Robots “could replace 250,000 UK public sector workers”

•February 14, 2017 • 2 Comments

4000

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/feb/06/robots-could-replace-250000-uk-public-sector-workers

Almost 250,000 public sector workers could lose their jobs to robots over the next 15 years, according to a new report which claims machines would be more efficient and save billions of pounds.

Reform, a right-of-centre thinktank, says websites and artificial intelligence “chat bots” could replace up to 90% of Whitehall’s administrators, as well as tens of thousands in the NHS and GPs’ surgeries, by 2030 – saving as much as £4bn a year.

Even nurses and doctors could fall victim to the march of the machines, which the report says can outperform humans at some diagnoses and routine surgical procedures, and are more efficient at collecting information.

The report argues that public services should become more flexible by embracing a gig economy where workers support themselves through a variety of flexible jobs acquired through online platforms.

In remarks that seem set to infuriate unions, a Reform press release says: “Public services can become the next Uber, using the gig economy to employ locum doctors and supply teachers.”

Few complex roles, it suggests, will be able to resist the move towards automation, with the aim that public services will eventually become “diamond-shaped”, as both frontline and strategic roles are replaced by computers.

“Twenty percent of public-sector workers hold strategic, ‘cognitive’ roles,” it says. “They will use data analytics to identify patterns – improving decision-making and allocating workers most efficiently.

“The NHS, for example, can focus on the highest risk patients, reducing unnecessary hospital admissions. UK police and other emergency services are already using data to predict areas of greatest risk from burglary and fire.”

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and if you say thats not going to be good..you may get called a luddite..

“Reform, a right-of-centre thinktank, says websites and artificial intelligence “chat bots” could replace up to 90% of Whitehall’s administrators, as well as tens of thousands in the NHS and GPs’ surgeries, by 2030 – saving as much as £4bn a year.”

“chat bots”..seen a few of those..

“Even nurses and doctors could fall victim to the march of the machines, which the report says can outperform humans at some diagnoses and routine surgical procedures, and are more efficient at collecting information.”

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Posted in AI, UK, World News

Germany president: Steinmeier chosen by lawmakers

•February 14, 2017 • Leave a Comment

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Berlin/ ARCHIV: Der Vorsitzende der SPD-Fraktion im Bundestag, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, spricht in Berlin auf einer Pressekonferenz (Foto vom 18.07.11). Steinmeier greift die Energiepolitik der Bundesregierung an. Der Ausstieg aus der Atomenergie und der Umstieg auf erneuerbare Energietraeger seien ein Desaster, sagte Steinmeier dem "Hamburger Abendblatt" (Montagsausgabe vom 30.04.12). "Das Ausstiegskonzept wurde mit heisser Nadel strickt, der Netzausbau kommt nicht in Gang und die Integration der erneuerbaren Energien misslingt", sagte er. (zu dapd-Text) Foto: Axel Schmidt/dapd

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-38949530

Former German foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier has been elected president by a parliamentary assembly.

The Social Democrat, 61, is one of Germany’s most popular politicians.

The post is largely ceremonial, but the president represents Germany abroad and is seen as carrying moral weight.

During the US election campaign, the usually circumspect ex-lawyer described Donald Trump as a “hate preacher” and predicted more challenging relations with Washington.

He has also criticised those who “make politics with fear”, and spoken out against right-wing populism.

Mr Steinmeier was chosen by the Federal Assembly meeting in parliament in Berlin.

He won 931 out of 1,260 votes.

Lawmakers and representatives from various social fields delegated by Germany’s 16 states are represented in the assembly.

Electors include Joachim Loew, the national football coach, and Olivia Jones, a colourful drag queen sent to vote by the Green Party in Lower Saxony.

Mr Steinmeier, who takes up the job on 19 March, held the post of foreign minister twice for a total of eight years.

Both terms were served under Chancellor Angela Merkel in grand coalitions of Christian Democrats and Social Democrats.

In 2009, he stood unsuccessfully against Mrs Merkel in the federal election.

Mr Steinmeier is seen as straight-talking, and as foreign minister was widely respected for taking a strong stance on issues important to German voters, the BBC’s Damien McGuinness reports from Berlin.

