International

AI chatbots refuse to produce ‘controversial’ output − why that’s a free speech problem

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星期四, 四月 18, 2024

Still, the conversation on AI ignores another crucial issue: What is the AI industry’s approach to free speech, and does it embrace international free speech standards?

Key Points:

Still, the conversation on AI ignores another crucial issue: What is the AI industry’s approach to free speech, and does it embrace international free speech standards?
In practice, this means that AI chatbots often censor output when dealing with issues the companies deem controversial.
Without a solid culture of free speech, the companies producing generative AI tools are likely to continue to face backlash in these increasingly polarized times.

Vague and broad use policies

Companies issue policies to set the rules for how people can use their models.
With international human rights law as a benchmark, we found that companies’ misinformation and hate speech policies are too vague and expansive.
Our analysis found that companies’ hate speech policies contain extremely broad prohibitions.
To show how vague and broad use policies can affect users, we tested a range of prompts on controversial topics.
More recently, India confronted Google after Gemini noted that some experts consider the policies of the Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi, to be fascist.

Free speech culture

If they serve a global audience, they may want to avoid content that is offensive in any region.
This means society has an interest in ensuring such policies adequately protect free speech.
Even where a similar legal obligation does not apply to AI providers, we believe that the companies’ influence should require them to adopt a free speech culture.
At least two of the companies we focused on – Google and Anthropic – have recognized as much.

Outright refusals

Therefore, users’ exposure to hate speech and misinformation from generative AI will typically be limited unless they specifically seek it.
This is unlike social media, where people have much less control over their own feeds.
Stricter controls, including on AI-generated content, may be justified at the level of social media since they distribute content publicly.
Refusals to generate content not only affect fundamental rights to free speech and access to information.

The Future of Free Speech is a non-partisan, independent think tank that has received limited financial support from Google for specific projects.
In all cases, The Future of Free Speech retains full independence and final authority for its work, including research pursuits, methodology, analysis, conclusions, and presentation.
The Future of Free Speech is a non-partisan, independent think tank that has received limited financial support from Google for specific projects.

Is home bias biased? New evidence from the investment fund sector

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星期四, 四月 18, 2024

Rule of law, Journal of Accounting Research, Capital control, Domestic, CEPII, Research Papers in Economics, M. B, Regression analysis, Journal of International Economics, Foreign, Economic growth, Methodology, Row, International, Intuition, Risk, Heritage, Economic development, Goethe University Frankfurt, Overweight, Journal of Monetary Economics, Accounting research, International business, Paper, Political economy, Journal of Financial Economics, Environment, Website, United, Category, World Bank, Probability, Medical classification, Sun, Appendix, Handbook, G11, Quarterly Journal of Economics, Frankfurt, Institution, Investment, International economics, Journal of Political Economy, Corporation, G15, Logic, Dow Jones, PDF, Classification, ECB, CEIC, Károlyi, Policy, Outline, Household, Social science, JEL, Real, Bias, FDI, Journal, Research, Journal of Economic Literature, Credit, The Journal of Finance, Literature, Nationalization, European Central Bank, AA, Culture, Growth, Monetary economics, Section 5, Kho, Rule, Rogoff, Developed country, AAA, Finance, SHS, Control, Variable, Section 4, Language, Section 3, Role, Economy, Financial economics, Section 2, Freedom, Central bank, Incidence, Law, The Heritage Foundation, American Economic Review, Obstfeld, SSRN, Foreign direct investment, G23, Corruption, Quarterly Journal, Financial statement analysis, GDP, IMF Economic Review, Schumacher, University, MVI, Demirci, Dependent and independent variables, Lane, Common, Magazine, Bank, Reproduction, Security (finance)

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How have China and Russia beefed up their relationship after Ukraine war wobble? Expert Q&A

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星期三, 四月 10, 2024

Sergei Shoigu, Partnership, Altai gas pipeline, International, Terrorism, Bullying, Sea, Economics, Arms industry

China has agreed to strengthen its relationship with Russia, after a meeting between Russia foreign minister Sergey Lavrov and China’s foreign minister Wang Yi.

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China has agreed to strengthen its relationship with Russia, after a meeting between Russia foreign minister Sergey Lavrov and China’s foreign minister Wang Yi.
They both used the occasion to criticise the west’s “cold war thinking” and accuse it of bullying.
International affairs editor Rachael Jolley asked Natasha Kuhrt, an expert on the Russia-China relationship from King’s College London, to explain why the conversation was important.
According to Lavrov, the two were also due to discuss security issues including terrorism in the Eurasian region (the landmass stretching from China to Europe).
In the context of US power and a rising China, Russia fears a decline in its status.
In the Indo-Pacific, Russia seems to be increasingly willing to assist China in its efforts to intimidate US allies.
At the 2022 Madrid summit Nato belatedly acknowledged the importance of the Russia-China relationship, and the worst-case scenario of a two-front war.

