Chinese AI Model Sparks Infighting Among Trump's Advisers
A fresh wave of discord has erupted within President Donald Trump's circle of AI strategists following the release of a powerful new Chinese language model. Over the past weekend, several current and former White House advisers on artificial intelligence publicly traded insults directed at America's leading AI firms.
David Sacks described Anthropic's models as "lobotomized" and "woke." Emil Michael, a senior Pentagon official, referred to OpenAI's new head of strategic futures as a "supreme village idiot."
The source of the tension is Kimi, a free, open-source model launched last week by Chinese AI company Moonshot. The model appears to match the intelligence of offerings from OpenAI and Anthropic, which are not free.
Each time China releases a smart, free model, U.S. companies find less reason to pay for subscriptions to Anthropic or OpenAI. This dynamic is creating economic and political headaches for the president and dividing the top AI strategists in his orbit.
Record Copyright Settlement Approved for Anthropic
A federal judge has approved Anthropic's record $1.5 billion copyright settlement. The plaintiffs had accused the company of using pirated works to train its Claude AI model.
The payout is the largest known copyright settlement in history. However, many authors and creators still do not view it as a win, according to reports from TechCrunch. The case has also raised broader questions about whether AI copyright anxiety could limit creativity, as noted by MIT Technology Review.
Trump Administration Considers Ban on Chinese AI Models
The launch of Kimi K3 has revived calls for restrictions on Chinese AI models within the Trump administration. Axios reported that officials are weighing a potential ban, but Fast Company noted that officials remain divided on the proposals.
China's bet on open-source AI is paying off, according to MIT Technology Review. Meanwhile, Beijing is considering tighter export controls on AI models and chips to prevent the West from acquiring its technology and startups, as reported by the Financial Times. Reuters added that Beijing has held talks with tech firms about potential restrictions.
AI Safety Head Resigns After Three Months
Chris Fall, who had led the federal AI Safety Institute (CAISI) since April, resigned after just three months on the job. Axios reported the resignation, and CNBC noted that no reason was given for his exit.
Google Developing New Chip for Gemini Models
Google is working on a new chip called "Frozen V2" to run its Gemini models more efficiently. The Information reported that the chip may be deployed in 2028. Alphabet's stock rose on the news, according to CNBC.
New Orleans Police Explore Armed Drones
A draft drone manual from New Orleans police paves the way for weaponized quadcopters, according to 404 Media. The development follows earlier discussions about using drones to chase shoplifters, as covered by MIT Technology Review.
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EU Fines AliExpress Record Amount Over Unsafe Products
The European Union has handed AliExpress a record fine of €550 million for unsafe product sales. The BBC reported that the fine is the largest ever under the Digital Services Act. Alibaba has vowed to appeal the fine, according to the South China Morning Post.
Election Advice from AI Chatbots Called Inaccurate
Tests conducted in Hungary earlier this year found that election advice from AI chatbots is "inaccurate and unreliable," the Guardian reported.
Red Light Therapy Shows Promise for Healing and Aging
Red light therapy is showing promise for healing, healthy aging, better skin, and reduced vision loss, according to the Economist.
Neill Blomkamp's AI-Generated Horror Clip Criticized
Acclaimed director Neill Blomkamp released a new horror clip that is entirely AI-generated. Gizmodo reported that the clip "sucks," though Blomkamp wants to make "a full feature in this format."
Quote of the Day
Tech investor Chamath Palihapitiya posted on X: "This would be a terribly self-defeating form of intervention if it were to happen," slamming plans to restrict Chinese AI models.
Inside Chicago's Surveillance Panopticon
On September 2, 2024, four people were shot and killed on a westbound train in Chicago. Police activated a digital dragnet connecting thousands of cameras across the city and arrested the suspect 90 minutes later.
Law enforcement and security advocates say the vast monitoring system protects public safety. But activists and many residents call it a surveillance panopticon that chills behavior and violates privacy and free speech guarantees. Rod McCullom reported on the network that is dividing Chicago.
We Can Still Have Nice Things
NASA shared a stunning timelapse video of the Psyche spacecraft's view of Mars. A comparison of American and European urbanism shows good city design is a choice. Musician Luca Stricagnoli performed a marvellous acoustic guitar medley of Prodigy songs. Two Australian paddleboarders saved a stranded wallaby after it was swept out to sea and caught the whole rescue on video.