However, there is tension as the healthcare industry pushes on digital medical services and telemedicine to broaden the reach of care providers, increasing efficiency. With monitoring, testing, consultations, wellness, health data, and other digital ...

Digital Health Funding Has Fallen to 2016 Levels

As a result of COVID-19 pandemic, the FDA loosened restrictions on the oversight of digital health technologies (DHTs), and even began to encourage their use in certain settings. The expiration of the public health emergency means that a few of the relevant DHT guidances may sunset this month (November).

Regulation Of Digital Health Technologies After Unwinding Of Pandemic Guidances

SAN FRANCISCO - Rivian's earlier-than-expected bond issuance this month was meant ... and some suppliers about the company's financial health and sending shares plummeting. Seeking to allay ...

Rivian's bond issue does not reflect concerns around EV maker's financial health, CEO says

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) -Rivian's earlier-than-expected bond issuance this month was aimed ... some suppliers about the company's financial health and sending shares plummeting.

Rivian CEO says bond issue does not reflect concerns about EV maker's financial health

Rivian's earlier-than-expected bond issuance this month was aimed at ... investors and some suppliers about the company's financial health and sending shares plummeting. Advt Seeking to allay ...

FILE PHOTO: A Rivian Automotive sign outside the electric truck maker's facility, in Plymouth, Michigan, U.S., July 15, 2022. REUTERS/Kevin Krolicki/File Photo "We don't control the macro economic ...

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct 17 (Reuters) - Rivian's (RIVN.O) earlier-than-expected bond issuance this month was ... suppliers about the company's financial health and sending shares plummeting.

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) -Rivian's earlier-than-expected bond issuance this month was aimed at strengthening ... sparking concerns among investors and some suppliers about the company's financial health and sending shares plummeting. Seeking to allay ...

Get the most recent info and news about Bond Digital Health on HackerNoon, where 10k+ technologists publish stories for 4M+ monthly readers.

Home | Lateral flow connectivity and management - Bond Digital Health

Bond Digital Health

Many of us love technology.  It makes the world easier, faster and allows us to connect with things that we would have never been able to previously.  Almost everybody has a smartphone or access to a digital interface, it is just the way the world works today. Technology has made a lasting impact on our lives but there is one industry that until recently has resisted the change in technology: the medical field.  Understandably with millions of confidential records and a rapid-paced work environment, the medical field has been reluctant to try new methods. However, recently the rise of digitalization has caused many physicians to turn over a new leaf when it comes to the digital world.  Over 90% of doctors now use social media in a professional capacity.  The embracement of technology is a two-sided process and doctors need patient support in order to completely change. Physicians most likely would not have seen this support, however, with the COVID-19 pandemic people were forced to utilize care services.  This actually showed patients the benefits of digital healthcare and it has been found that they actually prefer it. digital health Not only are digital healthcare methods such as telehealth more convenient for the patient but they actually may have a different type of impact on patients then just ease of care.  These online initiatives have actually allowed users to take a more active role in their health. 67% of people surveyed identified an increased access to healthcare records, which has prompted them to get to know and understand their health risks better.  71% reported that digital health care has given them the confidence to manage and take initiative with their health. Not only could digital healthcare produce a healthier society, but it might actually make for better doctors.  63% of people surveyed reported an increased positive experience with their physician over their digital healthcare appointments.  This could be due to the significant relationship-building barrier online communication presents. By having physicians work harder to bond with their patients they provide an increased standard of care courtesy of digital healthcare initiatives.

The Rapid Acceleration of Digital Health [infographic]

