Artificial Intelligence, International Competition, and the Balance of Power (May 2018)

World leaders, CEOs, and academics have suggested that a revolution in artificial intelligence is upon us. Are they right, and what will advances in artificial intelligence mean for international competition and the balance of power? This article evaluates how developments in artificial intelligence (AI) — advanced, narrow applications in particular — are poised to influence military power and international politics. It describes how AI more closely resembles “enabling” technologies such as the combustion engine or electricity than a specific weapon. AI’s still-emerging developments make it harder to assess than many technological changes, especially since many of the organizational decisions about the adoption and uses of new technology that generally shape the impact of that technology are in their infancy. The article then explores the possibility that key drivers of AI development in the private sector could cause the rapid diffusion of military applications of AI, limiting first-mover advantages for innovators. Alternatively, given uncertainty about the technological trajectory of AI, it is also possible that military uses of AI will be harder to develop based on private-sector AI technologies than many expect, generating more potential first-mover advantages for existing powers such as China and the United States, as well as larger consequences for relative power if a country fails to adapt. Finally, the article discusses the extent to which U.S. military rhetoric about the importance of AI matches the reality of U.S. investments.LBJ School of Public Affair

Study of new technological implications to improve food productivity and security in Ghana : case insights into the use of drones in cocoa farming

Since the early 1980’s, in developed countries such as Japan and the United States of America, several technological applications have been used experimentally to boost food production and enhance farming practices, especially in areas which are not geographically accessible for traditional farming practices and machineries.One such technology which has been extensively experimented with and deployed is the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), which is an example of technological expertise pioneered by the military. Their growing adaptation in precision agriculture means that UAV have been used on farms in developed countries for crops grown on both small- and large land acreage for the purposes of identifying nutrient deficiencies, diseases, water and soil status, weeds, damage, and plant diagnostics.The study focuses on the adaptation and implementation of UAV in Ghana’s cocoa farming and the position of stakeholders in terms of their acceptance, as the country is currently the world’s second largest producer and exporter of cocoa. The study applies Disruptive Innovation theory and stakeholder theory as a joint conceptual framework by which to examine how new and long-established farms create, sustain, and continuously introduce creative and novel technology in order to maximise food production while assessing stakeholders’ attitudes and roles in the implementation of innovation.Conducted in Nkawie in the Ashanti region of Ghana, the study adopts a qualitative approach, using semi-structured interviews to elicit and collate the views of stakeholders on the implementation of UAV in cocoa farming in Ghana, ultimately analysing the resulting by use of NVivo software. The findings show that traditional practices and superstitious beliefs, lack of credit facilities can impede the acceptance of new innovation.The study identifies a comprehensive pool of stakeholders in the supply chain whose input significantly influences the implementation of UAV. Other key stakeholders maintained that limited support for local drone innovator community, access to funding, and corrupt practices hinder the implementation of this technology, although general awareness of its benefit to cocoa farming cannot be disputed. Despite the difficult conditions that arose during data collection due to COVID restrictions in the study area, 36 participant agreed to participate in the study through interviews. This study makes a specific contribution to the body of literature and policy framework on the drivers and barriers of UAV adoption and implementation in emerging economies such as Ghana in the cocoa farming industr

Drone methodologies: Taking flight in human and physical geography

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Wiley via the DOI in this recordThe world of late seems oversaturated with stories about drones. These suddenly pervasive machines straddle a divide in geography, being simultaneously an important tool for proximal sensing in physical geography and technology with military origins that human geographers have critically engaged. This paper, a collaboration between a physical and a human geographer, is an exploration of the epistemological nexus that a critical drone methodology offers the discipline, and which we suggest provides a new opportunity for collaborative human/physical geography. Drawing on our own research with drones and that of others, we demonstrate how recent scholarship on vertical geographies and longstanding remote-sensing frameworks are challenged by drone methodologies where social, environmental and technological concerns are entangled with the politics of access to proximal airspace and, in doing so, define a new conceptual atmospheric zone within the Earth's atmospheric boundary layer – the “Nephosphere” – where drone experimentation occurs. We argue that engagement with non-military uses of drones is crucial for the discipline, now that we are entering an uncertain aerial future that will be replete with flying robots, and suggest drones are reconfiguring geographic imaginations. In short, we call on geographers to participate actively in the shaping of new drone methodologies where the values and perils of the technology can be critically debated from the starting point of the experiential, rather than the speculative

