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News That Caught Our Eye #32: October 17, 2024

Published on January 1, 1970

Summary

This Week in AI News: The U.S. military is deploying the AI-powered Maven Smart System to assist in disaster relief for Hurricane Helene, while Colorado debates the use of AI facial recognition in schools, balancing safety and privacy concerns. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is exploring an AI governance framework to improve services for veterans, and a new memorandum (M-24-18) from the White House's Office of Management and Budget outlines guidelines for the responsible acquisition of AI by federal agencies. Globally, Kenya has launched the Africa Centre of Competence for Digital and AI Skills to drive digital transformation across the continent. From AI-driven disaster response to educational advancements, this week's News That Caught Our Eye dives into AI's expanding influence on politics and governance.

AI and Problem Solving

AI and Problem Solving

Rise of the robots: AI to shape UK defense review

Stefan Boscia on October 9, 2024 in Politico

The U.K. government is utilizing AI from U.S. tech firm Palantir to analyze submissions for its Strategic Defense Review, which analyzes the nation’s defense capabilities and builds frameworks for more efficient defense policy. Using AI allows officials to quickly identify key themes and insights, supporting informed decision-making. However, the benefits behind using AI is not nation-wide, as the government’s view of AI is different from those of experts. Experts highlight the need for oversight to address potential biases, and to weigh equally all submissions, as this review is crucial for the nation’s defense industry.

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AI and Problem Solving

U.S. military deploys Maven Smart System for Hurricane Helene disaster response

Mark Pomerlau on October 9, 2024 in DefenseScoop

“The U.S. military is using one of its main data analytics and common operational picture tools as part of its response efforts to aid in Hurricane Helene relief. Several active-duty components, defense agencies and the National Guard are aiding in the relief efforts as requested by the states affected under what’s known as ‘defense support to civil authorities,’ which allow the military to be employed domestically when asked. The Maven Smart System — an AI-enabled platform for geospatial visualization of data that was designed for use by combatant commands and other units to facilitate battlespace awareness, global integration, contested logistics, joint fires and targeting workflows — is being deployed to aid in the relief efforts.”

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AI and Problem Solving

New York governor unveils AI research consortium to advance public good

Colin Wood on October 11, 2024 in AIScoop

“New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Friday announced the Empire AI consortium, a collection of seven research institutions that will share the goal of advancing artificial intelligence research projects for the public good. The consortium will be housed at the University of Buffalo, funded by more than $400 million in state appropriations and university and private donations. According to the governor’s office, some of the topics the consortium will address include climate change, drug discovery, education, food insecurity, cybersecurity threats and health care diagnostics.”

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AI and Problem Solving

OpenAI says it has disrupted 20-plus foreign influence networks in past year

Derek B. Johnson on October 9, 2024 in Cyberscoop

OpenAI revealed that it has disrupted over 20 foreign operations in the past year involving attempts to use its AI tools, like ChatGPT, to influence global political sentiments and interfere in elections, including in the U.S. These actors, originating from countries like China, Russia, and Iran, used AI to generate fake social media content, write malware, and conduct spearphishing attacks

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AI and Public Engagement

AI and Public Engagement

Google.org announces $15 million in AI training grants for the government workforce

Karen Dahut on October 16, 2024 in Google

Google.org announced $15 million in AI training grants aimed at upskilling the U.S. government workforce. The funds will be distributed to the Partnership for Public Service ($10 million) and InnovateUS ($5 million), two organizations focused on AI training for public sector employees. The Partnership for Public Service will use its grant to establish the Center for Federal AI, launching in Spring 2025. This center will provide AI training for federal government employees, including leadership and internship programs, to promote responsible AI use across government agencies. InnovateUS will expand its existing AI training initiatives for state and local governments, aiming to reach 100,000 public sector workers across more than 30 states with courses and workshops. This effort addresses the skills gap and ensures that government employees are equipped to leverage AI for improving public services. The grants are part of Google.org's larger $75 million AI Opportunity Fund, which seeks to enhance AI skills and promote the responsible use of AI in solving societal challenges like healthcare access, infrastructure management, and public safety.

