Latest news with #SCSP
The National
3 days ago
- Business
- The National
AI defence expo: Palestine protesters interrupt former Google CEO Eric Schmidt and Navy secretary
A prominent AI conference in Washington focusing on US defence technology was interrupted by Palestine protesters for a second day on Tuesday. Former Google chief executive Eric Schmidt was speaking before hundreds of people at the AI+ Expo when demonstrators stood up and shouted at the technology tycoon: 'Shame on you! Your AI is being used in genocide!" Mr Schmidt told the moderator, not directly acknowledging the several protesters: 'Let's just wait until the audience can hear us." Mr Schmidt is also the chairman of the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP), which is the main organiser of the AI+ Expo. SCSP describes itself as an organisation that 'seeks to recapture the competitive mindset and unifying national mission from past eras, and then adapt them to the age of AI and 21st-century strategic rivalry'. Alphabet-owned Google, like several other US-based tech firms, has come under intense criticism for its AI-military defence contracts with Israel. On Monday, protesters interrupted US Navy Secretary John Phelan as he spoke at the conference. 'AI should not be used in genocide,' several people yelled. In both instances, demonstrators tried to unfurl Palestinian flags as people shouted allegations that AI is being used unfairly and disproportionately against Gazans. For Mr Phelan, the protesters also displayed a banner that specifically accused the AI-tech firm Palantir. 'Palantir kills in Gaza,' read the sign, which was ripped away from the protesters. The moderator of the discussion, Mike Gallagher, who is also head of defence at Palantir, decided to address the protests. 'How wonderful to live in a country where people are allowed to speak their minds and ask questions of their governments,' he said. 'Because the adversaries we're up against, whether they're genocidal communists in Beijing or Islamic jihadists in the Middle East, do not.' Demonstrators are increasingly targeting the booming AI sector. Palantir, Lockheed Martin, Booz Allen Hamilton, Google and Microsoft - which sent representatives to the event - have faced criticism from pro-Gaza protesters. In recent months, Microsoft has had its company events interrupted by demonstrators and former employees who say the company's AI tools are being used by the Israeli military in its assault on Gaza. In responding to the claims, the company recently announced an internal review had found 'no evidence' its products have been used to harm people in Gaza. That review, however, according to demonstrators, left more questions than answers. In May, Palantir's chief executive Alex Karp spent more than 10 minutes sparring with a protester over the company's AI technology being used in the Israel-Gaza war. 'Your AI technology kills Palestinians,' the protester shouted. Mr Karp quickly responded: 'Mostly terrorists, that's true.' The anger related to AI being used in military operations has shown no sign of slowing. Among those speaking at this week's AI conference is Alexandr Wang, chief executive of the increasingly powerful tech firm Scale AI. It too, has come in for criticism for its revenue generated from defence contracts. In a recent interview, Mr Wang defended his company's business model. 'We're at the brink of this incredibly powerful new technology, and the applications for national security are obvious,' Mr Wang said during a discussion at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington. 'It's going to be imperative for the US to stay ahead.' Israel's punishing campaign in Gaza – which followed the 2023 attacks by Hamas-led fighters on Israel that resulted in the deaths of about 1,200 people and the capture of 240 hostages – has killed at least 54,100 people and injured at least 123,208. The war has prompted heightened Islamophobia and anti-Semitism in the US.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
AI+ Expo 2025: Jumptuit to Unveil Genesis J2T, Anticipatory Intelligence at SCSP's AI+ Expo, the Intersection of AI and National Security
Beyond Large Language Models (LLMs): Anticipatory Intelligence, the Next Stage in Artificial Intelligence NEW YORK, June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Jumptuit announced today that it will unveil Genesis J2T, Anticipatory Intelligence at the Special Competitive Studies Project's (SCSP) AI+ Expo, scheduled for June 2-4, 2025, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. Jumptuit's Founder and CEO, Donald Leka will present and provide a live demonstration of Jumptuit's flagship Genesis J2T Anticipatory Intelligence technology, forecasting inflection points for geopolitical, environmental, and market events. The AI+ Expo serves as a forum for industry, government, and academic research entities to exhibit the latest Artificial Intelligence breakthroughs to advance National Security and Allied Competitiveness. Genesis J2T is a Decentralized Learning Framework consisting of interlocking modules that communicate across sectors, disciplines, and geographies, sharing real-time data and insights, and accelerating learning that critically advances the accuracy of forecasting. Genesis J2T performs continuous, live, synchronized assessments of cross-sector data, forecasting systemic risk and market opportunities, and generating geopolitical, environmental, and public health inflection points for strategic action. "Genesis J2T minimizes reliance on centralized