With the largest population of the world and one of the highest enrolments in higher education, India needs efficient and effective means to educate its learners. India started focusing on open and digital education in 1980's and its efforts were escalated in 2009 through the NMEICT program of the Government of India. A study by the Government and FICCI in 2014 noted that India cannot meet its educational needs just by capacity building in brick and mortar institutions. It was decided that ongoing MOOCs projects under the umbrella of NMEICT will be further strengthened over its second (2017-21) and third (2021-26) phases. NMEICT now steers NPTEL or SWAYAM (India's MOOCs) and several digital learning projects including Virtual Labs, e-Yantra, Spoken Tutorial, FOSSEE, and National Digital Library on India - the largest digital education library in the world. Further, India embraced its new National Education Policy in 2020 to strongly foster online education. In this chapter, we take a deep look into the evolution of MOOCs in India, its innovations, its current status and impact, and the roadmap for the next decade to address its challenges and grow. AI-powered MOOCs is an emerging o
Cybercrime and the market for cyber-related compromises are becoming attractive revenue sources for state-sponsored actors, cybercriminals and technical individuals affected by financial hardships. Due to burgeoning cybercrime on new technological frontiers, efforts have been made to assist digital forensic investigators (DFI) and law enforcement agencies (LEA) in their investigative efforts. Forensic tool innovations and ontology developments, such as the Unified Cyber Ontology (UCO) and Cyber-investigation Analysis Standard Expression (CASE), have been proposed to assist DFI and LEA. Although these tools and ontologies are useful, they lack extensive information sharing and tool interoperability features, and the ontologies lack the latest Smart City Infrastructure (SCI) context that was proposed. To mitigate the weaknesses in both solutions and to ensure a safer cyber-physical environment for all, we propose the Smart City Ontological Paradigm Expression (SCOPE), an expansion profile of the UCO and CASE ontology that implements SCI threat models, SCI digital forensic evidence, attack techniques, patterns and classifications from MITRE. We showcase how SCOPE could present complex
We present a comprehensive theoretical investigation about the operational regions of quantum systems, specifically examining their roles as working media functioning between two thermal reservoirs in Quantum Thermal Machines (QTMs). This study provides relevant and novel insights, including a complete spectrum of QTMs within the operational region of these quantum systems, and introduces new QTM designs never before described in the literature. Additionally, this work introduces a standardized and cohesive classification scheme for QTMs, ensuring robustness in nomenclature and operational distinctions, which enhances both theoretical understanding and practical application. Notably, one of these designs directly addresses the need for a more appropriate explanation of the operation of a laser (or maser) as a QTM. Initial calculations were performed to achieve results applicable to any quantum system subjected to rules analogous to those used in classical thermal machine studies. These results were then used to analyze two-level quantum systems as the working medium of QTMs in the Otton cycle. In particular, we analyzed two specific quantum systems: the laser and a spinless electro
The ever-increasing workload of digital forensic labs raises concerns about law enforcement's ability to conduct both cyber-related and non-cyber-related investigations promptly. Consequently, this article explores the potential and usefulness of integrating Large Language Models (LLMs) into digital forensic investigations to address challenges such as bias, explainability, censorship, resource-intensive infrastructure, and ethical and legal considerations. A comprehensive literature review is carried out, encompassing existing digital forensic models, tools, LLMs, deep learning techniques, and the use of LLMs in investigations. The review identifies current challenges within existing digital forensic processes and explores both the obstacles and the possibilities of incorporating LLMs. In conclusion, the study states that the adoption of LLMs in digital forensics, with appropriate constraints, has the potential to improve investigation efficiency, improve traceability, and alleviate the technical and judicial barriers faced by law enforcement entities.
