Roundup – EU to hold drone makers accountable; Meta removes China propaganda targeting US

EU draft rules to make it easier to sue drone makers

Under new EU draft rules, individuals and companies that are harmed by drones, robots and other products or services connected to AI will be more easily able to sue for compensation. Titled the AI Liability Directive, victims will have a safety blanket by introducing a “presumption of casualty”, which means victims only need to show that a manufacturer or user’s failure to comply with requirements caused the harm. Under a “right of access to evidence”, victims can ask a court to order companies and suppliers to provide information about high-risk AI systems so that they can identify the liable person and find out what went wrong. The rules are awaiting the green light from EU lawmakers.

https://money.usnews.com/investing/news/articles/2022-09-27/eu-draft-rules-to-make-it-easier-to-sue-drone-makers-ai-systems

Stellantis and Uber to boost EV market in France

Carmaker Stellantis and Uber have partnered with Free2Move to aid Uber’s plans to convert 50% of its vehicles in France to electric models. In August, Uber reported positive quarterly cash flow for the first time ever. And as more people rely on its services for transport and ordering in food, the move also makes part of Stellantis’ aim to double its overall revenues to €300bn a year by 2030. The move will strengthen its presence in the French electric vehicle market.

https://uk.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/stellantis-and-uber-join-forces-on-electric-vehicles-market-in-france-2762749

Asia’s Zepeto sets its sights on western Europe and the US

Asia is stepping up its metaverse game as the continent’s biggest player in the sector, Zepeto, attracts funding from Korean leisure corporations JYP Entertainment, YG Entertainment and Hybe, in addition to SoftBank’s Vision Fund II. The platform is setting its sights on the US and western Europe.

“We have a long way to go to be more of a globally dominant player, but we are very much on the right track,” stated Ricky Kang, head of enterprise at Naver Z, the subsidiary that operates Zepeto.

Kang stated that, moving forward, the items and the experience that consumers can purchase will be more focused on individual virtual worlds.

https://www.newsncr.com/business/asias-largest-metaverse-platform-zepeto-ramps-up-global-expansion/

Meta removes China-based propaganda targeting America

Facebook’s parent company Meta says it has removed networks creating fake accounts across its social media platforms Facebook and Instagram, however Meta said they did not attract much following. In a report summarising Meta’s findings, the platform said China’s moves were significant since it suggested a more direct interference compared to previous Chinese propaganda tactics. The accounts tarnished America pushing issues such as abortion and gun rights. The accounts and posts have been removed, yet those behind the accounts remains unknown.

“The Chinese operations we’ve taken down before talked primarily about America to the world, primarily in South Asia, not to Americans about themselves,” Meta global threat intelligence lead Ben Nimmo told a press briefing.

https://www.usnews.com/news/top-news/articles/2022-09-27/meta-says-removes-china-based-propaganda-operation-targeting-u-s-midterms