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Adobe releases AI tool Firefly to edit photographs by typing commands

Adobe releases AI tool Firefly
Image Credits: Adobe

On Tuesday, Adobe released Firefly, an AI tool that enables users to swiftly edit photographs by typing commands. The production of picture and text effects is the primary goal of the initial Firefly model. An example of a product demo from Adobe was for the “Generate Variations” feature. 

In the example video, Adobe Firefly highlights a lighthouse to demonstrate how it may employ artificial intelligence to create various renditions of the same object. Another illustration provided by Adobe demonstrates how to transform an image without any human modification by taking a picture of a summer setting and typing “convert the scene to a winter day.”

Firefly can alter the photo a user is working on without the user’s involvement by using generative AI to create a paintbrush based on elements already present in a photograph.

Read More: Microsoft unveils AI office copilot for Microsoft 365

It’s important to note that the launch of Adobe’s new product comes at a crucial juncture for both the company and AI as a whole. The company bought the design tool Figma in September for $20 billion, indicating at the time that it would include features from other companies.

According to Adobe, Firefly will prioritize providing creators with options to benefit from their skills and creativity and secure their content.

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AI-generated Images of Trump’s Arrest Send Internet into Frenzy

AI-generated Images Trump’s Arrest
Image Credits: Firstpost

The assumption that the AI-generated photos of former US President Donald Trump were authentic led to a tremendous Twitter frenzy. The Stable Diffusion-created photographs were posted on Twitter by a “verified” account of Elliot Higgins.

Creating images of Trump being arrested while awaiting his arrest, Higgins tweeted on Monday. Afterward, he explained that he used the AI platform Midjourney to generate the photos. The post has gone viral, with 4.9 million views as of this writing.

An imagined image of the former President being pursued by police opens the photo collection. At first glance, the image appears to be incredibly lifelike, but there are a few elements that scream artificial intelligence tampering. For instance, the bodies of police officers seem to be nearly identical.

Read More: Microsoft unveils AI office copilot for Microsoft 365

In the second image of the collection, the police officers pursuing President Trump trip him up and seize him. At first glance, the image appears to be extremely lifelike. Nevertheless, look closely, and you’ll see that some cops don’t have faces.

Another image depicts former President Trump defiantly fighting arrest, making it maybe one of the most stirring pictures in the collection. Orange is darker on his face. The AI seems to have found pictures from the internet making fun of President Trump’s fake tan.

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Skills and Tools You Need to Be a Better Angular Developer

angular developer skills

As per the experienced angular developers, angular allows them to build complex web applications with ease and efficiency. Moreover, it gives them the tools to create rich, interactive user experiences. The United States uses the most Angular websites, i.e., around 75,041. 

Thus popularity creates a massive demand for Angular developers. So, if you’re a developer who is looking to upskill or become a skilled angular developer, you need to think about the languages, tools, and app requirements for programming. Here, we discuss in detail the skills and tools that’ll help you become a skillful developer. 

10 Skills You Need To Become a Better Angular Developer

Angular is a well-liked framework for creating web applications. Because of its versatility, scalability, and robustness, professionals frequently utilize it in the creation of enterprise-grade online applications. Moreover, the ideal Angular developer possesses a wide range of practical skills. 

So, while upskilling yourself as an Angular developer, you require both programming knowledge and developmental knowledge. You’d be a preferred candidate during interviews if you’re knowledgeable, practical, and competent. So, make sure that you master the following skills: 

1. Understanding of Angular Architecture

To advance as an Angular developer, you must have a firm grasp of the Angular architecture. It’s necessary to understand how Angular modules, components, services, and directives interact. Moreover, you should also be comfortable designing, developing, and testing your applications using Angular CLI.

2. Typescript

Typescript, a superset of JavaScript, is used to develop Angular applications. So, to become a better Angular developer, you should have a firm grasp of Typescript. Moreover, you should be able to use features like classes, interfaces, types, and decorators to create code that is understandable and manageable.

