👏 Local AI scene news that makes us proud

CLARA: New center for brain research

A new interdisciplinary center of excellence called CLARA is being established in the Czech Republic. It will focus on research into neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, using artificial intelligence, quantum computing and supercomputers. The project is a collaboration between Czech researchers and French and German partners.

AI and the future of work

In the DEEP TALKS podcast, Michal Pěchouček talked about the impact of AI on the labour market. He stressed the need for adaptability, key skills development and education reform for the AI era. Last but not least, he mentions the importance of ethics in AI development for consistency with human values.

App detects Parkinson’s disease from voice recordings

Researchers from FEE CTU have contributed to the development of a unique application that can detect Parkinson’s disease from a phone call recording. The software analyzes the caller’s speech and identifies subtle changes in the voice that may indicate the disease. Early diagnosis allows for timely therapy and slowing the progression of Parkinson’s.

Minister of Education Prize

Jakub Kislinger, a graduate of the Open Informatics program at FEE CTU, has received the Minister of Education, Youth and Sports Award. He was recognized for his outstanding academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and a thesis on calculating the maximum entropy of probability distributions.

Prestigious grant for young scientist

Tomáš Báča, from the Department of Cybernetics at FEE CTU, has been awarded a JUNIOR STAR grant from the Grant Agency of the Czech Republic. The grant will support his five-year research project focused on drone navigation inspired by living organisms. Dr. Báča will explore new approaches to mapping and planning in robotics.

Innovations AI for robotics

Martin Rameš, a doctoral student from FIT ČVUT, impressed experts with his paper on innovations in AI for collective robotics. His work was accepted into the main program of the prestigious European Conference on Artificial Intelligence 2024 (ECAI).

Solution for antibiotic resistance detection

FIT ČVUT students won first place at the Hack jak Brno hackathon with their design for a digital tool to detect antibiotic resistance. Their innovative solution could help combat the growing threat of bacterial resistance to treatment.

AI Horizons: Discussion on Artificial General Intelligence

A panel discussion on the topic of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) was held as part of the “AI Horizons” debate series. Experts such as Dita Malečková, Tomáš Mikolov, Zarathustra Goertzel and Josef Urban participated in the discussion, which focused on the technical and ethical challenges associated with the development of AGI and its potential impact on society.

Digital Solutions for SMEs

Professor Duncan McFarlane of the University of Cambridge gave a lecture on “Developing Low-Cost Digital Solutions for Industrial SMEs”. The lecture focused on how small and medium-sized businesses can use affordable digital technologies to increase productivity and sustainability.

AI Assistant helps visually impaired order maps

A diploma thesis by Ing. Algis Skriabin from FIT ČVUT focuses on developing an AI assistant that helps visually impaired users order haptic maps from the website hapticke.mapy.cz. These maps are specially designed for tactile perception, making geographic information accessible to the visually impaired.

The future of innovation

Caroline Parkinson, Director of Creative Economy at the Edinburgh Futures Institute, led a discussion on “Future of Innovations: Industry, Academia, and Creative Tech”. The event focused on how collaboration between academia and industry can drive innovation in creative technologies, data and artificial intelligence.

Quantum Optimization: A New Study Guide

The field of quantum technologies is developing dynamically, but navigating the scientific literature can be challenging. A new review study published in Nature Reviews Physics, co-authored by Jakub Mareček from AIC FEE CTU and 44 other researchers from academia and industry, summarizes the key challenges and opportunities in quantum optimization. This study offers a comprehensive overview of this rapidly evolving field, making it easier to understand.

Success at the IT SPY Competition

Ing. Jiří Janota, a doctoral student from FEE CTU, won 2nd place in the prestigious IT SPY competition with his project “Mapping Honeycombs with a Robot.” His research, which combines robotics with the natural behavior of bees, is part of a broader international project. This success highlights the important role of FEE CTU in applied research in robotics.

Visionaries 2024

Blindspot Solutions received a special award from the expert jury of the Visionaries 2024 project for spreading the good name of Czech innovation abroad through the implementation of the Tehanu Interspecies Money project. This project uses AI to identify the needs of endangered species and then makes payments to local communities for their protection. The first interspecies money transfer was implemented in August 2024 in Rwanda, where gorillas received a digital identity and wallet.

GenAI in marketing

In a webinar on using generative AI in marketing, DataSentics and L’Oréal focused on how GenAI makes creating marketing visuals cheaper and faster. Experts presented the latest technologies and use cases. L’Oréal is already incorporating GenAI into its campaigns.

Discussing AI and Deepfakes

AI expert Matyáš Boháček was a guest on Hyde Park Civilizace. He discussed his projects focused on detecting deepfake videos and disinformation. In an interview with Reportér magazine, Matyáš Boháček emphasizes that the problem with deepfake videos is not the technology itself, but their spread on social media.

Aricoma is partnering with VUT Brno

Aricoma’s ELITA blog features an article on the development of ChatGPT-inspired language models for businesses. Aricoma is collaborating with Brno University of Technology to explore the potential of large language models (LLMs) in business and their integration into company processes. The article focuses on AI innovations and their benefits for business efficiency.

