All posts tagged: Critical

OpenAI Is About to Release Its First AI Model With ‘Critical’ Cyber Abilities

Published by skeptic

OpenAI announced Tuesday that its forthcoming AI model, Astra, is its first to reach the company’s threshold for what it calls “critical” cyber capabilities. OpenAI says it plans to publicly release a version of Astra “soon,” but will make the model’s advanced cyber capabilities available only to select partners in its Daybreak Blue early-access program at launch. In a briefing with reporters, OpenAI safety and security leaders said the company has concluded that Astra reaches the critical cybersecurity capabilities outlined in its preparedness framework, which sets thresholds and protocols for when its AI models pose new levels of risk. The company says an AI model has reached its critical cyber threshold when it can independently find and exploit previously unknown vulnerabilities in real-world software. OpenAI leaders said the company has followed its procedure for this situation, which is to halt further development until appropriate safeguards and security measures can be implemented. OpenAI previously said that it paused some training workloads related to the development of Astra and a future AI model for several weeks. Executives …

Rivian (RIVN) CFO steps down for GE Vernova amid critical R2 ramp

Published by skeptic

Source Rivian Rivian CFO Claire McDonough is stepping down effective October 30, leaving after nearly six years to become chief financial officer of energy giant GE Vernova. The departure lands at the most important moment in Rivian’s history — the ramp of the R2, the $45,000-to-$58,000 SUV the entire company is betting on. McDonough joined Rivian in January 2021 and steered the company through its $13.7 billion IPO in November 2021, still one of the largest US public offerings of the decade. She is relocating to the East Coast to be closer to family, and Rivian says the exit is “not the result of any disagreement.” Derek Mulvey, Rivian’s VP of Finance, will take over as interim CFO on October 30. Mulvey joined Rivian in 2021 and previously worked at J.P. Morgan. The company says it is running a “comprehensive search” for a permanent CFO, evaluating both internal and external candidates, while McDonough stays on for a two-month transition. Advertisement – scroll for more content McDonough’s tenure covers Rivian’s entire life as a public company. …

It’s critical that you see “Coyote vs. Acme”

Published by Sam Flores

Every time a megacorporation does something that is so categorically, unequivocally, indisputably, jaw-droppingly, beyond a shadow of a doubt, all-caps “BAD”, one has to wonder: Haven’t the greaseballs in charge heard of a little thing called karma? The intoxicating high of money and power must cloud a person’s mind to a degree that they can no longer sense the connection between physical reality and the laws of nature, sort of like getting really drunk at a Western bar and thinking it’s a good idea to hop on the mechanical bull. It’s a one-track, single-minded way of thinking, eerily reminiscent of, oh, I don’t know, a hungry coyote blindly pursuing a roadrunner. Perhaps the bigwigs at Warner Bros. have more in common with Wile E. Coyote than they realize — or, even likelier, more than they’re willing to admit by drawing a straight line between a film like “Coyote vs. Acme” and the parent company that produced it. After three years of uncertainty, the latest feature-length spinoff of the “Looney Tunes” franchise has finally, blessedly, reached …

Critical Materials Innovation Hub awards m to seven research projects

Critical Materials Innovation Hub awards $10m to seven research projects

Published by skeptic

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation has awarded $10 million to seven projects. Led by the Critical Materials Innovation Hub (CMI Hub), the projects will focus on rare earth elements, gallium, copper, and other critical materials. “These seven projects will leverage the Critical Materials Innovation Hub’s strong foundation of expertise to address key technical challenges involving heavy rare earth elements, gallium, copper, and other critical materials,” said Assistant Secretary of Energy Audrey Robertson. “This work will unlock new production methods that strengthen domestic supply chains and ensure American manufacturers have access to the materials they need to compete and lead.” The selectees include projects from the following organisations: Case Western Reserve University: Process intensification enabled by chloride-based molten salt electrolysis for highly efficient heavy rare earth metal production Colorado School of Mines: Improving copper extraction from primary copper sulfides using hydro and bio-hydro metallurgical processes University of Arizona: A synergistic approach using nanobubbles, surfactants, and reactive oxygen species to enhance copper sulfide leaching FAST Metals: Creating new domestic sources of critical minerals: Gallium …

Why satellite propulsion is becoming critical to the future of space

Published by skeptic

Smaller, smarter, and more efficient propulsion systems are key to extending satellite life, enhancing maneuverability, and ensuring sustainable space operations in an increasingly crowded orbit. The satellite industry is entering an era in which simply reaching orbit is no longer enough. As constellations expand, spacecraft become smaller and missions become more sophisticated, satellites increasingly need to manoeuvre once they are in space. They may need to raise or lower their orbits, maintain precise positions, avoid other objects, extend their operational lives or safely leave orbit at the end of a mission. That is putting renewed focus on one of the most fundamental technologies in spaceflight: propulsion. For decades, propulsion has often been associated with the powerful chemical engines used to launch spacecraft away from Earth. But in orbit, the requirements are different. Satellites frequently need relatively small amounts of thrust applied over long periods, making efficiency, size, power consumption and propellant mass critical considerations. The result is a rapidly expanding field of satellite propulsion technologies, from increasingly capable electric thrusters to miniaturised systems and entirely …

