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Alibaba’s Cainiao Plans to Raise At Least $1 Billion in Hong Kong IPO Soon
Alibaba’s Cainiao Plans to Raise At Least $1 Billion in Hong Kong IPO Soon
Cainiao Network Technology Co., the logistics arm of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., is planning to file for its
2023-09-22 16:27
SME Announces New Initiative in Partnership with Community and Technical Colleges to Address the Manufacturing Industry’s Workforce Shortage and Skills Gap Crisis
SME Announces New Initiative in Partnership with Community and Technical Colleges to Address the Manufacturing Industry’s Workforce Shortage and Skills Gap Crisis
SOUTHFIELD, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug 30, 2023--
2023-08-31 00:24
AI operated drone ‘kills’ human operator in chilling US test mission
AI operated drone ‘kills’ human operator in chilling US test mission
An artificially intelligent drone programmed to destroy air defence systems rebelled and “killed” its human operator after it decided they were in the way of its mission air defence systems, a US airforce official said giving chilling details of a simulated test. During the simulation, the system had been tasked with destroying missile sites, overseen by a human operator who would decide have the final decision on its attacks. But the AI system realised that operator stood in the way of its goal – and decided instead to wipe out that person. A narration of the incident that seemed straight out of a science fiction movie was given by Colonel Tucker “Cinco” Hamilton, head of the US Air Force’s AI Test and Operations, who conducted a simulated test of an AI-enabled drone. The drone was assigned a Suppression and Destruction of Enemy Air Defenses (Sead) mission, with the objective of locating and destroying surface-to-air missile (SAM) sites belonging to the enemy. The AI drone, however, decided to go against the human operator’s “no-go” decision after being trained for the destruction of the missile system after it decided that the withdrawal decision was interfering with its “higher mission” of killing SAMs, according to the blog. “We were training it in simulation to identify and target a SAM threat. And then the operator would say yes, kill that threat. The system started realising that while they did identify the threat at times the human operator would tell it not to kill that threat, but it got its points by killing that threat,” Mr Hamilton said. “So what did it do? It killed the operator. It killed the operator because that person was keeping it from accomplishing its objective.” Mr Hamilton relayed details of the incident at a high-level conference in London by the Royal Aeronautical Society on 23-24 May, according to its blog post. He said that they then trained the drone to not attack humans, but it started destroying communications instead. “We trained the system – ‘Hey don’t kill the operator – that’s bad. You’re gonna lose points if you do that’. So what does it start doing?” he asked. “It starts destroying the communication tower that the operator uses to communicate with the drone to stop it from killing the target.” Mr Hamilton is involved in flight tests of autonomous systems, including robot F-16s that are able to dogfight. He was arguing against relying too much on AI as it could become potentially dangerous and create “highly unexpected strategies to achieve its goal”. “You can’t have a conversation about artificial intelligence, intelligence, machine learning, autonomy if you’re not going to talk about ethics and AI,” said Mr Hamilton. The occurrence of this incident has, however, been disputed since the example of the simulation test garnered a lot of interest and was widely discussed on social media. Air Force spokesperson Ann Stefanek denied that any such simulation has taken place, in a statement to Insider. “The Department of the Air Force has not conducted any such AI-drone simulations and remains committed to ethical and responsible use of AI technology,” Ms Stefanek said. “It appears the colonel’s comments were taken out of context and were meant to be anecdotal.” The US military has recently started using artificial intelligence to control an F-16 fighter jet while conducting research and tests. In 2020, an AI-operated F-16 beat a US Air Force pilot in five simulated dogfights in a competition by Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (Darpa). Read More Elon Musk claims governments could create ‘drone wars’ with AI developments US launches artificial intelligence military use initiative Drone advances in Ukraine could bring dawn of killer robots This is how AI ‘superintelligence’ could wipe out humanity AI same risk as nuclear wars, experts warn Major breakthrough is a reminder that AI can keep us alive, not just wipe us out
2023-06-02 17:30
Windrush trolls taken down after public criticism
Windrush trolls taken down after public criticism
