Modern Technologies And Intelligence Solutions

Published Date: 02 Nov 2017

This chapter Modern technologies and intelligence solutions is a literature review on the concept of intelligent/smart solutions, the implications of new technologies in society and the characteristics of the actual society. Also, is a comparison is made between the information society and the knowledge society.

MODERN TECHNOLOGIES

In our age all digital devices are connected through the Internet and produce a large quantity of data. And all this data can be turned into knowledge using the computational power. With this knowledge we can improve the efficiency, productivity and quality and on the other hand we can reduce costs and cut waste.

Figure – Future society and data necessity

Today evolution is based on producing knowledge and innovation, thus is becoming more and more important to use efficiently the large quantity of data of our society (Figure 1).

All around the world are highlights of the potential of efficient using of big quantity of data to facilitate sustainable development, economic growth and societal progress.

Transmission, storage, processing and access to information and knowledge through modern technologies are very important for urban development in knowledge-based economy. It is essential for future development to have a strategy for the efficient use of the large quantity of data using modern technologies. This strategy will help to determine where and when to invest, will articulate key milestones and returns on investment and can help to define an integration and optimization calendar across all systems.

By smarter, we can understand the use of new technological solutions to make the world work efficiently. So, smart/smarter means the intelligence integrated in all the things which the citizens use every day or in things which no one would recognize as computers (Dirks, 2010).

A smart planet means to use intelligent solutions or information technologies advances to improve all aspects of our life or to make world to work better.

We can define the concept of smart solutions like a new solution for a better manages of infrastructure and resources to cater to the existing and future needs of the peoples [1].

To build a smart planet one must to start from three main ideas (Dirks, 2010), [3], [2]: instrumentation, interconnection, intelligence (Figure 2).

The instrumentation of the systems is the first step for an instrumented world.

Using the solutions for instrumentation, the world will become interconnected. In many areas of our world we must to focus on the efficient use of existing infrastructure and in other parts we must to modernize it.

Using the instrumented and interconnected solutions the world will becoming intelligent.

Figure Smart Planet

The European Commission with its Europe 2020 program - a strategy for smart growth, sustainable and inclusive growth - has identified three key factors for the crisis and preparing for the next decade of the European Union economy: smart growth (promoting knowledge, innovation, education and society digital), sustainable (competitive production with efficient use of resources) and inclusive growth (increased market participation, skills and poverty reduction). The first priority is shifting towards on knowledge and innovation.

In our age the management of large data for producing knowledge and innovation are the elements which will determine the growth of productivity.

Technology knowledge society is an integral part of the life of any consumer, the result of exponential growth in the number of users. Because of this telecommunication networks have steadily progressed, although lately a spectacular rate. In this industry, there are always created new services, new technologies are developed and new network solutions to handle the market demand for telecommunications services.

IMPLICATIONS OF INTELLIGENT SOLUTIONS IN TODAY SOCIETY

Around 65% of the world population will be urban until 2025 (Dirks, 2010). Problems due to urbanization are becoming increasingly important and require intelligent solutions especially in the areas which are considered prime. It is therefore a challenge to develop further by using modern technologies to improve the quality of life of citizens, and also more efficient consumption of natural resources deemed to be limited.

Research has focused on the several areas of study:

education

health

transportation

public administration.

Below there is a sample of applications for a modern educational system:

data systems that collect, integrate, analyze and present information on key performance factors such as attendance, knowledge and assessment criteria for school transfers;

education cluster - to involve all stakeholders in the educational preparation of future generations;

using cloud computing in schools each pupil or student can access the most advanced educational content, software and computing resources and storage.

Changes that occur each time and complexity of electronic technology society that uses a new type of electronic communication devices have resulted in continued growth in the volume (Yi-Chen, 2005), diversity and service activities carried out in any field.

