Category: summer2017

How is Mixed Reality (MR) changing how we see the world?

2017, so far this year we have seen an array of technologies gain steam from Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Big Data and Augmented Reality (AR), these technologies will shape the future and change the way we see the world. In this post, however, the growing trend of Mixed Reality (MR) and its effect on our… Read more How is Mixed Reality (MR) changing how we see the world?

Road rules for robots: Driverless car legislation in California

California’s status as the country’s epicenter for technology and innovation is potentially at risk when it comes to new driverless technology. While California has approved 27 licenses for test driverless vehicles on its roads, it imposes relatively strict regulations on how they can be operated. For example, they must be occupied by a trained professional… Read more Road rules for robots: Driverless car legislation in California

Can California collect our personal data from Tech Giants?

I often hear friends complain about the unknown usage of the data that they sprinkle everywhere – while casting a like, pin, swipe, heart (…) – on the most addictive messaging, social or dating apps. A majority of my surroundings thinks that this information should only be theirs, while they spread it frivolously to the… Read more Can California collect our personal data from Tech Giants?

Leveraging local know-how through public-private partnerships

Coming from Finland, where Nokia has been at the very core of a successful national innovation policy, I was surprised by the limited collaboration between the State of California and the tech giants in the region. I used to live a mile from Nokia’s HQ. When others dreamed about becoming ballerinas, I wanted to be… Read more Leveraging local know-how through public-private partnerships

Opening our data – is it worth the risk?

Big data and its analysis is a hot topic, but it is not just reserved for the world’s leading tech companies. Big data is creeping into business all over the world, into the way cities run, and even into the way governments go about their business. The potential uses for analysis of large data sets… Read more Opening our data – is it worth the risk?

California's open data endeavor

Chris Cruz, deputy director and deputy chief information officer for the state of California, talked about the current technology-wise projects the state has, such as the consolidation of the state’s many data centers into only a few, the implementation of cloud technology, cybersecurity, and the open data and transparency initiatives. In this post, I will… Read more California's open data endeavor

Transparency and Innovation in California:

Dr. Daniel Barreto introduced the CIO’s objective in a company by saying that a CIO should “power a competitive business full of opportunities and challenges.” Ambiguity and paradoxical situations are part of the job description as the CIO must balance between Cybersecurity issues, regulation compliances, and transparency. Two separate issues that are hard to associate… Read more Transparency and Innovation in California:

New Product breakthroughs with recent advances in deep learning and future business opportunities

Even though artificial intelligence was introduced in the early fifties, It has only been made attainable very recently thanks to the recent advances in deep learning, artificial neural networks, increased performance of transistors, latest advancements in GPUs, TPUs, and CPUs. Before going over the role of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in Google… Read more New Product breakthroughs with recent advances in deep learning and future business opportunities

Cyber security challenges in developing countries

This post focuses on the cyber security challenges that the developing countries are experiencing. Since the beginning of this century we have been facing a new type of conflict worldwide which is the control of cyberspace. The main dilemma being faced in cyberspace is lack of universal understanding of definitions, norms, values, rules, regulations and… Read more Cyber security challenges in developing countries

CA Innovation Lab – Why using open innovation and how to enable it?

One of the platforms mentioned by Chris Cruz was the California State Innovation Lab which encourages California State employees to ideate, create, test and collaborate to achieve great innovations (http://www.innovate.ca.gov).  It can be seen as an open innovation approach, although it is limited to employees only. But what are the characteristics of open innovation, why… Read more CA Innovation Lab – Why using open innovation and how to enable it?