If AI Is So Huge, Why Hasn’t it Changed the World Yet?
BY READERS DIGEST
11th Mar 2020 Technology
Kursat Ceylan is blind. He was trying to find a hotel he had booked and used an app to get directions. At the same time, he had to use his cane and also pull along his baggage. He walked into a pole and cut open his forehead
This inspired him and his partner to come up with a cane that had AI built-in. This would then detect any objects that might be above chest-level. The AI is also able to pair up with various systems, including Google Maps, Amazon Alexa and more. This means that the user can then ask questions. Jean Feghali, who is in charge of the project also has an eye condition. His vision is impaired if there is not enough light, and this is something that he has struggled with for quite some time. There is hope that this new tech could help people like him.
AI and its Impact on the World
Businessmen and tech investors like Tej Kohli have invested in AI with the hopes that it can better the world. This is especially the case when you look at healthcare and tech. Of course, the smart cane itself can only integrate with AI functions on a basic level right now but the overall aim is for the WeWalk to try and gather information from the accelerometer, gyroscope and compass that has been installed. It can then use data to try and find out how visually impaired people use the product and how they behave so that a far more sophisticated product can be created in the form of advanced AI. This would include creating an AI voice service.
Not just a Smart Cane
It should be noted that this isn’t meant to be a smart cane. It’s supposed to be connected with transportation networks and even autonomous vehicles. The general idea is that WeWalk would eventually be able to interact with traffic lights so that people can then cross roads without having to push a button. They would also be able to alert buses so that they can then wait at a stop ahead of time. Innovations like this would be more than welcome but they would fall short of some of the dreams that were once inspired by AI. People once thought that AI would be able to form logical connections and even change the world. Right now it hasn’t really done that, but scientists are working on it. Some believe that if more can be done to try and help people to benefit even though they have a health condition then it this could be built upon and turned into something even more magnificent. Only time will tell if this is ever going to be the case but right now it looks like there is a lot being done to try and make sure that the world of tech and healthcare are being benefitted and for all of the right reasons.
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