About

  • Rebooting NoC 2023!

    Rebooting NoC 2023!

    Rebooting process 2023

  • Global Perspectives and Local Realities: Essay Series Exploring Stories of COVID-19

    Global Perspectives and Local Realities: Essay Series Exploring Stories of COVID-19

    Exploring stories about COVID-19 in real time, creating a snapshot focused on the narratives emerging from local communities in order to paint a global picture. » more

  • Takeaways from a special discussion with Yves Dacccord, former Director-General of the International Committee of the Red Cross

    Takeaways from a special discussion with Yves Dacccord, former Director-General of the International Committee of the Red Cross

    On March 19, the NoC convened a special virtual session with Yves Dacccord to discuss the intersection of the Internet and society field with the crisis surrounding the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. » more

About

About the Network of Centers (NoC)

The NoC a collaborative initiative among academic institutions with a focus on interdisciplinary research on the development, social impact, policy implications, and legal issues concerning the Internet. This collective aims to increase interoperability between participating centers in order to stimulate the creation of new cross-national, cross-disciplinary conversation, debate, teaching, learning, and engagement regarding the most pressing questions around new technologies, social change, and related policy and regulatory developments.

Why the NoC was Created

A growing number of academic research institutions are focused on exploring a wide range of important issues concerning the future of the Internet and related technologies. Representing diverse disciplines, methodologies, and viewpoints, these institutions have sought to analyze and understand the growing impact of digital technologies on society and share those findings in such ways that serve the public interest. In the process, they grapple with a complex set of topics and issues of national, regional, and global importance, including policy, regulation and governance, human behavior and social impact, new markets and business models, intellectual property, privacy, and security, and many other issues. Acknowledging a lack of internationally coordinated research and engagement activities in the areas mentioned above, a group of academic centers launched the NoC in 2012, within an international Symposium on Internet-Driven Developments: Structural Changes and Tipping Points (SCTP), hosted by the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society.

The NoC Secretariat

As a decentralized initiative, the NoC’s coordination periodically alternates among member Centers in the network and has included:

Guiding Principles

Upon joining the Network, participants commit to a set of Guiding Principles, including a set of core values such as openness, collaboration, and diversity. The Network operates independent from governments, political parties and economic interests and does not take formal positions on policy issues.

Roadmaps

There are three main focus areas for 2020. We seek to (1) increase the analytical capabilities of the network through its individual nodes as well as cross-network collaboration, i.e. continue to build NoC as a “sensory” system for Internet & society issues across the globe; (2) augment educational capacity across Centers and continents, drawing from the model of  summer schools, fellows programs, and other educational activities across the NoC; and (3) offer practical guidance to policymakers through toolkits, playbooks, and other materials where NoC Centers work closely with governmental, private sector, and civil society stakeholders on problems they face translating values or principles into implementation, drawing inspiration from a new AI Policy Practice program launched by the Berkman Klein Center. 

The 2017-2018 roadmap addresses the challenges of a growing global network of academic institutions. In a highly connected world in which public and private choices are shaping every sphere of individual activity, researchers of Internet and society issues are becoming increasingly important to translate and map ahead the changes. One specific challenge addressed in the roadmap is to reflect on how academia can interact with other stakeholders. What are the objectives, the parameters and the expected outcomes of such interactions? In proposing a framework to deal with this question, the roadmap also indicates focus areas for cross-disciplinary research, such as artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet blocking.

The 2015-2016 Roadmap outlines the strategy towards enabling actual exchange between Internet & Society researchers across the globe. In fact, in order to serve the public interest, studying Internet & Society topics calls for a deep analysis of ongoing trends of national, regional, and global importance, including policy, regulation and governance. Cross-disciplinary dialogues and, more in general, an advanced coordination of worldwide research endeavors on Internet & Society can help to neutrally inform global debates, so to achieve a clearer understanding of complex and distributed phenomena that pertain to the Internet, its impact, and its evolution.

The 2014 Roadmap outlines proposed next steps regarding the second phase of collaboration among the participants in the Network. It builds upon the first Symposium on “Internet­ Driven Developments: Structural Changes and Tipping Points” that took place at Harvard University from December 6­-8, 2012 and has been further developed in the subsequent regional Network conversations and meetings that took place in 2013. These include meetings hosted by ICT Law Institute at Bilgi University, Istanbul, by the Center for Technology & Society at FGV School of Law, Rio de Janeiro, and by the Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society (HIIG), Berlin. The Network’s activities in 2014 will scale accordingly with the no ­longer nascent Network, ramping up to include hard research outputs and significant contributions in key policy debates.

