Digital standards Archives | Page 366 of 393

EU plans legislation for car data access

The European Commission is preparing to introduce legislation that would allow insurers, leasing firms, and repair shops greater access to vehicle data.

The proposed law is expected to be published later this year, and it is a response to growing tensions between car service providers, automakers, and tech companies over the control and monetisation of valuable in-vehicle data.

Currently, vehicle data, ranging from driving habits to fuel efficiency, is not clearly defined in European law, leading to disputes over who owns it.

With the connected car market projected to be worth billions in the coming years, the Commission is stepping in to ensure that all sectors of the automotive industry can benefit from this data.

However, carmakers have expressed concerns, warning that the new law could compromise trade secrets and lead to misuse of sensitive information.

The debate has also highlighted fears about the dominance of Big Tech, with companies like Google and Apple already making inroads into car infotainment systems.

The Commission’s proposal could reshape the landscape by offering more equitable access to the data that is crucial for developing new products and services.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

MIPS shifts focus to AI chips for robotics

MIPS, a long-established Silicon Valley company, has revealed a shift in its strategy to focus on designing chips for AI-driven robots.

Once known for competing with Arm Holdings in computing architecture, MIPS now aims to create specialised chips for sensing, decision-making, and controlling robot movements.

However, move like this one comes as the demand for robotics technology, particularly in areas like autonomous vehicles, grows rapidly.

MIPS’ decision marks a major transition from licensing its technology to designing its own chips. Chief Executive Sameer Wasson stated that the company would initially target the automotive industry, with plans to have technology integrated into cars by 2027.

Despite focusing on chip design, MIPS intends to continue licensing its technology to other firms.

This strategic pivot is expected to position MIPS as a key player in the robotics sector, particularly as AI continues to revolutionise industries.

Although MIPS is not transitioning into a full-fledged silicon company, its decision to develop tangible, working chips is aimed at providing greater confidence to potential customers and partners.

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EU set to implement Entry/Exit System for border control

The European Union has reached an agreement to finally implement the long-awaited Entry/Exit System (EES), which will modernise border checks for short-stay travellers.

After several delays due to technical issues and a lack of readiness, the system is now set to begin operations in autumn, though a specific launch date has yet to be determined.

Member states will have the option to introduce the system all at once or in phases over a six-month transition period, with the full implementation to be completed by the end of the transition.

The EES, which was first proposed in 2016, aims to replace traditional passport stamping by collecting biometric data from non-EU visitors, including photos and fingerprints.

This data will be recorded each time visitors enter or exit the Schengen Area. The system is designed to improve border control, help authorities identify overstayers, and prevent identity fraud.

While Cyprus and Ireland will not participate in the new system, all other EU member states and four Schengen-associated countries will be involved.

Poland, which currently holds the EU Council’s rotating presidency, will lead negotiations with the European Parliament to finalise the law.

Tomasz Siemoniak, Poland’s Minister for Internal Affairs, indicated that a final agreement should be reached smoothly, with October set as the target for full implementation.

The EES is expected to provide authorities with new tools to enhance security and better manage borders within the Schengen Area.

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Musk’s bid to halt OpenAI’s for-profit transition rejected

A US court has denied Elon Musk’s request for a preliminary injunction against OpenAI’s transition into a for-profit organisation.

US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruled that Musk did not meet the high standards required to block the move. However, the judge indicated that she would expedite a trial on the matter, which is expected to take place later this year.

Musk, who co-founded OpenAI in 2015 but left before its major success, argued that OpenAI had initially sought his charitable funding to create AI for the public good, but has since shifted its focus towards making profits.

His lawyer, Marc Toberoff, expressed satisfaction that the judge had agreed to a swift trial, claiming that the case involves urgent public interest concerns.

OpenAI, which is seeking to become a for-profit entity to attract the necessary capital for its AI projects, welcomed the court’s decision.

The company emphasised that its goal is to develop advanced AI models to benefit society. Musk’s legal action, which also includes antitrust claims, stems from his frustration with OpenAI’s shift in direction since he departed from the organisation.

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Mintoak’s Digiledge acquisition boosts digital payment solutions

Indian fintech startup Mintoak has acquired Digiledge in a deal valued at around $3.5 million, marking the first acquisition in India‘s central bank digital currency (CBDC) sector.

The move comes as the Reserve Bank of India continues expanding its pilot for the e-rupee, which was launched in December 2022 as a digital alternative to physical currency.

Mintoak, backed by PayPal and HDFC Bank, aims to enhance its merchant payment services by integrating Digiledge’s CBDC and bill payment capabilities.

Mintoak’s partner banks, including HDFC Bank, Axis Bank, and SBI, will now be able to offer a broader range of CBDC-related payment solutions.

CEO Raman Khanduja stated that the acquisition would help merchant acquirers support small and medium enterprises with improved digital tools and financial services. The expansion aligns with India’s growing efforts to strengthen digital transactions and financial inclusion.

Several payment firms are actively seeking to participate in the CBDC pilot, with Cred and MobiKwik already enabling customer access earlier this year.

Google Pay, PhonePe, and Amazon Pay have also expressed interest in joining, as India’s digital payments ecosystem continues to evolve rapidly.

