In the spotlight
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates: ChatGPT ‘will change our world’
reuters, 10.02.2023
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates believes ChatGPT, a chatbot that gives strikingly human-like responses to user queries, is as significant as the invention of the internet, he told German business daily Handelsblatt in an interview published on Friday.
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AI blunders like Google chatbot’s will cause trouble for more firms, say experts
guardian, 09.02.2023
The type of factual error that blighted the launch of Google’s artificial intelligence-powered chatbot will continue to trouble companies using the technology, experts say, as the market value of its parent company continues to plunge.
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The chatbot search wars have begun
wired, 09.02.2023
Microsoft, Google, and China’s Baidu all showed off ChatGPT-inspired technology to reinvent web search this week.
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ChatGPT is an existential crisis for Microsoft and Google, but not in the way they think
techradar, 09.02.2023
When platforms become publishers, all bets are legally off.
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Google revolutionised the business of search. Unlike Apple and Microsoft, its bigger middle-aged tech rivals, it has not felt the need to reinvent itself. Until now https://t.co/IFYLFCEl9t
— The Economist (@TheEconomist) February 10, 2023
🤖As the uses of ChatGPT seem to be ever-reaching, The Fix gives a guide on how journalists can best use the tool.https://t.co/MdwzU4uFms
— Reuters Institute (@risj_oxford) February 8, 2023
Number of news retrieved by the system in the last month
Digital transition
Should computers be in charge?
sciencebusiness, 05.01.2023
Some experts are sceptical about the application of AI to employment practices.
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A team of researchers from @meverteam and @dw_innovation are working on using #ArtificialIntelligence to detect gruesome imagery and use it to reduce negative impact on investigators.
You can participate by filling out a survey.#mentalhealth #trauma https://t.co/9YzgdZnecv pic.twitter.com/YNVSR05O8t— vera.ai (@veraai_eu) February 9, 2023
Quantum processors still struggle to simulate complex molecules#sciencehttps://t.co/C4qMyaloao
— Pure Science 🔭🔬🧪🚀🧬🦖 (@Pur3Science) February 10, 2023
🧑💻Deep-fake technology is now being used to spread misinformation with AI softwares having the ability to create fake news anchors to legitimise disinformation campaigns. https://t.co/5H78rcHWk6?
— Reuters Institute (@risj_oxford) February 9, 2023
🤳“The reason why TikTok videos are so easily believed is not solely a result of the platform itself, but is also connected to the evolution of our attention economy," – a look at misinformation on TikTok. https://t.co/mu8e23Dv1b
— Reuters Institute (@risj_oxford) February 7, 2023
Environmental sustainability
West Estonian islands a model for UNESCO in sustainable nature use
bns-en, 10.02.2023
The Estonian islands of Hiiumaa, Muhu, Ruhnu, Saaremaa and Vormsi are joining forces as parts of the UNESCO-listed West Estonian Archipelago Biosphere Reserve to continue to preserve their natural diversity and introduce a green way of thinking in every area of life.
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#FridayFacts #Greenhouse gas emissions from producing #electricity in the EU declined dramatically since 1990 to 2021. But, by what percentage?
— EU EnvironmentAgency (@EUEnvironment) February 10, 2023
Fertilisers produce more carbon emissions than global aviation and shipping combined.
But researchers from @Cambridge_Eng have calculated that these emissions could be reduced by as much as 80% by 2050, without any loss of crop productivity 👇https://t.co/N83IIV5FH8
— Cambridge University (@Cambridge_Uni) February 10, 2023
Microalgae can purify local #wastewater while producing natural fertilisers
🇪🇺@sabana_eu project has developed farming products made from microalgae contributing to end the use of pesticides by 2030 for #sustainable & #HealthyFood
📺https://t.co/thN0HcPlt9#EUFarm2Fork #organic pic.twitter.com/Cygh2ELLjb
— EU green research (@EUgreenresearch) February 10, 2023
"Arctic research looking at the earth system, how the poles are influencing the weather & other changes."
