by BGF | Aug 13, 2018 | News
In the UN Public Service Forum 2018, held in Marrakech, the former President of Mauritius, Cassam Uteem, presented ideas about how the World Leadership Alliance- Club de Madrid ‘s project- Shared Societies can inspire the implementation of Agenda 2030.
World Leadership Alliance-Club de Madrid (WLA-CdM) is an organization which has been working closely with BGF and MDI in developing the AIWS 7-Layer Model to build the Next Generation Democracy. Recently, President Uteem – Member of the WLA-CdM, took part in the debate about Public Service. In the opening of the UN Service Forum 2018, he shared his view about the role of public servants under the title “What governance for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?”
Around 600 to 800 participants – Ministers, senior government officials, mayors, representatives from civil society and those from international as well as regional organizations, etc. participated in this forum to discuss paths for transformation and innovations of governments and institutions. President Uteem put special emphasis on the diversity of cultures in public service – the key to foster an implementation of SDGs.
by BGF | Jul 26, 2018 | AI-Government, News, AIWS and the Age of Global Enlightenment
By Jason Furman, Nguyen Anh Tuan, Michael Dukakis, Thomas Patterson, Nazli Choucri,
David Silbersweig
July 18, 2018
Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has an aspiration to utilize Artificial Intelligence (AI) to build a civilized and prosperous Vietnam, taking this great opportunity for Vietnam to become a pioneer. Under the direction of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Minister of Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) Nguyen Chi Dung led a delegation of MPI’s leaders to study in the United States, and on April 23, 2018, the delegation worked with the Michael Dukakis Institute for Leadership and Innovation (MDI) and the Boston Global Forum (BGF) to discuss and propose MDI to advise the development of an AI economic strategy for Vietnam.
In response to the aspirations of the Government of Vietnam, MDI carried out the research and prepare report a report by Prof. Jason Furman – Harvard University, Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers of President Barack Obama, who chaired the drafting of the AI Strategy for the US Government, and Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan – Director of MDI, with the support of Governor Michael Dukakis – Chairman of MDI and BGF, Prof. Thomas Patterson – Harvard University and Prof. Nazli Choucri – Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Prof. David Silbersweig – Harvard University.
The main features of the breakthrough strategy for AI economy and specific solutions, measures for Vietnam: Becoming an pioneer in building the AI-Government and the AI Age Culture owned by the Government of Vietnam, attracting intellectual elites in the Boston area, attracting fundings from the World Bank and the United States, establishing a leading country in automatic governance by AI, then building an AI Innovation Zone which has the ability to provide advanced products and services for Vietnam and international markets, helping Vietnam to become one of the advanced and leading countries in AI.
It is hoped that the Government of Vietnam will find here useful suggestions and recommendations for the development of Vietnam’s AI economy, making Vietnam move forward to go with the civilized and advanced countries in the field of AI.
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by BGF | Aug 6, 2018 | News
Researchers have developed an algorithm that gives robots the ability to teach themselves physical tasks, and practices in a few days—the equivalent of a hundred years inside a computer simulation.
MIT Technology Review introduced brand-new technology, an AI-driven robot hand, dubbed Dactyl, capable of executing physical tasks. The technology comes from a UK company called Shadow combined with a robotic system developed by OpenAI.
A machine-learning technique known as reinforcement learning helped accomplish the physical tasks. Reinforcement learning originated from the way animals learn through positive or negative feedback. OpenAI approached this measure by introducing random variations in the learning environment, which speeds up the programming and training process. It is nowhere near as agile as a human at the moment, but increasing the processing power and introducing more randomization might improve its capabilities in the future.
For now, a measure to enhance its ability is being worked out. But in the near future, when machines have the agility of humans, many fields will see huge advancements. We will need a strategy where humans can still benefit, even as more jobs are replaced by machines. That is what organizations like MDI are working on—indeed, MDI, an offshoot of BGF, is currently developing standards that will help to ensure AI benefits humanity.
by BGF | Aug 6, 2018 | News
On his visit to Vietnam for the Vietnam CEO Summit 2018, Prof. Jason Furman – Harvard Kennedy School, Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers for President Barack Obama, member of AIWS Standards and Practice Committee and Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan – Director of The Michael Dukakis Institute for Leadership and Innovation (MDI) participated in a Talk show with Mr. Vu Dang Vinh – General Director of Vietnam Report Jsc. about the AI strategy for Vietnam’s economy.
In the talk show, Prof. Jason Furman and Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan discussed the strategy by emphasizing the current situation of Vietnam and how the strategy would be feasible. They also discussed the challenges and opportunities that AI would bring to Vietnam’s economy.
It was said that, even though Vietnam has already fallen behind in the age of AI and Industry 4.0 in general, but it still has great potential. The country needs innovation, and citizens should open their minds to global trends.
Prof. Jason Furman suggested that Vietnam should take advantage of being a follower in the field of AI. The nation needs to act quickly, and learn from developed countries like the U.S, China, etc. to figure it out how Vietnam can use AI for its development (He also shared his experiences when he chaired the AI Strategy Report for the U.S, published in December, 2016). Furthermore, the cost of equipment to develop AI is a lot cheaper now than it was 5 years ago. Vietnam also has the help of many foreign companies, organizations, and MDI. Representative of MDI, Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, stated that the breakthrough strategy for Vietnam to become an advanced country in the field of AI is to build the AI-Government and the AI Age Culture owned by the Government of Vietnam.
AI can bring about prosperity and productivity for the Vietnamese if they can learn how to use it properly. “It is not perfect, it can make mistakes, but it is important that we can learn how AI can work with humans.” said Prof. Jason Furman.
In sum, whether Vietnam makes it to the forefront of AI depends on its commitment and effort in implementing breakthrough strategies.
by BGF | Aug 6, 2018 | News
Tesla officially brought out its own computer chips for autonomous car. “We’ve been in semi-stealth mode on this basically for the last 2-3 years,” Musk said, “I think it’s probably time to let the cat out of the bag.”
They created their own hardware for machine learning. This gives Tesla a competitive advantage over creators that rely on available technologies, and distinguishes Tesla distinguished from other car-makers. Moreover, the new hardware would improve significantly over Nvidia’s hardware, and it can also be installed in older models.
Despite the convenience and safety brought by automated cars, there are also possible dangers if the technology is not adequately developed and tested. It is important as well to follow ethical standards, and this is the reason why MDI developed the AIWS 7-layer Model to ensure human safety when it comes to AI.
