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GPT-4 Turbo leads EU’s AI compliance landscape

Ana Mary Joseph
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GPT-4 Turbo leads EU’s AI compliance landscape
  • Overall shortcomings highlight significant work ahead for the AI community in meeting the ethical and regulatory expectations outlined by the EU.
  • Study underscores the necessity for ongoing dialogue between AI developers and regulatory frameworks to ensure the responsible development of AI technologies.

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies has prompted regulatory bodies, particularly in Europe, to establish frameworks governing the ethical deployment of AI systems.

A recent study by researchers from ETH Zurich, the Bulgarian AI research institute INSAIT, and the ETH spin-off LatticeFlow AI evaluated the compliance of twelve leading large language models (LLMs) with the European Union’s AI regulations, specifically the EU AI Act.

The findings indicate that while OpenAI’s GPT-4 Turbo is the frontrunner in compliance, it still falls short of full adherence to these vital regulations.

The researchers developed a tool named COMPL-AI, which serves as a compliance checker through a series of benchmarks aimed at quantifying how well AI models align with EU standards.

Evaluation criteria

Central to this assessment are six ethical principles established in the EU AI Act: human agency, data protection, transparency, diversity, non-discrimination, and fairness.

From these principles, the study formulates twelve clear technical requirements, underpinned by twenty-seven evaluation criteria.

The framework aims to translate the abstract legal language of the EU AI Act into measurable and verifiable standards for AI development.

The analysis revealed that the 12 models, including well-known instances like ChatGPT, Claude, Mistral and Llama, exhibited varied levels of compliance.

Notably, while some demonstrated adherence to data protection regulations, significant deficiencies emerged in other areas, particularly regarding diversity, non-discrimination and fairness.

COMPL-AI available as open-source

As co-author Robin Staab remarked, the evaluation illuminated critical shortcomings in the models, emphasising the need for improvement in robustness and social equity.

Furthermore, the concept of explainability—a fundamental aspect of ethical AI—remains inadequately addressed, suggesting a tendency among developers to prioritise model performance over ethical considerations.

Martin Vechev, a professor at ETH and a founding member of INSAIT, articulated that although the EU AI Act signifies a movement towards responsible AI, clarity in the technical interpretation of its regulations has been lacking until now.

The researchers presented their findings to the EU AI Office and made COMPL-AI available as an open-source resource on GitHub, inviting further collaboration and development.

The European Commission welcomed these initiatives as a constructive step towards translating the EU AI Act into actionable technical requirements.

As the Act is gradually implemented—having come into force in August 2024, with strict enforcement for high-risk AI models delayed for two years—developers are urged to align their technologies with these essential standards.

Dubai Chamber members to get complimentary access to du’s Entrepreneurship Hub 

TCN Bureau
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Dubai Chamber members to get complimentary access to du’s Entrepreneurship Hub 
  • Aims to empower local business community and unlock a variety of competitive advantages for private sector companies operating in Dubai.
  • Programme emphasises practical training in critical areas such as communication, marketing, and cybersecurity, enabling SMEs to adapt for growth and effectively integrate artificial intelligence technologies to enhance their competitiveness.

In a significant move to bolster the local business environment, Dubai Chambers has recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with du, the premier telecom and digital services provider in the United Arab Emirates. This strategic partnership aims to empower the local business community and unlock a variety of competitive advantages for private sector companies operating in Dubai.

The MoU stipulates that du will extend high-quality services to members of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, one of the three chambers under the umbrella of Dubai Chambers.

Digital transformation

By availing themselves of special enterprise offers, members will not only enhance their operational capabilities but also foster an ecosystem conducive to innovation and growth.

A cornerstone of this partnership is the complimentary access granted to Dubai Chamber of Commerce members for du’s Entrepreneurship Hub located at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).

The hub is celebrated as the first and largest FinTech accelerator in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) region. Members will benefit from the du Business Entrepreneurship Programme, which is designed to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by focusing on scalability, accessibility, and digital transformation.

The programme emphasises practical training in critical areas such as communication, marketing, and cybersecurity, enabling SMEs to adapt for growth and effectively integrate artificial intelligence technologies to enhance their competitiveness.

A vital step

Khalid Al Jarwan, Vice President of Operations at Dubai Chambers, highlighted the importance of this partnership, stating that it is a vital step in augmenting the value-added services available to Dubai’s business community.

“The provision of essential telecommunications and technology support aligns with the strategic priorities of Dubai Chambers, thereby contributing to the overall success and digital advancement of local companies.”

