The Union Minister of Heavy Industries, Mahendra Nath Pandey, has introduced the Dugdh Sanakalan Sathi (Milk Collection Partner) mobile application. It has the potential to significantly transform the Indian dairy industry by tackling crucial issues in milk collection processes. The objective is to enhance milk quality, promote transparency among stakeholders, and optimise and streamline operations at the village level, specifically within Milk Cooperative Societies.
It was created by Rajasthan Electronics & Instruments Limited (REIL) in Jaipur, a prominent central public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Heavy Industries. The app will provide comprehensive services to milk producers in English, Hindi, Punjabi, Telugu, and others, ensuring effective communication and accessibility.
The Dugdh Sankalan Sathi mobile App will usher in transparency, efficiency, and empowerment for all stakeholders engaged in the milk collection process, leading to significant advantages for milk producers and fostering the overall growth of the dairy sector, Pandey noted.
The application will be contextually active in the field to improve operations at the grassroots level across all partnerships including milk producers, milk co-operative societies, milk organisations, and state federations. The release said that REIL recognised the need for advancements in the dairy industry, and “developed a comprehensive cloud-based solution that leverages the latest state-of-the-art platform.”
A key feature of the app is the online monitoring of daily milk poured at Milk Cooperative Societies, allowing for efficient tracking and management. Additionally, the app provides real-time updates on milk prices directly from the cloud server, ensuring transparency and eliminating human errors in price calculations. Another feature is the facilitation of direct beneficiary transfers, enabling milk payments and government subsidies to be directly credited to the bank accounts of milk producers through the app. The app also offers push notifications for milk collection directly to the milk producers’ app.
Pandey said that with the introduction of this app, the Ministry of Heavy Industries has taken a groundbreaking stride in fulfilling the government’s commitment to digitise processes and enable direct beneficiary transfer (DBT) to milk producers.
The Indian government has been actively developing e-governance apps to facilitate the seamless and efficient delivery of public services to its citizens. These apps serve as a digital bridge between the government and the people, empowering individuals with easy access to essential services and information.
In April, the Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar, launched the SATHI (Seed Traceability, Authentication, and Holistic Inventory) portal and mobile application. It is a comprehensive online system that centralises seed traceability, authentication, and inventory management. It addresses the challenges associated with seed production, quality seed identification, and seed certification in the country.
As OpenGov Asia reported, the portal is a quality assurance system and can identify the source of seeds in the seed production chain. The system will consist of seven integrated verticals of the seed chain: Research Organisation, Seed Certification, Seed Licensing, Seed Catalogue, Dealer to Farmer Sales, Farmer Registration, and Seed direct benefit transfer. Seeds with valid certification can only be sold by valid licensed dealers to centrally registered farmers who will receive subsidies through DBT directly into their pre-validated bank accounts.
In a bid to empower food manufacturers to embrace sustainability, Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG) has unveiled the Sustainability Playbook for Food Manufacturers. Announced by Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, Grace Fu, this playbook is a key component of the Enterprise Sustainability Programme (ESP), aiming to equip companies with the tools and insights needed for their sustainability journey.
Jeannie Lim, Assistant Chief Executive Officer (Lifestyle & Consumer) at EnterpriseSG, emphasised the imperative for food manufacturers to navigate global supply chain challenges, evolving sustainability regulations, and the rising demand for climate-conscious food products. Jeannie introduced the playbook as a comprehensive guide, offering strategies and resources to help companies incorporate sustainability practices into their operations.
The playbook, part of the ESP series, presents a step-by-step approach for food manufacturers, featuring checklists with recommended starting points for core sustainability strategies and relevant resources. It outlines three fundamental strategies to enhance sustainability:
- Optimising Resources: The playbook advocates for a review of current manufacturing processes to identify opportunities for resource optimisation. Investments in energy-efficient equipment, on-site energy generation like solar panels, and digitalisation for increased efficiency and waste reduction are highlighted.
- Valorising Food Side Streams: Encouraging the repurposing of food manufacturing by-products into higher value-added products, such as plant-based cheese and probiotic beverages. The playbook identifies key side streams in Singapore, including okara, brewers’ spent grain, surplus bread, and fruits, offering innovative solutions to meet consumer demands for healthy and sustainable products.
