The latest "Qwen2.5-Omni-7B" is a multimodal model- it can process inputs like audio/video, text, and images- while also creating real-time text and natural speech responses, Alibaba’s cloud website reports. It also said that the model can be used on edge devices such as smartphones, providing higher efficiency without giving up on performance.
According to Alibaba, the “unique combination makes it the perfect foundation for developing agile, cost-effective AI agents that deliver tangible value, especially intelligent voice applications.” For instance, the AI can be used to assist visually impaired individuals to navigate their environment via real-time audio description.
The latest model is open-sourced on forums GitHub and Hugging Face, after a rising trend in China post DeepSeek breakthrough R1 model open-source. Open-source means a software in which the source code is created freely on web for potential modification and redistribution.
In recent years, Alibaba claims it has open-sourced more that 200 generative AI models. In the noise of China’s AI dominance intensified by DeepSeek due to its shoe string budget and capabilities, Alibaba and genAI competitors are also releasing new, cost-cutting models and services an exceptional case.
Last week, Chinese tech mammoth Baidu launched a new multimodal foundational model and its first reasoning-based model. Likewise, Alibaba introduced its updated Qwen 2.5 AI model in January and also launched a new variant of its AI assistant tool Quark this month.
Alibaba has also made strong commitments to its AI plan, recently, it announced a plan to put $53 billion in its cloud computing and AI infrastructure over the next three years, even surpassing its spending in the space over the past decade.
CNBC talked with Kai Wang, Asia Senior equity analyst at Morningstar, Mr Kai told CNBC that “large Chinese tech players such as Alibaba, which build data centers to meet the computing needs of AI in addition to building their own LLMs, are well positioned to benefit from China's post-DeepSeek AI boom.” According to CNBC, “Alibaba secured a major win for its AI business last month when it confirmed that the company was partnering with Apple to roll out AI integration for iPhones sold in China.”
Cysecurity News recently interviewed CYFOX (https://www.cyfox.com/) to gain an in-depth understanding of their new platform, OmniSec vCISO (https://www.cyfox.com/omnisec). The platform, designed to simplify compliance and bolster security operations, leverages advanced generative AI (genAI) and aims to transform what was traditionally the manual processes of compliance into a seamless, automated workflow.
GenAI-Powered Automated Compliance Analysis
One of the platform’s most innovative features is its use of genAI to convert complex regulatory texts into actionable technical requirements. OmniSec vCISO digests global frameworks such as ISO and GDPR, as well as regional mandates, and distills them into clear, prioritized compliance checklists.
Bridging the Data Gap with Dual Integration
For years, security teams have contended with disparate data sources and laborious manual assessments. OmniSec vCISO addresses these challenges through a dual-integration approach: lightweight, agent-based data collection across endpoints and API-driven connections with existing EDR/XDR systems. This method delivers a unified view of network activities, vulnerabilities, and overall security posture, enabling organizations to rapidly identify and address risks while streamlining day-to-day operations.
The system is designed to work with multiple compliance standards simultaneously, allowing organizations to manage overlapping or similar requirements across different regulatory frameworks. Notably, once an issue is resolved in one compliance area, OmniSec vCISO aims to automatically mark corresponding items as fixed in other frameworks with similar criteria. Additionally, the platform offers the flexibility to add new compliance measures—whether they are externally mandated or internal standards—by letting users upload or define requirements in a straightforward manner. This approach keeps organizations current with evolving legal landscapes and internal policies, significantly reducing the time and effort typically required for gap analysis and remediation planning.
Intuitive Interface and Real-Time Reporting
OmniSec vCISO is built with the end user in mind. Its intuitive Q&A dashboard allows security leaders to ask direct questions about their organization’s cybersecurity status—whether querying open vulnerabilities or reviewing asset inventories—and receive immediate, data-backed responses.
Detailed visual reports and compliance scores facilitate internal risk assessments and help convey security statuses clearly to executive teams and stakeholders. Furthermore, the platform incorporates automated, scheduled reporting features that aim to ensure critical updates are delivered promptly, supporting proactive security management.
Future-Forward Capabilities and Broader Integration
During the interview, CYFOX representatives outlined ambitious future enhancements for OmniSec vCISO. Upcoming integrations include support for pulling employee data from systems such as Active Directory and Google Workspace. These enhancements are intended to enable the incorporation of user behavior analytics and risk scoring, thereby extending the platform’s functionality beyond asset management. By evolving into a single hub for all tasks a CISO faces—from compliance remediation to cybersecurity training and awareness—the platform seeks to simplify and centralize the complex landscape of modern cybersecurity operations.
Data Security and Operational Simplicity
OmniSec vCISO is engineered with robust data security at its core. All information is transmitted and stored on CYFOX-managed servers using stringent encryption protocols, ensuring that sensitive data remains secure and under the organization’s control. The platform’s automated, genAI-driven approach aims to reduce manual intervention, allowing organizations to achieve and maintain compliance with minimal operational overhead.
A Measured Step Forward
OmniSec vCISO represents a practical response to the evolving challenges in cybersecurity management. By automating compliance gap analysis, offering the flexibility to add both new and internal compliance frameworks, and managing multiple standards concurrently—with automatic cross-compliance updates when issues are resolved—the platform delivers a balanced solution to the everyday needs of CISOs and compliance officers. The insights shared during the Cysecurity News interview highlight how CYFOX is addressing real-world challenges in modern cybersecurity.
By Cysecurity Staff – March 10, 2025
One of the most significant applications of GenAI in the automotive sector is in the realm of autonomous vehicle testing. Traditional testing methods, which rely heavily on physical prototypes and real-world trials, are both time-consuming and costly. GenAI, however, offers a groundbreaking alternative. By creating detailed simulations that replicate real-world conditions, GenAI enables comprehensive testing of autonomous systems in a virtual environment. These simulations can mimic a wide range of scenarios, from adverse weather conditions to complex urban traffic patterns, ensuring that autonomous vehicles are rigorously tested before hitting the roads.
