Home | Newsletters & Shorts | DW Weekly #151 – 15 March 2024

DW Weekly #151 – 15 March 2024

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Dear readers,

In a historic move, EU lawmakers approved the world’s first comprehensive AI regulation. At the same time, the Council of Europe (CoE) finalised the Framework Convention on AI, Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law. At the UN, a US-led AI resolution seeks equitable global AI development. Italy’s data protection regulator is probing OpenAI’s Sora service, while Elon Musk planned to open-source the xAI chatbot Grok.

In the USA, the House passed a bill pressuring ByteDance to divest TikTok US assets or face a ban.

France’s government services faced unprecedented cyberattacks, while Microsoft warned that a Russian hacker group is again attempting to breach its systems. The London Stock Exchange (LSE) set criteria for admitting crypto ETNs. Finally, the European Parliament adopted the Media Freedom Act, protecting journalistic integrity in the digital age.

For more digital policy news, visit dig.watch. Stay in the loop with quick, engaging updates that cut through the complexity of the digital landscape with DW shorts and Byte-sized insights.

Let’s get started,

Andrijana and the Digital Watch team


Highlights from the week of 8-15 March 2024

european parliament interior
EU lawmakers approve world-first comprehensive AI regulation
Members of the European Parliament approved the AI Act on 13 March with a very strong majority. Read more.
european parliament interior
EU lawmakers approve world-first comprehensive AI regulation
Members of the European Parliament approved the AI Act on 13 March with a very strong majority. Read more.
4635e174 4a54 4e3d be9d e61ee34da81a scaled
Landmark agreement reached on Council of Europe’s AI treaty
The Framework Convention on AI, Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law was finalised by the Council of Europe Committee on AI. The draft text will be referred to the Committee of Ministers for adoption and opened for signature at a later stage. Read more.
4635e174 4a54 4e3d be9d e61ee34da81a scaled
Landmark agreement reached on Council of Europe’s AI treaty
The Framework Convention on AI, Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law was finalised by the Council of Europe Committee on AI. The draft text will be referred to the Committee of Ministers for adoption and opened for signature at a later stage. Read more.
flag united nations
US-led UN General Assembly Resolution endeavours to achieve equitable and safe global AI development for the world
Key objectives include closing the digital divide between developed and developing countries as well as establishing responsible AI governance Read more.
flag united nations
US-led UN General Assembly Resolution endeavours to achieve equitable and safe global AI development for the world
Key objectives include closing the digital divide between developed and developing countries as well as establishing responsible AI governance Read more.
italy flag italian flag on a pole waving on blue sky background
Italian data protection regulator probes OpenAI’s Sora video generation service
The data protection agency has asked Open AI to clarify its data usage and compliance with the EU regulations. Read more.
italy flag italian flag on a pole waving on blue sky background
Italian data protection regulator probes OpenAI’s Sora video generation service
The data protection agency has asked Open AI to clarify its data usage and compliance with the EU regulations. Read more.
b27c64ea 20bc 4ceb b68d 05b19b266ce0
Elon Musk plans to open-source the xAI chatbot Grok
Elon Musk’s decision to open-source Grok reflects his vision for a more transparent and collaborative approach to AI development. Read more.
b27c64ea 20bc 4ceb b68d 05b19b266ce0
Elon Musk plans to open-source the xAI chatbot Grok
Elon Musk’s decision to open-source Grok reflects his vision for a more transparent and collaborative approach to AI development. Read more.

TikTok
US House passes bill requiring ByteDance to divest assets or face TikTok’s ban
The bill’s future in the Senate is uncertain as some Democrats have concerns about freedom of speech. Read more.
TikTok
US House passes bill requiring ByteDance to divest assets or face TikTok’s ban
The bill’s future in the Senate is uncertain as some Democrats have concerns about freedom of speech. Read more.

