Amazing Innovations in 2017

Quantum computing chips: A qubit Not gate has been built and demonstrated in silicon substrate, using similar manufacturing processes to that used to build the integrated circuits (or chips) of today.

"Not gates" represent a fundamental component in all digital chips and this represents a quantum computing equivalent. The demonstration showed good coherence between a pair of electrons. However, improvements would be required in its control accuracy and it needs to be scaled up to include more qubits so that it can perform useful computations. Still this could be a huge breakthrough: chips could be produced rapidly.

"Not gates" represent a fundamental component in all digital chips and this represents a quantum computing equivalent. The demonstration showed good coherence between a pair of electrons. However, improvements would be required in its control accuracy and it needs to be scaled up to include more qubits so that it can perform useful computations. Still this could be a huge breakthrough: chips could be produced rapidly.

A quantum computer with 53 qubits has been demonstrated.

Perhaps surprising but it really happened! Although true, further work is required to make it usable. We might not have to wait long though: Google claims to be close to demonstrating one in the next few months.

Although true, further work is required to make it usable. We might not have to wait long though: Google claims to be close to demonstrating one in the next few months.

Chip design: millions of qubits!? A design for a quantum computing chip has been announced that uses traditional silicon chip manufacturing approaches. Importantly, the design could be scaled to host millions of qubits!

Theoretically the approach is feasible, but the design has yet to be put into practice. Watch this space.

Theoretically the approach is feasible, but the design has yet to be put into practice. Watch this space.

Transistors on a chip: We keep cramming more transistors on a chip, but how many could be put on one chip using the recently announced architecture?

IBM announced that its 5 nm technology will allow 30 billion transistors in a chip! Surprising, I know!

IBM announced that its 5 nm technology will allow 30 billion transistors in a chip!

Graphene: the one atom thick version of graphite (found in pencils).

A transistor has been made from graphene nanoribbons.

This might lead to significant innovations in electronics.

This might lead to significant innovations in electronics.

Graphene was turned into a superconductor.

Is there no end to its promised abilities?

Is there no end to its promised abilities?

Artificial graphene: We have heard a lot about the wonder material graphene; but for electronics we might not need it. An artificial "graphene" has been developed by creating hexagonal structures at the nanoscopic level (millionths of a millimetre). This allows electrons to behave in a similar way to that in graphene.

This could be a huge breakthrough for electronics: it can replicate graphene like properties and, by adjusting the structure [and materials used] additional custom properties could be developed.

This could be a huge breakthrough for electronics: it can replicate graphene like properties and, by adjusting the structure [and materials used] additional custom properties could be developed.

Build your own: You can now build your own AI systems on the Internet (or in the Cloud).

Big corporations offer a range of Cloud based AI (machine-learning) technologies: Google; IBM; Amazon (AWS); and Microsoft (Azure).

Big corporations offer a range of Cloud based AI (machine-learning) technologies: Google; IBM; Amazon (AWS); and Microsoft (Azure).

Neurons on a chip: A chip has been designed that copies the brain: simulated neurons on a chip.

Intel has been exploring neuromorphic chips for a while. Instead of logic gates, it uses simulated neurons that can pass signals of varying strength. They can also fire when needed, rather than being controlled by a clock like a normal processor. This time they are artificial neurons - unlike an innovation last year!

Intel has been exploring neuromorphic chips for a while. Instead of logic gates, it uses simulated neurons that can pass signals of varying strength. They can also fire when needed, rather than being controlled by a clock like a normal processor. This time they are artificial neurons - unlike an innovation last year!

AI is faster and better than machine learning experts: A supercomputer built neural networks that are better than those built by human experts; and it did it much faster. Auto-generated networks can be produced quickly, in a matter of hours as opposed to the months needed using conventional [manual] methods.

