UAE-based AI firm G42 has announced a partnership with US chipmaker Nvidia to focus on developing advanced climate technology. A new operational base and lab will be established in Abu Dhabi to create AI solutions that improve global weather forecasting. This collaboration comes as the UAE seeks to diversify its economy away from oil through heavy investment in AI technologies.
UAE’s government-backed G42 has been making strides in the AI sector, forging agreements with various US firms. Recently, G42 and Microsoft revealed plans to open two AI centres in Abu Dhabi, further expanding the Gulf nation’s capabilities in AI research. These developments align with Abu Dhabi’s broader goals of advancing technological cooperation with the US.
While the UAE builds on AI collaboration, concerns have emerged in Washington about US technology potentially reaching China. To counter this, the US government has introduced stricter export controls on AI chips to the region. However, this has not hampered the UAE’s ambitions for AI growth and strategic partnerships.
Next week, UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will visit the White House, marking a historic moment. Discussions will centre around regional security and technological cooperation in AI with President Joe Biden, reinforcing the strategic relationship between the two nations.
A recent report from the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has criticised social media platforms for lacking transparency in how they manage user data. Companies such as Meta, TikTok, and Twitch have been highlighted for inadequate data retention policies, raising significant privacy concerns.
Social platforms collect large amounts of data using tracking technologies and by purchasing information from data brokers, often without users’ knowledge. Much of this data fuels the development of AI, with little control given to users. Data privacy for teenagers remains a pressing issue, leading to recent legislative moves in Congress.
Some companies, including X (formerly Twitter), responded by saying that they have improved their data practices since 2020. Others failed to comment. Advertising industry groups defended data collection, claiming it supports free access to online services.
FTC officials are concerned about the risks posed to individuals, especially those not even using the platforms, due to widespread data collection. Inadequate data management by social platforms may expose users to privacy breaches and identity theft.
According to a statement from the Vietnamese government, Vietnamese and US businesses have reached several agreements to collaborate on energy, AI, and data infrastructure. These partnerships were sealed during a business forum in the US, marking a step forward in economic cooperation between the two nations.
The memorandums of understanding (MoUs) include vital agreements such as a technology transfer deal between PetroVietnam and Kellogg Brown and Root, a partnership on liquefied natural gas (LNG) between PetroVietnam’s subsidiary PTSC and Excelerate Energy, and an AI and data centre development collaboration between Sovico Group and U.S.-based Supermicro. Budget airline Vietjet signed a $1.1 billion deal with Honeywell Aerospace Technologies for avionics and technical services to support its aircraft fleet.
Vietnamese President attended the forum To Lam, who is set to meet with US President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. Lam highlighted the potential for deeper collaboration between the two countries and expressed hope that the US would become Vietnam’s top foreign investor.
Vietnam has also been advocating for the US to officially recognise it as a market economy, a status that could ease trade tensions and reduce anti-dumping duties. However, the US Commerce Department recently classified Vietnam as a non-market economy, a designation Vietnam has long sought to change. If Vietnam reapplies, the process for review could take months.
A recent report from the International Panel on the Information Environment (IPIE) highlights social media owners, politicians, and governments as the primary threats to a trustworthy online news landscape. The report surveyed 412 experts across various academic fields and warned of the unchecked power social media platforms wield over content distribution and moderation. According to Philip Howard, a panel co-founder, such results pose a critical threat to the global flow of reliable information.
The report also raised concerns about major platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Allegations surfaced regarding biassed moderation, with Elon Musk’s X reportedly prioritising the owner’s posts and Meta being accused of neglecting non-English content. TikTok, under scrutiny for potential ties to the Chinese government, has consistently denied being an agent of any country. The panel emphasised that these platforms’ control over information significantly impacts public trust.
The survey revealed that around two-thirds of respondents anticipate the information environment will deteriorate, marking a noticeable increase in concern compared to previous years. Experts cited AI tools as a growing threat, with generative AI exacerbating the spread of misinformation. AI-generated videos and voice manipulation ranked as the top concerns, especially in developing countries with more acute impact.
However, not all views on AI are negative. Most respondents also saw its potential to combat misinformation by helping journalists sift through large datasets and detect false information. The report concluded by suggesting key solutions: promoting independent media, launching digital literacy initiatives, and enhancing fact-checking efforts to mitigate the negative trends in the digital information landscape.
America’s Three Mile Island energy plant, infamous for the worst nuclear accident in US history, is preparing to reopen after Microsoft signed a 20-year deal to purchase power from the facility. The plant is scheduled to restart in 2028 following upgrades and will supply clean energy to support Microsoft’s growing data centres, especially those focused on AI. The agreement is pending regulatory approval.
Constellation Energy, the plant owner, confirmed that the reactor set to restart is separate from the unit involved in the 1979 accident, which, while not fatal, created significant public fear surrounding nuclear power. This deal represents a revival of interest in atomic energy, driven by increasing concerns about climate change and rising energy needs. The CEO of Constellation described this move as a “rebirth” of nuclear power, highlighting its potential as a dependable source of carbon-free energy.