The existence of a modern educational system – which usually focuses on the efficient use of existing infrastructure and modernize it where is necessary – is considered to be crucial during an economic crisis when funds are needed for education. But most importantly, a comprehensive education should shift again the focus of learning on the two key components of any system of education: student and teacher.

Through a modern educational system, according to the latest data published by IBM in 2010, teachers can analyze student data electronically - from academic results, to information on mobility and attendance. This information will help teachers identify individual student needs and to individualize instruction so as to improve the progress of their results, while retaining confidentiality. Intelligent systems are also ensuring that universities do not bear alone the burden of education but also to other interested parties. They allow the inclusion of educational organizations, companies interested in each area through access to existing data - from academic results, state of completion of individual or group projects, until the stage of practical information and skills specific to each student - transforming universities into an ecosystem focused on student learning.

An intelligent educational system is based on three elements (Figure 3) interconnection (a resource sharing technology education), instrumentation (accumulation of necessary data) and intelligence (making decisions that enhance the learning process).

Figure Intelligent educational systems

Efficient interconnection is usually achieved through a cloud computing system. Cloud computing requires an immense and complex network of servers that will provide users with both storage, computing power as well as other software, using the usual web browsing devices. This way, costly investments in equipment and personnel will be diminished. The implications of this trend in education are enormous, due to increased accessibility to information as experts have noted the World Bank (October 2010).

Through the technologies implemented in cloud computing, the student can access the most advanced educational content, software and computing and storage resources at any time. A typical student should be able to use the same 3D animation and the same resources wherever he is located. You can build applications that can enable stakeholders to the educational process to pursue academic achievement, students' attendance and comparative data. These solutions show deficiencies in learning and give those interested the information they need to collaborate with students and teachers. Cloud computing systems provide distance learning opportunities for students in different parts of the country and beyond.

We can describe the impact of the cloud computing on educational systems for each essential characteristic [71].

Table Benefits of application of cloud computing in education (based on [71])

On-demand self-service

A consumer can unilaterally provision computing capabilities, such as server-time and network storage, as needed automatically without requiring human interaction with each service’s provider.

Institutions may decide to increase or decrease the allocated resources for training depending on the number of students and  services they want to deliver

Broad network access

Resources are available over the network and accessed in a standardized manner

Institutions can provide services ubiquitously (ubiquitous learning)

Resource pooling

The provider’s computing resources are pooled to serve multiple consumers using a multi-tenant model, with different physical and virtual resources dynamically assigned and reassigned according to consumer demand, as well as virtual machines.

The Dynamic allocation of resources and the reduced waste results considerable savings in costs

Rapid elasticity

Resources can be rapidly and elastically provisioned, in some cases automatically, to quickly scale out and rapidly released to quickly scale in. The consumer’s perception is that the available resources appear to be unlimited and can be purchased in any quantity at any time.

Educational institutions can deliver services in a timely manner.

Measured Service

Cloud systems automatically control and optimize resource use by leveraging a metering capability at some level of abstraction appropriate to the type of service (e.g., storage, processing, bandwidth, and active user accounts.

Educational institutions can monitor the level and quality of each service offered monitor user activity on cloud infrastructure deciding which and how many services they can include in the budget.

In the light of the above, the flexibility feature remains an important issue. The hybrid cloud model (figure 4) is a good choice because it allows you to display only selected data and applications without sacrificing for authorized subjects the features described in table 1. The cloud infrastructure is a group of three or more clouds (private, community or public) that remain like a unique entities but are bound together by standardized or proprietary technology that enables data, information and application portability.

Figure – Hybrid cloud model [based on [71])

While in the past the student, (Nicolescu, 2010), [67], learned how to manipulate objects and memorized actions, the student in the modern society learns how to think, learn, apply information to a task and produce knowledge.

The educational area is very dynamic in terms of knowledge and effective use of information technology. Classic educational services have been reshaped to allow and to enhance the benefits generated by the use of technology.

