Bishops in Vietnam have called on Catholics to follow Lent practices to bring solidarity and peace to people during the Covid-19 pandemic and care for the creation.

Bishop Cosme Hoang Van Dat of Bac Ninh said Christians enter Lent a period of 40 days from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday with growing concern about the coronavirus pandemic, which threatens human life and has caused economic decline and social disorder.

Lent invites us to fast, pray and do charitable work and moral duties to alleviate peoples suffering and shine the Easter good news at thelife of families and society during this hard time, Bishop Dat said.

The Jesuit prelate, who visited many parishes during the Lunar New Year festival, said Catholics are active in pastoral activities and acutely aware of the importance of Mass. Many parishes and subparishes built new facilities last year.

He said in places where people have been in quarantine due to the coronavirus, many Catholics gather at their homes to pray for their own safety, the moral practice they had ignored. Some places in Bac Giang province, one of six provinces under the diocese, are still quarantined.

Bishop Paul Nguyen Thai Hop of Ha Tinh said to live out Lent with love means to care for those who are suffering, abandoned and threatened by Covid-19. He reminded Catholics to remember Gods words Do not fear, for I have redeemed you when they face a gloomy future.

With Christian love, we will set their minds at ease because they feel love from God, the Dominican bishop said.

Archbishop Joseph Nguyen Nang of Ho Chi Minh City said moral practices during the Lent season are really necessary during the pandemic. The Church prays for itself and has a mission to pray for the world.

Praying is not only appealing to God but also listening to God, who wants us to do penance and improve our lives according to the Good News, Archbishop Nang said, adding that God will not answer their prayers if they pray for the coronavirus pandemic to end soon and then they return to their own life of selfishness, greed, hatred and sin.

Masses and services at many churches in the southern city have been suspended for the outbreak.

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Archbishop Nang said Lent retreats will help Catholics to abandon their oldlives and follow God on a new path.

Hesaid the Lent season is a good time for Christians to do charitable work and open their hearts to others. In these hard times, people need more solidarity and sharing than ever before.

We receive love from Jesus and give it to our brothers and sisters. Catholics must be trailblazers in forgiveness and conciliation, accepting and helping one another, and recognizing poor people as Jesus to feed them, he said, adding that charity must be a particular sign to identify Catholics.

Archbishop Joseph Vu Van Thien of Hanoi said fraternity is the best medicine, like the vaccines against the coronavirus the world expects. Life is from communion.

He said fraternity means that people love one another and all creation as much as themselves. Communion ties reach out when people are ready to give up their time and daily work and to turn attention to others.

He urged Catholics to touch people in need, especially young people who face personal crises, isolate themselves from communities and live in broken homes. We should walk with them, pray for them and give them useful advice, he said.

The archbishop, who also serves as apostolic administrator of his home diocese of Hai Phong, said people and all creation have close relations to one another, so we should urgently respond to the needs of the Earth and find suitable approaches to heal, safeguard and take care of the planet.

In doing so, people live in communion with the environment and together with all creation, glorify the creator and help one another reach our ends according to his love plan, he said.

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Vietnam Catholics urged to live Lent spirit during pandemic - Union of Catholic Asian News

Radio personality Rush Limbaugh pumps thumb after being awarded the Medal of Freedom by First Lady ... [+] Melania Trump after being acknowledged by US President Donald Trump as he delivers the State of the Union address at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on February 4, 2020. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN / AFP) (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Influential yet controversial talk radio pioneer Rush Limbaugh passed away at age 70 on Wednesday. In a career spanning nearly 40 decades, Limbaugh transformed talk radio and politics alike.

He had been diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer in January 2020, and just days later was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by then President Donald Trump during last year's State of the Union address.

"Rush Limbaugh: Thank you for your decades of tireless devotion to our country," President Trump said during the address.

Since the launch of "The Rush Limbaugh Show" in 1988, Limbaugh became arguably one of the most beloved yet polarizing figures in American media. Beginning with just 56 radio stations, his show grew to be the most listened-to program in the United States. Limbaugh's passing comes just a week after another equally divisive media figure, Larry Flynt, passed away and the reactions on social media highlighted the divide in our country.

