Saudi Arabia’s KAUST, University of Connecticut Sign Collaboration Deal in AI

KAUST has signed an agreement with the University of Connecticut to collaborate on advancements in artificial intelligence and clean energy. SPA
KAUST has signed an agreement with the University of Connecticut to collaborate on advancements in artificial intelligence and clean energy. SPA
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Saudi Arabia’s KAUST, University of Connecticut Sign Collaboration Deal in AI

KAUST has signed an agreement with the University of Connecticut to collaborate on advancements in artificial intelligence and clean energy. SPA
KAUST has signed an agreement with the University of Connecticut to collaborate on advancements in artificial intelligence and clean energy. SPA

The King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) has signed an agreement with the University of Connecticut to collaborate on advancements in artificial intelligence, clean energy, and other critical fields.
The agreement emphasizes joint research and innovations aimed at addressing regional and global challenges in artificial intelligence, sustainability, clean energy, and health technologies. Its goal is to create an innovative framework for international collaboration, connecting scientific research with practical applications, driving the commercialization of technologies, and benefiting society.
The partnership also includes the development of shared programs to support staff and student exchanges between the two universities, while accelerating the promotion of innovations across various technological sectors.
This collaboration aligns with KAUST's strategic commitment to strengthening global research and educational partnerships, particularly with leading American universities. Both institutions aim to build robust research initiatives that deliver transformative solutions to societal challenges in areas such as artificial intelligence and clean energy.



Australia Ditches Plans to Fine Tech Giants for Misinformation

Facebook's new rebrand logo Meta is seen on a smartphone in front of displayed logo of Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, WhatsApp, Oculus in this illustration picture taken October 28, 2021. (Reuters)
Facebook's new rebrand logo Meta is seen on a smartphone in front of displayed logo of Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, WhatsApp, Oculus in this illustration picture taken October 28, 2021. (Reuters)
TT

Australia Ditches Plans to Fine Tech Giants for Misinformation

Facebook's new rebrand logo Meta is seen on a smartphone in front of displayed logo of Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, WhatsApp, Oculus in this illustration picture taken October 28, 2021. (Reuters)
Facebook's new rebrand logo Meta is seen on a smartphone in front of displayed logo of Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, WhatsApp, Oculus in this illustration picture taken October 28, 2021. (Reuters)

Australia has ditched plans to fine social media companies if they fail to stem the spread of misinformation, the country's communications minister said Sunday.

The proposed legislation outlined sweeping powers to fine tech companies up to five percent of their yearly turnover if they breached new online safety obligations.

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said she had dumped the bill after running into significant opposition in the country's senate.

"Based on public statements and engagements with senators, it is clear that there is no pathway to legislate this proposal through the senate," she said in a statement.

The proposed bill notably drew the ire of tech baron Elon Musk, who in September likened the Australian government to "fascists".

Australia has been at the forefront of global efforts to regulate the tech giants.

The government will soon roll out a nationwide social media ban for children under 16.

Social media companies could be fined more than US$30 million if they fail to keep children off their platforms, under separate laws tabled before Australia's parliament on Thursday.