CONTEXT: In 2023, the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on social and economic relations was significant, attributed to the success of large language models (LLMs), such as ChatGPT, in solving complex tasks. Concerns about the dangers of LLMs and publicly deployed AI systems started to be voiced by both industry and state actors, highlighting potential perils that were previously ignored by the industry.

Recent advancements:

• Microsoft invested $10 billion in the OpenAI project, and Google introduced its chatbot, Bard, leading to increased hardware profits for GPU manufacturer NVIDIA, reaching a market cap of a trillion dollars.
• Amazon launched Bedrock, Google aimed to improve its search engine using generative models, and Microsoft integrated generative models for Windows 11 navigation.

Challenges of such advancements:

• Job Displacement: AI automation has the potential to displace human jobs, leading to unemployment and necessitating workforce re-skilling or retraining.
• Ethical Concerns: AI introduces ethical issues like algorithmic bias, privacy invasion, and ethical implications related to autonomous decision-making systems.
• Reliance on Data Quality: AI systems heavily depend on the availability and quality of data. Biased or incomplete data can result in inaccurate outcomes or reinforce existing biases in decision-making.
• Security Risks: AI systems are susceptible to cyber attacks and exploitation, allowing malicious actors to manipulate algorithms or misuse AI-powered tools, posing security risks.
• Overreliance: Blindly relying on AI without proper human oversight can lead to errors, especially in unfamiliar or unexpected situations.
• Lack of Transparency: Certain AI models, like deep learning neural networks, may be challenging to interpret, creating difficulties in understanding the rationale behind their decisions (referred to as the "black box" problem).
• Initial Investment and Maintenance Costs: Implementing AI systems involves substantial upfront investment in infrastructure, data collection, and model development. Additionally, maintaining and updating AI systems can be costly.

Issues with AI regulations:

• In July, the US government persuaded major AI companies to abide by "voluntary rules" for product safety, but these rules lacked consideration for broader political-economic factors and were not enforceable.
• In Europe, the AI Act was proposed in April and passed into law by December, becoming the world's first such law. It includes concrete red lines, such as prohibiting certain uses of biometric identification and emotion detection. Criticisms of the AI Act include gaps in regulation, such as excluding emotion detection outside workplaces, and a lack of industrial policy addressing ownership, labor impact, and profit distribution.

Guidelines for Ethical and Responsible AI:

Ethical Deployment: Prioritize ethical, transparent, and accountable development and deployment of AI systems. Address biases, ensure privacy and data protection, and establish clear regulations and guidelines.

Research and Innovation: Continue investing in fundamental research for developing new algorithms and models in the rapidly evolving field of AI. Ongoing innovation is crucial for advancing capabilities and achieving breakthroughs.

Data Quality and Accessibility: Focus on improving data collection, cleaning, and labeling processes for effective AI model training. Promote data sharing and accessibility to encourage collaboration across different domains.

Human-AI Collaboration: Design AI systems to augment human capabilities rather than replace them entirely. Emphasize collaboration between humans and AI for more effective solutions, including user-centered design.

Domain-Specific Applications: Identify and prioritize specific domains, such as healthcare, transportation, finance, and education, where AI can have a significant positive impact. Tailor AI solutions to address challenges in these specific fields.

Education and Workforce Development: Prepare the workforce for an AI-driven future through education and upskilling programs. Foster interdisciplinary collaboration and partnerships between academia, industry, and government.

International Collaboration and Standards: Collaborate internationally to share knowledge and best practices in AI development. Establish global standards and frameworks to ensure interoperability, fairness, and security in AI systems' development and deployment.

Advantages of AI:

• Enhanced Accuracy: AI algorithms analyze extensive data with precision, reducing errors and enhancing accuracy in applications such as diagnostics, predictions, and decision-making.
• Improved Decision-Making: AI offers data-driven insights and analysis, aiding informed decision-making by identifying patterns, trends, and potential risks not easily discernible to humans.
• Innovation and Discovery: AI fosters innovation, facilitating new discoveries, revealing hidden insights, and pushing boundaries in fields like healthcare, science, and technology.
• Increased Productivity: AI tools and systems enhance human capabilities, resulting in heightened productivity and output across various industries and sectors.
• Continuous Learning and Adaptability: AI systems learn from new data and experiences, continually improving performance, adapting to changes, and staying current with evolving trends.
• Exploration and Space Research: AI is crucial in space exploration, enabling autonomous spacecraft, robotic exploration, and data analysis in remote and hazardous environments.