Employing a comprehensive survey of micro and small enterprises (MSEs) and the Digital Financial Inclusion Index in China, this study investigates the influence of fintech on MSE innovation empirically. Our findings indicate that fintech advancement substantially enhances the likelihood of MSEs engaging in innovative endeavors and boosts both the investment and outcomes of their innovation processes. The underlying mechanisms are attributed to fintech's role in fostering long-term strategic incentives and investment in human capital. This includes the use of promotions and stock options as rewards, rather than traditional perks like gifts or trips, the attraction of a greater number of university graduates, and the increase in both training expenses and the remuneration of technical staff. Our heterogeneity analysis reveals that fintech exerts a more pronounced effect on MSEs situated in economically developed areas, those that are five years old or younger, and businesses with limited assets and workforce. Additionally, we uncover that fintech stimulates the innovation of MSEs' independent research and development (R\&D) efforts. This paper contributes to the understanding of
In the dynamic landscape of digital forensics, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) stands as a transformative technology, poised to amplify the efficiency and precision of digital forensics investigations. However, the use of ML and AI in digital forensics is still in its nascent stages. As a result, this paper gives a thorough and in-depth analysis that goes beyond a simple survey and review. The goal is to look closely at how AI and ML techniques are used in digital forensics and incident response. This research explores cutting-edge research initiatives that cross domains such as data collection and recovery, the intricate reconstruction of cybercrime timelines, robust big data analysis, pattern recognition, safeguarding the chain of custody, and orchestrating responsive strategies to hacking incidents. This endeavour digs far beneath the surface to unearth the intricate ways AI-driven methodologies are shaping these crucial facets of digital forensics practice. While the promise of AI in digital forensics is evident, the challenges arising from increasing database sizes and evolving criminal tactics necessitate ongoing collaborative researc
With models getting stronger, evaluations have grown more complex, testing multiple skills in one benchmark and even in the same instance at once. However, skill-wise performance is obscured when inspecting aggregate accuracy, under-utilizing the rich signal modern benchmarks contain. We propose an automatic approach to recover the underlying skills relevant for any evaluation instance, by way of inspecting model-generated rationales. After validating the relevance of rationale-parsed skills and inferring skills for $46$k instances over $12$ benchmarks, we observe many skills to be common across benchmarks, resulting in the curation of hundreds of skill-slices (i.e. sets of instances testing a common skill). Inspecting accuracy over these slices yields novel insights on model trade-offs: e.g., compared to GPT-4o and Claude 3.5 Sonnet, on average, Gemini 1.5 Pro is $18\%$ more accurate in "computing molar mass", but $19\%$ less accurate in "applying constitutional law", despite the overall accuracies of the three models differing by a mere $0.4\%$. Furthermore, we demonstrate the practical utility of our approach by showing that insights derived from skill slice analysis can general
Trade and investment between developing regions such as China and Latin America (LATAM) are growing prominently. However, insights on crucial factors such as innovation in business and management (iBM) about both regions have not been scrutinized. This study presents the research output, impact, and structure of iBM research published about China and LATAM in a comparative framework using Google Scholar, Dimensions, and Microsoft Academic. Findings showed i) that iBM topics of both regions were framed within research and development management, and technological development topics, ii) significant differences in output and impact between regions, and iii) the same case for platforms.
Data-centric technologies provide exciting opportunities, but recent research has shown how lack of representation in datasets, often as a result of systemic inequities and socioeconomic disparities, can produce inequitable outcomes that can exclude or harm certain demographics. In this paper, we discuss preliminary insights from an ongoing effort aimed at better understanding barriers to equitable data-centric innovation. We report findings from a survey of 261 technologists and researchers who use data in their work regarding their experiences seeking adequate, representative datasets. Our findings suggest that age and identity play a significant role in the seeking and selection of representative datasets, warranting further investigation into these aspects of data-centric research and development.
This study investigates the impact of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) on the dynamics and performance of innovation teams during the idea generation phase of the innovation process. Utilizing a custom AI-augmented ideation tool, the study applies the Knowledge Spillover Theory of Entrepreneurship to understand the effects of AI on knowledge spillover, generation and application. Through a framed field experiment with participants divided into experimental and control groups, findings indicate that AI-augmented teams generated higher quality ideas in less time. GenAI application led to improved efficiency, knowledge exchange, increased satisfaction and engagement as well as enhanced idea diversity. These results highlight the transformative role of the field of AI within the innovation management domain and shows that GenAI has a positive impact on important elements of the Knowledge Spillover Theory of Entrepreneurship, emphasizing its potential impact on innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth. Future research should further explore the dynamic interaction between GenAI and creative processes.
