Google set to invest $2 billion for data center and cloud services in Malaysia.

Singapore aims to boost data center capacity 35%: Nikkei reports the city-state seeks energy-efficient facilities for sustainable growth.

The Wired AI elections project: More than 60 countries are holding elections in 2024. Throughout the year, Wired will be tracking every instance of AI’s use in and around those campaigns. Wired

OpenAI shuts down influence networks using its tools in Russia, China: The startup issued a report on bad actors making use of AI. Bloomberg

OpenAI finds Russian and Chinese groups used its tech for propaganda campaigns: WP reports covert propagandists have already begun using generative artificial intelligence to boost their influence operations.

OpenAI says Russia and China used its AI in covert campaigns: NYT reports Iran and an Israeli company also exploited the tools in online influence efforts, but none gained much traction, an OpenAI report said.

Networks linked to Russia and China useOpenAI tools to spread disinformation: FT reports covert influence perpetrators from Iran and Israel also creating misleading content, says Microsoft-backed group.

Bloomberg: US is slowing AI chip exports to Middle East by Nvidia, AMD

+ License requests from chipmakers delayed for security review

+ US is worried about the technology getting diverted to China

US slows plans to retire coal-fired plants as power demand from AI surges: FT reports new technologies are straining power supplies and forcing a shift in plans to reduce use of the fuel source.

The implications of an AI presidential candidate Robert Moran

Fortune: US intelligence agencies were using generative AI 3 years before ChatGPT was released—but they still think it should be treated as a ‘crazy, drunk friend’

California advances AI proposals on discrimination, deepfakes, jobs: The efforts in California—home to many of the world’s biggest AI companies—could pave the way for AI regulations across the country. FC

How California and the EU work together to regulate artificial intelligence CalMatters

Humanity in 'race against time' on AI: UN: Humanity is in a race against time to harness the colossal emerging power of artificial intelligence for the good of all, while averting dire risks, a top UN official said Thursday. AFP

Who is to blame for AI becoming ever more human? Is it the tech companies? Or is it us? Bina Venkataraman, Josh Tyrangiel + Amanda Ripley

If AI can do your job, maybe it can also replace your CEO: Chief executives are vulnerable to the same forces buffeting their employees. Leadership is important, but so is efficiency — and cost-cutting. NYT

The fog around OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s 2023 ouster is beginning to clear: New revelations about Altman’s honesty—or lack thereof—matter because the world needs to trust that his company takes AI safety seriously. FC

Internal divisions linger at OpenAI after November’s attempted coup: Arguments over safety and Sam Altman’s leadership spill back into public domain as artificial intelligence start-up hit by resignations. FT

A devil’s bargain with OpenAI: Publishers, including The Atlantic, are signing deals with the AI giant. Where does this lead? Damon Beres

Why AI search blew up in Google’s face John Herrman

Meta says generative AI deception held in check -- for now: AFP reports social media giant Meta says its bid to thwart coordinated disinformation campaigns created through ever-improving generative AI is working, despite widespread concerns.

Can Elon Musk’s xAI take on OpenAI? It has some advantages. But it is entering a crowded field. Economist

Bloomberg: Apple plans AI-based Siri overhaul to control individual app functions

+ The feature will be at the heart of renewed Apple push into AI

+ Idea is to operate features within individual apps using voice

This record stock market is riding on questionable AI assumptions: Just four giant technology stocks added more market value than the rest of the S&P 500 put together this month. More than half of the gain came from Nvidia. James Mackintosh

Hackers claim to breach Ticketmaster, capturing data of 560 million users: FC reports a notorious group of hackers allegedly gained access to names, addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, and partial credit card data. Here’s what to know.

Gemini, the Winklevoss brothers’ crypto exchange, will return more than $2 billion to customers of a now defunct lending program. 

Canva’s radical overhaul aims to destroy Microsoft Office and Google Workspace: FC reports Canva is gunning for the enterprise set with new tools and features that are a direct challenge to the incumbents.

Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.

-Marc