The Comunicano for Monday September 23rd 2024
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, welcome to another edition of “what’s happening now” in the tech world. So, buckle up!
It’s Time to PlayKeep Away with China? You’ve heard of “Keep Away” on the playground, right? Well, the Biden administration is playing a high-stakes version with China—no more Chinese tech in our smart cars. They’re saying, "Hey, no more Chinese-made hardware or software, especially with connected cars." I guess we won’t have Beijing watching while we check the rear-view mirror anymore… ….Carmakers Are Losing Steam as companies like Toyota and Volkswagen falter on computing power. They’re lagging behind in the EV race, trying to catch up to Tesla and Chinese firms. It’s like trying to win a marathon when you forgot your running shoes….Taken a Ferry Ride Lately? But not all news is grim. Ferries are going electric and Norway is leading the charge, and now even New York’s joining in. Electric ferries—cleaner rides, no seasickness from the fumes.
A Chatty Evolution is coming as Amazon’s Alexa as it isn’t just for the weather, time or ordering from Big A anymore. They’re turning her into a conversational genius. Pretty soon, she’ll know what you need before you do. She’s like that one friend who finishes your sentences—but hopefully less annoying…..AI Agents: Here to Help… Sort Of as AI assistants are evolving into full-on “agents.” They’ll fill out your reports, answer your emails—but here’s the catch—they still sometimes get things wrong. Remember when your autocorrect sent that embarrassing text? Yeah, multiply that by a thousand….Blocking Bots are Coming as Cloudflare is stepping in to prevent bots from scraping our content. So, if you’re tired of being spammed by robots trying to steal your work, Cloudflare is your new best friend.
App of the Day: Wire ….Oh, and before I forget, let’s talk apps. Today’s pick is *Wire*. Imagine a communication platform so secure, even your nosy neighbor can’t listen in! It’s got end-to-end encryption, works across multiple devices, and is perfect for businesses. It’s like sending your data through a personal bodyguard.
Well, folks, that’s just part of your tech tour for today—where the future is always one app, one electric ferry ride, and one AI agent away! Stay safe, keep your bots blocked and keep reading and sharing The Comunicano.
Andy Abramson
EV Watch
Ever Play Keep Away—The Biden administration has proposed a ban on Chinese technology in connected vehicles, citing national security concerns. The new regulation would prevent vehicles using Chinese-made software and hardware from being sold or tested in the U.S. This ban targets technologies crucial for autonomous driving and data connectivity, aiming to minimize risks of espionage or remote vehicle manipulation by foreign adversaries. The impact on the auto industry could be significant, as companies would need to overhaul supply chains to comply with the new rules by 2027 for software and 2030 for hardware.
More on this from metasecurity
Some Carmakers Are Losing The Race —Toyota and Volkswagen are falling behind in the race to develop advanced software for electric vehicles, lagging behind companies like Tesla and Chinese automakers. Software is now crucial for controlling EVs’ features, such as self-driving capabilities and connectivity. Legacy carmakers are struggling with internal challenges, culture clashes, and inefficient use of resources. Despite significant investments, they face difficulties catching up in this software-driven era, with monetization of digital services being a key challenge. Some, like Ford, are making progress but continue to face high development costs and operational hurdles.
Take A Ferry Ride—Electric ferries are becoming a global trend, with Norway leading the charge in sustainable maritime transportation. Cities like New York are now embracing this technology to reduce emissions and promote cleaner waterways. The shift to electric ferries marks a significant step in reducing the carbon footprint of public transport systems around the world. These eco-friendly vessels are expected to play a key role in combating climate change.
Alexa Watch
Will You Talk To Me?—Rohit Prasad discusses hiswork at Amazon to integrate AI advancements into Alexa, transforming it from a voice assistant into a more intuitive, conversational agent. Prasad envisions Alexa as not just answering questions but understanding context and anticipating user needs. This development is part of Amazon's broader strategy to enhance Alexa's capabilities through generative AI, competing with other tech giants in the AI space.
