Category Archives: Artificial Intelligence
NSA Warns of AI Cybersecurity Risks, Urges Businesses to Bolster Defenses – PYMNTS.com
The National Security Agency (NSA) is sounding the alarm on the cybersecurity risks posed by artificial intelligence (AI) systems, releasing new guidance to help businesses protect their AI from hackers.
As AI increasingly integrates into business operations, experts warn that these systems are particularly vulnerable to cyberattacks. The NSAs Cybersecurity Information Sheetprovides insights into AIs unique security challenges and offers steps companies can take to harden their defenses.
AI brings unprecedented opportunity but also can present opportunities for malicious activity. NSA is uniquely positioned to provide cybersecurity guidance, AI expertise, and advanced threat analysis, NSA Cybersecurity Director Dave Luber said Monday (April 15) in anews release.
The report suggested that organizations using AI systems should put strong security measures in place to protect sensitive data and prevent misuse. Key measures include conducting ongoing compromise assessments, hardening the IT deployment environment, enforcing strict access controls, using robust logging and monitoring and limiting access to model weights.
AI is vulnerable to hackers due to its complexity and the vast amounts of data it can process,Jon Clay, vice president of threat intelligence at the cybersecurity company Trend Micro,told PYMNTS. AI is software, and as such, vulnerabilities are likely to exist which can be exploited by adversaries.
Asreported by PYMNTS, AI is revolutionizing how security teams approach cyber threats by accelerating and streamlining their processes. Through its ability to analyze large datasets and identify complex patterns, AI automates the early stages of incident analysis, enabling security experts to start with a clear understanding of the situation and respond more quickly.
Cybercrime continues to rise with the increasing embrace of a connected global economy. According to an FBI report, the U.S. alone saw cyberattack losses exceed $10.3 billion in 2022.
AI systems are particularly prone to attacks due to their dependency on data for training models, according to Clay.
Since AI and machine learning depend on providing and training data to build their models, compromising that data is an obvious way for bad actors to poison AI/ML systems, Clay said.
He emphasized the risks of these hacks, explaining that they can lead to stolen confidential data, harmful commands being inserted and biased results. These issues could upset users and even lead to legal problems.
Clay also pointed out the challenges in detecting vulnerabilities in AI systems.
It can be difficult to identify how they process inputs and make decisions, making vulnerabilities harder to detect, he said.
He noted that hackers are looking for ways to get around AI security to change its results, and this method is being talked about more in secret online forums.
When asked about measures businesses can implement to enhance AI security, Clay emphasized the necessity of a proactive approach.
Its unrealistic to ban AI outright, but organizations need to be able to manage and regulate it, he said.
Clay recommended adopting zero-trust security modelsand using AI to enhance safety measures. This method means AI can help analyze emotions and tones in communications and check web pages to stop fraud. He also stressed the importance of strict access rules andmulti-factor authenticationto protect AI systems from unauthorized access.
As businesses embrace AI for enhanced efficiency and innovation, they also expose themselves to new vulnerabilities, Malcolm Harkins, chief security and trust officer at the cybersecurity firm HiddenLayer, told PYMNTS.
AI was the most vulnerable technology deployed in production systems because it was vulnerable at multiple levels, Harkins added.
Harkins advised businesses to take proactive measures, such as implementing purpose-built security solutions, regularly assessing AI models robustness, continuous monitoring and developing comprehensive incident response plans.
If real-time monitoring and protection were not in place, AI systems would surely be compromised, and the compromise would likely go unnoticed for extended periods, creating the potential for more extensive damage, Harkins said.
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NSA Warns of AI Cybersecurity Risks, Urges Businesses to Bolster Defenses - PYMNTS.com
Artificial intelligence studio for college students opens in Warner Robins at the VECTR Center – 13WMAZ.com
The AI-Enhanced Robotic Manufacturing training program offered at Central Georgia Technical College is preparing student veterans and active duty service members.
Author: 13wmaz.com
Published: 8:43 AM EDT April 17, 2024
Updated: 8:43 AM EDT April 17, 2024
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Artificial intelligence studio for college students opens in Warner Robins at the VECTR Center - 13WMAZ.com
Artificial Intelligence Amplifies State Tax Audits on High Earners – WebProNews
As fears about artificial intelligence (AI) veer from job displacement to broader societal control, state tax departments harness this potent technology to boost audits on high earners significantly. Robert Frank of CNBC highlights how already high-taxed Democrate-controlled states like New York and California are increasingly deploying AI to scrutinize the tax declarations of the wealthy, intensifying efforts to reclaim unreported income.
