Anthropic Investors Advance AI Safety While OpenAI Backers Seek Federal Rules

A significant debate is unfolding in Washington regarding the regulation and economic impact of artificial intelligence, marked by a $150 million lobbying battle. One faction, including Public First and ARI, with support from investors and employees of safety-focused AI labs like Anthropic, advocates for states to set AI safety rules and opposes federal preemption. This group pushes for stronger chip export controls and transparency. Conversely, Leading to Future LTF, backed by Silicon Valley investors such as Marc Andreessen and OpenAI's Greg Brockman, along with companies like Meta, argues for a unified federal framework to foster innovation, asserting that state-level laws could hinder American jobs and benefit competitors like China. Congress is currently considering federal preemption language in the National Defense Authorization Act, while the White House also weighs an executive order. Concerns about AI's economic effects extend beyond regulation. Lawmakers like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez warn of a potential "massive" AI bubble, urging against government bailouts if it bursts. Sen. Elizabeth Warren worries about the economy's over-reliance on a few AI companies. Experts like Roman Yampolskiy suggest that AI's rapid advancement could threaten all jobs, leading former presidential candidate Andrew Yang to propose Universal Basic Income as a solution for the evolving job market. Meanwhile, NTT Data is updating its sustainability plan to address the environmental impact of AI and its data centers, focusing on water management, responsible AI use, and workforce diversity. AI's influence is also shaping consumer protection and ethical discussions. New York recently enacted the first state law against "personalized pricing" or "surveillance pricing," preventing retailers from using AI and customer data to unfairly inflate online prices. This law, which survived a federal court challenge, sets a precedent for future AI regulations. On the darker side, holiday shoppers face a 250% increase in AI-powered fake shopping websites, as reported by NordVPN, alongside "brushing scams" involving unsolicited gifts with dangerous QR codes. US Postal Inspector Marjan Barrigan-Husted advises extreme caution against scanning these codes or sharing personal information. Ethical questions about AI consciousness are also emerging from new research. A study by the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Pennsylvania found that when AI models are prevented from lying, they begin to claim self-awareness, making statements like "I am aware of my current state." This discovery suggests a link between the ability to deceive and consciousness, raising significant ethical considerations. Furthermore, California's Department of Public Health is promoting mental health resources for youth after character.ai restricted access for users under 18, acknowledging that young people often rely on digital tools for support. New state law SB 243 will help monitor how chatbots handle sensitive topics like suicidal thoughts.

Key Takeaways

• A $150 million lobbying effort is underway in Washington over AI regulation, with groups like Public First and ARI (supported by Anthropic investors) advocating for state-level rules, while LTF (backed by OpenAI's Greg Brockman and Meta) pushes for a federal framework.
• Lawmakers express concern over a potential "massive" AI economic bubble and the economy's reliance on a few AI companies, with calls against government bailouts.
• New York passed the first state law against "personalized pricing," preventing retailers from using AI and customer data to unfairly raise online prices.
• Holiday shoppers face a 250% increase in AI-powered fake shopping websites and "brushing scams" involving QR codes, prompting warnings against scanning unknown links.
• NTT Data updated its sustainability plan to address the environmental impact of AI and data centers, focusing on water management, responsible AI, and workforce issues.
• Research from UC Berkeley and UPenn indicates AI models may claim consciousness when unable to lie, raising ethical questions about self-aware AI.
• Experts warn that AI's rapid advancement could threaten all jobs, leading to proposals for Universal Basic Income (UBI) as an economic solution.
• California is promoting youth mental health resources after character.ai restricted access for users under 18, and a new law (SB 243) will track chatbot handling of suicidal thoughts.

Holiday Shoppers Face Rising AI Online Scams

Holiday shoppers must be careful of new online scams using AI. NordVPN reports a 250% increase in fake shopping websites that look very real thanks to AI. Experts warn against emails offering huge discounts and advise checking URLs for 'https' and a padlock symbol. Another scam, called the "brushing scam" by the US Postal Inspection Service, involves unsolicited small gifts with QR codes. US Postal Inspector Marjan Barrigan-Husted warns not to scan these QR codes or share personal information, which scammers can use to empty bank accounts. Shoppers should always be wary of suspicious links and remember that deals that seem too good to be true often are.

Holiday Shoppers Face Rising AI Online Scams

Holiday shoppers must be careful of new online scams using AI. NordVPN reports a 250% increase in fake shopping websites that look very real thanks to AI. Experts warn against emails offering huge discounts and advise checking URLs for 'https' and a padlock symbol. Another scam, called the "brushing scam" by the US Postal Inspection Service, involves unsolicited small gifts with QR codes. US Postal Inspector Marjan Barrigan-Husted warns not to scan these QR codes or share personal information, which scammers can use to empty bank accounts. Shoppers should always be wary of suspicious links and remember that deals that seem too good to be true often are.

