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Artificial intelligence (AI) is the Swiss army knife of modern technology, with a slew of groundbreaking characteristics that are transforming our lives. Consider it a brain that learns and develops via a technique known as machine learning. This implies that AI may become wiser over time as it processes data, allowing it to excel in tasks such as identifying faces in photographs and comprehending what you’re saying. Then there’s its ability to tackle tough problems: AI can analyze complicated circumstances, see patterns, and devise solutions in the same way that your brain can solve a puzzle. This magic may be seen in self-driving cars weaving in and out of traffic, or in medical instruments identifying illnesses based on patient data. But wait—there’s more!

AI’s strength is its capacity to solve mundane tasks, enabling us to perform more important things. Picture this: 4,444 robots in factories performing the same duty repeatedly without breaking a sweat, or nice chatbots answering client queries without stopping. It’s like having an assistant that works nonstop. The extent of AI is comparable to a cosmos waiting to be discovered. In healthcare, it’s like having a competent medical assistant who can help identify ailments, discover new treatments, and customize the best therapy for each individual. Finance is also being aided by AI, which crunches statistics to locate the greatest investments and uncover shady deals.

AI’s strength is its ability to solve routine jobs, freeing us to do more important things. Consider this: 4,444 robots in factories completing the same task endlessly without breaking a sweat, or lovely chatbots answering client concerns nonstop. It’s like having a 24/7 helper. The scope of AI is analogous to a universe waiting to be explored. In healthcare, it’s similar to having a qualified medical assistant who can help detect illnesses, uncover new medicines, and tailor the best therapy for each individual. Finance is also being boosted by AI, which crunches data to find the best investments and reveal dubious agreements.

The great promise of AI creates substantial hurdles in a variety of industries. The main issue is job loss. As AI takes over tasks, there is concern about widespread unemployment as repetitive activities disappear. Another big issue is prejudice in AI algorithms. The data utilized to educate AI may be skewed, resulting in discriminatory employment or loan approval processes, aggravating social inequalities. The mystery of AI decision-making is also a hurdle. Many AI systems behave like ‘black boxes’, making it impossible to comprehend how they make judgments. This makes it harder to remedy any underlying biases or inaccuracies. Security issues are also a major concern. Hackers target AI systems, posing a risk of data breaches or even influencing essential processes, endangering both privacy and security. Ethical problems are also raised, particularly when autonomous weaponry and AI make critical judgments. It is critical to identify who is in charge and who is accountable. To overcome these difficulties, we need to properly create and control artificial intelligence. Balancing innovation and ethical issues is critical for AI to function for our benefit while causing no damage.

Nepal’s road towards artificial intelligence has only just begun. As the rest of the world adopts self-driving vehicles and modern medical equipment, Nepal is making the initial moves. Universities are taking the lead in addressing Nepal’s linguistic variety by doing research in areas such as natural language processing. This might indicate that AI helpers can speak and comprehend local languages, so overcoming the communication gap. Meanwhile, firms are launching AI-powered customer service chatbots and agricultural data analysis. These programs aim to increase efficiency and decision-making in a range of fields. However, Nepal has hurdles such as limited resources, infrastructure, and a rapidly changing technical scene, which might stymie growth. Despite these challenges, Nepal’s initial step into AI promises a future of creativity and growth. It appears that we are witnessing the beginning sparks that will ignite incredible possibilities for the country.

In short, Nepal’s AI adventure has only just begun, yet the seeds of development are already firmly established. Universities are driving research in fields such as natural language processing (NLP), while entrepreneurs are studying artificial intelligence for customer service and agriculture. These initiatives claim to boost efficiency and encourage innovation in a variety of industries. However, there are several hurdles, including limited resources and a technology ecosystem that is still establishing its feet. Responsible development and ethical issues are key to Nepal's AI path. This emerging industry has the potential to transform Nepal's future, but success requires addressing these challenges and ensuring that AI serves the general good. It's like raising a seedling tree: given the correct care and attention, it has the potential to develop and develop into something absolutely spectacular.

