The digital platforms have been asked to comply with new guidelines with immediate effect and to submit an action taken-cum-status Report to the Ministry within 15 days of this advisory…reports Asian Lite News
The Centre on Saturday came down hard on big internet and social media platforms on the misuse of AI, saying all intermediaries must not permit any bias or discrimination or threaten the integrity of the electoral process, and take the government’s permission before launching any AI model in the country.
Union Minister of State for Electronics and IT, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, said that it has come to the notice of the IT Ministry that intermediaries or platforms are failing to undertake due-diligence obligations outlined under new IT Rules, 2021.
In addition to the advisory issued in December last year, MeitY has now said that all intermediaries/platforms are advised to also ensure compliance to AI-generated user harm and misinformation, especially deepfakes.
The digital platforms have been asked to comply with new guidelines with immediate effect and to submit an action taken-cum-status Report to the Ministry within 15 days of this advisory.
“In light of the recent Google Gemini AI controversy, the advisory now specifically deals with AI. The digital platforms have to take full accountability and cannot escape by saying that these AI models are in the under-testing phase,” said the minister.
The social media intermediaries’ must label the AI platforms under testing, take the government’s permission and also seek consent of the end-users that their AI models and software are prone to errors so that citizens are aware about their consequences.
According to new guidelines, all intermediaries or platforms to ensure that use of AI models /LLM/Generative AI, software or algorithms “does not permit its users to host, display, upload, modify, publish, transmit, store, update or share any unlawful content as outlined in the Rule 3(1)(b) of the IT Rules or violate any other provision of the IT Act”.
The use of under-testing/unreliable AI models and its availability to the users on Indian Internet “must be done so with explicit permission of the government of India and be deployed only after appropriately labeling the possible and inherent fallibility or unreliability of the output generated,” according to the new guidelines.
Further, ‘consent popup’ mechanism may be used to explicitly inform the users about the possible and inherent fallibility or unreliability of the output generated.
“It is reiterated that non-compliance to the provisions of the IT Act and/or IT Rules would result in potential penal consequences to the intermediaries or platforms or its users when identified, including but not limited to prosecution under IT Act and several other statutes of the criminal code,” said the IT Ministry advisory.
In line with these goals, there is a need to establish new institutional frameworks and public-private partnerships along with implementing multilateral controls to aid and enhance these efforts…reports Asian Lite News
The AI Governance Alliance (AIGA) released on Thursday a series of three new reports on advanced artificial intelligence (AI). The papers focus on generative AI governance, unlocking its value and a framework for responsible AI development and deployment.
The alliance brings together governments, businesses and experts to shape responsible AI development applications and governance, and to ensure equitable distribution and enhanced access to this path-departing technology worldwide.
“The AI Governance Alliance is uniquely positioned to play a crucial role in furthering greater access to AI-related resources, thereby contributing to a more equitable and responsible AI ecosystem globally,” said Cathy Li, Head, AI, Data and Metaverse, World Economic Forum.
“We must collaborate among governments, the private sector and local communities to ensure the future of AI benefits all.”
The AIGA is calling upon experts from various sectors to address several key areas. This includes improving data quality and availability across nations, boosting access to computational resources, and adapting foundation models to suit local needs and challenges. There is also a strong emphasis on education and the development of local expertise to create and navigate local AI ecosystems effectively.
In line with these goals, there is a need to establish new institutional frameworks and public-private partnerships along with implementing multilateral controls to aid and enhance these efforts.
While AI holds the potential to address global challenges, it also poses risks of widening existing digital divides or creating new ones. These and other topics are explored in a new briefing paper series, released on Thursday and crafted by AIGA’s three core workstreams, in collaboration with IBM Consulting and Accenture.
As AI technology evolves at a rapid pace and developed nations race to capitalize on AI innovation, the urgency to address the digital divide is critical to ensure that billions of people in developing countries are not left behind.
On international cooperation and inclusive access in AI development and deployment, Generative AI Governance: Shaping Our Collective Global Future — from the Resilient Governance and Regulation track — evaluates national approaches, addresses key debates on generative AI, and advocates for international coordination and standards to prevent fragmentation.
The AIGA also seeks to mobilize resources for exploring AI benefits in key sectors, including healthcare and education.
