Canada moves closer to EU in tackling digital technology issues. In a scene straight out of Die Hard, IBM demonstrates how deepfakes can become a new area of risk, researchers show how digital hijacking can occur, and scientists uses 3D printing to create functioning brain cells.
All of this is featured in the “Master, I Have a Brain” edition of Hashtag Trends. I'm your host, Jim Love. He is his CIO for IT World in Canada and TechNewsDay in the US.
Listeners will probably notice that we cover a lot of stories about the EU and its laws. One reason for this is that in key areas, the EU appears to be leading the way in its approach to regulating both AI and big tech, as opposed to the theaters we regulate. See US Government.
Recent announcements indicate that the Canadian government agrees with our assessment.
His Excellency François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, and Thierry Breton, Commissioner for the Internal Market of the European Union (EU), announced the implementation of the Canada-EU Digital Partnership signed at the Canada-European Union Conference. Summit 2023 will be held in Canada in November.
They issued the following joint statement after their virtual meeting:
“The Digital Partnership will help the EU and Canada address new challenges in digital transformation that impact research, industry, society and the broader economy.
“We aim to focus on strengthening cooperation on artificial intelligence (AI), quantum science, semiconductors; public policy related to online platforms; secure international connectivity; and cybersecurity. These priorities include: It will be discussed at official level through a digital dialogue in February.
“On semiconductors, the EU and Canada intend to work together to address future disruptions in the semiconductor supply chain by considering monitoring and early warning mechanisms. They will exchange information on public support for this sector. I plan to.
“Regarding AI, the EU and Canada will establish regular communication channels and exchange information on AI governance, international standards, etc. through workshops.
“On quantum science, the EU and Canada will expand our mutually beneficial cooperation to accelerate research, development and innovation, as well as promote jobs and the use of quantum technologies in the broader economy.
“With respect to online platforms, the EU and Canada intend to continue to cooperate and exchange information on measures to ensure transparency, fairness and accountability, and to make the internet a safer and more inclusive place for users. ”
“Regarding secure and resilient connectivity, the EU and Canada intend to exchange information to facilitate the development of secure and high-quality connectivity. Partners also intend to share information with Europe, including potential routes in the Arctic and North Atlantic It will also explore efforts to develop secure, high-quality connectivity between North America, Asia, and North America.
“On cybersecurity, the EU and Canada intend to cooperate in implementing a cybersecurity regulatory framework, including in the areas of critical infrastructure protection and product cybersecurity.
“With regard to digital identity, digital credentials, and trust services, both sides intend to promote interoperability through pilot projects.
There is a lot to take in, but this is a major move for Canada to become a partner of the EU. There is a link to the full announcement in the program notes.
Source: Cision (link to full announcement)
To provide some contrast, here's a story from the weekend about US regulations.
In an unprecedented surge, AI-related lobbying activity surged 185% in 2023, with over 450 organizations now actively participating in shaping the future of artificial intelligence regulation.
The large increase, analyzed by CNBC's OpenSecrets, underscores the urgency for the tech industry to influence policy as the Biden administration moves forward with its regulatory framework. In addition to companies like ByteDance, Tesla, and Nvidia, groups across sectors from Big Tech and startups to finance and academia are joining the lobbying frenzy. This diverse collaboration aims to ensure that future AI regulations foster innovation while addressing ethical and social concerns.
The AI lobbying landscape has evolved dramatically, from a handful of organizations before 2017 to a wide range of industries now advocating for its benefits. Collective lobbying spending will exceed $957 million in 2023, specifically targeting AI.
The U.S. government has responded with initiatives such as President Biden's Executive Order on AI, setting the stage for the development of standards and assessments aimed at safe and fair AI deployment. As industry and policymakers navigate these complex discussions, the focus remains on balancing technological advances with ethical considerations and social impact.
Source: CNBC
IBM researchers have discovered a new way to hijack voice calls using generative AI. This is a development that could have a serious impact on financial institutions that manage sensitive data. This technique, known as “audiojacking,” allows cybercriminals to manipulate ongoing conversations by duplicating audio and intervening in real-time discussions.
By exploiting low-cost AI tools, fraudsters can easily impersonate individuals and replace audio content with fabricated responses. For example, during a conversation about bank accounts, an AI chatbot could replace the victim's bank account number with the attacker's account number, causing funds to be misdirected.
The process begins by installing malware on the victim's phone or compromising their voice calling service, after which the chatbot scans for specific keywords to trigger a voice exchange. Despite the potential for abuse, IBM's experiments also revealed several hurdles, including slow response times in cloned voices and variations in the quality of voice imitations.
Cybersecurity experts warn that generative AI is making voice fraud more believable, with some attacks requiring just three seconds of someone's voice to create a convincing clone. are doing. However, the effectiveness of these scams can be reduced by vigilance and simple verification techniques during suspicious calls.
Sources include: Axios
In a scenario reminiscent of a movie plot, researchers have shown that criminals can remotely control data in aviation apps and influence aircraft takeoff and landing procedures. The vulnerability, discovered in an app used by Airbus pilots, highlights growing concerns about cybersecurity in the airline industry. Although the actual risk of exploitation is considered low due to the specific conditions necessary for an attack, this study highlights the importance of securing digital flight systems against potential threats. Since then, Airbus has stepped up its ongoing efforts to address this issue and protect its aviation operations from cyber vulnerabilities.
Source: The Register.
In a breakthrough development, researchers have successfully created the first functional 3D printed brain tissue, paving the way for revolutionary advances in the study of brain function and neurological diseases. This groundbreaking research was conducted by experts at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, who developed printed tissue that grows and functions like typical brain tissue. The main purpose of this 3D printed brain model is to facilitate research into neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders, including Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.
The researchers highlighted the potential of this model as a powerful tool for understanding brain cells and communication between different parts of the human brain.
The printed tissue is designed to be thin to ensure optimal nutrient and oxygen uptake, allowing cells to form networks that mirror those of the human brain. These networks facilitate active communication through neurotransmitters and allow neurons to send signals to each other. Remarkably, this tissue incorporates different brain cells, such as the cerebral cortex and striatum, which may interact in specific ways despite their different origins.
This groundbreaking achievement not only provides new insights into the development of complex communications and networks within human brain tissue, but also revolutionizes our understanding of stem cell biology, neuroscience, and a variety of neurological and psychiatric diseases. It will also bring. The precision of this 3D printing approach allows for control over cell types and their placement. This is a feature not present in brain organoids, which are small, laboratory-manufactured organs used for brain research.
Source: Interesting Engineering,
I'm not scared about this. you? I mean, what could possibly go wrong?
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I'm your host, Jim Love. Thank you for your attention. Have a wonderful Monday!
