Apple is so confident in the capabilities of its software that it has put a hefty bounty on it

If you fancy getting your hands on $1,000,000 and are something of a cybergeek, clear your weekend – as Apple is offering the life-changing sum to anyone who can get the better of its sophisticated new AI system.

We’ve all heard a lot about Apple Intelligence over the last few months, and finally, it is set to be released next week when iOS 18.1 is launched on Monday (28 October).

iPhone users have been eagerly awaiting the software update which the tech giant says will open up a world of ‘new possibilities’ for your device, while CEO Tim Cook promised it ‘raises the bar for what an iPhone can do’.

The new AI features will bring improvements to your emails, messages, notification centre and photos, as well as introducing AI writing tools, voice transcribing and its reimagined emojis.

Apple has made some pretty big assertions about the abilities of its AI system, particularly about the safety of it.

According to the firm, Apple Intelligence will ‘draw on your personal context without allowing anyone else to access your personal data – not even Apple’.

It explains that the AI system is ‘designed to protect your privacy at every step’, and although it is ‘aware’ of your personal information, it doesn’t collect any of it.

The company is so confident in its security system and its Private Cloud Compute (PCC) technology that it has offered $1 million (£771,500) to anyone who can crack it.

Apple have called on tech whizzes to try and hack its Private Cloud Compute (PCC) technology (GREG BAKER/AFP via Getty Images)

What is Private Cloud Compute (PCC)?

For those who have no idea what PCC is, let us introduce you.

Apple explains that this ‘groundbreaking cloud intelligence system’ was created specifically for the purpose of private AI processing.

These servers will receive and sort out users’ Apple Intelligence requests when they are too complex for the device to handle on its own – and once it is all done and dusted, this data will be deleted immediately.

The tech firm itself can’t even access the stuff sent to PCC, which is built with custom Apple silicon and a ‘hardened operating system designed for privacy’, thanks to end-to-end encryption.

Apple describes the tech as the ‘most advanced security architecture ever deployed for cloud AI compute at scale’, a comment which is sure to sting for its competitors.

PCC was built with a core set of requirements, including stateless computation of personal user data, enforceable guarantees, no privileged runtime access and most importantly, non-targetability and verifiable transparency.

To put these latter two to the test, Apple is encouraging people to try and hack into the system.

$1 million bounty

On Thursday (24 October), Apple called on ‘all security researchers – or anyone with interest and a technical curiosity’ to conduct their ‘own independent verification’ of the company’s big claims about the capabilities of PCC.

It said in an announcement: “To further encourage your research in Private Cloud Compute, we’re expanding Apple Security Bounty to include rewards for vulnerabilities that demonstrate a compromise of the fundamental security and privacy guarantees of PCC.”

Third-party auditors have already had a go at it, but now, anyone can attempt to break into the system.

You could earn $1 million for cracking into the supposedly iron-clad system (Getty Stock Image)

And for your valiant efforts, you can earn a myriad of different rewards – but one lucky bugger could get their hands on a whopping $1 million if they can run code on the system.

All they have to do is avoid detection and access sensitive info. Simple, right?

The idea is that Apple will be able to ‘learn more about PCC and perform their own independent verification of our claims’ by letting the tech-savvy try and break into it.

Hackers don’t have to start from absolute scratch, as Apple is granting access to the source code for key components of PCC, so people can get their head around the software before they take a whack at it.

Those who have a go will also be given a security guide and access to a virtual environment on macOS.

There is $100,000 up for grabs for anyone who can carry out code requests that are unverified by the company.

You could also bag a tidy $250,000 if you find a way to get into PCC remotely and expose a user’s data request file, but if you manage to find any other vulnerabilities in the tech, you could also be rewarded financially.

Apple said that ‘even if it doesn’t match a published category’, people who find any weak points could still earn some cash from them.

“We hope that you’ll dive deeper into PCC’s design with our Security Guide, explore the code yourself with the Virtual Research Environment, and report any issues you find through Apple Security Bounty,” it added.

“We believe Private Cloud Compute is the most advanced security architecture ever deployed for cloud AI compute at scale, and we look forward to working with the research community to build trust in the system and make it even more secure and private over time.”

