BSc thesis: AI and machine learning for cultural heritage preservation

Ms. Jovana Mitric defended her BSc thesis at the Faculty for information sciences and technologies on 3 October, 2024. The topoc was on AI and machine learning for applications in cultural heritage preservation. This research was done in the context of HPC4S3ME project and was supported by the NCC Montenegro team. The future work will explore the use of HPC and expanded datasets to refine and train better models for monuments detection and providing support for Montenegrin tourism development. This work was also successfully presented at the IEEE IT2024 conference.

ABSTRACT – This thesis presents research on artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), and their potential application in the preservation of cultural heritage, with a special focus on Montenegro. Computer vision, as a specific field of artificial intelligence, was explored. The paper addresses the implementation of modern technologies, specifically computer vision, in the field of cultural tourism to enhance the visibility and preservation of cultural monuments. By using available tools such as the Roboflow platform for image annotation and Google Colaboratory for model training, a web application was developed using the Flask framework, which recognizes cultural
monuments based on images, powered by the YOLO v8 model. Additionally, the thesis discusses the broader context of AI applications in the preservation of cultural heritage and its promotion for tourism purposes, with particular emphasis on the potential for technological enhancement of Montenegro’s tourism offerings. The importance of digital transformation in tourism for Montenegro and its positioning in the global tourism market is highlighted.

Ms Jovan Mitric defended her BSc thesis on AI and machine learning in ultural heritage preservation

BSc thesis: AI models for real estate pricing based on web scraped data

Mr Marko Lasice defended his BSc thesis on AI powered real estate pricing. The future work will include larger datasets and explorig the use of HPC and AI to train more precise price estimation models. The work was supported by the NCC Montenegro and HPC4S3ME team members.

ABSTRACT – The development of generative models and exponential progress in artificial intelligence have opened up new application possibilities in many areas of economic life. One of the possibilities is developing an AI model for predicting market prices based on data extracted from the web. This paper introduces the reader to the technique of automated downloading and grouping of data from the web, known as web scraping, and the development of a predictive model that, based on the collected data, would predict real estate prices. The paper presents the practical part of the work, the implementation of a predictive model developed using the decision tree technique. In conclusion, the work contributes to the understanding of how the combination of these techniques improves decision-making processes in the real estate market.

Mr Marko Lasice defended his BSc thesis on AI powered real estate pricing

BSc thesis on prompt engineering

Mr. Veselin Andric defended his BSc thesis titleld “Prompt endineering for LLMs” at the Faculty for information systems and technologies. The devence took place on 2 Oct 2024 and it was done under mentorship of the EuroCC (NCC Montenegro) and HPC4S3ME teams’ members. This was a part of the effort to promote HPC and AI related technologies in the teaching curricula and research activities at UDG.

ABSTRACT – Prompt engineering is one of the primary areas of Natural language processing (NLP). It is a process that involves designing and improving inputs that are given to a language model such as ChatGPT, with a goal of getting wanted results. This dissertation investigates details of prompt engineering, it’s theoretical foundation, methodologies and practical uses in different tasks of NLP.

Mr. Veselin Andric defended his BSc thesis on Prompt Engineering
The provided an overview of NLP, LLMs and prompt techniques

Supporting Training on AI in Pharmaceutical Industry

At the Avala Hotel in Budva, on September 27, 2024, as part of the international EPhEU event, the association of pharmacy organizations from Europe (September 26 to 28, 2024), a session on Module 6 of continuing education for Montenegrin pharmacists was held, titled “Artificial Intelligence in Pharmacy: Digital Challenges, Myths and Misconceptions Incorporated in Digital Media, the Need for New Competencies for Pharmacists.” This event gathered over 150 experts, both online and in person, from the field of pharmacy, aiming to discuss the role of artificial intelligence in transforming the pharmaceutical sector.

Mr Cakic gave a lecture on AI and applications in Pharmaceutical industry

Mr Stevan Čakić from UDG and NCC Montenegro gave a lecture on the history and development of AI, emphasizing its growing importance in pharmacy. Then a special attention was given to the application of AI in drug development, personalized therapy, and optimization of pharmaceutical services. The discussion addressed the potential of AI and HPC to reshape the way pharmacists perform their daily tasks, as well as the need to improve skills and knowledge to adapt to new technologies.