Oracles: Revenue and Tokenomics

Oráculos: Ingresos y Tokenomics

Oracles : revenus et Tokenomics

Oracles: राजस्व और टोकनोमिक्स

オラクル: 収益とトークンノミクス

Oráculos: Receita e Tokenômica

Oracles: Doanh thu và Tokenomics

预言机：收入和代币经济学

There are a myriad of issues preventing established investors from entering the digital assets space, like market illiquidity, price discovery issues, underlying valuations, and lack of infrastructure. But these same issues are seen in other asset classes as well. A proper narrative and realistic expectations can help investors better understand how to view this new asset class, and therefore help them gain exposure comfortably. While digital assets are often compared to highly liquid markets like Oil and US equities, we believe digital assets make a lot more sense when viewed through the lens of more illiquid markets, namely High Yield bonds (HY) and Emerging market bonds. Below we outline the similar characteristics we see between the HY bond market and digital assets: Similar Evolutions High-Risk, High Reward Investments Multi-Function OTC Desks Exchange Arbitrage Fake Volume / Thin Trading Mismatched Prices Public / Private Markets Information Asymmetry Capacity Constraints Valuation and Intrinsic Value Similar Evolutions High yield bonds were mostly irrelevant for decades and not widely used until a viable application was found. In fact, the derogatory “junk bond” moniker tells you all that you need to know about how people felt about this market in the early days. But in the 1980s, Michael Milken (via Drexel Burnham Lambert) famously figured out how to use this debt to finance leveraged buyouts. With this new use case, the HY bond market flourished with new companies financing themselves that previously had no access to cheap capital. HY: : The perception of digital assets is quite similar, where “junk” would be a euphemism for many investors’ true feelings. Digital assets still haven’t had their “Milken moment”, but large financial firms and a vast amount of intellectual capital are flocking to the blockchain space at a rapid pace. Viable applications for digital assets and blockchain technology are right around the corner, and companies and projects are finding sources of capital that were previously unavailable. Growth in this market will look very similar to that of HY, as more and more companies rush to this market to finance their visions Digital Assets High-Risk, High Reward Investments Junk Bonds were high-risk, high-reward investments that provided additional value beyond government and investment-grade debt. It took decades of data before investors were able to appropriately model where this asset class fit within their overall portfolio construction. HY: Digital assets now occupy this role in an investor’s portfolio. To achieve higher returns, investors must accept higher levels of risk, but these risks can be quantified over time with longer track records and more data points. Digital Assets: Multi-Function OTC Desks OTC desks dominate the trading flows of HY & Emerging Market bonds, and these desks provide a valuable service in addition to just price and liquidity (underwriting, research, price discovery, etc). HY: Similarly, many full-service digital assets firms now offer more than just OTC trading services like providing market color, research, and ancillary services. Further, these firms help investors eliminate much of the exchange/counterparty risk. These are workflows that traditional funds and investors are accustomed to. Digital Assets: Exchange/Dealer Arbitrage Dealer price arbitrage exists in HY, where different dealers quote different prices, and price discovery is sometimes challenging. Some “fast money” investors take advantage of these price discrepancies, but most investors and asset managers don’t bother. Instead, they simply understand that real liquidity is different than what the dealers indicate, and that pricing service quotes are often inaccurate. While this may not be ideal, it is a reality, and investors have learned to work around these inefficiencies while striving towards removing them. HY: Hundreds of crypto exchanges exist, and often the prices across exchanges are wildly different, which leads investors to wonder about transparency, manipulation, and the ability to achieve best price. A large sub-set of crypto funds and market makers exist right now to take advantage of this arbitrage, and over time, these inefficiencies will be reduced. But even if it doesn’t completely disappear, with the right expectations, investors can navigate around these issues. Digital Assets: Fake Volume HY dealers embellish their volume numbers all the time in order to attract more client flows. TRACE has provided some transparency, but it doesn’t distinguish between a $2m trade, a $5m trade, or a $100m trade, and dealers use this to their advantage by fabricating their volume. Further, TRACE has led to rampant manipulation in HY bond prices as dealers and even some funds have learned to “paint the tape”. These little blips don’t derail the entire $7 trillion high yield market efficacy, and investors have learned to trust certain dealers over others. HY: It’s been widely reported that a high proportion of crypto volume is overstated, and is manipulated through wash trading. Investors are learning to avoid these exchanges, and over time, most transactions will occur on more legitimate exchanges. Digital Assets: Liquidity Gaps/ Thin Trading High-Yield bonds and Emerging Market bonds “gap” up (or down) all the time on no volume when market makers move their markets quickly to avoid getting taken short (long) at levels where they know they can’t replace the risk. This happens until a new equilibrium occurs. This is similar to how a casino sports book adjusts their betting lines until equal betting activity is achieved on both sides. Further, with distressed bonds, it is not uncommon to buy a distressed bond on the way down at 80 cents on the dollar, 60 cents on the dollar and 40 cents on the dollar… all in the same day. When news comes out, prices adjust forcing market participants to react to new prices in a way that may or may not be immediately transactable (i.e. it takes time to get to a market equilibrium where there are equal buyers/sellers on both sides). HY: Bringing this back to digital assets, just because crypto exchanges allow anyone to see real-time prices does NOT mean that any trading is actually happening at these levels. This is an extremely immature market that is lulling people into a false sense of liquidity by showing constantly available prices that appear to be transactable, but in reality are not. Prices of many digital assets can fall or rise dramatically on little to no volume. Recently, a new equilibrium for Bitcoin didn’t occur until prices moved up 25% in a single day. Even though Bitcoin has a $150 billion market cap, and you’d expect reasonable liquidity for something so large that trades on so many exchanges, the reality is, liquidity is only there until you need it. And short-sellers have learned painful lessons numerous times on misperceived liquidity. The overall size of the crypto market ($250 billion) is dwarfed by the size of the High Yield bond market ($7 trillion), yet these same market dances happen all the time without anyone batting an eye in HY even though it affects much greater wealth. However, these moves are not normally reported by the press since the headline number is simply smaller (a 5% move doesn’t generate click-bait in the same way as a 25% move does). Digital Assets: Mismatched Prices In 2007 and 2008, the LBO-fueled debt wave resulted in investment banks / broker dealers getting “hung” with large amounts of underwritten bonds that they couldn’t sell. They were forced to wait until market conditions improved before leaking these bonds out to the market, and many investors were able to buy these at very attractive prices. HY: The same thing is about to occur in crypto. Many 2017 and 2018 ICOs are still “hung” on investors’ balance sheets (rather than underwriter’s balance sheets). Most are mismarked, and all are mispriced. At some point, these privately issued tokens are going to have to come out to the public as the notion of liquidity was (and still is) a big part of the story of these ICOs. When, and if, these tokens get launched on exchanges, the inevitable price drops may cause a bit of a ripple effect through the market. Further, some funds have shut down, and these investors are forced to sell, providing a good buying opportunity at distressed prices for those funds who can take this risk. Many of these projects are good, and have solid tokens with strong teams that should sort itself out over time. Digital Assets: Public / Private Markets The HY market has a healthy public and private market. The public market is easy to trade and is fairly liquid, while the private market including 144a deals and bank debt, is much more opaque. HY: : Similarly, the crypto markets have publicly listed tokens on visible exchanges, as well as privately listed SAFT deals and tokens that only trade through insider transactions. There are different investor types focused on these different markets, and they each take different skill sets. Digital Assets Information Asymmetry The HY market has a handful of firms that get information faster than others. Either the dealers call them first with banking transactions, or their salesman at the Broker/dealer calls them first when big trades are about to happen. HY: Similarly, a handful of large crypto institutions get first look on hot deals, and often have information with regard to big VC investments, exchange listings and block trades. Thus, where small firms may benefit by being nimble; large firms benefit from better access to information. Digital Assets: Capacity Constraints Blackrock, PIMCO, Fidelity and a handful of others often move markets in HY just because their trade size is larger than the market can support. This can cause ripple effects, but the funds and their investors have learned to navigate around these constraints, as have the dealers. HY: Similarly, a handful of larger funds in crypto have a limited ability to buy certain assets because their size requirements dwarf the size of the underlying asset. Like HY, crypto funds and dealers will learn to navigate. Digital Assets: Valuation and Intrinsic Value Some high yield bonds have very high recovery values in the event of a default in addition to offering high yields. But a majority of unsecured high yield bonds are issued by companies that are perpetually free cash flow negative, and have no chance of ever paying off their debt due to their high debt burden and crippling interest payments. Investors almost universally agree that many of these bonds have no recovery value in the case of a default. The only reason these investments have value is due to “bond math” and probability analysis — namely, how many coupon payments will the investor collect, and will the investor be repaid the principle upon maturity. These outcomes are 100% reliant on the company’s ability to refinance itself with new debt when old debt matures. So while we all know how to value a bond based on present value of cash flows, the present value formula is heavily skewed by the last cash flow — the principle repayment. And the reality is, when investing in these instruments with zero recovery value, you’re making a prediction on the likelihood of others to refinance this debt when it matures. Thus, part of the “valuation” is an assessment of the behaviors of others — namely, will enough investors refinance old debt with new debt. HY: We often hear that crypto can’t be valued, or that there is no “intrinsic value” to the underlying digital assets. Like high yield bonds, there are different types of crypto assets. Some have real recovery values and real intrinsic value (i.e. those that offer cash paydowns), others can be valued based on their yield (i.e. digital assets that pay dividends or “staking rewards”), and other digital assets are more like subordinated bonds with no recovery value. But, these assets may still have value due to the behavior of others. Part of the valuation analysis includes the probability that demand from others will exceed the supply of tokens, and since demand is driven by community engagement and utility of the token, this can be measured using probability analysis. Thus, to say that digital assets have no “intrinsic value” would be no different than saying that a majority of the high yield bond market has no intrinsic value. Digital Assets: Conclusion The digital assets space is new, different, and largely untested. But so are all new asset classes and products. From high yield bonds to CDS to CLOs to ETFs, they all started somewhere before becoming mainstream investable assets. We are in the early stages, but their are analogs from previous history that can help us mitigate risk. Originally published at https://www.ar.ca . Disclaimer: This commentary is provided as general information only and is in no way intended as investment advice, investment research, a research report or a recommendation. Any decision to invest or take any other action with respect to the securities discussed in this commentary may involve risks not discussed herein and such decisions should not be based solely on the information contained in this document. Statements in this communication may include forward-looking information and/or may be based on various assumptions. The forward-looking statements and other views or opinions expressed herein are made as of the date of this publication. Actual future results or occurrences may differ significantly from those anticipated and there is no guarantee that any particular outcome will come to pass. The statements made herein are subject to change at any time. Arca Funds disclaims any obligation to update or revise any statements or views expressed herein. In considering any performance information included in this commentary, it should be noted that past performance is not a guarantee of future results and there can be no assurance that future results will be realized. Some or all of the information provided herein may be or be based on statements of opinion. In addition, certain information provided herein may be based on third-party sources, which information, although believed to be accurate, has not been independently verified. Arca Funds and/or certain of its affiliates and/or clients hold and may, in the future, hold a financial interest in securities that are the same as or substantially similar to the securities discussed in this commentary. No claims are made as to the profitability of such financial interests, now, in the past or in the future and Arca Funds and/or its clients may sell such financial interests at any time. The information provided herein is not intended to be, nor should it be construed as an offer to sell or a solicitation of any offer to buy any securities. This commentary has not been reviewed or approved by any regulatory authority and has been prepared without regard to the individual financial circumstances or objectives of persons who may receive it. The appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy will depend on an investor’s individual circumstances and objectives.