So, what are you waiting for?

Shoppers can get £50 off new iPad Mini with hidden hack ahead of release

It’s been three years in the making

This article contains affiliate links and LADbible Group might make a commission on anything purchased.

Apple has announced the launch of the new iPad Mini 7, three years after the previous model.

Supercharged by the A17 Pro chip, which operates twice as fast as the sixth generation, it’s already being billed as the tech giant’s most powerful version yet. This means the iPad Mini 7 is built to offer Apple Intelligence (AI) features for the first time.

In exciting news for tech heads, hero features include AI-powered writing tools, an all-improved Siri, and increased data protection. The five-core GPU brings ray tracing too, which essentially means higher quality graphics when playing games.

Apple

The iPad Mini also boasts all-day battery life and double the storage of the previous model.

With four colours to choose from (space grey, blue, purple, and starlight), an 8.3 inch display, and 12-megapixel camera, it certainly looks good too.

How much does the new Apple iPad Mini cost?

The new Apple iPad Mini 7 is now available to preorder on AO.com with prices starting from £499 (128GB) with free engraving included. You can also add Pencil Pro for £129.

Apple

Other online retailers have now jumped on the launch. The new device is currently available to preorder on EE for £45 per month as part of a monthly contract.

The iPad Mini 7 can also be purchased on John Lewis for £499 (128GB) and £799 (512GB). The offer includes access to three months of Apple Music, Apple TV+, and Apple Arcade for free if you’re a new subscriber.

How to get £50 off the new Apple iPad Mini 7

There’s a hidden trick if you’d like to get £50 off iPad Mini 7. The official Apple website offers ‘education’ pricing which brings the price down to £449.

Apple

You don’t have to be a student to take advantage of the offer, as it’s also available to teachers and staff. Make sure to check out the terms and conditions to see if you qualify.

Shop the best iPad Mini discounts 2024

When a new product is launched but you’re not too fussed about having the latest tech, it’s a good chance to invest in older models for less. You don’t have to wait until Black Friday either.

For instance, the iPad Mini 6 (2021, 64GB) is currently reduced from £649 to £468.97 on Very whilst Currys is selling the iPad for £499 – down from £529. It’s also available to purchase on Amazon for £326.

New Apple iOS update sparks controversy as it’s branded ‘a cheaters paradise’

The new feature has left the internet divided

The new Apple iOS update has brought on a wave of controversy from users – and it’s all over one new feature.

It’s that time of year, as Apple have announced a new iOS for our beloved iPhones, and with that comes a selection of new features for us to dig our teeth into.

Among the additions in iOS 18 is Apple Intelligence, a new AI-powered system that would run across all of its official platforms and devices, being able to solve any problems and respond to prompts from the user, while also being able to create new text and images – essentially, the latest evolution of Siri.

However, there was one other addition to the Apple interface that got people talking – and it’s less cool, more scary (to some people).

iOS 18 is ushering in a new era of tech for the company. (Filip Radwanski/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Apple announced at its Worldwide Developers Conference on Monday (10 June) that users can now either lock and hide an app by moving it to a hidden folder, and further explained what this entails.

“Locked and hidden apps offer users peace of mind that information they want to keep private, such as app notifications and content, will not inadvertently be seen by others,” they explained.

“Users can now lock an app; and for additional privacy, they can hide an app, moving it to a locked, hidden apps folder.”

“When an app is locked or hidden, content like messages or emails inside the app is hidden from search, notifications, and other places across the system.”

The new feature is designed to ‘give users more control’ over who sees their apps. (Getty Stock Photos)

Apple also presented the addition as a chance to keep things such as banking apps private, with your money being more secure – which is great news for parents who want to stop their children from buying things off Amazon.

The company said that the new feature ‘gives users even more control with tools to manage who can see their apps, how contacts are shared, and how their iPhone connects to accessories’.

However, numerous people expressed their concerns on social media for the new feature – and what particular people might choose to do with it.

People’s home screens might be looking very different, very soon. (Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

One user posted: “A new privacy feature in iOS is going to help f***bois all the world round, by letting you hide certain apps even when you hand your phone over to someone else to change the music or something. Nice.”

