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Qatar Tribune
7 hours ago
- Qatar Tribune
Urgent need for global approach on AI regulation: UN tech chief
Agencies The world urgently needs to find a global approach on regulating artificial intelligence, the United Nations' top tech chief said, warning that fragmentation could deepen risks and inequalities. Doreen Bogdan-Martin, head of the UN's International Telecommunications Union (ITU) agency, told AFP she hoped that AI 'can actually benefit humanity'. But as concerns mount over the risks posed by the fast-moving technology -- including fears of mass job losses, the spread of deepfakes and disinformation, and society's fabric fraying -- she insisted that regulation was key. 'There's an urgency to try to get... the right framework in place,' she said, stressing the need for 'a global approach'. Her comments came after U.S. President Donald Trump last week unveiled an aggressive, low-regulation strategy aimed at ensuring the United States stays ahead of China on more than 90 proposals, Trump's plan calls for sweeping deregulation, with the administration promising to 'remove red tape and onerous regulation' that could hinder private sector AI development. Asked if she had concerns about an approach that urges less, not more, regulation of AI technologies, Bogdan-Martin refrained from commenting, saying she was 'still trying to digest' the U.S. plan.'I think there are different approaches,' she said.'We have the EU approach. We have the Chinese approach. Now we're seeing the U.S. approach. I think what's needed is for those approaches to dialogue,' she said. At the same time, she highlighted that '85 percent of countries don't yet have AI policies or strategies'.A consistent theme among those strategies that do exist is the focus on innovation, capacity building and infrastructure investments, Bogdan-Martin said. 'But where I think the debate still needs to happen at a global level is trying to figure out how much regulation, how little regulation, is needed,' she said. Bogdan-Martin, who grew up in New Jersey and has spent most of her more than three-decade career at the ITU, insisted the Geneva-based telecoms agency that sets standards for new technologies was well-placed to help facilitate much-needed dialogue on the issue.'The need for a global approach I think is critical,' she said, cautioning that 'fragmented approaches will not help serve and reach all'. As countries and companies sprint to cement their dominance in the booming sector, there are concerns that precautions could be thrown to the wind -- and that those who lose the race or do not have the capacity to participate will be left behind. The ITU chief hailed 'mind-blowing' advances within artificial intelligence, with the potential to improve everything from education to agriculture to health care -- but insisted the benefits must be shared. Without a concerted effort, there is a risk that AI will end up standing for 'advancing inequalities', she warned, cautioning against deepening an already dire digital divide worldwide.
Qatar Tribune
7 hours ago
- Qatar Tribune
US, China all set to resume tariff talks in effort to keep sharply higher tariffs at bay
Agencies Stockholm Senior US and Chinese negotiators meet in Stockholm on Monday to tackle longstanding economic disputes at the centre of the countries' trade war, aiming to extend a truce keeping sharply higher tariffs at bay. China is facing an August 12 deadline to reach a durable tariff agreement with President Donald Trump's administration, after Beijing and Washington reached a preliminary deal in June to end weeks of escalating tit-for-tat tariffs. Without an agreement, global supply chains could face renewed turmoil from duties exceeding 100 percent. The Stockholm talks, led by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, take place a day after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen meets Trump at his golf course in Scotland to try to clinch a deal that would likely see a 15 percent baseline tariff on most EU goods. Trade analysts on both sides of the Pacific say the discussions in the Swedish capital are unlikely to produce any breakthroughs but could prevent further escalation and help create conditions for Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping to meet later this year. Previous US-China trade talks in Geneva and London in May and June focused on bringing US and Chinese retaliatory tariffs down from triple-digit levels and restoring the flow of rare earth minerals halted by China and Nvidia H20 AI chips and other goods halted by the United States. So far, the talks have not delved into broader economic issues. They include US complaints that China's state-led, export-driven model is flooding world markets with cheap goods, and Beijing's complaints that US national security export controls on tech goods seek to stunt Chinese growth. 