California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a groundbreaking bill aimed at enhancing protections for domestic abuse survivors in internet-connected vehicles. As car manufacturers increasingly incorporate advanced technology, incidents of stalking and harassment through features like location tracking have surfaced. The bill passed with strong support in the California legislature and is part of a broader effort to safeguard victims of domestic violence.
One key provision of the new law mandates that automakers create a process for drivers to submit restraining orders and request the termination of another driver’s remote access within two business days. The legislation also requires manufacturers to enable drivers to easily disable location access from within the vehicle. This could establish a precedent for similar regulations across the country, as automakers generally produce uniform models for all markets.
The legislation follows reports indicating that some car manufacturers have failed to address complaints from women who experienced stalking through their vehicles’ technology. A notable case involved a woman suing Tesla for inaction despite having a restraining order. Although no automaker opposed the bill, the Alliance for Automotive Innovation supported victim protection but raised concerns about the law’s technical implementation. The alliance intends to seek solutions to these challenges in the future.
ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, is reportedly developing a new AI model using chips from Chinese tech giant Huawei. The move comes as US restrictions on advanced AI chips, such as those from Nvidia, have led the company to look for domestic alternatives. Sources suggest ByteDance will use Huawei’s Ascend 910B chip to power a new large-language AI model.
Huawei’s Ascend 910B chip has already been used by ByteDance for less demanding AI tasks, but training a new AI model requires a higher level of computational power. While ByteDance continues to order significant quantities of Huawei’s chips, supply shortages are reportedly slowing down their efforts, with only a fraction of the requested units received so far.
Industry experts say AI has become essential for a range of sectors, from gaming to e-commerce, where businesses are developing custom AI models to stay competitive. ByteDance’s decision to turn to Huawei reflects the increasing importance of AI, particularly as global supply chains face challenges.
Both ByteDance and Huawei have remained tight-lipped regarding specific details of this development. A spokesperson from ByteDance denied the existence of a new AI model in progress, while Huawei did not provide any comment on the situation.
Manx Telecom has launched a survey to understand how AI is perceived by individuals and businesses on the Isle of Man. The firm aims to gather insights into AI usage, preparedness, and challenges in both personal and professional contexts.
Kate Hegarty, head of marketing at Manx Telecom, highlighted that feedback from the community would guide the development of new telecom services tailored to meet the island’s evolving needs. The survey also explores potential opportunities AI presents for local industries.
The Isle of Man government recently launched a programme to boost digital skills as part of a wider initiative to grow the island’s GDP by 10% by 2030. Manx Telecom plans to use the results of the survey to collaborate with partners and enhance the technology offerings on the island.
Conducted by Island Global Research, the survey remains open to the public until 9 October. Responses will influence Manx Telecom’s future product development and the services it offers.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed a contentious AI safety bill, citing concerns that it might stifle innovation and drive companies out of the state. The bill, proposed by Senator Scott Wiener, aimed to impose strict regulations on AI systems, including safety testing and methods for deactivating advanced AI models. Newsom acknowledged the need for oversight but criticised the bill for applying uniform standards to all AI systems, regardless of their specific risk levels.
Despite the veto, Newsom emphasised his commitment to AI safety, directing state agencies to assess the risks of potential catastrophic events tied to AI use. He has also called on AI experts to help develop regulations that are science-based and focus on actual risks. With AI technology advancing rapidly, he plans to work on a more tailored approach with the legislature in the next session.
The AI bill faced mixed reactions from both the tech industry and lawmakers. While companies like Google, Microsoft, and Meta opposed the measure, Tesla’s Elon Musk supported it, arguing that stronger regulations are essential before AI becomes too powerful. The tech industry praised Newsom’s decision, stating that California’s tech economy thrives on competition and openness.
Newsom’s veto has raised questions about the future of AI regulation, both in California and across the US. With federal efforts to regulate AI still stalled, the debate over how best to balance innovation and safety continues.
The United States Department of Justice is investigating Super Micro Computer, according to a Wall Street Journal report citing sources familiar with the matter. Following the news, shares of the AI server maker fell by about 5%.
Earlier in the month, Super Micro had denied allegations made by short-seller Hindenburg Research, which accused the company of ‘accounting manipulation’ and cited issues like undisclosed related-party transactions and failure to comply with export controls.
Hindenburg revealed its short position in Super Micro in August, prompting a further examination of the company’s financial practices. Super Micro has dismissed the report as containing ‘false or inaccurate statements.’ The server maker did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Reuters.
AI models, including ChatGPT and Cohere, once depended on low-cost workers to perform basic fact-checking. Today, these models require human trainers with specialised knowledge in fields like medicine, finance, and quantum physics. Invisible Tech, one of the leading companies in this space, partners with major AI firms to reduce errors in AI-generated outputs, such as hallucinations, where the model provides inaccurate information.
Invisible Tech employs thousands of remote experts, offering significant pay for high-level expertise. Advanced knowledge in subjects like quantum physics can command rates as high as $200 per hour. Companies like Cohere and Microsoft are also leveraging these trainers to improve their AI systems.