Artificial Intelligence

AI refers to the capability of a computer or a computer-controlled robot to perform tasks typically carried out by humans, requiring human-like intelligence and discernment. While no AI system can replicate the broad range of tasks performed by a human, certain AI technologies can excel in specific activities.

Key Characteristics & Components: AI's fundamental characteristic is its capacity to reason and make decisions that optimize the likelihood of achieving a particular objective. Machine Learning (ML) is a subset of AI, focusing on systems that can learn and improve from experience. Deep Learning (DL) techniques facilitate automatic learning by processing large volumes of unstructured data, including text, images, or video.

Large Language Models (LLMs):

LLMs are a specific category of generative AI models designed to comprehend and produce human-like text. Constructed using deep learning techniques, especially neural networks, these models can generate coherent and contextually relevant text based on a given prompt or input. A prominent example of LLMs is OpenAI's GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer).

Generative AI:

Generative AI is a subset of artificial intelligence focused on developing systems capable of creating content resembling human-produced output.These systems learn from patterns in existing data and utilize that knowledge to generate new, original content in various forms, including text, images, music, and

Global governance of AI

India:

NITI Aayog has issued guiding documents on AI, including the National Strategy for AI and the Responsible AI for All report. The focus is on social and economic inclusion, innovation, and trustworthiness.

United Kingdom:

Advocates a light-touch approach, urging regulators in various sectors to apply existing regulations to AI. Outlined five principles for companies: safety, security, and robustness; transparency and explainability; fairness; accountability and governance; and contestability and redress.

US:

Introduced a Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights (AIBoR), addressing the economic and civil rights harms of AI. Recommends a sectorally specific approach to AI governance, with policies tailored for sectors like health, labor, and education.

China:

In 2022, China implemented nationally binding regulations targeting specific types of algorithms and AI.

Enacted a law to regulate recommendation algorithms, particularly focusing on information dissemination. As of the end of 2023, challenges in AI policy persist, with a lack of democratic voices and a tendency to surrender the policy process to a few tech companies, which exploit anxieties about AI to distract from concrete interventions.The hope for 2024 is an increased socialization of AI policy, with people taking more control over its imagination and implementation.

Context: Phase 1 of the Bharatmala project deadline has been extended by six years, to FY 2027-28. 

News:

• Project Initiation: The first phase of Bharatmala, unveiled in 2017, aimed for completion by 2022.
• Estimated Cost Approval: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) sanctioned the initial phase with an estimated cost of Rs 5.35 trillion.
• Cost Overrun: The Public Investment Board, under the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, appraised the project and noted a 100% increase in the estimated cost to Rs 10.95 trillion. The per km cost surged from Rs 14 crore to Rs 24 crore, as per the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report.
• Time Overrun: As of November, only 76% (24,416km) of the total 34,800 km project length has been awarded, and merely 42% (15,045 km) has been completed.
• New Deadlines: The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) aims to secure all clearances (land acquisition, environmental, etc.) by the end of 2024-25 and award the remaining project. The construction completion deadline has been extended to 2027-28.
• Reasons for Delay:
  •  
  • Escalation in raw material costs.
  •  
  • Increased expenses and lingering disputes related to land acquisition.
  • Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on construction activities.
  • Lack of a systematic prioritization method and unclear completion timelines, as per the CAG report.
  • Rise in Goods and Services Tax rates.

Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA):

• The CCEA is a Cabinet committee chaired by the Prime Minister
• Functions:
  • Formulation of Economic Policy: The committee is responsible for developing a comprehensive and cohesive economic policy framework for India.
  • Direction and Coordination: It directs and coordinates all economic policies and activities across the country.
  • Price Control: The CCEA oversees the price control of industrial raw materials and products.
  • Performance Review: It conducts reviews of the performance of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs).

