Happy New Year 2025

Category: Technology

Chinese tech firm shares robot training secrets with the world
AgiBot, a pioneering Chinese artificial intelligence and robotics company, has introduced a transformative open-source dataset called AgiBot World Alpha.

This comprehensive collection represents a significant milestone in humanoid robot training, capturing intricate data from over 100 robots across diverse real-world scenarios.

By providing an unprecedented window into robotic movement and interaction, AgiBot has created a multidimensional resource that promises to reshape our understanding of robotic learning and adaptation.

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Humanoid robot training (AgiBot)

The comprehensive dataset

The AgiBot World Alpha dataset is more than a simple data collection. Researchers and developers can now access an extensive repository containing over 1 million robotic movement trajectories. The dataset spans multiple industries, including home environments, restaurants, industrial settings, offices and supermarkets, providing unprecedented diversity in robotic training scenarios.

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Humanoid robot training (AgiBot)

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Addressing critical challenges in robotics training

Historically, robotics training has been constrained by limited real-world data and controlled environments. AgiBot’s dataset addresses this fundamental challenge by offering comprehensive, authentic scenario representations. The collection includes complex movements such as fine-grained manipulation, sophisticated tool usage and advanced multi-robot collaboration techniques.

Humanoid robot training (AgiBot)

CHINESE HUMANOID ROBOT COULD BE THE FUTURE OF AFFORDABLE IN-HOME CARE

Technological innovations and hardware capabilities

AgiBot has integrated cutting-edge technological components to capture high-quality data. The dataset leverages array-based visual tactile sensors, durable six-degree-of-freedom hands and mobile dual-arm robotic systems. These advanced hardware configurations enable researchers to explore nuanced robotic learning methodologies.

Humanoid robot training (AgiBot)

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Accessibility and licensing

The dataset is strategically hosted on GitHub and Hugging Face, ensuring broad accessibility for researchers and developers. However, the Creative Commons CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license restricts usage to academic and research purposes, preventing commercial applications.

Humanoid robot training (AgiBot)

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Future development roadmap

AgiBot has outlined an ambitious future development strategy. Planned releases include AgiBot World Beta, expected in early 2025, which aims to expand the dataset to approximately one million high-quality robotic trajectories. The company also anticipates launching the AgiBot World Colosseum platform and a potential global robotics challenge.

Humanoid robot training (AgiBot)

Potential industry impact

The release of AgiBot World Alpha could fundamentally transform robotics research and development. By providing authentic, diverse training data, the dataset enables more sophisticated approaches to:
- Contact-rich manipulation techniques
- Advanced long-horizon planning strategies
- Complex multi-robot collaborative interactions
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Humanoid robot training (AgiBot)

Technological and philosophical implications

Generative AI has dramatically accelerated robotics development, allowing more intelligent software capable of understanding contextual scenarios. AgiBot’s dataset represents a critical step in creating more adaptable, intelligent robotic systems that can process and respond to diverse environmental challenges.

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Humanoid robot training in factory setting (AgiBot)

Kurt’s key takeaways

By providing a comprehensive, open-source dataset that spans multiple industries and scenarios, AgiBot has made advanced robotic learning very accessible. This means that instead of expensive, exclusive research being limited to a few well-funded labs, now more people can contribute to and learn from cutting-edge robotic data. As we look to the future, this dataset stands as a collaborative innovation, promising to bridge the gap between theoretical robotics and practical, context-aware artificial intelligence.

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Do you trust a Chinese AI robotics company with open access to advanced robotic learning data? Let us know what you think by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

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Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.
January 23, 2025
Spike in earthquakes at Washington volcano prompts more monitoring from scientists

Scientists are deploying monitors at the volcanic Mount Adams in Washington State, after a spike in seismic activity.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said Mount Adams typically experiences an earthquake every two to three years, but in September, there were six earthquakes alone, marking the most in a single month since monitoring began in 1982.

The earthquakes were monitored by the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory (CVO) and Pacific Northwest Seismic Network (PNSN) and ranged in magnitudes from 0.9 to 2.0. None of the earthquakes were felt at the surface, the USGS said.

With only one seismic station near the volcano, the USGS said monitoring capabilities are limited.

LAVA CONTINUES FLOWING FROM ICELAND VOLCANO AFTER ERUPTION

Washington, Mount Adams in the Cascade range is the second-highest mountain in the state of Washington. It is a potentially active stratovolcano in the Cascade Range. (Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

CVO and PNSN plan to install temporary seismic stations near Mount Adams to help detect smaller earthquakes while acquiring better estimates of size, location and depth. The data will help scientists assess the significance of the increased seismic activity near the volcano.

With permission from the U.S. Forest Service, CVO will place the temporary stations south and southwest of Mount Adams. Once activated, the data will be transmitted to CVO and PNSN in real-time.

LATEST ICELAND VOLCANIC ERUPTION SUBSIDES, BUT EXPERTS WARY OF MORE SOON TO COME

On October 3, 2024, scientists from the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory and U.S. Forest Service installed new temporary seismic stations at Mount Adams volcano in south central Washington. (USGS)

Despite the spike in seismic activity, the USGS says there is no indication that there is cause for concern and the alert level and color code for Mount Adams remains at Green and Normal.

