Month: August 2024
Second Human To Receive Neuralink Brain Chip Uses It To Play Counter-Strike 2
In a blog post on Wednesday, Neuralink said its second human recipient is using the brain chip to play Counter-Strike 2 and develop 3D designs in CAD software. “Alex” was given the brain chip last month to help restore his autonomy after a spinal cord injury. PCMag reports: Like the first Neuralink patient, Noland Arbaugh, Alex has also been using the brain chip to play his favorite computer games, such as Counter-Strike 2. Before, Alex had to use a mouth-operated controller, called a QuadStick, to play the first-person shooter. But even then, the controller limited him to only moving or aiming his weapon at a single time, never simultaneously like a normal Counter-Strike player. In other words, Alex had to essentially switch back and forth between the mouse and keyboard functions while playing the game. But thanks to Neuralink, he can now aim with the implant, and simultaneously move while using the QuadStick. […]
In the blog post, Neuralink also addressed a problem the company faced when placing the chip in Arbaugh, the first patient. Despite a successful surgery, about 85% of the thread-based electrodes attached to his brain later became displaced, undermining the full potential of the chip to read neural signals. Although Arbaugh can still use his implant effectively, Neuralink wanted to avoid a repeat with Alex. In response, the company developed several “mitigations,” which include reducing the chance of an air pocket forming during surgery and placing the implant deeper into the brain tissue. “Promisingly, we have observed no thread retraction in our second participant,” the company said of Alex.
Whether Alex’s implant outperforms the brain chip in Arbaugh was left unclear. In the meantime, Neuralink says it’s working on ways to enhance the controls on the technology “to deliver full mouse and video game controller functionality.” “Additionally, we plan to enable the Link [brain chip] to interact with the physical world, allowing users to feed themselves and move more independently by controlling a robotic arm or their wheelchair,” the company said. You can watch Alex playing Counter-Strike 2 on YouTube.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
In a blog post on Wednesday, Neuralink said its second human recipient is using the brain chip to play Counter-Strike 2 and develop 3D designs in CAD software. “Alex” was given the brain chip last month to help restore his autonomy after a spinal cord injury. PCMag reports: Like the first Neuralink patient, Noland Arbaugh, Alex has also been using the brain chip to play his favorite computer games, such as Counter-Strike 2. Before, Alex had to use a mouth-operated controller, called a QuadStick, to play the first-person shooter. But even then, the controller limited him to only moving or aiming his weapon at a single time, never simultaneously like a normal Counter-Strike player. In other words, Alex had to essentially switch back and forth between the mouse and keyboard functions while playing the game. But thanks to Neuralink, he can now aim with the implant, and simultaneously move while using the QuadStick. […]
In the blog post, Neuralink also addressed a problem the company faced when placing the chip in Arbaugh, the first patient. Despite a successful surgery, about 85% of the thread-based electrodes attached to his brain later became displaced, undermining the full potential of the chip to read neural signals. Although Arbaugh can still use his implant effectively, Neuralink wanted to avoid a repeat with Alex. In response, the company developed several “mitigations,” which include reducing the chance of an air pocket forming during surgery and placing the implant deeper into the brain tissue. “Promisingly, we have observed no thread retraction in our second participant,” the company said of Alex.
Whether Alex’s implant outperforms the brain chip in Arbaugh was left unclear. In the meantime, Neuralink says it’s working on ways to enhance the controls on the technology “to deliver full mouse and video game controller functionality.” “Additionally, we plan to enable the Link [brain chip] to interact with the physical world, allowing users to feed themselves and move more independently by controlling a robotic arm or their wheelchair,” the company said. You can watch Alex playing Counter-Strike 2 on YouTube.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
The rise of identity-related cyberattacks: costs, challenges and the role of AI
AI: The double-edged sword in combating identity-related cyberattacks and safeguarding organizations.
Identity-related cyberattacks are the stealthy predators of the cybersecurity landscape, posing an unprecedented threat to organizations worldwide. According to a recent report, “2024 State of Passwordless Identity”, 78% of organizations were targeted by such attacks in the past 12 months. This alarming statistic underscores the urgent need for effective identity management security measures.
The financial devastation wrought by identity-related breaches is a global crisis, reaching billions of dollars in losses each year. The alarming cost of authentication-related attacks varies worldwide—an average of $5.58 million globally ($6.4 million in the U.S. and $4.99 million in EMEA) in the past year. The toll of identity fraud alone has inflicted an average annual cost of $2.78 million on businesses ($4.34 million in the US, $2.52 million in EMEA), further underscoring the urgent need for robust identity security measures. These figures paint a grim picture of the economic havoc wreaked by cybercriminals exploiting vulnerabilities in identity systems.
