Welcome back to Daily Zaps, your regularly-scheduled dose of AI news ⚡️ 

Here’s what we got for ya today:

• 🥸 AI deepfakes flood job market

• 🏷️ Tariffs impacting AI data center boom

• 🛍️ Shopify CEO issues AI ultimatum

• ☁️ Cloudflare adds AutoRAG

Let’s get right into it!

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CAREERS

AI deepfakes flood job market

Companies are facing a growing threat from fake job candidates using deepfake and generative AI tools to secure employment under false identities, as illustrated by a recent case involving a scammer dubbed “Ivan X” who attempted to infiltrate voice authentication startup Pindrop Security. These impostors fabricate identities, alter facial features, and even spoof voices in video interviews to bypass hiring processes, with motivations ranging from salary fraud to data theft and cyberattacks.

The problem is especially prevalent in remote tech and cybersecurity roles, where bad actors—from North Korean spies to global criminal rings—exploit digital vulnerabilities. In one major case, over 300 U.S. companies unknowingly hired North Korean operatives, who funneled millions in wages to fund weapons programs. Experts warn that the hiring process has become a weak point in cybersecurity, and as deepfake technology becomes more sophisticated, many employers remain unaware they’re being targeted.

Global Events

Tariffs impacting AI data center boom

A stock market downturn triggered by President Trump's new tariffs on Chinese and European goods is threatening to stall the AI investment boom that has fueled Silicon Valley over the past two years. Venture capitalists like Eric Bahn of Hustle Fund are urging startups to conserve cash, assume fundraising may dry up, and consider using AI to boost efficiency.

The tariffs are already impacting hardware-dependent AI sectors like data centers and robotics, while broader economic uncertainty is causing software buyers to delay contracts with major firms like Microsoft and SAP. As venture capital inflows slow and startup acquisitions stall, some AI firms may struggle to survive. However, the disruption may create opportunities for companies in robotics, particularly those offering automation for U.S. manufacturing, and for software firms helping importers navigate new tariffs.

BIG TECH

Shopify CEO issues AI ultimatum

Shopify CEO Tobi Lütke has mandated that all employees must effectively integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into their workflows, considering it a fundamental expectation. In a recent internal memo, Lütke emphasized that before requesting additional headcount or resources, teams must demonstrate why AI cannot fulfill the required tasks.

He highlighted that AI proficiency will be incorporated into performance and peer reviews, underscoring its growing importance in daily operations. Lütke views AI as a significant productivity multiplier, enabling employees to achieve substantially higher output. This strategic shift reflects Shopify's commitment to staying at the forefront of technological advancements and fostering a culture of continuous learning and adaptation.

BIG TECH

Cloudflare adds AutoRAG

​Cloudflare has launched AutoRAG in open beta, a fully managed Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) pipeline designed to simplify the integration of context-aware AI into applications. AutoRAG automates the complex process of building a RAG pipeline by handling data ingestion, chunking, embedding, vector storage, and response generation.

It continuously monitors data sources, ensuring AI responses remain accurate and up-to-date without manual intervention. Developers can set up AutoRAG with minimal effort, allowing them to focus on creating smarter applications using Cloudflare's developer platform.