Mount Adams is located in south central Washington, nearly 50 miles west-southwest of Yakima, Washington.

INDONESIA’S RUANG VOLCANO SPITS MORE HOT ASH AFTER ERUPTION FORCES SCHOOLS AND AIRPORTS TO CLOSE

Scientist with the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory install a temporary seismic station at Mount Adams. (USGS)

In the north-south trending Mount Adams-King Mountain volcanic field of over 120 smaller volcanos, Mount Adams is the most prominent summit. It is also the second-tallest volcano in Washington and is the state’s largest active volcano in volume and area, according to the USGS.

The agency said over the past 12,000 years, there have been four lava flows that started on the apron of the volcano and two vents along the south ridge. The flows have typically only traveled a few miles from their vents.

7.1 MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE STRIKES OFF JAPAN’S COAST, TSUNAMI ADVISORY ISSUED

On October 3, 2024, USGS and the USFS installed a new temporary seismic station Adams South Climbers Route (ASCR) at Mount Adams. (USGS)

The last time Mount Adams erupted was between 3,800 and 7,600 years ago, the USGS added.

But one of the biggest threats to people who live near the volcano are lahars, or muddy flows of rock, ash and ice that rush downstream like fast flowing concrete.

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The summit, which is covered in ice, also covers up large volumes of hydrothermally weakened rock, which, if weakened by future landslides, could generate lahars.

Greg Wehner is a breaking news reporter for Fox News Digital.

Story tips and ideas can be sent to [email protected] and on Twitter @GregWehner.

January 23, 2025
Best ways to give your old iPhone a second life
Before tossing out your old iPhone, consider it a treasure trove of potential waiting to be unlocked.

Your seemingly outdated device isn’t just electronic waste. It’s a versatile gadget ready for an exciting second life. From transforming into a smart home hub to becoming a dedicated digital companion, an old iPhone can be repurposed in countless creative ways that breathe new life into technology you may not have considered.

Here are some of the best ways to use your old iPhone.

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A woman looking at her iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

1. Turn it into a ‘dumb phone’

Smartphones are incredibly powerful, but they can also be overwhelming. The constant notifications and social media updates can make it hard to focus or enjoy the present moment. If you’re finding that your iPhone is more of a time-waster than a tool for productivity, why not transform it into a “dumb phone”? A “dumb phone” is a basic mobile device that focuses on essential communication functions like calling and texting, while minimizing digital distractions through limited internet access and app capabilities, helping you reduce screen time and stay more present.

Steps to disable apps and notifications

Disable notifications:
- Open Settings
- Tap on Notifications
- Select each app and toggle off Allow Notifications
Delete unwanted apps:
- Press and hold the app icon on the home screen
- Tap Remove App
Factory reset (Optional):
- Back up your data, if needed
- Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings
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2. Give it to your kids

Eventually, you may want to give your child their own smartphone. While a new phone can be expensive, handing down your old iPhone is a great way to introduce them to technology while also being mindful of your budget.

By using Family Sharing and parental controls, you can carefully monitor what apps and content your child accesses. Plus, it’s an excellent way to bring them into the Apple ecosystem.

Steps to set up Family Sharing and Parental Controls

Set up Family Sharing:
- Open Settings and tap on your name at the top.
- Select Family Sharing and tap Add Family Member to invite your child.
- If your child does not have an Apple ID, select Create an Account for a Child and follow the prompts to set up their account.
- If they already have an Apple ID, tap Invite People and choose how you want to send the invitation (AirDrop, Messages or Mail).
Enable Parental Controls:
- Open Settings and scroll down to tap on Screen Time
- Under the Family section, tap on your child’s name
- If Screen Time is not already enabled, tap Turn On Screen Time
- Follow the prompts to set it up as your child’s device.
- Tap on Content & Privacy Restrictions
- If prompted, enter your Screen Time passcode (you will need to create one if you haven’t already)
- Toggle on Content & Privacy Restrictions
- You can now customize settings such as app limits, content restrictions and downtime settings, as needed.
- For app limits, tap App Limits, then select categories or individual apps to set time limits.
- To restrict explicit content or purchases, go to the respective sections under Content & Privacy Restrictions
This process will help you manage your child’s device usage effectively while ensuring they have access to appropriate content.

A child using his iPhone to play games (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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3. Repurpose it as a webcam

In recent years, Apple’s Continuity Camera feature has made it easy to use an iPhone as a webcam for your Mac or Apple TV. While newer models work well for this purpose, older iPhones can still serve as excellent webcams, especially for online meetings and video calls.

Instead of purchasing an external webcam, your old iPhone can deliver superior video quality. iOS 18 even allows older iPhones to work as dedicated continuity cameras for Apple TV, which is ideal for FaceTime or Zoom calls with family and friends.

Steps to use your iPhone as a webcam
- Download webcam apps: Consider apps like EpocCam or DroidCam from the App Store
- Connect your iPhone: Follow the app’s instructions to connect your iPhone to your computer via USB or Wi-Fi
- Select your iPhone in video settings: In your video conferencing app (like Zoom or FaceTime), select your iPhone as the camera source
Instead of purchasing an external webcam, your old iPhone can deliver superior video quality.

