< Previous40 edge_august 2023 I t is important to take stock of the challenge the world faces in providing healthcare services to a growing global population. Indeed, up to 3.5 billion people – almost half of the world’s population – lacks access to the healthcare services they need, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). The causes of this uneven distribution of healthcare services are complex and multifaceted, and addressing it will involve herculean efforts from governments, research organisations, and the public and private sectors. No matter how daunting this task might appear, I am hugely optimistic about the role of AI which, I believe, will be key to improving access to healthcare in traditionally underserved communities. As a machine learning specialist dedicated to applying AI to problems in medical image analysis, I previously worked with a team of researchers to develop a solution to help healthcare By Mohammad Yaqub Associate Professor in Computer Vision, MBZUAI Access to healthcare AI has the potential to provide underserved communities with better access to healthcare services How AI can save lives With the potential to save countless lives and provide vital medical support where it’s needed most, artificial intelligence (AI) offers hope for a more equitable future in global healthcare AI opinionedge_august 2023 41 opinion professionals assess fetal growth at a speed and accuracy that would not otherwise be possible. At MBZUAI, we are in the early stages of research into how machine learning can be used to detect cardiovascular issues in CT scans, and even predict complications that could arise in the future. To this end, we are working on a large study in collaboration with the University of Oxford to find biomarkers that could predict possible heart problems before they manifest themselves through more recognisable symptoms. The team has already recruited 100,000 participants and will perform CT scans on them. We will then teach the AI system to detect the difference between healthy cardiovascular systems and those with – or likely to develop – issues. This large Oxford CT scan study is exciting, but I also want to take it further and ensure that similar transformative technology reaches people in developing countries and remote areas, where problems such as cardiovascular disease and fetal abnormalities often go undetected – frequently with devastating consequences. But expanding the solution in this way would present some unique challenges, including how to perform scans on people without access to a modern clinic or hospital. This is where new technologies, in the form of handheld ultrasound devices, and the ability to push AI to the edge of the network, hold the potential to save countless lives. Along with my team of researchers at MBZUAI, we are working on how to use ultrasound scans for predictive diagnosis. The potential benefits of combining portable ultrasound scanners with AI in developing countries are amplified because it could enable medical professionals to scan patients’ hearts and monitor the AI system’s interpretation of these scans. This newfound information could highlight serious problems that need further attention. It is worth highlighting that the AI component of this medical treatment does not supplant the human clinician, rather it helps by doing the heavy lifting of interpreting scans and flagging those that need attention. In many parts of the world, this service could give millions of people their first access to reliable cardiovascular checks. The same principle applies to assessing fetal growth and detecting abnormalities. We plan to conduct research aimed at using portable ultrasound scanners to perform the type of ‘anomaly scan’ that is standard in developed countries, but performed on a much smaller scale in less developed regions, and can be considered rare in villages in much of Africa and South East Asia. Just as with cardiovascular scans, we will need to teach the AI system to learn how to assess the growth of a fetus and flag the ones that need further attention. The beauty of such a system is that it could be delivered to smaller clinics by nurses or midwives. These scans are hugely important because, when anomalies such as congenital heart defects or spina bifida are detected early, they can be treated in-utero or soon after birth. Moreover, the use of AI to detect anomalies has the potential to reduce the time taken to assess each scan from a mean average of between 40 minutes and 1 hour to just 10-20 minutes. All of this remains at a very early stage, but working alongside my gifted team at MBZUAI, I am optimistic that we can play our part in improving healthcare for millions of people who are currently underserved. As the American writer William Gibson said: “The future is already here, it’s just not evenly distributed yet.” At MBZUAI we’re determined to bring the blessings of science – and particularly AI – to people in all parts of the world. “Just as with cardiovascular scans, we will need to teach the AI system to learn how to assess the growth of a fetus and flag the ones that need further attention” Preventing illnesses The use of AI can help detect and treat health problems in-utero or soon after birth42 edge_august 2023 opinion T he Middle East region will see the fastest AI spending growth rate worldwide over the coming years reaching 30 percent CAGR growth till 2026, according to IDC. The emergence of Gen AI has garnered the Middle East attention, and regional business leaders are understandably eager to tap into the power of this new technology. Gen AI is unique in its pre-training of foundation models, simplifying AI development and shifting the focus to domain expertise, where thriving businesses excel. As Middle East businesses embrace Gen AI, evaluating their enterprise architecture becomes a crucial first step. Scaling up Gen AI requires careful considerations of security, responsibility, cost- effectiveness, and delivering tangible value to the business. To ensure readiness for Gen AI implementation, business leaders should ask themselves seven key questions. 