT teams that enable faster, more reliable development, testing and release of software. Both teams jointly manage the entire information management – from the development and testing phase to provision and operation. Not only are they limited to a particular function, they can also use their skills flexibly. Quality control and security teams also work with development and operations teams in some DevOps models. If security is the focus of a DevOps team, it is called DevSecOps (Sec = Security).

Advantage: The close cooperation of the various teams enables faster resolution of critical bugs, software releases in less time, and easier task management.
Disadvantage: One advantage, namely the break-up of outdated structures and ways of thinking, could also be a disadvantage at the same time. In many IT companies standardized approaches are firmly anchored. However, DevOps initially requires a rethinking of employees.

Predictive Policing: I know what you’re gonna do!

Software systems and algorithms are expected to predict future crimes. More specifically, even offense style, crime scene and offense period. The goal is to prevent crime before it is even committed. Glass balls, tarot cards and hand reading? Of course not, but the arsenal of data, programs and surveillance technologies is no less questionable. Officials are required to fill out „field interview cards“ every time they meet with citizens. Whether in a traffic accident, or a simple conversation at a traffic light. The name, date of birth, telephone number, address, age and clothing are noted. In addition, there are automatic license plate readers on the roofs of all police cars and tow trucks. It is almost clear that any activities on the ground will be monitored with drones and planes equipped with high-resolution cameras.

The total surveillance is of course not enough, you also want to take a closer look at the future! On the basis of already collected data, software programs should predict where burglaries or attacks will occur in the near future. Through this limited area is then driven increasingly patrol. But you also want to try to avert the actions of individual persons with the data-based prediction programs. For this purpose, a team is deployed to capture people suspected of committing crimes in the future. Must these „suspects“ have been noticeable before? No, already „wrong friends“ are enough to land on the list. The consequences, once you are on the list? In the best case, you will only be addressed and warned. However, if you are classified as „highly suspect“, then observation and surveillance are on your agenda.

Long live the mobile phone battery!

In, out, over and out? Charging the cell phone battery is not as easy as a one-night stand. Also, I always thought that this should be a very simple number. So the charging. Here are a view tips that will make your phone battery quite happy.

1. Less is more: I feel like I charge my smartphone twice a day. This is definitely too often. For example, constant „short-charge“ pushes the power and strained for these few minutes the battery so much that you quickly get into a vicious circle and more often need to resort to the charging cable.
2. At night, when everyone is sleeping: Again, I have to plead guilty – I charge my phone overnight. The battery does not like that, however! If the smartphone switches to main operation after full charge, the battery level drops again and again by a few percent and the charging process starts again. Permanently harm these „mini-charges“ in the single digit percentage range of the battery.

3. It’s getting hot in here: If it’s too hot or cold we just function conditionally. It’s the same with our smartphones and batteries. Its optimum operating temperature is 10 to 35 degrees.
4. Cheap: Meanwhile, even supermarkets offer chargers and charging cables for all electronic devices at a very low price. I can recommend a purchase of this equipment, if you are ready for a fire or short circuit. Often, the insulators on the adapters are missing and the safety tests „are forgotten.“ You are interested in your well-being and would like to use both your mobile phone and your home even longer? Then I recommend you the purchase of the original charger directly from the manufacturer.

Your opinion

Which topic did you like best? We hope you enjoy the variety as much as we do! See you next month and have a nice summer! 🙂

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