Digi society

Digitalization in research and innovation work

My first experience for digitalization is truly from year 1996, when I used internet the very first time. The site I visited was the White House. I made the first websites to work in year 2005. I have worked for twenty years in research and innovation sector. I have worked at Satakunta University of Applied Sciences  (SAMK) the past ten years. Digitalization has been widely used in various projects in communication, sharing the tools developed  and in use of maritime simulators. In communication, various YouTube videos have been made and results are shared in social media. As an example, check a playlist of PortMate project related to boating and small ports. Various ePlatforms have been made, as an example check SME Aisle ePlatform.

Digitalization in maritime logistics is rapidly changing my work. My main work relates to the  Finnish Maritime Single Window NEMO for next two and half years (Fig. 1). In the NEMO, the official vessel notifications are submitted via an online platform. I lead SAMK the team and our work relates to the sustainability aspects of the NEMO system. Another interesting aspect is potential of artificial intelligence AI in maritime sector. In maritime sector, a lot of date is formed in vessels, ports, and logistics. AI is all ready utilized in various processes, but combining various processes is just ahead.

Fig.1. NEMO stands for “Finnish Maritime Single Window”. Photo Karoliina Forss.

Risks of open digital society

Open digital society has a lot of potential for safer, more efficient, and sustainable society. The risk relates to using of data to unethical or even criminal intentions. The main principles of the general data protection regulation (GPDR) are: Lawfulness, fairness, and transparency; Purpose limitation;  Data minimization; Accuracy; Storage limitation;  Integrity and confidentiality; and Accountability. For work GPDR has had small effects, as we have always worked following the privacy. In practice, GPDR has highlighted the storage of personal data, such as names and emails as well as permits for photos and videos. I think the GPDR follows the European ethical thinking and values. GPDR might conflict with business interest globally, so companies in international business have different rules depending on the area where they operate.

Chat GPT

I got aware of Chat GPT in autumn 2023 as my friend explained how she uses it for her studies. I tried  Chat GPT 3.5 in October 2023 and bought the Chat GPT 4.0 in late December 2023. We also had a short Chat GPT training at work in late 2023. Chat GPT is allowed to support thinking in studies at SAMK. I have used Chat GPT for various things, such as making an A4 summary from ten pages, finding information for new terms, supporting thinking,  but also looking for cooking recipes. I have also drawn pictures with the DALL-E (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2. “Maritime Logistics Research Center” (DALL-E, 10.1.2024).

Chat GPT is a good tool for generic information. Chat GPT 4.0 gave right answers for the question “What is Finnish Maritime Single Window NEMO?”; “Who currently uses NEMO?”;  and “Can I use NEMO”. For a questions “What is your feeling about NEMO? Chat GPT 4.0 answered: “As an AI developed by OpenAI, I don’t have personal feelings or opinions. However, I can analyze and present the potential benefits and challenges associated with systems…” This shows in practice, that using Chat GPT often feels one is discussion with a person. However, it always had to be kept in mind, it is a language model, which “just” predicts the word after another word.

Self evaluation

I remembered that I have been part of digital society about thirty years. The digi society has developed a lot, as it helps in my personal life, and affects my work themes. The most interesting was the collection of videos and TedTalks on innovations related to digital society. Some of the material I can and will use for my work in near future. I have to learn more about artificial intelligence and its usability in maritime logistics.

A mind blowing TedTalk was Pranav Mistry demo on tools that help the physical world to interact with the world of data, especially his SixthSense device. I wonder why Mr Mistry invention has not yet changed the world. The TedTalk from November 2009 has been watched 15,5 million times. I asked Chat GPT and the potential reasons it gave were technical challenges, market readiness, competition and alternatives, commercialization path, and evolution of technology. This highlights a fact that from research to real products the pathway takes time and resources.

The fellow students’ blogs I commented: https://blogi.savonia.fi/reettamarih/2024/01/15/digi-society/, and https://blogi.savonia.fi/kaisakuuppo/digi-society/

1. 

   Mira Tapiola-Garcia

   March 5, 2024

   It was interesting to read about your experiences with digitalization since 1996. It was also new information for me that what kind of projects Universities of applied sciences have. The sea and the things that happen around it are unknown to me but is really awesome that you get to work with the Maritime Traffic Notification Service NEMO. I think the best thing about digitization is how it affects us all and our work differently. Some sectors are already well advanced, and others are just taking their first steps. I work with training and recruitment, and of course digitization has also shaped that, but the company I work for is only at the very beginning with digitalization.
   Also, it’s interesting how widely you’ve already used Chat GTP. I haven’t used it myself yet, although many around me have taken advantage of it. With the help of this assignment, I can get to know it in more detail.

   LikeLike

   Reply