Quantum computing is beginning to attract serious attention as a possible new foundation for machine learning. Quantum systems process information in fundamentally different ways from conventional computers, raising the possibility that some optimisation, search and high dimensional learning problems could eventually be tackled more efficiently....
Large language models are beginning to change our understanding of what a machine learning system can do. Their importance may extend far beyond language itself. When combined with vision, these models offer a new way of approaching visual computing, where a system may not only recognise ...
Deep learning has fundamentally changed what is possible in visual computing. Problems that once required carefully engineered features can increasingly be approached by training large neural networks directly on vast collections of images and video. This has transformed areas such as large scale facial recognition...
The success of AlexNet in large scale image recognition suggests that we may be entering a very different era of computer vision. Instead of carefully designing every feature by hand, deep neural networks can begin to learn useful visual representations directly from large collections....
It is becoming increasingly plausible that computers may not only recognise who a person is, but also begin to infer something about how they feel. Subtle changes around the eyes, mouth and brow can reveal patterns associated with expressions such as happiness, surprise, anger, sadness, fear and disgust.....
An interesting possibility is emerging from bringing together two rather different ideas in geometric modelling. Bézier surfaces give designers an intuitive way to control shape through familiar control points, while biharmonic methods provide a mathematical mechanism for producing smooth and naturally...
PDE geometric modelling could compress complex three dimensional objects into compact mathematical descriptions that are reconstructed when needed. This may reduce storage and bandwidth requirements enough to support the real time streaming of detailed geometry in future games.
Partial differential equations offer a way to think about geometry as something that can be generated mathematically rather than constructed point by point. Using equations such as the biharmonic equation, smooth surfaces can be created from boundary curves and other constraints, making them particularly suited to complex and organic forms. This approach could provide a more compact and flexible way of modelling shape, allowing designers to modify boundaries while the surrounding surface adjusts naturally. It suggests a future in which geometry is defined not only by polygons and patches, but by the mathematical processes that produce it.
3D facial recognition offers the possibility of identifying people from the shape of the face rather than appearance alone. By capturing facial geometry and comparing features such as curvature, depth and proportion, it may overcome some of the problems caused by lighting and viewpoint in ordinary photographs. The technology is still limited by scanning speed, expression and equipment, but it points towards a powerful new form of biometric identification.
Facial recognition is becoming increasingly powerful, but this may also change human behaviour. A person who wishes to avoid identification can cover the face, turn away from a camera or deliberately obscure key facial features. Gait offers ...
Artificial intelligence is advancing rapidly towards systems that may one day rival or exceed human intelligence across a wide range of tasks. The race between corporations, governments and researchers creates strong incentives to prioritise capability and speed, increasing the risk that safety and control receive insufficient attention. The central challenge is not whether advanced AI will be evil, but whether humanity can ensure that a more powerful intelligence continues to act in ways compatible with human interests, values and even survival.
This is an in-depth interview with Professor Ugail - his childhood, his educational background and his life.
It is my absolute belief that education knows no limits, and that a scholarly pursuit is a lifelong pursuit. theCircle provides a physical, modern and comfortable space for the community to meet, read, and learn. It is above all, a hub for pursuing knowledge and creativity. One that I believe the community needs.
Men still dominate tech fields. To reduce this disconcerting gender gap, we need to create more opportunities for women to engage and experience tech. We need tech role models - both women and men - who strive for equality, inclusivity and fairness.
For some historians, it is innovation and discovery that symbolises a golden era. For others, it is economic or societal prosperity. The common denominator in every historical golden era, though, was a happy and thriving society.
The sea is infinite. Waves rise and fall like symphonies. The sea is an intimate part of who we are as Maldivians. Our life, culture, and society reflect the deep blue sea that surrounds us. ...
There are countless students who struggle deeply with memorisation, yet are incredibly creative in their applied skills. Unfortunately, our present education system emphasises and favours rote memorisation, leaving little space for creativity. If we want to ensure that our students are emotionally and intellectually flourishing, we must not hold them back but inspire their uniqueness and incentivise them.
I remember the stories of elders. They spoke of a community that looked after each other and supported each other. A community that understood the struggle intimately, and lent a helping hand to one another to alleviate the burdens of everyday life. ...
An intriguing question is whether a computer can learn not only what a face looks like today, but how that face may change over many years. Human ageing is not random. The proportions of the face change....
One of the more intriguing possibilities in behavioural computing is that deception may leave measurable traces in the face. Visible video can capture changes in expression, gaze, blinking, lip movement and other small behavioural cues, while thermal imaging may reveal....