Australia adds Reddit and Kick to social media platforms banning children under 16
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Australia has added Reddit and Kick to its list of social media platforms that must ban children under 16 from having accounts. Communications Minister Anika Wells said Wednesday the platforms will join others like Facebook and TikTok in enforcing this rule starting Dec. 10. Platforms failing to comply could face fines up to 50 million Australian dollars ($33 million). Australia’s eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant will enforce the ban, which aims to protect children online. The move is being closely watched by other countries concerned about social media's impact on young users. Critics worry about privacy implications for all users.
OpenAI and Amazon sign $38 billion deal for AI computing power
SEATTLE (AP) — OpenAI and Amazon have signed a $38 billion deal to run OpenAI's systems on Amazon's cloud services. OpenAI will access hundreds of thousands of Nvidia's AI chips through Amazon Web Services. The deal was announced Monday, just days after OpenAI changed its partnership with Microsoft. Last week, California and Delaware regulators allowed OpenAI to move forward with a new business structure to raise capital and make a profit. Amazon stated that the demand for computing power has surged due to AI advancements. OpenAI will start using AWS immediately, with plans to expand further by 2027.
Stability AI largely wins UK court battle against Getty Images over copyright and trademark
LONDON (AP) — Stability AI has mostly prevailed against Getty Images in a British court battle over intellectual property. The judge's decision, released Tuesday, shows Getty narrowly winning its trademark infringement argument but losing its copyright claim. Both sides claimed victory. Getty says the ruling is a significant win for intellectual property owners, while Stability is pleased the copyright concerns are resolved. The case is part of a wave of lawsuits by creative industries against tech companies using their works to train AI. Getty is also pursuing a copyright lawsuit against Stability in the United States.
European Union welcomes suspension of China's rare earth controls
BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union says it has reached an agreement with China to stabilize the flow of rare earth materials crucial for high-tech and military products. Officials from both sides met in Brussels on Friday to discuss China's export controls and European semiconductor regulations. An EU spokesperson said Tuesday that the EU welcomes China's 12-month suspension of rare earth export controls. This move is seen as a step toward ensuring stable global trade flows. China is the EU’s second-largest trading partner. And both sides aim to keep their trade ties stable for the global economy.
Microsoft to ship 60,000 Nvidia AI chips to UAE under US-approved deal
WASHINGTON (AP) — Microsoft has announced it will ship Nvidia's advanced AI chips to the United Arab Emirates. The U.S. Commerce Department approved the deal in September. The company plans to send over 60,000 Nvidia chips, including the advanced GB300 Grace Blackwell chips, for use in UAE data centers. This move seems to contradict former President Donald Trump's recent comments about restricting exports of advanced chips. The UAE's access to these chips is linked to its pledge to invest $1.4 trillion in U.S. energy and AI projects. Microsoft's announcement is part of its $15.2 billion investment in UAE technology.
AI song generator Udio offers brief window for downloads after Universal settlement upsets users
Udio, an AI song generation platform, has announced a 48-hour window starting Monday for users to download their songs. This move comes as the company shifts to a new business model following a legal settlement with Universal Music over copyright infringement claims. Last week, a tech industry lobby group urged federal intervention in AI copyright lawsuits, citing over 50 pending cases. Udio and Universal plan to launch a new streaming platform. The settlement marks the first in the music industry since major labels sued Udio and another AI song generator last year.
Who is Zico Kolter? A professor leads OpenAI safety panel with power to halt unsafe AI releases
Zico Kolter leads a panel that can stop OpenAI from releasing new AI systems if they're deemed unsafe. The computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon University first took on the oversight role last year. But Kolter's role gained importance last week when California and Delaware regulators made his oversight crucial for OpenAI's new business structure. The researcher spoke with The Associated Press about OpenAI's Safety and Security Committee and some of the concerns they will be considering in the coming months and years. AI safety watchdogs are watching closely.
Big Tesla investor will vote against Musk's massive pay package
Norway’s sovereign wealth fund, one of Tesla’s biggest investors says it will vote against a proposed compensation package that could pay CEO Elon Musk as much as $1 trillion over a decade. There will be more than a dozen company proposals up for a vote Thursday during Tesla’s annual meeting, but none have generated more division than Musk’s potentially massive pay package. The fund has a 1.16% stake, the sixth largest holding among institutional investors. Baron Capital Management, which holds about 0.4% of Tesla’s outstanding shares said Monday that it will vote in favor of the compensation package.
Microsoft $9.7 billion deal with IREN will give it access to Nvidia chips
Microsoft has entered into an approximately $9.7 billion cloud services contract with artificial intelligence cloud service provider IREN that will give it access to some of Nvidia’s chips. The five-year deal, which includes a 20% prepayment, will help Microsoft as it looks to keep up with AI demand.
Getty's $3.7 billion attempt to buy Shutterstock faces in-depth investigation in the UK
LONDON (AP) — Britain's antitrust watchdog is intensifying its investigation into Getty Images' plan to buy Shutterstock. The $3.7 billion deal would create a visual content giant. On Monday, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced an in-depth merger investigation. The preliminary inquiry raised concerns about higher prices and lower quality of images. The deal was announced in January amid rising competition from AI-generated images. Getty expressed disappointment but remains committed to the deal. The CMA has until April 16 to decide. The U.S. Department of Justice is also reviewing the transaction.
