Empowering Humanity: How Technology Innovations are Changing Lives Across the Globe

May25-june01:Welcome to our weekly tech news digest from ACM VVIT, your go-to source for the latest updates, insights, and happenings in the world of technology. Whether you're eager to explore the newest ACM courses or stay informed about global trends and innovations, we've got you covered from A to Z. In this edition, we'll delve into the exciting developments in technology, highlight insightful ACM courses, and provide a comprehensive overview of all things happening at ACM VVIT. If you've missed out on any emails from ACM, don't worry – we've got your back. Make sure to follow us on LinkedIn to stay connected and informed about the latest tech trends and ACM updates

Welcome to ACM Tech News:

1.China’s latest AI chatbot is trained on President Xi Jinping’s political ideology

China has unveiled a new AI chatbot trained on President Xi Jinping's political ideology, known as "Xi Jinping Thought." The chatbot was developed by China's cyberspace academy and trained on seven databases, one of which was dedicated to Xi Jinping Thought. This move reflects China's efforts to promote the leader's ideology, with initiatives such as mandatory classes in schools and an app for learning about his principles. The chatbot aims to spread Xi's ideas and will generate reports on topics related to AI development and productivity.

2. EU Explores Whether Telegram Falls Under Content Law

The European Union is in discussions with Telegram regarding its classification as a major online platform under the bloc's new content moderation law. The EU is scrutinizing Telegram's user count within the bloc, as the Digital Services Act imposes stricter compliance rules on platforms with over 45 million active users. Telegram claims to have fewer than 45 million active users in the EU and argues against being classified as a very large online platform. However, some officials question Telegram's user count and advocate for it to face similar obligations as other major platforms like Facebook and YouTube. Telegram has been criticized for being used to spread disinformation, particularly by pro-Kremlin accounts, although the company claims its platform isn't conducive to spreading misinformation due to its lack of reliance on algorithms.

3.Google just updated its algorithm. The Internet will never be the same

Google's recent algorithm updates, including the introduction of AI-generated answers in search results, have caused significant disruptions for many website owners and content creators. While Google claims these changes are intended to improve the quality of search results and increase user satisfaction, critics argue that the updates are negatively impacting smaller, independent websites while favoring larger platforms like Reddit.

Some website owners have reported dramatic drops in traffic, leading to layoffs and financial struggles. Additionally, concerns have been raised about the accuracy and fairness of Google's AI-generated responses, with some accusing Google of effectively stealing their content. Despite Google's assurances that it is constantly improving its algorithms and providing opportunities for website owners to optimize their content, many remain skeptical about the long-term consequences of Google's dominance over online search.

4.AI, Bionics Help Ukrainian Soldiers Return to Action

Advancements in bionics and AI are providing hope and opportunities for Ukrainian soldiers like Valera Kucherenko, who lost both hands in a grenade attack during Russia's invasion in 2023. Companies like Esper Bionics are developing next-generation prosthetics, such as the Esper Hand, which utilize AI to quickly learn and adapt to users' behaviors, enabling them to regain functions and even gain new ones. These bionic prosthetics, equipped with precision engineering and AI capabilities, are allowing some veterans to return to active duty, defying the conventional notion that limb injuries end military careers.

Partnerships between organizations like Esper Bionics and the Protez Foundation are ensuring that these advanced prosthetics reach those in need, with a focus on helping Ukrainian veterans adapt and thrive. The integration of technology and human perseverance is reshaping the landscape of rehabilitation for amputees, offering newfound possibilities for those affected by limb loss.

5.Her AI Arm

A robotic arm equipped with machine learning software from Coapt allows Sarah de Lagarde to make coffee, straighten her hair, and hug her daughter. Coapt's Blair Lock said, "When we get the opportunity to show people AI that is truly assistive for helping somebody, that's positive." However, de Lagarde's full arm, with each component made by a different company, cost around $190,000. She also must contend with the weight of the prosthetic and its lack of tactile function.

Welcome to the ACM Learning Center Bulletin

TOP STORIES

1. Listen to the Latest Episode of ACM ByteCast Podcast with Yoshua Bengio, Professor at the University of Montreal

   

   In this episode of ACM ByteCast, Rashmi Mohan hosts ACM A.M. Turing Award laureate Yoshua Bengio, Professor at the University of Montreal, and Founder and Scientific Director of MILA (Montreal Institute for Learning Algorithms) at the Quebec AI Institute. Yoshua shared the 2018 Turing Award with Geoffrey Hinton and Yann LeCun for their work on deep learning. He is also a published author and the most cited scientist in Computer Science. Previously, he founded Element AI, a Montreal-based artificial intelligence incubator that turns AI research into real-world business applications, acquired by ServiceNow. He currently serves as technical and scientific advisor to Recursion Pharmaceuticals and scientific advisor for Valence Discovery. He is a Fellow of ACM, the Royal Society, the Royal Society of Canada, Officer of the Order of Canada, and recipient of the Killam Prize, Marie-Victorin Quebec Prize, and Princess of Asturias Award. Yoshua also serves on the United Nations Scientific Advisory Board for Independent Advice on Breakthroughs in Science and Technology and as a Canada CIFAR AI Chair.

2. Featured Course: String Manipulation and Regex in C#

   

   This month's featured course is String Manipulation and Regex in C#. In this course, you'll learn about manipulating strings in .NET using C#. First, you'll learn to work with string data and apply comparison and sorting techniques. Next, you'll discover how to parse and search string data, including the use of regular expressions for advanced matching. Finally, you'll learn how to apply techniques to modify, combine, and format string data effectively. When you're finished with this course, you'll have the skills and knowledge of manipulating strings and working with regex needed to work with C# software development projects effectively and professionally.

   To access this and more than 2,000 Pluralsight courses, visit the ACM Learning Center, click on Pluralsight in the top right corner, and log in with your member credentials.

3. Volunteer Your Computing Skills for Good with ACM and SocialCoder

   You can use your technical skills for social good and offer volunteer support on software development projects to organizations who could not otherwise afford it. SocialCoder connects volunteer programmers/software developers with registered charities and helps match them to suitable projects based on their skills, experience, and the causes they care about. Learn more about ACM's partnership with SocialCoder, and how you can get involved.

4. Microsoft Power Platform Fundamentals (PL-900)

   

   This month's featured learning resource is the Microsoft Power Platform Fundamentals (PL-900)Learning Path. This path covers certification objectives for the Microsoft Power Platform Fundamentals (PL-900). Candidates for this exam are users who aspire to improve productivity by automating business processes, analyzing data to produce business insights, and acting more effectively by creating simple app experiences.

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