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How
music heals us, even when it's sad - by a neuroscientist leading a new
study of musical therapy
by
Leigh Riby, Professor of Cognitive-Neuroscience, Northumbria University,
Newcastle
Leigh Riby
When I hear Shania Twain's You're
Still The One, it takes me back to when I was 15, playing
on my Dad's PC. I was tidying up the mess after he had tried to
[take his own life]. He'd been listening to her album, and I played
it as I tidied up. Whenever I hear the song, I'm taken back - the
sadness and anger comes flooding back.
There is a renewed fascination with
the healing powers of music. This resurgence can primarily be attributed
to recent breakthroughs in neuroscientific research, which have substantiated
music's therapeutic properties such as emotional regulation and brain
re-engagement. This has led to a growing
integration of music therapy with conventional mental health
treatments.
As both a longtime music fan and
neuroscientist, I believe music has a special status among all the
arts in terms of the breadth and depth of its impact on people. One
critical aspect is its powers of autobiographical
memory retrieval - encouraging often highly personal recollections
of past experiences. We can all recount an instance where a tune transports
us back in time, rekindling recollections and often imbuing them with
a range of powerful emotions.
But enhanced recollection can also
occur in dementia patients, for whom the transformative
impact of music therapy sometimes opens a floodgate of
memories - from cherished childhood experiences and the aromas and
tastes of a mother's kitchen, to lazy summer afternoons spent with
family or the atmosphere and energy of a music festival.
One remarkable example is a widely
shared video
made by the Asociacion
Musica para Despertar, which is thought to feature the
Spanish-Cuban ballerina Martha Gonzalez Saldana (though there has
been some
controversy about her identity). The music of Swan Lake
by Tchaikovsky appears to reactivate cherished memories and even motor
responses in this former prima ballerina, who is moved to rehearse
some of her former dance motions on camera.
Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake appears to reactivate long-unused motor responses
in this former ballerina.
In our laboratory at Northumbria
University, we aim to harness these recent neuroscience advances to
deepen our understanding of the intricate connection between music,
the brain and mental wellbeing. We want to answer specific questions
such as why sad
or bittersweet music plays a unique therapeutic role for
some people, and which parts of the brain it "touches" compared
with happier compositions.
Advanced
research tools such as high-density electroencephalogram
(EEG) monitors enable us to record how the brain regions "talk"
to each other in real-time as someone listens to a song or symphony.
These regions are stimulated by different aspects of the music, from
its emotional content to its melodic structure, its lyrics to its
rhythmic patterns.
Of course, everyone's response to
music is deeply personal, so our research also necessitates getting
our study participants to describe how a particular piece of music
makes them feel - including its ability to encourage profound introspection
and evoke meaningful memories.
Ludwig van Beethoven once proclaimed:
"Music is the one incorporeal entrance into the higher world
of knowledge which comprehends mankind, but which mankind cannot comprehend."
With the help of neuroscience, we hope to help change that.
A brief history of music therapy
Music's ancient origins predate aspects
of language and rational thinking. Its roots can be traced back to
the Paleolithic Era more than 10,000 years ago, when early humans
used it for communication and emotional expression. Archaeological
finds include ancient bone flutes and percussion instruments
made from bones and stones, as well as markings noting the most
accoustically resonant place within a cave and even paintings
depicting musical gatherings.
Music in the subsequent Neolithic
Era went through significant
development within permanent settlements across the world.
Excavations have revealed various musical instruments including harps
and complex percussion instruments, highlighting music's growing importance
in religious ceremonies and social gatherings during this period -
alongside the emergence of rudimentary forms of music notation, evident
in clay
tablets from ancient Mesopotamia in western Asia.
Ancient Greek philosophers Plato
and Aristotle both recognised music's central role in the human experience.
Plato outlined the power of music as a pleasurable and healing stimulus,
stating: "Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe,
wings to the mind, flight to the imagination." More practically,
Aristotle suggested that: "Music has the power of forming the
character, and should therefore be introduced into the education of
the young."
Throughout history, many cultures
have embraced the healing powers of music. Ancient Egyptians incorporated
music into their religious ceremonies, considering it a therapeutic
force. Native American tribes, such as the Navajo, used music and
dance in their healing rituals, relying on drumming and chanting to
promote physical and spiritual wellbeing. In traditional Chinese medicine,
specific musical tones and rhythms were believed to balance the body's
energy (qi) and enhance health.
During the Middle Ages and the Renaissance,
the Christian church was pivotal in popularising "music for the
masses". Congregational hymn singing allowed worshippers to engage
in communal music during church services. This shared musical expression
was a powerful medium for religious devotion and teaching, bridging
the gap for a largely non-literate population to connect with their
faith through melody and lyrics. Communal singing is not only a cultural
and religious tradition, but it has also been recognised
as a therapeutic experience.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, early
investigations into the human nervous system paralleled the emergence
of music therapy as a field of study. Pioneers such as
American physician Benjamin
Rush, a signatory of the US Declaration of Independence
in 1776, recognised the therapeutic potential of music to improve
mental health.
Soon afterwards, figures such as
Samuel Mathews (one of Rush's students) began conducting experiments
exploring music's
effects on the nervous system, laying the foundation for
modern music therapy. This early work provided the springboard for
E.
Thayer Gaston, known as the "father of music therapy",
to promote it as a legitimate discipline in the US. These developments
inspired similar endeavours in the UK, where Mary
Priestley made significant contributions to the development
of music therapy as a respected field.
The insights gained from these early
explorations have continued to influence psychologists and neuroscientists
ever since - including the late, great neurologist and best-selling
author Oliver Sacks, who observed that:
Music can lift us out of depression
or move us to tears. It is a remedy, a tonic, orange juice for the
ear.
The 'Mozart effect'
Music was my profession, but
it was also a special and deeply personal pursuit. ... Most importantly,
it gave me a way to cope with life's challenges, learning to channel
my feelings and express them safely. Music taught me how to take
my thoughts, both the pleasant and the painful ones, and turn them
into something beautiful.
