August 11, 2025

analysis  
meta, nvidia and apple Updates

Here's a quick rundown of the latest AI developments: TikTok Germany is facing strikes as the company replaces its moderation team of 150 in Berlin with AI and outsourced workers. The union ver.di is asking for severance packages and a longer layoff notice, similar to how Meta and X have also reduced safety teams. Meanwhile, more than 25,000 people have enrolled in a free online AI course from the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business since May 2025, aimed at building AI skills for career growth. In China, Alibaba's AI talent from its Tongyi Lab, known for the Qwen models (with over 400 million downloads), is being poached by rival tech firms like JD.com and Tencent. However, China is also showing hesitancy towards NVIDIA's H20 AI chips due to security concerns, with regulators investigating potential flaws, despite NVIDIA's denial of any backdoors. Apple's AI strategy remains unclear, according to Wedbush analyst Dan Ives. Despite some job loss concerns, the White House AI advisor, David Sacks, argues that AI's impact on jobs is overhyped, stating that AI still needs human input and people will lose jobs to those who use AI better, not to AI itself. AI futurist Zack Kass highlights AI's potential for growth and scientific breakthroughs, while also noting concerns about thinking skills and job displacement. Generative AI, like ChatGPT, is also transforming online shopping, with companies like Perplexity partnering with PayPal and OpenAI potentially working with Shopify to streamline checkout experiences. However, JPMorgan warns that AI could lead to job losses for white-collar workers, who now make up a larger share of the unemployed than those in manual jobs.

Key Takeaways

  • TikTok Germany workers are striking as the company replaces its moderation team with AI and outsourced workers.
  • The union ver.di is demanding severance and a one-year extension of the layoff notice for the 150 impacted TikTok employees in Berlin.
  • Over 25,000 people have enrolled in a free AI course from the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business since May 2025.
  • Top AI talent from Alibaba's Tongyi Lab, creator of the Qwen models, is being recruited by other Chinese tech firms like JD.com and Tencent.
  • China is hesitant about NVIDIA's H20 AI chips due to security concerns and potential backdoors.
  • Wedbush analyst Dan Ives says Apple's AI strategy is not clear.
  • White House AI advisor David Sacks believes AI's impact on job losses is overhyped.
  • AI futurist Zack Kass highlights AI's potential for growth and scientific breakthroughs, while also noting concerns about thinking skills and job displacement.
  • Generative AI like ChatGPT is transforming online shopping by streamlining checkout experiences through partnerships with companies like PayPal and potential collaborations with Shopify.
  • JPMorgan warns that AI could lead to job losses for white-collar workers, who now make up a larger share of the unemployed than those in manual jobs.

TikTok Germany workers strike over AI replacing human moderators

TikTok workers in Germany are striking because the company plans to replace its moderation team with AI and outsourced workers. The 150-person team in Berlin is responsible for removing harmful content. The trade union ver.di is asking for severance packages and a longer layoff notice period. TikTok has not yet agreed to negotiate with the union.

TikTok replaces German safety team with AI amid worker strikes

TikTok is replacing its trust and safety team in Germany with AI and contract workers, leading to strikes. The company is laying off 150 employees in Berlin who remove harmful content. The union ver.di is demanding severance and a one-year extension of the layoff notice. TikTok says the changes will streamline workflows and improve efficiency, investing $2 billion in trust and safety this year. Other companies like Meta and X have also cut safety teams in favor of AI.

UMD Smith AI course empowers 25,000+ for career growth

More than 25,000 people have enrolled in a free online AI course from the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business. The course, launched in May 2025, helps people build AI skills for their careers. It is designed for those switching from federal jobs, but anyone can join. The course includes 10 modules taught by Smith faculty, covering topics like AI literacy, marketing, and job searching.

Alibaba's AI experts poached by rival Chinese tech firms

Top AI talent from Alibaba’s Tongyi Lab, which created the Qwen models, is being recruited by other Chinese tech companies. Yan Zhijie, who led Tongyi’s speech lab, joined JD.com's Explore Academy. Bo Liefeng, head of Tongyi’s applied vision division, moved to Tencent’s Hunyuan AI model team. Alibaba says its Qwen models have over 400 million downloads. This reflects a strong demand for AI experts in China.

China hesitant on Nvidia's H20 AI chips over security concerns

China is showing resistance to NVIDIA's H20 AI chips due to security concerns. State media claims the chips are not safe and may have backdoors. A Chinese regulator is investigating the H20 chips for security flaws. NVIDIA says there are no backdoors, but Chinese media remains skeptical. This hesitation impacts NVIDIA's ability to sell its AI chips in the Chinese market.

Analyst says Apple's AI plans are 'invisible'

Wedbush's Dan Ives says Apple's AI strategy is not clear. He discussed whether it is too late for Apple to enter the AI race.

AI wiping out jobs is 'overhyped' says White House advisor

David Sacks, the White House AI and crypto advisor, believes the idea that AI will cause massive job losses is exaggerated. He says AI still needs human input to be useful for businesses. Sacks argues that AI hasn't advanced as quickly as predicted. He suggests people will lose jobs to those who use AI better, not to AI itself.

AI revolution changes the future of work

AI futurist Zack Kass says AI is creating machines with human-level intelligence that are becoming cheaper every day. He outlines three phases of AI enhanced applications, autonomous agents, and natural language operating systems. While AI offers growth potential and scientific breakthroughs, it also raises concerns about thinking skills, dehumanization, and job displacement. Kass suggests focusing on human skills like empathy and relationship-building, which AI can't replicate.

AI transforms online shopping with new checkout experiences

Generative AI like ChatGPT is changing online shopping by making checkout easier. Perplexity, an AI search engine, partnered with PayPal to handle transactions within its platform. OpenAI is reportedly working with Shopify on checkout technology. These changes allow users to buy things directly in chat, reducing steps and potentially disrupting payment systems like Venmo and Apple Pay. Experts say retailers must use AI to create seamless, personalized experiences.

AI could cause job losses for white-collar workers

A shift in unemployment suggests AI could hurt white-collar workers after the next recession. JPMorgan warns that AI could cause large-scale job losses for non-routine cognitive jobs like scientists and engineers. For the first time, these workers make up a larger share of the unemployed than those in manual jobs. This trend could lead to a dismal labor market with slow recovery, though some experts say fears of AI job losses are overhyped.

Sources

AI Artificial Intelligence Job displacement Automation AI ethics AI safety AI chips NVIDIA China Security concerns AI talent Recruitment Alibaba Tencent JD.com AI models Qwen H20 AI strategy Apple White House AI advisor AI adoption Future of work AI applications Online shopping E-commerce Generative AI ChatGPT PayPal OpenAI Shopify Checkout technology AI course University of Maryland Robert H. Smith School of Business AI skills Career growth TikTok Moderation Trust and safety Layoffs Strikes Germany Union ver.di Severance packages Contract workers Meta X Labor market Unemployment White-collar workers