Finding Genius Podcast

Dr. John Callahan, chief technology officer of VeridiumID (veridiumid.com), leads an informative discussion on the current state of biometric security. Dr. Callahan oversees the development of VeridiumID's biometric solutions that seek to put an end to identity theft, which is a growing problem in our ever-expanding digital world. His team is comprised of highly sought-after software developers, computer vision scientists, as well as sales engineers. Callahan's background includes work at the U.S. Navy's Office of Naval Research Global, London UK, in conjunction with the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. He holds a PhD in computer science from the University of Maryland, College Park. The digital world in which we live requires most people to utilize devices and platforms that could potentially expose sensitive data. Breaches are a grave concern and thus security is an incredibly important issue that every individual, every business, must consider. VeridiumID has developed a system in which users can choose to be identified via biometrics, unique characteristics and traits (face, fingerprints, voice, etc.), and discard the archaic, insecure system of password identification. VeridiumID's platform offers multiple choices for the biometric identification. He discusses how the software is programmable such that a user, should they choose to identify with fingerprints for example, can opt for one, two, three, or even four finger requirements for ID verification. VeridiumID is an easily configurable software-based platform for biometric authentication. It works with a front-end mobile software development kit (SDK) that allows users to embed biometrics into their business mobile app. An SDK is a set of particular software development tools that enable the creation of applications for a specific software package. And the VeridiumID system's biometric vectors are encrypted for maximum security through the process of visual cryptography. Callahan discusses the level of premium security that unique characteristics can provide, with the iris at the top as most secure ID point, followed by the fingerprint, face, and then voice. The security authority details specifics of their platform that provide a tailored approach to authentication that can meet any company's specific needs, such as step-up authentication for access that requires additional security, perhaps for financial transactions, or other highly confidential information. Callahan delivers an overview of various threats such as presentation attacks, sometimes referred to as direct attacks or spoofing, that are designed by criminals to try to defeat biometrically-secured systems. As the future will certainly bring new modalities for identification and security, Callahan predicts that biometrics will move toward highly specialized, unique authentication methods such as cardio patterns, etc., and portable devices will become more secure as the technology advances. Additionally, the security expert details self-sovereign identity that utilizes blockchain technology to allow users to hold and secure their own biometric data, which helps to decrease the risk it could be stolen. VeridiumID, as Callahan states, will continue to partner with other technology industry leaders in order to bring the most advanced security solutions to users worldwide.

Phil and Anthony Butler make a father-son team that's ambitiously leading the efforts at MARS BioImaging as CEO and CMO, respectively. They have their sights set on improving the current state of medical imaging in an unprecedented way through the use of spectroscopy and 3D imaging. Modern x-ray technology has the ability to identify tissue density and shape, but not to distinguish between different types of material, or to identify cell-specific labels attached for the purposes of research or drug therapies. The use of spectroscopy, however, enables us to see inside the body at the atomic level, which is a capability that's paving the way for a deeper understanding of disease processes and prevention, as well as applications in personalized medicine. Most recently, the team at BioImaging has been looking at samples of excised plaque from patients who've suffered from a medical event such as stroke or heart attack. By scanning these samples using spectroscopic technology, they are not only able to determine the amount of fat versus calcium versus tissue but obtain and rotate in 3D space color-coded images of these samples. Tune in to learn more about the groundbreaking applications of this technology in clinical medicine and research, and send your inquiries to info@bioimaging.com.

Crypto, of Course, is an online training and education resource for anyone interested in the rapidly expanding fields of cryptocurrency and blockchain technologies. Digital currencies like Bitcoin, Ether and Ripple, utility tokens, and other crypto products have exciting potential, regardless of the current speculative frenzy.

UBITQUITY, LLC is a company based out of Dover, Delaware, USA, with our partners and advisors located worldwide. What do we offer? We offer a simple user experience for securely recording, tracking, and transferring deeds with our SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) blockchain platform. We are helping financial institutions, title, and mortgage companies benefit from a reduced title search time, increased confidence, and transparency. We recently launched our B2B (Business-to-Business) platform prototype for secure document storage/integration within and outside the United States and our alpha release will be available summer 2016. Real World Solutions The ensuing environment of real estate financing and title transfers, has resulted in massive amounts of document errors and fraud, stemming from the unprecedented complexity of today's housing industry and the historic defaults occurring during the recent financial crisis in the country's housing/financial sector. To streamline and address this costly problem going forward, Ubitquity has created a platform for recording every pertinent step of a real estate transaction, including permanent storage of key documents, through a simple, secure portal, which permanently records the transaction on an immutable ledger called the blockchain. Since problematic title transfer of ownership still causes innumerable financial and emotional hardships to citizens, financial institutions, and municipalities annually, blockchain technology is not only desirable but vital for improving economic development. Our platform includes secure document storage specifically designed to enhance transparency, reduce cost, and improve overall efficiency.

