EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW AI
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW AI AND MACHINE LEARNING OFFER ENORMOUS OPPORTUNITIES Garry Kasparov Avast Security Ambassador The proliferation of AI Garry Kasparov, Avast Security Ambassador and former world chess champion, will share his views on the challenges arising from the proliferation of AI at the IFA+ Summit Since Garry Kasparov’s legendary chess matches against IBM’s Deep Blue supercomputer in 1996 and 1997, Kasparov has been deeply engaged with artificial intelligence, human-machine interaction, and human rights issues. We started by asking him about his presentation at the IFA+ Summit. With the rise of intelligent technologies, questions of ethics and responsibility in online privacy gain a new level of complexity. New life circumstances are a part of the discussion because of artificial intelligence (AI), but that cannot mean we abandon the rights and values we treasure. Nor can it mean escaping responsibility for the outcomes. I am here as the Avast Security Ambassador, and Avast is a leading company in AI for use in online security, but I’m also continuing to represent my long personal involvement in the intersection of tech and individual freedom. You have become quite engaged in AI and humanmachine interaction - based perhaps on your experiences of the 1990’s already. Why are you so impassioned by this, and where do you see it all going? Even the 1980s, the golden age when chess machines were weak and my hair was strong! But yes, since my famous chess matches against IBM’s Deep Blue supercomputer in the 1990s, I’ve been thinking about human-machine interaction, and how humans and machines can better work together. I’m also passionate about human rights; having grown up in the Soviet Union, and my role as a pro-democracy leader in Russia, I witnessed first-hand how governments abuse information and technology to strengthen their power. It was therefore a natural fit for me to join Avast as a Security Ambassador. For the past two years, I’ve been writing blog posts for Avast, on how to defend and promote human ethics and values in the digital world. What are some of the challenges we will be facing – or are already facing, and what will need to be done to face them? The biggest battle is our own struggle to balance convenience and power of new tech with its downsides for security and privacy. We want all these wonderful tools and toys so much and what we are giving up to get them isn’t always clear, especially in the short run. Making those tradeoffs as transparent and understandable as possible is a key for harmony. Ultimately, consumers need to be aware of the data they share, and carry out security best practices, to keep them secure and protect their privacy. As our lives become increasingly immersed in technology beyond our immediate control we need to stay informed, instead of blindly trusting technology because it seems nice to have. Where are the biggest opportunities? AI and machine learning offer enormous opportunities. As machines take over administrative tasks, scientists, for example, can focus on more ambitious research and innovative creations. We will see new achievements in education, medical sciences, the way how we cure diseases, and in space exploration. AI will continue to decode and explain the unseen rules of our world to us if we’re clever enough to ask it the right questions. To protect AI-based systems, we again need AI-based solutions. AI fake videos can fool humans, but not a better AI. AI-powered security threats will also require AIpowered defences. How important do you feel it is to have a platform like the IFA+ Summit to foster thought leadership in this field? Advances in technology are also advances for humankind, if we are wise enough to base technological decisions—and political and regulation decisions too— on human values, without slowing down innovation. It is not enough to have smarter machines, we must also become better humans! We must make sure our brilliant new devices still apply to our TO PROTECT AI-BASED SYSTEMS, WE AGAIN NEED AI-BASED SOLUTIONS timeless ethics and support our human needs for security and privacy. That is, human progress isn’t just better tech, it’s human wellbeing. The IFA+ Summit is a special event because it combines discussions about next generation technology and our society, which should never be separated 32
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW Beurer unveils connected health solutions Products to prevent stress and “self-optimise” headline Beurer’s bold new lineup at IFA With the beauty, medical and wellbeing sector inspiring burgeoning new small appliance innovation, German brand Beurer is presenting a number of exciting additions to its diverse range at IFA. We spoke to Georg Walkenbach, managing director of Beurer, and started by asking him about the growing market for products that reduce stress: One way of reducing stress is heart rate variability (HRV) training. HRV describes the ability of the human body to adjust the frequency of the heart rhythm to different situations in life. Launching at IFA, the stress releaZer provides a new way of controlling HRV and is compatible with the free Beurer CalmDown app. The app enables the user to create a tailored exercise programme with a reminder function. The training units can also be customised - for example with music and light. A weekly evaluation of the personal stress level coupled with direct feedback after every exercise further help the user to analyse and better understand how they handle stress. We understand that Beurer has unveiled a world first in the area of cellulite at IFA, what can you tell us? The first cellulite releaZer has proven medical claims and we can really claim to reduce cellulite. The targeted use of vibration massage with the Beurer cellulite releaZer increases microcirculation in the tissue, and encourages and accelerates the reduction of fat molecules. This demonstrably and visibly tones up the deep tissue – for noticeably smooth, firm, and toned curves. What is Beurer doing in the area of selfoptimisation? Self-optimisation is a huge trend. The Beurer EMS homeStudio is a high-end EMS device for use at home. Together with the free Beurer EMS HomeStudio app, users are provided with professional EMS training. The user can choose between Fitness & Power and Relax & Wellbeing, with a total of 20 workouts available in the app. The level of difficulty can be customised and users can also create their own workouts from 50 exercises. The device comes with four cuffs and eight electrodes that are controlled via four separate channels. As well as being managing director of Beurer, you are also a board member of ZVEI, the German manufacturers’ association. Can you give us some insight into the major trends in the small domestic appliances category? Healthy living is a big one and comfortable living is another. Air cleaning devices have experienced a sales boom, while cordless appliances are another big innovation area. Sales of stick vacuum cleaners have overtaken sales of more traditional products. This year the small appliances market will grow by around 3%. What are the key innovations in the kitchen? Healthy cooking is an important trend. Sales of air fryer products have been strong, as the technology offers consumers the same taste but with less fat. After the huge boom in juicing, this category is in slight decline, as many manufacturers have entered this space, and prices are dropping. Can you tell us more about demand for health devices? The health market is performing well. The activity trackers area is a very competitive market that is being rivalled by the smart watch category, which is still growing. Activity trackers are struggling to compete with smart watches which have so many functions built-in – you can even measure your pulse with a smart watch. A target market for health devices is 50+, where the main goal is to either get healthy again or to stay healthy. That’s the goal for everyone. What does the future hold for connected small appliances? Connected is an additional feature to give more value to the products, so you can do more with them. With a lot of products, connectivity will be a feature where it makes sense Georg Walkenbach Managing Director, Beurer USERS CAN ALSO CREATE THEIR OWN WORKOUTS FROM 50 EXERCISES www.ifa-international.org IFA International • Saturday 1 st & Sunday 2 nd September 2018 33
