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國際時事跟讀 Ep. L168: AI Giant Rejects Pentagon Contract

Highlights 主題摘要
Anthropic officially declined a highly lucrative contract offer from the US military.
CEO Dario Amodei warned about the catastrophic risks of using advanced AI in warfare.
The Pentagon is actively seeking private tech partnerships to maintain global dominance.

In an unprecedented move that has sent shockwaves throughout the technology industry, leading artificial intelligence startup Anthropic has officially rejected a major partnership offer from the United States Department of Defense. This highly lucrative contract, which was specifically designed to integrate cutting-edge machine learning models into national security infrastructure, was turned down due to profound ethical reservations. The decision highlights a growing and complex tension between private technological innovation and government military objectives. Anthropic, which has consistently branded itself as an organization deeply committed to the safe and responsible development of artificial general intelligence, stated that military applications fundamentally contradict its core corporate mission.

頂尖人工智慧新創公司 Anthropic 破天荒地正式拒絕了美國國防部一項重大的合作提案，此舉在整個科技界引發了震撼。這份利潤極為豐厚的合約原本專門為了將尖端機器學習模型整合至國家安全基礎設施之中，最終卻因深層的道德疑慮而遭到回絕。這項決定凸顯了私人科技創新與政府軍事目標之間，正日益加劇且更趨複雜的緊張關係。Anthropic 一向將自己定位為致力於安全且負責任地發展通用人工智慧的組織，其發出了聲明指出軍事應用從根本上牴觸了其核心企業使命。

The ambitious proposal was strongly championed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has recently accelerated the Pentagon's aggressive push to modernize its combat capabilities through advanced algorithmic systems. Hegseth has repeatedly emphasized that collaborating with top-tier Silicon Valley firms is absolutely crucial for the United States to maintain its strategic global dominance and effectively counter emerging digital threats from foreign adversaries. The military establishment believes that leveraging commercially available artificial intelligence can drastically improve battlefield logistics, intelligence gathering, and predictive threat analysis. However, this aggressive procurement strategy frequently clashes with the deeply rooted pacifist ideologies held by many prominent tech executives.

這項極具野心的提案由美國國防部長皮特赫格塞思強力主導。他近期正加速推進五角大廈的積極布局，期望透過先進的演算法系統來實現軍事作戰能力的現代化。赫格塞思一再強調，與矽谷頂尖企業結盟，是美國維持全球戰略主導地位，並有效反制外國敵對勢力新興數位威脅的絕對關鍵。軍方高層深信，導入商用人工智慧將能大幅提升戰場後勤、情報蒐集以及預測性威脅分析的效能。然而，這種激進的採購策略，卻時常與許多知名科技業高層根深蒂固的和平主義理念產生衝突。

Explaining the controversial refusal, Anthropic Chief Executive Officer Dario Amodei issued a comprehensive statement outlining the terrifying risks associated with weaponizing next-generation neural networks. Amodei warned that deploying autonomous intelligence in active combat zones could rapidly escalate conflicts beyond human control, potentially leading to catastrophic global consequences. He emphasized that current AI models are prone to unpredictable hallucinations and operational errors, making them fundamentally unsuited for high-stakes military environments where a single miscalculation could trigger unprecedented collateral damage. The company's rigorous safety framework strictly prohibits its sophisticated technology from being utilized in scenarios that involve lethal force or automated weapons.

針對這項引發熱議的拒絕舉動，Anthropic 執行長達里歐．阿莫戴發布了一份詳盡的聲明，具體點出將次世代神經網路武器化所伴隨的駭人風險。阿莫戴警告，在交戰區部署具備自主能力的 AI，恐使衝突迅速升溫至人類無法預期及控制的局面，進而可能引發災難性的全球後果。他強調，目前的 AI 模型仍容易出現無法預測的幻覺與操作失誤，使得它們根本不適合投入高風險的軍事環境；在戰場上，哪怕只是一次運算錯誤，都可能引發史無前例的附帶損害。該公司嚴格的安全規範明文禁止將其精密技術應用於涉及致命武力或自動化武器的任何場景。

This landmark confrontation sets a critical precedent for the rapidly evolving tech sector, potentially inspiring other prominent artificial intelligence developers to carefully reevaluate their own lucrative government defense contracts in the near future.

