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More Than 300 International Experts Release Open Letter Demanding Government Leaders Take Immediate Action to Combat Deepfake Threats

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BERKELEY, Calif., Feb. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — More than 300 leading international experts in technology, artificial intelligence, digital ethics, and child safety, as well as entertainment professionals and academics today issued an open letter urging governments, policymakers, and political leaders to combat the growing threat of harmful deepfake content, which often involves sexual imagery, fraud, or political disinformation. Signatories on the letter include prominent thought leaders such as Andrew Yang, Joy Buolamwini, Stuart Russell, Sarah Gardner, Gary Marcus, Frances Haugen, Steven Pinker, Sneha Revanur, Chris Weitz, Marietje Schaake, and Oren Etzioni.

The full letter, its signatories, and information about how to sign can be found HERE.

Current laws do not adequately target and limit deepfake production and dissemination, and existing requirements on creators are ineffective. The letter, titled “Disrupting the Deepfake Supply Chain,” is supportive of ongoing legislative efforts to regulate deepfakes, and includes key recommendations to help governments design and implement comprehensive laws and regulations to hold the entire deepfake supply chain accountable, such as:

Fully Criminalizing Deepfake Child Pornography, even in cases where only fictional children are depicted.Establishing Criminal Penalties for any individual who knowingly creates or facilitates the spread of harmful deepfakes.Requiring software developers and distributors to prevent their audio and visual products from creating harmful deepfakes, and requiring they be held liable if their preventive measures are too easily circumvented.

“Deepfakes are a huge threat to human society and are already causing growing harm to individuals, communities, and the functioning of democracy,” said Andrew Critch, AI Researcher at UC Berkeley in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and lead author on the letter. “We need immediate action to combat the proliferation of deepfakes, and my colleagues and I created this letter as a way for people around the world to show their support for law-making efforts to stop deepfakes.”

“The need for biometric rights becomes ever more apparent as we see how easily your likeness can be taken and transformed for nefarious uses,” said Dr. Joy Buolamwini, Founder of the Algorithmic Justice League and author of ‘Unmasking AI.’ “We also see that while no one is immune to algorithmic abuse, those already marginalized in society shoulder an even larger burden. 98% of nonconsensual deepfakes are of women and girls. That is why it is up to all of us to speak out against harmful uses of AI. If we remain silent, an AI backlash will result in pushback against beneficial applications of this technology. We do not have to accept digital humiliation as the tax for innovation. Criminalizing deepfake child pornography is the least we can do to protect the dignity of children now and for generations to come. Deterrents make a difference. There must be high consequences for egregious abuses of AI. We must also criminalize nonconsensual deepfake pornography that impacts people of all ages.”

“It’s increasingly clear that anyone, anywhere could be the target of harmful deep fakes—including our children,” said Sarah Gardner, Chief Executive Officer of the Heat Initiative. “Lawmakers work for us, and they have a moral imperative to protect our kids by acting quickly to hold accountable the platforms and bad actors that are allowing the proliferation of child sexual abuse material.”

Other organizations who assisted in preparing or promoting the letter include the Machine Intelligence and Normative Theory Lab, the Center for AI Safety, and OpenLetter.net, as well as several organizations associated with bandeepfakes.org who promoted the letter through email campaigns, including the Center for Human-Compatible AI, the Future of Life Institute, and Control/AI.

The letter also encourages device manufacturers, software developers, and media companies to work together to popularize content authentication methods, such as the implementation of tamper-proof digital seals on authentic media using cryptographic signature techniques similar to website certificates and login credentials.

Deepfakes — AI-generated synthetic media that mimic real human voices, images, and videos, in ways that a reasonable person would mistake as real — pose a significant, escalating risk to individuals, businesses, and democratic processes worldwide as AI platforms have become more powerful and accessible. From 2019 to 2023, there was a 400 percent increase in deepfake creation, with deepfake pornography alone comprising 98 percent of all deepfake videos online, almost all of them targeting women.

Last week, a bipartisan coalition of UK politicians emerged campaigning against deepfakes and calling for similar measures. Also recently, deepfake pornography of Taylor Swift went viral on social media; deepfake pornography of female students circulated at a high school in New Jersey; and deepfake robocalls of President Biden were made discouraging New Hampshire residents from voting.