4. Make it a dedicated music player

Why use your main iPhone for music when you can repurpose your old one as a dedicated MP3 player? With your old iPhone set up as a music player, you can enjoy your favorite tunes or podcasts without the distractions of text messages or social media notifications. It’s a perfect solution for workouts, long drives or when you just want to zone out with music.

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A woman using her iPhone as a dedicated music player (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

5. Use it as a remote or smart home controller

If you own an Apple TV, you already know that your iPhone can function as a remote control. However, keeping your main phone tied up with the remote can be inconvenient. By making your old iPhone a dedicated Apple TV remote, you can still enjoy controlling your TV without using your primary phone.

Steps to set up your old iPhone as a remote

Set up Apple TV remote feature:
- Ensure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network
- Open the Control Center on the old iPhone (swipe down from the upper-right corner)
- Tap on the Apple TV remote icon and follow the prompts to connect
Manage smart home devices:
- Download smart home apps like Apple Home or those specific to your devices (e.g., Philips Hue)
- Follow the app instructions to add and control devices
Your old iPhone can even be a hub for all your smart home devices, from adjusting lights and thermostats to checking security cameras.

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6. Save it for gaming

Smartphones have transformed mobile gaming, and your old iPhone could be an ideal portable gaming console. Many classic and modern games run smoothly on older iPhone models, and with subscription services like Apple Arcade, you can access a huge library of high-quality games. This is a fun, low-cost way to enjoy mobile gaming without draining your main iPhone’s battery life.

A game app on iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

7. Convert it into an e-reader

For book lovers, using an old iPhone as a dedicated e-reader is a great option. You can install apps like Kindle or Apple Books from the App Store. The iPhone’s display is perfect for reading books and graphic novels, and since you’re not using your main iPhone, there are no distractions like notifications to interrupt your reading.

You can disable all apps and notifications on the old device, making it a peaceful reading experience. Plus, you can still connect your AirPods to listen to audiobooks while on the go.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

Just because you’ve upgraded to a new iPhone doesn’t mean your old one has to be discarded. There are countless ways to repurpose it, from boosting your productivity to controlling your smart home. This way, you can extend its lifespan and maximize the value of your purchase.

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What other devices would you like tips on breathing new life into? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover.

Follow Kurt on his social channels:

Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:

New from Kurt:

Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.
January 23, 2025
NASA releases clearest view of Mars, blue rocks seen on landscape

NASA has released the clearest view of Mars to date, with blue rocks observed across the planet’s landscape.

The images were captured by the Perseverance rover as it explores the planet.

Dark blue, jagged rocks of volcanic basalt were found on top of the dried remains of an ancient lakebed, according to the Daily Mail.

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NASA has released the clearest view of Mars to date, with blue rocks observed across the planet’s landscape. (NASA/JPL-Caltech)

NASA found the boulders on what has been dubbed “Mount Washburn,” a rocky field on the Jezero crater, where an ancient lake is believed to have been located billions of years ago.

The name “Mount Washburn” was given to the field of rocks in honor of a mountain in Yellowstone National Park.

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The rover came upon a white-striped rock within a field of blue boulders. (NASA’s Perseverance Mars Rover)

The rover came upon a white-striped rock within the field of blue boulders. The Perseverance science team nicknamed the light-toned boulder with dark speckles “Atoko Point.”

While the blue rocks are primarily volcanic basalt, which is typical of Martian terrain, NASA concluded that “Atoko Point” is made of anorthosite-a silica-rich volcanic rock, which has never been documented on Mars.

The name “Mount Washburn” was given to the field of rocks in honor of a mountain in Yellowstone National Park. (NASA’s Perseverance Mars Rover)

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This rock type had been theorized to exist but never seen on the Martian landscape, according to Marca.

“Are there other rocks like this near the Jezero Crater rim? I’m on my way to find out,” the Perseverance rover’s X account said.

January 23, 2025
These mistakes could tank your credit score
Do you know the difference between 550 and 780? Yes, they’re 230 digits apart, but they’re also examples of bad and good credit scores, respectively.

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If you don’t check yours regularly, now’s the time to start. Small mistakes are a lot more common than you think, and they can do some serious damage to your credit score. I’ll let you in on some of the most common credit report mistakes and what you can do to fix them.

5-MINUTE CLEANUP FOR YOUR PHONE AND COMPUTER

Step 1: Get your free credit report

The three credit reporting agencies (TransUnion, Experian and Equifax) are required by law to provide you with one free credit report a year. Sweet. There are a few ways you can request a copy from each agency.

Online is the fastest route. If you submit a request via phone or mail, expect to wait two weeks after the paperwork is received.
- Online: www.AnnualCreditReport.com
- Phone: 877-FACTACT (877-322-8228)
- Mail: Download and complete the Annual Credit Report Request Form. Send it to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281
Pro tip: Grab your report from the fourth credit bureau, Innovis, too.

Close up of a man with a smartphone and laptop computer on January 31, 2019. (Neil Godwin/Future via Getty Images)

Step 2: Look for the most common mistakes

Typos or wrong info: Anything from your name spelled incorrectly to your address or your birthdate off by one number. Tiny mistakes can mix up your credit with someone else’s.

Accounts you don’t recognize: If you see something you don’t recognize, don’t ignore it! This includes credit cards you never applied for, loans in your name or purchases you didn’t make.

