Following CrowdStrike’s faulty update only affecting Microsoft Windows systems (because the update was specific to the Windows operating system), it’s been reported that Microsoft claims that an agreement with the EU means it’s not allowed to protect its operating system (OS) in the same way as Apple. The agreement with the EU relates to Microsoft not being able to give its own security software an unfair advantage over third-party apps.

Following a complaint (antitrust) to the European Commission in 2009, Microsoft says it agreed to give security software makers the same level of access to Windows that Microsoft itself gets. This, says Microsoft, contrasts with Apple’s situation.

Although Apple doesn’t allow security apps to have the same deep-level access to its OS, the macOS does the same type of monitoring as CrowdStrike for itself.

However, critics may say that CrowdStrike’s tools can’t operate at the same depth on a Mac as they can on Windows because Apple’s Endpoint Security Framework prevents it from doing so. Microsoft could have taken the same approach. Also, it could be argued by some, that Microsoft may only have itself to blame to an extent having only been made to make agreements following the outcome of antitrust cases and investigations relating to unfair advantages as judged by the EC.

A British Medical Journal report has warned people to beware of AI deepfake videos purporting to feature popular TV doctors selling scam products. Doctors featured in the deepfake videos being used to sell scam medical cures on social media include Hilary Jones, the late Michael Mosley and Rangan Chatterjee.

Hilary Jones, one of the UK’s most recognisable doctors, reported on the BMJ website that “Some of the products that are currently being promoted using my name include those that claim to fix blood pressure and diabetes, along with hemp gummies with names like Via Hemp Gummies, Bouncy Nutrition, and Eco Health.”

Many of the deepfake videos have been posted on Meta’s Facebook and Instagram platforms and it’s been reported that Meta has said it will investigate the videos highlighted in the BMJ report.

The BMJ advises anyone encountering such a video to leave a comment questioning its authenticity, and to report it to platform it’s been posted on.

German startup CargoKite has developed what it calls the “sailing ship of the 21st century” which uses a large kite to pull the vessel along, thereby providing sustainable, clean power.

Why? 

The new wind-powered micro-ships, developed by CargoKite and Lomar’s corporate venture lab have been designed to tackle a variety of challenges for today’s shipping, including:

– Ships run on heavy fuel oil (the dirtiest fuel in the world), making global shipping responsible for nearly 1 Gigatonne of CO2 emissions per year (more than all of Germany combined). Although freight ship owners and operators worldwide are working towards improved efficiencies and cleaner fuels, these actions are unlikely to be enough to meet targets for emissions reduction set by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). This means that heavy fuel oil-powered freight ships in their current form are not sustainable and are contributing to the climate crisis.

– Ultra-Large Vessels stacked high with containers may be cost-efficient, but only 5 per cent of ports have sufficient infrastructure to accommodate them. On all other routes, small, less cost-efficient ships are in use, which can double transport costs.

– Just one incident such as a (large) ship getting stuck in the Suez Canal or a labour strike in a port shutting down major parts of global shipping leads to massive congestion and can cost £billions in just a few days.

– Having to serve thousands of customers with a single ship makes individualised routing and just-in-time delivery very difficult for shipping companies, forcing cargo owners to keep expensive inventory.

– 98 per cent of ports are not directly connected and time intensive stop-offs and transshipments can slow things down and add unnecessary transportation time.

Are CargoKite Micro Ships The Answer? 

CargoKite believes the answer to these challenges is to develop the new ship class of ‘micro ships’ using large kite systems as the main method of propulsion and cutting-edge AI for autonomous operation.

The Kite 

The main propulsion system for the new CargoKite ships is an advanced kite that flies at altitudes between 100 and 300 metres. These are heights where the wind is stronger and more consistent, enabling the kite to effectively pull the ship using wind energy alone.

How The New Ship Design Meets The Other Challenges 

The design of the new CargoKite ship is able to meet the challenges of today’s freight vessels in the following ways:

– Reducing heavy fuel oil dependency. Having a wind-powered kite as the main propulsion method eliminates the need for heavy fuel oil. By relying on renewable wind energy instead, the new CargoKite ship is 100 per cent emission-free and is a sustainable alternative that aligns with global emissions reduction targets set by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

– Accessing a broader range of ports (micro ships are smaller). Unlike ultra-large vessels that require substantial port infrastructure, CargoKite’s micro ships are designed to be small (carrying only 16 containers each) and autonomous, enabling them to access a broader range of ports, including those with limited facilities. This decentralised approach allows for more flexible and cost-effective shipping routes, reducing dependency on the 5 per cent of ports capable of handling larger vessels, thus lowering overall transport costs.

