Technology
Extended Reality (XR) revolutionising a wide range of industries
Extended Reality (XR) is an umbrella term that encompasses technologies such as Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Mixed Reality (MR). XR is a rapidly growing technology that has the potential to revolutionize a wide range of industries, from entertainment and gaming to healthcare and education. In this article, we will explore some of the real-world examples of how XR is being used today and how it is expected to shape the future.
One of the most prominent examples of XR in action is in the field of entertainment and gaming. XR is being used to create immersive and interactive experiences for users. For example, the popular mobile game Pokemon Go uses AR to superimpose virtual Pokemon characters on the real world, creating an immersive gaming experience. Many video game companies are now developing games for VR headsets like the Oculus Rift and the HTC Vive, allowing players to fully immerse themselves in the game world.
- In the field of education, XR is being used to create interactive and immersive learning experiences. For example, Microsoft has developed a product called HoloLens, which is a headset that uses MR to create interactive and immersive educational experiences. The HoloLens allows students to see and interact with virtual objects in the classroom, making learning more engaging and interactive.
- In the field of healthcare, XR is being used to create virtual reality simulations of surgeries to train surgeons and medical professionals, and also to assist them during real surgeries providing real-time information and guidance. For example, Medical Realities, a UK-based company uses VR to create medical training simulations, allowing trainee surgeons to practice procedures in a safe and controlled environment.
- In the field of real estate, XR is being used to create virtual tours of properties, allowing potential buyers to explore properties and get a sense of what it would be like to live there. For example, Matterport, a company that specializes in creating 3D models of properties, enables real estate agents to create virtual tours of properties, allowing potential buyers to explore properties remotely.
- In the field of tourism, XR is being used to create virtual tours of destinations, allowing potential travellers to explore destinations and get a sense of what it would be like to visit before they book a trip. For example, YouVisit, a company that specializes in creating virtual tours, enables travel companies to create virtual tours of destinations, allowing potential travellers to explore destinations remotely.
XR technology has the potential to revolutionize a wide range of industries. From entertainment and gaming to healthcare and education, XR is being used to create immersive and interactive experiences for users. As XR technologies continue to advance, we can expect to see even more innovative and transformative applications in the future. Companies and organizations are investing in XR to improve and innovate in their respective fields, and as the technology improves and becomes more accessible, we can expect more industries to adopt and integrate XR into their operations.
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Design
Development of Explainable AI (XAI)
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a rapidly evolving field that has the potential to change the way we live and work. The latest research in AI is focused on developing more advanced and sophisticated AI systems that can perform a wide range of tasks with greater accuracy and efficiency.
One area of AI research that has gained a lot of attention in recent years is deep learning. This is a type of machine learning that uses neural networks to model complex patterns in data. Deep learning has been used to achieve breakthroughs in areas such as image recognition, natural language processing, and speech recognition. AI is also expected to have a significant impact on the field of robotics. Advancements in AI are making it possible to develop robots that can perform a wide range of tasks with greater autonomy and intelligence. This has the potential to revolutionize industries such as manufacturing, transportation, and healthcare.
Another area of AI research that is attracting a lot of attention is the development of generative models. These are AI systems that can generate new data, such as images or text, based on what they have learned. This has the potential to revolutionize fields such as art and design, music, and writing. Another area of research is the development of explainable AI (XAI), which aims to make AI systems more transparent and understandable. This is important for ensuring that AI systems can be trusted and used responsibly. XAI has been recognised by AI researchers as a crucial component of reliable AI, and explainability has recently attracted more attention. To address growing ethical and legal concerns Explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) is a useful tool for as well as important How? and Why? questions about AI systems. However, despite the demand for explainability across several disciplines and the growing interest in XAI research, XAI still has a number of drawbacks.
The creation of AI systems that can clearly and transparently explain their decision-making processes is known as explainable AI (XAI). This is crucial in circumstances when an AI system’s decisions could have broad repercussions, such as in the legal, financial, and healthcare systems. Here are a few instances of XAI in action:
- Healthcare: An AI system that diagnoses medical issues must be able to justify its findings by referencing the patient’s medical history, test results, and other pertinent information.
- Finance: An AI system that evaluates loan applications must be able to clearly explain the reasons a loan was authorised or denied, taking into account elements like income and credit history.
- Legal: An AI system that helps judges make sentencing decisions must be able to provide a clear explanation of how it arrived at its recommendations, taking into account factors such as the defendant’s prior criminal history, the circumstances of the crime, and relevant laws.
In each of these examples, the ability to explain the decision-making process of an AI system is critical for building trust and ensuring accountability.
It is important to be aware of the potential of this technology and actively seek ways to harness its power for the benefit of society as a whole. The latest research in AI is focused on developing more advanced and sophisticated AI systems that can perform a wide range of tasks with greater accuracy and efficiency. From deep learning, generative models, explainable AI and robotics, the potential applications of AI are vast and it is expected to play an even greater role in the coming years, leading to new and exciting opportunities for innovation and progress.
