The Double-Edged Sword of Generative AI

Generative AI is like a magic coin for businesses. On one side, it unlocks incredible opportunities for innovation and creativity. On the other side, it throws open the doors to a whole new level of cyber risk. The race to adopt this powerful tool is happening at breakneck speed, but a dark cloud hangs over it – the ever-present threat of cybercrime.

In today’s world, where it’s increasingly difficult to tell real from fake, cybercriminals are using generative AI to launch sophisticated social engineering attacks and spread misinformation like wildfire. While AI has the potential to revolutionize creative and analytical work, the risks it poses are still a bit of a mystery.

Think about phishing emails. Now imagine them crafted by AI, so convincing they look like they came straight from your boss. No more typos, no grammatical errors – just perfectly written emails designed to trick you into clicking that malicious link. It’s enough to make your head spin.

And it doesn’t stop there. AI can also create profile pictures that are indistinguishable from the real thing. Deepfake videos, once the stuff of science fiction, are now entering the game, blurring the lines between reality and fabrication in a way that’s downright scary.

The Rise of the AI-Powered Scammer

Armed with these powerful tools, cybercriminals are creating believable online personas that allow them to reach you anywhere – on social media, through email, even on live calls. While generative AI’s role in social engineering is still young, it’s clear that it’s going to have a massive impact on the cybercrime landscape in the coming years. Here’s what we can expect in 2024:

• Tech Skills No Longer Required? Forget needing to be a computer whiz to be a cybercriminal. The rise of easy-to-use AI tools means almost anyone can create convincing phishing emails or malicious scripts. AI models are also getting better at mimicking human behavior and personalizing content, making AI-generated scams even harder to spot.
• The Open-Source Threat: Open-source AI models are another big concern. Unlike their closed-source counterparts with built-in safety features, these models can be customized and used for malicious purposes without any restrictions. This opens the door for cybercrime groups to develop their own custom AI tools, creating a never-ending cycle of innovation in the dark web.
• Live Deepfakes Become a Reality: Deepfakes aren’t just science fiction anymore. They’re a real threat, and recent attacks show just how devastating they can be. Imagine a live video call where a scammer perfectly mimics your CEO’s voice to steal millions. It’s happening, and it’s only going to get worse. While real-time deepfakes still face some technical hurdles, AI’s ability to mimic voices and writing styles is already a major concern.

Fighting Back in the Age of AI

So how do we fight back against this tide of AI-powered scams? The answer lies in being proactive. Here’s what we can do:

• AI vs. AI: We can use AI for good too! Security teams are using AI to detect and block sophisticated phishing attempts before they reach your inbox.
• Thinking Like a Hacker: By understanding how cybercriminals operate and the tools they use, security professionals can stay one step ahead. Red-teaming exercises and offensive security strategies are crucial in this fight.
• Educating Ourselves: The most powerful defense is an informed workforce. By training employees to spot the red flags of AI-powered scams, we can create a more secure digital landscape.

The digital world is constantly evolving, and with it, the tactics of cybercriminals. In the age of generative AI, learning to identify synthetic media and misinformation is more important than ever. By working together and leveraging the power of AI for good, we can navigate the complexities of cybersecurity and stay safe online.

Super Stylish and Built to Last

We’ve revamped the design of the Pixel 8a to make it even more comfortable to hold. It’s got smooth curves, a cool matte back, and a sleek aluminum frame. Plus, it’s our toughest A-Series phone yet, so you won’t have to worry about dropping it or spilling your coffee on it. The screen is amazing too – it’s 40% brighter than the Pixel 7a’s and super smooth for scrolling thanks to the 120Hz refresh rate.

We’ve got some awesome new colors for you to choose from, including a limited-edition Aloe green! There’s also Bay, Obsidian, and Porcelain. And for the first time ever, you can get a Pixel 8a with a whopping 256GB of storage, so there’s enough space for all your photos, videos, and apps.

Effortless Photography with a Powerful Camera

The Pixel 8a takes incredible photos, thanks to its double rear camera system with a 64-megapixel main lens and a 13-megapixel ultrawide lens. The front-facing camera is pretty awesome too, with a wide field-of-view to fit everyone in your selfies.

And that Google Tensor G3 chip we mentioned? It works its magic on your photos and videos with AI tools like Best Take, which helps you pick the group shot where everyone looks amazing, and Magic Eraser, which lets you zap unwanted objects out of your pictures (like that photobombing squirrel!). Audio Magic Eraser is another cool feature that gets rid of distracting background noise in your videos, so you can hear everything perfectly.

Your New AI Assistant: Gemini

The Pixel 8a comes with a built-in AI assistant called Gemini that’s here to help you with all sorts of stuff. Need to brainstorm ideas for a trip? Want help writing a quick email? Gemini can handle it all! You can type, talk, or even add images to get the help you need.

Another cool feature is Circle to Search. Ever see something on your screen and want to know more about it? Just draw a circle around it and Pixel 8a will search the web for you. Plus, Pixel Call Assist makes calls easier with features like Call Screen, which helps you screen out spam calls, and Clear Calling, which reduces background noise so you can hear the other person loud and clear. And to add a little fun to your calls, you can now use Audio Emojis to send reactions with sound effects!

Keeping Your Family Safe Online

Setting up a Pixel 8a for your kids is a breeze now, with easier controls than ever before. Family Link lets you manage their screen time, privacy settings, and location, so you can keep them safe online.

Security You Can Trust

Pixel 8a takes security seriously. It’s powered by the latest Google Tensor G3 chip and the Titan M2 security chip, so your data is always protected. Plus, you’ll get software updates and security patches for seven years, keeping your phone safe and up-to-date for years to come.

Ready to Upgrade?

Pre-orders for the Pixel 8a are open now, starting at just $499. You can also pre-order on Google Fi Wireless and get a sweet deal where you get the cost of the phone back over 24 months.

The Pixel family is growing too! The Pixel Tablet is now available in Spain and Italy, and there are new features coming soon like Circle Search and the Gemini app. You can even get a Pixel Tablet for free with an eligible trade-in!

Both the Pixel 8a and Pixel Tablet are available for pre-order now and will hit stores on May 14th

Bentley Motors reveals the third coachbuilt Bentley of the modern era – the Batur Convertible. Created by Mulliner, Bentley’s in house bespoke division and the longest standing coachbuilder in the world, the Batur Convertible follows the exquisitely hand-crafted Bacalar barchetta and Batur coupe. With the Batur Convertible, Mulliner continues its long tradition of crafting truly individual cars, tailored to the wishes of each of its extraordinary clients.

The Batur Convertible furthers the innovative design DNA introduced by its coupe sibling that will ultimately guide the design of Bentley’s future cars. The Batur Convertible retains the most powerful version of Bentley’s iconic W12, with a 750 PS, hand-assembled 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged engine that has metaphorically and literally powered Bentley’s success for the last two decades. With the engine to finish production this summer, the Batur Convertible will be one of the last ever Bentleys to use this incredible powertrain.

Bespoke two-seat grand touring

Bentley has a rich history of open-cockpit cars, from the very first Bentley of 1919, through the company’s foundation years in the 1920s, to the most recent – the Bacalar. The architecture of the Batur Convertible has allowed Mulliner’s designers to seize the opportunity to create a theme that not only blends the design of the Bacalar and Batur but includes the usability of a convertible. The designers also chose to highlight the two-seater character with a ‘wraparound’ cockpit inspired by the design of the Bacalar.

The dramatic ‘airbridge’ behind the seats and tapered cowls at the rear hark back to the barchetta sports cars of old, whilst underlining the promise of a dynamic, driver-focused adventure in a cosseting, cocooned environment. The airbridge and tapered cowls are not only aesthetic, but also provide a semi-enclosed luggage compartment behind the two front seats.

The convertible roof delivers an aesthetic of beauty as a modern, tactile alternative to a hardtop roof. A combination of insulation material, sealing system refinements and acoustic treatments create a cossetting environment in a system which can be deployed or stowed in just 19 seconds, with the car travelling at speeds of up to 30 mph (50 km/h), transforming the car from a luxurious coupe into an open-top Grand Tourer at the touch of a button.

Personal and uniquely commisioned

Mulliner’s in-house design team will help co-create every Batur Convertible with its customer, working together through a specially created Mulliner visualiser that allows any part of the car to be customised in colour and surface finish. Endless samples of unique materials bring texture to the process, and the resulting designs will be truly individual and created by the customer – limited only by their imagination.

Customers will be able to specify the colour and finish of practically every surface of the Batur Convertible, to create a car as individual as they are. Beyond the exterior form of the car lies an almost endless array of choices for each car’s future owner to make.

