AI Pendants Rebound at Tech Show After Early Setback
- Pendants and brooches packed with artificial intelligence abounded at the Consumer Electronics Show, using cameras and microphones to watch and listen through the day like a vigilant personal...
- The return of the wearable tech comes about a year after the discontinuation of a Humane AI pin panned by reviewers after it was launched amid high expectations...
- It also comes as OpenAI chief Sam Altman and renowned industrial designer Jony Ive collaborate on a device for interacting with AI, expected to be ready by...
Pendants and brooches packed with artificial intelligence abounded at the Consumer Electronics Show, using cameras and microphones to watch and listen through the day like a vigilant personal assistant.
The return of the wearable tech comes about a year after the discontinuation of a Humane AI pin panned by reviewers after it was launched amid high expectations in early 2024.
It also comes as OpenAI chief Sam Altman and renowned industrial designer Jony Ive collaborate on a device for interacting with AI, expected to be ready by next year.
Not everyone is a fan of always-watching neckwear as a fashion accessory.
“Go make some real friends” became common graffiti on New york City subway ads for Friend brand AI pendants late last year to protest “surveillance capitalism.”
Nonetheless, at the CES show in Las Vegas, gadget makers have pitched AI pendants as note-takers or ways to remember stunning or important moments of each day.
Technical advances including improved chips have helped overcome early problems with poor battery life,buggy software,and stumbling conversations that tainted early pendant models.
China-based laptop titan Lenovo unveiled a prototype pendant from its Motorola subsidiary that allows voice control of its AI assistant Qira.
The device worn around the neck will capture sou
What is the Digital Services Act (DSA)?
Table of Contents
The digital Services Act (DSA) is a European Union law that establishes a thorough set of new obligations for online platforms to create a safer digital space for users and fundamental rights online. It was adopted on October 4, 2022, and began applying to all online platforms operating in the EU on February 17, 2024, with full application for all services by February 17, 2025.
The DSA aims to address the spread of illegal content,disinformation,and harmful products online. It introduces a tiered system of obligations based on the size and risk profile of the platform.Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) and Very Large Online Search Engines (VLOSEs) - those with 45 million or more active users in the EU – face the most stringent requirements.These include conducting risk assessments, implementing mitigation measures, and providing greater transparency about their algorithms and content moderation practices.
For example, VLOPs like meta (Facebook, Instagram) and X (formerly Twitter) are required to assess and mitigate systemic risks, such as the spread of illegal content, manipulation of elections, and negative effects on fundamental rights. The european Commission published a list of designated VLOPs and VLOSEs on April 26, 2023. European Commission Announcement
Key Obligations Under the DSA
The DSA imposes a wide range of obligations on online intermediaries,categorized by their role in the online ecosystem. These obligations cover areas like content moderation, transparency, user rights, and accountability.
These obligations include requirements for platforms to:
- Provide a clear mechanism for users to report illegal content. This must be easily accessible and responsive.
- Act diligently upon notifications of illegal content. Platforms must remove or disable access to illegal content promptly.
- Be transparent about content moderation decisions. Users must receive clear explanations when their content is removed or restricted.
- Provide users with access to effective redress mechanisms. Users should be able to appeal content moderation decisions.
- Implement measures to counter disinformation. VLOPs must assess and mitigate the risks associated with the spread of false or misleading details.
- Provide transparency regarding online advertising. Users must be able to understand why they are seeing specific ads.
The DSA also introduces new rules on dark patterns – deceptive interface designs that manipulate users into making unintended choices. Article 25 of the DSA specifically prohibits dark patterns. Digital Services Act – Article 25
Enforcement and Penalties
The enforcement of the DSA is shared between the European Commission and national Digital Services Coordinators (DSCs) in each EU member state. The Commission has direct supervisory powers over VLOPs and vloses, while DSCs are responsible for supervising smaller platforms.
Non-compliance with the DSA can result in notable penalties. For serious infringements,platforms can face fines of up to 6% of their global annual turnover. In cases of repeated infringements, the Commission can also impose temporary bans on platforms operating in the EU. The first penalty decisions under the DSA were issued in December 2023, targeting X (formerly Twitter) for failing to comply with transparency obligations. European Commission Press Release on First DSA Penalties
on January 29, 2024, the European Commission formally requested data from X regarding its measures to combat the spread of illegal content and disinformation, signaling continued scrutiny. European Commission Request for data from X
Impact on US-Based Platforms
The DSA has a significant impact on US-based platforms that operate in the EU,even if their headquarters are located outside of Europe.The law applies to any platform that offers services to users in the EU, regardless of where the platform is based.
Companies like Google, Meta, and Amazon have been actively working to comply with the DSA’s requirements. This has involved significant investments in content moderation, transparency tools, and risk assessment processes. Many US platforms have appointed dedicated DSA compliance teams and are adapting their policies and practices to meet the new legal standards.
For instance, Meta announced in November 2023 that it would begin labeling political advertisements in the EU to increase transparency. Meta’s DSA Preparations.This demonstrates the proactive steps US companies are taking to align with the DSA’s regulations.