Sony Hacked by Randsomed.vc: Stolen Data for Sale, AI Chatbot Upgrades, Potential Actors’ Strike
Sony Corporation has allegedly fallen victim to a cyber attack by a ransomware group known as Randsomed.vc, according to a report by Cyber Security Connect. While Sony has yet to comment on the situation, Randsomed.vc claims to have successfully compromised Sony’s systems and is now attempting to sell the stolen data. The hackers have accused Sony of refusing to pay their ransom demands, which led to their decision to sell the data. Although the proof provided by the hackers is not considered particularly compelling, there is a concern that the potentially stolen data could still be leaked. Sony’s response to the incident remains unknown at this time.
In a separate development, OpenAI, the artificial intelligence startup, has announced significant upgrades to its popular language model, ChatGPT. The chatbot will soon gain augmented capabilities, including the ability to see, hear, and speak. These new features, expected to be available in the next two weeks for GPT Plus and Enterprise users, will allow ChatGPT to function with a selection of personas, complete with custom voices and names. Additionally, the AI model will be able to generate matching audio for the text it produces and interact with users in a more human-like manner. Users will also have the opportunity to engage in visual conversations by sharing images with ChatGPT. OpenAI plans to release these features to the broader user base in the near future.
Meanwhile, the potential for an actors’ strike is looming in the video game industry. Members of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), who already have an ongoing strike against Hollywood, recently voted on whether to authorize a strike in the video game sector. The union is concerned about the use of artificial intelligence within the industry, as it raises issues related to voice replication and the potential misuse of performers’ work without appropriate consent or compensation. SAG-AFTRA is also seeking improved wages for its guild members and has not initiated a strike since 2017 when they demanded residual payments, pay transparency, and better protection for voice actors.
In other news, Spotify has introduced a new feature called Jam, a collaborative playlist designed for larger groups. Unlike previous collaborative options such as Blend or Duo Mix, Jam allows up to 32 users to contribute and control the party playlist simultaneously. Premium users can initiate a Jam, while any Spotify user, regardless of their subscription status, can join and add songs as long as they are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Spotify’s personalization technology analyzes the participating users’ preferences to suggest suitable music for the group. The introduction of guest controls also allows participants to have a say in changing the order of songs without relying solely on the host. Jam is now available to all Spotify Premium users.
As the world navigates the consequences of the alleged Sony hack, upgrades to AI chatbots, the potential for an actors’ strike, and new features in music streaming platforms, these developments continue to shape various industries, highlighting the ever-evolving landscape of technology and entertainment.