- Adopting Sustainable Packaging: Recognising the importance of sustainable packaging for global market access, the playbook encourages the reduction of packaging and the use of recyclable or sustainable materials with enhanced shelf-life stability.
To complement the Sustainability Playbook, EnterpriseSG, in collaboration with the Singapore Food Manufacturers’ Association (SFMA), announced the “Embracing Sustainability for Enterprise Growth in Food Manufacturing” course. This provides an introduction to sustainability concepts and equips food manufacturing companies with the necessary tools and support to take tangible steps towards sustainability.
The course, scheduled for Q1 2024, offers participants access to a sustainability assessment toolkit and personalised advisory sessions to kickstart their sustainability journey. EnterpriseSG will defray 70% of course fees for eligible businesses, making it an accessible and valuable resource for companies looking to enhance their sustainability capabilities.
According to Enterprise Singapore, their initiatives are poised to guide food manufacturers towards a future where environmental consciousness aligns seamlessly with business success. The playbook and course serve as inspirations, illuminating the path for companies to thrive in an era where sustainability is both a responsibility and a competitive advantage.
Digital tools are pivotal in advancing sustainable food manufacturing, revolutionising processes and fostering environmental stewardship. These tools optimise resource utilisation, emphasising energy-efficient equipment and digitalisation to enhance operational efficiency.
By identifying areas for improvement and implementing smart technologies, companies can minimise waste, reduce carbon footprints, and embrace eco-friendly practices. The integration of digital solutions allows for real-time monitoring, predictive analytics, and precision control, enabling precise resource management and minimising environmental impact.
Sustainable packaging initiatives, facilitated by these tools, further contribute to eco-conscious practices, aligning with global sustainability goals. The adoption of digital tools in food manufacturing not only improves operational effectiveness but also positions the industry as a leader in environmentally responsible practices, ensuring a more sustainable and resilient future.
In a session at the Dewan Negara, Senator Datuk Sivarraajh Chandran proposed a significant expansion of Artificial Intelligence (AI) courses across public universities, aligning with the anticipated transformative impact of AI technology on the future job landscape.
Senator Chandran emphasised that greater participation of higher education institutions in offering AI courses would create a more extensive platform for cultivating experts capable of addressing the challenges arising from the evolution and development of AI technology.
Citing a study conducted by the Ministry of Human Resources, which projected that approximately 4.5 million workers in the country could face job displacement by 2030 due to advancements in AI and Machine Learning (ML), Senator Chandran underscored the importance of mitigating this risk through the provision of additional AI-related educational opportunities. While acknowledging that the majority of jobs at risk are categorised as semi-skilled and unskilled, he stressed the profound impact such a shift could have on people’s livelihoods, warranting proactive measures.
These proposals were articulated during the deliberation of the Supply Bill 2024 in the Dewan Negara. Senator Chandran expressed support for the government’s initiative to establish the nation’s first Artificial Intelligence Studies Centre, housed at the Faculty of Artificial Intelligence in Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). This centre, announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as part of the Budget 2024, received an initial allocation of RM20 million.
While commending the establishment of the AI Studies Centre at UTM, Senator Chandran argued for a more intensified effort, calling for the active involvement of additional public higher education institutions in providing AI courses. He believed that expanding educational offerings in the AI field could play a crucial role in reducing the projected job displacement and equipping the workforce with the necessary skills for the evolving job market.
In the context of potential job losses outlined in the Ministry of Human Resources study, Senator Chandran stressed the significance of not underestimating the impact of AI and ML advancements. He emphasised that the livelihoods of individuals were at stake, necessitating a proactive approach to skill development and education in emerging technologies.
Furthermore, Senator Chandran argued that the participation of more educational institutions in offering AI studies could have broader economic implications. He suggested that a robust educational ecosystem in AI would be an attractive factor for investors in the industry, as it would demonstrate the country’s commitment to fostering a skilled and credible talent pool capable of meeting the demands of the evolving job market.