Dan Romero, vice president, and general manager of Coinbase (coinbase.com) presents his take on the future of bitcoin and cryptocurrency in a constantly evolving and expanding global financial market. With over 20 million users and $150 billion traded, Coinbase is the largest digital currency wallet in the world. The Coinbase wallet and platform provides merchants and consumers an opportunity to freely transact with new and emerging digital currencies such as bitcoin, ethereum, and litecoin. Coinbase offers an open financial system not controlled by any single country or company, which allows for greater economic freedom, and expanded innovation and efficiency, and ultimately—more equality for individuals regardless of their geolocation. Simplifying payments for anything, anywhere in the world, opening up financial opportunities for everyone globally, and reaching a wider audience with your ideas and products are some of the areas of focus in which Coinbase excels. Coinbase seeks to open new markets, increase innovation, and help equalize the financial playing field in order to lift billions of people out of poverty. Romero discusses the many regulations that oversee the use of cryptocurrency, and how Coinbase provides their information to users in a simplified form to make sense of all the regulations and tax reforms that have an impact on the industry. Romero discusses the expansion of trading volumes globally, and the factors that are changing the market as cryptocurrency becomes more commonplace in transactions. He states that growth in the industry is tremendous and that Coinbase is investing heavily in innovation and customer support as they push forward with their primary goal of keeping the Coinbase platform efficient and ease to use. The alternative currency authority expounds upon micropayments, sending wires and global payments, and how cryptocurrency is creating an efficiency and ease in transactions within many and varied sectors of business and e-commerce. Romero discusses CyryptoKitties and other gamer-oriented characters that are exploding in the industry and how Coinbase is tracking the progress and staying relevant. From Pokémon to Beanie Babies, to Magic: The Gathering, people are interested in collecting digital characters and it's a billion dollar industry. Romero offers his insight on the acceptance of bitcoin in the retail market and when bitcoin may become adopted by the mainstream environment in general. And while bitcoin may not be needed in every retail transaction, he expects wire transactions and others that have more complexity to be areas in which bitcoin will thrive. As Coinbase expands, Romero hopes to further connect the average user to bitcoin such that the marketplace will flourish with new products and innovations that make life easier.

Danny Tomsett, CEO of FaceMe (faceme.com), delivers an interesting overview of the current state of technology in regard to digital human personas and chatbots. Tomsett's company's mission is to enhance emotional connections in the digital world. FaceMe's platform is powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and is designed to amplify a brand's ability to engage with users by creating real-time, tailored interactions with interesting personas that can build true connections. As FaceMe's digital personas connect via a human face, consumers and users are more engaged, as they would be when talking to a real human being, and connections bring value. With body language, expression, and tone, meaningful experiences can be delivered that will enhance customers' positive feelings for their experience and increase opportunities for business success, as well as customer retention. Tomsett explains that while FaceMe is not a chatbot company, their platform sits atop the chatbot so to speak and is able to take the text generated via a chatbot and synthesize that in real-time with voice, body language, expression, and tone. Tomsett states that basic chatbots are perfect for rudimentary transactions such as asking about a bank balance or something dry such as that, but for transactions that may need coaching, advisory input, persuasion, or empathy, etc., FaceMe provides a much more sophisticated, grounded emotionally-connected experience. The neuroscience of how we connect to body language, expression, and emotion can be portrayed in a digital human without having to go off script. Digital humans are life-like but not to the extent that anyone would assume they are real humans, but Tomsett explains that it is never necessary to fool anyone, nor do they try. For although users understand the life-like digital humans are not, in fact, human at all, the users can achieve a connected experience that is satisfying nonetheless. The AI experience expert discusses some of the limitations of traditional chatbots. One area in which chatbots may fail is with intent. Tomsett explains that many times a user will interact with a chatbot and not get the result he or she is looking for, and in most of these cases a user will simply leave the chat and not provide any feedback. But a digital human provides a better chance of mitigating this sort of user information dead end and thus has a significantly better chance of providing the content that the user was seeking, retaining their interest and keeping them engaged. FaceMe's visual customer experience utilizes machine learning with multimodal inputs such as context and situational awareness, as well as emotional understanding, which enrich the user's connection. Additionally, the platform utilizes multi-modal computer vision to achieve facial, speech, and object recognition that thoroughly improves the AI. And it can support up to a staggering one million conversations simultaneously, 24/7, anywhere, on any channel, thus scalability is never a problem. Tomsett expounds upon other unique qualities that the FaceMe digital human persona experience brings, such as encouragement and a space that is free of judgment. Thus, if a user has questions or curiosities, they can put forth their ideas or questions and feel free; they can receive encouragement and never have to feel any anxiety about feeling judged if they are less than confident about their knowledge in a certain area. This quality greatly enhances a user's experience, providing a safe, caring environment to freely ask questions and receive real-time advisory input. Tomsett imparts that as their digital human experience handles the bulk of the front-end connection with most users and consumers, this enables system administrators and technical support staff to have more time to deal with customers who have more complex issues and concerns. Over the next decade, Tomsett expects to see AI leading the way in consumer interaction with possibly as little as 15% of interactions being with actual humans. And he states that digital humans will penetrate and engulf the marketplace in many areas from digital commerce, to retail, healthcare, education and beyond.

