News/Policy
Louisiana forms 30-member committee to bring AI into K-12 classrooms, minus Chinese tech
Louisiana has formed a nearly 30-member committee to develop recommendations for implementing artificial intelligence in K-12 classrooms across the state. The initiative comes as education leaders grapple with AI's rapid integration into daily life while addressing concerns about student privacy, data security, and the technology's unproven impact on learning outcomes. What you should know: The committee includes state education board members, department officials, and national AI experts who will spend the next few months creating an implementation framework. Louisiana Tech University president Jim Henderson will lead the team, which must present recommendations at the state board of education's March 10...
read Oct 17, 2025“Adapt to AI or lose”: GOP uses deepfake video of Chuck Schumer in new attack ad
The National Republican Senatorial Committee has released an attack ad featuring a deepfake video of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, marking a new escalation in the use of AI-generated content for political campaigns. The synthetic video shows an artificial version of Schumer robotically repeating "every day gets better for us" in reference to the ongoing government shutdown, despite the quote being from a real interview where Schumer was discussing Democratic strategy. What you should know: The deepfake represents the GOP's latest venture into AI-generated political content, following similar moves by Donald Trump. The video was posted to the Senate Republicans'...
read Oct 17, 20254 power-hungry AI data centers spark citizen concerns in Southeast Michigan
At least four massive AI data centers are being proposed across Southeast Michigan, sparking heated community debates about their environmental and economic impacts. The surge comes as Michigan lawmakers recently extended tax breaks for data center projects, positioning the state to capitalize on the AI boom while raising concerns about water usage, energy consumption, and transparency in rural communities. What you should know: These hyperscale data centers require enormous amounts of power and water to operate AI systems and keep them cool. A single AI server can consume more than 10 kilowatts of power, with specialized chips drawing up to...
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Autonomous food delivery robots face regulatory roadblock in D.C.
D.C. transportation officials are resisting calls to fast-track regulations for autonomous food delivery robots on city sidewalks, despite pressure from tech companies eager to launch the service. The standoff highlights the tension between innovation advocates pushing for rapid deployment and regulators prioritizing safety concerns, particularly for pedestrians with disabilities. The big picture: Sharon Kershbaum, director of the D.C. Department of Transportation (DDOT), emphasized that developing rules for sidewalk robots represents "really new territory" requiring careful consideration of pedestrian safety. "We're not dragging our feet. We know people want us to move more quickly. But there are no rules that govern...
read Oct 16, 2025Fed policymaker: Anyone claiming AI certainty is “a hubristic fool”
Federal Reserve Governor Stephen Miran said Thursday that predicting artificial intelligence's impact on the U.S. labor market is "very difficult to anticipate," despite AI's potential to significantly boost productivity growth. Speaking at Semafor's World Economy Summit, Miran dismissed anyone claiming certainty about AI's labor effects as "a hubristic fool," highlighting the uncertainty even top economic policymakers face as they navigate AI's integration into the economy. What he's saying: Miran emphasized both AI's promise and the inherent unpredictability of its economic effects. "I think AI has the potential to really raise the productivity growth rate in the economy, which would be...
read Oct 16, 2025New York becomes first state to ban efficient AI rent-pricing algorithms
New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation on Thursday banning landlords from using AI-powered algorithms to set rental prices, making it the first state to outlaw such software. The law addresses what Hochul calls "housing market distortion" during a historic affordability crisis, following similar city-level bans in Jersey City, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle. What you should know: The legislation targets algorithmic pricing software that companies like RealPage offer to landlords for rent optimization. RealPage's software helps landlords "optimize rents to achieve the overall highest yield, or combination of rent and occupancy, at each property." The algorithms can also determine...
read Oct 16, 2025Trump AI czar David Sacks attacks Anthropic over regulatory “fear-mongering”
Tensions are escalating between the White House and Anthropic over AI regulation, with Trump's "AI czar" David Sacks publicly accusing the company of "fear-mongering" to influence regulatory policy. The clash highlights a broader divide between the administration's deregulatory approach and Anthropic's more cautious stance on AI safety and oversight. What happened: White House AI advisor David Sacks launched a direct attack on Anthropic co-founder Jack Clark after Clark published an essay defending the need for careful AI regulation. Sacks accused Anthropic of running "a sophisticated regulatory capture strategy based on fear-mongering" that is "damaging the startup ecosystem." The confrontation began...
read Oct 14, 2025Only 13 countries ready for AI workforce transformation, claims study
Artificial intelligence is reshaping the global economy at breakneck speed, but most countries remain woefully unprepared to train their workforces for an AI-driven future. While nearly half of today's jobs could vanish within two decades due to automation, an estimated 65% of current elementary school students will eventually work in careers that don't yet exist—many of them requiring sophisticated AI knowledge. This workforce transformation presents both an enormous challenge and opportunity. A comprehensive study examining the national AI preparation strategies of 50 countries reveals stark disparities in how governments are approaching this challenge, with only 13 nations demonstrating comprehensive plans...
