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Cybersecurity

OpenAI invests in cybersecurity to combat AI-driven threats

OpenAI has made its first cybersecurity investment in Adaptive Security, a startup that uses AI to train employees to detect and prevent cyber threats.

Roblox introduces new parental controls to enhance child safety

Roblox introduces new parental controls, allowing parents to block games, restrict friends, and monitor their child’s activity for better safety.

Exabeam introduces Nova, an agentic AI that boosts cybersecurity operations

Exabeam unveils Nova, a proactive AI agent that boosts security team productivity and reduces incident investigation time by over 50%.

Tenable reveals privilege escalation flaw in Google Cloud Run

Tenable uncovers a privilege escalation flaw in Google Cloud Run, exposing risks linked to inherited permissions and service interdependencies.

ESET uncovers RansomHub links to rival gangs and highlights emerging EDR killer threats

ESET uncovers RansomHub’s links to rival gangs and reveals its custom EDR killer, signalling new threats in the ransomware landscape.

Marketing

Spotify introduces AI-powered ads and programmatic ad buying

Spotify unveils AI-powered ads and the Spotify Ad Exchange, making it easier for advertisers to reach Gen Z listeners with real-time bidding.

Adobe: Redefining digital marketing in APAC through AI and privacy-first personalisation

Discover how Adobe helps APAC brands tackle data privacy, localise content, and embrace AI-driven marketing in a cookieless future.

Adobe introduces AI agents to Experience Cloud to improve customer experience delivery

Adobe unveils AI-powered features in Experience Cloud to help businesses deliver personalised customer journeys and better digital performance.

Adobe introduces new Firefly updates to streamline brand content production at scale

Adobe expands Firefly with video, 3D and GenStudio integration, helping brands scale on-brand content production with ease.

WeChat mini-game advertising sees 113% increase, creating new opportunities for developers

WeChat mini-game ads grew 113% in 2024, opening major growth chances for developers aiming to scale in China’s fast-moving mobile game market.

Southeast Asia

Synagie and HKT launch ShopHK to help Hong Kong brands expand into Southeast Asia

Synagie and HKT launch ShopHK, helping Hong Kong SMEs tap into Southeast Asia's booming US$600 billion e-commerce market.

MLBB and OPPO crown regional champions at APAC Smooth Legend Cup

IDONOTSLEEP and Maru Gamerpact Esports take top honours at the MLBB x OPPO Smooth Legend Cup APAC Grand Finals.

LinkedIn: How AI is reshaping hiring and workforce strategies in 2025

Discover how AI is transforming hiring and workforce strategies in 2025, from skills-based recruitment to internal mobility and continuous learning.

Kyberlife raises US$3 million to expand healthcare procurement in Southeast Asia

Singapore’s healthtech startup Kyberlife secures US$3 million to expand its digital procurement platform, streamlining healthcare supply chains in Southeast Asia.

ST Telemedia Global Data Centres gains NVIDIA AI certification to boost AI capabilities

ST Telemedia Global Data Centres has achieved certification under the NVIDIA DGX-Ready Data Center programme, boosting AI capabilities in Southeast Asia.

Geek

Lego and Pokémon Company announce long-awaited collaboration

Lego has partnered with The Pokémon Company, and official Pokémon Lego sets will be available in stores in 2026.

Crunchyroll announces cinema release dates for Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle

Crunchyroll announces cinema release dates for Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle, starting 14 August 2025 in Singapore and Malaysia.

Aetherdrift brings high-speed action to Magic: The Gathering fans

MTG's Aetherdrift brings high-speed action, new mechanics, and exclusive collectibles in an epic multiverse race starting 7 February.

Crunchyroll and Sony partners unveil anime adaptation of Ghost of Tsushima: Legends

Crunchyroll, Aniplex, and Sony partners reveal Ghost of Tsushima: Legends anime adaptation, set for a 2027 release exclusively on Crunchyroll.

Evangelion store marks two decades with new merchandise and an anniversary fair

Celebrate 20 years of EVANGELION with exclusive merchandise and special gifts at the anniversary fair, only at the EVANGELION STORE.

Hot topics

Going elsewhere?

26.6 C
Singapore
21.5 C
Malaysia
29.2 C
Thailand
27.9 C
Philippines
20.5 C
Indonesia
16 C
Vietnam
28.7 C
Cambodia
22.6 C
Myanmar

Cybersecurity

OpenAI invests in cybersecurity to combat AI-driven threats

OpenAI has made its first cybersecurity investment in Adaptive Security, a startup that uses AI to train employees to detect and prevent cyber threats.

