July 5, 2025

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Google, Meta Face EU AI Act, ChatGPT Controls Spacecraft

The EU is moving forward with its AI Act despite concerns from companies like Alphabet, Meta, Mistral AI, and ASML, who fear it will hinder Europe's AI competitiveness. The Act, which bans risky AI practices and regulates high-risk applications, began implementation in February, with full rules expected by mid-2026. Meanwhile, in Texas, the state legislature passed the Texas Responsible Artificial Intelligence Governance Act (TRAIGA), setting rules for AI systems, requiring disclosure, and prohibiting social scoring and harmful AI applications, set to take effect January 1, 2026, if signed by the Governor. In other AI developments, Spotify's CEO, Daniel Ek, with a net worth of $10.3 billion, invested €600 million in Helsing, an AI weapons company, leading to protests, including the band Deerhoof removing their music from Spotify. Controversy also surrounds the band The Velvet Sundown, accused of using AI-generated music, which they deny, while Spotify does not plan to ban AI music. AI is also making waves in various sectors: Salesapps reports AI saves sales teams 20% and marketing teams 50% of their time through intelligent sales enablement. My Archischool in Hong Kong teaches architecture using AI to enhance students' creativity. However, a Georgia lawyer was fined $2,500 for using AI-generated fake cases in court. OpenAI's ChatGPT demonstrated surprising capabilities by controlling a simulated spacecraft, achieving second place in a competition. UTMatamoros is opening a new AI lab for students, launching an Artificial Intelligence degree program in September. Natasha Lyonne is lobbying the Trump administration on behalf of Hollywood to protect intellectual property from AI infringement. Jamie Metzl, a technology expert, suggests people are warming up to AI.

Key Takeaways

  • The EU will implement its AI Act as planned, despite requests from companies like Alphabet and Meta for delays.
  • Texas passed TRAIGA to govern AI use, including disclosure requirements and bans on social scoring.
  • Spotify CEO Daniel Ek invested €600 million in AI weapons firm Helsing, sparking controversy.
  • The band The Velvet Sundown is accused of using AI to generate music, which they deny.
  • AI is reportedly saving sales teams 20% and marketing teams 50% of their time, according to Salesapps.
  • My Archischool in Hong Kong is teaching architecture using AI to enhance students' designs.
  • A Georgia lawyer was fined $2,500 for using AI-generated fake cases in court.
  • OpenAI's ChatGPT performed well in controlling a simulated spacecraft, placing second in a competition.
  • UTMatamoros is opening a new AI lab and launching an AI degree program in September.
  • Natasha Lyonne is lobbying the Trump administration to protect Hollywood's intellectual property from AI infringement.

EU says AI rules will proceed on schedule despite company requests

The European Commission announced that the EU's AI Act will be implemented as planned, despite requests from companies like Alphabet, Meta, Mistral, and ASML to delay it. Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated there would be no delays or grace periods. The AI Act's provisions began in February, with general AI model obligations starting in August and high-risk model obligations in August 2026. The Commission also plans to simplify digital rules for small companies. Some companies worry about the costs and strict rules of the AI Act, which aims to regulate AI technology.

EU says AI rules will proceed on schedule despite company requests

The European Commission announced that the EU's AI Act will be implemented as planned, despite requests from companies like Alphabet, Meta, Mistral, and ASML to delay it. Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated there would be no delays or grace periods. The AI Act's provisions began in February, with general AI model obligations starting in August and high-risk model obligations in August 2026. The Commission also plans to simplify digital rules for small companies. Some companies worry about the costs and strict rules of the AI Act, which aims to regulate AI technology.

EU to stick with AI legislation timeline despite tech company pushback

The European Union will continue with its AI legislation timeline, despite efforts from tech companies like Alphabet, Meta, Mistral AI, and ASML to delay the AI Act. These companies fear it will hurt Europe's ability to compete in AI. The AI Act bans risky AI uses like manipulation and social scoring. It also sets rules for high-risk uses like biometrics and AI in education. The EU started the AI Act last year, with full rules by mid-2026.

EU to stick with AI legislation timeline despite tech company pushback

The European Union will continue with its AI legislation timeline, despite efforts from tech companies like Alphabet, Meta, Mistral AI, and ASML to delay the AI Act. These companies fear it will hurt Europe's ability to compete in AI. The AI Act bans risky AI uses like manipulation and social scoring. It also sets rules for high-risk uses like biometrics and AI in education. The EU started the AI Act last year, with full rules by mid-2026.

