Element AI and LG partner, introduce AI development framework

Canadian company Element AI has signed a research and development partnership with LG Electronics at CES 2020 to advance AI-powered next generation products and solutions for LG, the company announced.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed in a ceremony before LG’s annual event press conference.

The two have already partnered on a research initiative called “Levels of AIX: AI’s Future and the Human Experience,” which was presented by LG’s President and Chief Technology Officer Dr. I.P. Park during the press conference. He was then joined on stage by Jean-François Gagné, co-founder and CEO of Element AI and together discussed how they came up with the concept and how developing technologies will help disrupt AI experience.

Element AI and LG Electronics want to develop a structured framework that provides help and support for AI projects and that advocates AI ethical use. The two believe there are countless industry opportunities to leverage this framework to speed up development and market release for AI research, and bring added-value to society and consumers. The roadmap is based on recent scientific developments, and addresses four separate levels of AI experience – Efficiency, Personalization, Reasoning and Exploration – and supporting dimensions to capture the different aspects of AI and its interaction with users.

For years LG has been working on integrating its AI research strategy and AI-powered products under the ThinQ brand, which helped the company broaden its efforts in the field.

Efficiency is the first stage where simple commands can automate system and device features, function already available with most voice recognition and AI-enabled devices. AI improves user interaction efficiency by fine-tuning efficiency based on pre-established sensory input parameters. An example is the LG ThinQ air conditioner which uses smart sensors to detect presence and adjust temperature.

Personalization is the level where AI devices and services gather user and environment data and recognize patterns learning to optimize and personalize device functions. LG’s R9 robot vacuum cleaner, for example, is trained to remember spatial patterns to avoid making the same mistake twice.

Reasoning is the third level where AI leverages collective intelligence in a system for causality learning to predict and promote positive outcomes for users.

“Here, we can leverage the diversity of our product portfolio because we’ll need many intelligent touchpoints that interact with the user and gather information to understand the ‘why’ and establish causality,” noted Dr. Park.

The last level, Exploration, is “the ultimate destination for LG’s AI,” which leverages Experimental Learning based on a scientific method that teaches the system to form and test hypotheses, Dr. Park concluded.

“As pioneers in the field of AI it is our responsibility to consider the importance of the Human Experience whilst pushing the boundaries of AI research and development,” added Element AI’s Gagné. “Together with LG Electronics we hope that this work helps to set forth standards and principles that guide AI practitioners to consider a human centric approach when building the future”

The project was applauded by leading figures in the field, various industries and academia.

“It is our responsibility to drive the development of the field of AI towards a future in which the technology is being harnesses in a manner that is beneficial for both individuals and society as a whole,” said Yoshua Bengio, the Turing award winner, founder and scientific director of Mila, the research institute partnership between the Université de Montréal and McGill University with Polytechnique Montréal and HEC Montréal.

Dr. Park announced there would be more AI innovations presented in LG’s exhibition space at CES. With LG ThinQ Zone, the company wants to introduce connectivity into more lifestyle aspects beyond the front door. LG ThinQ Home includes Smart Door, which uses biometric facial recognition and vein identification to verify users and to access the fresh food storage facility for groceries. It also gives information about weather and traffic, and turns appliances into low power when nobody is at home.

LG also showcases a Connected Car Zone, where CES attendants can have a personalized in-car experience. Based on LG’s webOS Auto platform, it was developed with Adient. Users can bring into the car ongoing activities from the home such as continue watching TV programs and movies they started at home.
The Personal Sound Zone uses the voice-activated Virtual Personal Assistant to isolate and recognize voice commands even over loud music and conversations.

In the ThinQ Fit Collection Zone, users will experience virtual fashion. LG ThinQ FitTM, based on LG’s original Smart Mirror concept, uses 3D cameras for body measurements to create a realistic avatar for virtual fittings.

At CES, LG will also present CLOi’s Table Zone, a restaurant where robots will take orders, cook food, serve and clean.

“We want to ensure that we are developing AI technology in a way that is meaningful to the customers we serve,” said Dr Park. “This partnership with Element AI ensures that LG is bringing the right expertise to bear on this huge opportunity to lead the industry for the responsible and human centric development of AI products and solutions.”

Article Topics

artificial intelligence  |  automotive biometrics  |  biometric identification  |  biometrics  |  LG  |  personalization  |  research and development  |  smart homes