In mid-October, Malaysia presented its 2024 budget, said to be the largest in the nation’s history, with an allocation of RM303 billion (US$64.7 billion). To fulfil fiscal obligations and decrease the deficit to 4.3%, the budget introduces significant structural changes to Malaysia’s tax system, affecting both businesses and individuals.
Notably, a capital gains tax is introduced, and there is an upswing in service tax rates. Furthermore, the government has confirmed the implementation of e-invoicing starting from 1 August 2024 and the adoption of the global minimum tax in 2025. These measures signify a comprehensive approach to fiscal management, aiming to enhance revenue streams, streamline tax processes, and align with global taxation standards.
Senator Datuk Sivarraajh Chandran’s proposals centre around the crucial role of education in mitigating the potential negative impacts of AI and ML advancements on the job market. By advocating for an expanded offering of AI courses in public universities, he aims to not only address the challenges posed by technological developments but also position the country as an attractive destination for investments in the burgeoning field of artificial intelligence.
The Minister of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Ashwini Vaishnaw, has discussed creating a robust response to the challenges posed by deepfake technology with representatives from academia, industry bodies, and social media companies. The consensus reached in the discussion entails collaborative efforts among the government, academia, social media companies, and the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM) to collectively address the harmful uses of deepfake.
Deepfakes are artificial intelligence-manipulated video, audio, and images. Their hyper-realistic nature makes them challenging to identify as fake, especially for individuals unfamiliar with the technology. Therefore, these manipulations can and have harmed reputations and serve as tools to falsify evidence. Deepfakes are also a threat to democracy and social institutions globally and the increasing presence of deepfakes in political messaging could be particularly damaging, especially in the lead-up to the upcoming general elections, posing risks to the integrity of information and public discourse.
The meeting, held at the end of November, concluded with an agreement to identify actionable items within the next 10 days, focusing on four key pillars:
- Detection: Develop methods to identify deepfake content both before and after its posting.
- Prevention: Establish an effective mechanism to prevent the spread of deepfake content.
- Reporting: Implement an efficient and prompt reporting system along with a grievance redressal mechanism.
- Awareness: Launch a widespread awareness campaign to educate the public on the issues related to deepfake technology.Top of Form
Furthermore, effective immediately, MeitY will initiate an exercise to assess and formulate necessary regulations to combat the threat of deepfake. To facilitate this process, MeitY will invite public comments through the MyGov portal.
A follow-up meeting with relevant stakeholders will be held again this week to finalise the four-pillared structure. According to the government’s AI news portal, it remains committed to combating the growing threat of deepfake through technology and by fostering public awareness. It said that MeitY has frequently guided social media intermediaries, urging them to exercise due diligence and promptly take necessary actions against instances of deepfake.
Recently, the Delhi High Court expressed reservations about the prospect of judicial intervention to regulate the use of deepfake content created through AI. It said that addressing the issue and finding a balanced solution would be more appropriately handled by the government, given its extensive data resources and wide-ranging machinery. The court scheduled the matter for an additional hearing in January.
Governments globally are addressing the threats of damaging deepfake technologies by implementing enhanced rules and regulations. In September, the United States National Security Agency (NSA) and federal agency partners issued new guidance on cybersecurity risks associated with deepfakes.
As OpenGov Asia reported, they published a Cybersecurity Information Sheet (CSI) titled “Contextualising Deepfake Threats to Organisations” to help organisations recognise, safeguard against, and respond to deepfake threats.
It suggests that organisations should incorporate real-time verification capabilities. It underscores the use of passive detection techniques for continuous monitoring and early identification and emphasises the significance of safeguarding high-profile officers and their communications, as they are frequent targets of deepfake attempts.
Apart from detection, the guidance offered ways to mitigate the impact of deepfake attacks. Organisations must foster information sharing within and across organisations. The guidance advocates for thorough planning and rehearsal of responses to potential exploitation attempts, ensuring organisations are well-prepared for any incidents. Personnel training is another crucial aspect, providing individuals with the skills and knowledge to effectively recognise and respond to synthetic media threats.
