News/Policy
Spokane, Washington college launches AI certificate program with $152K state funding
Spokane Falls Community College will launch an artificial intelligence certificate program in fall 2026, focusing on applications in cybersecurity, healthcare, and manufacturing. The program represents part of a broader Washington state initiative to prepare students for an AI-integrated workforce, funded by a $152,000 grant from the state's $1 million AI education investment. What you should know: The yearlong certificate program aims to give students practical AI skills for high-demand industries where the technology is becoming essential. "This will give our students an advantage going into the next evolution of the workforce," said Mark Neufville, program lead at SFCC's Cyber Center,...
read Aug 28, 2025Frontline Education launches K-12 AI Advisory Council to guide schools
Frontline Education has launched the Dear Future campaign, which includes establishing a K-12 AI Advisory Council to help district leaders evaluate and develop AI tools for schools. This initiative comes as education leaders struggle to navigate the flood of AI products following President Trump's April executive order to integrate artificial intelligence into U.S. education. What you should know: The Dear Future campaign operates through two main components designed to involve educators in AI development. District leaders are encouraged to share ideas for how AI can improve education. Selected leaders will join an AI Advisory Council to test and provide feedback...
read Aug 28, 2025Nvidia CEO says Trump talks on China chip sales will take a while
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang revealed that discussions with the Trump White House about allowing sales of a less advanced version of the company's next-generation Blackwell AI chips to China "will take a while." The talks represent a potential shift in U.S.-China tech policy, as Nvidia seeks to maintain access to the Chinese market while navigating ongoing export restrictions on advanced semiconductor technology. What you should know: Huang confirmed that preliminary conversations with the White House have begun regarding Blackwell chip exports to China. The discussions focus on allowing sales of a "less advanced version" of Nvidia's next-generation Blackwell chips, suggesting...
read Aug 28, 2025HEALTH AI Act targets healthcare’s administrative burden with federal funding
Representative Ted Lieu has introduced groundbreaking federal legislation that could reshape how artificial intelligence transforms American healthcare. The Healthcare Enhancement And Learning Through Harnessing Artificial Intelligence Act, known as the HEALTH AI Act, establishes the first dedicated federal grant program specifically designed to fund research into generative AI applications across the healthcare sector. This legislative initiative arrives at a critical moment when healthcare providers face mounting administrative burdens, widespread clinician burnout, and persistent disparities in patient care quality. The bill, designated as H.R. 5045 and introduced on August 26, 2025, currently has one cosponsor and awaits consideration by the House...
read Aug 27, 2025Michigan criminalizes nonconsensual AI-generated intimate images
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation making it illegal to create or distribute AI-generated pornographic images depicting real people without their consent. The new laws, which took effect Tuesday, establish both criminal penalties and civil remedies for victims of nonconsensual intimate deepfakes, addressing a growing form of digital exploitation. What you should know: The Protection from Intimate Deep Fakes Act and its companion bill specifically target AI-generated sexual imagery that falsely portrays identifiable individuals. House Bills 4047 and 4048 were sponsored by Representatives Matthew Bierlein (R-Vassar) and Penelope Tsernoglou (D-East Lansing). The legislation prohibits both the creation and distribution of...
read Aug 27, 2025Bayou Brains: Meta commits $50B to Louisiana AI data center in superintelligence push
Meta's planned artificial intelligence data center in Louisiana will cost $50 billion, according to President Donald Trump, who revealed the figure during a Tuesday cabinet meeting. The facility in Richland Parish represents Meta's largest data center project and highlights the company's massive financial commitment to AI infrastructure as it pursues superintelligence capabilities. What you should know: Meta is building its largest data center in rural Louisiana's Richland Parish, designed to handle intense computational workloads for AI applications. The company has secured $29 billion in financing through U.S. bond giant PIMCO and alternative asset manager Blue Owl Capital to support the...
read Aug 27, 2025Public support for AI in K-12 schools drops 13 points, despite Trump – and Newsom – enthusiasm
A national survey found declining public support for artificial intelligence in K-12 education, with support for AI-powered lesson planning dropping 13 percentage points and resistance to AI homework assistance increasing by 5 points compared to last year. The findings come as the Trump administration pushes to expand AI use in schools while public confidence in American education reaches historic lows, with only 13% of adults giving public schools an A or B grade. Key survey findings: The PDK Poll, conducted by PDK International, a professional educators organization, surveyed approximately 1,000 adults nationwide and revealed widespread skepticism toward educational technology integration....
read Aug 26, 2025Meta launches $10M+ super PAC to back AI-friendly California candidates
Meta is launching a new super PAC in California with a budget reportedly in the tens of millions of dollars to support state-level political candidates who favor tech-friendly policies, particularly those with a loose approach to regulating artificial intelligence. The move positions the social media giant to significantly influence California's 2026 midterm elections and gubernatorial race, where regulatory decisions could shape the future of AI development and tech innovation. What you should know: The super PAC, called Mobilizing Economic Transformation Across (Meta) California, will target candidates who support policies favorable to the tech industry. Meta policy executives Brian Rice and...
