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All Civil Servants in England and Wales to Undergo AI Training

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This fall, all civil servants in England and Wales will undergo practical training focused on utilizing artificial intelligence to enhance efficiency, according to reports from the Guardian.

More than 400,000 civil servants will be briefed on this training initiative on Monday afternoon, as part of a commitment by Prime Minister Pat McFadden of the Principality of Lancaster to assess civil service operations and boost productivity.

Concurrently, the civil service workforce will decrease by tens of thousands through voluntary redundancies and a decision not to fill retiree vacancies. Officials will be encouraged to leverage AI technology wherever feasible to optimize their tasks.

Staff are currently testing a suite of AI tools known as Humphrey, a nod to the senior official from the 1980s TV sitcom.


In March, it was proclaimed that officials should follow the principle that “Digital or AI must not invest significant time in tasks that can be performed with improved speed and quality.”

The forthcoming practical training this fall aims to equip civil servants with AI knowledge to minimize the time spent on routine activities.

A recent AI trial by the Scottish government employed Humphrey tools to analyze consultations on cosmetic surgery adjustments, yielding results comparable to human output but at a faster pace.

While broader developments remain undecided, the government has indicated that over 500 annual consultations using this tool could save staff around 75,000 days of analysis each year.

The Ministry of Labor and Pensions is also utilizing AI to process extensive communications, which previously took weeks. This will assist in identifying recipients of merit or pension who may be vulnerable and require immediate support.

In a communication to all employees, Cabinet Secretary Chris Wormaldo expressed pride in civil servants’ continual adaptability to new challenges.

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He stated: “The Prime Minister has issued a significant challenge in fostering a productive and agile state.”

He added: “We must seize the opportunities presented by artificial intelligence and other technological advancements, continuously modernizing our processes.”

The training is orchestrated via the One Big Thing initiative, which emphasizes various crucial skills each year.

The government is swiftly adopting AI in Whitehall; however, some have raised concerns regarding the potential introduction or exacerbation of errors and biases in the absence of proper human oversight. The Guardian highlighted in December that the AI system utilized by the UK government to identify welfare fraud exhibited bias based on age, disability, marital status, and nationality.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Pornhub and Three Other Adult Websites Undergo EU Child Safety Evaluation

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European officials have initiated an investigation into four adult websites suspected of inadequately preventing minors from viewing adult content.

Following a review of the companies’ policies, the European Commission criticized PornHub, StripChat, XNXX, and XVideos for not implementing adequate age verification procedures to block minors from accessing their sites.

This inquiry has been launched in accordance with the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), a comprehensive set of regulations aimed at curbing online harm such as disinformation, cyber threats, hate speech, and counterfeit merchandise. The DSA also enforces stringent measures to safeguard children online, including preventing mental health repercussions from exposure to adult materials.

The committee noted that all four platforms employed a simple one-click self-certification for age verification.

“Today marks a significant step toward child protection online in the EU, as the enforcement action we are initiating… clearly indicates our commitment to hold four major adult content platforms accountable for effectively safeguarding minors under the DSA.”

While no specific deadline has been set for concluding the investigation, officials stressed that they aim to act swiftly on potential next steps based on the platforms’ responses.

The platforms can resolve the investigation by implementing an age verification system recognized as effective by EU regulators. Failure to comply could result in fines of up to 6% of their global annual revenue.

The DSA regulates platforms with over 45 million users, including Google, Meta, and X, while national authorities in each of the 27 member states are responsible for those that fall beneath this threshold.

On Tuesday, the committee announced that StripChat no longer qualifies as a “very large online platform.” Following the company’s appeal, its oversight will now be handled by Cyprus rather than Brussels, under its parent company, Techinius Ltd.

However, this new designation will not take effect until September, meaning that the investigation into age verification remains active.

The child protection responsibilities of StripChat will continue unchanged.

Aylo FreeSites, the parent company of Pornhub, is aware of the ongoing investigation and has stated its “full commitment” to ensuring the online safety of minors.

“We are in full compliance with the law,” the company remarked. “We believe the effective way to protect both minors and adults is to verify user age at the point of access through their device, ensuring that websites provide or restrict access to age-sensitive content based on that verification.”

