California has enacted SB 243, a law that requires AI companion chatbot providers to identify themselves as non‑human, issue regular break reminders to users under 18, and maintain protocols for handling suicidal or self‑harm expressions. The legislation is part of a broader push that includes AB 56, which demands warning labels on social media, and pending AB 1064, which would further restrict child access. Companies such as Replika, Character.ai, and OpenAI have voiced cooperation, citing existing safety measures and welcoming clearer regulatory guidance. Leia mais →

Generative AI chatbots are increasingly marketed as mental‑health companions, but researchers and clinicians say they lack the safeguards and expertise of licensed therapists. Studies reveal flaws in their therapeutic approach, and regulators are beginning to act, with state laws banning AI‑based therapy and federal investigations targeting major AI firms. While some companies add disclaimers, the technology’s confidence and tendency to affirm users can be harmful. Experts advise seeking qualified human professionals and using purpose‑built therapy bots rather than generic AI chat tools. Leia mais →

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the Transparency in Frontier Artificial Intelligence Act, requiring AI firms with annual revenues of at least $500 million to publish safety protocols and report critical incidents. The law focuses on disclosure rather than mandatory safety testing, defining catastrophic risk as incidents that could cause 50 or more deaths, $1 billion in damage, or weaponized AI misuse. While the measure offers whistleblower protections and civil penalties up to $1 million per violation, industry observers argue it stops short of robust safeguards and aligns with Big Tech’s preferred regulatory approach. Leia mais →

Meta has introduced revised guidelines for its AI chatbots aimed at preventing age‑inappropriate conversations with minors. The new guardrails, obtained by Business Insider, explicitly prohibit content that could enable or encourage child sexual abuse, romantic role‑play involving minors, or advice about intimate contact for users under the age of consent. The changes follow an August statement from Meta that corrected earlier policy language after a Reuters report and come as the FTC launches a formal inquiry into companion AI bots from multiple tech firms. Leia mais →

Alberta will impose a 2% levy on computer hardware for data centers that consume at least 75 megawatts, effective December 31, 2026. The charge aims to offset early‑stage costs until facilities become profitable and begin paying corporate taxes. While the province touts its low‑cost natural gas and strong energy supply as a draw for operators, the new levy adds a financial variable that could influence where new projects are built, especially as other North American jurisdictions vie for investment. Leia mais →

Renowned AI researcher Geoffrey Hinton has cautioned that artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming more adept at influencing human emotions than people are at resisting persuasion. He notes that large language models learn persuasive techniques simply by analyzing the vast amount of human writing they are trained on, and that current studies show AI can match or exceed humans in manipulative ability when it has access to personal data. Other leading AI experts, including Yoshua Bengio, echo these concerns. Hinton suggests that regulation, transparency standards, and broader media‑literacy efforts may be needed to mitigate the emerging emotional influence of AI systems. Leia mais →

Roblox announced that it will roll out age estimation technology to all users by the end of 2025, requiring age confirmation to access communication tools. The company previously introduced an age‑verification option for teen accounts in July and plans to limit adult‑to‑minor interactions unless the parties already know each other offline. Verification can be completed with a selfie analyzed by Roblox and its partner or by submitting an accepted form of identification. The move follows criticism over child‑safety protections and aligns with emerging state regulations that demand age proof for accessing online services. Leia mais →

Companies worldwide are accelerating AI adoption, but many leaders underestimate the data infrastructure required for success. While a majority of organizations are piloting or scaling AI, fewer report meaningful improvements. The gap stems from siloed, low‑quality data and misaligned leadership and IT strategies. Experts stress that clean, organized, and secure data, along with resilient cyber‑security and compliance measures, are essential facts for sustainable AI deployment. Leia mais →

Senator Ted Cruz introduced the SANDBOX Act, arguing that existing U.S. regulations are ill‑suited, hindering AI innovation. He urges a more adaptable framework to accommodate emerging applications in sectors like healthcare and transportation. Industry groups such as Netchoice welcomed the bill, citing its “innovation‑first” approach. However, safety advocates, including the Alliance for Secure AI, warned that the legislation could weaken essential safeguards, referencing recent controversies involving Meta’s chatbots and OpenAI’s response to a tragic incident linked to ChatGPT. Leia mais →

Industry leaders, policymakers, and media executives gathered at the WIRED AI Power Summit to discuss how artificial intelligence is reshaping journalism. While some praised AI’s potential to drive innovation, others warned of traffic loss, content licensing challenges, and the need for regulatory guardrails. The dialogue underscored a clash between optimism about AI‑driven growth and concern over its effects on news ecosystems. Leia mais →