The initial year and first phase of development was guided by the NoC's 2013 Roadmap, which outlined a range of enablers such as events, learning calls, or researcher exchanges within the Network. Again, this roadmap fed from the valuable feedback that came out of the Symposium on "Internet-Driven Developments: Structural Changes and Tipping Points" that took place at Harvard University on December 6-8, 2012.

 

GET INVOLVED

Are you part of a Center interested in joining the NoC?

The NoC is an informal network of peers based on actual collaboration. The network is currently coordinated by the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society. The NoC encompasses two types of participants:

  • “Participating Centers”, i.e., academic research centers whose agenda is primarily focused on Internet & Society topics;
  • “Affiliated Participants”, i.e., other types of institutions, still with Internet & Society-related open threads, carried out, e.g., as non-academic research centers, policy-support entities, or think tanks.

For more information on how to join the NoC with your center, please reach out to contact@networkofcenters.net. Applications are periodically reviewed by the NoC Steering Committee.

 

There are many other ways to get involved with the NoC: research opportunities, courses, events, physical and virtual conversations, fellowships and internships, and more. We look forward to learning new ways in which we can together advance our studies and impact.

  • Join a physical or virtual event
  • Learn about our programs (e.g., internships and fellowships)
  • Follow us on Twitter

Intelligence artificielle et Humanités

Colloque international, en partenariat avec le CIS, 28 novembre 2023, Paris 6e.
L’article Intelligence artificielle et Humanités est apparu en premier sur Centre Internet et Société.

Center for Internet and Society (CIS)
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How effective is the Code of Practice on Disinformation? The first pilot measurement of its Structural Indicators is now available

Following the adoption of the Code of Practice on Disinformation in June 2022, the European Commission launched a plan to monitor whether the Code was effective for platforms and industries endorsing it. To achieve this, a pilot measurement of structural indicators was commissioned to assess the appropriateness of the measures adopted and to provide further insights for policy developments in this domain.

EDMO Policy Research and Analysis, coordinated by the Centre for Media Pluralism and Media Freedom, has played a significant role in the development of Structural Indicators by participating in all the relevant working groups of the Code of Practice Taskforce. This ‘Taskforce’ is a permanent component of the updated version of the Code, encompassing various entities responsible for regularly reviewing these indicators. The indicators are designed to monitor the implementation of specific policies, aid in achieving objectives, and observe changes in reducing the spread of online disinformation for each relevant signatory, at the Member State level, and throughout the entire online ecosystem in the EU.

EDMO’s initial proposal included six areas of measurement: prevalence, sources, audiences, demonetisation of disinformation, as well as the impact of and investment in fact-checking, and investment in the implementation of the Code. However, due to the constraints of time and resources, it was agreed to focus on two indicators: prevalence and sources, and three countries (Poland, Slovakia, Spain) for the first pilot study. The analysis, published by TrustLab, covers six platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, Twitter (X), and YouTube).

Even though the resulting pilot is the outcome of an independent implementation that utilises the methodology and metrics put forward by TrustLab, it was framed and inspired by the EDMO proposal for Structural Indicators. The EDMO proposal marked the initial step in what should be a broader and more systematic effort to monitor disinformation and assess the policy effectiveness of the Code. Given the complexity of the phenomenon, EDMO’s contribution also acknowledges the need to adjust Structural Indicators over time. In fact, Structural Indicators are planned to be measured and reported bi-annually, and for this purpose, EDMO has established a dedicated Expert Group, which comprises over 20 experts volunteering to improve the methodology for a better implementation of the indicators.
The post How effective is the Code of Practice on Disinformation? The first pilot measurement of its Structural Indicators is now available appeared first on Centre for Media Pluralism and Freedom.

Centre for Media Pluralism and Media Freedom (CMPF)
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CSRankings: Würzburger Informatiker mit an der Spitze

