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Tag: Spatial Data Analytics

Webinar – Generative KI für SPARQL und SQL – Stand der Forschung und Einsatz in der Lehre am Beispiel von QLever

Die generative KI (GenAI) zur Umsetzung natürlich-sprachlicher Fragen in SPARQL- und SQL-Abfragen zeigt bereits erstaunliche Ergebnisse. In der Lehre bietet sie den Studierenden einen niederschwelligen Zugang zu diesen deklarativen Datenbankabfragesprachen. Am Beispiel von QLever und anderen Werkzeugen werden der Stand der Forschung und der Einsatz in der Lehre vorgestellt. Auch Anwendungen wie die Konvertierung und Abfrage von Daten aus OpenStreetMap (OSM) werden behandelt. Dabei werden auch Probleme aufgezeigt. Beispielsweise hat GenAI die Schwäche, dass falsche Entity Identifier generiert werden, was zu unbrauchbaren Abfragen führt. Ein anderes Problem ist das Matching von Entitäten zwischen OSM und anderen Datenquellen. Seien Sie bei diesem Databooster Webinar dabei, wir erwarten eine interessante Diskussion mit einer namhaften Referentin.

Dieses Webinar wird auf Deutsch gehalten.

Prof. Dr. Hannah Bast (Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg) ist im Bereich der angewandten Algorithmik aktiv und ihre Forschungsinteressen umfassen unter anderem Algorithmen für die Routenplanung, Aspekte des Information Retrieval (Indexerstellung, Abfrageverarbeitung, Benutzerschnittstellen, ganze Informationssysteme) und die Verarbeitung natürlicher Sprache, mit und ohne Deep Learning

Programm

  • 16:00 Begrüssung und Vorstellung der Hauptreferentin
  • 16:10 Inputvortrag (Prof. Dr. Hannah Bast)
  • 16:55 Ergänzende Inputs (Prof. Stefan Keller)
  • 17:05 offene Diskussion und Ausblick
  • 17:30 Schluss des offiziellen Programms

Experts, Experts, Experts…

The Data Innovation Alliance’s second Expert Day in March 2023 was a hub of activity as experts from four key areas – Smart Maintenance, NLP & AI Technology, Spatial Data, and Smart Services – gathered to share their insights and mingle with researchers and industry professionals. The event kicked off with leaders from each Expert Group pre-discussing their plans for 2023, generating a wealth of innovative ideas for joint events and initiatives, and paving the way for exciting collaborations in the (near) future.

But that’s not all! The NLP and Digital Health groups are teaming up to bring you joint events that will revolutionize the way we approach data. And with the next Expert Day set for August 2023, featuring four expert groups once again, get ready for even more ground-breaking discussions and initiatives, organized jointly with other Innovation Boosters. Keep an eye on our events calendar for more information.

While the keynote speech may not have met expectations in terms of insights, it set the stage for what was to come – dynamic discussions and collaborations in the expert group break sessions. To ensure everyone had access to the wealth of information shared, short summaries of the discussions were written by participants in each room.

In short, the second Expert Day was a superb success, bringing together a diverse group of experts to debate their ideas and shape the future of data innovation.

Smart Services for Sustainability – Circular Servitization by Jürg Meierhofer

The Smart Services for Sustainability – Circular Servitization discussion was a dynamic conversation among highly experienced individuals from different industries. They explored how value is created in business ecosystems, focusing on both individual and organizational perspectives.

It was inspiring to have diverse industry representatives in the same room and to create a common understanding. Departing from economic value creation, the group extended its scope to ecological factors. An intense discussion arose about how environmental value can be created without negatively impacting economic value. Statements that economic value creation is still the predominant requirement were made, meaning that in many cases, even a slight reduction of economic value for the sake of ecological value would be treated with suspicion. As sustainability becomes increasingly relevant and regulations loom, the balance between economic and ecological value may shift in the near future.

Overall, the Smart Services for Sustainability – Circular Servitization discussion was thought-provoking and left participants eager to continue exploring the intersection of business and sustainability.