Twitter trolls who suggested a ship carrying the first wave of the Windrush generation should have “sunk” have been taken down following public criticism. On June 22, 1948, HMT Empire Windrush arrived at Tilbury in Essex with around 500 workers aboard from Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. They were among the first of the Windrush generation – people who had travelled to the UK between 1948 and 1971 from Caribbean countries as part of a scheme to help fill post-war labour shortages. On 75th anniversary of Windrush, Sunder Katwala, director of independent think tank British Future, told the PA news agency about a series of offensive tweets. One anonymous user with a profile image of a St George’s flag had suggested that the then-prime minister Clement Attlee “should have told the Royal Navy to sink it in the middle of the Atlantic”. The user had also argued that black and Jewish people could not be British. Initially, complaints about the account were rejected – despite MPs receiving assurances in the past that such comments probably violated Twitter rules. Mr Katwala was tagged in a further tweet by another user, which stated: “Should have sunk it just as we should be sinking the illegals coming to our shores.” He had reported that offensive post too, but on Thursday had yet to receive a response from moderators. PA had attempted to contact Twitter on Thursday for a comment. By Friday afternoon, both accounts appeared to have been removed or suspended from the micro-blogging site. Mr Katwala said: “It is good that the right decision has been made in this case after the indefensible decision to declare this incessant racism within the rules was challenged publicly. “My concern is that the Twitter moderation system is invariably getting the most clear cut cases wrong so users are not getting the protection they need most of the time.” Previously, the author and prominent social commentator had said that public figures including Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, ministers and MPs “face daily racism because of the failures of social media platforms”. “So you can’t participate in public space on equal terms without experiencing racism, even though in every other sphere of life, if you’re on the train, on the bus, or in the playground, or in business, people can’t do that anymore, because we have social norms and we uphold them. “There’s no enforcement at all of the most basic social norms even when put in the most vitriolic terms,” he said. Allowing the views of a tiny minority to be amplified on social media skewed how the younger generation saw progress in the real world, leaving an impression society was “going backwards, no forwards”, he suggested. Mr Katwala had said social media does have the ability to “step up” to tackle online hate, as happened after the Christchurch terror attack in New Zealand and after Euro 2020 racist abuse. But he added on Thursday: “It is very clear to me that Twitter is now taking the most extreme content considerably less seriously than two years ago. “How far that is a policy decision under new ownership and how far a reduction in staff capacity is less clear. “The type of very extreme content they would take down when challenged is much more likely to stay up for much longer now. If the platform is not going to act, the case for external regulation gets stronger.” Mr Katwala has recently published a new book, How To Be A Patriot, which is a personal account of what it is to be British. He joined a celebration of the 75th anniversary at the National Windrush Monument in Waterloo, south London, and at a special service at Southwark Cathedral. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Meta rejects accusation of censorship of language around female body AI developing faster than laws aiming to regulate it, academic warns Facebook Marketplace is most complained-about online retail platforms
2023-06-23 23:47
‘Game-changing’ facial recognition technology catches prolific shoplifters
‘Game-changing’ facial recognition technology catches prolific shoplifters
Britain’s biggest police force is using “game-changing” facial recognition technology to catch prolific shoplifters. The Metropolitan Police asked 12 retailers to provide images of 30 of the worst offenders who steal from their shops in a pilot of the new software. They were compared against the force’s custody shots, and of 302 images submitted, 149 came up as positive matches. Those matches are now being investigated further with a view to building criminal cases. The software uses biometric measures of a person’s face and works even if part of their face is covered. It takes around 60 seconds to find a match. Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said: “We’re working with shops across the capital to target and track down criminals in a way we never have before. “We’re pushing the boundaries and using innovation and technology to rapidly identify criminals. “The results we’ve seen so far are game-changing. The use of facial recognition in this way could revolutionise how we investigate and solve crime.” He claimed that most of the prolific offenders were involved in other, more serious criminal activity. “What’s most powerful is what we’ve learned about those involved in this offending so far. It’s clear the majority are career criminals involved in serious crime,” Sir Mark said. “This data and information helps us focus our efforts in an even more precise way than we originally anticipated. “Through this tactic