AI continues to shape various sectors, from creative industries to policy. Novelist John Scalzi, for instance, stated in February 2026 he will not use AI in his published work, citing concerns over writing quality and copyright. He remains confident in his position, believing readers will continue to seek out his books and noting a general fatigue with AI. Meanwhile, director Gore Verbinski's new sci-fi comedy, "Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die," released on February 13, 2026, explores a future dominated by artificial intelligence, featuring Sam Rockwell battling an AI adversary.
On the policy front, the White House is actively intervening in state-level AI regulation. A February 12 letter from the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs pressured Utah Republican state Representative Doug Fiefia to drop his AI transparency and kids' safety bill, HB 286. This move highlights the Trump administration's broader push against state AI laws, following President Trump previously signing an executive order to challenge such measures. Ethical discussions also took center stage at the New York Encounter on February 14, 2026, where Catholic thinkers and technology experts, including Chuck Rossi from Meta, discussed guiding AI use while preserving human dignity.
The AI industry, projected to reach $1.8 trillion by 2030, faces significant justice issues, as argued by Jashodhara Jindal on February 15, 2026. Concerns include the exploitation of "ghost workers" in the Global South for data labeling and the environmental impact of AI data centers, which consume vast amounts of energy and water. In the translation sector, AI is rapidly transforming operations; Harlequin France used AI-assisted translation for 100 books, and companies like Fluent Planet, co-founded by Thierry Tavakelian of Fluent, see growing demand for machine translation with human oversight, sparking fears of job displacement.
Accessibility and education around AI tools are also expanding. Acadia University now offers a free online AI literacy course, teaching users about platforms like ChatGPT and Claude and distinguishing human thinking from AI processes. Nearly 500 students enrolled since January, though experts warn against over-reliance on AI potentially hindering human learning. In a notable development, Meta is reportedly planning real-time facial recognition for its smart glasses, a feature discussed since early 2025 that would allow instant identification via Meta's AI assistant, despite significant privacy and safety risks. For consumers, a deal offers lifetime access to ChatGPT, Gemini, and Mistral for $74.97, providing 4,000,000 monthly credits for extensive content creation.
Key Takeaways
- Novelist John Scalzi will not use AI in his published work due to writing quality and copyright concerns, despite AI's growing presence.
- The White House, under the Trump administration, is actively pressuring Utah Representative Doug Fiefia to withdraw his AI transparency and kids' safety bill, HB 286, signaling a broader federal push against state-level AI regulation.
- The AI industry, projected to reach $1.8 trillion by 2030, faces significant justice issues, including the exploitation of "ghost workers" and the substantial environmental impact of data centers.
- Meta is reportedly developing real-time facial recognition for its smart glasses, aiming to identify individuals instantly via its AI assistant, a feature with acknowledged safety and privacy risks.
- AI is rapidly transforming the translation industry, with companies like Harlequin France using AI-assisted translation for 100 books and Fluent Planet seeing increased demand for machine translation with human oversight, raising job security concerns.
- Acadia University now offers a free, self-paced online AI literacy course, teaching about tools like ChatGPT and Claude and the differences between human and AI thinking.
- Indian screenwriters are increasingly using AI tools (45% for ideas/outlining, 20% regularly), but a report shows only 30% feel fairly paid and 25% receive proper credit for their work.
- Catholic thinkers and tech experts met at the New York Encounter to discuss guiding AI use while preserving human dignity, with Meta's Chuck Rossi highlighting AI's role in moderating 2.5 billion online content pieces per hour.
- A deal offers lifetime access to AI tools including ChatGPT, Gemini, and Mistral for $74.97, providing 4,000,000 monthly credits for extensive content creation.
- Experts warn that over-reliance on AI, despite its utility, could potentially replace human connections and hinder human learning and thinking skills.
John Scalzi shares February 2026 thoughts on AI
John Scalzi shared his thoughts on artificial intelligence in February 2026. He explained that he will not use AI in his published work, citing better writing skills and copyright concerns. Scalzi is not worried about AI replacing him as a novelist because his books have marketing support and readers can find them. He also believes that people are starting to get tired of AI in general.
Gore Verbinski returns with AI comedy Good Luck Have Fun Don't Die
Director Gore Verbinski returns to the big screen after a decade with his new sci-fi comedy, "Good Luck, Have Fun, Don Die." The film, released on February 13, 2026, tackles the future of the world with artificial intelligence. Sam Rockwell plays a man from the future who gathers misfits to fight an AI enemy. Matthew Robinson wrote the screenplay, and the movie also stars Haley Lu Richardson, Juno Temple, Zazie Beetz, and Michael Pena.
