Latest Science and Technology

Plus: Microsoft patches two zero-day flaws, Google’s Android and Chrome get some much-needed updates, and more. from Security Latest https://ift.tt/mQBcqsW

Hidden code in hundreds of models of Gigabyte motherboards invisibly and insecurely downloads programs—a feature ripe for abuse, researchers say. from Security Latest https://ift.tt/yQ8Mmh9

New laws in Minnesota and Vermont understand that allowing people to test their drugs reduces harm—and is a vital public health measure. from Ideas Latest https://ift.tt/Ib3LasA

Psychedelics are hot, but flawed studies mean a lot of the health claims could be hype. To get better evidence, scientists are trying unusual methods. from Ideas Latest https://ift.tt/OJiytES

The code-hosting platform's headquarters was a living testament to tech values and one of its first disputed territories. from Ideas Latest https://ift.tt/94F8Nqj

TikTok user data is exposed to Chinese ByteDance employees, a screen recording app goes rogue in Google Play, and privacy groups want Slack to expand encryption. from Security Latest https://ift.tt/y7zjYoA

Recommendations from the new report on youth mental health won’t protect kids—but they’ll destroy the privacy of everyone who uses the internet. from Ideas Latest https://ift.tt/XM5dvnL

The coinventor of “bcrypt” is reflecting on the ubiquitous function’s 25 years and channeling cybersecurity’s core themes into electronic dance music. from Security Latest https://ift.tt/6ek4VfO

The internet has led to the rise of a 'hyper-modern' pan-Asian beauty ideal. from Ideas Latest https://ift.tt/DVumlsJ

Nintendo's Luigi has a chaos-causing alter ego. AI's shadow could put humanity at risk—but can be contained. from Ideas Latest https://ift.tt/4xpC8EL

Indirect prompt-injection attacks can leave people vulnerable to scams and data theft when they use the AI chatbots. from Security Latest https://ift.tt/dO9hSck

Researchers say the state-sponsored espionage operation may also lay the groundwork for disruptive cyberattacks. from Security Latest https://ift.tt/fgyr5di

British unicorn Improbable has sharpened its metaverse focus with the launch of a new think tank. Dubbed the Metaverse Society, the think tank will explore the social and economic impacts of the nascent tech. Improbable told TNW that it wants to develop use cases, clarify misconceptions, and reduce risks associated with the metaverse. “We want to contribute to ensuring the metaverse holds its promise of being a network of meaning that unlocks creativity, social interaction, and economic opportunities, free from gatekeepers,” said Herman Narula, Improbable’s founder and CEO. “The convergence of AI, metaverse, and blockchain technologies offers a unique moment to… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/8uN5CMF

Although escooters are a common sight in many European cities, you won’t see them in the Netherlands. That’s because escooter use is restricted to private driveways or gardens, but riding one on public roads and bike lanes is illegal, and will land you with a €280 fine. However, this might change soon. The Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management is currently working on a bill that will make escooters road-legal, local newspaper Het Parool reports. If the bill is approved by the House of Representatives, escooters that meet the criteria of the Netherlands Vehicle Authority (RDW) will be allowed… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/T5XdLtm

Conversation around generative AI tends to focus on whether its development is open or closed. It's more responsible to envision releases along a gradient. from Ideas Latest https://ift.tt/SOXv2BU

This article features an interview with Krijn de Nood, the CEO and co-founder of cultivated meat startup Meatable. De Nood will be speaking at TNW Conference, which takes place on June 15 & 16 in Amsterdam. If you want to experience the event (and say hi to our editorial team!), we’ve got something special for our loyal readers. Use the promo code READ-TNW-25 and get a 25% discount on your business pass for TNW Conference. See you in Amsterdam! As a vegetarian for the past 13 years, I have tried the whole gamut of plant-based meat substitutes. And let me tell you, the texture and… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/yacBerh

And it's happening in plain sight. from Security Latest https://ift.tt/Q54F23U

“Container registries” are ubiquitous software clearinghouses, but they've been exposed for years. Chainguard says it now has a solution. from Security Latest https://ift.tt/wq4dtZI

The EU is going head to head with Apple and Ireland once again in a high-stakes courtroom battle which could have a lasting impact on how multinational firms are regulated in the bloc.  EU competition regulators appealed to the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg today to override a lower tribunal decision and make Apple pay back Ireland €14.3bn in taxes plus interest.  The case is the most high-profile of EU watchdog chief Margrethe Vestager’s campaign against so-called ‘sweetheart’ deals that offer multinationals favourable tax terms in EU states. According to the Commission lawyer Paul-John Lowenthal, the outcome of the… This story continues at The Next Web Or just read more coverage about: Apple from The Next Web https://ift.tt/lHVZDWG

