Less than a month after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, a video surfaced on social media that purportedly showed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urging his soldiers to surrender their arms and abandon the fight against Russia. While the lip-sync in the video appeared somewhat convincing, discrepancies in Mr Zelenskyy's accent, as well as his facial movements and voice, raised suspicions about its authenticity.
Upon closer examination, a simple screenshot revealed that the video was indeed a fake – a deepfake. This marked the first known instance of a deepfake video being utilised in the context of warfare.
Deepfakes are synthetic media, including audio, images, or videos, that have been manipulated and altered to falsely portray individuals saying or doing things they never actually did.
On June 5, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared martial law and military mobilisation in the regions bordering Ukraine, announcing these measures through various Russian radio and television networks. But it was soon discovered that Mr Putin's speech was also a fabrication – a deepfake broadcast through hacked TV and radio channels. The deepfake was so convincing that it prompted Russian officials in the Belgorod region to issue warnings, cautioning the population against falling prey to the deepfake's intended to “sow panic among peaceful Belgorod residents”.
The rise of deepfakes serves as a vivid illustration of the exponential growth of artificial intelligence and the challenges it poses to both national and international governance. Deepfake technology, fuelled by the invention in 2014 of generative adversarial networks (GANs) – a type of machine learning framework – aims to create new content by pitting two neural networks against each other in a competitive fashion.
By 2018, GANs had advanced to the point where they could generate, for instance, highly realistic images of individuals who have never actually existed. In Autumn 2017, the first deepfake videos were uploaded on Reddit. These initial deepfakes involved merging the faces of Hollywood actresses onto the bodies of performers in adult videos. In less than two years, almost 15,000 deepfake videos had been identified online, with an alarming 96 per cent of them falling into the category of adult content. Moreover, 100 per cent of the victims depicted in these videos were women.
Disturbingly, it was reported earlier this year that paedophiles are now employing deepfakes to create explicit images of child abuse. One paedophile in Quebec, Canada was recently convicted after the police discovered 545,000 pictures and videos of children on his computer, with 86,000 of them being deepfakes generated from real children's images collected from social media, particularly Facebook.
Deepfake technology has also demonstrated its potential for other nefarious purposes beyond exploiting individuals. It can be employed to alter medical scans, creating fake tumours or removing real ones, or manipulate satellite images to fabricate entire geographical features or deepfake geography. The implications are profound, posing risks not only to personal privacy but also to various sectors, including healthcare and national security.
On November 30, 2022, OpenAI, an American artificial intelligence laboratory, released ChatGPT, an AI chatbot. Within five days, ChatGPT garnered five million users. It took Netflix three-and-a-half years to reach the same milestone. After just two months, the application boasted 100 million users, making it the fastest-growing consumer application in history - until it was overtaken by Meta’s app Threads this month. While the first iteration of ChatGPT (ChatGPT 3.5) achieved a mediocre score (10th percentile) on the US Uniform Bar Exam, the subsequent release of ChatGPT 4 on March 14, 2023, outperformed 90 per cent of aspiring lawyers attempting to pass the bar.
The growing accessibility of generative AI presents not only opportunities, but also immense risks
In a recent experiment, MIT associate professor and GCSP polymath fellow Kevin Esvelt and his students utilised freely accessible "large language model" algorithms like GPT-4 to devise a detailed roadmap for obtaining exceptionally dangerous viruses. In just one hour, the chatbot suggested four potential pandemic pathogens, provided instructions for generating them from synthetic DNA, and even recommended DNA synthesis companies unlikely to screen orders. Their conclusion was alarming: easy access to AI chatbots will lead “the number of individuals capable of killing tens of millions to dramatically increase”.
The growing accessibility of generative AI presents not only opportunities, but also immense risks, including targeted manipulations at the individual level. A recent study revealed that AI-generated responses to patient queries outperformed physicians' responses in terms of quality and empathy. Empathy, the intrinsically human ability to understand another person's feelings from their perspective rather than our own, is now being surpassed by chatbots. This should serve as a wake-up call for governments, as it opens the door to potential large-scale subversion campaigns and gives rise to a new form of warfare –cognitive warfare – where public opinion is weaponised to influence policy and destabilise public institutions. Generative AI and tools such as ChatGPT could be soon considered as weapons of mass deception.
These examples underscore the exponential pace at which AI is advancing. The challenge lies in the fact that humans and organisations tend to think in a linear fashion when considering future developments. Faced with exponential growth, such as the rapid spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, many governments have often demonstrated slow and ill-suited responses.
In an era defined by emerging exponential technologies, global and national governance must adapt to become more reactive and anticipatory. Strategic foresight, the ability to envision and act upon potential futures, should become a standard procedure for any organisation engaged in national and global governance. This necessitates the inclusion of diverse skills and profiles among those working within these institutions. Furthermore, effectively addressing the consequences of exponential technological transformations requires the ability to identify weak signals, highlighting the need to promote polymaths – individuals with knowledge spanning various subjects – to break free from silo thinking and groupthink.
On July 18, the UN Security Council will convene its first-ever meeting to discuss the potential threats posed by artificial intelligence to international peace and security. The UN already addresses certain aspects of this issue through, for instance, the Governmental Group of Experts (GGE) on Lethal Autonomous Weapons (LAWS), which examines the potential impact of autonomous weapons on international humanitarian law and possible regulations or bans. However, autonomous weapons also have profound implications for strategic stability, an area hardly discussed by the GGE.
AI represents a dual-use technology even more transformative than electricity, and therefore has profound international security implications. The UN Secretary-General recently expressed support for the establishment of a UN agency on AI, similar to the International Atomic Energy Agency. Such an agency, focused on knowledge and endowed with regulatory powers, could enhance co-ordination among burgeoning AI initiatives worldwide and promote global governance on AI.
