A video of Elizabeth Warren saying Republicans shouldn’t vote went viral in 2023. But it wasn’t Warren. That video of Ron DeSantis wasn’t the Florida governor, either. And nope, Pope Francis was not wearing a white Balenciaga coat.
Technology
Watermarking the future
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25277387/246992_AI_at_Work_WATERMARKING_ECarter.jpg?ssl=1 "Watermarking the future")
Generative AI has made it easier to create deepfakes and spread them around the internet. One of the most common proposed solutions involves the idea of a watermark that would identify AI-generated content. The Biden administration has made a big deal out of watermarks as a policy solution, even specifically mandating tech companies to find ways to identify AI-generated content. The president’s executive order on AI, released in November, was built on commitments from AI developers to figure out a way to tag content as AI generated. And it’s not just coming from the White House — legislators, too, are looking at enshrining watermarking requirements as law.
Watermarking can’t be a panacea — for one thing, most systems simply don’t have the capacity to tag text the way it can tag visual media. Still, people are familiar enough with watermarks that the idea of watermarking an AI-generated image feels natural.
Pretty much everyone has seen a watermarked image. Getty Images, which distributes licensed photos taken at events, uses a watermark so ubiquitous and so recognizable that it is its own meta-meme. (In fact, the watermark is now the basis of Getty’s lawsuit against the AI-generation platform Midjourney, with Getty alleging that Midjourney must have taken its copyrighted content since it generates the Getty watermark in its output.) Of course, artists were signing their works long before digital media or even the rise of photography, in order to let people know who created the painting. But watermarking itself — according to A History of Graphic Design — began during the Middle Ages, when monks would change the thickness of the printing paper while it was wet and add their own mark. Digital watermarking rose in the ‘90s as digital content grew in popularity. Companies and governments began putting tags (hidden or otherwise) to make it easier to track ownership, copyright, and authenticity.
Watermarks will, as before, still denote who owns and created the media that people are looking at. But as a policy solution for the problem of deepfakes, this new wave of watermarks would, in essence, tag content as either AI or human generated. Adequate tagging from AI developers would, in theory, also show the provenance of AI-generated content, thus additionally addressing the question of whether copyrighted material was used in its creation.
Tech companies have taken the Biden directive and are slowly releasing their AI watermarking solutions. Watermarking may seem simple, but it has one significant weakness: a watermark pasted on top of an image or video can be easily removed via photo or video editing. The challenge becomes, then, to make a watermark that Photoshop cannot erase.
The challenge becomes, then, to make a watermark that Photoshop cannot erase.
Companies like Adobe and Microsoft — members of the industry group Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity, or C2PA — have adopted Content Credentials, a standard that adds features to images and videos of its provenance. Adobe has created a symbol for Content Credentials that gets embedded in the media; Microsoft has its own version as well. Content Credentials embeds certain metadata — like who made the image and what program was used to create it — into the media; ideally, people will be able to click or tap on the symbol to look at that metadata themselves. (Whether this symbol can consistently survive photo editing is yet to be proven.)
Meanwhile, Google has said it’s currently working on what it calls SynthID, a watermark that embeds itself into the pixels of an image. SynthID is invisible to the human eye, but still detectable via a tool. Digimarc, a software company that specializes in digital watermarking, also has its own AI watermarking feature; it adds a machine-readable symbol to an image that stores copyright and ownership information in its metadata.
All of these attempts at watermarking look to either make the watermark unnoticable by the human eye or punt the hard work over to machine-readable metadata. It’s no wonder: this approach is the most surefire way information can be stored without it being removed, and encourages people to look closer at the image’s provenance.
That’s all well and good if what you’re trying to build is a copyright detection system, but what does that mean for deepfakes, where the problem is that fallible human eyes are being deceived? Watermarking puts the burden on the consumer, relying on an individual’s sense that something isn’t right for information. But people generally do not make it a habit to check the provenance of anything they see online. Even if a deepfake is tagged with telltale metadata, people will still fall for it — we’ve seen countless times that when information gets fact-checked online, many people still refuse to believe the fact-checked information.
Experts feel a content tag is not enough to prevent disinformation from reaching consumers, so why would watermarking work against deepfakes?
The best thing you can say about watermarks, it seems, is that at least it’s anything at all. And due to the sheer scale of how much AI-generated content can be quickly and easily produced, a little friction goes a long way.
