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Researchers are spotting drug-resistant superbugs before they break out and reimagining biosecurity at a regional level to stop the spread of infectious diseases. Scientists at Murdoch University are contributing research that is strengthening our understanding of infectious diseases and how to stop them.
The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the devastating impact of infectious diseases. Millions of people have died and millions more have suffered from the wider health, economic and social impacts. Stopping infectious diseases has been identified by the World Health Organisation as one of the most urgent health challenges of this decade and is now in sharp focus.
Overcoming antimicrobial resistance
Antimicrobial resistance, when infectious organisms no longer respond to medicines, is a major challenge in managing infectious diseases. It occurs when bacteria change over time, making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death. Overcoming this challenge requires a One Health approach – which recognises that the health of humans, animals and ecosystems are interconnected.
At Murdoch University’s state-of-the-art Antimicrobial Resistance and Infectious Diseases (AMRID) Laboratory, Associate Professor in Microbiology Sam Abraham leads the One Health Infectious Diseases research team. Associate Professor Sam Abraham, “Globally, there is a significant public health concern due to the transfer of such bacteria to humans via food and the environment, the limited therapeutic options to treat such infection in humans and the rapid transmission of genes responsible for antimicrobial resistance into human pathogens.”
This is a concern that precedes and extends beyond the current COVID-19 pandemic, with research from the team exploring how Australian animals may acquire bacteria resistant to last-line antimicrobials. Their research has shown that Australia currently has low levels of resistance to last-line antimicrobials in livestock due to the regulation of antimicrobial use, Australia’s geographical isolation and strong biosecurity.
“It’s crucial that we keep it that way, so the use of technology and antimicrobial resistance surveillance is important,” said Dr Abraham.
Embracing technology to beat bacteria
The team is using innovative robotics, genomics and microbiology to study antimicrobial resistance in key zoonotic bacteria emerging in Australian animals. Dr Abraham noted that most countries are using low numbers of samples for antimicrobial resistance surveillance, which is not going to help find emerging issues until it is too late. “We need to use high-throughput robotics and genomics with rapid turn-around time for analysing large data sets to identify emerging problems quickly and respond to those problems rapidly.”
The facility has used its platforms in several national antimicrobial surveillance programs in livestock. It has also been used for surveillance of wild bird species including seagulls and pigeons, finding them to be carriers and potential spreaders of highly drug-resistant superbugs. “Twenty per cent of Australian seagulls are carriers of human pathogens capable of causing serious human infections such as meningitis, sepsis, and urinary tract infection,” said Dr Abraham.
So, the major issue in Australia is the threat of human-derived drug-resistant bacteria entering livestock systems directly or indirectly via wild birds through sewage and waste disposal. Their research has demonstrated the emergence of last line drug-resistant bacteria – at low frequency – in livestock, companion animals and wildlife as a result of human-derived bacteria entering the animals directly or in-directly through birds. This poses a significant risk to animal and human health and our ability to control such infections.
Dr Abraham’s research has helped inform national and international approaches to combatting antimicrobial resistance – including assisting with the process that developed Australia’s National One Health Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy.
Optimising surveillance and biosecurity
Another area of research expertise contributing to a better understanding of infectious diseases is focused on disease surveillance systems and how biosecurity systems operate. Led by Professor of Biosecurity Simon McKirdy, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the Harry Butler Institute, this research is looking at the development of biosecurity systems to ensure that they operate cost-effectively and in an efficient manner that protects people, agriculture and the environment.
“Our work centres on developing robust surveillance systems that can deliver results that decision-makers can utilise – both as an early warning tool and also for real-time decision making during a response to a disease outbreak,” said Professor McKirdy.
The key elements include having robust and appropriate risk analysis to understand the threats and mitigation measures. Then having an effective surveillance system that is linked to diagnostics and provides a high level of confidence in detecting threats and collecting the right number of samples to give us statistical strength to say this is the current presence or level of disease within the community, McKirdy says.
The unfolding COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of having robustly designed surveillance systems and how these are presented to the community, along with the need to focus on the wider One Health relationships. The human world, in relation to biosecurity surveillance, can learn a lot from the animal and plant world. The more we can bring these One Health aspects together, the better will be the outcome,” said Professor McKirdy.


