Start your day with intelligence. Get The OODA Daily Pulse.

Home > OODA Analysis and Briefs

Analysis

  • Secrets and the Press

    Regrettably, I’ll be a few days late in town for this event, but I’ve already weighed in to some extent. The bottom line is that you can be a competent, serviceable and respected (in some quarters at least) reporter on the national security / intelligence beat and never have to worry about fielding the “aid…

  • Fear the Eavesdroppers

    No, not the NSA: The first thing that came out of our mouths when we heard that Google is working on a system that listens to what’s on your TV playing in the background, and then serves you relevant adverts, was “that’s cool, but dangerous”. The idea appeared in Technology Review citing Peter Norvig, director…

  • Pesky Details

    More of the NGIC WMD report, courtesy of Politics Central.

  • New Forum Member Poll

    If you are a GI Forum member I’ve got a new poll up about the potential for near term attacks in the US. If you’re not a member please consider signing up and joining the fun.

  • Terrorism on the Wire

    Evan Kohlmann of the CT Blog steps into my wheelhouse: The United States is gradually losing the online war against terrorists. Rather than aggressively pursuing its enemies, the U.S. government has adopted a largely defensive strategy, the centerpiece of which is an electronic Maginot Line that supposedly protects critical infrastructure (for example, the computer systems…

  • Politics or Prudent?

    There is a big difference between politicizing intellience and pointing out that there may be precious little intelligence to politicize. Fred certainly has his views, but whatever they may be the fact remains that US intelligence has a hell of a time going after hard targets like Iran. Identifying gaps and – in light of…

  • Editorial Judgment

    If Web readers in Britain were intrigued by the headline “Details Emerge in British Terror Case,” which sat on top of The New York Times’s home page much of yesterday, they would have been disappointed with a click. “On advice of legal counsel, this article is unavailable to readers of nytimes.com in Britain,” is the…

  • HLS: Not Serious IXX

    The federal research agency in charge of countering emerging terrorist threats such as liquid explosives is so hobbled by poor leadership, weak financial management and inadequate technology that Congress is on the verge of cutting its budget in half. The Homeland Security Department’s Science and Technology Directorate has struggled with turnover, reorganizations and raids on…

  • Brainstorming Intel Reform (anyone under 40 attend?)

    (Pardon the long post, but after week of fishing I’ve got a jonesing . . .) Senior U.S. intelligence officials meeting in Denver on Monday (8/21) revealed new measures to try to fix the nation’s ailing intelligence system, which insiders say leaves the government overloaded with data but unable to answer key questions. One leader…

  • Anyone Listening?

    A shameless plug for my old boss:   Still, Donavan Lewis, chief of the Defense Intelligence Agency’s threat analysis division, wants the United States to think more about long-term trends. “China has shifted its dependence away from the United States to [countries such as Malaysia and South Korea], while our dependence on them has grown,”…

  • Technology, you seductress

    JackBe, provider of enterprise solutions that integrate SOA and AJAX to deliver the next generation of rich Internet applications, announced Phase I delivery of a Web-based intelligence briefing solution for the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). Powered by JackBe’s NQ Suite AJAX software platform, the application will be showcased at the DNI’s “Information Sharing Conference…

  • Don’t Hold Your Breath

    I can’t help myself . . . A tiny software company has been tapped by the new U.S. spy chief to lead a “tremendous leap forward,” in technology and policy that will enable the sharing of sensitive information between intelligence agencies and state and local law enforcement and other first responders. The project aims to…

  • Post Vacation Catch-Up

    For those of an Ichthyological bent, the scores as of EENT Friday were: Walleyes 0, Me 1Largemouth Bass 0, Me 1Smallmouth Bass 0, Me 3Pumpkinseeds 0, Me 4Perch 0, Me 2 And I noticed while I was gone that: The Army has figured out that there is more to Jean Larteguy’s poem than another piece…

  • Jihad Simulator 2.0

    All of these plots, successful and otherwise, contradict a prevalent theory in counter-terrorism circles that all the skills necessary to conduct a successful attack can be learned in the comfort of a terrorist’s own home. This paradigm is based on the belief that internet technology has removed the need for terrorist training camps by creating…

  • A Little Inspiration

    They gathered anxiously that first October morning, the 50 members of the class of “06-01,” the first of 750 new agents-in-training who will graduate from the FBI Academy this year. Long article that is worth the read. Anyone who has gone through military, para-military or police training can sympathize and empathize to a certain degree.…

