News/Leadership
Job alert: UNC system seeks first Chief AI Officer to lead 250K student network
The University of North Carolina System Office has announced it is hiring a Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer (CAIO) to oversee AI strategy across its 17-campus network serving nearly 250,000 students. This appointment reflects a growing trend among U.S. universities to formalize AI leadership at the senior executive level as higher education institutions seek to harness artificial intelligence for operational efficiency and educational enhancement. What you should know: The CAIO will report directly to the Chief Operating Officer and coordinate AI initiatives across the entire UNC system. The role focuses on identifying, planning, and implementing system-wide AI initiatives to enhance administrative...
read Sep 10, 2025Luxury beliefs: AI is a brilliant tool but can’t replace human creativity, says Aston Martin chief
Aston Martin's chief creative officer Marek Reichman argues that artificial intelligence should remain a tool rather than replace human designers in automotive creation. While acknowledging AI as "a brilliant tool" and "the most important element we've ever created," Reichman contends that human creativity and intuition are irreplaceable for designing vehicles that capture future consumer desires and emotional connections. Why this matters: As AI capabilities expand across creative industries, luxury automakers face pressure to integrate automation while maintaining the human touch that differentiates premium brands from mass-market competitors. The limits of AI creativity: Reichman explains that AI's backward-looking algorithms fundamentally constrain...
read Sep 10, 2025The Big Rethink: Klarna CEO admits company shifted from AI cost-cutting after $15B IPO
Klarna's CEO Sebastian Siemiatkowski admitted the Swedish fintech company moved too aggressively with AI implementation, prioritizing cost-cutting over service improvements after raising $1.37 billion in its U.S. IPO. The admission comes as the buy-now-pay-later lender, valued at $15 billion, shifts its AI strategy toward enhancing customer and merchant experiences rather than simply reducing operational expenses. What you should know: Klarna has spent the last six months course-correcting its AI approach after recognizing it "over indexed" on cost reduction. The company cut its workforce from 5,000 to 3,800 employees last year, with AI chatbots handling customer queries that previously required 700...
read Sep 9, 2025EFF’s executive director steps down after 25 years of digital rights advocacy
Cindy Cohn announced Tuesday that she is stepping down as executive director of the Electronic Frontier Foundation after 25 years with the digital rights organization. The departure of Cohn, who has led EFF since 2015, marks the end of an era for one of the most influential voices in the fight for online privacy and digital freedoms during a critical period of tech expansion and government surveillance. What you should know: Cohn's tenure at EFF spans some of the most significant battles over digital rights in the internet age. She first gained prominence as lead counsel in Bernstein v. Department...
read Sep 9, 2025NASA scientist proposes AI astronauts could replace humans on Mars missions
Planetary scientist Pascal Lee proposes that "artificial astronauts" — AI-powered humanoid robots with human-like physical capabilities — could serve as actual crew members on Mars missions within the coming decades. These space-rated artificial humans would eliminate the need for life support systems and consumables required by human astronauts, while potentially surpassing human capabilities in space exploration tasks. What you should know: The concept builds on rapid advances in robotics and artificial intelligence that could mature alongside planned Mars mission timelines. Lee, who chairs the Mars Institute and directs NASA's Haughton-Mars Project, presented this vision at a Space Robotics Workshop in...
read Sep 9, 2025“Lord of the Rings” star Sean Astin leads SAG-AFTRA prez race as AI contract negotiations loom
Sean Astin is running for president of SAG-AFTRA against Chuck Slavin in an election that concludes September 12, positioning himself as the frontrunner to succeed Fran Drescher. The winner will lead the 160,000-member performers union through critical 2025 contract negotiations with major studios, facing mounting challenges from AI threats, runaway production, rising healthcare costs, and an industry still recovering from 2023's 118-day strike. What you should know: Astin brings Hollywood star power and extensive union experience, while Slavin represents a more aggressive negotiating approach as a rank-and-file candidate. Astin, known for roles in "The Lord of the Rings" and "Rudy,"...
read Sep 9, 2025Citigroup hires IBM veteran as new AI head to accelerate banking transformation
Citigroup has appointed Shobhit Varshney, a longtime IBM executive, as its new head of AI to accelerate the bank's artificial intelligence initiatives across its operations. The hire signals Wall Street's intensifying race to integrate AI deeper into banking, as Citi joins competitors like JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs in deploying AI tools to automate routine work and boost efficiency. What you should know: Varshney joins from IBM, where he led data and AI for the consulting business across the U.S., Canada, and Latin America. He will report to Chief Operating Officer Anand Selva and work closely with Chief Technology Officer David...
read Sep 9, 2025Judge rejects Anthropic’s $1.5B copyright settlement as incomplete
A federal judge has rejected Anthropic's record-breaking $1.5 billion settlement for a copyright lawsuit filed by writers, calling the agreement "nowhere close to complete." Judge William Alsup expressed concern that class lawyers struck a deal that would be forced "down the throat of authors" without providing essential details about how the settlement would actually work. What you should know: The lawsuit involves around 500,000 authors who sued Anthropic, an AI company, for using pirated copies of their works to train its large language models. Authors were expected to receive $3,000 per work under the settlement terms. One of the lawyers...
