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Managing Safety and Security in the Smart City: Covid-19, Emergencies and Smart SurveillanceThe chapter examines the role and potential inherent in surveillance systems in smart cities today. The Covid-19 pandemic and the resultant restrictions to mobility, on the one hand, and the need for strengthened enforcement measures highlighted the already existing weaknesses and contingencies besetting surveillance in smart cities. The chapter makes a case that the adoption of smart city surveillance and infrastructure management systems may contribute to the improvement of safety and security in the smart city as well as to an overall enhancement of the smart city’s resilience. The discussion in this chapter focuses on the complex processes of data acquisition, data sharing, and data utilization to explain in which ways they all add to smart surveillance systems that—while aware of individual freedoms and privacy issues—contribute to the process of making a smart city resilient. To showcase the applicability of these findings, a wireless mesh network (WMN) surveillance system is presented.
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Artificial Intelligence and Its Context: An IntroductionConsidering the scope of novelty that AI brings into politics, economics, and, notably, daily life, it is imperative that it is discussed from as many perspectives as possible. It is imperative that it is discussed in detail, and that the debate on AI is approachable to a variety of stakeholders. This chapter outlines the main themes and issues that have been discussed in chapters that constitute this volume, including those as diverse as the very technical characteristics of AI, AI and politics, ethical questions pertaining to the use of AI in the battlefield, strategic communication (StratCom), military planning, and management and the decision-making process in the domains of business and public administration. The intersection of AI and international trade and national AI strategies from a range of countries around the globe are queried too.
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Artificial Intelligence (AI): Explaining, Querying, DemystifyingArtificial intelligence (AI) is a buzzword today, reminding us of the concept of “globalization” and the relating debate two decades ago. As with globalization then, for the greater part of society, AI remains a concept poorly understood, vague, and approached with fear of the unknown. While AI is hailed as the panacea to all the ills of the prevailing socio-economic model and a source of unimaginable opportunities, it is also seen as a source of substantial risks and threats to safety, security, and the operation of the markets. The objective of this chapter is to explain, query and demystify AI and by so doing to highlight the areas and domains that are crucial for AI to develop and serve society at large. To this end, the “dry”, i.e., quite technical, facets of AI are discussed, and a case for an AI ecosystem is made. Technology-related limitations of AI, as well as possibilities, are outlined briefly. An overview of AI’s implications for the (global) economy and selected policies follows. The ethical concerns are discussed in the concluding section.
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Effective Management of the Smart City: An Outline of a ConversationAdvances in information and communication technology (ICT) are central for the transformation of cities into smart cities. Yet, it is the ability to apply ICT efficiently that defines whether a smart city will be resilient and sustainable. The art of management stands at the heart of the process and this book explores it. In this chapter an outline of the key research topics that emerge at the intersection of smart cities research and management science is presented. These include among others management and decision-making for urban design and the built environment development, the relationship between the smart city services and business growth dynamics, new forms of asset acquisition, and entrepreneurship development. Finally, the research topics include questions of the social accountability of local governments vis-à-vis smart city development; inclusion and participation in the decision-making process in the smart city; and for instance, access to and management of cultural goods and heritage.
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Artificial Intelligence and Its Contexts. Advanced Sciences and Technologies for Security ApplicationsThis book offers a comprehensive approach to the question of how artificial intelligence (AI) impacts politics, economy, and the society today. In this view, it is quintessential for understanding the complex nature of AI and its role in today’s world. The book has been divided into three parts. Part one is devoted to the question of how AI will be used for security and defense purposes, including combat in war zones. Part two looks at the value added of AI and machine learning for decision-making in the fields of politics and business. Part three consists of case studies—covering the EU, the USA, Saudi Arabia, Portugal, and Poland—that discuss how AI is being used in the realms of politics, security and defense. The discussion in the book opens with the question of the nature of AI, as well as of ethics and the use of AI in combat. Subsequently, the argument covers issues as diverse as the militarization of AI, the use of AI in strategic studies and military strategy design. These topics are followed by an insight into AI and strategic communication (StratCom), including disinformation, as well as into AI and finance. The case-studies included in part 3 of the book offer a captivating overview of how AI is being employed to stimulate growth and development, to promote data- and evidence-driven policy-making, to enable efficient and inclusive digital transformation and other related issues. Written by academics and practitioners in an academically sound, yet approachable manner, this volume queries issues and topics that form the thrust of processes that transform world politics, economics and society. As such, this volume will serve as the primer for students, researchers, lectures and other professionals who seek to understand and engage with the variety of issues AI implicates.