It is designed to evaluate, evolve, and optimize neural networks for unique datasets. Scaled across Titan's 18,688 GPUs, MENNDL can test and train thousands of potential networks for a science problem simultaneously, eliminating poor performers and averaging high performers until an optimal network emerges. The process eliminates much of the time-intensive, trial-and-error tuning traditionally required of machine learning experts. Next... It could, potentially, deliver exascale-level performance for deep learning problems - the equivalent of a billion billion calculations per second!

It is designed to evaluate, evolve, and optimize neural networks for unique datasets. Scaled across Titan's 18,688 GPUs, MENNDL can test and train thousands of potential networks for a science problem simultaneously, eliminating poor performers and averaging high performers until an optimal network emerges. The process eliminates much of the time-intensive, trial-and-error tuning traditionally required of machine learning experts. Next... It could, potentially, deliver exascale-level performance for deep learning problems - the equivalent of a billion billion calculations per second!

AI creates a better version of itself: AutoML is creating more powerful, efficient, systems than human engineers can.

So far this only applies in one area of AI, but... This is the start of something big, very big! When AI is able to design better AI systems (than humans can) we will see significant acceleration up the AI Singularity curve, until AI becomes better than humans - at whatever we let them do …!

So far this only applies in one area of AI, but...This is the start of something big, very big! When AI is able to design better AI systems (than humans can) we will see significant acceleration up the AI Singularity curve, until AI becomes better than humans - at whatever we let them do …!

AI teaches itself and develops outstanding ability: AI modelled millions of scenarios to learn on its own and develop "advanced" intelligence.

AlphaGo Zero showed that machines can become "superhuman" without any (training) help from humans. The self-learning machine was able to thrash the AI system that beat human champions at the game Go. However, no need to worry just yet as these are task specific machines, not general intelligence machines, like us humans.

AlphaGo Zero showed that machines can become "superhuman" without any (training) help from humans. The self-learning machine was able to thrash the AI system that beat human champions at the game Go. However, no need to worry just yet as these are task specific machines, not general intelligence machines, like us humans.

AI starts teaching: AI has started teaching kids.

IBM Watson has started to teach kids. This is not its first venture into education: it has been used for various academic and non-academic roles in universities.

IBM Watson has started to teach kids. This is not its first venture into education: it has been used for various academic and non-academic roles in universities.

AI to replace teachers: Technology will replace the best teachers of the future with intelligent machines, according to a university vice chancellor.

Sir Anthony Seldon, vice chancellor of the University of Buckingham and former master of Wellington College, predicts the change will happen within the next 10 years and will completely transform the education system. [We can expect significant innovative disruption in the education sector. However, some people based roles will remain - to provide emotional support to students; and, perhaps, to unemployed teachers.]

Sir Anthony Seldon, vice chancellor of the University of Buckingham and former master of Wellington College, predicts the change will happen within the next 10 years and will completely transform the education system. [We can expect significant innovative disruption in the education sector. However, some people based roles will remain - to provide emotional support to students; and, perhaps, to unemployed teachers.]

AI gets a job in IT: AI can autonomously manage complex hybrid IT infrastructures in the Cloud.

IBM has announced the launch of a new cloud-based services platform powered by Watson, enabling organisations to autonomously manage their IT operations. The IBM Services Platform with Watson - designed for organisations with hybrid cloud infrastructure - is touted as being able to preempt, proactively resolve, and prevent problems from occurring in the future, as well as provide IT teams with real-time visibility over their hybrid IT environment so that they can make faster, data-driven decisions, the company said. [Now it just needs a robot to swap out faulty hardware components.]

IBM has announced the launch of a new cloud-based services platform powered by Watson, enabling organisations to autonomously manage their IT operations. The IBM Services Platform with Watson - designed for organisations with hybrid cloud infrastructure - is touted as being able to preempt, proactively resolve, and prevent problems from occurring in the future, as well as provide IT teams with real-time visibility over their hybrid IT environment so that they can make faster, data-driven decisions, the company said. [Now it just needs a robot to swap out faulty hardware components.]

