Trends notebook #1
Tune in to RadioGPT
The story of a radio show produced entirely by artificial intelligence (AI) began with a predictive AI algorithm scouring social networks and traditional media. The goal was to quickly generate content linked to current trends. The algorithm, developed by Futuri, only selects information relevant to the listener’s geographical area, establishing the framework of a real local radio programme tailored to their specific areas of interest.
The robot sculptors are coming!
The company Robotor has designed a robot that is almost four metres tall — more like a titan — which “does the work of an army of Renaissance sculptors” according to its inventor, Giacomo Massari. The robot is capable of sculpting marble at an industrial scale and speed, and moreover, using marble chosen for its specific properties extracted from the quarries of Carrara, once patronised by none other than Michelangelo himself.
South Korea sets a recycling example
Twenty years ago South Korea recycled only 2% of its food waste. Today, it processes 95%. Thanks to its method called “Jongnyangje”, all domestic waste has to be correctly sorted, at the risk of a substantial fine. And as for leftover food, it is compressed, the moist component being transformed into biogas, while the dry waste becomes fertiliser for the city’s gardens. This transformation is as beneficial for the municipality’s wallet as it is for the planet. Thanks to this efficient sorting, Seoul has saved 8.4 million dollars (a little less than 7.3 million euros) over the last six years. For comparison, in Thailand, 64% of the population does not sort its waste, according to a study by the Thai Government Pollution Control Department. In India, recycling is an even greater challenge since 93 million tonnes of computers, telephones, electronic or medical equipment are thrown away each year.