Daily Digest on AI and Emerging Technologies (1 November 2024)

TOP OF THE DAY

Leading the digital and Fourth Industrial Revolutions in Africa

(Landry Signé – Brookings – 31 October 2024) Despite the narrative that Africa’s challenges will inevitably lead it to fall behind in the 4IR, current and emerging leaders and innovators are paving the path for Africa to become a global powerhouse. – Leading the digital and Fourth Industrial Revolutions in Africa

Beyond oil: Google’s big bet on Saudi Arabia’s AI future

(Mohammed Soliman – Middle East Institute – 31  October 2024) In a landmark move signaling the growing importance of the Middle East in the global tech landscape, Google has entered into a strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), the kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund. Google Cloud and PIF announced the agreement, which would see the establishment of a new artificial intelligence (AI) hub in Saudi Arabia, on the sidelines of the Future Investment Initiative 8th Edition (FII8) conference in Riyadh. The hub, to be located near Dammam in the Eastern Province, will feature the latest Google Cloud infrastructure, including tensor processing units (TPUs) and graphics processing units (GPUs). The partnership aims to position Saudi Arabia as a global AI leader, drive advancements in Arabic language AI models, and create thousands of jobs in the technology sector. The partnership underscores the “growing interlink” between AI and energy, as Saudi Arabia — along with the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf states — uses its energy surplus to power data centers, a critical pillar of AI infrastructure. This energy advantage makes the region increasingly attractive to tech giants like Google, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Amazon. – Beyond oil: Google’s big bet on Saudi Arabia’s AI future | Middle East Institute

Digital Inclusion and the Global Tech Divide: How the Digital Revolution is Leaving Some of Us in the Digital Dark Ages

(Aminah Mustapha – Georgetown Security Studies Review – 30 October 2024) The digital revolution has changed nearly every facet of daily life—from communication and work to tackling urgent global issues such as climate change and public health. Despite technology’s ability to connect and empower, millions worldwide are still excluded from its advantages. This “digital divide”—the disparity between those with access to modern information and communication technologies (ICT) and those without—extends far beyond merely lacking the latest smartphone or not having social media accounts. The digital divide restricts access to vital services like education and healthcare, heightening socioeconomic inequalities and hindering global progress on crucial matters. It exacerbates existing layers of exclusion, where cost, infrastructure issues, and poor digital literacy further separate the fortunate and the less fortunate. At a geopolitical level, inadequate technology development leads to national economic stagnation, weakens government effectiveness, and increases susceptibility to cyber threats and disinformation. Tech-related inequality risks intensifying geopolitical tensions and inciting social unrest if left unaddressed. Ultimately, this multilayered problem requires a collaborative response from governments and industry. Without purposeful efforts to close this gap, the digital divide will persist in increasing inequalities, leaving the disadvantaged even further behind. Policy interventions that foster digital inclusion are needed. Digital inclusion means ensuring all individuals, especially underserved communities, have equitable access to technology and the skills needed to use it effectively. It includes affordable internet, digital literacy programs, accessible content, and the ability to participate in the digital economy. Ultimately, digital inclusion enables fuller social participation and helps bridge social and economic divides–essential to a fairer and more resilient global future. – Digital Inclusion and the Global Tech Divide: How the Digital Revolution is Leaving Some of Us in the Digital Dark Ages. – Georgetown Security Studies Review

The changing submarine cables landscape

(Yuka Koshino – European Union Institute for Security Studies – 30 October 2024) The rapid development of digital technologies has dramatically increased global internet bandwidth demand, with submarine cables today accounting for nearly 99% of intercontinental data traffic. These undersea cables are the backbone of global communications and the internet economy. Despite their critical importance, these cables remain inadequately protected, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. Globally, approximately 100-200 cases of damage to undersea cables are reported annually according to the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC). Most of these incidents are accidental, typically caused by fishing or anchoring. Physical protection measures, such as burial in shallow waters and electronic monitoring of anomalies, along with legal regulations, all contribute to cable security. However, much of the responsibility for protecting these cables lies with operators, limiting private-public cooperation and creating vulnerabilities, whether during times of peace, ‘grey zone’ situations or at moments of crisis. Ensuring seamless protection that spans from peacetime to periods of potential volatility remains a significant challenge. The Indo-Pacific, a region marked by complex geopolitics and rising tensions, faces unique challenges in ensuring the security of its submarine cables. For the European Union, whose interests in the region are framed by its 2021 Indo-Pacific Strategy, the vulnerabilities related to this critical infrastructure pose a strategic risk, calling for more proactive measures to manage them. – The changing submarine cables landscape | European Union Institute for Security Studies

Tech companies are showing a new, strong interest in nuclear power. Here’s why

(Jennifer T. Gordon, Lauren Hughes – Atlantic Council – 29 October 2024) Earlier this month, Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Google announced partnerships and investments in advanced nuclear reactor developers. Tech companies are new players in the nuclear innovation ecosystem and find investment in nuclear generation—both existing and future reactors—compelling because of its unparalleled ability to reliably generate large amounts of carbon-free electricity. However, the upfront capital investment required to build a first-of-a-kind reactor is substantial. Tech companies are now partnering directly with advanced reactor developers and with traditional industry players—such as utility companies—to advance new nuclear projects. – Tech companies are showing a new, strong interest in nuclear power. Here’s why. – Atlantic Council