Bharatmala Pariyojna:

• A centrally funded project aimed at the development of roads and highways across India, designed in two phases.
• Objective: The project's goal is to enhance road connectivity, focusing on border areas, coastal roads, major and non-major port connectivity, efficiency improvement of national corridors, development of economic corridors, expressways, inter corridors, and feeder routes.  Integration with Sagarmala is also a key aspect.
• Phase I Overview: This phase concentrates on the development of economic corridors, feeder roads, and expressways, covering 34,800 km out of the total length of 74,942 km.
• Nodal Ministry: The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is the overseeing authority.
• Implementing Agencies: Execution of the project involves collaboration with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), and State Public Works Departments.
• Funding Mechanism: The project's financial support is derived from various Sources, including the collection of Cess from Petrol & Diesel (in accordance with the Central Road & Infrastructure Fund Act, 2000), Toll Tax, Monetisation of National Highways through TOT (Toll-Operate-Transfer), Internal & Extra Budgetary Resources (IEBR), and Private Sector Investment.

Context: Recently, the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh inaugurated the newly-constructed Sanjauli-Dhalli tunnel.

About  Sanjauli-Dhalli Tunnel:

• Description: A double-lane tunnel spanning approximately 150 meters, constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 47 crore.
• Existing Dhalli Tunnel: Originally built in 1852 as a single-lane passage, the older Dhalli tunnel had exceeded its design life, leading to persistent traffic congestion issues.
• Location: The strategic positioning of the New Sanjauli-Dhalli Tunnel is on the route to popular tourist destinations like Kufri, Naldehra, Tattapani, Narkanda, and Chail.
• Importance:
• Enhanced Connectivity: The tunnel addresses the needs of both residents and visitors, facilitating smoother movement and contributing to the economic growth of the region. Improved connectivity is expected to significantly benefit tourism.
• Infrastructure Modernization: Recognized as the most viable and sustainable solution, the new tunnel alleviates congestion on Shimla’s circular road, representing a step towards modernizing the infrastructure.
• Cultural Promotion: Within the tunnel, 210 hand-painted artworks depicting the culture of Himachal Pradesh adorn the walls. The paintings are themed around the Jatar (Devta) procession of Shimla. Notably, the Choltu dance form depicted in the paintings is a significant expression of "Pahari" dance, particularly in upper Himachal areas like Theog, Rohru, Rampur, and Kotkhai. This dance is performed in devotion to local deities during special occasions. Wide footpaths have been constructed on both sides of the tunnel.

Context: A stone deity worshipped by the Bhils in Madhya Pradesh’s Bagh was recently proved to be a fossilized dinosaur egg.

News:

• Tradition Continuation: Similar to their forebears, the Bhil community has a tradition of venerating ancient stones, with generations worshipping the sunbaked, reddish-brown Kakad Bhairav or Bhilat Baba.
• Rituals: Ceremonies involve offerings, including sacrifices of chickens and sheep, as whispered pleas are made to the approximately oval-shaped deity.
• Deity Description: The deity, characterized by a weathered face adorned with a black tilak and a distinctive handlebar mustache, is revered for blessings related to bountiful harvests and the well-being of livestock.
• Tribal Worship Practices in Narmada Valley:
• Fossilized Titanosaurus Eggs: Tribes residing in the Narmada Valley engage in the worship of fossilized Titanosaurus eggs as part of their religious practices.
• Cultural Continuity: These practices reflect the cultural continuity within the Bhil community, emphasizing ancestral reverence and the deep-rooted connection to traditional worship methods.

