X-47B stealth drone won’t be weaponized, says major sub-contractor

The X-47B is a next-generation drone that may serve as a model for future unmanned combat air systems (UCASs) that could eventually supplement or replace the elite manned fighters that are the charismatic predators in today’s military ecology.  For more about the X-47B, look here:

http://fortune.com/2013/07/11/x-47b-the-navys-milestone-drone/

You can watch the X-47B taking off from the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush at:

http://theaviationist.com/2013/05/14/ucav-launch/

You can watch it landing on the same deck at:

http://defensetech.org/2013/07/10/video-x-47b-makes-first-ever-drone-carrier-landing/

You can watch a strikingly-similar drone called the Taranis being developed for the UK by BEA Systems at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BAE_Systems_Taranis#Flight_testing

And the Chinese version (“Sharp Sword”) is on display here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDIsqIyi2nY

The French are also working on an unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV).

Representative McGovern seeks to ban "killer robots"

U.S. Representative Jim McGovern (D-MA) has declared his intention to seek a legislative ban on “lethal autonomous unmanned systems.”  Learn more about his campaign against “killer robots” here:

http://www.nationaljournal.com/tech/one-congressman-s-crusade-to-save-the-world-from-killer-robots-20140717

Wondering if the X-47B might qualify at some point as a “lethal autonomous unmanned system” that would be banned under the provisions of legislation implementing Representative McGovern’s proposal, Etopia News contacted Rockwell Collins, a major sub-contractor who provided the communications system for the American unmanned drone, as you can read about here:

http://www.rockwellcollins.com/sitecore/content/Data/News/2011_Cal_Yr/GS/FY11GSNR10_X-47B_UCAS_first_flight.aspx

Here’s what Rockwell Collins Senior Public Relations Specialist David Gosch said in reply about the proposed legislative ban on such lethal autonomous systems in the case of the X-47B:

“It really doesn't apply to the X-47B, which is a demonstrator program and will not be weaponized.”

Etopia News wrote back asking about the applicability of the proposed ban to follow-on versions of the X-47B that may be built utilizing the lessons learned from the demonstrator program, and which could be weaponized, possibly with nuclear weapons.  A reply is awaited and will be published upon receipt.

Etopia News is also waiting to hear back from Representative McGovern’s office regarding his views on the applicability of his proposed ban on lethal autonomous unmanned systems to various configurations of the X-47 platform, present and future.

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Writers Guild of America, West sends anti-monopoly spokesperson to Washington to testify at Senate hearing about media concentration

Today, Etopia News received a press release from the Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW).  Here it is:

Acclaimed TV Showrunner Travels to DC for Future of Video Marketplace Hearing 

Shawn Ryan to Testify on the Hill Wednesday

Washington, DC – Shawn Ryan, TV showrunner and creator of The Shield and The Chicago Code, is scheduled to appear before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation Wednesday, July 16, at 2:30 p.m. (EST).  Mr. Ryan will provide testimony on behalf of the Writers Guild of America, West about the adverse impact of media mergers and weak Net Neutrality regulations on the creative community, consumers, and competition. The committee is chaired by Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), and the hearing will examine the future of the video marketplace and how it is affected by the rise of online streaming and pending consolidation. 

“The reality of American media is that it is controlled by a handful of companies formed through two decades of consolidation,” states Mr. Ryan. “These companies own the television networks, the production studios and almost all of the scripted content that is available on television and in movie theaters. The cable companies that distribute this content are even more concentrated.” 

Media companies, as a result, wield an enormous amount of power in all aspects of the business. Writers, who provide much of the R&D for the entertainment industry, often bear all the risk of developing new creative works while the media companies, through their control of distribution, reap the rewards. If a television series creator and a network experience creative differences, it is the writer who is replaced, not the network. Consumers fare no better in this equation as monopoly power restricts creative expression, limits content choices and drives up prices.

Mr. Ryan believes the future of the video marketplace will be determined by the choices we make today as a society. The amount of broadcast network programming created independently has dwindled to a mere 10% of the fall line-up – an alarming decline from 76% in 1989. Citing the repeal of the Financial Interest and Syndication Rules and the vertical and horizontal integration of media companies as the main reasons for this disturbing trend, he believes legislators need to take strong steps to restore vitality to the entertainment industry.      

