‘Clearly me’: AI Chinese drama accused of stealing faces

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AI’s ability to mimic real people has sparked global concern for actors’ jobs, and over such deepfakes being used for scams and propaganda.

upset by the “ugly” portrayal of his likeness as a “sleazy” antagonist in the show. “Will it have an impact on me, on my job, on my future work opportunities?

Using AI to slash costs may be tempting in the fast-growing, multibillion-dollar microdrama market. But featuring someone in a demeaning way without permission “may constitute an infringement of both portrait rights and reputation rights

For problems with AI....

One-person firms and ‘raising lobsters’: China hunts for new ways to create jobs in AI era

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One-person companies, or OPCs...refers to entire businesses run by single founders without any employees, who instead outsource tasks to AI agents that can work 24/7 and with little supervision.

A record 12.7 million graduates will join China’s workforce in 2026, adding pressure to an already difficult jobs market.

For issues on AI and tech....

The killer robots are coming. The battlefield will never look the same

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Ukraine is trying to turn more of the fighting over to unmanned systems as it struggles with troop shortages and seeks ways to defend itself without risking heavy losses of soldiers.

It is better to throw in metal than people

Human life is precious....and robots don’t bleed.

Qn: Examine the extent to which expenditure on arms and the armed forces is justified in the modern world. (Cam. 2014)

Reading in the age of AI: A life skill more crucial than ever before

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But our reading brain is like a muscle. We either use it, or lose it.
As Mark Twain is said to have observed: A person who will not read has no advantage over one who cannot.
reading is not just about acquiring information. It is about developing the capacity to think and form judgments.
Reading is how we turn information into knowledge, and understanding into judgment.

For issues on reading and books.....

Qn: 'Despite a wealth of information, we have not become wiser.' Discuss.

Do we really need a campaign to tell us how to behave on public transport?

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expectations of good behaviour are largely reinforced through social norms rather than constant public service announcements.

Qn: Are social norms still necessary today? 

Singapore has to act to regulate social media use for adolescents: Ong Ye Kung

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the aspects of social media that pose harm to adolescents are features such as algorithmic feeds, videos that play automatically, and direct messaging by adults to young users.

such feeds and video playback could encourage addictive behaviour and excessive screen time, while direct messaging potentially exposes adolescents to cyber-bullying, predators, or inappropriate content from strangers.

“Banning is a blunt tool. For adolescents, after all, they do use social media to maintain friendship, keep in touch with friends, and use it for education. So it’s not all bad, it is actually a lot of good

Qn: 'We should not be afraid of social media.’ Do you agree? (RI 2023 Yr5 CT)

Rule of law and norms needed for successful social governance: Ong Ye Kung at China forum

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An effective combination of the rule of law and social norms is needed for successful social governance...Singapore is merging the two approaches by updating its laws to account for new developments while actively cultivating shared values and norms within society as it evolves

It is “wishful thinking” to expect people to resolve disputes on their own through a strong sense of propriety, as unruly behaviour and misunderstandings will always exist. Conversely, if we over-rely on law and enforcement to resolve disputes, people would only behave when authorities are watching. There would be no kindness, care and warmth in society

the Chinese words “fa” and “li” – referring to the rule of law, and social norms or virtues respectively

Qn: Are social norms still necessary today?

Crime in the modern era: Evolving challenges to safety and security

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Developed nations around the world have observed a decrease in physical crime in recent years. But the criminals have not gone away; they have simply logged on.

For issues on tech's impact on crime and safety......

Is Pursuit of Jade’s Zhang Linghe too pretty? Here’s what Chinese authorities think

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The pretty general even caught the attention of regulators in China, who have called for the television industry to rectify “issues such as excessive make-up and filter effects”, among other problems, triggering a debate on the state’s role in defining gender norms.

state intervention in aesthetics in the entertainment industry, following a clampdown in 2021 on male beauty standards that targeted “niang pao” pop idols. The derogatory term is used to describe men who are more effeminate and may wear heavy make-up or have dyed hair or delicate features

China has an existing ban on male celebrities wearing earrings on national television

Battle-hardened generals – who should embody masculinity – are being presented as overly soft and meticulously groomed, with some even wearing make-up.”

For issues on gender portrayal in the media...

Qn: How far can we trust what we see in the media today? (EJC Prelim 2025)

Japan’s govt creates first road map for bear population control

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The government has said that the population of Asian black bears has grown too large, and it will cull about 20 per cent of these bears in the Tohoku, Kanto and Chubu regions, where human casualties have been especially high.

Compare with the current situation in Singapore where were are culling crows to curb their population...

Note the ethical concerns involved....

Similar animal intrusions that have caused inconvenience or even harm to us here is Singapore include: otters, wild boars. pigeons, snakes, macaques(monkeys).....

One argument that often arises is that in our urban expansion, we humans are the ones encroaching on their natural habitat instead of they encroaching on ours...so it's a case of the aggressors complaining that they are the victims.

In our quest to be 'A City in Nature', shouldn't we aim to strive for peaceful co-existence?

Do you think the Japanese would cull the bears if they were actually the cute adorable pandas?

 

Qn: To what extent are the rights of animals protected in your society? (Cam. 2012)

Japan goes on the offensive against cyberattacks

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Qn: 'Technological advancement has made the world more dangerous than ever.’ Do you agree? (NYJC 2020 Promo)