Author: Frank Salvato

D-Fend Solutions, an Israeli defense technology firm founded in 2017, is growing into a globally deployed leader in non-kinetic counter-drone systems by using software to detect, identify and seize control of unauthorized drones without jamming communications or destroying equipment, addressing how small commercial and DIY drones have become a dominant security risk for crowded urban centers, critical infrastructure and government sites; its flagship EnforceAir platform is in use with around 30 countries, Five Eyes partners and major U.S. agencies and emphasizes precision, minimal disruption and safety in environments where traditional jamming or kinetic methods would be unsafe or unacceptable, as…

AI-generated text is flooding everything from literary magazines and academic journals to courts, newsrooms and legislative comment portals, overwhelming traditional systems that relied on human authorship and slow review processes and prompting a backlash where institutions deploy AI-detection tools that can’t keep up with rapidly improving generative models; this cycle of AI flooding and AI detecting is described as a “no-win arms race” because detectors struggle with accuracy, are easily evaded or misclassify human content, and the volume of machine-created submissions is simply too great for existing safeguards to manage effectively, raising concerns about fraud, institutional integrity and the utility…

Google has issued a major cybersecurity warning that more than 40 percent of all Android smartphones worldwide are running operating system versions that no longer receive critical security updates, leaving in excess of one billion devices exposed to malware and spyware threats. Phones on Android 12 and earlier are especially at risk because they lack ongoing protections, and ransomware, credential-stealing malware, and predatory spyware are growing concerns as attackers exploit this fragmentation. Google’s data shows the latest updates are present on a minority of devices, and users of outdated phones are urged to upgrade to more recent versions or replace…

A recently surfaced court filing reveals that the Federal Bureau of Investigation was unable to extract data from the iPhone of Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson because the device was running Apple’s optional Lockdown Mode, a heightened security setting designed to thwart sophisticated attempts to breach a phone’s data; the feature blocked the FBI’s Computer Analysis Response Team from accessing the phone even after it was seized in a January raid tied to an investigation into alleged leaks of classified information, marking a rare documented instance in which a consumer-level security feature stood firm against federal forensic efforts. Sources https://www.404media.co/fbi-couldnt-get-into-wapo-reporters-iphone-because-it-had-lockdown-mode-enabled/https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/02/fbi-stymied-by-apples-lockdown-mode-after-seizing-journalists-iphone/https://cybernews.com/security/fbi-washington-post-apple-lockdown-mode-iphone/…

Nvidia is reportedly postponing the release of its next-generation gaming graphics processing units in 2026 due to an ongoing global shortage of memory chips that has been worsened by surging demand from artificial intelligence infrastructure builders. According to industry sources, this will mark the first calendar year in roughly 30 years that Nvidia does not introduce a new gaming GPU, as the company is prioritizing scarce memory supplies to meet heavy demand for AI-focused accelerators and servers. The memory shortage has also led Nvidia to cut production of its existing GeForce RTX 50 series and delay the anticipated RTX 50…

AI-driven search is fundamentally changing how brands get found online, shifting the focus away from traditional search engine optimization built around keywords and page rankings toward strategies that ensure content is visible and useful to the generative AI systems that now power much of consumer discovery and research. Recent reporting highlights how “SEO 2.0” demands designing websites and content for AI agents — the algorithms behind conversational search tools — instead of merely optimizing for legacy search engines, with startups emerging to help companies adapt to this change. This evolution is already disrupting business models tied to old-school SEO monetization,…

As companies accelerate the rollout of service robots into offices, hospitals, warehouses, and public spaces, designers are deliberately steering away from cold, industrial aesthetics and toward machines that look and behave more “human,” betting that friendlier forms will reduce fear, resistance, and political backlash. Across sectors, robotics firms are adding rounded edges, expressive eyes, softer materials, and socially familiar gestures, not because the machines need them to function, but because people do. The push reflects a growing recognition that the biggest barrier to automation is not technical capability but public trust, as workers and consumers remain uneasy about machines that…

OpenAI’s floated idea of offering its AI software to biotech firms for free in exchange for drug royalties is drawing sharp criticism from industry observers who argue the concept doesn’t align with how drug development economics actually work. Critics contend that while AI can generate lots of early-stage drug candidates, the real bottleneck in pharma isn’t discovery but the long, costly and uncertain clinical trial process — meaning that royalties tied to final drug revenue wouldn’t necessarily compensate for the immense capital and risk involved. OpenAI executives such as Sam Altman have described the proposal as a potential way to…

The 2026 Super Bowl is poised to mark a notable shift in advertising history with the first Super Bowl commercial created almost entirely by artificial intelligence, as vodka brand Svedka’s 30-second spot — developed with generative AI tools and featuring dancing robot characters — is scheduled to air during Super Bowl LX, signaling that AI isn’t just being marketed or talked about in ads anymore but is now actively shaping major brand creative; in addition to Svedka’s AI spot, other advertisers are leaning heavily into AI themes and technologies in their Big Game commercials, with companies like AI platform Anthropic…

U.S. automakers are scrambling to eliminate Chinese software and other technology from modern vehicles amid sweeping new federal rules banning Chinese-developed code on national-security grounds, a directive that takes effect March 17, 2026 and is forcing companies to dig through complex supply chains to identify, replace, or restructure code they often don’t fully control; this push reflects rising geopolitical tensions and fear of foreign exploitation of connected car systems, while other industry moves — like directives to cut Chinese-sourced parts by 2027 and broader supply-chain realignments — underscore the auto sector’s effort to reduce dependence on Chinese tech amidst competitive…