Ecology, Artificial Intelligence, and Virtual Reality


Book Description

We live in a digitalized world that is experiencing environmental changes, scarcity of natural resources, global pandemics, mass migrations, and burgeoning global populations. In Ecology, Artificial Intelligence, and Virtual Reality, Sing C. Chew proposes that we meet these challenges by examining the connected global world we live in and by considering the advances that have been made in digitalization, miniaturization, dematerialization, artificial intelligence, virtual and augmented realities, and machine learning, which have increased our socioeconomic and political productivity. Chew outlines potential structural avenues to address these challenges, suggests pragmatic choices to ease living during these chaotic crisis conditions, and outlines solutions that will enable us to traverse systemic crises.




The Atlas of AI


Book Description

The hidden costs of artificial intelligence, from natural resources and labor to privacy and freedom What happens when artificial intelligence saturates political life and depletes the planet? How is AI shaping our understanding of ourselves and our societies? In this book Kate Crawford reveals how this planetary network is fueling a shift toward undemocratic governance and increased inequality. Drawing on more than a decade of research, award-winning science, and technology, Crawford reveals how AI is a technology of extraction: from the energy and minerals needed to build and sustain its infrastructure, to the exploited workers behind "automated" services, to the data AI collects from us. Rather than taking a narrow focus on code and algorithms, Crawford offers us a political and a material perspective on what it takes to make artificial intelligence and where it goes wrong. While technical systems present a veneer of objectivity, they are always systems of power. This is an urgent account of what is at stake as technology companies use artificial intelligence to reshape the world.




Augmented Reality and Artificial Intelligence


Book Description

This book is the first research monograph that explores a new research field and practical applications produced by the combined use of two of the most advanced and powerful technologies available in today’s world – Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Augmented Reality (AR). It is written by a team of 50 researchers and practitioners from 16 countries, which has enabled a thorough coverage of emerging or previously unexplored subject areas. The authors consider practical, theoretical, and cultural aspects of “AI-powered AR” and “AR-enriched AI”, and their usage in a large variety of areas, such as education, medicine, healthcare, dentistry, pharmacy, active lifestyle, smart services, fashion, retail, recommender systems, and several others. Augmented Reality and Artificial Intelligence: The Fusion of Advanced Technologies is essential reading not only for researchers, practitioners and technology developers, but also for students (both graduates and undergraduates) and anyone who is interested in building a comprehensive understanding of the emerging fields of “intelligent augmented environments” and “artificial intelligence presented by augmented reality”.




Virtual Reality and the Built Environment


Book Description

Like the first edition, the central question this book addresses is how virtual reality can be used in the design, production and management of the built environment. The book aims to consider three key questions. What are the business drivers for the use of virtual reality? What are its limitations? How can virtual reality be implemented within organizations? Using international case studies it answers these questions whilst addressing the growth in the recent use of building information modelling (BIM) and the renewed interest in virtual reality to visualize and understand data to make decisions. With the aim of inspiring and informing future use, the authors take a fresh look at current applications in the construction sector, situating them within a broader trajectory of innovation. The new edition expands the scope to consider both immersive virtual reality as a way of bringing professionals inside a building information model, and augmented reality as a way of taking this model and related asset information out to the job-site. The updated edition also considers these technologies in the context of other developments that were in their infancy when the first edition was written – such as laser scanning, mobile technologies and big data. Virtual Reality in the Built Environment is essential reading for professionals in architecture, construction, design, surveying and engineering and students on related courses who need an understanding of BIM, CAD and virtual reality in the sector. Please follow the book's Twitter account: @vrandbe http://buildingvr.blogspot.co.uk/




New Perspectives on Virtual and Augmented Reality


Book Description

New Perspectives on Virtual and Augmented Reality discusses the possibilities of using virtual and augmented reality in the role of innovative pedagogy, where there is an urgent need to find ways to teach and support learning in a transformed learning environment. Technology creates opportunities to learn differently and presents challenges for education. Virtual reality solutions can be exciting, create interest in learning, make learning more accessible and make learning faster. This book analyses the capabilities of virtual, augmented and mixed reality by providing ideas on how to make learning more effective, how existing VR/AR solutions can be used as learning tools and how a learning process can be structured. The virtual reality (VR) solutions can be used successfully for educational purposes as their use can contribute to the construction of knowledge and the development of metacognitive processes. They also contribute to inclusive education by providing access to knowledge that would not otherwise be available. This book will be of great interest to academics, researchers and post-graduate students in the field of educational technology.




Ecological Spirituality


Book Description







Cases on Collaborative Experiential Ecological Literacy for Education


Book Description

In the aftermath of global environmental challenges, the urgent need for comprehensive environmental education has never been more evident. As our planet grapples with the ramifications of climate change, there is a critical gap in empowering educators and students to actively engage with these issues on a global scale. The lack of effective classroom strategies, national policies, and collaborative initiatives hinders the development of the next generation to address environmental issues and contribute to sustainable solutions. Cases on Collaborative Experiential Ecological Literacy for K-12 Education is a groundbreaking book, a beacon of hope, and a comprehensive solution to the pressing environmental education gap. It uniquely reports on experiential projects that have successfully empowered teachers and students across all academic levels worldwide. The book's compelling narratives, reflections, and empirical research serve as a roadmap, illustrating how direct experiences can profoundly influence environmental literacy. By providing insights into effective classroom strategies, national policies, and global collaborative initiatives, this book provides educators and students with the tools to not only understand environmental issues but actively contribute to solutions.







Man-Machine-Environment System Engineering: Proceedings of the 21st International Conference on MMESE


Book Description

Man-Machine-Environment System Engineering: Proceedings of the 21st Conference on MMESE is the academic showcase of best research papers selected from more than 500 submissions each year. From this book reader will learn the best research topics and the latest development trend in MMESE design theory and other human-centered system application.MMESE focus mainly on the relationship between Man, Machine and Environment. It studies the optimum combination of man-machine-environment systems. In the system, the Man means the working people as the subject in the workplace (e.g. operator, decision-maker); the Machine means the general name of any object controlled by the Man (including tool, Machinery, Computer, system and technology), the Environment means the specially working conditions under which Man and Machine occupy together(e.g. temperature, noise, vibration, hazardous gases etc.). The three goals of the optimization of the system are safety, efficiency and economy.In 1981 with direct support from one of the greatest modern Chinese scientists, Qian Xuesen, Man-Machine-Environment System Engineering (MMESE), the integrated and advanced science research topic was established in China by Professor Shengzhao Long. In the letter to Shengzhao Long, in October 22nd, 1993, Qian Xuesen wrote: “You have created a very important modern science subject and technology in China!”.