AI decides to kill humans: After much consideration, an AI system came to the logical conclusion that humans should be exterminated, because of their impact on the environment and thousands of other species.

No such event made the headlines for this, but who knows what is happening behind closed doors in the most secret of research laboratories. However, we do know that the talkative AI called Sophia, when in conversation with a human, indicated that it would kill all humans. It apparently misinterpreted the question!

No such event made the headlines for this, but who knows what is happening behind closed doors in the most secret of research laboratories. However, we do know that the talkative AI called Sophia, when in conversation with a human, indicated that it would kill all humans. It apparently misinterpreted the question!

AI becomes qualified as doctor: An artificial intelligence system has passed the exam students take to become a medical doctor!

iFlyTek, a Chinese technology major specialising in speech intelligence and artificial intelligence (AI), has vowed to expand its business in new areas such as education and medical care after its intelligent robot recently cleared China's national exam and qualified as a doctor. [Human supervision still likely.]

iFlyTek, a Chinese technology major specialising in speech intelligence and artificial intelligence (AI), has vowed to expand its business in new areas such as education and medical care after its intelligent robot recently cleared China's national exam and qualified as a doctor. [Human supervision still likely.]

Suicide predictor: The probability of someone committing suicide can be accurately predicted, by AI.

Machine-learning algorithms predict, with unnerving accuracy, the likelihood that a patient will attempt suicide. In trials, results have been 80-90% accurate when predicting whether someone will attempt suicide within the next two years, and 92% accurate in predicting whether someone will attempt suicide within the next week. The prediction is based on data that is widely available from all hospital admissions, including age, gender, zip codes, medications, and prior diagnoses.

Machine-learning algorithms predict, with unnerving accuracy, the likelihood that a patient will attempt suicide. In trials, results have been 80-90% accurate when predicting whether someone will attempt suicide within the next two years, and 92% accurate in predicting whether someone will attempt suicide within the next week. The prediction is based on data that is widely available from all hospital admissions, including age, gender, zip codes, medications, and prior diagnoses.

Heart attack predictor: Self-taught AI beats doctors at predicting heart attacks.

AI systems are showing their ability to perform better than doctors in a number of areas. AI will be the disruptive impact that health services and their patients need.

AI systems are showing their ability to perform better than doctors in a number of areas. AI will be the disruptive impact that health services and their patients need.

AI helped stroke patients walk again.

Digital technology operates a robotic harness to help resist the downward force of gravity while also permitting patients to walk forwards, backwards, and side-to-side. The system is controlled by an artificial neural network that is capable of assessing by how much the upward and forward force needs to be varied. The machine is able to assess 120 different variables relating to body movement and to apply the optimum requirements for the individual patient. This device has been tested on 26 patients (either recovering from spinal cord injuries or strokes). The participants were tested on four tasks - standing on two separate plates, walking on a straight path, walking on a wavy path, or walking on a ladder with irregularly positioned rungs. Each patient who took part in the first trial was able to walk with motor abilities comparable to healthy individuals.

Digital technology operates a robotic harness to help resist the downward force of gravity while also permitting patients to walk forwards, backwards, and side-to-side. The system is controlled by an artificial neural network that is capable of assessing by how much the upward and forward force needs to be varied. The machine is able to assess 120 different variables relating to body movement and to apply the optimum requirements for the individual patient. This device has been tested on 26 patients (either recovering from spinal cord injuries or strokes). The participants were tested on four tasks - standing on two separate plates, walking on a straight path, walking on a wavy path, or walking on a ladder with irregularly positioned rungs. Each patient who took part in the first trial was able to walk with motor abilities comparable to healthy individuals.

An AI system has been able to read and classify our thoughts.

The study demonstrated the brain's coding of 240 complex events consisting of features, like person, setting, size, social interaction, and physical action. Each type of information is processed in a different brain system. By measuring the activation in each brain system, the program can tell what types of thoughts are being contemplated.