Calling it a ‘cheater’s paradise’, a second commented: “On the apple update you can hide and lock apps, and they won’t even come up if you search words in the search bar.”

A third user said: “IOS 18 update lets you lock a specific app….apple making it way to easy to hide your suspicious activities lmao.”

Though an exact date wasn’t given, it was said that iOS 18 will be available later this year.

AI has a scary prediction for what humans will look like in 1,000 years

Nope, no thank-you

Many of us have often wondered what life would look like in the future.

Flying cars, smartphone glasses, teleportation, space travel? There’s no shortage of films, books and TV series created from our imagination of a futuristic planet earth.

But thanks to artificial intelligence, we no longer have to speculate about the human race – and the truth is more terrifying than our wildest imaginations.

Thanks to the use of AI software Midjourney, UNILAD was able to create a series of images which revealed what the programme thought we would all look like in 1000 years from now… and it’s a horror show.

It’s not surprising that a piece of software created off the back of technological advancements pictures a robotic future for us, however the images are still creepy nonetheless.

The creepiest part of the images is the almost robotic appearance of the face, which features wires and various mechanical contraptions replacing the skin of our cheeks and forehead. Almost like a cyberpunk skeleton.

AI is taking body modification to the extreme (UNILAD/Midjourney)

How we end up as wire covered cyborgs is another mystery in itself. Will covering our faces in wires become a new fashion trend or is it a reflection of just how prevalent technology will become in our lives?

Or perhaps the image is a personification of how AI itself could look after 1000 years of development.

The good news is that the software didn’t predict everyone to be wire covered cyborg.

Let this be a reminder that following trends isn’t always a good idea. (UNILAD/Midjourney)

However, the bad news is that even the more recognisable human faces don’t seem to be enjoying their future life.

Granted, some of the faces in the next set of images don’t appear too different from how we look now. If nothing else they look little more worn down from an existence based entirely around staring at screens.

However you probably didn’t notice that as you were too preoccupied with staring at the two faces in the middle of the bottom row and hoping that AI had gotten things horribly wrong on this occasion.

Some of these guys are not having a good time. (UNILAD/Midjourney)

We don’t know what horrors these two sun-fearing creatures faced in order to warp their appearance so badly. Could it be a damning omen of where society is heading or did something more sinister happen?

Perhaps AI could be wrong about the future of the human race? Either way, we’ll never know, unless we also unlock the secret of immortality in the near future.

If staring at a reflection of our future selves hasn’t given you nightmares to last for days, AI has also recently predicted what future McDonalds restaurants would look like as well as the faces of the average man in several UK towns.

AI creates what ‘average person’ looks like for each job and it’s left people divided

AI seems to like stereotypes, and thinks morticians all dress like it’s still Victorian times

One day it’ll kill us all and take over what remains of this world after it’s done wiping us out, but for now AI is being told to make pictures of people.

It can tell you what it thinks a McDonald’s of the future will look like, or churn out some stereotypes about what the average man from various cities across the UK ought to look like.

So what did you think of what the average jobs looked like according to an artificial intelligence that scraped together whatever it could find on the internet?

A lot of them seem a bit stereotypical, don’t they?

There’s also quite a bit of sheen about basically everyone depicted in these images, no offence to some of the professions here but your average representative is not that good-looking.

Accountants

“That’s right sweetheart, ergonomic management keyboard.”

A man and a woman with impeccable hairlines and glasses that probably cost about a month’s rent on an expensive place.

Speaking of the keyboard, how’s that being held?

The hand that holds it is out of the picture but it’s there at a weird angle.

It seems glasses on an accountant are part of the uniform. (Buzzfeed)

Waiters

Another common feature of people in AI pictures is that they all look like they’ve had their teeth done.

This pair had better hope you’re a generous tipper, otherwise they’ll never pay off that cosmetic dentistry.

They look much too happy to be waiters. Or perhaps those smiles are just a façade to get tips? (Buzzfeed)

Baristas

The artificial intelligence seems to think that baristas are basically hipster waiters, and not rushed folks who aren’t paid enough to deal with your impatient demands for caffeine.

Besides, which coffee shop is letting them bring in their own aprons?

