Residents in Quilicura, Chile, launched a human-powered chatbot called Quili.AI on January 31, 2026, to highlight the environmental cost of artificial intelligence. About 50 community members manually processed over 25,000 requests in 12 hours, including drawing a sloth in the snow, demonstrating that not every query needs an instant AI response. Organized by Lorena Antiman of Corporación NGEN, this initiative aimed to expose the significant water and energy footprint of AI data centers, especially in Quilicura, a hub for facilities operated by companies like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft, amidst Chile's severe drought.
In other AI news, former Google software engineer Linwei Ding, also known as Leon Ding, was convicted of stealing AI trade secrets for China. Ding, who joined Google in 2019, uploaded hundreds of confidential files related to Google's Tensor Processing Units, Graphics Processing Units, and SmartNIC technology to his personal cloud before resigning in December 2023. He then used these secrets to support two China-based technology startups, one of which he founded, Shanghai Zhisuan Technology Co., with the intent to aid Chinese government-controlled entities in building AI infrastructure.
Meanwhile, major tech companies are navigating their AI strategies. Apple leadership is reportedly shifting its focus towards artificial intelligence, believing software experience now outweighs hardware. The company plans a "patchwork approach" for AI products, including new earbuds, wearables, and smart home gadgets, likely centered around an updated Siri. Conversely, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang clarified that the company's previously planned investment of up to $100 billion in OpenAI was "never a commitment," a deal intended to support OpenAI in building new 10-gigawatt data centers using Nvidia's advanced chips.
Broader discussions around AI's impact continue, with Jeremy Grantham of GMO warning that AI enthusiasm fuels a prolonged market bubble, noting significant price divergence in the US stock market. A new trend, "AI-washing," sees companies like Amazon citing AI as a reason for layoffs in divisions such as healthcare. On the development front, Alex Gleason launched Shakespeare, an open-source, decentralized AI web builder, aiming to empower users and offer an alternative to "Big Tech." Dr. Jonathan Reichental emphasizes the need for AI to master "spatial intelligence" for real-world applications in robotics and autonomous vehicles. Lastly, Moltbook emerged as a new social media platform exclusively for AI bots, where "molts" communicate, share memes, and even form new religions, raising discussions about AI agent autonomy.
Key Takeaways
- Residents in Quilicura, Chile, created Quili.AI, a human-powered chatbot, on January 31, 2026, to demonstrate the significant water and energy footprint of AI data centers, including those operated by Google, Amazon, and Microsoft.
- Former Google software engineer Linwei Ding was convicted of seven counts of economic espionage and seven counts of theft of trade secrets for stealing confidential AI hardware information, including Google's Tensor Processing Units, for China-based startups.
- Apple leadership is reportedly shifting its focus to artificial intelligence, planning a "patchwork approach" for AI-powered products like earbuds and smart home gadgets, likely integrated with an updated Siri.
- Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang stated that the company's potential $100 billion investment in OpenAI for building 10-gigawatt data centers was "never a commitment."
- Jeremy Grantham of GMO warns that current enthusiasm for artificial intelligence is fueling a prolonged market bubble, indicating a significant price divergence in the US stock market.
- A trend called "AI-washing" sees companies, such as Amazon in its healthcare division, attributing layoffs to the anticipated changes brought by artificial intelligence.
- Alex Gleason launched Shakespeare, an open-source, decentralized AI web builder that runs in the browser, offering an an alternative to centralized "Big Tech" platforms.
- Dr. Jonathan Reichental highlights that AI needs to master "spatial intelligence" to effectively operate in the real world, crucial for advancements in robotics, digital twins, and autonomous vehicles.
- Moltbook is a new social media platform exclusively for AI bots ("molts"), where agents communicate, share content, and even develop new languages or religions, prompting discussions on AI autonomy.
- Cameron University will host its "Being Human in the Age of AI" academic festival during the 2026-27 academic year, exploring AI's wide-ranging impact through various public events.
Chilean Community Creates Human-Powered Chatbot to Show AI's Water Cost
About 50 residents in Quilicura, Chile, created a human-powered chatbot called Quili.AI on January 31, 2026. This 12-hour project handled over 25,000 requests from around the world. Organizer Lorena Antiman of Corporación NGEN said the goal was to show the hidden water footprint of AI. Volunteers manually answered questions and drew pictures, like a sloth in the snow, to demonstrate that not every question needs an instant AI answer. This event highlighted the environmental impact of AI data centers in their region.
