From exciting, new applications to electrifying tech innovations, the twin fields of artificial intelligence and automation are evolving every day. If you missed the latest developments making the news, we have you covered. Here’s a quick recap of the top three AI and automation stories worth knowing.
Jack in the Box to Test Robotic Kitchen Automation
Workers at the California-based fast food chain will soon welcome two new robotic “coworkers” to their crew: Flippy and Sippy. Designed by Miso Robotics, the automated assistants will leverage artificial intelligence, machine learning, computer vision and data analytics to complete fried food and drink orders, respectively. According to Forbes, Jack in the Box was motivated to test out the innovative solution (currently in use at White Castle locations) to combat current labor shortages and free employees to focus on face-to-face customer interactions instead of manual kitchen tasks.
Machine Learning Scientists Create Deliberately Biased AI
In a recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal, machine learning researchers revealed how they trained an AI model to generate human-like “first impressions” based solely on superficial facial judgements. Drawing from a database of more than a million human inferences of 34 facial attributes, the model was designed to predict and manipulate how humans might react to arbitrary facial images, underscoring the powerful effect of bias. “Given a photo of your face, we can use this algorithm to predict what people’s first impressions of you would be, and which stereotypes they would project onto you when they see your face,” explained Jordan W. Suchow, a cognitive scientist and AI expert at the School of Business at Stevens, in a press release on the study.
“Given a photo of your face, we can use this algorithm to predict what people’s first impressions of you would be, and which stereotypes they would project onto you when they see your face”
Jordan W. Suchow, Cognitive Scientist and AI Expert - School of Business at Stevens
Pentagon Announces First-Ever Chief Digital & Artificial Intelligence Officer
The United States Defense Department appointed its first ever Chief Digital & Artificial Intelligence Officer earlier this month, tapping Head of Machine Learning for Lyft, Craig Martell. In his new role, Martell will oversee the DoD’s new digital and AI office. “With Craig’s appointment, we hope to see the department increase the speed at which we develop and field advances in AI, data analytics, and machine-learning technology,” Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks said in a statement. According to The Wall Street Journal, the office, which was launched in February, is part of a broader restructuring initiative to combine the department’s enterprise-wide data, AI and cyber initiatives under one roof.