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Amazon Plans to Build High-Security Data Center in Australia

Amazon Plans to Build High-Security Data Center in Australia

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In a significant move to bolster Australia’s cyber defense capabilities, Amazon.com Inc. has announced a partnership with the Australian government to build a state-of-the-art cloud data system. This initiative is set to handle top-secret information and enhance the nation’s security infrastructure. Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles revealed the collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS), the cloud computing arm of Amazon, at a press conference in Canberra on Thursday morning.

A Major Investment in National Security

Amazon Plans to Build High-Security Data Center in Australia

Image Source: rnz.co.nz

The Australian government has committed to investing at least A$2 billion ($1.3 billion) over the next decade into this ambitious project. While the exact locations of the data centers and the specific nature of the information they will house remain undisclosed, Marles emphasized the critical role these facilities will play in strengthening Australia’s defense capabilities.

“This cutting-edge technology will enhance Defence’s resilience,” said Marles, who also serves as the defense minister. He highlighted that the new system would not only improve the Australian Defence Force’s war-fighting capacity but also strengthen interoperability with key international partners, including the United States. The project is expected to create up to 2,000 jobs for Australians, contributing significantly to the nation’s economy and technological advancement.

Strengthening International Cyber Cooperation

The announcement of this partnership comes as part of a broader trend of countries investing in high-security data infrastructure. In 2021, AWS secured a NZ$7.5 billion ($5.3 billion) deal to build similar centers in New Zealand, and there were reports in the same year that the UK’s intelligence services had signed agreements to utilize cloud services for their top-secret data.

Under the new agreement, Amazon will construct three purpose-built facilities across Australia. These centers will primarily store top-secret information from the country’s defense and intelligence agencies, enhancing the security and operational capabilities of these critical sectors. This strategic collaboration is expected to deepen security cooperation between Australia and the United States, reinforcing the alliances that underpin global security frameworks.

Also Read: Foxconn Invests $551 Million to Two New Projects in North Vietnam

In conclusion, the partnership between Amazon and the Australian government marks a significant step forward in fortifying the nation’s cyber defense infrastructure. As the world increasingly relies on digital information and cloud services, such investments are crucial for maintaining national security and ensuring resilience against emerging threats. The new high-security data centers will not only provide robust support for Australia’s defense operations but also signify a strong commitment to international cooperation in the realm of cyber security.

US Navy, UK, Australia to Test AI System to Help Crews Track Chinese Submarines in Pacific

US Navy, UK, Australia to Test AI System to Help Crews Track Chinese Submarines in Pacific

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The United States and two of its closest companions are going to test an emerging artificial intelligence-based method for tracking Chinese submarines.

On Friday, the defence leaders of the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia said that crews operating the US Navy’s finest naval surveillance as well as battle aircraft on Pacific operations will leverage artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to quickly evaluate sonar data collected by submerged devices from all three countries.

US Navy, UK, Australia to Test AI System to Help Crews Track Chinese Submarines in Pacific

Image Source: business-standard.com

As they look for measures to counteract the effects of China’s fast military modernization and rising global authority, the allies may be able to detect Chinese submarines more quickly and accurately thanks to this technology. The experiments are a component of Aukus Pillar II, a comprehensive technology cooperation agreement involving the three countries.

“These joint advances will allow for timely high-volume data exploitation, improving our anti-submarine warfare capabilities,” according to a joint statement from US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin, Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles and UK Secretary of State for Defence Grant Shapps during a meeting in California.

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The three major powers said that they will use cutting-edge algorithms based on artificial intelligence (AI) on a variety of platforms, such as the P-8A Poseidon aircraft, to interpret data from each country’s sonobuoys, or underwater detecting sensors.

The Boeing Company’s maritime aircraft is flown by all three countries. The warplane, which is owned by the United States, is often patrolling the Pacific, such as the South China Sea, when Chinese fighters may sometimes swarm them. Poseidon is equipped with cruise missiles along with torpedoes to take out surface ships and submarines.

