Republican chairman of the US Foreign Affairs Committee, Michael McCaul has warned of national security consequences after Microsoft’s President Brad Smith announced that the company’s high-profile setup with the United Arab Emirates (UAE)-backed AI firm G42 may include the transfer of sophisticated processors and tools.

Smith told Reuters that the pact might enter a second phase, which would involve the export of critical AI technology components such as model weights. However, no firm deadlines have been established. Officials in the United States have expressed worry that AI systems may pose national security dangers by enabling the development of chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons. The Biden administration demanded in October that significant AI system developers exchange information with the US government.

The deal's progress is contingent on approval by the US Department of Commerce. Microsoft executives stated that the arrangement included controls to prevent Chinese companies from using Microsoft's technology to train AI systems, albeit these steps are still unknown. Some lawmakers in the United States question their sufficiency.

According to Reuters, McCaul, expressed his worries, saying, "Despite the substantial national security consequences, Congress has yet to receive a complete briefing from the executive branch on this arrangement."&nbsp;

He questioned whether sufficient safeguards are in place to protect vital US technology from Chinese espionage, given the CCP's interests in the UAE.

Current US regulations demand notices and export licenses for AI chip exports, but the Microsoft-G42 agreement highlights regulatory loopholes as technology advances quickly. Currently, no regulations limit the export of AI models. A bipartisan group of legislators, including McCaul, introduced legislation to provide US officials express authority to control such shipments. Microsoft supports a discussion about a new legal framework for AI technology transfer, stressing compliance with growing US regulations.

"Fundamentally, we aim to ensure that American technology can move around the world safely and securely," said Smith.

The Microsoft-G42 transaction, announced last month, was billed as increasing the United States' technology dominance in the face of strategic rivalry from China. Microsoft is investing $1.5 billion in G42, and Smith will join its board.

Details on the exact technologies to be transferred and the security precautions are few, however several are reported here for the first time. The arrangement aims for Microsoft and G42 to collaborate to promote AI technology in areas where neither could do so effectively alone, with a recent contract in Kenya exemplifying this concept.

While the deal requires both businesses to convince their home governments of security procedures, there is no direct agreement between the United States and the UAE overseeing sensitive technology transfers. According to Microsoft executives, the firms may consider expanding these technologies to other areas, such as Turkey and Egypt.

Smith stated that aspects such as protecting AI "model weights," which are critical for AI model performance, are still being finalised. Current approaches for encrypting these weights in usage are at least a year distant. Microsoft is looking into many security measures, including a "vault within a vault" concept that would physically separate data centre components.

"I suspect by the time we're done; we're going to end up with a regulatory regime or trade export control approach that will be broadly applicable, not just to Microsoft and G42," Smith stated.

According to the agreement, G42 must follow a "know your customer" policy to prevent Chinese enterprises from utilising Microsoft technology to train AI models. US officials have suggested but not yet implemented a comparable rule.

Talal Al Kaissi, who leads G42's AI collaborations, pointed out, "We made a strategic commercial decision to collaborate with US companies on sophisticated technology. We're clear about meeting regulatory obligations."

Microsoft retains the ability to impose financial penalties on G42, which are enforceable in London arbitration courts, avoiding problems with the UAE legal system and allowing asset confiscation if G42 breaks the agreement.

It is unclear how US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo will approach the deal. Smith defined the conditions as "informal," citing Raimondo's clear approval or rejection of suggestions.

A Commerce Department spokeswoman stated that any technological transfers would be subject to current export controls as well as potential future laws.

(With inputs from Reuters)

Republican chairman of the US Foreign Affairs Committee, Michael McCaul has warned of national security consequences after Microsoft’s President Brad Smith announced that the company’s high-profile setup with the United Arab Emirates (UAE)-backed AI firm G42 may include the transfer of sophisticated processors and tools.

