US insurance firm Aflac has confirmed that a cyberattack disclosed in June affected around 22.65 million people. The breach involved the theft of sensitive personal and health information; however, the company initially did not specify the number of individuals affected.
In filings with the Texas attorney general, Aflac said the compromised data includes names, dates of birth, home addresses, government-issued identification numbers, driving licence details, and Social Security numbers. Medical and health insurance information was also accessed during the incident.
A separate filing with the Iowa attorney general suggested the attackers may be linked to a known cybercriminal organisation. Federal law enforcement and external cybersecurity specialists indicated the group had been targeting the insurance sector more broadly.
Security researchers have linked a wave of recent insurance-sector breaches to Scattered Spider, a loosely organised group of predominantly young, English-speaking hackers. The timing and targeting of the Aflac incident align with the group’s activity.
The US company stated that it has begun notifying the affected individuals. The company, which reports having around 50 million customers, did not respond to requests for comment. Other insurers, including Erie Insurance and Philadelphia Insurance Companies, reported breaches during the same period.
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Deutsche Bank has warned that surging AI investment is helping to prop up US economic growth. Analysts say that broader spending would have stalled without the heavy outlays on technology.
The bank estimates hyperscalers could spend $4 trillion on AI data centres by 2030. Analysts cautioned returns remain uncertain despite the scale of investment.
Official data showed US GDP grew at a 4.3% annualised rate in the third quarter. Economists linked much of the momentum to AI-driven capital expenditure.
Market experts remain divided on risks, although many reject fears of a bubble. Corporate cash flows, rather than excessive borrowing, are funding the majority of AI infrastructure.
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Increasingly, YouTube creators are utilising AI-generated music to enhance video quality, saving time and costs. Selecting tracks that align with the content tone and audience expectations is crucial for engagement.
Subtle, balanced music supports narration without distraction and guides viewers through sections. Thoughtful use of intros, transitions and outros builds channel identity and reinforces branding.
Customisation tools allow creators to adjust tempo, mood and intensity for better pacing and cohesion with visuals. Testing multiple versions ensures the music feels natural and aligns with storytelling.
Understanding licensing terms protects monetisation and avoids copyright issues. Combining AI music with creative judgement keeps content authentic and original while maximising production impact.
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Meta has restricted access in India to two AI-generated videos posted by the Congress party. The clips depicted Prime Minister Narendra Modi alongside Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group.
The company stated that the content did not violate its community standards. Action followed takedown notices issued by Delhi Police under India’s information technology laws.
Meta warned that ignoring the orders could jeopardise safe harbour protections. Loss of those protections would expose platforms to direct legal liability.
The case highlights growing scrutiny of political AI content in India. Recent rule changes have tightened procedures for ordering online takedowns.
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AI is extending the clinical value of chest X-rays beyond lung and heart assessment. Researchers are investigating whether routine radiographs can support broader disease screening without the need for additional scans. Early findings suggest existing images may contain underused diagnostic signals.
A study in Radiology: Cardiothoracic Imaging examined whether AI could detect hepatic steatosis from standard frontal chest X-rays. Researchers analysed more than 6,500 images from over 4,400 patients across two institutions. Deep learning models were trained and externally validated.
The AI system achieved area-under-curve scores above 0.8 in both internal and external tests. Saliency maps showed predictions focused near the diaphragm, where part of the liver appears on chest X-rays. Results suggest that reliable signal extraction can be achieved from routine imaging.
Researchers argue the approach could enable opportunistic screening during standard care. Patients flagged by AI could be referred for a dedicated liver assessment when appropriate. The method adds clinical value without increasing imaging costs or radiation exposure.
Experts caution that the model is not a standalone diagnostic tool and requires further prospective validation. Integration with clinical and laboratory data remains necessary to reduce false positives. If validated, AI-enhanced X-rays could support scalable risk stratification.
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Use of AI chatbots for everyday tasks, from structuring essays to analysing data, has become widespread. Researchers are increasingly examining whether reliance on such tools affects critical thinking and learning. Recent studies suggest a more complex picture than simple decline.