read Sep 8, 2025Notre Dame wins university’s Presidential Award for AI governance framework
The University of Notre Dame's AI Enablement Team has been honored with the Presidential Team Irish Award for successfully establishing the university's artificial intelligence infrastructure and governance framework. The collaborative effort between the Office of Information Technology and Hesburgh Libraries has positioned Notre Dame as a leader in responsible AI adoption across higher education. What you should know: The team created comprehensive AI capabilities and ethical guidelines that now serve the entire Notre Dame community. They developed secure access to generative AI tools while establishing clear best practices for ethical use and data protection. The team built a foundational campus...
read Sep 8, 2025Ventriloquist Jeff Dunham brings aptly-named “Artificial Intelligence” comedy tour to Des Moines
Jeff Dunham, one of the world's most popular ventriloquists, is bringing his "Artificial Intelligence" comedy tour to Des Moines on December 29 at Casey's Center. The performance marks another return to Iowa's capital for Dunham, who has established a pattern of regular shows in the area, including a 2023 headlining gig at the Iowa State Fair Grandstand. Key details: Tickets for Dunham's Casey's Center performance go on sale Monday, September 16 at 10 a.m. The show is part of Dunham's broader "Artificial Intelligence" tour, though specific details about the tour's theme or content weren't provided. Dunham has established a pattern...
read Sep 8, 2025Stanford professor returns to handwritten exams…at students’ request
Stanford computer science professor Jure Leskovec made a surprising pivot two years ago, switching from open-book, take-home exams to handwritten, in-person tests in response to the rise of AI tools like GPT-3. The change came at the request of his students and teaching assistants, who wanted a way to genuinely assess knowledge without AI assistance, highlighting the complex challenges educators face as artificial intelligence reshapes academic evaluation. What happened: Leskovec, a machine learning researcher with nearly three decades of experience, found himself grappling with an "existential crisis" among students when GPT-3 launched publicly. Students questioned their role in a world...
read Sep 8, 2025Nobel winner Geoffrey Hinton warns AI will create massive unemployment
Geoffrey Hinton, the Nobel Prize-winning "godfather of AI," warned that artificial intelligence will create massive unemployment while boosting corporate profits as companies replace workers with AI systems. The renowned computer scientist attributes this outcome not to the technology itself but to the capitalist system, echoing his earlier concerns about AI companies prioritizing short-term profits over long-term consequences. What he's saying: Hinton predicts a stark economic divide as AI adoption accelerates across industries. "What's actually going to happen is rich people are going to use AI to replace workers," he told the Financial Times. "It's going to create massive unemployment and...
read Sep 5, 2025The Anti-Amodei: Palantir CEO launches $1B AI campaign against job displacement fears
Palantir CEO Alex Karp is pushing back against widespread fears that artificial intelligence will eliminate American manufacturing and skilled labor jobs, calling such concerns "not true" and launching a campaign to change public perception. His comments come as unemployment figures climb and debates intensify over AI's role in job displacement, positioning Palantir, a data analytics software company, to both defend its commercial interests and shape broader AI adoption narratives. What they're saying: Karp argues that AI will enhance rather than replace skilled workers, criticizing Silicon Valley's messaging on the topic. "It's not true, and in fact, it's kind of the...
read Sep 5, 2025Following Roe v. Wade protest, activist conducts hunger strike outside Anthropic HQ
Activist Guido Reichstadter is on day three of a hunger strike outside Anthropic's San Francisco headquarters, demanding the AI company halt its development efforts. The protest reflects growing grassroots opposition to artificial general intelligence (AGI) development, with activists arguing that the current AI race poses existential risks to society and threatens to eliminate human employment on a massive scale. What you should know: Reichstadter is protesting as part of the activist group StopAI, calling on Anthropic to "immediately stop their reckless actions which are harming our society." He posted his statement on LessWrong, a forum founded by AI critic Eliezer...
read Sep 5, 2025Incumbent NYC mayor uses AI-generated videos in reelection campaign
New York City Mayor Eric Adams has integrated AI-generated photos and videos into his reelection campaign, marking one of the first major uses of artificial intelligence in American political campaigns. The technology has provided Adams with a cost-effective way to create promotional content and respond to opponents while facing fundraising challenges due to legal troubles and blocked campaign finance requests. What you should know: Adams is running as an independent candidate after facing legal issues, while the Democratic race features underdog Zohran Mamdani, who defeated former Governor Andrew Cuomo for the nomination. Adams has used AI to create provocative content,...
read Sep 5, 2025Tesla proposes new $2T pay plan for Musk tied to ambitious milestones
Tesla is asking investors to approve another substantial pay plan for CEO Elon Musk that would grant him over 423 million additional shares across 12 tranches tied to ambitious milestones over the next decade. The proposal would also increase Musk's voting control over the electric vehicle and robotics company, addressing demands he has made publicly since early 2024. What you should know: The compensation structure requires Tesla to nearly double its current market cap to $2 trillion while hitting aggressive operational targets. Musk would receive 1% equity for each half-trillion dollars of market cap growth, plus meeting production and delivery...
