China executed four members of the Bai family mafia, a notorious dynasty that ran scam centers in Myanmar, according to state media reports from BBC World. The executions were part of a broader crackdown on scam operations in Southeast Asia that have entrapped numerous individuals. The Guangdong court convicted more than 20 of the Bai family's members and associates of fraud, homicide, injury, and other crimes.
Last November, the same court sentenced five members of the family to death, including the clan's patriarch, Bai Suocheng, who died of illness after his conviction, BBC World reported. Last week, China executed 11 members of the Ming family mafia, further demonstrating the country's commitment to dismantling these criminal networks.
In other news, Elon Musk's SpaceX applied to launch one million satellites into Earth's orbit to power artificial intelligence (AI), BBC Technology reported. The application claimed "orbital data centers" are the most cost and energy-efficient way to meet the growing demand for AI computing power. SpaceX argued that the processing needs due to the expanding use of AI are already outpacing "terrestrial capabilities." This would drastically increase the number of SpaceX satellites in orbit, adding to its existing Starlink network of nearly 10,000 satellites.
Meanwhile, French technology giant Capgemini announced it would sell its US subsidiary after its work locating people for immigration enforcement agency ICE sparked outrage, according to BBC Business. Capgemini faced pressure from French lawmakers over a contract its subsidiary signed with ICE, amid international scrutiny over the methods used by the agency's agents in Minnesota. The fatal shooting of US citizens Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti by Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis led to increased scrutiny of the agency.
Separately, a study by the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights concluded that international law meant to limit the effects of war is at a breaking point, The Guardian reported. The study, covering 23 armed conflicts over the last 18 months, found that more than 100,000 civilians have been killed, while torture and rape are committed with near impunity.
In China, President Xi Jinping addressed officials in late January, stating that China was on the cusp of an "epoch-making major technological revolution," according to the NY Times. He likened artificial intelligence to transformative technologies like the steam engine, electricity, and the internet. However, Xi warned that China must not let the new technology spiral out of control and must act early and decisively to prevent problems. His remarks highlighted the tension between China's ambition to lead in AI and the need to regulate the technology.
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