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Earth Intelligence

23 Dec 2023 — 4 min read

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REWN Database Vulnerability
Apple’s AI Progress

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REWN Database Vulnerability:

Cybersecurity researcher Jeremiah Fowler uncovered a vast, unprotected database containing over 1.5 billion records of real estate ownership information. The database, owned by New York's Real Estate Wealth Network (REWN), was massive, totaling 1.16 TB. It included detailed data on properties, owners, and investors, as well as internal user logs with personal information like names, addresses, and phone numbers. Fowler quickly reported the breach to vpnMentor, and the database was secured soon after.
This database was not just extensive but diverse, covering various aspects of real estate from foreclosures to inheritances, each stored in separate folders. Surprisingly, Fowler found his own personal information in the database, along with data on numerous celebrities and politicians. He verified that this information wasn't publicly available through his local county tax office. This discovery raises concerns about the accessibility and security of personal property data.
REWN, established by Cameron Dunlap in 1993, provides educational resources and data for real estate investing. Subscribers to REWN, paying $1,450 annually, can access specific data feeds, but not the entire dataset. The exposure of such a comprehensive database, possibly REWN's complete resource collection, underscores the critical need for stringent data security measures, especially when handling sensitive personal information.

Apple’s AI Progress:

Apple is developing the use of large language models (LLMs) on mobile devices through an innovative flash memory technique. This breakthrough, led by Apple AI researchers, enables the deployment of complex AI models like ChatGPT on devices with limited memory, such as iPhones. By leveraging flash memory, which is abundant in mobile devices, Apple's method dramatically expands the potential for running advanced AI models.
This approach employs two key strategies: Windowing and Row-Column Bundling. Windowing allows the reuse of processed data, minimizing the need for constant new data loading, while Row-Column Bundling efficiently groups data for faster access from flash memory. This technological advancement is poised to enhance Siri's capabilities significantly and introduce sophisticated AI-driven features.
It opens up new possibilities for real-time language translation, advanced features in photography, and augmented reality applications on Apple devices. At the heart of this innovation is Apple's proprietary AI model, "Ajax," also known as "Apple GPT." With 200 billion parameters, Ajax showcases a high level of complexity and proficiency in language processing and generation. This development is part of a broader strategy by Apple to integrate AI more deeply into its ecosystem, potentially leading to more intuitive and efficient interactions with various Apple apps.
Looking ahead, Apple's integration of AI into its devices indicates a significant shift towards more intelligent and versatile technology use in daily life. The combination of cloud-based AI and on-device processing is expected to materialize in the form of a generative AI feature on the iPhone and iPad by late 2024, coinciding with the release of iOS 18. This move not only marks a milestone in mobile technology but also represents Apple's commitment to pioneering in the field of artificial intelligence, setting new standards for user experience and functionality in the tech industry.

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