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Free Malaysia Today
05-05-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
‘AI colonialism': how this tech could be a threat to diversity
By writing with AI, users of diverse backgrounds could end up seeing their own culture through a foreign lens. (Envato Elements pic) Presented as an everyday ally, promising to make our lives easier and reimagine the way we write, artificial intelligence is now widely used. But it carries a major risk: a US study claims that by imposing western writing standards, AI could smooth out styles and erase cultural particularities. To measure this threat, a team from Cornell University, led by professor Aditya Vashistha, conducted an experiment with 118 American and Indian participants. Each of them was asked to write texts on cultural themes, with or without the help of an AI writing assistant. The aim was to observe the influence of AI on their respective styles. It turns out that, while AI boosts writing speed, it also profoundly transforms personal styles. This phenomenon was particularly noticeable among the Indian participants, whose writing style became much more Americanised. To adapt to the AI's suggestions, they often had to make numerous changes. 'When Indian users use writing suggestions from an AI model, they start mimicking American writing styles to the point that they start describing their own festivals, their own food, their own cultural artifacts from a western lens,' first author Dhruv Agarwal, a doctoral student at Cornell, explained. A detailed analysis of the texts shows that the Indian participants accepted 25% of the AI's suggestions, compared with 19% for their American counterparts. At the same time, Indians were significantly more likely to modify the AI's suggestions to fit their topic and writing style to maintain cultural relevance. For example, AI typically suggested 'Christmas' to evoke a favourite holiday, overlooking Deepavali. 'Collective emergency' This bias is no mere anecdote. The authors denounce a veritable form of 'AI colonialism', an insidious cultural domination in which western standards are imposed to the detriment of other identities. And the consequences are far-reaching: by standardising the way they write, people could end up seeing their own culture through a foreign lens, to the point of altering their individual perception of it. 'This is one of the first studies, if not the first, to show that the use of AI in writing could lead to cultural stereotyping and language homogenisation,' said Vashistha. 'People start writing similarly to others, and that's not what we want. One of the beautiful things about the world is the diversity that we have.' Vashistha and colleagues are well aware of this and are calling for a change of direction. Cornell's Global AI Initiative is already looking to join forces with industry to build policies and tools that are more attentive to cultural specificities. It's a question of safeguarding the richness and diversity of human expression, protecting the plurality of voices and imaginations, and preventing digital homogenisation. Indeed, defending cultural diversity in the face of AI is not just an ethical choice, it's a collective emergency.
Free Malaysia Today
01-05-2025
- Health
- Free Malaysia Today
Is generosity a question of heart or the amygdala?
The amygdala is not directly responsible for generosity, but plays an essential regulatory role. (Envato Elements pic) PARIS : Why do we help others? This question, as old as human society itself, is now being re-examined by an international research team. Their findings, published in the journal PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences) point to a specific area of the brain. The basolateral amygdala, nestled in the heart of the limbic system, could well play a decisive role in our social behavior. Led by Professor Tobias Kalenscher of Heinrich Heine University in Düsseldorf, in collaboration with researchers from the universities of Lausanne, Utrecht and Cape Town, this study was based on the observation of a group of patients with Urbach-Wiethe disease. This rare genetic condition specifically damages the basolateral amygdala, without affecting other parts of the brain. The scientists wanted to determine how a specific difference in this region of the brain influenced prosocial behaviour. In order to observe these mechanisms at work, the researchers went to Namaqualand, an isolated region of South Africa home to a community with an unusual concentration of cases of Urbach-Wiethe syndrome. Although this rare disease has only about 150 recorded cases worldwide, a significant number of sufferers live in this specific area. On site, scientists conducted several experiments following a protocol based on a tool well known to behavioural economists: 'the dictator game.' In this game, participants receive a sum of money and must freely decide how much they wish to offer to another person, whether a relative, neighbour or stranger. The results speak for themselves. Patients with Urbach-Wiethe syndrome showed a level of generosity towards their loved ones that is comparable to that of other people. However, their attitude changed radically when it came to more distant people. Their generosity dropped significantly, as if their brain was unable to adjust their behaviour according to the nature of the emotional bond. 'Individuals with BLA damage were just as generous toward people they were close to as healthy control participants. 'However, as soon as it came to individuals with whom they had less of an emotional connection, they were notably more selfish,' explained Luca M Lüpken, doctoral student at Heinrich Heine University and co-author of the study, in a press release. The amygdala is not directly responsible for generosity, but plays an essential regulatory role by adjusting a person's behaviour according to the degree of social proximity. In other words, it does not orient an individual's morality per se, but influences a person's choice of who they decide to behave altruistically towards. When it does not function properly, this modulation mechanism can lead to self-centred behaviour. Alterations in this area of the brain could also provide insights into certain disorders, such as autism or psychopathy, in which social decisions frequently deviate from established norms. For Professor Tobias Kalenscher, these discoveries resonate far beyond the laboratory. 'Social decisions are not only shaped by our upbringing or culture. They are in fact also strongly anchored in the mechanisms of our brain,' he asserted. This new understanding of the drivers of altruism could pave the way for targeted interventions capable of restoring a form of social equilibrium among individuals in difficulty. By refining an individual's knowledge of the link between neuronal structure and behaviour, science could not only discover new therapeutic levers, but also fuel broader reflection on the conditions for a supportive and inclusive society.
