🔥 27 to 25

Good Morning. A 7.4 magnitude earthquake off Taiwan's east coast resulted in at least seven deaths (at the time of this report), with the most impact in Hualien near the epicenter.

This quake, the strongest in 25 years, triggered landslides and was felt across Taiwan, including in the capital, Taipei.

Over 736 injuries were reported, and significant damage to buildings and infrastructure has prompted evacuations, including in tech industries.

Following the quake, tsunami warnings were issued for surrounding regions but were later retracted as the threat passed.

THE BOTTOM LINE UP FRONT

Zelensky Lowers Army Mobilization Age from 27 To 25

Ukraine faces internal division over the issue of mobilization as the nation grapples with the ongoing war against Russia, now entering its third year. With significant military losses and a need for more soldiers to combat the Russian invasion, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a mobilization bill nearly a year after its parliamentary approval. This legislation is a response to Ukraine's military requests for increased manpower to counter Russia's larger forces, which have achieved some battlefield successes in Ukraine this year.

Legislative Response to Military Needs

In February, the Ukrainian parliament passed a bill to draft more soldiers, responding to the military's call for reinforcements as the conflict with Russia intensifies. The law aims to bolster Ukraine's defense capabilities by mobilizing additional troops, amid reports of Russia deploying more forces into the battle. Despite these efforts, the front lines have seen little significant change over the past year, highlighting the stalemate between the two sides.

Challenges and Public Sentiment

The Ukrainian army's goal to mobilize up to half a million people faces criticism from within the country, with many viewing the enlistment system as unfair, inefficient, and corrupt. As the war continues, there are growing calls for the demobilization of weary soldiers who have been fighting for extended periods. These challenges underscore the complexities Ukraine faces in balancing the need for increased military manpower with maintaining public support and addressing concerns over the mobilization process.

INTERNATIONAL SECURITY & DIPLOMACY

Counterterrorism

• Civilians in northwest Syria are risking their lives to protest against Hay’et Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a dominant militant group with ties to al-Qaeda, in demonstrations that began on February 25 in Sarmada, Idlib. The unrest underscores growing discontent with HTS, which exerts control over significant areas near the Syria-Turkey border.

• Islamic State Khorasan, ISIS-K, released harrowing body camera footage showing the assailants killing and mutilating civilians as they rampaged through the venue.

• Russia is currently in "active dialogue" with Afghanistan's Taliban rulers, aiming to delist them as a terrorist organization, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed to reporters, as cited by TASS. Peskov highlighted the importance of maintaining communication with Afghanistan, emphasizing its geographical proximity as a neighboring country.

Military & Defense

• North Korea tests a new hypersonic intermediate-range missile with solid propellants, escalating its series of weapons demonstrations amid growing tensions with neighboring countries and the United States. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un claimed the test proves his country can now develop solid-fuel, nuclear-capable missile systems of all ranges, aiming for an arsenal that could threaten both Asia and the U.S.

• The Norwegian government plans to boost its conscription of soldiers from the current 9,000 to 13,500 troops. Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram emphasized the need for more individuals with professional military expertise to ensure the armed forces have the right skills at the right time.

• A Ukrainian drone attack destroyed a facility in Russia's Tatarstan republic, over 1,500 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, local officials reported on Tuesday. The facilities in Yelabuga and Nizhnekamsk were hit, according to Tatarstan Governor Rustam Minnikhanov.

• Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, considered an unofficial candidate for NATO's secretary-general position, publicly endorsed Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte for the role, highlighting their shared priorities on Russia and NATO expansion. Kallas emphasized the need for clarity on Russia, increased deterrence and defense spending, support for Ukraine's membership, and geographic balance within NATO, stating Rutte's commitment to these objectives.

Cybersecurity

• The Pentagon launched its Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Cyber Policy on March 20, aimed at bolstering the U.S. military's civilian-facing role in cyber policy, as mandated by the 2023 defense policy bill. President Joe Biden nominated Michael Sulmeyer for the role, with Ashley Manning serving as the acting head until Sulmeyer's Senate confirmation.

• A Microsoft security lapse allowed hackers, identified as Storm-0558 and linked to China, to use a stolen signing key to spy on top U.S. officials, including the Commerce Secretary and the U.S. Ambassador to China. An independent Cyber Safety Review Board, established by President Joe Biden, deemed the breach, which came to light in July 2023, a preventable failure due to Microsoft's inadequate security prioritization, as the federal government criticized the company for its failure.

