Last Week's Technology, Business and Science Highlights

OpenAI's New AI Model Poses Biological Weapon Risk

OpenAI has acknowledged that its new o1, or "Strawberry" AI models pose a "medium risk" in creating chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) weapons. This represents the highest risk level the company has assigned to its technology, raising ethical and safety concerns. While the new models have advanced reasoning and problem-solving capabilities, they also carry the potential for misuse by malicious actors. OpenAI's CTO, Mira Murati, emphasized that the model is being cautiously released to the public, with the o1 model initially available via API to ChatGPT’s paid subscribers and developers. Despite the risks, the company believes the model can be safely used under "medium risk" according to its policies. Experts are calling for urgent regulations to prevent the malicious use of AI models.

World's Thinnest Wristwatch

Independent Russian watchmaker Konstantin Chaykin has surpassed competitors in the race to design the world's thinnest mechanical watch with his 1.65-millimeter-thick "ThinKing" prototype. Unveiled at the Geneva Watch Days, the watch was made thinner thanks to Chaykin’s innovative features. He integrated the winding mechanism and a "dual balance" wheel, reducing the watch's thickness without compromising functionality. The ThinKing is slimmer than the previous record holder, Bulgari’s 1.7-millimeter Octo Finissimo Ultra Mark II. Chaykin believes the watch's timekeeping accuracy and 32-hour power reserve make it deserving of the record and is open to independent testing. The final design is set to be presented at next year’s Watches & Wonders exhibition in Geneva.

$100 Billion Fund for AI Infrastructure

UAE-based tech company MGX has teamed up with BlackRock, Microsoft, and Global Infrastructure Partners to form a $100 billion investment partnership to develop AI infrastructure. Initially targeting $30 billion in private equity, the partnership will expand to $100 billion through debt financing. The investment aims to increase data center capacity, providing more power to AI applications, while contributing to sustainability goals through energy solutions. The partnership seeks to strengthen the AI supply chain and position Abu Dhabi as a global AI infrastructure hub. The investments are expected to transform the global economy and accelerate technological innovation.

Lionsgate Signs AI Partnership with Runway

Lionsgate has become the first major Hollywood studio to partner with AI research company Runway to create and train a new AI model based on its film and television content portfolio. Lionsgate's proprietary model will be used to create "cinematic video" that can be iterated upon using Runway’s technology. According to Lionsgate Vice Chairman Michael Burns, the goal is to enable filmmakers and creators to use the AI model for production tasks like storyboarding, potentially saving "millions and millions of dollars." Burns stated that AI would be used to develop "cutting-edge, capital-efficient content creation opportunities."

UN Wants AI Addressed with the Same Urgency as Climate Change

A UN report released today proposes the creation of an international body to oversee the global monitoring and management of artificial intelligence (AI). The report, drafted by the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Advisory Board on AI, calls for a new policy dialogue on AI that allows the UN's 193 members to discuss risks and agree on actions. It also recommends steps to empower poorer nations, particularly in the Global South, to benefit from AI and contribute to its governance. These steps include creating an AI fund to support projects in these countries, establishing AI standards, and providing resources such as education to assist countries with AI governance.

GaN Chips to Revolutionize Electric Vehicles

Infineon Technologies aims to solidify its technological leadership in the GaN (Gallium Nitride) chip market, targeting a significant share. Designed for electric vehicles and renewable energy systems, GaN chips offer energy efficiency and high performance, potentially revolutionizing the industry. Market research shows growing demand for GaN chips, and Infineon plans to expand production capacity and accelerate R&D efforts. The company also seeks to forge strategic partnerships in the automotive and energy sectors to increase its market share. As part of its sustainability goals, Infineon aims to reduce the carbon footprint through environmentally friendly production processes. The widespread adoption of GaN technology is expected to strengthen Infineon’s position in the industry in the coming years.

Collaboration on Smart Tire Technology

Italian tire manufacturer Pirelli and German tech group Robert Bosch have announced a partnership to develop "smart tire" technology. The new system combines Pirelli’s sensors embedded in tires with Bosch's hardware and software expertise to improve safety, comfort, sustainability, and driving dynamics. The companies stated that the technology will allow real-time collection and processing of tire data, which will be transmitted to the vehicle's electronic control system. The first project in the collaboration involves Bosch developing a stability control application for Italian supercars equipped with Pirelli tires. Financial details of the agreement have not yet been disclosed.

Meta to Continue Using UK Data for AI Training

Meta announced that it will continue using Facebook and Instagram posts from UK users to train its AI systems. The company argues that this step is "in users’ best interests" and will help AI models better reflect British culture, history, and idioms. Meta stated that it will not use private messages or information from accounts belonging to individuals under 18 and will offer users the option to opt out. The UK's Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) confirmed that it would monitor Meta’s compliance with regulations and noted that Meta had not yet obtained regulatory approval for this move. While some data protection organizations and civil society groups criticized the decision, the tech industry trade body CCIA supported it.