One of the main challenges in addressing digital copyright infringements is the ability to detect and effectively combat such violations. Advanced technologies enable digital piracy and unauthorised content distribution through increasingly complex and difficult-to-monitor methods. Therefore, collaboration between the government, private sector, and relevant institutions is essential to develop efficient solutions and enforcement strategies to tackle these challenges.
Josefhin Mareta, a researcher at the Centre for Legal Research of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), revealed that there are still many digital copyright infringements in Indonesia. Examples of such cases include copyright violations of books in digital formats, such as scanning for e-books, file sharing, and unauthorised sales in online marketplaces. Additionally, there are copyright violations in digital music or songs, such as uploading cover songs to social media platforms without the copyright holder’s permission and bootlegging, such as recording concerts or performances on TV/film for personal or commercial purposes.
Copyright infringement refers to the unauthorised utilisation of copyrighted materials without the consent of the creators, holders, or authors. It constitutes an act of dishonesty and a breach of the economic and exclusive rights of the creators.
According to Josephine, the Indonesian government has taken several measures to address these issues, including actions by the Directorate General of Intellectual Property (DJKI) and the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (Kemenkominfo). These agencies have attempted to create joint regulations requiring monitoring or blocking content or access rights for individuals who violate copyright.
However, in investigating such violations, the bureaucracy is still intricate. The complainant must submit several requirements, such as documentary shreds of evidence, to prove that the item in question is being sold illegally, for example, on an e-commerce platform. Despite these efforts, various issues persist, such as the presence of digital literary works related to copyright.
Josefhin expressed that the relevant laws still need a clear definition of literary and digital works. This ambiguity extends to books, music, performances, and other forms, raising questions about how the public can distribute the creator’s royalties using digital works.
Further, Josefhin added that literary works have evolved from physical to digital forms over time. She explained that this evolution reflects significant changes in how humans convey, consume, and interact with information.
In light of this, Josephine explained that there are two approaches regarding copyright violations. First, substantial duplication refers to replicating the core elements of a copyrighted work. It should be noted that there are legal limitations, indicating that this prohibition does not encompass the entire work or a substantial part of it. Moreover, duplication is acceptable if accompanied by actions that do not harm the reasonable interests of the creator or if there is an agreement among all parties involved.
The second approach involves a “causal connection,” where events or previous works inspire a newly created copyrighted work. In other words, there is a traceable connection between the work being made and a work produced at some point in the past.
To elaborate further, Josefhin mentioned three restriction methods to prevent misuse when someone uses another person’s work without permission:
- Based on specific conditions or cases, an individual can sometimes use someone else’s copyrighted work without permission.
- Duplication should not conflict with the normal exploitation of the owner or copyright holder. It relates to the substance of the work.
- It should not diminish the legitimate interests of the creator.
Josefhin reiterated these points, emphasising that copyright violations are not a new phenomenon in Indonesia. With the rapid and massive digital developments, the government has to conduct regulations to prevent and oversee copyright infringement and avoid harm to any party.
“Creating works is a challenging process, but for many individuals, it serves as a means to earn a living. We must recognise and value this effort,” she concluded.
China has achieved a significant milestone in the advancement of its computing infrastructure with the official release of the national standard GB/T 43331-2023, titled “Internet Data Centre (IDC) Technology and Classification Requirements.” This strategic move underscores a steadfast commitment to propelling the robust development of the computing industry within the country.
Spearheaded by the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT), in collaboration with various enterprises and institutions, this achievement signifies a dedication to aligning with the evolving needs of the national computing infrastructure and ensuring the high-quality evolution of the computing industry.
The comprehensive scope of GB/T 43331-2023 spans six dynamic aspects, mirroring the complexity of the digital landscape it seeks to regulate. These aspects include greenness, availability, security, service capabilities, computing power, and computing efficiency, with an added emphasis on low-carbon practices.
At its core, this national standard is designed to serve as a guiding framework for the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of Internet Data Centres (IDCs). The creators envision a future where GB/T 43331-2023 acts as a catalyst, propelling diverse industries forward by facilitating a more profound integration of computing infrastructure.
The roots of this groundbreaking standard extend back to 2013 when the data centre team of the Institute of Cloud Computing and Big Data at the CAICT embarked on a mission to standardise the communication industry.
