UK proposal to ban smartphones for kids, and other technology stories you need to know

UK Considers Ban on Smartphone Sales to Under-16s

The UK is contemplating a ban on the sale of smartphones to individuals under the age of 16.

A government proposal to prohibit children from purchasing smartphones has garnered significant public support. According to a recent survey by Parentkind, approximately 58% of parents endorse such a measure, as reported by The Guardian. Furthermore, more than four out of five parents perceive smartphones as detrimental to young individuals, the national charity revealed.

If enacted, this regulation would establish two distinct categories of smartphones: “children’s phones,” devoid of social media applications for those under 16, and “adult phones,” offering full functionality.

While an official spokesperson declined to comment on the proposal, they affirmed the government’s unwavering dedication to making the UK the safest online environment for children, as demonstrated by the landmark Online Safety Act.

Cloud Computing Growth Resurges

An analysis by Reuters suggests that artificial intelligence (AI) is driving renewed interest in cloud computing among some of the world’s largest technology companies.

Amazon Web Services saw a 17% growth from January to March, while Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud experienced growth rates of 31% and 28% respectively, surpassing growth expectations.

Cloud computing witnessed rapid growth rates of up to 60% during the pandemic as more businesses transitioned to online and remote working models. However, growth had decelerated due to increasingly challenging business environments.

Executives indicate that significant customers have resumed spending on cloud computing following pauses last year, with AI investment fostering optimism and heightened interest.

Brief News: Digital Technology Stories Worldwide

According to tests conducted by a US tech professional, large language models (LLMs) like GPT-4 may exhibit variations in productivity during holiday months. Rob Lynch, Head of Product at UniCourt, confirmed on his X account that the LLM produced more code when prompted in May compared to December.

Microsoft announced the opening of a new AI research and development hub in London, intending to recruit top AI engineers and scientists in the upcoming weeks and months. Mustafa Suleyman, the company’s AI chief, cited the UK’s vast pool of AI talent and expertise as the driving force behind this long-term investment.

China utilizes AI to create digital avatars of deceased individuals for as little as 20 yuan ($2.76), reflecting the country’s burgeoning AI industry and market for “digital humans,” as reported by The Guardian.

OpenAI’s latest GPT-4 model demonstrates proficiency comparable to doctors in analyzing eye conditions, according to research published in PLOS Digital Health. During tests, AI either exceeded or achieved equivalent scores to medical professionals in diagnosing ocular issues and proposing treatments.

Meta has introduced what it dubs “the most intelligent AI assistant available for free,” integrated into its platforms and apps. It features image generation functionality, enabling users to produce images, artwork, animated custom GIFs, and more.

The Northamptonshire Police force in the UK utilized AI to identify 114 drivers using mobile phones and 180 without seatbelts during a one-week trial, highlighting the prevalence of violations of phone and seatbelt laws among drivers.

More Technology Insights on Agenda

Stanford University has released its seventh AI Index report, covering trends such as technical advancements in AI and public perceptions of the technology.

The global cybersecurity industry urgently requires four million professionals to address the talent gap, which could potentially reach 85 million workers by 2030. Strategies to tackle this issue are explored further.

Explore the World Economic Forum’s podcasts on AI, covering topics ranging from governance to creativity.

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