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Having robust, effective, and easily accessible healthcare is essential for enhancing the standard of living, achieving better treatment results and increasing lifespan. Tech-enabled progress made in the field of medicine has been a boon, with groundbreaking innovations and discoveries paving the future of healthcare.
The healthcare sector is witnessing a rapid transformation, with the emergence of new technologies that promise to tackle the most pressing global healthcare challenges. MedTech has become increasingly crucial in this context and has opened up a plethora of possibilities for healthcare professionals to advance their skills and knowledge and expand their reach to underserved regions.
The advent of innovative healthcare technology has empowered doctors to provide better care to a greater number of people, irrespective of their geographical location and help prevent and combat emerging diseases effectively.
Technological advancements offer more effective medication, more accurate diagnostics and improved drug delivery systems giving hope for better patient care and prognoses. Integrating healthcare components through technology can also lead to more efficient and accessible healthcare services while lowering costs.
The healthcare industry hugely benefits from technology, which has been the driving force behind the significant progress made thus far. Technology will continue to play a crucial role in catalysing further advancements in healthcare, enabling healthcare professionals to provide better care, develop innovative treatments and improve patient outcomes.
The Impact of Digital Technology on Healthcare
“The outbreak has brought about a significant transformation in the digital healthcare landscape. With social distancing measures in place, teleconsultations have become increasingly prevalent, and patients, as well as healthcare providers, have had to adjust to this new format of healthcare delivery,” Prof Lawrence explains.
While the adoption of teleconsultations has seen a good uptake, other digital systems such as digital identification for tracking hospital entry and exit have encountered hurdles during implementation.
Prof Lawrence has identified the lack of an integrated healthcare ecosystem as a major challenge to the successful implementation of telemedicine. While video consultations are prevalent, the scarcity of examination tools and delays in medication delivery remain major obstacles. The limited access to medical information and the inability to provide detailed explanations or drawings further impede the progress of telemedicine.
Additionally, elderly patients, and other segments of society, may have difficulty using technology. Moreover, telemedicine cannot replicate the nonverbal and emotional aspects of in-person interaction. To overcome these obstacles, he feels, telemedicine in healthcare consultations and visits must be refined and expanded.
Prof Lawrence emphasises the need for the medical industry to evolve and improve its diagnostic and treatment capability. Current diagnostic techniques are limited to the five senses but there is a significant potential to collect more accurate and comprehensive patient data through the integration of sensors and artificial intelligence (AI) technology. This could lead to more precise diagnoses and tailored treatment plans, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
“Telemedicine may have some advantages, such as reduced travel time and longer appointments, but it will only be successful if patients see it as a viable alternative to face-to-face consultations,” Prof Lawrence reiterates. “It is important to have a gradual evolution and improvement in the medical industry, as opposed to dramatic changes driven by hype.”
He believes current medical developments primarily focus on the developers and creators rather than the end-users. This approach needs to be reoriented towards a more user-centric model for future medical development, including its cost-effectiveness.
Systems should be developed that take into account the specific needs and preferences of patients, healthcare providers and other stakeholders. This would ensure that healthcare development is better aligned with the needs and goals of those who will ultimately benefit from it
Academia should be incentivised to look out for interests outside of its own research driven solely by academic interests such as self-serving publications and ranking are no longer practical nor justifiable by public funding. There is a growing consensus that the focus of research should shift towards the development of practical applications.
In addition, he stresses the importance of investors in promoting innovation and addressing gaps within the healthcare ecosystem. He suggests that investors should prioritise addressing population-level issues, rather than focusing solely on niche areas.
As people’s lifespans continue to extend, addressing the requirements of an ageing population has become increasingly critical. It is crucial for startups to thoroughly explore this market and develop innovations specifically tailored to the needs of this demographic.
Drawing on the example of Singapore, which has implemented technology to support its elderly population, he suggests investors consider this increasingly important and growing segment when evaluating potential startups for investment.