Across social media on Wednesday, Limbaugh's supporters hailed his efforts to support conservative causes, whilst his critics only saw the worst in the radio talk show host.

Fellow conservative commentator Ann Coulter (@AnnCoulter) was among the first to react to the news of Limbaugh's passing, "So sad. The Super Nova of American conservatism is dead. R.I.P. Rush Limbaugh"

Likewise, commentator Lou Dobbs (@LouDobbs) hailed Limbaugh's lengthy career, "Broadcast Legend Rush Limbaugh has died. His legions of fans will miss him, and his powerful and bright contribution to our national dialogue is a treasure that will endure for decades to come. Rush Limbaugh, a great American, dead at 70.God bless you Rush."

Many on the right side of the aisle in government expressed their feelings on Wednesday afternoon. Among those was Sen. Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) (@RandPaul), who tweeted, "RIP to a legend and a patriot, Rush Limbaugh. Not many people can say they revolutionized and stayed at the top of an industry the way he did. My condolences to his family."

Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) (@MarshaBlackburn) posted simply, "Rush Limbaugh was an inspiring and important voice for the conservative movement. He will be missed dearly. My sincere condolences to the Limbaugh family."

Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (@mikepompeo) shared his thoughts on what Limbaugh brought to U.S. politics, "Rush Limbaugh made conservatism popular with the entire nation and revolutionized conservative media. He will be missed by all of his 'ditto heads,' this one included. Our country has lost one of its most important voices. Sending prayers to the Limbaugh family."

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) issued a statement on Twitter:

Little Respect

Not unexpectedly, many critics of Limbaugh expressed glee at the talk radio icon's passing with hate filled comments. If Limbaugh was divisive in life, the reactions by many liberals of his death on social media certainly were clear.

There were also attempts at humor at the passing of Limbaugh, and clearly he wasn't afforded any respect by some. That included comedian/writer Mike Drucker (@MikeDrucker) who posted, "It's easy to make fun of Rush Limbaugh right now, but it's important to remember that he also brought a lot of people a lot of joy by dying"

A similar joke was offered by writer/historian Natalie Shure (@nataliesurely), "However you feel about Rush Limbaugh, you've gotta admit that he's dead"

Video gaming streamer Mike Migdall (@ItsMigdallTime) took the joke perhaps a bit too far, "Phew! thought Rush limbaugh was trending because he was alive"

Writer Mitch Benn (@MitchBenn) was more direct, "If you can't think of anything good to say about Rush Limbaugh, that's because there isn't anything good to say about Rush Limbaugh."

David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod), senior political commentator from CNN, offered, "Whether you loved him or hated him-and there are very few people in between-Rush Limbaugh was indisputably a force of historic proportions. Over the past three decades, he did as much to polarize our politics as anyone and laid the groundwork for Trump and Trumpism."

But perhaps J. Charles Stanley (@JCharlesStanle1) summed the news of Limbaugh's passing best, "Say what you will about Rush's politics, but he definitely was highly successful in building his brand."

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Reaction To Passing Of Rush Limbaugh Trends On Social Media - Forbes

Comedy Central hosts Roasts of various celebrities, especially those whove been involved in a scandal recently. The insults are usually things said in jest about the recipients of said insults and are a fun way of allowing celebrities to let off steam about the person on the hot seat.

When Comedy Central decided to host the Roast of Rob Lowe in 2016, they didnt anticipate that an unexpected guest would outweigh Lowe with the number of insults they received. Pundit Ann Coulter got so much heat it was almost cringy to watch. Among those who insulted Coulter was renowned singer, Jewel. Read on to find out what Jewel had to say about Coulter.

The musician was born in Utah, but shortly after, her family moved to their Alaska homestead. Jewels parents divorced when she was eight, and she moved in with her father. She and her father lived at a house that was far away from town, and she spent most of her time exploring the outdoors. Jewel performed in bars around the town and sometimes would perform with her father. After receiving a scholarship to a Michigan Art School, she moved and learned how to play the guitar. She began songwriting at the art school. She then moved to California and began playing in coffee houses.

