Tag

Moratorium

All articles tagged with #moratorium

politics8 months ago

GOP Proposals for Federal Land Sales Face Political and Legal Challenges

Several House Republicans have declared a red line on a megabill concerning land sales, amid ongoing debates over a 10-year moratorium on enforcing state AI laws linked to a large broadband funding package. The Senate parliamentarian has requested revisions to clarify the scope of the moratorium, which has caused division among Republicans and concerns from state officials and industry groups. The bill's language and its implications for AI regulation and broadband funding are under intense scrutiny and debate.

EU Scientists Call for Ban on Solar Geoengineering
science1 year ago

EU Scientists Call for Ban on Solar Geoengineering

Scientific advisers to the European Commission have recommended a moratorium on solar geoengineering efforts across the EU, citing insufficient evidence and potential risks. These technologies, which aim to cool the Earth by reflecting sunlight, have faced criticism despite their potential to combat climate change. The European Commission's advisory groups have expressed concerns over the high levels of uncertainty and possible harmful effects, advocating against large-scale experimentation and deployment.

"Biden's Natural Gas Policy Faces Legal Challenge and Climate Concerns"
politics2 years ago

"Biden's Natural Gas Policy Faces Legal Challenge and Climate Concerns"

A coalition of 22 Republican state attorneys general has sent a letter to President Biden and Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, warning that the recent moratorium on liquefied natural gas (LNG) export projects is unlawful and demanding its reversal. They argue that the policy harms national security and the economy, and violates federal statutes. The attorneys general also criticize the lack of public comment period and claim that the moratorium emboldens adversaries like Russia. They emphasize the potential economic and national security benefits of LNG exports and urge the administration to reconsider its decision.

West Chester Implements Preemptive Ban on Marijuana Sales Ahead of Issue 2 Implementation
drug-policy2 years ago

West Chester Implements Preemptive Ban on Marijuana Sales Ahead of Issue 2 Implementation

West Chester Township in Ohio has implemented a 360-day moratorium on the sale and cultivation of marijuana, despite the recent legalization of cannabis in the state. The township's Board of Trustees wants to take the time to determine how marijuana can be safely sold, who would be selling it, and whether background checks should be required. They also want to consider the proximity of dispensaries to schools and prevent an influx of vape shops. The moratorium will be reevaluated after 360 days, with the possibility of an additional 180-day extension.

Russia's Nuclear Testing Moratorium Still in Place, Kremlin Confirms
international-relations2 years ago

Russia's Nuclear Testing Moratorium Still in Place, Kremlin Confirms

The Kremlin has stated that Russia has not abandoned its moratorium on nuclear testing, dismissing a suggestion by the editor of a state television channel to detonate a thermonuclear device in Siberia as a warning to the West. President Putin has repeatedly warned that any attack on Russia could provoke a nuclear response. The last nuclear tests conducted by the Soviet Union, the United States, France, and China took place in the 1990s. The New York Times recently reported that satellite imagery and aviation data suggest Russia may be preparing to test an experimental nuclear-powered cruise missile.

"Canada and Global Coalition Demand Halt to Deep-Sea Mining Amid Environmental Concerns"
environment2 years ago

"Canada and Global Coalition Demand Halt to Deep-Sea Mining Amid Environmental Concerns"

Canada has joined the growing list of countries calling for a halt to deep-sea mining in international waters due to concerns about potential ecological devastation. The Canadian government supports a moratorium on commercial deep-sea mining until there is a comprehensive understanding of its environmental impacts and a robust regulatory regime in place. This aligns Canada with European nations, scientists, environmental organizations, and car manufacturers who have pledged not to use deep-sea minerals. The International Seabed Authority, responsible for regulating mining in international waters, is meeting this week to discuss the issue. Experts have raised concerns about sediment plumes, pollution, and the potential harm to marine ecosystems.

Russia Warns Against Nuclear Escalation Amid Tensions with West and Ukraine
international-relations2 years ago

Russia Warns Against Nuclear Escalation Amid Tensions with West and Ukraine

The Kremlin has dismissed the idea that Russia is preparing to carry out a nuclear weapons test, stating that all nuclear states are abiding by a moratorium on testing. This comes after the US ambassador to Moscow, Lynne Tracy, claimed that Russia was the only country talking about the possible resumption of nuclear testing. President Putin had previously warned that Russia would act in kind if the US conducted tests, but the Kremlin has stated that everyone is currently sticking to the moratorium.

cryptocurrency-regulation2 years ago

"Regulation Looms: US Congress Drafts Stablecoin Bill and Calls for Testimony"

The US House Financial Services Committee has released a draft version of a potential stablecoin bill, which proposes a moratorium on stablecoins backed by other cryptocurrencies and a request to study a central bank digital currency (CBDC). The bill creates definitions for payment stablecoin issuers and seeks a study of the potential impact of a CBDC issued by the Federal Reserve. The moratorium on stablecoins like UST would last until a study can be conducted. A House Financial Services subcommittee will hold a hearing on stablecoins on Wednesday.

Tech Leaders Call for Pause on Dangerous Race to Develop Advanced AI.
technology2 years ago

Tech Leaders Call for Pause on Dangerous Race to Develop Advanced AI.

Over 1,000 tech leaders and researchers, including Elon Musk, have signed an open letter calling for a moratorium on the development of the most advanced artificial intelligence (AI) systems, citing "profound risks to society and humanity." The letter urges a pause in the development of AI systems more powerful than GPT-4, the chatbot introduced this month by OpenAI, which Musk co-founded. The pause would provide time to implement "shared safety protocols" for AI systems, the letter said.

Tech Leaders Call for Moratorium on Advanced A.I. Systems
technology2 years ago

Tech Leaders Call for Moratorium on Advanced A.I. Systems

Elon Musk and Steve Wozniak are among the 1,100 signatories of an open letter calling for a six-month moratorium on the development of advanced AI systems. The letter calls on tech companies to stop training AI systems that would be more powerful than the latest large language processing system known as the GPT-4. Musk has been vocal about his concerns regarding unrestricted AI's threat to humanity and was an original co-founder of the OpenAI nonprofit research lab in 2015.

Tech leaders, including Elon Musk, call for pause on dangerous race to create advanced AI.
ai-ethics2 years ago

Tech leaders, including Elon Musk, call for pause on dangerous race to create advanced AI.

Over 1,100 AI experts, including Elon Musk, have signed an open letter calling for a moratorium on the development of AI systems more powerful than GPT-4 for at least six months. The letter, released by the Future of Life Institute, warns that society is not ready for the increasingly advanced systems that labs are racing to deploy. The signatories include foundational figures in artificial intelligence, including Yoshua Bengio, Stuart Russell, and Victoria Krakovna. The letter argues that we need to slow down AI progress and ask ourselves whether we should let machines flood our information channels with propaganda and untruth, automate away all jobs, develop nonhuman minds that might eventually replace us, or risk loss of control of our civilization.