1. Which foundation model should we use? The landscape of Gen AI models and vendors is expanding rapidly. Pure-play vendors like OpenAI and Cohere offer next-generation models as a service, built on extensive research and trained with publicly available data. Additionally, open-source models accessible through platforms like Hugging Face have matured significantly. Cloud hyper-scalers are also entering the field by collaborating with pure-plays, adopting open-source models, and offering comprehensive services. While all options are increasingly viable, cost- effective, and accessible, carefully considering their fit with the organisation’s needs is crucial. By Maria Sanchez Cloud First Transformation Lead - Middle East, Accenture 7 key architecture considerations for Gen AI As Gen AI takes centre stage, regional leaders must ask key questions to effectively leverage the power of this transformative technology AI opinion 2. How should I make these models accessible to us? There are two main options when it comes to deploying Gen AI models. The first is to have complete control by deploying the models on your own cloud infrastructure or private infrastructure. The second option is to opt for speed and simplicity using a managed cloud service from an external vendor. Each option has advantages, but choosing complete control comes with additional complexities. These include managing the infrastructure for the models, implementing version control, developing skills and talent, and creating full-stack services for easier adoption. 3. How will we adapt the models to our own data for consumption? To maximise the business value of Gen AI, it is crucial to leverage proprietary data to enhance accuracy and performance. There are three approaches - buy, build, or boost. The first option is to purchase a fully pre- trained model and utilise in-context learning techniques to obtain responses with your own data. The second option involves taking a mostly pre-trained model and enhancing it by incorporating fine-tuned data. Lastly, organisations can develop their own models from scratch or further pre-train existing open-source models using their infrastructure and data. 4. What’s the overall enterprise readiness? It is crucial to consider integration and interoperability frameworks for seamless full- stack solutions to ensure that foundation models edge_august 2023 43 opinion meet the enterprise’s security, reliability, and responsibility requirements. Building trust in AI within the organisation is also essential, requiring careful consideration of the implications of AI, especially for sensitive business functions. While Gen AI vendors offer some built-in capabilities, developing controls and mitigation techniques is advisable. In addition, reviewing AI governance standards and operating models can safeguard enterprise security. 5. What about the environmental impact? With an increased focus on the sustainability agenda in the Middle East, it’s important to be aware of the environmental implications depending on whether you choose to buy, boost, or build foundation models. Foundation models, even when pre-trained, can have substantial energy requirements during adaptation and fine- tuning. 6. How can we industrialise Gen AI app development? Companies must consider new frameworks for accelerated application development. Vector databases or domain knowledge graphs that capture business data are crucial in developing valuable GenAI applications. An orchestration framework is crucial in coordinating multiple components and services for application enablement. Although emerging frameworks and services exist, they are still evolving. Human-in-the-loop workflow components are vital for diverse usage scenarios. Industrialising feedback from domain experts significantly accelerates progress, and solutions like Scale.AI leverage reinforcement learning with human feedback to streamline data labeling and modeling edge cases. 7. What do we need to operate Gen AI at scale? To ensure smooth operability in Gen AI applications deployment, organisations should adapt Machine Learning Operations (MLOps) frameworks to incorporate Language Model Lifecycle Operations (LLMOps) and Gen AIOps considerations, aligning with changes in development, deployment, testing, model management, monitoring, prompt management, and data/ knowledge management. The MLOps approach must evolve to cover the entire application lifecycle for foundation models. As Gen AI advances towards AutoGPT, AI-driven operations will automate tasks like productionising, monitoring, and calibrating models to meet the business’s service level agreements (SLAs). Balancing scale and individual impact Addressing these architecture questions will enable Middle Eastern organisations to scale Gen AI efficiently and effectively, driving successful adoption across the enterprise. However, managing the impact on individuals is equally important, requiring flexibility and responsiveness from business and technology leaders. This adaptability is crucial to fully harness