“The open Internet has the potential to create a video marketplace that is more competitive, diverse and independent. But it is clear that action is needed to fulfill this promise,” Mr. Ryan will tell the committee. “The Internet is an information highway, and just as Congress does not allow a handful of private companies to erect tollbooths on our nation’s actual highways, it cannot allow a few ISPs to set arbitrary rates and decide which businesses, video providers or political organizations can have prioritized delivery and which are relegated to a slow lane. Internet providers would be allowed to strangle innovation in the cradle. Can we really expect the next Netflix, Amazon or Crackle to emerge under these circumstances? Strong Net Neutrality rules that ban paid prioritization and other discriminatory practices must be enacted.”

On the proposed consolidation, Mr. Ryan states, “We also need effective antitrust enforcement. Our country, from the time of the founding fathers, has been defined by a struggle to limit concentrations of power that harm both democracy and basic economic fairness.  We once again have an opportunity to serve the interests of the many rather than the few by stopping these mergers and by keeping the Internet free and open.”            

For Shawn Ryan’s written testimony, click here.

The Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW) is a labor union representing writers of motion pictures, television, radio and Internet programming, including news and documentaries. Founded in 1933, the Guild negotiates and administers contracts that protect the creative and economic rights of its members. It is involved in a wide range of programs that advance the interests of writers, and is active in public policy and legislative matters on the local, national and international levels. For more information on the WGAW, please visit: www.wga.org.

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California Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom takes a cautious, balanced, contextual approach to #runawayAI

Gavin Newsom, the Lieutenant Governor of the State of California, is a leader among electeds in the attention he has paid to the role of technology in the future of government, and as a means to make governance more participatory and democratic.  He is the author of Citizenville, available from Amazon, at:

http://www.amazon.com/Citizenville-Square-Digital-Reinvent-Government/dp/0143124471/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405139410&sr=8-1&keywords=citizenville

Given his interest and involvement in these issues, Etopia News contacted the Golden State’s second-highest constitutional officer and asked “if he had any comments to add to an article/blog post…about government regulation of ‘strong AI,’ as it is being developed by Google, Facebook, IBM, Vicarious, Amazon, Apple, and others.”  The inquiry continued:

“The threat of #runawayAI is moving from science fiction to science fact, according to some, such as James Barrat, as spelled out at:

“http://www.amazon.com/Our-Final-Invention-Artificial-Intelligence/dp/0312622376

“Any comments from the Lt. Gov. on whether and how “strong AI” needs to be regulated would be greatly appreciated.”

Today, Lt. Gov. Newsom responded in comprehensive and measured tones:

“Innovation is the framework of our growth and existence. During the Industrial Revolution we saw an expansion of transportation, the harnessing of electricity and improvements to the industrial process, which revolutionized the world. Now, it's smartphone apps, driverless cars and drones being used to make deliveries that are taking it a step further to change the way we live. While there is a lot of fear in what's taking place, it is up to lawmakers to create a regulatory framework that protects citizens. However, it should also ensure adequate flexibility for innovation and alternative solutions. "

           

LegalZoom clarifies its position: “we are not yet collaborating with IBM but are still exploring options”

Apparently, Etopia News’ reporting that LegalZoom was already “collaborating” with IBM Watson to develop and deliver legal services powered by that cognitive computing engine went a bit beyond the reality.

Johanna Namir, Director, Public Relations and Social Media at LegalZoom, sent Etopia News an e-mail at 2:11pm PDT this afternoon, saying:

“I noticed your tweet on our feed today and wanted to clarify that we are not yet collaborating with IBM but are still exploring options.”

Let it be known, then, that LegalZoom, “the nation's leading provider of personalized, affordable online legal solutions for families and small businesses,” according to its website, is not yet collaborating with IBM Watson to develop legal services based on the powerful question-answering system that won at Jeopardy! and is now being positioned as the core of an expanding ecosystem of AI applications, but is, in fact, only “still exploring options.”  

Etopia News apologies for any confusion its reporting may have caused.

LegalZoom is collaborating with IBM Watson to deliver cognitively-computed legal services

On Monday, July 7, 2014, Etopia News sent the follow e-mail to the press department at LegalZoom:

“On March 6, 2014, at 1:15:43 into the video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBtAMcrbFXg, your CEO John Suh said at a forum at Harvard Law School that he might like IBM Watson to help your clients with trademark searches.

“I’m writing you as a reporter with Etopia News to find out if you have followed up on this comment of his and if LegalZoom is negotiating with IBM to arrange for the joint development of a legal AI powered by IBM Watson.

“You can find additional coverage of IBM Watson, including a link to the above-mentioned video, at:

https://www.facebook.com/watsonwatch11?ref_type=bookmark

“Thanks in advance for your comments.”

On Tuesday, July 8, 2014, Etopia News received this reply from Johanna Namir in the LegalZoom press office:

“Thank you for your inquiry. At this point we have followed up and are exploring ways to collaborate.”