Kore.ai opens Global R&D center in Hyderabad

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March 23, 2022

Conversational AI product developing firm Kore.ai opens its new global research and development (R&D) center in Hyderabad, India.

The new facility, which was opened by CEO and founder Raj Koneru, will serve as a hub for the company’s global R&D projects in the field of conversational AI, along with product development, engineering, customer support, consultancy, and many other services.

Currently, the R&D facility has a capacity of 500 seats, but the company announces its plans to double the seating capacity to 1100 by the end of 2023.

Raj Koneru said, “Today, close to 200 customers across the world rely on the platform technology and solutions we have built, a major part here in Hyderabad, to power their customer engagement and enterprise collaboration through AI-enabled automation and experience optimization.”

He further added that India would remain key to the company’s worldwide strategy, with Hyderabad serving as a regional base for its activities. Kore.ai’s headcount in Hyderabad has expanded from roughly 240 before the pandemic to 450, according to Senior Vice-President Abhijit Mhetre.

Mhetre said that they plan to add 200-300 people by the end of this calendar year, and the company’s headcount is expected to grow to more than 650.

Last year in November, Kore.ai also partnered with technology giant NVIDIA to develop new and innovative artificial intelligence-powered conversational solutions for enterprises operating in multiple sectors globally. NVIDIA had invested in Kore.ai’s Series C funding round that raised the company’s financing to over $73 million.

United States-based conversational AI and digital products developing firm Kore.ai was founded by Raj Koneru in 2013. The company specializes in creating conversational virtual assistants driven by artificial intelligence for various industries, including banking, IT assistance, insurance, HR, and many more.

Apart from NVIDIA, Kore.ai has received funding from many investors, including Sterling National Bank, PNC, and Vistara Growth.

Russia Bans Facebook and Instagram for ‘Extremist Activity’

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Dipayan Mitra

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March 22, 2022

Russian court bans Facebook and Instagram, claiming the parent company Meta for ‘Extremist Activity,’ reported Reuters.

The charges of Facebook and Instagram supporting unethical practices got solidified when a judge from the Moscow court said that both the social media platforms were guilty of their activities.

However, Whatsapp, a chatting platform owned by Meta, will still be available for Russians to use in the country.

The groundbreaking decision comes after Russian authorities decided to file a criminal complaint against Meta for Facebook’s move to temporarily allow for threats of violence in Ukraine and a few other countries, including Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania.

The company also received criticism from the United Nations because of its amoral actions. Meta said regarding the episode that the company’s prime objective was to let Ukrainians express their anger over Russia’s military actions. Russian media reports claim that the decision would be imposed with immediate effect.

According to a survey, around 80 percent of Russians over the age of 14 use Whatsapp to communicate, which is why Russian authorities did not include WhatsApp in the ban imposed on Meta.

“The decision does not apply to the activities of Meta’s messenger WhatsApp, due to its lack of functionality for the public dissemination of information,” said the court regarding WhatsApp.

Meanwhile, a study of mobile internet traffic suggests that Telegram has recently surpassed WhatsApp as the most popular messaging app in the country.

Many reports have surfaced recently, citing that Russia is all set to launch its homegrown alternative for Instagram named Rossgram. The community description mentioned, “The Russian alternative to Instagram will be launched with the usual functionality and mobile applications for Android and iOS on March 28, 2022. Access will be open for standard users in April 2022.”

Meta also got involved in yet another controversy in Australia this week. An Australian watchdog sued Meta, alleging that the company’s social media platform Facebook is engaged in spreading false, misleading, or deceptive behavior by distributing fake advertisements depicting famous public personalities.

Enterprise AI CRM Startup Glia raises $45 million in Series D Funding

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Dipayan Mitra

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March 22, 2022

Enterprise AI Customer Relationship Management startup Gila raises $45 million in its recently held series D funding round, increasing its valuation to over $1 billion.

The fresh funding round of Gila was led by New York-based-global venture capital and private equity firm Insight Partners. Other investors like Wildcat Capital Management and RingCentral Ventures also participated in the funding round.

Gila plans to use the newly raised funds to further invest in advanced artificial intelligence, messaging, voice, video, and analytics capabilities.

The new funds will be used mainly for research and development, allowing Glia to continue its decade-long commitment to digital customer service innovation. The funding will also enable Glia to expand into other markets in multiple regions, allowing it to bring the benefits of Digital Customer Service to financial institutions globally.

