The Briefing on Artificial Intelligence

The latest news, trends and data in AI and automation

In Data:

AI News in Numbers

37%

The percentage of so-called knowledge workers that fear losing their jobs as a result of automation, according to research by Blue Prism. This is despite many decision makers worrying that this will be a key concern for employees, with 70% believing their workers are concerned about the issue.

One in Eight

The rate of people in Asia that are set to see their jobs eliminated as a result of automation over the next five years, according to research by MIT Technology Review Insights. However, AI will also see the creation of many new roles, with 77% of Asian business leaders expecting the technology to drive to a growth in headcounts over the same period.

92%

The percentage of employees in the UK that believe AI could improve their job, according to research by The Workforce Institute at Kronos Incorportated. A third also thought that the technology could benefit them by automating repetitive tasks or speeding up processes.

£15.7tn

The amount artificial intelligence is set to contribute to the global economy by 2030, according to research by PwC. The company cites productivity and personalisation improvements as central to this growth.

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1,000

The number of students that will be able to undertake PhDs in AI in the UK under a government initiative announced in February. The initiative, which also includes funding for 200 places on AI masters courses, is part of a wider plan to boost the UK's AI skills.

270%

The growth in the number of enterprises implementing AI over the past four years, according to findings of the 2019 CIO survey by Gartner. However, while growth in implementation has been significant, many businesses have struggled with issues such as a shortage of skilled staff.

The Key Moments in Artificial Intelligence This Month

San Francisco bans facial recognition

San Francisco has become the first US city to ban facial recognition, after legislators voted on the move. The ban means that local agencies, including law enforcement and the city's transport authority, will not be permitted to make use of the technology.

Source: BBC

Trump announces AI initiative

US President Donald Trump has announced an artificial intelligence plan, dubbed the American AI Initiative, which is designed to ensure the country's leadership in the field. Details are currently scant, but the project will involve assigning key deliverables to a host of federal agencies.

Source: Science

IBM cuts Watson Drug Discovery

IBM Watson Health has announced that it is significantly reducing its Drug Discovery programme, which was intended to aid the development of new pharmaceuticals using AI. IBM has blamed the move on poor sales, however has stressed that the project is not being fully discontinued.

Source: The Register

Barbican showcases AI future

London's Barbican has launched an exhaustive exhibition on the future potential of artificial intelligence entitled AI: More Than Human. Covering everything from chatbots and facial recognition to healthcare and art, the exhibition includes contributions from DeepMind, MIT, Massive Attack and Es Devlin.

Source: Barbican