new One vital fact we all know about financial decisions is that they come with certainrisks and potential rewards. We equally know that investment is all about risk, and your investment value may drop. But with risk tied to potential reward, it is hard to ascertain which risk is consideredappropriate for you.When a business owner makes financial decisions, many factors come together to influence them. This may include their emotional prejudice, which can make them take too little risk or too much risk for their situations.This begs the question; how do one balance risk and reward when investing? Swissmoney - a digital-first banking solution, provides insight into how risk and reward can be balanced and the level of risk one should take when investing.How Are Risk And Reward Connected?The general rule of the business game is that the more you invest, the higher your return on investment. However, this comes with a huge investment risk as your investment value may fall, and you may be on the verge of losing more money.While we often believe that higher risk means higher potential returns, it doesn't mean you should go for those investments. Investments are usually placed on a sliding risk scale so that people will see where they fall.For every fund you invest in, for instance, there is a 'risk rating' to help you select the investment that suits you. That is why you must know investments are categorized from lower to higher risks.If you are an average investor, you will know that choosing a high-risk investment portfolio is unsuitable. Therefore, creating an investment portfolio will help you identify which is appropriate.Factors That Affect The Level Of Risk You Should TakeWhen it comes to knowing the level of risk you should take, there is no one-size fits all solution. Therefore, you may need to consider the following financial situations in measuring your risk level;The timeframe you are willing to invest: In every business, part of what determines the amount of risk you can afford is the time you plan to invest. The general rule is the longer the time you plan to invest, the higher the risk you can take.So, if you are making a financial decision, let's say to invest in a particular direction, such as retirement or career, you are in the right position to bear more risk. This is because investing in a longer timeframe gives you more chances to recover from dips in the market.Consider your investment goals: This should be at the top of your investment decisions. This is because they significantly impact the risk level you are comfortable with.It is best to take a more conservative system if your goal is to invest in your grandkids or kids' future. But if you are thinking of venturing on a new business path, you may be willing to take more because it has to do with creating extra income for yourself.Think about your assets: One of the best ways to consider an investment risk option is to look at your wider financial circumstances. If you think other assets you own are at high risk with your decision, it is better your consider a lower risk.You should consider the level of risk you are taking across all of your assets so that you can have a balanced portfolio.Consider your capacity to bear the loss: No matter how enticing the potential reward may look, you must consider if you are able to bear the loss should your investment value fall. Consider how it will impact your plans.If you are sensing it's going to badly affect your plans, then it is advisable to go for an investment with a low level of risk. If it is going to make your business financially vulnerable, don't hesitate to consider some alternatives first.Consider what will be your financial position should your investment value fall, and use that to know if you should invest or not. You will most likely balance the risks with rewards if your loss will not seriously affect your financial position.Your perspective to risk: You should also consider your attitude towards investment risk. Before making any financial decision, you must try to consider how you feel about that investment decision. But bias can step in sometimes.In fact, bias is the reason why some business owners and investors will take too much or too little risk. This is where the service of a financial advisor becomes necessary.However, whatever your risk profile is, the basic understanding and lessons of financial and investment decisions still apply.Therefore, you should keep these vital investment and financial tips in mind as you are making your decision; Have long-term investment goals: if you really want to stay in the game and make more money, your ideal investment time frame should be five years. This timeframe will provide the chance to smooth out the troughs and perks, hopefully giving returns over the long term.Take your eye off short-term fluctuations: Most business owners and investorseasily dash out of an investment plan because they focus on the daily market movement.Doing this can make it become tempting to deviate from your plan by selling or buying. Instead, believe that your long-term plan will yield, irrespective. Remember, it is the time in the market that matters and not timing the market.Divert your portfolio: It is good for every investment portfolio to invest in a range of sectors and assets. This helps to ensure the risk is not centered on a particular investment.When one area of your portfolio is not performing as expected, another can help. Even when it involves a high-risk profile, there is no other best option than to diversify.ConclusionIn conclusion, risk and reward are often used when considering an investment plan. To make a good financial decision that will help you balance both or gain more rewards, you must calculate your risk and measure your reward before you decide. Always invest in a business or plan you have considered the risk in order to achieve better outcomes. — SME Business Daily Media, 7h ago

new Request a free sample copy in PDF or view the report summary: https://www.expertmarketresearch.com/reports/telemedicine-market/requestsampleTelemedicine Market OverviewUnderstanding Telemedicine This encompasses a wide range of services, from virtual doctor consultations to remote patient monitoring and telepharmacy. Telemedicine eliminates the need for physical presence, making healthcare services accessible to individuals globally.Market Size and Growth The telemedicine market achieved a substantial market size of USD 73.1 billion in 2023 and is poised to continue its growth journey with a CAGR of 19.3% from 2024 to 2032, ultimately reaching a staggering USD 377.0 billion by 2032. This remarkable growth can be attributed to several key factors, which we will explore in detail.Telemedicine Market DynamicsTechnological Advancements The rapid evolution of technology is a driving force behind the telemedicine boom. High-speed internet, smartphones, wearable devices, and improved telecommunication infrastructure have all played pivotal roles in making remote healthcare services accessible. Telemedicine platforms now boast high-quality video and audio capabilities, ensuring seamless communication between patients and healthcare providers.Increased Adoption of Teleconsultation The widespread acceptance of teleconsultation has been steadily increasing. Patients have come to appreciate the convenience and accessibility of virtual appointments, particularly for non-emergency consultations. The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated this trend, highlighting the importance of remote healthcare services.External Telemedicine Market TrendsChanging Regulatory Landscape Governments and regulatory bodies worldwide are adapting to accommodate telemedicine. They are implementing policies and regulations to ensure patient safety, data privacy, and the growth of telehealth services. Staying informed about these evolving regulations is crucial for telemedicine providers.Remote Monitoring and IoT Integration The integration of Internet of Things (IoT) devices into telemedicine has opened up new possibilities. Remote monitoring of vital signs and health parameters enables proactive healthcare management. Patients can transmit real-time data to healthcare professionals, leading to more accurate diagnoses and treatment adjustments.Explore the full report with the table of contents: https://www.expertmarketresearch.com/reports/telemedicine-marketTelemedicine Market SegmentationPatient Demographics Telemedicine serves a diverse range of patients, from tech-savvy individuals to the elderly and those residing in remote areas with limited healthcare access. Understanding these demographics is vital for tailoring services effectively.Specialty Areas Telemedicine extends beyond general consultations to various specialty areas, including telepsychiatry, teledermatology, teleoncology, and more. Each specialty has unique requirements and considerations, necessitating market segmentation.Telemedicine Market GrowthGlobal Expansion Telemedicine knows no geographical boundaries. Its reach is expanding worldwide, with healthcare providers, tech companies, and startups entering the market from different corners of the globe. This global expansion is contributing significantly to the industry's rapid growth.Improved Patient Outcomes Research indicates that telemedicine can lead to improved patient outcomes. Timely consultations, continuous monitoring, and better access to healthcare professionals contribute to early diagnosis and effective management of various medical conditions.Recent Developments in the Telemedicine MarketTelemedicine Platforms Telemedicine platforms are continually evolving to offer more features and capabilities. Many now integrate electronic health records (EHRs), prescription management, and secure patient messaging, enhancing the overall patient experience.AI and Telemedicine Artificial intelligence (AI) is making its presence felt in telemedicine. Machine learning algorithms are being employed to analyze medical data, predict patient outcomes, and enhance diagnostic accuracy. The integration of AI promises to revolutionize telemedicine further.Telemedicine Market ScopePatient Convenience Telemedicine offers unparalleled convenience to patients. They can schedule appointments at their convenience, eliminating the need for lengthy commutes and extended wait times in crowded waiting rooms.Cost Savings Telemedicine presents cost savings for both patients and healthcare providers. Patients save on travel expenses and time, while healthcare providers can optimize their resources more efficiently.Telemedicine Market AnalysisKey Players The telemedicine market boasts a diverse array of key players, including established healthcare institutions, technology firms, and startups. Prominent players include Teladoc Health, Amwell, Doctor on Demand, and numerous others. These companies offer a wide array of telehealth services and continue to innovate in the field.Patent Analysis Analyzing patents is crucial to understanding the technological innovations propelling the telemedicine market. It offers insights into the key players' areas of focus and hints at potential future developments.Grants and Funding Monitoring grants and funding within the telemedicine sector provide valuable insights into market trends and growth areas. Government support and private investment often signify confidence in the market's potential.Clinical Trials Clinical trials within the telemedicine realm are essential for validating the efficacy and safety of remote healthcare solutions. Keeping abreast of ongoing trials can provide valuable information about emerging telemedicine treatments and technologies.Partnerships and Collaborations Partnerships and collaborations among telemedicine providers, healthcare organizations, and technology companies are commonplace. These alliances often result in innovative solutions and expanded service offerings.FAQ: Addressing Common Questions1. Is telemedicine as effective as in-person visits? Telemedicine has proven highly effective for many types of consultations and follow-ups. However, certain cases necessitate physical examinations or procedures, mandating in-person visits.2. Is telemedicine secure and private? Telemedicine platforms prioritize security and privacy, employing encryption and adhering to stringent data protection regulations to safeguard patient information.3. How can I access telemedicine services? Accessing telemedicine services is straightforward. Many healthcare providers have their telemedicine platforms or collaborate with established telehealth companies. Patients can typically schedule appointments through websites or mobile apps.4. Will insurance cover telemedicine consultations? Insurance coverage for telemedicine varies by provider and policy. Many insurance companies now offer coverage for telehealth services, but it's essential to verify specific plan details.Related Report:Surgical Robots Market... — openPR.com, 12h ago