這場具指標性意義的交鋒，為日新月異的科技產業立下了關鍵先例，未來極有可能促使其他知名的人工智慧開發商，去審慎重新評估他們自己手中那些利潤豐厚的政府國防合約。

Keyword Drills 關鍵字
Contradict [verb, to be in conflict with or state the opposite of]: Military applications fundamentally contradict the company's core corporate mission.
Algorithmic [adjective, relating to a set of mathematical rules or processes used by a computer]: The Pentagon pushes to modernize combat capabilities through advanced algorithmic systems.
Procurement [noun, the process of purchasing or obtaining supplies, especially for a government]: This aggressive procurement strategy frequently clashes with deeply rooted pacifist ideologies.
Weaponizing [verb, adapting or using something as a weapon]: The CEO outlined the terrifying risks associated with weaponizing next-generation neural networks.
Collateral [adjective, secondary or unintended, usually referring to damage or casualties in a military operation]: A single miscalculation could trigger unprecedented collateral damage.

Reference article:
1. https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/27/defense-anthropic-ai-war-risks-hegseth-amodei.html
2. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn5g3z3xe65o
3. https://edition.cnn.com/2026/02/26/tech/anthropic-rejects-pentagon-offer

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Fox-Style News Network Rides Wave of Discontent in France

It's the news network that claims it tells viewers what the "woke" mainstream media won't. It says it fights for endangered freedom of expression, even as it has been fined by the government's broadcast regulator for inciting racial hatred.
這家新聞台聲稱，能告訴觀眾那些「警醒」的主流媒體不會說的事。它說它為瀕危的言論自由而戰，即便已因為煽動種族仇恨而遭政府廣播監管機構罰款。

It is CNews — which in four short years became France's No. 1 news network for the first time in May by giving a bullhorn to far-right politicians, opponents of fighting climate change and a high-profile proponent of the discredited idea of using the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine as a cure for COVID-19.
它就是CNews，短短四年，於今年5月首次成為法國第一名的新聞台。他們提供發聲管道給極右翼政治人物、反對應對氣候變遷人士，以及高調支持使用抗瘧疾藥物羥氯奎寧治療新冠的人，儘管這想法不被採信。

The model is Fox News — including the clashing talking heads and incendiary cultural topics — and it has worked. Owned by French billionaire Vincent Bolloré, former chairman of the media group Vivendi, CNews increasingly helps shape the national debate, especially on hot-button issues like crime, immigration and Islam's place in France that are expected to sway next year's presidential election.
福斯新聞是其榜樣，手法包括衝突性訪問內容與煽動性文化話題，且已收到成效。法國億萬富豪、媒體集團威望迪前董事長博洛黑擁有的CNews，愈來愈會塑造全國性辯論話題，尤其是犯罪、移民、伊斯蘭教在法國地位等料將影響明年總統選舉的熱門議題。

In a country where trust in the media is very low, CNews emerged at a time of particular discontent — in the aftermath of the Yellow Vest protests of 2018, which, like the U.S. election of Donald Trump, prompted much soul-searching among journalists.
在一個對媒體信任度非常低的國家，CNews的出現，正值2018年黃背心抗議後民眾特別不滿之時，就像川普當選美國總統一樣，這引起很多記者深刻反思。

"People were sick and tired of the politically correct, and, in France, for the past 30, 40 years, news was in the hands of newspapers, television and dailies that all said the same thing," said Serge Nedjar, the head of CNews, explaining how his channel positioned itself in a nation with four all-news networks.
CNews負責人內德賈解釋自家頻道在一個擁有四家新聞台國家的定位時說：「人們對政治正確感到厭煩，在法國，過去30年、40年，掌握新聞的報紙、電視與日報說的都是同樣的事。」