read Sep 4, 2025Melania Trump urges treating AI development “like our own children”
Melania Trump hosted the White House Task Force on AI Education, urging members that "we must manage AI's growth responsibly" and treat artificial intelligence "as we would our own children." The event signals the administration's focus on establishing educational frameworks for AI development while emphasizing careful stewardship of the technology's advancement. What you should know: The First Lady's remarks emphasized a parental approach to AI governance, suggesting the need for nurturing yet careful oversight of artificial intelligence development. What they're saying: Melania Trump drew a direct parallel between AI management and child-rearing during her address to the task force.• "We...
read Sep 4, 2025UK’s Alan Turing Institute CEO resigns amid staff revolt and £100M funding threat
Jean Innes, chief executive of the UK's Alan Turing Institute, is stepping down after facing a staff revolt and government demands for strategic change. Her resignation follows mounting pressure from employees who filed whistleblower complaints and intervention from Technology Secretary Peter Kyle, who called for new leadership to refocus the AI research body on defense and national security. What you should know: The Alan Turing Institute has been in turmoil since last year, with widespread staff discontent over organizational changes and strategic direction. A group of employees filed a whistleblower complaint to the Charity Commission last month, warning that £100...
read Sep 3, 2025Cornell dropout at helm of Orchard Robotics raises $22M for AI-powered fruit farm monitoring
Orchard Robotics, founded by Cornell dropout and Thiel Fellow Charlie Wu, has raised $22 million in Series A funding led by Quiet Capital and Shine Capital to expand its AI-powered farm vision technology. The startup uses tractor-mounted cameras and artificial intelligence to help fruit growers precisely monitor crop health, addressing a critical gap where even the largest U.S. farms rely on manual sampling to make crucial operational decisions. The founder's story: Wu was inspired by his apple farmer grandparents in China and discovered the agricultural technology gap while studying computer science at Cornell University, a leading agriculture school.• "I got...
read Sep 3, 2025Pentagon blocks Senator Warner’s intelligence oversight after far-right complaint
The Pentagon canceled a classified visit by Senator Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, to the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency after far-right conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer complained. The cancellation represents a significant escalation in the Trump administration's efforts to restrict congressional oversight of intelligence agencies, undermining a fundamental check on executive power. What you should know: Warner's visit was designed to conduct routine oversight of the spy agency, including meetings with leadership and briefings on artificial intelligence usage. The visit to the Virginia headquarters was classified and not intended for public disclosure. Pentagon officials canceled the visit...
read Sep 3, 2025xAI CFO departs after just 3 months amid leadership exodus
xAI's chief financial officer Mike Liberatore has departed the Elon Musk-owned AI startup after just a few months in the role, according to a Wall Street Journal report. The exit adds to a string of high-profile departures from xAI amid intensifying competition in the artificial intelligence sector, raising questions about leadership stability at the company that recently secured $10 billion in funding. What you should know: Liberatore served as xAI's CFO for approximately three months before leaving around the end of July.• He joined the company in April and was instrumental in xAI's $5 billion debt raise in June, alongside...
read Sep 3, 2025North Carolina launches AI Leadership Council to guide state tech adoption
Governor Josh Stein has signed a new executive order establishing North Carolina's AI Leadership Council, designed to guide the state's responsible adoption of artificial intelligence technologies. The initiative positions North Carolina to harness AI's potential while implementing safeguards against security risks and ensuring ethical deployment across state operations. What you should know: The executive order creates a formal governance structure for AI implementation across North Carolina's government agencies. The AI Leadership Council will serve as the primary advisory body for artificial intelligence strategy and policy development within the state. The council's mandate focuses on balancing AI adoption with risk management,...
read Sep 3, 2025Onboard or get off board: Coinbase CEO fires engineers who refused to use AI coding tools
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has mandated that all software engineers use AI coding tools like Cursor and Copilot, firing employees who failed to comply with the directive by a set deadline. The cryptocurrency exchange now generates approximately 33% of its code using AI and aims to reach 50% by the end of the quarter, while expanding AI adoption beyond engineering into decision-making processes across the company. What you should know: Armstrong took a direct approach to enforcing AI adoption, personally meeting with engineers who hadn't onboarded the required tools. Engineers who failed to use AI coding tools by the deadline...
read Sep 2, 2025“The Morning Show’s” Reese Witherspoon urges women to embrace AI as filmmaking’s future
Reese Witherspoon is urging women to get involved in artificial intelligence, calling it "the future of filmmaking" and emphasizing that industry change is inevitable. Speaking to Glamour magazine while promoting "The Morning Show's" fourth season, the Oscar winner positioned AI adoption as both unstoppable and essential for women's participation in Hollywood's evolution. What she's saying: Witherspoon views AI integration as an unavoidable reality that requires proactive female involvement rather than resistance. "It's so, so important that women are involved in AI because it will be the future of filmmaking," Witherspoon said. "And you can be sad and lament it all...
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