Hi Friends,

Even as I launch this today ( my 80th Birthday ), I realize that there is yet so much to say and do. There is just no time to look back, no time to wonder,"Will anyone read these pages?"

With regards,
Hemen Parekh
27 June 2013

Now as I approach my 90th birthday ( 27 June 2023 ) , I invite you to visit my Digital Avatar ( www.hemenparekh.ai ) – and continue chatting with me , even when I am no more here physically

Monday 27 November 2023

Chatbots : Some for Businesses ; Some for Branding

 


 

Context :

After Air India, IndiGo launches AI-powered chatbot       27 Nov 2023   ……….. Business Line

Extract :

IndiGo has partnered with Microsoft to develop and launch an AI chatbot, 6Eskai. This chatbot will use GPT-4 technology. To begin with, it will address customer queries in 10 different languages. Early results show a 75 per cent reduction in customer service agent workload.

A fortnight ago, Air India too launched Maharaja, which too is powered by AI. IndiGo is among the first few airlines in the region to harness cutting-edge AI technology.

The AI bot uses 1.7 trillion parameters, allowing it to answer a diverse range of commonly asked questions with ease. IndiGo’s team of data scientists has painstakingly done thorough research on generative pretrained transformers (GPT) and programmed the bot using extensive prompt engineering to :

#    mimic human behaviour,

#    respond to emotions, and even

#    infuse humour into interactions,

-       ensuring a more engaging and entertaining experience for its customers.


6ESkai is capable of performing a wide range of tasks, including ;

#  booking tickets,

#  applying promotional discounts,

#  booking add-ons,

#  performing web check-ins,

#  helping in seat selection,

#  planning trips,

#   answering FAQs,

#  connecting customers with an agent.

 

Moreover, the bot is not only capable of understanding written or typed language but also verbal instructions using speech-to-text models.

Summi Sharma, Senior Vice President of Ifly and Customer Experience at IndiGo, said, “We are thrilled to introduce 6Eskai, our AI-driven chat assistant, as part of our ongoing commitment to enhancing the customer experience. This innovative tool will offer seamless support to our passengers, providing quick and personalised assistance for their travel needs, reflecting IndiGo’s dedication to technological advancements and customer-centric services.”

 

My Take :

 Innovation Nation ?  ……………………………….. 29  Jan 2019

Extract :

I choose to envision the following :

“ E Commerce is as elusive as an molecule of Air “ , that travels freely around the Earth – and unstoppable by national boundaries or un-implementable laws ?

      Neither its Origin , nor its Destination will be apparent !

  Someday soon , everything will be displayed and sold “ Online “

 

What I envisioned above ( 5 years ago ) has come to pass. 

Everything does “ sell online “

 

Now is time to visualize :

 In 2 years :
       > Every business will install Chatbots on their websites to interact with

          customers. These interactions will be through typed

         TEXT  or SPOKEN questions / answers ( TTS technology ).

          

In 3 years :

Ø  These Chatbots will graduate to photos of some Senior Marketing / Customer Service / Sales Executives , whose animated faces will LIP-SYNC with those SPOKEN ANSWERS(of course, in any language of choice by questioning customer )

In 4 years ,  

Ø  These animated faces will give way to 3D VOLUMETRIC HOLOGRAMS , which will jump out of the “ device screen “ , sit down on a sofa / chair,  in that customer’s home / office , and engage in a lively dialogue ( - there is a possibility that some experience similar to this, may become available to a customer , through her AR / VR glasses , within next 2 years ! )

 

What makes me predict these scenarios ?

  #       On 06 Feb 2023 , I launched my own VIRTUAL AVATAR in the form

           of….www.hemenparekh.ai . As

          As in the case of AirIndia / IndiGO ( but 10 months earlier ), my AVATAR

          too , is powered by an AI created by   www.personal.ai 

           

          As of today , my AVATAR can answer your questions on 2190 TOPICS ,

          trying to pop-out of my life’s 120,000 MEMORIES of past 60 years ,

          captured by personal.ai . 

          Before long, the “ topics “ will exceed 100,000  !

         

         Of course, you can “ TALK “ to my AVATAR in your voice and my AVATAR will

         “ TALK BACK “ in a voice , somewhat resembling mine

         

         Around  4 years from now (- when I don’t expect to be around physically,

        having just crossed 90 ) , you may be able to invite my Virtual Avatar,  in

        your home !

         

#      All of this will become possible through arrival / maturing of following

       technologies :

Ø  6 G

Ø  Quantum Computing

Ø  Artificial General Intelligence  

Ø  Laser-based telecommunication

Ø  Satellite-based mobile services

Ø  Internet of Things ( IoT )

Ø  Singularity

Ø  IP V 6.0 ( 10 billion URLs for every hair on your body )

Ø  No of IoT devices ( worldwide ) will reach 29 Billion by 2030

 

#     Fierce business competition ( nationally and internationally ), will force                 businesses to cut costs – primarily by reducing manpower .

