Geological organization rules the Anthropocene is not a formal epoch
IUGS rejected declaring that we live in a new epoch defined by far-reaching human impacts on the planet since the 1950s.
Science & Technology
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U.N. General Assembly adopts first resolution on artificial intelligence
Proposed by the U.S. and co-sponsored by China and more than 120 other nations, its passage represented a moment of international cooperation through science diplomacy.
Nations pushing for AI governance around issues of access and privacy
A top U.N. official cites strong concerns about mental privacy, which is 'a line that we should not cross at all' as AI develops.
New institute launches to ensure quantum computing benefits all
The Open Quantum Institute began a three-year pilot phase hosted by the European Organization for Nuclear Research.
Drought data shows “unprecedented emergency" for 1.84 billion people
Almost a quarter of the world faces human-induced drought, and 85% of those live in low- or middle-income countries.
Majority of nations pass measure setting up U.N. vote on 'killer robots'
The first-of-its-kind provision cites an “urgent need for the international community to address the challenges and concerns raised by autonomous weapons systems."
Geneva gains new quantum institute and science diplomacy curriculum
Each of the Geneva-based global initiatives developed by the GESDA Foundation won pledges of millions of Swiss francs.
UPU closes fourth 'Extraordinary Congress' in Riyadh on digital future
The talks centered on climate, financial services and more cooperation among governments and private partners.
Switzerland, Sweden and U.S. top WIPO's global innovation rankings
But the world's five biggest science and technology clusters are now in East Asia; Japan's is the largest and China has the most.
Top 10 organizations in league of their own as new platforms gain
Almost all of the most popular international organizations have more than 10 million followers combined, but new platforms are targets for community and re-engagement.
U.N.-led transfer of oil averts disaster off Yemen's Red Sea coast
The ship-to-ship transfer extracted as much of the 1.14 million barrels of oil as possible, leaving under 2% aboard.
U.N. starts unloading oil from Yemen tanker to prevent disaster
Without U.N. intervention, the tanker could have released as much as four times the oil spilled by the Exxon Valdez in 1989.
Deep-sea mining emerges as a flashpoint in shift from fossil fuels
Mining the deep seas: The best way forward to a green energy transition, or a looming environmental disaster?
Diplomats examine AI risks to peace and potential for global oversight
The U.K.'s push at the U.N. Security Council could serve as a starting point for a multilateral approach toward addressing the serious security risks posed by artificial intelligence.
AI robots say they won't rebel but can run world better than humans
Nine social robots, flanked by their creators, offered mixed responses to reporters' questions about their future role in society and how strictly they should be regulated.
U.N. chief backs creation of a new international AI watchdog agency
A new organization to supervise artificial intelligence could be modeled after the U.N. atomic watchdog agency, created in response to nuclear technology.