The High Yield Bond Market is the Best Parallel to Crypto

206 Stories To Learn About Digital Transformation

All You Need to Know About Why People Fall for Robots and Buy Their Pitch Honestly, I don’t like influencers. The whole idea of strangers trying to steal my attention and manipulate my choices makes me cringe big time. However, as a marketer, I can’t deny their power to grow fanbases and drive conversions for brands. Today, we've got a weird kid on the block: virtual influencers - computer-generated fiction pulling huge crowds and bagging brand deals. A perfect fit for today’s AI & Metaverse hype. The game is big: show the virtual human market could rocket to $440.3B by 2031! predictions So, here's the million-dollar question: A̶r̶e̶ ̶w̶e̶ ̶a̶l̶l̶ ̶f̶u̶c̶k̶e̶d̶?̶! Can these robots really turn the hype into hard, real-world conversions? And would your audience welcome it if you add them to your marketing mix? Stick around as we dive in and reveal the truth. First, Let’s Explore Some Buzzworthy Virtual Influencers You’ve Likely Heard Of have it that as of 2023, there are over 150 active virtual influencers across the globe. Sources Here are the Top 5 who have attracted millions of followers: A quick snapshot of their profiles reveals: Avatars that mimic human-like appearances or take the shape of whimsical cartoons, each armed with their unique selling points and identities. A wide spectrum of audience interaction, from riveting or divisive narratives to captivating collaborations. Behind-the-scenes teams devoted to maintaining a steady stream of content and promotions. Active engagement with followers, building a solid rapport. A knack for raking in serious cash. However, it's not straightforward to pinpoint a universal secret sauce behind their top-of-the-chart success. And now, I'm curious - What’s your first reaction when you see them? For me, it was a definite "WTF?!” Then I followed them all. My mind was teeming with questions. Why would real people interact with these virtual folks, knowing they're not real?! Then, I stumbled upon a possible explanation: Programmed with memories and feelings… 😕😳 Interesting pitch… While it admittedly treads on the line of manipulating people's emotions, scrolling through the comments was enlightening. Fans leaped to the defense, insisting that “she's just like us” - relatable, vulnerable, and emotionally capable. A little later in this article, we'll delve deeper into why people feel compelled to engage with robots. So stay tuned! Now, let's see them from a marketing perspective. Virtual Influencers as a Concept Shatter All Major Marketing Dogmas Traditionally, marketers have preached the indispensable importance of authenticity, realness, and expertise for successful endorsers. But the reality is changing. Today, being unreal is no longer an issue. When well-crafted, virtual influencers can make consumers forget the artificiality of the interaction, fostering relationships is just like human influencers. Don't believe it? Just scroll through the comments under some virtual celebs’ accounts. You'll find people sympathizing, offering advice, drawing inspiration, and even consulting with robots on their most intimate life issues. Sounds a bit shocking, doesn’t it? So, how should we go about this phenomenon? Perhaps it's time to reassess some long-standing marketing dogmas through the lens of a new type of parasocial interaction - between humans and robots. This is exactly what we’re gonna do next. Sensational Insights Into Human-Robot Parasocial Interactions, According to Studies During my deep dive into this subject, I stumbled upon a study titled “ ” . Let’s Get Virtual As of now, it's likely the most meaty resource on the topic. Its implications are crucial to assess whether virtual influencers can do more than just catch eyeballs and drop jaws. Specifically, whether they can truly drive sales. Let's unpack some of the key findings: 1) Consumers Interact With Virtual Influencers Just as They Do With Humans This echoes our earlier discussion but adds a more granular perspective. So how exactly do users interact with robots? They react with empathy: bonding emotionally, connecting over shared values, drawing inspiration, and expressing feelings towards the virtual influencers and their narratives. engage with eWOM (Electronic Word of Mouth) by sharing and endorsing robots’ content. For marketers, this is a game-changer - it shows that consumers are not just open to robotic messages, but they're embracing them. evaluate endorsements from robots much like they would from human endorsers: discover, explore, purchase, and repeat. Yes, the good old buyer’s journey. What's the bottom line? The effectiveness of endorsements from virtual influencers might just be measured in the same way as with human endorsers. Therefore, there's no need for a new marketing science when you're hiring a robot to promote your brand. 2) Brand Fit Is Not a MUST Conventional marketing wisdom maintains that a brand and its endorser must share aligned values and meanings. Yet, virtual influencers flip this dogma on its head. According to the study, even . when there's a mismatch between a brand and its virtual endorser, the effectiveness of the endorsement isn't compromised This could be because virtual influencers can adapt to a wide range of brand narratives and messages, acting as a dynamic canvas rather than a fixed image. Unlike their human counterparts, virtual influencers aren't necessarily expected to have permanent values or adhere strictly to a specific persona. Take Lil Miquela for example. She is a master of many trades. She effortlessly jumps from one industry to another, maintaining  her credibility and influence across a variety of sectors: fashion, politics, social activism (Black Lives Matter and LGBTQ), and music. Tomorrow, she could turn into a spiritual guru or therapist. And her followers would likely be completely okay with that. In sum, followers don't mind if their favorite robot takes on a multitude of roles and engages in cross-industry campaigns, regardless of their established positioning. Interestingly, this anti-niche approach is also gaining popularity among human influencers. And why actually not? Following someone rigidly fixed in their expertise is such a boring hell. 3) Credibility May Not Be as Crucial . People might perceive virtual influencers as credible, but this credibility isn't necessarily a decisive factor in their endorsement success In contrast to traditional endorsers, a robot's credibility doesn't significantly influence purchasing decisions. It seems that consumers weigh other aspects when mulling over an endorsed product. For instance, if a marketing campaign aims to boost purchase intention, marketers should connect the virtual influencer to their target audience through an engaging storyline, promoting emotional interactions. Putting all efforts into bolstering a robot's credibility might not yield optimal results. Primarily, virtual influencers are entertainment personas, showcasing a lifestyle through snapshots of live events, trendy outfits, and the latest product usage. As consumers emotionally connect and identify with them, they might be influenced to make purchases. It's the appeal of partaking in this promoted lifestyle, not the credibility cues, that likely drives their purchasing decisions. With all this in mind, it's time to tackle another important question: How effectively do virtual stars convert their buzz into sales? Can Virtual Influencers Really Help Brands Sell Like Crazy? This is a tricky question. Expectedly, there is currently little research on whether significant advertising goals are being met with the use of virtual influencers. Consider this: if we see Prada partnering with Lil Miquela, it doesn't directly imply that Prada's revenues soared or that the brand tightened its bond with customers, right? Similarly, an abundance of comments on a virtual influencer's Instagram post doesn't necessarily mean increased sales. Without tangible conversion data at our disposal, it's challenging to make an objective judgment on the true effectiveness of virtual influencers as endorsers. And let's be honest, no major brand will openly confess if their big bet on virtual influencers, in hopes of riding the