McAfee's project Mockingbird battles deepfakes

Pivot 5: 5 stories. 5 minutes a day. 5 days a week.

1. McAfee's project Mockingbird battles deepfakes

McAfee's Project Mockingbird, unveiled at CES 2024, marks a pivotal stride in cybersecurity. Designed to identify AI-generated deepfake audio, the tool aims to shield consumers from increasingly sophisticated scams, particularly those manipulating audio to create false narratives.

As deepfakes pose serious threats to digital integrity and public trust, especially in politically sensitive climates, McAfee's commitment to combating these risks is more crucial than ever.

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2. Samsung's next-gen OLED TVs

Samsung, maintaining its TV market leadership for 18 years, unveils its AI-driven 8K OLED TVs at CES 2024. The QN800D and QN900D series, equipped with the advanced NQ8 AI Gen3 processor, aim to redefine home cinema. Promising unparalleled picture quality through 8K AI Upscaling Pro and AI Motion Enhancer Pro, these TVs offer an immersive experience.

With a commitment to sustainability and connectivity, Samsung's latest lineup not only enhances viewing pleasure but also aligns with modern consumer values, setting a new benchmark in home entertainment technology.

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3. Pushback grows against workplace AI monitoring

The rise of AI surveillance in workplaces has sparked significant concerns among academics and labor unions, who are calling for stronger standards to protect workers. Technologies such as algorithms and software that monitor everything from productivity to bathroom breaks are increasingly upsetting workers and unsettling workplaces. In the U.S., experts argue that businesses, unions, and the government aren't doing enough to shield workers from the downsides of these technologies.

Comparatively, European unions have been advocating for years against intrusive AI tools. As AI's role in workplaces expands, the debate intensifies over balancing efficiency, privacy, and fair labor practices, prompting a pushback against these invasive technologies.

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4. Swiss Startup creates an AI cat door

CES 2024 spotlights Flappie, a Swiss startup's AI-driven cat door that stops pets from bringing in prey. Equipped with a motion sensor, night-vision camera, and a robust dataset, it promises over 90% accuracy. Flappie includes manual overrides, chip detection for specific pet entry, and smartphone controls, blending convenience with technological sophistication.

Set to launch in Switzerland and Germany, Flappie blends smart technology with pet care, promising pet owners a cleaner, safer home environment.

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5. Balancing AI innovation with explainability

As AI becomes ubiquitous in consumer businesses, there's an increasing call for better governance. While AI's explainability is crucial for understanding and challenging its outcomes, the complexity of modern algorithms like OpenAI's GPT-4 makes explanation challenging. 

The dilemma is whether to forego the benefits of these technologies due to their partial explainability. Drawing from medical science, the use of randomized controlled trials and A/B testing could provide a framework for assessing AI risks, ensuring its safe and ethical application.

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