Daily Edition · Page 1

THE DAILY INDEX

Technology, AI, software, security, crypto and business

Across today’s newsletters

Today’s Index

MICROSOFT’S NEW ERA OF AI PCS WILL NEED A COPILOT KEY, SAYS INTEL

Microsoft's new specifications for OEMs building AI PCs includes a requirement that they must have a Copilot key. To be recognized as an AI PC, OEM partners must also provide a combination of hardware and software including a Neural Processing Unit (NPU), the latest CPUs and GPUs, and access to Copilot. It is unclear what OEMs will get in return for adhering to Microsoft's AI PC definition. Intel recognizes some laptops without the Copilot key as AI PCs due to their integrated NPUs.

AWS FIXES 1-CLICK APACHE AIRFLOW SESSION HIJACK

AWS fixed a flaw in its Managed Workflows for Apache Airflow (MWAA) service that allowed attackers to hijack MWAA sessions via an XSS attack on AWS-hosted sites. This vulnerability was possible because many AWS services utilize the same domain suffix, so browser cookie protections fail. AWS and Microsoft (which had similar issues) have registered domains associated with various vulnerable services to the Public Suffix List to prevent these attacks.

APPLE’S WWDC 2024 IS SET FOR JUNE 10TH

Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference will start with a keynote on June 10 and run through until June 14. This year's event should be similar to previous years, with announcements likely focusing on the company's fall software updates and new hardware. Apple has reportedly spent millions per day training its own AI models and it has been rumored to be courting news outlets for training content partnerships. The company may be planning a deal with third parties to supply cloud-based AI features. It may also be planning to open up an ecosystem for AI developers to create deep integrations into its devices.

STARTUP PLANS LARGEST OCEAN GEOENGINEERING PLANT

Californian startup Ebb Carbon plans to use seawater to remove tons of carbon dioxide from the air. Its pilot carbon dioxide removal plant, codenamed Project Macoma, could start operations as soon as this year. It will pump hundreds of thousands of liters of seawater every day, splitting the water into acidic and alkaline streams using an electrochemical process. The alkaline outflow mixes with carbon dioxide in ambient seawater to create bicarbonate, a stable way to store carbon. While the impact of the plant will be small, the process, if scaled up, could help mitigate the effects of climate change.

IT'S HEARTY, IT'S MEATY, IT'S MOLD

One of the most promising sources of alternative foods is fungi, which contain nutritious proteins, fats, antioxidants, and flavor molecules. Scientists are exploring the many possibilities for new flavors and textures that can be made by modifying genes already present in fungi, as opposed to introducing genes from wildly different species. Researchers have modified a fungus called koji mold, usually used in East Asia to ferment starches, to be more meat-like, offering an alternative route for creating meat substitutes. The approach can create meat substitutes without the complex ingredients lists, costs, and technical difficulties of cultured meat.

TLDR IndexPage 1