Policy · Page 20
regulation, copyright fights, safety rules and the politics of AI
A journalist says Silicon Valley billionaires have declared war on democracy. Here is his case.
Gil Durán's new book argues that big tech's richest owners have stopped being innovators and started acting like rulers. His ban from X, for two words, made the point for him.
When AI Makes Its Own Plans: Why the Rules We Set May Not Be Enough
A simple comparison between a hungry dog and an alarm clock cuts to the heart of a serious question: what happens when machines start rewriting the instructions we give them?
EU Gains Power to Fine, Block and Inspect AI Models, and OpenAI, Anthropic Are in the Crosshairs
New enforcement rules that took effect this week let European regulators demand access to AI systems before they go on sale in Europe, and hit companies with fines of up to 15 million euros for non-compliance.
US Officials Are Drafting a Ban on Chinese Datacenter Components Over AI Fears
The Trump administration wants to block imports of key Chinese fiber-optic parts that keep AI datacenters running. Here is what that means and why it matters.
Texas Orders Audit of New Data Centers Before They Can Join the Power Grid
Governor Greg Abbott wants to know exactly how much electricity, water and community disruption each new facility will demand, and no one yet knows how long that review will take.
Mistral's Bet on Open AI Is Starting to Pay Off
American export controls, a rogue AI incident, and a surge in European sovereignty concerns have handed the French lab an opening its rivals cannot easily close.
America Has a Data Center Problem, and AI Made It Worse
From MAGA rallies to environmental protests, ordinary Americans are furious about the AI infrastructure being built in their backyards. Here is why it happened.
UK Government Asks: Should Bosses Have to Warn Workers Before Installing Tracking Software?
A new consultation wants employers to consult staff before rolling out AI productivity scoring, keystroke logging and biometric surveillance. Workers in one in three UK organisations are already monitored.
OpenAI's luxury influencer retreat sparks backlash over AI's environmental and ethical costs
A farm-to-table weekend in upstate New York was meant to win over content creators. Instead, it handed critics a very photogenic target.
The EU Now Requires Companies to Label AI Chatbots and Deepfakes
New rules that took effect on 2 August 2026 force any company operating in Europe to tell users when they are talking to an AI, or viewing AI-generated content. Fines of up to €15 million are on the table for those that ignore them.
ChatGPT Is Pulling In 90% of Congress's AI Spending
House disbursement records show lawmakers spent around $100,580 on ChatGPT in a single year, dwarfing all other AI tools combined. Anthropic's Claude came second, at a distant $13,160.
Australia's fuel excise cut has ended. Here is what that means at the pump.
The temporary fuel tax relief introduced after the Iran conflict expired at midnight Monday. Treasurer Jim Chalmers is urging the fuel price regulator to watch service stations closely for unjustified price rises.
Every AI Ad, Chatbot and Playlist in Europe Now Needs a Label
The EU's AI Act transparency rules kick in on 2 August. From Spotify recommendations to complaint hotlines, businesses must tell people when AI is involved or face fines of up to €15 million.
A top House Democrat is demanding a tour of SpaceX's AI data centers in Memphis
Rep. Frank Pallone says the facilities are running gas turbines without proper permits, polluting the air, and shifting energy costs onto ordinary residents. He wants answers by August 11.
Rare books shredded to feed AI: Australian sellers sound the alarm
Secondhand and rare book dealers in Australia say old books are being bulk-bought, scanned for AI training data, then destroyed. For the people who trade in physical books, that process feels like cultural vandalism.