OpenAI backs super PAC as Tesla opens AI center

Key Takeaways

• AI is driving significant job market changes, necessitating worker training and reskilling, with Connecticut boosting AI education due to a 40% rise in demand for AI skills since August 2024.
• A new term, "AI replacement dysfunction" (AIRD), describes psychological distress over potential job loss to AI, affecting 38% of workers and 60% of tech workers.
• Millions are being spent on AI regulation advertisements, with OpenAI's Greg Brockman backing the "Leading the Future" super PAC, which raised over $125 million to push for a national AI framework.
• New York's RAISE Act, signed in December, mandates AI developers to publish safety protocols and report incidents.
• Tesla launched an AI training center in China to improve its Full Self-Driving software, leveraging recent deregulation in the country.
• Amplitude introduced Agentic AI Analytics on February 17, 2026, featuring autonomous agents that integrate with Anthropic and OpenAI for enhanced product experience insights.
• Nvidia is partnering with Indian venture capital firms and cloud providers to fund AI startups and build data centers, supporting India's "sovereign AI" mission with its Nemotron models.
• Clario achieved ISO 42001:2023 certification for its AI management system on February 18, 2026, becoming the first clinical trial vendor to meet this international standard for responsible AI.
• Latin America faces a challenge in achieving digital sovereignty, as most of its AI infrastructure is owned by foreign tech firms like Amazon's AWS and Microsoft Azure.
• Mistral AI's CEO, Arthur Mensch, emphasizes that open AI systems are crucial for global leadership and safer for nations building AI on local infrastructure.

AI Transforms Jobs Training is Key for Workers

Artificial intelligence is changing how we work, and experts agree that training and reskilling workers are crucial for this shift in 2026. AI automates specific tasks like data entry, allowing humans to focus on strategy and creative problem-solving. Programs such as IBM SkillsBuild and Per Scholas offer free AI training to help workers adapt to new roles. Workers need skills like digital literacy and ethical AI use to work effectively with AI tools. Jobs that require these AI-related skills often offer higher wages in the United States and United Kingdom.

Connecticut Boosts AI Education and Job Training

Governor Ned Lamont announced that UConn is part of a new state effort to expand AI education and job training in Connecticut. The demand for AI skills in the state has risen by 40 percent since August 2024, with nearly 11,000 job postings requiring AI expertise. This initiative, called Tech Talent Accelerator 3.0, funds AI skills programs at seven public and independent colleges and universities, including UConn. These schools will work with 12 business partners to create new courses and microcredentials in areas like AI in manufacturing, nursing, and cybersecurity. The goal is to prepare students and workers for high-quality, good-paying jobs in the evolving AI economy.

AI Regulation Fight Heats Up Before Midterm Elections

Millions of dollars are being spent on advertisements to influence AI regulation before the midterm elections. A super PAC called Leading the Future, backed by major AI players like OpenAI's Greg Brockman, has raised over $125 million to push for a national AI framework. This PAC argues that different state rules could harm innovation and the United States' competition with China. One of its associated groups, Think Big PAC, targeted New York Assemblymember Alex Bores, who championed the RAISE Act. The RAISE Act, signed in December, requires large AI developers to publish safety protocols and report safety incidents.

AI Regulation Debate Intensifies for Midterm Campaigns

Millions of dollars are funding advertisements about AI regulation ahead of the midterm elections. Leading the Future, a super PAC backed by major AI figures like OpenAI's Greg Brockman, has raised over $125 million to push for a national AI framework. Their associated PAC, Think Big PAC, targeted New York Assemblymember Alex Bores, who sponsored the RAISE Act. The RAISE Act, signed in December, requires AI developers to share safety protocols and incident reports. Bores has responded with his own video, accusing the PAC of trying to silence lawmakers who want real AI regulation. He also unveiled a national AI policy framework, calling for protections for children and limits on personal data use.

Tesla Opens AI Center CATL Advances Battery Tech

Tesla has launched an AI training center in China to improve its Full Self-Driving software for electric vehicles. This move follows Beijing's deregulation of AI technology, aiming to commercialize self-driving features in the world's largest EV market. Meanwhile, Contemporary Amperex Technology CATL has introduced the first sodium-ion batteries in passenger cars. This innovation helps CATL stay competitive in China's EV market amid changing lithium-ion battery prices. Other EV news includes China banning carmakers from selling below cost and Nio planning 1,000 new battery swapping stations.

New Term Describes AI Job Loss Anxiety

Researchers have proposed a new term, "AI replacement dysfunction" or AIRD, to describe the psychological distress workers feel about losing jobs to AI. AIRD includes symptoms like anxiety, insomnia, depression, and identity confusion, reflecting deeper fears about relevance and future employment. While there is not much evidence of widespread job losses yet, the constant talk about AI replacing jobs is affecting people's mental health. A recent survey showed 38 percent of workers worry about AI taking their jobs, and 60 percent of tech workers feel this way. Though not yet a clinical diagnosis, a framework and screening questionnaire exist to help identify AIRD, with treatments like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy suggested to build resilience.