processing, historical data, and manual intervention," said Inventor and Jumptuit Founder and CEO, Donald Leka. "Genesis J2T enables continuous, high-resolution analysis of diverse and complex datasets, allowing for a critical understanding of precedent conditions, improving the ability to anticipate and respond to emerging developments." About The Jumptuit Group The Jumptuit Group (TJG) is an AI research and development company working in the emerging field of Anticipatory Intelligence. The purpose of Anticipatory Intelligence is to observe and understand the antecedent elements of events, their movements and the forces among them, based on heightened sensory and spatial intelligence. Our goal is to accelerate the anticipation of events that pose risks and opportunities to organizations and help policymakers and practitioners develop anticipatory strategies to improve stakeholder outcomes. TJG is an interconnected network of subsidiary companies across geographies and sectors realizing synergies among them. TJG companies operate within the same technology, licensing, and business model framework, allowing for seamless deployment of product modules between the Operating Vertical Companies (OVCs). Jumptuit Editorial Contact: Jordan GlassJumptuit914.584.5022jglass@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Jumptuit 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
Indian Express
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Decode Politics: In Bihar, why Rahul Gandhi alleged funds meant for Dalits not reaching them
During a recent interaction with students from Other Backward Classes (OBC), Extremely Backward Classes (EBC), Scheduled Castes (SC), and minority communities at a government-run Ambedkar welfare hostel in Bihar's Darbhanga, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi alleged that SCs were not benefiting from the Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan (SCSP) fund, a pool of resources set aside for their development. The Congress MP was speaking at an inaugural meeting of the Congress's 'Shiksha Nyay Sanvad' campaign, which will focus on education issues and discuss grievances of students, on Thursday. The SCSP is the Central government's strategy to ensure a proportionate flow of resources for the development of SCs through the implementation of infrastructure, education, health and other welfare schemes in areas with a substantial Dalit population. The SCSP was started in 1980 by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in her bid to reach out to Dalits. The SCSP's funds are channelled through the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, which provides Special Central Assistance. There are three categories of SCSP schemes: fully Centre-funded, fully state-funded, and hybrid schemes split between the Centre and the state in a 60:40 ratio. As per recent Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reports, the Bihar government allocated Rs 16,777 crore for its SCSP schemes in 2021-22, but allegedly diverted Rs 10,799 crore to general schemes. Similarly, Rs 18,450 crore of the Rs 19,688 crore allocated for SCSP schemes was allegedly diverted to non-SC schemes in 2022-23. In 2023-24, the state government allegedly spent Rs 11,796 crore on general schemes from the total SCSP fund of Rs 16,939 crore. Some of the key SCSP schemes include income-generating initiatives, financial assistance for the construction or upgrade of houses, providing free land for housing, education and skill development schemes such as free distribution of books and school uniforms. After the latest CAG report on the Bihar government's performance flagged problems in the SCSP funds, as many as nine Bihar legislators, including CPI(ML)(L) MLA Satyadev Ram, questioned the Janata Dal (United)-led state government on the alleged diversion of funds in the Assembly in March. While the state government did not dismiss the CAG findings, it said the auditor did not use the term 'diversion' but had only described the department-wise allocations of the SCSP fund. For instance, in 2023-24, the CAG report said, from the Rs 16,939 crore of SCPS funds, Rs 1,447 crore was allocated to the Chief Minister Local Area Development Scheme and for flood control, Rs 3,465 crore went towards the construction of medical colleges, Rs 394 crore for the construction of government buildings, and Rs 212 crore for the construction of state hospitals and health service buildings, among other projects. A Rs 460 crore loan of state electricity companies was also repaid using the SCSP funds. The Parliamentary Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes submitted a report on social justice to both Houses of Parliament in August 2018 in which it flagged concerns about the use of funds intended for SCs. 