hype, yielded a poor ROI, would they? However, there's one statistic that annoyingly keeps popping up in the context of virtual influencer marketing… Stats Point to 3X Engagement Rate This statistic is the one from HyperAudit. It’s quoted in nearly every article on the subject. ( ) Virtual Influencers have almost three times the engagement rate of real influencers. HyperAudit Let’s make a quick check on this 3X mysterious claim. I'll compare Lil Miquela with her real-life counterpart of a similar following -  Brittany Xavier (@brittanyxavier). Like Lil, Brittany is a fashion and lifestyle influencer, boasting a similar follower count and high-profile brand collaborations. Now, let's see what the Analisa tool reveals about their engagement: Well, compared to Brittany Xavier's engagement rate of 68,791, Lil Miquela's looks depressing… 3X ER - is that what they're saying?? How they calculated these numbers is quite puzzling. And honestly, I'd strongly suggest any brand tread carefully before taking this '3X' claim as a guiding light when incorporating virtual influencers into their marketing mix. The effectiveness of a virtual influencer relies heavily on an array of variables and nuances. There's a good chance these numbers are more about muddying the waters than providing clear insight. Since we don’t have any firm stats and conversion data to lean on, let’s attempt to gauge a robot’s conversion potential by delving into the mindset of its followers. For this, I'll once again turn to the studies. Responsiveness: More Personal Than Human Influencers… Top virtual influencers are available round-the-clock. They tend to post and, what’s more important, to comment back way more frequently than their human counterparts. As a result, followers feel more appreciated and recognizable. This breeds strong bonds. Imagine this: You leave a comment under a robot’s post, and all of a sudden get a response like this: “Oh, honey it’s you again. How’ve been you so far? I remember, 3 months ago you mentioned you’ve been passing through hard times with your partner. Hope, you two are still together.” Alright, this is a joke. I’ve never got responses like this yet. BUT! Programming a robot to remember and recognize its most loyal fans and cater to them with personalized responses is entirely achievable. Once that’s in place, would it boost a robot’s trustworthiness and sales potential? Abso-f*ckin-lutely! Relatability As in the case of Lil Miquela, a human-like appearance and communication style - emojis, likes, friendly narratives, and vulnerable stories shared - all blur the boundary between the real and artificial. When a robot looks and talks like a human, people can relate. Now, add 24/7 responsiveness and the absence of moodiness or toxicity into the mix. What a powerful combo! Trustworthiness Simply put, followers don't find virtual influencers any less genuine than human ones. And this makes sense. After all, human influencers, whether they're dudes with Lambos and trophy girls selling 'success' stories, or women sharing fabricated tales of overcoming health issues (like did) to promote their unique solutions, are also crafting a reality. Belle Gibson So if both human and virtual influencers portray a constructed reality, why not trust a robot in the same way you can trust a person? Unique Novelty It's simply fascinating to understand how simulated persons operate. Diverse Talents and Content Virtual influencers captivate attention by demonstrating a range of abilities, such as singing, dancing, and fashion knowledge, positioning them as go-to resources on a variety of topics. These insights sync well with data from the ’s Survey below. Influencer Marketing Factory Now, let's delve deeper into who these people are. According to the same Factory’s survey: Nearly 45% of the virtual influencer audience are women aged between 18 and 34. There's a significant representation of young people, with roughly 15% falling within the 13 to 17 age range. Interestingly, those between 35 and 44 years old resonate most with virtual influencers, rating them as highly relatable (6.2 out of 10) and trustworthy (6.5 out of 10). Moreover, the survey found that: Over half of the respondents follow at least one virtual influencer. About 35% have even purchased a product endorsed by digital influencers, primarily those aged between 18 and 44. In summary, well-executed virtual influencers can carve out their niche by delivering engaging content to a relevant audience. They are capable of establishing trustworthy relationships with followers and driving conversions. Furthermore, the cited studies suggest that ads featuring the right virtual influencer can even generate more positive reactions and sales than those without. However, it's important to remember that success isn't guaranteed - there have also been some notable failures. More on them below. Virtual Influencers Are Not Everyone’s Jam There's no denying that the wave of virtual influencers offers a novel perspective on digital marketing. Yet, it's far from a guaranteed recipe for success. In fact, some high-profile experiments have resulted in more backlash than brand engagement. Let’s briefly walk through some miserable examples: Mira - A Misstep for Marks & Spencer M&S, eager to resonate with a younger demographic, launched , a virtual model. Ironically, the initiative faced harsh criticism from consumers who argued the brand should champion real women, not virtual creations. Mira Venere Italia - Italy's Failed Attempt to Modernize Tourism The Italian government poured €9 million into refashioning as a stylish, contemporary virtual influencer to invigorate tourism. The campaign, however, missed the mark and faced backlash for seeming to trivialize Italy's cultural richness. Botticelli's Venus The , as many people call it. A case study in the pitfalls of over-modernization, perhaps. cringest tourist campaign Shudu & Fenty Beauty - A Lesson in Cultural Sensitivity , the brainchild of a photographer, was thrust into the spotlight when Fenty Beauty featured her donning their lipstick. Shudu Gram The move, however, ignited controversy, with critics accusing the brand of exploiting black culture for profit by using a virtual black model rather than real black models. The examples don't stop there. However, these negative reactions don't necessarily stem from the virtuality of the influencers themselves. The real issue often lies in the execution: subpar storytelling, poor communication, misaligned content, misdirected targeting, and vague messaging. Navigating revolutionary new marketing tools is akin to mastering an art form. In fact, it's less about the tool itself and more about the skilled hands that wield it. The Verdict On Virtual Influencer Marketing Mojo With virtuality posing no hindrance to a certain audience segment's engagement, and considering their superior responsiveness and entertainment value, virtual influencers can indeed be a potent force in marketing, when leveraged correctly. True, not all niche audiences are ready for this digital revolution today. However, perspectives shift with time. Think about cryptocurrencies - greeted with skepticism a decade ago, now they're part and parcel of our financial reality. The same paradigm shift could well be on the horizon for virtual influencers. Given the rising prominence of the metaverse, AI, and other digital trends, influential robots might just become our new marketing normal. The impact of virtual influencers can be two-fold - they can either skyrocket your brand's appeal or lead to its downfall. To ensure they function effectively, tons of factors need to be taken into account: targeting the right audience, crafting compelling content, delivering on entertainment, balanced promotion, etc. Once all necessary boxes are checked, their potential is significant. The identity of the influencer may become secondary if they offer genuine value. After all, if a virtual human can provide enriching insights, does it really matter whether they're real or not? So let me ask you one more question here: Do you care who influences your life, as long as they add value to it? Drop in the comments your IMOs. Interested in Cutting-Edge Digital Marketing Trends? Let's connect on or and learn from each other. LinkedIn Twitter

