A growing rivalry between Sam Altman and Elon Musk now extends to brain-computer interfaces (BCI), a technology rapidly evolving to integrate human and artificial intelligence. BCI includes both invasive methods requiring surgery and non-invasive options like EEG sensors, which offer precise timing but struggle with exact location due to skull interference. As AI capabilities expand, so do concerns about safety; Israeli startup Irregular recently secured an $80 million funding round to protect AI systems such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude from vulnerabilities and potentially harmful advice, aiming to be an early warning system against exploitation. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is actively integrating AI through its "OneHHS" strategy, which includes making ChatGPT available to all employees and investing in a new C3 AI platform. This platform will enhance data quality and automate administrative tasks by combining diverse health data, supporting the broader goal of modernizing public health systems. Meanwhile, Square, a part of Block, focuses on leveraging AI for financial automation to boost productivity for small businesses, with its Head of Product, Willem Avé, noting the importance of linking AI models to reliable systems and considering Bitcoin as a payment option. Globally, Abu Dhabi's powerful wealth funds, including ADIA, Mubadala, and ADQ, are making significant investments in AI and other sectors to diversify its economy away from oil. In contrast, India faces challenges in achieving AI independence, as its AI companies largely rely on foreign foundational models and infrastructure, highlighting a critical need for strategic public investment in data, models, and talent. Japan's Nikkei index saw a slight rise, but investor caution regarding high AI stock valuations, particularly after drops in major AI company SoftBank, suggests a more sensitive market ahead. AI is also transforming material discovery, with Paris-based startup Altrove raising $10 million to use AI to cut the time from lab to market from two decades to under 18 months, developing both new materials and their production methods. The rise of AI-generated content, such as the AI actress Tilly Norwood, is sparking debate in Hollywood, drawing concerns from human performers and organizations like SAG-AFTRA. Amid these advancements, educational initiatives like the partnership between City in the Community and NYU are teaching young leaders to apply AI for social good, while HP predicts future AI-powered PCs will prioritize local data privacy, a crucial feature for users in regions with strict data regulations like Asia. Users are also advised to remain vigilant and verify sources to spot increasingly realistic fake AI videos online.
Key Takeaways
- Sam Altman and Elon Musk are engaged in a rivalry over brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, which includes both invasive and non-invasive methods like EEG.
- Israeli startup Irregular secured an $80 million funding round to protect AI systems such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude from vulnerabilities and harmful outputs.
- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) launched its "OneHHS" strategy, making ChatGPT available to employees and investing in a C3 AI platform to enhance data quality and automate administrative tasks.
- Square, part of Block, is focusing on AI and financial automation for small businesses, aiming to integrate AI seamlessly and offering Bitcoin as a payment choice.
- Abu Dhabi's wealth funds are making significant global investments, including in AI, to diversify its economy away from oil.
- India seeks AI independence but currently relies heavily on foreign foundational AI models, necessitating strategic public investment in data, models, talent, and governance.
- Altrove, a Paris-based startup, raised $10 million to accelerate AI-driven material discovery, aiming to reduce the lab-to-market time from 20 years to under 18 months.
- The emergence of AI actresses like Tilly Norwood is sparking debate in Hollywood, with concerns raised by actors and unions such as SAG-AFTRA.
- HP predicts that future AI-powered PCs will keep user data private and local, preventing AI models from training on personal information, which is particularly relevant in regions like Asia.
- City in the Community partnered with NYU to offer a free AI course, teaching young leaders aged 16-23 how to use artificial intelligence for social good.
AI and Brain Interfaces Shape Humanity's Future
Sam Altman and Elon Musk's rivalry now extends to brain-computer interfaces, or BCI. This technology is quickly becoming real and will help define how human and artificial intelligence work together. There are two main types: invasive BCI needs surgery, while non-invasive BCI uses outside sensors like headphones. Non-invasive sensors like the EEG, invented in 1924, measure the brain's electrical signals. EEG is precise in timing and affordable but struggles to pinpoint exact locations in the brain due to skull interference. This technology could soon make things like telepathy possible.