Paint choice is infinite – starting with the full Mulliner colour palette and travelling beyond into fully bespoke paint and even hand-painted graphics. The exterior brightware can be any mix of light and dark, satin or gloss or even titanium. Another subtle option available is a graduated contrast colour to the front grille, for a vibrant ombre effect.

The Batur Convertible offers further areas to personalise with the unique Airbridge, tonneau cover and roof materials being able to be specified to complement the rest of the cabin and exterior.

In the cabin, the highly exclusive option of 3D printed rose gold includes key driver touch points, such as the Bentley Drive Mode Selector, encircling the start/stop button and used to change chassis modes. The centrepiece of an exquisite cabin, the dial complements the design of the front grille. Rose gold can also applied to Bentley’s iconic Organ Stop vent controls in the dashboard, as well as a rose gold insert marker on the steering wheel itself.

Bentley Mulliner has collaborated with expert goldsmiths based in the historic Jewellery Quarter of Birmingham, England, where jewellery has been made for centuries, to craft the unique parts. This special collaboration highlights Bentley’s ability to combine new, advanced manufacturing technologies with more traditional materials and finishing techniques.

Exclusive and powerful

Each Batur Convertible will be handcrafted over the course of several months in Mulliner’s workshop at Bentley’s carbon neutral factory in Crewe, England. Production will be limited to just 16 pieces, each among the last ever Bentleys to be powered by the company’s iconic W12 engine, in its most potent iteration.

For the W12 powertrain that the Batur Convertible shares with its coupe counterpart, a revised intake system, upgraded turbochargers, new intercoolers and extensive recalibration enables 750 PS and 1,000 Nm of torque, to deliver exceptional performance for this pinnacle grand tourer. This development of the engine is in celebration of its achievements over 20 years, over which time it has been developed to produce nearly 40% more power while fuel economy has improved by 25%. The W12 is paired with Bentley’s eight-speed double-clutch transmission, and a sports exhaust to provide a soundtrack in keeping with the level of performance. The entire exhaust system is in titanium, while the finishers are 3D-printed in titanium.

Batur Convertible Car #0

The engineering development car – Batur Convertible Car #0 – has had the same level of attention to detail as a customer’s own specification. The exterior paintwork is a bespoke colour – Vermillion Gloss over Vermillion Satin Duo tone – that provides a vibrant colour across the contemporary surfaces. The bodywork is underscored by front splitters, side skirts and rear diffuser in high gloss carbon fibre.

The front of the car features a grille of exceptional art – with the main matrix finished in Gloss Dark Titanium, accented with contrast chevrons in a horizontal ombré pattern that flows from Beluga in the centre and lighten to the vibrant sides in Vermillion Gloss. The “endless bonnet” line is finished in Gloss Dark Titanium paint, as are the 22” wheels – with the spokes in Gloss and Satin Black Titanium with Vermillion Gloss accents.

Source: Bentley Motors

If a company has a presence online, it can fall victim to cyber-attacks. Few industries are safe from relentless and evolving cyber threats, and rapid advancements in AI are magnifying the problem.

Staying vigilant and up-to-date about such threats is essential. As risks increase, organisations must arm themselves with the right security measures and employee training to protect their operations and adapt to this threat landscape. It is important to monitor the problem – and know that while things seem very concerning, a combination of technical and human cyber-support can best protect any company.

Emerging attack trends in 2024: leveraging AI

Currently, threat actors are using AI for two main purposes: to steal Intellectual Property (IP) or for monetary gains, often intertwining both motives. In the LabHost example, criminals used the platform to obtain over one million passwords before it was shut down.

One of the most prevalent attack methods is phishing – Hornetsecurity’s annual report found that phishing accounted for more than 43.3% of email attacks last year. This is set to continue to grow as a result of Dark Web variants of well-known Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT. These variants, such as DarkBERT and WormGPT, can be used to create seemingly legitimate emails for phishing scams, and do this at a scale and speed a criminal could not accomplish alone.

Brand impersonation is another popular AI attack vector with familiar names such as Amazon, Microsoft, LinkedIn, FedEx, DHL and Netflix ranking among the top 10 most impersonated brands. Perpetrators frequently use tools enhanced by AI to specifically steal login credentials to carry out such impersonations. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) bypass kits are often used for this type of attack. These kits enable attackers to avoid additional security measures and steal a user’s login credentials.

Tools such as EvilProxy and W3LL typically create deceptive log-in pages that capture a user’s credentials while passing them to the real service they are attempting to log in to. In the presence of these kits, the user’s session tokens are hijacked and can then be used by attackers to continually log in to the legitimate service as an ‘authentic’ user. Criminals are increasingly exploiting public trust in legitimate popular services – as well as visual cues such as authentic company logos and design – to trick people into revealing their information, relying on trust as well as malicious AI.

The last significant and concerning use of AI by attackers is deepfakes. In a notorious case in Hong Kong, an employee was deceived into authorising a £20 million (HK$200m) payment to a person who assumed the identity and voice of a Senior Officer at the company. These advanced spoofing attacks show the unending challenges AI is producing by bypassing strong cybersecurity provisions.

From easily accessible phishing tools to MFA bypass kits and deepfake technology, it’s clear cybercriminals are using powerful AI tools to orchestrate uncanny attacks. This is a challenge to traditional cybersecurity measures, so what can companies do to combat the growing threat?

Cybersecurity strategies for AI-Powered cyberattacks

To adequately protect against cyber threats, organisations should have a multi-tiered approach (also known as “Defense in Depth”) covering common attack vectors. At Hornetsecurity, we suggest a three-pronged approach which includes mindset, toolset and skillset.

Mindset focuses on the need to highlight the personal ability of employees to enhance and maintain strong cybersecurity awareness. This includes the C-suite taking part in all training and effective communication to ensure comprehension and buy-in from all employees.

Toolset focuses on the need to introduce technologically advanced tools including next-gen malware, spam detection and blocking that incorporate AI-based machine learning, along with backup and recovery systems to support businesses in fighting against AI cyberattacks. It’s crucial businesses understand the value these products bring to keeping all data safe and secure.

Another important tactic in the fight against these attacks is skillset. This can be advanced by continuous security awareness training for all employees. While technology can go so far in protecting a business, it is always vulnerable to natural human errors. The latest next-gen training developed by Hornetsecurity establishes a sustainable security culture by helping to build and boost an organisation’s human firewall though ongoing training. It also demonstrates the value of every employee’s contribution to protecting against current and future cyberattacks.

By integrating this three-pronged approach to security strategies, businesses can have confidence in their defences.

AI presents formidable challenges in the hands of malicious actors, but it also holds immense potential for ever-evolving defensive innovation. Despite the concerning uptick in the use of AI for cyberattacks, security experts are also using generative AI technologies for positive, protective measures, such as to bolster defensive toolkits and enhance cybersecurity resilience. Initiatives such as Hornetsecurity’s Security Awareness Service exemplify this approach, using AI to help organisations best protect themselves against new and evolving cyber threats.

In this dynamic and ever-changing landscape, proactive measures are essential for staying ahead of cyber-attacks and safeguarding critical assets. While the boom in AI-enabled cybercrime is concerning, the technology can – and is – be harnessed for good, helping build a more resilient and secure digital ecosystem for all.

Article by Dr. Yvonne Bernard, Ph.D., CTO,  Hornetsecurity.

Dr. Yvonne Bernard, Ph.D., CTO,  Hornetsecurity.

Dr Yvonne Bernard is CTO at Hornetsecurity, the global provider of next-generation cloud-based security, compliance, backup, and security awareness solutions. With a Ph.D. in Computer Science, she has a technical background and is responsible for strategic and technical development in the areas of Product Development, Innovation, Research and the in-house Security Lab.

“Black Badge strongly appeals to a distinct group of clients who seek a more visceral interpretation of the Rolls-Royce experience. In its engineering, technology, materials, and design, Black Badge Cullinan Series II satisfies these clients’ keen appetite for innovation and new modes of self-expression. Cullinan’s darker alter ego has always asserted its own unique place in our product portfolio; I’m certain that this new incarnation will build on its predecessor’s success.”

Chris Brownridge, Chief Executive, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

“Black Badge Cullinan Series II reflects the changes we’ve seen in our client profile since we first launched this transformative motor car five years ago. Today, self-expression, individuality and boldness are demanded more than ever before – all attributes that form the core of the Black Badge attitude. Our creative response has matched the daring of those who commission these motor cars. The dark, primal elements that are so essential to the Black Badge character are expressed here in extremis, and are further amplified by dramatic and assertive coachwork reserved for this disruptive expression of the brand.”