Duplicates: It’s not normal to see a debt twice on a credit report. This includes things like the same collection account, transferred debts showing as separate accounts or paid-off debts still sitting there.

Incorrect account info: Sometimes, payments can mistakenly show up as late, or closed accounts may still show as active. Other times, reports may show the wrong credit limit or mess up your payment history.

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Outdated info: Bankruptcies older than 10 years, late payments older than seven years and outdated collections accounts should not be showing on your credit report.

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Step 3: Report anything strange

Don’t panic! Write down and make copies of anything that looks off, then file a dispute with the credit reporting company by mail, phone or online.

If you’re filing online or by mail, explain in writing exactly what’s wrong and why, and include copies of documents with proof. Make sure to include your contact info, credit report confirmation numbers and a copy of your version of your credit report.

Close-up of the upper corner of a consumer credit report from the credit bureau Equifax, with text reading Credit File and Personal Identification, on a light wooden surface, September 11, 2017. (Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)

And always follow up! Bureaus are required to look into your disputes within 30 days. Track its progress until you have a resolution in writing. If your dispute is valid, the bureau has to fix it and tell the other bureaus as well.

A lot of these issues boil down to good old-fashioned human error. It happens, but don’t let that stop you from taking charge.

Related: How to run a 5-minute privacy check on your phone

While you’re at it, find your job number

Equifax also runs a database of 716 million income and employment records, including, potentially, yours. It’s called The Work Number, and employers use it to make sure you are who you say you are.

Your Employment Data Report (EDR) includes things like where you’ve worked, when you worked there and your exact past salary numbers.

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Trying to get a new job? An employer could use your EDR to find your past salary range and lowball you in negotiations. And, of course, Equifax will sell your EDR to anyone who’s buying, including debt collectors.

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How to stop it

You can freeze your EDR just like a credit report. You can also see who’s tried to access it within the past two years. You’ll need to make an account with The Work Number to do it.
- Search for your current or former employer(s) using their name or employer code (the nine-digit number on your W-2).
- Click their name, followed by Register Now. Heads-up: It’ll ask for your Social Security number.
Once you register, look over your report and make sure it’s accurate. Fill out this data dispute form if you find anything fishy.

A credit card is pictured alongside a restaurant bill. (iStock)

Then, head back to the dashboard and click Freeze Your Data. Fill out the Data Freeze Placement Form and submit it. The Work Number will send you a freeze confirmation letter, along with a PIN. Save your PIN in your password manager. You’ll need it if you ever want to unfreeze your report.

You can always log into The Work Number or call them to unfreeze your report.

If you can’t find your employer: They may not be registered with The Work Number. Call the freeze helpline at 1-800-367-2884 to double-check.

Unless you’re actively applying for a loan or government benefits, or unless an employer actively requests your EDR, it’s a no-brainer to freeze it. And if a potential employer insists on checking your EDR to hire you, maybe it’s not the right fit after all.

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January 23, 2025
Pioneers of AI win Nobel Prize in physics for contributions to machine learning
- John Hopfield and Geoffrey Hinton won the Nobel Prize in Physics for their foundational work in artificial intelligence.
- Hinton, known as the godfather of AI, is a dual citizen of Canada and Britain, and Hopfield is an American working at Princeton University.
- Hopfield and Hinton laid the groundwork for the machine learning revolution, according to Mark Pearce, a member of the Nobel physics committee.
Two pioneers of artificial intelligence — John Hopfield and Geoffrey Hinton — won the Nobel Prize in physics Tuesday for helping create the building blocks of machine learning that is revolutionizing the way we work and live but also creates new threats for humanity.

Hinton, who is known as the godfather of artificial intelligence, is a citizen of Canada and Britain who works at the University of Toronto, and Hopfield is an American working at Princeton.

“These two gentlemen were really the pioneers,” said Nobel physics committee member Mark Pearce. “They … did the fundamental work, based on physical understanding which has led to the revolution we see today in machine learning and artificial intelligence.”

NOBEL PRIZE GOES TO 3 PHYSICISTS FOR WORK ON QUANTUM SCIENCE

The artificial neural networks — interconnected computer nodes inspired by neurons in the human brain — the researchers pioneered are used throughout science and medicine and “have also become part of our daily lives, for instance in facial recognition and language translation,” said Ellen Moons, a member of the Nobel committee at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.

This photo shows the 2024 Nobel Prize winners in Physics, professor John Hopfield, left, of Princeton University, and professor Geoffrey Hinton, of the University of Toronto, on Oct. 8, 2024. (Princeton University via AP and Noah Berger/AP Photo)

Hopfield, whose 1982 work laid the groundwork for Hinton’s, told The Associated Press Tuesday, “I continue to be amazed by the impact it has had.”

Hinton predicted that AI will end up having a “huge influence” on civilization, bringing improvements in productivity and health care.

“It would be comparable with the Industrial Revolution,” he said in an open call with reporters and officials of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.

“Instead of exceeding people in physical strength, it’s going to exceed people in intellectual ability. We have no experience of what it’s like to have things smarter than us. And it’s going to be wonderful in many respects,” Hinton said.

“But we also have to worry about a number of possible bad consequences, particularly the threat of these things getting out of control.”

