May 21, 2025

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SAG-AFTRA Sues Epic Games, AI in Cybersecurity, Google Certification, Apple AI Models

Recent developments in the field of artificial intelligence have sparked both excitement and concern. SAG-AFTRA, the Screen Actors Guild, has filed complaints against Epic Games and its subsidiary Llama Productions over the use of AI to replicate James Earl Jones' voice as Darth Vader in Fortnite, citing concerns that AI voices will replace human performers. Meanwhile, reports from Arctic Wolf and the Ponemon Institute highlight the growing importance of AI in cybersecurity, with AI-powered tools becoming a critical line of defense against threats. However, experts also warn that generative AI is making social engineering more dangerous and harder to detect. In other news, Google is offering a new AI certification for business leaders, and Apple is planning to open its AI models to developers. Additionally, a startup claims to have developed a reversible computing chip that can reduce energy consumption in AI applications by 50%, and Microsoft is adding an AI coding agent to its GitHub service. As AI continues to advance at a rapid pace, experts caution that we need to be prepared for the potential economic and societal impacts.

Key Takeaways

  • SAG-AFTRA has filed complaints over the use of AI to replicate James Earl Jones' voice as Darth Vader in Fortnite.
  • AI is becoming a critical line of defense in cybersecurity, with 56% of organizations saying it has improved their ability to prioritize threats and vulnerabilities.
  • Generative AI is making social engineering more dangerous and harder to detect.
  • Google is offering a new AI certification for business leaders to help them strategically adopt and lead generative AI efforts.
  • Apple is planning to open its AI models to developers to spur the creation of new apps and services.
  • A startup claims to have developed a reversible computing chip that can reduce energy consumption in AI applications by 50%.
  • Microsoft is adding an AI coding agent to its GitHub service to provide more AI-powered tools to developers.
  • Experts warn that the economic and societal impact of AI could be massive, and that we need to be prepared for the changes it will bring.
  • Arctic Wolf's 2025 Trends Report finds that AI is now the leading cybersecurity concern for security and IT leaders.
  • The US government has rescinded regulations on AI development, and tech companies are increasingly focused on the potential benefits of AI rather than the risks.

SAG-AFTRA Files Complaint Over Fortnite's AI Darth Vader

SAG-AFTRA has filed an unfair labor practice charge against Llama Productions over Fortnite's use of AI to replicate James Earl Jones' voice as Darth Vader. The union argues that the agreement to use Jones' voice does not extend to other voice actors who have played the character. SAG-AFTRA is concerned that the use of AI voices will replace the work of human performers. The charge was filed with the National Labor Relations Board, which will review the complaint and potentially investigate. Fortnite had announced the feature, which allows players to have conversations with Darth Vader, earlier in the week.

Voice Actor Union Files Complaint Over AI Darth Vader

The Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) has filed an unfair labor practice charge against Epic Games over the use of an AI-voiced Darth Vader NPC in Fortnite. The complaint alleges that Epic Games failed to bargain in good faith with SAG-AFTRA's video game actors and made unilateral changes to terms and conditions of employment. The union is concerned that the use of AI voices will replace the work of human performers. The charge was filed with the National Labor Relations Board, which will review the complaint and potentially investigate.

SAG-AFTRA Files Complaint Over AI-Generated Darth Vader Voice

SAG-AFTRA has filed an unfair labor practice charge against Llama Productions, a subsidiary of Epic Games, over the use of AI to generate Darth Vader's voice in Fortnite. The union argues that the company replaced actors' work without notice or bargaining. SAG-AFTRA is concerned that the use of AI voices will replace the work of human performers. The charge was filed with the National Labor Relations Board, which will review the complaint and potentially investigate. The union has been on strike for around 10 months over issues including the use of AI in video games.