Republican chairman of the US Foreign Affairs Committee, Michael McCaul has warned of national security consequences after Microsoft’s President Brad Smith announced that the company’s high-profile setup with the United Arab Emirates (UAE)-backed AI firm G42 may include the transfer of sophisticated processors and tools. Smith told Reuters that the pact might enter a second phase, which would involve the export of critical AI technology components such as model weights. However, no firm deadlines have been established. Officials in the United States have expressed worry that AI systems may pose national security dangers by enabling the development of chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons. The Biden administration demanded in October that significant AI system developers exchange information with the US government. The deal's progress is contingent on approval by the US Department of Commerce. Microsoft executives stated that the arrangement included controls to prevent Chinese companies from using Microsoft's technology to train AI systems, albeit these steps are still unknown. Some lawmakers in the United States question their sufficiency. According to Reuters, McCaul, expressed his worries, saying, "Despite the substantial national security consequences, Congress has yet to receive a complete briefing from the executive branch on this arrangement." He questioned whether sufficient safeguards are in place to protect vital US technology from Chinese espionage, given the CCP's interests in the UAE. Current US regulations demand notices and export licenses for AI chip exports, but the Microsoft-G42 agreement highlights regulatory loopholes as technology advances quickly. Currently, no regulations limit the export of AI models. A bipartisan group of legislators, including McCaul, introduced legislation to provide US officials express authority to control such shipments. Microsoft supports a discussion about a new legal framework for AI technology transfer, stressing compliance with growing US regulations. "Fundamentally, we aim to ensure that American technology can move around the world safely and securely," said Smith. The Microsoft-G42 transaction, announced last month, was billed as increasing the United States' technology dominance in the face of strategic rivalry from China. Microsoft is investing $1.5 billion in G42, and Smith will join its board. Details on the exact technologies to be transferred and the security precautions are few, however several are reported here for the first time. The arrangement aims for Microsoft and G42 to collaborate to promote AI technology in areas where neither could do so effectively alone, with a recent contract in Kenya exemplifying this concept. While the deal requires both businesses to convince their home governments of security procedures, there is no direct agreement between the United States and the UAE overseeing sensitive technology transfers. According to Microsoft executives, the firms may consider expanding these technologies to other areas, such as Turkey and Egypt. Smith stated that aspects such as protecting AI "model weights," which are critical for AI model performance, are still being finalised. Current approaches for encrypting these weights in usage are at least a year distant. Microsoft is looking into many security measures, including a "vault within a vault" concept that would physically separate data centre components. "I suspect by the time we're done; we're going to end up with a regulatory regime or trade export control approach that will be broadly applicable, not just to Microsoft and G42," Smith stated. According to the agreement, G42 must follow a "know your customer" policy to prevent Chinese enterprises from utilising Microsoft technology to train AI models. US officials have suggested but not yet implemented a comparable rule. Talal Al Kaissi, who leads G42's AI collaborations, pointed out, "We made a strategic commercial decision to collaborate with US companies on sophisticated technology. We're clear about meeting regulatory obligations." Microsoft retains the ability to impose financial penalties on G42, which are enforceable in London arbitration courts, avoiding problems with the UAE legal system and allowing asset confiscation if G42 breaks the agreement. It is unclear how US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo will approach the deal. Smith defined the conditions as "informal," citing Raimondo's clear approval or rejection of suggestions. A Commerce Department spokeswoman stated that any technological transfers would be subject to current export controls as well as potential future laws. (With inputs from Reuters)

Senior Republican Congressman warns of US security risks over Microsoft's UAE AI deal

Iraq's telecom ministry said on Sunday (August 6) that it has blocked the Telegram messaging app over national security concerns, and to preserve the integrity of users' data, which it said the app had mishandled. In a statement, the ministry said that it asked Telegram to close down "platforms that leak the data of the official state institutions and the personal data of citizens... but the company did not respond and did not interact with any of these requests."

Iraq blocks Telegram app, cites personal data violations

India's Supreme Court on Wednesday quashed the central government's ban on the telecast of the Malayalam language channel 'MediaOne', ruling that "national security claims can't be made out of thin hair." A bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud observed that the State can't impose unreasonable restrictions on the press as such an action would have chilling effects on press freedom.

The top court alleged that the State is using national security as a tool to deny citizens remedies that are provided under the law.

"National security claims cannot be made out of thin air, there must be material facts backing it," said the bench.

The bench also set aside a Kerala High Court&nbsp;order, which had upheld the Centre's ban on the channel on "security grounds."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-embraces-open-source-software-to-boost-tech-industry-amid-layoffs-579487">India embraces open-source software to boost tech industry amid layoffs</a>

Kerala's ruling party and opposition leaders have both welcomed the Supreme Court's decision to quash the ban and said the order gives hope to people fighting to protect democratic principles and the Constitution.

