Disney and OpenAI strike deal to bring classic characters to Sora
As the old saying goes, if you can’t beat them, join them. AI generated video is already absolutely everywhere, and you're about to start seeing a lot more of it -- this time featuring a host of well known Disney characters. The Walt Disney Company and OpenAI have agreed a new deal that brings characters from the House of Mouse’s many brands to Sora.
The partnership links Disney’s library with OpenAI’s video generation tools and gives fans new ways to create and watch short clips. If you've ever wondered how Lady and the Tramp would react to sharing a meal with Pumbaa, you'll soon be able to find out.
GenAI lacks the creativity to make scientific discoveries [Q&A]
Generative AI is often praised for its ability to analyze data, summarize research and even propose scientific ideas, but new findings suggest its creative limits are more substantial than many of the exciting headlines imply.
Research led by Professor Amy Wenxuan Ding of emlyon business school and Professor Shibo Li of Indiana University found that while GenAI can imitate the process of science, it cannot yet produce the imaginative leaps that drive true discovery. In their study, which you can read here, a computer simulated experiment challenged ChatGPT-4 to solve a real genetics puzzle, asking it to propose hypotheses, design lab experiments and revise its thinking as results unfolded.
AI use grows in the workplace but organizations struggle to secure the human element
A new report reveals that security leaders are facing increased pressure in managing behavioral cybersecurity risk as the workforce transforms to include AI.
The study from KnowBe4, of 700 cybersecurity leaders and 3,500 employees, finds incidents relating to the human element surged by 90 percent in the past year. Examples of ways these incidents can occur include social engineering attacks such as phishing or business email compromise (BEC), risky or malicious behavior and human error.
Industrial routers on the front line of attacks
Attacks on operational technology (OT) are growing more automated and indiscriminate, Forescout Research- Vedere Labs’ latest honeypot analysis shows just how aggressively adversaries are probing industrial systems.
New data shows industrial routers are now the most attacked devices in OT environments, drawing 67 percent of all malicious activity in Forescout’s 90-day honeypot analysis.
Opera Neon, Opera's experimental agentic AI browser, is now available to all
Two months after its invite-only debut, Opera’s experimental agentic browser, Opera Neon, is now available for anyone to download and try out. Neon is designed for people who want to work with emerging AI tools as soon as they become available.
The software has been in a closed "Founders phase" since early October, and the removal of the waitlist means anyone can now sign up to use it for $19.90 a month.
Over a third of organizations adjust security strategy for AI-driven threats
More than one in three organizations (37 percent) say AI-driven attacks forced them to adjust their security approach over the past year according to a new report from Netwrix.
The global survey of 2,150 IT and security professionals from 121 countries finds 30 percent say their business uses AI and must now protect it like any other critical system. Compliance is catching up too, 29 percent report auditors now require proof of data security and privacy in AI-based systems.
Stardock releases Fences 6.20 with new Rollup options and desktop fixes
Stardock has rolled out an update for its popular Fences desktop organization tool. The program creates grouped areas on the Windows desktop for managing icons, folders, and automation rules, and version 6.20 introduces new interaction options along with fixes that address behavior in both single and multi display setups.
The update's biggest new addition is a "click to open" option for Rollup Fence groups. These groups normally expand when the mouse passes over them, occasionally leading to accidental openings. The feature can now be set to require a click instead, or have the group open only if the pointer pauses briefly over the area, offering a slower hover response.
Microsoft has fixed that Windows 11 dark mode bug that has been annoying you
With the release of the KB5072033 update for Windows 11, Microsoft has addressed a problem that was introduced by a previous update.
Following the recent release of the KB5070311 update, Microsoft was forced to admit that it had – for many people – introduced a flashing issue when dark mode was in use. The KB5072033 update addresses this problem and more.
Animations used to trick users into infecting their PCs
The latest Threat Insights Report from HP Threat Research reveals how attackers are refining campaigns with professional-looking animations and purchasable malware services.
The report provides an analysis of real-world cyberattacks, helping organizations keep up with the latest techniques cybercriminals use to evade detection and breach PCs in the fast-changing cybercrime landscape.
Firewalla Orange is a pocket-sized WiFi 7 router with multi-gigabit firewall
Firewalla has announced Firewalla Orange, a portable multi-gigabit firewall and WiFi 7 router built to bring Zero Trust protection to networks in homes, offices, and travel setups. It’s the latest product in the company’s range of cybersecurity devices that includes Firewalla Purple and Firewalla Gold SE.
The new product delivers an advanced security stack that includes intrusion prevention, VqLAN microsegmentation, device isolation, GEO-IP filtering, VLAN support, and Active Protect rules that shut down threats in real time. It’s rated for more than 2Gbps of packet processing, so can support cloud services, smart home devices, and remote work activity.
Spotify is testing a new prompt-powered playlist feature
Spotify has announced that it is testing a new playlist creation option that build on the familiarity people have developed with the likes of ChatGPT. Called Prompted Playlist, the feature gives users a way to create personalized playlists while still benefitting from some AI input.
This is just the latest in a long time of playlist creation options offered by Spotify, and the company says that the idea is to not only push the boundaries of listening, but also to give users greater control.
Meta is giving all US Instagram users control over the Reels algorithm
After testing giving users control over the algorithm that controls the display of Reels on Instagram, Meta has now rolled out this personalization feature to everyone in the US.
With algorithms so easily thrown off by a rogue period of viewing, these new controls give users a way to redirect the algorithm back in the direction they would prefer. It is a quick and easy way to make it clear the type of content you are definitely interested in, as well as indicating the stuff that you really don’t want to see.
Google launches Android Emergency Live Video to assist 911 calls
Google has launched a new feature for Android users that makes it possible to share live video with emergency services. Android Emergency Live Video is meant to help 911 call handlers get a better idea of what is going on in an emergency situation.
The feature is available in the US, and it works with Motorola’s 911 command center software which is used in more than half of North America’s public safety answering points (PSAPs).
Adobe launches Photoshop, Express and Acrobat inside ChatGPT -- for free
Adobe has launched Photoshop, Adobe Express and Acrobat inside ChatGPT, giving the AI platform’s 800 million weekly users direct access to its most popular creative and productivity tools.
The integration combines Adobe’s image editing knowhow with ChatGPT’s conversational interface, allowing people to edit photos, design content and transform documents simply by describing what they want to do.
Asus ROG launches Raikiri II Xbox wireless controller in the US
Asus ROG (Republic of Gamers) has announced the US retail availability of the Raikiri II Xbox Wireless controller, the company’s first Xbox certified wireless gamepad. On sale through Best Buy, it supports Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Windows PCs, and several of Asus' handheld systems including the ROG Ally and Ally X.
The controller uses tunneling magnetoresistance joysticks rather than traditional mechanical designs in order to reduce drift and improve motion accuracy and energy efficiency. It promises a 1000Hz polling rate in both wired and 2.4GHz wireless modes on PC, supported by ROG's SpeedNova wireless technology, which reduces input latency.



