June 2, 2025

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AI: Cyberthreats, Talent Race, and Drone Strikes

This news brief covers a range of recent developments related to Artificial Intelligence (AI) across various sectors. Interview Kickstart is offering AI-driven courses to prepare tech professionals for roles in FAANG companies, focusing on both frontend engineering and generative AI. Globally, nations are competing for AI talent, balancing innovation with ethical considerations, while also addressing the impact of AI on employment through vocational training. The rise of AI is also contributing to a surge in cyberthreats, with automated scans and stolen credentials leading to more frequent and targeted attacks, particularly in the United States. However, AI is also being used for beneficial purposes, such as in agriculture where AI-equipped drones help farmers optimize fertilizer use, and in healthcare, as discussed by Dr. Mehmet Oz regarding AI-avatar health care. Customer attitudes toward AI are mixed, with some preferring human interaction while others demand AI-driven self-service options. Concerns have been raised about Chinese AI platforms like DeepSeek posing threats to U.S. national security through data harvesting and censorship. Efforts are being made to ensure AI enhances accessibility for users with disabilities, but it's crucial to prioritize accessibility to prevent widening digital inequalities. In a unique application, Excire is using AI to judge a photo contest, and Ukraine has successfully deployed AI-enhanced drones to strike Russian strategic bombers, showcasing the diverse and rapidly evolving applications of AI technology.

Key Takeaways

  • Interview Kickstart provides AI-powered courses to help developers secure jobs in FAANG companies.
  • Nations are in a global race to attract and retain top AI talent, balancing innovation with ethical concerns.
  • AI is fueling a surge in cyberattacks, with automated scans and stolen credentials leading to increased threats.
  • AI-equipped drones are helping farmers optimize fertilizer use and improve crop management.
  • Customer preferences for AI in customer service are divided, with some preferring human interaction.
  • Chinese AI platform DeepSeek poses a potential threat to U.S. national security due to data harvesting and censorship.
  • AI has the potential to enhance accessibility for users with disabilities, but accessibility must be prioritized.
  • Dr. Oz discusses AI's role in healthcare, including AI-avatar health care and lowering drug prices.
  • Excire is using AI to judge its photo contest, showcasing AI's capabilities in aesthetic evaluation.
  • Ukraine is utilizing AI-enhanced drones to strike Russian strategic bombers, demonstrating AI's military applications.

Interview Kickstart offers AI-Powered Course for FAANG Frontend Engineer Jobs

Interview Kickstart is offering a 15-week Frontend Engineering Interview Masterclass Course to prepare developers for FAANG jobs. The course covers data structures, system design, JavaScript, and advanced frontend concepts. It includes career coaching with FAANG+ instructors and mock interviews to simulate FAANG hiring processes. The program also teaches salary negotiation strategies for FAANG offers, helping engineers succeed in competitive tech companies.

Interview Kickstart's AI Course Gets Top Reviews for Software Developers in 2025

Interview Kickstart (IK) offers an Advanced Generative AI Program for engineers and data scientists. The 8-9 week course covers large language models (LLMs), diffusion models, and reinforcement learning. Participants gain skills in designing and implementing LLMs and create an LLM-based application with AWS support. The course includes weekly live sessions, daily mentorship, and coaching from FAANG+ instructors. It's designed for professionals aiming to integrate and scale LLM-driven applications.

Global AI Race: Nations Compete for Top AI Talent

Nations are competing to educate, retain, and ethically use AI talent. China produces many graduates in engineering and technology, while the U.S. hosts top AI institutions but faces visa limitations. Europe invests in AI education but sees talent leave for the U.S. Balancing innovation with ethics is a key challenge, with different approaches in Europe, China, and the U.S. AI's impact on employment requires investment in vocational training to help workers transition to new roles.

Cyberthreats Surge as AI Powers Automated Scans

AI is causing a large increase in cyberattacks, with automated scanning activity up 16.7% to 36,000 scans per second. Cybercriminals are targeting vulnerable digital assets like Remote Desktop Protocol and IoT systems. There has been a 500% increase in stolen credentials available on the dark web, leading to more targeted cyberattacks. The United States is the primary target for ransomware attacks, accounting for 61% of incidents.

Drones and AI Help Farmers Save Money, Manage Crops

A UF study shows drones with AI can help farmers grow better hemp. Researchers used drone images to determine how much nitrogen fertilizer hemp plants need. This helps farmers use fertilizer efficiently, saving money and protecting the environment. Drones with special cameras can spot differences in plant health by their color. AI technology processes the images to accurately identify hemp canopy areas.

Customers Split on AI: Some Refuse, Others Demand It

Most U.S. customers prefer talking to a live person for customer service, but a significant number want AI and self-service options. Some customers avoid companies that don't offer self-service. Older generations prefer human interaction, while younger generations are more open to AI. Customers resist AI due to lack of trust, privacy concerns, and unsuccessful experiences. Companies should offer a balance of AI and human support to meet customer expectations.

Report Chinese AI DeepSeek Poses Threat to U.S. Security

A congressional report says the Chinese AI platform DeepSeek poses a threat to U.S. national security. DeepSeek harvests American user data, censors information, and likely uses stolen U.S. technology. It relies on semiconductor chips that should not have reached China. The report recommends stronger export controls and enforcement against Chinese AI platforms. DeepSeek transmits data through infrastructure connected to China Mobile and censors politically sensitive topics.

Does AI Make Tech More Accessible or Increase Inequality?

AI can enhance accessibility for users with disabilities by automating tasks and providing personalization. AI can generate alt text, audio descriptions, real-time captions, and simplify web content. However, AI interfaces must be accessible, recognizing diverse speech patterns and providing personalized responses. The AIMAC project helps evaluate the accessibility of AI-generated code. It's important to ensure accessibility is a priority in AI development to avoid widening digital inequalities.

Dr Oz Discusses Medicaid, Trump's Megabill, and AI Health Care

Dr. Mehmet Oz, now running the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, discusses health care programs with Dasha Burns. He talks about potential Medicaid cuts and plans to lower drug prices. The discussion also covers early morning calls from President Donald Trump. Additionally, the conversation touches on AI-avatar health care and advice for patients to be curious about their health.

Excire's Photo Contest Judged by AI for 10th Anniversary

Excire, an AI company, is hosting a photo contest judged by its AI model. The 'People in Focus' competition invites photographers to submit people-centric photos. The AI model analyzes and scores photos based on aesthetic qualities. The contest features a live leaderboard and offers a prize pool of $7,000. All participants receive a discount code for Excire products.

Ukraine Uses AI Drones to Strike Russian Bombers

Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) used AI-enhanced drones to strike Russian strategic bombers. The drones autonomously identified airfields and targeted vulnerabilities on the aircraft. The drones hit the underwing pylons of Tu-95MS bombers and adjacent fuel tanks. The operation used domestically developed unmanned systems and Russian telecommunications networks with AI course correction. The mission took over 18 months to prepare and hit 41 aircraft.

Sources

AI Artificial Intelligence LLMs Large Language Models Generative AI Machine Learning Deep Learning Cybersecurity Cyberthreats Data Science Drones Agriculture Hemp Fertilizer Customer Service Accessibility Digital Inequality Healthcare AI in Healthcare National Security China United States Ukraine Russia AI Talent AI Ethics Job Market FAANG Interview Preparation Software Development Computer Vision Image Analysis AI Applications AI Development AI Models AI Platforms AI Technology AI-powered Automated Systems Automation Remote Desktop Protocol IoT Systems Ransomware Data Privacy Export Controls Semiconductor Chips Unmanned Systems AI Course AI Training AI Education