The artificial intelligence landscape continues its rapid expansion, prompting both innovation and calls for regulation across various sectors. In Wisconsin, Republican lawmakers are advancing a bill to regulate AI data centers, aiming to protect residents from rising utility costs and environmental damage. This legislation mandates that the Public Service Commission ensures residents do not bear the cost of data center construction and requires facilities, such as the one Meta is building in Beaver Dam, to use contained closed-loop water cooling systems while reporting water usage to the Department of Natural Resources. Industry leaders are actively shaping AI's future. Baidu's Chief Financial Officer, Henry He, recently discussed the company's significant investments and strategic plans for artificial intelligence at the UBS Greater China Conference on January 13, 2026. Similarly, Tempus AI CEO Eric Lefkofsky spoke at the JP Morgan healthcare conference on the same day, outlining how Tempus AI plans to bring the advantages of data training to AI applications within the healthcare industry. The broader impact of AI is evident in content consumption and security. A report from January 13, 2026, highlights that agentic AI is transforming products and services, while short-form videos now account for a significant 77% of all views on YouTube. Meanwhile, UK digital publishers saw their revenues grow by 4.24% in Q3 2025. However, the rise of AI also makes it increasingly difficult to distinguish between human-made and AI-generated online content, raising concerns about trust and the need for robust, universal AI security standards to mitigate legal and reputational risks. AI's practical applications and challenges are also emerging. AstraZeneca is acquiring Modella AI to accelerate oncology drug research, marking a first for a major pharmaceutical company. In education, high school principal S. Kambar Khoshaba utilizes AI to streamline administrative tasks, freeing up time for student and staff relationships. Conversely, UK recruiters anticipate a challenging year, as AI's ability to automate tasks and facilitate direct employer recruitment poses a significant threat to traditional services. Even language learning is benefiting, with tools like Language Reactor using AI to explain phrases in bilingual subtitles on platforms like Netflix and YouTube.
Key Takeaways
- Wisconsin lawmakers are proposing a bill to regulate AI data centers, requiring utility cost protection for residents and mandating contained closed-loop water cooling systems, partly in response to companies like Meta.
- Baidu CFO Henry He discussed the company's AI investment strategy at the UBS Greater China Conference on January 13, 2026.
- Tempus AI CEO Eric Lefkofsky outlined plans to leverage AI for data training in the healthcare industry at the JP Morgan healthcare conference on January 13, 2026.
- AstraZeneca acquired Modella AI to accelerate oncology drug research, marking the first time a major pharmaceutical company has bought an AI firm.
- The internet faces challenges to trust as AI makes it increasingly difficult to distinguish between human-made and AI-generated online content.
- New, universal AI security standards are urgently needed to address fragmented existing frameworks and mitigate legal and reputational risks for businesses.
- Agentic AI is transforming products and services, and short-form videos now account for 77% of all views on YouTube.
- UK digital publishers experienced a 4.24% revenue growth in Q3 2025, continuing a positive trend.
- High school principal S. Kambar Khoshaba uses AI to save time on administrative tasks, allowing him to focus more on building relationships.
- UK recruiters anticipate a challenging year due to a difficult job market and the rising threat of AI automating tasks and reducing demand for their services.
Wisconsin Republicans Propose New AI Data Center Rules
Wisconsin Republican lawmakers are moving forward with a bill to regulate AI data centers. This legislation aims to protect residents from rising utility costs and environmental damage. The bill requires the Public Service Commission to ensure residents do not pay for data center construction. It also mandates data centers use contained closed-loop water cooling systems and report water use to the Department of Natural Resources. This action follows concerns from citizens as companies like Meta build data centers in Wisconsin, including one in Beaver Dam.
Wisconsin Republicans Push Bill to Control AI Data Centers
Wisconsin Republican lawmakers are promoting a bill to regulate AI data centers in the state. The proposed law focuses on protecting residents from higher utility costs and environmental harm. It requires the Public Service Commission to make sure customers do not pay for data center building costs. The bill also demands data centers use contained closed-loop water systems for cooling and report their annual water use to the Department of Natural Resources. This legislation responds to public concerns as tech companies like Meta expand their operations in Wisconsin.
Baidu CFO Henry He Discusses AI Strategy
Baidu's Chief Financial Officer, Henry He, spoke about the company's business plans. He also discussed Baidu's investments in artificial intelligence. He shared these insights with Stephen Engle at the UBS Greater China Conference in Shanghai on January 13, 2026.
Nobel Winner Acemoglu Talks Fed Independence and AI
Daron Acemoglu, a Nobel Laureate and MIT Institute Professor, shared his thoughts on important topics. He discussed the independence of the Federal Reserve and how artificial intelligence impacts the economy. Acemoglu spoke with Stephen Engle at the UBS Greater China Conference in Shanghai on January 13, 2026.