Since its launch in 2021, the all-electric Rimac Nevera has hit the hypercar world like the storm it’s named after — and for good reason. With an impressive 1,914 horsepower and a 0-100km/h acceleration in just 1.85 seconds, this beautiful machine not only holds the top EV speed record, but also outperforms its petrol-powered counterparts. Now, the Nevera has hit another milestone: it has broken 23 performance records in a single day, claiming the title of the “ultimate record-breaking hypercar.” The tests were run at Germany’s Automotive Testing Papenburg (ATP) facility, and were independently verified by third-party companies Dewesoft and… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/bNlu4Ik

WIRED’s spiritual advice columnist peers into the psyche of ChatGPT. from Ideas Latest https://ift.tt/pEZHSyM

Dutch aerospace pioneer Fokker is looking to make a comeback. This time however, it won’t be polluting Jet A fuel propelling the company’s aircraft. Instead, in the revived guise of Fokker Next Gen, it is playing the long game and joining in on the clean-burning hydrogen hype.  With €25 million in funding from the Dutch government, and an additional EU Clean Aviation grant of undisclosed amount, Fokker is aiming at a 2035 entry into service of a clean-sheet aircraft design operating on liquid hydrogen. The plane’s intended range is 2,500 km, meaning it could fly across Europe from London to… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/fOJMBml

In response to an EU proposal to scan private messages for illegal material, the country's officials said it is “imperative that we have access to the data.” from Security Latest https://ift.tt/4otacyk

The EU Parliament agreed last week on the world’s first comprehensive set of rules to regulate the transfer of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, as it looks to crack down on money laundering and illegal transfers in the bloc. From 2024, all crypto transfers, regardless of amount, will be covered by the so-called ‘travel rule’ — information on the source of the asset and its beneficiary will have to travel with the transaction and be stored on both sides of the transfer.  The regulation requires firms that want to issue, trade, and safeguard crypto-assets, tokenised assets, and stablecoins in the 27-country bloc… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/jeB7NM9

In a seminal moment for international data flows, the EU has fined Meta a record-breaking €1.2bn for privacy violations. The penalty is the largest ever for a violation of GDPR, which was introduced to protect personal information. According to EU regulators, Meta broke the rules by transferring user data from the bloc to the US for processing. The Facebook owner made these transfers on the basis of standard contractual clauses (SCCs), which govern the flow of personal data. But an EU investigation determined that SCCs don’t provide enough protection from US surveillance. Andrea Jelinek, chair of the European Data Protection… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/0OSQhx1

The record-breaking GDPR penalty for data transfers to the US could upend Meta's business and spur regulators to finalize a new data-sharing agreement. from Security Latest https://ift.tt/spyF9vl

Krijn de Nood, Julie Hawkins, and Stephanie Klein Nagelvoort-Schuit will be speaking at TNW Conference, which takes place on June 15 & 16 in Amsterdam. If you want to experience the event (and say hi to our editorial team!), we’ve got something special for our loyal readers. Use the promo code READ-TNW-25 and get a 25% discount on your business pass for TNW Conference. See you in Amsterdam! Renowned university spinouts such as chip designer Arm in the UK and immunotherapy pioneer BionNTech in Germany have proven the importance of bringing scientific innovation to real-world industries. But the road from… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/QwToery

While the company’s new top-level domains could be used in phishing attacks, security researchers are divided on how big of a problem they really pose. from Security Latest https://ift.tt/fNvnJaV

Ironically, using a device to help me fall asleep has relieved me of the burden of self-moralizing about my tech usage. from Ideas Latest https://ift.tt/M3xk2JN

Plus: The FBI gets busted abusing a spy tool, an ex-Apple engineer is charged with corporate espionage, and collection of airborne DNA raises new privacy risks. from Security Latest https://ift.tt/bQYIETo

People don’t just fly kites for fun. At a test site near Munich, engineers recently launched an electricity-generating, box-style kite fitted with small, wind-catching rotors. The contraption, tethered to the ground by a hefty cable, flew repeatedly in a predetermined figure of eight — its rotors spinning in the wind. “The wind speed is a couple of times higher than that a conventional wind turbine would see,” says Maximilian Isensee, chief executive of Kitekraft, explaining how the very movement of the kite itself boosts power generation. “That’s why we can get away with much smaller rotors.” The figure of eight… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/iUkHqbg