Aukus, a Greater Security Collaboration

The United States has sought a variety of regional partnerships to contain China, and the declarations are a component of the Aukus, a greater security collaboration involving the three allies.

The partnership’s first pillar, dedicated to enhancing Australia’s submarine capacity which is powered by nuclear energy, is to jointly construct a new submarine that will be deployed by 2040. Eight technology domains, such as quantum technologies, sophisticated cybersecurity, as well as hypersonic weaponry, are the focus of Pillar II’s collaboration efforts.

Also Read: Many PlayStation Users’ Accounts Locked Out, Get Permanent Suspension Message From Sony

According to the declaration, the three heads of defence will combine their capabilities to launch and retrieve underwater drone automobiles from torpedo tubes on their present submarines for undersea combat and information collection.

“This capability increases the range and capability of our undersea forces and will also support” Australia’s eventual new submarine called “SSN-Aukus,” the announcement read.

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Australia to Require AI-made Child Abuse Material to be Removed from Search Results

Australia to Require AI-made Child Abuse Material to be Removed from Search Results

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In a significant move to combat the proliferation of child sexual abuse material generated by AI, Australia’s internet regulator has announced that it will mandate search engines such as Google and Bing to take strict measures to prevent the dissemination of such harmful content. 

Australia to Require AI-made Child Abuse Material to be Removed from Search Results
Image Source: rnz.co.nz

This initiative comes as part of a new code drafted in collaboration with industry giants at the Australian government’s request, aimed at safeguarding the digital landscape from AI-generated child abuse material.

E-Safety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant revealed that the code, which is designed to protect the online community, imposes two crucial requirements on search engines. Firstly, it compels search engines to ensure that AI-generated child abuse material does not appear in search results. Secondly, it prohibits using generative AI to produce synthetic versions of such explicit content, commonly referred to as “deepfakes.”

“The use of generative AI has grown so quickly that I think it’s caught the whole world off guard to a certain degree,” Inman Grant acknowledged. This rapid expansion of AI technology has necessitated a reevaluation of regulatory and legal frameworks governing internet platforms.

Inman Grant pointed out that an earlier code drafted by Google (owned by Alphabet) and Bing (owned by Microsoft) did not address the emerging issue of AI-generated content. Consequently, she urged these industry giants to revise their approach. “When the biggest players in the industry announced they would integrate generative AI into their search functions, we had a draft code that was clearly no longer fit for purpose. We asked the industry to have another go,” Inman Grant emphasized.

A spokesperson for the Digital Industry Group Inc., an Australian advocacy organization representing Google and Microsoft, expressed satisfaction with the approval of the revised code. “We worked hard to reflect recent developments in relation to generative AI, codifying best practices for the industry and providing further community safeguards,” the spokesperson stated.

This development follows the regulator’s earlier initiatives to establish safety codes for various internet services, including social media platforms, smartphone applications, and equipment providers, which will take effect in late 2023. However, the regulator continues to face challenges in developing safety codes for internet storage and private messaging services, with privacy advocates worldwide voicing concerns.

Also Read: Apple Falls on Report That China Agencies Are Barring iPhone Use

As Australia takes a proactive stance in addressing the grave issue of AI-generated child abuse material, it serves as a noteworthy example of the evolving regulatory landscape surrounding internet platforms. The code aims to strike a balance between harnessing the potential of AI technology and safeguarding the well-being of online users, particularly the vulnerable, as the digital realm continues to evolve.

Amazon’s Robot

Amazon’s Robot Workers to Help Run Australia’s Largest Warehouse

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Amazon’s Australian expansion takes a bold step forward as it prepares to operate within the country’s largest warehouse, leveraging advanced robotics for unprecedented efficiency.

Amazon’s Robot
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This move underscores Amazon’s commitment to innovation, efficiency, and blending cutting-edge technology with human expertise in its Australian operations. The upcoming fulfilment centre, sprawling over an impressive 209,000 square meters – equivalent to around 29 football fields, is slated for completion by 2025. Situated at Melbourne’s Craigieburn Logistics Estate, this monumental project is set to redefine the e-commerce landscape in Australia.