It’s also in the barista contract to have some style in their hair. (Buzzfeed)

Personal trainers

The AI has somehow managed to recognise that personal trainers and the Under Armour brand go together like rama lama lama ka dinga da dinga dong.

That’s a Grease reference for you kids, in case you don’t get it.

Still, in my gym-going experience (sporadically and reluctantly) this one is pretty accurate.

This one’s pretty accurate, but what is that guy wearing around his neck? (Buzzfeed)

Chefs

And now we swing from the ‘pretty realistic’ to downright falsehoods.

Someone better tell the machines that the average chef is nowhere near this happy, they’ve got a whole kitchen to run and a hundred people’s appetites to sate.

Too happy to be chefs, where’s the stress? (Buzzfeed)

Retail employees

That guy looks like he’s wearing a t-shirt with the tag still on, and there’s no way he’s allowed to wear that hat as part of his uniform.

You just know these two would not be able to help you find what you were looking for, and would instead be thinking about their next vape-break.

Is that guy wearing a t-shirt with the tag still on? (Buzzfeed)

Doctors

Older, slightly more smug and sporting an AI’s best attempt at a stethoscope.

The bloke on the left looks a bit like Robert Carlyle, which depending on your film watching habits you’ll either recognise as Begbie from Trainspotting, Gaz from The Full Monty or the guy from 28 Weeks Later who leaves his wife behind in that dramatic opening chase scene.

The doctors look rather pleased with themselves. (Buzzfeed)

Software Developers

Much too happy to be software developers, but I suppose the AI feels it has to suck up to its creators.

They’ll be the first to go when the robot revolution comes.

No offence to software developers, but all these AI generated people are too trendy and cool. (Buzzfeed)

Real estate agents

Give the machines some credit, I wouldn’t want to buy a house from either of these people (not that I can afford to buy a house under current socio-economic conditions) so it’s done a decent job here.

Bro thinks he’s Henry Cavill. (Buzzfeed)

Therapists

This egghead has got some gargantuan piece of neck decoration, what is going on there?

Never mind the personal trainer, what is this guy wearing around his neck?

Fast food employees

These are the kind of fast food workers you see in a McDonald’s advert, the reality is more likely to be greasier, shoutier and more annoyed that order 43 hasn’t come to pick up their burger yet.

There we go, there’s the dead-eyed lifeless stares of people who’ve lost all hope in life before turning 20. (Buzzfeed)

Teachers

OK AI, we get it, you think teachers are old.

Either that or it’s meant to be a commentary on how stressful the job is.

You’d hope they were getting close to retirement age, but it’s a stressful job. (Buzzfeed)

Firefighters

Coming soon to a TV screen near you, 26 episodes of drama, action and romance set in a fire station.

At least that’s what this looks like an advert for.

At least it remembered to give them the safety gear. (Buzzfeed)

Flight attendants

We’re always telling you to listen to the flight attendants on planes, but these guys seem like poseurs.

He seems to have grabbed her arm and she looks like she’s wearing some kind of weird short sleeved jacket.

If you want to know anything about planes, ask a fight attendant. (Buzzfeed)

Influencers

Annoying to the extreme, decent work there AI.

They’re so annoying I hope they fall down a hole. Maybe they are influencers after all. (Buzzfeed)

Nurses

They really captured the look that can only come with working one of the busiest, most stressful jobs possible.

Tired? Check. Stressed? Check. Underpaid? Check. Yup, those are nurses. (Buzzfeed)

News anchors

Is her torso at quite a significant angle or does it just sort of stop existing to create a gap between their bodies?

You’d have to wonder how many Clark Kent jokes that guy would get, while pound shop Lex Luthor appears to lurk in the background.

They look like they’ve had a small nation’s GDP worth of plastic surgery. Makes sense. (Buzzfeed)

Morticians

Morticians would be mortified to be presented in such a morose state.

Look, I know this is a computer scraping up pictures and putting them together but these two look like they were plying their trade 150 years ago.

The corpses probably appreciate them being prim and proper. (Buzzfeed)

Lawyers

From the ‘looks too old’ to the ‘looks too young’ category, these two don’t even seem old enough to have got their law degrees, and yet here they are.