Human rights principles Archives | Page 127 of 162

AI and AFM deliver real-time macrophage phenotyping

Macrophages drive immune responses, including inflammation, tissue repair, and tumour growth. Identifying their polarisation states is key for diagnosis and immunotherapy, but current methods, such as RNA sequencing and flow cytometry, are expensive, slow, and unsuitable for real-time use.

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has emerged as a powerful tool for decoding mechanobiological signatures of cells. Combined with AI, AFM data can be rapidly analysed, but macrophage phenotyping has been relatively underexplored using this approach.

Researchers led by Prof Li Yang at the Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology have now developed a label-free, non-invasive method combining AFM with deep learning. The system accurately profiles human macrophage mechanophenotypes and identifies polarisation states in real-time.

The AI model was trained on well-characterised macrophage subtypes and validated using flow cytometry. Results showed that pseudovirus stimulation mainly produced M1 macrophages, with smaller populations of M2 and mixed phenotypes, closely matching the model’s predictions.

The study, published in Small Methods, offers a promising diagnostic tool that could be extended beyond macrophages to other cell types. It could support new approaches in cancer, fibrosis, and infectious disease diagnostics based on mechanophenotypes.

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NotebookLM turns notes into flashcards podcasts and quizzes

Google’s learning-focused AI tool NotebookLM has gained a major update, making studying and teaching more interactive.

Instead of offering only static summaries, it now generates flashcards that condense key information into easy-to-remember notes, helping users recall knowledge more effectively.

Reports can also be transformed into quizzes with customisable topics and difficulty, which can then be shared with friends or colleagues through a simple link.

The update extends to audio learning, where NotebookLM’s podcast-style Audio Overviews are evolving with new formats. Instead of a single style, users can now create Brief, Debate, or Critique episodes, giving greater flexibility in how material is explained or discussed.

Google is also strengthening its teaching tools. A new Blog Post format offers contextual suggestions such as strategy papers or explainers, while the ability to create custom report formats allows users to design study resources tailored to their needs.

The most significant addition, however, is the Learning Guide. Acting like a personal tutor, it promotes deeper understanding by asking open-ended questions, breaking problems into smaller steps, and adapting explanations to suit each learner.

With these features, NotebookLM is moving closer to becoming a comprehensive learning assistant, offering a mix of interactive study aids and adaptable teaching methods that go beyond simple note-taking.

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Canadian news publishers clash with OpenAI in landmark copyright case

OpenAI is set to argue in an Ontario court that a copyright lawsuit by Canadian news publishers should be heard in the United States. The case, the first of its kind in Canada, alleges that OpenAI scraped Canadian news content to train ChatGPT without permission or payment.

The coalition of publishers, including CBC/Radio-Canada, The Globe and Mail, and Postmedia, says the material was created and hosted in Ontario, making the province the proper venue. They warn that accepting OpenAI’s stance would undermine Canadian sovereignty in the digital economy.

OpenAI, however, says the training of its models and web crawling occurred outside Canada and that the Copyright Act cannot apply extraterritorially. It argues the publishers are politicising the case by framing it as a matter of sovereignty rather than jurisdiction.

The dispute reflects a broader global clash over how generative AI systems use copyrighted works. US courts are already handling several similar cases, though no clear precedent has been established on whether such use qualifies as fair use.

Publishers argue Canadian courts must decide the matter domestically, while OpenAI insists it belongs in US courts. The outcome could shape how copyright laws apply to AI training and digital content across borders.

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Ransomware 3.0 raises alarm over AI-generated cyber threats

Researchers at NYU’s Tandon School of Engineering have demonstrated how large language models can be utilised to execute ransomware campaigns autonomously. Their prototype, dubbed Ransomware 3.0, simulated every stage of an attack, from intrusion to the generation of a ransom note.

The system briefly raised an alarm after cybersecurity firm ESET discovered its files on VirusTotal, mistakenly identifying them as live malware. The proof-of-concept was designed only for controlled laboratory use and posed no risk outside testing environments.

Instead of pre-written code, the prototype embedded text instructions that triggered AI models to generate tailored attack scripts. Each execution created unique code, evading traditional detection methods and running across Windows, Linux, and Raspberry Pi systems.

The researchers found that the system identified up to 96% of sensitive files and could generate personalised extortion notes, raising psychological pressure on victims. With costs as low as $0.70 per attack using commercial AI services, such methods could lower barriers for criminals.

The team stressed that the work was conducted ethically and aims to help defenders prepare countermeasures. They recommend monitoring file access patterns, limiting outbound AI connections, and developing defences against AI-generated attack behaviours.

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International search widens for ransomware fugitive on EU Most Wanted

A Ukrainian cybercrime suspect has been added to the EU’s Most Wanted list for his role in the 2019 LockerGoga ransomware attack against a major Norwegian aluminium company and other global incidents.

The fugitive is considered a high-value target and is wanted by multiple countries. The US Department of Justice has offered up to USD 10 million for information leading to the arrest.

Europol stated that the identification of the suspect followed a lengthy, multinational investigation supported by Eurojust, with damages from the network estimated to be in the billions. Several members of the group have already been detained in Ukraine.

Investigators have mapped the network’s operations, tracing its hierarchy from malware developers and intrusion experts to money launderers who processed illicit proceeds. The wanted man is accused of directly deploying LockerGoga ransomware.

