Weekly Tech Wrap: ChatGPT Celebrates 1st Birthday, WhatsApp Brings More Security Features, More

From Alia Bhatt falling victim to deepfakes to new SIM card rules coming into effect, here are the biggest tech news stories from the week that was.

ChatGPT achieved the remarkable feat of becoming the fastest application to amass a user base exceeding 100 million.

Source : Getty

ChatGPT turns one. New SIM card rules go into effect today. WhatsApp brings more chat-locking feature. The world of technology news was dominated by these headlines, and more, over the past week. Here’s a deeper look. 

ChatGPT Turns One

Celebrating its one-year milestone on Thursday, OpenAI's revolutionary creation, ChatGPT, has garnered significant attention in the tech world since its inception on November 30, 2022. The language model has rapidly gained popularity, achieving the remarkable feat of becoming the fastest application to amass a user base exceeding 100 million.

Among those extending birthday wishes to the innovative bot is Sam Altman, OpenAI's CEO. Altman took to Twitter to reflect on the past year, fondly recalling the final preparations made at the office the night before ChatGPT's launch. To commemorate the occasion, ChatGPT's web client features a festive birthday cap positioned above the OpenAI logo. Clicking on the cap redirects users to an OpenAI blog from the previous year that introduced the chatbot.

New SIM Rules

In the contemporary landscape dominated by mobile phones, keeping oneself informed about the evolving landscape of SIM card regulations has become indispensable. Originally set to be implemented on October 1, 2023, the enforcement of new rules governing SIM cards has been rescheduled by the government to take effect on December 1, 2023. This development carries significant implications for both potential SIM card purchasers and vendors.

Initiated by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), these regulatory changes aim to counter the rising tide of scams and fraud associated with counterfeit SIM cards. The nationwide rollout of these amendments is slated for December 1, intending to address the severity of fraudulent activities linked to fake SIM cards. Non-compliance with the new regulations could result in penalties, including fines and imprisonment. Below, we provide an in-depth exploration of the specific SIM card-related regulations applicable in India.

Alia Becomes Deepfake Victim

In a recent incident, a disconcerting and objectionable deepfake video featuring actress Alia Bhatt circulated widely across various social media platforms. Unfortunately, she joins a growing list of celebrities, including Rashmika Mandanna, Katrina Kaif, Kajol, and Sara Tendulkar, who have fallen prey to the deceptive capabilities of deepfake technology.

This occurrence follows a warning issued by the Prime Minister cautioning against the perils of utilising artificial intelligence (AI) for crafting deepfake content. The Prime Minister emphasised the crucial role of the media in educating the public about the imminent dangers posed by the misuse of AI.

The viral video depicts Alia Bhatt engaged in inappropriate actions while adorned in a blue floral dress. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes evident that the woman featured in the video is not Alia Bhatt; her face has been digitally superimposed onto another individual's body. The footage captures the imposter making suggestive hand gestures towards the camera, prompting concerns among internet users about the potential exploitation of AI technology.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the hazards associated with the improper use and manipulation of technology, particularly in an era where reliance on technological advancements is on the rise.

Global AI Safety Agreement 

In a groundbreaking development, the United States, the United Kingdom, and over a dozen other nations jointly revealed a pioneering international agreement on Sunday, aimed at addressing the security concerns associated with artificial intelligence (AI) usage. A high-ranking US official characterised this accord as the inaugural and comprehensive global initiative to ensure the responsible and secure deployment of AI technologies.

Unveiled through a 20-page document, the consensus reached among the 18 participating countries underscores the pressing need for integrating robust security measures into the design of AI systems. The agreement, while not legally binding, puts forth broad recommendations that highlight the collective commitment of these nations to prioritise the safety of both end-users and the wider public. The emphasis is placed on mitigating the potential misuse of AI technologies by companies engaged in their design and utilisation.

WhatsApp Brings Secret Code Feature

WhatsApp's latest enhancement, the Secret Code feature, brings a fresh layer of privacy for users. This feature introduces a personalized password to conceal locked chats, providing an additional safeguard beyond the device unlock code. Users can now establish a unique code, possibly incorporating emojis, during the installation process.

The Secret Code feature strategically hides the Locked Chats folder within the main chat list, offering users the convenience of easily accessing it by entering the secret code into the search bar. Alternatively, users can opt to keep the folder visible in the chat list, providing them with flexibility in managing their private conversations.

Streamlining the process, locking chats now involves a simple long-press action, eliminating the need to navigate through intricate chat settings. This innovative update not only enhances user privacy but also simplifies the overall user experience on WhatsApp.

That’s it from the world of tech headlines this week. Stay tuned to this space for more top stories next week.

Subscribe And Follow ABP Live On Telegram: t.me/officialabplive