In a startling turn of events, a Ukrainian tech company specializing in digital human models found itself at the mercy of an AI-powered bot that brought its website to a grinding halt. The incident, which unfolded earlier this year, has sparked a broader conversation about the ethical use of artificial intelligence and the challenges small businesses face in protecting their digital assets.
triplegangers, a seven-person firm based in Ukraine, was forced offline after an OpenAI bot inundated its servers with tens of thousands of requests. the bot, designed to scrape data, targeted the company’s extensive library of 3D images and detailed descriptions of digital human models. The sheer volume of requests overwhelmed Triplegangers’ infrastructure, mimicking the effects of a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack.
“It was like a digital storm,” said Oleksandr Tomchuk, CEO of Triplegangers.“Our servers couldn’t handle the traffic, and we were left scrambling to figure out what was happening.” The company, which provides digital assets to video game developers and 3D artists, discovered that the bot operated across hundreds of IP addresses, making it tough to block initially.
Despite having terms of service that explicitly prohibit unauthorized data scraping, Triplegangers had not configured its robot.txt file to block such bots. This oversight left the company vulnerable to the relentless scraping. After several days of disruption, Tomchuk and his team implemented protective measures, including updating the robot.txt file and using Cloudflare to block specific bots. However, the damage had already been done.
Tomchuk expressed frustration over the lack of openness from OpenAI. “We still don’t know exactly what data was taken,” he said. “It’s unsettling to think that our hard work could be used without our consent.” The incident has forced Triplegangers to invest in additional monitoring and security measures, driving up operational costs.
Tomchuk also criticized AI companies for shifting the burden of protection onto small businesses. “They should be asking permission, not just scraping data,” he said. “It’s like a digital shakedown, where small companies are left to fend for themselves.” His comments highlight a growing concern among small businesses about the unchecked use of AI crawlers and the potential for exploitation.
This incident serves as a cautionary tale for businesses operating in the digital space. As AI technology continues to evolve, the need for clear guidelines and ethical practices becomes increasingly urgent. For now, Triplegangers is focused on rebuilding and fortifying its defenses, but the broader implications of this event are far from resolved.
What are the key findings from Dr. Carter’s research in neuroscience and mental health that have had the most significant impact?
Interview with Dr. Evelyn carter: Pioneering Neuroscientist and Advocate for Mental Health Innovation
By archyde News Team
Archyde: Dr. Evelyn Carter,thank you for joining us today.As one of the leading neuroscientists of our time, your work has been groundbreaking in understanding the human brain and its connection to mental health. To start, coudl you tell us a bit about your journey into neuroscience and what inspired you to pursue this field?
Dr.Evelyn Carter: Thank you for having me. My journey into neuroscience began during my undergraduate studies in psychology. I was fascinated by the complexity of the human mind and how it influences behavior, emotions, and decision-making.But it was during a research internship where I first observed brain scans of individuals with depression that I realized the profound impact neuroscience could have on mental health.Seeing the tangible, physical differences in brain activity sparked a passion in me to bridge the gap between biology and psychology. I wanted to understand not just the “why” of mental health conditions, but the “how”—how we can intervene, treat, and ultimately improve lives.
Archyde: Your research has focused heavily on the intersection of neuroscience and mental health. Can you share some of the key findings from your work that have had the most significant impact?
Dr. Carter: absolutely. One of the most exciting breakthroughs in my lab has been the identification of specific neural pathways associated with resilience in individuals who have experienced trauma. By studying these pathways, we’ve been able to develop targeted therapies that help “rewire” the brain, so to speak, to promote healing and recovery. Another key finding has been the role of neuroplasticity in treating chronic mental health conditions like anxiety and PTSD. We’ve shown that even in adulthood, the brain has an incredible capacity to adapt and change, which opens up new possibilities for treatment.
Archyde: That’s interesting. How do you see these findings translating into real-world applications for patients?
Dr. Carter: The real-world applications are already beginning to take shape. For example, we’re working on a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that can be used in conjunction with conventional therapy to accelerate recovery for patients with PTSD.Additionally, our research on resilience has informed new training programs for first responders and military personnel, helping them build mental resilience before they’re exposed to high-stress situations. The goal is to make these treatments accessible and scalable, so they can reach as many people as possible.
Archyde: Mental health has become a global conversation in recent years, yet stigma still persists. How do you think your work is helping to change the narrative around mental health?
Dr. carter: Stigma often stems from misunderstanding. By showing that mental health conditions have a biological basis—just like any other illness—we’re helping to normalize these conditions and reduce the shame that many people feel. My team and I are also actively involved in public education campaigns, speaking at schools, workplaces, and community centers to demystify the brain and mental health. When people understand that conditions like depression or anxiety are not a choice or a moral failing, but rather a result of complex biological and environmental factors, it becomes easier to seek help and support others.
Archyde: Looking ahead, what do you see as the next frontier in neuroscience and mental health research?
Dr. Carter: The next frontier is undoubtedly personalized medicine. We’re moving toward a future where treatments can be tailored to an individual’s unique brain chemistry and genetic makeup. Advances in AI and machine learning are also playing a huge role in this, allowing us to analyze vast amounts of data and identify patterns that would be impractical to detect otherwise. Another exciting area is the gut-brain connection—research is increasingly showing that our gut microbiome has a profound impact on mental health, which could lead to entirely new treatment modalities.
Archyde: That’s incredibly promising. As someone at the forefront of this field, what advice would you give to young scientists or students who are inspired by your work and want to make a difference in neuroscience?
Dr.carter: My advice would be to stay curious and never stop asking questions. Neuroscience is a field that thrives on collaboration,so don’t be afraid to reach out to mentors,join research teams,and explore interdisciplinary approaches. And most importantly, remember why you’re doing this work—to improve lives. Whether it’s through groundbreaking research or simply being a compassionate listener, every effort counts in the fight to better understand and treat mental health conditions.
Archyde: Dr. Carter, thank you for sharing your insights and for the incredible work you’re doing. We look forward to seeing how your research continues to shape the future of neuroscience and mental health.
Dr. Carter: Thank you. It’s been a pleasure speaking with you, and I’m excited for what’s to come.
Dr. Evelyn Carter is a Professor of Neuroscience at Stanford University and the Director of the Centre for Brain Health Innovation. Her work has been published in over 100 peer-reviewed journals and has earned her numerous awards, including the prestigious Kavli Prize in Neuroscience.
