Massachusetts court hears arguments in lawsuit alleging Meta designed apps to be addictive to kids
BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts’ highest court heard oral arguments Friday in the state’s lawsuit arguing that Meta designed features on Facebook and Instagram to make them addictive to young users. The lawsuit filed in 2023 by state Attorney General Andrea Campbell alleges that Meta did this to make a profit and that its actions affected hundreds of thousands of teenagers in Massachusetts who use the social media platforms. The lawsuit is among a growing number that have been filed in federal and state court against Meta, which argues it has taken a number of steps to keep children safe online.
Tesla leader believes Shanghai factory operations will play a role in robot mass production
SHANGHAI (AP) — A Tesla leader says he believes its Shanghai factory operations will help resolve the challenges in achieving mass production of the company’s humanoid robots. The comments Tuesday by Tesla Inc. Vice President Wang Hao come as the U.S. electric vehicle giant pivots to robotics. Wang says the Shanghai facilities will be like other Tesla factories by contributing after they enter an era of robots. But Wang did not specify how the Shanghai arm will support robot production. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has urged a concentration on AI and robotics and a reduced focus on car sales. Tesla earlier decided to convert a California factory to produce its Optimus robots.
Ukraine agrees defense deal with Germany to help in fight against Russia
BERLIN (AP) — Ukraine and Germany say they are starting work on plans for the joint production of advanced drones and other battle-tested defense systems. Ukraine is looking to scale up its more than four-year fight against Russia’s all-out invasion. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz laid out their cooperation plans during Zelenskyy's visit to Berlin on Tuesday. Merz said that Germany’s commitment to supporting Kyiv’s war effort is “a very clear signal” to Russia. Western analysts and officials say Ukraine has recently scored some battlefield successes. Russian attacks killed five civilians meanwhile.
Humanoid robots show off their language and boxing skills in Hong Kong
HONG KONG (AP) — A humanoid robot called X2 Ultra from China's leading humanoid robot manufacturer AGIBOT has been impressing visitors in Hong Kong. The robot is about the size of a primary school student. It sang and conversed in Mandarin and English on Monday. The robot was part of an exhibition featuring more than 100 robots. AGIBOT's agent in Hong Kong said that the robot can provide emotional satisfaction and serve as a teacher. China is pushing forward in robotics with more than 140 manufacturers and 330 models. Companies like AGIBOT are leading the way by shipping thousands of units. The exhibition highlighted diverse robotic capabilities from talking to humans to performing backflips.
Why some workers are embracing AI while others won't use it, according to a new Gallup poll
A new Gallup poll finds that more American workers are experimenting with artificial intelligence in their jobs, but there is a cohort of employees who remain skeptical. The survey finds an increase in the share of U.S. employees who are frequently using AI for work, up from the end of last year. At the same time, there’s also been an uptick in alarm that new technologies will replace their jobs, and many workers who are not using AI say they prefer to work without it, have ethical opposition to the technology or worry about data privacy. The poll points to a divergence in how AI is reshaping American workplaces.
Attorney for suspect in attack at Sam Altman’s home says he was in midst of 'mental health crisis'
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The public defender for a man accused of throwing an incendiary device at Sam Altman’s home says her client has autism and was experiencing an “acute mental health crisis.” San Francisco Deputy Public Defender Diamond Ward said Tuesday that Daniel Moreno-Gama has been overcharged by prosecutors. He faces charges including attempted murder. She says prosecutors have overcharged Moreno-Gama to curry favor with Altman, who is the chief executive officer of OpenAI. Authorities say he targeted Altman and was motivated by his hatred of AI technology. The San Francisco District Attorney says prosecutors have evidence to back up their charges. The suspect was ordered held without bail and his arraignment was set for May 5.
Judge bars Arizona from regulating prediction market operators and pauses prosecution of Kalshi
PHOENIX (AP) — A judge has temporarily barred Arizona from enforcing its gambling laws against predictive market operators like Kalshi. The judge ruled Friday in a lawsuit filed by the Trump administration after state prosecutors filed criminal charges that alleged Kalshi is running an illegal gambling operation in Arizona. The ruling also halted Arizona’s criminal case against Kalshi, which was scheduled for an arraignment hearing Monday. The federal Commodity Futures Trading Commission had sued Arizona in response to Arizona’s enforcement. Kalshi maintains it’s a financial marketplace rather than a gambling operation.
China’s state media turns to social media and AI to tell its story — and often mock the US
BEIJING (AP) — The messaging from China’s Communist government may once have been rigid, but not anymore. Beijing is using social media and AI to make its messaging more appealing, especially to younger audiences. China is using AI-generated animations to mock the U.S. as a global bully. One animated short shared by state media frames out an allegory for the war in Iran modeled on classic martial arts movies. The animations aim to simplify complex geopolitical issues and have gained popularity online as part of China's strategy to enhance its messaging and counter Western narratives, both at home and abroad. Experts say this method is becoming a routine part of China's global information strategy.
From 'BuddhaBot' to $1.99 chats with AI Jesus, the faith-based tech boom is here
CAMARILLO, Calif. (AP) — The faith-based AI market is expanding, with tools for various religions. For example, there's an AI Jesus that — for $1.99 per minute — will offer words of prayer and encouragement. As AI tools designed with religion in mind become increasingly common, many are reckoning with how these technologies shape their relationship to faith and spiritual guidance. Concerns include misinformation and data privacy as well as spiritual and ethical implications. Some worry about AI's potential to exploit religious users, while others see it as a tool for spiritual exploration.
Police arrest a suspect in a Molotov attack at OpenAI CEO's San Francisco home
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Police and OpenAI officials say a 20-year-old man suspected of throwing a Molotov cocktail at CEO Sam Altman's San Francisco home has been arrested. The police department says the incident occurred shortly after 4 a.m. Friday and that the thrown device set an exterior gate on fire. Police say the suspect fled on foot. Less than an hour later, police were called to OpenAI headquarters, where they said the same person was threatening to burn down the building. No one was hurt, and OpenAI says it is assisting with the investigation. Police haven't publicly identified the man they arrested.
