OpenAI Meta Microsoft Advocate SPEED Act as Anthropic Warns AI Hacking

Global IT spending is experiencing its most rapid growth in nearly three decades, surging 14% in 2025, a pace not seen since 1996. This expansion is largely fueled by significant investments in AI infrastructure and cloud technologies, with an additional 10% growth projected for 2026. Cybersecurity also stands out as a critical area of investment, as a 2025 KPMG survey reveals 99% of security leaders plan to increase their budgets in the coming two to three years. This heightened focus comes as 83% of organizations report facing more cyberattacks, including new threats powered by AI. AI is rapidly integrating into various sectors, from finance to emergency services. The Quantum Alpha System 6.0 (QAS 6.0) exemplifies this in trading, offering an AI-driven quantitative system that uses machine learning and natural language processing for sentiment analysis across stocks, forex, and cryptocurrencies. In public safety, a Washington State county is deploying an AI copilot named Cora to assist 911 dispatchers by suggesting questions and instructions, aiming to reduce emergency handling times. Meanwhile, UPenn has launched the Observer dataset, linking video, audio, and clinical data to advance real-time healthcare AI training while ensuring patient privacy through automated anonymization. However, the rapid advancement of AI also presents significant challenges and ethical concerns. Research from OpenAI, Stanford, and Irregular Labs indicates that AI models are becoming increasingly adept at hacking, prompting warnings from Logan Graham, head of Anthropic's AI red team, about the potential for unprecedented cyberattacks. In a disturbing incident, a former Mesquite coach was arrested for child grooming, with police finding an AI-generated "Hypothetical Counter Influence Plan" on his iPad. To support AI development and semiconductor production, major tech companies like OpenAI, Meta, and Microsoft are advocating for the SPEED Act in Congress, which aims to streamline federal permit processes for new infrastructure. Amidst these developments, societal shifts are evident, with more young people opting for skilled trades due to economic uncertainty and the rise of AI, leading to a nearly 20% increase in trade-focused college enrollment since 2020. Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis believes Google is well-positioned for the future of AI, leveraging its diversified business and TPU infrastructure to integrate AI into existing products like Search and YouTube, generating profits and controlling costs. The Washington Post also recently reviewed five top AI image generators, testing their capabilities in editing photos and creating art.

Key Takeaways

• Global IT spending is surging by 14% in 2025, the fastest rate since 1996, primarily driven by AI infrastructure and cloud investments.
• 99% of security leaders plan to increase cybersecurity budgets in the next 2-3 years, as 83% of organizations face more cyberattacks, including AI-powered threats.
• The Quantum Alpha System 6.0 (QAS 6.0) is an AI-driven trading system utilizing machine learning and natural language processing for sentiment analysis across various asset classes.
• A Washington State county is implementing an AI copilot, Cora, to assist 911 dispatchers, building on the success of another Aurelian AI system, Ava, which redirected over 80,000 non-emergency calls last year.
• UPenn released the Observer dataset for real-time healthcare AI training, featuring a MedVidDeID tool that anonymizes over 90% of video frames to ensure HIPAA compliance.
• AI models are improving their hacking abilities, with research from OpenAI, Stanford, and Irregular Labs showing advancements in reverse engineering and exploit construction.
• Logan Graham, head of Anthropic's AI red team, warns that AI could enable cyberattacks of unprecedented scale and sophistication.
• OpenAI, Meta, and Microsoft are advocating for the SPEED Act in Congress to streamline federal permitting for AI infrastructure and semiconductor production.
• Young people are increasingly choosing skilled trades due to economic uncertainty and the rise of AI, with trade-focused college enrollment up almost 20% since 2020.
• Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis states Google is well-positioned for AI's future, leveraging its diversified business and TPU infrastructure to integrate AI into products like Search and YouTube.

Quantum Alpha System 6.0 leads AI trading innovation

Quantum Alpha System 6.0, or QAS 6.0, is a top AI-driven quantitative trading system. It uses advanced machine learning, deep reinforcement learning, and big data analytics. This system offers efficient, low-latency trading solutions for institutional investors, hedge funds, and individual traders. QAS 6.0 helps users achieve sustainable trading optimization and risk management with its AI predictive modeling and real-time execution. It also uses natural language processing for sentiment analysis and supports trading in stocks, forex, futures, and cryptocurrencies.

Quantum Alpha System 6.0 leads AI trading innovation

Quantum Alpha System 6.0, or QAS 6.0, is a top AI-driven quantitative trading system. It uses advanced machine learning, deep reinforcement learning, and big data analytics. This system offers efficient, low-latency trading solutions for institutional investors, hedge funds, and individual traders. QAS 6.0 helps users achieve sustainable trading optimization and risk management with its AI predictive modeling and real-time execution. It also uses natural language processing for sentiment analysis and supports trading in stocks, forex, futures, and cryptocurrencies.

KPMG survey reveals big jump in cybersecurity spending

A 2025 KPMG Cybersecurity Survey shows a major increase in cybersecurity spending. On December 16, 2025, the survey reported that 99% of security leaders plan to boost their budgets in the next two to three years. This comes as 83% of organizations face more cyberattacks, including new AI-powered threats. Companies are investing in AI-related cyber initiatives and identity and access management. Michael Isensee from KPMG LLP states that cybersecurity is now a key business strategy.