Virtual Influencers: Assessing Their True Marketing Impact and Ability to Bond With Followers

ভার্চুয়াল প্রভাবশালীরা: তাদের সত্যিকারের বিপণন প্রভাব এবং অনুসারীদের সাথে বন্ড করার ক্ষমতা মূল্যায়ন করা

Virtuelle Influencer: Bewertung ihrer wahren Marketingwirkung und ihrer Fähigkeit, eine Bindung zu Followern aufzubauen

Influenciadores virtuales: evaluación de su verdadero impacto de marketing y capacidad para vincularse con los seguidores

Influenceurs virtuels : évaluer leur véritable impact marketing et leur capacité à créer des liens avec les abonnés

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“The future is already here – it's just not very evenly distributed,” ― William Gibson. Artificial intelligence is creeping into mental healthcare. “How does it make you feel to hear that?” is the question that you might be already discussing with an AI bot. Even more, your AI therapist might be quite successful at helping you overcome any feelings of worry about a direction our future can take with the rise of AI. If looking beyond the scary headlines about Skynet coming true, an increasing use of AI in mental healthcare is actually great news for many of us. Today, we are experiencing a severe mental health crisis aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Called the plague of modernity, mental health disorders affect one-fifths of people in the US, with developing symptoms of anxiety or depression or both last year due to the fear of illness, self-isolation, grief, or deepening financial concerns. 40% of Americans The landscape around this crisis is no less daunting. Its longtime hallmarks have been the societal stigma around mental illness and an acute shortage of mental health professionals. AI is already disrupting major industries, from healthcare to education, addressing challenges and opening thrilling opportunities. Mental health may well be the next candidate. Thanks to rapid technological advances, have all the potential to spearhead a positive change in this space that has been long ripe for innovation. AI solutions for healthcare Mental health stats ― The crisis we are in Mental health disorders are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality, expected to cost the world’s economy some $16 trillion by 2030. They affect at least 10% of the population, with up to suffering from some type of mental disorder and to be diagnosed with depression. 20% of children and adolescents women more likely than men In the US, experienced a mental illness in 2017-18, which was a year-on-year increase of 1.5 million people. The number of the young reporting mental distress is around 19% of people rising more significantly. No one seems to know exactly why depression and anxiety are so common nowadays. Many experts even dismiss any upswing, arguing that what we see is a surge of people actively seeking treatment. Indeed, the number of people applying for help with depression or anxiety in the US has soared, according to the 2021 State of Mental Health in America report. As many as 315,220 people took anxiety tests in January to September 2020, 93% up from the entire 2019. The number of people taking depression screens increased by 62% to 534,784 people. At the same time, only around with mental illness received treatment in 2019. One of the reasons is a shortage of mental health providers, which the US National Council for Behavioral Health predicts can reach over 15,000 clinicians in the next couple of years. 40% of US adults The need for solutions that can scale access to mental health treatment is desperate, while such solutions are already here, thanks to AI. Can AI help with mental health and how? Unlike medical areas such as radiology or pathology where AI can outperform doctors, mental healthcare is thought by many as an exclusively human field where emotional intelligence is essential. Most mental health practitioners doubt that artificial intelligence solutions for mental health will ever be able to provide emphatic care. While clinicians may be overwhelmingly skeptical about the use of AI in mental health care, people emotionally connect to technology because they tend to treat robots as living beings, researchers say. We are not talking here about the unsettling intimate bond developed between a lonely man and an AI operating system in the movie Her, but rather about people’s willingness to pour their hearts out anonymously to an AI bot companion, as found out by creators of Eliza, one of the first chatbots designed in the 1960s. Moreover, people do prefer to talk to robots. Only 18% would favor humans over technology to discuss their mental health struggles compared to 68% who would choose robots, believing that robots don’t judge, are unbiased, and can provide an instant answer to a health-related question, according to a recent study conducted by Oracle and Workplace Intelligence. Just as important, talking to technology helps. Multiple meta-analyses have confirmed that computer-aided cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) delivered via desktop or mobile apps is equivalent to or even more effective than standard CBT. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) in England first recommended computerized CBT packages for depression, panic, and phobias back in 2006 In the US, the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to relax policies for a broader use of digital therapeutic tools to treat mental conditions. on the grounds of clinical and cost-effectiveness.” Particularly important to mental health care are the following AI technologies: Machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) that provide greater accuracy in diagnosing mental health conditions and predicting patient outcomes Natural language processing (NLP) for speech recognition and text analysis that is used for simulating human conversations via chatbot computer programs, as well as for creating and understanding clinical documentation Computer vision for imaging data analysis and understanding non-verbal cues, such as facial expression, gestures, eye gaze, or voice tenseness Examples of how AI is already revolutionizing mental healthcare Currently, the applications of artificial intelligence in mental healthcare revolve around: . 1. Analyzing patient data to assess the probability of developing mental health conditions, classify disorders, and suggest optimum treatment plans The data subject to analysis may include electronic health records (alongside blood tests and brain images), questionnaires, voice recordings, and even information sourced from a patient’s social media accounts. employ a variety of techniques, such as supervised machine learning and natural language processing, to parse patient data and flag mental and physical states — i.e., pain, boredom, mind-wandering, stress, or suicidal thoughts — associated with particular mental health conditions. Data scientists A group of researchers from IBM and the University of California 28 studies exploring the use of artificial intelligence in mental health and arrived at a conclusion that, depending on the choice of an AI technique and quality of training data, algorithms manage to detect an array of mental illnesses with 63-92% accuracy. have recently analyzed 2. Conducting self-assessment and therapy sessions. This category is largely represented by keyword-triggered and NLP chatbots that help patients evaluate the progression and severity of a mental illness and cope with its symptoms —either on their own or with the help of a certified psychiatrist waiting on the other end of the virtual line. An example of this would be Ellie, a digital avatar that to help war veterans struggling with depression and PTSD. The AI therapist not only understands words but can also interpret non-verbal signs, such as facial expression, posture, or gestures to comprehend a patient’s emotional state and choose the right words to alleviate stress and anxiety. was initially designed AI-powered diagnostic solutions may also work in tandem with wearable devices that measure heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen levels, and other vital signs that indicate changes in a person’s physical and mental well-being. One of such solutions is BioBase, a mental health app that leverages AI to interpret sensor data coming from a wearable. Designed to help companies prevent employee burnout, the mental health tracker reportedly helps by up to 31%. reduce the length and number of sick days 3. Making psychological interventions by automatically giving appropriate information to the patient. Often deployed as part of a hospital’s strategy, solutions like these help patients navigate a mental health crisis by providing relevant information and friendly assistance. digital patient engagement An international team of scholars achieved an artificial intelligence chatbot that delivers highly personalized psychotherapy based on CBT and other clinically proven methods, along with psychoeducation and health-related reminders. The interventions are delivered via text message conversation, meaning that emotion identification relies solely on language processing. The researchers tested the chatbot among a group of students to find out that the individuals who conversed with Tess daily over a period of two weeks displayed a significant reduction in mental health symptoms compared to participants who had sessions less frequently. Although Tess cannot possibly fill the shoes of a trained psychiatrist, the chatbot proves to be a viable alternative to human specialists — not the least thanks to its ability to tailor content based on a patient’s diagnosis and demographic data. impressive results with Tess, 4. Equipping therapists with technology to automate workflows, monitor the treatment process, and improve medication adherence. Due to the very nature of mental health conditions, psychiatrists can seldom rely on legacy tech tools or other physicians’ advice when interpreting medical data and devising treatment plans for patients. One way to lessen the administrative burden could be the implementation of AI-driven mental health platforms that automatically retrieve information from miscellaneous IT systems within a hospital and generate on-demand reports about every single patient’s progress, current condition, and possible outcomes. An early example of such systems is an AI platform that provides a rich selection of tools for mental health professionals looking to increase the capacity of their clinic. Preliminary research indicates that OPTT could improve access to quality mental healthcare by up to 400%. OPTT, Outside the professional psychiatry realm, there are a plethora of AI-powered mental health apps like Woebot, Replika, and Elomia on the App Store and Google Play that target individuals with mild mental health disorders and extend psychiatric and psychological care beyond hospital doors. Benefits of using AI in mental health treatment The current success of artificial intelligence apps and platforms for mental health care can be attributed to the following benefits: Unlike traditional counseling where you need to schedule and travel for appointments, AI-based and other mental health apps allow users to access therapeutic help anywhere, anytime. Moreover, they provide help at little or no cost, compared to in-person therapy rates, missed work, and the need to make other arrangements and commute. Affordability. AI-based apps remove such barriers to mental health treatment as staff shortages across the board and a lack of providers in rural and remote areas. This is important since more than 100 million people in the US live in so-called Health Care Professional Shortage Areas. Location-agnostic AI chatbots and platforms can see you whenever you need and spend as much time with you as you need. Accessibility. Artificial intelligence algorithms used in mental healthcare have already been in detecting symptoms of depression, PTSD, and other conditions by analyzing behavioral signals. Other studies have shown that algorithms than clinicians to distinguish between genuine and fake suicide notes and are at predicting who among at-risk teens are likely to develop psychosis. They also help patients struggling with mental distress: a randomized controlled trial conducted by Woebot researchers has revealed that participants experienced a substantial decrease in depression and anxiety after just two weeks of using the app. Efficiency. proven to be successful make more accurate assumptions 100% accurate AI-based therapists make people feel less self-restrained to share embarrassing things. This is especially important for those who can feel shame in face-to-face interactions because of stigma or fear of being judged. Actually, almost a lie to doctors, with the most hushed topics being smoking, drinking habits, and sexual activity. For many, it’s easier to admit the true extent of their behavior to a robot because the robot won’t judge. Privacy and ease to open up. quarter of people “AI could be an effective way for clinicians to make the best of the time they have with patients,” a research professor at the University of Colorado Boulder. This is because AI can track and analyze substantial amounts of data faster and even more efficiently than any human. As a result, algorithms help with more accurate diagnoses. They can also spot early signs of trouble by monitoring the patient’s mood and behavior and alert clinicians so that they can quickly adjust treatment plans. This can be lifesaving for suicidal patients who need regular check-ins. Support for therapists. says Peter Foltz, AI trends in mental health According to a recent funding in digital mental health increased from $1,136 million year on year to $1,974 million globally in 2020, with mental health seeing an all-time record number of mentions in the news in March 2021. report, AI-powered mental healthcare also sees of venture capital funding. record levels Amid the crisis, researchers have made a few big steps forward in their artificial intelligence projects in mental health that may be a hint of what lies ahead for us in the very near future. We are likely to see the emergence of more AI therapists like Ellie and some major developments driven by AI prediction and detection capabilities. For instance, researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Tennessee, US, have developed an ML algorithm that uses a person’s hospital admission data, including age, gender, and past medical diagnoses, to make an 80% accurate prediction of whether this individual is likely to take their own life. University of Florida researchers are about to test their new AI platform aimed at making accurate diagnosis in patients with early Parkinson’s disease. Another team of researchers is working on an AI tool to predict schizophrenia based on analysis of brain scans. Research is also underway to develop a tool combining explainable AI and deep learning to prescribe personalized treatment plans for children with schizophrenia. So, it looks like we have the most promising technologies today to overcome the crisis and transform the delivery of mental healthcare. A final note AI holds both incredible promises and many next-level complexities, including an array of ethical pitfalls. Like with many healthcare apps, innovators may need to be compliant with the GDPR, HIPAA, and other industry-specific guidelines. But there’s much more to that with artificial intelligence. Creators of AI mental healthcare technology should be wary AI challenges, including bias that may come with insufficient and poor quality databases, increased risk to patient privacy and data security, a lack of guidance on the development of AI tools, calls for greater transparency over the use of algorithms and their decision-making logic, complexities with integration into clinical practice, and the need to train mental health professionals in emerging technologies. Scaling access to mental healthcare is critical, but it should be scaled ethically not to lead to increased risk to patients. If you are interested in learning more about AI opportunities and challenges in mental healthcare or want to innovate in this space, our AI experts. contact

