Biological CPUs, AI-influenced detentions and EV imbalances: 15 essential stories
15/06/24 - 29/06/24
Chinese researchers develop first open-source brain-on-chip interface system globally
Global Times (26/06/2024)
TL;DR: Researchers from Tianjin University and Southern University of Science and Technology have developed a “brain-like organ” connected to electrodes to handle inputs and outputs as an interface with digital computers.
How do you grow a unicorn? What Europe can do to support its start-ups
Euronews (25/06/2024)
TL;DR: Europe is underrepresented on unicorn startups, even though its number has increased. This poses a threat to Europe’s political and economic power.
Startups in the EU face issues securing funding and skilled workers, but also can benefit from the strong points of the bloc like quality of life and strong academic environment.
The AI advisory body at the UN suggested European startups to develop their own framework to face innovation at the South Summit business conference in Madrid.
Chinese Refiners to Boost Brazil Crude Imports in Third Quarter
Financial Tribune (17/06/2024)
TL;DR: Chinese refineries plan to increase crude imports from Brazil to substitute supply after Saudi Arabia’s export reduction.
Protection des consommateurs: Bruxelles exige des explications de Temu et Shein
Le Figaro (28/06/2024)
TL;DR: The European Commission requested information to Temu and Shein to verify user safety and content regulation after consumer organizations filed complaints against Temu for using dark patterns to promote overconsumption. This request is also concerned with other potentially unethical practices in both companies.
China, EU step up consultations to resolve EU's anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese EVs: MOFCOM
Global Times (27/06/2024)
TL;DR: China and the European Commission (EC) have agreed to start consultations on EU’s proposed tariffs against Chinese-manufactured EVs.
Chinese officials emphasize the mutually beneficial CN-EU economic relationships and their shared goal of achieving green transformation.
Stellantis in threat to put brakes on UK car production over EV quotas
Euronews (25/06/2024)
TL;DR: Stellantis’ UK managing director states that the UK’s EV quotas on car manufacturing, along with a lack of charging infrastructure and consumer subsidies, could halt UK production of Stellantis cars. According to her, customer behavior does not match regulator’s goals.
TikTok confirms it offered US government a 'kill switch'
BBC (21/06/2024)
TL;DR: TikTok proposed to the U.S. government a mechanism to suspend the platform at their own discretion during negotiations surrounding the TikTok ban. The company points out this as a sign of their effort to reach an agreement over the U.S.-alleged security and privacy concerns.
Malaysian businesses told to invest in cloud infra, adopt digital mindset [BTTV]
New Straits Times (26/06/2024)
TL;DR: The Malaysian Investment, Trade and Industry Minister encouraged Malaysian companies to invest in cloud technologies. He pointed out the opportunities the cloud brings to companies in fields like manufacturing and healthcare and its benefits to small and medium-sized enterprises. The Minister also noted how these investments can create opportunities for the growth of tech startups and SMEs, linked to new highly skilled jobs.
This encouragement came during a Google Cloud sponsored event where the Minister highlighted Google’s investments in data centers in Malaysia.
Financial institutes optimistic about outlook: report
Taipei Times (18/06/2024)
TL;DR: PricewaterhouseCoopers Taiwan presented findings from an interview with financial leaders.
Investors expressed concerns about economical, social and geopolitical issues but stay optimistic about forthcoming advancements in technology, workers’ skills and environmental conscious measures within the private sector.
Artificial Intelligence: “made in Burkina” applications to diagnose certain pathologies
Agence d’Information du Burkina (28/06/2024)
TL;DR: The Mathematics and Computer Science Laboratory of Ki-Zerbo University and the Virtual University of Burkina Faso hosted a seminar to promote already existing and emerging AI tools for the healthcare sector on Burkina Faso. Burkinabe researchers have developed systems to diagnose and predict diseases and monitor patients, the systems are expected to influence public health policy in the country.
Global tech giants eye investment in Vietnam: PM at WEF
VNExpress (25/06/2024)
TL;DR: The Prime Minister of Vietnam announced at the World Economic Forum that Big Tech companies are looking into making large investments on Vietnam. The Asian country plans to use its public services like education and healthcare to improve its human resources and become a more attractive destination for high value investments.
Reactor producirá en un segundo energía para todo un año
Deutsche Welle (28/06/2024)
TL;DR: Belgium has started the construction of Myrrha, a nuclear reactor powered by a particle accelerator. The particle accelerator will be employed in research with health and nuclear safety applications. The reactor is designed to have cleaner processes and reprocess nuclear waste.
The reactor is being built with Belgian, European and potential private funds. According to the project director, 15 reactors like this in an industrial scale could treat all European nuclear waste.
‘You cannot do mass surveillance privately, full stop’: Signal boss hits out at government encryption-busting moves
The Guardian (19/07/2024)
TL;DR: Signal’s President explains how mass surveillance is gaining terrain with governments using big corporation’s abuses and crime on the digital world to gain legitimacy. She also points to other companies using loopholes to undermine privacy to obey government instructions.
A robot gets a face of living ‘skin’ that allows it to smile
NPR (29/06/2024)
TL;DR: Japanese researchers developed a robot with synthetic self-healing skin and ligaments. Electronic actuators make the artificial tissue move. This tissue has promising applications in robotics and cosmetic procedures.
Facial Recognition Led to Wrongful Arrests. So Detroit Is Making Changes.
The New York Times (29/06/2024)
TL;DR: Robert Williams was wrongfully detained by the Detroit Police Department (DPD) due to a faulty testimony influenced by an Artificial Intelligence system.
In 2018 a man stole five watches in Detroit. A loss prevention company provided security camera footage to the DPD, which used it to conduct a facial recognition search against driver’s license pictures and mugshots. The DPD presented a grid of six suspect pictures to a contractor from the loss prevention company who identified Williams as the closest match to the footage.
Williams successfully sued the Department, which led to changes in witness identification procedures. This incident is not unique, other police departments in the U.S. have also experienced issues with faulty AI. The DPD has stated that errors related to AI systems have been due to human mistakes, not technical issues.