Free Malaysia Today
25-04-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
KL eyes Unesco Creative City status
Mayor Maimunah Sharif said Kuala Lumpur's bid to join the Unesco Creative Cities Network has passed the initial screening. (Envato Elements pic) KUALA LUMPUR : Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has officially submitted its application for the capital to join the Unesco Creative Cities Network (UCCN), aiming to cement its status as a regional hub for creativity and innovation. Mayor Maimunah Sharif confirmed the development during a media briefing on the Warisan KL project, saying the application had passed the initial vetting process. 'We have already submitted our application to be in the Unesco Creative Cities Network,' she said. 'I have just received an email from Paris two days ago confirming that our application is in order. All the recommendations have been well received, and now they are going to the next stage.' If accepted, Kuala Lumpur will join a select group of global cities recognised for using creativity as a key driver for sustainable urban development. Earlier today, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim launched Warisan KL, a project to revitalise Kuala Lumpur through physical upgrades, cultural preservation, historical conservation, and strengthened community values. Anwar had previously announced the RM1 billion project to preserve the capital's historic landmarks. Maimunah said the March application differs from Malaysia's current Unesco World Heritage recognition, such as for George Town and Melaka, which are heritage-based listings. She said Kuala Lumpur's bid focuses on the city's vibrant creative landscape, which includes design, arts, music, gastronomy, and digital innovation. 'One of the criteria of the Creative Cities Network is the creativity we have in Kuala Lumpur that we want to promote and convey to people,' she said. Established in 2004, the UCCN is a flagship city programme that promotes cooperation among cities which have recognised culture and creativity as strategic drivers of sustainable urban development. As of 2022, there are almost 300 cities from about 90 countries in the network.
Free Malaysia Today
23-04-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
IMF cuts M'sia's 2025 GDP forecast to 4.1%
The International Monetary Fund previously put Malaysia's real gross domestic product growth forecast for 2025 at 4.7%. (Envato Elements pic) KUALA LUMPUR : The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has downgraded Malaysia's real gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast for 2025 to 4.1% from 4.7% previously, reflecting a broader downward revision across the region. In its April 2025 World Economic Outlook, titled 'A Critical Juncture Amid Policy Shifts', the fund also projected that Malaysia's economy would expand by 3.8% in 2026. The IMF trimmed its global growth forecast for 2025 to 2.8%, down 0.5 percentage point from its January estimate. Regionally, the IMF cut Indonesia's 2025 outlook to 4.7% from 5.1%. The Philippines meanwhile is expected to grow by 5.5%, down from 6.1%, while Thailand's forecast was revised to 1.8% from 2.9%. The fund said major policy shifts were reshaping the global trade landscape and reigniting uncertainty, once again testing the resilience of the global economy. 'Since February, the US has announced multiple waves of tariffs against trading partners, some of which have invoked countermeasures. 'Markets initially took the announcements mostly in stride, until the US's near-universal application of tariffs on April 2, which triggered historic drops in major equity indices and spikes in bond yields, followed by a partial recovery after the pause and additional carve-outs announced on and after April 9,' it said. The IMF reiterated that the global economy was at a critical juncture, with signs of stabilisation emerging through much of 2024 after a prolonged and challenging period of unprecedented shocks. 'Inflation, down from multi-decade highs, followed a gradual though bumpy decline towards central bank targets. Labour markets normalised, with unemployment and vacancy rates returning to pre-pandemic levels,' it added. On productivity, the IMF noted widening discrepancies as manufacturing activity continued shifting from advanced economies to emerging markets. Industrial production plunged in all countries at the onset of the pandemic. The recovery paths, however, have been decisively different. Production soared in China and expanded in smaller European Union economies and the Asean-5 (Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand), whereas it struggled to return to pre-pandemic levels in Japan and the largest EU countries, the IMF said. The fund said industrial production in the US meanwhile had rebounded more strongly than in other advanced economies. On commodities, the IMF projected that fuel prices would fall by 7.9% in 2025, led by a 15.5% drop in oil prices and a 15.8% fall in coal prices. These declines are expected to be partially offset by a 22.8% rise in natural gas prices, driven by colder-than-expected weather and the cessation of Russian gas flows to Europe via Ukraine since January. Non-fuel commodity prices are forecast to increase by 4.4% in 2025.
