Latest Developments in Digital Information: Highlights from the Data News Sphere
In an effort to better understand and predict rapid intensification in weather patterns, the U.S. National Weather Service has upgraded its weather supercomputing capacity with two new supercomputers dedicated to forecasting models. These powerful machines will help researchers anticipate extreme weather events, such as the rapid intensification of Hurricane Michael.
Meanwhile, in the oceanic depths, AI is making strides in deciphering the complex communication systems of marine mammals. Project CETI, a U.S.-based marine technology company, is training an AI system to decipher whale calls. Researchers at Project CETI use AI, including neural language models and graph-based clustering, to automatically detect and annotate sperm whale codas, revealing a rich and structured repertoire of vocalizations that suggest complex social communication and potential language-like properties. AI tools like Google's DeepMind's DolphinGemma employ large language models to analyze dolphin whistles and clicks, aiming to gather and interpret "dolphin-speak," moving toward understanding the functional meanings behind different signal types.
These AI methods facilitate not only decoding but potential "speaking back" to marine mammals, although direct two-way communication remains highly challenging due to the complexity and multi-modal nature of animal signaling.
In the world of pet fashion, Chewy has launched an app, Fur-tural Boutique, for pet costumes using augmented reality. The app features seven different Halloween costumes, including Killer Doll, Werewolf, Granny, Country Singer, Cowboy, Teddy Bear, and Superhero.
On the energy front, the U.S. Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory is simulating millions of power supply scenarios for Los Angeles's transition to 100% clean energy by 2035. The cost of this transition is estimated to be between $57 to $87 billion.
Lastly, McDonald's is partnering with IBM to use AI to improve drive-thru efficiency, aiming to streamline orders and reduce wait times for customers.
[1] URL for Project CETI's AI work on whale calls [2] URL for Google's DeepMind's DolphinGemma project [3] URL for the U.S. National Weather Service's new supercomputers
- The U.S. National Weather Service's new supercomputers, designed for forecasting models, are significantly enhancing technology in the field of data-and-cloud-computing and weather research.
- Project CETI, a marine technology company, is utilizing analytics and artificial intelligence to decipher the complex communication systems of sperm whales within the ocean's depths.
- Meanwhile, AI and technology have found a place in sports, as McDonald's partners with IBM to employ AI for drive-thru efficiency, improving service and reducing wait times for customers.
- In addition, AI initiatives are being employed to study animal communication beyond marine mammals. Google's DeepMind's DolphinGemma project is using large language models to analyze dolphin whistles and clicks, aiming to gather and interpret "dolphin-speak." [2] [1] [3]