Techinius has been approached for comments. A Brussels-based attorney, recently representing the parent company of XVideos (Web Group Czech Republic) and XNXX (NKL Associates) in EU legal matters, has also reached out for statements.

Source: www.theguardian.com

61 incredible transformations your body will undergo with Ozempic

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A recent comprehensive study has uncovered the significant health benefits and potential drawbacks of Ozempic and Wegovy. Groundbreaking research has shown that weight loss medications, such as Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) like Ozempic and Wegovy, can have a total of 61 effects on the body, most of which are positive.

These drugs function by imitating the hormones naturally created in the body to regulate appetite, thereby promoting a sense of fullness and reducing hunger.

“Given the novelty and increasing popularity of these medications, it is crucial to thoroughly investigate their effects on various bodily systems to gain a comprehensive understanding of their benefits and risks,” said the study’s lead researcher, Dr. Ziyad Al Ali, an Assistant Professor at the School of Medicine, University of Washington, USA.

The research team, led by Al-Aly, discovered that these weight loss drugs could lower the risk of 42 health conditions while increasing the risk of 19 others.

The Positive Effects of Weight Loss Drugs

Published in Nature Medicine, the study analyzed data from 2 million individuals with diabetes, with approximately 216,000 using GLP-1RAs and the rest on other diabetes medications that do not include GLP-1RAs. The results suggested numerous health benefits for those using weight loss drugs, including a decreased risk of cardiovascular issues like blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes, aligning with previous research findings.

Additionally, beyond the known benefits, researchers discovered potential advantages in unexpected areas. Despite concerns about GLP-1RAs potentially causing suicidal thoughts, new research found positive impacts on neurological health. Users experienced reduced risks of conditions such as suicidal ideation, self-harm, substance use disorders, psychotic disorders like schizophrenia, and bulimia.

Al-Aly proposed that the mechanisms responsible for weight loss could also influence these outcomes. The drugs act on brain receptors associated with impulse control, reward, and addiction, potentially explaining their efficacy in curbing appetite and addiction disorders.

Furthermore, individuals using these drugs were less prone to cognitive disorders like Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, likely due to reduced brain inflammation. They also exhibited lower risks of seizures, bacterial infections, and pneumonia.

Although these medications do not serve as cures (the researchers noted a 10-20% risk reduction for these conditions), the benefits, especially for conditions like dementia with limited treatment options, remain significant.

The Hidden Risks of Weight Loss Drugs

Despite the numerous potential benefits of GLP-1RA drugs, there are also associated risks. Users showed increased susceptibility to gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, low blood pressure, and arthritis. Surprisingly, researchers identified a heightened risk of rare but severe pancreatic and kidney diseases.

“GLP-1RA drugs offer a wide array of health benefits,” Al Ali stated. “However, they are not without risks. Our findings underscore the importance of monitoring these drugs closely due to their broad usage and potential risks.” He emphasized the need for caution.

While the results could guide clinical care, some researchers raised concerns about the study’s design not considering other potential effects. They cautioned that interpretation should proceed with care, as the differences between individuals using GLP-1RAs like Ozempic and those who do not may stem from factors beyond the drug itself.

“Studies like this should be approached with caution, as individuals were not randomly assigned to GLP-1RA treatment,” explained Professor Stephen O’Rahilly, Director of the Wellcome MRC Metabolism Laboratory at the Metabolism Research Institute in Cambridge. He further stated that while the study provides reassurance on the drugs’ safety, caution remains necessary.

The researchers from the University of Washington recognized that their findings only observed associations and did not prove causation for the benefits or risks of GLP-1RAs. Additionally, the study participants primarily comprised older white men, indicating a need for future research to encompass a more diverse population.

Despite this limitation, the findings anticipate future research targeting a broader demographic. O’Rahilly suggested that the results offer reassurance regarding the risk/benefit balance of long-term GLP-1RA use in diabetic patients, creating anticipation for forthcoming investigations.

