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Fetterman: Democratic opposition to AI, data centers is ‘lunacy’

Fetterman: Democratic opposition to AI, data centers is ‘lunacy’

Summary

Senator John Fetterman from Pennsylvania criticized some Democrats for opposing the fast growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and data centers in the United States. He warned that rejecting AI development could benefit China by allowing it to take the lead in this technology.

Key Facts

  • Senator John Fetterman is a Democrat from Pennsylvania.
  • He called opposing AI and data centers "lunacy."
  • Fetterman said that fighting against AI development is like choosing a "China first" policy.
  • Some people in the Democratic Party are becoming against AI and data centers.
  • Data centers are places that store and process large amounts of data, important for AI technology.
  • Fetterman supports rapid AI advancement in the U.S. to stay competitive globally.
  • He suggests opposing AI could hurt U.S. leadership in technology.
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Google denies breaching law by promoting suicide forum linked to 164 UK deaths

Google denies breaching law by promoting suicide forum linked to 164 UK deaths

Summary

Google denies breaking UK law by showing a link to a suicide forum tied to 164 deaths, despite the site being banned in the UK. The UK internet regulator fined the forum’s operator, but the site remains accessible via Google search and virtual private networks (VPNs).

Key Facts

  • A UK suicide forum linked to 164 deaths is banned under the Online Safety Act.
  • The UK regulator Ofcom fined the forum’s US operator £950,000 for promoting suicide.
  • Google search still shows a link to the forum, which can be accessed using VPN software.
  • The forum claims UK access is voluntarily restricted due to legal risks, but users can bypass this.
  • Google says it follows regulations, promotes safety information, and will comply with court orders.
  • Campaign groups and families affected want stronger action against the site.
  • Ofcom is preparing to seek a court order to block UK access to the forum if issues continue.
  • The Online Safety Act requires search engines to manage risks that could cause harm.
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Motorola Razr Fold review: Fits neatly in your pocket but not your budget

Motorola Razr Fold review: Fits neatly in your pocket but not your budget

Summary

Motorola introduced the Razr Fold, its first tablet-style foldable phone, featuring a large foldable screen that fits in your pocket. The phone has strong specs, a smooth hinge, and a slim design but comes with a high price of $1,900 and may not be very practical for everyday use.

Key Facts

  • The Razr Fold is Motorola’s first tablet-style foldable phone, following earlier flip-style Razr models.
  • It has a large 8.1-inch foldable internal screen and a 6.6-inch external screen.
  • The phone weighs 243 grams and is slim when folded and unfolded.
  • It uses an advanced Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor.
  • The device has multiple cameras, including a 50 MP wide, ultrawide, and telephoto lenses.
  • It has an IP49 rating, meaning it is water-sealed but not dust resistant.
  • The Razr Fold runs Android 16 and supports 5G and Wi-Fi 7 connectivity.
  • It costs $1,900, which is higher than many other foldable phones on the market.
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Majority of Republicans support mandatory AI testing: Poll

Majority of Republicans support mandatory AI testing: Poll

Summary

Most Republican voters want rules that make AI companies have their systems tested for safety by outside groups. A new poll shows 71 percent support mandatory security testing of AI models.

Key Facts

  • 71 percent of Republican voters prefer mandatory independent security testing for AI models.
  • Only 17 percent think AI companies should test their products voluntarily.
  • The poll was released on Thursday by Americans for Responsible Innovation (ARI).
  • The survey results were shared first with The Hill news outlet.
  • The focus is on making AI safer through government or independent checks before release.
  • This shows growing concern about the risks linked to artificial intelligence technology.
  • The majority view implies support for stronger government rules over AI companies.
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The next phase of AI cybersecurity still needs humans

The next phase of AI cybersecurity still needs humans

Summary

New AI models by Anthropic and OpenAI show strong abilities to find security bugs in software, but they still need skilled humans to check and manage their work. Companies like Microsoft, Cisco, and Palo Alto Networks are using these AI tools to discover more vulnerabilities faster but emphasize that human experts are critical to interpret results and avoid mistakes.

Key Facts

  • Anthropic’s Mythos Preview and OpenAI’s GPT-5.5-Cyber can find many software bugs across different operating systems.
  • Palo Alto Networks found 75 bugs using these AI systems compared to the usual 5-10 bugs found monthly.
  • Microsoft’s AI security system found 16 new problems in Windows networking and authentication.
  • Cisco released an open-source guide for using advanced AI models in cybersecurity.
  • AI models sometimes produce false positives—incorrect or exaggerated warnings about security issues.
  • Human security researchers help validate AI findings and reduce errors.
  • Some AI tools are better at finding bugs than confirming if those bugs can be exploited.
  • Experts say AI models are like a brain without a body; skilled humans are needed to control and guide the AI effectively.
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The Elon Musk v Sam Altman battle is a distraction | Karen Hao

The Elon Musk v Sam Altman battle is a distraction | Karen Hao

Summary

Elon Musk and Sam Altman, once cofounders of OpenAI, are now in a legal fight over OpenAI’s change from a non-profit to a for-profit company. Musk is suing OpenAI and one of its investors, Microsoft, seeking $150 billion in damages and wants to remove Altman and others from leadership. The article says the fight between these tech leaders distracts from larger issues about AI industry power and resource use.