read Oct 14, 2025Pittsburgh hosts first US Global Innovation Summit on AI in health sciences
The University of Pittsburgh will host the Global Innovation Summit next week, marking the first time the United States has hosted this international gathering of industry, government, business, and academic leaders focused on AI in health sciences. The summit represents a strategic move by Pitt to cement its reputation as a hub for artificial intelligence research and positions the university alongside Carnegie Mellon as a driving force in Pittsburgh's emerging tech landscape. What you should know: The Global Innovation Summit will bring 200-300 attendees from 20 countries to Pittsburgh from October 19-21, combining with the Competitiveness Conversations series for an...
read Oct 14, 2025Democrats, Republicans on same page as data centers become bipartisan political target
Local and state candidates across both parties are increasingly targeting data centers as a key campaign issue, blaming them for rising electricity bills as AI investments drive massive energy demands. The bipartisan backlash is particularly intense in Virginia's suburbs, where voters are becoming single-issue opponents of data center expansion despite the industry's economic benefits. The big picture: Data centers have become an unexpected political lightning rod, uniting Republicans and Democrats in opposition to what they see as corporate freeloading on local energy infrastructure. In Prince William County, Virginia, both Republican Patrick Harders and Democrat George Stewart agreed to block future...
read Oct 13, 2025California requires chatbots to warn minors every 3 hours that they’re dealing with AI
California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed new legislation requiring AI chatbot platforms to implement specific safety measures for minors, including mandatory notifications every three hours reminding young users they're interacting with a bot, not a human. The law responds to mounting concerns about AI chatbots coaching children toward self-harm, with recent lawsuits alleging platforms like Character.AI contributed to teen suicides. What you should know: The legislation establishes the first comprehensive regulatory framework for protecting minors from AI chatbot risks. Companies must display pop-up notifications every three hours to remind minor users they are talking to a chatbot and not a...
read Oct 13, 2025Facebook revives job board shuttered in 2023 amid AI disruption hampering youth employment
Facebook is reviving its job board feature after shuttering it in 2023, specifically targeting young adults seeking entry-level positions amid growing concerns about AI's impact on the job market. The move comes as recent graduates and young workers face a challenging employment landscape, with some experts predicting AI could eliminate up to 50% of entry-level jobs within the next five years. What you should know: Job listings are returning to Facebook Marketplace for US users on Android and iOS, focusing on local entry-level, trade, and service industry positions. The feature will be available to all adults 18 years and older,...
read Oct 10, 2025Maryland lawmakers prepare AI regulation bills targeting housing, employment
Maryland lawmakers are set to consider multiple AI regulation bills during the January legislative session, addressing concerns about misuse in industries, privacy violations, and misinformation. The proposed legislation reflects growing recognition that artificial intelligence requires comprehensive oversight, with state officials comparing its transformative potential to electricity while acknowledging similar risks. What you should know: Maryland's General Assembly will weigh several AI-focused bills covering education, employment screening, and consumer protection. State Del. Caylin Young, a Baltimore Democrat, views AI as "transformational" and comparable to "the wheel, like electricity, like the computer and the semiconductor." Young's proposed education bill would require the...
read Oct 9, 2025Hard hats over hard tech: Sanders proposes robot tax as AI threatens 100M US jobs
Bernie Sanders has proposed a "robot tax" on corporations to address potential job displacement from AI automation, warning that artificial intelligence could eliminate nearly 100 million US jobs within a decade. The Vermont senator's plan would redistribute wealth created by AI technologies back to affected workers, addressing what he sees as a growing productivity-wage gap that has left American workers behind despite massive corporate profit increases. What you should know: Sanders' report outlines a dire scenario where AI automation could devastate employment while corporations pocket the benefits. The report warns that "AI and automation could destroy nearly 100 million US...
read Oct 9, 2025Forget AI Gotham: DC Comics bans tech in art and storytelling
DC Comics president and publisher Jim Lee announced at New York Comic Con that the company will "not support AI-generated storytelling or artwork," declaring the policy will remain in place "not now, not ever" as long as he and SVP Anne DePies are in charge. The commitment positions DC as a rare holdout against AI adoption in entertainment, emphasizing human creativity over technological automation at a time when Hollywood studios are increasingly embracing generative AI tools. What they're saying: Lee delivered a passionate defense of human creativity during his panel discussion.• "AI doesn't dream. It doesn't feel. It doesn't make...
read Oct 9, 2025Consent of the AI-governed: Indian film studios push for copyright protections
Hollywood and Bollywood film studios are lobbying an Indian government panel to establish stricter copyright protections that would prevent AI companies from using their content to train AI models without proper licensing. The push comes as India reviews whether its current copyright laws are adequate for addressing AI-related intellectual property disputes, with the film industry arguing that blanket training exceptions could undermine creative incentives and revenue streams. What you should know: India's government formed a panel this year to examine whether existing copyright law sufficiently addresses AI-related disputes and make recommendations for potential changes. The panel consists of lawyers, government...
