CIGI Newsletter: August 12th, 2024 - In Developing AI, China Takes the Industrial Route
Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI)
CIGI offers expert research and policy analysis at the intersection of technology and international governance.
In Developing AI, China Takes the Industrial Route
China is closing the innovation gap, but continues to trail by a year or more. “Without its own version of OpenAI, and lagging in all three key elements for fundamental generative AI development (computational power, quality data and advanced algorithms), China has turned its attention to the vertical model — that is, to AI applications in specific industries such as finance, health care, electric vehicles and driverless cars.”
Alex (Xingqiang) He writes that although it’s a choice driven by necessity, many industry players seem confident the strategy shows promise.
Canada Can Lead by Saying No to Armed Satellites
Increasingly, outer space is being deemed a battleground for nation-states. It’s timely, then, argues Jessica West , for the Canadian Parliament’s Standing Committee on National Defence to be studying how to pursue space defence. And Canada is not alone: North Atlantic Treaty Organization members and Australia and Japan are also asking these urgent questions.
West says the committee’s recommendations “will not only shape Canada’s future approach to space but also contribute to the global discussion. That’s why this country needs to stake out a clear position against the arming of satellites, in support of global peace and security — and without delay.”
Recommended
The Al Jazeera news network recently reached out to Alex He for comment on China’s flurry of activity in AI patent applications relative to its impact in innovation. “Although China filed the most generative AI patents in the world, far more than the US, much of these Chinese patents did not and were unable to be translated into forces to help bring [about] the rise of LLMs and other fundamental AI models,” He told Al Jazeera, and suggested that many of China’s top generative AI developers were primarily focused on the domestic market as part of their overall business strategy.
Read more in “China wrestles with ‘quantity over quality’ in generative AI patents .”
Outlaws Are Weaponizing Disinformation in Northern Nigeria
In northern Nigeria, groups of terrorists and bandits are increasingly using social media to weaponize disinformation to further their agendas, organize activities and conduct psychological warfare. Videos serve as a fundraising tool, appealing for donations and providing instructions for contributors. Encrypted messaging apps are used for internal communication to aid in coordinating operations and maintaining contact between members.
领英推荐
In this piece, Idayat Hassan outlines how some of these armed, non-state actors — including Boko Haram and its offshoots — have leveraged the power of online platforms as part of their broader efforts to project strength and achieve their objectives.
More from the Hub
The Digital Policy Hub at CIGI is a collaborative space for emerging scholars and innovative thinkers from the social, natural and applied sciences. Here are the most recent working papers from the winter 2024 cohort of Hub fellows.
Michael Murphy : “Digital Ethics, Gender-Based Analysis, and Canada’s Quantum Strategy”
Emanuel L. : “A Blueprint for AI Integration in the Canadian Armed Forces”
Follow the links on the Hub webpage to learn more about the Hub scholars and their work!
The Politics of Platform Regulation: Book Launch
Join us online September 9 to launch Robert Gorwa’s new book, The Politics of Platform Regulation: How Governments Shape Online Content Moderation, which examines the emerging domestic and international politics of online safety.
This virtual event will begin with a presentation on the book and key findings, followed by a Q&A session with attendees. CIGI Research Directors Tracey Forrest and S. Yash Kalash will facilitate.
Follow Us