Embracing Digital Transformation

Securing Generative AI: Cybersecurity Insights

This week, Darren talks with recurring guest Steve Orrin, CTO of Intel Federal, about Securing Generative AI and AI in general. Generative AI has created new attack vectors that cyber advisories are exploiting. New cybersecurity best practices need to be established to handle this new paradigm. Check out this episode of the Embracing Digital Transformation podcast.

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Edge Computing

Heartland Transformed: Intel's $20 Billion Boost

With Intel's recent announcement of a $20 billion investment in Silicon Manufacturing, the American heartland is poised to become a leader in autonomous technology. This significant investment will boost the local economies of regions like Ohio and Indiana and position them as pioneers in cutting-edge tech. The resulting advancements in agriculture and transportation are set to transform industries, enhance productivity, and create new job opportunities, driving the heartland's economic resurgence.

Seattle Scraps ShotSpotter Plans Amid Concerns

Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell's decision to shelve plans for implementing ShotSpotter technology was made in collaboration with others. It was a response to the concerns raised by the community, including the Seattle City Council. The exclusion of the $1 million funding for ShotSpotter from the 2023-2024 budget indicates the community's voice is being heard. The decision was influenced by concerns over the technology's effectiveness and potential impact on police response times and the community's priorities for human services and support for the homeless.

San Diego Unveils Smart Evacuation Technology

San Diego County has launched Genasys EVAC technology, a system designed to enhance emergency evacuations. This innovative technology allows for more precise, location-based alerts using geo-boundaries to create detailed mapping zones. The goal is to limit unnecessary evacuations and facilitate quicker repopulations, thereby improving the efficiency and effectiveness of emergency response. The technology integrates with AlertSanDiego.org and the SD Emergency app, requiring no additional downloads for registered users. As fire season approaches, officials urge residents to stay informed and prepared, with the reassurance that this advanced technology is in place to protect them.

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Artificial Intelligence

GenAI Smartphones Surge in Q1 2024

In Q1 2024, GenAI-capable smartphones saw a significant rise in market share, increasing from 1.3% to 6%. The premium segment dominated, with Samsung's Galaxy S24 series securing the top three spots. Chinese brands, including Xiaomi and Vivo, also performed well, with six positions in the top ten. The GenAI features driving this growth include chat/note assist, which uses AI to enhance note-taking and messaging, and AI-generated portraits, which use AI algorithms to create realistic paintings. By the end of 2024, GenAI-capable smartphones are expected to account for 11% of the market.

Grassroots Adoption of Generative AI

British employees are rapidly adopting generative AI, a type of AI that can generate new content or data based on existing patterns, in the workplace, often without explicit business endorsement. This trend highlights a grassroots drive towards efficiency and innovation. Despite some businesses' reluctance, employees find GenAI tools beneficial for tasks such as data analysis, content creation, and customer service. As a result, companies are increasingly recognizing the need to integrate GenAI to stay competitive and fully harness its potential.

Navigating Generative AI: Opportunities and Risks

Business leaders are overlooking critical aspects of generative AI (GenAI). Despite its rapid adoption, leaders may need to recognize the technology's potential pitfalls, such as over-reliance and ethical concerns. Experts urge leaders to develop a deeper understanding of GenAI's limitations and to implement strategies that balance innovation with responsibility. Awareness and proactive measures can help organizations fully leverage GenAI's benefits while mitigating risks.

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Cybersecurity

Hugging Face Faces Security Breach

AI company Hugging Face recently discovered unauthorized access to its Spaces platform. The breach may have exposed certain secrets, prompting the company to revoke affected HF tokens and notify users. Hugging Face advises users to refresh keys and switch to fine-grained access tokens. The incident, now under investigation, underscores cyber attackers' increasing targeting of AI-as-a-service platforms.

Securing Operational Technology from Cyber Threats

Microsoft has highlighted a rise in cyber attacks targeting internet-exposed operational technology (OT) devices, exploiting weak security measures to disrupt industrial processes. The company recommends enhancing security practices to protect OT environments, such as reducing the attack surface and adopting zero-trust principles. This surge in attacks underscores the need for robust security protocols to safeguard critical systems from becoming vulnerable to cyber threats.

Router Attack Disrupts Internet for Thousands

A hacker has incapacitated 600,000 routers within 72 hours, rendering them inoperable. The attack exploited vulnerabilities in outdated firmware, causing widespread internet disruptions. As a result, affected users experienced a complete loss of internet connectivity, highlighting the potential impact of such cyber attacks on their daily lives. Experts emphasize the need for regular firmware updates and robust security measures to prevent such incidents. Affected users are urged to contact their internet service providers for support and to update their devices promptly to avoid further issues.

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Embracing Digital Transformation

#70 2024-06-02