Mike Dannheim, co-founder of Sensie (sensieapp.com), provides a useful overview of the many ways his company's platform can identify stress and help sufferers alter it or eliminate it altogether. Sensie is built on evidence-based solutions that seek to improve emotional health and general well being. Sensie's platform applies artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to sensor data from the gyroscope and accelerometer in order to detect micro-movements that characterize the body's response to stress. As our bodies are often indicators of our well being, the signs of stress can be apparent in our speech and physical movements. Sensie's sensors will discover a person's state of harmony or disharmony and provide signals. Within the app, the iPhone can be used to measure factors such as movement that could indicate disharmony, or a state of comfort, etc. According to various research studies, when the body is in balance, muscles are stronger and overall movement is fluid, and the exact opposite is true in times of high stress. Dannheim explains how Sensie's platform can probe in search of the underlying cause of the stress, whether it's emotional (such as fear, anxiety, or sadness), or otherwise, and help the user to reduce or alter the current state to achieve balance. Dannheim discusses how he consulted with Dr. Anne Jensen, who studied the effects of nonconscious beliefs at Oxford University, to create some of the mechanisms on which Sensie's operational techniques are founded. Essentially, Sensie operates in a similar manner as a lie detector test. It seeks to discover potential conflicts that could be initiating one's stress. Utilizing memory reconsolidation, Dr. Jensen's approach helps users to change their memories in order to reduce their inherent stress. Memory reconsolidation is the process of accessing and reorganizing the information in a memory, which allows the mind to gravitate toward a healthier version of the memory. Dannheim provides a detailed overview of the step by step process that the Sensie app uses to check for stress and eliminate it by offering input, advising on gestures to perform to help detect for the presence of stress, and of course by providing further tools to help combat the stress. The stress-reduction technology expert details how movement and posture, as well as muscle tension and relaxation are all factors that are intrinsic to our emotional states, from well being to stress, anger, etc. And as the Sensie app measures fluidity, it essentially connects the dots to enable the app to recognize when stress is present, which is the first step in the guided process it uses to bring someone back to balance. Ultimately, whatever Sensie detects, from sadness to anxiety to anger, it offers real solutions and techniques to reduce stress by making physical and mental changes.

SumAll automates operations for independent businesses using the power of data and AI. Over 350,000 users trust SumAll to automate social media marketing. Our product connects data from more than 40 platforms (revenue, web analytics, social, and email marketing) to generate and post the optimal social media content to drive business success. Our newest products - found at sumall.ai - automate inventory purchasing and staff scheduling for brick and mortar businesses like cafes. By connecting to the mobile point of sale system in a physical establishment we can gather historical sales data that, along with other proprietary inputs, feeds into our sales forecasts. Based on these forecasts we can effectively predict the needed inventory levels and place orders on our users behalf. We're proud to save owners time and money that they can reinvest in growing their business. Founded in 2011, SumAll is headquartered in New York City. We're passionate about helping small businesses succeed and believe in the power of data to change the world

As far as personal assistants go, Siri, Alexa, and Google seem to have a monopoly, but as Peter Voss explains, these chatbots utilize simple statistical technology that dampens their capacity for memory, learning, and deep understanding. This prevents us from being able to carry on meaningful conversations with them, manage the data they hold or control the data they share with others. For the past 15 years, Voss and his team at Aigo have been perfecting a technology that exceeds that of traditional chatbots by more closely imitating the cognitive architecture of our own human brains. In addition, Aigo is not biased toward any one corporation, which means that its recommendations are tailored to your personal preferences, history, and goals; it serves your agenda, unencumbered by the agenda of any one corporation. Rather than a one-size-fits-all solution, Aigo will come to fit you like a glove. Tune in to hear more about this exciting next-level technology and Aigo's current and upcoming events—one of which is a token sale that's building a community of people who will not only use Aigo but teach it additional skills in natural language (and make money while doing it!). Visit aigo.ai to learn more.

"I am informed, I am proactive, and I am taking charge of my health by using this medical blue book," says Fern Zimbalist, author of The Medical Blue Book. She is an author, educator, and an expert in the tourism industry, but above all else, she is a patient advocate who currently devotes her life to helping people take responsibility for their own health. Zimbalist is helping individuals form their own customized medical blue books, comprised of lab reports, imaging reports, disks, timelines, patient portal websites, referrals, and research. In the absence of a single medical database which compiles the entirety of an individual's medical history, Zimbalist understands the importance of being prepared and organized in order to get the most out of a doctor's appointment. And her book doesn't just serve the patient and their health--it saves doctors a tremendous amount of time that would otherwise be spent tracking down and obtaining patient records. Tune in for the full discussion, and reach out to Zimbalist by email at zimbalist89@gmail.com.