In the past year, high-tax states have issued a surge in audit letters, with figures marking a 56% increase from the previous year. The targets? Affluent individuals who have relocated across state lines during the pandemic and remote workers whose physical locations do not align with their companys base.
AIs role in these audits is groundbreaking and unnerving for those it targets. By analyzing vast datasets, AI systems identify patterns and anomalies in tax returns more efficiently than human auditors ever could. This capability is instrumental in tracking high earners who might have underreported their incomes or falsely claimed to have moved permanently to tax-haven states.
Accountants and tax lawyers confirm that the rate of audits has escalated dramatically over the last six months. Tax authorities are challenging the permanence of moves made during the COVID-19 pandemic, insisting that many owe state taxes irrespective of their new residences. Furthermore, states are scrutinizing remote workers who, despite working entirely out-of-state, are employed by companies based in places like New York.
The fiscal implications for states are significant. With California facing a $38 billion deficit and New York bracing for a $10 billion shortfall next year, the financial incentive to pursue wealthy taxpayers is compelling. The infusion of $80 billion into the IRS, earmarked for enforcement, means that high earners are likely to face audits from both state and federal levels.
Questions linger about the efficacy and fairness of AI-driven audits. Critics ask whether these automated systems might overreach or misinterpret complex tax data, potentially leading to wrongful accusations. Yet, proponents argue that AI could revolutionize tax enforcement by uncovering hidden patterns of evasion that would be impossible for human auditors to detect.
As states and the IRS increasingly rely on artificial intelligence to bolster their audits, the landscape of tax enforcement is undergoing a profound transformation. This shift promises greater efficiency but raises important questions about privacy, fairness, and the transparency of AI algorithms in legal and financial contexts. Whether this trend will lead to a more equitable tax system or merely shift the burden more heavily onto certain groups remains to be seen.
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Artificial Intelligence Amplifies State Tax Audits on High Earners - WebProNews
Chamath Palihapitiya Says Voice Will Be the "Front Door" for the Next Phase of Artificial Intelligence (AI): Here Are … – The Motley Fool
Among the most under-the-radar facets of artificial intelligence (AI) are its applications in voice-controlled devices.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has taken the world by storm during the past year and a half. Breakthroughs in AI are leading to sweeping changes in accelerated computing, healthcare, e-commerce, and more. It seems like the possibilities are endless, and the technology is destined to disrupt more and more areas of everyday life.
One application in the AI realm that is often overlooked is voice-recognition technology. But believe it or not, you interact with this feature of AI quite often.
Billionaire venture capitalist Chamath Palihapitiya recently took to X (the social media platform formerly known as Twitter) to predict that applications in voice will be the "front door" to the next frontier of the AI revolution.
Let's break down the market for AI-powered voice software, and explore some investment opportunities in the space.
A number of companies compete in the voice-recognition software market. Apple entered the niche through its acquisitions of Siri and Shazam. The Siri virtual assistant has become integrated throughout Apple's ecosystem and is a staple in the company's devices. Amazon has leveraged the technology in its Echo devices, and Alphabet has done the same in its Google Home smart home appliances.
On top of that, Microsoft (MSFT -0.66%) and Nvidia also entered the voice-recognition software market through a series of savvy investments.
According to Statista, the total addressable market for voice-recognition tools is forecast to reach nearly $50 billion by 2029. Considering the opportunities in this pocket of the AI landscape, it's not surprising that so many big tech enterprises are competing in it.
Image Source: Getty Images.
Two of the more prominent names in the voice-recognition market right now are SoundHound AI (SOUN -2.46%) and Microsoft.
Earlier this year, investors learned that Nvidia has a small ownership stake in SoundHound AI. After that information became public, the shares of SoundHound AI soared by as much as 320%. Although some of that momentum has waned, the company remains a top name in AI.
One of the biggest use cases for SoundHound AI's tech is voice-controlled systems in cars. With clients including Stellantis, Honda, and Hyundai, it's clear that the company has been able to attract some brand recognition.
SoundHound AI recently said that it will be offering Nvidia's DRIVE software to its automaker customers. Some applications for this technology include helping drivers answer questions related to vehicle maintenance, safety features, and car settings.
Shortly after SoundHound AI released details about its partnership with Nvidia, ChatGPT developer OpenAI made an announcement of its own. Namely, it revealed its latest product, Voice Engine, a tool that aims to help in areas such as video translation as well as in clinical settings related to speech therapy.
I agree with Palihapitiya's assertion that voice will play a big role in the further development of artificial intelligence services. In a way, it makes total sense. The sophistication of AI use cases is evolving in real time. Leveraging voice points to a future in which AI becomes even more ingrained in many aspects of daily life.