This shift from basic fact-checking to advanced training is vital as AI models like ChatGPT continue to face challenges in distinguishing between fact and fiction. The demand for human trainers has surged, with many AI firms competing to reduce errors and improve their models.
With this growth, companies such as Scale AI and Invisible Tech have established themselves as key players in the industry. As AI continues to evolve, more businesses are emerging, catering to the increasing need for human expertise in AI training.
Samsung has officially launched its AI-ready Galaxy Tab S10 series, featuring the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra and S10+. Built to support artificial intelligence, both models are powered by the advanced MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ processors. This new chipset significantly boosts performance across CPU, GPU, and NPU, delivering faster AI features for users.
The Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra boasts a 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, while the S10+ comes with a slightly smaller 12.4-inch version. Alongside these high-resolution screens, both tablets include the S Pen and a Book Cover Keyboard accessory with a dedicated Galaxy AI key. These additions provide users with streamlined AI interactions and allow for enhanced note-taking, image creation, and translation features.
Samsung also introduces several AI tools, such as the PDF Overlay Translation and Handwriting Help, aimed at making productivity tasks easier. The Sketch to Image function, previously seen on the Galaxy Z Fold 6, is now available on these tablets, enabling the conversion of rough drawings into polished images with the help of AI.
The Galaxy Tab S10 series integrates seamlessly with Samsung’s SmartThings ecosystem, offering users a 3D Map View to manage their connected devices. Both tablets are durable, water-resistant with IP68 certification, and come with fast-charging capabilities, making them versatile tools for both work and home.
Alphabet plans to invest $3.3 billion in South Carolina to establish two new data centres, according to CEO Sundar Pichai. This investment comes as the Google parent company and its competitors significantly enhance their infrastructure to support the growth of AI applications. The new data centre campuses will be located in Dorchester County, alongside an expansion of an existing facility in Berkeley County, as confirmed by the South Carolina governor’s office.
The new facilities in Dorchester County, located in the Pine Hill Business Campus in Ridgeville and Winding Woods Commerce Park in St. George, represent a $2 billion investment and are anticipated to create 200 operational jobs. Additionally, the expansion in Berkeley County will require another $1.3 billion investment. In July, Alphabet reported capital expenditures of $13 billion for the June quarter and indicated that spending would remain at or above $12 billion for the rest of 2024.
This announcement comes on the heels of Microsoft’s recent partnership with BlackRock and the Abu Dhabi-backed investment firm MGX to establish a fund exceeding $30 billion, focused on developing AI infrastructure, including the construction of data centres and energy projects.
Samsung has revealed the new Galaxy S24 FE, expanding its flagship series. The fan edition boasts the same Galaxy AI capabilities seen in earlier models, allowing users to utilise features like search, translate, and note assistance.
The smartphone is equipped with a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, offering a refresh rate of 60-120 Hz. Photography is enhanced with a 50 MP main camera, supported by a 12 MP ultrawide lens and an 8 MP telephoto sensor. A 10 MP selfie camera completes the lineup.
Running on the Exynos 2400e processor, the Galaxy S24 FE comes with 8 GB of RAM and up to 256 GB of storage. It operates on One UI 6.1 based on Android 14, powered by a 4,700 mAh battery supporting both wired and wireless charging.
Pre-orders for the Galaxy S24 FE are available now in Blue, Graphite, and Mint, with prices starting at £585 for the base model and £645 for the higher storage variant.
China and Africa cooperate to enhance digital infrastructure, which has emerged as a cornerstone of their evolving economic partnership. Over the past decade, substantial investments from Chinese enterprises have facilitated the construction of essential digital frameworks across Africa.
That includes initiatives such as laying extensive fibre optic cables, establishing robust 5G networks and creating data centres that ensure high-speed connectivity. As a direct consequence of this collaboration, millions of people are now connected, and local economies are being transformed through expanded e-commerce opportunities. Notably, the surge in digital trade has opened new avenues for economic growth in African nations, attracting vital investments and fostering entrepreneurship.
Moreover, Chinese companies have played a crucial role in this transformative process by offering technical support, financial backing, and infrastructure development. Consequently, these efforts have contributed to a vibrant marketplace where an increasing number of online shoppers can access a diverse range of goods and services. Additionally, efforts to promote sustainable development are evident in the improvements to service trade and the establishment of resilient financial infrastructures. By leveraging advancements in digital technology, the partnership optimises sectors such as transport and tourism, enhancing operational efficiency and user experiences.
Why does this matter?
Furthermore, as financial technology (fintech) rapidly evolves, there is a focus on bolstering the stability of financial systems in African countries. By harnessing technologies like blockchain, IoT, and AI, Chinese financial institutions collaborate with local partners to create innovative service models, addressing financial risks and fostering an investment-friendly environment. Through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative, both regions are committed to advancing digital transformation while ensuring economic growth aligns with sustainable practices that benefit future generations.