Anders Warming, Director of Design, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Rolls-Royce’s disruptive alter ego, Black Badge, reached its apotheosis in Cullinan where its assertive and uncompromising attitude appeals to clients who seek the boldest forms of self-expression. Today, the marque presents a clear evolution of this subversive motor car with Black Badge Cullinan Series II.

BLACK BADGE CULLINAN SERIES II: EXTERIOR

Black Badge Cullinan Series II asserts its presence with an impactful front-end treatment. The principal differentiator is the lower air intake design. These geometrical pieces incorporate widened veins, signalling the motor car’s more urgent dynamic character. Above this is the marque’s iconic Pantheon grille, which has been illuminated for the first time across Cullinan and Black Badge Cullinan Series II. For Black Badge, the grille is finished in the series’ hallmark Black, though a silver ‘horizon line’ creates a sense of breadth and solidity while framing the motor car’s vertical daytime running lights. For clients wishing to fully cloak their motor car in darkness, this is also available in an all-black finish.

All exterior body detail elements and brightwork, including the Spirit of Ecstasy figurine, are also finished in Black. For the first time in the history of Black Badge, this now extends from the window surrounds and door spears to the door handles. Each piece is hand-prepared by the marque’s artisans: first, a light abrasive is used across the handle to provide a ‘key’ for a hardwearing primer, onto which four coats of Black paint are then applied. After curing, these pieces are individually polished to ensure that they match the rich, high-gloss coachwork of Black Badge Cullinan Series II.

Other darkened elements, including the rear tailgate and bumper accents as well as the motor car’s exhausts, are treated with a specific chrome electrolyte to achieve the mirror-black effect. This is introduced to the traditional chrome plating process and co-deposited on the stainless-steel substrate, darkening the finish. Its final thickness is just one micrometre – around one-hundredth of the width of a human hair. Each of these components is precision-polished by hand to achieve a mirror-black chrome finish before it is fitted to the motor car.

Black Badge Cullinan Series II clients are now able to extend exterior colours to all lower body surfaces, as well as the subtly enhanced lower sill, valances, and lower front bumper – a treatment reserved for Black Badge Cullinan Series II. This visually lowers the motor car, creating a more dynamic statement that further amplifies its monolithic form.

The exterior treatment is completed with 23-inch wheels – the first time wheels of this size have been offered by the marque for a Black Badge motor car. From a distance, the design appears to consist of five spokes finished in gloss-black and silver. In fact, there are 10 interwoven spokes: the visual effect is created by a carefully-orchestrated interplay between polished, painted and recessed, negative surfaces. The design also allows a clear view of the Black Badge disc brake callipers, shown in a signature Red, which can also be finished in Black, Turchese, Mandarin, or Forge Yellow.

BLACK BADGE CULLINAN SERIES II: A SUBVERSIVE INTERIOR TREATMENT

Advanced, technical materials have become a hallmark of Black Badge Rolls-Royce motor cars. For Black Badge Cullinan Series II, this theme continues. Clients expressed their appreciation of the original Black Badge Cullinan’s Technical Carbon finish – on this basis, this exquisite material has been retained for Series II. The naked-weave carbon-fibre finish has been developed to create a precise repeating pattern of geometrical shapes that create a three-dimensional effect. Each leaf of Technical Carbon is finished with six coats of lacquer before being left to cure for 72 hours then all 23 pieces are hand-polished to a mirror finish. This process takes 21 days in total.

If Individual Rear Seats are commissioned, clients can include the Black Badge family motif, known as the infinity symbol, onto the rear Technical Carbon ‘Waterfall’ section that separates the rear reclining seats and conceals the Cullinan Series II Champagne cooler. This delicate aluminium piece is placed between the third and fourth layer of six layers of subtly tinted lacquer, creating the illusion that the symbol is floating above the Technical Carbon. In Lounge Seat configuration, the infinity symbol is embroidered.

The seats themselves are available to commission in the marque’s stunning new Duality Twill textile, a new rayon fabric made from bamboo and inspired by the extensive bamboo grove in Le Jardin des Méditerranées on the Côte d’Azur, which neighbours Sir Henry Royce’s former winter home, Villa Mimosa. The twill textile is embroidered with an artistic ‘Duality’ graphic. Based on an abstract interpretation of the two interlinked letter R initials of the marque’s founders, the design reflects a clear nautical influence, reminiscent of the interweaving rope lines found on sailing yachts – another subtle allusion to the French Riviera.

A complete Duality Twill interior of the intricately embroidered textile incorporates up to 2.2 million stitches and 11 miles of thread. This exquisite material can be further dramatised with bold Bespoke colourways, further enhancing this remarkable new finish for Black Badge clients.

Placed Perforation seating can also be incorporated into this bold expression of Cullinan. Up to 107,000 0.8- and 1.2-millimetre perforations are made onto the seat leather, creating an abstract pattern, inspired by the constantly changing shapes and shadows of the clouds over the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood in the twilight hours.

The dark ambience of Black Badge continues with the interior metals. Air vent surrounds on the dashboard and in the rear cabin are darkened using physical vapour deposition, a method of colouring metal that does not discolour or tarnish over time or through repeated use.

The subversive design principles of Black Badge motor cars have also been applied to Cullinan Series II’s unique Clock Cabinet. This inset vitrine displays both an analogue timepiece and an up-lit Spirit of Ecstasy figurine. The Spirit of Ecstasy is constructed from solid stainless steel and rendered in Black, recalling the figure that sits on the prow of Black Badge Cullinan Series II. The Clock Cabinet is flanked by Cullinan’s new Illuminated Fascia, which displays an ethereal glowing infinity symbol within the new vertical Cityscape pattern.

Black Badge Cullinan Series II is also the stage for an exclusive digital Bespoke treatment, with instrument dials now available in four neo-futuristic colourways: Vivid Grellow, Neon Nights, Cyan Fire and the kaleidoscopic-style Synth Wave.

BLACK BADGE CULLINAN SERIES II: PROVEN ENGINEERING

In Black Badge Cullinan’s first guise, clients requested that the Black Badge experience extended beyond the aesthetic treatment of the motor car. In the five years since its launch, the changes made by Rolls-Royce engineers for the 2019 motor car, which included higher capacity air springs to alleviate body roll and the addition of even greater power reserves, have become integral to this bold motor car’s appeal. Accordingly, these qualities are preserved for Black Badge Cullinan Series II, including the twin-turbocharged 6.75-litre V12 engine, which generates a total output of 600PS, and 900Nm of torque.

To exploit the additional power, the transmission and throttle remain calibrated for more immediate acceleration. The ZF eight-speed gearbox and both front- and rear-steered axles work together to adjust the levels of feedback to the driver, depending on throttle and steering inputs without compromising the motor car’s effortless ‘magic carpet ride’ experience.

Depressing the ‘Low’ button on the gear selection stalk continues to unlock further Black Badge technologies. When activated, drivers experience a change in tone and volume from the Bespoke Black Badge exhaust system, signalling that all of the 900Nm torque reserves are available from 1700rpm – just 700rpm above tick-over. Low Mode also increases the speed of gear shifts by 50% when the throttle is depressed to 90%. To fully exploit Black Badge Cullinan Series II, the brake pedal travel has been decreased to create a more immediate response to driver inputs.

A BOLD BESPOKE TREATMENT

Like its predecessor, Black Badge Cullinan Series II defines a distinct attitude and aesthetic code within the super-luxury sector. The clients who patronise this expression of the brand do so on their own terms – with Black Badge Cullinan Series II, Rolls-Royce signals its ongoing commitment to these individuals’ requirements, and their bold appreciation of luxury.

Source: Rolls-Royce

Apple unveiled the groundbreaking new iPad Pro in a stunningly thin and light design, taking portability and performance to the next level. Available in silver and space black finishes, the new iPad Pro comes in two sizes: an expansive 13-inch model and a super-portable 11-inch model. Both sizes feature the world’s most advanced display — a new breakthrough Ultra Retina XDR display with state-of-the-art tandem OLED technology — providing a remarkable visual experience. The new iPad Pro is made possible with the new M4 chip, the next generation of Apple silicon, which delivers a huge leap in performance and capabilities. M4 features an entirely new display engine to enable the precision, color, and brightness of the Ultra Retina XDR display. With a new CPU, a next-generation GPU that builds upon the GPU architecture debuted on M3, and the most powerful Neural Engine yet, the new iPad Pro is an outrageously powerful device for artificial intelligence. The versatility and advanced capabilities of iPad Pro are also enhanced with all-new accessories. Apple Pencil Pro brings powerful new interactions that take the pencil experience even further, and a new thinner, lighter Magic Keyboard is packed with incredible features. The new iPad Pro, Apple Pencil Pro, and Magic Keyboard are available to order starting today, with availability in stores beginning Wednesday, May 15.