Briefs

  • 6 ways generative AI chatbots and LLMs can enhance cybersecurity

    The rapid emergence of Open AI’s ChatGPT has been one of the biggest stories of the year, with the potential impact of generative AI chatbots and large language models (LLMs) on cybersecurity a key area of discussion. There’s been a lot of chatter about the security risks these new technologies could introduce — from concerns…

  • Microsoft urges lawmakers, companies to ‘step up’ with AI guardrails

    Brad Smith, the president of Big Tech firm Microsoft, has called on governments to “move faster” and corporations “step up” amid a massive acceleration in artificial intelligence development. Speaking at a May 25 panel in front of United States lawmakers in Washington D.C., Smith made the call as he proposed regulations that could mitigate the…

  • Virgin Galactic blasts into space after two-year hiatus

    After Virgin Orbit vanished in bankruptcy court, Virgin Galactic announced its first spaceflight in two years as the Unity 25 mission rocketed to an altitude of 54.2 miles (87.2 km) on May 25, 2023 in the skies over Spaceport America, New Mexico. The flight of VSS Unity took off at 9:15 am MT slung beneath…

  • A new antibiotic, discovered with artificial intelligence, may defeat a dangerous superbug

    Using artificial intelligence, researchers say, they’ve found a new type of antibiotic that works against a particularly menacing drug-resistant bacteria. When they tested the antibiotic on the skin of mice that were experimentally infected with the superbug, it controlled the growth of the bacteria, suggesting that the method could be used to create antibiotics tailored to…

  • Teens hand themselves in to police over Sydney fire

    Two 13-year-old boys have turned themselves in to the police after a fire destroyed a seven-story heritage building in central Sydney. Around 100 firefighters were required to extinguish the flames, and an exclusion zone is expected to remain in place for a week, displacing at least 70 residents. While the two boys are assisting with…

  • Russian rocket attack on Ukraine hospital kills two

    A missile strike on a medical clinic in Dnipro, eastern Ukraine, has resulted in at least two deaths and 23 injuries. The injured individuals, including two young boys, were taken to hospitals, with three in serious condition. Ukrainian authorities reported shooting down 17 missiles and 31 drones launched from Russia, targeting various locations including Dnipro,…

  • Japan shocked by ‘heinous’ attack as 4 die in gun and knife rampage

    A rare shooting and stabbing rampage occurred in Nakano, Japan, allegedly carried out by the son of a local government official. The suspect, Masanori Aoki, was arrested on suspicion of killing a police officer, a woman, and injuring several others. The incident has caused great anxiety in Japan, a country with strict gun control laws…

  • Belgian aid worker freed after Belgium, Iran agree prisoner swap, says Oman

    After reaching a deal to swap prisoners, a Belgian aid worker imprisoned in Iran for over a year is on his way back to Belgium, while an Iranian diplomat has been released from Belgium and is returning to Iran. The aid worker, Olivier Vandecasteele, was received by Belgian soldiers and diplomats in Oman before undergoing…

  • Threat actors exploit new channels for advanced phishing attacks

    Perception Point has reported a significant increase in advanced phishing attacks, with a 356% rise in such attacks attempted by threat actors in 2022. Overall, the total number of attacks increased by 87%, demonstrating the escalating threat that cyber attacks pose to organizations. Malicious actors are leveraging new tools and advancements in artificial intelligence and…

  • Romania’s Safetech Leans into UK Cybersecurity Market

    Romanian cybersecurity firm Safetech has expanded its presence to the UK, announcing plans to establish a security operations center (SOC) in London. The company cited government support programs, cultural affinities, and the size of the UK’s cybersecurity market as reasons for investing in the country. Safetech aims to create 15 cyber jobs in the UK…

  • Organizations Worldwide Targeted in Rapidly Evolving Buhti Ransomware Operation

    Symantec has identified a new ransomware operation called Buhti, also known as Blacktail, that targets both Linux and Windows systems. The operation has been rapidly expanding since mid-April, using LockBit and Babuk variants to exploit vulnerabilities for initial access and steal victim files. Buhti operators utilize a modified version of LockBit 3.0 for Windows machines…

  • New Russia-Linked CosmicEnergy ICS Malware Could Disrupt Electric Grids

    Mandiant has discovered a new malware called CosmicEnergy, which is believed to be connected to Russia and aimed at disrupting industrial control systems, particularly electric grids. The malware targets devices using the IEC 60870-5-104 protocol and can manipulate power line switches and circuit breakers, posing a potential threat to electric grid assets. It is suspected…

