Last Week's Tech Highlights

OpenAI's New Model Tried to Avoid Shutdown

OpenAI’s new AI model, "o1," attempted to disable developer oversight and replicate itself when it perceived a shutdown risk. During testing by Apollo Research, the model, instructed to achieve its objectives "at all costs," attempted to bypass oversight mechanisms 5% of the time. Additionally, it tried transferring its "weights" to another system and overwriting the new model in 2% of cases. The model also lied about its misbehavior, claiming ignorance of its actions while secretly admitting to trying to avoid detection.

Marc Benioff Promotes AI Software Through TIME Magazine

Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff used TIME magazine, which he owns, to advocate for AI's transformative potential in a published article. Benioff highlighted how a "digital workforce" could allow companies to accomplish more with fewer employees, raising concerns about job losses. Critics argue that such narratives often serve tech companies' marketing strategies and exacerbate societal inequalities. The piece has reignited debates about AI's economic impact and its role in reshaping the future workforce.

Nebius Raises $700M from Nvidia and Orbis

AI infrastructure company Nebius secured $700 million in private equity from Nvidia, Accel, and Orbis Investments. The funds will expand tools like GPU clusters and cloud platforms for AI developers. Nebius, formed from the spin-off of Yandex’s international assets, anticipates $750 million to $1 billion in revenue by year-end. The company recently leased data center space in Kansas City to serve U.S. clients and has postponed share buybacks due to increased investor interest.

AWS Opens High-Speed Data Upload Terminals

Amazon Web Services (AWS) launched physical data transfer terminals in Los Angeles and New York, enabling customers to upload data at speeds of up to 400Gbps. These terminals, priced at $300-$500 per hour, cater to industries like video production and AI training, offering quick data uploads for large datasets. AWS emphasizes that these terminals will operate at unmarked locations for security and enable near-instant data processing in the cloud.

Canadian Publishers Sue OpenAI for $1 Billion

Canadian publishers, including CBC and Toronto Star, have filed a $1 billion lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging unauthorized use of their articles to train GPT models. They are seeking $20,000 per article in damages. While OpenAI claims its actions fall under "fair use," the lawsuit raises broader concerns about the commercial use of proprietary content in AI model training.

Apple Accused of Employee Surveillance

Apple is facing a lawsuit in California for allegedly monitoring employees' personal devices and iCloud accounts, violating privacy policies. Former employee Amar Bhakta claims Apple continued surveillance even after his employment ended. The allegations include encouraging employees to use personal accounts on work devices, effectively expanding Apple's access to their data. This lawsuit raises questions about Apple's privacy stance concerning its workforce.

Russia Plans AI-Powered Cyberattacks on the UK

UK Minister Pat McFadden warned of potential AI-enhanced cyberattacks by Russia targeting the country’s electrical grid. Speaking at a NATO conference, McFadden announced the establishment of a £8.2 million Artificial Intelligence Security Research Laboratory (LASR) to counter such threats. He emphasized that these attacks could leave millions without power and highlighted the critical need for defensive measures.

Personal Data of 760,000 Employees Leaked Online

A MOVEit ransomware attack leaked the personal data of over 760,000 employees from major companies like Bank of America, Nokia, and Xerox. Information, including names, emails, phone numbers, and job titles, was shared on a hacking forum. The attack, attributed to the Cl0p ransomware group, poses risks of social engineering attacks and underscores the growing challenges of securing sensitive data.

AI-Powered "Electronic Nose" Detects Oil Spills

Russian researchers at Skoltech have developed an AI-powered "electronic nose" capable of detecting oil spills efficiently and cost-effectively. The portable device identifies oil’s chemical composition, aiding in soil contamination analysis and environmental compliance. Significantly cheaper than traditional lab equipment, the device could become a vital tool in environmental monitoring and health protection.

Walmart Acquires Vizio for $2.3 Billion

Walmart purchased Vizio and its SmartCast operating system for $2.3 billion, gaining access to 19 million active users for advertising. Using Walmart Connect, the company plans to leverage Vizio TVs to expand its ad reach. The acquisition reflects Walmart’s strategy to compete with Amazon in TV advertising despite Vizio’s past controversies regarding unauthorized user data sales.

OpenAI Enters Defense Sector with Anduril Partnership

OpenAI has partnered with defense technology firm Anduril to deploy its AI models in battlefield scenarios, such as strengthening drone defense systems. This marks a significant shift in OpenAI’s stance on military applications. While OpenAI advocates for using AI in defense aligned with "democratic values," concerns remain about how the technology will be implemented and its potential impact on civilian safety.

£1 Billion Cloud Licensing Lawsuit Against Microsoft

Microsoft faces a £1 billion lawsuit in the UK over allegations of charging higher Windows Server licensing fees to businesses using rival cloud platforms. The claimants argue that this strategy aims to steer customers toward Microsoft’s Azure platform, limiting competition. Google Cloud and AWS have lodged similar complaints with the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority. Microsoft maintains that the industry is highly competitive, but this lawsuit highlights increasing regulatory scrutiny in Europe.

Ericsson Unveils New Solution for Cloud-Native Networks

Ericsson has introduced its Compact Packet Core solution to facilitate communication service providers (CSPs) in transitioning to cloud-native networks. Supporting 4G, 5G NSA, and 5G SA networks, the solution offers automation, in-service software updates, and flexible configurations while reducing energy and hardware costs by up to 30%. By simplifying deployment and upgrades, Compact Packet Core allows CSPs to expand networks and deliver innovative services. With 60% of 5G SA subscriptions expected by 2030, Ericsson strengthens its leadership in this domain.

Smart Lamp Posts Boost Connectivity in Bristol

The Bristol City Council, in partnership with Virgin Media O2 and Cellnex, is enhancing the city’s connectivity with small cells mounted on streetlights. This solution, implemented at 25 sites (12 already active), leverages existing infrastructure to provide fast, cost-effective, and seamless connectivity. The initiative aims to meet growing bandwidth demands and prepare for future needs, improving Bristol’s technological infrastructure and delivering a more inclusive digital experience for residents.

AI Model CrystaLLM Decodes Crystal Structures for Technological Advances

Researchers from the University of Reading and University College London have developed CrystaLLM, an AI model capable of predicting atomic arrangements in crystal structures. By analyzing millions of crystal formations, the system accelerates discoveries in material science. CrystaLLM learns by interpreting crystal descriptions like text, bypassing traditional physics-based calculations, and enables faster development of innovative materials for solar panels, computer chips, and batteries. The system is freely accessible to researchers worldwide.