
Head of Japan's top pop agency resigns after admitting late founder sexually abused minors for decades
The head of Japan's top pop agency Johnny & Associates stepped down Thursday after admitting that her uncle, the company's late founder, had sexually abused minors for years, following months of international scrutiny and an independent investigation.
2023-09-07 15:53

Three in hospital after car hits people outside pub
Two women and a man, aged in their 50s and 60s, have been taken to Letterkenny University Hospital.
2023-09-07 15:51

AI can help generate synthetic viruses and spark pandemics, warns former Google executive
Synthetic viruses could be generated through the misuse of artificial intelligence and potentially spark pandemics, a former Google executive and AI expert has warned. Google DeepMind co-founder Mustafa Suleyman expressed concern that the use of AI to engineer pathogens to cause more harm may lead to a scenario like a pandemic. “The darkest scenario is that people will experiment with pathogens, engineered synthetic pathogens that might end up accidentally or intentionally being more transmissible or more lethal,” he said in a recent episode of a podcast. Similar to how there are restrictions in place to prevent people from easily accessing pathogenic microbes like anthrax, Mr Suleyman has called for the means to restrict access to advanced AI technology and software that runs such models. “That’s where we need containment. We have to limit access to the tools and the know-how to carry out that kind of experimentation,” he said in The Diary of a CEO podcast. “We can’t let just anyone have access to them. We need to limit who can use the AI software, the cloud systems, and even some of the biological material,” the Google DeepMind co-founder said. “And of course on the biology side it means restricting access to some of the substances,” he said, adding that AI development needs to be approached with a “precautionary principle”. Mr Suleyman’s statements echo concerns raised in a recent study that even undergraduates with no relevant background in biology can detail suggestions for bio-weapons from AI systems. Researchers, including those from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, found chatbots can suggest “four potential pandemic pathogens” within an hour and explain how they can be generated from synthetic DNA. The research found chatbots also “supplied the names of DNA synthesis companies unlikely to screen orders, identified detailed protocols and how to troubleshoot them, and recommended that anyone lacking the skills to perform reverse genetics engage a core facility or contract research organization”. Such large language models (LLMs), like ChatGPT, “will make pandemic-class agents widely accessible as soon as they are credibly identified, even to people with little or no laboratory training,” the study said. The study, whose authors included MIT bio risk expert Kevin Esvelt, called for “non-proliferation measures”. Such measures could include “pre-release evaluations of LLMs by third parties, curating training datasets to remove harmful concepts, and verifiably screening all DNA generated by synthesis providers or used by contract research organizations and robotic ‘cloud laboratories’ to engineer organisms or viruses”. Read More China’s ‘government-approved’ AI chatbot says Taiwan invasion is likely Government urged to address AI ‘risks’ to avoid ‘spooking’ public Scientists give verdict on Harvard professor’s claim of finding materials in sea from outside Solar System Google boss says he wants to make people ‘shrug’ Why is Elon Musk obsessed with the letter X? Elon Musk ‘borrowed $1bn from SpaceX’ at same time as Twitter acquisition
2023-09-07 15:50

Blink-182 tease new music with cryptic posters and website
'All The Small Things' rockers Blink-182 are teasing their new album with a series of posters and a mystery website.
2023-09-07 15:29

Drake sets release date for new album For All the Dogs
Rapper/singer Drake has finally given fans the news they have been hoping for by setting a release date for his new album For All the Dogs
2023-09-07 15:24

Meloni Faces Worsening Italian Budget Deficit for This Year
Giorgia Meloni’s government is confronting drastically worsening budget figures, adding pressure to her options on how to bolster
2023-09-07 15:22

James Kuffner Exits as CEO of Toyota’s Technology Unit Woven
James Kuffner is leaving his post as chief executive officer of Toyota Motor Corp.’s automotive-technology unit, Woven by
2023-09-07 15:15

G-20 Agrees to Give African Union Membership on Par With EU
Group of 20 nations agreed to grant the African Union permanent membership status, according to people familiar with
2023-09-07 14:48

Fossil Fuels Smudge G-20 Host India’s Green Leadership Ambitions
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s green pitch to the Group of 20 this week will include new calls
2023-09-07 14:24

Orioles beat Angels 10-3 to sweep series, extend winning streak to 5
The Baltimore Orioles refuse to budge at the top of the American League East, getting four hits and four RBIs from Austin Hays in a 10-3 victory to finish off a three-game sweep of the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday night
2023-09-07 13:53

China Sending Envoys to North Korea Before Kim’s Russia Trip
China plans to send its second high-profile delegation to North Korea in less than two months, just before
2023-09-07 13:48

Australian PM Albanese Confirms Beijing Visit After Li Talks
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will visit Beijing to meet with the Chinese government’s senior leadership before the
2023-09-07 13:46