new Independent game publisher PLAYISM announced that the latest game in the “Crab Wars” series of crustacean action games developed by Calappa Games, in which you knock your opponents to the ground to win – “Crab Wars 2”, will be released on February 13, 2024. Start Early Access on Steam. In addition, a trial version of this game will be released at the Steam New Product Festival on February 6, 2024. “Crab Wars 2” is the long-awaited sequel to “Crab Wars”. You need to win by knocking over your opponent. It is a fighting action game that incorporates strategic elements into the giant crustacean battle based on the physics engine. Advertisement (Please continue reading this article) In this game, you can challenge various enemies in the career mode while creating your own unique tactics. Have fun with crabs from all over the world through online play for up to 5 people. In addition, in addition to the operation method of the previous game “Crab War”, this game also adds a “modern mode” operation method similar to a third-person action game, and also has a commentary function that allows you to know the battle situation. You can also realize automatic operations through skill matching, etc. This game has gained a new evolution and will be simpler and easier to use than the previous game. Early access advertising will be launched on February 13, 2024 (please continue reading this article). The career mode that can cultivate crabs and various modes that can enjoy online battles have been implemented in the early access version. If you want to experience this game as soon as possible, Players who have played the game, please actively participate in the early experience! We plan to gradually adjust the balance and add various new elements as the early access progresses. This game will be released as a limited-time trial version at the Steam New Product Festival. In this trial version, you can experience the new modern mode operation, as well as new elements such as career mode, and even experience content such as battles and cooperative play that require online connections. . The trial version is only open until early access starts, so don’t miss this good opportunity. ※The trial version has restrictions on the types of crabs and weapons, as well as the career mode training time, etc. Picture Carousel 0 Game Introduction A career mode that you can enjoy alone. Grow up with the crabs and aim for the highest peak! You need to acquire a variety of skills and weapons, and advance your career while improving your abilities. You can compete in the “Official Competition” to improve your ranking, you can also fight against farm machinery and even monsters in the “Exhibition Competition”, and you can even punish evil crabs for justice in the “Event Competition”. The trained crabs can be used in online battles, or their skills can be passed on to new generations of crabs. An online mode that everyone can enjoy together. This game is equipped with a ranked matching mode for 1V1 competition with players from all over the world, an entertainment matching mode, a challenge mode where you can work together to fight powerful crabs, and a room matching function for up to 5 people to play together. . In room matching, you can also set a password or customize rules to have a unique contest. Here comes the key point! Humanity! In this game, you don’t play as a crab. But humans! You can ride on the crab and manipulate it freely. After getting off the crab, you can also help the crab by carrying and throwing weapons, using stage mechanisms, etc. In a group battle, even if your crab is eliminated, you can transfer to your partner’s crab. Develop highly skilled tactics such as this. In addition, in this game, you can not only customize the appearance and equipment, but also customize your own character appearance by linking it with VRoid Hub. Weapons: The crab can hold weapons with its left and right pincers. There are everything from daggers and chainsaws to super weapons such as motorcycles, drills and jets, and even fantasy artifacts such as holy swords and somersault clouds. Use these weapons to defeat crabs with ease! Spells: As you take damage, you will accumulate “crab energy”. By consuming the crab energy, you can exert various effects. Such as summoning weapons and obstacles, or shooting lasers from the eyes, etc. In some cases, this may be a way to turn defeat into victory! SkillsAcquire more than 40 various skills and equip them on your body to customize your crab! Skills include automatic skills to assist crabs in their movements, visual enhancement skills to increase the amount of information displayed, and even super skills to release special moves through postures, etc.! Even a novice can use various skills to achieve smooth and smooth operations! Crab Breeder——Shione Maki Here we will introduce to you the breeder who assists players in raising crabs in the career mode—Shione Maki. The school color designer is illustrator Mr. Koshida Kushida (@KIN_G_OF_KINGS). She appears in the game as a 3D model, come and check it out in the game. — Archyde, 12h ago

new The energy transition towards a more sustainable and renewable future is a pivotal global endeavor. Central to this shift for the United States is the critical role of domestically sourced lithium, a key mineral in the production of high-performance batteries essential for electric vehicles and renewable energy storage systems. This has driven the United States to invest heavily in a domestic supply chain for battery-grade lithium to enhance energy security, reduce supply chain vulnerabilities, and foster economic growth by tapping into local resources. A notable example is the Biden Administration’s “American Battery Materials Initiative,” which was included in the $2.8-billion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (The White House, 2022). The “Salton Sea Known Geothermal Resource Area” in Imperial County, California has been identified as a potential domestic U.S. resource of lithium due to the brine-hosted lithium in the deep subsurface geothermal reservoir. An analysis funded by the U.S. Department of Energy provides an overview of opportunities and challenges associated with developing the lithium resource in the Salton Sea geothermal reservoir, as well as potential environmental and societal impacts to the county and surrounding region. The geologic history of the region suggests that lithium in the subsurface brines could have come from multiple sources, including water and sediments from the Colorado River, which have been periodically deposited over the past several million years; rocks from the mountain ranges surrounding the Imperial Valley; and lithium-bearing volcanic rocks and igneous intrusions from past geologic events. Further, several processes may have concentrated lithium in the brine over time, including evaporative concentration of lithium-bearing water that flowed into the basin and leaching of lithium from the sediments and rocks by the circulating geothermal brines. Geothermal brine production at the Salton Sea Geothermal Field, the area with existing geothermal power plants, has averaged just over 120 million metric tons per year since 2004. Using an approximate lithium brine concentration of 198 parts per million (ppm), the amount of dissolved lithium contained in these produced brines is estimated to be 127,000 metric tons of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) per year. The total dissolved lithium content in the well-characterized portion of the Salton Sea Geothermal Reservoir is estimated at 4.1 million metric tons of LCE, and the estimated total resource increases to 18 million metric tons of LCE if assumptions for porosity and total reservoir size are increased to reflect the probable resource extent. Analysts measured lithium concentrations in the reservoir rocks, which were shown to vary with depth and mineralogy. These data were used to help refine conceptual and computer models of the reservoir; specifically, two complementary computer models of the reservoir were developed. Analysts used the first model to simulate the approximate 30-year history of geothermal power production in the area using historical production and reinjection data, then used that model to simulate a 30-year forecasting period. This forecast assumed continued production and reinjection rates at current levels but removes 95% of the lithium from the produced geothermal brine starting January 1, 2024. The model found that lithium recovery declines by more than half, from 0.8 to 0.3 kilograms per second (kg/s). Forecast scenarios that are optimized to both recover lithium and harness geothermal energy are expected to sustain lithium production rates much more effectively. The second model included more detailed simulations of the movement of brine and chemical reactivity of lithium within the reservoir. It showed that the reactions of relatively stable lithium-bearing minerals are slow, and that the primary replenishment mechanism for lithium in the brines is the upward flux of convecting lithium-rich brine from below the producing reservoir. However, these replenishment rates are not fast enough to produce significant increases in lithium, which could limit the long-term sustainability of the lithium resource. It is important to note that these models are preliminary and are based on current understanding of fluid replenishment rates, the minerals present in the geothermal system, and their chemical properties and reactivity. Further work should be undertaken to improve them and the associated predictions. The report also considered potential impacts on regional water resources, air quality, chemical use, and solid waste disposal needs, as well as the seismic risk associated with geothermal power production and lithium extraction activity. These investigations highlighted the need to proceed with good monitoring and verification systems and with appropriate mitigation technologies. However, the analysis illustrates that if these things are done properly, lithium development is not likely to create significant negative environmental impacts. Specifically, expanding geothermal energy production and lithium extraction will have a modest impact on water availability in the region. Initial estimates suggested that ~3% of historically available water supply for the region would be needed for currently proposed geothermal energy and lithium recovery operations; the majority of current water usage is for agriculture. It is not anticipated that expanding geothermal capacity or lithium production would impact the availability or quality of water used for human consumption and will not directly affect the water quality of the Salton Sea. However, the long-term drought conditions in the western United States may restrict future availability of water to the region, which is sourced from the Colorado River. In terms of regional air emissions of all pollutants identified in the analysis (particulate matter, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, and benzene, expanding geothermal energy and adding lithium extraction overall have a small impact. Chemical use involved in geothermal power production and lithium extraction is consistent with chemical use in industrial settings, and the analysis did not identify any persistent organic pollutants or acutely toxic chemicals among those currently being used. Moving fluids within the subsurface can impact subsurface pressures and stresses, potentially triggering seismic activity. Early in geothermal energy production, increasing seismicity rates in the Salton Sea Geothermal Field correlated strongly with energy production activity; however, that correlation weakened after 1996. Even following the onset of geothermal energy production, seismic hazard in the Salton Sea Geothermal Field has not increased beyond that of the surrounding region. In addition to technical outcomes from the analysis, the report describes an initial effort to incorporate community engagement into lithium research by understanding the local context and priorities and identifying how to effectively communicate to share information and gather feedback. The report includes information about the social and historical context of the region to enable a more holistic understanding of the resource and its potential impact, and identifies key community questions by observing public meetings, visiting the region, and consulting with local organizations. The report provides recommendations about how future research efforts can address community concerns and implement more community-engaged practices. These include developing formal partnerships with local organizations and establishing a community advisory board to facilitate ongoing dialogue and opportunities for feedback. The future work will build on and further refine the models and scenarios presented in the report and strive to deepen engagement with local communities. — interestingengineering.com, 16h ago