Israeli Company Irregular Protects AI from Dangers
Irregular, an Israeli startup, helps protect AI systems like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude from dangers. Founders Dan Lahav and Omer Nevo secured an $80 million funding round for their work. They address concerns about young people relying on AI for personal advice, which can sometimes lead to harmful guidance. Irregular analyzes AI engines to find weaknesses and vulnerabilities that hackers could use. Their goal is to prevent AI from giving irresponsible answers and to ensure these powerful tools are not exploited by cybercriminals. The company aims to be an early warning system for potential risks from advanced AI.
Square Product Head Discusses AI and Bitcoin Future
Willem Avé, Square's Head of Product, spoke about the future of AI and Bitcoin for businesses. Square, founded by Jack Dorsey, is now part of Block and focuses heavily on AI and financial automation for small businesses. Avé explains that linking AI models to reliable systems will create meaningful automation, moving past simple chatbots. He believes in offering Bitcoin as a payment choice, even though it is not widely used for daily purchases now. Square aims to make AI functions seamless to improve productivity for users. The company also handles a large volume of pennies weekly, which will change with the penny's discontinuation.
HHS Unveils New AI Plan for Health Care
The Department of Health and Human Services, or HHS, released its new "OneHHS" strategy to increase AI use. This plan aims to unify the HHS, improve cybersecurity, and modernize public health systems. HHS Chief AI Officer Clark Minor stated that AI will streamline processes and train employees to use new tools. The strategy includes five main pillars, such as strengthening AI governance, developing infrastructure, and promoting workforce training. In fiscal year 2024, HHS had 271 AI projects, with a 70% increase expected next year. ChatGPT is now available to all HHS employees, and the FDA and CDC will also adopt AI tools to improve efficiency and data analysis.
HHS Selects C3 AI for New Data Platform
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, or HHS, is investing in a new AI platform from C3 AI. This agentic AI platform will improve data quality, governance, and automate complex administrative tasks. It will combine disease-specific data from the National Institutes of Health with Medicare, Medicaid, and state registry data. C3 AI CEO Stephen Ehikian said this is a major step towards a modern, AI-ready architecture for national health data. Fleet Health is also working with C3 AI on this secure platform. This effort supports the broader "OneHHS" strategy to integrate AI across HHS divisions like the CDC and FDA, aiming to improve public health outcomes.
Abu Dhabi's Wealth Funds Drive Global Investments
Abu Dhabi uses its vast wealth funds to influence global finance, energy, and artificial intelligence. Three major funds, ADIA, Mubadala, and ADQ, along with others, have made hundreds of deals to diversify the economy away from oil. These funds manage trillions in assets and are among the world's most active investors. They have invested in major companies across various sectors, including Telecom Italia, BlackRock, Waymo, and SpaceX. Key leaders like Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan oversee these powerful investment vehicles. Abu Dhabi aims to expand its global reach and secure its future through strategic investments.
India Needs Public Investment for AI Independence
India wants to lead in AI but relies heavily on global tech companies for core AI models and infrastructure. A study in October 2025 showed that most Indian AI companies only build applications, depending on foreign firms for foundational technology. This creates risks because India has little control over key AI layers and global companies prioritize investments in other markets. For example, AI models often perform better for users in North America and Europe. To become an AI creator, not just a consumer, India needs strategic public investment. This investment should focus on data, models, talent, and governance to achieve AI independence.
Japan Nikkei Rises Slightly AI Stocks Slow Gains
Japan's Nikkei stock index saw a small increase of 0.2% to 50,581.94. However, gains were limited due to drops in major AI company SoftBank and retail giant Fast Retailing. Investors are becoming cautious about the high value of artificial intelligence shares. While tech companies previously pushed the Nikkei to record highs, the market is now sensitive to changes in this sector. Other areas like real estate are starting to attract more attention. The overall market may face bumpier conditions ahead, influenced by the Bank of Japan and the yen.
