November Tech Digest: Tech Leadership Shifts, Latest AI Developments, and Cybersecurity Challenges

In this digest, we will explore significant developments in the tech and cybersecurity landscapes from November 2024. From critical cybersecurity threats at Hot Topic and Wiz to a surge in AI advancements with major investments, acquisitions, and leadership changes. We’ll also discuss the tech world’s fight against disinformation and AI-driven innovations in security. Buckle up, and let’s go!

AI

Anthropic secures $4B from Amazon, deepens AI collaboration on AWS

At the beginning of November, it was revealed that Anthropic, led by Dario and Daniela Amodei, is in talks about raising a new round of funding. Currently, Anthropic has secured a $4 billion investment from its largest investor - Amazon, strengthening its strategic alliance with the tech giant. As part of the deal, Anthropic will prioritize training its AI models on AWS and collaborate with AWS’ Annapurna Labs to refine its Trainium AI chips. This brings Amazon's total investment in Anthropic to $8 billion, while the AI company has raised $13.7 billion overall. Founded in 2021 by former OpenAI executives, Anthropic emphasizes safety in AI development, distinguishing itself in the competitive landscape of generative AI.

Wiz acquires Dazz for $450M to strengthen cloud security and developer tool

Wiz, the world’s largest cybersecurity unicorn, led by Assaf Rappaport, has acquired Dazz, a security remediation and risk management specialist, for $450 million in a cash-and-share deal. This acquisition expands Wiz's reach into key areas of cloud security, particularly developer-focused tools. Dazz's vulnerability remediation and posture management expertise fills gaps in Wiz's platform, offering a more comprehensive security solution. The acquisition comes after a strong partnership between the two companies and is part of Wiz's broader strategy to scale its business. With a goal to hit $1 billion in annual recurring revenue, Wiz plans to continue its acquisition strategy in 2025.

Meta develops tactile AI sensors and advanced robot hand for research

Meta is partnering with GelSight and Wonik Robotics to advance tactile sensing technologies for AI research. Their collaboration will commercialize Digit 360, a fingertip sensor capable of detecting vibrations, heat, and even odors, enabling AI to better model the physical world.

Meta also supports the development of Wonik’s new Allegro Hand, a robotic hand with integrated tactile sensors for enhanced manipulation. Both products, aimed at scientific research, will be available next year, with early access opportunities for researchers.

Google expands Gemini features with iOS launch and memory functionality

Google has globally launched its Gemini AI assistant as a standalone iOS app, offering text-based prompts in 35 languages and real-time conversations in 12 languages via the new Gemini Live feature. Users can also generate images using Google’s Imagen 3 model and access personalized information through Google extensions like Gmail, Maps, and Calendar. The app, already available on Android, enhances accessibility for iOS users while laying the groundwork for future integrations, including with Apple’s Siri.

Besides, Google introduced a memory feature to Gemini, which is currently available for web users subscribed to the $20/month Google One AI Premium plan. This feature allows Gemini to remember user preferences and contextual details, tailoring interactions such as restaurant recommendations or travel planning. While stored memories are not used for model training, users retain control to review and delete them as needed. Google emphasizes security amid concerns about potential misuse of memory features in AI tools.

November leadership changes in companies OpenAI, Meta, and Anthropic

The race for AI dominance is reshaping leadership across the tech world, with OpenAI, Meta, and Anthropic making bold moves. OpenAI has recently seen a wave of departures, including safety chief Lilian Weng, who leaves after seven years of leading groundbreaking research. Her exit follows a series of high-profile resignations, like those of Ilya Sutskever and Mira Murati, as critics claim the company is prioritizing profit over safety. Yet, OpenAI is countering these losses with notable hires: Caitlin Kalinowski, Meta’s former AR hardware lead, has joined OpenAI to spearhead robotics and consumer devices, possibly collaborating with Jony Ive on an AI-integrated product. Besides, Gabor Cselle, founder of Pebble, joined OpenAI for a secretive project, fueling speculation about OpenAI’s hardware ambitions.

Meta, meanwhile, is doubling down on business AI, appointing Clara Shih, Salesforce’s former AI chief, to lead its new Business AI group at Meta. Shih’s team will create tools powered by Meta’s Llama models, aiming to help businesses generate AI-driven ads and content across Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp. This marks a strategic pivot to integrate AI deeply into its platforms, betting on enhanced user engagement and ad revenue.

Amid this competitive shuffle, Anthropic has quietly strengthened its safety focus, recruiting Alex Rodrigues, the founder of autonomous trucking firm Embark, as an AI safety researcher. These moves signal an industry in flux as giants and challengers alike battle for top talent to shape the future of AI innovation responsibly.

From digital clones to AI voices: are we losing ourselves in the future of work?

In an era where AI increasingly steps in to perform our tasks, tools like Pickle’s avatar technology and Microsoft Teams’ voice cloning are about to reshape how we interact in professional spaces.