3. RxJS

RxJS is a library used for reactive programming with Observables. It is an essential part of Angular, so you should be knowledgeable about it. Further, with the use of operators like map, filter, and combine, you should be able to manipulate data streams.

4. HTML/CSS

To develop as a skillful Angular developer, you must have a firm grasp of HTML and CSS. These languages should allow you to create user interfaces that are both responsive and visually appealing.

5. Angular Material

Angular Material is the name of a library of user interface elements for Angular. It provides pre-built UI components to assist you in creating your applications. Therefore if you want to become a better Angular developer, you should be able to construct acceptable and responsive user interfaces using Angular Material.

6. Testing

If you want to develop Angular applications, testing is necessary. You must be able to write unit tests, integration tests, and end-to-end tests. Moreover, you also need to be comfortable using testing programs like Karma and Protractor. This is one of the essential steps to having a strong hand to be a proficient developer. 

7. Debugging

For any developer, the ability to debug is essential. Any application should be free of errors. If you want to become a better Angular developer, you should be comfortable using browser developer tools to troubleshoot your applications. Also, you ought to be able to use tools like Augury to debug your Angular applications.

8. Performance Optimisation

Performance is crucial for any online application to be successful. As a skilled developer, you should optimize the performance of your projects. So, this means reducing the number of network queries while also making your applications’ size and loading time more efficient.

9. Git’s version control

A popular version control program called Git is commonly used in the development of software. Therefore, as one of the other essential skills for a competent Angular developer, you should be able to use Git to maintain your project. This includes understanding how to create branches, merge code, and resolve conflicts.

10. Soft Skills

A very essential aptitude for developers is to utilize soft skills. If you collaborate with authorities and other professionals, you should have good communication abilities, be a team player, and be willing to learn about and adapt to new technologies and practices.

Five Resources Every Angular Developer Needs

As an Angular developer, you need the right tools to organize your workflow and create high-quality applications. The top five tools required to create Angular applications will now be discussed.

1. Angular CLI

The command-line interface can be used for Angular app design, development, and testing (CLI). This powerful tool also includes a selection of generators for creating modules, services, and building blocks. So, you can employ different resources and conduct tests for your product effectively.

2. Visual Studio Code

As experienced angular developers, they may use an editor called Microsoft Studio Code. You can enjoy various features like debugging, syntax highlighting, and code completion. Moreover, it has a substantial extension marketplace that provides support for additional tools and libraries.

3. Augury

You can use a Chrome extension called Augury which makes it easier to debug Angular applications. Further, it offers the ability to view and alter component properties. Also, it shows a visual representation of the component tree of your application.

4. Chrome DevTools

You can use a set of web development tools referred to as Chrome DevTools– which is included with the Chrome browser. It includes a wide range of powerful features, such as network speed testing, JavaScript debugging, and HTML and CSS analysis.

5. Protractor

Protractor is an end-to-end testing framework for Angular apps. It gives you the possibility to build automated tests for your application. Moreover, it provides a collection of APIs that enable you to interact with it as if it were a real user.

Wrap Up

The demand to hire angular developers is set to grow, which increases competition in the market. Understandably, to enjoy new clients or a job, you’d want to be a better Angular developer. And upskilling is a great idea to hone your knowledge and competency.

Therefore, you should focus on developing skills like HTML/CSS, Communication, Debugging, and more. Moreover, you can utilize some tools like Augury, Chrome DevTools, and more. So, get, set, upskill today, and become a proficient angular developer.

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10 Types of Cyber Attacks You Should Be Aware of In 2023

top cyber attacks
Image Credit: Canva

Since Covid-19, the rate of cyberattacks and cybercrime has increased by a staggering 600%. Alarming, to say the very least. As cyber-attacks become increasingly frequent and relentless, staying ahead of the game is essential.

Our digital lives are constantly under attack from criminals who use increasingly sophisticated techniques to breach networks, steal data and wreak havoc on systems. With each passing year, the stakes increase, and the need for vigilant protection grows. 