Studying and understanding all the
brain mechanisms involved in listening to music, and its effects,
requires more than just neuroscientists. Our diverse team includes
music experts such as Dimana Kardzhieva (quoted above), who started
playing the piano aged five and went on to study at the National School
of Music in Sofia, Bulgaria. Now a cognitive psychologist, her combined
understanding of music and cognitive processes helps us delve into
the complex mechanisms through which music affects (and soothes) our
minds. A neuroscientist alone might fall short in this endeavour.
The starting point of our research
was the so-called "Mozart effect" - the suggestion that
exposure to intricate musical compositions, especially classical pieces,
stimulates brain activity and ultimately enhances
cognitive abilities. While there have been subsequent mixed
findings as to whether
the Mozart effect is real, due to the different methods
employed by researchers over the years, this work has nonetheless
triggered significant advances in our understanding of music's effect
on the brain.
Listening to Mozart's Sonata for Two
Pianos in D was found in one study to enhance cognitive abilities.
In the original 1993 study by Frances
Rauscher and colleagues, participants experienced enhancement
in spatial reasoning ability after just ten minutes of listening to
Mozart's Sonata for Two Pianos in D.
In our
1997 study, which used Beethoven's second
symphony and rock guitarist Steve Vai's instrumental track
For
the Love of God, we found similar direct effects in our
listeners - as measured both by EEG
activity associated with attention levels and the release of the hormone
dopamine
(the brain's messenger for feelings of joy, satisfaction and the reinforcement
of specific actions). Our research found that classical music in particular
enhances attention to how we process the world around us, regardless
of one's musical expertise or preferences.
The beauty of EEG methodology lies
in its capacity to track brain processes with millisecond accuracy
- allowing us to distinguish unconscious neural responses from conscious
ones. When we repeatedly showed simple shapes to a person, we found
that classical music sped up their early (pre-300 millisecond) processing
of these stimuli. Other music did not have the same effect - and nor
did our subjects' prior knowledge of, or liking for, classical music.
For example, both professional rock and classical musicians who took
part in our study improved their automatic, unconscious cognitive
processes while listening to classical music.
But we also found indirect effects
related to arousal. When people immerse themselves in the music they
personally enjoy, they experience a dramatic shift in their alertness
and mood. This phenomenon shares
similarities with the increased cognitive performance often
linked to other enjoyable experiences.
Vivaldi's Four Seasons in full.
In a further study, we explored the
particular influence of "program
music" - the term for instrumental music that "carries
some extramusical meaning", and which is said to possess a remarkable
ability to engage memory, imagination and self-reflection. When our
participants listened to Antonio Vivaldi's Four Seasons, they reported
experiencing a vivid
representation of the changing seasons through the music
- including those who were unfamiliar with these concertos. Our study
concluded, for example, that:
Spring - particularly the well-recognised,
vibrant, emotive and uplifting first movement - had the ability
to enhance mental alertness and brain measures of attention and
memory.
What's going on inside our brain?
Music's emotional and therapeutic
qualities are highly related to the release of neurochemicals. A number
of these are associated with happiness, including oxytocin, serotonin
and endorphins. However, dopamine is central to the enhancing properties
of music.
It triggers the release of dopamine
in regions of the brain devoted to reward
and pleasure, generating sensations of joy and euphoria
akin to the impact of other pleasurable activities such as eating
or having sex. But unlike these activities, which have clear value
related to survival and reproduction, the evolutionary advantage of
music is less obvious.
Its strong social function is acknowledged
as the main factor behind music's development and preservation in
human communities. So, this protective quality may explain why it
taps into the same neural mechanisms as other pleasurable activities.
The brain's reward system consists
of interconnected regions, with the nucleus
accumbens serving as its powerhouse. It is situated deep
within the subcortical region, and its location hints at its significant
involvement in emotion processing, given its proximity to other key
regions related to this.
When we engage with music, whether
playing or listening, the nucleus accumbens responds to its pleasurable
aspects by triggering the release of dopamine. This process, known
as the dopamine reward pathway, is critical for experiencing and reinforcing
positive emotions such as the feelings of happiness, joy or excitement
that music can bring.
We are still learning about the full
impact of music on different parts of the brain, as Jonathan Smallwood,
professor of psychology at Queen's University, Ontario, explains:
Music can be complicated to
understand from a neuroscience perspective. A piece of music encompasses
many domains that are typically studied in isolation - such as auditory
function, emotion, language and meaning.
That said, we can see how music's
effect on the brain extends beyond mere pleasure. The amygdala,
a region of the brain renowned for its involvement in emotion, generates
and regulates emotional responses to music, from the heartwarming
nostalgia of a familiar melody to the exhilarating excitement of a
crescendoing symphony or the spine-tingling fear of an eerie, haunting
tune.
Research
has also demonstrated that, when stimulated by music, these regions
can encourage us to have autobiographical memories that elicit positive
self-reflection that makes us feel better - as we saw in the video
of former ballerina Martha Gonzalez Saldana.
Our own research points to the hippocampus,
crucial for memory formation, as the part of the brain that stores
music-related memories and associations. Simultaneously, the prefrontal
cortex, responsible for higher cognitive functions, closely
collaborates with the hippocampus to retrieve these musical memories
and assess their autobiographical significance. During music listening,
this interplay between the brain's memory and emotion centres creates
a powerful and unique experience, elevating music to a distinctive
and pleasurable stimulus.
Visual art, like paintings and sculptures,
lacks music's temporal and multisensory engagement, diminishing its
ability to form strong, lasting emotional-memory connections. Art
may evoke emotions and memories but often remains rooted in the moment.
Music - perhaps uniquely - forms enduring, emotionally charged memories
that can be summoned with the replaying of a particular song years
later.
Personal perspectives
Music therapy can change people's
lives in profound ways. We have had the privilege of hearing many
personal stories and reflections from our study participants, and
even our researchers. In some cases, such as the memories of a father's
attempted suicide elicited by Shania Twain's You're Still The One,
these are profound and deeply personal accounts. They show us the
power of music to help regulate emotions, even when the memories it
triggers are negative and painful.