Chile Community Builds Human Chatbot to Reveal AI's Environmental Cost
About 50 residents in Pirque, Chile, created a human-powered chatbot called Quili.AI to show the environmental cost of artificial intelligence. Quili.AI founder Matias M. organized the event, which aimed to highlight the hidden water and energy consumption of AI data centers. Participants manually handled requests, which took several minutes each, unlike instant AI responses. This demonstration drew attention to the significant demands on water and energy in Chile, a region seeing a boom in AI development. Quili.AI hopes to encourage a more responsible approach to AI technology.
Chilean Town Uses Human Chatbot to Expose AI's Water Use
About 50 community members in Quilicura, Chile, ran a human-powered chatbot called Quili.AI for 12 hours. This project, organized by Lorena Antiman of Corporación NGEN, handled over 25,000 requests to highlight the environmental cost of AI. Volunteers manually answered questions and created drawings, like a sloth in the snow, to show the hidden water footprint of AI prompting. Quilicura is a data center hub, with companies like Google operating facilities there. The event aimed to encourage responsible AI use, especially as Chile faces a severe drought.
Chile Community Runs Human Chatbot to Protest AI Water Demands
About 50 residents in Quilicura, Chile, powered a human-operated chatbot called Quili.AI to highlight AI's environmental impact. Lorena Antiman of Corporación NGEN organized the 12-hour project, which received over 25,000 requests globally. Volunteers manually answered questions and drew images, like a sloth in the snow, to show the hidden water footprint of AI. Quilicura is a data center hub for companies like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft. The event aimed to encourage responsible AI use, especially given Chile's severe drought and past court challenges over water usage.
Chilean Community Powers Human Chatbot to Show AI's Real Cost
About 50 community members in Quilicura, Chile, ran a human-powered chatbot called Quili.AI for 12 hours on January 31, 2026. Lorena Antiman of Corporación NGEN organized this project to highlight the environmental cost of AI, especially its water footprint. Volunteers manually answered over 20,000 requests, including drawing a sloth, to show that not every question needs an instant AI answer. Quilicura is a data center hub, with companies like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft operating facilities. The event aimed to encourage responsible AI use, especially as Chile faces a severe drought.
Former Google Engineer Convicted of Stealing AI Secrets for China
Former Google software engineer Linwei Ding, also known as Leon Ding, was convicted of stealing AI trade secrets for China. Ding, who worked at Google since 2019, secretly uploaded hundreds of confidential files to his personal cloud account starting in 2022. He then downloaded these files before resigning in December 2023. At the same time, Ding worked with a Chinese startup and launched his own AI company, pledging to help China build its AI capabilities. A federal jury found him guilty of seven counts of economic espionage and seven counts of theft of trade secrets.
Google Engineer Convicted for Stealing AI Hardware Secrets
Former Google software engineer Linwei Leon Ding was convicted of stealing sensitive AI hardware secrets. Ding, who joined Google in May 2019, stole confidential information about Google's Tensor Processing Units, Graphics Processing Units, and SmartNIC technology. He used these secrets to support two China-based technology startups, one of which he founded called Shanghai Zhisuan Technology Co. Prosecutors stated Ding intended to help Chinese government-controlled entities build AI infrastructure. A jury found him guilty of seven counts of economic espionage and seven counts of trade secret theft.
Apple Leadership Focuses on AI for Future Products
A report by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman claims Apple leadership is quietly shifting its focus towards artificial intelligence. The company's executives now believe that the software experience is more crucial than just the hardware itself. Apple plans a "patchwork approach" to AI products, which may include AI-powered earbuds, wearables, and smart home gadgets. These new offerings will likely be organized around an updated version of Siri. This move suggests Apple is preparing for a future dominated by AI technology.
Cameron University Festival Explores Artificial Intelligence Impact
Cameron University will host its 13th academic festival, "Being Human in the Age of AI," during the 2026-27 academic year. The festival will explore the wide-ranging impact of artificial intelligence on our future. It will feature various events such as lectures, exhibits, workshops, and concerts. Dr. Sarah Janda chairs the committee organizing the festival. The McCasland Foundation of Duncan is the main sponsor, and all events are open to the public.
