Catch up on this week’s round-up of the latest hosting and tech news. Here’s what we’ve uncovered since our last edition.
Robot Surgery
Two more NHS hospitals have begun to use robotic technology to offer patients less invasive treatments and eliminate the need for extensive travel. The Sussex Orthopaedic Centre, in Haywards Heath, now provides pioneering Mako robot technology for knee replacement surgeries. This advanced system enables surgeons to make precise bone cuts and improve implant positioning to deliver better results for patients.
The Great Western Hospital in Swindon, meanwhile, has acquired a robot for general surgery, urology and gynaecology procedures. This technology makes operations less invasive, reducing discomfort, shortening hospital stays and speeding up recovery times. With these robotic systems being local to Haywards Heath and Swindon, it also means patients don’t need to travel as far for vital surgeries.
Non-Encryption Worries
The most recent Cloud Security Report from Thales shows that only 45% of the sensitive data stored in cloud environments is encrypted. This is despite the fact that during the last year, almost 40% of respondents experienced a cloud breach – up 9% on the previous 12 months. Of those that did use encryption, less than a quarter encrypted more than 60% of their sensitive data.
Another issue highlighted in the report was data management, with just 14% of organisations controlling all their cloud encryption keys. Security is also made more difficult as more than 60% of respondents have five or more key management systems.
These figures come at a time when organisations are storing ever-increasing amounts of data in the cloud, with three-quarters of respondents claiming that more than 40% of their stored data is considered sensitive. Last year, by comparison, only half of organisations had so much cloud-stored sensitive data.
Strawberry Genome
Genomic-informed breeding techniques are being adopted by the UK strawberry industry to help solve issues with flavour and quality. In the recent past, the emphasis has been on breeding bigger and better-looking strawberries to meet supermarket demand, however, the new approach will focus on providing consumers with an improved taste.
Hugh Lowe Farms, the supplier to the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, is using genetic markers and the recently mapped strawberry genome to select the best parent varieties so they can breed strawberries that have a more delicious taste. Genomic-informed breeding, which should not be confused with genetic modification, involves analysing the genetic traits of strawberry varieties to identify the best types for breeding. By utilising this technique, the breeders can fast-track the selection process, quickly creating strawberries with superior flavours – which will no doubt be appreciated by the spectators on Henman Hill!
AI Recycling
UK-based start-up, Greyparrot, is using AI to transform waste processing and recycling. Utilising AI and advanced camera technology, Greyparrot’s systems can analyse and track waste in real time, helping to overcome the challenges of identifying recyclable material when it’s in a crumpled or dirty condition.
By tracking and analysing billions of waste objects each year, the company has been able to create a vast digital map of waste that offers valuable insights to waste managers and regulators. This data improves operational efficiency, identifies problematic materials so less plastic and other recyclable items end up in landfill, and has even influenced packaging design.
The data also benefits major brands and producers, enabling them to design more reusable products and use packaging that is easier to identify in waste management sites. What’s more, AI monitoring addresses the issue of greenwashing by providing transparency and accurate information to consumers.
Deepfake Warning
Consumers and businesses have been warned about falling victim to deepfake video scams after consumer finance expert and TV presenter, Martin Lewis, discovered his likeness had been used to con people.
The video of Lewis, which was shown widely on social media, employed AI to accurately recreate the presenter’s visual appearance and voice. Created as an advert, it depicted Lewis promoting an alleged investment scheme supposedly endorsed by Elon Musk. It was so convincing, even some of Lewis’ friends were fooled into investing.
Though deepfake videos have obvious flaws, the technology is still evolving and will improve as AI gets more advanced. In the wrong hands, deepfake technology can be used as a form of phishing scam. For example, cybercriminals can use images, videos and voice recordings of business executives, scraped from the internet and social media accounts, to create deepfake videos and voice messages that trick employees into handing fraudsters sensitive information or even money.
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