From hands-on workshops to immersive IT courses in Abu Dhabi, there are plenty of options available to help you become an expert in the field and stay ahead of the curve. In this blog post, we’ll look at ten cyber-attacks you should be aware of in 2023 and how to protect yourself from them.

Read on to know what awaits in the cybercrime world.

10 Types of Cyber Attacks You Should Be Aware of In 2023

We live in a world of ever-expanding digital footprints. With malicious hackers and cyber criminals lurking in every corner of the internet, it’s vital to be aware of the ten types of attacks that may come your way in 2023.

Let’s get started.

  1. Phishing

Phishing is a social engineering attack that aims to steal sensitive information, such as login credentials and financial data, by disguising itself as a legitimate entity. These attacks can come from emails, text messages, and even phone calls. 

To protect yourself from phishing, be wary of unsolicited messages and never click on links or provide personal information unless you are confident of the sender’s identity.

  1. Ransomware

Ransomware works by locking users out of their systems, preventing access to files, and demanding payment to release the locked data. Once ransomware has been installed on a system, removing and recovering from an attack can be extremely difficult and costly. Those who fall victim to ransomware attacks often have no choice but to pay up to regain control over their data. 

To protect yourself from ransomware, ensure that your data is regularly backed up and that your software is up-to-date.

  1. Distributed Denial Of Service (DDoS)

DDoS is a powerful and disruptive form of cyber-attack that malicious actors have used since the early days of the internet. A successful DDoS attack can overwhelm a network or website with requests, resulting in disruption or complete shutdown. 

To prevent DDoS attacks, have suitable firewalls and regularly update your software to patch any security vulnerabilities. Additionally, a content delivery network can provide an extra layer of protection as it limits the amount of malicious traffic that can reach your site.

  1. Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs)

APTs are targeted attacks designed to gain access to a specific organization’s networks and steal sensitive information over an extended period. APTs are notoriously tricky to detect and defend against. 

To protect yourself from APTs, ensure that your network is segmented and that access is restricted to only those who need it.

  1. Malware

Malware is a catch-all term to describe any malicious software that can cause harm to a computer or network. Cybercriminals use malware to cause destruction and steal sensitive data. It can come from viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, spyware, adware, and more. 

To protect yourself from malware, ensure that your software is up-to-date and that you use a reputable antivirus program.

  1. SQL Injection

It works when malicious code is injected into existing Structured Query Language (SQL) database queries to gain access to sensitive information like passwords, user profiles, financial data, or even the entire database itself. 

By exploiting weaknesses in poor database architecture design and coding techniques, attackers can interfere with legitimate query results by injecting their own malicious SQL statements into the existing queries. 

To protect yourself from SQL injection, ensure that your website is coded securely and your database configured correctly.

  1. Man-In-The-Middle (Mitm) Attacks

MitM attacks occur when an attacker intercepts communication between two parties and can steal sensitive information such as login credentials and financial information. 

To protect yourself from MitM attacks, use a virtual private network (VPN) and avoid public Wi-Fi networks.

  1. Password Attacks

Password attacks are any attempt to gain unauthorized access to a system by guessing or cracking a password. This can include brute-force attacks, dictionary attacks, and more. 

To protect yourself from password attacks, use strong and unique passwords, and enable two-factor authentication whenever possible.

  1. Insider Threats

Insider threats refer to cyber-attacks from within an organization, often from current or former employees. These threats can be particularly dangerous as the attacker already knows the organization’s systems and defenses. 

To protect yourself from insider threats, implement strict access controls and monitor network activity for unusual behavior.

  1. Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)

XSS is an attack involving injecting malicious code into a website, typically through a vulnerable input field. This can allow the attacker to steal sensitive information or take control of the affected website.

To protect yourself against XSS attacks, always keep your browser up-to-date and install security patches for any plugins. Additionally, use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication wherever possible. Lastly, don’t click on unknown links from emails or websites, as they may be malicious.