The true innovation lies in the seamless collaboration between human workers and a fleet of high-tech robots. These robots are designed to work alongside employees, optimising the order fulfilment process. By transporting inventory pods directly to human workers, these robots significantly reduce the time and physical strain associated with tasks like stocking items and picking orders. This harmonious man-machine partnership showcases how technology can augment human labour to achieve unmatched efficiency.

Beyond its technological marvel, this fulfilment centre is a cornerstone for job creation in Australia. In conjunction with the robot workforce, Amazon plans to generate approximately 2,000 job opportunities. Furthermore, an additional 2,000 jobs will emerge during the construction and fit-out phase of the facility. Amazon’s commitment to fostering employment growth while embracing automation reflects its dedication to progressive business practices.

This ambitious project marks a substantial expansion of 9,000 square meters when compared to Amazon’s existing Western Sydney robotics site, introduced with great success in 2022. The warehouse’s development is backed by Australian Super, the nation’s largest pension fund, with Logos at the helm of management and development. This underscores the growing trend of unlisted assets, particularly warehouses, gaining prominence within Australia’s A$3.5 trillion pension industry. The surge in online shopping has transformed the investment landscape, driving a shift towards digital economy-focused opportunities.

Also Read: Uber Is Developing an AI-Powered Chatbot to Integrate Into App

As Amazon’s Australian venture prepares to embrace this new paradigm, the integration of advanced technology and human prowess takes centre stage. The union of robotic precision and human skill amplifies operational efficiency, showcasing the trans-formative power of collaboration. With the fulfilment centre’s completion on the horizon, the business world anticipates Amazon’s pioneering role in shaping the future of warehousing in Australia.

In conclusion, Amazon’s adoption of robotics in Australia’s largest warehouse signifies a monumental leap towards enhanced efficiency and innovation in the e-commerce sector. This unprecedented synergy between cutting-edge technology and human expertise reaffirms Amazon’s commitment to redefining the retail landscape. As the countdown to the fulfilment centre’s completion begins, the business realm eagerly anticipates the dawn of a new era in Australian warehousing.

buy-now-pay-later

Australia hits buy-now-pay-later sector with consumer credit law

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Australia said that it would govern buy-now-pay-later assistance as customer credit under the new legislation, requiring providers of BNPL to conduct history checks before providing what it said is expected to be one of the strictest regulations worldwide for the emerging sector.

With this change, Block by Jack Dorsey Inc (SQ.N)-owned Afterpay as well as Zip Co would fall under the jurisdiction of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), putting Australia second only to the United Kingdom among nations that have attempted to monitor buy-now-pay-later as a normal credit product.

buy-now-pay-later
Image Source: finance.yahoo.com

Cash-strapped consumers who take on debt, often more than they can handle, frequently employ BNPL firms, which usually provide on-the-spot free-of-interest loans for short periods with minimum verification of credit which disperse payments throughout weeks or months.

Also Read: OpenAI to introduce ChatGPT app for iOS

Since BNPL service providers refrain from charging interest, they are now immune from customer credit regulations. As a result, their company has soared during the e-commerce craze sparked by COVID-19 stimulus funds and extremely low-interest rates.

However, as Australia faces rising prices, which are currently at close to 30-year peaks, worries about repaying have grown. According to Australia’s center-left Labour administration, BNPL needs to be deemed credit as it exerts the same effect on debtors.

“BNPL looks like credit, it acts like credit, it carries the risks of credit,” Financial Services Minister Stephen Jones said in a speech in Sydney on Monday.

“Our plan prevents lending to those who cannot afford it, without stopping safe, prudent BNPL use.”

Source: reuters.com

Australia, which has approximately a dozen registered BNPL service providers, had roughly seven million operational BNPL user accounts throughout 2021–22, generating A$16 billion which is $11 billion in dealings, an increase of 37 percent.

Shopping industry data reveals that Australians made A$63.8 billion in transactions via the Internet in 2022, with 26 percent of Australians claiming to have paid using buy-now-pay-later.

