NAS is working on creating an AI platform that will unite major Belarusian players in this field
31.07.2023
Now the question is not whether to engage in the implementation of AI technologies or not, but only how exactly to develop them? Sergei Kruglikov, Director General of the United Institute of Informatics Problems of the National Academy of Sciences, spoke about how this process is viewed in Belarus in an interview with R.
kruglikov_sb.jpgSergei Kruglikov observes what problems in the field of artificial intelligence are emerging before the world community. In his opinion, it would be more correct to systematize all current achievements in this area, making them clearer for developers. In addition, for the systematic development of this area, it is necessary to create a standardized database of legislative regulatory legal acts. This will allow us to move in a single constructive direction.
- NAS specialists are already actively working on these issues in our country. The head of state, opening the "Intellectual Belarus" exhibition in January, assigned this direction to the NAS. We will act as a regulator of artificial intelligence in the republic. We have already created a mature school for the study of AI. We are working on creating an artificial intelligence platform. It will allow all major Belarusian players in this area to unite for joint strategic decision-making.
Sergey Kruglikov also noted that preferential conditions will be created for players who come to the platform. They are currently being defined. Among the new opportunities, for example, it is being discussed that private firms will be able to receive government orders.
- Now there is such a tendency that government orders are carried out by state-owned enterprises. This is logical, because previously we encountered such situations when large projects were addressed to companies that are scattered geographically. This has its risks. On our platform, we plan to create such conditions for private companies, thanks to which they would be more active in coming to the domestic market. Also, such organizations will be able to be accredited as scientific, which will bring its advantages within the framework of state projects, for example, exemption from VAT.
The creation of this platform will be actively discussed at the second forum "Artificial Intelligence in Belarus", which will be held on October 12 at the National Academy of Sciences.
In addition, during the forum, it is planned to hold an expert council of the Interparliamentary Assembly of the CIS countries, at which the concept of a model law on artificial intelligence for the Commonwealth states will be discussed.
— The CIS is very interested in developing AI-based technologies. This spring, the United Institute of Informatics Problems of the National Academy of Sciences won a tender to develop a model law on artificial intelligence for the CIS countries. In the near future — on October 12 — with the consent of the Chairman of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences, we will hold an expert council of the Interparliamentary Assembly of the CIS countries at the National Academy. By gathering a round table of experts — members of the CIS countries, we want to show how artificial intelligence will develop in Belarus.
During the meeting, the parties will discuss the very concept of the model law, some key points. The document has already been practically prepared and is currently being supplemented and updated.
— In 2023, we will hold a forum of national significance. But there are already many applications from foreign colleagues to participate in it. For example, we have already concluded a cooperation agreement with the Russian University "Innopolis". It is worth noting that they want to cooperate and plan to decide on the categories of projects that we can work on together. Our experience is important to them, and we have a lot of it.
Speaking about what the National Academy of Sciences is currently working on, Sergey Kruglikov said that specialized institutes continue to develop a number of technologies related to artificial intelligence.
- We are working on creating algorithms in various areas. For example, in processing video streams of information to solve a number of problems: recognition, capture and tracking of an object on video, analysis of a video sequence. This is important for an agrodrone because in the event of loss of control, it will be able to return by analyzing the video sequence that captures the flight area. Thus, it can return to the departure point with very high accuracy.
- Our algorithms process X-ray images, CT diagrams, which allows us to identify neoplasms in various human organs. We started with the lungs and eyes, and now we are moving on to other organs. We are constantly working on processing this data. Moreover, in this area, we occupy high positions in the world rankings.
- Now we are creating a platform for studying bird voices. It makes it possible to determine the level of ecology of any zone where bird voices are heard. There is a set of certain birds that live in clean and polluted places. This will allow us to determine with a high probability that natural resources are depleting in some areas.
Sergey Kruglikov recalled that last year, work on creating a voice assistant similar to Alice was announced. Today, scientists are already approaching the completion of the project.
- We called the Belarusian version Ales. It is not as advanced as Russian, but the system speaks Belarusian. We will offer it for testing in various call centers. We plan to put it into trial operation and make a finished product. We can train Ales to meet the customer's needs, which we are currently actively looking for. In fact, our alternative could be installed wherever existing voice assistants operate. By October, we will have a practically finished product. In the same month, we want to show Alesya to the general public.
Among the interesting projects, Sergey Kruglikov noted the first pilot line for sorting apples using an image recognition system using technical vision and neural networks, which has already been launched.
— The project is operating in Tolochin. The line already allows sorting 2.8 tons of apples per hour. The same system has been developed for sorting potatoes, but it has not yet been manufactured. We will work on it.
Sergey Kruglikov also said that a domestic 3D printer will be created by the end of 2023.
— We continue to work on the project. Now there are issues that are slowing down the receipt of the necessary components. But we have already decided on our institutes to produce our polymers for working with this printer. It will be affordable and competitive in price. At first, we are ready to produce one or two units per quarter. Our main consumer is the NAS organizations. Chemists, doctors, and technicians are interested in the development.
