B1
1/12/18
Group D
Sensors & HVAC
This article discusses one of the smartest and most sustainable buildings in the world. It was designed by Ron Bakker for Amsterdam's new Deloitte headquarters. The office has a number of intelligent features that makes it sustainable. A simple but effective feature was having a reduced number of desks. Deloitte realized that only a quarter of the 3,000 office workers were ever at their desk at a time, so why should there be that many desks? They developed an app to allow people to reserve desks when needed, and in specific areas already being conditioned by the HVAC systems. By limiting the number of desks and spaces that need to be conditioned, they were able to save a lot on energy costs. The building also has around 30,000 sensors spaced out every two feet. Having that many sensors all connected to one intelligent computer system, decisions based on temperature and lighting can be programmed in to minimize energy usage.
See here for more information: http://www.wired.co.uk/article/this-is-the-worlds-smartest-building
AI, Databases, & Future
I also found this article that talks about combining AI across all platforms, and making them connected to more aspects of our lives such as personal banking. It highlights the benefits of an personal assistant AI that is connected across all platforms. An AI like this could be designed and placed all over your house such as in counter-tops, fridges, etc. Not just in a company specific housing device such as the Amazon Echo. Also, allowing AI access to large databases that contain your personal banking and other accounts does pose some security and privacy risks, but it also makes banking more convenient. Using your voice to bank or to invest could simplify money transferring, but it also could be misused by someone with bad intentions. These are some of the things humanity will need to deal with in near future, as we figure out our comfortably level with AIs and their access to our data.
See here for the rest of the article: https://www.americanbanker.com/news/one-virtual-assistant-to-rule-them-all-bankers-already-getting-prepped
COMMENTS:
1) Josh,
I liked the articles you posted. The NY Times usually does a great job of explaining the issue at hand while also providing some interesting backstory. However, the author of the first article you posted seems like they did not dive into the issue too much, only highlighting positives of present day automation. I really don't think that the author considered how many jobs automation will actually replace. Automation that comes slowly and that is foreseen can be managed; such as the miners' jobs in the article. As different mining machines were slowly automated, the mine could retrain and find new jobs for the miners. That is no different than in the United States, which the author doesn't really highlight. However, automation in large masses is what Sweden and every other country should be worried about. For example, even the Swedish government organizations that helps find jobs for people will suddenly be overwhelmed when hundreds of thousands of truckers are replaced by an AI. No amount of government support can find that many jobs at once. The author even mentions some of this at the end, but fails to delve into it, probably because doing so would hurt the position of the article.
2) Kerry,
The article discussing the use of an AI to design a skyscraper was very good read. Being able to plug in design criteria into a computer and have it spit out results that humans then can sift through for usable designs is very fascinating. Although a computer may not know if the results it returns are applicable in any way, since we can refine the criteria that we want, the computer can become more and more helpful to designers. It makes me curious as to what the future holds for designers and engineers alike.
3) Dee Dee,
Your post on the Paleontology AI was really cool. It's neat to see how AI and Machine Learning programs are being used in more obscure or unorthodox ways. The field of paleontology to me seemed very human dependent, but you are right when you say computers may be taking over those jobs as well. This post reminds me of a scene in Jurassic Park where they are using a new ground radar computer system. The technician says to the paleontologists: "a few more years of development and we won't even have to dig anymore", as a joke regarding the technology they are now using. https://youtu.be/ITZLefqqR8g?t=63
Brad - The first article you posted about seems really interesting. It is really interesting to approach engineering problems from a non-engineering point of view. This reminds me of some of the articles I read regarding the connectivity of things. In this case, it is important for different schools of thought to be connected as well.
ReplyDeleteBrad,
ReplyDeleteI think some really good points about the sensors and HVAC especially how companies are using them to maximize the efficiency and save both money and energy. I think that this idea will be really helpful because often times larger firms generate an extremely large amount of energy heating and cooling a space for about 50% occupancy. I think sensors can help make these companies more environmentally friendly. But the problem is that I’m not completely sure that companies will want to invest into the technology and make the switch. Some are so stuck in their ways that will waste money rather than try a new way of doing things.
Brad,
ReplyDeleteI found your second article particularly interesting. I think it would be a major convenience for a personal assistance AI to have access to all personal accounts. As you pointed out, there would be several security risks. If someone found a way to gain access to that AI, they would not only be able to steal your money but also your whole identity. This would definitely need further development for anyone to be able to trust it.
Brad,
ReplyDeleteI read the same article as you about this sustainable building. The interesting part of this article is this building use 30000 sensors in the office to measure every aspect of lighting, CO2 level and humidity. These sensors help to measure the air quality and wellness condition of building. In addition, one interesting part you do not mention is that this building does not use energy for cooling and heating. They use natural sunlight, and they store heat in the summer to be used in winter. This really help to decrease energy use.