The integration of artificial intelligence continues to expand across various sectors, with new developments emerging in government, media, education, and business. In Australia, AI is being explored to streamline housing approvals, with New South Wales planning to implement a system by the end of 2025, though experts caution against overlooking underlying issues and potential pitfalls, drawing parallels to the Robodebt scandal. The media landscape is also seeing AI adoption, as USA TODAY, under Gannett CEO Mike Reed, has fully integrated an AI answer engine called DeeperDive for its extensive readership, aiming to enhance user engagement and provide trusted information. Meanwhile, the U.S. government and industry leaders, including those from OpenAI and Anthropic, are stressing the importance of transparency and explainability in AI systems, particularly for defense and national security, to build trust and ensure responsible use. Cisco's upcoming WebexOne event will feature discussions on AI-powered innovations for employee and customer experiences, with insights from NVIDIA's Deepu Talla. In education, Delaware lawmakers are pushing for AI education standards in K-12 schools through the RAISE bill, while The Catholic University of America has launched a new AI institute led by Microsoft's Taylor Black, offering new AI programs with an emphasis on ethics. Salesforce has navigated internal challenges in simplifying the deployment of its AI customer service tool, Agentforce, highlighting the complexities of bringing advanced AI products to market. On a different note, AI-generated content imitating deceased individuals, such as conservative activist Charlie Kirk, is circulating online, raising ethical questions. The European Union is also strategizing to attract global AI talent, recognizing the need to look beyond European researchers to compete effectively.
Key Takeaways
- New South Wales plans to launch an AI system for housing approvals by the end of 2025, with other Australian states also exploring AI in planning.
- Experts warn that AI in Australian housing approvals could lead to errors and a lack of accountability, similar to the Robodebt system.
- Gannett has fully integrated DeeperDive, an AI answer engine developed by Taboola, for USA TODAY readers, aiming to enhance engagement with the network's content.
- Mike Reed, CEO of Gannett, stated that DeeperDive provides a trusted AI answer engine for readers and is performing well.
- U.S. government and industry officials, including representatives from OpenAI and Anthropic, emphasize the need for transparency and explainability in AI systems to build trust.
- Cisco's WebexOne event will feature AI innovations and discussions on the future of AI from NVIDIA's Deepu Talla.
- Delaware lawmakers are supporting states in developing K-12 AI academic standards through the RAISE bill.
- The Catholic University of America has launched an AI institute led by Taylor Black, who also directs AI & Venture Ecosystems at Microsoft.
- Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff intervened to simplify the deployment of the company's AI customer service tool, Agentforce, which was released in early 2023.
- AI-generated content imitating deceased individuals, such as Charlie Kirk, is circulating online, raising ethical concerns.
AI in Australia's housing crisis: Experts warn of Robodebt-like risks
Australian politicians are exploring artificial intelligence (AI) to speed up housing approvals, aiming to cut red tape and build homes faster. New South Wales plans to have an AI system by the end of 2025, with other states like Tasmania and South Australia also adopting similar technologies. However, experts caution that relying on AI as a quick fix could distract from deeper issues like labor shortages and lack of affordable housing. They warn that AI in planning could displace human judgment and lead to hard-to-trace errors, similar to the problems seen with the government's Robodebt system. Responsible innovation and careful consideration of AI's role are crucial to avoid repeating past mistakes.
AI for housing: Australia risks repeating Robodebt errors
New South Wales is launching an AI system by the end of 2025 to speed up housing approvals and reduce bureaucracy, a move welcomed by federal treasurer Jim Chalmers as a model for other states. Tasmania and South Australia are also using AI in planning processes. While intended to boost productivity and unlock more housing, experts warn that presenting AI as a simple solution risks overlooking critical issues like labor shortages and financial incentives. They highlight concerns that AI could diminish the role of human judgment in planning, potentially leading to errors and a lack of accountability, drawing parallels to the failures of the Robodebt system. A focus on responsible innovation is urged to prevent similar negative outcomes.
USA TODAY launches AI answer engine DeeperDive for all readers
Gannett, the parent company of USA TODAY, has fully integrated DeeperDive, an AI answer engine developed by Taboola, for its audience of over 195 million monthly visitors. This technology uses USA TODAY Network's content to provide readers with clear, timely AI-driven conversations. Gannett is the first U.S. publisher to embed this AI engine, aiming to enhance reader experience and provide trusted information. DeeperDive was tested in a beta launch in June and exceeded expectations, expanding to all users. Future plans include testing AI agents for seamless purchasing options tailored to user interests.
USA Today embraces AI with new chatbot DeeperDive
Gannett, the publisher of USA Today and 220 other publications, has launched DeeperDive, a chatbot tool that allows readers to converse with AI and get summaries of news content. CEO Mike Reed stated that the tool provides a trusted AI answer engine for readers and is performing well. This move comes as many publishers face declining traffic due to AI features from search engines. DeeperDive aims to capture reader attention by offering new ways to engage with content, replacing the traditional search box with suggested questions. The tool bases its answers solely on factual journalism from the USA Today network, with plans to explore agentic tools for shopping decisions.
