Hackaton on the use of Computer vision in Montenegrin S3

During the 3 months of intensive work, NCC Montenegro team members were involved in organising 70 classes for more then 50 participants. Lectures were held twice a week, starting in October this year. The training started with Python programming module which focused on mastering all programming skills needed for further work and engagement with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. Then we explored AI concepts, mathematical models, computer vision tasks, and provided hands-on examples of using Convolutional Neural Networks, Yolo architectures (YoloV7 and YoloV8), and the Detectron2 package for various computer vision applications. Throughout these modules, participants not only gained exposure to various tools, Python packages and libraries for facilitating AI model development but also had the chance to learn the integration of AI solutions into modern systems and applications with Flask and other web bases technologies. The attendees were informed on NCC Montenegro activities and introduced to capabilites of HPC and its application for AI development that requires lots of computing resources.

Hackaton took place on 23 Dec 2023.

After all classes we organised Hackathon day. The Hackathon gathered 20 teams to work on HPC/AI and Computer Vision projects in agriculture, medicine and tourism. Before the Hackathon Day, after which the best ideas were showcased and awarded, there were two weeks of intense mentor-guided sessions. These sessions helped teams with their projects and in figuring out high-performance computing needs for handling large datasets , execute experiments, and testing advanced AI models. This hackaton was implemented in cross-collaboration with the AI4S3 project funded by the Innnovation Fund of Montenegro.

The hackaton was attended by over 50 people
24 teams presented their potential application of HPC and AI in Montenegrin S3
The presentations focused on health, tourism, energy and food sectors
The hackaton ended in celebration and social event

Workshop “Digital Transformation and HPC/AI” for BSc students

On 8 Dec 2023, a workshop on “Digital Transformation and HPC/AI” unfolded at the University of Donja Gorica. Over the course of this semester, final-year BSc students from the Faculty for Information Systems and Technologies delved into research on HPC and AI technologies within the framework of the Managing Information Technology subject. The EUROCC NCC Montenegro team conducted enlightening lectures and presentations on HPC and AI, providing students with a comprehensive grasp of these technologies and illustrating their pivotal roles in digital transformation.

Digital transformation and HPC/AI students workshop

During the workshop, students had the opportunity to showcase the projects they worked on throughout the semester, projects that will be defended during their final exam in Managing Information Technology course. The presented use cases spanned across various fields such as tourism, medicine, agriculture, and digital marketing. This event not only allowed students to share their findings but also fostered a deeper understanding of the practical applications of HPC and AI in real-world scenarios. Our focus was on the possible applications of interest for Montenegro and in the priority domains of Smart Specialisation Strategy for Montenegro (2014-2019).

Over 20 BSc students participated
AI powered chatbot for hotel reception
HPC/AI model cretion for sign language
HPC/AI for recognizing cultural and historic monuments
Prediction of attendance of sport events
Use of computer vision in medicine
Computer vision for drones for prevention of forest fire
Computer vision for precision agriculture and pest management
Event took place at the University of Donja Gorica

Progress on AI4S3 project

In the previous period, as part of the AI4S3 project, which is supported by Innovation fund of Montenegro, numerous lectures on the application of artificial intelligence in S3 areas were organized at the UDG:

  • Python programming: Our participants went through a thorough training in Python, starting with the basics of the programming language, all the way to advanced topics. Through homework, our participants demonstrated a high understanding and application of Python in various scenarios. This was the first step towards strengthening their programming expertise.
  • Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI): this module was a journey through the world of artificial intelligence. We started with the historical development of the technology, exploring how machine learning and deep learning algorithms have evolved over time. In the pyTorch and TensorFlow suite, we developed some basic deep learning models. We focused especially on neural networks, explaining their mathematical and technical foundations. Participants gained a thorough understanding of the technologies that shape our world.
  • AI in S3 priority areas: this segment was extremely important because the basic idea of this training is precisely the application of new technologies. Innovative projects developed by our lecturers, specifically focused on the application of AI in S3 areas, were presented. This gave participants an insight into the practical application of AI in the real world. Also, we dealt with ethical issues and challenges in the development of AI models, encouraging participants to think critically about the impact of technology on society.
The training included Python basis, introduction to AI and ML, applications in S3 domains

With over 50 participants from various academic and industrial circles, our training has become a meeting place for different perspectives and innovations. By the end of this training, two more modules are planned, namely The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Computer Vision and Tools and Libraries for AI Model Development. At the very end, training participants will present their projects, which they will develop in teams in cooperation with mentors. This training is a continuation of previous NCC Montenegro and Open Mind Academy efforts.

Mr Stevan Cakic, AI4S3 project coordinator
Over 50 trainees from various academic and industrial sector
Participant will be trained and metored to implement their own hands on projects
The course included cross-collaboration and presentations of practical use cases

Quantum computing lecture

NCC Montenegro is organizing online introductory lecture about quantum computing and its applications.

Quantum computing is a cutting-edge field of computer science that leverages the principles of quantum mechanics to perform complex calculations at speeds far beyond what classical computers can achieve. Instead of using classical bits, quantum computers use quantum bits or qubits, which can exist in multiple states simultaneously due to superposition. This enables them to solve certain problems, such as factoring large numbers or simulating quantum systems, much faster than traditional computers. Quantum computing has the potential to revolutionize fields like AI/ML applications, cryptography, bioinformatics, digital manufacturing, optimization of traffic systems…

We are privileged to have Dr. Jaka Vodeb as our speaker. Dr. Vodeb is a postdoctoral researcher at the Jozef Stefan Institute and Fz Juelich (NCC Germany). His extensive expertise in quantum computing and quantum simulator ensures inspirational lectures.

