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RNZ News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
Synthony rocks the world stage
Synthony has evolved from a one-off show in Auckland to a global phenomenon. Photo: Supplied There is something electric in the air. It is a feeling, a movement, a beat. It is called Synthony. Born in New Zealand from a one-off idea back in 2016, Synthony has gone from an ambitious fusion of classical music and electronic dance hits to a global phenomenon , and it is not slowing down. "From the first meeting, I thought this could be a global brand like Cirque du Soleil - if it can work in Auckland , why couldn't it work in New York, London and Perth, Milan and Singapore," says Synthony boss David Higgins. "I could see that potential. The name, in itself, is magic ... it's genius, a merger between 'synergy' and 'symphony', it's a magic one-word brand. "The show's a magic experience. It's a breathtaking collision of electronic dance music with full live orchestra, guest vocalists, and immersive visuals. "Synthony is definitely on track to be a loved, global brand, born out of Auckland." Higgins is the second owner of Synthony, which he bought in 2018, a year after the first show was held at the Auckland Town Hall. That show cost less than $20,000, and about 2500 people attended. Synthony boss David Higgins. Photo: Photosport He bought it within a few months of that first business meeting with original owners, David Elmsly, a New Zealand pilot, and his then-partner Erika Amoore, a DJ, music producer and accountant. "I paid them well," Higgins tells The Detail . "An accountant could argue it was worth nothing, there was nothing trademarked, it hadn't made money and it was a punt ... so some could say it had no value but I balanced that with where I could see it going and we ended up paying what I thought was a fair price and a bit of an earn out," he says. Higgins is owner of Duco Events, which has a history in boxing and sports gigs. Once he added Synthony to his portfolio, he moved it from the Town Hall to Spark Arena, then Auckland Domain - where 40 thousand attended this year - and took it on the road around the country, then overseas. It quickly struck a chord. This bold idea to bring orchestral gravitas to dancefloor bangers became a multi-city juggernaut, with sold-out venues and top performers asking to be a part of it. "One of the attractive things about Synthony is it's brand-driven, rather than [based around] any one person," Higgins says. "We made an internal rule that there are no egos, there is no cult personality, there will be no one person in the lights ... it's a brand. "We treat everyone equally. Synthony is the hero, and we give opportunities to younger talent and enthusiastic talent that might not otherwise get as many opportunities, and that way we can run shows wherever we want, whenever we want. "We book local orchestras; we find local talent ... and this gives us huge freedom to go global." He says the key to their global success has been creating a "top-quality" Synthony YouTube channel. "We have been investing money in filming content live and creating nice videos ... and since we have been doing that, we have had booking enquiries from around the world. In the last year, we performed on the start line of Formula One Las Vegas, for example, we opened a resort in Greece, we have performed in Mexico ... and we are in talks for shows in London and a European tour. "There are so many opportunities. "They call it a 'J-curve' in business terms, where something builds for a long time, then there's a tipping point and it starts to take off ... and we are hoping we are on that J-curve and that it's about to blow up, globally." Closer to home, he is about to launch Full Metal Orchestra at Spark Arena in Auckland next month. He says it is "a breathtaking collision of symphonic power and hard rock energy," and the show is already nearly sold out. Then it is New York, Australia, France and Calgary. And just who will be dancing up a storm, jiggling and sweating together in the audience? While billed as a family event, Synthony is becoming increasingly popular with aged millennials, Gen X, and boomers, females in particular, who are booking babysitters and reliving their youth. It is about nostalgia and the power of music to connect people. It is a movement. Check out how to listen to and fol low The Detail here . You can also stay up-to-date by liking us on Facebook or following us on Twitter .