The plant’s reopening is projected to create 3,400 jobs and add over 800 megawatts of carbon-free electricity to the grid, driving significant economic activity. Although the revival has faced some protests, it underscores a growing trend among tech companies, with Amazon also exploring nuclear energy to meet its expanding energy demands.
LinkedIn has paused the use of UK user data to train its AI models after concerns were raised by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). The Microsoft-owned social network had quietly opted users worldwide into data collection for AI purposes but has now responded to the UK regulator’s scrutiny. LinkedIn acknowledged the concerns and expressed willingness to engage with the ICO further.
The decision to halt AI training with UK data follows growing privacy regulations in the UK and the European Union. These rules limit how tech companies, including LinkedIn, can use personal data to develop generative AI tools like chatbots and writing assistants. Like other platforms, LinkedIn had been leveraging user-generated content to enhance these AI models but has now introduced an opt-out mechanism for UK users to regain control over their data.
Regulatory bodies like the ICO continue to monitor big tech companies, emphasising the importance of privacy rights in the development of AI. As a result, LinkedIn and other platforms may face extended reviews before resuming AI-related activities that involve user data in the UK.
Demetris Skourides, the Chief Scientist, spoke at the Learning Innovation Summit 2024, stressing the significance of ethical AI development. He emphasised the EU AI Act’s role in establishing trustworthy AI systems that focus on ethics, transparency, and accountability. Skourides advocated for AI’s application in education, pointing out its ability to personalise learning, automate tasks, and enhance teaching environments.
He praised rapid AI advancements in Cyprus, with more than 50 companies leveraging the technology across key industries like healthcare and finance. Skourides highlighted the country’s commitment to upholding the EU AI Act, ensuring that AI systems meet the highest standards of accountability and ethics. The Chief Scientist also noted how Cyprus could generate new job opportunities through this AI revolution.
The potential for AI to transform education was a central theme. Skourides discussed the benefits of adaptive learning platforms, which can tailor lessons to individual students’ strengths, enabling each learner to reach their full potential. He urged educators to embrace AI, foreseeing a shift from rote memorisation to fostering creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration in the classroom.
Finally, Skourides called for a balanced approach to AI development. By equipping future generations with digital skills and ensuring that ethics remain central, AI’s power can be harnessed to drive both economic growth and innovation. He reaffirmed his commitment to advancing AI in education and collaborating with industry leaders to create an empowering learning environment.
African perspectives are vital for developing AI solutions tailored to the continent’s unique challenges, according to US officials. At the Global Inclusivity and AI: Africa Conference, the acting Special Envoy for Critical and Emerging Technology, Dr Seth Center, and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Joy Basu, emphasised the importance of African representation in shaping global AI policies.
The event focused on fostering deeper conversations about AI’s potential role in Africa’s development. Basu praised the diverse voices from across the continent and stressed the need for African leaders to influence AI’s future applications, especially in sectors like agriculture and healthcare. The conference marked a pivotal step in increasing African engagement in critical technology discussions, which are already being supported in global forums like the G20 and the United Nations.
AI could help Africa achieve its Sustainable Development Goals, addressing key challenges across agriculture, healthcare, and education, according to Dr Seth Center. He noted the transformative role AI can play in boosting economic development, reducing poverty, and improving healthcare access. However, collaboration, both regional and global, will be essential to ensuring that AI is developed responsibly.
Startups and entrepreneurs will play a significant role in shaping Africa’s AI landscape, with many countries already crafting national AI strategies. The African Union is also working on governance frameworks to enable cross-border collaboration. These efforts will help unlock opportunities for innovation, ensuring AI’s benefits reach all parts of the continent.
Mercor, an AI-driven recruitment platform, has secured $30 million in a Series A funding round, bringing its valuation to $250 million. The round attracted high-profile investors, including tech figures Jack Dorsey, Peter Thiel, Quora CEO Adam D’Angelo, and former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers. Benchmark’s Victor Lazarte and Bill Gurley led the round.
The platform uses AI to help companies recruit talent from leading firms such as Apple, Alphabet, Meta, Microsoft, and Nvidia. With over 300,000 candidates now in its pool, Mercor is streamlining the hiring process for employers.
The company’s recent success reflects a growing trend of significant investments in AI startups. Earlier this month, Safe Superintelligence, co-founded by former OpenAI chief scientist Ilya Sutskever, raised $1 billion to advance its AI development efforts.
A group of leading telecom companies, including Nvidia, Ericsson, Nokia, and T-Mobile US, have partnered to launch the first AI-RAN Innovation Centre. Located in Bellevue, Washington, the centre aims to transform Radio Access Networks (RAN) using AI.
T-Mobile explained that the centre aligns with the AI-RAN Alliance’s mission to improve open RAN technology, enhancing network performance through AI. The operator’s CEO, Mike Sievert, noted the immense potential AI holds for reshaping future mobile networks.
The companies highlighted that AI-RAN concepts will adopt open and containerised structures similar to open RAN but with added GPU-powered accelerated computing. This approach is expected to drive advancements in network reliability, performance, and efficiency.
Additionally, the centre will incorporate Nvidia’s AI Aerial platform, offering advanced tools for designing and deploying AI in wireless networks. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang emphasised the broad impact AI will have on the wireless industry, beyond traditional applications.
