The integration of visual and textual data in artificial intelligence presents a complex challenge. Traditional models often struggle to interpret structured visual documents such as tables, charts, infographics, and diagrams with precision. This limitation affects automated content extraction and comprehension, which are crucial for applications in data analysis, information retrieval, and decision-making. As organizations increasingly rely on AI-driven insights, the need for models capable of effectively processing both visual and textual information has grown significantly.IBM has addressed this challenge with the release of Granite-Vision-3.1-2B, a compact vision-language model designed for document understanding. This model is capable of extracting content from diverse visual formats, including tables, charts, and diagrams. Trained on a well-curated dataset comprising both public and synthetic sources, it is designed to handle a broad range of document-related tasks. Fine-tuned from a Granite large language model, Granite-Vision-3.1-2B integrates image and text modalities to improve its interpretative capabilities, making it suitable for various practical applications.The model consists of three key components:Vision Encoder: Uses SigLIP to process and encode visual data efficiently.Vision-Language Connector: A two-layer multilayer perceptron (MLP) with GELU activation functions, designed to bridge visual and textual information.Large Language Model: Built upon Granite-3.1-2B-Instruct, featuring a 128k context length for handling complex and extensive inputs.The training process builds on LlaVA and incorporates multi-layer encoder features, along with a denser grid resolution in AnyRes. These enhancements improve the models ability to understand detailed visual content. This architecture allows the model to perform various visual document tasks, such as analyzing tables and charts, executing optical character recognition (OCR), and answering document-based queries with greater accuracy.Evaluations indicate that Granite-Vision-3.1-2B performs well across multiple benchmarks, particularly in document understanding. For example, it achieved a score of 0.86 on the ChartQA benchmark, surpassing other models within the 1B-4B parameter range. On the TextVQA benchmark, it attained a score of 0.76, demonstrating strong performance in interpreting and responding to questions based on textual information embedded in images. These results highlight the models potential for enterprise applications requiring precise visual and textual data processing.IBMs Granite-Vision-3.1-2B represents a notable advancement in vision-language models, offering a well-balanced approach to visual document understanding. Its architecture and training methodology allow it to efficiently interpret and analyze complex visual and textual data. With native support for transformers and vLLM, the model is adaptable to various use cases and can be deployed in cloud-based environments such as Colab T4. This accessibility makes it a practical tool for researchers and professionals looking to enhance AI-driven document processing capabilities.Check outtheibm-granite/granite-vision-3.1-2b-preview and ibm-granite/granite-3.1-2b-instruct.All credit for this research goes to the researchers of this project. Also,dont forget to follow us onTwitterand join ourTelegram ChannelandLinkedIn Group. Dont Forget to join our75k+ ML SubReddit. Asif RazzaqWebsite| + postsBioAsif Razzaq is the CEO of Marktechpost Media Inc.. As a visionary entrepreneur and engineer, Asif is committed to harnessing the potential of Artificial Intelligence for social good. His most recent endeavor is the launch of an Artificial Intelligence Media Platform, Marktechpost, which stands out for its in-depth coverage of machine learning and deep learning news that is both technically sound and easily understandable by a wide audience. The platform boasts of over 2 million monthly views, illustrating its popularity among audiences.Asif Razzaqhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/6flvq/Weaviate Researchers Introduce Function Calling for LLMs: Eliminating SQL Dependency to Improve Database Querying Accuracy and EfficiencyAsif Razzaqhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/6flvq/Prime Intellect Releases SYNTHETIC-1: An Open-Source Dataset Consisting of 1.4M Curated Tasks Spanning Math, Coding, Software Engineering, STEM, and Synthetic Code UnderstandingAsif Razzaqhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/6flvq/ByteDance Proposes OmniHuman-1: An End-to-End Multimodality Framework Generating Human Videos based on a Single Human Image and Motion SignalsAsif Razzaqhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/6flvq/Fine-Tuning Llama 3.2 3B Instruct for Python Code: A Comprehensive Guide with Unsloth [Recommended] Join Our Telegram Channel

