Amazon Explores AI While Nvidia Chips Retain High Value

Artificial intelligence continues to reshape various sectors, from entertainment and finance to defense and infrastructure, prompting both excitement and apprehension. In Hollywood, director Timur Bekmambetov demonstrated AI's potential by creating "The Man With a Shattered World" almost entirely with AI, a project significantly less expensive than a typical $150 million film. While studios like Amazon, Netflix, and Disney explore AI for tasks such as de-aging actors and improving production efficiency, prominent figures like Robert Downey Jr. strongly oppose AI replicas, and many actors and writers voice concerns over job security and intellectual property rights. Meanwhile, Disney is employing a unique promotional strategy for "Avengers: Doomsday," releasing exclusive in-theater trailers a year before its premiere to combat widespread AI-generated fake footage. Beyond entertainment, AI is driving significant advancements and investments. European banks are seeing strong growth, with AI contributing to substantial cost savings; for example, Deutsche Bank saves $50 million annually using AI for compliance. In the automotive industry, HyprLabs is innovating with its Hyprdrive software, which trains self-driving Teslas much faster using minimal data. The Pentagon is also embracing AI aircraft, envisioning fully autonomous flight capabilities that could revolutionize air dominance and strategic strikes without risking human lives. Even older AI chips, such as Nvidia's A100, maintain considerable value, boosted by software improvements and high demand for inference tasks, particularly from markets like China. However, the rapid proliferation of AI also brings challenges and ethical considerations. Deepfake videos targeting political figures are raising serious concerns about their potential impact on elections and increasing political polarization, leading experts to call for urgent federal regulations. Ransomware attacks, a growing global threat, are increasingly being countered by AI systems that detect threats early, automate responses, and predict new attack methods. Educational institutions, like Ithaca College, are actively engaging students and faculty to develop guidelines for AI integration, balancing ethical concerns about its impact on jobs and learning with opportunities for acquiring new skills. Amidst these developments, companies like AI Engineers Inc. are making substantial investments, with plans to expand their headquarters and implement a $2.1 million technology upgrade, including a new supercomputer, projecting $90 million in revenue for 2025.

Key Takeaways

• Hollywood is exploring AI for efficiency, with projects like Timur Bekmambetov's film costing much less than a typical $150 million, while actors express job security concerns.
• Amazon, Netflix, and Disney are investigating AI for tasks such as de-aging actors and production efficiencies.
• European banks, including Deutsche Bank, are saving $50 million annually through AI for compliance and reducing call center volumes.
• HyprLabs is developing "run-time learning" software, Hyprdrive, to train self-driving Teslas faster with minimal data (1,600 hours).
• The Pentagon is committed to AI aircraft, envisioning fully autonomous flight for strategic strikes and increased arsenal size without human pilots.
• Older AI chips, like Nvidia's A100, retain significant value due to software improvements and strong demand for "inference" tasks, especially in China.
• Deepfake videos targeting political figures are raising concerns about election integrity, prompting calls for federal AI regulations.
• AI is proving effective against ransomware by detecting threats, automating responses, and enhancing threat intelligence.
• Ithaca College is developing AI guidelines, reflecting student concerns about ethics and job impact alongside opportunities for new skills.
• AI Engineers Inc. is investing millions in a Middletown headquarters expansion, including a $2.1 million technology upgrade with a supercomputer, projecting $90 million in revenue for 2025.

Hollywood Grapples with AI's Future in Filmmaking

Timur Bekmambetov, director of films like Wanted, created a new movie, The Man With a Shattered World, almost entirely with AI. This project cost much less than a typical $150 million film and used only one actor and a small crew. Bekmambetov believes AI will revolutionize filmmaking and is even creating software to help integrate AI into movie production. Hollywood is divided on AI, with some studios like Netflix, Amazon, and Disney exploring its use for tasks like de-aging actors or creating efficiencies. However, many actors, writers, and directors, including Rian Johnson and Jenna Ortega, worry AI will devalue human work and threaten livelihoods. The industry faces challenges in balancing AI's potential benefits with concerns over job security and intellectual property rights.

Disney Gambles on Unique AI-Influenced Promotion for Avengers Doomsday

Robert Downey Jr. strongly opposes AI replicas of himself, even threatening lawsuits. Despite this, AI-generated fake footage of his upcoming film, Avengers: Doomsday, is circulating widely on YouTube, featuring realistic digital versions of actors and their voices. Disney faces high stakes with Doomsday and its sequel, Avengers: Secret Wars, as they are set to be its most expensive Marvel movies, following a period of declining box office and streaming performance for the MCU. To promote Doomsday, Disney is trying a unique strategy by releasing exclusive trailers in theaters starting December 19, a year before the movie's premiere. These trailers will play alongside Avatar: Fire and Ash and will not be released online, aiming to encourage fans to visit theaters multiple times.

AI Boosts European Bank Shares and Future Growth

European bank shares performed very well in 2025 and are expected to continue rising in 2026. This growth is driven by strong earnings and significant cost savings from using artificial intelligence. Investors are becoming more positive about the sector as fears of a recession and interest rate cuts from the European Central Bank have lessened. Banks are using AI to become more efficient, cut costs, and improve customer service, with examples like JPMorgan Chase reducing call center volume by 20% with AI chatbots. Deutsche Bank also saves $50 million annually by using AI for compliance. The European Central Bank's decision to keep interest rates steady has also increased investor confidence.

