Meta appoints three new board directors

Meta Platforms has elected three new directors to its board, including Dana White, CEO of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and a close associate of President-elect Donald Trump. Investor and former Microsoft executive Charlie Songhurst and Exor CEO John Elkann have also joined. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said their expertise would help the company navigate opportunities in artificial intelligence, wearables, and digital connectivity.

White’s appointment strengthens his ties with Zuckerberg, who has become a mixed martial arts enthusiast. The two have shared public exchanges in recent years, with Zuckerberg attending UFC events at White’s invitation. Songhurst has been involved in Meta’s AI advisory group since May, while Elkann holds leadership roles at Ferrari and Stellantis, alongside chairing the Agnelli Foundation.

Zuckerberg has been adjusting Meta’s strategy ahead of a possible second Trump presidency. The company recently promoted Republican policy expert Joel Kaplan and donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund, signalling a shift in its political stance. Meta has also acknowledged past content decisions that were unpopular among conservatives as it prepares for the evolving political landscape.

Indian VVDN partners with SecureThings.ai to boost automotive cybersecurity

VVDN Technologies has partnered with SecureThings.ai to enhance cybersecurity across various industry sectors, primarily focusing on the connected vehicle ecosystem. Through this collaboration, SecureThings.ai’s advanced cybersecurity solutions will be integrated into VVDN’s automotive products and services, including vehicle connectivity, in-vehicle infotainment systems, instrument clusters, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), and software-defined vehicle (SDV) solutions.

As a result, this partnership ensures that VVDN meets global cybersecurity standards, such as ISO 21434, while providing robust security for connected vehicles and IoT ecosystems. Specifically, key initiatives include intrusion detection and protection systems, real-time threat intelligence services, the establishment of a security research lab, and the provision of a red team as a service for independent cybersecurity assessments.

These efforts will help VVDN fortify connected devices, comply with evolving regulations like R 155/156 and AIS 189/190 in India, and offer comprehensive protection against cyber threats. Moreover, this partnership strengthens both companies’ positions in the cybersecurity market, with VVDN emphasising its commitment to delivering secure, reliable solutions globally.

Furthermore, SecureThings.ai’s expertise in cutting-edge security research and technologies will empower OEMs and tier-1 suppliers to combat emerging threats and adhere to stringent regulatory standards. The collaboration also leverages VVDN’s product engineering capabilities, thus driving innovation and setting new standards for cybersecurity in the automotive and IoT industries.

Krakow radio station replaces journalists with AI presenters

A radio station in Krakow, Poland, has ignited controversy by replacing its human journalists with AI-generated presenters, marking what it claims to be ‘the first experiment in Poland.’ OFF Radio Krakow relaunched this week after laying off its staff, introducing virtual avatars aimed at engaging younger audiences on cultural, social, and LGBTQ+ topics.

The move has faced significant backlash, particularly from former journalist Mateusz Demski, who penned an open letter warning that this shift could set a dangerous precedent for job losses in the media and creative sectors. His petition against the change quickly gathered over 15,000 signatures, highlighting widespread public concern about the implications of using AI in broadcasting.

Station head Marcin Pulit defended the layoffs, stating that they were due to the station’s low listenership rather than the introduction of AI. However, Deputy Prime Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski called for regulations on AI usage, emphasising the need to establish boundaries for its application in media.

On its first day back on air, the station featured an AI-generated interview with the late Polish poet Wisława Szymborska. Michał Rusinek, president of the Wisława Szymborska Foundation, expressed support for the project, suggesting that the poet would have found the use of her name in this context humorous. As OFF Radio Krakow ventures into this new territory, discussions around the role of AI in journalism and its effects on employment are intensifying.