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MIT’s copilot system can set the stage for a new wave of AI innovation

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MIT's deep learning system, Air-Guardian, is a revolutionary step towards enhancing flight safety by working alongside airplane pilots. The system aims to act when a pilot overlooks a critical situation, thereby preventing potential incidents from occurring. Air-Guardian's core is powered by a unique deep learning system called Liquid Neural Networks (LNN) developed by the MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab (CSAIL). LNNs have already proven their effectiveness in various fields, especially those requiring compute-efficient and explainable AI systems, presenting a promising alternative to popular deep learning models. The operation of Air-Guardian involves a meticulous method to augment flight safety by monitoring both the human pilot's attention and the AI's focus. When a discrepancy arises, where a human pilot misses a critical aspect, the AI system intervenes, taking control of that particular flight element. This innovative human-in-the-loop system is engineered to retain the pilot's control while allowing the AI to cover the lapses. The overarching idea is to develop systems capable of collaborating with humans, aiding them in challenging situations and letting them continue with tasks they excel at.

In scenarios where an airplane is flying close to the ground, and gravitational force becomes unpredictable, Air-Guardian is designed to take over to avert incidents. Similarly, when a pilot is inundated with excessive information displayed on the screens, the AI system filters through the data, emphasizing the crucial information that the pilot might have missed. This level of intervention is particularly vital when a pilot may lose consciousness due to unforeseen circumstances or becomes overwhelmed. A distinctive feature of Air-Guardian is its use of eye-tracking technology to monitor human attention, while employing heatmaps to showcase where the AI system's focus lies. When a divergence between the human pilot's attention and the AI's focus is detected, Air-Guardian steps in to evaluate whether the AI has pinpointed an issue requiring immediate attention. This mechanism ensures that critical issues are not overlooked, and timely interventions are made to maintain flight safety.

Bibi’s War: How Incompetence, Opportunism, and Rejection Led to a Catastrophe for Israel and Gaza

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The horrendous events orchestrated by Hamas on October 7 have precipitated a severe Israeli incursion into Gaza, escalating into a humanitarian crisis. The civilian populace is now ensnared in the catastrophic repercussions of decades-long cynical policies, corruption, and power lust harbored by Benjamin Netanyahu. The unfolding calamity is a stark manifestation of Netanyahu's myopic governance, exposing innocent lives to unspeakable horrors. As tanks trundle into Gaza, the Israeli invasion, long held in abeyance for humanitarian aid distribution and largely futile hostage negotiation attempts, is finally in motion. The ominous cloud of war looms, with the ceaseless dread of what the morrow holds, epitomizing the grievous legacy of Netanyahu's tenure.

Undeniably, the genesis of this violent episode lies with Hamas, whose abominable massacre claimed over 1,400 innocent lives, besides abducting hundreds more. This act of barbarism is irrefutably condemnable, irrespective of the legitimacy of the Palestinian cause or the harshness of the Israeli retaliation. Yet, the seeds of discord were sown by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose actions catalyzed the October 7 atrocities, the Israeli counterattacks, and the ensuing ground invasion. The Israeli populace is now holding Netanyahu accountable for his government's staggering military and intelligence lapses that allowed Hamas militants to breach Israeli defenses, occupy towns, and unleash a bloodbath on civilians, akin to a monumental tragedy on a national scale.

Lebanon court orders Carlos Ghosn out of Beirut home

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by AFP --- A Lebanese judge has decided to evict former Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn from his luxury home, a judicial official said Saturday, four years after an investment firm accused him of "trespassing." Ghosn, who took up residency in the Beirut property after fleeing prosecution Japan in 2019, appealed the ruling on Friday, the official added, requesting anonymity as they were not authorized to speak to the media. Ghosn and his wife must "vacate the property... within a month," according to a copy of the decision seen by AFP and dated October 16. The home with pink walls in the Lebanese capital's upscale Ashrafieh neighborhood is worth some $19 million and is registered to Lebanese company Phoinos Investment, the judicial official said. Phoinos initiated the legal action in 2019 and has accused Ghosn of "trespassing on private property and living in the home without legal basis," the official added. According to the court document, Ghosn said the company was affiliated with Nissan and that "the property was purchased... for his residence, and there is a signed agreement with Nissan that grants him the right to reside" there. Ghosn occupied the home "according to a contractual relationship linking... Ghosn and Nissan," the decision said.

However, the end of that relationship and the plaintiff's wish to retake the property invalidates "the legal basis" of his occupancy, it added. Ghosn, the former chairman and chief executive of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance, was arrested in Japan in November 2018 on suspicion of financial misconduct, before being sacked by Nissan's board in a unanimous decision. He jumped bail late the following year and made a dramatic escape from Japan hidden in an audio-equipment box, landing in Beirut, where he remains an international fugitive. Ghosn has always denied the charges against him, arguing they were cooked up by Nissan executives who opposed his attempts to more closely integrate the firm with French partner Renault. Japan and France have sought his arrest, but Lebanon does not extradite its citizens, and judicial authorities have slapped a travel ban on Ghosn, who holds Lebanese, French and Brazilian nationality. SourceAgence France Presse

Scientific Discourse Israel-Gaza conflict - Amid Geopolitical Unrest

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The unfolding humanitarian crisis due to the Israel-Gaza conflict has resonated within the scientific community, impacting some academic biologists' careers due to their online remarks. This situation is sparking discussions around freedom of speech and thought—fundamental principles in science. On October 7, Hamas orchestrated a surprise attack in Israel, causing significant casualties. Israel retaliated with air strikes on Gaza, increasing the death toll. Despite being a small nation, Israel's significant contributions to science and medicine, especially in biotech startups and COVID-19 vaccine trials, are noteworthy. Among the notable figures is Jacob Hanna, an Israeli stem-cell expert with Palestinian roots, whose remarks on the conflict stirred controversy within the academic community.

