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- OpenAI fixes big flaw
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Glass sponges are the oldest animals on Earth - and it's not even close. Scientists estimate that they can live for more than 10,000 years, possibly 15,000 years maximum.
What’s in store:
OpenAI fixes a big flaw on macOS.
Revolut tries its hand at venture capital.
Around the web: Samsung's Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6 specs leaked.
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Read Time: 5 minutes
OPENAI
Until recently, OpenAI's new ChatGPT macOS app had a serious security issue.
Conversations were stored in plain text on users' computers, making them easy for any malicious app or bad actor with control of the machine to read.
Pedro José Pereira Vieito highlighted this problem on Threads, demonstrating how another app could find and display ChatGPT conversations right after they happened.
He even created an app that could read these conversations instantly, and a video was made to show this capability.
Simply renaming the file allowed the conversation text to be seen.
Here’s the issue in brief:
ChatGPT macOS app initially stored conversations in plain text.
OpenAI released an update to encrypt chats following a security issue.
Distribution outside the Mac App Store allowed bypassing Apple’s sandboxing requirements.
But it’s fixed!
After The Verge contacted OpenAI, the company quickly released an update that encrypts chat data.
OpenAI's spokesperson, Taya Christianson, confirmed this update in a statement, emphasizing their commitment to user experience and security.
With the new update, Pereira Vieito’s app no longer works, and the conversations are not accessible in plain text.
Pereira Vieito discovered the issue while investigating why OpenAI didn't use app sandbox protections.
Since OpenAI distributes the app through its website, it bypasses Apple's sandboxing requirements.
Though OpenAI reviews conversations for safety and model training unless users opt out, this security flaw was a serious concern.
Fortunately, it has currently been addressed.
That could have been embarrassing.
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On This Day
July 5th 2009 - The largest hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold ever discovered, consisting of over 1,500 items, is found in a field in Staffordshire, England, by metal detectorist Terry Herbert.
Riddle Me This
A snail is at the bottom of a 20-foot well.
Each day, it climbs up 3 feet, but at night, it slips back 2 feet.
How many days will it take for the snail to reach the top of the well?
How many days? |
Nifty Numbers
Number of Notable Machine Learning Models by Country
The US leads with 61 notable models, China follows with 15, while France, Germany, and Canada contribute 8, 5, and 4 models respectively. This map highlights key contributors to AI innovation worldwide.
STARTUPS
Nik Storonsky, the man behind Revolut, is now trying to transform venture capital with a new AI startup called QuantumLight.
Founded in 2022, this London-based firm uses algorithms and AI to find investment opportunities.
QuantumLight quick facts:
Utilises advanced technology for early-stage investments.
Secured substantial funding and invested in nearly several startups.
Aims to innovate venture capital similarly to how Revolut transformed banking.
Powered by AI
QuantumLight, led by CEO Ilya Kondrashov, is known for being a "systematic" venture firm.
The firm's data-driven approach sets it apart, though it remains relatively small in the venture capital world.
Storonsky joins a growing number of European tech billionaires expanding their wealth through venture investments, including Spotify’s Daniel Ek.
Revolut's recent financial results showed revenue almost doubled to $2.2 billion in 2023.
Storonsky allocated about $60 million to QuantumLight, stating their strategy allows for quicker, more precise investment decisions.
Quant investing has long been influential in public markets, but private assets have been less touched due to limited data.
This is changing as firms like Ares Management and BlackRock hire quantitative analysts to gain an edge.
QuantumLight calls itself the "first truly systematic" venture firm and raised funds from tech founders and family offices.
Kondrashov mentioned that portfolio company executives benefit from a “playbook” based on Storonsky’s experience with Revolut.
Kondrashov, a Cambridge graduate and former Goldman Sachs analyst, previously founded UK fintech Kriya.
He expects to continue making steady investments over the next three years, with no immediate plans to raise another fund.
“We are probably going to be adding roughly a deal a month,” he said. “We raised all the capital that we need.”
Yes, let AI pick my portfolio, please!
Mindstream Picks
Sentinel-2C is set to be shipped from Germany to French Guiana for launch on the final flight of the original Vega rocket.
Bitcoin plunges below $59K, causing $230M in liquidations. Solana (SOL) and Dogecoin (DOGE) lead losses, with the CoinDesk 20 index down 4.8%.
The JAK Purifier, introduced in Modern Warfare 3 and Warzone's Season 1 Battle Pass, is currently unlockable through an Armory Unlocks challenge.
Volkswagen's $5 billion deal involves a $1 billion initial investment, followed by $4 billion over two years. The investment includes $2 billion in Rivian equity and $2 billion for a new joint venture group.
Don’t Miss - Samsung’s Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6 specs were leaked ahead of their July 10th reveal, showing lighter phones with improved battery life, new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processors, and enhanced features like the Z Flip 6’s vapor chamber cooling and higher-capacity camera.
AI Art
Our Image of the Day
Artwork submitted by Mindstream reader James A: “4th of July parade with floats and fireworks”
Daily Image Prompt
An intricate watch
Yesterday’s Poll
“Is Google’s AI expansion worth the environmental cost?”
No, sustainability matters more! - 53% ✅
Yes, innovation first! - 47%
Your Views:
“The whole thing is stupid, they could lobby for and invest in nuclear, its clean and carbon free. If they really cared there is an obvious solution on the table.” - jwrennie
“There is nothing more valuable than the planet. All the riches and knowledge is useless if we're all gone.” - totor
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