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G7 Italy summit unveils AI action plan to balance AI risks and opportunities

Adopted on June 14, 2024, at the G7 Summit in Apulia, Italy, the Group of Seven (G7) Leaders’ Communiqué, expresses the wealthiest nations’ common pledges and actions to address multiple global issues. A portion of the Group of Seven (G7) declaration closing the Italian summit focuses on AI and other digital matters.

G7 leaders called for an action plan to manage AI’s risks and benefits, including developing and implementing an International Code of Conduct for organisations developing advanced AI systems, as unveiled last October under the Japanese G7 presidency. To maximise the advantages of AI while mitigating its threats, G7 nations commit to deepening their cooperation.

An action plan for the use of AI in the workplace was announced, together with the creation of a brand to promote the implementation and use of the International Code of Conduct for advanced AI systems, in cooperation with OECD. G7 leaders stressed the importance of global partnership to bridge the digital divide and ensure that people around the world have access to the benefits of AI and other technologies. The goal is to advance science, improve public health, accelerate the clean energy transition, promote sustainable development goals, etc.

Why does it matter?

The G7 is encouraging global collaboration within the group of countries, with the OECD, with other initiatives such as the Global Partnership on AI (GPAI), and towards the developing world, to facilitate the equitable distribution of the benefits of AI and other emerging technologies while minimising any threats. G7 leaders aim to mend technological gaps and address AI’s impact on workers. G7 labor ministers are tasked with designing measure to capitalize on AI’s potential, promote quality employment, and empower people, while also tackling potential barriers and risks to workers and labour markets.

G7 leaders agreed to intensify efforts to promote AI safety and enhance interoperability between diverse approaches to AI governance and risk management. That means strengthening collaboration between AI Safety Institutes in the US, UK, and equivalent bodies in other G7 nations and beyond, to improve global standards for AI development and implementation. The G7 also formed a ‘Semiconductors Point of Contact Group’ to strengthen cooperative efforts on addressing challenges affecting this critical industry that drives the AI ecosystem.

G7 nation’s commitments are consistent with the recent Seoul AI safety summit efforts and align with the intended goals of the upcoming United Nations Summit of the Future. Echoing the UN General Assembly landmark resolution on ‘seizing the opportunities of safe, secure, and trustworthy AI systems for sustainable development’ and Pope Francis’s historic address to the G7 leaders, the communiqué reflects the group’s unified stance on AI safety and the need for a framework for AI’s responsible development and use in the military.

Snapchat introduces advanced AI-powered AR features

Snap Inc, the owner of Snapchat, has unveiled a new iteration of its generative AI technology, enabling users to apply more realistic special effects when using their phone cameras. That move aims to keep Snapchat ahead of its social media competitors by enhancing its augmented reality (AR) capabilities, which superimpose digital effects onto real-world photos and videos.

In addition to this AI upgrade, Snap has introduced an enhanced version of its developer program, Lens Studio. The upgrade will significantly reduce the time required to create AR effects, cutting it from weeks to hours. The new Lens Studio also incorporates generative AI tools, including an AI assistant to help developers and a feature that can generate 3D images from text prompts.

Bobby Murphy, Snap’s chief technology officer, highlighted that these tools expand creative possibilities and are user-friendly, allowing even newcomers to create unique AR effects quickly. Plans for Snap include developing full-body AR experiences, such as generating new outfits, which are currently challenging to produce.

SewerAI utilises AI to detect sewer pipe issues

Sewage failures exacerbated by climate change and ageing infrastructure are becoming increasingly costly and common across the United States. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that nearly $700 billion is required over the next two decades to maintain existing wastewater and stormwater systems. In response to these challenges, Matthew Rosenthal and Billy Gilmartin, veterans of the wastewater treatment industry, founded SewerAI five years ago. Their goal was to leverage AI to improve the inspection and management of sewer infrastructure.

SewerAI’s AI-driven platform offers cloud-based subscription products tailored for municipalities, utilities, and private contractors. Their tools, such as Pioneer and AutoCode, streamline field inspections and data management by enabling inspectors to upload data and automatically tag issues. That approach enhances efficiency and helps project managers plan and prioritise infrastructure repairs based on accurate 3D models generated from inspection videos.

Unlike traditional methods that rely on outdated on-premise software, SewerAI’s technology increases productivity and reduces costs by facilitating more daily inspections. The company has distinguished itself in the competitive AI-assisted pipe inspection market by leveraging a robust dataset derived from 135 million feet of sewer pipe inspections. This data underpins their AI models, enabling precise defect detection and proactive infrastructure management.

Recently, SewerAI secured $15 million in funding from investors like Innovius Capital, bringing their total raised capital to $25 million. This investment will support SewerAI’s expansion efforts, including AI model refinement, hiring initiatives, and diversification of their product offerings beyond inspection tools. The company anticipates continued growth as it meets rising demand and deploys its technology to empower organisations to achieve more with existing infrastructure budgets.

