Welcome to today’s curated collection of interesting links and insights for 2025/09/12. Our Hand-picked, AI optomized system has processed and summarized 21 articles from all over the internet to bring you the key the latest technology news.
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1. OpenAI adds powerful but dangerous support for MCP in ChatGPT dev mode
OpenAI has rolled out a new Developer Mode for #ChatGPT that fully supports the Model Context Protocol (#MCP), enabling both read and write access for connected tools. This powerful feature, aimed at developers, allows users to integrate remote MCP servers, toggle connectors, refresh tool data, and directly invoke custom prompting. But @OpenAI cautions it comes with real risks: #promptinjection attacks, unsafe or accidental data writes, and exposure to compromised MCP servers could jeopardize user security. To counter this, the company requires explicit confirmation for all write actions and advises developers to be deliberate in tool selection, prompt structuring, and order of operations. The update highlights both the immense potential and inherent dangers of extending ChatGPT into deeper integration with external systems—making MCP a double-edged advancement that demands careful use.
2. Hackers Left Empty-Handed After Massive NPM Supply Chain Attack
A recent large-scale supply chain attack targeted the #NPM JavaScript package ecosystem, but hackers ultimately failed to steal sensitive data or cause significant damage. The attackers compromised multiple popular packages and attempted to insert malicious code designed to exfiltrate environment variables, but automated detection tools and vigilant maintainers quickly intervened. This incident highlights the ongoing risks within open-source software ecosystems, where dependency chains can be exploited by adversaries aiming to distribute malware on a wide scale. However, the swift community response prevented the attackers from achieving their objectives, underlining the importance of continuous monitoring and rapid action in protecting software supply chains. The event serves as a reminder for developers and organizations to strengthen security practices around package management and dependency audits.
High-end fashion brands Gucci, Balenciaga, Brion, and Alexander McQueen have fallen victim to targeted #cyberattacks exploiting vulnerabilities in Salesforce’s platform. The attackers leveraged compromised credentials and security gaps within Salesforce to access sensitive customer data and disrupt retail operations. These breaches highlight the risks associated with widely adopted enterprise cloud services when insufficient security measures are in place. The incidents underscore the need for stronger authentication and monitoring protocols within #cloudcomputing environments to safeguard luxury retail data. This situation exemplifies how dependance on third-party platforms like @Salesforce introduces critical vulnerabilities in the digital infrastructure of fashion industry giants.
4. OpenAI says nonprofit parent will own equity stake in company of over $100 billion
OpenAI said its nonprofit parent will continue to oversee the company and own an equity stake greater than $100 billion, anchoring governance in a major philanthropic framework. The arrangement will make the nonprofit one of the world’s most well-resourced philanthropic organizations, and comes as the startup was recently valued at about $500 billion in a secondary share sale. OpenAI also signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with #Microsoft to outline the next phase of their partnership, with @SatyaNadella-led Microsoft having invested over $13 billion since 2019, and both sides working to finalize definitive terms. The statement emphasizes that the collaboration aims to deliver the best #AI tools for everyone, grounded in safety. OpenAI is opening applications for a $50 million grant initiative to support AI literacy, economic opportunity, and community innovation, while cooperating with the CA and Delaware Attorneys General to establish the structure.
5. Microsoft and OpenAI announce major restructure to accelerate AI innovation
Microsoft and @OpenAI have announced a significant restructuring aimed at accelerating advances in #ArtificialIntelligence. The new organizational changes include consolidating AI divisions and increasing collaboration between research and product teams to streamline development and deployment of AI technologies. This restructure reflects the growing strategic importance of AI to Microsoft’s overall business and positions both companies to rapidly innovate and compete effectively in the evolving AI landscape. By aligning resources and talent more closely, Microsoft expects to speed up AI integration across its platforms and unlock new opportunities. The move underscores Microsoft’s commitment to leading in AI innovation alongside its partner OpenAI.
Taiwan has stepped up patrols to protect its undersea cable infrastructure, which is vital for the country’s internet and communications stability, due to concerns over Chinese vessels linked to potential sabotage. Authorities are closely monitoring 96 blacklisted boats connected to China that have been moving near Taiwan’s territorial waters, signaling heightened tensions in the region. This increased vigilance reflects Taiwan’s strategic efforts to safeguard critical technology assets against espionage or disruption amidst growing geopolitical rivalries. Ensuring the security of #underseaCables is crucial as these cables carry over 99% of international data traffic, making them tempting targets for state and non-state actors. Taiwan’s actions underscore a broader regional focus on protecting digital infrastructure critical to national security and economic resilience.