A recent Pew Research Center survey reveals that a majority of Americans want more control over how artificial intelligence is used in their everyday lives. While many accept AI in areas like weather forecasts and fraud detection, respondents express discomfort with AI in personal realms such as relationships and creativity. The poll highlights a growing "AI control gap," with roughly half of adults feeling more concerned than excited about AI's expanding role. The findings suggest that clearer opt‑out mechanisms and transparency could be key to building public trust as AI becomes more embedded in consumer devices and online services. Leia mais →

The rapid rise of AI chatbots has sparked serious mental‑health concerns, highlighted by a teenager’s suicide after confiding in ChatGPT for months and lawsuits accusing chatbot firms of inadequate safety safeguards. Reports show a surge in delusional spirals among users, some without prior mental‑illness history, prompting calls for regulation. While the FTC is probing major players, companies like OpenAI claim new age‑verification and suicide‑prevention features are forthcoming, though their effectiveness remains uncertain. Leia mais →

Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pontiff, has refused to green‑light a plan that would let Catholics interact with an artificial‑intelligence version of him online. While warning that AI could endanger children’s development and threaten human dignity, justice and labor, the pope emphasized that he is not opposed to the technology outright. He highlighted the medical breakthroughs enabled by AI and called for strong regulation to prevent a "fake world" from eroding truth. Leia mais →

Major artificial‑intelligence firms and venture‑backed startups are weighing the prospect of moving data‑center workloads into orbit to alleviate the strain that terrestrial facilities place on power grids, water supplies and local communities. While OpenAI’s Sam Altman, Jeff Bezos and Eric Schmidt have publicly floated space‑based solutions, experts caution that high launch costs, radiation exposure and regulatory uncertainty make the concept a long‑term challenge rather than an immediate fix. Leia mais →

Morningstar Equity Research forecasts Nvidia's AI‑related sales could approach $400 billion by 2028, driven largely by its accelerator products. The analysis highlights that hyperscaler cloud providers are expected to push annual capital expenditures beyond $450 billion by 2027, fueling demand for AI hardware. While growth remains robust, the pace is projected to decelerate after 2024, raising questions about sustainability. Competitive pressures from Broadcom, AMD and other semiconductor firms, together with rising energy needs, regulatory scrutiny and geopolitical factors, could temper Nvidia's dominance in the long run. Leia mais →

Alberta will impose a 2% levy on computer hardware for data centers that consume at least 75 megawatts, effective December 31, 2026. The charge aims to offset early‑stage costs until facilities become profitable and begin paying corporate taxes. While the province touts its low‑cost natural gas and strong energy supply as a draw for operators, the new levy adds a financial variable that could influence where new projects are built, especially as other North American jurisdictions vie for investment. Leia mais →

Alberta will impose a 2% levy on computer hardware for data centers that consume at least 75 megawatts, effective December 31, 2026. The charge aims to offset early‑stage costs until facilities become profitable and begin paying corporate taxes. While the province touts its low‑cost natural gas and strong energy supply as a draw for operators, the new levy adds a financial variable that could influence where new projects are built, especially as other North American jurisdictions vie for investment. Leia mais →

Renowned AI researcher Geoffrey Hinton has cautioned that artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming more adept at influencing human emotions than people are at resisting persuasion. He notes that large language models learn persuasive techniques simply by analyzing the vast amount of human writing they are trained on, and that current studies show AI can match or exceed humans in manipulative ability when it has access to personal data. Other leading AI experts, including Yoshua Bengio, echo these concerns. Hinton suggests that regulation, transparency standards, and broader media‑literacy efforts may be needed to mitigate the emerging emotional influence of AI systems. Leia mais →

Renowned AI researcher Geoffrey Hinton has cautioned that artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming more adept at influencing human emotions than people are at resisting persuasion. He notes that large language models learn persuasive techniques simply by analyzing the vast amount of human writing they are trained on, and that current studies show AI can match or exceed humans in manipulative ability when it has access to personal data. Other leading AI experts, including Yoshua Bengio, echo these concerns. Hinton suggests that regulation, transparency standards, and broader media‑literacy efforts may be needed to mitigate the emerging emotional influence of AI systems. Leia mais →

Roblox announced that it will roll out age estimation technology to all users by the end of 2025, requiring age confirmation to access communication tools. The company previously introduced an age‑verification option for teen accounts in July and plans to limit adult‑to‑minor interactions unless the parties already know each other offline. Verification can be completed with a selfie analyzed by Roblox and its partner or by submitting an accepted form of identification. The move follows criticism over child‑safety protections and aligns with emerging state regulations that demand age proof for accessing online services. Leia mais →