Even killings are content
Even killings are content Minutes after news that right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk had been shot at a planned campus event at Utah Valley University, the wheels of social media engagement farming and clout chasing had already begun to grind to life. Kirk, despite being in his 30s, was a mainstay on college campuses around the […]
FTC orders AI companies to hand over info about chatbots’ impact on kids
FTC orders AI companies to hand over info about chatbots' impact on kids The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is ordering seven AI chatbot companies to provide information about how they assess the effects of their virtual companions on kids and teens. OpenAI, Meta, its subsidiary Instagram, Snap, xAI, Google parent company Alphabet, and the maker […]
How platforms are responding to the Charlie Kirk shooting
How platforms are responding to the Charlie Kirk shooting Horrifying videos of influencer and right-wing activist Charlie Kirk being fatally shot were widely available on social media platforms. We’ve reached out to some of the platforms to ask how they will be treating the videos and charged posts about the shooting. So far, we’re aware […]
Ted Cruz’s new bill would let AI companies set their own rules for up to 10 years
Ted Cruz's new bill would let AI companies set their own rules for up to 10 years On Wednesday, Sen. Ted Cruz introduced legislation to create a regulation “sandbox” that would allow artificial intelligence companies to experiment with minimal federal oversight. The SANDBOX Act, if passed by Congress, would allow companies to apply for modifications […]
Google admits the open web is in ‘rapid decline’
Google admits the open web is in 'rapid decline' For months, Google has maintained that the web is “thriving,” AI isn’t tanking traffic, and its search engine is sending people to a wider variety of websites than ever. But in a court filing from last week, Google admitted that “the open web is already in […]
Meta curbed research about VR safety risks to kids, whistleblowers say
Meta curbed research about VR safety risks to kids, whistleblowers say A new group of whistleblowers are coming forward to allege that Meta is restricting research into how its virtual reality offerings could negatively impact kids and teens, The Washington Post reports. Four current and former Meta staffers allege that after an earlier whistleblower, Frances […]
GM slows EV production as tax credit nears expiration
GM slows EV production as tax credit nears expiration General Motors is going to be scaling back production of the Cadillac Lyriq and Vistiq, as well as the Chevy Bolt EV as it expects sales of electric vehicles to slow dramatically. The $7,500 consumer tax credit for purchasing a new EV is set to expire […]
Google fined $3.5 billion by EU for ad tech abuse
Google fined $3.5 billion by EU for ad tech abuse The European Commission has waged a €2.95 billion (~$3.5 billion) fine against Google for “abusing its dominant position” in advertising technology. In its announcement, the Commission claims that Google’s alleged anticompetitive practices have increased costs for advertisers and publishers, potentially raising prices for consumers as […]
Tech companies pledge to ready Americans for an AI-dominated world
Tech companies pledge to ready Americans for an AI-dominated world Amazon, Google, and Microsoft are among the companies committing to help prepare Americans for a world dominated by AI technology at a White House event on AI education Thursday. First Lady Melania Trump hosted a meeting of the White House’s AI education task force where […]
The tech antitrust renaissance may already be over
The tech antitrust renaissance may already be over Around six years ago, a new rallying cry rippled through Washington: “Break Up Big Tech.” It was a slogan emblazoned on campaign posters, uttered at congressional hearings, and beginning, it seemed, to echo through the halls of the nation’s antitrust enforcers. Momentum in the legislatures eventually petered […]