Managing Director at Insight Partners, Lonne Jaffe, said, “Most people haven’t yet experienced first-hand the magic and power of Digital Customer Service as consumers, which stems from Glia’s proven ability to create seamless, uninterrupted experiences across CoBrowsing, voice, chat, and video.”

He further added that they are excited to help Glia once more as they increase their R&D investment and continue to establish the global standard for Digital Customer Service.

United States-based digital customer service provider Gila was founded by Carlos Paniagua, Daniel Michaeli, and Justin DiPietro in 2012.

Companies can use Gila’s solution to identify and engage their highest-value web visitors via video, audio, chat, and co-browsing to increase online conversions and enhance customer service with just a single line of code. To date, the company has raised $152 million from investors over six funding rounds.

Co-founder and CEO of Gila, Daniel Michaeli, said, “As we build upon a decade of innovation, this capital will further extend our reach and help even more businesses across the globe reimagine how they connect with customers digitally.”

He also mentioned that they are ecstatic about their investors’ faith, which is reflected in the round’s valuation because they know they have only scratched the surface of what Glia can do.

VDO.AI and India Today Group Sign Annual Partnership for Video Monetization

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Dipayan Mitra

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March 22, 2022

Leading video supporting platform VDO.AI announces that it has signed an annual partnership with one of India’s top media houses, India Today Group, for video monetization.

According to the plan, VDO.AI will provide India Today Network with an effective Native Video Monetization Solution. The Native Video Units would provide an enhanced user experience while generating more cash for the India Today group.

This partnership will aid India Today in successfully modifying its site traffic and attracting a vast number of clients across its expanding showcase of sectors.

Head of Display at India Today Group, Zoheb Shaikh, said, “India Today’s association with VDO.AI has been working out very well since the past few months. With this evolved and dedicated association, we aim to expand our footprint with greater reach and distribution.”

He further added that they are looking forward to broadening the impact and giving the precise type and quality of content to their audience through VDO.AI’s creative video ad format tailor-made solutions.

VDO’s solutions include a contextual artificial intelligence engine that assesses user preferences. Then the engine offers personalized content recommendations to users to increase video watch time and audience engagement.

United States-based video supporting platform VDO.AI was founded by Amitt Sharma in 2017. The company specializes in offering a platform to organizations that assist them in realizing the full potential of video content and advertising, allowing them to increase their revenue by up to 50%.

Various prominent publicists on the internet use VDO.AI’s proven technological program, including video player, video streaming, video content, and video broadcasting, in an end-to-end offering.

“We design end-to-end experiences that are based on data-driven insights and scaled in real-time and firmly believe that publishers like India Today who embrace change will stay ahead of the curve,” said Founder and CEO of VDO.AI Amitt Sharma.

He also mentioned that they are delighted to be a part of India Today’s digital advertising journey and to be able to provide intelligent, high-impact solutions based on their knowledge.

Israel’s OurCrowd to Open new AI R&D Center in Abu Dhabi

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Dipayan Mitra

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March 22, 2022

Israeli Venture investing platform OurCrowd announces that it is ready to open its new artificial intelligence (AI) R&D center in Abu Dhabi.

OurCrowd says that the new R&D facility will be established by early June 2022 and would assist in investment decision-making.

According to Sabah al-Binali, a partner at OurCrowd, the Global AI Innovation Center would employ 50 engineers, with OurCrowd as the initial client. However, the service will be available to everybody.

Last year in November, the company received the green light to start its operations in the United Arab Emirates. In addition, six Israeli companies from OurCrowd’s portfolio are now operating in the United Arab Emirates.

OurCrowd plans to invest heavily in the project, which aims to analyze vast amounts of data. Al-Binali said, “Trying to build AI internally is very expensive, but we believe we can almost modularise and make it almost like a utility where you can just use it as a service.”

He expects that investments will flow once Emirati investors are able to visit Israel and see companies in person as the country sees Israel as a gateway to Southeast Asia.

Jerusalem-based venture investment platform providing company OurCrowd was founded by Jonathan Medved in 2013. The firm specializes in offering a platform that enables institutions and individuals to invest and engage in emerging enterprises.

OurCrowd has a massive customer base of more than 190,000 registered users. The experienced investment team at OurCrowd identifies and conducts research on thousands of companies and venture funds to capitalize on cutting-edge opportunities in multiple sectors and stages.