Spatial Data by Reik Leiterer

In a room buzzing with ideas, each data expert chimed into the discussion about the creation of a platform that would benefit cantons, individuals, and service providers. There was a shared understanding that it might not be possible to cater to everyone’s needs and that a simpler visualization and analytics approach may be the way forward. However, some uncertainties still remained, such as identifying where the necessary data is available and how it can be integrated, setting limits, and ensuring that data is not misinterpreted. Despite these challenges, the group remained enthusiastic about the potential benefits of the platform and is looking forward to overcoming these obstacles.

NLP & AI Technology by Lina Scarborough

The group opened the floor with how chatbots are great to answer questions, but what happens when users don’t know where to begin asking questions? This is a common issue in legal situations where the average client may not have the necessary background to understand what information is needed. Retrieval augmented language models like KATIE have emerged as a solution to this problem. These models use grounded reasoning and promote a chain of thought to handle complex queries and create a context for users who may not know what subset of questions to ask.

With the rise of machine-generated text, it’s becoming more difficult to distinguish between human and machine-generated content. While probabilistic token selection and frameworks like SCARECROW can help scrutinize machine-generated text, it can still be difficult, to nigh impossible, to identify. However, ChatGPTZero, an app that uses watermarking to create a statistical fingerprint in the sampling method, claims to be able to detect whether an essay is written by ChatGPT or a human – for instance, ChatGPT generally makes redundancy errors whereas humans make grammatical mistakes. This approach hopes to maintain the integrity of human-generated content in the face of increased machine-generated text.

The discussion then flowed into a lively and engaging presentation on how AI technology can make the tricky SQL “minefield” as easy to navigate as a soccer player scoring a goal – literally, by demonstrating SQL prompts on the soccer World Cup!

Smart Maintenance by Melanie Geiger

The five use case presentations highlighted the versatility of data technology in different applications, showcasing how it can be adapted to meet various needs. With input data ranging from domain knowledge to error log data, these use cases demonstrated how AI models can process and analyze complex data sets to provide valuable insights and decision support.

One of the key themes that emerged was the use of AI for diverse condition-based maintenance, specifically anomaly detection and fault diagnosis. By leveraging ML algorithms, these use cases were able to detect potential issues and predict equipment failures for timely maintenance and preventing downtime.

The highlight of the event was not only the apèro treats, but the opportunity to engage with the 60 participants and learn about their projects, challenges, solutions, and ideas for collaboration. Many attendees seemed to share this sentiment, as numerous participants were still engrossed in conversation at the end of the event, and some discussions had to be continued elsewhere. Those who wish to follow up on these conversations have the option to do so at SDS2023. On a more lowkey note, maybe you wanted to add someone on LinkedIn and send them a message. Here you go, this is your reminder!

Our conclusion of the event: the Alliance has many experts in various subtopics of data-driven value creation, but only together we can move faster.

Expert Day

We invite you to the second iteration of the Expert Day. Join us in an exchange of expertise and find inspiration. These following groups will participate:

  • Natural Language Processing & Big Data Technologies
  • Smart Maintenance
  • Smart Services
  • Spatial Data Analytics

Detailed Program:

15:00 – Welcome
15:30 – Keynote by Prof. Pierre Dersin
16:10 – Expert Group Meetings in breakout rooms (see below)
17:40 – Apéro

Data-driven Value Added for Words, Images and Things

Digital transformation is a defining feature of our epoch.

Abundance of data, immense increase in hardware processing capabilities and breakthroughs in analytics algorithms have made practical some of the visions put forward about three quarters of a century ago. The branch of Artificial Intelligence called Machine Learning, and in particular Deep Learning, permeates image processing, natural language processing ( “ words”) and smart maintenance (‘things’), and furthermore enables rich synergies between those three fields, which span a great deal of human activity, with profound potential impacts—some already visible, on industry, science, the arts and social life.