In our opinion e-learning refers to using electronic applications and processes to teach and learn. The researchers (Nagarajan and Wiselin, 2010) define e-learning as all forms of electronic supported learning and teaching, which are procedural in character and aim to effect the construction of knowledge with reference to individual experience, practice and knowledge of the learner. In this case, we can say that the technologies have become more widespread in all educational levels. Compared to just a few years ago, e-learning has become a solution for an easier student-teacher interaction. E-learning is based on Web-based learning, computer-based learning, virtual classrooms and digital collaboration.

In modern societies, students have gone rapidly from memorizing to learning how to think (Nicolescu, 2010), (OECD, 2008) or, we can say to how to use and process information to produce knowledge and to innovate.

Educational services have already implemented different Information and Communication Technologies to manage educational content and to support and enhance the transfer of knowledge towards students. Classic educational services have been reshaped to allow and to enhance the benefits generated by the use of technology. Different activities, like content management, communication, knowledge broadcasting and evaluation are conducted more efficiently because of the technology advances.

Current electronic evaluation systems provide many benefits regarding students and tests management, but are less efficient when compared to an oral evaluation, where the evaluator can adjust the test on the fly. The purpose of this study is to describe a testing methodology that takes into consideration different factors that record, in real time, student’s behavior. The smart testing system use recorded data to adjust itself and to define a student profile. The objective of the electronic evaluation is to get a real image of the student knowledge on a particular topic or in a broader field. The smart testing system becomes a valuable tool in evaluating students and in achieving objectives regarding test results relevance. The behavioral testing methodology is assessed by conducting two different experiments in which two homogenous groups are evaluated using an electronic random based quiz test and the smart testing system. At the end of the experiment, an extended person to person evaluation is used to assess the relevance of the two different testing methods.

Education is one of the fundamental components that generate solutions to society problems. A good society requires a smart education system which is flexible and promotes creative, critical thinking, innovation.

For the successful implementation of smart educational systems in universities, teachers and technology developers should consider the following significant challenges: mobility, information and accessibility.

The smart educational system has profoundly changed the way research and creative activity are carried out through distributed access to research networks, grids and cloud computing, simulation, or virtual world research, all of which can be performed now in real time. This has also changed research, learning and innovation, by connecting systems so as to record, analyze and integrate data and respond intelligently to their specific needs. In short, we can revitalize the educational systems so that they can become smarter and more efficient. In this case, faculties can increase and sustain the quality of the results of their students.

The benefits of the use smart solution in the educational system are: accelerates innovation and knowledge creation, opens access to educational resources, provides better outcomes for students, provides a complete view of student progress, quickly identifies problems in the student’s academic evolution, are used to identify strategies to help students to gain skills and qualifications needed to find a job and accelerates economic impact of science.

In order to help students gain the skills and knowledge of a good professional, our educational system needs to become smart. Using smart solutions we can make an important change in educational system. This solution will add new value in educational activities and the graduated students will be integrated easier in business environment.

We have identified eight reasons that could be used to support an investment in smart educational systems:

Flexibility- learning can take place anytime, anywhere. These opportunities are offered by smart systems. Students are more and more on move, so they are interested in a more flexible kind of learning.

Collaboration – by using smart educational systems everyone access the same content. The system is communicating with students offering instant feedback and tips, results and educational content. This solution for learning reduce cultural and communication barriers between teacher and students.

Motivation - multimedia resources which can be integrated in a smart educational system can make learning an interesting experience. With this kind of smart educational system, it is much easier to combine playing with learning for a more effective and entertaining experience.

Availability - the smart educational system is accessible virtually from anywhere and provides access to all available learning materials and services.

Tools – the smart educational system is able to collect and submit accurate data, like grades, projects, essays and other involvements in different activities. The system can provide relevant information on the students’ activities; interested parties can use the data to asses, observe and control the output and the efficiency of educational processes;

Time efficiency - technology expands time and compresses space. In this case there is no need for students to be in two place at the same time. The system connects them and creates virtual groups that bring them together in the same virtual space. This way, universities can build relationship between academic staff and students located on different continents.

