Innovation and Technology

Critical Smart City Trends

Published

2 months ago

January 13, 2025

Urban Centers Undergoing Dramatic Technological Transformation

The world’s population is becoming increasingly urbanized. Over the past century, millions of people have moved from the countryside, creating vast “mega-cities” – a term defined as a city with more than 10 million inhabitants.

AI In Urban Planning And Governance

Increasingly, we will see artificial intelligence (AI) used to plan and deliver services to those living in urban areas more efficiently. This covers every aspect of AI, from machine learning algorithms crunching data to enable more efficient allocation of resources to predictive modeling for infrastructure requirements to real-time alerts that give vital information to citizens as they go about their day.

Addressing Water Scarcity

The global urban population facing water shortages is set to double by 2050, and technological solutions to this challenge will be a focus of civic planning in the coming years. This will include both predictive measures for anticipating fluctuating levels of availability and usage, as well as advanced techniques for recycling, distribution and desalination. Smarter water management means adapting the way water is collected, stored and used in the face of rapid population growth and changing climate.

Digital Identity And Citizenship

Digital citizenship will play a growing role in the future of urban life, as governments and administrators roll out plans for identity verification and civic engagement. This will include new digital solutions for delivering services like applying for permits, obtaining welfare payments and paying taxes. Implementation is likely to vary massively according to cultural factors, but wherever they live in the world, citizens will become increasingly aware of the implications of privacy and data security.

Smart Transport Infrastructure

In the smart city of 2025, the daily commute will increasingly be revolutionized thanks to the deployment of integrated systems connecting public transport with micro-mobility solutions, ride-sharing infrastructure and the emergence of autonomous and semi-autonomous transport. More intelligent traffic management infrastructure will predict hotspots in order to reduce both congestion and emissions. Critically, all this infrastructure will be connected and capable of sharing data to gain a new understanding of how we navigate cities and what can be done to make everyone’s journeys smoother, safer and less damaging to the environment.

Health-Centric Urban Planning

The era of smart city technology creates new opportunities for designing urban environments in ways that are conducive to better human physical and mental health. Leveraging this potential will be another key trend in 2025. This will include the use of sensors and data to monitor and detect pollution or unhealthy noise levels, as well as the adoption of predictive solutions for healthier urban living.

City-Scale Digital Twins

The digital twin concept involves creating virtual replicas, modeled using real-world data, in order to create simulations that can be used for planning and managing development. A digital twin can model anything from a simple object or mechanical system to an environmental ecosystem or, as is increasingly the case, a city. City-scale digital twin projects currently underway include Singapore, Helsinki, and Dublin, and in 2025, we are likely to see an explosion of activity in this field of smart city technology.

Climate Resilience – Weathering The Storm

From Rotterdam’s plazas designed to double up as flood plains, to New York’s Internet of Things (IoT) powered FloodNet, preparing for an increasingly unstable and unpredictable climate is a core focus of tech-driven urban planning. Globally, extreme weather events are forecast to become more frequent and severe, and meeting this challenge will involve harnessing technology to improve preparedness and enable more efficient response and recovery.

Renewable Energy Infrastructure

Moving towards sustainable and renewable energy sources, as well as improved energy security in the face of geopolitical uncertainty, will be another key trend in 2025. Smart grids incorporating AI-driven predictive resource allocation will undoubtedly be a part of the solution, but increasing adoption of solar, wind and tidal energy, as well as shifts towards micro-grids and new forms of battery storage, in order to improve reliability and consistency of supply, will also be an essential part of the solution.

The Year Ahead

City life is changing, and in 2025, urban planners and administrators have more technological options than ever before when it comes to managing and implementing that change. Leveraging the technological opportunities covered will be part of the solution to the challenges of growing urban populations, demographic change, and climate emergency.

However, political will is also needed, as well as a societal acceptance of the necessity of this change. Understanding these trends will be key to improving the lives of the millions of us living in today’s modern cities and urban environments.

Conclusion

The urban centers of the future will be shaped by technological innovation, and the trends outlined above will be crucial in addressing the challenges faced by growing urban populations. By embracing these technologies, cities can become more efficient, sustainable, and resilient, ultimately improving the lives of millions of people.

FAQs

Q: What is a digital twin?

