Mike Dewhirst

Today's dispatches from quantum: ⚆ Infleqtion’s quantum technologies have successfully been tested in quantum-based aerospace navigation systems in the UK resulting in the most un-spoofable and un-jammable tech available for commercial flights today ⚆ A variational quantum computing-based framework that reduces energy consumption and carbon emissions in AI data centers ⚆ Machine learning approach to quantum gate set tomography, reduces computational demands through a transformer neural network Plus, Alice & Bob tease an upcoming world record, IQM Quantum Computers to build a quantum computer & chip fabrication unit in France, NVIDIA spreads CUDA-Q to the globe, and D-Wave renews partnership with University of Southern California.  😵 Mondays, amirite? We're THE quantum computing newsletter, bringing you daily insights into the latest news & research. With leaders in academia, founders, and subscribers from top companies like Xanadu, SandboxAQ, and Qunnect, you're in good company. Join now at www.thedailyqubit.com and never miss a single qubit. #quantumcomputing #quantumphysics #innovation

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Why do drone mitigation time and distance matter? >> https://lnkd.in/ejnug2M6 Mitigating threatening drones quickly and at a safe distance is crucial. The best approach is to do so without interference or collateral damage. Today, only C-UAS solutions based on protocol analytics can mitigate rogue drones without affecting friendly drones or other communications or GNSS systems. These systems can disconnect the drone from its operator, assume control, and safely land it in a predefined area, with zero collateral damage. However, few solutions in the market can achieve this. These systems differ in how they assume control and adapt to real operational environments. To keep drone threats far away, consider: What is the mitigation effective range? How long does it take to assume control over a single drone? What happens to the system while it is busy mitigating a drone? A counter-drone system’s mitigation range depends on its detection range. If a C-UAS solution cannot detect drones early and far enough, it will struggle to mitigate them at a safe distance, especially if there are multiple drones. At Sentrycs, we aim to mitigate drones in just a few seconds—usually less than three. We also work to increase the maximum range for drone takeover, reaching 2 to 3 km in open areas, thanks to our smart RF module. Why is this important? Two main reasons: During mitigation, the system focuses solely on that task. If mitigation takes a minute, the system won’t update the sky view during that time, leaving other drones undetected and unmitigated. Drones are getting faster. If it takes a minute to take control, a drone flying at 100 km/h will travel 1.7 km. With a mitigation range of less than 1 km, the drone will reach its target in under 35 seconds. Sentrycs’ greater mitigation range ensures drones are neutralized long before they reach their target, even at high speeds. In three seconds, a typical FPV drone will travel less than 100 m. Sentrycs’ short mitigation time and longer range keep the sky view updated, enabling the detection and tracking of multiple drones simultaneously. The system can mitigate several drones within a minute while maintaining an accurate sky view. In summary, while protocol analytics-based systems offer many benefits, if mitigation time is too long and range too short, they are ineffective in real-life drone attacks. Sentrycs’ short mitigation time and longer range make it the only effective protocol analytics-based takeover solution today. Note: Sentrycs’ system handles only commercial, RF-based drones. To take over non-RF drones or military drones, other mitigation methods—mainly kinetic—should be used. To learn more, read my latest blog post: https://lnkd.in/ejnug2M6 #DroneSafety #CUAS #DroneMitigation #Sentrycs

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Meta has released an “open” implementation of the viral generate-a-podcast feature in Google’s NotebookLM. Called NotebookLlama, the project uses Meta’s own #Llama models for much of the processing, unsurprisingly. Like #NotebookLM, it can generate back-and-forth, podcast-style digests of text files uploaded to it. NotebookLlama first creates a transcript from a file — e.g. a PDF of a news article or blog post. Then, it adds “more dramatization” and interruptions before feeding the transcript to open text-to-speech models.  The results don’t sound nearly as good as NotebookLM. In the NotebookLlama samples I’ve listened to, the voices have a very obviously robotic quality to them, and tend to talk over each other at odd points. But the Meta researchers behind the project say that the quality could be improved with stronger models.  “The text-to-speech model is the limitation of how natural this will sound,” they wrote on NotebookLlama’s GitHub page. “[Also,] another approach of writing the podcast would be having two agents debate the topic of interest and write the podcast outline. Right now we use a single model to write the podcast outline.” #NotebookLlama isn’t the first attempt to replicate NotebookLM’s podcast feature. Some projects have had more success than others. But none — not even NotebookLM itself — have managed to solve the hallucination problemthat dogs all AI. That is to say, AI-generated #podcasts are bound to contain some made-up stuff.

