#57 Open RAN, UN tackles AI, NASA's Asteroid run and Neuralink trials
Cyberpolitik 1: Open RAN - Challenges and Pathways for Adoption
— Bharath Reddy
**This is part of a Takshashila Discussion Document published here**
Open RAN began as a mobile network operator (MNO) initiative to reduce lock-in, increase competition and improve vendor diversity in the radio access network (RAN) market. A few big companies dominate this market, and with bans on Chinese vendors by many states, the vendor pool has become even more concentrated. Consequently, what started as an MNO initiative has now acquired geopolitical significance. In addition to addressing concerns around the market power of vendors, it is now expected to enhance network security, reliability, and supply chain resilience.
There are some apprehensions regarding Open RAN's ability to meet these lofty expectations. These doubts arise due to multiple challenges. The new interfaces, disaggregated components, and adoption of open-source software are expected to increase the threat surface of the network. These concerns are further exacerbated by the increased complexity of integrating various components and the current stage of relatively limited deployment maturity.
Market trends suggest the enduring presence of Open RAN, necessitating a reassuring approach to adoption that effectively mitigates these concerns.
Regulators must be adept in evaluating Open RAN solutions due to complexity and security concerns, while operators need to master operation and maintenance skills. As global Open RAN deployments increase, investing in training becomes crucial. Initiatives like the USAID Asia O-RAN Academy, involving stakeholders from academics to operators, can effectively equip participants for new roles.
Open RAN commitments under the ambit of the Critical and Emerging Technologies initiative (iCET) and Quad should be realised to demonstrate the scalability of the technology. This includes setting up a joint task force on Open RAN and pilot deployments to demonstrate the scalability of the technology. This can foster confidence and broader adoption by capitalising on economies of scale.
Lastly, Open RAN deployments can help balance the cost-effectiveness of Chinese components while mitigating security risks. Incorporating specific non-intelligent components from Chinese suppliers might not present a significant danger to national security. One possible candidate is the radio unit, deployed in vast numbers at every cell site. Selectively sourcing non-intelligent components from Chinese vendors can be a strategy to deescalate the critical vulnerability to an economic dependence that is manageable.
Cyberpolitik 2: AI at the 78th UN General Assembly
— Anushka Saxena
Between 19 and 26 September 2023, the 78th session of the UN General Assembly convened General Debate on subjects such as the Sustainable Development Goals, digital technologies, and Lethal Autonomous Weapons (LAWs).
Not surprisingly, Artificial Intelligence (AI) seemed to be a buzzword in many leaders’ speeches, which is a stark difference, as the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres highlighted in his address from 2017 when it was barely under discussion. He said:
“When I mentioned Artificial Intelligence in my General Assembly speech in 2017, only two other leaders even uttered the term. Now AI is on everyone’s lips – a subject of both awe, and fear. Even some of those who developed generative AI are calling for greater regulation.”
The UNSG’s speech emphasised the importance of convening a ‘Global Digital Compact’, a consortium of UN agencies, governments, private stakeholders, NGOs, academia, and other stakeholders like civil society that can come together to create a safe and secure cyberspace. The ‘Compact’ is likely to be agreed upon at the ‘Summit of the Future’ to be convened this time next year.
The differences in the perspectives on AI between heads of governments who spoke at the session were significant. For example, on the one hand, Argentinian President Alberto Fernandez was of the opinion that “[because of] rapid technological advancements in artificial intelligence, the world is experiencing a time of change which requires a rethink of education, production processes and the preservation of work.” This is an interesting approach that embraces leaps in AI technology and its implications for traditionally manual fields such as education and manufacturing.
On the other hand, Slovenian President Natasa Pirc Musar was much more skeptical, arguing: “We need to find a way to govern the development of new technologies, including AI, in a way that does not impede economic, developmental, social, and research opportunities, while not putting us at risk.”
Almost all leaders, however, were of the opinion that there is a need to create a global governance framework for Artificial Intelligence, and the proposals to that end were diverse. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, for example, reiterated that countries should adhere to the G7 Hiroshima AI Process on Generative AI, with the aim of making AI systems trustworthy. Similarly, US President Joe Biden stated, “It is important to govern technologies, not the other way around, for them to govern us.”
Many countries echoed the UNSG’s call for a Global Digital Compact, indicating that the consensus on governing AI systems through a UN-led mechanism is strong.
As the geopolitical contest for gaining data, computing, and talent power in Artificial Intelligence is underway, it is likely that the world will get divided into two loose camps led by China and the US. Against this backdrop, the UN provides a mechanism to build mutual trust and consensus on this deeply fragmented technological ecosystem.
Cyberpolitik News: NASA’s Osiris- REx Returns and Neuralink’s Human Trials Begin
-Saurabh Todi
Osiris-REx reaces earth with an asteroid sample
"Osiris-REx," which is a NASA spacecraft mission designed to study and collect samples from an asteroid named Bennu, safely returned to Earth on 24th September 2023. Its name is short for "Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security, Regolith Explorer." It was launched in September 2016 with the primary objective of studying and collecting samples from the near-Earth asteroid Bennu, which is believed to be a remnant from the early days of our solar system. The mission aims to shed light on the origins of our solar system and the potential threat posed by near-Earth asteroids. Key mission objectives include mapping Bennu's surface, studying its composition, and capturing a regolith sample (loose surface material) from the asteroid.
The spacecraft successfully reached Bennu in 2018 and spent several years conducting detailed observations and surveying the asteroid's surface. In October 2020, Osiris-REx executed a sample collection manoeuvre, successfully touching down on Bennu's surface for a few seconds to collect material. The spacecraft then began its journey back to Earth with the precious sample in tow. The sample reached Earth and was retrieved last week. This marks a significant achievement in planetary science and will provide valuable insights into the early solar system and the potential threat of asteroids to our planet.
Musk's Neuralink to start human trial of brain implant in paralysis patients
Neuralink, founded by Elon Musk announced last week that it has received approval from an independent review board to begin recruitment for the first human trial of its brain-computer interface (BCIs) device implant for paralysis patients. The company's technology involves implanting small, flexible brain-machine interfaces into the brain, often referred to as "neural threads." These interfaces aim to facilitate bidirectional communication, allowing humans to control digital devices directly with their thoughts and receive sensory feedback from those devices. Although a promising technology, significant concerns have been raised on the ethics behind this technology, especially during its animal trials phase. Would be interesting to track the progression of these trials which are expected to take about 6 years.
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