Science and technology
05 Jan 2021
Artificial Intelligence
Yesil Science, a company participating in Garanti BBVA Partners, presents a health app supported by AI
Yesil Science was created with the objective of developing innovative solutions to healthcare, combining medicine, art, and technology. In addition, it is a company that has participated in the Garanti BBVA Partners program.
26 Oct 2020
Sponsored by Garanti BBVA, the Turkish technology company Kodluyoruz has developed Alchemist, a series of 15 podcasts on technology and artificial intelligence.
25 Aug 2020
Science and technology
BBVA and Multiverse showcase how quantum computing could help optimize investment portfolio management
Through a proof of concept, BBVA and Spanish startup Multiverse have tried out and benchmarked different quantum technology platforms to solve a classic problem of finance: The optimization of investment portfolios with real market data. Thanks to this analysis, published in a scientific paper, the authors have elucidated new formulas that could help speed up this type of calculation, maximizing profitability and minimizing risk.
11 Jun 2020
Francisco Herrera, Computer Science Professor at the University of Granada, is leading research that aims to diagnose COVID-19 in less than a second using chest x-rays. The project, which is in advanced stages, uses artificial intelligence as a tool to interpret biomedical images more effectively than the human brain. This technique would greatly help health clinics that do not have sophisticated diagnostic imaging systems.
16 Apr 2020
In the era of forced social distancing as a result of the SARS-COV-2 pandemic, this technology has become one of biggest allies in the fight against the coronavirus.
06 Apr 2020
Transactionality in databases is fundamental for critical systems, but the historical asymmetry between reads (massive) and writes (specific, but can impact in the middle of a read operation) could be solved with a new approach. Last year Databricks released to the community a new data persistence format built on Write-Once Read-Many (HDFS, S3, Blob storage) and based on Apache Parquet.
09 Mar 2020
Smart crops, bacteria-detecting knives, and waste-reducing supply chains: These are some of the futurist scenarios that could become a reality if IBM’s predictions prove to be correct. As part of the bank’s Ninja Project — a program to cultivate BBVA’s internal digital talent and culture — IBM was invited to share its predictions with the bank’s employees.
03 Mar 2020
Frontiers of knowledge
The pioneers of quantum cryptography, recognized with the Frontiers of Knowledge Awards
The BBVA Foundation has honored Charles Bennett, Gilles Brassard, and Peter Shor with the Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Basic Sciences for their respective roles in the development of quantum computing and cryptography.
19 Feb 2020
Frontiers of knowledge
The Frontiers of Knowledge Awards recognize Guyon, Schölkopt and Vapnik for teaching machines how to classify data
The BBVA Foundation has awarded Isabelle Guyon, Bernhard Schölkopf and Vladimir Vapnik with the Frontiers of Knowledge Award in the Information and Communication Technologies category, for helping advance the field of artificial intelligence with their seminal contributions to machine learning. Their work has been applied to fields as diverse as medical diagnosis, computer vision, natural language processing and the monitoring of climate change.
04 Feb 2020
Frontiers of knowledge
Ecologists Duarte, Hughes, and Pauly receive the Frontiers of Knowledge Award for their contributions to marine conservation
The BBVA Foundation has recognized three marine biologists — Carlos Duarte, Terence Hughes, and Daniel Pauly — with the Frontiers of Knowledge Award in the category of Ecology and Conservation Biology. Their research has expanded our knowledge about the Earth’s oceans and has contributed to the protection and conservation of marine biodiversity and ocean ecosystem services.
22 Jan 2020
Science and technology
Frontiers of Knowledge Award for those who discovered the mechanism that regulates cellular growth
The BBVA Foundation presented Michael Hall and David Sabatini the Frontiers of Knowledge Award in the Biology and Biomedicine category for discovering the main regulator of growth in animal cells. This mechanism, a molecular pathway called mTOR, opens the door to new treatment options for cancer, diabetes and aging.
15 Jan 2020
Computer studies, sciences and development
Davos Forum 2020: Fifty years strong and with a new sustainability manifesto
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the World Economic Forum, popularly known as the Davos Forum. The event kicks off on January 21 in the Swiss district of Davos-Klosters. For half a century, this forum has brought together politicians, businesspeople, and representatives from social and cultural organizations in order to find solutions for the world’s problems. 2020 sees the launch of a new ‘Davos Manifesto’ with the single objective of building a more sustainable, inclusive world.
10 Dec 2019
Computer studies, sciences and development
Quantum Computing: How it differs from classical computing?