“As we witness the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence globally, the UAE stands committed to fostering an inclusive AI environment, both within our nation and throughout the world,” Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications of the United Arab Emirates, said.
“Our collaboration with the World Economic Forum’s AI Governance Alliance is instrumental in making AI benefits universally accessible, ensuring no community is left behind. We are dedicated to developing a comprehensive and forward-thinking AI and digital economy roadmap, not just for the UAE but for the global good.”
India, as the Incoming Support Chair of the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI), hosted the annual GPAI Summit from December 12-14, 2023, in New Delhi…reports Asian Lite News
India stands at the forefront of global innovation, with key achievements across electronics, semiconductors, and artificial intelligence. The dynamic landscape of the country’s technology sector is highlighted in a comprehensive year-end review.
According to a press release by the Ministry of Electronics and IT, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the SemiconIndia 2023 event in Gandhinagar, marking a significant leap in India’s semiconductor manufacturing prowess.
The three-day event witnessed the convergence of global industry leaders, with Micron Technology, Applied Materials, and Foxconn showcasing their commitment to India’s semiconductor ecosystem, read the press release.
India, as the Incoming Support Chair of the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI), hosted the annual GPAI Summit from December 12-14, 2023, in New Delhi.
The summit brought together representatives from 28 member countries and the European Union, creating a platform for in-depth discussions on the evolving landscape of Artificial Intelligence (AI), read the press release.
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) rolled out a new security mechanism for robust fingerprint-based Aadhaar authentication, incorporating artificial intelligence and machine learning.
The move enhances security, particularly in banking, telecom, and government sectors. The decision to allow residents to update documents in Aadhaar online free of cost further demonstrates India’s commitment to ease of living through digital initiatives.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) organized the G20-DIA Programme in Bangalore from August 17-19, 2023, read the press release.
The event featured the participation of 109 startups from 23 nations, highlighting India’s position as a global hub for digital innovation. The program encompassed workshops, exhibitions, and awards, attracting over 15,000 participants.
The Cabinet’s approval of Micron’s Rs22,516 crore semiconductor unit in Sanand, Gujarat, witnessed a rapid transition from approval to groundbreaking within three months.
This strategic move aligns with India’s vision of becoming a semiconductor manufacturing hub, anticipating the creation of thousands of direct and indirect job opportunities, read the press release.
The Union Cabinet’s approval of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme 2.0 for IT Hardware reinforces India’s position as a global IT manufacturing hub.
The first India Stack Developer Conference, inaugurated by Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, emphasized the objective of creating a robust ecosystem for digital innovation, read the press release.
The Union Cabinet’s approval of the Memorandum of Cooperation with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia signifies a significant step in enhancing collaboration in the fields of digitization and electronic manufacturing.
The extension of the Digital India program, incentives for RuPay Debit Cards, and the introduction of the AI-enabled translation tool Bhashini reflect India’s commitment to fostering a technologically advanced society.
Anticipation builds for the upcoming Vibrant Gujarat Summit, set to unveil Gujarat’s roadmap for Viksit Bharat@2047.
Meanwhile, India’s successful hosting of the G20 Digital Economy Working Group meeting in Lucknow showcases the nation’s pivotal role in shaping global digital strategies, read the press release.
As 2023 draws to a close, this year-end review encapsulates India’s strides in technology, underlining the nation’s commitment to digital excellence and innovation on the global stage. (ANI)
Niche digital skills continue to be high in demand for hiring: Report.
Apple has been assembling iPhones in India, a strategy that has proven mutually beneficial. This localization not only enables Apple to meet local demands efficiently but also mitigates the impact of import duties…reports Asian Lite News
In recent times, India has been making significant strides in the global tech manufacturing arena, with the introduction of Google’s Pixel 8 manufacturing in the country. This development marks a pivotal moment in India’s journey toward becoming a top-notch manufacturing hub for cutting-edge mobile technology, The Washington Times reported.
Google’s move aligns seamlessly with the broader trend of global tech giants, including Apple and Samsung, expanding their manufacturing operations in India, solidifying the nation’s role in the global supply chain.