This paper presents a case study of how Petco, a leading pet retailer, innovated their pet health analysis processes using the Media Insights Engine to reduce the time to first diagnosis. The company leveraged this framework to build custom applications for advanced computer vision tasks, such as identifying potential health issues in pet videos and images, and validating AI outcomes with pre-built veterinary diagnoses. The Media Insights Engine provides a modular and extensible solution that enabled Petco to quickly build machine learning applications for media workloads. By utilizing this framework, Petco was able to accelerate their project development, improve the efficiency of their pet health analysis, and ultimately reduce the time to first diagnosis for pet health issues. This paper discusses the challenges of pet health analysis using media, the benefits of using the Media Insights Engine, and the architecture of Petco's custom applications built using this framework.
This study addresses the challenges composers and sound designers face in creating and refining tools to achieve their musical goals. Using evolutionary processes to promote diversity and foster serendipitous discoveries, we automate the search through uncharted sonic spaces for sound discovery, arguing that diversity-promoting algorithms can bridge the gap between the theoretical realisation and practical accessibility of sounds. We describe a system for generative sound synthesis combining Quality Diversity (QD) algorithms with a supervised discriminative model, inspired by the Innovation Engine algorithm, and explore different configurations and the interplay between the chosen synthesis approach and the discriminative model. We examine the interaction between Compositional Pattern Producing Networks (CPPNs) and Digital Signal Processing (DSP) graphs, introducing a novel approach that uses multiple specialised CPPNs for different frequency ranges; this yields simpler networks while maintaining performance comparable to single-CPPN setups. We also investigate evolutionary stepping stones by analysing goal switches between musical and non-musical contexts, revealing how lineages t
The purpose of this work is to offer a methodology that allows to construct a standard in Knowledge Management and Technological Innovation which may be used in various organizations in México to improve the operation of their resources and productivity. Based on the review of the existing literature, a model is offered including several elements to enable organizations to establish their position in relation to both concepts. The following proposal is based on a systematic effort to understand and integrate models of Knowledge Management and Innovation published in recent years as well as the results of the experiences to propose standards of Knowledge Management and Technological Innovation. In order to elaborate the proposal, factors and their associated components have been analyzed through a review of the literature in order to build and validate a standard proposal. To test the research study, a six-stage research model has been constructed. For this purpose, an in-depth exploratory research study has been carried out in a public sector organization, in an area that allows the replicability of the model. The results have been analyzed to construct and empirically validate the
In machine learning, generalization against distribution shifts -- where deployment conditions diverge from the training scenarios -- is crucial, particularly in fields like climate modeling, biomedicine, and autonomous driving. The emergence of foundation models, distinguished by their extensive pretraining and task versatility, has led to an increased interest in their adaptability to distribution shifts. GPT-4V(ision) acts as the most advanced publicly accessible multimodal foundation model, with extensive applications across various domains, including anomaly detection, video understanding, image generation, and medical diagnosis. However, its robustness against data distributions remains largely underexplored. Addressing this gap, this study rigorously evaluates GPT-4V's adaptability and generalization capabilities in dynamic environments, benchmarking against prominent models like CLIP, LLaVA, and Gemini. We delve into GPT-4V's zero-shot generalization across 13 diverse datasets spanning natural, medical, and molecular domains. We further investigate its adaptability to controlled data perturbations and examine the efficacy of in-context learning as a tool to enhance its adap
Technological advances have enabled multiple countries to consider implementing Smart City Infrastructure to provide in-depth insights into different data points and enhance the lives of citizens. Unfortunately, these new technological implementations also entice adversaries and cybercriminals to execute cyber-attacks and commit criminal acts on these modern infrastructures. Given the borderless nature of cyber attacks, varying levels of understanding of smart city infrastructure and ongoing investigation workloads, law enforcement agencies and investigators would be hard-pressed to respond to these kinds of cybercrime. Without an investigative capability by investigators, these smart infrastructures could become new targets favored by cybercriminals. To address the challenges faced by investigators, we propose a common definition of smart city infrastructure. Based on the definition, we utilize the STRIDE threat modeling methodology and the Microsoft Threat Modeling Tool to identify threats present in the infrastructure and create a threat model which can be further customized or extended by interested parties. Next, we map offences, possible evidence sources and types of threats
