Technology

U.S. and Microsoft dismantle Russian hacking group targeting Western institutions

U.S. and Microsoft dismantle Russian hacking group targeting Western institutions

A collaborative effort between the US government and Microsoft has dismantled a hacking group linked to Russian intelligence. The group, known as Star Blizzard to cybersecurity experts, has targeted nonprofit organizations, think tanks, journalists and former military and intelligence officials from the United States and its allies. Star Blizzard used "spear phishing" tactics, sending emails that appeared to come from a trusted source to gain access to victims' internal systems. Once inside, they could steal sensitive information and disrupt operations. Microsoft identified the group's infrastructure and alerted the US Department of Justice, which led to the seizure of more than…
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Cerebras, an AI chipmaker, prepares for IPO to challenge Nvidia’s dominance

Cerebras, an AI chipmaker, prepares for IPO to challenge Nvidia’s dominance

In a bold move set to reshape the AI ​​chip market, Cerebras Systems has announced plans to go public in an IPO that could challenge industry giant Nvidia. Based in Sunnyvale, California, Cerebras has developed a chip significantly larger than those typically used in artificial intelligence applications, boasting a 56-fold increase in size that potentially allows for much faster data processing. This announcement represents the first major AI-focused IPO since ChatGPT debuted nearly two years ago, signaling a new era for investors eager to diversify their technology portfolios beyond established players like Microsoft and Nvidia. The startup's filing of an…
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Google Search gets smarter: answering your image queries with AI

Google Search gets smarter: answering your image queries with AI

Google's search engine is getting a major AI update, allowing you to ask questions directly on images displayed in search results. This innovative feature, powered by artificial intelligence, promises a more intuitive and informative search experience. Previously, searching for information often involved deciphering text on an image or browsing separate websites. Now, with this new AI integration, users can simply point and ask. Imagine finding a photo of an unfamiliar flower and immediately asking, "What kind of flower is this?" This update highlights Google's commitment to leveraging artificial intelligence for a more user-friendly search experience. The ability to ask questions…
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OpenAI faces financial challenges despite rapid growth and high revenue forecasts

OpenAI faces financial challenges despite rapid growth and high revenue forecasts

In the dynamic landscape of tech startups, OpenAI, a San Francisco-based company known for its innovative AI chatbot ChatGPT, is forecasting significant revenue increases but faces significant financial challenges. OpenAI has seen an astonishing 1,700% increase in revenue since 2023, reaching $300 million in August alone, with projections to reach $11.6 billion by next year. Despite these impressive figures, the company expects a loss of around $5 billion this year. This forecast includes extended costs associated with maintaining its operations, such as employee compensation, office expenses and other critical operating costs. Notably, these figures exclude material expenses such as employee…
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OpenAI soars: artificial intelligence startup raises massive funding and is valued at 7 billion

OpenAI soars: artificial intelligence startup raises massive funding and is valued at $157 billion

OpenAI, a leading artificial intelligence (AI) startup, has secured a staggering $6.6 billion in funding, nearly doubling its valuation in just nine months. This massive investment round pushes OpenAI's value to as much as $157 billion, according to sources close to the deal. Thrive Capital led the funding round, with notable investors such as Microsoft, Nvidia, SoftBank and the UAE's MGX joining the table. This significant financial support highlights the technology sector's continued enthusiasm for the development of artificial intelligence, despite concerns about its long-term viability and potential risks. OpenAI's success could be a positive sign for small AI companies.…
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Verizon customers report widespread service outages in the US.

Verizon customers report widespread service outages in the US.

On Monday morning, a significant number of Verizon subscribers experienced outages in their mobile service, negatively impacting their ability to make calls and send text messages. Reports from Downdetector, a site that tracks connectivity issues, showed that the outages affected more than 100,000 users at one point. Service outages were particularly noted in major metropolitan areas including Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, New York and Phoenix, as well as broader regions of the Midwest. Initially peaking at over 104,000 affected users, reports began to decline around midday, reflecting some recovery in services. Users who experienced problems reported that their cell…
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Venture capital firm reverses course, returns uninvested funds amid market downturn

Venture capital firm reverses course, returns uninvested funds amid market downturn

In a surprising move that reflects the changing dynamics of the venture capital industry, CRV, a major firm with a long history, has decided to return $275 million to its investors. This unallocated portion of their $500 million Select Fund, designed to support more mature startups, is a direct response to a deteriorating market environment. CRV partners explained that valuations of established startups have become disproportionately high compared to expected returns. This trend, combined with a broader market downturn, has prompted the company to reevaluate its investment strategy. The decision marks a significant departure from the usual practice of venture…
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Robert Downey Jr. explores artificial intelligence in his Broadway debut ‘McNeal’

Robert Downey Jr. explores artificial intelligence in his Broadway debut ‘McNeal’

Robert Downey Jr. has taken on a captivating new role in “McNeal,” a Broadway show written by Ayad Akhtar that premiered at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre. This innovative production, directed by Bartlett Sher, delves into the complex interplay between traditional art forms and cutting-edge artificial intelligence technologies. Set in the near future, “McNeal” features a narrative centered on a distinguished writer who turns to artificial intelligence for creative inspiration. The scenography reflects a modern, minimalist environment that could also serve as a high-tech commercial space, reinforcing the thematic focus on digital versus human creativity. The show challenges audiences with its…
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Verizon customers report widespread service outages in the US.

Verizon works to resolve widespread service interruptions across the U.S.

Verizon has been actively addressing a significant service outage that affected numerous customers across the United States on Monday. Reports of outages increased in the morning, with a peak of more than 100,000 incidents recorded by outage monitoring website Downdetector. The problems were especially pronounced in major urban areas such as Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, New York, Phoenix, and throughout the Midwest. The telecom giant confirmed that its engineers were working diligently to correct the service problems and had made substantial progress by the evening. The company apologized via social media for the inconvenience caused to its customers on…
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Elon Musk’s intensive week: analyzing the impact of misinformation on X

Elon Musk’s intensive week: analyzing the impact of misinformation on X

Elon Musk, with nearly 200 million followers on social platform X, is a central figure in the dissemination of information. In the span of just one week, Musk was particularly active, sharing numerous posts on topics ranging from illegal immigration to election integrity, even as he targeted Democratic Party figures. His posts, often lacking crucial context or even misleading, have reached an audience of more than 800 million people. Since acquiring X (formerly known as Twitter) in 2022, Musk has used the platform to promote conservative political views, most notably endorsing Donald J. Trump's presidential campaign. About a third of…
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