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Curated AI news · 24 stories

AI Research

Australia tells AI data centres to put back more power than they take out

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced plans for an Office of AI and new standards requiring large AI data centers to contribute more electricity to the grid than they consume, emphasizing renewable energy investment and infrastructure costs. He also stressed that Australian creative works are not free for AI training without proper rights and compensation, though no legal enforcement mechanisms were detailed. These policies aim to balance AI industry growth with energy, water, and

Cybersecurity

The White House’s Gold Eagle wants to patch cyber flaws at machine speed

The White House has launched Gold Eagle, an AI-driven initiative designed to rapidly collect, prioritize, and coordinate the patching of software vulnerabilities across US critical infrastructure. This effort involves multiple government agencies and aims to leverage advanced AI capabilities to enhance cybersecurity defenses at unprecedented speed, although specific operational details and participating companies remain undisclosed. Gold Eagle builds on prior executive orders and complements pre

AI Research

Delaware wants to give AI agents their own legal identity

Delaware is proposing the creation of a new legal entity called the Artificial Intelligence Company (AIC), which would allow AI agents to operate companies, enter contracts, and be subject to lawsuits independently within a regulated sandbox. This entity would have a human or corporate member responsible for funding, while the AI manages daily operations, with oversight to ensure accountability and consumer protection. The initiative aims to provide a legal framework to better regulate and trust

Cybersecurity

Apple wins dismissal of iCloud child abuse imagery lawsuit on Section 230 grounds

A US federal judge dismissed a class action lawsuit against Apple alleging the company failed to prevent child sexual abuse images from being stored and shared via iCloud, citing Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act which shields online platforms from liability for user-generated content. The plaintiffs sought damages and an order for Apple to detect and block such material, but the court found no federal law mandating these actions and ruled the claims fall under Section 230's immunity

AI Research

‘Not up for grabs’: Albanese establishes AI office and vows to protect Australian creatives from copyright ‘theft’

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced the creation of an AI office and pledged strong protections for Australian creatives against unauthorized use of their work by AI models. The government plans to enforce strict regulations on energy-intensive datacentres to prevent competition with housing and control resource usage. Albanese emphasized that Australian creative works will not be freely available for AI training without proper compensation and control by the original owners

Healthcare

I investigated Palantir’s foothold in the British state – and what I found should worry us all | Peter Geoghegan

The article investigates Palantir's significant involvement in the British public sector, particularly its £330 million contract with the NHS for a federated data platform aimed at integrating healthcare data. Despite official claims of widespread adoption and success, internal data and whistleblower accounts suggest limited actual usage and raise concerns about the technology's effectiveness and the influence of lobbying. The findings prompt questions about the suitability of Palantir's role in

AI Research

SpaceXAI’s Unpermitted Data Center Power Project Impacts Black Communities, Analysis Finds

SpaceXAI, a division of SpaceX, operates numerous unpermitted natural gas turbines near Memphis, Tennessee, disproportionately affecting nearby Black communities with pollution linked to health risks. The turbines power the Colossus 2 data center for SpaceXAI's Grok chatbot and have been found to emit significant smog-forming pollutants without required federal permits. Civil rights groups like the NAACP have sued SpaceXAI over these environmental and health concerns, highlighting the impact on

AI Research

Global cooperation needed to tackle AI threats, says Bank of England governor

The Bank of England governor, Andrew Bailey, emphasized the need for global cooperation to address the risks posed by advanced AI technologies, highlighting that no single country, including the US, can effectively manage these challenges alone. His remarks followed the US temporarily restricting foreign access to powerful AI models, underscoring the importance of international coordination to ensure AI safety and cybersecurity. Additionally, UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves defended her economic and

AI Research

New York Becomes First State to Ban AI Data Centers

New York State has enacted a one-year moratorium on the construction of new large-scale AI data centers with electrical capacities of 50 megawatts or more, marking the first such ban in the US. This move aims to address environmental concerns such as pollution, water usage, and electricity costs, while state regulators will develop stringent standards and conduct environmental impact assessments for future data center projects. The decision reflects growing political and public scrutiny of AI's,

AI Research

New York becomes first state to impose one-year pause on new AI datacenters

New York has become the first US state to impose a one-year moratorium on new large datacenters, specifically those with electrical capacity over 50 megawatts, to address concerns about environmental impact and rising utility costs. The pause will allow regulators to develop standards related to energy use, water consumption, and other factors. This move reflects growing national opposition to datacenter projects due to their potential effects on local communities and resources.

Energy & Climate

New York State halts construction of all new data centers

New York State has issued a temporary halt on approving permits for new large data centers of 50 megawatts or more, pending an environmental review expected to take about a year. This executive order aims to address concerns about utility costs, water supply, noise pollution, and local zoning, and is part of broader legislative efforts to regulate data center construction amid growing infrastructure strains. New York is the first state to implement such a moratorium, reflecting increasing public

Automotive

Uber lost the self-driving race. Now it wants to write the rules

Uber, having fallen behind in developing fully autonomous vehicles, is now lobbying in Washington DC and New Jersey to implement regulations requiring robotaxi services to operate alongside human drivers on a shared platform. This approach, termed a "hybrid network," would effectively position Uber as a gatekeeper for robotaxi services, a move criticized by competitors like Waymo and some policy experts as an attempt at regulatory control. Uber's product chief acknowledges the company is not vy­

Energy & Climate

xAI is running 59 unpermitted gas turbines, twice what it has admitted

Emails reveal that xAI is operating 59 gas turbines without federal clean air permits, which is double the number the company has publicly admitted. Most of these turbines are located in Southaven, Mississippi, near a predominantly Black community, and their emissions potentially exceed federal thresholds requiring permits. Mississippi regulators have issued permits for some turbines, but the unpermitted ones remain a concern due to their environmental impact.

