Latest news with #2030
ABC News
2 days ago
- Business
- ABC News
Climate change minister insists Australia 'on track' to hit 2030 renewables target
Chris Bowen says strong investment figures will help Australia overcome challenges in reaching a 82 per cent renewables target by 2030.
Qatar Tribune
3 days ago
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Our goal is to enhance level of institutional performance in line with QNV 2030: Municipality minister
DOHA: Minister of Municipality HE Abdullah bin Hamad bin Abdullah Al Attiyah has affirmed that the Ministry continues its tireless efforts to enhance institutional performance and provide high-quality government services that are in line with the goals of Qatar National Vision (QNV) 2030 and meet the aspirations of citizens and residents. During his meeting with the Ministry's institutional excellence team, Al Attiyah said that institutional excellence is an effective tool for raising overall performance and enhancing customer satisfaction with the Ministry's services. He emphasized the importance of fostering a culture of quality and continuous improvement within the work environment, as these are fundamental pillars of sustainable institutional development. The Ministry, he added, attaches significant importance to implementing the institutional excellence model across its various sectors to raise the efficiency of government performance and achieve higher levels of effectiveness and efficiency. The meeting reviewed the Ministry's progress in adopting institutional excellence standards as well as the efforts made to translate these standards into practical initiatives and development projects in various sectors.
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Anthropic CEO warns AI could wipe out 1 in 2 white collar jobs in next five years
The head of one of the world's most powerful artificial intelligence labs has warned the technology could eliminate half of all entry-level, white-collar jobs within the next five years. Fresh off promoting his company's technology at a developer conference, Anthropic chief executive officer Dario Amodei told CNN's Anderson Cooper that politicians and businesses are not prepared for the spike in unemployment rates AI could prompt. 'AI is starting to get better than humans at almost all intellectual tasks, and we're going to collectively, as a society, grapple with it,' the 42-year-old said in an interview with Cooper. 'AI is going to get better at what everyone does, including what I do, including what other CEOs do.' The technology that companies like his are building, Mr Amodei said, could boost unemployment in America as high as 20 per cent by 2030. Anthropic's AI can work nearly seven hours a day, he said, and has the skills typically required of entry-level corporate workers – 'the ability to summarise a document, analyse a bunch of sources and put it into a report, write computer code' – at the same standard 'as a smart college student'. 'We can see where the trend is going, and that's what's driving some of the concern (about AI in the workforce),' Mr Amodei said. Public not 'fully aware of what's going on' Though Mr Amodei acknowledged it would 'definitely not (be) in my economic interest' to do so, he urged US politicians to consider implementing a tax on AI labs. He said he was 'raising the alarm' because his counterparts at other companies 'haven't as much and I think someone needs to say it and to be clear'. 'It's eerie the extent to which the broader public and politicians, legislators, I don't think, are fully aware of what's going on,' he said. In a separate interview with US publication Axios, Mr Amodei said such workforce changes are 'going to happen in a small amount of time – as little as a couple of years or less'. 'Cancer is cured, the economy grows at 10 per cent a year, the budget is balanced – and 20 per cent of people don't have jobs,' he said. 'Most of them are unaware that this is about to happen. It sounds crazy, and people just don't believe it.' In January, a World Economic Forum (WEF) survey found that 41 per cent of employers intend to reduce their workforce because of AI automation by 2030. 'Advances in AI and renewable energy are reshaping the (labour) market – driving an increase in demand for many technology or specialist roles while driving a decline for others, such as graphic designers,' the WEI said in a statement at the time. 'The presence of both graphic designers and legal secretaries just outside the top 10 fastest-declining job roles, a first-time prediction not seen in previous editions of the Future of Jobs Report, may illustrate GenAI's increasing capacity to perform knowledge work.' Closer to home, in December the Social Policy Group reported that without immediate intervention, one in three Australians in knowledge-based or manual roles were at risk of job loss by 2030. Conversely, the WEF found that close to 70 per cent of companies plan to hire new workers with skills to design AI tools and enhancements, and 62 per cent plan to hire more employees with skills to work alongside the technology. 'Now, you can hire one experienced worker, equip them with AI tooling, and they can produce the output of the junior worker on top of their own – without the overhead,' recruiter at US venture capital firm SignalFire, Heather Doshay, told Business Insider. Ms Doshay stressed that AI 'isn't stealing job categories outright – it's absorbing the lowest-skill tasks'. 'That shifts the burden to universities, boot camps, and candidates to level up faster,' she added. 'We can't just sleepwalk into it' Mr Amodei insisted AI can – and will – be used for good, noting he 'wouldn't be building this technology if I didn't think that it could make the world better'. '(But) we have to make sure that people have the ability to adapt, and that we adopt the right policies,' Mr Amodei told CNN. 'We have to act now. We can't just sleepwalk into it … I don't think we can stop this bus. 'From the position that I'm in, I can maybe hope to do a little to steer the technology in a direction where we become aware of the harms, we address the harms, and we're still able to achieve the benefits.'
