GOVERNANCE AND LEGISLATION

 

Health care in Africa: Emerging technologies at play

 

(Landry Signé – Brookings – 15 November 2024) Africa is fast becoming a hub for disruptive innovation in healthcare, using emerging technologies to advance discoveries and revolutionize healthcare delivery. Attracting $550 million in investments between 2020 and 2023, “health tech” ecosystems are now emerging across the continent. In 2023, a $21 million investment marked the largest investment ever in a woman-led African health tech company, part of the 2,000% increase in funding for women-led startups between 2022 and 2023. Nearly 350 startups across 27 African countries are working within the digital health supply chain industry alone, having already helped the continent track 98 million vaccines and 72 million other critical health products to prevent waste and reduce costs. – https://www.brookings.edu/articles/health-care-in-africa-emerging-technologies-at-play/

Assessing potential future artificial intelligence risks, benefits and policy imperatives

(OECD.AI – 14 November 2024) The swift evolution of AI technologies calls for policymakers to consider and proactively manage AI-driven change. The OECD’s Expert Group on AI Futures was established to help meet this need and anticipate AI developments and their potential impacts. Informed by insights from the Expert Group, this report distils research and expert insights on prospective AI benefits, risks and policy imperatives. It identifies ten priority benefits, such as accelerated scientific progress, productivity gains and better sense-making and forecasting. It discusses ten priority risks, such as facilitation of increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks; manipulation, disinformation, fraud and resulting harms to democracy; concentration of power; incidents in critical systems and exacerbated inequality and poverty. Finally, it points to ten policy priorities, including establishing clearer liability rules, drawing AI “red lines”, investing in AI safety and ensuring adequate risk management procedures. The report reviews existing public policy and governance efforts and remaining gaps. – https://oecd.ai/en/ai-publications/futures

 

Avoiding a Military-AI Complex

(Kevin Frazier – Lawfare – 14 November 2024) Ike warned this would happen. He foresaw the “potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power” as a result of private industry capturing an “immense military establishment.” What he couldn’t have known was that the military-industrial complex would transform into the military-artificial intelligence (AI) complex. The recently promulgated National Security Memorandum on AI (NSM), however, will establish just that if left in place or its underlying goals and actions shape future executive action.  Whether President-elect Trump follows through on the NSM in his second term is an open question. On the one hand, Trump has previously expressed a desire to rescind the Biden executive order that called for the NSM. On the other hand, Trump has repeatedly emphasized a desire for the United States to lead in AI innovation. Implementation of the NSM would further that goal. So while the NSM may not persist in form under Trump, it seems likely to carry on in substance. That said, if the second Trump administration wants to avoid concentrating power in the hands of a few AI actors, then it may want to reevaluate the decision to double down” on an AI industry marked by a high degree of concentration. A more sustainable, beneficial approach would instead focus the nation’s AI policy on peaceful applications and encourage more competition in the industry. – https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/avoiding-a-military-ai-complex

 

AI policy directions in the new Trump administration

 

(John Villasenor, Joshua Tuner – Brookings – 14 November 2024)  President-elect Trump will take office in an important time for artificial intelligence (AI), putting him and the Republican Congress in a powerful position to chart the U.S. approach to this influential set of technologies. The new administration will likely relax agency regulation, focus more on competition with China, and decrease AI-related antitrust enforcement, among other possibilities. Although predicting technological progress is difficult, the next four years will bring some unexpected developments in AI, and effectively stewarding this extraordinary technology will require a nimble and balanced set of federal policy responses. – https://www.brookings.edu/articles/ai-policy-directions-in-the-new-trump-administration/

Ensuring U.S. Leadership in AI

(Center for Strategic & International Studies – 13 November 2024) To secure and sustain its leadership in AI development, the United States must adopt a comprehensive strategy that integrates technological innovation with robust infrastructure planning. The CSIS Economic Security and Technology Department recently launched a new initiative exploring the intersection of AI, technology, and energy policy. Our goal is to create a cohesive framework for addressing the critical infrastructure gaps in data centers and energy systems needed to support AI’s rapid growth. CSIS aims to identify where policy interventions will help ensure the U.S. sustains and grows its lead in AI. – https://www.csis.org/events/ensuring-us-leadership-ai

How pioneering public-private collaboration in the financial sector can help secure its quantum future

(Filipe Beato, Charlie Markham – World Economic Forum – 13 November 2024) Recent advances in quantum technology are bringing the economy closer to realizing its trillion-dollar value add to the global economy. With progress comes risk, and global collaboration is essential to harnessing quantum benefits while mitigating quantum security risks. The World Economic Forum and Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) have created award-winning tools that guide industry and regulators toward a secure quantum transition. – https://www.weforum.org/stories/2024/11/pioneering-public-private-collaboration-financial-sector-secure-quantum-future/

Collaborative AI Governance: A Policy Roadmap for Canada and the UK

(Ann M. Fitz-Gerald, Carsten Maple, Halyna Padalko – RUSI – 13 November 2024) The UK and Canada, leveraging their strengths as trusted middle powers, are well-positioned to lead in setting global AI standards, fostering ethical, responsible and innovative AI governance. – https://www.rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/commentary/collaborative-ai-governance-policy-roadmap-canada-and-uk

