Tag: #AI

Lockwood Publishing Announces Strategic Partnership with DAACI to Bring AI Music Creation to the Metaverse

Leading British metaverse games developer and publisher Lockwood Publishing, creator and guardian of the world’s biggest mobile metaverse, Avakin Life, today announced its intention to bring AI music creation to its players’ experience through a partnership with London-based AI music startup DAACI.

Informed by the core principles of musical composition, DAACI (Definable Aleatoric Artificial Composition Intelligence) is a fully formed and patented AI system that composes, arranges, orchestrates, and produces high-quality, adaptive, original music in real time based on a user’s narrative brief. 

Based on more than 30 years of patented research, and supported by an ongoing partnership with the UKRI Centre for Doctoral Training in Artificial Intelligence and Music at Queen Mary University of London, DAACI – part of the portfolio of research and investment firm TMC² – is a ground-breaking system with a revolutionary analytical approach and meta-composition at its core. Unlike other solutions in the AI/generative music market, DAACI does not rely on pre-recorded tracks or edited audio samples, but instead writes musical elements and textures directly through the encoding of musical ideas.

Lockwood’s community of Avakin Life players – and players of the company’s future metaverse experiences – will be empowered to use simple text prompts to generate original, royalty-free music for their avatars or spaces which they can use, trade, and even sell.

Lockwood Publishing CEO Halli Bjornsson said, “We’ve been quietly at the forefront of exploring ways for users to express their identity and customise their experiences for more than a decade. The next stage of development, which is being built upon the principles of what web3 enablement powers – namely user-generated content, democratisation of development, and digital ownership – demands that music be a core component.

“We hope to explore and implement a way for players with any level of music creation skill – from the absolute beginner to the professional composer – to be able to generate unique, customisable, ownable and even adaptive music through a simple interface. DAACI, with its unrivalled understanding of AI music composition, is the ideal partner for this journey.”

DAACI CEO Rachel Lyske said, “Players seek to be better than the ‘default’—to have something rare, out of the ordinary. What better way to do this than with a bespoke audio skin or any other digital form of someone’s musical identity?

“Our collaboration with Lockwood strengthens our vision of the future of music, empowering composers and content creators with an intelligent tool that provides infinite possibilities for metaverse game production and community engagement.”

Updates on the progress of the Lockwood and DAACI partnership will be revealed in 2023.

University College Cork recognises Dell Technologies’ support to accelerate research in Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things

University College Cork (UCC) has recognised Dell Technologies for its contribution to the education, research, and development of electronic engineers. The donation of high-end computing and data storage equipment enables UCC’s Embedded Systems research group in the School of Engineering and Architecture to rapidly accelerate research in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT).

Dell’s support for UCC has contributed to ground-breaking research activity in AI, specifically its application in medicine and cyber security. The digital equipment has also been an accelerant for financial mathematics, circuit design and IoT for environmental monitoring. Part of this research is conducted in collaboration with UCC’s world-leading research centres, including the Insight SFI Centre for Data Analytics, CRT-AI (SFI Centre for Research Training in Artificial Intelligence), and MaREI (SFI Research Centre for Energy, Climate and Marine).

UCC President, Professor John O’Halloran, welcomed Dell’s Aongus Hegarty, President of International Markets, and Des O’Sullivan, Vice President, Customer Solution Centers, to the university in recognition of the company’s contribution to the university.

Professor John O’Halloran, President University College Cork commented: “I am delighted to welcome Aongus and Des and thank Dell for their continued support for our education and research activities at UCC.  Dell’s commitment to the advancement of technological innovation has enabled us to provide the cutting-edge facilities necessary to pursue game-changing research in areas such as These are strategically important disciplines for UCC that will build a foundation for economic, societal, and cultural resilience and prosperity”.

Dr Emanuel Popovici, Chair of the Industry Relations Committee at the School of Engineering and Architecture and Director of Embedded Systems@UCC group, said:

“We are delighted with the help and support provided by Dell. It will enable us to bring AI and IoT research, teaching, and learning to new heights. By using state-of-the-art computing from Dell, we are already reaping the rewards with some tremendous success in the multi-award-winning Embedded Systems research group through prizes, medals, and awards for our students and staff.”