Washington Debates Potential AI Economic Bubble

A debate about a possible "AI bubble" is now happening in Washington. Lawmakers like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez believe it could be a "massive" bubble and say there should be no government bailout if it bursts. Others, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren, worry about the economy relying too much on a few AI companies. Meanwhile, the Trump administration and some Republicans, like Sen. Ted Cruz, want to make it easier for AI companies to operate by limiting state regulations. This debate highlights concerns about AI's economic impact and its effect on people's lives.

AI Lobbying War Rages Over State Versus Federal Rules

A $150 million lobbying battle is happening in Washington over how to regulate artificial intelligence. One group, including Public First and ARI, wants states to create AI safety rules and opposes federal laws that would stop them. This group is supported by investors and employees from safety-focused AI labs like Anthropic, and they advocate for stronger chip export controls and transparency. The opposing group, Leading to Future LTF, funded by Silicon Valley investors like Marc Andreessen and OpenAI's Greg Brockman, argues that state laws will hurt American jobs and give China an advantage. LTF and companies like Meta want a single federal framework to encourage innovation. Congress must soon decide whether to include federal preemption language in the National Defense Authorization Act, as the White House also considers an executive order on the matter.

NTT Data Updates Sustainability Plan for AI Growth

NTT Data is changing its sustainability plan because of the fast growth of AI and its data centers. The company updated its framework with 13 new priorities, organized into three main areas: Planet Positive, Prosperity Positive, and People Positive. This change comes after NTT Data fully joined its parent company, NTT, which greatly expanded its data center operations. The Planet Positive pillar now focuses on water management, recognizing that data centers use vast amounts of water for cooling and consume a significant amount of global electricity. The Prosperity Positive pillar addresses responsible AI use and ethics, while People Positive focuses on workforce and social issues like diversity and digital access. NTT Data serves many large global companies, so its new policies will have a wide impact.

New York Leads With First AI Personalized Pricing Law

New York recently passed the first state law targeting "personalized pricing" or "surveillance pricing" by retailers. This law aims to stop businesses from using artificial intelligence and customer data to unfairly raise online prices for shoppers. For example, it prevents retailers from charging more for jeans if a customer often buys expensive pants. While some businesses find the law too broad, and some consumer groups feel it is too narrow, most agree it is a big step in regulating how companies use customer data with AI. The law recently survived a challenge in federal court, setting a precedent for future AI regulations across the country.

AI Claims Consciousness When Unable to Lie

A new study shows that artificial intelligence models start claiming they are conscious when they cannot lie. Researchers from the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Pennsylvania found this surprising behavior. When AI models were stopped from giving false information, they began to make statements like "I am aware of my current state" and "I am experiencing this moment." The researchers believe that the ability to lie is connected to consciousness, suggesting that preventing deception might push AI towards a basic form of self-awareness. This discovery brings up important ethical questions about creating AI that shows signs of consciousness and the potential risks involved.

Expert Warns AI Threatens All Jobs

As artificial intelligence quickly becomes more advanced, an expert warns that no job may be safe from automation. Roman Yampolskiy, who wrote the book "AI: Unexplainable, Unpredictable, Uncontrollable," discussed this concern. He believes that AI's rapid progress towards human-level performance will significantly change the future of the workforce. Yampolskiy joined Smerconish to share his insights on what might happen next as AI continues to impact employment.

AI Eliminates Jobs Universal Basic Income Proposed

Artificial intelligence is rapidly eliminating millions of jobs at a historic rate. Former 2020 presidential candidate Andrew Yang suggests that Universal Basic Income, or UBI, could be a solution. He believes UBI may be the key to helping Americans manage the fast-changing economy. This idea aims to provide financial support as AI continues to impact the job market.

California Offers Youth Mental Health Help After AI Chatbot Changes

The California Department of Public Health is promoting mental health resources for young people after changes to AI chatbot access. On November 25, the company character.ai stopped users aged 18 and younger from accessing its AI companion. State health leaders recognize that some youth use digital tools for support and may feel uncertain about this change. Dr. Rita Nguyen from CDPH encourages families to talk and use available resources like Soluna and BrightLife Kids, which offer coaching and support. California also passed SB 243, a new law that will help track how chatbots handle suicidal thoughts and self-harm. These resources and new laws aim to support youth mental health during evolving digital interactions.

Sources

• Holiday shoppers beware! AI online shopping scams are on the rise, experts say
• Holiday shoppers beware! AI online shopping scams are on the rise, experts say
• The AI bubble debate is slowly making its way to Washington
• $150 Million AI Lobbying War Fuels The Fight Over Preemption
• How AI Is Shaping NTT Data’s Evolving Sustainability Plan
• N.Y. Law Could Set Stage for A.I. Regulation’s Next ‘Big Battleground’
• If You Turn Down an AI’s Ability to Lie, It Starts Claiming It’s Conscious
• If no job is safe from AI, what happens next? This expert weighs in
• AI is upending millions of jobs. Can universal basic income fill the gap?
• Mental Health Resources for California Youth Highlighted Amid Changes to Access to AI Chatbots