“To effectively address the complexity national healthcare poses, a systems approach to problem-solving is necessary, where sustainability and equality take precedence over profits,” advocates Prof Lawrence. “Rather than focusing on building more structures, it is important to prioritise addressing issues of affordability and inequality through technology.”
Urban Ideas and Solutions Through LKYGBPC
The Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition (LKYGBPC), which began in 2001, is a biennial global university start-up competition hosted in Singapore. Organised by Singapore Management University’s Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, focuses on urban ideas and solutions developed by student founders and early-stage start-ups.
Prof Lawrence, who serves as a member of the judging panel, believes assigning mentors to teams based on their area of expertise can offer valuable guidance and support. This is just one of the many initiatives undertaken by the panel to foster, encourage, and sustain the entrepreneurial drive of the LKYGBPC participants.
In his view, when discussing the fundamental contrast between innovation and entrepreneurship, he feels that innovation involves tackling issues with fresh perspectives and novel ways, while entrepreneurship requires both discipline and adaptability in managing growth.
“Many people fail in business because they lack discipline and work independently,” says Prof Lawrence. “Cultivating a larger community of individuals who are adaptable and capable of working as part of a team is critical to entrepreneurship success.”
He considers seeking advice and collaborating with others crucial to surmount obstacles in innovation and entrepreneurship. Innovators should be willing to seek the assistance and counsel of others, particularly those with expertise in areas such as regulation or commercialisation.
People must understand that there are unique challenges at each stage of the process and bringing them to the right people to help solve them is important. Moreover, entrepreneurship demands financial discipline that benefits from the guidance and mentorship of multiple individuals.
Singapore’s drive to remain competitive in the global arena is a case in point. The country, he says, serves as a springboard, connecting people and providing access to other countries. To attract and retain talent and expand into new markets, he recommends leveraging Singapore’s strengths, such as its robust education system and its position as a hub for the Asian ecosystem.
Prof Lawrence co-invented the revolutionary Master and Slave Transluminal Endoscopic Robot (MASTER), which has now been incorporated into Endomaster.
He has mentored three startups in the fields of photonics and medical technology to identify potential failures and early warning signs through his own experiences.
Prof Lawrence has served as co-chair for the Gut & Obesity in Asia (Go Asia) Workgroup, which investigates the correlation between obesity and gastrointestinal and liver ailments in Asia.
In summation, he stresses the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity, as it enables individuals to learn and prepare for future challenges.
“Those who have never failed or struggled in the trenches may not be able to achieve long-term success,” Prof Lawrence concludes.
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Kemajuan teknologi dan sains telah membawa efektivitas dan efisiensi industri kesehatan sehingga bisa menjangkau lebih banyak orang di pelosok wilayah. Kemudahan akses pada layanan perawatan kesehatan ini diharapkan bisa meningkatkan kualitas hidup dan umur warga.
Telemedicine menjadi salah satu perkembangan terbaru di industri ini yang populer imbas pandemi COVID-19. Saat itu, telemedicine berhasil membantu pasien untuk berkonsultasi dengan dokter, melakukan diagnosis, dan pengobatan dari jarak jauh.
Perkembangan kecerdasan buatan (AI) ikut berkontribusi memodernisasi layanan kesehatan. AI berpotensi membantu dokter untuk membuat diagnosis yang lebih cepat dan akurat, memprediksi hasil kesehatan, dan melakukan asistensi rencana perawatan. Layanan berbasis AI seperti chatbots dan asisten virtual, juga bisa dimanfaatkan untuk menjembatani komunikasi layanan kesehatan dengan pasien.
Pengobatan yang efektif, teknik diagnostik yang lebih akurat, dan sistem pemberian obat yang lebih baik diarahkan untuk memperbaiki sistem perawatan, pengobatan, dan prognosis pasien. Selain itu, kemajuan teknologi juga diharapkan bisa mengurangi biaya perawatan kesehatan lantaran operasional yang makin efisien.
Menggali potensi dari celah di teknologi kesehatan
“Jika Anda menggunakan konsultasi video, Anda hanya dapat melihat tapi Anda tidak dapat memeriksa. Tentu saja pemeriksaan adalah hal yang penting. Semestinya kita bisa memiliki kemampuan yang sama serupa dengan pertemuan tatap muka. Menurut saya, alat pengujian untuk melakukan diagnosa masih kurang pada layanan telemedicine,” jelas Lawrence dalam wawancara dengan CEO & Pemimpin Redaksi OpenGov Asia, Mohit Sagar.
