#FactCheck-AI-Generated Video Falsely Shows Samay Raina Making a Joke on Rekha

"Cybercriminals are unleashing a surprisingly high volume of new threats in this short period of time to take advantage of inadvertent security gaps as organizations are in a rush to ensure business continuity.”

Cyber security firm Fortinet on Monday announced that over the past several weeks, it has been monitoring a significant spike in COVID-19 related threats.

An unprecedented number of unprotected users and devices are now online with one or two people in every home connecting remotely to work through the internet. Simultaneously there are children at home engaged in remote learning and the entire family is engaged in multi-player games, chatting with friends as well as streaming music and video. The cybersec firm’s FortiGuard Labs is observing this perfect storm of opportunity being exploited by cybercriminals as the Threat Report on the Pandemic highlights:

A surge in Phishing Attacks: The research shows an average of about 600 new phishing campaigns every day. The content is designed to either prey on the fears and concerns of individuals or pretend to provide essential information on the current pandemic. The phishing attacks range from scams related to helping individuals deposit their stimulus for Covid-19 tests, to providing access to Chloroquine and other medicines or medical device, to providing helpdesk support for new teleworkers.

Phishing Scams Are Just the Start: While the attacks start with a phishing attack, their end goal is to steal personal information or even target businesses through teleworkers. Majority of the phishing attacks contain malicious payloads – including ransomware, viruses, remote access trojans (RATs) designed to provide criminals with remote access to endpoint systems, and even RDP (remote desktop protocol) exploits.

A Sudden Spike in Viruses: The first quarter of 2020 has documented a 17% increase in viruses for January, a 52% increase for February and an alarming 131% increase for March compared to the same period in 2019. The significant rise in viruses is mainly attributed to malicious phishing attachments. Multiple sites that are illegally streaming movies that were still in theatres secretly infect malware to anyone who logs on. Free game, free movie, and the attacker is on your network.

Risks for IoT Devices magnify: As users are all connected to the home network, attackers have multiple avenues of attack that can be exploited targeting devices including computers, tablets, gaming and entertainment systems and even online IoT devices such as digital cameras, smart appliances – with the ultimate goal of finding a way back into a corporate network and its valuable digital resources.

Ransomware like attack to disrupt business: If the device of a remote worker can be compromised, it can become a conduit back into the organization’s core network, enabling the spread of malware to other remote workers. The resulting business disruption can be just as effective as ransomware targeting internal network systems for taking a business offline. Since helpdesks are now remote, devices infected with ransomware or a virus can incapacitate workers for days while devices are mailed in for reimaging.

“Though organizations have completed the initial phase of transitioning their entire workforce to remote telework and employees are becoming increasingly comfortable with their new reality, CISOs continue to face new challenges presented by maintaining a secure teleworker business model. From redefining their security baseline, or supporting technology enablement for remote workers, to developing detailed policies for employees to have access to data, organizations must be nimble and adapt quickly to overcome these new problems that are arising”, said Derek Manky, Chief, Security Insights & Global Threat Alliances at Fortinet – Office of CISO.

Introduction

Search engines have become indispensable in our daily lives, allowing us to find information instantly by entering keywords or phrases. Using the prompt "search Google or type a URL" reflects just how seamless this journey to knowledge has become. With millions of searches conducted every second, and Google handling over 6.3 million searches per minute as of 2023 (Statista), one critical question arises: do search engines prioritise results based on user preferences and past behaviours, or are they truly unbiased?

Understanding AI Bias in Search Algorithms

AI bias is also known as machine learning bias or algorithm bias. It refers to the occurrence of biased results due to human biases that deviate from the original training data or AI algorithm which leads to distortion of outputs and creation of potentially harmful outcomes. The sources of this bias are algorithmic bias, data bias and interpretation bias which emerge from user history, geographical data, and even broader societal biases in training data. 

Common biases include excluding certain groups of people from opportunities because of AI bias. In healthcare, underrepresenting data of women or minority groups can skew predictive AI algorithms. While AI helps streamline the automation of resume scanning during a search to help identify ideal candidates, the information requested and answers screened out can result in biased outcomes due to a biased dataset or any other bias in the input data.

