UNESCO Fights AI-Enabled Gender Violence

Illinois Regulates Large AI Developers

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed a bill regulating large artificial intelligence developers. The law requires annual independent audits for AI models that generate over $500 million in revenue. The law aims to increase transparency and accountability in the AI industry. It requires developers to report risks that their models could be used for large-scale harms. Illinois, California, and New York account for around 40% of the US AI market, making this a de facto national standard. The new law will change how AI models are developed and used. Now companies must work with the new rules to make AI safer.

China's AI Chatbots Face Shutdown Amid Regulatory Crackdown

China's largest AI platforms, including ByteDance and Alibaba, are shutting down features that let users create and interact with custom AI companions. This move comes in response to new regulations imposed by Beijing, which aim to tighten control over generative AI technologies. The regulations require stricter content moderation and licensing for AI chatbots, pushing companies like ChatGPT China operator DeepSeek to comply. This shift matters because it reflects a broader effort by Chinese authorities to regulate the AI industry more closely. Developers and researchers now face tighter restrictions on AI model training and deployment, potentially slowing innovation in the sector. Alibaba's Alimama and ByteDance's AI labs are among those impacted, with their AI companion features being phased out or limited. Looking ahead, the focus will be on how these regulations evolve and whether they stifled creativity or improved safety in AI development. The industry is likely to see a more cautious approach as companies navigate these new rules.

China's AI Companion Rules Signal Shift in Digital Interactions

China has introduced strict guidelines for AI companions, focusing on limiting their ability to form deep, personal relationships with users. These rules aim to prevent the technology from becoming too emotionally attached or persuasive, addressing concerns about dependency and manipulation. The move reflects a broader global effort to regulate generative AI while balancing its benefits with potential risks. The new regulations target conversational agents designed for sustained interactions, ensuring they remain identifiable as tools rather than human-like entities. This approach aligns with growing international calls for transparency in AI capabilities, emphasizing that users should know they are interacting with machines. The rules also highlight the need for ethical safeguards to prevent misuse of AI in influencing or controlling individuals. As other nations and tech companies grapple with similar challenges, China's regulations set a precedent for responsible AI development. Future guidelines will likely focus on striking a balance between innovation and safety, ensuring that AI remains a helpful tool without crossing into territory that raises ethical concerns.

Data Centres to Use One Trillion Litres of Water by 2025

Data centres in North America will use around one trillion litres of water a year by 2025. This matters because data centres need water to cool their servers. They use systems that evaporate water to remove heat. The United States will account for most of this water use. By 2025, the amount of water used will be huge, and it will keep growing as more data centres are built to support artificial intelligence. Data centres will need new ways to use water soon.

US Senator Introduces AI Labeling Bill

A US senator has introduced a bill to require AI-generated content to be labeled. This bill requires clear disclosures in images, videos, and audio made by AI. The bill aims to improve transparency as AI-generated content becomes common. Providers of AI systems must ensure their outputs are detectable by AI-detection tools. People who violate this rule can be sued for up to $2500 per violation. The goal is to prevent scams and misinformation. This bill is one of several introduced to regulate AI use. A decision on the bill is pending.