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Managing Smart Cities: Sustainability and Resilience Through Effective ManagementThis book adopts the managerial perspective to the study of smart cities. As such, this book is a necessary addition to the existing body of literature on smart cities. The chapters included in this book prove the case that transformation of cities to smart cities is a function of effective and efficient management practices implemented at diverse levels of smart cities. While advances in information and communication technology (ICT) are crucial, it is the ability to apply ICT consciously and efficiently that drives the transformation of cities to smart cities in a manner conducive to cities’ sustainability and resilience. The book covers three sets of interconnected topics: Management and decision-making for urban design and infrastructure development Management and decision-making in context of smart cities development Ways of promoting and ensuring participation, representation and co-creation in smart cities These three groups of topics offer a great opportunity to acquire a clear, direct, and practice-driven knowledge and understanding of how effective management allows ICT-enhanced tools and applications to change smart cities, possibly making them smarter.
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Big Data and Decision-Making: Applications and Uses in the Public and Private SectorBig Data and Decision-Making: Applications and Uses in the Public and Private Sector breaks down the concept of big data to reveal how it has become integrated into the fabric of both public and private domains, as well as how its value can ultimately be exploited.
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Technology-Enhanced Healthcare Education: Transformative Learning for Patient-Centric HealthThe new challenges in healthcare education require new methodological approaches and transparent integration of technology enhanced learning approaches. Technology-Enhanced Healthcare Education promotes the best practices and lessons learnt from COVID-19 and highlights the importance and impact of using information systems to increase levels of health literacy. The chapter authors cover processes such as augmented or virtual reality to allow for distraction and decreased anxiety of the patient and services such as telemedicine and tele-consultation in the follow-up of non-acute patients. These are just a few ways in which health professionals can utilise information systems and transformative technology to increase the quality of health care, levels of health literacy and, thus, increase the health outcomes of their patients. Technology-Enhanced Healthcare Education is an innovative volume for health specialists, educators, higher education medical experts, medical school students and health management professionals. It is key reading for those looking to learn more about the latest developments on active and transformative learning within health education and medical technology (MedTech).
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Active and Transformative Learning in Steam Disciplines: From Curriculum Design to Social Impact (Emerald Studies in Active and Transformative Learning in Higher Education)Active and Transformative Learning in STEAM Disciplines is a unique reference volume for the new student-centric and objectives-oriented learning environment where individual and team learning paths enhance problem solving capabilities. These practices may range from simple teaching methods such as class discussion and role playing, to peer teaching and flipped learning. Focusing on STEAM education (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics), scholars from the three disciplines of education, business, and Information Technology highlight the importance of the class as a place for collaborative knowledge sharing, involving active engagement of both students and instructors, and explore the connection between innovation and sustainability at the curriculum and research levels. Chapter authors discuss the timely issues of digital transformation in higher education, the required active learning strategies, the novel methodological approaches to instructional design and the new student-centric paradigm for active and collaborative exploration of learning content. Filling a significant gap in the body of knowledge related to the emerging agenda of active and transformative learning strategies for STEAM disciplines, this volume is a helpful tool to faculty, higher education administrators, policymakers, curriculum designers and school leaders aiming to develop value-based strategies for promoting quality education with an emphasis on active and transformative learning.
