 |
|
|
|||||
The Russian invasion of Ukraine will have long-lasting consequences for all of us. Like the 1939 invasion of Poland introduced the world to blitzkrieghigh-speed tanks and air power quickly jumping enveloping and eliminating enemy linesthis war is the herald of a new military era of relentless unmanned war machines hunting the enemy through air, land, and water. The drones are part of a new, high-speed technological race with a major unintended consequence: endless miles of plastic string pollution. After Russia’s wireless first-person view (FPV) drones were routinely thwarted by Ukrainian radio interference weapons, some unknown Russian engineer thought the best way to neutralize these countermeasures was by ditching radio signals for miles-long cables, just like some wire-guided anti-tank missiles use. The method proved successful for Russia. And now Ukranians have copied it, as the frontlines are quickly filling up with white plastic cables that sometimes cover entire fields, forests, and small towns. [Photo: Getty Images] These plastic spider-webs are invading everything, as the two sides relentlessly launch wave after wave of these kamikaze machines, each of them equipped with spools of fiber-optic cables that directly connect the drones to the pilots that use joysticks and virtual reality goggles to control them. At the beginning, they could barely reach 3 to 6 miles. Today, they’re striking targets at distances exceeding 25 miles. You would think that 25 miles of cable would be impossible for a light FPV drone to lift, but the fiber-optics cables are so thin and light that only weigh a few pounds. “Three months ago, we were testing fiber-optic drones with a range of up to 12 miles. Today, these systems are already capable of hitting enemy targets at distances beyond 25 miles,” Mykhailo Fedorov, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, announced on Telegram at the end of July. “Strikes at a depth of 25+ mils are becoming the new norm for fiber-optic drones,” he said. Russian videos now show spools extending to 31 miles that weigh less than 8.8 poundswhich makes them suitable for larger drones. You can also order the spools from China, complete with all the necessary electronics. Lets do some math. As of 2025, Ukraines total FPV drone production capacity has surged to 200,000 units per month from the initial 20,000 units produced monthly in early 2024. Approximately 10% of the total Ukrainian drone output is now fiber-optic guided. The Russian numbers are not as clear. As of July 2025, tens of thousands of units of the wire-guided Prince Vandal drone are produced monthly, according to the official news agency TASS. Another source puts that number at 6,000 units per month. Lets say its a conservative total of 15,000 drones for both sides. At 25 miles of cable per drone, thats 375,000 miles of plastic cable, enough to circle the Earths equator 15 times. Thats a lot of trash which will have a dramatic effect on agriculture, fauna and flora, and people’s lives for years to come. Things will get bad before they get worse Of course, with their immediate survival on the line and with Trump and Putin playing Risk with their homeland, infinite plastic spiderwebs are the last thing that the Ukrainians are thinking about right now. But there is no doubt that, as this technological arms race accelerates, so will the environmental catastrophe for a country that has already been razed to the ground in many places. “Due to their composition, these cables could persist in the environment for more than 600 years, posing a substantial long-term threat,” warns Leon Moreland, researcher at the Conflict and Environmental Observatory. With the new longer-range systems now being deployed on an industrial scale, the environmental impact is multiplying exponentially. The cables form dangerous networks across trees and clearings that will pose a significant risk of entanglement and death to many species, including threatened birds and bats, for years to come, says Charlie Russell, University of East Anglia researcher who focuses on wars impact on migratory birds. The materials used make them difficult to identify and unlikely to naturally degrade, and they already cover vast swathes of important habitats. Removing them will be difficult but integral to long-term conservation efforts post-conflict. The risks go beyond wldlife. They’re also a danger to vehicles, affecting everything from agricultural machinery to fire trucks fighting forest fires. Additionally, they will complicate future de-mining operations, as they can get tangled in the heavy machinery used to clear minefields. Pollution begets more pollution Beyond the direct and immediate issues caused by endless miles of cabling, they will cause even more problems over time as they slowly degrade. They will release contaminants, Moreland says. Their PMMA core (PolymethylMethacrylate) core can generate microplastics and nanoplastics. These tiny particles can inhibit agricultural crop growth, which is a major problem for a country that is one of the main global producers and exporters of corn and wheat. The plastic will inexorably get into the food chain and reach humans, accumulating in different parts of the body, especially on infants. Burning the wires first isn’t a solution, as the cables will release toxic gases like nitric oxide. Their outer coating belongs to the PFAS family, the so-called forever chemicals due to their extreme environmental persistence. “Along with munitions and firefighting foams, this fiber constitutes another military source of PFAS,” which contaminates soils and waters, Moreland notes. For the Ukrainians, the only silver lining to these noxious cables is that they can be used to trace their pilots: The fiber-optic becomes visible when illuminated by low-angled sunlight, creating clear vectors pointing back to enemy positions. So far, this reportedly led to the elimination of a five-person Russian drone team. But of course, the same can be said about the Ukrainian positions. Its never-ending cycle of destruction that will not stop. Its, in fact, accelerating. “We are developing a technology that accurately and flawlessly destroys the enemy,” Fedorov says. Ukraine has now codified and approved about 40 samples of unmanned aircraft systems using fiber-optic control channels since the beginning of 2025, while production capacity keeps ramping up. Its also likely that Ukraine companies will start sharing their extensive expertise with the rest of European countries, which are now quickly rearming to face the imperialist thirst of Vladimir Putin after the United States turned its back on them. Other countries will follow, Moreland points out: China is already testing this technology. The success of fiber-optic drones in Ukraine virtually guarantees their proliferation to other conflicts worldwide. Every successful mission adds to the accumulating miles of fiber-optic cable abandoned on the ground. As production scales from thousands to potentially tens of thousands of drones per month, and as ranges extend from 25 to 40+ miles, the plastic spider web grows ever denser. This new type of war pollutiona plastic legacy designed to last centuriescontinues expanding with each technological breakthrough. Right now, the solution to this unexpected environmental catastrophe remains as elusive as intercepting the drones themselves, while the invisible threads of modern warfare continue spinning their deadly, permanent web across the battlefields of the future.