Harnessing AI for a Sustainable Future at COP29: AI for Climate Action Innovation Factory and AI/ML in 5G Challenge

(Celia Pizzuto – AI for Good – 13 November 2024) As the impacts of climate change grow increasingly urgent, AI is emerging as a powerful tool in the global effort to combat environmental challenges. During a side event at the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, two major initiatives – the AI for Climate Action Innovation Factory and the ITU AI/ML in 5G Smart Energy Supply Scheduling for Green Telecom Challenge – highlighted innovative uses of AI to advance sustainability, resilience, and resource efficiency. During a dedicated session showcasing the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) broader Green Digital Action efforts, award ceremonies were held for each initiative, highlighting digital solutions that support international climate goals. – https://aiforgood.itu.int/harnessing-ai-for-a-sustainable-future-at-cop29-ai-for-climate-action-innovation-factory-and-ai-ml-in-5g-challenge/

Advancing Open Source AI: Definitions, Standards, and Global Implementation for a Sustainable Future

(Amreen Taneja, Stefano Maffulli, David Manset – AI for Good – 13 November 2024) Open source AI is evolving rapidly, with global efforts to establish clear governance, standards, and implementation strategies. This blog explores three interconnected initiatives shaping the future of open source AI: the Open Source Initiative’s (OSI) ongoing Open Source AI Definition (OSAID in version 1.0); the co-design process to extend Digital Public Goods (DPG) Standard to better define open source AI; and the ITU’s Open Source Program Office (OSPO) work on a reference implementation for the global south. By aligning these efforts, the international community can build an inclusive, ethical, and impactful AI ecosystem that serves both innovation and public good. – https://aiforgood.itu.int/advancing-open-source-ai-definitions-standards-and-global-implementation-for-a-sustainable-future/

Open source programme offices step up digital transformation

(ITU – 12 November 2024) Developing digital public services can be a challenge for countries and organizations pursuing wide-ranging digital transformation projects. Open source solutions can help build local skills and capacity, promote inclusive design, reduce duplication of efforts, and speed up the entire process of shaping a digital society and economy. – https://www.itu.int/hub/2024/11/open-source-programme-offices-step-up-digital-transformation/

The Role of Governance in Unleashing the Value of Data

 

(Centre for International Governance Innovation – 12 November 2024) In 2018, the essay series Data Governance in the Digital Age anticipated some of the data governance issues that have emerged, such as surveillance capitalism and the economics of data, but did not cover data valuation in depth. Data is increasingly central to economic activity and how we make sense of the world, but it is still not valued in either national or corporate balance sheets. There is no accepted methodology to measure data’s value — value that depends on its usefulness in a particular context, which is framed by individual or societal perspectives, governance rules and regulations, and input from different stakeholders. Four themes are explored in this essay series: the current state of global data governance; different perspectives on notions of value; governance frameworks to unleash the value of data; and mechanisms for governance cooperation. – https://www.cigionline.org/the-role-of-governance-in-unleashing-the-value-of-data/

4 ways AI is improving healthcare, according to one of the world’s largest medical groups

 

(Andrea Willige – World Economic Forum – 11 November 2024) Artificial Intelligence (AI) holds great potential for the world’s overburdened healthcare systems. The World Economic Forum’s Digital Healthcare Transformation Initiative has identified the potential for it to address some of the most pressing healthcare challenges.Dr. John Halamka, President of the Mayo Clinic, discusses how AI can improve early disease detection, equitable healthcare, patient outcomes, and resource distribution. – https://www.weforum.org/stories/2024/11/four-ways-ai-is-improving-healthcare/

AI and the Digital Economy Framework Agreement: Preparing ASEAN for the Next Tech Wave

 

(S. Yash Kalash – Centre for International Governance Innovation – 11 November 2024) Artificial intelligence (AI) is advancing rapidly across the globe, revolutionizing industries and transforming economies. New AI technologies are altering industries by enhancing productivity, optimizing processes, and enabling the creation of new products and services. These changes are, in turn, fuelling economic growth and have the potential to significantly improve societal outcomes. Amid this technological surge, the Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) stands as a pivotal initiative aimed at integrating and enhancing the digital economies of its member states. By fostering collaboration and innovation, DEFA potentially positions ASEAN to embrace AI effectively, preparing the region for the next technological wave and ensuring its competitiveness in the evolving global landscape. – https://www.cigionline.org/articles/ai-and-the-digital-economy-framework-agreement-preparing-asean-for-the-next-tech-wave/

Could AI revolutionize climate action?