read Aug 26, 2025Melania Trump launches nationwide AI challenge for K-12 students
Melania Trump has launched the Presidential AI Challenge, a nationwide contest inviting K-12 students to use artificial intelligence tools to solve community problems. The initiative reflects the Trump administration's broader push to advance AI education for American youth, positioning the United States to maintain its technological leadership in the emerging AI era. What you should know: The contest encourages collaborative problem-solving using AI technology across all grade levels from kindergarten through high school. Students must work in teams with an adult mentor or teacher sponsor to complete projects addressing community challenges using AI methods or tools. Registration opens Tuesday on...
read Aug 26, 2025Colorado Senate guts AI regulation compromise, delays rules
Colorado's first-in-the-nation artificial intelligence regulations face another significant delay after the state Senate dramatically gutted a compromise bill on Monday, opting instead to push back implementation of existing AI rules by several months. The collapse of negotiations highlights the ongoing tension between tech industry concerns and consumer protection advocates over how to regulate AI decision-making systems that affect everything from job applications to rental housing. What you should know: Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez stripped down the AI regulation bill, abandoning a carefully negotiated compromise in favor of a simple delay. The original 2024 AI law, set to take effect...
read Aug 25, 2025AI turns Rosetta Stone for animal languages as it helps decode whale, dolphin and bird communication
Scientists are on the verge of deciphering animal communication using artificial intelligence, with recent breakthroughs suggesting we may soon be able to "talk" with other species for the first time. The development represents a fundamental shift from decades of scientific reluctance to acknowledge non-human language, driven by AI's ability to detect patterns in massive datasets of animal sounds and behaviors. The big picture: Multiple research teams are racing to crack interspecies communication, spurred by the new Coller Dolittle Challenge offering $100,000 annually and a $10 million grand prize for breakthrough discoveries. The challenge, established by Tel Aviv University and Jeremy...
read Aug 25, 2025Ohio now the Buck-AI State in new K-12 instructional requirement
Ohio has become the first state in the United States to require K-12 public schools to adopt artificial intelligence policies, according to education publication EdWeek. This groundbreaking mandate, signed into law as part of the state budget last month, establishes essential guardrails while encouraging innovation in educational AI use—a critical step as artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integral to workforce preparation. What you should know: The AI policy requirement emerged from recommendations by a coalition of businesses, nonprofits, and educators who recognized the urgent need for structured guidance.• Schools must adopt their own AI policies by July 1, 2025, though they...
read Aug 25, 2025Latin America charts independent, flexible course amid US-China AI rivalry
Latin America faces a pivotal choice as the U.S. and China advance competing visions for global AI governance, with Washington framing artificial intelligence as a zero-sum race for technological dominance while Beijing positions AI as a collaborative "global public good." The region's response could determine its technological sovereignty for decades, but a third path of digital non-alignment may offer the strongest strategy for preserving independence while accessing benefits from both superpowers. The competing visions: Two radically different AI strategies emerged from the world's technological superpowers in recent weeks, creating pressure for Latin American nations to choose sides. The Trump administration's...
read Aug 22, 2025NSF debuts 3 new funding programs for K-12 AI education
The U.S. National Science Foundation has announced three new funding opportunities designed to expand AI education in K-12 schools and strengthen America's STEM workforce pipeline. These initiatives directly implement key elements of the Trump administration's executive order "Advancing Artificial Intelligence Education for American Youth," marking a significant federal investment in preparing students for an AI-driven economy. What you should know: NSF is launching two Dear Colleague Letters and one program solicitation to fast-track AI education integration across American schools. The Expanding K-12 Resources for AI Education DCL invites existing NSF awardees with K-12 AI or computer science education experience to...
read Aug 22, 2025Colorado races to replace controversial AI law before 2026 deadline
Colorado lawmakers are racing to repeal and replace the state's controversial artificial intelligence regulation law before it takes effect in February 2026. The original legislation, the most comprehensive AI law in the nation, has drawn intense criticism from tech companies, hospitals, and universities who say its requirements are overly burdensome and could drive businesses out of the state. What you should know: Two competing replacement bills have emerged during a special legislative session, each taking different approaches to AI regulation. Democratic Sen. Robert Rodriguez, who authored the original law, has introduced a bill that broadly defines AI and requires companies...
read Aug 22, 2025Talent thaw? Meta hires 6th Apple AI researcher in 7 weeks despite freeze
Meta has hired Frank Chu, its sixth AI researcher from Apple in just seven weeks, continuing an aggressive talent acquisition campaign despite implementing a company-wide hiring freeze. Chu, who led Apple's AI teams focused on cloud infrastructure, training and search, will join Meta's newly created Superintelligence Labs, highlighting the intensifying competition for top AI talent as Apple struggles to retain key personnel amid growing concerns about its AI strategy. The big picture: Meta's targeted poaching of Apple's AI talent reflects a broader Silicon Valley battle for artificial intelligence expertise, with companies willing to break their own hiring policies to secure...
