GREY Journal Daily News Podcast

H&M announced the use of AI-generated digital twins of 30 real models for marketing and social media, with model permission and compensation aligned with industry practices. The company will watermark AI content and comply with platform disclosure requirements. Industry professionals and trade unions raised concerns about potential job losses and the need for stronger legal protections for creative workers. Other fashion brands, including Hugo Boss and Levi Strauss & Co, have also explored AI-generated marketing images. H&M is partnering with Swedish tech firm Uncut to develop the AI models.Learn more on this news by visiting us at: https://greyjournal.net/news/

Google Research found that repeating input prompts significantly improves accuracy in large language models for non-reasoning tasks. The technique works by allowing the model to reference the entire prompt during a second pass, which enhances information retrieval without increasing processing time. Tests across multiple benchmarks and models showed consistent performance gains, especially for direct-answer tasks. The method is most effective for non-reasoning scenarios and offers enterprises a low-cost optimization option. Security teams are advised to consider the impact of prompt repetition on both vulnerabilities and safety measures.Learn more on this news by visiting us at: https://greyjournal.net/news/

Microsoft and the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency have issued an urgent call to patch a Windows vulnerability, CVE-2026-20805, which is currently being exploited and allows attackers to leak memory addresses that could lead to code execution. CISA has added the flaw to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, requiring federal agencies to apply the fix by February 3. The vulnerability is part of a January security update that addresses 112 Microsoft issues, including a Secure Boot certificate expiration problem and an elevation of privilege flaw in Agere Modem drivers. Security experts recommend immediate patching and reviewing Secure Boot certificates to maintain protection.Learn more on this news by visiting us at: https://greyjournal.net/news/

Moxie Marlinspike, founder of Signal, launched Confer, an AI chatbot that uses end-to-end encryption to protect user conversations. Confer encrypts prompts and responses on the user's device and processes them in a secure environment, using passkeys like Face ID or device PINs instead of traditional passwords. The platform provides cryptographic attestation to verify secure data handling and aims to prevent user data from being accessed by third parties or used for targeted advertising. Signal's encryption protocol was previously adopted by WhatsApp, and Confer seeks to set similar standards for privacy in AI applications.Learn more on this news by visiting us at: https://greyjournal.net/news/

Thompson Holdings acquired Tampa-based software firm Sourcetoad to expand its technology sector presence. Sourcetoad will leverage Thompson Holdings' resources and network to scale operations and pursue growth. The acquisition aligns with a broader trend of established firms acquiring specialized tech companies to enhance innovation and competitiveness.Learn more on this news by visiting us at: https://greyjournal.net/news/

In 2025, technology became a foundational component of the global economy, with artificial intelligence investments shifting toward large-scale infrastructure and the introduction of advanced models like GPT-5 enabling complex problem-solving. AI adoption expanded, with 78 percent of organizations integrating AI and 71 percent using generative AI in critical business functions. Generative watermarking and regulatory measures addressed concerns about content authenticity and compliance. Collaborative sensing and 5G coverage supported real-time urban management, while B2B transactions increasingly moved to digital channels, led by millennial buyers. Hardware priorities shifted to high-capacity RAM, and companies like NVIDIA transitioned to full-stack AI platforms. Structural battery composites and small modular reactors advanced energy efficiency and sovereignty, and sodium-ion batteries reduced reliance on foreign resources. Organizations adopted hybrid infrastructure strategies and prepared for the convergence of AI, robotics, and cybersecurity challenges as the pace of technological change accelerated.Learn more on this news by visiting us at: https://greyjournal.net/news/

Vivacity Tech announced the relocation of its education technology operations to Greenville, South Carolina, after nearly five years of maintaining a small office in the region. Founder and CEO Eli Maloley cited Greenville's talent pool, business climate, and quality of life as primary reasons for the move. The company aims to hire local professionals, benefit from the city's economic development initiatives, and expand its presence in the Upstate. The relocation is expected to generate new jobs and strengthen partnerships with local institutions.Learn more on this news by visiting us at: https://greyjournal.net/news/

Google has expanded its Gemini AI chatbot by partnering with Walmart, Shopify, Wayfair, and other retailers to enable users to browse products, receive personalized recommendations, and complete purchases directly within the chat interface. The instant checkout feature allows customers to make payments without leaving the app, and Walmart users can link accounts for tailored suggestions and cart integration. The announcement was made at the National Retail Federation’s annual convention, with similar AI shopping initiatives underway at OpenAI and Amazon. Salesforce reported that artificial intelligence influenced $272 billion in global retail sales during the recent holiday season. Gemini’s new shopping features are currently available in the United States, with plans for international expansion.Learn more on this news by visiting us at: https://greyjournal.net/news/