The majority of the money made by BNPL companies comes from costing merchants a share of their earnings in return for sending customers to them. They impose late fees on borrowers but claim that by promising increased credit limits, they promote timely returns.

Although BNPL companies claim to carefully track the debtor’s behavior, a recently enacted Australian law would oblige these individuals to adhere to “responsible lending” constraints, which involve carrying out credit checks before lending, informing clients when their credit limits are increased, and adhering to legally mandated settlement procedures.

Also Read: Meta announces AI training and inference chip project

Later in the year, government officials will make the draught law available for comment, and by the finish of the year, the measure will have been submitted to parliament.

“The buy now, pay later business model is still a structural growth model,” said Shaun Ler, a Morningstar analyst.

“You end up in a situation where everyone is suffering but your competitors are suffering even more and the demand is still there,” Ler added.

Source: reuters.com
Australia new law

Australia finally passes the landmark law making tech giants pay for local content deals.

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For the past few months, tension has risen between the Australian government and tech giants like Google like Facebook. According to the Australian government, such massive tech companies should pay the local media and publishing companies for content. In this way, the local Australian media channels and quality content providers will be benefited and would help in their overall economic and social growth. In the beginning, Google opposed the decision when the first news broke out, but with compromise from both parties, Australia finally passed the landmark law on 25th February 2021.

This new law passed by the Australian legislation will make the tech giants across the globe pay millions of dollars for local news content. Facebook and Google strongly opposed the law but after watering down the binding rules, they have finally agreed to pay the local news channels (Gadgets 360). In the beginning, Google said that the search engine will shut down in Australia if the law is enforced. But, after months of several discussions and debates, Google and Facebook will pay tens of millions with the enforcement of this law.

What changes the new law will bring?

The new law passed by the Australian government will help largely to uplift and give recognition to local news publishers. This can be a perfect model for other nations as well where tensions have risen before between such big firms and local companies. Uplifting small businesses help in improving the economic condition of a nation overall.

Google has launched its new product called Google News Showcase last year. The content Google will pay for now to the local Australian content publishers will be posted on this new platform. In the case of Facebook, the company will pay for the content coming up on the News product which is yet to be rolled out in Australia.

Australia new law
Image Source: thehindu.com

The main reason that the urgency to enforce this law came up is that the regulators think the big tech giants dominate online advertising. With every passing day, they are suppressing the importance of the traditional way of airing news and those organizations as well. At the same time, they are using the content from these organizations for free which is not justified. This is true as everyone is using the internet and smartphone for every purpose and the conventional way of news sourcing is getting lost somewhere. At first, the big tech firms opposed fearing it would hurt their business but it is also a government’s responsibility to uplift the condition of its nation.

Negotiations and compromises

When the Australian government planned to enforce the law the media companies opposed it because the former was going to make it compulsory. And, the government also mentioned that if the companies fail to strike a deal with the local media companies, it will fix a negotiator who will decide the terms of the monetary settlement on behalf of the company. This prospect was dramatically reduced by last-minute government amendments (Gadgets 360).

If both Google and Facebook have backed their business out from Australia, they would have lost millions of active users which would have affected their businesses. So, both Google and Facebook are trying to negotiate deals with Australian media companies. Josh Frydenberg, the Treasurer, said that it pleases the government to see that both the companies are trying to land commercial arrangements with Australian companies. Facebook was not very inclined towards this arrangement before as the company is not that much interested in news content.

Public interest journalism

The new law that is passed today is called the News Media and Digital Platforms Mandatory Bargaining Code. And, according to the Australian government, this new law will help remunerate the local media companies for the quality content they are providing. This new working culture will improve and sustain public interest journalism in Australia. The two tech giants still have a couple of months left to reach any further agreements.

Google has arranged deals with two Australian media companies namely Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp and Nine Entertainment. Facebook’s first deal is with Seven West Media which is another new organization in Australia. Both the companies are planning to invest around $1billion in the news sector for the next three years.