For media inquiries or to schedule interviews, please contact Roy Loewenstein at 410-926-5110 or roy@brysongillette.com.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/more-than-300-international-experts-release-open-letter-demanding-government-leaders-take-immediate-action-to-combat-deepfake-threats-302066964.html

SOURCE OpenLetter.net

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Hyundai Motor Group Announces 2024 Second Half Key Executive Appointments

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Jaehoon Chang is promoted to Vice Chair of Hyundai Motor Group – Automotive DivisionJosé Muñoz appointed as CEO of Hyundai Motor CompanySung Kim appointed as President of Hyundai Motor CompanyJun Young Choi is promoted to President of Kia Corporation; and Kyoo Bok Lee is promoted to President of Hyundai GlovisAppointment of new CEOs for the Group’s affiliates, including Cheol Seung Baek, Hyundai Transys; Joon Dong Oh, Hyundai KEFICO; Hanwoo Lee, Hyundai E&C; Woo Jeong Joo, Hyundai Engineering

SEOUL, South Korea, Nov. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Hyundai Motor Group (the Group) today announced key executive appointments for the year 2024 as part of its aims to solidify sustainable growth and better prepare for uncertainties in the global business environment.

This appointment reflects its commitment to a performance-based approach that aligns with outstanding achievements. By consolidating the Group’s core competencies and strategically placing proven leaders with verified track records in key positions, the Group aims to strengthen organizational foundations and accelerate our future transformation.

Jaehoon Chang is promoted to Vice Chair of Hyundai Motor Group – Automotive Division, effective Jan. 1st, 2025, to further strengthen the future competitiveness of the Group’s mobility business.

Looking ahead, Chang will oversee the entire value chain, including product planning, supply chain management manufacturing, and quality assessment. He will optimize business operations across the automotive business while securing internal synergies and building foundational systems for cost and quality innovation to ensure sustainable future competitiveness.

José Muñoz is appointed President and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company to advance global management framework and solidify customer-focused mobility innovation through diverse powertrain offerings, including electric, hybrid, ICE and hydrogen technologies, effective Jan. 1st, 2025.

As a result, Muñoz is appointed as the first non-Korean CEO of Hyundai Motor – identified as the ideal fit to further enhance the company’s performance thanks to his merit-based management philosophy and his commitment to recruiting top global talent. Going forward, he is expected to enhance the company’s global management systems and further elevate its stature as a leading global brand.

Sung Kim is appointed as President of Hyundai Motor Company to manage the business effectively through global economic uncertainties, effective Jan. 1st, 2025.

As part of his appointment to enhance the company’s Think Tank capabilities and better navigate various geopolitical challenges, Kim will oversee global external affairs, analyze and research domestic and international policy trends, and lead communications and PR initiatives. He will focus on increasing synergies across the company’s intelligence functions, strengthening external networking and advancing global protocol capabilities.

Jun Young Choi is promoted to President of Kia Corporation from Head of Domestic Production Division and Chief Safety Officer (CSO). Kyoo Bok Lee, CEO of Hyundai Glovis, is promoted to President.

To strengthen sustainable management and accelerate business transformation, the Group has appointed Cheol Seung Baek as CEO of Hyundai Transys and Joon Dong Oh as CEO of Hyundai KEFICO.

To address challenges in the construction industry and accelerate fundamental improvements, the Group has appointed Hanwoo Lee as CEO of Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd. (Hyundai E&C) and Woo Jeong Joo as CEO of Hyundai Engineering Co., Ltd.

* Editor’s note: Appointment of all CEOs referenced are subject to approval by the relevant Group affiliate’s Board of Directors

About Hyundai Motor Group

Hyundai Motor Group is a global enterprise that has created a value chain based on mobility, steel, and construction, as well as logistics, finance, IT, and service. With about 250,000 employees worldwide, the Group’s mobility brands include Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. Armed with creative thinking, cooperative communication and the will to take on any challenges, we strive to create a better future for all.

More information about Hyundai Motor Group can be found at:

http://www.hyundaimotorgroup.com or Newsroom: Media Hub by Hyundai, Kia Global Media Center (kianewscenter.com), Genesis Media Center.