Communication efficiency - in a smart educational system teachers can work together to develop new material and learn from each other. On the other hand students can work from home or in school in teams.

Cost efficiency - smart solutions can help usreduce the cost of information resources and the cost of access to/use of technology. In this case we must to have in mind that we pay only what we use.

A smart educational system or smart learning represents a real support for students, teachers and parents but in the same time it might become necessary for other interested parties (as for example banking, government, firms and companies).

Kim in 2011 said about smart learning (s-learning) that it is an important and new paradigm of learning today. The concept of s-learning plays an important role in the creation of an efficient learning environment that offers personalized contents and easy adaptation to current education model. It also provides students with a convenient communication environment, rich resources and electronic evaluation.

If an educational system becomes a tool - able to collect and submit accurate data, such as attendance, grades, projects, essays and involvement in activities – it can provide relevant information on what makes the student or the university on the way in which the intervention and the elements that work best within their institutions during the operation.

An intelligent educational system can provide those interested in tools and understanding they need to make smarter decisions at the system level. It can develop data systems that collect, integrate, analyze and present information on key performance factors such as presence, evaluation criteria and transfer knowledge. Parties interested in the educational process can obtain a complete review of students’ performance and take decisions at the system to improve learning, to identify trends early and needs and take steps to induce a sense of common motivation efforts towards objectives.

New York presented the Parent Link (U.S.) – implemented with the IBM support -intelligence applications to enable parents to monitor academic achievement, students' attendance and comparative data. (Available in several languages, highlights the shortcomings of this powerful tool of learning and provides parents with the information they need to collaborate with teachers.)

Applications for an intelligent transportation system:

Intelligent Traffic Management System;

Intelligent system for the collection of all fees related to motor vehicles.

Stockholm implemented a tracking system and intelligent traffic management, and collection of all fees related to motor vehicles. The purpose of this system was to reduce traffic and pollution in the city center. Following the implementation of system-level traffic was reduced by 20% and 40% level of pollution.

In Singapore, introducing a Smart Card for all payments were merged which means parking, car tax and transport.

The smarter approach to healthcare is one that uses information to improve the patient care and organizational performance. Healthcare represented, researchers and directors can work smarter by creating electronic views of patient data. They can get real time information and data about how their operations are running. And they can use this information to achieve more medical breakthroughs.

Applications for an intelligent health system:

Intelligent system for data integration and its focus on the patient, so that each person have their own information and have access to a team of specialists who can work across the network. Electronic medical record - eliminating paper records made to reduce medical errors and improve efficiency;

Intelligent system that connects doctors, patients and insurance companies;

Patients Electronic Bulletin;

Electronic programming of the medical visit/ consultation.

University Hospital Motol in Prague - one of the largest health institutions in the Czech Republic completed the first implementation of Grid Medical Archive Solution of Europe. This is a system that provides secure storage and archiving solution for the patients' medical records for at least 10 years.

Sainte-Justine Hospital in Quebec is using automatic procedures for gathering, managing and updating critical data for research, often scattered in different departments.

Spain Public Health Service has implemented a regional integrated system that allows patients to go to several health centers in the region, with the certainty that that doctor has access to the complete and updated patient data, thus making treatment faster and more accurately.

In the report "Government 2020," the IBM Institute for Business Value identified six worldwide forces that were at work, driving such changes for government at every level. Together, these six forces represent a mix of opportunities and threats.

Applications for government services:

Intelligent systems for processing documents within the government;

Intelligent system for handling suppliers' invoices, payment of taxes, public procurement tender for access to government services, business forms online;

Electronic information services for citizens.

New Mexico uses an intelligence solution to automate data sharing among its 7,000 employees in more than 20 departments. Thus, through this application each employee can work with the same versions of documents. They obtained a cost reduction of almost 20%.

Three local councils in Britain have adopted a new business model that could change the way in which the government is managed