July 1, 2025

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Microsoft, Amazon, Google AI Education Pledge, Nvidia Funds

Several key developments are shaping the AI landscape. In the realm of regulation, Senators have reached a bipartisan agreement to temporarily pause state AI laws for five years, with exceptions for laws protecting children's online safety and copyright. This agreement, supported by tech companies and venture firms, includes a provision where states accepting $500 million in AI funding must adhere to the ban. However, the House's stance remains uncertain. Meanwhile, AI's impact on the job market and education is becoming clearer. Upwork has formed an Economic Advisory Council with experts from MIT, Stanford, and Georgetown to study how AI is changing work, aiming to measure AI's effect on the job market and guide AI marketplace ethics. Pearson is expanding its AI learning content, building on the success of its Generative AI Foundations Certification, to address a potential $1.1 trillion skills gap in the US and UK. Pearson partners with Microsoft, Amazon, and Google to enhance AI education, offering content in nine languages. Executive search firms are also being transformed by AI, with companies like Bespoke and TopGun using AI to improve candidate data and refine job needs, although they emphasize that human judgment remains crucial. AI is now considered a defining investment theme, driving growth for companies like Nvidia, Microsoft, Amazon, Google, Meta, and Apple, with US AI and big data funds reaching $5.5 billion by early 2025. However, investors are cautioned to consider the high risks associated with AI funds. Despite AI's growing influence, certain jobs requiring empathy, creative strategy, and relationship-building are expected to remain secure. In cybersecurity, AI is being used for both attacks and defense, prompting the ACM to launch a new journal, TAISAP, focused on AI security and privacy. The White House is also addressing AI education, launching an AI Education Pledge with over 60 companies, including Adobe, Amazon, Google, and Microsoft, to provide AI education materials to K-12 students. On a different note, Hertz customers have expressed concerns over damage charges detected by AI scanners, leading to disputes over fees. Finally, Carnegie Mellon University is rethinking its computer science program to adapt to the AI era, focusing more on thinking skills and integrating AI into various subjects.

Key Takeaways

  • Senators have agreed to a five-year pause on state AI laws, with exceptions for child safety and copyright, contingent on states accepting federal AI funding.
  • Upwork has established an Economic Advisory Council with experts from MIT, Stanford, and Georgetown to study AI's impact on work.
  • Pearson is expanding its AI learning content, partnering with Microsoft, Amazon, and Google, to address a potential $1.1 trillion skills gap.
  • Executive search firms like Bespoke and TopGun are using AI to enhance talent pools and improve candidate data.
  • AI is a defining investment theme, with US AI and big data funds reaching $5.5 billion by early 2025, driving growth for companies like Nvidia, Microsoft, Amazon, Google, Meta, and Apple.
  • Jobs requiring empathy, creative strategy, and relationship-building are projected to remain secure despite AI advancements.
  • The ACM has launched TAISAP, a new journal focused on AI security and privacy.
  • The White House has announced an AI Education Pledge with over 60 companies, including Adobe, Amazon, Google, and Microsoft, to provide AI education resources to K-12 students.
  • Hertz customers are reporting issues with damage charges detected by AI scanners.
  • Carnegie Mellon University is rethinking its computer science program to adapt to the AI era.

Senators Reach Deal to Pause State AI Laws for Five Years

Key senators have agreed on a deal to temporarily stop states from regulating AI. The agreement pauses state AI laws for five years, instead of the initially proposed ten. States can still enforce AI laws if they don't accept federal funding for broadband. The deal includes exceptions for state laws protecting children's online safety and copyright. Tech companies and venture firms support the measure, while the House's view is still unclear.

Senators Blackburn and Cruz Agree on AI Regulation Pause

Senators Ted Cruz and Marsha Blackburn made a deal to pause AI regulations. Blackburn agreed to a five-year pause instead of ten years. The pause will not affect AI laws that protect kids online and names or images. Blackburn said the deal will protect vulnerable people from AI's unintended problems. The agreement is part of a larger bill.

GOP Senators Agree on Temporary AI Regulation Ban

Republican senators have reached an agreement to temporarily ban states from regulating AI. The deal, between Senators Blackburn and Cruz, pauses state AI regulation for five years. States that want $500 million in AI funding must follow the ban. The agreement includes exceptions for laws protecting children online and against deceptive practices. The Senate is expected to vote on the bill soon.

