Europe funding to make AI safe
Dr. Yisroel Mirsky of Israel’s Ben Gurion University has been awarded a European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grant to investigate how to safeguard future general artificial intelligence systems.
Saving the Sea of Galilee
The level of the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) has fallen to the bottom red line and may hit the black line, with ecological damage. Water from Israel’s desalination plants in Ashdod, and Hadera is to be redirected into the Kinneret. By early Nov, 1.3 million gallons per hour will replenish Israel’s natural asset.
A rifle that can shoot down drones
Israel Weapon Industry (IWI) has developed the Arbel system that upgrades standard rifles into the first computerized system. It can accurately shoot down drones by using smart stabilization, offering a simple, low-cost defense solution.
Golem creator is 100
Shmil Rochman has just celebrated his 100th birthday. He escaped Europe in 1938 and in 1960 emigrated to Israel to oversee development of Weizmann Institute’s Golem A computer. The equivalent project cost today would be NIS 24 billion. A duplicate computer, Golem B, ran until 1983.
Israeli research at US Universities
A group of Jewish faculty at MIT and other US Universities has launched Kalaniyot - to advance academic excellence by deepening ties with Israeli researchers and building a supportive campus community. Also at Harvard Medical, Penn, Dartmouth, and now Columbia.
Innovation Park inaugurated
The Kinneret Science and Innovation Park (see previously), inaugurated near the Sea of Galilee, spans 7,000 square meters of advanced laboratories. It is expected to generate thousands of high-quality jobs in northern Israel, connecting academia, innovation, and industry, especially in agriculture.
Cow-free milk.
Israeli food giant Strauss has launched CowFree, an innovative dairy alternative made from the BLG protein, which is identical in composition to one of the proteins found in cow milk, but not derived from animals and has no lactose. Kosher (parve) Yotvata CowFree milk and soft cheese will be in the shops soon.
A DAZL’ing way to create an App.
Israel’s DAZL aims to use AI to give app developers the ability to generate fully functioning apps. Until now, AI has been useful for creating app prototypes but has fallen short of building launch-ready products. DAZL has employed 30 ex-Wix developers with creative experience.
Safer batteries
Israel’s Vocai (see previously) has partnered with South Korea's Nanointech deliver the industry's most advanced battery intelligence and safety capabilities. Vocai's ED-10A transforms chemical data into early detection of battery degradation, thermal runaway (i.e. fire), and failure.
AI avatar tutor improves test scores
Israel’s eSelf (see previously) completed a pilot in partnership with the Center for Educational Technology, Israel's largest K-12 textbook publisher. The initiative (with Harvard and MIT) helped thousands of Israeli students with their English Oral Matriculation (Bagrut).