For instance, Apple has been assembling iPhones in India, a strategy that has proven mutually beneficial. This localization not only enables Apple to meet local demands efficiently but also mitigates the impact of import duties. Similarly, Samsung has established the world’s largest mobile phone manufacturing facility in India, showcasing the nation’s capacity to cater to the production needs of global tech giants, The Washington Times reported.
Alphabet Inc’s Google decision to manufacture its flagship Pixel 8 smartphone in India underscores the growing allure of the country as a manufacturing destination. Google has emphasized India as a priority market for Pixel smartphones, expressing its commitment to delivering the best of its hardware and software capabilities to the Indian populace. This move by Google is part of a broader shift in the global supply chain dynamics, particularly from China to India.
The transition in supply chain dynamics is evident, with a report revealing a remarkable 400% increase in U.S. and European greenfield investment in India between 2021 and 2022, while investments in China decreased significantly during the same period. India is positioning itself as an appealing alternative for sourcing due to disruptions caused by policies like China’s Belt and Road Initiative, which has led to a shift that could potentially cost the Chinese economy trillions by 2030. In contrast to China, India’s democratic environment provides a stable and trusted setting for global supply chains. The involvement of tech giants such as Apple, Google, and Samsung in India’s manufacturing landscape is a clear endorsement of the nation’s emerging prominence in high-quality tech manufacturing. The ‘Make in India’ initiative is acting as a catalyst, opening doors for these tech giants to explore the myriad opportunities India offers, The Washington Times reported.
The resonance between India’s manufacturing capabilities and global tech giants not only enhances the country’s economic prospects but also solidifies its strategic position in the global supply chain. It’s a mutually beneficial scenario where companies can leverage India’s skilled workforce and favourable policies, while India benefits from technological advancements and economic investments.
As India continues on this trajectory, the ripple effects are expected to reverberate through the global supply chain, heralding a new era of high-quality tech manufacturing firmly rooted in Indian soil. Google Pixel 8’s manufacturing journey is just the beginning of the monumental shifts awaiting the horizon of global tech manufacturing, The Washington Times reported. (ANI)
In Europe and Israel, 40 per cent of new unicorns were in generative AI, whereas 80 per cent were in the US…reports Asian Lite News
Tech giants like Apple, Microsoft, Google-parent Alphabet, Amazon, Nvidia and others added $2.4 trillion to their market capitalisations in a year marked by the buzz surrounding generative artificial intelligence (AI), a new report has shown.
According to the venture capital firm Accel, the share price values of these big technology firms grew by an average of 36 per cent (year-over-year).
For the first time, Nvidia entered the trillion-dollar club, with the US chip-maker now valued at more than $1 trillion. Nvidia’s high-performance CPUs enable many advanced generative AI models, which generate new content from huge amounts of training data.
The report also mentioned that cloud and software-as-a-service (SaaS) firms, such as Salesforce, Palantir and Unity, rose by 29 per cent in the year to date. Last year, the outlook for cloud and SaaS was down.
According to the report, companies’ values were reduced by $1.6 trillion as investors exited high-growth tech stocks.
Moreover, the report showed that the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite returned to 80 per cent of its all-time high within 18 months. It took the Nasdaq about 14 years to reach that milestone.
Funding for cloud and SaaS firms has also returned to pre-Covid levels in Europe, Israel, and the US. Further, the report stated that the number of unicorn companies has returned to pre-Covid levels, with AI accounting for a substantially larger proportion of new billion-dollar companies.
In Europe and Israel, 40 per cent of new unicorns were in generative AI, whereas 80 per cent were in the US.
Nigeria is one of the fastest growing study abroad markers in the world and accounts for 9 per cent of Leverage’s total global business…reports Asian Lite News
Edtech platform LeverageEdu on Saturday announced to invest 800 million Nigerian naira (about Rs 8.5 crore) around the sidelines of the G20 Summit, as it expands further operations in Nigeria.
LeverageEdu Founder and CEO Akshay Chaturvedi met Dr Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy for Nigeria, and announced the investment.
Nigeria is one of the fastest growing study abroad markers in the world and accounts for 9 per cent of Leverage’s total global business.
“Young leaders from the industry are what helped India win, and I can see the same happening with Nigeria too. We at LeverageEdu & Fly are excited about making more higher education options accessible to the Nigerian youth,” said Chaturvedi.