“iPad Pro empowers a broad set of pros and is perfect for anyone who wants the ultimate iPad experience — with its combination of the world’s best displays, extraordinary performance of our latest M-series chips, and advanced accessories — all in a portable design. Today, we’re taking it even further with the new, stunningly thin and light iPad Pro, our biggest update ever to iPad Pro,” said John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Engineering. “With the breakthrough Ultra Retina XDR display, the next-level performance of M4, incredible AI capabilities, and support for the all-new Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard, there’s no device like the new iPad Pro.”

Thinnest Apple Product Ever

The new iPad Pro — the thinnest Apple product ever — features a stunningly thin and light design, taking portability to a whole new level. The 11-inch model is just 5.3 mm thin, and the 13-inch model is even thinner at a striking 5.1 mm, while both models are just as strong as the previous design. The 11-inch model weighs less than a pound, and the 13-inch model is nearly a quarter pound lighter than its predecessor — allowing pro users to extend their workflows in new ways and in more places. The new iPad Pro is available in two gorgeous finishes — silver and space black — both with 100 percent recycled aluminum enclosures.

World’s Most Advanced Display

The new iPad Pro debuts the Ultra Retina XDR, the world’s most advanced display, to provide an even more remarkable visual experience. The Ultra Retina XDR display features state-of-the-art tandem OLED technology that uses two OLED panels and combines the light from both to provide phenomenal full-screen brightness. The new iPad Pro supports an incredible 1000 nits of full-screen brightness for SDR and HDR content, and 1600 nits peak for HDR. No other device of its kind delivers this level of extreme dynamic range. Tandem OLED technology enables sub-millisecond control over the color and luminance of each pixel, taking XDR precision further than ever. Specular highlights in photos and video appear even brighter, and there’s more detail in shadows and low light than ever before on iPad — all while delivering even more responsiveness to content in motion. For pro users working in high-end, color-managed workflows or challenging lighting conditions, a new nano-texture glass option comes to iPad Pro for the first time.¹ Nano-texture glass is precisely etched at a nanometer scale, maintaining image quality and contrast while scattering ambient light for reduced glare. With its breakthrough tandem OLED technology, extreme brightness, incredibly precise contrast, brilliant colors, and nano-texture glass option, the new Ultra Retina XDR display is the world’s most advanced display, giving iPad Pro customers an unparalleled viewing experience.

Only Possible with M4

The incredibly thin and light design and game-changing display of the new iPad Pro is only possible with M4, the next generation of Apple silicon that delivers a huge leap in performance. M4 is built on second-generation 3-nanometer technology that’s even more power efficient, which is perfect for the design of the new iPad Pro. With an entirely new display engine, M4 introduces pioneering technology for the stunning precision, color, and brightness of the Ultra Retina XDR display. The new CPU offers up to four performance cores and now six efficiency cores,² with next-generation machine learning (ML) accelerators, to deliver up to 1.5x faster CPU performance over M2 in the previous-generation iPad Pro.³ M4 builds on the GPU architecture of M3 — the 10-core GPU includes powerful features like Dynamic Caching, and hardware-accelerated mesh shading and ray tracing, which come to iPad for the first time. Coupled with higher unified memory bandwidth, pro rendering apps like Octane will see up to 4x faster performance than M2.³ M4 also delivers tremendous gains and industry-leading performance per watt. Compared to M2, M4 can deliver the same performance using just half the power, and compared to the latest PC chip in a thin and light laptop, M4 can deliver the same performance using just a quarter of the power.⁴ A new advanced Media Engine includes support for AV1 decode, providing more power-efficient playback of high-resolution video experiences from streaming services.

Outrageously Powerful Device for AI

The new iPad Pro with M4 features Apple’s most powerful Neural Engine ever, capable of 38 trillion operations per second, which is 60x faster than Apple’s first Neural Engine in the A11 Bionic chip. Combined with next-generation ML accelerators in the CPU, a high-performance GPU, more memory bandwidth, and intelligent features and powerful developer frameworks in iPadOS, the Neural Engine makes the new iPad Pro an outrageously powerful device for AI. With iPad Pro with M4, users can perform AI-enabled tasks even faster, like easily isolate a subject from its background in 4K video with just a tap with Scene Removal Mask in Final Cut Pro. With this advanced level of performance, the Neural Engine in M4 is more powerful than any neural processing unit in any AI PC today.

iPadOS also has advanced frameworks like Core ML that make it easy for developers to tap into the Neural Engine to deliver phenomenal AI features locally, including running powerful diffusion and generative AI models, with great performance on device. iPad Pro also supports cloud-based solutions, enabling users to run powerful productivity and creative apps that tap into the power of AI, such as Copilot for Microsoft 365 and Adobe Firefly.

Pro Cameras

The updated camera system on the new iPad Pro delivers even more versatility, and with its rich audio from four studio-quality mics, users can shoot, edit, and share all on one device. The 12MP back camera captures vibrant Smart HDR images and video with even better color, improved textures, and detail in low light. It also now features a new adaptive True Tone flash that makes document scanning on the new iPad Pro better than ever. Using AI, the new iPad Pro automatically identifies documents right in the Camera app, and if a shadow is in the way, it instantly takes multiple photos with the new adaptive flash, stitching the scan together for a dramatically better scan.

On the front, the TrueDepth camera system moves to the landscape location on the new iPad Pro. The Ultra Wide 12MP camera with Center Stage makes the experience of video conferencing in landscape orientation even better, especially when iPad is attached to a Magic Keyboard or Smart Folio.

Pro Connectivity

iPad Pro includes a high-performance USB-C connector with support for Thunderbolt 3 and USB 4, delivering fast wired connectivity — up to 40Gb/s. Thunderbolt supports an extensive ecosystem of high-performance accessories, including external displays like the Pro Display XDR at its full 6K resolution, and external storage, all connected using high-performance cables and docks. iPad Pro supports Wi-Fi 6E for super-fast Wi-Fi connections for pro workflows on the go. Wi-Fi + Cellular models with 5G allow users to access their files, communicate with colleagues, and back up their data in a snap while on the go. Cellular models of the new iPad Pro are activated with eSIM, a more secure alternative to a physical SIM card, allowing users to quickly connect and transfer their existing plans digitally, and store multiple cellular plans on a single device. Customers can easily get connected to wireless data plans on the new iPad Pro in over 190 countries and regions around the world without needing to get a physical SIM card from a local carrier.

Apple Pencil Pro

Apple Pencil Pro features even more magical capabilities and powerful new interactions that take the Apple Pencil experience even further. A new sensor in the barrel can sense a user’s squeeze, bringing up a tool palette to quickly switch tools, line weights, and colors, all without interrupting the creative process. A custom haptic engine delivers a light tap that provides confirmation when users squeeze, use double-tap, or snap to a Smart Shape for a remarkably intuitive experience. A gyroscope allows users to roll Apple Pencil Pro for precise control of the tool they’re using. Rotating the barrel changes the orientation of shaped pen and brush tools, just like pen and paper. And with Apple Pencil hover, users can visualize the exact orientation of a tool before making a mark.

With these advanced features, Apple Pencil Pro allows users to bring their ideas to life in entirely new ways, and developers can also create their own custom interactions. Apple Pencil Pro brings support for Find My for the first time to Apple Pencil, helping users locate Apple Pencil Pro if misplaced. It pairs, charges, and is stored on the side of iPad Pro through a new magnetic interface. iPad Pro also supports Apple Pencil (USB-C), ideal for note taking, sketching, annotating, journaling, and more, at an incredible value.

All-New Magic Keyboard and Smart Folio

Designed for the new iPad Pro, an all-new thinner and lighter Magic Keyboard makes it more portable and versatile than ever. The new Magic Keyboard opens to the magical floating design that customers love, and now includes a function row for access to features like screen brightness and volume controls. It also has a gorgeous aluminum palm rest and larger trackpad that’s even more responsive with haptic feedback, so the entire experience feels just like using a MacBook. The new Magic Keyboard attaches magnetically, and the Smart Connector immediately connects power and data without the need for Bluetooth. The machined aluminum hinge also includes a USB-C connector for charging. The new Magic Keyboard comes in two colors that perfectly complement the new iPad Pro: black with a space black aluminum palm rest, and white with a silver aluminum palm rest.

