7 - 2024 - Tamfis

‘Entire govt to use city’s own ChatGPT this year’

Technology tamfitronics

The administration is aiming to have all government bureaus and departments adopt Hong Kong’s own version of ChatGPT within this year, according to the technology chief.

Sun Dong, the secretary for innovation, technology and industry, also said on Saturday that his bureau has been trialling the AI-powered document assistance system, which was developed by government-founded platform InnoHK.

“The concept of the trial is that when we are using the system, problems will arise, and then we give feedback to improve it. At the same time, the more we use and train it, the better the model will be,” he told an RTHK programme.

“Right now, the trial has been smooth, and the system will soon be expanded to other bureaus for use. The goal is simple – to have the entire government using the system this year. And the system will eventually be open to the whole society.”

The minister also said the government has deliberated introducing the city’s data security law, but noted that the process is rather complicated.

“Legislation is definitely within our scope of consideration, but it cannot be done overnight,” Sun said.

Sun added that data security law will be introduced once the data industry has matured.

Researchers develop fastest-of-its-kind carbon storage technology

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Researchers from theUniversity of Texas at Austinhave devised a faster method for storing captured carbon from the atmosphere. This method eliminates the need for harmful chemical accelerants usually required by current storage methods.

The team developed a technique for ultrafast formation of carbon dioxide hydrates. These distinctive ice-like substances can sequester carbon dioxide in the ocean, effectively preventing its release into the atmosphere.

“We’re staring at a huge challenge – finding a way to safely remove gigatons of carbon from our atmosphere – and hydrates offer a universal solution for carbon storage. For them to be a major piece of the carbon storage pie, we need the technology to grow them rapidly and at scale,” said Vaibhav Bahadur, a professor in the Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering who led the research. “We’ve shown that we can quickly grow hydrates without using any chemicals that offset the environmental benefits of carbon capture.”

Carbon dioxide stands as the prevalent greenhouse gas and plays a significant role in driving climate change. The process of carbon capture and sequestration works to remove carbon from the atmosphere and maintain its storage indefinitely. It is considered an essential element in the effort to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate the impact of climate change.

Technology tamfitronics Credit: — CO2-hydrates. Credit: University of Texas

Currently, the predominant method for storing carbon involves the injection of carbon dioxide into underground reservoirs. This approach offers the dual advantages of carbon containment and the stimulation of oil production.

However, this technique faces significant challenges, such as the escape and movement of carbon dioxide, contamination of groundwater, and the potential for seismic activity linked to injection. Additionally, many regions around the world do not have suitable geological characteristics for reservoir injection.

According to Bahadur, hydrates are viewed as a secondary option for large-scale carbon storage, but they could become the primary option if key challenges are addressed. Up to this point, the process of creating these hydrates that trap carbon has been sluggish and requires a lot of energy, which has hindered its adoption as a widespread method of carbon storage.

In a recent study, researchers have achieved a sixfold increase in the rate of hydrate formation compared to previous techniques. The rapid speed, in combination with the chemical-free process, simplifies the utilization of these hydrates for large-scale carbon storage.

Technology tamfitronics Carbon Capture foam compact. — Carbon Capture foam compact. Credit: University of Texas

Magnesium plays a crucial role in this research, serving as a catalyst that eliminates the requirement for chemical promoters. This is supported by the high flow rate of CO₂ bubbling in a specific reactor setup. The technology is compatible with seawater, making it easier to deploy as it does not depend on complex desalination processes to produce fresh water.

“Hydrates are attractive carbon storage options since the seabed offers stable thermodynamic conditions, which protects them from decomposing,” Brave said. “We are essentially making carbon storage available to every country on the planet that has a coastline; this makes storage more accessible and feasible on a global scale and brings us closer to achieving a sustainable future.”