Source: Respublika newspaper
kruglikov_sb.jpgSergei Kruglikov observes what problems in the field of artificial intelligence are emerging before the world community. In his opinion, it would be more correct to systematize all current achievements in this area, making them clearer for developers. In addition, for the systematic development of this area, it is necessary to create a standardized database of legislative regulatory legal acts. This will allow us to move in a single constructive direction.
- NAS specialists are already actively working on these issues in our country. The head of state, opening the "Intellectual Belarus" exhibition in January, assigned this direction to the NAS. We will act as a regulator of artificial intelligence in the republic. We have already created a mature school for the study of AI. We are working on creating an artificial intelligence platform. It will allow all major Belarusian players in this area to unite for joint strategic decision-making.
Sergey Kruglikov also noted that preferential conditions will be created for players who come to the platform. They are currently being defined. Among the new opportunities, for example, it is being discussed that private firms will be able to receive government orders.
- Now there is such a tendency that government orders are carried out by state-owned enterprises. This is logical, because previously we encountered such situations when large projects were addressed to companies that are scattered geographically. This has its risks. On our platform, we plan to create such conditions for private companies, thanks to which they would be more active in coming to the domestic market. Also, such organizations will be able to be accredited as scientific, which will bring its advantages within the framework of state projects, for example, exemption from VAT.
The creation of this platform will be actively discussed at the second forum "Artificial Intelligence in Belarus", which will be held on October 12 at the National Academy of Sciences.
In addition, during the forum, it is planned to hold an expert council of the Interparliamentary Assembly of the CIS countries, at which the concept of a model law on artificial intelligence for the Commonwealth states will be discussed.
— The CIS is very interested in developing AI-based technologies. This spring, the United Institute of Informatics Problems of the National Academy of Sciences won a tender to develop a model law on artificial intelligence for the CIS countries. In the near future — on October 12 — with the consent of the Chairman of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences, we will hold an expert council of the Interparliamentary Assembly of the CIS countries at the National Academy. By gathering a round table of experts — members of the CIS countries, we want to show how artificial intelligence will develop in Belarus.
During the meeting, the parties will discuss the very concept of the model law, some key points. The document has already been practically prepared and is currently being supplemented and updated.
— In 2023, we will hold a forum of national significance. But there are already many applications from foreign colleagues to participate in it. For example, we have already concluded a cooperation agreement with the Russian University "Innopolis". It is worth noting that they want to cooperate and plan to decide on the categories of projects that we can work on together. Our experience is important to them, and we have a lot of it.
Speaking about what the National Academy of Sciences is currently working on, Sergey Kruglikov said that specialized institutes continue to develop a number of technologies related to artificial intelligence.
- We are working on creating algorithms in various areas. For example, in processing video streams of information to solve a number of problems: recognition, capture and tracking of an object on video, analysis of a video sequence. This is important for an agrodrone because in the event of loss of control, it will be able to return by analyzing the video sequence that captures the flight area. Thus, it can return to the departure point with very high accuracy.
- Our algorithms process X-ray images, CT diagrams, which allows us to identify neoplasms in various human organs. We started with the lungs and eyes, and now we are moving on to other organs. We are constantly working on processing this data. Moreover, in this area, we occupy high positions in the world rankings.
- Now we are creating a platform for studying bird voices. It makes it possible to determine the level of ecology of any zone where bird voices are heard. There is a set of certain birds that live in clean and polluted places. This will allow us to determine with a high probability that natural resources are depleting in some areas.
Sergey Kruglikov recalled that last year, work on creating a voice assistant similar to Alice was announced. Today, scientists are already approaching the completion of the project.
- We called the Belarusian version Ales. It is not as advanced as Russian, but the system speaks Belarusian. We will offer it for testing in various call centers. We plan to put it into trial operation and make a finished product. We can train Ales to meet the customer's needs, which we are currently actively looking for. In fact, our alternative could be installed wherever existing voice assistants operate. By October, we will have a practically finished product. In the same month, we want to show Alesya to the general public.
Among the interesting projects, Sergey Kruglikov noted the first pilot line for sorting apples using an image recognition system using technical vision and neural networks, which has already been launched.
— The project is operating in Tolochin. The line already allows sorting 2.8 tons of apples per hour. The same system has been developed for sorting potatoes, but it has not yet been manufactured. We will work on it.
Sergey Kruglikov also said that a domestic 3D printer will be created by the end of 2023.
— We continue to work on the project. Now there are issues that are slowing down the receipt of the necessary components. But we have already decided on our institutes to produce our polymers for working with this printer. It will be affordable and competitive in price. At first, we are ready to produce one or two units per quarter. Our main consumer is the NAS organizations. Chemists, doctors, and technicians are interested in the development.
Source: Respublika newspaper