The artificial intelligence sector is experiencing rapid advancements and significant challenges across various industries. Amazon's new AI tools, "Shop Direct and Buy for Me," are drawing criticism from online retailers like Angie Chua of Bobo Design Studio and Emi Moon of Peachie Kei. These tools scrape websites and list products on Amazon, sometimes with incorrect details, without explicit permission. Sarah Burzio, a stationery business owner, also found Amazon duplicating her listings and even making purchases using "buyforme.amazon" email addresses around Christmas 2025, initially leading to new customers. In the specialized AI domain, Articul8 has launched a generative AI platform on Google Cloud for a major semiconductor company in Santa Clara. This platform utilizes domain-specific AI models to deliver precise solutions for complex industries, aiming to accelerate product development and enhance sales strategies. Experts suggest these focused AI models outperform general AI for technical tasks. Meanwhile, the surging demand for AI is causing a global shortage of computer chips, driving up prices, a topic discussed on "Insight with Haslinda Amin" on January 7, 2026. Addressing the chip crunch, Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced plans to build a 2nm chip fabrication plant. Musk believes existing foundries have clean room issues and stated Tesla's new fab will use "wafer isolation" for chip protection, allowing a more relaxed environment. This initiative is part of Tesla's broader push into AI hardware, and Musk also shared his views on Nvidia's new Vera Rubin chip. An MIT Senior Fellow and Forbes contributor reviewed 2025 AI trends, highlighting advances in foundation and liquid AI models, the rise of Nvidia, and a global AI arms race, with OpenAI, Google, and Nvidia frequently mentioned. Regulatory and ethical concerns surrounding AI are also prominent. Liz Cline, a 17-year-old from Ohio, is advocating for Senate Bill 163 to criminalize AI-generated child sexual abuse material, making its creation a third-degree felony and allowing victims to sue. Ohio is one of only five states without specific laws on this issue. The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) updated its AI resource page on December 22, providing guidance from NIST, COSO, and CISA to help credit unions leverage AI while managing risks, including advice on deepfake fraud. In North Carolina, economists are monitoring job growth and AI's impact in 2026, with concerns about potential stock market sell-offs. Finally, the integration of AI into public spaces is sparking debate. The Midtown Hotel in Boston faced backlash for decorating its lobby with AI-generated portraits of famous Bostonians like Larry Bird and John F. Kennedy in an Andy Warhol style. Hotel guest Alex Steed expressed disappointment on social media, noting the hotel's missed opportunity to support local artists in an art-rich city.
Key Takeaways
- Amazon's new AI tools, "Shop Direct and Buy for Me," are listing products from online retailers without permission, leading to concerns from sellers like Angie Chua and Emi Moon.
- Sarah Burzio's stationery business experienced Amazon's AI duplicating listings and making purchases via "buyforme.amazon" emails around Christmas 2025.
- Articul8 launched a specialized GenAI platform on Google Cloud for a top semiconductor company, using domain-specific AI models for precise solutions in complex industries.
- The increasing use of AI is causing a global shortage of computer chips and driving up their prices, as discussed on "Insight with Haslinda Amin" on January 7, 2026.
- Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced plans to build a 2nm chip fabrication plant, citing issues with current foundries and proposing "wafer isolation" for chip protection.
- Liz Cline, a 17-year-old, is advocating for Ohio's Senate Bill 163 to make creating AI-generated child sexual abuse material a third-degree felony and allow victims to sue.
- The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) updated its AI resource page on December 22, offering guidance on AI governance, risk management, data security, and deepfake fraud for credit unions.
- A Forbes contributor's review of 2025 AI trends highlighted advances in foundation and liquid AI, the rise of Nvidia, and a global AI arms race, frequently mentioning OpenAI, Google, and Nvidia.
- Economists in North Carolina are closely watching job growth and the potential impact of the AI boom in 2026, with concerns about specific industry growth and a possible stock market sell-off.
- The Midtown Hotel in Boston faced criticism for using AI-generated portraits in its lobby, with guests like Alex Steed expressing disappointment over the lack of support for local artists.
Amazon AI lists products without permission, angers sellers
Amazon's new AI tools, "Shop Direct and Buy for Me," are listing products from online retailers without their permission. These tools scrape websites and display items on Amazon, sometimes with wrong details. Retailers like Angie Chua of Bobo Design Studio and Emi Moon of Peachie Kei feel exploited and worry about their brand image. They must email branddirect@amazon.com to opt out of the program. Amazon says the tools help businesses and shoppers, and that businesses can opt out anytime.
