AI Regulation, Walmart Shopping Agents, Ketryx, Athean, Microsoft, Nvidia, Autism Detection

A bipartisan group of 40 state attorneys general is opposing a Republican proposal to block states from regulating artificial intelligence for 10 years, citing concerns that it would deprive consumers of reasonable protections and undermine the work of state and local legislatures. Meanwhile, companies like Walmart are preparing for a future where AI plays a more active role in shopping, with the retail giant developing its own AI shopping agents and exploring how to make its products attractive to autonomous AI agents. Other companies, such as Ketryx and Athean, are launching AI-powered platforms to transform industries like product development and sales. Additionally, researchers are making breakthroughs in AI-powered detection systems, including a new system that can identify autism from hand movements with up to 89% accuracy. Microsoft is also investing heavily in AI, committing approximately $80 billion to build AI-enabled data centers. As AI continues to advance, experts like Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang are emphasizing the importance of learning how to interact with AI effectively, and building technical expertise in understanding its applications.

Key Takeaways

  • A bipartisan group of 40 state attorneys general is opposing a proposal to block states from regulating artificial intelligence for 10 years.
  • Walmart is developing its own AI shopping agents and exploring how to make its products attractive to autonomous AI agents.
  • Ketryx has launched validated AI agents for regulated industries, which can automate documentation and accelerate product delivery.
  • Athean has launched an AI-driven prospecting and engagement platform to transform how sales teams win deals.
  • Microsoft is committing approximately $80 billion to build AI-enabled data centers.
  • Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang believes that learning how to interact with AI is crucial for success in any profession.
  • Researchers have developed an AI system that can detect autism by analyzing how people grasp objects between their fingers.
  • Salem High School is piloting a security system that uses artificial intelligence to detect weapons.
  • Localization project managers are excited about the potential of AI to transform the translation industry.
  • Experts are emphasizing the importance of building technical expertise in understanding AI and its applications.

States Oppose AI Regulation Ban

A bipartisan group of 40 state attorneys general, including those from California, New York, and Ohio, are opposing a Republican proposal to block states from regulating artificial intelligence for 10 years. The proposal, included in President Donald Trump's tax cut bill, would preempt AI laws and regulations passed in dozens of states. The attorneys general argue that the moratorium would deprive consumers of reasonable protections and undermine the work of state and local legislatures to minimize existing harms. California has already implemented laws limiting specific uses of AI, such as generating sexually explicit images without consent and using unauthorized deepfakes in political advertising.

States Oppose AI Regulation Ban

A group of 40 state attorneys general, including Republicans from Ohio, Tennessee, and Virginia, are urging Congress to ditch a proposal that would block states from regulating artificial intelligence for 10 years. The proposal, included in President Donald Trump's tax cut bill, would preempt AI laws and regulations passed in dozens of states. The attorneys general argue that the moratorium would deprive consumers of reasonable protections and undermine the work of state and local legislatures to minimize existing harms. California has already implemented laws limiting specific uses of AI, such as generating sexually explicit images without consent and using unauthorized deepfakes in political advertising.

NY Lawmakers Oppose AI Legislation Moratorium

Over 50 New York lawmakers have signed a letter opposing a proposed 10-year moratorium on state and local municipalities' ability to pass AI-related legislation. The lawmakers argue that the moratorium would undermine the work of state and local legislatures to minimize existing harms and exacerbate the risks posed by AI development. The letter was sent to Speaker Mike Johnson and New York's Republican Congressional Delegation, and was spearheaded by New York State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, the Chair of the Senate Internet & Technology Committee.

Walmart Prepares for AI-Powered Shopping

Walmart is gearing up for a future where artificial intelligence plays a more active role in how people shop. The retail giant is exploring how to make its products attractive to autonomous AI agents that may soon handle shopping tasks on behalf of consumers. Walmart is developing its own AI shopping agents, which can already handle basic tasks like reordering groceries, and is working towards a future where outside agents can seamlessly communicate with the retailer's systems.

Walmart Gets Ready for AI Shopping Agents

Walmart is preparing for a future where AI agents do the shopping for consumers. The retail giant is developing its own AI shopping agents and is working with companies like Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal to integrate payment capabilities into AI chatbots. Walmart's AI agents can already handle basic tasks like reordering groceries, and the company is exploring how to make its products attractive to autonomous AI agents.

Ketryx Introduces Validated AI Agents

Ketryx has launched the first validated AI agents for regulated industries, which can transform the way highly regulated companies design, develop, and deploy new products to market. The AI agents maintain human-in-the-loop oversight for safety-critical decision-making and can automate documentation and accelerate product delivery. Ketryx's AI agents can also help companies identify risks and gaps, detect compliance issues, and surface hidden patterns that might otherwise go unnoticed by humans.

Athean Launches AI Sales Platform

Athean, a new AI-driven prospecting and engagement platform, has launched to transform how sales teams win deals. The platform centralizes the entire sales ecosystem into one intelligent platform, streamlining workflows and surfacing actionable insights. Athean's AI models arm sales reps with actionable insights into their accounts, and the platform can manage sales engagement, including calls, emails, and sequences.

Localization Project Manager Excited About AI

A localization project manager at Intento, Inc. is excited about the potential of AI to transform the translation industry. The manager believes that AI can help linguists spend more time on what matters most, such as cultural nuance and context, and can automate error-fixing tasks. The manager also highlights the importance of building technical expertise in understanding AI and its applications in the translation industry.

Microsoft Invests $80 Billion in AI Data Centers

Microsoft is committing approximately $80 billion in fiscal year 2025 to build AI-enabled data centers for training models and deploying AI solutions. The company views AI as central to its future and to America's continued technological leadership. Microsoft's AI strategy extends well beyond standalone products, with integration efforts spanning its entire ecosystem, including Microsoft 365, Windows, and enterprise tools.

Nvidia CEO on Using AI to Do Your Job Better

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang believes that learning how to interact with AI is crucial for success in any profession. He suggests that students should learn how to prompt AI effectively, using tools like ChatGPT, Gemini Pro, and Grok. Huang also emphasizes the importance of developing expertise in asking better questions and providing context for AI models to generate accurate responses.

Salem High School Deploys AI Weapons Detection System

Salem High School is piloting a security system that uses artificial intelligence to detect weapons. The system, provided by Coram AI, uses AI to monitor the school's existing camera feeds for any sign of weapons. If a threat is detected, the system notifies a designated group of staff and administrators, as well as members of the Salem Police Department. The system is less intrusive and always monitoring, and can also be used for visitor management and reunification.

New AI Can Identify Autism from Hand Movements

Researchers at York University have developed an AI system that can detect autism by analyzing how people grasp objects between their fingers. The system uses motion-tracking and machine learning to extract motor control features, such as finger speed and hand trajectory, and can correctly detect autism with up to 89% accuracy. The researchers believe that this method could provide a more accessible and non-invasive way to detect autism, especially in children.

Sources

Artificial Intelligence AI Regulation State Attorneys General AI Laws AI Agents Machine Learning