AI companies upped their federal lobbying spend in 2024 amid regulatory uncertainty

Companies spent significantly more lobbying AI issues at the U.S. federal level last year compared to 2023 amid regulatory uncertainty. According to data compiled by OpenSecrets, 648 companies spent on AI lobbying in 2024 versus 458 in 2023, representing a 141% year-over-year increase. Companies like Microsoft supported legislation such as the CREATE AI Act, which… Continua a leggere AI companies upped their federal lobbying spend in 2024 amid regulatory uncertainty

In motion to dismiss, chatbot platform Character AI claims it is protected by the First Amendment

Character AI, a platform that lets users engage in roleplay with AI chatbots, has filed a motion to dismiss a case brought against it by the parent of a teen who committed suicide, allegedly after becoming hooked on the company’s technology. In October, Megan Garcia filed a lawsuit against Character AI in the U.S. District… Continua a leggere In motion to dismiss, chatbot platform Character AI claims it is protected by the First Amendment

UnitedHealth confirms 190 million Americans affected by Change Healthcare data breach

The number of individuals confirmed to be affected by the data breach is almost double the company’s previous estimate. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.

Retro Biosciences, backed by Sam Altman, is raising $1 billion to extend human lifespan

Sam Altman-backed Retro Biosciences is raising $1 billion to develop drugs that extend human lifespan by 10 years, the FT reports. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.

Wall Street banks plan sale of X debt at a discount

Bankers are reportedly gearing up to offload debt used to fund Elon Musk’s social network, for which he paid $44 million in 2022 including $13 billion in financing. Morgan Stanley is leading the charge, hoping to sell senior debt at between 90 and 95 cents on the dollar, reports the WSJ.  As notes the outlet,… Continua a leggere Wall Street banks plan sale of X debt at a discount

‘We Have Seen a Lot More Hate’: Trans People Are Already Terrified

After Donald Trump signed a sweeping executive order directed against trans people this week, trans and nonbinary people are scared of what happens next.

DOGE Will Allow Elon Musk to Surveil the US Government From the Inside

A former USDS employee called the repurposing of the Digital Service into DOGE an “A+ bureaucratic jiujitsu move.” It will give Musk and his associates access to unclassified data in every government agency.

This Man Eats So Much Butter, Cheese, and Beef That Cholesterol Oozes From His Skin

High cholesterol is considered 240 mg/dL. The man’s was over 1,000 mg/dL.

How Chinese AI Startup DeepSeek Made a Model that Rivals OpenAI

When Chinese quant hedge fund founder Liang Wenfeng went into AI research, he took 10,000 Nvidia chips and assembled a team of young, ambitious talent. Two years later, DeepSeek exploded on the scene.

Taylor Swift Triggered a Tsunami of Sports Bets. Then She Stopped Turning Up

The singer generated millions in prop bets for the Kansas City Chiefs just by showing up to watch her boyfriend play. Now that she’s busy, gamblers are losing interest.