Artificial Intelligence

Powering Interior Design with AI

Published

2 years ago

January 14, 2022

In Singapore, home renovation often conjures a duality of emotions. On one hand, excitement – finally, one’s dream home would soon be a reality. On the other hand, worry — there is a prevailing issue of transparency in the interior design industry. Prices may not be what they should be and the competency of a designer cannot be evaluated easily, so homeowners may not be getting what they are paying for. One small and medium enterprise (SME) is looking to disrupt the market by harnessing technology.

Sixides focuses on bridging homeowners and interior designers. Besides championing transparency, the company recognises that there are needs to be a process for homeowners to communicate their design preferences and themes quickly and clearly, as well as to professionalise and accredit interior designers.

As a consumer-driven interior design platform, Sixides was on the lookout to partner with an institute of higher learning to implement its forward-thinking ideas. The company approached the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) to help translate their ideas to meet industry standards.

“The prospect of collaborating with a university to ideate, collaborate and materialise projects is very exciting. Together with Design Factory@SIT (DF@SIT), we can now bridge the gap between academia and the business world through real world projects, with real world results,” said Astley Ng, Chief Executive Officer, Sixides.

The university’s Infocomm Technology (ICT) faculty could help Sixides with technology use, while Design Factory@SIT would provide a certification programme for accreditation. Sharing the same values as SIT, especially in design thinking, Sixides leapt at the exciting opportunity to collaborate.

“We have embarked on a series of projects with DF@SIT that includes artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and industry skills upgrading courses that elevates industry standards, and we are exploring many more. The staff of DF@SIT are very receptive to ideas and are also actively contributing from their perspectives. There is an awesome synergy between both parties, which spurs creativity and drive,” Mr Ng added.

For SIT, the feeling was mutual: What better way to expose its students to the industry than with real world projects?

When Artificial Intelligence Meets Design

To solve the issue of transparency, Sixides and SIT embarked on a new frontier – AI.

“Sixides had a great idea: If you are a homeowner and you see a piece of furniture that you like, snap a photo of it and upload it onto the Sixides platform. Sixides would then generate various possibilities of what interior designers can do for you,” said Senior Lecturer Scott Jones, ICT, SIT, who oversaw the project. “That is where SIT came in – we provided the ICT skills and resources to help Sixides realise their vision.”

SIT developed a machine-learning algorithm that is trained to recognise design elements such as furniture, colours, materials, and classify images according to a set of interior design themes. Eventually, the system can allow consumers to receive instant, industry-standard quotations.

For the two SIT students involved in the AI project, this was not something new – they had experience from an earlier module. However, there was still much to learn.

“Every detail in each image plays a big part, from furniture to tiles. This affects how images would be classified as a theme,” said Nicholas Lim, now a Year 3 ICT (Software Engineering) student. “Knowing such intricate details really helped us design the AI model, making everything more accurate. It made me realise that every single part of a user’s experience truly matters.”

For machine learning to be as effective as possible, hundreds, even thousands of images need to be uploaded. This proved challenging as the team constantly needed to source for more images. “Machine learning is a cycle that can be constantly improved. As Sixides continues to use it, it will continually get better as more images come in,” said Jones.

Now, the pilot prototype, eQuote, is fully functional and ready to be plugged in.

Paving the Future for Interior Design Certification

Besides using technology to elevate the industry, Sixides felt that professionalising the sector was also crucial. Thus, it envisioned a system where interior designers could take classes and earn badges to showcase their unique competencies and verifications. This would assure homeowners of the quality and standards of their interior designers.

“Sixides had already identified a core set of competencies and SIT’s job was to provide a level of standard for the courses, which we have long-standing experience in,” said Assistant Professor Mark Teo from the Business, Communication and Design cluster, who is a former architectural practitioner involved in developing the courses. “We worked with Sixides to flesh out the different components of the intended training and propose a framework of competency that would meet the needs of the industry. The courses were also designed to engage adult learners through the integration of applied learning in the delivery of the course content.”

The Modular Certification Courses will be taught not just by Sixides and SIT, but also by industry partners and experts. The programme features four pillars (Design, Sustainability, Buildability and Project Management) with three levels of courses, from basic to advanced.

For instance, the Sustainability and Healthy Interiors courses focus on sustainable practices and principles of interior design, from materials to overall interior spaces.

The courses will be open to working professionals in the second quarter of 2022 through SITLEARN Professional Development, the lifelong learning division of SIT. “We hope to conduct physical classes due to the nature of the practice,” said Asst Prof Teo. “Sixides is already working on the buy-in from companies.”