Natural Language Processing & Big Data Technologies

Everyone is talking about ChatGPT these days and some of its output is truly impressive! We will discuss how the most recent wave of text generation algorithms can transform business, science and teaching. The meeting will feature the following expert talks:

Grounded Copywriting with ChatGPT & Co
by Michael Wechner (Wyona AG) + Colin Carter (Coop Rechtsschutz)
Everyone talks about the pros and cons of ChatGPT, its competitors and how to combine the generated text with grounded knowledge. We will demonstrate how ChatGPT & Co can be applied in insurance and discuss the future of retrieval augmented language models.

Can we Identify Machine-Generated Text? An Overview of Current Approaches
by Anastassia Shaitarova (UZH Institute for Computational Linguistics)

The detection of machine-generated text has become increasingly important due to the prevalence of automated content generation and its potential for misuse. In this talk, we will discuss the motivation for automatic detection of generated text. We will present the currently available methods, including feature-based classification as a “first line-of-defense.” We will provide an overview of the detection tools that have been made available so far and discuss their limitations. Finally, we will reflect on some open problems associated with the automatic discrimination of generated texts.

Using AI to Query the Football World Cup Database in Natural Language
by Kurt Stockinger (ZHAW Institute for Applied Information Technology)

Football is one of the most popular sports on earth with millions of people watching the FIFA world cup. In this talk, we describe how we built a system to query the world cup database in natural language. We explain how we translate natural language into the database query language SQL using modern transformer architecture. We also demonstrate how we have used large language models such as Open AI’s GPT-3 and Google’s T5 to explain how the system interprets users’ questions.

We are looking forward to exchanging opinions, experiences and questions, and to exploring this exciting field together!

Smart Maintenance

The value of condition monitoring data: 5 use cases. 

In this meeting of the Smart Maintenance Expert Group we will hear about successful student projects conducted together with industry partners from various fields. The focus points of the projects are very diverse, ranging from prediction of energy losses, through anomaly detection, fault diagnostics, prediction of the remaining useful life and optimal maintenance scheduling.  We will have 5 short pitch presentations, followed by an interactive discussion of future interest topics of our expert group, including active feedback of all participants.

  • Anomaly Detection in Marine Engines with Convolutional Neural Networks (Company: WinGD)
  • Aircraft Scheduling Optimization based on Prognostics Degradation Models (Company: Swiss International Airlines)
  • Modeling Wake Energy Losses in Wind Farms using Graph Neural Networks (Company: Fluence Energy)
  • Using Error Code Patterns to Predict Service Requests on Production Machines with Machine Learning (Company: Zünd Systemtechnik).
  • Fault Detection in Solar Power Plants using Physics Informed Deep Learning (Company: Fluence Energy)

Smart services for sustainability – circular servitization

With data-driven services, industrial companies can create quantifiable value for their customers, partners and themselves. At the same time, these services also have the potential for ecological benefits, e.g., through optimized processes in operations or logistics. To make this possible, economic and ecological goals must be captured in a targeted and combined manner when designing the services.

The 1.5-hour workshop will discuss how specific problems from everyday business can be systematically addressed to create relevant added value for business and ecology. Participants will bring their own business issue and leave the workshop with a first approach on how to create economic and environmental value through smart services. The workshop will run through typical phases of a project in a compressed time format to give an impression of what such a project might look like on a larger scale.

Spatial Data Analytics

High-quality spatial data is increasingly available for free use. However, with the large amount of data and the sometimes very specific data types and formats, it is challenging to find the appropriate data sources. In addition, some of the data access platforms are only partially intuitive and can be used without expert knowledge. Accordingly, the question arises whether the full potential of the available data base could not be better exploited if data access and data sharing were simplified. In this co-creation workshop, concepts and approaches will be reflected and discussed with representatives from research and industry as well as from cantonal and federal agencies, with the aim of developing possible approaches for joint implementation.