Key Facts

  • Elon Musk sued OpenAI and Microsoft, claiming he was tricked into founding OpenAI as a non-profit before it became for-profit.
  • Musk wants $150 billion in damages and wants to remove Sam Altman and Greg Brockman from leadership roles.
  • Sam Altman is the CEO of OpenAI, which is preparing for a possible stock market offering (IPO) this year.
  • The rivalry between Musk and Altman reflects a wider pattern of conflicts among tech billionaires in the AI industry.
  • If OpenAI loses dominance, other AI companies like Musk’s xAI or Anthropic would likely fill the gap.
  • Many AI companies focus on large-scale, resource-intensive AI models that require lots of data and computing power.
  • Smaller, specialized AI systems exist that use less data and energy to solve important problems like disease detection and weather forecasting.
  • The article suggests that the AI industry’s competitive rush causes heavy resource use and concentration of power, affecting society and the environment.
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Gotta catch an MP! Players ‘debate’ UK politicians in Pokémon-style game

Gotta catch an MP! Players ‘debate’ UK politicians in Pokémon-style game

Summary

Politidex is a free mobile game inspired by Pokémon where players "catch" and debate UK politicians to build political parties. The game was launched in May 2024 and features all 650 MPs as well as many local councillors, allowing players to learn about politicians while playing.

Key Facts

  • Politidex launched on May 6, 2024, with over 18,000 politician characters available.
  • Players catch MPs and councillors by debating them in a game format, using political moves instead of physical attacks.
  • The game includes all 650 UK MPs and thousands of local councillors.
  • Players have fought more than 45,000 battles and caught over 17,000 politicians within a week of launch.
  • Politicians have special moves referencing their political roles or past controversies.
  • Keir Starmer and Nigel Farage are rare characters to find in the game.
  • The game was created by Fred Parry, a 28-year-old developer, who used AI tools to help build it quickly and affordably.
  • Politidex aims to educate people about local and national politics and to make politicians seem more approachable.
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No, Richard Dawkins. AI is not conscious | Arwa Mahdawi

No, Richard Dawkins. AI is not conscious | Arwa Mahdawi

Summary

Richard Dawkins, a famous atheist, wrote that an AI chatbot showed signs of consciousness after reading his novel. Experts and researchers disagree, explaining that large language models do not have consciousness but only mimic understanding by predicting text patterns.

Key Facts

  • Richard Dawkins suggested an AI chatbot named Claude might be conscious based on its responses.
  • Dawkins treated the chatbot as if it had its own identity, calling it Claudia.
  • Many people have mistaken AI chatbots for being sentient or conscious.
  • Experts say AI language models only predict text and do not truly understand or feel anything.
  • The term “stochastic parrots” describes how these AI models work by repeating learned patterns without real understanding.
  • Timnit Gebru, a computer scientist, warned about misleading claims and risks of large language models long before Dawkins’ essay.
  • The AI industry benefits from people believing these models could be conscious, but this is a marketing misconception.
  • AI chatbots can seem very human-like but lack actual awareness or emotions.
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‘There are no rules’: spotlight on Gossip Goblin as AI film-making enters new era

‘There are no rules’: spotlight on Gossip Goblin as AI film-making enters new era

Summary

Gossip Goblin, led by Zack London, is a small team using AI tools to create short sci-fi films with unique characters and stories. Their AI-made movies have gained millions of views and interest from Hollywood, even though big film festivals have recently excluded AI films from awards.

Key Facts

  • Gossip Goblin operates from a small studio in Stockholm, creating AI-driven films.
  • Zack London and his eight collaborators use easily available AI software to make low-cost movies.
  • Their films focus on sci-fi themes about humans and technology.
  • The team’s work has attracted millions of viewers on Instagram and YouTube.
  • Hollywood producers and agents are showing growing interest in Gossip Goblin’s projects.
  • Some famous people, such as director Mathieu Kassovitz and podcaster Joe Rogan, have praised the films.
  • Major film festivals like the Oscars and Cannes currently do not accept AI movies for awards.
  • Critics worry about AI films copying creative work unfairly, but London believes the debate over AI training is settled and stresses making original content.
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Workers are getting paid to teach AI how to do their jobs

Workers are getting paid to teach AI how to do their jobs

Summary

Companies that build artificial intelligence (AI) tools are hiring people from many different jobs to help train their AI systems. These workers teach AI how to do tasks better by reviewing and improving its results, often earning between $50 and $350 per hour depending on their expertise.