Kedua, layanan telemedicine masih harus mematangkan ekosistem pendukung, salah satunya terkait dengan pengantaran obat. Di Singapura, layanan pengantaran obat bisa dikirim dalam satu minggu. Hal ini tentu akan menghambat proses pengobatan ketimbang langsung datang dan diberi obat ketika melakukan kunjungan tatap muka.
Meski demikian, Lawrence menyebut layanan telemedicine masih dilakukan di masa setelah COVID-19 untuk pasien yang kondisinya sudah cukup stabil di rumah. Sementara sebagian besar pasien sudah kembali melakukan kunjungan tatap muka seperti biasa.
Selain itu, penjelasan yang bisa dilakukan lewat telemedicine menurut Lawrence masih terbatas. Ia merasa kesulitan jika harus melakukan penjelasan dengan tambahan gambar yang dengan mudah dilakukan dalam pertemuan tatap muka secara langsung.
Selain itu, ia pun menaruh perhatian pada kesulitan akses teknologi yang dialami oleh pasien lanjut usia. Telemedicine sulit untuk membaca dan menyampaikan aspek nonverbal dan emosional dari interaksi langsung.
Ia menekankan industri medis perlu mengembangkan dan meningkatkan metode untuk mendiagnosis dan merawat pasien. Ia berharap telemedicine bisa mendukung diagnosis dengan memanfaatkan sejumlah panca indera untuk memeriksa gejala. Dalam pertemuan tatap muka, dokter bisa langsung mengukur detak jantung dengan stetoskop, merasakan dengan sentuhan jari, pendengaran, atau diagnosis sensoris lain untuk mendapat data dari pasien. Kesamaan proses diagnosis seperti inilah yang perlu dikembangkan untuk layanan telemedicine ke depan.
Untuk memperbaiki layanan perawatan medis jarak jauh, semua kekurangan itu perlu ditambal. Tambahan sensor, metaverse dan kecerdasan buatan (AI) dapat dimungkinkan untuk melakukan hal ini dan membantu menganalisa data pasien yang lebih akurat dan komprehensif. Ia optimis kemajuan teknologi bisa mengatasi semua kelemahan itu karena saat ini kita sedang berevolusi untuk meningkatkan layanan telemedicine secara bertahap.
Sebagai seorang investor, menurut Lawrence, inovasi itu menjadi pendorong inovasi yang cukup besar. Namun, agar bisa lebih berdampak, menurutnya baik inovator, akademisi, dan startup mesti benar-benar menyentuh permasalahan di akar rumput. Selama ini, penelitian-penelitian yang dilakukan para edukator kurang peka dengan kebutuhan masyarakat. Mereka melupakan mengapa mereka ada di institusi akademis yang semestinya menelurkan solusi bagi masyarakat. Begitupula dengan para investor. Mereka pun mesti memiliki visi untuk melayani dan menyelesaikan masalah di masyarakat terlebih dulu sebelum menajamkan sasaran ke ceruk pasar yang lebih sempit.
LKYGBPC untuk majukan entrepreneurship
Bagi Lawrence, inovasi berangkat dari inisiatif untuk menyelesaikan masalah dan mengeksekusi ide solusi itu dengan kedisiplinan. Disiplin dalam memperbaiki produk, mengelola konsumen, membangun tim dan organisasi, serta mengelola keuangan. Lawrence menganggap kompetisi bisnis internasional seperti LKYGBPC bisa memberikan kesempatan bagi para pebisnis muda untuk melakukan ekspansi pasar ke negara lain.
Prof Lawrence menjadi investor di tiga startup. Pertama adalah Master and Slave Transluminal Endoscopic Robot (MASTER). MASTER kini telah diintegrasikan menjadi Endomaster, startup MedTech yang paling banyak mendapat kucuran dana di Asia pada 2017. Ia pun mendanai startup di bidang fotonik dan bioteknologi yang mengembangkan peringatan dini dibidang kesehatan.