Alan Adhikari

Xavier International College, Kalopul

Nepal’s political scenario lies in a complex game of power transition that seems more evident of a sensational drama than of governance in the coalition. Parties have appeared to be the players, repeatedly messing up relationships as a move in a high-stakes game and shuffling alliances in a merry-go-round. Each time parties shift their alliances, they end up in a situation where no one trusts the other completely, much like a Prisoner’s Dilemma. 

The Prisoner’s Dilemma, a concept rooted in game theory, mirrors this situation—it’s like a puzzle where individuals must choose between cooperation and self-interest. Cooperation yields modest gains for both, but betrayal can lead to significant benefits for one at the expense of the other. It highlights the tension between individual rationality and collective well-being, as both players can benefit most if they cooperate, but they risk being exploited if the other player defects.

As we delve deeper into Nepal’s political landscape, the parallels between the Prisoner’s Dilemma and the recurring struggle among major parties become increasingly apparent. At the crux of this political puzzle are three major parties—each struggling for governance. Yet, with every round of government formation, it is hard to overcome trust between each other and two dominant parties opt for short-term alliances that eventually collapse due to deep mistrust. This can be said as a puzzle of cooperation versus self-interest. 

This leaves one party consistently excluded from government, always seeking to dissolve the arrangement, similar to a player in a game who keeps trying to undermine the rules to gain an advantage. Meanwhile, the other two parties face a tough task: they try hard to keep their government running smoothly, even though the mistrust between them is growingly persistent. It's like they're caught in a big tangle of suspicion, reminiscent of multiple instances of the Prisoner's Dilemma or even nested iterations of the dilemma within the broader political landscape. Imagine it as if there are many small puzzles, all connected to the big puzzle of politics. Each decision they make affects the others, and it’s a constant struggle to find the best way forward i.e., political stability.

The constant pursuit of short-term gains by political parties worsens this cycle of instability. Each party is so focused on the present that they overlook the lasting damage to the nation's economic foundation. It's like being caught in a never-ending loop which reflects the idea of the Prisoner's Dilemma played out in an infinite game setting. In this scenario, where there's no clear end, the individuals keep repeating the same self-interested moves, perpetuating a cycle of mistrust and conflict. This kind of game is also referred to as tit-for-tat strategies, meaning if you cooperate, you will be met with cooperation, but if you defect, you will also face defection. Nepal’s political playbook has just been an echo back of each other's defections for an infinite period that has led to Nash equilibrium no player can do better by unilaterally changing their strategy. Until one of the three parties breaks this cycle, the entwined web of political instability is likely to persist. 

The consequences of games have badly resulted in an economic drop. The situation is challenging for businesses, investors and the nation overall. The lack of economic opportunities at home is strongly forcing youths to explore abroad and the number of people leaving the country is exponentially increasing. There have been no observable signs of improvement in inflation and trade deficits over a decade timeframe. And it is everyday people who are suffering the most—the farmers, entrepreneurs, and corporate workers trying to support their families. They’re caught in the middle of political games, unable to pursue their dreams as the country’s economy flounders.

So, what's the way forward? It begins with a fundamental shift in mindset—a recognition of cooperation and trust. The parties embracing a common minimum agenda with a shared vision for Nepal’s future is the need of the time. Political parties must rise above the fray of short-term gains and embrace a vision that prioritizes the long-term prosperity of the nation. Moreover, reviewing the election system could mitigate the chances of mistrust among the parties and could pull out of the defective equilibrium. This is the key for Nepal to break free from the cycle of its recurring Prisoner's Dilemma and pave the way for a brighter future—where stability, prosperity, and trust will be the priorities.

The author is a chemical engineer and student of energy systems in Germany, also passionate about renewable energy adaptation and politics in Nepal

Recent research has brought attention to a concerning trend in waste studies in Nepal: a strong emphasis on urban areas while rural regions are often overlooked. The researchers note that traditionally, rural communities managed waste according to local customs and economic factors. However, with changing lifestyles and an uptick in tourism, waste management in rural areas has become increasingly complex. The research also warns that ineffective waste management practices in rural settings could worsen environmental problems.

Every year, Nepal now welcomes over a million tourists, establishing itself as a thriving destination for travelers worldwide. Tourism benefits Nepal by driving economic growth, creating jobs, promoting cultural exchange, and supporting the preservation of its rich heritage. Conversely, tourism in Nepal also presents challenges such as increased solid waste generation, as evidenced by studies conducted in countries like China, India, and Ukraine.

