A year on from the ousting of Assad

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  Damascus, Syria — “Hold your head high, you’re a free Syrian.” The refrain of this Arabic song—now widely embraced as the unofficial anthem of a new Syria—echoes throughout Damascus. It blares from market loudspeakers, rings out during celebrations in the central square, and is even sung by the man offering traditional coffee to new arrivals at the airport. For decades, many Syrians lived with lowered gazes under the authoritarian rule of the Al-Assad family. The regime maintained an expansive surveillance system in which the feared Mukhabarat , the intelligence network, kept the population in check. Remaining silent was often the safest choice—until the Arab Spring ignited an uprising, and Assad’s fierce response plunged the nation into a ten-year civil war. Today, Syrians are openly and energetically marking the first anniversary of what they regard as their liberation from Assad’s government. The celebration follows a rapid rebel offensive on December 8 last year, led by fo...

UN establishes expert panel to guide global governance of AI

 Body will comprise 40 experts serving three-year terms and will be tasked with producing assessments


In light of the rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and the potential risks it poses, governments around the world have approved the establishment of a new advisory body dedicated to the field. The Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence was established in accordance with a resolution that was approved on Tuesday by the member states.

The task of producing evidence-based assessments of AI's opportunities, risks, and global impacts will be assigned to the body, which will consist of forty experts who will serve three-year terms. Governments are becoming increasingly concerned that AI's rapid spread could harm democracy, violate human rights, and exacerbate inequality if left unchecked. The panel will serve as a platform for dialogue among governments and experts, offering guidance on governance frameworks.

 The resolution also calls for an annual global dialogue on AI, beginning next year in Geneva at a world summit. 

 The gatherings will bring together representatives of governments, the private sector, civil society, and researchers to share best practices, encourage cooperation, and make sure that AI supports the Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations. The resolution reaffirms the UN's "central role in guaranteeing that AI will serve humanity," according to Costa Rican ambassador Maritza Chan Valverde, who co-led the negotiations with Spain. It is now anticipated that Secretary-General António Guterres will begin the process of selecting panel members from a variety of scientific and technological fields. With calls for a global governance framework to prevent misuse, particularly in areas like surveillance, disinformation, and autonomous weapons, the rapid development of AI has sparked debate over regulation.

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