insert_link Science & Technology Should governments ban TikTok? Can they? A cybersecurity expert explains the risks the app poses and the challenges to blocking it Is a wildly popular social media app a threat to U.S. citizens? AP Photo/Michael Dwyer By Doug Jacobson, Iowa State University The U.S. House of Representatives voted 352-65 on March 13, 2024, to require TikTok’s parent company, China-based ByteDance, to sell the app or face a nationwide ban on TikTok. President Joe Biden said on March 8 that he would sign the legislation if it reached his […] todayMarch 14, 2024 19
insert_link Science & Technology China says will take ‘all necessary measures’ to protect interests after US TikTok vote China on Thursday slammed the approval of a US bill that would ban TikTok unless it severs ties with its Chinese parent company, vowing that Beijing would "take all necessary measures" to protect the interests of its companies overseas. The short-video app has soared in popularity worldwide but its ownership by Chinese technology giant ByteDance -- and alleged subservience to Beijing's ruling Communist Party -- has fuelled concern […] todayMarch 14, 2024 23
insert_link Science & Technology Google prepares election policy roll-out worldwide Google has confirmed it is restricting the types of election-related questions users can ask its Artificial Intelligence chatbot Gemini. The company says the policy has already been rolled out in India, which will hold elections starting in April. A spokesperson for Google told the BBC that the latest move was part of plans announced last year around its approach to elections. Elections are due to be held in countries around […] todayMarch 13, 2024 23
insert_link Science & Technology AI bias: the organised struggle against automated discrimination varuna/Shutterstock By Philip Di Salvo, University of St.Gallen and Antje Scharenberg, University of St.Gallen In public administrations across Europe, artificial intelligence (AI) and automated decision making (ADM) systems are already being used extensively. These systems, often built on opaque “black box” algorithms, recognise our faces in public, organise unemployment programmes, and even forecast exam grades. Their task is to predict human behaviour and to make decisions, even in […] todayMarch 12, 2024 39
insert_link Science & Technology China urges AI investment post-political summit China's biggest political gathering of the year wrapped up on Monday, as delegates called for more investment in artificial intelligence. Laura Westbrook has more. todayMarch 11, 2024 33
insert_link Namibia Local lecturer tackles ethical dilemmas in Artificial Intelligence Artificial Intelligence, including tools like ChatGPT, is increasingly becoming mainstream, with companies investing billions of dollars in the hope that it will revolutionize our daily lives. However, CNN reports that there are growing concerns about biases, inaccuracies, and ethical issues associated with AI technology. We reached out to Dr. Clayton Peel, a senior communication lecturer at the Namibia University of Science and Technology for comment. todayMarch 11, 2024 37
insert_link Africa Africa’s renewable energy sector is shattering gender norms By Bonface Orucho, bird story agency Africa's fast-evolving renewable energy landscape is catalysing a shift in gender dynamics, with more women seizing employment opportunities than in the traditional energy sector, according to a new report. According to the report, “more women are assuming positions as business creators, energy producers, distributors, and service providers,” challenging longstanding gender norms prevalent in the energy industry. The report, “Empowering Women in Clean […] todayMarch 8, 2024 25
Africa Nigeria is the second fastest-growing country in the world for software developers, Egypt seventh Conrad Onyango, bird story agency The latest data from GitHub, a global hub for software development, has listed the two African economies - Nigeria and Egypt - as among the world’s 10 fastest-growing countries for software development in 2023. It may come as no surprise that software development is on the rise in Africa. Vibrant startup hubs across the continent have become famous, with Silicon Cape, Silicon Savannah and Silicon […] todayMarch 8, 2024 15
Africa West Africa’s coast was a haven for piracy and illegal fishing – how technology is changing the picture By Ifesinachi Okafor-Yarwood, University of St Andrews The Gulf of Guinea – a coastal region that stretches from Senegal to Angola – is endowed with vast reserves of hydrocarbon, mineral and fisheries resources. It is also an important route for international commerce, making it critical to the development of countries in the region. For a long time, however, countries in the Gulf of Guinea haven’t properly monitored […] todayMarch 7, 2024 19