A: A digital twin is a virtual replica of a physical object, system, or city, modeled using real-world data, to create simulations that can be used for planning and managing development.

Q: How will AI be used in urban planning and governance?

A: AI will be used to plan and deliver services to those living in urban areas more efficiently, covering every aspect of AI, from machine learning algorithms crunching data to predictive modeling for infrastructure requirements to real-time alerts.

Q: What is the significance of renewable energy infrastructure?

A: Renewable energy infrastructure is crucial for moving towards sustainable and renewable energy sources, improving energy security in the face of geopolitical uncertainty, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

Related Topics:City Critical Smart Trends

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Innovation and Technology

Laird Hamilton

Published

3 hours ago

March 6, 2025

WORxK Global News Team

Surfing Innovator: The Life and Achievements of Laird Hamilton

Early Years and Mastery of Traditional Surfing

After mastering traditional surfing as a teenager in Hawaii, Laird Hamilton devoted the rest of his life to leading innovation in the sport.

Innovations in Surfing

Laird Hamilton’s passion for innovation in surfing led him to work with different teams to invent, refine, and popularize various surfing disciplines. He was instrumental in the development of:

Tow-in Surfing

Tow-in surfing, a technique that involves being pulled towards the wave by a jet-ski or a boat, revolutionized the sport and opened up new possibilities for surfers.

Hydrofoil Surfing

Hamilton’s work on hydrofoil surfing, which uses a floating board with a wing-like design to lift the surfer out of the water, has enabled riders to catch even bigger waves.

Stand-up Paddle Surfing

He also played a key role in popularizing stand-up paddle surfing, which involves using a paddle to propel oneself through the water while standing on a surfboard.

Beyond Surfing

Hamilton’s passion for innovation extends beyond the surf. He has:

Starred in Surf Films and Documentaries

Appeared in several surf films and documentaries, showcasing his skills and sharing his love for the sport.

Launched a Nutritional Food Business

Started a company focused on healthy, sustainable food options, reflecting his commitment to living a balanced lifestyle.

Developed Training Programs for Amateur and Professional Athletes

Created training programs for surfers of all levels, helping them to improve their skills and reach new heights in the sport.

Conclusion

Laird Hamilton’s dedication to innovation and his passion for surfing have left an indelible mark on the sport. His contributions have inspired a new generation of surfers and pushed the boundaries of what is possible in the world of surfing.

FAQs

What is Laird Hamilton’s background in surfing?

He started surfing as a teenager in Hawaii and went on to master traditional surfing.
What are some of Laird Hamilton’s most notable achievements in surfing?

He has invented, refined, and popularized tow-in, hydrofoil, and stand-up paddle surfing.
What else has Laird Hamilton been involved in outside of surfing?

He has starred in surf films and documentaries, launched a nutritional food business, and developed training programs for amateur and professional athletes.

Innovation and Technology

OpenAI’s Deep Research Demands More Hardware, Not Less

Published

3 hours ago

March 6, 2025

WORxK Global News Team

OpenAI’s Deep Research Demands More Hardware, Not Less

Deep Research: A New Tool for Artificial Intelligence

Let Her (Him?) Rip!

I presented a query to ChatGPT’s new Deep Research tool to learn more about the controversy surrounding DeepSeek and its impact on Nvidia and other semiconductor providers. The query was as follows: “I would like some help writing a research report about the controversy surrounding DeepSeek and its impact on Nvidia and other semiconductor providers. Specifically, I watched a Smart Money episode yesterday where the talking head surmised that “nobody needs an H100″ anymore, much less a Blackwell. But Jensen Huang claims the inference of reasoning models, the future of conversational AI, requires 100 times the compute power of a simple ChatGPT search. Can you outline the cases, the growth of inference vs training, and perhaps provide some forecasts? Focus on high-level, with a few financial details as support. Focus on Nvidia, but include AMD and the Cloud providers’ ASICs which cannot (yet) run reasoning models well. Don’t focus on Deep seek, but rather the general market disruption over a 1-3 year timeframe.”

The Report

After 6 minutes, ChatGPT’s Deep Research read 42 sources and produced a well-laid-out report, covering 13 pages and 4720 words. The report is available on my website to avoid using AI to write a piece for Forbes.

