DECEMBERASIA BUSINESS OUTLOOK8INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT ON AI SAFETY SIGNED BY NUMEROUS NATIONSBRITISH PETROLEUM ENTERS INTO JAPAN'S POWER RETAIL MARKETThe United States, the United Kingdom, and more than a dozen other countries unveiled what a senior US official described as the first detailed international agreement on how to keep artificial intelligence safe from rogue actors on Nov 27, urging companies to develop AI systems that are "secure by design." The 18 countries agreed in a 20-page document released on Nov 27 that companies designing and using AI must develop and deploy it in a way that protects customers and the general public from misuse.The agreement is non-binding and consists mostly of general recommendations such as monitoring AI systems for abuse, protecting data from tampering, and vetting software vendors.Still, Jen Easterly, director of the United States Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, said it was important that so many countries signed on to the idea that AI systems must prioritise safety."This is the first time that we have seen an affirmation that these capabilities should not just be about cool features and how quickly we can get them to market or how we can compete to drive down costs," Easterly said in a Reuters interview, adding that the recommendations represent "an agreement that the most important thing that needs to be done at the design phase is security."The agreement is the latest in a series of initiatives by governments around the world to shape the development of AI, whose weight is increasingly being felt in industry and society at large. Global energy giant British Petroleum (BP) has significantly increased its presence in the Asian energy industry by taking a calculated risk by entering the power retail market in Japan. This action reflects BP's goal to broaden its business beyond conventional oil and gas activities and investigate the region's increasing energy needs.As Japan makes strides towards a more sustainable and renewable energy landscape, BP aims to contribute to this shift. The company's foray into the Japanese market is not merely a business expansion but is also aligned with its broader objectives of evolving into an integrated energy company. This venture is expected to include strategic partnerships with local entities, leveraging BP's extensive expertise in energy management, and significantly reducing its carbon footprint, as per bnn.BP Energy Japan (BPEJ) will lead the new business after receiving clearance from the industry ministry to operate as a retail power provider. In the future decades, BPEJ's focus will be on low-carbon energy, harmonizing with Japan's environmental aspirations and BP's commitment to sustainability. While the company's business plan has yet to be revealed, the introduction of such a big player in Japan's power industry is expected to increase competition and foster innovation in the field.This entry into the Japanese power market is part of BP's strategy aim to increase investment in high-growth areas such as renewable energy and electricity. It demonstrates the company's commitment to a greener future and desire to take the lead in developing sustainable energy solutions. As BP enters Japan's energy market, it marks the beginning of a new chapter in the company's transition and, perhaps, the global energy landscape. NEWSROOM
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