Synthetic data is revolutionising machine learning in 2025, boosting accuracy and cutting costs by generating realistic, diverse datasets that overcome real-world data limits.  — @meisshaily #ArtificialIntelligence# #AI# #TechNews# #Tech# #Technology# #datapattns#

How "synthetic insider" attacks raise the stakes for corporate cyber defense; a Verizon analysis of 22K incidents finds 12% were carried out by internal actors (@mshannahmurphy / Financial Times) (Visit Techmeme dot com for the link and full context!)

🚨GATES-FUNDED SYNTHETIC POLYMER MICROPARTICLES TO TARGET HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF AFRICANS THROUGH THE FOOD SUPPLY The Gates Foundation poured over $30 MILLION into a company called “PARTICLES FOR HUMANITY,” which aims to expose HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS of Africans to these largely untested microparticles. In September 2026, the company launched VIT A+, designed to introduce synthetic polymer-encapsulated vitamin A into everyday foods. They claim the synthetic polymer is designed to protect vitamin A from degrading during cooking and storage. But conventional vitamin A fortification already exists, and this new formulation has NOT demonstrated reductions in blindness or mortality. Even more concerning, one formulation contains BHA and BHT, two synthetic preservatives. BHA is classified as reasonably anticipated to be a human CARCINOGEN based on animal studies. It remains unclear whether these hazardous preservatives are included in the final commercial product. The long-term effects of repeated consumption of this synthetic polymer microparticle formulation, particularly among children and pregnant women, have NOT been adequately studied.

60 Minutes investigates synthetic opioids, which the DEA calls the deadliest drug threat the U.S. has faced. @jon_wertheim also reports on legal, addictive opioids, often marketed as natural supplements.