Aongus Hegarty, President of International Markets, Dell Technologies said: “We’re proud to build on our strong partnership with UCC’s Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering by providing high-end computing power and data storage equipment to help their researchers unlock opportunities. Our support will assist cutting-edge research at every level – from undergraduate to ground-breaking post-doctoral research. By combining our technology with the innovations the UCC students are developing, we can collectively put AI to advance the development of connected healthcare, smart manufacturing and sustainable energy systems. ”

University College Cork has a longstanding relationship with Dell spanning many years. The company has facilitated employability initiatives such as student internships, and many of UCC’s engineering graduates have pursued highly successful and fulfilling careers with Dell.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Dell’s support was crucial in maintaining an excellent standard of learning, teaching, and research for students by providing continuity of access to state-of-the-art computing – a key component of many of UCC’s engineering courses.

QUOTES

Professor Jorge Oliveira, Head, School of Engineering and Architecture said:

“The School of Engineering and Architecture has traditionally relied significantly on the support of industrial companies to deliver a top-quality experience to our students. We are most grateful to Dell for once again strengthening this interaction to the benefit of our knowledge base and student experience”.

Professor Sarah Culloty, Head, College of Science, Engineering and Food Science commented:

“We are extremely grateful to Dell for their leadership in supporting the next generation of STEM pioneers through a transformative programme of investment that will advance engineering education and research at UCC”.

Tech Review – Google Pixel 7

OK so we have been testing the Google Pixel 7 some weeks now and it is time to talk about the latest device from Google and it is a device to take note of, I shared my early thoughts here with three days of use but a review after a few days with any phone is simply not a review as I have said before and with this device I think it is fair to say is what is inside is what counts this time around with all the smarts and so on.

Lets start with the build quality and for me it is fine, it is light and yes it is slippy but that camera bar is an aide for you to balance the device and a case will sort out the slippy end of things, the buttons are placed perfectly for me and the screen is nice with minimal bezels on show and for reference there is no scratches or marks on the camera bar yet and for me it feels good in the hand and it is really just a simple design that we have seen before from Google and I am fine with it, the camera bar again is a talking point it suits some and not others and that is just how phones go you either like it lump it or live with it..

Loaded up with plenty of apps it has not slowed down for me and has become more so a tool than a phone per say. Yes I use the camera daily but for me it is the smarts inside that make it a handy tool in my pocket as well as a great point and shoot camera amongst other things and will be my daily driver for the foreseeable future I usually carry two phones daily sometimes three as it is what I do but the main sim card will be in the Pixel 7 and will be staying there until the next offering comes along providing things stay as is now which is great bar one gripe which I will get onto later.

With my reviews I dont waffle on about the specs and just get to it I will l leave a link the the first impressions page which has a lengthy video walking through the device and now that I have used and tested those features I can speak about them and how this phone has been as a main daily driver since that video.

OK being a power user is where I am at, with multiple apps on the go multiple email accounts social media and more it has been fine in that respect no lag no freezing screen and when multitasking this is important and for those who do the same will agree, Pixel devices have been generally fast and worked well for me even down to the 6a which I still use for work and video reviews today however one thing that has been an issue is video processing and the same still applies with the Pixel 7 and i did lean towards the app been the problem but with several devices as my disposal during testing this seems to be still slower than my other phones and identical to the 6a with the speed having tested the same video, most of my recent reviews though have been shot with the Pixel 7 and I will continue to use the phone to do so with the workload I have with case reviews and tech products but overall the results still come out great but the time to process is annoying and probably the only thing I can say that is negative about the phones.

 

 

The camera is what most people will know pixel devices for and again we have a great camera and the video is also great, for anyone that wants a point and shoot camera the Pixel is the one to go to get the best shots with little effort and is as a good as the iPhone, yes I said iPhone and being a hater for years I have the 14 pro and have to admit the camera is great but the pixel is half the price lads. Below I have taken some videos and images both day and night so you can be the judge of what you see. It is one of the best camera phones on the market and the only one that gives any user the best point and shoot results time and time again for me and this is from using several phones doing the same shots in my testing and it is noted that the Pixel phones are best in class for this with favourable results in comparison, I am no photography expert and dont get deep into the spiel that comes with it but for a point and shoot camera phone any pixel is it really.

