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New global AI safety commitments echo EU’s risk-based approach
It’s been a busy week for AI policymakers. The EU has sealed the deal on its AI Act. Meanwhile, in Seoul, South Korea, 16 world-leading companies have signed the “Frontier AI Safety Commitments,” and a group of countries have promised to work together on mitigating risks associated with the technology. To say that the past year was the one when the world woke up to AI would be an understatement. The launch of ChatGPT in late 2022 catapulted a previously behind-the-scenes technology into conversations around the dinner table and parliamentary halls alike. And all of a sudden, an apocalyptic future…This story continues at The Next Web
It’s been a busy week for AI policymakers. The EU has sealed the deal on its AI Act. Meanwhile, in Seoul, South Korea, 16 world-leading companies have signed the “Frontier AI Safety Commitments,” and a group of countries have promised to work together on mitigating risks associated with the technology. To say that the past year was the one when the world woke up to AI would be an understatement. The launch of ChatGPT in late 2022 catapulted a previously behind-the-scenes technology into conversations around the dinner table and parliamentary halls alike. And all of a sudden, an apocalyptic future…
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ESA enlists European duo to develop space cargo return shuttles
The European Space Agency (ESA) has enlisted two companies to develop cargo shuttle vehicles for low Earth orbit. ESA awarded the new contracts to the Exploration Company in Germany and Thales Alenia Space in Italy. The services are due to deliver supplies to the International Space Station (ISS). Once the ISS is retired in 2030, they could also send cargo to the space station’s successors. ESA even envisions the shuttles taking people to the cosmos. “The LEO Cargo Return Service project exemplifies ESA’s commitment to ensuring Europe’s prominent role in space exploration,” said Daniel Neuenschwander, Director of Human and Robotic…This story continues at The Next Web
The European Space Agency (ESA) has enlisted two companies to develop cargo shuttle vehicles for low Earth orbit. ESA awarded the new contracts to the Exploration Company in Germany and Thales Alenia Space in Italy. The services are due to deliver supplies to the International Space Station (ISS). Once the ISS is retired in 2030, they could also send cargo to the space station’s successors. ESA even envisions the shuttles taking people to the cosmos. “The LEO Cargo Return Service project exemplifies ESA’s commitment to ensuring Europe’s prominent role in space exploration,” said Daniel Neuenschwander, Director of Human and Robotic…
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Chip wars: ASML could reportedly brick its machines in Taiwan if China invades
Chip machine-maker ASML reportedly has the power to remotely disable its equipment in TSMC’s fabs, should China invade Taiwan. TSMC is the biggest client of ASML’s EUV lithography systems, which use extreme ultraviolet (EUV) wavelengths to manufacture the highest grade of semiconductors. These chips enable a wide range of use cases, from smart tech like phones and car electronics to (most importantly) AI and military applications. EUVs are the most advanced machines on the market — and ASML is the world’s sole manufacturer. This puts the Dutch tech giant (once again) at the centre of an escalating chip war. Citing…This story continues at The Next Web
Chip machine-maker ASML reportedly has the power to remotely disable its equipment in TSMC’s fabs, should China invade Taiwan. TSMC is the biggest client of ASML’s EUV lithography systems, which use extreme ultraviolet (EUV) wavelengths to manufacture the highest grade of semiconductors. These chips enable a wide range of use cases, from smart tech like phones and car electronics to (most importantly) AI and military applications. EUVs are the most advanced machines on the market — and ASML is the world’s sole manufacturer. This puts the Dutch tech giant (once again) at the centre of an escalating chip war. Citing…
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TNW Podcast: Cybersecurity in AI with Peter Garraghan; chatbot wars in Europe
Welcome to the new episode of the TNW Podcast — the show where we discuss the latest developments in the European technology ecosystem and feature interviews with some of the most interesting people in the industry. In today’s episode, Linnea and Andrii talk about multilingual LLMs, Raspberry Pi, OpenAI and Scarlett Johansson, AI-written essays, and more. The guest of the show is Peter Garraghan, CEO and co-founder at Mindgard. We discuss the questions of security of generative AI, potential attacks on it, and what businesses can do today to be at least reasonably safe. Here are the stories and things…This story continues at The Next Web
Welcome to the new episode of the TNW Podcast — the show where we discuss the latest developments in the European technology ecosystem and feature interviews with some of the most interesting people in the industry. In today’s episode, Linnea and Andrii talk about multilingual LLMs, Raspberry Pi, OpenAI and Scarlett Johansson, AI-written essays, and more. The guest of the show is Peter Garraghan, CEO and co-founder at Mindgard. We discuss the questions of security of generative AI, potential attacks on it, and what businesses can do today to be at least reasonably safe. Here are the stories and things…
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Creating an inclusion blueprint for lasting impact
In today’s deeply divided world, where a spirit of isolationism and separation seeks to undermine the ideal of community and unity, those of us who understand that purposeful inclusion — rather than performative diversity programmes — is the alchemist’s stone must be clearer. Inclusion is simple, but it is not easy. There is ample evidence to suggest the ROI of investing in D&I. McKinsey & Company reported in 2020 that companies in the top quartile for gender diversity on executive teams were 25% more likely to have above-average profitability than companies in the fourth quartile. For ethnic and cultural diversity,…This story continues at The Next Web
In today’s deeply divided world, where a spirit of isolationism and separation seeks to undermine the ideal of community and unity, those of us who understand that purposeful inclusion — rather than performative diversity programmes — is the alchemist’s stone must be clearer. Inclusion is simple, but it is not easy. There is ample evidence to suggest the ROI of investing in D&I. McKinsey & Company reported in 2020 that companies in the top quartile for gender diversity on executive teams were 25% more likely to have above-average profitability than companies in the fourth quartile. For ethnic and cultural diversity,…
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As UK launches semiconductor institute, EU chips get €2.5B boost