To date, OurCrowd has raised $197.5 million from investors like SoftBank Vision Fund, ORIX Group, UOB Venture, United Overseas Bank, and many others over six funding rounds.

Australian Watchdog sues Meta over Scam Celebrity Crypto advertisements

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Dipayan Mitra

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March 22, 2022

The Australian consumer watchdog sues Meta over a scam that involves fake celebrity crypto advertisements.

The watchdog alleged that Meta’s social media platform Facebook is engaged in spreading false, misleading, or deceptive behavior by distributing scam advertisements depicting famous Australian public personalities.

According to the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC), the advertisements encouraged cryptocurrency or money-making schemes and may have caused Facebook users to believe they were promoted by celebrities including businessman Dick Smith, former NSW Premier Mike Baird, andTV presenter David Koch.

Recently, Facebook was also condemned by the UN for allowing its users to throw malevolent remarks against Russians and calling for violent actions against the Russian armed forces amidst the Russia-Ukraine crisis.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Chair Rod Sims said in a statement, “The essence of our case is that Meta is responsible for these ads that it publishes on its platform.”

The ads included links to a false news item with statements that the public figure featured in the advertisement advocates a cryptocurrency or money-making scheme. It then would ask users to signup, after which they were contacted by scammers who used high-pressure methods like frequent phone calls to persuade them to deposit money into the scam.

Sims said, “It is a key part of Meta’s business to enable advertisers to target users who are most likely to click on the link in an ad to visit the ad’s landing page, using Facebook algorithms.”

Meta was allegedly aware that celebrity endorsement cryptocurrency fraud advertising was being published on its platform but failed to take necessary action to address the problem. Meta has not yet shared any official remarks regarding this episode.

Russia may be using AI-powered Killer Drones against Ukraine

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Dipayan Mitra

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March 21, 2022

In the past week, several images emerged on social media platforms showing that Russia is using artificial intelligence (AI)-powered Killer Drones in its war against Ukraine.

This new development raises many concerns regarding AI warfare, which the world has yet not witnessed. The emerged photographs seem to be of the KUB-BLA, a drone described as a “loitering munition.”

The deadly and highly capable drones are sold by a Russian armaments manufacturer, Kalashnikov’s subsidiary, ZALA Aero. KUB-BLAs are miniature drones launched from a portable launch tube and crash into their target to detonate a bomb.

It can drive at 130 km/h for 30 minutes before purposefully colliding with a target and detonating a 3-kilo bomb. However, authorities have not yet confirmed whether Russia is employing KUB-BLA drones in its bombardment of various Ukrainian cities.

Experts are criticizing this move of Russia across the globe, claiming that the employment of “killer robots” such as these violates globally agreed-upon laws on what may and cannot be employed on the battlefield.

Though Russia has a vast number of artificial intelligence weaponry and technological systems, they do not appear to have been practically utilized in a full-scale war.

Zachary Kallenborn, a research affiliate with the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism, said, The notion of a killer robot — where you have artificial intelligence fused with weapons — that technology is here, and it’s being used.”

The main concern with these autonomous weapons is that there is no human conscience involved in how to kill as the decisions are made using artificial intelligence algorithms.

Additionally, experts suggest that Putin could also launch an AI attack on the UK if he feels threatened in the Ukraine war.

SAS India and IIT Kanpur launches Certification Course in Applied AI ML for Business Decision Analysis

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Dipayan Mitra

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March 21, 2022

Advanced business analytics and intelligence software providing company SAS India has partnered with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur to launch a new one-year certification course in applied AI ML for business decision analysis.

The Applied AI&ML for Business Decision Analysis course will provide the relevant knowledge and skills from top IIT Kanpur faculty and SAS.

As analytics skills are in high demand, this new course designed by IIT Kanpur and SAS is designed to add value to help learners gain knowledge and open doors to a brighter future.

Working professionals along with external candidates from institutions and universities other than IIT Kanpur are eligible for the certification course.

Participants will have access to >190 hours of eLearning and 215 hours of recorded live instructor-led training for one year, including video tutorials.

Raghu Nandan Sengupta, professor at IIT Kanpur, said, “The Applied Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning for Business & Decision Analysis program is meant for candidates willing to build a career in Data Science.”

He further added that the program’s case study-based methodology will produce industry-ready participants who will be able to explore a wide range of professional jobs in data science that have opened up as a result of the ongoing global digital transformation that companies are experiencing.

