april 2024 / vol. 2 issue 4 / an ITP Media Group publication A look into Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League, where cars are taught how to think and act like racers DRIVERS RACE withoutwww.draytek.com sales@draytek.com 8 x WAN/LAN switchable ports & 4 x fixed LAN ports 2 x 10G SFP+ & 2 x 2.5G Ethernet for WAN or LAN 2GHz Quad-Core Processor Layer 2 security with PPPoE server and VLAN Layer 3 routing with BGP and OSPF 500 simultaneous VPN tunnels with 5Gbps IPsec throughput 256GB SSD storage for VM, Suricata IDS and built-in central management system (Vigor3912S) Vigor3912 Series High Performance 10G Routeredge_april 2024 3 contents april 2024 12 10 16 cover story Race without drivers A look into A2RL, where cars are taught how to think and act like racers 164 edge_april 2024 From Page 24 24 contents 36 other stories Cyber intrigue unveiled Exploring the depths of romance and approval phishing scams 36 Gadget Watch 6 amazing gadgets to keep an eye out for 46 Review Amazon’s new Echo Hub 48 “With digital transformation, understanding deepfake threats is crucial”edge_april 2024 5 editor’s letter PO Box 500024, Dubai, UAE Tel: +971 (0)4 444 3000 Web: www.itp.com Offi ces in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, London, Mumbai, Riyadh & Geneva ITP Media Group CEO Ali Akawi Managing Director Alex Reeve Editorial Group Editor Kate-Lynne Wolmarans +971 4 444 3541 / kate.wolmarans@itp.com Editor Sindhu V Kashyap +971 4 444 3497 / sindhu.varadarayan@itp.com Commercial Editor Arya Devi +971 4 444 3175 / arya.devi@itp.com Art Art Director Amjad Ayche Art Editor Tofi q Memon Contributing Designer Muhammed Nahas Advertising Group Commercial Director Anup Nagpurkar +971 4 444 3573 / anup.nagpurkar@itp.com Group Commercial Manager Priyanka Pillai +971 4 444 3399 / priyanka.pillai@itp.com Client Services Manager Cherylann DAbreo +971 4 444 3404 / cherlyann.dabreo@itp.com Photography Videographer Muhammad Kaleem Senior Video Editor Liju Cheruvathur Social Media & Production Manager Andy Ruedas Production Production Manager Denny Kollannoor Production Coordinator Manoj Mahadevan Senior Image Editor Emmalyn Robles Distribution Circulation Executive Rajesh Pillai Distribution Coordinator Avinash Pereira ITP Group CEO Ali Akawi CFO Toby Jay Spencer-Davies In this edition, let us delve into the world of cybersecurity, where visionary leaders are tirelessly working to safeguard the digital landscapes, we inhabit. Together, we celebrate their remarkable achievements while contemplating the profound implications of generative AI (GenAI) on security – a topic that serves as both a hope of progress and a potential double- edged sword. Beyond the intricacies of algorithms, GenAI embodies a transformative force that promises to enhance our lives while fortifying our digital fortresses. From streamlining operations to amplifying productivity, its potential knows no bounds. Yet, amidst our admiration for its capabilities, we mustn’t overlook the delicate balance we tread, grappling with issues of bias, privacy infringements, and the weighty mantle of accountability. As we navigate the world of cybersecurity, our exploration extends to the alarming prevalence of scams, which have siphoned over $75 billion from unsuspecting individuals worldwide. It’s disheartening to witness how criminals exploit notions of camaraderie and trust, infiltrating our digital sanctuaries with impunity – a reality starkly illustrated by the recent breach affecting the CEO of a prominent US bank. Even at The Middle East Data Centre 360, cybersecurity was a growing concern for many. In our cover story, we look into Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League, where cars are taught how to think and act like racers. As we embark on this exhilarating journey through the technological frontier, let’s keep the dialogue alive and pulsating. Let’s seize the boundless opportunities before us, all while remaining steadfastly attuned to the profound responsibilities they entail. Stay curious, stay connected! Welcome to the April issue of edge! Sindhu V Kashyap editor Published by and © 2024 ITP MEDIA GROUP FZ-LLC The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for error or omissions contained in this publication, however caused. The opinions and views contained in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers. Readers are advised to seek specialist advice before acting on information contained in this publication, which is provided for general use and may not be appropriate for the readers’ particular circumstances. The ownership of trademarks is acknowledged. No part of this publication or any part of the contents