(ITU – 11 November 2024) Along with reshaping social and economic life, artificial intelligence (AI) could become a decisive factor in global efforts against climate change. No doubt, AI use is contributing to rising levels of energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. But at the same time, digital technologies – including unprecedented computing power and AI-driven insights and system optimization – offer a lifeline as the effects of climate change become increasingly evident. – https://www.itu.int/hub/2024/11/could-ai-revolutionize-climate-action/

 

SECURITY

Vietnamese Hacker Group Deploys New PXA Stealer Targeting Europe and Asia

(Ravie Lakshmanan – The Hacker News – 15 November 2024) A Vietnamese-speaking threat actor has been linked to an information-stealing campaign targeting government and education entities in Europe and Asia with a new Python-based malware called PXA Stealer. The malware “targets victims’ sensitive information, including credentials for various online accounts, VPN and FTP clients, financial information, browser cookies, and data from gaming software,” Cisco Talos researchers Joey Chen, Alex Karkins, and Chetan Raghuprasad said. “PXA Stealer has the capability to decrypt the victim’s browser master password and uses it to steal the stored credentials of various online accounts”. – https://thehackernews.com/2024/11/vietnamese-hacker-group-deploys-new-pxa.html

How AI Is Transforming IAM and Identity Security

(The Hacker News – 15 November 2024) In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has begun revolutionizing Identity Access Management (IAM), reshaping how cybersecurity is approached in this crucial field. Leveraging AI in IAM is about tapping into its analytical capabilities to monitor access patterns and identify anomalies that could signal a potential security breach. The focus has expanded beyond merely managing human identities — now, autonomous systems, APIs, and connected devices also fall within the realm of AI-driven IAM, creating a dynamic security ecosystem that adapts and evolves in response to sophisticated cyber threats. – https://thehackernews.com/2024/11/how-ai-is-transforming-iam-and-identity.html

Top Applications of Robotic Process Automation in Cybersecurity

(Cyber Management Alliance – 15 November 2024) As cyber threats continue to evolve, organisations face an increasing need for robust and responsive security measures. Cybercrime is expected to cost companies over $10 trillion by 2025, underscoring the importance of proactive protection. Robotic Process Automation (RPA) in cybersecurity provides a powerful solution, automating repetitive and time-consuming tasks to let security teams focus on complex, critical issues. RPA is versatile, replicating human actions to respond to alerts, check for vulnerabilities, and handle security updates. – https://www.cm-alliance.com/cybersecurity-blog/top-applications-of-robotic-process-automation-in-cybersecurity

Ransomware Groups Use Cloud Services For Data Exfiltration

(Kevin Poireault – Infosecurity Magazine – 15 November 2024) Cloud ransomware attacks have become a common approach from malicious actors to compromise the IT systems of their targets, according to SentinelOne. Attackers are increasingly leverage cloud providers’ services to directly compromise their victims or exfiltrate data, according to a new report by SentinelLabs. On the one hand, they target cloud-based storage services to compromise and extort victims. On the other, they use cloud services to exfiltrate the data they intend to ransom. Alex Delamotte, a threat researcher at SentinelLabs, the cybersecurity provider’s research branch, published The State of Cloud Ransomware in 2024 on November 14. – https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/ransomware-groups-cloud-services/

AI Threat to Escalate in 2025, Google Cloud Warns

(Kevin Poireault – Infosecurity Magazine – 13 November 2024) Researchers at Google Cloud believe the AI threat will worsen in 2025 despite not having had the catastrophic impact some analysts initially predicted. In its Cybersecurity Forecasts 2025, the tech giant anticipates that successful malicious use of AI observed in 2024 will continue and new sophisticated uses will emerge. Malicious actors will continue to use AI and large language models (LLMs) to develop and scale sophisticated social engineering schemes including phishing campaigns. Google Cloud analysts also forecast that cyber espionage actors and cybercriminals will continue to leverage deepfakes for identity theft, fraud, and bypassing know-your-customer (KYC) security requirements. During the report launch event in London, attended by Infosecurity on November 12, Stuart McKenzie, Managing Director of Mandiant Consulting EMEA at Google Cloud, said, “AI will play a massive part of overall cyber threats in 2025.” – https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/ai-threat-escalate-in-2025-google/

Top 7 Cyber Threats in Cloud-Native Environments

(Cyber Management Alliance – 13 November 2024) The global pandemic and its aftermath have completely changed the topography of the information technology arena. The uptake of the cloud has been rapid. Running in parallel is the growth of native cloud application development, as organisations must utilise their cloud infrastructures to provide products and services much quicker and more efficiently. However, it’s critical that organisations be aware of critical cloud security risks in this evolving landscape. – https://www.cm-alliance.com/cybersecurity-blog/top-7-cyber-threats-in-cloud-native-environments

DEFENSE, INTELLIGENCE, AND WAR

Technologies to counter the diversion of small arms and light weapons with Sarah Grand-Clément

(IISS – 14 November 2024) Wolf-Christian Paes and Sarah Grand-Clément from the UN Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) explore the impact emerging technologies can have to help counter the diversion of small arms and light weapons. – https://www.iiss.org/podcasts/arms-control-poseur/2024/11/technologies-to-counter-the-diversion-of-small-arms-and-light-weapons-with-sarah-grand-clement/

Quantum Technology Will Fundamentally Change Warfare, General Tells Indian Defense Officials

 