In the face of severe physical and
emotional challenges, another participant in our study explained how
they had felt an unexpected boost to their wellbeing from listening
to a favourite track from their past - despite the apparently negative
content of the song's title and lyrics:
Exercise has been crucial for
me post-stroke. In the midst of my rehab workout, feeling low and
in pain, an old favourite, What Have I Done To Deserve This? by
the Pet Shop Boys, gave me an instant boost. It not only lifted
my spirits but sent my heart racing with excitement - I could feel
the tingles of motivation coursing through my veins.
The Pet Shop Boys gave added motivation
to a post-stroke rehab workout.
Music can serve as a cathartic outlet,
a source of empowerment, allowing individuals to process and cope
with their emotions while supplying solace and release. One participant
described how a little-known tune from 1983 serves as a deliberate
mood inducer - a tool to boost their wellbeing:
Whenever I'm down or in need
of a pick me up, I play Dolce
Vita by Ryan Paris. It is like a magic button for generating
positive emotions within myself - it always lifts me up in a matter
of moments.
As each person has their own tastes
and emotional connections with certain types of music, a personalised
approach is essential when designing music therapy interventions,
to ensure they resonate with individuals deeply. Even personal accounts
from our researchers, such as this from Sam Fenwick, have proved fruitful
in generating hypotheses for experimental work:
If I had to pick a single song
that really strikes a chord, it would be Alpenglow
by Nightwish. This song gives me shivers. I can't help
but sing along and every time I do, it brings tears to my eyes.
When life is good, it triggers feelings of inner strength and reminds
me of nature's beauty. When I feel low, it instils a sense of longing
and loneliness, like I am trying to conquer my problems all alone
when I could really use some support.
Stimulated by such observations,
our latest investigation compares the effects of sad and happy music
on people and their brains, in order to better understand the nature
of these different emotional experiences. We have found that sombre
melodies can have particular therapeutic effects, offering listeners
a special platform for emotional release and meaningful introspection.
Exploring the effects of happy and
sad music
Drawing inspiration from studies
on emotionally intense cinematic experiences, we recently published
a study highlighting the effects of complex musical compositions,
particularly Vivaldi's Four Seasons, on dopamine responses and emotional
states. This was designed to help us understand how happy and sad
music affects people in different ways.
One major challenge was how to measure
our participants' dopamine levels non-invasively. Traditional functional
brain imaging has been a common tool to track dopamine in response
to music - for example, positron emission tomography (PET) imaging.
However, this involves the injection of a radiotracer into the bloodstream,
which attaches to dopamine receptors in the brain. Such a process
also has limitations in terms of cost and availability.
In the field of psychology and dopamine
research, one alternative, non-invasive approach involves studying
how often people blink, and how the rate of blinking varies when different
music is played.
Blinking is controlled by the basal
ganglia, a brain region that regulates dopamine. Dopamine
dysregulation in conditions such as Parkinson's disease can affect
the regular blink rate. Studies have found that individuals with Parkinson's
often exhibit reduced
blink rates or increased variability in blink rates, compared
with healthy individuals. These findings suggest that blink rate can
serve as an indirect proxy indicator of dopamine release or impairment.
While blink rate may not provide
the same level of precision as direct neurochemical measurements,
it offers a practical and accessible proxy measure that can complement
traditional imaging techniques. This alternative approach has shown
promise in enhancing our understanding of dopamine's role in various
cognitive and behavioural processes.
Our study revealed that the sombre
Winter
movement elicited a particularly strong dopamine response,
challenging our preconceived notions and shedding light on the interplay
between music and emotions. Arguably you could have predicted a heightened
response to the familiar and uplifting Spring
concerto, but this was not the case.
Vivaldi's Winter movement was found
to elicit a particularly strong dopamine response.
Our approach extended beyond dopamine
measurement to gain a comprehensive understanding of the effects of
sad and happy music. We also used EEG
network analysis to study how different regions of the
brain communicate and synchronise their activity while listening to
different music. For instance, regions associated with the appreciation
of music, the triggering of positive emotions and the retrieval of
rich personal memories may "talk" to each other. It is like
watching a symphony of brain activity unfold, as individuals subjectively
experienced a diverse range of musical stimuli.
In parallel, self-reports
of subjective experiences gave us insights into the personal
impact of each piece of music, including the timeframe of thoughts
(past, present, or future), their focus (self or others), their form
(images or words), and their emotional content. Categorising these
thoughts and emotions, and analysing their correlation with brain
data, can provide valuable information for future therapeutic interventions.
Our preliminary
data reveals that happy music sparks present and future-oriented
thoughts, positive emotions, and an outward focus on others. These
thoughts were associated with heightened frontal brain activity and
reduced posterior brain activity. In contrast, sad tunes caused self-focused
reflection on past events, aligning with increased neural activity
in brain areas tied to introspection and memory retrieval.
So why does sad music have the power
to impact psychological wellbeing? The immersive experience of sombre
melodies provides a platform for emotional release and processing.
By evoking deep emotions, sad music allows listeners to find solace,
introspect, and effectively navigate their emotional states.
This understanding forms the basis
for developing future targeted music therapy interventions that cater
to people facing difficulties with emotional regulation, rumination
and even depression. In other words, even sad music can be a tool
for personal growth and reflection.
What music therapy can offer in
the future
While not a panacea, music listening
offers substantial therapeutic effects, potentially leading to increased
adoption of music therapy sessions alongside traditional talk therapy.
Integrating technology into music therapy, notably through emerging
app-based services, is poised to transform how people access personalised,
on-demand therapeutic music interventions, providing a convenient
and effective avenue for self-improvement and wellbeing.
And looking even further ahead, artificial
intelligence (AI) integration holds the potential to revolutionise
music therapy. AI can dynamically adapt therapy interventions based
on a person's evolving emotional responses. Imagine a therapy session
that uses AI to select and adjust music in real-time, precisely tailored
to the patient's emotional needs, creating a highly personalised and
effective therapeutic experience. These innovations are poised to
reshape
the field of music therapy, unlocking its full therapeutic
potential.
