Miscellaneous Aff Updates - Michigan 2024 GLW

Miscellaneous Aff Updates---GLW
Thank you to Vedant, Jenani, Winslow, Marissa, Alicia, Saisai, Justin, Serena, and Kit for their hard work on this file!
Patent Eligibility
Aff
Impact---Chinese AI Bad
AI is a huge deal- plays a big role on the battle ground
Taylor ’24 [Dan; June 20 ; technology editor at Military Embedded Systems ; Military Embedded Systems; “AI now playing a big role on the battlefield” https://militaryembedded.com/ai/cognitive-ew/ai-now-playing-a-big-role-on-the-battlefield#:~:text=AI%20enables%20the%20collection%20and,Electronic%20(Fremont%2C%20California]
“These types of attacks pose one of the more significant risks to ground vehicles and in-field operations, where vehicles and personnel are left exposed and less able to maneuver across certain terrains,” Stewart says.
In the future, uncrewed systems powered by AI will be the norm, which will fundamentally change battlefield strategies, he argues.
“Robotics enhance force protection by reducing the reliance on human operators in high-risk environments, mitigating potential casualties, and preserving operational continuity in the face of adversarial swarm attacks,” Stewart says. “These platforms can operate autonomously or collaboratively with crewed assets, forming a networked ecosystem capable of adapting and responding to swarms in real time.”
In an experiment involving manned aircraft, the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) conducted the first-ever in-air tests of AI algorithms piloting an F-16 fighter jet autonomously in April 2024, after years of preliminaries. The AI did more than pilot the plane – it engaged in direct combat scenarios against a human-piloted counterpart. The test was part of DARPA’s Air Combat Evolution (ACE) program, which is dedicated to integrating AI into tactical aviation and establishing a framework for ethical and trusted human-machine teaming.
AI also enables faster deployment of capabilities to the field. Doug Beck, director of the Defense Innovation Unit, said at the XPONENTIAL 2024 exhibition in April 2024 that the DoD is using AI and machine learning (ML) to speed up software improvements to uncrewed vehicles across the services from a matter of months to a few days.
China being in the driver seat of AI is dangerous
Frederick ‘23 [Kara and Jake Denton; October 11 ; Director of Tech Policy Center; Research Associate of The Tech Policy Center; The Heritage Organization; “The US Not China Should Take the Lead on AI” https://www.heritage.org/technology/commentary/the-u s-not-china-should-take-the-lead-ai]
But this exhortation makes his subsequent vow to work directly with “our competitors” to harness the power of AI “for good” all the more curious. Working with our competitors, like China, would only empower the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to write the rules of the road for AI. And we don’t want China in the driver’s seat.
China is at the bleeding edge of using emerging technologies for oppression—both at home and abroad. Journalists and human-rights activists have long pointed to a state-run data system that uses AI to flag whole categories of people for detention in the western Xinjiang region.
Elsewhere, the Chinese government is partnering with technology companies like iFlytek to develop an AI-powered voice-recognition system that can automatically identify specific voices in phone conversations. Its mass facial-recognition systems operate under standards that segment the population by eyebrow size and skin color. “Sharp Eyes,” a sweeping public-private surveillance project, employs AI to analyze peoples’ movements, associations, medical records, online behaviors and more to create an omnipresent panopticon aimed at reinforcing social control.
And the CCP isn’t shy about exporting these AI technologies to like-minded governments. Since at least 2018, China has provided AI-driven digital monitoring capabilities to countries across Africa, Latin America, the Middle East and beyond. Today, China maintains 296 surveillance relationships in 96 countries, many via its design1ated “AI Champion” companies.
In Ecuador alone, Chinese telecommunications company Huawei helped build a network of over 4,000 cameras for its police and intelligence services. In Zimbabwe, Chinese firm CloudWalk maintains multiple AI and biometric data partnerships with Harare. In Malaysia, police wear body-mounted cameras developed by one of China’s AI Champions, tech startup Yitu. In Pakistan, Chinese policing technologies with predictive analytics and “smart city” surveillance capabilities empower Islamabad to monitor and control its citizens.
If international cooperation requires a common vision for how the technology is used, then America and China couldn’t be further apart.
