Climate, AI, and TikTok
Climate Change Takes Center Stage at UN General Assembly
As world leaders gather in New York for the annual United Nations General Assembly, the escalating climate crisis is expected to be a key topic of discussion. While emerging technologies like AI have the potential to shape economies, their impact on climate is often overlooked. The rapidly growing technology has an insatiable appetite for energy and a growing carbon footprint, which could exacerbate climate change. However, it is unlikely that AI's climate cost will be a top priority for global leaders at the General Assembly this year.
TikTok's Fate Hangs in the Balance
Monday was a crucial day for TikTok as the ByteDance-owned app argued its case before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. TikTok is challenging a sell-or-ban bill passed by the U.S. government, arguing that it violates the First Amendment and the company's right to equal protection under the law. The judges did not make an immediate ruling, leaving the app's fate uncertain.
US and Japan Near Deal on Tech Export Restrictions to China
The US and Japan are close to a deal on restricting tech exports to China's chip industry, despite concerns over retaliation from Beijing. The negotiations, which have dragged on for months, are nearing a breakthrough. The US wants to unveil new export controls before November's presidential election, including measures to limit China's access to critical chipmaking tools.
Asian Economies Face Clean Energy Challenge
As supply chains shift away from China, economies across Asia are attempting to seize opportunities. However, they face a clean energy challenge. Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan, all major players in the semiconductor industry, remain heavily reliant on fossil fuels. This poses a problem for countries like Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand, which are attracting investment in chips, AI, and other technologies.
Majority of Countries Absent from Global AI Governance Discussion
A new report by the U.N. Secretary-General's High-level Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence reveals that the majority of countries are absent from the discussion about how to govern AI on an international level. Out of 193 U.N. member states, 118 have not participated in any interregional AI governance initiatives. The report urges countries to leverage the U.N. as a platform to lay the groundwork for an inclusive global AI governance framework.