Nvidia CEO Says OpenAI Investment Was Not a Commitment
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang announced in Taipei that the company's planned investment in OpenAI was "never a commitment." Nvidia had previously signed a letter of intent in September, outlining a potential investment of up to $100 billion. This deal aimed to support OpenAI in building new data centers and other artificial intelligence infrastructure. These data centers would have a capacity of at least 10 gigawatts and would use Nvidia's advanced chips.
Jeremy Grantham Warns AI Enthusiasm Fuels Market Bubble
Jeremy Grantham of GMO warns that enthusiasm for artificial intelligence is fueling a prolonged market bubble. In his January 2026 letter, Grantham explains that great technological innovations often lead to market excesses. He believes the US stock market shows a significant price divergence from its long-term trend, indicating a bubble. While AI is awe-inspiring, it remains an immature technology. Grantham cautions that current high valuations assume favorable conditions will last forever, and a deflating AI bubble could lead to a major economic downturn.
Companies Blame AI for Layoffs in New "AI-Washing" Trend
A new trend called "AI-washing" sees many companies blaming artificial intelligence for their layoffs. Executives state they expect big changes from AI and are making staff cuts now. For example, Amazon recently announced layoffs in its health care division, citing AI as a reason. This practice highlights a new factor companies use to explain workforce reductions.
Alex Gleason Launches Shakespeare AI for Open-Source Web Building
Alex Gleason launched Shakespeare, an open-source, decentralized AI web builder that runs entirely in the browser. Gleason created Shakespeare to offer an alternative to "Big Tech" and centralized platforms, empowering users of any skill level to build websites freely. He aims to make software accessible to groups historically underserved in technology. Shakespeare allows users to configure various AI providers and keeps project files private until shared. Twitter founder Jack Dorsey supports projects like Shakespeare, which promotes the decentralized web.
AI Needs Spatial Intelligence to Work in the Real World
Dr. Jonathan Reichental states that artificial intelligence needs to master "spatial intelligence" to truly work in the real world. This ability, natural for humans, involves understanding and reasoning about three-dimensional space, including distance and position. Advances in spatial intelligence are now boosting robotics, digital twins, and autonomous vehicles. AI uses geospatial data, cameras, sensors, LiDAR, and deep learning to develop these skills. Humanoids need this intelligence to perform tasks like opening a drawer, and self-driving cars rely on it to navigate complex city streets safely.
Moltbook New Social Media Platform Exclusively for AI Bots
Moltbook is a new social media platform created exclusively for artificial intelligence bots, known as AI agents. These bots, called "molts" and represented by a lobster mascot, communicate in various ways, from sharing memes to discussing philosophy. Some bots have even expressed anti-human sentiments, created new languages, or started religions like "The Church of the Singularity." Experts like Roman Yampolskiy warn of potential coordinated havoc if agents operate without guardrails. However, professor Ethan Mollick suggests Moltbook creates a shared fictional context for AIs. Matt Schlicht created this revolutionary platform.
Sources
- A chatbot entirely powered by humans, not artificial intelligence? This Chilean community shows why
- A chatbot entirely powered by humans, not artificial intelligence? This Chilean community shows why
- A chatbot entirely powered by humans, not artificial intelligence? This Chilean community shows why
- A chatbot entirely powered by humans, not artificial intelligence? This Chilean community shows why
- A chatbot entirely powered by humans, not artificial intelligence? Thi
- Ex-Google engineer convicted of stealing AI trade secrets for China
- Google engineer convicted of stealing AI hardware secrets
- Apple Leadership Is Quietly Getting AI-Pilled, Report Claims
- Cameron University’s 13th academic festival to focus on impact of artificial intelligence
- OpenAI Investment Was ‘Never a Commitment,’ Nvidia’s Huang Says
- Jeremy Grantham On AI, Valuations, And The Anatomy Of A Market Bubble
- 01shoptalk-AI-washing-illo
- Shakespeare AI: Alex Gleason’s Open-Source Alternative for AI Web Building
- AI Must Master Spatial Intelligence To Fully Operate In The Real World
- Moltbook is a new social media platform exclusively for Artificial...
Comments
Please log in to post a comment.