This week’s roundup highlights significant developments in the U.K.’s autumn budget and various initiatives in the AI sector, showcasing the ongoing evolution and integration of artificial intelligence in diverse industries.
### U.K. Autumn Budget Prioritizes AI and Tech Investment
The U.K. government recently unveiled its autumn budget, emphasizing substantial support for artificial intelligence and technology sectors. A primary highlight is the allocation of £500 million (approximately $627 million) in funding aimed at establishing new computing centers to bolster AI development. This investment is set to span the next two years and will facilitate the growth of computing facilities following the launch of British supercomputers such as Isambard-AI and Dawn.
Additionally, the budget proposes the merger of the R&D Expenditure Credit and the Small and Medium Enterprise Scheme starting in April 2024. This consolidation aims to streamline processes, reducing the tax rate for loss-making companies in the combined scheme from 25% to 19%. Furthermore, the threshold for additional support for R&D-intensive loss-making SMEs will be adjusted to 30%. In a broader push to eliminate obstacles for businesses, a new support package for business rates was also unveiled, valued at $5.4 billion.
### Amazon Expands Access to AI Education
In a move to democratize AI knowledge, Amazon has launched the ‘AI Ready’ program, targeting the training of 2 million individuals globally by 2025. This initiative features a suite of courses that include insights into generative AI. Collaborating with Udacity and Code.org, Amazon aims to make AI education more accessible to varied audiences.
Through the AWS Generative AI Scholarship initiative, Amazon is set to provide over $12 million worth of scholarships to more than 50,000 high school and university students, facilitating their educational journey in AI. Alongside this, the partnership with Code.org will offer an introductory hour-long course on coding and artificial intelligence for students, further expanding educational opportunities.
### Cognigy Enhances Customer Service with AI Copilot
Cognigy has introduced a new conversational AI solution specifically designed for enterprise contact centers, named AI Copilot. This innovative tool aims to support customer service agents by delivering real-time information and knowledge throughout customer interactions.
AI Copilot effectively guides agents through processes, enhancing query resolution efficiency, and automates mundane tasks following calls. This highly customizable solution also includes features such as sentiment analysis, data retrieval, task automation, and call summarization, thereby improving the overall customer service experience.
### FIA Implements AI for Enhanced Motorsport Regulation
In the realm of motorsport, the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile) is developing an AI-based system to assist in identifying vehicles and monitoring track limits during races. This initiative involves utilizing computer vision technology to accurately recognize cars during incidents, thereby streamlining penalty enforcement.
Chris Bentley, head of information systems strategy for single-seat races, explained that the system relies on shape analysis, enabling the software to determine how many pixels a car crosses beyond the designated track edge. The FIA is set to deploy this advanced computer vision system at the final Grand Prix of the 2023 season in Abu Dhabi, marking a significant step forward in race regulation technology.
These updates demonstrate the rapid adoption and integration of AI in various sectors, highlighting its potential to transform industries and enhance operational efficiency. As companies and governments alike invest in AI advancements, the landscape of technology continues to evolve, promising a future where artificial intelligence plays an integral role in everyday operations and decision-making processes.
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