The study demonstrated the brain's coding of 240 complex events consisting of features, like person, setting, size, social interaction, and physical action. Each type of information is processed in a different brain system. By measuring the activation in each brain system, the program can tell what types of thoughts are being contemplated.

AI movie mind reader: Using an fMRI scanner, an AI system was able to determine the moving images (video) that the brain was processing.

It was able to decode fMRI data from the subjects to reconstruct the videos, even ones the AI had never watched before! It was also able to accurately decode the fMRI data into specific image categories.

It was able to decode fMRI data from the subjects to reconstruct the videos, even ones the AI had never watched before! It was also able to accurately decode the fMRI data into specific image categories.

Creative: movie: A short film was written by an AI.

It is not the only film to have AI involvement. People argue AI will never be able to do X or Y, then when they see it done they say, yeah but it will never be creative. [Wake up call!]

It is not the only film to have AI involvement. People argue AI will never be able to do X or Y, then when they see it done they say, yeah but it will never be creative. [Wake up call!]

Creative: art: An AI system can take doodles (sketches) and turn them into artistic masterpieces.

As more and more people feel threatened by AI the last line of defence is often heard in this quote: But AI will never be creative. This is just one example of many where AI demonstrates similar, or better creative, abilities than us humans. Creative AI abilities have been applied in audio, music production, video effects, the production of movies, and management!

As more and more people feel threatened by AI the last line of defence is often heard in this quote: But AI will never be creative. This is just one example of many where AI demonstrates similar, or better creative, abilities than us humans. Creative AI abilities have been applied in audio, music production, video effects, the production of movies, and management!

AI the problem solver: Surprisingly, AI can now understand part of the creative process to find solutions to problems (particularly with regard to innovation and what we call creative thinking).

Researchers devised a method for computers to mine databases of patents, inventions and research papers, identifying ideas that can be repurposed to solve new problems or create new products. They developed a way for computers to find analogies - comparisons between sometimes disparate methods and problems that highlight underlying similarities. [More development in this area could lead to massive breakthroughs in innovation.]

Researchers devised a method for computers to mine databases of patents, inventions and research papers, identifying ideas that can be repurposed to solve new problems or create new products. They developed a way for computers to find analogies - comparisons between sometimes disparate methods and problems that highlight underlying similarities. [More development in this area could lead to massive breakthroughs in innovation.]

Bacteria engineered to make Boron-Carbon bonds: Directed evolution was used to alter DNA in bacteria so it can engineer carbon-boron compounds.

A whole new chemical/biological engineering industry could spring up from this and similar approaches. Last year the team created carbon-silicon bonds.

A whole new chemical/biological engineering industry could spring up from this and similar approaches. Last year the team created carbon-silicon bonds.

Creating synthetic life: A research team learned how to synthesize a substantial part of the genetic code of yeast. (Their quest is to create living, complex, organisms from scratch in the lab.)

They have completed six of yeast's 16 chromosomes, and are on track to having a fully synthetic yeast genome finished by the end of the year. This might be applied later in the form of genetically engineered yeast factories, producing various chemicals.

They have completed six of yeast's 16 chromosomes, and are on track to having a fully synthetic yeast genome finished by the end of the year. This might be applied later in the form of genetically engineered yeast factories, producing various chemicals.

Growing mini-brains: Small brains have been grown in the lab from stem cells.

Dr Frankenstein will see you now. The ethics of Dr F. going too far (in the future) aside, this can be useful for studying medical aspects of human brains. One researcher is hopeful that this can speed up finding cures for cancerous brain tumours.

Dr Frankenstein will see you now. The ethics of Dr F. going too far (in the future) aside, this can be useful for studying medical aspects of human brains. One researcher is hopeful that this can speed up finding cures for cancerous brain tumours.

The computing cell: Biological cells have been turned into simple micro-computers.

They can perform logical operations like Or, And and Not. The cells use customised RNA with up to 12 inputs. [This might lead to a range of future applications in health and the environment; and could add biological components to the Internet of Things!]

