Twitter Takes on Decentralization with New Social Media Development Project

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey is working on an initiative to decentralize social media, also known as ‘BlueSky,’ alongside five other programmers. Previously, Twitter was known for its decentralized aspect in its early days, and many of its users advocating for it to be that way. With time, the company was influenced by the development of the internet, which Dorsey recognizes to have new challenges – e.g., losing the value of content hosting measures and still gaining tools to redirect the attention of the masses.

His latest initiative will include five developers looking to write codes for this project. Dorsey has dedicated funds for this new project, which ultimately will put social media platforms on blockchain.

Equally, this will make way for censorship resistance and other intricate features that will grab the attention of today’s consumers. At present, the team working on the project, including independent architects and coders. Twitter is not claiming sole ownership of the project; instead, it will join the platform between the client and assist it as an external protocol.

Some of the positive attributes of this project include it circulating in the blockchain space as opposed to trying to compete with mainstream media. Essentially, a blockchain startup has the potential to reach similar levels of recognition by requesting for articles to be written on them. 

 

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US National Lab Computer Scientists Deploy Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Thwart Illegal Crypto Mining

Computer scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory have created an innovative artificial intelligence (AI) system capable of identifying malicious codes that prompt supercomputers to mine cryptocurrencies like Monero and Bitcoin.

The lab operating under the United States Department of Energy hopes to put an end to cryptocurrency cybercrime.

Software-based watchdog

Hackers are continuously wreaking havoc globally, and the crypto mining arena hasn’t been spared. Gopinath Chennupati, a researcher at Los Alamos National Laboratory, noted that the deep learning AI model will be instrumental in detecting supercomputer hacks that usually instigate cryptocurrency mining. Speaking on behalf of his team’s AI project designed to combat illegal crypto mining on the internet, Chennupati said:

“Based on recent computer break-ins in Europe and elsewhere, this type of software watchdog will soon be crucial to prevent cryptocurrency miners from hacking into high-performance computing facilities and stealing precious computing resources.”

Valid cryptocurrency miners usually assemble vast computer arrays needed to dig up digital assets. Nevertheless, crafty ones usually manipulate supercomputers by making sure that their tracks are hidden.

The new artificial intelligence algorithm is coded in such a way that it can detect crypto miners who steal computing power from research supercomputers.

AI-centered analysis

The researchers gave the system the green-light after comparing an invasive Bitcoin (BTC)  mining code with a known benign code. 

The AI analysis provided by the lab researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory was more reliable and faster than conventional ones because the AI algorithm is based on graph comparisons. As a result, it cannot be fooled by common methods employed by illegal crypto miners to conceal their illicit activities on the web. These strategies include the release of obfuscated comments and variables used to disguise the codes as legitimate programming.

The system, therefore, seeks to avert the illicit cryptocurrency mining headache by identifying any foul play.

Cybercrime in a rising digital world

Cybercrime is on the rise, and alternatives such as artificial intelligence are being continuously researched during these times to regulate cybercrime.

Earlier this month, Federal authorities unraveled a huge illegal Bitcoin mining farm in Kyrgyzstan operated by government officials. 

 Another instance of illicit activities that are Bitcoin-driven is the illegal BTC mining activities that were uncovered by Chinese police in June. Scammers operated by digging two graves for the purpose of driving forward their illegal mining operations and were stealing electricity from a Chinese oil field company.

Malaysian Universities to Expand Women’s Blockchain Knowledge Base with Programmers Course

Women in Blockchain Asia (WIBA) has partnered with various Malaysian universities to propel the number of female blockchain developers and coders in Malaysia.

Through the partnership, the women-centric blockchain programmers course will be offered by seven Malaysian universities, including Raffles College of Higher Education, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Asia Pacific University, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, and Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman.

Ivy Fung, a founding WIBA member, pointed out:

“This is the first-ever initiative in Malaysia focused on increasing the number of female blockchain builders in Malaysia, and we are excited by the response we have had thus far. The programme will involve online tutorials and discussions, followed by an intervarsity hackathon at the end of the course.” 

The course has attracted approximately 150 students, with the application scheduled to close on September 4. 

Based on WIBA’s objective of propelling the participation and role of women in all digitization levels and blockchain comprehension, the non-profit group has also collaborated with the Algorand Foundation and REACH.

The Algorand Foundation strives to create a frictionless and borderless economy on decentralized and public blockchain technology. As a result, it’s focused on educating and engaging its community.

Ida Mok, WIBA president, stated:

“Since our launch in May, we have been busy creating linkages domestically in Malaysia and regionally to further the cause of increasing the participation of women in blockchain technology. Collectively we believe the future is in our younger generation; hence this initiative is our first.”

Meanwhile, a study by global market researcher Appinio and mobile crypto wallet Valora revealed that crypto was no longer a men’s club as more women entered the space, Blockchain.News reported.  

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