This breakthrough has implications that go beyond just carbon sequestration. The rapid formation of hydrates could be used in desalination, gas separation, and gas storage, providing a flexible solution for different industries. The University of Texas researchers have applied for two patents related to the technology, and they are exploring the possibility of launching a startup to bring it to market.

Journal reference:

Awan Bhati, Mark Hamalian, Palash V. Acharya, and Vaibhav Bahadur. Ultrafast Formation of Carbon Dioxide Hydrate Foam for Carbon Sequestration. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering2024; DOI: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.4c03809

China makes its bid for global AI governance

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Technology tamfitronics Lynn Greiner

News

Jul 11, 20246 mins

Artificial IntelligenceGenerative AIGovernment

Technology tamfitronics Countries around the world are vying to set the tone for global regulation of artificial intelligence and now China has set out its views on global cooperation in the sector.

As China pushes for dominance in various areas of artificial intelligence, with plans to have mass production of AI-driven humanoid robots by 2025 and leadership in the sector by 2027, the country has published a set of governance guidelines and commitments for AI technology that it hopes will be adopted globally. They include calls for greater cooperation — not between East and West, but between North and South.

Unveiled at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference last week, the Shanghai Declaration on Global AI Governance lays out China’s position in five areas: promoting AI development, maintaining AI safety, developing the AI governance system, strengthening public participation and improving literacy, and improving quality of life and increasing social well-being.

“The People’s Republic of China wants to assert itself as a thought leader on AI governance, and towards that end, it released a declaration with five principles for using AI safely and ethically,” said Brian Jackson, principal research director at Info-Tech Research Group, in an email. “While Asimov only required three laws for effective AI governance — at least in robotics — this is not for the purposes of science fiction and applies to human use of AI rather than rules on how AI should behave. Much of what Shanghai writes here aligns well with NIST’s Trustworthy and Responsible AI framework.”

“But,” he added, “more than a declaration, it’s actually a call for collaboration and perhaps an attempt to steer the conversation around how the future development of AI will play out in a geopolitical sense.”

The declaration came on the heels of United Nations General Assembly’s adoption of a China-led resolution, co-sponsored by the US and other countries, which encouraged international action to help build developing countries’ AI capabilities. It had five main sections:

1. Promoting AI development

The first section of the declaration offers a commitment to actively promote research and development to, it said, “unleash the potential of AI in various fields,” as well as to “promote exchanges and cooperation on global AI research resources.”

It added, “We respect the right of all countries to independent development, encourage all countries to formulate AI strategies, policies and laws and regulations based on their own national conditions, and call for abiding by the laws and regulations of countries receiving the goods and services, observing applicable international law, and respecting their economic and social systems, religious and cultural traditions and values in carrying out international cooperation on AI technologies, products and applications.”

2. Maintaining AI safety

In this section, the declaration commits to promoting the creation of data protection rules, as well as what it described as “more timely and agile self-discipline norms for the industry.”

It said, “We agree to promote the formulation and adoption of ethical guidelines and norms for AI with broad international consensus, guide the healthy development of AI technologies, and prevent their misuse, abuse or malicious use.”

It resolved to strengthen AI cybersecurity, prevent hacking and malware, and combat AI’s use in disinformation campaigns and the manipulation of public opinion, and its use in illegal activities by criminals, terrorists, and extremists, as well as in theft and misuse of personal information.

3. Developing the AI governance system

The declaration advocates the establishment of a global AI governance mechanism, with the United Nations as the main channel. It also calls for increased representation from developing countries, in keeping with the adoption of China’s recent UN General Assembly resolution, along with participation by international organizations, enterprises, research bodies, social organizations, and individuals.

And, it said, “We agree to strengthen the regulatory and accountability mechanisms for AI to ensure compliance and accountability in the use of AI technologies.”

4. Strengthening public participation and improving literacy

The focus of this section was on public participation in decision-making around AI, and on raising awareness of the technology and encouraging digital safety awareness.

The declaration committed to promoting AI in areas such as sustainability, energy management, and resource use to address global issues.