The talented singer was discovered during one of the days she was playing at a coffee shop. She got signed to Atlantic Records and released her first album in 1995 called Pieces of You. The album, however, didnt break even. Her big break came when she curtain-raised for Bob Dylan in 1997, and her song Who Will Save Your Soul got massive airplay. Although the album was met with lukewarm reviews, it made it to the top 4 on the Billboard charts.

Jewel is known for her vulnerable lyrics and sweet melodies. However, in 2003 the songbird released a pop-sounding album, which was a stark contrast to her previous sound. Fans and critics didnt like the album and criticized her a lot saying that she had strayed too far from her catchy melodic and folksy sound.

RELATED: What Is Singer-Songwriter Jewels Net Worth?

Aside from making music, Jewel also doubles as an author and actor. She has starred in various movies such as Framed for Murder: A Fixer Upper Mystery and Concrete Evidence: A Fixer Upper Mystery. In both of these movies, Jewel plays a contractor and investigator called Shannon Hughes.

In 2016 Jewel was invited to the Roast of Rob Lowe to provide a musical approach to the event. She had met Lowe when the two were to film The Lyons Den. She appeared for one episode of the show and the two remained friends. During the Roast session, the singer performed a parody of her hit song, You Were Meant for Me. In the piece, Jewel joked about being the 16-year-old who was having sex with Lowe in his 1988 sex tape. Other people who were on the show included Pete Davidson, David Spade, and Ann Coulter.

Coulter is known for her unfiltered and often offensive comments and views about anything not Republican. She is a well-known Conservative pundit who doesnt hold back from being the devils advocate. Coulter is famous for her hateful views, racist comments, and false and exaggerated claims about historical events.

During the Roast, many people seemed to have aimed most of their insults toward Coulter, which seemed to make the pundit visibly uncomfortable. Many of the insults aimed at Coulter used sexist tropes and misogynistic language. However, singer Jewel seemingly stole the show when she said, As a feminist, I dont agree with whats being said here but as someone who hates Anne Coulter, Im delighted, a statement which the crowd applauded.

Read more from the original source:

Jewel Hates Sexist Jokes But Will Let It Slide When Theyre Aimed at Ann Coulter - Showbiz Cheat Sheet

Cameron Williams, a library worker in Chattanooga, Tenn., who helped organize protests against police brutality, was fired from his job after being accused of appearing in a social media video burning copies of books by former President Donald Trump and conservative author Ann Coulter.

Bob Dole, 97, the longtime Republican Kansas senator who ran for president in 1996, announced he is beginning treatment for Stage 4 lung cancer, saying that while he's facing hurdles, "I join millions of Americans who face significant health challenges of their own."

Ivanka Trump, 39, the daughter of former President Donald Trump, won't seek Florida Sen. Marco Rubio's U.S. Senate seat in 2022, a Rubio spokesman said, as Ivanka Trump, in a statement, called the GOP incumbent "a tremendous advocate for working families."

Gail Samuel, current president of the Hollywood Bowl and chief operating officer of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, will become the first female president and chief operating officer of the Boston Symphony Orchestra when she takes over in June.

Brent Bennett, 37, of Hartford, Ala., who bought cattle from a Thomas County stockyard last year but still owes $383,000 because of bounced checks and unpaid bills, was charged with theft by deception, sheriff's investigators said.

Robert Lombardo, 46, of Leesville, La., faces two counts of second-degree murder after deputies discovered the bodies of his 83-year-old father and 60-year-old stepmother in their home when a family member notified authorities that Lombardo had said "he had beaten his parents to death."

Jamilla Hall, who once worked for the Florida Prepaid College Program, has been sentenced to two years and nine months in federal prison for stealing about $42,000 from people who had been paying into the system.

Katsiaryna Bakhvalava, 27, and Daria Chultsova, 23, journalists with Polish-funded Belsat TV, were convicted of violating public order and sentenced to two years in prison for covering a public protest against authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko.

