Chi Onwurah, chair of the science, innovation and technology select committee, has dismissed Palantir's claim that opposition to their £330m NHS contract stems from ideological bias. She also affirmed the government's right to explore ways to exit the contract with the US data firm.
Governor Gavin Newsom of California has signed an executive order aimed at imposing new regulations on artificial intelligence companies operating within the state. This move comes in direct contrast to former President Donald Trump's calls for minimal regulation in the AI sector. The order mandates California to establish policies within four months that focus on ensuring public safety and safeguarding citizens' rights as AI technology continues to evolve.
As OpenAI prepares for a possible stock market debut this year, the leading AI company, valued at $850 billion, must focus on generating profits. Despite being a key player in the AI surge, the company faces scrutiny over its wide-ranging investments and business strategy. OpenAI, known for ChatGPT, plans to spend $600 billion on infrastructure by 2030, a cut from previous $1.4 trillion projections, signaling a shift toward financial discipline.
Louis Mosley, Palantir's UK head, has called on the government to resist pressure from ideologically driven groups as ministers consider activating a break clause in the company's £330 million contract with the NHS. The deal involves delivering the Federated Data Platform (FDP), a core data infrastructure for the NHS. Concerns about Palantir's involvement in public sector projects have led to government reviews and fresh scrutiny.
Journalist Aisha Down delves into the UK's ambitious AI investments and the potential dangers of such a heavy commitment. Despite government promises of billions in AI funding, delays in infrastructure, uncertain expenditure details, and investments in possibly outdated technology chips raise questions about the viability of these efforts. The report highlights the complexity and uncertainty behind the scenes as the UK aims to drive growth through AI innovation.
In his most direct statement on the issue to date, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has expressed support for banning certain addictive elements on social media platforms. He emphasized that features designed to keep young users endlessly engaged—like infinite scrolling and streaks—should not be allowed. Starmer indicated that the government will need to implement measures targeting the algorithms that drive these behaviors, aiming to protect children and teens from the hook of constant app usage. Complementing the PM's stance, the education secretary also noted that regulatory changes in this area are forthcoming.
A landmark ruling has found that Meta and YouTube intentionally crafted their platforms to be addictive, representing a critical turning point in social media regulation. Kaley, whose testimony highlighted her dependency on YouTube from age six and Instagram by nine, epitomizes the growing scrutiny faced by tech giants accused of fostering addiction. The recent jury verdict in Los Angeles reflects a broader societal reckoning with the consequences of these technologies.
The European Commission has initiated an investigation into Snapchat amid worries that the platform is facilitating grooming, sexual exploitation, and other crimes targeting children. Additionally, the Commission has found four adult websites culpable of allowing minors access to explicit content, which is detrimental to youth mental health and fosters harmful gender stereotypes.
Eline van der Velden, the developer behind the AI actor Tilly Norwood, revealed she has received death threats following a widespread backlash against her project. She created her 'digital twin' to spark conversation about AI’s role in entertainment, but the response has been more hostile than anticipated. The project stirred significant concern in Hollywood when talent agents expressed interest, prompting criticism from well-known actors and acting unions.
Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock, has cautioned that the rapid rise of artificial intelligence may deepen economic disparities. According to Fink, only a select number of companies and investors are positioned to benefit financially from AI's expansion. In his annual letter to investors, the head of the $14 trillion asset management firm highlighted the risks tied to AI's exponential development, noting its role in global strategic competition, especially between the US and China.
