👀 AI Bots Now Beat 100% of CAPTCHAs

👀 AI bots now beat 100% of CAPTCHAs

• Research shows that image-recognition bots can now solve Google ReCAPTCHA v2 challenges with a 100 percent success rate, matching human-level performance.

• ETH Zurich PhD student Andreas Plesner and colleagues reveal that these bots are capable of identifying objects in CAPTCHA grids, such as bicycles and traffic lights, with near-perfect accuracy.

• Though Google has largely replaced reCAPTCHA v2 with an "invisible" reCAPTCHA v3, the older system is still widely used on millions of websites as a fallback.

🖐️ New robot arm can detach its hand to crawl and grab objects

• Researchers at EPFL in Switzerland created a robotic hand that can detach from its arm and crawl independently to grasp objects, extending the arm's reach.

• The hand, designed with a genetic algorithm and MuJoCo simulator, features five articulated fingers and a magnetic connector for autonomous attachment and detachment.

• Capable of bending in both directions, the hand can lift multiple items simultaneously and function even in tight spaces, unlike larger robots like Boston Dynamics' Spot.

 💸 ChatGPT subscription cost could double in 5 years

• OpenAI plans to increase the price of the ChatGPT Plus subscription from $20/month to $44/month over the next five years, as revealed in internal documents circulated to investors.

• The subscription cost will rise to $22/month by the end of this year, with the gradual price hikes aiming to support OpenAI's revenue goals, which include reaching $100 billion by 2029.

• OpenAI's valuation has surged to $150 billion, partly due to significant investments and anticipated revenue growth, despite their expectation to lose $5 billion this year.

🏠 Apple developing AI HomePod with touchscreen and video

• Apple is reportedly developing a new HomePod with a touchscreen display, powered by a modified version of its tvOS software, and featuring advanced AI capabilities through the A18 chip.

• The device, internally referred to as "HomeAccessory" and codenamed "J490," is expected to support hand gestures and video conferencing via an embedded camera, including platforms like FaceTime.

• The upcoming smart home accessory is anticipated to include a square display with customizable lock screens, a built-in camera for hands-free interaction, and functionalities as a media player and AirPlay receiver.

🤗 Microsoft announces sweeping changes to controversial Recall feature

• Microsoft has overhauled its AI-powered Recall feature, making it an opt-in experience that users can fully uninstall, addressing initial security concerns surrounding its use.

• All sensitive data within Recall, including screenshots, is now encrypted and tied to the Trusted Platform Module (TPM), requiring user authentication through Windows Hello to access or use the feature.

• Recall now processes all sensitive operations within a virtualization-based security enclave, and Microsoft has conducted extensive security reviews to enhance the feature's protection against malware and unauthorized access.