– Minimising congestion and disruption risks. CargoKite’s fleet of smaller, autonomous ships reduces the risk of massive congestion caused by incidents like the Suez Canal blockage. These micro ships can operate independently and flexibly, providing more resilience to the global shipping network. By avoiding the bottlenecks associated with larger vessels and major ports, they ensure more reliable and uninterrupted cargo transport, even in the face of disruptions. They also offer 1.5x higher operation speed, no unnecessary stops (direct transport), and no transshipment, thereby enabling up to 40 per cent time savings compared to today’s transport times.

– Enabling individualised routing and Just-in-Time (JIT) delivery. The small, autonomous nature of CargoKite ships allows for more tailored and on-demand shipping services / an individualised  taxi-like service for cargo to replace today’s fixed schedules. This means they can travel any route, on-demand, and are fully traceable and just-in-time for cargo owners of every size, from startup to corporate, thereby reducing the need for cargo owners to maintain expensive inventories. This flexibility supports modern supply chain demands and enhances operational efficiency.

– Enhancing direct connectivity between ports. CargoKite’s ships are designed for direct point-to-point transport, which minimises the need for time-intensive stop-offs and transshipments. This improves overall efficiency by reducing unnecessary delays, thus shortening transportation times.

CargoKite says that shifting the paradigm from large inflexible freight ships to small autonomous, kite-powered micro ships is the cheapest way to fully decarbonise commercial freight shipping.

Reframing Port and Maritime Logistics 

Stylianos Papageorgiou, Managing Director of Lomar labs, the company partnering CargoKite to produce the micro ships says: “This radical new ship type has the potential to reframe the way port and maritime logistics are organised. It brings a paradigm shift to operations, which is only now becoming possible thanks to advances made in automation technologies. In addition, it promises to be a groundbreaking decarbonisation solution for shipping.”

Marcus Bischoff, Co-Founder & CTO of CargoKite says: “This collaboration aims to develop sea transport that is not only 100 per cent emission-free, but also supports the goals of modern supply chains: customisation, just-in-time delivery, full transparency and cost savings”. 

What Does This Mean For Your Business? 

The introduction of CargoKite’s kite-powered micro ships could deliver an important shift for businesses reliant on maritime logistics. By leveraging sustainable wind energy, these innovative vessels provide a 100 per cent emission-free alternative to traditional heavy fuel oil-powered ships, aligning with global environmental targets and significantly reducing the carbon footprint of shipping operations. For businesses, this not only means compliance with stricter environmental regulations but also an opportunity to enhance their green credentials, appealing to an increasingly eco-conscious market.

CargoKite’s micro ships also appear to offer practical solutions to several longstanding logistical challenges. For example, their smaller size and autonomy enable access to a wider range of ports, including those with limited infrastructure, which traditionally could not accommodate ultra-large vessels. This expanded accessibility could lower transportation costs and provide more flexible routing options, ensuring that goods reach their destinations more efficiently and with fewer delays.

Also, the resilience and flexibility of a fleet of smaller, autonomous ships could mitigate the risks associated with major disruptions in the shipping industry, such as the disruption, congestion and economic losses caused by the Suez Canal blockage or port strikes. These sorts of issues are less likely to impact a network of decentralised, agile vessels, thereby enhancing the reliability of supply chains, ensuring smoother operations even in the face of unexpected challenges.

CargoKite’s model also appears to support modern supply chain demands through its ability to provide individualised routing and just-in-time delivery services. This adaptability could reduce the need for maintaining large, expensive inventories and allow businesses to respond swiftly to market changes. The direct point-to-point transport capability could further reduce unnecessary delays, ensuring faster and more predictable delivery times.

Integrating CargoKite’s sustainable, flexible, and efficient shipping solutions, therefore, could revolutionise how businesses manage their maritime logistics. By adopting these innovative micro ships, companies may be able to achieve significant cost savings, enhance operational efficiency, and demonstrate a strong commitment to sustainability.

How to get AI to write Instagram Captions for you by reviewing photos …

When Google closes its URL Shortener service next year, this could leave many web pages with ‘link rot’ (a 404 error page where the shortened link once worked). Here we look at how you can find and fix link rot in your web pages, maintain a good user experience, and avoid re-direct problems and the negative search engine ranking issues that can come from broken links:

Scan for Broken Links

– Use tools like Google Search Console, Screaming Frog, or Ahrefs to identify broken links.

Identify Shortened URLs

– List all URLs shortened by services like Google’s URL Shortener (find them using resources such as Screaming Frog or Ahrefs).

Update Links

– Replace broken links with correct URLs or relevant alternatives.

Implement 301 Redirects

– Redirect users from broken links to correct URLs using your website’s .htaccess file or CMS.