Natasha Kuhrt does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Most countries do not take a fair share of refugees – here’s how we could incentivise them

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星期三, 四月 10, 2024

Cooking, Research, Speech, Prejudice, International, Violence, Travel, Suggestion, Safety, World Bank, Ukrainians, Refugee, UN, Drug

More than 70 years later, the world is more connected and the nature of migration and asylum has changed.

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More than 70 years later, the world is more connected and the nature of migration and asylum has changed.
UK home secretary James Cleverly (as well as his predecessor Suella Braverman) has suggested that such migration treaties are no longer fit for purpose.
Cleverly did not mention that this proportion has been surprisingly stable over the past 60 years.
Today, 70% of refugees are hosted in countries neighbouring where the people flee from.
While a few countries take most of the responsibility for refugees, many others shun cooperation.

Political challenges

Scholars have long explored the possibility of a legally binding mechanism to ensure that refugee protection is responsibly shared.
But such a system seems impossible in the current political climate.
The US, Australia and Italy all failed to endorse recent, non-binding, international agreements on responsibility-sharing for migration and refugee protection.
Despite this political difficulty, there could be ways to incentivise states to take more responsibility, without a legally binding system.

From safety to integration

More work needs to be done in host countries to help refugees integrate and avoid marginalisation and discrimination.
This could be through cultural exchanges between citizens and refugees, such as sport, cooking or language classes.

Matilde Rosina does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

EQS-News: Lenzing presents innovative concept combining sustainable glacier protection and circularity for textiles

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星期三, 四月 10, 2024

Lenzing – The Lenzing Group, a leading supplier of regenerated cellulose for the textile and nonwovens industries, has created a unique, innovative concept that contributes to the sustainable protection of our glaciers while inspiring collective action for sustainable practices and a circular economy in the nonwovens and textile value chain.

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Lenzing – The Lenzing Group, a leading supplier of regenerated cellulose for the textile and nonwovens industries, has created a unique, innovative concept that contributes to the sustainable protection of our glaciers while inspiring collective action for sustainable practices and a circular economy in the nonwovens and textile value chain.
[2]
The covering of a small area with the new material made from LENZING™ fibers was tested for the first time during a field test on the Stubai Glacier.
This was confirmed in a study conducted by the University of Innsbruck and the Austrian glacier lift operators on the Stubai Glacier in Tyrol (Austria).
Lenzing takes this pioneering innovation project as an opportunity to inspire collaborative action towards sustainable practices and circularity in the textile value chain.

EQS-News: Strong start of the year for Redcare Pharmacy, double-digit sales growth continues.

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星期三, 四月 10, 2024

Sevenum, EUR, DACH, Growth, ER-X, International, Education, Pharmacy, NFC, Marketing, Mobile phone

Strong start of the year for Redcare Pharmacy, double-digit sales growth continues.

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Strong start of the year for Redcare Pharmacy, double-digit sales growth continues.
Redcare Pharmacy’s CEO, Olaf Heinrich comments: “We started the year very well, with strong sales growth accompanied by persistently high non-financial KPIs.
Non-Rx sales growth was 16.8% to EUR 297 million (Q1 2023: EUR 254 million), while prescription medication sales (Rx) rose by 348.3% to EUR 156 million.
Excluding MediService, Rx sales growth in DACH was 6.8% to EUR 37 million (Q1 2023: EUR 35 million).

EQS-News: CANCOM SE: CANCOM publishes Annual Report 2023 and forecasts significant growth

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星期三, 四月 10, 2024

Annual report, Growth, Supervisory board, CANCOM, Internet of things, International, ERP, Economic development, Artificial intelligence, Acquisition, Bank statement, The International, KBC Group

Munich, Germany, 28 March 2024 – In the 2023 financial year, Group revenue increased by 17.8 percent to € 1,522.7 million.

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Munich, Germany, 28 March 2024 – In the 2023 financial year, Group revenue increased by 17.8 percent to € 1,522.7 million.
The CANCOM Group also achieved a significant increase in gross profit of 33.0 percent to € 582.3 million (prior year: € 437.9 million).
"Thanks to our successful acquisition strategy, we closed the 2023 financial year with significant growth," summarises Rüdiger Rath, CEO of CANCOM SE.
The first joint annual financial statements published with the annual report are another important milestone in the integration of the two companies.

Polymetal International plc: New management appointments in Kazakhstan

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星期三, 四月 10, 2024

JSC, Construction, Yuri, Mineral Resources Limited, International, Technical, Roman, Sale, University, Kazakhmys, Mineral processing, Legal Affairs, Polymetal, Institute of technology, Resource, Mining engineering, Polymetal International, Production, Management

Polymetal International plc (“Polymetal”, the “Group”) announces significant strengthening of the management team.

