Last Week's Technology, Business and Science Highlights

GITEX GLOBAL 2024 Leaves Its Mark on the Tech World

GITEX GLOBAL 2024 concluded on October 18, showcasing AI’s potential to transform global business and economies. Held in Dubai, the event featured 6,500 exhibitors, 1,800 startups, and 1,200 investors, with participants from over 180 countries. The event served as a platform for innovative partnerships and announcements shaping the future of the AI economy. Tech giants like Dell Technologies, Microsoft, and Oracle forged new partnerships, contributing to digital transformation discussions. GITEX also delved into AI-driven data centers, cybersecurity, and next-gen technologies.

Tesla's Optimus Robots Controlled by Humans at 'We, Robot' Event

At Tesla’s recent “We, Robot” event, many of the Optimus humanoid robots on display were largely controlled by humans. The robots walked, danced, prepared drinks, and interacted with guests, but Bloomberg and other sources reported that much of the interaction was facilitated remotely by human operators. While the capabilities of Tesla’s robots raised questions, some experts noted that the company holds significant long-term potential in robotics technology.

Casio Confirms Customer Data Compromised in Ransomware Attack

Japanese electronics giant Casio confirmed that customer data was stolen in a ransomware attack earlier this month. Initially announced as a "system disruption," the company revealed on October 13 that it was a ransomware attack. Personal data of Casio employees, business partners, and customers, as well as human resources and technical documents, were compromised. The "Underground" ransomware group claimed responsibility for the attack, while Casio stated it is still investigating the full extent of the breach.

Russia Increases Disinformation Against Ukraine Using AI

Russia has intensified its disinformation campaigns against Ukraine using artificial intelligence technologies, according to Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Anton Demokhin. Speaking at a cybersecurity conference in Singapore, Demokhin explained that generative AI has enabled disinformation to reach a more complex and widespread level. Russia has used these new methods to boost fake social media activity, enhancing credibility. While confirming that Ukraine is also using AI to track disinformation, Demokhin did not comment on Ukraine’s own cyber activities.

Apple Accused of Limiting Employee Communication Freedom

The U.S. National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has accused Apple of violating workers' rights by restricting their use of Slack and social media, allegedly infringing on their right to unionize. Apple defended the measures as necessary to improve workplace safety and productivity, but employees felt that their freedom of expression was being suppressed. This dispute has sparked broader discussions about labor rights in the tech industry, with employees calling for a more transparent and participatory communication environment.

AMD Unveils New AI Chip to Rival Nvidia

AMD has introduced the Instinct MI325X AI chip, aiming to compete with Nvidia's Blackwell GPUs. If cloud providers and developers adopt this chip as an alternative to Nvidia’s products, it could pressure Nvidia's pricing. AMD is targeting a significant share of the growing AI market, with potential use in major cloud customers like Meta and Microsoft. This move positions AMD to strengthen its competitive edge in the AI space.

Google Turns to Nuclear Power for AI Data Centers

Google plans to power its AI data centers with small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) by 2030. The tech giant has signed a deal with energy startup Kairos Power to deploy seven SMRs providing 500 megawatts of energy. These reactors are faster to build and safer than traditional nuclear technology. This carbon-free energy project aims to meet Google’s growing energy needs for AI applications, with the first reactor operational by 2030 and the others by 2035. The reactors use molten salt cooling technology to generate energy.

Microsoft Detected 600 Million Identity Attacks in 2024 Report

Microsoft reported that it detected 600 million identity attacks throughout fiscal year 2024, largely driven by collaborative threat actors. These identity-based attacks primarily focused on weak points in passwords and multi-factor authentication (MFA). A significant portion of these attacks involved password-based assaults, and social engineering tactics became more complex. Microsoft’s 2024 Digital Defense Report emphasized the growing role of AI-powered security solutions in preventing such attacks. The company has invested heavily in monitoring cybersecurity signals to preemptively block these threats.

Prada Teams Up with Axiom Space for Stylish Moon Suit

Prada has partnered with Axiom Space to design a new spacesuit, the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU), for NASA’s Artemis III mission. Set to be worn by astronauts landing on the Moon in 2026, the suit is built to withstand the extreme conditions of the Moon's South Pole. Prada used high-performance materials and advanced sewing techniques to design the suit’s outer layer, which features a helmet, visor, HD camera, 4G/LTE communication system, and specially designed boots for lunar terrain. This partnership combines technical functionality with visually striking design.

Lenovo Launches Hybrid AI Platform for Faster Solutions

Lenovo has unveiled its new AI platform, Lenovo Hybrid AI Advantage, which accelerates cloud and on-premise data processing, enabling faster AI application deployment for businesses. Powered by Nvidia’s advanced computing capabilities, the platform enhances AI efficiency. Lenovo is also implementing water-cooling technology for Nvidia’s Blackwell platform to support large-scale AI workloads. These innovations allow companies to make faster decisions and adopt AI technologies more quickly.

ASML Loses $53 Billion in Market Value

Dutch chip equipment manufacturer ASML experienced a 16% drop in its stock price after publishing its financial results one day early, wiping $53 billion from its market value. ASML forecasted its 2025 net sales at the lower end of its expectations, between €30-35 billion, and reported third-quarter net orders of €2.6 billion, significantly below estimates. While AI developments have been positive, other segments are recovering more slowly. Challenges in the Chinese market, including export restrictions on ASML’s advanced chip-making machines, also contributed to the decline.

XPeng Showcases AI-Enhanced Autonomous Driving Capabilities

XPeng Motors has introduced its new electric sedan, the P7+, receiving over 30,000 pre-orders within two hours of its launch. The car boasts a 441-mile range and 308 horsepower, but its standout feature is the AI-powered autonomous driving system. The “AI Hawkeye Visual Solution” enhances response times and detection capabilities, particularly in adverse weather conditions. XPeng’s "Turing Chip" will be used not only in the P7+ but also in future robots and flying vehicles. This technology enables precise spatial awareness and the ability to recognize road and traffic signs across various cities.

Hybrid Technology Solves Quantum Computing’s Biggest Challenge

Researchers at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) have developed a hybrid method to solve quantum computing’s error-correction problem. The new technique allows for more efficient error correction in qubits, the fundamental units of quantum computing. The hybrid approach quadruples the photon loss threshold and makes resource use 13 times more efficient. This breakthrough could intensify competition in the quantum computing race between major players like IBM and Google. The hybrid method is applicable across optical systems as well as superconductors and ion traps, potentially playing a critical role in developing large-scale quantum computers.

AI-Powered Crime Tool Wrongfully Convicts Suspects

A crime tool developed by Canadian company Global Intelligence, known as Cybercheck, has been used by police to assist in criminal investigations, but a WIRED investigation found that the evidence it produces is often wrong or unverifiable. Cybercheck claims to identify a person’s location in real-time or in the past using only open-source data, but when used in high-profile murder cases, it has led to wrongful convictions. The tool, reliant on AI, has seen some of its evidence rejected in court, with frequent errors like misdated reports being common.

AI-Enabled Drones Increase Accuracy in Ukraine War

In the Ukraine war, AI has played a critical role, especially in improving the effectiveness of drones. The hit rate of drones, which was below 50% in 2023, has risen to 80% thanks to AI software from U.S.-based Palantir. The SAKER reconnaissance drone uses AI to independently identify enemy personnel and vehicles, relaying this information to command centers for targeting. The technology also allows operators to recognize Russian soldiers by their clothing, weapons, and movements. However, concerns have been raised about the risks of giving too much autonomy to AI in the battlefield.