openai, google and nvidia Updates

This week's AI news spans education, entertainment, cybersecurity, and infrastructure. In education, schools are exploring AI's potential, with Alpha School opening AI-powered private school campuses in Charlotte and Raleigh in 2025 at a cost of $45,000 per year. Arizona schools are focusing on responsible AI use, with districts creating AI policies and using platforms like Canvas, which is partnering with OpenAI. The U.S. Department of Education is suggesting federal grants be used for AI to improve learning tools. However, concerns exist around AI-generated content, as seen with funeral homes using ChatGPT to write obituaries, raising ethical questions about personalization and accuracy. In entertainment, Disney considered using AI deepfakes for Moana and an AI character for Tron Ares but ultimately scrapped these plans due to data security, copyright, and potential backlash. DreamWorks is adding legal warnings against AI training to its animated movies to protect its creatives. On the cybersecurity front, Security Risk Advisors launched SCALR AI, a platform powered by Azure AI Foundry, that helps non-technical users integrate AI securely, managing models from Azure, Google, and Ollama. Corridor, an AI security startup, raised $5.4 million and hired Alex Stamos to secure AI-generated code, addressing vulnerabilities. Malaysia is also boosting AI safety with guidelines and training programs to combat AI-driven online scams. Finally, Broadcom introduced its Jericho4 chip to enhance data center network speeds for AI computation, competing with Nvidia and AMD by using high-bandwidth memory (HBM). OpenAI is developing GPT-5 with the goal of creating AI agents capable of performing complex tasks with minimal human intervention, backed by partnerships with Microsoft.

Key Takeaways

• Alpha School, an AI-powered private school, will open campuses in Charlotte and Raleigh in 2025, costing $45,000 annually.
• Arizona schools are implementing AI policies and using platforms like Canvas (partnering with OpenAI) to promote responsible AI use.
• The U.S. Department of Education suggests using federal grants for AI to enhance learning tools and advising.
• Disney scrapped plans to use AI deepfakes for 'Moana' and an AI character for 'Tron Ares' due to data security and copyright concerns.
• DreamWorks is adding legal warnings to its animated movies to prevent AI training on its content.
• Security Risk Advisors launched SCALR AI, powered by Azure AI Foundry, to help non-technical users integrate AI securely, supporting models from Azure, Google, and Ollama.
• Corridor, an AI security startup, raised $5.4 million and hired Alex Stamos to secure AI-generated code.
• Malaysia is developing AI guidelines and training programs to combat AI-driven online scams.
• Broadcom's Jericho4 chip boosts data center network speeds for AI, using high-bandwidth memory (HBM) similar to Nvidia and AMD.
• OpenAI is developing GPT-5 to create AI agents capable of performing complex tasks with minimal human intervention, supported by Microsoft partnerships.

AI, Funding, and School Policy Changes Highlighted This Week

This week's news covers AI use in schools, federal funding, and changing school policies. The U.S. Department of Education suggests using federal grants for AI to improve learning tools and advising. The Senate Appropriations Committee approved $79 billion for the Education Department in fiscal year 2026. The Justice Department released guidance limiting DEI in schools, while the Education Department will offer waivers from ESEA requirements. School districts also face challenges with closures and teacher qualifications.

AI-Powered Private School Alpha to Open Charlotte and Raleigh Campuses

Alpha School, a private school using AI, will open campuses in Charlotte and Raleigh in fall 2025. The school uses AI software for core subjects and focuses on life skills in the afternoon. Students learn at their own pace with AI tutors that adapt to their needs. Experts say this personalized learning approach has existed for decades, but AI is now being used. The North Carolina campuses cost $45,000 per year and will initially serve K-3 students.

Arizona Schools Focus on Responsible AI Use in Classrooms

Arizona school districts are creating AI policies to help students use AI responsibly. Canyon Springs STEM Academy teaches students about AI bias and uses secure browsers. The school uses hands-on activities and teacher training to adapt to AI. Canvas, a learning platform used by over 80 Arizona schools, is partnering with OpenAI to integrate AI. Arizona recommends Khanmigo, an AI tutor, and offers it to the first 100,000 students for free.

Disney Explored AI Deepfakes for Moana and AI Character for Tron Ares

Disney considered using AI in its upcoming films Moana and Tron Ares. For Moana, they planned to use AI to put Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's face on his stunt double, but the deal fell through. In Tron Ares, Disney considered adding an AI-generated character named Bit, but dropped the idea due to copyright concerns and potential backlash. Disney has previously sued over the use of its copyrighted material to train AI.

Disney Scrapped Deepfake Dwayne Johnson Plan for Live-Action Moana

Disney planned to use deepfake technology to replace Dwayne Johnson in some scenes of the live-action Moana movie. The plan was to map Johnson's face onto his stunt double, Tanoai Reed, using AI. However, Disney canceled the project due to concerns about data security and legal issues with AI-generated content ownership. Disney also dropped plans for an AI character in Tron Ares due to similar concerns.

