AI Summit will show its advantages

GENEVA, Switzerland (EFE) — Therapeutic robots, flying taxis, brain-machine interfaces, and songs created with artificial intelligence are part of the agenda of the Summit on Artificial Intelligence for the Common Good, which began yesterday in this city with more than 15,000 people registered on the first day alone.

"The goal is to identify practical applications that can help solve the world's most pressing problems," explained Fred Werner, head of strategic partnerships at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the event's organizer.

The summit, which concludes the day after tomorrow, brings together technology industry leaders, governments, academics, and young inventors from around the world. "We want to showcase the positive potential of AI, beyond fears about inequality or job losses," added an ITU representative.

Among the exhibit's attractions is an autonomous flying taxi, developed by the Chinese firm Ehang, already in commercial operation in three Asian cities.

"It's the only one in the world authorized to transport people," said Ricardo Ortega, vice president of Ehang for Europe and Latin America.

Another notable performance is by the group Big Ocean, made up of hearing-impaired artists, who will share their experience developing a K-pop song with a synthetic voice based on their own recordings.

“We have broken many barriers thanks to AI,” its members declared.

There are also cases like that of Rodrigo Hübner Mendes, the first paraplegic person to drive a racing car using only his mind. "It was possible thanks to brain sensors and algorithms that interpret my thoughts," he explained.

Meanwhile, British Paralympic medalist Charlotte Henshaw will speak about the use of artificial intelligence to optimize her athletic performance.

“These systems helped me identify patterns and correct invisible flaws,” the athlete said.

Also participating in the event will be 120 child inventors from 25 countries, finalists in a robotics competition for disaster relief. “They have created remarkable solutions for real-life emergencies,” Werner reported. Among the proposals is Nuka, a robotic seal with therapeutic functions that, according to its creator, Takanori Shibata, “reduces stress and improves the mental well-being of patients.”

At a glance

Inclusive song

A K-pop group made up of deaf youth develops a song with AI, combining technological innovation and artistic performance.

Child inventors

Children between the ages of 10 and 18 are presenting autonomous emergency robots in an international competition organized by the International Telecommunication Union.

Therapeutic seal

Nuka, a seal-shaped robot, helps people with mental illness reduce stress and the need for medication.

Mental driving

Rodrigo Hübner Mendes shares how he managed to drive a race car with his mind.