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The lack of understanding on both ends of the spectrum re: Country of Origin bans highlight a larger problem that we have in Western political dialogue - it also creates misunderstandings about #NDAA #blueUAS and #GreenUAS that has prevented a lot of progress. In the short term, we need the *commercial* market adoption of UAS (no matter where from) to help fuel the industry for Western firms. Ban em - eventually, but not until we have viable and commercially available alternatives.

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🌐 Sonar APJ & EMEA Virtual Event: “Code Faster, Write Cleaner using AI Coding Assistants and Sonar” 📅 Tuesday, April 23rd @ 9 am CEST / 3 pm SGT Register here: https://lnkd.in/geGen2Va With the rapid widescale adoption of generative AI, many developers have become concerned about various bugs, errors, and security issues from blind overreliance on AI-assistant tools. When using GitHub Copilot, GitHub emphasizes that users are "responsible for ensuring the security and quality of (their) code...These precautions include rigorous testing, IP scanning, and tracking for security vulnerabilities." Mitigating code quality risks requires careful code review, extensive testing, and a balance between automated assistance and human intervention. By integrating Sonar's 'Clean as You Code' methodology into their development pipeline, users maintain a high standard of Clean Code across both AI-generated and human-written code! On April 23rd, join our APJ + EMEA Webinar: “Code Faster, Write Cleaner using AI Coding Assistants and Sonar”! Manish Kapur, Senior Director, Product and Solutions Marketing, and Joshua Quek, Solutions Engineering Architect will demonstrate the best practices for integrating AI coding assistants into development workflows. 🚀 Discover how to effectively harness the power of AI! #CleanCode #CleanasYouCode #GenAI #AI #GenerativeAI #ArtificialIntelligence #TechNews #Webinar #Github #SonarQube #SonarLint #SonarCloud

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🌐 Middle East Space Monitor update: Day 2 of World Space Business Week #WSBW Martijn Blanken at the helm of Neo Space Group - a Public Investment Fund (PIF) entity, painted the picture of the makings of a national champion and future leader in the global space economy. The focus for the next 12 months will be on acquisitions, organic growth, and talent development. Supported by allies like aramco Communications, Space & Technology Commission (CST) and وكالة الفضاء السعودية | Saudi Space Agency NeoSpace Group is building upon the Saudi Arabia’s space ecosystem across satellite communications, PNT, and geospatial sectors while attracting top talent to the Kingdom 🇸🇦 Martijn reinforced Saudi Arabia’s #Vision2030 driving investment in emerging sectors including aerospace and space to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Stay tuned for more exclusive content from World Space Business Week, an event by Novaspace (Merger of Euroconsult & SpaceTec Partners) in media partnership with the Middle East Space Monitor! #SpaceEconomy #SaudiSpace #Innovation #PNT #Geospatial #SatelliteCommunications #NeoSpaceGroup #Aramco

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🚀 Space: The Final Frontier 🚀 The space economy is no longer a distant dream but a thriving reality, with innovative launch vehicles and growing spaceport infrastructure making space more accessible than ever. Businesses are venturing into near-Earth orbits and beyond, where the potential for breakthroughs in human health, wealth, and wisdom is immense. SpaceTech is transforming industries, offering new avenues for growth. Companies can now participate in the space economy as creators of space-based products and services, suppliers supporting space activities, or consumers leveraging space advancements. This democratization of space opens doors to new possibilities, from commercial spaceflight and space tourism to in-space research and manufacturing. In the future, every company might be a space company in some capacity. The rapid advancements in SpaceTech present unprecedented opportunities for innovation and profitability. As space becomes more integrated into our daily lives, forward-thinking businesses will harness this potential to drive growth and achieve competitive advantages. Check Out This Video 📽 https://lnkd.in/etFgRwWP How will your business harness the power of space technology? 🌌 #SpaceTech #Innovation #FutureOfBusiness

