News/Regulation
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, 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 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...
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Accountability crisis? Healthcare AI adoption surges while liability frameworks lag behind
A new report warns that artificial intelligence in healthcare could create complex legal challenges when determining liability for medical errors or poor patient outcomes. The findings highlight growing concerns about accountability as AI tools rapidly expand across clinical settings without adequate testing or regulatory oversight. What you should know: Legal experts identify multiple barriers that could complicate malpractice cases involving AI systems.• Patients may struggle to prove fault in AI design or implementation due to limited access to information about how these systems work internally.• Multiple parties involved in AI development and deployment could point fingers at each other when...
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, 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 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, 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 3, 2025Never mind! Cerebras withdraws IPO, after raising $1B at $8B valuation
AI chipmaker Cerebras has withdrawn its initial public offering plans after raising $1 billion in private funding at an $8 billion valuation. The decision comes amid regulatory scrutiny and concerns about the company's heavy reliance on a concentrated customer base, highlighting the challenges facing AI hardware companies seeking public market access. What you should know: Cerebras opted for private funding over public markets despite previously filing for an IPO. The company secured $1 billion in new private investment, valuing the AI chip specialist at $8 billion. Regulatory scrutiny and customer concentration risks were key factors behind the IPO withdrawal decision....
read Oct 2, 2025EU’s landmark AI Act forces companies to rethink cybersecurity fundamentals
The European Union's Artificial Intelligence Act represents the world's most comprehensive AI regulation, fundamentally reshaping how organizations must approach AI security and compliance. As the latest provisions took effect on August 2nd, companies operating in or selling to EU markets face unprecedented requirements for AI system governance, particularly for applications classified as "high-risk." This groundbreaking legislation establishes the first mandatory framework for AI safety and ethics, but compliance demands more than checking regulatory boxes. Organizations must now embed security considerations throughout their AI development lifecycle, creating new operational challenges and opportunities across the technology landscape. How the Act rewrites cybersecurity...
read Oct 2, 2025Mexico drafts first AI law to protect creative workers from voice theft
Mexico's federal government is developing landmark legislation to regulate artificial intelligence use in creative industries, working with over 128 organizations including dubbing professionals, actors, broadcasters, and film institutes. The reform aims to protect creative works and copyright while preventing unauthorized AI replication of voices, images, music, and other artistic content. Why this matters: The legislation represents Mexico's first comprehensive approach to AI regulation in cultural sectors, addressing both technological misuse and broader labor protections for creative professionals. The National Copyright Institute (Indautor), Mexico's federal copyright agency, and the Legal Counsel of the Presidency are leading the initiative alongside industry associations...
read Sep 29, 2025It’s official, California governor signs AI transparency law amid tech opposition
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the Transparency in Frontier Artificial Intelligence Act into law, establishing some of the nation's strongest AI safety regulations. The legislation requires advanced AI companies to report their safety protocols and disclose potential risks, while strengthening whistleblower protections for employees who warn about technological dangers. What you should know: The new law represents a compromise after fierce industry opposition killed a more stringent version last year. S.B. 53 focuses primarily on transparency requirements rather than operational restrictions on AI development. Companies must report safety protocols used in building their technologies and identify the greatest risks their...
read Sep 29, 2025California AI chatbot safety bills are up against Newsom’s mid-October deadline
California Governor Gavin Newsom faces a mid-October deadline to decide whether to sign two AI chatbot safety bills into law, amid intense opposition from tech companies who argue the restrictions would stifle innovation. The legislation comes as parents whose teenagers died by suicide have sued major AI companies including OpenAI and Character.AI, alleging their chatbots encouraged self-harm and failed to provide adequate mental health safeguards. What you should know: Two bills targeting AI chatbot safety have reached Newsom's desk after passing the California legislature, despite aggressive lobbying from the tech industry. Assembly Bill 1064 would bar companies from making companion...
read Sep 24, 2025California requires AI companies to disclose training data in 2026
California has passed Assembly Bill 2013, requiring generative AI developers to publicly disclose their training data starting January 1, 2026. The Generative Artificial Intelligence Training Data Transparency Act represents one of the most comprehensive U.S. rules on AI disclosure, potentially strengthening copyright lawsuits while raising compliance burdens for companies operating in the state. What you should know: The law mandates detailed public disclosures about datasets used to train AI models, including sources, availability, size, and whether copyrighted or personal data are included. Developers must publish information on their websites about data sources, whether datasets are publicly available or proprietary, their...
read Sep 23, 2025EU considers delaying AI Act enforcement by up to one year due to catch-up concerns
The European Union is considering a pause on enforcing key provisions of its landmark 2024 Artificial Intelligence Act, potentially delaying compliance requirements for high-risk AI systems by up to a year beyond the planned August 2025 deadline. This potential retreat marks a significant shift for the EU from being a global AI regulation leader to a region increasingly worried about falling behind the U.S. and China in the AI race. What you should know: The EU's tech chief Henna Virkkunen, the European Commission's executive vice president for tech sovereignty, has acknowledged that parts of the AI Act may need postponing...
read Sep 23, 2025UN climate chief calls AI a climate “gamechanger” but warns of energy risks
The UN's climate chief says artificial intelligence can be a "gamechanger" in tackling global heating, but governments must regulate the technology to manage its risks and energy demands. Simon Stiell, executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, emphasized that while AI offers significant potential for climate solutions, its growing energy requirements from large datacenters require immediate regulatory attention. What you should know: AI is already being deployed across multiple climate applications, from energy system optimization to industrial carbon reduction tools. The UN itself is using AI to support climate diplomacy efforts, demonstrating the technology's versatility in addressing...
