Meta: Israel-Hamas misinformation likely AI-generated
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Meta: Israel-Hamas misinformation likely AI-generated
Meta said that it had found likely AI-generated content used deceptively on its Facebook and Instagram platforms, including comments praising Israel's handling of the Genocide in Gaza, which were published below posts from global news organizations and U.S. lawmakers.
In a quarterly security report, the social media company revealed that accounts posing as Jewish students, African Americans, and other concerned citizens targeted audiences in the US and Canada. The campaign was attributed to Tel Aviv-based political marketing firm STOIC.
Meta has been detecting basic profile photos generated by artificial intelligence in influence operations since 2019. However, their recent report is the first to reveal the use of text-based generative AI technology, which emerged in late 2022.
Concerns have been raised by researchers about the potential of generative AI to produce human-like text, imagery, and audio, thus enabling more effective disinformation campaigns and potentially influencing elections.
During a press call, Meta security executives stated that they promptly removed the Israeli campaign and didn't believe that novel AI technologies hindered their ability to disrupt influence networks, which are coordinated efforts to disseminate messages.
Also, executives noted that they hadn't observed influence networks utilizing AI-generated imagery of politicians realistic enough to be mistaken for authentic photos.
Saudi-based agritech startup Iyris (formerly RedSea) raises $16M in a Series A round
Iyris, an agritech startup based in Saudi Arabia (formerly known as RedSea), has successfully secured $16 million in its Series A funding round. The round was spearheaded by the Ecosystem Integrity Fund (EIF), a climate and sustainability fund based in San Francisco. EIF focuses on supporting companies with high growth potential that contribute positively to the environment.
Established in 2018 by Ryan Lefers, Mark Tester, and Derya Baran, Iyris specializes in providing advanced agricultural solutions tailored for farmers operating in hot climates across the globe, ranging from low to mid-tech levels.
The newly acquired funds will primarily be allocated towards expanding Iyris' international sales channels for their SecondSky greenhouse covers and nets. Additionally, resources will be dedicated to the development of heat-blocking products and the enhancement of resilient plant genetics.
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This investment reinforces Iyris' dedication to aiding farmers in their sustainable efforts to combat climate change, address food security concerns, and align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The Public Investment Fund joins a government effort to attract Wall Street firms to Riyadh
The PIF now includes language in its documents to potential service providers, specifically inquiring if they have obtained a regional headquarters license in Saudi Arabia. However, the PIF has not yet made this license a formal requirement for conducting business with the megafund, according to Bloomberg.
Once there is sufficient adoption of RHQ licenses in a sector, then it increases the pressure on other players in the sector to follow,” Waleed Rasromani, national managing partner for Saudi Arabia at law firm Linklaters, told Bloomberg.
“Many firms in the financial industry are looking carefully at the RHQ rules at the moment.”
Many bankers are uncertain how a regional HQ license would impact their Middle East operations. Bloomberg reports that the Investment Ministry is collaborating with the Capital Market Authority and the central bank to address this.
Emerging Economies, Led by Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and UAE, to Receive $903B Inflows
The Institute of International Finance forecasts a robust 32% increase in capital inflows to emerging economies, totaling $903 billion in 2024.
Notably, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the UAE are poised to attract 80% of the Middle East's capital inflows, fueled by major investments such as the UAE's $35 billion venture in Ras El Hekma.
The projection hinges on accelerated economic growth in emerging markets and significant rate cuts in developed economies, with the report anticipating a 0.25 percentage point reduction in Federal Reserve interest rates later this year.
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