1. For much of the 20th century, AI struggled not from a lack of ambition, but because available hardware wasn't powerful enough. Early systems hit limits on processing speed and memory, contributing to "AI winters" as progress stalled and funding dried up. Today, this problem is largely resolved. AI models are now trained on specialized chips in vast data centers. Compute, which used to be the main bottleneck, can now simply be purchased. Companies like Nvidia mass-produce powerful graphics processing units (GPUs) – originally designed for gaming but perfectly suited to AI calculations. What holds AI back now? The physical limit of electricity.

2. Modern AI models don't just train once; they operate continuously, powering chatbots, search engines, and autonomous agents. This shift has made AI a constant, large-scale electricity consumer. According to Sampsa Samila of IESE Business School, "the core issue is not a shortage of energy in absolute terms, but rather the availability of reliable, firm capacity at the right place and the right time".

3. Predictions for AI energy consumption show this strain. The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects data centers will consume more than twice as much electricity by the decade's end. In parts of the U.S., data center power usage already rivals heavy industry.

4. How AI is used matters as much as how it is trained. Training large models consumes immense power but occurs infrequently. What is growing faster is the everyday work of models responding to users. Samila notes that newer "reasoning" AI systems, which deliberate longer, push energy demands into everyday operations rather than occasional large training runs.

(Adapted from https://www.livescience.com)

1. Viet Nam is one of the fastest-aging countries in the world. In 2019, people aged 60 and older made up 11.9% of the population, but by 2050, this will grow to more than 25%. By 2036, Viet Nam will officially become an "aged" society. This change is due to longer life expectancy, lower death rates, and, most importantly, a significant drop in fertility over the past decades. These factors have reshaped Viet Nam's population structure, leading to a rapid aging process.

2. An aging population presents both challenges and opportunities for society. One major concern is the potential lack of workers in the future, which may affect the economy. Additionally, as the number of older people increases, so does the demand for social services, such as pensions and healthcare. Viet Nam has a fairly advanced social protection system, but it needs to be expanded and strengthened to support the growing elderly population. It is also essential to provide job opportunities for seniors who are able and willing to work beyond retirement.

3. The need for healthcare rises with age. Older people face a greater risk of disability and need more assistance. In Viet Nam, families traditionally care for elderly relatives, but this system is becoming harder to maintain, especially in urban areas. Improving access to healthcare and social services will be essential to address these needs effectively.

4. Population aging is a critical issue that requires action from policymakers. Although it creates challenges, it can also offer opportunities if managed correctly. Preparing younger generations for old age and implementing comprehensive policies will help Viet Nam successfully adapt to an aging society while ensuring a better future for all.

Biodiversity conservation

1. The UNESCO World Heritage Centre works to protect the world's natural and cultural heritage and promote sustainable development. It achieves this by applying the World Heritage Convention worldwide. Its main tasks include monitoring the condition of heritage sites, providing technical support to countries, training conservation experts, and managing projects to ensure heritage is preserved for future generations.

2. Since 2002, the Central Africa World Heritage Forest Initiative has focused on conserving forests in the Congo Basin. This program improves the management of World Heritage sites and integrates them into the region's ecological systems. UNESCO also supports protecting endangered species, like elephants and giraffes, in areas such as the W-Arly-Pendjari Complex (Benin, Burkina Faso, Niger) and Garamba National Park (Democratic Republic of the Congo). Community-based efforts, such as those in Lake Malawi National Park, protect unique biodiversity, including the lake's fish species.

3. In emergencies like natural disasters and conflicts, UNESCO provides support through the Rapid Response Facility. This program has helped protect over 25 sites covering 300,000 km². For example, in Manovo-Gounda St. Floris National Park (Central African Republic), UNESCO helped wildlife recover after years of civil unrest.

4. Working with local communities is a key part of the World Heritage Convention. UNESCO launched the Community Management of Protected Areas for Conservation initiative in 2000 to support sustainable community projects, such as those in Botswana's Okavango Delta and the Maloti-Drakensberg Park in South Africa and Lesotho.

5. The World Heritage Marine Programme, started in 2005, protects marine areas of global importance. Efforts include monitoring conservation, promoting coral reef resilience, and using environmental DNA research to address climate challenges. These initiatives aim to preserve marine heritage for future generations.