Security Risk Advisors Launches SCALR AI Platform for AI Cybersecurity

Security Risk Advisors (SRA) introduced SCALR AI, a platform that helps people without technical skills add AI to their work. SCALR AI lets companies use their preferred AI models from Azure, Google, and Ollama, reducing data leak risks. It can be used across different departments like HR and IT. SCALR AI includes tools for vulnerability management and security reporting. The platform is powered by Azure AI Foundry.

Security Risk Advisors Launches SCALR AI Platform for AI Cybersecurity

Security Risk Advisors (SRA) launched SCALR AI, a platform that allows non-technical users to integrate AI into their operations. SCALR AI enables organizations to manage their AI models from providers like Azure, Google, and Ollama, reducing data leakage and vendor lock-in. The tool can be used by various departments, including HR, Customer Service, and IT. SCALR AI features agent accelerators, Python scripting support, and comprehensive training.

Broadcom's Jericho4 Chip Boosts AI Data Center Network Speeds

Broadcom launched its Jericho4 networking chip to improve data center connections and AI computation. The chip helps move data faster across large networks inside and between data centers. It uses high-bandwidth memory (HBM) like Nvidia and AMD processors to handle large amounts of data. Jericho4 also encrypts data to improve security. Broadcom used TSMC's three nanometer process to make the chip.

AI Chatbots Now Writing Obituaries, Raising Ethical Concerns

Funeral homes are using AI like ChatGPT to write obituaries, automating emotional tasks. An AI app called Nemu won an award for cataloging a deceased person's belongings. CelebrateAlley, an AI obituary generator, claims AI enhances human connection. While some find AI helpful in memorializing loved ones, others worry it speeds up the grieving process. AI-generated obituaries can be generic and invent details, lacking the personal touch of human-written ones.

AI Security Startup Corridor Raises $5.4M, Hires Alex Stamos

Corridor, an AI security startup, raised $5.4 million and hired Alex Stamos as its chief security officer. Corridor uses AI to find software vulnerabilities and triage bug reports. The company aims to secure AI-generated code, which often contains security flaws. A recent study showed that nearly half of AI-completed programming tasks resulted in code with known vulnerabilities. Corridor plans to use the funding to hire more engineers.

DreamWorks Adds Legal Warning Against AI Training to Animated Movie

DreamWorks' new movie, THE BAD GUYS 2, includes a legal warning to prevent AI from using it for training. The disclaimer reserves all rights related to data mining or AI training. This move protects animators and creatives from losing work to AI. DreamWorks' HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON also had an AI disclaimer. Other companies, like Disney and Universal, are also fighting AI copyright infringement.

Malaysia Boosts AI Safety with Guidelines and Training Programs

Malaysia's Digital Ministry is working to combat online scams using AI, like deepfakes. Police recorded many cybercrime cases involving online fraud in 2024 and early 2025. The ministry is creating AI guidelines to be ready by early 2026. They are also providing training programs for government workers in cybersecurity and AI. An AI-based app is being developed to verify images and videos for cybercrime investigations.

OpenAI's GPT-5 Aims for AI Agents That Can Do Anything

OpenAI is developing AI agents that can perform complex tasks like booking flights and coding apps. These agents are designed to handle real-world actions with minimal human help. OpenAI's upcoming GPT-5 model will combine advanced reasoning capabilities into a versatile platform. Strategic partnerships with Microsoft and acquisitions are fueling these advancements. However, developing AI that acts independently raises concerns about safety and ethics.

Sources

• Week In Review: AI, federal funding and ESEA waivers
• AI-powered private school set to open in Charlotte, Raleigh
• Pressure is on AZ school districts to get it right when it comes to AI
• Disney wanted to create a generative AI character for Tron: Ares and explored putting The Rock's head on a different body using deepfake tech for the live-action Moana remake
• Dwayne Johnson Agreed to Be Deepfaked in Moana, But Disney Backed Out
• Security Risk Advisors Introduces SCALR AI - A Platform for Rapid Agentive AI Enablement
• Security Risk Advisors Introduces SCALR AI - A Platform for Rapid Agentive AI Enablement
• Broadcom launches Jericho chip to advance AI data center networks
• Funeral Homes Are Using ChatGPT to Churn Out Lazy Obituaries
• A new AI security startup wants to tackle insecure code — and it's hired a major name to help.
• This Animated Comedy Includes Legal Warning to Ward Off AI Training
• AI guidelines, training programmes among Digital Ministry’s measures to combat online scams
• OpenAI Advances AI Agents for Autonomous Tasks Toward GPT-5