Latest Stories from Jamie
AI ‘nudify’ websites are reportedly making millions
People continue to seek out ‘nudify’ websites to create explicit AI images without a person’s consent. A recent analysis of 85 such platforms revealed that, collectively, they could be making up to $36 million annually. We’ve been writing about nonconsensual deepfakes for well over seven years now, and the problem doesn’t seem to be deescalating. Piggybacking the widescale proliferation of generative AI capabilities, illicit websites continue to spawn under the creepy...
US government strikes $200m Grok deal to modernise Defense Department
A week after Grok’s ‘MechaHitler’ debacle, the US government has announced a $200m contract with the AI platform to modernise the Defense Department. The chaotic relationship between Donald Trump and Elon Musk is throwing out some ridiculous headlines, and this is just the latest. If you’re chronically online, like me, you’ll be familiar with Grok’s peculiar crash out last week, in which the chatbot anointed itself ‘MechaHitler’ and generated a...
Gen Z are ‘soft saving’ for the future
Gen Z enjoy splashing cash on travel and novel experiences more than their elders, but there’s a wealth of planning behind it all that ensures the savings pot isn’t empty. The holiday season is entering peak times, and that means you won’t be able to move on Insta for stories of plane wings, small plates, and ocean vistas. The inevitable pang of FOMO is largely sponsored by Gen Z, a generation...
Jack Dorsey’s launches Bluetooth messaging app Bitchat
Bitchat is a decentralised and encrypted chat service able to send and receive messages through Bluetooth signal – and without WiFi or phone service. Will it become an instant hit? Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey has just launched a new peer-to-peer massaging app that works without WiFi or phone service. Bitchat instead utilises a phone’s Bluetooth signal to allow for messages to be sent and received between contacts in the same...
Terrorists are leveraging AI and it’s becoming harder to stay ahead
Staying one step ahead of terrorist outfits is proving increasingly difficult with the rapid proliferation of open source platforms and artificial intelligence. Monday marked the 20th anniversary of the 7/7 terror attacks in London, and with the grim events of that week once again at the forefront of the public’s minds, counter-terrorism groups are working to stay ahead of nefarious groups that may try to cause harm in the future. According...
University of Pennsylvania to remove trans athletes from women’s sports
The University of Pennsylvania has revoked a set of records set by transgender swimmer Lia Thomas, apologising to the female athletes ‘disadvantaged’ by her participation in 2022. We’re beginning to see the manifestation of Donald Trump’s reversal of anti-discrimination orders – specifically, when it comes to trans athletes participating in women’s sports. The University of Pennsylvania has this week modified a trio of school records set by transgender swimmer Lia Thomas,...
The Oakley Meta smart glasses reek of surveillance capitalism
Billed as a wearable device to optimise physical performance, the Oakley Meta smart glasses may just be a catalyst for 24-7 surveillance and targeted advertising on an unprecedented level. Meta loves itself a hefty privacy scandal, and this could be another in the making. By now you’ve probably seen ads featuring Kylian Mbappe and Patrik Mahomes for the Oakley Meta ‘Performance AI glasses’. Taking a colossal dump on the second-gen...
Does Spotify have a porn problem?
AI-generated audio pornography and sex podcasts are ranking highly on Spotify and explicit video clips are being easily concealed from safeguards. The platform’s reactive moderation is under fire. Sex sells, we all know that. But what business does porn have being on the biggest music streaming app? Technically, sexually explicit content is prohibited on Spotify, but the app has a funny way of enforcing this rule. When porn is flagged by...
clash of the tyrants + tracking internet trolls
you’ll never see this face again Hey you. Half of the office are currently sunning it up in Cannes at a certain globally renowned festival - check our Insta stories - but us lanyardless members still have our noses to the grindstone. We’re not bitter or anything. But less of that and more of what you came for. Welcome back to the Common Thred newsletter. You’re here for a roundup of...
Our breathing patterns may be as unique as fingerprints
A team of scientists at Israel’s Weizmann Institute recently discovered that our nasal breathing patterns are so unique, people can be accurately identified on them alone. A study showed a success rate of 96.8%. Ready to become acutely aware of your bodily functions? Let’s get into it. As incomprehensible as it seems when you truly think about it, we’ve accepted that our fingerprints are entirely unique to each of us. Many...