(Matt Swayne – Quantum Insider – 12 November 2024) India is advancing its defense capabilities with quantum technology, aiming for strategic advantages in modern warfare, as reported by Republic World. At the NTN-2024 Seminar, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan highlighted quantum’s potential for secure communications, precision navigation, and advanced sensing. Integrating Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning into Electronic Warfare systems was also emphasized as essential for maintaining a resilient defense framework. – https://thequantuminsider.com/2024/11/12/quantum-technology-will-fundamentally-change-warfare-general-tells-indian-defense-officials/

FRONTIERS

 

Common way to test for leaks in large language models may be flawed

 

(Eric Williamson – TechXplore – 15 November 2024) Large language models are everywhere, including running in the background of the apps on the device you’re using to read this. The auto-complete suggestions in your texts and emails, the query responses composed by Gemni, Copilot and ChatGPT, and the images generated from DALL-E are all built using LLMs. – https://techxplore.com/news/2024-11-common-leaks-large-language-flawed.html

 

OpenAI Set to Release Autonomous AI Agent “Operator” in Early 2025

 

(James Dargan – AI Insider – 15 November 2024) OpenAI is gearing up to introduce “Operator,” an autonomous AI agent capable of independently controlling computers and executing tasks. According to Bloomberg, the company plans to debut Operator in January as a research preview and a tool for developers, marking a significant step in the evolution of AI technology. – https://theaiinsider.tech/2024/11/15/openai-set-to-release-autonomous-ai-agent-operator-in-early-2025/

 

Businesses Will Be Disadvantaged Without AI, Believes IBM CEO

 

(James Dargan – AI Insider – 15 November 2024) IBM Chairman and CEO Arvind Krishna has a clear message for enterprises: embrace artificial intelligence (AI) or risk falling behind. Speaking with Yahoo Finance, Krishna discussed IBM’s AI strategy, its distinctive B2B approach, and the critical role AI plays in reshaping business operations globally. Krishna views AI as a transformative force. – https://theaiinsider.tech/2024/11/15/businesses-will-be-disadvantaged-without-ai-believes-ibm-ceo/

Years of Collaboration Culminate in QDlight Lab to Advance Quantum Photonics

(Cierra Choucair – Quantum Insider – 15 November 2024) Quandela, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, and Université Paris Cité launched the QDlight associated research laboratory at the Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology to advance quantum photonics, focusing on controlling light at the quantum level in nanoscale devices. The lab will develop advanced quantum light emitters and protocols for fault-tolerant photonic quantum computing and secure quantum communication, structured around two key areas: optical entanglement protocols for multi-photon quantum states and high-purity materials for reproducible quantum-dot devices. Quandela, a European leader in photonic quantum computing, has produced quantum light emitters since 2017 and began photonic quantum computer production in 2023. These emitters enable efficient quantum computing on photonic chips. – https://thequantuminsider.com/2024/11/15/years-of-collaboration-culminate-in-qdlight-lab-to-advance-quantum-photonics/

Quantum Technologies Could Have £8 Billion of Impact on UK Transport by 2035

(Matt Swayne – Quantum Insider – 15 November 2024) Quantum technologies could generate up to £8 billion in economic value for the UK transport sector by 2035, offering benefits in areas such as traffic optimization, cyber-secure communications, and precise navigation, according to the Department for Transport (DfT). Applications highlighted in the report include reducing congestion costs by £2.8 billion annually through quantum-powered traffic management and enhancing transport cybersecurity with quantum key distribution (QKD) to mitigate risks in a “post-quantum” era. Quantum sensing technologies, expected to achieve widespread commercialization within five years, could save millions annually by improving underground mapping, railway maintenance, and autonomous navigation in GPS-denied environments. – https://thequantuminsider.com/2024/11/15/quantum-technologies-could-have-8-billion-of-impact-on-uk-transport-by-2035/

Playground Global’s Peter Barrett on Australia’s Vision for Building a Quantum Future

(James Dargan – Quantum Insider – 15 November 2024) During a recent keynote, Peter Barrett of Playground Global talked about Australia’s unique position to lead in quantum technology, citing its talent and resources as key factors in setting global standards in quantum computing and sensing. Barrett announced plans to build a million-qubit quantum machine in Queensland, which will establish Australia as a quantum powerhouse and create a thriving research and commercial ecosystem. Barrett urged Australia to invest in world-class semiconductor facilities and quantum infrastructure, highlighting the nation’s potential for economic and technological leadership in advanced materials, green metals, and semiconductor stability. – https://thequantuminsider.com/2024/11/15/playground-globals-peter-barrett-on-australias-vision-for-building-a-quantum-future/

South Korea’s ETRI 6-Qubit Silicon Photonic Quantum Circuit for Scalable Quantum Computing

(Cierra Choucair – Quantum Insider – 15 November 2024) ETRI, in collaboration with KAIST and the University of Trento, developed an 8-photon silicon photonic integrated quantum circuit, achieving 6-qubit entanglement, with future plans for scaling up to 32 qubits. The silicon photonics quantum chip technology enables efficient manipulation of photonic qubits, providing scalability, room-temperature operation, and low energy consumption. This research is part of ETRI’s initiative, supported by Korea’s National Research Foundation, to advance silicon photonics-based quantum computers, with plans to work towards cloud-based quantum computing services and larger-scale quantum systems. – https://thequantuminsider.com/2024/11/15/south-koreas-etri-6-qubit-silicon-photonic-quantum-circuit-for-scalable-quantum-computing/