Al Arabiya
23-05-2025
- Al Arabiya
Deepfakes pose growing threat to GCC as AI technology advances: Experts
Security professionals are raising alarm over the rising sophistication of deepfake technology and its potential impact on countries across the GCC, as artificial intelligence tools become more accessible and harder to detect. Deepfakes - highly convincing digital forgeries created using artificial intelligence to manipulate audio, images and video of real people - have evolved rapidly in recent years, creating significant challenges for organizations and individuals alike, according to cybersecurity professionals speaking to Al Arabiya English. Evolution of deepfake technology 'Deepfake technology has advanced at such a striking pace in recent years, largely due to the breakthroughs in generative [Artificial Intelligence (AI)] and machine learning,' David Higgins, senior director at the field technology office of CyberArk, told Al Arabiya English. 'Once seen as a tool for experimentation, it has now matured into a powerful means of producing audio, video, and image content that is almost impossible to distinguish from authentic material.' The technology's rapid advancement has transformed what was once a novelty into a potential threat to businesses, government institutions, and individuals across the region. 'Today, deepfakes are no longer limited to simple face swaps or video alterations. They now encompass complex manipulations like lip-syncing, where AI can literally put words into someone's mouth, as well as full-body puppeteering,' said Higgins. Rob Woods, director of fraud and identity at LexisNexis Risk Solutions, also told Al Arabiya English how the quality of such manipulations has improved dramatically in recent years. 'Deepfakes, such as video footage overlaying one face onto another for impersonation, used to show visible flaws like blurring around ears or nostrils and stuttering image quality,' Woods said. 'Advanced deepfakes now adapt realistically to lighting changes and use real-time voice manipulation. We have reached a point where even human experts may struggle to identify deepfakes by sight alone.' Immediate threats to society The concerns around deepfake technology are particularly relevant in the GCC region, where digital transformation initiatives are rapidly expanding, the experts said. 'The most pressing threat posed by deepfakes is their potential to create an upsurge in fraud while weakening societal trust and confidence in digital media – which is concerning given that digital platforms dominate communications and media around the world,' Higgins said. The technology has made sophisticated tools accessible to malicious actors looking to manipulate public perception or conduct fraud, creating significant security concerns for businesses in the region. 'In Saudi Arabia, where AI adoption is advancing rapidly under Vision 2030, there is growing concern among businesses too. Over half of organizations surveyed in CyberArk's 2025 Identity Security Report cite data privacy and AI agent security as top challenges to safe deployment,' Higgins added. Woods echoed these concerns, highlighting the democratization of deepfake technology as a particular challenge. 'The most immediate threat to society is that high-quality deepfake technology is widely available, enabling fraudsters and organized crime groups to enhance their scam tactics. Fraudsters can cheaply improve the sophistication of their attempts, making them look more legitimate and increasing the likelihood of success,' he said. Rising concerns in Saudi Arabia Recent reports suggest growing anxiety in Saudi Arabia specifically regarding deepfake threats. According to CyberArk's research cited by Higgins, the Kingdom is experiencing increased unease around manipulated AI systems. 'In recent months, concerns across the Middle East have intensified, particularly in countries like Saudi Arabia, where organizations report growing unease around the manipulation of AI agents and synthetic media,' Higgins said. He cited specific data points highlighting this trend: 'According to CyberArk's 2025 Identity Security Landscape report, 52 percent of organizations surveyed in Saudi Arabia now consider misconfigured or manipulated AI behavior, internally or externally, a top security concern.' Vulnerable sectors beyond politics While political manipulation often dominates discussions about deepfakes, experts emphasized that virtually every sector faces potential threats from this technology. 'There are very few sectors that can safely say they are protected from potential deepfake manipulation. Industries such as finance, healthcare, and corporate enterprises are all at risk of being targeted,' Higgins warned. He detailed how different sectors face unique vulnerabilities: 'When looking at the financial sector, deepfakes are being used to impersonate executives, leading to fraudulent transactions or insider trading. Healthcare institutions may face risks if deepfakes are used to manipulate medical records or impersonate medical professionals, potentially compromising patient care.' The financial services sector appears particularly vulnerable in the GCC region, according to Woods. 'Financial services, including banking, digital wallets and lending, rely on verifying customer identities, making them prime targets for fraudsters,' he said. 'With diverse financial economies such as in the Middle East encouraging competition among digital banks and super apps, customer acquisition has become critical for balancing customer experience and risk management.' Detection capabilities: A technological race As deepfake technology continues to advance, detection methods are struggling to keep pace, creating a technological race between security systems and those seeking to exploit them. 'Detection technologies designed to combat deepfakes are advancing, but they are in a constant race against a threat that is always evolving,' Higgins said. 