AI Watch
Everybody Needs An Agent—AI-powered assistants are evolving beyond "copilots" to become "agents" that perform tasks autonomously. Major tech firms like Microsoft, Salesforce, and Workday are centering their strategies around these agents, which can execute actions such as filling out reports and managing customer support. Despite industry enthusiasm, these tools have yet to impact revenues significantly, and their widespread use faces challenges like AI "hallucinations" and unclear monetization strategies. Companies are testing new pricing models based on usage or outcomes. My post on LinkedIn from two weeks ago about Agentic AI is also worth reading
Block That Bot—Cloudflare has introduced new tools to help websites detect and block AI bots from scraping content. These tools aim to distinguish between human visitors and automated systems, particularly AI bots used for scraping data or replicating web content. By leveraging behavioral analysis and machine learning, Cloudflare’s tools can better identify suspicious activity without requiring CAPTCHAs or disrupting user experience. This move reflects growing concerns about the impact of AI on privacy and intellectual property.
The Future of AI- Experts are predicting that by 2030, AI will deeply transform industries, from healthcare to education. AI systems are expected to handle more complex tasks, surpassing current limitations like data biases and "hallucinations." As AI becomes more integrated into daily life, ethical concerns, regulatory frameworks, and issues around job displacement will intensify. The focus will shift toward building AI that is trustworthy, explainable, and aligned with human values.
Do You Remember Number 6—In Finland, inmates are being trained as data annotators, helping label information to improve AI systems. This initiative, part of their rehabilitation, equips prisoners with digital skills, preparing them for modern job markets. It also reflects Finland’s “normality principle,” which emphasizes keeping prison life as close to regular society as possible. Despite the work being repetitive, participants gain valuable tech experience, especially in the Finnish language's AI applications. Ethical concerns arise, but the project aims to reduce reoffending and bridge the digital divide.
The Money In AI—Wealthtech startups are increasingly exploring AI integration to enhance client services. By leveraging artificial intelligence, these companies aim to improve customer experiences, streamline operations, and offer more personalized financial solutions. AI helps in areas like portfolio management, risk assessment, and automating routine tasks, allowing wealth management firms to deliver better outcomes for clients. This shift towards AI is part of a broader trend in fintech to adopt cutting-edge technologies.
From Oil to AI—Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds are investing billions into AI startups, seeking to capitalize on the tech sector's rapid growth. These funds, from nations like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, are targeting the most promising companies globally, aiming to secure stakes in what they see as the next big technological revolution. The move reflects their strategy to diversify their economies beyond oil by becoming key players in AI development.
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Robot Watch
The Color Code—Researchers are developing robots that utilize color recognition to enhance their ability to move and sort objects. By teaching robots to identify and use color as a key factor, they aim to improve efficiency in tasks like object manipulation in factories or warehouses. This approach allows robots to adapt to different situations and handle objects more effectively based on their color properties.
Google Watch
Is Too Much Concentrated With Google—Google internal emails reveal growing concerns among employees about the company's dominance in digital advertising. Some expressed discomfort with the immense market power Google holds, particularly regarding its influence on ad pricing and the potential for regulators to scrutinize their practices. These discussions highlight the internal awareness of the fine line between business success and monopolistic behavior as the company continues to navigate antitrust investigations.
Phone Watch
Don’t Let Them In—Authorities recently shut down iServer, an Argentina-based phishing-as-a-service platform responsible for unlocking over 1.2 million stolen or lost mobile phones. Since 2018, iServer sold tools that allowed criminals to bypass security features like Apple's Lost Mode by obtaining the original owner's credentials. The service catered to thieves with low technical skills by automating phishing attacks via email, SMS, and voice calls. A coordinated global effort led to the arrest of the platform's operator and identified over 2,000 users of the service and 483,000 phone owners targeted by phishing attempts.