Team-GPT Raises $4.5M to Discover and Deploy AI Use Cases in Enterprises

(James Dargan – AI Insider – 15 November 2024) Bulgarian startup Team-GPT raised $4.5 million in a seed round led by True Ventures to expand its AI-driven collaborative workspace for enterprises, with major clients including Salesforce, Johns Hopkins University, and MRO. Team-GPT helps organizations discover and implement AI use cases by providing tools for interacting with AI models, managing workflows, and ensuring data security compliance, boosting productivity by up to 60%. Trusted by 45,000+ users, Team-GPT supports tasks across strategy, content creation, and deal acceleration, with co-founder Iliya Valchanov leading a mission to simplify AI integration for enterprises globally. – https://theaiinsider.tech/2024/11/15/team-gpt-raises-4-5m-to-discover-and-deploy-ai-use-cases-in-enterprises/

Homethrive Secures $20M in Latest Funding Round Led by TELUS Global Ventures and 7wireVentures

(James Dargan – AI Insider – 15 November 2024) Homethrive raised over $20 million in a funding round led by TELUS Global Ventures and 7Wire Ventures, achieving 4x growth since 2022, driven by rising demand for caregiving solutions among employers and health plans. The funding will enhance Homethrive’s AI-driven care navigation and personalized support platform, targeting increased engagement and expanded offerings for payer populations. Homethrive appointed Ismat Duckson Aziz to its board, leveraging her expertise to scale operations further, while delivering solutions that reduce caregiver burnout, improve employee retention, and enhance well-being. – https://theaiinsider.tech/2024/11/15/homethrive-secures-20m-in-latest-funding-round-led-by-telus-global-ventures-and-7wireventures/

Robin AI Closes $25M in Series B Extension with Support from Cambridge University and PayPal

(James Dargan – AI Insider – 15 November 2024) Legal AI leader Robin AI announced it has raised an additional $25 million in 2024, marking a strategic extension of its Series B funding round. This raise, outside the usual fundraising cycle, capitalizes on momentum from its $26 million Series B earlier this year and the successful launch of Robin Reports, a groundbreaking legal AI tool. The funding was led by a group of Robin AI’s existing investors and high-profile customers, including PayPal Ventures and Cambridge University. Notably, Robin AI’s customer base includes 13 of the world’s largest companies and asset management firms, such as UBS, GE, Pfizer, AbbVie, PepsiCo, KPMG, PwC, and Blue Origin. – https://theaiinsider.tech/2024/11/15/robin-ai-closes-25m-in-series-b-extension-with-support-from-cambridge-university-and-paypal/

CommerceIQ Launches Nexis: The First Integrated, Omnichannel AI Teammate for Commerce that Delivers Real-Time, Actionable Insights & Custom Reports

(James Dargan – AI Insider – 15 November 2024) CommerceIQ introduced Nexis, a generative AI-powered teammate tailored for ecommerce sales and marketing professionals, designed to streamline decision-making by integrating data insights across sales, marketing, and retail media. Nexis cuts reporting time by 75%, provides real-time insights, and delivers presentation-ready reports, helping brands identify trends, analyze performance, and drive ecommerce growth 100x faster with precision and accuracy. Currently in beta for CommerceIQ customers, Nexis aims to empower ecommerce teams by unifying fragmented insights and eliminating data silos, with a public launch set for Q1 2024. – https://theaiinsider.tech/2024/11/15/commerceiq-launches-nexis-the-first-integrated-omnichannel-ai-teammate-for-commerce-that-delivers-real-time-actionable-insights-custom-reports/

Influur, the Leading Professional Network for Influencers, Raises $10M Series A, Introduces Industry-First AI Tool to Predict Campaign Impact and New Premium Subscription

(James Dargan – AI Insider – 15 November 2024) Influur, a professional networking platform for influencers, secured $10 million in Series A funding led by Point72 Ventures and HTwenty Capital, driving an 83% increase in verified influencers and a 200% rise in brand spending across the US and Latin America. Influur introduced AI-powered tools for campaign planning and impact prediction, a premium subscription offering advanced analytics and exclusive opportunities, and fintech solutions for managing influencer earnings and payouts. Backed by top investors and brands like Meta and Netflix, Influur empowers influencers and brands with streamlined connections and innovative tools, while fostering a thriving creator economy led by its visionary Latina founders. – https://theaiinsider.tech/2024/11/15/influur-the-leading-professional-network-for-influencers-raises-10m-series-a-introduces-industry-first-ai-tool-to-predict-campaign-impact-and-new-premium-subscription/

 