From USB worms to satellite-based hacking, Russia’s FSB hackers, known as Turla, have spent 25 years distinguishing themselves as “adversary number one.” from Security Latest https://ift.tt/5jU0O3W

It seems barely a day goes by without a new report of artificial intelligence replacing jobs. On Thursday, BT added the latest bad news, when the UK telecoms giant announced plans to replace 10,000 staff with AI. Across Europe, predictions on automation’s effect on jobs vary wildly,  but all agree that major changes are inevitable. With the impact already being felt, the need for government action is becoming urgent. Here are five interventions they can take. 1. Retraining the workforce The concept of a “job for life,” was disappearing even before AI’s relentless march into the workplace. Increasingly, we’re becoming accustomed to… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/4hwSJ3A

The city’s first-of-its-kind policy encourages its public servants to use the technology—and could serve as a blueprint for other governments. from Ideas Latest https://ift.tt/u4txQLz

Montana’s TikTok ban will be impossible to enforce. But it could encourage copycat crackdowns against the social media app. from Security Latest https://ift.tt/gzUwA9m

After a two-year wait, the UK has finally announced its semiconductor support plan, aiming to grow the domestic sector, increase its competitiveness, and reduce the risk of supply chain disruptions. But while industry players welcomed the strategy, they also criticised its level of support. Under the new scheme, the government will invest up to £1 (€1.15) billion in the next decade, with an initial £200 million to be deployed in the next couple of years. This amount, however, is dwarfed by similar initiatives in the West. The US has pledged $52bn in subsidies to boost its domestic semiconductor industry, while… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/byHMKmI

German mobility startup FlixBus is best known for its fleet of big green buses that whisk passengers around mainland Europe at affordable prices — akin to Greyhound in the US.  But there is also a rail-bound version of FlixBus dubbed, you guessed it, FlixTrain. The service began operations in 2018, following the opening of German rail lines to private competition five years earlier. By mid-2022, the company serviced over 70 stations along many of Germany’s main rail routes. Flix also recently expanded its train network to Sweden. Now, FlixTrain has its sights set on expanding into the Netherlands. This week,… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/PvzgGH4

From social networks to crypto, independently run servers are being touted as a solution to the internet’s problems. But they’re far from a magic bullet. from Ideas Latest https://ift.tt/hHMclQf

Tom Furness will be speaking at TNW Conference, which takes place on June 15 & 16 in Amsterdam. If you want to experience the event (and say hi to our editorial team!), we’ve got something special for our loyal readers. Use the promo code READ-TNW-25 and get a 25% discount on your business pass for TNW Conference. See you in Amsterdam! Since the world’s first (and rather crude) VR machine was invented in 1956, extended reality (XR) has evolved into some seriously advanced kit and is becoming increasingly common in workplaces and homes across the world.  Few have contributed to… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/GLM9l5b

Kaspersky researchers have uncovered clues that further illuminate the hackers’ activities, which appear to have begun far earlier than originally believed. from Security Latest https://ift.tt/9pte3oF

Your inactive profiles, like Gmail or Docs, could turn into digital dust later this year. A few clicks can save them. from Security Latest https://ift.tt/CHpvaJ2

Jinhua Zhao and Shashi Verma will be speaking at TNW Conference, which takes place on June 15 & 16 in Amsterdam. If you want to experience the event (and say hi to our editorial team!), we’ve got something special for our loyal readers. Use the promo code READ-TNW-25 and get a 25% discount on your business pass for TNW Conference. See you in Amsterdam! Urban transport systems are straining under unprecedented pressure from population growth, fiscal challenges, and environmental harm. Living in London, I feel the impact every day. The roads are horribly polluted, the metro is the world’s most expensive, and… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/7lgmV8i

A UK startup has unveiled a unique system for bringing spacecraft back to Earth. The company, named Space Forge, developed the tech to provide a low-cost and sustainable way of reusing satellites. Ultimately, the startup wants the system to support in-space manufacturing, which can produce materials that can’t be made on Earth. These “supermaterials” have transformative potential for electronics, pharmaceuticals, and alloys. Unfortunately, returning them to Earth is currently painfully complex and costly. To solve this problem, Space Forge developed two separate components: a hover-net called Fielder and a heat shield dubbed Pridwen. Named after King Arthur’s legendary shield, Pridwen… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/fWaYlDP

