YouTube to start bringing back creators banned for COVID-19 and election misinformation
NEW YORK (AP) — YouTube will offer creators a way to rejoin the streaming platform if they were banned for violating COVID-19 and election misinformation policies that are no longer in effect. YouTube parent Alphabet said in a letter to the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday that the decision reflects the company's commitment to free speech. The move is the latest in a cascade of content moderation rollbacks from tech companies, who cracked down on false information during the pandemic and after the 2020 election but have since faced pressure from President Donald Trump and other conservatives who argue they unlawfully stifled right-wing voices. It comes as tech CEOs, including Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai, have sought a closer relationship with the Republican president.
Is AI a threat to jobs? A 'Tomb Raider' affair poses the question
PARIS (AP) — In France, the apparent use of artificial intelligence to clone an actor's voice for video game character Lara Croft has fans and actors up in arms. Fans noticed that the French-language voice of Lara Croft sounded robotic and made grammatical errors in a software update of the popular “Tomb Raider” series. Aspyr, the game developer, admits to using what it described as unauthorized AI content and says it has since removed it. The actor in French-language versions of the game, Françoise Cadol, confirmed that her voice was cloned. The affair has sharpened actors' concerns about AI replacing human jobs.
Al Gore's satellite and AI system is now tracking sources of deadly soot pollution
NEW YORK (AP) — Former Vice President Al Gore has announced an expansion of Climate TRACE to track soot pollution using satellite technology and artificial intelligence. This system will monitor pollution sources and plumes in 2,500 cities worldwide. Particle pollution, often referred to as soot, is linked to millions of deaths globally. Gore's nonprofit initiative uses 300 satellites and 30,000 ground sensors to track over 137,000 pollution sources. The data will eventually be available daily, similar to weather apps. While soot pollution isn't a climate issue, it results from fossil fuel combustion, which also produces greenhouse gases.
AI's double-edged sword: UN leaders weigh its promise and peril
Artificial intelligence has taken center stage at the United Nations Security Council meeting. World leaders have acknowledged AI's vast capabilities while urging caution about its potential harms, especially in military use. On Wednesday, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the need for responsible AI use. He highlighted its benefits in areas like food security and violence prevention but warned of its weaponization. British Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy praised AI's potential for peace but noted risks in armed conflict without human oversight. The U.N. has adopted new governance efforts, including a global forum and a scientific panel, to address these challenges.
Lawmakers and activists call for action after AP reveals US tech role in China's surveillance state
WASHINGTON (AP) — Lawmakers and activists are urging U.S. tech firms to stop selling surveillance equipment to Chinese police. This follows an Associated Press report revealing the significant role American technology plays in enabling human rights abuses in China. Republican Sen. Josh Hawley wants tech companies to testify before Congress about their exports. An AP investigation found that companies like IBM, Dell, and Cisco sold billions in technology to Chinese authorities, despite warnings. Lawmakers from both parties are calling for stricter export laws. Civil society groups are also demanding that tech firms cut ties with China’s surveillance state.
Europe has a Russian drone problem. Here are ways it could be solved
VINSKI, Estonia (AP) — Estonia is extending a fence along its border with Russia and building anti-tank ditches and bunkers in preparation for a potential conflict with Moscow. But those defenses won’t defend against the threat it and its NATO allies face from Russian drones and electronic warfare. A recent drone incursion into Poland highlighted gaps in NATO's air defenses. Defense ministers from several European Union countries plan to meet Friday to discuss creating a drone wall along the bloc's eastern border. But officials say defending against drones is complex and requires affordable technology which can be quickly mass produced.
Optus fined $66 million for 'appalling' conduct in sales to telecom's customers in Australia
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — An Australian judge has fined telecommunications giant Optus $66 million for unconscionable conduct under consumer law. The judge Wednesday approved a plea agreement struck between Optus and Australia's corporate watchdog over unconscionable conduct and inappropriate sales practices spanning four years until July 2023. The company targeted hundreds of vulnerable customers including Indigenous people in Outback communities where there was no network coverage. The subsidiary of Singapore government-owned Singtel is separately facing multimillion-dollar fines over its failure last week to connect hundreds of emergency calls due to an outage that’s been linked to four deaths.
OpenAI shows off Stargate AI data center in Texas and plans 5 more elsewhere with Oracle, Softbank
ABILENE, Texas (AP) — OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has announced that the Stargate AI data center in Texas will be joined by five more across the U.S. This expansion is part of a $500 billion infrastructure investment promoted by President Donald Trump. Stargate, a joint venture with Oracle and Softbank, is building additional centers in Texas, New Mexico, Ohio, and an undisclosed Midwest location. The Abilene, Texas project is set to be the largest, transforming the city. Concerns about environmental impact and local resources have been raised, but developers emphasize efforts to minimize effects. The project has significantly boosted the local economy.
Man arrested in UK over alleged cyberattack that affected European airports
LONDON (AP) — A man in his 40s has been arrested in southern England over an alleged cyberattack that disrupted several European airports, including London Heathrow. The U.K.'s National Crime Agency said Wednesday that the suspect was held in West Sussex on Tuesday on suspicion of computer misuse offenses. The man has been released on conditional bail. Starting late Friday, airports in Berlin, Brussels, and London faced electronic system disruptions, causing check-in chaos. The attack affected Collins Aerospace's software, which helps with check-ins and luggage dispatch. It's unclear who is behind the attack, but investigations are ongoing.
Secret Service dismantles telecom threat around UN capable of crippling cell service in NYC
NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. Secret Service has dismantled a massive hidden telecom network in New York. Investigators say the system could have crippled cell towers and jammed 911 calls. The cache included over 300 SIM servers with more than 100,000 SIM cards. It was located within 35 miles of the United Nations. The network could have blacked out cellular service, especially during the United Nations General Assembly. Officials have not uncovered a direct plot against the assembly. Forensic analysis is ongoing, and authorities suspect nation-state actors. The operation highlights new risks to the invisible infrastructure of modern cities.
