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 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)?

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.