It's official, OpenAI and Microsoft are "extending our partnership". Microsoft will build even more AI-related Azure capacity and services for OpenAI to use and Azure will be the exclusive cloud provider for all of OpenAI's stuff. In return, Microsoft gets a wide open licence to use OpenAI's tech anywhere they like. Meanwhile, Koko "an online mental health services not for profit" said on Twitter that they've "provided mental health support to about 4,000 people—using GPT-3" and others are seeing if ChatGPT can pass exams. It got a B on a Wharton MBA exam and "performed near or at the passing threshold for the three exams and demonstrated high levels of consistency and insight in its explanations" for the US Medical Licensing Exam.
The worst nightmare of law enforcement around the world is about to come true - Meta announced they're going to turn on end-to-end encryption by default in Facebook Messenger. E2E as the default will roll out slowly to random people over the next few months. Police hate this because soon, when they send Meta a subpoena to demand the chats of people they're investigating, Meta can respond that they can't do that. In Australia however, ASIO and the AFP can send a "technical assistance notice" to demand access to any encrypted message. I don't know how that'll work for E2E encrypted messages as technically it should be impossible for Meta to poke a way in as they don't have control over the keys.
If you're after more security on your iOS devices the latest software update has good news for you. With iOS 16.3 you can now finally secure your Apple ID account with a hardware security key (i.e: a YubiKey, but any FIDO Certified key will do), so unless you have that key, you can't log in to your Apple ID (and all the data it contains, like messages, photos, contacts, etc.) on a new device. Apple also made the Advanced Data Protection feature available in Australia. It basically adds end-to-end encryption on a range of data on your phone, so when it gets backed up to iCloud, Apple can't access it - which also means they can't help you if you're locked out of your account.
MSN Messenger (also known colloquially simply as "Messenger"), later rebranded as Windows Live Messenger, was a cross-platform instant-messaging client developed by Microsoft. The client was first released as MSN Messenger Service on July 22, 1999, and was marketed under the MSN brand until 2005, when it was rebranded under the Windows Live name. It has since been officially known by the latter name, although its first name remained in common use. In June 2009, Microsoft reported the service attracted over 330 million active users each month, placing it among the most widely used instant-messaging clients in the world. In 2013, the product was discontinued, and Microsoft began cutting service to existing clients. (Katie Keogh / Flickr)
📻 Axemen - Heavens to Betsy
😎 The Sizzle is curated by Anthony "@decryption" Agius and emailed every weekday afternoon.
💬 Checked out the paid subscriber only forum? It's a tidy little place to discuss tech with like minded Aussies.
👋 Forums not your thing? The Sizzle has a Slack group you can procrastinate in and chat with other nerds bored at work.
💳 Paid subscriber looking to manage your billing info, change email address or cancel your subscription? Visit the customer portal.
📚 Browse The Sizzle Archive. A few issues are missing and it's not searchable, but it's better than nothing.
🫂 Friends of The Sizzle is a small group of businesses or organisations operated by Sizzle subscribers. Support your fellow Sizzler!
💔 Tired of my bullshit? Unsubscribe and I'll never speak to you again.
The Sizzle is created on Wathaurong land and acknowledges the traditional owners of country throughout Australia, recognising their continuing connection to land, water and community. I pay my respect to them and their cultures and to elders both past and present.