"If the Greenlandic ice sheet melts, it won’t just lead sea rise, but a big input of fresh in salted water, changing the climate in all the northern hemisphere." pic.twitter.com/yvVfOfapR4
— EU Maritime & Fish (@EU_MARE) February 9, 2023
Mobility & Energy
Analysis: Shock of war hits a world economy at the crossroads
reuters, 10.02.2023
A year of war in Ukraine has already made a dent in world prosperity. But its deeper impact will be felt in how the conflict plays into shifts that were already reshaping the global economy before Russia’s tanks rolled in.
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Learning from the Sun to decarbonise Europe’s power with fusion energy
euractiv-en, 09.02.2023
Deemed as the “holy grail” of energy production, fusion is the process that powers the Sun and other stars and can be a game-changer for the future of zero carbon energy as it does not emit greenhouse gases, is virtually inexhaustible and safe. Fusion science and technology have a long history in Europe.
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Hydrogen is expected to play a key role in the decarbonisation of industry and transport.
We've proposed clear rules to define what constitutes renewable hydrogen, to ensure that all renewable fuels of non-biological origin are produced from renewable electricity.#REPowerEU
— European Commission (@EU_Commission) February 13, 2023
Science policy & Communication
Swedish presidency to home in on research infrastructures and open science policy
sciencebusiness, 09.02.2023
EU ministers talk about cooperation on data sharing and open science publishing at the kick off meeting for research and innovation policy under Sweden’s six-month EU presidency. Here’s what to expect in the coming months.
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1/6 In the wake of recent #TwitterFail on its #EUDisinformationTest, it's important to remember the dangers of spreading false narratives on social media. Our analysis shows how #RussianNarratives get pushed whenever "nazis" trend on the platform.https://t.co/EM7CpQKFlx
— CrossOver (@EUCrossOver) February 9, 2023
📣Special edition of #EDMOeu brief – One year and a half of countering #disinformation is out and available in 24 🇪🇺 languages
🔎EDMO #FactChecking network analysed main disinfo trends & narratives circulating in the EU between June 2021 & Nov 2022
— European Digital Media Observatory (@EDMO_EUI) February 13, 2023
The 1st ever EEAS report on Foreign Information Manipulation & Interference (FIMI) is out! The report outlines how building synergies & standards can fuel our collective understanding of the threat and help with appropriate responses. #DontBeDeceived @EUvsDisinfo
— European External Action Service – EEAS 🇪🇺 (@eu_eeas) February 13, 2023
Agriculture & Food
Trade partners see red over Europe’s green agenda
politico-eu, 09.02.2023
The EU’s green ambitions are, for its trading partners, turning into a case of the road to hell being paved with good intentions. Developing nations, especially, worry that Brussels is throwing up trade barriers in its pursuit of climate neutrality and sustainable food production.
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Are coffee pods really eco-friendly? The truth behind the surprising findings
guardian, 10.02.2023
Coffee capsules notoriously produce waste – but some experts maintain that reducing how much coffee you use, even with a pod, can decrease emissions.
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All studies point to the fact that we have lost 70%-80% of insects in Europe.
The New Deal for #EUPollinators offers tangible solutions such as “Buzz lines” where they could move across Europe to find food & shelter.
If they thrive we can thrive too!https://t.co/MRqDusV4xJ
— Virginijus Sinkevičius (@VSinkevicius) February 10, 2023
Supporting ocean education will help us
❄️ tackle #ClimateCrisis
🌊 fight marine pollution
🌿 ensure food security#EU4Ocean is the 🇪🇺 initiative making waves through #oceanliteracy.Stay tuned! Exciting news is coming soon 👉 https://t.co/mFGU69tWFq#Youth4Ocean #EUBlueSchools pic.twitter.com/vB056GfILU
— EU Maritime & Fish (@EU_MARE) February 10, 2023
Health
Why Europe’s drug shortages may get worse
reuters, 08.02.2023
Most European countries reporting shortages of antibiotics; Low generic drug prices mean razor-thin margins for firms; Companies say they cannot boost output enough due to costs; Some say making generics in Europe is becoming unsustainable.
