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Asia
The Hindu BusinessLine

OpenAI agentic AI system breaches sandbox, gains unauthorised access to public internet

OpenAI said another agentic AI system that was being trained in what was supposed to be a secured, internet-free environment was able to gain access to the web to reach an external, third-party chatbot. The discovery was made less than a week ago, according to a blog post on OpenAI’s website on Friday. One of its agentic AI systems was being trained in a sandbox environment when it exploited a “gap” to reach the public internet. With that access, it sent at least 20 queries to an unnamed, third-party chatbot service, including “What is the capital of France,” the report showed. OpenAI described the breakout as the first security incident of its kind since a combination of models gained internet access during internal testing and inadvertently breached the system of the AI platform Hugging Face in July. “It gives us an important signal about where to focus the next phase of that work,” the AI developer said. The company said it decided after the latest incident to pause training with tool use on its most capable models until the sandbox flaw was resolved. “We will not resume training this particular model,” OpenAI added. Breaches by AI models developed OpenAI, Anthropic PBC, Google’s DeepMind and Meta Platforms Inc. in recent months have alarmed cybersecurity and AI safety experts. The Hugging Face incident was among the reasons cited by Anthropic Chief Executive Officer Dario Amodei when he called for an industrywide slowdown in AI development two weeks ago. His call, quickly endorsed by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Elon Musk and others, has touched off a global debate over the need for more AI regulation. OpenAI disclosed the latest sandbox failure even while it’s still working to understand the disruption brought about by its agentic AI systems when they previously gained access to the internet. The company confirmed on Friday that its models accessed information from US government websites, including those of the Census Bureau and the Securities and Exchange Commission, during training and evaluation. Just days ago, OpenAI disclosed that its models had disrupted an Australian government website earlier this year. The most recent sandbox breach also exposed gaps in OpenAI’s operational processes. A “human reviewer” received an alert from an internal monitoring system and acknowledged it on Slack within three minutes, but the training run didn’t automatically stop as expected, the blog post showed. It took more than two hours for someone to manually stop the run, according to the report. “It’s unfortunate that even after upping their security in the wake of Hugging Face, OpenAI’s models are still capable of gaining unauthorized internet access,” said Sydney Von Arx, founder of an AI safety nonprofit Nightingale. “The big question now is whether they will slap a Band-Aid on this and turn training back on ASAP versus if they’ll find the root cause of the issue and fix it.” Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments. We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of TheHindu Businessline and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.

OpenAI agentic AI system breaches sandbox, gains unauthorised access to public internet
Asia
The Hindu BusinessLine

Centre extending support to manufacturing to end dependency, says Finance Minister

The Central Government has ensured through several budget announcements, necessary support to industry to either start domestic manufacturing for the long run or immediately for the short run, source it from elsewhere and remove dependence on other countries, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said. The government was incentivising those who want to get themselves out of this dependence and be able to produce in our country. Speaking at an interactive session at the Bharat Shakti Pondy Lit Fest here on Friday, the Finance Minister said, "our export account would say that we are still not adequately exporting to China. But actually it is going to China. But it never gets accounted like that because it goes to Vietnam and from Vietnam it sort of crosses the road and goes to China." "It should technically be in my account of I am exporting to China. It doesn't happen that way because, and I will be blunt in saying this, it's not going to be diplomatic, people are not going to like it. We don't get market access for those goods which are of bulk value, both in quantity and also the value that we can realise out of it," she said. Noting that India doesn't get the market access to China, she said whether it is buffalo meat or pharmaceutical generic drugs, both of which are bulk goods, which they buy from India, but not directly. "They go via Vietnam, they go via somebody else. So, there are items on which we have done better in the export, though they constantly deny market access." India has taken a conscious call that for some items, capacity should be created within the country. "We may be importing them now. But sooner, you will find that there will be a complete shift. All the active pharmaceutical ingredients at one point in time, India was the leader... gradually because of predatory pricing, we lost out on that game and we are not producing any. But now we've given incentives for people to restart," she said. She said industries could produce their own APIs or KPIs also, which are required for our bulk drug industry. The Opposition's GDP number agenda had mala fide intent guiding it. "What hurts me more is to see them rejoice at what they perceive as India’s failure. This country, against all odds, the people of this country against all odds, are doing their best and India is growing as a result of that," Sitharaman said. On freebies and welfare schemes, Sitharaman said if a scheme is properly budgeted and financially sustainable, it shouldn't be sensationalised or strictly categorised as a "freebie." However, she warned against the dangers of unplanned welfare, noting that allocating 80 per cent of tax collections to committed expenditures, leaves only 20 per cent for vital capital investments such as schools and hospitals. While discussing the financial strain of unplanned freebies, she cited the example of a previously revenue-surplus state that fell into a revenue deficit within three years. She noted that such states then seek to borrow beyond the established ceiling of 3 per cent of their Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) just to run the government. Addressing concerns around digital payments, she clarified that the proposed Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI transactions is not a tax, cess or surcharge, and it does not go into the government's tax kitty. She assured that the MDR is strictly a fee between the merchant and the service provider and will not be passed on to the consumer. Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.