Amplitude Launches New AI Analytics for Products

Amplitude introduced Agentic AI Analytics on February 17, 2026, to help companies improve product experiences. CEO Spenser Skates announced the first fully autonomous analytics agent, which can monitor products around the clock. The platform includes a Global Agent for complex questions and four specialized agents for tasks like monitoring dashboards and reviewing user sessions. These AI agents work within Amplitude's behavioral analytics system, providing accurate and actionable insights. The new tools integrate with popular platforms like Anthropic, OpenAI, Figma, and GitHub, allowing teams to move from insights to action quickly. Early customers like NTT DOCOMO and Mercado Libre are already seeing positive results from Amplitude's AI platform.

Nvidia Partners with Indian Firms for AI Startups

Nvidia is expanding its partnerships in India, working with venture capital firms like Peak XV, Z47, Elevation Capital, Nexus Venture Partners, and Accel India to find and fund new AI startups. This effort supports India's "IndiaAI mission" to strengthen its AI capabilities and provide funding for entrepreneurs. Nvidia is also collaborating with Indian cloud providers such as Yotta, Larsen & Toubro, and E2E Networks to build domestic data centers and supply AI chip clusters. The company offers its NVIDIA Nemotron models to help Indian companies train new AI systems using India-specific data and languages. This initiative aims to help India achieve "sovereign AI," meaning the country can build AI based on its own infrastructure and data.

Mistral CEO Open AI Key to Global Leadership

Arthur Mensch, CEO of Mistral AI, believes that AI leadership depends on open systems rather than where they are built. Europe and China are actively supporting open-source models, which allow public access and modification of AI core components. Mensch states that open models are a safer choice for nations like India that want to build AI on local infrastructure and include cultural details. Mistral plans to invest €1.2 billion to build an AI data center in Sweden with EcoDataCenter AB, moving away from US-operated infrastructure. He also warned about rising prices and hardware shortages, noting that Europe's strong power grid offers an advantage.

Clario Achieves Top AI Responsibility Certification

Clario, a leader in clinical trial data solutions, announced on February 18, 2026, that its AI management system received ISO 42001:2023 certification. This certification, audited by Schellman, is the first international standard for AI management systems and shows Clario's commitment to responsible AI. Clario is the first clinical trial vendor to achieve ISO 42001, adding to its existing ISO 27701 for data privacy and ISO 27001 for information security. CEO Chris Fikry stated this milestone confirms Clario's dedication to trusted, secure, and scientifically sound AI solutions for clinical research. Since 2018, Clario has developed over 120 AI models and used them in clinical trials more than 1,600 times to improve data quality and efficiency. The company focuses on ethical AI design to deliver regulatory-grade insights and better patient outcomes worldwide.

Latin America Faces AI Choice Sovereignty or Reliance

Latin America faces a critical decision regarding AI: whether to pursue digital sovereignty or risk dependence on foreign technology. Despite a projected AI market growth to $30 billion by 2033, the region attracts only 1.1% of global AI investment. Most of Latin America's AI infrastructure is owned by US and Chinese tech firms like AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud. This situation creates "data neocolonialism," where foreign powers control the digital value generated in Latin America. The region hosts only 4.8% of the world's data center infrastructure, making it vulnerable to external influence. Latin American leaders must develop clear data governance strategies to avoid structural dependence and shape their own AI future.

eGolf Waiver and CourseRev.ai Partner for AI Golf Experience

eGolf Waiver and CourseRev.ai have partnered to improve the guest experience at golf courses using AI and point-of-sale integration. Their combined system, integrated with Lightspeed and other POS systems, automates the waiver process before golfers arrive. The CourseRev.ai Automated Attendant proactively sends digital waivers via text, email, or booking confirmation. This seamless process reduces staff workload, speeds up check-ins, and improves data collection for marketing and loyalty programs. Luke Simmons, co-founder of eGolf Waiver, stated that this partnership helps golf course operators elevate guest experience while freeing up staff. The solution is designed for various golf facilities, including public, private, and resort courses.

Sources

• AI in 2026: Why Training and Reskilling Are the Real Jobs Story (Not Robot Takeovers) -
• UConn Part Of State Initiative To Expand AI Education And Workforce Training
• Battle over AI regulation hits airwaves ahead of midterms
• Battle over AI regulation hits the airwaves ahead of midterms
• CATL’s sodium-ion breakthrough, Tesla’s AI training centre: 7 EV reads
• There's a New Term for Workers Freaking Out Over Being Replaced by AI
• Amplitude Introduces Agentic AI Analytics for the Next Era of Product Experiences
• Nvidia is partnering with major Indian VC firms in search of the country's next AI start-ups
• Mistral CEO Says AI Dominance Hinges on Openness, Not Geography
• Clario Leads the Way in Responsible Artificial Intelligence with ISO 42001 certification, audited by Schellman
• In the age of AI, Latin America must choose: Sovereignty or dependence
• EGolf Waiver and CourseRev.ai Announce Strategic Partnership to Transform Golf Course Guest Experience Through AI and POS Integration