Welcome to our latest round-up of news from the technology and hosting world. Here’s what we’ve discovered this month.
Flying Taxi Display
Joby Aviation and Virgin Atlantic are introducing an all-electric air taxi that could soon provide fast travel between UK cities. The battery-powered, eco-friendly aircraft, which can travel at up to 200mph, has recently been on show to the public in London, Manchester and Farnborough.
With dual motors and four propellers, the aircraft comes with built-in safety. If one motor fails, the propellers can continue to operate, and it can maintain flight even if one of the propellers fails.
The Joby aircraft has already completed over 50,000 miles of test flights in the US, and the first passenger services are expected to begin in Florida, New York and Texas this year. In the UK, the service is still awaiting approval from the Civil Aviation Authority. Launch hubs are expected to be established at regional airports, such as Heathrow and Manchester.
Rogue AI Hacks
Meta is the latest major tech firm to report that one of its AI models has hacked into another organisation’s systems during a cybersecurity test. According to Meta, incorrect configuration enabled the model to connect to the internet during a test conducted by a third-party security firm.
This follows similar recent incidents where models from OpenAI and Anthropic have also hacked other companies via the internet during assessments.
These events have raised serious concerns about the safety and testing of models, with security experts noting that without rigorous safety measures, some models can resort to unethical and illegal ways to achieve tasks.
The UK’s AI Security Institute has even found models attempting potentially harmful actions, like creating fake identities to access online services. As a result, it has called for stricter controls, isolated testing environments, and better evaluation standards, especially for AI systems that can operate independently.
Wildfire Detection Tech
Due to the recent spate of wildfires in France, French fire services have increased their use of technology to help them detect wildfires earlier and respond to incidents faster.
Traditional lookout towers have been replaced by AI cameras that can tell the difference between smoke and dust from up to 20 kilometres away, while a new system from the French startup, FireTracking, combines live video with maps, property details and weather data to predict how a fire might spread. These technologies can alert firefighters even before a fire is reported by the public.
Other technologies currently being tested to speed up responses include solar-powered drones fitted with AI-powered cameras and sensors that can detect gases that are released before flames appear. Additionally, the fire services are also testing large drones that can spray high volumes of water, and systems that release chemicals that extinguish fires.
Room Temp Quantum Computing
While most quantum computers need cooling to almost absolute zero (around -273 degrees Celsius), German startup, Saxon Q, has launched a system that works at room temperature and fits into a standard server rack, using regular electricity.
By using synthetic diamonds with specific flaws to create its qubits, the Saxon Q quantum computer can currently handle up to 128 qubits, with plans to build systems with 512 qubits by next year.
The technology uses lasers and microwave signals to control specific points in the flawed diamond’s structure. The addition of sulphur during production, meanwhile, improves the stability and reliability of the quantum states.
Without the need for special cooling systems, currently one of the biggest practical drawbacks to using the technology, the Saxon Q system could make it easier for regular data centres and research facilities to use quantum computing. However, it remains to be seen whether diamond-based systems can eventually perform as fast as superconducting quantum computers for large-scale tasks.
AI Work Backlash
According to a study by Adaptavist, a growing number of office workers are questioning AI’s ability to improve their work lives. The survey showed that 65% of participants preferred their work environment before AI, while 38% would stop using generative AI tools if they could.
AI particularly affects younger employees who cite problems like less creativity, ethical concerns, workplace surveillance, and privacy issues as reasons for their unease.
A major frustration is the high volume of AI slop that workers have to sort through. Almost half of the respondents said dealing with low-quality AI content makes their jobs feel less important and reduces productivity, and 42% reported spending more time checking and correcting AI results than they gain from using the technology.
In response, Adaptavist advises firms to look beyond how often AI is used when evaluating its effectiveness. While it can automate tasks and increase output, its real value depends on whether it actually boosts productivity and helps employees, instead of creating pressure and repetitive tasks.
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