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In the news - Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Getting Things Done (GTD) is often quantitative. However obtaining the skillset to make it a qualitative action can produce deeply impactful results. Our calendars are packed with meetings and our files are brimming with projects but it can be challenging to engage with the work in ways we wish we had the time for. Getting Things Done is for individual team members looking to improve execution, engagement, performance, efficiency and quality. Participants will practice new behaviors to engage more effectively with their to-dos and commitments, so they can focus on things that matter most. GTD is a system that teaches skills to manage the constant flow of requests, tasks, and interruptions. In this course, participants will learn powerful methods to capture, clarify and organize incoming requests to increase their focus on their most meaningful work.

"I liked the opportunities to immediately transfer the concepts we learned (which are already really helpful on a conceptual level) into my own work, tools, etc. Having the timed opportunity to get a 2-min task done or to just do a mindsweep with the template provided was super useful and made implementing GTD all feel real and possible rather than a lofty goal."

"It is really easy to apply it to my work life and personal life."

"The simple approach to making big changes."

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Getting Things Done: Personal Productivity and Team Effectiveness - CU Boulder Today

After weeks of prepping for his 17th natural bodybuilding competition, there was a chance itd be canceled due to the pandemic. You put yourself through that work lifting and training. Im very grateful they were able to do it, he said.

With face masks and social distancing, the Duluth man competed in and won the heavyweight 2020 International Pro Elite World Championships in late October in Kansas City, Missouri.

When gyms were closed due to Minnesota mandate, Sievert exercised daily at home with his set of 20- and 30-pound dumbbells.

As a bodybuilder, you cant control who shows up to the stage. You can control what you can and worry about yourself. The main goal is to look better each year and make your own personal improvement, he said.

Carl Sievert performs preacher curls during a recent workout. (Steve Kuchera / skuchera@duluthnews.com)

Sievert, 35, went pro in 2015 and has since placed at many competitions around the country. Bodybuilding is such an illusion, he said in a 2013 interview. "A lot of people don't work on posing enough. You can make yourself look so much bigger if you know how to show your body the right way.

Sievert took time to catch up with Forum News Service on the sport, his go-to cheat meal and his performance alter-ego.

Q: What attracted you to bodybuilding?

A: I wanted to be big and strong like my dad and also wanted to be the best I could be for baseball and hockey. I knew I would have an advantage if I started weight training.

After college baseball at William Penn University in Iowa, I needed something to keep me competitive and a new goal and journey to pursue. Ive always enjoyed training and pushing myself to the limits, so bodybuilding was a perfect fit for me.

I love the sport because its like a never-ending project. Youre never done. You can always get better at something. It keeps me motivated.

Q: What has participating in this taught you about your physical, mental and emotional health?

A: Competing and going through everything that goes along with the sport has a huge impact on every part of your life. You really have to be mentally strong in order to fight off any temptation and stay on track.

If you truly want to be your best, youll do whatever it takes to get there.

Personally, its easy for me to stay on track because of my competitiveness. You couldnt pay me to cheat on my diet or slack off in the gym.

Finding balance is very important because the sport can consume you. Every choice you make throughout your day has an impact. As you get closer to competition, everything becomes tougher. Your energy levels suffer from low body fat levels, and it makes easy tasks seem way more challenging than they really are.

Overall, Ive learned that I can push myself to extreme levels if I want something bad enough. I think everyone is capable of more than they think.

Carl Sievert of Duluth won the heavyweight 2020 International Pro Elite World Championships in late October in Kansas City, Missouri. Sievert is taking 2021 off from competing to focus on making improvements, building muscle and he and his wife are welcoming their first child. He'll be back to compete in 2022, he said. (Photo courtesy of Scott Diestler, LiquidSpectrum)

Q: How do you take care of your body in between workouts/after a competition?

A: I train one muscle group per day. That way they can recover properly, and I avoid overtraining. Rest and nutrition are obviously very important.