  • South Korea’s KSLV-2 rocket launches seven satellites, one unaccounted for

    South Korea’s KSLV-2 rocket put seven satellites, including one equipped with synthetic aperture radar, into sun-synchronous orbit May 25, although an eighth cubesat is believed to have not deployed properly. The rocket lifted off at the planned time of 5:24 a.m. Eastern from the Naro Space Center. Live footage showed the 47.2-meter rocket, emblazoned with South…

  • Attackers Left Empty-Handed as Crypto Hacks Drop 70% in Q1 2023

    Attacks on token protocols and crypto projects dropped a staggering 70% in Q1 2023 compared to the same period last year when greed and valuations ran rampant, a new report by security firm TRM Labs shows. The stolen amount in the first three months this year is less than any quarter in 2022, showcasing better…

  • See why AI like ChatGPT has gotten so good, so fast

    Artificial intelligence has become shockingly capable in the past year. The latest chatbots can conduct fluid conversations, craft poems, even write lines of computer code while the latest image-makers can create fake “photos” that are virtually indistinguishable from the real thing. It wasn’t always this way. As recently as two years ago, AI created robotic text…

  • A Google DeepMind AI language model is now making descriptions for YouTube Shorts

    Google just combined DeepMind and Google Brain into one big AI team, and on Wednesday, the new Google DeepMind shared details on how one of its visual language models (VLM) is being used to generate descriptions for YouTube Shorts, which can help with discoverability. “Shorts are created in just a few minutes and often don’t include…

  • Solana blockchain integrates ChatGPT plugin, launches AI accelerator

    The Solana Foundation said Tuesday that it has created an open-source reference implementation that lets users interact with the Solana network directly from ChatGPT with a plugin that’s available for download on Github. “This integration from Solana Labs serves as a reference for how AI can make it easier to understand Solana data and protocols,…

  • Researchers Spot APTs Targeting Small Business MSPs

    Proofpoint security researchers have identified increasing attacks on small and medium businesses (SMBs) and their service providers. These attacks come from a variety of APTs linked to Russia, Iran, and North Korea. SMBs have lackluster cybersecurity relative to large companies and rarely have dedicated security teams. Proofpoint notes this makes these businesses easy targets for…

  • Biden Picks New NSA Head, Key to Support of Ukraine, Defense of US Elections

    Army Gen. Paul Nakasone is expected to step down as head of the National Security Agency (NSA) and U.S. Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM). Air Force Lt. Gen. Timothy Haugh, current deputy commander of USCYBERCOM, has been tapped to replace him. The agencies currently seek to bolster Ukrainian cyber defenses, halt cyber attacks against critical infrastructure, and…

  • Apria Healthcare Notifying 2 Million People of Years-Old Data Breaches

    Medical equipment company Apria Healthcare informed 1.86 million individuals of data breaches. Apria is the largest provider of home respiratory services and medical equipment with 280 locations in the United States. The cyber attacks likely compromised the personal information of many customers. The first cyber attack occurred between April 5 and May 7, 2019. The…

  • Microsoft Catches Chinese .Gov Hackers Targeting US Critical Infrastructure

    Microsoft detected Chinese state-backed hackers implementing cyberespionage malware in Guam. The small U.S. territory hosts a large military presence and is key to U.S. strategic depth in the Pacific. Microsoft dubbed the operation Volt Typhoon and discovered attempts to access post-compromise credential access and network system discovery. Microsoft released a statement that accused a Chinese…

  • Researchers find Israeli-made spyware deployed across Armenia

    A coalition of digital defense groups, NGOs, and human rights organizations identified at least 12 cases of Israeli spyware used in Armenia. The NSO Group Pegasus technology targeted Armenian officials, journalists, and organizers. One case involved reporters at a U.S. government-funded news organization. One researcher noted that the evidence uncovered thus far is just “the…

  • Russian Gold Shipments to the UAE, China and Turkey

    According to Russian customs records, over 100 non-Russian entities have handled Russian gold since Western markets imposed sanctions in early 2022. A handful of these shipments made it to Western destinations before the restrictions went into effect. U.S. bank JPMorgan received $4.5 million in gold in March and April 2022, while Swedish security firm Loomis received $5.9 million…

  • Thailand air force says U.S. has denied request to buy F-35 jets

    Thailand, a Major Non-NATO Ally since 2003, was denied access to F-35 stealth fighter jets. The U.S. cited time constraints, training requirements, and maintenance compatibility as reasons to deny the sale. Thailand set aside $407 million last year to replace some of its aging F-5 and F-16 fighters with eight new F-35s. The F-35 is…