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I welcome the SupremeCourt decision revoking the ban on Malayalam TV channel <a href="https://twitter.com/MediaOne?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MediaOne</a>. "National security can't deny people their rights... it was raised by the MHA in a cavalier manner," said the SC:<a href="https://t.co/pFqCnz2tQ8">https://t.co/pFqCnz2tQ8</a> 
The judgement robustly affirms press freedom. Shabash!
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShashiTharoor/status/1643502516301119488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 5, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Thiruvananthapuram MP&nbsp;Shashi Tharoor took to Twitter and applauded the move. He said: "I welcome the SupremeCourt decision revoking the ban on Malayalam TV channel @MediaOne."

"The judgement robustly affirms press freedom. Shabash!," added the Congress leader. MediaOne editor Pramod Raman also posted a tweet saying, "Thanks to all".

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— Pramod Raman (@PramodRaman10) <a href="https://twitter.com/PramodRaman10/status/1643507092823904256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 5, 2023</a></blockquote>
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India's apex court said that a channel's critical views on government policies cannot be termed as anti-establishment and that an independent press is necessary for a robust democracy.

It said the "press has a duty to speak truth to power and present citizens with hard facts enabling them to make choices that propel democracy in the right direction. The restriction on freedom of press compels citizens to think along the same tangent."

"Homogenised views on issues that range from socio-economic polity to political ideologies would pose great dangers to democracy," added the bench. It also said that "non-renewal of license for a channel is a restriction on the right to freedom of speech."

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The top court, as per PTI, also said that the government's non-disclosure of reasons for the denial of security reasons and disclosure only to the court in sealed cover amounted to a violation of the principles of natural justice. "Sealed cover procedure cannot be introduced to cover harms that cannot be remedied by public immunity proceedings," said the bench.&nbsp;It further said courts should appoint an amicus curiae to assess the claims of confidentiality and assist the court in coming out with a reasoned order.

(With inputs from agencies)

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India's Supreme Court on Wednesday quashed the central government's ban on the telecast of the Malayalam language channel 'MediaOne', ruling that "national security claims can't be made out of thin hair.

India's Supreme Court on Wednesday quashed the central government's ban on the telecast of the Malayalam language channel 'MediaOne', ruling that "national security claims can't be made out of thin hair." A bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud observed that the State can't impose unreasonable restrictions on the press as such an action would have chilling effects on press freedom. The top court alleged that the State is using national security as a tool to deny citizens remedies that are provided under the law. "National security claims cannot be made out of thin air, there must be material facts backing it," said the bench. The bench also set aside a Kerala High Court order, which had upheld the Centre's ban on the channel on "security grounds." Also read | India embraces open-source software to boost tech industry amid layoffs Kerala's ruling party and opposition leaders have both welcomed the Supreme Court's decision to quash the ban and said the order gives hope to people fighting to protect democratic principles and the Constitution. I welcome the SupremeCourt decision revoking the ban on Malayalam TV channel @MediaOne. "National security can't deny people their rights... it was raised by the MHA in a cavalier manner," said the SC:https://t.co/pFqCnz2tQ8 The judgement robustly affirms press freedom. Shabash! — Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) April 5, 2023 × Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor took to Twitter and applauded the move. He said: "I welcome the SupremeCourt decision revoking the ban on Malayalam TV channel @MediaOne." "The judgement robustly affirms press freedom. Shabash!," added the Congress leader. MediaOne editor Pramod Raman also posted a tweet saying, "Thanks to all". എല്ലാവർക്കും നന്ദി! pic.twitter.com/T9apdKxvkg — Pramod Raman (@PramodRaman10) April 5, 2023 × India's apex court said that a channel's critical views on government policies cannot be termed as anti-establishment and that an independent press is necessary for a robust democracy. It said the "press has a duty to speak truth to power and present citizens with hard facts enabling them to make choices that propel democracy in the right direction. The restriction on freedom of press compels citizens to think along the same tangent." "Homogenised views on issues that range from socio-economic polity to political ideologies would pose great dangers to democracy," added the bench. It also said that "non-renewal of license for a channel is a restriction on the right to freedom of speech." Also read | Indian man kills his 12th wife after being stopped from drinking: Reports The top court, as per PTI, also said that the government's non-disclosure of reasons for the denial of security reasons and disclosure only to the court in sealed cover amounted to a violation of the principles of natural justice. "Sealed cover procedure cannot be introduced to cover harms that cannot be remedied by public immunity proceedings," said the bench. It further said courts should appoint an amicus curiae to assess the claims of confidentiality and assist the court in coming out with a reasoned order. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

'National security claims cannot be made out of thin air': Indian SC quashes centre's ban on MediaOne