Platz 1 in Deutschland, Platz 3 in Europa, Platz 6 weltweit: Das ist das Ergebnis, mit dem der Lehrstuhl für Mensch-Computer-Interaktion der Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg (JMU) in den CSRankings im Forschungsfeld Virtual Reality abschneidet.
CSRankings versteht sich als ein metrikbasiertes Ranking von Spitzeneinrichtungen der Informatik weltweit. Es gewichtet Forschungseinrichtungen, Fakultäten und Lehrstühle nach ihrer Präsenz in den renommiertesten Fachzeitschriften; verantwortlich dafür ist Emery Berger, Professor am College of Information and Computer Sciences an der University of Massachusetts Amherst.
„Der Lehrstuhl für Mensch-Computer-Interaktion der JMU forscht seit über zehn Jahren im Bereich hoch immersiver und interaktiver Systeme der Virtual, Augmented und Mixed Reality“, beschreibt Lehrstuhlinhaber Marc Erich Latoschik sein Arbeitsgebiet. „Als Mitglied der Fakultäten für Mathematik und Informatik und der Humanwissenschaft erarbeiten wir innovative informatische Lösungen mit menschzentrierter und evidenzbasierter Forschung in interdisziplinären Ansätzen.“
Latoschik und sein Team kooperieren dazu mit einer Vielzahl von Partnerinnen und Partnern, vor allem der Arbeitsgruppe „Psychologie Intelligenter Interaktiver Systeme“ von JMU-Professorin Carolin Wienrich sowie mit Arbeitsgruppen aus Psychologie und Psychiatrie, Data Science, Psychologischer Ergonomie, Pädagogik als auch mit externen Partnern wie beispielsweise dem Lehrstuhl für Computergraphik der TU Dortmund. „Damit haben wir es in den vergangenen zehn Jahren zu einer signifikanten Sichtbarkeit auf nationaler wie internationaler Ebene gebracht“, freut sich Latoschik.
Top im Bereich „Natural Language Processing”
Aber auch andere Bereiche der Würzburger Informatik landen in den CSRankings auf vorderen Plätzen. So findet sich die JMU im Bereich „Natural Language Processing“ deutschlandweit auf Platz 6, in Europa auf Rang 30 und weltweit auf Platz 120. Dahinter steckt in erster Linie Goran Glavaš, seit dem Sommer 2022 Inhaber des Lehrstuhls für Informatik XII an der JMU. Natural Language Processing (NLP) beziehungsweise die Verarbeitung natürlicher Sprache bildet einen Schwerpunkt seiner Forschung.
Glavaš verfolgt mit seiner Forschung im Wesentlichen drei Ziele: Er will zum einen im Bereich NLP nachhaltige und modular aufgebaute Modelle entwickeln, die weniger Rechenleistung benötigen, dadurch ressourcenschonender arbeiten und auch von kleineren Einheiten verwendet werden können. Zum zweiten sollen diese Modelle fair und ethisch korrekt arbeiten – also möglichst vorurteilsfrei. Und zum dritten sollen diese Modelle dazu in der Lage sein, die Fähigkeiten, die sie sich zum Beispiel an englischsprachigen Textsammlungen antrainiert haben, auf andere Sprachen zu übertragen.
Im Bereich „Computer Vision“ vorne mit dabei
Computer Vision ist ein weiteres Feld, bei dem die JMU in den CSRankings gut abschneidet. In diesem Spezialgebiet der künstlichen Intelligenz arbeiten Wissenschaftlerinnen und Wissenschaftler an der Frage, wie Computer in die Lage versetzt werden können, aus digitalen Bildern und Videos aussagefähige Informationen zu gewinnen. Hier landet die JMU deutschlandweit auf Platz 8, in Europa auf Rang 25 und im weltweiten Vergleich auf Platz 119. Verantwortlich dafür ist unter anderen Radu Timofte, Inhaber des Lehrstuhls für Informatik IV (Computer Vision) und Träger einer Humboldt-Professur.
Timoftes Arbeiten haben die Forschung im Bereich der Image Super-Resolution (SR) nachhaltig beeinflusst. Mit SR-Techniken kann man die Auflösung von Bildern vergrößern und damit auch die Wahrnehmung von Informationen verbessern. Mit dem Einsatz ausgefeilter Bildgebungsmodelle und der Kombination mit modernen Machine-Learning-Verfahren hat Timofte wiederholt hervorragende Beiträge auf dem Gebiet der Computer Vision geleistet.
Seine Forschungsergebnisse sind die Grundlage zahlreicher Anwendungen und mündeten bereits in etliche Industrieprojekte und Start-ups. Die Bildverbesserung und -verarbeitung von Smartphones, das Design intelligenter Kameras, die 3D-Kartierung von Straßenschildern, Methoden zur Schätzung biometrischer Daten oder Fußgänger-Detektoren in intelligenten Ampeln sind nur einige Beispiele, die von seinen Berechnungen profitieren.
Ein Forschungszentrum für KI und Data Science
Die drei Wissenschaftler sind Mitglieder im Center for Artificial Intelligence and Data Science CAIDAS der Universität. Dessen Mitglieder forschen in den Bereichen Maschinelles Lernen, Data Science, Bild- und Textanalyse, KI-Systeme, Ethik/Recht/Gesellschaftliche Akzeptanz sowie Wirtschaft und Transfer innerhalb der vier zentralen Anwendungssäulen: KI für (Lebens-)Wissenschaft, Human-Centered AI, KI in Digital Humanities, Wirtschaft/Recht und KI.
Die detaillierten Ergebnisse sind hier zu finden: https://csrankings.org/
Homepage von CAIDAS
Kontakt
Prof. Dr. Goran Glavaš, Lehrstuhl für Informatik XII (Natural Language Processing), T: +49 931 31-81352, goran.glavas@uni-wuerzburg.de
Prof. Dr. Marc Erich Latoschik, Lehrstuhl für Informatik IX (Mensch-Computer-Interaktion), T: +49 931 31-85871, marc.latoschik@uni-wuerzburg.de
Prof. Dr. Radu Timofte, Lehrstuhl für Informatik IV (Computer Vision), T: +49 931 31-84169, radu.timofte@uni-wuerzburg.de

