TOP OF THE DAY
Governance and Legislation
Saudi Arabia Lays Out Its Strategic Vision For The Quantum Era
(Matt Swayne – Quantum Insider – 6 January 2025) The Quantum Economy Landscape in Saudi Arabia report offers an in-depth analysis of how the Kingdom is is pursuing a leadership role in quantum technology as part of its Vision 2030 plan to diversify the economy and drive innovation. The Kingdom focuses on education, research, and partnerships to build a quantum ecosystem, highlighted by collaborations with global leaders like IBM and Pasqal. Key challenges include the need for more talent and limited infrastructure, but strategic plans emphasize education, infrastructure and international collaboration to bridge these gaps. – https://thequantuminsider.com/2025/01/06/saudi-arabia-lays-out-its-strategic-vision-for-the-quantum-era/
India Proposes Digital Data Rules with Tough Penalties and Cybersecurity Requirements
(Ravie Lakshmanan – The Hacker News – 6 January 2025) The Indian government has published a draft version of the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules for public consultation. “Data fiduciaries must provide clear and accessible information about how personal data is processed, enabling informed consent,” India’s Press Information Bureau (PIB) said in a statement released Sunday. “Citizens are empowered with rights to demand data erasure, appoint digital nominees, and access user-friendly mechanisms to manage their data.” – https://thehackernews.com/2025/01/india-proposes-digital-data-rules-with.html
Security
Hackers reportedly compromise Argentina’s airport security payroll system
(Daryna Antoniuk – The Record – 6 January 2025) Argentina’s airport security police (PSA) have fallen victim to a cyberattack that reportedly compromised the personal and financial data of its officers and civilian personnel. The unknown threat actor gained access to PSA’s payroll records and deducted small amounts of money from employees’ salaries, local media reported on Monday, citing sources at the agency. The hackers listed these fraudulent deductions — ranging from 2,000 to 5,000 pesos ($100 to $245) — under false labels, such as “DD mayor” and “DD seguros.” – https://therecord.media/hackers-target-airport-security-payroll
Supply Chain Attack Targets Key Ethereum Development Tools
(Alessandro Mascellino – Infosecurity Magazine – 6 January 2025) A supply chain attack targeting key components of the Ethereum development ecosystem has affected the Nomic Foundation and Hardhat platforms. The attackers infiltrated the ecosystem using malicious npm packages, exfiltrating sensitive data such as private keys, mnemonics and configuration files. – https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/supply-chain-attack-targets/
From $22M in Ransom to +100M Stolen Records: 2025’s All-Star SaaS Threat Actors to Watch
(The Hacker News – 6 January 2025) In 2024, cyber threats targeting SaaS surged, with 7,000 password attacks blocked per second (just in Entra ID)—a 75% increase from last year—and phishing attempts up by 58%, causing $3.5 billion in losses (source: Microsoft Digital Defense Report 2024). SaaS attacks are increasing, with hackers often evading detection through legitimate usage patterns. The cyber threat arena saw standout players, unexpected underdogs, and relentless scorers leaving their mark on the SaaS security playing field. As we enter 2025, security teams must prioritize SaaS security risk assessments to uncover vulnerabilities, adopt SSPM tools for continuous monitoring, and proactively defend their systems. – https://thehackernews.com/2025/01/from-22m-in-ransom-to-100m-stolen.html
New PhishWP Plugin Enables Sophisticated Payment Page Scams
(Alessandro Mascellino – Infosecurity Magazine – 6 January 2025) A newly identified WordPress plugin called PhishWP has been used by cybercriminals to create fake payment pages mimicking legitimate services like Stripe, enabling the theft of sensitive financial and personal data. The malicious plugin was observed by SlashNext researchers circulating on a Russian cybercrime forum. It allows attackers to generate convincing payment interfaces that capture credit card details, billing addresses and even one-time passwords (OTPs) from victims. Once the information is entered, PhishWP transmits the stolen data directly to the attackers via Telegram, often in real-time. – https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/phishwp-plugin-enables-payment/
Scammers Drain $500m from Crypto Wallets in a Year
