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UNDP, GEF Launch US$135 Million Climate Fund

The UNDP and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) launched a US$135 million assistance programme called the 'Blue and Green Islands Integrated Programme' on 29 May 2024 at the SIDS4 conference in Antigua and Barbuda. The programme will assist 15 Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in economic development, food production, and tourism. The funds, managed by UNDP, will be awarded to the top 15 proposals. GEF stated that fund release can take 10-14 months, and projects must be completed within three years. UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner highlighted the urgent need for innovative assistance to combat climate change risks.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 to Debut on Xbox Game Pass, Microsoft Confirms

Microsoft announced that Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 will be available on Xbox Game Pass from day one, a first for the series. This is a shift from traditional pricing. The game is expected to drive subscriber growth. As of early 2024, Game Pass had 34 million subscribers. Call of Duty has sold over 425 million units. Microsoft acquired Activision in 2023 for $69 billion. The cloud streaming rights are controlled by Ubisoft due to regulatory approval in the UK.

Survey Finds AI Tools Widely Hyped but Underused

A survey by the Reuters Institute and Oxford University of 12,000 people across six countries finds that only 2% of British respondents use AI tools like ChatGPT daily. Dr Richard Fletcher, lead author, notes a mismatch between media hype and public interest. 30% of UK respondents had not heard of leading AI products. Many expect significant societal impact within five years but are mixed on overall benefit. The survey covered Argentina, Denmark, France, Japan, UK, and USA.

Google’s New AI Search Feature Criticised for Providing Erroneous Answers

Google's new AI search feature 'AI Overviews' has been criticized for providing erratic and inaccurate answers, such as suggesting non-toxic glue for pizza cheese or eating rocks. These errors were sourced from satirical content on Reddit. A Google spokesperson acknowledged the mistakes as isolated examples and said the feature is being refined. This follows earlier issues with Google's Gemini chatbot and Bard. Separately, Microsoft's AI PCs drew UK data watchdog scrutiny, and Scarlett Johansson criticized OpenAI for using a voice similar to hers without permission.

Apple Announces iOS 18 Accessibility Features: Eye Tracking, Music Haptics, and Vocal Shortcuts

Apple announced new AI-powered accessibility features for iPhone and iPad, coming with iOS 18 later this year. Features include Eye Tracking, which allows users to navigate devices using only their eyes, and Music Haptics, which provides haptic feedback synced with audio for users with hearing impairments. These are designed to improve usability for individuals with physical disabilities.

Celebrities Condemn Use of AI Deepfake Adverts in Promoting Self-Help Course

Prominent figures Piers Morgan, Nigella Lawson, and Oprah Winfrey condemned the use of AI deepfake adverts promoting a self-help course by US influencer Wesley "Billion Dollar" Virgin. The adverts featured deepfake videos of the celebrities endorsing Virgin's "Genie Script" manifestation course, sold for US$37. YouTube removed the adverts for violating policies on manipulated media. Representatives for the celebrities denied any association. The controversy highlights the need for stricter regulations against deepfake technology in advertising.

Google Refutes Hoax Claiming Gmail Shutdown Amidst Misinformation Concerns

Google refuted a hoax claiming Gmail would shut down in August, which spread on X (formerly Twitter) and garnered over seven million views. Google affirmed that Gmail is 'here to stay'. The incident highlights misinformation dangers, as noted by Richard Bagnall of CARMA. The EU criticized X in 2023 for inadequate misinformation measures. Gmail remains the world's most popular email service with over 1.5 billion active users. Google has discontinued other services like Stadia and YouTube Stories.

Microsoft to Release Four Former Xbox Exclusives on Rival Consoles

Microsoft announced that four Xbox exclusives—Hi-Fi Rush, Sea of Thieves, Pentiment, and Grounded—will be released on rival consoles PS5 and Nintendo Switch. Matt Booty of Xbox Game Studios expressed excitement about expanding communities. The announcement was part of a Nintendo Direct showcase. Additionally, Nintendo unveiled new games and Elden Ring's expansion Shadow of the Erdtree was announced for June release. Penny's Big Breakaway, a platformer, also drew attention.

