Pentagon sees broader role for AI in setting military targets

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envision “systems where AI initiates actions with human monitoring”, evolving from what it describes as the current practice of having “‘human in the loop’ systems, in which a human initiates actions”

the Pentagon announced it would field advanced, AI-enabled tools to “compress the time it takes to turn intelligence into informed options for commanders around the world”

requires autonomous and semi-autonomous weapons systems to undergo reviews to ensure they are designed to allow commanders and operators to exercise “appropriate levels of human judgment over the use of force”

Anthropic, which provides its AI tools to the Pentagon’s classified networks, including for use in Iran operations, fell out with the agency over the company’s insistence that the technology is not yet reliable enough for what chief executive Dario Amodei described as “fully autonomous weapons” and that humans should make the final decision to use force.

Qn: To what extent is technological advancement in warfare a cause for concern today? (HCI Prelim 2025)

AI can speed up defence decisions, but humans must be in control: Chan Chun Sing

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Cautioning against an overreliance on the technology, he said keeping people involved is necessary to prevent a “dereliction of duty... to an algorithm that you do not understand”.

Women are also playing a larger role in national defence, and now form more than 10 per cent of regulars in the armed forces.

the SAF was also among the first militaries to operate drones that did not need complicated controls, having been adapted from a PlayStation gaming controller. The idea to do so came from polytechnic pre-enlistees.

Qn: To what extent is technological advancement in warfare a cause for concern today? (HCI Prelim 2025)

Japan’s creative fight to keep bookstores from turning their last page

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Note the very interesting -- albeit a bit vulgar -- anecdote in the opening BANG!

The demise of bookstores in Japan is a familiar tragedy driven by e-commerce, lower demand for print publications and a sharp decline in reading habits.

An Agency for Cultural Affairs survey in 2024 found that 62.6 per cent of Japanese citizens do not read a single book a month.

Qns:

1. The book has no place in modern society. Discuss. (Cam. 2010)

2. 'We are what we read.' Do you agree?

Philippines bans GoreBox after 3 killed in school shooting

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The Philippine cybercrime agency has temporarily banned online game GoreBox after initial police investigations showed that one of the two students allegedly involved in this week’s school shooting was an avid player

GoreBox allows players to experiment with various weapons and is known for its graphic depictions of violence

Qn: 'Video games are a threat to society and should be banned.' Do you agree? (NYJC J2 MYE 2025)

Robot nation: China’s bid to beat its demographic decline

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Note the tension btw automation and unemployment....

For issues oon AI and technology,,,,

Why more South Koreans are becoming ‘full-time children’

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London mayor rages against social media machine, re-imagines an internet of ‘positivity’

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young people ought to be protected from unregulated online content that is being amplified by algorithms prioritising engagement on social media platforms

engagement-driven algorithms are amplifying both misogynistic content aimed at young men and disinformation campaigns that distort perceptions of London, with real-world consequences for public safety, social cohesion and trust in institutions

Unfortunately now, it’s possible for a boy or a young man to be bombarded with messages about what it means to be a man, even though you’ve not invited them...I worry that for too many young people, their teacher is social media, their teacher is the manosphere, and that’s bad for all of us

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on June 15 moves to outlaw social media for young people under 16, while also curbing access to gaming and live-streaming platforms with the aim of limiting strangers from communicating with children

the dangers of engagement-driven algorithms extend far beyond youth culture. He argues that the same systems rewarding outrage and polarisation are also fuelling misleading narratives about London itself.

this responsibility would also extend to Big Tech firms tweaking algorithms to discredit falsehoods that undermine confidence in one of the world’s major financial and tech hubs

Other than bot farms set up in other countries producing falsehoods for profit, Khan also noted a coordinated network of bad-faith actors linked to far-right groups and others that are pro-China, pro-Russia or aligned with the Make America Great Again movement in the US, which are amplifying misleading narratives about London

Rather than monetising ‘poison’, rather than having a division dividend, rather than having an outrage economy, why don’t you have your algorithms a different way?” ....“Let’s just reimagine the internet. Imagine what it could be like if instead of pushing negativity, you’re pushing positivity.

For issues on social media....

Why a speech by Pursuit Of Jade’s Zhang Linghe has divided Taiwan

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this popularity does not necessarily translate into political support for China....Would this one person change how they feel about their identity and make Taiwanese people want to be governed by China? It’s very unlikely....but it could make China appear slightly less hostile

For issues on celebrity influence....

Singaporeans say they want creativity. But do they mean it?

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For issues on rules, creativity and the arts.....

The ​business of ​female ​desire in China

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For gender issues....

S’pore takes targeted approach to online regulation, focuses on national interest: Sim Ann

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accurate information may be challenged by algorithms on social media, often built to encourage attention-grabbing and outrageous content to keep users on the platform. The approach often leads to polarisation and misinformation.

the authorities cannot adopt an overly draconian view towards social media firms, given their presence as commercial entities here

the “manosphere”, which are online communities that promote masculinity and male supremacy.... noted an influx of such content, which could lead to males gravitating towards such ideas and even towards violence.

AI dolls bring comfort to lonely seniors in ageing South Korea

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For issues on AI and loneliness....

Looksmaxxing: When the quest for masculine perfection goes awry

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For issues of perfection and social media