Now it’s not just the Nepalese cities facing solid waste management challenges anymore; rural areas are grappling with them too, especially in regions that are densely populated and popular tourist destinations. Recent studies by Adhikari and colleagues have shown a worrying increase in waste generation per person, especially in places where connectivity is improving, living standards are rising, and people’s consumption habits are changing. The lack of proper waste management facilities only adds to the problem, along with issues like local governments not fully committing to tackling the issue and inefficient decision-making processes. So, there’s a clear need for a detailed investigation into solid waste management problems in rural areas to find effective solutions.

Ghandruk, lying within the Annapurna Rural Municipality, stands as a beacon for tourists due to its breathtaking Himalayan vistas, diverse cultural heritage, and renowned hiking trails, notably along the path to Annapurna Base Camp. Department of Immigration data reveals that out of 83,568 foreign trekkers in Nepal in 2015, a staggering 78,926 chose to explore the Annapurna Conservation Area, highlighting the economic importance of tourism to Ghandruk.

While tourism has undoubtedly brought economic benefits to Ghandruk, contributing significantly to its social, economic, and environmental landscape, there are notable drawbacks, particularly concerning solid waste management. Mass tourism has aggravated the fragility of the mountain environment, leading to instances of environmental degradation, including the accumulation of solid waste. This issue is particularly pressing in rural tourist areas like Ghandruk, where inadequate waste management infrastructure and practices pose significant challenges to environmental sustainability and eco-tourism.

The recent research, titled “Solid Waste Management in Rural Touristic Areas in the Himalayas—A Case Study of Ghandruk, Nepal,” published in Habitat International in Jan 2024, aimed to highlight the gap in waste management studies. It conducted the first-ever waste characterization and analysis of existing solid waste management (SWM) practices in the rural tourist village of Ghandruk, situated in western Nepal. The research studied 64 households and 15 commercial sectors (hotels and restaurants). Waste from each household and commercial sector was examined over two days to quantify waste generation, with methodologies adapted from previous studies. Semi-structured questionnaire surveys, key informant interviews (KIIs), and focus group discussions (FGDs) were utilized to gather qualitative data on household characteristics, waste management practices, awareness of waste management issues, and satisfaction levels. Geographic information system (GIS) software was used for mapping, while descriptive statistics and statistical software were employed for data analysis.

What did the researchers find?

Households in Ghandruk produce 21.3 grams of solid waste per capita per day, while commercial sectors generate 240 g per capita per day. The composition of solid waste in both households and commercial sectors was analyzed, with organic waste found to be the most dominant component. Waste management practices in Ghandruk were examined, revealing a combination of household segregation, collection, and disposal methods. Efforts by local authorities, including the establishment of collection centers and restrictions on plastic bottle sales, aimed to mitigate waste generation and promote recycling.

Local residents expressed varied perceptions of existing waste management practices, with younger respondents showing greater concern for environmental impacts and older participants focusing on health hazards. Collaboration between the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) and local communities aimed to educate residents and improve waste management practices.

The findings of the study highlighted the need for a more holistic approach to waste management. While organic waste remained dominant, there was a notable increase in recyclables like glass and plastics, indicating a shift in waste characteristics not unique to Ghandruk but possibly reflective of trends in rural tourist areas worldwide.

The daily per capita waste generation of 261.3 grams revealed by the study challenges the notion that rural areas produce negligible amounts of solid waste. This highlights the critical need to address waste management concerns in these regions, especially with the burgeoning growth of tourism.

Despite commendable waste segregation efforts, the study identified challenges such as unreliable waste collection and transfer mechanisms, posing potential hurdles in the future. Moreover, concerns regarding the handling of non-recyclable waste and frequent open burning call for systematic solutions to mitigate environmental consequences.

The implications of this research extend beyond Nepal, offering valuable insights for policymakers, operators, and regulators grappling with SWM issues in rural tourist areas globally. Recommendations include the implementation of multimodal SWM plans in collaboration with local stakeholders, including households, and incentivizing community involvement through collection fees and deposit-refund systems.

