11 Sep 2024
AI is rapidly advancing and transforming the engineering landscape across all disciplines. Here are some of the latest developments in AI including those with a New Zealand and engineering focus.
AI in Engineering and New Zealand
AI Sensing Roads - Rice University - This article explores a new AI-driven method developed by Rice University to monitor and assess the conditions of roads. The system uses sensors and AI to detect early signs of wear and tear, potentially saving significant maintenance costs by addressing issues before they become severe.
3D Scanning Robots for Culvert Safety - This piece covers the introduction of a new robot designed to enhance safety by scanning culverts using 3D technology. The AI-enabled robot can navigate and inspect stormwater tunnels, reducing the need for human entry into potentially hazardous environments.
State of AI Index - AI Attitudes - This inaugural biannual snapshot of AI adoption across Aotearoa New Zealand includes insights into how different industries and regions are adopting AI technologies and addressing associated challenges with results showing AI is boosting productivity with minimal job displacement.
AI in Education
Te Herenga Waka Collaborative Debate—AI in the Academy - A debate event organized by Te Herenga Waka, focusing on the role of AI in academic settings. The discussion includes the ethical implications, potential benefits, and challenges AI presents in education.
OpenAI & ASU Collaboration - A collaboration between OpenAI and Arizona State University (ASU) aimed at exploring the potential of AI in higher education and research. The partnership focuses on developing AI tools to enhance learning and drive innovation across academic disciplines.
AI and Indigenous Communities
The following three links explore different perspectives on the use of AI from the viewpoint of indigenous communities.
AI Global
Text2BIM: Generating Building Models Using a Large Language Model-based Multi-Agent Framework - A research study focused on advancements in AI and machine learning. It discusses cutting-edge algorithms or models aimed at improving various AI functionalities, potentially in areas like data processing, image recognition, or natural language understanding. The paper is part of ongoing academic contributions to enhancing AI's capabilities in handling complex tasks.
Give it a go
AI Can or Can’t - AI Digest (theaidigest.org) – From AI Digest, are you up to speed on what language models can do? Quiz yourself on what today’s AI can do.
Watch out for
Ask Claude: Amazon turns to Anthropic's AI for Alexa revamp | Reuters – This article discusses Amazon's use of Anthropic's AI model, Claude, to upgrade Alexa's conversational abilities and improve its overall functionality.
As we witness rapid advancements in AI, it’s crucial for engineers to collaborate, share insights, and develop frameworks to harness AI's potential responsibly and innovatively. We invite you to contribute your observations, experiences, and expertise to foster a rich, shared knowledge base.