Volkswagen and IQM Collaborate to Scale Quantum Simulations with Fewer Qubits

(Cierra Choucair – Quantum Insider – 15 November 2024) IQM Quantum Computers and Volkswagen demonstrated the CS-AFQMC method, which integrates quantum and classical resources to improve simulations of strongly correlated systems, achieving chemical accuracy with fewer qubits in applications like lithium-ion battery decomposition and nitrogen dimer modeling. The CS-AFQMC method, through contextual subspace projection, minimizes quantum hardware requirements while maintaining computational accuracy, outperforming existing classical and quantum approaches in energy calculations. This scalable method has broad potential for applications in material science, high-temperature superconductors, and photovoltaic systems, enabling deeper insights into complex simulations while adapting to current and future quantum hardware. Despite its promise, the researchers note CS-AFQMC faces challenges related to noise resilience and trial wavefunction preparation, which researchers intend to address in future studies to increase its usability for larger systems and extend its capabilities into quantum-inspired classical computing. – https://thequantuminsider.com/2024/11/15/volkswagen-and-iqm-collaborate-to-scale-quantum-simulations-with-fewer-qubits/

Vancouver-based Quantum-AI Startup Nirvanic Consciousness Technologies Emerges From Stealth

(Matt Swayne – Quantum Insider – 15 November 2024) Nirvanic Consciousness Technologies Inc., a Vancouver-based quantum-AI startup, has emerged from stealth to explore the computational basis of consciousness in creating safer, human-aligned artificial intelligence systems. The company aims to use quantum computing principles to imbue AI with qualities like intuition and empathy, addressing safety concerns with current, unconscious AI systems that lack adaptive awareness. CEO Suzanne Gildert, with expertise in quantum computing and robotics, co-founded Kindred AI and Sanctuary AI, and previously developed quantum machine learning algorithms at D-Wave. – https://thequantuminsider.com/2024/11/15/vancouver-based-quantum-ai-startup-nirvanic-consciousness-technologies-emerges-from-stealth/

Allegion Ventures Leads Series A Funding Round for Serenity

(James Dargan – AI Insider – 15 November 2024) Allegion Ventures has led a Series A funding round for Serenity, a provider of AI-driven Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) solutions, to enhance safety, compliance, and operational efficiency for businesses globally. Serenity plans to use the funding to accelerate product development, expand its team, and grow sales and marketing efforts, delivering advanced tools like AI copilots for actionable safety insights and streamlined OSHA reporting. Allegion Ventures gains a board seat with Serenity, strengthening collaboration to advance Serenity’s mission of transforming safety and security management with scalable, innovative solutions. – https://theaiinsider.tech/2024/11/15/allegion-ventures-leads-series-a-funding-round-for-serenity/

 

Reaktr.ai Launches AI-Powered SecAi Service on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure

 

(James Dargan – AI Insider – 15 November 2024) Reaktr, a global business unit of Exela Technologies, has launched SecAi, an AI-driven cybersecurity framework, on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), enabling enterprises to validate AI models and ensure security and compliance with global standards. SecAi supports 120+ large language models, integrates with 80+ external data sources, and provides 100,000+ scenarios for proactive threat detection, leveraging OCI’s robust infrastructure for secure and scalable AI implementations. By partnering with Oracle, Reaktr enhances its ability to offer cutting-edge AI solutions for cybersecurity, helping enterprises secure their Generative AI systems while maintaining alignment with compliance and operational excellence. – https://theaiinsider.tech/2024/11/15/reaktr-ai-launches-ai-powered-secai-service-on-oracle-cloud-infrastructure/

 

Tessl Announces Series A for AI Native Software Development

 

(James Dargan – AI Insider – 15 November 2024) Tessl, a software development platform reimagining the creation and maintenance of software with AI, announced $125 million in funding. The financing includes a $25 million seed round led by boldstart and GV in April, followed by a $100 million Series A led by Index Ventures with participation from Accel. The funds will fuel the development of Tessl’s AI-driven platform and its mission to revolutionize software creation. – https://theaiinsider.tech/2024/11/15/tessl-announces-series-a-for-ai-native-software-development/

 

Jasper Launches the Industry’s First AI Knowledge Layer Built Specifically for Marketing

 

(James Dargan – AI Insider – 15 November 2024) Jasper introduced Brand IQ and Marketing IQ, the first AI knowledge and context layer tailored for marketing, ensuring on-brand, optimized text and visual content while streamlining brand compliance and campaign scaling. Brand IQ embeds brand guidelines into AI for consistency across all content, while Marketing IQ incorporates multimodal knowledge and marketing best practices to deliver superior, marketing-specific outputs. Jasper, trusted by nearly 20% of the Fortune 500, is revolutionizing enterprise marketing workflows, doubling revenue year-over-year and serving 125,000 users globally, including 850 enterprise customers. – https://theaiinsider.tech/2024/11/15/jasper-launches-the-industrys-first-ai-knowledge-layer-built-specifically-for-marketing/

 

Meet Rayo, a Singaporean startup transforming Web Accessibility with an AI-powered Co-Pilot