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Altitude Angel, the world’s most trusted UTM (Unified Traffic Management) technology provider, has today announced Manchester Barton Aerodrome is the latest aerodrome to deploy its Approval Services platform which allows drone operators, and in the future eVTOL pilots, the ability to request and pay for operations within the airport or aerodrome’s airspace digitally and at the touch of a button.   Home to the North West Air Ambulance, Manchester Heliport, multiple fixed and rotary operators, as well as a thriving GA community, Manchester Barton is one of the busiest aerodromes in the north west of England with over 40,000 movements a year. In addition, it is not unusual for Barton to be host to visits from operators from the British armed forces. CH-47 Chinook, Merlin, Wildcat and Gazelle helicopters frequent the airport for fuel throughout the year. In addition to the aerodrome, the Barton FRZ also covers Trafford Park, the UK’s third largest retail park as well as several trading estates and large residential areas to the west of Manchester.    Altitude Angel’s Approval Services platform, described on its launch by [then] Aviation Minister Baroness Vere, as ‘a key step to [the UK] achieving its ambitious outcomes we are setting through the Future of Flight Industry Group’, allows drone operators to submit flight plans, which take place in part wholly or in part, within an airport’s FRZ, quickly and securely, as well as facilitating any charges the airport have in place when a flight is approved.   On the deployment of Altitude Angel’s Approval Services platform, Liam Chadbond – Aerodrome Manager, Manchester Barton Aerodrome, said: “We have seen a continuing rise in requests to conduct drone operations within the Barton FRZ, with our team processing over 250 requests in 2023”.   “As a busy aerodrome, as well as being home to the North West Air Ambulance and NPAS Barton, having a clear and accurate understanding of what operations are taking place within the airspace we manage is paramount, especially when emergency helicopter flights can operate and land anywhere within the Barton FRZ at extremely short notice. The Approval Services platform greatly reduces admin time for both parties and provides a user friendly, standard platform for processing and recording drone requests.” Chris Forster, Altitude Angel, Chief Operating Officer, added: “As a busy commercial airfield, we are excited to be able to help enable more drone operations within the FRZ, giving both the aerodrome and its existing users an understanding of the airspace and who is operating within it, so everyone can fly safely and securely.”

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In the dynamic world of defence, leveraging data for strategic advantage is essential. Our article, "Unlocking the Power of Data in the Defence Industry," explores how Data Driven Decision Making is revolutionising defence operations. Discover how to set measurable objectives, collect and analyse relevant data and implement effective data governance. Strong leadership, the right technology, ongoing training and departmental collaboration are crucial. From basic data collection to advanced AI applications, transform data into actionable insights. Continuously refine your data-driven processes to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry. Read the full article to uncover how these elements are shaping the future of defence operations. #DataDrivenDecisionMaking #Defence #SecureCloudPlus #SCPlus

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Great insights on an excellent article that Paul Pocialik uncovered today. I agree that the Middle Eastern view of UAM is not the same voiced in the Uber Elevate whitepaper. That said, getting the market primed with early HWI revenue might allow for technology (autonomy/solid state battery/hydrogen fuel) to catch up and large scale manufacturing bring lower cost vehicles and operations into reality. #aam #volocopter #singleseatconsulting

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#Space - Developments in satellite technology enabling real-time intelligence and advanced data analysis will allow for enhanced disaster response and defence operations. In the era of the new space economy, space exploration and applications are becoming more commercially driven. This means technologies with civilian uses can be funded and developed, with potential military applications down the line. This expands the market for space products and services targeted at addressing civilian as well as defence concerns. Satellite Earth observation (EO), space-based satellite communication (SatCom), and onboard artificial intelligence (AI) processing are revolutionising disaster response and national defence. Guy Schumann CEO & Founder RSS-Hydro https://lnkd.in/d_ra5SkU #space #spacetech #earthobservation #defence #disasterresponse

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🤓 When we launched EBACE.ai we didn’t really know how it would be used… The user research part of a project is very important, in fact arguably the most important to create a useful product to its users. When we put toge EBACE.ai, the #chatbot of #EBACE, we skipped a few parts. After all it was going to be just a #ProofOfConcept, and and experiment… And a lot of fun! Over the past 24 hours a lot of people have used it through the show to get quick information instead of browsing the pages of the website. This conversation caught my attention: although it totally makes sense, we didn’t build a filter for the exhibitors list, so EBACE.ai didn’t really know well how to handle the question. However, I feel like it won back the trust of thw user with its second reply. Don’t you? If you want to try EBACE.ai during the show, you can do it for free on Telegram: https://t.me/ebacebot on browser: https://ebace.ai And if you have an idea for a chatbot of your own, come meet me during the show!! https://lnkd.in/erCdA-ez