AI Experts, Industry Leaders Call for Regulation on Deepfakes

A group of AI experts and industry executives led by Yoshua Bengio issued an open letter urging increased regulation of deepfakes. The letter, authored by Andrew Critch of UC Berkeley, proposes criminalizing deepfake child pornography, imposing criminal penalties for creators of harmful deepfakes, and requiring AI companies to prevent generation of harmful deepfakes. Over 400 individuals signed, including Steven Pinker, Joy Buolamwini, and two former Estonian presidents, as well as researchers from Google, DeepMind, and OpenAI. The letter cites potential societal risks from deepfakes and follows concerns raised by Elon Musk about AI risks.

Meta Removes Iran’s Supreme Leader’s Social Media Accounts Over ‘Cybersecurity Concerns’

Meta removed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's accounts from Facebook and Instagram for violating its Dangerous Organisations & Individuals policy, which prohibits those involved in violence. Khamenei's Instagram had over 5 million followers. Meta did not specify exact reasons. Microsoft revealed Iranian cyber-attacks since October 2023 to bolster Hamas, and Iranian hackers disrupted streaming services in the UAE, Canada, and the UK in December 2023. Iran denies involvement in the October 7 Hamas attack. The article also notes that Meta, X, Google, and Microsoft have been accused of censoring pro-Palestinian content.

Unchecked Methane Leaks From Landfills Risk Global Climate Targets

The Guardian's investigation has revealed over 1,000 significant methane leaks from landfill waste dumps since 2019, posing a severe threat to global climate targets. Satellite data shows South Asian nations (Pakistan, India, Bangladesh) as well as Argentina, Uzbekistan, and Spain are hotspots. Methane is 86 times more potent than carbon dioxide over 20 years. Between January 2019 and June 2023, there were 1,256 methane super-emitter events globally. Mitigation strategies include reducing organic waste, diverting waste from landfills, or capturing methane. Experts such as Prof Euan Nisbet (Royal Holloway University) suggest covering landfills with soil. Carlos Silva Filho (International Solid Waste Association) notes that achieving a 30% methane reduction by 2030 requires addressing waste industry emissions. Antoine Halff (Kayrros) emphasizes that waste is a significant methane source in developing countries. Dr Richa Singh (Centre for Science and Environment) calls for urgent intervention. Notable events include New Delhi experiencing at least 124 super-emitter events since 2020, Lahore a single event equivalent to 34 million car exhausts, and Buenos Aires 100 events with a worst-case of 230 tonnes per hour.

Apple Claims Top Spot in Global Smartphone Market, Ending Samsung’s 12-Year Reign

Apple surpassed Samsung to become the global smartphone market leader for the first time in 12 years, with over 20% market share and 234 million units sold in 2023. Samsung held 19.4%. The overall market declined 3% to 1.2 billion units, the lowest in a decade, due to economic challenges. Apple benefited from trade-in offers, interest-free financing, and premium demand, despite regulatory issues and Huawei competition in China. Samsung faced weak demand and competition from affordable brands like Transsion and Xiaomi.

AI to Revolutionise Job Requirements: Tech Skills No Longer Mandatory, says IBM Executive

IBM executive Matthew Candy stated that AI advancements will make computer science degrees less essential, emphasizing the growing importance of soft skills like creativity and innovation. IBM CEO Arvind Krishna projected that AI could replace around 30% of the company's back-office roles over five years, equating to over 7,800 positions. A report by Hero Vired found that 82% of professionals fear job redundancy due to AI. Candy noted that AI could also revolutionize the arts, allowing individuals to take on graphic design roles without specialized degrees.