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Census sets new benchmark for agricultural sector
KUALA LUMPUR: The findings from the 2024 Agriculture Census Interim Report are set to become a critical new benchmark for the development and transformation of Malaysia's agricultural sector. Statistics Department chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said the insights — gathered through the nationwide census conducted from July 7 to Dec 31 last year, would provide vital input into several key national strategies — including the 13th Malaysia Plan, the National Agrofood Policy 2021–2030, the National Agricommodity Policy 2021–2030 and the National Food Security Policy Action Plan 2021–2025. "These findings are not merely statistical data; they reflect the real conditions, challenges and opportunities within the sector," he said after the launch of the 2024 Agriculture Census Interim Report on Thursday. Gracing the launch event was Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, who is also the energy transition and water transformation minister. Also present were Agriculture and Food Security Deputy Minister Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup, ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Isham Ishak and Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mad Zaidi Mohd Karli. Among the key findings from the 2024 Agriculture Census, Uzir said, was that Malaysia recorded 1,030,020 agriculture holders, with a staggering 97.9 per cent (or 1,008,829) being individual agriculture holders. The remaining 21,191 operations are managed by establishments' agricultural holders. He said the data also indicates that 258,129 agriculture holders are involved in food crop cultivation, including padi, vegetables and fruits. At the same time, 623,365 individuals manage commercial crops such as oil palm and rubber. Additionally, 43,816 agriculture holders are engaged in livestock, 8,407 in aquaculture, 48,267 in fisheries and 7,930 in forestry and logging. In terms of age groups, the largest proportion of individual agricultural holdings is in the 60 years and over category, with 458,263 individuals (45.4 per cent), followed by those aged 46 to 59 years at 326,287 individuals (32.4 per cent). The 31 to 45 years age group accounts for 190,952 individuals (18.9 per cent) while the 15 to 30 years age group represent only 33,207 individuals (3.3 per cent). "The data highlights Malaysia's agricultural sector's strong dependence on older farmers, with 45.4 per cent of agricultural holders aged 60 and above, while only 142,888 youths aged 15 to 40 are active in the industry. "This situation poses serious challenges, such as labour shortages, a slow integration of modern technologies and the urgent need to revitalise the sector. "It is crucial to attract more young people to agricultural careers to safeguard the sector's future sustainability and the country's food security." Uzir said other key takeaways from the census is that establishment agriculture holders recorded much higher productivity than individual agriculture holders such as oil palm, pineapple and cocoa. "This shows the importance of economies of scale, the use of technology and more systematic governance. "Among the main challenges faced by individual agriculture holdings is the limited land area, especially land of less than 2.02ha. "This small land size has a significant impact on the effectiveness of agricultural activities, especially in terms of productivity and yield. "This not only affects farmers' income, but also has implications for the development of the country's agricultural sector as a whole." Uzir said the census also found potential in the cultivation of new crops such as kenaf, Napier and seaweed. Kenaf, for example, has a cultivated area of 1,497.0ha with a production of 9,916.1 tonnes, while Napier recorded a cultivated area of 1,387.7ha with a production of 35,687 tonnes. "These industries have great potential in terms of value added exports and production of downstream products, where the supply chain needs to be strengthened to drive the growth of this segment." Uzir said from the census, crop industries such as coffee, coconut and cocoa have shown a decline in terms of planted area, productivity and the number of active entrepreneurs. "However, the industry retains significant strategic value and can be revitalised through well-planned, modern and integrated approaches." Uzir added that engagement sessions will be organised with stakeholders to discuss the findings of the census. "These sessions serve as a platform to discuss agriculture issues including food security concerns. "It is hoped that all stakeholders