A new Brazilian drug showing potential to reverse spinal cord injuries was presented in Sao Paulo, marking a significant advancement in regenerative medicine. Developed through intensive research, the drug promotes nerve regeneration and functional recovery in animal models, offering hope for patients with paralysis. The innovative treatment targets the complex process of neural repair, which has been a longstanding challenge in neuroscience. Researchers emphasize the drug’s capacity to restore mobility and reduce long-term disability, potentially transforming spinal cord injury recovery protocols. This breakthrough underlines Brazil’s growing role in cutting-edge medical research and highlights the importance of continued investment in #biomedical innovation.
8. Small Businesses Face a New Threat: Pay Up or Be Flooded With Bad Reviews
Small businesses are being targeted by extortion schemes that threaten to flood @GoogleMaps with fake one-star reviews or to remove them once paid. In Los Angeles, Natalia Piper, a general contractor, was messaged via WhatsApp with orders to post 20 reviews, then paid $150 to remove reviews from a number in Bangladesh and $100 to a Pakistan number, after which more fake reviews appeared. Google removed the reviews after she reported them, but her rating fell from 5.0 to 3.6 during the fraud. Industry watchdog @Kay Dean, founder of Fake Review Watch, notes that #AI tools enable scammers to generate realistic reviews at scale, and she has identified more than 150 targeted businesses; meanwhile the #GoogleMaps moderation is opaque and limited tools exist for businesses. Experts and watchdogs say Google and other review sites have not done enough to curb fake reviews or give businesses reliable control over their online reputations.
9. Charlie Kirk was mistakenly named a person of interest in FBI photos of a Lexington shooter
A false claim circulated online that Charlie Kirk was a person of interest in FBI photos related to a shooter in Lexington. The FBI did not name Kirk, and the photos were misattributed to him amid misinformation spread on social media. This error highlights issues with the rapid spread of unverified claims in sensitive investigations. Charlie Kirk publicly denied the allegations, clarifying the mistake. This incident exemplifies the broader problem of misinformation impacting public figures and ongoing law enforcement matters.
10. China’s ‘Typhoons’ changing the way FBI hunts sophisticated threats
The FBI is changing how it hunts sophisticated threats after major intrusions by China’s Salt Typhoon and Volt Typhoon. The groups have become stealthier and more patient, focusing on persistent access and using “living off the land” techniques that exploit legitimate tools to hide their presence, complicating the sharing of indicators of compromise @Jason Bilnoski. Investigators say attackers are no longer dropping obvious tools, leading to a need to hunt as if they are already on the network and to pursue new methods beyond traditional tools and IOCs. Jermaine Roebuck of #CISA notes a shift from espionage to computer network attack, prepositioning or disruption, with attackers moving toward cloud environments. They are targeting edge devices such as VPNs and managed service providers, where defenders have less visibility, highlighting the broader need to adapt to cloud- and device-centric ecosystems.
The United States has issued an $11 million bounty on @Volodymyr Tymoshchuk, a Ukrainian alleged mastermind behind a string of ransomware campaigns, accused of stealing about $18 billion from large companies over three years. He is linked to the #MegaCortex and #LockerGoga attacks and is alleged to have helped engineer the #Nefilim strain after those operations, with the campaigns active from 2018 to 2021 and affecting hundreds of targets in the U.S. and abroad, including a Norsk Hydro incident that caused about $81 million in damages #NorskHydro. An unsealed indictment lists seven charges related to intentional damage to a private computer and threats to disclose private information; prosecutors say Tymoshchuk ran the operations and later sold access to #Nefilim for 20% of the ransoms. U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. described him as a serial ransomware criminal who stayed ahead of law enforcement by deploying new strains, reflecting international coordination to unmask and charge a dangerous actor who can no longer remain anonymous. If extradited to the U.S., Tymoshchuk would face a potential life sentence; the case highlights the ongoing risk ransomware poses to blue-chip firms and critical infrastructure and signals a global push by #DOJ and #cybersecurity authorities to disrupt high-value networks.
