May 16, 2025

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Meta EU Lawsuit, UAE AI Investment, OpenAI Valuation, AI Safety for Kids

Recent developments in the field of artificial intelligence have sparked both excitement and concern. Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is facing legal challenges in the EU over its plans to use personal data to train AI models, with critics arguing that the company's approach violates the General Data Protection Regulation. Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates has reaffirmed its commitment to a $1.4 trillion investment framework in the US, including in artificial intelligence and semiconductors. Other companies, such as OpenAI and Cognichip, are working to develop new AI technologies, including AI-powered chip development and AI models for software engineering. As AI becomes increasingly prevalent, there are growing concerns about its impact on society, including its potential risks for children and the need for journalists to adapt to its use in the industry. To address these concerns, a coalition of organizations has called for lawmakers and the tech industry to make AI safer for kids, and companies such as Microsoft are offering free AI skills training to help workers develop the skills they need to succeed in an AI-driven economy.

Key Takeaways

  • Meta is facing legal challenges in the EU over its plans to use personal data to train AI models.
  • The United Arab Emirates has reaffirmed its commitment to a $1.4 trillion investment framework in the US, including in artificial intelligence and semiconductors.
  • OpenAI's ability to make real money is still uncertain, despite its valuation of $300 billion.
  • A coalition of organizations has called for lawmakers and the tech industry to make AI safer for kids.
  • Journalists must adapt to the use of artificial intelligence in the industry, which has the potential to revolutionize the field but also poses challenges and risks.
  • Microsoft is offering free AI skills training as part of its AI Skills Fest.
  • Cognichip, a San Francisco-based startup, has emerged from stealth with the goal of using generative AI to develop new chips.
  • Windsurf, a startup that develops AI tools for software engineers, has launched its first family of AI software engineering models.
  • The UAE and US have unveiled a plan to build a multi-gigawatt AI data center in Abu Dhabi.
  • A free online AI program has been launched to help former federal employees get started in AI.

Meta Faces New EU Legal Challenges

Meta is facing new legal challenges in the EU over its plans to use personal data to train AI models. The Austrian rights group None of Your Business has sent a cease and desist order to Meta, arguing that the company's plans violate the General Data Protection Regulation Act. Meta has cited the GDPR's 'legitimate interests' basis for processing data, but the group claims that this does not apply. The company has also been warned by a German consumer group, VZ NRW, which has applied for a preliminary injunction against Meta's plans. Meta had paused its AI training efforts in June 2024 after pressure from the Irish Data Protection Commission, but has now announced plans to resume training. The company claims that its approach complies with EU laws, but the rights group and consumer group disagree.

Meta AI Training Faces EU Legal Challenge

The Austria-based digital rights group noyb has sent a cease and desist letter to Meta over its AI training plans in the EU. The group argues that Meta's plans to use public posts and user interactions to train AI models are not compliant with the General Data Protection Regulation. noyb claims that Meta should ask for opt-in consent instead of relying on an opt-out system. The group has also threatened to file an injunction and potential class actions if Meta goes ahead with its plans. Meta has announced plans to resume AI training in the EU, despite concerns from regulators and consumer groups. The company claims that its approach complies with EU laws, but noyb disagrees.

Meta Accused of Flouting EU Privacy Rules

Meta has been accused of flouting EU privacy rules by using personal data to train AI models without explicit opt-in consent. The privacy advocacy group noyb has sent a cease and desist letter to Meta, arguing that the company's plans violate the General Data Protection Regulation. noyb claims that Meta's reliance on 'legitimate interest' as a basis for processing data is not valid. The group has also threatened to file a European class action against Meta. Meta has defended its approach, claiming that it complies with EU laws and provides users with a clear way to object to their data being used for AI training.

UAE Reaffirms AI Investment Commitment

The United Arab Emirates has reaffirmed its commitment to a 10-year, $1.4 trillion framework for investment in the US, including in artificial intelligence and semiconductors. The investment plan was initially reached in March, and UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has confirmed the country's commitment to the deal. The investment is expected to boost the development of AI and semiconductor technologies in the US and UAE.