(Phil Muncaster – Infosecurity Magazine – 6 January 2025) Victims lost close to $500m from wallet drainer attacks in 2024, a 67% annual increase, according to new data from Scam Sniffers. The security vendor’s Crypto Phishing Report 2024 is based on analysis of Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)-compatible chains. – https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/scammers-drain-500m-crypto-wallets/
Defense, Intelligence, and War
800-plus ‘potential vulnerabilities and biases’ may afflict AI-infused medical services
(Edward Graham – Defense One – 6 January 2025) More than 800 “potential vulnerabilities and biases” were uncovered by a Pentagon effort to spot problems with using large language models in military medical services, officials said Thursday. The Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office, or CDAO, said the initiative was conducted through its Crowdsourced AI Red-Teaming Assurance Program, with help from the Program Executive Office, Defense Healthcare Management Systems, and the Defense Health Agency. It was conducted by Humane Intelligence, a technology nonprofit. – https://www.defenseone.com/technology/2025/01/dod-announces-completion-pilot-identify-medical-ai-vulnerabilities/401982/?oref=d1-homepage-river
Frontiers
Quantum Motion Announces Partnership with Semiconductor Manufacturer GlobalFoundries
(Cierra Choucair – Quantum Insider – 6 January 2025) Quantum Motion demonstrated rapid large-scale characterization of 1024 quantum dots on a silicon chip, achieving validation in under 5 minutes using commercially fabricated semiconductor processes by GlobalFoundries. The Bloomsbury chip, fabricated on GlobalFoundries’ 22FDX® platform, integrates qubits and control electronics, incorporating features like cryogenic tuning and system-on-chip integration. Quantum Motion’s collaboration with GlobalFoundries highlights the compatibility of silicon quantum chips with high-volume semiconductor manufacturing for the possibility of industrial-scale production. – https://thequantuminsider.com/2025/01/06/quantum-motion-announces-partnership-with-semiconductor-manufacturer-globalfoundries/
IonQ Expands Quantum Networking Abilities with Qubitekk Acquisition
(Cierra Choucair – Quantum Insider – 6 January 2025) IonQ has completed the acquisition of Qubitekk, integrating its team, quantum networking technology, and 118 patents into IonQ’s operations. Qubitekk’s expertise in quantum networks, including its development of the first commercially available quantum network in Chattanooga, Tennessee, strengthens IonQ’s strategic focus on quantum networking as critical infrastructure for industries like defense, finance, and energy. IonQ plans to use Qubitekk’s innovations to scale its quantum computing systems using photonic interconnects, enabling quantum clusters and advancing quantum internet capabilities, while expanding its patent portfolio to over 600 issued and pending patents globally. – https://thequantuminsider.com/2025/01/06/ionq-expands-quantum-networking-abilities-with-qubitekk-acquisition/
AI for Quantum Error Correction: A Comprehensive Guide to Using Artificial Intelligence to Improve Quantum Error Correction
(Matt Swayne – Quantum Insider – 6 January 2025) Traditional quantum error correction (QEC) methods are limited by high resource demands and inefficiency in handling complex error patterns, but researchers suggest that AI tools like machine learning (ML) could improve QEC. A study highlights AI’s potential to enhance QEC through advanced ML techniques, including convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for decoding, reinforcement learning (RL) for real-time adaptability, and generative models for capturing complex noise dynamics. While AI offers promising solutions for quantum error correction, the study underscores challenges such as data scarcity, scalability, and integration with quantum hardware, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary collaboration to realize AI’s full potential in advancing quantum computing. – https://thequantuminsider.com/2025/01/06/ai-for-quantum-error-correction-a-comprehensive-guide-to-using-artificial-intelligence-to-improve-quantum-error-correction/
Chinese Scientists’ Quantum Memory Advance Could Help Scale Quantum Networks