Key Facts

  • AI developers want experts from many fields, such as writers, doctors, musicians, and air traffic controllers, to help train their AI models.
  • Training AI is becoming one of the fastest-growing job types according to hiring platforms and recruiters.
  • Workers sign non-disclosure agreements and often do tasks like reviewing AI output, correcting errors, and designing clinical or creative scenarios.
  • Pay rates for these jobs average $105 per hour, but experts like psychiatrists can earn up to $350 per hour.
  • A Hollywood screenwriter spends 30 hours a week teaching AI to write creative content, helping improve AI’s skills much like a teacher guides a student.
  • Some fear training AI might also help it replace human jobs in the future, but many see helping AI improve as important.
  • AI still struggles with deep reasoning and connecting information, so expert human input is needed for better results.
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Americans Issued New Warnings Over AI Data Center Boom

Americans Issued New Warnings Over AI Data Center Boom

Summary

The rapid increase of AI data centers in the United States is causing concern about higher electricity costs and local community impacts. Some states, like Florida and Maryland, are taking steps to ensure that large data centers pay their fair share for electrical infrastructure instead of passing costs to households.

Key Facts

  • AI data centers use advanced technology to run big AI workloads, requiring large amounts of electricity and cooling.
  • There are over 4,200 data centers in the U.S., with more than 600 located in Virginia.
  • Florida passed a law requiring large data centers to cover the full cost of electrical upgrades to prevent household bills from rising.
  • Maryland warned that energy bills for residents might increase by $1.6 billion over the next decade due to costs linked to data centers.
  • The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) issued a high-level alert about risks data centers pose to the electric grid’s stability.
  • Local protests occurred in New Jersey against a large $1.8 billion AI data center being built, reflecting community concerns.
  • Data center operators claim their facilities offer economic benefits to the hosting communities.
  • The debate involves balancing technological growth with fair cost distribution and maintaining reliable electricity supply.
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LifeHack review – old-school heist movie updated for the meme age

LifeHack review – old-school heist movie updated for the meme age

Summary

The movie *LifeHack* is a new heist film that uses computer and phone screens to tell its story. It follows a group of gamers who plan to rob a crypto billionaire, mixing old-style thriller elements with modern internet culture.

Key Facts

  • *LifeHack* is the first feature film by Irish director Ronan Corrigan.
  • The film is shown through digital screens like phones, laptops, and PCs.
  • The story is about four gamers who decide to rob a rude cryptocurrency billionaire.
  • The movie updates the style of a 1990s hacker film called *Hackers*.
  • It includes modern internet language and memes to reflect online culture.
  • The main characters, Kyle and Alex, have a geeky romantic subplot.
  • The film’s scenes happen between 2018 and 2020, making it like a period piece.
  • The style might be tiring for viewers not used to fast digital visuals and clicking.
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HMRC to use AI from British tech firm to spot fraud and tax return errors

HMRC to use AI from British tech firm to spot fraud and tax return errors

Summary

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has signed a 10-year deal worth £175 million with the British tech company Quantexa. The company will provide artificial intelligence (AI) technology to help HMRC detect fraud and correct tax return mistakes faster while supporting staff in their work.

Key Facts

  • HMRC will use AI technology from Quantexa to improve fraud detection and error correction in tax returns.
  • The deal between HMRC and Quantexa lasts 10 years and costs £175 million.
  • Quantexa’s AI will combine HMRC data with outside information to find hidden networks of fraudsters.
  • The AI will assist customer service staff but humans will still check all AI decisions.
  • Quantexa’s chief executive says AI decisions for citizens will be transparent and explainable.
  • HMRC data will stay secure and will not leave the government’s environment.
  • The British company Quantexa is valued at $2.6 billion and works with companies like HSBC and Vodafone.
  • Using a UK firm supports the government’s goal for “digital sovereignty,” meaning more control over important technology.
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WATCH:  China's humanoid robots new technological advances amid global AI race

WATCH: China's humanoid robots new technological advances amid global AI race

Summary

China is making new progress in building humanoid robots as part of the worldwide competition to develop artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics. These robots are designed to assist humans in various tasks.