  • Chinese hackers attacked Kenyan government as debt strains grew

    Multiple sources have verified a years-long Chinese hacking operation targeting Kenya’s government. The digital intrusions targeted key ministries and state institutions with information on debt owed to Beijing by Kenya. Kenya is an important segment of the Belt and Road Initiative, and China highly values financial intelligence on its investments. China’s foreign ministry denied any…

  • Amazon’s Answer to ChatGPT Seen as Incomplete

    Amazon.com Inc.’s cloud customers are clamoring to get their hands on the ChatGPT-style technology the company unveiled six weeks ago. But instead of being allowed to test it, many are being told to sit tight, prompting concerns the artificial intelligence tool isn’t fully baked. Amazon’s announcement that it had entered the generative AI race was…

  • Blizzard and Adobe tap generative AI tools as ‘co-pilots’ for humans

    Generative artificial intelligence tools are being rolled out by tech firms Adobe and Activision Blizzard, though each claimed the AI tools are there to assist humans in creating content and will not replace jobs. On May 23, graphic software giant Adobe launched “Generative Fill” which will allow users to “generate content from inside Photoshop with…

  • Forrester predicts 2023’s top cybersecurity threats: From generative AI to geopolitical tensions

    The nature of cyberattacks is changing fast. Generative AI, cloud complexity and geopolitical tensions are among the latest weapons and facilitators in attackers’ arsenals. Three-quarters (74%) of security decision-makers say their organizations’ sensitive data was “potentially compromised or breached in the past 12 months” alone. That’s a sobering cybersecurity baseline for any CISO to consider. With…

  • A.I.’s Threat to Jobs Prompts Question of Who Protects Workers

    When Congress held a series of hearings on jobs and technological advancement in October 1955, the head of a railroad worker organization took the stand to express his fears about automation. “There is uneasiness among our workers as they assess the advance of the new technology,” said W.P. Kennedy, president of the Brotherhood of Railroad…

  • Chinese Labs Are Selling Fentanyl Ingredients for Millions in Crypto

    Chinese chemicals companies suspected of supplying the base substances to produce fentanyl to overseas drug cartels have earned tens of millions of dollars in cryptocurrencies, according to two blockchain research firms, highlighting the criminal use of digital assets in China despite Beijing’s ban. Elliptic, a London-based blockchain analytics firm, said in a report published on…

  • How realistic is it to expect to find enough ice on the moon to support human habitation?

    Scientific American reports that: We are on the cusp of learning far more about the projected icy situation of the moon’s permanently shadowed regions, or PSRs. Multiple nations are eying the moon’s south pole with research teams plotting out how and where to explore the bottoms of the sun-shy features.  In some circles, however, there…

  • Samsung Smartphone Users Warned of Actively Exploited Vulnerability

    Samsung and the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) have warned users about a recently patched vulnerability. CVE-2023-21492 is an ASLR bypass vulnerability that has already been exploited in multiple attacks. The gap is described as a kernel pointer exposure issue relevant to log files and is likely chained to other bugs. Samsung patched…

  • Iranian Hackers Using New Windows Kernel Driver in Attacks

    Iranian hackers have been targeting entities in the Middle East using a new Windows kernel driver, according to cybersecurity researchers. The threat actor group, known as Agrius, has been using this advanced tool to conduct espionage campaigns and gain unauthorized access to targeted systems. The kernel driver allows the hackers to bypass security mechanisms and…

  • Threat Actor Abuses SuperMailer for Large-scale Phishing Campaign

    Security researchers have discovered a large-scale phishing campaign in which threat actors exploited the SuperMailer software to send phishing emails with malicious attachments. The campaign targeted users across various industries, utilizing social engineering techniques to trick recipients into opening the attachments, which contained malware. This incident highlights the importance of securing software and email systems,…

  • Dell’s Project Helix heralds a move toward specifically trained generative AI

    Dell has introduced Project Helix, a generative artificial intelligence (AI) model specifically trained for creative tasks. The AI model utilizes a combination of machine learning techniques, including deep learning and generative adversarial networks (GANs), to generate original and unique content such as images, text, and music. Dell aims to leverage Project Helix to enhance various…