Similarly, Karim Benkirane, Chief Commercial Officer at du, underscored the transformative potential of this collaboration. He asserted that the partnership marks a new era of digital enablement for the UAE’s business ecosystem, aiming to redefine operational standards through enhanced innovation and efficiency.

Vivo becomes top smartphone vendor in India for first time in third quarter

Ana Mary Joseph
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Vivo becomes top smartphone vendor in India for first time in third quarter
  • Indian market registers 9% growth in third quarter to 47.1m units.
  • Demand for smartphones ahead of the festivities remained subdued, largely due to escalating food inflation and a decline in urban spending on consumer durables.
  • Canalys anticipates that organic growth in the Indian smartphone market will be significantly driven by the introduction of ultra-low-end 5G devices—particularly those priced under Rs10,000.

Chinese smartphone maker vivo emerged as the leading vendor for the first time, overtaking Samsung and Xiaomi, in the third quarter in India on higher-priced models and aggressive channel margins.

Vivo captured 19 per cent market share with the shipment of 9.1 million units out of the total shipments of 47.1 million units.

Xiaomi secured the second position with 7.8 million units shipped and captures 17 per cent share, primarily driven by its budget 5G lineup, while Samsung followed closely with 7.5 million units and with 16 per cent market share.

Other notable players included OPPO, which shipped 6.3 million units (excluding OnePlus), and realme, which shipped 5.3 million units, thus rounding out the top five vendors.

Calculated effort

Research by Canalys has documented a noteworthy  nine per cent growth in the Indian smartphone market during the third quarter of 2024 to 47.1 million units, attributed to vendors efficiently managing their inventory through early monsoon sales, preparing for the anticipated festive season.

Despite this proactive strategy, the demand for smartphones ahead of the festivities remained subdued, largely due to escalating food inflation and a decline in urban spending on consumer durables.

Analyst Sanyam Chaurasia highlighted that vivo’s ascent was powered by its innovative product launches in higher price segments and a broadening of its online sales channels. Both vivo and OPPO have successfully leveraged their online portfolios to exceed traditional sales through offline channels.

The ongoing strategy among leading brands to expand their mid-to-high range offerings demonstrates a calculated effort to clear existing inventories during the festive season.

Despite the overall growth, the sluggish demand for entry-level models reflects consumer hesitation, induced by rising prices and broader economic challenges. Many consumers have opted to postpone purchases until after the Diwali celebrations.

Focus on offline sales

Consequently, brands are focusing on offline sales in anticipation of heightened demand during this critical shopping period.

Chaurasia noted that while vendors have ramped up shipping to meet festive demand, the unanticipated low traction may result in an inventory surplus, necessitating aggressive discounting strategies as well as enhanced channel margins to manage stock levels effectively in the latter half of 2024.

Looking ahead to 2025, Canalys anticipates that organic growth in the Indian smartphone market will be significantly driven by the introduction of ultra-low-end 5G devices—particularly those priced under Rs10,000.

Although challenges regarding component availability persist, the impending market entry of these affordable devices is expected to satisfy consumer demand.

Nonetheless, product differentiation will be essential, as consumers are increasingly discerning and inclined to invest in smartphones that offer substantial features over mere 5G capabilities.

Eruditus gets $150m funding to spread wings

Ana Mary Joseph
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Eruditus gets $150m funding to spread wings
  • Expects Indian market to constitute at least 50% of its business within the next five years.
  • Indian edtech sector has only raised only $575m this year compared to a staggering $5.37b in 2021.

In a significant development for the Indian educational technology landscape, Eruditus has successfully raised $150 million in its Series F funding round, led by the prominent private equity firm TPG.

The investment marks a pivotal moment for Eruditus, especially considering the prevailing subdued funding environment for edtech companies in India.

With this new capital injection, the company has achieved a valuation of $3 billion, reflecting continued investor confidence despite broader market challenges.

Eruditus has garnered support from a diverse array of existing investors, including SoftBank, CPP Investments, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, and others.

The company’s co-founder and CEO, Ashwin Damera, articulated a clear vision for the future, emphasising an enhanced focus on artificial intelligence products to enrich teaching experiences.

Competitive pressures

Furthermore, Eruditus aims to expand its offerings to corporate clients while significantly increasing its market presence in India, aspiring for the Indian market to constitute at least 50 per cent of its business within the next five years.