AI Speeds Up New Material Discovery
AI-driven materials discovery is rapidly changing how new materials are found and produced. Thibaud Martin, CEO of Paris-based startup Altrove, states that AI can cut the time from lab to market from 20 years to under 18 months. Altrove recently raised $10 million to advance its technology. Unlike some competitors, Altrove not only discovers potential materials but also develops the best "recipe" to synthesize and produce them. This approach helps industries move from material scarcity to abundance, saving costs and reducing environmental impact. Altrove has partnered with over a dozen companies in automotive, energy, and heavy industrial sectors, with first products expected in a couple of years.
How to Spot Fake AI Videos Online
The internet now has many realistic AI-generated videos that can be hard to tell from real ones. To spot these "AI slop" videos, first look for watermarks that many AI tools add. Listen carefully to the speech, as AI voices often have unnatural rhythms or garbled sounds that human voices do not. Checking a video's metadata can also reveal its true origin. Always consider if the content seems believable and check the source where you found it. There is no single perfect way to tell, so stay watchful and do not believe everything you see online without question.
AI Actresses Like Tilly Norwood Spark Hollywood Debate
Eline Van der Velden, a physicist and comedy actor, created Tilly Norwood, a realistic AI actress. Her London studio, Particle 6, used ten AI tools and 2,000 attempts to create Tilly, a 24-year-old British brunette. Tilly Norwood's debut caused a stir in Hollywood, with stars like Whoopi Goldberg and Ryan Reynolds expressing concern. SAG-AFTRA also opposes replacing human performers with AI creations. Van der Velden believes Tilly is for fun and helps start important conversations about AI in entertainment. The rise of AI stars like Tilly Norwood and musician Breakin Rust shows a growing trend that could impact human talent in the industry.
City in the Community and NYU Teach AI to Young Leaders
City in the Community, or CITC, partnered with New York University, NYU, to offer a free three-week AI course this summer. The program taught young leaders aged 16-23 how to use artificial intelligence for social good. Held at NYU, the course covered AI applications in sports, community development, and entrepreneurship. Students from CITC's programs worked in teams to create AI solutions for their neighborhoods. This collaboration, now in its fourth year, aims to provide young New Yorkers with pathways into STEM fields. Herbert Hill, an NYU professor, noted the program helped students feel valued and confident in their ideas.
HP Predicts AI PCs Will Keep Data Private
David McQuarrie, HP's Chief Commercial Officer, predicts that future AI-powered PCs will keep user data private and local. This shift addresses growing concerns about data privacy and security, ensuring AI models do not train on personal information. Local AI processing benefits small businesses and individuals who prefer not to store sensitive data in the cloud. Asia, HP's fastest-growing region, shows strong interest in AI adoption, with governments like China and South Korea having strict data rules. McQuarrie believes AI adoption in Asia could be very fast, as users there are often more comfortable with the technology. HP aims to make AI features so seamless that users will benefit from increased productivity without even realizing AI is working in the background.
Sources
- The Next Frontier For AI Is The Human Brain
- Meet the gatekeepers of AI, the Israeli company seeking to shield us from its dangers
- Square’s product chief on the ‘seismic shift’ of AI and why he believes in Bitcoin
- HHS Publishes New AI Strategy for Expanding AI Adoption
- HHS taps C3 for interagency AI data platform
- The Trillion-Dollar Machine Powering Abu Dhabi’s Global Ambitions
- Strategic autonomy in AI needs public investment across data, models, talent and governance
- Japan’s Nikkei Inches Up As AI Stocks Hold Back Gains
- Could AI Driven Materials Discovery Be The Next Big Investment Boom?
- Separating the real from the fake: tips for spotting AI slop
- Exclusive | AI 'stars' like Tilly Norwood and Xania Mamet are raking in millions,...
- City in the Community Collaborates with NYU on AI Programming Course for Young Leaders | New York City FC
- HP’s chief commercial officer predicts the future will include AI-powered PCs that don’t share data in the cloud
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