ai Archives | Page 179 of 372 | Digital Watch Observatory

AI model detects infections from wound photos

Mayo Clinic researchers have developed an AI system capable of detecting surgical site infections from wound photographs submitted by patients. The model was trained using over 20,000 images from more than 6,000 persons across nine hospital locations.

The AI pipeline identifies whether a photo contains a surgical incision and then evaluates that incision for infection. Known as Vision Transformer, the model accurately recognises incisions and scores high in AUC in infection detection.

Medical staff review outpatient wound images manually, which can delay care and burden resources. Automating this process may improve early diagnosis, reduce unnecessary visits, and speed up responses to high-risk cases.

Researchers believe the tool could eventually serve as a frontline screening method, especially helpful in rural or understaffed areas. Consistent performance across diverse patient groups also suggests a lower risk of algorithmic bias, though further validation remains essential.

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OpenAI locks down operations after DeepSeek model concerns

OpenAI has significantly tightened its internal security following reports that DeepSeek may have replicated its models. DeepSeek allegedly used distillation techniques to launch a competing product earlier this year, prompting a swift response.

OpenAI has introduced strict access protocols to prevent information leaks, including fingerprint scans, offline servers, and a policy restricting internet use without approval. Sensitive projects such as its AI o1 model are now discussed only by approved staff within designated areas.

The company has also boosted cybersecurity staffing and reinforced its data centre defences. Confidential development information is now shielded through ‘information tenting’.

These actions coincide with OpenAI’s $30 billion deal with Oracle to lease 4.5 gigawatts of data centre capacity across the United States. The partnership plays a central role in OpenAI’s growing Stargate infrastructure strategy.

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Phishing 2.0: How AI is making cyber scams more convincing

Phishing remains among the most widespread and dangerous cyber threats, especially for individuals and small businesses. These attacks rely on deception—emails, texts, or social messages that impersonate trusted sources to trick people into giving up sensitive information.

Cybercriminals exploit urgency and fear. A typical example is a fake email from a bank saying your account is at risk, prompting you to click a malicious link. Even when emails look legitimate, subtle details—like a strange sender address—can be red flags.

In one recent scam, Netflix users received fake alerts about payment failures. The link led to a fake login page where credentials and payment data were stolen. Similar tactics have been used against QuickBooks users, small businesses, and Microsoft 365 customers.

Small businesses are frequent targets due to limited security resources. Emails mimicking vendors or tech companies often trick employees into handing over credentials, giving attackers access to sensitive systems.

Phishing works because it preys on human psychology: trust, fear, and urgency. And with AI, attackers can now generate more convincing content, making detection harder than ever.

Protection starts with vigilance. Always check sender addresses, avoid clicking suspicious links, and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA). Employee training, secure protocols for sensitive requests, and phishing simulations are critical for businesses.

Phishing attacks will continue to grow in sophistication, but with awareness and layered security practices, users and businesses can stay ahead of the threat.

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Groq opens AI data centre in Helsinki

Groq has opened its first European AI data centre in Helsinki, Finland, in collaboration with Equinix. The facility offers European users fast, secure, and low-latency AI inference services, aiming to improve performance and data governance.

The launch follows Groq’s existing partnership with Equinix, which already includes a site in Dallas. The new centre complements Groq’s global network, including facilities in the US, Canada and Saudi Arabia.

CEO Jonathan Ross stated the centre provides immediate infrastructure for developers building fast at scale. Equinix highlighted Finland’s reliable power and sustainable energy as key factors in the decision to host capacity there.

The data centre supports GroqCloud, delivering over 20 million tokens per second across its network. European businesses are expected to benefit from improved AI performance and operational efficiency.

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Training AI sustainably depends on where and how

Organisations are urged to place AI model training in regions powered by renewable energy. For instance, training in Canada rather than Poland could reduce carbon emissions by approximately 85 %. Strategic location choices are becoming vital for greener AI.

Selecting appropriate hardware also plays a pivotal role. Research shows that a high-end NVIDIA H100 GPU carries three times the manufacturing carbon footprint of a more energy-efficient NVIDIA L4. Opting for the proper GPU can deliver performance without undue environmental cost.

Efficiency should be embedded at every stage of the AI process. From hardware procurement and algorithm design to operational deployment, even fractional improvements across the supply chain can significantly reduce overall carbon output, ensuring that today’s progress doesn’t harm tomorrow’s planet.

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US Cyber Command proposes $5M AI Initiative for 2026 budget

US Cyber Command is seeking $5 million in its fiscal year 2026 budget to launch a new AI project to advance data integration and operational capabilities.

While the amount represents a small fraction of the command’s $1.3 billion research and development (R&D) portfolio, the effort reflects growing emphasis on incorporating AI into cyber operations.

The initiative follows congressional direction set in the fiscal year (FY) 2023 National Defense Authorization Act, which tasked Cyber Command and the Department of Defense’s Chief Information Officer—working with the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer, DARPA, the NSA, and the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering—to produce a five-year guide and implementation plan for rapid AI adoption.

However, this roadmap, developed shortly after, identified priorities for deploying AI systems, applications, and supporting data processes across cyber forces.

Cyber Command formed an AI task force within its Cyber National Mission Force (CNMF) to operationalise these priorities. The newly proposed funding would support the task force’s efforts to establish core data standards, curate and tag operational data, and accelerate the integration of AI and machine learning solutions.