Counterintelligence & Espionage

• The U.S. warned Russia more than two weeks prior to a deadly terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall in Moscow's suburbs, identifying the concert venue as a specific target, officials with familiarity with the subject told media. This detailed warning highlights Washington's strong belief in an imminent attack by the Islamic State, challenging Moscow's assertions that the U.S. advisories were too vague to prevent the tragedy.

• Iranian cybergroups, supporting Hamas, intensified their efforts with influence campaigns and disruptive hacks immediately after the Israel-Hamas conflict began on Oct. 7, 2023, employing what Microsoft describes as "cyber-enabled influence operations." These operations have evolved in sophistication and coordination over time, broadening their international scope and complicating the information landscape surrounding the conflict.

• YouTube failed to identify disinformation in a series of fake political ads targeting the Indian election process, according to a study by Access Now and Global Witness, which found that the platform approved all 48 test ads containing false claims. These ads, created in English, Hindi, and Telugu to probe YouTube's moderation system, were approved for posting but were withdrawn by the researchers before public exposure.

Transnational Organized Crime

• Peru's Attorney General Juan Villena expanded the investigation into President Dina Boluarte, probing her ownership of luxury watches and now fine jewelry worth over $500,000, along with scrutinizing bank transactions exceeding $400,000. The inquiry, focusing on deposits of unknown origin to Boluarte's accounts, intensifies as she faces allegations of illicit enrichment that jeopardize her presidency, with a scheduled interview by prosecutors.

• In Singapore's largest money-laundering case to date, Cambodian national Su Wenqiang has been sentenced to 13 months in prison after pleading guilty to charges including forgery and laundering over $4.44 million worth of assets. Among the seized assets were significant amounts in bank accounts, a Mercedes Benz, luxury liquor, and high-end jewelry, highlighting the scale of the criminal proceeds involved.

• The Department of Homeland Security is intensifying efforts to halt the illegal shipment of high-powered weapons from the U.S. to Haiti, amid escalating violence and instability in the Caribbean nation caused by armed gangs. A United Nations report has pinpointed the U.S., especially Florida, as the main source of these smuggled firearms, with U.S. authorities now focusing on intercepting these weapons in South Florida to prevent further violence in Haiti.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

In an innovative approach to safeguarding the integrity of the 2024 elections, TrueMedia, a newly established nonprofit and nonpartisan technology organization, is in the process of creating an AI-powered tool designed to identify and flag deepfake videos, photos, and audio content. With the proliferation of political disinformation posing a significant threat to democratic processes, the Seattle-based initiative, led by University of Washington professor and former CEO of the Allen Institute for AI, Oren Etzioni, and supported by Uber co-founder Garrett Camp, seeks to leverage artificial intelligence in a bid to neutralize the spread of fabricated media.

TrueMedia’s Motive and Mission for AI Election Shield

TrueMedia's mission centers on deploying artificial intelligence to counter the rise of artificially generated disinformation, an increasingly prevalent issue as technological advancements make it easier and cheaper to produce convincing deepfakes. This initiative is not only a testament to the growing concern over the vulnerability of democratic institutions to such threats but also highlights the innovative use of AI as a tool for safeguarding information integrity in the digital age.

A Preemptive Strike Against Disinformation

The organization's announcement emphasizes the critical nature of the challenge ahead, predicting a "tsunami of disinformation" in the lead-up to the next election cycle. By developing a system capable of detecting deepfakes with high accuracy, TrueMedia aims to stem the tide of false information circulating on social media platforms, thereby defending the cornerstone of democratic society—the informed electorate—against the manipulation and exploitation of digital media.

In other news…

🔫 New York City Mayor Eric Adam’s says Evolv’s AI scanners, meant to detect guns on the city’s subway system, are “clearly impressive.” Analysts say the detectors “hardly work.”

⚡️ The solar energy sector's long-standing challenge of interseasonal storage may find a solution in Photoncycle, a startup from Oslo Science Park, which is developing a solid hydrogen-based technology for more efficient energy storage. This technology, aimed at capturing surplus summer solar energy for winter use, promises to outperform existing battery and liquid hydrogen options in both cost and efficiency.

