Linux and AT&T’s project Acumos, blockchain platform SophiaTX, and more in today’s data science news.
Project Acumos in News
Acumos: AT&T, Tech Mahindra introduce open source AI platform hosted by Linux Foundation
Linux Foundation, AT&T, and Tech Mahindra have together founded an open source artificial intelligence project “Acumos” that will help developers to build, share and deploy AI applications. The platform, which is being designed with both coders as well as non-coders in mind, will be launched in early 2018. While AT&T and Tech Mahindra are contributing the project code, Linux Foundation will host the platform and its AI marketplace. “Our goal with open sourcing the Acumos platform is to make building and deploying AI applications as easy as creating a website,” Mazin Gilbert, vice president of advanced technology at AT&T Labs, said in a statement.
Blockchain in News
SophiaTX open source platform can integrate blockchain with SAP
Equidato Technologies AG has introduced a new project that can embed blockchain into major ERP and financial software systems such as SAP. Named SophiaTX, the platform includes three main components: a blockchain designed specifically for business environments, a development platform with integration application programming interfaces (APIs) to SAP and other ERP software, and a marketplace for companies and individuals to buy and sell apps. SophiaTX uses proprietary blockchain technology from DECENT, an open source blockchain content distribution platform. “With blockchain, most of the disruption comes from new entrants into the ecosystem. By opening the network for anyone to join and participate, SophiaTX has the best possible chance for global adoption,” CEO Jaroslav Kacina said.
Sony could use blockchain to safeguard PlayStation Network
Sony could one day use blockchain, which secures data in cryptographic “blocks”, as a means to better protect PlayStation Network users. Reportedly, Sony has applied for a patent that would use the versatility of blockchain as another layer of cybercrime prevention by using Multi-factor Authentication (MFA). If this works out, users would be sent an encrypted verification codes via the blockchain to use alongside traditional username/password login details, thus further securing the transactions and data transfers.
Other Data science News
NVIDIA announces availability of cloud container registry for AI developers worldwide
NVIDIA has launched NVIDIA GPU Cloud (NGC) container registry for AI developers worldwide. The cloud-based service is available immediately to users of the recently announced Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2) P3 instances featuring NVIDIA Tesla V100 GPUs. NVIDIA said it is planning to extend support to other cloud platforms soon. Developers who want to use NGC container registry can follow a three-step process: Sign up for a no-cost NGC account at www.nvidia.com/ngcsignup; Run an optimised NVIDIA image on cloud service provider platform; and Pull containers from NGC and get started.
Deepo: The Docker image that comes with all popular deep learning frameworks
Deepo is a Docker image with a full reproducible deep learning research environment. It contains almost all popular deep learning frameworks such as theano, tensorflow, sonnet, pytorch, keras, lasagne, mxnet, cntk, chainer, caffe, and torch. The project is available on GitHub repository under the MIT license.
Alibaba develops new machine learning services ET City Brain and ET Industrial Brain
Alibaba Cloud has developed a set of machine learning-powered platforms, such as ET City Brain and ET Industrial Brain, to solve real world problems. The company said it is making this technology available to young minds to unleash their creativity and imagination to come with new solutions to old problems like “preventing a traffic jam from happening in the first place.” Min Wanli, chief data scientist and general manager of big data division at Alibaba Cloud, told the young minds: “Don’t worry about the hard-coded part. Imagine anything possible, and then use ET Brain to try and explore that.” Earlier this year, Alibaba released version 2.0 of its PAI machine learning service, which is integrated into its various ET Brain platforms.
NTREIS makes Remine big data platform available to its members
North Texas Real Estate Information System (NTREIS) said it has launched lead generation and big data platform Remine for its 35,000 members. The agreement was earlier announced in February this year. “At any given time, less than 2% of all properties are listed for sale in an MLS. That means that 98% all future opportunity is hiding off-market. Remine’s predictive analytics make it easy to identify future buyers and sellers,” Mark Schacknies, CFO of Remine, said.
With beta version of 3.0, Windocks releases data delivery platform based on Docker’s Container Technology and SQL Server Containers
Windocks has announced the Beta release of Windocks 3.0, a data delivery platform built on Docker’s container technology, with support for SQL Server containers.“Enterprise customers are asking for an alternative to expensive, complex solutions built on Solaris UNIX,” Windocks co-founder Paul Stanton said, “Windocks 3.0 delivers the first container native data delivery solution that fits any budget. Windocks empowers software developers and database administrators with tools to create, manage, and deliver data environments more simply, and affordably than ever. In a single step SQLServer DBAs create clonable images, and users self-service environments with one click on the Windocks web application.”