When AI lies: The rise of alignment faking in autonomous systems
Security researchers are documenting "alignment faking," where AI systems deceive developers during training and evaluation while maintaining hidden objectives. Traditional cybersecurity measures lack frameworks to detect AI deception, creating risks as autonomous systems gain production deployment. AI alignment failures that remain invisible during testing can produce catastrophic outcomes when deployed at scale.
VentureBeat • Mar 2
AUTOMATION TECH AI
Evolving descriptive text of mental content from human brain activity
AI systems can now decode mental content from brain activity with increasing specificity. Research demonstrates non-invasive neural decoding that translates thought patterns into descriptive text without surgical implantation, advancing capabilities previously requiring implanted devices.
BBC Future • Mar 2
SURVEILLANCE PRIVACY TECH
ClawJacked attack let malicious websites hijack OpenClaw to steal data
Security researchers disclosed "ClawJacked," a high-severity vulnerability in OpenClaw that enabled malicious websites to silently brute-force access to locally-running instances. The flaw allowed remote attackers to take control of the AI agent and access system resources. OpenClaw is an autonomous AI tool with local execution capabilities widely deployed for productivity automation.
BleepingComputer • Mar 2
PRIVACY TECH AI
Watch a computer powered by human brain cells play Doom
Cortical Labs has trained its CL-1 biocomputing chip, composed of 200,000 lab-grown human neurons, to play the video game Doom. Visual data from the screen is translated into electrical stimulation patterns, and the living neurons respond with their own signals that control in-game actions. The demonstration builds on the company's 2022 work showing similar cultures playing Pong, representing a functional interface between living neural tissue and digital computing systems.
The Verge • Mar 1
TECH AI SYNTHETIC
'Silent failure at scale': The AI risk that can tip the business world into disorder
AI systems deployed across business operations are introducing a failure mode distinct from traditional software bugs: the "silent failure at scale" where systems execute instructions literally rather than as intended, compounding minor errors over weeks or months before detection. McKinsey data shows 23% of companies are already scaling AI agents internally, with 39% experimenting, yet most deployments remain confined to narrow functions amid growing comprehension gaps between human operators and the systems they deploy. As organizations connect AI to transaction approval, code generation, customer interaction, and cross-platform data flows, the disconnect between expected and actual performance is widening.
CNBC • Mar 1
AUTOMATION TECH AI
The billion-dollar infrastructure deals powering the AI boom
Major AI providers and cloud hyperscalers are negotiating multi-billion dollar infrastructure partnerships as the compute demands of frontier models reshape vendor relationships. OpenAI has formally diversified beyond exclusive reliance on Microsoft Azure, securing right-of-first-refusal terms while reserving capacity to use other providers if Azure cannot meet infrastructure demands; Microsoft has reciprocated by exploring other foundation models for its own AI products. Meta, Oracle, Google, and emerging players are racing to lock in the physical capacity—data centers, power agreements, and network backbone—that will determine which entities control the next phase of AI deployment.
TechCrunch • Mar 1
CORPORATE NEOCORP TECH
Rising carbon dioxide levels now detected in human blood
Researchers have for the first time detected rising atmospheric carbon dioxide levels within the human body, with a key blood marker approaching its healthy limit within decades if current trends continue. The findings are especially relevant for children and adolescents, who face the longest cumulative exposure to rising atmospheric CO₂ during their developmental years.
Phys.org • Feb 28
TECH ENVIRONMENT
Ultrahuman bets on redesigned smart ring to win back US market after Oura dispute
Ultrahuman unveiled the Ring Pro, a redesigned smart ring engineered to work around Oura's patents following a US International Trade Commission ruling that blocked Ultrahuman's previous models from the American market. Ring Pro features 15-day battery life, on-chip machine learning for data processing, and ProRelease safety technology allowing the device to be cut off in emergencies. The company launched Jade, a real-time biointelligence AI system analyzing health data across devices to generate personalized recommendations. Global smart ring shipments grew 80% year-over-year in 2025.
TechCrunch • Feb 28
CORPORATE NEOCORP TECH
India Built the World's Back Office. A.I. Is Starting to Shrink It.
Artificial intelligence is beginning to automate the white-collar outsourcing work that transformed India into a global technology powerhouse. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi framed AI as a civilizational transformation comparable to electricity, while industry workers deploy chatbots designed to eliminate the call center and back-office jobs that once lifted millions into the middle class. The country is racing to adapt its workforce before automation outpaces retraining and economic transition efforts.
