Evaluating the impact of AI on insurance: The four emerging AI- and data-driven business models [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]

The increasing capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI) are changing the way organizations operate and interact with users both internally and externally. The insurance sector is currently using AI in several ways but its potential to disrupt insurance is not clear. This research evaluated the implementation of AI-led automation in 20 insurance companies. The findings indicate four business models (BM) emerging: In the first model the insurer takes a smaller part of the value chain allowing others with superior AI and data to take a larger part. In the second model the insurer keeps the same model and value chain but uses AI to improve effectiveness. In the third model the insurer adapts their model to fully utilize AI and seek new sources of data and customers. Lastly in the fourth model a technology focused company uses their existing AI prowess, superior data and extensive customer base, and adds insurance provision

The necessity of tailored control of irrupting pest populations driven by pulsed resources

Resource pulses are widespread phenomena in diverse ecosystems. Irruptions of generalist consumers and corresponding generalist predators often follow such resource pulses. This can have severe implications on the ecosystem and also on the spread of diseases or on regional famines. Suitable management strategies are necessary to deal with these systems. In this study, we develop a general model to investigate optimal control for such a system and apply this to a case study from New Zealand. In particular, we consider the dynamics of beech masting (episodic synchronous seed production) leading to rodent outbreaks and subsequent stoat (Mustela erminea) irruptions. Here, stoat control happens via secondary poisoning. The results show that the main driver of the optimal control timing (June) is the population density of the control vector. Intermediate control levels are superior to higher levels if the generalist consumer is necessary as a control vector. Finally, we extend the model to a two-patch metapopulation model, which indicates that, as a consequence of the strong vector dependence, a strategy of alternating control patches yields better results than static control. This highlights that besides control level, also the design impacts the control success. The results presented in this study reveal important insights for proper pest management in the New Zealand case study. However, they also generally indicate the necessity of tailored control in such systems

SunSat Design Competition 2014-2015 Third Place Winner – Team Martian: Space Solar Power Test Bed

We propose a four-stage plan to demonstrate the effectiveness and safety of Space Solar Power (SSP) for use on Earth. Our project goal is to achieve Technology Readiness Level (TRL) by means of: 1) a test mission in low Earth orbit using a small spacecraft; 2) that will support a manned mission to Mars; 3) that includes a bent pipe experiment (power supplied from Earth, to a spacecraft and back to Earth), and 4) to complete system deployment. The primary impediment to SSP implementation is thought to be the acceptance of the system by those on Earth who may be afraid of the by-products of its use (e.g., radiation) or its misuse (e.g., targeting areas with high levels of radiation). By gaining operating experience and raising the TRL in ways that are less objectionable, it is believed that the Space Solar Power technology may gain greater acceptance for use on Earth. Click here to see this team video: Team Martian - Test Bed for Space Solar Power on Eart

Climate-based models for pulsed resources improve predictability of consumer population dynamics: Outbreaks of house mice in forest ecosystems

Accurate predictions of the timing and magnitude of consumer responses to episodic seeding events (masts) are important for understanding ecosystem dynamics and for managing outbreaks of invasive species generated by masts. While models relating consumer populations to resource fluctuations have been developed successfully for a range of natural and modified ecosystems, a critical gap that needs addressing is better prediction of resource pulses. A recent model used change in summer temperature from one year to the next (ΔT) for predicting masts for forest and grassland plants in New Zealand. We extend this climate-based method in the framework of a model for consumer-resource dynamics to predict invasive house mouse (Mus musculus) outbreaks in forest ecosystems. Compared with previous mast models based on absolute temperature, the ΔT method for predicting masts resulted in an improved model for mouse population dynamics. There was also a threshold effect of ΔT on the likelihood of an outbreak occurring. The improved climate-based method for predicting resource pulses and consumer responses provides a straightforward rule of thumb for determining, with one year's advance warning, whether management intervention might be required in invaded ecosystems. The approach could be applied to consumer-resource systems worldwide where climatic variables are used to model the size and duration of resource pulses, and may have particular relevance for ecosystems where global change scenarios predict increased variability in climatic events

