Google reveals its planned rival to Chat GPT called BARD

Feb 7 2023

Google is launching a conversational chatbot called Bard, setting the stage for an AI competition with Microsoft.

Microsoft invested billions in OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, the popular language app that mimics human writing. ChatGPT has caused concern for its ability to write code, essays, and poems in seconds, leading to fears of cheating and job obsolescence.

Last month, Microsoft announced its backing of OpenAI and plans to integrate ChatGPT into its Teams platform and possibly its Office suite and Bing search engine.

This raised speculation that Google’s dominant search engine could face competition from an AI-powered rival. Google’s response to ChatGPT was considered a “code red” threat, leading to the return of founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page to develop a response.

The pressure was heightened by Google-parent Alphabet’s poor earnings and the company’s recent announcement of laying off 12,000 employees to focus on AI projects. Google’s announcement coincided with Microsoft’s AI launch event, further indicating a competition between the tech giants over generative AI.

Tech analyst Rob Enderle warns that generative AI could change the search and information landscape, potentially making Google obsolete. Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced that Bard will be tested and made widely available soon. Bard is based on LaMDA, Google’s Language Model for Dialogue Applications system, and has been in development for years.

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Turkish Embassy in Valletta gathering supplies for earthquake survivors

Feb 7 2023

The Turkish Embassy has released a statement with a list of items needed by earthquake survivors in Turkiye.

The-in-kind donations, properly packaged with a list of contents, may be delivered to the Turkish Embassy at 35, Sir Luigi Preziosi Square, Floriana, Malta.

‘If possible’ the statement read, ‘new and unused items suitable for winter conditions are reported to be more useful for earthquake survivors.’

Among the items being requested are raincoats, boots, sweaters, trousers, gloves, socks, underwear and other clothing.

The embassy is also asking for tents, beds, mattresses, blankets, sleeping bags, thermos bottles, flashlights, power banks, generators, etc.

Food boxes with shelf stable or canned foods are also being asked for, along with baby formula, diapers and hygiene products.

Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri also released an appeal for aid along with Foreign Affairs Minister Ian Borg and Turkish Ambassador Erdeniz Şen. The Gozo Ministry will be welcoming donations of everything from food, clothes and other necessities.

Anyone who wishes to donate can do so at the Gozo Ministry starting today, Tuesday 7th February until the 9th of February between 8am to 8pm.

Here are some other means of helping the victims:

AFAD: Turkey’s official disaster and emergency management authority.
afad.gov.tr/depremkampanyasi2

AKUT: voluntary NGO searching for, assisting and rescuing victims.

akut.org.tr/en/donation

Union of Medical Care and Relief Organisations: issued an urgent call to the international community to release emergency funds.

uossm.org/donate_now

AHBAP: another local voluntary network currently active in the affected regions.

bagis.ahbap.org

OXFAM: a global organisation fighting inequality, poverty and injustice.

oxfam.org.uk

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8 weekly breathalyser tests done over 5 years in Malta

Feb 7 2023

A total of 2,129 breathalyser tests have reportedly took place over the past 5 years.

The Malta Police Force provided the figures to Times of Malta, revealing that this was an average off about 8 per week.

Under half resulted in charges being issued against drivers who tested positive for being above the accepted alcohol limit or for those who refused to undertake the test.

The Malta Insurance Association stated that this was a low number as the police have at least 15 breathalyser kits.

Between 2018 and 2022, a total of 2,129 breathalyser tests were carried out according to figures obtained by the police.

Under the local laws, officers must have a reasonable suspicion that the driver is under the influence of alcohol to carry out a test. Figures have shown that the majority of those breathalysed proved to be negative.

An averagely built man cannot drink more than a large glass of wine in order to be marked within the alcohol limit. Women would have to drink a small glass of wine.

Out of the aforementioned 2,129, 743 tested positive for driving under the influence. 208 refused to be take the test. LESA also started carrying out tests during the last quarter of 2022.

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New policy aims to make Maltese schools more LGBTIQ+ inclusive

Feb 7 2023

A recently launched policy document by Education Minister Clifton Grima seeks to make Maltese schools more inclusive towards trans, gender variant and intersex children.

Noting a rise in the number of transitioning students, the policy states that this may mean that they could adopt names, pronouns, clothing, hairstyles and mannerisms which match their respective identity.

With some even undergoing hormone therapies or puberty blockers, the policy aims to promote the learning of human diversity that is inclusive and ensure a school climate that is physically, emotionally and intellectually safe for all students.

The policy is encouraging specific training to college/school based teachers on how to address LGBTIQ+ themes and issues in the curriculum.

The policy also aims to invest in resources with representations off trans, gender variant and intersex persons as well as encourage the use of resources and discourse that are inclusive.

Libraries will also be encouraged to have resources which are inclusive of diversity rich situations to expose learners to concepts of social inclusion.

The policy also aims to address other issues such as bullying, approaches to healthy living and physical activity, and other barriers encountered by students, teachers, LSEs and all those involved in the pedagogical process.

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Read full policy here.