Known as Artificial Intelligence for Cyberspace Operations, the project will focus on piloting AI technologies using an agile 90-day cycle. This approach is designed to rapidly assess potential solutions against real-world use cases, enabling quick iteration in response to evolving cyber threats.

Budget documents indicate the CNMF plans to explore how AI can enhance threat detection, automate data analysis, and support decision-making processes. The command’s Cyber Immersion Laboratory will be essential in testing and evaluating these cyber capabilities, with external organisations conducting independent operational assessments.

The AI roadmap identifies five categories for applying AI across Cyber Command’s enterprise: vulnerabilities and exploits; network security, monitoring, and visualisation; modelling and predictive analytics; persona and identity management; and infrastructure and transport systems.

To fund this effort, Cyber Command plans to shift resources from its operations and maintenance account into its R&D budget as part of the transition from FY2025 to FY2026.

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Pakistan launches AI customs system to tackle tax evasion

Pakistan has launched its first AI-powered Customs Clearance and Risk Management System (RMS) to cut tax evasion, reduce corruption, and modernise port operations by automating inspections and declarations.

The initiative, part of broader digital reforms, is led by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) with support from the Intelligence Bureau.

By minimising human involvement in customs procedures, the system enables faster, fairer, and more transparent processing. It uses AI and automated bots to assess goods’ value and classification, improve risk profiling, and streamline green channel clearances.

Early trials showed a 92% boost in system performance and more than double the efficiency in identifying compliant cargo.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the collaboration between the FBR and IB, calling the initiative a key pillar of national economic reform. He urged full integration of the system into the country’s digital infrastructure and reaffirmed tax reform as a government priority.

The AI system is also expected to close loopholes in under-invoicing and misdeclaration, which have long been used to avoid duties.

Meanwhile, video analytics technology is trialled to detect factory tax fraud, with early tests showing 98% accuracy. In recent enforcement efforts, authorities recovered Rs178 billion, highlighting the potential of data-driven approaches in tackling fiscal losses.

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Wimbledon faces backlash over AI line judges after tech errors spark outrage

Wimbledon’s decision to fully replace human line judges with an AI-powered system has sparked growing discontent among players and fans.

Although designed for precision, the Hawk-Eye Live system has made questionable calls, been difficult to hear during matches, and even shut down unexpectedly, raising concerns about its reliability.

British players Jack Draper and Emma Raducanu both expressed frustration over key points lost due to what they believed were inaccurate calls. Sonay Kartal’s match was interrupted in a particularly disruptive incident when the AI system crashed mid-game, prompting organisers to apologise.

The All England Club defends the system as more impartial than human officials, but not everyone agrees. Over 300 line judges lost their jobs, and some staged protests outside the grounds.

With no way to challenge calls made by the machine, players say the system removes accountability and human judgement from the sport.

While Wimbledon continues to market the move as progress, critics argue that the tournament has sacrificed tradition and clarity for automation.

As other Grand Slams like the French Open retain human officials, questions remain over whether AI is improving the sport or changing it for the worse.

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Meta hires Apple’s top AI executive amid tech talent war

Apple has lost a key AI executive to Meta, dealing a fresh blow to the tech giant’s internal AI ambitions.

Ruoming Pang, who led Apple’s foundation models team, is joining Meta’s newly formed superintelligence group, according to people familiar with the matter.

Meta reportedly offered Pang a lucrative package worth tens of millions annually, continuing its aggressive hiring streak.

The company, led by Mark Zuckerberg, has already brought in several high-profile AI experts from Scale AI, OpenAI, Anthropic and elsewhere, with Zuckerberg personally involved in recruitment efforts.

Pang’s team at Apple had been responsible for the core language models behind Apple Intelligence and Siri.

However, internal dissatisfaction has been mounting as the company considered shifting to third-party models, including from OpenAI and Anthropic.

That shift, combined with recent leadership changes and reduced responsibilities for Apple’s AI chief John Giannandrea, has weakened morale across the team.

Following Pang’s exit, the team will now be managed by Zhifeng Chen under a new multi-tier structure.

Several engineers are also reportedly planning to leave, raising concerns about Apple’s ability to retain AI talent as Meta increases its investment and influence in the race for advanced AI development.

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Experts gather in Malta to address digital risks in insurance

Malta is leading in the insurance sector’s response to digital transformation and emerging global risks.

At the centre of this push was a high-level forum, Innovating Insurance: Malta’s Digital Shift and Emerging Risks, hosted by FinanceMalta and the University of Malta’s Department of Insurance and Risk Management.

The event gathered regulators, professionals, academics, and students from across Europe and beyond to examine the future of insurance.

Two panel sessions addressed how technological innovations are reshaping the insurance landscape, focusing on the role of AI, cyber threats, and climate-related risks.

Speakers praised AI’s ability to enhance fairness and transparency by processing large data sets, warning of the need to retain human oversight for accountability.

Cyber insurance was highlighted as a fast-growing necessity, though panellists underlined it should complement—not replace—strong internal risk management and resilience strategies.

Regulatory authorities welcomed a growing cultural shift towards more proactive risk governance, encouraging businesses to match their investment in digital tools with equal commitment to cybersecurity.

Discussions also explored new digital models’ legal and regulatory consequences, reaffirming Malta’s role as a serious contributor to global insurance dialogue.

The event formed part of an international course on insurance regulation, underlining Malta’s strong academic–industry–regulator collaboration.

Organisers and speakers expressed confidence that Malta, despite its size, is playing a meaningful part in shaping a resilient and future-oriented insurance ecosystem.

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