Berdasarkan pengalaman memiliki tiga startup teknologi kesehatan, Lawrance menyarankan agar startup perlu fleksibel dan membuka diri. Mereka mesti bersedia menerima masukan dari konsumen, tim, dan mereka yang lebih ahli. “Saya merasa bahwa beberapa inovator sangat protektif terhadap produk mereka sendiri, mereka pikir ini adalah bayi mereka.”
Sebab, dari berbagai masukan itu, founder dan tim bisa memetakan dengan cepat berbagai tantangan yang mungkin mereka hadapi di sepanjang jalan. Setelah itu, mereka mesti menemukan orang yang tepat untuk memecahkan tantangan tersebut.
Mereka pun harus berjuang untuk mewujudkan apa yang mereka janjikan dari konsep yang diajukan. Menurut Lawrence, beberapa orang lebih jago menuliskan ide mereka di kertas dan Power Point ketimbang terjun langsung ke lapangan.
“Para pejuang kertas dan Power Point sangat sulit untuk berhasil. Anda harus benar-benar melakukannya hingga berdarah-darah, hingga Anda menguasai dan memenangkan pertempuran,” tegasnya.
Tantangan berikutnya untuk startup kesehatan adalah soal regulasi. Startup perlu menemukan ahli untuk membantu merancang uji klinis agar lolos berbagai uji klinis dan regulasi.
Tantangan yang terakhir adalah masalah komersialisasi produk. Bagaimana menghasilkan pendapatan dari produk yang akan dijual.
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There has been extensive usage of AI technology in the service of helping humanity. In the health sector, AI has been used to identify new illnesses and epidemics that have become a concern when they appear in different parts of the world. Therefore, it was decided to develop the necessary tools to assist the country in dealing with any future pandemic in Indonesia at the suggestion of Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN).
Given Indonesia’s limited infrastructure and medical workforce, a well-thought-out plan was crucial for overcoming such an emergency. As a result, the healthcare infrastructure in Indonesia, including hospitals, physicians, health workers, and the government, could be ready for any future pandemic.
Outbreaks can be identified using AI by extracting morphometric information from microscopy images. Anto Satriyo Nugroho, Director of BRIN’s Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research and Cybersecurity (PR KAKS), said that AI can greatly aid Indonesian healthcare workers in hot spots, for instance, malaria epidemics. The algorithm could determine whether a person has caught malaria based on whether their blood sample tested positive for the parasite outbreak.
“Artificial intelligence applications can also detect epidemics with high precision. With AI, we can get an accurate forecast 77.14% of the time, with a sensitivity of 84.37% and an F1 accuracy of 80.60%,” he revealed.
To promote such initiatives, the National Research, and Innovation Agency (BRIN) hosted a webinar with the topic “Utilising AI in Health”. A panel discussion with a resource person, the Director of the BRIN Institute’s Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research and Cybersecurity (PR KAKS), followed the webinar activity. Prof. Indi Dharmayanti, Head of the BRIN Health Research Organisation, and Alexander Svinin, Russian Trade Attache for Indonesia, shared some opening comments during this webinar.
Experts in artificial intelligence technology include Anto Satriyo Nugroho, Director of the Center for Artificial Intelligence at Innopolis University Russia Ramil Kuleev, and researcher from the Astutiati Nurhasanah National Agency for Research on Vaccines and Drugs Research Centre, Ruslan Lukin.
Meanwhile, Russian Trade Attaché Alexander Svinin has voiced his approval of the work being done in Indonesia in artificial intelligence, “When it comes to the use of AI in medicine, we will be extremely receptive to new ideas and findings. This will open the door for cooperation among many groups.”
Professor and Head of the Russian University of Innopolis’s Institute of AI According to Ramil Kuleev, artificial intelligence has been used in various spheres of Russian society, most notably the medical field, where it has been used to diagnose illnesses based on radiological examinations.
Indonesian organisations like the Metaverse Research & Experience Centre (MREC) and the Indonesia Metaverse Collaboration supports the metaverse effort alongside AI development. Denny Setiawan, Director of resource management for the Ministry of Communication and Information’s Directorate General of Resources and Equipment of Post and Information Technology, said this would be a crucial step in hastening the country’s digital transition.