How AI Can Greatly Improve Mental Health Services

The potential is growing tremendously for Transforming Healthcare at Home Elderly and ailing patients might not have the resources and energy to visit doctors every now and then, which consequently leads them to choose the option of healthcare at home. Due to this, healthcare companies are always competing with each other in the race to adapt to the increasingly digitized world. Specifically talking about the US, the healthcare organizations are well aware of the issues prevailing such as the need for increased care for home treatments of the aging population, mostly due to mobility and budget issues. The only savior that can aid in such a situation is technology, given that it is implemented correctly. While working with technology, it is vital for home healthcare organizations to choose the right option to achieve the desired results, such as increasing efficiency while providing patients with the utmost care and affordable solutions. What Constitutes the Spectrum of Home Healthcare? Other than providing healthcare services for the elderly, healthcare at home is also useful for patients who need constant medical care and treatment once they get back to their homes from the medical facility or hospital. Home healthcare makes it possible for people to receive a variety of medical services in their homes. Healthcare at home can be beneficial for people dealing with different conditions. Whether the patient is an individual recovering from an illness after a hospital stay or someone who is disabled, old or suffering from a chronic disease, healthcare at home can be the right option in such situations. Healthcare at home allows people to get any kind of treatment available; be it therapeutic or nursing or even routine medical assistance. , this has also resulted in the reduction of hospital admission rates.  Healthcare at home comprises of the following factors: According to a survey by Canadian Home Care Association, with the aid of healthcare services at home, there has been a decline of around 72% in emergency department visits The primary focus of healthcare at home is for people to get medical support at home rather than spending time in a medical facility. Healthcare at home allows people to get the freedom of staying at their residential facility rather than opting for long-term nursing care at hospitals. With home assistance, medical professionals can assist patients who are incapable of conducting daily activities with help for tasks like food preparation, basic housekeeping, and emergency measures. This can be done until the patient can do all such tasks by themselves. • Home Assistance Home assistance also allows medical professionals to take care of medical and psychological assessments while allowing individuals to learn about . pain management, disease education, and physical therapy, etc Home care agencies keep their focus on providing medical expertise in the form of healthcare professionals at a patient’s home. In such cases, medical professionals or doctors are sent to a patient’s house to treat their injuries or illnesses. Once the health condition of the patient is restored, the need for medical professionals end and their services are discontinued thereafter. • Home Care Agencies Other than expert doctors, there are certain cases where other medical professionals are involved in home healthcare programs such as . The demand for such professionals is expected to significantly increase in the next decade as people of all age groups are growing more conscious of healthy lifestyles. • Home Health Care Workers nurses, physiotherapist, nutritionist, occupational therapist, etc Benefits of Healthcare at Home Healthcare at home can be beneficial for many reasons including but not limited to the following ones. Even when the patient is not in a condition to visit the hospital, home healthcare professionals can be of great help. They are specially trained and qualified to provide treatment while assessing the safety as well as risks at the patient’s home itself. They can also offer simple suggestions and corrections for the patient’s well-being, such as the medicines to keep in handy for emergencies or recommendations for immediate ambulance assistance etc. Numbers don’t lie, and looking at the above info-graphic gives a clearer picture as to what the future holds for Home Healthcare Services are supported in-home care too. These activities can include any basic necessity such as bathing, medicine reminders as well as grooming, etc. Such facilities allow elderly patients to get regular help along with their personal care requirements while maintaining a high quality of life for them. Activities of daily living at home is one of the significant benefits of healthcare services at home. Skilled medical professionals can carry out specific critical medical procedures at home with the help of supervised nurses who are certified and hold knowledge about technically advanced medical equipment. Healthcare at home allows your loved ones to get the personalized care that they need at their doorstep. Expert nursing care is a part of home healthcare. Patients who suffer from certain diseases and are discharged from the hospitals after treatments, often grow very weak as they lack nutrition. Their problems can worsen with ageing, illness, and injury. Healthcare at home may include dietary and nutritional counselling along with home-cooked meals that can prevent your loved ones from lack of nutrition. Dietary and nutrition support can turn to be confusing. Home healthcare experts can help your loved ones to consume the right medicines at the right time to control their medical conditions and prevent the intake of wrong drugs. Multiple medical prescriptions When home care is provided to patients with chronic health issues such as diabetes or pneumonia, clinical trials have turned out to be better with fewer complications according to researchers. Healthcare at home can result in better health outcomes. Moreover, home healthcare allows patients to get treated in a better manner as it provides one-on-one support for individuals. Such personalized and skilled care strengthens the bond between healthcare professionals and their clients. What’s Driving this Change in Home Healthcare Services? Companies focusing on providing home healthcare services rely on automation heavily as it allows to ensure that the technology used in the process remains invisible and will enable them to deliver the best care for the users. Due to this factor, more and more home healthcare providing companies are discovering the potential value of automation and optimization as they need to stay competitive in the field. is one of the examples of automated processes that result in increased efficiency. Leading technologies like can help healthcare businesses in providing better organized patient-centric services. Automated appointment scheduling Artificial Intelligence Source: isalushealthcare.com For instance, medicines and equipment required by the patients can be determined in real-time with technology. Along with this AI can allow the feature of duration along with in case of emergencies. It can also improve customer service through to avoid no-show appointment prevention. predictive caregiver scheduling and appointment predictive routing for travel predictive cancellation The whole purpose of automation in home healthcare is to streamline the overall processes such as scheduling and providing services as and when needed, along with all the necessary equipment, thus, improving the patient care at an accelerating pace. This way, all the hassle of fixing random appointments can be eliminated while increasing the productivity of the overall system. The power of the latest ground-breaking technologies like can change a lot in the healthcare sector as by resolving current issues and helping patients to get the best experience when it comes to home healthcare. Healthcare organizations are getting aware of the benefits that technology can provide them such as finishing basic tasks and saving time. Blockchain and AI 5 Technologies Reforming Home-Healthcare According to Kalorama information, out of which a good part of the demand was accounted for home healthcare facilities and services. Eldercare providers have picked up interest in the home healthcare treatments rather than shifting people to another treatment facility. 1. Sensors sales for remote patient monitoring was estimated to around $29.7 Billion in the year 2014 As per the trend, sensor technology could be placed in home premises, around doors, windows as well as the patient’s appliances and equipment. These sensors can provide alerts to caregivers in case of any abnormal activity. They can also track and send notifications if the patient misses their meals. This can be particularly important for patients dealing with diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Such patients can remain at home, and their activities can be monitored via mobile healthcare apps as well as sensors. In cases of emergency, such as when senior citizens are away from home for a long time, GPS tracking can help their families, healthcare workers or law enforcement bodies to locate them quickly. Technologies with features such as mobile alert services also allow these devices to follow a hybrid approach that enables people to find the elderly even in places where GPS might not be available such as garage parking and indoors. It can also help by automated calling for assistance in case users fall. 2. GPS Moreover, in need for emergency health services, there can be a difference of life and death concerning calling the closest emergency squad and rapid dispatching. GPS tracking becomes and much-needed option in emergency business service. Regular health monitoring is not an option but a necessity when it comes to elderly patients. Many devices are available these days which can be connected to smartphones to help reduce the costs as well as the time that is consumed when it comes to doctor visits in endangered health situations. 3. Remote Monitoring Tools Technology has enabled different options in the form of fitness bands that can keep a regular track of sleep, diet, number of steps, etc. Along with these, there are many other devices which can be used for the purpose of tracking and measuring glucose and blood pressure levels along with heart rate monitoring and other measurements. Such tools allow the patient’s family members as well as nurses and doctors to keep a detailed track of their daily healthcare needs and eliminate the need of calling a doctor time and again. Home healthcare relies highly on the data available from multiple resources and its analysis to gain vital insights for the right kind of treatment. Some home health services analyze data in massive amounts and use their outcomes to take preventive measures even before a medical situation can turn into a problem. 4. Big Data Big-data enabled sensor can detect the regular activity levels such as sleep patterns etc. and inform the caretaking authorities to take immediate action concerning any abnormality. Telehealth systems are a boon to the healthcare industry as they provide people with the ability to use phones and other digital systems to connect patients with doctors and specialists. Moreover, the promising advances in these systems can help the disabled or elderly citizens from traveling to-and-fro to healthcare facilities. Devices such as smartphones and iPads with a simple internet connection can make it easier for the people to implement telehealth and make results easier to understand. They allow doctors to monitor patients from different places and share the outcomes in real time. 5. Telehealth 3 Applications Driving Healthcare Innovation Constantly evolving mobile technology has led us to implement new and improved ideas to reality. Healthcare mobile apps are a big revolution in the industry as they have made our work more accessible and improved the rate of efficiency.  Following is a list of some of the healthcare applications that are rapidly transforming the healthcare industry for good. Doctor-on-demand is a mobile application that allows the patient to get a consultation with their doctors through video calling. 1. Doctor-On-Demand: The application uses the concept of telemedicine to provide the patients with an on-demand doctor in situations of urgent care. Source: dribbble.com/babuma Certified physicians offer their services for urgent care_,_ chronic conditions, preventive medicines, medical advice, etc for both medical care and mental health. The app could also be helpful in non-emergency situations like flu and cold, respiratory issues, allergies, back pain, and UTI. 2. HealthTap: A live screen capture from HealthTapSource: dribbble.com/joshshiau The application allows a patient to fix a with a doctor or to get some answers to their questions. It provides a convenient way to access healthcare from real doctors for , through consultations via video, voice or text. The app also has a knowledge library of around 700,000 topics and articles for people to read and learn about healthcare on their own. virtual medical appointment 24*7 It uses an AI-powered symptom checker for one-to-one recommendations and guidance . Microsoft HealthVault is a digital service as well as a mobile app that offers a patient the freedom to . The patients can also share these records with digital professionals securely in the time of need. The system is exceptionally suitable for patients with chronic diseases as they can keep a proper track of their routine health metrics. 3. Microsoft HealthVault: keep their medical records updated and safe HealthVault stores and maintains health and fitness information and addresses both individuals and healthcare professionals. It also allows patients to . set healthcare goals, track progress, and discover health trends Concluding View Healthcare at home sure has a lot of potential but it can only be leveraged if the technologies are utilized in an effective manner. Crucial data such as patient history should be managed properly and researched for insights and understanding without compromising its security. People need to believe in technologies in order to adapt and use them in daily lives. Trending names like Blockchain and Artificial intelligence can bring a revolution in the healthcare industry with emerging use-cases and a proper understanding on how they can be used at their best for patients, doctors as well as the overall healthcare ecosystem. — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — Read My Other Related Articles 1. Blockchain in Healthcare: Opportunities, Challenges, and Applications , Also on Hackernoon 2. Healthcare Innovation in 2018 , Also on Hackernoon 3. Coordinated Care — The Rise of Communication Tools & Mobile in Healthcare 4. “E-Prescriptions” — Making Patient Care Effective & Efficient 5. AI in 2019 — What Tech Companies are Betting Big On? 6. Top 10 Healthcare Companies in the US I am Mayank, Cofounder of EngineerBabu . Feel free to reach out to me on LinkedIn | mayank@engineerbabu.com (About EngineerBabu — Medium ). In addition Help startups, enterprises, and owners to grow their business by building high class IT solutions. 95% of projects developed by them were completed on-time. , Win most innovative Premier Design Award, selected in Y-Combinator 2016 & 2017. EngineerBabu 30+ funded by VCs