Comprehensive List of GLP-1RA Effects

Positive Effects

The study revealed that drugs like Ozempic could significantly reduce the risk of 42 health conditions, including:

  • shock
  • aspiration pneumonia
  • liver failure
  • respiratory failure
  • cardiac arrest
  • Bulimia
  • schizophrenia
  • pulmonary hypertension
  • Postoperative respiratory complications
  • liver cancer
  • sepsis
  • stimulant use disorder
  • pneumonia
  • Thromboembolic disorders
  • pleural effusion
  • hemorrhagic stroke
  • chronic phlebitis
  • opioid use disorder
  • inflammatory bowel disease
  • cannabis use disorder
  • bacterial infection
  • acute pulmonary embolism
  • acute kidney injury
  • Aftereffects after thrombosis
  • pneumonia
  • heart failure
  • gangrene
  • alcohol use disorder
  • suicidal thoughts
  • seizure
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
  • osteomyelitis
  • myocardial infarction
  • muscle pain
  • heat
  • deep vein thrombosis
  • Coagulopathy and clotting disorders
  • ischemic stroke
  • Neurocognitive disorders
  • urinary tract infection
  • chronic kidney disease
  • anemia

Negative Effects

The study also indicated a heightened risk of 19 health conditions associated with drugs like Ozempic, including:

  • nausea and vomiting
  • Non-infectious gastroenteritis
  • sleep disorders
  • abdominal pain
  • Reflux esophagitis
  • nephrolithiasis
  • headache
  • Tendonitis and synovitis
  • joint pain
  • arthritis
  • gastritis
  • hemorrhoids
  • Diverticulosis and diverticulitis
  • bone pain
  • gastroparesis
  • syncope
  • interstitial nephritis
  • low blood pressure
  • osteoarthritis

Read more:

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Tesla Gigafactory near Berlin to undergo deforestation of 500,000 trees

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Based on satellite analysis, it has been found that the construction of Tesla’s megafactory near Berlin resulted in the cutting down of approximately 500,000 trees.

The establishment of the German plant has sparked significant controversy, leading to widespread protests and discussions regarding the trade-offs associated with developing a green economy.

Elon Musk, the owner of Tesla, criticized local police for allowing “left-wing protesters” to escape.

Satellite imagery reveals that 329 hectares (813 acres) of forest were cleared at the site between March 2020 and May 2023, as reported by environmental information company Queiroz. This amounts to around 500,000 trees.

Since May, environmental activists have been protesting the expansion plans of the Gigafactory, occupying treehouses at a nearby campsite and attempting to storm the plant. In March, one group set fire to a utility pole, resulting in the halting of production at the plant for several days.


Germany: Police clash with hundreds of climate protesters trying to storm Tesla factory – VIDEO


Karolina Dujewo from the campaign alliance “Turn off the tap at Tesla” emphasized that the analysis points to the detrimental impact of the company’s electric car production on the local and global environment. She stressed the urgency to prevent increased deforestation and further environmental destruction in one of the driest regions in Germany, which also puts protected drinking water areas at risk.

Tesla did not provide a response to the request for comment.

Antoine Haruf, chief analyst at Queiroz, stated, “The Tesla factory in Germany has resulted in the loss of a substantial number of trees, which must be balanced against the advantages of transitioning from internal combustion vehicles to electric vehicles.” He highlighted that the felled trees equate to about 13,000 tonnes of CO2, equivalent to annual emissions from 2,800 people driving average internal combustion engine vehicles. Haruf emphasized the importance of acknowledging and mitigating these trade-offs.

In July, Tesla announced plans to double annual production to 1 million units at the Gigafactory in Germany, following approval from the Brandenburg Ministry of the Environment.

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Numerous environmental accidents have occurred at the facility, which also manufactures millions of battery cells and has experienced incidents like leaks and spills of diesel fuel, paint, and aluminum.

While Tesla initially did not respond, they later stated that several accidents occurred on the factory premises during construction and operation, but no environmental harm was caused, and corrective measures were swiftly implemented when necessary.

Deforestation monitoring is conducted by Kayrros using publicly available optical imagery from the Sentinel-2 satellite with a resolution of 10 meters. This data is automatically processed and reviewed by remote sensing experts to ensure quality.

Queiroz mentioned the development of deforestation detection tools to assist companies in compliance with the upcoming EU Deforestation Regulation, which aims to prohibit the import of deforestation-linked goods by early 2025. The tool can also be utilized to independently oversee forests utilized as carbon offsets in voluntary carbon markets.

Source: www.theguardian.com