Neurofeedback technology could create individual
'music-brain maps' that aid self-therapy.Vu
Hoang/Wikimedia, CC
BY-SA
In addition, an emerging technology
called neurofeedback
has shown promise. Neurofeedback involves observing a person's EEG
in real-time and teaching them how to regulate and improve their neural
patterns. Combining this technology with music therapy could enable
people to "map" the musical characteristics that are most
beneficial for them, and thus understand how best to help themselves.
In each music therapy session, learning
occurs while participants get feedback regarding the status of their
brain activity. Optimal brain activity associated with wellbeing and
also specific musical qualities - such as a piece's rhythm, tempo
or melody - is learned over time. This innovative approach is being
developed in our
lab and elsewhere.
As with any form of therapy, recognising
the limitations and individual differences is paramount. However,
there are compelling reasons to believe music therapy can lead to
new breakthroughs. Recent
strides in research methodologies, driven partly by our
lab's contributions, have significantly deepened our understanding
of how music can facilitate healing.
We are beginning to identify two
core elements: emotional regulation, and the powerful link to personal
autobiographical memories. Our ongoing research is concentrated on
unravelling the intricate interactions between these essential elements
and the specific brain regions responsible for the observed effects.
Of course, the impact of music therapy
extends beyond these new developments in the neurosciences. The sheer
pleasure of listening to music, the emotional connection it fosters,
and the comfort it provides are qualities that go beyond what can
be solely measured by scientific methods. Music deeply influences
our basic emotions and experiences, transcending scientific measurement.
It speaks to the core of our human experience, offering impacts that
cannot easily be defined or documented.
Or, as one of our study participants
so perfectly put it:
Music is like that reliable
friend who never lets me down. When I'm low, it lifts me up with
its sweet melody. In chaos, it calms with a soothing rhythm. It's
not just in my head; it's a soul-stirring [magic]. Music has no
boundaries - one day it will effortlessly pick me up from the bottom,
and the next it can enhance every single moment of the activity
I'm engaged in.
This article is republished
from The
Conversation under a Creative Commons license.
Accelerate
the green transition to defend the EU auto industry
by Arvea Marieni
Arvea Marieni
The automotive industry represents 7% of
the EU's GDP and provides 13 million jobs, both direct and indirect.
The sector is undergoing an unprecedented transformation, driven by
technological, competitive, and geopolitical factors. Digitisation,
decarbonisation, the entry of new competitors, and the evolution of
the global context are eroding the competitive advantages of European
companies. The risk is that the continent’s automotive industry
may fall behind international players, particularly in terms of production
costs and mastery of key technologies such as batteries, connected vehicles,
and autonomous driving. For those sceptical of the growth of electric
vehicles, the data speaks for itself.
The EU and EFTA (European Free Trade Area)
market saw around 15 million registrations in 2000. By 2020, total sales
had fallen to 10.6 million, with European manufacturers also experiencing
a decline in the crucial Chinese market (-8.8% for Volkswagen). Connectivity,
sharing, changing consumer preferences, and services such as autonomous
driving are set to further reduce these figures in the coming years.
The restructuring of the industrial system is structural, not episodic.
The political question should be what to do to convert production assets
and jobs in a market that is set to shrink. Fewer units, and more connected,
will be on the streets, regardless of the power behind the wheel. Meanwhile,
global sales of electric vehicles increased by 18% in January. The market
is moving quickly, and Europe must decide whether it wants to lead the
change or follow it. In the face of a threatened trade war, environmental
regulations and emission tariffs serve as a crucial safeguard for our
industry.
Many of the damages are self-inflicted:
the result of industrial choices prioritising short-term financial returns
and complacent policies. The Dieselgate scandal is one glaring example.
It is also worth noting that research and
development in Europe have played a marginal role in the automotive
industry’s strategies and European programmes (including Next Generation
EU), which arrived late compared to the global evolution of the car
market. “Technological neutrality” is not a philosophical
concept but the outcome of a range of available options.
Addressing this challenge requires swift,
coordinated action to avoid serious repercussions for employment and
the European economy. Close collaboration between the public and private
sectors, as well as among all players in the automotive industry’s
value chain, will be crucial. Above all, focusing on the facts will
be key.
Competitiveness and transition: a delicate balance
Today’s challenge is threefold: to
protect the sector’s competitiveness while ensuring the achievement
of climate and social goals. The automotive industry must consider broad
factors. While industrial competitiveness is at the heart of the European
Commission’s new work programme, the simplification of regulations
will not come at the expense of environmental ambition. This was reaffirmed
by Economy Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis when presenting the measures
for 2025 on 12th February.
This concept was reiterated in a closed-door
meeting just days earlier, in which Dombrovskis participated alongside
Justice Commissioner MaGrath and Maria Luis Albuquerque, responsible
for financial services. While they provided very few or no details on
upcoming proposals to simplify sustainable finance regulations, they
nonetheless highlighted their commitment to the Green Deal.
Global competition and the role of China
The decline of the European automotive
industry is not caused by EU regulations on electric vehicles but by
strategic missteps and the loss of market share in China. In fact, many
of the vehicles imported from China that are taking market share from
European manufacturers are not just electric vehicles, but hybrids with
an internal combustion engine. This shows that the problem lies not
so much in the transition to electric vehicles, but in the ability of
European industry to effectively compete in an increasingly dynamic
and aggressive global market.
The lowering of environmental standards,
a declared goal of the US administration, can only be against Europe's
interests.
The real challenge for European industry,
therefore, is to face global competition not just in the area of electrification
but also in its ability to innovate and adapt to new market demands.