For this reason, some investors may be eager to get in on the action. As with any investment, however, there are risks.
Sure, SoundHound AI's partnership with Nvidia is exciting on the surface. But with only $46 million in revenue last year, coupled with mounting operating losses, SoundHound AI may not be the most prudent opportunity in voice-recognition technology.
Furthermore, when you layer in that Nvidia DRIVE is also being used by many other customers -- including SoundHound AI's competitor Cerence -- the potential for the partnership between the two appears less lucrative because it's not exclusive.
On the other hand, investing in Microsoft may be a subtle way to benefit from breakthroughs in AI-powered speech technology. The company is a major investor in OpenAI. Moreover, throughout 2023, Microsoft aggressively implemented ChatGPT across its Windows operating system -- a move that has unlocked a new phase of growth.
Although Voice Engine is not yet commercially available, I suspect that OpenAI will release it once it figures out how to best mitigate the risks that come with voice-mimicking technology.
Nevertheless, given Microsoft's close ties to OpenAI, I see it as a major beneficiary of voice-recognition software in the long run, and a much more proven, established opportunity in the AI narrative overall compared to other smaller competitors.
Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Adam Spatacco has positions in Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool recommends Cerence and Stellantis and recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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Chamath Palihapitiya Says Voice Will Be the "Front Door" for the Next Phase of Artificial Intelligence (AI): Here Are ... - The Motley Fool
AI-Powered Apps Streamline Team Collaboration – PYMNTS.com
Artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots are already conversing with you and are now here to enhance teamwork.
Snap, a new app by Swit Technologies, is among a wave of collaboration tools that use generative AI to streamline project management, communication and workflows. Experts say such software can include intelligent meeting schedulers, real-time document collaboration, virtual assistants, and adaptive workflow management systems.
AI can be great for speeding up or automating certain tasks and elements of collaboration that can be tedious or prone to error,Darrin Murriner, the CEO ofCloverleaf.me, told PYMNTS. In the collaboration process, this could include collaborating on documents, writing content, communicating and compiling information.
APYMNTS report from last year suggests that GenAI technologies like OpenAIs ChatGPT could significantly enhance productivity. While they may also disrupt employment landscapes, the chief operations officer at Axios HQ, Jordan Zaslav, expressed optimism about AIs role in fostering collaboration. He predicted the designation AI-powered tools might soon become as commonplace as cloud-based technologies are today, inspiring a new era of productivity.
Snap is a project management system, task manager, and message board rolled into one designed to provide a range of features that extend beyond simple conversation facilitation. The chatbot aims to support collaborative project work by offering functionalities such as converting conversations into tasks, generating checklists, offering contextual responses and summarizing tasks.
Snap is not alone in the realm of AI-powered collaboration tools. Zoom, the well-known video conferencing platform, has recently introducedZoom Workplace, an AI-driven solution aimed at boosting productivity and fostering teamwork within its user-friendly interface. The AI Companion updates feature a range of new tools, most notably Ask AI Companion, a digital assistant that helps users streamline their workday within Zoom Workplace. Other improvements include an AI Companion for Zoom Phone and enhanced capabilities for Team Chat and Whiteboard.
AI note-taking applications such as Otter.ai and Fireflies not only transcribe meeting discussions in real time but also automatically distribute these notes to all participants after the meeting,Kevin LouxofCharlotte Works told PYMNTS. This feature ensures that everyone involved has access to the same information, fostering better communication and collaboration among team members.
AI tools are definitely a booster for collaboration especially with global and remote teams,Harpaul Sambhi, CEO of the AI company Magical, told PYMNTS. By incorporating AI tools into their workflow, teams can increase productivity, improve efficiency and streamline communication. By curating a shared library of top productivity tricks from frequently used messages to common workflow automation teams work more efficiently together.
Magical uses AI to automate repetitive tasks such as messaging, Sambhi said.
With Magical, we can start to understand the common workflows of all of our users and suggest recommendations for automating those tasks, he explained. AI will help us understand those patterns. Similarly, if you think of a large organization with many employees and lots of coordination/collaboration, we can start to narrow in on the repetitive tasks of, lets say, a team or department, and start to automate the tasks between employees.
As AI evolves and as people get more comfortable with its application, the uses of AI in collaboration will evolve as well, Murriner predicted.
There will likely be a move from more routine tasks to higher-order problem-solving and solutions, as well as improving our ability to build relationships and make connections, he added. These can be useful in a multitude of ways, including improving sales performance, recommending new opportunities for collaboration, or identifying who to connect with to improve outcomes.