Warning of AI risks

The Nobel committee also mentioned fears about the possible flipside.

Moons said that while it has “enormous benefits, its rapid development has also raised concerns about our future. Collectively, humans carry the responsibility for using this new technology in a safe and ethical way for the greatest benefit of humankind.”

Hinton shares those concerns. He quit a role at Google so he could speak more freely about the dangers of the technology he helped create.

John Hopfield and Geoffrey Hinton, seen in picture, are awarded this year’s Nobel Prize in Physics, which was announced at a press conference by Hans Ellergren, center, permanent secretary at the Swedish Academy of Sciences in Stockholm, Sweden, on Oct. 8, 2024. (Christine Olsson/TT News Agency via AP)

“I am worried that the overall consequence of this might be systems more intelligent than us that eventually take control,” Hinton said.

For his part, Hopfield, who signed early petitions by researchers calling for strong control of the technology, compared the risks and benefits of machine learning to work on viruses and nuclear energy, capable of helping and harming society.

Neither winner was home to get the call

Neither winner was home when they received the news. Hopfield, who was staying with his wife at a cottage in Hampshire, England, said that after grabbing coffee and getting his flu shot, he opened his computer to a flurry of activity.

“I’ve never seen that many emails in my life,” he said. A bottle of champagne and bowl of soup were waiting on his desk for him, he added, but he doubted there were any fellow physicists in town to join the celebration.

Hinton said he was shocked at the honor.

“I’m flabbergasted. I had no idea this would happen,” he said when reached by the Nobel committee on the phone. He said he was at a cheap hotel with no internet.

3 WIN NOBEL PRIZE IN PHYSICS FOR WORK TO UNDERSTAND COSMOS

Hinton’s work considered ‘the birth’ of AI

Hinton, 76, helped develop a technique in the 1980s known as backpropagation that has been instrumental in training machines how to “learn” by fine-tuning errors until they disappear. It’s similar to the way a student learns from a teacher, with an initial solution graded and flaws identified and returned to be fixed and repaired. This process continues until the answer matches the network’s version of reality.

His team at the University of Toronto later wowed peers by using a neural network to win the prestigious ImageNet computer vision competition in 2012. That win spawned a flurry of copycats and was “a very, very significant moment in hindsight and in the course of AI history,” said Stanford University computer scientist and ImageNet creator Fei-Fei Li.

“Many people consider that the birth of modern AI,” she said.

Artificial intelligence pioneer Geoffrey Hinton speaks at the Collision Conference in Toronto, on June 19, 2024. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP, File)

Hinton and fellow AI scientists Yoshua Bengio and Yann LeCun won computer science’s top prize, the Turing Award, in 2019.

“For a long time, people thought what the three of us were doing was nonsense,” Hinton told told the AP in 2019. “They thought we were very misguided and what we were doing was a very surprising thing for apparently intelligent people to waste their time on.”

“My message to young researchers is, don’t be put off if everyone tells you what are doing is silly.”

And Hinton himself uses machine learning in his daily life, he said.

“Whenever I want to know the answer to anything, I just go and ask GPT-4,” Hinton said at the Nobel announcement. “I don’t totally trust it because it can hallucinate, but on almost everything it’s a not-very-good expert. And that’s very useful.”

Hopfield’s work was foundation for Hinton’s

Hopfield, 91, created an associative memory that can store and reconstruct images and other types of patterns in data, the Nobel committee said.

“What fascinates me most is still this question of how mind comes from machine,” Hopfield said in a video posted online by The Franklin Institute after it awarded him a physics prize in 2019.

Hinton used Hopfield’s network as the foundation for a new network that uses a different method, known as the Boltzmann machine, that the committee said can learn to recognize characteristic elements in a given type of data.

A Nobel Prize medal is displayed before a ceremony at the Swedish Ambassador’s Residence in London, on Dec. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham, File)

Bengio, who was mentored by Hinton and “profoundly shaped” by Hopfield’s thinking, told the AP that the winners both “saw something that was not obvious: Connections between physics and learning in neural networks, which has been the basis of modern AI.”

He said he was “really delighted” that they won the prize. “It’s great for the field. It’s great for recognizing that history.”

Six days of Nobel announcements opened Monday with Americans Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun winning the medicine prize for their discovery of tiny bits of genetic material that serve as on and off switches inside cells that could one day lead to powerful treatments for diseases like cancer.

The prize carries a cash award of $1 million from a bequest left by the award’s creator, Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel. The laureates are invited to receive their awards at ceremonies on Dec. 10, the anniversary of Nobel’s death.

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Nobel announcements continue with the chemistry prize on Wednesday and literature on Thursday. The Nobel Peace Prize will be announced Friday and the economics award on Oct. 14.
January 23, 2025
That Apple ID disabled message? It’s a dangerous scam
Let’s talk about something that’s been popping up in inboxes lately — those sneaky “Your Apple ID has been disabled” emails.

Like many people who’ve reached out to us, you might have gotten one that looks pretty legit, saying something like, “Your Apple ID has been temporarily disabled. Verify your Apple ID Information.”

Spoiler alert: It’s most likely a scam, and we’re going to break down why.