'Under the allocation for welfare of Scheduled Castes, diversion of funds is not permissible and the funds are earmarked only for SCs, but due to the general nature of the schemes of some ministries/departments, funds are not utilised fully,' the report said. The Committee also recommended that the NITI Aayog monitor SCSP funds to ensure they are not underutilised or diverted. Social activist Rajiv Kumar, who has written several letters to the Centre on the matter, said neither the Centre nor the state government had been ready to accept that funds were diverted even though the money was 'blatantly used by other departments'. Rahul Gandhi sees potential in turning this into a political issue ahead of the Assembly polls later this year, since Dalits account for 19.65% of the state population. Gandh told the students in Darbhanga, 'You have no place in this country; there is no place for 90% of the people of the country. Right from the senior bureaucracy to the Government of India, high courts and top management of educational and medical (institutions), there is zero representation for 90% of the population. But MGNREGA is full of your people. The SCSP funds meant for SCs are not reaching them. All the riches are with 5-10% of people.' Though the Congress has raised the alleged diversion of SCSP funds at the national level from time to time, it is for the first time that the party is taking up the matter in Bihar. In the 2020 Assembly polls, the Congress won 19 seats. Four of its MLAs are Dalits. The BJP-led NDA, however, maintained it was up to bureaucrats to explain the nitty-gritty of the SCSP rules. JD(U) MLC Neeraj Kumar said, 'When the state government has explained the matter in the Assembly, it should not be politicised.' A senior Bihar-cadre IAS officer said, 'It is true that SCSP funds are used for many purposes, but it is done with due permission from the Centre.' Santosh Singh is a Senior Assistant Editor with The Indian Express since June 2008. He covers Bihar with main focus on politics, society and governance. Investigative and explanatory stories are also his forte. Singh has 25 years of experience in print journalism covering Bihar, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka. ... Read More
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
State Finance Commission urges GPs to pay power bills on time
Mandya: Chairman of the 5th State Finance Commission , C Narayanaswamy emphasised the need for GPs to pay electricity bills for streetlights and borewells regularly and on time, utilising their allocated funds. He made this statement during a consultative meeting held at ZP which was attended by elected representatives and officials from both rural and urban local bodies. Narayanaswamy cautioned against the prevailing belief that govt will always reconcile outstanding electricity bills. He referred to the reconciliation process that took place in March 2023, and instructed officials to verify the outstanding bill details provided by Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation (CESC) before making payments. Highlighting inefficiencies, he noted that several unused borewells under the GPs' control still have active power connections. He recommended that such connections be promptly disconnected to prevent unnecessary charges. Additionally, he advised officials to scrutinise bills carefully, as they may sometimes include outdated charges, and to ensure only valid amounts are paid. ZP CEO KR Nandini addressed the issue of overlapping guidelines in plan formulation between district and taluk panchayats. She stressed the need for co-ordinated planning to avoid duplication and proposed granting permissions for the management of public assets such as drinking water facilities and roads. Discussing utilising scheduled caste sub plan (SCSP) and tribal sub plan (TSP) grants, Nandini observed that population distribution varies across regions. She suggested that the existing guidelines be relaxed, to allow the redistribution of unutilised funds from areas with smaller SC/ST populations to those with larger communities, ensuring more equitable resource allocation. Nandini also requested a revision of the current cap, which limits road development expenditure to just 10%. She advocated for greater flexibility to address critical infrastructure needs. The meeting was attended by presidents, vice-presidents, and gram panchayat members, town municipalities, and city municipalities. District panchayat's planning director Dhanush, provided an overview of the institutional framework, operations, staffing, budgets, expenditures, and financial flows from both State and Central govts. Mayannagowda, planning director of urban development cell, elaborated on urban local body operations, such as tax collection, water supply, drainage, street lighting, and solid waste management.
The Hindu
25-04-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
About 300 Dalit entrepreneurs awaiting allocation of land for seven years: KDEA
The Karnataka Dalit Entrepreneurs Association (KDEA) on Friday alleged that about 300 Dalit entrepreneurs are awaiting allocation of land for the past seven years even after paying advance amount. 'Injustice is being meted out to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes entrepreneurs in the name of bulk allocation. The decision taken in September 2014 to earmark 25% of the land in the old industrial areas has not been adhered to. There is a backlog of 271.8 acres to be distributed among Dalit entrepreneurs in areas developed after 2009,' KDEA working president C.G. Srinivasan told presspersons here. He accused the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board of providing industrial sites that are in dispute or without infrastructure, and that the board was not considering reservation in total sites available. He said the State government has set aside just 1% of the total allocation of about ₹42,018 crore for the Industries Department under the Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan and Tribal-Sub Plan (SCSP/TSP), which needs to be increased to financially empower the community members. 'Though the number of Dalit entrepreneurs has increased since 2019, the allocation remains at 1%, and dues of about ₹850 crore is pending under various schemes,' Mr. Srinivasan said.
