Home | Newsletters & Shorts | DW Weekly #167 – 5 July 2024

DW Weekly #167 – 5 July 2024

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Dear readers, 

Welcome to another issue of the Digital Watch weekly! 

‘We have won the war on floppy disks on June 28!’ Japan’s Minister for Digital Transformation, Taro Kono cheerfully announced a few days ago. That sentence may make you think ‘Good riddance!’ or ‘Oh wow, I haven’t used one of those in ages’ (if you’re not Japanese). Or it might make you think: ‘What’s a floppy disk?’

A floppy disk, or just floppy, is a flexible removable magnetic disk (typically encased in a plastic envelope or a hard plastic shell) for storing data. Here’s the kicker: floppies can only hold between 800 KB and 2.8 MB of data, with 1.44 MB being the standard. 

Until recently, they were very much used in Japanese admin. However, two years ago, Kono declared war on floppies. He vowed that the digital agency where he is in charge will change over 1,000 government procedures that require the use of floppies so that online services can be used instead. So they did it, and they ‘won the war’.

But why were floppies in use in Japan until recently? Various explanations have been posited, from the conservative nature of bureaucracy to the floppy’s reliability. Not only does physical media offer a higher degree of authenticity of information, but floppies almost never break or lose data. Maybe it can all be summed up as: If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.

The next frontier? Fax machines, Kono said at a conference in June

Drawing of Japan’s Minister for Digital Transformation Taro Kono standing in front of a large red circle, smiling and holding up a paper decree in front of multiple microphones. At the side is a yellow garbage container overflowing with floppy disks.

In other news, a World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) report shows China leads in AI patents, though US firms dominate in advanced AI systems. In another major event, 10 billion passwords were leaked in the largest publication of a compilation of passwords to date.

Andrijana and the Digital Watch team


Highlights from the week of 28 June-5 July 2024

united nations headquarters in new york city

The SDOs argue that these proposals promote centralisation, which they believe would harm the internet and global economies and societies.

flag of the united nations

The non-binding resolution, initiated by China and co-sponsored by several other countries, seeks to foster international cooperation and urge organisations and financial institutions to support this cause.

abstract technology ai computing

Over the past decade, 54,000 GenAI inventions were recorded, with a significant surge occurring in the last year. China contributed over 38,200 patents, compared to nearly 6,300 from the USA.

ai brain intelligent ai technology digital graphic design electronics ai machine learning robot human brain science artificial intelligence technology innovation futuristic

The EU is far behind its 2030 AI targets, with only 11% of firms using AI. Optimistic leaders call for more investments, cooperation, and a completed Digital Single Market.

flag of japan

AI integration in Japan’s defence aims at combat speed and operational efficiency.

Apple

Apple plans to integrate ChatGPT into its devices, aiming to boost AI capabilities and meet consumer demand.

gpu chipset workforce

The programme is part of a broader $39 billion effort to enhance US chipmaking capabilities and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers.

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The initiative, which includes considerations for ethics and safety, aims to unify Chinese research efforts and position the country as a leader in international BCI standards.

massive password leak

The RockYou2024 data will be included in Cybernews’ Leaked Password Checker to help users identify if their credentials were compromised.

croatia flag close up

Authorities have been notified, and a criminal investigation is underway.

woman using laptop wood desk with cyberattack warning screen cyber security concept

The incident compromised the personal data of customers, including sensitive information such as Social Security Numbers and medical records, with unauthorised activity traced back to late October 2023.

law and justice in united states of america

The justices unanimously overturned lower court decisions due to inadequate consideration of First Amendment implications and directed further analysis.

japan banknotes

Despite the rise in cashless transactions, cash remains significant, and the redesign aims to stimulate consumer spending and productivity amid inflationary pressures.



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Upcoming

8N6ikeWA un flag blue

The UN OEWG 2021-2025 8th substantive session will focus on adopting the group’s annual progress report (APR), taking stock of the group’s discussions on threats to information security, rules, norms, and principles of responsible behaviour of states, international law, confidence-building measures (CBMs), capacity building efforts, and a regular open-ended institutional dialogue under the auspices of the UN.

hlpf

The High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) 2024 will take place from 8 to 17 July under the theme ‘Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda and eradicating poverty in times of multiple crises: the effective delivery of sustainable, resilient and innovative solutions’.