North Dakota\u27s New Frontier: Unmanned Aircraft

Unmanned Aircraft, or drones, represent a modern-day frontier, one that is, as yet, neither fully explored nor fully developed. The state of North Dakota has moved into the frontier and is deeply involved in its exploration and development. The state has invested tens of millions of dollars in the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) industry, an investment that has helped to attract tens of millions of additional dollars from military sources and from private business firms. The University of North Dakota’s John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences, long-recognized as among the leading aviation schools in the nation, is at the forefront of developing and applying Unmanned Aircraft Systems, and the school was the first to offer a university degree in UAS. Noting North Dakota’s commanding position in the UAS industry, an article in the New York Times dated December 25, 2015, referred to the state as “the Silicon Valley of Drones.” This thesis will contribute to the scholarly treatment of the UAS industry by concentrating on its development and application in the state of North Dakota. It will do so by using frontiers as the historical backdrop. Throughout the state’s history, North Dakotans have been characterized by their ability and willingness to adapt to the hardships and challenges faced on the North Dakota frontiers. They have also been able and willing to adapt to opportunities, to prospects, and to advances in technology. This thesis treats how North Dakotans are once again adapting, this time to the opportunities, prospects, and challenges presented by yet another frontier- that of unmanned aircraft or drones

An Institute to promote the learning of aerial photography, which will promote the academic tourism in Portugal, help in the formation of destination image and promote sustainable tourism in Portugal.

This business plan is focused on promoting sustainable academic tourism and destination image of Portugal. Pixair Institute acts as a medium for achieving this by attracting international students, promoting student mobility and providing the students in Portugal the opportunity to, learn UAV pilot skills, aerial photography and enhance their career opportunities, maintaining sustainability by keeping the guiding principles required for economic, environmental and socio-cultural sustainability. Pixair focuses on providing attractive training services, with the cutting-edge equipment and expert staff, at a reasonable cost and flexible learning hours in the most attractive city of Portugal, Lisbon. The aim of Pixair is to combine the concept of achieving academic tourism by encouraging student mobility, and create destination image of Portugal, with aerial photography services through UAV, and promote Lisbon as a competitive destination for providing aerial photography and UAV pilot skills, compared to other institutes around the world. The plan focuses on analyzing the needs of Portugal, in terms of social, economic and environmental aspects and designing its structure and objectives required. Focusing on using an approach required for planning business model, such as Business Model Canvas determining the external market and internal environment by conducting questionnaires, competitor analysis and using it efficiently to plan effective strategies required for implementing the plan. Lastly designing a work plan and milestones required as a benchmark for analyzing the business financial projections for the next 5 years to determine the profitability and feasibility of Pixair. Pixair received a good response from students, photographers, and businesses for providing this opportunity in Portugal by promoting academic and sustainable tourism in Portugal by encouraging and promoting this new niche-segment of tourism in Portugal

IoMT Supported COVID Care – Technologies and Challenges

The Internet of Things (IoT) has sparked substantial progress in the recent days of pandemic and achieved several milestones especially in healthcare. Wearable technologies have gained in popularity as a means of ensuring the health and safety of users in medical and disaster relief activities, facilitating the evolution of the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT). The IoMT is a phenomenon in which computer networks and medical equipment are linked over the Internet to allow physicians and patients to interact in real time. This coronavirus pandemic has demonstrated how unprepared our systems are for a disaster of this magnitude, as well as the necessity for robust, computationally intelligent, and profound meddling. This study piece looks at the many IoT-enabled smart solutions that could be used to respond to various aspects of this rising epidemic, from diagnosis to treatment to prevention. The paper provides a retrospective survey and identifies several obstacles and obstructions to IoT integration as an attempt to deal with coronavirus pandemic. The work concludes with a discussion of challenges and future scope to the difficulties mentioned in the bench marked works

Keynote Address: Unlocking Africa’s Potential in a Time of Competition between Rising and Global Powers

Trade and investment are not just about money and prosperity. They also bring and support peace, stability, and security. In my book Unlocking Africa’s Business Potential, I explore key trade and investment trends, opportunities, challenges, and strategies that illustrate the tremendous potential of Africa and explain the complex competition between emerging and established powers on the continent. The following key trends are critical for policymaking, given their implications for trade investment, economic transformation, inclusive prosperity, and geopolitical dynamics in a time of competition between rising and global powers.https://ecommons.udayton.edu/global_voices_5/1006/thumbnail.jp

New Technology and Automation in Freight Transport and Handling Systems

This is an evidence review that examines the trends in manufacturing and global supply chains, looking at the international trade, technology and users, and how these may change between now and 2040. The review has been commissioned by the Government Office for Science within the Foresight project. The Foresight Future of Mobility project is run from within the UK Government Office for Science (GO-Science). The Foresight project was launched to try to understand the broad question "What benefits/ opportunities could the transport system of the future provide and what are the implications for Government and society?