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Undersea Cable Wars: US-China Relations and the Battle for Control

The Battle for Subsea Cable Control: A New Front in US-China Relations

SofTouch Systems MSP since 1993

The construction of a subsea cable named SeaMeWe-6 by SubCom LLC, an American company, is causing tension in the ongoing “China vs USA Subsea War”. The cable, spanning over 12,000 miles of fiber on the seafloor, aims to transport data from Asia to Europe via Africa and the Middle East at a cost of $600 million. Three years ago, HMN Technologies Co Ltd, a Chinese-supported company, was on the verge of winning the contract at a much lower price of $500 million. However, the US government stepped in and awarded the contract to SubCom, citing concerns over Chinese espionage on critical communication cables. Over the past four years, at least six private undersea cable deals in the Asia-Pacific region have faced similar US government intervention, with HMN Tech often being denied the contract or rerouting or abandoning cables that link US and Chinese territories.

China vs USA New war zone is in a place the sun doesn’t shine

The US government’s efforts to remove a Chinese company from a Singapore-to-France cable project involved using both incentives and warnings to the project’s investors. So the US Trade and Development Agency offered training grants totaling $3.8 million to five telecom companies in countries along the cable’s route if they chose US company SubCom as the supplier. Then the State Department advocated for SubCom to win the contract and warned other countries about security risks posed by HMN Tech, including the possibility of remote surveillance equipment being inserted into the cable. American diplomats also cautioned foreign telecom carriers about the risks of working with HMN Tech, a Chinese company seeking to acquire American technology for military modernization. The US Commerce Department imposed sanctions on HMN Tech in December 2021.

In February 2022, SubCom won the contract to build the SeaMeWe-6 cable, and Chinese companies China Telecom and China Mobile were pulled out because the Chinese government would not approve their involvement with SubCom as the cable contractor. The US government claimed to have helped secure the award of the contract for SubCom. The deteriorating US-China relations have resulted in tensions over issues including Ukraine, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Chinese company Huawei Marine Networks, now known as HMN Tech, became the world’s fastest-growing manufacturer and layer of subsea cables, but its short history has been shaped by deteriorating U.S.-China relations.

The US government has disrupted the manufacturing and laying of several undersea cables as part of its wider effort to contain China’s rising power and dominance in advanced technologies. This has cost major US tech companies, including Google, Meta Platforms, and Amazon, millions of dollars in lost revenue and additional costs. The cutting of two communication cables connecting Taiwan with its Matsu islands in February has highlighted the potential for undersea cables to become a battleground between China and Taiwan. The US government has also prevented Google, Amazon, and Meta from landing their planned subsea cables in Hong Kong due to concerns that Chinese spy agencies could intercept data on the cables.

Team Telecom Saving US Information interests

Team Telecom, an interagency committee set up by an executive order signed by former President Trump in April 2020, safeguards US telecommunication networks from spies and cyberattacks. The team is headed by Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen and makes cable licensing recommendations to the FCC to prevent any cable from directly connecting US territory with mainland China or Hong Kong due to concerns about Chinese espionage. Since its inception, the team has been instrumental in the cancellation of four cables whose backers had wanted to link the United States with Hong Kong. The US campaign to prevent Chinese access to undersea cables has slowed down the Chinese subsea cable industry. China has delayed giving a license for the Southeast Asia-Japan 2 cable, which Meta is investing in, and China Telecom has been banned from operating in the US due to national security concerns. Team Telecom’s chief, DeBacker, said the risk of China intercepting undersea cables is real and has materialized in the past.

Maximize Your Learning Potential With AI and Duolingo

Duolingo Introduces AI-Enabled Subscription Plan

Duolingo, the popular language-learning app, has announced the launch of a new subscription plan. This new plan leverages the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to provide users with an enhanced learning experience. Dubbed, “Duolingo Max,” was unveiled on Tuesday and boasts two new features: Explain My Answer and Roleplay.

The language learning app Duolingo recently added two AI-Enabled features to their MAX subscription service.

Powered by OpenAI‘s latest GPT-4 technology, the Explain My Answer feature allows users to enter into a chat with Duo, the app’s mascot. In chat users receive detailed explanations on why their answers were right or wrong. Users can also request additional examples or further clarification to deepen their understanding of the material.

The Roleplay feature is an interactive conversation that enables learners to engage in guided scenarios with an AI character. According to Duolingo, each conversation is unique, and users receive feedback and advice on their responses.