What factors contribute to these breaches? The persistent trend of credential misuse and authentication weaknesses are the primary cause of the majority of breached organizations. Despite the prevalence of these attacks, only half of organizations globally lack sufficient confidence in their ability to detect a breach thus making organizations vulnerable to ongoing and subsequent attacks.
The complexity of authentication processes is also a significant challenge. On average, employees in the US and EMEA use four distinct types of authentication methods daily. This complexity can cause frustration and inefficiency. This is exacerbated by the reality that most employees in the US and EMEA wait for up to three hours for service desks to verify their identity. However, password-related issues account for about a third of IT help desk spending. These pain points affect productivity and highlight the need for more efficient and user-friendly authentication solutions.
The AI and Cybersecurity Paradox and Need for Deterministic Identity Controls
In recent years, the surge in IT security attacks has left organizations scrambling to revamp their identity security systems. Companies are employing AI tools to prevent adversaries from exploiting flawed defenses. While AI can enhance security measures, it is not a panacea. Identity assurance remains a crucial priority. Without it, companies are prone to breaches, efficiency losses and doubt from both customers and internal parties. To address evolving threats and improve security, organizations must adopt a fundamental shift towards deterministic identity controls.
Generative AI is a double-edged sword in identity security. While 60% of organizations worldwide see it as a major threat, 75% of companies believe it offers a strategic advantage against cybercriminals. This paradox highlights AI’s dual role in cybersecurity: both a significant threat and a powerful defense tool.
The Shift Towards Passwordless Adoption and Frictionless Identity Verification
Credential misuse or authentication weakness is often cited as the most common cause of a breach—up from 82% in 2022. This alarming statistic underscores the continued need for robust identity protection measures. Traditional authentication methods, such as passwords, are increasingly vulnerable to sophisticated attacks. Cybercriminals exploit these weaknesses, resulting in significant financial and reputational harm for organizations.
Passwordless adoption is becoming a critical strategy in the fight against cyber threats. By removing the use of passwords, organizations can significantly reduce the likelihood of credential-based attacks. Passwordless authentication methods, such as biometrics and hardware tokens, provide a higher level of security and a more secure user experience.
Additionally, frictionless identity verification is essential for maintaining security without compromising user experience. Traditional verification methods often introduce friction, leading to user frustration and potential security gaps. Frictionless identity verification uses advanced technologies, such as AI and machine learning, to prove that someone is who they claim to be. This approach enhances security and improves user satisfaction and trust.
The Role of Deterministic Identity Controls and Cost of Inaction
Organizations must implement deterministic identity controls to address the evolving threat situation. Unlike probabilistic methods that depend on statistical models and predictions, deterministic controls provide a higher level of accuracy. It is possible to reduce the likelihood of unauthorized users accessing sensitive data using these controls.
The cost of inaction in addressing identity security is considerable. Breaches resulting from credential misuse and authentication weaknesses can cost organizations millions of dollars annually. Beyond financial losses, breaches erode stakeholder trust and damage an organization’s reputation. It is clear there is an urgent need for organizations to take action to enhance their identity security frameworks.
As the cybersecurity landscape continues to evolve, so must identity security strategies as well. One cannot overstate the importance of staying ahead of emerging threats and adopting innovative solutions. While AI will undoubtedly play a significant role in the future of identity security, robust deterministic controls and a focus on identity assurance are key complements.
In conclusion, the surge in IT security attacks has highlighted the need for organizations to revamp their identity security frameworks. While AI offers considerable potential, it is not a silver bullet. Identity assurance is essential, and organizations must prioritize deterministic identity controls to address evolving threats and improve security. By adopting identity-first security strategies, prioritizing passwordless adoption, and implementing frictionless identity verification, organizations can enhance their security posture and protect against the ever-evolving threat landscape.
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‘Megalopolis’ trailer pulled for using fake quotes from critics
Lionsgate has apologised and pulled a trailer for Francis Ford Coppola’s ‘Megalopolis’ for having fake quotes from real critics.
Lionsgate pulled the new trailer for Megalopolis within hours of its release on Wednesday, after it was found to include fake quotes from real film critics. The company has since apologised to both the critics and director Francis Ford Coppola, saying that it “screwed up.”
Megalopolis‘ latest trailer intended to depict Coppola’s previous work as divisive, opening with a voiceover stating that “true genius is often misunderstood.” The trailer then proceeded to display quotes purportedly from well-known film critics panning past Coppola films which are now highly regarded.