Contradictions?

There are, however, some apparent contradictions in the principles, Jackson said.

“The first principle about promoting AI development focuses on a call for global collaboration,” he noted. “We have to look at this in the context of recent efforts by the US to cut China off from accessing AI capabilities by limiting the trade of technology. China is trying to push back and encourage more exchange, perhaps hoping to avoid being hindered by a lack of access to US-produced semiconductors and AI-related research advancements.

“Yet later, in principle #3, developing the AI governance system, there is mention of North-South and South-South cooperation – but not East-West cooperation. This could be read as China saying that the developing world needs to be included. Or it might be read as saying, “We don’t need the US.”

Nevertheless, the declaration concluded, “We are fully aware that the implementation of this declaration requires our joint efforts. We look forward to positive responses from governments, sci-tech communities, industrial communities and other stakeholders around the world. Together, let us promote the healthy development of AI, ensure AI safety, and empower the common future of mankind with AI.”

However, Jackson said, one commitment not made in the declaration is a promise to refrain from using AI from a military perspective.

“It seems that in a declaration that’s full of calls to put people first and avoid AI being used by bad actors to harm people, there could be an opportunity to specify that China will not pursue these activities itself,” he said. “There have been global calls to commit to not using AI for autonomous warfare, and that commitment could have been made here. But it’s not.”

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6 Top NFT Trends to Watch Out For (2024 & 2025)

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The world of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) is changing quickly. As technology and creativity come together, new NFT trends are appearing. These trends are set to shape the future of digital arts in 2024 and 2025. This guide explores these top upcoming NFT trends, giving you insights into the future of NFT use cases.

Key Takeaways:

According to CryptoSlamthe total NFT sales volume is over US$65 billion, with Ethereum, Solana, and Bitcoin being the top blockchains for NFT traders.
The top NFT trends to watch out for are the rise of utility NFTs, the tokenization of real-world assets, NFTs in the music industry, hybrid NFTs, Bitcoin NFTs, and the gaming expansion of digital collectibles.
The Global Non-fungible Token (NFT) Market is expected to reach US$152.54 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 34.2% from 2024 to 2030 (Source: VMR report).

Technology tamfitronics The Top NFT Trends in 2024

1. Utility NFTs

In the early days, NFTs were primarily used for digital art and collectibles. However, the trend is shifting towards other emerging NFT sectors such as utility NFTs. These tokens are not just about owning a digital asset; they offer additional functionalities and benefits. For instance, utility NFTs can provide access to exclusive content, events, or communities. They can also represent ownership of real-world assets such as real estate or vehicles.

The demand for utility NFTs is growing as they offer more value to the holder. In 2024 and 2025, we can expect to see more projects integrating utility features into their NFTs. This trend will likely attract a broader audience, including those interested in the practical applications of NFTs beyond art and collectibles.

For example, the Bored Ape Yacht Club ($BAYC) has introduced practical benefits through their NFTs. For example, they organize ApeFestan annual event exclusively for NFT holders. Participants can gather to showcase their collections and enjoy activities such as live music, auctions, and games. This adds extra value to owning a $BAYC NFT, making it more than just a digital asset.

Technology tamfitronics Utility NFTs

Events for the BAYC/MAYC holders. Source: Apefest

2. Real-World Assets (RWA) NFTs

The tokenization of real-world assets is a trend that is gaining traction. NFTs can represent ownership of physical items like real estate, art, and even luxury goods. This tokenization provides a way to divide ownership, making it easier for people to invest in high-value assets. You can also call it fractional NFTs.

For example, an NFT can represent a share in a piece of real estate, allowing multiple investors to own a part of the property. This approach makes investments that were previously out of reach for many people more accessible. In 2024 and 2025, we can expect to see more real-world assets being tokenized, opening up new investment opportunities.

According to a reportthe real-world asset tokenization or the tokenization of global illiquid assets to be a $16T business opportunity by 2030.