The mission of the Metaverse Research and Education Consortium (MREC), a public-private partnership, is to foster these very activities inside the realm of the technological metaverse. The Metaverse Research and Experience Centre (MREC) may be in the middle of the action on the Telkom University Campus. The building will serve as a hub for metaverse technology-related R&D, engagement with industry, and capability development.
Academics, researchers, connectivity service providers, industry partnerships, and policymakers can all work together and build connections with the help of MREC’s resources. Launching MREC is a big deal for Indonesia’s digital economy since it shows the country is serious about capitalising on the rising international interest in metaverse technology.
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The BRIGHT/AHI algorithm, funded as part of the Australian federal government’s Smartsat CRC Bushfire initiative, was developed by a team of researchers from the former Natural Hazards CRC and Natural Hazards Research Australia.
It uses images from the Himawari-8 satellite of the Japanese Meteorological Agency to provide automated, near-continuous, and near-real-time surveillance of potential fire activity across Australia. Previously, polar-orbiting earth observation satellites could only provide one or two images per day, limiting the detection of potential hotspots. However, with the addition of geostationary satellites, new opportunities have emerged for persistent continental monitoring of fires, improving the ability to observe fire in the landscape from space.
Fire detection algorithms typically identify hotspots by comparing the temperature of a candidate pixel to a reference value. Traditional fire detection methods compare the candidate pixel to its surrounding pixels, using fixed threshold values to trigger a detection.
However, this technique can be problematic, especially when fires occur in complex landscapes or when cloud and/or smoke obscures or partially obscures pixel values. In a country as large and diverse in fire regimes as Australia, these challenges are further compounded.
The BRIGHT/AHI algorithm adopts a novel approach to detect fire activity from earth observation data. By leveraging the AHI Himawari-8 geostationary imager that captures images of Australia every ten minutes, day and night, the algorithm calculates bioregion-specific control values and associated thresholds based on a pixel’s temperature history. This history covers a 30-day period, and the values are optimised to minimise errors of omission in near-real-time. Upon receiving the satellite imagery, the algorithm processes the entire continent of Australia in less than 45 seconds, providing timely and accurate bushfire information. The algorithm’s detections have been compared to those of existing polar-orbiting, satellite-based fire detection products (Chatzopoulos-Vouzoglanis et al., 2022).
The release of the new BRIGHT/AHI hotspot product to Australian fire management agencies and the public is timely, given that two polar-orbiting fire detection products, namely the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) and the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS), are approaching the end of their operational lifecycles.
The MODIS instruments were launched in 1999 (Terra satellite) and 2002 (Aqua satellite), and both have exceeded their designed operational lifetimes of six years. While the Suomi NPP VIIRS maintains the continuity of earth observations, this was recently compromised when the satellite went into safe mode in July 2022 and only recently came back online.
The BRIGHT/AHI algorithm, together with geostationary satellites, represents a new generation of near-real-time earth observation products that are revolutionising our ability to understand fire activity, regimes, impacts, and recovery in a systematic and replicable way for Australia.
Recent developments and testing have led to the inclusion of Fire Radiative Power (FRP) estimate alongside hotspots, with associated products of fire severity and combustion completeness being developed by the RMIT team. However, the challenge of persistent surveillance and tracking of wildfires across Australia is complex and requires a suite of technologies and techniques.
While no single technology or solution can provide us with robust answers to every question, BRIGHT/AHI contributes significantly to this ongoing challenge through the provision of hotspots for Australia via the Geoscience Australia Digital Earth Australia Hotspots website.
The Australian federal government’s Smartsat CRC now funds this research via its Real-time Fire Analytics research programme.
The aim of this project is to develop a comprehensive satellite system that combines geostationary, polar-orbiting, and aerial-based sensors to enable real-time attribution of fires across landscapes. The project will design and implement a data and platform ecosystem that allows for the autonomous detection, processing, and delivery of real-time fire information to end users.