White House pressures Utah lawmaker to stop AI bill
The White House is pressuring Utah Republican state Representative Doug Fiefia to drop his AI transparency and kids' safety bill, HB 286. A letter from the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs on February 12 expressed strong opposition to the bill. This shows the Trump administration is now intervening with states to stop AI regulation. Fiefia's bill would require AI companies to share safety plans and protect employees who report concerns. President Trump previously signed an executive order to challenge state AI laws, indicating a wider push against state-level AI measures.
Indian screenwriters use AI but face pay and credit problems
A new report from Tulsea and Ormax Media, called "The State of Indian Screenwriters 2024," shows that Indian screenwriters are using AI tools more often. The report surveyed 400 writers from Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam film industries. It found that 45% use AI for things like creating ideas and outlining scripts, with 20% using it regularly. However, screenwriters still struggle with fair pay and getting proper credit for their work. Only 30% feel they are paid enough, and just 25% believe they receive proper credit, leading to worries about job security and creative work.
Artificial intelligence must be a justice issue first
Jashodhara Jindal argues on February 15, 2026, that artificial intelligence must be seen as a justice issue first. The AI industry, expected to be worth $1.8 trillion by 2030, uses "ghost workers" in the Global South who earn very little for labeling data. AI data centers use huge amounts of energy and water, often in places that already lack water. These centers also use diesel generators, causing "digital smog" and noise pollution in nearby neighborhoods. Jindal states that this creates an unfair system where companies use many resources and treat people poorly without facing consequences. She stresses that new laws are needed to make AI companies accountable and transparent.
Catholic and tech experts discuss AI at New York Encounter
Catholic thinkers and technology experts met at the New York Encounter on February 14, 2026, to talk about artificial intelligence. They discussed how Catholic teachings can help guide AI use while keeping human dignity safe. Davide Bolchini from Indiana University led the talk, mentioning the Pope's advice to use AI wisely. Chuck Rossi, an engineer at Meta, explained how AI helps moderate 2.5 billion online content pieces per hour, protecting people from harmful material. However, Paul Scherz, a theology professor at Notre Dame, warned that relying too much on AI could replace human connections and make people lose important skills.
Acadia University offers free AI literacy course to public
Acadia University now offers its popular online AI literacy course to the public for free. This self-paced course takes about two and a half hours to finish and teaches people about AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude. It also explains how human thinking differs from AI processes, helping users decide how to use the technology wisely. Lauren Wilson Finniss, Acadia's vice-provost, mentioned that nearly 500 students enrolled since January, showing great interest. Daniel Lametti, a psychologist at Acadia, warns that relying too much on AI can hurt human learning and thinking skills.
Meta plans real-time facial recognition for smart glasses
Meta is reportedly planning to add real-time facial recognition to its smart glasses. This feature would let users identify people instantly and get their information through Meta's AI assistant. According to NYT sources, Meta insiders have discussed this since early 2025, knowing it has big safety and privacy risks. Documents show the company thought about launching "Name Tag" as an accessibility tool for blind users. Meta also reportedly hoped to release it during US political unrest in May 2025, thinking privacy groups would be busy. Meta stated they are "still thinking through options" for this feature.
AI changes translation industry sparking job fears
Artificial intelligence is quickly changing the translation industry, especially for common languages like English and French. Harlequin France, a romance novel publisher, used AI-assisted translation for 100 of its books. This led other publishers to ask companies like Fluent Planet for similar services. Thierry Tavakelian, a founder of Fluent Planet, said that demand for machine translation with human oversight is growing fast. This rapid improvement in AI technology has caused worries that many translation jobs could disappear, much like other jobs did when new technologies arrived.
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Sources
- 10 Thoughts On “AI,” February 2026 Edition
- Gore Verbinski on His AI Comedy Comeback: “It’s 2026. Good Luck. Have Fun. Don’t Die.”
- White House pressures Utah lawmaker to kill AI transparency bill
- AI Adoption Rises Among Indian Screenwriters as Pay, Credit Gaps Persist, Tulsea–Ormax Report Finds (EXCLUSIVE)
- We Must Treat Artificial Intelligence as a Justice Issue First
- Catholic thinkers, tech experts reflect on AI at New York Encounter
- Acadia University opens up AI literacy course to public for free
- Meta Adding Facial Recognition to Its Smart Glasses That Identifies People in Real Time, Hoping the Public Is Too Distracted by Political Turmoil to Care
- Will A.I. Kill Translation Jobs?
- Lifetime access to ChatGPT, Gemini, and more comes with this $75 tool
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