Dr. Vodeb will give an overview of the quantum computing landscape, existing quantum hardware, quantum algorithms, quantum error correction and the quantum internet.

Date: 20.10.2023.
Time: 12:00 PM
Duration: Half Day lectures
Registration: https://forms.gle/nTf2aW3kGsbzcSz2A

Don’t miss this opportunity to explore the future of computing.
We look forward to your participation!

For any additional information, inquiries, or updates, please reach us on luka.filipovic@udg.edu.me

Implementation of AI4S3 training

At the University of Donja Gorica, the Faculty of Information Systems and Technologies has commenced the implementation of the project “Application of Computer Vision and Deep Learning in Agriculture and Food Production, Medicine, and Energy (AI4S3).” The project is funded within the program to promote the development of an innovation culture and organize education in the fields of smart specialization in Montenegro by the Innovation Fund (https://fondzainovacije.me/).

Implementation of AI4S3 training started

On September 28th, as part of the 9th Festival of Science and Innovation, we had the opportunity to present our plans for the project’s implementation. The key idea of the project is to bring the application of artificial intelligence closer to the S3 sectors, which represent one of the key strategies for digitization in agriculture and supply chain, medicine, tourism, and energy sectors.

Over 65 candidates enrolled in the training

As previously announced, on September 30th, we organized an entrance test and questionnaire for all applicants. More than 65 candidates took the entrance test and questionnaire, and after analyzing the results, we selected more than 40 of them who will undergo training over the next 2 months.

The training is supported by the Innovation fund of Montenegro

Additionally, on October 7th, we began conducting lectures, starting with Python programming language, which forms the foundation for further training and the development of artificial intelligence models through upcoming modules. This training is a continuation of previous NCC Montenegro and Open Mind Academy efforts.

Congratulations to everyone, and we look forward to collaborating with all our participants.

BSc thesis: ChatGPT and the future of business

The widespread use of ChatGPT has reshaped the labor market, offering both opportunities and challenges for companies and employees across various industries. This thesis has highlighted that the most positive impacts are likely to be seen in fields like medicine, trade, and education, while sectors such as customer support, media, and administration face significant challenges. ChatGPT should be viewed as a valuable ally for enhancing daily business tasks and boosting productivity. Ths BSc theis was done by Marko Raicevic under the mentorship of prof. Armin Alibasic.

Mr Marko Raicevic defending his BSc thesis on ChatGPT and AI in business

While the current version of this technology excels in certain areas like automation, information processing speed, and knowledge base, it is not poised to replace the majority of employees in the labor market. The future of businesses hinges on how we harness and deploy ChatGPT; it can either be a chance or a threat, depending on our development and utilization of this technology.

ABSTRACT – This thesis examines the groundbreaking impact of OpenAI’s ChatGPT, a revolutionary conversational AI, on the field of natural language processing. ChatGPT’s exceptional performance and capabilities have led to widespread adoption for daily business tasks, setting new trends in the job market. The paper explores ChatGPT’s role in various branches of artificial intelligence and its implications for diverse industries, considering its potential, limitations, and ethical concerns. The research draws on relevant literature to highlight the opportunities and challenges this technology presents. While routine tasks may be automated, ChatGPT is seen as a tool to enhance productivity, emphasizing that workers will not be replaced but augmented by its usage.

BSc Thesis: Computer vision and deep learning for analysis of identification documents

Mr Filip Radinovic defended his BSc thesis “A system for analyzing identification documents by leveraging Computer vision and Deep Learning” under co-mentorhsip of mr Stevan Cakic and prof. Tomo Popovic. The thesis focuses on the importance of identity in our digital world and how it impacts the security measures used by organizations. The main goal of the thesis is to use artificial intelligence to verify a person’s identity online. The researchers trained a model using various datasets and images, teaching it to spot even the smallest inconsistencies. The most significant discovery they made is that this model is very accurate, with a precision rate of around 90%. Additionally, the model is very efficient, taking only 3 to 4 seconds to process data, which is much faster than manual methods. Overall, the thesis highlights the potential of using AI for identity verification, making it both precise and time-saving.

The thesis focused on the use of computer vision and HPC/AI to develop tools for ID document analysis

ABSTRACT – Identity is one of the most sacred values and currencies in our digital era, affecting the working models of private and public institutions. This causes many strict security measures and protocols with a price of time, which is where this thesis’ goal arises. The approach of the thesis is leveraging artificial intelligence to accomplish identity verification over the web. The model was trained on a myriad of datasets and images, utilizing standard deep learning algorithms. By the end of training, it was able to detect the most subtle inconsistencies, making it quite precise. The biggest research finding is the potential that a model like this holds. Its precision varies around 90%, which is a good number by today’s standards and model’s testing conditions and hardware. The other aspect is time, in which the model excels. From the point when the model receives the data, the processing of it begins and it takes 3 to 4 seconds (on modest hardware). This implies superior efficiency than manual or alternative ways of accomplishing the same goal.