Würzburg Centre for Social and Legal Implications of Artificial Intelligence (SOCAI)
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Prof. Katarzyna Śledziewska na konferencji Machine Intelligence and Digital Interaction 2023

Machine Intelligence and Digital Interaction (MIDI) to jedno z największych wydarzeń poświęconych inteligentnym maszynom i współpracy człowieka z nowymi technologiami. 11. edycja międzynarodowej konferencji naukowej odbędzie się 12–14 grudnia 2023 r. w formule online. Podczas konferencji #MIDI2023, której mamy przyjemność być partnerem, prof. Katarzyna Śledziewska przedstawi wyniki badania procesu wdrażania technologii przemysłu 4.0 w polskich firmach. Podczas gdy dane Eurostatu i… Czytaj dalej Prof. Katarzyna Śledziewska na konferencji Machine Intelligence and Digital Interaction 2023
Artykuł Prof. Katarzyna Śledziewska na konferencji Machine Intelligence and Digital Interaction 2023 pochodzi z serwisu DELab Uniwersytet Warszawski.

Digital Economy Lab (DELab UW)
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Telecommunications Sector Emergency Plan in Lebanon: Satellite Solutions over Realistic Options

Lebanese Minister of Communications, Johnny Corm, and subsequently by Prime Minister Najib Mikati, expressed their eagerness about finalizing a deal with the American company “SpaceX” to establish internet services through satellite communication, specifically the “Starlink” system, as an emergency contingency plan (Plan B) in case war breaks out in Lebanon. 

One key question revolves around the accessibility of the Internet service to the Lebanese population—is it intended for the entire populace or merely for select privileged groups within the country? It also raises questions about Lebanon’s sovereignty over the internet and safeguarding citizens’ data.

Bassel Al Ayoubi, General Director of the Ministry of Telecommunications, disclosed through various media outlets that 150 “Starlink” devices were generously donated to be distributed to presidential, governmental, and relief entities. “Starlink,” owned by the American billionaire Elon Musk, endeavors to provide users with internet access via the company’s satellites, facilitated by small-sized yet costly receivers. 

It is crucial to note that the operation and termination of this service are under Musk’s direct control, governed by policies he establishes. This includes requiring security clearances from the American and Israeli governments, even for humanitarian organizations—a precedent set after a significant campaign urging him to secure internet access in Gaza. Will the scenario differ in Lebanon?

Representatives Pose Inquiries to the Minister of Telecommunications

A group of representatives has raised concerns about the “suspicious nature of the party involved and the timing of this plan” in an inquiry directed last week towards “the caretaker government and the Minister of Telecommunications.” 

Criticizing the lack of discernible public benefits associated with the proposed deal, the representatives have highlighted that engaging a satellite internet company like “Starlink” could introduce a competitor to the Lebanese telecommunications sector. This move, they argue, should align with the existing laws of the Lebanese state, given that the current actions undertaken by the Minister of Telecommunications appear to contravene Lebanese Telecommunications Law No. 431.

Among the representatives posing these questions—Najat Saliba, Paula Yacoubian, Melhem Khalaf, Ibrahim Mneimneh, and Firas Hamdan—Representative Yassin Yassin has expressed reservations about the expediency of implementing “Plan B,” deeming it as “the last alternative solution for providing communications and internet in Lebanon.” Yassin further underscores a palpable apprehension regarding the potential satellite internet deal in Lebanon, fearing that it might be confined to a specific entity outside the legal framework. Notably, he points to Law 431, which grants exclusivity of the internet to the Lebanese state, as a crucial factor in this context.