Arctic Wolf Report Reveals AI as Top Cybersecurity Concern

Arctic Wolf has released its 2025 Trends Report, which reveals that AI is now the leading cybersecurity concern for security and IT leaders. The report found that 29% of security leaders cited AI, large language models, and privacy issues as their top concern, surpassing ransomware and malware. The report also found that breaches are common, with 52% of respondents confirming a breach in the past year. Arctic Wolf's report highlights the need for organizations to invest in AI-powered cybersecurity tools to stay ahead of threats.

State of AI in Cybersecurity Report Reveals Progress and Challenges

The 2025 Ponemon Institute Report on the State of AI in Cybersecurity has found that AI is becoming a critical line of defense in cybersecurity. The report found that 56% of organizations say AI has improved their ability to prioritize threats and vulnerabilities, and 51% report increased SOC efficiency. However, the report also found that only 42% of organizations rate themselves as very or highly effective in mitigating risks, vulnerabilities, and attacks. The report highlights the need for organizations to invest in AI-powered cybersecurity tools and to develop strategies to address the challenges of AI adoption.

F5 Delivers Scalable and Secure Cloud-Native Network Functionality

F5 has unveiled its BIG-IP Next Cloud-Native Network Functions (CNF) 2.0, a solution that enhances the capabilities of the F5 Application Delivery and Security Platform (ADSP) for large-scale cloud-native applications. The solution provides scalable, resource-efficient, and secure network functionality for telecommunications service providers, internet service providers, cloud service providers, and large enterprises. F5 BIG-IP Next CNF 2.0 helps organizations revolutionize high-bandwidth operations and mitigate modern security threats.

Generative AI Makes Social Engineering More Dangerous

Generative AI is making social engineering more dangerous and harder to detect. AI models can generate technically perfect prose in virtually all major world languages, concealing some of the most obvious social-engineering tells and fooling more victims. AI can also write phishing messages much faster than a person can, with some models able to generate an effective phishing email in just five minutes. Experts warn that AI-powered social engineering attacks could become a major threat in the near future.

Startup Claims 50% Energy Savings with Reversible Computing Chip

A startup working on a 'reversible computing' chip for AI claims that initial tests show a 50% energy savings. The chip is designed to reduce energy consumption and increase efficiency in AI applications. The startup's claims have not been independently verified, but the technology has the potential to make a significant impact on the energy consumption of AI systems.

Google Offers AI Certification for Business Leaders

Google is offering a new AI certification for business leaders, designed to help them strategically adopt and lead generative AI efforts. The certification, called the Google Cloud Generative AI Leader certification, is available for $99 and can be taken online or on-site. Google is also offering a free learning path on Google Cloud Skills Boost to help users prepare for the exam and learn about the benefits of generative AI.

North Korean Firm Unveils AI-Powered Smartphone

A North Korean firm has unveiled a new AI-powered smartphone at the Pyongyang trade fair. The phone, called the Sujongchon 3010, features AI-based facial beautification for photos and image compression. The phone is part of North Korea's efforts to develop its domestic technology industry and reduce its reliance on foreign imports.

Microsoft to Add Anthropic's AI Coding Agent to GitHub

Microsoft is adding an AI coding agent from Anthropic to its GitHub service. The agent, which can carry out software development tasks such as fixing bugs, will be available to GitHub users. Microsoft is also offering a coding agent from OpenAI, as part of its efforts to provide more AI-powered tools to developers.

AI Advances Are Accelerating, But We're Not Ready

AI is improving at a rapid pace, but many people are not aware of the extent of the advancements. Experts warn that the economic and societal impact of AI could be massive, and that we need to be prepared for the changes that AI will bring. The US government has rescinded regulations on AI development, and tech companies are increasingly focused on the potential benefits of AI rather than the risks.

Apple to Open AI Models to Developers

Apple is planning to open its AI models to developers, in an effort to spur the creation of new apps and services. The move is seen as a significant shift in Apple's approach to AI, and could potentially lead to a wide range of new applications and use cases. Apple has not yet announced details of the plan, but it is expected to be a major development in the field of AI.

Sources

AI Cybersecurity Generative AI Reversible Computing Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning