3 men are charged with conspiring to smuggle US artificial intelligence to China
NEW YORK (AP) — A senior vice president of Super Micro Computer Inc. and two others affiliated with the company have been charged with conspiring to smuggle billions of dollars of computer servers containing advanced Nvidia chips to China. U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton announced the arrests late Thursday, saying the men violated U.S. export controls laws by scheming to divert the high-performance servers assembled in the United States to China. An indictment alleges that two of the men directed executives of a company in Southeast Asia to place orders for $2.5 billion worth of servers from Super Micro Computer, a U.S. manufacturer, between 2024 and 2025. Authorities say the scheme became more brazen as time went on.
American Airlines and Google say AI helped airplanes reduce contrails that trap heat
American Airlines and Google said Thursday that they significantly reduced the climate impact of some of the airline’s flights using an AI-based forecasting tool to help prevent contrails. When airplanes fly through cold, humid areas, it can create heat-trapping clouds. Google is using artificial intelligence to predict where these condensation trails, or contrails, will likely form if planes pass through. American Airlines added the forecasts to its flight planning system on a trial basis, to show optional routes to go around these areas or change altitude. American Airlines and Google say this could be one of the most cost-effective, scalable climate solutions available in aviation now. The industry is under growing pressure to address climate change.
Brazil rolls out law boosting online protection of minors
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Brazil now enforces a sweeping new law that aims to make the internet safer for children and teens. On Tuesday, the digital statute takes effect after Congress backs it and President Lula signs it in September. The law requires accounts for minors under 16 to link to a legal guardian. It also bans addictive design tricks like endless scrolling and autoplay. Platforms must use real age checks, not just a box that says “over 18.” Lula says online abuse and exploitation can no longer hide behind “freedom.” WhatsApp and Google already roll out parent tools.
Cryptocurrency and AI industries tested their influence in Illinois. It didn't go that well
WASHINGTON (AP) — The artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency industries have suffered a setback as they try to reshape the midterm elections and establish themselves as power players in American politics. AI and crypto groups poured millions of dollars into Illinois' Democratic primaries to push candidates who favor lighter regulation, but they often lost. The industry super PACs ran ad campaigns that barely mentioned technology, highlighting other issues to avoid backlash. But they still became a lightning rod. Crypto-backed Fairshake spent more than $10 million against Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, but she won the Democratic nomination to succeed Sen. Dick Durbin. In House races, sometimes different AI groups ended up fighting each other.
An AI-rendered Val Kilmer will posthumously appear in a new film
NEW YORK (AP) — A year after the actor’s death, a generative AI version of Val Kilmer will co-star in an independent film. It's one of the boldest uses yet of artificial intelligence in moviemaking. First Line Films announced Wednesday that Kilmer has posthumously joined the cast of a film titled “As Deep as the Grave.” The producers said that before his death, Kilmer had signed on to perform in the movie but was unable to do due to his health. Kilmer’s estate gave permission for his digital replication, and is being compensated for it. Kilmer died last April from pneumonia at the age of 65.
Nvidia’s DLSS 5 is the (glossy) subject of memes and backlash from gamers
Video game fans are responding with criticism and comedy to Nvidia's latest version of its AI technology that boost performance and graphics. DLSS, Nvidia's image enhancement technology was initially used to upscale resolution. Its fifth iteration will use generative AI to reach a “dramatic leap in visual realism,” Nvidia's CEO Jensen Huang said. Many found the hyper-realistic and glossy images undermine the artistic intent of the game designers or have a general uncanny feeling, featuring hallmarks of AI-generated imagery. Some responded to the sample imagery from Nvidia with memes and jokes on social media, poking fun at the technology that will launch in the fall.
Iran’s internet blackout silences voices at home as diaspora creators fill the void
NEW YORK (AP) — Iranian American social media creators are helping lead the online conversation about the war in Iran. Their content is geared toward the surging demand in the U.S. for information about the war and Iran’s history. Some say they want to share more perspectives from people within the country. But a government-imposed digital blackout has made it hard for Iranians to communicate with the outside world. Creators and experts say the outsized influence of the Iranian diaspora has exacerbated deep rifts about the future of Iran.
China's Alibaba targets $100B in AI and cloud revenue over 5 years
HONG KONG (AP) — China’s Alibaba Group has pledged on Thursday a goal of surpassing $100 billion in revenue from its artificial intelligence and cloud businesses over the next five years, which it says would be powered by the AI demand boom. The Chinese tech group has posted a 67% drop in profit for the latest quarter, even as growth in its cloud business remained robust. The profit decline was in part due to growing marketing and sales expenses. Its CEO Eddie Wu says during an earnings call that the ongoing surge in AI demand is poised to fuel sustained growth.
Nvidia CEO heralds ‘inference inflection’ as next phase of AI boom, backed by $1 trillion in orders
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang on Monday elaborated on his vision for keeping his company at the forefront of the artificial intelligence boom that he predicted will produce a $1 trillion backlog in orders within the next year. Sporting his signature black leather jacket, Huang spent two hours sauntering across a stage in a packed arena in San Jose, California, explaining how Nvidia’s processors became indispensable AI components and highlighting the products that he believes will keep the company in the catbird’s seat. To hammer home his point, Huang said Nvidia will be grappling with a $1 trillion backlog in AI chip orders, doubling his estimate from a year ago.
Amazon offers 1-hour and 3-hour deliveries for US customers willing to pay an extra charge
NEW YORK (AP) — Amazon says it has started offering faster U.S. deliveries of selected products for a fee. The e-commerce colossus said Tuesday that customers in more than 2,000 cities, towns and suburban areas can now get orders from among 90,000 items delivered in three hours. They include pantry staples, clothing, over-the-counter medications, cleaning supplies and electronics. The charge is $4.99 for Amazon Prime members and $14.99 for nonmembers. One-hour delivery slots also are available in hundreds of places, including major metropolitan areas like Los Angeles, Chicago and Washington, and smaller cities such as Des Moines, Iowa and Boise, Idaho. Amazon says Prime members will get charged $9.99 for the one-hour service, which costs nonmembers $19.99, Amazon said
