Make informed decisions.
Some educational content I’ve consumed lately.
Using Data for Action and for Impact.
The article emphasizes the importance of data in the social sector for both immediate action and long-term impact. It outlines a framework for nonprofits and social enterprises to leverage data effectively, focusing on three core questions: expenditure, activity, and impact. The article discusses the challenges and opportunities of becoming data-driven, including the role of smartphones and big data, and stresses the need for cultural shifts within organizations to embrace data for continuous improvement and evidence-based decision-making.
"Transformations in AI: Why Foundation Models Are the Future"
The podcast episode from "Smart Talks with IBM" discusses the evolution and significance of foundation models in AI. Dr. David Cox, VP of AI Models at IBM Research, explains that foundation models, which are large-scale neural networks trained on diverse and extensive datasets, serve as a robust base for a wide range of AI applications. These models can be fine-tuned for specific tasks, offering a more efficient and scalable approach to developing AI solutions.
Key points from the episode include:
Versatility of Foundation Models: Foundation models can be adapted for various applications, from natural language processing to computer vision, making them highly versatile.
Self-Supervised Learning: These models leverage self-supervised learning, which allows them to learn from vast amounts of unlabelled data, reducing the need for extensive manual annotation.
Practical Applications: The discussion highlights practical uses of these models in industries such as healthcare, finance, and customer service. For instance, IBM's watsonx is mentioned as an example of how foundation models are integrated into business processes to enhance efficiency and decision-making.