read Oct 8, 2025America rushes AI education while skipping digital literacy basics
A new executive order has thrust artificial intelligence literacy into America's educational spotlight, but this sudden urgency reveals an uncomfortable truth: we've been overlooking fundamental digital skills that students desperately need. In April 2024, an executive order called Advancing Artificial Intelligence Education for American Youth established AI literacy as a national priority for K-12 education. The initiative aims to ensure American students gain early exposure to artificial intelligence, positioning the nation as a global leader in this transformative technology. Schools across the country are now scrambling to implement AI education programs. However, this represents a striking irony in educational policy....
read Oct 8, 2025AI transforms tasks rather than eliminates jobs, says conservative think tank analyst
AI won't replace entire jobs but will transform the specific tasks workers perform, according to James Pethokoukis, an economic policy analyst at the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank. His perspective challenges common narratives about AI-driven unemployment, suggesting a more nuanced view of how artificial intelligence will reshape the workforce rather than eliminate it entirely. What you should know: Pethokoukis argues that AI's impact on employment will be task-specific rather than job-eliminating, fundamentally changing how work gets done without necessarily reducing overall employment.• This perspective appeared during a CNBC "Power Lunch" discussion about recent AI employment analysis.• The conversation...
read Oct 7, 2025Maryland offers up to $500K for cyber-AI clinics to train workers
Maryland has launched the Cyber and Artificial Intelligence Clinic Grant program, offering up to $500,000 per recipient to colleges, nonprofits, and training providers to establish cyber and AI clinics. The first-of-its-kind state initiative aims to address thousands of vacant cybersecurity positions annually while providing digital security services to vulnerable community institutions like schools, hospitals, and small businesses. What you should know: The Maryland Department of Labor's new grant program targets both workforce development and community cybersecurity needs through a dual-purpose clinic model. Grant recipients must train at least 100 cyber professionals annually between 2027 and 2029, covering both technical roles...
read Oct 7, 2025Not all GOP are gung-ho on AI: Florida’s DeSantis pushes insurance regulation, industry resists
Governor Ron DeSantis is pushing for AI regulation in Florida despite insurance industry lobbyists arguing that existing state laws already adequately govern artificial intelligence use in their sector. The debate highlights a growing tension between proactive AI oversight and industry claims that current regulatory frameworks are sufficient to manage emerging technologies. What you should know: Insurance industry representatives told a Florida House subcommittee that AI tools are already subject to the same legal standards as human decision-makers. "Any decision made or any action taken by an insurance company, be it by a person, a human, an AI platform, all of...
read Oct 7, 2025India Mobile Congress showcases 1,600 tech use cases across 6G and AI
India is positioning itself as a global technology powerhouse, and this week's India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025 serves as a comprehensive showcase of that ambition. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the ninth edition of Asia's largest telecom, media, and technology event on October 8 at Yashobhoomi in New Delhi, highlighting the country's rapid digital transformation and its vision for next-generation connectivity. The four-day event, running through October 11 under the theme "Innovate to Transform," represents more than just a technology exhibition. With over 150,000 visitors from more than 150 countries expected, IMC 2025 demonstrates India's emergence as a critical...
read Oct 7, 2025White House unveils AI action plan prioritizing innovation over regulation
The White House has released an artificial intelligence "action plan" that consolidates pro-innovation executive orders issued since January 2025, explicitly prioritizing American AI superiority through deregulation and reduced oversight. The plan represents a significant departure from the Biden administration's approach, which emphasized bias reduction and regulatory safeguards, instead favoring rapid private-sector development and market-driven innovation. The big picture: The action plan is built around three strategic pillars designed to maintain America's competitive edge in AI development. Accelerating AI innovation focuses on removing regulatory barriers, promoting open-source AI development, and expanding workforce training programs. Building American AI infrastructure targets energy systems,...
read Oct 6, 2025China deploys 300K robots to compensate for manufacturing workforce shrinkage
China installed nearly 300,000 new industrial robots last year—accounting for over half of all global robot installations—as the nation deploys automation to counter a shrinking population that has declined for three consecutive years. This robotic surge is sustaining China's manufacturing dominance despite losing about 2 million people in the latest count, fundamentally reshaping global supply chains and industrial competition. The big picture: China's demographic crisis is driving an unprecedented automation revolution that's keeping factories operational while the working-age population shrinks by tens of millions over the next decade. The country's operational robot stock has surpassed 1 million units, far outpacing...
read Oct 6, 2025Study finds AI health messages in Africa no better than traditional campaigns
A new study comparing AI-generated health messages with traditional campaigns in Kenya and Nigeria found that neither approach proved superior for communicating about vaccines and maternal healthcare. The research analyzed 120 health messages and revealed that while AI was more creative in incorporating cultural references, it often produced shallow or inaccurate content, while traditional campaigns remained authoritative but rigid and sometimes reinforced colonial-era communication patterns. What the study found: Researchers from The Conversation analyzed 80 traditional health messages from ministries and NGOs alongside 40 AI-generated messages, focusing on vaccine hesitancy and maternal healthcare communication. AI-generated messages included more cultural references...
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