Bhil Tribes:

• Popularly recognized as the bow men of Rajasthan, the name "Bhil" is derived from the term "villu" or "billu."
• Widespread Presence: Bhils represent the most extensive and widely distributed tribe in South Asia.
• Comprising 39% of Rajasthan's total population, Bhils play a significant demographic role in the region.
• Classified into Central or pure Bhils and Eastern or Rajput Bhils.
• Central Bhils: Found in the mountainous regions of Indian states such as Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Rajasthan.
• Additional Presence: Bhils are also located in the northeastern parts of Tripura.
• Epic Mentions: The name Bhil finds mention in ancient epics like the Mahabharata and Ramayana, particularly in the context of Eklavya.
• Language Spoken: Bhils communicate in Bhili, an Indo-Aryan language.
• Economic Shift: Traditionally skilled hunters, Bhils have transitioned to agriculture as their primary livelihood SOURCE.
• Separate State Demand: Some Bhil communities advocate for the establishment of a separate state known as Bhil Pradesh.

Dinosaur Fossils National Park:

• Location: Situated in Madhya Pradesh, India, the Dinosaur Fossils National Park is a designated protected area.
• Renowned Site: The park is celebrated for its extensive fossil deposits, offering valuable glimpses into the prehistoric era and the existence of dinosaurs.
• Age of Fossils: The fossil findings in this park date back approximately 6.5 crore years.
• Insights into Prehistory: The rare dinosaur fossils discovered in the park contribute significantly to our understanding of the prehistoric world.

UNESCO Global Geopark Nomination:

• Recent Discovery Impact: Scientists anticipate that the recent discovery will boost the chances of securing India's first UNESCO Global Geopark designation.
• United Nations Recognition: The UNESCO Global Geopark tag, initiated in 2015, is bestowed upon territories with sites globally significant in terms of geology, geomorphology, or paleontology.
• Prestigious Club: If chosen, the Bagh site would become part of an exclusive group, joining 195 UNESCO Geoparks across 48 countries.

Context: While no human probe has ventured far beyond the boundaries of the Solar System, we possess the capability to measure distances spanning billions of light-years.

About:

• The expanse of space beyond Earth is immensely large, leading to the impracticality of using everyday units of measure.
• Distances between planets and, more notably, between stars become staggering when expressed in miles and kilometers.
• To address the challenge of cosmic distances, alternative units such as astronomical units, light years, and parsecs are employed.
• These units provide a more suitable and manageable means of expressing the vast spans between celestial bodies.
• The combined use of these measurement methods is collectively referred to as the cosmic distance ladder.

Astronomical Units (AU):

• Astronomical units serve as a practical measure specifically designed for our solar system.
• One AU represents the distance from the Sun to Earth's orbit, approximately 93 million miles.Example: The distance from the Sun to Saturn's orbit, when expressed in astronomical units, is 9.5 AU.
• Managing Enormous Numbers: Astronomical units offer a convenient way to condense vast distances in our solar system into more manageable numerical values.
• Practical Compression: This unit allows for the compression of truly astronomical figures, making them easier to comprehend and work with.

Light Year:

• A light year signifies the distance covered by a photon of light in one year, equating to approximately 6 trillion miles.
• It represents the distance one could traverse in a year if moving at the speed of light, which is 186,000 miles per second.     
• Solar System Perspective: Light years offer valuable perspective on solar system distances, emphasizing that light from the Sun takes about eight minutes to reach Earth.

Parsecs:

• Usage in Vast Distances millions of light years.
• One parsec is equivalent to 3.26 light years, providing a more practical measure for these expansive cosmic spans.
• Astronomers employ megaparsecs, where a megaparsec equals one million parsecs, to gauge intergalactic distances.
• In instances where even megaparsecs become impractical due to enormous distances between galaxies, astronomers resort to using redshift as a method to measure these distances.

Context: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has authorized the implementation of card-on-file tokenization (CoFT) in collaboration with card-issuing banks and institutions, aiming to enhance the security and safety of digital payments.

Card-on-File Tokenization (CoFT):

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) introduced Card-on-File Tokenization in September 2021, and its implementation commenced on October 1, 2022.

Objective:

The primary goal is to streamline the process for cardholders, allowing them to easily generate tokens and associate them with their current accounts within various e-commerce applications.

Tokenization Definition:

Tokenization involves substituting actual credit and debit card details with a unique code known as the "token." This code is distinct for a specific combination of card, token requestor, and device.

