openai, $1 billion and Bob Iger Updates

Disney's significant $1 billion investment in OpenAI is drawing attention, with CEO Bob Iger actively defending the partnership. Iger assures creators that the collaboration will not threaten jobs but instead offers innovative ways for fans to engage with over 200 Disney characters, including iconic figures like Mickey Mouse and Darth Vader. This three-year licensing agreement includes a license fee and incorporates strict guardrails to ensure a safe environment for users. Despite these assurances from Iger, the Disney-OpenAI deal, which involves creating AI-generated images of Disney characters and fan-inspired Sora short-form videos for Disney+, still raises concerns. Critics worry about potential exploitation and Disney's overall approach to AI, especially as New York state now mandates disclosure of AI use in media. The company's history of rigorously protecting its intellectual property and its ongoing legal battles with other tech firms further fuel these discussions. Broader challenges in the AI sector are also emerging. Oracle Corp. has pushed back the completion dates for some data centers it is building for OpenAI, now expecting them to finish in 2028 instead of 2027 due to labor and material shortages. This delay, coupled with a disappointing sales forecast from chipmaker Broadcom, contributed to a downturn on Wall Street, increasing investor worry about AI investments. The advancement of AI in the US also faces a critical hurdle: the electric grid. Experts like Jeannie Salo from Schneider Electric highlight that the current outdated grid creates bottlenecks, slowing progress. The country could face a 175-gigawatt power shortfall by 2033, impacting 130 million homes. A "Formula 1-style strategy" is proposed, combining public and private efforts to optimize the existing grid and build AI-ready data centers on federal lands by 2026, as simply adding more power plants is too slow. Meanwhile, the regulatory landscape for AI is becoming a point of contention. The Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council (SBE Council) supports the Trump Administration's Executive Order, advocating for federal AI regulation to prevent a confusing patchwork of state laws. SBE Council CEO Karen Kerrigan argues that state-by-state rules could hinder innovation for small businesses benefiting from AI tools. However, states like Florida, Texas, Utah, and California are already developing their own AI legislation, suggesting a need for Congressional action. Beyond these developments, AI continues to find new applications and educational avenues. Consultants are exploring new AI markets beyond major tech companies, diversifying investment portfolios. In Dubai, NobleGate F.Z.E launched an AI-driven automated trading system for UAE clients, offering structured cycles and compliance while clients retain full capital control. Even elementary schools are now teaching students about AI, emphasizing responsible use from a young age. Experts also stress the need for more specific, measurable predictions about AI's future, moving beyond general discussions of hope or doubt, to better test ideas against reality.

Key Takeaways

• Disney invested $1 billion in OpenAI, with CEO Bob Iger defending the partnership and assuring creators that jobs are safe while offering new ways to interact with over 200 Disney characters.
• The Disney-OpenAI deal, involving AI-generated images and Sora videos for Disney+, raises concerns about exploitation and Disney's AI approach, despite CEO assurances and license fees.
• Oracle Corp. delayed completion dates for some OpenAI data centers to 2028 from 2027 due to labor and material shortages, though the first Abilene, Texas, data center remains on schedule.
• Wall Street experienced a downturn due to disappointing AI investments, influenced by Broadcom's sales forecast and earlier concerns from Oracle.
• The US electric grid needs significant modernization and speed to support the AI revolution, with a potential 175-gigawatt power shortfall by 2033 affecting 130 million homes.
• A "Formula 1-style strategy" is proposed for the US electric grid, combining public and private efforts to optimize the existing infrastructure and build AI-ready data centers on federal lands by 2026.
• The Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council (SBE Council) advocates for federal AI regulation over state-specific laws, fearing that a patchwork of state rules could stifle innovation and investment for small businesses.
• NobleGate F.Z.E in Dubai launched an AI-driven automated trading system for UAE clients, providing structured trading and compliance with clients retaining full control of their capital.
• Elementary schools are beginning to teach students about artificial intelligence, focusing on responsible use of the technology from an early age.
• Experts call for more specific and measurable predictions about the future of AI, moving beyond extreme hope or doubt, to better test ideas and improve accuracy.

Disney CEO Bob Iger defends OpenAI deal, assures creators

Disney CEO Bob Iger defended the company's 1 billion dollar investment in OpenAI. He stated that the partnership will not threaten creators' jobs. Instead, it offers new ways for fans to interact with over 200 Disney characters like Mickey Mouse and Darth Vader. The 3-year licensing agreement ensures OpenAI respects Disney's creativity and includes a license fee. Iger also mentioned that strict guardrails are in place to ensure a safe environment for users.