Amazon AI lists merchant products without consent
Amazon's AI tool has been listing products from merchants without their knowledge. Sarah Burzio, who owns a stationery business, found Amazon duplicating her product listings. The AI tool even made purchases for Amazon customers using "buyforme.amazon" email addresses. This happened around Christmas 2025. Burzio did not initially worry because she was getting new customers.
Articul8 brings specialized AI to technical industries
Articul8 launched its special GenAI platform on Google Cloud for a top semiconductor company in Santa Clara. This new system uses domain-specific AI models to give very exact solutions for complex industries. It helps speed up how fast new products are made and improves sales plans. Experts believe these focused AI models work better than general AI for technical tasks.
Ohio teen fights for law against AI abuse images
Liz Cline, a 17-year-old, is working to pass a new law in Ohio against AI-generated child sexual abuse material. When she was 15, someone used AI to change her photo into a pornographic image. Ohio is one of only five states without specific laws for this issue. Senate Bill 163, co-sponsored by Senator Bill Blessing, would make creating such material a third-degree felony. The bill also lets victims sue and requires AI companies to watermark AI-generated content.
AI boom causes global chip shortage and price hike
The growing use of Artificial Intelligence is causing a worldwide shortage of computer chips. This high demand for chips is also making their prices go up. This news was discussed on "Insight with Haslinda Amin" on January 7, 2026. The program provides deep interviews and analysis on important global stories.
Elon Musk Tesla will build 2nm chip factory
Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced that his company will build its own 2nm chip fabrication plant. He believes current chip foundries have issues with clean rooms. Musk stated that Tesla's new fab will use "wafer isolation" to protect chips, allowing for a more relaxed environment. This move is part of Tesla's bigger push into AI hardware. Musk also shared his thoughts on Nvidia's new Vera Rubin chip.
NCUA updates AI guide for credit unions
The National Credit Union Administration updated its online AI resource page for credit unions on December 22. This hub helps credit unions use AI to improve services and stay competitive, while also managing risks. It includes guidance from NIST on AI governance and COSO on risk management. The page also offers advice from CISA on data security and secure AI deployment. Additionally, it features reports from the Treasury and FinCEN about AI in financial services and deepfake fraud.
Expert reviews 2025 AI trends and observations
A Forbes contributor, who is also an MIT Senior Fellow, reviewed major AI trends from 2025 based on 376 articles they wrote. The year saw big advances in AI models, including foundation and liquid AI. The author also covered the business side, noting the rise of Nvidia and the global AI arms race. Other key topics included chip technology, the growth of agentic AI, and how AI impacts health and biotech. OpenAI, Google, and Nvidia were among the most mentioned companies in their writings.
North Carolina economists watch jobs and AI in 2026
Economists are closely watching job growth and the AI boom in North Carolina for 2026. Tom Barkin from the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond says the economy shows optimism with strong retail spending and low unemployment. However, Tim Quinlan from Wells Fargo notes that GDP growth is mainly in specific industries, not all. North Carolina added 87,900 jobs by October and has a low 3.8% unemployment rate. Experts are concerned about AI's effect on jobs and a possible stock market sell-off.
Boston hotel uses AI art, sparks guest anger
The Midtown Hotel in Boston is facing criticism for decorating its lobby with AI-generated portraits. These artworks show famous Bostonians like Larry Bird and John F. Kennedy in the style of Andy Warhol. Hotel guest Alex Steed shared his disappointment on social media, noting a sign that proudly stated the art was "entirely created by Artificial Intelligence." Many people felt the hotel missed a chance to support local artists in a city known for its art. The hotel reopened after being a dorm for five years.
Sources
- Amazon's AI agents spark backlash from retailers after listing their products without their knowledge
- Amazon AI tool blindsides merchants by offering products without their knowledge
- Cloud AI Update - Domain-Specific GenAI Revolutionizes Technical Industries
- Teen pushes for Ohio law to combat AI-generated child sexual abuse material
- AI Boom Sparks Global Chip Shortage and Price Surge | Insight with Haslinda Amin 01/07/2026
- Elon Musk Says Tesla Will Develop 2nm Chip Fab Amid AI Hardware Push - NVIDIA (NASDAQ:NVDA), Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA)
- NCUA Issues Updated AI Resource Hub
- 2025 In Stories: My Notes On A Year Of AI Observation
- Economists watching job growth, AI frenzy in North Carolina in 2026
- Boston Hotel Roasted for Using A.I.-Generated 'Warhol' Portraits as Decor
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