To succeed, however, the UN must transcend its traditional intergovernmental DNA and incorporate the scientific community, private sector (the primary source of AI innovations) and civil society into new governance frameworks, including public-private partnerships. As was mentioned in the recent UN AI for Good Summit in Geneva, the city, well endowed with a governance ecosystem conducive to such initiatives, presents an ideal venue for materialising this vision.
The deepfake and generative AI quandary serves as a sobering reminder of the immense power and multifaceted security challenges posed by artificial intelligence. In the pursuit of responsible AI governance, we must prioritise the protection against malevolent exploitation while nurturing an environment that encourages ethical innovation and societal progress.
Embracing strategic foresight, unshackling ourselves from linear thinking, and fostering diverse collaborations and security by design are crucial steps towards collectively shaping an AI-powered future that upholds ethical principles, preserves democratic values and secures the well-being of humanity in the face of transformative technological landscapes. By forging this path, we can pave the way for a more equitable, secure and prosperous society in the age of AI.
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New Zealand 15 British & Irish Lions 15
New Zealand 15
Tries: Laumape, J Barrett
Conversions: B Barrett
Penalties: B Barrett
British & Irish Lions 15
Penalties: Farrell (4), Daly
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
Community Shield info
Where, when and at what time Wembley Stadium in London on Sunday at 5pm (UAE time)
Arsenal line up (3-4-2-1) Petr Cech; Rob Holding, Per Mertesacker, Nacho Monreal; Hector Bellerin, Mohamed Elneny, Granit Xhaka, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain; Alex Iwobi, Danny Welbeck; Alexandre Lacazette
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger
Chelsea line up (3-4-2-1) Thibaut Courtois; Cesar Azpilicueta, David Luiz, Gary Cahill; Victor Moses, Cesc Fabregas, N'Golo Kante, Marcos Alonso; Willian, Pedro; Michy Batshuayi
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte
Referee Bobby Madley
LAST 16 DRAW
Borussia Dortmund v PSG
Real Madrid v Manchester City
Atalanta v Valencia
Atletico Madrid v Liverpool
Chelsea v Bayern Munich
Lyon v Juventus
Tottenham v Leipzig
Napoli v Barcelona
MATCH INFO
Chelsea 3 (Abraham 11', 17', 74')
Luton Town 1 (Clark 30')
Man of the match Abraham (Chelsea)
What is Reform?
Reform is a right-wing, populist party led by Nigel Farage, a former MEP who won a seat in the House of Commons last year at his eighth attempt and a prominent figure in the campaign for the UK to leave the European Union.
It was founded in 2018 and originally called the Brexit Party.
Many of its members previously belonged to UKIP or the mainstream Conservatives.
After Brexit took place, the party focused on the reformation of British democracy.
Former Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson became its first MP after defecting in March 2024.
The party gained support from Elon Musk, and had hoped the tech billionaire would make a £100m donation. However, Mr Musk changed his mind and called for Mr Farage to step down as leader in a row involving the US tycoon's support for far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson who is in prison for contempt of court.
Huroob Ezterari
Director: Ahmed Moussa
Starring: Ahmed El Sakka, Amir Karara, Ghada Adel and Moustafa Mohammed
Three stars
Traits of Chinese zodiac animals
Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent
Dhadak
Director: Shashank Khaitan
Starring: Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khattar, Ashutosh Rana
Stars: 3
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
'THE WORST THING YOU CAN EAT'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
Key findings
- Over a period of seven years, a team of scientists analysed dietary data from 50,000 North American adults.
- Eating one or two meals a day was associated with a relative decrease in BMI, compared with three meals. Snacks count as a meal. Likewise, participants who ate more than three meals a day experienced an increase in BMI: the more meals a day, the greater the increase.
- People who ate breakfast experienced a relative decrease in their BMI compared with “breakfast-skippers”.
- Those who turned the eating day on its head to make breakfast the biggest meal of the day, did even better.
- But scrapping dinner altogether gave the best results. The study found that the BMI of subjects who had a long overnight fast (of 18 hours or more) decreased when compared even with those who had a medium overnight fast, of between 12 and 17 hours.
Company%20profile
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: N2 Technology
Founded: 2018
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Startups
Size: 14
Funding: $1.7m from HNIs
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha
Starring: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shantanu Maheshwari, Jimmy Shergill, Saiee Manjrekar
Director: Neeraj Pandey
Rating: 2.5/5
Types of bank fraud
1) Phishing
Fraudsters send an unsolicited email that appears to be from a financial institution or online retailer. The hoax email requests that you provide sensitive information, often by clicking on to a link leading to a fake website.
2) Smishing
The SMS equivalent of phishing. Fraudsters falsify the telephone number through “text spoofing,” so that it appears to be a genuine text from the bank.
3) Vishing
The telephone equivalent of phishing and smishing. Fraudsters may pose as bank staff, police or government officials. They may persuade the consumer to transfer money or divulge personal information.
4) SIM swap
Fraudsters duplicate the SIM of your mobile number without your knowledge or authorisation, allowing them to conduct financial transactions with your bank.
5) Identity theft
Someone illegally obtains your confidential information, through various ways, such as theft of your wallet, bank and utility bill statements, computer intrusion and social networks.
6) Prize scams
Fraudsters claiming to be authorised representatives from well-known organisations (such as Etisalat, du, Dubai Shopping Festival, Expo2020, Lulu Hypermarket etc) contact victims to tell them they have won a cash prize and request them to share confidential banking details to transfer the prize money.
