Emerging technologies

Generative AI and Disinformation in the Political Sphere

We live in an era where it is common to see AI-generated content with political undertones on social media. Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools like DALL E, ChatGPT etc. help create content in a format of one’s choosing: audio, video or text. Proliferation of these tools have raised concerns about their misuse to spread disinformation.
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Nuclear

COP28, the Pledge to Triple Nuclear Capacity & Pakistan’s Predicaments

At the World Climate Action Summit of the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, 22 countries signed a declaration pledging to triple nuclear power capacity by 2050 in a bid to cut reliance on fossil fuels. Experts have pointed out that, ‘the pledge is completely, utterly unrealistic.’
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India

India’s Quest for Indigenous Pseudo-Satellites

The advent of technology has compelled states to revolutionise their security structures which can withstand the escalating threats concerns vis Ă  vis land, sea, and airspace domains. Over time, an integral component in the domain of warfare has gained exponential importance i.e., space and satellites.
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India

India’s Indigenous Aircraft Manufacturing: A Reality Check

Narendra Modi initiated an ambitious ‘Make in India’ project in 2014 emphasising domestic manufacturing and removing hurdles that prevented foreign collaboration in the defence sector because of the government’s strict foreign investment and joint venture regulations. Since he arrived in Panchavati (the official residential complex of the Indian PM), the indigenisation drive accelerated considerably.
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Emerging technologies

‘Made in China 2025’ : Blueprint for Future Industries

The foundation of a nation’s progress lies in its robust industrial sector, shaping its economic vitality and strategic influence. China, having a formidable industrial base, has secured a prominent global standing across diverse sectors. Its ‘Made in China’ (MIC) 2025 project marks a paradigm shift with a primary focus on becoming a global leader in high-tech industries through a dual-pronged approach.
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Emerging technologies

Role of Big Data in the Predictive Modelling of Conflicts

Big Data is an integral domain of emerging technologies, with one of its applications being predictive modelling of future events. It consists of large volumes of data generated from multiple sources, being subjected to real-time processing and analysis through advanced systems such as Artificial intelligence (AI). Moreover, predictive modelling is a statistical technique that taps into historical and current data to predict future outcomes.
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Peace and Conflict

Boycotts in Flux: Trends & Challenges of Pro-Palestinian Consumer Campaigns

In the wake of Israel’s ongoing genocidal aggression in Gaza, Pakistanis have rallied in solidarity with the Palestinians in large numbers through street demonstrations, digital activism, and by responding to the calls for a boycott of products belonging to companies complicit in Israel’s violation of Palestinian rights.
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Emerging technologies

Project AVATAR: AI Future of Border Security?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) seems to be on the cusp of automating border security protocols and customs operations. The National Centre for Border Security and Immigration at the University of Arizona has developed an AI prototype called the ‘Automated Virtual Agent for Truth Assessments in Real Time’ (AVATAR). Funded by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), it has been designed on the principles of Machine Learning (ML), computer vision, and Natural Language Processing (NLP).
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Emerging technologies

Oppressive Automaton: Israel’s AI-Enabled Warfare

As militaries around the world contemplate the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in warfare, the onslaught of Israel in the Gaza Strip offers an important point of reflection. This article explores the AI system called ‘Gospel’ or ‘Habsorah’, pioneered by Unit 8200 – an Intelligence Corps Unit – of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).
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Economic Affairs & National Development

Making Pakistan’s Economic Recovery Sustainable

2023 began on a dismal note for Pakistan’s economy, as foreign exchange reserves were fast-depleting, remittances and exports were declining, the rupee was depreciating, industrial production was decreasing, and inflation surged – resulting from a confluence of multiple internal and external factors. In the months leading up to June, newspaper and media headlines continued to warn that the country’s economic crisis could soon morph into a sovereign default without a bailout loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
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