Archive for December 2023

Following on from Google’s recent launch announcement for Gemini (its new super-powered foundation model family), Google has now announced the launch of AI Studio to enable the development of apps and chatbots using Gemini. Gemini (Pro)  Google recently announced the introduction of its largest and most capable AI model, Gemini. The three sizes of the…

A whitepaper by researchers at Sophos highlights how, rather than remaining anonymous, ransomware gangs now engage with the media to shape the narrative around a hack and gain a tactical and strategic advantage. The Ransomware Threat  Ransomware is a type of malicious software designed to block access to a computer system or data (typically by…

A Los Angeles-based startup has said the news channel it’s about to launch will feature virtual newsreaders delivering news content generated by AI. AI-Generated News And Presenters  Channel 1, which describes itself as a “personalised global news network powered by AI” showcased its virtual AI-generated news and presenters in a half-hour long video posted on Twitter.  The…

It’s been reported that the UK’s Minister of State (Minister for Crime, Policing and Fire), the Rt Hon Chris Philp MP, has urged UK police forces to follow Bedfordshire’s example of using artificial intelligence (AI) to save time and money in carrying out admin tasks. Which Admin Tasks?  The main task that Mr Philip was…

Following U.S. Senator Ron Wyden revealing that governments can secretly force Apple and Google to hand over the contents of push notifications sent to customers’ phones, Apple has said it’s changed its policy and will no longer do so without a valid judge’s order. This will be either a court order or a search warrant.…

Microsoft’s Digital Crimes Unit has reported disrupting the activities of major cybercrime-as-a-service provider Storm-1152. Microsoft says Storm-1152 has created for sale approximately 750 million fraudulent Microsoft accounts, earning the group millions of dollars in illicit revenue, and costing Microsoft and other companies even more to combat their criminal activity. Fraudulent online accounts of the type…

A report by the Rocky Mountain Institute highlights how a domino effect of surging battery demand could put global climate goals within reach by enabling a 22 Gigatons per year reduction in CO2 emission. The Surge in Battery Demand – A Domino Effect The report suggests that the world is witnessing a shift in energy…

Following the recent boardroom power struggle that led to the sacking and reinstatement of OpenAI boss Sam Altman, Microsoft’s relationship with OpenAI is now under US and UK antitrust scrutiny. What Happened?  A recent boardroom battle at OpenAI (ChatGPT’s creator and working partner of Microsoft), led to the rapid ousting of OpenAI’s boss Sam Altman…

Meta has announced the start of a roll-out of default end-to-end encryption for all personal chats and calls via Messenger and Facebook, with a view to making them more private and secure. Extra Layer Of Security and Privacy  Meta says that despite it being an optional feature since 2016, making it the default has “taken years…

Following 36 hours of talks, EU officials have finally reached a historic provisional deal on laws to regulate the use of artificial intelligence. The Artificial Intelligence Act  The Council presidency and the European Parliament’s negotiators’ provisional agreement relates to the proposal on harmonised rules on artificial intelligence (AI), the so-called artificial intelligence act. The EU…