Duolingo emphasizes that humans provide oversight on the answers generated in Roleplay and Explain My Answer, and that they write the hypothetical scenarios for Roleplay. Additionally, Duolingo encourages its users to report any bugs or mistakes they encounter while using the new features.

However, Duolingo is not the only language learning software taking advantage of AI technology. Other language app developers such as Babbel and Rosetta Stone are using AI to provide real-time feedback and create personalized learning paths for their users.

For example, one AI-powered language app analyzes a learner’s spoken language in real-time and provides personalized feedback on their pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary. The app can detect patterns in the learner’s speech and provide targeted exercises to help them improve specific areas.

AI Meets Language Learning: How Duolingo is Using AI

Additionally, the app is said to use data from previous lessons to create a customized learning path tailored to the learner’s strengths and weaknesses.

Developers are using AI to create immersive language environments in language learning by utilizing virtual reality. The app generates interactive scenarios through which learners immerse themselves in real-life situations, such as booking a hotel room or ordering food in a restaurant.

The AI can provide feedback on the learner’s responses and adjust the difficulty of the scenarios based on their progress. This approach allows learners to practice their language skills in a safe and controlled environment. It also provides a more engaging and memorable learning experience.

Duolingo has exclusively launched Duolingo Max for US English-speaking iOS learners. It grants access to Super Duolingo subscription features, plus Explain My Answer and Roleplay features. The subscription is $30 monthly or $168 annually, accessible via the app’s Shop tab.

Language-learning apps will keep exploring AI’s potential. They’ll leverage AI to improve learning experiences and equip learners with more tools to achieve language goals.

ChatGPT-4 Release: AI Innovation and the Effects on SMB’s

Early adapters leverage ChatGPT-4 bolster Efficiency 40%

On Tuesday, OpenAI announced the release of their latest language model, GPT-4. The new release, GPT-4 can generate longer strings of text, respond to images, and has been designed to avoid some of the AI pitfalls that were visible in earlier versions.

While this is exciting news, it’s important to note that the possible effects of AI extend beyond just GPT-4. As AI continues to evolve and improve, it has the potential to change technology and the world as we know it much faster than it did without AI.

This is because AI can rapidly process and analyze vast amounts of data. This speed enables it to spot patterns and make predictions that would take humans much longer to do. So ultimately, AI could lead to faster innovation and progress in fields such as healthcare, finance, and transportation.

Top 10 AI Effects on Technology

Increased automation of routine tasks: AI can automate many repetitive and time-consuming tasks, which can free up human workers to focus on more creative and high-level work.
Improved healthcare: AI can help doctors make more accurate diagnoses and suggest more effective treatments, leading to better health outcomes for patients.
Enhanced cybersecurity: AI can help detect and respond to security threats faster than humans can, helping to prevent cyber attacks.
More personalized customer experiences: AI can analyze vast amounts of data to offer personalized product recommendations, targeted marketing campaigns, and more.
Improved transportation: AI can help optimize transportation systems, such as reducing traffic congestion, improving public transit systems, and making autonomous vehicles safer.
Increased efficiency in manufacturing: AI can improve production line efficiency and quality control, reducing errors and costs.
Better financial decision-making: AI can help financial institutions make more informed investment decisions, reduce risk, and prevent fraud.
Increased accessibility: AI-powered devices and applications can improve accessibility for people with disabilities, such as using speech recognition for those with hearing impairments.
Advancements in scientific research: AI can help accelerate scientific research by analyzing large datasets and making predictions based on patterns.
Changes in the job market: AI may lead to changes in the types of jobs available, with some jobs being automated and new jobs being created in areas such as AI development and maintenance.

Microsoft and Google Push Tech

However, it’s important to approach the development and implementation of AI responsibly. We must take into account its potential risks and downsides. OpenAI and Microsoft continue to make advancements in AI technology.

Their giant steps pose a major threat to Google’s dominance in search. Google, however, also has its own large language model technology. They also have a chatbot called Bard, which is currently being beta tested.

The effects due to the use of AI on society are likely to be significant. They could lead to increased productivity and efficiency. As well as improved healthcare, transportation, and financial decision-making.

However, they could also result in job losses and changes to the job market. Additionally, there may be concerns about data privacy and security as AI becomes more widespread.

Overall, the impact of AI on society is complex and multifaceted, and will depend on how the technology is developed, implemented, and regulated.