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Drug Discovery Gets a Dose of Virtual Reality; Big Tech Seeks Bigger Defense Role
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Welcome back. Medical researchers have long used software, computer systems and even 3-D glasses to help understand the makeup of complex molecular structures—methods that are time-consuming and expensive, some scientists say. Virtual reality, turbocharged by artificial intelligence, is poised to change that, potentially speeding up the process of bringing life-saving drugs to market.
The idea is to develop smart software designed to add an extra jolt of experimental and theoretical data to virtual reality headsets, allowing researchers to “walk through” molecules in a more dynamic way. Better visualizations would enable them to more closely observe any chemical changes that might foretell the effectiveness of experimental drugs for treating everything from the common cold to Covid-19.
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Using VR, Dr. Jackie von Salm, the co-founder and chief scientific officer of Psilera Inc., noticed that part of the atomic structure of a derivative of the psychedelic DMT jutted toward her in an odd way. This suggested that the compound might be effective at treating addiction without having hallucinogenic effects. PHOTO: EVE EDELHEIT FOR THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
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Drug-discovery researchers using virtual reality to get inside molecules, to see how compounds work, are eyeing applications of AI that promise to shorten the yearslong drug design and discovery process and potentially get drugs to market faster, the WSJ’s Sara Castellanos reports.
The old way. Scientists have long used software, computer systems with projector screens and 3-D glasses to help visualize molecular structures, an approach that lacks the immersive and collaborative qualities of an AI-powered system.
What’s new. San Francisco-based Nanome, which makes VR headsets powered by 3-D molecular modeling software, is developing an AI assistant designed to help scientists detect subtle changes in the distance, shape and chemical properties that offer an early gauge of the likely effectiveness of a new drug.
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Researchers are turning to AI to diagnose asthma, Covid-19 and other respiratory illnesses by better analyzing coughs, one of the top reasons people go to a doctor, The Wall Street Journal reports.
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ILLUSTRATION: BRIAN STAUFFER
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Sound diagnoses. By collecting smartphone-app recordings of millions of coughing attacks, researchers are training AI to detect patterns that can be used to identify the type and severity of a disease based on audible clues, such as wheezing.
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Faster treatments. The tool can help doctors quantify their patients’ coughs, zeroing in on a likely cause and leaving more time in a visit to address the underlying problem.
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Key Pentagon officials and members of Congress have endorsed ideas backed by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt and other tech-industry leaders.
PHOTO: KEVIN DIETSCH/GETTY IMAGES
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Google, Microsoft and Amazon are pushing the Pentagon to join forces with Silicon Valley by adopting commercially developed technologies, including AI and other advanced capabilities, to counter China’s growing tech prowess, The Wall Street Journal reports.
Soldiers of fortunes. Even as the U.S. military grows more reliant on digital tools, tech industry leaders say the private sector has more money and resources than the government, which has helped produce more advanced capabilities, from cloud computing to AI.
Getting to work. Robert Work, a former U.S. deputy secretary of defense and vice chair of the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence, says the U.S. needs to get better organized in tech innovation or risk losing out to China.
Targeted subsidies. Separately, the Biden administration is taking aim at Beijing’s use of industrial subsidies that give its companies an edge over foreign rivals in areas like AI, semiconductors and quantum computing.
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756
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The number of pages in a National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence report that says China is on par with the U.S. in some areas of AI and is funneling those advancements into its military.
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Intel said last week at the Munich Auto Show that it would start a robotaxi service using its Moovit mobility app and the self-driving technology of its Mobileye unit.
PHOTO: WOLFGANG RATTAY/REUTERS
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The rise of smart software in cars and other vehicles is bringing auto manufacturers and technology companies closer together, as they grapple with the global shortage of chips, The Wall Street Journal reports.
More chips. Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger told car industry officials gathered last week in Munich that demand by the auto industry for processors is making it a more critical customer segment for semiconductor companies.
Fast lane. Semiconductors are poised to account for a fifth of the cost of the materials that go into making premium-segment cars by 2030, up from 4% in 2019, Mr. Gelsinger said.
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“This is a symbiotic future that we are off innovating and supplying as the automobile becomes a computer with tires.”
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— Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger to auto industry officials
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Microsoft’s new platform includes widgets with articles from various media outlets, as well as weather forecasts, sports scores and market data.
PHOTO: EVA HAMBACH/AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE/GETTY IMAGES
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Microsoft launches personalized news feed. Microsoft Corp. is offering users access to news and other content posted by more than 1,000 publishers via Microsoft Start, an AI-powered platform that creates personalized news feeds, on mobile apps, Microsoft’s website, widgets in the new Windows 11 software and through the Windows 10 taskbar. (The Wall Street Journal)
ZoomInfo paves way for dealmaking. ZoomInfo Business intelligence software maker ZoomInfo Technologies Inc. is simplifying its shareholder structure, the company says, as it looks to expand its use of AI and other advanced tools by removing hurdles for potential deal making and acquisitions. (The Wall Street Journal)
Tinder makes smarter choices. Match Group Inc.’s Tinder is unveiling a service, dubbed Explore, that will make it easier for users on the dating app to find matches with similar interests, while accessing a tool that authenticates people’s photos using AI and real-time selfies. (The Wall Street Journal)
Study examines creative hot streaks. A research team led by Northwestern University scientists is using AI to detect behavioral patterns that precede periods of success for artists, film directors and scientists, gauged by auction prices for artworks, IMDb film ratings and citations of research papers. (The Guardian)
Report says jobs safe from tech. Fears that AI-enabled automation threatens to replace workers and wipe out jobs in construction, business services, retail and other sectors aren't backed by data, according to a report by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, which says job losses were lower in the third quarter of 2020 than in 1995. (NextGov)
‘Ultra affordable’ smartphone delayed. Reliance Industries, an Indian conglomerate, blamed the global semiconductor shortage for pushing back the planned September launch of a low-cost smartphone developed with Alphabet Inc.’s Google to November. (Reuters)
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Apple Inc. CEO Tim Cook is expected to to unveil the tech giant's newest phones and smartwatch during its annual September event on Tuesday. (The Wall Street Journal)
Amazon.com Inc. plans to add 125,000 employees throughout its U.S. warehouse operations as the company prepares for the holiday shopping period, in which a tight labor market is set to make it more challenging to find staff. (The Wall Street Journal)
South Korea fined Alphabet Inc.’s Google around $177 million for obstructing other companies in developing rival versions of the Android operating system, the latest challenge to the U.S. technology giant’s dominance in mobile software. (The Wall Street Journal)
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