Spotify CEO invests in AI weapons firm artists call for boycott

Spotify CEO Daniel Ek invested €600 million in Helsing, an AI weapons company. In response, the band Deerhoof removed their music from Spotify to protest Ek's investment. Deerhoof stated they don't want their music used for killing. Ek, with a net worth of $10.3 billion, is now chairman of Helsing, which makes AI-powered military drones. Deerhoof criticized the militarization of technology and called Spotify a 'data-mining scam'.

Is The Velvet Sundown an AI band? Controversy hits Spotify

The Velvet Sundown, an indie band on Spotify, is accused of using AI to generate their music. The band has over 850,000 monthly listeners. The band's Spotify page lists members Gabe Farrow, Lennie West, Milo Rains, and Orion 'Rio' Del Mar. The band denies using AI, but none of the members have given interviews or have social media. Deezer's AI detector says the band's music is 100% AI-generated. Spotify's CEO, Daniel Ek, will not ban AI music from the platform.

Texas passes law to govern responsible use of artificial intelligence

The Texas legislature passed the Texas Responsible Artificial Intelligence Governance Act (TRAIGA). TRAIGA sets rules for AI systems, defined as systems that generate outputs influencing physical or virtual environments. The law requires disclosure of AI systems to consumers and prohibits AI systems from calculating social scores. It also bans AI systems designed to incite self-harm or discriminate unlawfully. The Texas Attorney General will enforce the law, with penalties for violations. If signed by the Governor, TRAIGA will take effect January 1, 2026.

AI saves sales teams 20% of time marketing teams 50%

AI is changing B2B sales, leading to intelligent sales enablement. Salesapps uses AI agents to improve sales team efficiency while protecting data. These AI agents profile companies and buyers, create sales presentations, and summarize meeting notes. AI saves sales teams at least 20% of their time and marketing teams up to 50%. Salesapps focuses on AI-powered sales enablement and modern selling.

School teaches architecture using AI from sketch to final render

My Archischool in Hong Kong teaches architecture to students aged 6 to 17, using AI tools. The school combines hand-drawn sketches, paper models, and 3D models with AI. Students use AI to visualize complex ideas and create detailed architectural scenes. This method helps students understand architectural details and spatial composition. The school emphasizes that AI should enhance, not replace, students' creativity.

Georgia lawyer fined for using fake AI-generated cases in court

A Georgia Court of Appeal fined attorney Diana Lynch $2,500 for using fake cases in a divorce case. The judge found that many cases cited by Lynch did not exist and were likely made up by AI. Lynch cited these non-existent cases to support her arguments. The judges were concerned about the use of fake cases and vacated the previous court order. The case was sent back to a lower court for reconsideration.

ChatGPT controls spaceship in simulation with surprising results

Researchers found that OpenAI's ChatGPT performed well in controlling a simulated spacecraft. Scientists from MIT and the Universidad Polit\u00e9cnica de Madrid used ChatGPT as an autonomous agent. The AI model exceeded expectations in a space simulation competition based on Kerbal Space Program. It scored second place against other AI agents. The research was done before the release of GPT-4, suggesting newer versions could perform even better.

UTMatamoros opens new AI lab for students

UTMatamoros (Technological University of Matamoros) has opened a new Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. This lab will help students develop skills in programming, data analysis, and automation. The university's Artificial Intelligence degree program will start in September. UTMatamoros is one of the first schools in the border region to offer this type of program. The lab aims to create new opportunities for students in technology and innovation.

Natasha Lyonne lobbies Trump on AI regulation for Hollywood

Actress Natasha Lyonne is leading Hollywood's effort to get the government to address AI concerns. Lyonne is urging the Trump administration to protect creators' intellectual property from AI infringement. She gathered over 400 signatures, including Paul McCartney and Ben Stiller, for a letter to the Trump administration. The letter argues against loosening AI regulations that could harm creative industries. Lyonne is a partner in Asteria, an AI film and animation studio.

AI expert says AI will revolutionize our lives

Author and technology expert Jamie Metzl says people are warming up to artificial intelligence. He discussed the topic on Fox News Live.

Sources

AI Act European Commission EU Regulation Alphabet Meta Mistral AI ASML AI legislation High-risk AI Biometrics Education Helsing AI weapons Spotify Daniel Ek Boycott The Velvet Sundown AI music Texas Responsible Artificial Intelligence Governance Act TRAIGA Social scoring Salesapps AI agents Sales enablement My Archischool Architecture AI tools Hong Kong Diana Lynch Legal Fake AI-generated cases ChatGPT Spacecraft simulation MIT Universidad Politécnica de Madrid UTMatamoros Artificial Intelligence Laboratory Natasha Lyonne Hollywood Trump administration Intellectual property Jamie Metzl