Chinyere Nwokike | TRW Interns

Remote work and the future of the workplace

February 7, 2024 by Chinyere Nwokike

Remote work, also known as work-from-home, is a common practice today. It is a flexible work system that allows employees to work from any location outside corporate offices, provided there is a reliable internet connection. Over the past years, there has been a shift from the traditional hybrid system to a more remote system. More companies and organisations are now embracing the evolution of working remotely. The 2020 pandemic pushed the world into remote mode and is now permanent. In the earlier stages, it was unclear if businesses would thrive remotely and what the impact would be on the economy. However, as the coast became clear, the reality of remote work became clear to everyone. Companies can now tap into the benefits like never before. The future of working remotely is exciting as the rise in technological tools and applications has been designed to make work easier. This makes it very clear that remote work is more permanent and temporary. This era of working remotely comes with many opportunities for job seekers, freelancers, contract workers and permanent workers. Remote jobs have created an endless chain of employment in the job market open to all and sundry. Companies are not left out as it has allowed them to tap into the benefits like never before. It also allows companies and businesses to build diversity, be more agile and expand their business strategies. Benefits of Working Remotely It saves time and money Working remotely saves money and time. Looking at the current economic situation and the rising cost of living, it is much cheaper to work remotely than physically or on-site. It also helps reduce regular fatigue and burnout while promoting relaxation and decompression. Working remotely allows individuals to spend more time with their loved ones. 2. Autonomy and Flexibility More than 50% of employers give their employees the freedom to choose their work schedules irrespective of distance or location. Therefore, individuals can personalise their work schedules to fit their immediate needs. This promotes better employee satisfaction, provided it does not interfere with job performance. 3. Increased Productivity and Work Quality There is an increase in work productivity that stems from the fact that individuals are more focused because they can concentrate more on their tasks without interruptions. There is also an increase in work quality as individuals work from their comfort zones with minimal distractions. 4. Move or relocate Remote jobs offer the freedom to move or relocate without negatively impacting their employment status. This allows employees to move closer to their friends and families or to a better-suited environment. The Future of the Workplace The rise of remote work has changed the dynamics of the work system. This implies that working remotely will become the new norm rather than an exception. It allows employees more access to other opportunities, such as combining two or more jobs that align with their professional or personal goals. Finally, it encourages individuals to have a more inclusive work culture with people from different backgrounds, ethnicities and locations inputting in their viewpoints and ideas on work issues. Conclusion Remote work has come to stay permanently and is finding the future of the workplace. The benefits of working remotely are mouth-watering and allowing employees to focus on other important things, be flexible and have control over their lives. Business organisations can now cut down their costs of spending and improve productivity. Finally, as remote work continues to evolve, it is important to stay up to date with the latest remote work trends to be successful in there job market.

Wearable Devices: The Impact On Personal Health

May 1, 2024February 7, 2024 by Chinyere Nwokike

Wearable devices are common terms used to describe technological devices worn by individuals for health, fashion, and other aesthetic purposes. It is used in the health sector and the technology sector. Wearable devices have gained popularity since the late 2000s. What is a wearable device? A wearable device is an electronic device comprising microchips, a memory battery, extra-sensitive sensors, and communication technologies. Most wearable devices, such as smartwatches, accelerometers, gyroscopes, and heart rate monitors, have become a necessity and accessory in everyday life. The science behind the creation of wearable technology in the health sector is to improve the general well-being of patients and users. It is also used to provide information on a patient’s health status. As medical practitioners, it can be challenging to gather accurate information and data based on what is provided or information given orally by patients, as there may be fluctuations in accuracy. With wearable technology systems, it is easy for medical practitioners to know the health status of their patients via data collected from their devices. All wearable devices have sensitive sensors that are more accurate and capable of collecting data. The most commonly used machines are smart watches, heart rate monitors, fitness trackers, and so on. The invention of these devices allows medical practitioners to monitor disease and track down medical conditions. Advantages of Wearable Devices Improved fitness and health Smartwatches, fitness trackers, and other devices have helped users provide information that allows them to monitor their health. A smartwatch can tell the number of daily steps, calories burned, pulse rate, and even heart rate. There are also upcoming technology devices available to type 1 diabetes patients that alert when the body is hypoglycemic. With all this information, individuals can set achievable goals and make decisions about their health and lifestyle. Security and safety Wearable devices have an in-built security alert system that provides security and safety. Most wearable devices have trackers that can track the user’s location at any time. Other smartwatches have been programmed with an automatic call for help if the user feels threatened or is in danger. Wearable devices with voice assistants like Siri and Alexa can improve communication between users and their healthcare providers, family, loved ones, and friends. READ ALSO: The Role Of AI in Transforming Healthcare Wearable devices have come a long way since the first Apple smartwatch was produced, and research is ongoing to prove the available technology and the value of wearables. Therefore, you might see more amazing tools available on wearables.