'As generative AI tools become more accessible and powerful, deepfakes are growing in realism and scale.' He highlighted the limitations of current detection systems: 'While there are detection systems capable of detecting subtle inconsistencies in voice patterns, facial movements, and metadata, malicious actors continue to find ways to outpace them.' Woods added: 'Organizations are just beginning to tackle the challenge of deepfakes and it is a race they must win. Countering AI-generated fraud, including deepfakes, demands AI-driven solutions capable of distinguishing real humans from deepfakes.' Social media platforms' responsibility The role of social media companies in addressing deepfake content remains a contentious issue, with experts calling for more robust measures to identify and limit the spread of malicious synthetic media. 'Social media platforms carry a critical responsibility in curbing the spread of malicious deepfakes. As the primary channels through which billions consume information globally, they are also the frontline where manipulated content is increasingly gaining traction,' Higgins said. He acknowledged some progress while highlighting ongoing challenges: 'Some tech giants, including Meta, Google, and Microsoft, have begun introducing measures to label AI-generated content clearly – which are steps in the right direction. However, inconsistencies remain.' Higgins pointed to specific platforms that may be exacerbating the problem: 'X (formerly Twitter) dismantled many of its verification safeguards in 2023, a move that has made public figures more vulnerable to impersonation and misinformation. This highlights a deeper issue: disinformation and sensationalism have, for some platforms, become embedded in their engagement-driven business models.' Woods believes that while social media platforms are not responsible for the rise of deepfakes or malicious AI, irrespective of fraudsters' methods. However, these platforms can play a part in the solution, he said, adding collaboration through data-sharing initiatives between financial services, telecommunications and social media companies can significantly improve fraud prevention efforts.' Public readiness and education A particularly concerning aspect of the deepfake threat is the general public's limited ability to identify manipulated content, according to the experts. 'As the use of deepfakes spreads, the average internet user remains alarmingly unprepared to identify manipulated content,' Higgins said. 'Where synthetic media is becoming more and more realistic, simply trusting what we see or hear online is no longer an option.' He advocated for a fundamental shift in how people approach digital content: 'Adopting a zero-trust mindset is key, and people must become accustomed to treating digital content with the same caution applied to suspicious emails or phishing scams.' Woods agreed with this assessment, noting the difficulty even professionals face in identifying sophisticated deepfakes. 'Identifying deepfakes with the naked eye is challenging, even for trained professionals. People should be aware that deepfake technology is advancing quickly and not underestimate the tactics and tools available to fraudsters,' he said. Practical advice for protection Both experts offered practical guidance for individuals to protect themselves against deepfake-related scams, which often target emotional vulnerabilities. 'One common scenario involves fraudsters using deepfakes to imitate a distressed relative, claiming to need urgent financial help due to a lost phone or another emergency,' Woods explained. He recommended several protective steps: 'Approach unexpected and urgent requests for money or personal information online with caution, even if they appear to come from a loved one or trusted source. Pause and consider whether it could be a scam. Verify the identity of the person by reaching out to them through a different method than the one they used to contact you.' Higgins also emphasized the importance of education in combating the threat: 'Citizens must be encouraged to verify sources, limit public sharing of personal media, and critically assess the credibility of online content. Platforms, regulators, and educational institutions all have a role to play in equipping users with the tools and knowledge to navigate a digital landscape where not everything is as it seems.' Regulatory frameworks The experts agreed that regulatory frameworks addressing deepfake technology remain underdeveloped globally, despite the growing threat. 'The legal frameworks around deepfakes vary greatly across geographies and jurisdictions, sometimes creating a grey area between unethical manipulation and criminal activity,' Higgins pointed out. 'In Saudi Arabia, where laws around cybercrime are among the strictest in the Middle East, impersonation, defamation, and fraud through deepfakes may fall under existing regulations.' Woods was more direct in his assessment of the current regulatory landscape: 'No global regulator has yet implemented a legal deterrent or regulatory framework to address the threat of deepfakes.' Despite the serious nature of deepfake threats, the experts cautioned against complete alarmism, noting legitimate applications for the technology alongside its potential for harm. 'Not all deepfakes are bad and they do have a place in society, for example providing entertainment, gaming and augmented reality,' Woods said. 'However, as with any technological advancement, some people exploit these tools for malicious purposes.' Higgins warned against dismissing the threat as overblown: 'Dismissing deepfakes as exaggerated or irrelevant underestimates one of the most disruptive threats faced today. While deepfake content may once have been a novelty, it has rapidly evolved into a tool capable of serious harm—targeting not just individuals or brands, but the very concept of truth.'