After all, there’s nothing wrong with the basic idea of watermarking. Visible watermarks signal authenticity and may encourage people to be more skeptical of media without it. And if a viewer does find themselves curious about authenticity, watermarks directly provide that information.
The best thing you can say about watermarks, it seems, is that at least it’s anything at all.
Watermarking can’t be a perfect solution for the reasons I’ve listed (and besides that, researchers have been able to break many of the watermarking systems out there). But it works in tandem with a growing wave of skepticism toward what people see online. I have to confess when I began writing this, I’d believed that it’s easy to fool people into believing really good DALL-E 3 or Midjourney photos were made by humans. However, I realized that discourse around AI art and deepfakes has seeped into the consciousness of many chronically online people. Instead of accepting magazine covers or Instagram posts as authentic, there’s now an undercurrent of doubt. Social media users regularly investigate and call out brands when they use AI. Look at how quickly internet sleuths called out the opening credits of Secret Invasion and the AI-generated posters in True Detective.
It’s still not an excellent strategy to rely on a person’s skepticism, curiosity, or willingness to find out if something is AI-generated. Watermarks can do good, but there has to be something better. People are more dubious of content, but we’re not fully there yet. Someday, we might find a solution that conveys something is made by AI without hoping the viewer wants to find out if it is.
For now, it’s best to learn to recognize if a video isn’t really of a politician.
Continue Reading
China’s Zhipu AI (Z.ai) released its open-weight GLM-5.2, and some researchers have claimed that it matches Mythos in certain bug-finding and cybersecurity scenarios. While GLM lags behind models from Anthropic and OpenAI in other, more general tasks, it seems that China has dramatically reduced the gap in the capabilities between its models and those of the US.
This level of advancement is particularly concerning to the US government, which has worked to restrict China’s access to powerful models like Anthropic’s Mythos and Fable, as well as the hardware necessary to train and run them. The Trump administration views Mythos and other advanced AI models capable of identifying vulnerabilities as serious national security threats. Recently, OpenAI unveiled GPT-5.6, which has also raised concerns about its potential for misuse and has limited access to it.
Because GLM is an open-weight model, it can be downloaded and run by anyone on readily available hardware. That gives it great flexibility and allows power users deep access, but it also makes it ripe for abuse by bad actors who can run it with little oversight.
Full-body MRI scans grow in popularity
‘Fox & Friends’ explores the rising trend of full-body MRI scans. Dr. Dan Doran touts these scans as crucial for early disease detection, highlighting their ability to find conditions before symptoms appear. Fox News medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel warns about the high cost of scans, the potential for false positives and the current limitations of AI in interpreting comprehensive results.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Midjourney made its name by turning text prompts into stunning AI images. Now it wants to scan your body while you stand in warm water. Yes, really.
The company has announced Midjourney Medical, a new division focused on a full-body ultrasound scanner. Midjourney says the goal is to make body scans faster, cheaper and easier to get.
The basic idea is this. You step onto a platform in a shallow pool. Then the platform slowly lowers you through water while underwater sensors send sound waves through your body. The system listens for how those waves bounce back and change. From there, computers build a 3D map of what is happening inside your body.
Midjourney says the scan could take about 60 seconds. No radiation. No powerful magnets. Just water, sound and a huge amount of computing power. That sounds amazing. It also raises a big question: Can a company known for AI art really help change medical imaging?
Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
- Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox.
- For simple, real-world ways to spot scams early and stay protected, visit CyberGuy.com – trusted by millions who watch CyberGuy on TV daily.
- Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join.
YOUR HEALTH APP MAY BE FAILING YOU
A person stands on Midjourney’s glowing scanner platform before being lowered into water for a full-body ultrasound scan. (Midjourney)
What is the Midjourney body scanner?
Midjourney describes its body scanner as a water-based full-body ultrasound system. The company calls the technology “Ultrasonic CT.” Instead of lying inside a hospital scanner, you would step into a shallow pool. Then a platform would lower you through a ring of ultrasound sensors.
Those sensors send sound waves through your body from many angles. The system studies how those waves change as they pass through tissue. Then, powerful computers turn that information into a detailed body map.
Midjourney says its first scanner will focus on body composition maps. That could include details about muscle, fat and other body structures. That part is important because body composition fits more clearly into a wellness starting point. Diagnostic medical uses would require regulatory clearance.
How the Midjourney body scanner works
The scanner starts with water because ultrasound travels well through it. You stand on a platform connected to rails. Then the platform slowly lowers you at about 2 inches per second. As your body moves downward, it passes through a ring of tiny sensor elements. Midjourney describes those elements as both tiny speakers and tiny microphones.