The new Smart Folio for iPad Pro attaches magnetically and now supports multiple viewing angles for greater flexibility. Available in black, white, and denim, it complements the colors of the new iPad Pro.

Powerful iPadOS Features

iPadOS is packed with features that push the boundaries of what’s possible on iPad. With Reference Mode, iPadOS can precisely match color requirements of the Ultra Retina XDR display for tasks in which accurate colors and consistent image quality are critical — including review and approve, color grading, and compositing. Stage Manager enables users to work with multiple overlapping windows in a single view, resize windows, tap to switch between apps, and more. With full external display support of up to 6K, iPad Pro users can also extend their workflow, as well as use the built-in camera on an external display for enhanced video conferencing. Users can take advantage of the powerful AI capabilities in iPad Pro and intelligent features in iPadOS, including Visual Look Up, Subject Lift, Live Text, or Live Captions and Personal Voice for accessibility.

With iPadOS 17, users can customize the Lock Screen to make it more personal — taking advantage of the larger display on iPad — and interactive widgets take glanceable information further with the ability to get tasks done right in the moment with just a tap. The Notes app gives users new ways to organize, read, annotate, and collaborate on PDFs, and working with PDFs is also easier with AutoFill, which intelligently identifies and fills fields in forms.

Logic Pro for iPad 2

Logic Pro for iPad 2, available starting Monday, May 13, introduces incredible studio assistant features that augment the music-making process and provide artists help right when they need it — all while ensuring they maintain full creative control. These features include Session Players, which expand on popular Drummer capabilities in Logic to include a new Bass Player and Keyboard Player; ChromaGlow, to instantly add warmth to tracks; and Stem Splitter, to extract and work with individual parts of a single audio recording.

Final Cut Pro for iPad 2

Final Cut Pro for iPad 2, available later this spring, introduces Live Multicam, a new feature that transforms iPad into a mobile production studio, allowing users to view and control up to four connected iPhone and iPad devices wirelessly.⁵ To support Live Multicam, an all-new capture app also comes to iPad and iPhone, Final Cut Camera,⁶ giving users control over options like white balance, ISO, and shutter speed, along with monitoring tools like overexposure indicators and focus peaking. Final Cut Camera works as a standalone capture app or with Live Multicam. Final Cut Pro for iPad 2 also allows users to create or open projects from external storage, giving editors even more flexibility, and offers new content options.⁷

iPad Pro and the Environment

The new iPad Pro is designed with the environment in mind, including 100 percent recycled aluminum in the enclosure, 100 percent recycled rare earth elements in all magnets, and 100 percent recycled gold plating and tin soldering in multiple printed circuit boards. The new iPad Pro meets Apple’s high standards for energy efficiency, and is free of mercury, brominated flame retardants, and PVC. The packaging is 100 percent fiber-based, bringing Apple closer to its goal to remove plastic from all packaging by 2025.

Today, Apple is carbon neutral for global corporate operations, and by 2030, plans to be carbon neutral across the entire manufacturing supply chain and life cycle of every product.

Pricing and Availability

• Customers can order the new iPad Pro with M4 starting today, May 7, at apple.com/store, and in the Apple Store app in 29 countries and regions, including the U.S., with availability in stores beginning Wednesday, May 15.
• The new 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Pro will be available in silver and space black finishes in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB configurations.
• The 11-inch iPad Pro starts at $999 (U.S.) for the Wi-Fi model, and $1,199 (U.S.) for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model. The 13-inch iPad Pro starts at $1,299 (U.S.) for the Wi-Fi model, and $1,499 (U.S.) for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model. Additional technical specifications, including nano-texture glass options, are available at apple.com/store.
• For education, the new 11-inch iPad Pro is available for $899 (U.S.) and the 13-inch iPad Pro is $1,199 (U.S.). Education pricing is available to current and newly accepted college students and their parents, as well as faculty, staff, and home-school teachers of all grade levels. For more information, visit apple.com/us-hed/shop.
• The new Apple Pencil Pro is compatible with the new iPad Pro. It is available for $129 (U.S.). For education, Apple Pencil Pro is available for $119 (U.S.).
• Apple Pencil (USB-C) is compatible with the new iPad Pro. It is available for $79 (U.S.) and $69 (U.S.) for education.
• The new Magic Keyboard is compatible with the new iPad Pro. It is available in black and white finishes. The new 11-inch Magic Keyboard is available for $299 (U.S.) and the new 13-inch Magic Keyboard is available for $349 (U.S.), with layouts for over 30 languages. For education, the 11-inch Magic Keyboard is available for $279 (U.S.) and the 13-inch Magic Keyboard is available for $329 (U.S.).
• The new Smart Folio is available for $79 (U.S.) in black, white, and denim finishes for the new 11-inch iPad Pro and $99 (U.S.) for the new 13-inch iPad Pro.
• Logic Pro for iPad 2 is available on May 13 as a free update for existing users, and for new users, it is available on the App Store for $4.99 (U.S.) per month, or $49 (U.S.) per year, with a one-month free trial. Logic Pro for iPad 2 requires iPadOS 17.4 or later. For more information, visit apple.com/logic-pro-for-ipad.
• Final Cut Pro for iPad 2 will be available later this spring on the App Store for $4.99 (U.S.) per month, or $49 (U.S.) per year, with a one-month free trial.
• Apple offers great ways to save on the latest iPad. Customers can trade in their current iPad and get credit toward a new one by visiting the Apple Store online, the Apple Store app, or an Apple Store location. To see what their device is worth, and for terms and conditions, customers can visit apple.com/shop/trade-in.
• Customers in the U.S. who shop at Apple using Apple Card can pay monthly at 0 percent APR when they choose to check out with Apple Card Monthly Installments, and they’ll get 3 percent Daily Cash back — all upfront.

¹ Nano-texture glass is an option on the 1TB and 2TB configurations of the 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Pro models.

² iPad Pro models with 256GB or 512GB storage feature the Apple M4 chip with a 9‑core CPU. iPad Pro models with 1TB or 2TB storage feature the Apple M4 chip with a 10‑core CPU.

³ Testing was conducted by Apple in March and April 2024. See apple.com/ipad-pro for more information.

⁴ Testing was conducted by Apple in March and April 2024 using preproduction 13-inch iPad Pro (M4) units with a 10-core CPU and 16GB of RAM. Performance was measured using select industry‑standard benchmarks. PC laptop chip performance data is from testing ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED (UX3405MA) with Core Ultra 7 155H and 32GB of RAM. Performance tests are conducted using specific computer systems and reflect the approximate performance of iPad Pro.

⁵ Final Cut Pro for iPad 2 is compatible with iPad models with the M1 chip or later, and Logic Pro for iPad 2 will be available on iPad models with the A12 Bionic chip or later.

⁶ Final Cut Camera is compatible with iPhone XS and later with iOS 17.4 or later, and iPad models compatible with iPadOS 17.4 or later.

⁷ External project support requires iPadOS 17.5 or later.

Source: Apple

Threat actors are leveraging sophisticated technologies, like automated scripts and botnets, to amplify their card testing attacks, allowing them to exploit vulnerabilities at an unprecedented scale and speed. These attacks, known as enumeration attacks, inflict operational expenses and $1.1B annually in fraud losses,1 accounting for a significant portion of global fraud. To combat this threat, Visa, a leader in digital payments, announced updates to its Visa Account Attack Intelligence (VAAI) offering with the addition of the VAAI Score, a new tool that uses generative AI components to identify and score enumeration attacks. The VAAI Score, which will be available to U.S. issuers first, will help reduce fraud and operational losses by assigning each transaction with a risk score in real time to detect and prevent enumeration attacks in card-not-present (CNP) transactions.

“Enumeration can have lasting impacts on our clients and there’s an immediate need for tools that can better detect and prevent these attacks in real-time,” said Paul Fabara, Chief Risk and Client Services Officer at Visa. “With the VAAI Score, our clients now have access to real-time risk scoring that can help detect the likelihood of an enumeration attack so issuers can make more informed decisions on when to block a transaction.

Thirty three percent of enumerated accounts experienced fraud within five days of a fraudster obtaining access to their payment information2. By using generative AI, components to learn normal and abnormal transaction patterns, Visa’s VAAI Score identifies the likelihood of complex enumeration attacks in real-time to help reduce fraud without compromising the integrity of Visa’s performance and accuracy. The tool has been able to reduce the false positive rate by 85% compared to other risk models, as the VAAI Score focuses on specific signals for enumeration allowing for a stronger performance3. VAAI Score can help issuers with:

• Reduced fraud and operational losses: Helps identify complex enumeration attacks in real time which can help reduce follow-on fraud from validated accounts and operational losses due to enumeration such as customer center calls and card reissuance and help safeguard clients.
• Improved cardholder experience: Helps identify when legitimate cardholder transactions are not impacted, while giving issuers a tool to proactively decline transactions at risk for enumeration attacks.
• Real-time transaction scoring: Provides a real-time risk score in 20 milliseconds4 which can help clients in identifying enumeration and using it in their authorization decisioning when used with a rules engine.