In their inquiry, the representatives outlined the foundational elements of the emergency plan, emphasizing that it should encompass all available terrestrial and satellite systems and technologies, both wired and wireless. They stressed the importance of utilizing diverse means to secure international and official communications related to emergencies, extending beyond satellite solutions to include amateur devices and various wired and wireless networks, not exclusively limited to satellite internet.

The emergency plan, presented verbally to parliamentary committees, is scheduled for discussion in the upcoming cabinet session next week. However, the representatives express frustration as they have not been granted access to its contents. Representative Yassin characterizes this situation as “dictatorial decision-making by the Minister of Telecommunications, manipulating circumstances in favor of Starlink.”

Minister of Telecommunications, Johnny Corm, has criticized the reactions surrounding the emergency plan. In an interview with SMEX, he denied any intention to provide free services to “Starlink” in the future, ensuring that no exclusivity would be granted to an internet company without proper legal status or licensing under the guise of an emergency. He categorized the “Starlink” file within an experimental framework, emphasizing that it did not incur significant costs for the Lebanese state. 

In an interview with SMEX, an anonymous communications’ expert highlighted that the trial period initiated by the Minister of Telecommunications with “Starlink” does not necessitate Cabinet approval. However, the expert expresses concern based on Lebanese precedents, suggesting that what begins as an exception might become a norm. 

This raises fears that “Starlink” might be licensed under the guise of an emergency in an illicit manner, potentially resulting in the state forgoing revenues while providing free services to “Starlink,” thereby depriving the treasury of substantial funds, amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars.  

The expert also questions the efficacy of “Plan B” in the event of a widespread communication and internet outage caused by a potential targeting of submarine cables by Israel. The concern is whether “Starlink” devices can effectively secure communication and internet access for people in Lebanon in such a scenario. Additionally, there’s a query about whether the Lebanese government would wait for approval from the American and Israeli governments to provide internet and communication services to its citizens, potentially leaving others without access. 

Representative Yassin asserts, regarding “Plan B” in its entirety, that the Minister of Telecommunications is using the emergency plan as a pretext without obtaining the Council of Ministers’ permission. He contends that representatives reject the irregularities surrounding the “Starlink” case, aiming to prevent its normalization without proper legalization. 

In the absence of satisfactory responses from the Council of Ministers and the Minister of Telecommunications, Yassin confirms that representatives will explore legal avenues, including resorting to judicial authorities such as the Public Prosecution and the State Shura Council to address the matter. 

Alternative Solutions such as VSAT: Why Overlook Them?

The monthly subscription cost for “Starlink” home use starts at 72 euros, with the satellite device priced starting at 450 euros, as indicated on the company’s official website. However, this cost is deemed very high for ordinary users in Lebanon, making it affordable only for the affluent class or private companies, according to the communications sector expert.

In contrast, Lebanon already has access to the “Very Small Aperture Terminal” (VSAT) technology, a service licensed since 2007, operating via regional satellites like “Arabsat.” 

However, Minister Corm mentioned meetings with “Arabsat” while noting that operational capabilities of this service are limited, making it challenging to distribute to a large number of subscribers.

The minister’s response raises a pertinent question for the communications expert. Unlike “Starlink” services, VSAT services can be leveraged by extending a satellite over multiple central networks, utilizing Lebanon’s existing communications infrastructure network to reach a broader subscriber base. 

The expert suggests that this is a task that is not individual-centric but one in which the state can actively participate. Such an approach could potentially enable Lebanon to receive internet services via satellite in the event of damage to submarine cables, without the need for external permissions or restricting satellite internet access only to those who can afford it. 

In response to SMEX’s inquiry about VSAT technology, “Touch,” one of the two telecom providers in Lebanon, highlighted that setting up this service does not require much time once the necessary systems are secured. They emphasized having local technical personnel capable of operating the service despite its operational costs. Additionally, “Touch” shared that they have learned about “Ogero” working on providing a VSAT service with the objective of ensuring connectivity to some of the main centers in the country.

The communications’ expert interprets the disparity between the minister’s stance and the responses from telecommunications companies as an indication of the need for coordinated efforts. They stress the importance of working on a unified plan that ensures secure communication for the general public, main centers in the country, and relief organizations, extending beyond a singular focus on the internet and acknowledging the relevance of diverse solutions. Such a comprehensive strategy keeps Lebanon’s options for connectivity open.

Local Roaming between Networks for Secure Voice Communication

One of the solutions seemingly disregarded by the Ministry of Telecommunications is the activation of local roaming technology between networks (National Roaming). This technology would allow users of both “Touch” and “Alfa” cellular networks to utilize the transmission infrastructure of each other. For instance, in the event of disruptions to the “Alfa” network’s transmission or if a station is targeted by Israel, users could activate the feature to switch to “Touch” services, according to the expert.

However, Minister Corm contends that activating this feature is unfeasible. He argues that it doesn’t function well in crowded areas, exposing the networks to vulnerability during increased pressure on the system; therefore, it is only limited to remote areas.

The discussion on installing mobile switches, emphasized by Minister Corm, centers on the necessity for these stations to ensure secure placement, particularly in areas needing strengthened transmission and internet capabilities for safety. These stations are typically designated for large-scale political festivals and celebrations. Corm stressed the difficulty of repairing or maintaining these stations if they are targeted or disrupted.

Contrastingly, a source from one of the cellular companies explains to SMEX that activating local roaming between networks (National Roaming) necessitates securing greater capacity in data cables. For instance, if a network is designed for two million subscribers, accommodating an additional 100,000 users from another network might exceed its capacity, risking service interruptions or internet slowdowns.

The source further notes that the sector’s two networks have not been updated since 2019 due to a lack of financial appropriations. The absence of regular updates leaves the equipment outdated, especially given the economic crisis that has led to the halt of many projects. Recent solutions introduced are described as typical Lebanese “patchwork solutions.”

The communications expert said immediate priority should be securing voice communications, essential for relief agencies like the Red Cross and Civil Defense, as well as for citizens relying on both fixed and mobile lines. The latter questions the focus on the internet as the primary solution and using it as a pretext to overlook other potential alternatives. 

Ignoring the Reality of Communications to Focus on Emergency Plans

Over the past two weeks, areas in South Lebanon such as Tyre, relatively distant from the border, experienced the interruption of communication and internet services due to a station running out of diesel, as reported by “Alfa,” one of the two telecom providers in Lebanon. 

The company stated that maintenance teams were unable to reach the station until a security permit from the Lebanese Army was secured. “Touch”, in response to SMEX’s questions, also emphasized cooperation with the Lebanese army, specifically in maintaining networks on the border and ensuring generator tanks were filled with diesel.

In this context, the Minister of Telecommunications did not directly address the importance of activating the emergency plan in remote and southern regions to prevent isolation from the world in terms of communication and the internet. Instead, he said that the plan requires investments in millions of dollars that are currently unavailable. 

The emphasis on “Starlink” amid logistical challenges raises questions about the priorities of the Ministry of Telecommunications and the state-owned telecommunications entities in Lebanon—namely, the two cellular companies, and “Ogero” authority for fixed telephone and internet. 

The recent communication breakdowns in southern Lebanon, due to issues as basic as securing diesel for electricity generators, underscore a fundamental logistical shortcoming. The Minister disclosed to SMEX that the emergency plan, involving the Ministry, “Ogero,” “Alfa,” and “Touch,” includes provisions for securing fuel and ensuring the continued operation of transmission stations. 

All telecommunication companies in Lebanon are state-owned, and in times of emergency, coordination is crucial. The communications expert highlights the necessity for unified operations, stressing that in emergencies, all communications should be managed from a single operating room. He concludes by questioning the impediment preventing these state-owned entities and agencies from collaborating effectively to secure communications and ensure connectivity during times of war and emergency.
The post Telecommunications Sector Emergency Plan in Lebanon: Satellite Solutions over Realistic Options appeared first on SMEX.

SMEX
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EU AI Act – Who fills the act with life?

EU AI Act: Tomorrow's AI will be decided by authorities and companies in a complicated structure of competences.
The post EU AI Act – Who fills the act with life? appeared first on HIIG.

Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society (HIIG), Berlin
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Intelligence artificielle : risques ou opportunités ?

Colloque organisé par le CESE, avec la participation de Mélanie Dulong de Rosnay, 15 novembre 2023. L'enregistrement vidéo est disponible.
L’article Intelligence artificielle : risques ou opportunités ? est apparu en premier sur Centre Internet et Société.

