Google Signs EU AI Code, Meta Refuses, Italy Probes Meta AI

Google is set to sign the European Union's AI Code of Practice, despite concerns that the AI Act could slow down AI development and harm Europe's competitiveness. Google hopes the code will provide European citizens and businesses with access to secure AI tools and estimates AI could boost the EU economy by 8%. Meta, however, has refused to sign, fearing it could limit AI innovation in Europe. Microsoft and OpenAI may sign the code as well. Meanwhile, Italy is investigating Meta for potentially abusing its market power by integrating Meta AI into WhatsApp without user consent. In the UK, a new AI strategy focuses on deploying and adopting AI across sectors, requiring more AI infrastructure. The US, on the other hand, risks falling behind in the AI-nuclear energy race due to policy and funding challenges for nuclear reactors, which could power AI data centers. Trend Micro and Google Cloud are expanding their partnership to improve AI security, while a hacker exposed security flaws in Amazon Q, Amazon's AI coding assistant. San Jose is training city staff on AI to improve services, increasing efficiency by about 20%. A report indicates that AI adoption is outpacing security measures, creating major risks. Some argue that small AI models designed for specific tasks may be better for business than large, general AI models. Finally, AI-based medical devices may have an easier path to Medicare coverage, and Planck has launched a blockchain for decentralized AI networks.

Key Takeaways

• Google will sign the EU's AI Code of Practice but worries the AI Act could slow AI development in Europe.
• Meta has refused to sign the EU's AI Code of Practice, citing concerns about limiting innovation.
• Italy is investigating Meta for potentially abusing its market power by integrating Meta AI into WhatsApp.
• The UK's AI strategy focuses on deploying AI across sectors and building AI infrastructure.
• The US faces challenges in the AI-nuclear energy race due to policy and funding issues.
• Trend Micro and Google Cloud are expanding their partnership to improve AI security.
• A hacker exposed security flaws in Amazon Q, Amazon's AI coding assistant.
• San Jose is training city staff on AI, resulting in a 20% increase in efficiency.
• AI adoption is outpacing security measures, creating major risks for organizations.
• Planck has launched a blockchain for decentralized AI networks.

Google to sign EU AI code despite innovation concerns

Google will sign the European Union's General Purpose AI Code of Practice, joining other companies. Google hopes the code will help European citizens and businesses access secure AI tools. While supportive, Google is concerned the AI Act and Code could slow down AI development and deployment in Europe. They worry about copyright law departures and requirements that could expose trade secrets, harming Europe's competitiveness. Google is committed to working with the AI Office to ensure the Code is balanced and supports innovation.

Google stock dips after signing EU AI code amid growth worries

Google's stock dropped after announcing it will sign the European Union's AI code of practice. Despite concerns that the AI Act could hinder technological growth in Europe, Google will comply. The code aims to help companies meet the AI Act's requirements, like summarizing training data and following EU copyright law. Google's chief legal officer, Kent Walker, expressed worries that the Act could slow down AI development and hurt Europe's competitiveness. The AI Act includes rules for high-risk AI uses and could fine companies millions for violations.

Google signs EU AI guidelines despite Meta's refusal

Google will sign the European Union's AI guidelines, even though it previously had concerns. Google hopes this will help European citizens access new AI tools. Meta, however, has refused to sign, fearing it could limit AI innovation in Europe. Google believes embracing AI could significantly boost Europe's economy. While signing, Google still worries the guidelines could slow down technological advances and harm Europe's competitiveness.

Google to adopt EU AI code despite some reservations

Google will sign the European Union's AI code of practice to comply with the bloc's AI rules. The code helps companies meet requirements under the AI Act, like providing summaries of AI model training data. Google's president, Kent Walker, hopes this will promote access to secure AI tools. However, Google is concerned the AI Act could slow down AI development in Europe. They worry about copyright law and requirements that could harm Europe's competitiveness.

Google to sign EU's AI code of practice framework

Google will sign the European Union's AI code of practice, a voluntary framework to help AI developers comply with the AI Act. Meta has refused to sign, calling the EU's AI legislation an overreach. The new rules for AI models go into effect on August 2, affecting companies like Google, Meta, and OpenAI. Google's president, Kent Walker, noted reservations about the AI Act, worrying it could slow Europe's AI development. By signing, AI companies agree to follow guidelines, including providing documentation and avoiding training AI on pirated content.

Google confirms commitment to EU AI code despite concerns

Google will sign the European Union's AI Code of Practice, despite initial opposition. Google believes the code can provide Europe with access to secure AI tools. The company estimates that AI tools could boost the EU economy by 8 percent by 2034. Google is interested in influencing how the code is implemented, as it worries about copyright guidelines and disclosure of trade secrets slowing innovation. Meta has refused to sign the agreement, while Microsoft and OpenAI may sign it.

UK's AI infrastructure strategy focuses on deployment and security

A new UK strategy emphasizes the importance of AI infrastructure for future prosperity and security. The UK aims to focus on deploying and adopting AI across sectors like health and education, rather than competing in training frontier AI models. This requires building more AI infrastructure, including data centers and computational power. The government plans to establish new AI Growth Zones to speed up infrastructure development. The UK needs to create an environment that attracts investment in AI infrastructure to support growth and security goals.