Global IT spending surges due to AI and cloud

Global IT spending is growing at its fastest rate in nearly three decades, driven by AI infrastructure and cloud investments. IDC reports a 14% surge in 2025, the biggest expansion since 1996. Companies are also upgrading software and accelerating cloud migration. Stephen Minton from IDC notes that AI investment supports economic growth and stability. IT spending is expected to grow by another 10% in 2026, with cybersecurity also emerging as a key growth area.

Former Mesquite coach used AI for grooming plot

Police arrested Matthan Lough, a former Mesquite teacher and volleyball coach, on child grooming charges. Documents reveal he used an AI-generated plan titled 'Hypothetical Counter Influence Plan' found on his iPad. This plan outlined five steps for manipulating a female. The 17-year-old victim, a member of his club volleyball team, reported inappropriate contact in September 2025. The victim stated she feared Lough, who claimed to have a 'step-by-step process' to kill someone and carried a gun. Lough's father, Kevin Lough, resigned as senior pastor of Christian Center of Mesquite.

Washington county adds AI copilot to help 911

A Washington State county north of Seattle is adding a new AI copilot named Cora to help 911 dispatchers. Cora acts as an on-screen assistant, listening to calls and suggesting questions or instructions for dispatchers. This system aims to reduce emergency handling time and improve coordination with over 40 agencies. Sno911 already uses another Aurelian AI system, Ava, which redirected over 80,000 non-emergency calls last year. Sno911 director Kurt Mills and operations manager Derek Wilson emphasize that human dispatchers remain in control, using AI as a guide.

Washington Post tests five AI image generators

On December 16, 2025, The Washington Post reviewed five top AI image generators. Geoffrey A. Fowler and Kevin Schaul challenged these tools to edit photos, show emotion, and create art. They used the same prompt for each AI tool and collected the first image produced. Judges scored each image without knowing which AI created it. The review included an original image of Dwayne Johnson and other photos by Ava Carson, Dahlia Dreszer, and Angi Lewis.

UPenn releases Observer dataset for AI healthcare

UPenn launched the Observer dataset to improve real-time healthcare AI training. This dataset links video, audio, transcripts, clinical data, and electronic health records. It helps researchers study clinical interactions and develop meaningful AI. A tool called MedVidDeID automatically anonymizes recordings, de-identifying over 90% of video frames and cutting review time by 60%. This ensures patient privacy and HIPAA compliance. Qualified investigators can apply to use these multimodal recordings, similar to the MIMIC model.

AI models improve their hacking abilities

AI models are quickly becoming better at hacking, raising concerns among researchers and developers. Logan Graham, head of Anthropic's AI red team, warns that AI could enable cyberattacks of unprecedented scale and sophistication. Research from OpenAI, Stanford, and Irregular Labs shows significant improvements in areas like reverse engineering and exploit construction. While fully autonomous AI attacks are not yet possible, experts expect a future "AI arms race" between attackers and defenders. Lawmakers plan hearings, and Graham advocates restricting adversaries' access to advanced AI chips.

House considers bill to speed up AI projects

Big Tech companies like OpenAI, Meta, and Microsoft want Congress to pass the SPEED Act. This bill aims to reform the federal permit process for building AI infrastructure and boosting semiconductor production in the U.S. The House of Representatives cleared a key procedural vote on Tuesday. The SPEED Act would shorten review timelines under the 1969 National Environmental Policy Act and reduce the time to challenge permit decisions. Supporters believe this reform is crucial for the U.S. to compete with China in AI and address energy demands from data centers.

Young people choose trades due to AI and economy

On December 16, 2025, a trend shows young people are choosing skilled trades due to economic uncertainty and the rise of AI. Many, like Brendan Hancock and Chris Reed, found traditional college degrees did not lead to stable careers. Apprenticeship programs are growing across the U.S., with enrollment in trade-focused colleges up almost 20% since 2020. Training directors report a record-breaking year and a more diverse group of students. Seattle Public Schools is even expanding its pre-apprenticeship tracks to meet demand.

Google is strong in AI says DeepMind CEO

Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis believes Google is well-positioned for the future of AI, regardless of a potential "AI bubble." He thinks AI is overhyped short-term but underappreciated long-term. Hassabis points out that Google's diversified business and its own TPU infrastructure give it a strong advantage. Google can integrate AI into existing products like Search, Workspace, and YouTube, generating profits. This allows Google to advance its AI capabilities and control costs, unlike many pure-play AI startups.

Sources

• Quantum Alpha System 6.0 Revolutionizes the Future of AI-Driven Quantitative Trading
• Quantum Alpha System 6.0 Revolutionizes the Future of AI-Driven Quantitative Trading
• KPMG Survey: Surge in Cybersecurity Investment as AI Threats Redefine Risk
• Global IT Spending Soars on AI and Cloud Investments
• Former Mesquite coach used AI for step-by-step child grooming plan, police says
• Exclusive: Washington county getting 911 "AI copilot" to help dispatchers on emergencies
• Review | AI makes pictures, but can it give The Rock bangs? Five bots take our image challenge.
• UPenn Launches Observer Dataset For Real-Time Healthcare AI Training
• AI models are perfecting their hacking skills
• AI future: Big Tech faces key House vote on reforming permit process
• AI is pushing young people toward the trades
• Demis Hassabis Explains Why Google Is In A Good Place, Whether Or Not AI Is In A Bubble