In today’s Quick Serve of AI news:
An artificial intelligence (AI) system achieved a perfect grade in Brigham Young University’s Computer Science 110 class. This has sparked discussions among parents, students, and teachers about AI’s role in academia. Porter Jenkins, a BYU computer science professor who researches AI, highlighted the evolving landscape of education in this new technological era. He expressed concerns about AI becoming a crutch for people. Since 2006, 70,000 AI companies have emerged, making AI a significant part of daily life, including education. Jenkins mentioned that ChatGPT, released in late 2022, managed to complete all coding assignments and tests for BYU’s introductory programming course successfully. The use of AI in education brings up issues of academic integrity, as BYU emphasizes through its Honor Code. Jenkins remains hopeful about the coexistence of technological advancements and academic integrity, suggesting that AI can enhance learning experiences when used properly.
Security researchers have developed a self-replicating AI worm called Morris II, aiming to highlight the risks of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI). This worm can infiltrate AI-powered apps like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini to spread malware and steal data. Morris II represents a new type of “zero-click malware” that does not require victim interaction to activate or spread. The research, titled ‘ComPromptMized: Unleashing zero-click worms that target GenAI-powered applications,’ shows the potential for hackers to misuse AI for cyber attacks. The rise of AI-enhanced attacks makes traditional security measures obsolete and emphasizes the need for personalized security approaches to protect against these sophisticated threats.
Cloudflare has announced Defensive AI, a personalized approach to secure organizations against AI-enhanced attacks. This technology uses an organization’s unique traffic patterns to provide tailored defenses. With AI’s increasing role in both improving and threatening cybersecurity, Cloudflare’s Defensive AI aims to keep defenders ahead of attackers. The technology offers protections for web applications, email security, and mitigating insider threats. Matthew Prince, CEO at Cloudflare, emphasized the necessity of fighting AI with AI through personalized security measures that adapt to an organization’s specific needs and challenges.
The newly launched Generative Erase feature on Windows computers allows users to effortlessly remove objects from images using AI. Users can access this feature through the Photos app, which provides tools for erasing single or multiple objects from a photo. This guide explains how to use the Generative Erase feature, including adjusting brush sizes and selecting objects for removal. The tool offers an option to save the edited image as a copy or replace the original, giving users flexibility in managing their photo edits.