CoF Transaction Explanation:

A Card-on-File (CoF) transaction occurs when a cardholder grants authorization to a retailer to store their Mastercard or Visa payment information. Subsequently, the cardholder permits the business to debit the stored Mastercard or Visa account.

Data Storage Locations:

Typically, card information is retained in the systems of various entities such as e-commerce companies, airlines, and supermarket chains.

Significance:

This initiative is pivotal as it simplifies the generation and association of tokens with the existing accounts of cardholders within e-commerce applications, contributing to heightened security and user convenience.

Advantages of Tokenization:

• Original Card Details Elimination: Tokenization eliminates the risk associated with storing actual card details online, ensuring secure storage of customer token information on the merchant's site.
• Uncompromised Convenience: This approach guarantees the convenience of storing customer token details without compromising security.
• Quick Checkout Process: Tokenized Mastercards facilitate swift checkouts by eliminating the need to input the card number for every purchase.
• Elimination of Legitimate Payment Declines: Tokenization addresses the issue of legitimate online payments being wrongly declined due to perceived fraud. The use of tokens for transactions assures the highest level of security.
• Tracking Tokenized Cards: Tokenization enables easy tracking of all cards and the merchants with which they have been tokenized, simplifying card management.
• Physical Card Not Required: Tokenization eliminates the necessity for a physical card, streamlining payment processes.
• Cashback Incentives: Tokenization offers additional benefits, such as cashback rewards when secured through platforms like Amazon, Paytm, Swiggy, etc.

• The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) along with National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) has launched 'SMART 2.0' recently.

The program aims to promote robust clinical studies in priority areas of Ayurveda with Ayurveda academic institutions/hospitals across the country through mutual collaboration.

• A Fog Pass Device is a GPS-based navigation device that helps train loco pilot navigate through dense fog.
• It provides on-board real-time information (Display as well as voice guidance) to Loco Pilots.

It gives information regarding location of fixed landmarks such as Signal, Level Crossing gate (Manned & Unmanned), Permanent Speed Restrictions, Neutral Sections etc.

• Recently National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) signed a 3-year MoU with the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) to develop & report a Green Cover Index for National highways.

MGCI is a metric that measures the amount of green vegetation in mountain areas (forest, shrubs, trees, pasture land, crop land, etc.) in order to monitor progress towards the mountain target.

Dense fog covered the better part of north India during the last days of December and the 1^st couple of days of 2024.

What is fog?

A fog – It is a collection of small droplets of water produced when evaporated water has cooled down and condensed.It is nothing but a thick cloud, but very close to the earth’s surface.

• Conditions for a thick fog
  • Lower temperatures
  • Abundant moisture near the surface
  • Higher humidity
  • The process by which it cools

Fog materialises whenever there is a temperature disparity between the ground and the air.

What are the different types of fog?

• Radiation Fog – It forms when all solar energy exits the earth and allows the temperature to meet up with the dew point and the best condition is when it had rained the previous night.
• Precipitation Fog – It forms when rain is falling through cold air which is common with a warm fronts but it can occur with cold fronts as well only if it's not moving too fast.
• Cold air, dry at the surface while rain is falling through it evaporates and causes the dew point to rise and this saturation forms fog.
• Advection Fog – It forms from surface contact of horizontal winds and can occur with windy conditions.
• When cool moisture on the ground comes in contact with the warm, moist winds, it cause the air blowing in to become cool and then dew point rises and creates high humidity and forms fog.

Steam Fog – It forms during the fall season on any lake due to the difference in rate of cooling and interactions between the upper cold air and relatively warmer lake.

• Upslope Fog – It forms adiabatically, as moist winds blow toward a mountain, it up glides and this causes the air to rise and cool.
• The cooling of the air from rising causes to meet up with the dew point temperature and so fog forms on top of the mountains.
• Valley Fog – It forms in the valley when the soil is moist from previous rainfall.
• As the skies clear solar energy exits earth and allow the temperature to cool near or at the dew point.

Valley fog is so dense that sometimes it is called as tule fog.