AI in Energy

Přemysl Voráč from ČEPS discusses the use of AI in critical infrastructure and the challenges and opportunities AI brings to the energy sector in the Data Talk podcast.

Tomáš Kubát is new CEO of HPE ČR

Tomáš Kubát has been appointed as the new CEO of Hewlett Packard Enterprise ČR. He will assume the role on January 1, 2025, succeeding Jan Kameníček, who is retiring after 16 years. Kubát will be responsible for the company’s strategic development in the Czech Republic and strengthening relationships with customers and partners.

HPE Launches Production with Nvidia Chips

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) has commenced production in Kutná Hora of systems based on the latest Nvidia chips. These systems, destined for Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, strengthen the Czech Republic’s role in the field of AI.

MSD Czech Republic Seeks GenAI Talent 

MSD Czech Republic is inviting individuals interested in generative AI to join their team. They offer a wide range of opportunities for those who want to focus on the development and implementation of this technology. More information and opportunities can be found on their website.

🎭 Events we’re excited about

• 11. 12. – (panel) Inspiration Café:  AI as a Tool for the College Teacher 
• 12. 12. – (conference) National Spin-Off Day
• 12. 12. – (lecture) Karel Piorecký (ÚČL AV ČR): AI in the context of poetry
• 17. 12. – (meetup) Christmas AI Tinkerers – December 2024
• 18. 12. – (seminar) Caroline Parkinson: Creative Tech
• 18. 12. – (seminar) Mathematical Problems for Non-Mathematicians: Mathematics and the Mystery of Enigma
• 20. 12. – (conference) Czexpats in Science: 2024 Conference Under the Tree – Czexpats in Science 
• 7. 1. – (meetup) Truesdays – candid meetups about tech & business
• 28.-30. 5. 2025 – (conference) WebExpo (now with ‘XMAS15’ discount)

You can find all the events we find interesting in our Google Calendar.

🧩 Stuff that interests us

E-Bezpečí project about the impact of AI on education

The E-Bezpečí project focuses on the impact of AI on education and informs children, parents, and teachers about the benefits and risks of artificial intelligence in the education process.

AI potential of Central and Eastern Europe

The Recursive has released a new report on the state of AI in Central and Eastern Europe. The report maps leading AI companies, funding opportunities, and the region’s growth potential to attract investors and talent.

How generative AI is impacting the labor market

Two new studies analyzed over a million job postings for online workers to determine the impact of tools like ChatGPT and image-generating AI on job availability, worker requirements, and wages. The research offers insights into the challenges and potential opportunities in the evolving labor market.

📢 Community calls

TWIST: New Opportunities for AI Innovation!

The Ministry of Industry and Trade is launching the TWIST program with an allocation of 700 million CZK to support research and implementation of AI in business. Applicants can receive up to 30 million CZK per project. Proposals are accepted from December 4, 2024, to February 12, 2025.

Supporting women in robotics

The ROBOPROX project has launched a Women’s Forum to encourage women in robotics and technical sciences. The Forum offers financial support and mentoring to young researchers and students. Interested parties can apply for grants for projects lasting 3 to 6 months. The application deadline is December 15, 2024.

Contribute to clearer rules for AI

The European Commission has launched a stakeholder consultation to clarify the definition of AI systems and the implementation of prohibited AI practices under the AI Act. AI system providers, businesses, national authorities, academia, and research institutions are invited to participate. The consultation is open until December 11, 2024.

Get ahead with AI: free course for social enterprises

Want to use the power of artificial intelligence for good? Get the free “Elements of AI for Businesses” course and learn how AI can make your social enterprise more effective. The course is in Czech, requires no technical knowledge, and is intended for 25 social enterprises. This is the first of two rounds taking place in Brno, applications are due by 30 January.

💼 Open job positions

Artificial Intelligence Center FEE CTU

• LLM Agents Researcher
• Six new positions in specific fields: AI & Cybersecurity, AI Safety, AI for Safe and Trusted Media and Language Applications, Computational Robotics, Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems, and AI & Energy
• PhD/Postdoc in Multiagent Systems and Voting Theory

CIIRC

• Various PhD and Postdoc positions within the ROBOPROX project

Apify

• Various open positions from team lead, backend engineer to product manager

Blindspot AI

• AI Sales Growth Manager
• Generative AI & ML Senior Developer

Datamole

• UI & WebDev Department Lead
• Senior Data Scientist
• Python Data Engineer

DNAi

• Senior/medior/junior Java developer
• Senior/medior/junior react programátor

ententee

• Full-stack Developer Java/React
• Devops engineer + Java developer

Make

• Senior Data Analyst

MAMA AI

• Python Developer
• Senior Sales Partner for Telma AI
• Sales consultant for Telma AI

Qminers

• Junior Python Developer
• Quantitative Analyst

Recombee

• Backend Developer
• Support and Project Engineer

Rossum

• Solution Architect

Aricoma

• various IT/AI positions in CZ and abroad

EY

• AI Consulting Leader

ČEPS

• Senior Machine Learning Engineer

MSD

• Various positions in ML and AI
• GenAI team

OICT

•  Inovační manager/ka Smart Prague