Conclusion

As the digital world continues to grow and evolve, so too do the types of cyber-attacks that threaten our online security. With that in mind, staying up-to-date on the latest threats with the help of cyber security training is crucial.

The ten types of cyber-attacks we’ve listed here are just some of the ones you should be aware of in 2023. Keep these in mind as you surf the web and take steps to secure your online presence.

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Amazon fires 9,000 employees in second round of layoffs

Amazon fires 9,000 employees
Image Credits: Hans India

Amazon has disclosed the dismissal of 9,000 additional workers. The affected employees have received an email from the company’s CEO, Andy Jassy, who explained that Amazon is going through a challenging time and will need to take this action to cut expenses.

The e-commerce behemoth has fired staff before; as many as 18,000 people were let go in January of this year. In essence, this means that Amazon has sacked 27,000 workers altogether.

In the email that was sent to employees, Jassy said, “We intend to eliminate about 9,000 more positions in the next few weeks—mostly in AWS, PXT, Advertising, and Twitch. This was a difficult decision, but one that we think is best for the company in the long term.”

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According to the CEO of the company, due to over-hiring in recent years and the need to properly manage resources in light of the current economic downturn, Amazon will have to fire staff. In addition, he said that the action would benefit the business in the long run and allow it to use the money saved for greater purposes.

According to the CEO, the organization hopes to wrap up the most recent round of layoffs by mid-to-late April. Also, he reaffirmed that Amazon would assist the fired workers. Offering packages including a separation payout, temporary health insurance benefits, and assistance with finding a position outside the company are being promised.

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Accenture to Acquire Flutura, an Industrial AI Company 

Accenture to Acquire Flutura
Image Credits: Accenture

Accenture announced on Tuesday that it was purchasing Flutura, a company that offers internet of things (IoT) and data science services, for an undisclosed sum to expand the range of industrial AI services it offers under the Applied Intelligence banner.

The acquisition is significant because 70% of Accenture’s Applied Intelligence offerings come from the Asia Pacific region. The contributions from other regions, including EMEA, North America, and Latin America, are 15%, 10%, and 5%, respectively.    

According to a Gartner analysis done in 2022, Accenture also has the top spot in the market for industrial AI services, followed by Deloitte. The market research company projects that by the end of 2024, the global market for data and analytics (D&A) services will be worth $232 billion.

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According to a joint announcement from the two firms, Accenture intends to offer Flutura’s capabilities to clients in the energy, chemicals, metals, mining, and pharmaceutical sectors.

“Flutura’s acquisition will power industrial AI-led transformation for our clients globally and particularly in Australia, South-East Asia, Japan, Africa, India, Latin America, and the Middle East,” senior managing director at Accenture, Senthil Ramani, said.

According to Ramani, Flutura democratizes AI for engineers, giving manufacturing and other asset-intensive businesses the carbon intelligence to lower emissions, energy use, and lost output due to unscheduled downtime of industrial assets.

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Startup behind Stable Diffusion releases text-to-video AI

runway releases text-to-video AI
Image Credits: Open Data Science

A new AI model from Runway, the startup that helped develop the well-known Stable Diffusion AI image generator, can take any word description, such as “turtles flying in the sky,” and produce three seconds of relevant video.

Runway is not initially making the model widely available, nor will it be open-sourced like Stable Diffusion, citing safety and business concerns. Gen-2, the text-to-video version, will initially be accessible on Discord through a waitlist on the Runway website.

It’s not new to use AI to create videos from text inputs. Late last year, research papers on text-to-video AI models were published by Meta Platforms Inc. and Google, respectively. The key distinction, according to Runway CEO Cristobal Valenzuela, is that the text-to-video AI technology is now accessible to the entire public.

Read More: Microsoft unveils AI office copilot for Microsoft 365

In its first iteration, Gen-1, users could input a poor 3D animation or a shaky smartphone clip and apply an AI-generated overlay.