thereof may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form without the permission of the publishers in writing. An exemption is hereby granted for extracts used for the purpose of fair review.6 edge_april 2024 news UN General Assembly adopts first global AI resolution The United Nations (UN) General Assembly adopted the first global resolution on artificial intelligence (AI). This encourages countries to safeguard human rights, monitor AI for risks, and protect personal data. Proposed by the US and co-sponsored by China and over 120 other nations, the nonbinding resolution advocates the strengthening of privacy policies. Linda Thomas- Greenfield, the US Ambassador to the UN stated that all 193 members of the UN general assembly have chosen to govern AI rather than let it govern people. This resolution is one of the latest in a series of initiatives by different governments around the world to shape AI’s development. These initiatives have been built amid fears that the technology can be used to disrupt the democratic process, create job loss, and increase fraud. In November the first detailed international agreement on how to keep AI safe from rogue actors, and creating secure designs was unveiled. Currently, Europe is ahead of the US with its lawmakers adopting a provisional agreement to oversee the technology. Last month, Microsoft added it had caught Russian and Chinese officials using OpenAI software to hone their espionage skills. This adoption is a move to govern the growth of AI across different countries. news bytes Stay in the loop with the latest news and trends from the tech scene This encourages countries to safeguard human rights, monitor AI for risks, and protect personal data development of AI AIedge_april 2024 7 news AI In a post on the social media platform X (previously Twitter) Mustafa Suleyman said - “I’ll be leading all consumer AI products and research including - Copilot, Bing, and Edge Mustafa Suleyman of Google DeepMind joins Microsoft Microsoft has hired the co-founder of Google DeepMind, Mustafa Suleyman as CEO of Microsoft AI. In a post on the social media platform X (previously Twitter) Suleyman said – “I’ll be leading all consumer AI products and research including – Copilot, Bing, and Edge. My friend and longtime collaborator Karen Simonyan will be Chief Scientist, and several of our amazing teammates have chosen to join us.” He added Inflection AI, the startup he co- founded with Simonyan will continue under a new CEO and will look to reach more people by making its API available to developers and businesses all over the world. He will also be the executive VP of Microsoft AI and join the senior leadership team that reports in directly to Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft. DeepMind was co-founded in 2010 by Suleyman and was later acquired in 2014 by Google. After DeepMind, Suleyman was hired by Google as VP of AI policy and project management. In 2022, Suleyman had left Google to found Inflection AI. As the post mentions, Microsoft has brought in several of Inflection AI’s employees on board. Currently, Kevin Scott will remain the chief technology officer at Microsoft and executive president of AI. This is one of the largest funds in the world, has been set aside for the development of artificial intelligence Saudi Arabia in its bid to become the new superpower in the artificial intelligence (AI) race has set aside a whopping $40 billion to invest in the technology. It is one of the largest funds in the world currently set aside for the development of AI. According to reports, representatives from the Public Investment Fund (PIF) are working with the top US financiers including the tech and investment guru Andreessen Horowitz. It has been suggested that the push could take off as early as the second half of this year. In a bid to redefine its economic landscape, Saudi Arabia is rapidly positioning itself as a global hub for AI and sustainable innovation. Bolstered by ambitious investment initiatives and strategic partnerships, the kingdom is charting a course towards technological leadership, shedding its reliance on traditional industries and embracing a future driven by newer technologies. The kingdom’s efforts to harness AI and sustainable technologies extend beyond economic diversification, reflects a commitment to addressing global challenges such as climate change and social inclusion. Saudi Arabia sets largest AI fund at $40 B fund AI8 edge_april 2024 news TECHNOLOGY Under the terms of the agreement, the company was acquired for $157 per share in cash. The transaction is expected to be cash flow positive. Cisco announced it completed the acquisition of