Many expect he will work to support Germany’s reputation as global defender of tolerant liberal values, our correspondent adds.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank-Walter_Steinmeier

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installed to try and help angela..

the voice of reason eh?

“During the US election campaign, the usually circumspect ex-lawyer described Donald Trump as a “hate preacher” and predicted more challenging relations with Washington. He has also criticised those who “make politics with fear”, and spoken out against right-wing populism.”

left wing populism is ok?

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Posted in Europe, World News, Germany

Gates Foundation pushed away in India over Big Pharma ties

•February 14, 2017 • Leave a Comment

melinda-bill-gates-getty-images

https://sputniknews.com/world/201702091050487566-gates-foundation-india-ties-terminated/

The Secretariat of India’s highest advisory body on immunization, NTAGI, has been transitioned to the fully government-funded National Institute of Family Health and Welfare (NIFHW), by order of the Centre.

NTAGI’s Secretariat has, until now, been serviced through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation-backed Immunization Technical Support Unit (ITSU) at the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI).

Reports say that the reason behind the Secretariat’s shifting out of ITSU could be allegations of “conflict of interest” in the NTAGI-Gates Foundation relationship, raised by members of the steering group of the National Health Mission.

The concerns reportedly centered around the foundation’s “ties” with pharmaceutical companies, and the influence this could exert on the country’s vaccination policy.

Global Policy Forum, an organization seeking to promote accountability of international organizations, highlighted the growing influence of large global philanthropic foundations, including the Gates Foundation, in a December 2015 study called, “Philanthropic Power and Development — Who shapes the agenda?”

“We welcome this move by the government. We have always said foreign influence in our domestic policies in any way must be avoided,” ET cited Swadeshi Jagran Manch saying. The RSS outfit’s objections reportedly factored into the government’s decision.

The Health Ministry of India said in a statement that it continues to collaborate with the Gates Foundation, and that reports of cutting off “all ties” are misleading.

NTAGI is crucial to India’s Universal Immunization Programme (UIP), as its experts provide recommendations on vaccines after reviewing data on disease burden, efficacy and the cost-effectiveness of vaccines. UIP is one of the world’s largest immunization programs, providing free vaccines against 10 life-threatening diseases to an estimated 27-million children and 30-million pregnant women, annually.

The Gates Foundation-ITSU relationship formally ends on February 28.

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india 1..gates 0

they arent out entirely though..

“NTAGI’s Secretariat has, until now, been serviced through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation-backed Immunization Technical Support Unit (ITSU) at the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI).Reports say that the reason behind the Secretariat’s shifting out of ITSU could be allegations of “conflict of interest” in the NTAGI-Gates Foundation relationship, raised by members of the steering group of the National Health Mission.”

conflict of interest..lol..

“The Health Ministry of India said in a statement that it continues to collaborate with the Gates Foundation, and that reports of cutting off “all ties” are misleading.”

401

Posted in India, USA, World News

Lagarde says she is worried about European elections

•February 14, 2017 • Leave a Comment
International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Christine Lagarde delivers remarks at the Atlantic Council in Washington, U.S., February 8, 2017. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Christine Lagarde delivers remarks at the Atlantic Council in Washington, U.S., February 8, 2017.

http://mobile.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSKBN15R0FP

International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde said on Sunday that she was worried about the result of looming elections in Europe, though she insisted the euro zone was making progress in resolving its economic problems.

“I am worried, as we all are, about some of these elections,” Lagarde told an international conference of economic policy makers and academics in Dubai, when asked about this year’s votes in France, the Netherlands and Germany.

She did not elaborate.

Marine Le Pen, who has promised to take France out of the euro zone, is attracting support before presidential elections, while far-right politician Geert Wilders is riding high in Dutch opinion polls and Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservatives face a tough challenge in German elections.

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worried about all of the elections..or just ones where her preferred candidate loses?

isnt this the same as supposedly russia meddling in elections? 🙂

“I am worried, as we all are, about some of these elections,”

“some”..so the ones where the establishment candidate doesnt win..

