Tech
UN Report Highlights The Environmental Impact Of Emerging Technologies
A recent report from the United Nations has shed light on the significant contribution of emerging technologies like AI and 5G to greenhouse gas emissions, posing a threat to global efforts to combat climate change. The increasing demand for data transmission, processing, and storage drives the growth of data centers, resulting in substantial energy consumption and water usage.
The International Energy Agency forecasts that global data center electricity demand will more than double from 2022 to 2026, with AI playing a major role in this increase. The expansion of data centers to support AI development has led to a significant rise in energy consumption, with the US hosting about a third of the world’s data centers, followed by Europe and China.
While AI has the potential to combat climate change by addressing challenges like fuel-efficient routing and flood forecasting, its own environmental impact cannot be overlooked. Google has reported that its data centers
are designed to maximize efficiency, and the company is working to develop sustainable AI that can help reduce emissions by up to 1,000 times.
However, the lack of transparency from tech companies regarding the environmental impact of their AI models makes it challenging to measure and mitigate their effects. Research suggests that generating a single image using generative AI models consumes the same amount of energy as fully charging a smartphone.
The UN report emphasizes the need for collective action from policymakers, government officials, business leaders, and individuals to harness the potential of AI for climate action while ensuring its sustainable and equitable use. This can be achieved by encouraging data sharing, ensuring affordable technology access, building awareness, and supporting AI and climate-related upskilling programs.
The report highlights the importance of standardized measurement methods for emissions attributable to AI and the need for climate-conscious approaches to cooling data centers. As the world moves forward with emerging technologies, it is crucial to develop creative solutions that allow us to reap the benefits of AI while minimizing its harmful impact on the environment.
In the face of climate change, it is essential to acknowledge the carbon footprint of AI and work towards developing sustainable models that can help combat climate change. The UN report serves as a wake-up call for policymakers and tech companies to come together and find solutions to mitigate the environmental impact of emerging technologies like AI and 5G.
A group of former employees has filed a lawsuit against X, formerly known as Twitter, alleging unfair treatment following the company’s acquisition by Elon Musk. The lawsuit claims that X violated labor laws, failed to provide adequate notice and severance packages, and disproportionately targeted women and older workers for job cuts.
The lawsuit is one of several filed in the months after Musk’s $44 billion acquisition, which led to the layoffs of approximately 75% of the workforce. Court documents reveal that other cases accuse Twitter of not giving employees and contractors advance notice of layoffs and failing to pay billions of dollars in promised severance.
X has denied any wrongdoing, but the lawsuits highlight the challenges faced by the company as it undergoes significant restructuring. As the cases move forward, they will likely provide insight into the inner workings of X and the decisions made by Musk and his team.
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“We’re committed to protecting the rights of our former employees and ensuring that they receive the fair treatment they deserve,” said a spokesperson for the plaintiffs. X has not commented further on the lawsuits, but its denial of wrongdoing suggests a lengthy and contentious legal battle ahead.
In a bold move to enhance user safety across Sub-Saharan Africa, TikTok has launched its inaugural Safety Advisory Council, a diverse group of experts tasked with providing localized insights and recommendations on safety issues. This initiative marks a significant step in TikTok’s global safety strategy, expanding on its existing network of Safety Advisory Councils that have shaped the platform’s safety policies worldwide.
The council members, comprising academics, NGOs, content creators, and community leaders, will work closely with TikTok to address regional safety concerns and develop proactive strategies to manage emerging challenges. This collaborative approach underscores TikTok’s commitment to creating a secure and positive environment for its users in the region.
Read also : TikTok Unveils Inaugural Visionary Voices List For Africa
Alongside the council, TikTok is launching the latest phase of its #SaferTogether campaign, focusing on educating the community about safety features and community guidelines through workshops, social media outreach, and partnerships with local stakeholders. The campaign aims to promote a shared responsibility for safety and encourage users to engage actively with the platform’s safety tools.
With the support of strategic partners like Safaricom, TikTok remains dedicated to upholding platform integrity and safeguarding its user community across Sub-Saharan Africa. As the platform
A pioneering AI model has been hailed as a game-changer in the fight against heart disease, detecting inflammation in the heart that evades traditional CT scans. This innovative technology has the potential to revolutionize heart disease prevention and treatment, identifying individuals at risk of a heart attack within the next decade.
The AI platform, developed by Oxford University spinout company Caristo Diagnostics, is currently being piloted at five NHS hospital trusts. The project has already shown promising results, with plans for a national rollout pending approval from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. This breakthrough technology uses an algorithm to detect coronary inflammation and plaque, enabling early intervention and treatment.
Research has consistently shown that increased inflammation is linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and fatal heart attacks. The British Heart Foundation estimates that approximately 7.6 million people in the UK live with heart disease, costing the NHS £7.4 billion annually.The AI technology has the potential to significantly reduce this burden, providing a targeted approach to prevention and treatment.
The Orfan study, involving 40,000 patients, found that 80% of individuals sent back to primary care without a defined prevention or treatment plan were at risk of future heart attacks. By using the AI technology, 45% of these patients were prescribed medication or encouraged to make lifestyle changes to prevent future heart attacks.
Ian Pickard, a participant in the pilot project, received a wakeup call when the AI analysis revealed he was at risk of having a heart attack. He has since been prescribed statins, quit smoking, and increased his exercise, crediting the technology with saving his life. Prof Charalambos Antoniades, lead researcher on the Orfan study, emphasized the significance of this technology, stating that it enables early intervention and treatment, preventing heart attacks from happening.
As the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence assesses the technology, the potential for a nationwide rollout brings hope for a future where heart disease is prevented and treated with unprecedented accuracy
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