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AI and Elections

AI and Elections

Using AI to teach about Elections, Voting, and Democratic Participation: 10 ideas for incorporating AI tools into lesson planning and classroom activities this election cycle

Nina Bamberg on October 1, 2024 in Pedagog

This article outlines how educators can integrate AI tools into lessons about democracy and elections to enhance student engagement and learning. By using chatbots like ChatGPT and other AI applications, teachers can brainstorm ideas, draft lesson plans, design interactive activities, and differentiate materials to cater to diverse learning styles. AI can also be used to analyze political speeches and election data, allowing students to develop media literacy and critical thinking skills. Additionally, AI tools can simulate conversations with historical figures and create scenarios to help students become informed voters, preparing them for meaningful civic participation. Examples include using chatbots to generate election-related simulations, analyze rhetorical strategies in campaign speeches, or role-play as political candidates. The goal is to equip students with AI literacy and a deeper understanding of the electoral process.

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Governing AI

Governing AI

MEMORANDUM FOR THE HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES

on September 24, 2024 in White House

The M-24-18 Memorandum from the Office of Management and Budget provides guidelines for the responsible acquisition of AI by federal agencies. It emphasizes the need for cross-functional collaboration, involving multiple departments in the acquisition process, and mandates the integration of AI-specific risk management, particularly regarding privacy, security, data ownership, and interoperability. Agencies are instructed to foster competition and avoid vendor lock-in, ensure transparency in the acquisition of rights-impacting AI, and adopt innovative procurement practices. The memorandum also highlights the importance of training acquisition teams to manage AI risks effectively and promotes accountability in the use of generative AI and biometric systems.

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Governing AI

G7 Competition Authorities and Policymakers’ Summit

on October 4, 2024 in

The Federal Trade Commission and the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division participated in the G7 Competition Authorities and Policymakers Summit to discuss ways to ensure competition in artificial intelligence (AI)-related technologies, products, and applications. At the conclusion of the summit, FTC Chair Lina M. Khan and other representatives of the G7 competition authorities and government policymakers issued a Communiqué highlighting potential competition concerns in AI-related markets and identifying guiding principles to ensure fair competition across AI markets. The Communiqué underscores the important role that competition authorities and policymakers have in addressing competitive threats. As the Communiqué outlines, concentrated market power in AI-related markets and possible collusion or improper information sharing using AI technologies require careful vigilance and vigorous and timely competition enforcement. The G7 competition authorities and policymakers reaffirmed that they are working to ensure there is open and fair competition in digital markets and AI and seeking to ensure that the benefits of AI are fully realized and widely available across society.

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Governing AI

VA seeks information on AI governance framework

Caroline Nihill on October 8, 2024 in FedScoop

“The Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking expertise from the public regarding the implementation of a framework for artificial intelligence governance and mitigating the technology’s risks. The request for information, published last week, is part of an overarching goal to implement AI across the VA. The RFI notes that the agency seeks to minimize safety risks that involve privacy while leveraging the technology to enhance services and care to veterans. That ‘proactive approach,’ the VA says, is aimed at preventing potential issues and ‘establishing a robust, responsive governance structure that includes policies, processes and guidance to address and resolve problems that may arise.’”

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Governing AI

Colorado legislators wrangle laws on facial recognition in schools, data protection

Joel R. McConvey on October 10, 2024 in Biometric

In Colorado, a moratorium on AI facial recognition cameras in schools is set to expire in July 2025, which could lead to increased use of this technology. The moratorium was enacted in 2022 to pause new contracts for AI facial recognition in public and charter schools while a body examined biometric technology usage. Schools using AI facial recognition before the moratorium, such as the Cheyenne Mountain School District, were allowed to continue. The debate balances the potential benefits for emergency response, especially in a state with a history of gun violence, against concerns about privacy and over-surveillance. At the same time, Colorado has passed HB24-1468, a law that establishes a task force to assess the impact of AI and biometric technologies, including facial recognition, with a focus on ethical and equitable considerations. Additionally, a new amendment to the Colorado Privacy Act (CPA), effective in July 2025, introduces stricter regulations on biometric data, drawing comparisons to Illinois' Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA). This new regulation could further shape the state's approach to AI and biometrics.