This hybrid event took place in Avala hotel in Budva and online with around 150 attendees

It was concluded that an interdisciplinary approach is crucial for the proper implementation of AI solutions in pharmacy. Experts from technology, pharmacy, and regulatory fields must work closely together to ensure that AI technologies are used in an ethical and efficient manner. This educational module confirmed that the pharmaceutical industry is on the brink of a major technological transformation, where AI will play a significant role, and the future of pharmacy will depend on the ability of its professionals to adopt new digital competencies.

More on the event: https://pkfe.me/edukativni-programi/

Collaborating for Smarter, Competitive and Sustainable Tourism

The dynamic of digital transformation, adoption of cutting-edge technologies and proliferation of innovative business models, provide Montenegro with strategic opportunities to elevate its tourism sector through data-driven and AI-powered solutions. NCC Montenegro is initiating collaboration with local municipalities and tourist organizations, on Tourism 4.0 project initiatives to optimize visitor experiences, provide smart destination management and promote sustainable tourism.

By leveraging next-generation technologies such as IoT, Computer Vision, Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and High-Performance Computing, NCC Montenegro in cooperation with high-tech SME and local municipality, is preparing project initiative on real-time analytics and predictive insights related to tourism dynamic and trends to provide multiple benefits for public authorities, tourist organizations, cultural institutions and local businesses.

By embracing new technologies, advanced data analytics and intelligent modelling key tourism policymakers and stakeholders can achieve multiple benefits. These benefits include data-driven decision making, proactive management of tourist destinations/attractions, efficient resource allocation and capacity planning, better protection/valorization of cultural heritage/sites, increased visitors satisfaction and engagement, tailored offers and targeted marketing by local business, as well as “a-year-round” enhanced tourism strategies. Creating a scalable and collaborative platform for smart tourism management ultimately contributes to attractiveness and competitiveness of the Montenegro tourist destinations.

The AI Conference on Building a National AI Strategy

The AI Conference, organized by the World Bank on September 24-25, 2024, in Budva, Montenegro, brought together global AI experts, policymakers, and stakeholders from both the public sector and academia to explore the integration of AI into national strategies/policies, government operations, and public services. Representatives from NCC Montenegro actively participated in the two-day workshops, engaging in discussions on AI opportunities, challenges, and practical use cases for public administration. They emphasize the importance of digital upskilling and AI expertise, the need for data repositories and open data policies, and the establishment of advanced computing infrastructure. NCC also elaborated on its activities and efforts in the development of a HPC/AI ecosystem in Montenegro.

Mr. Marash Dukaj, Minister of Public Administration, delivered a welcoming speech recognizing the necessity of AI and its potential to enhance public administration, economic development, and societal progress. He highlighted AI’s ability to enrich citizens’ lives through personalized services, enhanced resource management, business process optimization, and new innovation opportunities. The Ministry of Public Administration, in partnership with the World Bank through the BEST project, is set to develop a strategic roadmap for AI adoption in Montenegro.

Dr. Keegan McBride, lecturer in AI, Government, and Policy at the Oxford Internet Institute, outlined essential AI concepts for public sector implementation. Barbara Ubaldi, Head of the Digital Government and Data Unit at OECD, shared valuable insights from AI strategies in OECD countries, highlighting various public sector AI applications, and lessons learned. AI expert, Varun Hemachandran presented practical examples of AI in government contexts, while Divya Siddarth, Executive Director of the Collective Intelligence Project, stressed the critical role of stakeholder engagement in AI development.

Participants engaged in working groups and brainstorming sessions focused on envisioning a national AI strategy, creating building blocks for AI governance, and addressing potential challenges in administrative services, tax policies, and digital health. The conference provided a dynamic platform for discussing strategic, transparent, and responsible approaches to AI integration in the public sector, fostering valuable knowledge, insights and networking opportunities to advance Montenegro’s AI agenda.

AI and Data-intensive Applications EuroHPC JU Access call 2024

The call is designed to serve industry organisations, small to medium enterprises (SMEs), startups, as well as public sector entities, requiring access to supercomputing resources to perform artificial intelligence and data-intensive activities.

Start date: time-to-resources-access of one (1) month after the date of cut-off.

Duration: The allocations are granted for one (1) year.

Next cut-off dates: 11 Oct 2024, 22 Nov 2024.

For more information, feel free to visit our website eurohpc-ju.europa.eu or drop an email to access@eurohpc-ju.europa.eu