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AI-Powered Apps Streamline Team Collaboration - PYMNTS.com
Missed Out on Nvidia Stock? 1 Spectacular Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stock to Buy Instead – The Motley Fool
Some investors might be upset about missing out on Nvidia's remarkable gains.
Fool.com contributor Parkev Tatevosian has identified one artificial intelligence (AI) stock that could benefit from the growing industry.
*Stock prices used were the afternoon prices of April 13, 2024. The video was published on April 15, 2024.
Parkev Tatevosian, CFA has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Nvidia. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Parkev Tatevosian is an affiliate of The Motley Fool and may be compensated for promoting its services. If you choose to subscribe throughhis link, he will earn some extra money that supports his channel. His opinions remain his own and are unaffected by The Motley Fool.
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Missed Out on Nvidia Stock? 1 Spectacular Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stock to Buy Instead - The Motley Fool
Palantir Stock vs. Microsoft Stock: Which Is the Best Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stock to Buy? – The Motley Fool
Palantir might be a smaller company, but that doesn't automatically make Microsoft the better investment.
Fool.com contributor Parkev Tatevosian compares Palantir Technologies (PLTR -2.60%) to Microsoft (MSFT -0.66%) to determine the better stock to buy.
*Stock prices used were the afternoon prices of April 14, 2024. The video was published on April 16, 2024.
Parkev Tatevosian, CFA has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Microsoft and Palantir Technologies. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Parkev Tatevosian is an affiliate of The Motley Fool and may be compensated for promoting its services. If you choose to subscribe through his link, he will earn some extra money that supports his channel. His opinions remain his own and are unaffected by The Motley Fool.
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Palantir Stock vs. Microsoft Stock: Which Is the Best Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stock to Buy? - The Motley Fool
These 3 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Cryptos Are Rocketing Higher Today – Yahoo Finance
It's been a wild day for cryptocurrency investors, with a number of top tokens seeing outsize volatility in today's session. For AI cryptos, these moves have been even more exaggerated.
As of 2:15 p.m. ET on Monday, The Graph (CRYPTO: GRT), Fetch.ai (CRYPTO: FET), and SingularityNET (CRYPTO:AGIX) are still up meaningfully, surging 5.6%, 2%, and 1.8%, respectively, over the past 24 hours. However, many of these tokens have continued to decline in afternoon trading alongside other risk assets, as Middle East tensions rise.
For AI cryptos, geopolitical concerns shouldn't matter to the same degree as with other assets that are more sensitive to capital flows. That said, capital flows do matter regardless of which niche a given project is pursuing, and selling pressure remains strong today.
Fetch.ai and SingularityNET are two projects uniquely focused on AI that have a shared catalyst that investors are clearly pricing in. Fetch.ai is collaborating with SingularityNET and Ocean Protocol to create what they're calling the "Superintelligence Alliance."
As part of this alliance, some talks around a potential token merger have taken place, with investors now pricing these tokens in high correlation to each other.
That certainly makes sense, given the AI focus of both projects, and their collaborative ties to work together on solving much bigger problems than they likely could on their own. One thing that certainly stands out to me about crypto assets is the relative lack of willingness for projects to merge. If these projects do tie the knot at some point, it will be interesting to see how the market values a token combination.
The demand for blockchain-based AI solutions appears to be strong, and a combination of these two relatively small-cap projects could improve their chances of success in creating meaningful utility for end users.
The Graph's core model as an oracle network, allowing off-blockchain data to be ported on-chain, has seen impressive demand build over time. A number of recent collaborations and partnerships have driven an impressive amount of momentum in this token over the past week. The fact that this momentum has continued is a very positive development for long-term investors, and suggests this AI-related play could have more room to run.
Today's price action certainly implies a dip could be on the horizon, or at least a mellowing out of some rather strong momentum in these tokens in recent days. No rally lasts forever, and a breather can turn out to be a good thing. This year, these three AI-related cryptos have been among the best performers, and I wouldn't be surprised to see that narrative carried through to the end of the year.
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For growth investors seeking some crypto exposure, (and in particular, projects with AI-related headwinds), these are three tokens that I think are worth adding to the watch list to potentially buy on dips. Each project has unique catalysts that could drive value for investors and users over time. That's what this space is supposed to be about, which is what makes assessing these cryptos so compelling.
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Chris MacDonald has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Fetch and The Graph. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
These 3 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Cryptos Are Rocketing Higher Today was originally published by The Motley Fool
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These 3 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Cryptos Are Rocketing Higher Today - Yahoo Finance