Today's Brief 19-22/01/2024

1. ASER: The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2023, titled "Beyond Basics," focuses on the education and skills of 14-18 year olds in rural India. Here are some key findings:

• Overall, 86.8% of 14-18 year olds are enrolled in an educational institution.

• While enrollment is high, gender disparities persist. More girls (88.4%) are enrolled than boys (85.3%).

• Only 5.6% are taking vocational training or related courses, highlighting a gap in skill development.

• About 25% of the youth cannot read a Class II level text fluently in their regional language. This indicates persistent challenges in foundational literacy.

• Language and arithmetic skills: While females outperform males in reading, males excel in arithmetic and English reading.

• Access to digital devices like smartphones is increasing, with 75% of households having at least one smartphone.

• However, only 44% of young people can operate a smartphone independently, and just 37% can access the internet.

• These results showcase growing digital access but reveal a need for stronger digital literacy skills.

• Learning beyond textbooks: The report sheds light on how young people apply their reading and math skills in daily life, showcasing the importance of real-world learning.

• Aspirations and career choices: The report explores the aspirations of young people and identifies vocational training and skill development as crucial needs for securing decent livelihoods.

2.Rashtriya Bal Puraskar, 2024: President Droupadi Murmu will confer the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar, 2024 to nineteen exceptional children in New Delhi today. The award will be conferred upon 19 children selected from all regions of the country for their exceptional achievements in the fields of Art and Culture, Bravery, Innovation, Social Service, and Sports. There are nine boys and ten girls among the awardees belonging to 18 States and Union Territories including two Aspirational Districts. Women and Child Development Minister, Smriti Irani and Minister of State for Women and Child Development Munjpara Mahendrabhai will also preside over the occasion.

The awards are conferred upon children in the age group of 5 to 18 years.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also interact with Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar awardees on 23rd January. The awardees will also participate in the Republic Day parade on the 26th of January.

This national recognition serves to inspire and motivate other youngsters across the country. It remains a testament to the boundless possibilities that arise when the talents of young minds are nurtured and celebrated on a national stage.

3.C4IR: The C4IR Hyderabad, or the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Telangana, is a major development for the city and the state. Here's what you need to know:

What is it?

• A thematic centre of the World Economic Forum (WEF) focused on healthcare and life sciences.

• The first and only WEF C4IR centre in India with this specific focus.

• Established in collaboration with the Telangana government.

What are its goals?

• Facilitate, advance, and accelerate the development and adoption of new technologies in healthcare and life sciences.

• Areas of focus include genomics, personalized medicine, and healthcare manufacturing.

• Leverage the existing strengths of Telangana, such as its talent pool, infrastructure, and progressive industrial policies.

What are the potential benefits?

• Improved healthcare for the people of Telangana and India.

• Creation of new jobs and economic growth.

• Positioning Hyderabad as a global hub for healthcare and life sciences innovation.

When will it be launched?

• The C4IR Hyderabad is scheduled to be launched in February 2025, during the Bio Asia conference.

4.Yogesh Singh: Indian shooters’ continued with winning gold in the Asia Olympic Qualifiers with Yogesh Singh winning the top prize in individual as well as team event of the men’s 25m centre fire pistol competition on Monday in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Yogesh claimed the individual gold medal after shooting 573, finishing ahead of silver winner Muad Al Balushi of Oman (570) and Indonesia’s Anang Yulianto (567).The other two Indian participants in the event, Pankaj Yadav (567) and Akshay Jain (564), ended fourth and sixth.The Indian trio aggregated 1704 to bag the team gold ahead of shooters from Oman and Indonesia.

In women's event, the Indian trio of Shreyasi, Manisha Keer and Bhavya Tripathi, however, won the silver medal in the women’s trap team event with a total of 328, finishing behind China and ahead of Kazakhstan. 

5.Universal Service Obligation Fund: The Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) is a crucial initiative in India aimed at bridging the digital divide and promoting equitable access to telecommunication services across the country. Here's a comprehensive overview:

What is it?

• A pool of funds generated by a 5% Universal Service Levy (USL) charged on telecom service providers' Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR).

• Established under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, and revamped in 2003.

• Managed by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) under the Ministry of Communications.

What are its objectives?

• Provide affordable access to reliable and ubiquitous telecommunications networks, especially in rural and remote areas.

• Stimulate the uptake of internet and communication technologies (ICT) services in underserved and unserved areas.

• Bridge the digital divide and narrow the access gap across India.

• Contribute to socio-economic development through improved communication and information dissemination.

How does it work?

• USOF funds are used to subsidize various initiatives:

• Deployment of telecom infrastructure: building mobile towers, laying fiber optic cables, etc., in commercially non-viable areas.

• Support for service providers: incentivizing telecom companies to offer services in rural areas through financial grants and reduced license fees.

• Digital literacy programs: promoting awareness and usage of ICT services among rural communities.

• Broadband connectivity projects: facilitating affordable broadband access in rural areas.

What are the key achievements of USOF?

• Significant increase in mobile network coverage, reaching over 98% of India's population.

• Growth in rural mobile phone subscribers from 26 million in 2004 to over 520 million in 2023.

