Your Thursday Australian AI and tech news briefing: the stories worth knowing about today, with a focus on what matters for Australian small business.

Powerful AI hacking tool locked out of Australia: and small businesses are most exposed

Anthropic’s Claude Mythos: an unreleased AI model capable of finding and chaining software vulnerabilities at scale: is being shared exclusively with a group of major US tech companies (Microsoft, Apple, AWS, Google, Cisco) to help them test their defences. Australian banks and infrastructure providers aren’t in the group. The concern, flagged by former national cyber security adviser Alastair MacGibbon, is that AI hacking capabilities are improving at a “staggering” rate: and when those tools proliferate beyond controlled access, organisations that haven’t prepared will be exposed. For small businesses with no security teams and ageing software, the window to act is now.

What this means for your business: Deep dive: Australian Small Businesses Are the Soft Target in the AI Cyber Arms Race →

Via ABC Tech, Read the full story →

SERD response key to productivity fix, inquiry told

Rapid reform of the research and development landscape and better-targeted uptake of advanced technologies like artificial intelligence are needed to boost Australia’s flatlining productivity rates, a Canberra inquiry into has been told. A slew of government departments, peak industry bodies a

What this means for your business: Small business owners need to invest in new technologies like AI and modernize their operations to stay competitive, as Australia’s productivity is stalling. Government reforms to research and development funding could make it easier and cheaper for smaller firms to access these tools and expertise.

Via InnovationAus, Read the full story →

Silverfort And SentinelOne Partner To Tackle AI Identity Risk In Australia

Identity security company Silverfort and AI security platform SentinelOne (NYSE: S) have formed a strategic partnership aimed at securing human, AI agent and non-human identities as automated systems become embedded across enterprise environments. The partnership brings together Silverfort’s r

What this means for your business: Small business owners in Australia now have better protection against hackers targeting their employee accounts and automated systems. This partnership makes it easier for smaller companies to defend against identity-based cyberattacks without needing expensive security staff, helping keep customer data and business operations safe.

Via SMBTech AU, Read the full story →

BoQ looks to legacy decommissioning as core consolidation gains pace

What this means for your business: Bank of Queensland is shutting down old banking systems to cut costs as it merges operations. This could mean slower service during the transition and possible changes to how small business customers access banking services.

Via IT News Australia, Read the full story →

TAL prioritises data and AI with “largest-ever technology deal”

What this means for your business: TAL’s major technology investment will likely improve how the company processes insurance claims and assesses risk through AI. This could mean faster claim decisions and potentially more accurate pricing for small business insurance policies you purchase from them.

Via IT News Australia, Read the full story →

Meta to start capturing employee mouse movements, keystrokes

What this means for your business: Meta’s move signals that major tech companies are capturing detailed employee activity data for AI development. Australian small business owners using Meta’s tools or considering similar monitoring should understand this normalises workplace surveillance and may increase pressure to adopt similar practices to stay competitive.

Via IT News Australia, Read the full story →

That’s your Thursday AI briefing. Check back tomorrow for the latest. 🦞

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Sources: Powerful AI hacking tool. Australian firms locked out (ABC Tech) | SERD response key to productivity fix, inquiry told (InnovationAus) | Silverfort And SentinelOne Partner To Tackle AI Identity Risk In Australia (SMBTech AU) | BoQ looks to legacy decommissioning as core consolidation gains pace (IT News Australia) | TAL prioritises data and AI with “largest-ever technology deal” (IT News Australia) | Meta to start capturing employee mouse movements, keystrokes (IT News Australia)

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