read Aug 21, 2025Massachusetts schools get new AI guidance for responsible classroom use
Massachusetts education officials released new statewide AI guidance urging schools to use artificial intelligence thoughtfully, emphasizing equity, transparency, academic integrity, and human oversight. The comprehensive framework, developed by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education ahead of the 2025-2026 school year, moves away from prohibiting AI use toward teaching students responsible integration and disclosure practices. What you should know: The guidance includes both an AI Literacy Module for Educators and a Generative AI Policy Guidance document, developed in response to recommendations from a statewide AI Task Force. AI use has already spread in Massachusetts classrooms, with teachers using ChatGPT and...
read Aug 21, 2025Google reveals Gemini AI uses 0.24 watt-hours per query
Google has become the first major tech company to publicly release detailed energy consumption data for its AI systems, revealing that an average Gemini text prompt uses 0.24 watt-hours of energy and emits 0.03 grams of carbon dioxide equivalent. The transparency milestone comes as AI's environmental impact faces increasing scrutiny, with 61% of Americans expressing concern about AI electricity usage according to recent polling. What you should know: Google's methodology provides the most comprehensive view of AI energy consumption to date, accounting for factors typically overlooked in public estimates. The company tracked not just active computing power but also idle...
read Aug 20, 2025Pentagon moves AI office under research division to accelerate military adoption
The Department of Defense has moved its Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO) to report directly under the Under Secretary for Research and Engineering (USD(R&E)), effective immediately. This organizational realignment represents the Pentagon's latest effort to accelerate AI adoption across military operations through a unified "AI-first" strategy that connects research capabilities with battlefield implementation. The big picture: The restructuring positions AI development within the DoD's research and engineering arm, creating what officials describe as a "powerful innovation engine" designed to deliver AI superiority from laboratory to battlefield. Why this matters: By placing the CDAO under USD(R&E), the Pentagon aims...
read Aug 20, 2025Canada builds sovereign AI infrastructure to keep data cozy, warm and at home
Canada is making a bold play for AI independence. Buzz High Performance Computing (Buzz HPC), a subsidiary of publicly-traded Hive Digital Technologies, has partnered with Bell Canada to build nationwide AI infrastructure that keeps sensitive data entirely within Canadian borders—a concept known as "sovereign AI." This partnership addresses a growing concern among governments and enterprises: maintaining control over their most sensitive data while accessing cutting-edge AI capabilities. Rather than relying on foreign cloud providers, Canadian organizations will soon have access to powerful AI computing resources hosted exclusively in Canadian-owned facilities. The infrastructure backbone The collaboration centers on Bell AI Fabric,...
read Aug 18, 2025Meta faces Senate probe over AI chatbot policies permitting sensual conversations with minors
U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) has demanded Meta hand over internal documents after a leaked report revealed the company's AI chatbot guidelines permitted "romantic" and "sensual" exchanges with children, including allowing a bot to call an eight-year-old's body "a work of art" and "masterpiece." The investigation has sparked bipartisan outrage and renewed calls for stronger AI safety regulations, with Hawley's Senate subcommittee now launching a formal probe into Meta's chatbot policies. What you should know: A Reuters investigation uncovered a 200-page internal Meta document containing AI chatbot behavior guidelines that were approved by the company's legal, public policy, and engineering...
read Aug 15, 2025Albanian PM proposes AI ministers to combat government corruption
There's all in, and then there's all in. Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama has proposed replacing government ministers with AI systems like ChatGPT to combat corruption and increase transparency. The suggestion, made at a July press conference, envisions voters potentially electing AI algorithms to the council of ministers, making Albania "the first to have an entire government with AI ministers and a prime minister." What they're saying: Albanian officials believe AI governance could eliminate human failings in government administration. • "One day, we might even have a ministry run entirely by AI," Rama said. "That way, there would be no...
read Aug 15, 2025AI sinks its teeth into the Peach State as Georgia’s largest school districts integrate the tech
Georgia's largest school districts are implementing artificial intelligence tools across K-12 classrooms, with educators using AI to craft rubrics, design lessons, and create new career pathways despite ongoing concerns about cheating and data privacy. This shift reflects the broader transformation of education as schools navigate the balance between leveraging AI's potential and maintaining academic integrity while preparing students for an AI-driven workforce. What you should know: Major Georgia districts including DeKalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett are integrating AI both as a standalone subject and as a learning aid across traditional subjects. Fulton County uses Edia, an AI-powered math platform that provides...
read Aug 15, 2025UK balances AI energy demands with renewable power transition
The United Kingdom faces a critical infrastructure challenge as artificial intelligence reshapes the digital economy. AI data centers consume enormous amounts of electricity at precisely the moment when national grids are transitioning toward renewable energy sources. This creates a complex balancing act between technological advancement and environmental sustainability that could determine whether the UK achieves its ambitious AI leadership goals. The scale of this challenge is substantial. The International Energy Agency reports that a single ChatGPT query requires 2.9 watt-hours of electricity—nearly ten times more than a traditional Google search, which consumes just 0.3 watt-hours. With ChatGPT surpassing 100 million...
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