A research study published by MIT found reduced cognitive activity among participants who used ChatGPT to write essays. Participants also showed weaker recall than those who completed tasks without AI assistance, raising questions about how learning develops when writing is outsourced.
Similar concerns emerged from studies by Carnegie Mellon University and Microsoft. Surveys of white-collar workers linked higher confidence in AI tools with lower levels of critical engagement, prompting warnings about possible overreliance.
Studies involving students present a more nuanced outcome. Research published by Oxford University Press found that many pupils felt AI supported skills such as revision and creativity. At the same time, some reported that tasks became too easy, limiting deeper learning.
Experts emphasise that outcomes depend on how AI tools are used. Educators argue for clearer guidance, transparency, and further research into long-term effects. Used as a tutor rather than a shortcut, AI may support learning rather than weaken it.
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Chief financial officers predict AI will shift finance from experimentation to enterprise-wide impact in 2026. Real-time insights, scenario modelling and strategic decision-making are expected to become central to finance functions.
Success depends on trusted data, strong governance, modernised architectures and human judgement. AI will not replace expertise, but rather reveal gaps and reward organisations that integrate AI with their strategy.
CFOs plan to use AI for capital allocation, forecasting, risk management and operational efficiency. The focus is moving from efficiency gains to transformative, high-value work that drives measurable outcomes.
Enterprise-wide adoption of AI will require robust oversight and upskilling of finance teams. Leaders who modernise systems and combine AI with human expertise will gain a competitive edge.
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Mandatory facial verification will be introduced in South Korea for anyone opening a new mobile phone account, as authorities try to limit identity fraud.
Officials said criminals have been using stolen personal details to set up phone numbers that later support scams such as voice phishing instead of legitimate services.
Major mobile carriers, including LG Uplus, Korea Telecom and SK Telecom, will validate users by matching their faces against biometric data stored in the PASS digital identity app.
Such a requirement expands the country’s identity checks rather than replacing them outright, and is intended to make it harder for fraud rings to exploit stolen data at scale.
The measure follows a difficult year for data security in South Korea, marked by cyber incidents affecting more than half the population.
SK Telecom reported a breach involving all 23 million of its customers and now faces more than $1.5 billion in penalties and compensation.
Regulators also revealed that mobile virtual network operators were linked to 92% of counterfeit phones uncovered in 2024, strengthening the government’s case for tougher identity controls.
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Amid growing attention on AI, Google DeepMind chief Demis Hassabis has argued that future systems could learn anything humans can.
He suggested that as technology advances, AI may no longer remain confined to single tasks. Instead of specialising narrowly, it could solve different kinds of problems and continue improving over time.
Supporters say rapid progress already shows how powerful the technology has become.
Other experts disagree and warn that human intelligence remains deeply complex. People rely on emotions, personal experience and social understanding when they think, while machines depend on data and rules.
Critics argue that comparing AI with the human mind oversimplifies how intelligence really works, and that even people vary widely in ability.
Elon Musk has supported the idea that AI could eventually learn as much as humans, while repeating his long-standing view that powerful systems must be handled carefully. His backing has intensified the debate, given his influence in the technology world.
The discussion matters because highly capable AI could reshape work, education and creativity, raising questions over safety and control.
For now, AI performs specific tasks extremely well yet cannot think or feel like humans, and no one can say for certain whether true human-level intelligence will ever emerge.
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Authorities in Romania have confirmed a severe ransomware attack on the national water administration ‘Apele Române’, which encrypted around 1,000 IT systems across most regional water basin offices.
Attackers used Microsoft’s BitLocker tool to lock files and then issued a ransom note demanding contact within seven days, although cybersecurity officials continue to reject any negotiation with criminals.
The disruption affected email systems, databases, servers and workstations instead of operational technology, meaning hydrotechnical structures and critical water management systems continued to function safely.
Staff coordinated activity by radio and telephone, and flood defence operations remained in normal working order while investigations and recovery progressed.
National cyber agencies, including the National Directorate of Cyber Security and the Romanian Intelligence Service’s cyber centre, are now restoring systems and moving to include water infrastructure within the state cyber protection framework.
The case underlines how ransomware groups increasingly target essential utilities rather than only private companies, making resilience and identity controls a strategic priority.
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