The Covid-19 vaccine effort is truly exceptional. First, how scientists have developed the vaccines at incredible speed. Then, the logistics of manufacturing, distributing and delivering the vaccines around the world. And, now, the effort of convincing citizens to get vaccinated. According to the Omni Calculator, given the UK government’s priority list, and assuming a vaccination … Continue reading Miscellany: Covid-19 vaccines – intentions, celebrities, and marketing strategy insights
Author: anacanhoto
Artificial Intelligence Committee report – Roadmap for the UK
The Artificial Intelligence (AI) Committee has just published its report, providing a roadmap for the UK government, when developing the country’s national AI strategy. The Committee delivered 16 recommendations, across four areas of intervention. They are: Image source The full report – which is very readable – is available here. I particularly like priorities 5, 6, … Continue reading Artificial Intelligence Committee report – Roadmap for the UK
Friends and cookies – How we let our guard down, when interacting with technology
Individual biases shape what technology looks like, and how it works. For instance, the algorithm developers’ biases determine which “tune” we get when we ask Google for the “national anthem” (answer: The US one), or the type of conversations that Barbie might have with a child. That is why it is so important that development … Continue reading Friends and cookies – How we let our guard down, when interacting with technology
Blogging as an academic – what not to do
This week marked the 11th anniversary of this blog. For the past few years, on this week, I have published blog posts encouraging others to blog, and sharing some tips, based on my experience. However, the past year has been so different from the usual that I thought that I might do something a little bit different, here, … Continue reading Blogging as an academic – what not to do
Channel 4’s “Deepfake Queen” video – Good idea, bad timing
It is a tradition, in the UK, for the Queen to address the nation on Christmas day, via a message which is broadcast on BBC. Another tradition is for Channel 4 (a commercial TV channel) to broadcast its “alternative Christmas message”, at the same time. The message usually flags a contemporary, social issue – such … Continue reading Channel 4’s “Deepfake Queen” video – Good idea, bad timing
December 2020 round-up
Happy to report that I am feeling much better this month. I am sure that it helps that the term has finished, that I have been waking up late, and that I haven’t been doing much beside cooking, reading, walking and the occasional jog. We came out of lockdown, and into Tier 2, on Dec … Continue reading December 2020 round-up
Musical diary 2020
Here is the playlist of songs that marked my year. Unsurprisingly, 2020’s list is dominated by tunes that remind me of the Covid-19 pandemic, and of being in lockdown. For instance, Under Pressure reminds me of the four of us living, working, schooling, exercising, etc… in a small flat; and The Middle reminds me of … Continue reading Musical diary 2020
[Miscellany] Christmas is here, again
Just like that (or what feels like “just like that” to me – maybe for those working in health services it feels never ending), it is December, and Christmas is around the corner. Four days’ away, to be precise. And, after that, the New Year. If you live in the Western Hemisphere, and if you … Continue reading [Miscellany] Christmas is here, again
Understanding and solving opacity in algorithms
One of the key challenges presented by algorithms is its opacity – that is, the inability to see how the algorithm produced a specific output. For instance, the ability to see how a search engine algorithm ranks content; how credit rating algorithm ranks the characteristic of potential borrowers; or, how a self-driving algorithm ranks external … Continue reading Understanding and solving opacity in algorithms
Useful typology of the role of technology in service interactions
The paper entitled “Frontline Technology Infusion: Conceptual Archetypes and a Future Research Agenda” offers a useful typology for the role of technology in customer service. The paper was authored by Arne De Keyser, Sarah Köcher, Linda Nasr and Jay Kandampully, and the authors provide various examples of how technology may 1) have no role, 2) … Continue reading Useful typology of the role of technology in service interactions