The race to make good on quantum computing is well underway. Millions of dollars have been allocated to developing machines that could cause current computers to become obsolete. But, what is the difference between quantum and classical computing? This is a puzzle that is beginning to be unraveled.
06 Nov 2019
IT (computer sciences)
The BBVA Foundation rewards creativity, originality and excellence in the computer science world
The President of the BBVA Foundation, Carlos Torres Vila, presented the Spanish Computer Science Society (SCIE) – BBVA Foundation Research Awards in recognition of creativity, originality and excellence in cutting-edge research in the computer science field.
29 Oct 2019
Frontiers of knowledge
BBVA Foundation President Carlos Torres Vila presents Noam Chomsky the Frontiers of Knowledge Award
Noam Chomsky received the BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Humanities and Social Sciences in a ceremony at his home in Tucson, Arizona. BBVA Foundation President Carlos Torres Vila made the special trip to present him the award, as the U.S. linguist was unable to attend the award ceremony in Bilbao last June. “This is a recognition to your unparalleled contributions to the understanding of human language, which have had a tremendous influence in so many fields,” said Torres Vila.
22 Oct 2019
Audio
Michio Kaku, a theoretical physicist and string theory expert, is one of the most well known scientific commentators in the world. He received his doctorate from the University of California in 1972, and for three decades has held the Henry Semat Chair and Professorship in theoretical physics at the City College of New York.
11 Oct 2019
Science and technology
Roger Launius: "Going to the Moon was the result of a great collective effort"
Roger Launius, former chief historian at NASA was at BBVA headquarters to deliver one of the featured speeches for Values Day: “Getting to the Moon: the value of the most important idea in human history.” Launius used the history of the Apollo program and man’s landing on the Moon as examples of two of BBVA’s corporate values: ‘We are one team,’ and ‘We think big.’
22 Jul 2019
For Professor Kevin Warwick, a cybernetics expert and Emeritus Professor at Coventry and Reading Universities, the future of humans is literally tied to artificial intelligence, with technologies that will allow us to link our brains to machines to augment our physical and mental abilities. He recently sat down for an interview with OpenMind, BBVA’s knowledge community, to share some of his insights into this fascinating topic.
19 Jul 2019
“One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind” was Neil Armstrong’s famous phrase when he first stepped on the surface of the Moon. The phrase served to crown one of the greatest feats carried out by the human species whose 50th anniversary is celebrated this year.
30 May 2019
Sixty candidates worked non-stop to develop an analytical model and come up with a business solution based on datasets provided by BBVA. The competition, hosted last week at Ciudad BBVA, was the last phase of a selection process aimed at recruiting new members to enroll in the ‘Young Data Professionals’ program, a BBVA initiative aimed at developing young advanced analytics talent.
27 May 2019
Artificial Intelligence
Carlos Torres Vila: "Sharing knowledge improves and enhances opportunities for everyone"
BBVA Executive Chairman Carlos Torres Vila today unveiled the book ‘Towards a New Enlightenment? A Transcendent Decade’ in Madrid. The book is the eleventh in a collection sponsored by OpenMind, the non-profit knowledge community created by BBVA. More than 20 authors contributed to this year’s edition, which fosters a broad based discussion about the new philosophical and ethical foundations that need to be established in order to sustain an economy, a society, a culture – and the corresponding regulation – as they adapt to the new scientific and technological contexts.
16 Apr 2019
Frontiers of knowledge
Noam Chomsky recognized by Frontiers of Knowledge award for his contributions to the study of human language
The BBVA Foundation has recognized the U.S. linguist with the Frontiers of Knowledge Award in the Humanities and Social Sciences Category, a new category included in this year’s edition for the first time ever. Chomsky’s research opened up new paths in multiple fields of humanities, especially in the study of the human mind and the cognitive systems that comprise it.
28 Mar 2019
Cuisine
Jordi Roca and BBVA launch El sentido del cacao (“The Sense of Cocoa”), a project to raise awareness of conditions affecting the sense of taste
BBVA and Jordi Roca, pastry chef at El Celler de Can Roca, have together launched the project ‘El sentido del cacao’ (The Sense of Cocoa), an initiative that aims to raise awareness of the series of conditions affecting the sense of taste and which affect up to 17% of the world’s population. This project comes in light of a pioneering investigation based on neuroscience and sensorial management supported by, among other institutions, the Hospital Clínico San Carlos in Madrid and IOB Institute of Oncology.