(Matt Swayne – Quantum Insider – 6 January 2025) Scientists have struggled to integrate spin-wave quantum storage into solid-state devices due to noise from strong control pulses, which obscures single-photon signals necessary for reliable storage and retrieval. Researchers at the University of Science and Technology of China have addressed this challenge by developing an integrated spin-wave quantum memory with advanced noise-suppression techniques, achieving high-fidelity, long-duration, on-demand storage. Published in National Science Review, the study demonstrates a critical step toward scalable quantum networks by enabling robust quantum memory capable of bridging short- and long-distance entanglement. – https://thequantuminsider.com/2025/01/06/chinese-scientists-quantum-memory-advance-could-help-scale-quantum-networks/
New AI Framework Combines ‘Focal Graph’ With LLMs to Power Drug Discovery
(Matt Swayne – AI Insider – 6 January 2025) Researchers propose a novel AI framework combining focal graphs and large language models (LLMs) to streamline drug discovery by navigating vast, noisy biomedical datasets. The focal graph uses centrality algorithms to identify key connections, enabling scalable, transparent analysis that produces clear, data-driven hypotheses. Early results not only demonstrate the system’s potential to identify drug targets and refine hypotheses autonomously, but also opens up possibilities for use in other fields and disciplines. – https://theaiinsider.tech/2025/01/06/new-ai-framework-combines-focal-graph-with-llms-to-power-drug-discovery/
Alibaba’s Accio AI Search Engine Hits 500,000 SME User Milestone
(James Dargan – AI Insider – 6 January 2025) Alibaba’s AI-powered B2B search engine, Accio, launched in November 2024, has reached over 500,000 SME users, offering intuitive product sourcing across 7,600 categories and boosting supplier conversion rates by nearly 30%. Accio features advanced natural language processing, a dynamic product comparison interface, and the Accio Agent for streamlined inquiries, payments, and after-sales support, enabling SMEs to make informed decisions efficiently. Recognized as “Product of the Day” on Product Hunt, Accio is transforming global B2B trade by providing SMEs and corporations with cutting-edge AI tools to optimize sourcing and logistics. – https://theaiinsider.tech/2025/01/06/alibabas-accio-ai-search-engine-hits-500000-sme-user-milestone/
MAMMOTION Presents Next-Generation Robotic Mowers with New AI Vision Technology at CES 2025
(James Dargan – AI Insider – 6 January 2025) MAMMOTION unveiled its UltraSense AI Vision system and expanded product lineup at CES 2025, introducing advanced robotic lawn mowers like the LUBA mini AWD and YUKA mini Series, designed for precision, ease of use, and tailored lawn care. Key innovations include AI auto-mapping, virtual fencing, real-time obstacle detection, and enhanced edge cutting, alongside upgraded models like the LUBA 2 AWD Series, optimized for large and complex lawns, and the YUKA Series with 2-in-1 mowing and sweeping capabilities. MAMMOTION’s 2025 lineup emphasizes eco-friendly and efficient solutions, furthering its mission to transform lawn care with intelligent robotic technology for diverse user needs. – https://theaiinsider.tech/2025/01/06/mammotion-unveils-next-generation-robotic-mowers-with-new-ai-vision-technology-at-ces-2025/
Microsoft to Invest $80B in AI-Driven Data Centers by FY 2025
(James Dargan – AI Insider – 6 January 2025) Microsoft has announced plans to invest $80 billion in fiscal year 2025 to expand its global network of AI-enabled data centers. The initiative aims to support the training of AI models and the deployment of AI and cloud-based applications. – https://theaiinsider.tech/2025/01/06/microsoft-to-invest-80b-in-ai-driven-data-centers-by-fy-2025/
Exabits Integrates 4,000 NVIDIA H200 GPUs for Faster, Safer AI
(James Dargan – AI Insider – 5 January 2025) Exabits integrated 4,000 NVIDIA H200 GPUs with advanced TEE capabilities into its platform, ensuring secure, tamper-proof AI computations and enabling large-scale AI model pre-training across sectors like healthcare, finance, and autonomous driving. The company achieved $10M in annual recurring revenue, holds a $150M valuation, and collaborates with leading institutions like Stanford Blockchain Accelerator and Harvard Innovation Labs to advance decentralized science (DeSci) and AI ecosystems. With its scalable GPU network and focus on Web2 and Web3 AI applications, Exabits is driving innovation at the intersection of AI and blockchain while enhancing trust and security in distributed computing. – https://theaiinsider.tech/2025/01/05/exabits-integrates-4000-nvidia-h200-gpus-for-faster-safer-ai/