Baidu CEO addresses AI developments and future

Baidu CEO Addresses AI Developments and Future

During the Harvard Business Review Future of Business Conference, Baidu CEO Robin Li made significant remarks about the current state of large language models in AI, expressing confidence in their accuracy. According to Li, the problem of AI-generated “hallucinations” — inaccurate or nonsensical outputs — has been resolved over the past 18 months, allowing for a level of trust in AI chatbot responses.

Li also likened the current AI industry climate to the dot-com bubble of the 1990s, predicting that only about one percent of AI startups will become successful and impactful in the long run. He estimated it could take 10 to 30 years for AI to significantly replace human jobs, urging stakeholders to prepare for the impending changes this technology may bring.

Technical Glitch at Commonwealth Bank of Australia

Over the weekend, Commonwealth Bank of Australia faced technical issues that resulted in duplicate transactions, affecting customer accounts by inaccurately debiting them multiple times. This led to some accounts showing negative balances, prompting confusion among account holders.

During the incident, the bank’s application went offline, restricting clients from accessing their accounts. The issue has since been rectified, with duplicate transactions reversed and service restored. Commonwealth Bank assured that fees incurred due to negative balances from the glitch will be waived, though they have yet to disclose the specifics of the problem.

DJI Faces Import Obstacles Amid Legal Actions

DJI, the prominent Chinese drone manufacturer, encountered import delays in the United States due to what it describes as a “customs-related misunderstanding.” This issue coincides with DJI filing a lawsuit against the US Department of Defense, disputing its placement on a blacklist of entities allegedly tied to the Chinese military. DJI claims this listing has inflicted financial and reputational damage on the company.

DJI argues that the US Customs and Border Protection incorrectly invoked the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) as a basis for the import hindrances. The company is engaging with officials to demonstrate compliance with relevant regulations. Meanwhile, congressional discussions are underway, considering further restrictions on Chinese drones.

Fujitsu to Develop Disinformation Detection Platform

Fujitsu Japan announced a collaborative venture with several prominent Japanese organizations to combat online disinformation. This initiative involves entities like NEC Corporation and leading academic institutions. Fujitsu was appointed as the primary operator for this platform, slated for completion by the end of the fiscal year 2025.

The effort aims to enhance the detection, analysis, and evaluation of false information across digital platforms, addressing growing concerns over misinformation and its societal impacts.

China Intensifies Crackdown on Slang in Digital Spaces

The Cyberspace Administration of China has heightened its initiatives under the “Clear and Bright” campaign to regulate online slang usage, particularly phrases that implicitly critique the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Terms like “lie flat” and “leek,” seen as criticisms of the demanding “996” work culture, are among the expressions being targeted.

Chinese authorities have instructed local internet and education offices to focus on purging non-standard language that could mislead or negatively influence minors and vulnerable groups.

Notable APAC Alliances and Agreements

Recent business activities across the Asia-Pacific region witnessed multiple strategic agreements:

1. South Korea’s Hyosung Corp. committed a $4 billion investment aimed at bolstering its operations in Vietnam, focusing on high-tech areas like datacentres and sustainable aviation fuel. This move includes collaboration with investors from the Middle East.

2. Airbus and Toshiba entered into an agreement on superconducting technologies for futuristic hydrogen-powered aircraft.

3. Telecommunications sector announcements included a maintenance contract for Motorola Solutions in Singapore, KT Corp’s 5G network partnership with Samsung in South Korea, and a purported multi-billion dollar deal for Ericsson with Bharti Airtel in India.

These developments underscore the dynamic business landscape in the Asia-Pacific region, showcasing the intersection of technology and strategic expansion.

Source: Noah Wire Services