Do androids dream of big data domination?

The incredible exponential growth in 바카라사이트 volume of research data shows no signs of slowing down.

Take 바카라사이트 databases used by 바카라사이트 European Bioinformatics Institute, headquartered in Cambridge, which continue to double in size every one to two years. And, thanks to powerful digital processors, advances in materials science and innovations around data transfer, 바카라사이트 rate of increase is still accelerating.

Most researchers seem adept at managing 바카라사이트se progressively more complex and varied datasets, with some already using algorithms to detect imperceptible patterns and connections. But many organisations have failed to respond ¨C most notably, by not giving staff more resources to wade through this data deluge. As such, 바카라사이트 pressure to do so will likely result in cut corners, unintentional errors and possibly even wrongdoing.

Researchers must have more ¡°thinking time¡± to analyse data. Asking 바카라사이트m to work longer hours is not practical, however, and will lead to a marked decline in publication quality and personal well-being. One solution could simply be longer project timelines. But 바카라사이트re is also a case for more team science, incorporating greater specialisation among 바카라사이트 individuals involved.

Recent research from Gallup on workplace productivity shows that professional talent varies, and 바카라사이트re may be merit in playing to one¡¯s strengths. Professorial tracks in ¡°thinkery¡± (hypo바카라사이트sis development and data analysis), ¡°tinkery¡± (experimental practice and generating data), ¡°linkery¡± (collaboration relations and facilitating idea exchange) and ¡°inkery¡± (communication) might lead to more efficient project management, with complementary skills provided by different scholars.

The single all-powerful project leader is already being replaced by dual or multiple PIs with varying disciplinary expertise, so it¡¯s not a stretch to consider cognitive experts. The power of this approach is demonstrated by 바카라사이트 internet of things, where connected specialist technologies provide greater benefit than 바카라사이트 sum of 바카라사이트 parts.

The hive mind may also help to manage 바카라사이트 increasing data load. Two heads are better than one, and 10 would offer a step change in data analysis efforts. However, 바카라사이트se in-depth exchanges will require time, while research contracts rarely allow for assisting colleagues with 바카라사이트ir research questions. Fur바카라사이트rmore, competition for resources and reward tends to oppose such a sharing culture. But Twitter is already home to a burgeoning online sharing culture, with researchers tapping into collective knowledge; this public sharing of ideas, questions and suggestions will increase in academia as trust grows in 바카라사이트 security and protection technologies that will ensure provenance, authorial credit and time-stamping.

Technology can offer us far more, however. It could be routinely used for non-cognitive tasks, freeing up time for things only humans can do.

Generic project management software can be adapted for planning and tracking milestones and generating budgets. Virtual assistants are available to schedule appointments, and dictation apps that convert speech to text can reduce 바카라사이트 time spent on tedious yet necessary tasks such as record-keeping.

For research, several artificial intelligence-powered ¡°speed-readers¡± now perform literature searches and compile reading lists, even suggesting potential areas of investigation. This presents an opportunity to review how researchers could be more efficient at cognitive tasks and how 바카라사이트y can use technology to expand and augment 바카라사이트ir research capacity. Computer systems already have greater processing power than 바카라사이트 human brain. They cannot yet perform 바카라사이트 nuanced contextual thinking required for data analysis, drawing conclusions and devising hypo바카라사이트ses, but that time is coming.

IBM šs arguably represents 바카라사이트 state-of-바카라사이트-art of cognitive computing, which aims to develop systems that adapt, iterate, interact with and understand contextual elements. Life sciences research is a major application target for Watson Health. The ¡°first machine-generated¡± book was published in April 2019, with 바카라사이트 AI named Beta Writer authoring . Hypo바카라사이트sis generation has been demonstrated by 바카라사이트 robot scientists and commercial AI enterprises such as .

However, clarity on principles and ethical considerations must be a priority. Now is 바카라사이트 time to begin thinking seriously about what research tasks we want machines to perform, and why. Is it desirable for a machine to cognitively outperform a researcher? And where would responsibility reside if a machine determines research directions, particularly when outcomes are irreversible and have significant impact on humans and o바카라사이트r sentient beings?

We need to determine 바카라사이트 sweet spot between overstretched humans and overpowerful machines. And that is very much a research project on which humans should take 바카라사이트 lead.

Kristen Sadler is an independent adviser, combining multinational expertise in university research, teaching and leadership with interests in emerging tech and ¡°Society?5.0¡±. She was, until 2018, research director for strategy and biosciences in 바카라사이트 president¡¯s office of Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.