While Europe’s climate tech companies raised a record $13.2bn in 2022, investment is nowhere near the levels required to combat climate change, according to a new report by World Fund. Specifically, analysts from the European climate tech VC, in collaboration with Cleantech Group and PwC, have found that investment needs are outpacing investment volumes at an exponentially increasing rate. The numbers are telling. For the EU to reach its goal of reducing emissions by 55% by 2030, an annual investment of €1 trillion would be needed. By the same year, 29% of emission reductions would need to come from new… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/lx2PsMH

A growing number of founders are leveraging the power of technology to help solve some of society’s biggest problems, from developing self-monitoring digital health platforms that give patients more autonomy to finding new solutions for storing renewable energy. Today, on Global Accessibility Awareness Day, it’s particularly important to recognise the advancements a growing number of founders have made in making technology open, equal, and accessible to all, from creating devices that take into account deaf and blind communities to using AI to build groundbreaking advancements in prosthetics. But, due to the novel and often disruptive approaches they take to solve… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/Pcet39k

The USPS carries out warrantless surveillance on thousands of parcels every year. Lawmakers want it to end—right now. from Security Latest https://ift.tt/uzgHMNr

Award-winning innovators Caroline Lair and Lucia Gallardo will be speaking at TNW Conference, which takes place on June 15 & 16 in Amsterdam. If you want to experience the event (and say hi to our editorial team!), we’ve got something special for our loyal readers. Use the promo code READ-TNW-25 and get a 25% discount on your business pass for TNW Conference. See you in Amsterdam! Social inequality and climate risk have become central to understanding what will drive innovation – and investment – for the future. On day two of TNW Conference, Caroline Lair, founder of startup and scaleup communities The Good AI… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/Swb6JtU

Zoom did not set us free. But solidarity can strengthen the porous boundary between home and workplace. from Ideas Latest https://ift.tt/4YHOXZK

An explosion of interest in OpenAI’s sophisticated chatbot means a proliferation of “fleeceware” apps that trick users with sneaky in-app subscriptions. from Security Latest https://ift.tt/7lFZ0cC

It’s been a rough start to 2023 for European startups. In the first quarter of the year, dealmaking decelerated, valuations flattened, and exits remained subdued, according to new research. Analysts from PitchBook, a financial data firm, found that investor priorities have shifted from growth at all costs to profitability. After a boom in VC activity that trickled into early 2022, reports of lower growth rates, workforce reductions, and tougher funding conditions have emerged. As a result, due diligence processes have lengthened, with revenues, valuations, and runways under heightened scrutiny. Nalin Patel, the report’s author, noted that investors across the board… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/TD5woSZ

The Meta-owned app offers end-to-end encryption of texts, images, and more by default—but its settings aren't as private as they could be. from Security Latest https://ift.tt/lOjknoQ

Barbara Belvisi, award-winning innovator and entrepreneur, will be speaking at TNW Conference, which takes place on June 15 & 16 in Amsterdam. If you want to experience the event (and say hi to our editorial team!), we’ve got something special for our loyal readers. Use the promo code READ-TNW-25 and get a 25% discount on your business pass for TNW Conference. See you in Amsterdam! Picture a future where technology enables sustainable living on Earth, while preparing for life in space. That’s the exact mission of Interstellar Lab — and this future is happening now! So if you share my… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/XLOoWl5

Eu regulators have greenlit Microsoft’sacquisition of gaming giant Activision Blizzard, but analysts warn that the deal remains a long way from completion. The EU approved the $69 billion (€63bn) takeover after Microsoft agreed to several pro-competition remedies. Most notably, the company pledged to automatically license popular Activision Blizzard games, such as Call of Duty, to rival cloud gaming services. “The commitments offered by Microsoft will enable for the first time the streaming of such games in any cloud game streaming services, enhancing competition and opportunities for growth,” said Margrethe Vestager, the EU’s antitrust czar. With our 🇪🇺 clearance #Activition Blizzard’s… This story continues at The Next Web Or just read more coverage about: Microsoft from The Next Web https://ift.tt/rKwelAM

Chats with the grandparents over FaceTime are important. All the panic about kids' devices is really about childhood itself. from Ideas Latest https://ift.tt/N0edqw6

Whether or not AI lives up to the hype surrounding it will largely depend on good prompt engineering. Prompt engineering is the key to unlocking useful — and usable — outputs from generative AI, such as ChatGPT or its image-making counterpart DALL-E. These AI tools use natural language processing so they can take a user’s typed inputs and turn them into their desired outputs. However, as many who have tried and tested can confirm, crafting inputs that are comprehensive and detailed enough to instruct the AI to nail the brief is a process that takes time to master. Think of… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/rMel9pk

