AI Ethics Weekly – April 26: The Big Tech Dumpster Fire

AI Ethics Weekly – April 26: The Big Tech Dumpster Fire
April 26, 2021 LH3_Admin

Man carrying an exploding fire extinguisher

Humanitarian Crisis Alert 

“India on Monday reported 352,991 new cases of coronavirus, bringing the total to more than 17.3 million cases, according to a CNN tally of figures from the Indian Ministry of Health. This is the fifth day running that India, with a 1.3 billion population, has added over a 300,000 new cases a day —the highest number of cases in a single day anywhere in the world, according to a CNN tally of figures from John Hopkins University. The country’s death toll also continues to break records, with 2,812 deaths reported on Monday, marking the tenth day in a row of rising figures.” Read more.

U.S. Pledges Medical Aid To India, Where COVID-19 Is Overwhelming Hospitals
“Just as India sent assistance to the United States as our hospitals were strained early in the pandemic, the United States is determined to help India in its time of need,” National Security Council Spokesperson Emily Horne said in a statement, which went on to say that the U.S. will allow for the export of certain raw material urgently needed for vaccine production, as well as sending test kits, ventilators and personal protective equipment, among other aid. The U.S. had previously banned the export of raw vaccine materials, stating an obligation to take care of Americans first.”

Here are some organizations and mutual aid groups that need your support during this devastating humanitarian crisis.

Here are some organizations and mutual aid groups that need your support during this devastating humanitarian crisis.

Big Tech Dumpster Fire

Twitter blocks posts in India critical of Narendra Modi’s Covid-19 response
Twitter has removed several tweets about Covid-19 at the request of the Indian government, including some that were critical of its handling of a brutal second wave of the coronavirus pandemic. Read more

Google Turmoil Exposes Cracks Long in Making for Top AI Watchdog
h/t MMitchell @mmitchell_ai
“The ouster of lead researchers Gebru, Mitchell followed years of friction over how Google handled allegations of harassment and bias.” Read more.

Prepared Opening Statement of Commissioner Rohit Chopra
h/t Rohit Chopra @chopraftc
“While the FTC is quick to bring down the hammer on small businesses, companies like Google know that the FTC is simply not serious about holding them accountable. Congress and Commissioners must turn the page on the FTC’s perceived powerlessness.” Read more.

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