• Expanding broadband infrastructure, with over 250,000 gram panchayats (village councils) connected with BharatNet fiber optic network.

• Bridging the digital divide and contributing to inclusive economic growth in rural India.

Challenges and future scope:

• Ensuring efficient utilization of funds and tackling corruption.

• Promoting sustainable models for telecom service provision in rural areas.

• Expanding broadband access and digital literacy initiatives.

• Addressing emerging challenges like cybersecurity and data privacy in rural areas.

Overall, the USOF plays a crucial role in transforming India's digital landscape and facilitating inclusive growth. Its continued efforts hold immense potential for bridging the digital divide and empowering rural communities through improved communication and access to information.

6.The AI Governance Alliance (AIGA) has recently published a trio of new reports addressing advanced artificial intelligence (AI). These documents concentrate on governing generative AI, maximizing its potential, and establishing a responsible framework for AI development and deployment.

In the report titled "Generative AI Governance: Shaping Our Collective Global Future," the emphasis is placed on fostering international cooperation and advocating for more inclusive access to AI in both its development and deployment phases.

The second report, "Unlocking Value from Generative AI: Guidance for Responsible Transformation," offers guidance to stakeholders on the responsible adoption of generative AI, emphasizing use case evaluation, multistakeholder governance, and transparent communication. The third report, "The Presidio AI Framework: Towards Safe Generative AI Model," underscores the necessity of a standardized framework for managing the lifecycle of AI models, with a focus on shared responsibility and proactive risk management.

The AI Governance Alliance (AIGA), initiated by the World Economic Forum in 2023, is a dedicated effort to promote responsible generative AI. Comprising industry leaders, governments, academic institutions, and civil society organizations, the alliance is committed to facilitating the global design and release of transparent and inclusive AI systems.

What is Artificial intelligence (AI) is a broad field of computer science dedicated to creating intelligent machines capable of tasks that traditionally require human intelligence. From self-driving cars to generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Google's Bard, AI is becoming increasingly integrated into everyday life across various industries.

What is Generative AI is a type of AI technology that produces diverse content, including text, imagery, audio, and synthetic data. Models in generative AI learn patterns and structures from training data to generate new data with similar characteristics. Applications like ChatGPT, DALL-E, and Bard exemplify generative AI, producing text or images based on user prompts or dialogue.

Regulation of AI is imperative due to challenges such as the lack of transparency, potential biases, and the risk of misuse. AI systems collecting personal data, lack of control over rapidly advancing AI intelligence, and concerns about safety and security in critical domains like healthcare, transportation, and finance are additional reasons for regulatory frameworks. International cooperation is crucial to establishing common standards and principles. Regulations can prevent AI from being misused for malicious purposes and enhance public trust by ensuring adherence to ethical standards. Human-centered thinking should guide AI development to address ethical issues and avoid contributing to social inequalities.

7.Deep Sea Coral Reef:  Mapping the hidden world of deep-sea coral reefs is an exciting and crucial endeavour, shedding light on these fragile ecosystems and their vital role in ocean health. 

let us see how is it done,

Techniques:

• Multibeam sonar: This technology sends sound waves down to the ocean floor and analyzes the echoes to create detailed 3D maps of the seabed, revealing the topography and even identifying coral formations. 

• ROV and AUV cameras: Remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) equipped with high-resolution cameras capture close-up images and videos of the coral reefs, providing valuable data on their species composition, health, and threats. 

• Sediment sampling: Analyzing sediment samples collected from the seafloor can reveal past environmental conditions and help understand the history and evolution of the reef.

Challenges:

• Depth and darkness: The extreme depths and lack of sunlight in these environments make exploration and mapping difficult.

• Cost and logistics: Deep-sea research requires specialized equipment and expertise, making it a costly and logistically complex undertaking.

• Limited knowledge: Much remains unknown about these ecosystems, and mapping efforts are crucial for filling the gaps in our understanding.

Benefits:

• Conservation: Mapping helps identify and protect vulnerable coral reefs from threats like fishing, pollution, and climate change.

• Scientific discovery: New species and ecological relationships are often discovered during deep-sea coral reef mapping, expanding our knowledge of marine biodiversity.

• Resource management: Understanding the distribution and health of deep-sea coral reefs is crucial for sustainable ocean management and resource utilization.

Examples:

• World's Largest Deep-Sea Coral Reef: In 2023, scientists mapped the largest deep-sea coral reef off the U.S. East Coast, stretching hundreds of miles and exceeding the size of the state of Vermont. 

• Okeanos Explorer Mapping Cruises: NOAA's Okeanos Explorer conducts research cruises to map and study deep-sea coral reefs around the world, contributing significantly to our understanding of these ecosystems.

• International Collaboration: Initiatives like the Global Ocean Mapping and the Schmidt Ocean Institute bring together researchers and resources from various countries to advance deep-sea exploration and mapping efforts.

Impact:

Mapping deep-sea coral reefs is not just about discovering hidden worlds; it's about safeguarding ocean health, protecting biodiversity, and ensuring the sustainable use of marine resources for future generations. As mapping technologies and our understanding of these ecosystems evolve, we can expect even more groundbreaking discoveries and a brighter future for these vital underwater treasures.

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