Associate Professor Agnes Xue, Head, DF@SIT, looks forward to working with more industry partners who are keen on adopting a user-centric model. “We support industry partners, especially SMEs, through design-led collaborative projects to move up the innovation value chain.”

Sixides is one such partner that has benefited from the collaboration. “I believe as more businesses pivot (to tech-powered platforms), many will realise the value of critical thinking – a core subject in creative learning, especially when doing design work. DF@SIT’s trajectory will include helping even non design-related businesses to start adopting creative and critical thinking as a core component of their business set ups,” said Mr Ng.

Up Next

Artificial Intelligence for Deepfakes Creation and Detection – Friends or foes?

Don't Miss

The Government of The Republic of Vanuatu Announce Major Changes to Their Citizenship by Investment Programme

Gaspar Incze

Artificial Intelligence

First Comprehensive Report on Public Web Data Released by Bright Data

Published

4 hours ago

April 23, 2024

CISION (PR Newswire)

Reveals necessity in every industry
NEW YORK, April 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Released today, The State of Public Web Data Report 2024, details a comprehensive analysis on how organizations leverage public web data to drive innovation, enhance customer experience, and develop AI models.

Bright Data commissioned an independent third-party to carry out the first survey of this kind which details the emergence of public web data as the most valued data type. Nearly every organization surveyed uses and benefits from public web data through quicker decision-making, boosting revenue, and meeting customer needs.
The need for public web data in AI is clear in all industries, with more than half of respondents using public web data to build AI models for customer service or to meet internal needs such as fraud detection and risk assessment.
Although necessary to build AI machines, 72% of respondents are worried that public web data will no longer be accessible in the next 5 years. The lack of a legal framework to protect this data emerged as a top concern.
Other key insights from the report:
89% of respondents recognize public web data is crucial or very important to the global economy.82% of respondents say public web data is critical to the future of their organization.79% of respondents agree that large organizations and or big tech hide too much of their public web data.88% of respondents believe public web data is critical for the development of AI models.”Our findings reveal a clear consensus among industry leaders: leveraging public web data is key to unlocking growth and fostering innovation,” said Or Lenchner, CEO of Bright Data. “Public web data is not a ‘like to have,’ it’s a ‘must have’ to conduct business and maintain a competitive market. We understand from our own experience with 20,000 customers that once a business realizes the potential of public web data they will look to discover new ways to leverage this tool to lead against the competition.”
About Bright Data: Bright Data is the #1 web data platform. Fortune 500 companies, academic institutions, non-profits, and small businesses rely on Bright Data’s solutions to collect public web data in the most efficient, reliable, and flexible way to make faster, more informed business-critical decisions.
Contacts:[email protected]
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2276620/Bright_Data_logo__1044x234_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/first-comprehensive-report-on-public-web-data-released-by-bright-data-302124673.html

Artificial Intelligence

OSIA becomes an official International Telecoms Union (ITU) standard

Published

4 hours ago

April 23, 2024

CISION (PR Newswire)

osia-becomes-an-official-international-telecoms-union-(itu)-standard

ITU Standardization Sector (ITU-T) Recommendation X.1281 – APIs for interoperability of identity management systems
BRUSSELS, April 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The Secure Identity Alliance (SIA) announced today that its OSIA specification, is recognized as international standard by the International Telecommunication Union’s Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T). This milestone establishes OSIA as official ITU standard (ITU-T Recommendation) for the global infrastructure of information and communication technologies (ICT).