Looking forthe most recentMini Crossword answer?Click here for today's Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.The NYT Mini Crosswordis always longer on Saturdays, so it usually takes more time to solve. Today's was pretty easy, I thought, though you will have to know a certain governor's name and a little bit about magazine history. Need some more help with today's Mini Crossword? Read on. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.The Mini Crossword is just one of many games in the Times' games collection. If you're looking for today's Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visitCNET's NYT puzzle hints page.Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini CrosswordLet's get at those Mini Crossword clues and answers. The completed NYT Mini Crossword puzzle for Feb. 8, 2025. NYT/Screenshot by CNETMini across clues and answers1A clue: Beer foamAnswer: HEAD5A clue: Dance that it takes "two" to doAnswer: TANGO6A clue: Annoying thing to forget on a tripAnswer: CHARGER8A clue: Color associated with BarbieAnswer: HOTPINK9A clue: "For all ___ and purposes "Answer: INTENTS10A clue: Maryland governor WesAnswer: MOORE11A clue: Cons' counterpartsAnswer: PROSMini down clues and answers1D clue: Oldest monthly magazine in the U.S., launched in 1850Answer: HARPERS2D clue: Front car of a trainAnswer: ENGINE3D clue: Athlete's representativeAnswer: AGENT4D clue: NerdsAnswer: DORKS5D clue: Body image?Answer: TATTOO6D clue: Bonobo relativeAnswer: CHIMP7D clue: Pay tribute toAnswer: HONORHow to play more Mini CrosswordsThe New York Times Games section offers a large number of online games, but only some of them are free for all to play. You can play the current day's Mini Crossword for free, but you'll need a subscription to the Times Games section to play older puzzles from the archives.

BusinessTrump administration pauses $3 billion marked for electric vehicle charging stations An electric car charges at a mall parking lot on June 27, 2022 in Corte Madera, California. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images North America hide captiontoggle caption Justin Sullivan/Getty Images North America The Trump administration has paused a federal clean energy program to expand the country's network of electric vehicle charging stations, In a memo released Thursday, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) informed state transportation directors that the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program will be under review. The agency said existing contracts will be honored suggesting some ongoing projects will still receive funding but that "no new obligations may occur under the NEVI Formula Program" effective immediately. That holds back about $3 billion that states expected to receive for future construction projects, according to the research firm Atlas Public Policy. The FHWA said the the NEVI program will be updated to "align with current U.S. DOT policy and priorities," referring to the Department of Transportation. A draft of the program's amended policies will be published for public comment in the spring before a final version is issued. "But that doesn't mean that the the program is going to be sunset or the funds are not going to be made available again to the states," said Nick Nigro, the founder of Atlas Public Policy. The program was established by Congress in the Biden-era bipartisan infrastructure law, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, in 2021. Several experts tell NPR that as a result of its overwhelming bipartisan support at the time, attempts to overturn it within the executive branch are likely to be challenged in court. Nigro believes the funding will resume eventually. The program was part of the Biden administration's ambitious plan to improve access to charging stations, which are a major reason many drivers hesitate to switch to EVs, according to data from J.D. Power. The goal was to build a network of highways with EV charging stations every 50 miles and accelerate the country's transition away from gas- and diesel-powered vehicles, which are major contributors to climate change. The NEVI program, which launched in 2021, was far from perfect, according to Ryan McKinnon, a spokesperson from Charge Ahead Partnership, a coalition dedicated to creating a nationwide EV charging network. McKinnon said the program faced challenges like unfair competition from electric utilities and poorly designed grants, which resulted in broken or unattended EV chargers in some areas. But it also stimulated investment in charging stations, especially in fast chargers at popular gas stations and truck stops. "While it is clear that NEVI didn't solve the industry's challenges, the program was a step in the right direction," McKinnon said in a statement. So far, 56 stations are up and running as a result of the program, while more than 900 sites in total have been "awarded" to date, according to Loren McDonald, chief analyst at Paren, another research analytics firm. McDonald said several hundred of the awarded sites are currently under construction and expected to open this year. He does not believe the FHWA has the authority to pause or rescind any aspect of the NEVI program. "The Trump administration is clearly trying to stop or pause programs like NEVI for as long as they can, but I assume lawsuits from states will start soon, and this will go to court and Congress," McDonald said in a statement. The FHWA order did not come as a complete surprise. During his campaign, President Trump repeatedly promised to cut EV requirements and incentives often describing to the Biden administration's clean energy policies as an EV "mandate," though no such federal policy requires all vehicles to be electric. For the Trump administration, the focus is to boost domestic production of fossil fuels. On Inauguration Day, Trump declared a "national energy emergency" invoking the National Emergencies Act to to increase drilling for oil in the country. "We will drill, baby, drill," Trump said during his inauguration speech last month. "We will be a rich nation again and it is the liquid gold under our feet that will help us do it." Among the recipients of the NEVI program is Tesla, which is led by Elon Musk, who is also a key adviser to Trump. Tesla has received about $31 million in awards, according to a database which tracks the program using data from the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation. NPR's Camila Domonoske contributed reporting.