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Smart Cities and Digital Transformation: Empowering Communities, Limitless Innovation, Sustainable Development and the Next GenerationSmart Cities and Digital Transformation: Empowering Communities, Limitless Innovation and Sustainable Development is a Smart Cities Handbook putting together on a single volume a three-tier approach to smart cities: Limitless Innovation, Sustainable Development and Empowering Communities. The active learning approach that is adopted helps the reader to exploit comprehensive social sciences and computer science knowledge into real-world problems, building critical thinking skills and competencies. The exploratory journey to the Smart Cities and Digital Transformation research domain compensates the reader with a significant enhancement of intellectual skills and problem-solving capability. The book is about putting together the diverse communities of researchers, academics, practitioners, industrial managers, and policy-makers to promote progressive applied research, best practices and lessons learnt related to the phenomenon of smart cities, digital transformation and sustainable development.
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Next Generation eHealth: Applied Data Science, Machine Learning and Extreme Computational IntelligenceNext Generation eHealth: Applied Data Science, Machine Learning and Extreme Computational Intelligence discusses the emergence, the impact, and the potential of sophisticated computational capabilities in healthcare. The title provides useful therapeutic targets to improve diagnosis, therapies and prognosis of diseases as well as helping with the establishment of better and more efficient next generation medicine and medical systems. Machine Learning as a field greatly contributes to next generation medical research with the goal of improving Medicine practices and Medical Systems. As a contributing factor to better health outcomes the book highlights the need for advanced training of professionals from various health areas, clinicians, educators, and social professionals who deal with patients. Content illustrates current issues and future promises as they pertain to all stakeholders, including informaticians, professionals in diagnostics, key industry experts in biotech, pharma, administrators, clinicians, patients, educators, students, health professionals, social scientists and legislators, health providers, advocacy groups, and more. With a focus on Machine Learning, Deep learning and Neural Networks this volume communicates in an integrated, fresh, and novel way the impact of Data Science and Computational Intelligence to diverse audiences.
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Active Learning for Digital Transformation in Healthcare Education, Training and ResearchActive Learning for Digital Transformation in Healthcare Education, Training and Research discusses the potential of advanced training of health professionals as a contributing factor to improve treatment outcomes. By reading this book, professionals who deal with patients with low health literacy will be prepared to promote better access to digital tools, understand the habits of users of health services, and empower engagement. The book contains a set of techniques and instruments associated with health literacy, communication skills and personal development that will enable their application in good daily practices and assist healthcare professionals to promote digital transformation to patients.
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Digital Transformation in Heathcare in Post-COVID-19 TimesThe current healthcare systems globally are reactive and focus on addressing acute and active chronic medical problems, resulting in fragmented and costly care. To solve this challenge, systems leaders need to shift their focus towards people and populations. Health reform aims to transition from volume-based to value-based care, prioritizing screening, prevention, and early detection of chronic diseases. Primary care becomes a central component, and extending health services to remote areas becomes essential. Technological advancements have been integrated into healthcare systems, with COVID-19 accelerating technology adoption, particularly in remote health technologies. Digital transformation has the potential to address key issues and transform healthcare systems when supported by a visionary strategy. However, risks like data privacy and cybersecurity must be addressed for successful digital transformation. Inconsistencies in digital transformation success can be attributed to factors such as resource limitations, competing priorities, resistance to change, and lacking regulatory policies.
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Artificial intelligence and big data analytics for smart healthcareArtificial Intelligence and Big Data Analytics for Smart Healthcare serves as a key reference for practitioners and experts involved in healthcare as they strive to enhance the value added of healthcare and develop more sustainable healthcare systems. It brings together insights from emerging sophisticated information and communication technologies such as big data analytics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, medical intelligence, and, by dwelling on their current and prospective applications, highlights managerial and policymaking challenges they may generate.