Deep Seek Impact On Nvidia Overblown

The CNBC talking head knows a lot more about investing (theoretically) than AI and industry trends. While some may refute Deep Seek’s claims of the number and type of GPU’s used to create V3 and the reasoning chatbot R1, it will lower the cost of training and reasoning inference. We should see every foundation model builder adopt it or something like it. However, the six minutes ChatGPT required to create the report, and the outstanding content it produced, validate Jensen Huang’s assertion and the value of reasoning models.

So, How Good Was ChatGPT?

In short, it was amazing. The bot produced a report that includes:

* Training vs. Inference: Diverging Compute Demands in Conversational AI
* The Shift to Inference: From One-Time Training to Everyday AI Services
* “Nobody Needs an H100 Anymore”? The Push for Cheaper Inference
* NVIDIA’s Blackwell Generation: Upping the Ante for Training and Inference
* Cloud Providers’ ASICs: Google and Amazon Bet on In-House Silicon
* Outlook: Inference Growth, Market Forecasts, and Financial Implications

Each section was insightful and objective, and I did not detect any errors.

In Summary, What Did We Learn?

I learned that my intuition and experienced viewpoints on this controversy are the same as ChatGPT, for better or worse. I also learned that ChatGPT Deep Research can be an excellent research tool, the likes of which can help analysts learn more about topics and test hypotheses. Or it could replace us!

Conclusion

I hope this article provides insight into the potential of ChatGPT’s Deep Research tool and its ability to produce high-quality research reports. I also hope it provides a more in-depth understanding of the impact of DeepSeek on Nvidia and other semiconductor providers.

FAQs

Q: What is ChatGPT’s Deep Research tool?
A: ChatGPT’s Deep Research tool is a new feature that allows users to conduct research on a topic and receive a well-researched report in return.

Q: How did you use the tool?
A: I used the tool to research the controversy surrounding DeepSeek and its impact on Nvidia and other semiconductor providers.

Q: How accurate was the report?
A: The report was very accurate, with no detected errors.

Q: How much did the tool cost?
A: The tool cost about $2 to run, which is 200 times more than a simple inference query.

Q: What did you learn from the report?
A: I learned that my intuition and experienced viewpoints on this controversy are the same as ChatGPT, and that ChatGPT Deep Research can be an excellent research tool.

Innovation and Technology

AI-Driven Decision Making

Published

11 hours ago

March 6, 2025

WORxK Global News Team

The Limitations of Human Processing: Why AI-Powered Insights are Crucial for Data-Driven Decision Making

The Rise of Data-Driven Decision Making

Many companies have adapted to a "data-driven" approach for operational decision-making. The idea is that data can improve decisions, and it’s true – but it requires the right processor to get the most from it.

The Limitations of Human Processing

The term "data-driven" even implies that data is curated by – and summarized for – people to process. However, human processing has several limitations. Humans are prone to biases, emotional decision-making, and cognitive biases, which can lead to incorrect conclusions and poor decision-making. Additionally, humans have limited capacity to process large amounts of data, making it difficult to analyze complex patterns and trends.

The Need for AI-Powered Insights

In today’s data-intensive world, it’s essential to have a processor that can handle vast amounts of data, identify patterns, and provide accurate insights in real-time. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) algorithms have emerged as the new frontier in data processing. These technologies can:

Analyze vast amounts of data quickly and accurately
Identify patterns and trends that would be difficult or impossible for humans to detect
Provide real-time insights and recommendations
Adapt to changing data and environments

The Benefits of AI-Powered Insights

By leveraging AI-powered insights, organizations can:

Improve decision-making accuracy and efficiency
Reduce costs and increase productivity
Enhance customer experience
Stay ahead of the competition

Conclusion

In conclusion, while human processing has its limitations, AI-powered insights have the potential to revolutionize the way we make decisions. By combining the strengths of both, organizations can unlock the full potential of data-driven decision making and achieve superior results.

FAQs

What are the limitations of human processing?
- Humans are prone to biases, emotional decision-making, and cognitive biases, which can lead to incorrect conclusions and poor decision-making.
What are the benefits of AI-powered insights?
- They can analyze vast amounts of data quickly and accurately, identify patterns and trends, provide real-time insights and recommendations, and adapt to changing data and environments.
Can AI-powered insights replace human processing entirely?
- No, AI-powered insights should be used in conjunction with human processing to leverage the strengths of both and achieve superior results.