13. AlphaFold Solves Protein Folding, NASA Protects Firefighters, Autonomous Shuttles Debut In Denmark

The Next Byte Podcast · 13 Apr 2021 · 16m

AI in practice: one real use of AI described

What this episode covers

Hosts Daniel and For Bode discuss three distinct engineering breakthroughs: DeepMind's AlphaFold algorithm solving the protein folding problem with 90% accuracy, a NASA JPL and DHS partnership using magneto-quasi-static (MQS) fields to track firefighters indoors, and Nobina's debut of autonomous electric shuttles in Denmark to solve last-mile transit issues.

AI in practice

Where this conversation describes AI being used to build or deliver a product. Part of the AI in practice tracker.

Engineering & simulationAlphaFold90% accuracy in 2020 CASP competition; solved a decades-long problem in 30 minutes

DeepMind's AlphaFold AI algorithm predicted the 3D structure of proteins with high accuracy, solving a problem that had stumped researchers for decades and accelerating drug discovery research.

“he got his hands on the alpha fold algorithm and it solved it in 30 seconds or sorry, 30 minutes. So half an hour. 30 seconds. Not 30 seconds, 30 minutes, they had solved this problem that he'd been working on for decades and half an hour.”

Speaker 1 · Hear it at 4:38

Mentioned

Companies
DeepMind, NASA JPL, Department of Homeland Security, Nobina, DTU, Starship Technologies, Lyme, Bird
Products
AlphaFold

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