This approach not only accelerates the development cycle but also significantly reduces costs. Manufacturers can identify and address potential issues early in the design phase, minimizing the risk of costly recalls and enhancing the overall safety of autonomous vehicles.
Another area where GenAI is making a substantial impact is predictive maintenance. Modern vehicles are equipped with a plethora of sensors that continuously monitor various components and systems. GenAI can analyze this in-vehicle data to accurately forecast potential component failures. By identifying signs of wear and tear or impending malfunctions, GenAI enables proactive maintenance, preventing unexpected breakdowns and reducing downtime.
This predictive capability is precious for fleet operators, who can optimize their maintenance schedules and ensure their vehicles remain in peak condition. For individual car owners, it translates to fewer trips to the mechanic and a more reliable driving experience.
GenAI is also set to revolutionize the user experience in next-gen automotive. Advanced AI algorithms can personalize various aspects of the driving experience, from adjusting seat positions and climate control settings to recommending optimal driving routes based on real-time traffic data. By learning from user preferences and behaviors, GenAI can create a highly customized and intuitive driving environment.
Moreover, GenAI-powered virtual assistants can provide real-time assistance and support, enhancing convenience and safety. For instance, these assistants can help drivers navigate unfamiliar routes, find nearby amenities, or even diagnose minor vehicle issues on the go.
Training courses in GenAI cover a wide range of topics. Introductory courses, which can be completed in just a few hours, address the fundamentals, ethics, and social implications of GenAI. For those seeking deeper knowledge, advanced modules are available that focus on development using GenAI and large language models (LLMs), requiring over 100 hours to complete.
These courses are designed to cater to various job roles and functions within the organisations. For example, KPMG India aims to have its entire workforce trained in GenAI by the end of the fiscal year, with 50% already trained. Their programs are tailored to different levels of employees, from teaching leaders about return on investment and business envisioning to training coders in prompt engineering and LLM operations.
EY India has implemented a structured approach, offering distinct sets of courses for non-technologists, software professionals, project managers, and executives. Presently, 80% of their employees are trained in GenAI. Similarly, PwC India focuses on providing industry-specific masterclasses for leaders to enhance their client interactions, alongside offering brief nano courses for those interested in the basics of GenAI.
Wipro organises its courses into three levels based on employee seniority, with plans to develop industry-specific courses for domain experts. Cognizant has created shorter courses for leaders, sales, and HR teams to ensure a broad understanding of GenAI. Infosys also has a program for its senior leaders, with 400 of them currently enrolled.
Ray Wang, principal analyst and founder at Constellation Research, highlighted the extensive range of programs developed by tech firms, including training on Python and chatbot interactions. Cognizant has partnerships with Udemy, Microsoft, Google Cloud, and AWS, while TCS collaborates with NVIDIA, IBM, and GitHub.
Cognizant boasts 160,000 GenAI-trained employees, and TCS offers a free GenAI course on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure until the end of July to encourage participation. According to TCS's annual report, over half of its workforce, amounting to 300,000 employees, have been trained in generative AI, with a goal of training all staff by 2025.
The investment in GenAI training by IT and consulting firms pivots towards the importance of staying ahead in the rapidly evolving technological landscape. By equipping their employees with essential AI skills, these companies aim to enhance their capabilities, drive innovation, and maintain a competitive edge in the market. As the demand for AI expertise grows, these training programs will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the industry.
The software industry witnessed a pivotal moment with the introduction of Open AI's ChatGPT in November 2022, sparking a race dubbed the GenAI race. This event spurred SaaS vendors into a frenzy to enhance their tools with generative AI-driven productivity features.
GenAI tools serve a multitude of purposes, simplifying software development for developers, aiding sales teams in crafting emails, assisting marketers in creating low-cost unique content, and facilitating brainstorming sessions for teams and creatives.
Notable recent launches in the GenAI space include Microsoft 365 Copilot, GitHub Copilot, and Salesforce Einstein GPT, all of which are paid enhancements, indicating the eagerness of SaaS providers to capitalize on the GenAI trend. Google is also gearing up to launch its SGE (Search Generative Experience) platform, offering premium AI-generated summaries instead of conventional website listings.
The rapid integration of AI capabilities into SaaS applications suggests that it won't be long before AI becomes a standard feature in such tools.
However, alongside these advancements come new risks and challenges for users. The widespread adoption of GenAI applications in workplaces is raising concerns about exposure to cybersecurity threats.
GenAI operates by training models to generate data similar to the original based on user-provided information. This exposes organizations to risks such as IP leakage, exposure of sensitive customer data, and the potential for cybercriminals to use deepfakes for phishing scams and identity theft.
These concerns, coupled with the need to comply with regulations, have led to a backlash against GenAI applications, especially in industries handling confidential data. Some organizations have even banned the use of GenAI tools altogether.
Despite these bans, organizations struggle to control the use of GenAI applications effectively, as they often enter the workplace without proper oversight or approval.
In response to these challenges, the US government is urging organizations to implement better governance around AI usage. This includes appointing Chief AI Officers to oversee AI technologies and ensure responsible usage.
With the rise of GenAI applications, organizations need to reassess their security measures. Traditional perimeter protection strategies are proving inadequate against modern threats, which target vulnerabilities within organizations.
To regain control and mitigate risks associated with GenAI apps, organizations can adopt advanced zero-trust solutions like SSPM (SaaS Security Posture Management). These solutions provide visibility into AI-enabled apps and assess their security posture to prevent, detect, and respond to threats effectively.