Center for Internet and Society (CIS)
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Würzburg in der Champions League der Myelom-Forschung

Das Multiple Myelom ist der zweithäufigste Blutkrebs. Es entwickelt sich im Knochenmark und kann sich im ganzen Körper ausbreiten. Trotz aller medizinischen Fortschritte erleiden die meisten Patientinnen und Patienten einen Rückfall und lassen sich bis heute nicht heilen.
Die amerikanische Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) ist die weltweit größte gemeinnützige Stiftung, die sich ausschließlich darauf konzentriert, wissenschaftliche und klinische Fortschritte in der Behandlung des Multiplen Myeloms voranzutreiben. Anfang November 2023 gab die Stiftung nun die Empfänger von drei so genannten „MMRF Myeloma Accelerator Challenge (MAC) Program Grants“ bekannt.
Die drei Programme zielen darauf ab, Zentren zu vernetzen, deren Ressourcen und Proben zu bündeln und überzeugende Hypothesen voranzutreiben, die rasch in klinischen Studien getestet werden können. Das Universitätsklinikum Würzburg (UKW) ist Teil eines dieser Projekte, die für drei Jahre jeweils sieben Millionen Dollar erhalten.
Europäisches Team hat Hochrisikopatientinnen und -patienten im Fokus
„Mit dem Grant wurden wir sozusagen in die Champions League der Myelom-Forschenden aufgenommen“, freut sich Professor Hermann Einsele, Direktor der Medizinischen Klinik und Poliklinik II am UKW und Sprecher des neu gegründeten Nationalen Centrums für Tumorerkrankungen NCT WERA. Neben ihm sind Professor Martin Kortüm, Dr. Umair Munawar, Dr. Leo Rasche und Dr. Angela Riedel im Würzburger Team vertreten.
Das UKW-Team erarbeitet in der europäischen Gruppe gemeinsam mit dem Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, dem Universitätsklinikum in Amsterdam sowie den Universitäten in Turin und Salamanca einen systembiologischen Ansatz für die Optimierung der Behandlung für Hochrisikopatientinnen und -patienten mit Multiplem Myelom. Die Betroffenen erleiden häufig sehr früh einen Rückfall und weisen im Vergleich zu Standardrisikopatientinnen und -patienten eine schlechtere Überlebensrate auf.
„Wir werden untersuchen, was Patientinnen und Patienten mit hohem Risiko und schlechterem Therapieansprechen von anderen unterscheidet. Durch die Kombination verschiedener Aspekte der Erkrankung werden wir eine integrierte Definition des Multiplen Myeloms mit hohem Risiko erarbeiten und damit einen wichtigen Schritt auf dem Weg zu neuen, speziell auf diese Patientinnen und Patienten zugeschnittenen Therapien machen“, beschreibt Hermann Einsele das Projektvorhaben. Dafür stehen allein dem Würzburger Team zwei Millionen Dollar zur Verfügung.
Arbeitsziele der amerikanischen Teams
Eine amerikanische Forschungsgruppe wird eine große Kohorte von Patientenproben auf genomischer und immunologischer Ebene analysieren. Ziel ist es, die entscheidenden Ereignisse zu verstehen, die das Multiple Myelom mit hohem Risiko auslösen. Die Studien haben das Potenzial, neue Schwachstellen zu identifizieren, die mit CRISPR-Gen-Editing im Labor weiter untersucht werden.
Bei der dritten MAC-Förderung arbeitet ein weiteres amerikanisches Team an einer verbesserten Identifizierung des Hochrisiko-Smoldering-Myeloms (HR SMM). Das schwelende Myelom ist ein frühes, asymptomatisches Stadium, das sich zum aktiven Multiplen Myelom entwickeln kann.
Forschungstempo beschleunigen
„Die MAC Grants sind ein wichtiger neuer Teil unserer Investitionen, und wir freuen uns, dass die ausgewählten Programme mehrere Zentren zusammenbringen werden, um in hochgradig kooperativen Netzwerken zu arbeiten. Unser strategischer Plan identifiziert spezifische Forschungsbereiche, die mehr Aufmerksamkeit benötigen, und nur durch die Zusammenarbeit mehrerer Zentren können wir schnell einen großen Satz von Patienten und Proben schaffen, die für neue Forschungsmethoden geeignet sind“, sagt George Mulligan, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer des MMRF.
Michael Andreini, Präsident und CEO des MMRF: „Das Forschungstempo muss beschleunigt werden, wenn wir den erheblichen ungedeckten Bedarf beim Multiplen Myelom decken wollen, und der Weg dorthin führt über Zusammenarbeit und Finanzierung. Die Zusammenführung verschiedener Teams durch unsere MAC-Zuschüsse, die normalerweise viele Hindernisse bei der Zusammenarbeit haben, wird diese Forschungsprioritäten stärker fokussieren und ausweiten, was zu schnelleren und wirkungsvolleren Erkenntnissen für die Patientinnen und Patienten führen wird."