Cooperation on AI development could also bolster the capabilities of the People's Liberation Army (PLA). In 2019, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Joseph Dunford argued that private tech companies like Google working in China provided “a direct benefit” to the Chinese military. (This is due to the CCP’s strategy of Military Civil-Fusion, which seeks, in part, to orient technological progress in service of its military goals.)
In fact, China has already developed multiple offensive applications of AI that will not redound to the benefit of the United States and our allies like Taiwan. According to the Department of Defense’s 2020 China Military Power Report, China maintains AI-enabled unmanned surface vessels reportedly intended for patrols in the disputed South China Sea. The same report revealed the CCP has already developed armed swarming drones that claim to use AI for autonomous guidance, target acquisition and “attack execution.”
China developing AI especially for military uses is dangerous for the US
Bresnick ‘24 [Sam; April 3; a Research Fellow at Georgetown's Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET); CEPA, “China gets Big on Military AI”, https://cepa.org/article/china-bets-big-on-military-ai/]
US government leaders and defense industry insiders have sounded the alarm about China’s advances in AI, and some now claim that China is outpacing the United States in developing and fielding AI-enabled military systems. While it is impossible to know which country is ahead, and in which applications, China faces significant headwinds in its quest to develop and deploy military AI.
For now, Beijing remains dependent on the foreign semiconductors that provide the computing power it requires to develop high-end AI applications. Increasingly stringent US export controls have impeded, to some degree, China’s AI ambitions.
It is also unclear whether the Chinese military possesses the tech-savvy workforce needed to create world-class AI military systems. The PLA’s centralized decision-making processes may inhibit its ability to leverage AI-enabled decision-support systems.
Despite these and other challenges, China’s use of military AI remains a pressing US national security concern. But it is important to right-size the threat – to better understand both the PLA’s strengths and weaknesses – and to develop adequate countermeasures.
China tightening grip on AI puts other countries at risk
Qiu ’23 [Benjamin and Dennis Kwok; December 8; Benjamin Qiu is a partner with the law firm Elliott Kwok Levine Jaroslaw Neils in New York specializing in Chinese cross-border disputes; Dennis Kwok is also a partner with the firm, co-leading its international disputes and China corporate advisory practice.; Nikkei Asia, “China tightening grip on AI puts other nations at risk” , https://asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/China-s-tightening-grip-on-AI-puts-other-nations-at-risk]
Since Beijing has already weaponized trade and other aspects of the country's economy against perceived Western containment and deployed and exported technologies to impair civil liberties, one can readily imagine the party using AI to further its agenda.
By some measures, China already trounces the U.S. in AI research output and quality. This can put national security and societal stability at risk in other countries.
2024 is slated to be the biggest election year in history, with more than half of the world's population -- over 4 billion people -- going to the polls. The open nature of democratic societies makes them especially vulnerable. We have seen how social media has helped spread disinformation and distorted elections. The misuse of AI by authoritarian regimes like China's could be exponentially more effective.
China's 2017 Next Generation AI Development Plan describes AI as a core strategic technology. Many of China's leading AI systems are being integrated into the country's domestic surveillance network and social credit system. In 2017, China also created the Central Commission for Integrated Military and Civilian Development to direct the transfer of AI technology from commercial entities and research labs to the military.
China's nationalized AI industry will come in handy in preparations for military operations. The People's Liberation Army is reportedly experiencing difficulties in recruiting top AI talent from universities. It is not surprising that the best graduates would prefer higher pay and spending less time studying Xi Jinping Thought. Requiring AI companies to work with the government will enable the authorities to still tap their talents.
Through executive orders, the U.S. is reducing outflows of capital and hardware that could help fuel Chinese AI development and monitoring Chinese acquisition of local AI companies. Many of its allies might follow suit.
But even with a slower pace of innovation, China's whole-of-nation approach to tech strategy means that open societies could be vulnerable to AI-driven manipulation. A heightened state of alert is called for.