The camera has lots of tricks and the AI does lots of the heavy haulage but the results are great and the tools at hand are too like image blur and my favourite is magic eraser which for me has been a useful tool and I love it especially for work and personal matters, in the work capacity it is great for removing unwanted labels and text and also private information, you be saying you can use the tools already there baked into the camera app but no this works better and is cleaner and looks more natural and it is a super useful tool.

 

What is inside the Pixel for is is what makes it my daily driver, as mentioned many times before it is the likes of Google lens for example which is the most used feature on my Pixel phones, again point at the target or text in any language you get your results and edit there and then to exactly what you require from the subject I love it and it keeps getting better over time with more accuracy. As my readers know I am a trainer collector and here is a sample of daily use below with a photo taken in a shop and the results there and then right in front of me..

The Pixel 7 has many more features such as the voice recorder which translates in real time which is handy for many purposes such as taking notes and more again a great tool for creators, live playing is also a handy feature for that favourite song you could never remember and of course your smarts in house there is so much to do with little effort which is a good thing and makes keeping your phone in your hand less a good thing alongside your Pixel Watch.

Overall for the the Pixel 7 is a great phone at a great price with AI and the camera being top features on the phone, it makes life simple has a decent battery and looks well too it does not have the 120 hz refresh rate some people bang on about and we are at 90hz on the Pixel 7 which is fine the display is great and fine for media consumption you get wireless charging and your mobile payment options which many use today, the zoom on the camera could of been a bit better .ie further away than some rivals but for what it is it does a decent job and with the cinematic effect now on board it ads to the camera features which is welcome, the Pixel devices can and hopefully will get better but for now remains one of the best phones when it comes to value for money, maybe next time we might get the pro model to check out and I can talk about those devices but for now and the previous models it has been the base model however I am not complaining they are great devices for their asking price.

BUY

Energia Group highlight the infinite possibilities of machine learning and artificial intelligence in the energy sector this Science Week

As one of Ireland’s leading renewable energy developers and suppliers of green electricity, Energia Group proudly employs numerous scientists working across various fields, from marine biology to data science. Ahead of Science Week, which runs from the 13th to the 20th of November, Energia Group is celebrating the infinite possibilities and the role of science in the energy sector and how that contributes to Ireland’s climate goals. Neil Mc Caul, Gregory Balogh and Anchit Bhagat are working together on an innovative artificial intelligence solution that can support energy traders in the decisions they make.

Neil Mc Caul, Energy Trading Development Manager with Energia Group has more than 15 years energy trading experience. He has seen first-hand how the rapid increase in digitalization plus the added complexity of many additional energy sources such as solar, increased levels of wind (both onshore & offshore) and battery storage has changed the energy trading industry. Commenting on the changes, Neil said, “The historical practice of trading by commercial intuition, supported by limited analytics, is being challenged by more data-driven, machine-based trading.”

Speaking about the innovative machine learning and trading project, Neil said, “The aim of the project is to develop a machine learning system to provide decision support and additional confidence to the trading team. It is about bringing together the skillsets of traders who have a deep and detailed understanding of the market with the insights data scientists can garner from machine learning and artificial intelligence” Read more about machine learning solutions

The project has been announced as a finalist the in 2022 AI Awards which will be held later this month. The project demonstrates the importance of collaboration between academia and industry.

Gregory Balogh recently graduated from Queens University Belfast with a Masters in Data Analytics and is currently a PhD candidate exploring the topic of explainable AI in Queens University. Gregory is a Data Scientist working on the Trading Development team and he is responsible for designing and building artificial intelligence solutions to support trading decisions.

Speaking about what he enjoys most about his role, Gregory said, “I like the challenges, the people and most importantly, the fact that the energy market is very dynamic and complex. I love that I am working as part of a team creating innovative trading solutions.”

Highlighting the variety of roles open to data scientists, Gregory said, “Data science is an incredibly interesting and broad field, the same techniques can be applied in any industry: marketing, finance, medicine, healthcare, manufacturing, and autonomous vehicles to name but a few. Data science can help humanity understand these industries even more by uncovering previously unseen patterns and correlations.”

