MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) – Some leading tech companies are investing millions to train teachers on how to use artificial intelligence. The $23 million initiative is backed by Microsoft, OpenAI, Anthropic, and two teachers’ unions. The goal is to train 400,000 kindergarten through 12th-grade teachers in artificial intelligence over the next five years. The National Academy of AI Instruction announced the effort. The group states that it will develop an AI training curriculum for teachers that can be distributed online and at an in-person campus in New York City.

The announcement comes as schools, teachers, and parents grapple with whether—and how—AI should be used in the classroom. Educators want to ensure students know how to use a technology that’s already transforming workplaces, while teachers can use AI to automate some tasks and spend more time engaging with students.

Samsung unveils its new line of foldable devices at Unpacked

The future is here—Samsung is showcasing its future-ready smartphones! Check out the new Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Z Flip 7 taking center stage at the company’s latest Unpacked event. The Korean electronics company unveiled the upgrades, including new versions of its watch, and also announced an expanded partnership with Google to inject more artificial intelligence into its foldable lineup. For example, users can access AI by speaking to their watch! Oh, and yes… it also tells you the time.

The Fold 7 will retail starting at $1,999. Pre-orders start today, and the device will hit shelves on July 25.

The Galaxy Z Flip 7 will retail for $1,099.99 and the Flip 7 FE starts at $899.99. Pre-orders for both devices began Wednesday and both will be available generally on July 25.

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In the first study of its kind, researchers led by Keiya Hirashima at the RIKEN Center for Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences (iTHEMS) in Japan, along with colleagues from the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics (MPA) and the Flatiron Institute, have used machine learning, a type of artificial intelligence, to dramatically speed up the processing time when simulating galaxy evolution coupled with supernova explosion. This approach could help us understand the origins of our own galaxy, particularly the elements essential for life in the Milky Way.

Understanding how galaxies form is a central problem for astrophysicists. Although we know that powerful events like supernovae can drive galaxy evolution, we cannot simply look to the night sky and see it happen. Scientists rely on numerical simulations that are based on large amounts of data collected from telescopes and other devices that measure aspects of interstellar space. Simulations must account for gravity and hydrodynamics, as well as other complex aspects of astrophysical thermo-chemistry.

On top of this, they must have a high temporal resolution, meaning that the time between each 3D snapshot of the evolving galaxy must be small enough so that critical events are not missed. For example, capturing the initial phase of supernova shell expansion requires a timescale of mere hundreds of years, which is 1000 times smaller than typical simulations of interstellar space can achieve. In fact, a typical supercomputer takes 1-2 years to carry out a simulation of a relatively small galaxy at the proper temporal resolution.

Getting over this timestep bottleneck was the main goal of the new study. By incorporating AI into their data-driven model, the research group was able to match the output of a previously modeled dwarf galaxy but got the result much more quickly. “When we use our AI model, the simulation is about four times faster than a standard numerical simulation,” says Hirashima. “This corresponds to a reduction of several months to half a year’s worth of computation time. Critically, our AI-assisted simulation was able to reproduce the dynamics important for capturing galaxy evolution and matter cycles, including star formation and galaxy outflows.”

Like most machine learning models, the researchers’ new model is trained using one set of data and then becomes able to predict outcomes based on a new set of data. In this case, the model incorporated a programmed neural network and was trained on 300 simulations of an isolated supernova in a molecular cloud that massed one million of our suns. After training, the model could predict the density, temperature, and 3D velocities of gas 100,000 years after a supernova explosion. Compared with direct numerical simulations such as those performed by supercomputers, the new model yielded similar structures and star formation history but took four times less time to compute.

According to Hirashima, “our AI-assisted framework will allow high-resolution star-by-star simulations of heavy galaxies, such as the Milky Way, with the goal of predicting the origin of the solar system and the elements essential for the birth of life.”

Currently, the lab is using the new framework to run a Milky Way-sized galaxy simulation.