Splunk. Under the terms of the agreement, Cisco acquired Splunk for $157 per share in cash, representing approximately $28 billion in equity value. The transaction is expected to be cash flow positive (excluding certain acquisition-related and other items) and non-GAAP gross margin accretive in Cisco’s fiscal year 2025, and non-GAAP EPS accretive in fiscal year 2026. Additionally, it will accelerate Cisco’s revenue growth and non-GAAP gross margin expansion. NASDAQ was notified by Cisco and Splunk of the completion of the acquisition and was requested that NASDAQ file a notification of delisting with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on Splunk’s behalf. Splunk’s common stock ceased trading on NASDAQ before the opening of trading today. Cisco and Splunk also bring together global developer and partner communities with extensive experience extending security, observability, and Cisco completes its $28B acquisition of Splunk data platform capabilities with pre-packaged applications and solutions for customers. “Uniting Splunk and Cisco will bring tremendous value to our joint customers worldwide,” said Gary Steele, Executive Vice President, and General Manager, Splunk. “The combination of Cisco and Splunk will provide a comprehensive visibility and insights across the organisation’s entire digital footprint, delivering an unprecedented level of resilience through the most extensive and powerful security and observability product portfolio on the market.” Effective use of the right data at massive scale is critical to enable the meaningful benefits of AI and help organisations drive outcomes never before possible. Cisco believes to reap the benefits of AI, organisations need the infrastructure to power it, the data to develop it, a security platform to protect it, and an observability platform to monitor and manage it in real-time. Cisco will be able to do all four together.edge_april 2024 9 news NVIDIA announces the world’s most powerful AI chip NVIDIA unveiled its latest artificial intelligence (AI) chip B200 Blackwell chip, which the company says can do some tasks over 30 times faster than its predecessor. The company’s CEO Jensen Huang detailed a new set of software tools at the company’s annual developer conference. The company’s major clients and consumers include – Microsoft, OpenAI, Google and Amazon, all of whom are expected to use the firm’s new flagship chip in cloud-computing services. The company stated that its new software tools – microservices, improve system efficiency to make it easier for businesses to incorporate an AI model into its work. Apart from this, the company has also announced a new line of chips for cars that can run chatbots inside the vehicle. Nvidia stated the BYD and Xpeng, the Chinese electric vehicle would both use its new chips. Huang also presented new series of chips for creating humanoid robots, and also invited several robots to join him on stage. Currently, Nvidia is the third-most valuable company in the US after Microsoft and Apple, its shares have surged to over 240 per cent. The fund is already in early-stage discussions to invest in ChatGPT’s parent’s chip venture Abu Dhabi’s MGX in discussions to invest in OpenAI chip venture AI Reports suggest Abu Dhabi’s investment firm MGX launched in March, is already in early-stage discussions to invest in ChatGPT OpenAI’s chip venture. MGX has Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala and G42, the region’s artificial intelligence firm as the founding partners. Currently, the OpenAI push for the chip venture is going strong, reports also suggested Singapore’s Temasek Holdings is in talks to invest in OpenAI. The CEO of OpenAI, Sam Altman, is seeking $5 trillion to $7 trillion to bring an overhaul in the semiconductor industry, according to multiple independent reports. Altman is currently in talks with global investors. He has stated that AI chip limitations hinder OpenAI’s growth, and with this investment, he would work to increase chip-building capacity. For some time now, Altman has highlighted the supply-demand issue for AI chips. While several AI giants are looking to get AI chips, there aren’t enough to cater to this demand. This in turn, limits their growth, including OpenAI. This isn’t the first time that Altman has been looking for chip endeavours, prior to his brief ouster as CEO, he was seeking billions for a non- yet-formed chip venture code – Tigris. This was said to compete with Nvidia, and he is believed to have then too been travelling to the Middle East to raise money from investors. TECHNOLOGY The B200 Blackwell chip, NVIDIA says can complete tasks over 30 times faster than its predecessorNext >