Hanna's public outcry against the occupation and siege faced backlash from some peers questioning his stance on Hamas and suggesting he relocate to Gaza. The responses were deemed "racist and condescending" by Hanna, who clarified his opposition to violence from all sides. However, the pressure led Hanna to retract his political statements from his feed to avoid further confrontations. In the US, there's a push from certain quarters for academic institutions to unequivocally condemn Hamas's actions, impacting institutional statements and sparking debates around freedom of speech. Internationally, political tensions are also affecting academic exchanges, as seen in the exclusion of certain attendees in a recent scientific meeting due to the geopolitical unrest between Russia and Ukraine.

The unfolding conflict is not only causing human suffering but is also resonating through the global scientific community, challenging the freedom of discourse, and potentially affecting international collaborations. The situation is a reminder of the complex interplay between geopolitical events and the global scientific endeavor.

OpenAI Initiates Preparedness Team to Thwart Catastrophic AI Threats

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OpenAI has established a new group named Preparedness with the core aim of analyzing and securing AI systems against severe risks. Under the leadership of Aleksander Madry, the MIT's Center for Deployable Machine Learning Director, the team is dedicated to scrutinizing, predicting, and mitigating future AI threats. These range from AI's potential for deception in phishing schemes to its capacity for malicious code production. Madry, who joined OpenAI in May as the "head of Preparedness," is geared towards understanding and combating the diverse challenges posed by evolving AI systems.

The spectrum of risks that Preparedness is set to explore appears to be extensive, with some areas seeming more speculative than others. OpenAI, in its blog post, highlighted concerns around “chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear” threats in relation to AI models. This reflects the organization's holistic approach towards understanding the potential adverse intersections between AI and other critical domains. Notably, the initiative underlines a significant step in proactively addressing the fears often voiced by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, regarding the potentially existential threats posed by AI.

Beirut's Glimmer Amid Unrest

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Affluent Downtown Beirut: A Facade Amid Crisis

In the heart of Lebanon, downtown Beirut stands as an epitome of affluence amidst a country grappling with a severe financial crisis. The chic nightlife, high-end sports cars, and cosmetic surgery displays paint a picture of prosperity, effectively masking the dire economic conditions most Lebanese are contending with. Meanwhile, as Hezbollah and Israeli forces engage at the border, the echoes of war draw nearer, yet the downtown continues to throb with life, seemingly undeterred by the looming threats.

Rising Tensions: A Shadow Over Beirut

The strained relations between Hezbollah and Israeli forces have escalated, marked by cross-border exchanges of fire. The tensions have forced thousands from their homes in southern Lebanon, a stark contrast to the unaffected lifestyle in downtown Beirut. The Israeli Prime Minister's stern warning to Hezbollah underscores the brittle peace that hangs by a thread, as the affluent continue to revel in downtown's offerings, seemingly detached from the broader geopolitical turmoil unfolding.

Concealed Crisis: Beirut's Unseen Reality

The flamboyance of downtown Beirut veils the harsh reality of Lebanon's financial crisis, worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 Beirut port explosion. As the rich parade their wealth, many districts remain shadows of their former selves, bearing the scars of economic and physical destruction. The conspicuous display of wealth in downtown is but a facade that hides the grim reality faced by the average Lebanese citizen, as the country navigates through one of its toughest economic phases.

Analyzing Israel's Intelligence Lapse

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In the early days of October, Israel was caught off guard by an unexpected Hamas attack. Despite Israel's highly regarded intelligence agencies and advanced surveillance systems, Hamas was able to circumvent these defenses using modest methods. The failure to anticipate and swiftly respond to the attack has raised numerous questions regarding the efficacy of Israel's intelligence and its political implications. The attack unearthed several operational and logistical shortcomings within Israeli military and intelligence structures. Contributing factors may have included a lack of readiness due to internal political unrest and the draining of skilled personnel from elite intelligence units to the private sector. The situation underscored the potential dangers of underestimating adversaries and over-relying on technological surveillance.

Hamas's tactical surprise revealed an innovative approach, utilizing simple but effective methods to overwhelm Israel's security infrastructure around Gaza. They exploited Israel's focus on other regions and its presumptions about Hamas's intentions. The attack not only unveiled Hamas's improved operational capabilities but also highlighted the significance of operational security to prevent intelligence leaks. The aftermath of this intelligence failure could prompt a reevaluation within Israel's political and military landscapes. Public opinion within Israel appears to be highly critical of the leadership's handling of the situation, and there may be calls for significant overhauls in the intelligence and security sectors. This episode has also potentially set the stage for shifting dynamics in the larger region.