“With access to advanced technology, fraudsters are monetizing stolen credentials faster than ever before,” said Michael Jabbara, SVP Global Head of Fraud Services, at Visa. “Enumerated transactions impact the entire ecosystem, and with the VAAI Score, we’re giving our clients a sophisticated tool that can help prevent cardholder accounts from being compromised and stop fraudulent transactions before they happen.”

The VAAI Score model has been trained on more than 15 billion VisaNet transactions and has six times the number of features compared to previous VAAI models to help better assess suspicious enumeration transactions. Visa’s approach uses noisy data to train the highly accurate real time AI model. By evaluating each CNP transaction against enumeration patterns, the new risk scoring model derives a two-digit risk score that helps predict the likelihood of enumeration to help better determine when to approve, and when to decline, transaction.

At Visa, security and reliability are top priorities year-round. Over the past five years, the company has invested more than $10 billion in technology, including to reduce fraud and increase network security. More than a thousand dedicated specialists protect Visa’s network from malware, zero-day attacks and insider threats 24x7x365. In FY23 alone, Visa helped to proactively block $40 billion in fraud5, preventing many from ever knowing they were at risk of a potential fraudulent transaction. We encourage consumers to stay alert and think about where they are shopping and who they are sharing their information with stay safe.

Source: Visa

The new BMW M4 CS invites owners to experience the inimitable M feeling in all its depth and breadth. Its distinctive character profile places it exactly midway between the new BMW M4 Competition Coupé with M xDrive (fuel consumption, combined 10.1 – 10.0 l/100 km [28.0 – 28.3 mpg imp]; CO2 emissions, combined: 229 – 226 g/km in the WLTP cycle, CO2 class: G) – complete with its recently introduced performance, design and equipment upgrades – and the 1,000-unit limited-run BMW M4 CSL special edition (fuel consumption, combined 10.1 – 9.9 l/100 km [28.0 – 28.5 mpg imp]; CO2 emissions, combined: 227 – 224 g/km in the WLTP cycle, CO2 class: G). The pure-bred performance talents of the new BMW M4 CS are the product of M-typical racing genes, which offer constant reminders of their presence in everyday driving on the road and enjoy full expression out on the track.

The model-specific performance characteristics of the six-cylinder in-line engine in the BMW M4 CS, an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission and M xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive imbue the new special edition with dynamic poise and assurance in any situation. Instantaneous power delivery and optimised traction enable acceleration of 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.4 seconds. In testing at the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife circuit – the ultimate barometer for all BMW M cars when it comes to the signature M recipe of dynamic potency, agility and handling precision – the new BMW M4 CS recorded an official and notarised time of 7 min. 21.989 sec. for the full 20.832-kilometre (12.943-mile) lap.

Six-cylinder in-line engine developed for motor sport .

The race-focused character of the new BMW M4 CS is immediately recognisable and a noticeable companion over every journey. The special edition is powered by a particularly muscular version of the high-revving six-cylinder in-line engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology developed for the BMW M3/BMW M4 range. The 3.0-litre unit has had track performance as its raison d’être from day one of its development. Indeed, it also provides the basis for the engine in the BMW M4 GT3, which won the DTM touring car title in 2022 at the first time of asking and followed that up in 2023 with overall victories at the 24-hour races in Spa-Francorchamps and Dubai.

The engine in the new BMW M4 CS therefore also benefits from the development expertise of BMW M GmbH and the many years of racing experience that underpin it. The engine has an extremely rigid crankcase, which features a sleeve-free, closed-deck construction and is designed to handle very high combustion pressure. The forged lightweight crankshaft also displays exceptional torsional resistance, which plays a role in giving the engine its rapid power delivery and appetite for revs. The wire-arc sprayed iron coating of the likewise weight-saving cylinder bores reduces frictional losses. The cylinder head, meanwhile, has a 3D-printed core. This additive manufacturing process allows the coolant ducts to be routed in an optimum arrangement for temperature management that would be impossible to achieve using conventional metal casting methods. And the system of oil supply – like the cooling system – is designed to handle the specific challenges of track use, including consistently high revs and extreme lateral acceleration.

Bespoke performance characteristics, distinctive sound.

Racing technology provides the foundations for the extraordinary potential of the six-cylinder in-line engine, which produces maximum output of 405 kW/550 hp from under the bonnet of the new BMW M4 CS. This represents a 15 kW/20 hp increase over the figures achieved by the engine in the BMW M4 Competition Coupé with M xDrive. The power boost was achieved through targeted revisions to the engine’s M TwinPower Turbo technology and required no concessions in terms of stability or durability. The adjustments primarily involved raising the maximum charge pressure of the two mono-scroll turbochargers to 2.1 bar and making some model-specific tweaks to the engine management.

The upgrades also produce a very specific take on familiar M performance characteristics, with instantaneous power delivery that continues unabated through to the upper echelons of the rev range a particularly dominant theme. The engine in the new BMW M4 CS puts its peak torque of 650 Nm (479 lb-ft) on tap from just 2,750 rpm up to 5,950 rpm. It develops maximum output at 6,250 rpm and has a 7,200 rpm red line. Contributing to the excellent engine response is a model-specific engine mounting with increased spring rates. The rigid connection between the power unit and the vehicle’s structure enables particularly direct transmission of its power to the drivetrain every time the driver presses the accelerator.

The instantly available power and high-revving character of the engine pave the way for imposing acceleration figures. The new BMW M4 CS dashes from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3.4 seconds, while 0 to 200 km/h (124 mph) takes 11.1 seconds. The mid-range sprint from 80 to 120 km/h (50 – 75 mph) is dealt with in 2.6 seconds in 4th gear and in 3.3 seconds in 5th gear. The top speed of the special edition – which comes as standard with the M Driver’s Package – is electronically limited to 302 km/h (188 mph).

The engine’s power delivery is accompanied by the emotionally stirring soundtrack generated by the dual-branch exhaust system, which features electrically controlled flaps, a titanium rear silencer with weight-minimising design and – in customary M fashion – two pairs of tailpipes painted in matt Black. The engine’s acoustic presence adjusts to the powertrain setting selected via the M Setup menu. In SPORT and SPORT+ modes, the engine note gains unmissable racing car undertones. This injects genuine aural drama into proceedings, particularly during gear changes and the accompanying adjustments in rev speed.

Eight-speed M Steptronic transmission, M xDrive and active M differential convert outstanding power into imposing performance.

The engine’s drive torque is relayed to all four wheels of the new BMW M4 CS via an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic. This is operated using either the M-specific gear selector lever on the centre console or the carbon-fibre shift paddles on the steering wheel. The Drivelogic button integrated into the selector lever allows the driver to alter the transmission’s shift characteristics as desired, with a choice of settings available: one comfort-oriented, one for sports performance and one optimised specifically for track use.

The engine’s power is channelled onto the road by the M xDrive system. This intelligent all-wheel-drive technology uses an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch in the transfer case to distribute the engine’s power smoothly between the front and rear wheels – and so maximise traction, agility and directional stability in any situation. The multi-plate clutch’s oil supply has been optimised to ensure the all-wheel-drive system continues to perform effectively even during ultra-intense track sessions.

The M xDrive system’s rear-wheel bias and the way it teams up with the Active M Differential at the rear axle – whose operation is also fully variable – add to the signature M feeling when accelerating or powering through corners. Furthermore, the M Setup menu allows 4WD Sport mode to be selected, which directs an even greater proportion of the engine’s torque to the rear wheels. Drivers can also switch off the DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) system altogether and engage pure rear-wheel drive via 2WD mode. This engages skilled drivers in the driving experience to an even more intense degree.

Model-specific tuning for the chassis technology and control systems

The chassis technology for the new BMW M4 CS has been tuned precisely to the performance characteristics of the engine, the overall vehicle concept and its weight distribution. The individually tuned axle kinematics and bespoke wheel camber settings, dampers, auxiliary springs and anti-roll bars serve to optimise steering precision, transmission of lateral control forces when cornering, spring and damping response and wheel location.