Chaturvedi met Nigerian government officials and its entrepreneurial community as part of the Indian business delegation at the ‘Nigeria-India Digital Economy Dialogue’ here. Founded in 2017, LeverageEdu is a global study abroad platform that helps students from India, Nigeria and other emerging countries access best-matched higher education opportunities globally.
The company is backed by a mix of institutions, like ETS Strategic Capital, Shorelight, Blume Ventures, Kaizenvest PE, DSP Mutual Fund, Tomorrow Capital, DSG Consumer Partners and family offices.
LeverageEdu said it enrolls over 6,000 students every month.
There will be approximately 40 plus delegations that will arrive in New Delhi at the leader’s level…reports Asian Lite News
India is planning to showcase its rich culture and diversity during its presidency of G20, through the means of cuisine, crafts, and culture along with an insight into its democratic roots and its progress made in the digital space.
India is all set to host the G20 Summit scheduled to be held in New Delhi from September 9-10. World leaders will arrive in New Delhi to attend the G20 Summit.
Muktesh Pardeshi, who is the Special Secretary and the head of operations and logistics of India’s G20 secretariat, said that New Delhi is geared up with its preparations for the summit.
Speaking to ANI, Muktesh Pardeshi said, “We are 10 days away from the event, an event we have been preparing from Day 1. We took over the presidency of G20 on December 1 last year, and since then we have been preparing for this mega event, the Leader’s Summit…G20 comprises 19 countries and the European Union. Plus, we have given special invitations to nine more countries and some international organisations. There will be approximately 40 plus delegations that will arrive at the leader’s level.”
“So, we will have Presidents, Prime Ministers, Foreign Ministers and top officials of different delegations, representing different countries. We are gearing up, we are giving final shape to the programme,” he added.
The Special Secretary said that New Delhi has a twin agenda to showcase Indian culture, crafts and cuisine. He added that an experience panel has been created for delegates to experience how UPI payments are made, how the CoWin app was developed and how 1 billion people were connected with Aadhar.
“That’s part of you have seen the G20 meetings focusing on three C’s. But there is one unmistakable aspect of our approach. We are going to showcase progress in the field of the digital sector. So there’ll be an…experience zone created to showcase the progress we have achieved in the field of technological transformation, particularly digital transformation,” he said,
Pardeshi added, “There will be some experience panels created for delegates to experience, for instance how UPI payment is done. People will get to know about biometric enrolment was done and 1 billion people were connected through Aadhar. How the CoWin app was developed. Not everybody is able to understand how India has been able to leapfrog in the sector of digital payment. So we want to showcase the modern face of India as well”.
He also informed that the catering at the Convention Centre is being done by the ITC and there is a lot of focus on cuisine, menu planning as well and service aspects.
“The catering at the Convention Centre is done by the ITC which is a leading hotel chain. They have created a large team comprising of shapes and other associates to not only have the menu ready but also the service experience impeccable. So there’s a lot of focus on both the cuisine, the menu planning as well as the service aspect. And we have selected one of the best hotel chains for the purpose you want them to explore the street food of India,” he said.
Muktesh Pardeshi said that the G20 Summit will have three sessions and all these sessions will be held around the theme of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. He said that India will hand over the G20 Presidency to Brazil in the concluding session on December 10.
“There’ll be three sessions and all the sessions will be around the theme of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam which in English is transcribed as One Earth, One Family and One Future. The leaders are allocated a certain time to speak about their country’s position. On the 10th, in the concluding session, there’ll be a symbolic handing over of the Presidency to the incoming Presidency which will be led by Brazil. So, in between leaders get some time and opportunity to interact with each other what we call bilateral meetings. So that’s the responsibility of the host country to provide meeting space and provide logistical support so that leaders can meet,” Pardeshi said.
He added, “These leaders will also call on as, depending on the availability of time of honourable Prime Minister. Some of them will also have bilateral meetings with our Prime Minister. So, broadly this is the essence of the program.”
Pardeshi further informed that an exhibition named ‘Bharat, the Mother of Democracy’ is being organised to show the roots of Democracy in India.