The course curriculum has been meticulously designed to provide learners with technical and application-oriented training in the fields of AI, ML, Business, and Decision Making. A notable advantage of the program is that SAS will provide each participant with a thorough hands-on project, which addresses essential data analysis requirements in an industry setting across various business disciplines.

Interested candidates can visit the official website of SAS to apply for this program. Learners need to pay two installments worth INR 249,999.5 each to take part in the program. However, eligible candidates can also receive financial assistance to pursue the course.

IIT Madras and Northwestern University Researchers develop AI algorithm to Improve 3D Effects in Phone Videos

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Dipayan Mitra

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March 21, 2022

IIT Madras Northwestern University AI algorithm 3D phone video

Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras and United States-based Northwestern University have developed a novel artificial intelligence (AI)-powered algorithm that can be used to improve the 3D effects of phone videos.

The newly developed AI algorithm can considerably enhance the depth perception and 3D effects in videos captured by smartphone cameras.

Officials claim that the algorithms will prevent flat mobile phone photographs and give them a true 3D sense.

Users do not have to install any specialized equipment or lenses on their smartphones to enjoy the benefits of this technology, making it very accessible.

Additionally, as it is a software-based technology, it might be available at a reasonable price compared to hardware solutions. The research has been published in the ‘Proceedings of International Conference on Computer Vision (ICCV), 2021’.

Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Madras, Kaushik Mitra, said, “It is a common complaint, especially among amateur and professional photographers, that photographs and videos shot using smartphone cameras have a flat, two-dimensional look.”

He further added that aside from the flat appearance, several 3D characteristics, such as the Bokeh Effect, an aesthetic blurring of the background that is simple with DSLR cameras, are challenging to achieve with smartphone cameras.

The researchers investigated the problem and developed a deep learning method that converts stereo photos shot on a smartphone into LF (Light Field) images.

The algorithm begins by simultaneously capturing two videos (known as a stereo pair) with the two adjacent cameras found in many modern smartphones.

Deep learning models are then used to take these stereo pairs through a series of phases. The stereo pairs are turned into a 7X7 grid of photos, simulating a 7X7 array of cameras, and the LF image is created.

“In addition to providing depth, our algorithm enables us to view the same video from not just one point of view but from any of the 7×7 grid of viewpoints,” added Mitra.

Aster and IISc Bengaluru launches Artificial Intelligence Lab

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Dipayan Mitra

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March 21, 2022

Aster CMI Hospital has collaborated with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru to launch a new artificial intelligence lab to carry out research for the betterment of the healthcare industry.

The primary focus of the newly established artificial intelligence lab will be to understand disease patterns and improve treatment outcomes with the help of AI-powered tools.

It is a collaborative lab with the goal of developing cutting-edge AI solutions in the healthcare domain and teaching healthcare professionals in AI to bridge the gap between clinical medicine and technology.

The launch event was attended by Dr. Azad Moopen, Founder Chairman and Managing Director, Aster DM Healthcare, Dr. Lokesh B, Consultant Neurology, Aster CMI Hospital, and Dr. Phaneendra K Yalavarthy, Professor of Medical Imaging, Department of Computational and Data Sciences, IISc.

According to officials, the hospital will work with Dr. Phaneendra K Yalavarthy and his team on deep learning algorithms for automatic nerve monitoring and segmentation in ultrasound pictures.

Prof. Phanendra K Yalavarthi said, “The initial focus of this collaborative laboratory will be in neurology and will later be expanded to other clinical specialties. We are setting up this laboratory in our hospital to enable the co-development of some of these AI technologies for healthcare. Aster CMI for providing the space to do this.”

He further added that with an emphasis on translation at the bedside, this collaborative laboratory would enable the creation of highly significant research and technologies.

IISc has been a suitable partner for Aster CMI, which has clinical knowledge to facilitate, translate, and validate artificial intelligence algorithms for clinical usage because of its competence in creating AI methods.

“With the use of AI, doctors and medical providers will now be able to deliver a more accurate diagnosis in the fastest possible time, which can aid the treatment journey. Also, AI would be a big leap towards predictive and proactive data analytics, which will improve preventive care recommendations for patients,” said Founder Chairman and Managing Director of Aster DM Healthcare.

He also mentioned that they are excited to collaborate with IISc, which will allow healthcare professionals to conduct research and better leverage AI tools to better understand their patients’ disease patterns and considerably enhance treatment outcomes.