IoT In Agriculture And Its Application

February 4, 2024 by Chinyere Nwokike

The introduction of the IoT in agriculture and its application is one of the contributing factors to the growth of the agricultural sector. IoT has brought huge benefits to the agricultural industry, such as increased water availability, increased production, and many more. What Is IoT, and What Is Its Importance in Agriculture? The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of physical devices embedded with software and sensors for the sole purpose of data collection and exchange with other devices and systems over the internet. IoT is the driving force behind increased agricultural production and the availability of produce all year. The IoT has saved farmers time and energy from intensive labor. It also reduces the excess use of resources such as water. This is helpful in regions of the world that experience drought. Application of IoT in Agriculture The following are applications of the Internet of Things in agriculture: 1. Climatic conditions 2. Precision farming 3. Agricultural drones 1. Climate Conditions Climate and climatic conditions play a crucial role in farming. IoT solutions help farmers to know real-time weather conditions. Sensors are placed in and outside the agricultural fields. These sensors collect data from the environment, which aids farmers in making decisions on when to plant and harvest according to every climatic condition. Alerts are sent if any disturbing weather conditions are found. All of these are targeted at increasing agricultural productivity. 2. Precision Farming Precision farming is the most common application of IoT in agriculture. The goal of precision farming is to analyse the data generated via sensors and use the data provided to generate accurate information that will help farmers make quick and smart decisions. Common precision farming techniques include irrigation management, livestock management, and many more. All of these techniques play significant roles in ensuring efficiency and effectiveness. Farmers can now analyze soil texture, porosity, conditions, and other parameters concerning crop and livestock productivity. 3. Agricultural Drones Drones are used in agriculture for ground and aerial assessments of crop health, productivity, and field analysis. Drones are also used for planting, crop monitoring, irrigation, and the spraying of pesticides. With proper strategy and monitoring, drones give a huge makeover in the agricultural industry. Conclusion IoT is helping agriculture implement modern technological solutions to achieve effective results. IoT bridges the gap between increased production, quality, and quantity yielded. In turn, this has improved business operations, executed more tasks faster and helped produce reach consumers in the fastest time possible.

Smart Farming:The Future Of Agriculture

February 2, 2024February 2, 2024 by Chinyere Nwokike

Smart agriculture also known as precision farming is the implementation of technology, software and equipment to optimize and automate farming processes for a faster and better result. These new technologies include the use of AI, drones, IoT, satellites, big data and more to provide more innovation in food production. Smart agriculture is one of the recent approaches to solving the issue of food scarcity. In refining the agricultural sector, smart agriculture focuses on increasing the production of crops and livestock to meet the needs of the populace. Major objectives of smart agriculture include: Increasing agricultural activities and production An increase in employment rate thus high income generation through employing more farmers and relevant workers in the agricultural system. Reducing the amount of greenhouse gasses emission through activities that contribute to the generation of greenhouse gasses. To help food production rate while still producing quality crops, smart agriculture uses minimal resources such as water, seed and organic fertilizers to achieve bountiful harvests irrespective of weather conditions. To ensure this is running smoothly, sensors in the system help control the use of resources in large proportions and also reduce the impact on the environment. Smart Farming Technologies There are various smart farming technologies and tools used to optimize agricultural activities. The most effective and efficient tools are: Machine learning Smart farming sensors Big data Internet of Things (IoT) Conclusion Smart farming is described to be the future of agriculture and allows for effective production management to meet the population demands. It is also creating an eco-friendly system that humans can thrive in. The spread of smart farming is aided by the development of technology, especially satellite and AI as they play a key link in making production decisions. The future of smart farming and agriculture is on a great path.