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Polymetal International plc (“Polymetal”, the “Group”) announces significant strengthening of the management team.
“The natural first step after the sale of the Russian business is the creation of strong, focused, and motivated management team in our corporate headquarters in Astana.
With the appointment of four new Executive Vice Presidents, Polymetal is now in a position to advance its independent strategy in Central Asia”, said Vitaly Nesis, Group CEO of Polymetal International plc.
Valery joined Polymetal Engineering in 2006 and moved to Kyzyl in 2016.

Polymetal International plc: Integrated Annual Report 2023

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星期三, 四月 10, 2024

AIX, Polymetal, International, Account, Annual report, Cryptocurrency

Polymetal International plc (“Polymetal”, the “Company”) publishes its Integrated Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2023.

Key Points:

Polymetal International plc (“Polymetal”, the “Company”) publishes its Integrated Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2023.
In compliance with Rule MDR, appendix 1, section 6.1 of the AIX Market Disclosure Rules, Polymetal announces that Integrated Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2023 (“Annual Report”) has been submitted to the AIX disclosure portal and is available at https://aix.kz/issuers/polymetal-international-plc/ .
The full printed Integrated Annual Report for those shareholders who have requested it will be posted in due course.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission Thailand joins forces with international agencies to focus on preventing and suppressing transnational corruption

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星期三, 四月 10, 2024

BANGKOK, THAILAND - Media OutReach Newswire - 25 March 2024 - As emerging with rapid digitalization that paves the way for transnational corruption, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), Thailand further tightened its collaboration with international organizations in tackling new tactics and complicated illicit activities in accordance with global standards. The NACC's Secretary-General, Mr. Niwatchai Kasemmongkol recently met with representatives of the Nordic Police Liaison Office, led by Mr. Carsten Andersen, Assistant Attache/Liaison Officer, Nordic Police Affairs Department at the Danish Embassy, Thailand and Ms. Jane Ohlsson, Assistant Ambassador/Coordinating Officer for Police Affairs in the Nordic Countries at the Swedish Embassy, Thailand, along with NACC's executives and representatives from the Bureau of International Corruption Affairs and Cases, and the Bureau of Investigation and Special Affairs to enhance cooperation between the NACC enforcement agencies in combating transnational corruption. "Current corruption problems are not limited to any one country. But it has developed into a transnational crime, which affects all countries around the world. Therefore, cooperation between each other in various forms, both bilateral and multilateral is considered an important mechanism for effectively preventing transnational corruption of all kinds," said the NACC secretary-general. He further elaborated that the NACC has collaboration with enforcement agencies from the Nordic countries in both bilateral and multilateral. It has a memorandum of understanding between each other to exchange legal information, coordinate cases, as well as academic cooperation in particular, the sharing of knowledge and anti-corruption practices which is beneficial to raising the level of the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) of Thailand. This tie collaboration will help promote the prevention and suppression of corruption in Thailand more effectively. Furthermore, under the cooperation, both sides discussed and exchanged information on international cooperation in criminal matters related to corruption cases between Thailand and the Nordic countries. Denmark has expressed great interest in the NACC's corruption prosecutions and is willing to cooperate in solving transnational corruption cases, while also exchanging information that is beneficial to the fight against corruption. Mr. Niwatchai concluded that the NACC has given great importance to strengthening and expanding the network of cooperation with law enforcement agencies of various countries to deal with transnational corruption continuously. Presently, the NACC, in Thailand has made memoranda of understanding with 25 law enforcement agencies and international organizations, including nine ASEAN countries, the Ministry of Supervision of China, the Independent Authority against Corruption of Mongolia, the Anti-Corruption Commission of Bhutan, the Independent Commission Against Corruption of Australia, the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority of Saudi Arabia, the Police Presidium of the Czech Republic, Federal Ministry of the Interior of Austria, Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation, International Department of the National Crime Agency of the United Kingdom, and Office of the Comptroller General of Brazil, as well as World Bank, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), International Anti-Corruption Academy (IACA), Basel Institute on Governance, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the UN International Organization for Migration (IOM). ----------------------------------------- *This exclusive interview translation is funded by the National Anti-Corruption Fund (NACF). Hashtag: #IntegrityWay #AntiCorruption #ZeroCorruption #NACC #NACF

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Therefore, cooperation between each other in various forms, both bilateral and multilateral is considered an important mechanism for effectively preventing transnational corruption of all kinds," said the NACC secretary-general.
He further elaborated that the NACC has collaboration with enforcement agencies from the Nordic countries in both bilateral and multilateral.
Furthermore, under the cooperation, both sides discussed and exchanged information on international cooperation in criminal matters related to corruption cases between Thailand and the Nordic countries.
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) is a constitutional independent organization and supervised by nine commissioners selected from various professions.