Latest news with #DIF
Time of India
12-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Digital India foundation opposes Pakistan AI centre's bid to join AI alliance network
New Delhi: Think tank Digital India Foundation on Friday said it has strongly objected to Pakistan AI Technology Centre 's application for the membership of AI Alliance Network . Digital India Foundation is a founding member of the AI Alliance Network (AIANET) comprising 17 international organisations, of which three are from China. In a letter to AIANET, the DIF said that given Pakistan's systemic support of terrorism, the ongoing scrutiny of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the potential weaponisation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) through AITeC's specialized labs, and the lack of institutional accountability or ethical oversight in Pakistan's AI ecosystem, pose a serious threat to India's national security "As a multilateral alliance of institutions committed to the ethical, transparent and peaceful development of AI, AITeC's application, if accepted, poses serious risk to the AIANET's credibility, security and shared values," DIF said. The think tank said that the autonomous AI and decision support lab, computer vision lab, and software optimization for edge computing lab are equipped with capabilities that can be easily redirected toward offensive cyber operations, cross-border attacks, and autonomous targeting systems. "These technologies, in the hands of a state apparatus with a history of harbouring terrorist groups and undermining regional stability, pose an unacceptable security risk," DIF said. The think tank further said that Pakistan's AI trajectory is heavily influenced by military-led initiatives, including the Pakistan Air Force's Centre of Artificial Intelligence and Computing (CENTAIC), which prioritises defence applications over civilian innovation. "The membership application of AITeC should be seen as Pakistan's way of gaining access to our R&D and technology with the aim of weaponizing AI through their specialized labs. We need to ensure that this does not happen," DIF Co-Founder and Head Arvind Gupta said.
Time of India
12-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Digital India Foundation objects to Pakistan AI tech centre's application for AI Alliance Network membership
New Delhi: Think tank Digital India Foundation on Friday said it has strongly objected to Pakistan AI Technology Centre 's application for the membership of AI Alliance Network . Digital India Foundation is a founding member of the AI Alliance Network (AIANET) comprising 17 international organisations, of which three are from China. In a letter to AIANET, the DIF said that given Pakistan's systemic support of terrorism, the ongoing scrutiny of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the potential weaponisation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) through AITeC's specialized labs, and the lack of institutional accountability or ethical oversight in Pakistan's AI ecosystem, pose a serious threat to India's national security "As a multilateral alliance of institutions committed to the ethical, transparent and peaceful development of AI, AITeC's application, if accepted, poses serious risk to the AIANET's credibility, security and shared values," DIF said. The think tank said that the autonomous AI and decision support lab, computer vision lab, and software optimization for edge computing lab are equipped with capabilities that can be easily redirected toward offensive cyber operations, cross-border attacks, and autonomous targeting systems. "These technologies, in the hands of a state apparatus with a history of harbouring terrorist groups and undermining regional stability, pose an unacceptable security risk," DIF said. The think tank further said that Pakistan's AI trajectory is heavily influenced by military-led initiatives, including the Pakistan Air Force's Centre of Artificial Intelligence and Computing (CENTAIC), which prioritises defence applications over civilian innovation. "The membership application of AITeC should be seen as Pakistan's way of gaining access to our R&D and technology with the aim of weaponizing AI through their specialized labs. We need to ensure that this does not happen," DIF Co-Founder and Head Arvind Gupta said.