Anchit Bhagat also recently graduated from Queens University Belfast with a Masters in Data Analytics. Anchit works as a Data Analyst alongside his colleagues Neil and Gregory on the Trading Development team. Speaking about his role, Anchit said, “The concept of bringing Machine Learning into trading is really exciting. Each day is challenging as you try to understand how factors like wind availability or energy demand across the island can play significant role in identifying market patterns. I really enjoy the collaborative aspect of my role working closely with energy traders and bringing my data insights to the table to enable strong trading decisions.”

Speaking about what he enjoys most about working in Data Science, Anchit said, “Data Science is about converting lots of complex data into useful information and insights helping the business to make rational decisions and solve complex problems based on large volumes of data. With the help of data science, you can in a way predict the future based on historical experiences or events.”

Poolbeg Pharma makes significant breakthrough in AI programme through discovery of novel drug targets for treatment of RSV

Poolbeg Pharma (AIM: POLB, OTCQB: POLBF, ‘Poolbeg’ or the ‘Company’), a clinical stage infectious disease pharmaceutical company with a unique capital light clinical model, announces that it has made a significant breakthrough in its Artificial Intelligence (‘AI’) Programme with partner OneThree Biotech, Inc. through the discovery of novel drug targets for the treatment of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (‘RSV’).

 Following the completion of the build and optimisation of a tailored AI model in June 2022, the OneThree team, using its clinically validated AI platform, have identified novel drug targets using Poolbeg’s unique RSV human challenge trial data. The identification of these novel drug targets now allows the final stage of the programme to commence which will involve the identification of small molecule inhibitors to effectively treat RSV infections. The team are particularly excited as these include a range of targets for which there are known drugs with existing Phase I safety and tolerability data. Prioritisation of compounds with existing Phase I data aligns with Poolbeg’s capital light model as these compounds will have extensive nonclinical and clinical data allowing smooth transition to early human efficacy trials.

The final stage of the research plan will utilise OneThree’s proprietary ATLANTIS AI platform to identify the drugs that are most likely to be efficacious against the identified disease targets with clean safety profiles in RSV patients. Selection of drugs is traditionally a long and extensive process, however, by using an existing AI model this process can be completed in weeks. Results of this stage are expected before year end 2022.

Traditional drug design is focused on identifying a molecule that can bind with a specific target within a cell. Poolbeg’s approach, utilising OneThree Biotech’s advanced AI models, allows for the complex disease signature underlying each drug target to be considered during drug selection. This allows the complex outputs of this stage, which represent novel biological insights, to be advanced to the final stage which will match drugs to prioritised targets. By working from disease signatures like this, OneThree Biotech can utilise the full strength of its AI technology to pinpoint the drug molecules that can precisely and effectively reverse disease signatures and produce meaningful clinical benefits.

Jeremy Skillington, PhD, CEO of Poolbeg Pharma, said:

“This is the first time that AI has been used to identify disease targets in RSV and I am delighted to have reached this significant milestone in the programme in such a short period of time. Having identified these novel disease targets, we can now commence the final stage of the programme to identify effective drug candidates to treat RSV. In keeping with our capital-light model, this AI enabled in silico R&D approach has significantly accelerated the discovery process by having the right partners and the right expertise to unleash the potential of our unique human challenge trial data. We greatly look forward to seeing the outputs of this programme later this year.”

Neel S. Madhukar, PhD, CEO of OneThree Biotech said:

“This analysis is pioneering in RSV research, and we are pleased to have identified disease targets from which effective drug candidates can be explored. We are fortunate to have access to Poolbeg’s unique human challenge trial data because it was collected in a controlled and powered quarantine which increases the overall strength and predictive power you can get from it. Additionally, thanks to the combination of Poolbeg’s data and our ATLANTIS platform, we were able to reach this point in our project in only eight months – significantly faster than a traditional drug discovery project – and we’re excited to make meaningful progress in the treatment of infectious diseases, such as RSV.”