Sustainable Agricultural Practices; Navigating The Future Of Food Production

January 30, 2024 by Chinyere Nwokike

Agriculture is the future of food production and sustainable agricultural practices is the best method of navigating the future of food production. There is a continuous demand for the production of more food and food products. Studies state that by 2050, food production will increase by 70%. One of the prominent reasons there will be an increase in food production is the rapid growth of the world’s population. Over 800 million people in the world’s population will be malnourished by 2030 if there are no innovations in the agricultural sector. Mitigating these challenges requires a team of farmers, investors, government and stakeholders working together to create sustainable agriculture. Farmers and agricultural organisations need to invest in more technology and strategic means to combat future insufficiency. How do we sustain agricultural practices so that they navigate the future of food production? Sustaining agricultural practice stands on the existing principle that the world’s needs must be met without a negative impact on the future of agriculture. To do so, farmers must incorporate healthy, economically profitable, environmentally beneficial approaches to agriculture. These include: Cultivating healthy planting and maintaining healthy soil. Promoting biodiversity Reducing agricultural runoffs Preventing food wastage Minimise and eradicate all forms of pollution Integrate mixed farming system (livestock and crop farming) Encouraging agroforestry practices Enhancing the lives of farmers and farming communities Promoting ethical and green farming practices. Sustainable practices include urban agriculture, permaculture, agroforestry, crop rotation, biodynamic farming, natural pest management, natural animal rearing, crop protection, mulching and biological weed control. Conclusion The future of farming is bright, and to ensure we have a sustainable agricultural system requires fundamental changes regarding the management of our natural environment. With the latest technology gadgets, tools, and top research, it is possible to make changes to protect our environment and also ourselves as we are the end users. This is only achieved through sustainable agriculture.

Ethical Issues Of Artificial Intelligence In Healthcare

January 29, 2024January 29, 2024 by Chinyere Nwokike

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Ethical Issues Of Artificial Intelligence In Healthcare The role of artificial intelligence in healthcare is fast becoming prominent. However, ethical issues such as data privacy, data handling, biases, patient confidentiality, and more have raised concerns about the reliability of AI in healthcare. Over the past decade, AI and technology (machine learning) have helped to provide new insights into clinical cases and drug discovery. With AI, health workers, particularly nurses, are more well-rested and overburdened with problems machines can solve. This is a massive breakthrough for the healthcare sector. In this article, we will discuss some of these ethical issues. Data handling and Security Drug development Biases 1. Data handling and Security In healthcare, medical personnel use electronic records or data collected from patients can be used for scientific purposes such as clinical and academic research to improve healthcare quality. However, there are risks of these data being hacked by cybercriminals and third parties. This ethical issue leads to a break in patient-doctor confidentiality. In some scenarios, sensitive data has been sold to unprofessional sources. 2. Drug Development In drug development, artificial intelligence helps in drug development, which used to be strictly human-led. Data generated from patients can be used to develop specific drugs and models that are gene, organ, and tissue specific depending on the needs of individual patients. However, concerns are being raised about the current regulatory laws and whether there is a need to implement more rules to allow data privacy, especially in drug development. This is to protect the patient’s privacy. 3. Biases AI biases are another ethical issue that threatens the growth of AI in the health system. These biases are anomalies that arise when human designers unknowingly introduce them to the AI model during creation. Another instance of bias occurs during incomplete data collection. Although these biases are not intentional, they can lead to differential treatment, improper diagnosis, and less effective treatment. Conclusion In conjunction with policymakers, the government at all levels needs to work together to ensure that ethical issues, such as data privacy, the safety of patient information, and informed consent, are tackled promptly to have a beautiful working system.

Peace

January 29, 2024January 29, 2024 by Chinyere Nwokike

“Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and calmly. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems” Saint Francis de Sales. Peace is a precious commodity that must be jealously guarded for progress in an individual’s life. Other schools of thought define peace as the presence of harmonious friendship and the absence of violence, conflict, or war. Types of Peace There are two types of peace recognised globally. They are: Internal peace (Individual peace) External ppeace 1. Internal peace Internal peace can also be described as peace within oneself. Achieving internal peace is a gradual process that requires much effort and positivity. In the religious context, internal peace can be achieved through meditation, solemn prayers, and reflections. Internal peace is vital as it reflects true peace and is the foundation of external peace. 2. External peace External peace occurs in a community or society. In a broader sense, external peace is the absence of war, violence, social injustice, social disturbances, inequality, etc. The bedrock of external peace is internal peace and vice versa. The absence of peace in an individual contributes largely to disrupting external peace. This is because we make up a society. On the other hand, external peace contributes to inner peace as it affect the community or society and can contribute to internal peace due to its influence on human life. Importance of Peace Peace contributes to maintaining composure in all situations. Peace brings about inner calmness. Peace eliminates anxiety, worries, uncertainty, and doubt. Peace promotes the growth and development of a community. Conclusion Peace is a fundamental aspect of human life that contributes significantly to building a better world. It provides a foundation for social and economic progress, political stability, and the promotion of human rights. By promoting cooperation and unde7rstanding among nations and fostering social justice and equity, peace contributes to achieving a harmonious and prosperous global community. It is up to all of us to work towards peace in our lives, communities, and world and make it a reality for everyone.