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Reference

Contact

Keiya Hirashima, Special Postdoctoral Researcher

Division of Fundamental Mathematical Science, RIKEN Center for Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences (iTHEMS)

Adam Phillips
RIKEN Communications Division
Email: adam.phillips [at] riken.jp

Robots are taking more active roles in both customer-facing and back-kitchen tasks, as restaurants face a perfect storm of challenges that include rising labor and food costs, persistent workforce shortages, and growing consumer demand for efficient service.

The smart restaurant robot industry is expected to exceed $10 billion by 2030, driven by deployment across applications such as delivery, order-taking and table service, according to Archive Market Research.

Restaurants are also deploying AI for administrative tasks. According to a June survey for PYMNTS’ SMB Growth Series, 74.4% of restaurants find AI to be “very or extremely effective” in accomplishing business tasks.

The top three reasons cited for using AI were reduce costs, automate tasks and adopt standards and accreditation, according to the PYMNTS report. However, only a third are using AI.

Robotics trends in restaurants include:

1. Robots delivering food to customers.

Uber Eats recently launched autonomous delivery robots developed by Serve Robotics in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area. It is part of Serve’s plan to deploy 2,000 AI-powered delivery robots in the U.S. this year.

The launch follows Serve’s deployment of delivery bots in Los Angeles, Atlanta and Miami.

Serve said its latest Gen3 robots can carry 13 gallons of cargo, including four 16-inch pizzas, and travel at up to 11 miles per hour. It has an all-day battery and can navigate all types of terrain. It uses sensors for Level 4 autonomy, meaning it doesn’t need human supervision when within designated areas.

Uber Eats also partnered with Avride to launch delivery bots in Jersey City, N.J., the first city on the East Coast with the service. The service is already available in Austin and Dallas.

Avride bots can carry up to 55 pounds and travel at 5 miles per hour on sidewalks, navigating using LiDAR, cameras and ultrasonic sensors. They can operate in various weather conditions, travel up to 12 hours between charges, and secure meals in temperature‑controlled compartments.

2. Robot waiters are serving tables in busy dining rooms.

Robot waiters have moved beyond novelty to practical usage. In several U.S. restaurants, robots equipped with multi‑tray delivery systems, obstacle avoidance and SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) navigation are serving diners alongside human wait staff.

In January, South Korean giant LG Electronics acquired a 51% stake in Bear Robotics, a Silicon Valley company that makes AI-driven autonomous service robots. Founded in 2017, Bear has been serving the U.S., South Korean and Japanese markets. The acquisition would enable LG to expand its presence in the commercial robot market.

3. Robots fry, flip and assemble food in the kitchen.

In January, Miso Robotics launched its next-generation “Flippy Fry Station” robot for restaurants. It can cook French fries, onion rings, chicken, tacos and other fried items.

The new Flippy robot is half the size of older models and can move twice as fast, according to the company. It is also more reliable and installs in 75% less time — a few hours — in existing kitchens.

It was designed in collaboration with the White Castle burger chain. Older Flippy models were already installed in White Castle, Jack in the Box, CaliBurger and concession outlets at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

5. Robots serve as baristas and bartenders.

Richtech Robotics’ “Adam,” a barista and bartender robot, has served 16,000 drinks at Clouffee & Tea in Las Vegas, according to the company, after just four months in operation. The robot served a variety of milk teas, coffees and desserts — including boba tea.

The robot is powered by advanced AI and Nvidia technology. The robot’s vision technology can monitor how much liquid is poured into cups and adjusts pour angle and flow rate as necessary.

Adam is also deployed at Walmart, the Golden Corral restaurant chain, Botbar Coffee in Oakland, California, among other partners.

Meanwhile, Makr Shakr’s robotic bartenders — developed in partnership with MIT, Coca‑Cola and Bacardi — operate in cruise ships, airports and hotels worldwide, mixing cocktails in under 60 seconds.

Read more: Applebee’s and IHOP to Deploy AI-Powered Tech Support and Personalization

Read more: Chipotle: AI Hiring Platform Cuts Hiring Time by 75%

Read more: How Hardee’s Largest Franchisee Uses AI to Serve Up Efficiency and Profits

Photos, from top: MakrShakr’s robot bartenders | Credit: MakrShakr | Credit: Serve Robotics | Credit: Bear Robotics