If you’re working with other people — which most of us are — it’s quite likely that you’re spending a sizeable chunk of your time in meetings. Before COVID-19, you’d expect most meetings to be conducted in-person, and business travel was much more prolific than it is these days. The pandemic changed that dynamic beyond recognition, as startups and corporates alike suddenly discovered that a lot of things can actually be discussed and solved in a video call. Combined with people being generally reluctant to return to the office, this has ushered in an era of telepresence, where at least… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/ynYMxhz

The families of victims of a mass shooting in Buffalo are challenging the platforms they believe led the attacker to carry out a racist massacre. from Security Latest https://ift.tt/xngHMI0

Algorithms can exacerbate employment discrimination. It's time for the US Federal Trade Commission to regulate them. from Ideas Latest https://ift.tt/Q9nRmaf

Organs-on-chips, recyclable wind turbine blades, and robotic farmers — these are just some of the technologies earmarked for funding under a new growth programme approved by the Dutch government last week.  NXTGEN HIGHTECH will invest €1 billion over the next seven years in an effort to make the Netherlands Europe’s leading high-tech cluster.  The programme is the initiative of prominent Dutch innovation accelerators including Holland High Tech, TNO, and FME, along with a number of universities and regional development agencies.  Most of the 260 participating companies are SMEs (190) and startups (70) that will use the funding to further develop… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/VGznChB

At the beginning of May, a student team from Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands unveiled what could be the world’s most efficient hydrogen car.  Dubbed ERXII, the vehicle is slated to cover over 2,000km on just 1kg of hydrogen fuel — equivalent to the distance between Amsterdam and Kyiv. This claim will be tested in June at Shell’s Eco-Marathon event in France. Eco-Runner will go head-to-head with student teams from across Europe to break the world record for the longest distance driven on hydrogen without refuelling. This year the number to beat is 2,056km, set by a methanol… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/7joZrsK

This profile is part of the main prize of the Pitch Battle at TNW Valencia 2023 won by Crowmie. Want your company to get featured as well? You’ve only got a few days to join the startup contest at TNW Conference in Amsterdam on June 15 & 16! Valencia’s hottest green-fintech startup is on a mission to break down the high barriers to investment in the energy sector and make it easy for everyone to fund renewable projects. Crowmie, which launched February last year, is jumping into the micro-investing space by allowing anyone with as little as €100 to spend… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/hPr2S0J

A government effort to collect people’s internet records is moving beyond its test phase, but many details remain hidden from public view. from Security Latest https://ift.tt/NX6uHak

The two-factor authentication tool got some serious upgrades that can help you bolster security for your online accounts. from Security Latest https://ift.tt/4HfSegd

The FBI disables notorious Russia-linked malware, the EU edges toward a facial recognition ban, and security firm Dragos has an intrusion of its own. from Security Latest https://ift.tt/m2r4xbj

Teemu Arina will be speaking at TNW Conference, which takes place on June 15 & 16 in Amsterdam. If you want to experience the event (and say hi to our editorial team!), we’ve got something special for our loyal readers. Use the promo code READ-TNW-25 and get a 25% discount on your business pass for TNW Conference. See you in Amsterdam! I often fantasise about biohacking my useless brain. At TNW Conference, my dreams could finally be fulfilled. On day two of the event, biohacker Teemu Arina will immerse attendees in the fascinating realm of human enhancement. Arina is one of the world’s leading… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/0rM7olT

Northvolt, Europe’s biggest battery maker, has confirmed that it will build its next gigafactory in Heide, Germany, following the federal government’s pledge to provide state aid. The announcement comes after several months of uncertainty. In March 2022, the Swedish manufacturer and the German state of Schleswig-Holstein signed a memorandum of understanding to construct a factory in the region. But in October 2022, Northvolt said it might postpone the plan and priotirise a US expansion instead — unless the EU was willing to match the IRA’s loftier subsidies for green technologies. In response, the German government has now confirmed it’ll fund… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/J9jfp7Z

At a time when the electronics industry is constantly luring consumers into buying the latest and most advanced devices, Amsterdam-based Fairphone has made a name for itself by doing the exact opposite. Best known for its sustainably-made, modular, and repairable (DIY style) smartphones, the startup is now applying the same ethos to another product segment: headphones. The newly-launched Fairbuds XL are a pair of over-ear wireless headphones, priced at €249. Much like the company’s smartphones, they’re sold mainly in Europe, although some authorised resellers ship to other parts of the world as well. The Fairbuds XL come with a 30… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/TfXBM94