(Cindy X. S. Zheng – AI for Good – 15 November 2024) The AI for Good Innovation Factory is an international startup pitch event that welcomes submissions from any pioneering startups that are harnessing AI to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). On November 5¸ four exceptional AI-driven startups from various backgrounds took part in the AI for Good Innovation Factory 2024 2nd live pitching session. Organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the event featured five experts of the AI and startup-scene as the jury panel. Following an energetic pitch competition, the impact-driven startup Rayo claimed the top spot with their unique co-pilot tool designed to simplify web navigation for people with disabilities, ensuring a more inclusive online world. Rayo, as the winner of the pitching session, receives the opportunity to enter the Innovation Factory Grand Finale during the AI for Good Global Summit 2025 to compete with the other winners of the qualifying tournaments. Rayo is offered additional chances to expand their solution on a global scale, with access to international institutions, tech firms, and investors. In an exclusive interview, Dung Tran, Founder and CEO of Rayo, elaborates on her startup’s mission to promote accessibility in tech and how their AI-powered product is democratizing access to the internet for people with disabilities. – https://aiforgood.itu.int/meet-rayo-a-singaporean-startup-transforming-web-accessibility-with-an-ai-powered-co-pilot/

Meet Qure.ai, a HealthTech startup that leverages AI and Deep Learning to make X-rays and CT scans accessible and affordable in under-resourced areas

(Cindy X. S. Zheng – AI for Good – 15 November 2024) India has emerged as a thriving hub for start-ups, carving out a significant space for its AI-driven startups in the global arena. The Innovation Factory India showcased two bright Indian entrepreneurial minds who pitched their cutting-edge solutions designed to tackle the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to a panel of local and international experts at AI for Good Impact India, a side event of WTSA-24 and organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). After a dynamic pitching session and an engaged discussion, HealthTech company Qure.ai emerged victorious. – https://aiforgood.itu.int/meet-qure-ai-a-healthtech-startup-that-leverages-ai-and-deep-learning-to-make-x-rays-and-ct-scans-accessible-and-affordable-in-under-resourced-areas/

Northeastern University Research Says Quantum Computing is a ‘Big Deal’ For Massachusetts, World

(Matt Swayne – Quantum Insider – 14 November 2024) Massachusetts has invested $5 million in a quantum computing project in Holyoke, partnering with Boston-based company QuEra, to position the state as a leader in this transformative technology, according to Northeastern Global News. Devesh Tiwari, a quantum computing expert at Northeastern University, highlights quantum computing’s potential to solve complex problems in cryptography, supply chain optimization, and drug discovery, which classical computers cannot handle efficiently. Tiwari’s Goodwill Computing Lab is advancing practical quantum applications, including pioneering work in image generation and quantum machine learning, while addressing challenges like error correction to make quantum systems more reliable. – https://thequantuminsider.com/2024/11/14/northeastern-university-research-says-quantum-computing-is-a-big-deal-for-massachusetts-world/

Google’s AI Podcasts Signal a New Era in Media

(Robert Diab – Centre for International Governance Innovation – 14 November 2024) In September, Google unveiled a new feature in its artificial intelligence (AI) writing platform, NotebookLM, that caused a stir in the tech press and the wider culture: the ability to take a document you upload and generate a podcast about it that sounds strikingly real and engaging. At the moment, the feature appears to be little more than a source of fun and amusement, with podcasts whose AI hosts strive to conjure “meaning from the meaningless” going viral on social media. But beneath the surface of this delightful new curiosity, we can see glimpses of the next stage in the evolution of digital media — one that will extend the social and political effects, both good and bad, of the demise of broadcast media. – https://www.cigionline.org/articles/googles-ai-podcasts-signal-a-new-era-in-media/

Hamad Bin Khalifa University and Quantinuum Partner to Advance Quantum Computing in Qatar

(Matt Swayne – Quantum Insider – 13 November 2024) Quantinuum has partnered with Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s (HBKU) College of Science and Engineering to advance quantum research in areas like quantum chemistry, machine learning, AI, and cybersecurity through Qatar’s first dedicated quantum research center. The collaboration will provide QC2 researchers with remote access to Quantinuum’s advanced quantum hardware, allowing them to deepen their expertise in quantum software, algorithms, and hardware. This partnership aligns with HBKU’s goal of building a strong quantum ecosystem in Qatar, addressing local and global challenges through high-impact research in quantum computing. – https://thequantuminsider.com/2024/11/13/hamad-bin-khalifa-university-and-quantinuum-partner-to-advance-quantum-computing-in-qatar/

Malaysia’s First Quantum Computing Centre Launched Through SDT Inc. and MIMOS Partnership

(Cierra Choucair – Quantum Insider – 13 November 2024) SDT Inc. has partnered with MIMOS Technology Solutions in Malaysia to establish the country’s first Quantum Computing Centre. With expertise in quantum communication and ultra-precision electronics, SDT Inc. intends to support Malaysia’s quantum initiatives by providing secure, high-performance computing solutions. The collaboration involves key Malaysian agencies, including NACSA, MyQI, MOSTI, and MOD, to strategically integrate quantum technology into critical sectors like cybersecurity, healthcare, and finance. – https://thequantuminsider.com/2024/11/13/malaysias-first-quantum-computing-centre-launched-through-sdt-inc-and-mimos-partnership/