Trump and UAE Unveil AI Data Center Plan

President Donald Trump and UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed have unveiled a plan to build a multi-gigawatt AI data center in Abu Dhabi. The data center is expected to power American technology and will be a major hub for AI development in the region. The plan was announced during a meeting between the two leaders, and the data center is expected to be a key part of the UAE's efforts to develop its AI capabilities.

Free AI Program for Former Feds

A free online AI program has been launched to help former federal employees get started in AI. The program, which is open to anyone in the world, provides an overview of AI and its applications in business, as well as career empowerment training. The program is designed to help participants learn about AI and how it can be used in various industries, and to provide them with the skills they need to find jobs in the field. The program is free and online, and is available in multiple languages.

Journalists Must Adapt to AI

Journalists must adapt to the use of artificial intelligence in the industry, as it is becoming increasingly prevalent. AI can be used to perform tasks such as background research and fact-checking, and can help to improve the efficiency and accuracy of journalism. However, there are also ethical concerns surrounding the use of AI in journalism, and journalists must be careful to use AI in a way that is transparent and responsible. The use of AI in journalism has the potential to revolutionize the industry, but it also poses challenges and risks that must be addressed.

YBUOJ Launches AI Risk Assessment System

YBUOJ has launched a new AI risk assessment system that can evaluate the risk levels of platform user behavior in real-time. The system is designed to provide users with greater peace of mind and to enhance the platform's foresight in handling complex financial risks. The system integrates and analyzes historical user behavior data to generate multidimensional risk scoring models, and is a key milestone in YBUOJ's long-term commitment to security mechanisms and building an intelligent trading ecosystem.

Will OpenAI Make Real Money?

OpenAI, the company behind the popular AI model ChatGPT, has become a global business superstar since its launch in November 2022. However, the company's ability to make real money is still uncertain. OpenAI's CEO, Sam Altman, has said that the company has the 'coolest, most important job maybe in history', but the company's valuation of $300 billion is still largely based on its potential rather than its actual revenue. The company's future success will depend on its ability to monetize its AI technology and to compete with other companies in the field.

Coalition Calls for AI Safety for Kids

A coalition of over 50 organizations has called for lawmakers and the tech industry to make AI safer for kids. The coalition has proposed five guidelines for AI products targeted towards children, including banning attention-based design and protecting children's data. The coalition argues that AI products can have a significant impact on children's lives, and that it is essential to ensure that these products are designed with safety and responsibility in mind. The coalition's call to action comes as concerns grow about the potential risks of AI for children, including the risk of exploitation and harm.

Cognichip Emerges with AI Chip Development Goal

Cognichip, a San Francisco-based startup, has emerged from stealth with the goal of using generative AI to develop new chips. The company aims to create a foundational AI model that can help bring new chips to market faster, and has raised $33 million in seed funding to support its efforts. Cognichip's approach, known as 'artificial chip intelligence', has the potential to speed up chip production times by 50% and reduce associated costs. The company's founder, Faraj Aalaei, believes that AI can help to democratize access to building chips, making it easier for smaller companies to develop specialized chips.

Microsoft Offers Free AI Skills Training

Microsoft is offering free AI skills training for two more weeks, as part of its AI Skills Fest. The training is available in multiple languages and covers a range of topics, from beginner to advanced levels. Participants can learn about AI and its applications in business, and can also take part in hackathons, self-paced learning, and community forums. Microsoft has also announced prizes and discounts for participants, including 50,000 free certification vouchers and a 50% discount on GitHub's newest certification exam. The training is available until May 28, and participants can register now to take part.

Windsurf Launches In-House AI Models

Windsurf, a startup that develops AI tools for software engineers, has launched its first family of AI software engineering models. The models, known as SWE-1, SWE-1-lite, and SWE-1-mini, are designed to be optimized for the entire software engineering process, not just coding. Windsurf claims that its models perform competitively with other AI models, and will be available to all users on its platform, with the largest model only available to paid users. The launch of Windsurf's in-house AI models is a significant development in the field of AI-powered software engineering, and has the potential to improve the efficiency and accuracy of software development.

Sources

AI Meta EU GDPR Data Protection Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning Data Privacy