This empirical study investigates the impact of the Hofstede cultural dimensions (HCD) on the Global Innovation Index (GII) scores in four different years (2007, 2009, 2019 and 2021) to compare the impacts during the pre- and post-crisis (financial and COVID-19) period by employing ordinary least square (OLS) and robust least square (Robust) analyses. The purpose of this study is to identify the impact of cultural factors on the innovation development for different income groups during the pre- and post-crisis period. We found that, in general, the same cultural properties were required for countries to enhance innovation inputs and outputs regardless of pre- and post-crisis periods and time variances. The significant cultural factors (driving forces) of the innovation performance do not change over time. However, our empirical results revealed that not the crisis itself but the income group (either developed or developing) is the factor that influences the relationship between cultural properties and innovation. It is also worth noting that cultural properties have lost much of their impact on innovation, particularly in developing countries, during recent periods. It is highly li
Dwarf spheroidal galaxies (dSphs) are excellent targets for indirect dark matter (DM) searches using gamma-ray telescopes because they are thought to have high DM content and a low astrophysical background. The sensitivity of these searches is improved by combining the observations of dSphs made by different gamma-ray telescopes. We present the results of a combined search by the most sensitive currently operating gamma-ray telescopes, namely: the satellite-borne Fermi-LAT telescope; the ground-based imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescope arrays H.E.S.S., MAGIC, and VERITAS; and the HAWC water Cherenkov detector. Individual datasets were analyzed using a common statistical approach. Results were subsequently combined via a global joint likelihood analysis. We obtain constraints on the velocity-weighted cross section $\langle σ\mathit{v} \rangle$ for DM self-annihilation as a function of the DM particle mass. This five-instrument combination allows the derivation of up to 2-3 times more constraining upper limits on $\langle σ\mathit{v} \rangle$ than the individual results over a wide mass range spanning from 5 GeV to 100 TeV. Depending on the DM content modeling, the 95% confidence
Unsupervised object-centric representation (OCR) learning has recently drawn attention as a new paradigm of visual representation. This is because of its potential of being an effective pre-training technique for various downstream tasks in terms of sample efficiency, systematic generalization, and reasoning. Although image-based reinforcement learning (RL) is one of the most important and thus frequently mentioned such downstream tasks, the benefit in RL has surprisingly not been investigated systematically thus far. Instead, most of the evaluations have focused on rather indirect metrics such as segmentation quality and object property prediction accuracy. In this paper, we investigate the effectiveness of OCR pre-training for image-based reinforcement learning via empirical experiments. For systematic evaluation, we introduce a simple object-centric visual RL benchmark and conduct experiments to answer questions such as ``Does OCR pre-training improve performance on object-centric tasks?'' and ``Can OCR pre-training help with out-of-distribution generalization?''. Our results provide empirical evidence for valuable insights into the effectiveness of OCR pre-training for RL and t
In an age of fast-paced technological change, patents have evolved into not only legal mechanisms of intellectual property, but also structured storage containers of knowledge full of metadata, categories, and formal innovation. This chapter proposes to reframe patents in the context of information science, by focusing on patents as knowledge artifacts, and by seeing patents as fundamentally tied to the global movement of scientific and technological knowledge. With a focus on three areas, the inventions of AIs, biotech patents, and international competition with patents, this work considers how new technologies are challenging traditional notions of inventorship, access, and moral accountability.The chapter provides a critical analysis of AI's implications for patent authorship and prior art searches, ownership issues arising from proprietary claims in biotechnology to ethical dilemmas, and the problem of using patents for strategic advantage in a global context of innovation competition. In this analysis, the chapter identified the importance of organizing information, creating metadata standards about originality, implementing retrieval systems to access previous works, and ethi
Large Language Models have become widely adopted tools due to their versatile capabilities, yet their user interfaces remain limited, often following rigid, linear interaction paradigms. In this paper, we present insights from a design thinking workshop held at the deRSE25 conference aiming at collaboratively developing innovative user interface concepts for LLMs. During the workshop, participants identified common use cases, evaluated the strengths and shortcomings of current LLM interfaces, and created visualizations of new interaction concepts emphasizing flexible context management, dynamic conversation branching, and enhanced mechanisms for user control. We describe how these participant-generated ideas advanced our own whiteboard-based UI approach. The ongoing development of this interface is guided by the human-centered design process - an iterative, user-focused methodology that emphasizes continuous refinement through user feedback. Broader implications for future LLM interface development are discussed, advocating for increased attention to UI innovation grounded in user-centered design principles.