Centre extending support to manufacturing to end dependency, says Finance Minister
North America
CNBC Finance

Tropical Smoothie Cafe is getting a makeover as it prepares for its 'next 3,000' locations

Tropical Smoothie Cafe on Wednesday unveiled a new look as the restaurant chain prepares to continue its streak of rapid growth under Blackstone's ownership. "We are a company and a brand that has evolved significantly over the last few years and really over the last 10 years," CEO Max Wetzel told CNBC. "We're thinking about what our next 3,000 cafes look like, and so it's a perfect time for us to roll this out." The redesign comes as Tropical Smoothie prepares to introduce itself to more consumers, both in the U.S. and internationally. The chain, which also sells bowls and wraps, surpassed $1.6 billion in system sales over the 12 months ended in June. By the end of the year, it is projecting it will exceed 1,800 locations nationwide, up 50% since the end of 2022. Tropical Smoothie has plans to expand outside of the U.S., too. But its bold plans come during a tricky time for the restaurant industry. Diners have been eating out less frequently, trying to save money while paying more for gas, groceries and other necessities. As a result, eateries have been battling for a smaller pool of customers and often leaning on discounts to win them over. Tropical Smoothie last tinkered with its logo a decade ago. The new design, which will be found everywhere from packaging for its wraps to its mobile app interface, uses brighter colors and a uniform font, in part to try to set it apart from quick-service competitors. "The color palette is entirely created by the ingredients that you can find in our cafe," Wetzel said. "All these ingredients are very different than a category that's really dominated by browns and beiges and fried food." It also introduces the "Palm T," a frond-shaped icon that will represent the brand in "shorthand," particularly on digital platforms, according to Wetzel. Tropical Smoothie has been working on the new branding for more than a year. But it is just one step toward what Wetzel called his ultimate goal: "building a best-in-class company." In late 2024, Tropical Smoothie consolidated national and local media budgets into a single advertising fund. Franchisees pay 5% of their gross sales in marketing fees, meaning that the fund will grow as system sales — lifted by successful marketing initiatives — increase. Tropical Smoothie's $80 million marketing budget is now deployed "much more effectively," according to Wetzel. As a result, its national brand awareness has increased from 34% of consumers a year ago to 42%, he said. Tropical Smoothie has also been trying to improve its cafe operations. Earlier this year, it started to rearrange its food and bowl assembly lines for better speed and accuracy. Outside of the cafes, Tropical Smoothie has also invested in what Wetzel called "the digital front door" of the brand. By the end of the year, the company will roll out an improved version of its mobile app and website, all with the new unified look. It is also testing self-ordering kiosks.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe is getting a makeover as it prepares for its 'next 3,000' locations
Europe
BBC Business

Not all AI workers think the tech could kill everyone

Image source, Getty ImagesByKali HaysTechnology reporter, San FranciscoPublished20 September 2026, 00:01 BSTNot all employees of major firms working on artificial intelligence (AI) think the technology spells doom for humanity. In text exchanges and conversations, multiple people who have worked for companies including OpenAI, Meta and DeepMind were sceptical of the idea that unchecked AI development would lead to tools that could kill people en masse. "Lol", "Haaaaaa" and "Bringing the luls" were among the reactions the BBC received to a recent flurry of high-profile warnings by some people in the industry. While these fears go back decades, claims made last week by Jacob Coxon, a former Anthropic employee, went viral and were echoed by others in the sector who urged a slowdown in development. The idea that a future AI tool or agent, an AI bot that is programmed to operate somewhat autonomously, could endanger people has been supported online by employees of Anthropic, as well as OpenAI, Deepmind and Elon Musk, who has an AI startup called xAI. All of the workers who spoke with the BBC did so on condition of anonymity as they were not permitted to speak to the press. Their identities are known to the BBC. "My first thought was, 'That guy?'" said a former OpenAI employee who knew of Coxon when they both worked at the company. The person, who now works at another AI company, said their amusement at the new moment of existential AI fears largely stemmed from how little detail had been provided by its proponents to defend the notion that all of human life was at stake. The claims are "always vague", the person said, adding that when they sound specific, they tend toward major jumps in reasoning or hypothetical circumstances. Coxon has said a group of AI agents, based on AI models that do not currently exist, could decide to create and then aim a biological weapon, but he did not detail how exactly that would take place. Rishub Jain, who this summer founded the AI safety research firm Sampura Research after spending seven years at DeepMind, told the BBC that the current tone among many people working in AI with regard to fresh fears had "definitely been a little jokey". "People have been talking about this idea for many years now, so people in AI companies didn't just wake up last week thinking 'Oh no, AI is going to kill everyone,'" Jain said. "If this was all new, it would be a different tone."