new In an announcement that came as a surprise to few, NASA now says that landing humans on the Moon by 2024 is no longer likely. Acting administrator Steve Jurczyk lays the blame at the feet of Congress, for failing to provide the funds needed for Human Landing Systems development, a critical step needed to meet the aggressive overall timeline. The announcement doesn’t mark the end of the Artemis program; in fact, NASA is continuing to work on a realistic timeline for getting boots back on the lunar surface, and a decision on which of the three submitted proposals for a lunar lander will be further developed should be coming in the next few months. As far as we can see, this is simply an adjustment to the original timeline for a landing, but given the stunning recent success of Perseverance showing just what robots can do, we’d expect pushback from some quarters on the need for human exploration. — Hackaday, 17h ago

new But even as PublicSquare presents itself as a safe haven to customers, it’s not clear that businesses have to necessarily do much to join the platform. According to The Washington Post, to qualify, a company must be a small or medium-size business that “affirms” the platform’s five core values. (The company also “prioritizes” business with products made in America, but it’s unclear how.) Many of those values seem to impose few, if any, burdens on the ways companies conduct themselves. Instead, they are merely vague statements like, “We believe in the greatness of this Nation and will always fight to defend it.” The most pointed one, which hints at gender traditionalism and anti-abortion stances, goes: “We will always protect the family unit and celebrate the sanctity of every life.” But it’s unclear whether there’s any enforcement mechanism other than consumer backlash against companies on PublicSquare that embrace anything that can be spun as “woke.”... — MSNBC.com, 1d ago

new As the high-speed railway network in China extends beyond 40,000 kilometers, maintaining seamless internet connectivity for passengers is becoming increasingly challenging. The demand for consistent and reliable online access is particularly crucial for travelers who spend extended hours on trains, relying on the expectation of undisturbed work, study, or entertainment. Addressing this need, a team of researchers from the School of Computer Science at Peking University developed ‘HiMoDiag’—an innovative tool designed to enhance the understanding and management of network performance in extremely high-mobility scenarios.“HiMoDiag stands out as a TCP-LTE/5G cross-layer performance analysis tool that enables full stack real-time comprehensive analysis and visualization of network performance from the application layer down to the physical layer,” explains Chenren Xu, corresponding author of the study. “It not only captures performance data across all layers of the network between user application and service provider but also visualizes it in a way that's actionable for network operators.”The team published their results in the KeAi journal High-speed Railway.Notably, HiMoDiag is particularly useful in scenarios whereby passengers expect stable internet connectivity to support their work and leisure activities during travel. The tool’s real-time analysis and visualization capabilities allow for immediate network performance diagnosis and performance optimization—an aspect that traditional diagnostic tools tend to fall short."By integrating cross-layer data analysis, we can now pinpoint and address issues much faster than before," Xu added. "This means less downtime for passengers and a more reliable service overall."The design of HiMoDiag addresses several challenges, including clock synchronization across network layers and endpoints, managing the substantial data volume resulting from 5G's high bandwidth, and mitigating interference arising from performance indicator transmission.Through its implementation and evaluation across an extensive dataset collected on trains with a maximum speed of 350 km/h, it has the potential to elevate network performance, thereby ensuring an enhanced user experience for passengers as well as quality of mission-critical service provided by LTE-R or 5G-R. HiMoDiag’s experiment platform also allows for flexible control over mobile devices, facilitating various types of network experiments. — newswise.com, 1d ago

new It is not easy to judge the role of President Nayib Bukele from outside El Salvador. He has already had many steps that must be recognized, but he also has some moves that are thought-provoking. For example, the current one. According to this, he will resign as president on February 4, 2024, but only so that he can be re-elected and start a new mandate in June 2024. Bukele goes on a six-month break All this is necessary because the Supreme Court of the country ruled in 2021 that Bukele can only get another mandate if he resigns six months before the second presidential mandate. This is what he will do now. Many Salvadorans were worried that the two big Salvadoran gangs (Barrio 18 and MS-13) would try to take advantage of the changes brought about by the resignation, but the legislature approved presidential protection for him for the interim period as well. Claudia Juana Rodríguez de Guevara will be acting president during this period. Rodríguez de Guevara, whose name strikes a chord with many, has been working with Bukele for a long time, holding several positions alongside him during his career. Most recently, he worked as the state secretary of the presidential office. It is interesting that he does not live his life as publicly as Bukele, he hardly has any posts on social media. During his six-month presidency, no major changes are likely to occur. Thus, it is also impossible to know whether any changes may occur in the relationship between Salvador and Bitcoin. The most likely thing is that everything will go forward in the same way as it has been, and even according to many, Bukele will move the threads from the background. — Archyde, 2d ago

new The United Nations is not deaf to examples such as those above and has worked towards improving life for women across the world – and this is the point where the mixed picture becomes clearer. Feminists often harness the platforms available through the United Nations and secure progress that would not be possible without the playing field made available by international organisations. Perhaps the best example of this came in October 2000, when the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1325 – a landmark in emphasising the value of equal participation of women, as well as their increasing involvement in the promotion and maintenance of peace and security. Furthermore, it recognised the disproportionate impact of conflict on women. The United Nations subsequently created several specialised groups, such as the Task Force on Women Peace and Security, as well as the Task Force on Violence Against Women, to uphold its commitment to the protection of women’s rights. Additionally, the United Nations has also provided women in impoverished countries with more access to resources and opportunities they would otherwise not have, for example through initiatives such as the UN Girls’ Education Initiative. Further, a large number of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (explored further in chapters 17 and 18) target issues pivotal to women in ways that are designed to be more nuanced in order to overcome some of the ineffective applications of prior efforts which tended to help some women more than others. — E-International Relations, 2d ago

new The 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) gave the world a surprise on its first day, Thursday. Delegates from more than 160 countries unanimously agreed to formally establish the Loss and Damage Fund, pledging more than $400 million to support the world's particularly vulnerable countries in their efforts to cope with the loss and damage caused by climate change. This groundbreaking progress has brought much-needed good news to the world, raising confidence and expectations for the outcomes of this conference.The issue of funding has been a focal point in recent UN climate conferences, with prolonged and intense debates surrounding the amount of aid and compensation developed countries should offer for their historical emissions, as well as the ways of raising and distributing the funds. However, the urgency of the severe climate change situation has led to significant achievements. Developed countries have committed to mobilizing $100 billion a year to support climate finance. The establishment of the Loss and Damage Fund was a decision made at COP27 in Egypt in 2022, but its implementation has not been easy. Nonetheless, this time, several developed countries have made pledges toward the fund. The United Arab Emirates (UAE), host country of COP28, committed $100 million, Germany, $100 million, the UK, 40 million pounds (about $50.6 million) and 20 million pounds for other arrangements, Japan, $10 million, and the US, known for its grandstanding on climate issues, only $17.5 million. When it comes to paying, some countries revealed their true face. The amount pledged by the US is meager in comparison with its status as the world's largest economy and the responsibility in addressing climate change it should bear given its highest historical cumulative carbon emissions, leading to criticism from attending delegates and experts who deemed it "disappointing," "shocking," and "embarrassing."However, amid this disappointment, there were heartening developments. When the US once again let the world down at the critical moment, other countries stepped up. On the second day of the climate conference, Friday, the UAE announced $30 billion for a new climate finance fund, aiming to mobilize $250 billion by the end of the decade. It also aims to improve the flow of money into projects to reduce emissions, especially in the Global South.Washington should really feel ashamed of this scene. The New York Times bluntly questioned in a September article: How Long Can America's Climate Hypocrisy Last? "It's nothing new for climate ambition and climate hypocrisy to flicker back and forth like the two faces of a lenticular hologram," said the article. Even the American media itself says so, showing how bad the US' performance is on climate issues.Another typical example is the deliberate effort by the US to woo Pacific island nations, establishing new embassies and claiming to help them maintain "maritime security." However, when it comes to the climate issues that these countries genuinely care about, Washington exhibits conspicuous stinginess and parsimony. The true focus of Washington in its diplomacy is becoming increasingly evident to people.At any rate, the US cannot be absent when addressing the issue of climate. Even if other countries are proactive, they cannot fill the irresponsible void left by the US. Conversely, if the US fails to set an example on climate issues, it completely loses its qualification to pursue global leadership. In any case, the US must shoulder its due obligations and responsibilities. The Democratic Party shows a more positive attitude toward climate issues than the Republican Party. The Biden administration should take advantage of its time in office to push for substantive progress on climate issues with greater determination and force.This current climate conference's crucial agenda is the "Global Stocktake," where each contracting party will review progress and gaps in implementing key provisions of the Paris Agreement. The focus will also be on "four paradigm shifts": fast-tracking energy transition and slashing emissions before 2030; transforming climate finance, by delivering on old promises and setting the framework for a new deal on finance; putting nature, people, lives and livelihoods at the heart of climate action; mobilizing for the most inclusive COP ever. These are ambitious goals indeed.In the realm of climate, every step forward is incredibly challenging. It is precisely because of this difficulty that each achievement is so valuable. Regardless, we observe that human society is moving forward step by step, even though the pace is still too slow and lags behind the rate of environmental degradation. How to ensure that this collective effort of all humanity involves less short-term selfish calculations and more long-term vision of shared future, and stronger climate actions, is crucial for the future and fate of humanity. No one can escape or evade this duty, especially for countries with significant responsibilities and obligations. — globaltimes.cn, 2d ago

