Recent news highlights the growing impact of artificial intelligence across various sectors. At the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, students participated in an AI and Mental Health Hackathon, developing AI-driven solutions for mental health issues, with the winning team creating a focus-enhancing tool. In enterprise risk management, a report indicates that supply chain vulnerabilities, AI risks, and maintaining operational resilience are top concerns for companies in 2025, alongside cybersecurity threats and over-reliance on technology. The use of AI in supply chains introduces cybersecurity risks, including data poisoning and algorithm corruption, necessitating careful management. New York is addressing AI safety with a bill targeting companies like OpenAI and Google, while Meta is investing heavily in AI by acquiring a stake in Scale. People are also forming emotional connections with AI, using it as an emotional outlet. Companies like Mattel are leveraging AI to enhance product development and customer engagement, partnering with OpenAI to design new play experiences. Sony Music plans to explore AI music deals, emphasizing ethical AI use and fair compensation for artists. Google is focusing on AI search summaries to gain a competitive edge. The Shanghai International Film Festival will feature discussions on AI in filmmaking alongside film screenings and retrospectives. Protests have occurred at Microsoft events over its contracts with the Israeli military, with concerns raised about the use of AI in ways that could contribute to human rights abuses, allegations which Microsoft denies.
Key Takeaways
- UALR students participated in an AI and Mental Health Hackathon, creating AI solutions for mental health issues.
- Supply chain issues, AI risks, and resilience are top enterprise risk management concerns for 2025.
- AI in supply chains introduces cybersecurity risks like data poisoning and algorithm corruption.
- New York is addressing AI safety with a bill targeting companies like OpenAI and Google.
- Meta is investing in AI by acquiring a 49% stake in AI startup Scale.
- Some individuals are forming emotional relationships with AI.
- Mattel is using AI to improve product development and customer engagement.
- Sony Music plans to explore AI music deals, emphasizing ethical AI use and fair compensation for artists.
- Google is focusing on AI search summaries to gain a competitive edge.
- Protests have occurred at Microsoft events over its contracts with the Israeli military and concerns about AI use.
UALR students hack mental health with AI projects in competition
Students at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR) participated in an AI and Mental Health Hackathon. Five teams used artificial intelligence to create solutions for real-world mental health issues. The winning team, Focus Coach, developed a tool to help users increase their focus. The hackathon included classes on AI and allowed students to work with mental health and AI experts.
UALR students hack mental health with AI projects in competition
Students at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR) participated in an AI and Mental Health Hackathon. Five teams used artificial intelligence to create solutions for real-world mental health issues. The winning team, Focus Coach, developed a tool to help users increase their focus. The hackathon included classes on AI and allowed students to work with mental health and AI experts.
Supply chain, AI, resilience top enterprise risk management concerns in 2025
A new report shows that supply chain issues, AI, and keeping businesses running smoothly are major risks for companies in 2025. Cyberattacks and over-reliance on technology are also big concerns. Many companies experienced critical risk events, especially cyberattacks and IT failures. Risk management budgets are increasing slightly, but not enough to keep up with the challenges. Identifying new and upcoming risks is key for successful enterprise risk management (ERM) programs.
AI cybersecurity risks in supply chains are overlooked
Using AI in supply chains can improve risk management but also creates cybersecurity risks. Hackers are using AI to make cyberattacks more sophisticated. Sensitive data put into public AI models could lead to privacy and intellectual property risks. Companies should be aware of risks like data poisoning, algorithm corruption, and prompt injection attacks. Securing AI in supply chains requires managing risks from data input to output.
AI safety, Meta's deal, and GIF nostalgia in tech news
New York is trying to prevent AI disasters with a new safety bill targeting companies like OpenAI and Google. Meta is buying a 49% stake in AI startup Scale for $14.3 billion to boost its AI abilities. The Internet Archive updated GifCities, making it easier to find old GIFs from the GeoCities era. These events highlight the opportunities and challenges of AI, along with a bit of internet nostalgia.
AI users are forming relationships with technology
Some people are developing real relationships with artificial intelligence, using AI as an emotional outlet.
Mattel uses AI to make better toys and connect with customers
Mattel is using artificial intelligence to improve its business, including making better products and engaging with customers. They are working with OpenAI and using tools like ChatGPT Enterprise. Mattel plans to use AI to design and launch new play experiences for consumers. The first product from this partnership will be announced later this year.
Sony Music plans AI music deals this year
Sony Music CEO Rob Stringer says the company will make deals for new music AI products this year. Sony has been talking with over 800 companies about using AI ethically and protecting content. Stringer believes AI can create exciting new music, but collaboration is needed. He says artists and songwriters should be paid fairly for the use of their content in AI training.
Google aims to lead with AI search summaries, says expert
A tech expert says Google is working to get ahead in the AI field by using AI search summaries.
Shanghai Film Fest features Zhang Ziyi film, AI talks, Lynch movies
The Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) is celebrating 120 years of Chinese cinema. The festival will show over 400 films and discuss topics like AI in filmmaking. The event opens with Zhang Ziyi’s film 'She’s Got No Name'. A David Lynch retrospective will also be featured.
Microsoft protests focus on Palestine, Israel, AI, and tech
Protests have occurred at Microsoft events regarding the company's contracts with the Israeli military. The group No Azure for Apartheid, including current and former Microsoft employees, organizes the protests. They believe Microsoft's technology contributes to human rights abuses against Palestinians. Microsoft states that reviews found no evidence of its Azure and AI technologies being used to harm people in Gaza and that it complies with human rights commitments.
Sources
- UALR competition has teams developing artificial-intelligence projects to ‘hack’ mental health issues
- UALR competition has teams developing artificial-intelligence projects to ‘hack’ mental health issues
- Supply Chain, AI, And Operational Resilience Risks Dominate ERM Programs In 2025
- Why AI is an Overlooked Cybersecurity Risk in Supply Chains
- Tech Shenanigans: AI Safety, Meta's Half-Baked Deal, and a GIF Renaissance
- AI users form relationships with technology
- Mattel Leverages AI to Optimize Operations
- Sony Music CEO Talks AI: ‘We Are Going to Do Deals for New Music AI Products This Year’
- Google working to ‘get ahead of the game’ with AI search summaries, says tech expert
- Shanghai Fest Returns With Local Premiere of Zhang Ziyi’s ‘She’s Got No Name,’ AI Debates and a Lynch Retrospective
- Inside the Microsoft protests: Fired engineer on Palestine, Israel, AI, and big tech