A "deepfake surrender" to Russia?

Plus: Rocket Lab's new space solar panels have a 33.3 percent conversion efficiency Mar 17, 2022 [View in browser]( In an age of misinformation and relentless cyberattacks, nearly everything about deepfakes flirts with controversy. And we're seeing more and more dangerous examples of that every day. A deepfake video showing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appearing to instruct state soldiers to lay down their arms and surrender is circulating on social media. And it may be only the tip of the iceberg in the information battle. But, before we venture into the world of deepfakes and its significance in the Russo-Ukrainian war, today's video will let you explore the ultimate unknown: the Pentagon’s “Gimbal” UFO footage. Good morning. I’m Derya, an editor at IE. This is The Blueprint. Let's uncover the truth in the fakeness. [Video]VIDEO OF THE DAY [Here’s everything we know about the Pentagon's "Gimbal" UFO videos, and more]( There might be more to find behind-the-scenes on the famous "Gimbal" video. [Here’s everything we know about the Pentagon's "Gimbal" UFO videos, and more]( CULTURE [The "first deepfake" of Russia's invasion of Ukraine is... bad?]( [The deepfake itself (left); Zelenskyy responding to the deepfake (right).]( For years, researchers and activists have warned that A.I. is getting unspeakably good at manipulating video and audio. These counterfeit videos, "deepfakes,” could have absolutely devastating consequences, and that's [exactly what happened in Ukraine](. - Ukrainian news station Channel 24 announced that hackers who'd broken into its website and TV channel had shared a deepfake that depicted Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy telling Ukrainians to lay down their arms. Surrender. An automatically generated translation of the message reads, in part, "I advise you to lay down your arms and return to your families. You should not die in this war. I advise you to live, and I'm going to do the same." No one has claimed [responsibility for the video]( as of writing. Zelenskyy responded earlier today with a short video on Instagram assuring viewers that he was not backing down. "The only ones who should give up arms are Russian soldiers," he says in the video. [Read More]( SCIENCE [IMM-β: Rocket Lab's new space solar panels have a 33.3 percent conversion efficiency]( [An artist's impression of a satellite with massive solar arrays.]( Rocket Lab [announced that it’s taking]( its next-generation solar cell technology into the qualification phase. The technology, called IMM-β, was invented by SolAero, a space solar power company acquired by Rocket Lab in January 2022. - The new cell uses the company's patented Inverted MetaMorphic (IMM) solar cell technology, which has a conversion efficiency of roughly 33.3 percent in volume production. It’s expected to be the highest efficiency space solar cell technology in high-volume production. Lightweight. It’s also more than 40 percent lighter than typical space-grade solar cells. Reduced weight, of course, is a currency in and of itself when it comes to space missions. SolAero's technology is present on NASA's Parker Solar Probe and [the James Webb Space Telescope](. With the help of Rocket Lab, it’ll soon launch its next-generation solar panel technology, powering future space missions that could shed new light on the oldest mysteries of the universe. [Read More]( INNOVATION [SpaceX is hosting a new fellowship on space-based surgery. It could save lives]( [View from the ISS.]( Basic necessary tasks like drinking a daily dose of water can become a challenge in the microgravity of space. Now imagine performing surgery without the aid of normal gravity. - In a bid to tackle that issue head-on, [SpaceX has partnered with]( the University of Arizona and Banner Health to host the first-ever Aerospace Surgery Fellowship starting this July. Stitch by stitch. It will be the first-ever fellowship training program in the U.S. to go beyond medical oversight for astronauts, delving into the field of aerospace surgery. It aims to train future astronaut surgeons, who will travel to space with the expressed goal of keeping their fellow space explorers alive. The APEX Aerospace Surgery Fellowship will bring expert surgeons and physicians together in the U.S., helping them prepare to work in the commercial aerospace medical field. This means that, with the backing of SpaceX, which [aims to reach Mars in the 2030s]( we may soon breach a new frontier with the world's first space surgery. [Read More]( MAIL & MUSINGS Life in space is not easy, and anything might go wrong at any time. Just ask the astronauts aboard the International Space Station. Which part of living in space would put you off the most? Be sure you check back tomorrow for the results! [Artificial light. Give me a break.]( [Limited food options. Space can’t stop this foodie.]( [Not having booze, partners... Let’s be real.]( [Using the toilet would be a nightmare.]( Yesterday’s Results We asked where you'd go if you possessed a super-capable spacecraft. The majority wishes to sail the cosmic ocean until they come across extraterrestrial life. But what about the inside of a black hole? I wouldn’t stop going until I found extraterrestrial life. 60% I would watch the birth of a star. 18% I would look inside a black hole. Then come back and write a paper about it. 18% To a gas giant! I would like to see what’s happening inside. 5% QUOTE OF THE DAY “ Technology…the knack of so arranging the world that we need not experience it. ” Max Frisch in “Homo Faber” AND ANOTHER THING... - The Metaverse is evolving. [Here's how top brands can avoid FOMO]( in 2022. - A simple algorithm that revolutionized how neural networks approach language is now taking on vision as well. [And it might not stop there](. (Quantum Magazine) - The U.S. Senate is finally [making daylight savings time permanent](. Scientists say: it’s about time. - Governments around the world have partnered with tech companies to battle the COVID-19 pandemic. But while high-tech solutions helped save lives, government measures seem to consider [Big Tech revenue]( as the primary objective. (Jacobin) - Elon Musk has confirmed [a prediction for when humans will go to Mars](. But it might be too optimistic. - It’s not every day that you can see a stunning, [life-like reconstruction of a Stone Age woman](. (LiveScience) - All good things must come to an end. Netflix [wants you to stop sharing your password]( with other people. [Share to Win]SHARE TO WIN [All products]( Share The Blueprint! Give your friends deeper insights into engineering and tech, and win exclusive IE swag for free. [Read Details]( Share your link Copy & share your referral link with others. [ [Referral Program Terms and Conditions]( Prepared by Derya Ozdemir and Brad Bergan Enjoy reading? Don't forget to forward to a friend! Was this email forwarded to you? [Subscribe]( [About Us]( | [Advertise]( | [Contact Us]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Youtube]( [Linkedin]( [Instagram]( You are receiving this email because you have subscribed to our newsletter. 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