• Freezing Fog – It occurs when the temperature falls at 32°F (0°C) or below, it produces drizzle and these tiny droplets freeze when they come into contact with an object.
• Ice Fog – It is only seen in the polar and artic regions.
• Temperatures at 14 F (-10°C) is too cold for the air to contain super-cooled water droplets so it forms small tiny ice crystals.

What is the situation of fogging in northern India?

• During Indian winters, the fog is created when the temperature drops at night and in the early morning, condenses on aerosols present in the atmosphere.
• Vulnerable regions – The entire Indo-Gangetic plains
• Favourable conditions – It is due to presence of
  • Low temperatures
  • Low wind speed
  • Moisture availability
  • Plenty of aerosols
• Moisture incursion – It can happen once a Western Disturbance, a precipational pattern that brings rain to north India during winter months moves across northern parts.
• Sometimes, it can happen from the Arabian Sea also.
• Effect of fogging – Fog disrupting the lives of people in North India with the condition of poor visibility.
• It impacts air travel and land transportation
• It also increases the pollution.

Recently, Delhi experienced an increase in pollution levels, with an AQI rating of “severe.”

A new report by the Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change warns of the severe health consequences of climate change in India.

What are the key highlights of the report?

• Rise in temperature- It poses a significant threat to lives, health and wellbeing, leading to an increased risk of death and heat-related diseases.
• Vulnerable group at risk- Due to elevated temperature older individuals, socio economically deprived communities, very young children, pregnant women and those with underlying health issues are particularly at risk.
• Impact on health-

• Economic fallout- Agricultural workers face the brunt experiencing 64% of potential hours lost and 55% of potential income loss.

In 2022, India lost 191 billion labour hours due to heat, which was 54% more than in 1991-2000.

• Urgent call for action- The report stresses the critical need for immediate action, emphasizing the urgency of strengthening local health systems, adapting to climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
• Air pollution- The report addresses the health impact of air pollution, attributing increasing deaths to small particulate matter (PM2.5) generate from human activities.
• Energy transition- Transition to renewable energy is identified as a crucial step to mitigate air pollution, reduce greenhouse gas emission and promote universal, affordable and clean energy.
• Drought - India’s vulnerability to extreme weather events including drought is outlined impacting crop yields, livestock and food security.
• Spread of diseases- The suitability for the spread of infectious diseases like malaria, dengue has increased due to climate change.
• Local engagement- The report emphasized the importance of locally relevant data and research to inform policies and enable government to take a leading role in championing health centered climate action.
• Global collaboration- The report gives a call for global collaboration to address the urgent challenges posed by the climate change.

What lies ahead?

• Climate negotiations must drive a rapid and sustained shift away from fossil fuels, accelerate mitigation, and increase support for health adaptation.
• The coordinated action of health professionals, policy makers, corporations, and financial institutions is the need of the hour to ensure a thriving future.
• Health-centred urban redesign can promote safe active travel, reduce building and transport-based air pollution and GHG emissions, and increase resilience to climate hazards

Recent attacks on commercial ships near the Red Sea amidst the ongoing Gaza war impacts India’s global trade.

What is Red sea?

• The Red Sea is a narrow inland sea between Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.
• The nearly 2,000-km Red Sea connects the Mediterranean Sea with the Indian Ocean via the narrow Suez Canal (since 1869).
• It is connected to the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean to the south through the Gulf of Aden and the narrow strait of Bab el Mandeb.
• The Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, also known as the "Gate of Tears" in Arabic, is a crucial trade route that connects the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean via the Red Sea and the Suez Canal.
• Bordering countries – Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Sudan, Eritrea and Djibouti.

Why trade across red sea is important?

• Historical significance – There are evidences of Indian diaspora in the Middle East even at the time of Meluha (the Indus Valley Civilisation, c. 3300-1300 BCE).
• In the 1^st and 2^nd century CE, maritime highway linked the Roman Empire and India through the Red Sea, with many 100’s of ships going in both directions each year.
• Economic significance – Suez Canal was opened in 1869 and since then, it has become the busiest trade route as it reduced distance between Europe and Asia by 7000km.
• Geopolitical significance – The narrow Suez Canal is strategically located connecting west and east.

What is the impact of Red Sea trouble on Indian trade?