Early and consistent environmental efforts
• China’s success in the new
energy vehicle industry stems from the early adoption of environmental
measures and long-term planning, based on social engineering and commitment
to the green transition
• Since the late 1970s, China began
combating pollution, exacerbated by rapid industrialisation and urbanisation
• In the 1990s, air pollution in major
cities led the government to take drastic action, setting stringent
energy conservation and emissions reduction goals for 2005. These measures
encouraged businesses to adopt more eco-friendly production methods,
following the principle that legislation drives green innovation and
the creation of markets through public demand to support local supply
chains
Incentives for electric vehicle (EV) adoption
Policies like exemptions from the car licence
plate lottery in Beijing and Shanghai have encouraged the adoption of
electric vehicles.
Significant investments in charging infrastructure,
through financial subsidies and public-private partnerships, surpassed
20 billion RMB (2.8 billion dollars) between 2015 and 2020, well before
the widespread adoption of EVs.
By June 2023, China had more than 10.24
million charging stations, supporting a fleet of 24 million electric
vehicles.
Stricter fuel consumption standards
• Since 2004, Beijing has progressively
tightened fuel consumption standards for passenger vehicles, encouraging
the adoption of more efficient technologies
• A new regulation proposal suggests
consumption limits based on vehicle weight, further pushing manufacturers
toward greener solutions. For vehicles over 2.51 tonnes, the proposed
limit is 4.7 litres per 100 km
• These measures encourage automakers
to invest in technological innovation and the transition to sustainable
mobility
Environmental regulation and Euro 7
Since 1990, Europe has adopted increasingly
stringent measures to limit vehicle emissions, both pollutants and greenhouse
gases. Despite the “Dieselgate” scandal, the trajectory towards
tighter limits has shaped the evolution of internal combustion engines
and systems for the efficient management of vehicles. EURO 7 follows
the “traditional” path with the imposition of stricter emissions
limits.
However, the combined impact of TESLA and
new Chinese electric and hybrid car manufacturers has taken the European
industry by surprise, rendering EURO 7 clearly transitional and partially
outdated, and exposing the delays of European institutions and national
governments.
This is further compounded by the compromise
on EURO 7, which reduces the obligations for installing more efficient
filters on all engines, particularly those currently exempt, weakening
the ability to meet the limits originally set out in the EURO 7 impact
assessment, and leaving unresolved issues regarding the reduction of
particulate pollution.
The weakening of the regulation compared
to the initial proposal was justified as a measure to ease the transition
to electric vehicles, but in reality, it has not benefited the European
automotive industry, as the current crisis clearly demonstrates.
The revision of the EURO 7 regulation and
the 2035 vehicle electrification deadline must take into account practical
technological alternatives, in order to meet environmental goals while
safeguarding the competitiveness of European businesses. It is clear
that a separate European market, disconnected from the global car market,
as seen with Dieselgate, would have detrimental effects on both competitiveness
and employment.
The role of the supply chain and the battery challenge
In this context, it is important to distinguish
between car manufacturers, which have often been slow to adapt to the
transition, and their suppliers, who have proven more responsive and
competitive, providing components even to foreign automakers. Much of
the electric vehicle component supply chain is already present in Europe
and deserves to be further strengthened.
The missing link, however, is battery production.
To bridge this gap, two parallel strategies should be followed:
1. Investment in near-commercialisation
technologies, focusing on advanced projects and avoiding the waste of
public funds on less promising initiatives
2. Research and development in next-generation
technologies, where the best opportunities for recovering competitive
delay exist
Joint ventures with global industry leaders
could help localise production and create new jobs in Europe.
Public support and measurable goals
Any public support for the automotive industry
should not be a blank cheque but linked to clear commitments and measurable
goals to ensure that the sector is seriously committed to the transition.
This is the only way to protect both industry and workers.
illuminem Voices is a democratic space
presenting the thoughts and opinions of leading Sustainability &
Energy writers, their opinions do not necessarily represent those of
illuminem.
About the author
Arvea Marieni is a Belgian and Italian
Climate Pact Ambassador of the European Commission. She is a Partner
and Board Member of the management consultancy Brainscapital and a Shareholder
and Director of the French systems engineering company BEAM CUBE, where
she co-leads the development of Ecological Transition Solutions. As
a strategy consultant, climate policy expert and innovation manager,
she specialises in EU-China environmental cooperation and serves as
an EU Commission expert. She is also a special commentator for CGTN.
"Know Your Rhythm" is a training programme and network
that helps participants discover their own sense of Rhythm in life
and work, creating 'conditions' to experience Aha! Moment, raising
well-being, wellness, empathy, teamwork, leadership.
Know Your Rhythm is founded by Arnab
Bishnu Chowdhury who is based out of Sri Aurobindo Ashram and Auroville,
India. Arnab is inspired by Integral Yoga, founded by Sri Aurobindo
and Mirra Alfassa (The Mother).
Arnab is an Indian composer - trainer
- therapist - researcher, 3rd generation from a family of Indian Classical
musicians from Senia Maihar Gharana founded by Baba Allaudin Khan,
master-teacher to sitar maestro Ravi Shankar.
Arnab's eclectic music inspires itself
from the healing properties of ancient Indian classical music, harmony
from Western classical, sound design from electronic music and AI.
His therapeutic music has been tested by doctors in clinical settings,
healed patients and seekers, choreographed in the form of innovative
ballet.
Moderator
Credits
Arnab Bishnu Chowdhury
Composer / Educator / Therapist / Explorer of Consciousness
Puducherry, India www.ninad.in
Moderator Felix B Bopp
Producer, The Future Now Show
Founder & Publisher, Club of Amsterdam clubofamsterdam.com
Electric
vehicles in Africa: what`s needed to grow the sector
by MJ
(Thinus) Booysen, Stellenbosch University and Joubert Van
Eeden, Stellenbosch University
MJ (Thinus) Booysen
Joubert Van Eeden
In sub-Saharan Africa, high
levels of particulate
matter (PM2.5) pollution from vehicle tailpipe emissions
cause poor health, developmental stunting, and even death. Vehicle
emissions also contribute to global warming.
We are specialist transport engineers whose research
has focused on electric
vehicles and road
freight transport in sub-Saharan Africa. In our work we
look at how electric vehicles could contribute to reducing emissions
in the region, and what is standing in the way of electrifying transport.
