EU agrees provisional deal on regulation of AI Proposals include safeguards on the use of AI within the EU and limitations on its adoption by law enforcement agencies. Consumers would have the right to launch complaints and fines could be imposed for violations. EU Commissioner Thierry Breton described the plans as “historic”, saying it […]
EU agrees provisional deal on regulation of AI
Proposals include safeguards on the use of AI within the EU and limitations on its adoption by law enforcement agencies. Consumers would have the right to launch complaints and fines could be imposed for violations.
EU Commissioner Thierry Breton described the plans as “historic”, saying it set “clear rules for the use of AI”. He added it was “much more than a rulebook — it’s a launch pad for EU start-ups and researchers to lead the global AI race”.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the AI Act would help the development of technology that does not threaten people’s safety and rights. In a social media post, she said it was a “unique legal framework for the development of AI you can trust”.
South Korea invests $29bn to support battery industry over five years
The South Korean government said the move comes as competition to secure battery supply chains heightens.
The country plans tax incentives and loan support for South Korean firms investing overseas to secure mining rights for minerals and other battery materials, and strengthen financial support for companies that refine and reuse minerals.
It also plans to increase financial support such as loans, guarantees and insurance from institutions like the Export-Import Bank of Korea to battery industry firms, including those investing in North America to meet the terms for tax allowances under of the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
Gogoro to make e-scooter bikes in India, rolls out battery swap network
Taiwan’s Gogoro plans to construct around 100 battery swap stations by mid-2024. It has also begun production of e-scooters which will first be sold to delivery fleet operators and bike taxis, with a variant for personal use to be launched next year. It will also export these vehicles from India.
Gogoro’s ‘swap’ model allows customers to replace the scooter’s discharged battery for a fully charged one, making it ideal for deliveries and taxis where riders need to refuel quickly to avoid losing business.
Ocado ramps up use of robotic arms for shopping
The online supermarket’s new company in Luton will double the number of robots with arms from 22 to 44, the Financial Times reported.
Ocado Retail chief executive Hannah Gibson said that around half of the range in Luton, where it has 50,000 products, will be handled by robotic arms “in the near term”, with a longer-term target of about 80%. It has more than 500 human packers at present. The warehouse was built to improve efficiency alongside existing workers, without putting jobs at risk.
“This technology enables us to have a bigger choice. . . lower substitutions, and the operating model is more efficient than a store-based model,” Gibson added.
