Fraser, Nick and Peter consider the use of Big Data for prediction of terrorist attacks.
New online ecology of adversarial aggregates: ISIS and beyond:
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Friday, 29 July 2016
Sunday, 24 July 2016
Podcast: Referendums, experts and forecasting
Fraser, Nick and Peter wonder if they have had enough of experts.
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Friday, 15 July 2016
Podcast: Brexit and Referenda
In the wake of the Brexit vote, Peter, Nick and Fraser discuss what referendums can tell us, and what technology means for democracy.
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Saturday, 9 July 2016
Podcast: Return to the Library of Babel
Nick, Peter and Fraser return to the Library of Babel and discuss how to go about building one.
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Friday, 8 July 2016
Is Tesla's 'Autopilot' mode safe?
Self-driving cars were in the news again last week, as it emerged that the crash that killed Joshua Brown on 7 May happened while his Tesla's 'Autopilot' feature was enabled. The crash seems to have occurred because Autopilot's visual and radar sensors were not able to identify a lorry that was crossing the highway, perhaps due to the ride height and colour of the lorry making it too-closely resemble an overhead sign.
The death was the first in around 130m miles of Autopilot-enabled driving, according to Tesla, compared with one death on average in the US for every 94m miles of normal, unassisted driving. According to some media outlets, this means that Autopilot-enabled driving is safer than unassisted driving. This is incorrect though. By itself, the statistic only means that it might be.
Where there is a large sample size - for example, for deaths in non-autonomous cars - we can be fairly certain of the 'true rate' of these deaths. This 'true rate' won't of course be much good for evaluating any specific journey, which will depend on the type of car, roads, weather conditions, and so on. But we can be fairly certain that averaged across all types of car journeys, the death rate is around one per 94 million miles for non-autonomous driving in the US.
But with Tesla's Autopilot, we only have one death so far. The 'true rate' of deaths for Autopilot-enabled driving could conceivably be significantly higher than 1 per 130m miles (and so far, we've been lucky) or significantly lower (and Mr Brown was very unlucky). Using a simple model for the way these kinds of events occur (based on the Poisson distribution), and if we have no other assumptions about how safe or dangerous Autopilot is (i.e. if our prior probability distribution is locally flat), the probability we should place on the hypothesis that it's more dangerous than normal driving should in fact be quite high - just over 60% in fact. This is shown below as the area beneath the curve that is to the right of the long-run average death rate of 1 every 94 million miles.
This is only a starting point of course. On one hand, we might think the probability is more likely to be lower because of our understanding of the technical characteristics of the Autopilot feature. Indeed, since Autopilot is only meant to augment human driving, we might think that used properly it cannot possibly be less safe. On the other hand, however, we might think that having the Autopilot feature enabled will encourage people to drive more dangerously with less attention, perhaps more than offsetting the safety benefit (consistent with research showing that drivers tend to 'consume' safety increases by 'buying' additional speed). And bugs and other unforeseen technical problems are of course an ever-present possibility for any new technology.
We will not know for some time, of course. The single Autopilot fatality in 130m miles so far is information, but it's not much information. It certainly doesn't mean that Autopilot is more dangerous than normal driving, but it doesn't necessarily mean it's safer either.
[Edit on 13 July: maths error - area to the right of the long-run rate is actually 60% of the total probability density, not 40% as originally stated]
[Edit on 13 July: maths error - area to the right of the long-run rate is actually 60% of the total probability density, not 40% as originally stated]
Monday, 4 July 2016
Brexit Scenarios for the UK in 2019
Introduction
The following scenarios are narrative sketches of possible future worlds. They have been designed with the following question in mind:
“What will the UK government’s strategic priorities be on 1 July 2019?”
In the opinion of the scenario developers, the key drivers of the UK’s strategic priorities in 2019 will be: UK policy, the European Union, mainstream UK politics, the UK economy, political extremism, UK regionalism, the international scene and the global economy including international trade. Each of the following scenarios is built on a slightly different set of assumptions concerning these drivers, and is set in the middle of 2019.
The first scenario is the 'baseline', corresponding to a set of assumptions that (in the view of the developers) are most plausible. However, it is not a forecast, and should not be considered in any sense 'likely'. The other four scenarios represent plausible alternatives based on changed assumptions. These should be assumed to follow the baseline where not explicitly stated otherwise.