Intelligent hybrid working: Logitech showcases AI-powered tabletop camera ‘Logitech Sight’ at DTX 2022

DTX + UCX exhibitors Logitech used Europe’s #1 digital transformation event of 2022 to showcase their revolutionary new product the Logitech Sight – an AI-powered tabletop camera that intelligently captures the best perspective of meeting participants and tracks conversations as they move around the conference room.

In today’s hybrid work landscape in which 43% of remote employees report not feeling included, the Logitech Sight helps solve the disparity between hybrid teams by giving remote workers an “at the table” experience when meeting with in-office colleagues.

Logitech Sight is the latest in a series of innovations designed to level the playing field for all workers, regardless of whether they choose to collaborate from the office, home, or anywhere else.

As an AI-powered camera, Logitech Sight provides alternative perspectives—by extending audio and video into larger rooms—to the Rally Bar or Rally Bar Mini camera at the front of the room.

With dual 4K cameras and seven beamforming microphones, Sight captures conversations and nonverbals as they naturally happen. This ultimately enhances employee participation and engagement by helping remote attendees feel as if they’re actually seated at the table.

Scott Wharton, general manager of Logitech Video Collaboration, stated: “We’re no longer all at home in equal-sized video boxes like we were during the height of the pandemic. In a hybrid work world, a mix of in-office and remote workers increases the challenge of delivering equitable experiences to everyone.”

“Logitech Sight, when used with Rally Bar or Rally Bar Mini, uses AI to tackle this problem with a model that is less Silicon Valley and more Hollywood—the art of using multiple camera angles and intelligent direction to bring remote participants off the sidelines and into the room. 

“Our customers have told us that this is one of the biggest hybrid work problems to solve to make ‘return to the office’ work better for teams. We believe, based on years of research and early customer feedback, that we’ve cracked the code on this must-win critical problem for organisations of all sizes.”

Eamon O’Doherty, Enterprise Director EMEA at Logitech added: “2022 has seen further confirmation that the home is just an important workspace as the office is. Of course, a home office is a different set-up to a conventional office, and has different benefits and challenges when it comes to communication.

“In response, there’s been a noticeable development in products aimed at improving the home working experience, such as docks that double as speaker phones both for conference calls and music, and which feature physical buttons that integrate with a chosen video software. 

“At the same time, these hubs can also wirelessly connect to a wireless headset, meaning a user can switch to more personal communication should there be background noise at home (an inevitability when there are kids and animals around!).

“Going forward, we’ll see more business technology that is designed for the home working space – whether that’s lighter and more compact solutions that fit in smaller, often improvised workspaces, or wireless-first products that help to reduce clutter by removing wires.”

The Logitech Sight will also enable RightSight with Smart Switching, adaptive intelligence that selects the best view between the tabletop camera and front-of-room camera, intuitively switching between camera views of in-person interactions and tracking conversations naturally

By integrating with leading video conferencing platforms like Microsoft Teams, Zoom and Google Meet, Sight makes it easy to use hybrid-friendly meeting layout features like Zoom Smart Gallery and Microsoft Teams dynamic view.

Compatibility with popular platforms also gives IT teams assurance that their smart room technology will continue to meet the evolving needs of their hybrid workforce.

How Do Online Casinos Use Latest Technology Trends

Since the instigation of modern technology, it has contributed positively to the growth of online casinos today. In fact, it is impossible to find any casino online that doesn’t employ some of these techs. And here, we will take it a step further to review some of the latest technology trends that several brands employ now. While some of them are obvious improvements, most of them are rather unappreciated, and we will open your eyes to them. Let’s go!

Artificial Intelligence

When you visit your online casino website, you will find some gaming recommendations, and surprisingly, these recommendations never miss. Most times, it is always something you are genuinely interested in or a game you already play regularly. If you didn’t know before then we should enlighten you that it is not a coincidence—that is the work of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

With AI, online casinos can observe your activities and see what you play regularly. And with that information, they specially tailor your recommendations and ads to suit what you could want.

Chatbots

Chatbots in online casinos are tailored to answer specific requests and give you solutions to common problems. These automated response machines did not exist in the past so players had to wait in queues before an agent attended to them. And they later find out that it is a simple issue that can be solved with a click of a button.