HyprLabs Develops Fast AI Software for Self-Driving Cars

A new startup called HyprLabs is developing software named Hyprdrive to train self-driving cars much faster. This software aims to lower the cost and human effort needed to teach vehicles to drive themselves. HyprLabs uses a unique method called "run-time learning," allowing its system to learn in real-time with very little data, unlike other companies like Tesla or Waymo. The company has used only 1,600 hours of driving data from its two Teslas for training, a small amount compared to competitors. While not yet ready for public roads, HyprLabs plans to introduce its innovative robot next year, showing impressive driving ability with minimal computational work.

Rethinking AI Aircraft Beyond Human Pilots

The Pentagon is committed to AI aircraft, and the technology for fully autonomous flight already exists. While debates focus on human pilots versus AI pilots, the author suggests both sides miss the bigger picture. Instead of just replacing humans, AI aircraft offer new possibilities, such as vertical takeoffs without runways using solid rocket motors, and hypersonic transit. This could allow aircraft carriers to hold thousands of smaller, pilotless planes, increasing deployment speed and arsenal size. AI aircraft could quickly achieve air dominance and strategic strikes in dangerous zones without risking human lives. Human pilots would then maintain air ownership and provide close support for ground troops, where their judgment is crucial. This innovative use of AI could quickly end conflicts and save lives.

Old AI Chips Remain Valuable and Useful

Despite new AI chips constantly entering the market, older chips still have significant value and do not lose worth quickly, according to Alpine Macro analysts. Software improvements can greatly boost the performance of older processors, like Nvidia's A100 chip. There is also a strong and growing demand for "inference," which is when chatbots respond to queries, and older chips are often sufficient for this task. Additionally, China has a huge demand for AI chips, and older models help meet this need, even through black markets due to US bans. The concept of "distributed AI" also uses unused chips from various sources, like homes and offices, to create resilient virtual networks.

Deepfake Videos Threaten Democracy Experts Urge AI Regulations

Deepfake videos created with artificial intelligence are increasingly targeting political figures like Senator Amy Klobuchar, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. These manipulated videos mimic voices and likenesses, raising concerns about their impact on American elections. Experts like Darrell West from the Brookings Institution warn that such manipulation of human images can influence how people vote and worsen political polarization. Social media influencer Jeremy Carrasco teaches people how to spot AI fakes, highlighting the challenge of distinguishing real from counterfeit content. With only a patchwork of state regulations, experts are urgently calling for federal laws to control political AI videos and protect democracy.

AI Becomes a Strong Ally Against Ransomware Attacks

Ransomware poses a serious global cyber threat, and traditional security methods are no longer enough. Artificial intelligence is emerging as a powerful tool to fight these attacks. AI systems can detect threats early by analyzing network behavior and identifying unusual activities like unauthorized file encryption or suspicious logins. It also automates incident response, quickly isolating infected systems and alerting security teams to contain attacks within seconds. Furthermore, AI enhances threat intelligence by predicting new ransomware trends and attack methods, allowing organizations to strengthen their defenses proactively. AI also helps protect data from theft, improves backup integrity, and reduces human error through smart security controls.

Ithaca College Students Discuss AI's Role in Education

Ithaca College's Student Governance Council held its first AI ad hoc committee meeting on December 10 to gather opinions from students and faculty. This committee will meet regularly for three years to create AI guidelines for the college administration based on student input. Students shared mixed feelings about AI; some, like Devon Masterson, expressed ethical concerns about using generative AI in art classes and its impact on future jobs. Others, like Tatianna Lagares, saw AI as a way to prepare for higher-paying positions, as seen in the School of Business's new analytics class. Ali Erkan, a Computer Science professor, noted that the initial promise of AI accelerating learning was unproven and that clear policies are needed to guide its integration into education.

AI Engineers Invests Millions in Middletown Headquarters Expansion

AI Engineers Inc. is investing millions to expand its Middletown headquarters and upgrade its technology. The company, which has 420 employees and projects $90 million in revenue for 2025, recently bought a 2.5-acre property next to its current building. CEO Abul Islam plans to spend over $1 million renovating a new office space to create a modern, collaborative environment for its diverse engineering teams. Within the next few years, the company will connect its buildings with a glass atrium and implement a $2.1 million technology upgrade. This upgrade includes a new in-house supercomputer and an AI-enabled document management system, which will boost efficiency, streamline operations, and ensure data security. The expansion also means adding four to five new hires, including data scientists and software developers.

Sources

• How Will Hollywood Contend With AI Without Destroying Itself?
• How Disney Is Using AI To Promote ‘Avengers: Doomsday’
• Analysis-Old meets new economy: AI boom to supercharge European banks' rally
• This Startup Wants to Build Self-Driving Car Software—Super Fast
• The AI aircraft debate rages, but both sides are wrong
• What happens to old AI chips? They're still put to good use and don't depreciate that fast, analyst says
• ‘Risking American democracy’: Political AI videos prompt calls for national regulations
• How AI Can Help Fight the Ransomware Threat
• SGC hosts first artificial intelligence ad hoc committee meeting
• From basement startup to high-tech Middletown hub, AI Engineers is investing millions in HQ expansion, tech upgrades