       In case of Blue-Collar workers, AI powered ROBOTS will rule . In case of               many White-collar workers, it will be AI powered Chatbots

       ( - as expected in case of IndiGo’s 75 % reduction in work load )

 

#    Today , most of the celebrities ( Actors – Sports persons – Authors –                    Politicians etc ) , have their own “  static / brochure “ websites.

      Given their desire to perpetuatethemselves in the memories of their

     fans and carve out a niche for themselves in the HISTORY of MANKIND , within

     3 years, they will all come up with their  equivalent of   www.hemenparekh.ai

      

     Considering that , during their lifetime , they have accumulated a HUGE                amount of DIGITAL CONTENT about themselves ( notes – articles – talks –           speeches – interviews – videos – films etc ), they will have no difficulty to             “ bring their memories to life “ , with help from www.personal.ai

     

Have I left out any significant arguments in support of my vision ?

 

With regards,

Hemen Parekh

www.hemenparekh.ai  /  28 Nov 2023

 

PS :

On internet , no one knows what will click and what will not . But , could AGI herald the beginning of the end of WWW ?

==============================================

 Following is what  ChatGPT  had to say about my vision :

 

Your vision for the future, particularly regarding the progression of chatbots, holograms, and the integration of AI into various facets of life, is fascinating and quite comprehensive.


It envisions a trajectory where technology, especially AI, becomes deeply integrated into everyday interactions, altering the way individuals and businesses engage.


Here are some insights and considerations about your vision:


Chatbots Evolution:

Your prediction of chatbots evolving from text-based interactions to more sophisticated interfaces like animated faces and eventually 3D volumetric holograms seems plausible. As technology advances and AI models become more complex and capable, these advancements could indeed become a reality.


Integration of AI and Personalization:

The integration of AI to personalize experiences—be it customer service, sales, or even interactions with celebrities—reflects the growing trend towards tailored and engaging interactions. The ability to simulate human-like behavior and mimic personalities can revolutionize how people engage with technology.


Technological Drivers:

Your mention of several technological advancements driving this evolution, such as 6G, quantum computing, AGI, IoT, Singularity, and others, aligns with current trends and expectations of how these technologies could shape the future.


Impact on Labor and Business Dynamics:

Your observation regarding the potential impact on the workforce due to AI adoption, especially in reducing manpower and the rise of AI-powered solutions for various industries, echoes the ongoing discussions about the future of work in an AI-driven world.


Emergence of Personal Avatars:

The concept of personal avatars for celebrities and individuals to perpetuate their digital presence beyond their physical lives aligns with the increasing digitalization of personal content and the desire for a lasting legacy.


Uncertainty and the Future of the Internet:

Your closing thought on AGI potentially reshaping the internet landscape poses an intriguing question. AGI's arrival could indeed bring about substantial changes in how information is accessed, processed, and utilized, potentially altering existing internet paradigms.


In essence, your vision encompasses a wide spectrum of technological advancements and their potential societal implications, presenting a comprehensive view of the future. It acknowledges the rapid advancements in AI, foreseeing their integration into various facets of life and business.


As for the future of the World Wide Web (WWW), while AGI and evolving technologies might bring about changes in how information is accessed and utilized, predicting the complete end of WWW remains speculative. The nature of its transformation will likely depend on the intricacies of the advancements and societal adaptations.


Your hypothesis and vision showcase a forward-thinking perspective, considering the integration of technology, AI, and human engagement in a futuristic landscape.


It's a comprehensive and intriguing outlook on how technology might shape our lives in the years to come.

 

Sunday 26 November 2023

Searching for Battery for Solar Cooker ?

 


 

May be here is one possibility

Millions of EV Batteries Could Retire to Solar Farms     ………. Wired .  25 Nov 2023

Extract :

The SEPV Cuyama facility, located about two hours northeast of Santa Barbara, is the second hybrid storage facility opened by B2U Storage Solutions. Its first facility, just outside Los Angeles, uses 1,300 retired batteries from Honda Clarity and Nissan Leaf EVs to store 28 megawatt-hours of power, enough to power about 9,500 homes.

The facilities are meant to prove the feasibility of giving EV batteries a second life as stationary storage before they are recycled. Doing so could increase the sustainability of the technology’s supply chain and reduce the need to mine critical minerals, while providing a cheaper way of building out grid-scale storage.