After competition, I raise my calories and focus on growing. If youre always dieting or always super lean, its tough to build muscle or make improvements. The off season is when you improve and get better for the next competition season. Its a time for your body and mind to recover from a very demanding competition season.

Hormone levels are all out of whack when youre extremely lean, and it usually takes several months for them to get back to their normal levels.

Duluth bodybuilder Carl Sievert checks his form in a mirror as he performs bicep curls at Anytime Fitness earlier this month. (Steve Kuchera / skuchera@duluthnews.com)

Q: Name your go-to cheat meal.

A: Definitely pizza! Thats usually the first thing I get after a competition.

Q: How has participating in bodybuilding affected your life outside of the sport?

A: It has its positives and negatives.

The good thing is that it encourages healthy habits, and Im able to inspire others. A big negative can be the way it affects your social life and relationships. It can be a very selfish sport, so having people around you that understand what youre doing helps a ton.

You miss out on good food with friends and family. Your energy levels are low, so sometimes youre just not yourself.

Overall, Ive experienced way more positives than negatives. Its brought me many opportunities that Im very thankful for.

Q: You and your wife are expecting your first babe this summer. (Congratulations!) Will bodybuilding be something youll eventually share with your kiddo?

A: I would love for our child to pick up healthy habits such as eating right and exercising. As far as competing goes, thats up to them. I wouldnt encourage this on anyone unless they had an interest. We just hope he or she finds a passion or something that makes them happy.

Carl Sievert poses as his performance alter-ego Shreddy Krueger at the 2020 International Pro Elite World Championships in October 2020 in Kansas City, Missouri. In the bodybuilding world, Im known as Shreddy Krueger, thats my alter-ego. When I do the posing routine, I have a Freddy Krueger hat on and I have the glove," Sievert said. (Photo courtesy of Scott Diestler, LiquidSpectrum)

Q: Tell us about the evolution of your bodybuilding alter ego, Shreddy Krueger.

A: My best friend and I always watched Freddy Krueger movies growing up. It was also my go-to Halloween costume. Years ago while I was getting ready for a competition, a friend of mine said I was looking Shreddy Krueger because of how lean (shredded) I was.

The name and the way it relates to bodybuilding was a perfect match for a posing routine. The individual posing routine is mainly entertainment for the crowd, and youre not really scored or judged on it.

I really enjoy putting a good routine together and choreographing poses to the music of my choice. I usually go with a hard-hitting spooky dubstep song because it fits the theme. I also usually compete in the fall, so its just a perfect time to do a routine like this around Halloween. I love getting the crowd going and giving them something to be excited about.

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Duluth bodybuilder talks heavyweight win, his go-to cheat meal and performance alter-ego | INFORUM - INFORUM

GE chairman and CEO Larry Culp summed up the company's year saying: "As 2020 progressed, we significantly improved GE's profitability and cash performance despite a still-difficult macro environment. The fourth quarter marked a strong free cash flow finish to a challenging year, reflecting the results of better operations as well as strong and improving orders in Power and Renewable Energy."

General Electric had been a longtime payer of meaningful dividends, but it slashed its payout by 90% a few years ago, when it was struggling. It has been slowly growing it again, and its dividend recently yielded 0.34%. If its free cash flow remains solid and keeps growing, it won't be surprising to see significant dividend increases ahead. That, along with stock-price appreciation, should help the stock double investors' money.

Pinterest (NYSE: PINS) shares surged more than 250% in 2020, and recently sported a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio topping 200. So yes, this stock has priced in some great expectations. Thus, it may not double in the near future -- but its long-term future appears quite promising. The company's platform allows users to share visual inspirations of foods, fashions, styles, crafts, home decor, and more. There are a lot of these users, too -- more than 450 million, in fact, who use the site at least monthly. Altogether, users have saved close to 300 billion "pins."

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3 Stocks That Could Double Your Money - Statesville Record & Landmark

Google's Pixel 4A phone.

Google on Thursday unveiled the next version of Android, the search giant's mobile operating system. The software, called Android 12, is a preview version or developer beta meant for app developers to test before it's released more widely.