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Apple ID scam email. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

The anatomy of the scam

So, here’s how these tricksters operate. You get an email that looks totally legit with an Apple logo and creates a sense of urgency, claiming your Apple ID is in trouble. They’ll say something like, “If you do not verify your account within 48 hours, it will be permanently locked.” Yikes, right? That’s exactly what they want you to think. So, you’ll “Click the button below to verify as soon as possible.” They want you to click where it says, “Go to Apple ID.”

Once you do that, you’re directed to a fake Apple website designed to look almost identical to the real one. This fraudulent site prompts you to enter your username, password and other sensitive information, which the scammers can then use to access your Apple account and potentially steal your personal data or make unauthorized purchases.

Apple ID scam email. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

NEW CYBERATTACK TARGETS IPHONE AND APPLE IDS: HERE’S HOW TO STAY SAFE

Let’s play detective and look at some red flags in these scam emails

Urgent language: They’re trying to scare you into acting without thinking. Classic scammer move.

Vague claims: “Missing or invalid information”? That’s purposely unclear to make you doubt yourself.

Threats of lockout: Nothing like a good threat to get your heart racing, huh?

Terms of service talk: They throw this in to sound official, but it’s just smoke and mirrors.

Grammar goofs: Real Apple emails are polished. Scammers? Not so much.

Fishy sender address: Always check if it’s actually from @apple.com (spoiler: it’s probably not). Any legitimate email from Apple will come from a domain ending in “@email.apple.com. As you can see from the scam email below, it’s from a fake email: [email protected], not Apple.

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Apple ID scam email. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

HOW TO SECURELY LOCK YOUR IPHONE AND IPAD FROM PRYING EYES

Why are scammers after your Apple ID?

You might wonder, “Why are these scammers so obsessed with Apple IDs?” Well, there are a few reasons:
- iCloud goldmine: Your photos, contacts and documents are valuable for identity theft or blackmail.
- Shopping spree potential: Stored payment info means they could go on a spending spree on your dime.
- Financial account access: Many folks link their bank accounts to their Apple ID. Jackpot for hackers.
- Dark web data deals: Your personal info can fetch a pretty penny in shady online marketplaces.
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How to keep these scammers at bay

To keep scammers at bay and secure your Apple ID, follow these comprehensive steps:

1. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): This crucial security feature adds an extra layer of protection to your Apple ID. Set it up by going to Settings > [your name] > Sign-In & Security on your iPhone or iPad, or Apple menu> System Settings > [your name] > Sign-In & Security on your Mac.

2. Use strong passcodes: Opt for alphanumeric passcodes instead of simple PINs. When in public, use biometrics (Face ID or Touch ID) and be cautious when entering your passcode.

3. Enable Stolen Device Protection: If you’re using iOS 17.3 or later, turn on this feature for additional security against theft.

4. Keep software updated: Regularly update your operating system and apps to ensure you have the latest security patches.

5. Don’t click on suspicious links, use strong antivirus software: If the email asks you to click a link, don’t do it right away. Hover over the link to see the actual URL. If it doesn’t look like an official Apple website (or any site you trust), don’t click it.

The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe. Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.

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6. Use a password manager: Generate and store strong, unique passwords for all your accounts by using a password manager.

7. Enable Find My: Turn on Find My iPhone to help locate your device if it’s lost or stolen.

8. Use a personal data removal service: Consider using a service that finds and removes your personal information from data broker sites. These services can help reduce your digital footprint, making it harder for scammers to obtain your data to target you in the first place. Look for a service that offers automated removals from hundreds of data aggregators and provides detailed verification of removals.

While no service promises to remove all your data from the internet, having a removal service is great if you want to constantly monitor and automate the process of removing your information from hundreds of sites continuously over a longer period of time. Check out my top picks for data removal services here.

9. Don’t click on suspicious links: If the email asks you to click a link, don’t do it right away. Hover over the link to see the actual URL. If it doesn’t look like an official Apple website (or any site you trust), don’t click it.

The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe. Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.

Apple ID scam email. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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How Apple actually reaches out

Apple will never email you asking for your password or threaten to lock your account. If there’s a real issue, you’ll usually get a notification on your trusted device or be asked to sign in to your Apple ID account page directly. Remember, Apple will never ask for your password via email, phone or text message. Always access your account through official Apple websites or apps.

Kurt’s key takeaways

These scammers are getting craftier, but with a bit of know-how and caution, you can keep your Apple ID (and all the good stuff connected to it) safe and sound. Remember, if something feels fishy, trust your gut. When in doubt, go straight to Apple’s official website or give their support team a call. Keep your digital life secure, and don’t let those scammers take a bite out of your Apple.

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Have you ever fallen victim to a digital scam, and what steps did you take to protect yourself afterward? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact

For more of my tech tips & security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter

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Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.
January 23, 2025
Severe geomagnetic storm could stress power grid as recovery continues after major hurricanes

A severe solar storm that reached Earth on Thursday could stress power grids even more as the U.S. reels from back-to-back major hurricanes, according to space weather forecasters.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said Thursday that a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) blasted from the Sun reached Earth at about 11 a.m.

The Space Weather Prediction Center issued multiple warnings and alerts for geomagnetic storm conditions, and by Thursday, the Earth was experiencing G4, or severe, conditions.