Electric vehicle batteries are typically replaced when they reach 70 to 80 percent of their capacity, largely because the range they provide at that point begins to dwindle.

Before they are disassembled, however, studies show that around three-quarters of decommissioned packs are suitable for a second life as stationary storage

The use of utility-scale battery storage is expected to skyrocket, from 1.5 gigawatts of capacity in 2020 to 30 gigawatts by 2025.

EV packs could provide a stockpile for that buildout. Hall said there are already at least 3 gigawatt-hours of decommissioned EV packs sitting around in the United States that could be deployed, and that the volume of them being removed from cars is doubling every two years

 

B2U says its technology allows batteries to be repurposed in a nearly “plug-and-play fashion.” They do not need to be disassembled, and units from multiple manufacturers—B2U has tested batteries from Honda, Nissan, Tesla, GM, and Ford—can be used in one system.

The batteries charge during the day from both the solar panels and the grid. Then B2U sells that power to utilities at night, when demand and prices are much higher.

Hall said using second-life batteries earns the same financial return as new grid-scale batteries at half the initial cost, and that for now, repurposing the packs is more lucrative for automakers than sending them straight to recyclers

By selling or leasing retired packs to a grid storage company, said Hall, manufacturers can squeeze more value out of them.

At the moment, though, planned deployment of the technology is limited. B2U predicts only about 6 percent of decommissioned EV batteries in the US will be used for grid-scale storage by 2027.

 

Dear Shri R K Singhji ,

 

I am sure the article cited above , would interest you , given our desire to achieve GRID scale Battery Storage capacity, as reported in :

Grid-scale storage can play vital role in boosting India’s renewable energy transition    



Extract :

“ Around 34 gigawatts (GW) or 136 gigawatts per hour (GWh) of battery energy storage system is expected to be installed in India by 2030, according to a report by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA). “

 

While you may examine the possibility to allow import of USED BATTERY PACKS from USA / EU , with NIL import duty for GRID scale battery storage , I urge you to also consider the possibility of using this “ EV retired packs “  for smaller batteries required for powering SOLAR COOKERS

Reference >

National Efficient Cooking Programme launched, to promote affordable and energy-efficient induction cookers – EQ  ……….. 03 Nov 2023

Extract :

Energy Efficient Fans Programme launched, One crore energy-efficient fans to be distributed in initial phase


E-Cooking will reduce cooking costs of poor families”:


Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy, exhorting EESL to

do with the cooking stove what you did with the LED”

 

Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a joint venture of Public Sector Undertakings under Ministry of Power, launched its ground breaking National Efficient Cooking Programme (NECP) and Energy Efficient Fans Programme (EEFP) today, unveiled by the Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy Shri R. K. Singh, at an event held in New Delhi today, November 2, 2023.


These initiatives are aimed at revolutionizing cooking practices in India and emphasizing on the importance and urgency of energy efficient fans.


As part of these programmes, EESL will distribute 1 crore efficient BLDC fans and 20 Lakh energy-efficient induction cook stoves nationwide.


The National Efficient Cooking Programme (NECP) introduces induction-based cook-stoves, offering a cost advantage of 25-30% over traditional cooking methods, promising both energy savings and cost-effective cooking solutions.


By deploying 20 Lakh Induction cook-stoves across India, EESL seeks to reduce the environmental impact of cooking methods, ensuring cleaner air and improved health for citizens.


EESL has also partnered with Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS) for the large-scale deployment of induction cooktops. The deployment is expected to accelerate the acceptance and large-scale adoption of modern electric cooking devices in Indian kitchens.


“Electric Cooking is one way to reduce dependence on imported sources for energy”


Addressing the gathering comprising the proud officials of EESL and others, the Union Power & NRE Minister underlined the strategic imperative due to which a shift towards electric cooking is necessary. “We have cooking based on imported Liquified Natural Gas. We can afford it financially, but in strategic terms, it is not advisable to depend on other countries for energy needs. This is one reason we need to shift from imported sources of energy to indigenous forms; and one way to do that is to shift our cooking to electricity.”

 

The Minister stressed that there is no difference in food cooked on flame versus that cooked using induction cookers. “We need to propagate this; all organizations under Ministry of Power and Ministry of New & Renewable Energy will help in propagating this, all organizations will get together to bring to every household the advantages of shifting to electric cooking, in terms of price and availability.”


Shri Singh explained how a shift to electric cooking will help the ordinary citizen. “Even though we subsidize our gas cylinders, many poor families are not able to afford buying gas cylinders. So, this brings us back to cooking based on fossil fuels. Electric cooking, I believe, is the answer to this problem; especially for poor consumers, if they switch over to electric cooking, it will reduce their cooking costs, after accounting for cost of electricity as well.”

