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dreading what it might mean for our already-stressed communication networks. The chairwoman of the US Federal Communications Commission, for one, who’s just proposed an investigation into what “AI” could mean for even more spam calls and texts. The FCC will vote to adopt a multi-tiered action in November. Chairwoman Rosencworcel, who’s served on the Commission since 2012 and as its executive since being confirmed late in 2021, is particularly concerned with how newly empowered AI tools could affect senior citizens. The FCC’s initial press release (PDF link) lists four main goals: determining whether AI technologies fall under the Comission’s jurisdiction via the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991, if and when future AI tech might do the same, how AI impacts existing regulatory frameworks, and if the FCC should consider ways to verify the authenticity of auto-generated AI voice and text from “trusted sources.” That last bullet point would seem to contain the potential for the most problems. Auto-generated text and natural-sounding voice algorithms are already fairly easy tools to use, albeit not quite as fast as necessary for real-time back-and-forth in a phone call setting. Combine it with some “big iron” data centers, whether wholly created for the purpose of mass calls and texts or merely rented from the likes of Amazon and Microsoft, and you have a recipe for disaster. Replacing human-staffed call centers around the world in scammer hotbeds like India and Cambodia with fully automated AI systems could exponentially increase both the volume and the efficacy of scams, which are already being sent hundreds of billions of times every year. While filters and blocks exist, it’s estimated that billions of dollars are lost to scams each year in the US alone, many of which target senior citizens specifically. The FCC’s brief does mention that AI technology could also be used to fight against spammers and scams, presumably with some kind of real-time scanning system alerting users that they’re talking to a computer. But the details of this, and the potential evolution of the threat posed by AI tools, will have to wait for the Commission’s November 15th session.

The x86 CPU architecture has dominated the PC market since dinosaurs roamed the land but there's been a flurry of rumours concerning efforts by AMD and Nvidia to battle Qualcomm head-on, preparing Arm-powered CPUs for Windows computers in 2025. As things currently stand, Qualcomm has an exclusive deal with Microsoft, ensuring that any computer using Windows on Arm has a Snapdragon CPU inside it. This deal is set to end in a few year's time and given how the Arm architecture has dominated the phone industry and is making headway in the server and AI industries, it looks like AMD and Nvidia want to get the jump on Qualcomm. That's according to a report by Reuters, which starts by saying that people with inside knowledge are claiming that Nvidia is planning to release an Arm CPU for Windows in 2025. This isn't new territory for the GPU giant, as it has been making such processors for years. The Nintendo Switch is powered by a version of Nvidia's Tegra X1 system-on-chip (SoC) that houses four Cortex-A57 CPU cores. Nvidia and Microsoft have teamed up in the past, with the first two Surface tablets using Windows RT and Tegra SoCs in 2012 and 2013. Eventually, Microsoft went with Intel and its Atom CPU, and Nvidia then focused its processor designs for other markets.

An escaped corn snake has been reunited with its owner after living in the wild in North Lanarkshire for a year. Corn snake Emett went missing as a baby and survived outdoor temperatures as well as finding his own food. He was handed in to a Scottish SPCA centre in Glasgow after being found in a residential area of Airdrie. The Scottish SPCA's Rachel Mansfield, said: "It's amazing that this snake has managed to survive changes in weather, as well as eating goodness knows what." Ms Mansfield, assistant manager at the charity's Glasgow animal rescue and rehoming centre, said they found Emett's owner after issuing an online appeal. She was shocked to discover how long he had been missing. She added: "As Emett was just a tiny baby when they got him, he had managed to get out through a small gap. "Snakes are notorious escape artists and can often squeeze through much smaller spaces than you might think." The Royal veterinary college (RVC) advises that corn snakes should be kept in a large vivarium with a basking temperature of 32C (89F). Ms Mansfield added: "Since being home Emett has enjoyed a nice bath, a good meal and had a good full shed too. "We're always delighted to reunite an animal with their owner, whatever shape or size the animal might be."

Apart from Japan, Triumph will be introducing Speed 400 and Scrambler 400X in various other overseas markets With a competitive price point that no one could guess, Triumph Speed 400 and Scrambler 400X have gotten off to a good start. After getting everyone’s attention in the domestic market, Triumph is actively pursuing opportunities across international locations. As part of that plan, Triumph’s 400cc duo have made their debut in Japan. Triumph Speed 400, Scrambler 400X prices in Japan Bookings for Speed 400 and Scrambler 400X are currently open in Japan at authorized dealerships. Official launch and deliveries are expected to commence in January 2024. There doesn’t appear to be any major changes to the bikes that will be exported. However, there’s a significant difference in the pricing of these bikes in Japan. Triumph Speed 400 is available at a starting price of 699,000 yen. This is approximately Rs 3.87 lakh. In comparison, Speed 400 is available in India at a starting price of Rs 2.33 lakh (ex-sh). Even if one considers on-road price, it comes around Rs 2.70 lakh to Rs 2.80 lakh. In some states, on-road prices could be higher. But even then, Speed 400 turns out to be a lot cheaper in India. Pricing in India is likely to have been kept low to ensure improved competencies against segment leader Royal Enfield. Triumph Scrambler 400X is available at a starting price of 789,000 yen in Japan. This is approximately Rs 4.38 lakh. In India, the bike is available at a starting price of Rs 2.63 lakh. On-road price of Scrambler 400X is around Rs 3.13 lakh (Delhi). OEMs usually introduce certain changes to suit local tastes and preferences. For example, colour options are usually different. But that hasn’t been the case with Speed 400 and Scrambler 400X launched in Japan. The colour options are the same as available in India. Speed 400 is offered in colour options of Carnival Red / Phantom Black, Caspian Blue / Storm Grey and Phantom Black / Storm Grey. Options of Scrambler 400X include Matt Khaki Green / Fusion White, Carnival Red / Phantom Black and Phantom Black / Silver Ice. Hardware specifications appear to be the same as well in most parts. Both bikes have a 398cc, liquid cooled, DOHC, single cylinder engine. It generates 40 PS of max power and 38 Nm of peak torque. It is mated to a 6-speed gearbox. Among the two, Scrambler 400X (2,115 mm) is longer than Speed 400 (2,055 mm). Wheelbase is also longer at 1,420 mm, in comparison to 1,375 mm of Speed 400. Scrambler 400X weighs 180 kg, as compared to 171 kg of Speed 400. Multiple export markets on the radar Triumph will be aggressively pursuing export opportunities across the globe. Launch in Japan is just the beginning. The markets to be covered include Triumph’s home market United Kingdom. Other destinations include North America, South America and Southeast Asian markets. Initial aim is to export around 20,000 to 30,000 units per annum. Triumph is also working to expand its dealer network in India. It plans to cover 100 cities by end of this year. To cater to the increased demand, Triumph will be ramping up production of Speed 400 and Scrambler 400X. As of now, production capacity is 5,000 – 7,000 units per month. By end of this fiscal, production will be increased to 10,000 units per month.

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