Despite this optimistic outlook for Eruditus, the broader Indian edtech sector is grappling with a stark decline in funding, having raised only $575 million this year compared to a staggering $5.37 billion in 2021, as reported by Tracxn.

The decline underscores the competitive pressures and evolving dynamics within the industry. Nevertheless, companies like Physics Wallah have demonstrated resilience, recently securing $210 million in funding, indicating that pockets of opportunity still exist.

In light of its recent funding success, Eruditus plans to transition its domicile from Singapore to India, aligning itself with regulatory frameworks that may offer better prospects for public listing.

Indian companies have notably raised over $9 billion through initial public offerings (IPOs) this year, surpassing the previous year’s total and suggesting a burgeoning appetite for investment in the region.

While Damera acknowledged the potential of an IPO, he emphasized a measured approach, indicating that the company prioritizes strategic growth and development before pursuing public listing opportunities.

Administrative access to swalekha.in up for sale on dark web

Mohammed Fahad
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Administrative access to swalekha.in up for sale on dark web
  • Indian authorities are undertaking investigations to ascertain the extent of damage and to address the security loopholes that may have allowed this exposure.

Recent revelations regarding the sale of administrative access to swalekha.in, a website managed by the Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society (JSLPS) in India, on the dark web have sparked significant concern within the cybersecurity community.

The implications of such a breach extend far beyond the immediate risk of unauthorized access; they pose a serious threat to the integrity of sensitive data associated with rural development and social programs.

The compromised information potentially includes the personal and financial details of beneficiaries, highlighting the urgent need for improved security measures in governmental digital infrastructure.

The sale of such access fundamentally undermines the trust that citizens place in governmental agencies tasked with their welfare. With beneficiaries likely unaware of the vulnerability of their data, the risk of identity theft and financial fraud becomes alarmingly tangible.

Furthermore, the sensitive nature of the information involved raises ethical considerations regarding the protection of marginalised populations, reliant on these programs for their livelihoods.

In response to this breach, authorities are undertaking investigations to ascertain the extent of the damage and to address the security loopholes that may have allowed this exposure.

Cybersecurity experts have echoed a pressing need for enhanced protective measures, insisting that government systems require fortification against unauthorised access and potential exploitation. The incident serves as a sobering reminder that cybersecurity is not merely a technical concern, but a vital component of public trust and societal stability.

India poised to become content creation capital of the world

Mohammed Fahad
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India poised to become content creation capital of the world
  • Integration of AI, coupled with a robust commitment to regional inclusivity, heralds a new era in content creation that promises to be innovative, diverse, and significantly transformative.

India stands on the brink of a transformative leap in the global content creation landscape, as articulated by Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, the Indian Minister of Communications and Development of North Eastern Region, at the India Mobile Congress 2024.

With the content market projected to surge from its current valuation of $30 billion to an astonishing $480 billion by 2035, the country is positioning itself as a formidable contender in this sphere.

Scindia emphasised the essential democratisation of information access and India’s strategic readiness to adopt next-generation technologies, including 6G, thereby spearheading the digital revolution.

The embrace of technology is pivotal in harnessing the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in augmenting regional content production, a point strongly underscored by technology expert Rajiv Makhni.

Critical shift

Makhni articulated that while AI significantly reshapes the content landscape, it is ultimately the content creators who will drive this dynamic evolution.

The rising dominance of regional languages in digital consumption—95 per cent of YouTube views in India are now in these languages—highlights a critical shift from the historically English-centric digital narrative.

Sahiba Bali, a prominent Bollywood actress and sports anchor, assuaged concerns among creators regarding AI’s role, framing it not as an adversary but as an enabler.

AI’s empowering potential

According to Bali, AI enhances the quality and accessibility of content, particularly by facilitating commentary in diverse regional languages. While AI can assist in areas such as scriptwriting and translation, she contends that the irreplaceable human touch remains vital to artistry.

Echoing Bali’s sentiments, digital creator Naman Deshmukh emphasised AI’s empowering potential, sharing his own experiences of leveraging AI-enhanced platforms to streamline content production and rapidly broaden his audience.

He noted AI’s significant role in education and awareness, granting creators unprecedented avenues to disseminate meaningful information.

The consensus among industry experts is clear: AI presents vast opportunities for expanding revenue streams, minimising production costs, and penetrating underserved markets, particularly in India’s Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, where evolving consumption patterns are becoming increasingly pronounced.

AI’s capabilities for real-time personalisation and enhanced audience interaction are poised to catalyse exponential growth in the creative economy.

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