In a striking turn of events, cybersecurity researcher Allison Nixon has found herself at the center of a disturbing saga involving online death threats. These threats originated from anonymous individuals using the aliases Waifu and Judische on platforms like Telegram and Discord. Nixon, who serves as the chief research officer at Unit B—an organization dedicated to cyber investigations—has built a reputation over more than a decade for tracking down cybercriminals and assisting in their prosecutions. The sudden emergence of these threats came as a surprise to Nixon, who had previously monitored the activities of Waifu but had shifted her focus to other targets at the time. Determined to unveil the identities behind these threats, she has now resolved to take action against them, particularly for their admissions of criminal activity.
Meanwhile, in a remarkable development at the intersection of technology and the arts, musician Patrick Darling has made a triumphant return to the stage after losing his ability to sing due to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This debilitating condition, which affects motor neuron function, had left Darling unable to perform for over two years. However, advancements in artificial intelligence have provided him with a new lease on musical life. By utilizing an AI tool trained on his past audio recordings, Darling successfully recreated his lost voice. This innovative technology not only allowed him to regain his vocal abilities but also enabled him to compose new music, marking a significant milestone in his career as he performed again alongside his band members. The emotional weight of this performance, dedicated to his great-grandfather, underscores both the challenges and triumphs faced by individuals navigating the complexities of health and technology.
Source: The Download: unraveling a death threat mystery, and AI voice recreation for musicians via MIT Technology Review