the value of the evolving capabilities surrounding foundation models in the dynamic field of Gen AI. “Scaling up Gen AI requires careful considerations of security, responsibility, cost- effectiveness”44 edge_august 2023 SAMSUNG: Odyssey OLED G9 Samsung Gulf Electronics has added Odyssey OLED G9 model to its monitor lineup in the Gulf. The new monitor features a dual quad-HD 49-inch 1800R curved display with a 32:9 ratio. Its quantum dot technology OLED lighting is controlled pixel-by-pixel, allowing a near-infinite colour contrast ratio. The OLED screen illuminates each pixel separately and does not rely on a backlight, allowing a 1,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio while delivering true RGB and true black without colour filters. For smooth gameplay, the Odyssey OLED G9 also features a 0.03ms response time and 240Hz refresh rate to eliminate lagging and skipping. It is also equipped with Samsung Gaming Hub, an all-in-one game streaming platform that allows gamers to discover and play games in the cloud from partners such as Microsoft Xbox without needing a console or to download games.edge_august 2023 45 gadget watch Nvidia has released a new Game Ready Driver for the GeForce RTX 4060. For gamers playing on previous- gen GPUs, the Nvidia Ada Lovelace architecture at the heart of the GeForce RTX 4060 delivers a massive upgrade, multiplying their performance with AI- powered DLSS 3, and supercharging creative apps. With the Ada architecture, gamers will now be using measurably less power, the graphics card will run cooler, and fans will run at quieter speeds or even idle. Nvidia’s Game Ready Driver programme creates a synergy with game developers, establishing a regular cadence of exchanging pre-release game builds and drivers. NVIDIA: GeForce RTX 4060 edgedgeauugust 2 Lenovo has unveiled its latest lineup of ThinkStation workstations, designed to deliver power and performance for running complex workloads with ISV certifications. These workstations are engineered to meet the demands of various industries, offering reliability, configurability, and usability. Powered by 13th Generation Intel Core processors and Nvidia RTX GPUs, Lenovo workstations support the latest operating systems including Windows 11 and Linux distributions. The ThinkStation P3 series features desktop workstations in tower, ultra-compact, and tiny form factors. P3 Tower can support up to 128GB DDR5 memory and a total of six storage drives, with four PCIe expansion slots and power supply up to 1100W. ThinkStation P3 Ultra is designed for demanding workflows in remote or compact locations and features Nvidia RTX A5500 graphics and advanced remote monitoring capabilities. The ThinkStation P3 Tiny, with its one-liter volume, provides versatility and ISV certifications, making it suitable for professionals in various fields, such as architecture, finance, healthcare, and STEM education. LENOVO: ThinkStation P346 edge_august 2023 SONY: HXC-FZ90 Sony MEA has introduced a new live production system camera specifically designed for broadcasters and event production companies seeking a high- quality solution. The HXC-FZ90 boasts a familiar design philosophy and seamless operations, ensuring a smooth transition for users. It also supports HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) and S-Log3 for Sony’s SR Live workflow, enabling the flexibility to work with HD HDR or 4K HDR as required. Equipped with a single chip 2/3-inch 4K CMOS sensor and a B4 mount, the camera achieves 2000 TVL resolution. With the ARIA Function, automatic picture optimisation based on lens characteristics is achieved. Integration with the CNA-2 web RCP Control offers advanced monitoring capabilities, while simplified cabling via Network Trunk (Ethernet) allows for easy connectivity with Prompter or PTZ cameras like the ILME-FR7. The camera’s versatile design, functionality, lightweight construction, and robustness make it suitable for various production scenarios, including studios, events, corporate settings, and sports environments. gadget watch Canon has unveiled the Canon PowerShot V10 camera, which may be the perfect choice for YouTubers, especially travel vloggers aiming to enhance their channel and switch to 4K video quality. Despite its small size, this camera packs a punch, weighing only 211g. It boasts the ability to capture footage in a wide-angle 19mm format with its 4K UHD CMOS sensor, offering up to 55 minutes of shooting time. Equipped with built-in stereo microphones featuring electronic wind shielding, this camera ensures high- quality audio. Additionally, it also includes miniature physical windshields for added protection. The PowerShot V10 also features a retractable screen and stand, among other impressive features. CANON: PowerShot V10edge_august 2023 47 gadget watch REALME: GT3 realme has released GT3 - its next-generation speed flagship - in the UAE. realme GT3, introduces an unprecedented 240W charging power, allowing the device to reach 20 percent capacity in 80 seconds and achieve a full charge in nine minutes and 30 seconds. With a spacious 16+1TB storage capacity, users can enjoy ample storage for their applications, photos, and videos. The GT3 showcases a stunning 144Hz AMOLED display, providing an ultra-smooth viewing experience. Powered by a Snapdragon processor and running on Android 13 with realme UI 4.0, this device offers a seamless performance. Its camera setup includes a 50MP main camera for high-quality photos. Taking inspiration from gaming handsets, realme GT3’s Pulse Interface Design displays different light effects