Over the years, several data centre rating standards have emerged, each contributing as a stepping stone towards the ultimate realisation of GB/T 43331-2023. This national standard has now come to fruition after years of collaboration with users, designers, and industry suppliers.
According to CAICT, the standard places a strong emphasis on energy efficiency, a longstanding concern in the development of data centres. No longer a vague aspiration, GB/T 43331-2023 outlines specific requirements aimed at elevating the energy efficiency levels of data centres through the application of green technology and adept operation and maintenance system management.
Beyond technology, the standard underscores a commitment to responsible and sustainable practices. It addresses service capabilities through a comprehensive evaluation of external services in data centres. This assessment isn’t a mere formality; it objectively gauges capabilities, fostering self-improvement within data centres and aiding customers in selecting facilities suitable for their business needs.
The newly released standard also focuses on availability, enhancing data centre resilience through improved equipment redundancy. This ensures data protection during emergencies, fortifying the foundational architecture of the digital world. Security, a paramount concern in the data-centric era, receives meticulous attention. Beyond conventional measures like firewalls and passwords, the standard aims to ensure the safety of both data centre equipment and personnel, adopting a holistic approach to fortify the guardians of the digital realms.
The CAICT added that the GB/T 43331-2023 is not merely a set of regulations; it is a guidebook signalling a future where computing infrastructure seamlessly integrates into daily life. It represents a collaborative effort among academia, industry, and innovation, shaping a digital landscape that is not only efficient but also sustainable, secure, and prepared for future challenges.
By establishing common guidelines, protocols, and specifications, these standards ensure that hardware and software components from different vendors can seamlessly communicate and function as part of an integrated system. This not only simplifies integration processes but also fosters a more open and competitive market.
The pursuit of smart city development in Vietnam has encountered numerous hurdles despite the dedicated efforts of technology businesses collaborating with localities in planning and implementation, as highlighted at the VN-Asia Smart City Summit 2023.
The two-day event, themed “Data Mining – Building a Smart and Sustainable City,” was a collaborative effort between Hanoi’s Department of Information and Communication and the Vietnam Software and Information Technology Services (VINASA).
Primary objectives revolved around introducing Hanoi’s ambitious digital transformation and smart city development plans by 2025, with a forward-looking vision for 2030. Furthermore, it aimed to garner insights from experts and businesses, fostering partnerships between local IT enterprises and their international counterparts.
With 2023 designated as the National Year of Digital Data, the focus was on creating models for secure data collection, connectivity, and utilisation to inform urban management strategies and decisions.
Insights and successful cooperation experiences from various cities like Jakarta, Huế, and Đà Nẵng, along with contributions from industry leaders and experts, were shared during the conference. The spectrum covered smart platforms, cloud technologies, 5G solutions, IoT products, AI applications in healthcare, and innovations in smart traffic and mobility.
Chairman of VINASA’s Founding Council, Trương Gia Bình, elaborated on the collaborative endeavours of major enterprises like Viettel and VNPT in establishing Intelligent Operations Centres (IOCs) across provinces and districts, along with initiatives by FPT to infuse urban planning with intelligence and AI.
These technology companies have been at the forefront, offering innovative solutions such as AI, IoT, and 3D Digital Maps to enhance the management of various departments, agencies, urban areas, and industrial parks nationwide.
However, the foremost challenge highlighted for smart city development lies in the ambiguous legal framework that does not favour public-private cooperation, particularly in investment, bidding processes, and IT service procurement. Additionally, inadequate emphasis on smart planning and fundamental infrastructure in urban areas further compounds these challenges.
Trương Gia Bình stressed the necessity for Hanoi to establish distinct mechanisms for attracting both local and international talent while spearheading comprehensive IT training initiatives encompassing hardware and software aspects.
Yudhistira Nugraha, Director of Jakarta Smart City, believes that the essence of smart cities transcends technology, underscoring the need to enhance happiness, quality of life, economic growth, and sustainability for citizens. He highlighted Jakarta’s implementation of Citizen Relation Management, an interactive platform fostering citizen-government communication and resolving civic issues efficiently.