AI in Space Technologies: A Singapore Case Study

(Karryl Kim Sagun Trajano, Iuna Tsyrulneva, Chee Yong Sean Chua – RSIS – 29 October 2024) Singapore, Asia’s smartest city in 2024, is treading towards integrating artificial intelligence (AI) with space technologies. This report examines the impact, potential, and challenges of this convergence, based on insights from five space experts across Singapore’s public, private, and academic sectors. Key themes include: (i) AI’s role in enhancing space and Earth sustainability; (ii) Singapore’s focus on equatorial data collection with AI to bridge global data gaps; and (iii) fostering public-private-academic synergy in AI and space. Highlighted are AI applications for remote sensing, challenges like data quality and talent gaps, and the multi-stakeholder ecosystem in Singapore as a case for sustainable innovation. The report recommends that Singapore develop a National Space Strategy to ensure responsible and sustainable space and Earth activities, strive for sustained innovation momentum in AI applications for space technologies, establish stronger collaborative platforms across sectors that will aid in data sharing and address the talent gap, prioritise collection of climate and environmental data to improve forecasts, contribute to the global climate dataset, and expedite reactions to regional adverse events. – AI in Space Technologies: A Singapore Case Study – RSIS

 

SECURITY

FBI: Iranian cyber group targeted Summer Olympics with attack on French display provider

(Jonathan Greig – The Record – 31 October 2024) The FBI and other agencies accused Iranian cyber actors of targeting the 2024 Summer Olympics, including an attempt to take over display boards to denounce Israel. The U.S. Department of Treasury and Israel National Cyber Directorate joined the FBI in publishing an advisory this week about the operations of Emennet Pasargad — a well-known Iranian cyber operation previously implicated in hacking attempts targeting Israel and the 2020 U.S. presidential election. – FBI: Iranian cyber group targeted Summer Olympics with attack on French display provider

Government Sector Suffers 236% Surge in Malware Attacks

 

(Phil Muncaster – Infosecurity Magazine – 31 October 2024) Global threat actors have been ramping up attacks on government targets, with a triple-digit annual increase in malware-driven attempts to compromise victims in the first three months of the year, according to SonicWall. The security vendor’s analysis is based on attacks it blocked for customers. Alongside the 236% year-on-year (YoY) increase in Q1 2024, it recorded a 27% annual increase in government attacks in the month leading up to the US election. – Government Sector Suffers 236% Surge in Malware Attacks – Infosecurity Magazine

Over 80% of US Small Businesses Have Been Breached

(Phil Muncaster – Infosecurity Magazine – 31 October 2024) A growing number of US small businesses are taking preventative security measures, despite the share suffering a data or security breach surging to 81% last year, according to the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC). The non-profit collated publicly reported breaches and information from victims who got in touch to compile its annual Consumer & Business Impact Report. – Over 80% of US Small Businesses Have Been Breached – Infosecurity Magazine

GOVERNANCE

DHS highlights hiring and project milestones on anniversary of Biden’s AI order

(Edward Graham – NextGov – 31 October 2024) The Department of Homeland Security has “successfully tested” three generative artificial intelligence pilots and hired more than half of the experts needed to fill out its new AI Corps, according to an update published by the agency on Wednesday. The announcement came on the one year anniversary of President Joe Biden’s executive order on the safe and secure use of AI technologies, which established governmentwide guardrails around the adoption of the emerging capabilities. The White House said in a recent press release that all federal agencies have successfully completed their scheduled AI-related requirements over the past 12 months. – DHS highlights hiring and project milestones on anniversary of Biden’s AI order – Nextgov/FCW

On November 5, AI is also on the ballot

(Ali Nouri – Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists – 31 October 2024) Artificial intelligence represents one of the most consequential technologies of our time, promising tremendous benefits while posing serious risks to the nation’s security and democracy. The 2024 election will determine whether America leads or retreats from its crucial role in ensuring AI develops safely and in alignment with democratic values. AI promises extraordinary benefits—from accelerating scientific discoveries to improving healthcare to boosting productivity across our economy. But realizing these benefits requires what experts call “safe innovation,” developing AI in ways that protect American safety, security, and values. – On November 5, AI is also on the ballot – Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists

Moving Data, Moving Target: Uncertainties remain in China’s overhauled cross-border data transfer regime

(Cross-Border Data Forum – 31 October 2024) In a new publication for Stanford University’s DigiChina Project, authors Samm Sacks, Krystal Chen Zeng and Graham Webster break down the regulatory framework and potential impacts of China’s 2024 overhaul of its cross-border data transfer regime.  The authors unpack remaining questions and debates that will impact outbound data transfers from China, from what qualifies as national security data (“important data”) to volume thresholds triggering a mandatory government assessment, to regulatory burdens in free trade zones, and the concept of “necessity.”. The essay also offers a high-level overview of Chinese expert opinion on the matter and reminds readers that while they are able to provide a detailed snapshot of the current state-of-play for data transfers out of China, this policy area is likely to remain a moving target for quite some time. – Moving Data, Moving Target: Uncertainties remain in China’s overhauled cross-border data transfer regime – Cross-Border Data Forum

DEFENSE, INTELLIGENCE, AND WAR

Ukraine rolls out dozens of AI systems to help its drones hit targets

(Max Hunder – Reuters – 31 October 2024) Ukraine is using dozens of domestically made AI-augmented systems for its drones to reach targets on the battlefield without being piloted, a senior official said, disclosing new details about the race against Russia to harness automation. Systems that use artificial intelligence allow cheap drones carrying explosives to spot or fly to their targets in areas protected by extensive signal jamming, which has reduced the effectiveness of manually piloted drones. – Ukraine rolls out dozens of AI systems to help its drones hit targets | Reuters