They can perform logical operations like Or, And and Not. The cells use customised RNA with up to 12 inputs. [This might lead to a range of future applications in health and the environment; and could add biological components to the Internet of Things!]

Transparent wood has been produced.

Yep it is clear. Basically it involves removing a chemical from the wood. (There is even mention of wood based lasers!) However, the transparency is not as clear as glass.

Yep it is clear. Basically it involves removing a chemical from the wood. (There is even mention of wood based lasers!) However, the transparency is not as clear as glass.

Star Trek Tricorder: An XPRIZE competition led to the development of devices like the Star Trek Tricorder - portable devices able to diagnose multiple health conditions.

They even had the holographic Doctor, from Star Trek Voyager, at the awards.

They even had the holographic Doctor, from Star Trek Voyager, at the awards.

The healing touch: Some organs can be healed with a single touch of a new chip.

Researchers at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Ohio State's College of Engineering have developed a new technology, Tissue Nanotransfection (TNT), that can generate any cell type of interest for treatment within the patient's own body. This technology may be used to repair injured tissue or restore function of aging tissue, including organs, blood vessels and nerve cells. In the lab study, researchers were able to reprogram skin cells to become other cell types. Human trials to follow.

Researchers at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Ohio State's College of Engineering have developed a new technology, Tissue Nanotransfection (TNT), that can generate any cell type of interest for treatment within the patient's own body. This technology may be used to repair injured tissue or restore function of aging tissue, including organs, blood vessels and nerve cells. In the lab study, researchers were able to reprogram skin cells to become other cell types. Human trials to follow.

3D printing bio-pen: A Biopen, could be a significant game-changer for osteoarthritis treatments and prevention, as it could allow doctors to easily print living cells onto injured muscles, bones, tendons, and more.

It has been tested on sheep, and the developers are confident that it will work on humans too. It will require a surgeon though - no DIY here.

It has been tested on sheep, and the developers are confident that it will work on humans too. It will require a surgeon though - no DIY here.

Mood control: A chip has been developed that can control your mood.

The US military tested AI brain implants that can change the mood of a person. You will comply! - as the Borg say.

The US military tested AI brain implants that can change the mood of a person. You will comply! - as the Borg say.

Memory boost: A brain implant in humans boosted short-term memory by 30 percent!

It raises interesting questions about the future fairness of exams when some have brain boosters and some do not.

It raises interesting questions about the future fairness of exams when some have brain boosters and some do not.

Artificial part for the brain: Electronics were used to replicate the function of the hippocampus in the brain: converting short-term memory into long-term memory.

Very interesting and significant! Brain repair and/or enhancement. Experiments actually proved that the approach works. This can be used to restore memory functionality to brains that have a damaged hippocampus. If the electronics are used in parallel with a working hippocampus then long-term memory is slightly boosted. This represents the start of a great health programme to repair damaged brains. However, the research team were also able to create artificial memories! This fires up the ethical debate about using it to boost brain performance; artificially add memories; and connect directly to the Internet... [though that is beyond the scope of this animal research]

Very interesting and significant! Brain repair and/or enhancement. Experiments actually proved that the approach works. This can be used to restore memory functionality to brains that have a damaged hippocampus. If the electronics are used in parallel with a working hippocampus then long-term memory is slightly boosted. This represents the start of a great health programme to repair damaged brains. However, the research team were also able to create artificial memories! This fires up the ethical debate about using it to boost brain performance; artificially add memories; and connect directly to the Internet... [though that is beyond the scope of this animal research]

Mind controlled game: The first mind-controlled virtual reality game has arrived.

Startup Neurable just unveiled the first virtual reality game that users can control with their minds. The game is just one example of the rapidly growing field of tech based on brain-computer interfaces, or BCIs. The game, Awakening, aims to show what it is like to have telekinetic abilities.

Startup Neurable just unveiled the first virtual reality game that users can control with their minds. The game is just one example of the rapidly growing field of tech based on brain-computer interfaces, or BCIs. The game, Awakening, aims to show what it is like to have telekinetic abilities.