Europol has urged the public to visit the EU Most Wanted website and share information that could assist in locating the fugitive. The suspect’s profile is now live on the platform.

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Nepal lifts social media ban after protests

The Nepali government has lifted its ban on major social media platforms following days of nationwide protests led largely by youth demanding action against corruption.

The ban, which blocked access to 26 social media sites including WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube, was introduced in an effort to curb misinformation, online fraud, and hate speech, according to government officials.

However, critics accused the administration of using the restrictions to stifle dissent and silence public outrage.

Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in Kathmandu and other major cities in Nepal, voicing frustration over rising unemployment, inflation, and what they described as a lack of accountability among political leaders.

The protests quickly gained momentum, with digital freedom becoming a central theme alongside anti-corruption demands.

The United Nations Office for the High Commissioner of Human Rights addressed the situation, stating: “We have received several deeply worrying allegations of unnecessary or disproportionate use of force by security forces during protests organized by youth groups demonstrating against corruption and the recent Government ban on social media platforms.”

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New project expands AI access for African languages

Africa is working to close the AI language gap, as most global tools remain trained on English, Chinese, and European languages.

The African Next Voices project has created the continent’s largest dataset of spoken African languages, covering 18 tongues across Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. Supported by a $2.2m Gates Foundation grant, the dataset includes 9,000 hours of speech in farming, health, and education settings.

Languages such as Hausa, Yoruba, isiZulu, and Kikuyu are now available for developers to build translation, transcription, and conversational AI tools. Farmers like South Africa’s Kelebogile Mosime already use local-language apps to solve agricultural challenges.

Start-ups, including Lelapa AI, are building products in African languages for banks and telecoms. Researchers warn that without such initiatives, millions risk exclusion from vital services and cultural knowledge could be lost.

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Momenta set for first European robotaxi rollout with Uber in Germany

Uber and Chinese startup Momenta will begin robotaxi t esting in Munich in 2026, marking their first public deployment in continental Europe. The trials will start with human safety operators, with plans to expand across additional European cities.

Founded in 2016, Momenta is one of China’s leading autonomous vehicle companies, having tested self-driving cars since 2018. The company is already collaborating with automakers such as Mercedes-Benz and BMW to integrate advanced driver assistance systems.

Uber is broadening its global AV network, which already spans 20 partners across mobility, delivery, and freight. In the U S, Waymo robotaxis operate via Uber’s app, while international partnerships include WeRide in the Gulf and Wayve in London.

Competition in Europe is intensifying. Baidu from China and Lyft plan to roll out robotaxis in Germany and the UK next year, while Uber has chosen Munich, Germany, as its engineering base and a strong automotive ecosystem.

German regulators must still certify Momenta’s technology and approve geo-fenced operating areas. If successful, Munich will become Momenta’s first European launchpad, building on its Shanghai robotaxi service and global ADAS deployment.

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Social media authenticity questioned as Altman points to bot-like behaviour

Sam Altman, X enthusiast and Reddit shareholder, has expressed doubts over whether social media content can still be distinguished from bot activity. His remarks followed an influx of praise for OpenAI Codex on Reddit, where users questioned whether such posts were genuine.

Altman noted that humans are increasingly adopting quirks of AI-generated language, blurring the line between authentic and synthetic speech. He also pointed to factors such as social media optimisation for engagement and astroturfing campaigns, which amplify suspicions of fakery.

The comments follow OpenAI’s backlash over the rollout of G P T-5, which saw Reddit communities shift from celebratory to critical. Altman acknowledged flaws in a Reddit AMA, but the fallout left lasting scepticism and lower enthusiasm among AI users.

Underlying this debate is the wider reality that bots dominate much of the online environment. Imperva estimates that more than half of 2024’s internet traffic was non-human, while X’s own Gr o k chatbot admitted to hundreds of millions of bots on the platform.

Some observers suggest Altman’s comments may foreshadow an OpenAI-backed social media venture. Whether such a project could avoid the same bot-related challenges remains uncertain, with research suggesting that even bot-only networks eventually create echo chambers of their own.

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Fake GitHub downloads deliver GPUGate malware to EU IT staff

A malv ertising ca mpaign is targeting IT workers in the EU with fake GitHub Desktop installers, according to Arctic Wolf. The goal is to steal credentials, deploy ransomware, and infiltrate sensitive systems. The operation has reportedly been active for over six months.

Attackers used malicious Google Ads that redirected users to doctored Gi t Hub repositories. Modified README files mimicked genuine download pages but linked to a lookalike domain. MacOS users received the AMOS Stealer, while Windows victims downloaded bloated installers hiding malware.

The Windows malware evaded detection using GPU-based checks, refusing to run in sandboxes that lacked real graphics drivers. On genuine machines, it copied itself to %APPDATA%, sought elevated privileges, and altered Defender settings. Analysts dubbed the technique GPUGate.

The payload persisted by creating privileged tasks and sideloading malicious DLLs into legitimate executables. Its modular system could download extra malware tailored to each victim. The campaign was geo-fenced to EU targets and relied on redundant command servers.

Researchers warn that IT staff are prime targets due to their access to codebases and credentials. With the campaign still active, Arctic Wolf has published indicators of compromise, Yara rules, and security advice to mitigate the GPUGate threat.

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