EU picks tech enforcer who helped write its social-media rules: Bloomberg reports Henna Virkkunen, 52, has been tapped for the role of executive vice president for tech sovereignty, security and democracy. If confirmed, she’d be in charge of enforcing the Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act, two rulebooks put in place to monitor how large tech companies control content and their impact on competition. She’ll also be responsible for fostering new European tech champions.
US Intel's factory delay adds to Germany's economic woes: DW reports US chipmaker Intel has announced it is postponing a $30 billion investment in Germany due to financial problems at the firm. But is the German government still committed to the investments?
The EU’s chips plan implodes as Intel pauses investments: Politico reports EU semiconductor struggles are a bad omen for industrial policy plans.
US to convene global AI safety summit in November: Reuters reports the Biden administration plans to convene a global safety summit on artificial intelligence, it said on Wednesday, as Congress continues to struggle with regulating the technology. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and Secretary of State Anthony Blinken will host on Nov. 20-21 the first meeting of the International Network of AI Safety Institutes in San Francisco to "advance global cooperation toward the safe, secure, and trustworthy development of artificial intelligence."
Washington sees AI everywhere: Politico reports from thier AI & Tech Summit, Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) hinted once again that rather than one broad stroke, Congress’ approach to AI might look more like the efforts described by Lael Brainard, director of the National Economic Council and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas within their agencies — studying the technology’s impact closely in any given area and then responding piece by piece accordingly.
Congress promised AI rules to protect elections. It’s not happening. Politico reports despite urgent warnings, Congress is on track to leave the fight against deepfakes and deception to states and agencies.
+ According to a by Public Citizen, 19 states have passed legislation about AI and elections in an attempt to fill the gap
Newsom says he’s concerned about ‘chilling effect’ of AI bill: Bloomberg reports California Governor Gavin Newsom said he is concerned about a potential “chilling effect” on the development of artificial intelligence posed by a bill to regulate the new technology passed by the state legislature. State lawmakers on Aug. 28 approved SB 1047, a bill that would hold artificial intelligence companies legally liable if they don’t take required safety measures and their technology later causes major harm. Newsom must now sign the legislation into law or veto it.
+ Governor says he’s worried about the impact on competitiveness
+ Newsom gave his strongest signal yet that he’s considering vetoing state Sen. Scott Wiener’s AI safety legislation.
+ Newsom signs other legislation to ban election AI deepfakes
Hollywood bucks Nancy Pelosi on this major California bill: Actors Mark Ruffalo, Sean Astin, and Rosie Perez are urging Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign a major AI safety bill that’s currently sitting on his desk. Politico
Gavin Newsom signs election ‘deepfake’ ban in rebuke to Elon Musk: Politico reports California now has the nation’s most aggressive law in place on AI-generated content before the November election.
Newsom signs laws to protect Hollywood from fake AI actors: Politico reports the move comes as celebrities from Mark Ruffalo to Rosie Perez speak out about risks of the evolving technology.
Ban warnings fly as users dare to probe the “thoughts” of OpenAI’s latest model: OpenAI does not want anyone to know what o1 is “thinking" under the hood. ArsTech
CNBC: Microsoft, BlackRock form group to raise $100 billion to invest in AI data centers and power
+ The Global Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Investment Partnership is initially looking to raise $30 billion for new and existing data centers.
+ The fundraising, which could total $100 billion, will also be used to invest in the energy infrastructure needed to power AI workloads.
+ Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said the initiative brings “together financial and industry leaders to build the infrastructure of the future and power it in a sustainable way.”
BlackRock and Microsoft plan $30bn fund to invest in AI infrastructure: FT reports Nvidia and Abu Dhabi-backed MGX will join effort as energy-intensive tech strains power and data grids.
Microsoft’s hypocrisy on AI: Can artificial intelligence really enrich fossil-fuel companies and fight climate change at the same time? The tech giant says yes. Karen Hao
Google seeks authenticity in the age of AI with new content labeling system: ARS Tech reports the C2PA system aims to give context to search results, but trust problems run deeper than AI tech.
T-Mobile strikes deal with OpenAI: WSJ reports companies say new AI platform will harvest data on customer interactions to improve service.
AI-powered weed-killing robots threaten a $37 billion market: Bloomberg reports crop-chemical companies are rethinking business models as evolving tech promises to slash herbicide use.
Dell is cutting up to 26,000 jobs, potentially reducing its workforce to under 100,000. This makes it the largest layoff in the company's history. Driven by an AI-first restructuring strategy, more cuts are expected.
General Catalyst — the US-based venture capital firm that funded AI startups Mistral and Anduril — announced Tuesday it is stepping up its Washington influence game with the launch of a new global policy institute. Called the General Catalyst Institute and helmed by tech industry veteran Teresa Carlson.
Huawei trifold phones being flipped for $7,000 even before release: Nikkei reports the limited availability causes prices to soar on online marketplaces.
Reuters: Musk's Neuralink gets FDA's breakthrough device tag for 'Blindsight' implant
Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.
-Marc