Intel Spinning Off Chip Manufacturing Unit in Restructuring

Intel has decided to spin off its chip manufacturing business as an independent subsidiary in an effort to reverse financial losses and boost its stock price. CEO Pat Gelsinger announced that Intel Foundry will have a separate management structure and financial reporting process. As part of the restructuring, Intel is halting its factory projects in Poland and Germany for two years while continuing to develop facilities in Arizona, Oregon, New Mexico, and Ohio. Intel also plans to sell some of its Altera shares and reduce its global real estate assets by two-thirds. This transformation aims to reduce costs and cut losses while helping Intel strengthen its long-term position. The new chip manufacturing process is expected to be used by partners like Microsoft and Amazon starting next year.

Vietnam Leader Lam to Meet with Google and Meta in the US

Vietnam's President and General Secretary of the Communist Party, To Lam, is set to visit the United States next week, where he will meet with representatives from Google and Meta. This will be Lam's first trip to the US since taking office, and he will also participate in a business forum on September 23, attended by other American companies. Meta has one of its largest user bases in Vietnam, while Google plans to expand smartphone production and build a large data center in the country. Lam is also expected to address the United Nations General Assembly, though it remains unclear if he will meet with US President Joe Biden. The visit is seen as an important step in strengthening commercial and diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Did a Hacking Contest in China Hit a Real Target?

The Zhujian Cup, a cybersecurity competition held in China, has raised concerns over participants potentially hacking into a real target. Such contests are usually held on closed networks for training and talent discovery purposes. However, competitors in the Zhujian Cup were required to sign confidentiality agreements, refrain from using the vulnerabilities they discovered, and erase their traces from the system after the event. The competition was organized by Northwestern Polytechnical University, which has military connections, leading to speculation that the target may have been a real network. Researchers suggest the competition could be part of China's cyber talent scouting programs, with participants unknowingly contributing to intelligence operations.

Antivirus Firm Suffers Cyberattack

Russian antivirus company Doctor Web disclosed that it had been the target of a cyberattack. The attack was detected on September 14, and the company successfully thwarted it in time. After the incident, Doctor Web isolated its systems from the network for investigation. Virus databases were temporarily taken offline, but after monitoring the attackers' movements, the databases were restored. It remains unclear who was behind the attack. Cybersecurity firms are often targeted by various threat actors, including state-sponsored groups, hacktivists, and profit-driven cybercriminals.

Warning for Crypto Users

Binance has warned cryptocurrency users about a malware called "Clipper" that manipulates wallet addresses. This malware changes wallet addresses that users copy, directing funds to the attackers' accounts, leading to significant financial losses. Binance has taken preventive measures by blocking suspicious addresses and notifying users. The number of attacks has recently increased, affecting many users. Binance advises users to carefully verify wallet addresses and keep their security software up to date. The company’s security team is actively working to protect users and quickly detect compromised accounts. Users are encouraged to verify the authenticity of apps, carefully check wallet addresses with each transaction, and use updated security software.

Computer Mimicking Human Brain is Coming

Researchers at the University of Limerick have developed new molecules that mimic the processing methods of the human brain, aiming to revolutionize computing. This innovation offers a significant leap in sustainable computing by improving the speed and energy efficiency of AI platforms. The study achieved impressive results with 14-bit molecular memristors, which provide high accuracy and energy efficiency in tasks like neural networks and signal processing. The technology has potential applications ranging from data centers to wearable technologies.

Google Wins Appeal Against $1.7 Billion Antitrust Fine

Google has won its appeal against the European Union’s 2019 ruling that fined the company $1.7 billion for abusing its dominance with its AdSense for Search product. The EU’s second-highest court annulled the fine, stating that the European Commission’s assessment of contract duration was incomplete. Google said it had changed the relevant contracts in 2016 and was pleased with the decision. The European Commission noted that it would review the ruling and consider an appeal. This victory marks a significant point in the competition cases between the EU and US tech giants.

Instagram Strengthens Privacy and Parental Controls for Under-18 Accounts

Instagram has rolled out new privacy settings and parental control tools to better protect young users. These features, now available in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, will make under-18 accounts private by default, and follow requests will require approval. Users aged 13-15 will only be able to modify these settings by adding a parent or guardian. Instagram's goal is to protect teenagers from harmful content, but experts argue that more proactive measures are necessary. Parents will be able to see who their children are messaging, though they will not have access to the content of the messages.

Alibaba Launches Over 100 New AI Models and Text-to-Video Tool

Alibaba unveiled more than 100 new open-source AI models and a text-to-video generation tool on Thursday. These new models are designed for a wide range of industries, from automotive to gaming, and offer advanced capabilities in areas like mathematics and coding. This move aims to enhance Alibaba's competition with companies like Baidu, Huawei, Microsoft, and OpenAI. Alibaba stated that its open-source models have been downloaded over 40 million times and emphasized that these AI solutions enable users to develop their applications quickly and economically. The company also highlighted its continued focus on AI technology and infrastructure investments.

China-Linked Botnets Targeting Global Devices

The UK's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and allied countries have revealed that a China-backed botnet is targeting thousands of devices worldwide. This botnet, which controls over 260,000 devices, is involved in malicious activities across North America, Europe, Africa, and Southeast Asia. It mainly targets small office/home routers, IoT devices, and security cameras to distribute malware and launch DDoS attacks. Authorities are urging organizations and individuals to update their devices and strengthen security measures to mitigate the risk.