26 Mar 2019
NASA’s Space Apps Challenge, one of the world’s most popular hackathons, has, once again, awarded a group of Spaniards, in this case the time behind ‘Galaxy Quest.’ The project helps processing real data collected by the Hubble telescope through a ‘gamification’ process. But not only that: It is the first step in developing an artificial neural network using these data, and a new communications channel between NASA and users. José Luis Martín-Oar, service designer at BBVA and one of the team’s members, tells us everything about the project.
05 Mar 2019
Frontiers of knowledge
The physicists who discovered topological insulators receive the Frontiers of Knowledge Award
The BBVA Foundation presented physicists Charles Kane and Eugene Mele the Frontiers of Knowledge Award in the Basic Sciences category for discovering materials that act as both insulators and conductors at the same time. The so-called topological insulators are a new kind of material with extraordinary electronic properties that will open new scientific avenues. They could serve to develop faster, more efficient electronic devices and even advance the advent of quantum computers.
01 Mar 2019
Leaning against the trunk of an apple tree in 1666, Isaac Newton asked himself, “Why do apples fall?” Perhaps some of the neighboring farmers would have thought: “Well, that’s a waste of time.” And maybe they would have added, “What’s the use of thinking about such obvious occurrences? Apples fall because they fall.” Behind this possible recrimination there might have been some noteworthy ideas about the importance of productivity and the food chain: what is important about apples is how to harvest them and capitalize on them.
20 Feb 2019
BBVA and OpenMind, in collaboration with Professor Rafael Yuste, held a conference in Brussels to discuss the potential legal implications stemming from the rapid development of Neurotechnology and Artificial Intelligence. Under the title “Do we need new human rights?” scientists, politicians and regulatory authorities described the current situation and pointed to problems that need to be addressed, offering possible solutions to an issue that is not without controversy.
19 Feb 2019
The BBVA Foundation has recognized the computer engineer Ivan Sutherland with the Frontiers of Knowledge Award in the category of Information and Communication Technologies. Over the course of his 60-year career, the American computer scientist has led the transition from text-based to graphical computer displays. He pioneered the use of graphical icons and virtual reality, and anyone who uses a computer or smartphone today benefits from the output of his research.
15 Feb 2019
Integrating the fundamentals of quantum mechanics into computer science will bring about a sea change in the depth and breadth of computing power. Although there are still hurdles to overcome, recent advances suggest these obstacles will soon be a thing of the past.
11 Feb 2019
Only 7% of girls see themselves as scientists in the future. This is due to the gender gap that remains in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) sectors, even though more than a century has passed since Marie Curie won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. That’s why the International Day of Women and Girls in Science continues to be so important.
06 Nov 2018
Science and technology
Francisco González: "The technological revolution will bring greater well-being, but the transition period creates uncertainty"
At the Atlantic Council in Washington DC, BBVA Group Executive Chairman Francisco González presented ‘The Age of Perplexity’ – the tenth installment of OpenMind’s book series, which explores the profound transformation brought about by the digital revolution. In his opinion, the combination of globalization and rapidly developing technology has led to an era of political and social change. This period is both the cause and effect of a state of deep uncertainty, which focuses primarily on the future of the economy and employment.
13 Jun 2018
“We have a powerful science, but when it comes to individual and, especially, public decision making processes, we fail to harness that power, because its validity is denied or put on an equal footing with baseless opinions.” With these words Francisco González summed up the spirit that presided over the BBVA Foundation’s Frontiers of Knowledge Awards ceremony.
18 May 2018
He holds an undergraduate degree in physics. He’s the founder of Tesla, SpaceX and Neuralink, among other companies. He’s championed renewable energies, online payments and the space race. Elon Musk’s impressive resume brims with professional and economic success. What initiatives have made this entrepreneur one of top innovators of the 21st century?
02 Apr 2018
Albert Einstein’s Theory of Relativity forever changed the way we understand space and time. But the German genius who was the centerpiece of a conference organized by the BBVA Foundation, “Explore Einstein’s universe,” also left his mark on hundreds of technologies that we use daily: from Google Maps to solar panels, from self-lighting street lamps to laser beams. Our lives would be very different if Einstein hadn’t been born.
21 Mar 2018
What happens when you choose a restaurant on the Internet? Or when you want to buy a book? Or find a song? Or get hooked on a new series? BBVA Data & Analytics in a new item for dissemination explains how the different recommendation systems used by Amazon, Netflix, and Spotify work and how they will extend beyond the consumer and entertainment sectors.
14 Mar 2018
Astrophysics
BBVA laments the passing of Stephen Hawking, winner of the BBVA Foundation’s Frontiers of Knowledge Award
Stephen Hawking, the famous British physicist and one of the world’s most brilliant scientific minds died at 76, as confirmed by a statement made by his family. The genius of astrophysics suffered from ALS, a degenerative disease, from the time he was 21 years old, thus exceeding life expectancy predictions. Since 2005 he was only able to communicate by means of a speech synthesizer.