including government agencies, research institutions, academia, industry players and farmers can utilise agricultural statistics to the fullest in making evidence-based decisions and contributing to the growth of a sustainable and competitive agricultural sector." During the event, the department also released 15 interim reports encompassing the Interim Report on Agriculture Sector, which presents statistics for the entire agricultural sector, followed by five subsectors; crops, livestock, fisheries and aquaculture, as well as forestry and logging. The remaining 14 reports covered oil palm, rubber, padi, pineapple, kenaf, cocoa, pepper, fruits, vegetables and other crops. The reports covered six key parameters — agricultural holdings profile, area planted, harvested area, quantity of production and sales and sales value. The agriculture census plays a vital role in supporting not only farmers and policymakers, but also businesses within the broader agricultural value chain. Doluvo Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Rose Yasmin Abdul Karim said the data gathered from the census is instrumental in helping companies plan for growth and source raw materials more effectively. As the manufacturer of Popsmalaya, a homegrown brand known for fruit-based ice lollies, Yasmin emphasised the importance of using local ingredients. "One of our key strategies moving forward is to collaborate directly with local farmers through contract manufacturing. "The latest data from the agriculture census helps us make informed decisions that align with our long-term goals," she said. Although not all ingredients — such as berries — are sourced locally, Popsmalaya remains committed to showcasing Malaysian produce, with pineapple emerging as a signature flavour. "When we participate in international trade shows, people are often intrigued by unique flavours like pineapple. Pineapple lollies are still uncommon overseas, which gives us a competitive edge," Yasmin said. Popsmalaya exports to over 30 countries and attributes its global success to support from agencies such as the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority. Yasmin's sentiment was echoed by Mohd Azhan Fhitri Md Rafi, a sales coordinator at Mascorn Sdn Bhd. "For companies like Mascorn, access to accurate and comprehensive agricultural data enables us to better align with market trends and plan strategically. "It also helps identify emerging needs and opportunities across the sector.
Associated Press
4 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Griffith Foods Celebrates World Fair Trade Day
Today, we celebrate World Fair Trade Day, a global celebration of fair and ethical trade practices that promote equity, sustainability, and better trading conditions for farmers and producers. On this day, we're honoring the partners and farmers around the world who make sustainable sourcing possible and sharing how we're working together to build a more transparent, ethical, and resilient food system. By integrating environmental and social criteria into our sourcing strategies and using tools like EcoVadis to evaluate supplier performance, we're advancing responsible sourcing practices. Our TEROVA team brings this vision to life by delivering traceable, certified sustainable raw materials such as herbs, spices, and other ingredients. TEROVA partners directly with farmers to implement sustainable practices and achieve certifications like Rainforest Alliance. Using our TEROVA TRACE platform, we track every step of the journey, from field to factory, ensuring transparency, integrity, and trust throughout the supply chain. Explore how TEROVA is helping create a fairer, more sustainable future: Our Sustainability JourneyAt Griffith Foods, we are committed to driving positive impact through a regenerative mindset. Sustainability is connected to everything we do as a business, and by 2030, we are dedicated to significantly improving the future with a singular sustainable business strategy that we call our 2030 Aspirations. To learn more about Griffith Foods and its current sustainability efforts, visit them online and download the 2023 Sustainability Griffith FoodsAt Griffith Foods, our purpose defines who we are, what we do, and why we exist, highlighting what makes us distinct and authentic in the marketplace. We help our partners meet the evolving needs and desires of consumers in ways that respect and sustain the planet. Our care and creativity mean we'll find the right mix of global reach and local impact to serve the earth and nourish all of us who call it home. View original content here. Visit 3BL Media to see more multimedia and stories from Griffith Foods