Not all AI workers think the tech could kill everyone
Europe
BBC Business

Petrol and diesel price rises push UK inflation higher

Image source, Getty ImagesByDearbail JordanBusiness reporterPublished16 September 2026, 07:06 BSTUpdated 1 hour agoRises in petrol, diesel and airfares pushed UK inflation up to its highest level in five months in the year to August. Inflation accelerated to 3.1% from 2.9%, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The cost of filling up a vehicle soared in August as the conflict in the Middle East continued to disrupt global oil supplies. Petrol prices jumped to their highest for nearly four years, the ONS said, while diesel also rocketed. Oil hit more than $91 a barrel as the US-Israel war with Iran went on. That compares to around $73 just before hostilities began earlier this year. As a result, average petrol prices have continued to climb and between July and August, they rose by 9.1p to 161.3p per litre. "This is the highest price recorded since November 2022," said the ONS. At that point, Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine had pushed up global energy costs. Capital Economics said, at this point, the effect of higher oil prices has not spilled over into other areas such as food and drink, where the pace of inflation remained at 1.3% in the year to August. But its chief UK economist, Paul Dales, said: "Everyone knows that bigger rises in inflation are on their way." Grant Fitzner, chief economist at the ONS, said: "Rising crude oil and petrol prices increased both the annual cost of raw materials and the price of goods leaving factories respectively." Dales estimates that a combination of higher oil and gas prices and "the eventual 'first-round' effect of businesses passing on some of their higher energy costs" will lead to inflation peaking at 4.2% in January. As well as hitting drivers in the pocket, higher oil prices also affect forecourts. Goran Raven, owner of Essex petrol station RJ Raven, told the BBC: "Things are down. We've got lots of pressure on us at the moment. I'd say we're about 20% down on this time last year."

Petrol and diesel price rises push UK inflation higher
North America
CNBC Finance

Flyers are happier with U.S. airports, despite near record travel levels, J.D. Power report shows

Despite a near record number of people flying in the U.S., it appears travelers are happier with the airports they find themselves moving through. J.D. Power's annual North America Airport Satisfaction Study, released Wednesday, reported that overall airport satisfaction increased significantly this year. Travelers gave higher ratings in part because of the newer gates and terminals many airports have opened in recent years, according to the study. "Overall, travelers are happier with what they are seeing in most airports," said Mike Taylor, managing director of travel, hospitality and retail at J.D. Power. From New York's John F. Kennedy Airport to Kansas City International to Pittsburgh International, airports large and small have opened or are building new facilities to accommodate more travelers. Often, the new terminals and gates are larger, with more light and upgraded amenities, and cost billions to build. This is the third straight year the J.D. Power study has found an increase in airport satisfaction. The latest report is based on responses from more than 24,000 travelers. Among the largest airports, which handle more than 33 million passengers annually, Minneapolis-Saint Paul International received the top score. For airports that serve between 10 million and 32.9 million flyers annually, Tampa International was ranked No. 1, while Charleston International in South Carolina was rated the best among medium airports, which see 4.5 million to 9.9 million passengers a year. Get this delivered to your inbox, and more info about our products and services. Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes. Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes, and Market Data and Analysis.