Silicon Valley leaders discuss Côte d’Ivoire’s digital transformation

In Silicon Valley, leaders from the US Chamber, African business communities, and the governments of the US and Côte d’Ivoire gathered to discuss Côte d’Ivoire’s digital transformation. The event, which included visits to Google’s headquarters, explored opportunities for public-private collaboration and tech investment in West Africa, aiming to bridge Africa’s digital divide and foster growth for US and Ivorian businesses.

The conference emphasised the potential for US businesses to expand into Côte d’Ivoire, increase exports, and invest in the country, showcasing digital tools to help understand Africa’s market landscapes. The Ivorian Ministry of Digital Transition and Digitalization’s National Digital Development Strategy 2021-2025, focusing on innovation and digital trust, was a central topic. Projects like Cybastion’s national data centre and smart city centre are key components of this strategy.

Prominent speakers included Dr Eugene Aka Aoule of Côte d’Ivoire, US Ambassador Jessica Davis Ba, and Google’s Charles Murito. They highlighted initiatives like Google’s Grow with Google Program, aiming to equip businesses with digital tools. The US-Africa Business Center Vice President, Dr Guevera Yao, led a Q&A on economic development through digital transformation.

Côte d’Ivoire’s Digital Acceleration Zero Paper 2030 plan aims to leverage $600 million in investments to enhance e-government services, digital infrastructure, and broadband access. This commitment to digital transformation is echoed across the continent, with significant digital deals recently signed at the US-Kenya Business Forum, reinforcing the ongoing support for Africa’s digital growth.

Kazakhstan set to become regional digital hub with 5G rollout

Kazakhstan’s mobile operators plan to improve 5G coverage in Astana, Almaty, Shymkent and other regional centres to fully roll out 5G mobile communications by the end of 2025. This was stated by the Minister of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry, Zhaslan Madiyev, during a government meeting on 18 June chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov.

The Prime Minister’s press service mentioned that 1,144 base stations have been set up in 20 cities. It is projected that by the end of 2027, more than 450 billion tenge (equivalent to USD994.3 million) will be invested by mobile network providers in the telecommunications industry. Madiyev pointed out that internet usage in Kazakhstan is quickly approaching that of developed nations.

Compared to 2020, internet traffic has surged by 61.5%, while users have increased by 12.9%. Based on Ookla’s Speedtest data from April 2024, Kazakhstan ranks 66th globally in average internet speed, registering 43.6 megabits per second, outpacing countries like Russia, the Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan.

Senegal unveils strategy for strong digital infrastructure development

Isidore Diouf, the newly appointed Director General of Senegal Numérique SA, has pledged to prioritise the development of robust digital public infrastructure (DPI) as he takes office. Diouf aims to build on the progress made by his predecessor, Cheikh Bakhoum, to realise President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s vision of rapid digital transformation for Senegal. President Faye, who emphasised digital transformation during his campaign, has instructed his government to enhance the country’s digital infrastructure to achieve digital sovereignty.

Diouf’s agenda includes expanding Senegal’s digital economy to increase its contribution to the national GDP from the current 3.3 percent to 10 percent by 2025, as outlined in the Senegal Digital Strategy 2025. He plans to address low internet coverage, which is currently around 46 percent, and improve collaboration among government information systems. Additionally, Diouf will work on finalising the legal framework for personal data protection, digitising government services, and developing a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy.

As part of its digital transformation initiatives, Senegal Numérique recently partnered with the African Digital Development Agency (ADD) to share best practices and enhance the interoperability of government systems. That partnership aligns with Senegal’s national digital ID program, which was launched in 2022 and is a key component of the Senegal Digital Strategy 2025, which the UNDP supports. The program aims to modernise Senegal’s economy through technology, reinforcing the country’s commitment to becoming a leader in digital innovation in West Africa.

McDonald’s halts AI ordering test in drive-thrus

McDonald’s has decided to discontinue the use of AI ordering technology that was being tested at over 100 drive-thru locations in the US. The company had collaborated with IBM to develop and test this AI-driven, voice-automated system. Despite this decision, McDonald’s remains committed to exploring AI solutions, noting that IBM will remain a trusted partner in other areas. The discontinuation of this specific technology is set to occur by 26 July 2024.

The partnership between McDonald’s and IBM began in 2021 as part of McDonald’s ‘Accelerating the Arches’ growth plan, which aimed to enhance customer experience through Automated Order Taking (AOT) technology. IBM highlighted the AOT’s capabilities as being among the most advanced in the industry, emphasising its speed and accuracy. Nonetheless, McDonald’s is reassessing its strategy for implementing AOT and intends to find long-term, scalable AI solutions by the end of 2024.

McDonald’s move to pause its AI ordering technology reflects broader challenges within the fast-food industry’s adoption of AI. Other chains like White Castle and Wendy’s have also experimented with similar technologies. However, these initiatives have faced hurdles, including customer complaints about incorrect orders due to the AI’s difficulty in understanding different accents and filtering out background noise. Despite these setbacks, the fast-food sector continues to push forward with AI innovations to improve operational efficiency and customer service.