So to tackle that redundant issue, online casinos employ chatbots that are pre-programmed with common problems customers face. And most importantly, they also program their respective solutions. This innovation has helped to cut out lots of waiting because only players with more serious reach out to agents.

Full E-wallet Support

Before now, several regions were unable to enjoy their gambling as their governments placed so many restrictions on using banks to fund and withdraw from your casino account. But with most online casinos now supporting several e-wallets for both deposits and withdrawals, players get to enjoy hitch-free transactions as they are more lenient with their rules.

Most importantly, e-wallets are modern digital payment methods so they guarantee the safety and privacy of users, making them the perfect alternative.

Live Streaming

Gone are the days when interested persons were unable to keep track of casino tournaments and events. Back then, people only saw live trackers and scoreboards to get a grasp of what was happening. Today, modern technology makes it possible for anybody to click a button and live stream tournaments. This is a luxury that only old-school players deeply appreciate.

Smartwatch Gambling

Did you know that some casinos now support gambling from your smart devices? The one that blows most people’s minds is that of smartwatches. Technological innovations have found a way to perfectly optimize several casino games for smartwatches. So far, you can play games like:

  • Slots
  • Roulette
  • Bingo

This innovation allows players to experience another mobile alternative when they don’t have access to their phone or computer. 

Instant Identity Verification

Casino verifications don’t take so long anymore. While some do it in minutes, others make it less than 24 hours. But did you know that in the past, players had to wait for days to get their verifications done? It took about five to seven working days to verify your account before you could get full access and it was an unusually long wait. Thanks to the latest technology that allows casinos to use automation for IDs, they can confirm if yours is legit or not.

Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR)

Although VR and AR are not yet full-blown in the industry, the little we see is astonishing. These technologies are a big game changer and would allow players to enjoy a hands-on casino experience from the comfort of their abode. Live dealer games are great, but VR and AR are taking it to the next level. Wait and see!

EY Ireland Launches new AI centre of excellence to supercharge AI led growth for Irish businesses

EY has today launched AI Labs – a unique AI centre of excellence – offering clients access to game changing capabilities in big data, AI, smart automation, VR/AR and advanced analytics. EY Ireland’s expanding data analytics and technology consulting team, encompassing 220 people, will run and manage AI Labs to deploy a set of advanced technology client solutions and highly specialised client services. The skills and resources provided through AI Labs will ultimately equip organisations with the resources, tools, and insights they need to drive growth and market leading innovation.

AI Labs, run in collaboration with the EY wavespace innovation centre, will introduce a host of services to clients across maturity assessment, strategy, solution deployment, business training, rapid prototyping/POC, and Solution Development/MVP. The suite of AI capabilities and services on offer will allow organisations across multiple industries and sectors to deploy these advanced technologies to optimise new growth opportunities and to solve their most complex industry challenges. AI Labs will expand EY’s existing technology consulting business across AI, automation, machine learning, and big data over the next three years.

Speaking at an event to launch the AI Labs today, Paul Pierotti, EY Ireland Partner, Data Analytics and Emerging Technology said: “AI and smart automation present endless opportunities for organisations to solve complex issues in their respective industries. By adopting these technologies and embedding them in their operational models, organisations will find themselves at the forefront of positive industry and societal change. By taking the necessary measures to adopt these technologies Irish organisations will be set on a new path of digital optimisation and success. AI Labs at EY epitomises the value we place on innovation as a firm as reflected in the ongoing expansion of our vibrant technology consulting business.”

The unique offering of AI Labs will include capabilities across natural language processing, predictive analytics, optimisation, expert systems, and advanced computer recognition. By leveraging these AI capabilities, organisations will be at the forefront of the digital economy. EY will also be able to build on its rapid prototyping capabilities, using design thinking, agile methodology, discovery sessions, and the latest technology and industry insights to solve critical business issues alongside cutting-edge AI technologies.

