The demand for energy in the U.S. is projected to hit record highs due to the increasing number of data centers and the growing use of artificial intelligence, contributing significantly to planet-warming emissions. Data centers, largely operated by major tech companies like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft, consumed over 4% of U.S. electricity in 2022, a figure expected to more than double by 2030. This surge is straining the aging power grid and complicating efforts to meet climate goals, as tech firms struggle to increase their reliance on renewable energy sources. Google, for instance, is investing heavily in wind, solar, and geothermal energy to reduce its carbon footprint, aiming to run entirely on clean energy by 2030.

How the surging demand for energy and rise of AI is straining the power grid in the U.S. CBS News

The integration of AI and large language models (LLMs) in healthcare is transforming patient care and operational efficiency but also brings significant cybersecurity challenges. Healthcare systems are increasingly targeted by ransomware attacks, as evidenced by the high-profile hack of UnitedHealth Group's Change Healthcare. AI systems, due to their complex and opaque structures, may be even more vulnerable to breaches than traditional IT systems. Compromised AI can lead to inaccurate diagnoses, inappropriate treatments, and fraudulent claims, with substantial financial consequences and risks to patient safety. Healthcare leaders must adopt robust cybersecurity practices, continuously evaluate AI models, demand transparency from developers, and push for regulatory frameworks and industry-wide standards to secure AI systems. Collaborative efforts among stakeholders are crucial to harness AI's potential while safeguarding healthcare integrity.

Will Hackers Derail AI-Driven Healthcare? LinkedIn

CrowdStrike has released a patch that addresses a series of vulnerabilities requiring users to reboot their systems multiple times. The fix process can become more complex depending on the specific issues encountered, highlighting the intricate nature of cybersecurity maintenance. Details on the step-by-step remediation, affected systems, and user experience during the patching process were discussed to provide a comprehensive overview of the updates necessary for securing the environments where CrowdStrike is deployed.

CrowdStrike fixes start at “reboot up to 15 times” and get more complex from there — Ars Technica arstechnica

Shawn Henry, Chief Security Officer at CrowdStrike, acknowledged a serious failure on their part last Friday, which has significantly impacted their customers and partners. With a career spanning almost 40 years, including 24 years at the FBI, Henry's aim has always been to "protect good people from bad things." After transitioning to CrowdStrike in 2012, the company successfully fought against cyber threats for over a decade. Despite this recent failure, which he describes as a profound gut punch, CrowdStrike is working round the clock to restore customer systems and regain the lost trust. Henry assures stakeholders that the team is committed to emerging stronger and better from this challenging experience.

Shawn Henry Chief Security Officer Crowdstrike: On Friday we failed you, and for that I’m deeply sorry. LinkedIn