Case in Point: Google’s "Helpful" Results and Its Impact 

Google optimises results by analysing user interactions to determine satisfaction with specific types of content. This data-driven approach forms ‘filter bubbles’ by repeatedly displaying content that aligns with a user’s preferences, regardless of factual accuracy. While this can create a more personalised experience, it risks confining users to a limited view, excluding diverse perspectives or alternative viewpoints.

The personal and societal impacts of such biases are significant. At an individual level, filter bubbles can influence decision-making, perceptions, and even mental health. On a societal level, these biases can reinforce stereotypes, polarise opinions, and shape collective narratives. There is also a growing concern that these biases may promote misinformation or limit users’ exposure to diverse perspectives, all stemming from the inherent bias in search algorithms.

Policy Challenges and Regulatory Measures

Regulating emerging technologies like AI, especially in search engine algorithms, presents significant challenges due to their intricate, proprietary nature. Traditional regulatory frameworks struggle to keep up with them as existing laws were not designed to address the nuances of algorithm-driven platforms. Regulatory bodies are pushing for transparency and accountability in AI-powered search algorithms to counter biases and ensure fairness globally. For example, the EU’s Artificial Intelligence Act aims to establish a regulatory framework that will categorise AI systems based on risk and enforces strict standards for transparency, accountability, and fairness, especially for high-risk AI applications, which may include search engines. India has proposed the Digital India Act in 2023 which will define and regulate High-risk AI. 

Efforts include ethical guidelines emphasising fairness, accountability, and transparency in information prioritisation. However, a complex regulatory landscape could hinder market entrants, highlighting the need for adaptable, balanced frameworks that protect user interests without stifling innovation.

CyberPeace Insights

In a world where search engines are gateways to knowledge, ensuring unbiased, accurate, and diverse information access is crucial. True objectivity remains elusive as AI-driven algorithms tend to personalise results based on user preferences and past behaviour, often creating a biased view of the web. Filter bubbles, which reinforce individual perspectives, can obscure factual accuracy and limit exposure to diverse viewpoints. Addressing this bias requires efforts from both users and companies. Users should diversify sources and verify information, while companies should enhance transparency and regularly audit algorithms for biases. Together, these actions can promote a more equitable, accurate, and unbiased search experience for all users. 

References 

• https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20241101-how-online-photos-and-videos-alter-the-way-you-think 
• https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20241031-how-google-tells-you-what-you-want-to-hear
• https://www.ibm.com/topics/ai-bias#:~:text=In%20healthcare%2C%20underrepresenting%20data%20of,can%20skew%20predictive%20AI%20algorithms

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Introduction

Iran stands as a nation poised at the threshold of a transformative era. The Islamic Republic, a land of ancient civilisations now grappling with the exigencies of the 21st century, is now making strides in the emerging field of artificial intelligence (AI). This is not merely an adoption of new tools; it is a strategic embrace, a calculated leap into the digital unknown, where the potential for economic growth and security enhancement resonates with the promise of a redefined future.

Embarking on this technological odyssey, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, in a conclave with the nation’s virtual business activists, delineated the ‘big steps’ being undertaken in the realm of AI. The gathering, as reported by the pro-government Tasnim News, was not a simple exchange of polite remarks but a profound discourse that offered an incisive overview of the burgeoning digital economy and the strides Iran is making in the AI landscape. The conversation deeply revolved around the current ecosystem of technology and innovation within Iran, delving into the burgeoning startup culture and the commendable drive within its youth populace to propel the nation to the forefront of technology.

Iranian AI Integration

Military Implications

The discourse ranged from the current technological infrastructure to the broader implications for the security and defense of the region. The Iranian polity, with its rich history that seamlessly blends with aspirations for the future, is acutely aware that the implications of AI reach far beyond mere economic growth. They extend into the very fibres of military might and the structure of national security. The investment in cyber capabilities in Iran is well-documented, a display of shrewdness and pragmatism. And the integration of AI technologies is the next logical step in an ever-evolving defense architecture. Brigadier General Alireza Sabahifard, Commander of the Iranian Army Air Defense Force, has underscored the pivotal role of AI in modern warfare. He identifies the ongoing adoption of AI technologies as a strategic imperative, a top priority fundamentally designed to elevate the air defense capabilities in Iran to meet 21st-century threats.