Time of India
11-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
DIF flags security risk in Pakistan's bid to join Brics-backed AI bloc
Bengaluru: The Digital India Foundation (DIF), a founding member of the AI Alliance Network (AIANET), has opposed the proposed inclusion of Pakistan's AI Technology Centre (AITeC) in the alliance, warning that it could compromise the group's credibility, security and core values. Formed following the Brics Summit in late 2024, AIANET was envisioned as a multilateral coalition of AI research institutions committed to ethical, transparent and peaceful development of artificial intelligence. The alliance brings together member institutions from Brics nations and other aligned democracies to foster collaboration in civilian AI research, safeguard against dual-use risks, and set global benchmarks for responsible innovation. In a letter to AIANET leadership dated July 11, 2025, DIF argued that Pakistan's AI ecosystem lacks institutional accountability, suffers from weak legal safeguards, and is shaped by military-led programs with limited civilian oversight. It warned that AITeC's entry would pose a direct threat to the network's integrity. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo 'The membership application of AITeC should be seen as Pakistan's way of gaining access to our R&D and technology with the aim of weaponising AI,' said Dr. Arvind Gupta, co-founder and head of DIF. 'We need to ensure that this does not happen.' DIF flagged several AITeC labs, including those focused on autonomous systems, computer vision, and edge computing, for their dual-use potential and susceptibility to being repurposed for cyber operations, cross-border targeting, or terrorism-linked surveillance. It also cited the 2025 US Country Reports on Terrorism, which highlight the risk of AI tools being used by Pakistan-based groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. Pakistan remains on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list due to ongoing failures in curbing terror financing and money laundering. DIF warned that in such an environment, AI labs could be exploited to automate illicit finance channels, including crypto-driven fundraising for extremist networks. The think tank also noted that Pakistan lacks enforceable data protection laws and independent oversight mechanisms, both of which are prerequisites for AIANET membership. It pointed out that the country's flagship AI agency — CENTAI, under the Pakistan Air Force — prioritises defence applications, which contradicts AIANET's civilian-first charter. 'Pakistan's integration into this multilateral AI framework would fundamentally undermine the alliance's commitment to public-good innovation,' DIF stated, urging all members to reject the application in full. The foundation called on AIANET to protect its democratic foundations, global cooperation principles, and long-term goal of building AI systems aligned with ethical and lawful use.
Medscape
13-06-2025
- Health
- Medscape
DIF Microscopy Helps Diagnose Pediatric Skin Diseases
Direct immunofluorescence (DIF) microscopy showed a 15.5% positivity rate in pediatric patients and changed the clinical diagnosis in 16.7% of those cases. METHODOLOGY: Researchers conducted a retrospective review of DIF data from 986 patients aged 0-18 years (mean age, 12 years) at the Mayo Clinic's reference immunodermatology laboratory between August 2017 and November 2023. Biopsy sites included head and neck (cutaneous), head and neck (mucosal), trunk, pelvic region, upper extremities, and lower extremities. Results were classified as positive if characteristic immunofluorescence patterns were observed (pemphigoid pattern, pemphigus pattern, lupus pattern, dermatitis herpetiformis pattern, linear immunoglobulin A [IgA] bullous dermatosis pattern, vasculitis/vasculopathy pattern, or lichenoid tissue reaction pattern). During the same period, 40,859 DIF specimens from adults were also interpreted. TAKEAWAY: The DIF positivity rate was 15.5% in children and 20.9% in adult specimens. IgA-predominant vasculitis was the most frequent DIF pattern in children (55.5%), followed by lichenoid tissue reaction (13.7%), pemphigoid disorders (7.2%), lupus (7.2%), dermatitis herpetiformis (5.2%), linear IgA bullous dermatosis (4.6%), pemphigus (3.3%), and non-IgA predominant vasculitis (3.3%). Of the 114 positive DIF patterns with a pretest diagnosis, researchers observed 'relatively high' concordance between the clinical pretest diagnosis and DIF results (83.3%), but in 16.7% of cases, the initial clinical impression differed from positive DIF results. Linear IgA bullous dermatosis (100%) and dermatitis herpetiformis (100%) showed the highest concordance. Specimens from the lower extremities showed the highest yield of positive DIF compared with all other sites (19.7% vs 12.2%; P = .001). IN PRACTICE: The study findings showed that 'similar thresholds for DIF biopsy are held' for pediatric and adult patients and 'high concordance rates between positive DIF studies and clinical pretest diagnosis imply acceptable test specificity,' the study authors wrote. 'The study demonstrated that DIF results provided information that changed the clinical impressions in a substantial percentage of cases, supporting the utility of DIF biopsy when immune-mediated dermatoses are clinically suspected,' they added. SOURCE: The study was led by Clint Christian T. Garbanzos, MD, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC, and was published online on May 29 in Pediatric Dermatology . LIMITATIONS: Limitations included the retrospective design and lack of a negative analysis. False-positive and false-negative results could not be determined. DISCLOSURES: This study was supported by the American Society of Dermatopathology Mentorship in Dermatopathology Award. The authors declared having no conflicts of interest. This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication. Credit Lead image: Frontline Medical Communications Medscape Medical News © 2025 WebMD, LLC Cite this: Edited by Deepa Varma. Direct Immunofluorescence Microscopy Helps Diagnose Pediatric Skin Diseases - Medscape - June 13, 2025.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Springfield assists new retail development at former Eastfield Mall with $8 million in financing
