China exploits US-funded research on nuclear technology, a congressional report says
WASHINGTON (AP) — A congressional report says China is exploiting partnerships with U.S. researchers to provide the Chinese military with access to sensitive nuclear technology and other innovations with economic and national security applications. Wednesday's report by the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party looked at research collaborations that received Energy Department funding. Investigators found 4,300 academic papers published in the past two years that involved partnerships between Energy Department-funded scientists and Chinese researchers. The report's authors say the U.S. must do more to ensure the results of taxpayer-funded work don’t benefit Beijing. The Energy Department hasn't commented. A message seeking comment has been left with the Chinese Embassy in Washington.
To find living donors for kidney transplants, a pilot program turns to social networks
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Fernando Moreno has been waiting for a kidney transplant for about two years. His Philadelphia hospital connected him with a pilot project called the Great Social Experiment. This project pairs patients with "angel advocates" who share their stories on social media to find potential donors. Although Moreno hasn't yet found a donor, the program has shown promising results. Two patients at Temple University Hospital have found donors, and one is preparing for surgery. The program aims to create a blueprint for future kidney donations by combining social media outreach with storytelling. Living kidney donations are rare but can offer better matches and longer-lasting results.
Militant groups are experimenting with AI, and the risks are expected to grow
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Islamic State group and other militant organizations are experimenting with artificial intelligence as a tool to boost recruitment and refine their operations. National security experts say that just as businesses, governments and individuals have embraced AI, extremist groups also will look to harness the power of AI. That means aiming to improve their cyberattacks, breaking into sensitive networks and creating deepfakes that spread confusion and fear. Leaders in Washington have responded with calls to investigate how militant groups are using AI and seek ways to encourage tech companies to share more about how their products are being potentially misused.
What to know about Trump's executive order to curtail state AI regulations
President Donald Trump is pressuring states to stop regulating artificial intelligence in a new executive order. Trump and some Republicans argue that regulations dampen innovation and growth for AI. Critics worry this benefits big AI companies with little oversight. Four states, including California and Texas, have already passed AI regulations. The order directs federal agencies to pressure states not to enact burdensome regulations, including by withholding broadband funding. It also suggests a national regulatory framework and calls for laws to be written to put it into place.
Humanoid robots take center stage at Silicon Valley summit, but skepticism remains
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (AP) — The commercial boom in artificial intelligence has sparked interest in humanoid robots. Venture capitalist Modar Alaoui, founder of the Humanoids Summit, gathered over 2,000 people, including top engineers from Disney and Google, to showcase technology and discuss the future of humanoids. Disney's Olaf robot will roam Disneyland parks next year. Despite the excitement, skepticism remains about the timeline for general-purpose robots. Researchers at McKinsey & Company note around 50 companies worldwide are investing heavily in humanoid development.
Open AI, Microsoft face lawsuit over ChatGPT's alleged role in Connecticut murder-suicide
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The heirs of an 83-year-old Connecticut woman are suing ChatGPT maker OpenAI and its business partner Microsoft for wrongful death. They claim the artificial intelligence chatbot intensified her son’s “paranoid delusions” and helped direct them at his mother before he killed her. Police said Stein-Erik Soelberg, 56, a former tech industry worker, fatally beat and strangled his mother, Suzanne Adams, and killed himself in early August. The lawsuit claims OpenAI designed a defective product that validated a user's paranoid delusions, leading him to kill his own mother.
A Chinese official exposed his boss. Now in Texas, he’s hunted by Beijing - with help from US tech
MIDLAND, Texas (AP) — Retired Chinese official Li Chuanliang fled to the U.S. seeking asylum, fearing persecution from the Chinese government. He was warned not to return to China after being accused of corruption. Li claims he is targeted for criticizing the government. The Associated Press reports that China uses surveillance technology to track and intimidate officials and dissidents abroad. This technology, often originating from U.S. companies, has been used to monitor Li and his family. Beijing's operations, known as "Fox Hunt" and "Sky Net," aim to bring back fugitives.
Germany summons Russian ambassador over alleged sabotage, cyberattacks and election interference
BERLIN (AP) — An official says Germany has summoned the Russian ambassador following accusations of sabotage, cyberattacks and election interference. Germany has also accused Moscow of perpetrating disinformation campaigns. German officials have previously accused Russia of hybrid warfare attacks to destabilize Europe. The German foreign ministry spokesperson said Friday that the shadowy Russian military intelligence agency known as GRU was behind a 2024 cyberattack against German air traffic control. The official said GRU also tried to destabilize and influence Germany’s last federal election in February. Moscow didn't immediately return a request for comment.
Time magazine names 'Architects of AI' as its person of the year for 2025
The “Architects of AI” were named Time magazine’s person of the year for 2025. The magazine on Thursday cited 2025 as the year when the potential of artificial intelligence “roared into view” with no turning back. AI was a leading contender for the top slot, according to prediction markets, along with tech CEOs Jensen Huang of Nvidia and Sam Altman of OpenAI. Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope whose election this year followed the death of Pope Francis, was also considered a contender, with President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani topping lists as well.
Appeals court backs contempt finding against Apple, but reopens a door for iPhone app fees
A federal appeals court on Thursday backed a ruling that held Apple in civil contempt for brazenly defying an order designed to open its iPhone app store to other payment systems besides its own, but the decision also reopened a door for the company to collect commission from the rival options. The unanimous decision made in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals mostly validated a contempt order issued against Apple for violating a key part of a judge's order in a legal battle over Apple's fees for in-app purchases on the iPhone. But the appeals court also required the judge to reverse a ban on some app store fees.