Image: NintendoThe Switch 2 is obviously the big focus for Nintendo moving forward, but one other area of business it plans to continue is mobile applications.During the company's Q&A for its latest financial earnings, Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa was asked about the company's "current position" when it comes to smart devices and the "plans for them going forward". Unsurprisingly, it's "continuing to develop new game applications" for mobile as it remains a "very important" touchpoint for consumers.Shuntaro Furukawa: "Although we cannot provide details on future application releases, we are continuing to develop new game applications... Going forward, even as we transition to Nintendo Switch 2, it remains important to increase touchpoints beyond video games. We believe that smart devices will take on a very important role in this endeavor, and we will continue to conduct research and implement initiatives. "Furukawa also mentioned how mobile apps have helped Nintendo access certain parts of the world it has not been able to reach with its 'dedicated video game platform business". It's also helped people around the globe connect with popular Nintendo "IP and characters"."Nintendo has released mobile apps in many parts of the world, including countries and regions we have not reached with our dedicated video game platform business. As of the end of September 2024, cumulative downloads of Nintendo apps exceeded 900 million (Total number of unique users for apps released so far by Nintendo.). I believe this has increased the opportunities for more people to access Nintendo IP and characters."Most recently, Nintendo launched the new paid title Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Complete in December last year. Apart from this, last October it rolled out the Nintendo Music app for Switch Online users. Pay it, keep itWahoo!A mobile music app exclusive to Switch Online membersHave you used any of Nintendo's mobile applications or games in recent times? What IP do you think it could perhaps adapt to smart devices? Let us know in the comments.Related GamesSee AlsoShare:00 Liam is a news writer and reviewer for Nintendo Life and Pure Xbox. He's been writing about games for more than 15 years and is a lifelong fan of Mario and Master Chief. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...Related ArticlesNintendo Reconfirms Release Windows For Major Upcoming Switch Games... and the Switch 2!Ex-PlayStation Boss On Switch 2's Name: Nintendo Created So Much "Brand Value""Why would you mess with that?"69 Games You Should Pick Up In Nintendo's 'Supercharge' eShop Sale (North America)Every game we scored 9/10 or higher"Nintendo Is Probably The Easiest To Scam" - Devs Discuss The Current State Of The eShopThe rise of "eSlop"Don't Worry, Nintendo's Thinking About Affordability With Switch 2 PricingThough no official price will be revealed for now