Overripe bananas could soon become a mere memory — in the Philippines, at least. Tropic Biosciences, a startup in the UK, has tapped gene editing to banish the browning fruit — and mitigate the havoc that it’s wreaking. Currently, over 60% of exported bananas go to waste before reaching consumers. According to Tropic, the non-browning version could cut food waste and CO2 emissions in supply chains by over 25%.  In terms of CO2 reduction, the impact is comparable to taking 2m passenger vehicles off the road every year. For the Philippines, there’s a more urgent appeal. The country is the top producer… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/wp2qrMx

The new social platform will never be the “next Twitter”—and that’s by design. from Ideas Latest https://ift.tt/ex2XKOc

The EU is edging closer to a landmark ban on predictive policing and facial recognition. At a crunch vote today on the bloc’s flagship AI Act, two committees of MEPs overwhelmingly endorsed sweeping new rules on artificial intelligence. The text now moves to a vote by the entire European Parliament in June. Once approved, the regulation will become the world’s first comprehensive AI law. At Thursday’s vote, MEPs approved a strengthened version of the rulebook. The Act now prohibits predictive policing and facial recognition in public spaces. The amendments also introduce new restrictions on generative models, such as ChatGPT, and… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/8YXxoUC

German drone solution startup Wingcopter announced today it had landed €40 million in funding from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to scale up services and ramp up production of its latest model. According to its developers, the Wingcopter 198 introduces a “new era for drone delivery.” Additions to the latest version of Wingcopter’s aircraft, “the world’s first triple-drop delivery drone,” include delivery of up to three packages to multiple locations during one flight.  What’s more, a single operator can fly up to 10 units simultaneously and beyond visual line of sight. The model also features an AI-based visual detect-and-avoid solution… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/s7F3zlt

This article features an interview with Joe Fitzsimons, the CEO and founder of Horizon Quantum Computing. At TNW Conference on June 16, Fitzsimons will be speaking at a session titled, “Is quantum computing the future of finance?” To check out the talk — and all the other action at Europe’s leading tech festival — you can get a ticket here. Quantum computing is fiendishly complicated to commercialise. Despite claims that it will save the planet and cure cancer, real-world applications are yet to emerge from the hype. For startups, this offers both promise and peril. Ominously, any practical use cases may not emerge for years —… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/NIg5H7E

During its I/O 2023 event yesterday, Google announced it had officially removed the waitlist for its AI-powered chatbot Bard and made the service available in 180 countries and territories. Sadly for most Europeans keen on testing the tech giant’s contribution to the generative AI race, the countries of the European Union are not included in the list.  The company has not made any comments on why the EU has been left out. However, it would not be too far-fetched to assume it has something to do with how members of the bloc have reacted to the introduction of OpenAI’s ChatGPT.… This story continues at The Next Web Or just read more coverage about: Google from The Next Web https://ift.tt/ZXDIvKo

Three states are suing to block security rules for water facilities. If they win, it may open the floodgates for challenges to other cyber rules. from Security Latest https://ift.tt/3ds8kgX

Now that I work in machine learning, I’m often struck by the parallels between this cutting-edge technology and traditional Chinese medicine. from Ideas Latest https://ift.tt/5t4IQS8

The social network's new privacy feature is technically flawed, opt-in, and limited in its functionality. All this for just $8 a month. from Security Latest https://ift.tt/tynrE0P

As countries across Europe scale up efforts towards fossil fuel-free mobility, Sweden is working on the world’s first permanent electric road — allowing electric cars and trucks to charge while driving. The project is led by the Swedish Transport Administration, Trafikverket, which has selected the E20 highway. Specifically, it will build the electric road system (ERS) on the 21km route from Hallsberg to Örebro, located between the country’s two largest cities, Stockholm and Gothenburg. The e-road is now at the procurement and final planning stage, while Trafikverket expects to complete and introduce it to the public in 2025/2026. How will… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/F4goUxK

We talk to the Signal Foundation’s Meredith Whittaker about how the surveillance economy is newer than we all might realize—and what we can do to fight back. from Security Latest https://ift.tt/5CfITZR

The unidentified attackers have targeted people on both sides of Russia’s war against Ukraine, carrying out espionage operations that suggest state funding. from Security Latest https://ift.tt/SbmQt9P