Expert Group: Spatial Data Analytics

Geospatial insights for all – from unique applications to future trends
The Power of Where – this frequently used statement underscores the importance of spatial data and spatial data analytics. All people interested in spatial data are invited to actively participate and/or get an entertaining insight into the world of geospatial data.  Take the opportunity to make new contacts and exchange ideas with experts from industry and research.
In this open event, we will take a tour of your favourite datasets, look at the most unusual and fun applications, and discuss together trends in geospatial data and future challenges. Of course, current infrastructure topics such as low code platforms (GEE & friends), new machine learning concepts and applications (image segmentation, tiny ML & Co) and data creation/access developments (Open Data & GDPR) will not be missed. Intellectual nourishment is guaranteed.

This Expert Group meeting is part of the Expert Day. Please register here.

GEOSummit 2022: Webinar Geo Data Science

Werte GEO-Interessierte

Es freut uns, das dritte Webinar im Jahr 2022 ankündigen zu können. 

Das Wichtigste in Kürze:  

  • Thema: GEO DATA SCIENCE 
  • Detailbeschreibung: siehe → Webinare 2022 
  • Datum: 29. November 2022 
  • Zeit: 15.30 – 17.00 Uhr 
  • Form: online (Link wird mit Bestätigungsmail zur Registrierung verschickt) 
  • Organisator: Raphael Rollier und Roxane Pott  

Das Registrierungsportal ist eröffnet, wir freuen uns über Ihre Anmeldung. 

In Erinnerung rufen wir hiermit noch das Webinar OPEN DATA UND CROWD SOURCING vom 21. September 2022 (Detailbeschreibung siehe -> Webinare 2022)

GEOSummit 2022: Webinar Open Data und Crowd Sourcing

Werte GEO-Interessierte

Es freut uns, das zweite Webinar im Jahr 2022 ankündigen zu können.

Das Wichtigste:

  • Thema: OPEN DATA UND CROWD SOURCING, Detailbeschreibung siehe -> Webinare 2022
  • Datum: 21. September 2022
  • Zeit: 15.30 – 17.00 Uhr
  • Form: online (Link wird mit Bestätigungsmail zur Registrierung verschickt)
  • Organisator: data innovation alliance, Nicolas Lenz

Das Registrierungsportal ist eröffnet, wir freuen uns über Ihre Anmeldung.

Expert Group Meeting – Spatial Data Analytics

Geospatial Synthetic Data

We are pleased to invite you to the next meeting of the Expert Group Spatial Data Analytics. This expert group talk will be around the topic of geospatial synthetic data. The host will present 3 guest speakers who are involved in synthetic data and its specific use cases.

If you cannot be present in person, the meeting will also be live-streamed. You won’t be able participate in the meeting directly, but you are welcome to send us your questions which we will then take up into our discussion.

Aldo Lamberti from Syntheticus.ai will talk about “How to securely collaborate and compute on synthetic geo data”
Jakob Dambon from SwissRe will talk about “Gaussian Processes and Spatial Statistics: A Gentle Introduction”.
Josef Boesze from Itopia AG will talk about “Developing and Testing without any Risks or Side Effects using iSynth”

Program (tentative):
16:30-16:50   Kick-off and Introduction: Stefan Keller (OST Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences, Rapperswil)
16:50-17:10   Guest speaker Aldo Lamberti (Syntheticus.ai, Zürich)
17:15-17:35   Guest speaker Jakob Dambon (SwissRe)
17:40-18:00   Guest speaker Josef Boesze (itopia AG, Zürich)
18:00- open   Apéro & Networking

Guests are welcome. Feel free to contact us here.

No Time To Die

The organization of the 11th meeting of the Spatial Data Analytics Expert Group included some unexpected twists. After postponing the original meeting in September, we also had to switch to an online format at short notice on the new date. Although the excitement couldn’t quite compete with a real agent movie, we were at least pleased that we could finally welcome a large number of participants.