3. Hybrid NFTs

Hybrid NFTs blend digital assets with real-world items. For example, owning a digital artwork NFT might also give you a physical print. This mix makes the NFTs more appealing and valuable. It bridges the gap between the digital and physical worlds.

One notable example is Nike’s Cryptokicks. These are digital shoes that come with a physical pair. Cryptokicks generated over $10 million in sales in their first month. This shows the strong demand for hybrid NFTs.

Technology tamfitronics Hybrid NFTs

RTFKT x Nike Dunk Genesis CRYPTOKICKS: Source: OpenSea

Hybrid NFT trends are likely to grow in the coming years. As more brands and creators explore this trend, we can expect more innovative products. Hybrid NFTs could become a standard in various industries, from fashion to entertainment.

4. NFTs in the Music Industry

The music industry is another area where NFTs are making a significant impact. Artists can tokenize their music, offering exclusive tracks, albums, or concert tickets as NFTs. This approach provides a new revenue stream for artists and a unique way for fans to support their favorite musicians.

NFTs in the music industry can also include royalties. For instance, an NFT can be programmed to pay a percentage of future sales back to the original artist, ensuring ongoing revenue. As more musicians and record labels explore the potential of NFTs, this trend will continue to grow, transforming how music is distributed and monetized.

According to some estimatesan artist only gets about 4 cents for every song played on Spotify. That means to make just $4,000, an artist would need a whopping one million streams. Therefore, Music NFTs can be a more lucrative and alternative option.

Technology tamfitronics NFTs in the Music Industry

Types of music NFTs. Source: Chainlink

5. Gaming NFT Expansion

The gaming industry has always been a place for innovation, and NFTs are no exception. In 2024 and 2025, expect NFT gaming to explode into a full-fledged phenomenon.

Here’s why: NFT-based games allow players to truly own in-game items, like weapons, skins, or virtual land. This ownership opens doors for a whole new level of engagement – players can trade, sell, or even rent out their in-game assets, creating a thriving digital economy within the game itself.

As more game developers adopt this model, we can expect a big increase in NFT-based games and a growing market for in-game NFTs. For example, Axie Infinity has already generated over $4 billion in sales volume, showing the potential of NFTs in gaming.

Technology tamfitronics Gaming NFT Expansion

Axie Infinity gaming marketplace and NFTs: Source: Axie Infinity

6. Bitcoin NFTs

Minting NFTs on Bitcoin has always been harder compared to blockchains like Ethereum. This difficulty arises because Bitcoin has limited smart contract capabilities and lacks a standard token format for NFTs, such as Ethereum’s ERC-721.

Recently, Bitcoin NFTs have gained significant attention. This increase in interest and popularity followed the introduction of the Ordinals protocol in January 2023, which allows for direct NFT minting on the Bitcoin blockchain.

According to CryptoSlamthe Bitcoin blockchain is now ranked second after Ethereum in NFT trading volume and sales. This trend is expanding the NFT market beyond Ethereum, offering more options for creators and collectors.

Technology tamfitronics Bitcoin NFTs

Bitcoin NFTs example. Source: rarepepes.com

Technology tamfitronics Final Thoughts

The future of NFTs is bright, with many NFT trends set to shape the landscape in 2024 and 2025. From utility NFTs and tokenization of RWAs to hybrid NFTs and the expansion into gaming, the possibilities are vast. By staying informed about these top NFT trends, you can better understand the potential of digital art and how they may impact various industries.

Whether you are an artist, a gamer, a music lover, or an investor, the world of NFTs offers something for everyone. As we look to the future, it is clear that NFTs will play a significant role in the digital economy and bring new investment opportunities, and transform the way we create, interact, and transact in the digital world.

‘Entire govt to use city’s own ChatGPT this year’

Researchers develop fastest-of-its-kind carbon storage technology

China makes its bid for global AI governance