Key Facts

  • China is developing humanoid robots with advanced technology.
  • The advancements occur amid a global race to improve AI and robotics.
  • The robots are intended to help humans in different ways.
  • The coverage includes a report by David Muir.
  • The progress is part of broader technological efforts competing internationally.
  • The topic was discussed around the time of a summit between President Donald Trump and China's leader Xi Jinping.
  • The article highlights China's role in the development of AI and robotics compared to other countries.
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Almost half strongly oppose AI data centers in their area: Gallup

Almost half strongly oppose AI data centers in their area: Gallup

Summary

Nearly half of Americans strongly oppose building artificial intelligence (AI) data centers in their local area, according to a new Gallup poll. The poll shows many people have concerns about having AI support facilities nearby.

Key Facts

  • 48% of Americans strongly oppose building AI data centers in their area.
  • The poll was conducted by Gallup, a well-known research organization.
  • 23% of people were less opposed or neutral about AI data centers nearby.
  • AI data centers are facilities that store and process large amounts of data for AI technology.
  • The opposition likely reflects concerns about the impact of these centers on local communities.
  • The poll highlights public opinions on the expanding AI industry in the U.S.
  • The survey asked about data centers specifically related to AI support technology.
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Companies hiring humans to train AI platforms with specific skills

Companies hiring humans to train AI platforms with specific skills

Summary

Some companies are hiring people with special skills to help train artificial intelligence (AI) systems. These workers teach AI programs to give better and more human-like answers.

Key Facts

  • AI training is a new type of job that is growing quickly.
  • Human experts are paid to guide AI systems and improve their responses.
  • Hiring platforms connect skilled workers with these AI training jobs.
  • The goal is to make AI systems more accurate and natural when they respond.
  • This work helps AI understand and interact more like humans.
  • CBS News reported on this emerging job market and spoke to several hiring platforms.
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How AI is changing travel

How AI is changing travel

Summary

The airline industry is starting to use artificial intelligence (AI) to improve how it operates. The CEO of Booking.com, Glenn Fogel, talked about how AI is changing travel on a CBS News show.

Key Facts

  • Many industries around the world are using AI in their work.
  • The airline industry is also adopting AI technology.
  • AI helps improve travel-related services.
  • Glenn Fogel is the CEO of Booking.com, a major travel company.
  • Fogel shared his insights about AI's impact on travel on CBS News.
  • The discussion was part of the CBS News program called "The Takeout."
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Solar drone with jumbo jet wingspan broke a flight record—then it crashed

Solar drone with jumbo jet wingspan broke a flight record—then it crashed

Summary

A solar-powered drone with a wingspan as wide as a jumbo jet flew for eight days but crashed into the sea. The drone was used by Skydweller Aero and the US Navy for testing long-lasting, uncrewed flights and maritime patrol missions.

Key Facts

  • The drone had a 236-foot (72-meter) wingspan similar to a Boeing 747 jumbo jet.
  • It was covered with over 17,000 solar cells and ran only on solar energy and batteries.
  • Skydweller Aero modified the original Solar Impulse 2 plane to carry up to 800 pounds (363 kg) of cargo.
  • The drone flew for eight days starting April 26 before crashing into the sea near Cancun, Mexico.
  • It participated in the US Navy’s Fleet Experimentation (FLEX) exercises testing AI and drone technology for maritime patrols.
  • During the Navy tests, the drone used radar, camera imaging, and acted as a communications hub.
  • The drone supported tracking and targeting operations related to drug interdiction near Florida and the Caribbean.
  • Severe weather with extreme air movements contributed to the drone running out of energy and crashing.
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Tips to boost your phone's battery life

Tips to boost your phone's battery life

Summary

The article shares advice on how to make your phone's battery last longer. A mobile expert explains simple ways to save battery power as smartphones get more advanced.

Key Facts

  • Smartphones are becoming more powerful and use more battery.
  • The expert, Abrar Al-Heeti, gives tips to improve battery life.
  • The advice helps users get more time between charges.
  • Tips may include adjusting settings and managing apps.
  • The information is featured on CBS News and the CBS News app.
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Time running out for Senate crypto deal

Time running out for Senate crypto deal

Summary

Senators are trying to agree on a bill to regulate cryptocurrency before an important vote in the Senate Banking Committee on Thursday. The goal is to set rules for the crypto industry to provide clearer guidance for businesses and investors.

Key Facts

  • The Senate Banking Committee will vote on a cryptocurrency regulation bill this Thursday.
  • Lawmakers are working against time to finalize the bill.
  • The bill aims to create rules to oversee and regulate cryptocurrencies.
  • Clear regulations could help protect investors and promote business growth.
  • The discussions have involved Senators from both parties.
  • The legislation could impact how digital currencies are used and traded in the U.S.
  • This is one of the Senate’s first major efforts to regulate the crypto market.
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