Each one sends ultrasonic sound waves into the water and your body. Then it records what comes back. Think of it as echolocation with extreme detail. A dolphin uses sound to understand what sits nearby. This scanner uses sound from many angles to build an image of your body.
Midjourney says the system produces a massive amount of data every second. That data then moves to a large computer cluster, where the system turns sound-wave changes into images. Those changes reveal important differences.
Sound moves through skin, fat, muscle, bone and other tissue in different ways. The scanner studies those shifts and uses them to reconstruct a 3D map.
Why Midjourney built a medical scanner
At first, this move feels strange. Midjourney is the company people know for AI images, not medical hardware. But the technical connection makes sense. This scanner needs huge amounts of computing power. It also needs advanced image reconstruction. Midjourney already works with large image systems and AI models.
The company also describes itself as a research lab. It says it has no investors and gets support from its community. That gives Midjourney room to chase ideas that look unusual from the outside. A water-based body scanner inside a spa definitely qualifies.
CHINA’S BRAIN CHIP BREAKTHROUGH RAISES BIG QUESTIONS
Inside the scanner, sensors and wiring support the sound-wave system that Midjourney says can help build a 3D body map. (Midjourney)
Why the Midjourney Spa matters
Midjourney wants the scanner to feel more like a spa visit than a medical appointment. Its first Midjourney Spa is planned for San Francisco at the end of 2027. The concept includes hot tubs, saunas, cold plunges and scanning rooms with pools of golden light.
That changes the whole feel of medical imaging. No cold hospital room. No loud MRI tube. No long appointment that wears you and me out.
Instead, the company wants people to get scans more often. In Midjourney’s view, you could track body changes over time, almost like you track sleep, steps or heart rate today.
Midjourney body scanner vs. MRI
Midjourney makes a bold comparison to MRI. The company says its scanner could create images that look similar to today’s MRI scans, but much faster.
MRI machines can show remarkable detail. Doctors use them for serious medical questions. They also require trained staff, approved protocols and careful interpretation.
Midjourney’s scanner has not replaced MRI machines. For now, the company plans to start with body composition maps. That still could be useful. A quick scan may help someone better understand changes in muscle, fat or other body measurements.
Yet medical diagnosis takes more than an impressive scan image. Doctors need proof. Regulators need data. Patients need clear answers about what the scan can find, what it can miss and what the results actually mean.
Why FDA clearance matters for the Midjourney body scanner
Medical imaging has a high bar for a reason. A scan can shape major health decisions. Midjourney says it plans to submit test results to the FDA for added capabilities. That process will help determine what the scanner can legally claim.
A wellness scan and a diagnostic scan serve different roles. A wellness scan may help you learn more about your body. A diagnostic scan may help guide treatment for a disease, injury or medical condition.
Each of these requires different evidence. They also carry different risks. For example, a scan might spot something unclear. That could send someone into follow-up tests, specialist visits and weeks of worry.
On the other hand, a scan might miss something important and give someone false confidence. That is why doctors will want strong clinical data before they trust this technology for serious medical decisions.
Midjourney says its water-based scan could take about 60 seconds while avoiding radiation and powerful magnets. (Midjourney)
What to watch next for the Midjourney body scanner
The big thing to watch is proof. The scanner may look impressive, but medical claims need strong testing behind them.
FDA clearance will be another key step. If Midjourney wants this to do more than body composition maps, regulators will need to see solid data.
The first San Francisco spa will also tell us a lot. Once people actually use it, we will learn more about comfort, cost, safety and privacy.
Doctors will have the final say in whether this becomes a trusted medical tool. If the science holds up, this could be a huge shift. If it does not, it may stay more of a high-tech wellness experience.
What this means for you
If the Midjourney body scanner works, it could make health scans feel much less intimidating. That alone could be a big deal. Many people avoid scans because they cost too much, take too long or feel stressful.
A 60-second water-based scan could lower that barrier. It could also help people track changes in their bodies over time.
Privacy also needs serious attention. A full-body scan contains deeply personal information. Before anyone signs up, they should know who stores the data, who can see it, how long it lasts and whether it can be shared.
For now, treat this as a fascinating early project. Do not treat it as a replacement for medical imaging that your doctor orders.