“There is another aspect of showcasing India. Not many people know that the democratic roots or democracy is a concept of participatory governance. The roots are here and thousands of years back there were concepts of Sabha and Samiti. So democracy has not come from outside. It has evolved over a period of time in Indian soil. So there is going to be an exhibition called Bharat, the Mother of Democracy,” he further said.
Muktesh Pardeshi
Pardeshi also informed about the ceremonial aspects and said that the leaders will pay respect to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat and a symbolic tree plantation will also take place in Bharat Mandapam.
“There are some ceremonial aspects, and one of them is visiting and paying respect to the Father of the Nation. The leaders will be visiting Rajghat, which is part of the ceremonial aspect. Usually, any visiting head of state or government goes to Rajghat. There will be a symbolic tree plantation event at the Bharat Mandapam. These tree saplings represent different countries. They are either national trees or native trees, or trees that reflect nature or cultural aspects of the country,” he said.
Talking about the arrangements for cultural events and programmes, Muktesh Pardeshi said that a gala dinner will be organised on September 9, which will be accompanied by a small cultural programme.
“On the 9th, there will be a gala dinner, and as part of the gala dinner, there will be a short cultural programme, mostly the musical programme, including young artists. They will play instrumental music before the leaders. But beyond that, we will also have a Craft Bazaar, showcasing crafts from different states, which will take place in hall no. 3. It will open as an exhibition as well as a shopping experience. The delegates will have some opportunity to visit the Craft bazaar, and do shopping,” he said.
The Special Secretary further said that there will also be separate programmes for the spouses accompanying the leaders.
“They will be taken to Rajghat, Pusa Institute, and as part of the programme, they are also likely to visit the National Gallery of Modern Art, where they will see exhibitions, and also have some kind of shopping experience, which is being specially curated for spouses,” he added.
Pardeshi further informed that a variety of different dishes are being prepared to showcase the regional cuisine of the country, and street foods of India, as well as giving exposure to millets.
“From the government of India, it will be offering meals at the Convention Centre. So, you see a variety of dishes being served. Millet will find a prominent place on the menu. The chefs are working to develop different kinds of regional cuisine. They are experimenting and some menus are being developed at some point in time the decision will be taken,” he said.
He added, “But the overall philosophy is that we should have exposure to street foods of India. We should have exposure to millet. And the delegates should also experience different regional cuisines of India. And also our chefs are experimenting with different kinds of grains, different kinds of vegetables and different kinds of dairy products to come up with very innovative dishes…Delhi itself is a leader in street food. What is being served in Chandni Chowk around some of the things, the Gol Gappe or chat”.
Speaking about the logistical challenge of hosting so many delegations and leaders for the summit, Pardeshi said India has gained a sense of organizational excellence over the last 8-10 months.
“So far the parking of aircraft is concerned, we have ample parking place at New Delhi airport. We have been in touch with the Dial and GMR. The arrangements have been made both at the Palam Technical Area and at Indira Gandhi International Airport. So far as taking care of the logistical aspects is concerned we are a big country, we are resourceful and what we have gained over the last 8-10 months is a sense of organizational excellence,” he said.
He further said that as per the directive from the political leadership, New Delhi has to only promote the G20 substantive agenda, but also showcase to the world that India is not behind any country in terms of organizational skills and logistical strengths.
“That was the directive came from the political leadership. We have to excel not only in promoting the G20 substantive agenda, we have to also showcase to the world that India is not behind any country in terms of organizational skills and logistical strengths. And I think it has been now recognized by all visiting delegations. We have done extremely well to offer our hospitality. All the meetings 200 so far have been error-free. There has been no incident,” he said.
He added, “So we expect the forthcoming G20 summit to also be excellent, in terms of no glitches. We would like to conduct the meeting with a very high sense of warmth, and hospitality, taking care of our guests and at the same time showcasing what India has to offer in terms of civilizational and cultural space as well as an India that is technologically advancing and which has the capacity to make as a developed nation in another 25 years”.
Notably, India assumed the G20 presidency on December 1 last year and about 200 meetings related to G20 were organized in 60 cities across the country.
The 18th G20 Heads of State and Government Summit in New Delhi will be a culmination of all the G20 processes and meetings held throughout the year among ministers, senior officials, and civil societies.