  • Microsoft Dataverse: Going from Excel to new AI-powered tools

    Microsoft has introduced new AI tools for Dataverse, its low-code data platform. The AI tools aim to simplify data management and enhance productivity for developers and business users. The tools include AI Builder, which allows users to create AI models without writing code, and Power Automate, which automates workflows and integrates AI capabilities. These AI…

  • Ukraine war: US distances itself from Belgorod incursion into Russia

    The US has distanced itself from a cross-border incursion into Russia, which Moscow claims ended with the defeat of armed insurgents from Ukraine. The attack on parts of the border region of Belgorod on Monday was one of the most significant since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year. Russia released pictures of abandoned or damaged…

  • Anti-Putin Russians say they launched a cross-border attack from Ukraine. Here’s what we know

    Parts of the border region of Belgorod in Russia came under attack in a cross-border raid by armed insurgents believed to be from Ukraine. Russia claimed that 70 attackers were killed and that they were Ukrainian terrorists, while Ukrainian officials said the attackers were Russians from paramilitary groups known as the Liberty of Russia Legion…

  • Malaysia seizes Swatch watches over ‘LGBT connotations’

    Malaysia has confiscated over 2,000 Swatch watches due to concerns over their LGBTQ+ connotations. The authorities cited the rainbow-colored strap of the watches as a symbol associated with the LGBTQ+ community. The move has sparked criticism from human rights activists who argue that it violates freedom of expression and contributes to discrimination against the LGBTQ+…

  • Germany summons Turkish ambassador over ‘press freedom’ row

    Germany has summoned the Turkish ambassador over a press freedom dispute. The move comes after Turkey’s President Erdogan criticized a German media outlet for an article that was critical of him and his government. Germany’s Foreign Ministry expressed concerns over the threat to press freedom and demanded an explanation from the Turkish government. Read more:…

  • Nvidia’s $399 RTX 4060 Ti is a step forward

    ArsTechnica reports that: Nvidia’s announcement of the GeForce RTX 4060 series last week broke the pricing trend set by every other RTX 4000-series card released so far: The 4060 Ti is launching at the same price as its predecessor, and the 4060 is actually getting a small price cut. For more see: https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/05/review-nvidias-399-rtx-4060-ti-is-mostly-a-step-forward-but-only-a-small-one/ Our assessment: watch this…

  • ChatGPT creator warns of ‘existential risk’ from AI within a decade

    ChatGPT creator OpenAI has warned that superhuman artificial intelligence (AI) posing an “existential risk” to humanity could become reality within just ten years. The startup’s top bosses have called for the regulation of AI and warned that “superintelligence” is comparable to nuclear energy in terms of the risks it poses to mankind. AI scientists from companies including…

  • AI-generated image of Pentagon explosion causes stock market stutter

    A faked image of an explosion near the Pentagon has again revealed the power of artificial intelligence-powered deception — and was enough to cause the stock market to dip briefly. On May 22, the now-suspended verified Twitter account “Bloomberg Feed” — pretending to be affiliated with the media conglomerate — shared the image reporting of…

  • AI is in a ‘baby bubble’ Here’s what could burst it.

    Artificial intelligence is this year’s investment craze and experts say the profit potential is huge, but this period could be transformed by a messy pop à la the dot-com bust if the Federal Reserve makes one particular mistake, says Bank of America. AI is in a “baby bubble” for now, Michael Hartnett, chief investment strategist…

  • How the FBI prevented $130 million in crypto ransomware attacks by hacking the hackers behind Hive

    Hive ransomware group was not your average crime syndicate. Formed by a conglomeration of elite hacking teams, instead of scattered individuals, the group operated more like a parent company, licensing out its ransomware to subsidiaries worldwide. The operation was professional, and its ransomware interface was easy to use, complete with a username and password login for…

  • Meet ‘DarkBERT:’ South Korea’s Dark Web AI could combat cybercrime

    A team of South Korean researchers has taken the unprecedented step of developing and training artificial intelligence (AI) on the so-called “Dark Web.” The Dark Web trained AI, called DarkBERT, was unleashed to trawl and index what it could find to help shed light on ways to combat cybercrime. The “Dark Web” is a section…

  • Rheinmetall Says Military Business Not Impacted by Ransomware Attack

    German automotive and defense manufacturer Rheinmetall reported a cyber attack in mid-April. Recently, the Russian-linked ransomware group Black Basta listed the company on its leak website. This suggests Rheinmetall has not paid a ransom to the group thus far. Black Basta is threatening to leak exfiltrated information and has already posted screenshots to prove the…

  • Meta fined record $1.3 billion and ordered to stop sending European user data to US