401

Posted in Europe, France, Germany, World News

Mark Zuckerberg fund bids to develop mind-reading brain implants

•February 14, 2017 • Leave a Comment

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https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/2814660/mark-zuckerberg-funds-bid-to-record-humans-thoughts-and-alter-their-behaviour/

FACEBOOK founder Mark Zuckerberg is funding the development of technology with the potential to read humans’ minds.

The billionaire has just pledged to hand over £40 million to researchers working to combat deadly diseases.

This cash will be distributed by the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, an organisation which aims to “enable doctors to cure, prevent or manage all diseases during our children’s lifetime”.

Some of the projects are likely to ring alarm bells among paranoid people who fear technological progress will come at the expense of human freedom.

One of the researchers who will receive funding is Dr. Rikky Muller, CEO and founder of a firm called Cortera.

She is working to develop “clinically viable and minimally invasive neural interfaces” designed to be used by people suffering severe disabilities.

Dr. Muller hopes that recording brain activity will allow paralysed people to control prosthetic limbs.

Her implants can be placed inside the brain and have the potential to change people’s behaviour by altering their “physiological responses” – the term for reactions which take place in response to external stimuli.

One famous physiological response is the fight or flight response, which readies people for conflict or escape when confronted with a threat.

They work by monitoring the electrical signals sent within the brain.

The Chan Zuckerberg Biohub wrote: “Muller is developing new wireless microsystems that directly interface with the brain for long-term, minimally-invasive neurological recording.

“Her broad goal is to engineer novel implants that can simultaneously sense and alter physiological responses to enable drug delivery and the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders.”

One project funded by Zuck’s research group involve the “monitoring and manipulation of neural circuits”.

Another is working to develop 3D imaging technology which can probe the “deep structures of the brain” and is “essential for unravelling neural activity”.

However, similar technology could one day be used to directly record human thoughts and allow artificial intelligence to read our minds.

“With brain computer interfaces, AI can power future machines to understand human thoughts and emotions, even without physical or vocal communication,” said Debarun Guha Thakurta, a senior research analyst at Frost & Sullivan.

“Instead of simply mimicking the human brain structurally, AI will be able to impart human-like intelligence to machines.”

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“working to develop “clinically viable and minimally invasive neural interfaces” designed to be used by people suffering severe disabilities.”

and then who else?

“With brain computer interfaces, AI can power future machines to understand human thoughts and emotions, even without physical or vocal communication,” said Debarun Guha Thakurta, a senior research analyst at Frost & Sullivan. “Instead of simply mimicking the human brain structurally, AI will be able to impart human-like intelligence to machines.”

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Posted in USA, World News, Transhumanism

Trump meets Japan PM Shinzo Abe at White House

•February 13, 2017 • 11 Comments

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http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/donald-trump-meets-japan-pm-shinzo-abe-at-white-house/news-story/85d9d1bbf27e0b7a2c147d1886cc49d7

President Donald Trump welcomed Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe with a brotherly hug and warm words of admiration, as he ditched previously hard-charging rhetoric towards Tokyo during a White House summit.

Trump praised his guest’s “strong hands,” the pair’s “very, very good chemistry” and rolled out a White House military honour guard in a remarkable public display of diplomatic affection.

“When I greeted him today at the car,” Trump said after an Oval Office meeting, “I shook hands, but I grabbed him and hugged him because that’s the way we feel.” The odd political couple had lunch at the White House before heading to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida for further talks and a round of golf on Saturday.

The sporting gambit recalled the diplomatic exploits of Abe’s grandfather, prime minister Nobusuke Kishi, who once donned a polo shirt to golf with avid hacker president Dwight Eisenhower.

Abe is in the United States on a similar charm offensive.

Then, the topic was post-war reconciliation. This time, the Japanese leader is trying to build a personal rapport with the mercurial new US president and head off simmering disputes.

Ties have been strained by Trump’s willingness to question longstanding defence commitments and his rejection of a trans-Pacific trade deal.

Plans under consideration in the White House propose a substantial hike of import tariffs that could have a serious impact on Japanese manufacturers.

Abe dodged questions about the trade deal, instead dispatching a slew of compliments.

“Donald, Mr President, you are an excellent businessman,” he said, praising Trump on everything from his meteoric political rise to his golf game.