According to Megalopolis‘ trailer, Andrew Sarris allegedly called The Godfather “a sloppy self-indulgent movie” that “doesn’t know what it wants to be,” while Pauline Kael considered it “diminished by its artsiness.” Apocalypse Now was ostensibly labelled “hollow at the core” by Vincent Canby and “an epic piece of trash” by Rex Reed. Roger Ebert seemingly called Bram Stoker’s Dracula “a triumph of style over substance” while Owen Gleiberman considered it “a beautiful mess.”
However, as spotted by Vulture reporter Bilge Ebiri, almost all of the quotes in the trailer are demonstrably false. These critics did not write about Coppola’s films using the words Megalopolis‘ trailer falsely attributed to them, and some didn’t even hold the same opinions the trailer presented them as having. For example, while Kael gave The Godfather a positive review, her fake quote in the Megalopolis trailer incorrectly indicated that she derided it.
Within hours of Ebiri’s report, Megalopolis‘ distributor Lionsgate apologised and announced the new trailer would be taken down immediately. Of course, because the internet is forever, the Megalopolis misinformation trailer is still available to view on multiple other YouTube channels.
“Lionsgate is immediately recalling our trailer for Megalopolis,” Lionsgate wrote in a statement shared with multiple publications. “We offer our sincere apologies to the critics involved and to Francis Ford Coppola and [Megalopolis‘ production company] American Zoetrope for this inexcusable error in our vetting process. We screwed up. We are sorry.”
Exactly how these fake quotes made it into Megalopolis‘ trailer is unclear. Many on social media have theorised that the quotes were created using a generative AI tool such as ChatGPT, though Lionsgate has not confirmed this.
It would not be surprising if AI was involved. There have already been numerous instances of generative AI being inappropriately applied despite people not fully understanding what it actually does, producing similar results.
Last year two lawyers were fined after their legal filing cited six non-existent cases generated by OpenAI‘s ChatGPT. Another lawyer was subsequently caught citing fake cases that their client, disbarred former Trump attorney Michael Cohen, had generated using Google Bard. In both cases they claimed to be unaware that the generative AI tools actually generate content, or that such content could be false.
Megalopolis‘ misinformation trailer tried to spin a tale of an unjustly vilified visionary
While most of the other critics misquoted in Megalopolis‘ trailer are dead, Variety‘s Gleiberman has responded to the incident. Gleiberman did review Bram Stoker’s Dracula for Entertainment Weekly in 1992, however neither the word “beautiful” nor “mess” appeared in his article. It’s an assessment he says “now sounds kind.”
“Even if you’re one of those people who don’t like critics, we hardly deserve to have words put in our mouths,” Gleiberman told Variety. “Then again, the trivial scandal of all this is that the whole Megalopolis trailer is built on a false narrative. Critics loved The Godfather. And though Apocalypse Now was divisive, it received a lot of crucial critical support.”
It’s understandable why Megalopolis‘ marketing team tried to present Coppola as a misunderstood genius. Early screenings of Megalopolis have garnered mixed reactions, with Coppola’s $120 million passion project leaving audiences baffled and bewildered.
Megalopolis follows Cesar (Adam Driver), an architect who has the power to stop time and wants to build a utopia called New Rome. He’s also in love with the corrupt mayor’s (Giancarlo Esposito) daughter (Nathalie Emmanuel). The film is currently sitting at 53 percent on Rotten Tomatoes based on 68 reviews, while its Metacritic score is 59 based on 28 reviews.
Coppola stubbornly dismissed negative reactions to Megalopolis earlier this year, incorrectly claiming that “if you look at each and every mixed or negative notice it’s always something heard from an unknown source.” Every review used to calculate Megalopolis‘ Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic scores is attributable to a named film critic and publication, and is easily accessible online.
“I really feel it’s unpardonable to attack a movie because it doesn’t play by Hollywood’s current rules, by quoting unnamed sources who probably weren’t at the screening and may not exist,” Coppola told Air Mail (via Independent).
It’s unlikely Coppola had anything to do with the creation of Megalopolis‘ latest trailer. Even so, his complaints feel rather ironic now that the film he was defending has just tried to promote itself with false quotes from named critics.
Megalopolis arrives in theatres Sept. 27.
Nothing Phone Company Mandates Full Return To The Office
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Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Aug. 22
Here are the answers for the NYT Mini Crossword for Aug. 22.
Here are the answers for the NYT Mini Crossword for Aug. 22.
