Artificial intelligence companies are seeking ways to bridge gaps between consumers and information sources and doctors and patients during the health crisis. UneeQ went live Monday with "Sophie," a “digital human” tasked with answering questions via smartphone or computer. When COVID-19 began to spread globally, information about the virus was “overwhelming,” said Tyler Merritt, vice president-platform development. Sophie's data comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. She's “statically programmed” to say a vaccine isn’t yet available for COVID-19. When a question is asked, she looks into the CDC database and “tries to find a match,” Merritt said. UneeQ is working with IBM. Medsphere Systems added a telehealth component to the ChartLogic electronic health record. Clinicians can launch video rooms, said the company.
Master Quality Authenticated is working with Jazz re:freshed on streamed versions of live sets from the British Music Embassy Sessions. The first March 18 livestream was originally intended to remotely connect with the SXSW. Austin canceled the annual event due to the coronavirus (see 2003060047).
Sony America will pay $400 million for 5% of Bilibili, the Chinese online entertainment platform, said Sony’s Japanese parent Thursday. Bilibili built a “strong user following” among Chinese Gen Z consumers 30 and younger who are “driving consumption of online entertainment,” said Sony. The buy is in keeping with Sony’s strategy of emphasizing China as “a key strategic region in the entertainment business,” it said. They agreed to “pursue collaboration opportunities” in animation content and mobile game apps. Bilibili CEO Rui Chen said the agreements come as "we increase our domestic stronghold in animation and mobile games." Bilibili, based in Shanghai, reported $288.4 million in 2019 revenue, a 74% increase.
Governments should take a precautionary approach to using algorithms and automation, to prevent human rights abuses, the Council of Europe recommended Wednesday. The Committee of Ministers acknowledged that "digital technologies hold significant potential for socially beneficial innovation and economic development." They urged the 47 CoE members to ensure their laws and policies align with the recommended guidelines. Administrations should consult regularly with corporate actors engaged in designing and deploying algorithms, ensure stakeholders pay "particular attention to the needs and voices of vulnerable groups," and consider large-scale digital services' environmental impact.
U.S. importers sourced 5.81 million Chinese smartphones in February, said Census Bureau data we accessed through the International Trade Commission. It's the lowest since such tracking began in 2007. COVID-19 upended the Chinese supply chain after the virus' first outbreak in Hubei province in January. February smartphone imports to the U.S. from all countries declined 29% from January, to 10.17 million handsets, and were down 25% from February 2019. China made 57% of February smartphone imports to the U.S., 19 points lower than January and eight points below its February 2019 share.
Fitbit asked a federal court for a declaratory judgment that its fitness trackers and smartwatches don’t infringe three Philips patents, as Philips alleged Dec. 10 before the International Trade Commission. Though Fitbit “vigorously denies” the infringement allegations, Philips “nevertheless continues to seek to disrupt Fitbit’s business and keep Fitbit’s health-promoting products from the public based on patents that Fitbit’s products do not infringe,” said a complaint (in Pacer) Thursday in U.S. District Court in San Francisco. The ITC opened a Tariff Act Section 337 investigation Jan. 10 (see 2001130047) into the Philips complaint (login required), which seeks limited exclusion and cease and desist orders against the allegedly infringing Fitbit products. Philips also targeted Garmin smartwatches and fitness trackers and the OEMs that make the devices for Fitbit and Garmin. Philips didn’t comment Friday.
The State and Commerce departments clarified Thursday they're abiding by a March court order that blocked the transfer of 3D printing software from the U.S. munitions list to the commerce control list. Exporters “must continue to treat such technical data and software as subject to control on the USML,” State said in the Federal Register. Commerce said all such requests should go to State.
The Trump administration should “lift” tariffs on more than 60 categories of “healthcare-essential” information and communications technology (ICT) products to help fight COVID-19, urged the Information Technology Industry Council Thursday. “Relief” would "directly contribute to the U.S. economic and public health response,” said ITI. “A range of ICT products and components are at the heart of detecting and treating illnesses, recording and tracking vital signs, and conducting tests." Processors, controllers and integrated circuits imported from China under the 8542.31.00 tariff code are “foundational to a variety of medical equipment,” it said. List 2 tariffs on 8542.31.00 goods were imposed in August 2018 and now are at 25%. "Tariffs act as direct impediments to U.S. governments, consumers and businesses, and we would encourage the removal of tariffs by any means to increase confidence in the COVID-19 response and support economic recovery,” the tech group said. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce urge deferring levies for 90 days. ITI seeks full removal.
Huawei’s chairman said the U.S. may face retaliation from China if it follows through on plans to increase restrictions on foreign exports to the Chinese telecom giant (see 2002190002). Chairman Eric Xu said at a Tuesday news conference China may respond with restrictions on U.S. companies operating there. “I think the Chinese government will not just stand by, watching Huawei be slaughtered,” Xu said. “I believe the Chinese government may also take some countermeasures.”
Apple and U.K. music distributor Adasam are conspiring to sell downloads of pirated recordings in the iTunes store, alleged heirs to composers Harold Arlen, Ray Henderson and Harry Warren. Apple and Adasam “failed to obtain any license that would authorize them to reproduce, distribute, or sell the recordings,” said a complaint (in Pacer) Monday in U.S. District Court in San Francisco. “Adasam is operating a huge music piracy operation,” it said. “Apple had actual knowledge of, or willfully chose to ignore, the evidence of piracy, and participated in the infringement on a massive scale.” Defendants allegedly “are nothing more than modern tape pirates and their conduct constitutes willful copyright infringement,” it said. Attempts to reach the companies Tuesday were unsuccessful.