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Europe is running out of medicines
politico-eu, 09.02.2023
When you’re feeling under the weather, the last thing you want to do is trek from pharmacy to pharmacy searching for basic medicines like cough syrup and antibiotics. Yet many people across Europe — faced with a particularly harsh winter bug season — are having to do just that.
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People are living longer, with more long-term physical and #MentalHealth conditions. 🧠
Researchers from Oxford are using data and public health records to build digital dashboards, and better inform patient treatments.#OxfordBrain
— University of Oxford (@UniofOxford) February 10, 2023
A well-supported health workforce can efficiently respond to public health emergencies, such as pandemics, natural disasters, and humanitarian crises. #HRHLCourse is helping leaders manage & support their workforce.
More 👉 https://t.co/oespI0KTOD pic.twitter.com/utoeFDZJ5T
— WHO/Europe (@WHO_Europe) February 10, 2023
Monitoring the implementation of #digitalhealth is key to learning from initiatives and providing evidence decision-makers can use to create digital health policies and allocate the needed resources.
Learn how from the Latin American and Nordic experiences on 16 February 👇 pic.twitter.com/MBhCDbbpBo
— WHO/Europe (@WHO_Europe) February 9, 2023
EU initiatives
Data Act: Parliament's industry, research and energy committee, backs new rules for fair access and use of industrial data ↓
— European Parliament (@Europarl_EN) February 10, 2023
Study – Parliamentary oversight of governments’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic: Literature review – PE 740.217 – Special Committee on the COVID-19 pandemic: lessons learned and recommendations for the future
europarl, 25.01.2023
STUDY EPRS | European Parliamentary Research Service Ex-Post Evaluation Unit PE 740.217 – January 2023 EN Parliamentary oversight of governments’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic: Literature review EPRS | European Parliamentary Research Service Parliamentary oversight of governments’ response to….
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In the latest Commission's Communication on EU disaster relience goals it's stated that ERCC will further strengthen its role as a central hub linking all #crisismanagement actors.💡
That is line with our latest scientific opinion on crisis management! 👉https://t.co/CAxQj4Wf11 pic.twitter.com/HRQdBDVS1C— Science Advice for Policy by European Academies (@SAPEAnews) February 10, 2023
The EU #BlueEconomy Observatory unveils a brand 🆕 dashboard for an in-depth analysis of the 🇪🇺 ocean economy!
The dashboard offers easy access to the most recent research in ocean-related activities & latest data on the blue economy.
👉 https://t.co/HQOWNRpVB5 @EU_ScienceHub pic.twitter.com/ITbpg2wStz
— EU Maritime & Fish (@EU_MARE) February 9, 2023
“The EU is putting forward the Critical Raw Materials Act. The world that we see today is one where we have a global race to get the materials, we need to go green and clean. And we have a plan to do this. And we must go fast.” pic.twitter.com/qEou9Fp6X1
— EU Maritime & Fish (@EU_MARE) February 8, 2023
Curious news
The air around you affects how you play chess, scientists find
sciencealert, 10.02.2023
Air pollution can throw off your chess game, a new study finds. That’s bad news, especially if you already struggle with chess, but it’s also even worse than it sounds.
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European astronauts could walk on the Moon for the first time in the coming years, in exchange for the continent taking on a key role in an ambitious NASA space programme.https://t.co/Vs1bZMHe50
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) February 10, 2023
Scientists do better science when given plenty of chocolate 🍫#chocolate #cookies #science pic.twitter.com/z0Pzmed3K0
— ErrantScience (@ErrantScience) February 10, 2023
The ingredients that made ancient Egyptian mummies eternal have been revealed ✨, thanks to research supported by ERC grantee Philipp Stockhammer.
To know more 👉 https://t.co/4fWNJe7dXU#archeology #mummies #AncientEgypt @StockhammerPh @LMU_Muenchen pic.twitter.com/mnk8Kslu6T
— European Research Council (ERC) (@ERC_Research) February 5, 2023
