Decoding Artificial Intelligence and its Subtypes

No, we are not going talk about Ultron from Avengers movie (nor) Arnold from terminator. Artificial Intelligence commonly referred as AI is a scientific field that makes Machines think like Humans, and can perform things that are considered Intelligent.  Unlike Humans, AI has the capability to process large chunks of data in just a matter of time and can do things like Pattern recognition, decision making like Humans etc..,

Now that we know what is artificial intelligence and how it works, let us look at the 2 important subsets of Artificial intelligence and how its uses.

• Machine Learning : Machine is a subset of AI that makes computer to learn and act like how human beings do. There are different types of Machine learning algorithms such as Supervised Machine Learning and Unsupervised Machine learning. 

  Real Life Application : A common real life application of machine learning can be found in the recommendation engines in OTT platforms such as Netflix, Amazon prime as well as the search engine of Google. 

• Deep Learning : While machine learning is used for making computer learn and act like human beings, Deep Learning is much more advanced subsets of Machine learning which is generally used for large datasets. The fundamental concept behind Deep Learning is Neural Network, which aims to mimic how a human brain functions when given a task. 

  Real Life Application : Insurance agencies use deep learning algorithms to predict the insurance amount for a damaged vehicle. They do this by training the computer using deep learning on the datasets to identify the cost of damaged parts and make predictions about how much it will cost for the repairs.

Startups and their importance in an Economy

What is a startup : Startups are newly established enterprises aiming to introduce distinctive products or services. Positioned in innovation, they address product shortcomings and challenge industry norms. Often recognised as "disruptors," startups revolutionise industries with groundbreaking ideas. Some of the famous startups you might have come across are Google, Apple, Meta (formerly Facebook), Netflix and Amazon which went to become multi billion worth companies and their impact in the economy has multiplied.

How does a Startup Operate?

• Distinguished by speed and growth, startups focus on rapid idea development.

• Emphasis on iteration improves products based on feedback and usage data.

• Initial stages involve creating a minimal viable product (MVP) tested and revised before market launch.

• Simultaneously, startups rapidly expand customer bases to secure larger market shares.

• Increased market share attracts funding, facilitating further growth.

What is their Role in Economic Growth:

• Startups contribute to economic growth by expanding activity and maximising profits through innovation.

• Competitive dynamics encourage existing businesses to adopt newer technologies.

• Equipped with advanced technology, startups increase production, generating greater revenue.

• They have a direct impact on cities, bringing wealth, talent, and employment opportunities.

ISRO finds Success in Injecting Aditya L1 into Halo Orbit

• Aditya L1, ISRO's inaugural solar mission, completed its final manoeuvre to attain its destination and was successfully inserted into its ultimate orbit today.

• According to ISRO chief S Somanath, the spacecraft is scheduled to arrive at its L1 point by January 6 at 4 pm, where the final manoeuvre will be executed to stabilize its position.

• The spacecraft, launched on September 2 the previous year, has undergone four earth-bound manoeuvres and a successful Trans-Lagrangean Point 1 Insertion (TL1I) manoeuvre.

• The primary objective of the mission is to observe the Sun's corona and gain insights into its extreme heat from a halo orbit positioned around the first Sun-Earth Lagrangian point (L1), situated approximately 1.5 million km away from Earth.

• The Lagrange Point represents a distinctive area where gravitational forces between the Earth and the Sun achieve a state of equilibrium. Although complete neutralization is not attainable due to the influences of other celestial bodies like the Moon, Mars, and Venus, the L1 point offers a stable vantage for observational purposes.

IIT Kanpur's Research Presents Promising Advances in Cancer and Brain Disorders

• The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT-K) has achieved a significant milestone in biomedical research, focusing on G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and chemokine receptor D6, offering potential breakthroughs in treating cancer, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and schizophrenia.

• Researchers have obtained detailed atomic visualization of these receptors, a crucial step towards designing new drug-like compounds targeting these receptors during disease states.

• This breakthrough research, acknowledged in the esteemed international journal Science, explores the functional aspects of GPCRs as tiny antennas on brain cell surfaces, vital for intercellular communication.

• Malfunctioning GPCRs contribute to neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s by disrupting brain cell communication, leading to symptomatic progressions in these diseases.

• Similarly, the chemokine receptor D6, functioning in the immune system's inflammatory response, also plays a role in cancer development and spread within tumorous environments.

• The utilization of cryogenic-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) enabled the creation of detailed three-dimensional images of these receptors at the molecular level, aiding the identification and potential design of corrective drug molecules.

• Prof. S Ganesh, Director of IIT Kanpur, emphasized the revolutionary nature of this research, offering hope for improved treatments for widespread diseases, highlighting the collaborative effort involving scientists from various countries.

• The collaboration reaffirms India's position in innovative biomedical research and underscores IIT Kanpur's commitment to addressing global health challenges.

• The findings promise advancements in understanding receptor functionality, paving the way for targeted therapies for Alzheimer’s and cancer, which affect millions worldwide.

• The research outcomes are a significant step towards developing novel drug candidates, potentially enhancing therapeutic interventions for these prevalent diseases.