AI Research

Anthony Albanese promises fast-track approvals for datacentres to shore up AI investment

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced plans to expedite approval processes for AI projects, including datacentres, to attract investment and maintain public trust. The government will establish a new office of AI to coordinate national policies addressing economic, social, security, and environmental aspects of AI. This initiative aims to provide clarity for investors and implement a unified framework for AI development and regulation in Australia.

Finance

ECB names 36 payment firms for the digital euro pilot

The European Central Bank has selected 36 payment service providers, including major banks and fintech firms, to participate in a 12-month pilot of the digital euro starting in the second half of 2027. The pilot will test a beta version of the digital euro without legal tender status, focusing on various payment use cases across multiple euro area countries. The trial aims to evaluate the digital euro's functionality through both distributing and acquiring providers in collaboration with central

Energy & Climate

New York freezes new data centres for a year, the first US state to pull the brake

New York State has imposed a one-year moratorium on the construction of new large data centers drawing 50 megawatts or more, citing concerns over rising utility bills, water depletion, and local impacts. During this pause, the state will develop environmental standards for data centers, and the governor plans to pursue legislation to remove their sales tax exemptions. This move precedes the signing of a related legislative bill and aims to manage the rapid growth of energy-intensive data centers

Public Sector

New York becomes the first state to enact a data center moratorium

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has signed a statewide moratorium halting new permits for large data centers over 50 megawatts for up to a year, aiming to address environmental and energy concerns. This executive action precedes a pending bill that could impose stricter limits, as the state develops regulations to manage data center impacts on resources and utility costs. The move positions New York as the first state to pause large-scale data center expansion amid rising demand driven by AI and,

Cybersecurity

Australia finds serious gaps in Big Tech’s response to child sexual abuse online

Australia's online safety regulator has identified significant shortcomings in major tech companies' efforts to detect and prevent child sexual exploitation, particularly in the use of language analysis to spot sexual extortion. Despite evidence and guidance provided to companies like Apple, Meta, and Google, many have not adequately implemented available technologies to address these abuses, which notably affect young men aged 18 to 24 and teenagers. The report also highlights issues with the不足

Business & Enterprise

Seoul court suspends the order making Coupang’s founder its controlling person

The Seoul High Court has temporarily halted South Korea's Fair Trade Commission's decision to designate Coupang founder Bom Kim as the controlling person of the e-commerce group, pausing related disclosure requirements while the case proceeds. The court found an urgent need to prevent potential harm and ruled the suspension would not significantly affect public interest. The dispute centers on Korean corporate law regarding control designations and familial involvement in management.

Energy & Climate

The White House’s next AI energy pledge targets the utilities

The White House is organizing an upcoming event to encourage electric utilities, Big Tech data center operators, and state governors to voluntarily pledge that the costs of AI-related energy infrastructure will not be passed on to household electricity bills. This initiative builds on a previous voluntary pledge signed by major tech companies, aiming to involve utilities and regulators who control retail electricity rates. Despite being voluntary and non-binding, the pledge seeks to address the

Cybersecurity

Pentagon pauses the cyber audit rule that was pushing small suppliers out

The Pentagon has paused Phase 2 of its Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program, which required defense contractors to pass third-party cybersecurity audits before contract awards. This suspension stems from a shortage of accredited assessors relative to the large number of suppliers, and concerns that compliance costs and complexity are driving small businesses away from defense contracts. A task force has been established to review the program and recommend changes within 60  

AI Research

Valarian raised $50m to help governments use US cloud without losing control of it

Valarian, a London-based startup co-founded by a former Palantir executive, raised $50 million to provide software that allows governments and businesses to use American cloud and AI services while maintaining control over their data, addressing concerns raised by the US CLOUD Act. Their product, ACRA, acts as a protective layer managing data access and sovereignty on US infrastructure. Recent geopolitical events have heightened the urgency for such solutions, prompting interest from UK leaders.

Business & Enterprise

Meta’s Hyperion data centre hit $50bn, and split a Louisiana town in two

Meta's Hyperion data centre in rural Louisiana has expanded rapidly from an initial $10 billion investment to over $50 billion within two years, becoming one of the largest AI projects globally. This growth has brought significant economic benefits to some local residents and businesses, including increased contracts and higher wages, but has also led to rising housing costs and displacement concerns among others. Additionally, tax incentives have funded substantial bonuses for local teachers, a

Healthcare

The New York nurses replaced by AI: ‘It should concern every patient who cares about quality of care’

At Montefiore hospital in the Bronx, 12 utilization review nurses were laid off and replaced by AI-powered software, sparking concern from the New York State Nurses Association and National Nurses United about the impact on patient care quality. These layoffs occurred despite recent union contracts that included protections against unregulated AI use, leading to claims of contract violations and calls for safeguards in healthcare AI deployment. The situation highlights ongoing tensions between a