SOURCE Hyundai Motor Group

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GreenPower Provides Business Update and Reports Second Quarter Fiscal 2025 Results

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Shareholder Call Scheduled for November 15, 2024 at 10 a.m. EST/7 a.m. PST

VANCOUVER, BC, Nov. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — GreenPower Motor Company Inc. (Nasdaq: GP) (TSXV: GPV) (“GreenPower” and the “Company”), a leading manufacturer and distributor of all-electric, purpose-built, zero-emission medium and heavy-duty vehicles serving the cargo and delivery market, shuttle and transit space and school bus sector, today reported its second quarter fiscal year 2025 results and provided an update on its manufacturing operations.

“GreenPower spent the quarter advancing the school bus production process at its West Virginia facility by setting up an oversized paint booth and establishing production stations to increase throughput in order to meet customer orders and demands,” said GreenPower President Brendan Riley. “The increase in production coupled with manufacturing process improvements is expected to result in higher gross profit margins and cost reductions on a per unit basis as throughput improves.”

Riley said that the Company has been systematically increasing its production workforce to provide for its growing production. “Putting the workforce in place and validating the manufacturing process is key to our efficiency, and production growth which is expected to drive cost savings on a per unit basis. With these in place, GreenPower will be able to attain its longer-term manufacturing goal of producing 20 school buses per month,” he said, noting that steady, measured growth, a foundation of GreenPower’s model, is critical for maintaining quality throughout the production process.

“The growth in production complements GreenPower’s sales strategy of focusing on states where there are money and mandates for electric school buses,” added Fraser Atkinson, CEO of GreenPower. “While we continue to manufacture and sell EV school buses for current orders and contracts under both state and federal programs, the future is more focused on states that have put policies and plans in place to provide a cleaner, healthier ride for students through the deployment of electric school buses. States like California and New York, and regions like the Southwest.”

During the second quarter of GreenPower’s fiscal year 2025, the manufacturing process was exhibited when the Company produced the first Type D BEAST all-electric, purpose-built, zero-emission school bus for the 37 BEAST order from the state of West Virginia from its South Charleston plant, which was delivered at the beginning of our current quarter.  That was the second BEAST produced in the facility following the production of the Kanawha County bus purchased directly by the school district outside of the state order. Additional deliveries to fulfill the state order are planned to take place in the third and fourth quarters.

Second Quarter 2025 Highlights:

Generated revenues of $5.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, an increase of 78% over the previous quarter.Delivered 11 BEAST Type D all-electric school buses, six EV Star Cargo and EV Star Cargo Plus and five EV Star Passenger Vans.Deferred revenue increased to $10.4 million, including the current portion of $7.5 million, which is expected to be realized over the next year.At the end of the quarter GreenPower had working capital of $10.1 million including inventory of $31.7 million consisting of $9.3 million of finished goods, $18.6 million of work-in-process and $3.8 million of parts and components.Received order for school buses under EPA’s Clean School Bus Program from the RWC Group for Arizona.

In October the Company completed an underwritten offering of 3,000,000 common shares raising gross proceeds of $3 million. The net proceeds from this offering are intended for the production of all-electric vehicles, including BEAST school buses and EV Star commercial vehicles, product development, with the remainder, if any, for general corporate purposes.  

For additional information on the results of operations for the periods ended September 30, 2024 review the interim financial statements and related reports posted on GreenPower’s website as well as on www.sedar.com or filed on EDGAR.

Shareholder Call Information

Date: Friday November 15, 2024 
Time: 7 a.m. PST/10 a.m. EST

Participant dial-in: (US) 1-844-739-3982 (Canada); 1-866-605-3852; (International) 1-412-317-5718. Ask to be joined into the GreenPower Motor Company Inc. conference call.

Webcast Link: https://event.choruscall.com/mediaframe/webcast.html?webcastid=pVZ0NwpL

Replay: (US) 1-877-344-7529; (Canada) 1-855-669-9658; (International) 1-412-317-0088
Replay access code: 4413647

For further information contact:

Fraser Atkinson, CEO
(604) 220-8048

Brendan Riley, President
(510) 910-3377

Michael Sieffert, CFO
(604) 563-4144

About GreenPower Motor Company Inc.
GreenPower designs, builds and distributes a full suite of high-floor and low-floor all-electric medium and heavy-duty vehicles, including transit buses, school buses, shuttles, cargo van and a cab and chassis.  GreenPower employs a clean-sheet design to manufacture all-electric vehicles that are purpose built to be battery powered with zero emissions while integrating global suppliers for key components. This OEM platform allows GreenPower to meet the specifications of various operators while providing standard parts for ease of maintenance and accessibility for warranty requirements. GreenPower was founded in Vancouver, Canada with primary operational facilities in southern California. Listed on the Toronto exchange since November 2015, GreenPower completed its U.S. IPO and NASDAQ listing in August 2020. For further information go to www.greenpowermotor.com