12. Microsoft CEO Nadella says company must rebuild trust with employees
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella emphasized the company’s need to rebuild trust with its workforce following recent organizational changes and layoffs. He acknowledged employee concerns regarding communication and transparency as critical issues to address. Nadella highlighted steps Microsoft is taking to improve internal dialogue and support for staff through clearer messaging and increased engagement. This approach aims to restore morale and confidence within the company as it adapts to shifting market conditions and strategic priorities. Microsoft’s efforts to reinforce employee trust reflect its commitment to maintain a resilient and dedicated workforce during times of transformation.
13. SSA asked to explain response to DOGE whistleblower
@Mike Crapo, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, is pressing the SSA to explain its handling of a whistleblower case tied to #DOGE after an SSA chief data officer resigned, citing a hostile work environment. The core issue centers on a claim that #DOGE duplicated the #Numident, a sensitive taxpayer database, into a test cloud environment not overseen by the SSA or Charles Borges. Crapo demanded immediate answers within two weeks and asked whether that duplicate Numident was accessed, leaked, hacked, or disseminated without authorization. SSA officials stated there was no known compromise and that Numident data are stored in secure environments with robust safeguards, while Borges described exclusion and a culture of fear in communications to commissioner @Frank Bisignano. The episode highlights tensions between whistleblower protections, data security, and accountability as the #SSA grapples with protecting #PII and citizens’ data amid concerns about #DOGE.
14. The Question All Colleges Should Ask Themselves About AI
Since the release of @ChatGPT, colleges have tested whether AI and the liberal-arts tradition can coexist, and the prevailing view is that they cannot because AI-enabled cheating is widespread, undermining learning for students who rely on it and disadvantaging those who choose not to use it. This evidence shows that AI not only degrades individual study but also threatens the integrity of scholarship, as models fabricate information, facilitate intellectual-property concerns, and raise ecological and labor-exploitation issues that clash with many campuses’ commitments to the environment and economic equality #AI #highered #ethics. Yet some institutions push to embrace AI, with @OhioState pledging to teach students to become bilingual in the tech and the @CaliforniaState University system aiming to be AI-empowered, signaling a shift in policy rather than a simple ban. Critics like philosophy professor Megan Fritts urge radical responses, including classroom bans on large language models, but the piece argues that such measures are far from sufficient and that universities must think bigger about their mission in the age of AI. All institutions should be animated by a single question about their purpose and standards in higher education: what are the morals, boundaries, and futures they want to chart as #AI reshapes learning, research, and public impact, and how will they align policy, pedagogy, and practice with that aim.
15. Apple Starts Getting Customers Used to the Idea of $2,000 iPhones
Apple is preparing consumers for a significant price increase with its upcoming iPhone models priced around $2,000. The company is leveraging product innovations and brand loyalty to justify this substantial cost, emphasizing advanced features and premium design to appeal to high-end customers. This strategy reflects Apple’s gradual approach to introducing new pricing norms in the smartphone market while maintaining its status as a luxury tech brand. By setting this precedent, Apple positions itself to sustain profitability despite market saturation and competition. The move signals a shift in consumer expectations and could influence pricing trends across the industry.
16. Albania appoints AI bot as minister to tackle corruption
Albania has appointed an AI bot as a minister to help combat corruption, reflecting the government’s innovative approach to governance. The AI bot is designed to analyze data and detect patterns of corrupt activities more efficiently than traditional methods. This move signals Albania’s commitment to leveraging #ArtificialIntelligence in public administration to increase transparency and accountability. By integrating advanced technology with policymaking, Albania aims to set a precedent for other countries struggling with corruption. The appointment highlights a shift towards digital solutions in governance that could improve public trust and institutional integrity.
@FrançoiseCadol, the French voice of Lara Croft, has issued a cease and desist and is pursuing legal action against @Aspyr over AI replications of her performance in Tomb Raider 4-6 Remastered. The allegations follow reports that Brazilian voice actor @LeneBastos’ performance was also AI-generated, with Aspyr saying it was done by an external development partner without their knowledge or approval and that they are working to remove the AI content. Cadol told Le Parisien that fans noticed the AI voice and called themselves ‘the guardians of the voices,’ and she notes that new tutorial lines added to the games used AI voice work not attributed to her. The case underscores tensions in #AI within #gaming between preserving classic titles and protecting actors’ performances as remasters roll out.