G7 summit underscores ethical AI, digital inclusion, and global solidarity

The G7 leaders met with counterparts from several countries, including Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, and India, along with heads of major international organisations such as the African Development Bank and the UN, to address global challenges impacting the Global South. They emphasised the need for a unified and equitable international response to these issues, underscoring solidarity and shared responsibility to ensure inclusive solutions.

Pope Francis made an unprecedented appearance at the summit, contributing valuable insights on AI. The leaders discussed AI’s potential to enhance industrial productivity while cautioning against its possible negative impacts on the labour market and society. They stressed the importance of developing AI that is ethical, transparent, and respects human rights, advocating for AI to improve services while protecting workers.

The leaders highlighted the necessity of bridging digital divides and promoting digital inclusion, supporting Italy’s proposal for an AI Hub for Sustainable Development. The hub aims to strengthen local AI ecosystems and advance AI’s role in sustainable development.

They also emphasised the importance of education, lifelong learning, and international mobility to equip workers with the necessary skills to work with AI. Finally, the leaders committed to fostering cooperation with developing and emerging economies to close digital gaps, including the gender digital divide, and achieve broader digital inclusion.

Toshiba plans ¥100 billion investment in power semiconductors

Toshiba Corp has announced a significant investment of about ¥100 billion to expand its power semiconductor production over the next three years. It aims to boost sales of chips essential for electric vehicles and industrial devices. That move is part of Toshiba’s broader efforts to revitalise its business and meet the rising demand for efficient power control technologies amid the global shift towards decarbonisation.

The investment will enhance production capacity at Toshiba’s factories in Ishikawa and Hyogo prefectures and in Thailand. These power semiconductors are crucial for optimising efficiency in all-electric cars and other equipment requiring active electric current control. Toshiba is also considering partnerships with other firms to improve production efficiency, alongside its planned collaboration with semiconductor manufacturer Rohm Co.

The expansion is part of Toshiba’s larger 400 billion yen capital investment plan, which includes 20 billion yen for upgrading plants in Kanagawa Prefecture and India that produce power grid devices. These strategic moves come after Toshiba’s delisting in December, following a ¥2 trillion buyout by a consortium led by Japan Industrial Partners Inc., aimed at restructuring the company after a series of corporate scandals in the 2010s.

In its recent growth strategy, Toshiba outlined plans to reduce its workforce in Japan by up to 6 percent through early retirement packages while concentrating on expanding in growth areas such as power semiconductors and digital technologies. The dual approach aims to streamline operations and position the company for future success.

LinkedIn unveils AI-driven features to enhance job hunting and recruitment

LinkedIn is using AI to streamline the job hunting process, aiming to alleviate the task of job searching for its users. The professional networking giant announced a suite of AI-driven features designed to match job seekers with opportunities more efficiently, ensuring that both employers and potential employees find the best fit with minimal effort. “We’ve been building with AI since 2007. We use it heavily for connecting people… for defense and how we keep trust in the ecosystem. It’s one of our most powerful tools,” its head of product, Tomer Cohen, said in an interview.

What is new?

Central to LinkedIn’s new offerings is an AI-powered recommendation engine that analyses user profiles, past job searches, and application history to suggest relevant job openings. The tool not only personalizes job recommendations but also learns from user interactions to refine its suggestions over time. LinkedIn’s goal is to significantly reduce the time and effort required for job seekers to find suitable roles, increasing the chances of matching them with positions that align closely with their skills and career aspirations.

LinkedIn is also rolling out AI tools designed to assist users in crafting more effective resumes and cover letters. These tools provide real-time feedback, highlighting key areas for improvement and suggesting changes to better align documents with job descriptions. By leveraging natural language processing, LinkedIn aims to help job seekers present their qualifications in the best possible light, ultimately increasing their chances of securing interviews.

To further support job seekers, LinkedIn is introducing AI-enhanced skill assessments and training modules. These features allow users to identify gaps in their skill sets and access personalized learning resources to address these deficiencies. The AI system recommends specific courses and certifications that can improve a user’s profile, making them more attractive to potential employers.

In addition to its AI-driven tools, LinkedIn is expanding the availability of Recruiter 2024, a comprehensive recruitment platform that leverages AI to help companies find and engage top talent more effectively. The platform will now include more tools for marketers, enabling them to reach and connect with their target audiences more efficiently. LinkedIn is also introducing enhanced premium company pages for small businesses, providing them with advanced features to showcase their brand and attract potential employees.

Why does it matter?

That move highlights the transformative potential of AI in professional networking. While job markets are becoming more competitive and fast-paced, LinkedIn’s embrace of AI technology represents a significant step in making the job hunting process more efficient and effective for both job seekers and employers:

Efficiency and personalization: AI-driven features can drastically reduce the time and effort required for job seekers to find relevant positions, leading to a more personalized and efficient job search experience.
Competitive edge: By assisting users in creating more compelling resumes and cover letters, LinkedIn’s AI tools can give job seekers a competitive edge in the increasingly crowded job market.
Skills development: The focus on personalized skill assessments and training can help job seekers stay relevant in their fields, addressing the skills gap that many industries face today.
Employer benefits: For employers, these AI-driven tools can lead to better job matches, reducing turnover and ensuring that new hires are well-suited for their roles.