The electronically controlled dampers of the adaptive M suspension on the new BMW M4 CS likewise come in a model-specific setup, as do its electromechanical M Servotronic steering with variable ratio and its integrated braking system. The settings for the DSC system and M Dynamic Mode have also been purposefully geared to the specific demands of dynamic circuit driving. M Dynamic Mode gives drivers extra leeway to explore the car’s dynamic limits by pushing back the intervention points for the DSC system’s various stabilising measures. When the driver adopts an extremely sporty driving style, the resultant wheel slip ensures even better power transmission and helps to propel the car down the road with extra assurance.

Exclusive forged light-alloy wheels and track tyres fitted as standard.

The special-edition model is equipped as standard with M Compound brakes with callipers painted in a choice of Red or Black. The callipers for the optional M Carbon ceramic brakes can be specified in a Red or matt Gold painted finish. The new BMW M4 CS also comes as standard with forged M light-alloy wheels in an exclusive V-spoke design – available in either in matt Gold Bronze or matt Black.

The lightweight wheels (19-inch at the front axle and 20-inch at the rear) are fitted as standard with track tyres (ultra track tyres as option) to maximise the performance experience on the race track. Offering outstanding lateral control and directional stability, precise steering feel and optimum traction, these track tyres – in the dimensions 275/35 ZR19 (front) and 285/30 ZR20 (rear) – represent a compelling proposition, even when the driver is living out their sporting ambitions on a circuit. Customers intending to use their BMW M4 CS mostly for day-to-day driving can select high-performance tyres in the same sizes as a no-cost option.

Intensive application of lightweight design with generous use of CFRP.

Extensive lightweight design measures play a major part in moulding the performance qualities and exclusive character of the new BMW M4 CS. The use of components made from carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) is of key importance here. The carbon-fibre roof is a prime example, its low weight bringing the car’s centre of gravity closer to the road and therefore enhancing agility and cornering dynamics. The bonnet, front splitter, front air intakes, exterior mirror caps, rear diffuser and Gurney-style rear spoiler are also made from this lightweight, high-tech material.

Adherence to the principle of intelligent lightweight design is also evident in the interior. Indeed, in the interests of reducing weight inside the cockpit, the centre console, shift paddles on the steering wheel and interior trim elements are all made from CFRP. The special-edition model also comes as standard with M Carbon bucket seats, whose weight-minimising construction is highlighted by the use of CFRP in the structural elements of the seat cushion and backrest as well as in the eye-catching cut-outs in the side bolsters and below the head restraints. Added to which, the exhaust system on the new BMW M4 CS is more than four kilograms lighter, thanks to the use of a titanium rear silencer. All in all, lightweight design measures bring the car’s weight down by around 20 kilograms compared to the BMW M4 Competition Coupé with M xDrive.

Optional M front end strut brace maximises torsional rigidity.

An M front end strut brace – also engineered for lightness – can be specified as an option for the BMW M4 CS to increase torsional rigidity and improve handling through dynamically taken corners. The cast aluminium elements connecting the spring strut towers to the front end feature a weight-optimised geometry that has been precisely matched – with the help of numerical models – to the forces applied in various driving situations.

Exclusive design features promise thrilling performance.

The new BMW M4 CS instantly announces its sharper character with a series of individual design features. The new BMW Individual special paint finishes Riviera Blue and Frozen Isle of Man Green Metallic are available exclusively for the latest special-edition model from BMW M GmbH. Surfaces in exposed carbon fibre for the roof and the pair of indents chiselled into the bonnet showcase the material’s distinctive structure, as do the front splitter, front air intakes, M exterior mirror caps, rear spoiler and rear apron. Together with the Black side skirts and M gills, the CFRP elements provide a stunning contrast against the bold new paint finishes. The new BMW M4 CS can also be specified in the exterior shades M Brooklyn Grey metallic and Sapphire Black metallic.

The vehicle’s front end sports a weight-saving, frameless BMW kidney grille with a stripped-back feel reminiscent of racing machines. Designed especially for this model, its identifying features include red contour lines and the “M4 CS” badging on the upper of the two horizontal grille bars. Both the model badge at the front and its counterpart on the boot lid have black surfaces with a red border.

Eye-catching headlights add another flourish to the front end of the new BMW M4 CS. Their sculptural light icons illuminate yellow instead of white – both during the Welcome Light Animation and while low beam or high beam is switched on – and so reference successful GT racing cars. The rear lights of the BMW M4 CS make a visually powerful statement with their striking appearance during the hours of darkness. As well as generating a powerful radiance, their Laserlight technology is also marked out by intricate fibre optic bundles inside the light units, which have a “free-floating” appearance and are illuminated by a laser diode. The result is a prominent 3D effect. This technology was first seen in the BMW M4 CSL high-performance special edition produced in a limited run of 1,000 units, and now also brings an exclusive aesthetic to the BMW M4 CS.

Racing flair in the cockpit: M Carbon bucket seats with exclusive design cues.

Exuding a puristic visual appeal, the cockpit of the BMW M4 CS focuses squarely on delivering an exhilarating driving experience, while also successfully blending its distinct racing aura with comfort features for everyday driving – thanks to high-quality materials and exclusive design elements. The standard M Alcantara steering wheel in three-spoke design with a flat-bottomed rim offers a perfect combination of secure grip for dynamic driving manoeuvres and impressive comfort on longer journeys. Its red centre marker and CFRP shift paddles add an authentic racing flavour to the cockpit. The standard M Carbon bucket seats in a model-specific design also fuse racing-car feel and long-distance comfort to exceptional effect. Fully electric and heated, they feature integral head restraints and an illuminated model badge.

The M Carbon bucket seats in the BMW M4 CS are upholstered in Merino leather and come in an exclusive design with a Black/Red colour scheme and distinctive contrast stitching. This bi-colour finish is carried over into the rear compartment of the high-performance sports car. Both the door panels in the front and the rear side panelling are trimmed entirely in Black leather. Red “CS” lettering on the centre console, M seat belts with contrast stitching in the BMW M GmbH colours, an Anthracite-coloured headliner, interior trim strips in Carbon Fibre finish and door sill plates with the inscription “M4 CS” all add to the exclusive ambience inside the car.

BMW Curved Display with M-specific readouts, new BMW iDrive.

The latest version of the BMW iDrive display and control/operation system based on BMW Operating System 8.5 provides intuitive control of numerous vehicle functions and digital services. The BMW Curved Display features M-specific readouts and is angled towards the driver, helping them to focus on the road ahead. The fully digital screen grouping is formed by a 12.3-inch information display behind the steering wheel and a control display with a screen diagonal of 14.9 inches. The familiar M Shift Lights appear at the top of the information display, while the driving stability system, M xDrive and traction control modes are all indicated in the lower area. Special widgets containing information on the current vehicle setup, as well as tyre pressures and temperature can be added to the control display’s home screen.

The upgraded BMW iDrive also comprises the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant and has been designed with particular emphasis on touch and voice control. Besides the M-specific graphics, the system also now features a new way of operating the automatic climate control: the temperature and ventilation settings as well as the seat heating can be controlled either by touch using a special menu option in the lower area of the control display or by voice command.

Setup button for customising vehicle configuration, M Drive Professional with M Drift Analyser and M Laptimer as standard.

The M-specific Setup button on the centre console enables direct access to the settings options for the engine, chassis, steering, braking system and M xDrive. Two individually configurable setup variants can be stored permanently, together with the preferred settings for the engine note, the DSC system, the Automatic Start/Stop function and the shift characteristics of the eight-speed M Steptronic transmission, and then retrieved using one of the two M buttons on the steering wheel.

Also fitted as standard in the new BMW M4 CS is the M Drive Professional system. This includes track-optimised functions such as the M Drift Analyser, which evaluates and records purposefully executed cornering slides, and the M Laptimer, which provides detailed data on laps of the track and allows sporty-minded drivers to share their exploits with the community. It additionally comes with M Traction Control, whose ten stages also play their part in helping drivers enjoy the pleasure of driving the car enthusiastically on the track.

The M Mode button on the centre console is another tool in the M Drive Professional package and can be used to adjust both driver assistance system responses and the content shown in the information display and Head-Up Display. As well as the ROAD and SPORT settings, the BMW M4 CS also offers a TRACK mode designed exclusively for use on race circuits.

Top-class options for added pleasure and comfort in everyday driving.

The specification of the standard BMW Live Cockpit Professional includes the BMW Head-Up Display with M-specific graphics, the cloud-based BMW Maps navigation system, smartphone integration, telephony with wireless charging and a WiFi interface. The BMW Drive Recorder is available as an option.