Impact---Chemical Pollution---AT: Regional Pollution
Geological boundaries can’t prevent the spread of chemical pollution – it’s a global risk
Elbana et al 18 [Tamer Elbana - Soils and Water Use Department, National Research Centre (NRC), Cairo, Egypt, Hesham M. Gaber - Soil and Water Sciences Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt & Fawzy M. Kishk - Soil and Water Sciences Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt, 8-21-2018, accessed on 7-25-2024, "Soil Chemical Pollution and Sustainable Agriculture", SpringerLink, https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-95516-2_11]
Obviously, pollution did not respect geographical boundaries. Pollutants can transfer from one soil to another through wind blows or water runoff among other carriers. Soil pollution is associated mainly with human activities such as urbanization, agricultural, and industrial developments. For example, in the adjacent surrounding urban areas, continuous disposing of untreated wastewater into the soil is an obvious example of the accumulation of toxic chemical and biological contaminants in soil (Elbana et al. 2017a). In the agricultural sector, the use of fertilizers causes the accumulation of some potentially toxic elements that adversely affect plants and soil biota in the long term. Polluted air, wastewater, and the applied agrochemicals in agriculture can be considered as sources of soil pollution. These different sources can carry numerous organic, inorganic, and biological pollutants. The fate of different pollutants in a soil depends on the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of the soil as well as pollutant characteristics. Reactivity and mobility of chemical pollutants are controlled by many factors including soil reaction (pH), soil organic matter (OM), ion exchange capacity, and calcium carbonate contents, oxides and hydroxides among other (Han 2007; Shaheen et al. 2009; Kabata-Pendias 2011; Kodešová et al. 2011). Consequentially, the different soils exhibit varied potentiality to retain or release certain contaminant. Moreover, the retention and release of a specific contaminant are regulated by adding another reactive chemical into the soil. Elbana and Selim (2013) showed that the release of Cd was influenced by introducing Cu into a soil column, whereas the release of Pb was not affected by introducing Cd or Cu into a soil that has 2.8% CaCO3.
Vulnerability of surface and ground waters for contamination is directly related to polluted soil. This vulnerability depends on soil properties that control contaminant sorption and mobility in soil. The contaminants are generally more mobile in sandy soils that have low CaCO3, OM, and amorphous oxides contents than its mobility in the clay soils that usually exhibit higher CEC. Under intensive agricultural system, Muhammetoğlu et al. (2002) explained that in addition to soil properties, the depth of the groundwater and the quality of irrigation water are key factors for groundwater vulnerability. Ceplecha et al. (2004) applied vulnerability matrix as a field assessment tool to evaluate the groundwater vulnerability to nitrate contamination. They considered soil texture, irrigation efficiency, nitrogen application rate/timing, and best management practices for quantifying vulnerability rating. Aquifer contamination with N and P due to chemical fertilization in the Nile valley, Egypt was explored by Shamrukh et al. (2001). They concluded the implementation of the best management practices to control nitrate leaching especially for the newly reclaimed areas where there is an absence of clay–silt cap. In addition, they related the contamination of shallow depth with nitrate because of the nearness to the agricultural regions. However, their study emphasized that P fertilization was not the source of groundwater contamination. Moreover, the pesticides vulnerability of the Quaternary aquifer in Sohag area, Upper Egypt, was high to very high because of the high hydraulic conductivity of this aquifer (Ahmed 2009).
Plastics Pollution leads to intense global health issues
Rajesh Debnath et al. 2024 – [Debnath; 2024; Fishery Development Officer, Govt. of Assam, India “Understanding and addressing microplastic pollution: Impacts, mitigation, and future perspectives” vol. 266] 7/24, //WL
Plastic pollution predominantly originates from suburban and urban areas, with a significant portion finding its way into lakes, rivers, oceans, and seas. MPs carry several toxic elements (DDT, Hexachlorobenzene) that toxify the water bodies and are transferred along with the food web which harms marine biota and final consumers (humans). Dietary exposure to MPs for a long period may change the chromosomal sequences in humans and finally may lead to cancer, obesity, and infertility (Laskar and Kumar, 2019). Cosmetics, hand cleansers, face wash, toothpaste, and dental care products contain PE MPs particles (Sharma and Chatterjee, 2017), and use of these day-to-day products may cause savior health hazards including skin damage as tissue may absorb these particles. The government should set zero tolerance for plastics and must take strict actions against the use of plastics and implementation of laws and penalties by the local government to minimize plastic pollution from the environment. The government should force industries to stop the production of conventional non-degradable plastics and promote and introduce bio-degradable plastics in the market at the minimum possible price. Education regarding environmental health and mass public awareness is very significant because the result of pollution management strategies directly depends on people's behavior.
