Cryptocurrency scam and launch of o1-mini artificial intelligence model
The official OpenAI Newsroom account on X/Twitter was recently hacked. For those unfamiliar, OpenAI Newsroom is an account where OpenAI shares the latest news and updates about artificial intelligence, as well as information about new releases. The hackers exploited this account, which has approximately 54,000 followers, to promote a cryptocurrency scam. They posted a tweet advertising a new fake cryptocurrency called "$OPENAI," claiming that this token would give OpenAI users access to special features and future offers.
The tweet included a link to a fake website that resembled the official OpenAI site but was hosted on a completely different URL. The hackers attempted to lure users into linking their digital wallets to the site, a common scam method where users' digital assets are stolen once their wallets are connected to these fraudulent websites. Many analysts pointed out clear signs of the account being compromised, such as misspellings like "OpeanAI" instead of "OpenAI," and the fact that the link provided did not belong to the official OpenAI domain.
Media outlets have reported that, so far, OpenAI has not provided any explanation or clarification regarding the hack. Interestingly, the OpenAI Newsroom account had only been created a few days before the incident.
In this context, sources like The Verge issued warnings about this type of scam, noting that merely visiting the site or attempting to connect a digital wallet could result in the loss of all the user's digital assets.
Digital scams on the X platform have been increasing steadily, with hackers targeting accounts with large followings to post malicious links promoting fake cryptocurrencies or fraudulent projects. Similar incidents have occurred in the past, including the hacking of prominent OpenAI figures such as Mira Murati, the company’s Chief Technology Officer, whose account was compromised to promote a similar cryptocurrency scam.
What is OpenAI's new model?
In addition to the recent hack, this incident coincides with OpenAI's announcement of its new AI model, "OpenAI o1 mini." This model is designed to handle complex tasks such as mathematics, coding, and solving advanced problems. The new model is distinguished by its ability to provide solutions to intricate scientific problems, making it an ideal choice for researchers and scientists. The smaller version, "o1-mini," offers a more economical option, delivering similar capabilities at a lower cost and with fewer features compared to the full o1 model.
This latest release from OpenAI follows the company's secret "Strawberry" project, representing a new direction in developing advanced AI models that align with modern advancements. While the full o1 model is only available to paid subscribers, the "o1-mini" is available to everyone for free, with set usage limits, making it a preferred option for many usres.
What is the Strawberry Project?
The Strawberry Project is a secret initiative by OpenAI, believed to be part of the company's efforts to develop advanced AI models. Although there are no official and comprehensive details about this project, it is directly linked to the launch of new AI models like OpenAI o1 and OpenAI o1-mini.
The project is assumed to focus on enhancing AI capabilities to handle complex tasks such as mathematics, coding, and solving advanced scientific problems. Through these models, OpenAI aims to provide specialized solutions for various scientific and technical fields while making this advanced technology accessible to users through subscription options or affordable versions, as seen with the o1-mini model.
The secrecy surrounding the Strawberry Project indicates that OpenAI is continually striving for innovation and developing more advanced AI models, which may be part of its long-term strategy to expand AI applications across various fields.
Ultimately, users should exercise caution when dealing with any unofficial announcements or links, especially given the rise in digital scams on social media platforms like X.