Showing posts with label Artificial Intelligence. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Artificial Intelligence. Show all posts
Human Learning vs Machine Learning
November 30, 2017
If machines can be taught to learn, human beings should outdo machines, by being human.
Learning as per the dictionary definition has the following aspects:
Definition of learning
1: knowledge or skill acquired by instruction or study
2: modification of a behavioral tendency by experience
All of us now know that the first part can be mimicked by machines and AI/ML is aiming for the second part through the first one.
But what are the key steps in this process and where are humans better than the machines?
We now have machines that can translate languages, compose music, write novels and operate vehicles.
The primary goal of AI research may be to teach machines how to learn, thereby automating some of the tasks that complicate our everyday lives, but brain scientists are saying it goes both ways: We now know more about human learning as a result of machine learning, and it has some exciting implications for the classroom.
Saga Briggs, Managing Editor of InformED in her article, What Machine Learning Is Teaching Us About Human Learning mentions four especially intriguing insights from the field:
1. Our bodies aid our memories
2. Metaphors are powerful learning tools
3. There is no substitute for "Learning by doing"
4. Good teaching draws on Shared Experience
They emphasize the point "Google" cannot replace "Gurus" and learning can be an effective tool for differentiation to careers. With the advent of DTOUCH 3.0 program of DesiCrew, it may be instructive to understand more about the Learning and Retention process. The following graphic illustrates the importance of practical application of classroom learnings in retention.
"Bloom's Taxanomy' provides a hierarchical model for the cognitive procedures and goals of learning divided into 6 levels where level 1 is the most basic level for teaching knowledge acquisition and level 6 the top with the highest education requirements to meet the goals of a specific educational program. Mastering a specific level is a prerequisite to move to the next higher level. The levels are defined as follows:
1. Remembering/Memorizing defined as the knowing of previously learned material or retrieving, recognizing and recalling relevant knowledge.
2. Understanding defined as being able to comprehend facts by comparing and interpreting main ideas within the learned material
3. Applying defined as the ability to use learned material in a new unprompted way of abstraction and to solve a newly defined problem.
4. Analyzing defined as the ability to examine a problem area and identify the various components ( breaking the problem down).
5. Evaluating defined as the ability to make judgements based on criteria or standards or to combine parts to form a new concept or idea.
6. Creating defined as the ability to integrate learning from different areas into a plan for solving a problem and to propose alternative solutions.
The findings of Peter Rudin in his recent essay on Thoughts on Human vs Machine Learning, published in Singularity 2030 can be summarized as below:
As stated above, machines can clearly outscore humans where the power of computing and speed of processing BIG DATA will tilt the balance. Even here, since learning is a cognitive process, adaptability for each student comes into the picture. Machine learning can be used to account for adaptability. Researchers are postulating that the result of each assessment of the student can be recorded in order to determine the probability of success in the next assessments.
It is pertinenent to note that MOOCs have succeeded in a big way in the use of audio-visuals in making the teaching more efficient, the team work and motivation to learn (which cannot be replicated by machines) still remain the greatest assets in the learning process.
Happy Learning to everyone, both machines and humans!
The author of this article is J K Manivannan, CEO of DesiCrew Solutions,
a leader in the impact Sourcing space. He has been pursuing the link
between technology, job creation and rural areas in his career spanning
over two decades. You can find him here: LinkedIn
Building Smart Communities Using Big Data
November 29, 2017
One of the most valuable resources in today's global village is data. Data can improve learning, help one try new practices and continuously improve their knowledge and skills. Data is a community asset to be valued and shared to enhance data-driven decision-making. The use of big data and analytics has expanded to rural areas through Business Processing Outsourcing (BPO) companies that have set up rural centers. This trend is common in India where achieving extreme cost benefits has been the underlying force driving businesses to set up BPOs in rural India.
Rural BPOs are commited to delivering business value to a wider range of clients and at the same time transform the rural ecosystem to sustain non-agricultural jobs. This contributes greatly in building smart communities within rural India where the BPOs have set up base because most of them hire employees residing in nearby villages. Such ventures can improve the ability of the community and its members to compete in today's world since the employees get to interact with customers from across the globe.
Data science and data analytics are at the core of every modern globalized industry. Working in today's technology-centric workforce not only requires superior leadership skills, but the ability to translate data problems into the bigger picture for the organization. Companies are today using big data for consumer profiling, personalized services and predictive analysis to optimize sales.
This technique can be applied to gather information about people's wellbeing as well. This is very exciting but at the same time, there is the challenge of privacy and potential abuses of data. Legal frameworks in many countries have not yet caught up with the exponential potential of advanced technology. With information shooting from different corners, we are required to find the most reliable sources by validating data to enhance its credibility. Companies need to invest in data security in order to curb unauthorized access to confidential information and at the same time, prevent data corruption.
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| Smart Communities: Photo by Chris Barbalis on Unsplash |
On September 25, 2015 world leaders gathered at the United Nations in New York to adopt the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a truly universal, and transformative global development agenda. Countries need to have high quality disaggregated data for policy making and for monitoring the progress of implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
The role of corporates by and large has been understood in terms of a commercial business but that narrative is changing. To achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, we require the efforts of everybody including the pulling together of resources by governments, businesses and civil society.
Data can be disaggregated by sex, age, geography, income, race, ethnicity, migratory status, disability and other characteristics relevant in national contexts of different countries. When data is disaggregated, the analysis can account for the most vulnerable and marginalized populations and enhance measurements of discrimination and inequalities both within and among contries.