Global Campaign Urges People to Ring in New Year With Call for Ceasefire in Gaza

Peace activists launched the Countdown2Ceasefire campaign urging people to turn New Year countdowns into a collective call for a ceasefire in Gaza. The enclave has suffered severe bombardment since October 7, with 28,822 killed/missing, including 9,100 children, and over 55,000 injured. The campaign has support in over 30 countries. Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and Doctors Without Borders condemned countries that vetoed or abstained from ceasefire votes. The World Food Programme highlighted the urgent food crisis. Israel's attacks have destroyed over 70% of homes and displaced over 90% of the population. Recent violence includes 100 killed and 286 wounded in central Gaza. Israeli war cabinet will discuss prisoner exchanges, while Prime Minister Netanyahu vows to continue attacks. The Biden administration bypassed Congress on weapons sales. Israeli forces killed 13 Palestinians in Khan Younis and two girls near the European Hospital. Overnight raids in the West Bank detained 16 people, bringing total arrests since October 7 to 4,876.

2023: A Year of Unprecedented Heat and Climate Change Warnings

2023 was the hottest year in recorded history, with July being the hottest month in 120,000 years. Former NASA scientist James Hansen voiced skepticism about governments' effectiveness in tackling climate change. The director of Columbia University's Earth Institute advocated for a generational shift in leadership. Fossil fuels were officially acknowledged as the primary cause of the climate crisis after three decades of debate. COP28 ended with a vague call for a 'transition away' from fossil fuels. Temperature records showed the world is about 1.2°C hotter than preindustrial times, with a >99% chance 2023 would be the hottest in NOAA's 174-year dataset. Extreme events like heatwaves, droughts, floods, and fires have accelerated. Professor Johan Rockström warned Earth may be entering a 'payback' phase for human environmental toll.

Tesla’s Cybertruck Faces Challenges as Deliveries Begin

Tesla's Cybertruck is entering the EV market two years behind schedule with over a million reservations. Priced around US$61,000, it faces questions about functionality and appeal to traditional pickup buyers. A window-breaking incident at the 2019 launch event raised durability concerns, though Tesla claims to have fixed it. Analysts are divided on whether the Cybertruck's distinctive design can overcome these challenges. The delay allowed Tesla time to address issues, expand charging infrastructure, and build interest.

OpenAI’s Upcoming ChatGPT Update Leaked Ahead of Developer Conference

Screenshots and videos of OpenAI's ChatGPT update have been leaked ahead of its Developer Conference. The update includes a custom chatbot creator (GPT Builder), web browsing, data analysis, and a marketplace for sharing chatbots. OpenAI plans an enterprise 'Team' subscription at $25/user/month with unlimited high-speed GPT-4 and extended context length. Tibor Blaho posted a video showcasing the new UI and will preview tools at the conference.

Elon Musk Launches AI Chatbot ‘Grok’ on X Platform

Elon Musk launched an AI chatbot named Grok on the X platform (formerly Twitter), available initially to select users. Grok is designed to answer questions with sarcasm and humor, even provocative ones, and Musk claimed it is 'the best that currently exists' in some aspects. Developed by xAI, Grok will integrate with X and later be offered as a standalone app to paying subscribers. Musk co-founded OpenAI, and Grok faces criticism for inaccuracies common to generative AI. The chatbot was inspired by Douglas Adams' 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.'

The AI Revolution: Microsoft’s Copilot Set to Redefine Office Dynamics

Microsoft is set to launch Microsoft 365 Copilot, an AI assistant embedded into Office apps, on November 1 after successful trials. The tool can summarize Teams meetings, draft emails, create documents, spreadsheets, and presentations quickly. It uses technology similar to ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI, in which Microsoft has invested billions. The launch has sparked debate about the future of office work, with Microsoft claiming it eliminates tedious tasks, while critics worry about job disruptions. Concerns about over-reliance on AI were raised by Carissa Veliz of Oxford University, highlighting system failures and privacy issues. European and Chinese regulations require transparency in human-AI interactions. Microsoft 365 Copilot will cost US$30 per month and require internet connection.

Maldives Partners with CNN for Sustainable Tourism Campaign