The real excitement came from the announced contents. Dr. Joachim Steinwendner from FFHS had offered to host the meeting and had prepared a program with the topic GIS and Health. The two announced talks were titled after Bond movies.They addressed the interface between GIS and Health, once from the pharmacological point of view of and once from the perspective of geoinformatics.

PD Dr. Stefan Weiler focused on the first view. In his talk “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” he presented the role of geodata in medicine with numerous illustrations (e.g. the Corona dashboards). Joachim Steinwendner then changed the perspective in his talk “The World Is Not Enough”. He asked the audience to imagine a GIS in which the coordinate system did not map the world, but rather the human body.

The meeting ended in an informal exchange under wonder.me. Plans were made for future collaborations or at least for the next visit to the cinema.

The Art of Data Fusion

By Nicolas Lenz (Litix), Stefan Keller (OST) and Reik Leiterer (ExoLabs)

Geodata are used in various industries and academic fields and often have to meet specific requirements in order to be used, for example in terms of geometry, recording time point or semantics. But often different geodata sets have similar geometric properties but different semantics or are captured at different times – or vice versa. Accordingly, the added value arises when your data sources start to «talk to each other», connection points between the data are used or possible gaps can be filled. In this context, there is a multitude of technical terms, which are sometimes used differently depending on the subject area, sometimes are used synonymously and sometimes are used inappropriately in their terminology – so you will read about «append», «merge», «relate», «link», «connect», «join», «combine», or «fuse», just to mention a few.

In the last meeting of the Spatial Data Expert Group on the 4th of November, this topic was presented and discussed, and the challenges and potential of the concept were highlighted. This included a critical examination of the semantic classification as well as the presentation of various possible applications in research and industry. Our host was the UZH Space Hub at the University of Zurich, represented by Dr. Claudia Röösli.

Representation of individual tree characteristics based on multi-temporal airborne 3D-LiDAR data, in situ measurements, and multi-spectral satellite data. Fuses data – or not?

So, what is Data Fusion – with a strong focus on spatial data? For some, it means more a list of different data sets, with a narrative relating one data set to the next. For others, it means visualizing different data sources on the same graph to spot trends, dynamics, or relations. In the spatial domain, the basic concept of data fusion is often the extraction of the best-fit geometry data as well as the most suitable semantic data and acquisition times from existing datasets.

The keynote was given by Dr. André Bruggmann, Co-CEO, Data Scientist and Geospatial Solutions Expert at Crosswind GmbH. Under the motto “Unlock the Where.”, he presented how data fusion techniques help customers gain new insights, from (spatial) visualizations and web applications to facilitate strategic business decisions (e.g., selection of optimal point of sale locations). In addition, he presented a project where data fusion techniques are applied to make detailed and future-oriented statements about the assertiveness of e-mobility and identify relevant trends for the automotive industry.

Dr. André Bruggmann from Crosswind – “Unlock the Where”

These inputs led to an exciting discussion between the experts present – not only on the technical implementations presented, but also regarding the potential for optimisation and possible future cooperation. This is exactly how the initiators of the event had envisioned it – an open and inspiring exchange in line with the basic idea of open innovation.

Are you also interested in spatial data and its applications? Then come to the next expert group meeting on 15th of December on the topic of GIS and Health, hosted by Dr. Joachim Steinwendner from FFHS.

Expert Group Meeting – Spatial Data

Geodata are used in various industries and academic fields and often have to meet specific requirements in order to be used, for example in terms of geometry, recording time point or semantics. But often different geodata sets have similar geometric properties but different semantics or are captured at different times – or vice versa. The basic concept of data fusion is the extraction of the best-fit geometry data as well as the most suitable semantic data and acquisition times from existing datasets. The extracted data features are then fused into a new data set, ideally adding synergistic value. In this expert group meeting, different examples of data fusion will be presented, and possible further application options will be discussed.

The host of this meeting is the UZH Space Hub and the Swiss National Point of Contact for Satellite Images (NPOC), represented by Dr. Claudia Röösli. The meeting will be held at the Irchel campus of the University of Zurich.

Please use the form below to register for the event.

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