🌠 The Pentagon has unveiled its comprehensive commercial space strategy, highlighting the crucial role of companies such as SpaceX in national security, with effectiveness hinging on the Department of Defense's ability to integrate commercial solutions into military operations. This landmark document, detailing 13 key mission areas like missile warning and electromagnetic warfare, marks the Defense Department's recognition of the strategic importance of space-based technology to military capabilities.

🤖 Matt Turek, Deputy Director of DARPA's Information Innovation Office, stressed the importance of developing trustworthy artificial intelligence (AI) for critical military decision-making processes within the U.S. Defense Department, revealing that about 70% of DARPA's programs now incorporate AI, machine learning, and autonomy. At a Center for Strategic and International Studies event, Turek highlighted the necessity of AI development to prevent "strategic surprises" from adversaries, emphasizing DARPA's aim to lead in technological advancements for a competitive advantage.

🛟 Lumana AI Inc., launching with $24 million in seed funding, introduces a cloud-based security platform that upgrades standard security cameras into AI-driven devices capable of detecting intricate events and hazards through image recognition. Founded by former Intel executive Sagi Ben Moshe, the platform features a hybrid cloud architecture for efficient processing, employs deep learning AI for continuous improvement, and allows customizable alert settings for users, positioning Lumana at the forefront of the rapidly expanding video analytics market.

DEALS & FUNDING

Trailblazer Hailo Technologies Ltd., functioning in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) chip production, has successfully secured a $120 million Series C extension, elevating its total funding to over $340 million. The startup, recognized for its innovation in AI workload optimization at the edge, has unveiled the Hailo-10 generative AI accelerator. This new chip promises to revolutionize edge computing by delivering low-latency, high-performance AI capabilities without the need for cloud connectivity, setting a new benchmark in the integration of generative AI into daily technology use.

Impact on Edge AI Capabilities

The introduction of the Hailo-10 chip marks a significant advancement in edge computing, offering unparalleled efficiency and performance for generative AI applications. Designed to process large language models and complex AI tasks on-device with minimal power consumption, the Hailo-10 stands out for its ability to operate popular models like Llama2 7B and Stable Diffusion 2.1 within a power envelope of less than five watts. This innovation not only enhances privacy and data security by processing data locally but also promises a seamless and immersive AI experience across various devices, including smart vehicles and personal computers.

Implications for Future AI Applications

With its potent performance capabilities, the Hailo-10 is poised to redefine the landscape of AI applications in everyday devices, moving away from the traditional reliance on cloud-based processing. This shift is expected to usher in a new era of instant, efficient, and interactive AI experiences, from real-time translation to content generation, directly on users' devices. Hailo's latest funding and technological breakthroughs are hoped to fuel the company's growth and further its mission to bring advanced AI and generative AI services to the edge, democratizing access to cutting-edge technology for users worldwide.

In other news…

💵 Datavolo Inc., a startup focusing on multimodal data pipelines for artificial intelligence systems, has secured over $21 million in funding, bringing its total raised to more than $25 million, with General Catalyst leading the round alongside Citi Ventures and others. Co-founded by CEO Joe Witt and COO Luke Roquet, Datavolo has developed a novel data pipeline system, originating from their work on the Apache NiFi project at the U.S. National Security Agency, aimed at enhancing generative AI workloads.

📹️ Lumana AI Inc., launching with $24 million in seed funding, introduces a cloud-based security platform that upgrades standard security cameras into AI-driven devices capable of detecting intricate events and hazards through image recognition. Founded by former Intel executive Sagi Ben Moshe, the platform features a hybrid cloud architecture for efficient processing, employs deep learning AI for continuous improvement, and allows customizable alert settings for users, positioning Lumana at the forefront of the rapidly expanding video analytics market.

🚨 Lithuania's NT Service has secured a EUR8.03 million contract to supply the Lithuanian military with counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UASs) and individual suppressors to address urgent concerns over drone threats, as announced in a European Union tender notice. The three-year contract entails the delivery of 351 omnidirectional anti-drone dome systems and 130 suppressors, highlighting the critical need for enhanced air defense mechanisms.

🛩️ South Korea plans to invest approximately KRW7.92 trillion (USD5.85 billion) by 2028 in the production of the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) KF-21 Boramae, covering 40 aircraft, weapons, support, and additional costs, according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA). This budget, which follows a KRW238.6 billion (USD176.5 million) approval by the National Assembly for initial KF-21 production, encompasses integrated product support, facilities, air-launched munitions, and the establishment of the production line, though specific cost details remain undisclosed.