In Developing AI, China Takes the Industrial Route

China is closing the innovation gap, but continues to trail by a year or more. “Without its own version of OpenAI, and lagging in all three key elements for fundamental generative AI [artificial intelligence] development (computational power, quality data and advanced algorithms), China has turned its attention to the vertical model — that is, to AI applications in specific industries such as finance, health care, electric vehicles and driverless cars.”

Alex He writes that although it’s a choice driven by necessity, many industry players seem confident the strategy shows promise.

Increasingly, outer space is being deemed a battleground for nation-states. It’s timely, then, argues Jessica West, for the Canadian Parliament’s Standing Committee on National Defence to be studying how to pursue space defence. And Canada is not alone: North Atlantic Treaty Organization members and Australia and Japan are also asking these urgent questions.

West says the committee’s recommendations “will not only shape Canada’s future approach to space but also contribute to the global discussion. That’s why this country needs to stake out a clear position against the arming of satellites, in support of global peace and security — and without delay.”

In northern Nigeria, groups of terrorists and bandits are increasingly using social media to weaponize disinformation to further their agendas, organize activities and conduct psychological warfare. Videos serve as a fundraising tool, appealing for donations and providing instructions for contributors. Encrypted messaging apps are used for internal communication to aid in coordinating operations and maintaining contact between members.

Idayat Hassan outlines some of the specific ways in which these armed, non-state actors — including Boko Haram and its offshoots — have leveraged the power of online platforms as part of their broader efforts to project strength and achieve their objectives.

The Digital Policy Hub at CIGI is a collaborative space for emerging scholars and innovative thinkers from the social, natural and applied sciences. Here are the most recent working papers from the winter 2024 cohort of Hub fellows.

Michael P. A. Murphy: “Digital Ethics, Gender-Based Analysis, and Canada’s Quantum Strategy”

Emanuel Lukawiecki: “A Blueprint for AI Integration in the Canadian Armed Forces”

Follow the links on the Hub webpage to learn more about the Hub scholars and their work!

Sep. 9 – 10:00 a.m. EDT (UTC–04:00): Join us online to launch Robert Gorwa’s new book, The Politics of Platform Regulation: How Governments Shape Online Content Moderation, which examines the emerging domestic and international politics of online safety.

This virtual event will begin with Gorwa’s presentation on his key findings, followed by a Q&A session with attendees. CIGI Research Directors Tracey Forrest and S. Yash Kalash will facilitate.

Learn more and register here.