Economic Implications

Yet, the Iranian pursuit of AI is not solely confined to bolstering military prowess. It is also pervasive in nurturing economic opportunity. President Raisi’s rhetoric touches upon economic rejuvenation, job creation, and the proliferation of financial and legal support mechanisms, all blurred into a cohesive vision that would foster a suitable environment for the private sector in the AI domain. The ambition is grand and strikingly clear — a nation committed to training several thousand individuals in the digital economy sector, signaling a deep-rooted commitment to cultivating a healthy environment  for AI-driven innovation.

The Iranian leader’s vision extends beyond the simple creation of infrastructure. It extends to the fostering of a healthy, competitive, and peaceful social milieu where domestic and international markets are within easy reach, promoting the prosperity of the digital economy and its activists. Such a vision of technological symbiosis, in many Western democracies, would be labelled as audaciously progressive. In Iran, however, withdrawing a major chunk of economic investments from the country's security state adds layers of complexity and nuance to this transformative narrative.

Cultural Integration

Still, Iran’s ambitious AI journey unfolds with a recognition of its cultural underpinnings and societal structure. The Nexus between the private sector, with its cyber-technocratic visionaries, and the regime, with its omnipresent ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, is a tightrope that requires unparalleled poise and vigilance.

Moreover, in the holy city of Qom, a hub of intellectual fervour and the domicile of half of Iran's 200,000 Shia clerics, there burgeons a captivating interest in the possible synergies between AI and theological study. The clerical establishment, hidden within a stronghold of religious scholarship, perceives AI not as a problem but as a potential solution, a harbinger of progress that could ally with tradition. It sees in AI the potential of parsing Islamic texts with newfound precision, thereby allowing religious rulings, or fatwas, to resonate with the everchanging   Iranian society. This integration of technology is a testament to the dynamic interplay between tradition and modernity.

Yet the integration of AI into the venerable traditions of societies such as Iran's is threaded with challenges. Herein lays the paradox, for as AI is poised to potentially bolster religious study, the threat of cultural dissolution remains present. AI, if not judiciously designed with local values and ethics in mind, could inadvertently propagate an ideology at odds with local customs, beliefs, and the cornerstone principles of a society.

Natural Resources

Similarly, Iran's strategic foray into AI extends into its sovereign dominion—the charge of its natural resources. As Mehr News Agency reports, the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) is on the cusp of pioneering a joint venture with international tech juggernauts, chiefly Chinese companies, to inject the lifeblood of AI into the heart of its oil and gas production processes. This grand undertaking is nothing short of a digital renaissance aimed at achieving 'great reforms’ and driving a drastic 20% improvement in efficiency. AI’s algorithmic potency, unleashed in the hydrocarbon fields, promises to streamline expenses, enhance efficacy, and maximise production outputs, thereby bolstering Iran's economic bulwark.

The AI way Forward

As we delve further into Iran's sophisticated AI strategy, we observe an approach that is both vibrant and multi-dimensional. From military development to religious tutelage, from the diligent charge of the environment to the pursuit of sustainable economic development, Iran's AI ventures are emblematic of the broader global discourse. They mark a vivid intersection of AI governance, security, and the future of technological enterprise, highlighting the evolution of technological adoption and its societal, ethical, and geopolitical repercussions.

Conclusion

The multifaceted nature of Iran's AI pursuits encapsulates a spectrum of strategic imperatives, bringing the spearheads of defense modernisation and religious academics with the imperatives of resource allocation. It reflects a nuanced approach to the adoption and integration of technology, adjudicating between the venerable pillars of traditional values and the inexorable forces of modernisation. As Iran continues to delineate and traverse its path through the burgeoning landscape of AI, attending global stakeholders, watch with renewed interest and measured apprehension. Mindful of the intricate geopolitical implications and the transformative potential inherent in Iran's burgeoning AI endeavours, the global community watches, waits, and wonders at what may emerge from this ancient civilisation’s bold, resolute strides into the future.

References

- https://www.fdd.org/analysis/op_eds/2024/03/17/irans-president-wants-new-focus-on-artificial-intelligence/

- https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-792391

- https://www.ft.com/content/9c1c3fd3-4aea-40ab-977b-24fe5527300c

- https://www.foxnews.com/world/iran-looks-ai-weather-western-sanctions-help-military-fight-cheap

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