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AI: Aid to the Mind, Not a Substitute for the Mind

The frightening possibility is not that AI becomes more capable than humans. It is that humans stop exercising capabilities they already possess, or have not yet developed, because AI can perform those functions for them.

Months Ahead of the Monsoon: Can AI Give Us an Earlier Warning About El Niño?

AI may genuinely extend the horizon over which seasonal climate risk can be estimated.  For communities across South Asia living under the influence of the monsoon, a longer view could mean the difference between a farmer adjusting her planting in time and a family receiving a flood warning too late to act.

AI at the Crossroads: Who Is Driving Humanity?

The central danger is, therefore, not simply that AI will be monstrous if the accelerator is pressed hard on the speed of technology. It is that the accelerator on human institutions also needs to be pressed harder to govern increasingly powerful technology.

America Has the Brain, China Has the Body: The Next US–China Tech War Will Determine Who Wins the Race for Global Dominance

The fear of Chinese robots being the Trojan horse that can affect American and Western tech dominance and undermine cyber and military advantage will always be a strategic concern, despite attempts to view these fears as overblown.

More on AI, Tech and Innovation

Maldives’ President Solih says re-prioritizing development projects mitigate the impact of Ukraine war

Prior to the war, Russia was the top source market for its tourism. But the number of tourists has been declining as the war progressed, Solih said. The government’s expenditure, subsidies, and import bills are also rising.

Amid rising fiscal pressure and revenue losses, Maldives drops plan to reduce land lease rent for resorts

Tourism accounts for 70 percent of the government’s total revenue. The government’s spending target on subsidies has already crossed the limit set by the budget 2022, making it extremely hard to reduce any taxes, which could result in potential revenue loss.

IMF chief 'begs' India to reconsider wheat export ban, even as India assures that wheat will be sent those 'most in need'

Indian authorities have explained that the wheat export ban has been undertaken to ensure domestic food availability and minimize food price-related inflation while supporting the legitimate requirements of India's neighbours and other nations in need.

Modi meets top Japanese biz leaders, gets affirmations of support for India's self-reliance policy

Modi also invited Uniqlo's enhanced participation in India's journey to becoming a manufacturing hub for textiles, particularly through the use of technologies in textile manufacturing. Yanai said Uniqlo is exploring investments in the production and retail industry in India. 

India faces no energy shortage, thanks to strong leadership and farsighted thinking, says Petroleum Minister Puri

“Post pandemic, India has emerged much stronger in international trade and international exchanges. I believe that the target of a $5 trillion economy by 2030 is not only achievable but we can get there before that,” Puri said.

Pakistan bans import of non-essential and luxury items; trade deficit breaches $40 billion mark for first time

The import ban, though a necessary measure, will also impact the government’s revenue as luxury items are usually taxed heavily. The move was expected, especially when the government has failed to raise funds for its foreign exchange reserves. The talks with the IMF and other bilateral lenders in Gulf have yet to produce results.

India targeting rollout of 6G network by end of decade to boost economy, create jobs, says Modi

Teledensity and internet users are fast expanding, Modi said, adding that mobile manufacturing units in India have expanded from just 2 to over 200 and the country is now the world's biggest mobile manufacturing hub.

Sri Lankan PM lays bare ‘terrifying’ facts of economy: petrol stocks for a day, powercuts to last 15 hours; says will not hide truth

“Although these facts are unpleasant and terrifying, this is the true situation,” he said, mincing no words while describing the state of the economy, which has all but collapsed

Pakistan Stock Exchange plunges by 1000 points; rupee touches all-time low against US dollar

For months, the government has been in talks with the IMF not only for the revival of the $6 billion bailout package but also for extending the program's scope to $8 billion and period. After coming to power in April and promising to prioritize the economy, the new government led by Shehbaz Sharif now appears reluctant on tough measures, possibly due to the prevailing uncertain political environment

India halts wheat exports; could disrupt UN plans to source wheat from India for vulnerable countries

Last month, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said India hopes to become a permanent exporter of wheat, shipping as much as 15 million tons this year, compared with about 7.2 million in 2021-22. Officials are pushing the World Trade Organization to relax rules so that India can export from state reserves, Goyal said

India to supply 65,000 MT of fertilizer to crisis-hit Sri Lanka to boost agriculture production

The Indian government has decided to supply this quantity of urea immediately to Sri Lanka at the request of the Colombo despite a ban on the export of urea from India. Sri Lanka is the only country after Nepal to receive such assurance

India extends special exemption for Afghan agricultural exports; traders happy

The extension of exemption will help Afghan traders. Earlier, New Delhi also provided 50,000 metric tonnes of wheat to the country in the grip of a humanitarian crisis

Bangladesh lays the red carpet for US investment, as Dhaka's importance in South Asia grows

Overall, the ties between the two countries are growing in all important domains, including security cooperation, climate change, food security, and energy sectors. In September 2021, two countries launched the US-Bangladesh Energy Taskforce, an initiative to help advance energy cooperation among the stakeholders of both countries

No foreign tours, ban on luxury items: Bangladesh takes measures to save forex

The government on Thursday announced a temporary ban on foreign tours of its employees and deferred the implementations of large projects relying on heavy imports as part of measures to save dollars, reported The Daily Star

Pakistan says no change in its trade policy with India, despite appointment of trade officer for New Delhi

In recent months, several prominent people in Pakistan, including officials and businessmen, have been advocating the resumption of trade ties with India which, they said, could greatly help the country’s ailing economy