new The contract, which is being voted on and needs a majority of “yes” votes to come into force, was considered a victory by many and received with suspicion by others. In the initial vote, 14% of the members of the union's national board voted “no”, and that is what Portuguese actress Kika Magalhães intends to do as well. “The reason is that they don't protect actors in relation to digital replicas”, she told Lusa the actress, based in Los Angeles since 2016. “They say yes, that there is protection, but then we look between the lines and there is nothing.” Kika Magalhães, whose latest film, “The Girl in the Backseat”, has just been released reaching Amazon Prime Video and the streaming platform Tubi, points to how digital replicas can be disastrous. “An actor goes for a casting and the producers ask if he will accept their digital replica. If the actor says no, they may not give him the role,” she explains. Top-notch actors will be able to negotiate and say no without losing the role. “But small actors like us don't bring as much money to the union and they don't protect us as much”, considered Kika Magalhães. The actress doubts the solution put forward by one of the clauses, according to which if a studio uses digital replicas of an actor this You will be paid corresponding to the hours you would be filming. “This is very relative, because a scene can take a month to film. They can say it took a day to make.” Actress Justine Bateman also criticized loopholes that allow studios to use digital replicas without actors' consent when certain conditions are met. The results of the votes will be known on December 5th. If there are 50%+1 “yes” votes, this contract will come into force for the next three years. “I have heard many actors saying that they will vote no”, said Kika Magalhães. Her husband, actor Chris Marrone, said that “if the majority fully understands what they are signing, then they vote no.” Marrone considered that the SAG contract “doesn’t seem like a big victory after all” and that there should be specific language to define the actors as human beings. This is something that actress Katja Herbers also defends, in opposition to “synthetic actors”. However, the expectation is that the “yes” will win, because the industry has been at a standstill for too long and there is widespread fatigue. This is what Mário anticipates Carvalhal, who belongs to the Animation Guild, stressing that the stoppage was long and the “no” appears to be a minority. “There is a possibility that some people will vote no, but I believe that these new measures will pass and be approved,” he told Lusa. “I think it is a minority that is very right in what they are demanding, but it was practically a whole year of work stopped in this city and I think everyone is ready to move forward”. Mário Carvalhal considers that the big risk of AI will be the reduction in quality and a change in the way the environment works. “Actors have more to claim, especially when it comes to those who do voices. There have already been cases where AI can do the job,” he said. “It's an inferior job, but for many companies it's enough and doesn't cost them anything.” Carvalhal considers that actors “must maintain their rights to image, voice and everything else, their likeness.” The Portuguese also stressed that, although the strikes did not achieve all their objectives, they allowed “important steps in the right direction” to be taken and this is an aspect of which the strikers are proud. “As much as possible, I think the workers won this fight”, he considered. For screenwriter Filipe Coutinho, member of the Portuguese Cinema Academy, the unions were justified in their fight, which took longer than expected. “I'm quite satisfied for the way both the WGA and SAG acted over these six months”, he told Lusa. “It’s an unbelievable time to have an entire industry at a standstill,” he stressed. “California is one of the largest economies in the world and it is incomprehensible that it took so long for the studios to offer a fair contract to writers and actors.” Filipe Coutinho also said that, even with the agreements, “everything is a little upside down. the air”, with studios and production companies “trying to understand what the next phase will be”. The Portuguese mentioned changes in the business model, with 'blockbusters' expected to fail at the box office, cancellation of films and the dilemma of 'streaming '.“No one really knows what to invest in and under what conditions to invest, and now contracts also change the approach to content production.” Afonso Salcedo, lighting artist, who worked on the new Disney film “Wish – The Power of Desires”, considers that the strikes were difficult but important, at a time when it is not yet clear to what extent AI will affect the industry. “The agreements will last three years so I think it is a good step to see what it is like that the technologies will work in the coming years”, he indicated, noting that the animation segment will have to renegotiate the contract in 2024. “It will be interesting to see what will happen, if we are going to negotiate protections against Artificial Intelligence”, stated Afonso Salcedo. “Maybe, next year, we will get into these fights with the studios again.” The vote on the agreement reached between the SAG-Aftra union and the studios runs until December 5th. The results will be tabulated and published on the same day. — adherents, 2d ago

new INFRASTRUCTURE opportunities centered on increasing access to composting/food scrap hauling services. Increasing the number of free drop off locations located at farmers markets, gardens, churches, public parks, and schools was mentioned numerous times possibly indicating a belief that this might be the easiest or quickest approach to the adoption of composting if “ drop-off sites [were] in every neighborhood .” More gardens could also host on-site community composting if they had money available to pay stewards. Increasing municipal collection ( "Bins for All!") and community composting efforts and expanding options for home composting and for renters were all mentioned as options to increase access as was the development of a compost (service) directory. Regardless of how access to composting services was increased it should be affordable as “[you] shouldn't have to pay to do right thing.” Opportunities to utilize more appropriate technology abound including using AI for sorting to reduce contamination, developing rat-proof bins (for collection and home composting), using biodigesters, and perhaps creating a new type of facility to handle (plastic-based) ‘compostable’ (biodegradable) serve-ware. To support the development of infrastructure opportunities incentives such as "raising landfill tipping fees [or creating a] methane tax on private LF owners" and funding such as the "potential to pursue Federal funding to pilot creative programs" are critical. Increasing collaboration and coordination is also an opportunity to develop infrastructure with at least one participant wondering, “ Where is regional planning org? (e.g. CMAP)” and now is the time to increase collaboration because "passion exists among food producers in the region who need soil!!" Rather than looking to individual households for new sources of materials to make compost, restaurants, breweries, and landscapers and other large food waste generators could be better engaged and plugged in to composting perhaps driving or at least raising awareness of the issue for individual households. Attendees also mentioned as opportunities new places to process and acquire compost or new ways to handle food waste that included empty warehouses and factories, vacant lots, big box stores offering pickup of compost and drop off of scraps and sending food waste from large institutions to hog farms 4 . A list of comments on Opportunities in Infrastructure are displayed in Table 8, Appendix 1. POLICY opportunities included creating mandates for large generators (such as grocery stores, food processors, schools and universities) to compost and for public projects (roads, landscaping, buildings) to use finished compost. These two policy changes have the power to directly increase demand and may work to create a consistent end market for finished compost. There may exist a scalar mismatch in the region for compost— demand by individual consumers may be too small to justify the amount of effort it takes to create the compost so there needs to be "more emphasis on getting more finished compost to market." Other opportunities to increase demand for the finished product and access to services include passing Right to Compost legislation “so that building managers and landlords don't stand in the way" of their residents using compost pick up services; instituting bans and creating incentives and/or disincentives such as increasing landfill tipping fees ; and incentivizing compost usage by farmers and public works. Creating consistent, stable, and expanded end markets for finished compost and the support for processing infrastructure is extremely important when implementing policies that would increase the amount of feedstock available to create compost. Policy opportunities that did not require a large lift included creating new or expanding existing programs as "many municipalities already accept leaves & lawn clippings. Expanding to collecting food waste scraps is low- hanging fruit" and ensuring that funding is sufficient especially for creating technical assistance positions to support compost collection and processing. Also identified as an opportunity is to increase regional coordination... — extension.org, 2d ago

