Page 92 - SAMENA Trends - Oct-Nov 2023

TECHNOLOGY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

FCC to Investigate AI’s Impact on Nuisance Calls and Texts

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairwoman Jessica existing regulatory frameworks and potential policy adjustments
Rosenworcel unveiled plans today to launch a comprehensive will be examined.
inquiry into the impact of AI on the proliferation of illegal and • Authentication of AI-generated content: Consideration will be
unwanted robocalls and texts. Speaking at an event in collaboration given to methods for verifying the authenticity of AI-generated
with AARP, Rosenworcel announced her intention to present a voice or text content from trusted sources.
proposed inquiry to her colleagues. If approved at the Commission’s • Next steps: The inquiry will explore possible future actions
public open meeting on November 15, 2023, the inquiry would necessary to advance these investigations.
mark a pivotal moment in understanding how AI technologies As AI technologies capable of generating content become
can be harnessed to protect consumers under the Telephone increasingly prevalent, they have the potential to replicate
Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). Emphasizing the potential of AI tasks traditionally performed by humans—including interactive
to revolutionize communications, Rosenworcel acknowledged the communications via voice calls and texts. Moreover, AI can
challenges it poses but also highlighted its significant opportunity enhance analytical tools used to block unwanted communications,
to enhance efficiency, impact, and resilience in communication restoring trust in communication networks. This technological
networks. advancement also brings forth new challenges, including privacy
The proposed inquiry, titled a Notice of Inquiry, aims to explore: concerns and safety risks—such as the ability to mimic real human
• Integration of AI technologies: The inquiry will assess how AI voices. The FCC’s proposed inquiry aims to strike a balance by
technologies align with the FCC’s statutory responsibilities comprehensively understanding the benefits and risks associated
under the TCPA. with AI. By doing so, the Commission can formulate effective
• Future AI technologies: It will investigate the scope of future AI strategies to combat potential harms, leverage the advantages of
technologies falling under TCPA regulations. AI, and safeguard consumers.
• Regulatory frameworks and policy formation: The impact of AI on

China Claims World’s Fastest Internet with 1.2 Terabit-Per-Second Network

Huawei Technologies Co. and China Mobile Ltd. have built a
3,000-kilometer (1,860-mile) internet network linking Beijing to
the south, which the country is touting as its latest technological
breakthrough. The two firms teamed up with Tsinghua University
and research provider Cernet.com Corp. to build what they claim is
the world’s first internet network to achieve a “stable and reliable”
bandwidth of 1.2 terabits per second, several times faster than typ-
ical speeds around the world. Trials began July 31 and it’s since
passed various tests verifying that milestone, the university said in
a statement. Tsinghua, Chinese President Xi Jinping’s alma mater,
is plugging the project as an industry-first built entirely on home-
grown technology, and credits Huawei prominently in its state-
ment. The Chinese firm in August made waves when it released
a 5G smartphone with a sophisticated made-in-China processor,
inspiring celebration in Chinese state and social media. That event hua News Agency said in a report carried on Tsinghua’s website.
also spurred debate in Washington about whether the Biden ad- Bloomberg News hasn’t verified the authenticity of those claims. In
ministration has gone far enough in attempts to contain Chinese February, Nokia — Huawei’s global rival — announced it’s achieved
technological achievement. The network “is operated based on 1.2 terabits a second over what it called “metro distances” of about
China’s domestically-owned key technologies,” the official Xin- 118 km on an optical network in Europe.

FCC Opens 6 GHz Band for Low-Power AR/VR Devices

The FCC will allow low-power wearable technology, including AR speeds, enhanced bandwidth, and lower latency. According to
and VR devices, to access the 6 GHz frequency band without the the FCC, this decision will stimulate economic growth and enrich
need for a license. This decision comes amidst a surge in mixed consumer experiences. Leading tech giants – including Meta,
reality devices flooding the market. The FCC’s announcement Apple, and Google – petitioned the FCC in 2020 to open up this
enables low-power devices to use the 6 GHz band, offering faster frequency spectrum for their low-power AR/VR wearables. Meta

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