Roblox introduces new parental controls to enhance child safety

Roblox introduces new parental controls, allowing parents to block games, restrict friends, and monitor their child’s activity for better safety.

Exabeam introduces Nova, an agentic AI that boosts cybersecurity operations

Exabeam unveils Nova, a proactive AI agent that boosts security team productivity and reduces incident investigation time by over 50%.

Tenable reveals privilege escalation flaw in Google Cloud Run

Tenable uncovers a privilege escalation flaw in Google Cloud Run, exposing risks linked to inherited permissions and service interdependencies.

ESET uncovers RansomHub links to rival gangs and highlights emerging EDR killer threats

ESET uncovers RansomHub’s links to rival gangs and reveals its custom EDR killer, signalling new threats in the ransomware landscape.

Marketing

Spotify introduces AI-powered ads and programmatic ad buying

Spotify unveils AI-powered ads and the Spotify Ad Exchange, making it easier for advertisers to reach Gen Z listeners with real-time bidding.

Adobe: Redefining digital marketing in APAC through AI and privacy-first personalisation

Discover how Adobe helps APAC brands tackle data privacy, localise content, and embrace AI-driven marketing in a cookieless future.

Adobe introduces AI agents to Experience Cloud to improve customer experience delivery

Adobe unveils AI-powered features in Experience Cloud to help businesses deliver personalised customer journeys and better digital performance.

Adobe introduces new Firefly updates to streamline brand content production at scale

Adobe expands Firefly with video, 3D and GenStudio integration, helping brands scale on-brand content production with ease.

WeChat mini-game advertising sees 113% increase, creating new opportunities for developers

WeChat mini-game ads grew 113% in 2024, opening major growth chances for developers aiming to scale in China’s fast-moving mobile game market.

Southeast Asia

Synagie and HKT launch ShopHK to help Hong Kong brands expand into Southeast Asia

Synagie and HKT launch ShopHK, helping Hong Kong SMEs tap into Southeast Asia's booming US$600 billion e-commerce market.

MLBB and OPPO crown regional champions at APAC Smooth Legend Cup

IDONOTSLEEP and Maru Gamerpact Esports take top honours at the MLBB x OPPO Smooth Legend Cup APAC Grand Finals.

LinkedIn: How AI is reshaping hiring and workforce strategies in 2025

Discover how AI is transforming hiring and workforce strategies in 2025, from skills-based recruitment to internal mobility and continuous learning.

Kyberlife raises US$3 million to expand healthcare procurement in Southeast Asia

Singapore’s healthtech startup Kyberlife secures US$3 million to expand its digital procurement platform, streamlining healthcare supply chains in Southeast Asia.

ST Telemedia Global Data Centres gains NVIDIA AI certification to boost AI capabilities

ST Telemedia Global Data Centres has achieved certification under the NVIDIA DGX-Ready Data Center programme, boosting AI capabilities in Southeast Asia.

Geek

Lego and Pokémon Company announce long-awaited collaboration

Lego has partnered with The Pokémon Company, and official Pokémon Lego sets will be available in stores in 2026.

Crunchyroll announces cinema release dates for Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle

Crunchyroll announces cinema release dates for Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle, starting 14 August 2025 in Singapore and Malaysia.

Aetherdrift brings high-speed action to Magic: The Gathering fans

MTG's Aetherdrift brings high-speed action, new mechanics, and exclusive collectibles in an epic multiverse race starting 7 February.

Crunchyroll and Sony partners unveil anime adaptation of Ghost of Tsushima: Legends

Crunchyroll, Aniplex, and Sony partners reveal Ghost of Tsushima: Legends anime adaptation, set for a 2027 release exclusively on Crunchyroll.

Evangelion store marks two decades with new merchandise and an anniversary fair

Celebrate 20 years of EVANGELION with exclusive merchandise and special gifts at the anniversary fair, only at the EVANGELION STORE.
Monday, 7 April 2025
26.6 C
Singapore
29.2 C
Thailand
20.5 C
Indonesia
27.9 C
Philippines

Grok’s ‘Aurora’ image generator rolls out globally on X

X launches the Aurora image generator globally, offering advanced photorealistic AI tools. The rollout sparks questions about content safeguards.