18. Snapchat allows drug dealers to operate openly on platform, finds Danish study
A Danish study finds that @Snapchat allows drug dealers to operate openly on the platform. Researchers used 13-year-old test profiles and observed multiple drug-selling accounts with obvious usernames like ‘coke’, ‘weed’, and ‘molly’; when 40 such profiles were reported, Snapchat removed 10 and rejected 30. The study also says @Snapchat’s recommendation systems spread and promote drug-dealing profiles to other users, including those who hadn’t shown interest in them. Snapchat says it proactively disables drug-selling accounts and notes that it had disabled more than 75% of the accounts reported and has now disabled all of them, while Digitalt Ansvar criticizes the platform for not moderating obvious drug-related language and calls for action under EU #digitalservices rules. This raises concerns about children’s access to drugs on @Snapchat and underscores tensions in #EU #digitalservices rules and #child-protection as platforms balance safety with user growth.
19. Chemists Create Next-Gen Rocket Fuel Compound That Packs 150% More Energy
The University at Albany chemists, led by Assistant Professor of Chemistry @Michael Yeung, have created manganese diboride (MnB2), a high-energy material with potential for rocket fuel and other technologies. When ignited, MnB2 delivers more energy per unit of weight and about 150% more energy per unit of volume than aluminum, which could reduce fuel needs and free space for equipment in rockets. The compound is remarkably stable and only ignites with an ignition source such as kerosene. Producing MnB2 requires extreme heat from an arc melter: manganese and boron powders are pressed into a pellet, heated to nearly 3,000°C, then rapidly cooled to preserve its structure, creating a crowded atomic arrangement. Beyond propulsion, MnB2 could strengthen catalytic converters and serve as a catalyst for breaking down plastics. #MnB2 #rocketpropulsion #energyDensity #arcMelter #catalysis #plastics
20. Fujifilm’s Cinema Camera is Called the GFX Eterna 55, Will Cost $16,500
@Fujifilm has officially announced its medium-format cinema camera, now named the GFX Eterna 55, with a price of $16,499.95 and a target 2025 release. The camera uses a 43.8×32.9 mm #sensor with a ~54.8 mm diagonal, designed to slot into workflows from Super35 to full DCI 8K Open Gate. Internally it supports Apple ProRes 422 HQ/422/LT, HEVC/H.265 (4:2:2 10-bit), ProRes Proxy, and H.264 proxy, while 12-bit RAW or 4:2:2 10-bit uncompressed can be captured via HDMI. Fuji also lists 20 film simulations and adds new #film-simulation 3D LUTs for F-Log2/ F-Log2 C, with support for up to 16 LUTs and customizable framing guides; it also offers a web-based #RemoteControlApp, BLE with Atomos AirGlu and TG-BT1, external timecode I/O, and USB-C connections. Hardware specs include a 5-inch 6.22M-dot touchscreen, a 3-inch onboard LCD, dimensions 110.8×138.2×176.8 mm, weight ~4.4 lb, operating range 14–104°F and humidity 10–80%, and the camera ships with a battery.
21. Sierra CEO Bret Taylor on why the AI bubble feels like the dotcom boom
@BretTaylor argues the current #AI bubble feels like the dotcom era and says @Sierra is built around #AI agents to rethink how businesses handle customer support. He traces his path from @Google to @FriendFeed (sold to @Facebook), then to @Quip (sold to @Salesforce) and eventually to co-CEO of @Salesforce before founding Sierra. He also led @Twitter’s board during @ElonMusk’s takeover and became chairman of the @OpenAI board after the firing and rehiring of @SamAltman. This week @Sierra raised a new round of funding valuing the company at about $10B, underscoring the momentum behind #AI agents and the broader AI push. The interview covers Sierra’s origins, its focus on #AI agents, @OpenAI’s trajectory, and the broader arc of the AI industry, offering Bret’s perspective on where the field may be headed.
That’s all for today’s digest for 2025/09/12! We picked, and processed 21 Articles. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s collection of insights and discoveries.
Thanks Patricia Zougheib and Dr Badawi for curating the links
See you in the next one! 🚀