How Machine Learning Can Be Used in Global Poverty and Inequality

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Sid o research edets really at the intersection of development economics and computer science. The togalese government had come up with a plan to target financial aid to people based on their occupation. They fed satellite data into a machine learning algarism to identify villages whose populations were most likely in need of help. But this approach was too broad, so they turned to mobile phone data. And it turns out that these agarithms are relatively accurate.

00:45 A flexible, wearable, fabric microphone

Inspired by the ear, a team of researchers have developed an acoustic fibre that can be woven into fabrics to create a sensitive microphone. This fabric microphone is capable of detecting human speech and heartbeats, and the team think it could be used to develop new, wearable sensors for long-term health monitoring.

Research article: Yan et al.

News and Views: A smart sensor that can be woven into everyday life

08:38 Research Highlights

How a shark’s posture lets you know if it’s asleep, and the desert dust that helps cirrus clouds form.

Research Highlight: The secrets of shark sleep

Research Highlight: Wispy clouds are born of dust in the wind

11:31 How AI helped Togo target financial aid

Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, the government of Togo needed to distribute financial aid to citizens most in need of assistance. As running a nationwide survey to find out people’s financial situations was impossible, they turned to machine learning to discover how best to distribute aid.

Research article: Aiken et al.

19:02 Briefing Chat

We discuss some highlights from the Nature Briefing. Using machine learning to find meteorite fragments in a desert, and using radiocarbon dating to detect forged paintings.

Physics World: ‘Huge leap’ as scientists report first drone-assisted space rock recovery after observed meteorite fall

Nature: Police rely on radiocarbon dating to identify forged paintings

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