Cisco WebexOne event to feature Ryan Reynolds and AI innovations
Cisco's annual WebexOne event, taking place from September 28 to October 1, 2025, in San Diego, will highlight AI-powered innovations for employee and customer experiences. The event will feature customer speakers from companies like CarShield and Topgolf, discussing how they use Cisco's AI solutions. Actor and entrepreneur Ryan Reynolds will deliver the closing keynote, focusing on creative leadership and innovation. Deepu Talla from NVIDIA will discuss the future of AI. Cisco executives will also share their vision for AI in collaboration and customer experience, alongside training sessions and award ceremonies.
Experts stress transparency for AI trust in government
Senior U.S. government and industry officials emphasized that advanced AI systems must be built with transparency and explainability to gain trust. At the Billington Cybersecurity Summit, officials discussed AI's role as an 'intelligence amplifier' that assists humans in decision-making. They highlighted the importance of guardrails and oversight as AI adoption grows, especially in defense and national security. Companies like OpenAI and Anthropic are developing new safeguards, acknowledging that AI can be used for both good and ill. Experts also noted AI's potential to improve software security by automatically finding and fixing vulnerabilities.
AI-generated Charlie Kirk videos spread online
Following the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, AI-generated speeches and videos imitating him have begun circulating online. These videos feature an AI voice delivering messages about faith, courage, and fighting for conservative values. At least 1,900 TikTok users have shared content featuring the AI speech, with some videos gaining millions of views on platforms like X. This trend highlights a growing intersection of AI and spirituality, as well as the increasing use of AI-generated representations of deceased individuals, sparking controversy. Kirk was fatally shot on September 10th during an event at Utah Valley University.
EU AI talent strategy needs focus beyond European researchers
Recent U.S. policy changes may create an opportunity for the European Union to attract global AI talent. The EU has allocated funds to attract foreign researchers, but experts suggest this strategy needs to look beyond repatriating European academics. While the U.S. leads in AI research, a significant portion of its talent comes from Asia, not Europe. To become a major AI hub, the EU must improve its academic ecosystem, integrate research with industry, and increase university compensation and grant availability. Attracting talent from diverse global sources, particularly Asia, is crucial for the EU to compete effectively in the global AI landscape.
Delaware lawmakers push for AI education standards in schools
Delaware Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester has co-introduced a bill aimed at helping states develop K-12 academic standards for artificial intelligence. The bill, Recommending Artificial Intelligence Standards in Education (RAISE), supports states in creating their own AI curriculum and building competency. This initiative responds to the growing need for AI and digital literacy skills among students to ensure they can compete in the modern economy. Indian River High School is also accepting nominations for its alumni hall of fame. Additionally, the Horizons Tower Hill program offers a tuition-free summer initiative to help close academic and social gaps for Wilmington students.
Salesforce AI launch faced internal challenges
Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff pushed his team to simplify the deployment of Agentforce, the company's new AI for customer service, after initial product information proved too complex for customers. This situation highlighted a tension between product development and sales teams. Benioff's intervention led to a more streamlined version of Agentforce, released in early 2023. The experience underscores the difficulties companies face in bringing advanced AI products to market, even with revolutionary technology. Salesforce's ability to navigate these challenges is seen as critical for its future success.
Catholic University launches AI institute led by Microsoft's Taylor Black
The Catholic University of America has launched a new interdisciplinary institute focused on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, appointing Taylor Black as its founding director. Black, who also directs AI & Venture Ecosystems at Microsoft, will lead efforts to integrate AI across academic disciplines and foster collaborations. The institute aims to help new graduates understand and utilize AI ethically, enrich understanding of human flourishing in the age of AI, and explore how AI impacts the university's structure and operations. The university also introduced new undergraduate and graduate AI programs this fall, emphasizing ethics and interdisciplinary problem-solving.
Sources
- Politicians hoping AI can fix Australia’s housing crisis are risking another Robodebt
- Politicians are pushing AI as a quick fix to Australia’s housing crisis. They’re risking another Robodebt
- USA TODAY implements AI answer engine DeeperDive for all users
- USA Today Enters Its Gen AI Era With a Chatbot
- Cisco’s WebexOne Event Spotlights Global AI Brands, Ryan Reynolds
- Transparency is key as AI gets smarter, experts say
- MAGA Pushes AI Charlie Kirk Videos From Beyond the Grave
- Is America’s loss really Europe’s gain? Why the EU’s AI talent strategy needs a reality check
- Education roundup: AI is already in the classroom. Lawmakers say Delaware needs to keep up
- Marc Benioff Said AI Was Easy. A ‘Crazy’ Team at Salesforce Proved Him Wrong
- Catholic University launches new AI institute led by Microsoft’s Taylor Black