The project comprises two key elements:
- The design and implementation of a data and platform ecosystem that can enable real-time fire surveillance using geostationary, polar-orbiting, and aerial sensors. This “system of systems” approach will ensure that the best available information is always provided.
- The project aims to develop autonomous AI algorithms for real-time fire surveillance and attribution, such as burn severity and FRP.
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Singapore’s Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) is growing its network of partners and areas of collaboration to give Singapore’s defence and security a strategic technological edge against future threats. At the recent Singapore Defence and Technology Summit 2023, DSTA signed more than nine partnerships with military partners, commercial companies, and academic institutions.
Mervyn Tan, the DSTA’s Chief Executive stated that the changing nature of asymmetrical threats and the rise of new, disruptive technologies have made it even more important for DSTA to prepare the agency for these new paradigms and stay on the cutting edge of the latest technology trends.
He added that they brought together hundreds of top government leaders, innovators, and engineers from around the world at the Singapore Defence Technology Summit so they could share their thoughts and ideas.
Given the new threats and opportunities, the agency wanted to adopt a very different collaboration strategy. They are pushing beyond traditional areas such as platform design to share data and leveraging smart and digital technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data Analytics, and Machine Learning (ML) with their defence sector partners to optimise efficiencies, improve system performance, and achieve sustainability.
To meet Singapore’s defence needs, DSTA will also look into ways to accelerate the adoption of suitable commercial dual-use innovations, such as collaborations with digital tech start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises. Also, the collaborations with top-tier academia will allow DSTA to delve deeper into research on emerging technologies.
More than nine partners from a wide range of fields came together to make the new partnerships. DSTA will work more closely with businesses to build data-driven analysis and diagnostic tools that will help it build its Fleet Management System.
DSTA will also work with a Swedish aerospace and defence company to make a Multi-Role Combat Vessel that is advanced, digitalised, and data driven. This will not only help DSTA engineers get better at designing surface ships, but it will also help them get better at analysing data.
The partnership between DSTA and a technology company will be expanded to include the co-development of new radar waveforms and the training of local radar experts so that the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) can be better supported.
DSTA has also teamed up with other institutions and firms to use digital technologies to improve the full range of defence capabilities, from cyber security to making traditional weapon systems and platforms more available. To promote sustainability, DSTA will also work with one of the world’s largest publicly traded international oil and gas companies to get a fleet of ships run by the Republic of Singapore Navy to use Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil.
DSTA will work with an international high-technology group, operating in aviation and Carnegie Mellon University to develop its talent pool through internships, co-development of executive education programmes and courses, and the exchange of academic publications and research information. This is in addition to enhancing the technical capabilities of existing platforms.
DSTA also actively solicits innovative solutions from small and medium-sized businesses, start-ups, and even individuals through initiatives such as the International Data Engineering Prize Challenge, a global competition that called for an innovative data ingestion and curation solution for counter-terrorism intelligence analysis.
These partnerships put DSTA in a much stronger position to constantly innovate and be prepared to leverage the most cutting-edge technologies to enhance Singapore’s future-proofing capabilities.
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As the development and use of technology is rapidly advancing, it is becoming increasingly popular for parents to let their children use electronic devices at an early age. Unfortunately, most of the time, children do not have the skills to protect themselves in cyberspace.
A survey conducted last year on parents’ opinions regarding online safety revealed that the average age of Vietnamese children first owning a mobile phone is nine years old. However, the average age at which children are informed about information security in cyberspace is 13 years old. This means that there are about four years that children interact online without being warned about potential risks and how to deal with them.
In 2020, the Management and Sustainable Development Institute (MSD) and Save the Children conducted a nationwide survey that showed that children often use the Internet for learning (83%), entertainment (71%), making friends (71%), sharing information (23%), shopping (30%) and live streaming (6.3%). It was reported that 40% of children feel unsafe when using the Internet. More than 70% of children have had unwanted experiences such as personal information disclosure, harassing texts, and cyberbullying.
The risks become more diverse and unpredictable and do not spare anyone. Therefore, children need to be educated and equipped with the knowledge to protect themselves and take advantage of technology. In 2021, the Prime Minister approved Decision No 830, under which the “Protecting and Supporting Children to Interact Healthy and Creatively in Cyberspace” programme for the 2021-2025 period was launched.