New method for phishing discovered for Android and IPhone users
Researchers uncover novel way to trap unsuspecting customers with a new phishing attack.
Banking customers have been targeted in a newly discovered method of phishing attacks, new research has found.
A report from ESET found the attacks primarily focused on iPhone and Android users by getting them to unknowingly download Progressive Web Applications (PWA) disguised as authentic apps.
PWAs are websites made to behave like a stand-alone application, with the image seemingly verified by the use of native system prompts. PWAs bypass the need for a user to allow third-party installation, with iOS phishing sites posing as popular apps landing pages and directing victims to add the PWA to their home screen. Ultimately, the PWAs behaved like a normal mobile app – but by sidestepping the authorization of third-party installation on Android, this led to the silent installation of Android Package Kit (APK), which appeared to the user to be installed via the Google Play Store.
Delivery methods
The campaign used three different URL delivery mechanisms – Voice call, SMS delivery, and Malvertising, with customers across the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Georgia targeted.
Depending on the campaign, the install/update button launched the download of a malicious application directly onto the user’s phone, either in the form of a WebAPK (for Android devices) or a PWA. This bypassed the usual browser warnings of “installing unknown apps”.
The voice call would warn the victim about a supposed out-of-date banking app, and instructed the user to select a numbered option. Once they did so, a phishing URL was texted to them.
The SMS delivery sent messages which included the phishing link indiscriminately to Czech numbers, whilst the advertising campaign consisted of registered adverts on Meta platforms (like Facebook and Instagram). The ads contained a call to action to compel victims, such as a limited time offer for those who ‘download an update below’.
Recent reports show similar threat actors using falsified versions of popular Android apps, with increasingly sophisticated methods. Eset expects to see copycats of these applications, so we recommend staying vigilant. The best way to keep your data safe is by only downloading apps from legitimate sources, and being wary of any links sent by anyone you don’t know.
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Dream Machine 1.5 Catches Sora and other rival AI video makers napping
Luma Labs releases enhanced AI video maker Dream Machine 1.5.
Luma Labs has enhanced its Dream Machine AI video generator to a new level of realism and greater ability to interpret your vision. Dream Machine 1.5 should really act as an alarm clock to its rivals to step up their efforts. That’s especially true for OpenAI, which seems to keep hitting snooze on releasing its Sora AI video model to the public.
Dream Machine only came out a couple of months ago, but Dream Machine 1.5 is a major step up when it comes to making better videos out of text and image prompts. The most immediate improvement is speed. The new model can generate five seconds of high-quality video in approximately two minutes. That could prove critical for content creators and marketers working under tight deadlines.
Despite making the videos more quickly, Dream Machine 1.5’s videos are more realistic than its predecessor. That extends to not only the look of the video as a whole but also the movement on the screen. There are far fewer glitches as objects travel around a virtual space. Some of that might be from the similarly upgraded character consistency, even when iterating on a prompt. Better adherence to a model makes for much more realistic physical movement. The last major upgrade to note is that Dream Machine 1.5 is far better at accurately rendering text – a task that AI often struggles with.
Dream Machine 1.5 is here 🎉 Now with higher-quality text-to-video, smarter understanding of your prompts, custom text rendering, and improved image-to-video! Level up. https://t.co/G3HUEBE2ng #LumaDreamMachine pic.twitter.com/VQvfSTK0AIAugust 19, 2024
AI Video Race
Luma certainly has plenty of competition from other AI video generators, despite its impressive upgrade. The most notable is OpenAI and its Sora model, but just being more available will help Luma in this case. OpenAI’s decision to limit Sora to certain partners means there are a lot of people interested in AI video who can’t use it. Dream Machine 1.5 is right there waiting. Other developers who took the Sora route have since changed their tune, such as Kuaishou and its Kling AI video generator. That said, OpenAI is far from Luma’s only rival. Runway, Stability AI, Pika, Kling, and TikTok owner Bytedance’s Jimeng are just some of the others racing to snap up as much of the AI video market as possible.
Despite the hurdles, the launch of Dream Machine 1.5 is a big deal in the world of AI-generated video. As AI video tech keeps getting better, it’s set to shake up industries like entertainment, advertising, education, and journalism. The ability to whip up high-quality video content quickly and easily is opening up fresh creative opportunities and making visual communication more dynamic and engaging than ever before.
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Stable Diffusion AI spin-off will let you create weird videos from text promptsWatch the AI-produced film Toys”R”Us made using OpenAI’s Sora – and get misty about the AI return of Geoffrey the GiraffeA new OpenAI Sora rival just landed for AI videos – and you can use it right now for free