Computers can now be controlled by thought
April 18, 2011 - 12:00 View Comments
The fiction increasingly resembles the reality. The latest proof is that scientists at the University of Washington, USA, managed to have some patients who suffer from epilepsy move about a computer cursor just by the power of thought.
This feature was hit by a group of scientists led by Dr. Eric Leuthardt, using a technique called electrocorticography (ECoG). To give you an idea, it consists of inserting electrodes implanted directly into the brain, which record the impulses and transfer directly to your computer.
It works something like this: scientists stipulate a word, for example, "hi" to make a computer cursor moves to the left when patients think about it. And another word like "bye" to move the cursor to the right, and other up and down.
The test was conducted with patients 36 to 48 years, and offered an extremely positive result, since it reached 90% accuracy by moving the cursor.
Surely this type of technology creates fear in many people. After all, are we coming to read people's minds? Anyway, this is a breakthrough for those who can not communicate, how people who have lost mobility or voice in accidents and neurological diseases
Computers can now be controlled by thought
April 10, 2011 - 12:00 View Comments
The fiction increasingly resembles the reality. The latest proof is that scientists at the University of Washington, USA, managed to have some patients who suffer from epilepsy move about a computer cursor just by the power of thought.
This feature was hit by a group of scientists led by Dr. Eric Leuthardt, using a technique called electrocorticography (ECoG). To give you an idea, it consists of inserting electrodes implanted directly into the brain, which record the impulses and transfer directly to your computer.
It works something like this: scientists stipulate a word, for example, "hi" to make a computer cursor moves to the left when patients think about it. And another word like "bye" to move the cursor to the right, and other up and down.
The test was conducted with patients 36 to 48 years, and offered an extremely positive result, since it reached 90% accuracy by moving the cursor.
Surely this type of technology creates fear in many people. After all, are we coming to read people's minds? Anyway, this is a breakthrough for those who can not communicate, how people who have lost mobility or voice in accidents and neurological diseases.
Brazil's IT Takes on the World
Published on April 8, 2011
The Brazilian Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector has an unusual profile, with penetration of IT services above the world average. Brazil’s ICT companies demonstrate excellence in many sectors including e-commerce, the financial sector, e-government, games and software management. It is way ahead of its Latin American neighbors, with the largest installed base of computers in the region. Recent estimates suggest that Brazil currently has 72 million computer terminals, and this number is expected to double by 2014.
The Brazilian IT-BPO market is the world’s eighth largest and among the most mature. In recent years, it has evolved further in size, coverage and complexity. In 2008, this sector had a turnover of US$59.1 (€41.6) billion. Both the private sector and the Brazilian Government have ambitions of positioning the country as a strategic global player in IT-BPO space. (Source: FGV, Teleco, Ibope Nielsen)
A recent report on Brazil’s offshore services industry from the Everest Research Institute makes fascinating reading and is available via the link for internal use only.
According to analysts IDC, Brazilian IT spending reached US$31.8 (€22.4) billion in 2009, an increase of 17 percent over 2008. Revenues from software and IT services totalled US$15.5 (€10.9) billion. During 2009, exports of software and IT services totalled US$3 (€2.1) billion. Brazilian IT exports have a small share in the global IT services and outsourcing market: in recent years the average annual growth rate for exports has grown strongly and steadily. From 2005 to 2009 Brazilian IT service exports increased tenfold from US$300 million (€211 million) in 2005 to US$3 (€2.1) billion.
Government Strategy
The strong demand for technology in Brazil in recent years can be attributed mainly to a favorable exchange rate which has tackled the gray computer market (computers of unknown origin), as well as fiscal incentives and easy consumer credit. The ICT industry has also been chosen as strategic to the Brazilian government´s industrial policy. As a consequence, several instruments aimed at supporting the IT industry have been established, including credit facilities, measures to consolidate companies through mergers and acquisitions (M&A), research and development, fiscal incentives and specific credit lines. They are particularly focused on the export of IT services.
Brazil’s regional importance and large domestic market means that it is seen as vital strategic territory by the major global players. Aside from the presence of the major multinational IT companies, Brazil also has several competitive domestic IT companies providing complex and customized applications in several business areas. The "internationalization" of domestic IT companies has benefited Brazil, enabling these firms to compete at a global level, leading to higher levels of competitiveness, more innovation and technological development and, as a result, to the increase in IT services exports to the global market. Brazilian companies have expanded their overseas operations, mainly in North America, Europe, Latin America and Africa.
Following the global trend, Brazil’s domestic ICT companies have been active in consolidating. The ICT industry in Brazil saw 53 out of a total of 456 mergers - more M&A transactions than any other in 2009. The total for 2010 was estimated to be higher, with companies going public and because of Brazil’s growing economic strength.
Building for the Future
Another highlight is linked to widespread use of IT in Brazil’s financial system. The country has one of the most sophisticated and integrated clearing and settlement systems and the Brazilian Payment System is regarded as one of the most efficient in the world.
In 2010 Brazil invested approximately 1.5 percent of GDP on research and development activities – the highest level of investment in the past eleven years. Of this total 0.65 percent was invested by private and state companies.
To encourage innovation and attract investment, Brazil has built an effective regulatory framework for intellectual property that provides higher levels of protection than required by the World Trade Organization. Brazil is playing a leading role in combating piracy, and piracy rates in the country have fallen in recent years.
The role of education
In line with its economic growth, Brazil has invested in making education universal in the last 20 years. Current data indicates that 98 percent (27 million) of children from 7 to 14 are receiving nine years basic education, with 9.4 million in secondary education. Six million people were in professional education. A 2008 survey by the Ministry of Education found that there were 4,355 technical and graduation courses, directly related to IT in Brazil. Via these courses more than 85,794 people were qualified to enter the IT job market every year. The number of graduates at Masters and PhD level have also been increasing. In 2008, 36,000 Masters degrees and 10,700 PhDs were awarded.
Playing the global field
Having achieved a leading position in the ICT market, Brazil is poised to become a global player in the industry. Apart from the economic performance in terms of growth rates, characteristics such as macroeconomic consistency, reliable regulatory framework, solid political and institutional order, appropriate infrastructure, a large domestic market, experience in high value-added services and widespread IT diffusion have become key elements for long-term business strategic decisions.
In all of these areas, Brazil has achieved excellent performance in recent decades and it is well-positioned to maintain this performance in coming years and decades. In short, Brazil’s IT future looks bright!
Talent Journalist: Gary Sutton
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