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Health
Smartphone addiction and screen radiation growing concern for health and wellbeing
Screen time addiction and exposure to screen radiation can have negative effects on our physical and mental health. By limiting screen time, using screens at a safe distance, taking breaks, adjusting screen settings, using eye protection, and getting physical activity, we can reduce the harm from screens and improve our overall health and well-being. Screen time addiction and exposure to screen radiation can have negative effects on our physical and mental health which can lead to depression. Some of the ways screen radiation can harm us include:
- Eye strain and fatigue: Prolonged exposure to screens can result in eye strain and fatigue, which can cause headaches and make it difficult to concentrate.
- Disruptions to sleep patterns: The blue light emitted by screens can interfere with our circadian rhythms and sleep patterns, leading to insomnia and other sleep disturbances.
- Decreased physical activity: Spending too much time in front of screens can lead to decreased physical activity, which can have negative effects on our overall health and well-being.
- Increased risk of certain health problems: Prolonged exposure to screens has been linked to an increased risk of several health problems, including obesity, heart disease, and depression.
To avoid and reduce the negative effects of screen time and screen radiation, it is important to take the following precautions:
- Limit screen time: Try to limit your screen time to no more than two hours per day.
- Use screens at a safe distance: Maintain a safe distance from screens to reduce eye strain and exposure to radiation.
- Take breaks: Take regular breaks from screens to rest your eyes and stretch your body.
- Adjust screen settings: Adjust the settings on your screens to reduce the amount of blue light emitted.
- Use eye protection: Consider using blue light blocking glasses or screen filters to reduce exposure to radiation.
- Get physical activity: Make time for physical activity every day to counteract the effects of prolonged screen time.
Smartphone and social media addiction can affect people of all ages, but the effects can vary by age group. In children and teenagers, excessive use of smartphones and social media can lead to a decreased attention span, poor sleep patterns, and decreased physical activity levels. It can also contribute to feelings of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem, as well as a decreased ability to develop face-to-face communication skills.
In adults, smartphone and social media addiction can lead to decreased productivity and interfere with personal relationships. It can also contribute to physical health problems such as neck and back pain, eye strain, disrupted sleep, and vision loss due to excessive use of smartphone. Additionally, the constant need for validation and comparison to others on social media can lead to negative body image and self-esteem issues.
In the elderly, smartphone and social media addiction can contribute to feelings of loneliness and social isolation, which can have negative effects on mental health. In terms of its impact on society as a whole, smartphone and social media addiction can lead to decreased face-to-face interaction and communication skills, which can harm personal relationships and contribute to a decrease in community building. Additionally, the constant stimulation and instant gratification provided by these devices can lead to addictive behaviors, which can negatively impact daily activities and responsibilities. Some of the symptoms of smartphone addiction include:
- Compulsive checking: A constant need to check the phone for messages, updates, and notifications.
- Difficulty disconnecting: Feeling uneasy or anxious when separated from the phone.
- Interference with daily activities: Phone use interfering with work, school, or other activities.
- Decreased face-to-face communication: Spending less time talking to others in person and more time communicating through the phone.
- Physical symptoms: Developing physical symptoms such as eye strain, neck and back pain, and disrupted sleep patterns.
- Neglecting responsibilities: Neglecting responsibilities and obligations due to excessive phone use.
Excessive use of smartphones to the point where it interferes with daily life and causes negative effects on one’s physical, mental, and social well-being. To reduce the negative effects of smartphone addiction, it is important to take the following steps:
- Limit screen time: Set limits on the amount of time spent on the phone and stick to them.
- Turn off notifications: Turn off notifications for non-essential apps to reduce distractions.
- Create phone-free zones: Designate certain times or places where the phone is not allowed, such as dinner time or bedtime.
- Engage in other activities: Spend time engaging in other activities, such as reading, exercising, or spending time with friends and family.
- Seek help: If you feel that your smartphone use has become problematic, consider seeking help from a mental health professional.
Smartphone addiction is a growing problem that can have negative effects on our physical, mental, and social well-being. By limiting screen time, turning off notifications, creating phone-free zones, engaging in other activities, and seeking help if necessary, we can reduce the harm from excessive smartphone use and improve our overall health and well-being.
It’s important for individuals of all ages to be mindful of their smartphone and social media usage and to engage in moderation to avoid the negative effects of addiction. Encouraging face-to-face interaction, physical activity, and engaging in activities that don’t involve screens can help mitigate the negative impacts of excessive smartphone and social media use.
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Design
Extended Reality (XR), an evolving technology
Extended Reality, or XR, is a catch-all phrase that refers to a variety of technologies, including Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR). These innovations enable the development of immersive and interactive experiences that converge the real and virtual worlds. In the world of entertainment and gaming, XR has several applications. Virtual worlds and games that can transport users to other locations and eras can be created using VR and MR. The fields of training and education are further applications for XR. Users can learn and hone new abilities in a secure environment by using VR and AR to create realistic simulations and scenarios.
The performance and responsiveness of XR applications have recently improved because to the utilisation of edge computing and 5G. Edge computing allows data processing to occur closer to the user, which reduces latency and increases responsiveness. The use of AI and machine learning to enhance the realism and interactivity of XR experiences is another breakthrough. For instance, MIT researchers have created a virtual reality (VR) system that uses AI to create realistic scenes and characters that react to the user’s input in real time.
A rapidly developing technology, XR has numerous potential uses across numerous industries. There will probably be more advancements and use cases in the near future since it enables the construction of immersive and interactive experiences that blur the boundaries between the real and virtual worlds.
10,366 total views, 53 views today
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