Forbes
17-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
4 High-Paying Side Hustles That Don't Require Selling
Everyone wants to earn extra income, but not everyone feels comfortable with selling. Maybe you fear rejection, prefer not to sound pushy or manipulative, or find selling physically and emotionally draining. In fact, research shows that 80% of successful sales happen after five follow-up calls after the meeting. The good news is there are many high-paying side hustles that don't involve the pressure of selling. By leveraging your interests, skills, and expertise, you can bring in extra funds on your own terms. Here are four options to help you earn more without the hassle of selling. With niche tutoring, you don't have to sell any products—just share your expertise. Somebody out there could use your help with solving difficult math problems, learning foreign languages, understanding science concepts, or preparing for exams. And niche tutoring isn't just about academics. You can also offer tutoring in music, sports, arts, and skills like public speaking, coding, photography, and even personal fitness. This side hustle isn't just fun but also financially rewarding. You can earn up to $150 per hour, depending on your chosen niche. According to Technavio, the U.S. private tutoring market is projected to grow by $28.85 billion, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.1% from 2024 to 2029. So, take advantage of this growing trend by connecting with other tutors, exploring underserved markets, and continuously refining your skills to adjust your rates. Want to generate extra income using your unique voice without the stress of making a sales pitch? Voice-over work lets you do just that. And you have so many choices: educational videos, corporate training videos, audiobooks, advertisements, video games, and dubbing. You won't just enjoy sharing your voice and improving your skills, but you'll also boost your earnings. For instance, audiobook narration pays around $200 to $300 per hour. With just one audiobook, which is usually four to six hours long, you can already take home around $1500. Even with AI's presence, the audiobook market is projected to grow to $56 billion by 2032, which only proves the increasing demand for authentic voice-over work. Of course, you should first build a strong portfolio, so practice and refine your voice and set up your recording space with quality equipment. Once you've gained confidence, you can explore different platforms, such as Filmless, and Envato, to find voice-over opportunities that suit your style and schedule. Great at organizing things, managing time, and navigating tech, but not a fan of selling? Virtual assistance could be the perfect side hustle for you. As a VA, you'll perform administrative tasks from the comfort of your home, including answering emails and phone calls, scheduling appointments, booking travels, and basic bookkeeping. You may also manage social media accounts, conduct research, create content, or help with organizing events. Other niches for VAs include web development, graphic design, and project management. The reward? Around $27.95 per hour and a chance to earn more as you gain experience and choose a specialization you enjoy. The global VA market is expected to grow to over 44 billion by 2027, with a compound annual growth rate of 20.3%. So, it's never too late to dive into VA and start earning with no selling involved. Do you type faster than you can think when chatting with friends? You could turn that skill into a profitable side hustle through transcription services. Of course, you also need to have great listening skills, strong attention to detail, and excellent spelling and grammar. As a transcriptionist or transcriber, you'll produce written copies of video and audio recordings, including podcasts, webinars, or even live events. You should make sure everything is typed correctly, fact-checked, and proofread. Apart from general transcription, you can also specialize in areas like legal and medical transcription. You could earn around $23 per hour. Legal transcriptionists can take home up to $83,000 per year, while medical transcriptionists can get up to $89,000 per year. By 2032, the transcription industry is expected to reach $32 billion, so expect more diverse transcription opportunities. You can boost your income even when selling is not your thing. All you need is to maximize your strengths and interests. Whether it's niche tutoring, doing voice-overs, or providing VA and transcription services, you can find a side hustle that's enjoyable and financially rewarding. Keep sailing (not selling). You've got this!