• Stopping vessel movements – Major cargo shipping lines decided they would not operate on this route and even small feeder vessels have of late stopped plying in these waters.
• Re-routing of ships – Almost 90% of western hemisphere cargo, both inbound or shipped from India is now getting re-routed through the Cape of Good Hope.
• The remaining 10% of Indian import or export cargo is either not moving or using a transit facility.
• Higher transit time – Trade with Europe, the U.S. east coast and to North Africa is taking the longer route and thus elongating both export and import cycles.
• Holding back the consignment – Roughly 20-25% consignments are being held up.
• Increase in freight costs – It may affect all consignments by up to 6-fold in some cases which may also be due to peak season surcharge and contingency surcharge.
• Increased Insurance costs – They are not sure of what will happen to the ships as more escorts are needed.
• Higher fuel burning – Long route ships could burn a million dollars’ worth of fuel per trip.

• Costlier imports – Final products could turn dearer and it could affect the plans to reduce pump prices of petrol and diesel.

Gross imports of crude oil and petroleum products as a share of India’s gross imports in value terms was 25.8% in 2022-23, and 22.6% in the 1^st half of the current fiscal.

• Affects commodity sectors – The worst affected sectors are chemicals, plastic, petrochemicals, because margins are not there to absorb the hike in freight.

What lies ahead?

• The Indian navy is monitoring the overall situation in coordination with national maritime agencies.
• Enhanced maritime surveillance – Indian Navy’s destroyers and frigates are undertaking maritime security operations and rendering assistance to merchant vessels in case of any incident.
  • INS Chennai closely followed the hijacked MV Lila Norfolk ship and rescued all 21 crew, including 15 Indians, onboard.
• Aerial surveillance – A complete maritime domain awareness is done by using long-range maritime patrol aircraft and remotely piloted aircraft.
• Strengthening ‘Operation Prosperity Guardian’ – US spearheaded multinational operation to keep the sea lanes open and free of threats but India is yet to decide on joining it.

The New York Times (NYT) filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft for using its copyrighted work to train and generate Artificial Intelligence products.

Why NYT filed allegation against AI firms?

• Use of copyrighted materials- NYT claims that Open AI and Microsoft are free-riding on its journalism, stealing its audience.
• It argues that Open AI and Microsoft’s use is not transformative or fair, and that it harms the potential market for its work.
• They use NYT’s copies to train their large language models (LLMs), including ChatGPT and Copilot.
• Loss of revenue- AI firms are reproducing articles by passing paywalls using a browsing plugin.
• Loss of autonomy- The copyrighted news articles, in-depth investigations, opinions etc., are being used unlawfully to create AI products that jeopardize its ability to deliver that service.
• Unfair competition- Chatbots like ChatGPT and Bing Chat could harm NYT’s business by using its content to create competing products that discourage users from visiting its website.
• Misinformation- The problem with LLMs is that they produce false or inaccurate information by fabricating the content which is called as hallucination in AI.
• Lack of market- Misinformation harms the reputation and trustworthiness of the newspaper which undermines the quality and value of journalism, as it makes it harder for people to distinguish between true and false information.

What is OpenAI’s legal stance?

• Fair use-They may claim that using NYT's articles to train their AI products is a fair use of copyrighted material.
• Fair use factors- Fair use depends on four factors, such as
  • Purpose and character of use,
  • Nature of the work,
  • The amount used, and
  • The effect on the market.
• Transformative use- Purpose and character of use factor is crucial as it considers whether OpenAI's use is transformative, meaning it adds something new or different to the original work.
• However, this may be challenged by the fact that the LLM does not retain the original data, but only learns from it.

What lies ahead?

• The complaint is the 1^st AI copyright lawsuit within the news ecosystem, arguing that the generative AI models threaten the publication’s business model and compromise the credibility.
• The lawsuit could have significant impact on the future of generative AI and intellectual property, as it raises questions about the value and meaning of creativity and art in the age of AI.
• A new legal framework is required as existing laws may not adequately address the issues of authorship and ownership of works created by AI, which uses copyrighted material as training data.