Taking a look back at this weeks news and headlines from Apple, including iPhone SE specs, Apples new hardware plans, a surprise iOS version, an iPhone update warning, Apples annual report card, Invites app launched, and an unwanted app from Europe.Apple Loop is here to remind you of a few of the many discussions around Apple in the last seven days. You can also read my weekly digest of Android news here on Forbes.iPhones are displayed in the Apple Store in New York City. (Photo by Leonardo Munoz/VIEWpress)Corbis via Getty ImagesApple Forced To Up iPhone SE SpecsApple looks set to launch the iPhone SE earlier than expected, but while we wait for Tim Cook to announce the new mid-range handset, many are considering how powerful the cheapest new iPhone will be. Given the demands of Apple Intelligence, the iPhone SE is going to need Apples top-of-the-line silicon:"I doubt Apple wants to leave the iPhone SE struggling to support the brave new world of AI when it debuts, let alone years later. This means that the A18 will be at the heart of the iPhone SE, although Apple could work some budgetary magic and partially lower the specs to create a performance gap between the iPhone 16 and iPhone SE."(Forbes).MORE FOR YOUApples Coming Soon RosterThe iPhone SE isnt the only new hardware we expect to see over the next weeks and months. Michael Burkhardt rounds up the usual suspects, including the entry-elve iPad refresh:"Apples cheapest iPad is likely going to get its first update in over 2 years this spring, with the main focus being Apple Intelligence support. The last iPad refresh brought the first redesign to the base iPad since Apple started making budget iPads, so there likely wont be any design changes."(9to5Mac).A Surprise iOS 18.3 UpdateApple is working on an interim release of iOS. While the big 18.4 updatewhich features the last of the first trache of Apple Intelligence toolsis due later this quarter, an 18.3.1 build is being tested:"This sounds like it will be a smaller update geared to bug fixes rather than the new features which are usually reserved for bigger-number releases like iOS 18.3 and iOS 18.4. As for whats in it exactly, its possible that the news and entertainment Apple Intelligence notification summaries which were turned off temporarily in iOS 18.3 because of uneven performance could be reinstated in iOS 18.3.1."(Forbes).iPhone 11 Urgent Update WarningThis isn't the only new version of iOS 18 available. This week, the iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max picked up an update. Although it retains the iOS 18.3 numbering, it is a later build of the software; presumably, a specific issue for these handsets needed to be immediately addressed:"Apple still hasnt given any details of why the iPhone 11 series is getting this extra version, but a bug issue seems the most likely reason. Some users on Reddit have variously referred to reports of Safari breaking and Mail issues, but neither has been confirmed by Apple."(Forbes).Apples Latest Report CardFollowing Apples quarterly earnings, Jason Snell took to his traditional PowerPoint to look over the numbers and grade Apple with his annual Report Card on the company, put together with the help of a panel of Apple experts, commentators, and users. Heres the summary of one area the iPhone:"Feelings about the iPhone lineup were mixed. Many panelists praised the incremental hardware improvements, but there was also disappointment in Apple Intelligence and the new Camera Control feature. The rolling down of previously higher-end featuresthe Action Button to the lower-end iPhones, 5X zoom to the smaller iPhone Prowere well received. However, there were still complaints about the lack of a smaller phone option, lackluster color choices for Pro models, and software features that feel rushed or unfinished.(Six Colors).Apple Launches Invites AppIts been some time since a new Apple app, but this week saw the release of Invites, a solution for organising parties and events and getting people the relevant information. While it is limited to the iPhone for organising, invitees can use any system, not just Apples iCloud+ and Calendar services"With Invites, you can generate a quick digital invitation that, when shared with your friends, lets them gather all the info about the event, RSVP, and add it to their calendar. That includes your Android friends, who can access invites using a web-based version of the app on the iCloud site."(Forbes).And Finally...With Apple forced to open its walled garden of apps and allow consumers to choose what apps they want on their phone without having to wait for Apples permission, it has not take long for an app to be released for iOS that Apple would not have approved on the grounds of user safety. Apples statement:"We are deeply concerned about the safety risks that hardcore porn apps of this type create for EU users, especially kids. This app and others like it will undermine consumer trust and confidence in our ecosystem that we have worked for more than a decade to make the best in the world. Contrary to the false statements made by the marketplace developer, we certainly do not approve of this app and would never offer it in our App Store. The truth is that we are required by the European Commission to allow it to be distributed by marketplace operators like AltStore and Epic who may not share our concerns for user safety.(via MacRumors).Apple Loop brings you seven days worth of highlights every weekend here on Forbes. Dont forget to follow me so you dont miss any coverage in the future. Last weeks Apple Loop can be read here, or this weeks edition of Loops sister column, Android Circuit, is also available on Forbes.

Nature, Published online: 05 February 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-024-08501-xOchre, a strain of Escherichia coli engineered to have a single stop codon, enables reassignment of four codons for non-degenerate functions, such as incorporation of non-standard amino acids into proteins.

Nature, Published online: 05 February 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-00036-zOvercrowding can lead to disaster, and yet the dynamics of dense groups of people are poorly understood. Analysis of a festival uncovers collective rotational movements that emerge at critical densities, which could be universal.

Feb. 8, 2025: Our weekly roundup of the latest science in the news, as well as a few fascinating articles to keep you entertained over the weekend.

Varvara Lychkovskaya talked about sculpting baby faces and making fur textures for her ZBrush recreation of Barking Up the Wrong Turkey by Joseph Christian Leyendecker.Read the interview: https://80.lv/articles/recreating-barking-up-the-wrong-turkey-by-joseph-christian-leyendecker-in-zbrush/

.@EliasDaler is developing a surreal indie game with a Cat Soup aesthetic for the original PlayStation hardware, utilizing some classic game development techniques.See more: https://80.lv/articles/indie-game-with-cat-soup-vibes-developed-for-original-ps1-hardware/