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Boston Dynamics partners with Robotics & AI Institute to develop reinforcement learning for humanoid robots

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Boston Dynamics and the Robotics & AI Institute (formerly The AI Institute) have formed a partnership to advance humanoid robots through reinforcement learning.

Together, the two organizations will establish a shared reinforcement learning training pipeline for the new electric Atlas robot to build dynamic and generalizable mobile manipulation behavior.

The work, which kicked off this month, brings together two of the industry’s leading research teams to advance robot technology and to produce new capabilities on Atlas. [Read more…] about Boston Dynamics partners with Robotics & AI Institute to develop reinforcement learning for humanoid robots

Embodied AI startup Sereact raises €25 million to boost AI-powered robotics

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Embodied AI startup Sereact says it is on a “mission to redefine what’s possible with AI-driven robotics”. The company has reached a major milestone by securing €25 million in Series A funding.

The Series A round was led by Creandum, alongside significant participation from existing investors Point Nine and Air Street Capital, as well as prominent business angels, including former Formula 1 World Champion Nico Rosberg, Mehdi Ghissassi (ex Google DeepMind), Ott Kaukver (Skype), Lars Nordwall (ex neo4j), Rubin Ritter (ex Zalando), Torsten Reil, and Niklas Köhler (both Helsing).

The company says this funding represents more than just an investment in Sereact’s technology – it underscores the immense potential of AI in robotics and the trust that industry leaders place in the company’s vision. [Read more…] about Embodied AI startup Sereact raises €25 million to boost AI-powered robotics

The Rise of Robots: A Brief History of Automation and AI

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Automation and artificial intelligence (AI) have rapidly evolved from science fiction concepts to integral parts of our daily lives. From industrial machines that revolutionised manufacturing processes to intelligent algorithms that power our smartphones, the journey of automation and AI is as fascinating as it is complex.

This evolution has also transformed the educational space, making specialised programs like an online engineering masters more relevant than ever.

Let’s take a stroll through this history, examining key milestones and reflecting on the future challenges we face as these technologies continue to advance. [Read more…] about The Rise of Robots: A Brief History of Automation and AI

Custom AI Assistants: Transforming the Future of Robotics Development

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If you’re deeply involved in robotics, you’ve likely witnessed how technology has reshaped how you approach complex projects. The custom AI personal assistant is one of the most groundbreaking tools available to you.

These assistants are redefining what’s possible by significantly expanding robot AI capabilities. From development to deployment, their impact is profound, and this article will explain some of the benefits they’re bringing businesses. [Read more…] about Custom AI Assistants: Transforming the Future of Robotics Development

What is artificial general intelligence? Here’s what we think we understand

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Artificial general intelligence is probably an unnecessary term that confuses people and fails to encapsulate the basic concept of “intelligence”.

While almost everything in this article is debatable, it seems obvious to me that there isn’t much that is “general” about intelligence – in fact, intelligence is about the exact opposite, as far as I understand it. Intelligence is the ability to make a very specific choice – decide on the correct course of action or the right thing to do.

That requires learning at least something about what you are deciding on. Which is what other forms of artificial intelligence already do, don’t they? [Read more…] about What is artificial general intelligence? Here’s what we think we understand

What is embodied AI and what are its implications?

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The term “embodied artificial intelligence” has become a buzzword in robotics and AI research. Basically it refers to embedding an AI system into a machine, as we’re sure you guessed or knew. 

But let’s deconstruct it a bit and get into the details of what it actually means. At its core, embodied artificial intelligence refers to the idea that intelligence in artificial systems is not solely a product of abstract computation.

Instead, it emerges from the interaction of an AI-equipped physical entity with its environment. This concept underscores the inseparability of physicality, sensory input, and environmental interaction in the manifestation of intelligent behaviour in machines. [Read more…] about What is embodied AI and what are its implications?

Digitising consciousness: Can machines ever be conscious? Or are they conscious already?

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Consciousness has been described as “the hard problem” by philosopher David Chalmers, and the term has stuck. While it seems rather an unimaginative term, it does point to a central truth – scientists and philosophers are finding it very hard to conclusively define it or quantify it in any way.

The fact that consciousness has been identified as a “thing” is probably the greatest achievement so far. Everything else is up for grabs.

Some people say everything has some level of consciousness – from humans to inanimate objects, such as chairs and tables. Others say that only humans can be said to be conscious. [Read more…] about Digitising consciousness: Can machines ever be conscious? Or are they conscious already?

How to Check if Something Was Written by AI

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Since the rise of AI, the functioning part of any department has been transformed, and generating content through AI exceeds all. Whether chatbots offering instant client service solutions or AI tools drafting essays, articles, and more, as far as the technology moves, it brought convenience.

However, this precision technology never beats the milestones set by human creativity. For industries like content marketing or services offered by a white label SEO reseller, detecting AI-generated content becomes an essential part of ensuring credibility.

This article will explore characteristics of AI-written text, practical detection techniques, tools to aid identification, and the ethical dilemmas surrounding this modern challenge. [Read more…] about How to Check if Something Was Written by AI

New book by academic experts questions whether humans are ready for the ethical challenges of AI and robots

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As artificial intelligence rapidly advances, robots are becoming smarter and more human-like, presenting new ethical challenges. In a new book, scholars from Japan, Italy, the United States, and other countries examine the legal, policy, and regulatory issues surrounding human-robot interaction.

Artificial intelligence (AI) and AI-enabled robots are becoming a bigger part of our daily lives. Real-time, flexible interactions between humans and robots are no longer just science fiction.

As robots become smarter and more human-like in both behavior and appearance, they are transforming from mere tools to potential partners and social entities.

This rapid evolution presents significant challenges to our legal and ethical frameworks, including concerns about privacy, safety, and regulation in the context of AI and robots. [Read more…] about New book by academic experts questions whether humans are ready for the ethical challenges of AI and robots

GreyOrange launches gStore in PetSmart stores across the US

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GreyOrange, a provider of AI-driven robotics and automation technology for warehouses, has implemented its gStore platform across PetSmart stores nationwide.

The strategic rollout of this retail SaaS store execution platform enhances PetSmart’s location management, inventory management, digital fulfillment and store operations for improved efficiency across its nearly 1,700 stores.

Greg Fancher, executive vice president of IT and chief information technology officer at PetSmart, says: “The deployment of GreyOrange’s gStore platform has provided a significant contribution in PetSmart’s journey towards operational excellence. [Read more…] about GreyOrange launches gStore in PetSmart stores across the US