One of the reasons for low uptake is the high
cost of electric vehicles. They also have limited range and their
batteries are slow to charge: a problem for long distance or frequent
driving.
The inability of countries to generate and distribute
enough clean electricity is also a barrier to electrifying vehicles.
Just
over half of all electricity in the region comes from burning fossil
fuels. Powering electric vehicles with electricity generated
by burning fossil fuels wouldn`t necessarily reduce carbon emissions.
However, the rollout of electric motorcycles and
small public transport vehicles has already begun. If all vehicles
could be made locally, using clean energy, there would be tremendous
economic benefits for the region.
Informal "paratransit" or "popular
transportation" is made up of minibuses (matatu, ndiaga ndiaye,
danfo, trotro), three-wheelers (tuk-tuk) and motorbikes (boda boda,
moto).
Freight transport is a leading indicator for economic
growth, and for economies to grow, freight transport must grow. This
means that national and local governments must plan and invest in
high
powered, fast charging stations along transport routes.
These must be able to charge different sizes and kinds of trucks.
The freight industry cannot absorb these costs alone.
However, our results show that fleets
will have to contain a mix of electric and combustion-based engines
if countries want to continue to transport the same amount of goods
and people they are currently transporting. This is because electric
vehicles charge slowly. While a diesel minibus taxi takes only one
minute to fill up with enough diesel to travel 750 kilometres, the
fastest currently available electric minibus recharges at a mere 2km
per minute with DC and 0.3km per minute with AC. The electric taxi`s
range is also only 21% of the diesel equivalent.
Filling stations in the region generally store
the equivalent of up to 225,000km worth of fuel for a diesel minibus.
The same size of stationary electric battery storage will store a
mere 16,000km for an electric equivalent minibus. Range-extending
and potentially swappable battery storage can be used (where
a trailer acts as a mobile battery bank to the vehicle, and is charged
from a solar charging station to reduce emissions). But this will
increase the cost so much that it may not be financially viable for
the freight industry at all.
Workers in hundreds
of thousands of jobs making combustion engines could be
reskilled to make electric vehicles. Africa already has the skills
to design and produce the powertrain components, such as batteries
and electric
motors. Setting up local industries would also spare sub-Saharan
Africa from being flooded
by cheap electric vehicle imports that don`t contribute
to local employment.
Africa has already produced tens of thousands
of electric two- and three-wheelers used for public transport and
last-mile delivery. These include Ampersand
in Rwanda, Roam
Electric in Kenya, and Spiro
in Benin. Batteries are usually provided through swapping
and payment by mobile phone. In South Africa, Mellowvans
produce a last-mile three-wheeler.
The shift to electric vehicles is inevitable.
These steps are needed first:
Review transport policy related to freight
vehicles, such as axle weight and vehicle length, to ensure that
imported electric vehicles can operate on African road networks.
"Accurate identification of true versus
false climate information in the digital age is critical. Misinformation
can significantly affect public understanding and policymaking. Automated
fact-checking seeks to validate claims against trustworthy factual data.
This study tackles the challenge of fact-checking climate claims by
leveraging the currently most capable Large Language Models (LLMs).
To this end, we introduce Climinator, an acronym for CLImate Mediator
for INformed Analysis and Transparent Objective Reasoning. It significantly
boosts the performance of automated fact-checking by integrating authoritative,
up-to-date sources within a novel debating framework. This framework
provides a trustworthy and context-aware analysis incorporating multiple
scientific viewpoints. Climinator helps identify misinformation in real
time and facilitates informed dialog on climate change, highlighting
AI’s role in environmental discussions and policy with reliable
data."
Hinton suggests that AI will exceed human
intelligence within the next 5 to 20 years. While this timeline is
difficult to verify scientifically, recent advancements in AI capabilities
lend some credence to this prediction. For instance, large language
models have demonstrated remarkable performance in various tasks,
including language understanding and generation.
Existential Threat and Control
The concern about AI posing an existential
threat is a topic of ongoing debate in the scientific community. Hinton's
assertion that there's a "significant chance" of AI taking
control is not universally accepted among experts. However, research
into AI safety and alignment is actively being pursued to address
potential risks.
AI's Superior Learning Capabilities
Hinton highlights AI's ability to efficiently
share knowledge between multiple instances of the same neural network.
This concept aligns with current practices in distributed machine
learning and transfer learning, where knowledge is indeed shared across
multiple models or tasks.
Job Displacement
The potential for AI to replace many
jobs is a well-documented concern. Studies have shown that automation
and AI could significantly impact the job market. For example, a 2013
study by Frey and Osborne suggested that 47% of US jobs were at high
risk of automation.
Wealth Inequality
Hinton's concern about AI-driven productivity
gains leading to increased wealth inequality is supported by some
economic analyses. However, the exact impact of AI on wealth distribution
remains a subject of ongoing research and debate among economists.
Autonomous Weapons
The development of autonomous weapons
systems is a real concern, with many countries actively researching
and developing such technologies. International efforts to regulate
these systems, such as the Campaign to Stop Killer Robots, are ongoing.
AI Safety Research
Hinton's call for increased resources
in AI safety research aligns with growing efforts in this field. Organizations
like the Future of Humanity Institute and the Center for Human-Compatible
AI are actively working on these issues[1].
While Hinton's predictions are thought-provoking,
it's crucial to approach them critically and continue rigorous scientific
research to better understand and prepare for the potential impacts
of advanced AI systems.
Can you provide examples of AI being used in military applications
Who is the topdog by Igor van Gemert
While Geoffrey Hinton's concerns about
AI in military applications are valid, it's important to note that
the use of AI in military contexts is already a reality, though not
yet at the level of fully autonomous weapons. Here are some examples
of current AI applications in military settings:
Target Recognition and Identification
AI systems are being used to analyze
imagery and data from various sensors to identify potential targets.
This technology can help improve the accuracy of target acquisition
and reduce the risk of civilian casualties.
Drone Operations
AI is increasingly being incorporated
into drone technology for both surveillance and combat missions. These
systems can assist with navigation, data analysis, and in some cases,
autonomous flight patterns.