The new version of Android focuses mostly on under-the-hood fixes, aimed at making people's phones run more smoothly. Some updates try to prevent apps from freezing, while others make it easier for apps to receive photos and videos. Google also redesigned notifications and tried to make them faster and more responsive.

Subscribe to CNET's Mobile newsletter for the latest phone news and reviews.

Google's new Android release comes as Apple has shaken the app developer world with new privacy policies for its iOS software. In December, Apple launched a feature called "nutrition labels" that tells people what personal data their apps are collecting, like financial information, contacts or browsing history. Another change by Apple, rolling out in the coming months, requires developers to ask people for permission to gather data and track them across apps and websites. The changes have irked other tech giants, including Facebook.

Google's user privacy features don't go as far. One update to Android 12 should "give users more transparency and control over how cookies can be used across sites," Dave Burke, vice president of engineering for Android, wrote in a blog post.

Now playing: Watch this: Our first look at Android 12

6:27

As the tech world has reacted to Apple's privacy updates, Google had considered a less "stringent" approach to giving users options about app tracking, according to a report earlier this month by Bloomberg.

"We're always looking for ways to work with developers to raise the bar on privacy while enabling a healthy, ad-supported app ecosystem," a Google spokeswoman said in a statement. She didn't answer questions about how Android 12's privacy updates compare with Apple's.

Android is the dominant mobile operating system in the world, powering almost nine out of every 10 smartphones shipped globally. But Google's biggest challenge with new versions of Android is actually getting them onto people's phones, since wireless carriers and handset makers can slow the process.

Google hasn't released user figures for the previous version of the software, Android 11. But the last time Google updated its distribution numbers in May 2019, Android 9 had only been installed on 10.4% of Android phones. The three versions released before that were on 64.4 percent of Android phones.

Apple, by contrast, is quick to tout its adoption numbers. As of December,72% of Apple's iPhones and other iOS devices are on the most recent version of its operating system, iOS 14.

Read more: iOS 14.5 is coming soon. What we know about a release date and new features

One feature of Android 12 tries to ease the update problem by allowing the tech giant to update parts of Android through its Google Play Services system, instead of requiring a full operating system update that has to be approved by wireless or device partners.

Excerpt from:
Android 12 developer beta is here, with updates to make your phone run smoother - CNET

PHOTO: Markus Spiske

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are positioned to disrupt the way we live and work, even the way we interact and think. Machine learning is a core sub-area of AI. It makes computers get into a self-learning mode without explicit programming.

At this point, most organizations are still approaching ML as a technology in the realm of research and exploration. In this first article of a series, we delve deeper into the world of machine learning and its applications. The following articles will focus on building an ML implementation plan. In doing so we not only understand the concepts behind the technology, but also why it can make the difference between keeping up with competition or falling further behind.

Gartner defines machine learning as:Advanced learning algorithms composed of many technologies (such as deep learning, neural networks and natural language processing), used in unsupervised and supervised learning, that operate guided by lessons from existing information.

Machine learning is the process of teaching computers to develop intuitive knowledge and understanding through the use of repetitive algorithms and patterns. Machine learning in lay-man's terms is the process of schooling a repetitive activity to a dumb system that needs to develop some innate intelligence. The goal is to feed the system large amounts of data so it learns from each pattern and its variations, so it can eventually be able to identify the pattern and its variants on its own. The advantage a machine has over the human mind here is its ability to ingest and process large amounts of data. The human brain, although limitless in its capacity to ingest data, may not be able to process it at the same time and can only recall a limited set at one time.

There are three key types of machine learning: supervised, unsupervised and reinforced.

Other aspects of machine learning include neural networks and deep learning.

Neural networks have been studies for a long time. These algorithms endeavor to recognize the underlying relationships in data, just the way the human brain operates.

Deep learning is a class of machine learning algorithms that involves multiple layers of neural networks where the output of one network becomes the input to another.

