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Industry

AI funding rounds, acquisitions, partnerships and leadership changes, plus regulation, copyright lawsuits and big compute deals.

17 stories in the last 7 days

  1. Reach 44

    California makes replacing actors with AI illegal

    California Governor Gavin Newsom just signed two new bills, AB 1836 and AB 2602, making it illegal to use AI-generated digital replicas of performers without explicit consent. The rules protect both living actors and deceased individuals, effectively turning SAG-AFTRA's recent strike victories into statewide law. Why it matters: It sets the strictest legal guardrails in the nation against Hollywood replacing human talent with unauthorized digital clones.

  2. Reach 40

    Meta extends smart glasses partnership with Ray-Ban maker beyond 2030

    Meta just extended its partnership with eyewear giant EssilorLuxottica to develop smart glasses into the next decade. The duo has already produced two generations of Ray-Ban smart frames since teaming up in 2019. Mark Zuckerberg is betting that stylish frames are the secret sauce to turning face-worn wearables into the next major tech platform.

  3. Reach 37

    Google is adding AI image labels to Search

    Google just announced plans to flag AI-generated and edited images in Search, Google Lens, and Circle to Search later this year. The system relies on C2PA metadata to trace origins. It is a solid step against deepfakes, though missing support from tools like Flux remains an issue.

  4. Reach 52

    California cracks down on AI clones and deepfakes

    California Governor Gavin Newsom just signed 18 AI bills into law while vetoing the controversial SB 1047. The state is skipping broad existential risk bans to target immediate harm, outlawing election deepfakes and nonconsensual AI nudes, banning unauthorized actor clones, and mandating training data disclosures by 2026.

  5. Reach 39

    Intel spins off its chip foundry into independent unit

    Intel just announced plans to spin off its AI-focused foundry business into an independent subsidiary with its own board, clearing the way for outside capital. The stock jumped over 6% following the news. Intel hopes this move and its upcoming 18A process will help turn around steep losses and mount a challenge to Nvidia.

  6. Reach 39

    ByteDance is reportedly designing its own AI chips with TSMC

    ByteDance is reportedly teaming up with TSMC to design two custom AI chips for training and inference, targeting mass production by 2026. The effort looks to bypass costly Nvidia GPUs and navigate tightening U.S. export controls. Why it matters: Going in-house could save billions, though the plans remain in early stages and subject to regulatory shifts.

  7. Reach 35

    Apple drops iOS 18 without Apple Intelligence

    Apple just rolled out iOS 18 to the public, but its biggest headline feature, Apple Intelligence, is noticeably missing from day one. Instead, users get a massive Control Center overhaul, freeform home screen icon placement, RCS messaging, and real-time Voice Memos transcription. Why it matters: Even without the new AI smarts, it is one of the most flexible iPhone updates in years.

  8. Reach 43

    Larry Ellison says AI will watch your every move

    Oracle chairman Larry Ellison just told financial analysts that he expects AI to eventually power massive surveillance networks, constantly monitoring both police officers and citizens to curb crime. Ellison argues constant supervision keeps everyone on their best behavior, but critics warn that biased historical police data could reinforce systemic discrimination.

  9. Reach 40

    OpenAI gives safety board power to delay launches

    OpenAI just turned its Safety and Security Committee into an independent board oversight group chaired by CMU's Zico Kolter. Crucially, the independent panel now holds the formal authority to delay major model releases until safety concerns are addressed. It marks a significant structural shift to install an external brake on model deployments.

  10. Reach 62

    Groq taps Aramco for massive AI compute hub

    Groq just partnered with Saudi oil giant Aramco to build a massive AI inference data center in Saudi Arabia. Funded by Aramco with a nine-figure budget, the site will launch by the end of this year with 19,000 LPUs and could scale to 200,000 units. Why it matters: Low energy costs and strategic location could make the Gulf a vital AI compute hub for surrounding regions.

  11. Reach 43

    OpenAI reportedly going full for-profit in 2025

    OpenAI is reportedly planning to ditch its complex non-profit control structure next year, transitioning into a traditional for-profit business. CEO Sam Altman told employees the company has outgrown its founding setup, as investors push to remove profit caps amid talks for a potential $150 billion valuation. An OpenAI spokesperson maintains the non-profit arm will still exist.

  12. Reach 42

    Meta stops publicly tagging lightly edited photos as AI

    Meta is updating its "AI info" tags across Facebook, Instagram, and Threads to stop over-labeling regular photos. If an image was only retouched or edited with AI tools, the label moves inside the post's menu. Only fully AI-generated media keeps the front-facing badge, sparing photographers from being wrongly labeled as AI fakes.

  13. Reach 47

    Tesla's Robotaxi reveal is headed to a Hollywood movie set

    Tesla is reportedly hosting its October 10 Robotaxi unveiling at the Warner Bros. studio lot in Burbank, California. The controlled movie set features simulated suburban homes and downtown streets, allowing Tesla to pre-map the route and avoid real-world traffic during live demos. Staging the debut on a private lot will guarantee a smooth show, but critics note it skirts the real test of chaotic public roads.

  14. Reach 39

    AI agents just made their first crypto transaction on Coinbase

    Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong just revealed the company's first AI-to-AI crypto transaction, where an autonomous bot used tokens to purchase learning data from another bot. Armstrong pointed out that while AI agents can't open traditional bank accounts, giving them crypto wallets on Base lets them instantly pay and participate in the real economy.

  15. Reach 43

    ChatGPT hits 200 million weekly active users

    OpenAI just revealed that ChatGPT reached 200 million weekly active users, doubling its user base from last fall. The surge was driven by new models like GPT-4o and bringing Plus features to free users, while 92% of Fortune 500 companies now use OpenAI's tools.

  16. Reach 38

    AI traffic cameras catch toddlers without seat belts in the UK

    UK police just revealed that roadside AI cameras flagged 2,239 seat belt violations in a matter of weeks, including 109 children—with one toddler riding unrestrained on an adult's lap. The system, developed by Australian firm Acusensus, pairs high-speed infrared cameras with AI detection and human review.

  17. Reach 55

    OpenAI and Anthropic open models to US safety watchdogs

    OpenAI and Anthropic just agreed to give the US AI Safety Institute early access to their major new models before and after public release. The agency will evaluate risks and collaborate with its UK counterpart on feedback. It marks a key step as lawmakers weigh innovation against safety guardrails.

  18. Reach 49

    Oprah Winfrey to host ABC primetime special on AI

    Oprah Winfrey is hosting an ABC primetime special tackling artificial intelligence and its real-world impact on everyday lives, airing September 12. The event brings together OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Bill Gates, and creator Marques Brownlee to explain the tech in plain English and discuss its impact on jobs and health. Why it matters: Bringing frontier AI discussions into mainstream primetime television helps bridge the gap between AI executives and everyday viewers.

  19. Reach 51

    Apple in talks to invest in OpenAI

    Apple is reportedly in negotiations to invest in OpenAI as part of a new funding round valuing the startup at over $100 billion. Thrive Capital is set to lead with roughly $1 billion, and Microsoft may chip in more as well. Why it matters: After partnering to bring ChatGPT into iOS 18 later this year, putting real money on the table would seriously lock in Apple’s alliance with the top AI player.

  20. Reach 35

    Meta is building a 110-gram mixed reality headset

    Meta is reportedly developing a lightweight mixed reality device resembling bulky glasses under the codename Puffin. Weighing around 110 grams with an external battery puck, it aims to replace heavy headsets, but reports suggest it might not arrive until 2027.