The Role Of AI In Transforming Healthcare

May 1, 2024January 27, 2024 by Chinyere Nwokike

The healthcare sector constantly faces a growth in demand in all parts of the world. This demand has prompted the use of AI to transform the healthcare sector. An increasing population drives this demand, the outbreak of zoonotic and non-zoonotic diseases, a rise in genetic conditions, lifestyle changes, and a continuous cycle of innovative technology. With all these demands, it is difficult for the healthcare sector to keep up without structural and transformational modifications. This is where AI comes in. In combination with machine learning, computer vision, and natural language processing. AI contributes to better diagnosis, treatment prevention and management, personalised care, and delivery of accurate prediction of diseases in the population, all of which have transformed the healthcare sector. Here are some of the uses of AI in healthcare. 1. Imaging and diagnostics The use of AI and diagnostic imaging, especially in radiology, helps to improve imaging analysis and provide adequate care and treatment based on diagnosis. The introduction of AI reduces the chances of error in diagnosing clinical conditions. Examples of diagnostic tools used for imaging include Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computed Tomography (CT), and Positron Emission Tomography (PET). 2 Precision medicine Precision medicine focuses on diagnosing and treating patients based on genetic makeup rather than signs and symptoms. The evolution of AI aids healthcare providers to personalise treatments and improve patient outcomes. Furthermore, pharmaceutical companies use precision medicine knowledge to develop more potent drugs with limited side effects. READ ALSO: Wearable Devices: The Impact On Personal Health Conclusion AI in healthcare has come a long way and gives promising solutions for using AI in diagnosis, treatment management, and data collection, which can improve patient outcomes. In the next few years, they have taken over the healthcare sector, thereby improving efficacy and efficiency, reducing the cost of production, and the rise of certain medical conditions. However, concerns and challenges, especially about the ethical indications of AI centered around patient confidentiality, data privacy, and others, should be addressed to have an effective system.

How To Grow A Vegetable Garden

January 23, 2024January 23, 2024 by Chinyere Nwokike

Over the past decade, there has been a need to grow a vegetable garden. One of the major causes is the presence of pesticide residue in commercially grown vegetables has risen due to pesticide toxicity. The implication of consuming vegetables that have been exposed to high concentrations of pesticides is that over time, there will be an accumulation of pesticide residues, which leads to pesticide toxicity. To combat this problem, it is best advised to grow your vegetables. Apart from growing vegetables for personal use, it is a very lucrative venture for commercial purposes. If you are a vegetable lover, student, or retiree, this article is for you. Let’s highlight the steps needed to start a vegetable garden without further ado. 1. Currently, we have over 30 vegetables that thrive well on our soil. Examples are tomato, spinach, fluted pumpkin, carrots, water leaf, quail grass, bitterness, etc. Carefully consider the type of vegetables you want to grow. One of the factors in deciding is dependent on the season and demand. 2. Prepare your garden by first clearing your garden in readiness for seeding. 3. A good harvest is dependent on the types of seeds purchased. Therefore, it is essential to source excellent and quality seeds from credible and trustworthy sources. 4. Check the soil texture, porosity, and aeration using a 12-inch spade. 5. Apply organic manure and fertilizers at least two weeks before planting to enrich the soil. 6. To further enrich, bone, blood, or cottonseed meals can be added to the soil. 7. Plant your vegetables according to the vegetables in season for maximum harvest and results. For example, pumpkin leaves are best planted between May and April, the peak of the rainy season. 8. Water your plants regularly to ensure they don’t dry out or have stunted growth, especially if you are planting in the dry season. 9. Protect your garden by doing the following: (I) Weed your garden every 2 weeks to prevent weeds from overgrowing your vegetables. (II) Protect your garden from predators such as goats, cows, sheep and other animals. To do so, concrete walls or net fences should be erected around the garden to prevent predation. Conclusion Starting a vegetable garden is a lucrative venture that doesn’t require capital or funds. This article has provided a step-by-step guide to establishing a vegetable garden. By following this guide, you can rest assured that your garden will blossom.