Disney OpenAI deal raises concerns despite CEO assurances

Disney and OpenAI announced a partnership to create AI-generated images of Disney characters. Some fan-inspired Sora short-form videos will appear on Disney+. This deal raises concerns about potential exploitation and Disney's approach to AI, especially as New York requires disclosure of AI use in media. CEO Bob Iger insists the deal honors creators with license fees and poses no threat. However, critics point to Disney's history of protecting its intellectual property and its ongoing legal battles with other tech companies.

US needs faster electric grid for AI revolution

Advancing the AI revolution in the US requires a much faster and more modern electric grid. Jeannie Salo from Schneider Electric states that the current outdated grid causes bottlenecks and slows progress. By 2028, the country faces a critical point, with a potential 175-gigawatt power shortfall by 2033, affecting 130 million homes. Simply adding more power plants is not enough because they take too long to build. A "Formula 1-style strategy" is needed, combining public and private efforts to optimize the existing grid and build AI-ready data centers on federal lands by 2026.

Young students learn about AI in elementary schools

Elementary schools are now teaching students about artificial intelligence. Many local schools are embracing AI and showing children how to use it responsibly. This helps young learners understand new technology from an early age.

Consultants explore new AI markets outside big tech

Consultants are discovering new opportunities in artificial intelligence markets. They are looking beyond the major technology companies that currently dominate the AI space. This shift helps them find diverse paths and build varied investment portfolios.

NobleGate launches AI trading system for UAE clients

NobleGate F.Z.E in Dubai introduced a new AI-driven automated trading framework. This system helps clients with structured trading cycles, transparent reporting, and strong compliance in the UAE. NobleGate manages the automated trading bots for individual clients, who keep full control of their capital. The company uses an API-only architecture, meaning it never holds client assets, and charges a service fee. This service aligns with UAE regulations and Shariah principles, aiming to support growth and compliance in the region's digital asset space.

Oracle delays some OpenAI data centers until 2028

Oracle Corp. has pushed back the completion dates for some data centers it is building for OpenAI. These projects are now expected to finish in 2028 instead of 2027. Sources familiar with the work say labor and material shortages caused these delays. An Oracle spokesperson stated the company remains confident in meeting its obligations and that the first data center in Abilene, Texas, is on schedule.

Wall Street falls as AI investments disappoint

Wall Street experienced a downturn as US stocks extended losses. This happened because traders' bets on artificial intelligence took a hit. A disappointing sales forecast from chipmaker Broadcom weighed on rivals and increased investor worry about AI investments, following earlier concerns from Oracle.

Experts call for better AI predictions not just talk

Discussions about the future of artificial intelligence often swing between extreme hope and deep doubt. Experts argue that we need fewer grand statements and more specific, measurable predictions about AI. Careful forecasting methods, like those used in a 2010 IARPA tournament, can help test ideas against reality. These methods teach skills like open-mindedness and using data to improve accuracy. However, predicting AI's future is hard due to a lack of historical data, unclear comparisons, and the chance of huge, unexpected changes.

Small Business Council backs federal AI rules over state laws

The Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council supports the Trump Administration's Executive Order on artificial intelligence. This order aims for federal regulation of AI, preventing a confusing patchwork of state laws. SBE Council CEO Karen Kerrigan stated that small businesses benefit greatly from AI tools. She fears that complex state-by-state rules could hurt innovation and investment in AI. However, some states like Florida, Texas, Utah, and California are developing their own AI laws, creating a conflict that may require action from Congress.

Sources

• Disney CEO defends massive AI deal, says creators won't be threatened
• Why Disney’s Most Scandalous Deal Is Such a Grim Development
• To power the AI revolution, we need a grid built for speed
• Elementary schools offer lessons on AI
• Consultants find new paths through AI-concentrated markets beyond tech giants
• NobleGate F.Z.E Unveils AI-Driven Automated Trading Framework to Strengthen UAE Compliance and Client Services
• Some Oracle Data Centers for OpenAI Delayed to 2028 From 2027
• Wall St tumbles as traders’ AI bets take a hit
• AI Needs Fewer Prophets and More Predictions
• Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council Supports Executive Order on Artificial Intelligence (AI) as Some States Push Back