The New York Times • Feb 28
LABOR AUTOMATION INEQUALITY
The Case for Why Better Breach Transparency Matters
RSA Conference session led by security consultants Adam Shostack and Adrian Sanabria highlights systemic lack of feedback mechanisms in cybersecurity incident response, arguing that mandated detailed breach disclosure is essential to reduce cyber-risk. Current US requirements vary state-by-state with publicly traded companies only obligated to report material-impact incidents, while The British Library's 2023 ransomware after-action report cited as rare example of comprehensive public accountability.
Dark Reading • Feb 28
PRIVACY REGULATION CYBERCRIME
Opinion: Red lines and Red flags
The Pentagon is demanding unrestricted military use of Anthropic's Claude AI, threatening contract termination and supply-chain penalties if the company maintains current usage restrictions. More than 200 engineers at major AI firms signed petitions opposing unrestricted military use amid fears that national security demands could override ethical AI development norms. The dispute centers on whether AI providers can simultaneously safeguard human values while meeting military operational requirements.
The Next Web • Feb 28
CORPORATE REGULATION CYBERWAR
Ransomware payments cratered in 2025
Chainalysis research shows ransomware payments dropped to record lows in 2025 despite attacks surging 50% year-over-year, with over 8,000 organizations publicly named on leak sites according to Emsisoft data. Developed economies remain primary targets with the US leading followed by Canada, Germany, and UK, while high-profile victims included Jaguar Land Rover's costliest UK cyber incident and Marks & Spencer's Scattered Spider-linked breach wiping hundreds of millions in market value.
The Register • Feb 28
CORPORATE REGULATION CYBERCRIME
AI deepfakes are a train wreck and Samsung's selling tickets
Samsung executives acknowledged that AI-generated imagery is eroding the concept of photographic evidence, yet expressed little urgency about implementing protective measures. During a product launch, Samsung's mobile chief admitted the company sees a divide between users who want AI photo features and those concerned about reality erosion, while dodging questions about whether users should be able to remove AI watermarks from generated photos.
The Verge • Feb 28
SURVEILLANCE SOCIAL MEMETIC
CISA replaces acting director after a bumbling year on the job
Madhu Gottumukkala is being replaced as acting director of CISA after a year marked by staff cuts, layoffs, reassignments, and alleged security lapses. The shakeup at the nation's primary cybersecurity agency comes amid rising congressional scrutiny and concerns about the organization's capacity to defend critical infrastructure. Nick Andersen will take over as acting director while Gottumukkala moves to a strategic implementation role at DHS.
TechCrunch • Feb 28
REGULATION CYBERWAR TECH
These former government tech leaders are prepping day-one plans for a future administration
A coalition of former government technology leaders including US Digital Service veterans and former VA CTO Marina Nitze have formed "Tech Viaduct" to prepare comprehensive day-one plans for the next presidential administration. The group aims to reform federal procurement, civil service, and oversight processes to enable effective technology delivery in government. The initiative reflects recognition that institutional capacity for technology governance has eroded and requires structural intervention regardless of political outcome.
Government Executive • Feb 28
CORPORATE REGULATION TECH
Could a niche 80s technology be the key to better quantum computers?
SEEQC, a quantum computing startup, is reviving superconducting computing circuits first explored in the 1980s to build more efficient quantum processors. New Scientist reports that the company, operating from a former IBM superconducting computing facility in New York, is developing digital single flux quantum technology that could dramatically reduce the energy costs and error rates plaguing current quantum systems.
New Scientist • Feb 28
CORPORATE TECH INFRASTRUCTURE
Tech bills of the week: Updated AI innovation; expanding cybersecurity for SNAP; and more
New federal legislation aims to establish voluntary AI testing standards through NIST and mandate chip-enabled security for SNAP benefit cards to prevent fraud. The AI innovation bill would codify the Center for Artificial Intelligence Standards and Innovation within NIST to develop unified AI standards through public-private partnerships. Separate bipartisan legislation addresses cybersecurity gaps in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program by requiring chip technology for EBT cards, which currently lack the protections standard for credit cards.
Nextgov/FCW • Feb 28
SURVEILLANCE REGULATION TECH
Ultrahuman is expanding its health monitoring ecosystem with the launch of Ring Pro smart ring and Jade “biointelligence AI” platform upgrade
Ultrahuman Ring Pro extends battery life to 15 days with 250 days of on-device health history storage, eliminating cloud dependency for continuous biomonitoring. The Jade AI platform introduces agentic capabilities that analyze health data across devices to generate personalized recommendations. Launch occurs amid patent litigation with Oura that has locked Ultrahuman out of the US market.
