The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has identified Royal Tiger as the first official AI robocall scammer gang, marking a milestone in efforts to combat sophisticated cyber fraud. Royal Tiger has used advanced techniques like AI voice cloning to impersonate government agencies and financial institutions, deceiving millions of Americans through robocall scams.
These scams involve automated systems that mimic legitimate entities to trick individuals into divulging sensitive information or making fraudulent payments. Despite the FCC’s actions, experts warn that AI-driven scams will likely increase, posing significant challenges in protecting consumers from evolving tactics such as caller ID spoofing and persuasive social engineering.
While the FCC’s move aims to raise awareness and disrupt criminal operations, individuals are urged to remain vigilant. Tips include scepticism towards unsolicited calls, utilisation of call-blocking services, and verification of caller identities by contacting official numbers directly. Avoiding sharing personal information over the phone without confirmation of legitimacy is crucial to mitigating the risks posed by these scams.
Why does it matter?
As technology continues to evolve, coordinated efforts between regulators, companies, and the public are essential in staying ahead of AI-enabled fraud and ensuring robust consumer protection measures are in place. Vigilance and proactive reporting of suspicious activities remain key in safeguarding against the growing threat of AI-driven scams.
Meta’s main EU regulator, the Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC), requested that the company delay the training of its large language models (LLMs) on content published publicly by adults on the company’s platforms. In response, Meta announced they would not be launching their AI in Europe for the time being.
The main reason behind the request is Meta’s plan to use this data to train its AI models without explicitly seeking consent. The company claims it must do so or else its AI ‘won’t accurately understand important regional languages, cultures or trending topics on social media.’ It is already developing continent-specific AI technology. Another cause for concern is Meta’s use of information belonging to people who do not use its services. In a message to its Facebook users, it said that it may process information about non-users if they appear in an image or are mentioned on their platforms.
The DPC welcomed Meta’s decision to delay its implementation. The commission is leading the regulation of Meta’s AI tools on behalf of EU data protection authorities (DPAs), 11 of which received complaints by advocacy group NOYB (None Of Your Business). NOYB argues that the GDPR is flexible enough to accommodate this AI, as long as it asks for the user’s consent. The delay comes right before Meta’s new privacy policy comes into force on 26 June.
Beyond the EU, the executive director of the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office was pleased with the delay, and added that ‘in order to get the most out of generative AI and the opportunities it brings, it is crucial that the public can trust that their privacy rights will be respected from the outset.’
Toshiba Corp has announced a significant investment of about ¥100 billion to expand its power semiconductor production over the next three years. It aims to boost sales of chips essential for electric vehicles and industrial devices. That move is part of Toshiba’s broader efforts to revitalise its business and meet the rising demand for efficient power control technologies amid the global shift towards decarbonisation.
The investment will enhance production capacity at Toshiba’s factories in Ishikawa and Hyogo prefectures and in Thailand. These power semiconductors are crucial for optimising efficiency in all-electric cars and other equipment requiring active electric current control. Toshiba is also considering partnerships with other firms to improve production efficiency, alongside its planned collaboration with semiconductor manufacturer Rohm Co.
The expansion is part of Toshiba’s larger 400 billion yen capital investment plan, which includes 20 billion yen for upgrading plants in Kanagawa Prefecture and India that produce power grid devices. These strategic moves come after Toshiba’s delisting in December, following a ¥2 trillion buyout by a consortium led by Japan Industrial Partners Inc., aimed at restructuring the company after a series of corporate scandals in the 2010s.
In its recent growth strategy, Toshiba outlined plans to reduce its workforce in Japan by up to 6 percent through early retirement packages while concentrating on expanding in growth areas such as power semiconductors and digital technologies. The dual approach aims to streamline operations and position the company for future success.
Cisco announced plans on Monday to establish a cybersecurity centre in Taiwan, collaborating with the government to bolster the workforce in this critical sector. The initiative comes as part of Cisco’s Taiwan Digital Acceleration Plan 3.0, aimed at addressing the global talent shortage in cybersecurity and enhancing the island’s digital infrastructure.
Taiwan, a democratically governed territory claimed by China, has faced numerous cyberattacks attributed to Beijing, targeting government officials and tech firms. Although China denies these accusations, the frequency and sophistication of such attacks have prompted significant concern. Cisco’s initiative includes partnering with tech associations to develop a security centre in Taiwan, focusing on improving threat intelligence and cyber readiness.
Guy Diedrich, Cisco’s global innovation officer, emphasised the company’s commitment to Taiwan, highlighting the flexible nature of the digital acceleration program, which encompasses areas such as AI in transport and sustainability operations at Kaohsiung port. While Diedrich did not disclose specific investment amounts, he affirmed that the program allows ongoing investment opportunities.
The launch event, attended by Taiwan’s Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, underscored the strong partnership between Cisco and Taiwan. Vice President Hsiao expressed gratitude for Cisco’s sustained support and looked forward to potential future investments under the program.
A proposed cybersecurity certification scheme (EUCS) for cloud services has raised concerns among 26 industry groups across Europe, who caution against potential discrimination towards major US tech firms like Amazon, Alphabet’s Google, and Microsoft. The European Commission, EU cybersecurity agency ENISA, and EU countries are set to discuss the scheme, which has seen multiple revisions since its draft release in 2020. The EUCS aims to help governments and businesses select secure and reliable cloud vendors, a critical consideration in the rapidly growing global cloud computing industry.
The latest version of the scheme, updated in March, removed stringent sovereignty requirements that would have forced US tech giants to form joint ventures or collaborate with EU-based companies to handle data within the bloc, a criterion for earning the highest EU cybersecurity label. In a joint letter, the industry groups argued for a non-discriminatory EUCS that fosters the free movement of cloud services across Europe, aligning with industry best practices and supporting Europe’s digital goals and security resilience.
The signatories, which include various chambers of commerce and industry associations from several European countries, emphasised the importance of diverse and resilient cloud technologies for their members to compete globally. They welcomed the removal of ownership controls and specific data protection requirements, arguing that these changes would ensure cloud security improvements without discriminating against non-EU companies.
EU cloud vendors like Deutsche Telekom, Orange, and Airbus have advocated for sovereignty requirements, fearing non-EU government access to European data under foreign laws. However, the industry groups contend that the inclusive approach of the revised EUCS will better serve Europe’s digital and security needs while promoting a competitive market environment.
LinkedIn is using AI to streamline the job hunting process, aiming to alleviate the task of job searching for its users. The professional networking giant announced a suite of AI-driven features designed to match job seekers with opportunities more efficiently, ensuring that both employers and potential employees find the best fit with minimal effort. “We’ve been building with AI since 2007. We use it heavily for connecting people… for defense and how we keep trust in the ecosystem. It’s one of our most powerful tools,” its head of product, Tomer Cohen, said in an interview.
What is new?
Central to LinkedIn’s new offerings is an AI-powered recommendation engine that analyses user profiles, past job searches, and application history to suggest relevant job openings. The tool not only personalizes job recommendations but also learns from user interactions to refine its suggestions over time. LinkedIn’s goal is to significantly reduce the time and effort required for job seekers to find suitable roles, increasing the chances of matching them with positions that align closely with their skills and career aspirations.
LinkedIn is also rolling out AI tools designed to assist users in crafting more effective resumes and cover letters. These tools provide real-time feedback, highlighting key areas for improvement and suggesting changes to better align documents with job descriptions. By leveraging natural language processing, LinkedIn aims to help job seekers present their qualifications in the best possible light, ultimately increasing their chances of securing interviews.
To further support job seekers, LinkedIn is introducing AI-enhanced skill assessments and training modules. These features allow users to identify gaps in their skill sets and access personalized learning resources to address these deficiencies. The AI system recommends specific courses and certifications that can improve a user’s profile, making them more attractive to potential employers.
In addition to its AI-driven tools, LinkedIn is expanding the availability of Recruiter 2024, a comprehensive recruitment platform that leverages AI to help companies find and engage top talent more effectively. The platform will now include more tools for marketers, enabling them to reach and connect with their target audiences more efficiently. LinkedIn is also introducing enhanced premium company pages for small businesses, providing them with advanced features to showcase their brand and attract potential employees.
Why does it matter?
That move highlights the transformative potential of AI in professional networking. While job markets are becoming more competitive and fast-paced, LinkedIn’s embrace of AI technology represents a significant step in making the job hunting process more efficient and effective for both job seekers and employers:
Efficiency and personalization: AI-driven features can drastically reduce the time and effort required for job seekers to find relevant positions, leading to a more personalized and efficient job search experience.
Competitive edge: By assisting users in creating more compelling resumes and cover letters, LinkedIn’s AI tools can give job seekers a competitive edge in the increasingly crowded job market.
Skills development: The focus on personalized skill assessments and training can help job seekers stay relevant in their fields, addressing the skills gap that many industries face today.
Employer benefits: For employers, these AI-driven tools can lead to better job matches, reducing turnover and ensuring that new hires are well-suited for their roles.
