AI Safety and Startup Hurdles: Perspectives from Kazakhstan-France Discussion
A lively discourse on AI applications and challenges in rail transport, starring Alstom and HubLab.ai
A bustling roundtable discussion, organized by the French Embassy in Kazakhstan and Astana Hub, took place on April 2 at Astana Hub. The event, moderated by yours truly, brought together key players in the AI landscape, with Jérôme Boyer, regional director of Alstom for Central Asia, and Ivan Kononov, founder of HubLab.ai, stealing the show.
Alstom, a globally recognized powerhouse in the rail sector, is experimenting with AI in various projects to improve their operational efficiency and customer experience. Boyer explained that their approach to AI involves testing both external solutions and in-house creations, with a focus on projects that can be easily scaled up should they succeed.
One fascinating application of Alstom's AI lies in rail transport safety. They've developed a system that uses AI to monitor the facial expressions of locomotive drivers during long trips. In Kazakhstan, where distances between stations stretch beyond France's norms, this system becomes crucial in preventing accidents caused by driver fatigue. Should a driver in Kazakhstan travel 2000 kilometers, the challenges faced differ substantially from those in France, where the same distance is only 200 kilometers. Alstom's AI system can detect signs of fatigue, issue alerts, and even stop the train if necessary, enhancing overall safety in rail transport.
AI has also been instrumental in predictive maintenance for Alstom's fleet of locomotives in Kazakhstan. They employ sensors and machine learning to anticipate when parts of the locomotives are likely to fail, allowing for preventative maintenance. This system already monitors around 150-200 locomotives in Kazakhstan and has significantly improved failure prediction accuracy.
On the other hand, HubLab.ai specializes in neural networks and focuses on using AI to help businesses speed up and make smarter decisions. Kononov highlighted the challenges faced by AI startups in Kazakhstan, particularly the difficulty in gaining access to international mentorship, resources, and markets. He emphasized the need for stronger international collaboration to overcome these obstacles.
Kononov also touched upon the importance of developing AI solutions that provide tangible benefits to customers. His team, for instance, concentrates on adopting machine learning and neural networks to help businesses move faster and make more informed decisions.
Both Boyer and Kononov agreed that the AI industry is merely at its starting point, with a wealth of potential yet to be unveiled. While current AI models, such as large language models like GPT-4, only scratch the surface, future advancements will make AI more efficient and accessible. Even smartphones could potentially run advanced AI models in the next few years, according to Kononov.
In summary, the discussion shed valuable light on the pragmatic application of AI in the rail sector, as showcased by Alstom's pioneering work, as well as the challenges faced by local AI startups in Kazakhstan. The participants emphasized the need for international collaboration, education, and the development of tangible AI solutions to navigate the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
Artificial-intelligence, particularly in the form of large language models like GPT-4, holds the promise of future advancements, as highlighted by Ivan Kononov, founder of HubLab.ai. Meanwhile, Alstom, a global rail sector powerhouse, is leveraging AI to enhance rail transport safety and predictive maintenance, as demonstrated by their AI-driven systems in Kazakhstan.