Axios
24-03-2025
- Health
- Axios
New friction surfaces over replicating research
The Trump administration wants to spend more federal dollars replicating medical research. A key question will be which studies get repeated and, with limited resources, at what expense. Why it matters: Many findings can't be replicated — a problem scientists say needs to be addressed. But it could also consume increasingly scarce resources as the administration cuts spending and freezes federal grants. And some warn repeating accepted studies into how diseases originate or drugs work could undermine science for political gain. "We should ask questions, ensure reproducibility, and grow our evidence base with replication," David Higgins, a practicing pediatrician and health services researcher at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, said in an email. But that "requires considering many factors," he adds. Catch up quick: Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and National Institutes of Health director nominee Jay Bhattacharya say they want to make replication a pillar of what the institutes do, pointing to fraud in the research community. "The gold standard means real scientific research with replication of studies, which very rarely happens now at NIH," Kennedy said during a Senate confirmation hearing in January. "We should be giving at least 20% of the NIH budgets to replication," he added, citing a landmark paper on Alzheimer's disease that was later found to contain doctored images, calling many subsequent studies into question. In one early sign of the administration's priorities, the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention is reportedly planning a broad study into connections between vaccines and autism, despite substantial evidence disproving any link. NIH last year launched a program that invited researchers to nominate their own studies for replication — and promised up to $50,000 plus overhead costs to contract with an outside organization to repeat the work, according to Science. Interest was "modest," the outlet reported. What they're saying: "CDC will leave no stone unturned in its mission to figure out what exactly is happening" with the increase in autism cases in the U.S., HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon told Axios in an email. "The American people expect high quality research and transparency and that is what CDC will deliver." The big picture: Replication is "expensive, time-consuming and draws resources from other work but if you're interested in improving science, the scientific record and knowledge, it needs to be applied equally and universally," says Ivan Oransky, who teaches journalism at New York University and is a co-founder of Retraction Watch, which tracks withdrawals of scientific papers, "In a world of endless resources, you should replicate every study," Oransky says. But resources are limited and the cost of doing science has "vastly outpaced inflation," he says. The White House already is trying to cut billions of dollars in NIH grants for research overhead at universities and medical research centers. The Trump administration has said those savings could be reallocated directly to research. But scientists and university administrators say those indirect costs are crucial for the infrastructure that enables research. Zoom in: Reports that the CDC will conduct a new large-scale study to look into already unsupported claims of a link between autism and vaccines are raising concern about political influence. Kennedy has for years repeated the debunked theory. "We have already done that many times over. It wastes valuable resources to revisit the same question instead of using them to address critical health challenges," Higgins said. "More than 20 major studies involving over 10 million children across multiple countries, populations, and decades have found that there is no link between vaccines and autism," according to a new review of studies by Higgins and others. Bhattacharya said during his Senate confirmation hearing that he doesn't "generally believe that there is a link" and doesn't want "to disprove a negative" but added that another study might help to convince people who are vaccine hesitant. But Higgins says "reexamining settled questions that have already been repeated, replicated, and tested many times is not healthy skepticism; it's cynicism and science denial." Research, like other investments, can be set on a spectrum of risk, says Brian Nosek, executive director of the Center for Open Science, a nonprofit that supports replication studies, and a psychology professor at the University of Virginia. On the low-risk end is replicating studies as closely as one can to verify and validate their results. Nosek says "an investment on the order of single digits of the percent of the budget" at NIH could be helpful. In the middle is more incremental science that comprises the bulk of research — and that has drawn the ire of politicians who characterize it as wasteful. "Incrementalism is used pejoratively and I think that is insanity for how science actually makes progress," Nosek says. On the opposite end of the spectrum is high-risk — and potentially high-reward — research that "is open-ended and sometimes looks frivolous and impossible" but in some cases may be ultimately groundbreaking, says Stuart Buck, executive director of the Good Science Project. Between the lines: The deeper issue underlying debates about replication and where science funding should be directed is that scientists have an incentive to build on existing studies, because it's likelier to allow them to publish often, attract more funding and advance their careers. "Big bureaucracies in science tend to fund consensus opinion ... and to not be interested in replication and bias against groundbreaking ideas," Buck says. Bhattacharya has said "a tentativeness to focus on the big ideas" and replicability are among the problems at NIH he'll address if confirmed, and that "no matter what the budget is, I want to reform it in that direction."