Forward-Looking Statements
This document contains forward-looking statements relating to, among other things, GreenPower’s business and operations and the environment in which it operates, which are based on GreenPower’s operations, estimates, forecasts and projections. Forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts, but rather on current expectations and projections about future events, and are therefore subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “upon”, “may”, “should”, “will”, “could”, “intend”, “estimate”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “expect”, “believe” or “continue”, or the negative thereof or similar variations. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. A number of important factors including those set forth in other public filings (filed under the Company’s profile on www.sedar.com) could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements. Consequently, readers should not place any undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. In addition, these forward-looking statements relate to the date on which they are made. GreenPower disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. All amounts in U.S. dollars. ©2024 GreenPower Motor Company Inc. All rights reserved.

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SOURCE GreenPower Motor Company

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Announcing the Launch of “JPxData Portal (beta version)”, a Portal Site Comprehensively Covering Data Provided by JPX Group, etc.

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TOKYO, Nov. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The JPX Market Innovation & Research, Inc., a leading global provider of Japan’s financial market data, promptly began provision of “JPxData Portal (beta version)” (hereinafter referred to as “Website”), a portal site that comprehensively introduces data provided by Japan Exchange Group, Japan Exchange Group companies and partner companies (hereinafter referred to as “JPX Group, etc.”), as of August 2024.

What is JPxData Portal?
JPX Group, etc. currently provide over 200 types of data, which are used by a wide range of users, including investors, brokerage firms, and listed companies. However, JPXI received feedback that it is difficult for users to search through due to the overwhelmingly large amount of data and know what kind of data can be used for what. This feedback led us to the launch of Website providing users with easy access to data they seek and showing how to use the data.

“JPxData Portal” is named after “a data portal site of JPX Group, etc.” and “a place where “Japan (JP)” and “data(Data)” are combined” with the letter “x.” JPXI will aim to develop Website further to make it an easy-to-use site, where any data on the Japanese market are accessible in the future.

Click here for JPxData Portal (beta version): https://clientportal.jpx.co.jp/ClientPortalEN/s/

JPxData Portal Main Features
Product List

Users can search over 200 types of data by using simple keywords such as “stock price,” “derivatives,” “margin trading,” and “ESG.”Users can check the frequency and timing of updates, the period of historical data available, file formats (PDF, CSV, Excel, etc.), and if such data are provided via an API.For some data, sample data and articles on how to use them are also provided.

Use cases

Users can find articles introducing how to use data, including examples of analysis using the data, and the differences among similar data such as stock price data and issue master data with comparison of them.Users can discover related data from an article about data users initially searched for.

Company search

Users can check basic information, timely disclosure information, filing information, corporate governance, and other information about each issue.In addition to company names and codes, users can also search by using keywords such as “cloud” and “digital transformation” based on generative AI technology.The current list of listed issues is available for free download.

Disclosure search

Users can search TDnet disclosures published for the past one year*.
* The latest one is for two business days prior.Users can leverage browser machine translation easily for financial statements and other information disclosed in HTML format. An article on how to use browser’s machine translation features and detailed usage notes is also provided.English tags are attached to Japanese documents to facilitate primary extraction of information so that users easily search for information in English.

Useful links

Users can check a list of useful websites related to the securities market*.
* Currently, only websites managed by JPX Group or related companies are available.)

About JPX Market Innovation & Research
JPX Market Innovation & Research, Inc. (JPXI) was established as a subsidiary of Japan Exchange Group, Inc. (TOKYO:8697) in 2022. It consolidates JPX Group’s data/index services and system-related services, and leads further business enhancement of JPX Group by leveraging IT technologies and new business partnerships.

Contact
Frontier Development Department,
JPX Market Innovation & Research, Inc.
E-mail: inf_dev@jpx.co.jp
Inquiry form: https://clientportal.jpx.co.jp/ClientPortalEN/s/InquiryFormEn

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/announcing-the-launch-of-jpxdata-portal-beta-version-a-portal-site-comprehensively-covering-data-provided-by-jpx-group-etc-302306517.html

SOURCE JPX Market Innovation & Research, Inc.

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