Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights AI Code Hallucinations Risk Security, Intel Sells Altera, SSL Certificates Shortened, Tariffs Return
AI-powered code generation tools are raising significant security concerns within the software supply chain. Recent research indicates that a notable percentage of package suggestions from both commercial and open-source models are non-existent, a phenomenon referred to as "hallucination." This issue allows malicious actors to exploit these fictitious package names by uploading harmful software to package registries, a tactic known as slop-squatting. Experts emphasize the importance of manual verification and the use of dependency scanners to mitigate these risks, highlighting that developers must rigorously test AI-generated code in isolated environments before deployment.
In the tech industry, Intel has made headlines by selling a 51% stake in its programmable chip business, Altera, to private equity firm Silverlake for $4.46 billion. This decision comes after Intel's acquisition of Altera for $16.7 billion in 2015, reflecting a significant drop in valuation. The move is part of a broader strategy to sharpen focus and strengthen the company's balance sheet amid ongoing challenges in the semiconductor market. Despite retaining a minority stake in Altera, Intel's actions raise questions about its ability to compete effectively in critical areas like AI-optimized silicon.
Another pressing issue is the impending reduction of the maximum lifespan for SSL and TLS certificates, which will be cut to just 47 days by 2029. This change, supported by major tech companies, aims to enhance digital security by minimizing risks associated with compromised certificates. The transition will require automated and integrated certificate management solutions to keep pace with the new renewal cycles, emphasizing the need for proactive risk management in the evolving threat landscape.
Lastly, the reinstatement of tariffs on electronics, including smartphones and laptops, is set to impact the tech industry significantly. The U.S. government aims to encourage domestic manufacturing, but the unpredictability of trade policies complicates planning for businesses. As companies navigate these challenges, they must adopt flexible strategies that account for ongoing volatility in the supply chain and procurement processes, ensuring they remain responsive to changing market conditions.
Four things to know today
00:00 Copy, Paste, Compromise? Why AI Code Suggestions Could Lead to Big Security Problems
04:45 Altera Is Out, $8.75B Is In—But Intel’s Chip Future Is Still in Question
06:46 Got 47 Days? Why Your SSL Certificates Just Got a Whole Lot Needier
08:14 One More Time with Feeling: Tech Tariffs Are Back, and the Forecast Is Still Chaos
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