China's Xi calls for step up of global effort in AI, as US curbs squeeze China’s tech access
SHANGHAI (AP) — Chinese President Xi Jinping said AI development and governance should be a global effort as he promised more support to other countries including those in the developing world. Speaking at a conference in Shanghai, he reiterated China's objections to what he called the “overstretching” of national security concerns. Xi said AI should not be dominated by any single nation. American-led restrictions have blocked China from accessing some of the world's most advanced technologies, intensifying the tech race between the world's two biggest economies. China plans to provide 5,000 AI training opportunities to developing countries over the next five years. Xi also announced the establishment of AI cooperation centers with various organizations in the developing world.
One Tech Tip: How to soothe thumb pain when texting and scrolling
NEW YORK (AP) — A few simple stretches can ease thumb and wrist pain from phone use. Mobile phones have gotten bigger and heavier over the years. Experts say repetitive typing and swiping can lead to more serious issues like thumb arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome. When scrolling, mix up posture by switching the phone between hands and tapping with different fingers. Get a grip accessory for the back of the device to distribute weight more evenly. To ease soreness, flex the wrist back and forth and move each thumb in slow circles. If symptoms get more serious and don't go away, see a doctor.
AI chatbots are at risk of spreading government restrictions on online speech, a new study says
WASHINGTON (AP) — A study shows major artificial intelligence models are likely to refuse to criticize restrictive leaders worldwide. Thursday's Meta Oversight Board report warns AI systems might unintentionally extend “illegitimate restrictions on freedom of expression.” The report raises concerns the large language models powering chatbots and AI agents could fuel government influence over online speech. The findings come as countries determine how to erect guardrails around AI without impeding their ability to compete in the rapidly developing field. A separate study by scholars at U.S. universities finds U.S.-built AI models are vulnerable to foreign controls when trained on non-English-language data influenced by governments. Several AI companies have failed to respond to requests for comment.
EU forces Google to share search data and open Android to rival AI companies
BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union has issued new rules for Google, requiring it to share search data and open its Android system to rival AI companies. The aim is to support innovation and diversity in the EU, enabling fair competition in AI assistants for Android devices and search engines. Henna Virkkunen, an EU vice president for tech, hopes these measures will lead to alternatives to Google Search and AI services like Gemini. The EU has been actively regulating tech giants, including Google, Apple and Meta. By January 2027, Google must share anonymized search data with rivals to level the playing field.
Fujitsu and leading Japanese robotics companies to use Nvidia technology in 'physical AI'
TOKYO (AP) — Japanese communications company Fujitsu is leading a major push in artificial intelligence and robotics using Nvidia’s technology to develop “physical AI.” The initiative was announced in Tokyo on Thursday by Nvidia Chief Executive Jensen Huang and Fujitsu Chief Executive Takahito Tokita. They were joined by the CEOs of Japan’s top makers of industrial robots, Fanuc Corp., Yaskawa Electric Corp. and Kawasaki Heavy Industries. Fujitsu says the initiative brings together the best in Japan’s manufacturing prowess in robotics with AI. The technology area refers to smart, futuristic robots that can think on their own, not just follow programmed directions. The robots can work safely alongside people in factories, homes and hospitals.
Trump's teleprompter operator on unpaid leave for alleged prediction market bets on Trump speeches
ATLANTA (AP) — The White House says President Donald Trump's teleprompter operator is on unpaid leave after reports that he used his inside knowledge to make bets about the president's speeches on the online prediction market Kalshi. The firm's enforcement chief said Kalshi contacted federal regulators about bets allegedly made about what Trump would say in speeches. ABC News first reported Thursday that Gabriel Perez used his inside knowledge to win more than $100,000 betting on what the president would say in addresses like the State of the Union speech earlier this year. Perez has been operating Trump’s teleprompter since 2016.
YouTube joins Meta in appealing a jury verdict that faulted them for users' social media addiction
LOS ANGELES (AP) — YouTube has appealed a landmark social media addiction lawsuit verdict in Los Angeles. The jury found YouTube and Meta negligent in March in a case involving a young woman who claimed social media addiction worsened her mental health. Jurors awarded the woman $6 million in total damages after the five-week trial concluded. YouTube's lawyers filed the appeal days after Meta had already filed its own appeal. Both defendants had filed post-trial motions asking the judge to toss out the jury’s verdict and for a new trial. The judge denied those motions in early June.
Taiwan computer chipmaker TSMC pledges another $100 billion to expand US chipmaking capacity
HONG KONG (AP) — Major Taiwan computer chipmaker TSMC says it plans to spend another $100 billion on expanding its manufacturing capacity in the United States. The latest commitment appears to bring the company's total pledges for investment in U.S. chipmaking to $265 billion. TSMC also raised its annual revenue forecast after booking record high profits thanks to runaway demand from the boom in artificial intelligence. TSMC, or Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., is a key supplier to Nvidia and Apple. It had previously already committed $165 billion to building plants in Arizona, with six fabrication facilities planned. The company reported a record $22 billion in net profit for the April-June quarter, up 77% from a year earlier.
No radiation leak after 'contamination' events at Africa's only nuclear plant, regulator says
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — There have been three recent contamination events inside the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station, South Africa’s nuclear regulator said. No radioactive material leaked into the environment and there is no danger to the public, the National Nuclear Regulator said Thursday. The leaks — on June 30, July 2 and July 7 — were contained inside the station and happened during maintenance work, the regulator said. Koeberg, which is located near South Africa's second biggest city, Cape Town, is Africa's only nuclear power station and began operating in the 1980s during apartheid.
Amazon will launch its satellite internet in South Africa, seemingly beating Musk in his homeland
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — Amazon says that the technology company will launch its new satellite internet service Amazon Leo in South Africa in 2027. That appears to put the company owned by Jeff Bezos ahead of Elon Musk’s rival Starlink to claim business in Africa’s most advanced economy. South Africa is also Musk's homeland. Amazon said Wednesday that it would partner with South African internet provider Herotel in its first agreement to provide satellite internet in Africa. Amazon’s announcement follows Musk’s bitter criticism of his country of birth. The world’s richest man has said South African affirmative action regulations have prevented him from launching Starlink there because he's white.