A G20 Leaders’ Declaration will be adopted at the conclusion of the New Delhi Summit, stating Leaders’ commitment towards the priorities discussed and agreed upon during the respective ministerial and working group meetings. (ANI)
Main opposition Labour party’s spokeswoman says the action was “too little, too late”, accusing the government of having “no idea how to fix the mess they created”…reports Asian Lite News
The British government has announced a new partnership between law enforcement and social media companies to crack down on online content encouraging migrants to arrive in the UK illegally using small boats.
The Conservative government, struggling in the polls a year before the general election, has promised to end dangerous cross-Channel journeys from northern France in small boats but experienced a number of setbacks in delivering its plans.
Plans to controversially send illegal migrants to Rwanda have become bogged down in the courts, while the housing of asylum seekers on a barge in southern England to reduce accommodation costs has experienced several delays.
The announced partnership between Britain’s National Crime Agency and companies including Meta, TikTok and X (former Twitter) will target content linked to people smuggling, such as offers of false documents, group discounts, free spaces for children and false claims of safe passage, Downing Street said.
“To stop the boats, we have to tackle the business model of vile people smugglers at source,” UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said.
“That means clamping down on their attempts to lure people into making these illegal crossings and profit from putting lives at risk. This new commitment from tech firms will see us redouble our efforts to fight back against these criminals, working together to shut down their vile trade,” he added.
But the main opposition Labour party’s home affairs spokeswoman, Yvette Cooper, said the action was “too little, too late”, accusing the government of having “no idea how to fix the mess they created”.
Immigration — both legal and illegal — has long been a key political issue in Britain and was one of the main battlegrounds of the Brexit referendum in 2016, which saw the country leave the European Union.
More than 45,000 migrants arrived on the shores of southeast England on small boats in 2022 — a 60-percent annual increase — on a perilous route that has been used by more people every year since 2018.
Sunak’s government last month passed a controversial law, criticised by the United Nations, barring asylum claims by anyone arriving via the Channel and other “illegal” routes.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman said, “Heartless people smugglers are using social media to promote their despicable services and charge people thousands of pounds to make the illegal journey into the UK in unsafe boats. They must not succeed. This strengthened collaboration between the National Crime Agency, government and social media companies will ensure content promoting dangerous and illegal Channel crossings doesn’t see the light of day.”
The partnership will build on the close working already in place between government and social media companies, and includes a range of commitments to explore increased collaboration.
Under this initiative, social media companies will look to increase cooperation with the National Crime Agency to find and remove criminal content and step up the sharing of best practice both across the industry and with law enforcement.
The voluntary partnership also includes a commitment to explore ways to step up efforts to redirect people away from this content when they come across it online. This approach is already widely being used successfully by platforms, for example around harmful content promoting extremism or eating disorders, where people are presented with alternative messages to displace, rebut or undermine the damaging content they searched for – diverting them away from harmful messaging and misinformation.
Alongside the partnership, the government will also set up a new centre led by the National Crime Agency and Home Office to increase the capacity and capability of law enforcement to identify this content on social media platforms.
Known as the ‘Online Capability Centre’, backed by £11m funding, its work will focus on undermining and disrupting the business model of organised crime groups responsible for illegal crossings and using the internet to facilitate these journeys by intensifying efforts to combat their online activity.
The centre will be staffed by highly trained technical specialists alongside law enforcement officers and will work by building a clearer picture of the scale of illegal immigration material online. They will work with internet companies to identify more of this material, notifying platforms so they can take the appropriate action. The centre will also focus on developing and building a bank of intelligence around the criminal networks who are promoting people smuggling services online, which will help improve law enforcement’s ability to identify content and in turn help drive investigations.
To harness the potential of new technology such as AI to clamp down on criminals’ content, government will also hold a ‘hackathon’ event with industry experts in order to develop innovative new tools which will better detect people smugglers’ publicly available content online, to help social media companies take it down more quickly.
Government will also intensify the existing work taking place with social media companies ahead of the Online Safety Bill coming into effect.
Once in force, under the Bill social media companies will be required to make sure their systems and processes are designed to prevent people coming into contact with illegal content created by people smugglers, minimise how long this content is available online and remove it as soon as possible once they become aware of it.
Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology, said: “The advanced technology and space sectors are more than essential facets of national economies…reports Asian Lite News
Key UAE government entities have partnered to boost coordination between the advanced technology and space sectors. The collaboration is aimed at harnessing emerging technological innovations and developments to tackle global climate change.