The specification that is now an ITU-T Recommendation is: ITU-T X.1281 – APIs for interoperability of identity management systems.
ITU-T is the standardization arm of ITU, the United Nations specialized agency for ICT. The Secure Identity Alliance specifications were approved as official ITU-T Recommendations by ITU members including 193 countries and the world’s front-running ICT companies on 1st March 2024. The new ITU-T Recommendation is under the responsibility of ITU’s standardization expert group for security, ITU-T Study Group 17.
“We are very proud that the OSIA specification is recognized as an international standard by ITU-T. This milestone demonstrates the maturity of OSIA and its potential to foster interoperability and promote fairness in the identity management systems market,” said Debora Comparin, Chair of the OSIA Initiative.
Prof. Heung Youl Youm, Chairman of ITU-T Study Group 17, said, “The recognition of the OSIA specification as an official ITU-T Recommendation underscores its critical contribution to the advancement of global ICT infrastructure. We are thrilled about the ongoing collaboration between ITU-T SG17 and the SIA, aimed at developing standards for secure identity management.”
“As Editor of the OSIA standard in the ITU-T Study Group 17 Q10, I am pleased to have contributed to this successful recommendation by the ITU,” said Abbie Barbir, Rapporteur for ITU-T’s working group on ‘Identity management and telebiometrics architecture and mechanisms’ (Q10/17). “The collaboration with the SIA continues on OSIA and other structuring initiatives and standards development.”
Engr Abisoye Coker-Odusote, CEO, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Nigeria & Chair of the OSIA Advisory Committee, said, “As the Chair of the OSIA Advisory Committee, comprised exclusively of government representatives, we take great pride in our five years of collaboration guiding the working group in the development of the OSIA specification. OSIA establishes equal marketplace conditions, fosters collaboration, and ensures product compatibility post-mergers and acquisitions. The OSIA standardized interfaces drive innovation, enabling new local market models and reducing fraud within multiple ID systems. Additionally, OSIA addresses integrator/vendor lock-in, allowing governments to maintain control over their identity systems and pursue national development agendas seamlessly.”
“The Secure Identity Alliance has always supported standards and its members have contributed to thousands of standards globally, which are now used in the ICT market. Standards are key to unlock the full power of Identity to enable people, economy and society to thrive,” concluded Didier Trutt, Chairman of the SIA.
X.1281 is at publication stage and can be accessed here: https://www.itu.int/ITU-T/workprog/wp_item.aspx?isn=18778
OSIA v6.1.0. twin specification can be accessed here: https://osia.readthedocs.io/en/v6.1.0/index.html
OSIA qualification programme can be accessed here: https://globalplatform.org/osia-qualification-program/
For more information on the Secure Identity Alliance and the OSIA Initiative, visit http://www.secureidentityalliance.org and www.osia.io
For more information on ITU-T SG 17 visit https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-T/studygroups/2022-2024/17/Pages/default.aspx.
About the Secure Identity Alliance:
Secure Identity Alliance (SIA) is a global non-profit association that serves as the voice for public and private actors and organizations active in the secure identity ecosystem and adjacent industries. SIA’s mission is to unlock the full power of identity so that people, economy, and society thrive. The association supports the development of the activities of its members across four broad pillars: Identity for Good, Outreach, Open Standards Development and Industry Services and Solutions. www.secureidentityalliance.org
About OSIA:
A digital public good, OSIA is an open standard set of interfaces (APIs) that enables seamless connectivity between building blocks of the identity management ecosystem – independent of technology, solution architecture or vendor. More information at www.osia.io
Follow the Secure Identity Alliance at on X @secureidentity1 and LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/secure-identity-alliance/
About ITU-T SG 17
The ITU Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T) is one of the three Sectors (branches) of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). It is responsible for coordinating standards for telecommunications and Information Communication Technology such as X.509 for cybersecurity, Y.3172 and Y.3173 for machine learning, and H.264/MPEG-4 AVC for video compression, between its Member States, Private Sector Members, and Academia Members.
Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2394623/OSIA_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/osia-becomes-an-official-international-telecoms-union-itu-standard-302124668.html

Artificial Intelligence

SciBase will present at the Redeye Medtech Event on April 24th

Published

4 hours ago

April 23, 2024

CISION (PR Newswire)

STOCKHOLM, April 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — SciBase Holding AB (“SciBase”) (STO: SCIB), a leading developer of augmented intelligence-based solutions for skin disorders will participate at the Redeye Medtech event.

On April 24 at CET 9.50 CEO Pia Renaudin will present the latest developments in SciBase at Redeye. The presentation is live broadcasted and can be followed at https://www.redeye.se/events/974326/redeye-theme-medtech-2 where the replay and the presentations will be available afterwards.
For additional information, please contact:Pia Renaudin, VD, tel. +46732069802, e-mail: [email protected]
Certified Advisor (CA):Vator SecuritiesTel: +46 8 580 065 99Email: [email protected]
About SciBase:
SciBase is a global medical technology company, specializing in early detection and prevention in dermatology. SciBase develops and commercializes Nevisense, a unique point-of-care platform that combines AI (artificial intelligence) and advanced EIS technology to elevate diagnostic accuracy, ensuring proactive skin health management.
Our commitment is to minimize patient suffering, allowing clinicians to improve and save lives through timely detection and intervention and reduce healthcare costs.
Built on more than 20 years of research at Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, SciBase is a leader in dermatological advancements.
The company has been on the Nasdaq First North Growth Market exchange since June 2, 2015. Learn more at www.scibase.com. All press releases and financial reports can be found here: http://investors.scibase.se/en/pressreleases
This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com
https://news.cision.com/scibase/r/scibase-will-present-at-the-redeye-medtech-event-on-april-24-th-,c3966053
The following files are available for download:
https://mb.cision.com/Main/12371/3966053/2751965.pdf
Redeye presentation

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/scibase-will-present-at-the-redeye-medtech-event-on-april-24th-302124656.html