How is Technology Transforming Healthcare at Home

Overview: 8 Decimal Capital In 2016, the Bank for International Settlements estimated that the outstanding global bond debt amounted to $127 trillion and SIFMA estimated the U.S. bond market to be around $39 trillion (according to a study conducted by Federated Investors). Vocean is a blockchain company dedicated to building one of the world’s first crypto bond and financial contract marketplaces as a bond management system built on smart contracts instead of traditional intermediaries. The platform encompasses a technologically advanced use-case and provides the components necessary for a robust decentralized financial ecosystem as bond trading on Ethereum will begin in December 2018. Bonds have existed since 2400 BC, with deep roots in our financial system. At a variable or fixed interest rate, bonds are fixed-income investments used by entities (corporations or governments) to raise money and finance a variety of projects for a defined period of time. In 2016, the Bank for International Settlements estimated that the outstanding global bond debt amounted to $127 trillion and the U.S. bond market to be around $39 trillion (according to a study conducted by ). SIFMA estimated Federated Investors , Berkeley’s Vice Mayor, believes that blockchain technology and crypto bonds have the potential to ultimately revolutionize public finance. Ben Bartlett In December 2017, when the Trump administration implemented a tax decrease for corporations, , Berkeley’s Vice Mayor and a strong advocate of the crypto bond, had the idea to use blockchain technology to revolutionize public finance. According to Ben Bartlett: Ben Bartlett “Currently, governmental entities sell their bonds to banks who then resell the bonds to numerous intermediaries before reaching an investor. Each intermediary charges fees and markups. The UC Berkeley Haas Institute estimates that bond issuers lose approximately $4 billion annually as a result of this process. Furthermore, the costs of issuing and administering bonds make it impossible for small investors and regular people to purchase them. As a result, the people are losing out on a major form of wealth building.” In the traditional financial industry, the issuing, trading, book-keeping, and clearing of financial contracts are operated by centralized agencies, such as banks and brokers. Although centralized systems provide trust in the traditional financial ecosystem, their fees remain high with low efficiency. Additionally, there are risks around information asymmetry and leakage, as well as frauds and scams, such as the Enron scandal and Ezubao Ponzi scheme. With blockchain technology, the bond system can finally transition towards a more decentralized method, transforming the over 4,000-year-old system. Smart contracts allow financial contracts to be coded and transactions to be executed in a secure, traceable, and irreversible way without the need of third parties. is a blockchain company dedicated to building one of the world’s first crypto bond and financial contract marketplaces. The marketplace is a bond management system built on smart contracts instead of traditional intermediaries such as brokers, underwriters and clearing houses, reducing transaction costs and increasing market transparency. To ensure scalability, contract matching is handled off-chain while only contract details are recorded on the blockchain, preventing congestion on Vocean’s Blockchain. Group Vocean Bond Issuing and Management on Vocean (Source: ) Vocean’s deck Vocean offers a complete ecosystem to issue and trade bonds and derivatives without centralized agencies. To issue a crypto bond, the steps are as follows: The bond issuer submits a Bond Offering Disclosure (BOD) to the Vocean Ecosystem with all the information necessary for investors to assess the project’s financial health. A credit rating system grades each project to help investors evaluate the project. The Bond Offering Agreement (BOA) is then submitted to the Vocean Ecosystem with all the investment requirements and terms. Vocean’s off-chain Bond Issuing Network (BIN) broadcasts the BOA to its community, in which private negotiation channels can be created between the issuer and bond investors. Once the terms are finalized, an Escrow Management Contract (EMC) is created for investors to sign the BOA and deposit their tokens. Investors can submit their supporting votes by subscribing to certain shares of the bond offering. The voting period ends when the hard cap is reached and all the voting shares are converted to investment shares of the bond. If the voting process fails, the bond issuance is cancelled and the EMC returns all of the voting shares to the voters. The crypto bond is finally issued and settled on the Vocean Blockchain. The crypto bond is managed by the Vocean Interchain Protocol (VIP) through a Bond Management Contract (BMC). To mitigate the investment risks, Vocean also introduces several features such as amortized payment, escrow account, project disclosure, credit rating, fund release based on milestones, etc. Dynamic collateral management is also offered to respond to market price changes with built-in multi-layer safeguards, minimizing counter-party and operational risks. Additionally, Vocean is providing risk hedging tools to help institutional players enter the cryptocurrency system and satisfy their basic needs of risk management and mitigation. Vocean’s team has a strong financial and tech background comprised of Fortune 500 tech companies, research institutions, and financial banking enterprises. Vocean is currently incubated by Biboxlab, an incubator launched by the digital asset exchange Bibox, and Node Capital, a venture capital firm focused on blockchain projects. The team is composed of highly qualified members with years of experiences in equity, fixed income, derivatives and risks management from financial companies such as Morgan Stanley, Citi, and GE Capital. The core technology team also hails from a strong Fintech background working for companies including Morgan Stanley, Barclays, and Bloomberg, as well as leading technology companies such as Microsoft, Cisco, Google, and Oracle. Vocean is ready to disrupt the bond and financial ecosystem with blockchain technology. Overall, the platform encompasses a technologically advanced use-case and provides the components necessary for a robust decentralized financial ecosystem. Voicean’s platform encompass a wide range of features, including bond issuance, trading marketplace, hedging infrastructure, credit rating system, dynamic collateral management to risk management. As for timing, Vocean is solving the current lack of fixed income asset derivatives in the cryptocurrency market. Bond trading on Ethereum will start in December 2018, and we are excited to see the transformational changes Vocean can bring to the bond industry. Sources: whitepaper: . Group Vocean https://vocean.io/ deck: . Group Vocean https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/vocean.io/docs/voceanpd.pdf . (Aug. 2018). “Story About Crypto Bonds.” . Retrieved November 12, 2018 from the TwoGap Medium Publication: . Luong Hoang Anh TwoGap https://medium.com/twogap/story-about-crypto-bonds-68edf4deabf7 Investopedia. (2018). “Bond.” INVESTOPEDIA. Retrieved November 12, 2018 from Investopedia: . https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/bond.asp Knowledge Center. (2018). “5 Bond Market Facts You Need to Know.” . Retrieved November 12, 2018 from The Motley Fool: . The Motley Fool The Motley Fool https://www.fool.com/knowledge-center/5-bond-market-facts-you-need-to-know.aspx . (May 2018). “Ben Bartlett on Tokenizing Municipal Bonds to Fund Community Impact Projects in Berkeley.” . Retrieved November 12, 2018 from Medium: . Sarah Brooks Medium https://medium.com/@sarah_brooks/last-night-ben-bartlett-berkeley-vice-mayor-gave-an-inspiring-talk-at-crypto-underground-on-how-8781792499f8 . (April 2018). “The Smart Path: Solving for Zero Assets with Blockchain Technology.” . Retrieved November 12, 2018 from Hackernoon: . Ben Bartlett Hackernoon https://hackernoon.com/the-smart-path-solving-for-zero-assets-with-blockchain-technology-566ece753da0 Federated Investors. (May 2017). “Infographic: The Bond Market.” Federated. Retrieved November 12, 2018 from Federated Investors: . http://www.federatedinvestors.com/FII/daf/pdf/G45692-06_2017.pdf 8 Decimal Capital: Shape the Blockchain Future | | | | Medium LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Website Email: contact@8dcapital.com if you have any more questions about this topic. 8 DECIMAL CAPITAL is a multi-strategy investment firm focusing on token and equity investments. 8 Decimal currently has more than 40 portfolio companies with an AUM of 60M USD. The investment team consists of more than 10 venture capital veterans, researchers, and trading professionals. The advisory board comprises Fan Zhang (Former Founding Partner of Sequoia Capital China), Karen Chen (Former CEO of UBS China) and Ben Bartlett (Vice Mayor of Berkeley). Based on the professional fund index ranking agency Token Metrics , 8 Decimal was ranked second out of the 51 active crypto funds. 8 Decimal is also well-received in China, named one of the top 10 funds in the blockchain industry by both 36氪（36Kr.com） , Chain Capture , and Odaily , as well as named one of the top 20 funds by Tsinghua X-Lab and Youth Education Chain League.

BOND DIGITAL HEALTH

bondhealth.co.uk

1-10 employees

Since 2015

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BOND DIGITAL HEALTH

EVERGREEN INDEX #2103

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BOND DIGITAL HEALTH

bondhealth.co.uk

1-10 employees

Since 2015

COMPANY RANKING

BOND DIGITAL HEALTH

EVERGREEN INDEX #2103

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