1. One thing that helps
With the advances in AI and robotics, we face a future where machines will replace humans in a large number of jobs. We’re already seeing it in the hospitality industry where instead of placing your order with wait staff, you just order off a QR code. Supposed “low-skilled” jobs were the first to be affected but now AI is capable of doing jobs the likes of which may surprise you. A team of roboticists and economists have built an algorithm to help people understand what risk their job is at and what might be a viable alternative.
Study co-lead Rafael Lalive, from the University of Lausanne, says:
“Our work provides detailed career advice for workers who face high risks of automation, which allows them to take on more secure jobs while reusing many of the skills acquired on the old job.”
The team first collated the capabilities of robots in the near future, as well as those already commercially available. They then matched these to human capabilities included in nearly 1,000 job profiles. This data makes it possible to know which jobs are most at risk for automation. As well as knowing which jobs are at risk, the algorithm also helps affected workers to know how to retrain themselves so they can jump to another job related to their skill sets.
Check out your job prospects here https://lis2.epfl.ch/resiliencetorobots
2. One to be wary of
Your car and your smartphone have one thing in common: they are both data goldmines. As technology in cars evolves, our cars became ever more connected,and with that comes gathering and storing of more data. Now companies are squaring off against one another to determine who gains access to your data from your car.
What’s at stake? A lot more than you might think. It can collect location data, your home address, your call logs, text messages and even record your voice without you knowing. There is an emerging field called digital vehicle forensics that aims to extract data stored by your car. This data can be used to convict people – or prove their innocence – in court. It has been used for nefarious ends too, such as the man who managed to connect to his ex-girlfriends car in order to stalk her.
Currently, there is a battle between carmakers, who have easy access to such data, and a coalition of companies including insurers, repair shops and leasing companies who really want that access. Strangely, there seems to be no representation for the consumers in this fight. Most people I talk to still don’t realise the value of the data they are giving away, nor the risks of it being misused. Governments have no idea how to protect it, or how to decide who owns it. And unfortunately that 50-page terms and conditions screen we all just tick the “Agree” box on usually means – the owner is not you.
3. One to amaze
Enjoying your VR but looking for the next frontier? Imagine being able to float effortlessly whilst walking on the moon in VR. Or doing backflips in your game to escape the villain. I came upon this anti-gravity contraption and immediately thought how brilliant it would be for VR.
If you’re on the ‘Gram (I know I’m super cool) check it out here for a great video, otherwise skip a minute into this one.
For now, it doesn’t have a name yet. It’s a counterbalance contraption that allows you to experience less gravity. Using plates that you can presumably adjust to your weight, you can control how much swing this machine makes. With less gravity, what can you do?
Simulating microgravity is the perfect movement you need for exploring other planets in VR and the Metaverse. Make a real jump instead of pressing a button to dodge something while playing, or leap over those virtual obstacles. The possibilities for gameplay as well as VR training simulators are endless.
I love how gaming is slowly moving from a sedentary pursuit to something that requires people to get up and move. I was sore for days after dancing with my daughter in a “competitive” dancing game, but it was so much fun.
Sure it would take some practice, the guy in the video is an acrobat, but I think it would be worth a few lessons. Without them, you might end up like this guy…