read Sep 18, 2025Michigan Republicans propose a ban on VPN usage statewide, restricting adult manga and more
Michigan Republicans have proposed sweeping legislation that would ban not only adult online content but also prohibit all VPN usage throughout the state. The Anticorruption of Public Morals Act represents one of the most comprehensive internet restriction bills in the U.S., targeting everything from AI-generated content to manga and potentially criminalizing privacy tools that millions of Americans use daily. What you should know: The bill goes far beyond typical content restrictions, creating a framework that could fundamentally alter internet access in Michigan. Six Republican representatives introduced the legislation on September 11, seeking to ban adult content ranging from ASMR and...
read Sep 17, 2025Italy passes first EU-aligned AI law with $1.18B tech fund
Italy's parliament has approved comprehensive artificial intelligence legislation, making it the first European Union country to enact AI regulations fully aligned with the EU's landmark AI Act. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government positioned the law as establishing human-centric, transparent AI use while emphasizing innovation, cybersecurity and privacy protections across multiple sectors. Key provisions: The legislation introduces cross-sector rules covering healthcare, work, public administration, justice, education and sport, requiring traceability and human oversight of AI decisions. AI access for children under 14 requires parental consent. New criminal provisions target unlawful dissemination of AI-generated content like deepfakes, punishable by one to five...
read Sep 17, 2025Meta launches $10M+ super PAC to influence AI politics in California
Meta has created its own California-focused super PAC called "Mobilizing Economic Transformation Across (Meta) California," allowing Mark Zuckerberg to spend unlimited corporate funds on political campaigns supporting the company's AI interests. This unprecedented move gives Zuckerberg essentially personal control over a corporate super PAC, enabling Meta to spend tens of millions defending its priorities in the heart of the tech industry—potentially even against AI-friendly candidates who might favor competitors. What you should know: Meta's super PAC represents an unusually direct corporate political intervention, distinct from typical industry coalitions. Campaign finance experts tell The Verge that companies rarely create their own...
read Sep 16, 2025California passes AI safety bill requiring disclosure from frontier model companies
California's state Senate has passed an AI safety bill that would require AI companies working on "frontier models" to disclose their safety protocols and establish whistleblower protections for employees. The legislation, SB 53, now awaits Governor Gavin Newsom's signature after he previously vetoed a similar bill last year, highlighting the ongoing regulatory tensions surrounding AI oversight in the nation's tech capital. What you should know: The bill targets companies developing general-purpose AI models like ChatGPT or Google Gemini, with different requirements based on company size.• Companies generating over $500 million annually face stricter oversight than smaller firms, though all frontier...
read Sep 15, 2025Trump shifts America to China-style state capitalism model in great powers convergence
President Trump has implemented a new economic model that mirrors China's state capitalism, requiring companies like Nvidia and Intel to align their operations with government objectives in exchange for market access. This represents a fundamental shift from traditional free-market capitalism toward what Long Le, associate teaching professor at Santa Clara University's Leavey School of Business, terms "corporate statism," where economic security becomes synonymous with national security and companies must pay levies or accept government stakes to operate. What you should know: Trump's administration has struck unprecedented deals that blur the lines between private enterprise and state control. Nvidia secured permission...
read Sep 12, 2025Malaysia restricts US AI chips for Chinese data centers
Malaysia has implemented new restrictions on data center expansion and U.S. chip exports, creating significant barriers for Chinese companies seeking access to advanced AI semiconductors. The policy changes come as the Southeast Asian nation grapples with infrastructure constraints and mounting pressure from Washington to prevent Chinese firms from using the region as a backdoor to access restricted American-made AI chips. What you should know: Malaysia has become a critical hub for Chinese data center operations, hosting the majority of Chinese-owned facilities outside mainland China. More than two-thirds of data center capacity under construction in Southeast Asia's five main growth markets...
read Sep 11, 2025FTC probes 6 tech giants over AI chatbot safety for children
The Federal Trade Commission has launched a broad inquiry into how six major technology companies monitor AI chatbots for potential harm to children. The investigation targets OpenAI, Google's parent Alphabet, Meta, Snap, xAI, and Character.AI, asking these companies to provide detailed information about their safety measures and how they restrict minors' access to potentially inappropriate AI-generated content. What you should know: The FTC is conducting a comprehensive study rather than a formal legal investigation, focusing on how companies handle children's interactions with AI chatbots. The agency specifically asked about the prevalence of "sexually themed" responses from chatbots and what safeguards...
read Sep 11, 2025US proposes annual permits for Samsung, SK Hynix China chip plants
Washington is considering a significant shift in how it regulates semiconductor trade with China, potentially replacing indefinite equipment import waivers for Korean chipmakers with annual permits that could reshape global memory chip production. The U.S. Department of Commerce has proposed issuing yearly licenses to Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, South Korea's memory chip giants, allowing them to bring American-made manufacturing equipment into their Chinese facilities under stricter oversight. This represents a notable departure from the more permissive approach these companies previously enjoyed. The stakes for Korean chipmakers Both Samsung and SK Hynix have built substantial manufacturing operations in China that...
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