The new BMW M4 CS additionally offers customers a select choice of comfort features and driver assistance systems, with the focus firmly on the enjoyment of unadulterated driving pleasure. Comfort Access, an alarm system, two-zone automatic climate control, the Harman Kardon Surround Sound System, Park Distance Control, the Parking Assistant, Front Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning and the Speed Limit Info system are all included as standard, while automatic boot lid operation and the Driving Assistant system can be added as options.

Source: BMW Group

X, the former Twitter platform, announced and posted screenshots showing that Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok will power an automated feature which summarizes personalized trending stories in Explore section of their app. As announced and shown via screenshots posted by their engineering team on Friday, Premium subscribers of X will now have the chance to read a summary of posts associated with each trending story seen under “For You tab in Explore.”

The For You page highlights news and stories being discussed across X’s platform that are popular within your network, along with any suggested items. This feature serves as one of the first stops for those wanting a quick way to stay informed without spending hours scrolling their timelines.

Grok-powered summary for AI Burnout Story begins by noting “AI engineers are facing burnout and rushed rollouts due to the competitive race in the tech industry, as companies prioritize investor satisfaction over solving actual problems.” After briefly touching upon AI “Rat Race”, this story concludes by noting “critics argue that proper safeguards and thoughtful innovation should not be afterthoughts in the pursuit of AI investments …”

Humorously, a message appears below that summary, warning: “Grok can make mistakes, verify its outputs.”

Summarizing trends is nothing new; what’s different this time around, however, is how they’re done. Under its previous leadership Twitter began adding headlines and descriptions of trends back in 2020 without using AI bots; rather they annotated some daily trends with extra information and pin some representative tweets as context; however Twitter’s implementation was inconsistent; some trends getting covered while others didn’t.

With Grok’s Stories – or as they’re commonly known – all the top news from For You is summarized into bite-size chunks for easier consumption.

Grok is designed as an incentive to purchase premium subscriptions through xAI’s chatbot Grok, accessible with Premium or top-tier Premium+ plans. Users can access Grok by tapping on the bottom middle button in the app – unlike other AI chatbots like ChatGPT he provides exclusive and real-time access to X data that not other chatbots possess.

Alex Kantrowitz published to X on Friday an essay outlining Elon Musk’s proposed plans for AI-powered news on X, following an email conversation between himself and its owner, Jaan.

Kantrowitz explained that conversations on X will form the core of Grok’s summaries; thus omitting article texts despite what people might be discussing on that platform. That could present problems when trying to paint an accurate representation of news being shared; instead what might be being talked about could just be reactions and opinions rather than actual news itself. Kantrowitz called Grok’s move controversial but acknowledged its potential.

Journalists already face AI news summaries from other areas and startups alike; for example Arc’s web browser features an AI summary feature while former Twitter engineers have begun developing Particle, an AI news summarization service. How this affects traffic to news sites remains to be seen; although Kantrowitz believes users might go deeper once their curiosity has been aroused; on the flip side it may cause page views to decrease leading to less material available to AI bots like Grok.

As such, some news publishers are making deals with AI providers like OpenAI’s recent announcement with the Financial Times (FT). Others like Axel Springer, the Associated Press (AP), Le Monde and others have announced similar partnerships; in X’s case it allows accessing news via its conversation around it without necessarily needing partners in order to access content itself – an approach both innovative and worrisome in terms of misinformation issues.

Grok’s Stories have begun rolling out to Premium X subscribers now and can be purchased by paying through web or app store payments starting from $8 a month if done so directly.

Exercise. It’s associated with increased muscle strength, improved heart health, lower blood sugar and just about every other physical improvement you can name. But how does regularly puffing away on a treadmill, biking up a steep hill or going for a brisk lunchtime walk confer such a dizzying array of health benefits?

We’re now closer to finding out, thanks to a vast new study led by Stanford Medicine. Researchers conducted nearly 10,000 measurements in nearly 20 types of tissues to uncover the effect of eight weeks of endurance exercise in laboratory rats trained to run on rodent-sized treadmills.

Their results highlight striking effects of exercise on the immune system, stress response, energy production and metabolism. They uncovered significant links between exercise, molecules and genes already known to be involved in myriad human diseases and tissue recovery.

The study is one of a series of papers published May 1 by members of a multicenter research group meant to lay the groundwork for understanding — on a bodywide, molecular level — exactly how our tissues and cells react when we push them to perform.

“We all know exercise is beneficial for us,” said professor of pathology Stephen Montgomery, PhD. “But we don’t know much about the molecular signals that manifest across the body when people exercise, or how they may change when people train. Our study is the first to take a holistic, bodywide look at molecular changes, from proteins to genes to metabolites to fats and energy production. It’s the broadest profiling yet of the effects of exercise, and it creates an essential map to how it changes the body.”

Montgomery, who is also a professor of genetics and of biomedical data science, is a senior author of the paper, which published on May 1 in Nature. Other senior authors are Michael Snyder, PhD, the Stanford W. Ascherman, MD, FACS Professor in Genetics, and associate professor of medicine Matthew Wheeler, MD. First authors are former genetics PhD student Nicole Gay, PhD; former postdoctoral scholar David Amar, PhD; and Pierre Jean Beltran, PhD, a former postdoctoral scholar at the Broad Institute.

Additional papers by Stanford Medicine researchers include a related published report in Nature Communications investigating the effect of exercise-induced changes in genes and tissues known to be involved in disease risk as well as a paper published on May 2 in Cell Metabolism, which focuses on the effects of exercise on the cellular energy factors called mitochondria in various tissues. Montgomery is the senior author of the Nature Communications paper and postdoctoral scholar Nikolai Vetr, PhD, is its lead author. Instructor of cardiovascular medicine Malene Lindholm, PhD, is the senior author of the Cell Metabolism paper, and Amar is the lead author.

“These papers further highlight the multiple impacts exercise training has on metabolism and health,” Montgomery said.

A coordinated look at exercise

The researchers involved in the study and the other simultaneous publications are part of a national group called the Molecular Transducers of Physical Activity Consortium, or MoTrPAC, organized by the National Institutes of Health. The effort was launched in 2015 to investigate in detail exactly how physical exercise improves health and prevents disease.

The Stanford Medicine team took on a lot of the heavy lifting, studying the effects of eight weeks of endurance training on gene expression (the transcriptome), proteins (the proteome), fats (the lipidome), metabolites (the metabolome), the pattern of chemical tags placed on DNA (the epigenome), the immune system (the…you get the idea).

Let’s just call it the sweat-ome.

They performed 9,466 analyses on multiple tissues in rats as the animals were trained to run increasing distances and compared the results with those of rats that loafed about in their cages. They paid special attention to the muscles of the leg, the heart, the liver, the kidney and a type of fat called white adipose tissue (the kind of fat that accumulates as pounds pile on); other tissues included the lungs, brain and brown adipose tissue (a more metabolically active type of fat that helps burn calories). The combination of multiple assays — think of all those -omes! — and tissue types pumped out results numbering in the hundreds of thousands for non-epigenetic changes to more than 2 million distinct changes in the epigenome. The results will keep scientists hopping for years.

Although this study served primarily to create a database for future analysis, some interesting nuggets vaulted to the top. First, they noted that the expression of 22 genes changed with exercise in all six of the tissues they focused on. Many of these genes were involved in what are known as heat shock pathways, which stabilize the structure of proteins when cells undergo stress including changes in temperature (feel that burn?), infection or tissue remodeling (hello new muscle fibers!). Others have been implicated in pathways that reduce blood pressure and increase the body’s sensitivity to insulin, which lowers blood sugar levels.

The researchers also noted that the expression of several genes involved in Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, obesity and kidney disease was reduced in exercising rats as compared with their sedentary counterparts — a clear link between their studies and human health.

Sex differences

Finally, they identified sex differences in how multiple tissues in male and female rats responded to exercise. Male rats lost about 5% of their body fat after eight weeks of exercise while female rats didn’t lose a significant amount. (They did, however, maintain their starting fat percentage while the sedentary females packed on an additional 4% of body fat during the study period.) But the largest difference was observed in gene expression in the rats’ adrenal glands. After one week, genes associated with the generation of steroid hormones like adrenaline and with energy production increased in male rats but decreased in female rats.

Despite these early, tantalizing associations, the researchers caution that exercise science is nowhere near the finish line. It’s more like the starting gun has just fired. But the future is exciting.

“In the long term, it’s unlikely we will find any one magic intervention that reproduces what exercise can do for a person,” Montgomery said. “But we might get closer to the idea of precision exercise — tailoring recommendations based on a person’s genetics, sex, age or other health conditions to generate beneficial whole-body responses.”

Source: Stanford Medicine