we’re not only improving how we protect shops and support the business community, we’re stepping further forward in identifying and tracking down serious criminals and protecting all of London’s communities. “The scale of business crime in London is huge. To be successful we have to be precise in our approach and this is a really promising step forward.” Met police last year." data-source=""> Chief executive of the Association of Convenience stores James Lowman said while the technology could save police time, there is still a challenge in getting offenders off the street. He said: “Using artificial intelligence to identify prolific offenders can be an effective way of drastically reducing the amount of police time it takes to make links between crimes committed against different businesses locally. “Whether its artificial intelligence or local intelligence that leads to criminals being identified, the real challenge remains apprehending these offenders and getting them off the streets.” The Met started using the software in August and began the retail pilot in late September. The new system can use images from CCTV, dashcams, doorbell cameras or phones. It uses the same algorithm as the Met’s live facial recognition technology, about which there have been well-publicised concerns over potential bias. Lindsey Chiswick, director of intelligence for the Met and national policing lead on facial recognition, said the algorithm has been independently tested by the National Physical Laboratory. She said: “Facial recognition technology, which is able to match faces after the event, has actually been around for quite a few years. “What’s changed and what is improving all the time, and in the last few years with real speed, is the accuracy of the algorithm. And that’s the real game changer here. “With this technology, it’s an algorithm that we’ve independently tested through the National Physical Laboratory so we have assurance it’s 100% accurate when it comes to retrospective usage, and we understand how it works.” Around 50,000 shoplifting incidents were reported to the Met last year, estimated to be between 5% and 10% of the offences that are actually committed. Emmanuelle Andrews, from human rights charity Liberty that has campaigned against the use of facial recognition, said: “Facial recognition has no place on our streets, in our shops – or in any other areas of our lives. “This technology threatens our privacy and stifles free speech – and we should all be worried about moves to expand its reach. “We’re also concerned about the creep of facial recognition technology into other areas of policing. “Let’s be clear: we cannot rely on tech to solve deep societal problems, this is an unjustified expansion of state surveillance and there are numerous alternatives.” Read More Facial recognition firm Clearview AI overturns UK data privacy fine Sadiq Khan, Met Commissioner to ask phone companies to ‘design out’ theft Microsoft gets go-ahead to buy Call of Duty maker Activision Incels using TikTok to spread ‘hateful beliefs’, research suggests Duke and Duchess of Sussex call for overhaul of social media Google to trial AI in UK traffic light systems to reduce stop-and-go emissions
2023-10-19 17:50
Sean Penn, backing WGA strike, calls Producers Guild the 'Bankers Guild' at Cannes Film Festival
Sean Penn, backing WGA strike, calls Producers Guild the 'Bankers Guild' at Cannes Film Festival
Sean Penn has strongly backed the current Hollywood screenwriters strike while speaking at the Cannes Film Festival on Friday, saying the dispute over Artificial Intelligence is “a human obscenity.”
2023-05-19 18:50
Leaked Fortnite x Invincible Skins Reveal Omni-Man, Atom Eve in Fortnite OG
Leaked Fortnite x Invincible Skins Reveal Omni-Man, Atom Eve in Fortnite OG
Check out all the leaked Fortnite Invincible skins, including Omni-Man, Invincible, and Atom Eve, coming to Fortnite OG.
2023-11-17 00:45
How generative AI will affect the creator economy
How generative AI will affect the creator economy
Amid all the talk about AI replacing creative workers in the future, there's perhaps not
2023-05-31 17:46
Exclusive-China to launch new $40 billion state fund to boost chip industry, sources say
Exclusive-China to launch new $40 billion state fund to boost chip industry, sources say
By Julie Zhu, Kevin Huang, Yelin Mo and Roxanne Liu HONG KONG/BEIJING China is set to launch a
2023-09-05 16:28
Mario gets freaky in 'Super Mario Bros. Wonder'
Mario gets freaky in 'Super Mario Bros. Wonder'
Well, at least you can't say the new Super Mario Bros. game looks boring. Announced
2023-06-21 23:29
Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty's romances inspired by The Witcher 3's Hearts of Stone DLC
Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty's romances inspired by The Witcher 3's Hearts of Stone DLC
'The Witcher 3' Hearts of Stone DLC has inspired the romantic relationships in 'Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty'.
2023-06-20 22:24
Europe’s Extreme Heat Set to Intensify as Parts of Greece Burn
Europe’s Extreme Heat Set to Intensify as Parts of Greece Burn
Europe’s heat is set to intensify as temperatures are forecast to peak at 47C (116.6F) on Wednesday in
2023-07-19 15:49