By Richard 
The application of artificial intelligence (AI) is gaining tremendous momentum across various sectors, particularly within workplace technology. With companies recognizing the potential to boost efficiency and transform routine operations, innovations are rapidly shaping the future of how we work. Among the latest breakthroughs, Advantech has recently introduced two new AI acceleration modules—EAI-1200 and EAI-3300—designed to significantly improve AI performance without sacrificing energy efficiency. Partnering with Hailo’s advanced Hailo-8 processors, these modules promise high computing power of up to 52 trillion operations per second (TOPS) and boast over twelve times the power efficiency compared to conventional AI boards and GPU cards.
Available in standard M.2 and PCIe formats, these acceleration modules can be easily integrated with various x86 and ARM-based platforms. This means existing systems can be upgraded swiftly to incorporate AI capabilities, allowing developers to run inference tasks more efficiently. The modules also feature user-friendly software tools like the Edge AI SDK, which seamlessly enhances the integration process with applications powered by HailoRT. For developers, this opportunity allows for optimizing resource allocation effectively by executing application processing primarily on the CPU, which could be game-changing for industries reliant on vision AI.
On the other side of the globe, Fujitsu has made waves with its cutting-edge video analytics AI agent, aiming to bolster safety and operational efficiency within frontline workplaces. This innovative AI agent utilizes data from workplace cameras alongside written documentation to generate reports and suggest improvements based on live video footage analysis. Designed to serve as the backbone of Fujitsu’s AI service, Kozuchi, the new technology boasts incredibly accurate video processing capabilities, even with longer video durations. The company plans to begin trialing this AI agent by fiscal year 2024 and expects to roll out full implementation by January 2025.
The AI works through a sophisticated large language model (LLM) which learns to recognize the 3D spaces captured on video. It integrates this spatial analysis with written information such as safety guidelines, ensuring the AI retains relevant data to improve analysis quality significantly. The remarkable accuracy of the AI’s assessment and its ability to understand long-period footage positions Fujitsu at the forefront of workplace technology.
A key aspect of the AI is its ability to retain contextual memory from video content, enhancing video comprehension by instructing the model to focus on specific behaviors, such as identifying unsafe conduct among employees. This selective analysis model allows companies to maintain effective safety protocols, and monitors conduct classifications, which are increasingly necessary as workplace safety becomes more pronounced.
Fujitsu has partnered with Carnegie Mellon University to supervise the AI’s development within its new FieldWorkArena—an evaluation platform specially created for testing and enhancing the agent’s capabilities. The FieldWorkArena offers real-world scenarios, complete with video feeds and documentation, allowing for extensive evaluation to refine the agent’s data processing abilities. Researchers will gain access to this evaluation environment, and tasks will be made available on GitHub and Fujitsu’s research portal.
Both Advantech and Fujitsu exemplify the rapid evolution of workplace technologies and their unwavering commitment to redefining productivity through AI. Innovations like the EAI-1200, EAI-3300, and Fujitsu’s video analytics agent mark significant strides toward integrating AI across various sectors, enhancing not only operational efficiency but also employee safety and performance. What remains to be seen is how these advancements will affect employers’ choices and how workplaces will adapt to accommodate such innovative technologies.
Looking to the future, the continuous integration of AI within workplace systems indicates promising prospects for industries trying to optimize workflows, bolster safety measures, and streamline operations. The advancements reflect broader trends where businesses increasingly value technological agility, aiming to stay competitive by adopting tools capable of tackling modern workplace challenges.