Court orders Ohio restrictions on kids’ use of social media restored
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A federal judge has extended his block on enforcement of an Ohio law that would require children under 16 to get parental consent to use social media apps while a legal challenge proceeds. U.S. District Court Judge Algenon Marbley’s grant of a preliminary injunction Monday came in a lawsuit filed by NetChoice. That is a trade group representing TikTok, Snapchat, Meta and other major tech companies. Their complaint argues that the law unconstitutionally impedes free speech and is overly broad and vague. The state contends the law is justified as a way to protect children from the harms of social media.
A city's push for facial recognition on public buses ignites debate over security and privacy
Kansas City, Missouri, plans to boost security by installing facial recognition cameras on buses. However, the rollout has been delayed by technical and financial issues. Officials hoped the cameras would be ready for the World Cup matches the city began hosting this week. Privacy concerns have also played a role in the delay. The state backed out of providing funds but the program is moving forward with federal and local money. SafeSpace Global, the company behind the project, believes the technology will enhance safety. Critics worry about privacy and potential misuse. Meanwhile, extra officers are on patrol during the World Cup to ensure safety.
High oil prices drive a surge in Chinese electric vehicle sales, but charging networks lag behind
HONG KONG (AP) — The war in Iran has helped reshape the global electric vehicle market, giving Chinese automakers an opening across the developing world as fuel prices surge. It's unclear, though, whether those countries can build charging networks fast enough to support a wave of EV imports. The energy think tank Ember reports that global exports of Chinese EVs have reached new heights since the conflict began. As fuel prices have surged, the incentive to opt for electric vehicles has risen. While the U.S. and some other wealthy countries are limiting imports of EVs from China, drivers in the developing world have a choice of affordable alternatives from companies like BYD and Geely.
Federal regulators order grid operators to speed power to energy-hungry AI data centers
WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal regulators have ordered regional grid operators to help large energy users connect more quickly to the nation’s inefficient and aging electric transmission system. They're saying it's a step needed to accommodate surging demand from power-hungry artificial intelligence data centers. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission said its order leaves states in control of retail electric rates, terms and conditions. The commission’s actions come as a backlash grows against data centers over concerns about the massive amounts of energy and water they use and fears about noise and air pollution, water shortages and a loss of open space or farmland.
World Cup ticket buyers are left stranded as resale purchases fall through
ATLANTA (AP) — The World Cup has been delivering thrills on the pitch, but fans have flooded social media with complaints about tickets that never arrived, orders canceled at the last minute and hours spent trying to sort out problems between FIFA’s ticketing system and outside resale platforms. Many complaints seem to be about industry titan StubHub, but people have also reported problems when buying through competitors such as SeatGeek and Vivid Seats. Interviews with fans and industry experts show some cases stem from technical glitches, while others could involve sellers who never had tickets in the first place. FIFA says sales through its official site are guaranteed to go through.
What to Stream: Paul Simon, 'In the Hand of Dante,' 'Avatar: The Last Airbender' and Star Fox
Paul Simon's concert special and Season 2 of the live-action “Avatar: The Last Airbender” are among the new streaming options this week. The horror film “Undertone” debuts on HBO Max on June 26. John Cena stars in the Netflix comedy “Little Brother,” streaming June 26. Peacock also offers the thriller “Strung” on June 26. Paul Simon's concert special streams on Disney+ and Hulu on Friday. Muse also releases their new album “The Wow! Signal.” The live-action “Avatar: The Last Airbender” returns on June 25 on Netflix. “Camp Snoopy” Season 2 arrives June 26 on Apple TV. Star Fox launches on Switch 2 on June 25.
AP Exclusive: Bernie Sanders unveils plan to give the public direct ownership of AI companies
WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Bernie Sanders is proposing a plan to give Americans ownership stakes in the country’s largest artificial intelligence companies. The legislation shown first to The Associated Press would impose a one-time 50% tax on the stock of major AI companies and place those shares into a sovereign wealth fund overseen by an independent commission. Sanders estimates the fund would be worth roughly $7 trillion and provide annual payments to Americans. While the idea of public ownership of AI companies has been backed by President Donald Trump and AI executives, Sanders' proposal goes far beyond that, with the public have decision-making power in the companies.
A New York House primary has become an AI industry family feud with millions in corporate spending
NEW YORK (AP) — New York Democratic Assemblyman Alex Bores is running for Congress, and the tech industry is deeply involved. A political group funded by OpenAI investors has spent more than $7 million on ads against Bores. The group opposes Bores' AI regulation efforts. However, another group backed by Anthropic is supporting Bores with more than $10 million. This race has become a proxy battle over how the government should regulate AI. Bores' RAISE Act is a major AI safety law and is at the center of the debate. The Manhattan-based district is traditionally liberal, adding complexity to the tech industry's involvement in the race.
AP Exclusive: Nvidia's Jensen Huang says society needs 'new social norms' in the age of AI
SHERMAN, Texas (AP) — Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang — whose work helped propel artificial intelligence — is stressing in an Associated Press interview that society has no choice but to change in the advent of AI. Huang has been optimistic about the technology’s potential to rapidly change society, creating faster economic growth and more scientific breakthroughs. But as the head of a computer chip company now developing AI systems, Huang has felt obligated to respond to critics who warn of job losses and threats to humanity itself. “We need to create new social norms,” Huang said in an interview Tuesday. “I would advocate that everybody use AI. Just go engage it.”
Nvidia's Huang pledges AI will boost manufacturing jobs. A test will come in Texas
SHERMAN, Texas (AP) — Nvidia is betting on artificial intelligence to revive U.S. manufacturing. The Silicon Valley company has unveiled a major AI infrastructure upgrade as part of a $2 billion partnership with Coherent. This involves a Texas factory producing materials for lasers that enhance chip efficiency. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang believes AI can create jobs rather than replace them. Nvidia is shifting from chip development to entire AI systems, with production focused in the U.S. The factory is expected to create 1,000 jobs. The AI industry is seen as crucial for economic growth and national security, with bipartisan government support.