“My scores in golf are not up to the level of Donald at all,” Abe said, self-effacingly.

It appeared that Abe’s efforts paid off. After some tough anti-Japanese rhetoric on the campaign trail, Trump embraced longstanding defence agreements and “free, fair, and reciprocal” trade.

“We’re committed to the security of Japan,” Trump said. “The bond between our two nations and the friendship between our two peoples runs very, very deep. This administration is committed to bringing those ties even closer.” In a statement, Trump offered reassurances the US would come to Japan’s defence if China were to seize the disputed Senkaku islands, known as the Diaoyu in China.

In a joint statement, the pair said: “They oppose any unilateral action that seeks to undermine Japan’s administration of these islands” — comments that are sure to rile Beijing.

Although Abe has pushed ahead with efforts to boost Japan’s military capabilities, Tokyo still relies on US security guarantees.

In a test of Trump’s transactional approach to diplomacy, Abe floated the idea of building a Japanese-designed high-speed rail link that could take Trump between the White House and Trump Tower in New York in an hour.

Early Friday, Abe told business leaders that US-Japanese commerce had been “win-win” and highlighted the hundreds of thousands of American jobs created by Japanese investments.

Most budget cars sold by Toyota and Honda are “produced in US factories by American workers,” he said, noting that US investments by Japanese firms total $411 billion, generating 840,000 jobs.

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old mate abe..looks like he had a good time..north korea tried to ruin the party but they are like a small barking dog who has no bite..

“Abe floated the idea of building a Japanese-designed high-speed rail link that could take Trump between the White House and Trump Tower in New York in an hour.”

huh?

401

Posted in Japan, North Korea, USA, World News

Somalia’s “Mr Cheese” president has a lot on his plate

•February 13, 2017 • 1 Comment

former-somalia-prime-minister-mohamed-abdullahi-farmajo

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-38918858

Somalia has a new, apparently popular president. His main challenges include making federalism work, reducing corruption and improving security.

Somalia’s complicated electoral process is finally complete and the country’s new big cheese has his work cut out.

Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed – known by the nickname Farmajo – is a technocrat, a former prime minister who served just eight months in office, but is a popular choice judging from the response to his victory on the streets.

There was celebratory gunfire punctuating the night sky across Mogadishu, as the results from the secured voting hall at the highly fortified airport were broadcast to the nation.

His nickname (derived from the Italian word for cheese – formaggio) was apparently inherited from his father rather than from a childhood love of Italian cheese as has been reported, but that’s perhaps a question for his first news conference.

Mr Farmajo wasn’t favourite to win the presidential election – in some quarters he was one of the least fancied of the main contenders.

Somalis may share one ethnicity, language and religion, but years of war have hardened the domination of society and politics by a complex family tree of clans, sub-clans, and sub-sub clans, and the differing loyalties and rivalries between them.

Members of the Hawiye clan have dominated political leadership in Mogadishu for many years, and although presidents in Somalia don’t tend to win second terms in office, another Hawiye choice was available.

By selecting a Darod from the more northern regions of Somalia, MPs from the upper and lower houses decided to vote for even greater change.

Having joint American and Somali nationality, Mr Mohamed returned from the US only last year to announce his candidacy.

He was first posted to the Somali embassy in Washington in the 1980s and was studying in the US when the civil war started in 1991 and he claimed political asylum.

He was a popular prime minister during his brief tenure in 2010 and 2011, with a reputation for making sure soldiers were paid their monthly salaries.

And with state finances allegedly being diverted to fund an expensively corrupt electoral process they will be hoping to jump to the front of the queue.

Strengthening the national army and police force – in the new federal state that Somalia has become – will be probably his first challenge.

“The real question is whether he is able to work with the federal member states or not,” said Matt Bryden from the Somali-focused research organisation Sahan.

“If he is, then Somalia will move in the right direction and the institutions of government will broaden and deepen their legitimacy.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohamed_Abdullahi_Mohamed

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mr cheese is the man..for now..

“Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed – known by the nickname Farmajo – is a technocrat, a former prime minister who served just eight months in office, but is a popular choice judging from the response to his victory on the streets.”

a technocrat..

401

Posted in Africa, Somalia, World News

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