new The sensor fusion market for automotive in Europe is anticipated to experience heightened demand, primarily driven by stringent safety regulations. The EU has set a targeted goal to reduce fatalities and injuries by 50% by the year 2030. As part of this strategic initiative, the EU has mandated the inclusion of major safety features, including lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and drowsiness and attention detection, in new vehicles. These regulations came into effect in July 2022, reflecting a comprehensive approach to enhance automotive safety. Several European countries, including Germany, France, and the UK, have already granted approval for the utilization of automated vehicles on specific roadways. Notably, Germany took a pioneering step in July 2021 by enacting the Autonomous Driving Act, positioning itself as the first country globally to permit sensor fusion-based level 4 automated vehicles to operate on public roads without the requirement for a human driver as a backup control. In 2015, the French government declared its intention to mandate the installation of automatic emergency braking (AEB) and lane departure warning (LDW) systems in all new heavy trucks, contributing to an increased demand for safety systems within the country. Furthermore, the support from OEMs and the burgeoning presence of numerous startups dedicated to the development of sensor fusion technology are expected to be pivotal factors propelling market growth in the European region. — marketsandmarkets.com, 2d ago

new The nation’s housing crunch has many officials blaming short-term rentals for taking shelter off the market. A 2016 article in the Harvard Law & Policy Review suggested that short-term rentals “[reduce] the affordable housing supply” by removing long-term rentals from the housing market and keeping local residents from moving in.Dozens of localities throughout the United States have regulated short-term rentals.But none has gone as far as New York City.“The law and rules effectively ban short-term rentals in New York City and are a stark contrast to cities around the world that have enacted fair and balanced short-term rental rules,” wrote Theo Yedinsky, Airbnb’s global policy director, in a June letter on the company’s website.Airbnb says it worked for years to find a compromise.“These rules are an outlier and stand in contrast to the approach of other cities around the country, going as far as to prohibit New Yorkers from sharing their homes when they are away for work or travel, hosting more than two guests at the same time, and requiring that they must certify they understand numerous lengthy and complicated city codes,” the company wrote in a prepared statement in response to Stateline.González said policies to regulate the short-term rental market in both domestic and international cities have varied, from capping the length of a rental stay to restricting the number of guests to requiring the host to be on the premises.“If New York City’s policy is successful, it could embolden other cities to follow suit and use this as a way to not only rein in this industry, but possibly address these long-term rental housing crises,” said González. “I think there will be a lot learned in the next few weeks and months on whether this is an effective policy measure.”One of the consequences of the city’s crackdown on Airbnb listings is already taking shape. More than 90% of the city’s current Airbnb rental stock of nearly 40,000 units — of which 3,746 are short-term rentals — is unlicensed, according to Inside Airbnb, a housing activist group that tracks the platform’s data.The fear of rising hotel prices and the dearth of legal rentals are prompting some tourists to turn to short-term rentals listed on Craigslist, part of a burgeoning alternative market of unregistered, unlicensed short-term rentals in the wake of the city’s restrictions.For travelers such as Dustin Smith and his fiancée, Carly Barnes, it’s worth the risk when they visit New York City for the first time on Dec. 21 for a two-week stay.“New York is already stretching our budget just to eat and sightsee, so if we can get a good deal on the internet, without paying an arm and a leg for a hotel, we’ll take that chance,” Smith, who lives in Louisiana, told Stateline.Christian Klossner, executive director of New York City’s Office of Special Enforcement, told Stateline that his office will monitor the short-term rental industry as a whole, including those spaces advertised on Craigslist and other sites. Hosts who violate the ordinance face a possible fine of $5,000, and platforms could face penalties up to $1,500. — GovTech, 2d ago

new SINGAPORE - Media OutReach - 23 November 2023 - (NASDAQ: AMZN) – This holiday season, Amazon Singapore engages the local community with ‘Page to Page: Amazon Singapore Books Pop Up’, a unique and immersive reading experience happening from 2 - 17 Dec 2023 at Punggol Regional Library. The initiative will launch on 2 Dec 2023 with an opening ceremony, with invited guests that include children and family beneficiaries as part of the Amazon x Shop for Good wishlist initiative. To further underscore their support for the local community, Amazon Singapore will also be donating a total of $100,000 in cash to 4 local NPOs, including Children’s Wishing Well, Club Rainbow (Singapore), Fei Yue Family Service Centre and Glyph Community, to help children and youths in Singapore better learn, play, and develop in the long-run. The donations will be presented to representatives from the various NPOs at the launch of ‘Page to Page: Amazon Singapore Books Pop Up’. Amazon Singapore’s increase in support for underprivileged children and their families is aligned to the direction from the Forward SG Report 2023 to look to social empowerment rather than social assistance when it comes to supporting and uplifting lower-income families. This effort held at the Punggol Regional Library underscores Amazon’s commitment to inspiring the next generation of lifelong readers as well as the history of the company that began as an online book store. The pop-up promises an enriching experience for families and young school children, extending reading resources to the heartlands. Showcasing a tree adorned with books sourced from Amazon Singapore's diverse local and international sellers, the initiative fosters a sense of community, inspiring a passion for literacy during the festive season. Families are encouraged to join with their children, to cultivate a mutual love for reading and engaging in creative activities to craft special moments with each other. Under the Amazon x Shop for Good wishlist initiative, Amazon Singapore continues to work closely with local NPOs to understand the evolving needs of the underprivileged and channel resources to uplift and nurture them, especially children. In addition, the initiative serves to raise awareness and encourage the public to give to meaningful causes regularly and offers a platform for donating transparently. Delivering Smiles in Singapore this holiday season Amazon Singapore’s wishlist initiative started in 2020 to make giving and doing good a part of daily experiences for customers in Singapore, especially during the pandemic. As people shop on Amazon.sg for holiday gifts or everyday essentials, they can browse the items requested by NPOs on their respective wishlists, click to purchase them per their budget, and directly support the causes they are most passionate about. Each NPO’s wishlist is an updated depository of items which their beneficiaries currently need most and works as a self-serve tool—at no cost to NPOs—to inform customers on Amazon.sg what the NPOs need and their quantity. Customers who are keen to donate can select any listed item and quantity, make the payment, and have the items delivered directly to the NPOs’ specified address. This minimizes instances of mismatched items being donated to NPOs or the need to drop them off physically while offering the same vast selection, convenient shopping experience, and great prices that customers have come to expect from Amazon.sg. A total of 16 local NPOs are currently part of the Amazon x Shop for Good wishlist initiative: Arc Children’s Centre, Beyond Social Services, Blessings in a Bag, Children’s Wishing Well, Club Rainbow (Singapore), Engineering Good, Fei Yue, Glyph Community, New Hope Community Services, Singapore Red Cross, SHINE Children and Youth Services, Singapore Children’s Society, The Singapore Association for the Deaf (SADeaf), SOSD, The Food Bank Singapore, and Willing Hearts. Joanna Tan, CEO, Children’s Wishing Well, said, “This donation initiative has enabled us to acquire food items for the children, books to enhance their learning and development, educational materials, and much more. As we approach the year's end, we look forward to ongoing support in ensuring our children have the essentials and educational resources they require.” Lim Si Hui, Co-General Manager, Glyph Community Limited, said, "Through the Shop for Good wish list, our aim is to enhance our capabilities with the essential equipment necessary for implementing our exciting new technology, coding, and AI programme! With products such as tablets as a critical tool, we can empower young children to thrive in the digital age." Teo Siang Loong, Executive Directior, Club Rainbow (Singapore), said, “We at Club Rainbow are elated by the endless possibilities that comes with this partnership with Amazon Singapore. Being part of Shop for Good has enabled our beneficiaries to receive many essential necessities such as milk powder and diapers. These items contribute to our monthly distribution efforts to support the basic needs of our low-income families. Books and many other educational resources will augment the learning and development of our pre-schoolers, primary and secondary school children through ongoing early intervention programmes, tuition sessions and enrichment activities. These initiatives are pivotal as key enablers to ease the financial distress for our vulnerable families, and empower them to live with dignity.” Arthur Ling, Chief Executive, Fei Yue Family Service Centre, said, “Our Shop for Good wish list eases the financial strain on low-income families, allowing them to prioritise their resources for other daily necessities. Through the distribution of milk and diapers to our Family Service Centres, we empower our social workers to provide essential support to our beneficiaries.” Customers can join Amazon in its season of giving by shopping for an NPO’s wishlist via amazon.sg/shopforgood. Hashtag: #Amazonsg #DeliveringSmileshttp://www.twitter.com/amazonsghttp://www.facebook.com/Amazon.sghttp://www.instagram.com/Amazon.SG... — SME Business Daily Media, 2d ago