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FCC raises concerns over EU’s online regulation impact on free speech

The chairman of the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has criticised the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), warning it could excessively limit free speech.

Speaking at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Brendan Carr argued that the European Union‘s content moderation law is incompatible with America’s free speech tradition and puts undue pressure on US tech firms operating in Europe.

Carr’s comments reflect growing tensions between the United States and Europe over digital regulation. The FCC chairman accused the DSA of promoting censorship, echoing concerns raised by US Vice President JD Vance at an AI summit in Paris.

The Trump administration has made free speech a key policy focus, with President Trump vowing to combat online censorship and warning of scrutiny over the DSA’s impact on US businesses.

Tech giants such as Apple, Meta, and Alphabet have been asked to explain how they plan to comply with both the DSA and US free speech principles.

Some companies are considering geofencing to create separate platforms for different regions, though Carr questioned whether this would be practical.

The European Commission defended the law, stating it aims to protect fundamental rights and ensure a safer online environment.

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Microsoft retires Skype, focuses on Teams

Skype, the pioneering internet calling service that revolutionised communication in the early 2000s, will make its final call on May 5, as Microsoft retires the platform after two decades.

This move is part of Microsoft’s strategy to concentrate on its Teams service, which has become central to its business communication offerings, particularly since the pandemic.

Despite its early success and a peak of hundreds of millions of users, Skype struggled to compete with newer services like Zoom and Slack.

The platform’s decline was partly due to its inability to adapt to the mobile era, while Microsoft’s Teams has successfully integrated with Office applications, securing its position in the corporate sector.

Microsoft has assured Skype users that they will be able to transition smoothly to Teams, with their contacts and chats migrating automatically. While Skype had once been a major player, its decline mirrors other Microsoft missteps, such as its failed ventures with Internet Explorer and Windows Phone.

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UK regulator sets deadline for assessing online content risks

Britain’s media regulator, Ofcom, has set a 31 March deadline for social media and online platforms to submit a risk assessment on the likelihood of users encountering illegal content. This move follows new laws passed last year requiring companies such as Meta’s Facebook and Instagram, as well as ByteDance’s TikTok, to take action against criminal activities on their platforms. Under the Online Safety Act, these firms must assess and address the risks of offences like terrorism, hate crimes, child sexual exploitation, and financial fraud.

The risk assessment must evaluate how likely it is for users to come across illegal content, or how user-to-user services could facilitate criminal activities. Ofcom has warned that failure to meet the deadline could result in enforcement actions against the companies. The new regulations aim to make online platforms safer and hold them accountable for the content shared on their sites.

The deadline is part of the UK‘s broader push to regulate online content and enhance user safety. Social media giants are now facing stricter scrutiny to ensure they are addressing potential risks associated with their platforms and protecting users from harmful content.

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Super Mario Bros. challenges AI models more than expected

A group of researchers from Hao AI Lab at the University of California San Diego has suggested that Super Mario Bros. might actually be a tougher challenge for AI than Pokémon. In a recent experiment, AI models were tasked with playing the game, and while Anthropic’s Claude 3.7 performed the best, models like Google’s Gemini 1.5 Pro and OpenAI’s GPT-4o struggled. The game was not the original 1985 version but instead ran in an emulator integrated with GamingAgent, a framework that provided basic instructions and screenshots for the AI to control Mario.

The AI had to generate inputs, such as Python code, based on the given instructions to navigate Mario through the game’s challenges. The researchers found that while the game required models to plan complex manoeuvres and strategies, reasoning models like OpenAI’s o1 performed worse than non-reasoning models. This is because reasoning models typically take longer to decide on actions, and in a real-time game like Super Mario Bros., timing is critical.

While games have long been used to benchmark AI, some experts question the relevance of gaming skills as a measure of technological advancement. Andrej Karpathy, a research scientist at OpenAI, has expressed concerns over the current AI evaluation process, calling it an ‘evaluation crisis.’ Despite these concerns, watching AI take on Super Mario Bros. provides an interesting glimpse into how far AI has come, even if the benchmarks remain unclear.

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Democrats call for clarification on cyber pause against Russia

Democratic lawmakers are calling for an explanation from the Pentagon after reports surfaced about an order to pause offensive cyber operations against Russia during sensitive negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.

The decision to halt such operations, which disrupt rival computer networks, is not unusual in the context of diplomatic efforts but has raised concerns among lawmakers. The order was first reported by The Record and later confirmed by two anonymous sources familiar with the matter.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticised the move, calling it a ‘critical strategic mistake’ and arguing that ‘the best defence is always a strong offence’, especially in cybersecurity.

Representative Adam Smith, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, also demanded that the Pentagon provide Congress with details regarding the scope of the pause and its potential impact on US allies. He further questioned whether a risk assessment was made before the decision.

The Pentagon declined to comment on the matter, citing operational security concerns. The pause in cyber operations comes amid rising tensions surrounding President Donald Trump’s recent dealings with Russia, including a public clash with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

Trump has shifted US policy by engaging in talks with Moscow and openly criticising Zelenskiy, suggesting that America could pull its support for Ukraine if the war does not end soon.

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