depending on the phone’s status.48 edge_august 2023 Dyson Zone: Crisp audio with a breath of fresh air T he Dyson Zone looks like a gadget straight out of a sci-fi blockbuster. As Dyson’s first venture into audio wearables space, it boldly breaks from the conventions of traditional headsets by combining high-end headphones with personal air filtration. Design: Bold and futuristic The device has large earcups and thick, chunky headband that gives it a bold and striking appearance that’s hard to ignore. The cups have a lightweight and durable plastic construction, while the removable grills are made of robust metal, adding to the headphones’ sturdiness and premium feel. It also features clear windows displaying specifications like “6Hz-21kHz, Dual NdFeB,” satisfying the curiosity of tech enthusiasts. These windows offer a glimpse of the fan and motor, showcasing the engineering inside. However, the plastic and rubber face visor feel slightly flimsy, but it’s a practical trade-off for weight reduction. Despite its significant size and appearance, the Dyson Zone gives a snug fit and offers a level of comfort that makes it suitable for a commute or shorter listening sessions. However, weighing at 600g without the visor and 675g with it, wearing the device becomes noticeable, especially over extended periods. Features: Purified air meets robust audio As you slide the substantial cups over your ears, a flawless vacuum seal engulfs you, blocking out every unwelcome, external noise. The Dyson Zone packs a punch with its 40mm neodymium drivers and a frequency range of 6Hz- 21kHz. The sound quality is nothing short of sublime – crisp and balanced without being overpowering. It has a solid bass that’s sure to make your heart skip a beat (in a good way). Dyson has put in serious work on the EQ settings, delivering a well-balanced sound profile that caters to various music genres. You can even choose between Bass Boost for that extra thump or The Dyson Zone is one of the most unique gadgets we’ve ever seen. We took these futuristic headphones and air purifier for a spin to determine if they’re a tech marvel or just a gimmick By Adelle Geronimo AUDIOedge_august 2023 49 review According to Dyson, the electrostatic filters have an impressive lifespan of up to a year before requiring replacement. While the company doesn’t offer replacement filters in stores just yet, fear not, as the device ships with an extra set to keep you covered. With the air purification system at its full might, Dyson Zone wearers can truly appreciate its benefits, especially during scorching summers in Dubai. The system could double as a refreshing companion, providing wearers with a cool, purified breeze to beat the heat. Battery life The Zone boasts a 2,600mAh battery, which Dyson says offers an impressive 50 hours of noise cancellation time, but this is without the air purification in full swing. Once you unleash the air purifiers, you’re looking at a mere four hours of combined purification and audio runtime, and if you crank up the airflow speed that number drops even further. Don’t worry, though – the device fully recharges in just around three hours via USB-C. Verdict: A glimpse of the future So, is the Dyson Zone a must-have gadget or a funky gimmick? It’s a bit of both, really. If you’re all about pushing the boundaries of tech and want to breathe easy while rocking out, the Dyson Zone could make an interesting buy. The device’s design is bold and sure to turn heads. It is technically sound, boasting top-notch wireless performance, robust sound quality, and noise-cancellation. Moreover, the air purification system is a breath of fresh innovation (pun intended), ensuring you enjoy clean air while immersed in your favourite tunes. But with a hefty price tag of $1000, these headphones might not be everyone’s cup of tea as their bulkiness and premium price tag may be a lot to handle, especially for those seeking portability. Neutral for a flatter response curve. Internally, the Dyson Zone hosts an impressive array of 11 microphones, which work tirelessly to create a fully immersive audio experience. Eight of these microphones are responsible for noise cancellation, two for noise reduction – ensuring crystal-clear communication, and one for capturing your voice. The Dyson Zone’s active noise cancellation (ANC) is a force to be reckoned with as it can dispel up to 38dB of noise from your surroundings. Combined with passive noise reduction from the earcups, the total reduction reaches an impressive 40dB, with the headphones’ sensors monitoring its surroundings at 384,000 times a second. Most sounds fade away with the headphones on, leaving you undisturbed by engine noise or persistent distractions. Additionally, a simple double-tap on either earcup’s centre effortlessly switches between ‘transparency’ and ‘isolation’ mode. The device boasts Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity. It supports AAC, LHDC, and SBC Bluetooth codecs, meaning iOS users get standard playback quality, while Android users’ experience will rely on their phone’s LHDC compatibility. Now, let’s dive into the most intriguing aspect of the Dyson Zone-air purification. The magic happens through a contact-free visor, effortlessly snapping on and off the headphones using magnets on each side. The dual-layer filters nestled within each earcup draw in air, which is then channelled straight to your nose and mouth through the mask. This filter can capture pollutant particles as tiny as 0.1 microns and effortlessly neutralises gases like nitrogen dioxide present in the air. Next >