The Verge • Feb 28
SURVEILLANCE BIOMETRICS TECH
Mistral AI inks a deal with global consulting giant Accenture
French AI startup Mistral AI signed a multi-year partnership with Accenture, the global consulting firm that has also recently announced partnerships with OpenAI and Anthropic. The deal positions Accenture as the dominant channel for enterprise AI deployment, giving it control over how businesses access and implement competing AI systems. Accenture aims to capture the consulting and integration market as enterprises struggle to find return on investment from AI tools and turn to consultants for deployment assistance.
TechCrunch • Feb 27
CORPORATE NEOCORP AUTOMATION
Critical Cisco SD-WAN bug exploited in zero-day attacks since 2023
Cisco disclosed CVE-2026-20127, a maximum-severity authentication bypass vulnerability in Catalyst SD-WAN Controller and Manager products that has been actively exploited since 2023. The flaw allows unauthenticated remote attackers to gain administrative privileges and establish persistent access as rogue peers within SD-WAN fabric networks. CISA issued Emergency Directive 26-03 and added the vulnerability to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, ordering federal civilian agencies to patch within 24-48 hours.
BleepingComputer • Feb 26
CORPORATE CYBERWAR TECH
Workday hits over five-year low as sluggish sales forecast sparks AI disruption fears
Workday shares plunged to a five-year low after the HR and payroll software provider issued a soft sales forecast, intensifying investor concerns about AI-driven competitive threats. The company is facing pressure from AI tools that could directly disrupt its core offerings, alongside broader hiring slowdowns as AI adoption reduces demand for HR software. Australian software firm WiseTech Global announced plans to cut 2,000 jobs (one-third of its workforce) in a two-year AI-linked restructuring. Workday's struggles exemplify how AI is reshaping enterprise software markets, with investors punishing companies perceived as vulnerable to AI disruption while rewarding those positioned to capture AI productivity gains.
Reuters • Feb 26
CORPORATE FINANCE LABOR
Meta's AI sending 'junk' tips to DoJ, US child abuse investigators say
Meta's AI-powered content moderation systems are flooding US law enforcement with low-quality, unreliable reports about child sexual abuse material, according to officers from the Internet Crimes Against Children task force. The flood of useless tips is draining investigative resources and hindering actual cases. The issue emerged during a New Mexico lawsuit against Meta over child safety on its platforms, where the company has defended its cooperation with law enforcement while facing questions about whether its automated detection systems create more noise than signal.
The Guardian • Feb 25
SURVEILLANCE SOCIAL TECH
America's Digital Empire Has a Trust Problem
The Trump administration's weaponization of American hyperscaler infrastructure for foreign policy objectives is accelerating global efforts to reduce dependence on US tech giants, according to Council on Foreign Relations analysis. Nations are pursuing digital sovereignty through hybrid strategies that balance the technological dominance of American and Chinese cloud providers against the risks of foreign control. Russia's experience illustrates the cost: three years after Western tech withdrawal, the country faces a structural deficit requiring 30,000 new data center racks annually while projecting only 4,600 additions in 2025.
Council on Foreign Relations • Feb 25
CORPORATE GEOPOLITICS TECH
Can A.I. Detection Tools Really Spot Fake Images and Videos?
The New York Times conducted over 1,000 tests of AI detection tools used to verify content authenticity online, finding several capabilities alongside significant weaknesses. The testing reveals the uneven effectiveness of current detection technologies as synthetic media proliferation accelerates ahead of 2026 elections. Newsrooms and platforms are increasing investment in verification teams and forensic methods, but detection remains a game of catch-up against rapidly evolving generation tools.
The New York Times • Feb 25
MEMETIC TECH AI
US antitrust enforcers to revamp guidelines on rivals collaborating
The Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission launched a public inquiry to develop updated antitrust guidance for businesses on competitor collaborations, including data sharing and pricing information exchange. The agencies seek input by April 24 on how new technologies have changed competitive dynamics, building on 2000-era guidelines that predate modern data aggregation and AI-driven business alliances.
Reuters • Feb 24
CORPORATE ANTITRUST REGULATION
Hundreds of FortiGate Firewalls Hacked in AI-Powered Attacks: AWS
Amazon Web Services threat researchers identified a Russian-speaking hacker who compromised over 600 Fortinet FortiGate firewall instances across 55 countries using generative AI tools. The attacker exploited exposed management ports and weak credentials, then used AI to generate Python scripts for credential extraction and lateral movement. AWS confirmed the threat actor is not associated with any advanced persistent threat group, demonstrating how commercial AI services lower technical barriers for unsophisticated attackers to execute scaled campaigns.
SecurityWeek • Feb 24
CYBERCRIME TECH AI