Nguyễn Huy Dũng, Deputy Minister of Information and Communications, reiterated that smart city development involves a holistic approach to address key urban issues like traffic, environment, energy, waste management, and security. He emphasized the integration of smart elements into urban planning and the inseparable link between local smart city development and the broader digital transformation process.
Chairman Trần Sỹ Thanh of the Hanoi People’s Committee envisions a sustainable smart city model prioritizing a high-quality living environment, administrative efficiency, and robust support for the digital economy. He emphasized the centrality of smart choices, solutions, and technology in shaping Hanoi’s sustainable development.
The summit served as a platform to deliberate on challenges, seek solutions, and redefine perspectives on smart city growth and sustainable development. The culminating smart city award announcement and honouring ceremony highlighted outstanding smart city development trends in Vietnam, underscoring the nation’s commitment to embracing innovation for a smarter future.
Governments worldwide must enhance their public services to ensure they are seamless, efficient, and accessible to all citizens. Unfortunately, many policymakers still overlook the well-being of the elderly and disabled even though they live alongside with other and maintain their rights to a prosperous life through government services.
As a diverse country, Thailand is aware of this issue. The Ministry of Interior and the Digital Government Development Agency (DGA) have inaugurated a digital service enabling citizens to check elderly living allowances and disability allowances through the central portal system known as the Citizen Portal. This service is integrated into the ‘government’ application, a super app that consolidates various government services into one platform to enhance the quality of life for citizens across diverse demographics and regions.
The inauguration ceremony, presided over by Mr Anutin Charnvirakul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, highlighted the collaborative effort between the Ministry of Interior and the Digital Government Development Agency. The goal is to provide citizens with up-to-date, modern, and timely government services.
The service allows easy verification of elderly living and disability allowances through the government app, showcasing a commitment to embracing digital technology to streamline administrative processes and improve citizen experiences.
Mr Anutin Charnvirakul emphasised that introducing this service aligns with the government’s overarching policy to transition the country into the Digital Government era. This shift involves bringing all information into an online system, ensuring transparent administration and convenient services for citizens.
The ‘government’ application is hailed as a game-changer, a vital element in realising the concept of a Digital Government. It centralises government services through the ‘central portal’, creating a more user-friendly and efficient experience for citizens accessing various services 24/7.
Dr Puangpetch Chunlead, Minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office, underscored the importance of this initiative in transforming the Ministry of Interior into a digital organisation that is both consistent and agile. The move towards making the ‘government’ application a ‘super app’ reflects the government’s commitment to providing citizens with convenient, rapid, and secure access to many government services through a single application.
Dr Supoj Thienawut, Director of the Digital Government Development Agency, elaborated on the ‘government’ application’s success, emphasising its user popularity. With over 134 services currently available, including social security rights verification, medical treatment rights, and subsidies for raising newborns, the app has been downloaded over 751,745 times, with a cumulative usage volume exceeding 9.8 million times as of November 2023.
Mr Khajon Srichawanothai, Director-General of the Department of Local Administration, highlighted the significance of the service for checking elderly living and disability allowances. The service addresses common issues citizens face, such as delays in receiving subsidies due to incorrect verification timing and the need to inquire about allowance information at local government offices, which can take time and effort.
The ‘government’ application aims to alleviate these challenges by centralising essential government services in one accessible platform. With over 134 services ready to serve the public, including the recently launched service for verifying elderly living allowances and disability allowances, the application aligns with the Government Administration and Provision of Government Services through the Digital Systems Act 2019, the Electronic Government Service Act 2022, and Thailand’s Digital Government Development Plan 2023-2027.
Now, elderly and disabled people can experience an improved and more accessible avenue for accessing essential government services. The collaboration between the Ministry of Interior, DGA, and the Office of the Public Sector Development Commission reflects a steadfast commitment to developing digital government services that cater to the population’s diverse needs.
Introducing this service tailored for specific user groups, particularly older individuals and people with disabilities, is pivotal in building a modern and smart nation. This initiative aims to create an environment where citizens can lead smarter and more convenient lives regardless of age or ability. Through the seamless interface of the ‘government’ application, citizens have the power to access crucial government services with ease and efficiency anytime and anywhere.
