BIG Tech’s Huge AI Investments Worry Investors
Major tech companies such as Alphabet, Microsoft, Meta, and Amazon are still making significant investments in AI infrastructure despite economic uncertainty, with a total expected 2025 outlay of more than $300 billion. Although stock market reactions have mostly welcomed these expenditures, Wall Street is still wary of possible overexpenditure, particularly if a recession strikes or tariffs affect demand for hardware.
AI-Generated Deepfakes Cause Australian School Tragedy
Male students in New South Wales have been making and selling AI-generated explicit deepfake pictures of female classmates, causing great emotional suffering. Calls for legal changes have been sharpened by the sad suicide of 15-year-old Matilda “Tilly” Rosewarne following unending harassment including the distribution of a phony nude. Although the federal government has made deepfake sharing illegal, only Victoria now considers their production unlawful.
Deepfakes and Impostors in AI Job Search
Though more job seekers are participating, over 80% of major corporations include artificial intelligence in their recruitment procedures. Nearly one in five US hiring managers have come across applicants using deepfake technology in video interviews, prompting worries about authenticity and the need for better verification tools.
UK Reconsiders AI Copyright Law in Response to Backlash
UK ministers are reconsidering suggested modifications to copyright law that would let artificial intelligence firms train models using copyrighted content unless creators choose out. Artists and publishers, including Paul McCartney and Tom Stoppard, strongly criticized the suggestion. Peter Kyle, the technology secretary, now sees the opt-out mechanism as one of several choices rather than the preferred one. The government is looking at other options, including licensing agreements to guarantee creators of material are paid. Changes to the data bill seek to allay concerns and provide an economic impact study of possible modifications.
Meta’s LlamaCon Emphasizes Artificial Intelligence Rivalry
Intended as a significant forum to support Meta’s AI leadership, Meta’s first LlamaCon 2025 exposed the company’s lag behind rivals including DeepSeek in China and Qwen from Alibaba. Though it displayed llamas and lively presentations at its Menlo Park campus, the event underwhelmed developers. Among the main announcements were a new Llama API, alliances for quicker AI deployment, a $1.5 million grant program, and joint security initiatives. Developers, on the other hand, were let down by the lack of a new reasoning model, which has grown to be industry standard.
Retail Technology Cyber Attacks and AI Assistants
Among the most read retail technology stories last week were AI assistants, cyber attacks, and gaming debuts. Marks and Spencer’s cyberattack created havoc and cost the store millions of pounds in lost sales and a declining share price. Reportedly including DragonForce ransomware, the assault disabled online ordering systems and halted shipments.
Tissue AI: Tumor Imaging’s Future
Jeff Chuang is transforming tumor imaging with artificial intelligence. Tissue AI is like switching from a paper atlas to a high-resolution, interactive GPS system. Like a simple street map, traditional imaging techniques highlight key sites but lack the fine details crucial for understanding how a city actually operates.
Australia’s Labor Government Executes AI-Related Reforms
Australia is about to carry out several reforms in many areas following the electoral success of Anthony Albanese’s Labor government. On national security, the government intends $50.3 billion in defense spending, possible reacquisition of the Port of Darwin, and prohibitions on some foreign artificial intelligence technologies. Advances in defense technology brought about by the AUKUS alliance and innovation will also be promoted.
UN Warns of AI’s Press Freedom Threat
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk cautioned of the major threats to press freedom posed by artificial intelligence and censorship. He observed that governments are using artificial intelligence more and more as a “weapon” to control information distribution, therefore creating fresh difficulties for media organizations and reporters all around.
eBay’s AI-Generated Descriptions Ignite User Backlash
To simplify the selling process, eBay has included AI-generated descriptions into its app. Sellers can now edit item summaries they may automatically create. But some people worry that inaccuracy would cause more return or refund requests given their limited opt-out choices and discrepancies across listings. Buyers expressed skepticism in material produced by artificial intelligence and preferred thorough, human-written descriptions.
External Resources:
UK Copyright Reform & AI
The Guardian – Ministers Rethink UK AI Copyright ProposalAustralian AI Reforms
News.com.au – Australia’s Labor AI Security ChangesBig Tech AI Spending Scrutiny
MarketWatch – Wall Street Wary of AI Infrastructure CostsAI Deepfakes & Tragedy in Schools
Daily Telegraph – Deepfake Crisis in Australian SchoolseBay AI Description Backlash
Scottish Sun – eBay AI Change Baffles SellersUN Warns on AI & Free Press
UN Human Rights – Volker Türk on Press FreedomMeta’s LlamaCon Disappointment
Business Insider – Meta LlamaCon 2025 Fails to ImpressAI in Retail & Cyberattacks
Retail Tech Innovation Hub – M&S Cyberattack ChaosDeepfakes in Hiring
The Week – Deepfakes in Job Interviews RiseTissue AI for Medical Imaging
Jackson Laboratory – Tumor Imaging Using AI
