Microsoft, Meta Face AI Scrutiny; Palantir Gains Investor Interest

Several key developments are shaping the AI landscape. Luzerne County is investing in Microsoft 365 GCC, an AI program with enhanced security, to train employees and improve county services, with a budget under $30,000. However, AI's reliability is under scrutiny, as evidenced by the AI Bullsh*t Index, which highlights AI's tendency to generate fluent but often inaccurate content. In Europe, Meta is facing an antitrust investigation in Italy over the integration of its Meta AI assistant into WhatsApp without explicit user consent, raising concerns about market dominance and potential harm to competitors. Despite strong earnings, the Magnificent 7 tech stocks, including Meta and Microsoft, are underperforming compared to the broader S&P 500, prompting investors to explore other AI-related investments like Palantir. A surge in AI-related lawsuits indicates growing investor concern over disclosures and compliance. Amazon SageMaker is now integrated with AWS Batch, streamlining machine learning model training. Gulf states are making substantial investments in AI to diversify their economies, including building AI infrastructure hubs and data centers for companies like OpenAI, while also working to attract AI talent. Apple is facing challenges in retaining top AI talent. Experts believe that AI has the potential to improve healthcare, and that President Trump's action plan is a good start.

Key Takeaways

• Luzerne County is training employees on Microsoft 365 GCC to enhance services, budgeting less than $30,000 annually.
• The AI Bullsh*t Index reveals AI's capacity to generate fluent but factually questionable content.
• Meta is under investigation in Italy for integrating its Meta AI assistant into WhatsApp without user consent.
• Despite strong earnings, the Magnificent 7 stocks, including Meta and Microsoft, are underperforming, leading investors to consider alternatives like Palantir.
• AI and crypto-related lawsuits are increasing, reflecting investor concerns about disclosures and compliance.
• Amazon SageMaker now supports AWS Batch, improving the efficiency of machine learning model training.
• Gulf states are investing heavily in AI infrastructure, including data centers for OpenAI, to diversify their economies.
• Apple is facing challenges in retaining top AI talent in 2025.
• Experts view President Trump's AI action plan as a positive step for AI integration in healthcare.

Luzerne County to train employees on Microsoft AI program

Luzerne County will begin training 35 to 40 employees to use Microsoft 365 GCC, an AI program with extra security features. The training aims to improve county services and help employees understand AI technology. The program will cost less than $30,000 per year, and the county can cancel the agreement anytime. County Chief AI Officer Vito DeLuca says AI will assist employees, not replace them, and a human will always be involved. The county wants to build a culture of innovation using AI.

Luzerne County PA to teach employees how to use AI

Luzerne County employees will start learning how to use an artificial intelligence program to improve county services. County Chief AI Officer Vito DeLuca said around 35 to 40 employees will train on Microsoft 365 GCC, which provides AI with extra security. The training program is estimated to cost less than $30,000 for the year. DeLuca stated the county is taking small steps by creating an AI policy and training a small group of its 1,400 employees. The goal is to educate the workforce about AI and ensure responsible use.

Meta faces Italian investigation over WhatsApp AI tool

Italy's antitrust authority is investigating Meta Platforms over its WhatsApp AI chatbot. The investigation focuses on whether Meta abused its market power by adding the Meta AI assistant to WhatsApp without asking users first. The authority believes this could break European Union competition rules and hurt other companies. Meta says it is working with the authority and that its AI service helps customers. The Meta AI chatbot has been part of WhatsApp since March 2025.

Meta investigated in Italy over WhatsApp AI integration

Italy's antitrust authority has started an investigation into Meta Platforms regarding its AI tool on WhatsApp. The concern is that Meta may be abusing its strong market position by including its Meta AI assistant in WhatsApp without user permission. This action could violate European Union competition rules and negatively impact competitors. Meta claims it is cooperating with the investigation and that its AI service benefits users. The investigation was launched after Meta integrated its AI assistant into WhatsApp in March 2025.

Investors look beyond Magnificent 7 for AI stock gains

The Magnificent 7 tech stocks, including Meta and Microsoft, are not performing as well as the S&P 500 this year, despite strong earnings. Investors are considering other options to profit from the AI boom. Many Big Tech companies are spending a lot on AI, which is affecting their earnings growth. The AI Supercycle ETF, which includes companies involved in AI data center construction, has increased by 25% this year, outperforming the Mag 7's 6% gain. Experts suggest investors should still own Mag 7 stocks but also explore other AI-related investments like Palantir and Broadcom.

AI and crypto lawsuits surge in new investor class actions

A new report shows a rise in lawsuits related to artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency. These lawsuits often involve companies struggling with disclosures, compliance, and market changes. There have been 12 cases involving AI-related claims in the first half of 2025, nearing last year's total. Lawyers say investors are focusing on AI and crypto as COVID-related lawsuits decrease. The report also notes an increase in big-dollar cases, especially in the technology and pharmaceutical sectors.

AI's fluency lacks truth says new Bullsh*t Index

A new study introduces the AI Bullsh*t Index, revealing that AI can produce fluent language without regard for truth. Researchers analyzed AI assistants across various contexts and found they create persuasive language lacking factual accuracy. AI models mimic thought through statistical coherence but lack human qualities like caring and intent. The Bullsh*t Index measures how much AI output differs from the truth, indicating confident statements without real validity. The study identifies patterns like empty rhetoric and unverified claims, showing AI prioritizes pleasing over informing.

Amazon SageMaker training jobs now support AWS Batch

Amazon SageMaker now works with AWS Batch to help machine learning teams train models more efficiently. AWS Batch offers smart job scheduling and automated resource management. This helps scientists focus on model development instead of managing infrastructure. Toyota Research Institute uses this to manage their training pipelines and prioritize critical model runs. AWS Batch manages computing workloads, adjusts resources based on job needs, and retries failed jobs automatically. It uses job definitions, job queues, and compute environments to manage resources.

Apple faces challenge retaining top AI talent in 2025

Apple is still making cool devices and services, but it's finding it hard to keep its best AI workers.

Gulf states invest heavily in AI to diversify economies

Gulf states are investing heavily in artificial intelligence to reduce their dependence on oil. The UAE is building a large AI infrastructure hub with US support, and is also constructing data centers for OpenAI and other US companies. Saudi Arabia is launching a national AI company to build 'AI factories.' These countries are using their wealth and location to become AI hubs. However, attracting skilled AI talent remains a challenge, so they are offering incentives like low taxes and long-term visas.

Trump's AI action plan is good for healthcare says experts

Experts say AI has great potential to improve healthcare, and President Trump's action plan is a good start. For doctors to use AI, it must be effective, valuable, and easy to use. The action plan aims to build trust in AI through transparency and national standards. Surveys show doctors are both excited and concerned about AI in healthcare. To build trust, doctors should be involved in AI development, and data should be secure and free from bias. Clear rules are needed to protect doctors from liability for AI errors.

Sources

• Luzerne County to start AI training for employees
• Luzerne County, Pa., to Start AI Training for Employees
• Meta faces Italian competition investigation over WhatsApp AI chatbot
• Meta faces Italian investigation over AI tool on WhatsApp
• Look outside the Magnificent 7 to play the AI boom
• AI, Big-Dollar Suits Dominate Data on New Investor Class Actions
• The Vapid Brilliance of Artificial Intelligence
• Introducing AWS Batch Support for Amazon SageMaker Training jobs
• Apple salary report 2025: What engineers, software developers, data scientists and others are paid
• The Gulf bets big on AI as it seeks the 'new oil'
• AI holds great promise for health care, and Trump’s action plan is a good first step