Monitor Regularly

– Schedule regular scans to catch new broken links.

Create a Custom 404 Page

– Help users find information with a search bar and links to popular pages.

Maintain External Links

– Request updates from webmasters of sites linking to your broken URLs.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has announced a public preview of its new AI-powered AWS App Studio which it says uses natural language to create enterprise-grade applications in minutes, without requiring software development skills.

What Is It? 

AWS App Studio is a newly launched platform by Amazon Web Services (AWS) designed to enable users to create custom applications quickly using AI. It offers an intuitive interface that simplifies application development, making it accessible even to those without extensive programming experience. For example, users can simply have a conversation with it about the app they want to create, and AWS App Studio will create it (no coding skills needed). In short, it helps organisations to build end-to-end custom applications quickly and easily.

Who’s It For? 

AWS says its App Studio is aimed at a broad range of users, including IT project managers, data engineers, and enterprise architects. For example, it can help:

– Business professionals who need to develop enterprise-grade applications without extensive coding skills.

– Developers and IT teams looking to streamline the application development process.

– Startups and SMEs who require rapid deployment of custom applications to meet business needs.

What Can AWS App Studio Do? 

Some of the key features and benefits of AWS App Studio that make it so promising include:

– It’s AI-driven, i.e. it utilises artificial intelligence to help users build applications in minutes, thereby significantly reducing development time, and enabling them to make custom apps.

– It has governance tools built in. This ensures oversight and compliance during the application development process, which is crucial for enterprise environments, and can save time and trouble later. For example, unlike other rapid app development platforms (sometimes accused of flooding the market with low-quality or cloned apps), AWS App Studio is designed for internal enterprise usage and includes robust guardrails / governance tools. These help to ensure app quality and security, protecting businesses from creating apps that could breach internal regulations or compromise security. Consequently, AWS App Studio may not only facilitate rapid app development but also maintain high standards of quality and compliance. It may also reduce the likelihood of producing “throwaway apps” and enhancing overall business productivity.

– There’s a low-code/no-code interface. This means that users with minimal coding experience can create applications, thereby democratising the app development process. AWS says that most low-code tools tend to have a steep learning curve with a requirement for platform-specific knowledge, and the apps that users build often don’t meet their company’s security requirements. Simply being able to have a conversation with generative AI to precisely tailor an app is, therefore, likely to be a serious improvement.

– As may be expected from an AWS product, it Integrates seamlessly with other AWS Services, thereby providing some robust support and scalability options.

A Challenge to OpenAI’s GPT Store? 

Some commentators have highlighted the fact that AWS App Studio could challenge OpenAI’s GPT Store. OpenAI’s GPT Store, introduced in early 2023, is a platform that allows users to access and deploy pre-trained GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) models for various applications. The GPT Store offers a range of models tailored for specific tasks such as content generation, customer support, coding assistance, and more. Users can integrate these models into their own applications through APIs, providing advanced AI capabilities without needing to develop or train models from scratch.

Being a fast and easy-to-use generative AI-based app creation tool, the AWS app studio is likely to have broad appeal. Also, the fact that it integrates with other AWS services could make it attractive to enterprises already using AWS, and its built-in governance and compliance could help businesses needing to adhere to strict regulatory standards. In contrast, however, although OpenAI’s GPT Store focuses on providing powerful AI models that can be easily integrated into various applications, it doesn’t appear offer the same level of integration with a broader cloud service ecosystem or the same governance tools out-of-the-box.

What Does This Mean For Your Business? 

In terms of its implications for businesses, AWS App Studio offers a range of benefits, including increased productivity, cost efficiency, and scalability. For example, by enabling rapid prototyping and deployment of apps, businesses can enhance their agility and responsiveness to market changes. This ability to quickly adapt and innovate could help bring significant improvements in productivity. Also, AWS App Studio reduces the need for extensive developer resources, which could translate into substantial cost savings for businesses. The platform’s scalability may also allow applications to grow alongside the business, supporting expansion efforts seamlessly.

For AWS, the introduction of its new App Studio is an opportunity for market expansion, particularly among non-developers and small to medium-sized businesses. By providing a user-friendly, AI-driven application development platform, AWS is likely hoping to attract a broader user base. This move could strengthen AWS’s already significant competitive edge in the cloud services market by offering a unique, value-adding tool that combines AI with app development. As businesses adopt AWS App Studio, it is likely to drive increased usage of other AWS services, thereby contributing to overall revenue growth.

By offering a user-friendly, AI-driven application development platform, therefore, AWS has the potential to significantly impact the market, challenging existing solutions and providing substantial benefits to both users and AWS, positioning AWS as a more attractive option for a wide range of businesses.