Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) Summit.
Context:
The commencement of the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) Summit in New Delhi on December 12, inaugurated by the Prime Minister, marks a collaborative effort among 28 member countries, including India.
The primary focus is to reach a consensus on a declaration document that addresses the responsible use of AI, establishes guidelines for the technology, and promotes its democratization.
GPAI and India
- As a founding member since June 2020, India aims to bridge the gap between AI theory and practice through its participation in GPAI.
- The initiative encourages collaboration among scientists, industry professionals, civil society, governments, international organizations, and academia. Previous summits were held in Montreal, Paris, and Tokyo.
- India’s Stance: The IT Minister emphasized India’s commitment to sustainable agriculture and collaborative AI, building on the Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) approach employed in systems such as Aadhaar and UPI.
Content of the Proposed Declaration
- The declaration is anticipated to encompass themes related to AI’s application in sustainable agriculture, healthcare, climate action, and the establishment of resilient societies.
- It will align with previous agreements and global principles on AI regulation, with India contributing by evaluating AI in sustainable agriculture and promoting collaborative AI efforts.
Global Conversation on AI Regulation
- EU’s AI Act: The European Union enacted the AI Act, introducing safeguards and guidelines for AI use, particularly in law enforcement, and establishing mechanisms for addressing violations. Notably, it imposes stringent restrictions on facial recognition and the potential manipulation of human behavior by AI.
- AI Safety Summit in the UK: Major countries reached a consensus on a declaration for global action to mitigate AI risks, acknowledging concerns related to misuse, cybersecurity threats, biotechnology, and disinformation risks.
US Executive Order: The Biden Administration issued an executive order aimed at safeguarding against AI threats and overseeing safety benchmarks for generative AI bots such as ChatGPT and Google Bard.
Appointment of Chief Minister
Context:
Following recent elections in five states, the ongoing process involves the selection of Chief Ministers and the expansion of Councils of Ministers.
- The role of the Chief Minister is akin to that of the Prime Minister at the national level.
- The Governor, in accordance with Article 164 of the Constitution, appoints the Chief Minister.
- The Chief Minister selection process involves leaders from parties that secured the highest votes in assembly elections.
- While the Governor holds formal executive authority in the state, the Chief Minister exercises real executive authority, assuming the practical leadership role.
- The democratic appointment process aligns with the party or coalition with the majority in assembly elections.
Appointment Process:
- The Governor appoints the leader of the largest party in the house or the leader chosen by the largest coalition as the Chief Minister.
- In the absence of a clear majority, the Governor may exercise situational discretion to appoint a leader, who must then prove a majority on the parliament floor.
- If the Chief Minister passes away without a successor, the Governor may use discretion to choose one; however, if the ruling party nominates someone, the Governor is obligated to appoint that person.
- Failure of the Chief Minister to become a member of either house within six months results in losing the position. However, the Governor appoints the Chief Minister and cannot dismiss them until they have a majority in the house.
- After a general election for the State Legislative Assembly, the party or coalition securing a majority elects its leader, named Chief Minister by the Governor. The appointed Chief Minister then forms a Council of Ministers.
- In cases where the State Legislative Assembly lacks a clear majority, the Governor often approaches the leader of the single largest party to form a government.
Functions:
- Ministers proposed by the Chief Minister are appointed by the Governor.
- The Governor has the authority to reassign and reshuffle ministerial portfolios.
- The Chief Minister, as the head of the council of ministers, can dissolve the council by resigning.
- Article 167 of the Constitution designates the Chief Minister as the liaison between the Governor and the state council of ministers.
- The Chief Minister advises the Governor on significant appointments, including the advocate general, State Public Service Commission officials, and State Election Commission members.
- The Chief Minister recommends the dissolution of the legislative assembly to the Governor.
Other Functions:
- Serves as the chairman of the State Planning Board.
- Rotates as the vice-chairman of the relevant zonal council, holding office for one year at a time.
- Member of the Prime Minister’s Inter-State Council and the NITI Aayog Governing Council.
- Acts as the state government’s chief spokesperson.
- Functions as the chief crisis manager at the political level during times of crisis.
- Interacts with diverse groups, receiving memoranda on various issues.
- Serves as the political leader of the state’s services.
- Announces all policies on the floor of the house.
Term:
- The Chief Minister serves at the pleasure of the governor, and their term is not fixed.
- Dismissal by the governor is contingent on the Chief Minister losing support from the majority in the legislature.
Removal from office is also possible if the State Legislative Assembly passes a vote of no confidence against the Chief Minister.
Red Sprites: Atmospheric Wonders above Thunderstorms
Context: ESA astronauts captured footage of a red sprite above a thundercloud during the Thor-Davis experiment conducted at the Danish Technical University.
Red sprites, also known as “red fairies”, are large-scale electrical discharges that occur in the mesosphere, high above thunderstorm clouds. They are a type of transient luminous event (TLE).
Red sprites are:
- Large: They can be tens of miles high and stretch from the top of a thunderstorm to upwards of 60 miles above the Earth’s surface
- Brief: They last only a few tens of milliseconds
- Faint: They appear as red flashes of light
- Column-like: They have a lot of fine structure
ABOUT:
- Red sprites are part of a larger family of upper-atmospheric phenomena linked to thunderstorm activity, alongside blue jets and elves. They are cold plasma discharges occurring above terrestrial lightning strikes.
- You can see red sprites with the naked eye but you must be somewhere dark, with little or no light pollution, and a clear view of a storm.
The phenomenon was first documented on video tape recorded the night of July 6, 1989. Dr. John Winckler and associates at the University of Minnesota were conducting a cross calibration experiment of various optical sensors intended for a sounding rocket flight
An anti-terror law and its interference with liberty
Context:
- The judgment delivered by the Jammu and Kashmir High Court on November 17, 2023, in the case involving journalist Fahad Shah raises concerns about the expansive interpretation of terrorism under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
- The court, while granting bail to Shah and partially setting aside charges under UAPA and the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), underscores the importance of judicial scrutiny in safeguarding personal liberty.
- It challenges the application of Section 43-D(5) and advocates for legal reforms and increased accountability, urging a just and cautious approach.
Key Points:
- Court’s Intervention: The Jammu and Kashmir High Court, in its November 17, 2023, judgment, intervened in journalist Fahad Shah’s case, releasing him on bail and partially dismissing charges under UAPA and FCRA.
- Call for Caution: The court emphasizes the need for caution in implementing anti-terrorism laws, especially considering their potential impact on personal freedom.
- Defamation vs. Terrorism: Contrary to the government’s stance, the court rejects the idea that publishing content detrimental to India’s reputation qualifies as an act of terrorism.
Key Challenges:
- Ambiguous Terrorism Offenses: The vague language of terrorism offenses in the UAPA enables arrests in situations unrelated to actual violent incidents, leading to potential misuse.
- Section 43-D(5) Concerns: The provision that denies bail if accusations are deemed ‘prima facie true’ raises concerns about procedural fairness and its implications for personal liberty.
Key Terms and Phrases:
- UAPA: Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the primary anti-terrorism statute in India.
- FCRA: Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, governing foreign funding.
- Section 43-D(5): UAPA provision restricting bail based on the ‘prima facie true’ criterion.
Clear and Present Danger: Legal test invoked to limit arrests based on an immediate perceived threat.
Key Quotes:
- “To categorize allegations of defaming the country as terrorism appears to be an unwarranted stretch.”
- “Provisions like Section 43-D(5) were intended to prevent the easy release of individuals resembling a fictional bomber.”
- “Both law enforcement agencies and the court must exercise diligence to ensure that individuals are taken into custody only when a ‘clear and present danger’ is evident.”
Key Statements:
- Judicial Emphasis: The judgment underscores the necessity for careful consideration in enforcing anti-terrorism laws, particularly concerning personal liberty.
- Defamation Clarification: Defaming the country is not considered punishable under UAPA, challenging the expansive interpretation of terrorism.
Critical Analysis:
- Judicial Accountability: While not groundbreaking, the decision emphasizes the significance of accountability in state actions, especially in the context of oppressive laws.
- Compensation Consideration: The legal framework should address compensation for wrongful arrest and detention, ensuring accountability and justice.
Way Forward:
Legal Reforms: The legal system should contemplate reforms addressing compensation for wrongful arrests and enhancing state accountability.
Upholding Constitutional Principles: Courts must persist in upholding constitutional principles, ensuring a commitment to accountability in state actions.
State of Finance for Nature Report
The “State of Finance for Nature” report recently issued by the United Nations reveals that countries contribute nearly $7 trillion annually in subsidies and private investments, directly impacting the environment.
The breakdown of these finance flows is as follows:
- Global Private Finance Flows Impacting Nature:
- Estimated at $5 trillion annually, constituting about 5% of the global GDP.
- Private nature-negative finance surpasses tracked private investments in Nature-based Solutions (NbS) by 140 times.
- Five key industries—construction, electric utilities, real estate, oil and gas, and food and tobacco—jointly account for 43% of nature-negative flows.
- Tracked Nature-Negative Public Finance Flows:
- Estimated at nearly $1.7 trillion in 2022, over 10 times more than public finance flows to NbS ($165 billion).
- Approximately 90% of tracked negative public flows are directed towards fossil fuels (69%) and agriculture (20%).
- Fossil fuel subsidies to consumers have doubled from $563 billion in 2021 to $1,163 billion in 2022.
- Nature-based Solutions (NbS) Finance:
- Total annual finance flows to NbS in 2022 were around $200 billion, constituting one-third of the required amount by 2030.
- Governments lead with 82% ($165 billion) of total NbS finance flows.
- Finance flows to NbS need to nearly triple to reach $542 billion per year by 2030 and quadruple to $737 billion by 2050.
- Additional Finance Needs for NbS:
- Additional annual finance needs to achieve Rio Convention targets are $542 billion by 2030 and $737 billion by 2050.
- Annual investment opportunities in sustainable land management (SLM) are expected to rise from $63 billion in 2025 to $241 billion by 2050.
- Public and Private Finance Flows to NbS:
- Both public and private finance flows to NbS must significantly increase to bridge the finance gap.
- The private finance share has the potential to increase from 18% to 33% by 2050, with total annual private NbS finance surpassing $100 billion by 2030.
- Current NbS finance represents less than 3% of nature-negative finance flows, and the annual NbS investment needs in 2030 are three times the current NbS finance, constituting less than 10% of nature-negative finance flows.
- Recommendations for Action:
- Advocate for greening finance by reducing nature-negative finance flows.
- Promote financing green initiatives by scaling up public funding and private investment in NbS.
Establish green and inclusive financial systems to facilitate a just transition, particularly for vulnerable groups, women, and Indigenous Peoples.
Goldfish
Context:
In recent times, the goldfish has been identified as a significant threat upon introduction into natural aquatic environments.
Goldfish Overview:
- The goldfish (Carassius auratus) is a freshwater fish commonly housed as a pet in aquariums.
- Initially utilized for consumption during the Tang Dynasty in China, it belongs to the Cyprinidae family, alongside minnows, bitterlings, barbs, and carps.
- Possessing keen senses of smell and hearing, it is an omnivorous species, consuming both plants and animals.
Capable of reaching lengths exceeding one foot, the goldfish boasts a potential lifespan of up to 15 years.