microsoft logo 600x300
Microsoft alerts of ongoing hacking attempt by Russian group
Midnight Blizzard hacked into Microsoft’s corporate email systems in January, stealing emails and documents. Read more.
microsoft logo 600x300
Microsoft alerts of ongoing hacking attempt by Russian group
Midnight Blizzard hacked into Microsoft’s corporate email systems in January, stealing emails and documents. Read more.
cybersecurity cybercrime internet scam anonymous hacker crypto currency investment digital network vpn technology computer virus attack risk protection
France faces unprecedented cyberattacks on government services
Several French state bodies have been targeted by cyberattacks of ‘unprecedented intensity,’ according to Prime Minister Gabriel Attal’s office. Read more.
cybersecurity cybercrime internet scam anonymous hacker crypto currency investment digital network vpn technology computer virus attack risk protection
France faces unprecedented cyberattacks on government services
Several French state bodies have been targeted by cyberattacks of ‘unprecedented intensity,’ according to Prime Minister Gabriel Attal’s office. Read more.

stock market charts
London Stock Exchange sets criteria for admission of crypto ETNs
The London Stock Exchange (LSE) has outlined the process for admitting Crypto Exchange Traded Notes (ETNs). The ETNs are debt securities that track the performance of cryptocurrencies. Read more.
stock market charts
London Stock Exchange sets criteria for admission of crypto ETNs
The London Stock Exchange (LSE) has outlined the process for admitting Crypto Exchange Traded Notes (ETNs). The ETNs are debt securities that track the performance of cryptocurrencies. Read more.

european parliament building in brussels 1
European Parliament adopts Media Freedom Act
MEPs approved the EMFA to protect EU journalists from political or economic interference. It prohibits coercive measures to reveal sources, mandates judicial authorisation for surveillance, ensures transparent media ownership, and addresses online platform influence. Read more.
european parliament building in brussels 1
European Parliament adopts Media Freedom Act
MEPs approved the EMFA to protect EU journalists from political or economic interference. It prohibits coercive measures to reveal sources, mandates judicial authorisation for surveillance, ensures transparent media ownership, and addresses online platform influence. Read more.


#ICYMI

Explore the dichotomy of techno-optimism and techno-pessimism in our digital age. Dive into narratives that celebrate the potential of AI to cure diseases while also addressing the growing concerns about AI’s impact on society and freedom.

flag united nations
UN OEWG 2021-2025 7th substantive session
The Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) held its seventh substantive session on 4-8 March 2024 in New York, the USA. We used our DiploAI system to generate reports and transcripts from the session. Read more.
flag united nations
UN OEWG 2021-2025 7th substantive session
The Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) held its seventh substantive session on 4-8 March 2024 in New York, the USA. We used our DiploAI system to generate reports and transcripts from the session. Read more.

Reading corner

71kadJCyUL. AC UF8941000 QL80
‘Yes Minister’ as the novel Turing Test for advanced AI – Diplo
In the rapidly changing landscape of AI, distinguishing between AI and human capabilities becomes increasingly tricky. Once considered the gold standard for assessing machine intelligence, the Turing Test needs an update to account for the sophisticated nuances of human conversation and thought processes.The British sitcom “Yes Minister” enters the picture as an unconventional but insightful candidate for a new type of Turing Test, Diplo’s Jovan Kurbalija writes. Read more.
71kadJCyUL. AC UF8941000 QL80
‘Yes Minister’ as the novel Turing Test for advanced AI – Diplo
In the rapidly changing landscape of AI, distinguishing between AI and human capabilities becomes increasingly tricky. Once considered the gold standard for assessing machine intelligence, the Turing Test needs an update to account for the sophisticated nuances of human conversation and thought processes.The British sitcom “Yes Minister” enters the picture as an unconventional but insightful candidate for a new type of Turing Test, Diplo’s Jovan Kurbalija writes. Read more.

More on AI @ Diplo

If you want to learn more on Diplo’s research on AI you can write to ai@diplomacy.edu.


Upcoming
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If you are interested in mastering the use of AI tools in training and education, join us in Geneva on Thursday, 21st March, 12:30–14:00 CET, for the launch of Diplo’s AI Campus and a follow-up discussion that will focus on preparing ourselves, our diplomatic services, and our organisations for the AI transition.