Über das Multiple Myelom
Das Multiple Myelom ist nach der Leukämie die zweithäufigste Blutkrebserkrankung, bei der es zu verschiedenen bösartigen Tumorherden im Knochenmark kommt. Der Begriff leitet sich vom Lateinischen „multiple“ für vielfach und dem Griechischen „myelos“ für Mark ab. Jedes Jahr erhalten allein in Deutschland rund 7.000 Menschen die Diagnose.
Das Erkrankungsrisiko steigt in höherem Alter deutlich an. Bei den Betroffenen vermehren sich entartete Plasmazellen unkontrolliert und verdrängen die gesunden weißen Blutkörperchen, die für die Produktion von Antikörpern zuständig sind. Aufgrund der veränderten Immunität kommt es vermehrt zu Infektionen, die Knochenstruktur wird zerstört, Nerven und Organe werden geschädigt, die Betroffenen leiden unter Müdigkeit und Appetitlosigkeit.
Dauerhaft geheilt werden kann diese Krebserkrankung noch nicht. Denn auch nach vermeintlich erfolgreicher Therapie müssen die Betroffenen immer mit einem Rezidiv rechnen. Mit einem besseren Verständnis der Evolution dieser entarteten Knochenmarkzellen könnten aber die Diagnose und Behandlung optimiert werden.
Würzburgs Beitrag zu Immuntherapien
Als große Hoffnungsträger gelten Immuntherapien mit Antikörpern oder genmanipulierten T-Zellen, den so genannten CAR-T-Zellen. Das Universitätsklinikum Würzburg spielt bei der Erforschung, Anwendung und Ausweitung dieses neuen Arzneimittelprinzips eine international bedeutende Rolle. So wird hier das größte Myelom-Programm in Europa mit vielen klinischen Studien und Begleitforschungen zu den neuesten Therapieformen wie CAR-T-Zellen und verschiedenen T-Zell-aktivierenden Antikörpern angeboten.

Würzburg Centre for Social and Legal Implications of Artificial Intelligence (SOCAI)
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CiTiP welcomes Jan De Bruyne as new IT law professor

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Conférence à venir – La mise à mort du journalisme – Une conversation avec Aude Lancelin (16 novembre 2023)

Cette conférence prendra la forme d’une conversation entre Mme Aude Lancelin (fondatrice du média en ligne QG et ancienne directrice adjointe de L’Obs et de Marianne) et le Dr Thibault Biscahie (chercheur postdoctoral au Centre de recherche en droit public de l’Université de Montréal).

Ils dresseront un état des lieux du champ dévasté de la presse et des médias et échangeront sur les périls qui pèsent sur le journalisme et, par extension, sur la démocratie française. Ils aborderont notamment la concentration extrême dans les médias français, la perte de substance des titres aux mains des milliardaires, l’emprise des GAFAM sur les contenus rédactionnels, ainsi que les législations inquiétantes pour le secret des sources, autant de symptômes qui prouvent que les signaux sont au rouge pour la liberté des journalistes français.

Mme Aude Lancelin

Fondatrice du média en ligne QG, Aude Lancelin a été directrice adjointe de deux rédactions nationales françaises: L’Obs et Marianne. Elle est notamment l’auteur du Monde libre, pour lequel elle a obtenu le prix Renaudot essai (2016), d’un essai sur la mort du journalisme La Pensée en otage (2018) et d’un roman consacré au mouvement des Gilets jaunes, La Fièvre (2020).

Dr. Thibault Biscahie

Thibault Biscahie est chercheur postdoctoral au Centre de Recherche en Droit Public (CRDP) à l’Université de Montréal. Il est titulaire d’un doctorat en sciences politiques de l’Université York (Toronto) et d’une maîtrise en relations internationales de Sciences Po Lille. Il a également étudié à l’Université du Québec à Montréal et à l’Université Aix-Marseille. Il a enseigné le droit international humanitaire à l’Université York et l’histoire des relations internationales à l’Université de Toronto. Ses recherches portent notamment sur le néolibéralisme, l’économie politique internationale et la reconfiguration des clivages politiques en France et dans l’Union Européenne. 

Centre de Recherche en Droit Public
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