Unlike its competitors, CNews focused on "analyses and debates" of topics that Nedjar said mattered most to the French but had been ignored or insufficiently covered by the media: "crime, lack of safety, immigration."
不同於對手，CNews專注於「分析和辯論」內德賈所說對法國人最重要卻被忽視或報導不足的事：「犯罪、缺乏安全、移民」。

He added: "We created this network by telling ourselves we talk about everything, including topics that are explosive."
他還說：「我們成立電視台時告訴自己，我們無話不談，包括爆炸性話題。」

Nedjar said that he was unfamiliar with Fox News when CNews was created and waved away comparisons. "There's the word 'news,' and all the better if it works like Fox News," he said, referring to his network's name. "Fox News works really well over there, I hear."
內德賈說，CNews成立時他對福斯新聞台不熟悉，也拒絕做比較。他提及他的電視台名字時說：「有『新聞』這個字，若它能像福斯新聞那樣運作就更好了。我聽說福斯新聞在那邊作得很不錯。」

But critics say the problem is not with CNews' choice of topics but with the way it treats them. They say it emphasizes on opinion, often backed up with little reporting or fact-checking, propagates popular biases and deepens cleavages in a polarized society.
但批評者說，問題不在於CNews的話題選擇，而是它對待話題的方式。他們說，它強調觀點，很少以報導或查核事實來支持，這助長了偏見，加深兩極分化社會的裂痕。
Source: https://udn.com/news/story/6904/5769927


Why France Sparks Anger in the Muslim World: Secularism Explained

Many countries, especially in the democratic West, champion freedom of expression and allow publications that lampoon Islam's prophet. So why is France singled out for protests and calls for boycotts across the Muslim world, and so often the target of deadly violence from the extremist margins? Its brutal colonial past, staunch secular policies and tough-talking president, who is seen as insensitive toward the Muslim faith, all play a role.
許多國家──尤其是民主的西方國家──擁護言論自由，並允許嘲弄伊斯蘭教先知的出版品。那麼，為什麼法國會特別被針對，讓整個穆斯林世界抗議和呼籲抵制，且往往成為極端主義死亡攻擊的目標呢？它殘酷的殖民史、堅定的世俗﹝去宗教化﹞政策，以及言詞強硬的總統（他被認為對穆斯林信仰不敏感）都是原因。

While French officials often say their country is targeted because of its reputation as the cradle of human rights and a rampart of global democracy, what distinguishes France most is its unusual attachment to secularism (or laïcité).
雖然法國官員常說，法國之所以成為攻擊的目標，是因為法國是人權的搖籃及全球民主的堡壘；但法國與他國不同的最獨特處，在其牢牢固守著世俗主義。

The often-misunderstood concept of French secularism is inscribed in the country's constitution. It was born in a 1905 law after anti-clerical struggles with the Catholic Church. Separating church and state, the law was meant to allow the peaceful coexistence of all religions under a neutral state, instead of a government answering to powerful Roman Catholic clerics. Crucifixes were at one point torn from classroom walls in France amid painful public debate.
世俗主義明訂於法國憲法中，其概念常被人誤解。一九○五年，經過與天主教會的反神職人員鬥爭後，世俗主義成為法律。該法律將教會和國家分開，旨在使所有宗教在中立的國家之下和平共處，而不是政府向手握強權的羅馬天主教神職人員稟報。公眾經歷艱難的辯論，教室牆上的耶穌受難像一度被拆除。

A century later, polls suggest France is among the least religious countries in the world, with a minority attending services regularly. Secularism is broadly supported by those on both left and right. State secularism is central to France's national identity and demands the separation of religion and public life.
一個世紀後，民意調查顯示法國是世界上最不宗教化的國家之一，固定參加宗教儀式的人只有少數。世俗主義得到左右兩派的廣泛支持。國家世俗主義是法國民族認同的核心，它要求宗教與公共生活必須區分開來。

Schools have historically instilled the Republic's values in its citizens — a task some teachers say becomes ever harder as a minority of French Muslims and adherents of other faiths seek to express their religious identity.
學校歷來向公民灌輸共和國的價值觀──一些教師表示，少數法國穆斯林及其他信仰的信徒試圖表達自己的宗教認同，使得這項教學任務變得愈發困難。