Gen-2, in contrast, appears to be more focused on creating videos from scratch, albeit there are numerous limitations to be aware of. First, access is restricted, and second, the demo clips supplied by Runway are brief, unsteady, and most definitely not photorealistic.

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Venezuela reorganizes its National Crypto Department

Venezuela reorganizes national crypto department
Image Credits: VOI

In a decree released on March 17, Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro ordered the restructuring of the National Superintendency of Crypto Assets.

Anabel Fernández, a lawyer who formerly acted as president of the Fondo de Garanta de Depositos y Protección Bancaria, the Venezuelan equivalent of the United States Federal Deposit Insurance Corp, will head a new board that will oversee the restructuring. 

According to the decree, the board will plan the subsequent steps for the crypto department, also known as Sunacrip in Spanish. Still, it doesn’t provide any other information or explicit reasons for the reorganization. 

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The government of Maduro says the action is being taken, among other things, to shield the people of the nation from the damaging consequences of economic sanctions.

Joselit Ramirez, who has overseen until now the department since its formation in 2018, is absent from the new board composition. According to Venezuela’s local media, Ramirez was reportedly detained on March 17 on suspicion of corruption. Ramirez supervised the nation’s Petro cryptocurrency as well as crypto tax regulations.

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Microsoft Partners with Boosteroid to Make Xbox PC Games more Available 

Microsoft partners with Boosteroid Xbox PC games
Image Credits: Boosteroid

Tuesday saw the announcement of a 10-year deal between Microsoft Corp. and Boosteroid to make Xbox PC games available on Boosteroid’s cloud gaming platform. Customers of Boosteroid will also be able to stream Activision Blizzard PC games after Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard is complete, thanks to the deal.

Recently surpassing 4 million users worldwide, Boosteroid—whose software development team is based in Ukraine—became the biggest independent cloud gaming provider. This partnership[ means that popular franchises like “Call of Duty” will reach more than 150 million additional players when combined with other partnerships recently announced by Microsoft.

It also makes games developed by Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda, and Activision Blizzard playable on various cloud gaming services and subscriptions. 

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Phil Spencer, CEO of Gaming, Microsoft.said, “We believe in the power of games to bring people together. That’s why Xbox is committed to give everyone more ways to play their favorite games across devices. Bringing Xbox PC games to Boosteroid members, including Activision Blizzard titles such as ‘Call of Duty’ once the deal closes, is yet another step in realizing that vision.”

Ivan Shvaichenko, Boosteroid CEO, said, “With our development team based in Ukraine, we appreciate Microsoft’s ongoing commitment to Ukraine, and we will be working together on an initiative supporting our local game development community to invest further in the economic recovery of the country.”

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Language model that can respond to philosophical questions in philosopher’s voice

Language model philosophical questions philosopher’s voice
Image Credits: YouTube

Researchers from École Normale Supérieure (ECN) in Paris, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, and the University of California-Riverside developed a huge language model that can respond to philosophical questions in a style that is very identical to that of a particular philosopher.

The team used Daniel C. Dennett’s philosophy to improve OpenAI’s GPT-3 language model. It was determined that the model could generate answers that closely resembled those of real philosophers. The researchers improved the GPT-3 model based on Dennett’s earlier writings to make sure it accorded the philosopher’s regular word usage patterns more weight than other word patterns when predicting the subsequent word in a phrase.

By posing questions to their refined model and comparing its responses to those that an actual philosopher could have provided, the researchers hoped to assess its performance. The researchers asked Dennett ten philosophical questions and then posed the same questions to their language model in order to collect four responses for each question without cherry-picking, that is, without necessarily selecting the best answers. 

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They next tested 425 human users’ ability to distinguish between Dennett’s and the computer’s generated answers to philosophical questions. It was astonishing to learn that knowledgeable philosophers and blog readers could accurately guess Dennett’s comments around half the time.

Conversely, only 20% of average individuals with little to no philosophical training did so. These results suggest that a tuned GPT-3 model can be very close to speaking in a particular philosopher’s voice.

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