The key to understanding machine learning is to understand the power of data. These algorithms work by finding patterns in massive amounts of data. This data, encompasses a lot of thingsnumbers, words, images, videos, sound files etc. Any data or meta data that can be digitally stored, can be fed into a machine-learning algorithm.

Related Article: Machine Learning Fragmentation Is Slowing Us Down: There Is a Solution

Machine learning, in conjunction with deep learning, have a wide variety of applications in our home and businesses today. It is currently used in everyday services such as recommendation systems like those on Netflix and Amazon; voice assistants like Siri and Alexa; car technology in parking assist and preventing accidents. Deep learning is already heavily used in autonomous vehicles and facial recognition systems. As the technology matures and receives widespread acceptance, we expect to see its applicability grow in these areas:

And many more .

Related Article: Why Artificial Intelligence May Not Offer the Business Value You Think

The availability of widespread computing power though the use of cloud technologies along with an increasing volume of readily available data has driven a number of advancements in the field of AI and ML. Organizations need to first build an understanding of the technology itself, collaborate on building a vision for using the technology internally and then build an implementation plan collaboratively between business and IT. In part two of this ML series we will focus on building a vision and implementation plan.

Geetika Tandon is a senior director at Booz Allen Hamilton, a management and technology consulting firm. She was born in Delhi, India, holds a Bachelors in architecture from Delhi University, a Masters in architecture from the University of Southern California and a Masters in computer science from the University of California Santa Barbara.

The views and opinions expressed in these articles are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of her employer.

Excerpt from:

Getting Started With Machine Learning: Definition and Applications - CMSWire

Immunai is a biotech company using machine learning algorithms that combine single-cell genomics to empower the human immune systems high-resolution profiling. Based out of New York, this company was established merely three years ago, but it is growing at a breakneck pace with the largest dataset in the world for single-cell immunity characteristics. Recently, the startup managed to raise a whopping $60 million in Series A funding. The total number of funds raised now stands at $80 million. With its machine learning algorithms, Immunai has already powered the existing immunotherapies with an enhanced performance level by bettering the analysis of an individuals immunity. It is now ready for a new dawn. With the help of the new funding received, Immunai will delve into the arena of creating new therapies altogether with the help of its vast expanse of data and advanced machine learning algorithms.

The human immune system has been a highly researched topic, and with the onset of the pandemic, the reprogramming of immunity has been under the limelight. To get an in-depth analysis of the same, Immunai makes use of the multiomic approach which helps in the layering analysis of the various types of biological data available. What makes Immunai stand out from the crowd is that it uses and combines the richest data sets. These data sets are procured from the best immunological research organizations from across the globe with machine learning algorithms designed to deliver analytics at a never seen before pace.

Immunai has two great co-founders in its ambit: Noan Solomon and Luis Voloch. Both the founders have extreme knowledge in computer science as well as artificial intelligence. Their efforts right from the beginning were aligned towards the usage of machine learning technology in the field of immunology. Prior to the funding, the main job being done at Immunai was the observation of cells. In contrast, now, they will observe the cells and perturb them to see the aftermath. The machine learning algorithms being used at Immunai allow them to evaluate an approach practically. This makes their model more feasible and influential in the real world.

After successfully understanding the human immune profile, the next step will be to administer new drugs to help fight potential diseases. To understand it better, we can take the example of Google Maps, wherein initially, it takes years to understand the road mapping solely. Similarly, as of now, Immunai is working on understanding the different pathways present in the immune system with the help of machine learning. Once done, the roads and paths underdeveloped or those that havent been built can be given a lending hand. This will eventually lead to a healthier world more armed to fight any disease, even like the pandemic that we are faced with within the current scenario.

One major milestone that any immunotherapy needs to achieve is finding the right immunotherapy for the right patient. This poses a herculean task given the complex structure of the human immune system, but with the advancement of the machine learning models, one can expect to overcome this roadblock soon.

Source:https://www.immunai.com/

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This Biotech Company Combines Single Cell Genomics with Machine Learning (ML) Algorithms To Enable High Resolution Profiling of the Immune System -...