In light of Nepal’s new federal government structure, the study advocates for proactive measures at the provincial and local levels to address emerging SWM challenges effectively. By prioritizing sustainable waste management practices, rural and mountainous regions can preserve their natural beauty while accommodating the needs of growing tourism industries

The Information Technology (IT) and Cybersecurity Bill, published on 10 March 2024 for public feedback, is currently under review by MOCIT (Ministry of Communication and Information Technology). Aimed at addressing digital signatures, cloud computing, cybercrime and major digitalization of public services, including the creation of websites for all government agencies, establishment of a national cybersecurity center, and forensic center, it represents Nepal’s stride toward implementing robust IT and cybersecurity regulations.

Nepal aims to implement these regulations to tackle the rising tide of crime due to fast digitization in the country. However, certain aspects of the bill, particularly concerning cloud computing and data centers, raise concerns. The requirement for companies to obtain licensing approval and undergo yearly renewal, while perhaps well-intentioned, may not foster innovation and economic growth effectively. Considering the substantial investment required for data centers and cloud computing infrastructure, businesses should ideally focus on their core operations without undue bureaucratic hurdles.

If we see international practice, especially the EU and the USA do not mandate specific licensing requirements for data centers or cloud service providers at the national level. Instead, companies are regulated by industry standards and market competition, while compliance with relevant regulations ensures legal operation and maintains customer trust. If we examine India's approach to supporting businesses through its policies, we find that it employs various strategies that aid in fostering businesses from their inception. These strategies include ensuring that all approvals required for commencing business are granted within 15 working days, offering 100 percent exemption from property tax for 10 years, and providing subsidies such as Capital Investment Subsidy, Lease Rental Subsidy and Interest Subsidy.

Several other provisions within the bill could have significant impacts on businesses. For example, the requirement for companies operating critical infrastructure to submit design and configuration documents to government bodies raises concerns regarding potential violations of intellectual property rights. Here, the bill fails to address the issue of compensating businesses for damages resulting from intellectual property theft. In cases of intellectual property theft, only minimal punishment and fines need to be paid to the government, with no compensation provided to the intellectual property owner. This omission could leave affected companies vulnerable to substantial financial losses without any possibility of recovery.

Also, instead of imposing permits for importing and distribution of IT equipment from government bodies, the government could have mentioned the establishment of minimum standards, allowing the import of equipment meeting or exceeding these standards without approval. 

The requirement for data storage within Nepal's borders for financial and health organizations may pose feasibility challenges, especially during the period when the government is aggressively promoting cross-border financial practices. In the case of data collected by private organizations, it may be more practical to allow them to store their data in public clouds, with the condition that they are responsible for ensuring the security of their information. The level of security required should be determined based on the sensitivity of the data being stored, with varying levels of security measures such as encryption being implemented accordingly.

Several provisions within the bill raise concerns for individuals as well. For example, the provision allowing the storage and use of sexual material for educational or medical purposes could potentially be misused. Stringent cybersecurity measures must be applied to the machines storing such material. If the material is leaked or hacked due to inadequate security measures, the entity responsible for storing it should be held accountable, and appropriate punishment should be enforced. 

The definition of criminal activity outlined in the bill is quite vague in many places, raising significant privacy concerns. Under this definition, the government could demand the submission of personal private keys. Additionally, provisions allowing investigating officers, such as police inspectors, to collect electronic devices and traffic data without proper oversight could be prone to misuse. It is recommended that higher-ranking officials, like SSPs or DIGs, oversee such activities to ensure accountability and prevent potential misuse.

The meeting of the National Cybersecurity Committee that is mentioned in this bill itself does not validate the live video link or any other electronic means of communication or online meetings for any meeting of the committee, where physical presence is mandatory. The government is trying to address emerging technologies like AI and blockchain, with few definitions for proper use but these technologies will require further study and regulations going forward.

While the IT and Cybersecurity Bill represents a significant step toward bolstering Nepal's digital infrastructure, careful consideration and amendments are necessary to address concerns and ensure the bill aligns with business-friendly practices and privacy rights. As technology is rapidly changing, it becomes imperative that the laws are modified at the same pace, something which was lacking in the past.

The author is a cybersecurity professional and student of information management. Views are personal