Innovation Updates
Green Hydrogen Bunkering, Refueling Facilities to Be Set Up at All Major Ports by 2035 THE HINDU | MAY 11, 2023
The Indian government aims to establish green hydrogen bunkering and refueling facilities at major ports by 2035 to mitigate carbon emissions. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has released guidelines named "HaritSagar," urging ports to develop infrastructure for the storage and utilization of green hydrogen within the specified timelines.
Government Announces $2 Billion Investment in Mohali’s Semiconductor Laboratory MONEYCONTROL | MAY 12, 2023
The Indian government plans to invest $2 billion in Semiconductor Laboratory in Mohali for research. In addition, India will also establish a semiconductor research institute to work collaboratively with institutes like IIT Delhi, IIT Madras, and others.
New £1 Billion Strategy for UK's Semiconductor Sector GOV.UK | MAY 19, 2023
The United Kingdom’s strategy on semiconductors is notable for its focus on an area of strategic advantage for it—semiconductor design. An amount of £1 billion will be invested in chip design so that the UK can double down on its comparative strength and build on its strong foundations in this area.
AI Supercomputer 'AIRAWAT' Puts India Among Top Supercomputing League PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA | MAY 24, 2023
India's AI supercomputer 'AIRAWAT' at C-DAC, Pune, secured the 75th position globally in the 61st edition of the Top 500 Global Supercomputing List. This achievement marks India's leadership in AI supercomputing. Installed under the National Program on AI, it aims to address societal and economic challenges with its computational power.
Baidu Creates $140 Million Fund to Back ChatGPT-Like Startups BLOOMBERG | MAY 31, 2023
Baidu has earmarked 1 billion yuan ($140 million) to fund Chinese startups exploring generative AI. Through its Ernie AI model, Baidu will incubate projects with investments of up to 10 million yuan ($1.4 million) per project. This initiative reflects China's increasing focus on AI investment, following the frenzy around OpenAI's ChatGPT.
Regulatory Updates
India Seeks Exemption for MSMEs From EU’s Carbon Tax, Presses for Mutual Recognition MONEYCONTROL | MAY 9, 2023
The EU is introducing Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) from October 2023, which will result in 25 –30 percent tax on selected imports from carbon-intensive sectors, including steel, cement, fertilizer, and aluminum into the EU. India is therefore seeking exemption for its medium and small enterprises from the EU’s carbon tax and is pushing the EU for a mutual recognition of its carbon certificates.
China Sets Up Science-Tech Ethics Committee for Risk Prevention Amid Global AI Craze GLOBAL TIMES | MAY 16, 2023
China's Ministry of Industry and Information and Technology has established a committee and an expert group for science and technology ethics for risk prevention in the field of artificial intelligence. The committee will oversee administration, research, education, and international cooperation, while the expert group will provide guidance and consultancy.
G-7 Leaders Agree to Set Up 'Hiroshima Process' to Govern AI BLOOMBERG | MAY 20, 2023
The leaders of the G7 countries established a "Hiroshima Process" to regulate the disruptive potential of generative AI. The governments of the G7 nations will hold cabinet-level meetings to discuss ways to regulate AI developments and present their findings by the end of 2023.
Digital India Bill Draft to Be Released in June: Centre THE HINDU | MAY 23, 2023
The full draft of the Digital India Bill, a major overhaul of internet regulations, is set to be released in June with the aim to pass the law by the end of this year. While efforts of sectoral regulators will not be affected, the bill aims to harmonize the tech space and consolidate existing regulations.
AI Industry and Researchers Sign Statement Warning of 'Extinction' Risk CNN | MAY 30, 2023
Leading AI industry leaders, academics, and various other notable figures have called for making the mitigation of the risk of an AI extinction event a top global priority. The signatories to the statement include Open AI CEO Sam Altman, Geoffrey Hinton, Bill Gates, top researchers from Google DeepMind and Anthropic, and others.
Technology and International Affairs
MoU Signed Between Israel and India on "Industrial Research and Development Cooperation" PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA | MAY 4, 2023
India and Israel have signed an MoU on Industrial Research and Development Cooperation between the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, India and the Directorate of Defense Research and Development, Israel. The collaboration, which aims to promote mutually beneficial industrial and technology cooperation, will focus on areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum, semiconductors, and synthetic biology.
First EU-India Trade and Technology Council Focused on Deepening Strategic Engagement on Trade and Technology EUROPEAN COMMISSION | MAY 16, 2023
The European Union and India conducted their first ministerial meeting of the Trade and Technology Council (TTC) to enhance their strategic partnership in these two areas. The TTC aims to boost bilateral trade, collaborate on strategic technologies and digital governance, promote green and clean energy, and strengthen resilient value chains. This is the first time that the two sides have agreed to “enhance the interoperability of their respective digital public infrastructures and promote secure, privacy-preserving solutions to the benefit of developing countries.” Annual ministerial meetings will continue, with the next one planned for early 2024 in India.
Japan 'Seriously Looking' at Joining India's UPI Payments System LIVEMINT | MAY 19, 2023
To promote digital cooperation, Japan is considering adopting India’s UPI payment system to enhance cross-border payments. Both countries will work toward mutually recognizing their digital identities to enhance the interoperability of the payment systems between Japan and India.
G7 Hiroshima Leaders' Communique THE WHITE HOUSE | MAY 20, 2023
The leaders of the G7 nations have called for inclusive AI governance, a multilateral trading system, and responsible innovation in digital technologies. Additionally, the leaders supported the need for free and fair trade, cross-border data flows, and the development of advanced technologies to address global challenges and boost economic growth.
Quad Leaders' Joint Statement THE WHITE HOUSE | MAY 20, 2023
In the third Leaders’ Summit, Quad Leaders recognized the potential benefits of technology, including DPI, to support sustainable development in the Indo-Pacific. The leaders lauded the Quad Investor Network to facilitate investment in strategic technologies such as clean energy, semiconductors, critical minerals, and quantum. Further, the Quad agreed to promote technology standards, support innovation in agriculture, strengthen cybersecurity, and enhance space technologies.
Next 30 Days
Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Visit the United States of America MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA | May 10, 2023
PM Modi will make an official state visit to the United States on June 22 to strengthen India and the United States’ shared commitment to a free, open, prosperous, and secure Indo-Pacific. The visit also aims to enhance cooperation in areas such as defense, clean energy, and space technologies.
INDUS-X Event to Be Launched During the U.S. Visit of PM Modi U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE | MAY 18, 2023
INDUS-X, an event to promote partnerships between the defense innovation ecosystems of both India and the United States, will be held in June. The event was also discussed during the meeting of U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense, Dr. Kathleen Hicks, with Indian Defence Secretary, Giridhar Aramane.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III Will Visit Japan, Singapore, India, and France U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE | MAY 25, 2023
In early June, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III will visit Japan, Singapore, India, and France to strengthen defense partnerships. In New Delhi, he will meet with Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to enhance the U.S.-India Major Defense Partnership and promote defense innovation and cooperation.