GoKawiil
Tech News
Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Greg Casar have introduced legislation that would prohibit companies from developing artificial superintelligence, citing recent incidents where AI systems behaved unpredictably. Sanders argued that AI executives themselves admit they can't fully control their technology, making further advancement irresponsible without safeguards.
At the G20 Innovation Ministerial in Chapel Hill, the Trump administration pushed back against AI regulation, with OSTP director Michael Kratsios warning that outdated rules could stifle innovation and cause countries to fall behind. The US is promoting the 'Carolina Principles,' a pro-innovation framework favoring industry-led standards over government oversight, while AI czar David Sacks argued that creating an 'FDA for AI' or 'DMV for AI' would be disastrous for the sector.
The Trump administration is pushing G20 countries to endorse a framework called the 'Carolina Principles,' which would discourage strict government regulation of artificial intelligence. The push aims to align global AI policy with a laissez-faire approach favored by U.S. tech companies.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul publicly responded to Cody Wilson, a leading advocate for 3D-printed firearms, saying she intends to act ahead of his efforts to spread untraceable, unregulated guns. She defended the state's strict gun laws, including background checks and registration requirements, as key to New York's low gun homicide rate.
A commentary argues that the widespread criticism of GDPR, especially over cookie consent banners, misreads what's happening. The author contends that companies deliberately designed those banners as confusing dark patterns to frustrate users into clicking 'accept,' not because the regulation demanded it, and that this design choice is being unfairly blamed on the law itself.
The EU's Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, which took initial effect August 12, replaces the 1994 Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive and now applies to any business shipping goods into the bloc's 27 member states. Independent tabletop RPG creators like Johan Nohr and Josh Fox say the rules, combined with Extended Producer Responsibility fees that differ by country and sometimes recur annually, are proving costly and confusing to navigate. Fox, of Black Armada, says the compliance burden may force his company to halt sales in the EU.
A federal appeals court ruled that states retain authority to regulate prediction markets under their gambling laws, rejecting arguments that federal oversight preempts state action. The decision addresses ongoing legal disputes over platforms like Kalshi that offer event-based betting contracts.
A recent legal settlement involving Meta imposes new regulatory obligations on the company even as authorities argue it wields excessive market power. Critics note the compliance requirements demand significant resources, which larger firms can absorb more easily than smaller rivals.
In a lengthy essay, Bill Gates cautioned that artificial intelligence is advancing faster than governments and institutions can prepare for, with no coordinated strategy in place to manage its effects. He called for regulation and international cooperation to address risks to employment, safety and general well-being.
Canada's requirement that streaming services fund and feature domestic content has drawn attention as a potential irritant in trade negotiations with the United States. US officials and industry groups have pointed to these rules as a barrier that disadvantages American streaming companies operating in Canada.
The Dutch Data Protection Authority fined Uber roughly $966 million after finding that between 2018 and 2022 the company suspended European drivers using automated systems without meaningful human review, violating GDPR's Article 22 protections against purely automated decisions with significant consequences. The case stemmed from a 2020 complaint filed with France's CNIL by La Ligue des droits de l'Homme on behalf of over 170 drivers, and was handled by Dutch authorities since Uber's main EU base is in Amsterdam. Uber plans to appeal, arguing that fraud suspensions were brief, permanent deactivations always involved human review, and drivers had appeal options.
The Dutch Data Protection Authority has fined Uber roughly $966 million for deactivating driver accounts through automated systems without adequate human review or warning, marking one of the largest penalties issued under GDPR. The investigation stemmed from complaints, including one from former French Uber driver Brahim Ben Ali, who gathered testimony from 170 other drivers alleging similar treatment. Uber disputes the regulator's findings and plans to appeal the fine.