Questões de Língua Inglesa da CESPE / CEBRASPE

    Spending time in space and having an unrivalled view of planet Earth is an experience many of us dream of, but the human body evolved to function in the gravity of Earth. So fully recovering from spending time in the weightlessness of space can take years.  

    “It’s a fact that space is by far the most extreme environment that humans have ever encountered and we’ve just not evolved to handle the extreme conditions,” Professor Damian Bailey, who studies human physiology, says. To begin with, the heart and blood vessels have an easier time as they no longer have to pump blood against gravity — and they start to weaken. And the bones become weaker and more brittle. There should be a balance between the cells breaking down old bone and those making new, but that balance is disrupted without the feedback and resistance of working against gravity. “Every month, about 1% of bones and muscles are going to wither away — it’s accelerated ageing,” Professor Bailey says. 

    Microgravity also distorts the vestibular system, which is how you balance and sense which way is up. In space, there is no up, down or sideways. It can be disorientating when you go up — and again when you return to Earth.

        Ahead of the upcoming AI Safety Summit in Seoul, leading AI scientists from institutions like the University of Oxford are urging world leaders to act on AI risks. Despite the pledges made at the previous summit in Bletchley Park, the experts argue that progress has been insufficient. According to Dr. Jan Brauner, the current AI landscape is dominated by a relentless pursuit of technological advancement, with safety and ethics as secondary concerns. This expert consensus paper, published in Science magazine, stresses that without a focus on safe development, AI may pose serious risks to society, especially as the potential for rapid, transformative AI capabilities looms within the decade.

         The authors, including renowned AI figures such as Geoffrey Hinton and Dawn Song, outline critical priorities for global AI policy. They recommend establishing well-funded, expert oversight institutions and highlight the disproportionate funding gap. In the United States, AI Safety Institute’s budget is just $ 10 million, in stark contrast to the Food and Drug Administration’s $ 6.7 billion. They also advocate for mandatory, rigorous risk assessments and call for enforceable standards on AI safety, urging AI companies to adopt “safety cases” similar to those in other high-stakes fields like aviation. These safety cases would place the responsibility on developers to prove their technologies pose no harm.

         Additionally, the paper proposes “mitigation standards” that automatically scale according to AI capability milestones. This approach would ensure rapid responses if AI systems advance quickly, with policies automatically tightening or relaxing based on the technology’s pace. As global leaders prepare for the summit, the experts emphasize that addressing AI risks now is essential for protecting society from potential harm. This marks the first consensus from such a broad coalition of international AI experts, underscoring the urgency for concrete policy commitments rather than vague proposals.

Internet:<ox.ac.uk>  (adapted). 

   The pursuit of space exploration represents one of the most captivating undertakings of the human race, serving as a testament to our inherent drive to comprehend the cosmos and our position within it. As humanity expands its reach beyond the confines of Earth, the intricate and essential relationship between technology and law grows increasingly intricate and indispensable.

   The rapid progress of technology has ushered us into an era when endeavours in outer space, previously confined to the realm of science fiction, are now becoming tangible and feasible. The present circumstances require a comprehensive legal structure encompassing the existing range of space endeavours and the flexibility to accommodate dynamic technological advancements. The Outer Space Treaty of 1967 set the foundational legal principles governing space exploration activities. However, as humanity continues to explore space and private companies participate alongside sovereign nations, the intersection of technology and law serves as both a catalyst for progress and a cause of disagreement.

Bansi Kaneria; Shivam Pandey. Interplay Between Technology and Law in Space Exploration. In: IOSR Journal of Environmental Science Toxicology and Food Technology, 2024, 18 (03): 31-46 (adapted). 

        Ahead of the upcoming AI Safety Summit in Seoul, leading AI scientists from institutions like the University of Oxford are urging world leaders to act on AI risks. Despite the pledges made at the previous summit in Bletchley Park, the experts argue that progress has been insufficient. According to Dr. Jan Brauner, the current AI landscape is dominated by a relentless pursuit of technological advancement, with safety and ethics as secondary concerns. This expert consensus paper, published in Science magazine, stresses that without a focus on safe development, AI may pose serious risks to society, especially as the potential for rapid, transformative AI capabilities looms within the decade.

         The authors, including renowned AI figures such as Geoffrey Hinton and Dawn Song, outline critical priorities for global AI policy. They recommend establishing well-funded, expert oversight institutions and highlight the disproportionate funding gap. In the United States, AI Safety Institute’s budget is just $ 10 million, in stark contrast to the Food and Drug Administration’s $ 6.7 billion. They also advocate for mandatory, rigorous risk assessments and call for enforceable standards on AI safety, urging AI companies to adopt “safety cases” similar to those in other high-stakes fields like aviation. These safety cases would place the responsibility on developers to prove their technologies pose no harm.

         Additionally, the paper proposes “mitigation standards” that automatically scale according to AI capability milestones. This approach would ensure rapid responses if AI systems advance quickly, with policies automatically tightening or relaxing based on the technology’s pace. As global leaders prepare for the summit, the experts emphasize that addressing AI risks now is essential for protecting society from potential harm. This marks the first consensus from such a broad coalition of international AI experts, underscoring the urgency for concrete policy commitments rather than vague proposals.

Internet:<ox.ac.uk>  (adapted). 

        Many believe the Internet negatively affects mental health, but a new study challenges this assumption. Conducted by Dr. Matti Vuorre and his team at Tilburg University and published in Technology, Mind, and Behavior magazine, the study analyzed data from more than two million people across 168 countries. The findings suggest that those who have Internet access and actively use it report higher well-being across areas like life satisfaction, social life, and economic stability. Remarkably, 85% of the data analyses revealed that Internet users generally experience greater well-being than non-users. Dr. Vuorre emphasized that although Internet use is often blamed for mental health issues, this large-scale study suggests a positive correlation between access to the Internet and improved well-being.

         The study used Gallup World Poll data to assess well-being, looking at whether Internet access was associated with positive outcomes on a global scale. Dr. Vuorre acknowledged the complexity of analyzing such extensive data, so his team conducted tens of thousands of statistical tests to ensure reliability. While the study adjusts for factors like income and access to healthcare, which can independently boost well-being, Internet access still appeared to make a positive difference. However, Dr. Markus Appel, a psychology professor not involved in the study, noted that Internet use’s impact on well-being may vary greatly based on individual use. Appel pointed out that the Internet itself is not inherently good or bad for mental health; rather, its effects depend on how people choose to use it.

         The study calls for a nuanced view of Internet use. Dr. Vuorre emphasized that the Internet supports various activities, from online banking and shopping to social interactions and news consumption, each with unique effects on well-being. Yet, the rapid shift to digital life leaves limited time to study these impacts fully. Vuorre noted that caution is warranted in framing policies around Internet use. Although some research highlights negative effects of social media, especially for younger people, this study suggests that Internet access may be a valuable resource, enhancing certain aspects of well-being worldwide.

Internet:<edition.cnn.com>  (adapted).