Ukraine Wants 60-Day Ceasefire for Referendum
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that Ukraine requires a 60-day ceasefire to facilitate a referendum within the country. The proposal comes as Ukraine continues to defend against the ongoing Russian invasion, and seeks a path towards a potential resolution and self-determination for its citizens.
Details regarding the scope and nature of the proposed referendum have not yet been fully disclosed, but the call for a ceasefire underscores Ukraine’s desire to create conditions where a vote can be held safely and fairly.
!Foto: FREDRIK SANDBERG / EPA / NTB
Foto: FREDRIK SANDBERG / EPA / NTB
Zelenskyj Discusses Peace Talks with US
Oslo (NTB): statsminister jonas Gahr Støre (Ap) erkjenner at mange vil oppleve en tøff jul med høye strømpriser, men sier regjeringen gjør alt den kan for å hjelpe.
– Vi har en krevende situasjon. Mange vil merke at det er strammere tider, og det er viktig å erkjenne det, sa Støre på regjeringens julepressekonferanse fredag.
Han understreket at regjeringen har satt i gang en rekke tiltak for å dempe strømprisene, blant annet strømstøtteordningen og kompensasjon til bedrifter.
– Vi har gjort mye, og vi følger situasjonen tett.Vi er beredt til å komme med ytterligere tiltak hvis det blir nødvendig, sa Støre.
Han oppfordret samtidig folk til å være bevisste på strømforbruket sitt.
– Alle kan bidra til å redusere forbruket, og det vil hjelpe oss alle, sa han.
Støre ønsket til slutt alle en riktig god jul,og oppfordret til å ta vare på hverandre i en tid som kan være vanskelig for mange.
– Julen er en tid for å samles og glede seg over hverandre. La oss ta vare på de som trenger det mest, sa han.
Norway’s Government Proposes Restrictions on AI Use
Norway’s government has proposed new regulations aimed at governing the use of artificial intelligence (AI) within the country. The proposals, unveiled on May 10, 2024, focus on mitigating risks associated with high-risk AI systems while fostering innovation.
Key Proposals
The core of the proposed legislation centers around a risk-based approach, categorizing AI systems based on their potential impact.
* High-Risk AI Systems: Systems deemed to pose notable risks to essential rights, safety, or democracy will face stringent requirements. These include mandatory conformity assessments, openness obligations, and human oversight.Examples include AI used in critical infrastructure, education, employment, and law enforcement.
* General-Purpose AI: The government also intends to address the unique challenges posed by general-purpose AI models, like those powering chatbots. While not subject to the same level of regulation as high-risk systems, these models will be required to disclose training data and adhere to transparency standards.
* Prohibited AI practices: Certain AI practices considered unacceptable,such as those employing manipulative techniques or enabling social scoring,will be explicitly prohibited.
Alignment with EU AI Act
the Norwegian proposals are closely aligned with the European Union’s AI Act, which is expected to come into force in the coming years. Norway, as a member of the European Economic Area (EEA), aims to ensure compatibility with EU regulations to facilitate cross-border cooperation and trade.
Government Statements
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre emphasized the importance of responsible AI progress. “AI has enormous potential, but it also carries risks,” he stated. “We must ensure that AI is developed and used in a way that respects our values and protects our citizens.”
Minister of Digitalisation, Marte Gjerme, added that the goal is to “strike a balance between promoting innovation and safeguarding fundamental rights.”
Next Steps
The proposals will now be subject to public consultation before being presented to Parliament for approval. The government anticipates that the new regulations could be in effect as early as 2025.
Sources:
* Regjeringen.no – AI regulation
* Euronews.next – Norway AI Act
* Reuters – Norway AI regulation