The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT), UAE Space Agency, and COP28, through the Office of the UAE Special Envoy for Climate Change (OSECC) will work together to encourage organizations in the advanced technology and space sectors to share their contributions towards climate efforts at the Technology and Innovation Hub at COP28, which is set to be the most inclusive COP yet.
The collaboration aims to further contribute to COP28’s inclusive ecosystem, bringing together major technology companies, global institutions, SMEs, and space agencies to promote joint action on climate targets. It will encourage technology and industrial companies from around the world to use the UAE as a base for producing new technologies that can help drive sustainable industrial development, tackle climate change, and accelerate decarbonization.
Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology, said: “The advanced technology and space sectors are more than essential facets of national economies. They are engines of innovation and critical enablers of net zero, accelerating the development of technologies that support climate action. This collaboration will help mobilize stakeholders of all sizes ahead of COP28, where MoIAT and UAESA will convene the UAE and global innovation and space ecosystem at the Technology and Innovation Hub.”
Al Amiri added: “The UAE government has committed to making COP28 an inclusive conference that results in tangible action. The full spectrum of society and economy will be represented at COP28, and as government knowledge partners during the event, MoIAT and UAESA will welcome members of the global innovation ecosystem – including SMEs and startups – to showcase their climate technologies and innovations at the Technology and Innovation Hub.”
Ambassador Majid Al Suwaidi, Director-General and Special Representative of COP28 said: “The Technology and Innovation Hub will be an inclusive showcase for partners who have the will and capacity to help us build out the future. Harnessing technological solutions is the key to fast-tracking the energy transition; building better and more advanced early warning systems; supporting localized adaptation; and strengthening the resilience of cities, of industries, and communities.”
The partnership aims to encourage collaboration across areas of mutual interest to further enhance joint efforts, aligning industry and space sector outcomes with COP28’s objectives. By fostering cooperation, it seeks to accelerate progress towards Paris Agreement goals and strengthen the UAE’s position as a global hub for innovation in climate technologies.
MoIAT, the UAE Space Agency and COP28, through OSECC, will also facilitate knowledge-sharing to accelerate the development of advanced technology solutions in the lead-up to the conference, contributing to the global event’s legacy. (ANI/WAM)
Although the Frontier Model Forum currently has only four members, the collective said it is open to new members…reports Asian Lite News
Four major tech companies — Google, OpenAI, Microsoft, and Anthropic have come together to form a new industry body designed to ensure the “safe and responsible development” of “frontier AI” models.
In response to growing calls for regulatory oversight, these tech firms have announced the formation of “Frontier Model Forum” which will draw on the technical and operational expertise of its member companies to benefit the entire AI ecosystem and develop a public library of solutions to support industry best practices and standards.
The Forum aims to help — advance AI safety research to promote responsible development of frontier models and minimise potential risks, identify safety best practices for frontier models, share knowledge with policymakers, academics, civil society and others to advance responsible AI development, and support efforts to leverage AI to address society’s biggest challenges.
Although the Frontier Model Forum currently has only four members, the collective said it is open to new members.
Qualifying organisations must be developing and deploying frontier AI models, as well as showing a “strong commitment to frontier model safety”.
“We’re excited to work together with other leading companies, sharing technical expertise to promote responsible AI innovation. We’re all going to need to work together to make sure AI benefits everyone,” said Kent Walker, President, Global Affairs, Google & Alphabet.
Over the coming months, the Frontier Model Forum will establish an Advisory Board to help guide its strategy and priorities, representing a diversity of backgrounds and perspectives.
Moreover, the founding companies will also establish key institutional arrangements, including a charter, governance and funding with a working group and executive board to lead these efforts.
“We plan to consult with civil society and governments in the coming weeks on the design of the Forum and on meaningful ways to collaborate,” the companies wrote in a joint statement on Wednesday.
The Forum will focus on three key areas over the coming year to support the safe and responsible development of frontier AI models — promote knowledge sharing and best practices among industry, governments, civil society, and academia, support the AI safety ecosystem by identifying the most important open research questions on AI safety, and facilitate information sharing among companies and governments.