SPRINGFIELD — In a push to save the Springfield Crossing retail development, the City Council approved a financing agreement that will give owners an upfront infusion of cash to help complete construction. The City Council voted 12-0 Monday to turn 34 acres on Boston Road — the location of the now-demolished Eastfield Mall — into a designated development district and accept an $8 million district improvement financing plan. 'The utilization of the DIF allows the city to assist with funding for the public improvements to advance the project,' said Timothy Sheehan, chief development officer for the city. With the city's pledge to put $8 million toward the project, bonds will be issued and MassDevelopment, the state's development finance agency, will shop them around to provide additional financing for the retail project, Sheehan said. The bonds will then be paid off through the additional tax revenue the city receives from the Springfield Crossing development. Currently the city takes in roughly $600,000 in tax money from the vacant property. Those revenues are expected to climb to an estimated $2.7 million when the project is completed at the end of 2025, he said. Half of the new tax money, or roughly $1 million, will be used to pay off the bonds. The other half, also $1 million, will be considered regular revenue and deposited in the city's general fund, he said. Sheehan said the city's financial team and outside advisors have spent months working on the agreement and estimate it will take seven to eight years to pay off the bonds. After that the city will receive all the tax money, which will be an additional $2.1 million more annually. The financing agreement is designed so the city is protected. If the project is never completed the city will not be on the hook to pay the money back, Sheehan said. 'It takes money to make money. This $8 million is not a gift, it is an investment,' said Mary Hurley, a former city mayor and retired judge who is working as a lawyer representing Onyx Partners Limited of Needham, which is the principal developer of Springfield Crossing. She argued the Boston Road corridor has needed a boost for some time and this project will be paying taxes for decades to come. Without the money, Anton Melchionda, founder of Onyx, said the project will run out of financing in mid-August. 'The project shuts down …. that is the bottom line,' he said. Melchionda said he and his partners take full responsibility for starting the project 'at risk' without all the financing pieces in place, but added it ran into unexpected expenses especially with demolition and site work. 'The cost investment exceeded the current value and that is a risk you have to take and sometimes you win and sometimes you lose.' he said. 'We have lost significantly on the investment, but I can assure you … it is a meaningful improvement to the community.' The first phase of the project off Boston Road is a $77 million investment. There are eight buildings in the process of being built with seven slated to open by Thanksgiving. The last, a Target, is expected to open in early 2026, said Paul Connolly, executive vice president of Onyx. The company has not officially released any names of the businesses that may be going into Springfield Crossing, except for the Target, but Hobby Lobby and PetSmart have leases on file with the Hampden County Registry of Deeds. Promotional materials also show others such as Sketchers and there is a sign erected for a BJ's Wholesale Club. The company also has a second and third phase in the works that will bring in about 50 units of housing and some commercial projects. The full plan should total $147 million, Melchionda said. One of the problems the company ran into was environmental cleanup far exceeded the expected cost as the company ran into $11 million in 'surprises' including finding unexpected hazardous waste behind the walls of a building they were demolishing. Sheehan said the company estimated the cost of demolition and cleanup far more conservatively than he thought was necessary but it turned out the expenses exceeded even that budget. The $8 million that will be borrowed through the development district investment financing is divided so $2.6 million will be used for paving, $2.1 will finance site work and $3.2 is allocated for demolition and hazardous materials removal, he said. City councilors said they were anxious to see the project completed since it will create jobs, provide convenient shopping for residents and attract other development to the Boston Road corridor. The agreement also ties the company to including a 16,000-square-foot building earmarked for local businesses which want to move there and gives residents hiring preference. 'I'm excited about this project it is in my ward and the Eastfield Mall (property) is not making any money,' City Councilor Zaida Govan said. 'This is a great opportunity for the city in terms of bringing in revenue.' While the city typically uses tax increment financing agreements that reduces tax payments for businesses in their first years after moving to the city, City Council Vice President Tracye Whitfield said she likes the idea of trying a new way of promoting development. 'I don't want us to be left behind on trying to do new things,' she said. Read the original article on MassLive. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
