Chinese Companies on the Radar as Potential Risks to American Business
In recent years, the rise of Chinese companies in the global business landscape has sparked concerns and debates, particularly regarding their impact on American businesses and national security. While China has emerged as a formidable economic powerhouse, with companies expanding their reach across various sectors, there are growing apprehensions about the implications for American interests.
Have a closer look at some Chinese companies that have drawn scrutiny and the potential risks they pose to American business:
- Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.: One of the most prominent Chinese companies in the spotlight is Huawei, a telecommunications giant that has become a global leader in 5G technology. Despite its technological prowess, Huawei has faced allegations of espionage and security threats, with concerns raised about its close ties to the Chinese government. The United States has imposed sanctions on Huawei, restricting its access to American technology and limiting its ability to operate in the country.
- Tencent Holdings Limited: Tencent is a multinational conglomerate known for its dominance in the Chinese tech industry, with investments spanning gaming, social media, entertainment, and e-commerce. The company’s expansive reach has raised concerns about data privacy and security, particularly given its close relationship with the Chinese government. Tencent’s investments in American companies and its influence in the global digital economy have prompted calls for increased scrutiny and regulation.
- Alibaba Group Holding Limited: Alibaba is a leading e-commerce platform in China, often referred to as the “Amazon of the East.” With its vast online marketplace and digital payment services, Alibaba has transformed the way millions of consumers shop and transact online. However, concerns have been raised about the company’s market dominance, potential antitrust violations, and its impact on American businesses competing in the global marketplace.
- ZTE Corporation: ZTE is another Chinese telecommunications company that has faced scrutiny over national security concerns. In 2018, the United States imposed sanctions on ZTE for violating trade agreements and exporting technology to Iran and North Korea. While the sanctions were later lifted, the incident highlighted the risks associated with Chinese companies operating in sensitive sectors and their potential to undermine American interests.
- DJI Technology Co., Ltd.: DJI is the world’s largest producer of consumer drones, with a significant market share in the United States and abroad. While the company has revolutionized the drone industry with its innovative products and technology, concerns have been raised about the potential for espionage and data collection. The United States has banned the use of DJI drones by federal agencies over security concerns, reflecting the broader apprehensions surrounding Chinese tech companies.
The growing presence of Chinese companies in the global business landscape has raised legitimate concerns about their impact on American interests, including national security, intellectual property rights, and fair competition. While these companies offer innovative products and services, their close ties to the Chinese government and opaque business practices have fueled suspicions and calls for increased oversight. As policymakers and regulators grapple with these complex issues, the debate over the role of Chinese companies in American business is likely to continue, shaping the future of international trade and technology.
Technology
Study Shows Online Images Fuel Gender Bias as Visual Consumption Skyrockets
A new study highlights how the deluge of online images may be subtly shaping our perceptions, revealing that search engine imagery is reinforcing gender stereotypes in a way that text-based searches do not. As more than 6 hours a day is spent online on average, visual input from social media feeds, websites, and digital ads contributes to a cycle that may be increasing implicit biases in society.
The recent research analyzed image search results for various occupations on platforms like Google, Wikipedia, and IMDb. It found that images were overwhelmingly gendered, particularly in fields historically viewed as male- or female-dominated. For example, searches for “heart surgeon,” “investment banker,” or “developer” predominantly returned images of men, while terms like “housekeeper” and “nurse practitioner” were associated almost exclusively with women.
The study went beyond just measuring bias in search results. Researchers conducted an experiment where 423 U.S. participants used Google to search for occupations, with some participants receiving visual representations through Google Images while others used text-based Google News searches. Those exposed to image results displayed a marked increase in implicit gender biases, as measured by a standard association test, even days after the experiment. The findings highlight the impact of image-heavy platforms like Instagram and TikTok in normalizing biased visuals, raising concerns that the sheer volume of gender-stereotyped images might be entrenching outdated perceptions.
Vicious Cycle of AI and Bias
The problem extends to AI models, which are trained on vast repositories of online content, including stereotyped images. When users ask AI platforms like ChatGPT to visualize various professions, they often receive outputs that reflect existing biases. A request for images of “doctor” or “scientist,” for example, may yield predominantly white male figures, reinforcing societal stereotypes. Similarly, descriptors such as “successful” or “smart” also skew heavily towards images of white men, reflecting the biases embedded in the data used to train these systems.
The study’s authors warn that this cycle could worsen as AI tools continue to rely on biased online content. “The rise of images in popular internet culture may come at a critical social cost,” they write, noting that these biases not only influence AI outputs but also shape user perceptions. The more biased imagery we encounter, the more normalized these stereotypes become, perpetuating a feedback loop of implicit bias.
Seeking Solutions and Reclaiming Visual Space
Amid growing concerns, experts point to several solutions to mitigate the spread of biased visual content. Technology companies bear much responsibility, though attempts to address the issue have sometimes led to overcorrections. Google’s AI tool Gemini, for instance, has been criticized for inserting diversity where it historically wouldn’t exist, sometimes producing historically inaccurate imagery. Yet, even with the best intentions, fixing ingrained biases remains a challenge for tech firms.
One approach recommended for individuals is to curate their social media feeds to follow diverse creators and photographers from around the world. Another option is the “digital detox,” as outlined in art entrepreneur Marine Tanguy’s The Visual Detox: How to Consume Media Without Letting It Consume You, which suggests limiting screen time and reclaiming time away from devices. Tanguy advocates setting daily app timers, deleting unused apps, and spending time outdoors to reduce reliance on screens.
