AI

China’s DeepSeek V4 model launched but fell short of rivals, failing to repeat the success of its earlier iteration [132687]. This failure comes as the US accused China of AI theft ahead of a Trump-Xi meeting [132115], while the UK admitted it understated AI’s carbon emissions by a factor of 100 [132335]. These events reveal a technology split between states and corporations pursuing power and profit, versus the public interest in accountable, sustainable systems. Meta and Microsoft cut 8,000 jobs each while investing billions in AI [132122], [132206], [133033]. Worker displacement is not an accident—it is a direct consequence of corporate decisions to prioritize automation over labor, deepening inequality. The US public has turned against AI over its energy consumption and job losses [132188]. Separately, South Africa withdrew a draft AI policy after public pushback [134075], showing democratic resistance isn’t limited to wealthy nations. On global inequality, China’s optical module makers became unexpected billionaires by supplying hardware for AI data centers [132520], while its AI models are marketed as shortcuts for Africa’s digital leap [132584]. But this risks entrenching dependency rather than building local capacity—a choice without public oversight. Surveillance and control are escalating. Elon Musk sued Colorado over alleged AI discrimination without explanation [133327], and the Musk-Altman OpenAI trial began, centered on the startup’s mission being “betrayed” by profit motives [134018], [134196]. Simultaneously, a mass shooter had a secret ChatGPT account banned eight months before an attack [132589], and OpenAI’s chief apologized for failing to warn police [132610], highlighting how corporate design failures enable harm. In medicine, AI discovered a brain molecule rivaling Ozempic [132199], and a young surgeon used AI to bridge China’s medical gap [132705]. But the hidden dangers of DIY medical diagnosis [133595] and a Bosnian band’s satire warning that AI “isn’t always right” [133561] underline the risks of unregulated deployment. China blocked Meta’s $2 billion Manus deal after a security review [134188], [134268], while Google built its first AI campus outside the US in South Korea [134187]. These actions show states controlling AI’s geographic spread—not for public good, but strategic advantage. BYD, China’s EV giant, said it doesn’t need the US market [132912], and Nvidia stated it won’t build AI models to compete with clients [132508]. Yet Silicon Valley’s “savior complex” faces a reality check as AI’s big promises meet boring, extractive outcomes [133637], [132320]. Democratic governance remains absent. The UK resisted EU AI rules, risking tech sector ties [133955], and AI companies were described as “can’t be good” [133388]. Until public bodies control AI’s development, inequality and surveillance will deepen. <a href='/news/132115'>White House Accuses China of AI Theft Ahead of Trump-Xi Meeting</a> <a href='/news/132122'>Meta to cut 8,000 jobs; AI spending grows</a> <a href='/news/132188'>US Public Turns Against AI Over Energy, Jobs</a> <a href='/news/132199'>Brain Molecule Rivaling Ozempic Discovered by AI</a> <a href='/news/132335'>UK understated AI carbon emissions by factor of 100</a> <a href='/news/132520'>China’s optical module makers become AI’s surprise billionaires</a> <a href='/news/132584'>China’s AI model: A short cut for Africa’s digital leap?</a> <a href='/news/132589'>Mass Shooter Had Secret ChatGPT Account Banned 8 Months Before Attack</a> <a href='/news/132610'>OpenAI chief apologises for not warning police before Canada school shooting</a> <a href='/news/132687'>DeepSeek V4 falls short of rivals, fails to repeat R1 success</a> <a href='/news/132705'>Young Surgeon Uses AI to Bridge China’s Medical Gap</a> <a href='/news/133327'>Elon Musk sues Colorado: Can AI discriminate without a reason?</a> <a href='/news/133595'>"I've done my research": The hidden dangers of DIY medical diagnosis</a> <a href='/news/133561'>Satirists Warn: AI Isn’t Always Right—A Bosnian Band’s Joke Goes Viral</a> <a href='/news/133637'>AI's big promises meet boring reality</a> <a href='/news/133955'>UK Ministers Resist EU AI Rules, Risking Tech Sector and US Ties</a> <a href='/news/134018'>Musk vs. OpenAI Trial Begins: ‘Betrayed’ Mission in Question</a> <a href='/news/134188'>China blocks Meta's $2 billion Manus deal after security review</a> <a href='/news/134196'>"Elon Must Escape," Diary Shows: The Power Struggle for OpenAI</a> <a href='/news/134268'>China Orders Meta to Reverse AI Start-Up Acquisition</a> <a href='/news/134075'>South Africa Withdraws Draft AI Policy</a> <a href='/news/134187'>Google's first AI campus outside US will be in South Korea</a>

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South Africa Withdraws Draft AI Policy

South Africa’s Communications and Digital Technologies Minister, Solly Malatsi, has announced the withdrawal of the country’s Draft National Artifici...

Musk vs. OpenAI: Nonprofit Fraud Trial Begins
France 24 RSS feeds

Musk vs. OpenAI: Nonprofit Fraud Trial Begins

Elon Musk’s lawsuit against OpenAI goes to trial on Monday in California. The case accuses the artificial intelligence startup of abandoning its orig...

AI's big promises meet boring reality
France 24 RSS feeds

AI's big promises meet boring reality

Artificial intelligence could end white-collar work. It could end poverty. It could end humanity. From its biggest fans to its loudest critics, bold...

Guardian

Musk vs. Altman: OpenAI Feud Heads to Court

The bitter rivalry between Elon Musk and Sam Altman will be aired in court this week. Musk’s lawsuit against Altman and OpenAI goes to trial in Oakla...

The New York Times

AI Companies Can’t Be Good. Can They?

A leading question in tech ethics has a blunt short answer: no. But the longer answer offers a sliver of hope. Experts say an AI company might become...

Meta cuts 8,000 jobs in AI spending push
CBS News (top stories)

Meta cuts 8,000 jobs in AI spending push

Meta plans to lay off about 8,000 workers, roughly 10% of its workforce, as the technology giant increases its investment in artificial intelligence....

Deutsche Welle (DW) English Top Stories

Meta and Microsoft Cut Jobs, Invest Billions in AI

Facebook’s parent company, Meta, announced it will cut 10% of its workforce. Microsoft, meanwhile, is offering an early retirement scheme to employee...