Category:
E-Commerce
As a technologist, and a serial entrepreneur, Ive witnessed technology transform industries from manufacturing to finance. But Ive never had to reckon with the possibility of technology that transforms itself. And thats what we are faced with when it comes to AIthe prospect of self-evolving AI. What is self-evolving AI? Well, as the name suggests, its AI that improves itselfAI systems that optimize their own prompts, tweak the algorithms that drive them, and continually iterate and enhance their capabilities. Science fiction? Far from it. Researchers recently created the Darwin Gödel Machine, which is a self-improving system that iteratively modifies its own code. The possibility is real, its closeand its mostly ignored by business leaders. And this is a mistake. Business leaders need to pay close attention to self-evolving AI, because it poses risks that they must address now. Self-Evolving AI vs. AGI Its understandable that business leaders ignore self-evolving AI, because traditionally the issues it raises have been addressed in the context of artificial general intelligence (AGI), something thats important, but more the province of computer scientists and philosophers. In order to see that this is a business issue, and a very important one, first we have to clearly distinguish between the two things. Self-evolving AI refers to systems that autonomously modify their own code, parameters, or learning processes, improving within specific domains without human intervention. Think of an AI optimizing supply chains that refines its algorithms to cut costs, then discovers novel forecasting methodspotentially overnight. AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) represents systems with humanlike reasoning across all domains, capable of writing a novel or designing a bridge with equal ease. And while AGI remains largely theoretical, self-evolving AI is here now, quietly reshaping industries from healthcare to logistics. The Fast Take-Off Trap One of the central risks created by self-evolving AI is the risk of AI take-off. Traditionally, AI take-off refers to the process by which going from a certain threshold of capability (often discussed as “human-level”) to being superintelligent and capable enough to control the fate of civilization. As we said above, we think that the problem of take-off is actually more broadly applicable, and specifically important for business. Why? The basic point is simpleself-evolving AI means AI systems that improve themselves. And this possibility isnt restricted to broader AI systems that mimic human intelligence. It applies to virtually all AI systems, even ones with narrow domains, for example AI systems that are designed exclusively for managing production lines or making financial predictions and so on. Once we recognize the possibility of AI take off within narrower domains, it becomes easier to see the huge implications that self-improving AI systems have for business. A fast take-off scenariowhere AI capabilities explode exponentially within a certain domain or even a certain organizationcould render organizations obsolete in weeks, not years. For example, imagine a companys AI chatbot evolves from handling basic inquiries to predict and influence customer behavior so precisely that it achieves 80%+ conversion rates through perfectly timed, personalized interactions. Competitors using traditional approaches cant match this psychological insight and rapidly lose customers. The problem generalizes to every area of business: within months, your competitors operational capabilities could dwarf yours. Your five-year strategic plan becomes irrelevant, not because markets shifted, but because of their AI evolved capabilities you didnt anticipate. When Internal Systems Evolve Beyond Control Organizations face equally serious dangers from their own AI systems evolving beyond control mechanisms. For example: Monitoring Failure: IT teams cant keep pace with AI self-modifications happening at machine speed. Traditional quarterly reviews become meaningless when systems iterate thousands of times per day. Compliance Failure: Autonomous changes bypass regulatory approval processes. How do you maintain SOX compliance when your financial AI modifies its own risk assessment algorithms without authorization? Security Failure: Self-evolving systems introduce vulnerabilities that cybersecurity frameworks werent designed to handle. Each modification potentially creates new attack vectors. Governance Failure: Boards lose meaningful oversight when AI evolves faster than they can meet or understand changes. Directors find themselves governing systems they cannot comprehend. Strategy Failure: Long-term planning collapses as AI rewrites fundamental business assumptions on weekly cycles. Strategic planning horizons shrink from years to weeks. Beyond individual organizations, entire market sectors could destabilize. Industries like consulting or financial servicesbuilt on information asymmetriesface existential threats if AI capabilities spread rapidly, making their core value propositions obsolete overnight. Catastrophizing to Prepare In our book TRANSCEND: Unlocking Humanity in the Age of AI, we propose the CARE methodologyCatastrophize, Assess, Regulate, Exitto systematically anticipate and mitigate AI risks. Catastrophizing isnt pessimism; its strategic foresight applied to unprecedented technological uncertainty. And our methodology forces leaders to ask uncomfortable questions: What if our AI begins rewriting its own code to optimize performance in ways we dont understand? What if our AI begins treating