Predictive Maintenance
Military organizations are using AI to
predict when vehicles, aircraft, and other equipment will need maintenance.
This helps improve operational readiness and reduce costs associated
with unexpected breakdowns.
Cybersecurity
AI systems are being employed to detect
and respond to cyber threats more quickly and effectively than human
operators alone. This is crucial for protecting sensitive military
networks and information.
Logistics and Supply Chain Management
AI algorithms are optimizing military
supply chains, improving the efficiency of resource allocation and
distribution in complex operational environments.
Decision Support Systems
AI-powered systems are being developed
to assist military commanders in making strategic and tactical decisions
by analyzing vast amounts of data and presenting potential courses
of action.While these applications demonstrate the current use of
AI in military contexts, it's important to note that fully autonomous
weapons systems capable of making lethal decisions without human intervention
– often referred to as "killer robots" – remain
a subject of intense ethical debate and are not yet in widespread
operational use. The development of such systems is what Hinton and
many others in the AI community are particularly concerned about,
as they could potentially change the nature of warfare and raise significant
ethical and legal questions.
What role does AI play in modern conflict scenarios ?
Your AI Wingman...
AI is increasingly playing a significant
role in modern conflict scenarios, with applications ranging from
strategic planning to direct combat operations. Here are some key
ways AI is being utilized:
Target Acquisition and Analysis
AI systems are being employed to analyze
vast amounts of data from various sensors and imagery to identify
potential targets. This technology enhances the accuracy of target
acquisition and can potentially reduce civilian casualties.
Drone Operations
AI is becoming an integral part of drone
technology for both surveillance and combat missions. These systems
assist with navigation, data analysis, and in some cases, autonomous
flight patterns.
Decision Support Systems
Military commanders are using AI-powered
systems to assist in making strategic and tactical decisions. These
systems can analyze large amounts of data quickly and present potential
courses of action.
Cybersecurity and Information Warfare
AI is being used to detect and respond
to cyber threats more rapidly and effectively than human operators
alone. This is crucial for protecting sensitive military networks
and information.
Autonomous Weapons Development
While not yet widely deployed, there
is ongoing research and development into autonomous weapons systems.
These could potentially make lethal decisions without direct human
intervention, raising significant ethical and legal concerns
Predictive Maintenance and Logistics
AI algorithms are being used to optimize
military supply chains and predict when equipment will need maintenance,
improving operational readiness and efficiency
While AI offers significant advantages
in military applications, it also raises important ethical questions
and concerns about the future of warfare. The potential for AI to
exceed human intelligence in military decision-making processes is
a topic of ongoing debate and research in the defense community.
What are the risks for humanity that we are no longer the top dog
?
Based on Geoffrey Hinton's insights,
the risks for humanity if AI surpasses human intelligence are significant
and multifaceted:
Existential Threat
Hinton expresses serious concern about
AI potentially "trying to take over." He estimates a 50%
probability that we'll have to confront this issue within 5 to 20
years
This suggests a real risk of AI systems
becoming autonomous and potentially acting against human interests.
Loss of Control
As AI systems become more intelligent,
there's a growing concern about our ability to control them. Hinton
notes that we've "never dealt with something like this before,"
indicating the unprecedented nature of this challenge.
Military Applications
The development of autonomous weapons
systems is a major concern. Hinton warns about AI systems that can
"autonomously make the decision to kill people," such as
robot soldiers and autonomous drones.
This could fundamentally change the
nature of warfare and pose significant risks to humanity.
Economic Disruption
AI is expected to take over many jobs,
potentially leading to widespread unemployment. Hinton worries that
this could exacerbate wealth inequality, as the benefits of AI-driven
productivity gains may not be evenly distributed.
Societal Instability
The economic disruption caused by AI
could lead to increased social tensions. Hinton suggests this might
increase "the chances of right-wing populists getting elected,"
potentially destabilizing societies.
Rapid Development
The competitive race between nations
and companies to develop advanced AI systems may lead to rushed development
without adequate safety precautions. Hinton notes that "the competition
is going to cause these things to be developed rapidly.
Unpredictability
Given that AI systems work in ways we
don't fully understand, there's a risk of unpredictable outcomes as
they become more advanced. Hinton compares their functioning to theories
of how the brain understands language, highlighting our limited understanding
of these complex systems
While these risks are significant, Hinton
also emphasizes the need for increased research into AI safety and
international agreements to regulate AI development and use, particularly
in military applications.
Over the next three years, the landscape
of artificial intelligence is poised to evolve rapidly, bringing to
the forefront many of the concerns highlighted by Geoffrey Hinton.
Here's a simulated projection of how these developments might unfold:
Year 1: Accelerated AI Integration
Technological
Advancements: AI continues to make significant strides, particularly
in deep learning and neural networks. Large language models become
even more sophisticated, enabling more natural and context-aware
interactions.
Military
Applications: Nations invest heavily in AI for defense, incorporating
AI-driven target recognition and autonomous drone operations. Ethical
debates intensify over the development of autonomous weapons systems.
Economic
Shifts: Businesses across various sectors adopt AI solutions
to enhance efficiency and reduce costs. This leads to noticeable
job displacement in roles susceptible to automation, such as manufacturing
and data entry.
Regulatory
Discussions Begin: Governments and international bodies start
preliminary discussions on AI regulation, focusing on safety, ethical
considerations, and the potential need for oversight in military
applications.
Year 2: Emerging Challenges and Societal
Impact
Job
Displacement Becomes Tangible: The workforce feels the impact
of AI automation more acutely. Unemployment rates rise in certain
industries, leading to economic strain for affected workers.
Wealth
Inequality Widens: Companies leveraging AI technologies see
substantial productivity gains and profits. However, the economic
benefits are unevenly distributed, exacerbating wealth inequality.
Social
and Political Tensions: Economic disparities contribute to social
unrest. Populist movements gain momentum, capitalizing on public
dissatisfaction and calling for changes in AI policy and economic
reform.