Russia Watch
It’s Not Real News—Russian state media outlet RT has been ramping up its presence on Western social media platforms despite sanctions and restrictions. By using new accounts and proxies, RT continues to spread pro-Kremlin narratives and disinformation, especially related to the war in Ukraine. This activity has raised concerns about the effectiveness of platform regulations and the spread of state-sponsored propaganda. Western governments are grappling with how to curb this influence without infringing on free speech.
Music Watch
It’s Too Loud—Real Madrid's stadium, Santiago Bernabéu, has canceled all concerts due to concerns about noise levels. The venue, which had planned to host several events, found that the volume levels from concerts were exceeding acceptable limits, impacting nearby residents. The decision underscores the challenges large stadiums face when balancing sports and entertainment events with community concerns.
Restaurant Watch
The Starry Eyed Restaurants—The U.S. has 13 restaurants awarded the prestigious three Michelin stars, including **Alinea** in Chicago, **The French Laundry** in California, and **Le Bernardin** in New York City. These establishments are recognized for exceptional food, service, and ambiance, showcasing a range of global influences—from French cuisine to molecular gastronomy and sustainability-focused menus. Dining experiences range from innovative, multi-course tastings to meticulously crafted dishes in world-renowned venues.
Music Video Of The Day
Stormy Monday
Trailer Of The Day
App of The Day
Wire
When it comes to secure communication platforms, Wire stands out as one of the most robust, privacy-centric options available. Designed with businesses, enterprises, and government agencies in mind, Wire offers end-to-end encryption (E2EE) across all its features—from messaging and file sharing to voice and video conferencing. Wire is particularly powerful because this encryption is always active, ensuring that no one but the intended recipients can access your communications. It's a great solution for organizations prioritizing security without compromising ease of use.
Key Features of Wire:
- End-to-End Encryption: Whether you're sending messages, sharing files, or hosting a video call, everything on Wire is encrypted. The platform employs the Proteus protocol, ensuring that each communication is individually locked down.
- Multi-Device Sync: Wire supports up to eight devices per account, making it seamless for professionals to work across mobile, desktop, and web platforms. Your communications are synchronized across all devices, ensuring continuity without sacrificing security.
- Cross-Platform Availability: Wire is available on iOS, Android, macOS, Windows*, and via browser. This broad support makes it accessible from virtually any device.
- Collaboration Tools: Wire provides a suite of collaboration features, including group chats, file sharing, and conference calling for up to 150 participants. It also integrates productivity features like screen sharing and self-deleting messages—useful for handling sensitive, time-bound information.
- Advanced Administration: For enterprise users, Wire offers features like Single Sign-On (SSO), SCIM integration for user management, and **team administration controls**. These are essential for managing larger teams and maintaining compliance in regulated industries.
Deployment Flexibility
Wire offers two primary deployment options:
1. Wire Cloud: For businesses looking for a secure, scalable cloud solution. All communications are encrypted and hosted within the EU, ensuring compliance with stringent data protection laws.
2. On-Premises: For organizations with heightened security needs, Wire offers an on-premises solution, giving full control over data and server management. This is particularly valuable for government entities and enterprises dealing with sensitive or classified information.
Usability and Transparency
Wire strikes a balance between robust security and ease of use. Its intuitive interface supports a range of features, from status settings to guest collaboration (where guests can join conversations via a web browser without needing an account). On top of that, Wire is open-source, allowing its security protocols to be audited and verified by independent parties.
Who Should Use Wire?
Wire is ideal for organizations that require secure communication across various platforms. It competes well with platforms like Slack and Microsoft Teams but differentiates itself with its security-first approach. Industries like finance, healthcare, and government benefit greatly from Wire’s compliance and privacy features. Wire also supports Messaging Layer Security (MLS), which ensures future-proof encryption, particularly important for organizations preparing for post-quantum security environments.
Wire can be downloaded from [their official site](https://wire.com) for free or via subscription for enterprise-level features. It's available on iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, and the web, making it accessible to all users regardless of device.