New AI Security Standards Are Needed Now
Current AI security standards are not strong enough and fall short in protecting businesses. Many different frameworks exist, such as ISO/IEC 42001 and the NIST AI Risk Management Framework, but they often disagree and are not always mandatory. This creates big problems like legal risks, harm to a company's good name, and confusing security plans. Businesses need a clear, universal AI security standard to safely use artificial intelligence. This new standard would help cover risks and provide consistent rules for everyone.
AI Makes It Hard to Trust Online Content
The internet may soon look very different as artificial intelligence makes it harder to tell what is real. Experts are finding it difficult to distinguish between human-made and AI-generated content. This raises concerns about trust online. One expert, Tressie McMillan Cottom, shared how she once quickly shared a funny Instagram video only to realize it was AI-generated due to unnatural emotions.
Agentic AI Changes Products and YouTube Sees More Short Videos
A report from January 13, 2026, shows several key trends in technology and media. Agentic AI is changing how products and services work. Short-form videos now account for 77 percent of all views on YouTube, while longer videos are less popular. UK digital publishers saw their revenues grow by 4.24 percent in Q3 2025, continuing a positive trend. Most US homes now use smart TVs as their main device for streaming videos. Also, AI is helping to connect marketing and advertising technologies, despite some ongoing challenges.
Tempus AI CEO Discusses AI in Healthcare
Tempus AI CEO Eric Lefkofsky spoke at the JP Morgan healthcare conference in San Francisco on January 13, 2026. He talked about how Tempus AI uses artificial intelligence in everyday life. Lefkofsky shared plans to bring the advantages of data training to AI in the healthcare industry.
AstraZeneca Buys Modella AI for Faster Cancer Drug Research
AstraZeneca announced it will acquire Modella AI to accelerate its oncology drug research. Modella AI's foundation models and AI agents will help with clinical development and finding biomarkers. This marks the first time a major pharmaceutical company has bought an AI firm. AstraZeneca's CFO, Aradhana Sarin, stated the acquisition will greatly improve their pathology and biomarker discovery efforts. The deal expands a previous collaboration and aims to use AI to quickly select patients for drug trials, which could lower costs.
Principal Uses AI to Save Time and Build School Relationships
S. Kambar Khoshaba, a high school principal in Lorton, Virginia, uses artificial intelligence to manage his busy schedule. He finds AI helps him save time, allowing him to focus more on building relationships with students and staff. For example, AI assists him in brainstorming engaging ideas for faculty meetings and quickly analyzing student feedback surveys. He also uses AI to draft clear permission forms and generate targeted interview questions for new hires. Khoshaba believes AI is a valuable partner that frees up time for important human interactions in schools.
UK Recruiters Face Hard Year Due to Job Market and AI
UK recruiters anticipate a very challenging year ahead because of a difficult job market and the rising threat of artificial intelligence. Companies like Pagegroup are already seeing low confidence from both clients and job seekers, especially in the UK and France. Permanent job placements are expected to be hit the hardest. AI presents a double problem as it can both change the job market by automating tasks and reduce the need for recruiters' services. This technology could make it easier for employers to handle recruitment directly, increasing competition for traditional recruiting firms.
Language Reactor Helps Learn Languages with Netflix and YouTube
Language Reactor, a browser extension for Chrome and Firefox, helps people learn new languages while watching Netflix and YouTube. It offers bilingual subtitles, showing both your native language and the language you are learning at the same time. The tool also includes a dictionary that provides definitions and pronunciation when you hover over words. Its Pro version even uses AI to explain phrases. Users can control video playback precisely and save new vocabulary to review later, making passive viewing an active learning experience.
Sources
- Wisconsin Republicans advance bill to regulate AI data centers
- Wisconsin Republicans promoting bill to regulate AI data centers
- Baidu CFO on Business Strategy, AI Investments
- Nobel Laureate Acemoglu on Fed Independence, AI
- Why Existing AI Security Standards Fall Short – And How We Can Do Better
- Opinion | The Internet May Look Different After You Listen to This
- Week in Charts: Agentic AI Reshapes Products and Services, Short-Form Video Gains Traction on YouTube, and UK Publishers Continue Revenue Growth
- Tempus CEO on AI In Healthcare Space
- AstraZeneca to acquire Modella AI to speed oncology drug research
- Four Ways I Use AI as a Principal (and One Way I Never Will) (Opinion)
- UK Recruiters Face Dire Year With Tough Jobs Market, AI Threat
- Évaluation de Language Reactor (2025) : Apprendre efficacement les langues avec Netflix ?
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