Big Data for development is about turning imperfect, complex, often unstructured data into actionable information. This implies leveraging advanced computational tools (such as machine learning), which have developed in other fields, to reveal trends and correlations within and across large data sets that would otherwise remain undiscovered. Above all, it requires human expertise and perspectives to create data driven policies, businesses and cultures for a better future.
Collaboration Between Humans And Machines
November 22, 2017
The brainchild of Scottish inventor John Shepherd-Barron, the first ATM (automated teller machine) in the world was opened on June 27, 1967, at a branch of Barclays bank in Enfield, north London. The dawn of contemporary digital banking had arrived revolutionizing the banking business.
This year Barclays bank marked the 50th anniversary since the first cash machine appeared by transforming the modern day Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) in London into gold. This reminded me of a Barclay's advertisement during my childhood of an ATM placed as the head of a robot that would dance to the tune of the customers.
The banking industry is one sector that is a pioneer of robotics and artificial intelligence, after all, ATM stands for Automatic Teller Machine. This innovation greatly improved lives by making banking transactions easier.
Today the world is getting ready for the fourth industrial revolution and some banks have already introduced robots to assist customers in their branches. The technology is ready and industries like the automotive sector are already making use of robots to help assemble vehicles. Automation is making manufacturing, supply chain and logistics industries faster, smarter and is reducing the risk of error.
However, there are many who are concerned whether it will create more jobs or reduce them. There are opportunities that come with artificial intelligence but industry players need to also pay attention to the risks such as cyber security.
However, there are many who are concerned whether it will create more jobs or reduce them. There are opportunities that come with artificial intelligence but industry players need to also pay attention to the risks such as cyber security.
According to the McKinsey Global Institute, more than 90 percent of jobs will not be fully automatable in the future. Instead robots and humans will work together. The major question lies in whether humans are ready to re-learn and adapt to change.
For humans to fully embrace it, it has to solve some of their problems and make their lives easier. Many people want the assurance that these robots are here to assist them and not to replace them. With automation, the skill-set is likely to change and that requires one to update their skills to remain relevant in the market. We have entered a world where we are all students of life.
The Business Process Outsourcing Industry could potentially be affected which requires leaders to prioritize on where automation can increase customer satisfaction. This may require re-training of the employees to be able to improve the quality of work using automation as a tool. It's about the collaboration with humans and machines, as well as the customers.
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal number 9 encourages industry development, innovation and infrastructure advancement which requires the application of the latest technology to make our lives better. Artificial Intelligence can have a positive impact on society as long as; it makes work easier and generates more meaningful work to solve the problem of unemployment. Great innovators create opportunities and good technologists should contribute in solving problems through innovative solutions.
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal number 9 encourages industry development, innovation and infrastructure advancement which requires the application of the latest technology to make our lives better. Artificial Intelligence can have a positive impact on society as long as; it makes work easier and generates more meaningful work to solve the problem of unemployment. Great innovators create opportunities and good technologists should contribute in solving problems through innovative solutions.
The Author of this article is Susan Rujema. She is a Rwandan citizen who holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication and a Master of Science degree in Procurement and Logistics. She is currently a SITA intern with DesiCrew Solutions working on aligning DesiCrew to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. She earlier worked in monitoring and evaluation in Kenya and communications in Rwanda. Her interest lies in entrepreneurship, peace building, gender development, children's advocacy, climate action and human rights.
Why CEOs Should Explore The MAN In The MAchiNe!
October 20, 2017
We as CEO's have seen how the winds of automation are vigorously blowing the BPO industry. Every organization is taking note of how automation will or can impact the industry and devising a strategy to incorporate the same in its business plans.
As a member of one of the pioneers of Impact Sourcing, I found Dinesh Goel's article on the future of BPO services very informative. He views automation as the latest hurdle faced by the BPO industry. In his article, he describes the all pervasiveness of processes within the customer industries - the strength of BPO industry vis-a-vis IT. The author postulates that the work would remain and increase, but the human effort involved in executing them may not so - to be replaced by Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Dinesh also suggest the key steps to be taken by the BPO Service providers to overcome this challenge and convert it to their advantage.
Image credits: link
Three experts from Infosys talked about the impact of automation and AI on the BPO industry and what it means to the client. The experts discussed the nature of changes in expectations from the clients utilizing big data and the advent of automation to develop insights to serve their clients better. They also predicted the impact of human resource and skills required to the extent of having a need to redefine 'talent' to include design thinking elements.
What does AI and ML mean to Impact Sourcing? My opinion as a practitioner in the Impact Sourcing field is that, there should be a relatively larger importance to the human intelligence than to the machines. Therefore, these changes should trigger the following actions to ponder:
- Incorporate Automation - ML and AI are here to stay and it is better to include it in the business strategy before the customers ask for it.
- Reshape human intelligence - It is important not just to re-skill the human resources, but you need to be able to influence their adaptability and attitude to their new roles.
- 'Carpe diem' (Sieze the day) - Don't wait for the market opportunities but be the leaders in combining the human intelligence with machines.
Today, it is business imperative to balance the needs of human and advancement of technology and yet ride the wave of the latest technological change in the BPO industry.
The author of this article is J K Manivannan, CEO of DesiCrew Solutions, a leader in the impact Sourcing space. He has been pursuing the link between technology, job creation and rural areas in his career spanning over two decades. You can find him here: LinkedIn.