'Stockholm will be the first meaningful round of US-China trade talks,' said Bo Zhengyuan, Shanghai-based partner at China consultancy firm Plenum. Trump has been successful in pressuring some other trading partners, including Japan, Vietnam and the Philippines, into deals accepting higher US tariffs of 15 percent to 20 percent. He said there was a 50-50 chance that the US and the 27-member European Union could also reach a framework trade pact, adding that Brussels wanted to 'make a deal very badly'. Two of Trump's top trade officials, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, will attend the Scotland talks and then travel to Stockholm. Analysts say the US-China negotiations are far more complex and will require more time. China's grip on the global market for rare earth minerals and magnets, used in everything from military hardware to car windshield wiper motors, has proved to be an effective leverage point on US industries. In the background of the talks is speculation about a possible meeting between Trump and Xi in late October. Trump has said he will decide soon whether to visit China in a landmark trip to address trade and security tensions. A new flare-up of tariffs and export controls would likely derail any plans for a meeting with Xi. 'The Stockholm meeting is an opportunity to start laying the groundwork for a Trump visit to China,' said Wendy Cutler, vice president at the Asia Society Policy Institute. Bessent has already said he wants to work out an extension of the August 12 deadline to prevent tariffs snapping back to 145 percent on the US side and 125 percent on the Chinese side. Still, China will likely request a reduction of multi-layered US tariffs totaling 55 percent on most goods and further easing of US high-tech export controls, analysts said. Beijing has argued that such purchases would help reduce the US trade deficit with China, which reached $295.5 billion in 2024. China is currently facing a 20 percent tariff related to US fentanyl crisis, a 10 percent reciprocal tariff, and 25 percent duties on most industrial goods imposed during Trump's first term. Bessent has also said he would discuss with He the need for China to rebalance its economy away from exports toward domestic consumer demand. The shift would require China to put an end to a protracted property crisis and boost social safety nets to encourage household spending. Michael Froman, a former US trade representative during Barack Obama's administration, said such a shift has been a goal of US policymakers for two decades. 'Can we effectively use tariffs to get China to fundamentally change their economic strategy? That remains to be seen,' said Froman, now president of the Council on Foreign Relations think-tank.
Qatar Tribune
a day ago
- Qatar Tribune
Thousands of Malaysians protest rising living costs, lack of reform
Agencies Tens of thousands of Malaysians took to the capital's streets on Saturday to protest rising living costs and a perceived lack of reform by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's unity government. The rally organized by opposition parties marked the first major protest in Southeast Asia's sixth-largest economy since Anwar was propelled to power after general elections in 2022. Protesters gathered at various points around the city center before converging on the central Merdeka (Independence) Square in drizzling rain, carrying placards saying 'Turun Anwar' - 'Step down Anwar' in Malay - while police kept a close eye. 'He (Anwar) has already governed the country for three years and has yet to fulfill the promises he made,' said protester Fauzi Mahmud, 35, from Selangor just outside the capital. Anwar 'has been to many countries to bring investments, but we have yet to see anything,' Fauzi told AFP, referring to the premier's recent trips, including to Russia and Europe. 'The cost of living is still high,' the engineer said. Speaking at the rally, political veteran and Anwar's one-time mentor, now sworn political rival, Mahathir Mohamad told the crowd: 'It's been three years, what have the people got? I think he (Anwar) enjoys seeing us suffer.' 'Enough, please, step down,' said Mahathir, who last month celebrated his 100th birthday and is one of the world's longest-living politicians. Police and city officials estimated that between 18,000 and 50,000 protesters took part in the rally. Anwar was appointed premier on a reformist ticket and promised to tackle graft, nepotism and cronyism within the Southeast Asian nation's fractured political ahead of the rally, the premier laid out a string of populist measures aimed at addressing concerns, including a 100 Malaysian ringgit ($24) cash handout for all adult citizens and a promise to cut fuel prices. Anwar on Wednesday also added that about 18 million Malaysian motorists would be eligible to purchase subsidized medium-octane fuel at 1.99 ringgit per liter, compared to the current price of 2.05 analysts viewed the announcements as a strategic move to appease increasing public frustration and dissuade people from joining Saturday's march. Norhamizah Mohamed, 48, from Besut on the northeast coast said she came to protest to ensure that 'Anwar does what he promised in the election manifesto.' 'It's not that we don't like him, but we don't like the way he is running the country.' 'Only after we had decided to do this protest he announced the goodies for the people,' she told AFP. Saturday's protest also comes as political parties gradually gear up for elections, which by law have to be held no later than mid-February 2028. A recent survey by Malaysia-based independent Merdeka Centre for Opinion Research found the majority of Malaysian voters gave Anwar a positive approval rating of 55 percent. Reasons included the easing of political turmoil in recent years as well as efforts to significantly raise Malaysia's profile through this year's chairmanship of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