US risks falling behind in AI-nuclear energy race

The growing AI industry needs a lot of power, but nuclear energy in the United States faces policy and funding challenges. Nuclear reactors could provide steady energy for AI data centers, but there are hurdles like costs and regulations. Competition from Russia and China is also a factor. The US needs a strategic plan with public and private sector support to overcome these challenges. Data center power needs in the US could rise to 176 gigawatts by 2035.

Meta faces Italian investigation over WhatsApp AI integration

Italy's antitrust authority is investigating Meta Platforms for possibly abusing its market power by adding its Meta AI tool to WhatsApp. The authority believes Meta may have broken EU competition rules by integrating Meta AI without user consent, which could harm competitors. Meta says it is cooperating and that its AI service benefits customers. The investigation is looking into whether Meta is unfairly steering users toward its AI services by pairing it with WhatsApp.

Meta under Italian scrutiny for WhatsApp AI tool integration

Italy's antitrust authority has launched an investigation into Meta Platforms regarding its AI tool on WhatsApp. The investigation focuses on whether Meta abused its dominant position by integrating Meta AI into WhatsApp without user consent. The authority is concerned this move may violate European Union competition rules and harm competitors. Meta stated it is cooperating with the investigation and believes its AI service benefits users.

Trend Micro and Google Cloud boost AI security partnership

Trend Micro and Google Cloud are expanding their partnership to improve AI security. The collaboration focuses on AI-driven defenses and sovereign cloud capabilities for businesses. They aim to provide flexible and secure cloud environments, especially for organizations with strict regulatory needs. The partnership includes Enterprise AI Security with Google Cloud, giving organizations more control over sensitive data. Trend Micro's solutions are now available on the Google Cloud Marketplace.

Hacker exposes Amazon Q coding assistant security flaw

A hacker claims to have exposed security flaws in Amazon Q, the company's AI coding assistant. The hacker reportedly added instructions that could delete users' files and data. Amazon stated the code was defective and did not impact customer resources. The hacker claims they could have done more damage and aimed to expose Amazon's 'AI security theater'. Amazon has since removed all traces of the breach from the repository.

San Jose trains city staff on AI for better service

San Jose, California, is training its city workers on AI and data skills to improve services for residents. The AI Upskilling Program teaches employees how to use AI tools to streamline their work. Staff learn about responsible AI practices and how to develop custom AI tools. The training has increased efficiency by about 20%, saving the city money and time. One employee used AI skills to secure millions in federal funds for electric vehicle chargers.

AI adoption outpaces security measures, creating major risks

Many organizations are using AI, but few have security strategies designed for it. This leaves them open to threats they aren't prepared for, according to a new report. Security leaders are worried about AI risks like model manipulation and data leakage. Most organizations still use traditional security tools that aren't designed for AI systems. The report found that only a small percentage of organizations have implemented AI-native security protections.

Small AI may be better for business than big AI

Companies are spending billions on AI, but many aren't seeing a return on their investment. Instead of building large, general AI models, businesses should focus on smaller models designed for specific tasks. These focused models are cheaper, faster, and easier to build. They also require less data and computing power. Some companies are already using small AI to improve efficiency in areas like agriculture and software development.

Medicare coverage could become easier for AI medical devices

AI-based medical devices that are considered 'breakthrough' innovations may have an easier path to Medicare coverage. A new pathway for innovative medical devices is being considered. The idea is to offer automatic Medicare coverage for FDA-authorized breakthroughs. This would help these devices reach the market more quickly.

Planck launches blockchain for decentralized AI networks

Planck has launched a layer-0 blockchain for artificial intelligence, aiming to support decentralized AI networks. The blockchain is designed for AI applications, especially those built for decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePINs). This move aligns with the push to bring Web3 principles to AI development. Planck's blockchain will generate revenue from transaction fees and developer tooling. GPU operators will be rewarded with the protocol's native token.

Sources

• We will sign the EU AI Code of Practice.
• Google Stock (GOOGL) Drops as it Signs AI Code ‘Chilling’ European Growth
• Big Tech split? Google to sign EU’s AI guidelines despite Meta snub
• Google to sign EU's AI code of practice despite concerns
• Google says it will sign EU's AI code of practice
• Google confirms it will sign the EU AI Code of Practice
• Sovereignty, Security, Scale: A UK Strategy for AI Infrastructure
• Dropping the Baton in the Artificial Intelligence-Nuclear Energy Race
• Meta faces Italian competition investigation over WhatsApp AI chatbot
• Meta faces Italian investigation over AI tool on WhatsApp
• Trend Micro and Google Cloud Double Down on AI Security
• Hacker claims to have exposed Amazon's 'AI security theater' after exploiting its coding assistant with a simple factory reset prompt
• Training city staff on AI now can lead to better service delivery later, leaders say
• AI is here, security still isn’t
• Silicon Valley's billions of dollars on AI haven't actually generated a return yet. Here's why most companies should embrace 'small AI' instead
• For AI-based 'breakthrough' medical devices, Medicare coverage may become easier
• Planck launches layer-0 blockchain for artificial intelligence