The Rise of GenAI: A New Cybersecurity Threat Landscape

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Generative AI (GenAI) emerges as a prominent cybersecurity threat this year, with hackers leveraging ChatGPT and Gemini AI models for sophisticated infiltration tactics. Security leaders grapple with GenAI’s evolving capabilities, recognizing both its challenges and potential for augmenting operational security.

Despite GenAI’s impact, cybersecurity leaders face additional challenges such as third-party incidents, prompting a shift towards resilience-oriented investments. Organizations are increasingly cautious, with over one in four banning GenAI use due to privacy and data security concerns, as revealed by the ‘Cisco 2024 Data Privacy Benchmark Study’.

Paytm Users Rejoice! Continued UPI Transactions with a Twist

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Paytm users worried about their @paytm handle’s future can breathe easy – for now. The RBI has stepped in to ensure uninterrupted UPI transactions, but with some key changes.

  • Paytm Payments Bank’s wallet freeze: Bad news for existing account holders – they can’t top up after March 15th.
  • Paytm as a Third-Party App Provider (TPAP): The good news – @paytm can continue as a UPI app, but under new regulations.
  • Handle migration: Existing users must migrate to a new handle linked to a different bank.
  • No new users allowed: Paytm can’t add new users until the migration is complete.
  • More payment partners: The RBI wants 4-5 banks certified to handle Paytm’s high transaction volume.

What does this mean for you?

  • If you use @paytm for UPI, keep an eye out for migration instructions.
  • New users, hold your horses! You can’t join the party yet.
  • More banks will be involved in processing your transactions, potentially increasing options.

Remember: This is a temporary solution while the RBI finalizes Paytm’s long-term status. Stay tuned for further updates!

Smartwatches: Your Secret Weapon Against Depression?

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Forget just counting steps and monitoring sleep, your smartwatch might soon become a key tool in your mental health journey. A new study suggests that data collected by these wearables can offer valuable insights into depression symptoms, potentially helping doctors tailor treatment plans better.

Think of it as a silent observer, tracking your daily activities and physiological signs that might be linked to depression, like sleep patterns, movement, and even social interaction through app usage. This information, combined with your doctor’s expertise and your own input, can paint a more complete picture of your mental well-being.

  • Smartwatches can track: Sleep, activity levels, social interactions (through app usage), and heart rate variability (a measure of stress response).
  • These tracked patterns can be linked to depression symptoms: Too much or too little sleep, low activity, and social isolation are all red flags.
  • Doctors can use this data to: Tailor treatment plans, identify potential issues early on, and get a quicker understanding of your mental health.

It’s important to remember that smartwatches aren’t replacing your doctor’s judgment. They’re simply providing additional data points to support diagnosis and treatment decisions. The conversation between you and your doctor remains crucial.

So, the next time you glance at your smartwatch, remember – it might be doing more than just reminding you to move! It could be playing a role in your mental health journey too.

Facebook to Threads: Now You Can Share Like a Pro!

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Calling all content creators and social media savants! Meta is testing a game-changer: cross-posting from Facebook to Threads. Get ready to streamline your workflow and amplify your voice across platforms!

Remember how you could seamlessly share Stories and Reels between Facebook and Instagram? This new feature takes it up a notch, allowing you to share text and link posts from Facebook to Threads with ease.

Here’s the scoop:

  • Limited testing: Currently available only for iOS users outside the EU.
  • Content compatibility: Share text and link posts from Facebook to Threads.
  • Benefits for creators: Simplify sharing, save time, and reach a wider audience.
  • More to come: Similar features are expected for other platforms in the Metaverse.

Bonus news: Meta is also testing a “trending topics” feature on Threads, letting you stay on top of hot conversations within the app.

This update is a step towards seamless social media integration, making it easier than ever to share your content and connect with audiences across the Metaverse. Stay tuned for more exciting developments!

WhatsApp Levels Up Your Chats: Get Creative with New Text Formatting Options!

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Tired of plain text messages? WhatsApp is spicing things up with four new ways to format your words! Mark Zuckerberg himself announced these features, designed to “refine your messages” and make your chats stand out.

Ready to ditch the boring and embrace the bold? Here’s what you get:

  • List Like a Pro: Need to share shopping lists or key takeaways? Bullet points and numbered lists are your new best friends. Just add a “-” or a number followed by a dot before your text.
  • Quote It Right: Got a killer quote or want to highlight important info? Block quotes let it shine. Simply start your text with a “>”.
  • Code With Confidence: Sharing code snippets or technical info? Use the “`” symbol before and after your code for clear distinction.

These features join the existing formatting options (bold, italic, strikethrough, monospace) to give you ultimate control over your message presentation.

So go forth, chat freely, and express yourself like never before!

BlackBerry Inaugurates IoT Center of Excellence in Hyderabad

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BlackBerry Limited inaugurated the state-of-the-art ‘BlackBerry IoT Center of Excellence, Engineering, and Innovation’ in Hyderabad, focusing on advancing mission-critical embedded software development for IoT industries. The facility, now fully operational, serves as the Asia Pacific hub for the BlackBerry QNX global developer network, attracting top software engineers from across India.

Established to address the growing demand for embedded software solutions, the BlackBerry IoT CoE in Hyderabad offers new career opportunities for talented individuals interested in shaping the future of software-defined vehicles (SDVs), medical technology, industrial control systems, and robotics. With Hyderabad chosen for its talent pool and supportive policies, the center aims to expand its team and reinforce BlackBerry’s commitment to serving customers worldwide.

