Interdisciplinary approaches

AI platforms barred from cloning Asha Bhosle’s voice without consent

The Bombay High Court has granted ad-interim relief to Asha Bhosle, barring AI platforms and sellers from cloning her voice or likeness without consent. The 90-year-old playback singer, whose career spans eight decades, approached the court to protect her identity from unauthorised commercial use.

Bhosle filed the suit after discovering platforms offering AI-generated voice clones mimicking her singing. Her plea argued that such misuse damages her reputation and goodwill. Justice Arif S. Doctor found a strong prima facie case and stated that such actions would cause irreparable harm.

The order restrains defendants, including US-based Mayk Inc, from using machine learning, face-morphing, or generative AI to imitate her voice or likeness. Google, also named in the case, has agreed to take down specific URLs identified by Bhosle’s team.

Defendants are required to share subscriber information, IP logs, and payment details to assist in identifying infringers. The court emphasised that cloning the voices of cultural icons risks misleading the public and infringing on individuals’ rights to their identity.

The ruling builds on recent cases in India affirming personality rights and sets an important precedent in the age of generative AI. The matter is scheduled to return to court on 13 October 2025.

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Lincoln Lab launches most powerful AI supercomputer at US university

Lincoln Laboratory has unveiled TX-GAIN, the most powerful AI supercomputer at any US university. Optimised for generative AI, the system ranks on the TOP500 list and significantly boosts research across the MIT campus.

Equipped with more than 600 NVIDIA GPU accelerators, TX-GAIN delivers two AI exaflops of peak performance. Researchers are using it to advance biodefence, protein modelling, weather analysis, network security, and new materials development.

Generative AI applications go beyond large language models, with teams at Lincoln Laboratory exploring radar evaluation, chemical interactions, and anomaly detection in digital systems. The laboratory’s design lets researchers access vast computing power without needing expertise in parallel programming.

TX-GAIN is also supporting collaborations with MIT institutions and the US military, including projects in quantum engineering, space operations, and AI-driven flight scheduling. The system in an energy-efficient Massachusetts facility continues the lab’s supercomputing tradition.

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Oracle systems targeted in unverified data theft claims, Google warns

Google has warned that hackers are emailing company executives, claiming to have stolen sensitive data from Oracle business applications. The group behind the campaign identifies itself as affiliated with the Cl0p ransomware gang.

In a statement, Google said the attackers target executives at multiple organisations with extortion emails linked to Oracle’s E-Business Suite. The company stated that it lacks sufficient evidence to verify the claims or confirm whether any data has been taken.

Neither Cl0p nor Oracle responded to requests for comment. Google did not provide additional information about the scale or specific campaign targets.

The cl0p ransomware gang has been involved in several high-profile extortion cases, often using claims of data theft to pressure organisations into paying ransoms, even when breaches remain unverified.

Google advised recipients to treat such messages cautiously and report any suspicious emails to security teams while investigations continue.

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NIST pushes longer passphrases and MFA over strict rules

The US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has updated its password guidelines, urging organisations to drop strict complexity rules. NIST states that requirements such as mandatory symbols and frequent resets often harm usability without significantly improving security.

Instead, the agency recommends using blocklists for breached or commonly used passwords, implementing hashed storage, and rate limiting to resist brute-force attacks. Multi-factor authentication and password managers are encouraged as additional safeguards.

Password length remains essential. Short strings are easily cracked, but users should be allowed to create longer passphrases. NIST recommends limiting only extremely long passwords that slow down hashing.

The new approach replaces mandatory resets with changes triggered only after suspected compromise, such as a data breach. NIST argues this method reduces fatigue while improving overall account protection.

Businesses adopting these guidelines must audit their existing policies, reconfigure authentication systems, deploy blocklists, and train employees to adapt accordingly. Clear communication of the changes will be key to ensuring compliance.

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New Gmail phishing attack hides malware inside fake PDFs

Researchers have uncovered a phishing toolkit disguised as a PDF attachment to bypass Gmail’s defences. Known as MatrixPDF, the technique blurs document text, embeds prompts, and uses hidden JavaScript to redirect victims to malicious sites.

The method exploits Gmail’s preview function, slipping past filters because the PDF contains no visible links. Users are lured into clicking a fake button to ‘open secure document,’ triggering the attack and fetching malware outside Gmail’s sandbox.

A second variation embeds scripts that connect directly to payload URLs when PDFs are opened in desktop or browser readers. Victims see permission prompts that appear legitimate, but allowing access launches downloads that compromise devices.

Experts warn that PDFs are trusted more than other file types, making this a dangerous evolution of social engineering. Once inside a network, attackers can move laterally, escalate privileges, and plant further malware.

Security leaders recommend restricting personal email access on corporate devices, increasing sandboxing capabilities, and expanding employee training initiatives. Analysts emphasise that awareness and recognition of suspicious files remain crucial in countering this new phishing threat.

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Cyberattack halts Asahi beer production in Japan

Japanese beer maker Asahi Group Holdings has halted production at its main plant following a cyberattack that caused major system failures. Orders, shipments, and call centres were suspended across the company’s domestic operations, affecting most of its 30 breweries in Japan.