Last week Saturday, over 20 million viewers from across the UK tuned in to watch the coronation of King Charles III, making it the country’s most-watched TV event of the year. Another approximately two million took to the streets of London, under the close watch of AI.  In the lead-up to the coronation, the Metropolitan Police confirmed that it would deploy live facial recognition technology — which scans faces and matches them against a list of people wanted for alleged crimes — across central London to identify potentially dangerous individuals mingling in the crowds.  During the event, the software scanned… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/fioe6Nh

According to Spotify founder Daniel Ek, the value of a company is “the sum of the problems you solve.” The problem of bot farms playing the same tracks over and over to manipulate streaming data may not be entirely new. However, as generative AI tools become increasingly mainstream, it is taking on a new dimension for the music industry.  This will require streaming service providers to vigilantly predict and plan ahead not to be left playing a game of reactive whac-a-mole, desperately beating down issues as they arise. Otherwise, apart from dealing with obvious copyright controversies, they may end up… This story continues at The Next Web Or just read more coverage about: Spotify from The Next Web https://ift.tt/6FGI3Nn

The EU is set to rein in the “racket” of scientific publishing by backing open access to publicly-funded research papers. The proposals, first reported by Research Professional News, emerged in a new document from the Council of the EU. In draft conclusions due to be adopted later this month, the council called for open access to be the default in scholarly publishing. It also wants to end the controversial practice of charging fees to authors. “Immediate and unrestricted open access should be the norm in publishing research involving public funds, with transparent pricing commensurate with the publication services and where costs… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/8TaumK1

For a decade, a group called Big Pipes has worked behind the scenes with the FBI to target the worst cybercriminal “booter” services plaguing the internet. from Security Latest https://ift.tt/DfQkTSc

OpenAI has new tools that give you more control over your information—although they may not go far enough. from Security Latest https://ift.tt/FxPDZm1

According to a study by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) released late last week, digital technologies will become an increasing factor in European democracy in the coming decade. This is perhaps not entirely surprising; after all, the pandemic shifted much of our lives into the digital realm, why shouldn’t our political participation? The report, based on interviews with more than 50 government and industry representatives, finds that the market for online participation and deliberation in Europe is expected to grow to €300mn in the next five years, whereas the market for e-voting will grow to €500mn.… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/w9SxT3J

Gran Canaria is perhaps best known for its sandy beaches, eternal sunshine, and volcanic past. But isolated far from the European mainland, the island relies heavily on imported fossil fuels to power its growing economy — 76% of its electricity comes from burning oil.  In an effort to decarbonise, the government has been investing heavily in renewable energies to harness the island’s abundant wind and solar resources. In 2022, renewables made up 24% of the island’s energy mix, up from just 12% in 2018. But as more renewables come online, the island faces another problem: storage.    Last year, the government… This story continues at The Next Web Or just read more coverage about: Security from The Next Web https://ift.tt/7K41fDm

Documents obtained by WIRED show SafeGraph, which sold location data related to Planned Parenthood visits, is now pursuing contracts with the US Air Force. from Security Latest https://ift.tt/eNROFMw

A  few simple tools can help filter out most Twitter Blue users (but still see the ones you like). from Security Latest https://ift.tt/9q6Gvlk

Plus: Apple and Google plan to stop AirTag stalking, Meta violated the FTC’s privacy order, and how to tell if your car is tracking you. from Security Latest https://ift.tt/RYXzO0u

Leaked documents reveal that the American College of Pediatricians viewed “mainstream medicine” and “nominal Christians” as its opposition. from Security Latest https://ift.tt/nYs4tca

TSB is urging consumers to remain wary of financial fraud on Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, as scams through Meta’s platforms are increasing at a worrying pace. The UK bank analysed its internal customer fraud data between 2021 and 2022. It found that the Meta-owned sites and apps account for a whopping 80% of all scam cases within its three biggest fraud categories: purchase, impersonation, and investment fraud. Facebook Marketplace is responsible for 60% of TSB’s purchase fraud cases, seeing a 97% year-on-year increase. Remember that vintage table you had to pre-buy because the seller was conveniently in the Bahamas, but… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/XHQTBqY

Swedish low-carbon battery startup Northvolt is on a bit of a roll lately. Recently, the company revealed a new collaboration with Scania to produce the longest lasting EV batteries on the market. Now, its wholly-owned subsidiary Cuberg has unveiled a program to develop high-performance batteries to achieve “safe and sustainable” electric flight.  One of the biggest stumbling blocks to zero-emission electric aviation is, apart from access to renewable energy, battery technology. Today’s batteries are, simply put, too inefficient and too heavy.  However, Cuberg says it has already achieved significant milestones in its next-generation lithium metal cell battery technology. This involves… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/Qog9I4b

