Rapid Fire Current Affairs | 20 Jul 2023

Ensuring Accountability and Safety in AI Development

During the first United Nations Security Council meeting on Artificial Intelligence (AI), concerns were raised regarding the safety and responsible development of AI.

AI leverages computers and machines to mimic the problem-solving and decision-making capabilities of the human mind. Therefore, the international community emphasized the need to develop methods to test AI systems for capabilities, misuses, and safety flaws to avoid chaotic or unpredictable behavior.

UN Secretary-General stressed the importance of adopting standards and best practices at the UN to address issues such as bias, discrimination, and authoritarian surveillance that can be amplified by AI. The development of AI should be consistent with democratic values and human rights to ensure human-centric and trustworthy AI systems.

International Moon Day 2023

International Moon Day, observed on July 20, commemorates the historic Apollo 11 mission's landing on the Moon in 1969. Astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin made history by stepping onto the lunar surface at the site named Tranquility Base, while Michael Collins piloted the Columbia Command Module in lunar orbit. The United Nations General Assembly declared it as an international day to be observed in its resolution 76/76 on “International cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space” in 2021.

Read more: Apollo 11 mission

Mangal Pandey Birth Anniversary

Mangal Pandey, born on July 19, 1827, in Nagwa village, Uttar Pradesh, played a pivotal role in the First Indian War of Independence. On March 29, 1857, at the Barrackpore military cantonment near Calcutta, he defiantly rebelled against British officers by refusing to use the controversial Enfield rifle cartridges greased with animal fat.

This courageous act served as a catalyst, inspiring countless others to rise against British colonial rule, ultimately leading to the widespread Indian Rebellion of 1857. His arrest and subsequent execution on April 8, 1857, by British authorities only further fueled public outrage and united various communities in opposition to British rule.

Read more: Indian Rebellion of 1857

Gomti River: Controversy Over Perennial Status and Protection

The Gomti River, a significant tributary of the Ganga River, has become the center of a contentious issue surrounding its perennial status and protection.

The Irrigation department of the Uttar Pradesh government in September 2020 declared the Gomti as a "non-perennial river," drawing criticism from water experts and river rights activists. Moreover, the Gomti plays a vital role in replenishing the Ganga during monsoons, making it indispensable to the region's ecosystem.

The river's dire need for protection is further highlighted by a report from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), ranking the Gomti as the fifth most polluted river in the country as of 2022.