A startup called Pickle now allows users to create digital avatars that can attend video calls on their behalf by submitting a short training video. The service, available for Zoom, Google Meet, and Teams, offers flexibility for users to appear present in meetings while being elsewhere. Meanwhile, Microsoft is about to add a voice-cloning feature to Teams, enabling users to simulate their voices for real-time translations into nine languages. Set to launch in early 2025, this tool aims to make multilingual meetings more personal, though concerns about potential misuse and authenticity remain.

While these tools minimize our physical and cognitive presence, they may inadvertently erode the sense of active participation and accountability in professional settings. For instance, will workers feel less connected to their roles and teams, risking disengagement and alienation? These advancements compel us to reflect: Are we trading genuine human involvement for efficiency, and is that trade-off worth it? Striking a balance between leveraging AI's capabilities and maintaining meaningful human presence will be crucial in defining the future of work.

Nvidia surpasses Apple as worlds largest company amid AI surge

Nvidia, led by Jensen Huang, has become the world’s largest company by market capitalization, surpassing Apple, thanks to the AI boom. On Tuesday, Nvidia's value reached $3.43 trillion, edging past Apple’s $3.38 trillion. The chipmaker has seen an extraordinary 850% growth since late 2022, driven by its central role in powering AI technologies.

While Apple recently introduced its generative AI platform, Apple Intelligence, Nvidia continues to dominate as a key provider for the largest language models globally. However, competition looms as companies like OpenAI reportedly explore alternatives to Nvidia's hardware.

Security

How does the tech world fight against scammers and disinformation?

The tech industry is stepping up its efforts to tackle the growing threats of scams and disinformation fueled by advancements in AI. From playful yet powerful solutions to cutting-edge detection systems, these innovations aim to protect users from harm in increasingly creative ways.

In the UK, mobile network giant O2 has introduced "dAIsy," an AI chatbot designed to outwit phone scammers. It’s called “AI granny,” and it’s disguised as an elderly woman who delights in chatting about mundane topics like knitting and her pet cat, dAIsy’s purpose is to waste scammers' time and prevent them from targeting real victims. Leveraging a combination of transcription, custom AI models, and text-to-speech technology, this tool hopes to counteract the alarming rise in phone scams, which cost victims over $3.4 billion last year.

Meanwhile, combating disinformation has become a key focus for startups like Factiverse and nonprofits like TrueMedia. Norway-based Factiverse uses AI to deliver real-time fact-checking for businesses, analyzing text, video, and audio with high accuracy. Its technology was even employed during the U.S. presidential debates to verify claims, providing a credible tool in an era where misinformation runs rampant.

Elections in the U.S. are a prime time for disinformation, and in 2024, AI chatbots like ChatGPT played a key role in guiding voters. ChatGPT directed 2 million users to trusted sources like Reuters and rejected 250,000 deepfake requests. While its numbers were smaller compared to major news outlets like CNN, millions trusted AI platforms for election information. The election was relatively decisive, allowing AI companies to manage election queries without major mistakes, marking a successful moment for AI tools in the political arena.

Seems like everyone is highly worried about disinformation in the tech world. Thus, at the TechCrunch Disrupt 2024 panel, experts discussed the rapid spread of AI-generated disinformation and the potential solutions to combat it. AI-generated disinformation is spreading rapidly and is driven by easily accessible tools. A recent survey found 85% of people are concerned about it, with high-profile examples like deepfakes used to manipulate elections and incite violence. AI, however, can also be part of the solution. Meta's Oversight Board, which reviews content moderation policies, believes AI can help flag disinformation, though its moderation models still have flaws. Experts like Imran Ahmed and Brandie Nonnecke stress that self-regulation by platforms isn’t enough. They advocate for stronger regulation, such as product liability and watermarking AI content, to make it easier to identify. Despite setbacks, there’s hope for better regulation to combat the damage caused by AI disinformation.

November cybersecurity attacks on Hot Topic and Wiz

In recent weeks, two high-profile cyberattacks have underlined the critical importance of robust security measures for companies across all sectors. First, Hot Topic, a popular U.S. retailer, was hit by a massive data breach that exposed the personal information of 57 million customers. The breach compromised sensitive data such as email addresses, physical addresses, phone numbers, and partial credit card details. This breach serves as a stark reminder of how vulnerable personal data can be, even in well-established retail businesses.

In another concerning case, cybersecurity company Wiz faced a deepfake attack targeting its employees. The attack involved a voice message crafted using audio from the company's CEO, Assaf Rappaport. The deepfake message attempted to deceive employees into providing their credentials. Fortunately, the team noticed discrepancies in the voice, as it sounded different from Rappaport’s usual tone. This attack highlights the growing sophistication of cybercriminals who now use deepfake technology to bypass security measures and target organizations, even those in the cybersecurity field.

Both incidents stress the urgent need for enhanced security protocols, particularly for businesses handling sensitive customer data or those in the cybersecurity industry. As attackers grow more innovative, companies must invest in advanced security solutions, continuous monitoring, and employee training to safeguard against evolving threats like data breaches and deepfakes. With cyber risks increasing, proactive measures are essential to protect both organizational assets and consumer trust.