This initiative marks a significant milestone for BlackBerry IoT, focusing on enhancing software-designed manufacturing, providing access to development tools, and upskilling IoT engineers. The center’s efforts include the release of QNX Software Development Platform (SDP) 8.0 and QNX sound, along with the upcoming QNX Everywhere initiative, aimed at democratizing access to QNX development tools to foster skilled embedded systems developers in India and beyond.

IBM India: AI Set to Generate More Jobs Than it Destroys

As the realm of artificial intelligence (AI) poses potential threats to certain job sectors, Sandip Patel, Managing Director at IBM India/South Asia, offers a contrasting perspective, suggesting that AI will generate more job opportunities than it eliminates.

In his conversation, Patel emphasizes the evolution of technology and innovation over time, drawing parallels to previous transformative shifts. He argues that while the emergence of the Internet initially led to job declines in traditional sectors like newspaper printing, it simultaneously birthed entirely new job categories such as web design, data science, digital marketing, and web publishing, employing millions.

Patel underscores the importance of re-skilling in adapting to the changing job landscape, emphasizing the need for individuals to acquire the necessary skills to work alongside AI and automation tools effectively.

Despite ongoing efforts by companies in India to train or reskill employees for collaboration with automation and AI, Patel highlights the vast scope for further initiatives in this regard, acknowledging the government’s recognition of the issue.

Regarding talent acquisition, Patel points out that while there is enthusiasm among employees to embrace new AI and automation tools, there remains a challenge in training a diverse workforce, not all of whom can become proficient coders or AI developers.

Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Minister of State for IT and Skill Development, echoes similar sentiments, emphasizing the pivotal role of technological talent in India’s AI advancement. Chandrasekhar stresses the urgent need for universities to produce skilled professionals in AI through master’s and PhD programs.

Highlighting talent as a critical concern, Chandrasekhar calls for collaborative efforts between the tech industry, academic institutions, and governments worldwide to address the talent gap and shape the future workforce for AI-related jobs.

Setback for OpenAI: US PTO Rejects ‘GPT’ Trademark Application

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In a recent development, OpenAI, backed by Microsoft, encountered a setback as its bid to trademark the term “GPT” (generative pre-trained transformer) was denied by the US Patent and Trademark Office (PTO). Despite arguing that “GPT” does not serve as a descriptive term, the PTO’s decision stemmed from the widespread usage of the acronym in the software industry, particularly in AI technology featuring ask-and-answer functions based on pre-trained datasets.

According to the PTO, while consumers may not be familiar with the underlying meaning of the acronym, they have become accustomed to recognizing “GPT” as a common identifier for a specific type of software with AI ask-and-answer capabilities. This decision highlights the significance of industry-wide usage in determining trademark eligibility, even if the underlying terminology is not widely understood by consumers.

The rise of generative AI in the past year has seen numerous companies incorporating “GPT” into their product names. OpenAI notably contributed to the popularity of the term with the introduction of ChatGPT, an AI model designed to respond to user prompts in a conversational manner akin to human interaction. As OpenAI continued to utilize “GPT” to designate its custom chatbots, the company recently unveiled its latest innovation, the Sora text-to-video generation model.

While OpenAI’s efforts to trademark “GPT” have been rebuffed, the decision underscores the widespread recognition and adoption of the term within the AI industry, reflecting its established association with advanced AI technologies and applications.

ISRO Chairman S Somanath Seeks Divine Blessings Ahead of INSAT-3DS Launch

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Ahead of the scheduled launch of the INSAT-3DS meteorological satellite aboard a GSLV rocket, ISRO Chairman S Somanath made a customary visit to the Sri Chengalamma Parameshwari temple in Nellore district. Accompanied by fellow officials, Somanath participated in a brief ritual and offered prayers for the success of the mission.

Expressing his reverence, Somanath stated, “I came here today to seek the blessings of Chengalamma Bhagavati for the success of this mission.” He emphasized the significance of the launch, scheduled for 5:35 pm, highlighting the satellite’s role in weather monitoring, climate study, and cyclone tracking.

This tradition of visiting the temple before rocket launches has been observed by ISRO officials for the past 15 years. Somanath had previously visited the temple ahead of missions such as Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya-L1, underscoring the agency’s longstanding practice of seeking divine intervention for the success of its endeavors.

Cartosat-2 De-Orbits After 17 Years, Marking Milestone in Space Sustainability

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India’s space agency, ISRO, successfully concluded the mission of its first high-resolution imaging satellite, Cartosat-2, on February 14th, 2024. After serving for 17 years since its launch in 2007, the satellite made a controlled re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere, marking a significant achievement for ISRO’s commitment to responsible space practices.

Cartosat-2 played a crucial role in providing high-resolution imagery for various applications, including urban planning and infrastructure development. Initially expected to operate for 30 years, ISRO proactively decided to de-orbit the satellite earlier using its remaining fuel. This action demonstrates India’s adherence to international guidelines on space debris mitigation, ensuring the long-term sustainability of outer space activities.

The de-orbiting process was meticulously planned and executed by ISRO’s System for Safe and Sustainable Space Operations (IS4OM) team. The satellite’s re-entry was accurately predicted and tracked using advanced systems, including the multi-object tracking radar at the spaceport of Sriharikota. This successful operation underscores ISRO’s growing capabilities in space debris management and responsible spaceflight practices.

Cartosat-2’s fiery farewell not only marks the end of an era for this pioneering satellite but also signifies a crucial step forward for India’s space program. By prioritizing responsible space practices and adhering to international regulations, ISRO sets an example for other spacefaring nations and contributes to ensuring the long-term sustainability of our shared space environment.