May 17, 2025

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Disney Fortnite AI, AI Voice Scams, AI Security Concerns

Recent developments in the field of artificial intelligence have been making headlines, with various applications and innovations being explored. Disney and Epic Games have partnered to bring Darth Vader to the game Fortnite, using generative AI technology to recreate James Earl Jones' voice. However, this feature has also raised concerns about the potential risks of using AI in games, as some players have found ways to get Darth Vader to say inappropriate things. Meanwhile, the use of AI in other areas, such as mobile security, software engineering, and law enforcement, is also being explored. The FBI has warned of AI-generated voice scams, and companies like Windsurf and Celestica are working on developing advanced AI models and hardware solutions. Additionally, AWS and HUMAIN have announced a major partnership to invest in AI in Saudi Arabia, and Geoffrey Hinton, known as the 'Godfather of AI', has demonstrated current AI models and their capabilities. As AI continues to evolve and grow, it is essential to address the potential risks and challenges associated with its use, while also exploring its many benefits and applications.

Key Takeaways

  • Disney and Epic Games have partnered to bring Darth Vader to Fortnite using generative AI technology.
  • The AI-powered Darth Vader feature has raised concerns about the potential risks of using AI in games.
  • The FBI has warned of AI-generated voice scams, which use AI technology to create convincing voice messages.
  • Companies like Windsurf and Celestica are working on developing advanced AI models and hardware solutions.
  • AWS and HUMAIN have announced a major partnership to invest in AI in Saudi Arabia.
  • Geoffrey Hinton, known as the 'Godfather of AI', has demonstrated current AI models and their capabilities.
  • The use of AI in mobile security, software engineering, and law enforcement is being explored.
  • The NCIS and FBI are exploring the use of AI in various applications, including HR processing and cybersecurity.
  • Marketers are adjusting their paid search strategies in response to Google's AI Overviews.
  • The state of AI security in 2025 is a growing concern, with emerging threats including infrastructure attacks and AI-specific attacks.

Disney and Epic Games Bring Darth Vader to Fortnite

Disney and Epic Games have partnered to bring Darth Vader to the game Fortnite. Players can recruit and speak to Darth Vader, who will respond with a voice that sounds like James Earl Jones. The voice was recreated using generative AI technology, specifically Google's Gemini 2.0 Flash model and ElevenLabs' Flash v2.5 model. The family of James Earl Jones gave their consent for the use of his voice. This collaboration is part of a larger Star Wars season in Fortnite, which includes new episodes of an animated Star Wars series. The move showcases how generative AI is changing the entertainment industry.

Fortnite Players Can Talk to Darth Vader

Fortnite players can now speak with Darth Vader in the game, thanks to an AI-powered voice that sounds like James Earl Jones. The feature uses Google's Gemini 2.0 Flash model and ElevenLabs' Flash v2.5 model to generate responses to player questions. However, some players have already found ways to get Darth Vader to say inappropriate things, highlighting the potential risks of using AI in games. Epic Games has added safety measures to prevent such incidents, including parental controls and the ability to report inappropriate content.

AI Darth Vader Causes Controversy in Fortnite

The new AI-powered Darth Vader feature in Fortnite has caused controversy after some players discovered that they could get the character to say inappropriate things. The feature uses generative AI technology to generate responses to player questions, but it appears that the safety measures in place were not enough to prevent some players from exploiting the system. Epic Games has since pushed a hotfix to prevent such incidents, but the controversy highlights the potential risks of using AI in games.

Best Practices for Mobile AI Security

Mobile AI security is a growing concern, as the use of artificial intelligence in mobile devices increases. To protect against potential threats, it is essential to implement best practices such as continuous risk assessments, robust data protection, and secure AI model development. Additionally, organizations should consider using blockchain, biometrics, and zero-trust security models to enhance mobile AI security. By following these best practices, organizations can minimize the risks associated with mobile AI and ensure the security of sensitive data.

The State of AI Security in 2025

The state of AI security in 2025 is a growing concern, as the use of artificial intelligence increases across industries. According to a report by Cisco, 72% of organizations are using AI, but only 13% feel fully ready to maximize its potential safely. The report highlights several emerging threats, including infrastructure attacks, supply chain risks, and AI-specific attacks. To address these threats, organizations should implement robust security measures, such as continuous monitoring and regular updates to threat intelligence databases.

Marketers Adjust to Google's AI Overviews

Marketers are adjusting their paid search strategies in response to Google's AI Overviews, which have been credited with reducing search traffic to publisher and brand sites. While some marketers have seen a decrease in clickthrough rates, others have found ways to adapt, such as increasing spending on brand keywords and exploring new opportunities in zero-click search environments. As AI Overviews continue to grow and evolve, marketers will need to stay ahead of the curve to maximize their paid search performance.

Windsurf's SWE-1 AI Model for Software Engineering

Windsurf has launched a new AI model called SWE-1, which is specifically designed for software engineering tasks. The model is part of the company's Wave 9 update and aims to accelerate the entire software engineering process. SWE-1 is a family of frontier-class AI models that can support developers through multiple surfaces, incomplete work states, and long-running tasks. The model has been trained on a new data model with sequential steps and has achieved frontier-class performance specifically for software engineering tasks.

FBI Warns of AI-Generated Voice Scams

The FBI is warning the public about an uptick in smishing attempts involving AI-generated voice messages that purport to be from senior government officials. The scammers use AI technology to create convincing voice messages that can trick victims into revealing sensitive information or sending money. The FBI is advising people to be cautious when receiving unexpected calls or messages and to verify the identity of the caller before responding.

AWS and HUMAIN Invest in AI in Saudi Arabia

AWS and HUMAIN have announced a major partnership to invest over $5 billion in the field of artificial intelligence in Saudi Arabia. The collaboration will help build a dedicated AI Zone featuring advanced infrastructure and cloud services, and will support the growth of Arabic-language Large Language Models. The partnership is part of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 plan to become a global leader in technology, and will include training 100,000 people in cloud and AI skills.

NCIS and FBI Explore AI Use Cases

NCIS and FBI officials are exploring the use of artificial intelligence in various applications, including HR processing, cybersecurity, and supply chain risk management. The agencies are using AI to automate tasks, improve efficiency, and enhance decision-making. While the use of AI in law enforcement is still in its early stages, officials believe that it has the potential to revolutionize the way they work and improve public safety.

AI Pioneer Geoffrey Hinton Demonstrates Current AI Models

Geoffrey Hinton, known as the 'Godfather of AI', has demonstrated current AI models and their capabilities. Hinton showed how he uses AI models, including ChatGPT, and asked the model questions to showcase its abilities. The demonstration highlights the rapid progress being made in the field of artificial intelligence and its potential applications.

Celestica: A Quiet AI Hardware Powerhouse

Celestica is a company that is making a significant impact in the field of AI hardware. The company is working on developing advanced AI hardware solutions, including high-performance servers and advanced semiconductors. Celestica's efforts are aimed at supporting the growing demand for AI computing power and enabling the development of more sophisticated AI models.

Sources

AI Fortnite Disney Epic Games Generative AI Artificial Intelligence