Baseline Scenario - Silver Linings
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Prime Minister May. Source: UK Home Office. |
Since then the UK has had mixed success in developing new trade arrangements with Commonwealth countries, the US, China and India. Cuts in corporation tax and other incentives have maintained and even increased inward investment from some sources, but it is recognised that the UK economy will remain dependent on relatively-free EU trade for the foreseeable future. Throughout 2017 and 2018 the UK Government was involved in sometimes-heated negotiations with EU members over low-tariff trading arrangements to protect the strength of British exports to the common market. France and Germany are losing patience with the UK’s hard stance on trade negotiations and freedom of movement, but Scandinavian countries and the Netherlands are sympathetic to the UK's position. Overall, little progress has been made. A three-month extension to secession talks has been granted, moving the deadline for the UK exiting the EU to the end of 2019.
The EU remains politically unified. Despite calls from Eurosceptics within the Netherlands and France for exit referenda, there have been no copycat plebiscites in other EU countries. EU reform has not progressed significantly and the Eurozone continues to adapt to the UK's decision to leave. The Global economy continues to enjoy positive growth, but the Eurozone is seen as a more risky investment area. In this context the UK’s decision to decouple from Europe is seen as a potential future benefit and there are signs that it is beginning to see some diverted investment. However, the pound and the euro both remain volatile and are yet to recover to pre-referendum levels against the US dollar.
At home the UK is feeling the effects of a mild recession, but analysts are predicting a return to growth once EU negotiations are completed. The finance and manufacturing sectors have suffered the most from the increased costs of international collaboration and reduced exports to traditional trade partners, but confidence is starting to build again. The Government has been forced to continue its regime of austerity, cutting public services in the face of reduced tax receipts. Unemployment has steadily risen from 5% in 2016 to a peak of 8% in late 2018, but the number of jobless fell in the last quarter. Apart from stagnating wages, those still in work have noticed little difference. Pragmatism and necessity have led to the maintenance of much EU law, and the creation of new legislation tends in practice to be synchronised with that of the EU. UKIP continue to be vocal about the EU meddling in UK affairs and Westminster's inability to replace EU legislation with new UK law. Some Eurosceptics continue a narrative about the 'Brexit dividend', while others are beginning to become frustrated in light of Westminster’s apparent impotence to exploit on its hard-won 'sovereignty'.
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Scottish Independence on the cards. Source: Scottish Government. |
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US and Russia stalemate. Source: Russian Government. |
Policy Implications
Under this scenario, the UK government’s main strategic priorities are to finalise the terms of Brexit and manage its economic impact. Most economic and foreign policy is focused on seeking to exploit the opportunities offered by the UK’s additional freedoms, make favourable trade deals with alternative partners, and establish a business and regulatory climate that will make the UK a relatively more-attractive market for international investors and consumers. However, the UK remains significantly dependent on trade with the common market, and establishing the terms under which we exchange goods, services and people with this market is the UK’s overriding concern.Conflict in the Middle East continues to displace people to Europe, forcing the UK government to develop strategies to reduce the flow of migrants and refugees. At home pressure is mounting to tackle extremism and radicalisation and the movement of jihadist fighters. Finally, the UK must prepare for Scottish independence and develop policy and legislation to support further devolution of powers to regional assemblies and local government.
Scenario 2 - Business as EUsual
This scenario differs from the baseline in our assumption about the shape of the UK’s exit from the EU. In this scenario, Theresa May wins a general election in April 2017 on a mandate to move the UK into the EEA along the lines of the Norwegian model. A new government department - the Department for EU Transition - is created to pursue this agenda. However, the political importance of curtailing immigration means that the UK cannot adopt this model wholesale. The final terms of the agreement allow the UK to impose quotas on immigration from the EU (the intention being to manage this through a points-based system), but the UK does not have full access to the single market for services. The most significant concession the UK has had to make is to accept a prohibition on UK-based companies dealing in euro-denominated financial assets, a trade which currently earns the UK billions of pounds a year.![]() |
Incredulous Carswell. Source: Flickr user Steve Punter. |
However, unlike the baseline, in this scenario there is somewhat less support for regionalist parties due to the relatively-limited practical impact of leaving the EU. The Scotland referendum, due to be held later in 2019, is looking like a close-run thing rather than a dead cert for independence, given the uncertainty about how quickly Scotland could join the EU and under what terms. Meanwhile, due to sensitivities surrounding the UK’s border with Ireland, border controls are primarily implemented in mainland British ports and airports servicing travellers from Northern Ireland, and tensions there continue to be mediated through political rather than violent processes. In comparison to the baseline, UK relations with the EU are stronger as a result of a satisfactory conclusion of negotiations within the Article 50 window, and the resultant dissipation of uncertainty means that the economic impact of Brexit is slightly lessened. But maintaining the long-term competitiveness of the UK’s services sector presents policy challenges.