X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, has officially announced the release of its new Aurora image generator. In a blog post, the company shared that this advanced tool, part of the Grok suite, is now available to users in select countries. Over the next week, Aurora will become accessible to all X users worldwide, marking a significant step in the platform’s AI innovation journey.

Aurora’s launch promises more photorealistic and versatile image generation capabilities. However, its rollout has not been without controversy, as users have raised questions about the tool’s safeguards against misuse.

A rocky start for Aurora

Aurora first appeared on the X platform last Saturday as part of Grok’s features. Users quickly began testing the tool, sharing impressive and highly realistic image creations. Yet, Aurora was unexpectedly removed by Sunday afternoon, leaving users puzzled. It had briefly been listed under Grok’s model selection as “Grok 2 + Aurora (beta),” but this was soon replaced by “Grok 2 + Flux (beta).”

Speculation arose that Aurora might have been released prematurely. This theory gained traction after Elon Musk, owner of X, responded to a user who posted Cybertruck images generated with Aurora. In his tweet, Musk clarified, “This is our internal image generation system. Still in beta, but it will improve fast.”

The incident coincided with X’s decision to make Grok 2 free to use, albeit with limitations for non-paying users. Aurora’s brief appearance seemed like a teaser of the platform’s growing AI ambitions, even as its functionality was temporarily withdrawn.

Addressing content concerns

One of the key issues surrounding Aurora is the type of content it can produce. Like its predecessor, Grok’s previous image generator faced criticism for insufficient content restrictions. Users pointed out that it could generate offensive or inappropriate images involving politicians, celebrities, and even copyrighted characters.

When TechCrunch tested Aurora before its removal, it noted that the tool accepted questionable prompts, including one to create a “bloodied Donald Trump” image. Examples shared on X also revealed the generation of public figures like Sam Altman and Elon Musk and the fictional characters Luigi and Mickey Mouse engaged in a boxing match. However, the system reportedly blocked nude content, a slight but notable safeguard.

X still needs to detail the measures it plans to implement to prevent the misuse of Aurora. The company’s blog post announcing the tool’s full release did not address content moderation directly, leaving users curious about how X intends to balance creativity with ethical considerations.

What’s next for Aurora?

The Aurora image generator’s official launch signals X’s commitment to integrating cutting-edge AI tools into its platform. By expanding Aurora to users globally, X aims to enhance creative possibilities for its community. However, its bumpy introduction raises questions about the platform’s readiness to manage the challenges that come with such powerful technology.

As Aurora becomes available to more users, all eyes will be on how X handles the tool’s potential for misuse. Transparency about content moderation and ongoing improvements to the system will likely play a critical role in shaping its success.

Hot this week

Gmail introduces easier encryption for business emails

Google introduces a new encryption model for Gmail, making it easier for businesses to send secure emails without special software or certificates.

Garmin launches premium Connect+ plan to boost health and fitness tracking

Garmin introduces Connect+ with AI insights, advanced training tools, and social features to help users reach their health and fitness goals.

Samsung’s new AI fridges help find lost phones and control smart homes

Samsung's new AI-powered fridges can help you find lost phones and control smart home devices with voice commands, making life easier and more connected.

Google’s Gemini 2.5 Pro AI model is now available for all users

Google's Gemini 2.5 Pro AI model is now available for all users, offering advanced coding and reasoning abilities with a free trial for Gemini Advanced.

These robot vacuums are getting smarter with Apple Home support

Apple’s iOS 18.4 update adds Matter support for robot vacuums, enabling control via Apple Home. Roborock, iRobot, and Ecovacs are updating their devices.

Ring founder Jamie Siminoff returns to Amazon as vice president

Jamie Siminoff returns to Amazon as VP, now leading Ring, Blink, Key, and Sidewalk teams amid a new AI-driven chapter for smart homes.

OPPO Watch X2 smartwatch with titanium bezel now available in Singapore

OPPO’s new Watch X2 smartwatch is now available in Singapore. It offers a 16-day battery life, smart health tracking, and a titanium bezel.

MediaTek’s Kompanio Ultra chip challenges Copilot+ PCs with AI power

MediaTek’s Kompanio Ultra chip brings powerful AI processing and high-end performance to Chrome OS, competing with Windows Copilot+ PCs.

Pixel 10 to feature more cameras, but with downgraded specs

Google's Pixel 10 may feature more cameras but with downgraded specs, including a telephoto lens, while the Pixel 10 Pro retains its advanced setup.

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