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AI in government: helper, not office-holder #AI #GovTech #PublicAdmin

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  Overview Under current systems, an AI itself cannot win an election and hold a seat or term. Public-office qualifications in many countries presume a human (a natural person), so AI is positioned as a helper inside government. In practice, more agencies are trying virtual AIs for advice and front-desk support, but accountability always rests with people. The aim of using AI in public administration is to move procedures forward reliably: shorter wait times for residents, faster document handling, earlier detection of fraud and errors, and clearer public disclosure. Benefits First, 24/7 front-desk service. Chat or voice can guide residents in multiple languages and ease burdens on seniors and families with children. Second, application support and format checks reduce rejections and keep reviews moving. Third, anomaly detection in bidding and procurement, conflict-of-interest signals, and cross-checking past cases strengthen the base of transparency. Fourth, public-comment and ...
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What is WEEB / the “Weeb Economy”?

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  What is WEEB / the “Weeb Economy”? “Weeb” originally meant a foreigner who is obsessed with Japanese anime, manga, or pop culture. In recent years, it has often been used more positively. Weebs generate economic activity not only by consuming content but also through tourism, purchasing goods, attending events, and engaging in experience-based services. Types of Economic Impact from Weebs in Japan Sector Economic Impact Tourism “Anime pilgrimage” (visiting real-life locations featured in anime/manga) brings in revenue for local governments via accommodation, dining, and transport. Weebs also drive inbound tourism. Content Exports & Licensing Anime, manga, and games distributed and localized overseas. Weeb demand supports these businesses and provides key revenue streams. Merchandise & Goods Market Demand for character goods, figures, cosplay items, apparel, and related products. Increasingly includes digital goods (e.g. digital art, NFTs). Cultural Services ...
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IPA (Information-technology Promotion Agency, Japan) is an incorporated administrative agency under METI.

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  Overview IPA (Information-technology Promotion Agency, Japan) is an incorporated administrative agency under METI. Its mission is to build a trustworthy IT society by strengthening cybersecurity, issuing guidance, and developing IT talent. The current president is Hiroshi Saito . Main roles National exams: Operates the Information Technology Engineers Examination (e.g., IT Passport, Fundamental Information, Applied Information, Registered Information Security Specialist/SC). RISS system: Manages registration/renewal/training for Registered Information Security Specialist holders (valid for 3 years; renewal requires online training, etc.). Vulnerability information: Co-runs JVN / JVN iPedia with JPCERT/CC to publish and share vulnerability information in Japan. Incident response & evaluation: J-CRAT for targeted-attack response; JISEC (Common Criteria certification) for IT product security. SMB support: SECURITY ACTION self-declaration program (on...
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USEN’s landing page for food service robots. They

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USEN’s landing page for food service robots. They propose and support multiple brands (Pudu/Keenon/SoftBank/Gausium) end-to-end, including maintenance. Free trials available. Main models & features BellaBot: multi-tier trays and a “cat” design that boosts customer engagement; ideal for serving and bussing. KettyBot Pro: runs in ~52 cm aisles, front display, tray sensors; an upgraded version of USEN’s best-selling unit. PuduBot 2: adjustable 3–7 trays (5+ as option), 360° hand-off. Servi IRIS EDITION / Servi+: prioritizes mobility and ease of operation. Other options: Keenbot T8/T5, Delivery X1, etc. Cost ballpark “About ¥92/hour” is an example: ¥33,250/month ÷ (12 hours × 30 days), assuming a 5-year lease of Ketty with maintenance. Actual costs vary by model and contract terms. Implementation flow Inquiry → 2) Consultation → 3) On-site survey (with live driving test) → 4) Initial setup & operations support. Nationwide maintenance available. ...
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The term “homebrew” varies by context. Below are four major domains and their historical significance, summarized briefly.

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 The term “homebrew” varies by context. Below are four major domains and their historical significance, summarized briefly. Computing history (Homebrew Computer Club, 1975–): A venue where individuals brought circuits and code to conduct “open experiments.” Milestones like the Apple I demo helped democratize personal computing and nurtured an entrepreneurial ecosystem. Beer homebrewing: In the United States, a 1978 legal change effectively legalized homebrewing, spurring the rise of small regional breweries and accelerating the craft-beer movement—a textbook case of citizen trial-and-error revitalizing an industry. Game console/software homebrew: Development outside official SDKs and the modding scene fostered deep hardware understanding, trained indie talent, and aided preservation of retro games. At the same time, it has long existed in tension with laws like the DMCA, alongside debates over preservation exemptions. macOS Homebrew (package manager, 2009–): By enab...
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  Benefits (with concrete examples) Ethereum (2014): From July 22 to Sept 2, 2014, Ethereum’s ICO raised about $18.3M (over 31,500 BTC). It went on to become the key smart-contract base for DeFi and NFTs. Brave / BAT (2017): Raised ~$35M in under 30 seconds . By 2025 the ecosystem had grown to ~97.8M monthly active users , and the token’s use cases (ad rewards, creator payouts) were implemented. Filecoin (2017 → live): $52M presale + $205M ICO. Mainnet launched Oct 15, 2020 ; by 2025 Q2 the network reported ~1,100 PiB of active stored data—evidence of real demand. Chainlink (2017): Raised $32M . Decentralized oracles supplying off-chain data are now widely integrated across projects. Takeaway: When capital → product → real usage lined up (Ethereum/Brave/Filecoin/Chainlink), the ICO served as an effective initial accelerator . Harms (where problems surfaced) BitConnect (2017–2018): High-yield “program” deemed a Ponzi . U.S. DOJ cited ~$2B scale; cour...
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Used cooking oil → biodiesel & SAF: 2024 guide #BDF #SAF #Recycling

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 Used cooking oil from homes and restaurants can, if collected properly, be reborn as local biodiesel or even aviation SAF. This article, guided by the latest 2024 revision, organizes the essentials of feedstock acceptance—managing acid value, moisture, and impurities—the practical blend approach (generally up to B5), and key points for quality control and storage. The basic rule is to bring oil in PET bottles to municipal or retail collection points—never pour it down the drain. Collected oil fuels community buses and public vehicles as BDF, and, with JAL’s initiative, increasingly circulates as SAF feedstock. On quality, focus on meeting specification items, lot testing, sealed/shaded/low-temperature storage, no open flames, clear labeling, and preventing contamination. Operators should confirm vehicle maker compatibility and safety rules, and inform residents about drop-off sites, schedules, and container requirements—so households, companies, and local governments can turn “was...
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