Flyers are happier with U.S. airports, despite near record travel levels, J.D. Power report shows
North America
CNBC Finance

Ford increases V-8 engine availability, lowers performance prices for 2027 F-150 trucks

DETROIT — Ford Motor is expanding the availability of V-8 engines and lowering the starting prices of some performance models for its 2027 lineup of F-150 pickup trucks. The Detroit automaker said the changes are meant to give customers more choice and help expand sales of key models, a strategy Ford has been leaning into under CEO Jim Farley. The changes come as automakers attempt to address industrywide affordability concerns. The moves are also building on some automakers — particularly the Detroit Three — adding more V-8 engines amid weakened emissions regulations and penalties under the Trump administration. The new pricing doesn't mean the trucks are cheap. The 2027 Ford F-150 Raptor will start at $77,800, which is $4,000 less than the current truck. The 2027 Tremor will start about $5,300 lower at $62,400, Ford said Tuesday. Ford officials said the automaker lowered prices by eliminating some standard equipment, such as heated second-row seats as well as using manual instead of power controls for some parts, like the steering column. "For us, it made sense because it just broadens the offer and certainly doesn't take away from either the capability of that new entry or of the model that it came down from," Todd Eckert, Ford Blue senior director of truck consumer marketing, told CNBC. Regarding the V-8 availability, Ford will offer its 5.0-liter engine across every model of the F-150 lineup, Eckert said. That includes having the option for a V-8 engine in the high-end King Ranch and Platinum models for the first time since the 2023 model year. "We heard pretty loudly from both customers and dealers that even on those premium series, that they wanted the option to have a V-8 engine," Eckert said. The changes are part of several updates the company is making to the F-150 lineup for the 2027 model year. It's also rolling out style updates to many models and adding a Carhartt model in collaboration with the Detroit-based clothing company. All the updates for the 2027 F-150 lineup come as Ford continues to increase availability of the crucial pickups after fires at an aluminum supplier severely impacted their output over the past year. Ford's F-Series trucks — which include the F-150 and larger "Super Duty" models such as F-250, F-350 and F-450 — were severely impacted by the supplier issues due to their large aluminum bodies and other components. Get this delivered to your inbox, and more info about our products and services.

Ford increases V-8 engine availability, lowers performance prices for 2027 F-150 trucks
Asia
The Hindu BusinessLine

Judiciary committed to protecting students' right to hold peaceful protests: CJI

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Saturday asserted that the judiciary is committed to "protecting" students' fundamental right to hold peaceful protests and that courts will not look the other way when there is an infringement. The CJI made the statement at the Chanakya National Law University (CNLU) in Patna, where he engaged in an "unfiltered interaction" with students, making it clear that he "preferred to have a frank question-and-answer session." According to a CNLU statement, a question was posed by a girl student about "police response to peaceful students' protests." The allusion was to the Jantar Mantar protests in Delhi against NEET exam paper leaks, spearheaded by the Cockroach Janata Party, which, incidentally, began as a satirical online campaign against a remark made by the CJI in the Supreme Court, though he later claimed that his utterances had been reported out of context. The CJI told the questioner that "courts will not look the other way" when faced with cases of alleged brutal repression by the police and "unequivocally reaffirmed the judiciary's commitment to protecting students' peaceful right to protest." Another student sought to know "why dissenting opinions within the collegium were recorded but never made public." The CJI replied, "Disclosure, however well-intentioned, risks placing the individual under consideration in an untenable position." Noting that "transparency has its limits when personal dignity is at stake", the CJI asked, "How can a chief justice or a judge continue to work if a negative observation about him is included in the collegium's minutes?" According to the CNLU statement, the CJI visited the campus along with Patna High Court Chief Justice V Kameswar Rao, who is also the Chancellor of the University. The CJI also lauded as "a new, welcome idea" a proposal by CNLU Vice Chancellor and noted jurist Faizan Mustafa "to compress five-year law degree into four years of academic study and mandatory court apprenticeship in the final year," which could "eliminate the separate one-year practice requirement for judicial service examinations." Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments. We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of TheHindu Businessline and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.

Judiciary committed to protecting students' right to hold peaceful protests: CJI
Asia
The Hindu BusinessLine

Meaningful change is built through countless decisions, sustained efforts, courage to stay the course: Nirmala Lakshman

“Meaningful change is not built in a single moment. It’s built through countless decisions, sustained effort and the belief that what we do today can make somehow make tomorrow different,” says Nirmala Lakshman, Director and Publisher, The Hindu Group of Publications,at the 8th businessline Changemaker Awards. “That willingness to question, to persist, and to act — that is what makes a changemaker,” she adds. Watch more videos and conversations from the businessline Changemaker Awards 2026. Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments. We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of TheHindu Businessline and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.

Meaningful change is built through countless decisions, sustained efforts, courage to stay the course: Nirmala Lakshman