Amid a global race for semiconductor independence, the UK announced today a designated institute that will oversee its £1bn strategy on growing its chips sector. At the same time, Belgium-based research hub imec has landed €2.5bn in funding from the EU Chips Act. Dubbed the UK Semiconductor Institute, the independent body will bring together government, universities, and the private sector to support the key focus areas of the national strategy: compound chips, design, and research and development. Specifically, the institute has three main tasks. The first one is ensuring that chip researchers have the necessary tools and infrastructure to advance…This story continues at The Next Web
Amid a global race for semiconductor independence, the UK announced today a designated institute that will oversee its £1bn strategy on growing its chips sector. At the same time, Belgium-based research hub imec has landed €2.5bn in funding from the EU Chips Act. Dubbed the UK Semiconductor Institute, the independent body will bring together government, universities, and the private sector to support the key focus areas of the national strategy: compound chips, design, and research and development. Specifically, the institute has three main tasks. The first one is ensuring that chip researchers have the necessary tools and infrastructure to advance…
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EU’s AI Act set to enter force next month
The EU’s AI Act is set to enter force next month after receiving a final rubber-stamp from the European Council. Ministers today endorsed a political deal on the landmark law, billed as the world’s first comprehensive rules on AI. The law applies a risk-based approach to regulation. The strictest restrictions only apply to “high-risk” systems, from cars to law enforcement tools. Deployments designated “unacceptable” — such as social credit scoring — will be banned altogether. Although the EU set these rules, they will apply to any company that provides services or products within the bloc. That’s caused alarm in Silicon…This story continues at The Next Web
The EU’s AI Act is set to enter force next month after receiving a final rubber-stamp from the European Council. Ministers today endorsed a political deal on the landmark law, billed as the world’s first comprehensive rules on AI. The law applies a risk-based approach to regulation. The strictest restrictions only apply to “high-risk” systems, from cars to law enforcement tools. Deployments designated “unacceptable” — such as social credit scoring — will be banned altogether. Although the EU set these rules, they will apply to any company that provides services or products within the bloc. That’s caused alarm in Silicon…
This story continues at The Next Web
French startup Pascal inks deal for Saudi Arabia’s first quantum computer
Over the past couple of years, the Gulf states have been putting their oil money to use buying up thousands of the latest AI chips. However, thus far they have been relatively quiet when it comes to investing in quantum technology. That is now starting to change. Yesterday, Massy-based startup Pascal announced it had signed a deal with Saudi Arabian oil group Aramco for the installation of the first quantum computer in the country. According to the deal, Pascal will deliver and install a 200-qubit system by the second half of 2025. Pascal was founded in 2019 and currently commercialises…This story continues at The Next Web
Over the past couple of years, the Gulf states have been putting their oil money to use buying up thousands of the latest AI chips. However, thus far they have been relatively quiet when it comes to investing in quantum technology. That is now starting to change. Yesterday, Massy-based startup Pascal announced it had signed a deal with Saudi Arabian oil group Aramco for the installation of the first quantum computer in the country. According to the deal, Pascal will deliver and install a 200-qubit system by the second half of 2025. Pascal was founded in 2019 and currently commercialises…
This story continues at The Next Web
Swiss startup creates modular device for on-demand cell therapy manufacturing
Switzerland-based Limula today announced a raise of $6.8mn (€6.2mn) to further develop its technology, which aims to automate cell therapy manufacturing. Gene and cell therapies have emerged as a promising treatment for life-threatening or difficult-to-manage diseases such as cancer, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s. Such therapies place healthy genes and cells into the body to repair or replace malfunctioning on damaged ones. But despite their potential benefits, the high cost (up to $4.25mn) of these treatments comes with major accessibility barriers. Founded in 2020 by Dr Yann Pierson, Dr Luc Henry, and Dr Thomas Eaton, the Swiss startup seeks to replace outdated…This story continues at The Next Web
Switzerland-based Limula today announced a raise of $6.8mn (€6.2mn) to further develop its technology, which aims to automate cell therapy manufacturing. Gene and cell therapies have emerged as a promising treatment for life-threatening or difficult-to-manage diseases such as cancer, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s. Such therapies place healthy genes and cells into the body to repair or replace malfunctioning on damaged ones. But despite their potential benefits, the high cost (up to $4.25mn) of these treatments comes with major accessibility barriers. Founded in 2020 by Dr Yann Pierson, Dr Luc Henry, and Dr Thomas Eaton, the Swiss startup seeks to replace outdated…
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Ebikes are more popular than ever, but we’re nowhere near a car-less world
Moving to Amsterdam was eye-opening. Having grown up in the car-centric UK and struggled to cycle in London, it felt as though the Dutch embrace of bikes was innate, something that simply happened due to a quirk of national character. This, of course, proved incorrect. The Netherlands’ cycle culture didn’t spring from nowhere. Instead, its centrality in day-to-day life was created and planned, rather than miraculously appearing from the heavens. The postcards and videos also hide the fact that while the Dutch might be leaders in urban cycling, it doesn’t mean they’ve abandoned cars. Far from it. In fact, there…This story continues at The Next Web
Moving to Amsterdam was eye-opening. Having grown up in the car-centric UK and struggled to cycle in London, it felt as though the Dutch embrace of bikes was innate, something that simply happened due to a quirk of national character. This, of course, proved incorrect. The Netherlands’ cycle culture didn’t spring from nowhere. Instead, its centrality in day-to-day life was created and planned, rather than miraculously appearing from the heavens. The postcards and videos also hide the fact that while the Dutch might be leaders in urban cycling, it doesn’t mean they’ve abandoned cars. Far from it. In fact, there…
This story continues at The Next Web