As the number of Muslims in France grew, the state imposed secular rules on their practices. A 2004 ban on Muslim headscarves and other ostentatious religious symbols in schools remains divisive, if not shocking to many outside France. A 2011 law banning face veils made Muslims feel stigmatized anew. In recent decades, the desire among some French Muslims to express their religious identity has dominated the debate around balancing religious and secular needs.
隨著法國穆斯林人數的增加，法國政府在施政也強加上世俗化、非宗教的規範。法國在二○○四年禁止在學校穿戴穆斯林頭巾及其他炫示的宗教符號──若法國以外的許多人不感到震驚的話，對此禁令的看法也仍然分歧。二○一一年所頒布的禁蒙面法，又再讓穆斯林覺得被污名化。一些法國穆斯林希望能夠表達自己的宗教認同，對於如何平衡宗教與世俗非宗教之需求，此議題已占據近數十年來相關辯論的主要部分。
Source: https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/lang/archives/2020/11/09/2003746587


France to Ban Mink Farms and Use of Wild Animals in Circuses and Marine Parks

France's environment minister has announced a gradual ban on using wild animals in traveling circuses, on keeping dolphins and killer whales in captivity in marine parks and on raising mink on fur farms.
法國環境部長宣布，將逐步禁止巡迴馬戲團以野生動物進行表演、在海洋公園內圈養海豚和虎鯨，以及在皮草養殖場飼養水貂。

Barbara Pompili, France's minister of ecological transition, said in a news conference on Tuesday last week that bears, tigers, lions, elephants and other wild animals will no longer be allowed in traveling circuses "in the coming years." In addition, she said that starting immediately, France's three marine parks will no longer be able to bring in or breed dolphins and killer whales.
法國生態轉型部部長巴巴拉‧彭皮里上週二在記者會中表示，「未來數年後」馬戲團將不能再有熊、老虎、獅子、大象及其他野生動物。此外，自即日起，法國的三個海洋公園不能再引進或繁殖海豚及虎鯨。

"It is time to open a new era in our relationship with these (wild) animals," she said, arguing that animal welfare is a priority.
她說：「現在該是為我們與這些（野生）動物的關係開啟新時代的時候了」，她說，動物福利應優先考慮。

Pompili said the measures will also bring an end to mink farming, in which animals are raised for their fur, within the next five years. The ban does not apply to wild animals in other permanent shows and in zoos.
彭皮里說，這些措施還包括在未來五年內禁絕水貂養殖──這種養殖場的目的是取貂皮。該禁令並不適用其他常態演出及動物園中之野生動物。

The French government will provide an aid package of more than 8 million euros (US$9.36 million) to help animal shows transition to a new business model.
法國政府將提供逾八百萬歐元（合九百三十六萬美元）的支援計劃，以幫助動物表演轉型為新的商業模式。

Around 20 European countries have already banned or limited the presence of wild animals in circuses. In France, many cities already do not allow circuses with wild animal shows to pitch their tents.
歐洲約有二十個國家已禁止或限制野生動物在馬戲團出場。在法國，許多城市已不准有野生動物表演的馬戲團前來搭篷。
Source: https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/lang/archives/2020/10/05/2003744594

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幕後揭秘!15Mins怎麼選新聞?從Epstein陰謀論到可愛小猴,從寶可夢狂潮到油價危機!

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Summary:

This article talks about recent developments in the USA. In particular the removal and defacing of statues of historical figures who did terrible things, in the minds of some people.

原文章討論: https://www.15mins.today/blog/ep-906-reconsidering-the-past-one-statue-at-a-time

Vocabulary and Sample Sentences:

Deface v.: damage the appearance of something
Did the protesters deface the building?
Are walls in Taipei defaced with graffiti?

Indigenous adj: belonging to a particular place
Are the indigenous people of Taiwan represented in government?
Does Taiwan have indigenous animals?

Inflection n.: turning, bending / change in the form of a word especially regarding grammar / change in the pitch of your voice Does the inflection of adding and “s” in English make it more difficult to learn?
Are lectures with no inflection boring?