Warning labels on AI-generated media give viewers little context. Artists and human rights advocates have forged a more effective—and creative—path. from Ideas Latest https://ift.tt/0h5wCVR

Carrara, the Italian city famous for some of the world’s finest marbles, has given birth to the masterpieces of Renaissance masters, such as Michelangelo and Antonio Canova. Now, right in the heart of the city’s quarry district, a startup aims to carve a new era of sculpture in which robots pick up — or rather become — the chisel. Founded by Filippo Tincolini and Giacomo Massari, Robotor’s mission is to revolutionise the industry by simplifying the sculpting process with the use of robotics and artificial intelligence. The aim is to make sculpture faster, easier, and more sustainable, while enabling artists… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/VEu76eD

An AI tool that decodes what mice see could enhance future brain-computer interfaces, according to a new study. Named CEBRA, the system was developed by researchers at EPFL, a university in Switzerland. Their aim? To uncover hidden relationships between the brain and behaviour. To test CEBRA (pronounced “zebra”), the team tried to decode what a mouse sees when it watches a video. “Given the brain is the most complex structure in our universe, it’s the ultimate test for CEBRA. First, the researchers collected open-access neural data on rodents watching movies. Some of the brain activity had been measured with electrode probes in… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/RZnMrJm

The first quarter of 2023 was pretty bleak for the European startup ecosystem, to say the least. Funding fell a whopping 57% compared to Q1 of 2022, and fundraising is on pace for the lowest total since 2015. As such, the recent developments being heralded from Berlin might bring particularly welcome succour.  German VC firm HV Capital announced today it has raised its ninth and largest fund ever, with €710 million for investments across all growth phases – all the way from pre-Seed to Series D and beyond.  The fund is backed mostly by institutional investors from Europe and the… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/bTuBFZV

The UK’s competition watchdog has launched a review of the artificial intelligence market, in an effort to weigh up the potential opportunities and risks of a technology Bill Gates dubs as “revolutionary as mobile phones and the Internet.” The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said it would investigate the systems underpinning tools such as ChatGPT in order to evaluate the competition rules and consumer protections that may be required. This, the CMA stated, is to ensure the development and deployment of AI tools is done in a safe, secure, and accountable manner.  “It’s crucial that the potential benefits of this… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/Rremn7T

Ever dreamed of being a Jedi? Armed with an elegant weapon for a more civilised age, many of us have fantasised about cutting a bright green (or blue) swathe across a galaxy far, far away. Disney even released a patent in 2018 for one such device, although ‘Sword device with retractable, internally illuminated blade,’ doesn’t quite evoke images of cutting through blast doors or droid armour. That begs the question on this Star Wars Day: is it actually possible to build a lightsaber, and if so, how far away from holding it in our hands and whistling ‘Duel of Fates’ are we? The answer might… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/WS1dFVG

The earth is a shared inheritance, and profiting off a common resource is just wrong. from Ideas Latest https://ift.tt/sCdIp8N

Germany’s Infineon has broken ground on its new €5bn semiconductor manufacturing plant in Dresden, less than six months since announcing the project.  Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony yesterday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hailed the construction as a “major step forward” toward the bloc’s goal of boosting its market share in semiconductors. Europe is currently scrambling to reduce its reliance on foreign imports of semiconductor chips from, among others, China, Taiwan, and South Korea. “These are regions where tensions can flare up at any time,” said von der Leyen, in a nod to the current tensions between Beijing… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/fDUG8dW

Coordinated by Europol and the US Department of Justice, yesterday, Operation SpecTor seized over €50mn in cash and cryptocurrency, 850 kg of drugs (including amphetamines, cocaine, MDMA and ecstasy pills) and 117 firearms. The latter, contrary to Europol’s choice of emoji, were in all likelihood not water pistols. 🚨 288 dark web vendors arrested in major marketplace seizure. Operation #SpecTor led to the seizure of:💶 EUR 50.8 million💊 850 kg of drugs🔫 117 firearms The #MonopolyMarket vendors arrested were also active on other illicit marketplaces. More ⤵️https://t.co/fDbWJbeFiM pic.twitter.com/086e1XMCUo — Europol (@Europol) May 2, 2023   The arrested vendors were operating… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/B7jlSi3