MIT and Stanford Experts Advise Upwork on AI's Impact on Work

Upwork created an Economic Advisory Council with experts from MIT, Stanford, and Georgetown. The council will study how AI changes work. Upwork processed $4 billion in services in 2024. The council will find ways to measure AI's effect on work and guide AI marketplace ethics. They will also study job market changes and produce research.

Pearson Expands AI Education to Close $1.1T Skills Gap

Pearson is growing its AI learning content after its Generative AI Foundations Certification succeeded. They are adding content for students, professionals, and businesses. Pearson nearly doubled its AI training hours in one year. This comes as skill gaps could cause $1.1 trillion in losses in the US and UK. Pearson partners with Microsoft, Amazon, and Google to improve AI education, and their content is available in nine languages.

AI Transforms Executive Search Firms Find Better Candidates Faster

AI is changing how executive search firms find talent. Bespoke, a mid-sized firm, uses AI to expand talent pools and improve candidate data. AI helps predict who fits best by analyzing more data than resumes show. TopGun, a small firm, uses third-party AI tools to refine job needs and suggest interview questions. Both firms say human judgment is still key, and AI helps find the best candidates, not just faster ones.

AI is a Defining Investment Theme with Explosive Growth

AI has become a key part of modern life, driving growth for many companies. This shift is changing global investment, with AI and big data funds growing fast. By early 2025, US AI and big data funds reached $5.5 billion. Nvidia, Microsoft, Amazon, Google, Meta, Apple, and Tesla are key players in AI growth. AI funds have performed well but with high risk, so investors should consider the risks.

AI Won't Take These Jobs 5 Safe Careers for 2030

AI is changing the job market, but some white-collar jobs are safe. Healthcare management needs empathy and problem-solving skills AI can't replace. Creative strategy needs human vision and cultural understanding. Sales and business development rely on relationships and trust. Engineering management needs safety-focused judgment. Skilled trades require hands-on expertise. These careers combine human skills with technology, making them secure in the AI era.

Is AI Cloud Security as Strong as Other Cloud Security

Chris McGranahan from Backblaze discusses AI's role in cybersecurity. AI is used in both attacking and defending tactics. AI helps automate attacks, but human experts are still needed. AI can detect unusual activity, but AI models can also have flaws. Companies should train teams to spot AI threats and use tools to reduce AI-driven risks.

ACM Launches New Journal Focused on AI Security and Privacy

The Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) has created a new journal called TAISAP. It will focus on how to protect AI systems and use AI for cybersecurity. The journal will explore how to measure the security of AI models and systems. It will also look at how AI can improve cybersecurity tasks. All articles will be available for free for three years.

White House Announces AI Education Pledge with Tech Companies

The White House is launching an AI Education Pledge with over 60 companies. These companies will give AI education materials to students in K-12 for the next four years. The pledge aims to get young people interested in AI and prepare them for the future job market. Companies like Adobe, Amazon, Google, and Microsoft are participating. The White House plans to focus on AI policy this month.

Hertz Customers Angry About AI Scanner Damage Charges

Hertz customers are upset about being charged for minor car damage found by AI scanners. Customers are billed quickly after returning cars, with little chance to argue. One customer was charged $440 for a small wheel scuff. Hertz uses UVeye scanners to find damage, but customers say the fees are unclear. Some customers are avoiding Hertz due to these issues.

How Should Computer Science Be Taught in the AI Era

Carnegie Mellon University is rethinking its computer science program because of AI. Generative AI is changing computer science education. AI can now write essays and code, challenging traditional teaching. Universities are considering focusing less on coding and more on thinking skills. They may also add AI to other subjects to prepare students for future jobs.

Sources

AI regulation State AI laws Federal funding Online safety Copyright AI marketplace ethics AI's impact on work Skills gap AI education Generative AI Executive search Talent acquisition AI investment Big data AI job market AI cloud security Cybersecurity AI threats AI security AI privacy AI Education Pledge AI scanners Computer science education AI policy AI funding AI models AI risks