Top story
Microsoft attributes ConnectWise compromise to China-linked hackers using AI
Microsoft says Storm-0940 used the ARTEX agent framework in a campaign targeting hundreds of organizations. ConnectWise separately said the attacker appeared China-state-aligned; it has contained affected application connections, but warned that access already established inside customer accounts needs separate review.
ThereforeAffected customers need to investigate and remove unauthorized access inside their own cloud accounts.
Microsoft Security analysis · Reuters reportingCopy link to: Microsoft attributes ConnectWise compromise to China-linked hackers using AI
Also
Barclays says it is cutting 5,000 jobs as it adopts AI
Dow Jones reports the bank's full-year total includes 1,000 first-half cuts and 4,000 in the second half.
ThereforeThe bank says structural savings make room for investment.
Dow Jones via MorningstarCopy link to: Barclays says it is cutting 5,000 jobs as it adopts AI
Judge rejects EPA's bid to end the Colossus pollution lawsuit
Per Ars Technica, Judge Debra Brown rejected the government's claim that EPA can unilaterally dismiss the citizen suit; the order's exact date is unconfirmed.
ThereforeNeighbors can continue seeking pollution controls and penalties.
Ars Technica court reportingCopy link to: Judge rejects EPA's bid to end the Colossus pollution lawsuit
Nebius and Crusoe report rising compute prices; Huang cites scarce capital
The providers told CNBC rental prices are rising, including for older GPUs; Nvidia's CEO separately cited financing and European energy constraints.
ThereforeOlder chips' rental income affects providers' ability to recover their investment.
CNBC provider interviews · CNBC Huang interviewCopy link to: Nebius and Crusoe report rising compute prices; Huang cites scarce capital
Follow-up to Oct 15: Eiliko promises a security review, but exposed media remain
Energize Lab confirmed the toy's security flaws and promised an independent review; The Verge still found publicly accessible customer recordings and photos.
ThereforeLong-term memory and custom avatars will stay offline pending the security review.
The Verge follow-upCopy link to: Follow-up to Oct 15: Eiliko promises a security review, but exposed media remain
Research worth a look
Hugging Face releases Carbon-X for DNA questions
The Apache-2.0, 14.8-billion-parameter model combines DNA and text; its developers say it fits one 80GB GPU and describe it as a research tool.
Hugging Face model card · WIRED researcher interview (paywall)Copy link to: Hugging Face releases Carbon-X for DNA questions
Tools & releases
Recursive releases Flint's local coding weights
The Apache-2.0 model activates 2.5 billion of its 40 billion parameters per token; Recursive says its automated research system contributed throughout development.
Recursive announcementCopy link to: Recursive releases Flint's local coding weights
Walmart announces agent profiles and a shopping gateway
Agent Profiles are planned next month, with purchase approval required by default and optional spending limits; its gateway starts with a developer beta.
Walmart announcementCopy link to: Walmart announces agent profiles and a shopping gateway