Ethical
Incidents Surface: Instances of AI systems making unintended
or harmful decisions draw public attention. These events spark debates
about AI reliability, transparency, and the need for robust safety
measures.
Year 3: Regulatory Actions and Global
Cooperation
International
Agreements on AI in Warfare: In response to growing concerns,
nations come together to draft treaties regulating the development
and deployment of autonomous weapons systems. Efforts are made to
establish guidelines that prevent an AI arms race.
Increased
Investment in AI Safety Research: Governments and private entities
allocate more resources to AI safety and alignment research. Collaborative
initiatives aim to ensure AI systems act in accordance with human
values and ethics.
Regulatory
Frameworks Implemented: Legislation is enacted to govern AI
development, focusing on transparency, accountability, and ethical
use. Regulations address data privacy, algorithmic bias, and the
requirement for human oversight in critical applications.
Educational
and Workforce Adaptation: Educational institutions and governments
launch programs to retrain workers displaced by AI. Emphasis is
placed on skills that are complementary to AI technologies.
Public
Engagement and Awareness: Increased dialogue between AI developers,
policymakers, and the public leads to greater awareness of AI's
capabilities and limitations. This fosters a more informed society
that can actively participate in shaping AI's role.
Collective Reflection
Over these three years, humanity grapples
with the dual-edged nature of AI advancements. While the technology
offers unprecedented opportunities for growth and innovation, it also
presents challenges that test societal structures and ethical frameworks.
The concerns raised by experts like Geoffrey Hinton serve as catalysts
for proactive measures:
Balancing Innovation and Safety: Stakeholders
strive to find equilibrium between fostering AI innovation and implementing
safeguards that prevent unintended consequences.
Promoting Equitable Benefits: Efforts are made to ensure that the
economic advantages of AI are shared broadly. This includes policies
aimed at reducing inequality and supporting those affected by automation.
Enhancing Global Collaboration: Recognizing that AI's impact transcends
borders, countries work together to address common challenges, particularly
in regulating AI's role in security and defense.
Fostering Ethical AI Development: The AI community places greater
emphasis on ethics in AI design, prioritizing transparency, fairness,
and respect for human rights.
Created by CyberResilience.pro
Conclusion
The simulated progression over the next
three years illustrates a critical period where the trajectory of
AI development is shaped by collective actions. By addressing the
risks and challenges proactively, there is an opportunity to harness
AI's potential for the betterment of society while mitigating adverse
outcomes. The dialogue initiated by thought leaders like Geoffrey
Hinton plays a pivotal role in guiding these efforts, emphasizing
the importance of vigilance, ethical considerations, and international
cooperation in the age of intelligent machines;) Follow the white
rabbit...
About Igor van Gemert
Igor van Gemert is a renowned figure
whose expertise in generative artificial intelligence (AI) is matched
by his extensive 15year background in cybersecurity, serving as a
Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and trusted adviser to boardrooms.
His unique combination of skills has positioned him as a pivotal player
in the intersection of AI, cybersecurity, and digital transformation
projects across critical sectors including defense, healthcare, and
government.
Van Gemert's deep knowledge of AI and
its applications is informed by his practical experience in safeguarding
digital infrastructure against evolving cyber threats. This dual focus
has enabled him to contribute significantly to the development of
secure, AIdriven technologies and strategies that address the complex
challenges faced by these highstakes fields. As an adviser, he brings
a strategic vision that encompasses not only the technical aspects
of digital transformation but also the crucial cybersecurity considerations
that ensure these innovations are reliable and protected against cyber
threats.
His work in defense, healthcare, and
government projects demonstrates a commitment to leveraging AI and
cybersecurity to enhance national security, patient care, and public
sector efficiency. Van Gemert's contributions extend beyond individual
projects to influence broader discussions on policy, ethics, and the
future direction of technology in society. By bridging the gap between
cuttingedge AI research and cybersecurity best practices, Igor van
Gemert plays an instrumental role in shaping the digital landscapes
of critical sectors, ensuring they are both innovative and secure.
Toyota
in Panic! Traoré Floods Africa with Burkina Faso’s EVs! by
Black Culture Diary
Captain Ibrahim Traoré is making history by introducing Burkina
Faso’s own electric vehicles, shaking up the auto industry and
challenging Western dominance. With Africa embracing homegrown innovation,
is this the beginning of a new era?
Solutions for the Planet: Architecture & Sustainability Globally
Architecture plays
a crucial role in addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and
resource depletion. Across the world, architects are pioneering sustainable
design strategies that integrate environmental, social, and economic
solutions.
Anand
Munshi is Global Futurist & India’s leading Leadership Keynote
Speaker and Executive Coach to CXOs. He conducts experiential Corporate
Training & Outbound Corporate Team Bonding Training for Fortune
500 companies to build High Performing Teams through cohesive culture.
Bestselling Author on Peak Performance, and a TED Speaker, and a Columnist;
Anand is known to conduct Engaging, Empowering & Thought Provoking
Sessions.
In the last Twenty-Two
years, he has conducted hundreds of sessions in India, Australia, Malaysia,
Singapore, Dubai, and Hong Kong for the industry sector including IT,
Banking & Finance, Manufacturing, Education, Pharmaceutical, Government,
and Technology.
When it comes to engaging
the entry level or empowering the CXOs through leadership coaching,
Anand Munshi with his wide exposure and proven methodology he is sure
to build Future Friendly organization with Diversity & Inclusion.
A Leadership Author &
Futurist known to bring turn-around in individuals and organizations
through personal effectiveness to excel during changes.
How to Stop Overthinking by Anand Munshi Motivational Speaker in
Mumbai Delhi India
It is said overthinking is the art of creating problems that don't
exist. This small video clip by Anand Munshi provides powerful tip to
take timely decisions and lead a happy and meaningful life. The problem
of overthinking is nothing new to human society, here Anand has taken
mix of scientific and psychological solutions to approach this deep
rooted problem troubling people from every walk of life.
= ChatGPT
Leigh Riby
MJ (Thinus) Booysen
Joubert Van Eeden