Asahi said it is still investigating the cause, believed to be a ransomware infection. The company confirmed there was no external leakage of personal information or employee data, but did not provide a timeline for restoring operations.

The suspension has raised concerns over possible shortages, as beer has limited storage capacity due to freshness requirements. Restaurants and retailers are expected to feel pressure if shipments continue to be disrupted.

The impact has also spread to other beverage companies such as Kirin and Sapporo, which share transport networks. Industry observers warn that supply chain delays could ripple across the food and drinks sectors in Japan.

In South Korea, the effect remains limited for now. Lotte Asahi Liquor, the official importer, declined to comment, but industry officials noted that if the disruption continues, import schedules could also be affected.

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Grok controversies shadow Musk’s new Grokipedia project

Elon Musk has announced that his company xAI is developing Grokipedia, a planned Wikipedia rival powered by its Grok AI chatbot. He described the project as a step towards achieving xAI’s mission of understanding the universe.

In a post on X, Musk called Grokipedia a ‘necessary improvement over Wikipedia,’ renewing his criticism of the platform’s funding model and what he views as ideological bias. He has long accused Wikimedia of leaning left and reflecting ‘woke’ influence.

Despite Musk’s efforts to position Grok as a solution to bias, the chatbot has occasionally turned on its creator. Earlier this year, it named Musk among the people doing the most harm to the US, alongside Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

The Grok 4 update also drew controversy when users reported that the chatbot praised and adopted the surname of a controversial historical figure in its responses, sparking criticism of its safety. Such incidents raised questions about the limits of Musk’s oversight.

Grok is already integrated into X as a conversational assistant, providing context and explanations in real time. Musk has said it will power the platform’s recommendation algorithm by late 2025, allowing users to customise their feeds dynamically through direct requests.

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Liverpool scientists develop low-cost AI blood test for Alzheimer’s

Scientists at the University of Liverpool have developed a low-cost blood test that could enable earlier detection of Alzheimer’s disease. The handheld devices, powered by AI and equipped with polymer-based biosensors, deliver results with accuracy comparable to hospital tests at a fraction of the cost.

Alzheimer’s affects more than 55 million people worldwide and remains the most common cause of dementia. Existing hospital tests are accurate but expensive and inaccessible in many clinics, delaying diagnosis and treatment, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

One study utilised plastic antibodies on a porous gold surface to detect p-tau181, matching high-end laboratory methods. Another built a circuit-board device with a chemical coating that distinguished healthy from patient samples at a lower cost.

The platform is linked to a low-cost reader and a web app that utilises AI for instant analysis. Lead researcher Dr Sanjiv Sharma said the aim was to make Alzheimer’s testing ‘as accessible as checking blood pressure or blood sugar.’

The World Health Organisation has called for decentralised brain disease diagnostics. Researchers say these technologies bring that vision closer to reality, offering hope for earlier treatment and better care.

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Sora 2.0 release reignites debate on intellectual property in AI video

OpenAI has launched Sora 2.0, the latest version of its video generation model, alongside an iOS app available by invitation in the US and Canada. The tool offers advances in physical realism, audio-video synchronisation, and multi-shot storytelling, with built-in safeguards for security and identity control.

The app allows users to create, remix, or appear in clips generated from text or images. A Pro version, web interface, and developer API are expected soon, extending access to the model.

Sora 2.0 has reignited debate over intellectual property. According to The Wall Street Journal, OpenAI has informed studios and talent agencies that their universes could appear in generated clips unless they opt out.

The company defends its approach as an extension of fan creativity, while stressing that real people’s images and voices require prior consent, validated through a verified cameo system.

By combining new creative tools with identity safeguards, OpenAI aims to position Sora 2.0 as a leading platform in the fast-growing market for AI-generated video.

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Four new Echo devices debut with Amazon’s next-gen Alexa+

Amazon has unveiled four new Echo devices powered by Alexa+, its next-generation AI assistant. The lineup includes Echo Dot Max, Echo Studio, Echo Show 8, and Echo Show 11, all designed for personalised, ambient AI-driven experiences. Buyers will automatically gain access to Alexa+.

At the core are the new AZ3 and AZ3 Pro chips, which feature AI accelerators, powering advanced models for speech, vision, and ambient interaction. The Echo Dot Max, priced at $99.99, features a two-speaker system with triple the bass, while the Echo Studio, priced at $219.99, adds spatial audio and Dolby Atmos.

The Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 11 introduce HD displays, enhanced audio, and intelligent sensing capabilities. Both feature 13-megapixel cameras that adapt to lighting and personalise interactions. The Echo Show 8 will cost $179.99, while the Echo Show 11 is priced at $219.99.

Beyond hardware, Alexa+ brings deeper conversational skills and more intelligent daily support, spanning home organisation, entertainment, health, wellness, and shopping. Amazon also introduced the Alexa+ Store, a platform for discovering third-party services and integrations.

The Echo Dot Max and Echo Studio will launch on October 29, while the Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 11 arrive on November 12. Amazon positions the new portfolio as a leap toward making ambient AI experiences central to everyday living.

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