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I've just tested OpenAI's latest model, o1-preview, and compared it to GPT-4o. The difference is simply mind-blowing! 🤯 I asked both models to provide recommendations for preparing a contract between Dronehub (an aerospace company dealing with sensitive information) and a B2B software engineer. The reasoning approach of the new model compared to GPT-4o is like comparing the thinking of a 6-year-old child to a graduating college student. Impressive! 🚀 But still, it's crucial to know when to use each model: - o1-preview is ideal for complex tasks requiring deep analysis: strategy, coding, mathematics, science. - GPT-4o remains the best choice for most tasks including routine automation, especially those requiring the use of tools and image processing. What o1 can't do yet: - Work with external files (PDF, Excel, doc...) - Process current information from the internet And, of course, there's the price factor. The new model is still very expensive via API, so it's essential to carefully consider use cases to avoid incurring thousands of dollars in costs within your organization. The world is changing much faster than we realize, and technological singularity by 2048 looks increasingly plausible. #AI #OpenAI #o1preview #GPT4o #FutureOfTech #AIInnovation

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We broke down the potential change to EPFD limits that could swing the entire satellite industry. We discuss: -EPFD limits 101 -SpaceX/Kuiper thoughts on limits -GEO orders falloff -LEO benefits in relaxing rules -Need for a multi-orbit coexistence Anargyros (Argyris) Kriezis contributed research to the article.

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🚗 Unveiling the Future of Transit: Tesla's 'Cybercab' Robotaxis Elon Musk recently revealed Tesla's latest venture into autonomous transportation with the introduction of 'Cybercab' #robotaxis. Aiming for a price of under $30,000 and a production start before 2027—pending regulatory approvals—this ambitious plan showcases Tesla's commitment to reshaping public transport. The Cybercab is envisioned as a completely autonomous vehicle, designed to operate without traditional controls like steering wheels or pedals. This aligns with Tesla's vision of leveraging solely camera-based systems and AI for navigation, instead of relying on lidar technology. This innovative approach, using Tesla's Full Self-Driving (#FSD) software and advanced neural networks, underscores Musk's confidence in achieving full autonomy through vision-based systems. However, the journey is not without challenges. #Regulatory hurdles and safety concerns linger, with analysts predicting that widespread deployment of these robotaxis will take time. Additionally, Tesla faces growing competition from more affordable electric vehicles, particularly from Chinese automakers. Investor reaction was mixed, evident from a near 9% drop in Tesla's stock following the announcement. The absence of a more affordable Model 2 at the event has raised questions about Tesla’s immediate product plans and the feasibility of its ambitious timelines. Despite these challenges, Elon Musk continues to push the envelope, aiming to transform Tesla from an electric vehicle manufacturer into a leader in autonomous transportation. The road ahead may be long, but the potential impact on the future of transit is undeniable. #Tesla #Cybercab #AutonomousVehicles #Innovation #EV #AI #ElonMusk #FutureOfTransport #ElectricVehicles #Batteries

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Many VCs are telling me how exciting defence tech is these days, and how they’re increasingly looking to invest in companies making technology or services to protect national interests. There is a wonderful article on sifted about this topic: "VCs and LPs should stop kidding themselves about ‘dual use’ defence tech" (link in the comments) If you dig a bit deeper, most of them will add that they aren’t willing to fund companies developing things that could be used offensively — i.e. to attack enemies. Instead, most say they’re investing only in ‘dual-use’ technology — that has both military and commercial applications. But in my view, this ‘dual use’ label is a bit of a cop-out. Almost all of these dual-use technologies could be used to cause harm to people. VCs and their investors, LPs, should stop kidding themselves that they’re able to invest in this area without tackling the moral implications of funding technology used as a weapon. “You could easily daisy chain back to say, 'Okay, well if this is doing location tracking even better, at some point that’s going to lead to something offensive',” one defence investor, who requested anonymity to speak freely, recently told me. “If you want to be truly philosophical about this, anyone who pays tax is funding weapons. Full stop,” they added. While there’s a difference between actively and passively funding weapons, they do make a good point: “If you’re a GP doing defence and you’re philosophically against weapons, you probably shouldn’t be doing it.” “Even if what you're investing is only defensive, if someone thinks that that will never play a role in something offensive, it just indicates to me that they haven’t thought through it fully.” Obvious examples of these types of dual-use technologies that could be weaponised include drones and satellites — hot areas for VCs at the moment. Some dual-use investors see things differently. “We are thinking [of this in terms of] armed versus unarmed dual-use technologies, rather than defensive versus offensive,” Christian Saller, general partner of German VC firm HV Capital, tells me. In HV’s portfolio is German AI drone startup Quantum Systems, which raised €63.6m in funding last fall, and would fall squarely in this grey area. In my humble opinion, you can't make an Omelette without breaking eggs and without the domain matter expertise, it will be hard to impossible to make the right Venture Capital Investments in this domain. #dualuse #venturecapital #europe #defense #war #technology #startups

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