News

Musk and other tech titans meet Congress, call for AI “referee”

Published

2 years ago

September 14, 2023

Tesla CEO Elon Musk, alongside Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai, recently met with lawmakers behind closed doors at Capitol Hill to discuss the regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) in the United States.

They emphasised the need for a regulatory body to oversee AI’s safe and responsible use, similar to a referee in sports. Musk, who also owns the social media platform X, stressed the importance of ensuring that companies take actions that prioritise public safety.

Musk referred to the meeting as a “service to humanity” and suggested it could be a pivotal moment in history for civilization. He described AI as a “double-edged sword,” highlighting its potential benefits and risks.

Zuckerberg echoed the sentiment, emphasising that Congress should engage with AI to support both innovation and safeguards. He argued that it was preferable for American companies to work alongside the government in setting AI standards on crucial issues.

Over 60 senators participated in the discussion, with a consensus emerging on the need for government regulation of AI. However, the specifics of such regulation, including its timeline and form, remained uncertain. Republican Senator Mike Rounds noted that crafting legislation would take time, and they were not yet ready to proceed.

Senator Cory Booker acknowledged that there was agreement on the government’s regulatory role, but crafting legislation would be a complex challenge. Lawmakers expressed concerns about addressing issues like deepfakes, election interference, and the protection of critical infrastructure from AI-related threats.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer emphasised the importance of Congress’s role in shaping AI policy. He stated that Congress needed to participate to maximise AI’s benefits while minimising its risks.

Notable attendees at the meeting included Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, IBM CEO Arvind Krishna, former Microsoft CEO Bill Gates, and AFL-CIO labour federation President Liz Shuler.

The discussions centred on balancing innovation with safeguards and addressing the potential risks associated with AI technology.

News

Russia bans WhatsApp and promotes state-backed messaging app

Kremlin blocks WhatsApp, urging citizens to use state-backed MAX; critics warn of surveillance, prompting protests in Moscow.

Published

14 hours ago

February 13, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Kremlin blocks WhatsApp, urging citizens to use state-backed MAX; critics warn of surveillance, prompting protests in Moscow.

The Kremlin has officially blocked WhatsApp, urging Russians to switch to MAX, a state-backed messaging app. This move comes after Meta refused to comply with local regulations, sparking debates over digital freedom in the country.

Critics warn that MAX could be used for government surveillance, though authorities deny these claims. The ban highlights Russia’s growing control over foreign tech platforms and its push for locally regulated alternatives.

Activists in Moscow have staged protests calling for an open and unregulated internet, while the public reacts with a mix of concern and resignation.

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News

U.S. secretly sent 6,000 Starlink terminals to Iran after protests

US covertly sent 6,000 Starlink terminals to Iran amid protests, aiding internet access despite government shutdowns and crackdown violence.

Published

14 hours ago

February 13, 2026

Harvey Vargas

US covertly sent 6,000 Starlink terminals to Iran amid protests, aiding internet access despite government shutdowns and crackdown violence.

U.S. officials report that the Trump administration covertly sent around 6,000 Starlink satellite internet terminals into Iran following widespread protests. The move was designed to bypass strict internet blackouts imposed by authorities in Tehran.

The terminals reportedly enabled activists and dissidents to reconnect with the outside world during periods of severe digital restriction, raising fresh questions about foreign involvement and cyber strategy.

As geopolitical tensions simmer, the revelation underscores how connectivity has become a powerful tool in modern conflict.

#Iran #Starlink #DonaldTrump #MiddleEast #GlobalPolitics #TechNews #InternetFreedom #BreakingNews

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Anthropic secures 30 billion in fresh funding as valuation surges

Anthropic raises $30B, doubling valuation to $380B, boosting global AI race with support from GIC, Coatue, Microsoft, and Nvidia.

Published

14 hours ago

February 13, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Anthropic raises $30B, doubling valuation to $380B, boosting global AI race with support from GIC, Coatue, Microsoft, and Nvidia.

Anthropic has secured a staggering $30 billion in fresh funding, catapulting its valuation to $380 billion and cementing its place among the most valuable AI companies in the world. The raise marks the second-largest private technology funding round ever, trailing only OpenAI’s $40 billion deal.

Major backers in this latest round include Singapore’s GIC and Coatue Management, alongside existing heavyweight partners Microsoft and Nvidia. The scale of the investment underscores intensifying global competition in artificial intelligence as capital continues to flood into the sector.

Anthropic’s valuation has more than doubled in just five months, fuelled by rapid enterprise growth. The company now works with eight of the Fortune 10 and boasts more than 500 customers spending over $1 million annually, highlighting surging demand for advanced AI tools across corporate America.

#ArtificialIntelligence #AI #Anthropic #TechNews #VentureCapital #BigTech #Innovation #Startups