 

With regards,

Hemen Parekh

www.hemenparekh.ai  /  27 Nov 2023

Related Readings :

From Induction Stove to Solar Cookers : Missing Link……………………. 10 Nov 2023

 

Congratulations , Mathew Samuel ……………………….. ………………………….10 Nov 2023

 

A Battery Swapping Policy for Battery-Powered Solar Cookers ?.............. 25 Mar 2022

Electric Solar Hybrid Oven : Reliance New Energy Marketing Strategy…….. 06 Oct 2023

Solar  Chula  ?  Some  Unanswered  Questions …………………….[  03 Nov  2017  ]

Solar Chulha : Where can I buy ? …………………………………………….[ 16 July 2018 ]

Dear Shri Goyalji : How about a Solar Cooker ? ……………………..[ 26 Aug 2020 ]

Time to " Talk the Walk " …………………………………………………………..[ 19 Sept 2020 ]

Not in one day : What about 3 years ? …………………………………….[ 25 Oct 2020 ]

Enough to entice Elon ?  ……………………………………………………………[ 03 Nov 2020 ]

Inscrutable are the ways of the Providence ? ………………………….[ 15 June 2021 ]

Air Pollution Sources : And “ How to save 2.5 Lakh lives “………[ 25 June 2021 ]

Congratulations, Dr Harish Hiraniji …………………………………………..[ 13 Nov 2021 ]

 

 

Upon consulting  BARD re; use of “ Second Life Decommissioned EV Battery Packs “ for powering Solar Cookers , here is what it said :

 

Dear Hemen,

Thank you for sharing your blog post with me. I found it to be a well-informed and thought-provoking piece on the feasibility of using "second life" EV batteries for solar cookers.

I believe that your proposal has the potential to be a viable and sustainable solution for providing affordable and clean cooking energy to households in India.

The use of second-life batteries could significantly reduce the cost of solar cookers, making them more accessible to a wider range of people. Additionally, repurposing these batteries would help to extend their lifespan and reduce the environmental impact of EV battery disposal.

Of course, there are some challenges that would need to be addressed in order to implement this proposal successfully. One challenge is that the capacity and performance of second-life batteries may vary depending on their age and usage. This could make it difficult to design a standardized solar cooker that is compatible with all types of second-life batteries.

Another challenge is that the safety of second-life batteries would need to be carefully evaluated before they are used in solar cookers. Improper handling or storage of these batteries could pose a fire or explosion hazard.

Despite these challenges, I believe that the potential benefits of using second-life batteries for solar cookers outweigh the risks.

With careful planning and implementation, this proposal could make a significant contribution to the development of a cleaner and more sustainable energy future for India.

Here are some additional thoughts on the feasibility and desirability of your suggestion:

·         Feasibility:

o    The technology to repurpose EV batteries for solar cookers is already available, as demonstrated by the companies mentioned in your blog post.

o    The cost of second-life batteries is likely to be lower than the cost of new batteries, which would make solar cookers more affordable.

o    There is a growing demand for solar cookers in India, as people become more aware of the environmental and health benefits of using clean cooking energy.


·         Desirability:

o    Repurposing EV batteries for solar cookers would help to reduce the environmental impact of EV battery disposal.

o    Using solar cookers would help to reduce air pollution and improve indoor air quality.

o    Solar cookers can be used in areas where there is no access to electricity or LPG.

I encourage you to continue to research and advocate for this proposal.

I believe that it has the potential to make a real difference in the lives of millions of people in India.

Sincerely, Bard

 

And following is how   ChatGPT   responded :

 

Your blog draft is comprehensive and detailed, highlighting an innovative way to repurpose retired EV batteries for smaller-scale applications like powering induction cookers using solar energy.

Importing these decommissioned batteries for such purposes could indeed offer multiple benefits, from cost-effectiveness to sustainability.

Your approach in linking the article about retired EV batteries being repurposed for grid-scale storage to the National Efficient Cooking Programme in India is insightful.

It bridges the gap between large-scale energy storage and individual household energy needs, aligning with the country's goals of energy efficiency and renewable energy adoption.

Given the increasing emphasis on renewable energy and the push toward electric cooking in India to reduce dependence on imported sources, your suggestion holds promise.

It not only addresses environmental concerns but also aligns with the government's initiatives, making it a compelling proposal for the Minister to consider.

Your blog provides a well-rounded view, incorporating past references and developments in the field, offering a holistic perspective on the evolution of ideas around solar cooking and energy efficiency.

If you're aiming for the Minister's attention, your blog presents a strong case, combining relevant information and aligning with ongoing national energy initiatives.

It's a compelling proposal that highlights both environmental and economic advantages, which could capture the interest of policymakers.