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Governing AI

South Korea banned deepfakes. Is that a realistic solution for the US?

Scott Nover on October 8, 2024 in Gzero Media

On September 26, South Korea strengthened its law against deepfake pornography, making it illegal not only to create and distribute but also to view such content. Violators could face up to three years in jail or a $22,000 fine. Deepfakes, created by superimposing someone's face onto explicit material without consent, have affected both celebrities and private individuals. South Korea's aggressive approach contrasts with the U.S., where legal responses to deepfakes are inconsistent across states. While some laws exist, full prohibition would likely violate First Amendment protections. Experts acknowledge the need for regulation but note enforcement challenges and legal hurdles.

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AI for Governance

AI for Governance

Microsoft Launches AI National Skills Initiative at GITEX 2024 to Upskill 100,000 Government Employees Across the UAE

Sindhu V Kashyap on October 14, 2024 in Edge

At GITEX Global 2024, Microsoft launched the AI National Skills Initiative to advance the UAE's AI ambitions by upskilling 100,000 government employees across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah over 12 months. The initiative, aligned with the UAE’s National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031, aims to equip leaders, developers, and frontline workers with AI skills, enhancing public services and digital transformation. Microsoft’s AI Skills Navigator platform, offering over 200 free resources, supports this effort globally. Additionally, Microsoft showcased 'Sawa,' a new Generative AI app designed to improve community engagement and service delivery.

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AI for Governance

The Future of AI and India

Bryan Penprase on October 13, 2024 in Forbes

As AI transforms education and other sectors in the Global South, this article argues that India is emerging as a key player. The Indian government is working with the private sector to develop AI systems to advance national priorities such as healthcare, agriculture, and education. Under the nation’s national AI training strategy, India's government is supporting AI skills and data skills training for students from primary school through postgraduate education. Startups and universities are building AI models tailored to India's diverse languages.

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AI for Governance

Kenya opens Africa’s AI skilling centre with support from UNDP and Microsoft

Abdullah Ajibade on October 12, 2024 in Tech Point

Kenya, in partnership with UNDP and Microsoft, has launched the Africa Centre of Competence for Digital and AI Skills at the Kenya School of Government in Nairobi. This center aims to upskill public sector employees across Africa, improving service delivery and driving digital transformation. Aligned with Kenya's National Digital Master Plan 2022-2032, it seeks to enhance digital literacy for 300,000 public servants. The center offers training on problem-solving, systems thinking, and strategic foresight, while a proposed Public Sector Innovation Fund will provide micro-grants for innovative digital solutions. The initiative also supports several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including education, economic growth, and reducing inequalities.

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AI and International Relations

AI and International Relations

Global collective action platform for Responsible AI for Sustainable Development initiated by UN Development Programme and Germany’s Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development

on October 8, 2024 in UNDP Press

“At the inaugural Hamburg Sustainability Conference (HSC), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) announced a global platform to harness the power of responsible artificial intelligence (AI) for sustainable development. This effort adopts joint principles on responsible AI and sees the launch of the AI SDG Compendium (SDG: Sustainable Development Goals), a global registry of AI initiatives for sustainable development. The platform establishes the foundation for a Hamburg Declaration on Responsible AI for the SDGs, a new multi-stakeholder document to be signed in 2025. The Hamburg Declaration aims to create a shared global understanding of how responsible AI can drive better development outcomes”

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News That Caught Our Eye

News That Caught Our Eye

Publication about "Key considerations of Artificial Intelligence in parliaments"

on January 1, 1970 in Bussola Tech

This report, developed by Bússola Tech and several parliamentary organizations, explores how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can enhance parliamentary functions, including legislative drafting, archiving, procedural guidance, and constituent relations. It emphasizes the need for ethical AI implementation, highlighting the importance of user experience, data governance, human oversight, and transparency to build trust in AI systems. The report also stresses the necessity of political support, staff training, and inter-parliamentary cooperation to maximize AI's benefits in improving services, accountability, and inclusiveness, thereby strengthening democratic governance.

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