Daily Digest on AI and Emerging Technologies (7 November 2024)

TOP OF THE DAY

 

Global Operation Takes Down 22,000 Malicious IPs

(Phil Muncaster – Infosecurity Magazine – 6 November 2024) Tens of thousands of malicious IP addresses have been taken down by investigators and dozens arrested in a global operation targeting phishing, ransomware and information stealer campaigns, according to Interpol. Operation Synergia II involved law enforcers from 95 Interpol member countries, working alongside private sector cybersecurity firms Group-IB, Trend Micro, Kaspersky and Team Cymru, between April and August 2024. – https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/global-operation-takes-down-22000/

From the margins to the center: Africa’s role in shaping AI governance

 

(Aubra Anthony, Jane Munga, Sharmista Appaya – World Bank blogs – 5 November 2024) The coming years offer Africa an immense opportunity to evolve from an AI consumer to an AI developer, positioning itself to play a key role in shaping the future of artificial intelligence (AI). But there is much to be done to realize this opportunity and ensure African participation in global agenda setting on AI. “Africa is increasingly neither part of the Global North or the Global South – it is the emerging global center.” This impassioned declaration captured the spirit of a vibrant session on AI in Africa on the sidelines of the UN Summit of the Future in September. The discussion offered a window into how African leaders are approaching the emerging landscape. – https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/digital-development/from-the-margins-to-the-center–africa-s-role-in-shaping-ai-gove

Gartner Top 10 Strategic Technology Trends for 2025

(Gene Alvarez – Gartner – 21 October 2024) Tracking this year’s top strategic tech trends will help CIOs and IT leaders shape the future with responsible innovation. – https://www.gartner.com/en/articles/top-technology-trends-2025

CYBERSECURITY

Cyberattack disables tracking systems and panic alarms on British prison vans

(Alexander Martin – The Record – 6 November 2024) A cyberattack on a telematics company has left British prison vans without tracking systems or panic alarms, although there is no evidence criminals have attempted to exploit the situation. Microlise, the directly impacted company, informed the London Stock Exchange of the incident last week although it did not provide details of the knock-on impact to customers. – https://therecord.media/british-prison-vans-cyberattack

Massive Nigerian Cybercrime Bust Sees 130 Arrested

(Kevin Poireault – Infosecurity Magazine – 6 November 2024) In a massive law enforcement operation, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has arrested 130 individuals over cybercrime accusations. Prince Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the NPF public relations officer, announced the arrests on X on November 3. The suspects include 113 foreign individuals, primarily of Chinese and Malaysian origin, and 17 Nigerian nationals. They are accused of being involved in high-level cybercrimes, hacking and activities threatening national security. – https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/massive-nigerian-cybercrime-bust/

Protecting Customer Data with AI Powered CIAM and IGA

(Bruce Esposito – Infosecurity Magazine – 6 November 2024) Data breaches involving identity security are at an all-time high, with breaches involving customer data getting the most public attention. But with an estimate of over a billion dormant accounts full of sensitive security data scattered across the digital landscape, is it really any wonder customer data is so easily accessible to hackers? All the same, the explosion of AI into the cybersecurity sphere gives many of us pause, despite the possibility it might be able to help. Many companies have already discovered that AI’s ability to reduce risk and improve security, to boost cyber-resilience in the event of an attack and to simplify regulatory compliance and access security makes it a powerful tool.   – https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/blogs/customer-data-ai-powered-ciam-iga/

CRIME AND TERRORISM

Blocking the Blueprint: Technological Barriers Against 3D-Printed Firearms

(Yannick Veilleux-Lepage – Global Network on Extremism & Technology – 6 November 2024) Over the last decade, consumer 3D printing technology has advanced rapidly, driven by the expiration of numerous patents and the growth of a large, global online community of designers, tinkerers, and hobbyists. These developments have significantly influenced the 3D-printed firearm (3DPF) movement. What began as basic single-shot handguns has evolved into extremely sophisticated and reliable firearms. Alongside firearms, 3D-printed accessories such as magazines, suppressors, and optics have also advanced significantly. One particularly concerning trend is the rise of 3D-printed conversion devices (often known as auto-sears or switches)—small components that can convert semi-automatic firearms into fully automatic weapons. While a significant portion of the 3D-printed firearm community operates lawfully in the United States, where the First and Second Amendments protect many such activities, these developments have not gone unnoticed by insurgents, terrorists, and extremists. Additionally, criminal networks worldwide have turned to 3D-printed firearms as both a lucrative source of income and a means of arming themselves. – https://gnet-research.org/2024/11/06/blocking-the-blueprint-technological-barriers-against-3d-printed-firearms/

DEFENSE, INTELLIGENCE, AND WAR

Outside the Atom: The Factors Governing the Five Eyes’ Quantum Innovation

(Bailee Dobson, Claire Parsons – Centre for International and Defence Policy – 8 October 2024) The hot button issue of quantum technology has been at the forefront of recent global defence conversations. Members of the Five Eyes alliance — Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States — have developed dual-use quantum programs for defence and commercialization purposes (Government of Canada 2022; Department of Science, Innovation, and Technology 2023b; Commonwealth of Australia 2023; Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment 2022; The Quantum Consortium 2020). These programs are funded by grants and research alliances between public and private industry and similar considerations have guided innovation and funding across Five Eyes nations. Issues such as climate change, defence usage, commercialization and economic benefit, supply chains, and international competition have surfaced as influences on how the Five Eyes are approaching innovation within their programs and alliances. These common considerations can be discerned from documentation related to quantum programs and strategies released by the Five Eyes. To better position the 5 considerations listed above, we must first understand how the Five Eyes hav him e positioned themselves within this quantum race. The following section details each nation’s strategy towards quantum development. Each nation is discussed within its own subsection, organized by nominal GDP. – https://www.queensu.ca/cidp/outside-atom-factors-governing-five-eyes-quantum-innovation

FRONTIERS

Quantum’s Looking Up Down Under: Quantum Motion Reports on Expansion in Talent-Rich Australia

(Matt Swayne – Quantum Insider – 6 November 2024) Quantum Motion, a UK-based quantum computing firm, has expanded into Australia, aiming to leverage local talent and establish its silicon-based quantum technology at Sydney’s Cicada Innovations incubator, with support from Austrade. Austrade has facilitated Quantum Motion’s Australian entry by offering local expertise, tailored insights, and connections with the New South Wales government. The company’s silicon-based approach, which utilizes existing chip manufacturing infrastructure, aligns with Australia’s 2023 National Quantum Strategy, supporting applications in personalized medicine, material science, and climate modeling. – https://thequantuminsider.com/2024/11/06/quantums-looking-up-down-under-quantum-motion-reports-on-expansion-in-talent-rich-australia/

Scientists’ Quantum Approach to Fluid Dynamics Could Give China a Bigger Lead in Hypersonic Tech

(Matt Swayne – Quantum Insider – 6 November 2024) Chinese researchers demonstrated a new method for quantum computational fluid dynamics (QCFD) that uses a hybrid quantum-classical approach, achieving efficient simulations of fluid flows on superconducting quantum computers. The study’s custom “Iterative-QLS” solver combines error suppression with quantum linear equations, allowing for more accurate simulations and paving the way for larger, complex fluid dynamics models. Though still in the experimental phase, this quantum CFD approach could one day enhance high-speed aerospace technologies, including hypersonic flight, by simulating complex aerodynamic challenges more efficiently than classical methods. – https://thequantuminsider.com/2024/11/06/scientists-quantum-approach-to-fluid-dynamics-could-give-china-a-bigger-lead-in-hypersonic-tech/