China is using TikTok to ‘spy on’ Americans, say 46% of people polled: The Reuters/Ipsos poll showed that Republicans were more likely than Democrats to think China was using the app to sway US opinions.

Japan weighs regulating AI developers, following US and EU: Tokyo faces challenge of balancing safety and innovation. Nikkei

Fortune: Japan has had so many bear attacks in the past year it’s turning to AI to act as a warning system

Bloomberg: Microsoft’s CEO adds AI for Thailand on southeast Asia tour

+ OpenAI backer to set up Azure data center in kingdom

+ Global tech firms jockey for position in fast-growing region

Why the military can’t trust AI: Large language models can make bad decisions—and could trigger nuclear war. Max Lamparth + Jacquelyn Schneider

+ When they tested LLMs from OpenAI, Anthropic, and Meta in situations like simulated war games, the pair found the AIs suggested escalation, arms races, conflict — and even use of nuclear weapons — over alternatives.

+ "It is practically impossible for an LLM to be taught solely on vetted high-quality data," Schneider and Lamparth write.

+ The Space Force paused use of generative AI in September 2023.

The tech billionaires who helped ban TikTok want to write AI rules for Trump: The tech moguls and defense contractors behind the Hill and Valley Forum aim to expand their impact, prepping an executive order that would dismantle the Biden administration’s rules on artificial intelligence. WP

ICYMI: Yesterday, Senators Mark Warner (D-VA) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) introduced the Secure Artificial Intelligence Act of 2024, which aims to enhance the tracking and processing of security and safety incidents and risks associated with artificial intelligence.

The Center for AI Policy (CAIP) wholeheartedly endorses Senator Warner's and Senator Tillis' proposed legislation.

Please note a quote from CAIP's executive director was included in the press release announcing the Secure Artificial Intelligence Act of 2024.

"AI security is too big of a task for any one company to tackle alone," said Jason Green-Lowe, Executive Director of the Center for AI Policy. "AI developers have much to learn from each other about how to keep their systems safe, and it's high time they started sharing that information. That's why the Center for AI Policy is pleased to see Congress coordinating a standard format and shared database for AI incident reporting. We firmly support Senator Warner and Tillis's new bill."

You can access the full press release and information on the proposed bill here.

How AI is testing the boundaries of human intelligence: Welcome to AI v the Mind, a new series from the BBC that will explore the limits of artificial intelligence by pitting it against the most powerful thinking machines on the planet – the human brain. BBC

Most brain monitors sold to consumers don't keep your data private: New Scientist reports a survey found data privacy problems with the vast majority of 30 companies that sell neurotechnology devices to consumers. New US state laws aim to change that.

Bloomberg: Microsoft boosts responsible AI team from 350 to 400 personnel

+ Tech companies are under pressure to make sure AI is safe

+ Company disclosed headcount in new AI transparency report

AI startup Anthropic debuts Claude chatbot as an iPhone app: Bloomberg reports the OpenAI rival is pushing more aggressively to make its chatbot available to users no matter where they are.

Five myths about generative AI that leaders should know: Experts from Wharton and the “Magnificent Seven” tech companies debunk five misconceptions about gen AI that could stand in the way of implementation. K@W

AI is helping automate one of the world’s most gruesome jobs: Bloomberg reports advances in computer vision and machine learning allow robots to perform some of the high precision tasks required to butcher beef and chicken.

Bloomberg: AI to reduce, alter staffing at 1 of 4 Texas firms, survey shows

+ About 11% of firms say AI to reduce employment: Dallas Fed

+ Workers in low- and mid-skill jobs will see biggest impact

The last stock photographers await their fate under generative AI: Digital photography ravaged the business of taking and licensing commercial photos. Some fear AI will kill it off entirely. WSJ

The Financial Times’ deal with OpenAI highlights an uneasy future for both media and tech: The nontransparent nature of the licensing agreements could spell bad news for smaller publications. FC

Amazon gets more fuel for AI race: Capital spending will go up ‘meaningfully,’ but record operating margins driven by retail, cloud and advertising ease the pain. WSJ

Fortune: For AI startups, a billion-dollar dilemma: Why lofty valuations could be a hurdle in the race for talent

+ @tomfgoodwin: Good joke from the FT comments today: What's an AI startup?  It's a data center with a liar standing in front of it. The AI hype bubble seems absolutely nuts now, it’s like the whole world is an episode of Silicon Valley.

Microsoft to power data centres with big Brookfield renewables deal: FT reports the purchase of 10.5GW of electricity highlights rising energy needs of AI and cloud computing.

+ The energy expenditure of data centers by 2026 is expected to equal Japan’s total electricity usage.

Intel is betting $28 billion on making Ohio a global chips capital: The stagnating chipmaker is attempting a comeback with massive spending on new factories and lots of help from the Biden administration. Bloomberg

Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.

-Marc