Frank O’Keeffe, Managing Partner, EY Ireland, commented: “The launch of AI Labs here in EY Ireland is a natural evolution of our already extensive suite of services to clients in the technology space.  I’m hugely excited about the opportunities it will unlock for our clients right across the island of Ireland. Long term sustainable success in business requires innovative thinking and access to the latest cutting-edge ideas and technologies. Through our new AI labs and our partnership with the ADAPT centre, will be able to bring the incredible potential of AI alive for our clients through bespoke workshops and demonstrations. We can’t wait to bring together the brightest minds in AI across this island to co-create game changing solutions with our clients.”

To ensure AI Labs is supported with the advanced research, skills, and insights it needs to thrive, EY will enter into a 4-year strategic collaboration with the ADAPT Centre – the world-leading Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Research Centre for AI-driven digital content technology. The collaboration will facilitate the application of advanced technology and research initiatives that address real-world industry challenges. These will consist of a portfolio of collaborative projects, initially co-funding two PhD students in 2022 but scaling to include research fellowships, targeted projects and other collaborations, including but not limited to health, transport, and utilities.

Declan McKibben, Executive Director of the ADAPT Centre added: “The ADAPT Centre brings together the best researchers in Human Centric AI across eight universities in Ireland to drive AI Adoption and Innovation here in Ireland and internationally. By building and valuing strong relationships with academic institutions, the innovation ecosystem, and businesses, we ensure that knowledge transfer can happen much more rapidly in line with the pace of innovation today. This partnership signals a new strategic approach to our engagement with EY which will nurture talent, drive innovation and turn good ideas into great solutions for tomorrow.”

The ADAPT collaboration will allow EY the opportunity to invest in research initiatives that align with its digital strategy, through creating additional research capacity and driving innovation. Research will be focused on initial use cases in data governance, customer content & engagement, intelligent supply chain and manufacturing, and sustainability.

Jabra introduces unique AI software for improving customer and agent experience in contact centres

Jabra, a leader in personal sound, video and office solutions, is launching a new Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution, Engage AI. Engineered to transform contact centre call experiences, the solution employs Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology that provides real-time insights to improve customer calls and support employee wellbeing.  

The launch comes on the back of Jabra’s findings on how 76% of customers who contact customer service do so over the phone and how voice interaction remains the preferred channel for customers. With customer experience being a key performance indicator for businesses, Engage AI is built to journey with agents to improve customer satisfaction through monitoring elements like tone of voice. 

Using real-time insights to transform call experiences 

Engage AI assesses both the caller and agents’ conversation and levels of engagement. The solution, which works well with most contact centre systems, provides an instant measurement of the customer experience and live coaching on how to manage the given situation. When agents deliver a friendly and energetic voice, it demonstrably improves customer satisfaction and conversion rates, and reduces call length, thereby saving costs. 

Such real-time insights allow agents to adjust their approach during calls immediately to better suit the caller’s needs as well as post-call in the form of engagement scores to understand areas of improvement. The engagement score and data can also be integrated into existing analytics platforms via API.  

Bringing teams together with upskilling opportunities 

The SaaS solution comes with tools to support skill development and improve team management. Contact centre agents can get access to self-coaching assessments and performance evaluations which are strength-based, inclusive and personalised for each agent and team.  

Contact centre supervisors can also gain instantaneous actionable insights into their team’s performance to further improve customer experience on an individual and team level. On top of receiving real-time updates on praiseworthy and coachable moments, supervisors can use the platform to monitor employee wellbeing based on real-time event updates and dashboards with call analytics and data.  

“Our partners in the contact centre space are obsessed with their customers and are constantly seeking ways to enhance the customer experience. At Jabra, we believe in getting it right from the first second and see the value in improving conversation qualities,” said Anders Hvelplund, SVP for Call Centric Solutions at Jabra. “Engage AI has cracked the code of human sentiment, enabling agents to react instantly and be the best version of themselves. We are also keen to use the platform to bring supervisors and agents closer together in this era of remote working and create more opportunities for coaching.  

The AI model is based on over 20 years of research and millions of analysed conversations by the world’s most prolific voice AI scientists at audEERING, a Munich-based technology operation.  

Jabra Engage AI is easy to implement as it works across all dialects and languages. It is ideal with Jabra Engage headsets, which enable additional features such as measuring background noise, but works well with all professional headsets.  

Jabra Engage AI will be available from September 15. Find out more here: jabra.co.uk/engageai