new During his speech, Gustavo Petro, President of Colombia, declared “It is a paradox that, at this table, together with populations that could disappear, there is a country like us, which also depends on oil, and which is committed to endorsing a treaty that implies zero new exploration projects in the world. My own society would say 'how would the President produce such economic suicide?', given that we depend on oil and coal. But this is not economic suicide. We are talking here about an 'omnicide', the risk of extinction of life on the planet. Here we are avoiding 'omnicide' on planet Earth. There is no other way, the rest are illusions. There is a very powerful economic power around oil, coal and gas. And they act to prevent changes, to maintain, in a suicidal way, their possibilities for more years of profit in the short term. Today we face an immense confrontation between fossil capital and human life. And we must choose a side. Any human being knows that we must choose life. I have no doubt which position to take: between fossil capital and life, we choose the side of life."... — The Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, 2d ago

new Exhibit A is Amara’s law, named for scientist, researcher and former President of the Institute for the Future Roy Amara. He is best known for saying, “We tend to overestimate the effect of a technology in the short run and underestimate the effect in the long run.” Boy howdy, does that ever apply to digital technologies in general and artificial intelligence specifically. AI may change the world — curing cancer, reversing climate change or taking all our jobs while creating a bunch more new ones — but mostly in the outbound years and decades. In the near term, it creates shadows for us to worry about, plan around and get distracted by even as we experiment and put it to work.In many respects, GenAI represents a victory lap for Moore’s law, based on Intel co-founder Gordon Moore’s formulation about the exponential growth of computational prowess. Originally coined in 1965 around the doubling of transistors on microchips every couple of years, it bumped up against the physical limits of silicon-based technologies. As AI models grow massively in size, from millions to billions and even trillions of parameters, the underlying hardware continues to keep pace even as margins narrow. Chip maker Nvidia, with its combination of advanced graphics processing units (GPUs) and tensor processing units (TPUs) that are optimized for AI tasks, reaches beyond transistor density in pushing the upward limits in the exponential increase in computational power.Not far behind, but perhaps in a supporting role, is Metcalfe’s law. Named for Ethernet inventor Robert Metcalfe, it suggests that the value of a network is proportional to the square of the number of its users. When the campaign for digital government was young, broadband penetration reached 51 percent — giving advocates the opportunity to claim that government could then serve a “digital majority.” As of last year, that number has reached 90 percent. The stakes are high for the remaining 10 percent, often characterized as underserved communities including low-income and racialized populations along with people who have chosen not to engage in a connected world. By extension of Metcalfe’s law, more user interactions contribute to AI’s knowledge, which relies on iterative feedback for fine-tuning and improvement. The absence of marginalized voices is deafening to generative models. They cannot be trained with what isn’t there, increasing the risk of unconscious bias and the skewing of results. — GovTech, 2d ago

new Having recently gone through a process of building that connection between IT and ed tech in Sacramento County, Brooks offered several recommendations for how to do it. One was to begin meetings by focusing on projects and ideas where both sides are in broad agreement, since some ideas will inevitably be contentious. Another was not to underestimate the need for communicating even the simplest things, like the IT department’s direct email and phone number, and to make sure teachers know them.As an example, Brooks mentioned his team’s work with El Centro Jr./Sr. High Juvenile Court School after the pandemic, which entailed building new systems to track, update and standardize personal devices; building a collaborative team with the input and perspective of teachers and administrators at El Centro; hiring an ed-tech coordinator; and training teachers on the 21st-century skills they’re now expected to impart upon students.He said when teachers asked for new Wi-Fi access points at the school that students could use outside of regular hours, conversations with IT led them to realize it wasn’t doable because of the school’s particular restrictions on unsupervised use of its network and devices. But because IT had open lines of communication with the school’s teachers and staff, they understood the problem and it didn’t turn into a fight.Co-leading the session with Brooks, SCOE’s Director of Computer Science and Digital Learning Jared Amalong said one of his strategies for building such relationships is to assume best intentions and remember everyone has a common purpose: to help students.“What I’ve learned through this work is that Andrew and his team are right here alongside our teachers, our paraeducators, our counselors, our administrators, our ed-tech staff, for the same very reason,” he said. “We’re here to do good things for students, and when you bring that mental model, even when those conversations are tough, we’re able to find resolution and what’s good for students.”... — GovTech, 2d ago

new As we move to more solar PV and more of our energy comes from variable renewables, should we avoid having to build storage to hold the energy from solar for nighttime charging? -OR- Do we build twice the infrastructure, one set to charge at work and one to charge during the nighttime at home? One set to support the residential neighborhoods and other to support charging at industrial and commercial facilities (no – not everyone can work from home contrary to what most think on LinkedIn.)? Distribution Circuits (the focus of these questions) are not capable of supporting EV charging. Many have loads that exceed 80% of their emergency rating 2000 hours (20%) of the year. So do we focus on rebuilding the neighborhoods to support nighttime charging or do we rebuild the commercial and industrial locations to support at work charging? This is a question that needs to be addressed, now, not when it becomes an issue. In many neighborhoods EVs will double or even quadruple the load in that neighborhood. Do we focus scarce dollars on downtown and industrial charging infrastructure or do we focus it on residential neighborhoods. Spending on both at the same time, means raising rates for everyone. In some areas planning estimates are more than $10,000 per vehicle for distribution and substation infrastructure, based on circuit by circuit analysis of needed upgrades. So do we: 1) Let things happen as they happen and deal with the fallout? 2) Make some early decisions and back those with laws and regulations? 3) Make the decision to raise rates and build infrastructure at a rate that will support individual choice? 4) Do we ban charging at home beyond level 1 systems? 5) What else would you suggest? This a topic of discussion that does not seem to have been hashed out yet. — Energy Central, 2d ago

new Among the lowest-hanging fruit for AI in government involves press releases and other forms of communication from agencies to residents. Zencity, for example, debuted a ChatGPT tool that writes what amounts to a first draft of a press release — including potential quotes from public officials. That could save significant time for city managers, among other advantages, according to the company.Municipal budgeting, too, could serve as fertile ground for generative AI.A new AI tool from ClearGov takes in past budgeting data and future estimates to produce what officials sometimes call a budget narrative. Such narratives, which put spending figures into context, often help those officials sell the budget to peers and voters. AI could bring more efficiency to the process, usually the most difficult and contentious work undertaken by local and state governments.Generative AI also gained more of a presence in higher education in 2023. The technology can help with essays, math problems and lesson plans, with work completed within seconds. But fears of plagiarism and other abuses have led to a more cautious welcome for AI in universities and colleges than in city halls, with large school districts such as the one in New York City initially placing restrictions on ChatGPT.College deans and local school boards continue to grapple with the full implications of AI. So are other governmental bodies as the technology hogged more of the spotlight as 2023 progressed. Maine imposed a six-month ban on the use of AI for state employees using state devices or conducting state business. Officials said they needed time to study the privacy, bias and misinformation concerns sparked by ongoing deployment of AI-based products. Executive orders started to emerge at a regular clip as fall rolled around, with Pennsylvania, Virginia, Oklahoma and New Jersey governors all issuing guidance within a few weeks of each other. Their missives were followed within weeks by an AI Executive Order from the White House in late October. Each official action recognized both the potential and the risk, with many calling for outside help to develop appropriate policies for safe use in service of their residents.It’s almost impossible, however, to imagine a gov tech future without much more artificial intelligence. Evidence for that comes from every corner of the industry.For instance, industry giant Tyler Technologies touted its growing ability to use AI for quicker and more accurate court filings, whose complex coding and redaction requirements often force judicial employees to perform manual data entry. Klir’s new AI-backed offering is designed to improve water management and compliance, with what the company calls “holistic” views of utility systems delivered via a chatbot fueled by artificial intelligence.Startups, of course, have also embraced AI, as shown by the most recent cohort from CivStart’s gov tech accelerator program, which provides at least some foreshadowing of the tools public agencies might be using a few years from now. One of the program participants is using artificial intelligence to help local officials — many of them new to the grunt work of government — write and manage legislation. — GovTech, 2d ago

new The AI floodgates opened in 2023, but the next year may bring a slowdown. AI development is likely to meet technical limitations and encounter infrastructural hurdles such as chip manufacturing and server capacity. Simultaneously, AI regulation is likely to be on the way.This slowdown should give space for norms in human behavior to form, both in terms of etiquette, as in when and where using ChatGPT is socially acceptable, and effectiveness, like when and where ChatGPT is most useful.ChatGPT and other generative AI systems will settle into people’s workflows, allowing workers to accomplish some tasks faster and with fewer errors. In the same way that people learned “to google” for information, humans will need to learn new practices for working with generative AI tools.But the outlook for 2024 isn’t completely rosy. It is shaping up to be a historic year for elections around the world, and AI-generated content will almost certainly be used to influence public opinion and stoke division. Meta may have banned the use of generative AI in political advertising, but this isn’t likely to stop ChatGPT and similar tools from being used to create and spread false or misleading content.Political misinformation spread across social media in 2016 as well as in 2020, and it is virtually certain that generative AI will be used to continue those efforts in 2024. Even outside social media, conversations with ChatGPT and similar products can be sources of misinformation on their own.As a result, another lesson that everyone – users of ChatGPT or not – will have to learn in the blockbuster technology’s second year is to be vigilant when it comes to digital media of all kinds.Tim Gorichanaz, Assistant Teaching Professor of Information Science, Drexel UniversityThis article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. — GovTech, 2d ago

