Elcke’s Saturday Data Dive #02: AI for us - and our furry friends
In this four-weekly newsletter, I will keep you posted about the newest developments in the field of data. No worries, I’ll keep it simple. Everyone can follow along. Spoiler alert: this month has been packed with exciting stuff in the world of AI!
AI meets fur
Let's start with a quick personal story. Since a couple of weeks, my ‘indoor cat’ is allowed to explore the outdoors for the first time. What he doesn’t know is that I can track every move thanks to the GPS collar he’s wearing. It gives me peace of mind knowing where he is, and whether he is bullying the neighbor cat :). This is just one example of how technology, and AI in particular, is revolutionizing pet care, as Alma highlights in her article.
The AI Act
And more about AI: this month, the AI Act entered into force in Europe. It is a first attempt to regulate AI developments. While in the United States there is no comprehensive regulation on AI, the EU decided to introduce a regulation that sets boundaries and that wants to protect human rights.
Did you know that, starting in 2025, certain activities will be prohibited? Including biometric categorization: techniques that classify individuals based on biometric data, such as inferring race, political beliefs, religion, or sexual orientation.
My master idea
So, biometric categorization is off the table, huh? I guess that means my even more extreme data idea of uploading brain data and sharing it with others, won’t make it past the European regulators either. In my latest column, I explore the concept of uploading the brain data of famous guitar players directly into your mind. Imagine having instant access to the guitar solos you once practiced so hard to master. Could that be possible in the future with advancing technology? Well, it seems we still have a long way to go—both technologically and legally. But that doesn’t make the idea any less cool.
That’s it for now. Visit our website for more data geeky stuff. I’ll keep you posted for sure.
Elcke Vels - Editor Innovation Origins