The Deputy Head of the Information Security Department, Tran Dang Khoa, stressed that digital technology products in Vietnam must be created and applied to successfully implement the programme.
The objective of the programme is to safeguard children against online risks and empower them with digital literacy while fostering a healthy online environment. It also seeks to develop innovative Vietnamese products and applications that enable children to learn, connect, and enjoy recreational activities online.
It is the first national one in Vietnam for child protection on the Internet. Under the programme, a network to rescue and protect children on digital platforms was created. It seeks to enhance public awareness, share valuable experiences, and receive and handle reports from the community about child abuse on the Internet.
The programme outlines six principles that parents and teachers must follow to assist children in interacting with digital media. They consist of recognising a child’s right to access and use the Internet, helping children use the Internet safely as soon as possible; respecting the child’s privacy; understanding the psychology and development of children to accompany them; guiding children to access support when needed; and being available when the child is in need.
The General Director of Smart Cyber Security, Ngo Tuan Anh, said that when schools equip computer rooms with an Internet connection according to regulations, the big challenge is finding and equipping tools to help monitor and manage students. There are technology solutions that can help schools manage students on the internet conveniently, he said. The products apply the cloud computing model, allowing schools to deploy and easily use them at a reasonable monthly cost quickly. A representative of the Vietnam Cybersecurity Emergency Response Teams/Coordination Centre (VNCERT/CC) named three major technologies: protection technologies on operating systems, browsers, and applications; child protection devices and applications on terminals; the applications that support reflections and checking.
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Like in business and other aspects, the future of crime fighting will be heavily influenced by technological advancements. Artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), automation, augmented reality, big data, and all the other most significant trends observed in other industries are equally impacting policing.
In Singapore, an Emergency Video System uses technology that is already on mobile phones. This lets people who call ‘999’ or ‘995’ tell the Singapore Police Force (SPF) and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) Operations Centres where the incident is happening and what it looks like.
This ability will make it much easier for SPF and SCDF Operations Centres, as well as first responders, to assess the situation and make decisions. With these technologies, police officers and intelligence agencies have more tools than ever before to stop crime and keep citizens safe. As criminals become more inventive in their own use of technology and data, SPF and SCDF also help combat the emergence of new types of crime.
The Police Operations Command Centre (POCC) and the SCDF Operations Centre will both be able to use the Emergency Video System. Hence, officers at the POCC and SCDF Operations Centre may encounter difficulties understanding the incident situation during emergency calls, particularly in complex and dynamic situations where the caller may be incapable to convey the extent of the situation.
The Emergency Video System supplemented the Home Team’s emergency call response by allowing SPF and SCDF officers at the respective Operations Centres to start live video streaming from the caller’s mobile phone to assist in decision-making and situational assessment.
Callers would also be able to share their real-time location with SPF and SCDF officers via the system, which would aid in the subsequent emergency response. Collaborations have emerged with other institutions to develop this new capability.
Additionally, where a live stream would be beneficial for a ‘999’ or ‘995’ incident, the Operations Centre will activate the Emergency Video System. The caller will give the operator permission to activate the live video stream from a safe location.
An SMS with a link will then be sent to the caller. By tapping on the hyperlink, the caller’s mobile phone’s web browser will be used to stream live footage of the incident, without the need to install any new applications. At the same time, the system will transmit the caller’s location to the Operations Centre, facilitating front-line emergency response.
During the live video streaming, the caller should stay on the ‘999’ or ‘995’ line while officers in the Operations Centre can talk to the caller over the phone while keeping an eye on the video feed.
Before responding officers arrive at the incident site, the Emergency Video System will provide SCDF and SPF with an additional means of triaging and sense-making. This will also help responding forces prepare for the incident while they are on their way to the scene. When both the SPF and the SCDF are responding to a major emergency, such as a major fire, they may use the same live stream.
By allowing organisations to respond to criminal activity in real-time, new digital technologies are transforming the way police protect and serve the public. It is crucial to stay up-to-date on technological advancements that can assist law enforcement on a global scale and to implement these advancements as they see fit in any given environment.