NOAA said a severe geomagnetic storm is a major disturbance in Earth’s magnetic field. The storms often have varying intensity between lower levels and severe storm conditions throughout the course of the event.

GEOMAGNETIC STORM EXPECTED TO HIT EARTH FOLLOWING AUTUMNAL EQUINOX

This image provided by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory shows a solar flare, right, captured in the extreme ultraviolet light portion of the spectrum colorized in red and yellow. (NASA/SDO via AP)

Geomagnetic storms could impact the power grid, satellites and GPS technology.

“Storm conditions are anticipated to occur overnight as CME progression continues,” NOAA said on its website. “Variations due to CME passage will result in periods of weakening and escalation in geomagnetic storm levels.”

Earlier this week, NOAA issued a severe geomagnetic storm watch for Thursday into Friday after an outburst from the sun was detected. A geomagnetic storm has the potential of temporarily disrupting power and radio signals.

In preparation for the storm, NOAA notified power plant operators and those controlling spacecraft orbiting the planet to take precautions.

GEOMAGNETIC STORM HITS EARTH CREATING NORTHERN LIGHTS, DISRUPTING RADIO COMMUNICATIONS

A power transformer explodes, creating a light in the background, as Hurricane Milton makes landfall in Fort Myers, Fla., Wednesday. (Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images)

NOAA also notified the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) about possible power disruptions as it deals with the devastation left behind from Hurricane Helene, and now Hurricane Milton, which made landfall near Siesta Key, Florida, on Wednesday night as a Category 3 storm, packing winds up to 120 mph.

Space weather forecasters do not expect the latest solar storm to surpass the one that slammed Earth in May, which was the strongest in more than 20 years.

Florida is far enough south to avoid any power disruptions from the solar surge unless it gets a lot bigger, scientist Rob Steenburgh of NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

NORTHERN LIGHTS MAY BE SEEN ACROSS SOME PORTIONS OF US THIS WEEK AFTER ‘STRONG SOLAR ACTIVITY’

NOAA issued a severe geomagnetic storm alert after a coronal mass ejection was blasted toward Earth earlier this week. (NOAA)

“That adds a little bit more to the comfort level,” Steenburgh said. “Why we’re here is to let them know so that they can prepare.”

Experts are more concerned about potential effects on the power grids in areas slammed by Hurricane Helene two weeks ago, NOAA space weather forecaster Shawn Dahl said.

The storm also may trigger northern lights as far south in the U.S. as the lower Midwest and Northern California, though exact locations and times are uncertain, according to NOAA. Sky gazers are reminded to point their smartphones upward for photos; the devices can often capture auroras that human eyes cannot.

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May’s solar storm produced dazzling auroras across the Northern Hemisphere and resulted in no major disruptions.

The sun is near the peak of its current 11-year cycle, sparking all the recent solar activity.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Greg Wehner is a breaking news reporter for Fox News Digital.

Story tips and ideas can be sent to [email protected] and on Twitter @GregWehner.

January 23, 2025
Fox News AI Newsletter: China gains ground

FILE – Chinese President Xi Jinping waves at an event to introduce new members of the Politburo Standing Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Oct. 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Andy Wong, File)

Welcome to Fox News’ Artificial Intelligence newsletter with the latest AI technology advancements.

IN TODAY’S NEWSLETTER:

– US must win AI race as China gains ground: ‘Lead is not as big as it once was,’ OpenAI exec warns
– How does AI keep the US safe amid world conflict?
– AI scammers pretending to be Brad Pitt con woman out of $850,000

A man is seen using the OpenAI ChatGPT artificial intelligence chat website in this illustration photo on July 18, 2023. (Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

AMERICA MUST WIN: OpenAI’s Chris Lehane is warning of America’s shrinking lead in the artificial intelligence space as the company releases its economic blueprint and policy proposals for the U.S.

KEEPING US SAFE: Booz Allen Hamilton CEO Horacio Rozanski unpacks global unrest in the Middle East despite the Israel-Hamas deal and the impact of artificial intelligence on defense on “The Claman Countdown.”

Brad Pitt. (Stephane Cardinale – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)

‘ONCE UPON A TIME’: A happily-ever-after with someone a woman believed was Hollywood hunk Brad Pitt quickly turned into a living nightmare.

AI TRANSFORMER HOMES: AC Future, a leading developer of AI-enabled sustainable living solutions, has partnered with world-renowned Italian design house Pininfarina to create a groundbreaking collection of transformable living spaces. This innovative collaboration has resulted in three distinct products: AI-THd (AI Transformer Home Drivable), AI-THu (AI Transformer Home Unit) and AI-THt (AI Transformer Home Trailer).

AI-THt (AC Future) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Subscribe now to get the Fox News Artificial Intelligence Newsletter in your inbox.

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Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future with Fox News here.

This article was written by Fox News staff.

January 23, 2025
NASA spacecraft to scour Jupiter’s moon in search of life-supporting conditions
- NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft is set to explore Jupiter’s moon Europa, one of the prime candidates for finding life beyond Earth.
- Europa Clipper will assess whether Europa’s conditions, such as its ocean beneath an icy crust, could support life.
- The spacecraft, NASA’s largest built to study another planet, will launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket.
A NASA spacecraft is ready to set sail for Jupiter and its moon Europa, one of the best bets for finding life beyond Earth.