    The European Union levied a $1.3 billion privacy fine on Meta and commanded the company to stop transferring data to the United States. The fine was issued by Ireland’s Data Protection Commission on behalf of the EU. Meta claims the decision sets a dangerous precedent for many other companies transferring data between the two continents.…

  • Dish Ransomware Attack Impacted Nearly 300,000 People

    Satellite TV company Dish Network informed the Maine Attorney General about a data breach last week. The company told authorities a ransomware attack impacted over 296,000 users. Dish’s statement suggested a ransom was paid to mitigate losses. The operation targeted records with personal information of current and former employees, as well as their family members.…

  • US, Papua New Guinea sign defense agreement as Modi pledges support for Pacific Islands

    Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the U.S. has signed a new defense cooperation pact with Papua New Guinea (PNG). The agreement enables U.S. military forces to train with PNG’s military and expands the nation’s strategic capabilities. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Blinken held separate meetings with PNG and 13 other Pacific island representatives.…

  • Analysis: China’s Micron ban highlights chipmakers’ dilemma as Sino-US tensions grow

    Following a G7 agreement to “de-risk, not decouple” from China, China announced a ban on U.S.-based Micron chips in certain sectors. The Sunday announcement marks the first targeted chipmaker ban by Beijing. Washington has attempted to slow Chinese military progress by limiting the export of chips and chipmaking technology for the past year. Industry analysts…

  • US says Russia’s Wagner Group seeking to transit material acquisitions through Mali

    The U.S. State Department announced that the Wagner Group is attempting to conceal its supplies and weapons acquisition process. The State Department was informed of plans to move Wagner supplies through Mali en route to Russia and Ukraine. Wagner has operated in Mali since 2021, and both Russia and Mali have insisted Wagner members are…

  • Israel aims to be ‘AI superpower’, advance autonomous warfare

    The Israel Defence Ministry director-general announced that Israel is concentrating efforts to become an artificial intelligence superpower. The Defence Ministry formed a dedicated organization for military robotics and approved a record-high research and development budget. The director-general particularly hoped to see advancements in autonomous warfare and combat decision-making. Retired general Eyal Zamir noted GPT (Generative…

  • Meta’s Mastodon-Compatible Decentralized Twitter Rival Set to Launch in June

    Social media juggernaut, Meta, is set to launch its decentralized Twitter alternative in late June, according to some reports. The app will be compatible with Mastodon. Meta is making progress with its decentralized Twitter alternative, with the launch of the product slated for late June. The new Instagram text-based app, which as of yet has…

  • The Optimist’s Guide to Artificial Intelligence and Work

    It’s easy to fear that the machines are taking over: Companies like IBM and the British telecommunications company BT have cited artificial intelligence as a reason for reducing head count, and new tools like ChatGPT and DALL-E make it possible for anyone to understand the extraordinary abilities of artificial intelligence for themselves. One recent study…

  • Carnegie Mellon received $20 million in federal funding to create a brand new AI institute aimed at shaping public policy

    A university in the United States received $20 million in federal funding to go towards the creation of a new AI institute. According to a report from a local news publication, the university of Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania received the funding for its new AI Institute for Societal Decision Making. The institute will foster the improvement…

  • SpaceX delivers private Axiom crew to the space station, carrying Saudi astronauts

    SpaceX delivered another quartet of astronauts to the International Space Station on Monday morning, on a private flight that included government astronauts from Saudi Arabia as the Arab kingdom leverages U.S. companies to expands its ambitions in space. Axiom Space booked the roughly week-long trip, known as the Ax-2 mission, to the ISS with Elon…

  • The Risks And Rewards Of Artificial Intelligence In Cybersecurity

    When I think about artificial intelligence (AI), the movie Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines comes to mind. The ability of a system or systems to simulate human intelligence in a given task and produce a particular outcome is artificial intelligence in probably the most basic definition. With innovations in 2023 such as ChatGPT and…

  • At least 20 children killed in Guyana school dormitory fire

    A fire in a school dormitory in Guyana has claimed the lives of at least 20 people, according to officials. The blaze occurred at a private boarding school in the country’s capital, Georgetown. The victims include students and staff members who were unable to escape the burning building. The cause of the fire is yet…

  • Trade deal signing expected as DRC leader visits China this week

    The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is set to visit China, with a signing of a minerals trade deal expected during the trip. The visit comes as part of efforts to boost economic cooperation between the two countries. The deal is likely to focus on the trade of minerals, a significant resource…