12 AUGUST 2019|COMPUTER SHOPPER|ISSUE 378
RANTS&RAVES
IFYOU’REREADINGthis, you’ve hopefully also read Madeline
Bennett’sShopper377 investigation intohow conservationists are
using technology to protect animals in the wild. It’s heartening to
know that drones and AI are being harnessed in ways that benefit
wildlife, humanity and the planet all at once –certainly more so than
yet another story of creepysurveillance practices on citizens.
I’ve recently stumbled on asimilar tale of tech being used to help
animalsincaptivity.ChengduResearchBaseofGiantPandaBreeding,
in China, has developed afacial-recognition system to keep track of
its resident pandas. Their markings might make it difficult fora
human to tell them apart, but with the AI-powered app,both
scientists and visitors can instantly identify individual bears.
Technologymaybealongway from solvingthe Irishborderissue or simplifying
yourVATbill, butatleast it’s helpinginthe fight foranimalconservation
RANTS&RAVES& SS
Fortourists, this will allow them to view facts about
each panda, but it’s expected to help conservation
efforts, too. Amore reliable wayofidentifying each
panda, without the need formore physically intrusive
tracking measures, could help with anything from
feeding schedules to the study of genetics. There are
plans to use the same technology to study and manage
pandas outside captivity as well.
This isn’t the first attempt to develop humane,tech-based
tools foridentifying animals. Princeton University and the University
ofIllinoisatChicagopreviouslycreatedStripeSpotter.Thisopen-source
projectconvertsphotosofzebrasintoasetofblackandwhitebands,
with each set corresponding to the unique pattern of an individual
zebra. In 2017,researchers developed similar facial recognition to
thatof ChengduResearchBase,butforlemurs:namedLemurFaceID,
the system allows scientists to track members of the endangered
species in the wild without having to trap and tag them first.
Thepanda-basedequivalentmightnothaveanameoutofaSilicon
Valleystartup,but it is another example of technology at its best: a
just cause,enabled by pragmatic design. More like that, please.
FORMANYYEARSnow,we’ve been hearing promises from our
government (whichever one is in power) that technology is the
answer to many of our problems. Everything from the Brexit-
complicating Irish border question to easing the burden on the NHS
can be solved by asprinkle of computing magic, or so we’re told.
Reality is very different. Technology already exists that could see
doctors’waitingroomsemptied,thanksto onlinevideoconsultations
and wearable tech that transmits our data to medical professionals.
Or better still, forgo the human element altogether and send this
straight to an AI system, which can compare your results against
millions of others with similar symptoms and deliver adiagnosis.
The trouble is, while technology is ready forthis medical
revolution, us humans aren’t quitethere yet. Many of us still prefer
talking to adoctor in person, and we don’t all relish the idea of
devices collecting, storing and sharing our vital statistics.
Even where the government has managed to go digital, the
results aren’t always helpful. First, there’s the problem of whole
groups of society being locked out of critical online-
only services (seeMel’sWorld,Shopper377,for avivid
portrayalofthe digital divide). And then there’s the
fact that government departments aren’t always as
joined-up as theylike to think theyare,asIwas
reminded when dealing with aVAT bill.
Irecently received aletter from HMRC, warning me
that if Ididn’t paysaid bill within 14 days, I’d face apenalty.
My VAT account shows I’m in credit by roughly the same
amount as the sum owed. Itried phoning the VAT helpline several
times to confirm theycould use this balance to paymybill, but each
timeImanagedto getasfarasthesecuritymeasuresonlyto betold,
“We’re sorry,wecan’t deal with your call at the moment. Goodbye.”
When Ifinally managed to speak to someone,heexplained that
althoughIhadtherightamountincreditto coverthebill,thesystem
hadn’t been updated. I’d need to phone the original number (which I
can’t get through to)torequest arefund, and then repaythe bill.
His other advice was to phone back in December,when the
system should have updated. Yes, December.It’s currently May.
So I’ve admitted defeat. As there’s no waytospeak to someone
to request arefund, I’ve simply paid the lump sum again.
As to the chances of the Irish border issue being miraculously
solved by government-run technology? About as likely as the
government finding adeal equally loved by Leavers and Remainers,
I’d say.
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