Welcome to the January 15, 2025 edition of ACM TechNews, providing timely information for computer professionals three times a week.

HEADLINES AT A GLANCE

• U.S. Adopts Rules to Guide AI’s Global Spread
• The Robot Problem Haunting Europe
• Biden Signs Executive Order to Ensure Power for AI Datacenters
• PM Plans to 'Unleash AI' Across U.K. to Boost Growth
• U.S. Bans Russian, Chinese Software, Hardware in Vehicles
• Taiwan Ministry Lifts Overseas Limits on TSMC
• This Turing Award Winner Sees AI Showing Great Promise, Peril
• New 3D Printers Could Transform Space Construction
• Robots Could Help Japan's Aging Farmers
• FBI Wipes Chinese PlugX Malware from Windows PCs in U.S.
• Campaign Launched to Free Social Media from Billionaires
• Forecasting Computation, Energy Costs for Sustainable AI Models

U.S. Adopts Rules to Guide AI’s Global Spread

The Biden administration on Monday issued rules governing how AI chips and models can be shared with foreign countries. The rules, in essence, divide the world into three categories: the U.S. and 18 allies, which are exempted from any restrictions; nations already subject to U.S. arms embargoes, which will continue to face an existing ban on AI chip purchases; and all other nations, which will be subject to negotiable import caps.
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The Robot Problem Haunting Europe

Europe is falling behind other regions in its use of robots that can perform work-related tasks, according to a draft EU report expected to be released soon as part of a new "Competitiveness Compass." The European Commission estimates there are on average 22 robots per 1,000 employees across the bloc, compared to 29 in the U.S. and 101 in South Korea, the world's leader. The Commission raises other concerns about its tech sector in the draft as well.
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Biden Signs Executive Order to Ensure Power for AI Datacenters

President Biden on Tuesday signed an executive order providing federal support for the construction of datacenters to support the growth of AI. The order calls for leasing federal sites owned by the U.S. departments of Defense and Energy to host gigawatt-scale datacenters and new clean power facilities. It requires companies tapping federal land for datacenters to purchase an "appropriate share" of U.S.-made semiconductors.
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PM Plans to 'Unleash AI' Across U.K. to Boost Growth

U.K. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on Monday unveiled the AI Opportunities Action Plan, through which the government plans to use AI to deliver public services more efficiently. The plan calls for the establishment of "AI Growth Zones" and a boost to domestic infrastructure, with tech firms committing £14 billion towards the development of large datacenters and technology hubs.
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U.S. Bans Russian, Chinese Software, Hardware in Vehicles

A final rule posted on the Federal Register Tuesday bans Russian and Chinese hardware and software from being integrated into U.S. passenger vehicles' connectivity systems and software integrated into automated driving systems. During the rulemaking process, the U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security found that certain technologies originating from the two countries present an undue and unacceptable risk to U.S. national security.
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Taiwan Ministry Lifts Overseas Limits on TSMC

Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs said Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) would not be prohibited from investing in next-generation 2-nanometer chip production in the U.S. Said Minister of Economic Affairs J.W. Kuo (pictured), "Private businesses should make their own business decisions based on their own technological progress." TSMC's first U.S. fab will commence production in the first half of this year; a second is slated to open in 2028.
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This Turing Award Winner Sees AI Showing Great Promise, Peril

ACM A.M. Turing Award laureate Raj Reddy discussed the benefits and potential drawbacks associated with AI during a recent memorial lecture at the Indian Institute of Science. Reddy said AI could democratize education by eliminating illiteracy and language barriers and facilitating personalized instruction. He warned, however, of AI’s implications for job displacement, and its potential for weaponization for military purposes and disinformation campaigns.
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New 3D Printers Could Transform Space Construction

Gilles Bailet of the U.K.'s University of Glasgow received a patent for 3D printing technology he developed that operates in zero gravity. The prototype 3D printer uses a granular material instead of filaments. Bailet said, "Our idea is to be able to manufacture things directly in space using 3D printing, and in doing so, we open the door to recycling in space and to have a full circular economy."
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Robots Could Help Japan's Aging Farmers

Rover-inspired robots could supplement Japan's aging agricultural workforce, 80% of whom are over 60. Kisui Tech has partnered with Chiba University to develop and test semi-autonomous robots capable of picking produce, cutting grass, spraying fields, and navigating rough terrain. The Adam robots will be available in a full-size version for apple and pear farms, with the ability to carry produce or fertilizer, and a mini version for grape and persimmon farms.
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FBI Wipes Chinese PlugX Malware from Windows PCs in U.S.

The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), working with law enforcement in France, obtained warrants permitting them to wipe PlugX malware remotely from thousands of Windows-based computers that had been infected. The FBI said a China-linked group called Mustang Panda, also known as Twill Typhoon, had broken into “numerous government and private organizations” in the U.S., Europe, and the Indo-Pacific region. The malware had allowed the threat actors to remotely access and control infected machines, steal files, and deploy additional malware.
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Campaign Launched to Free Social Media from Billionaires

A group of tech leaders and nonprofit executives has launched a campaign to promote a social media free from "billionaire control." The "Free Our Feeds" campaign aims to create independent infrastructure around the AT Protocol, an open-source technology that powers the Bluesky social network and allows anyone to build their own social media applications.
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Forecasting Computation, Energy Costs for Sustainable AI Models

A method developed by North Carolina State University researchers predicts the costs associated with computational resources and energy consumption when updating AI models, allowing users to make informed decisions about when to update AI models to improve their sustainability. The REpresentation Shift QUantifying Estimator (RESQUE) method allows users to compare the dataset on which a deep learning model was initially trained to a dataset that will be used to update the model.
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