Australia’s State of Quantum Update Shares Early Wins, Sets Big Goals, And Sees Big Challenges in Quest Global Quantum Leadership

(Matt Swayne – Quantum Insider – 13 November 2024) Australia’s quantum industry is projected to become a $6 billion sector, creating nearly 20,000 jobs by 2045, according to the State of Australian Quantum report, which details the nation’s early steps in developing a globally competitive quantum ecosystem. Significant government investments, including $940 million for PsiQuantum and $1 billion through the National Reconstruction Fund, are bolstering research, supporting quantum startups, and building partnerships with industry leaders to accelerate growth. While milestones have been reached, challenges remain; Australia’s quantum strategy highlights the need for patient capital, improved IP frameworks, talent retention and greater public awareness to reach its 2030 vision. – https://thequantuminsider.com/2024/11/13/australias-state-of-quantum-update-shares-early-wins-sets-big-goals-and-sees-big-challenges-in-quest-global-quantum-leadership/

QSolid and the Jülich Research Center Launch Germany’s First Optimized Superconducting Quantum Computer Prototype

(Cierra Choucair – Quantum Insider – 13 November 2024) The Jülich Research Center, through the QSolid project, has launched Germany’s first quantum computer prototype with optimized superconducting qubits with the goal of supporting complex calculations in industry and research. Funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, QSolid brings together 25 German institutions, with a total investment of €76.3 million (approximately $83 million). The 10-qubit system, equipped with a custom software stack and soon accessible via cloud through JUNIQ, will undergo further development to integrate with Jülich’s supercomputer, advancing toward a hybrid quantum-HPC system by 2026. – https://thequantuminsider.com/2024/11/13/qsolid-and-the-julich-research-center-launch-germanys-first-optimized-superconducting-quantum-computer-prototype/

The UK National Quantum Technology Programme: Celebrating a Decade of Quantum Discovery

 

(Matt Swayne – Quantum Insider – 12 November 2024) The UK National Quantum Technologies Showcase 2024 brought together over 2,000 industry experts and enthusiasts, celebrating a decade of quantum innovation through the National Quantum Technologies Programme (NQTP). Key announcements included £100 million in new government funding for research hubs, a collaboration between Nu Quantum and CERN, and Aquark Technologies’ successful quantum sensing trial with the Royal Navy. Industry leaders expressed optimism for quantum’s future impact on complex global challenges, with Innovate UK’s Dr. Stella Peace highlighting the importance of continued growth and collaboration. – https://thequantuminsider.com/2024/11/12/the-uk-national-quantum-technology-programme-celebrating-a-decade-of-quantum-discovery/

The Wild West of space: Can government IT tame the risks?

 

(Don Parente – NextGov – 12 November 2024) Space—the final frontier—is becoming the next battleground for IT. The insatiable demand for bandwidth is driving both government and commercial entities to look to space-based technologies for solutions. Remote sensing, global communications, and ubiquitous internet access are just a few of the promises. This new frontier offers unprecedented opportunities, but also significant risks. Like the 19th-century gold rush, this rush to space must be tempered with careful planning. The “move fast and break things” mentality of the private sector is about to collide head-on with the bureaucratic nature of government IT—and crucial decisions are at stake. – https://www.nextgov.com/ideas/2024/11/wild-west-space-can-government-it-tame-risks/400973/

Quantum-Convolution Hybrid Neural Networks for Efficient ECG Analysis and Cardiac Event Detection

(Cierra Choucair – Quantum Insider – 11 November 2024) Researchers from Chongqing University and Old Dominion University developed a quantum-convolution hybrid neural network model for arrhythmia detection to improve diagnostic speed and accuracy in ECG analysis. The study demonstrates that quantum computing may be able to complete real-time analysis of high-dimensional ECG data without extensive pre-processing. Preliminary tests show that the hybrid model outperforms traditional CNNs in both accuracy and speed, successfully reducing false positives and missed arrhythmia events. Despite challenges like specialized hardware requirements and sensitivity to noise, the researchers believe quantum-enhanced models could eventually improve healthcare diagnostics, enabling efficient, precise analysis for early detection of complex medical conditions. – https://thequantuminsider.com/2024/11/11/quantum-convolution-hybrid-neural-networks-for-efficient-ecg-analysis-and-cardiac-event-detection/

Internet of Threats: How Quantum Technology Could Be the Key to Avoiding an IoT Nightmare

 

(Matt Swayne – Quantum Insider – 10 November 2024) Arthur Herman argues in National Interest that the Internet of Things (IoT), while enhancing connectivity and convenience, poses serious cybersecurity risks and potential national security threats. Herman highlights concerns over IoT devices from foreign manufacturers, suggesting that their vulnerabilities could allow adversaries to collect data or disrupt infrastructure. To address these risks, he recommends a multi-layered security strategy, combining conventional cybersecurity with distributed ledger technology (DLT) and emerging quantum cryptography to protect IoT networks from future attacks. – https://thequantuminsider.com/2024/11/10/internet-of-threats-how-quantum-technology-could-be-the-key-to-avoiding-an-iot-nightmare/