27 Feb 2018
Frontiers of knowledge
Nubia Muñoz wins the Frontiers of Knowledge award for her work in developing a universal vaccine against cervical cancer
The BBVA Foundation has granted Colombian epidemiologist Nubia Muñoz its Frontiers of Knowledge award in Development Cooperation, for her work in establishing that infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) is the principal cause of cervical cancer, one of the leading causes of death among women in developing countries. Muñoz has also been instrumental in the development of the first effective vaccine against this virus, capable of preventing 70% of all cervical cancers.
26 Feb 2018
A report by Standard and Poor’s Global (S&P) analyzes the potential impact on the financial sector of the entry of tech giants such as Google, Apple, Facebook and Amazon. Although no immediate changes to bank ratings is foreseen, the report points out that in the long term these companies are well placed to get a position in segments of the chain such as payment systems.
22 Feb 2018
Switzerland offers us a multitude of exciting destinations to visit. Unforgettable landscapes, international organizations and cities such as Geneva, Basel or Zurich make knowing the Swiss country a unique experience.
20 Feb 2018
The head of the BBVA Data & Analytics’ Edge team, José Antonio Rodríguez-Serrano, who coordinates the innovation area in BBVA’s center of excellence in data science, shares his insights into five key questions to understand the implications of this exponential technology in different economical sectors and spheres of society.
16 Feb 2018
Immunotherapies are treatments that aim to stimulate the immune system to fight cancer. The strategy has proven quite effective against some tumors – including melanoma or lung cancer – but inefficient against many others. A team headed by ICREA researcher Eduard Batlle and funded by the BBVA Foundation has discovered why and proven that it can also be used against colon cancer.
13 Feb 2018
As we have seen in previous articles, the intelligent use of data, with the right talent and the pertinent business strategies for applying creative solutions, can provide insights that help solve a whole gamut of problems and take on board new opportunities. Data places within our grasp an enhanced decision-making ability and a deeper understanding of our clients and what they need. But as in the case of any other tool, these new skills can be put to positive or not so positive use, whether intentionally or not.
16 Jan 2018
Frontiers of knowledge
BBVA Foundation's Frontiers of Knowledge award goes to four mathematicians who help enable a secure digital society
The BBVA Foundation´s Frontiers of Knowledge Award was won by four mathematicians – Shafi Goldwasser, Silvio Micali, Ronald Rivest and Adi Shamir – for their outstanding contributions to cryptology, a science that has proven crucial to ensuring security in the online world.
14 Dec 2017
For a while after science-fiction was first coined as a term, it seemed like the only thing the genre would be capable of producing would be just that: purely fictional works with no connection to reality. Today, we can already enjoy some of the futuristic innovations featured in some movies a while back, such as virtual reality or artificial intelligence. Which sci-fi movies predicted the future digital era and got it right?
29 Nov 2017
UN Global Pulse, a United Nations agency that seeks to use big data for the public good, has announced the winners of Data for Climate Action – an open innovation initiative to find solutions for climate change. BBVA Data & Analytics collaborated with the initiative by providing statistics on credit and debit card transactions in Spain.
28 Nov 2017
When technologists and scientists work together on a corporate goal, the result is deep tech.
15 Nov 2017
One of the things about huge conferences like Money 20/20 in Las Vegas is that you get to see the ideas that will shape the future of the banking sector.
10 Nov 2017
What is bitcoin? What do the terms node, mining and hash mean? Following are the 10 key terms from the world of blockchain technology that you need to master.
09 Nov 2017
Francisco González Rodríguez
Francisco González: “We need policies that promote research and education”
BBVA’s Group Executive Chairman is convinced that technological advances will be accompanied by greater progress and well-being, but he is also calling for policies and structural reforms that are capable of mitigating the costs of the transition to the new digital society. Supporting research and education, promoting competition and transparency in the markets and developing new employment policies and social protection systems were among the recommendations Francisco González shared at an event organized by El Periódico de Catalunya and BBVA in Barcelona.
30 Oct 2017
Year 2049. Three decades have passed since Richard Deckard began hunting down and retiring Nexus 6 models. The Wallace Corporation has built an empire on the ruins of Tyrell Corp, designing a new generation of replicants, more obliging and integrated in society. Through the implementation of memories, the new models have an emotional foundation that makes them more stable than their predecessors, much more similar to humans.