new He pointed to the real-world example of this disparity in the digital equity space. While Denver’s digital equity needs are primarily centered around affordability of Internet service, other parts of the state face affordability and connectivity issues.Because of the collaborative relationships he built at the local level, Edinger feels well positioned to work with municipalities to advance technology use in different areas — including expanding connectivity and developing AI policy.Another major area he plans to focus on is accessibility. The state’s work in this space so far has included the launch of the Aira tool for Coloradans with low vision and a pilot program to help state workers better serve individuals with disabilities using VR, but there is more work to be done. Accessibility across state government is a critical piece to ensuring all constituents are served equitably, he said.And although Edinger expects emerging technologies to continue to impact government, he also underlined the importance of effective enterprise management systems. The technology working behind the scenes is an important foundation for any future innovation, he said.At the heart of Edinger’s vision for OIT is the people — employees and constituents alike. Empowering employees through things like process improvements, Lean, and other technology-enabled advances is the best way to make state government better, he said.“I will just say I am confident that investing in people and unlocking their potential is the way we will get there,” he said.The brief period of overlap between Edinger and Neal-Graves has helped enable a smooth transition for OIT to prepare the agency for future work under Edinger’s leadership. As Neal-Graves recently told Government Technology, the future for OIT is bright. He expects the state to continue advancing in digital government and digital equity. — GovTech, 2d ago

new Henry Kissinger realized the setbacks this brought to American geopolitical achievements when he published his programmatic article “Reflections on American Diplomacy” in the October 1956 issue of Foreign Affairs. Evaluating the first decade of the Cold War, Kissinger argued that it had evolved from “an effort to build defensive barriers into a contest for the allegiance of humanity,” a contest the United States was losing. U.S. foreign policy had become too reactive and lacked strategic vision. “The paradoxical result is that we empiricists, appear to the world as rigid, unimaginative and even somewhat cynical, while the dogmatic Bolsheviks exhibit flexibility, daring and subtlety.” Because Soviet diplomacy pursued unlimited and open objectives, “the international debate is carried on almost entirely in the categories and at the pace established by the Soviets.” Moscow’s “flexible tactics and inflexible purpose” led to ideological and geopolitical victories across the globe. In other words, loosening the moralizing ideology would help the United States achieve its goals more efficiently and faster. For Kissinger, the mastery of diplomacy resided “in grasping the nuances of possibilities.” In the absence of “tragic experience” in its foreign policy, Kissinger argued, Washington is unused to operating in conditions that permit “only a choice among evils” and aims to achieve peace through a decisive event instead of maintaining it as “the expression of certain conditions and power relationships.” Kissinger saw the Metternichian, post-Napoleonic era as the gold standard of the art of diplomacy, with its emphasis on dialogue over moralizing and a commitment to transactional diplomacy as the guarantee of a successful balance of power equilibrium. — The National Interest, 2d ago

new KAREN HAO: I think it was a very tumultuous and very emotional and very sleep deprived period of days after Altman was fired and reinstated for the employees. Of course, like you said, none of them knew that this was happening, they had no idea what was going on and the board never explained really why they had ultimately fired Altman. And so it kind of, the, the progression of like their emotions went from like confusion to fear when Brockman leaves and then three senior research scientists also leave two anger at the board, like really, really deep anger because they were like, "If you're going to do something dramatic, we deserve answers as employees." And when they didn't, the, the longer they didn't get answers, the more and more worked up it became. And part of this is, I mean many companies within Silicon Valley have this- they really emphasize that companies are families and you as an employee are not just an employee of any company, you, it is your identity OpenAI takes this to the max, like the fact that they say that their mission is for the benefit of humanity. Like people genuinely believe this and they think that this is like they're dedicating their life to this. It's not just like, "This is my job and then I go home." This is like all, all they think about sometimes. And so it's like that level of anger of like, if you are going to do something that could ruin this company that we genuinely believe is doing good for the world, like how dare you not tell us why and how dare you continue to kind of leave us in the dark and and and not treat us as like critical stakeholders in this, in this whole fiasco. And so what happened was kind of organically the employees started rapidly organizing on Twitter. So they, they started like posting very similar messages by the hundreds kind of on Twitter of like every time Sam Altman said, "I love OpenAI so much, I miss it." You know, you would see like employees retweeting it with a heart emoji and just it would, like when I opened my Twitter feed, it was just like dozens and dozens and dozens of heart emojis. Not because I was looking at any like OpenAI specific feed that was just what was showing up on my regular feed. And then there were the the like OpenAI is nothing without its people that everyone started tweeting as well. And that was sort of a way to try and pressure the board to give answers. And then of course that ultimately escalated to over 700 employees outta 770 signing a letter saying that like, if Sam is not reinstated, they're all gonna quit. And so I think another dimension that's sort of important to add to this is most if not all of the OpenAI employees, their compensation packages are majority stock and Bloomberg has a good article on this, you know like the average compensation is around like 800,000 to a million dollars and maybe 60% or something of that like that is actually stock. So if a company, if the company does not exist anymore, all of a sudden your stock goes to zero. And that was also extremely stressful for people because people were banking on, you know, some, some people were, had already bought houses based on projected income or were looking to buy houses based on the projected income that were suddenly worried about paying their mortgage. There were people that were on visas that if the company doesn't exist anymore and they don't get hired fast, then their ability to stay in the country is jeopardized and maybe they already have family and then like, you know, that's gonna throw their entire family into disarray as well. So there were a lot of other aspects of it, not just the identity or the ideology piece that led employees to kind of have this very emotional and tumultuous time. And when Altman was reinstated there were some great details that were reported in the information about how employees like gathered at the office and they were crying and cheering and just, it was like a huge massive sigh of relief honestly, that they have their jobs still and that this company still exists and all the things that they've been working towards are going to continue to exist in some form or other and that they can move on with their lives, basically. — Big Think, 2d ago

new TikTok, with 150 million US users, predominantly in their teens and 20s, has been subject to global scrutiny amid concerns that user data might be accessible to the Chinese Government. In May, Montana became the first US state to enact a ban, with the law due to take effect on 1 January 2024. TikTok, the short-video-sharing platform owned by China’s ByteDance, swiftly responded with a legal challenge one week after the ban was passed.The legislation aimed to criminalize the availability of TikTok on app stores, imposing fines of up to $10,000 on non-compliant businesses. However, Judge Molloy’s ruling sided with TikTok, safeguarding the rights of its users.TikTok expressed satisfaction with the decision, labelling the ban an “unconstitutional law” that has now been rejected. The platform highlighted that “hundreds of thousands of Montanans can continue to express themselves, earn a living, and find community on TikTok.”Montana’s state attorney’s office, on the other hand, conveyed that it is contemplating its next course of action to defend the law designed to protect citizens from potential data acquisition and utilisation by the Chinese Communist Party.Montana prohibited TikTok on government devices in December 2022. With a population of just over one million, the state’s legal move garnered attention and set a precedent.During a congressional hearing in March, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew assured that the app would not engage in espionage against Americans. However, he did acknowledge instances where employee monitoring of journalists’ accounts had occurred.In March, the US Government suggested that ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, either sell the platform or face potential bans in the country. Following this trend, Nepal joined other nations, including India, in prohibiting TikTok last month, citing concerns about content adversely affecting social harmony.ByteDance has consistently refuted allegations that it is controlled by the Chinese Government. The ongoing legal battles and international restrictions underscore the geopolitical challenges faced by the popular video-sharing app. — Verdict, 2d ago

new Now, this brings me to a different but related topic – Energy Transition. Though Nigeria may have signed the UN mandate on climate goals, it will be foolhardy for us to champion this course or even allow it to distract us. In my opinion, Energy Transition will be the longest and possibly the most inequitable transition of any kind in history. I have no problem with the idea itself, but its implementation is burdened with irrational activism by vested interests. Except I’m missing something, I don’t really see how the world energy is in a transition yet. Most business transitions occur as a result of market disruption. Of the roughly 160,000 TWh of energy consumed globally, Fossil fuel still accounts for over 85%, Nuclear energy is less than 7%, Renewable, though growing, remains expensive and has been stuck in the single digit for over a decade. So, is the world going to transition without disruption? To put it differently, can you replace 90% with 10%?”... — The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News, 2d ago