Perhaps most importantly, experts stress the value of self-awareness in understanding how digital imagery influences our beliefs and perceptions. Unlike previous generations, modern users encounter a constant stream of images that subtly shape their worldviews. For much of human history, art and visual media were limited, yet today’s image-saturated environment is altering how we see others and ourselves, often without conscious realization.
As visual culture continues to expand online, recognizing these subtle influences may be crucial in building a more balanced and less biased digital world.
Technology
How Daylight Savings Time Affects Baby Sleep Patterns: What Parents Need to Know
As daylight savings time comes to an end, parents of young children may find themselves anxious about how the shift will disrupt their baby’s sleep schedules. Research indicates that the transition can be challenging for infants and toddlers, as their biological clocks require time to adjust, much like adults.
Dr. Pamela Douglas, a general practitioner and sleep researcher from Australia, emphasizes that even though mechanical clocks change immediately, the body’s internal clock takes longer to adapt. A study analyzing the sleep patterns of over 600 children following the spring clock change revealed that toddlers aged one to two years took an average of three days to return to their original bedtime, while infants under one experienced an adjustment period of about eight days. Additionally, the shift affected morning wake times, with some age groups losing an hour of sleep in the days following the transition. Notably, infants aged six to 11 months experienced a reduction in nighttime sleep of seven to 15 minutes, even four weeks post-adjustment.
Despite the slight reduction in nighttime sleep, experts from organizations such as the National Sleep Foundation stress that this loss is minimal compared to the total sleep recommended for infants, which ranges from 12 to 15 hours in a 24-hour period for those aged four to 11 months.
It is important to recognize that infants’ sleep patterns are inherently flexible. The notion of adhering to rigid sleep schedules is a relatively modern concept. In many pre-industrial societies, children often sleep with caregivers or drift off in their arms without a fixed bedtime routine. For example, a study of Maya families in Guatemala noted that babies would simply fall asleep when tired, alongside the rest of the family.
The impact of seasonal changes on sleep patterns also warrants attention. Research has shown that humans naturally tend to sleep longer in winter and shorter in summer. A study of foraging societies indicates that nighttime sleep duration can vary by nearly an hour between seasons, with winter sleep averaging 53 to 56 minutes longer. Although industrial societies experience less dramatic seasonal changes, they still feel some effects; for instance, a study of medical students in Berlin found that winter sleep duration increased by approximately 18 minutes compared to summer.
Moreover, studies have indicated that babies older than 10 weeks can also experience changes in sleep quality with the seasons. In autumn, eight-month-olds may enjoy less fragmented sleep and more slow-wave sleep compared to spring. In another study involving both eight-month-olds and 24-month-olds, researchers noted increased rhythmic brain activity during non-rapid eye movement sleep during the autumn months.
As parents navigate the upcoming clock change, understanding these sleep dynamics may help ease the transition for both themselves and their children.
Technology
Experts Warn of Google’s Role in Fueling Bias Through Search Algorithms
Recent reports reveal Google’s influence on public opinion through its search algorithms, which may reinforce users’ existing beliefs and contribute to societal divides. A comparison of Google searches related to Vice President Kamala Harris illustrates this phenomenon. When users searched for “Is Kamala Harris a good Democratic candidate,” they were met with articles highlighting positive aspects, including a Pew Research Center poll that found Harris “energizes Democrats” and an Associated Press article noting widespread support among Democrats for Harris as a potential president. However, when searching for “Is Kamala Harris a bad Democratic candidate,” users encountered more critical results, including a top article from Reason Magazine and several opinion pieces with negative views on her candidacy.
This divergence in search outcomes underscores a wider issue: Google’s algorithm often reflects user inclinations back to them, creating a “feedback loop” that reinforces their original queries. According to Varol Kayhan, assistant professor of information systems at the University of South Florida, search engines like Google heavily shape the information people see and the beliefs they form. “We’re at the mercy of Google when it comes to what information we’re able to find,” he said.
Sarah Presch, digital marketing director at Dragon Metrics, an SEO-focused platform, noticed the impact of Google’s approach in searches beyond politics, such as healthcare. Presch found that when searching “link between coffee and hypertension,” Google’s Featured Snippet quoted from the Mayo Clinic, suggesting caffeine could cause a temporary spike in blood pressure. However, searching “no link between coffee and hypertension” produced a snippet from the same article, stating that caffeine does not have long-term blood pressure effects. Presch notes this as evidence that Google surfaces content tailored to confirm user queries, regardless of the nuances in source material.
Google’s spokesperson defended the search giant’s practices, stating that the goal is to present high-quality, relevant information and allow users access to a range of perspectives. Google also pointed to research suggesting that user choices drive exposure to partisan information rather than algorithmic design alone.
Despite these assertions, some experts argue that Google’s algorithms play a central role in perpetuating echo chambers, particularly in politically charged queries. Silvia Knobloch-Westerwick, professor at Technische Universität Berlin, notes that even if users have some control over the information they engage with, the algorithms determine the options that appear before them.
Another issue lies in Google’s approach to search queries themselves. Mark Williams-Cook, founder of the SEO tool AlsoAsked, explained that Google’s algorithms prioritize user reactions to content rather than deep document analysis. A 2016 internal Google presentation stated that “we hardly look at documents. We look at people.” Williams-Cook argues that this reliance on user engagement to rank content creates a “feedback loop” that feeds users content matching their interests—potentially at the cost of objectivity.
Although Google says its algorithms have evolved significantly since 2016, Williams-Cook believes the underlying model persists. He likens Google’s system to “letting a kid pick out their diet based on what they like,” adding, “they’ll just end up with junk food.” As search engines continue to influence how people find and consume information, experts warn that algorithm-driven bias could amplify confirmation bias and limit exposure to diverse viewpoints.
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