Europa Clipper will peer beneath the moon’s icy crust where an ocean is thought to be sloshing fairly close to the surface. It won’t search for life, but rather determine whether conditions there could support it. Another mission would be needed to flush out any microorganisms lurking there.

“It’s a chance for us to explore not a world that might have been habitable billions of years ago, but a world that might be habitable today — right now,” said program scientist Curt Niebur.

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Its massive solar panels make Clipper the biggest craft built by NASA to investigate another planet. It will take 5 1/2 years to reach Jupiter and will sneak within 16 miles of Europa’s surface — considerably closer than any other spacecraft.

This illustration provided by NASA depicts the Europa Clipper spacecraft over the moon, Europa, with Jupiter in the background. (NASA/JPL-Caltech via AP)

Liftoff is targeted for this month aboard SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. Mission cost: $5.2 billion.

Europa, the superstar among Jupiter’s many moons

One of Jupiter’s 95 known moons, Europa is almost the size of our own moon. It’s encased in an ice sheet estimated to be 10 miles to 15 miles or more thick. Scientists believe this frozen crust hides an ocean that could be 80 miles or more deep. The Hubble Space Telescope has spotted what appear to be geysers erupting from the surface. Discovered by Galileo in 1610, Europa is one of the four so-called Galilean moons of Jupiter, along with Ganymede, Io and Callisto.

Seeking conditions that support life

What type of life might Europa harbor? Besides water, organic compounds are needed for life as we know it, plus an energy source. In Europa’s case that could be thermal vents on the ocean floor. Deputy project scientist Bonnie Buratti imagines any life would be primitive like the bacterial life that originated in Earth’s deep ocean vents. “We will not know from this mission because we can’t see that deep,” she said. Unlike missions to Mars where habitability is one of many questions, Clipper’s sole job is to establish whether the moon could support life in its ocean or possibly in any pockets of water in the ice.

Supersized spacecraft

When its solar wings and antennas are unfurled, Clipper is about the size of a basketball court — more than 100 feet end to end — and weighs nearly 13,000 pounds. The supersized solar panels are needed because of Jupiter’s distance from the sun. The main body — about the size of a camper — is packed with nine science instruments, including radar that will penetrate the ice, cameras that will map virtually the entire moon and tools to tease out the contents of Europa’s surface and tenuous atmosphere. The name hearkens to the swift sailing ships of centuries past.

This illustration provided by NASA depicts the Europa Clipper spacecraft above the surface of the moon Europa, foreground, and Jupiter behind. (NASA/JPL-Caltech via AP)

Circling Jupiter to fly by Europa

The roundabout trip to Jupiter will span 1.8 billion miles. For extra oomph, the spacecraft will swing past Mars early next year and then Earth in late 2026. It arrives at Jupiter in 2030 and begins science work the next year. While orbiting Jupiter, it will cross paths with Europa 49 times. The mission ends in 2034 with a planned crash into Ganymede — Jupiter’s biggest moon and the solar system’s too.

Europa flybys pose huge radiation risk

There’s more radiation around Jupiter than anywhere else in our solar system, besides the sun. Europa passes through Jupiter’s bands of radiation as it orbits the gas giant, making it especially menacing for spacecraft. That’s why Clipper’s electronics are inside a vault with dense aluminum and zinc walls. All this radiation would nix any life on Europa’s surface. But it could break down water molecules and, perhaps, release oxygen all the way down into the ocean that could possibly fuel sea life.

Earlier this year, NASA was in a panic that the spacecraft’s many transistors might not withstand the intense radiation. But after months of analysis, engineers concluded the mission could proceed as planned.

Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, is pictured with two of its satellites, Io on the left and Europa on the right, in March 1979. The image was taken by the Voyager 1 spacecraft. (Space Frontiers/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Other visitors to Jupiter and Europa

NASA’s twin Pioneer spacecraft and then two Voyagers swept past Jupiter in the 1970s. The Voyagers provided the first detailed photos of Europa but from quite a distance. NASA’s Galileo spacecraft had repeated flybys of the moon during the 1990s, passing as close as 124 miles. Still in action around Jupiter, NASA’s Juno spacecraft has added to Europa’s photo album. Arriving at Jupiter a year after Clipper will be the European Space Agency’s Juice spacecraft, launched last year.

Ganymede and other possible ocean worlds

Like Europa, Jupiter’s jumbo moon Ganymede is thought to host an underground ocean. But its frozen shell is much thicker — possibly 100 miles thick — making it tougher to probe the environment below. Callisto’s ice sheet may be even thicker, possibly hiding an ocean. Saturn’s moon Enceladus has geysers shooting up, but it’s much farther than Jupiter. Ditto for Saturn’s moon Titan, also suspected of having a subterranean sea. While no ocean worlds have been confirmed beyond our solar system, scientists believe they’re out there — and may even be relatively common.

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Messages in a cosmic bottle

Like many robotic explorers before it, Clipper bears messages from Earth. Attached to the electronics vault is a triangular metal plate. On one side is a design labeled “water words” with representations of the word for water in 104 languages. On the opposite side: a poem about the moon by U.S. poet laureate Ada Limon and a silicon chip containing the names of 2.6 million people who signed up to vicariously ride along.
January 23, 2025