Microsoft intel

WASHINGTON: Amazon, Microsoft and Intel are among leading tech companies that could spearhead a global AI arms race, according to a report that surveyed major players from the sector about their stance on lethal autonomous weapons. Dutch NGO Pax ranked 50 companies by three criteria: whether they were developing technology that could be relevant to killer robots, whether they were working on related military projects, and if they had committed to abstaining from contributing in the future. "Why are companies like Microsoft and Amazon not denying that they're currently developing these highly controversial weapons, which could decide to kill people without direct human involvement?" said Frank Slijper, lead author of the report published on Monday. The use of AI to allow weapon systems to autonomously select and attack targets has sparked ethical debates in recent years, with critics warning they would jeopardise international security and herald a third revolution in warfare … [Read more...] about Amazon, Microsoft, may be putting world at risk of killer AI: Report

HANOI: Even a few hours in Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by the locals, will give you a feel for how much the Vietnamese economy is booming. The international airport completed in 2007 can handle 17 million passengers a year, the city’s first metropolitan train line is under construction, and ever taller office and apartment blocks are beginning to rise both inside and now outside the city’s riverfront centre. BOOMING VIETNAM The bedrock in Vietnam’s enviable run of prosperity has been the shift of low-cost manufacturing from China. In 2010, for instance, Vietnam produced more Nike sports shoes than China for the first time. In 2018, foreign direct investment almost doubled compared with 2017, with 112 countries and territories investing in Vietnam. In downtown Ho Chi Minh City, plastered in front of the metro stop being built between the city’s colonial-era Opera House and the famed Rex Hotel, is a large sign that reads “Japan-Vietnam” with the flags of the … [Read more...] about Commentary: Vietnam emerges a key winner from the US-China trade war

SINGAPORE: Much has been said about Huawei’s purported plans to develop its own mobile operating system (OS), even as it is set to get partially shut out of Google’s Android OS. However, analysts told CNA on Tuesday (May 21) that short of a nationalistic wave of support from the Chinese government as well as local tech giants like Tencent, Alibaba and Baidu, Huawei’s efforts to create an alternative outside the iOS-Android market duopoly now is unlikely to get off the ground. READ: Google and Android system start to cut ties with Huawei READ: Two Japanese carriers, Britain's EE postpone release of Huawei phones On Sunday, it was reported that Google is suspending business with Huawei that requires the transfer of hardware, software and technical services except those publicly available through open source licensing. This means that the company’s future mobile devices would lose access to popular, and some say essential, apps such as Search, Gmail, YouTube and Maps. Since … [Read more...] about Analysis: Huawei badly needs the Chinese government, tech rivals to back its OS plans

Smallest Mac, big power Apple’s latest desktop is the cheapest ever. Starting at $500, the Mac mini is so inexpensive that it can easily power your day-to-day needs. Go a little higher-end and this itty-bitty Mac makes for the perfect home computer, whether you plan on keeping it there or not. Oh, and it’s absolutely brilliant for remote use, too. Image: James Pikover, Mashable Machined perfection Clean and sleek, the Mac mini is machined to a fine point while still remaining tiny. Even with the small frame it’s still more powerful than the standard MacBook Air, for half the price. Image: James Pikover, Mashable Plenty of ports The Mac mini comes with a slew of ports, including four USB 3.0, two Thunderbolt, HDMI, Ethernet, audio jacks, and an SD card slot. Notably missing: a DVI connector. Image: James Pikover, Mashable Upgradeable no more The Mac mini may be square, but it sits on a round disk to help expel heat and to keep the computer … [Read more...] about The latest Mac mini is low-priced, but doesn’t skimp on power

Today's Dealmaster includes a good discount on Bose's Noise Cancelling Headphones 700, the white version of which is down to $299 at various retailers. That's $80 off Bose's MSRP, about $65 off the street price we typically see online, and tied for the best price we've tracked. Further Reading The Ars Technica ultimate buying guide for your home office setup While we generally recommend Sony's WH-1000XM4 as the top choice among wireless noise-canceling headphones, this Bose pair is a strong alternative. Its battery life isn't as good, but its metal headband gives the design a more premium feel, and it offers a more neutral sound profile than the XM4's more bass-heavy default signature. And though its active noise cancellation isn't quite as effective as the XM4's at maximum, it's not terribly far off. Perhaps more importantly, Bose's companion app lets you customize the strength of the noise-canceling effect on a 10-point scale, so you can lessen the intensity if … [Read more...] about Today’s best tech deals: Bose headphones,