This week’s Cyber Pulse Mid-Week Briefings cover Australia’s new Cyber Security Bill, rising ransomware claims, Zscaler's AI-driven platform growth, and cyber threats from East Asia, including Chinese influence operations, North Korean tech theft, and costly global data breach claims.
Visa boosts AI fraud detection with Featurespace acquisition, lifting its stock; Experian expands Latin American security by acquiring ClearSale; Booz Allen shares cyber expertise at Singapore International Cyber Week; Torq secures $70M for global growth; SentinelOne and Okta shine in top awards.
With OpenAI’s shift to a $157 billion for-profit model, CEO Sam Altman maintains its mission to "benefit humanity." However, as investors seek high returns and Altman stands to gain equity, doubts arise over who truly benefits from OpenAI’s growth—society or its shareholders?
The Next Wave of AI Takes Over: A Look at CES 2024 and Beyond
The AI revolution is upon us, and CES 2024 is just the beginning. Whether you're an avid tech enthusiast, a curious observer, or a cautious sceptic, there's no denying the excitement and potential of the AI-powered future that awaits.
Brace for AI overload at CES 2024! From smart cars to chatty TVs, expect everything powered by AI.
Chips get smarter! New processors bring AI directly to devices, making things faster and smoother than ever.
Beyond AI: CES isn't just robots. Health tech, electric cars, and beauty gadgets also take centre stage.
Global AI wave: CES is just the start! Keep an eye on MWC Barcelona, VivaTech Paris, and more for AI action throughout 2024
Beyond Siri & Alexa: CES 2024 Showcases AI Revolutionising Everything
Get ready for a tidal wave of artificial intelligence (AI) at CES 2024. The annual tech extravaganza, kicking off January 9 in Las Vegas, promises to be awash in AI-powered gadgets, gizmos, and innovations. This year, AI isn't just a sprinkle on the tech sundae; it's the cherry on top, the whipped cream, and maybe even the ice cream itself.
AI Everywhere
Expect to see AI woven into the fabric of everything from self-driving cars and smart scooters to headphones, cameras, speakers, and even televisions. We're not just talking about voice-activated assistants anymore. Think real-time language translation on the fly, personalised news feeds curated by AI algorithms, and even AI-powered art generators creating custom masterpieces before your eyes.
Chip Power
Underpinning this AI revolution will be a new generation of chips from tech giants like Intel, Qualcomm, and AMD. These chips will bring AI processing power directly to devices, eliminating the need for laggy cloud-based processing. Imagine snappy computer vision, seamless voice-to-text, and instant language translation, all happening right on your device.
Beyond the Buzz
While AI will undoubtedly be the headliner at CES, it's not the only act in town. The automotive industry, though taking a backseat to AI this year, still promises exciting electric vehicle reveals from companies like Honda. Health tech will also be prominent, with a focus on wearables, remote patient monitoring, and personalised healthcare solutions. And for the first time ever, CES will feature a dedicated beauty tech section, with L'Oréal taking centre stage with a keynote address.
Extended Reality Takes Flight
With Apple's rumoured Vision Pro headset looming on the horizon, expect a renewed interest in extended reality (XR) at CES. Companies will be looking to either capitalise on the excitement for Apple's offering or carve out their own niche in the growing XR market.
Quotes from the AI Trenches
Anshel Sag, Principal Analyst at Moor Insights & Strategy: "We didn't get the full CES fire hose of AI announcements last year like we're going to have. If you thought it was a wave last year, it's going to be a tsunami this year."
Gary Shapiro, CEO of the Consumer Technology Association: "AI is almost like the internet; it's a huge ingredient that's not going away. Companies don't go to CES and say, 'Here's the internet.' It'll be interesting to see how they implement generative AI."
A CES Like No Other
This year's CES promises to be an event unlike any other. Buckle up for a sensory overload of AI-powered everything, alongside advancements in healthcare, automotive technology, and the ever-evolving world of XR. It's going to be loud, it's going to be crowded, and it's going to be a glimpse into the future of technology, powered by the unstoppable force of AI.
Beyond CES: A Global Look at AI Events
While CES may be the epicentre of the AI storm in January, the rest of the year promises a slew of other exciting AI-focused events across the globe. Here are a few to keep your calendar marked:
MWC Barcelona (February 27 - March 2): The Mobile World Congress will showcase the latest advancements in AI for mobile devices and 5G networks.
VivaTech Paris (May 16-18): This European tech festival will feature a dedicated AI village, with startups, demos, and conferences exploring the cutting edge of AI innovation.
Slush Helsinki (November 29-30): This Nordic startup festival is known for its focus on emerging technologies, and AI is sure to be a major theme in 2024.
Web Summit Lisbon (November 27-29): This global tech conference will bring together thought leaders and industry giants to discuss the future of AI and its impact on society.
The AI revolution is upon us, and CES 2024 is just the beginning. Whether you're an avid tech enthusiast, a curious observer, or a cautious sceptic, there's no denying the excitement and potential of the AI-powered future that awaits.
Japan is racing to develop "unbreakable" quantum encryption by 2030. Chinese hackers breached US wiretap systems, Japan is tackling AI deepfake scams, and China is advancing silicon photonics to evade US tech bans. The cybersecurity competition is intensifying.
Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed Senate Bill 1047, which would have enforced strict safety measures for AI models with over $100M in funding. He argued the bill’s focus was too broad and advocated for more targeted AI regulations that address risks from smaller, less costly systems.
Europe faces a critical choice: embrace AI innovation or enforce restrictive regulations? Fragmented rules risk leaving Europe behind in AI advancements and economic growth. Clear, unified policies are key to keeping Europe competitive in the global AI race.
Welcome back to Cyber Bites, your lunchtime digest of the latest in international cyber threats, global tech affairs, and AI developments. Stay informed on key events shaping our digital world.