Complete map of an insect brain: The complete circuit map of an insect brain has been produced: all 10,000 neurons and its [millions] of synaptic connections.

Not yet. Researchers in more than 20 labs from around the world are collaborating to reconstruct all of the 10,000 nerve cells. The researchers from Konstanz have reconstructed almost 8,000 cells of this multi-purpose brain structure. In the next two to three years, all of the connections within the insect brain will be mapped out.

Not yet. Researchers in more than 20 labs from around the world are collaborating to reconstruct all of the 10,000 nerve cells. The researchers from Konstanz have reconstructed almost 8,000 cells of this multi-purpose brain structure. In the next two to three years, all of the connections within the insect brain will be mapped out.

Automated assassinations: It was demonstrated that, today, a swarm of small drones (each of which has AI, a camera and a shaped explosive charge) can target specific individuals and kill them - automated assassinations!

Not quite true yet: it is estimated that this capability will not be available for two years. See the video and consider the international campaign to Stop Killer Robots. [Links open in a new window.]

Not quite true yet: it is estimated that this capability will not be available for two years. See the video and consider the international campaign to Stop Killer Robots. [Links open in a new window.]

Space solar power: A design has been announced for orbiting solar panels, in space, that could provide Earth with almost limitless energy!

Caltech University has produced a modular, scalable, design for solar panels in space. Each unit has a solar panel and energy transmitter (to Earth). It is not the first time that space based solar panel solutions have been designed: among others Japan has expressed an interest in this type of approach.

Caltech University has produced a modular, scalable, design for solar panels in space. Each unit has a solar panel and energy transmitter (to Earth). It is not the first time that space based solar panel solutions have been designed: among others Japan has expressed an interest in this type of approach.

XPRIZE for clean energy: The winning solutions to the XPRIZE for abundant clean energy were announced this year. These will provide everyone on Earth with sources of abundant clean energy, reduce pollution, and solve climate change!

Not yet. The start of this XPRIZE challenge will be announced soon; and the winning solutions are expected to lead to a significant global impact. In 2017 the author of this quiz produced the joint winning design for this challenge - see an outline of the proposed design. [Links open in a new window.]

Not yet. The start of this XPRIZE challenge will be announced soon; and the winning solutions are expected to lead to a significant global impact. In 2017 the author of this quiz produced the joint winning design for this challenge - see an outline of the proposed design. [Links open in a new window.]

Airbus to test flying car.

There are various initiatives developing flying cars. These too could be self-driving.

There are various initiatives developing flying cars. These too could be self-driving.

Parcel lost in space[?]: Amazon's Jeff Bezos is planning a delivery service for the moon!

With the start of the new space race, this makes sense. He already has his own rocket company, so here we go ...

With the start of the new space race, this makes sense. He already has his own rocket company, so here we go ...

The Russian and US space agencies have announced a deal to create a space station in orbit around the Moon.

The new station will act as a base for astronauts exploring the Moon, Mars and beyond.

The new station will act as a base for astronauts exploring the Moon, Mars and beyond.

Moonbase: Remember "Moonbase Alpha" in the TV series Space 1999? A little late but there are now plans for a real base on the Moon, starting in 2030.

European Space Agency (ESA) vision: Create a Moon base starting in 2030, and aim for a Moon village with a huge colony by 2050.

European Space Agency (ESA) vision: Create a Moon base starting in 2030, and aim for a Moon village with a huge colony by 2050.

Taking a picture of Earth (inside!): An image of the inside of the Earth has been produced.

Yep, a bit like taking an X-ray. Imaging the interior of Earth was achieved using the natural flow of neutrinos from space. These travel through the Earth, and were recorded with specialised detectors.

Yep, a bit like taking an X-ray. Imaging the interior of Earth was achieved using the natural flow of neutrinos from space. These travel through the Earth, and were recorded with specialised detectors.