Latest news with #ScienceandTechnologyCommittee
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Penang eyes AI as key driver for economic growth, competitiveness
GEORGE TOWN: Penang is prioritising artificial intelligence (AI) as a core driver to enhance long-term economic competitiveness and sustainability under its innovation-led development strategy. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said AI will be pivotal in advancing digital education, improving smart public services and fostering entrepreneurship under the Penang2030 Vision, themed 'A Family-Focused, Green and Smart State that Inspires the Nation.' "Penang has long been a national technology hub. As we shift to a knowledge- and innovation-based economy, AI is critical for sustained growth and global relevance," he said at the launch of AI Horizon 2025 today. The initiative is backed by the upcoming Penang Digital Economy Master Plan 2025–2030, which focuses on business digitalisation, talent development, as well as strengthening the startup and high-tech ecosystem, including AI hubs, data centres and tech incubators. Also present was Deputy Chief Minister II Jagdeep Singh Deo, chair of the state's Human Capital Development, Science and Technology Committee. Chow noted the initiative aligns with the federal government's goal under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) to establish Malaysia as a regional AI leader by 2030. "The digital future cannot wait. AI must be embraced beyond professionals and introduced early in schools, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions and universities," he said. Chow also praised the strong turnout at AI Horizon 2025 as a sign of public readiness to embrace AI technology. Organised by Tech Dome Penang in partnership with the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), HRD Corp, Penang Island City Council (MBPP), the State Education Department (JPNPP), and Penang STEM, the one-day event brought together policymakers, industry leaders and educators to accelerate AI adoption at national and global levels. The event featured more than 50 local and international tech firms and over 50 strategic partners, with activities including youth AI competitions, a young engineers' programme, expert panels, public forums, and exhibitions by multinationals, small and medium enterprises, and local startups showcasing AI innovations.
Barnama
4 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
Penang Eyes AI As Key Driver For Economic Growth, Competitiveness
GEORGE TOWN, Aug 8 (Bernama) -- Penang is prioritising artificial intelligence (AI) as a core driver to enhance long-term economic competitiveness and sustainability under its innovation-led development strategy. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said AI will be pivotal in advancing digital education, improving smart public services and fostering entrepreneurship under the Penang2030 Vision, themed 'A Family-Focused, Green and Smart State that Inspires the Nation.' 'Penang has long been a national technology hub. As we shift to a knowledge- and innovation-based economy, AI is critical for sustained growth and global relevance,' he said at the launch of AI Horizon 2025 today. The initiative is backed by the upcoming Penang Digital Economy Master Plan 2025–2030, which focuses on business digitalisation, talent development, as well as strengthening the startup and high-tech ecosystem, including AI hubs, data centres and tech incubators. Also present was Deputy Chief Minister II Jagdeep Singh Deo, chair of the state's Human Capital Development, Science and Technology Committee. Chow noted the initiative aligns with the federal government's goal under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) to establish Malaysia as a regional AI leader by 2030. 'The digital future cannot wait. AI must be embraced beyond professionals and introduced early in schools, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions and universities,' he said. Chow also praised the strong turnout at AI Horizon 2025 as a sign of public readiness to embrace AI technology. Organised by Tech Dome Penang in partnership with the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), HRD Corp, Penang Island City Council (MBPP), the State Education Department (JPNPP), and Penang STEM, the one-day event brought together policymakers, industry leaders and educators to accelerate AI adoption at national and global levels.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Whether ‘Jewish people are greedier than Christians' is up for debate, says Meta executive
Saying Jewish people are 'greedier than Christians' is an 'area of debate' and should be allowed to remain on social media, a Meta executive has said. Chris Yiu, a public policy director at the social media giant, told MPs on Parliament's Science and Technology Committee that such statements were 'difficult' but were part of 'mainstream discourse'. MPs questioned the Meta executive on Tuesday about changes to its moderation rules, which included a loosening of its hate speech restrictions on topics including gender identity and immigration. Leaked guidelines for Facebook and Instagram's internal moderators included a list of inflammatory phrases that are now allowed under its updated policies. Emily Darlington, the Labour MP for Milton Keynes Central, asked Mr Yiu whether it was now acceptable online to say trans people are 'mentally ill, immigrants are grubby, filthy pieces of s---, black people are more violent than whites, and Jews are flat out greedier than Christians'. She said such comments represented 'racist disinformation'. Mr Yiu said the tech giant now believed that 'some areas of debate were being suppressed too much on our platform, and that some conversations, whilst challenging, should have a space to be discussed'. He added that debates which were part of the 'mainstream discourse' had been 'suppressed on our platforms in a way which was too aggressive'. He said Meta's rules had been updated to reflect 'changes in society'. Meta's policies continue to explicitly ban several anti-Semitic conspiracy theories, including Holocaust denial and claims that Jewish people control the world's banks or media. However, Ms Darlington said the statements defended by Meta were not posted for any other reason than 'causing and inciting harm'. Executives from Meta, TikTok and X appeared before MPs on Tuesday to defend their approach to disinformation in the wake of the Southport riots last August. Meta has previously grappled with claims it has not done enough to address online anti-Semitism, with concerns raised by its Oversight Board that it had failed to catch Holocaust denial. The Telegraph previously revealed Meta had allowed adverts to be bought on its apps that used the controversial phrase 'from the river to the sea'. Meta tightened its rules around anti-Semitism last summer, vowing to ban posts that used the term 'Zionist' as a form of hate speech. The Anti-Defamation League, which campaigns against anti-Semitism, said the company's latest policy changes were 'significant steps back in terms of addressing anti-Semitism'. Mr Yiu's comments are the clearest sign yet that Meta intends to stick to its new moderation rules in the UK despite the backlash. In January, Mark Zuckerberg announced Meta would rewrite its hate speech rules to 'restore free expression' online. Mr Zuckerberg also scrapped the company's independent fact-checking programme, although for now this change only applies to the US. Mr Zuckerberg has been seeking to build ties with the new Trump White House amid longstanding criticism from Republicans that conservative viewpoints are being censored online. However, Meta's new policies have prompted LGBT campaigners and anti-racism activists to warn that the changes would fuel divisions, homophobia and disinformation. Wilfredo Fernandez, a government affairs adviser at Elon Musk's X, was on Tuesday challenged over the social media app's failure to take down death and rape threats against Ms Darlington. Ms Darlington said she had been told she was a 'traitor to the British people' and that she would 'swing oh so slowly from a gibbet'. Death threats and calls for physical violence are banned on X. While the post had been reported to X, it had refused to take it down. Mr Fernandez said the threats were 'abhorrent' and said the comment would be reviewed. Chi Onwurah, the chairman of the committee, said MPs had been 'left frustrated' after the technology companies failed to provide clear answers. Meta was contacted for comment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
25-02-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Whether ‘Jewish people are greedier than Christians' is up for debate, says Meta executive
Saying Jewish people are 'greedier than Christians' is an 'area of debate' and should be allowed to remain on social media, a Meta executive has said. Chris Yiu, a public policy director at the social media giant, told MPs on Parliament's Science and Technology Committee that such statements were 'difficult' but were part of 'mainstream discourse'. MPs questioned the Meta executive on Tuesday about changes to its moderation rules, which included a loosening of its hate speech restrictions on topics including gender identity and immigration. Leaked guidelines for Facebook and Instagram's internal moderators included a list of inflammatory phrases that are now allowed under its updated policies.