$500m investment to secure US critical mineral and battery supply chains

Published by skeptic

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation (CMEI) has announced $500 million for seven selected projects to expand critical mineral and material processing, battery manufacturing, and recycling capacity. In accordance with President Trump’s Executive Order, Unleashing American Energy, the selected projects advance the President’s agenda to strengthen America’s domestic critical minerals and materials supply chains, reduce reliance on foreign sources, bolster national security, and advance American energy dominance. “DOE is taking decisive action to secure the critical supply chains necessary to power our nation,” said Assistant Secretary of Energy Audrey Robertson. “These projects underscore DOE’s commitment to driving innovation, reducing reliance on foreign sources, and promoting American energy dominance.” This is the third round of funding from DOE’s Battery Materials Processing and Battery Manufacturing and Recycling programs, which support battery materials processing, recycling, and manufacturing projects. These include demonstration projects, construction of commercial-scale facilities, and retrofitting or retooling existing facilities. The selected projects include: Nth Cycle, Inc.: Southeastern U.S. Federal share: $100 million The outcome of this project will be a facility in the Southeastern …

China Exports to US Rise of Rare Earth Critical to Aerospace Sector

Published by Sam Flores

SINGAPORE, Aug 20 (Reuters) – Chinese exports ⁠of ⁠rare earth yttrium to the ⁠U.S. rose in July, Chinese customs data showed on Thursday, possibly giving some reprieve to U.S. aerospace buyers who depend on the material for ‌critical aviation applications. China, the main ‌source of the element used in specialty alloys found in engines as ⁠well as ⁠coatings to shield against high temperatures, restricted exports along with other rare earths in April 2025, sparking fears of a new rare earth crisis. But the country’s exports to the U.S. of 29 metric tons of yttrium oxide last month were the second-highest since China introduced export controls on the rare earth. The shipments ⁠come as ⁠Chinese President Xi Jinping ⁠prepares to visit the White House for trade talks later in September. China produces the vast majority of the world’s ⁠rare earths, and has used controls on their export as a potent diplomatic tool. By contrast, exports of the material and other strategic goods to Japan remain tightly constrained. Japan, once among the world’s largest buyers of Chinese …

Gaza Mediators Say Latest Israeli Strikes Undermine Efforts to End Conflict at Critical Stage

Published by Sam Flores

ANKARA, Aug 20 (Reuters) – Turkey, Egypt and ⁠Qatar, ⁠which have been trying ⁠to mediate an end to the Gaza conflict, condemned recent Israeli strikes in the Palestinian enclave, urging Israel to meet its ‌ceasefire obligations and avoid ‌steps that could escalate tension. Their joint statement followed Israeli strikes ⁠that have ⁠killed at least 16 Palestinians in Gaza since Tuesday, according to medics; Israel says it is targeting Hamas militants. U.S. envoy Jared Kushner wrapped up a regional visit on Monday without advancing President Donald Trump’s plan to end the war. “The intensification of Israeli attacks ⁠undermines regional ⁠and international efforts at ⁠a critical juncture, as intensive efforts are under way to implement the Comprehensive Plan to End ⁠the Gaza Conflict,” they said. The international community and Trump’s Board of Peace, which is overseeing the ceasefire, must take the necessary steps to ensure compliance and prevent further escalation, they added. A proposed roadmap ⁠envisaged Hamas giving up its weapons in phases as Israeli forces ⁠withdrew from Gaza and halted military operations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin …

Gaza Mediators Say Latest Israeli Strikes Undermine Efforts to End Conflict at Critical Stage

Published by Sam Flores

Gaza Mediators Say Latest Israeli Strikes Undermine Efforts to End Conflict at Critical Stage

Published by Sam Flores

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All posts tagged: Critical

OpenAI Is About to Release Its First AI Model With ‘Critical’ Cyber Abilities

Rivian (RIVN) CFO steps down for GE Vernova amid critical R2 ramp

It’s critical that you see “Coyote vs. Acme”

Critical Materials Innovation Hub awards $10m to seven research projects

Why satellite propulsion is becoming critical to the future of space

$500m investment to secure US critical mineral and battery supply chains

China Exports to US Rise of Rare Earth Critical to Aerospace Sector

Gaza Mediators Say Latest Israeli Strikes Undermine Efforts to End Conflict at Critical Stage

Gaza Mediators Say Latest Israeli Strikes Undermine Efforts to End Conflict at Critical Stage

Gaza Mediators Say Latest Israeli Strikes Undermine Efforts to End Conflict at Critical Stage