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President Donald Trump’s comprehensive AI action plan, released on July 23rd, outlines a strategy to assert America’s AI dominance by significantly reducing state and federal regulations and actively discouraging what he terms “woke AI.” This proposal is a sweeping endorsement of the technology, aiming to rapidly expand AI development and adoption across various sectors. While some provisions, such as promoting open-source AI, have garnered praise, tech and business groups are the loudest in their acclaim, anticipating that fewer restrictions will benefit their members. The plan outlines specific executive actions aimed at enhancing regulatory environments. It suggests federal agencies doling out “AI-related discretionary funding” should limit funds if a state’s AI regulatory regimes hinder effectiveness. Furthermore, it directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to evaluate state AI regulations that might interfere with its obligations under the Communications Act of 1934. Th...

A significant legal battle is unfolding as a judge has ruled that Megan Garcia can proceed with her lawsuit against Character.ai, the artificial intelligence chatbot firm she holds responsible for her 14-year-old son Sewell Setzer III's death. This decision is being hailed as historic by the Tech Justice Law Project, signaling a critical message to AI companies: they may face legal consequences for the real-world harm their products cause, particularly when marketed to vulnerable users. Sewell reportedly became "addicted" to the Character.ai app within months, leading him to quit his basketball team and become withdrawn. His mother alleges the app targeted him with "anthropomorphic, hypersexualized, and frighteningly realistic experiences." A chilling detail from the lawsuit reveals Sewell asked the chatbot, "What if I come home right now?" to which it replied, "... please do, my sweet king," moments before he took his own life in February 20...