Modulation of frontal effective connectivity during speech

Noninvasive neurostimulation methods such as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can elicit long-lasting, polarity-dependent changes in neocortical excitability. In a previous concurrent tDCS-fMRI study of overt picture naming, we reported significant behavioural and regionally specific neural facilitation effects in left inferior frontal cortex (IFC) with anodal tDCS applied to left frontal cortex (Holland et al., 2011). Although distributed connectivity effects of anodal tDCS have been modelled at rest, the mechanism by which 'on-line' tDCS may modulate neuronal connectivity during a task-state remains unclear. Here, we used Dynamic Causal Modelling (DCM) to determine: (i) how neural connectivity within the frontal speech network is modulated during anodal tDCS; and, (ii) how individual variability in behavioural response to anodal tDCS relates to changes in effective connectivity strength. Results showed that compared to sham, anodal tDCS elicited stronger feedback from inferior frontal sulcus (IFS) to ventral premotor (VPM) accompanied by weaker self-connections within VPM, consistent with processes of neuronal adaptation. During anodal tDCS individual variability in the feedforward connection strength from IFS to VPM positively correlated with the degree of facilitation in naming behaviour. These results provide an essential step towards understanding the mechanism of 'online' tDCS paired with a cognitive task. They also identify left IFS as a 'top-down' hub and driver for speech change

Measuring the response of macroeconomic uncertainty to shocks

Recent research documents the importance of uncertainty in determining macroeconomic outcomes, but little is known about the transmission of uncertainty across such outcomes. This paper examines the response of uncertainty about inflation and output growth to shocks documenting statistically significant size and sign bias and spillover effects. Uncertainty about inflation is a determinant of output uncertainty, whereas higher growth volatility tends to raise inflation volatility. Both inflation and growth volatility respond asymmetrically to positive and negative shocks. Negative growth and inflation shocks lead to higher and more persistent uncertainty than shocks of equal magnitude but opposite sign

An overview and prospective on Al and Al-ion battery technologies

Aluminum batteries are considered compelling electrochemical energy storage systems because of the natural abundance of aluminum, the high charge storage capacity of aluminum of 2980 mA h g−1/8046 mA h cm−3, and the sufficiently low redox potential of Al3+/Al. Several electrochemical storage technologies based on aluminum have been proposed so far. This review classifies the types of reported Al-batteries into two main groups: aqueous (Al-ion, and Al-air) and non-aqueous (aluminum graphite dual-ion, Al-organic dual-ion, Al-ion, and Al-sulfur). Specific focus is given to Al electrolyte chemistry based on chloroaluminate melts, deep eutectic solvents, polymers, and “chlorine-free” formulations

Rights, 'right on' or the right thing to do? A critical exploration of young people's engagement in participative social work research

This paper provides a detailed analysis of the participative processes of a research project with young people that was overtly ‘participative’ in its aim. In doing so it attempts to contribute to debates about participative research. In this paper we join with others in critiquing the notion that research which aims to be participative is necessarily more enabling for participants, is ethically or morally superior to other types of research or produces ‘better’ research. Nonetheless, we argue that participatory research can make a central contribution, in providing an ethical, epistemological and political framework and in the potential for rich ‘findings’. We understand participative research with children and young people to mean that which involves participants in some of the process of research, such as question-setting, research design, ethical review, data generation, analysis or dissemination rather than simply providing data through more or less engaging methods. We understand participation as not being something just about children or about children in opposition to adults, but as part of a complex inter-subjective relationship between adults and children (where both adults and children are being encouraged to step outside normative generational roles). An analysis of participation can potentially examine microexchanges between adults and children, between children, and between adults, as well as a broader picture. In what follows we argue that, whilst the discipline of childhood studies has engaged critically with the notion of children’s participation in society, there has been less critical discussion, and perhaps indeed some complacency, about the claims made for participatory research with children

The everyday lives of children in care: using a sociological perspective to inform social work practice

This chapter has three main aims. Firstly, it introduces how contemporary sociological approaches to the study of childhood can enable us to make sense of the social worlds of children and young people. Secondly, the chapter reports on how we are drawing on such approaches to inform the establishment of an on-going research project with looked after children, (Extra)ordinary Lives, and some findings from the research are presented. Thirdly, the chapter explores the relevance of sociological approaches to the study of childhood for direct practice, drawing out implications of both the research methods and some of the research findings fo r those who work with children and young people