Spotify has unveiled Creative Labs, an in-house advertising agency designed to assist brands in creating effective audio and visual ads on its platform, in-app digital experiences, and interactive formats like call-to-action cards (CTA). That initiative aims to streamline the ad creation process for advertisers, providing them with tools and expertise to craft compelling content tailored for Spotify’s vast user base. Creative Labs will offer a range of services, including concept development, production, and analytics, ensuring that advertisers can effectively reach their target audiences through engaging, high-quality ads.
In addition, Spotify will begin testing generative AI ads and is developing ‘Quick Audio,’ a tool enabling advertisers to create scripts and voiceovers using AI. The tool will soon be available in Spotify Ads Manager. A company spokesperson highlighted that ‘every campaign Creative Lab touches is highly customised to each specific brand and business need.’ Previously, a Spotify executive mentioned the company’s interest in using AI to generate host-read ads for podcasters.
Why does it matter?
The following move underscores the growing importance of personalised and engaging content in digital advertising, as well as the transformative shift in the integration of generative AI ads and Quick Audio introduced in the advertising world. AI enables more efficient and creative ad production, allowing for greater customisation and engagement. That benefits advertisers by enhancing their reach and impact and enriches the overall user experience by delivering more relevant and captivating content. As AI continues to evolve, its role in transforming advertising will likely expand, making platforms like Spotify essential in driving innovation and effectiveness in the industry.
Leading figures in France’s tech industry have expressed concern that immigration restrictions proposed by the far-right National Rally (RN) party could hinder the nation’s ambition to become Europe’s top AI hub. Following significant losses for his Renaissance party in the European Parliament election, President Emmanuel Macron has called for snap elections in the lower house, set for 30 June and 7 July.
Macron has prioritised support for domestic tech companies by easing hiring from abroad, lobbying against stringent EU regulations, and attracting investments from giants like Amazon and Microsoft. However, the RN, expected to win the most seats in the upcoming election, aims to reduce migrant worker numbers and increase scrutiny on foreign investments, which tech executives fear will undermine AI advancements.
Julien Launay, CEO of AI startup Adaptive ML, emphasised that skilled immigration is crucial for bringing talent to France, noting that many skilled professionals start as students and interns before entering the workforce. Camille Lemardeley, general director of the education startup Superprof, warned that the RN’s policies could create a less welcoming environment for international professionals, potentially stifling innovation and competitiveness across the tech sector.
Hugo Weber, head of public affairs at e-commerce firm Mirakl, echoed these concerns, stating that the RN’s policies could jeopardise France’s tech ecosystem by limiting access to global talent and venture capital. As France seeks to solidify its position as an AI leader, the proposed immigration restrictions pose a significant threat to the growth and sustainability of its tech industry.
Amazon and telecommunications firm Vrio are set to launch a satellite internet service in seven South American countries, directly competing with Elon Musk’s Starlink. Vrio, which oversees DirecTV Latin America and Sky Brasil, will offer the service in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia. The initiative, utilising Amazon’s Project Kuiper, aims to provide internet access via satellites in low Earth orbit.
According to World Bank data, the partnership addresses a significant demand, as an estimated 200 million people in the region have inadequate or no internet access. The challenging geography and the high cost of large infrastructure investments further highlight the need for satellite internet. The service is scheduled to go live in mid-2025, beginning in Argentina.
Project Kuiper plans to deploy 3,236 satellites to support this endeavour, part of Amazon’s $10 billion investment announced in 2019. The ultimate goal is to ensure that all customers, regardless of their location in urban, suburban, or rural areas, have equal access to high-speed broadband.
Meta has announced a range of product updates for WhatsApp businesses in India and other countries, introducing AI tools and a Meta Verified program. That announcement was made during the Conversations event in Sao Paulo, Brazil, where Meta detailed that these new features would provide businesses with additional options on WhatsApp. Initially available in India, Brazil, Indonesia, and Colombia, these services will be offered through subscription plans starting at approximately $14 per month.
The Meta Verified program, previously launched for Facebook and Instagram, is now extended to WhatsApp businesses. The verification provides a badge for companies that have registered their information with Meta, offering them protection against impersonation and additional account support. Verified businesses can use WhatsApp across multiple devices, and customers will see the badge on their channels and custom pages, ensuring authenticity and trust.
In addition to verification, Meta is introducing AI tools designed to help businesses enhance customer interactions. These tools can assist with answering common questions, discovering new products, and creating ads for Instagram and Facebook. Moreover, Meta is rolling out a feature that allows users to call businesses directly via WhatsApp, facilitating quick assistance for complex inquiries like travel arrangements or banking needs. The calling feature is currently being tested and will be expanded to more businesses in the coming months.