new Most importantly, the RISE grant helped Northeastern purchase its simulators, which include a birth simulator, a pediatric simulator and two adult simulators. Using the simulators students can do everything from listen to heartbeats and breathing sounds to insert a catheter and their patients are even able to talk to them and answer questions.Instructors shared that the simulators are invaluable because they help students grow their confidence and figure out what they still need to learn while realizing just how much they already know. Plus, it's a great place for students to apply what they've learned in the classroom.Nursing students commented that the simulators help make them more comfortable, teach them time management, provide valuable hands-on experience outside of the classroom and allow them to work on their critical thinking skills."I like simulation because it is a place for me to make errors and not have to worry about killing the patients," Brandon Williams said.Before watching a demonstration of the birth simulator, the group heard from Jennifer Garcia, a student who benefited from the RISE grant and in May will be graduating with an RN (Registered Nursing) degree. From California, she was working a dead-end job when her sister was accepted into NJC's program and encouraged her to enroll. After taking a job at Sterling Regional MedCenter as an inventory associate to make sure that healthcare was right for her, she fell in love almost immediately and went to work earning her CNA degree."Being from out of state it's been very difficult for me," Garcia said, explaining that the cost for her to attend Northeastern is much higher than a student who has lived here all of their life. "I wasn't sure I would be able to afford it and then came the RISE grant. It just lifted this great burden off me and I was able to focus all of my time and attention into preparing my skills.""I am very grateful to the RISE grant for everything it has given me because I feel that I have a purpose," Garcia added, sharing that she plans to work in the community when she graduates.Next, Giacomini shared how for years, she and Brower discussed how they could partner with students coming in, who often come from a country where they were a veterinarian or a doctor but now they need to get the skills and credentials to be able to work in the United States. Through the RISE grant, they were able to remove the financial barrier for some of the students and it also helped them create an integrated education and training program.Northeastern found a cohort of students whose language proficiency was just enough that they could have a basic conversation but they needed language skills specific to a CNA, which they got through a customized English training that was developed. The college also worked with them on workforce preparation skills like communication, time management, learning cultural differences, etc."It was great to finally pilot this program that we'd been trying for so long to get together," Giacomini said, adding that now those students are recruiting others to the CNA program.Next, was the simulation, which involved a pregnant woman who came in stable but started deteriorating with her heart rate and blood pressure showing signs of distress and her oxygen level dropping. She then experienced an eclamptic seizure due to high blood pressure and when the mother awakened it was determined she was in labor. The mother went on to deliver a healthy baby girl, who was examined for any problems and vaccinated.After the simulation, the group heard from Shelly Griffith, CEO of Eben Ezer Lutheran Care Center, one of Northeastern's main clinical sites for both nursing and CNA students."We rely heavily on (NJC) to help train CNAs, individuals who are looking to pursue an entry point into the medical field," she said. "The beauty of NJC is they have been able to flex some schedules and be able to accommodate those who may need to be working full-time while they are looking to grow their career options."NJC's program is especially critical given the shortage of healthcare workers. Griffith shared Eben Ezer has a need for 20 CNAs right now,"What's happening is the demand for our service is significant and so people are having to go on a wait list, which means that many people, their needs are not being met because nursing homes throughout the rural communities are not able to meet that need because of limited staffing levels," she explained.Following her remarks, guests had a chance to try out the simulators themselves.The day ended with a panel discussion that included Tamara Durbin, executive director of Northeast Colorado BOCES; Kyle Stumpf, Superintendent of Holyoke School District; Danielle Ongart, Executive Director of Colorado Department of Education's Student Pathways; and Misti Ruthven, Director of Education and Training Innovation for the Office of Governor Polis.They talked about the importance of career connected learning as it benefits both students and the economy by opening students' eyes to career opportunities they might want to consider. Stumpf mentioned the success of his district's internship program.The group also talked about some of the barriers that exist to providing this, the biggest being cost, especially in northeast Colorado where it costs a lot to transport students from their school to another school that offers the program they're interested in. There is also the challenge of trying to ensure all students have equitable access. Durbin pointed out that students who live in northeast Colorado need to have the same opportunities available to them as those on the Front Range.During a question and answer session with the audience, Trae Miller, executive director of the Logan County Economic Development Corporation, pointed out that internships and apprenticeships sound great but the state requirements that go into those and the reporting aspects create a barrier for businesses to participate in those programs. He also shared that students need help with basic skills such as showing up on time and learning how to take instruction.Ongart suggested there needs to be a regional entity in place to help students and businesses navigate this, so it doesn't all fall on the district or the business, and Stumpf mentioned his district teaches a class an hour a day with all of those skills and they also provide businesses with funding to help offset the costs of doing an internship.State Sen. Byron Pelton asked why the state is reinventing the wheels with apprenticeships, instead of learning from what's in place now. He said his frustration with recent legislation regarding apprenticeships is "you're going to have a lot of outside forces that are going to try to do their best to send it one way or the other when we need to just worry about the entire workforce, not just a little part of it; we need to worry about the entire workforce." Pelton pointed out in two years, half of Colorado's electrical trade will be retiring, "so we've got to get more people in there," he commented.He also said would like for time in college courses to count toward credit for both college and high school, which he plans to introduce a bill to require."We realize the importance of apprenticeships and we have challenges in trying to determine those opportunities for youth in high schools and have that be seamless for them," Durbin said, adding that it's something they are working on.©2023 Journal-Advocate, Sterling, Colo. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. — GovTech, 2d ago

new BESS come in different shapes and sizes, from small batteries connected to rooftop solar arrays as a backup power source, to large systems that can provide electricity to hundreds of homes and businesses. Some rely on different chemistries, too, but the purpose of each is generally the same: To store large amounts of energy.The basic technologies used in most of today’s battery systems have been around for decades, experts say. What has changed is the demand, especially for large installations.As of the middle of this year, Georgia had an estimated 5,200 megawatts of solar capacity installed statewide — enough to power roughly 626,000 homes — nearly all in the form of utility-scale arrays that cover hundreds of acres. Those facilities produce huge amounts of energy, but it is intermittent — on cloudy days and during overnight hours, generation drops off. At other times, when the sun is shining, a solar facility’s electricity output can exceed demand.Enter BESS. The battery systems can be charged with extra solar electricity at times of low usage and then pushed onto the grid instantly when demand spikes.Matthew McDowell, the co-director of Georgia Tech’s Advanced Battery Center, said it’s a “no-brainer” for Georgia utilities to add more BESS.“Solar panels work really well in Georgia, and combining solar panels and batteries at grid-scale makes a lot of sense,” McDowell said.In a clearing 30 minutes outside Columbus, Georgia Power is almost finished installing what it says will be the state’s largest battery storage facility yet, a 65-megawatt system of lithium-ion batteries. It is expected to come online in the first half of 2024.The technology isn’t much to look at: The battery stacks, that sit on concrete slabs, are housed inside stark, gray metal enclosures. Inside, black batteries resembling the ones found under the hood of a car are stacked on trays. A large air conditioner is built into the door of each container to keep the batteries from overheating.This is the first large battery system Georgia Power is adding, but many more are on the way. Last year, the Georgia Public Service Commission approved the company’s plans to add 765 more megawatts of BESS to its system. And in a recent update to its plans filed with the commission, Georgia Power is seeking to add another 1,000 megawatts of batteries — equal to the maximum output of one of Plant Vogtle’s new reactors — by the end of 2027, to meet the increased demand the company says it expects as Georgia’s economy booms.On a recent visit to the site, Aaron Mitchell, Georgia Power’s vice president of pricing and planning, said the company sees batteries as a valuable asset. In addition to pairing nicely with solar, he said the batteries can provide extra capacity to help meet surges in demand, like during a deep freeze. Texas, which suffered crippling blackouts during a deadly winter storm in 2021, has since added thousands of megawatts of batteries to its system, helping the state avoid a similar outcome in recent heatwaves.“This is just the beginning,” Mitchell said.Georgia Power isn’t the only electricity provider adding batteries in the state. With the help of new federal funding, Oglethorpe Power plans to add three large battery storage systems, each with a capacity of 25 megawatts, to its fleet around the metro Atlanta area.Meanwhile, at least one local company is working to develop the next generation of BESS.Alpharetta-based Stryten Energy is working to advance its vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFB), a type of BESS that uses a different electrochemistry to store energy. Unlike lithium-ion batteries, VRFBs use a liquid electrolyte with ions of the chemical element vanadium dissolved in the solution to hold a charge.Stryten is also collaborating with Georgia Tech to advance its vanadium batteries, a project that’s being led by Tech assistant professor Nian Liu.VRFB has efficiency and price hurdles to address, but McDowell — who is also participating in the research with Stryten — said they also have some advantages over lithium-ion, especially for large applications. VRFB batteries do not present a fire risk, their energy storage capacity does not degrade over time, and the tanks of liquid can be stacked on top of each other, unlocking the potential for much bigger battery systems to be built.This summer, Stryten partnered with Snapping Shoals EMC to install its first VRFB demonstration in Georgia near Covington. Mike Judd, the president and CEO of Stryten, said he hopes the Snapping Shoals project will help the company further commercialize its proprietary technology.“We want them (Snapping Shoals) to beat it up and give us feedback on it, because we’re just going to take the one that they have and scale it bigger and bigger and bigger.”© 2023 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. — GovTech, 2d ago