Watch the CyberGuy Live replay: Lock Down Your Phone in 30 Minutes
Your phone holds your email, passwords, photos, banking apps and personal data. In this free CyberGuy Live replay, Kurt the CyberGuy walks you step by step through simple phone security fixes you can do at your own pace. You’ll learn how to improve your privacy settings, spot the latest phone scams, use trusted security tools and walk away with a simple checklist to stay protected. Watch the replay and get our checklist here:CyberGuyLive.com
Kurt’s key takeaways
Midjourney’s body scanner is one of the wildest health tech ideas I’ve seen in a long time. You step into warm water, get lowered through ultrasound sensors and come out with a body map in about a minute. That could make scans feel a lot less stressful. It could also help people track changes in their bodies over time. However, this still needs proof. Midjourney needs clinical data, FDA clearance for medical uses and clear privacy rules before anyone treats this like a trusted medical tool. I love the big idea. I just want the science, safety and privacy to be as impressive as the technology.
Would you step into a water-based body scanner at a spa if it promised to show you what is happening inside your body? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
- Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox.
- For simple, real-world ways to spot scams early and stay protected, visit CyberGuy.com – trusted by millions who watch CyberGuy on TV daily.
- Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join.
Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
I’m sure we’re all familiar with Dark Crystal, so we know that Jim Henson can be weird and tackle slightly more mature subject matter. But there is little in his oeuvre that is quite as mind-bending as the Muppetless The Cube. This 1969 teleplay was produced for an NBC anthology series called Experiment in Television, which featured, appropriately enough, various experimental films, plays, and documentaries. One episode even featured Marshall McLuhan explaining his oft-cited theory that “the medium is the message.”
Even among all these oddities, however, Jim Henson’s The Cube stands out. It’s a 53-minute bottle film — taking place almost entirely in a single room. A man awakes in a white cube, unsure of where he is or how he got there. There are no windows, no door. Just walls of white panels.
It doesn’t take long for someone to open a section of the wall and bring in a stool for our nameless man in the cube. But when he closes the “door” behind him, our protagonist can’t open it back up. And thus begins the parade of people, dozens of them, taking turns going in and out of various invisible doors in the titular cube.
The interactions start off strangely enough — why is there strawberry jam on the stool? Who is this woman who claims to be the protagonist’s wife even though he doesn’t recognize her? But they quickly escalate, calling into question the nature of reality, our protagonist’s sanity, and raising questions about what the cube is exactly. Jim Henson himself even makes an uncredited cameo as the voice of a gorilla in a tutu.
As people come and go, delivering supplies to the man, harassing him, or even attempting to seduce him, the room changes around him inexplicably. Beds, couches, fully stocked liquor cabinets, and other furniture mysteriously appear. A full band slips in and sings a song with the line “you’ll never get out ‘til you’re dead,” before it’s revealed to be a recording as the record skips repeatedly on the word “dead.”
The Cube offers many questions but no answers. Is the man living in a simulation? Is he on TV? Are the people around him actors? Is any of it real at all? Does matter exist?
Even in a post-Twilight Zone world, The Cube feels uniquely bizarre, more akin to the modern dystopian anthology series Black Mirror than anything else. While it’s not true lost media, it remains relatively obscure. It only aired twice, there’s a sold-out DVD listing on Amazon, and it only occasionally makes an appearance on streaming services in any official capacity.
Your best bets right now are a pair of YouTube uploads, both embedded above. One is a much higher-quality transfer of a black-and-white kinescope film with remastered audio. Unfortunately, it also cuts out most of the song due to copyright. The other upload is full color and retains the song, but is a generally lower quality rip with muddier image and audio. Regardless of which one you choose, it’s a wild and thoroughly enjoyable ride that shows just how twisted the mind of Jim Henson could be.
-
Pennsylvania36 seconds agoMSU basketball extends offer to Pennsylvania 4-star center prospect
-
Rhode Island8 minutes ago
RI Lottery Numbers Midday, Numbers Evening winning numbers for June 28, 2026
-
South-Carolina11 minutes agoSouth Carolina Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 results for June 28, 2026
-
South Dakota16 minutes ago
SD Lottery Millionaire for Life winning numbers for June 28, 2026
-
Tennessee23 minutes ago
TN Lottery Cash 3 Evening, Cash 4 Evening winning numbers for June 28, 2026
-
Texas25 minutes agoAfter historic floods, Texas Hill Country Little League is back
-
Utah31 minutes agoSculptor to build $55 million monument depicting American history in Utah
-
Vermont38 minutes ago
VT Lottery Pick 3, Pick 3 Evening results for June 28, 2026