Policy Implications
Under this scenario, the UK government’s main strategic priorities are to manage the economic impact of Brexit. Most economic and foreign policy development is focused on seeking to exploit the opportunities offered by the UK’s additional freedoms, make favourable trade deals with alternative partners, and establish a business and regulatory climate that will make the UK a relatively more-attractive market for international investors and consumers. Effective policy levers to control the scale and nature of EU and non-EU migration are still being sought.Scenario 3 - These fractured isles
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No Surrender. Photo: Rossographer |
Frequent walkouts and resignations on both sides make NI politics fractious and unpredictable. The NI assembly is paralysed by this single issue. Irish nationalism is on the rise and it is met by increased unionist sentiment. Some parts of Belfast are descending back into regular outbreaks of sectarian violence and there is a sense that the turmoil is spreading. The US attempts to engage with the situation through arms-length mediation, but it has little success in stemming violence. For the time being, NI security and police forces are able to contain and manage the situation, but the UK Government is making contingency plans to support local forces by deploying military units - if called upon - to assist with peacekeeping. European efforts to become involved in any negotiations are met with strong criticism from Unionists who perceive the EU as ‘meddling’ and encouraging the Republican cause.
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Scottish Independence. Source: In Defence of Marxism. |
Scottish nationalism has led to overwhelming support for the SNP. The imminent referendum on Scottish independence is considered to be a foregone conclusion. UKIP is emboldened as the newly re-branded “UK Party” and is stealing support from the right and left of British politics. It maintains a compelling narrative that England is under-represented in Government often citing reduced government spending in poor areas as a sign of neglect. Support for the two main parties is at an all time low in modern political history.
Policy Implications
In this scenario in addition to the need to respond to a deepening recession, UK government policy is focussed on dealing with the worsening security situation in Northern Ireland. There is also a lot of work to do in order to prepare for Scottish independence, which is unlikely to be an amicable process. The issue of managing two new borders has uncovered a lot of practical and legislative challenges. Westminster must also consider how to devolve further powers to the regions and operate in a more decentralised fashion.Scenario 4 - Should we stay or should we go?
This scenario is characterised by political uncertainty. It is 2019 but the UK has not yet invoked Article 50. A general election in April 2017 produced a hung parliament and a Conservative minority Government unable to form a governing coalition. The mainstream political parties have fractured into internal blocs: Labour along broadly ‘new’ and ‘old’ lines, and the Conservatives into the ‘small c’ conservatives and the free-market ‘small l’ liberals. Despite the mandate from the referendum, the European Union Bill of 2017 was narrowly voted down by parliament - chiefly by a coalition of Remainers-on-principle, MPs of strongly Remain constituencies, and MPs who now believed the conditions had changed and that for the good of the country the referendum decision (with its relatively-slim margin) should not be acted on. The Prime Minister has triggered a general election to be held at the end of 2019 with a view to ending the deadlock, but the outcome is highly uncertain. Calls for ‘national unity’ have gone unheeded and finding any common foundations for a stable coalition has been impossible.![]() |
Scotland looks abroad. Source: US Dept of State. |
Policy Implications
In this scenario, the Government is struggling to pass any new legislation or set policy direction. The civil service lacks direction and certainty of instruction. Policy U-turns are a matter of course. The UK government’s main strategic priorities are to tackle the severe recession, reduce public expenditure and develop options for a new relationship with the EU. Managing increasing levels of civil unrest have also become a focus of government activity.Scenario 5 - On the Brink
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President Trump. Source: Flickr user Michael Vadon. |
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Disquiet amongst young Muslims. Source: Flickr user Jamie Kennedy. |
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The Dragon and the Bear. Source: Kremlin Press Office. |
Policy Implications
The huge negative impact on the UK economy means that seeking access to the EU common market is a principal strategic priority, even at the price of heavy concessions in areas such as freedom of movement. Efforts to stimulate the economy are the primary focus of government policy, but political attention has been repeatedly diverted by the many overseas crises and the pressing need to tackle the threat of terrorism and violent extremism.Friday, 1 July 2016
Podcast: Averages
Peter, Nick and Fraser discuss what the point of averages is, and whether we will need them any more in a world of machine analysis.
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