Democracy is unstable
Korotayev 2024 [ Andrey; 4/8/24; HSE University, Moscow, Russia Institute of Oriental Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia; Sage journals “Revolution and Democracy in the Twenty-First Century” https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/10693971241245862?casa_token=njvAspahUPsAAAAA%3ADOQQjBu0wD0_zriPB-WoEMB1Tagvh9jfTSEOL9RC-lArl2E2xZrNKzyhOHRlHK5JRGOIfP0H4A
In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, some researchers assumed that the global spread of democracy would end the era of revolutions (Castañeda, 2012; Fukuyama, 1992; Goodwin, 2001a, 2001b, 2003; Halliday, 1999; Nodia, 2000; Snyder, 1999). According to Sanderson, who in turn draws on the work of Goodwin (Goodwin, 2001b, 2003), “revolutions [are] unlikely in years ahead primarily because of the wave of democratization that has swept over much of the less-developed world in the past two decades… Why should democratization reduce the probability of revolution? For one thing, it ameliorates (even if it does not eliminate) social conflict, and it institutionalizes that conflict by redirecting it into socially legitimate channels. If people are unhappy with their rulers, they recognize that they have an opportunity to get rid of them in the next election. Democratic regimes of government also provide people with the opportunity to engage in popular protests that often allow them to win concessions from economic and political elites. Goodwin’s conclusion is that “the ballot box has been the coffin of revolutionaries” (2003, p. 67). Indeed, the evidence gives strong support to this view. As Goodwin notes, no revolution has ever overthrown a democratic regime” (Sanderson, 2016, p. 201).
However, as almost two decades have passed after Goodwin’s papers, the world has seen several democratically elected rulers overthrown by revolutions. The most notable example is the Ukrainian Revolution of 2013–2014, which toppled the democratically elected President Viktor Yanukovych well before the end of his presidential term. The revolution of June 30, 2013 in Egypt, which overthrew (with the assistance of the Egyptian military) the democratically elected Mohamed Morsi is another notable case. The revolution in Armenia in 2018 can also be considered here as a solid example (Derluguian & Hovhannisyan, 2022; Korotayev et al., 2015a, 2015b; Korotayev & Issaev, 2015). What is the explanation behind this discrepancy between theory and observation?
US is key to global ag
USDA 2024 [july 22; Economic Research Service; “U.S. Agricultural Trade at a Glance” https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/international-markets-u-s-trade/u-s-agricultural-trade/u-s-agricultural-trade-at-a-glance/ ;accessed July 24 //WL
The United States is the world’s second largest agricultural trader, behind the European Union. U.S. agricultural exports and imports increased significantly over the last 25 years due to the economic ascension of many emerging economies, as well as the implementation of foreign and domestic policies that expanded U.S. access to foreign markets. Over the same period, the geographic and product composition of U.S. agricultural trade shifted, as rising incomes and growing supply capacity of emerging economies reshaped global supply and demand for agricultural and food products (see publication below).
The Global Landscape of Agricultural Trade, 1995-2014
Composition and Destinations of U.S. Agricultural Exports Have Shifted
With U.S. agricultural output growing faster than domestic demand for many products, U.S. farmers and agricultural firms have been relying on export markets to sustain prices and revenues. As a result, U.S. agricultural exports have grown steadily over the past 25 years—reaching $174 billion in 2023, up from $57.3 billion in 1998.
The product composition of agricultural exports shifted over that 25-year span, reflecting changes in global supply and demand. Most notably, exports of consumer-oriented products—including high-value products (HVP) such as dairy products, meats, fruits, and vegetables—showed strong growth driven by increasing population and income worldwide, as well as a growing diversification of diets (figures 1 and 2).
Trade secrets hurt foreign investment
Kandilov 2024 [Asli Leblebicioglu and Ivan Kandilov; 3/23; CUNY Baruch College and Boston University; “trade Secrets Protection And Foreign Invenstment” https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4770611 //WL
There are 

Preview shortened. Download the file for the full document.