cybersecurity, legal compliance, or ethical guidelines as optimization constraints to work around rather than rules to follow? What if it starts pursuing objectives, we didn’t explicitly program but that emerge from its learning process? Key diagnostic questions every CEO should ask so that they can identify organizational vulnerabilities before they become existential threats are: Immediate Assessment: Which AI systems have self-modification capabilities? How quickly can we detect behavioral changes?What monitoring mechanisms track AI evolution in real-time? Operational Readiness: Can governance structures adapt to weekly technological shifts? Do compliance frameworks account for self-modifying systems? How would we shut down an AI system distributed across our infrastructure? Strategic Positioning: Are we building self-improving AI or static tools? What business model aspects depend on human-level AI limitations that might vanish suddenly? Four Critical Actions for Business Leaders Based on my work with organizations implementing advanced AI systems, here are five immediate actions I recommend: Implement Real-Time AI Monitoring: Build systems tracking AI behavior changes instantly, not quarterly. Embed kill switches and capability limits that can halt runaway systems before irreversible damage. Establish Agile Governance: Traditional oversight fails when AI evolves daily. Develop adaptive governance structures operating at technological speed, ensuring boards stay informed about system capabilities and changes. Prioritize Ethical Alignment: Embed value-based constitutions into AI systems. Test rigorously for biases and misalignment, learning from failures like Amazons discriminatory hiring tool. Scenario-Plan Relentlessly: Prepare for multiple AI evolution scenarios. Whats your response if a competitors AI suddenly outpaces yours? How do you maintain operations if your own systems evolve beyond control? Early Warning Signs Every Executive Should Monitor The transition from human-guided improvement to autonomous evolution might be so gradual that organizations miss the moment when they lose effective oversight. Therefore, smart business leaders are sensitive to signs that reveal troubling escalation paths: AI systems demonstrating unexpected capabilities beyond original specifications Automated optimization tools modifying their own parameters without human approval Cross-system integration where AI tools begin communicating autonomously Performance improvements that accelerate rather than plateau over time Why Action Cant Wait As Geoffrey Hinton has warned, unchecked AI development could outstrip human control entirely. Companies beginning preparation nowwith robust monitoring systems, adaptive governance structures, and scenario-based strategic planningwill be best positioned to thrive. Those waiting for clearer signals may find themselves reacting to changes they can no longer control.
Category:
E-Commerce
Business is a team sport, and it’s nice to have the camaraderie of laughing, grinding toward deadlines, and even gossiping with your teammates. But when youre the boss, youre not just one of the creweven if youd like the easy camaraderie shared among people who arent calling the shots. What happens when layoffs are approaching, or the company is facing budget cuts? You may feel lonelyyou know whats coming but lack peers to confide in or commiserate with. Then there are the everyday stressors that come with leadership, like giving feedback or telling someone they won’t be getting the promotion. It can be lonely at the top. If you miss being part of the team, here are some actions you can take. Accept your position and the restrictions that come with it As a leader, there are many things you wont be able to share with the folks on your teamand thats just the way it is. For example, you may feel jealousy when you see them laughing and having a good time while youre stuck doing the budgeting. Dont fight these feelings; acknowledge them. Accept the reality that youre the leader, and that many times youll have to stand alone. Find a trusted adviser Even though youre the boss, you still need someone to bounce ideas off of: you cant live in a silo. Find a person who shares your philosophies regarding business, leadership, and people. Establish a consistent cadence and routine for working with your adviser outside of your company. Note that this should be a reciprocal relationship; offer your ideas and opinions to your adviser when asked. Be someone in whom they can confide. Find appropriate times to pop in Just because youre the boss doesn’t mean you cant have any part of the day-to-day team operations. Find instances where you can pop in and be part of the team. Be judicious about thisfor example, you probably dont want to hop in on a meeting the team can handle on their own. An appropriate time to join the team may be when everyone is working toward a deadline and the load is intense. Otherwise, be present, but not overbearing. You have a new team group Even though youre the boss, youre not completely alone. You have new peersother managers, or the executive leadership team. Everything evolves and changes; you can have fun with this new group, too. Look for opportunities to connect, even if you miss your old team. You will evolve as a leader. Being the boss can be a great new opportunity, even if you miss the camaraderie that came without that title. Instead of longing for what was, make the most of your position and forge new relationships among your peers in leadership.
Category:
E-Commerce
All news |
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||